"Mal, what do you want to do when we finally get out of this shit hole?" I looked to Lars who was sharpening his spear.
"What do you mean?"
"You know, when we finally meet the big bad and kill him? I want to go back home to my world. Living in the age we're at right now sucks when it comes to food." Lars recalled, "I miss the days when my mother used to make us pizza."
"Pizza? Oh that thing you keep on talking about." I chuckled at him, "The only thing that comes to your mind is food doesn't it."
"What else can a man enjoy aside from that? If only I learned how to cook I could make use of all the recipes my mother made me bring before going to college, only to end up here in the battlefield." Cursing he smashed his hand on the ground, "I don't even think I could make it out alive with how strong the bastards have been getting."
"Don't say that, we've been gathering our own forces to fight in this war." I told him, "My family's been trying to find recruits all over to fight."
"It doesn't matter how many they try to find, no matter how many otherworlders you try to summon or get dragged into here by accident." Lars said, "Not when the enemy can just make soldiers in thin air. Your family's been fighting this war for 5 generations now, not to mention the other families that fell before. The physical barrier that protects your world is strong and has a vast supply of lifeforce, but it can't do anything to the might of magic."
"That's true, but I heard that my father found a way to finally end this once and for all." I revealed, "We just have to live a little longer, maybe you and the otherworlders that survive could finally go back home."
I tried to look up to meet his face but I couldn't. It was like my head was held in place, I struggled, but the weight that sat on my shoulders were too much. Soon, I smelled a hint of iron, then thick blood began to spill bellow my feet.
"Son," I heard my father's voice, "We have fought here for many generations, living for so long with the sole purpose of protecting the world from the grasps of the evil from beyond. The gods gave us a fighting chance just before their demise, but. For so long the barrier has weakened, to keep us all safe a sacrifice must be made." His voice quietened down, I could sense a deep sorrow in his tone. "I must leave you with a burden to carry the rest of your life, I'm sorry."
--
I jolted awake, a chill from the back of my neck crept into my head. My arms shook in and an ache began to form inside my skull.
"Fuck," I cursed, I barely slept for a good part of a year. Just to avoid the memories from flooding back again. I guess it was too much to ask for.
I lifted myself up, feeling soft fur touch my hand. I found that I wasn't at the Mead Hall anymore, I never drank so much like that before my body truly isn't use to such a lifestyle. The door opened and I saw a figure walk in. Not a single being in the world was enough to prepare me for the angel that had walked in, it might've been the alcohol in my system still. I've never felt like this before in my life.
"Ah, your finally up." The angel looked at me with amusement. Seeing her eyes I finally realized who it was.
"Valkyr?" I stared in disbelief.
"What's wrong? It's like you've seen a ghost or something," She frowned at my expression.
"Well, I just never expected to see a beautiful woman beneath the mask. I assumed it would be a rough lady." I honestly said.
"Quit the compliments, I've brought some breakfast, eat it while it's still hot." She handed me a bowl of hot fish soup. "I have patrol today, so if you need any help find Gobber. He's usually at the forge just to the left of the square."
"Thank you," I ate from the bowl, "I'll get out of your hair once I finish getting over the hangover."
"Another thing," She handed me a mug of a red liquid, "this should help you with that, you were quite drunk last night I suggest you don't move around too fast." She promptly left after completing her task.
I sat around for a little longer, letting my eyes wander around the house. There really wasn't much to see, but the amount of weapons neatly organized was quite something. Not even my uncle had this kind of weapon arrangement, I guess she really is a warrior after all. Cleaning up after myself, I gather my things and made my way out.
Since I was at the Hofferson land, that meant that my lot wasn't too far off. I guess I'll have to start building my place if I want to have anything to call my home. I greeted most of the villagers as I passed by, for some reason they were quite talkative about last night. Apparently I had beaten a few people at wrestling, raising my reputation among the people more.
Making it back to my land, I saw that my stuff was still comfortably sitting on the grass. I began my survey of the land to begin planning the build of my home. To be honest this was one of my dreams, I think, to build a home and live a life free from war. Discarding thoughts of the past, I continued, drawing my plans on the open dirt.
First of all, I wanted a large kitchen, where I could learn how to cook. Lars left me with a sizable cook book that his mother left for him. So I might as well begin with that, next a training ground. So I could still train with the weapons that I brought along with me. I may not have plans on fighting anyone to the death, but I don't want my skill to become dull in the event that I need it.
After drafting out my plans I went ahead to look for Gobber, he was the town's blacksmith, so he might know where I could get the resources to build my home.
"Well, looks like last night's champion finally woke from his slumber." Gobber called to me as I made my way inside the forge. "I gotta hand it to you, you're stronger than you look."
"I still can't remember what happened last night." I told him.
"Well that's good," Gobber said, "We you're better off not knowing anyway. Just know you were quite popular." He laughed.
"Damn," I had a bad feeling about that sentence. "Anyway, I'm here for a little help."
"What is it? Anything you need I can get for you right here." He proudly said.
"A house?"
"Well, maybe not everything. What are you looking for?" He asked.
"Well, I made my plans already," I handed him a paper version of the plan.
"This is paper?" Gobber said in astonishment, "I've heard about this from Johann before, but I've never seen it in person. It's a lot more prone to ripping compared to sheepskin though," He analyzed the paper. "Well, as for your plans, are you planning to have a big family or something? This uses up most of the land you have." He exclaimed.
"Well, not really, I wanted to make use of what I had."
"Well then, something like this might take some time to build. I suggest we start with your quarters first so you can have somewhere to sleep. I'll stop by later and bring some of the others to help construct it for you." His eyes suddenly lit up after looking through the plans again. "I noticed you have a forge planned out here, do you know how to forge?"
"I've learnt under someone for a while, so I can make most things." I asked, "Why?"
"Well, this is great. No one else in this village really knows how to forge other than me. I you can help me in the forge for a while then we can consider your payment done. How bout it?" He raised his hooked finger to make a deal.
"Sounds good to me," I shook, "I've got nothing much to do anyway."
"Perfect, it looks like we got ourselves a deal." Gobber happily said, "Come by next morning, I'll let you know the ins and outs, maybe give you some hints on how to get the ladies." He winked. "Other than that, I'll stop by your place, you can go do whatever until then."
"I guess I'll go explore the place."