As light of the Bifrost blinded the group of Demi Gods, waves of different colors dazzled their vision. Even though they had their eyes covered for several seconds they remained blinded until the light had suddenly faded. "We're here." Aaron called out to the group as they each opened their eyes.
The first thing they noticed was that the room had almost remained the exact same the same, with two exceptions. The first was the natural light that filling the room instead of the darkness before. And secondly was the roots and branches of Yggdrasil that wrapped around the well were no longer a sickly white. But was now copper in color as it's branches held golden leaves that gently blew in the soft breeze inside the hall.
"There's light in here!?" Percy stated out in confusion.
"Yeah, Alfheim's World Bridge isn't trapped inside of a mountain." Aaron replied as he walked over towards the room's only door.
"Cool! Even the tree's different in this world! Wait. There's even a door here!" Grover also shouted out in excitement. Meanwhile Thalia, Bianca, Zoe and Aaron each looked at the duo with a quizzical look.
"Boys." Zoe groaned out as she rolled her eyes.
Aaron ignored the duo as he opened the doors. The sudden burst of extra light blinded the room as they each covered their eyes. "Welcome to Alfheim." Aaron's voice called out to the group. As they each opened their eyes, they were meet with a sight of wonder.
In the Horizon there tall tower from which a pillar of light burst upwards into the atmosphere. Around the building there was a large lake which acted as a perfect mirror to the sky above. The lake appeared to have surrounded the structure whole.
Surrounding the lake there was a forest of tree filled with rose pink and sky blue flowers. A soft breeze caused a few petals to fall and slowly drop into the lake. However as it made contact with the water there was no ripple.
However there was another feature that shocked everyone. It appeared that the islands around were floating in the air.
"Right there." Aaron stated out, getting everyone's attention as he pointed towards the large tower. "That is our destination. The Temple of Light."
"Is that were you'll refill your Forsty key?" Thalia asked to which Aaron nodded in response.
"The Bifrost Key, yes. It's only a short boat ride from here." Aaron replied as he exited the room.
"What's up with the islands?" Percy asked.
"Yeah, the Nature in this world in incredible... It's like nothing I've ever felt before. I'm guessing it's the world itself that's keeping those Island floating in the air or something?" Grover asked as well. The others were thinking the same thing but didn't voice them.
"Oh, that's right you down know." Mimir stated. "Alfheim and Muspelheim are Worlds that are both encased within themselves."
The others were left confused to Mimir's explanation until Aaron answered there unanswered question. "It means we're in the inside of a ball."
Aaron watched on as he seen their eyes widen in shock. "Apart from Midgard, the other Realms are different but they act in pairs. Like Mimir said, Alfheim and Muspelheim are encased worlds."
"Nidavellir and Vanaheim are both Ringed worlds."
"Helheim and Niflheim are both Fractured worlds."
"And finally Asgard and my home of Jotunheim are Disk shaped worlds."
With Aaron's explanation, the others were able to have a better understanding of the different worlds of the Nine Realms. "So... Asgard is a flat Earth then?" Percy asked with a smirk.
Aaron looked at Percy as if he had grown a second head before realizing the meaning of his words and burst out laughing. "I suppose it is, haha. I never thought of it that way."
However as he done so two Light Elves appeared before him and aimed their spears towards him and the rest of the group. Aaron stopped laughing as he raised his hands in surrender, the other also done the same.
"Ange din anledning till att vara här!" One of the Guards ordered out towards Aaron.
"No body make any sudden movements." Aaron stated out to the group as slowly moved his hand into his jacket and presented his Bifrost key. "Mimir, can you translate for me?"
"Will do Brother." Mimir replied as Aaron spoke out to the Light Elf Guards.
"My name is Aaron, I'm the Son of Skadi." "Jag heter Aaron, jag är Son till Skadi." Aaron/Mimir spoke to the guards.
"I'm here to refill my key to the Bifrost." "Jag är här för att fylla på min nyckel till Bifrost."
"Och de andra resenärerna?" The other Guard asked as he keep his spear aimed at Aaron.
"They are guests to the Allfather." "De är gäster för Allfather."
The two guards seemed to speak softly amongst the two of them before they lowered their weapons. "Okej då."
"Vi kommer hålla koll på dig." And with that, the Guards both flew off as if they were never there.
"Why did you need Mimir to translate if you could understand what they were saying to you?" Zoe asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Knowing and speaking the language are two different things." Aaron replied as the group made their way down towards the docks. "And there's not many Elves who are willing to teach a Demi-God their native tongue or understand English."
As the group came closer towards the Dock, they noticed that there was a raft with a floorboard held together with two pontoons. "This should do." Aaron stated as he got onto the boat.
"All aboard." Aaron called out to the group as Percy was the first to jump on the raft.
"Can I row?" Percy asked, his excitement was clear on his face.
"I think I'll row. That way you can enjoy the view along with the rest of the party." Aaron replied with a light chuckle as the other boarded.
Before he grabbed the oar to begin, Aaron handed over Mimir's head to Bianca. "Keep an eye on him for me."
As Aaron began to row the raft towards the Tower he seen a group of 4 Light Elves fly overhead. He watched them enter the temple as in the corner of his eye he watched on silently as Percy dropped his left hand into the lake to feel the water.
After only a brief moment, The color in Percy's face drained as he snapped his hand out of the water. Thalia and Grover both moved over to him with concern as Percy spoke out.
(God of War OST: Ashes)
"The water's so much different here." Percy stated as he touched his finger that had been in the lake. "There's so much anger, pain and." Percy paused himself and he tried to find the right word.
"Sorrow? Mourning?" Mimir asked from Bianca's lap.
"Yeah." Percy softly answered.
"There's a reason for that." Mimir responded. "Shall I tell the story brother? Or do you want to give it a go?"
"I'd rather let you tell the story Mimir." Aaron responded to Mimir's question as he kept rowing. "Besides, you're the better story teller between the two of us. I'll just fill in the gaps."
"Right then." Mimir coughed as he prepared to tell his tale "The creation and name of this lake is the reason for those emotions you had just felt. When your hand touched the water you felt a great deal of pain and suffering that had formed this lake. But to really understand you must know of Alfheim's History."
"Right where we're sitting was the location known as the bloodiest and most vicious battle ever fought in the history of the Nine Realms. The Great Elven War!"
"It was roughly 4000 years ago, during the War between the Light and the Dark Elves this lake was first formed. Well, it wasn't really a War per se. But, by the end of the Battle everyone involved had lost their will to keep fighting."
"What were they fighting for?" Bianca asked.
"Well, they fought over control over Alfheim's light." Mimir answered which confused the group, except Aaron. "You see, Alfheim's light is an incredibly powerful source of energy. It's power is what connects the Nine Realms together, as it give life to Yggdrasil itself. In theory, whoever controls the light of Alfheim, controls the fate of Yggdrasil and all of the Nine Realms."
"And so the battle between the Light and Dark elves lasted continuously for ten years. And with the combined death toll of 200 Million. The population of both sides have since never been fully able to recover to what they were before." Mimir stated in a somber tone.
"So the lake is named after the battle? Was this lake filled with the blood of those fallen Elves?" Percy asked.
"No my lad. The lake is called the Lake of Tears. It's said that when the battle had finally ended and the bodies had been burnt and sent to the afterlife, that the Mothers, Sons, Daughters and Wives of the fallen wept for ten days with out stopping." Mimir answered. "Since your father is a God of the Sea, you were able to feel those same emotions that filled this lake all those years ago."
"How could they have fought so so long?" Thalia asked bringing Mimir's attention. "You said they fought for ten years straight? Wouldn't they need to rest during the night?"
Thalia's question brought a chuckle from Aaron who answered her question. "That's because of there is no night on Alfheim. The Light in the center of this World feeds this world and prevents it from happening. Those rays of light feed everything in this Realm. You will never feel tired nor hungry in this world. It's why Alfhiem is also called the Realm that never sleeps nor eats."
"When the Light Elves are in control, the Light is as bright as the midday sun. But when the Dark Elves are in control of Alfheim's light, it's a lot dimmer. Almost as if the world is trapped in an never ending Twilight." Aaron continued explaining.
"I've never seen it myself, but from the stories from what Mimir and my Mother have told me it's kind of difficult to accurately describe. Mom describes it as a breathtaking sight. She said that the colors in the sky dance around the light and match those of an Aurora." Aaron finished as he slowed down his rowing as they became closer to the tower within the lake.
"I have one question." Zoe stated out. "What do you mean by when they are in control? I thought you said their War was over?"
"Oh, I can explain that Lass." Mimir stated out in excitement. "It was all thanks to the sheer brilliance of Tyr's compromise."
"Tyr's compromise?" Zoe asked with a raised eyebrow as the others did the same.
"Yes, you see. Tyr, after the War had ended created a compromise between the two groups. Every two hundred years, control over Alfheim's light would transfer between the Light and Dark Elves." Mimir answered.
"What if they refuse to had that power over?" Grover asked as he raised his hand.
"Well then both parties would be destroyed." Aaron answered on Mimir's behalf. "He used to tell the story as a kid. But there was another reason behind sharing control."
"And what was that?" Bianca asked.
"It was to prevent both from using Alfheim's light against the other. Thus creating an everlasting piece in this World. Because now, one cannot live without the other." Aaron replied with a smirk.
(OST End)
"Looks like we're here." Zoe stated as she looked towards the Tower's dock.
As they got off the raft the doors of the tower opened as what appeared to be an Elf Priest walked towards Aaron. "Följ mig."
Aaron nodded towards the priest as he turned and walked into the temple. "What he say?" Thalia asked.
"Follow me." Aaron replied as the group entered the tower. The interior of the tower was open planned with a large single staircase leading towards a platform directly in front of the pillar of light.
As the walked onto the platform the priest turned once more to face Aaron. "Gå in i ljuset"
Taking a deep breath Aaron held a tight grip over the Bifrost key. "Good luck Brother."
"Thanks Mimir. Keep an eye out for the others for me." Aaron replied as he walked towards the Light. "I'll be as quick as I can."
'Why does he seem nervous?' Zoe thought to herself as she watched Aaron's back.
The quest members watched on as Aaron calmly walked into the light. "This will be the longest part of our time in Alfheim." Mimir stated from Bianca's arms.
"Why's that?" The young Huntress asked.
"The light will be showing him a vision while he's inside. But time flows differently once you're trapped inside of the Light." Mimir answered as he too nervously watched Aaron.
"What do you mean?" Thalia asked as Zoe's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
"Every minute inside the light is an hour on the outside." Mimir answered before he continued.
"What do you mean by vision?" Zoe asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The Light will give him a vision while the Bifrost key is recharging. Not even I know why the Light does this, as that knowledge is beyond the Nine Realms and thus outside of my wisdom." Mimir answered. "This might take a while kids. Best get some rest."
(Aaron - Within the Light)
As the light that blinded Aaron faded away, he opened his eyes to find that he was standing in a grey void. "I always hate these visions." Aaron groaned out as a thick layer of smoke covered his vision.
As Aaron waved his hands in front of him, the smoke faded slightly. Parts of the smoke began to form the outline of two figures directly in front of him. Their faces had yet to fully form so he wasn't able to get a clear look of their appearance. But he could easily tell the taller figure was that of a man, aged between his early to mid twenties while the other appeared to be a teenage girl.
He could see that their lips were moving but there was no sound. As the smoke a cleaner picture he attempted to read there lips but was unable to understand what they were saying to one another. And so he continued to watch two interact with one another.
To Aaron it seemed as if the pair were a young couple in love with one another, as he could see the man playfully brush the girl's hair as she blushed back in response to his actions. As the smoke began to venture outwards, the Vision showed Aaron that the pair of lovers were standing within a lush and flower filled Garden.
Aaron watched as the Girl appeared to pull a pin from the back of her hair. Softly she placed the pin in the Man's hands, gently closing them. The watched as the man opened his hands and with his right hand, held the pin between his finger and his thumb.
Suddenly the pin transformed into a sword that Aaron swore he had seen before. Now with the vison becoming much clearer, Aaron was now able to see the man's face. His black hair and blue eyes pierced through the smoke.
The girl's face still wasn't clear as Aaron watched her lean upwards and gently kiss the man's cheek. All before he had turned and left her alone standing in the Garden. Aaron waited to be shown something else, but the smoke became thicker once more and shrouded and then swallow the vision it had just shown him.
(Outside of the Light)
It had been two and a half hours since Aaron had disappeared in the light, and with each passing second Zoe was slowly losing her patience. "Head." Zoe called out to Mimir.
"Yes Sister? How can I help?" Mimir asked.
"I need you to give me an answer for something." Zoe replied as he pulled up his head from Bianca's lap.
"Oh, so you seek my council?" Mimir asked to which Zoe nodded in response. "Of course I'll happily listen to any question you may have. However, I must warn you. There might be a price for the knowledge that you seek."
"So tell me. What is it you wish to know?" Mimir asked. In response Zoe whispered her question into Mimir's ear.
The Campers watched on as Mimir's eyes widened. "No. The answer to your question is far too Dangerous. I fear the knowledge you seek would be too much if known!" Mimir snapped in response. He didn't sound angry but shocked instead.
"Please. I need to know. It's been on my mind since Davidson mentioned it yesterday." Zoe stated as Mimir closed his eyes and sighed.
"What did he say yesterday?" Grover quietly asked Percy who shrugged back in response.
Mimir though remained silent as he studied The Huntress in front of him. "Very well... I shall trust you this one time. However I will not answer your question in front of others. And if you ever dare tell another soul, I will curse your very existence. do you understand?" Mimir asked as Zoe silent nodded in agreement.
This quickly prompted Thalia to stand up in anger. "Why her? Why can't you tell all of us?" Thalia asked as sparks of lighting arc'd around her arms.
"The knowledge she seeks is not meant to be known by mortals. And the less here who know, the safer you will all be." Mimir answered in attempt to quell the Daughter of Zeus' anger.
It seemed to do the trick as Zoe lead Mimir away from the group. "You're playing a dangerous game child. If others knew of this weakness."
"It not the weakness I'm after. I just wish to know how it happened." Zoe stated as she cut off Mimir.
Mimir sighed as he looked up at the Huntress. "Are you familiar with Hera's Golden Apples?"
Zoe's eyes widened in shock and fear and she nodded in response, unable to trust her voice. "The Aesir have something similar but different at the same time. While Hera's Apples grant immortality, Iðunn's Apples must be eaten every century to maintain immortality."
"Several years before Aaron was born, his mother Skaði was tricked into killing her father Thjazi who had transformed himself into an Eagle. After this event she had lost her will to live because of her actions that day. So when it was her time to eat one of Iðunn's Apple... She refused and thus became Mortal."
Zoe remained silent in shock as Mimir continued. "At the time of Aaron conception, she had been Mortal for seven years. Her powers had greatly weakened during that time... And I don't believe that I would need to tell you any more than that. I think you can figure out the rest."
"What happened to Davidson's father?" Zoe asked softly as began to understand.
"He was destroyed, not killed, but destroyed. And by the hands of his own Father." Mimir answered with a grave tone to his voice. "Now swear to me child that this knowledge will never pass your lips until the end of time itself!"
"I understand, and I swear on the River Styx that the knowledge I heard will never be passed on to another soul." Zoe stated to Mimir but no roar of thunder was heard.
"Hmmm... Guess that only happens on Midgard."
(Aaron - Within the Light)
With the collapse and end of his vision, Aaron was expecting to be expelled from Alfhiem's light in a matter of seconds. That was until he hear a voice called out through his smoke filled view. "He never came back." As Aaron looked around to find the source of the voice, he thought that it had sounded familiar to him.
It didn't take him long to realize who had owned the voice from the vision. "Zoe?" Aaron asked out loud as the girl from his vision moments before appeared in front of him.
When Zoe had appeared in front of him, he could see that she was on her knees crying her heart out. Even though deep down he knew this was a vision, seeing someone he knew cry like that in front of him, Aaron's body instinctively moved forward to offer support.
But as he moved closer to his vision of Zoe, the vision itself expanded showing Zoe being surrounded by four other teenage girls who appeared to be around the same age. "Traitor!" One of the girls cried out as she kicked Zoe's back with as much force as she could.
The impact had forced Zoe forward as she fell face first into the grass. However the other girls didn't stop attacking her. "Why would you betray us like this!?" Another girl shouted as Aaron now ran towards the vision.
However as was about to protect Zoe the vision faded into smoke, only to reappear behind him. The girls continued to kick the downed Zoe but stopped when she weakly cried out. "He said he loved me."
"Then you were a fool to believe his lies! He's just like his Father!" The shortest of the four girls growled out, as she pulled Zoe's hair before throwing her to the ground.
"Leave. And never return." The first girl who had spoken out and kicked Zoe ordered out to her.
They then watched on as Zoe struggled to stand up on her own two feet. Aaron watched on as Zoe gingerly walked out of the Garden, he body moving towards her. But when the smoke had clear and the vision had suddenly ended, a bright light over took his sight as his body felt a sensation of falling.
(Outside of the Light)
As Aaron's body dropped out of backwards from the light, the others who had been waiting for him rushed over towards him. By the time he had come back, he had been gone for 4 hours. "Give him some space to breath." Mimir stated out as he was being held within Zoe's arms.
As Aaron slowly sat upright, he groaned out in pain as his forehead began to throb in pain. Holding on to it as slowly stood up, Aaron was still trying to interate the vision that was given to him. 'Why did the Light show me this?.. Was that the past?' Aaron thought to himself as he was snapped back to reality when Percy had tapped his arm.
"You okay? You seem a bit out of it?" Percy asked with a bit of concern in his voice.
"Yeah I'm it just... I'm trying to understand the vision and it's meaning... Maybe? I don't even know." Aaron groaned out as he smiled in an attempt to ease the worry on the younger Demi-gods.
"Yeah, Mimir said that you would seeing a vision when you were in the Light." Percy replied with a light chuckle as Zoe handed Mimir back over to Aaron.
"Did you see anything that would help us in our Quest?" Zoe asked with a small amount of Hope in her voice.
Aaron looked up at Zoe and he now understood that his vision was of the past, and it was Zoe before Artemis. 'So that why Artemis means soo much to her. she helped her in her darkest hour.'
and with a shake of his head Aaron replied. "Sorry Zoe, but it was more of a Personal vison rather than one to assist in a Quest."