Chapter Seven: Repair and Rebuild

~~Water Country, three days after the bridge battle~~

A small group was walking down the path toward a village on the outskirts of Water Country's borders with the rain pelting down on them. There were four in this group and one stood a good foot taller than the other three. The tallest was at the back of the group while the other three seemed to be guiding her. The more towering figure sighed as her feminine voice rang out through the rain.

"How much longer to this land of Waves, Mei?"

The one leading the group, now called Mei, turned slightly and smiled under the hooded hat of her Mizukage attire. She had long, flowing red hair that covered one of her eyes though the other was enough to show her beauty.

"Tow days at the very least my dear Jora. I hope you realize just how much trouble me and my village could get in for taking you to this mystery boy of yours. I hope he is worth it, he better be cute."

Jora, the taller woman of the group, just huffed and crossed her arms as they walked. "Fen is now an interest of attraction. I told you before it's rather complicated and I need to make sure he is okay along with another."

As she talked to another of the group, an older man with a solid black eye patch, decided to speak up. "You have yet to tell us about this connection to these two people, Lady Jora. We are risking a lot just to take you there."

The woman scoffed and was now walking a bit slower as she had to think about what to say. She sighed softly before continuing the pace with the others. "It is not safe to tell you of my connections to him and the other. Like I told you all before he comes from the North just like me. He is the last of his clan, just like I am the last of my own. We both suffered from the same war and we both have a bond because of those losses. Maybe…maybe when I get to know you three more I can tell you more, but I can't just tell my truth and risk those still seeking vengeance against me to come knocking on your doorstep."

Mei frowned a bit at the girl. She and her group here had gone through a lot in this last year. It was partially thanks to Jora's vast knowledge and intellect that they ended up winning the Mist Civil War. They had fought together and bled together. They buried the dead together and charged over the enemy as a team yet she still didn't seem to trust them enough to tell them the truth.

"I will offer this at the very least," Jora spoke softly "He contains a great monster within him, just like me. And if he thinks it is time for us to start acting and rebuilding then I will come to you three and tell you everything. Is that agreeable to you Ao? Mei? Chojuro?"

The three stopped walking and all looked at Jora. Mei kept her frown while Ao seemed a bit ticked off.

"So there are more of you then? Those monsters of yours are capable of rivaling Tailed Beasts and you thought it wise to keep the knowledge of more being out there from us?"

Jora looked to Ao and was about to respond before the fourth and final member of their group, Chojuro, decided to chime in.

"A-Ao, she doesn't need to tell us any of that. That is her business and not our own."

Ao looked back to Chojuro and scoffed. "Potential threats are potential threats. It doesn't matter who or where they are."

Chojuro just sighed as he didn't have the energy to deal with the older man. Mei just shook her head before turning to Ao.

"Ao, your annoying me. Shut up or I'll kill you."

That quickly got Ao to shut his trap before Mei continue to speak to Jora. "Jora, why is it you are so worried about your past coming to harm us? Your foes are in the Northern Realms are they not? And why would you let this boy dictate when you can or can't speak of what happened? From what it sounds like he is your equal."

The three of them looked to Jora again at that line of questioning. They were curious too about why it was so important to find this Fen guy and why she needed to leave now all of a sudden. Jora looked at them and sighed, shaking her head before walking down the path past them.

"Fen has the eldest of the monsters inside him, and he was also the first one to be able to meld with his monster. His and the monster's souls are becoming one and my creature tells me this is key to becoming stronger with one another. As it stands he is far stronger than me and as such I will respect his strength and ask him how I and Jormungandr can become one like him and his creature. Now, can we keep going before we lose him?"

~~Land of Iron, three days after the bridge battle~~

"Preparations for our journey are finished, my lord."

A rogue ninja kneeled before the man he spoke to as the said man stood up from his place before his fire. He had the thick pelt of a bear covering his back with the skull of the bear acting as his right shoulder guard. His head was covered in a headdress of bones and leather of various animals. When he turned to face the guard he looked down at him and the ninja looked up at him. The ninja could never get over the sight that was his master's armor. Under the bearskin cloak was the thick, heavy leather tunic adorned with the fangs, claws, and bones of animals and even a few humans. His legs were much of the same, and his look made him look like a walking skeleton monstrosity. His pale, sickly white skin didn't help the image either, but it did help put a sense of fear and dread in those that looked at him.

"Good, I appreciate your hard work Tenji. Go tell the others we leave for the Land of Waves at once."

"Yes my lord. It will be done."

The ninja ran off to get the rest of their band of misfit ninjas ready to move. This made the man chuckle as he got to work putting out his fire just in time for the snow to start cascading down from the night sky. He sighed as he should have figured that as soon as they would leave, the snow would begin again. In truth, he was happy to get out of the Land of Iron.

As he got to work putting out the fire a voice within his mind spoke.

"So we move to seek out my eldest brother, Heggr?"

Heggr sighed as he kicked some more snow onto the smoldering wood. "Of course I am. I felt the surge of power when you told me he and Fenrir started to merge their souls together. We need to know how they did it so we can bring vengeance to any remaining Aesir and their pathetic loyalist clans."

"Heggr I have warned you before I am not going to let you use me to continue the bloodshed. Death has a purpose to play but it's not one to be an active role."

"And I told you, Hel, that I don't care what you think. You were put in my body so my clan's vengeance can be achieved. I will use what I can from you to do that."

"You poor fool. I may reside within you but that does not mean I would allow you to take any more than I have to give you to survive. I will not let what little is left of me be your tool of destruction."

Before Heggr could respond he felt the mental link between himself and Hel severe like it had been for the long periods where she refused to talk to him. His anger rose to know that Hel was once again refusing his right to her power. He would get control of her and Fen would be the person to show him how. He just knew it.

~~Land of Waves, three days after the bridge battle~~

Outside the window, the pitter-patter of the rain could be heard softly echoing within the room where one Fen Norung was resting. He hasn't woken up from his exhaustion since the day of his battle and unlocking his rage form. In those three days, everyone from Fumiko to Zabuza came and went to check up on the hero of the village.

Things have been good for the village since that day. After discovering where Gato and his remaining goons were residing Zabuza along with Haku, Hana and Tsumi went to take back what the midget had taken from not only the village but from all of the Land of Waves. The siege on his hide-out wasn't really a siege but more of a one-sided massacre as Zabuza spared now man when he found the den of depravity. When Gato was cornered and found the group made sure the monster that was Gato suffered. Originally they were just going to kill him after taking back the funds he had wrongfully taken, but when they discovered the floor within his base that was used for the purpose of raping the women he had taken through debts or kidnapping their mercy for the man went out the door. Zabuza had tortured the poor bastard for twenty-four hours straight and made sure he was awake for every moment before the Inuzuka's hounds had their fun with the man. The howls of agony that rained out from the midget's lips were said to be heard still to this day if those who went to the mansion listened closely.

When the group returned they made sure every ryo was given to them and was spread out to the other villages. News of their efforts and the valiant defense headed by the village's hero reached so far that even the daimyo of the land had caught wind of it. When he had learned of what had happened and that his people were finally free of the tyranny of Gato he sent his most trusted envoy to the village to ensure that they were well taken care of. He even went as far as to personally send a letter to the daimyo of the Land of Fire and expressed his gratitude for his ninjas' intervention on behalf of his people. Though this wasn't known to said ninjas currently in the village.

Though their mission was to retrieve and return Fen to Konoha without delay the team of Anko, Yugao, Hana and Tsumi found themselves keeping put in the village til Fen woke up or show some sort of sign of recovery. They were originally going to take and go on the road as he was knocked out but after a medic sent by the Wave Daimyo told them that could potentially cause more damage to his current state they opted to send a letter via hawk to the Hokage and explain the situation. To their surprise the response was quick and their Hokage told them to take the time they needed as he was very pleased with their actions. They wondered how word got to him of what happened but figured they would know as soon as they returned home.

Currently, though, Hana and Fumiko were sitting in Fen's room as he slumbered. Hana and the little girl had grown closer as they were both constantly at Fen's side as he rested. They talked about one another and why Fen seemed to call Fumiko his sister and she called him her brother. When Hana was told the story and how they shared a similar trait within their blood she only melted a bit more for the mysterious man that had seemed to have a heart of gold underneath all those impressive muscles. At the moment she was sitting on a chair at the side of the bed with her left hand on his arm to comfort him as he slept. Fumiko was looking over his bow that she was allowed to hold since it was the least deadly weapon she wanted to see. It seemed the little girl was fascinated with the weapons her new brother had and wanted to play with them. While Zabuza thought it would be okay the others quickly shot her request to play with them down. This made Zabuza her favorite rather quickly.

She tried to pull the string back but quickly discovered how much tension was in the string. She kept trying to pull it back with all her strength but each attempt resulted in the same conclusion. She sighed and looked at her brother as he slept under the covers.

"Big brother is really strong. I can't even pull his bowstring. It's so stiff!"

Hanan turned and looked at Fumiko as she looked down at the bow in defeat. She chuckled and brought her hand over Fen and to Fumiko. "May I see it?"

The young girl nodded as she handed the bow to Hana, though be it a bit reluctantly. When Hana held the bow in her hands she slowly tried to pull back the string but found it very difficult. She struggled to pull it back the inch or two she could manage before she had to let go and let the string fling back in place.

"Indeed it seems so. I can only imagine how much it would hurt to be struck by one of his arrows."

Both girls chuckled at the thought before shivering at that same thought. Hana handed the bow back to Fumiko as she moved to cuddle close to Fen as he recovered in his sleep. She brought her head close to his shoulder, hoping her presence would wake him up. She felt awful knowing he went all out for her and the people of her village. He owed them nothing but he was prepared to put everything he had on the line to protect them.

"Hana…do you think he will wake up soon?"

Again the older girl turned to Fumiko. She could hear the fear in her voice and just offered a gentle, warming smile to her.

"I have no doubt that Fen will wake up soon, Fumiko. Whatever he did to transform in his fight just took a lot out of him. We just need to be patient as he recovers. And when he wakes up we are going to have a big celebration. The villagers are so eager to throw him a party."

They both smiled and chuckled at the idea of a party with Fen in the center of it. For some reason, they didn't peg him as a party sort of guy. As they continued to talk they were unaware of what was happening within their favorite blonde's head.

~~Fen's Mindscape~~

For the last three days, nothing but the chatter of wolf and man was heard. When they met face to face once again after Fen's body shut down to recover Fenrir welcomed him with a toothy smile. He was proud of his container but did have fear for what was to happen now that he bonded their souls together. For the first day of his comatose state, Fenrir explained the sad truth that now that his soul was melded with Fen's own that he, in time, would be completely taken into Fen's being. This shocked and panicked Fen as he voiced his worry about losing who he was and becoming Fenrir himself. The Wolf-Giant settled his concerns rather quickly as he explained it would be the other way around. It would be, within a year at most, that Fenrir would cease to exist and become a part of Fen.

Fen of course was heartbroken at this. Ever since they become connected Fenrir was the one that always looked out for him and taught him how to survive after his clan was taken under the tides of genocide and was forced to flee from their home. Fenrir was there to teach him the runes of the Aesir and how to use them. He taught Fen the finer points of hunting and how it was important to honor all prey no matter how small or lowly. In the end, ironically, Fenrir was the only true father figure that Fen ever had. And now he was faced with the knowledge that his respected friend would no longer exist and leave Fen on his own.

Fenrir explained to his young friend that, in the end, the wounds that Odin had inflicted upon his soul would never truly recover. If he was released into the world again he would die and would have a pointless death. At least this way he could have a lasting impression on the world through Fen and his children. When he told Fen this the young man was generally confused and Fenrir had to explain it more to him. He explained to Fen that since he would be part of him then it would be a solid conclusion that his power and strength would be passed down to his descendants. He would, in a sense, continue not just the Norung but the bloodline of Fenrir himself too. He tried to convince Fen that this would be the highest honor anyone could have, to continue the bloodline of a powerful creature like himself, but the somber idea of being the one to continue Fenrir's family instead of the wolf himself only made him sadder than anything.

The second day was of a lighter mood as they conversed about his new form, the Raging Wolf mode. It was new territory for both of them and as such, they had to brainstorm ideas and hypothesize about what this mode can do. It was clear to them both that the anger and rage Fen felt was the catalyst to power this new mode of his but after an hour of discussing it they theorized that any intense emotion could potentially fuel the mode. They also theorized that stockpiling the emotions could work as a way to make the Raging Wolf accessible at any time. This, of course, was all theory and until Fen attempted to experiment with the mode they would still know nothing about it in the long run.

On the third and current day they discussed what to do as Fenrir sensed it was close to the time for Fen to wake up. The two sat on the small island within the endless sea that spanned all around the solid ground. Fenrir had grown smaller as each day passed, though he was the only one to know this since his weakening state was still unnoticeable to Fen. The said boy was sitting across from Fenrir cross-legged as he was in a thinking pose after Fenrir's last question: What was he going to do now?

The question was one Fen was thinking about since the first day, but it was a complicated one. He knew for a fact that even if Gato was taken down and peace was restored to this land another would come in soon enough and cause another drought of freedom and life in the Land of Waves. If his theory was correct then there was a hole in the daimyo's court that was either leaking vital information to Gato to keep himself under the radar or was actively working to cover Gato's trail. Either way, it would leave only time to find a new tyrant to take hold in this country. He had the thought of hunting down this potential threat and exacting a bloody vengeance on behalf of the countless lives that had suffered under Gato's tyranny. But even at these thoughts, he knew better. He was a foreigner in a land that saw him as nothing more than that. He had to think of another way to make sure that the people didn't suffer again. Or at the very least to make sure the people of this village never starved again.

The next worry on his growing list was the fact that Nord clans are seeming to expand work out of their native lands. Sure, Nords have been known to be mercenaries for military powers in the Elemental Nations, but since there was no war currently that market was pretty dried up. And with the ravaging of the Northern Realms due to Ragnarok, they seemed that clans desperate enough were expanding their horizons to more than just working for war. They were working for dirty, bloody money now. This in itself would be a bigger concern on a world stage since the loss of principles in the clans would lead to even more open hostility to the Nords and in turn, a war between Nord and Ninja could come storming into the Elemental Nations. Maybe if he found a way to make sure the Nords were willing to live amongst the Elemental Nations then he could prevent this. But he also knew that sort of goal was foolish at best. Traditions on both sides were too deep into the roots of the clans on both sides and he doubted either side would be willing to adapt to the other in the pursuit of unity.

The third thing on his list was Konoha. He was still greatly disappointed with the reactions and cold nature that the team he was assigned to showed when told the plight of Tazuna and his country. It showed him, despite the tales of greatness he was told of about his father, the village itself was selfish and cold to others. He summed it up as arrogance and pride. He knew that Konoha saw themselves higher than any other hidden village due to their strength and in turn made them the arrogant, pompous asshats they were now. In honesty, it reminded him a lot of the Aesir in a way. People were so powerful and proud that they saw those around them as lesser and damned any consequences that could happen from their supposed superiority. He also knew he couldn't do anything about that. They were rooted in their ways and that was clear to him as the youngest generation of their genin showed this arrogance firsthand. And alas, he was a foreigner to them as well. He had no actual way to change things.

He kept in his thoughts as Fenrir waited patiently for a response. After ten minutes of thinking Fen spoke up and broke the silence. "Fenrir…I honestly do not know. As I see it there are three issues at hand and none of them seem to be easily mended."

Fenrir nodded as he looked to his friend and thought to himself for a moment before speaking. "I can read your thoughts, young wolf, and they are troubling. I am proud you are trying to do what was right, just like your clan would have done. However, good intentions often pave the way to the greatest hardships. You know this from experience."

Fen just nodded as he had to agree with Fenrir on that one. Fenrir chuckled softly in his wolfish tone before continuing. "However, you are not alone."

The young Norung boy looked up at his tenant with a slight smirk on his lips. "Sad to say that I and Fumiko can't do much Fenrir. Though I appreciate the idea."

Fenrir just rolled his eyes before tapping his paw on Fen's forehead, which in turn pushed the boy hard enough to roll back into the water. He grunted out his annoyance at being wet now but remembered that this was his mind. He just thought himself dry and returned to the island.

"Not just her, you foolish pup. You have the ties of your clan to call on. Do you forget the allies they had outside of the other two clans?"

The facepalm that Fen did to himself was legendary as it actually made a bruise form on his forehead rather quickly. "Damn it, I really am a pup! I forgot about the others! I can try calling them here and see if I can work out contracts to…"

Fenrir just sat there and smirked as he heard Fen go on and on about the potential allies that this village could get if he convinced those he knew to help them. As he watched his young container rant he couldn't help but feel a bit more pride in his dying chest. He knew, in the end, Fen would make a great leader. He may not be the sharpest axe on your hip, but he sure was the deadliest.

After twenty minutes of ranting about what he was going to do Fen felt a soothing sensation wash over him. He looked back to Fenrir. The wolf-giant just nodded as he knew it was time.

"Seems you are ready to finally awaken. I am here for you, Fen, so do not hesitate to call on me if you need my wisdom."

Fen just smiled back at his only real friend and did something the ancient wolf didn't expect. He came to Fenrir's left leg and hugged him as he embraced the wolf. Fenrir just smirked as he put a paw over Fen's back as the only way to return the embrace.

"Thank you, Fenrir. I promise you I will find a way to revert our welding and restore your soul to full strength. I will make sure you are free from here and be able to roam and hunt once again. Just give me time."

"Sure pup, sure. Now get out of here. I have a feeling you have a lot of people waiting for you."

The young Norung just nodded, the smile not leaving his face as he closed his eyes and let consciousness take over his body again. As he left Fenrir was now alone to sit on his island. He lay down and closed his eyes as he let a smile sink into his features.

"I wish you could save me, my friend, but what I have done is done. I have no regrets though. I have faith in you, and I know you will make the wrongs I made right. I just hope you can forgive me for that burden I put on your shoulders…"

~~Bedroom~~

It was past midnight when Fen finally woke up from his seemingly endless slumber. His body was still a bit sore from the transformation, but it wasn't anything he wasn't used to already. He slowly tried to bring himself up to sit properly but felt a weight on his chest. He looked down only to smile at what he saw. Laying across his left side was Fumiko, with her arms wrapped tightly around his own. She had a look of utter relaxation across her face as she rubbed her head into his shoulder. He chuckled as he looked at her before leaning down and giving her a kiss on her forehead. The warmth that came to his heart was strong when he saw her smile at his action. This would be something that stuck with Fen for a while. He gently removed his arm from her grasp and slid his pillow under her head so she wouldn't get uncomfortable and wake up. Thankfully it worked as he stood up and noticed he was wearing loose, lined trousers that were no doubt Tazuna's since it was a few sizes too big. He sighed as he looked around and found his proper clothes seemingly washed and cleaned sitting on a dresser across from the bed. He quickly got dressed, feeling ten times more comfortable in his tight-fitting armor over the baggy pants that they had him in. He did quickly note that none of his weapons were there with his armor. With that in mind, he silently left the room and walked the hall then down the stairs that lead into the living room.

When he made his way into the living room he was greeted with the sight of Zabuza, Anko, Hana, Haku, and Tsume all sleeping. Tsume was on the couch while Haku was on the other across the room. Anko was sleeping on one of the chairs in a clearly uncomfortable position while Hana and Zabuza slept on mats on the floor. The sight was a bit of a surprise to him. He thought they would have gone their separate ways at this point, but here they slept. He just shook his head as he went about looking for his gear. He wasn't planning on fighting or anything, but there was something he needed from his pouch if he wanted to start getting to work on his plans to help the village and country as a whole.

It took him nearly ten minutes before he found his stuff on the top shelf in the kitchen. He was lost to find any reason why they would have been put there but didn't care to dwell on it for long before he re-equipped his gear and made his way out of the house. However, as he did there was one who was woken up by his presence. Walking down from upstairs in a nightgown was Tsunami who was just able to see the hero of the village and her son walking out of the door in the dead of the night. She was ecstatic to see him awake and moving again but was lost on why he was leaving without a word. Without much thought to it, she went back to her room and got dressed, and went out to follow him.

Fen, unaware of Tsunami's movements, was making his way to the town square. Thankfully no one was awake as this would make things a lot easier for him as he got to work. He took several paces in a circle around the town square as he was trying to find the right stone in the road to start working the runes he needed into. After about ten laps in this pattern, he marked each stone and started to etch the runes he needed into them. He had never attempted something like this before, or at least not at this big of a scale. He just hoped it worked and wouldn't backfire on him as he finished the first set of runes on the first stone before making his way to the next.

As he was doing this Tsunami was watching from the corner of a building watching him carve strange symbols into the stones. She was going to talk to him when she found him, but when she saw him working the stones with his knife she thought it better to be silent and watch.

Fen wiped his forehead as he worked the last stone with the runes before taking the knife to his palm and slicing it enough to cause blood to drip freely. Slowly he let the crimson liquid drip into each rune and repeated the process for each stone. After each stone and its runes were stained with his blood he went to the center of the circle he had made and put his bloody hand down as he spoke in a language Tsunami couldn't understand.

After he finished speaking the runes glowed and the ground shook ever so slightly as something was happening. She was worried for a moment, thinking that the hero they saw was doing something to harm the village he saved, but stopped such thoughts as she knew better than to let her past experiences make her think that way. She had faith in him, much like many others did.

As the shaking stopped the runes blazed a bright bronze-tinged color before a large cloud of smoke erupted into the air. Fen smoke from his spot as he saw the figures he had summoned walk out of the smoke with coughs. Around him were now three different figures. One was a tall, lean figure that was covered in bark as armor and a wooden staff with blooming flowers sprouting from its surface. Another was a short, stout man with a long, burly beard braided with iron bands, a hammer in his hands. The last figure was larger than the first and much, much bigger. His skin was that of blue and wore furs and leathers of animals. Slung to the creature's back was a large, two-handed club fashioned out of stone and metal.

"Lord Durin, Lady Frej, Lord Thyrm. I am honored you answered my call. I apologize that it is so late but I fear I need the assistance of my clan's eldest allies."

The largest of the three, Thyrm, looked around before looking down at the young man. "Norung, there are no enemies here. Why did you summon me?"

The figure in the wooden armor, Lady Frej, looked around as well and noticed the same thing. "Indeed. I see no Aesir or Vanir about nor their allies. You confuse me young Norung."

The third figure, Durin, just rolled his eyes as the others he was summoned talked. "Just because someone needs our help doesn't mean it's with warfare you cranky bastards. Hear the boy out will ya'?"

On the inside, Fen was happy it was Durin that answered his call and not one of the others that lead the dwarves allied with his clan. He took a deep breath and spoke softly.

"My lords and lady, we all know that the Northern Realms has died after our rebellion. Clans are abandoning honor and tradition in order to survive. I expect this is because of Fimbulvetr freezing over the land. I do apologize for this, Fenrir expressed his remorse in casting our beloved home in ice and snow."

The others looked down at him, well, except for Durin who looked up at him. They did blame the clans and their rebellion against the Aesir for Fimbulvetr to happen, but in the end, they joined them because of their shared hatred of the Aesir and Vanir. So in the end they had no right to hate Fen for something they had no control over.

"I know you hold malice for what had happened, but I implore you to look past it for the betterment of all our futures. We do not need to die with the homeland, nor do we need to leave it to become a frozen wasteland. I have full intentions of returning home and curing the freezing plague that we had brought to the realm. But for now, we need to rebuild and find a home until then. On that end, that is why I brought you here."

"I summoned you to the Elemental Nations, home of the Shinobi ways and vast lands. I know you heard of these lands among others from the raiders of the Nords, but their tales do not do it justice. This land is rich in natural resources and thousands of miles of untamed, untouched land. I know we can find a new home here, be it together or separately if we work to help the people here."

The three looked at one another. Each seemed to see reason in Fen's words, but this did seem too true. Each of their people had felt the cold sting of Fimbulventr and many of their young were dying due to this extreme cold. At this rate, not even those in the deepest, warmest caverns could survive. They all needed to find a new home, but what would they have to pay for it?

Durin, being the older of the three, was the first to speak up on their behalf. "You say we need to help the people here? Explain yourself."

Fen smiled inside himself. He got them to at least hear him out. "This village I brought you to, along with the country it was in, was under the tyranny of a wicked man named Gato. It's here I discovered a Nord clan working for him. The man extorted the people, left them with nothing, and wallow in poverty while he enjoyed riches from their suffering. Women were either taken or sold themselves to him. He killed and abused so many, he left no one untouched by his vile taint in this land. I was able to repel and defeat the clan and left the man defenseless as I also turned his most ruthless mercenary to my side. I have a feeling while I was recovering from the battle that same man left and killed Gato."

"But even with him dead and their troubles seemingly ended, I suspect deceit and treachery in the court of this country's ruler. I foresee another tyrant taking Gato's place if things are not in place to stop it. Protectors of the people. Protectors who felt the tyranny of powerful, greedy men and women before."

The three seemed to understand Fen's reasoning and method to end any attempt of a tyrant returning. If they stayed they would cut the tyranny out of the country's roots before it could infect the land once again.

"And what if the people of this land do not wish for our protection? What then, young Norung?"

Fen looked to the woman who spoke, seeing Frej's concern as valid since no one outside of the Nords ever say their ilk before. "The people here respect me, a Nord, and hail me as a hero. I think, at least with this village, they would accept you if I vouched for your honest intentions."

"We can not work and fight for free, Nord, you know this. We must have some sort of reparations for efforts."

The boy looked up at the giant, blue creature and nodded. "I agree. And that would be something to discuss with the village's leadershi-"

"We would give you land, our full support, and anything else you would need."

All four within the runic circle turned to see a few people making their way to them. Fen cursed himself silently for letting his guard down enough for people to walk up to him without being sensed. He looked at the group of four and sighed seeing it was Tazuna, Tsunami, and two other elderly people he hadn't met before.

"If Fen here says you would be truly willing to help us, we will do whatever we need to to make sure this land is your home too. All you need to do is tell us what you need…and not to be rude, but what you are."

This made Fen chuckle slightly while the other three before him seemed a bit flustered. Seeing their flustered faces he decided to speak for them.

"This man here," Fen waved his hand to the ten-foot-tall Thyrm "is a Frost Giant of my homeland. His people are strong, powerful fighters that put the chakra and physical immunities of the Nords to shame. He is a true ally to my clan and hopefully your people."

He waved his hand to the six-foot-tall woman beside Thyrm. "This is Lady Frej, leader of the last clan of Light Elves. Her people are exceptional crafters and are truly blessed with talents involving nature and its animals. Lastly, we have-"

"Oh shut your trap lad. I don't need ya' to speak for me." The stout, short man with the long, flowing red beard spoke up. "My name is Durin, High Blacksmith of my clan. I am a dwarf and we are the best you will find if you're looking for a man around a forge. We crafted several legendary weapons, made cities out of stone, and-"

"Introductions aren't meant to be bragging sessions, Lord Durin."

Durin looked up at Frej, she had a stoic look on her face as she spoke. This made Fen chuckle and make the leaders of the village pale as the two started to bicker. However, it quickly ended when Fen cleared his throat again.

"Anyways, if they accept this land as their new home they would no doubt be strong protectors as well as people you could count on to prevent financial collapse ever happening again."

Tazuna turned to the others while Tsunami went to Fen and smiled at him. "You really asked them to help us, Fen? You don't need to go so far for us. You've already done so much for us. You fed us, fought for us, took in an orphan when she had no one."

He just chuckled as he watched Tazuna and the elders start discussing things with Durin, Thyrm, and Frej. "I don't do those things because I need to, Tsunami. I did those things because it was the right thing to do. I'm never going to let darkness encroach on anything around me again. I won't see another land dive into the same hell my own land is going through."

"Your land? I heard you talking about something called Fimbulventr, is something like that going to happen to our land too?"

Fen looked down for a second before shaking his head. "I'll sooner die before I ever let something like that happen to another land."

"And what…what exactly happened to your land?"

He just kept his gaze to the ground, not daring to show the sorrow he felt swelling in his eyes as he thought of the horrors of Ragnarok. He just let out a controlled, but heavy sigh before starting to walk away to have the elders of the village and his allies talk. He didn't answer her question, instead opting to just walk away. He wasn't ready to talk about Ragnarok.

(Author's Notes)

Firstly, let me apologize for a very, very late update to the story. The holiday blues and work have been kicking my ass royally and had killed my interest in writing for nearly a month now. Though I think I've finally gotten over it and hope to start updating at least once or twice a week. Though don't hold me to that, it's still the holiday season lol.

I wanted to address a few things I had DM'd to me.

One, I will not be continuing Wild Rumblings, my second MHA fanfic, and will be taking it down soon. I just lost any interest in it. I apologize if this upsets some peeps.

Two, Duelist Hero Deku will be taken down but will be reuploaded as I work on rewriting it all. I am not a fan of where I had taken it, but still a fan of the idea in general.

Three, Naruto Shinigami will only be getting updates and chapters added at my discretion. It's not that I'm giving up on it, it's just that I'm having far more fun with Naruto of the North.

And that should be it. Thank you to everyone who has followed and favored not just this story, but my profile as well. And I look forward to uploading again soon! Any questions or suggestions for this fanfic please feel free to DM me here at any time you'd like. Take care and happy holidays!

-Vermillion Clover