Nikolaus felt the weight of Njord's words. "Do you know where the corruption came from?"
Njord sighed deeply. "In the middle of Vanaheim stood a beautiful, massive tree. It was taken from a branch of Yggdrasil and, over the years, grew into the magnificent tree that stands in the heart of our realm now. When I returned, I noticed that the tree seemed to be dying, its leaves withering and its bark blackened."
Nikolaus thought for a moment, piecing together the information. "I will go to the tree and investigate what has happened to it. Perhaps the source of the corruption lies there."
Njord looked at him with gratitude and a hint of hope. "Thank you, Nikolaus. But I must warn you, I cannot leave this temple. The corruption would take hold of me as well if I ventured out. I can only offer my guidance and support from here."
Nikolaus understood the gravity of the situation. "I will do whatever it takes to cleanse this realm, Njord. Your guidance will be invaluable."
Njord nodded. "Before you go, there are some things you should know. The corruption has twisted the very nature of our realm. The creatures and plants you encounter may be more dangerous than they appear. Stay vigilant and trust in your strength and the power of Lokivigir."
Nikolaus took a deep breath, readying himself for the journey ahead. "I will be careful. Thank you, Njord."
With a final nod to Njord, Nikolaus turned to leave the temple, his mind focused on the task at hand. The heart of the realm awaited him, and with it, the answers he sought.
As he stepped outside, the desolate landscape of Vanaheim stretched out before him. The path to the tree would be perilous, but Nikolaus was determined to see it through. He glanced back at the temple, drawing strength from the knowledge that Njord was supporting him from afar.
Nikolaus looked in the direction of the tree and noticed it didn't seem far away. If it came from a branch of Yggdrasil, it had to be much bigger in person. Nikolaus started walking toward the tree, but as he stepped away from the temple, two human-like creatures spawned from the ground where some tendrils were. Before they had a chance to fully form, Nikolaus struck one down, splintering the opal on its chest. The second one reached for Nikolaus, but he backswung his sword, smashing the other creature's opal.
Lokivigir smugly told Nikolaus, "You're getting the hang of wielding me."
Nikolaus, a little surprised at how fast he moved and how easy it seemed to kill the two corrupted abominations, nodded. He continued toward the tree. After hours of walking and not seeing anything, Nikolaus saw a small village in the distance. He asked Lokivigir if it would be a good idea to stop and rest in the village.
Lokivigir replied, "Yes, it should be safe. I sense no hint of corruption in the village."
Relieved, Nikolaus headed toward the village, his steps becoming more purposeful as he neared the outskirts. The village was a stark contrast to the corrupted landscape around it. Simple wooden houses stood undamaged, and a few villagers went about their daily routines, seemingly unaffected by the corruption that plagued the rest of Vanaheim.
As he entered the village, Nikolaus was greeted by curious glances and whispers. A tall, elderly man approached him, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and hope.
"Greetings, traveler. I am Eldor, the village elder. What brings you to our humble village?" the elder asked.
Nikolaus introduced himself and explained his mission to cleanse Vanaheim of the corruption. Eldor's eyes widened in recognition and respect.
"You are a brave soul, Nikolaus. Please, rest here and regain your strength. We have food and shelter to offer. Our village has remained untouched by the corruption, but we live in constant fear that it will reach us one day," Eldor said, his voice tinged with worry.
Nikolaus thanked Eldor and accepted the offer. As he settled into a modest cottage, the villagers provided him with food and fresh water. The simple meal was a welcome relief after his long journey. As he ate, Nikolaus couldn't help but notice the villagers' resilience. Despite the looming threat, they maintained a sense of normalcy and community.
After finishing his meal, Nikolaus decided to explore the village and learn more about its people. He spoke with several villagers, listening to their stories of survival and hope. The village had become a sanctuary for those who fled the corruption, and their strength inspired Nikolaus.
As night fell, Nikolaus found himself sitting by a fire, the warmth and crackling flames providing a sense of comfort. Eldor joined him, carrying a small, intricately carved wooden box.
"I have something that may aid you on your journey," Eldor said, opening the box to reveal a small, glowing crystal. "This is a shard of pure light, a remnant of Vanaheim's former glory. It has the power to repel the corruption and heal the land. Use it wisely, Nikolaus."
Nikolaus took the crystal, feeling its warmth and energy coursing through his hand. "Thank you, Eldor. This will be invaluable in my quest."
Eldor nodded, a look of determination in his eyes. "We believe in you, Nikolaus. You carry the hope of Vanaheim with you. May the gods guide and protect you."
With renewed resolve, Nikolaus retired for the night, the crystal safely tucked away. As he lay on the simple cot, his thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead and the possibility of restoring Vanaheim to its former beauty.
The next morning, Nikolaus woke with the dawn, ready to continue his journey. The villagers gathered to see him off, their faces filled with hope and gratitude.
"Safe travels, Nikolaus," Eldor said, clasping his hand. "May you find the strength to overcome the darkness and bring light back to our realm."
With Lokivigir at his side and the shard of pure light in his possession, Nikolaus set out toward the massive tree in the heart of Vanaheim. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but he was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As he walked, the village slowly faded into the distance, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the daunting task before him. The fate of Vanaheim rested on his shoulders, but with each step, his determination grew stronger. He would cleanse the corruption and restore the realm, no matter the cost.
As he approached the tree, its immense size became more apparent. The withered leaves and blackened bark were a testament to the corruption's hold, but Nikolaus felt a glimmer of hope. With the shard of pure light and the guidance of Njord, he knew he had the power to cleanse the tree and restore Vanaheim.
The journey was far from over, but Nikolaus was ready. The challenges ahead were daunting, but with the support of his allies and the strength of his resolve, he would see Vanaheim restored to its former glory. The path was long and perilous, but Nikolaus was prepared to confront the darkness and bring light back to the world.
As Nikolaus walked, he asked Lokivigir if the tree was much further. Lokivigir laughed and told him there was still a day or two left before they would reach the base of the tree. Not wanting to give up, Nikolaus pressed on, thinking about all the people he had met from the other realms he had visited and the ones he met in this realm. He let these thoughts fuel him as he continued.
After hours of seeing nothing but wasteland, the sun slowly descended, and Nikolaus saw a small cave-like hole leading underground. He walked over to it and peered inside to see if it would be safe to spend the night there. Climbing into the hole, he found it empty and thought it might have been a home for one of the creatures before the corruption. Nikolaus then started a fire and led the smoke out through the entrance. He took out his waterskin, some bread, and dried meat. As he ate in silence, he looked out through the entrance and saw an ocean-blue moon hanging in the sky.
The moon reminded him of Hel's eyes, and the thought of her brought any worries to rest, allowing him to relax for the first time in a while. As he sat looking at the moon, thoughts of Bjornstad entered his mind. He longed to see his home again, but Hel had chosen him as her champion, and because of the love growing inside him for her, he would not let her down. Sleep came quickly for Nikolaus, and he dreamt of fishing in the sea and hauling in his catch, the happy faces of the villagers as he gave some of the fish away.
Nikolaus woke up and climbed out of the hole, the air still stale. He headed towards the tree with high hopes of healing this realm. A few hours later, he stood in front of the tree, its massive size towering above him. As he approached, he noticed a familiar dragon gnawing at the roots of the tree.
The dragon turned to face Nikolaus, an eerie smile spreading across its face. "I am the shadow of Níðhöggr," it hissed, its voice echoing with malevolence.
Nikolaus's heart pounded in his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation. The creature before him was not just any dragon, but a shadow of Níðhöggr. This malevolent being was likely a key part of the corruption plaguing Vanaheim.
Gathering his resolve, Nikolaus stood firm, his grip tightening around Lokivigir. "What do you want, shadow of Níðhöggr?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the tension.
The dragon's smile widened, revealing rows of sharp teeth. "I want what every shadow desires: to consume the light and spread darkness. This tree is but the beginning. Soon, all of Vanaheim will fall, and then the other realms will follow." Nikolaus's determination hardened.
Nikolaus watched as the shadow dragon started to move, its body coiling with serpentine grace as it tried to maneuver behind him. The dragon's movements were fluid and calculating, but Nikolaus's keen eyes scanned its form for the purplish-black opal. He spotted it—a long, ominous stone embedded in the dragon's chest, extending past its underbelly. Destroying that opal was the key to restoring Vanaheim.
