As mentioned before, Anhur had heard many tales of the Asgardians. Most spoke of their king; Odin. He who was a god born before the creation of the earth, a great and primordial being that was very much like Ra, and yet, very much was not. The lion god had been told many stories of what Odin had done, what he is, and what he looked like. But all previous descriptions failed in comparison to witnessing the arrival of him.
Odin stood like a mountain, not in size but in control. His shoulders were broad, his feet heavy and firm. His garments were glistening chainmail and dark feral furs covered and clad in grand armor that melded to his shoulders and back as though they extended from his very being. Leather drapes enfolded over his shoulders and around his waist. The black fur of a slain beast nestled perfectly in between his iron shoulders and swathed down behind his back. His grieves were thick, his horned helm crowned his head, his silvery beard braided and long, his single eye was blue like the lightning before thunder as it ripped and cracked the dark stormy skies, and his weapon, holding it as though it too was a part of him, the great spear; Gungnir, its blade long and white like a dragon's tooth and the runic symbols of an ancient magic surging through it, it was all impressive to behold. Anhur could only look at Odin and recognize him as a warrior of supreme stature and respect.
Seeing the Allfather's arrival, the lion drops his bread and stands to attention as though he would have been approached by his own king. He was about to introduce and explain himself, but Thor greeted himelf first with jovial leisure, still holding the leg of pork in his hand.
"Father!" Thor says, "I'd see you've decided to return. Did you enjoy doing...whatever it might be that you do when you're away?"
Odin's expression remained relatively kept and firm, unreadable to Anhur at least. That was until his beard started to shift only slightly, probably the twitch of an amused smile towards his son, only to have the bush nestle back down. "We had a new arrival." He spoke, his voice was deep like the rumble of distant thunder yet calm like the morning breeze.
"So soon?" before Thor could inquire on who it was, he noticed some small shape shift behind his father's back. The end of a furry brown tail that streaked with stripes of blue energy scurried down his shoulder and disappeared.
"Down here." a voice squeaked, beckoning both the thunder god and Anhur to look at Odin's feet to see a peculiar animal, well, peculiar to the lion god at least. He wanted to call it a rat but he felt that was not completely accurate. It's tail was too thick with fur, it's ears too long, and it's muzzle too short. It had large, deep, black eyes, eyes so vast like dark oceans. It wore a blue bandana with gilded edges and carried a miniature leather strap baggy.
"Ratatoskr...?" Thor seemed more confused than pleased to meet the latest addition to their ranks.
"Yep, I'm not much impressed at what I'm looking at either." The rodent retorted, its sarcastic remark played as swiftly as a drawn knife.
The Thunderer's eyes cracked with tiny sparks as he squinted maliciously, looking down at the smart mouthed creature, contemplating on what article of clothing he should make out of it.
Odin spoke instead to regain his son's attention, "And it would appear that I was not the only one with an invited guest." His eye shifted to Anhur, seeing the suspicion and guarded look in the Allfather's gaze.
Thor made himself more attentive and introduced the lion god in proper, "Uhm, yes. Father, I bring you Anhur, The Slayer of Enemies."
"You brought in an oversized cat...?" Ratatoskr mutters, as though speaking for Odin, but the King of Asgard gave the rodent a stern glance before resuming to hear his son.
"He has traveled far, he is one of Egypt's gods, and has come desiring an audience with the Allfather." Thor looked at Anhur and gestured at him to approach.
Anhur did so, and knelt before Odin, waiting for him to permit him to speak and say, "Odin of Asgard, King of the Nords and Ruler of Valhalla. As your son has explained, I wish to offer you a proposition that may benefit both our factions if you agree to it."
Odin did not say anything at first, instead he breathed heavily and moved towards his throne to sit in it, "And what may be this proposition?" he asked curiously.
Anhur raised his head, "An alliance. My pharaohs forces are spread thinly, just as yours are, oh so Thor has informed me of."
Odin made another stern look at his son, which made Thor scratch his nose with a hint of embarrassment.
Anhur continued to explain, "My intent is to create a new faction, one that consists of members from differing pantheons. I am aware that many gods are already in battle with other pantheons, more than just the monsters that run wildly through this realm, but I have come to you first to nogotia-"
"First?" Odin said abruptly, curious to this one particular word.
"Yes." Anhur confirmed.
"That is an interesting choice." The Allfather stroked one of his braids, "I am aware of who exactly you are, you and your king, the sun god. I am also aware that you have made a pact already with the Greeks, once upon a time. Why did you not go to them first?"
Anhur was silent for a moment, he knew this question would come into play eventually, the stories of Odin's vast knowledge and capacity of surveying was every bit true. Though, despite this, he still had hoped that he wouldn't have to answer that question.
"That is correct. Once, before our pantheons were taken to this world, the Greeks came to us in dire need, we agreed to help them, and thus our nations and kingdoms became allies...for a time."
"But you hesitate to seek them out now?" Odin pried.
"...There is...a flux in power from that pantheon. There has been one for a long time. The balance of authority and rule seems to waver, Zeus himself has been abnormal in his behavior recently, and it has made him very...unpredictable."
"I thought as much." Odin nodded, looking at the floor like a chess board. He then lifts his gaze back at the Lion God and rises from his throne, approaching Anhur "Slayer of Enemies," He says, "please stand."
Anhur obeyed and stood on his two feet.
"I am intrigued by your offer, but there is little I can provide in return. There are not many of us at this time and place. The forces that keep guard at our flanks are both our first and last lines of defense, and our enemies have been circling around us like buzzards. Recently, we have had a breach in our armory, one of our relics stolen by a foul beast, an-"
"No need to worry about that one father." Thor chimes in, wearing his proud smile once again, "That scaly slug has felt the full weight of my hammer! He won't be bothering us again anytime soon."
The Allfather's bushy brow slanted, "Is that so? Then I suppose when I make my way to the armory I'll find our stolen relic safely returned to it's former place...?"
To no surprise by his father, Thor was silent, his smile suddenly melting faster than ice over fire.
"Are you sure you're a hero?" Ratatoskr inquired rhetorically, unfazed by, even relishing, the deathly glare the Thunderer shot back at him.
Odin sighed softly through his nostrils, "On second thought...Anhur, I will oblige your proposal. I shall bestow upon you my son's services to aid you in your efforts."
Thor seemed surprised, "I will...?"
"Yes you will." Odin said sternly.
"But who will be in charge of the west flank?"
"Ratatoskr can assume your guard in the time being."
"I know your depth perception isn't that great these days," The rodent tried to protest as well, "But I'm a squirrel not a soldier."
Odin only smirked, his sky blue eye glinting just like his son's, "I thought you were 'Lord of Creation, Maker of all Living Things, and the Destroyer of the Winds of Fate'?"
Anhur and Thor shared the their similar expressions towards the self-proclaimed squirrel, Thor wearing the same smile as his father where as the lion god simply stared narrowly like an adult to a misbehaving child.
Odin continued, "With all such marvelous titles, I'd say that makes you the perfect substitute."
Ratatoskr's nose twitched, his ears drooping slightly, he tried to protest, "Well...Yeah, I am all those things, but a soldier I am still not!"
"Then you can add Soldier of the West Flank to the list then." Odin retorted with merciless response time, "My decision has been made." He returns to his throne, looking to Anhur once more, "As I said, you are free to take Thor with you, his strength, power, and hammer are yours to command, in return, I expect him to bring back the stolen relic."
The humble war god bowed once more in gratitude, "I will keep my word, until mine and Thor's tasks are done, I shall honor our contract."
"Until then..."Odin then dismissed them, presenting the door to them as it groaned open on its own accord.
Both gods made their way out of the Asgardian stronghold, this time Anhur seeming more pleased than Thor walking out rather than in. Admittedly, Anhur secretly prayed to Ra that he would be allowed to choose someone else, given their initial meeting. However, he felt satisfied somehow all the same, perhaps it was a feeling of progress, the promise that future endeavors may come just as bountiful, though he was not ignorant of the lingering chance that fate may try to hurl something unsuspecting his way. Nevertheless, one of the lessons his father had taught him was to always, well, to look on the brighter side of things.
"Well, I suppose I should've expected father to punish me in some way." Thor sighed with reluctance.
"Do you consider me punishment?" Anhur retorted, the crack in his expression showing again.
"Only if you continue to jest that way." the Thunderer let out a dry chuckle before adding, regaining his mirthful attitude, "In any case, this punishment is not so bad, ordered to go on an adventure with the Slayer of Enemies himself, I'd call that a treat!" He slaps him again across the shoulder, stealing Anhur's content for a moment. Thor then remembered something and asked the lion god, "But what of your questions regarding the Great Wolf? Did you not come here to ask my father of that as well?"
"A missed opportunity, yes." Anhur agreed, "But perhaps you can provide your knowledge on that particularly sensitive topic during our travel."
Thor scratched his chin, "I'd suppose...So where to now?"
"Now we go to the Devas' domain."
The thunder god hummed with intrigue, "The hindu pantheon eh? I've heard they can be quite handy, yes." Thor chuckled again, satisfied with his humor.
Anhur only stared at him, curious as to why he had put emphasis on the word 'handy'.
Thor noticed his complexity, "Well...because they have several hands...So...there for they're..." the Asgardian sighed again, "That blasted Loki makes it seem so easy!"
The lion god simply shook his head discretely as they marched onward.
Little to their knowledge though, high above them, watching them, was a pair of ravens, following them from the sky.