"Very well, I shall resurrect you in a few moments, be ready" Surtr prepared me.
I waited a few seconds, and it was as if almost life was being breathed into me, but it burned the inside of me, it was painful.
I soon woke up as Surtr promised, and saw a shadow of a tree with the bright moonlight shining through the leaves of it.
I sat up and blinked, I heard unfamiliar voices talking. It was night time, and I was placed in a tent.
The wound on my chest that killed me was burned over, but healed.
I looked to my right, and noticed that my right shoulder was wrapped with bandage, soaked from the blood of my lost arm.
I had no choice but to live with it.
"I'll learn and adapt, always have, anyway."
Someone walked into my tent.
A viking shield-maiden.
She had braided brown hair, with piercing blue eyes.
I was frozen at the sight of her, she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
"You're awake!" The woman expressed. "I didn't think you were gonna make it."
"Is this real? Am I alive?" I asked
"I know, you're probably a bit confused, but you're in a Northmen camp.
You were barely breathing and your pulse was slow, we didn't think you were gonna wake up. The battle is over now, but we didn't make it in time, and the castle is beyond repair" The women explained.
Her voice was as if she was an angel, soothing, all I could do was look at her, speechless.
"You alright over there? My name is Astrid by the way" She spoke up, she must've noticed that I was staring.
"A-Ardent" I staggered my words "My name is Ardent, nice to meet you Astrid." I stuttered
She laughed, "You're fine Ardent, you can talk to me without being nervous, you're quite handsome yourself, that can't' be said for many around here."
"Oh, well, I apologize, I'm usually not like this." Astrid walked closer to me, and unbuttoned the collar of my shirt.
"Oh, your wound is gone?" She expressed a mix of surprise and confusion. She ran her fingers across the wound, in the middle of my collarbone.
"It looks like a burn scar, that's odd, it was only a day ago." She thought aloud
"Wait, I've been resting for an entire day? I can't rest this long, I have important things to do!" I said
Astrid put her hand on chest, restraining me from getting up any further.
"Ardent! I will not allow you to leave this tent, you must rest. There might be a scar burned over, but you still need rest."
I thought for a second, and looked at my lost arm with deep sadness and envy. The rest of my body felt fine, like almost nothing happened.
"Is this you Surtr? Is this you're doing?" I thought to myself.
"What gods do you believe in, Astrid?" I asked
"The Nordic Gods, like Odin, Thor, and Freyr." Astrid replied
I looked down in thought.
"Ardent, I will not discriminate against you for the God or gods you believe in."
"No, it's not that Astrid."
"Then what is it?" She asked
I hesitated to answer, but finally spoke up.
"I need to get back to sleep, Astrid, I'm sorry." I finally spoke up.
"No worries, friend, but we might have some explaining to do in the morning. Goodnight, Ardent."
I don't know what she meant, but that's not what I was worried about. I needed to talk to Surtr.
I closed my eyes, and drifted to sleep. The void was here yet again, and I could feel Surtr's presence. His flaming figure finally appeared from the darkness.
"You needed to talk to me, Ardent?" Surtr's deep voice almost rumbled through me.
"I am still lost on how you will help me with this. How am I supposed to carry out the prophecy of an unknown fire giant or whatever you are! And on top of that, I only have one arm!" I yelled while pointing towards the right side of my body.
Surtr looked unimpressed, "Ardent, you are the reincarnation of the Fire Jotunn. You are prophesied to destroy Asgard, even if such a place is unknown to you.
No matter what happens, Surtr will destroy Asgard, for that is who you truly are"
Surtr's flame faded away, and I was left frustrated, not getting a clear answer, but it seemed Surtr himself didn't know either.