Determined and focused, Nikolaus devised a plan. He would fake out the shadow dragon, making it think he was going after the stone directly. With a sudden burst of speed, Nikolaus rushed towards the dragon. The creature hissed and lunged, anticipating a head-on attack. At the last moment, Nikolaus veered to the side, his sword slicing through the air and slashing at the dragon's wings.
The dragon roared in pain, its wings flapping wildly as it tried to regain balance. Black, ichorous blood splattered from the wound, staining the ground. Lokivigir's voice echoed in Nikolaus's mind, urging him on. "Good move, Nikolaus. Keep it off balance!"
The shadow dragon writhed, its tail whipping around in an attempt to strike Nikolaus. He ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the lashing tail. The dragon's eyes glowed with fury, and it turned to face him, its mouth opening to unleash a torrent of dark flames.
Nikolaus anticipated the attack and leaped behind a nearby boulder, using it as a shield against the scorching flames. The heat was intense, but he remained unscathed. As the flames subsided, he emerged from his cover, charging at the dragon once more.
This time, he aimed for its legs, hoping to cripple the beast. His sword connected with the dragon's left hind leg, cutting deep into its flesh. The dragon staggered, its movements becoming more erratic and desperate. Nikolaus could see the opal glowing brighter, pulsating with malevolent energy.
"We're getting close," Lokivigir said. "One more well-placed strike, and you can reach the opal."
Nikolaus nodded, his resolve unshaken. He needed to end this quickly. The dragon, sensing its vulnerability, lashed out with renewed ferocity. Its claws raked across the ground, and this time, they found their mark, slashing across Nikolaus's side. He gritted his teeth against the pain, blood seeping from the wound, but he refused to back down.
Summoning the last of his strength, Nikolaus reached into his pouch and pulled out the shard of pure light. He held it aloft, and a brilliant, blinding light erupted from the crystal, engulfing the shadow dragon. The creature roared in agony, its movements becoming frantic and disoriented as it tried to shield itself from the intense light.
With the dragon momentarily blinded, Nikolaus seized his chance. He leaped towards the dragon, his sword poised for the decisive strike. The opal on the dragon's chest was exposed, pulsating with dark energy. Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, Nikolaus plunged Lokivigir into the opal, the blade sinking deep into the purplish-black stone.
The dragon let out a deafening shriek, its body convulsing as the opal shattered into a thousand fragments. A blinding light erupted from the wound, engulfing the dragon and illuminating the entire area. Nikolaus closed his eyes and turned away. When the light finally faded, he looked at where the shadow's remains had been—now just scorched dirt. The tree started to crack and splinter. Before Nikolaus knew it, the tree began to fall. He placed his hand on the trunk now lying on the ground and whispered, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
As he stared at the fallen tree, he heard a familiar voice. He turned to see Njord, safe and uncorrupted. Relief washed over Nikolaus as Njord approached.
"Thank you, Nikolaus," Njord said, his voice filled with gratitude. "If you ever need help, call on me. For saving this realm, I owe you my life."
Before Nikolaus could respond, the wound he had gotten from the dragon's claws began to throb with increased pain. Njord noticed his discomfort and reached into his satchel, producing a bundle of herbs.
"These herbs are the best in all the nine realms," Njord said with a laugh. "Let me help you."
Nikolaus gratefully accepted the herbs. Njord crushed them into a paste and applied it to Nikolaus's wound. The pain began to ease almost immediately, and a soothing warmth spread through his body.
"You did well, Nikolaus," Njord said as he worked. "The corruption is gone, and Vanaheim will heal in time. The tree's fall was inevitable, but from its ashes, new life will spring. You've given us a chance to rebuild."
Nikolaus nodded, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. "I wish I could have done more."
"You did more than enough," Njord reassured him. "You've restored hope to this realm. That's something no one can ever take away."
As Njord finished treating the wound, he stood back and looked at Nikolaus with admiration. "Your journey is far from over, but know that you have allies here in Vanaheim. Whatever challenges lie ahead, you will face them with the strength and courage you have shown today."
Nikolaus felt a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Njord. I won't forget your kindness."
With a final nod, Njord turned and began to restore order to his realm. Nikolaus watched him for a moment, then turned his gaze to the horizon. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face it, knowing that he carried the hopes of Vanaheim and the other realms with him.
Nikolaus took a final look at the fallen tree and saw Hel kneeling at the base of the once massive trunk. As she touched it, a faint light began to glow. When she removed her hand, Nikolaus saw a small sapling starting to grow. Hel stood up, turned to Nikolaus, and said, "Death may be sad, but with every death, new life can flourish."
Nikolaus stared at Hel, smiling, and thanked her for giving this realm more hope. Hel walked over to Nikolaus, kissed his lips, and then told him, "I wasn't the one who gave Njord and his realm hope. It was all your doing."
Hel grabbed Nikolaus's hand and led him to the stump, where they both sat. Hel looked at the sky while Nikolaus admired her. Hel turned to him and asked, "Do you think it's beautiful?"
Nikolaus, still looking at her, replied, "Your beauty has no match, and without you, it's like living in a world without color."
Hel smiled, and Nikolaus embraced her as they kissed. The question of whether a Goddess and a mortal could truly fall in love went through his mind, but Hel, sensing his unease, embraced him even more. Nikolaus started to feel at ease and thought that even if the other gods wouldn't allow it, his love for his goddess was true, and he would never let it fade.
As their lips parted, Nikolaus saw the setting sun behind Hel, making her look more elegant and divine. Nikolaus told Hel that he loved her and wanted to remain with her after the corruption had ended. Hel looked at him, a little surprised but amused at the same time, and said, "No God or mortal has ever been so bold, but I always want you by my side."
Nikolaus and Hel spent the night together by the fallen tree, talking about how Nikolaus used to spend his days back home. He shared stories of his childhood, fishing trips with his father, and the vibrant community of Bjornstad. As the night deepened, Nikolaus asked Hel why she chose him out of everyone in his village.
Hel looked at Nikolaus with a thoughtful expression and said, "When a loved one dies and goes to my realm, no one has ever asked me to watch over their loved one. Most people blame me for taking their loved one. But when your father passed away, you gave me offerings and thanked me for helping your father through my realm. You asked me to watch over him, which I still do."
Nikolaus looked at Hel with newfound affection and gratitude. "Thank you for being a kind and loving Goddess," he said softly.
They embraced once more, and their intimacy deepened. The night was filled with bliss as they explored each other's bodies, their connection growing stronger. Afterward, Nikolaus fell asleep with Hel in his arms, feeling a profound sense of peace and love.
When he woke, Hel was gone, but the memory of their night together remained vivid in his mind. He sat up, the morning light casting a soft glow over the landscape. Despite her absence, he felt her presence lingering around him, a comforting reminder of their bond.
Nikolaus stood and gathered his belongings, ready to continue his journey. The memory of Hel's touch, her words, and her love fortified his resolve. He stepped away from the fallen tree, the fresh morning air filling his lungs. The world around him seemed a little brighter, the colors more vivid, as if Hel's presence had infused the landscape with new life.
As he walked, Nikolaus felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was still fraught with challenges, but he knew he could face them with Hel's love guiding him. His heart was full, and his spirit was unbreakable. No matter what lay ahead, he was ready to bring light and hope to all the realms, knowing that Hel would always be with him, in spirit if not in form.
The journey was just beginning, and Nikolaus embraced it with open arms, his love for Hel giving him strength and courage. Together, they would overcome any obstacle, and their love would be a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.
Chapter 8: The Forge of Nidavellir
Nikolaus walked through the vibrant landscape, the morning light casting a warm glow over everything. As he continued his journey, he came upon a field of wildflowers, their colors vivid and inviting. He decided this would be a good place to rest and gather his strength. Sitting down among the flowers, he took out some bread and dried meat, savoring the moment of peace.
As he ate, a dark mist began to roll in, slowly at first, then thicker and more ominous. Before he knew it, the whole field was shrouded in an eerie fog. Nikolaus stood up, trying to see through the dense mist, but visibility was minimal. The air grew colder, and an unsettling silence filled the space.
Suddenly, the mist began to dissipate, revealing a starkly different landscape. The wildflowers were gone, replaced by rocky terrain and the distant sound of hammers striking metal. Nikolaus realized he was no longer in the field of wildflowers. He had been transported to a new realm.
The silence was broken by Lokivigir's voice, echoing in his mind. "Nikolaus, we are now in Nidavellir."
