--- ??? ago, Midgard, branches of ??? ---
Skitter... scuttle!..
Four nimble claws ran along, creating subtle but strong gales along their wake, as if on a rush. Said creature seemed to be an oddly huge squirrel.
It had a silky coat of fur that bore the color of chestnut, the white stripes that were shaped like swirls of clouds it had littered sparsely on it's neck, back and tail gave it a splendid look. It had a white belly and a tail so fluffy it dwarfed it's own body. It had ivory white claws and two very prominent white teeth.
It would have looked no different from just an abnormally big squirrel, if not for the surprisingly wise and lively glint that shone on it's beady black eyes and the leathery brown satchel it had hanging on it's hip looped around it's neck.
It was Ratatoskr, messenger of the Norse Gods, as well as caretaker of the World Tree, but a trickster at heart.. or so he proclaims.
" Oho! Hoho! How exciting! " The furry creature positively yipped in a divine tongue that was alien to the Olympians.
Running along giant branches that dwarfed even the leopard-sized squirrel, Ratatoskr skipped and leaped excitedly.
These branches were no ordinary branches, nor were they actually corporeal either. This was Yggdrasil, the world tree that hosts the nine realms. Using it's branches that somehow connect to all of Midgard, the trickster squirrel traversed along the expansive branches
The branches weren't actually physical, nor corporeal. The branches that extended in the nine realms were merely ley lines that link all of existence, while the physical branches are hidden deep within the world.
Finally arriving at it's destination, the squirrel teetered along the branch's end, ears outstretched and eyes narrowed to their limit.
Ratatoskr was currently at the Pacific ocean, rushing here only after sensing a familiar energy strike.
" C'mon! C'mon! Where are ya! " He excitedly called out, wishing to see one of Midgard's most infamous beasts. As a messenger and a natural gossip, Ratatoskr had long heard of the Chaos-born Hydra. A weird monster too, especially since the beast had five heads!
The Hydra was not only famed for their murder of Kronos and bringing his pantheon to ruin, but also many numerous feats that they had piled up searching and destroying anomalies, barring the mysterious island and the thunderbirds that was only interesting to deities at best.
Felling many divine beasts that seemed to have exponentially risen ever since the death of Kronos, it's a shame, any of those monsters could have easily earned themselves a spot in the annals of time, but now they were but a tally mark amongst the many that the terrible Hydra has hunted.
Feeling the energy signature that was getting closer and closer, the fluffy squirrel enhanced their beady eyes, keen to witness the arrival- or rather, return of the Hydra.
" B O O M ! " And there they were! Hurling back into the bounds of the planet, was a very imposing and dreadful five-headed serpent. Looking as regal, strong and injured as ever! Wait...
" Injured?! " Ratatoskr muttered incredulously, hopping off the otherworldly branch and skipping along the sea, completely ignoring how that was not normal at all.
" B O O M ! " Another bang resounded as the famed beast landed on a particularly shallow part of the ocean, as if guided by another being.
Approaching the serpent that was half-submerged in the water, the messenger of the Norse swiftly analyzed the the beast.
" Oh my... that is quite severe, yes.. " He muttered to himself, a little claw poking at his chin in wonder. Why? The serpent was completely covered in wounds! Gashes, lacerations, splotches of exposed flesh, and an unconscious mind.
" Clearly! Something spectacular had happened! Indeed, I'm sure they won't mind a peek... " The crafty squirrel whispered in awe, whilst channeling a mysterious ability.
With glowing blue eyes, the fluffy creature looked closely at the details of the body, accessing the "history" contained within. You may be asking how he could do this, well, one can't look over the sacred tree that holds the nine realms without acquiring such an appropriate skill. Like the wisdom of Odin, Ratatoskr had gained powerful mystic eyes from the influence of Yggdrasil.
Looking through the events that had transpired through the traces of time in the body, Ratatoskr exclaimed,
" My my! What an epic battle! Hoho~.. those eagles would love to hear this! Ah! Not without informing Odin first of course! Huhu.. " Ratatoskr was giddy in excitement, completely entranced by the idea of being the one to share such news.
" But still! Such a vile creature! The Hydra did well to seal it away! That's what I say alright! " He said, raising a paw as if to make a declaration. Ratatoskr had seen many thing throughout the realms... even being in regular contact with Nidhoggr, that mysterious creature... just the thought of it-
" Sends shivers down mah tail! " Ratatoskr exclaimed dramatically.
" Ahem! " Someone cleared their throat impatiently.
" Ah! By Odin's beard! Who could've--... oh.. Greetings, Lady Gaea.. what could have brought you here this late.. very tempestuous, night?.. " The squirrel nervously greeted, a little embarrassed by his outburst and unbefitting yell of surprise.
" I'm here for them. " She answered curtly.
" Ah of course! Oho! Truly you are kind, great mother! To care for one's kin so well! My heart is full of admiration! Huhu~ " He immediately springs back into his usual persona, with a little flattery on top.
" It's only natural, Ratatoskr.. " She narrowed her eyes, watching the shifty squirrel like a hawk.
" Natural, hoho! Of course! " Ratatoskr tried to fill in the silence.
" Sigh.. well? Best you go on your way now, you have news to deliver, no? " Gaea ushered him on, whilst showing him that she was fully aware of his findings.
" O-of course! I am a busy squirrel! Ohoho~ Farewell, Lady Gaea! " The fluffy beast recollected himself, and curtly disappeared into another incorporeal branch.
" Sigh... well, it's useless to hide the news anyway.. and besides, you deserve the recognition, brother.. " She sighed as she regarded the slumbering beast.
She knows Ratatoskr was not the only one as well. Such a strong, unrestrained aura... it's impossible to hide from divine eyes.
--- ??? Later, unmarked Island ---
Deep within an unmarked island in the middle of nowhere.
Past the crystal clear water, past the marble shore, and deep within the bowels of the bountiful forest, away from any prying eyes.. lay a slumbering behemoth.
" Puff!.... " inhale.. " Puff! " inhale..
Steam blew from multiple snouts, peacefully breathing. The mere heat from their breath increasing the temperature around by several notches.
Despite it all however, many little creatures swarmed around the beast, enjoying the natural cover the being gave. Mere gaps within their scales served as temporary resting places for small mammals of all sizes.
--- To Be Continued ---
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