Medkit.. check
Mortar.. check
Journal.. check
Preserved food.. check
Knives.. check
Pennigars.. check
Map.. check
Soap.. check
Mask.. check
Sleeping bag.. check
Extra clothes.. check
Rope.. check
I checked through my back making sure I have everything. This bag had many pockets to fit everything and then some.
I looked at myself. I was wearing leather predominantly laced with metal. Shin guards, Boots, my leather covered gauntlets, and chain that wrapped around a tunic.
My belt and bandolier sling had become a utility belt with all kinds of gadgets on it. That gunpowder is now a loud exploding powder mostly used as distraction. Knives, spare potion bottle, wire, sister stone, utility dagger for removing fur, and sword on my left hip.
I had a short sleeved long, white fur coat with a hood. It matched my slowly changing appearance. My hair has grown slightly darker and given off a pulsing white glow. I'm assuming my soul growth is affecting my physically. I've strapped my back and Hilda then passed me Leviateinn.
Leviateinn looked very excited. Or Atleast he felt like it. His artificial soul is In contact with me expressing his thoughts.
Muninn then came and sat on my shoulder.
"Hilda, it's time"
Hilda looked at me and sighed. "Young master, I won't be out there to protect you so please return safely. I'll relay to the Queen how your plan so she isn't worried."
"Thank you Hilda.. for everything"
She looked at me and smiled. "You've come a long way from running away from me. Now your running away from the city. I gotta say you've really upped the difficulty of catching you."
Well technically I'm not running away since I'm just taking the scenic route, but I guess Hilda is just saying I've grown up.
"I'm happy knowing you'll be home Hilda to watch after everything." I said this while walking out. I could sense Sif, Nix, and Nordri waiting outside.
"As you command my king."
I stopped for a moment then kept going. That's right, I'm their king.
____
Walking out the Palace was a lot simpler that expected.
Making our way through the city I can't help but admire my home. I have grown fond of my mountain prison. It's honorable people have given me a refreshing sight. I can hear the mead halls filled with laugher and cheer.
The people seem to be all smiles. The lanterns are light bright in every house illuminating the bright gold and wooden decorations around every corner. Making it to the rainbow colored gate I get excited.
This rainbow pathway leads to the outside world.
As I approach it Nordri and the rest stand back for a moment.
There are guards at the gate but they clearly are meant to keep people out not in.
I put my hand on the door. It's cold to the touch. Closing my eyes I take a deep breath.
I can't turn back because if I do I'll never leave. The sound of the people in merriment sounded in my ears like a sirens call.
In a moment that seemed to last forever my body moved on it's own.
I slowly push open the gate.
My eyes open to gaze at a rainbow paved large hall tunneling through the mountain. On the other side I can slightly see some building and a dark back drop.
I slowly walk through ignoring my surroundings.
Most people wouldn't understand but I have not seen the sky in six years. I technically did see it the other day making my weapon which I am gripping hard at the moment. But I never saw the sky since it was covered in thunder clouds.
Walking slowly I reached the end of the rainbow bridge filled with hundreds of officers and passages to who knows where.
Apparently every passage has a gate stone leading somewhere but I was to preoccupied with that dark back drop to pay attention.
Looking up I saw the most beautiful night sky I have ever seen. Like the side view of the galaxy was printed against it, the stars glittered in grace.
This world had two moons as well. One looked like my old one and the other looked to be green as grass. They both looked to be dancing together in a slow ballet of the cosmos.
It was spectacular. The sky wasn't even completely dark. The stars and space gave of a purple magenta glow I could scarcely describe.
I dropped to my knees.
Looking down I saw snow and dirt. I had dropped Leviateinn and was grasping at the ground.
The smell of Oak, Pine, and salt fill my nose.
A cold crispness fills my lungs. Mountain living is a bit stuffy.
I started to cry.
Looking at the magnificent outer city I can smell the ocean on the wind. Yes wind, something I've never experienced until two days ago.
People are walking around. I see all the different tribes now. My soul is automatically linking to nature's network and its expanding.
I can feel dozens of new types of connections I've never felt before. It's almost a feeling of enlightenment.
The snow whips slowly drifts across.
I don't know when Nordri appeared by my side but he got me out of my reverie.
"Isn't she beautiful?"
I looked at him under my mask. "I've never felt so alive".
I must have looked strange to all the guards here but no one disturbed me with Nordri here.
"Let's go, your escort is waiting for us."
I looked at Nordri, then at the wood, stone city again and nodded. I got up and began to walk.
Sif and Nix weren't far behind.
The architecture here was felt much more rugged to my eyes. I can feel more druids out here as well not to mention people giving off a strange dark mana signature. The ones giving the energy off are usually hooded. Muninn is telling me they are The Damned.
Runes and mana dot the landscape. I can see a flag drifting in the wind of a great sword and hammer crossed over a mountain. There's another flag below it depicting three overlapping triangles.
"The Dwarf Flag and the Aesir Flag. Both peoples are represented here." Nordri said this with pride.
I smile and keep walking.
The Forest giants are different from their darker cousins. The have a bright icy aura. Kinda like a large fluffy polar bear in the sun on a glacier.
Looks peaceful but that bear in reality is extremely dangerous while the glacier is cold.
Like a poisonous butterfly. They look very happy though and seem to be cheery. Some have frosty facial expressions though.
"Most frost giants could see the future making their outlook frosty. A lot of their descendants remained frosty because of that. Some of them got more from their Vanir side and have more of a cheerful personality. In fact most of the are actually extremely kind," Nordri pointed out.
Reaching the stone gate I could see there was no storm beyond the Walls. The walls had plenty of soldiers keeping watch as well.
Beyond the gate was a dark pine wood forest and a stone laid path.
A small carriage was on the other side with a horse. There was a coachman sitting there. I can also see Ullr leaning against the carriage in his traditional leather hunting gear.
I look at Nordri who nods to me. I give him a big hug which he returns in kind. I turn and begin walking through the gate.
Walking up to Ullr, I can see another figure standing nearby. He was burly with brown hair.
"You though about leaving mount Himinbjorg without saying goodbye?"
It was my father. Himinbjorg was the name of the mountain that contains two cities.
I sighed then I explained, "I knew you would be busy and I didn't want to drag away the attention from both of you. Mom can't even move currently and needs rest. I would never ask her to send me off in that condition."
My father walked up to me. He looked down and smiled. "Well she drank a major life potion and had the maids drive her here in a wheel chair so you better think of something fast."
Looking around I could spot her on the blind side of the gate with Sigrun moving her around.
She moved closer to me smiling.
"I may have just received a second miracle, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the second. Today is your birthday as well."
I looked at her and no words can come to my mouth.
My two companions are silent.
She flicked her wrist and a breeze carried me to her where she hugged me tightly.
"Good luck my Loki." She then pushed me away so that we were in eye contact. "Be careful out there. Don't mess with girls. Listen to Ullr. Clean yourself properly. Make sure you take care of them. Don't get in over your head. Stop having so much stress." She looked at me seriously now and said, "most importantly have fun. You will never get far without having fun. If you see a great view, sit back and enjoy it for a bit. Not everything is about work."
At some point I was crying again.
Dad had at some point appeared behind mom. "We love you. Come back whenever you can."
I nodded through my tears and turned around.
Walking to Ullr I nod to him. He smiles and gestures to the back.
Hopping on the the back with Ullr and helping Sif and Nix on board we tapped the carriage hard.
The coachmen whipped the rains and the horses drove our carriage into the dark wood under my parent's and Master's waves.