As the thunder god had promised, the trek only took the better half of the day to reach the Asgardian stronghold. The fortress was a mighty one to behold. A grand structure that stood bound from the base of a mountain so great it's peak pierced the very heavens, darkened clouds crowning the snowy summit. It's defenses were made of both wood and stone, interloping patterns and lines etched deep into the outer walls, surging with magical properties. The lion god could identify sniping spires and mounted ballista stations. He could see the rising smoke of forges and could smell the powerful scent of smelting metal, and he walked in the shadows of gargantuan towers. While Anhur preferred his standards of fortification differed, he could not deny that the Asgardians' capacity for architect. The two deities climbed the frost covered steps that led to the main gate. Above the gate stood a large minion clad in mortal Viking armor. Anhur recognized it as a Brute. His pantheon carried the same units as well, not as intelligent as their smaller brethren yet for some reason, not a fact that he, personally, would condone, these brutes acted as the commanding officers of the factions.
As to display this, the brute noticed the two gods approach and gestured a signal to the archers on standby to lower their arrows.
"Gothan aptan Son of Odin!" The brute captain hails, "How was your hunt?"
Thor curls a boisterous smile as he immodestly claims, "The fat worm will be too busy counting his shattered teeth before trying to bother us again...!"He then remembered his invited company and quickly added as he slapped Anhur's shoulder with mirthful charisma, "Oh, and of course of this one's help as well!"
The lion's tolerance would start to dwindle if the Thunderer continued such "endearing" gestures.
The brute scratched the top of his head, tipping his helmet in curiosity, "He doesn't look like one of ours, mi' lord. What business does he bring?"
"At ease, Guard Captain." Thor explains, "He is a friend, he only wishes to speak with my father and I have granted him full permission."
The brute acknowledged without further question and gave the order to open the doors, the deep, metal sounds of heavy gears and turning chains as the massive gateway opened inward and granting them passage.
The thunder god dismissed them with an appreciative wave and continued to escort Anhur through the inner settlement of the fortress. As they did, it was as though they were walking through a city of soldiers. Units of minions marched across the paved streets, carts of weapons, armors, and other supplies were transferred and moved to different facility within the confines of the grand fort. In passing, Thor would even nod and praise the hardworking troops as though they were real mortals, which made Anhur curious to such odd behavior, but dismissed it as it is irrelevant to the task that was bestowed upon him by his own father.
Eventually, Thor had lead the lion god to a great entrance, its windows glowed a glorious light rivaling Ra's radiance. The doors were carved from the thickest and richest oak, bound by iron braces that formed the profiles of bulky horses, as they groaned open, The two gods stepped inside of a great hall, supported by sturdy pillars of bulky iron and smooth wood, placed between were massive hearths blazing out of the mouths of stone dragons. Producing the strongest light was a large chandelier made of the horns of oxen and the antlers of elk as hundreds of stuck candles flickered and burned brightly. Lined in long rows of dozens of feasting tables had a bountiful collection of food and drink that would impress even the most discerning of kings, regardless if it were an illusion or not.
Yet there was not a single one to enjoy such an infinite banquet. Not even the Allfather was present. Instead of a king among gods, two ravens occupied his throne, a magnificent throne decorated in the hides and pelts of beasts. Horns and antlers also displayed themselves in perfect symmetry on top, and the gleaming oak arms protruded the heads of snarling wolves. The twin ravens were perched on the highest tips of the antlers, staring silently at the entering gods.
As the two proceeded into the banquet hall, it was only Anhur that felt concerned for Odin's absence, "Is your father preoccupied...?" He presumed, glancing at his surroundings for any possible sign.
"Aye, seems that way." Thor concurred, not entirely sure but remained seemingly casual of the situation. This thunder god was an interesting creature, to say the least.
If Anhur had returned to his home and did not find his own father sitting atop his celestial throne, he would've called his troops, assembled the gods, declared a global search, and would not rest until his pharaoh was found and safe once more. But for Thor, he merely reacted to the sudden disappearance of his ruler as though he had misplaced his undergarments.
Thor smashed his hands together before rubbing his palms as he said with leisure, "Well, my old man has always been a bit of a recluse. Though, usually there would be another to assume his throne in times of his absence, but he has been stationed to guard our western flank."
"Is there no one else?" The lion inquires, both concern and intrigue glinting in his eye.
"There are." The Viking admits, but a hint of dismay escaped his tone, "but our forces have been spread thin across our borders. Freya's has been stationed to the east, where as Tyr has been defending the south. Recently, we've received another arrival, and she has been placed in the north, but..." He struggled to find the next words before deciding to not divulge further on the topic, "Bah! It's nothing, just some Asgardian politics regarding that one. Point that I was trying to make is that there not as many of us here as there would be in Asgard."
"Is it wise to divulge such sensitive information to an outsider like myself...?"
The thunder god shrugs, "Perhaps, but I do not consider you an outsider."
"You trust me so easily?" Anhur seemed perplexed by this god's logic, trying to remain courteous in his expression, while struggling to restrain his brow from furrowing.
"We fought a Dragon together, my stoic guest." Thor chuckles hospitably, "Quick to my safety as I was to yours, and, as I had said before, I am very familiar with your courageous deeds in the land of fire. You are a hero among your people, and so, I can only respect and trust a fellow champion such as yourself by default. Call it an unspoken code we Asgardians keep."
"Sounds like a dangerous code to have..." Anhur said.
"Call it an occupational hazard then." Thor retorts as he steps away towards one of the tables, "I suppose in the meantime we can wait and enjoy the food." He then drops himself onto one of the nearby benches, dropping his hammer behind him, laying his legs out on the side, crossed and stretched comfortably before making a heavy thud with his braced hide boots.
"Please, help yourself to some of Asgard's finest delicacies! I'm sure, you being a lion and all would find any of this quite tantalizing, aye?" The thunder god makes an amused chuckle before he invites the stern war god to the endless assortment of greasy meats and gargantuan chalices of ale with exuberant enthusiasm.
Anhur merely stood where he was as he said in reply to Thor's demeanor, "You seem quite...content with current things..."
In the midst of the lion's statement Thor had ripped off the thick leg of a roasted boar, then mercilessly bit a massive chunk of it into his mouth before saying back in mid chewing, "Content you say...?" he then takes a moment to swallow before adding, "In what way do you mean...?"
"I mean with all that has happened." he retorted, a hint of edge escaping his tone, fortunately, it wasn't enough to catch the thunder god's notice as Anhur retained his patience and proceeded to say, "This realm, this place that has stolen us from our homes and people. These battles we are forced to take part in, where gods and monsters clash for a victory that they do not even know what significance if obtained. Even these...hollowed, cheap imitations that pertain to be our culture and structure...You do realize what you are eating is not actually food? It is not real."
Thor looks down at his half-eaten leg of prime pork, then merely looks back at the perturbed lion and retorts simply, "Tastes real enough."
The two stared at one another for a few silent moments, Thor seeming indifferent where as Anhur felt the twitching urge to pinch the bridge of his muzzle.
Before he could be compelled completely, Thor took another bite of his meal before setting it back down on the platter and responding to Anhur and said, "Look friend, I am very much aware of the circumstances. I will not pretend to know how things go about on your side of the waters, what you lot do in your sand dunes and pyramids is your own business. In return, I only ask that you do not judge me on how I go about things, especially when you are in my house." The Asgardian's tone was as dense and firm as the weapon he kept, beneath his bushy brow were the eyes of churning storms.
Anhur, staring back at this different expression of the thunder god, he let himself have a relaxed breath. He did not say anything, not immediately anyway. Instead he glanced back again at the table and decided to take a seat at the other side. He spotted a loaf of seasoned bread, it's crusty surface glittered like the sands of his homeland. He took a slice and sampled a taste, it was an interesting flavor, despite it not being real. A salty, yet smoky taste, the crust and dough complimenting each other in both ginger soft and firmly crunchy textures.
While savoring the foreign bread, he could hear Thor crack an meagerly entertained chuckle. Silently he glanced back at the Viking with curious expression.
Reading the lion's expression, Thor explained himself and said, still retaining his smirk, "I would think you would've gone for something with a bit more...vigor."
The lion god glances at his sample before twitching his face into an expression that may have been a mild grin as he retorted, "Are you judging me...?"
Thor let out a haughty laugh deep from his throat, "Well played, well played...! But you cannot blame me for being just a little surprised. Here you are, a mighty lion sitting before this magnificent cooked beast and yet it is bread your belly craves. It's like watching a wolf prefer grass over sheep."
Anhur retained his expression out of sympathy, "It does seem a bit unorthodox, yes, I agree..." His face then shifted back to it's more stoic shape, thinking of a particular word the thunder god mentioned. It reminded him of another concern, one that he planned to share with the Allfather in private. But if Thor trusted him enough to share words with him, then perhaps he should honor this unspoken code.
He glances at the throne, spying one of the vicious wolf heads. He then glances back at Thor and says, "One of the reasons I came here was to discuss with your father on a particular matter that has concerned my people for some time, before we were brought to this...realm."
Thor looked at him attentively.
"What word of the wolf you call Fenrir...?"
The air was still for some time, the two ravens focused their darkened stares directly at the lion god.
Thor did not answer immediately, palming his chin and wiping away any grease from his beard before replying, "I am surprised you know of him. Ymir, Loki, or even Surtr, them I can understand how you might know, but..."
Before he could say further, the thundering sound of crackling energy erupted before the throne, a large spinning circle of runic symbols and mystic power appeared upon the stone floor, casting a pillar of light from it. Bathing in it's golden glow was a shadowy figure. When the light had suddenly diminished and the circle vanished, what stood before the throne now was none other than the god whom assumes it.
Odin.