Lokivigir, with an unsettled voice, asked, "What will you do if Hel has also been corrupted?"
With a heavy heart, Nikolaus replied, "If that comes to pass, I wouldn't be able to kill her. But I would find a way to release her from the grip of the corruption."
As they reached the Great Hall, the doors slammed open with a black gust of wind. The voice of the figure echoed outward, "Hurry, mortal. The Goddess may not last much longer." The figure laughed, and the Great Hall fell silent once more.
Nikolaus stepped closer, his resolve unwavering. Suddenly, a horde of corrupted creatures rushed out, weapons at the ready. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and their movements were frenzied and erratic.
Nikolaus prepared for the fight, his muscles tensing as he raised Lokivigir. The first wave of creatures lunged at him with claws and crude weapons. He swung his blade with precision, cutting down the nearest attackers. The sound of metal clashing against metal filled the air, and Nikolaus moved with the grace and power of a seasoned warrior.
As more creatures poured out of the Great Hall, Nikolaus fought valiantly, blocking strikes and countering with swift, deadly blows. Despite the overwhelming numbers, he held his ground, driven by his determination to reach Hel. The creatures showed no signs of stopping, their relentless assault testing Nikolaus's endurance.
Lokivigir's voice echoed in his mind, providing guidance and encouragement. "Keep your focus, Nikolaus. Remember, our goal is to reach Hel and free her from the corruption."
Nikolaus nodded, his resolve unshaken. He continued to fight, his movements becoming a blur of steel and determination. The creatures fell one by one, but more took their place, emerging from the darkness of the Great Hall.
Suddenly, a particularly large and vicious creature broke through the ranks, its eyes burning with a fiercer light. It swung a massive, jagged blade at Nikolaus, who barely managed to block the strike. The force of the blow pushed him back, but he quickly regained his footing.
"This one is different," Lokivigir warned. "Be careful, Nikolaus."
Nikolaus faced the new threat with grim determination. He sidestepped the creature's next swing and delivered a powerful slash to its side. The creature roared in pain but did not fall. It countered with a rapid series of strikes, forcing Nikolaus to defend himself with all his might.
The battle raged on, with Nikolaus trading blows with the formidable creature. Despite his injuries and exhaustion, he fought with unwavering resolve. He knew that every moment he delayed was a moment Hel remained in danger.
With a final, desperate effort, Nikolaus dodged the creature's attack and drove Lokivigir deep into its chest. The creature let out a guttural scream before collapsing to the ground. But there was no time to celebrate; more corrupted creatures were closing in.
Nikolaus took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next wave. He knew the battle was far from over, but he could not afford to falter. With Hel's fate hanging in the balance, he would fight with every ounce of strength he had left.
The horde of corrupted creatures surged forward, and Nikolaus readied himself for the next round. He would not stop until he reached Hel and freed her from the darkness that threatened to consume her.
As the battle raged on, Nikolaus started to realize that the ranks of the corrupted creatures were thinning. Seizing the opportunity, Nikolaus rushed past the creatures, dodging their swings but getting hit a few times. He pressed on, slashing Lokivigir whenever the creatures got in his way. His determination was unyielding; nothing would stop him from reaching Hel.
As he entered the Great Hall, another massive corrupted creature blocked the way to the depths of the Hall. Nikolaus charged the creature, slashing at it, but its tough skin prevented his blade from fully penetrating. The creature roared and swung a massive sword. Nikolaus tried to dodge, but even when the sword missed, he still got cut by the sheer force of the swing. This happened several times, each near miss leaving him more battered and bruised.
Trying to press on, Nikolaus went in for another attack. Just as the creature prepared to strike back, a large black dog suddenly appeared between them. Lokivigir's voice rang out in surprise and a hint of happiness, "Garmr!"
The hound looked at Nikolaus as if to tell him to save its master. Understanding the silent plea, Nikolaus ran past Garmr and the creature. The corrupted creature tried to strike him as he passed, but Garmr intercepted, and the two began their fierce fight. Garmr's powerful form and ferocious attacks held the creature at bay, giving Nikolaus the precious time he needed.
With the path temporarily cleared, Nikolaus continued to run deeper into the Great Hall. The oppressive atmosphere grew thicker with each step, and the air felt colder. His heart pounded with worry and determination. He had to reach Hel, and every second counted.
Dark corridors twisted and turned, leading him further into the depths of the Hall. The shadows seemed to move with a life of their own, and eerie whispers echoed around him. Yet, despite the chilling ambiance, Nikolaus pressed on, driven by the vision of Hel in danger.
His wounds throbbed with pain, but he pushed it aside, focusing solely on his goal. The weight of his mission to save Hel overshadowed everything else. The world outside, the other realms—none of it mattered now. His only concern was Hel, and he would not stop until she was safe.
As Nikolaus ran, the hallways seemed endless, each one more foreboding than the last. The oppressive darkness seemed to taunt him, but he refused to be deterred. He knew that somewhere within this twisted maze, Hel awaited him, and he would not fail her.
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the cold, desolate corridors, mingling with the distant roars and clashes of Garmr's battle. Nikolaus's mind raced with thoughts of Hel, the urgency of his mission driving him forward.
He turned another corner, the path ahead seeming to stretch infinitely. Yet, despite the daunting journey, Nikolaus's resolve remained unbroken. Hel was his only focus, and he would face any challenge, endure any pain, to save her.
The journey through the Great Hall continued, and with every step, Nikolaus knew he was drawing closer. The fight for Hel's freedom was far from over, but he was ready to face whatever lay ahead, determined to save her from the darkness that threatened to consume her.
Nikolaus ran as fast as he could until he reached a massive opening. There, kneeled Hel, with the sword still at her throat and the tendrils sapping her power. Hel screamed out, asking why he had come and warning him that this foe was too strong to fight and win.
With steely resolve, Nikolaus shouted back, "If your life means my death and even the death of all the other realms, I would pay that price every time!"
Hel looked down, tears filling her eyes. Seeing her in such despair fueled Nikolaus's anger. With the force of a úlfheðnar, he charged at the figure. As he reached the figure, Nikolaus swung Lokivigir with all his might, slicing all the way through. But where Lokivigir made contact, the wound healed instantly. The figure smiled at Nikolaus with a mocking tone.
"Good job," the figure sneered, then launched an attack.
The figure's strikes were swift and brutal, cutting Nikolaus with every blow. He tried to defend himself, but the figure was incredibly powerful. Each hit left deep wounds, and Nikolaus could feel his strength waning. Blood seeped from his injuries, and pain radiated through his entire body. Despite his determination, he found himself struggling to keep up with the relentless assault.
The figure's laughter echoed through the chamber as it continued to land blow after blow. Nikolaus fought back with everything he had, but his attacks seemed futile against the creature's regenerative abilities. The ground beneath them became slick with his blood, and every movement became more labored.
"Is this the best you can do?" the figure taunted, delivering a particularly vicious slash across Nikolaus's chest. He cried out in pain, but his resolve did not waver.
"I will save her!" Nikolaus roared, his voice filled with desperation and fury. He swung Lokivigir again, but the figure easily parried the attack and struck back with devastating force.
Nikolaus stumbled, nearly falling to his knees. He could feel his life force slipping away with each passing second. The figure's mocking laughter grew louder as it watched him struggle.
"You're no hero," the figure hissed. "You're just a foolish mortal, destined to fail."
But Nikolaus refused to give up. Summoning the last of his strength, he stood tall, his grip on Lokivigir unwavering. He locked eyes with Hel, drawing strength from her presence.
"Hel, I will not abandon you," he said, his voice strained but determined.
The figure launched another series of attacks, each one more brutal than the last. Nikolaus's body was pushed to its limits, and his vision began to blur from the loss of blood. Yet, he kept fighting, refusing to let the darkness claim him.
In a final desperate move, Nikolaus attempted to strike at the figure's head, but the creature easily dodged and retaliated with a devastating blow that sent him crashing to the ground. Pain seared through his body, and he could barely move.
