| Buried Past | ||
| Date Started: June 24th, 2024 Date Finished: Ongoing Next Role-Play: Timeline: 1520 Setting: New World, Elbaf Characters Involved:
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| Participants | ||
| User:EmperorKamui • User:The ancient terror | ||
Ancient Curiosity[]
"Hmmmm. Yes. The ways of the hidden. The barriers of time disappear for my desire to see the future and the past with my own eyes."
The soft whisper of a person standing in a room echoed through the room. It wore a black robe that covered its entire body and stood in front of a large black cauldron. White smoke was rising from it, the liquid inside was boiling over the fire and the figure was circling its hand over the smoke so that it slowly turned. The smoke looked like a miniature version of a tornado, as the figure simply stared at the bottom of the cauldron. Turning to the side, it came to a table and reached for a green herb. But as the figure turned back to the cauldron, upon closer inspection, the herb was not an herb, but a small tree. With each step causing the ground to tremble slightly, it was no surprise that this giant of a deprived form was who it was. As a resident of Elbaf, it would be rather unusual for this person to be of normal height after all.
As he dropped the tree into the cauldron, it began to shake violently before the smoke turned from a misty white to a mystical green. The figure shook the smoke and shoved the dust into his coat, probably towards his nose, and inhaled the deep smoke. With a contented sigh, the figure tapped its staff on the ground, where a large Toskr Squirrel skull was emblazoned.
"Hmmm? Looks like fate has decided to give me a visitor today. But won't fate show me for what purpose or who it might be? Even for a seer like me, fate seems to have a surprise up its sleeve here and there. But the question is: Is it fate because it might be a great revelation that fate itself happens to learn, or just because it wants to give a little scare to the one who is meant to see it all?"
The seer replied as he continued to mix the liquid with his staff, waiting for fate to decide to reveal what surprise would come to his house.
Heidrun Skadi stood, a Jotunn of the Ragnarok Pirates, with her arms crossed. She was clearly annoyed about something, maybe even pissed as her foot tapped on the ground. "Hello seer," she said, though her tone did not obscure her frustration.
"I'll never get why he is so withdrawn on everything! I know mom dying hurt him, it hurt all of us, but just asking about his past is a drag. How did he form the Ragnarok Pirates, when did he first infuse his Haoshoku? How can I pass his damn story down if he won't tell me!" Skadi said with anger. She looked at the Toskr skull for a moment, grimacing as she remembered her past encounter with one.
Skadi looked at the seer and seemed dazed for a second. "Sorry, what is your name? I came here wanting to learn more about my father, King Thrymr."
“Hmmmm? Fate really surprises me, no matter how good I am at looking through the walls of time and space. Warrior’s they may be, who always visited me, yet someone from the royalty, much less the daughter of the hurt one? Truly interesting.”
The seer replied, as he continued to mix the inside of his cauldron, while with one hand he pushed away the green smoke, like he was looking deep into his cauldron.
“Who may I? A question I was not asked a long time ago, as I always was referred to as the “Seer” and from there took the identity of the seer, with my true name slowly got pushed away into the abyss of the forgotten ones. But quiet whispers of the abyss, were here and there my ear may hear, says, that my name is Oyne.”
Replying cryptically, he stopped his movement, the blackness of the robe starring directly into Skadi’s face, like he was trying to have a read at her soul. Letting off the staff, keeping it in the cauldron he pointed a finger at Skadi, showing very old and scarred hands with very long and boney fingers, having even longer nails.
“Your curiosity of the fate of the hurt one is interesting and somehow admirable. Yet even though my abilities would be able to give you the answers, I give glimpses of the future and past of the person who asked about my service, but not asking for glimpses from other people. After all this information belongs to the hurt one and not you, so I struggle to understand and accept that I should give you the answers you desire, no matter how admirable your intentions may be.”
"I am his daughter and the heir to his throne. If he wants me to rule as he did and come to the same decisions as he has, then does it not follow I should understand what led him to these viewpoints?" Skadi said as she walked closer, showing no fear. She was the daughter of the Dread King, why should some crazy old sage freak her out?
Looking at the seer, Skadi's face twisted with annoyance. "What would you want to change your mind?"
“With all due respect, fate does not care who you are and what role you play in the realm of us mortals. After all, you, child of alcohol, would show clear dislike, if I reveal your past or future to someone else, without your permission.”
Turning back, he approached his desk, before pulling a bush with purple berries on it, before throwing it into the cauldron. The scent of the smoke changed in an instant to the aroma, people would expect to smell it in spring, the color changing into a deep purple.
“But I may close my eyes and open the gates for you, if I understand your true intentions. Is it for the sheer egoism of yours to surpass your father in ruling, is it because of the fear to turn like him and avoid his fate or is it to find out what hurt your father that much and turn him into the hurt one? Is your reasoning out of greed, egoism, nobility, curiosity or love?”
The hooded figure replied, as while his face was not visible, it was clear he was staring at Skadi,while he pulled his staff out of the cauldron, before tapping it on the ground.
“After all, sometimes people may not share their memories and past with others in fear of scaring or hurting the other person or just not wanting to show the evil and horrors they may carry with it.”
Skadi looked down at the ground, not sure how to proceed. "I... I don't know I guess. I want to rule my people well like he has. Yeah, maybe even surpass him..." Skadi exhaled, seeming both unsure and annoyed at the same time. Her brow furrowed as she seemed to search for the words, the magic spell that would open the visions to which she seeks.
"I just want to understand him. I love my father and I know he loves me, but he keeps all secrets to his heart - like one threatens to puncture it and kill him should it fall loose. My mom's death only made him even more distant. He wants me to be a great ruler, greater than him, but I can't do that if he doesn't teach me what I need to know," the Valkyrie explained. She knew this was a trespass, but she felt like she was out of options. She understood the apprehension as well, little would she want people delving into her past - but she felt the circumstance here was different.
"Please Oyne, I will not make this a habit."
“...........”
Being silent for a while the figure just looked at Skadi, which felt like an eternity, with his body not moving an inch, looking like he literally died, while standing on his feet. The silence only broke up, as he tapped his staff again on the ground.
“Your intentions are genuine. I sense discomfort, love, worry and a bit of nervousness, yet no darker intentions. I think fate will forgive me for opening the doors for an outsider like you just this once.”
Getting to one of his tables he actually pulled out a key from his cloak, before putting it into a box. With a loud clicking sound it opened up, showing inside various glasses or containers with various stuff in it. Grabbing into one of them, he pulled out a red hair from it, before closing it. Grabbing beside it he pulled out a bluish shroom, making the dark room glow slightly.
“So I will fulfill your request, but be warned it may be darker than you think you can deal with.” Oyne replied, before throwing both items in it, the cauldron exploding in a bluish flame, before mystic blue colored smoke came out, the scent changing into the smell of the ocean and water itself. Pulling out a wooden bowl, he scooped out some of the liquid, before holding the bluish colored liquid filled bowl in front of Skadi with his old hands.
“Drink up and it might lead you to the journey to find out your desired answers, After all only fate decides what you are allowed to see.”
Skadi took the elixir and peered at it. Normally, she was not one to questions drinks - throwing caution to the wind. However, she seemed to understand the weight of what she was about to do and see. He blue eyes stared into it like it could either give her infinite wisdom or cast her into the depths of hell.
With a sigh, Skaid brought it to her lips. "Bottoms up," was all she could muster as the blue potion went down her throat. She placed the bowl down, grimacing from the flavor of the drink. "I've never tasted a-anything so fo..." Skadi tried to say as her vision went blurry. The giantess grasped on to the back of a chair as her breathing became more haggered.
Sliding down into the seat, the future queen's eyes shut.
River of Time[]
With the world turning black, everything in the room slowly vanished on one absorbed by the spreading darkness, turning the room slowly into the endless depths of the void. With the young giant slowly fading as well joining the room with it, it looked like the feeling of time and space just got erased out of existence. Yet still resisting the pull of darkness, the top of the cauldron remains, with the blueish mist continuing to spread out from it. Increasing by size and density, the mist started to fill everything around Skadi, turning the blackness away, replacing them with only mist.
It took a few seconds of changes of events, as all around was only mist, only to be followed by the feeling of movement, a feeling a pirate like her should be familiar with. The mist only slightly clearing away, the sight was visible, that the redhead was on a small, old and brown rowboat, rowing through were dark waters, the blue nearly turning into the spectrum of gray, with an absolute impossibility to see anything though the water, nor were there any movement in the water, with the exception of the boat itself pushing it away.
Splash!
The splashing came around destroying the silence, as behind Skadi, Oyne was revealed sitting on the back of the boat, paddling two paddles slowly in an unknown direction, his cloak made it impossible to see if he looked at Skadi or was just focused to do his job.
Skadi looked around this darkness as she sat in the boat with Oyne. "What is this? I thought I was supposed to see my father's memories, not an endless black voice?" Skadi spoke with concern. She tried to reach out to One, but felt as though her body would only allow her observe.
"If anything happens to me, you know my father will come looking for me!" Skadi declared, feeling as though it was all she could do in the moment.
Continuing to row, the figure of Oyne looked like he did not even react to the accusation,with the duo passing the endless depths of mist.
“Why should I risk or even have the idea to harm the offspring of the hurt one? Even though he would not be able to save you here, if you get lost forever in this realm, which I try to avoid at all cost. It looks like your mind is probably also coated in thick mist, compared to the average soul.” Explaining in a neutral voice, the rowing continued as its hard to judge how much time passed, like the mist erases the concept of time and space.
“As for where we are? We are in the place where you may obtain the answers you desire about your father. This place is called Gjoell, also known as the river of the time. A place, where the past, present and future is contained, all fractions of memories getting lost in the endless depths of the mist. Yet this is also the place where we can navigate through to find the fractions, which we do not really usually get. As for what you might find out it is up to the river and fate itself, if you obtain it or not.”
With the words finished, suddenly a shadow formed in the depth of the mist, which grew taller and taller. Approaching the object, it revealed to be an actual totem, made out of an obelisk like stone, sticking through the waters. On the top was a stone statue, resembling an owl with black sockets, giving them the feeling of endless depth. Coming to a halt in front of the totem, Oyne pointed a finger at the statue.
“The Owl. Resembling the access to the past of knowledge. Fate and the river decide to start to give you the glimpses through the eyes of the owl. Touch the totem and your answers may start to reveal themself.”
"What do you mean, 'thick mist'?" questioned Skadi in annoyance, seemingly oblivious to the threat of being lost in this realm forever. However, she listened on as he explained Gjoell. As they reached the totem, Skadi looked upon the owl - the nightly bird of prey seeming more menacing than it usually would have.
Skadi began pulling her arm up, feeling as though her body was moving through molasses. She finally reached out and touches the owl totem, clinching her eyes shut as she felt a strange sensation radiate through her body.
As Skadi touched the totem, the black sockets slowly were filled with bright,white light. The owl twisted to the side, before with a burst, the light expanded rapidly, consulting the young giant, the rowboat, Oyne and everything around, with the mist not stopping the rapid Expansion of blinding light.
Friendship and Rivalry[]
The ground trembled at the sheer force of kinetic might. Trees shaking violently on the corners of the crater that was created, animals fleeing in panic at the created calamity between the things happening in the center of the crater. Axe met spear in a clash of metal, with sparks coming out between the weapons. Holding the weapons were two figures, with smiles of determination and fun plastered on their faces, it looked like both were deep into the sheer lust of battle.
The one person holding the axe and a shield, with a big black beard and having a pink nose, the man looked a bit more goofy compared to the other one, yet his sheer act of defiance against the might of the red haired showed that his look was definitely not a judgment for his battle skills and strength.
“Come on, strawberry?! You wield the spear like a noodle! DrauDrauDrauDrau!”
A towering man stood opposite of him. "Draugr, if I wield my spear as a noodle, you swing your axe as twig!" declared Heidrun Thrymr. In his hands was the mighty spear, Gungnir - glistening in the light of the sun. They stood on the soil of Vinland, a colony of Elbafian Giants founded sometime ago.
"This spear has fell many who oppose the freedom of Giants, I fear your axe has only been used to chop down trees in recent years," taunted Thrymr, a smile across his face. Charging towards Draugr, the spear was aimed at the shorter giant's flank.
With the mighty spear rushing, glistening dangerously at meeting the flash of the shorter giant, only for it to met the harsh place of metal. With more sparks coming from the impact, the mighty spear got pushed to the side sliding across the surface of the massive shield, holded by the other side.
“Not all of us get a weapon of legends, my friend!,” pushing his shield, Svalinn to the side, pushing the spear further away, only to make a leap and grab the arm, holding the spear. “But that's why I will make my axe into a legend, so we can match!” With a roar, the shorter giant actually showed his massive strength before aiming to flip Thrymr over his shoulder with a judo flip.
Thrymr followed the flipping action, allowing his body to flow with it. This allowed him to land on his feet behind Draugr and use the shaft of Gungnir to swipe Draugr's legs out from under him. "Make your tools legendary, my friend, but you will need to do more than toil away here. Why not join me and my crew? We can make that axe of yours something worthy of legends!" declared Thrymr was he look to the members of the Ragnarok Pirates. The redheaded man grinned and urged them to cheer.
With the shorter giant losing his footing he dropped face down from the force. Yet instead of falling he pulled his shield and slammed it into the ground. With his arms bent he stretched them with such force that he flipped back into the air, before landing back to his feet. Turning back towards Thrymr he was battle ready, only to let out a sigh, holding his axe over his shoulder.
“Thrymr. Again with this pirate fascination? Isn’t it enough that you are considered as the possible next ruler of Elbaf and one of the most powerful warriors our lands could bring birth to? Why are you so fascinated by the pirate business and why do you want me to be in your crew, especially after I denied the first 153 times?”
"I am only in the line up if the king doesn't produce an heir. That said, I doubt he will. That old fool never had much luck with women," Thrymr said with a grin. "Besides, I would then need to defeat the other noble clans to claim it, it isn't so easy, my friend."
Twirling his spear and plunging it into the earth, Thrymr shrugged his shoulders. "The 'pirate' name is something the World Government gave people like me. I'm not seeking riches like some fool, all I want is to free our kind from those who seek to enslave us. You should meet my latest recruit, Norn. She has a great help for my goals!"
Raising an eyebrow at confusion, he put the axe on the back, where it was a part of cloth to strip it on it.
“Then what is the point of calling them the Ragnarock Pirates, if we are just doing it for the sake of the giant kind and Elbaf. Using the name given by the world government does not mean we follow their world view and rules?” Scratching the back of his head, he let out another confused and tired sigh, “Look Thrymr. You could carry the name of Elbaf, by just using the name of Elbaf to represent our kind and might on the seas. So is there another motivation behind it, that you created this crew? After all, we can always drink ale and get drunk in Elbaf, instead on a ship.”
Thrymr grinned. "Kowawawawawa!" laughed the larger of the two giants. "To strike fear into the hearts of those who stand in my way! I may not see myself as a pirate, but I will use the fear they have earned for my benefit. The power of fear is a valuable resource, dear Draugr," explained Thrymr as he grabbed his spear.
"And that's the thing, Draugr, I want to drink and have merriment in Elbaf, to find a couple of beauties to carry on my clan's name. However, so many of our kind lay in chains all over the world. I want them to join us, Draugr, to make Elbaf stronger and wiser. Even if that means letting in hybrids, we can make Elbaf strong enough to continue to exist as a jewel untouched by those who seek to abuse us - a beacon for all who carry the blood of giants. Elbaf is the great guardian of the giants, I am merely its enforcer."
“......”
Being silent for a bit the smaller of the two giants rubbed his beard in deep thoughts about what the red haired told him. The intentions sounded genuine and he admitted it, this plan and motivation was more than satisfying to carry the pride of Elbaf.
Taking a few steps ahead, he stood in front of his friend, his face showing a big smile.
“I must admit this time your offer is way more interesting than it was before. DrauDrauDrauDrau! You know I should join, just so you don't fall over the railing into the seas, strawberry!” Letting out another laugh he quickly started to calm down, before looking at his friend with a solemn expression, “I think I may join your crew, but I have two conditions you must full fill my friend, no matter what.”
Thrymr grinned and walked forth. "Let us hear these conditions then, my friend. What do you seek from me to join my group?"
Nodding in satisfaction he raised his hand, forming it into a fist, before ramming it on the shield, making a loud banging noise.
“My first condition is, when we go out to save our kind from the chains and carry them back to our home, please let us save all from the chains, not just our kind.”
Thrymr stood silent for a moment. "I can allow this, but I will only grant passage to giants on my ship. Further, giants have priority. Is this acceptable?" Thrymr was unsure why Draugr cared for the non-giants, but it mattered little. Freeing them all was hardly any extra work.
“That's fair and yes I always will prioritize our people before. But it is important for me to see the others free as well. We giants are prideful and the cleanest race from every other one, yet even we are not free from evil among us. Backstabbers, bastards, prideless scum, selling our own kind to others, with a single ounce of connections.” Slamming his fist again on the shield with such force it could break a giant rock, Draugr glared into his fist, “And we never knew this evil enslaved the other races as well. We do not need to like them, but we need to like freedom. And if we have the keys to their chains, we would be as prideless as the same people enslaving them to ont even consider letting them out. We should then not worry if we do not get our freedom in return, if the places would be reserved.”
Letting out another sigh, his smile returned, all gloomy aura gone, as the friendly and energetic smile returned.
“For the second condition, it is quite simple. Once you defeat all noble families and I myself will do the same, before you take the last step to be the king, I want one final battle with you for the throne of Elbaf. Not because I'm interested in being the king, but because if you get the position I want to be the closest one to see it with my own eyes. And what better way, then in a battle of honor and glory, don’t you agree, Strawberry?”
With a soft chuckle he clapped the back of Thrymr.
"Kowawawawawa!" roared Thrymr with laughter. "That is a far off promise, my friend, but sure. How about this... should it happen and should I win, we do our battle here on Vinland? Where it all began will be where it shall end."
“DrauDrauDrauDrauDrau!” Joining Thrymr, a roar of laughter escaped Draugr, “That sounds like a fantastic idea! The beginning and the end? Sounds like a crappy drama!”
Raising his arm he held his hand for a firm handshake, the smile of Draugr bride and wide even through the beard.
“But guess there is nothing stopping me to meet the group of your crew now, right captain?”
Thrymr nodded. "Come, Draugr. Meet the crew. When I wrestle the throne into my hands, I will place you in charge of Vinland for me. The great kingdom of Elbaf will have many islands to host our kin!"
“Hear! Hear!”
Calling out, Draugr and Thrymr started to walk in a direction, probably meeting the crew and introducing their newest crew member of the Ragnarok Pirates.
The vision abruptly stopped, with the light died down, as Skadi and Oyne were back in the misty river, with Oyne continuing to row the boat. The eyes of the owl totem turned back into the blackness, as they passed the totem, getting slowly consumed by the mist, before it vanished completely in the needless pits of the river.
“So fate decided to start from the very beginning, showing you the hurt one and the forgotten one.” Oyne replied without much change of his voice as he continued the rowing, looking like it was an everyday job life.
Skadi looked confused, her brow furrowed as her mind raced. "I've never really seen father laugh like that, smile like that, not at least since my mom died..." Skadi said, thinking out loud. She put her hands to her head, finally being able to move a bit more freely within the strange world.
The princess looked up at Oyne, still confused. "I've never heard him speak of Draugr, who is that? Is he the 'forgotten one'?" It was only after Skadi said it that it clicked together. "Uh, never mind, I think I figured it up," sheepishly said the girl.
“Looks like even with your clouded mind, there might be sparks of light able to pass through them. Showed there is still hope in your path of wisdom.”
Oyne replied at the words of Skadi, not making it clear he was actively insulting her or just believed it was a hard fact. However the waiting time was this time shorter as out of the mist a second totem materialized itself, this time having a statue on top resembling a boar head, with the same black sockets like the owl from before.
“Hmmm? The Boar. This may be a sign of sorrow or uneasiness.”
Oyne commented as they now stood right in front of the totem.
Skadi breathed in deeply. This was a means to learn more about her father, more about her destiny. Letting out her breath, she reached to the boar. She closed an eye in grimace, not sure what was about to encounter. "I hope this makes it make sense," she said as the finally made contact. The same effect as before happened, spiraling them into another distant memory. Light from its eyes blinded them, awaiting new distant images.
Treasure or Curse[]
KABOOM!
Pure chaos was the only thing that this scene could describe, explosions, screams and gunfire filled out the volume all around. It was meant to be one normal day in the auction house, filled with excotic goods, with a dozen of giants, close to being sold as slaves, captured by a group of rough giants, set to make fellow giants join their group only to sell them out. The plan, while completely cruel and basically the full definition of race traitors, was highly profitable for the group, who were referred to by their fellow giants as “Followers of Hel".
“SHOOT THEM DOWN!/RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!/WHY ARE MORE GIANTS HERE?!”
Yet today was the day of change, as before the auction could start, a huge group of giants invaded the auction house and started to do a huge fight. Despite the slavers and mercenaries trying to pull a fight, in front of the army of giants who literally treated them like child toys and threw or squash them to death, only the followers of Hel were able to keep a decent fight, just because they were on equal size.
However in comparison to the might of the Ragnarok Pirates and their fearless leader, it meant little to them, if the followers were on the same eye level. The fierce battle just continued as a sword met a shield, with Draugr blocking the attempt of ihs head being cleaved into two, Retailing with a hard kick on the guts, he made the giant lose his grip only to follow with a shield bash on the chin, sending the giant flying. Looking towards his friend he smiled, before reading his shield.
“Thrymr! Catch the traitor!”
Draugr called out as he slammed his shield again at the falling giant, sending the barely conscious follower in the direction of Thrymr.
Thrymr grabbed ahold of the traitor and pinned him down. Stepping on his chest, Thrymr drew Gungnir and pointed it to the man's neck. "Why would you sell out your own face!?" angrily shouted Thrymr. The tip of the spear pricked him flesh, causing the Follow of Hell to bleed lightly.
Turning to the Ragnaroks, Thrymr saw as they took down the group. "All the captives, free them and guide them to the ship!"
Letting out a triumphal roar, their foes defeated under them, the pirates started to pillage the place and let the slaves out. Draugr nodded satisfied only for his face having a big frown.
“Oi! Idiots! Let the non giants out as well! Or you want to be beaten up by me again?!”
Draugr screamed at the rest of the crew, as he was focused on ordering the crew, while the captain interrogated the one bastard. After sometime, while he had not really a position of authority in the crew, like other giants in the crew, yet the crew was aware of the strength of the shorter giant, especially as its the closest to be equal to their captain.
With the giants going to work releasing their fellow giants and even the non giants, tears and screams of happiness replace the fighting sounds, the one follower let out a cough out.
“You…are an idiot cough…we are saving our kind cough!”
Thrymr plunged his spear into the arm of the slaver, wounding him. With him screaming, Thrymr simply waited for him to grow silent. "How are you saving our kind if you are putting them in bondage?" questioned Thrymr, his spear still slick with blood. His red hair only intensified his anger, making him look like a hellish agent.
"I have made it my mission to free all those of my kind from such chains. I never wish to see another giant in such a state again. No government, no crew, no family will I allow for this to pass," declared Thyrmr as he readied his weapon. Aiming it over the man's heart, Thrymr grinned.
"Answer my question satisfactory, and I shall make your death swift. That is my gift to you."
Letting out a cough of pain, the giant looked at Thrymr in a mixture of pain, anger and fear. Blood spread through his hand as it soaked behind his head and back.
“Like I cough said. We are here to save our kind from the cough Dark Singers!”
Screaming out he sounded honestly terrified, while some marines looked a bit curious in the direction, before continuing to break free slaves and steal whatever they got their hands on. Draugr just looked curiously, only to spot some humans, who got crushed to death by falling boulders, wearing some kind of red ropes, all looking the same. Yet what raised his curiosity were two chests, which were ont hit by the falling debris. One looked plain normal while the other one was covered by thick chains, to the point it was nearly completely covered.
Thrymr looked between Draugr and the captive, confused as could be. "Dark Singers? What the hell are those?" asked th giant. He pushed the spear deper on to the throat of the man, threatening to kill him. Reveal these secrets now!" commanded Thrymr, needing answers. No giant enslaving giants would ever make sense to him. Even the most self destructive one would typically desire life and freedom.
Letting out another cough at the increased pressure of the spear the follower continued to glare at Thrymr in a mixture of pain, anger and fear.
“A group of preparators, summoners, a cult or just a witch circle. I don't know what they do, but I had a glimpse of my followers and saw their plans. We sacrifice this giants to satisfy their hunger to avoid sending the calamarity at our home.”
With his eyes widening he actually pushed himself up, the spear digging slowly through his flesh as blood started to come out.
“Few of our kind and me visiting Hel is a small sacrifice for our homeland and kind! I will not let the fou-AURGGHHH!”
Before he could finish his voice got silenced by a gurgling sound, his eyes in panic going left and right holding his neck and ignoring the damage the spear caused to his neck.
“S-s-stop! I-i didn't mean t-to-, Kva-!”
But he soon turned limp, with eyes becoming wide. Breathing stopped the eyes started into nothing, with blood starting to storm out from his mouth, nose, eyes and ears in an unnatural manner and definitely not caused by the spear of the captain. But one thing was clear, that the man died in front of Thrymr.
Thrymr kicked the man’s corpse, but found it unresponsive. He could do little but click his tongue in annoyance as he moved his attention away from the traitor.
The captain turned his attention to all the freed giants and he forced a smile, one to hide the anger he felt at their capture. “Brothers! Sisters! Today, you have been freed by the Ragnarok Pirates!” Cheers erupted from the group, some breaking into tears.
“While I do not know where you all come from, let my navigator and helmsman know and we will get you to your home island!” declared Thrymr with a hearty shouted.
“Those who have no home or no desire to return to it, then I will escort you all to the sacred land of Elbaf!”
The warrior captain stabbed his spear into the ground. “Or you may join my divine mission to defeat those who enslaved you and those like them! Pick up arms and join the Ragnarok Pirates, you are all welcome aboard my ship!”
Followed by the speech of the giant, the roars only got louder, filled with happiness and tears to finally having the freedom back, the ex slaves moved, with the crew dealing with them, bringing them to the ship one by one.
“Well I must say you are definitely someone who knows the way with words. If the warrior way fails I think you can make a great career in the theater!” A heavy hand grasped the shoulder of Thrymr, revealed to be Draugr who gave his friend a closed eyed smile, before bringing up his hand holding the two chests from before in front of his captain, “Also I may have found something interesting. I bet 50 cups of Ale you are not able to break the chains and open the chained chest.”
Thrymr grinned with a wicked smile. "I agree to these terms... but treasures we have gained, I'm no longer use to common swill. I will need the finest of ales. Prepare your coin, Draugr. What is promised to Thrymr will be Thrymr's," dramatically declared the giant captain - playing into Draugr's declaration. He prepared his spear, the mighty Supreme Meito, Gungnir.
He held it with both hands directly over the chains, the blade ready to rip and cut the metal. Pushing down with part of his might, the mighty spear clanked off the chains without damaging them in the slightest. Thrymr seemed confused as he inspected his blade - which was also unharmed. Nothing could withstand the might of his blade combined with his spear, except...
Thrymr turned to Draugr enraged. "These are seastone chain! I could have shattered Gungnir if I pushed with all of my strength!" angrily declared the Ragnarok captain. Pointing the spear at Draugr, Thrymr seemed ready to stab him. "If you expect the finest of ales for this deception, you are sorely mistaken!" Pulling his spear away, Thrymr was still mad - just not murderous for the act.
“DrauDrauDrau!” Just laughing at the reaction of the man, even if the deadly spear was close to ending his life, “Just wanted to test your smarts, which again you failed. But don't worry, I will say if the enemy has sea stone or not!”
Making another joke, he quickly pushed the other chest in Thrymr hands, avoiding a possible team kill in the Ragnarok Pirates.
“But seeing I still own you a treasure after our last bet, here take this chest instead! I am sure with your luck there will be something so good that you reconsider buying me a decent ale.”
Thrymr took it happily, ready to inspect its contents. "Hopefully this one actually produces something of value," he said as the lid was pried open. As he did, Thrymr saw all sorts of treasure: gold, silver, jewels, weapons. However, one item sat at the top - an item of unparalleled value. The giant's eyes widened as he reached to grab it.
"Draugr, I take back what I said. You may have the finest ales on me," Thrymr said as he lifted the treasure: the Soru Soru no Mi. The power over souls through fear, the power of creation. Thrymr greedily grabbed the fruit. Its only shame was once having been the fruit of the cursed woman, but its power was undeniable. Thrymr looked at it for merely a moment and consumed it.
The Ragnarok captain began coughing violently, the flavor unbelievably foul. However, he felt a surge of power too. "Are there any more Hel followers left?" he asked. A follower was dragged over, barely alive, by one of Thrymr's crew. Thrymr looked him over. "Tell me, do you fear the Wild Hunt?" asked Thrymr with a malicious grin. Reaching out, he began to grab at the very soul of the giant. Ripping all of his soul out as particles, Thrymr smiled. "Seems so."
His eyes widening, Draugr all saw it all happening in front of his eyes. Not only the fact that in the treasure chest was a devil fruit, but it was exactly the devil fruit of this monster in the past. Yet even though it was a big uneasiness growing in his mind, it also raised his curiosity, hearing stories of the user actually being able to create beings out of it.
“Hoi, Strawberry!" Slapping him friendly on the back, he gave a look at the chest, which Thrymr opened up before, “Beside you being the luckiest or unluckiest person in the world, seeing you become a soul sucking lich already, I am curious as I heard you can give life to things. You think you should use these bastards…soul? To maybe make this chest yap a bit?”
Thrymr played with the spirit particles for a moment, amazed by the power. "I have much to learn with this new weapon, much indeed," spoke the king as he allowed the particles to drop to the earth. He was unable to absorb them and he had to learn to command the power.
"I know I can use this power to forge spirits of my own soul, I can make myself even stronger this way," he excitedly.
“That's great to know. Makes me even more curious about the other chest. I will definitely one day unlock it.” Draugr said, only for getting a great idea as his smile turned more into a smirk, “But one thing we definitely know now.”
Saying cheerfully he just put the chest with the chains, the chains made out of seastone on the shoulder of Thrymr.
“We need to make sure you do not touch the seastone and drop overboard! DrauDrauDrau!”
Thrymr immediately felt faint, dropping from the power of the seastone. Rolling away from it, the Giant quickly stood back up. "Then find me something worthy of bringing to life! Then I can make it fly for me to prevent any such hiccups and creatures that will protect me from that stone! Kowawawa!" laughed Thrymr with a hearty grin.
The vision vanished again, as the duo were back into “reality”, back on the boat and the misty river. However compared to last time, from gray, the mist and river now had a slight red color around them, making the place look even more uncomfortable, as it felt like the mist and water was replaced by blood.
Listening closely, faint, very faint whispers were hearable, sounding like unintelligent and uncoordinated voices trying to speak yet at the same time not, making it not clear if they were talking to them or not.
The odor of blood, the stench of iron filled Skadi's nose, but she was unfazed. She merely looked at the deck of the boat. "So this Draugr... got my father his fruit?" Skadi was not completely stupid, she knew the Soru Soru no Mi was a powerful fruit. With it, Thrymr helped forged his legacy to even higher bounds.
This power cemented Thrymr's legacy in the world and aided him in claiming Elbaf as his kingdom. How could he never mention Draugr? A friend, a crew mate, and someone who gained him this power. Skadi was baffled. "I have to see more."
"Yes, he was." Oyne answered the question as his gaze turned back and forth through the river, while continuing to row the boat, “Also looks like fate is even more open to you then I have expected. The color of red is a sign that fate opened your vision beyond the perspective of the hurt one.”
Commenting and explaining the change of environment, another totem started to appear, this time the color was slightly darker than the previous ones, with an elk head on top of it.
“What you may see now could not even through the eyes or have the hurt one present. But maybe it gives you even more answers, than even the hurt one would have.”
Skadi nodded. "I'm guessing we are getting deep into what he hides in himself..." Skadi always knew there was more to her father than he let on, but seeing him in these scenarios has almost felt like seeing a different person. Is this the man Embla fell in love with, or was he already more like he was now? With an exhale and shaky hands, Skadi reached for the totem.
As the totem got touched this time, instead of a bright white/yellow light, this time the vision turned completely Red, the eyes of the figure glowing manacingful, before it looked like the river consumed them.
Fate Changer[]
The usual scent of alcohol was present in the room. The walls covered in walls of wood, tables and chairs shattered everywhere with cups either on tables or spreaded out through the room. And so was the same state of giant lying in various positions, completely out of the world and asleep. After all, it was the usual scene expected after a celebration party of the Ragnarok Pirates.
And the reason was simple yet so big. After all, their captain finally defeated the last member of the noble families and was now considered by the King himself as the next successor. Yet there was after the happiness and fun an aura of solemnity around the Bar, especially around the last two awake members.
Sitting on one table, with the chest still present, covered in sea stone chains the figure of Draugr drowned the next cup of ale down, before slamming his cup down. While redest was present in his face, showing he definitely was drunk, his expression was everything but just happy.
“So it comes to this, Thrymr? You are finally close to achieving your goal. Only one obstacle left.”
The bearded giant said, trying to Sound happy, yet it was obvious it was everything but happy.
Thrymr drank on his cup. "Indeed, my friend. We spoke of it so long ago, when it was merely a possibility. Now, I stand above the other champions and won the right to the throne. However, a man is only as good as his word, so you remain the last challenge I need. We will go to Vinland, where it all began.
Putting the cup down, Thrymr looked upon Draugr with a grin. "When it is done, I will have you rule that island for me. I will come home and do what I must to win the favor of Embla. Her beauty and strength... I find her most alluring. After all, what is a king without a beautiful queen? Kowawawa!"
Thrymr stood and grabbed hold of his longest companion - Gungnir. "I will summon Bestalka to begin our final voyage as merely captain and crew mate."
“You really act weird around her, my friend. Like you are constantly drunk and stupid. But I can't blame you. She is indeed a pretty woman and worthy of a King.”
Chuckling slightly he looked to his sight, before grabbing his axe, holding it over his head.
“I still feel like this axe has not earned the fame and respect it deserved, even with our travels. My shield brought fear and respect in the hearts of our enemies and allies, as an indestructible wall, yet this axe never so far impressed.”
Letting a solemn scoff out, he gave Thrymr a neutral look.
“Also while I love to rule Vinland for you, don't forget this is a battle for your throne and for honor, which means that death is a possibility. I don't want any of us die, but if its necessary for reaching victory in our fight, I want you to not hesitate to strike me down if it's necessary.” Holding his hand up to stop a potential protest Draugr gave him a weak smile, “After all you would feel insulted if I hold back and give you the victory. So I try my best to be strong enough, so our battle will end in a glorious way as both of us will survive and be happy together no matter the outcome. Beside I heard the ale in the afterlife does not taste that good. DrauDrauDrau!”
"I've never met a woman who possesses the beauty she does and the warrior drive. I thought some of her blows have damaged Gungnir at times!" the King to be said excitedly. "She seemed impressed by me as well."
Thrymr nodded. "Indeed. To the death if necessary," was all he could say.
The flying island of Bestalka had come under the rule of Thrymr during his time at sea - wrestled away from the Charlotte family the giants despised. With the power of the Soru Soru no Mi, it was made into a living construct that Thrymr could command. The flying island was his greatest ship. The great island carried the Ragnarok Pirates and its native giants, who came to serve Thrymr and his crew in many ways. It also hosted guests: the rival nobles defeated in the great challenge. They knew the duel would be private, but they demanded to see firsthand the winner so Elba's throne could be filled. They had little choice but to agree to Thrymr's long ago deal.
As it drifted through the air, it delivered them to their destination: Vinland. So long ago, the two made their pact here - that should Thrymr gain the right of the throne, he would face Draugr on the colony that led to their partnership. The two departed the flying island, which rested its roots into the soil of Vinland as it anchored in.
Thrymr changed his this time. He mastered the power of the Soru Soru no Mi and his Haki developed to several lengths. His many years at sea were paying off. He even heard rumors circulating that, should he gain the throne as was expected, the World Government would name him a Yonko. Thrymr liked to be recognized for his power, but grimaced at an annoying title being given to him - knowing full well it would attract the attention of pirates and Marines seeking a name for themselves by defeating such a figure.
Across from him, Thrymr saw his friend - now his enemy. "As you said Draugr, no holding back. I will not aim to kill you, you are my friend and I think you should be the Jarl of Vinland. However, I defeated all the nobles and earned the right to the throne. I will not give it up so easily!" Thrymr pointed his spear at Draugr.
Holding his shield and axe in preparation, the smaller giant gave the red bearded one a smile of his own. Slamming his axe on his shield the massive force caused a heavy sound echoing through the battlefield.
“Indeed it came to that. And in all honesty, even though we both grew together in our travels, I need to admit something.” Letting out a sight, the shorter giant put his axe down, before grabbing in his pockets, “We always were equals, as it was never clear, who get victorious in our spars. The time in the seas was one of the best times of my life. The fights, the dangers, the islands, the people and the parties. For all these memories, battles and fun you brought into my life I want to say something.”
And with the words ended, Draugr did something no one would expect from a giant, who considered themself equal in strength and rank. An action so unnatural in the culture of gisnts, especially strong ones. Yet the rival and friend of Thrymr did the unthinkable. Head lowered, with the back beendet, the bearded giant bowed down to the captain, something he never did before to anyone in his whole life.
“For giftig me this experience, memories and fights. For convincing me to join your crew no matter what and for saving not only our kind but giftig everyone the freedom back from the tyranny of slavery. For all of that I just wanted to say thank you, not only as a captain, not only as a friend, but someone I considere as a brother. Thank you.”
Thrymr stood tall, his gaze fixed on the man who challenged the fate of his rule. Before him, Draugr, a trusted companion and fellow giant, earned his respect with his steadfast loyalty and unwavering presence. In the solemn moments before the storm of battle, he acknowledged their bond in full return.
"Draugr, your company at sea has been a beacon in these turbulent times. You are my brother," Thrymr spoke with a depth of gratitude, his voice resonating with authority. "This fight will shape our destinies in ways we do not know, but I trust that fate will smile upon us."
In a rare display of humility, Thrymr returned Draugr’s bow, a sign of respect between equals. However, the moment passed quickly, and he straightened himself back to his full height. "Stand, brother," he commanded firmly. He was no longer looking at Draugr alone, but on the vast expanse of the world before them. To the world, he would have looked like a man on a mission. "We are giants, we must stand tall. Our actions here will shape the destiny of Elbaf."
Hearing the words, the shorter giant lifted his head back, coming back to his full height. Even though hard to see through his beard, a honest smile was present on his face. His hand in his pocket it looked like he wanted to pull something out.
“I make sure this fight will be remembered. Yet I had concerns to not keep up anymore. Fate gifted you the incredible devil fruit and the gift to be a king. My fear rose that with you destinied to be our next great King, that I could not gift you the final battle worth for your next journey of your life.” However his smile only widened as he pulled something out, before holding it high in the air for all to see. In his hand was a strange, strawberry shaped fruit, with a patch black stem and otherwise a complete grey color, making the fruit almost look pale like a corpse. But the swirls made it obvious what it was, that Draugr was holding.
“But I think with this one I can offer you the one final battle you deserved!”
Thrymr looked confused at the Devil Fruit for a moment. "I have never seen or heard of one that looks like that. Draugr, where did you get it?" Thrymr's suspicions of it continued to churn in his head. For Draugr to only be calling upon it now, he would have to be incredibly confident. Attempting to master a new power in the midst of combat with the noble Heidrun, it must be some fruit.
“This one. I can only explain it in the way, that fate decided to help me out in my lowest moments. When my heart and mind was for the first time filled with worry and concern, I may not be able to offer you the worthy fight. Remember the other chest?”
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“Hmmm? Looks like fate wants to give us answers, beyond the view of the hurt one? If you can hear me, the child of the hurt one. You get extremely lucky, as you may get more answers, than you usually would got.” Oyne replied as the vision started to shift for a short time, before resuming.
Sitting alone, head down on his table, Draugr looked like he was in a drunken sleep, the last days draining him emotionally. With the battle approaching closer and closer, the anxiety of the normal confident giant just grew each day. The thought to face his friend again and being not able to keep up and ruin his last fight plagued his mind like a swarm of vultures a corpse.
Though like fate heard him, the unbelievable happened. His fist slammed on the tsble it was followed by a soft clicking noise, before the lock of the chest gotcunlocked and the sea stone chains fell off. Hearing it the head of Draugr snapped back, before with widened eyes he opened the chest only for him to spot the content.
“I can't believe it. Looks like fate is favoring you again, strawberry! DrauDrauDrau!”
Unknown to the laughing giant, a figure in a red cloak just dropped it's arms in the moment of the lock grtting unlocked, before vanishing back into the darkness.
“And thats how i got it! I don't care what power it has and how well I can use it! If it even gives me a small power boost to make your final battle even more worthy, than I am willing as a friend and brother to take the risk!”
And without any restraint he threw the fruit up right into his mouth, before swallowing it whole.
The duo returned back to the river, though this time the river changed again. Normally there was mist or the soft spöashing of water to be heard, but thid time it changed. Now the surrounding was deadly silent and everything was completley black, not even able to spot the difference between air and water.
The only light which made this river not an Infinitiv void was Oyne lighting up a lamp wgich illuminated enough so both could see each other in the boat.
“We reached it.” Oyne simply replied as even the rows vanished.
Skadi looked confused. "What sort of fruit could change the tides so dramatically? Is Draugr insane or did he get lucky?" asked the Valkyrie as the memories of the two men clashed. Skadi saw her father's face undisturbed in the vision. He wasn't cowering now, just as he never did. Skadi could only pray to see the fight go well. It was clear he survived and won, but at what cost did this happen?
“You should not ask these questions, child of the hurt one. There may be deeper meanings beyond the possibility of victory and how it got archived. Fate gifted you the scene beyond the vision of the hurt one.” Oyne explained, before he holded his lamp a bit up, “We also reached the darkness. Fate is warning you whatever you may see will be something no one wants to see.”
With a warning tone, he held the lantern in front of Skadi, while with his other hand his palm.
“Choose. Grab my hand, so we return to the world of the living or grab the lantern so it might illuminate the final path to your answers?”
Skadi looked at Oyne and thought of the visions she had seen so far. She learned a lot about her father from this alone. However, she also felt it only added more questions, questions he would never answer and there was no guarantee Oyne would ever help her like this again. Steadying her hand, she grabbed the lantern. "I will see this through until the end."
As soon as the young giantess grabbed the lantern and held it, suddenly the light only intensified, getting rid of more of the darkness than it was usually able to do.
Illuminated, it was revealed that the river dried down, as there was a clear path in the bottom of the river leading to another totem. Instead of different colors or a head of an animal this totem was nothing more than rubbles, with barely the shape of broken stone showing it may be a totem.
“You may be a battle hardened warrior, child of the hurt one. But this totem is your last warning, before you decide to touch it. What you may see now is a horror beyond your compresion, a horror that plagued and probably still plagued you father.”
The final warning echoed from Oyne through the area, as an ominous and unexplained aura escaped the totem, which would make weak willed people turn tail and return back.
Skadi shook her head. "I've made it this far, I have to see it through until the very end," Skadi said as she touched the last totem. "Show me the truth of my father."
With the totem or what reminded of it got touched, instead of a light, the darkness returned, completley consuming the light, as nothing but blackness was present.
Ancient Horror[]
With fruit swallowed down, Draugr stood there waiting for something to happen. He looled confused for sometime, before letting out a sigh.
“Looks like fate made a joke out of m-Urgghh!”
Before he could finish his words, the giant started to bend over in pain. Holding his hands aroud his stomach while letting his weapons drop to the ground, the effect of the devil fruit started to take its effect. With a twitsting sound the legs of the giant started to grow and become thinner, clothes ripped off, revealing the skin starting to change color and structure, looking as pale grey as the fruit itself. With the hands slowly moving away from the stomach, as the body itself started to expend in height, the arms started to grow longer and longer, with the ends turning into long, boney claws.
“ArghhhhhGUOOOOOHHH!”
Letting out a scream of pain, Draugr's voice transformed into a bestial roar at the same time as his head transformed. Exposing the skull it took shape of a deer with antlers spiking out of it, knocking off the helmet.
With the transformation finally done, standing now at 30 meters in height, the chubby appearance replaced by a skinny appearance, the fusion of deer and humanoid stood there. His head only a skull it raised his massive palm, starring at it, while green glowing eyes in the sockets of the skull were visible. Even though a lot of giants especially the battle harded warriors of the Ragnarok Pirates saw beasts and monsters all around the world, even though this transformation was not the tolles or most menacing looking, but for some reason even in the will strong giants a shiver started to crawl at their backs seeing this strange transformation.
Thrymr stared at the beast - not with fear, but apprehension. "Draugr, my brother... are you still in there?" asked Thrymr as the stared the creature down. However, he knew it was a useless affair. He could sense with Kenbunshoku. Behind the eyes of the beast, there was nothing but maliciousness and destruction. Draugr was gone, all that remained was whatever this beast was.
With a sigh, Thrymr raised his spear. He was the captain of the Ragnarok Pirates, the crew that Draugr belonged to. He was destined to become the king of Elbaf, the nation that Draugr belonged to. To lead was to be a shepherd, and sometimes being a shepherd included the culling of one to save the rest of the herd. "Brother... if you are in there, make yourself known," was all Thrymr said as his grip tightened on the spear.
With impressive speed, he launched himself forth. With the spear, he did not waste time assuming his friend was in there somewhere. No, instead he aimed for the neck of the creature. Sever an artery and be done with the fight before it began. Draugr would be honored, the fruit sealed to prevent such pain from ever returning.
With the spear approaching the neck of Draugr or whatever this body was now, the deer monster did not react at all to the approaching giant. The speer hitting the neck caused a shockwave per impact, as the blast sent debris and even trees flying away, showing the pure power behind the strike.
Yet the horror from the spectators slowly arose as the creature not even moved an inch, but also that the spear, the spear slayed countless of beasts and enemies and never showed a sign of weakness and decay stecken on the beast's neck and at closer look not even scratched the skin.
The creature showed little reaction to the attack at ally as it only moved one hand and grabbed the spear. Thrymr and Deaugr were roughly equal in physical power, yet as the beast grabbed the spear, it felt like 10 Draugrs at the same time grabbed the spear holding it in place.
But even after the attack the beast's attention was not even at Thrymr, but actually its gaze with the empty sockets of its skull started a bit further away, watching the spectators with an unreadable expression.
Thrymr reached out his free hand and released a powerful wave of Haki, an invisible force powered by his own spirit. "You should know better than anyone Draugr, no one wields my spear but me," Thrymr said as he maintained control of his spear in the sudden grapple. He would have to be careful, as the beast's strength exceeded Draugr's greatly.
Thrymr excited his own spirit before calling out. "Modi!" was shouted by the soon to be king, echoing across the island. In moments, a strange blue goat-like creature appeared. "Electrocute, Gungnir!" Thrymr cried out as it merged into the spearhead. This was no cheat on Thrymr's behalf. The Vaettir were creatures of his creation, with four existing of his very soul. If anything, they must be present for all of Thrymr to be present.
An electric aura danced off of the mighty spear, one of the Supreme Grade Meito, as Thrymr glared at the creature. Stabbing the spear into the earth, a surge of electricity rippled from the weapon and across the ground to attack Draugr.
The beast pushed away slightly by the force of the haki, it showed, while able to move the beast, it again left any physical damage on the creature, no scar, cough or even a reaction it somehow left a mark on the beast. Yet as the spear hit the ground it started to show a reaction in their fight.
“GROOAAAA!”
Letting out a beastly roar the creature started to be surrounded by strong currents of lightning. Blue lightning bolts clearly visible around its huge pale body, it looked like the creature was stunned by the shock, which fried countless enemies before. Yet listening closer to the roar it did not sound no matter how unnatural it was, like a roar of pain, but more of a roar of anger. Forcing its head to look at Thrymr for the first time the creature let out something beyond an animalistic roar.
“Soru Soru no Mi.”
The creature simply said, before the empty sockets of the deer skull started to change. From the empty and dark abyss a green light started to illuminate, which slowly grew and grew, before becoming orbs of a corrupted green color, resembling iris in the sockets of the skull. Yet as the glow continued, the spectators and residents of Vinland could feel at some places the ground started to shake slightly.
Yet the strangest part happened to his creation. Letting out a painful scream, the Vaettir for the first time of his creation felt a way to feel possible pain as part of the captain's spear. The feeling of something trying to rip the mind off it, made the Homie struggle so much it could not even focus anymore on the task, with the lightning forced to be stopped. The spear of Thrymr, who got the Homie possesed glowed in an unnatural green color, as it felt like a tug of war inside his spear.
Yet it was not much time left as the creature now pounced at high speed at Thrymr, ready to punch like a wild beast, only to show it was not mindless or stupid, as it fist would made contact with the spear it would open it up to grab the spear and lifting the giant with massive strength over his shoulder to slam him on the ground. If the attack would succeed the giant would not have a break as the creature would follow with a massive kick to send the captain away. But one thing became clear. Either the creature was learning fast or acted so far like a mindless beast as it showed knowledge of battles and fights, something definitely not originated from Draugr as he never worked with grapples.
The King watched Modi writhe in pain. "Modi, what is it!?" questioned the King angrily as he saw his creation struggle. He glared at the demon, once Draugr, in anger. "You appear to be some sort of Mythical Zoan, corrupting my Vaettir. Impressive, but his soul contains my own. He would rather tear himself apart than attack his true master.
Thrymr stood his ground and he coated his body arms with Haki. Throwing his spear aside, he entered a grabble with the demon and it pounced him.. While it possessed titanic strength, Thrymr's own seemed to push through as the battle continued - only heightened further by the power of his Busoshoku Haki. The great Giant swung his fist into the creature, the force of his strength easily able to shatter mountains and throw ships to the horizon. "If you wish to fight with me, prepare to have your bones shattered!"
Being in the grapple contest, the sudden punch hit the beast with such force, that the ground cracked multiple miles, nearby trees tropple down and fell from the force of the punch while the far away spectators even felt the force by the pushed over wind. Yet as the punch hit, it was met by something unimaginable hard, harder than any armor, scales or even metal could achieve. Feeling the grip on his arm tightened with the creature pushed few feet away, using Thrymr himself to make sure it not get too far pushed away, while other hand at the moment of the impact wrapped themself around Thrymrs neck.
“You should not carelessly throw away you weapon. Especially if it struggles to follow your command.”
The creature grasped out its eyes still glowing in its sickly green, as it started to go back to its full height, probably pulling the captain with him and making him dangle in the air.
“Haki? Guess this vessel had it aswell.”
It simply commented, before aiming to slam Thrymr down on the ground with a force making the earth shake in a chokeslam. Meanwhile the rumbling in other parts of the island intensified as while the other giants watched the battle in the background a rotten hand pushed itself out of the ground, glowing in the same, sick color of green like the spear of the captain.
Thrymr was befuddled by the comments of the beast, using his emission to create force to prevent him from being slammed into the earth so easily. Thrymr struck the arm of the creature to separate from it. He had known that Zoan fruits possessed a will of their own to some extent, but this creature seemed to be an extreme of some sort. The beast spoke as if it was use to dominating its hosts and using whatever abilities they had for its own. For Draugr to be used in such a way, Thrymr was angered.
"Foul creature, I ask a simple question: do you know fear?" Thrymr asked as his arms remained darkened. His anger over what happened to Draugr remained with him, with the force of his Haki growing. Cracklings of red lightning formed from the Dread King as he allowed his Haoshoku Haki to flare against Draugr and force him back with the powerful form of Haki.
Thrymr again struck at the creature, using the power of internal destruction to deliver a powerful strike to the body of the beast. Thrymr rapidly punched again and to slow down and weaken the man. "If not, then I shall be your teacher!"
“Groaaahh!”
Letting out for the first time a scream sounding like that of pain, the creature buckled up as more and more strikes hit their body. The feeling of insane vibrations and ruptures from the inside of his body, ignoring his hard defense outside of his body. Letting out a scream, the creature's whole body jolted and vibrated, as the ruptures damaged the insides, with greenish blood escaping its mouth. For the first time it looked like the creature actually got damaged by the attack.
“Groaaaaa!”
Yet it also looked like it became even more angry, its body still standing in place, beside the barrage of attacks. Raising its massive arm, for the first time it turned in a familiar color of black, before swinging it down aimed to crush at the side of the head and chest of the giant. Yet at the same time, before the first would hit, the ground cracked beneath Thrymr, as the feeling of something grabbing his feet and trying to drag him to the ground. Whatever it was, it was obvious the best was responsible for that and using it as a distraction to hit its strike.
Thrymr was shocked by the sudden sensation of being captured. He had to act quickly - the beast before him was powerful. Instead of focusing on one problem, he could deal with both as Haki flowed through his whole body. In a sudden push, he emitted his Haki as an omnidirectional burst from his body - pushing everything away from him. He was released from being held, but the sheer power of Draugr pushed through the emission and allowed him to be struck. Thrymr was sent tumbling back, part of the armor on his body broken and a trail of blood came from the corner of his mouth.
Landing on the ground and recovering, Thrymr wiped his cheek. More importantly, he looked upon the green blood leaking from the beast's mouth, a ghoulish sight to behold. However, the giant simply grinned. "If you can bleed, then you can be killed!" shouted the man as his fists once more filled with Haki. He looked to Modi, his Vaettir, and whistled. The being was a spiritual entity - the power of lightning given an animal form by Thrymr's imagination. However, it was still his spirit that gave it life. The creature flew into him, briefly rejoining his fragmented soul back into a greater form. The power of lightning radiated from him.
"Let's see if you can corrupt me!" Thrymr launched forth with a roar of thunder. He moved faster than before, striking at Draugr with Haki infused lightning. "If you think you can stand to me because of a mere fruit, you are still far and away from my level, 'Draugr'!" said Thrymr dismissively to the former form of his friend.
“Grooaaaaa!”
Letting out another beastly roar of pain, the lightning struck the body of the beast, electric current went through the beast, visible through its full body, before the force of the haki sent it flying, crashing into the forest nearby. Trees breaking like twigs, as a huge dust cloud raised, hiding the result of the attack, only sparks of electricity were visible through the dust. While it was silent for a while the rumbling of the ground continued, becoming more and more violent.
“Watch out! What is in Odin’s name going on?!”
Only followed up by the screams of multiple giants and crew members came out, as the sounds of fighting were visible, with an unnatural army of moans were hearable. But it took not a few seconds, before the source of all the chaos emerged in front of him. Revealing what it grabbed and trying to drag him to the ground out of the ground two corpses of giants pulled themself out of the ground. Rotten, holding rusted weapons, bones visible, beside the rattling moans escaping their mouths, where once their eyes were, there was a familiar green glow, similar to the one which surrounded his homie before.
And it did not stop as more and more corpses throughout Vinland started to emerge from the ground. Warriors, slayed enemies, every race from giant to human. Anything which died on Vinland and around Vinland rose to their feet, coming through the soil of the land or came from the oceans slowly slandering to the beaches.
“Draugr? Is that the name of my vessel?” The unholy voice of the creature replied, coming through the dust, skin charred at some parts from the lightning, as around them an army of death gathered, “Yet you should thank fate. If I would be in the other chest, I would have you as my vessel. But I need to work with what I have and I waited hundreds of years to finally move again. So prepare to join them.”
The creature said in a calm manner, before it jumped open palmed as it was about to strike down at Thrymr, like a tiger jumping at its prey, with the undeath moving attacking anything that lives. However before the impact……
The vision stopped abruptly, as Oyne and Shadi stood in front of the totem, the glowing stopped, but the totem was still present.
“Huh? Looks like something stopped the vision. It is not done as the totem was present, like something tries to stop you from seeing the result.”
Oyne replied, eying the totem, as his stuff touched the totem, trying to find where the problem was.
Skadi's eyes were wide with shock, not sure what to do. She turned to Oyne, looking worried. "What if it is my father himself? He presents himself as stoic and unmovable... but I know he is hurting from losing my mom. What if it's the same here? His pain is so much from fighting Draugr, or whatever that thing is using him, that he has buried that memory as far as he can?" Thrymr was strong, but even he had limits. Maybe forgetting the pain was the only way to be free from it.
“I do not know the answer of it, child of the hurt one, but your theory might be possible and explain why suddenly the eye of fate struggles to show what we should see.”
Oyne muttered with a bit of annoyance as he tried anything, before letting out a sigh. Pulling out his staff he cracked his neck and slammed his staff hard on the totem, making the whole totem shake violently.
“Even though sometimes you need to force it!”
He screamed out, before the eyes of the totem glowed again, before the whole memory continued.
What was once a beautiful landscape, which Vinland was known for turned into a completely post war battlefield. Trees all fell down, with giant craters on the ground. The sight of an army of undeath was still present, threatening to consume Thrymr and every living giant on the island. The crew, while able to fend off the undead, the numbers of victims increased, joining the fray of undying monsters, while the line of defense slowly decreased after more and more time passed.
The despair only increased, becoming hopelessness, only for all the undead to freeze in place, like they were puppets, with their strings suddenly held in place. The reason for it was the reason it all started. Flashes of black lightning were still present with warrior and beast standing frozen in the center, the spear of the giant was after a long battle finally able to pierced the creature, with the spear went through the chest of the beast, while sticking out from the back, covered in strange greenish blood.
“........”
The creature did not let out a single word, its grip still holding tightly the spear of the giant, even after it went through its body, greenish blood dripped from its mouth. However slowly the mouth of the creature moved upwards, showing something which would closely resemble the smile of pure evil.
“......Guess needed more time…..to get used to this body…..giant…….I don't remember your name from my vessel….tell me your name..”
Thrymr drove the spear deeply into the monster before him, his rage at it strong and his hatred palpable. Breathing deeply, the man glared at the creature. "My name? You ask me my name after all you have done?" Thrymr's disgust was visceral, able to be felt by anything that could speak around them. "Draugr knew me as Strawberry," Thrymr barked, driving the weapon deeper. The name he once thought annoying would be nice to hear once more.
"The world has taken to calling me the Dread King for the fear they have of me and my power over their very souls!" said the captain as he removed his spear from the creatures body. "You have taken one I hold dear to me, creature. I have won this conflict, your name is not needed. As you rot away, know that you will only be remembered by me as Dainn, the dead." The man readied his spear, ready to drive it through the weakened creature's head.
"I am King Heidrun Thrymr. Elbaf will kneel before me as you rot beneath me," Thrymr said as he lunged his spear for his final attack.
With the spear sticking its head, the creature moved its head so the spear hit its neck. Even though weakened, the skin still resisted the force. The creature only in response just smirked even further, knowing the frustration that it might not die directly after the attack.
“Rot? Fits good to me, Thrymr. You know I remember this hearing before, but you know what's funny? After all the time and effort you put into it?”
Thrymr's eyes narrow as the spear ignited with black energy. "What is it you find amusing?" Thrymr said as he readied the spear for one final assault. He was tired of dealing with the monster, all he wanted to do was bury his friend and lock away the fruit. However, the small hope of Draugr's voice coming back prevent him from this.
Being silent for a bit, the smile only widened, as even through the skull, the giant was sure this creature was taunting him with his expression.
“Well for all your effort, for all the fight and will to kill me, let me say something to you. All you did was just delay my return….fuel me with more armies of your dead crewmates and your friend….” Smiling even more the body looked like it would vanish, the skull turning back to a familiar sight, a horrifying sight hidden behind the gruesome creature. “I need to thank you for adding him into my army. Thanks for sparing me the hessel to kill him….we will soon meet again, strawberry.”
With these words, the whole body of the wendigo transformed back, as now revealed the bloody and ruined body of Draugr, blade of the spear half way through his neck, with blood storming out of him, before his massive body dropped on his back with a big thud sound. Even though the giant leaked blood out like a storm and had more wounds than actual skin, with a big hole in his chest, it still rose weakly up and down.
Thrymr closed his eyes, feeling pain in the deepest part of his soul. Clenching his eyes shut, he fought the tears trying to flow. All this work, all their time, Draugr would not be there to be his right hand man in the kingdom. The beast's last mockery was a jab that hurt more than any attack it unleashed. The Vaettir gathered around Thrymr, silently comforting him in his grief. However great his pain, he made himself stand and gather the body of Draugr.
Returning to Bestalka, the nobles watched as Thrymr placed his body down before the nobles. "The gambit has been won, I am your king. See to it that Draugr receives a burial worthy of someone of his might and valor. A mighty memorial to him shall honor him here for the rest of time. Do this to prove your loyalty to me," commanded the new king.
Looking to his crew, Thrymr breathed in. "Search Bestalka and Vinland for a fruit. Bring it before me. Know that even considering eating it is the highest of treasons and I will not hesitate to execute you for it," commanded the old captain. His subordinates got to work immediately.
With the final words spoken the giants listen to the order of the new king…with the vision started to flicker and flicker only to be replaced by darkness as the only thing that was hearable was a voice…a voice the young giant never heard before, but carried a tone that sounded a bit amused and tauntingly, yet it felt wrong…very wrong.
“You saw way too much, you little curious giant.”
Were the last words, before Skadi was back not on the river, but actually back on the house of Oyne, back to the position, with Oyne in front of the kettle.
Skadi looked around, rubbing her head. She felt exhausted, despite having done nothing but go through the vision. Skadi looked to Oyne as he thoughts began to recollect. "That... was intense. I can't believe my father suffered like that to begin his rule..." Skadi said, trailing off. As her thoughts raced, she seemed to snap back to the end of the vision. "What the hell was that voice though?"
“The hurt one earned his name way before his other disaster, which turned him into the fate he is today.”
Oyne explained, as even Skadi noticed the pattern this old giant spoke normally. Every sentence or answer of his was strange or had some kind of mystery and wisdom behind him. Yet this kind of attitude, while normalized made the next statement of him even more mysterious and terrifying for a different reason.
“Voice? What voice, daughter of the hurt one? There was no voice.”
Oyne explained and for the first time setting his statement without any word mix and more importantly the tone of his voice, which sounded completely confused for the first time, like believing Skadi may pull a prank on him.
Skadi herself looked even more confused than Oyne. "There was! It said something like 'you saw way too much, you little curious giant' to use," Skadi said, looking at Oyne as if he were crazy. Skadi rubbed her temples, trying to gather her thoughts. It had been many years since she felt this painfully sober. "What did it mean?" she asked to herself.
“With all respect, child of the hurt one, there was no voice. In all my visions, I always heard what the other person heard and there was no one saying these words. Maybe you are a bit stressed or a side effect of you receiving the first vision….or the first time you stayed that much not intoxicated by alcohol?”
Oyne explained, a bit lost, as he genuinely believed Skadi might turn crazy and he soon even without the vision of the future imagined an angry Heidrun Thrymr standing in front of him threatening him with execution….again.
Skadi shook her head. She knew what she heard, a distinct voice that called her out for her underhanded tactics in learning about her father. "Are you sure? Have you ever heard of anything like this before?" Skadi asked, still clearly upset. That voice was odd, strange, and unfamiliar. Had she upset some higher power? Skadi shook her head, trying to calm down. "IF you got nothing, I'll try and figure it out on my own. Do I owe you anything for this... trip?"
Being confused at the statement of Skadi , Oyne thought a bit, before letting the matter drop, as in the end it did not really bother him.
“Owe me? The only being you owe is fate itself, who decided to show you what was hidden under the past of the hurt one. How you pay back is up to you and your decision to lead the future of your and the hurt one. If it's for the better or worse, it's up to you young soul.”
Oyne explained before turning his back to Skadi and continued to work on stuff, not really clear what he exactly was doing. But the gesture and atmosphere made it clear that the seer closed down the topic and interest to talking with Skadi anymore.
Skadi looked questioningly at Oyne, but even she knew when one was done. All she could do now was meditate on what she learned about her father. Skadi sighed sadly. Her father lost his best friend and wife, amongst others. He fought for the freedom and security of giants across the world, Elbafian or not, full-blooded or hybrid. Maybe Norn was right, maybe Skadi was too carefree with a legacy like her father's on the line. With nothing left, Skadi walked away from Oyne and to the fate that she would claim.