"Hmmm...Hey? Which game do you think I should buy?" The boy asked as he turned around to another boy who was behind him. "I don't really know" The other boy replied back. "I'll try to pick any game that piques my interest."
"Ok?" The boy asked with a confused expression. "What's your interest?" The boy asked back. The other boy raised his hand while closing his eye with a face that references a cat, "Well, to tell you the truth my feathered friend, my favorite games are the ones that take place in post-apocalyptic worlds!"
"Do you have to do that?" The boy grunted in irritation.
"Of course!" The other boy replied with a WTF expression. "Well, at least try to act normal?" The other boy said with an annoyed expression. "Ok, ok" The boy grunted.
"Damn it! I can't find a single freaking game I like in this store! Why can't they're games that I like?!", another boy yelling in complete frustration. "What about you, kid? Did you find something that you like?"
"Yes, I found my favorite game!" A young child beamed. "Hey, mister! You should look at this awesome game I found in the RPG section! I believe this game it's going to be so much fun! Don't you think, mister?!"
"Hey, don't look at me with that annoyingly chipper smile." The older boy looking at him weirdly.
"WOOOOOAAAAAHHHHH!!!" The boy screamed. "What's the matter with you, idiot?!" The older boy asked with a panicked expression.
The boy looks at the back of the game with a happy look, "IT SAYS THAT THIS GAME IS INSPIRED BY NORSE MYTHOLOGY!"
The older guy, with a confused expression, drops down on the floor, "What did you expect, kid?" As the young child picked up the game from the shelf, the two other boys begin to notice the game in sight. "Hey, kid? What's that game you're holding in your hands?"
"It's a mythological RPG game," the child said. "What's it called?" the older boy asked. The young child looks at the cover of the game, "It's called Ace Master Loki."
"Ace Master Loki?" The other boy asked.
"Ace Master Loki is a role-playing action game that combines elements from Norse mythology with parallel fantasy and action. It's quite popular considering that this is the 6th edition of the game" the glasses-wearing boy answered. "Yeah, but. It's said that it's pre-owned" the young child said.
"Well, what the heck are we waiting for? Open it." the older boy demanded.
"He will. Don't be rude" the glasses-wearing boy scolded.
When the child opened up the case, a bright light shines from the disc, transporting them into a mysterious world. As the boys were transported into the world, they soon began to question where they are and what happened. "Ow!" The young boy cried as he, and the others, fell down from being sent into this strange place. "Can someone tell me what just happened? What kind of world is this, anyway?"
"Well, by the looks of it, we're no longer in the United States" the glasses-wearing boy answered while twitching his glasses. "Well duh, Einstein! You can clearly see that their's no buildings around here!" The older guy snared. "You're right. This isn't like America. When I opened up the case, I saw a game disc that is the size of a DS, and a bright light flashed as I opened it" says the boy who was recalling the strange phenomenon. "I thought it was so cool."
"No, it's not cool! The other boy shouted. "If we got transported here, how are we supposed to get out?! I DON'T WANT TO BE TRAPPED IN THIS WORLD FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!"
"Would you calm down, Mr. Paranoid?" the older guy complained. "Do you see anybody else here going mental? You think you got problems? Is bad enough that we're trapped here all because some idiot had to go and opened the stupid game."
"What the hell do you mean by that remark, smart ass?" The boy snarled. If you're saying that this kid is the one to blame, then you're clearly mistaking."
"Of course!" The older guy exclaimed. "Who do you think is retarded enough to find a pre-owned game that was just lying on the floor like that? Sheesh, for a manager, that guy sure has his gears loose."
"Oh, look who the hell's talking," the dark-haired boy said muffling his voice. "Let's just get one thing straight here, Buttwipe! I know you had done some dumb stuff before!" the older guy shouted in anger. "Remember the time that you accidentally glued your ass to your canvas. News flash, you used too much paint when the professor told you not to." Enraged by his insult, the dark-haired boy screamed as he was attempting to strangle the guy's neck. "OH YEAH?! WELL, UNLIKE YOU, AT LEAST I HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE. YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S ALWAYS GETTING INTO TROUBLE?! SCREAM FOR ME, YOU ANNOYING LITTLE RODENT!! SCREAM FOR ME!!" As the boys were continuing their shouting match, the glasses-wearing boy scolded, "THAT'S ENOUGH! Look, we didn't come to this world just to start a petty argument over something so minuscule. Let's just calm down and interact with one another."
"Fine," the boys said. "Sorry about that whole fiasco I caused," the dark-haired boy said sincerely. "You're fine" the older guy replied.
"Ok, now we got that out of the way, why don't you go first kid?" the glasses-wearing boy asked.
The young child beamed, "Ok! My name is Pieter Jackson. I'm 13 years old who's in the 6th grade and I love playing video games."
The dark-haired boy introduced himself, "My name is Vincent Alexandra, and I'm 14 years old. I'm an 8th grader who enjoys socializing with people, and I love creating paintings in my spare time. I also come from an elite family." The glasses-wearing boy began to introduce himself as well, "I'm Claude Ford and I'm 15 years old. I'm in the 7th grade and I enjoy solving math problems."
"Math problems?" The older guy scoffed as he shrugs his arms. "You've got to be kidding me. Vincent glared at him by saying, "Ok, smart-aleck. Why don't you tell us who you are?"
"As you wish," the older guy said. "Well, my name is Albrecht Carolina, and I'm 17 years old. One of my fav-
"Hold it, hold it, hold it!" Vincent said cutting Albrecht off. Vincent begins laughing by addressing, "You're 16 years old? Is that even legal? You have a face that looks like a washed-up delinquent from juvenile hall. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"IT'S NOT THAT HILARIOUS, ART-BOY!!" Albrecht exclaimed infuriatingly. "I wasn't born like this because this is how I am, and I don't care what others think of me."
"He's got a point there, Vinny" Claude commented while glaring at him. "You shouldn't joke about a person's appearance."
"Fine, you've made your point" Vincent scoffed. "Continue with your introduction." Albrecht politely says, "Thank you, Vinny."
Albrecht continues, "One of my favorite things to do is fighting, getting dirty, and hanging out with my brothers at wrestling tournaments."
"Wait, you love wrestling?" Claude curiously asked.
"Absolutely!" Albrecht exclaimed with glee. "Wait, don't tell me you're a fan of wrestling?!"
Claude, trying to be as polite as he can be, states, "I'm not particularly a fan of wrestling, but my older sister Riley enjoys watching it on television." You guys should be best friends, even though my parents can be strict when it comes to inviting people over."
"Sweet!" Albrecht beamed. "May I come over next time? If that's okay with your family."
"Sure" Claude replied.
"Now, let's see how we can return to our world" Vincent pondered.
When the four boys were attempting to return to America, a sudden blast of energy frightens them as they were walking inside this new world.
"Nice for you guys to come," the god said as the energy surrounding his body begins to fade.
Stunned by what he witnessed, Vincent asked the god, "W-W-Who in the world, are you? What just happened?" The god walks towards Vincent, introducing himself with polite gestures, "My name is Odin."
"Odin?" Pieter questioned.
"Yes" answered Odin. "I'm Odin, the god of wisdom, death, knowledge, poetry, war, and sorcery. I live in the Kingdom of Asgard in Yggdrasil."
"Ygga who now?" Albrecht asked in total and utter confusion.
Odin addresses, "Yggdrasil, a huge ash tree that encompasses the whole world, and combines heaven, hell, and the earth into one connected system."
"Similar to the Earth that we inhabit?" Pieter asked curiously.
"Yes, Pieter" Odin replied back. "The World Tree is similar to Earth because, like this world, the Earth is intertwined with Heaven and Hell respectively. It is also addressed as The Tree of Life because it symbolizes the cycles of existence: birth, growth, and death."
"Birth, growth, and death?" Vincent asked. "I see that this world is special to you, but can I ask you this question?"
"Yes, feel free to ask any question you like" Odin responded calmly.
"Thank you" Vincent responded back. HOW DO WE GET OUT OF THIS MESS?! What's your purpose of dragging us into a world that we're not familiar with?" As Vincent was yelling at Odin, Pieter grabs him by the shoulders asking, "Uh Vincent? Are you being a little hasty?"
"Hasty?" Vincent asked. "Pieter, do you realize we're in some kind of mythological world that bears any resemblance to ours, save for the philosophical part? Who knows what will lurk out in the darkness?"
"I know" Pieter calmly said trying to calm Vincent's temper. "I'm aware that this world is not ours. Heck, I'm also afraid of the dangers that lurk in this place. But, at the same time, I don't want my fear to control what I want to achieve. So the best thing to do is to stay calm and think things rationally."
Vincent, while calming his temper, says "Pieter, you're a true angel."
"Thank you, Vincent," Pieter said while blushing.
"You're welcome" Vincent responded blushing as well.
"Yadda, yadda, yadda" Albrecht responded with boredom. "Enough with the mushy stuff, Pietard. I'm not wasting my time dealing with the guy's crap."
"But, Albrecht" Pieter said trying to reason with him. "BUT, NOTHING!!" Albrecht cried. We didn't come over here just so that you can spout out some cliche "Believe in yourself" speech. I want answers from this guy, and I want them now.
As Albrecht was approaching Odin, he violently grabs him with enough force, frightening his friends. "HEY, ALBRECHT!" Vincent yelled. "What the heck are you doing? Don't you realize that you're dealing with a god right now?!"
"SCREW YOU, VINNY!" Albrecht screamed. "WHAT I WANT FROM THIS BASTARD IS SOME QUESTIONS ON HOW TO GET BACK TO THE UNITED STATES! After all, you said you wanted to return, right?"
Right before Vincent tries to calm him down, he stops himself by saying "You're right. I did say that. But, trying to use brute force on someone isn't going to help."
"Fine, you win," Albrecht said calmly grunting his voice.
"So, why were we suddenly transported here, Odin?" Claude asked.
"Yeah, can you explain that to us since you've described yourself as "The God of Wisdom?" Albrecht asked rudely but in a calm tone.
After being rudely asked by Albrecht, Odin teleports towards him, punching him hard in the face to the point where blood dripped from his nose.
"Y-You bastard! What's your damage, psycho?!" Albrecht exclaimed.
"I won't allow any disrespect from anyone who believes that they have the right to back sass an authority figure. If you dare show any funny business, I'll punch you so hard that blood will flow out of your body" Odin threatened. "Did you forget that I was the god of war?"
"Oh, is that suppose to be your best shot?" Albrecht retaliates.
"Cut it out, Albrecht" Claude demanded.
"So, as I one saying, what's your purpose of sending us here?" Claude continues his question with Odin. Odin answers by addressing, "It's about my wife Frea."
"Frea?" Pieter asked. "Who's Frea?"
Odin addresses Pieter's question by stating, "Frea is my wife. She is known to be the goddess of love, fertility, beauty, and gold. She is famous for her fondness of the human race, showering them with compassion and wealth. She is also described to be the practitioner of Aesir, the most organized form of Norse magic."
"Fondness over the human race?" Pieter wondered.
"The practitioner of sedir?" Vincent wondered alongside Claude and Albrecht.
"Yes," Odin replied. "The real reason why I brought you guys here is that my wife's organs have been sealed away in cards known as Spades."
"Spades?" The kids asked in unison.
"Yes," Odin replied. "Spades are cards that were made by Angrboda. They are also known as the "Ace of Spades" because they're seen as the most spiritual cards. Known as the symbols of ancient mysteries, they're most likely associated with representing death."
"Death?" Vincent worries.
"Who's Angrboda?" Pieter asked.
"Angrboda is a giantess whose name is defined as the bringer of grief." Claude answers.
"That's right, Claude," said Odin. "This is why I summoned you guys. I summoned you to become Ace Masters."
"Ace Masters?" Pieter wonders in delight.
"Yes, Pieter" answered Odin. "Ace Masters are warriors who wield cards that represent the gods that they're associated with. Each of the four cards that the protagonists have contains required elemental powers: fire, water, air, lightning, thunder, earth, superhuman strength, and magic."
"Wow, that's really cool!" shouted Pieter.
"Pieter, heal" demanded Vincent. "If that the case, then chances are you got a huge problem on your shoulder. But, I don't see why we're the ones responsible for it. Shouldn't the gods teleport all across Yggdrasil to capture the Spades themselves?"
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be possible. If the other gods try to locate the cards within the World Tree, Angrboda will emerge and massacre them all. Legend has it that whenever evil awakens within the Yggdrasil, they are assigned to eat the heart of the man's wife. If the wife's heart is swallowed, it means that Ragnarok will begin" Odin explains.
"Ragnarok?" Albrecht asked. "What's Ragnarok?"
"Ragnarok is the end of the world" Odin answered.
"The end of the world?" Pieter worries.
"Yes. In order for you boys to return to your home, you must save this world before humanity falls into ruin" explained Odin. "Do you guys have any magic within you?"
"I DON'T THINK SO, EINSTEIN! IF WE HAD ANY MAGIC, THEN WE SHOULD BE DONE WITH THIS CRAP IN MINUTES OR LESS! BESIDES, THE ONLY MAGIC THAT IS WAITING FOR ME IS H.O.M.E! HOME!" shouted Albrecht.
(stomach growling)
"I'm also starving as well" Albrecht cried.
Vincent replies, "You're such an idiot, you know that?"
"I should've expected that reaction coming from you, but I guess I have no choice" Albrecht said as he begins to wield his Gungir to summon four cards right in front of the boys.
"What are those?" Pieter asked
"These cards are known as The Destiny of the Gods. Whenever you have these stored inside you, you will transform into gods that represent you, both in your strength and individuality" Odin informs them as he passes the cards to them. "Pieter, you obtain the Loki card, Vincent wields the Vidar card, Claude obtains the Freyja card, and Albrecht obtains the Thor card."
"Now, place the cards on your chest" Odin instructs.
As the boys were placing the cards on their chest, a flash of light shines from the cards, indicating that they're inserted into the chosen ones. "Woah, cool!" Pieter beamed.
"Awesome!" Vincent exclaimed in delight.
"Fantastic!" Claude exclaimed as well, alongside Albrecht.
Odin informs the kids, "Now that the cards are sealed inside you, you're now destined to be Ace Masters."
Claude wonders, "Can we see your wife?"
"Yeah, where is she, Odin?" Pieter asked.
"Come with me, children. I will escort you to Asgard" Odin responded calmly as he gathered the boys to teleport them to Asgard where they encounter Aesirs, the gods of the principal pantheon.
"Here we are, boys. The Kingdom of Asgard" Odin said.
"So, this is Asgard?" Albrecht asked. "You know what would be actually hilarious? Why don't you add another "s" in front of the other "s", and your result will be Assgard? Get it, get it?"
Vincent glared at Albrecht snarling, "Albrecht? Shut your mouth, will you?!"
"Pfffft....I-I was just joking" Albrecht chuckles.
When the children and Odin were walking towards the entrance of the kingdom, two guardians halt them demanding, "Why have you come?" Odin explains, "We came here because these kids want to meet with my wife Frea. We don't mean no harm."
"You're free to enter" the two guards demanded as they moved out the way so that Odin and the Ace Masters can enter. When entered the building, they encounter the Enchantress who stood right beside Gunnlöd, which houses Odin's wife Frea. Pieter speaks to the woman by demanding, "We're here to see Frea. We were summoned here to become Ace Masters, and we want to see who she is in full detail."
"I'm sorry, but you mustn't open the chamber" The Enchantress stated.
"How come?" Albrecht asked with a sarcastic tone. "We were sentenced here t-
"BE QUIET, YOU BASTARD!" The Enchantress exclaimed at the top of her lungs. "I SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT YOU MUSTN'T SEE HERE!"
"But, why can't we see here?" Vincent asked politely.
The Enchantress comments, "You can't see Frea right now because she's ill."
"Ill?" Pieter asked.
"Yes," The Enchantress replied. You can't see or speak to her because she's ill. She's resting in this chamber as we know it." She can't move, talk, or hear you because all of her organs, except her Golden Heart, have been stolen by the giantess Angrboda. She's sealed her organs in Spades and scattered them across Yggdrasil. If the cards aren't caught in time, the demons will emerge from her organs and call upon the end of civilization. As of now, we're keeping her safe inside this tomb, so that Angrboda won't eat her Golden Heart. If she and Fenrir were to eat her heart, she would die and Ragnarok will start." Do you understand, now?"
"We understand ma'am," Pieter said nodding his head. "Sorry for causing you a lot of trouble."
The Enchantress laughs and says, "You're fine. You guys didn't do any harm, except for that bullheaded kid who wants to start a fight with me."
"That's for sure," Vincent said sarcastically. "Anyway, we better get back to Midgard. Come on, guys."
"Ookie Dokie," Pieter said childishly.
"Please, don't do that. You'll embarrass yourself" cried, Albrecht.
As Pieter, his friends, and Odin were transported back to Midgard, Pieter started to feel worried about both Frea and human extinction.
"What's wrong, Pieter?" Vincent asked.
"I'm kind of scared, Vincent" Pieter replied as he begins to cry. "I mean, Frea is locked inside that chamber all because some demon snatched her organs away from her. Not only that but if we don't save her in time, does it mean that the human race will perish? What if the demons came to our world and try to murder us? I'm so scared, and I don't want that to happen."
As Pieter was sobbing after their talk with The Enchantress, Vincent comforts him saying "Hey, you're going to be alright. I know how it feels to be scared. But, you can't let fear control your life. You're known for your resilient personality, and I want you to show it. We're all by your side, and we won't leave you behind."
"That's right, Vincent," Claude said. "Pieter, you don't have to worry because we're here with you."
"What about you, Albrecht-Kun?" Pieter asked. "Are you willing to help me along this journey as well?"
Albrecht sighs, "Of course I will. I'll help you along this journey. My biggest fear is losing my loved ones. So, I'll help you out, kid. Don't sweat it."
"Wow, Albrecht" Vincent said teasing Albrecht. "I didn't know you had a kind side. How unusual of you."
"Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I'm doing this because I was forced to, alright?" Albrecht whines while he blushes.
"Okay" Vincent jokingly says.
"I think we're ready for our journey," Pieter said.
"Us too," The rest of the guys said altogether.
"LET'S DO THIS!" the boys said as they were high-fiving together.