Erik, Mia, and Liam exchanged glances. They had known all along that whatever these gods doing might not go as expected and now that fear was becoming a reality. Deep down, they had prepared themselves for this moment, but the weight of the situation was undeniable.
Freyja looked worried. Her normally cheerful demeanor was replaced by a serious expression as she turned to Bjorn who was still catching his breath from his frantic dash to the room.
"What happened?" Freyja asked, her voice laced with concern.
Bjorn took a deep breath, steadying himself before he spoke. "Lord Thor is gone, and Lady Freya... she's gone too. They've been taken somewhere else beyond the reach of Asgard."
Erik's heart skipped a beat.
"What's the reason you came to us, Bjorn?" Erik asked urgently.
Bjorn's expression was grim. "Lord Heimdall sent me. He said that the three of you will need to move immediately."
Freyja's face tightened with worry as she looked at the trio.
"But they're not ready yet. Their studies aren't complete!" she protested. The concern she felt for her new students was clear; she knew they had made great progress, but they weren't prepared for this. Especially since Freyja could see the seriousness of the situation in Bjorn's terrified expression.
Bjorn shook his head, his regret clear in his eyes. "We don't have a choice, Freyja. The situation is dire."
Without a moment's hesitation, Erik, Liam, and Mia rose to their feet. They knew there was no time to waste and they have been prepared for this to happen. This is their purpose.
"Let's go, then," Erik said. Then he turned to Freyja. "Thanks for your time. We will come back as fast as we can."
Liam and Mia also looked at Freyja.
"Sorry, ma'am. We have to leave now. But this is the first time I've enjoyed just sitting and learning. I promise I'll come back," Liam said with a broad smile.
Mia nodded. "What you've taught us will be incredibly valuable. Thank you."
Freyja could only let out a long and helpless sigh when she heard that. She knew their destiny, and right now was the moment for them to fulfill it. But... she couldn't help but think they were still just children.
"Be careful." Those were the only words Freyja could bring herself to say.
The trio nodded then followed Bjorn out of the room.
---
The trio followed Bjorn through corridors, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The air was thick with tension, and the usually bustling halls were eerily silent. Mia quickened her pace to catch up with Bjorn, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Explain more, Bjorn," she urged, her voice urgent. "What exactly happened?"
Bjorn didn't slow down, but he glanced over his shoulder at Mia, his expression grim.
"It all started when Freya went after one of the artifacts we've been tracking," he began. "She was supposed to locate it and return, but something went wrong. She just... disappeared."
Liam and Erik exchanged worried glances, their hearts sinking. Freya, the goddess who had come to meet them before they knew anything, was missing.
"Lord Thor was furious when he heard," Bjorn continued. "He decided to go after her himself. He thought he could find her, bring her back... but then he vanished too."
Erik clenched his fists and biting his lips. Thor, the God of Thunder, their unshakeable protector who have immense power beyond their understanding, gone without a trace. It was almost unthinkable.
"Why are we the ones who have to go now? You guys are the one who supposed to be more capable of this than us, right?" Liam asked.
Bjorn sighed. "Everyone else is occupied unfortunately, with guarding the borders. The forces of darkness have been pressing hard against Asgard and we can't afford to pull anyone from their posts. But you three... you have been blessed by the gods. You're the only ones who can cross the dimensions with ease because of their blessings. That's why Lord Heimdall ask for you to go now. It's a dangerous task, but you're our best hope."
The weight of Bjorn's words settled heavily on the trio. They had been training, studying, preparing for battles and quests, but this... this was something else entirely. They weren't just stepping into another mission—they were venturing into the unknown, tasked with finding two of the most powerful beings in existence.
"We'll do it," Erik said, his voice firm, cutting through the doubt that threatened to rise within him. "We'll find them and bring them back."
Mia and Liam nodded in agreement, their resolve hardening. They had no choice now; the fate of Freya, Thor, and perhaps even Asgard itself rested on their shoulders.
Bjorn nodded to them. His respect for them had grown again. As they rounded a corner, Bjorn spoke again. "Before you leave, you'll need to arm yourselves. We're heading to the armory."
Erik, Mia, and Liam exchanged curious glances. They had trained with various weapons, but the idea of rearming just before this critical mission was still exciting.
"The blacksmiths have taken a keen interest in the Midgard weaponry you brought with you," Bjorn continued. "They've been working on something special for each of you."
Erik furrowed his brow. "What do you mean by that?"
Bjorn glanced at him, a small smile breaking through the tension on his face. "Remember the weapon you used against the intruder? The one that helped you fend him off?"
Erik, Mia and Liam nodded, recalling the cold steel of the healer's knife they had wielded. But there was one more.
"They've modified it, combining Asgardian craftsmanship with Midgardian practicality. It's been enhanced, made stronger, more durable, and imbued with runes that will make it far more effective against the threats you'll face."
The trio exchanged glances once again.
"Are you saying... the shotgun?" Mia asked.
"Oh, is that what you call it? Well, now it has a new name. It's called Bǫltr now."
The trio could already picture themselves wielding a shotgun on their journey through the realms of gods and mythical beings.
---