It continued to darken around them until the darkness seemed almost palpable. Walter and Bri found themselves alone with Sigrun. Katherine, the mortal, was left behind in the waking world. This vision was for those blessed by the Gods.
Sigrun stood before them in her deep green armor, looking just as she had that first time. Both Einherjar knelt before the eternal maiden. She bowed slightly to Walter and nodded to Bri. "Walter, we Valkyries have heard some unsettling news from the All-Father. An Oathbreaker has recruited a small army of Jotun."
"What's an Oathbreaker?" Although she had whispered it to Walter, it seemed to echo into the surrounding blackness.
Sigrun looked impatient so Walter explained quickly. "A rogue Einherjar, one who broke his oath to serve Asgard."
"He is not to be underestimated. Approach him with caution. We do not know how powerful he is, or how many make up his army. He wishes to start Ragnarok before its appointed time. Stop him."
The Green One then ascended into the darkness, it appearing to consume her before it faded as quickly as it had come. Katherine stood there yelling in their faces. "Walter! Bri! What's wrong!? Why own't either of you respond!?" She huffed a deep breath into Walter's face just as he returned to his body, her breath smelling of mint with a hint of the peach she had been eating. Katherine made as if to slap him but he caught her wrist before she made contact, she sighed in relief. "What happened to you guys?"
Bri had just come to in time to answer the question for him. "We were called into a meeting." Seeing the confused look on Katherine's face, she elaborated. "Walter's Valkyrie decided to pay us a visit to give us a quest."
"A quest? Does that happen often?"
Bri spoke before Walter could, AGAIN. "Mine hasn't since I became an Einherjar."
Walter finally cut in. "Mine did once before in the past sixty years or so."
"For what?" Bri cut Katherine off this time, but Katherine let it go because she was simply going to ask the same thing.
"Roughly thirty years ago, Sigrun appeared before me and told me there was a powerful monster in my area and that I was to stop it."
Katherine looked at him impatiently. "And?..."
Walter looked at her. "And what?"
"Well, what happened? What monster was it? Did you meet anyone else trying to beat it?" Bri fired off questions like bullets.
Walter chuckled. "Relax, I'll tell the story." They all sat back onto the grass. "As I was saying, about thirty years back, Sigrun paid me a visit. Told me that Fafnir had returned."
"Katherine, with her love of all things mythology, knew who and what Fafnir was. "How? I thought Sigurd had slain that dragon centuries ago.?"
"Monsters don't stay dead. They don't have souls like you or I. And though Fafnir started off Mortal, he forfeited his soul when he took the form of the dragon. Now, may I continue?" Walter acted agitated, but he enjoyed the company, especially company he could be truthful with. Katherine nodded silently. He flashed her a dazzling smile. "Anyhow, she had sent me to slay him again. The dragon had kidnapped two minor goddesses, Hnoss and her twin sister Gersemi. They were to be the source of, and best part of his new hoard. You see, Hnoss is the Goddess of Gems, and Gersemi is the Goddess of Treasure, they are made of and create those things."
"How so?" Katherine sat on the edge of her seat, or as much as one could while curled up on the grass.
"Hnoss' tears form diamonds, her blood garnets, and her eyes are made of sapphires. Gersemi's eyes are disks of gold, her skin of bronze and her hair was platinum." Both women were staring at him wide eyed. "The Gods wanted them back of course, a monster had captured two of their own and they were valuable. You know how much the Gods like their valuables. But anyway, I set out on this quest, and it was difficult. I was only a level two at the time but I was determined to prove myself. Fafnir's flames ate my flesh, charring me black from head to toe, each night healing and starting over, until I finally got a good shot at his underbelly. His scales were too hard even for my magical blade. Sigrun then arrived to congratulate and reward me for saving the Goddesses."
Katherine had a look of wonder on her face. "What was your reward?"
"Have you seen the red gem embedded in my visor?" Both women nearly nodded. "It's supposed to unlock the power hidden within my soul." Walter yawned. "It's time for me to catch up on some sleep, our sparring took a lot out of me." He laid out a large blanket for them all to sleep on and lay on top of it. "Good night ladies."
"Good night." Katherine and Bri spoke in unison.