Toreii had been lied to. The few minutes it took her civilization games to set up relations with city-states and other nations created a faux expectation of how rulers delegated. Long and arduous and not at all automated to a few button clicks, it involved delegates and middlemen. Ai had a newfound respect for the capabilities of the Queen of Asgard now.
The clashing of the aristocracy of Asgard and bureaucracy of Ioa's city-state slowed their communication to a snail's pace. What could have just been a five minute conversation between the two rulers now stretched out through a chain of communication heads. She kept these ramblings internal and accepted the process as formality between nations.
Days would pass by before any news reached the other party. While the kinks in their line of communication eventually iron themselves out for smoother alliance talks, Toreii still had to wait several months now for the alliance plan to finalize. She had been so bogged down with due process of her own system to keep a strict eye on the Asgardian brothers abroad, but she trusted Nanami to inform her of terrible mishaps.
The contract drawn up by Frigga was as impeccable as Toreii had expected, being both ironclad and biased. Written on dragonhide parchment with glowing unicorn-blood ink, it had the exact unnecessary, bougie flair leftover from the devs Toreii knew all too well. Although she only gave the contents a brief glance over, it was clear Frigga had used vague and predatory wording not unlike a mega, conglomerate bank.
As someone who actually read the eulas and patch notes, Ai was familiar with the corporate-speak they would use to collect data or have the users unknowingly sign away their right to legal recourse. She had asked Frigga to be fair to the Dragon Lord — to at least give Ioa a chance to even stand — but given the earlier drafts of the alliance plan, the final draft was as good as the Asgardian was willing to give the New World native.
An official ceremony was supposed to be held in which Ioa would sign the contract publicly and announce it to her people. Frigga had personally sent an early copy to the Dragon Lord via [Gate], but returned not an hour later with it signed in blood no less. Toreii was not sure why it was signed in blood since she never once asked for it to be, but given how quickly the Ioa had given in to a lifetime of servitude coinciding with Frigga's personal visit, she was sure there was definitely some bullying going on.
Luckily for Ioa, Toreii had ensured that Frigga put in a clause specifically to ensure the Dragon Lord's safety. As the Allfather and the highest authority in Asgard, she had convinced Frigga to make sure Ioa directly reported to Toreii and only her. Had she not prepared some kind of safety net in place, Toreii was sure her Asgardians would pass around the Dragon Lord like a stuffed animal.
Toreii had a responsibility to ensure herself and her Asgardians prosperity, but she hoped she did not have to burn bridges to do so. After months of self imposed house arrest, the Æsirs could finally step out and meet the natives of the New World they had been transported to. It was not easy procuring such a peaceful opportunity for her people after such a rough start with the Dragon Lords. Everyday, she feared Heimdall would call with [Message] to announce an attack from another Dragon Lord on their doorsteps.
Instead of living in paranoia, Toreii chose to be hopeful.
Since the start of the alliance talks, Toreii had a lot more downtime as she delegated work to Frigga and Viridi. It had given her plenty of time to read up on the backstories and abilities of the royal family as well as the Valkyries and Asgardians soldiers. Their population of a hundred-thousand strong meant she could command every Æsirs should an all-out war begin. However, not every Asgardian was a battle hardened warrior. Like a true fantasy city, the everyday citizens in Asgard were artisans, craftsmen, merchants, bookkeepers, baker, architects, etc. They were just ordinary NPCs whose levels were not spec'd into combat whatsoever, but upon their Allfather's command will march to their deaths for the honor of entering Valhalla. Such a black and white stance on ancient Nordic warrior culture was imprinted onto all Asgardians by the devs.
Toreii became increasingly wary of their original purpose, especially about that person confined in Asgard's basement…
If the Asgardians were still only pieces of data she would capitulate; sentient beings with flesh and blood on the other hand… It was too cruel of a concept to order someone else to die for her sake, especially when she was being viewed as their sole protector. Perhaps she was being too idealistic in an imperfect world. As the bearer of [Gungnir], she had dev privileges to the city and its inhabitants — a couple of clicks and any fallen NPCs would be revived after she paid the cost.
However… [Gates of Valhalla] was a passive skill she could not tinker with nor turn off. Even now without her hotbar, it became a nagging feeling persistently at the back of her mind. Along with it was [Field of Fólkvangr], another passive skill she recently noticed. As the flavor text for these passives were vague references to Odin and Freyja, Toreii had to turn to history to learn more about her [Allfather] levels.
Originally, she had credited the devs for being meticulous for their attention to detail. After spending months in Asgard reading their shabby work and design, Ai had sufficient evidence her city was ultimately unfinished. Many of the Æsirs which were supposed to reside in Asgard beside Odin were not here, including Freyja, Keeper of Fólkvangr. Perhaps it was by the dev's design in which Odin was the end-all of game content given that Toreii had the passive skill for both Valhalla and Fólkvangr.
Coiling around her body and popping his little head through the neckline of her shrine maiden uniform was Jörmungandr. After Loki's departure, Toreii had taken the serpent under her wing. Several weeks back when she first discovered it was the World Serpent she was coddling, panic was an understatement of what she went through. Prepared to blast the tiny snake back to Yggdrasil with every Super-Tier she had, looking back on it, she was definitely overreacting.
Freshly born at level 1, Jörmungandr did not even have a finished backstory to his name. Breaking open his source code with [Gungnir], the NPC was locked in read-only mode. The unique situation piqued her interest as she could see if a Yggdrasil inhabitant would have to level up in the same vein as the New World natives. Toreii decided not to set a self-fulfilling prophecy into motion, instead treating Jörmungandr with the utmost kindness history did not show.
Quite smarter than an average reptile, Toreii was able to keep the baby snake on her body at all times. Through some weird technicality, this was one of her grandchildren she was nurturing; she also wondered where Loki's other children were. In the decade-long development time the devs had with the game, she thought they would at least shore up the entirety of Asgard and its NPCs.
The temptation to pop the hood and see the inner workings of her [Allfather] levels was certainly there. On one hand she would finally understand the full extent of the power and duties assigned to her, but then she would ruin the fun and experience of discovering it for herself. If she was willing to spend countless years unlocking these five levels, Ai could spend a couple more learning how to use it.
"We're almost to Rixia, my beloved," said Frigga.
The gentle, familiar voice snapped Toreii out of her inner musings. "Thank you, Frigga," She instinctively replied. Blankly staring into the skyline above the clouds within Asgard's highest tower, the view sent a shocked, chill through her system. Toreii was reminded of her status upon the highest summit. She had not fully come to terms with the notion of an entire nation hanging on her every word.
While she had been preoccupied with studying her history of Asgard, the Queen had been communicating with the nobles and their citizens. Initial reactions were… mixed to say the least. Staunch families set in the ways of Asgardian superiority thought an equal alliance was the start of the end for their racial prowess. Of course Æsirs were always going to be the top of the food chain when compared to mortals, but Toreii wished they could be a bit more subtle about it. Some of the more forward-thinking matriarchs welcomed an alliance with the New Worlders, as it was sign Toreii had kept her promise as the Allfather.
What concerned Toreii most was the lack of open discussion from her people. Despite the clear annoyance running from the noble's mouths, no one dared to challenge her alliance idea. The power-dynamic between Allfather and Asgardians was outright tyrannical. Her original fears of being betrayed by her people if she ever fell out of line were the same as her Asgardians.
Odin from mythology was downright insane and bloodthirsty. No wonder the Æsirs were so conflicted when Toreii had proposed pacifism. The original Odin went to war with anyone simply because he could. If that image of the Allfather was all the Asgardians knew of, she could understand their skepticism about her wanting peace all of a sudden.
Could the Asgardians take over the New World if she told them to?
Yes.
Would Players slow them down?
No.
Would Dragon Lords slow them down?
No.
Would Dragon Lords and Players working together slow them down?
No.
All of these hypothetical situations brought her back to a singular question: what purpose could she give to her people who have only known war?
Like many of her 'unfinished' projects, the future affairs of Asgard was also a work-in-progress, except this time, real people were depending on her discretion and leadership. Ai was not a master at planning grand schemes decades ahead in forethought but the pressure to do so was ever-increasing. What she can do however, was take each moment one step at a time — she had an eternity after all.
Looking at the NPC who stuck with her no matter the dangers or situation, "I'm glad you're my Queen; I couldn't have asked for anyone better," said Toreii honestly. A crimson blush bloomed on Frigga's cheeks, who then rushed to embrace the miniature Allfather with her full body despite the child's protest.
Descending below the clouds for the first time since it's arrival to the New World, the usually busy city center of Asgard was completely empty. Half of its residents, serf and nobles, had gathered to the outermost wall protecting the golden city. Loud with a newfound energy among them, the Æsirs did not forget their manners in front of their Allfather. Their procession was innately drilled, ready to part the crowd should Toreii give the word.
Now within sight, Toreii saw the newly hollowed out mountain side. After she had given the specific measurements, Ioa had seemed to work tirelessly to chisel out a hole fitting the circumference of Asgard. She was honestly impressed at the breakneck speed the Dragon Lord worked, especially with human laborers. The city of Rixia looked like a tiny footnote below the mountainside while Asgard itself was to become the mountain.
An uplift of dust poofed as Asgard landed, spreading with it a loud boom as rocks crushed each other to make a snug fit. The Æsirs did not feel a single quake of the ground as the magical barrier protecting their city glowed holographic upon impact. Well above in the skies doing their diligent duty, silver Valkyries flying on pegasus secured the local air space.
Standing at ground zero, Ioa stared wide-eyed in amazement of a God's kingdom. Her personal temple — once a symbol of Ioa's power and brilliance — had been demolished to make room for Toreii's castle and now just a stepping stone for someone much greater. At first, she saw only a few dozen silver dots in the sky, but it quickly multiplied to a thousand.
The dark clouds which had covered her snowy city in an overcast decided to part just enough to shine light on the brillient city. Ioa assumed by Toreii's will alone, even the heavens will bend to the goddess' command. Now on the other side of the young child's grand castle, she saw the beautiful, prismatic barrier separating mortals and gods.
Long since preparing her own people for their arrival, it had seemed Ioa herself was not prepared to receive so much majesty at once. Her inhabitants were instructed to go about their daily business and only told a new ally would be upon them soon. She did not have to look behind her to know everyone down in her city was giving the same look at the golden castle as she was.
Standing at the new border between their cities in the mountainside, Ioa made sure to mind her manners. The once prideful Dragon Lord kept her forehead glued to the stone steps, waiting for her first orders under the rule of an actual god. She felt the vibrations through the stone and the sound of monotonous marching of soldiers walking past her. Gilded in magical gold armor, the Asgardian soldiers marched on in harmony past a bowed Ioa.
After the display of military prowess, a steady trickle of regular citizens walked through in groups, guided by what Ioa sensed as ordinary elves. Minutes go by, turning into half an hour, before she glanced a change in clothing prestige. A much shorter line of the elite Asgardian class walked passed, ultimately ending with the familiar face of an adolescent child.
"Have you been… bowing this entire time?" Toreii awkwardly asked. She could understand people having to show respect for her, but to the entirety of Asgard seemed absurd, especially when she went out of her way to avoid this situation.
"Merely in accordance with your arrival," answered Ioa while being ushered upright by the goddess.
"No one told you to," retorted Toreii.
Behind the oblivious deity, Frigga and her elven maid glared at Ioa with smug contempt, like she was nothing more than an abject stain needing to be wiped clean. Despite what her new patron implored, those backing the child-god did not see it that way; for her own safety, Ioa had to cover all her bases.
"Even so, your presence deserves adequate deference," answered Ioa. Her internal alarm still rang loud as the deity dusted off patches of dirt on her white gown. She worried about living in fear for the rest of her life in servitude, but atlas, she would get to live. Until the mystical city arrived, she kept a closed lip on their alliance, even to her people. Today would be the last day on the information embargo.
Toreii mumbled a quiet hmm to herself while pondering how her image would be shaped if a Dragon Lord was bowing to her out of fear. If she came to the New World as a conqueror, the situation would be a perfect way to set herself at the top of the food chain. However, since she was going for a diplomatic path, the scene was less of equal friendship and more of master and slave.
She might have inherited Odin's mantle and throne, but she did not have to adopt his mannerism and policy. Setting the record clear once and for all, Toreii made sure to address everyone there, "Ioa, our alliance is with each other and through us our people. You answer to no one but I and I'll answer to no one but you. Do I make myself clear?"
The words Ioa heard were convincing, but the deathly stares she also received told her otherwise. Only time will tell how this 'alliance' will work out for either side. "Yes, as you wish," said Ioa.
Nodding with pride like she had just won a local tournament, Toreii let herself be led back into the human city with Ioa as her guide. Closely followed by Frigga and Viridi as her vanguards, an odd glance or two were flown her way, but otherwise, no one knew of her importance. Part of their agreement was to keep Toreii's identity as the Allfather a secret so she could move freely without being recognized.
How long and how well she could keep this secret would be up to Ioa's acting. Feeling like a superpower during the Cold Wars, spreading internal conflict with the other Dragon Lords through Ioa as a proxy was nothing shy of haphazard for everyone involved. Although she had never experienced this kind of warfare, real or simulated, the safest move was to become the invisible hand.
Just as her daughters had unexpectedly done with Vy, Toreii would just give Ioa the credit if a power struggle started to form with another Dragon Lord. Keeping Yggdrasil secrets to Yggdrasil natives was her top priority during this secret war. No witnesses and information leaking must go hand in hand.
"We'll be in each other's care," said Toreii in good gesture.
Loki paced his luxurious dining room in single file. A ghostly white face devoid of a healthy color was painted on him. The stoic, purple eyes always watching him and his brother were waiting patiently for his response. Though Loki had begged for a delay from his father's personal messenger, he had yet to think of a plan to absolve him of the punishment which was to come.
The heir of Asgard, perhaps not directly, had betrayed the people he had sworn to protect. No… Betrayal was the worst case scenario if Loki could not work his magical tongue; best case scenario would be naivety from Thor. For whatever reason he could not comprehend, his brother thought of the idea to teach these mortals magic — specifically Yggdrasil magic. Had the oaf just helped instead of teached, Loki would not be in such a dire predicament.
He already knew who this person in question is, where he rested, his daily routine, and everyone of his associates as did the silent girl. Now it was only a matter of capturing or killing the person unlucky enough to have met his foolish brother. Loki did not want to anger their Allfather, nor did he want to pick a side against the next Allfather.
However… to openly disclose Asgardian magic to someone outside of their home…
"I need your decision soon; everyday messengers and adventurers leave this city. Loose lips travel fast," warned Nanami. She had observed both brothers for many months now. Only one of the two conducted themselves silently enough to not warrant an immediate report to her mother. The other brother, daring and outrageous, did not know when to keep his mouth shut. Secrets her mother had worked so hard to keep within their family was being thrown to the wind without regard for their own prosperity.
Loki nodded and spoke with a chilling calmness, "Kill any messengers who talked to the mage first, then the adventurers; make it look like monsters attacked them or a natural accident… No. They can have their memories taken. Leave no trace of their existence, even records or family; all gone by today. I shall inform the Allfather myself of my brother's actions."
Hearing an acceptable response, Nanami disappeared into the shadows, out to fulfill her obligations.
Truly hoping the Odin he had grown up with and the Odin he knew now were completely different people, Loki pulled a scroll from within his bag of holding. The emerald flames engulfing the parchment grew into a circular screen, both wavy and opaque. Still, it showed a very clear image of a child with red twin-tails.
"Loki… That scroll was meant for emergencies only. What has happened?" Toreii asked harshly.
The usual aura of nonchalant the Allfather toted became dire and focused entirely on Loki's next response. "I wish not to mince words with you, father. Our current situation has developed as expected. Thor and I-"
"Get on with it."
"Ahem- Well… Thor has taken a liking to the humans… He sees them as helpless beings who need protecting. However… I fear his intentions have driven him to disregard his original responsibilities. He has taught Asgardian magic to these mortals," Loki gingerly replied.
"What?! HE'S DONE WHAT?!" screeched Toreii for the first time in her life.
Loki kept this head low, trying his best to not incur additional wrath from the Allfather. "I've already sent your messenger to deal with witnesses. I shall do what I can here in the city about the adventurer's guild and the magician's guild. What should I do about Thor?"
The King of Asgard kept quiet, still processing the actions of the supposed heir to the throne. Giving herself a second to breath out the immediate anger, Toreii asked for more information, "What Tier of magic has been taught?"
"Only the 3rd-Tier; however, it is a spell not known to the mortals before, specifically, [Thunder's Bite]. There are rumors now about Thor being a mage. I have done my best to circumvent these rumors as baseless," explained Loki.
The situation had now piqued Toreii's interest instead of her ire. Thor had successfully managed to teach a New World native Yggdrasil magic while Viridi was still struggling to teach Vy. "Tell Thor I wish for him to come home. As for the mage he has taught: isolate and detain him. Do what you must about the rest, but keep yourself a secret from now on. Thank you, Loki."
"I'm only fulfilling my duty to Asgard," said Loki, breathing out a sigh of relief.
Toreii's image became glossy as the magical screen shattered to dust. The God of Mischief was left alone again with his thoughts and musing. Some preparations would need to be done, but he could do it along the way. Emerging from the shadowy corner she disappeared from, Nanami reappeared, blood dripping from her fingertips.
"The messengers and their families have been dealt with," said Nanami. She cleaned her hands with a nearby cloth while stuffing old documents into the nearby fireplace to burn.
"Efficient, aren't you?" remarked Loki. It seems the new people his father had surrounded himself with were highly specialized, even by Asgardian standards. Quickly jotting down a letter, he swiftly repeated his father's orders, "Give this to my brother and make sure he does not wander on his way home. Burn the city's records of the witnesses after you are done. I shall deal with the mage myself."
As soon as he sealed the parchment, the letter left his hands without his notice and Loki was once again alone in his town home. He did not hesitate to question it, instead packing his belongings and leaving quickly for the guilds.
"Can you not involve me with your own trouble for once…" Loki grumbled under his breath.
The alliance plan came to an unexpected halt, at no fault of anyone involved. As fast as his moniker, the Odinson returned home with a flash of light and a screeching boom, leaving the ground he stood on smoldering with Nordic runes. Soft eyes and a serene smile welcomed him home, as Lady Sif let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Welcome home, my love; I've missed you," said Sif warmly. Upon seeing his bright-eyed cheerful smile, she closed their distance with an embrace. The cold metal of his Uru metal pressed against her gown, but his muscular arms enfolding her warmed her up even more.
"I've missed Asgard, especially you, Sif," answered Thor, not sure how to feel being away from his wife for so long. It was a new feeling for him, even stranger than being away from Asgard for months. Everyday he wondered about the wellbeing of the Princess of Asgard, even more so than how to improve his combat prowess lately.
The future heirs were clearly still in their honeymoon phase, both head over heels for one another as they leisurely walked through the now empty streets of Asgard. As both had spent months apart, their retellings consumed the entirety of the other's attention, leaving no room for afterthoughts. The absence of their fellow Æsirs did not bother them a bit as they finally arrived back at the Allfather's castle.
Very few of the regular guards were on duty, replaced by an overwhelming presence from Odin's personal Valkyries. The silver warriors did not greet the Odinson proper nor their captain as was their due diligence. Stacked shoulder to shoulder, their bodies formed a pathway for Thor to follow as he realized the severity of what Odin had to say. He kissed his wife on her ghostly cheek, snapping her back from her fearful daze.
Sif dared not stop her love and Thor fought his heart to not look back.
The chamber doors to Odin's throne room opened solely for him and quietly locked after he entered. His eyes first locked onto his father, shifting to his already bowing brother and finally to the silent, messenger girl and the tied up mage he had befriended not so long ago. There was no doubt in his mind what was going to be asked of him.
"Welcome home, Thor," greeted Toreii, calm as ever.
A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates lately, I've been busy with getting settled in but should have more free time to write now. Hope you enjoy the chapter and thanks for being patient.