Don't really have much to say for this chapter.
Chapter 9
We are not God
"Welcome home, Rose!"
Rossweisse embraced her grandma in a warm hug. Today Odin allowed her the day off which let her go visit Gondul in the countryside. She missed her greatly but knew her duties came first and foremost. At least she had all day to spend with her.
"How are you my sweet granddaughter?" The elderly Asgardian asked kindly, "I see you've grown a lot in the last years, both physical and in magically."
Rossweisse blushed. Of course her grandma would mention her physical growth. Nevertheless she answered with a kind smile, "Life as the Alfather's bodyguard is well. I should apologize for not being able to tell you this sooner but we have obtained a new Asgardian. Or rather...quite possibly the reincarnation of Thor."
Gondul spat the tea she was sipping on all over the table top. Her whole body shook and eyes looked as if they would pop out of her head. The reincarnation of the God of Thunder!? Impossible! He died and didn't have any children to carry on his name or blood. Unless he had a bastard son or…
Or perhaps his spirit was inherited by a human.
She had heard stories about the spirits of long dead heroes inheriting humans and becoming the next hero, like Hercules, Oda Nobunaga, Arthur Pendragon, Julius Caesar, and many more. But these were humans, not Gods. Could a God's spirit do the same? Could a human inherit the spirit of a God and control its power? She had to meet this boy to know if it was true!
"Rose...this boy...who is he?"
The question asked by the master magician had Rossweisse go on a long explanation about Sigurd. How he had no knowledge about his true parents, becoming a test subject for the Siegfried Institution and destroying it after unlocking his thunder powers due to losing someone he cared for. Joining Asgard, learning to use his power, and helping protect the realm. All the while Gondul leaned in listening carefully to each word her grandaughter told her.
Poor boy. Taken from his parents by those filthy Christian's. First they defile their hero Siegfried with clones and take this boy from his parents and name him after the hero. Despicable of the Church. They deserved everything they got from that boy's wrath. When she heard Rossweisse was helping the boy in learning magic Gondul couldn't help asking, "Have you asked him out on a date?"
Rossweisse blushed like a tomato. Oh why did she say such a thing!? This was exactly why she didn't want Sigurd to meet her grandma! She'd jump at the opportunity to pair them up.
Speaking of Sigurd he seem to acting strange. Since their outing to Norway two and half months ago, the red head hadn't been speaking to her a lot lately. Only during magic training when asking about how to infuse magic into Hirotti. He didn't visit her either. In fact, when he noticed her in the halls he seemed to have a conflicted expression on his face. Why was that? What caused this shift in attitude? He seem to want to get closer to her when they where at Norway. What made him distance himself from her?
She had to talk to him about this.
Her thoughts of the red head were cut off by the laughter of her grandmother.
"By your reddened face, you haven't have you? Oh my silly Rose. I know you focused your younger life on school, but if you want to get a boyfriend you must do what I suggested. Flirt and tease this boy, Sigurd."
"G-grandma! I know what to do it's just…"
"It's just what? Did he reject you?"
"No! He…" A frown formed on her face, "he...isn't acting like how he did months ago."
"What do you mean?" The elderly woman asked.
Rossweisse sighed, while taking the seat opposite of her grandma. Her grandma may understand why Sigurd was avoided her so much, so might as well tell her what was going on. "Well, ever since I took him to Norway to show him the human world, he hasn't been talking to me like he use to do. He rarely speaks to me. Only during our training seasons. I know I didn't do anything to hurt his feelings or make him feel uncomfortable around me. We had so much fun at Norway and this sudden change is not normal."
Gondul cupped her chin in thought. Trying to deduce what this meant. From what was told about this boy, he only knew how to fight and kill because he was a pawn in the Church's plans. He had gone to Midgard to learn of the world and how to be more than just a warrior. What his personality was like she didn't know.
"To be honest, Rose, I'm a little stumped as well. I think I'll have to meet him to get the full understanding of why this happened."
Rossweisse did not blush. The serious tone Gondul used meant she would meet Sigurd and see what she could do to figure out why he was distancing himself from her.
Guess the sayings "Grandmas know best" was correct. Her grandma would undoubtedly help fix this problem. Before that Rossweisse would have to get Sigurd to meet her grandma.
"Oh and one more thing. I'll have to see if Sigurd is boyfriend material." Gondul added with a cheeky smile.
"Grandma!"
"Heimdall."
"Hm?"
"What are your thoughts on Devils?"
Asgard's watcher turned to Sigurd at being asked the question. The son of Odin had come to the Bifrost to...as order by the Alfather, socialize with the all seeing watcher. This did not distract Heimdall his duties, but wished it had been while he was off duty. Even he needed a break from work once in a while.
"They are ambitious, greedy, and desperate for power."
"I know that." Sigurd said with a sigh. The Church kept telling him that over and over again at the Institution, "But what do you really think of them? You don't sound like you hate them like the rest of Asgard."
Sigurd had heard many people within the great dinning hall speaking illy of the Devil's after a recent event occuring in Norway a few days ago. Apparently a Stray Devil had taken up residents somewhere in the southern region and went on a killing spree. The Devil's did not dispatch a hit squad to eliminate it since he crossed the board into the Norse Faction. The incident was quickly dealt with by the Valkyries leader, Brynhildr who also sent a warning to the Devil's saying if they did this again they would face the consequences for not upholding their responsibility as dealing with their own issues, no matter who's territory it was in. Not long after, Heimdall, as well as Grigori's spies, reported the Devil's where outraged by this warning and called for an apology. Their rage was quelled by the Satans who said it was their responsibility to deal with the Stray, even if it was in Norse territory. Nevertheless, this caused further resentment towards Devils for Asgard.
"Dispicial Devils, they should all be destroyed! How dare they say it's not their responsibility. It's their specials so they must deal with it!"
"Personally, I think those fake Satan's are doing a terrible job at running the Underworld."
Those were some of the things Sigurd remembered hearing during the feasting.
"That is what I think of them, Sigurd." Heimdall answered, "Devil's are literally the spawn of the sins. Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. Those are what Devil's represent. Sure their may be some good hearted Devils but they are still filled with one of the seven sins. Take the Gremory's for example, they are friendly people and peace loving but they are lustful for power. You're lucky the Devil's didn't find you. Otherwise you would have been a slave for them to use. We are not like them. We do not live like hierarchies. We are a kingdom ruled by a our justly king and queen. All are equal here, warriors and civilians alike."
Sigurd nodded. He heard about Devil society, how the Purebreds look down on the reincarnated. It sickened him they hadn't changed their ways under the new Satans. With the power they have they could have enforced change so all were equal, just like Asgard.
"Mother told me Devils can make Gods into Devils. How is that possibly? Gods are some of the strongest beings."
"Are we?" Said a new voice in a wisely tone
Sigurd looked to see his father join them on the Bifrost.
"To the humans of the Biblical Faction, God is the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being. To the other religions, like ours, Shinto, and Hinduism, Gods are superhuman beings or spirits worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity. But what it really means to be a "God" is to have world destructive power. Me, Susano, Aten, Zeus, and many more are called "God's" for our near infinite powers. Yet even we who have power to destroy the world can get exhausted and die if fighting an equal or stronger opponent. I say we are not God's, but beings with mystic powers who are born, live, and die, just as humans do."
Odin was right. They were just like mortals, they live and died. Thor had died, and Sigurd might have died as well in the Institution after unlocking his powers. Except in the Supernatural world, and if you are lucky, you might get a second or multiple chances to live again.
"Heimdall, do you think we peace can truly be achieved?"
Heimdall mused on Sigurds words. Could peace truly be made between all the Factions? Azazel, Odin, and the Satans, wanted peace but from what he saw with his all seeing eyes, many of the Governor Generals subordinates didn't want such a thing. Especially the pale faced red eyed Fallen Cadre who kept suggesting to restart the war. Either he was stupid or crazy. Their numbers were low enough as it is and if he tried enacting a war alone it would be foiled long before it was put in motion. Nevertheless, Heimdall had to keep an open mind and wonder if such peace could be obtained.
As for Sigurd's question, "Its hard to say. Some want peace but those numbers are small. Very small. Everyone still hates one another, including our allies. I have seen and heard some Fallen saying they don't need Asgard's help. That they are the superior race." Heimdall snorted, "What a bunch of fools. They are in fact the weakest race for their arrogance and lack in numbers."
"Heimdall is right. With so few in numbers, the Fallen Angel's will cease to exist. When their race will go extinct is unsure. Maybe a year or two if more keep going rogue." Odin said with a shake of the head.
This alliance between Grigori and Asgard was to strengthen relations and work together towards peace but war and violence still flowed through both factions. He may hate the Devil's for creating that abomination Surtr Second, but he had no desire to go to war. The Alfather of Asgard had seen war too often in his youth. First the Aesir-Vanir War, then the War of the Dwarves and Giants, followed shortly after by the War of Light and Dark, commonly called the Elven Civil War, and the Great War.
Odin snorted. The "Great War" wasn't great. If it was then every Faction of the Mythological world would have partaken in it. It was only fought between the Angel's, Fallen Angel's, and Devils. The Biblical Faction's over exaggerated it. In fact, it wasn't even called the Great War by the other Mythologies but simply the War of Angels and Devil's. The mythological wars weren't the only one's Odin watched, but the human wars as well.
He saw kingdoms rise and fall. Republic's and Empire's be split in two, revolutions, civil wars, conquests, invasions, and the World Wars. If humanity does not set aside their petty differences, they will destroy themselves with the very weapons they made.
"That is why Azazel needs our help to quell this problem. We help solve this issue peacefully we can show the rest of the world peace can be made."
Odin laughed, "Peace between the Christian Factions you mean. Every mythological group stays out of each other's affairs, Sigurd. A Buddhist and Christian have never worked together unless it's in a Devil Peerage."
"And now is the time to show that other religions can work together outside of serving a Devil. It's time to show we can strive for the same goal; peace."
"That won't be easy. Not everyone wishes for peace but you might be right. A new age is coming and maybe...just maybe peace between all Factions can be achieved."
The boy spoke of peace but if he wants it he too must accept working with the people who destroyed his life. Heimdall could see the hatred for the Church still stirred in his heart. He had to overcome this problem like Asgard must do the same to Devils.
"You are needed in Midgard, Sigurd." He suddenly said while opening the Bifrost. Stepping out of the portal came Odin's bodyguard, cheeks red with blush.
Without hesitation or permission from her King, Rossweisse grabbed Sigurd and pulled him back to the portal with her. "Sigurd...follow me."
Sigurd looked back to his father for up only to receive a chuckle and amused expression before literally being dragged into the Bifrost. Sigurd looked around when hitting solid ground again, he found himself in the country at the entrance of a town on an endless grassy plain.
"Where…" he started to ask before being pulled along by the warrior. "Rose, what's going on? Where are we and why are we here?"
But she said nothing to his question. She kept looking ahead to avoid the crowds that began to gather in the streets.
"Rose!"
Still no answer. When they turned down a corner and saw her leading him to a cottage atop a hill. He tried asking who's house that was or if anyone lived their but still he was met with silence. What was Rossweisse doing? Why was she ignoring him? Stopping right outside the door of the cottage, Rossweisse turned around and looked him dead in the eye.
"Sigurd, what do you think of me?"
The question caught the warrior off guard. What did he think of her? He thought she was an incredible woman! The beast magician, a cunning warrior, and a good friend. He liked her and wished they could be more than friends but Loki's words rang in his ears. The King's guard couldn't date anyone of the royal family.
Before he could tell her this, the door of the cottage opened revealing an elderly woman with silver hair exactly like Rossweisse. This must be her grandma Gondul. So this was where Rossweisse took him; to meet Gondul.
"Ah, so you must be the boy I've heard my darling Rose speak about. Sigurd correct?" When the red head nodded she smiled, "A pleasure to meet you. My grandaughter may or not not have spoken about me but allow me to introduce myself. I am her Gondul and, as you already know, am her grandma."
"It's..it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Gondul."
"Now. Now. No need for such formality. Just call me Gondul. Please come in and make yourself comfortable."
Sigurd looked to Rossweisse who motioned for him to step inside, which he did slowly. When he looked back to the silver haired warrior he saw she hadn't entered.
"I have to speak with the king. Please be respectful to my grandmother, Sigurd."
"O..okay. Then I'll see you back at Asgard then…"
"Yeah. However, you never answered my question. What do you think of me? What do you really think of me?"
Their was that question again. She should know her responsibilities can't allow her to date him. So why was she so determined on knowing how he felt about her?
"I think you're an incredible person and wonderful friend."
A friend...is that all he thought of her? Just as a friend!? Was she destined to never be loved by a man?
"I wish-Rose!"
Sigurd watched the Valkyrie disappear through a portal, the tears in her eyes falling to earth.
Like I said, I didn't have much to say today but I wish I'd have given it a better title and development for Rose and Sigurd. But writers block is a bitch when it comes to chapters not planned for so yeah...this was all I could do. Once this little drama is done I'll back on track with what I've planned. Hopefully next chapter will be better.
