"Today's the day huh?"
"Yes!"
My question was answered by three older voices.
"Yes Loki, don't worry you'll do fine."
Looking around the entrance to an alcove, I sighed. "I hate formal events."
Aegir, Skaldi, and Ullr smiled. "Yours wasn't that bad," Aegir commented.
I looked at him confused, "yea having the entire chamber of elders including my father look down at me while putting me through the trial of will was a very delightful affair."
Skaldi laughed, "yes I remember clearly the cold sweat going down your arm before and after."
"Yea and now you guys expect me to help in the trial of will for my friend? the pressure is still there."
Honestly, I hope my lack of valor doesn't get in the way.
_____3 hours earlier_____
Arriving close to the forested hills near Lyngvi, Nix began to show signs of nervousness.
Fidgeting, anxiety, and looking around a lot.
I put a hand on his shoulder, "what's wrong got stage fright."
Nix looked at me with a very new face of nervousness, "yea, my mother and father will be here to watch, if I fail,,"
I cut him off, "relax, its not like you have a possibility of not passing the trial of will like me."
"What do you mean by that?" he said confused.
Ah so he doesn't know. Looks like I'll have to instate some education systems sooner than I thought. Maybe I'll use Nix as a test subject to organize a proper education systems... Mann being a future king has made me think from a more governing aspect.
Looking at him I breeze over his question, "I'll tell you about it later just know you'll be fine during the trial of will. Just focus on the trial of might which we've sparred enough for me to know you'll do great."
He was confused but he nodded. I saw a bit of his anxiety go away but he still had that normal nervousness in his eyes. Honestly, for a kid he's such a little soldier.
Lyngvi although nominally a forest Giant village has locations in the surrounding area to perform rituals for the Aesir. Since it is sort of on the edge of the great plains, it's a very important location to do these rituals when traveling tribe members pass through.
As I have mentioned before, my trials were different than most since I was a prince. I got the whole course of every single elder judging me. Nix was only getting the Cardinal Generals judging him and two of them were his parents.
As we traveled through the hills near the town, the terrain of grass began turning into a beautiful forest. I started to notice some small fae like fairies becoming more prevalent. They sparkled as the flew around.
At some point we entered a hill valley that looked similar to a meadow in its amount of flowers.
At the end of the valley was an intersection of raised land. A type cave that led to the alcove was visible.
We all slowly got off and set up camp.
Ullr took out the gate stone and about 30 minutes after having it out, four figures appeared. Honestly, spatial travel wasn't flashy. It was like you blinked looking at an empty area and the travelers appeared.
Of course these travelers were armed to the teeth in armor and fur. Some in metal and others in chain.
Tyr was the first to speak in his solemn tone. "Let's hurry up, I have a lot on my plate since Ullr left his post."
He was staring straight at me. Clearly this firecracker was annoyed I stole one of the generals.
The generals had already game planned that Heimdall would be the one to test him in might and Tyr would judge. Any other general would be a bit biased.
Then I would be judged in how well I join the chorus of will that will test Nix.
According to Tyr, I must be prepared for when I lead the chamber of elders in the future, no pressure.
______
Tyr and Heimdall walked out of the entrance to the alcove.
Tyr has his typical stone cold face while Heimdall had a great smile. "You're boy has been influenced by someone since the last time I saw him sparring. He caught me by surprise."
Tyr commented about it briefly after, "He use some sand to blind, explosions to distract and his environment well. Heimdall was obviously holding back all his senses and abilities but he never expected for Nix to switch between different styles of fighting on the fly. At times he was fast and fierce going for the kill when necessary and at other times sneaky and distracting looking for an opportunity. It was very unpredictable how he would switch to strike easily."
The generals all looked at me.
I smiled and shrugged. "Hey if it ain't broke don't fix it."
Many of them took a few moments to make sense of my normal Earthling saying.
Tyr put it together and then responded strictly, "In your opinion. Don't worry, I'll whip these two into shape soon enough."
I shivered at that.
Heimdall then commented, "honestly, it was if he had many arms."
The way their describing him, even I want to spar with him again. Has he been holding back on me?
[Normally I don't comment, but Nix has been straightforward when fighting you because he's analyzing how you fight. Recently you haven't needed to use your melee fighting style and you have been practicing magic mostly so you haven't done a lot of your more devious tricks. But you still naturally lure people into traps like tripping people, disarming, and creating openings using your environment. He watched these natural habits of yours. When you get a chance you should ask him to go all out and he might surprise you]
As I was lost in thought, Aegir spoke, "Maybe we should title him the Kraken for his dark and mysterious style while being fierce when striking."
I nodded as I agreed with that statement. Honestly, I've never liked physical combat but now that I have someone taking after my own style, I am interested in seeing where it takes him.
"Also brother Loki I have a surprise for you." Aegir smiled and then walked to the gate stone. He disappeared and then reappeared with a barrel with one arm.
"I will give you this entire barrel if you do well to match us."
My eyes shined, "What are we waiting for, we got a trial to run!"
They all laughed and followed me into the alcove.