I always wondered what happens after death. For that matter, what is death? Is it the opposite of life, meaning a state of nonexistence? Or are you transported to another reality where you "live" forever, just not among those you love and care about? I want to believe that as soon as I die I'll be reunited with Sam. But what would be the point of all this then? Down here, like any norse community, they believe in Valhalla. A place where Vikings go when they die to fight, drink and feast with Odin. Sounds like nonsense to me, but they take it very seriously. I'm maybe about to find that out...
"Breathe". I say to myself. Seconds away from the beginning of the challenge. The only thing between me and the arena is this wooden door, crafted with a beautiful norse pattern. I imagine how many walked this narrow corridor on their way to their death, and how many, bravely walked their way into glory. Which one of them I am, thats the question.
The door opens, and after a deep breath I step forward. "It's today, Mirror". I say as I walk in holding my Shield and my Ax as tight as I can.
The cheers of the crowd are overwhelming. A completely full Arena waiting to see blood, all focused on both me and Olivia not wanting to lose a single second of whats going on down here. The Head Queen sitting on her throne in the middle of the other 11 Queens and just below them, the 11 Princesses. All of them with a blank expression, clothed with fine dresses and with their hairs braided, all prepared for this special occasion. Only one of them looks at me with a slight smile: Hrafnadottir.
I turn my head back the arena and I see Olivia on the other side, also walking towards the center, armed with her Sword and Shield. I look at her and try to focus, which is a hard thing to do right now. I feel the pressure of the whole Arena on my shoulders. "Breathe". I say to myself one more time. I close my eyes. Another deep breath. As soon as I open them, the Arena goes silent. The Head Queen stands up and greats us with a loud voice.
"The gods have already decided who will be feasting with us this evening and who will join them and other brave warriors in Valhalla. Now it is time for it to be revealed to us. Odin is waiting! May the best prevail." Says Head Queen Hrafna.
A moment o silence follows. Olivia just stays put waiting for me to make the first move. It is a moment of tension. Without thinking twice I charge and swing the Ax as hard as I can. She rises her Shield blocking it but doesn't follow with any counter attack. She looks at me, always with the same expression. I bash my shield against hers trying to create an opening and swing the Ax again. This time she dodges it making me leave my right side totally open. But again, she doesn't counter attack.
"Don't just stand there!" I say
"I don't want to kill you..." She replies
"Don't underestimate me!" I say
"Im not...its just...that this is pointless. I didn't kill Sam." She continues
"I don't wanna hear it" I say charging again. I swing the Ax continuously trying to hit her, but as a well trained warrior she reads my movements and swiftly dodges and blocks everything.
I take some space from her to think about how i can create a good opening to hit her for good. As soon as I do she lets go of her shiel and sword and puts her hands on her head as if she was seriously hurt.
"Please Becca...Surrender..." She says in pain.
"Screw you!" I say
"You don't understand... I'm begging you...please..." She continues.
I'm remembering what Kate told me a week ago about what happened when she fought Olivia during their Oaths. If what she said is true, i might be in trouble. I hold my Ax and Shield tight and carefully step forward.
"Stay back!". she screamed with a demonic voice.
I'm unsettled. She seems to be in pain, but this is a Challenge after all. Should I just attack her while she's vulnerable and finish this? It wouldn't be honorable but if she goes berserk like Kate said, I will be done for good.
"You should've believed me when I first told you that I wasn't the killer..." She says.
"Stop playing with me, everything points to you." I say stepping forward.
"I warned you to stay back!" She screamed again.
She stands up looking angrily at me, with her big blue eyes twitching and crying what it seems to be blood. Her facial expression changes.
"I told you not to challenge me..." she says walking towards me. "I told you it was still not too late..." She continues. "I even warned you to stay back...but you didn't listen. You don't think by yourself...you chose to believe in someone's lies instead of trying to verify it by yourself, thus leading to this complete nonsense and waste of time..."
"Stop bulshiting me!" I scream charging.
As I go to swing my Ax she stops my hand.
"You know the challenge was a mistake don't you?" She says before punching me hard in the stomach.
I feel my organs switching places as the pain travels throughout my whole body. My arms are numb and my vision blurs. I try to catch my breath, only to choke on my own blood. So this is the overwhelming power Kate told me about. I can't believe she was able to put such strength in a single punch.
"I told you to stay back didn't I?" She screams in agony crying.
She grabs my Ax and throws it away along with my shield.
"I don't want to kill you Becca..." She says as she grabs me by the neck and throws me away.
I try to get up and recompose. Even standing up is a hard for me. My insides are messed up and this was just the first punch she threw.
She starts walking towards me with the same angry, mad and evil look as before. I look around for my Ax but the only thing around me is her Sword. Yes, that'll do...
"Stay back!" I shout pointing the sword at her, trembling, hoping she'll stay away for a while.
She keeps coming, ignoring me. Faster and faster she comes. My whole body is shaking in fear...this is it for me...
"I'm sorry Sam, I failed you again. I hope you can forgive me." I whisper as I close my eyes accepting my fate.
I fall and hit the ground. Opening my eyes just to realize that the sword has pierced Olivia.
"...But one of us has to die, right?" Says Olivia smiling with blood dripping out of her mouth.
She steps back and falls on her knees. I look at her in disbelief while she keeps smiling at me. That smile. That notorious smile...
She takes out a dagger and cuts her wrist. Unconsciously, my first reaction is to go and try to stop the bleeding.
"No, don't!" She says pushing my hand away. "I managed to control myself for a moment there. Now I can find closure. I made many mistakes in my life, one of them was bring Sam to the Colony. Maybe that's why you think I killed her. I'm sorry Becca...I hope that someday you can find peace in your heart. I'll be in Valhalla...waiting...for you..."
Those are her last words. I close her eyes and look at the bright blue sky.
"Looks like it's not my time yet Sam." I whisper.
I look at the Head Queen as she stands up and silences the crowd. After some seconds, she breaks the silence.
"Welcome Rebecca Geon, the new princess of Cantecca!" She says.
The whole Arena stands up and cheers. All the remaining Queens leave, one of them, seemingly, holding in the tears. It must be Olivia's motger. Cicilia comes down to make sure everything is fine with me.
"I feared for your life there. But in the end you won the fight." She says.
I stay quiet, still trying to process what happened, still holding Olivia's dead body, on my arms.
Her body is taken by her mother, who just looks at me expressionless. " We will take her to Cantecca with us. Her funeral will be there. It would mean a lot to me if you'd be present" She asks.
I nod at her.
Cicilia guides me back to the vila to a room in a small house where I meet some other girls who are supposed to measure to make my dress for tonight's feast. None of them is familiar, but all look at me with the same blank expression I'm getting used to get down here. I go take a bath while they wait for me outside. I use this little moment of peace to relax a bit in the warm water.
This reminds me of the stories and tv series about princess I used to watch as a kid. Just like I imagined them. I'm one now. And I used to think they were so lame. Ironic.
When I get out of the bathroom, i see them all standing waiting for me at the door. Without wasting a second they gather around me, strip me of my towel and measure me.
After getting harassed by all these women just to be measured I get dressed and go out to take some air. As soon as I get out, I see Hrafnadottir coming in my direction.
"What a fight" She says.
"I'm still processing all of this". I say
"There is someone you should meet, he might also help you. Come." She says taking my hand.
We walk across the vila and get to a small house. We get in and are greeted by many bones and skulls of small animals, all arranged and put in an creepy but organized way. Sat at the end of the room, a slender alien like droid.
"Hrafnadottir..." It says. "Your feet have finally found their way here." He says.
"Greetings Wise One" Says Hrafnadottir.
"So here is the new princess I saw so many times in my dreams" He says.
"Yes, her name is Rebecca." She introduces me
"Yes...Rebecca Geon, daughter of Crystal and Ethan Geon. You come from a lineage of great people. And that greatness will carry on for the next generations along with the Voll." He says
"Are you a clairvoyant or so?" I ask
"A clairvoyant..." He grins. "No... I'm the one chosen by the gods to guide the liders of the Colony. And you are one of the elements who will open the door for the expansion of the Colony.
"Yeah, a clairvoyant..." I confirm. "So you know my parents..."
"No!" He interrupts. "I know your ancestors, the first Geons who set their feet on this planet." He says
"Really? Now thats something." I giggle. "So tell me "Wise One", what's in for me now that I accomplished my objectives." I ask ironically
"You will come back to me after the gods sing to you. Three times they will sing to you, the sweet sounds of death." He answers
""The gods"? What do you mean?" I ask
"In time, you'll see. Now go! I'm tired." He dismisses us.
We leave, just as he demanded us to. But I'm now disturbed by these "gods" he was talking about. Hrafnadottir on the other hand doesn't look too surprised. Its not the first time she talks with the Wise One, so she has got used to him talking in riddles. I'm told that he was once a man, that when about to die, got his consciousness transfered into a Droid so he could keep serving the next generations of the Colony.
Hrafnadottir takes me back to my room. On the way back, she tells me about the great feast that'll be held this evening to celebrate my victory and Olivia's departure to Valhalla. I still can't understand how they take death so easily. As if it's nothing but a simple trip to the other side with no ticket back. Their beleifs are somewhat incomprehensible.
"You've probably realized that there are 6 floors here." She states.
"Yes. I remember seeing 6 floors when I was on the elevator. Makes me wonder how big the Colony really is." I answer
"This one is the biggest Sub-colony. No other sub-colony has floors." She says
"Why does this one have 6 then?" I ask
"This is the first Colony. When the other colonies were created, Queen Kristen decided that this would be the Capital. As such, it had to have something that'd made it different from the other sub-colonies." She explains
"So she decided to make floors?" I ask.
"Not just floors. Each and every floor represent some of the realms. The big tower that connects every floor is Yggdrasil and the lift inside it is the Bifrost."
"Kind of like in the mythology." I comment
"Kind of, yeah. The first floor represents Asgard. There is where the Head Queen and some of the most important families live, as you know. The second represents Alfheim, there, you can find the great library. Third floor represents Vanaheim, where we hold our meetings, between Princess and Queens and where the Council room is. Next, the forth floor, Jotunheim, is where we keep this colony's prisioners. Fifth floor, where we are right now, represents Midgard. Everyone else lives here. And last, the sixth floor, is Hel. All those who die normal deaths are burried there. Queen Kristen might have been a strict and hard to deal Queen, but she sure had good ideas." She explains
"Sounds to me like a good ruler." I say
"Yeah, my family didn't think so." She says
"Why?" I ask
"My great-grandmother killed her in an uprising. That's how to sub-colony Queens system started. As it is told, Queen Kristen was a ruthless woman. She killed both her sisters not long after her mother died and took full control over the colony. She's the one that started the Oaths and made a big deal about contact with the outsiders. She ruled not because people respected her but because they were afraid of her. And fear is a powerfull weapon.
-Well, thank the "gods" your mother is the Head Queen now.- I say ironically smiling at her.
-You still don't believe in our gods do you?- She asks smiling back at me.
-I mean, isn't it just like..
- You don't need to answer.- She interrupts me, always keeping the smile. - Here we are. Guess I'll see you tonight at the feast.
- I'll ne there.- I say
She smiles and leaves.
I get in my room and lay down on my bed for a bit while I wait for Cecilia to come back with the dress I'll be wearing this evening at the feast.
Now that I had revenge for my sister, I have to think about how to protect my family from the upcoming war. This is all so surreal. Never ever would I imagine that under our world, there was a huge comunity like this. But for now I need a well deserved rest, and it wont a be bad idea to enjoy myself for a couple days. After all I'm princess now.
After a few hours, Cecilia comes back with a green dress.
-Look at the marvelous dress they made for you!- She says excited
-Yo! Chill, it's just a dress. - I say.- But yeah, it's kinda cool.
-Let's get you ready Miss Geon. You're the star of tonight's feast.- She says
We get dressed, and I have to admit that, though not being used to wear dresses, I like how this one looks on me. Along with the braided hair, i definitely look like a norse princess. To top it of, Cecilia puts on me a fur cloak before we leave.
Arriving at the Head Queens' great hall I'm greeted by everyone the same way they greet the other princesses. Everyone makes way to the table where the other princesses are. While Cecilia goes find somewhere to sit, I go and take my place at the princesses table. As soon as I'm installed, The Head Queen stands up and starts talking.
"Let us feast, for the new princess of Cantecca, Rebecca Geon, Lajajø (Outsider)!" Says the Head Queen
"Lajajø !" Everyone screams laughing.
"And also for Olivia, who is now feasting with Odin." She finishes before the food is served and everyone starts eating and chatting.
"Feasting with Odin, really?" I ask to Kate, who's sitting right next to me.
"Yes, with Odin. Olivia was a great warrior, surely worthy of Valhala." She explains.
"Do you guys really believe in that?" I ask
"I understand that it might be hard to believe in something supernatural nowadays, but yes, we do. The founders of the colony were atached to norse culture, so they revived the beliefs and everything related to it. Though some of our interpretations might have changed, we still believe in Odin, Thor and Freyr." Explains Kate
"Interesting..." I giggle.
"Don't laugh," She says, "Thor has protected us from outsiders until now. We havent had major casualities. And Freyr has blessed us with us prosperity, wich would be impossible otherwise. As you see, it's a well founded belief". She says.
"Ok, I'm not laughing anymore, sorry." I say. "I remember watching movies that talked about norse mythology and I have to say that this is rather interesting. But I wonder, what is your interpretation of Ragnarök?" I ask
She looks at me in silence for a moment. "Good question..." She says before taking a gulp on her drink. "Some believe that we managed to escape Ragnarök when we left Midgard."
"Midg..."
"...Earth." She Expplains. "Others believe that the war that aproaches will be Ragnarök, brought in a way that we do not fully understand. The story says that Odin will bring all those dead in battle with him when the time comes and fight the great Wolf Fenrir. Whether he'll win or not, that's a different story" She says.
"I see". I say
"Now enough of stories. Eat, drink! You're now one of us, Lajajø. Zydø (Welcome)!" She says giving me a cup of ale.
We start eating and I take this moment to get to know better the other princesses. They all appear to be friendly, even though I had a rough start with some of them. To my right there's Hanna Lindbergh, Monika Stinar, Rakel Nyland and Head princess Hrafnadottir Voll. To the left, Kate Ericson, Martha Ayala, Solveig Dal, Alexa Olsen, Torvis Berg, Mikaela Elison and Hedda Fredrikson. Some of us even share the same tastes. While we eat, Cecilia brings a girl to me.
"Miss Geon, this is Gyda. She was one of Olivia's servant. Now she wants to serve you." She says.
"Jigi kunøky to nykany te." She says
I look at her confused since i did not understand what she said. All the other princesses look at me laughing.
"She only speaks mupi, her english is not very good. But she said she'll be pleased to serve you. Just like she served Olivia." Explains Solveig.
"I thank you, but..."
"Ni wudo!" She interrupts.
"She insists." Says Cicilia.
"Well...if you're so willing to serve me, I guess we'll be seing each other more often." I say.
"Haø o!" She thanks me, bowing, and leaves.
The feast continues all night long. We eat, drink, talk, laugh and for a moment there I seem to forget that Olivia died today. At some point, after many cups of Ale, Mikaela asks me how I felt after my first kill. This whole thing didn't hit me until now. That question brought me to question my sanity. I killed someone. Even if it was something I promised i would do...I'm feasting, happily celebrating it. This was supposed to make me feel good but I still feel empty inside. I stand up and ignoring the question I step outside the great hall finnaly assimilating everything that happened today. I find a corner and sit looking into the nothingness untill I break down in tears. I cry for countless minutes until i feel someone's hand on my shoulder. I dry my eyes and look at the person beside me
"Princess too beautifull. No cry." I hear. It's Gyda that has come to comfort me.
"I thought that you didn't speak English at all." I say, still wiping away the tears.
"Me try. You my master." She says. "You go sleep. Tomorrow kuha(reunion) with other princess."
"You're right, Gyda." I say standing up. Without forewarning anyone, I go to my room accompanied by Gyda.
The next morning, I wake up with Gyda already inside the room sitting on chair in the corner.
"What the hell are you doing here already?" I ask startled.
"Wait for you wake." She says in the most innocent voice, has if it was normal.
"You could've just waited outside. This is creepy!" I say.
"Creepy?" She asks confused.
"Yes, creepy! It's weird, scary, not a normal thing to do. Capisce?" I ask
"Capisce?" She asks even more confused
"Aghh!" I scream burrying my face on the pillow.
"Kuha today. Bath. After, me comb Princess hair." She says .
I give up and do as she asks me to. After the bath she sits me in front of a mirror and takes a golden brush to comb my hair. She does it so gently and in such care I close my eyes and try to enjoy thiis moment.
"Me sing for Princess?" She asks
I agree. With the most soft voice, she starts singing in Mupi.
" Dodi ujø u duhi
wupø pu jøsawo zyze
dunebi mihy hady
vigø iky xøky
møvepi niny jogi umi
mohi duk lape vigu tau
Wudete nuwafi te me ty fy
te me myno vø ky"
The room is filled with her voice. Every note is hit perfectly and harmonizes wonderfully with the next. Her voice brings calm to my heart and for as wierd as it might sound, strips away the pain, rage and sorrow i was feeling.
"What's the name of this song?" I ask curious.
"Ogo tue myno vø ky" she answers. "It is old norse song".
"Can you translate it for me, please?" I ask, turning around facing her.
"Later. We late." She says putting away the brush. She brings my clothes and leaning her head, gives them to me. "Please dress Princess".
I get dressed and we leave to the third floor for the meeting. The entrance has a long hall with six statues on each side. At the end of the hall, a statue of a man with an eye patch, with two ravens on his shoulders, holding a head.
"It's Odin, holding Mimir's head." I hear Hrafnadottir's voice.
"Oh, Nøsü tuwe! Did I say that right?" I greet her, turning around. She's accompanied by two guys, who I assume to be her bodyguards and on her forearm, a big raven, who stares at me.
"Yes you did." She grins. "Looks like Hrókr likes you. Want to hold him for a bit?" She asks.
"Sure...i guess"
She makes a sign and her raven flies directly to my shoulder.
"Hrafnadottir!" It says.
I look at him astonished. "Did he...just talk?!" I ask
"Yeah, he did. Ravens are one of the smartest animals. He also laughs. He likes to mock people. He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes." She explains.
"Looks cute to me" i say caressing him.
"Hrafnadottir is here! Hranadottir is here!" He says again.
"Yeah, we knwo, shut up already. Let's go, the other princesses are waiting." She says, taking Hrókr back.
We get inside the room and join the other princesses. I sit on the only empty chair around the big circular table.
"You must've noticed, Rebecca, that there's a crest behind each chair. They represent our families. Since you were an outsider, your's remains empty. But it will soon have something that represents you, and your future family down here in the Colony." She says looking at me. "On that note, let's all welcome Princess Rebecca Geon, in our midst." She says raising her chalice. "Skol!"
"Skol!" Everyone says raising their chalices as well.
"Now let's talk about important matters. War has started in E9." She says
Everyone in the room gasps and starts chattering.
"Silence please!" She ask. "Now, we all knew that sooner or later this would happen. This is what we prepared for all this time. And we will soon need to take action."
"What do you suggest we do?" Asks Kate.
"I think we should keep a low profile until we have news about what Respresentative Cain will do here. We have a whole community to take care of. We cannot make risk decisions." Says Torvis.
"We are ready! We have been preparing for this for so long! We should take them by surprise since they don't know about us." Intervenes Alexa.
"I agree! We have the element of surprise in our favor. We can take the planet while they have all their soldiers on E9." Says Monika.
"Each sub-colony is situated in key points of the planets. They will never know what hit them!" Adds Solveig.
"Girls, you're not thinking straight here. It's too risky. We can't start a war just like that. Invade the streets with our armies, cause the panic and destroy everything and everyone. If we are to go to war we need a well thought and planned invasion. " Says Hanna.
"Indeed we do. As soon as we get out there we will be exposed. Even if they don't know about our existence, we must be careful. Besides, there are inocents out there that should not be harmed." Opposes Martha.
"She's right! My family is out there. My mother, father and sisters cannot be harmed. They aren't even aware of what will soon happen here." I say
"We can't guarantee anyone's safety during a war. That's beyond our control." Says Solveig
"Girls, please! Stop a second!" Asks Kate. "Let's not act like the decision has to be made right now. We need some time to think about this. The government is yet to decide if E8 will take the same decisions as E9 did. If we make a move before that, we may be throwing away years of preparations. Hrafnadottir, we would very much like to know what's your take on this matter."
Hrafnadottir closes her eyes and sits before asking all the bodyguards to leave the room.
"Girls, there are some things about our history that were kept a secret from the whole Colony, even from all of you, princesses. It's probably time for you to know them." She says in a very serious tone.