They soured above the seas as Calliope twirled in delight as she felt the beautiful clear light blue water on her fingers. Atreus was just going at a slow pace to make sure Calliope can keep up. Atreus smiled at her happy figure, Cassandra would have been this happy just like her. They continued flying above the ocean as they see the green lands of Scandinavia and floating icebergs above the water. Atreus and Calliope saw the nature and enenvironment from below as Atreus divides down with Calliope following in pursuit. They land of the ground as the snow crunched beneath their shoes, the wings disappear as Atreus stepped forward to an all familiar place that was once his home. The home was nothing but ash and burnt wood as he remembered it. Atreus kneels to the ground filled with snow as he places hand on the remains of his cabin as tears fall from his pale cheeks, he then now stared at the spot where he created his family's pyre.
The nightmares came rushing back to his mind as he saw thev visions of his family's cries and death by Magni and Modi and how their ashes covered his body. Calliope places a hand to hold Atreus's, as she placed her head on his shoulder.
"I would've like to have met them, Atreus." Calliope said with a bit of sorrow.
"Yeah, and they would have liked to have met you, Calliope." Atreus says back to her. The visions came back to his head once again, the tears that his mother and siblings shed for him as for Atreus just remained silent not showing any emotion whatsoever from his father's beatings. After Atreus lost his family, he felt nothing but grief and loss so much that he wanted to commit suicide but he couldn't do it including after he got the memories that haunted his mind for nearly a year but there was only a few good memories that Atreus remembered that made him him continue to move forward.
Cassandra was the only one that Atreus talked to when his was laying in bed, having a high fever. He was coughing up a storm as he spits out blood from his father's beatings after the abusive bastard went into the woods.
"Brother, lie still. You'll need rest." Cassandra says to Atreus, while holding a cold cloth and placed it on his head in attempt to cool him down.
"I'm fine, Cassandra." Atreus somewhat sounded almost emotionless for a moment before clearing his throat, "Don't worry about me."
Faye came in the cabin, with a bag filled with fresh dead rabbits and two younger children beside her. Faye tells the children to ready the rabbits as she kneels to Atreus's bedside.
"Atreus, why do you always put yourself in harm's way for us? That demon will kill you."
"Mom, I have every right to put myself in harms way so I can protect you. That's what a good son and a brother does for his family. They look out for each other. And one day that demon from Hel will get what he deserves."
Faye chuckles at Atreus's words, "I believe so, and the roles for being the protective one it's supposed to be the other way around. I'm suppose to protect you from that monster."
Atreus laughs, "We'll the roles have been switched..." He covers his mouth with his hand as he coughs out blood some more. Faye rubs Atreus's back gently. Cassandra brings her big brother a cup of cold refreshing water to make sure Atreus keeps his hydration in check as Helblindi and Býleistr readied the rabbit meat, Faye was the one that taught them how to skin and cook rabbits at such a young age when Atreus couldn't do it due to his injuries while Cassandra was taught how to fix and clean wounds.
After Atreus had eaten the meat and drank enough water, he began to feel tired.
Faye spoke out, "Let's let Atreus have some rest, he'll need it. Say goodnight."
Cassandra gave Atreus a kiss on cheek as he gave one back to her but he was more careful because he wouldn't want to get her sick as he hugs his two brothers. The three triplets drifted off into sleep on their bed that was a perfect size for all three of them. Faye was on her knees next to Atreus's bed as she held his hand, and began to sing to him. These songs would always cloud Atreus's mind but he loved it very much, these songs are what brings him hope to continue to live life.
Secret Garden by Sleepsong (https/youtu.be_yQpU_73Dv0) = Faye's song to her children.
"Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby... Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay... And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow... Bless you with love for the road that you go... May you sail far to the far fields of fortune... With diamonds and pearls at your head and feet... And may you need never to banish misfortune... May you find kindness in all that you meet... May there always be angles to watch over you... To guide you each step of the way... To guard you and keep you safe from the harm Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay."
Faye continues her song, "May you bring love and may you bring happiness... Be loved in return to the end of your days. Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay...
May there always be angels to watch over you...To guide you each step of the way...To guard you and keep you safe from all harm Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay, Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay, Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay, Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay, Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay, Loo-li, lai-lay."
May it be - Enya (https/youtu.be_8u4VLk0iTI)
"May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh, how far you are from home
Mornië utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be your journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun
Mornië utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now" Atreus now drifted off into sleep as Faye does the same.
Thor Ragnarok -Twilight of the gods (https/youtu.be/XrPyxhRbu8I) = Atreus's pain and loss.
Atreus now kneels to the pyre, closes his teary eyes and says, "Lo there do I see my mother. Lo, there do I see my brothers. Lo, there do I see my sister. Lo, there do they call to me. Lo, there do they call to me. Lo, there do they call to me."
After Atreus has said his words to mourn his loved ones, he gets back to his feet as Calliope stood next to him and prayed to his family in her mind that they found the peace that they deserved.
Atreus now remembered something, something that he forgotten in a long time, he started to search the remains of the house until he found the hatch, he opened jt and saw a weapon that he'd not seen for many years. He grabbed the heavy weapon and examined it, the weapon had now glowed an ice aura around the blade just he remembered it. It was his mother's axe. The Leviathan axe. He thought that it would have been destroyed along with the house but it would seem that Laufey/Faye knew he would find her axe to carry out her name. Atreus had thrown the axe, he reached out and returned to his very palm. Calliope was astounded by the weapon's abilities as Atreus told her the story of his mother taking about her weapon, of how she used the weapon to bring hope to the weak, how she would use it for good and perhaps it is now his turn to do the same. Atreus then created a holdster for the axe as they take flight around the land. They hovered above the land when they see a blue dwarf yelling and shouting at beast trying to cross a wooden bridge.
"Come on already, let's go!"
The children land somewhere near the blue dwarf without being seen, they walk on the bridge approaching the blue dwarf and he turns around and notices them.
"Kids, gets this so called cocklump to cross the bridge."
"It's because she's scared of something in the trees up ahead." Atreus gestures to the white trees with red leaves across the bridge.
"Wait there's what now?"
"I'll show you." Atreus grabs the Leviathan axe and throws at the trees as where Draugr roars are being heard. Atreus recalls the axe back to his hand as the blue dwarf was left impressed. The beast of Burden knew that the coast was clear and walked forward across the wooden bridge. Atreus made sure everyone got across safely as he was the last one to step off while the blue dwarf was setting up his shop as Atreus and Calliope both walked to the shop.
"Say kid, you might not believe me but that axe you got. It was me what made her, me and my brother so don't let anybody else work on her except for us two."
Atreus scoffs, "Why should I trust you?"
"Well there's a rune in the shape of a fork under the grip."
Atreus grabs the axe and sees the rune symbol under the grip. He believed him.
"That was our brand, my brother and me before we split. I got half of it right here see." The man shows them the half brand.
"What's your name?" Atreus questions the blue dwarf.
"Brok." The blue dwarf answered back to Atreus, "And your names?"
"Calliope, sir." Calliope greeted herself happily.
Atreus hesitates for a moment, "...Atreus."
Brok cleared his throat beforbefore speaking again, "So where are you off to?"
"We're not sure yet actually." Atreus replies to Brok.
"Oh, I see. If you want you could still stick around with me."
"Thanks Brok but I think we'll pass on that. Just showing Calliope around Scandinavia actually."
"Well alright then. Be safe out there, there's a lot of creatures out there that can fuck you up real good."
"Um... Yeah, thanks for the tip."
They continue to wander through the rest of the land as they approached the foothills. The door opens as they step outside, they walk down to the center as a dwarf in golden armor spots and they do the same. The dwarf stops their tracks and points to the axe hanging from Atreus's back.
"Ah excuse me, but um... How did you come by that axe?"
Atreus hesitates for a moment before finding the right words to say to the dwarf to only tell him half of the truth, "... It was my mother's. I found it from my brunt home after she died two years ago."
The dwarf couldn't believe the child's words that fell from his mouth as he looks in disbelief and sadness, "Faye's dead?... I'm very sorry to hear that, she was a fierce warrior... and a good woman."
"Yeah... She was. She died along side my younger siblings, I wasn't there to help them in time. This weapon is all that reminds me of them."
The dwarf places his hands on his hips as he spoke with courage, "Ok I will make improvements to the axe."
Calliope raised an eyebrow, "But no one asked you to?"
"Well it's true but knowing his family she would have insisted that I repair that act of vandalism perpetrated against her axe by my brother."
Atreus chuckles and crossed his arms, "I knew it, you are Brok's brother, you have the other half of the brand."
"That's true, though my talents are vastly superior. No boast, swear to Freya."
"I see. I'm only showing Calliope around the land. And she's aware of the creatures that reside here so she knows everything."
"Oh, that's good to know. And my name is Sindri by the way." Sindri now walks over to his shop, as he creates more weapons, "So why are you two here?"
Atreus refused to make eye contact with the dwarf, "Well I just wanted to face my dark past once again. Or perhaps I just wanted to bring Calliope here, or both."
"Oh, that's makes sense. You know I've heard of tales of a ghost that haunts these lands, I was just curious if you heard stories about it."
Calliope turned pale when she heard come out of Sindri, the ghost that he was referring to was Atreus only he dosen't know that. The boy clutches his fists in anger at the thought of people still afraid of his title. Calliope can feel to furious sensation coming out of Atreus's body, yet he doesn't show the anger on his face at all, "Yes... I've heard stories about it but there just stories. Nothing but a tale to frighten children."
"That I believe you. Personally I don't believe in it. So what can I do you two today?"
"Possibly upgrade our weapons for us." Atreus hands Sindri a bag of hacksilver coins as Sindri does his work. Once he was finished Atreus and Calliope both said their goodbyes as they hid somewhere where they can't be seen as they ascended to the skies. Near the shores of the nine they spotted a statue with rune symbols that says to sacrifice their weapons into the water, Atreus tested it out but the axe didn't return to his hand. After that the water begins to shake like crazy,but thanks to Atreus's ability to cast illusions they just watch it go down, hovering above the water and soon enough a beast rose from the water as it brought its entire head out in the open, it was a serpent and a really big one.
"Atreus what is this?!"
"It's the world serpent, my mom told stories about him. First time meeting him!"
The world serpent/ slowly got closer to the children with wings as the axe returns to Atreus's hand from Jormungandr's mouth. It speaks in an ancient dead language but it almost sounded clear as it said something like this in rumbling voice, "Ghost of Scandinavia, I know you. Find Mimir."
When Atreus assumed the giant uttered the very words that it said it made Atreus mad with rage in his heart that he wanted to kill this beast just for saying that title, the beasts eyes look toward the mountain which made Atreus turn around to stare at the mountain. Atreus looks at Calliope as he gestures his head to follow him, they fly upwards to the mountain, reaching near the summit. Atreus made the wings disappear as they climbed around the roots as they stand on the summit. A voice was heard from another spot as they see an old Scottish wise man attached to a tree.
"Oh, wasn't really expecting company this time around."
"Are you Mimir by any chance?" Atreus questions the man.
"The one and only, lad. You're both looking at the smartest man alive." Mimir answered back to the boy.
"The World Serpent told us to find you. We weren't sure why?"
"Jormungandr? Haven't heard from him in a long time. If by any chance, do you think could cut off my head?"
"Wait, excuse me?" Calliope questions in a surprised voice moving next to Atreus.
"Odin, he casted me into this imprisonment, I've been here for a hundred and nine winters... He tortures me you know. Every... single... day. This, this isn't living." They could hear the brokenness in Mimir's voice. Something that Atreus is familiar with, "But before you cut off my head we need to find someone who reanimate my head using the old magic."
"Old magic? You mean we have to find a Witch?"
"Yes, lad."
"Well I'm not sure if there are any Witches here but we'll find one that can help you." Calliope says taking a step forward with a smile.
"Thank you both. Really." Mimir smiles back.
-
Elsewhere where an old king known as Odin had been sitting on his throne sipping a golden cup of wine with his warrior comrades do the same as three large tables were set, two of them were in a horizontal position and the third table was in a vertical position. Slaves were pouring more wine into the golden cups. The king stood up from his throne as he walked to the table in front of him.
"Friends, brothers, sisters, warriors, I am grateful to be here seeing you had returned with a new set of slaves, and live to have another successful day. Skál."
The rest of the guests called out holding their wine cups in the air, "Skál"
The rest began to have conversations with one another. Thor had just been leaning his back up against the wall as well as Baldur. Not being able to feel anything at all thanks to his mother's spell that she casted on him to live forever. However the moment was interrupted when Heimdall walked into the enormous dinning chamber. He stops his tracks in front of the the king of Asgard's throne as his sword as place in front of his hip.
"All mighty AllFather, I have seen an outsider who has been trespassing on Scandinavia. And I have reason to believe that this is the same boy Thor fought 2 winter's ago. The giant is still alive."
"THAT CANNOT BE POSSIBLE, I SAW HIS LIFELESS BODY FLEE FROM HIM AS HE DROWNED INTO THE WATERS!" Thor, the god of Thunder yells in disbelief as Odin taps the bottom tip of his spear known as Gungnir to the floor three times to silence the room.
"Enough of this, Thor. You have already had your chance to kill the giant, a simple task and you fail me. Baldur, go track down the giant and bring him to me."
"...Fine."
-
They had found a witch of the woods in a matter of minutes, the children had stepped into her home that was under a turtle, they had accidentally shot the witches friend that was boar for target practice. The children placed the boar at the center of the room. Soon enough it began to calm down as the witch tells Calliope to get specific types of plants as she leaves the room, leaving Atreus and the witch to themselves.
"I... I know that you are the Ghost of Scandinavia." The witch said in a soft voice while looking at Atreus in the eyes, "All pf the nine realms have been talking about you from this land, they fear you, a young pale Jotunar. Even I would have reason to believe that Odin knows of your title."
"That's nothing you should be concerned about, I wanted to leave that title behind me. I came back from a different land to confront my past again. My family has been killed by Magni and Modi, my father abused me my entire life. I have suffered enough." Atreus says with a slight hint of anger and sadness in his voice.
"The gods of these lands don't take kindly to foreigners, trust me. When they find you and they will they'll make things more difficult for you since you came back here."
"it's me they should be worried about. Whoever comes across my way will die, Odin should fear me because I was the one who actually killed Magni and Modi."
The witch looks at Atreus with shock after what she just heard, "You killed the sons of Thor?"
"...Yes. He confronted me months later after I killed his bastard sons but in a miracle I survived. I wanted to leave Scandinavia for good when people gave me the title that you know. I didn't know who Magni and Modi were at first but a god placed these nightmares in my head, cursed to be irremovable. Learning the truth of who killed my family."
"...What is the true reason why you have come back to Scandinavia, child?"
"Fine then, you want the truth. I want to avenge my family. The Aesir took them away from me. I can't continue to live with myself if one aesir god is still alive."
"If you want advice stay away from them believe me I have seen what they can do and you wouldn't have a better chance against Thor again, but your right it doesn't concern me."
After there conversation had ended with one another, Calliope came back with two different flowers one was Lambs crest and the other was red roots. The witch did her healing magic as she walked to a neaby table and surrounded her two fingers in a bowl of magic, she places it on the children's neck as she explained it will hide them from whoever is after them. Minutes later they had reached the summit again where Mimir had been waiting patiently.
"We found a Witch who resides in the woods, Mimir."
"Excellent, lad. Now what are we waiting for, cut off my head."
"As you wish."
Before Atreus could cut Mimir's head off, Calliope looks away as she just heard a werid noise in the background as the head of Mimir, falls to the ground. Atreus uses a string to tie Mimir's horns to make more easy to carry a head. Now that they got the job they headed back to the Witches house. She was surprised why they asked if she can bring a head back to life as Atreus showed her the head of Mimir.
"Do you have any idea of who this is? Did you kill him?" The Witch asked Atreus.
"Yes, but he wanted to be free from Odin's tortures, he said you could revive him."
"Me? Are you sure you heard him right?"
"Please." Calliope begged her to revive Mimir. The Witch sighs in defeat and pionts to a nearby table to work her magic. Literally.
"Cutting off his head of all people. I hope you know what you are doing. Now hold his head under the water and don't let go."
Atreus nodded as he placed Mimir's head in the pot hanging above the fireplace, a few seconds passed as the Witch says, "That's good enough."
Atreus raised the head out of the pot as Mimir coughed something gross out of his mouth making the food hit Atreus in the face. Calliope snorted in humor. Atreus wipes the stuff off his face as he let the Witch examine Mimir.
"Mimir, are you there?"
"Yes."
"Good." After that was said, The Witch spits on Mimir's face.
"Hello Freya. Been a long time."
"What did for you, I did for these children and as far as I'm concerned, death suits you better."
"I'd bow if I could your majesty, forgive. If I had known the witch of the woods was Freya herself I never would've suggested this."
"Freya? The goddess Freya?" Atreus said in a surprise voice but it wasn't in a happy tone. It was more of disbelief tone. They had been speak to goddess this entire time?
"You didn't know either? Sorry." Mimir replies.
Atreus breaths softly, trying not to get upset. She was only nice, helpful and kind to them. She wasn't a threat to them whatsoever.
"Leader of the Vanir gods once, yes. But no longer."
Atreus didn't make eye contact with the Freya for a moment. He refused to work woth another god after what Ares had done but she was an outcast just like him. Atreus walks forward to Freya and they shake hands.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, child."
Calliope and Atreus walk out the back door as it closes behind them. All three of them reach Tyr's temple with a boat as they use the horn to call Jormungandr. The World Serpent awoke and ate the statue of Thor.
"Why is the World Serpent doing that?" Calliope questions Mimir.
"Well, lass, Odin had that statue made in honour of Thor. But seeing as the world serpent absolutely abhors the fat dobber. He was probably sick of looking at it."
He now approached them as he spoke in his dead language.
"What's he saying?" Atreus questions Mimir.
"He knows the pain of your loss."
Atreus grumbles quietly, How could he know the pain of my loss? He just changed the subject, "Ask him why we needed to find you."
"Sure."
Mimir speaks to the World serpent as he replies back.
"The serpent was just feeling bad that I've been stuck on that tree for many winter's. He figured with your abilities, you both could free me. And get away from Odin."
"...I see."
The World Serpent back his head away as he looks over the mountainside watching the lake of the nine.
"We should head back to Greece. There's nothing for us here." Atreus says in a calm voice as they headed back to Greece.