Twenty-two chapters posted, kinda fitting to end 2021 with my 22nd chapter. Next year the festival will begin, this chapter was to get away from the action for a bit and give more interactions between Thor and Vandill, whom I noticed hasn't been seen much. The next few chapters will give him attention. Let's get the chapter going, so we let off with Thor learning Sirzechs Lucifer would be arriving to attend the Festival...
"Sirzechs Lucifer is coming to Asgard?" Asked Thor.
The feast had ended an hour ago and the royal family and their bodyguards had gathered in the empty throne room, Odin ordering no one to enter.
"That's correct. Even though Asgard has just learned about your affiliation as the Church test subject, they had no idea that Sirzechs Lucifer, titled the Crimson-Haired Prince of Destruction, will be attending the festival." Odin answered, "We have chosen to do so in the hopes that this will open relations with the Underworld."
"Allfather, do you think that is wise?" Asked Loki with a look of annoyance on his face, "You want to discuss peace with the very beings who now have Surtr as a servant? This sounds foolish."
"Dad, I too must agree with Loki on this one." Thor was surprised at Baldur backing Loki, "Why must we seek peace with them? The Fallen Angels I can understand but Devils? They, like the humans following the Bible, take whatever they can get their hands on. I think we shouldn't be allies with the Underworld or Heaven."
"Your concerns are noted, Loki, Baldur. However, if we speak with Sirzechs we can discover how Surtr became a Devil despite dying in his attempt to destroy Asgard."
"I think the answer is obvious, father!" Baldur said, and there was a bit of aggression in his tone, "It's obvious Surtr's corpse survived the fall from the Bifrost and the Devils found it and reincarnated that fiery monster as one of their own to replenish and strengthen their numbers!"
Vili spoke up, "A good theory, Baldur, but I do not think so. Thor's final attack left no trace of either him, Surtr, or even Mjolnir. How they managed to turn the King of Muspelheim into a Devil is something I must understand but I will do it through a peaceful solution, not war. We will not argue on this anymore."
Baldur looked ready to argue with his uncle but a sharp look from Freya doused the fire raging within the God of Light.
"Will the rest of Asgard know about this? I'm certain they will not take kindly to seeing a Devil walking our streets or interacting with our king and queen." Vidar asked.
"Of course they will not. The Biblical Faction has taken much from us and many say Thor's death was in vain when we learned Surtr is now a Devil. Our guests from the other realms will not be bothered by Sirzechs presence since he will not be setting foot in their lands." Freya answered for her husband, "This news will be announced two days before the festival starts. The revelation of Thor must have time to sink in before they are told they will be having a foreign guest joining us."
"So are we sworn to secrecy on this? If so I won't say anything." Vili said.
"I had no plan of keeping it a secret."
"But I think we should." Freya cut in, "Now that you have asked that Baraqiel, I, Freya, Queen of the Valkyrie's, Allmother of Asgard, ensure that right now, all of you, shall swear not to share this information with anyone. That includes your closest friends."
"And do not think of trying so. For my title as the all-knowing isn't for nothing." Said Odin as he tapped his monocle while two ravens perched on a stand beside the throne squawked loudly.
"I swear." Baraqiel, Rossweisse, Thor, and Vidar said together.
"Of course, oh great Allmother." Loki drawled with a roll of his eyes.
"Yes…" Mumbled Baldur with slumped shoulders.
Thor watched as each person left the throne room one by one until all that remained was himself and Rossweisse, the light of the moon shown through the windows as silence engulfed the two.
"I won't make the same mistake back on Olympus." Said Thor after the silence grew uncomfortable.
"I know you won't." Said Rossweisse, "I just hope Baldur will hold his tongue this time since his mother has commanded him to swear silence to this news."
"So, Baldur hates Devils because of what happened to Surtr?"
"Correct. While he does try to hide it, he shows his displeasure about them when they are talked about."
"Poor Baldur. I hope he can forgive them."
"Forgiveness can be a tough thing to do when hatred runs deep." Rossweisse said wisely, "I truly hope all of Asgard can forgive and forget the grudges we've held through the centuries. Now if you'll excuse me I will retire. Goodnight, Thor."
"Goodnight, Rose…" Thor whispered, watching the Valkyrie leave the room. He knew what she meant by all of Asgard forgiving, his hate for the Church ran just as deep as Baldur's did for the Devil's. Not wanting to dwell on it like before he brushed the thoughts away and went to bed.
Three days later in the Palace stables
Thor walked through the stables, his backpack slung over his back full of his school equipment and homework he luckily was able to finish the day after returning from Olympus. When students who passed the trial to travel the realms were assigned missions they had to attend after school and weekend school to keep up with their studies. Thor, however, wanting to experience the festival and not get stuck catching up on homework in a classroom, stayed in his room for three days to finish homework left unfinished while in Greece. This, of course, was causing rumors to spread, the students of Valhalla say being around Rossweisse so much was making Thor a workaholic, focusing on his studies then spending time with his friend. Luckily the rumors were cleared when reminding them he was at Olympus.
Thor turned a corner, paused, and smiled. Tanngrisnir was lazily sitting in his pen nibbling at a stack of hay laid before him, what Thor planned today would excite the animal. Although he was getting used to flying with magic, the few times he rode Tanngrisnir filled him with a sense of thrill. Wind brushing past his face and bouncing in the saddle was a feeling he always loved experiencing, today he'd feel the thrill once again.
As he closed the distance between himself and the pen, Tanngrisnir's ear twitched and upon noticing his master jumped to his feet and rushed to the pen gate yelling and stomping his hooves with joy.
"Hello, old friend. Ready to take me to school?" Asked Thor as he patted his head.
As if he understood his master's words, which Thor was certain he did, the goat nodded and stepped away to let the gate be opened. Thor called the stable master to help prepare Tanngrisnir for the journey, once he was saddled up and led to the stable entrance, Thor mounted him, and with a gentle kick to the side, they were off. Thor didn't need to give commands to Tanngrisnir for he knew the way to every corner of the kingdom, all he had to do was hold on tight and not slip off. As he reached Bifrost Boulevard everyone there was gaping in awe at the sight of the God of Thunder riding Tanngrisnir, some bowed while others addressed him as he rode by. Tanngrisnir's hooves sounded like war drums as they pounded along the asphalt while small children ran after the God on the sidewalk.
"Go, Thor, Go!" They cried and the young Aesir smiled.
Checking his watch he saw he had fifteen minutes till school started. Never one to be late, he urged Tanngrisnir on and within seconds felt the mighty beast double his speed, taking off like a bolt of thunder towards Valhalla. After six minutes of rushing past buildings, cars, and people, Tanngrisnir finally reached the academy. Thor pulled the reins to bring Tanngrisnir to a stop at the foot of Valhalla's steps and patted the goat's side praising him for his speed and timely arrival. Dismounting the animal and sending him on his way, Thor trekked up the stairs into the entry hall to see a crowd of students gathered in a circle whooping and clapping about something. Curious to see what the common was all about, Thor made his way through the crowd to see what was going on, he was rewarded for reaching the front when he heard a familiar voice.
"Your fights are quite a sight but you flyt like a fool who can't swim in a pool."
"It is you who is the fool for your tongue is not the tool that will match me in this duel. Now scurry off along the grass unless you wish to be late for class."
A roar of cheers erupted from the student as Thor looked on in confusion at what appeared to be Vandill having a rhyme battle with another student.
"Thor!" Boomed the Jotun, "I thought I saw you among the crowd. How did you like the flyt?"
"Flyting?"
"Don't tell me you've never heard of flyting?" Thor shook his head, "Well it is a contest consisting of the exchange of insults between two parties, often conducted in verse. It's like modern rap battles but much less crude in its language. Would you like to learn some during lunch?"
Thor nodded, this flyting sounded fun to learn. Adjusting his backpack he followed the Jotun up the stairs to his first class. Of the six classes Thor attended, three were with the Jotun; history, civics, and language arts. History was Vandill's favorite subject, the rise of empires, the birth of heroes, and the many wars waged through the centuries.
"So where did you learn flyting?'' Thor asked.
"First from dad and then language arts." Vandill answered as he took his seat, "Now the key is to rhyme your words in a verse. Like what you heard before."
"Ok… Uhm…when people hear you sing it feels like a sting.
The class "ooh" as one when they heard the God, thinking he was about to engage in a flyt with Vandill but the Jotun laughed once again.
"An excellent start, my friend! Busy bees you and I are but while I work all day you doze beside a Rose." Scattered giggles could be heard among the class, they knew what Vandill meant and it made Thor's cheek turn red.
"Settle down children, settle down," Vestri said as he walked in, his suitcase swinging at his side. Once everyone was seated he addressed the class, "Alright class, with the festival approaching, will be going over the Vanir and you must finish your homework before the week of the festival. If you cannot complete it on time you will spend the day of the festival completing it." Moans and groans of complaint filled the room but the Dwarf did not waver, his eyes swept over the class, staring intently at those who he knew always turned in their work late or didn't finish it.
When lunch came Vandill still was trying to teach Thor how to flyt, surprisingly, the Aesir was quick to learn and their exchanges were drawing quite a crowd.
"The rose is making your face red as your head so maybe you should go to bed but if you sleep you'll get beat cuz you are nothing but a geek."
Thor struggled to come up with a reply but could not find any and threw his hands up in surrender prompting the crowd to laugh and cheer for Vandill. As they dispersed Thor leaned in and whispered, "Must you keep adding Rossweisse?"
The large man shrugged, "What can I say? You and Rossweisse are always seen together. Some think you and her are dating."
Thor blushed, Rossweisse was his teacher and bodyguard, not his girlfriend, it was strictly friendship from her point of view.
"Anyway, you'll need to do better with your verses if you wish to beat me or take part in the festival games."
"I'm not taking part in all the games, especially flyting and eating."
"Nonsense! You must take part in the eating contest. Everyone knows you can eat a whole table of-"
"That was a myth made up by humans." Thor interrupted, "I don't think I even have the strength of the original Thor."
Vandill smiled kindly, the Jotun had been within the great hall to hear his friends reveal about himself and he, like the rest of Asgard, did not care one bit. It was like Ullr said, they were coming into strange times and people were happy to have the prince back among them even if he was an experiment for the Church. Of course, this started to spread rumors, like Thor had died and been reborn and was kidnapped by the Church as a baby or his sacrifice had caused him to de-age and be frozen in time before being discovered by Exorcists, to Vandill they were silly notions and shouldn't be believed. How Thor returned wasn't important, he was back in Asgard and that was all that mattered.
"I think you do." He reassured, placing an enormous hand on the God's shoulder, "that strength is hidden somewhere within you. Someday you will find it and it will help you grow stronger, stronger to use Mjolnir and protect Asgard. Now let's try to flyt one last time before lunch is over."
Thor faced his friend, sizing him up and down, and waited for his friend to start.
"Your face is red, your belly is yellow. I've never seen such a pathetic-looking fellow."
A muscle twitched at the corner of Thor's lip, so this was how you wanna start huh, well I can be just as mean.
"With muscles like yours who needs a brain, coming up with rhymes must be such a pain."
Vandill smirked, "This is your first flyt, will you run or fight? Either way, you'll be dead lying in your bed."
"If I go to bed I will be led instead. For a Valkyrie of Vanaheim will be awaiting me this time." He was too late to stop himself and Vandill had a wide grin upon his face.
"If we were reeling, flying, I would concede. Take note of what we have exchanged, Thor. It is best to insult your foe then use their insult to take pleasure in who you love." Vandill added with a wink.
Thor shuffled in his seat but nodded, now that he was understanding how to flyt he would have to practice more on his own and memorize some verses if he's ever chosen to start a flyt. The last however still lingered in his mind long after lunch was over. Vandill knew what he meant and so did he, the rumors about him and Rossweisse together had spurred him on to say those things yet why did he do so? He resolved to figure out their relationship during the festival but now this rumor and his flyt were pushing it further and further to the forefront of his mind. Did they have feelings for each other?
I need to have a long serious talk about this. No doubt she has heard the rumors too unless she's been with Odin all this time.
The day went on and soon school ended, everyone was still eagerly talking about the festival while still not knowing yet that Asgard would be having a guest from Hell joining the festival. On one hand, reaching out to coexist with the Devils was another step towards peace and unification but on the other hand, the Gods and their people would not be happy about this for they still held deep resentment towards the Christian Faction. First, it was directed at the Devils and Exorcist for Surtr, Siegfried, and Thor, but now the Fallen Angels were starting to be looked at with frowns and furrowed brows, the cause was discovering Azazel sealing Fafnir into his Artificial Sacred Gear which did not sit well and Thor recalled hearing the negative whispers spread around Asgard once more.
"Siegfried, Surtr, Thor, Fafnir. What else have those Christians stolen from us!?"
"The Allfather is a fool to think untying with those filthy crows is the way for unity. We should have united with the other Pantheons, not the so-called Three Great Factions; they are three Factions in one Mythology and nothing is great about them! If all the Pantheons joined together we could wipe them out and possibly even kill their oh so mighty God."
"Yeah, I hear five or six Hindu Gods are among the top 10 with their God of Destruction and God of War having the power to destroy the world."
"By Odin's beard, I would be so grateful to have them as an ally instead."
That was just some of what Thor heard around the kingdom. He wondered how they would feel if one of their own chooses to join the Khaos Brigade, would they trust their own Gods? Would civil war erupt within the Nine Realms after Odin worked so hard for it?
No!
Civil War won't engulf the Norse world and it was time for old grudges to be put aside. Azazel, Sirzechs, and Odin working together would be a sign of peace, no more grudges being held and secrets shared, secrets Thor was sure Grigori and the Underworld had many of that Odin was keen to know. There was one group left out of this unification, however, and Thor felt his resentment stir.
Heaven and its followers.
The people who made his childhood hell and left his mind filled with secrets even Odin couldn't discover were at the bottom of Thor's trust list, he would rather trust a seductive Fallen Angel or a greedy power-hungry Devil. The Angels never came to rescue him and the Exorcists treated him more as a thing than human.
"If you won't forgive them you can at least tolerate them if we become allies."
Rossweisse's words from long ago rang in his ears. The Valkyrie was right; if they became allies with Heaven, and eventually they would, he and the rest of Asgard would have to tolerate them and their followers no matter how much they hated them. For that is the price for peace.
Days passed and the excitement grew, the festival would happen very soon and the reveal of Sirzechs attending. Asgard was busy like a beehive with decorations, shops, pavilions, restaurants, and bars either being set up or thoroughly cleaned. A few guests from the other realms were already arriving to help in preparation or setting up shop with items from their own world, one such guest was Vandill's father. The father of Thor's Jotun friend looked like an older, taller, version of Vandill, except he had flecks of grey in his long brown braided beard that was stuck into a golden belt and, as Thor noticed since the older giant was wearing sandals, missing his right big toe.
"Uhm… Mr. Aurvandill…what happened to your foot?" Said Thor after exchanging introductions.
Aurvandill smiled, "Ah. A story that involves you, or should I say your predecessor. The old Thor, who was my best friend, helped me and my fiance to escape Jotunheim. While wading a river, my foot got caught on a rock, and seeing no time to lift the rock I took out a knife and cut off my big toe, thus earning me the name Aurvandill of the Nine Toes." He chuckled as he wiggled his nine toes.
Later that day, the royal family was looking for their finest clothes while also reciting certain lines for their visitors.
"Now, Baldur when Hreidmar arrives-"
"Mom, we already know the customs of greeting a Dwarf. We know, introduce ourselves, and say we are at their servers." Interrupted the blue-haired son of Freya who was struggling to get on a robe with violet trimmings.
"And Thor, your hair, while as lovely as it is, must be kept clean for tonight. Can you pull it into a ponytail or bun?"
The thought of walking around with a man bun or ponytail made Thor shake his head rapidly prompting his mother to sigh.
"Where is Vidar?"
"Talking with Odin." Thor answered while Hlin passed him a yellow robe, he looked it over before shaking his head and returning it to the maid, "Hmm no I don't think this would match."
"But, Lord Thor, you must find something suitable for the festival."
"I will eventually."
"Is it true what they've been saying?" Hlin asked while withdrawing a bright orange robe that was quickly rejected by the young Aesir, "I heard you are not the real Thor and you were a test subject for the Christians to use as a weapon."
"Unfortunately it's true," Thor answered, Hlin gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth as the robe slipped to the floor, "They did it for power to use against their enemies. I wonder what their God thinks of them using a Pagan God as a weapon?"
"We will never know since he never leaves Heaven." Thor answered, "So I know Hreidmar and the Dwarves are coming but who else will attend? Vanaheim is one of them obviously and I recall some Jotun clans are our allies and will attend but what about Alfheim and Midgard?"
"Elves rarely leave their realms, be it Alfheim or Midgard. So don't expect to see much or any at all." Said Vidar who just entered, "Likewise with the Dwarves of Midgard. Hreidmar and his kingdom, however, have done much for Asgard."
"Like the gifts, Brokk, Sindri, and Ivaldi's son's created." Said Thor excitedly, he always read the story of how the Gods received the spear, the hammer, and many more. The mentioning of the story overshadowed Thor's gloom to not meet the Elves yet. He was hoping to see them since he never left Asgard since going to Olympus.
"That's right. Now onto a very important question I have for you little brother." Baldur said as he stepped forward to face Thor, "Have you been learning how to flyt from Aurvandill's son?"
A chuckle escaped Freya and Thor couldn't hide his grin, feeling the urge to show off what he knew the God of Thunder faced the God of Light and began to flyt.
"For one blessed with invulnerability to all threats, can you spare losing any more hair?"
Hlin pressed a hand against her mouth to prevent a laugh from slipping between her lips.
Baldur grinned widely, "No threat can make me sweat. You are a child who cannot rhyme with style."
"When Asgard goes to war you stay in bed and loudly snore. The thunder is my roar for I am Thor, giants know to flee upon seeing me!
"Bravo!" Hlin applauded after Baldur threw his hands up in surrender with a chuckle.
"My. My. It seems Thor has acquired the skill to insult people." Vidar laughed, "I hope you win many challenges."
"Thank you Lad-... thank you, mom." Thor corrected, earning a smile from the Vanir beauty.
"If you start calling her mom, you may as well call Odin father." Baldur encouraged.
Thor's reply was stopped immediately when his eyes caught something in the wardrobe. Approaching the outfit he saw it was a robe similar in design to Vidar's but colored silver with cyan lining on the top and bottom of the collar, the sleeves and at the front running all the way down to the bottom of the robe. He was drawn to it because its color reminded him of a certain Valkyrie mentioned in his flyt against his Jotun friend.
"It looks like you found yourself an outfit for the festival," Hlin said with a smile.
"Yeah, I have."
Days later
Thor slumped against the wall, blocking out the commotion behind the door. Tomorrow the festival started and Odin announced to Asgard that Sirzechs will be attending it. The news was met with yells of outrage, which Thor knew would happen and did not wish to be around when it happened.
"You're letting a filthy bat step into our kingdom!?" Shouted a woman
"It's back enough you broke our own law by allying with those crows and the Olympians! Now a bat!? That's going too far!" Said a soldier.
"SILENCE!"
Thor jumped, he had never heard Odin shout like that nor in such a commanding tone.
"We fought the Vanir and made peace with them. We made peace with all the realms in our mythology. It is time we extend the olive branch to other factions. It is time we let go of our grudges and move forwards to an era of peace and unity."
"As for breaking our own laws, you forget the Odin and I are your rulers. We have the order to change our laws." Added Freya in a tone as if she was scolding a child, "Ullr said we are coming into strange times. If so then it is time we change our ways, first by letting go of this ridiculous grudge against the Underworld for having Surtr as a reincarnated Devil. I do not know where this came from but it needs to stop! Surtr will not harm us if so he will be exterminated by the Satan's. The same can be said for Grigori and Heaven. Fafnir terrorized Midgard and Heaven keeps to themselves."
"What about their human followers!? The Christians forced our followers to convert to their religion. They're the reason we've lost so much influence in Scandinavia!" A large man shouted.
"You should know that all humans will do things, be it good or bad, in the name of whatever pantheon they follow." Odin answered sternly, "We will have no more of this grudge and hatred towards other religions. You forget many of you are entertained by the men and women of Grigori's strip clubs."
An awkward silence fell upon the crowd and many were blushing at the Allfather's words. He knew his people enjoyed the seductive Fallen Angel performers and were partly the reason for Asgard's banks being refilled with money. This hatred about the Biblical Faction was understandable but unnecessary and growing to annoy Odin, it was time to stop this once and for all.
"If anyone still disagrees you can pack your bags and move to Vanaheim or you can swallow your hatred, give Sirzechs a chance, and enjoy the festival. The choices are yours."
Thor rose to his feet and walked down the hall, he had heard enough and didn't care what the people would decide. Odin and Freya's decision was made and they were right about forgetting about this grudge, Thor chose to sacrifice himself to save Asgard, now the God of Thunder and King of Muspelheim returned. Their return from the dead still baffled Odin but hopefully, he would have the answers soon.
And that wraps up 2021 for my fanfic, in 2022 it will continue! The God of Thunder has learned about flyting and has learned it quickly. I really hope they turned out well. For those who don't know what it is, well it's like how it was explained in the chapter; ancient rap battling with verse. I had to watch Assassin's Creed Valhalla to get an understanding as well as help from my good friend Dunedane and edit the verses with my fiance.
To everyone who has been following the story thank you for giving it a chance and I truly hope you are enjoying it.
See you all in 2022!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!