When the light within the World Bridge had remained the same since Aaron had activated the Bifrost, as when y first entered the Greek Demi gods believed they were still on Alfheim and that they hadn't traveled anywhere. But when Aaron opened the doors to exit the World Bridge they were welcomed by two shadowy figures blocked by the incoming light. It appeared they had someone waiting for them.
As their eyes adjusted to the incoming light, they could see the figures were of two women dressed in White and Golden armor. Both Women were roughly the same size height wise, however one appeared to have a more burly appearance than the other.
"Lady Thrúd." Aaron light bowed his head to the snow blonde on his left while he smirked at the other snow blonde on his right. "Lady Gorilla."
"Snow-Cone." The burly woman replied back to Aaron before she walked over to him and held him up and into a bear hug as Aaron hugged her back.
Bianca tiptoed over to Zoe and whispered to her. "They're both really pretty."
"Dude, she kind of looks like Clarisse... But more girly." Grover whispered to Percy.
"Yeah, I know." Percy replied as Thalia who overheard the duo could only silently nod in agreement.
When the Woman had let go of Aaron he turned to face the group. "Sorry about that." Aaron stated out before he continued. "Allow me to introduce you all to two Captains of the Valkyrie."
Aaron motioned his hand over to his left and spoke. "This is Lady Thrúd. Daughter of Lord Thor and Lady Sif."
Thrúd smiled as she bowed her head to the quest members. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well as to welcome you all to Asgard."
Aaron smirked as he pointed his thumb as the woman on his right. "And the other one's Gunilla. The Demi-God Daughter of Thor."
His comments earned a hard punch to his shoulder from Gunilla. "I missed you too Snow-Cone."
"It's nice to see you as well Mimir." Gunilla stated as she patted Mimir head from Aaron's hip. Mimir drily looked up at Gunilla in response before he smirked.
"It's nice to know that the Valkyries still love me." Mimir's smirk only grow wider before Thrúd spoke up.
"The Allfather is awaiting your presence in the Great Hall. Along with the rest of your group as well." Thrúd softly smiled as she informed the group.
"Then it'll be best if we don't keep the Allfather waiting any longer now." Aaron replied with a smile of his own. "We'll flow your lead."
(Asgard's Great Hall)
As both Thrúd and Gunilla lead the quest members through Asgard, the young Greek Demi-Gods and Hunters were amazing by the Golden city's architecture. Percy, Grover and Thalia meanwhile were chuckling amongst themselves as they passed through.
"Annabeth would sure love it here." Grover stated in awe as he looked up at the Golden towers.
"You kidding me, I'd bet money she'd be asking soo many questions right now." Percy replied with a light chuckle.
"Yeah, I don't think she'd be able to stop herself." Thalia agreed as they came up to the stairs leading to the Great Hall.
The doors were twice the height of them all and needed both Thrúd and Gunilla to open. Once the doors had been opened fully, they were meet with a long corridor.
As they walked down the corridor, Aaron moved directly in front of the quest members. At the end they found a middle aged man and woman sitting upon a Gold and Silver throne.
The grey haired man's arms were shown to be massive as he held a Spear in his right hand. There was a black eye patch over his left eye, while his right eye was a dark blue. His grey beard was perfectly sculpted around his chin.
While were ageing lines present on the woman by his side, her face still held the elegance of a true regal beauty. Her hair was like a fading copper plaited down both shoulders. The tips of her hair had paled to a silvery-white.
While the woman held a soft smile like a grandmother would have over her family, the man scowled like a father who was about to scold a child. As Aaron knelt down and lowered his head, the others behind him had done the same moments after.
"Noble Allfather, Lady Frigg. I have successfully returned from my quest to retrieve Mimir." Aaron stated out as he slightly raised his head and presented Mimir.
"Hello everyone, I'm back from my little holiday." Mimir sounded out to the King and Queen of Asgard with a smirk before one of the Guards collected him and brought him back to Odin's side.
"You have done well Young Master Davidson. Your ranking within Valhalla has only grown higher." Odin exclaimed as he slammed his spear, Gungnir into the ground. His pride was noticeable in the tone of his voice.
Lady Frigg beside smiled warmly as she clapped her hands together. "We will have to honour your success then my Dear."
"I agree." Odin stated as he slammed his spear into the ground. "Thrúd, Gunilla!"
"Yes sir!" The two Captains of the Valkyrie stood at attention.
"Inform the Chefs to prepare for a feast." Odin ordered with a wide smile on his face. "To honour both Aaron's success and to greet our honoured Guests with Asgardian hospitality."
"Meanwhile, please escort our guests and give them a tour of the city while they prepare." Frigg stated with a bright and warm smile.
"Understood Lady Frigg!" Thrúd and Gunilla both shouted out. However before they were able to leave they heard Odin called out to Aaron.
"I would like to speak to you in private Young Master Davidson, over certain events that occurred during your quest." Odin stated as he stood up from his shared throne.
The group watched on with a slight amount of worry as Aaron followed behind Odin. "Don't worry about him." Gunilla spoke out to the group. The others turned their attention over to her, only to find her smiling. "If he did anything wrong, the Allfather would only give him a slap on the wrist."
(Odin & Aaron)
As Odin lead Aaron trough the back rooms of the Great Hall, his mind raced against anything he might have said. Then the memory of the Raven in Bar Harbor hit him. 'Tell the old man that he can piss off.'
Aaron groaned as he slapped his forehead. 'Why did I say something as dangerous as that!?' Aaron thought to himself in his own anger.
"Now then." Odin began as he sighed outward. "I have been informed that you have been entwined into a Greek prophesy?"
While thankful Odin didn't bring up Bar Harbour, Aaron still sighed as he replied. "That's correct Allfather. I seems that I'm destined to die in this quest as well."
Odin rubbed his beard in thought as he sat down on a chair. "And it seems that you are fine with this?"
"To be honest... I'm a little scared about it." Aaron replied as he sat down to the chair that Odin has waved to him. "But I also know that I'm in no place to complain considering nearly every God is fated to die during Ragnarök. "
"That is true my Boy. Fate can be cruel at times to let you know of your own demise." Odin replied as he patted Aaron's shoulder. "Are you planning to inform your Mother of this?"
"That's another part that scares me." Arron stated as he scowled. "I'm fated to enter Helheim when I die. Which mean I won't be able to become an Einherjar in Valhalla."
Odin's lone eye widened at this, it seemed that he wasn't informed of this part of the prophesy. "It would be best if she had some time with you before you pass. Something I wish both me and my Wife had with Baldur. However, since your mother lives out in the Wilderness of Jötunheimr it will take time for her to arrive. At the earliest it would be tomorrow."
"I afraid I might not have much time with her then... But thank you, Noble Allfather." Aaron answered with a small smile, which Odin returned.
"Nonsense my boy. It's the least that I can do." Odin replied as he stood up and began to walk away. "You. Go you to your Journeymen and women. I hope that you shall all enjoy your time here in Asgard."
As Aaron stood up to leave as well he realized that there was more to tell the Allfather. "If I may advise as well Allfather... I believe the Greeks might've been dragged into Ragnarök with us."
"What makes you believe this?" Odin asked as turned to face Aaron.
"During my visit to their training grounds for their children, it was attacked by a Nuckelavee. I believe that if the Titans should win their war over Olympus, then Midgard will fall and Asgard along with the remaining realms will be there next targets." Aaron informed Odin with a scowl on his face.
"While this might be only a thought for the time being, we have no way of confirming your theory as of now... But it is a troubling thought none the less." Odin replied as he rubbed his beard in thought. "I shall bring this up with my council and take the appropriate steps."
"Thank you Allfather. Mimir would be an even greater help to you over this. As he was with the Titan General when I had found him. I wish all the best for Asgard." Aaron lightly bowed to Odin before turning and leaving, missing the worried look on Odin's face.
"If only you would've accepted your grandfather's power a little earlier... Maybe then you might've survived this quest." Odin softly spoke in remorse as he moved towards the residence of one of his council members.
(Later that evening.)
As the feast was in full swing, Aaron smirked as he looked at the smiling faces of the young Greek Demi-gods. Taking a step outside to catch his breath, Zoe followed after him. Knowing that she was behind him, he called out to her. "Sorry our time in Asgard is taking longer than expected. The Allfather discovered that I'm due to die in this quest and wanted to give me good old send off."
"I suppose my Lady would've done the same for me as well." Zoe replied as the two watched the night skies of Asgard in silence.
But that silence was broken by Aaron after a minute. "I'll be asking Heimdallr to create two portals tomorrow." Zoe looked up in shock but Aaron wasn't finished. "We'll be arriving directly into Mount Othrys tomorrow morning. It'll be a battlefield I'm not comfortable sending children into... Only the two of us will be going there. The rest will be returning to Camp Half-Blood."
"You always seem to put the lives of Children above your own. I must admit while admirable, it's rather annoying." Zoe replied as she looked away from Aaron.
"Then I suppose we can put that down to being a Demi-god that's just gotten too old then. I don't know about you Greeks, but Norse kids often have a short life spans. I've been lucky at times myself on my own quests." Aaron responded with a sigh as he looked over at Zoe. "Would you like a drink?"
"What?" Zoe asked in shock.
"I might not know how long you've been apart of Artemis' Hunters, But I know you're older than 18. That means you're well above the drinking age limit. I'm planning on getting pissed, wanna join in the fun?" Aaron asked with a smirk as Zoe narrowed her eyes at him.
"I don't drink." Zoe replied as she glared at Aaron. "That and I don't trust your intentions." Zoe's other reason caused Aaron to looked at her owlishly for a moment before he started laughing as he walked away.
"I have nothing like that in mind I assure you. But suit yourself then." Aaron lightly laugh as he waved off Zoe's glare.
(Asgard's Dining Hall)
When Aaron arrived inside the Dining Hall he could see the Party was in full swing. From the corner of his eyes he could see the young Greek Demi-gods talking to both Thrúd and Gunilla. But when he was about to make his way over towards them, he bumped into someone by accident.
"Sorry about that." Aaron called out in apology but could only lightly scowl when he looked down at who he had bumped into.
"Well, well, well... If it isn't the snow fairy himself." The dwarf Brok drawled out with a smug tone. "Are you finally gonna challenge me!"
"Brok. Let it go." Brok's brother Sindri groaned on annoyance. "Worry about your drinking contest later. We're celebrating the kid bringing Mimir back to Asgard."
"Ah that old Head's always stuck in the clouds. I'd be surprised if he knew he was even kidnapped." Brok waved off his brother's concerns before slamming two jugs of mead on the table beside him.
"The kid's not gonna accept." Sindri once more attempted to be voice of reason but was cut short by Aaron who had slammed a fist on the same table.
"Bring it on ya midget!" Aaron replied with a smirk that Brok equally matched.
"That's the spirit!" Brok eagerly replied as the sat down and squared off against one another.
The first dozen mugs were nothing to both competitors as Zoe rolled her eyes as she had entered the hall and quickly joined the others, not wanting anything to do with the drinking contest.
"Are you alright?" Thrúd softly asked Zoe as the Hunter of Artemis sat beside Thor's daughter.
"I'm fine." Zoe quickly lied but this only caused Thrúd to frown at her.
"You have no need to lie. I can tell that you're worried. My mother used to have the same face when I was a child."
Sighing lightly in defeat Zoe knew she had been found out and replied her honest feelings. "I worry for Lady Artemis. The longer I stay here... I'm scared for her and for what my Sisters will think of me for even being here."
Thrúd silently nodded her head in understanding. "Has Aaron told you of his plans for tomorrow? With Heimdallr?" The Valkyrie softly asked.
"Yes, he told me before he arrived inside the hall. I needed a few minutes to accept it."
"Then I promise you that you'll have nothing to worry about." Thrúd replied back with such confidence that it had caught Zoe off guard. "Your battle tomorrow is something that me and my sisters will be watching... You may not know of our customs or of how we view Battles and Wars. But this will be Aaron's final stand. And my very soul is telling me he will not go silently. He'll ensure your victory is battle."
Upon hearing Thrúd's words, Zoe once more feel into silence. However it was quickly broken as Gunilla lightly nudged her shoulder. "Hey, watch this!" Gunilla smirked as she threw and bottle at the back off Aaron's head. The bottle instantly shattered as the Hall fell into a deathly silence.
As Aaron turned around he could see the stunned looks of the Einherjar as Asgardians behind him before he grabbed a hold of Brok's collar and smirked.
"Don't even fuckin think about it!" Brok cried out in a panic before. "Ya little Bastard!" Aaron had thrown him across the room and into a huge Einherjar forcing him to crash back onto the table behind him.
"BRAWL!" Another Einherjar excitedly cried out before throwing himself into one of his brethren nearby and thus starting a mass brawl that erupted throughout the dining hall.
Thrúd and Gunilla were quick to cover and protect Zoe along with the Other Greek Demi-Gods while the latter laughed at the scene in front of her as tables, chairs, mugs, horns and bodies were sent flying through the air.
For nearly twenty minutes the brawl had lasted and it was showing on signs of stopping anytime soon. By the edge of the hall Grover and Bianca were the two who seemed to be the one most scared of what was happening while Percy, Thalia and Gunilla wanted to join in. Thrúd and Zoe had both rolled their eyes at the brawl as it's intensity had slowed down slightly.
"I'M KING OF THE CASTLE! HAHAHA!" Aaron exclaimed out as he proudly stood over 15 fallen and passed out Einherjar and Asgardians but when the Hall doors opened the room fell into silence as the Allfather's gaze fell upon them.
Those few seconds of silence felt like minutes as everyone took in a deep breath, expecting the Allfather's anger to be unleashed upon them. But as the moments passed they could hear a low chuckle before the Odin had burst out into laughter,
"Carry on." Not arguing with the Allfather's wishes Brok and Sindri were the first to recover as they both jumped onto Aaron knocking him over and reigniting the brawl in the process.
(A few hours later)
"You're too damn heavy!" Thalia grunted as both she and Zoe dragged a passed out Aaron to his guest room with Asgard's Castle.
"For once I agree with you Grace." Zoe also grunted while Gunilla loudly laughed as she lead them through the halls.
"I haven't seen Snow-cone drink like that in years. He rarely let's his hair down." Gunilla stated as she picked up Aaron from the girl's grasp and picked him up with little ease and rested him on her shoulder. "But you are right... Guess he has gained a few pounds."
Aaron meanwhile was oblivious to all of this as he snored loudly. "Who you calling fat?.." Aaron groaned out awkwardly as the trio of girls either held back their laughter or in Gunilla's case burst out laughing.
"You still have your wits about then I see." Gunilla stated as she threw Aaron up and down on her shoulder.
"Please don't... I don't wanna be sick." Aaron weakly replied as he held back his stomach.
"Maybe you should've thought about your consequences before you started that drinking contest followed by a mass brawl." Zoe replied with a glare and a raised eyebrow as if to challenge Gunilla but the Captain of the Valkyrie simply laughed louder in response.
"I aint being out drunk by a fuckin Dwarf. Fucking hairy little bastards." Arron lifted his head slightly as he looked at Zoe briefly before looking back down just as quickly. "Besides no one got hurt. Tis was fun!"
As they left Aaron on his bed, they turned to leave when they heard him call out to them. "I saw you in my vision on Alfheim."
The three of them looked back at the dazed Aaron who continued to look up at the ceiling. "I understand why you hate men so much... If I were in your shoes, I probably think... I'd feel the same way."
Upon hearing his last words, Zoe moved forward and pushed both Thalia and Gunilla out of the room before closing the doors to Aaron's room. "What did that light of Alfheim show you?"
"Yeah... I was shown the before and after, when he never returned... I'm sorry." Aaron weakly replied as he looked away from Zoe in shame.
"It was over three and a half thousand years ago... It wasn't long after I had left the Garden when I had run into Lady Artemis." Zoe stated as she sat down on Aaron's bed. "While the fate had cursed me that day, I am grateful that they had also blessed me so soon after as well."
"Zoe..." Hearing Arron softly speak out her name, Zoe looked over and seen the determined look on Aaron's face. "Ég sver við orð mín. Ef ég hitti hann. Ég skal drepa hann."
Zoe was stunned into silence by Aaron's words. And while she did not know what he said, she somehow felt that he would follow through and believed his words. "Thank you..." Zoe softly replied as she stood up.
But Aaron's next request brought her to the brink of utter rage. "Please stay the night with me." Quickly turning her neck to glare at Aaron, Zoe stopped herself when she had witnessed the complete change in his facial expression.
When just moments before, he had held such a determined look. To show one of utter fear and weakness. Almost as if he was a different man. "I don't want to be alone before I die... I don't even want to die."
Zoe then realized the true meaning behind his words. He wasn't looking for a lover but simply someone to keep him company. " Our clothes stay on." Zoe softly spoke as she lied down beside him.
Once she had done so, the light in the room had dimmed out. As she felt Aaron's arms wrap around her, she couldn't help but feel the warmth of his body on her back. And in that moment, she felt safe. "Thank you."
Those simple two words caught Zoe off guard. Because she knew deep down that Aaron had meant them.