Repost of The Game Of Divinity By ChildeOfWar

by Boundless Scholar

This is not a story by me, but strictly a story that I want to listen to while at work to avoid dealing with all the people crying or asking for sentenceing appeals. - "Our unfortunate MC get offed by truck-kun and is offered the gamer system as compensation. Unfortunately for him the system is kind of a dick. Now changed to M for gore and foul language. GenBend - femMC"

16. Chapter 16 - From the pan and into the f

From the pan and into the fire

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Before we begin with the chapter I want to clarify something that a lot of people seemed to get confused about in the story. I am talking of course about Alex's age. So lets create a timetable to clear things up a bit.

She started her journey when she was six almost seven at late April of 1996 with her birthday being 15 of May.

A day later she finds the grove and stays there for three months. So by August that she enters the first dungeon she is 7 yo and change.

She comes out at the summer Solstice of 1997 and she is aged another year so now she is 8.

About a couple weeks late the whole Hades thing happened and three years passed on the outside world while she only aged 3 months making her 8 in 2000 and Annabeth 6,5.

After about 3 months together with the Dream team they manage to reach Camp and then she goes on a trip to Vanaheim.

There she stays for 5 years BUT. As I said in chapter 15, five years in norse dimensions is 2,5 in the real world and mortals that reside there age with Midgards standards not Vanaheims. As a result , when she finally goes to Asgard she is 10,5. and another 5 years in Norse realms will make her 13 years old and it would only have passed only 5 years as a whole on Earth. So when she reaches Camp (hopefully) she will be a few months before Lightnning Thief starts. I hope I cleared things up.

Enjoy!

THE GAME OF DIVINITY

CHAPTER 16: The Halls of Asgard

The first thing I noticed when we walked out from Heimdallr's Observatory was that it was positioned at the very edge of the dimension.

Beyond that there was a chasm that leads directly to space and from this it was easy to deduce that in actuality Asgard was a humongous island flowing in the space of its own dimension.

How could that work, when one considers the cycles of day and night need the rotation of the planets to work and also the fact that the seas at some point should fall over the chasm I don't know but I am not going to try to understand these Godly miracle bullshit. That way lie madness and I don't have enough sanity as it is to go around wasting it in things that are not my concern.

Disregarding my previous thoughts, I followed the procession of the Vanir through the very well made cobbled path (positioned behind and to the right of Freyja as it was proper, her being my Mistress) that led to the walls of Asgard.

Looking at them from a great distance you would think it was just another wall. Yes it looked impressive but nothing to write home about, just big grey stones encircling the city.

It was when you got near them that their size and splendor become truly apparent. They were so big that any other walls someone could see in the whole Midgard would look tiny in comparison.

I don't doubt that if you built the Empire State Building just outside these walls, the very top of it wouldn't reach even three fourths of these walls height. In addition the moment you got within 20 meters of it, a great pressure could be felt on your shoulders.

Seeing my bewildered expression at this phenomenon Njord explained that it is the countless wards and barriers that further empower the walls giving a warning to everyone approaching.

If we had actual plans to attack the pressure would have felt like holding the very skies on your shoulders, crushing the weak into non existence in a seconds and viciously handicapping everyone that survives. It is designed that way both as a great defense but as a reminder as well to everyone that Asgard is not to be trifled with.

After that explanation I was awed by the Giant that built these walls all on his own and only in 1 year too with only a horse for help. You can only theorize on what kind of wanders he could have built if he wasn't such a horny bastard for trying to marry Freyja as a reward, causing Loki to trick him out of the bet and after that Thor splitting his head open like a watermelon.

If the walls were impressive then the city itself was majestic. While the golden city of Asgard wasn't actually gold in color like its name suggested or the MCU series depicted it, it was still a marvel of truly divine proportions.

It was built on a mountain, with the bottom being the barracks and training fields as well as the farmlands and as you went higher the most opulent it became. The whole architecture had the Viking feel obviously but you could see styles from different cultures as well, which were made to honor allies and friends of the Aesir according to Freyja.

Surprisingly enough there were even some Greek and Roman themed buildings. Who would have thought that Zeus of all people would actually bring himself to make friends with someone that is not himself? Will wonders never cease?

At the very top was a second walled structure that served as the residence of the royal family as well as the barracks of the Valkyries and the Halls of Valhalla, the army of the honorably dead that were waiting for Ragnarok to come.

After we passed through the walls we were led in a huge throne room that was already filled with thousands upon thousands of people, and considering the sheer presence many of them had they were probably Gods and the rest were partial immortals, demigods, nature spirits and most importantly the residents of Valhalla mingling with each other and waiting for the festivities to begin.

We were waiting for about 10 more minutes before the sound of great horns was heard, silencing everyone and bringing their attention to a raised dais were Hlidskjalf, the throne of the king was placed.

On top of it sat Odin All-father, King of the Aesir and official leader of the Norse pantheon, God of Wisdom, Knowledge, Sorcery, War, Death, Ecstasy, Poetry and Runes. On his left side sat Frigg the All-Mother and Queen of the Aesir, Goddess of the Sky, fertility, household, motherhood, love and marriage and on his left was Thor God of Thunder, War and Storms, Heir of Asgard.

When Freyja first told me about the domains of Odin I was really surprised about their number and importance. It was no wonder that he was such a feared and respected God and could afford to indulge in the arcane arts without the rest of the Aesir who consider magic as a whole a womanly art to give him any flack about it. He was simply too strong for any of them to dare to even voice any kind of disapproval.

The sound of Gugnir's shaft striking the ground pushed me out of my thoughts and brought everyone undivided attention to the King.

"People of Asgard and honorable guests that have come from distant realms, I welcome you to my halls in the annual harvest celebration, meant to honor another year of successful bounty and preservation of the peace between the realms of Yggdrasil." said Odin, his voice carrying to the whole room, filled with the authority of a supreme leader and warrior, causing the whole audience to roar in jubilation motioning for the valkyrie guards to open the side gates that led to a banquet hall capable of probably accommodating double the people that were here.

In the middle of the hall there was a great hearth meant for people to dance around and circling it were countless intricately carved wooden tables meant to sit the many guests, filled with an exorbitant amount of food. Golden horns of ale were placed aside of every plate and if my senses were correct, they were enchanted to be never ending.

We sat together with the royal family as honored guests, which wasn't a surprise really considering Njord was the King of Vanaheim and Odin's greatest ally.

I was placed on the left side of Freyja, right after her daughters. When everyone found their seats, Odin stood up, gaining the attention of everyone and raised his golden horn filled with ale in the air.

"Let the feast begin and may the tales of valor be aplenty" he declared prompting everyone to raise their drinks as well and music to start sounding in the background.

After everyone gorged themselves in meat and fruits, men started standing up and approached the women in order to dance around the fire.

Fortunately for me, I didn't have tits yet so none of the horny men bothered to invite me to dance, something that Freyja couldn't say for herself causing her to have a semi-permanent scowl on her face and me a very amused grin. When I explained to a curious Njord the reason of the grin, it caused him to roar in laughter and start teasing his daughter every time she found time to sit down.

Much later, when everyone had been tired out and the night was starting to fall, the time for the stories of valor and battle had come.

It was a tradition for warriors to stand before the fire and regale everyone with stories of battles past they have participated in and after they are done the would invite someone else to do it and so on with the occasional spar in between to spice things up until the sun appeared and brought the end of the celebrations.

Most stories were nothing to write home about. It was the usual, the random Viking went to raid a distant land, he pillaged some poor unfortunate soul, raped his wife or daughters ( though they called it conquered because it sound better than rape) and then took his ship and returned home to fuck his wife. It was fucking repetitive and not to mention horrifying. I wanted to stand up and burn the balls of those bastards with Warfyre. Maybe this would teach them about fucking acceptable behavior and decency. Fortunately for them Freyja put a stop to my pyromaniac thoughts.

Things were going well. Some Gods had stood up in order to tell their tales and Susano's battle against Yamata no Orochi was pretty cool by the way, when Loki of all beings stood up, causing everyone to freeze for a moment and the King to raise an amused eyebrow. Apparently the God of Mischief and sworn brother of Odin wasn't one for such events.

After regaling us about his fight with some poor Giant that should really have been more careful when fighting near a steep cliff, Loki made it quite clear that he really wanted to have his balls burned by Warfyre.

"And now that my tale is over I think its time for the next warrior to come forth." said the snake with an amused grin.

Taking his time to look around and pretend that he has not already decided on who to choose he turns to our table and gives me a very amused smirk that instantly made me want to rearrange his face.

"Alexandra Bellum daughter of Ares, dragon charmer and Freyja's very own apprentice please come forth and tell us a tale of your valor" said the son of a bitch, bringing everyone's attention to me causing some of them to raise their eyebrows at my small stature and age.

Glowing red from embarrassment, I stood up and headed before the fire, my gamer's mind working double time to suppress my stage fright and my anger at the dickhead that put me in this situation from being shown on my face.

Steeling myself, I looked back at the thousand eyes that were focused on me and started to describe my whole adventure from the moment that I left Wisteria's grove together with the others until my victory over the furies and my subsequent arrival in Freyja's backyard.

The mention of Ruin and his capabilities caused some raised eyebrows, considering that Ares had never given such horse to any of his mortal children before, it said much about me acquiring one. The desperate running through New York in order to reach camp had everyone at the edge of their seats and my actions towards my comrades and my decision to fight alone against an army had the residents of Valhalla and most battle nuts amongst the audience raise their cups and roar in glee.

My actual fight and the defeat of the Furies caused a second round of gleeful shouts that turned in laughter when I described my naked landing in the Vanir Princesses backyard.

When I was done, I was ready to release a relieved sigh and finally go back to my seat when an arrogant voice silenced everyone.

"I don't believe a lick of the lies that you spouted little girl. As if a little brat like you could ever accomplish such a thing. How dishonorable are you to stand up before all these noble warriors and tell such tall tales. It seems that Freyja has focused mostly in magic and hasn't taught you much in respect. Though she wouldn't know much about it herself, considering her actions against the honorable Odr."

Ralf Odrson "Professional Asshole"

Race: Demigod

Gender: Male

Level: 15

MP: 1600

STR: 80

VIT: 100

DEX: 50

INT: 15

WIS: 10

CHA: 20

LUC: 2

Info: Ralf is the son of Odr ex-husband of Freyja. He is an arrogant idiot with a very big impression about himself. He was a talented swordsman and a good raider before he died on the shores of England by a squire when he was too distracted being balls deep inside an unfortunate woman and has achieved Valhalla by the skin of his teeth, making him a low ranked warrior that only his father's status protects him for getting his ass kicked daily. He hates Freyja for shaming his father and hates you more for being associated with her.

I froze for a moment at the little cunts audacity but I got my wits quickly.

"And who are you exactly? I asked curiously an expressionless look on my face. The whole audience was silent unwilling to stop such prime entertainment.

"My name is Ralf Odrson, I am a warrior of Valhalla." said the self important piece of shit, thumb pointed to his chest like he was the gift of the Gods upon Yggdrasil.

"Oh my Gods, you are the legendary Ralf Odrson that I have heard so much about?" my whole face gained a very simpering look, causing most of the audience to become flabbergasted at my strange reaction towards the nobody dissing me and Freyja to smack her head on the table with a groan, most assuredly knowing that shit were about to hit the fun and the rest of the members in the royal table to look at her in askance.

"Oh you have heard of my great feats of valor?" asked the moron in a surprising display of lack of survival instincts.

"Oh yes, I was always amazed by the tale of how you were killed by a child squire greener than a ripe cucumber because you were balls deep in some poor girls cunt and were too much of a moron to check your surrounding earning yourself a legendary blue balled death" I replied, my simpering tone in full blast as I batted my eyelids at him.

Everyone froze. One bit. Two bits. Then a roar of laughter and jeering was heard from the entire hall causing me to smile wide in vicious satisfaction and he to gawk at me with widened eyes and gaping mouth at the mention of his very embarrassing death.

At the royal table Frey and Thor had fallen out of their seats and Njord was holding his stomach and shouting "I broke my rib" over and over again while laughing. Freyja was looking at me with an embarrassed expression conveying with her stare how much she didn't want to know me this moment. Not that I cared, the fucker was asking for it.

I was ready to go back to my sit when the idiot proved once again that when he was created they forgot to put any survival instincts in him.

"You little chit, I challenge you to a duel. You made me look like a fool and now you will pay for it" the idiot said, spittle coming out of his mouth and his face completely red in rage and humiliation.

"I didn't make you look like a fool you do it all on your own, but I guess I can humor you a little bit." I replied causing another bout of laughter and the shouts "FIGHT, FIGHT" making me smile.

"How do you want it loser? Classic or modern? I mocked with my best douchebag (read: Ares) smirk.

"Pick whatever you want little girl, it won't change anything" shot back the poor fool.

He stood 3 meters away from me a sword in hand and an arrogant smirk in his face very assured of his victory.

I on the other hand was contemplating on how exactly to defeat him. I could always pull out Forvendi and kick the fuckers ass in 3 seconds tops but it just wasn't satisfying enough. I had to make sure the lesson I gave him stuck deep so I decided to take a more badass approach. I was going to pull a Gildarts.

The moment a horn blare sounded the fight begun. I stood with my hands crossed in front of my chest a bored look at my eyes and waited. He, watching me not even taking out a weapon became enraged at the insult and started charging with his sword above his head, a wimpy battle cry to his lips.

A few feet away from me I used Aura Domination and engulfed myself in Warfyre. The pressure of the maxed out skill together with the unsettling aura the flames produced caused him to instantly freeze and fall to his knees, his sword skipping from his hand and falling to the ground. He wasn't the only one either. Many of the other guests who weren't strong enough started shaking on their seats, sweat pouring down their faces. The Gods and stronger warriors of course didn't even pause, but I wasn't expecting them to. I know I am amongst the strongest demigods power wise but I have no delusions that if even a very minor God wished to I would be able to stop him from crushing me like bug. For now at least.

The pathetic worm at this point was fully on the ground and whimpering for mercy, completely dishonoring himself if the disgusted looks he was getting was any indication.

I had no intention to draw out his suffering anymore though, unnecessary cruelty and all that. So I pulled out my gun and shot him twice. Once on the balls and two on the head.

Now I know what you will say. Alex wasn't that a little harsh? Killing him is too much isn't it? And I will answer that he didn't die too much. I know it doesn't make sense but you lack the necessary context.

You see, he was a resident of Valhalla, meaning he had already died. As a result if he is inside Odin's Halls even if he is fatally wounded he will just fade and reappear the next night good as new. The guys here practically kill each other every day in the name of training and joke about it too, that's why instead of attacking me for killing one of their own they started cheering instead. Of course things couldn't continue as it was before. My little bloodspilling cause everyone to get excited and a brawl started immediately after I left the pyre. The reason for the brawl? Because its fun.

After that the party continued and I got some pats on my head from the happy Vanir Gods and a nod of approval from Freyja for teaching the moron some manners until daylight came and everyone started going to sleep exhausted from all the revelry.

I wasn't feeling all that sleepy though. The godly constitution has improved my well, everything really by a big margin and now I only needed 4 hours of sleep and I could stay perfectly awake for 3 days straight, so I started to explore the city of Asgard.

The market was spectacular. There were wares from all of the realms and even other pantheons. Fabrics from Vanaheim and China, herbs and flowers from Alfheim, Africa and even Greece, special alchemic ashes and never melting ice from Muspelheim and Jotunheim respectively Necromancy assisting obsidian and bones from Niflheim and jewelry from Nidavelir.

I purchased a few clothes for myself because I had gotten a growth spurt in recent years and got my ears pierced as well. Earrings are very good pieces of jewelry symbolically for sound based anti-mind control enchantments (Sirens, charmspeakers etc). That's why I bought a pair of them in the shape of crimson pentagrams with tiny runes engraved on them (because sorceress duh!). After all if I ever go to the sea of monsters they could come in handy and generally anything that can prevent me from getting mind fucked is a good investment.

Clear Sound Earrings

+5 WIS

+ 10% effectiveness to illusion based spells

Special: Clear Sound: This enchantment prevents the wearer from falling victim to sound based illusions and mind manipulation. Mind shields enhance the effectiveness of the item.

Info: Earrings made from Uru steel from a jewel crafter from Nidavelir and enchanted by a Light Elf enchanter. The give the wearer clarity of mind and they are also very stylish, though entering Christian territories wearing them could subject you to a little bit of burning at the stake, so beware.

A couple hours of exploring later, I find myself in some pretty impressive gardens on the upper parts of the city. They were incredibly massive and were full of wooden statues of Gods and legendary heroes and beasts. I was particularly amazed by the depiction of Siegfried and Fafnir doing battle. They were extremely realistic and the dragons body was glittering a gold color that from what I could see was created from runes engraved on his scales.

"Runes can do some really spectacular things" I said to myself amazed by the sight. What I didn't expect was from someone to agree with me.

"Yes little one, runes are only limited by the user and his creativity." a deep voice said behind me causing me to turn around startled.

The person who spoke was old, with a long white beard and a walking stick. He was wearing grey robes that were not too expensive or poorly made and he was looking at me with an amused smile. Even if I didn't have observe, it wouldn't have taken me long to recognize the old man.

Odin Borson "All-Father"

Race: God

Gender: Male

Affiliation: Aesir

Level: ?

Status: ?

Info: Odin Borson is the King of the Aesir and official leader of the Norse pantheon, God of WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, SORCERY, WAR, DEATH, ECSTASY, POETRY, ROYALTY, THE GALLOWS and RUNES. You are not strong enough to know more.

You see Odin is also called the Wanderer in certain circles. He has the habit to disguise himself as an old man that talks in riddles and wander around the realms searching for secret knowledge with a certain focus in prophecies and magic. It is also my favorite facet of Odin aside from his warrior form. I always thought the way he pissed on every tradition and stereotype of his people and did what he wanted, walked everywhere, studied anything, having many adventures to be very awesome. He was the epitome of freedom and that appealed to me in terms of Gods to respect and worship.

I could have played along but I really wasn't one to beat around the bush.

"Lord Odin, it is an honor to meet you" I said with a curtsy that Freyja made me practice under many protests from me.

"Hooh, your scrying spell Loki told me about must be really unique if it could detect my disguise. I know Gods who fell for it hook line and sinker, impressive." he said with an impressed raised eyebrow and transforming in his armored one eyed form.

"It is quite instinctual actually, I don't even know how I do it, I just do, sir" I stuttered a bit and said the sir part a little bit as an afterthought. 'Great' I thought sarcastically ' I am turning into Percy'.

"These type of gifts are known to appear from time to time, its usually a special manifestation of Mist use. You must have some talent with it" he said surprising me and I immediately told him that my Mist was still locked. Freyja wanted me to focus on my affinities first and said that the Mist could be taught later, though I don't know the exact reason why and I told him as such.

"Well it is not surprising really. Freyja was always more focused in the more orthodox type of spell use. Sorcery on the other hand is something that she doesn't like to use aside from enchanting."

His explanation confused me. After all I gained the title sorceress from Freyja's apprenticeship. If what she taught me isn't considered sorcery then why would I gain such a title? And I asked him such.

"In other cultures the title sorcery is one for all types of magic someone could use. Here though you would be considered a mage for having a level of mastery of the elements and a sorceress or the most local seið-kona for your shape shifting ability. Sorcery or seidr as it is called has more to do with the bending of the more esoteric core aspects of creation and prophecy and also the manipulation of the Mist. Space, Time, Mind, Reality are true sorceries and the basic five elements together with Light and Dark are considered primal magics or better known Magecraft. Life and Death belong to both and neither at the same time depending on what you do and how." as he was talking I became more and more amazed. He really had a talent for teaching and what I learned was so interesting and fascinating.

I could have easily kept listening for days to such an interesting lesson but he changed the subject to something else.

"You know, you really surprised me with your impertinence. Your sheer need to break the rules was truly enjoyable. It was like I was looking in a mirror really." he said with a very amused tilt of his mouth making me pause for a moment.

"I may have gone a bit too far in the hall but that moron insulted my Mistress and-" he interrupted me with a raised hand, smirk locked in place.

"I am not talking about the idiot in hall, he deserved worse if I am to be honest. You don't insult a Goddess of Freyja's status or any Goddess really unless you want to have a really bad day."

"I am talking about your prayer to me when you fought those bats outside of the Greek Camp and your travel through Yggdrasil after that. Even if we have relatively good relations, different pantheons are not supposed to interact with each other without the respective leader's permission when it comes to mortal followers like demigods for example. Also, direct travel through Yggdrasil is forbidden for mortals full stop." he said making me shallow hard, wondering what kind of punishment I was going to get for my trespass.

"Then again your little trip through the world tree while forbidden doesn't constitute a punishment because normally the cosmic energies would have turned you to dust so we didn't really decide on one and considering the 5 Elder Runes I detect on you, the Cosmic Tree must have seen something in you so who am I to say otherwise."

"Furthermore the Greeks and Zeus in particular is kind of a cunt, the little upstart is always causing trouble for everyone so I didn't feel the need to inform him about your little indiscretion so you are safe from becoming a grease spot on the ground." he followed with a chortle that making me chuckle a little as well and inwardly sigh in relief 'Safe'.

"But" he said and I was viciously reminded that we are dealing with a God here and a particularly cunning one at that (he wasn't Loki's sworn brother just because of his exceptional humor after all) so freebies exist only in dreams when dealing with them.

"as compensation for my little skirting of the rules I would like something in return" he continued with a smirk that reminded me eerily of snakeface himself.

"And that would be?" I asked with a resigned tone waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I want you to become my champion for the next 5 years" he said making me look at him openmouthed.

On paper it looked like a really nice offer, I become his champion, gaining some sweet boosts and privileges and also going to adventures because champions are usually send to do these kind of things for their Patron God and only for five years too, just in time for me to return to Midgard for the beginning of the Lightning Thief.

On reality though, it was too convenient. Gods were generally very selfish and possessive creatures. You don't mark someone with your very immortal essence, giving him permanently or until death a small part of some of your domains and then deciding to make use of him for only five years, not to mention the very convenient timescale of the whole thing.

"Why 5 years?" I asked bluntly making him raise an eyebrow in askance but I wasn't in the mood for games.

"Usually a champion designation is for life. Even the most selfless and honorable Gods demand at least that much from any champions they choose and you are many things my Lord but selfless is definitely not one of them." I continued making him raise his head to the sky and laugh uproariously.

When he was done laughing he answered.

"You are really sharp child and also very right."

"In any other case I would have demanded you to become my champion the usual way, but I was asked by an old and very powerful friend this favor and was promised a few things as well that I was seeking for a long time so you can say that these are some special circumstances indeed." he said making me pause.

"And who is that old and very powerful friend that is so interested in me and also why?" I asked trying to figure out who it could be.

There are many old and powerful beings amongst the Gods but I have never interacted with any of them except for some Olympians but none of those I met are strong enough to give Odin of all people a true challenge power wise so it wasn't them.

"I am afraid that I can't answer that, I promised that I wouldn't. I don't fancy dying slowly in agony after all, but I can at least tell you that there aren't any nefarious plans for you." he said causing me to look at him in surprise at his words and instantly after that both of us were sent to our knees a powerful presence became felt for a split second before disappearing.

"Good grief okay I am shutting up, give it a rest." said Odin to the sky and lifting my collapsed form off the ground and seating me on a tree bark.

I haven't felt such fear since the void. That all encompassing feeling of sheer hopelessness when you are standing before something so much above you that your very existence is becoming undone just being near it. I hated that feeling. I hated being so helpless.

"I am very impressed. I know Gods that would have passed out just from feeling that presence and you took it like a champ. Even if it hadn't been asked of me, just for that I am more than happy to make you my champion. Someone as interesting as you deserves to be cultivated. After all I am very curious to see what heights you would reach."

I wanted to tell him where he could put his cultivation, but I was too preoccupied with trying to not paint his shoes with my breakfast.

The problem with this situation is that I can't really say no. Refusing such a prestigious offer and one that some type of Supreme Entity has a stake behind as well is a sure way to become a smear to the ground and I am many things, unnecessarily suicidal is not one of them. I would do what I must for now and hopefully when I manage to jump worlds, I will be able to get away with whatever consequences this champion situation would have.

"Okay, I graciously accept your offer of patronage." I said with a bow of my head.

"Excellent! For a moment I thought you would refuse" he said with a wide smile.

The look that I gave him was dryer than the Gobi Dessert.

"Hahah I guess you are right. After my old friends little display it would be quite suicidal to refuse wouldn't it?" he exclaimed with a laugh, causing me to sweat drop a little at his boisterousness. Thor it seems had to have gotten it from somewhere after all.

"Now this whole champion thing is going to be a bit different from the usual procedures" he continued this time with a serious face, gaining my undivided attention.

"A patron normally gives his champion a small part of his domains. Something like a pseudo adoption really, enabling him to tap into them though not at a level of a true demigod child initially. The connection can of course grow when you bring honor to the name of your patron as a reward, but it is extremely difficult and it becomes more so after every growth.

"It reaches a point that you need to do something truly spectacular like say kill Ladon solo in order to broaden the connection." he explained with a happy smile and I frankly told him that if he thinks that I will ever step anywhere near Ladon much less try to fight him solo, then he must have lost his marbles, causing him to laugh and tell me that he doesn't expect something like that and it was only an example, reassuring me a bit.

Unfortunately for me, I completely missed the mischievous gleam in his eyes, but that's a problem for older Alex.

"You on the other hand are not a permanent one so you will have to choose 5 of my domains for me to give you instead of all of them. So choose."

I had no problem with that. A partial blessing with freedom is way better than a full one with eternal servitude attached to it.

The 5 domains I chose were Wisdom, Knowledge, Runes, Sorcery and Royalty.

Wisdom and Knowledge were both meant to help me with my 2 partially neglected but very important stats of WIS and INT. Runes were chosen because I was hoping to maybe understand the hidden rune above my heart and also because rune magic is extremely powerful and any ability with it is more than welcome. Sorcery is obvious, I don't think I have to explain.

The last one, Royalty was more of a gamble. Royals are rulers and as a result have great leadership and interpersonal skills, something that I really luck. Also they are usually experts in military affairs and considering the Titan army that will come knocking in a few years, I thought it was prudent to gain some commanding skills.

After I told him my choices he placed a hand on top of my head and started chanting in a strange language. Runes appeared everywhere around us and I could feel a white mist blanketing the whole area in a miasma of power. The moment the light show ended I heard the alerts from the System but I wasn't in position to check them because I felt a great agony coming from my back making me fall to the ground and start screaming.

The pain was so great that I could see black spots filling my vision and with a tearing sound and a bloodcurdling scream I passed out, everything going black.

You have slept in a divine bed. Your HP and MP has been restored to 100%. All ailments and negative status effects have been cured.

When I woke up after that terrible pain, I noticed that I was moved to an opulent room and considering the view from the window I was probably inside a guest room of the Royal palace. I didn't have any more time to take stock of my surroundings because a blond missile took me in her arms and started shaking me back and forth making me dizzy.

"Alexandra Bellum you stupid little girl, haven't I told you to not agree to suspicious offers from shady old men, what were you thinking?" she asked frantically, never stopping shaking me for a moment and ignoring the snickering from Njord and Frey and the indignant "Hey" from my new patron.

She would have continued her nagging for quite a while but I was distracted by a weight on my back. The moment I focused on it, 2 black feather appendages moved from my back and almost engulfed me whole causing me to scream a little.

"What the fuck are those?" I shouted in panic.

"Those are your Valkyrie wings girl, why are you acting so surprised?" asked Njord in confusion, something that was shared by both his children .

"What do you mean Valkyrie? I thought I was your champion." I asked Odin

"The Valkyries are my champions. The wings are a standard part of my blessing and you get them too even if you didn't gain the full one" explained Odin making me frown.

"What I don't understand is why you are so against them. Usually the wings are the part that all the champions like the most." he asked a little confused

"It's not that I don't like them. Quite the contrary really, they are pretty awesome." I said making both Odin and Freyja preen at the compliment of the wings

"It's just that when I go back to Midgard it going to be a little difficult to hide them you know, and Zeus already hates my guts, if he sees me with wings he is probably going to smite me on the spot, no questions asked." I told them, making understanding to take over their face.

"You don't have to worry about that. The wings can be phased in their own dimension or all my Valkyries would have a lot of problems wearing shirts or even passing through doors really. Though the no shirt clause wouldn't be so bad." said the old pervert with a small giggle, something that caused the two other Gods to imitate him and Freyja and me to stare at them with a deadpan look.

After the little perverts had their little giggle fest, the Immortals left me to rest, with Odin informing me that a Valkyrie will collect me in the morning for training and to inform me of my new duties. The moment they left I opened the alerts of the System in order to take stock of the situation.

Due to the Blessing of a Divine Being you have gained:

Chosen Of Odin(Partial): Due to this blessing you gain a small part of the fearsome power of Odin All-father and a connection to some of his domains.

+5000 HP

+3000 MP

+1% HPReg

WISDOM: +20 WIS, + 2 MPReg per 5 WIS.

KNOWLEDGE: +20 INT, Language Skill (UPGRADE to Perk)

SORCERY: +10 INT, Unlocked Mist Manipulation(Lv1-Lv15)

RUNES: +10 WIS, Rune Specialist Perk

ROYALTY: +20 CHA, Kingly Aura Perk

New Perk: Language: You are capable of speaking, reading, writing and comprehending all languages.

New Perk: Valkyrie Wings: You have been blessed with the wings of the noble warrior women, the Valkyries. These raven looking wings give you the ability to fly on the sky reaching the speeds of 800miles/h. Don't let their fragile appearance fool you though, because these wings are more maneuverable than they look and they are as hard as diamonds and as sharp as a dwarven blade, capable of slicing through anyone foolish enough to stand against you. They are capable of being retracted to the in-between.

Mist Control (Lv1-Lv15) : Your ability to use the Mist, you need a practitioner to unlock your skill or being a child of Hecate which is naturally unlocked. You are capable of making Illusions that can fool all beings 15 levels higher and bellow. Cost: 35 Mp/min

Sub-Skill: Gradation Mist(Lv1): You are capable to create actual items by solidifying the mist. Currently you can make items as big as a spoon. Cost: 300 MP

Mist Resistance(Lv18-Lv20): Because of your divine blood you have a natural resistance to the mist. Beings of 19 levels higher than you and bellow can't fool you with the mist.

New Perk: Rune Specialist: You have gained through a divine blessing the knowledge of a rune specialist. You know the theory behind Rune magic (Younger Futhark). I f you want to actually use this magic you must practice with it though. +50% xp to Rune Magic.

New Perk: Kingly Aura: You have the aura of a King, a leader of men. Everyone you interact with will be in awe of your noble and dignified stature+ 20% reputation with all allies. When leading in battle all allies gain a+20% boost in morale and all physical stats.

For raising your INT to 100 you gain:

Reserves of the Archmage (II): You unlocked a part of the hidden power of the Archmage inside you. With this perk you gain +12 in your mana gains for every 5 INT.

I also upgraded my WIS to 100 because why not? It was only 7 points.

New Perk: Force Field Generation: You have unlocked hidden powers of your mind giving you the ability to surround yourself in a formfitting force field that can defend from both physical and magical attacks. Beware of Energy absorbers or a sufficiently powerful attack can bypass or dispel this field. +5000 Force Field Bar, Recharge Time: +1000/min when outside battle, Duration of dematerialization after destruction: 10 minutes.

After I finished checking everything I sat here for a moment and tried to get my head around my latest power up. It is really spectacular how much stronger I have gotten since I came here and if the last five years were an indication then I am going to become even stronger by the time I return to America.

The funny thing is that even after so many years of training I am about the shame with the lieutenant of Artemis in terms of stats. Of course if I fought her at this point I would probably win without too much trouble but it is a little humbling to understand that even after so much progress I am still an ant compared to the immortals of this world. I will not let this opportunity go to waste though. The next five years I am going to give it my all to improve as much as possible. By the time I am done here I plan to be stronger than Percy Jackson ever was by the end of the Giant War.

The next day I woke up with the rise of the sun. I didn't know when my escort would come so I got ready fast by putting my Vanir armor and started meditating in my elemental affinities in order to not become rusty.

About half an hour later I heard a knock on my door and quickly opened it.

The Valkyrie that greeted me looked around 25 bur for all I know she could have been centuries old. I used observe in order to figure out where I stood compared to others with the blessing of Odin.

Elaine Ullrdottir "Newbie"

Race: Demigod

Gender: Female

Level: 33

HP: 38860

MP: 21408

STR: 160

VIT: 150

DEX: 300

INT: 140

WIS: 135

CHA: 80

LUC: 25

Info: Elaine is the demigod daughter of Ullr God of the hunt, mountains, archery and skiing. She has been trying for years to get inducted in the honorable order of the Valkyries after joining Valhalla. She is miffed with you for managing to do what she had been training for so long to achieve in practically a single day, her professionalism doesn't allow her to show it though.

Damn, she is the newbie of the order and her stats are through the roof. Her dexterity especially is higher than even Zoe, which is all kinds of terrifying but also kind of obvious considering she is the daughter of the god of the hunt.

"Greetings" she said to me measuring me up.

She was tall around 5' 9" and she was blonde and blue eyed, not really surprising considering her norse heritage. She was beautiful and lean like a gymnast. Not a spec of fat on her body. She was wearing white full body armor without a helmet and she had a bow and quiver on her back.

"Good morning, nice to meet you" I said trying to make as good an impression as possible, considering her dislike for me I didn't want her to think I was some arrogant bint that gets special treatment. 'Though' I thought self deprecatingly 'I kind of am, aren't I?".

After that awkwardness was over and done with, she laid me in an open courtyard that many other women were training in. Blonde was the leading hair color, with red and brown hair fighting for second place, so it was very clear to say that with my coal black hair I was sticking out like a sore thumb. The moment that I was noticed every single eye was trained on me and my gamer's mind proved very useful in not letting my nervousness from showing. It was hard though.

Everyone here were at least 16 years old, so my young age probably didn't inspire any feelings of camaraderie or respect really. And considering the looks they were giving me they were probably drawing lots on who would end up on babysitting duty and predictably enough the newbie got the short end of the stick.

I wouldn't let myself falter though. I would prove to them that I deserved that blessing.

"Okay ladies enough gawking on the newbie, back to training." a shout pulled me out of my thoughts and caused every single woman to immediately go back to whatever exercise they were doing before.

She was an older looking woman, looking around 35 with blonde hair and green eyes. She had a spear at her back and unlike everyone else, the top part of her wings were armored. I didn't need to be a genius to figure out that she was the commander here.

Sigrun "Head-Valkyrie"

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Level: ?

Status: ?

Info: Sigrun is the oldest Valkyrie at present times and the one in charge of the whole order, right below Freyja and Odin. She is devoted to her duty and fiercely loyal to her soldiers. She is a harsh taskmistress but also known for her fairness and honorable disposition. She thinks you are too young for the training required but unwilling to go against the order of her King.

I was truly surprised. Amidst so many demigods, elves and other supernatural species, it was a vanilla human that was the strongest Valkyrie. It was kind of amazing. You only had to wonder what kind of training and force of will she must had to reach so high in hierarchy with her racial disadvantages.

"Newbie stop gawking around and come hither" she shouted at me and I immediately obeyed. This is not a place for my impertinence. I respected them too much to start acting like a brat.

"Since your inclusion was so abrupt I know nothing about your skills. Testing must be done in order to find your capabilities and then we can go from there." she said in a no nonsense voice.

"Know that if you can't reach the bare minimum of my standards you are going to be kicked out and not even the King would be able to reverse it. Am I clear?" she said this time a bit more loudly.

"Yes mam"

And so the testing begun.

First they made me do a footrace against Elaine which was all kinds of unfair considering her heritage but I sucked it up. If I had time to complain I had time to run faster.

I was right behind her for the first 2 minutes but after that she left me in the dust. After ten humiliating minutes I was finally finished the race and looked back at Sigrun.

After that I had to do an archery challenge against Elaine and two others. My Clairvoyance helped a lot for the long distance targets, but in the end I was the first one to miss a target and as a result get disqualified.

The magic test was even worse. I could barely use the mist and aside from my fire affinity that got a few raised eyebrows, I was so painfully behind that I felt my cheeks turn red in embarrassment.

At this point I was seething in rage. Not at them but on myself. How could I have been so arrogant as to think I would even stand a chance here?

These are not the little girls Artemis recruits to play girl scouts with. These are battle hardened warriors that have been scouring the battlefields for centuries and the most elite of all armies of the pantheon.

Next was horse riding and thankfully this time I had summoned Ruin, drawing some gasps from a few of the women, but even here I was disappointing. I finished second out of the 8 that were riding, which normally it would be acceptable but you have to consider that I was riding a horse above anything else in the world. The fact that I still couldn't win made my heart fall to my stomach and I had to hold myself from not tearing up in frustration.

Showing weakness here would be the same as forfeiting and if I was going to be kicked out anyway, I was at least going to do it with my head held high and not running away crying.

The sword and spear fights I won't even bother mentioning. I had to borrow some proper weapon for the armory and after that I got my little butt thoroughly kicked around until I was a bruised smear on the ground.

So here we are now the last test. Axe fighting. At this point I stopped caring anymore and I decided to enjoy the challenge. After all how many chances would I get to battle against a skilled user of my weapon. The Greeks weren't exactly known for its use. They preferred the sword and spear more.

My opponent was a tall and very buff woman around 6' 2" that was wielding an axe that was about a head bigger than me and thrice as wide. It was quite frankly intimidating as fuck.

The moment the fight begun I charged immediately with Expanded Force and Bullet Time in full blast to gain even the tiniest bit of advantage I could. I made a horizontal strike that was blocked with ease and I had to dodge a frontal kick that would have probably broken some of my ribs and chucked me at the edge of the field.

Thankfully for me she may have been stronger but she was slower and probably holding back a lot because she didn't take me seriously. I used my advantage of speed to make a cut at her outstretched leg, cutting her on the calf with an ascending strike that made her cry out in pain and jump back in order to reorient herself.

I of course didn't let her. I wasn't going to give up my only advantage. I raised my axe above my head and jumped bringing down my weapon with as much strength as I could muster.

Even with a wounded leg she managed to dodge to the side and would have retaliated but my goal wasn't to hit her. It was to strike the ground exactly beside her wounded leg. My expanded Force perk did its magic and the whole ground caved in, in a meter radius.

Normally that wouldn't be a problem for her but as I said before her leg was weakened. The result?

She fell to the ground on her back and I instantly kicked her axe away from her, which by the way is going to hurt like a bitch later, considering its sheer weight and I put my blade at her neck. Finally I won one challenge. Now even though I am going to get kicked out, I can at least say that I did one thing right.

"Enough" said Sigrun and I quickly put away my weapon and gave my hand to the fallen Valkyrie in order to help her to her feet, getting gifted with a smile in return.

Five minutes later I was standing before the whole order with Sigrun at the very front.

"How do you think you did girl?" asked the leader

"Horribly." I answered honestly, earning some snickers from the crowd and a raised eyebrow from her.

"I didn't manage to complete a single challenge except from the Axe one, and even then I had to resort to trickery and taking advantage of my opponents wound." I finished and hoped that they wouldn't be harsh in their dismissal. My pride could take so much at this point after the thrashing it received.

"And when did I say that you had to win?" she asked with an amused smirk "I only said that we had to test your capabilities and if they were good enough to qualify you for the title of a Valkyrie, which they were by the way." she ended her speech and some of the others started cheering.

I was dumbfounded. How could I be worthy of this position after that thorough thrashing I took? She must have seen the question on my face because she answered before I could vocalize it.

"You were never meant to win child. The soldiers chosen to every single one of the challenges you took were the best of each discipline. The fact that you even defeated one of them in battle shows how much potential you have." she explained giving me a more kind smile for once.

"Though don't even for a moment think that I will go easy on you or that you will get special treatment. As long you are one of us you will train as hard and as long as any other one here. If you start complaining, you are out. Have I been clear?" demanded the leader in a commanding voice making everyone stand straight on reflex.

"Yes mam" I shouted in return and from this moment the training from hell begun.

I would wake up every day before even the rise of the sun and we would run up and down the whole mountain from the gates to the very top for 4 hours straight. After that we got a ten minute rest and we begun our weapon training. It was there that I managed to upgrade my skills for the first time.

Sword Paragon(Lv1): Your ability to use a sword without chopping your own hand. +45% dmg and 22% attack speed when wielding a sword.

Spear Paragon(Lv1): Your ability to use a spear in battle without poking your eye out. +45% dmg with and +22% attack speed when wielding spears.

Axe Paragon (Lv1): Your ability to use an axe in battle without chopping yourself in pieces. +45% dmg with and +22% attack speed when wielding axes.

Gun Paragon(Lv1): Your ability to use modern firearms. +70% dmg when using guns.

Bow Paragon(Lv1): Your ability to use bows. +70% dmg when using bows.

Dagger Paragon(Lv1): Your ability to use daggers. +45% dmg and +22% attack speed when using daggers.

Apparently in order to upgrade these skills I had to fight against skilled opponents of the discipline at least ten times and manage to win three times. Which kind of makes sense. If you want to truly master any discipline you must fight stronger opponents that will truly challenge you and push you forward. No matter how many monster I killed it wouldn't change anything because they are just wild beast and not true warriors.

After that it was flight training using our wings and horse riding.

Riding was good and with time and proper training in a calm environment instead of running around a country while an army of monsters were chasing you was surprisingly really productive in improving the skill.

* Riding skill(Lv2-Lv20): Your ability to ride a mount either a vehicle or living creature. +95% possibility of staying astride while in battle. +25% damage dealt while on horseback.

Flight on the other hand was a mixed bag. Ascending I got the hang of quickly and the actual flight was majestic. If you thought Asgard was beautiful before while on the ground, from high in the sky was something else.

The problem was on the landing. I just couldn't get it. The amount of poor trees I had hit while trying to learn to safely reach the ground was in the high double digits and the teasing I got from the others was terrible indeed. I left the yard every day completely red in embarrassment instead of exhaustion.

When dusk came we left the training yard but our day didn't end there. We had to study and practice our magic both seidr and the magecraft. This was my favorite part actually. Not only could I further train my affinities but I finally was able to truly learn how to use the Mist. And let me tell you. The Greeks had truly handicapped their demigods.

The Mist is more than just a veil to hide the mortal from the immortal word. This faction was introduced much later after the fall of Rome. The Mist is actually the ambient mana of the world that mix with all the supernatural entities magical emissions absorbing the special reality bending energies the Gods release just by existing. The sheer capabilities one can achieve by learning how to use it is truly awe-inspiring. Illusions, Astral, Holographic and even material Projection, territory creation, dream manipulation and many others countless uses that it would take me a whole day to tell them all. It is basically all the esoteric branches of magic in one badass package.

One whole year of never ending torture-training and my skills and stats sky rocketed.

+ 15 STR

+ 30 VIT

+ 45 DEX

+ 25 INT

+ 20 WIS

Mist Control (Lv30) : Your ability to use the Mist, you need a practitioner to unlock your skill or being a child of Hecate which is naturally unlocked. You are capable of making Illusions that can fool all beings 30 levels higher and bellow. Cost: 20 Mp/min

Sub-Skill: Gradation Mist(Lv20): You are capable to create actual items by solidifying the mist. Currently you can make items as big as an two-handed Axe. Cost: 190MP

Sub-Skill: Holographic Projection(Lv10): You can Project a true image of your consciousness in the material world. It is capable of communicating with others even if they don't posses any gift in magic. Distance 10 km Cost: 1000 Mp/ h

Mist Resistance(Lv30): Because of your divine blood you have a natural resistance to the mist. Beings of 29 levels higher than you and bellow can't fool you with the mist.

Chloromancy(Lv20): Your ability to raise and control plants (-20MP to all plant spells). Cost 30 MP/ sec

Thorn Binding Death(Lv20): A nature type spell that sprouts thick steel hard thorny vines that bind and shred your enemies at the same time. 500 DMG, Cost:90(70)MP per enemy bound.

Lumiomancy (Lv25): Your ability to control light(-25MP to all light based spells). Cost 15MP

Laeshi (Lv25): A light type spell that imbues weapons and projectiles like arrows or bullets or even your body with light causing them to deal extra light damage. + 70 dmg, Cost: 35(10) MP/ min. Special: When used against dark aligned creatures or beings then there is a +150% damage dealt.

I focused mostly on Mist manipulation so on magecraft I focused only in two of my elements. I wanted to train my Warfyre as well but the moment I first summoned it on the field everyone lost their shit. Apparently Tyr really wanted to master his flames and thought that the best people to help him were the Valkyries themselves. After all they are the best Asgard had to offer, what could go wrong. Famous last words.

The idiot lost control so completely on his first hour in, that the whole royal palace went down to ashes. They were only lucky that most Aesir Gods for some reason have a war domain and they were able to contain and subdue the flames before they could spread further.

After this day Tyr tends to stay very far away from winged ladies. The asskicking he received for making them partially responsible for destroying the very place they were sworn to guard with their lives is still being regaled in fearful whispers amongst the male population.

Right now my stats look something like this.

Status

Name: Alexandra Bellum

Race: Demigod

Gender: Female

Title: Sorceress

Level: 20 (1.910.375/2.900.813)

HP: 23220 (+8000) HPReg= 13 % /h

MP: 18830(+5000) MPReg= 147

FF: 5000 FFReg= +1000/min (when outside battle)

STR: 215

VIT: 135

DEX: 165(180)

INT:130(140)

WIS: 120(145)

CHA: 86

LUC: 12(17)

Status: 8

Badass right?

Anyway, we are now standing outside of the palace because Odin has an announcement to make before all Asgard. I asked Sigrun about it but she admitted that even she doesn't know what is it about. And considering that she practically his second in command this is highly unusual.

The moment the All-Father showed himself on top of his balcony with Thor on his side everyone started cheering. Say what you want about him but he is truly beloved by his people.

"People of Asgard. I have called you all here today with great and terrible news." declared the King causing everyone to quickly stop making a sound, readying themselves for such ominous words.

"A Great prophecy became known to me that would bring Fate changing events for our people and our whole pantheon as a whole. The great fire giant Surtr has decided to act and kick start Ragnarok even though no sign has appeared that would declare the beginning of the End. No great winter has appeared, the World Tree is as healthy as ever and the great beasts are both fully contained.

As a result a great prophesy was made. If we fight now against Muspelheim and emerge victorious the Prophecy of Ragnarok will become obsolete. If we lose, we die.

So what say you people of Asgard? Should we fight for the survival of the World or cower in fear waiting like cravens for the inevitable?" asked the King in a voice that could inspire millions. His Royalty domain working double time.

The Asgardians everywhere you looked were shouting in glee and screaming as one "FIGHT, FIGHT". The fighting spirit of the warrior race had been ignited in full force and now there was no going back.

"Then we will fight and in this glorious battle we will emerge the victors, for we are the greatest warriors the world has ever known. ASGARD, IT IS TIME FOR WAR." was the final declaration of Odin All-Father before the sounds of jubilation completely encompassed everything. You could practically feel the bloodthirst on the air choking you like a miasma.

As for me? Well, there was only one thing to say to those turns of events.

Fuck my E-Rank Luck!

And Fuck Odin too!

~ChildeOfWar