"Welcome," she said with a tired smile. "I apologize for the mess. We're trying to make it home again."

Nikolaus nodded, his heart heavy with empathy. "Thank you for having me. I appreciate your hospitality, especially in such difficult times."

The elder gestured for Nikolaus to sit at the worn wooden table. "Please, make yourself comfortable. We can talk here."

As they sat down, Nikolaus asked the question that had been weighing on his mind. "Is there a safe place for you and the villagers to go? Somewhere away from the corruption?"

The elder shook his head sadly. "No, there isn't. The corruption has spread far and wide, and no place is truly safe anymore. The dark stones, the opals, they appeared suddenly and began corrupting everything they touched. Our once peaceful realm is now a battleground."

Nikolaus felt a surge of frustration and determination. "I need to stop this corruption. If I can find the source and destroy it, perhaps we can reclaim your home and restore peace."

The elder nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and despair. "We would be forever in your debt if you could achieve that. But the journey will be perilous. The source of the corruption is well-guarded, and many have tried and failed to reach it."

Just then, the elder's wife brought over a tray with some simple food and water. "Here, you must be hungry. It's not much, but it's all we have."

Nikolaus accepted the food gratefully. "Thank you. Every bit helps."

As he ate, the elder continued to speak, sharing what little he knew about the dark stones. "The stones seemed to come from the heart of Muspelheim, from the deepest and most treacherous regions. They appeared around the same time the attacks began. We've heard rumors of a powerful being that controls the stones, but no one has seen it and lived to tell the tale."

Nikolaus listened intently, absorbing every detail. "I will find this being and put an end to its reign of terror. But I can't do it alone. I will need your help and the help of anyone willing to stand against this darkness."

The elder's wife paused in her cleaning and looked at Nikolaus with a determined expression. "You have our support. We may not be warriors, but we can aid you in other ways. We know this land, its secrets and its dangers."

Nikolaus felt a renewed sense of purpose. "Together, we will fight this corruption. We will reclaim Muspelheim and restore it to its former glory."

The elder placed a hand on Nikolaus's shoulder. "Thank you. You bring us hope in our darkest hour."

As they continued to discuss their plans, Nikolaus couldn't help but feel a deep connection to these people and their plight. He was not just fighting for his own realm anymore; he was fighting for all those who had been touched by the corruption. The battle ahead would be difficult, but with the support of the villagers and his allies, he knew they stood a chance.

And so, with newfound determination, Nikolaus prepared to continue his journey through Muspelheim, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead and determined to put an end to the corruption once and for all.

As the night drew closer, Nikolaus sat with the elder and his wife, the firelight casting flickering shadows on the walls of the old house. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.

"What about the ruler of this realm? Where is he during this time of need?"

The elder and his wife exchanged sorrowful glances. The elder sighed deeply before answering. "Since the corruption began, no one has seen or heard from him. It’s as if he vanished without a trace. We fear the worst."

Nikolaus nodded, understanding the weight of their words. "I see. Thank you for sharing that with me."

As their conversation wound down, the elder offered, "You are welcome to stay the night. It's the least we can do."

The elder’s wife guided Nikolaus to a small room with a thatched roof that had miraculously remained intact despite the chaos. "This is the only room with a roof," she said softly, gesturing to the straw bed. "Rest well, Nikolaus."

"Thank you," Nikolaus replied, grateful for their hospitality.

He lay down on the straw bed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was filled with thoughts of the day's events and the lives already destroyed by the corruption. He wondered how much more suffering would come before the end. As his eyes grew heavy, he expected to dream once more of the dragon Níðhöggr.

Instead, his dream was different. He found himself standing before the great hall of Hel, the doors open and inviting. He stepped inside, the grand hall silent and serene. Hel sat on her throne, her eyes closed, a single tear falling down her pale cheek.

Nikolaus approached her quietly, his heart aching at the sight of her sorrow. He leaned in close and whispered, "If your kiss can bring me peace, maybe a kiss from someone who wishes to serve you will bring you peace."

With that, Nikolaus gently kissed Hel. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at him with a mixture of surprise and affection. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tender embrace, and kissed him back. As their lips parted, she whispered, "Thank you, Nikolaus."

In a voice too soft for him to hear, she added, "I made the right decision to love you."

Before Nikolaus could ask her what she had said, he woke up. He lay still for a moment, the memory of the dream lingering in his mind. The warmth of Hel's embrace and the soft whisper of her words filled him with a sense of peace and determination.

He sat up, the first light of dawn filtering through the cracks in the roof. Today, he would continue his quest to find the source of the corruption and put an end to the suffering it caused. But now, he felt a deeper connection to his mission, strengthened by the bond he had with Hel.

With renewed resolve, Nikolaus prepared to face the challenges ahead, ready to protect the innocent and fight against the darkness threatening to consume the realms. The battle was far from over, but he knew he was not alone. Hel’s presence was with him, guiding him, and giving him the strength to continue.

Nikolaus remained awake for the rest of the night, his mind racing with thoughts of the embrace he had shared with Hel. Could a mortal truly love a goddess the way he felt he loved her? The intensity of his emotions left him both exhilarated and uncertain. As the morning sun began to rise, casting a warm glow through the cracks in the roof, he heard sounds coming from the other side of the door.

Gripping Lokivigir, Nikolaus quickly got up and rushed to the door, ready for any danger. As he opened it, he was met with a comforting sight. The elder's wife was preparing breakfast, and several villagers were bringing in food and helping her. The scene was a stark contrast to the battle and chaos of the previous day.

She noticed Nikolaus standing there and greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Nikolaus. You look like you've seen a ghost."

Nikolaus relaxed, lowering Lokivigir. "Good morning. I wasn't expecting so many people to be up so early."

The elder's wife chuckled softly. "The village wanted to send you off with a full belly. We all owe you a great debt, and this is the least we can do."

Nikolaus felt a surge of gratitude as he looked around at the villagers, each contributing in their own way. "Thank you, all of you. This means more to me than you know."

The villagers continued their preparations, bringing in various dishes and setting them on the table. There was bread, fruit, and even some meat that had been saved for this occasion. The elder himself entered the room, carrying a jug of fresh water.

"Come, sit with us," the elder said, gesturing to a chair. "You have a long journey ahead, and you need your strength."

Nikolaus sat down, accepting the food offered to him. As he ate, the villagers shared stories and laughter, filling the room with a sense of camaraderie and hope. The dark events of the past days seemed to fade in the light of their unity and determination.

After breakfast, the elder pulled Nikolaus aside. "Before you go, there's something you should know. The corruption in Muspelheim is not just a physical manifestation. It has a deeper, more sinister root. You will need more than just your strength and courage to overcome it."

Nikolaus nodded, absorbing the elder's words. "I understand. Thank you for your wisdom and your hospitality. I won't forget it."

The elder's wife approached, handing Nikolaus a small pouch. "This contains herbs and salves that will help heal your wounds and keep your strength up. Use them wisely."

Nikolaus accepted the pouch gratefully. "Thank you. I will."

With Lokivigir at his side and the support of the villagers in his heart, Nikolaus prepared to leave the village. The path ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger, but he felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

As he walked through the village one last time, the villagers gathered to see him off. Skadi ran up to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Nikolaus. Be safe."

Nikolaus knelt down and smiled at her. "Take care, Skadi. Be brave and strong."

With a final wave to the villagers, Nikolaus set off on his journey. The landscape of Muspelheim stretched out before him, a fiery and treacherous realm that held many secrets. He knew that finding the source of the corruption would not be easy, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he walked, his thoughts returned to Hel and the embrace they had shared. The love he felt for her gave him strength and hope. He would fight not only for the realms and their people but also for the chance to see Hel again and to bring peace to both their worlds.

The journey through Muspelheim continued, and with each step, Nikolaus grew more determined to uncover the truth and put an end to the corruption once and for all.