Stunned by the sudden declaration, the Beowolves took a minute to compose themselves. Parabellum? That meant to prepare for war in Latin, right? Since when was a research division named so violently? Hundreds of thoughts ran through the minds of each member. Cain broke the silence and said:
"Canni, Aimzay, suit up and get familiar with your new gear; Then, wait for us in the hangar. The rest of us will say our goodbyes to the Ouragans and head there afterward."
Hearing their new captain's orders, the two stood at attention and saluted.
"Sir!"
They then headed towards the clerks near the armor in another room and got acquainted with their new gear. Meanwhile, El, Abel, and Jin unequipped their armor with flashes of light as they fell to the ground. When the height difference from when the armor was equipped disappeared, what was left on their necks were dog tags with the symbol of a silver wolf.
Cain was internally caught off guard and thought, 'That was cool.'
He managed to recover from his amazement, leading his three veteran squad members while silently nodding to Rai and Lorelei.
Cain, El, Abel, and Jin all headed out the door to maximize the time they had left. As the Beowolves were discussing, Lorelei and Rai were walking towards the highest walls of the fortress. Being awestruck by the presence of the Asgardian enforcer, the entire area was brimming with excitement as they arrived.
Sensing Lorelei was annoyed by the attention; Rai had the entire wall dismissed. When everyone left, Rai said in a quiet, meek murmur unbefitting the heroic warrior,
"Sister Atele, while these orcs are capable and show great promise, the odds are stacked against you. Do you have to go? If Ragnarök is indeed coming, we need to prepare for war in Asgard, not digging the dirt for clues of what was once lost in the land of white goblins."
Atele looked at Rai with hatred as she said in the coldest voice the enforcer had ever heard, losing her childish demeanor and speaking in a manner that was befitting a queen.
"I need to know, Rai; These questions have been haunting me for the last 7000 years. I have done all I can for Asgard. It would be worth it if this final ruin gives us the answers we seek. I can no longer wait. If war is inevitable, I refuse to hide in the dark like that one-eyed Sansorðinn Odin.
The hypocrite calls himself an Asgardian, but in truth, he is nothing but a little boy afraid of dying. I have already confirmed my hypothesis with Freya. If what I've deduced was true, the true enemy of Ragnarök is not on Alfheim but on Earth. And the cause for the Shattering is somewhere around the Black Hammer Fortress.
If I am to die anyway, I will stand at the frontlines of these so-called demon lords and have them meet my blades."
Golden energy erupted from Lorelei, her eyes shining like miniature suns. The white-haired Asgardian could only keep silent because she would not change her decision. Ragnarök was the foreseen end of the world, in which no matter what Asgard did, it would meet its back from the eternal armies of the undead and vile monstrosities.
The version Atele learned of, however, was different. In it, leading the armies that turned the world black was not the dead nor monsters, but immortals calling themselves demon lords. As they, for some unfathomable reason, had decided to end all intelligent life.
"Sister Lorelei, if this is your decision, as your sworn little brother, I will wait for your victory. I cannot accompany you to the ruins, but I will be with you on your journey to Alfheim. I will see if these orcs are worthy of your expectations."
Hearing the aged Asgardian's words, Atele significantly calmed down and returned to her childlike smug behavior as if the earlier display was a lie.
"They will be. I have kept tabs on all six of them as I developed the Fenrir battle suits. If the information we found was accurate, the ruins should contain a demonic being. Specifically, the one that caused the Shattering."
The six beacons would be thrown into a frenzy if anyone heard the discussion of the two Asgardians. No Asgardian before them cared about the Shattering. Why would they? The Shattering only happened 100 years ago. These two Asgardians were among the oldest, aged at 7000 years. Timewise, it made no sense for them to care about it.
Scratching his beard, Rai then added:
"Still, Fenrir, huh? The wolf is known for biting the hand of Tyr and for swallowing the sun. You intend for them to reach such heights?"
Lorelei kept silent and started looking at her documents, indicating she did not wish to discuss further.
Rai could only admit his defeat to the teenage-looking Asgardian. Being among the few beings older than him, Rai gave Lorelei his utmost respect, especially when she'd helped him achieve one of his dearest wishes.
As if she had found something interesting, Atele spoke with a hint of excitement. "By the way, as you asked, I checked the Black-haired mage; she is neither a returner nor a dominator. I didn't see anything that says otherwise."
After hearing his sworn sister's words, Rai pondered as he calmly said.
"If that is the case, I have no explanation for what happened that day. She spoke in Gamallrinn, demonstrated power near the rank of 3-Sun, and seemed to hate me for something I did not do. She spoke about her husband and about me being a great sinner."
Finding the words of the Asgardian in eastern robes amusing. Atele explained.
"Codename Lilith marries Codename Cain tomorrow, so I know not why she believed it already happened. Few are like me. She should not have come back to the past. Significant differences are already present.
A sizable force ambushed them. And were delayed in returning by 72 hours. Someone reset the timeline I know of. Luckily the assault of the 50,000 still happened, but we need to return to Alfheim as soon as possible.
I do not know if Crystal and Cerberus can hold longer than she initially did. The last time they almost got annihilated by Paattymaton Lauma. I hope we make it in time. Still, Rai, do you not doubt me in the slightest? I could have just gone crazy from stress. I suddenly told you I come from the future and all that."
Self-derision evident in her words, the Asgardian enforcer answered in the only way he could.
"If there is one person I believe in this world, Sister, it would be you. For sacrificing so much for our people and letting me say goodbye to Alicia. I will forever stand by your side."
In return for this favor, he immediately declared he would be Lorelei's sworn brother and fight and die for her if she commanded, allowing the researcher to gain the immense backing of one of the strongest warriors in the nine realms.
**************
As Abel and his group walked toward the hangar, Jin was feeling conflicted. He was glad his family was not on Earth, as Asgard didn't have to worry about demonic beast tides, as far as he knew. However, with him not being on Earth anyway, getting protection under the wings of Lorelei was the next best thing.
It's just that he wouldn't be able to see his daughters grow and would leave his wife alone to carry the burden alone for a decade. He was starting to think of the worst possible scenarios. What if dicktraps took an interest in his Isabella? She would be powerless to defend herself. As Jin was screaming internally, Abel asked a few questions to Cain while walking.
"How were the two, Arthur? Think we are going to have any issues with them? Lorelei is weird, though. Why is an Asgardian so knowledgeable in science and technology? Aren't they supposed to be using magic and all that stuff? Even with dwarves, it's a long stretch. The battle suits are built like robots from old cartoons."
"It's called anime, you uncultured swine!"
El suddenly screamed while slamming her fist into Abel's gut with a punch known in the old world's karate as "Ura-Tsuki." After Abel promptly crumpled to the ground, El shared her thoughts.
"I don't know if Atele is an Asgardian weeb, but I did notice two things. In all our conversations, she did not refer to any of us as orcs, nor has she referred to herself as an Asgardian.
Maybe she has an identity crisis? Anime can make anyone feel that way. I still remember the first one I watched, where the girl transformed into a magical girl. Too bad I turned into a mecha instead of a sailor guardian, sob sob.''
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Proofread By: Pearl_Wang,
Edited By: WorthyAdversary