Chronos and the Rogue Hunters

by Edward Eck

  “Not this beast,” corrected Sheelin. “When a Wendigo eats, it grows… so it’s always hungry.”

  Taryn gulped. “I just hope we’re not its next meal.”

  16 Yggdrasil

  After shrinking down the remnants of Gleipnir and placing them in her pack, Meagan joined the other two in looking for a way back up to the top of the crevice, or for another way out of the chasm. They each had a light spell providing them with glowing orbs, but the cavern was so large they could barely see each other.

  Though exhausted, Amber felt a slight breeze and followed it. Rounding a corner, she discovered a tunnel and the smell of fresh air. Obviously created to allow Fenrir’s escape, she followed it for a few hundred feet before it rounded another corner and opened up to a hole in the side of the mountain. There was a twenty-foot drop to ground level, but for a creature the size of Fenrir, it would have been a small leap.

  She quickly ran back to find the others. After the three emerged out in the open, Amber realized the one chance of recapturing the great wolf was gone. They had no way to imprison it again.

  “I guess it’s time we inform Gollnick we failed,” Cyrus said with slumped shoulders.

  Amber knew he was upset that another creature of myth had escaped into the world.

  “We didn’t fail,” corrected Meagan. “Fenrir was released long before we arrived. There was nothing we could have done to stop it. Besides, we were battling other creatures when the wolf was freed. What we need to do is find another way to imprison it.”

  “Oh, yeah. I think I have a ball of string in my pack, maybe we can tie him up with that,” Cyrus chided. After hanging his head for a few seconds, he turned to Meagan again. “I’m sorry. I know you mean well, but we’re out of options.”

  “Maybe not.”

  “Maybe not, what? You have a plan?”

  A loud howling sound echoed through the mountains. Scanning the horizon, Amber could see the monstrous shape of a giant wolf standing shoulders above the treetops. The creature was still a few miles off and downhill from their position, but it was returning their gaze. Fenrir had doubled back and was hunting them. Standing beside the wolf was a figure they could not make out at such a distance, but it was wearing heavy winter clothing. The silhouette was either a child or… Fenrir was larger than they had expected… because the human wasn’t even the height of the knee of Fenrir’s front legs.

  If they were going to make an attempt at Meagan’s plan, they would need to act quickly. It wouldn’t take long for a creature as large as the wolf to cross such a distance.

  Amber hesitated, but Meagan’s gaze never left the wolf. “Gleipnir was made by the dwarves of Norse mythology.”

  “Mythology being the keyword,” added Amber. “We know mythology was based on the actions of ancient sorcerers, though I have no idea how Norse dwarves fit into the picture.”

  “Some myths were true,” replied Meagan, “at least to a point. We need to find the rainbow bridge through Yggdrasil to get to Nidavellir, the home of the dwarves.”

  Amber just stood there staring at Meagan, not quite sure how to respond.

  “Ne-da-velour?” Cyrus stumbled over the name.

  The idea of leaving Earth to find dwarves by way of a rainbow bridge had Amber a little confused. She knew a bit about Norse mythology herself, but had no idea which parts were true and which were fantasy. Based on Meagan’s suggestion, she was beginning to believe perhaps the rainbow bridge was the former.

  “The nine realms of Norse mythology are real,” started Meagan, “and there is a real rainbow bridge connecting them all through Yggdrasil, the world tree. According to Norse mythology, it was the dwarves who made Gleipnir for the Asgardians.”

  “And how exactly do you know all of this?” questioned Cyrus.

  Meagan hesitated for a few seconds before responding. “I read books.” She raised an eyebrow at Cyrus.

  Amber giggled, knowing her brother’s love of books, or more precisely, his lack of love for them.

  “So where do we find this rainbow bridge?” he asked.

  “That’s the thing,” replied Meagan. “I know a spell that will open the Bifrost to Asgard, but in order for it to work, we need an actual rainbow.” She then slowly turned to look at Amber.

  “What’s a Bifrost?” Amber asked. “And why are you looking at me? I control the air, not rainbows.”

  “Bifrost is what the Asgardians called the rainbow bridge,” replied Meagan.

  “I think I know what she’s thinking, sis,” Cyrus said. “We need a big storm. Once it clears, we should get a rainbow. It might also keep Fenrir at bay rather than attacking.”

  “No! No way! I’m too tired. I won’t be able to control it. If I start a hurricane in Norway, I could kill people.” Amber backed away, shaking. The mere thought of using her powers like that terrified her.

  “You controlled your power in Babylon, remember? You used your air elemental power to keep you aloft in the dark chamber.”

  As soon as Cyrus mentioned the chamber Amber winced. She had been trying to forget what happened there, and the giant dragon Tiamat that now haunted her dreams. “After what we just went through, you did not just say that!” she screamed. In the blink of an eye, a streak of lightning was followed by the crack of thunder in the sky above them. Clouds quickly began forming overhead as the afternoon sky darkened.

  Cyrus had gotten what he wanted. Now if she could only keep from killing him.

  The lightning continued flashing as the downpour of rain began to drench the three friends where they stood.

  Meagan backed into the tunnel opening while Cyrus remained standing, allowing Amber to thoroughly drench him as punishment. He deserved it.

  After a few minutes of focusing her anger at her brother, Amber realized she couldn’t stay mad at him for long. As her anger drained away, the storm’s strength died with it.

  Though they were both soaking wet, Cyrus looked up to see the tears welling in her eyes. He took a step toward her, but she ran to him and hugged him close. “Don’t ever make me do that again,” she sobbed. “I can’t stand being angry at you. Don’t do that.”

  Meagan stepped out of the tunnel as the sky began to clear, a rainbow arching its way across the sky. The bright colors were a cheerful result of the storm and a welcome sight. Meagan cast the spell, “Reslectum tolanga be-frost atume.”

  A great howl echoed once again from the valley below as Fenrir had already launched itself from the tree line, accelerating toward them. Teeth bared, it looked hungry for a meal.

  The brilliant rainbow that arched across the sky bent in an irregular shape as it redirected from its normal path. One end slammed into the ground at their feet. It looked like a translucent column of colored light.

  Meagan approached the column of light, grabbing Amber’s hand on one side and Cyrus on the other. Upon entering the rainbow, the world around them was lost from sight. Shooting up into the air as if fired from a cannon, they began travelling through corridor after corridor of light and energy, one leading to another like the branches of a tree ascending into the vastness of time and space.

  Amber looked up as if searching for their intended destination. She noticed Cyrus looking around at visible energy waves and side branches shooting off in other directions. Amber clutched Meagan with both hands and closed her eyes. She prayed she wouldn’t lose contact and be lost on some other world, stranded alone.

  A few seconds later, they came to an abrupt stop. As the Bifrost faded, they found themselves standing on a platform at the edge of a vast golden city. Towers spired skyward as arches framed central locations, with bridges and roads providing access throughout the great city. It would have been an impressive sight except for the dilapidation of the place. Many bridges were damaged, arches collapsed, buildings crumbled into ruins. Even the main spire at the heart of the city appeared to have great holes in its side. The panorama was both awe inspiring and depressing at the same time.

  As they wa
lked through the city streets, Amber noticed weeds and vines had overgrown the walkways. Intricately painted pots and vases lining the intersections had met with a shattered ending. Cracks shot through walls and compromised many structures, as if the city had barely survived an enormous earthquake.

  The obvious thing missing were the people. Asgard was supposedly the home of the Asgardians of Norse mythology. Even though they were mortal sorcerers, the trio had at least expected to find the descendants of the original Norse gods still living there.

  “What happened?” Amber asked.

  “Ragnarock,” replied Meagan, “the great battle of good versus evil at the end of the reign of the Norse gods. Many were killed, some survived, but those who did fled to Midgard or other realms. Asgard used to be a beautiful golden city that glimmered in the sunlight. People built their lives here, serving the Norse gods and raising their families. It was a peaceful place, once.”

  “You’re starting to sound like Max,” commented Cyrus. “Please don’t tell me you’re immortal too and have lived hundreds of lives over the years.”

  “No.” Meagan shot Cyrus an irritated look. “I’m still on my first life. It’s just that I’ve seen pictures of this place when it was in its prime. And I’ve heard stories. Not the ones told in myth, but stories about the people who actually lived here once.”

  Cyrus didn’t push. Instead he continued leading the way through the streets toward the central spire.

  Even at a distance, Amber could see the main gates to the central building had been ripped from their hinges and lay at odd angles to the entryway.

  “I thought we needed to find the dwarves on their world of Needa-Vellr?” Amber questioned. “Why are we going further into Asgard?”

  “I don’t know the spell to get us directly to Nidavellir.” Meagan took time to carefully pronounce the world’s name slowly and clearly.

  “So where do you suppose they kept their spell books?” Amber asked as they neared the entrance to the main spire.

  The great doors were as fractured and bent as the gate. It would have taken something big and strong to mangle the doors in this way. Like the rest of Asgard, the central spire was overgrown with plant life and severely damaged, but the structure still looked stable enough to enter.

  “Somewhere in here,” replied Meagan. “Maybe in a vault or library. We’ll have to search around until we find something that might help.”

  A hinge creaked as Cyrus pulled on a broken section of door. “We could always go back and get Fenrir to come sniff out the spell books.”

  17 Nido

  After hours searching the different levels and chambers of the central spire of Asgard, Cyrus led Amber and Meagan into a large open room filled with banquet tables and chairs. Some had been smashed, others flipped on their sides. Plates and mugs lay strewn about on the floor. Drapes that once covered the many windows hung in tattered shreds. At the far end of the chamber atop a large dais sat a golden throne. Upon the throne sat a solitary individual. This single person was the first they had encountered throughout all of Asgard.

  With Cyrus in the lead, they approached. The individual sat with his right hand covering his face and slouched as if resting his head against the side of the throne. He gave no indication he was aware of their presence. In fact Cyrus had the distinct impression he was asleep. His long white beard hung down over the scrawny frame of an old man whose robes were torn and streaked with dirt and stains.

  Cyrus climbed the dais and approached cautiously. He gave the man a gentle nudge, but received no response. He tried again, but still nothing. He then shook the man’s shoulder a few times. “Hey! Old man, wake up.”

  Groggy at first, the individual dropped his hand from his face revealing a patch over one eye. Lines streaked his face from old age, and his long unkempt hair was white as snow. The man took a few seconds to become fully aware he had company. Once he did, he looked up at Cyrus with anger in his eyes. “How dare I stand there,” yelled the old man. Then in a calmer tone, he corrected himself. “Or you stand there, somewhere. Who are you?”

  Surprised by the old man’s confusion, Cyrus answered, “My name is Cyrus Marx.” Then he pointed toward the bottom of the dais. “This is my sister Amber Marx and our friend Meagan Strom. Who are you?”

  “I am he who commands and not the listener.” The grizzled old man just sat on the throne and stared off into space for a few seconds. “Who are you?”

  Cyrus turned and started down the steps toward Amber and Meagan. “I don’t think this guy’s playing with a full deck.”

  “I am Nido!” The old man was now on his feet and holding a long golden spear.

  Cyrus and his friends stepped back. He hadn’t noticed the spear before, and was unsure what this guy planned on doing with such a weapon.

  The man stood tall with feet spaced apart and the spear butt end to the floor at arm’s length, with his left hand on his hip. He appeared fully aware now and ready to deal with his intruders. “Speak my business or leave your kingdom.”

  Cyrus glanced at the girls who were staring at the old man, slack-jawed, apparently trying to figure out what he was trying to say.

  “What happened here?” Cyrus asked cautiously.

  “What happened where? Who are you?”

  “My name is Cyrus.”

  “And who am I?”

  Cyrus just rolled his eyes. This guy was clearly not going to be able to provide any help to them on their quest to find the Bifrost spell to Nidavellir. He waved a hand at the guy and turned to leave.

  No sooner was his back turned than a lightning bolt hit the floor near his feet. Cyrus jumped in surprise and spun around. The man was now pointing the spear directly at the spot on the floor where the lightning hit.

  “You are the supreme ruler of this place.” The man then corrected himself, “No, I am the supreme place of this ruler.”

  “Whoa there, Nido.” Cyrus raised his hands to show he was unarmed even though he still wore the fireball bracer Elisa had given him before going off to Petra and Babylon. “We mean you no harm.”

  “Who’s Nido?” questioned the old man.

  “You said your name was Nido.” Cyrus looked back to Amber and Meagan for confirmation.

  “I am Odin of Asgard.” The man stood tall once again as if proud of his name and title, but the confidence in his attitude faded quickly. “Where are we?”

  Meagan approached the base of the dais, raising her hands peacefully as well. “But the sorcerer Odin of Asgard died hundreds of years ago.”

  “I should have died hundreds of years ago.” The old man flopped down on the throne and hung his head. A tear started down his cheek from his good eye. The spear disappeared in a puff of smoke.

  Cyrus, Amber and Meagan slowly climbed the stairs to stand before Nido. Cyrus wasn’t ready to believe this was truly Odin.

  The old man made no move to stop their approach. In a lower voice he conceded, “I really am Odin. Unlike the others of Asgard, I am cursed with immortality.” He seemed sorrowful about this admission. “I pose no threat to you. Take what you want and leave me be.”

  “Sir,” began Amber. “If you really are Odin, do you know our friend Max? I mean Chronos?”

  The sadness in his eyes was replaced by anger at the mere mention of the name. Rising to his feet once more, he held out a hand and the spear reappeared in a puff of smoke. The three of them backed off a little, but did not retreat down the stairs.

  “It is because of Chronos and his spell that I am cursed this way.” Odin’s speech rose in volume with each word. “We should’ve let the world burn rather than be cursed like this.”

  “Sir, please,” Meagan begged. “Just tell us what exactly happened? How did you get cursed this way?”

  Once again he took a seat on his throne, though he maintained a grasp on his spear this time. The sadness returned to his eye as he leaned his head back against the backrest. “We tried to stop dark sorcerers from siphoning magic from other re
alms, but they succeeded in ripping a hole in the fabric of reality and created a portal to the Nightmare Realm. All sorts of creatures flooded Midgard and the nine realms. Chronos, Ra and myself tried to hold back the flow of monsters, but each of us couldn’t do it alone. It was Chronos who came up with the spell to seal the portal. It took all three of us to cast it… but he made a mistake. It cursed us with immortality.”

  “Some people would consider that a gift,” said Cyrus.

  He peered out the corner of his eye. “Not when it comes with a price. Each of us had to pay a price for our immortality. Mine was being trapped in a frail old body growing weaker by the year, but I will never die. Even if I want to.”

  “What about Chronos and Ra?” asked Amber. “What price did they have to pay?”

  “Who are you?” asked the old man, clearly confused. “How did you get here? Where are we?” In the blink of an eye and a puff of smoke, his spear was replaced by a spoon. “I command thee to loosen the tables from the main catapult and eat your stew.”

  Amber, Cyrus and Meagan looked from one to another. Odin was making less sense now than when he’d awoken. The many years trapped in a feeble old body had clearly taken a toll on his mind as well, but perhaps he knew enough to tell them where to find the spell to get to the realm of the dwarves.

  “Sir, do you know where we can find the Bifrost spell to get to Nidavellir?” asked Meagan in a calm and polite voice.

  Odin just stared at her for a moment. “Bifrost? Spell? Nidavellir?” He was repeating words that Meagan had said, but offered no answer.

  “We need to find the dwarves,” added Cyrus impatiently.

  Amber kept silent, but took the frail old man’s hand in hers and looked into his eye as she knelt before him. Closing her eyes she began muttering to herself so quietly Cyrus couldn’t hear.

  Amber opened her eyes and smiled at Odin before standing up and turning to leave. “The spells are in the vault, two levels down.”