As he lay there, struggling to breathe, the figure loomed over him, sword raised for the killing blow. "This is the end for you, mortal," it said coldly.
Nikolaus's vision dimmed, but his resolve remained. Even in the face of death, he would not surrender. Hel's safety was all that mattered, and he would fight to his last breath to save her.
With a final surge of defiance, Nikolaus raised Lokivigir to block the incoming strike. The blade clashed with the figure's sword, the impact reverberating through his weakened body. The force of the blow sent him sprawling, and he knew he couldn't withstand much more.
Yet, even as darkness threatened to overtake him, Nikolaus's spirit burned with an unyielding flame. He would not let Hel fall to the corruption. Not while he still had breath in his body.
As the battle raged on, the chamber echoed with the sounds of clashing steel and the determined cries of a warrior who refused to give in. The outcome remained uncertain, but Nikolaus's resolve was unwavering. He would fight to the very end, no matter the cost.
Hel cried out for Nikolaus to run away. "Please, Nikolaus, run! I don't want to see you die in this place!"
The creature walked over to Nikolaus, who was barely standing, and kicked him, sending him crashing to the ground hard. Nikolaus's breath was faint, but he was still holding on, even if it was only barely. The creature looked at Nikolaus, then at Hel, and with its free hand, it materialized a purplish-black Opal. With a satisfied and mocking tone, it said, "You will get to bear witness to the birth of Hel's corruption."
Nikolaus, fueled by a surge of desperate anger, got up and attacked the creature more furiously than before, leaving no room for it to counter. The creature clutched the Opal tightly as Nikolaus's assault continued, each attack becoming faster and more precise than the last.
Driven by sheer determination, Nikolaus pressed the creature back into a wall. With one final, powerful strike, he slashed at the Opal and then stabbed the creature. The creature screamed in pain as it fell, its body slowly turning to ash and disintegrating before it hit the floor.
The tendrils holding Hel vanished, and she rushed to Nikolaus, who had now collapsed on the floor. She noticed his breath was still there—he was still holding on. Hel wondered if he had been unconscious throughout the last moments of the fight. She sat on the floor and placed Nikolaus's head on her lap, kissing him gently. Then, she waited for him to wake up.
As Hel waited patiently for hours, Nikolaus finally woke up. His eyes barely opened due to the pain rushing throughout his body. He looked up to see Hel crying, but she had a smile on her face. Nikolaus reached up and touched the undead part of her face. Through the pain, he smiled back at her and, while caressing her cheek, said, "I'm sorry for making you wait for me to save you."
Hel took his hand, holding it close to her chest. Nikolaus felt the warmth of her breasts as she told him, "I'm just happy that you came to save me."
Hel helped Nikolaus sit up and leaned him against the closest wall before sitting next to him. She leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder, a few tears still falling. Nikolaus looked at her and said, "No matter the danger elsewhere, you are the only one I want to keep safe. If that means the realms must end to keep you safe, I would burn them all for you."
Hel looked up at Nikolaus with a flattered and surprised expression. She asked, "Why would someone who is mortal want to do that?"
Nikolaus grabbed Hel's chin, pulled her close, and gave her a passionate kiss. He told her, "Because you are my Goddess, and I am yours to do with as you see fit. My love for you is stronger than the chains that can bind Gods."
Unable to resist Nikolaus's passion for her, Hel kissed him back with growing intensity. Their embrace deepened, and Nikolaus felt her tears on his skin, mingling with the sweat and blood of his wounds. The warmth of her body against his gave him strength, and he responded with a fervor that surprised even him.
As they continued to kiss, their hands began to explore each other with a mixture of urgency and tenderness. Hel's touch was both gentle and demanding, and Nikolaus responded with equal passion. They moved together, their breaths quickening as the heat between them grew.
Nikolaus felt the last of his strength returning as their bodies intertwined. He laid Hel gently on the ground, his movements filled with both reverence and desire. Hel's eyes never left his, her gaze filled with trust and longing. Their union was both fierce and tender, each touch and movement speaking of the deep bond they shared.
The Great Hall, once filled with darkness and despair, now echoed with the sounds of their love and desire. The world outside faded away as they lost themselves in each other. Nikolaus's pain seemed to diminish with each moment of their closeness, replaced by a profound sense of connection and fulfillment.
Hel had never known such joy and comfort as she did being with Nikolaus. In his arms, she felt truly understood and cherished. Their lovemaking was intense and passionate, a culmination of the love and desire that had been building between them. They moved together as one, their bodies and souls perfectly in sync.
As the night gave way to dawn, they lay together, exhausted but content, knowing that their love had the power to overcome any darkness. Nikolaus held Hel close, his heart filled with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Hel's presence gave him the strength to face whatever lay ahead, knowing that together, they could conquer anything.
they fell asleep in each other's arms, their dreams filled with the moments they shared and a future together. Nikolaus was the first to wake, Hel still sleeping on his arm. He kissed her gently and whispered, "I love you."
Hel gave a faint reply, "and I you."
A few moments passed, and Hel's eyes opened. Nikolaus gazed into them and said, "Your eyes always remind me of the peaceful seas I used to fish on."
Hel smiled and asked, "Will you take me out on the sea someday?"
Nikolaus nodded, "I will."
Hel's expression grew sad as she asked, "What will you do about the corruption now?"
Nikolaus, still looking at her, replied, "I will end the corruption by going to Niflheim and defeating the source of the corruption, Níðhöggr." His face grew serious and angry as he continued, "He almost took you away from me, and he needs to pay."
Hel reached up and touched his cheek. "Be careful, Nikolaus. Níðhöggr is powerful and cunning."
"I know," Nikolaus said, his resolve firm. "But I won't let him or anything else come between us."
Hel nodded, her eyes filled with both love and concern. "I believe in you," she whispered.
They sat up, gathering their strength for the journey ahead. Nikolaus helped Hel to her feet, and they made their way out of the Great Hall. As they reached the threshold, Hel stopped, looking at Nikolaus with a mixture of sadness and determination.
"I can't leave Helheim," she said softly. "My realm needs me, especially now."
Nikolaus's heart ached, but he understood. "I know. I'll go to Niflheim and end this. For you, for us."
Hel embraced him tightly, her touch filling him with warmth and strength. "Come back to me," she whispered.
"I will," Nikolaus promised.
With a final kiss, they parted. Hel watched as Nikolaus began his journey towards Niflheim, the weight of their shared mission heavy on his shoulders. Her heart filled with both fear and hope, knowing that he would face incredible danger but also believing in his strength and determination.
Nikolaus set off across the bleak landscape of Helheim, his mind focused on the task ahead. The path to Niflheim would be arduous, but his resolve was unshakable. Each step took him closer to the final confrontation with Níðhöggr, the source of the corruption threatening all realms.
As he traveled, Nikolaus felt the strength of Hel's love guiding him. He knew that this fight was not just about ending the corruption but about securing a future where he and Hel could live in peace. The memory of their night together and the promise of their future fueled his determination.
The journey to Niflheim would be long and perilous, but Nikolaus was ready. With Hel's love in his heart and Lokivigir in his hand, he pressed on, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The fate of the realms depended on his success, but his true motivation was the promise he made to Hel—to return to her and build a life together free from the shadows of corruption.
