Alex grabbed his bags and walked to the elevator that would take him to Asgard. He waited in the elevator as it made several dings, until it finally stopped and opened.
He was outside the main gate of Asgard, Valgrind. It had an imposing presence—it was many times taller than Alex—as it was designed to keep out giants.
Alex tried to walk through the gate but was stopped by a guard who looked up his name and picture on a list.
"Ok, you're good to go," the guard said.
"Thanks," Alex said, and continued forward through the gate.
"You, know I used to be an adventurer once," the guard said.
"Yeah? What happened?" Alex said, kind of hoping this wasn't going where he thought it was going.
"Decided it wasn't for me," the guard said.
"Oh. I'm glad you learned something about yourself," Alex said. That was not what he was expecting him to say.
Alex made his way to the great hall of Asgard, where Odin kept his throne. There was another guard who also let Alex pass, and Alex walked up to Odin as he sat on his throne.
"Sir, Odin, sir. Where will I be staying while I wait for the race to start, sir?" Alex asked.
"You don't have to say sir so many times, Alex. We're acquainted. You'll be staying in the main guest hall, Gasthalla, as you are one our most honored guests. Seeing as you came up with this race in the first place," Odin said.
"For others, we've built magical pavilions that are far larger on the inside than the outside. Some guests will be staying with various gods in the area who have opened their halls. And we've also cleared the Fields of Idavoll for those who wish to camp under the stars."
"Do you mean people who are too poor to stay anywhere else?" Alex said.
"Technically, yes," Odin sighed. "You never beat around the bush I see. You always get directly to the point."
"Well, not always, but I'll admit I do that a lot. You could call it one of my flaws if you'd like, but I prefer to think of it as one of the ways that make me, me," Alex said.
"As is your right," Odin said, with his booming voice. "I hear you're going to map the course before the race. Are you sure that's a wise decision? If the race is supposed to take five days, how do you expect to map it in two?"
"I guess I hadn't considered that," Alex said. "Do you have a library or a hall of maps and lore? Something that will give me an idea of where I'll be going and what I'll be up against without me having to actually go out there?"
"We do, indeed," Odin replied. "Go to the Hall of Knowledge. Within it, you'll find Kvasir's Mead Hall, where wisdom is stored in scrolls and tomes. Next to it lies Mimir's Cartography Chamber, which is filled with maps of the Nine Worlds and beyond."
Odin stroked his beard and narrowed his one eye at Alex. "However, I shall warn you, the knowledge contained within the hall is always changing, much like the worlds themselves. What you learn will indeed be informative and helpful, but you will not know your true journey until you are out there yourself."
"Understood. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity in allowing me to host a game of the gods in your realms and in your kingdom," Alex said, getting down on one knee and bowing his head like he'd seen in so many movies before.
"Rise, Alex. No need for such formalities. This is my kingdom sure, but I see it more as my home. And my home is to be shared with all who are worthy of it. And you, my friend, are most worthy. Most worthy indeed," Odin said, a grin spreading across his face.
Alex rose and stood tall. This was the kind of experience he had always been hoping for, ever since he played his first rpg game.
"Well, then. I shall be off. I shall ask the guard outside how to get to the guest hall, and then it's off to the Hall of Knowledge for me," Alex said.
"Why are you speaking like that? You can use your normal casual speech here, Alex. You don't have to talk like us to be welcome here," Odin said with a mild frown on his face.
"Yes, sir. I mean, totally dude. I mean, you know what I mean." Alex walked out of the Hall and asked the guard how to get to the guest hall.
After he had set down and put away all of his belongings in his room, Alex was off to get some mead at the mead hall. Maybe he should have spent a few years in the time dilation chamber. Then he would be of legal drinking age.
Ah, they probably had non-alcoholic mead, right? Alex headed off towards the Hall of Knowledge. When he arrived at Kvasir's Mead Hall, it was already alive with guests.
Alex went up to get some mead and met Kvasir first hand. He was an interesting looking fellow. He was wearing normal Viking clothes, but his body seemed to literally be made of mead.
"What can I get you, son?" Kvasir said. "We have mead, mead, and mead. Would you like some mead?"
"Do you have non-alcoholic mead?" Alex said.
"Sure, I'll get you some non-alcoholic mead," Kvasir said, as he winked at Alex.
"Why are you winking? Is it non-alcoholic or not?" Alex said.
"Of course it is," Kvasir said, winking again.
"Just tell me its non alcoholic. Without winking." Alex said.
"It's non alcoholic," Kvasir stared straight at Alex.
Alex narrowed his eyes, staring straight at Kvasir.
Kvasir narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow while staring at Alex. And then he winked.
"Alright, here's your mead. Now go have fun and meet some new friends you weeny." Kvasir said.
"Ok," Alex said, grabbing his mug of mead and walking towards the tables to sit.