I awoke in Folkvangr and noticed Freyja sitting in the field, taking care her two cats. I walked over to her and sat down next to her. She noticed me and smiled at me.
"I'm only here for an hour." I said.
"I see...I saw you were fighting against Solmund. I assume you're here for an explanation?" Freyja said and watched her cats wander off.
"Kind of. Grace said the Gods and Goddesses aren't involved anymore. Is that entirely true?" I asked.
Freyja looked at the sky and held her arms. "It's true. After the final events of Ragnarok that happened a year ago, the Gods and Goddesses have been looking for replacements to rule over the Nine Worlds of Yggdrasil. Except me. I'm pretty much the only Deity still trying to make a change because I fear Ragnarok will happen again."
"What are these Nine Worlds?" I asked.
Freyja used her magic to create nine orbs of energy. "Asgard, Alfheim, Nidavellir, the Earth Equivalent of your Dimension, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Niflheim, Muspelheim, and Helheim."
Freyja continued by shaping the orbs into cloaked beings. "Their current rulers are as followed, Asgard is Woden, the reincarnation of Odin. Alfheim is me after my brother was killed by Surtr, but Atalia is supposed to rule over it when she's older. Nidavellir is the reincarnation of Eir named Eirida. Midgard is a woman named Terra. Jotunheim is a man named Lord Eydis. Vanaheim is...well also me, but I handed that responsibility to a woman named Vanadis. Niflheim was ruled by Hel, but now a woman named Friarja rules it. Muspelheim was Surtr but now Solmund rules it. And finally Helheim is the reincarnation of Hel, Valdana."
"Woden, Atalia, Eirida, Terra, Eydis, Vanadis, Friarja, Solmund, and Valdana..." I said.
Freyja nodded and looked at me. "All of them seemingly work for Organization X except Woden, Atalia, and Vanadis, Woden and Vanadis are working to stop Organization X or as their true name is The Risi."
"So where do Folkvangr and Valhalla come in? Are they associated with any of the Nine Worlds?" I asked.
"Folkvangr and Valhalla are connected to Asgard. Asgard has two levels. Asgard at the top then Folkvangr and Valhalla. We are currently in Asgard but in my domain. I can tell you that Organization X is planning to take down Asgard so they can connect dimensions and start the Ultimate Ragnarok." Freyja said.
"I see. I can tell Ragnarok is like what we call in my dimension, Calamity." I said.
"Yeah, but Ultimate Ragnarok is known as the end of existence. They want to recreate the universe where these evil gods rule. I'm working hard while you aren't here to help stop this, but I fear I might not be strong enough." Freyja said and looked at the golden grass.
I looked at Freyja and noticed her saddened smile. "I still don't grasp this concept completely since I never had to worry about or fight beings of this caliber. We had our own hero in my dimension. A very powerful man who is known to have The Holy Spirit. He and his wife, a nun, protected us. I've always looked up to him actually."
"Oh?" Freyja said and looked at me.
I smiled and nodded. "I believe his name was Xander? I don't know, I was only a kid when I first encountered him. I don't truly like Isoria because of the injustice but I'm warming up to them. I'm mostly only doing this to keep Atalia safe." I said and stood up then noticed my body slowly fading away.
"I guess this is where our talk ends huh.." Freyja smiled then stood up as well.
I nodded and held Freyja's hands. "Tell me one last thing. What exactly is Atalia..?"
Freyja stared at me and gently squeezed my hands. "I can tell you that she's got potential to become the strongest Deity known to mankind. She's got the blood of nearly every Aesir and Vanir. When she was born she was prophesized to become a True Hero. She doesn't know this...she's far too young to know, but the Risi know. They will try to attack you personally once they know she's in your custody. That's why I don't ever want you to lose...she is our child now after all.."
I nodded and smiled at her. "I promise I won't go out there and die. I'll keep her safe."
Freyja nodded and returned my smile with a soft smile. "I know you won't.." She said then kissed my cheek.
My body fully faded away, leaving Freyja alone in Folkvangr once more. Freyja smiled and closed her eyes then sat back down.
——————
"WAKE UP!" Komine yelled and smacked my head with a pillow.
I groaned and sat up quickly, holding my head. "God...da— Damn! Is that pillow full of BRICKS?!"
"Well...no. This pillow is actually a normal pillow. I just enhanced it with my magic. Besides I thought you said you were taking a small nap!" Komine said.
"Well I WAS! Geez, can't a human take an hour nap after fighting off hordes of Shadows and going against a God?" I asked and got out of bed.
"Hmph!" Komine scoffed and her tail swayed.
"Where's Yuri? I've got to talk to her about something." I said.
"She's in her room. She decided to spend time with Atalia since you were out for an hour and some change." Komine said and her ears flicked.
I held my head and sighed then walked toward my door. "Oh yeah and one more thing.."
Komine looked at me and squeaked when she was hit in the face with a snowball I constructed. She frowned and stomped her foot down. "What the hell was that for?!"
"Now we're even." I smirked and walked out of the room.
I walked over to Yuri's room which was down the hall and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Yuri said.
I walked inside and noticed Yuri having a tea party with Atalia. I looked at the two of them then smirked. "Ahh I'll come back later."
Yuri blushed and crossed her arms. "No. It's fine. I was hoping you would wake up soon, sleepyhead."
Atalia got up and hurried over to me then smiled brightly at me, holding a cup of imaginary tea in her hands at me. "Daddy! Have some tea!~"
I took the cup of tea and smiled then ruffled her hair gently. "Thank you, I'll be sure to enjoy it~"
"Atalia, how about you go share this delicious tea with the others. I'm sure they'll enjoy it as well." Yuri smiled.
Atalia looked at Yuri then nodded and smiled. She hurried to grab her tea set and giggled as she went to find the others to have a tea party with them.
I chuckled softly as I watched Atalia then walked over to Yuri. "Sorry for taking so long. I was pretty tired."
"It's alright. Anyway, let's get down to business. Organization X." Yuri said then stood up. She held her arms and sighed softly.
"I had a dream...I was told in my dream that Organization X wants to start a Ragnarok. If that happens we are in danger because that wouldn't only affect this universe but the entire Yggdrasil." I said.
"Yeah. Organization X knows of our connection to the Gods and Goddesses. They kill us for our power but only certain people are chosen. With the Gods and Goddesses no longer available to stop them, it's up to the ones with our powers to stop them, but the problem with that is they are all Jotunns." Yuri said and walked over to her bed and sat down.
I walked over to her and sat beside her. "How are we supposed to take them down then? Vaja even with Thor's powers wouldn't even scratch Solmund."
"We Valkyries need to become Patron Goddesses or at the very least acquire Divine Weapons. Our weapons are Divine Weapons, but they aren't strong enough to slay Gods and Goddesses. We need weapons like Folkvangr which is strong enough to slay any Deity. I know Vaja has Mjolnir but she herself isn't strong enough to use its full potential.." Yuri said.
"And Fhae? Doesn't she have Freyr's Wand and Sword?" I asked.
"Sumarbrander and Alfbjerg. Yes, she does and because of this she's fated to fight against Solmund because of Freyr's and Surtr's history. I can't let her go through this alone. It isn't like we're going against an organization full of people who are just mortals that can be killed with normal weapons. We are going against reincarnations of the Original Deified Giants. It's a miracle we've been able to hold them back for so long.." Yuri said.
"I'm guessing this was before the Gods and Goddesses stopped assisting..?" I asked.
Yuri nodded. "Now that they aren't available anymore...We might actually lose this war. The only think keeping them from attacking Sakanami head on is our Guardian. She is a Valkyrie who is the reincarnation of an Aesir Goddess, Hlin. Her name is Hlorja. She lives in the Temple of Sakanami deep in the Sakanami Forest. Her power is enough to stop Organization X from attacking us."
"An Astra Valkyrie that has Hlin's Power? Why is she hiding?" I asked.
"Well I have no idea why exactly, but it's probably for the better since she's the only one who can actively stop Organization X from striking us down which is why there are little to no reports of Organization X here. The most we get are Shadows we can easily handle." Yuri answered.
"It sounds like you all are in need of a True Hero. Luckily for you, Tyr is a God of War and equal in power to Ares and Cratos. Since I have his power and some of Freyja's abilities, I can take on that role. It might not be my real calling...hell I might not even be cut out for this job, but I will try." I said and stood up.
Yuri watched me and tilted her head. "You will be the True Hero?"
"I know I am but a human, but I was sent to this world for a reason. One of them being to take care of Atalia. If I hadn't ran into you all, I would be just another person in this world...however my grandmother always told me, 'God has a path for you always. Everything is MEANT to happen. Nothing will ever happen without reason.'" I said.
"Sounds a like fucked up." Yuri said and smiled then stood up. "I'm sure all of our allies being wiped out wasn't supposed to happen, but I get what she means."
"I've already accepted my place here. I mean what else am I supposed to do? I know many won't agree with my choice, but I'm already here. I've already been given this power. I've already accepted my place in this new world, a world I can no longer escape from. I will do all I can to protect it. I will do all I can to protect all of you because like I said before what else am I to do? If I ran off, I would only be putting Atalia in danger..." I said.
"I want to warn you...You will be going to war with Organization X. Are you sure you're prepared for that?" Yuri asked.
"Shit, they already know of my existence. It's too late to back away now. If you have to know something about me, I am not a quitter. Never have been, never will be. My mom and dad didn't raise a bitch made person, they raised a fighter.." I said and smiled then placed my hands in my pockets. "Besides, I dream of being just like my Hero from my dimension. A Protector and a person people can depend on."
Yuri snickered a bit and held her arms. "You know that's rather cute that you have someone you look up to...But I respect your determination. I'm sure the other women will too. I mean Fhae and Cornelia already like you a lot, but I'm sure Grace, Vaja, and Komine will also warm up to you like Fhae and Cornelia has.."
I nodded and closed my eyes. "I won't fail you all. No matter how hard it gets, I won't give up. I will learn to awaken my true power and use it at will like you all can. When I do, the Astra Valkyries will be unstoppable."
"I like your wishful thinking. Honestly that's what we need... I'll be expecting more amazing things from you, Dante.." Yuri said and gently held my arm.
I nodded and smiled at Yuri. "I know and I will deliver.."
{Bond with Yuri Increased!}
With the end of our conversation, we walked out to go find Atalia and the others. Deep inside, I was still unsure about everything. I was pretty much thrown into this without any prep time, but Yuri already had high hopes for me. I couldn't allow myself to doubt myself completely. I need them and they need me so I needed to make sure I was always ready for anything.