Spoiler alert: Some scenes are from Assassins Creed Valhalla.

Keep Your Feet Amongst The Path

In an abandoned home, where dust settled upon old books. Where the floors were damaged and weathered from the elements. Kaya looked at the raven as it was staring back at her. She could feel her body beginning to shake, but she kept firm. Her body standing straight, eyes never lingering off of the black bird. The stent has of death and battle lingered in the air of the small village. The aftermath of the slaughter dying out as the sound of voices and footsteps outside of the building ignored what was occurring inside.

It seems that Kaya's disappearance has yet to reach the thoughts of her apprentice and the young prince. Her battle against the Saxon's will leave a deep impression amongst her enemies and acquaintances. The blur of her movements made her look like a phantom that made a physical body to strike down her prey. The sweat that rolled down her brow and the stickiness of her hair pressed against her forehead. Her chest moving up and down, heart beating fast that would soon settle into a rhythm.

Meeting the eyes of the raven sent chills along her spine.

They were at a stand still for what seemed like an eternity between the hooded figure and a raven. Two different beings meeting at a crossroad of fate. Something within the ravens eyes made it look human, but even the gleam that shined in its black soulless eyes could not harbor its secrets. Kaya could almost sense her own fear coming through from her beating heart. If she were to look closely and listen to the wind blowing against the trees of the forest surrounding the village, she could almost hear its whispers. The voices in the wind called out to any who listened, but only so few heard.

Kaya licked her lips in a tense action. Her nose burning to be itches raw due to her nerves. Why could she not move? Why could she not speak? The world around her was becoming blurry as she saw a black mass forming itself around the raven; almost taking human shape but could not maintain its form perfectly. Kaya blinked quickly to not hear the voices coming from the wind of the trees and the hardworking shape. Her heart was beating rapidly and the sweat was dripping heavily now. Her body began to burn underneath her robes and her fingers itching to release the hidden blade.

Danger! The raven spread it wings and flew straight at Kaya fast; not giving the young woman enough time to react.

Run!

Kaya stretched her arm to release the hidden blade, but the raven saw her exposed neck. With a quick swipe of its talons, she felt a stinging pain in her flesh. The raven flew fast and far without being seen, making Kaya believe that it was all but an illusion. Yet, she felt blood coming from her neck. Placing her hand and feeling the warm liquid on her palm, Kaya took a deep breath. Her thoughts running wild at trying to comprehend what had occurred.

"Argh!" Kaya yelped like a dog hit.

She took a deep breath in, feeling the slight burn of the cut. Spreading through her body as if something had dug inside of the small cut. Her body tensed up and the burning feeling inside of her body consumed her quickly. Her skin was on fire! Every movement felt like pricks of small needles digging into her skin. She could feel something pulsating inside of her; as if something had awakened after being asleep for centuries. Something that felt old and ancient that came before all existence. This feeling was running inside of her veins. Kaya has never felt something so brutal and scary happening within her. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and all Kaya saw was darkness. With a loud thud, her body hit the floor.

Convulsing in a uncontrollable movement, Kaya's muscles tensed and relaxed. Her eyebrows scrunched together, then relaxed. Her lips moved; mumbling in whispers as tears streamed down her cheeks. This was a kind of pain that was close enough to become torture. Her body was on fire that she wanted her flesh to peel from her bones. Every sense was heightened within her. The floodgates have opened to a new and forgotten world that not many could see or feel. The ground beneath her gave off this energy that has been within it since the beginning.

Images of blurred figures surrounded in a circular manner, like that of a council waiting for judgment. Their arms and hands moved, as if speaking to one another. It seemed that she held no place among the figures. Treated without status to her name, all she could do was be nothing more then a burden. Her expression was gloomy and cold; just a ghost who was not living nor dead. Kaya clenched her teeth tightly at this images. Seeing herself within them and being thrown from the sky.

To reign over those who died as cowards!

The sound of the horn blew in the distance, grabbing the attention of all. The bodies of the Saxons were to be buried far from their new settlement. Let the wilderness take back flesh of useless men who went against them. Now that the settlement was their spoils, it was time to make a new home in the shores of England. The homes that once housed villagers of their countrymen would be restored to former glory.

This was a new beginning.

Looking at the old longhouse, cobwebs and dust settled on old and rotten food. The stench was not pleasant, but once it was cleaned up, it would be used for many gatherings and meetings. The days and nights would be long, but in the end, this village would be new once more. There was growing concerns, but the mood could not be darkened. Survival was a must and how they would make ends meet was placed upon the shoulders of Sigurd.

They all looked to him for guidance in this land. Not many were familiar, but they were also not welcomed. Invaders. Fleas. Savages. Ungodly men. Pagans. Men of faith looked down upon them with disgust. Their souls to burn in fire and brimstone.

"Not much is left." One of the villagers said.

They were looking through old crates, barrel's, bins, and other places. The whole village was ransacked by bandits, leaving only what still stands. The hopes of those who left their life back in Norway had dwindled slightly. It was common to take when places were abandoned for a certain amount of time.

"We have to farm soon." Another stated with concern.

She walked with supplies in her hands, as she heard the villagers speak of their worries. She could hear their distress. She could see it in their eyes, but they would pull through. Their supplies were enough until they were able to settle. But, she knew that the land would be against them.

Greeting all with a slight nod of her head and a friendly gesture. Randvi was in high spirits after many days at sea. Though she missed her homeland- like many others who were homesick- she would always have a piece of Norway in her heart.

"Randvi!" The loud and boisterous voice of Eivor called to her in the distance. When he came close to her, Randvi could almost sense something wrong. It was not often Eivor would come to her with troubles; though they have spent many years in each other's company with Sigurd's absence, Randvi could consider Eivor a brother. The young man was brash and always spoke in such a manner, but when it came to problems, he tends to keep it to himself.

Always one to solve it on his own or go to Sigurd for answers. During Sigurd's absence, Eivor slowly opened himself up to Randvi, but the young man kept himself reserved. But, something was wrong. Something felt missing as if Eivor lost his shadow.

"Have you seen Kaya?" He asked, unsure of how to sound. To say that he was concerned about the young woman would have made others laughed. But since the arrival of the rest of their convoy, he has not seen Kaya. At first, Eivor guessed she was with Basim and Hytham. When Eivor spoke with Sigurd and asked if she was with Basim and Hytham, he shook his head.

"She is always with you. Where have you seen her last?" Randvi felt almost confused at Kaya's disappearance. She knew that Basim and Hytham were on her longship and have settled somewhere in the village. Maybe Kaya is with her clan, but from the look of Eivor, that did not seem to be the case.

"When we were fighting the Saxon's, Kaya left on her own and has not been seen since. I have asked and no one has seen her. Basim has not seen her since your arrival to the settlement." Eivor stated.

Randvi could not explain it, but she felt a sense of distress. The sound of the raven flying in the sky called out to Eivor. Both man and animal shared a bond that was beyond the realm of understanding. Eivor had commanded his raven to search the skies for Kaya. His eyes may be able to see beyond what others could not, but his raven had the eyes of the sky. What his raven could see, no person could. There was a house that was furthest away from the village, hidden behind large trees and covered in green/brown moss. With a caw to his master, Eivor and Randvi followed the raven to Kaya.

In a house furthest away, Randvi stepped inside to see Kaya lying on the floor motionless. She was curled into a ball, but luckily she was still breathing. Not far behind her, Eivor saw the young woman on the floor. Panic settled in his heart seeing Kaya in this weakened state. Not one used to seeing the strong willed woman in this way, Eivor went to her side while Randvi called out to her.

"Kaya!" She placed her hand on the young woman's forehead and felt that she was burning up. Her skin felt hot to the touch. Kaya's eyes twitched, as her lips mumbled. They noticed blood on her neck and a wound that was not there before. Eivor felt unsettled seeing the wound on her neck; that which reminded him of his own that was caused by a wolf in his youth.

His feelings were… complicated.

There was a hint of surprise, but also confusion.

Kaya opened her eyes quickly to a blinding light. Seeing two large shadows in front of her, had the young woman releasing her hidden blade and striking at the threat she believed herself to be in. Randvi moved back before the blade strike at her knee. The wild look within Kaya reminded her of a wolf in a corner, striking at danger. They could see her chest rising and falling. She was heaving with distress and possible fear.

"Kaya. It is Eivor and I." Randvi said, keeping her distance from the young woman. In her manic delusion, Kaya was thrashing her arm around to fight off something invisible. The way her eyes looked was something that Eivor has never seen. Not even when they were fighting off the Saxons. This Kaya was uncontrollable in her movements. Fighting wildly for her life in the face of danger. Eivor did not know how to handle Kaya at the moment; but in the future of events, Eivor will find a way to handle Kaya's erratic behavior.

Randvi took hold of Kaya's arm when she found an opening and held it tight. Kaya sneered and looked to Randvi with a dead stare. There seemed to be no life within her. Strange, Eivor mused to himself. What had happened within a short period of time?

"You will only hurt yourself. Please, calm down. The wound on your neck is still fresh and looks deep." To witness Randvi speak calmly to Kaya was something new to Eivor. Kaya was breathing heavily that her chest was moving up and down fast. The sweat on her brow was making a trail down to her chin. The threat that was only but an invisible force was gone the moment the world around Kaya became clear.

It was like a jolt that coarser through her that made the light in her eyes come back. She wasn't seeing the danger anymore. She could feel the pain now of her wound and Randvi tightly holding onto her arm. The glint of the blade shining against the sun through the window of the small house. Kaya became scared for just a moment that she would even expose the blade to an ally. To someone whom she seems to be an innocent. A friend, perhaps.

"What… what happened?" Kaya spoke. The images were gone from her mind. She wasn't sure how long she had been in such a state. Her skin wasn't burning anymore, but the blood from her wound left trails going down her neck. There was a confused expression in her eyes that caught Eivor and Randvi by surprise. They have never seen Kaya in such a vulnerable state.

She is more sensible without having the look of annoyance on her face when she was around Eivor. She had this side of her that no one knew or even imagined a tough stubborn woman like her would have. Her eyes seemed dilated as she looked around the room she was in. Her confusion brining about sympathy in Eivor, but in order to help her, Kaya must settle herself.

"I-I am sorry for.." Kaya retracted her blade. Stumbling her words that she could not muster to say. This was the first time she has lost all sense of control of her actions.

"We found you this way, Kaya. Come, let us take you to the longhouse. I will have someone inform Basim." As Randvi spoke, Kaya stood up quickly. The blood rushed to her head and she felt dizzy, but she kept on her feet. She could not cause such a scene before Mentor Basim. If he saw her like this, what use would she be here in England? Hytham was already injured and unlikely to recover his full strength. Thinking about her closest friend pained Kaya's heart. She could not let him see her like this. She has come too far to fall. Mentor Basim has given her a task. Hytham relies on her to continue for the Hidden Ones.

Eivor took a step forwards to catch Kaya, but the woman pushed him aside. She does not need to have anyone hold her. She has two feet and legs to stand upon. Kaya does not need to show her weakness before her apprentice.

"I am fine. No need to be concerned about a small wound, Randvi." Kaya said, trying to keep her façade from falling.

Before Randvi could speak, Eivor opened his mouth to reprimand Kaya for her attitude. Was he worried? Maybe. But to not know what had happened and how she got the wound, could happen again if no one looked out for her.

"A small wound or not, you must go to the longhouse. There, someone could keep watch on you in case you happen to fall or should I make sure Basim keeps an eye on you until you heal?" Kaya clenched her jaw with an irritated expression upon her face. Randvi stood between both of them, to make sure that peace was stored. She knew that Kaya and Eivor were not on friendly terms.

They acknowledged each other's presence, like two predators in the same territory.

"Why should you grow concern over my well being? The teacher being scolded by the student. If I were not so tired from the battle, I would laugh and teach you a lesson. The blade you wear would see it's last days upon your arm." Kaya would have moved if it were not for Randvi placing her hand on Kaya's chest to prevent her from going any further. It was evident that Kaya was sweating profusely and the color in her face was getting much paler. The look in her eyes that were animalistic was now dull and weary.

Eivor did not see her words as a threat. He has seen how she has fought in the battle with the Saxon's. She was ruthless and swift. Using the strength of her enemy against them to knock them down. Such a small woman had the ability to become smart and cunning against men who were larger then her. She was savage that Eivor could see moving shadows guiding her in the battle. "Why must you fight me when I am only showing you that I want you to be well? I am not your enemy, Kaya."

Kaya scoffed with a mocking grin. If it were not for Randvi keeping her at bay, Kaya would have pounced on Eivor. She was the mentor! She could not show weakness towards her apprentice. She had to withstand her pain and errors. How could she teach Eivor if he only saw all the mistakes? Then again, Eivor could never be one of them.

He could never be a Hidden One! A voice not her own shouted in her mind. Kaya frowned at this strong voice that she has never heard before.

"Kaya, Eivor is right." Randvi took Kaya from her thoughts.

Randvi had stood silent for a moment between the two of them. She knew that nothing would happen and that Kaya was only spitting out her anger. Being vulnerable was being weak.

"You must learn to accept that not everyone is an enemy. We are here in a new land and making enemies should not be within our village. You have your purpose in England. Please, let us help you. Let us make this village our home." Randvi tried to offer clarity to Kaya. The young woman looked to Randvi with a blank stare in her eyes. The stress and the exhaustion was evident in Kaya. The blood on her neck drying and beginning to clot.

Kaya sighed deeply with understanding. She closed her eyes and opened them back up. Looking now, between Randvi and Eivor, Kaya took a step forward to the open door to gather her thoughts from the day's events. But, before she could walk out into the open and see England's lands without bloodshed, she saw the familiar figure of Basim standing not too far away. Arms crossed over his chest and looking straight at Kaya.

I have a bad feeling about this. She thought to herself.

Authors Note: I have decided to make Kaya an Isu. I am sure you might guess who she is by the description. From what I have researched is this particular figure is not known and isn't really considered a god. I also had to check to see if this figure had already been reincarnated. So far, only mentioned. I want to play it safe and if it turns out that she is already taken, I can do another. I want to play with this idea and try not to stray from Norse mythology and their culture as a whole. If I am not representing or have missed something, let me know. I am no expert at this and I only have Google and some reliable sources. Would love to get input as the chapters continue.

Shout Out's:

Guest: Kaya may miss certain events in the game. I feel that there are some parts where she will not need to attend or be a part of. What she would be doing during those missed moments, I have yet to decide on. Kaya being an Isu has always been on my mind and I have decided she will be one. At first I wanted her to have a male Isu. I thought it would have been an interesting concept. Alas, I have opted for a female to play it safe. Maybe I'll change it, but I don't know yet.

Fan: There really isn't much information bout Hel. I have looked into it and thought it through about Kaya being Hel. Only time will tell on who I choose for Kaya.

Guest: Thank you for the information on the known Isu reincarnation's. This will be helpful in later chapters.

Historian: I was actually planning on giving Kaya an animal companion to travel with her. The fox quest was a little sweet and I wanted the fox to follow me throughout my gameplay, like with the wolf being called upon in battle, but unfortunately the fox is only running around the village. I think a fox would suite Kaya.

Guest: the Asgard plot line is going to be pretty fun to write once I get to it in later chapters. It's the reason why I wanted Kaya to be a reincarnated Isu. It would give explanation to many of the mysterious that will go on in the story. Plus, it would give me more reason for Kaya's Isu to banter with Eivor/Havi.

Savage Kill:In the future when Eivor is getting knowledge and understanding of the Hidden Ones does it become much of a bother for Kaya. Not that she wants to have a throw down with Eivor anyway. There will be major conflict between the two later that will result in one or both getting hurt .

Thank you all for your patience. Please let me know what your thoughts are on Kaya being an Isu and make guesses. I am sure you might have an idea.

Have a happy Easter if you celebrate or any of the ongoing religious holidays this month of April:

Ramadan Kareem.

Vaisakhi.

Mahavir Jayanti

Feast of the Divine Mercy

Be kind to others during these times.