There was no sound as the reality of the situation was fully processed by everyone. Lappland's eyes widened at the information causing her to clue into the conversation.
"You're a ghost, that explains some things." Apollo said as he leaned back in his seat while scratching his head.
"Indeed I am. A friendly ghost at that." Astrid said as she ate some nuts.
"I highly doubt Lappland would agree to that. Frankly I'm sad I didn't record it, then I could forever annoy her with this pathetically quick loss." Apollo said as he chuckled.
"Apollo, I promise that I will kill you." Lappland said as she struggled to get out the bindings.
"I'll be waiting." He said casually nothing bothered by the threat against his life. Nothing he isn't used to. "Back to you Astrid, I'm new to Kjerag so I'm not too knowledgeable about the past of the nation."
"If you want an account of the past then I would like it if Ensia gave it. Being the sister to the current head priestess and daughter of the Silverash family, she should provide a sufficient history lesson for you."
Apollo and Lappland turned to Cliffheart waiting for said history lesson.
Cliffheart could only sigh deeply as she recalled all the information she knew.
Before the nation known as Kjerag became what it was today, the people were a nomadic tribe of people. Under the guidance of Kjagander the people moved from place to place. Of course as a mother goddess Kjagander didn't enjoy fighting, she saw it as barbaric even back then.
However conflict always happened, fights between tribes weren't uncommon. Then one day an assassin attempt happened. A tribe who had fought with the people under Kjagander's protection wanted her dead.
The child that sent was Astrid Brunhild, she was a child who was used to combat as she has engaged in many battles and survived each one. She was held as a prodigy by her people.
However the assassin failed. Astrid snuck into the village in the dead of night, her ax in hand. She didn't want to leave much of a trace so she didn't harm anyone. Once she snuck into the Goddess chamber no one knows what happened. Just that the end result was Astrid defeated and captured.
The following morning Kjagander presented Astrid to the elders. All of them wished for Astrid to be punished with death. However Kjagander defended Astrid and declared she will be at her side for the future.
This announcement shocked everyone and for the first time in a long time that disconnect could brew into a revolution. Many people believed the Goddess made a mistake, perhaps blindsided by her being a higher state of existence.
Gladly Astrid Brunhild proved herself as she managed to integrate her people into the greater faction under the Goddess. She was unorthodox as instead of dropping her warrior ways, she always ran towards the frontline whenever combat came. Astrid was known to inspire strength and train soldiers whenever given the chance.
She was later given the nickname 'Crimson Foot' but the whole name was the 'Crimson Foot of The Snow Realm' in recent times.
"That's the summed up version of the Saintess Brunhild." Cliffheart said.
Apollo didn't say anything as he processed the history lesson. "It makes sense why Lappland got her ass kicked."
Apollo could hear the struggles of Lappland as she tried to escape her binds to challenge Apollo's words.
"Don't worry Lappland, you'll have your chance to fight me in time. Just not now, I'm too busy interrogating our friend." He said as he rubbed the top of Lappland's head like a dog.
Not enjoying the feeling of being talked down to, Lappland managed to get enough leverage and bite down on Apollo's hand.
"The heck are you doing?" Apollo asked as he flailed his arms trying to get the woman off him.
Lappland wasn't letting him escape as she dug deeper into his hand, the familiar taste of iron flooded her mouth as blood rolled down Apollo's hand.
"Are all women from Siracusa like this?" Apollo questioned as he continued to free himself from Lappland animal-like bite.
As the two continued their struggle, Cliffheart could do nothing but feel the heat of embarrassment rise. Who could blame her, after all she is in front of a piece of history her friends are fighting.
"Ahahahah."
Cliffheart was shocked to see Astrid not looking at them in confusion or frustration, rather she was laughing as her chair started to tilt back. Small round ears perked up at the top of her head.
"I truly miss interacting with people besides the Silverashes. How long has it been, I wonder?" Astrid asked herself as she quickly composed herself.
"Why only the Silverashes?' Apollo asked as he gave up getting Lappland off his hand.
"It's the family I was assigned to by Kajgander." She said,
"Assigned to, like as an advisory or a guide?" Apollo asked again.
"Basically, for the first few years after Kajander's ascension and the main three families of the Silverashes, Browntails and Paleroche took control. Kajgander asked that I and two others help the heads of the family lead." Astrid explained.
"So you talk with my brother and mother?" Cliffheart asked.
Astrid smiled at the question. "I have, those two were always a blast to talk to although for different reasons."
"I can only image how mother would have been like." A thought appeared in Cliffheart's mind as she went down the checklist of her family. "Wait does that mean you've met my sister, her name is-"
"You mean Enya? While I haven't formally talked to her, I do know of her. After all she is the head Saintess." Astrid said.
Also the two talked, Lappland, who wasn't completely locked in the conversation that the other three were in. Her eye wondered around the room before landing at the tree, it white branches
The time quickly passed as the trio talked with Astrid regarding the nation, history and whatnot. As they talked, the tree in the background slowly changed color. Its silver body seemed as if it lost some color, being darker than it was before.
Astrid noticed Lappland's gaze. So she turns around to see the state of the tree.
"You three have been here for a while, the sun is coming up soon. I think it will be wise if we end our conversation here." Astrid said.
"That would be wise, after getting attacked yesterday being alert from now on would be smart, plus I know Marth would freak out if I'm nowhere near the inn when she wakes up." Apollo said as he stood up from his chair.
"Depending on the time the workers at home may be awake soon so sneaking back in the house might be hard, I rather not worry them." Cliffheart said.
"Then don't sneak out." Apollo said.
"If they don't find out then it's fine." Cliffheart and Astrid said in unison.
Everyone got all their stuff as they were about to leave the temple.
"You two can go ahead of me, I need to ask Astrid one last question." He said,
"Ok, I'll be at the exit waiting for you." She said as she left.
"Just head home. I'll be here for a while." Apollo said.
Lappland, not wanting to stay, followed behind Cliffheart leaving Apollo and Astrid.
"So what is that you want to ask me?" Astrid said as she kept her calm gaze on Apollo.
"I wanted to ask about the presence I noticed when we first came here. Are you truly not related to Kajgander? I sensed a divine aura coming into this room." Apollo asked.
Astrid started to move in a circle around Apollo, stepping to a rhythm. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't have an ounce of divine blood flowing through me."
"So perhaps a divine construct?" He asked as he allowed Astrid to circle him.
A small smile formed on Astrid's face, but it was different from the others. "You seem quite familiar with this sort of thing. I doubt even the elders in the vine bear council would be this calm in discussing such matters." Astrid said.
Apollo could only shrug his shoulders as he pulled out a sucker. "Dealing with beings like you isn't anything new for me, perhaps I'm getting too used to you all." He said.
"Your young apprentice betrays how you speak. You speak like someone who has seen the world for many years, longer than any mortal should. Yet you look as if you haven't even graduated from university." Astrid pointed out as she dropped her smile.
"I'm no different than you truly." Apollo responded unbothered.
Astrid's eyes narrowed. "So you're a ghost as well, summoned from a higher power." Astrid stopped behind Apollo. "Or perhaps you are something else all together."
"Who knows at this point, I've lost sight of who I am a long time ago." Apollo replied, keeping his eyes on the tree the entire time.
Astrid noticed that Apollo's hand which was bleeding throughout most of the conversation with the others looked unharmed. It was like the bite never happened in the first place. All that was left was a trial of white mist.
Small alarms went off in Astrid's head. She didn't list Apollo as a massive threat but rather someone who should be monitored.
"Apollo, would you be willing to entertain for a moment?" Astrid said, stopping in front of Apollo.
A smile formed on Apollo's face as he instantly understood the message. "Gladly, those thugs who attacked me today were a decent warmup but I haven't had a fight since I've arrived here."
Astrid turned her head back to Apollo and made her way to the tree. Just like before she held out her hand as a branch snapped from the tree. It flew into her hand gently like before.
The snapping of the branch filled the room as it changed shape, its small slender shape bulked as it turned into an ax.
Along the blade letters of a language Apollo couldn't read started to glow in a light blue like ice. "I truly hope I'm overestimating you. I only take out this ax for special occasions.
Astrid took off her coat exposing a lot of skin only to have bandages keep her chest covered, while taking off her hat revealing her bear ears.
"Ah, I see you also enjoy fighting shirtless. Sorry but it's too cold for me so I'll keep mine on." Apollo said as he took the bag that was on his hip to the ground not wanting to rely on the runes in
Apollo reached into his chest as he pulled out a familiar blood, a blood that an old Senju made for him back during his lostbelt adventures. Its red colored hilt wrapped in bandages and silver edge shone in the light.
"I can assure you that you aren't wasting that ax of yours." Apollo said.
Apollo and Astrid readied themselves, the air stilled as the both could see their white breath.
A rush of adrenaline and excitement traveled through them both. It flowed through Astrid's veins, a dangerous amount of euphoria sank deep into her being like a drug addict. The beating of her heart was begging to burst out.
A thin frantic smile formed on her face, she no longer looked like the saint of a peaceful nation. She was no different than a battle crazed warrior waiting for her order to attack .Bloodlust radiated from her like a thick fog.
Astrid pounced on Apollo, quickly covering the gap between them. However as she rushed forwards a thought passed her mind.
'I sense the bloodlust from him, I sense the want to do harm. Yet, .. yet. There is something missing, but what. What is missing?'