| The Grass is Greener | ||
| Date Started: February 29, 2024 Date Finished: Ongoing Next Role-Play: Timeline: February 29, 1620 Setting: Characters Involved:
| ||
| Participants | ||
| User:EmperorKamui • User:Citron19 • User:AbysmalShadows • User:Blackdagger01 | ||
| Cover Image | ||
 | ||
Giant Children[]
House of Heidrun[]
The fields of Elbaph were as big as their people, the green grass danced within the wind on the beautiful island of Giants. The men and women toiled away at their jobs - the fishermen cast their lines and nets, the bakers baked delicious breads and pastries, and various other roles were fulfilled. They warned the children to be weary of the beasts of the island. However, amongst these jobs stood the most important of them all: the crown that ruled over and protected them all, Heidrun Thrymr. As he moved about the castle, he signed off on many requests of the people and laws to govern the island. Trailing him were strange creatures of his creation, the power of his fruit on full display.
However, this was not this story. Instead, a relatively small, redheaded girl giggled and ran out of the castle as her father toiled away. Crown Princess Heidrun Skadi quickly moved from the fortified walls of her home to a smaller castle within the court of nobles. The nobles bowed as the girl ran through, respecting their future Queen. She reached the house of her clan, the noble Heidrun estate. She could enter it without permission, being part of the family, and ran past servants. "Nanna, where are you!?"
As the little redhead continued to walk along the corridor, then turn left, then right again and without success, the person named Nanna was nowhere to be found in certain rooms that she usually frequented. Still stubborn to find her, she remained determined and continued to search deeper until she walked straight past and took a few steps back to see some tiny feet. The rest of the body? She had half entered a small secret door, a secret door that Skadi was unaware of. The tiny feet began to wiggle in all directions, desperate to explore the inside of this secret passage, the little girl let out a plaintive moan until she sighed loudly and always stuck in.
“Huuh hmff hunn! Pfffaah, how hard it is to crawl…”
Hearing the voice, the little redhead finally saw the wiggling feet of her target, her cousin. Skadi was older than her, but Nanna's ha;g-giant nature made them mentally similar ages. Skadi grabbed on to Nanna's ankles and started to pull. "Nanna! Your favorite cousin is here, let's play!" Skadi exclaimed as she struggled to pull the girl from the hidden door. Nanna clearly wanted to explore and struggled enough that Skadi lost her grip and fell back. Landing on her butt, Skadi let out a groan of pain and annoyance.
"What's so cool in there that you're ignoring me!?" shouted the pouting princess.
Having fought hard to stay inside, the head of a short-haired blonde popped out of the door, her hair scattered in all directions and a dusting of cobwebs was on.
“I’m not ignoring you! I want to explore this door, I think I saw a door on the other side of the tunnel” she explained while tamping down the spider web, taking the opportunity to arrange her hair with a minimum of dignity. Nanna stood up to help her cousin, Skadi, to get up in turn.
“You have to help me push my butt, maybe this tunnel would take us to another place” she begged the youngest, Nanna was habitually curious and loved to explore everything new. In fact, she didn't really like the unknown, she wanted to know it at all times, for anything and perhaps that was a very small flaw since little Nanna could barely explore outside of the limit of the castle, a limit that had been imposed on her.
Skadi took the help up, still annoyed - but filled with curiosity. "A door we haven't explored... alright, get back in. I'll push!"
As Nanna resumed her position, the devilish princess grinned. Instead of pushing, she could make it funnier. As Nanna climbed back in, Skadi ran forward and slammed her shoulder into her cousin's butt - pushing her into the small door frame. Skadi laughed as she pushed herself up from the ground. "What's in there?" she asked as she bent down to crawl in after her.
She was a bit bigger than Nanna, being a full giant. As such, she quickly got stuck. Perhaps her mean prank was ill-timed, because now she needed Nanna's help. "Can you pull me through? You know you're my favorite relative, less annoying than my little brother!" cooed the trapped princess.
With Nanna's ass cheeks in the air and the cramped tunnel, she barely raised her head to see Skadi's disheveled face.
“I’m willing… you just have to hold my ankle! I will hoist!" she replied acceptingly, and how can I put it, although the redhead gave sweet compliments, she was also the only member of the family to spend quality time with Nanna. This is why it is rare for the blonde to refuse the requests of her cousin Skadi.
When Skadi held the sandal-adorned ankle, Nanna broke her whole body with all her strength. She wasn't the strongest, but if there was one quality to describe her, it was her perseverance!
“Hmnf! HGNEH! Damn, Skadi, have you grown up yet?" she complained as she caught her breath, sweat flowing from her forehead, she started again, continuing to crawl. However, Nanna noticed that the passage was getting bigger and bigger, feeling less friction of her skin against the old bricks of the castle and this relieved her. A simple sigh of relief was a positive sign.
" It's good ! Hold on again!" she encouraged the princess, although it was dark in this tunnel, Nanna continued to crawl until she managed to get the princess in, but not only that, Skadi could crawl in a wider tunnel, leaving their shoulders free.
Nanna rested her head on the cold stone to escape an exhausted sigh, “Pfffuuh… how heavy you have become…”
Skadi looked up, thankful to be pulled through. "I can't help it Nanna! I'm a full giant and mom always told me the women in her family were big!" exclaimed the young princess. She looked around the strange corridor they were in. "Has this always been here? I wonder if daddy knew about it..." said the girl as she stood up.
"Let's look around Nanna! I bet something cool would be in a hidden room like this! Maybe we can find something that showed our dads explored here before too!" Skadi began to walked forward, leading the way - despite her cousin having been the one to find this place. She looked happily at the blonde half-giant, always joyful to play with her - or bully her, whatever came first.
Nanna puffed out her cheek, giving her exploring cousin a sulky look. Sometimes she forgot that Skadi loved exploring as much as she did. But it was often two different explorations and they always found a way to find one or the other interesting. The much calmer blonde moved closer to the red-haired girl.
"Don't leave me alone! It's dark..." she reminded that danger could lurk wherever you were. The small and dark corridor could barely be seen and when they touched the walls of the corridor, only stones were stacked on top of each other and seemed of an infinitely long path. Without hesitation, Nanna grabbed her cousin's hand, continuing their walk to explore this mysterious tunnel.
The more they advanced, the further they moved away from the point of light, beginning a long walk without them knowing where they were heading. Nanna ended up cutting Skadi's word as she talked incessantly about what they could discover:
“The path seems infinitely long, doesn’t it?” she remarked with a touch of curiosity, finding it very strange that such a tunnel was in the Heidrun castle.
"Don't be such a scaredy cat Nanna!" exclaimed Skadi as Nanna complained about the darkness. Despite her words though, Skadi took ahold of Nanna's hand. Whether it was her being nice to Nanna, Skadi also being scared, or some combination of both, the princess would never reveal it. "Come on, we can find fun stuff together!" grinned the girl as they walked further into the hall.
As they got deeper, the light became dimmer - the door further away. "H-hey Nanna, you found the door, so you should lead the way," said Skadi, clearly becoming a little more scared. She wished that Modi or Skoll was here, either could light up the way for the duo and protect them from any nasty creature that could be crawling around in this abandoned part of the castle. They were also loyal enough to not tattle on her, at least that was the case with Modi. "I wish we had a candle or something," Skadi whined with a slight shiver.
“I admit that… we see nothing, absolutely nothing” she insisted on the word while she was perfectly calm, at least, that was all she could do. Being scared or panicked brought nothing but trouble, Nanna held her cousin's hand tightly to reassure her of her presence. Her small, frail, pale hand rested on the century-old door, pressing several times before succeeding in pushing.
A smell of wood and mould extended to the nostrils of the young girls, not being able to see, Nanna was content to feel the place. She noticed that the entrance was round and decorated with lots of plant moss, stone and a subtlety of flowers, again, there was still a lot to say. The brains were stimulated by touch and smell, everything was new for the young blonde who rarely discovered the outside.
“Skadi… a little more, I feel like we’re close!" she exclaimed softly, shy but her joy was felt through her voice, having lost her fear once again demonstrated at the beginning.
Standing at the entrance, Skadi looked at her cousin - or at least thought she did with how dark it was. "Looks like somethings blocking the entrace... or exit?" Skadi question, the darkness hiding her confusion. Letting go of Nanna's hand, she put her hand on the barricade and began to push. Even young giants were much stronger than the average person, but even she had trouble pushing through the portal. "Nanna, help me push! We can do this together!" Skadi said as she continued to push. The smell of the mold made her push harder, wanting to escape the foul odor. "Let's find a lost Heidrun treasure!"
“Yes, I’m pushing!" she replied, the blonde pushed the barricade with her shoulder. The accumulated efforts of the two half-giants would trigger a strange noise followed by a squeal as old as 100 years. Her little fingers roamed the edge of the door looking for an opening and a slit appeared. A smell of freshness and wind came rushing out before calming down, filling the musty air with fresh air.
But when the wind pushed against the door, the girls forced themselves to push the door with all their might, causing them to stumble together to the floor with the door wide open. But not only had they fallen, they were sliding down a grassy slope. The young people found themselves on a slide as they tumbled quickly. Nanna, her pale eyes screamed with worry, why such a slide was found in the castle, or even under the castle. It was impossible to understand anything, her hair was going in all directions and letting herself slide.
As their fall accelerated, living like rides, their gazes searching for the source of light were now at the end of this tunnel. A thin white point appeared, blinding them more and more before jumping and taking them out of the tunnel at full speed.
“KYAAAA-AAAA!”
Skadi let out a mix of a scream of terror and a laugh of amusement. She had no idea what was going on and what would happen, thus the fear. However, the slide-like slope would be fun if she knew what was happening. All she knew was it felt cold. Thankfully, the adrenaline rushing through her body and her fur cape helped counter the effects. As the giantess duo tumbled toward the light, Skadi's last fleeting thought was hoping they would survive to tell the tale.
Blinded enough that the eyes got used to the brightening after being in the dark for a while, as the children jumped from the slide to the slow motion. Nanna met Skadi's amused gaze before they completely fell into a small, icy, but very pleasant lake. The sound of a wave of water echoed in the secret cave where one and a thousand small neon blue slugs glowed. Its little creatures lit up most of the decor, revealing a few spots of plants, climbing plants climbed along the rocks, finely pointed pebbles hung deep from the ceiling and drops of cold water trickled down the spikes.
At least, that's what Nanna had noticed during a moment when she was in a short free fall, the blond child raised her head from the water to breathe in some fresh air.
“Pffaaaah! Ah… but… but what is it?" she questioned, her eyes scrutinizing the smallest details of the new environment of which she was unaware of its existence. She was both perplexed and amazed as she floated to the surface, a flash flashed through her mind, it was a reminder that she hadn't seen her cousin and with a simple shake of her head, Nanna exclaimed in slight worry.
“Skadi?!"
Skadi was doggy paddling to the shore. Getting out of the pool, Skadi shook herself as hard as she could, splashing water and slugs everywhere when she did. She was concerned she would freeze to death, but it was not as cold as she thought it would be in the cave. Thankfully, giants were tough, she wouldn't freeze to death.
In her fear, she got separated from Nanna and looked into the water to find her half-giant cousin. She finally saw her swimming in the pool. Surrounded by the glowing slugs, Skadi thought she looked like a pretty mermaid for a second. "Nanna! Over here!" shouted Skadi, cupping her mouth with her hands as she did. Skadi crossed her arms and shivered a little, her body warming itself back up. She was temped to call out for Skoll to warm to two up, but she knew the wolf spirit would drag them back to the Heidrun estate. Besides, the thing likely wouldn't even hear her.
A shiver brought Nanna back to reality, reminding her that her body was frozen, forced to emerge from her reveries. This one came out of the lake soggy, the green dress weighed a ton of water while this transparent fabric one was partially torn and completely dotted with green and earthy brown stains. She got rid of it there, staying wet wouldn't make them warm, the fabric was worn under the strength of Nanna's hands, trying to remove as much water as possible.
Although the incident was brief, a smile appeared on her face, her cousin Skadi had never seen her become resplendent and as happy as she was, Nanna who was usually somber and calm.
“Skadi….Skadi!!! Did you see it? It’s our secret haunt now!" she exclaimed, exhilarated by the beauty of the cave.
Skadi shook her head in agreement. "Let's just find a way to get in here without getting soaked each time," Skadi said with a small laugh. She saw a glowing slug stuck to Nanna's face, grabbing it and throwing it back into the water. "Let's not tell anyone for now, this place could have cool stuff in it."
Skadi again took Nanna's hand - not out of fear, but so they could get warm faster together. As they walked for a bit, Skadi noticed tree roots growing through the walls of the cave. Excitedly, she ran and broke many of the wooden roots free. "If we rub them together fast enough, we could make some torches! Might help us see better and get warm!"
"wait Skadi...I don't think that's a good idea!" she complained quietly, although that wasn't a bad idea as an apparent red mark from the slug appeared on her face. "We could take some old branches, there must be some parts! These are healthy and good for growing" she explained, pointing out the roots surrounding the many stones of the cave, it is said that the children had imagination and it was case to say that Nanna imagined that the cave would collapse if her cousin Skadi pulled out one of the roots. She couldn't really admit her fear of this false possibility, she wouldn't want to be accused of attempted murder and even lose her only nice cousin. The only happiness that allowed her to beautify her daily life as a half-giant.
Skadi stopped with a sigh. "Fine..." said the spoiled brat, knowing she couldn't ignore everything Nanna said about possible dangers. Skadi looked at the roots sadly, with it not being sure if she wanted the fire for light and warmth or just to burn stuff. "Let's keep looking then!"
The little giantess trudged along, ready to explore the cave more. "I don't see any bones or fur, so I don't think we have to deal with bears or wolves... or worst of all, squirrels." The child grimaced at the though of the Toskr Squirrels, the feared monster of the island.
Nanna chuckled under her breath at the squirrels' comments, it made her tingle with imagination when she thought about it, a Skadi with a squirrel hat whose tail stuck out over her face suited her character well.
“Is it as worst as bears and wolves?" she asked about the squirrels, walking hand in hand, side by side with her cousin Skadi. They were moving away from the point of return, the young blonde had already started to think about returning without even thinking of living in the present moment, they must have already succeeded in hiding their secret discovery, but on top of that, they had to be returned before the servants or parents notice their absences. The return to the present reminded her that when Skadi moved the hand held in her, Nanna remembered that she was happy with the discovery and therefore told herself that she would think about it without worrying. For once in her little life as a half-giant, she went beyond the limits imposed by her parents, although a king had played this role, which Nanna suspected.
"The exit shouldn’t be that far, the temperature is getting warmer!" she remarked during the walk in the cave.
"Toskr Squirrels are way bigger and scarier than bears and wolves!" Skadi shouted in fear and excitement. Her eyes went wide for a moment as she looked around, being sure she didn't alert any near by. She was correct though. While most squirrels were rather simple, non-threatening creatures, the Toskr species of Elbaph were massive and seemed to have all the hyperactivity of squirrels and the feral maw of a rapid wolf. Even experienced hunters remained cautious while hunting them.
As they got to the warmer exit, Skadi smiled. Finally, their clothes could dry and they wouldn't die frozen in a lost underground cave. "Let's remember how to get here though, so we can make it our secret base!" proclaimed the girl as she smiled warmly at Nanna. "Can we also get some snacks?" Skadi asked with a pout, putting her hand on her belly. As if on cue, it rumbled in hunger. Skadi thought of all sorts of snacks to get, mostly meaty options.
Nanna let out a soft snicker at her insatiable appetite, “To have some snacks, it’s time… to chase your squirrels!” she suggested enthusiastically, not realizing the extent of the danger of the Toskr race. In fact, Nanna, the wise and calm little blonde, had just challenged Skadi, her royal cousin.
“You will have your snack and I can make your hat, pfufufu” She muffled her laughter into her hand, having a crazy imagination about her vision for Princess Heidrun. While they were at the exit of the cave, they could finally settle down not far from the exit, starting by establishing a safe circle for the fire. The blonde was already placing stones and going to collect dry branches filled with flammable white moss, she was in a good mood and so cheerful. You could say that she was one with nature, her lips hummed a little song and all the while, the soaked clothes were drying on one of the immense rocks which were weighed down by the rays of the gentle sun.
Nanna felt light, life was beautiful, she laid down the many branches she had picked, placing them in a capital. She began to try to light it with two stones found nearby.
"I can't hunt those things!" Skadi shouted with a fearful grimace. The child would be merely a snack for one of those creatures. Even if she tried, she was sure her parents would hunt her down fiercer than those ravenous rodents. However, the young giantess did briefly imagine clothes made of a Toskr and thought it would look cool. "Make it a cape and we'll hunt one when we are big and strong!"
Her stomach growled again. "I'm thinking shrimp sound tasty," Skadi said with a smile, her eyes glistening and drooling slightly. Poor Nanna, cursed with a cousin who's attention span was poor and controlled by her stomach. She looked back at the water they had landed in. "I wonder if there are any in there, I can swill and get them!"
However, as the duo finally built a safe fire, just outside of the cave. Skadi was happy to warm up and seemed to forget about her hunger... for now. She looked around the exit, not quite sure where they were on the island. However, she could see smoke billows in the distance, so she knew where other people were - no one would deny helping the crown princess of the nation find her way home. "What should we call this place? Doesn't look like any giants live in there either."
Nanna exclaimed a little too enthusiastically, the young girl was excited at the idea of sharing a name that her cousin would never have thought of. By clapping hand in hand, sparkling stars came out of the head and lit up.
“How about we call it the NS Paradise Lair!” she suggested, convinced that her name would dazzle her red-headed cousin. Sounds of rustling shook before they moved away, then another noise followed in the other bushes, Nanna wasn't paying attention at the moment. The young blonde was feverish at the idea of finding a name for their lair for which they had made the discovery.
"NS Paradise Lair? Hmm," Skadi said, seeming to think. She tilted his head and her mouth shifted into a frown as she thought. "I like it, but it's long. How about we cal it-"
Whatever the young girl was saying was cut off and lost by a sudden roar that ripped through the cave. Skadi turned in fear to the source - a mangy looking, ferocious beast eyed them down like a small snack. A Toskr Squirrel, a juvenile, was glaring on them. However, its sharpened teeth were bared - showing it was old enough to join in on the hunt. It released another roar as it dived at the two girls.
Skadi panicked and pushed Nanna into the cave and away from the squirrel. "Nanna run!" shouted the girl as she grabbed a stick from the fire, burning brightly with fire. She poked at the creature, larger than herself currently, which made it roar in anger. Skadi was sure she just pissed it off more as she ducked into the cave, following Nanna as quickly as she could.
Nanna stumbled but quickly regained her balance, it was not the time to make the slightest mistake. She didn't realize that a vile creature was attacking them and it terrified her, making her look pale.
Her little bare feet kept moving, but a root embedded in the stones caused her to stumble and swing forward. The face was slapped on contact with the porous stones, ending up with her face puffy with redness, Nanna turned around in her moment of panic while her cousin, Skadi was about to catch up with her. The monstrous, angry squirrel chased the young girls who were still too small.
"Skadi...!! SKADI!!!! YOU ARE THE PRINCESS" she shouted, terrified that her cousin would be injured, worse, than the dead woman facing her ordeal. She got up awkwardly while heading towards Skadi, Nanna had to prioritize the princess, protection was absolute and non-negotiable or else the little blonde would suffer the wrath of the great Thryrm.
Nanna pushed Skadi backwards, forcing her to continue running. The little blonde would run straight to sink into the squirrel's belly without really thinking about her actions. All she needed to do was fend off the squirrel while the princess fled.
Skadi tried to help Nanna up, but was pushed away by the blonde girl. To keep from stumbling over from the pushed, Skadi herself began to run again. "Nanna keep running! Maybe if we yell loud enough where we fell in, someone will hear us!" The girl was not yet the warrior she would one day become, right now she was merely a frightened child fleeing for her life and fearful for her cousin's as well. She began to shout with all her might. "Daddy! Mommy! Modi! Skoll! Audum! Sleip! Norn! Someone please!" Desperation seeped into her voice more and more with each name as tears began to stream down her panicked face.
The rapid squirrel lunged at the duo of young girls, frothing at the maw. While mere squirrels were little more than cute pests to the majority of the world, Elbaph evolved them into vile monsters that acted more like wolves than the rodents they were. It saw the blonde child stumble and fall. Like any beast ready for its bounty, it would take out the one that seemed weaker - or in Nanna's case, dumb enough to try and fight back. It tackled the younger girl with its much larger body and brought its claws down, slashing at the girl to weaken her for its teeth. Even if she escaped it now, Nanna could continue to lose blood to leave her weaker and slower for the massive rodent. It roared at Nanna, sticky saliva flying from its mouth as it did. Its jaws opened wide, preparing the bite into the girl.
Her head lowered and sunk, her eyes widened when the monstrous squirrel straightened its long claws, barely blinking her eyes, Nanna found herself with a wound on her shoulder. However, while attempting to dodge backwards, the claw pierced and lacerated the girl's cheek before she tumbled onto the cold floor of the cave.
Blood was seeping from her deep wounds, her head was spinning in circles as her blurred vision faded. The young blonde, already pale, slowly experienced the shape of her slobbering bites, a roar was enough to make Nanna's shoulders stand up. A terrifying shiver made her realize that she was still alive, the pain camouflaged by adrenaline and only the hemorrhage made her weak. Her lips trembled in worry as the vile creature slowly approached the small half-giant head, petrification taking her by the throat while Princess Skadi screamed at the top of her lungs, calling for help. In vain, Nanna raised her arms in front of her face in an attempt to defend herself and push the squirrel away.
As the Toskr squirrel moved in for the kill it would suddenly stop, not having reconsidered its actions but rather... As though it had been frozen in place altogether. Drool and blood dripped from its mouth and from the little light that reflected back through its eyes one might recognize the disitinct look of fear. Clearly it knew as much about what was happening as the two little giants before it did.
And then suddenly, like a fish having taken the bait on the end of the line, the squirrel shot up and into the dark. Silence came before a loud Crack was heard high above them.
Silence followed before droplets of blood began to ooze down from the darkness before the sound of something large being lowered down made itself known, the scuttling of multiple legs and from above, piercing the veil of black were that of two golden eyes that quickly took shape into a familiar figure.
Norn in her hybrid form lowered herself from the ceiling of the cave on her web. The squirrel was nowhere to be found, but the girls could be assured that it would be no bother to anyone again.
It was clear that Norn wanted to scold the both of them, the fierce look in her eyes said more than words ever could and seeing Nanna's wounds, she decided to allow that gaze to be all the punishment they would recieve. At least from her, Thrymr was a different story.
"Show me your wounds, the both of you." Norn spoke before she began to spin webs from her mouth to use a makeshift bandages.
With all her held breath, a suffocation Nanna escaped as a breath escaped her lips, a trembling breath made her realize that her deep wounds were so painful when Norn wrapped her in bandages. The contact with oxygen made her suffer, covered in spider web, her wet eyes met Norn's severe gaze.
Deep down, Nanna knew that the worst would come, the wise little girl had left the limits of the castle, but that's not all, she had brought Princess Skadi. A confusing feeling grew inside her, her orange eyes searching for the redhead's familiar face.
"Huh...Huuh, Ska-di? Skadi?" she repeated, "S...She's okay?" she asked in a trembling voice, grimacing in pain as she held the neck and the arm.
Skadi came running up, crying. "Nanna, are you okay!?" she shouted as she hugged on to the blonde half-giantess. She paid no mind to the blood getting on her, simply holding on to her cousin as she let the fear slowly fade away. She then looked up at Norn, her lower lip still trembling. She then grabbed on to one of the woman's legs, despite her fearful gaze.
"I was so scared Norn!" yelled the girl, oblivious to the fact she was hugging a power powerful, more frightening monster than the squirrel. "I t-thought it was gonna eat Nanna and then me!" Despite the blood on her, it was obvious that she was unwounded. She looked up to the spider woman with pleading eyes. "Is Nanna gonna be okay? Can you please take us home? I don't think I like the club house anymore..." she said as she used her wrist to wipe her nose.
"Skadi will be okay, let's worry about you for now, Nanna." She told the girl, dressing the last of her wounds. It wasn' the greatest medical technology in all of Elbaph but it would do to stop the bleeding.
Norn placed a hand atop Skadi's small head, letting her frustration drain from her face and try to give off a warm smile for the two scared little girls. "She'll be fine, I'll make sure of it. We'll get her to a better doctor than me soon enough. Now lets go, the King and Queen are worried sick about the both of you. You're lucky they noticed you were gone when they did. But..." Norn let out a sigh, "That's for later."
The armor clad giant picked up the dangerously injured Nanna as gently as she could and swooped Skadi up into her other arm, beginning to head back to the castle.
Her gaze, trembling with worry, was carried under Norn's arms, not moving a single bit. Her only occupation was her reflections and the things to come from the king and the queen. The statue of fear was frozen inside her, terrified of her spring, all she thought about was her father. His warm smile on which she would remember a great consolation, one of the only ones in whom she had confidence for the deliberation of punishment to come.
Royal Blood[]
The ever dutiful Norn delivered the pair to the throne of Elbaph, to Heidrun Thrymr himself. As the trio of giantesses arrived, he stood quickly with his wife as well. Running down the steps of the throne, he grabbed Skadi from Norn's embrace. "My dear, are you alright!? You have blood on you? Are you hurt?" he spoke in a fearful tone.
Skadi shook her head. "No, I'm not hurt... Nanna was though," sadly spoke the girl as she clung to her father, crying softly as he held on to her. The king turned his gaze to the blonde child, his one eye a swirl of emotion. He was angry that they had gotten lost, that his daughter was in danger, that his brother- no, now wasn't the time. He turned his attention back to Skadi, trying to comfort her.
Embla rubbed the back her daughter's head and put a kiss on her cheek. However, the queen knew she was safe and now secure with her father holding her. Had the situation been less stressful, she might have laughed seeing the father and daughter duo, the feared Dread King so easily swayed by his daughter.
Instead, Embla went to her niece and pulled her from Norn as well. "Thank you Norn, I know we can always count on you," she said with smile, holding on to Nanna. "Are you alright, my dear? What hurt you like this?"
Nanna was trembling slightly from head to toe, a simple blurred smile appeared on her slightly terrified and sad face.
“A… a big bad squirrel, its teeth were…”, she lowered her dark gaze, shaking her head to chase away her fear, only making her curl up even more than she was, the hand holding her wound on the bandaged shoulder. A voice a little broken and with difficulty speaking due to a gash on her cheek and the cobweb bandage covering half of her head as well as her neck.
“I… hm.. Papa’s coming home soon, huh? He'll be here tomorrow, won't he?" she asked while stuttering. Not for a single moment had she looked at the great king and the great queen of Elbaph. Nanna, who had endangered his favourite daughter, did not understand the attention given by Embla. Reserved and shy, she would not try to justify since she knew the song, waiting patiently for the king to ask questions.
Embla stroked the young half-giantess' head. "There, there, sweetheart. I know it hurts, but your aunt has you. Your father will be home soon, I'll be sure to have a call sent out to him to get him home as fast as possible. Norn, dearie, please call for the best doctor if you haven't already," Embla said, less as a question and with more urgency. However, her voice wasn't rude, just in need of assistance.
"Of course, your highness. Right away, as you wish." A tone that carried reverence and poorly concealed anxiety.
Embla continued to calm the young girl as best she could. She looked at Thrymr as he held Skadi close. Embla was torn. On one hand, Thrymr truly loved his daughter and she was always happy to see them together. However, she couldn't quite understand his avoidance of Nanna. Despite only being a half-giantess, the young girl was sweet, kind, and perhaps Skadi's best friend. However, now was not the time to approach him on the matter. "Thrymr, your niece is hurt, but stable," simply spoke the queen.
As best he could, Thrymr nodded. The King was fairly progressive compared to others, he was accepting of hybrids. However, humans always caused the most problems, which made those hybrids the hardest to trust. For one to be in his own family... he wanted to truly love Nanna as his blood, but found it a difficult endeavor from years of seeing humanity enslave his kind. "Good," was what he could muster, happy she was find for Skadi's sake. He rubbed his daughter's back as he held to her, trying to calm her down.
Soon enough, a doctor entered the room, approaching the injured child in Embla's arms. The queen sat Nanna on her own throne, allowing the doctor to dress her wounds. "She will be fine, but the wound was deep. The wound will likely scar, I'm sorry little one," the doctor said with a light smile, putting his things away. "As the niece of the king, the treatment in free of charge."
Skadi pulled away from the king, who placed her down softly. Skadi ran up to Nanna and hugged her as gently as she could. "I'm sorry Nanna," cried the redhead. "I'm gonna get stronger one day so that never happens to you again!"
Nanna curled up and made herself even smaller on her aunt's throne, she didn't deserve that, however, it was Embla, the blonde was content to remain silent while the doctor diagnosed her. When he declared that she would be scarred for life, it did not faze her, Nanna was beside herself. Her mind wandered and stopped thinking, all she could say was that everything was fine and no one seemed to blame her besides King Thryrm's ignorance.
At no time did he speak of punishment, but he almost did. During her father's journey, Thryrm and Embla were often responsible for Nanna in addition to the rest of their immediate family. Heidrun Helblindi, her father, was a great loner and traveler on whom his brother, Thryrm, could count as a messenger, but also an emissary.
And just for that, Nanna found time boring, she would have dreamed of joining him and following his adventures, but that would be just as dangerous as staying on the island, he said. Her deep-rooted thoughts were brought out when her cousin Skadi hugged her blond in a rather bitter embrace.
“Ouch… you hurt me,” she smiled slightly crooked when her pale gaze met that of the redhead.
'You know… it’s all your fault, we always have to think about you, everyone think about YOU!', instead of saying that, which was the fruit of her imagination, "You know... everything started because of me," she escaped her lips, "Your survival is... is the priority!" she tried to reassure Skadi and despite the shaken smile, she continued to snuggle her.
Embla put a hand on Skadi. "My love, be gentle, your cousin is in pain." Skadi looked up to her mother and sadly loosened her grip. Embla stroked Nanna's hair. "There is no shame in scars, dear. It shows you survived a battle," Embla said, trying to comfort the girl.
Thrymr stood alone, watching all of this conversation. He was no fool, he could tell other things were on the mind of his niece. However, she spoke the truth - Skadi was the priority, for him and for Elbaph. Despite the distance he had from her, he knew he could not let anger cloud his rule. "Nanna... thank you for saving Skadi. I... want you to sleep here tonight. The royal attendants will see to your comfort until my brother returns." The elder giant looked away, unable to see his niece on his wife's throne further. "I shall go and contact him."
Embla knew the new source of his annoyance, but remained silent until her husband left the room. She proceeded to pick Nanna up and sat down, placing Nanna on her lap to continue to comfort her. "Skadi, go tell an attendant to prepare a room for her," ordered the queen. Skadi sadly nodded, looking back at Nanna with painful regret.
"Is there anything you want? A drink or food? Tell me and I will make it happen," Embla said, sitting with her niece - just the two of them for a moment. "Thank you for protecting my Skadi, but I want to make sure that you will be okay. My daughter and I love you very much," Embla said as she continued to stroke Nanna's hair. A warm smile was on her face as she did.
Nanna felt her aunt's warm, comforting motherliness, as her heavy head rested against her chest, her gaze staring into space. She kept repeating the words said by Embla, a way of consoling herself with them. However, sleeping here worried her and she couldn't refuse the responsible authority, the little blonde with mixed hair didn't really answer Embla's questions, she only spoke when Thryrm and Skadi were gone.
“I should have gone alone, I just wanted…” Nanna inhaled gently despite the softening trembling, “… get some air”, the child did not move and let herself be carried by the generous woman on her throne.
“I...I just want daddy… I miss daddy,” a sniffle followed, tears slowly rising to her eyelids which for the moment were holding them back.
Embla pulled Nanna in close, hugging the young girl gently enough to not aggravate her wounds. "Oh, sweetheart, we will get him here as soon as possible," spoke the queen warmly. "I was so worried about the both of you, I only wish I had known sooner so I could have gotten you both myself," lovingly said Embla.
She would never be Nanna's mother, but Embla was more than happy to play the role for the young girl. Embla sometimes found herself wishing the young blonde girl was her own daughter alongside Skadi, so that she didn't have to face the loneliness of her deceased mother and wandering father, so that Thrmyr's resentment may have never existed, so that she would have siblings that would be by her side. "So long as I'm alive, Nanna, please know you can trust me," spoke Embla as she kissed the top of Nanna's head.
Thrymr stood in his bedroom, alone. His wife attended to the halfling and he was sure Skadi was taken to be bathed and put to bed by this point. From his belongings, he grabbed a Den Den Mushi. With a few rings, he was connected to his target. "Helblindi, I need you to return home immediately. Come to the castle, not to the ancestral him. Your... daughter has been injured," spoke the king solemnly and with demand.
A deep, hoarse voice came from the end of Den Den Mushi after a few moments of silence, only a chuckle being heard.
“Oh, brother, don’t be so formal, is it so serious? My little sweetie Nanna can't wait her tears being dried? I'll come back around the time of her birthday tomorrow, at least... travel time eh, gagagagah!" he laughed heartily while Den Den Mushi shook its head in all directions to show his deep laughter, his worry was not visible and seemed every day.
However, when his voice finally died down, an austere voice rose to the same level as Thrymr, "I hope you don't neglect my daughter eh, you know, all these trips there, I do it for you and the sake of our tribe of people. Tell me, I’ll take it like a man,” he demanded more information.
"She has been injured by a Toskr Squirrel. Norn killed the beast before it could cause any more major harm," Thrymr explained, trying to maintain his calm. However, Thrymr was angry they his brother threw his work into the King's face. If only he took the brat along, none of this would have happened.
Closing his eyes to think for a moment, the King prepared to speak once more. "My wife is tending to her now, but you must return home immediately. See to your daughter, as I see to mine. Be thankful Norn arrived when she did, if Skadi had been injured there would be hell to pay."
The king looked away from the Den Den Mushi for a moment, matching his brother's appearance. "That is not a request, it is an order from your king."
“GAGAGAGAGAH” he mocked from the other end of the call when he was reminded that he was the king, it was always an endless debate when he was subject to this. As sneaky as his brother, he reminded him of something much crueler, “My brother, I will be more than grateful if you ensure the security of the kingdom INCLUDING my daughter!!! I'm just following your orders and acting as an emissary to bring you the best information I can possibly have... You know very well why I'm not bringing my daughter on a trip, you're nothing but a bitter person full of prejudice. She has a giant in her, she is of my blood, Thryrm!"
This time, he pushed the envelope further than expected, “However”, the hands clap as if Helblindi were applauding his brother, “What great anger management you do, your wife has educated you weeell. Come on, let’s not end this call badly, your blood brother will be there tomorrow, don’t worry…” his voice descended slowly as he finished his words in a whisper threatening
“Treat your niece better, she has your blood in her”
"I have never harmed your child, brother, don't accuse me of something I haven't done," spoke Thrymr with barely concealed anger. He very well could take the child, Helblindi was far from weak. He could train the child to be of use for Thrymr. Instead, he was often left playing daycare to her.
However, as Helblindi continued to speak, Thrymr's wrath overflowed. "She may be your child, brother, but she is not my blood! I will never understand you! Of all women in the world, you chose a human! The very ilk that enslaved our people time and time again! You never joined my mission or understood it, then you spat on it after I became the king by siring a half-blood!" shouted Thrymr, the Den Den Mushi looked fearful as the king's grip threatened to shatter its shell.
"For the sake of my wife and my daughter, I will not harm your child - as I never have. She has permission to remain within my castle until you get here. However, if she ever puts my daughter in harm's way again, there will be a price," threatened the king as his grip loosened on the relieved snail.
"Arrive home as soon as possible, brother, for your child's sake," Thrymr declared as he ended the call.
Strange Upheaval[]
Dread and Hellfire[]
The rays of the sun crackled and touched each little tree leaf, providing them with the fuel of life. Birds sang at the end of the branches and the other birds flew and hovered above an immense and colossal forest field. Trees that when you raise your head, the trunk seem to grow infinitely to the point of wondering if the living beings, the comings, say to themselves that they are tiny in an imposing world. An imposing world in which he saw a young half-giant with blond hair, her veil draping her shoulders flying in the movement of the sea wind, embracing the shape of the lady. The hand brushed the bark while her golden eyes scanned the sea, a distance she did not dare cross. A distance that was imposed by the king of Elbaph, Thryrm, a cruel fate for a young herbalist, in search of knowledge about medical plants. This anger pent up in her had never been able to come out of her mouth until today, her cheek rested against the bark, timidly and continuously observing the waves breaking on the island. The line was only there, at the limit of the stones and the hot sand, it was content to be melancholy and to suffer a thousandth time the mourning of travelling, even if it was a few meters from the island.
Her eyelashes fluttered downwards, escaping a heavy and weary sigh, she did not feel very useful on this island despite Skadi's consolation and attempts at antics to cheer her up. Nothing helped, it had been a long time since her cousin Skadi had seen her one day, smiling and feeling fulfilled in what she loved to do the most: being an herbalist. A profession which consisted of appreciating knowledge, nature and above all helping others, Nanna, the half-giant believed in the beneficial powers that herbs and vegetables could provide, it was a talent that she never stopped to make it grow. But every story has its end, with the many years that passed, the blonde ended up getting tired and the research no longer progressed by dint of going around this island rich in grass several times.
Looking at the sea reminded her that she wanted to taste something new but it made her shake her head, "Stop crying, nothing will change by looking at the sea..." she murmured to herself, clutching her wooden basket filled with long, ugly mushrooms against her chest. The lips were bitten slowly and a sigh followed, the bare foot tracing in the land towards the return of her path. Ready to run away with your head down.
Skadi approached her cousin's greenhouse. The years were kind to her, she grew much taller and more beautiful - a shame that her rough personality did not befit her status as a princess. By this point, she wore a black and armored outfit that showed her rank well. "Nanna, how are ya?" grinned the pureblooded giantess.
She could see Nanna staring longingly at the sea. She knew the giantess was growing bored, stuck on the island. Skadi enjoyed her status, it afforded her all she wanted. Nanna was royal too and could use it, but her desires were beyond the shores of the island. "Wanna fly to another island?"
Nanna looked into her cousin's blue eyes, her heart didn't beat at the thought of flying to another island. She was not the rebellious type and rather docile, the blonde lowered her morose gaze and just mumbled.
"I'm hardly in the mood for this walk, I need to recharge my soul...Somewhere, deep in the forest of hallucinations" she said in a sarcastic tone, continuing to walk straight ahead while a purple colouring hovered above her head. Crossing a path dug by many years of walking, without really looking where she was going, keeping her head down.
"Skadi...when will you finally understand? I can't be like you" she thought.
---
In the aftermath of the events of Cold Encounter...
Recovery was always a time of contemplation for Zelgadis, a time for… reflection. The burns inflicted by Dave would certainly scar but to him? They were something like a memento, a remembrance of bearing witness to a star at the cusp of its journey. Then there was the wound inflicted by the Blacklight. Caesar was dismissive at best, a bored demi-god with power dwarfing all others before him. His speed, and technique had been honed for longer than he had been alive, across countless battlefields and unfathomable adversity.
He raised an arm, his hand weakly grasping at something just beyond his sight. Yes, he thought, the eternal struggle for strength was ever ahead of him. The closing chapter to Rockbell was merely the prelude to yet another beginning, another adventure. Smiling he dropped his arm on the bed he lay on.
It was a modest room, what with the recovery operations underway on an island near Rockbell. The citizens had scrambled with the Marines to build temporary shelters until reinforcements and emergency supplies could be provided. They would have to rebuild, and start anew but that didn't seem to bother them at all.
A nurse walked through his door to check his vitals. She was a wisp of a woman, young and eager to help, like many others. She was previously an attendant at one of the hospitals in Rockbell and after the battle, she volunteered to provide medical help to those who needed it. When he ended up ashore there, they quickly got to treating him. Seems they remembered how he saved their lives, granting them force of will when all that consumed was despair. As a result there was a certain optimism in the air. Despite the damages, injuries and casualties inflicted on the people here, these refugees from Rockbell possessed such infectious vigor and determination. Even he was not immune to their charm.
He thought of his own strength, and his contributions to the battle. Great as they are, he needs to be… more. The challenges ahead will be fraught with peril, and only those who have truly overcome their limits will be able to survive the coming days. Like many before him, he realized he was at the precipice.
The “Hurdle Phenomenon”.
When one is on the cusp of true mastery and skill, it is the final mountain one must overcome. But it isn't something so easily traversed simply because you want it to happen. Sadly it mostly boils down to luck. Or rather a catalyst is needed. For some it's a grand battle. For others it's a revelation, an insight where the puzzle becomes complete. Others still, it's a change in perspective, or perhaps a change of heart.
Zelgadis understood himself better than anyone, and for him, it would likely be a revelation born in the heat of battle. There was also the matter of his prize. That meant there was only one place that would be to grant him what he desired. The trick was actually getting there, and more importantly gaining an audience with the man in particular.
Unbidden, a memory resurfaced drawing him into its solipsism.
18 Years Ago...
A young Zelgadis, not even past the age of ten felt his stomach twist in pain as the pangs of hunger gripped him. He could only stare in despair as he beheld the chains binding his arms, as well as the other slaves nearby. Sorrow filled the emptiness where his hunger reigned, and the crushing reality that this was all his life was meant to be. Then he felt a gentle but warm touch all across his head and back and he looked up.
He saw the smiling face of Ardbert, a giant and a slave like him. Years of slavery had robbed the jolly man of much of his girth, especially since he tended to share his food with others. Whenever possible and the overseers weren’t looking.
"Don’t give up on hope just yet. Here, let me show you.” He gently picked up the young boy and placed him at his chest. “Go on, listen. You can hear can’t you?”
Zelgadis listened carefully, and when he placed his head near Ardbert’s chest, he could hear it. A resounding thump, thump, like… beating drums.
“Do you have drums in your chest?” Zelgadis asked innocently, his eyes wide with wonder. Ardbert simply laughed in response. “Guwa guwa guwa guwa! In a way, but so do you! It's our heartbeat.” He explained. “And so as long as we’re alive, as long as you can hear that drum, and those of others, liberation, and freedom is always possible. Never forget that.”
Zelgadis face turned downcast. He had heard those words before, but didn’t understand them, not really. His entire life all he knew was being a slave. Well… not always. At times he feels like there’s a ghost inside him, faint flashes, memories maybe? A woman holding him tight, a man standing above them with his back turned to them. Fighting, screaming, and the world spinning. He’s convinced those were his parents, and that they didn’t give him up without a fight. But… it’s all he has to go on.
He wonders if they’re still alive. Looking for him. A part of him hopes so.
“Hey Zel! You wanna hear a story?” Ardbert said, bringing Zelgadis out of his reverie. Zelgadis nodded eagerly. “Let me tell you… about the legend of Nika…”
Zelgadis laid there deep in thought. Ardbert had stayed behind, to ensure all the other slaves were able to escape during the Styx Archipelago Incident. When he was older, and stronger Zelgadis returned to that archipelago but to no avail. What little he could dig up was that Ardbert was still alive, but he had been moved. He’s been searching for him ever since.
He removed his prize and he gazed at the log pose in hand. Not just any log pose, it was an eternal pose, solidly pointing in the direction of an island in these waters. Rockbell regularly did trade with several other islands but one of their trading partners was a moving island. This island known as Charon’s Raft, was a notorious hiding place for some Underworld brokers. The one he needed to talk to would be on that island, and with it the final whereabouts of his friend.
But Zelgadis wouldn’t settle for freeing just Ardbert, using the connections on Charon’s Raft, he would find as many Giant slaves as possible and free them as well. It was a long time coming, and he would return with his friend or his remains to their home. As was his dearest wish. The one place he cherished, and most desired to return to.
Wincing, Zelgadis doubled over as his wounds acted up. In a day or two he’d leave once he was recovered. Then he would begin a campaign of liberation and head to Elbaph with its people in tow. Then he smiled as he considered the best way to bring it all together.
“I shall have both my battle and the freedom of my friends! Together. Just you wait, King Thrymr!” He said with determination.
---
Zelgadis made good on his promise, and the journey to Elbaph was well underway. Using the log pose he obtained from Rockbell, he ventured to the mysterious moving island of Charon’s Raft and there he discovered many things, encountered individuals who play a part later in his future, but that is a tale for another time. In the end Zelgadis obtained a potential lead to his friend, but to fully understand it, he would need to head to Elbaph itself.
With his dear friend Ardbert’s words resonating in his heart, Zelgadis decided to honor his friend’s wish and with that he began a campaign of terror in the Underworld. Using his devilish flames, he pillaged, and plundered his way through slavers, traffickers, auctions, and all the greedy mongrels involved in the enslavement of Giants and others. He commandeered pirate ships and crews that had participated in this detestable business, showing them not one ounce of mercy.
He smashed their wills and made them pitiable subjects bound by his flames of conquest and domination. Oh they still had a sliver of their minds left, enough to watch as they sailed to their own destruction. In several weeks time, he built a veritable fleet of pirates at his beck and call, some coerced, others simply bought with the goods, and gold of the pirates he controlled. As for the slaves? Many believed him no better than the other slavers that purchased them, but some knowing of his legend in Paradise, began to piece together what his ultimate plan was.
But now the appointed time was fast approaching. Zelgadis at the helm of his fleet sailed towards Elbat, dozens of pirate ships, and hundreds of giant slaves stowed away. For Zelgadis understood the King of Elbaph, an isolationist by nature, he wanted only the best for his people. Wary of outsiders, and even slower to trust, Zelgadis knew the outcome had he simply sailed there by himself.
Instead he would make this a grand spectacle. He would ignite the burning fury of the Giants as they bore witness to an attack on their sovereignty. Possessed by the spirit of vengeance they would endeavor to fight and once they learned that their own people were held aboard the ships, they would in turn believe it to be a despicable ploy to prevent them from simply bombarding the approaching army outright. No, they would be forced into close quarters, having to contend against the pirates in the thick of battle!
As for their King? Zelgadis would rouse such righteous fury that the fabled leader of Elbaph would meet him on the seas for a grand and climactic battle that would shake the heavens themselves! Inwardly, Zelgadis believed that this would be his greatest gift to Elbaph, to its people and most importantly to his friend. He would grant the warriors of Elbaph their vengeance, the pirate scum who enslaved their friends and family would be slaughtered, and he would be granted audience and the opportunity to fight King Thyrmr at his best. Now, all that was left was the calm, for a storm was approaching.
---
The grand island of Elbaph was in typical merriment as they moved about their day. The smell of bread and meat filled the air from various restaurants and stores that lined the streets of a city. Mighty trees fell to the axes of the viking people. Horns sounded for all sorts of activities, from sacred to the hunt. While the jewel of all giant territories was no utopia, the people found themselves content with their lot.
Of the giants, one stood taller than all the rest. The great king of Elbaph stood outside his castle, his spear raised. His foe... his own daughter. Spear and hammer clashes with great force, though the princess was eventually knocked back. "Again, Skadi. Do not see me as your father, king, or captain. See me as the enemy and strike!" demanded Heidrun Thrymr as he raised his spear again.
Skadi pushed herself off the ground, looking pissed. There training sessions were often long and painful. Thrymr didn't show mercy, saying few foes ever would. However, that meant little to Skadi's sore body in the moment. Standing tall again, she readied her hammer for a mighty strike. Thrymr's eye could not betray his eagerness to see his daughter grow stronger.
However, before they could charge at one another again, a messenger appeared. "My lord and lady, I bring news. A fleet of ships is approaching Elbaph, the Wotans have detected them."
Thrymr's brow furrowed. "If they have detected them, why have they not torn the ships apart and bring the figureheads as proof?" This was better than last time, allowing that fool to land upon his shores seemingly undetected. However, they must have a good reason to not protect their island.
"My lord, they claim that the cargo of the ships is most odd... giants of all sorts are aboard from what they could sense."
Thrymr seemed confused, but nodded. "A force of giants come to my island? If they seek asylum, so be it. If they desire my throne, it will be a fight!" the Dread King declared as he raised his spear. Reaching to his waist, he pulled out a large Den Den Mushi. The creature stirred from its slumber as the king readied to speak. "All members of the Elbaphian military and Ragnarok Pirates, prepare for possible conflict. Nacken, continue to observe the ships!"
Thrymr looked to his daughter. "Let us join the parade, my faithful Valkyrie," spoke the man as he hit then butt of his spear on the ground. All of his Vaettir rushed to him. Skoll entered his spear, igniting it with a mighty flame. The remaining three - Modi, Sleip, and Audum - combined their bodies into a massive snow cloud, with flashes of lightning occasionally rumbling within it. Thrymr walked upon it, ready to fly into combat.
Skadi smiled and nodded, wings of alcohol forming from her back. Riding the vapors of her own body, she flew alongside her father. While she had been involved in some missions, this was her first one defending the homeland. She looked down as she flew, looking for her dear cousin. "She could be of great help with her other form," Skadi thought out loud to herself.
“You really think so, Skadi?" she asked, her cousin Nanna, appearing in her hybrid form, her immense wings beating smoothly as she joined them backwards. In her hybrid form, her half-reptile, half-human body had doubled in size, already looking more like a small giant.
Her clawed fingers roughly massaged the dragon's ankle, "What a relief to no longer wear the sea granite ring. At the call of the people, a high authority removed it immediately for me to join you" she said slobbery, her golden eyes glanced at Skadi's father, scrutinizing his every gesture and expression. She wouldn't be surprised if he grimaced and pulled his lip.
Her eyes moved towards the horizon again, her heart no longer racing at crossing the line, she knew her rules, staying on the island and defending it was all that mattered most. It was her defining role since the day she swallowed the cursed devil fruit and at the cost of one life, she had to survive while eating it
As she hovered and pirouetted smoothly while being subtly annoying yet calm, Nanna saw the many boats on the sea coming towards the island.
“So… this is where it’s going to happen hmm?" she said in a more austere tone, “Aaah since I feel a little rusty, maybe it’s time to let myself stretch huh” she commented, “Rotting here has softened me too much, you know”
The snake-dragon hybrid moved closer to her cousin Skadi, nudging her with her shoulder teasingly, “So, are you ready to defend?", Nanna smiled softly, but barely visible that she was not happy about it, dodging her golden gaze on the target only.
Skadi was shocked at the girl's sudden appearance. "Nanna, you're here?" Skadi said with excitement, seeing the draconic woman spreading her wings. Skadi flew closer to her. "A Heidrun women get to fight side by side? This should be exciting! Sakikikiki!" laughed Skadi as she looked to her father.
Thrymr did not turn his gaze, not looking at either of the women of his clan. "She can be a valuable help in this conflict. Nanna, prove your value today, and you may be awarded the freedoms you desire," spoke the king solemnly.
Skadi huffed in annoyance. "Father, just let her-"
"My word is final," the king said as he raced ahead, faster than both of the girls.
Skadi looked back at Nanna dejectedly. "I'm sorry Nanna..."
Her golden gaze darkened as she saw him walking away from the flying youngs women, a slight shake of her head made it clear that the blonde hybrid was disappointed in him. After all these years of keeping her distance from the family, Thryrm continued to be as stubborn as before and that was not enough, he dared to challenge the dragon woman.
“Skadi…”, she extended her hand in front of the redhead, “Stop defending me, you are not my elder”
She continually scrutinized Skadi's father with hatred. With a lot of wisdom and calm within her, her heart lit a fine gap of flame, making a few beats sound, the desire to prove to him once again.
“Today… I’m going to break the rules,” declared Nanna in a velvety voice, meaning that she will cross borders, but will she resist the urge to run away? This is what she would soon know... the suggestion imposed by King Thryrm made her daydream, a hope she had lost for far too long.
“I may not be the most talented warrior, but I can find the troublemaker long before him,” Nanna looked at Skadi with an assuredness that the redhead hadn’t seen in a while, “So?”
"I am your elder though. I'm the older, prettier cousin!" said Skadi, trying her best to change the topic. She looked at Nanna, but saw he face darken. She wished Thrymr would get over whatever his hatred for Nanna was and love her as Skadi did, as Embla did. All she could hope for was the girl do impress the stubborn old king.
Skadi grinned with Nanna's suggestion. "You wanna find the captain? Hell yeah!" Skadi shouted. If they could accomplish that, surely the king would be please with Nanna and stop being so hard on her - for whatever reason he was. However, as Nanna downplayed her strength, Skadi grinned.
"Turn into a full dragon Nanna! You may not be a warrior, but you are powerful. Meanwhile, I am a strong warrior. Let's combine our strengths! Sakikikiki!" laughed the woman as she flew to keep up with Nanna.
As they circled synchronously during their flight, the blonde woman's eyes transformed into determination, motivation seizing her full force. Nanna gave a sharp wing kick, propulsion taking her away from where she started, hovering above the forest, the boundary line slowly shortened until she saw a blue field.
Not long ago, she was depressed and here she came to defend the territory, while her body crossed the red line, she moved away from the ocean to reach near the clouds. A shadow hovered sinisterly over one of the boats, then another, then again, and at a sneaky speed. Nanna could see very well that there were many giantesses on their ship and there was only one person to stand out: The captain of their ships.
---
Within the great fleet of ships currently enroute to Elbaph, many a pirate and slaver whose minds had not been entirely subsumed by the flames of conquest could only ponder in forced silence. For they who had once ruled their little kingdoms in the underworld, bartered and traded the lives of others as if they were mere objects were now no different than the stock of slaves they once owned.
But here, in this time and place, this was an entirely different breed of slavery. A cruel irony indeed. For violet light shone through their eyes indicating that the devilish power of the Goka Goka no Mi was in full effect. While their minds were still theirs so to speak, their ability to disobey Zelgadis did not. They were observers in their own bodies, their will chained and shackled within their skull, compelled to listen and obey his every command. And the things he had done to them, shattering the most... vile among them with delight, smashing their bodies with his fantastical martial arts and power. It was humbling, but this power of his Devil Fruit was all the more terrifying as they themselves were forced to slay allies, and friends. All their secrets given up at his command, for there was only submission.
Submit. Obey.
All the pirates could feel this mantra pounding within their head, like a drum beat, those two words seemed to echo deep within their souls, reverberating through their entire body with almost palpable force. Some fought the effect longer than others, but they all fell the same. His rule, his power was... absolute.
Out the corner of their eyes, they could see the lesser slaves, those whose will had long since been forsaken, instead embracing this newfound absolute authority. It was the color of their eyes, that same luminous violet, but dimmed. They laughed, and engaged each other as normal, but it was evident that whoever they were before, whoever that pirate had been had long since died. They were mere extensions of the will of Zelgadis, a terrifying tyrant whose mercurial nature meant that at any time, one of them could wind up dead.
It was his eyes that gave him away, so full of hate, and fury when he gazed upon them, a smoldering rage that pierced through his raucous laughter and eloquent speech. But not with the Giants, whom were no longer in chains, but instead sitting rather dutifully if nothing else in their quarters. Waiting to be returned home.
Zelgadis had met with the Giants whom initially displayed varying degree's of animosity, and resignation at being sold to yet another pirate. That is, until he freed them, and promised them a way home. It was a scene that repeated itself countless times, as he butchered other pirates under his command, who would not yield, who refused to surrender. Those Giants were both thankful and perhaps a little fearful of the man who was granting them freedom.
They couldn't blame them.
Through this absolute obedience they had a connection, something like a hive mind. They just knew intuitively where each other enslaved pirate was, and a general sense of what they were doing. Its why they could operate these massive ships silently, and so well.
The man himself strode forward before stopping at the brow of the lead ship, the grandest ship of the fleet. He raised an arm and a beam of violet flame shot up towards the sky. His power had the ability to command the world and bend it to his will. The sky darkened, and thunder boomed ahead. Winds churned and the sea groaned under feeble protest as the heavens too succumbed to his dominating will. Soon the winds began to push at their sails, propelling them at an even greater pace than before. He explained what was going to happen to them before they had set sail.
They were all going to die for their crimes.
Elbaph would execute them. Many wanted to argue, to beg, to scream, anything. But under the influence of this damnable flame, all they could do was stand. In this speech he very clearly outlined, that they would fight the Giants in a grand epic battle, that bards would sing about for ages to come! He was at least fair in this regard, he would not handicap them, nor would he prevent them for fighting to the death for their lives. Meaning, they could kill.
And should he fall in battle, they were to immediately release the Giants held down below and ensure their safety and return to Elbaph. What the Giants did to them afterward, would no longer be his concern. Of course, many knew that the King of Elbaph would not grant them mercy. Not for what they did. It was a sobering thought, many shared through their link. It was strange to be connected to so many individuals yet be unable to do anything with it.
Zelgadis felt these sentiments and more through his shared connection, through his conquest. He grinned, reveling in their despair, a deep, dark part of him relishing in their misery, the selfsame they inflicted on so many others. There could be no more fitting punishment. His power had grown, his control, everything since his encounter with those monsters on Rockbell. Still, he would not wish to disappoint this long awaited reunion!
He could sense them preparing for his arrival! Several had already left Elbaph intent on meeting him, but he would fight only one! For these, they would battle the myriad of pirates under his command. Many had Devil Fruits themselves, and the wit still to use them. Others were simply formidable warriors in their own right, but lacked that critical element that would elevate them to the next level.
As the impending battle loomed in the near future, Zelgadis could only give an earnest smile as his heart, his ambition, his goal to return so many Giants that had once been enslaved home was finally coming to fruition. He did not find Ardbert, but he would for now honor his dear friends most heartfelt desire. With this, when they finally meet again, he could stand before his friend with pride and tell of him the legend of Zelgadis, the Conqueror of Adversity!
Using his devilish power to push his voice further beyond what could be possible, not only those who were on the approach but every soul in Elbaph could hear, even from such a great distance away his voice was like thunder as boomed across the horizon.
Thick and dense violet clouds formed around the perimeter of the fleet, as two gleaming orbs of flame shone, as if the fleet itself was wrapped up in winds that had long since been dominated as a comforting blanket of protection. The thunderclouds where his flame had penetrated would surge and churn together forming an incomprehensible storm elemental titan, shaped not unlike the genie of old bound by wind and lightning that cackled within, it would move forward as the vanguard, to greet his guests.
Upon his own gallant storm cloud, Thrymr appeared before the tempestuous titan that was conjured into existence. Without a trace of fear or concern, he looked upon the creature with his spear in his hand. "I have come to greet you, Zelgadis. I thought I told the world through a worthless brat being my messenger that Elbaph was off limits. You have broken my simple decree."
Thrymr’s grip tightened on Gungnir, the weapon gleaming with fire. His armored gleamed with the flashes of lightning from the storm giant. "Your arrogance blinds you, Zelgadis. Elbaph’s protection is not a mere matter of personal vendetta - it is a sacred trust bestowed upon me by my people. I am many things, but I have never betrayed the trust of my people."
The inferno of his spear, lit aflame by Skoll as he raced to greet his intruder, burned like the sun amidst the storm. Raising the spear, he lunged it forth. A magnificent display of fire burned forth from it, like a shooting star scorching through the air itself. The might inferno threatened to pierced through the storm giant and race towards the ship of Zelgadis. "No one shall sit upon the throne but me and blood!" declared the king wrathfully.
In a sudden shift, the cloud he rode upon broke apart. Thrymr fell for merely a moment, but the incendiary Skoll caught him in the form of a cloud of flames. "Freeze, Gungnir." Audum, his first Vaettir, entered into the might spear - frost collecting on the blade as the air around Thrymr rapidly chilled. His last two Vaettir, Sleip and Modi - the wind and thunder - merged their essences into one - conjuring a storm giant equal to the rival one. The power of the Yonko flowed through them, a merely imitation of his powers meant little.
"Your minions, I do not care for them - no matter their size. If you wish to even dream of my throne, meet me as a man."
A devilish grin could be seen on Zelgadis's face as he whipped up a vortex of violet flame spreading from his outstretched hand that seemed to grip the very winds themselves! As the mighty power of his flames of conquest did their work, the wind currents bent to his will becoming a swirling flaming nimbus, of which he then leapt on with a joyous whoop. Propelled by his nimbus of flame and wind he ascended to the throne of heaven ready to meet the King of Elbaph himself!
With a flourish, Zelgadis spun a dazzling orb of iridescent light before releasing it with a double swipe of his hands causing the flames to wash out in a tsunami. "Purgatorial Fortress!" He intoned, watching with almost childish glee as his flames spread across the heavens, enveloping the clouds, dominating them until they were his to command. Twisting his hand upwards he clenched his fist as he flexed his willpower completely reshaping the heavenly landscape. Intermingled with the flames, the clouds twisted upon themselves roiling with his devilish power before reshaping themselves spreading outward. Soon the clouds began to reform into structures and spires until a facsimile of a grand coliseum one fit for a Giant, with him and Zelgadis at its center.
"Hah! At long last, we meet King of Elbaph! On this auspicious day I have prepared for you a grand feast! A battle to challenge your people, and a usurper against your throne! For conquest is my only pleasure, and it is the sole pleasure I have to share. We meet here as Giant and Man, not as Kings, not as a Yonko, but simply as Pirates. What say you Thrymr?"
"I see you have built a cage for this battle. However, it is not I who is trapped with you," Thrymr said as he gripped his mighty spear with both hands. Aiming it towards the heavens, Thrymr thrusted it and a bolt of ice flew towards the clouds. With that, a deluge of ice shards rained from the heavens, shredding anything that was within the arena. The master of the Soru Soru no Mi use his powers to simply have the hellish hail dance around him - an extension of the power of his Vaettir.
As the hail end, Thrymr still had shards circling him. "It is you who is trapped with me," the king said as he finally completed his thought, kingly authority filling each word with an air of superiority and dismissiveness. With surprising speed for a man of his stature, Thrymr hurdled toward Zelgadis as a juggernaut. The shards of ice began to dance around a new target - the spear itself. The weapon quickly evolved passed a bident and trident, with spear heads that could stab into every inch of the smaller man's body.
Zelgadis only released a whoop of laughter as he propelled by a vortex of violet purple winds ascended high into the heavens as he released streams of his devilish flame into the nearby clouds. Spinning his hands around his front as though grasping an invisible orb, the very heavens seemed to lurch as his power assumed control. The storm clouds began to form cackling with purple lightning, thundering in time to Zelgadis' movements. Then he crossed his hands over and swiped them outward as if splitting that invisible orb causing the storm clouds to surge, swirling together as they enveloped Zelgadis!
"Heaven Conquering Lord!" He shouted as his technique took place! As Thrymr drew near the towering mass of clouds seemed to take form, transforming into a hellish avatar of Zelgadis himself! Its sheer size dwarfed Zelgadis yet it made the two warriors now equal in both height and size. With the crash of thunder booming in the heavens, purple lightning erupted from the avatar coalescing until it formed its very own purplish lightning spear.
"Purgatory Judgement!" The heavenly lord of storms intoned. The purple lightning poured in from the storm clouds that suffused his form until a majestic spear of violet light hovered in place. With a burst of movement the avatar grasped the spear in its hands before rushing forward to meet the King of Elbaph's charge, slamming it downward onto the oncoming icy spear!
A cacophony of shockwaves and the sound of shattering glass reverberated outward as Zelgadis met Thrymr's attack head on! His aptly named purple lightning spear the Purgatory Judgement smashed against Thrymr's attack, possessing surprising strength and force. Yet most surprising was that Thrymr's attack was held at bay! Inwardly within the avatar Zelgadis grinned savagely as he marveled at Thrymr. He knew this was just the beginning, and he would have to unleash the full breadth of his abilities if he wanted to achieve his ambition here.
"And what a glorious trap this is! Fighting you to my hearts content! Truly I am blessed by the heavens this day! Now! Show me King of Elbaph the fabled might of the Giants!"
Thrymr looked upon Zelgadis' as he transformed into a colossus of storms. While most would be fearful of such a remarkable display, all Thrymr could do was ponder what the rest of the world must do to match the might of his kin. As the spears clashed, all that would have been caught within the circle with them would have felt a thunderous force overtake them.
The Dread King looked upon the colossus and allowed Audum to escape his mighty spear. "Electrocute, Gungnir!" shouted the king as the goat spirit appeared, unfused from his wind horse brother. The power of lightning filled the spear, giving it power, speed, and heat. Thrymr's flaming platform of Skoll remained steady, though the king did not need him.
"I pray you have made peace with your gods Zelgadis, for now you face the devil!" Thrymr declared as he blasted a massive arc of electricity at the man. With the storm clouds raging around him, the lightning was allowed to become a massive web as it shot from the various clouds in a violent display. "I will admit, I have at least heard of you unlike many of the others who have come here. Rest assured though, you will soon join them within the depths of Elba's waters."
Deep within the calamitous storm avatar that Zelgadis had wreathed himself with he hovered transfixed by the powers of the King. He heard stories of course, of his ability to breath life into the elements and wield them in battle.
But to see it firsthand? This grand spectacle of pure creation was simply incredible. Even so, he was unprepared for the overwhelming power that was generated from this union. Gungnir was a mighty meito all its own, but now clad in the god-power of Thyrmr’s abilities?
He saw a pinprick of light, which then became spread like a nova until his storm avatar was subsumed in the oncoming tsunami of energy hurtling towards him. His vision was first washed away by a brilliant wave of light, the booming echoes of thunder strangely silent.
Everything is silent.
This… this is what it meant to go up against a Yonko. It was obvious even now, the gulf that was between them, the sheer scale of power was mind boggling. His titan, his avatar of storms had already been blown away, its form crumbling and dissipating away by the luminous torrent of lightning. He scarcely had another moment to think before he too was enveloped by the surge of power crashing into him.
A thunderous roar erupted following the attack, it was a sound that was so loud and deep it reverberated in his soul! He felt his body bend and buckle under its sheer pressure, felt as if his entire body was being pulled apart at the seams, and he was just barely holding on! If he let go even for a half a second, his fate would be oblivion.
After several terse deafening moments he realized it was him screaming in defiance. He struggled to gain some traction, some foothold onto life, when he felt it. That devilish power he commanded smoldering beneath the surface. It began as the soft cackle of a candlelit flame, before erupting into a burning conflagration within him.
The flames of conquest and domination replaced his screams as flames shot from every part of his body, enshrouding him in their power as he took command of his very life. With that his will blossomed as it hardened and became armor against the fell power of the King of Elbaph and he ascended into a new form.
“Infernal Sovereign!”
With renewed vigor and strength Zelgadis slammed both his palms together before thrusting them forward as a lance of violet and black flame pierced through. Then with a ripping motion two swaths of his devil powers flame separated the electric calamity in two causing it to dissipate.
Before the King of Elbaph Zelagis stood anew, with clothes scorched all over and injuries littered across his body a dark, flickering aura of dominating flames enshrouded him majestically. Wrapped around his arms, legs and upper body was where flame-like whorls a tell-tale sign of his mastery of armament haki, while his Conqueror’s Haki rippled out from in waves.
“You have it wrong, O King of Elbaph. It is you who faces the Infernal Sovereign of Hell! You have the privilege of being the first to witness this form!”
With a cruel smile he made a beckoning gesture with his right hand, and the dark flame aura surrounding body rapidly expanded, and a tendril slithered out before darting forward towards Audum.
“I will begin the taking of your throne by claiming the very power you wield as my own!” With a burst of strength Zelgadis would do the unthinkable. With his devilish power he would attempt to usurp and dominate the Vaettir Audum as his violet flames sought to drown the thing in their embrace, emboldened by his own conqueror’s haki, and coupled with his devil fruits dominating power, anything and everything his flames touched was his to command.
"The power of hell means little to those too mighty to be contained in its fetters, boy," spoke Thrymr as he saw his Vaettir writhe in pain - a sight he hadn't seen since his clash with Draugr long ago. Thrymr raised his hand towards the creature, an orb of energy forming from his palm. Normally, the spiritual energy conjured by the Soru Soru no Mi was pink in color, but this was different. Instead, the orb formed was black - the power of Thrymr's own spirit infused with his Haoshoku Haki.
The spiritual launched towards Audum - the creature calming with the new source of power. "I have seen such powers before, the power to corrupt the will of the living to your own twisted goals. However, you forget - these creatures are my very soul manifest. Do you believe your power to be enough to corrupt me?" Thyrmr asked as Audum moved towards him. The purple flames of damnation still flickered from his body, but the creature radiated with the power of Thrymr's spirit more than ever. The mooed in defiance to Zelgadis as it remained loyal to its spiritual father.
"And just as my mighty bull is my spirit, this nation is run on my will!" Thrymr declared as his spear itself grew dark and rumbled with black and red lightning - his Haoshoku infusing into the tool. "Audum, freeze the water below," ordered Thrymr as he lunged from a distance with his mighty weapon. The energy of his Haoshoku raced forth, threatening to lance through all of creation to render Zelgadis dead. Further, it carried the electrical might of Modi within the spear as well.
"Ragnarok Gouging!" shouted the mighty king as the attack sped forth. He had no need for the theatrics and flashiness of Zelgadis. The main sought to prove himself while Thrymr only had to maintain - an uphill battle competing an unmovable blockade. Meanwhile, the bull Audum froze much of the water, assuming a more bestial form it use to have as it fought the remnants of Zelgadis' power. The power of Thrymr's Haoshoku emboldened it and it knew well Thrymr's desires. It landed and slammed its hooves on the iceberg, spears of ice racing up to impale the king of the damned.
Zelgadis had felt the Giant’s presence loom over him like an unassailable mountain. He could feel it, the monstrous haki lurking beneath the mantle that was King Thyrmr, it was like an ocean of sheer power that he was having to wade through.
Even in his transformed state; Infernal Sovereign, every ounce of movement felt like he was moving in water, slow and sluggish as he prepared himself against King Thyrmr. He released waves of his Haoshoku Haki in an attempt to push back against the tsunami that was Thyrmr’s own and for a moment he was granted reprieve.
Emitting his haki outward, Zelgadis advanced his busoshoku haki to advanced busoshoku haki to generate a cloak, or something like a second skin. His dark haki intermingled with his hellish flames forming a luminous fiery shroud. It was a terrifyingly powerful defense, but it was stamina intensive, draining his will at an alarming rate. Advanced Busoshoku haki was generally used as part of an attack, or an immediate defense, not as an ongoing effect. But it was a necessary sacrifice for his next gambit!
Zelgadis bellowed to the heavens, the sheer strength of his voice sending shockwaves rippling out as the heavens quaked and shuddered under the dominion of his conquering flame. His aura erupted into a veritable inferno becoming a massive conflagration that set the area around him ablaze with his terrifying power!
There were many techniques in his arsenal he could have used to stand against Thyrmr’s technique. But Zelgadis was here to learn, to develop and grow. To pit his power against one of the Yonko. Thus he would meet every attack head-on. He needed to reach Thyrmr, and with his fist, he would, and grasp the power he so verily sought with all his might.
Wreathed in the conquering aura of his fire, the world around him bent to his will, the winds around him becoming a mere extension of his will, as a dark storm cloud formed beneath him as he propelled himself forward at blinding speeds!
Wave after wave of icy spears shot up from below, all intent on hampering his movements or to skewer him whole. His charge through this icy labyrinth of death was a dizzying blitz as he leapt and weaved his way through. His body twisting and contorting, stretching the imagination of flexibility and agility as he danced between the spears with alacrity and grace. Hardened fists smashed against icy spears that got too close, shattering them outright as the haki emitted from his body became a shield.
His somersaults and vaults between pincers and flanking attacks that intended to pin him down were all cut down with slicing kicks and windstorm whirlwinds whipped up from his extraordinary acrobatics! Yet, all throughout a savage grin was adorned on his face. The spirit within commanding the ice, as if realizing that its attack was near its end channeled its power to release one final assault.
All at once the icy spears were retracted before being fused into a single massive tower of ice that was violently thrust through the heavens towards Zelgadis. Raising both his hands he met this challenge with his own as he thrust downward releasing hasshoken vibrational waves down! The resulting clash was unlike anything else as a shockwave that looked less like a ripple in the air and more akin to a beam of pure force slammed into the tower of ice that attempted to entrap Zelgadis. In the end, the hasshoken technique, infused with advanced Busoshoku Haki ripped apart the spirits attack, shattering the entirety of the icy structure in an explosive display!
With no more distractions Zelgadis blitzed forward as he intended to meet Thyrmr’s attack. Before his eyes the spear hurtling towards him appeared like nothing else he could have imagined. Infused with the Yonko’s overwhelming Haoshoku Haki, and clad in a spirit of lightning, this legendary weapon, comprising one of the 12 Supreme Grade Weapons appeared as a divine beam of pure luminous power incarnate! Its very presence seemed to swallow up the rest of reality as the air distorted around it, the heavens themselves stuttering as sound drowned out, color bled away, and soon even his vision too was obscured by blinding white light, akin to a void, a void gouging through reality.
Zelgadis felt not with his senses but pure instinct, allowing his body to move as it had done ten thousand times before. The movements came so naturally to him, the shifting of his torso, the placement of his feet, the positioning of his hands, all of them fusing together seamlessly as he initiated his technique.
All of his hellish flame which had burned to a truly colossal size rivaling King Thyrmr himself suddenly shrank as it coalesced into his drawn back fist. The advanced busoshoku haki emanating out from it was palpable and visible as it was intertwined with his Devil Fruit's power. He then uttered a single line that somehow, was carried to Thyrmr himself who himself heard Zelgadis as clear as day.
“Heavenly Destruction Arts Secret Technique - Demon King’s War Force: Hellborn Rebellion!”
Launching himself forward spinning in a spiral his form became enveloped by a fiercely grinning demonic entity mirroring his actions as he met the fabled king’s mighty attack with a titanic roar! When the two clashed, a shockwave dwarfing anything else thrown that day had rebounded out scattering what remained of anything around them. Black lightning thrashed about sending chaotic tendrils to eviscerate the heavens, illuminating their cataclysmic clash for all below them to see.
A sphere of pure black, deeper than the deepest night, acted like the arbiter of this contest, as Zelgadis poured every ounce of his will and power into his strike! Propelled as he were by his devilish power, whirls of flame and wind blew around him as he screamed while pushing forward. Yet the legendary spear Gungnir as if possessed by its own will spiraled and pressed on, intent on utterly annihilating the usurper before it as commanded by its owner.
The power held within his fist was truly a sight to behold as shockwaves released from the point of impact with such precision, control and such rapid progression that the air itself became so destructively distorted that the area around them seemed to shift and bend inwards! Then, Zelgaid initiated another technique. Using his other hand which moved gracefully along his outstretched arm it seemingly grasped the sphere and then as if gently pushing it to the side causing the spear to swerve ever so slightly it sped forward cleaving a path towards Zelgadis who leaned his head to just enough to the side as it sped by. It carved a deep and bloody wound across his upper chest and had it been any closer, would have taken his neck and head.
In the same motion, and using his arm which was diverting the spear, lightly grasped the top and Zelgadis heaved himself upward running along its surface, regardless of the lightning cascading across his body. The advanced Busoshoku haki emanated outward, serving as a shield to mitigate some of the damage as lightning seemed to bounce off of him. Though it was clear it was still dealing damage. He just didn’t care. He grinned savagely as he raced across the speeding spear which flew under him and leapt towards King Thyrmr with his outstretched fist.
There was no fanfare, no grandiose speech, nor clever quips from Zelgadis. The time for that had long since past, his words now being his martial arts, his fist, this battle! Twisting his body, he realigned himself back into his original striking pose and in an unbelievable show of technique flow re-released his initial technique at full power, point blank towards the King of Elbaph!
Zelgadis had to bellow and roar to be heard by heavens, while the smallest whisper of Thrymr would lend itself to the ear of a god. As the man struggled and toiled to survive a simple attack from Thrymr, the king merely existed. “Your flames, they allow you to bastardize existence, correct? You have already attempted to control part of my own soul,” Thrymr said as he looked upon the man, evading his attack.
Thrymr was impressed. Zelgadis was trickier than Thieron, a more interesting prey. He moved with joy and glee, despite the raging battle. As Zelgadis used a reverberating force to shatter the ice, Thrymr’s gaze narrowed a bit more. The combination of hellfire and Haki made a formidable attack.
The power of the two attacks collided and sent powerful energy all about themselves. However, Thrymr stood resolute. He attacked with the power of a conqueror, Zelgadis merely struck out with armament. The attack remained, standing strong as Zelgadis attempted to overwhelm the king.
Taking advantage of Zelgadis’ ‘moving through an ocean’, Thrymr readied his electric spear. The point blank nature of Zelgadis attack was powerful and impressive, one that even great Marine forces would tremble at. However, Thrymr was no mere Marine soldier or upstart pirate thinking himself greater than he truly was.
Thrymr is a powerful warrior, one sometimes overlooked for his reclusive nature - his isolationist views. However, he was not a force standing still that the world could ignore or granted his titles merely for being in the right place at the right time. He was a Yonko through the power he displayed on the seas and the land he made his own. He was not a scab waiting to be replaced, he was the captain of the Ragnarok Pirates, the King of Elbaph, and the lord of the giants. No, he was not standing still, he was lying in wait to defend his people and kingdom against vultures who sought to make a name for themselves off the scraps of his legacy.
Clenching his fist, he shouted loud enough for all to hear a command that needed no vocalization for who it was for. “To me, my Vaettir!” Separating from his weapons and the others from around the area, the four creatures known as Modi, Sleip, Audum, and Skoll appeared behind them.
“Now breathe!” Thrymr shouted as fragments of his own soul flew from him and into the beasts. They grew larger and more monstrous in appearance, breathing in Thrymr’s power. It finally came time to exhale, with the four creatures releasing streams of their respective elements - lightning, wind, ice, and fire - in a powerful maelstrom. Thrymr’s Haoshoku Haki faded from the spear, giving him what he needed in slowing down Zelgadis through sheer power. Instead, the power of the elements became his tool and he thrust his spear with great power, the force of the attack accelerating.
The pressure from the King of Thyrmr was almost overwhelming! His attack had done little to crack the armor, even with the shockwaves crashing into him! Witnessing the formation of the King's elemental maelstrom was like witnessing art itself, a majestic pattern of color and power woven into the fabric of reality, it was stunning, possessed of an ethereal beauty that only a warrior such as himself would find sublime. Wreathing himself in haki, and using so many haki empowered attacks was a drain, especially when he was coating his flames of conquest with it as well.
But he felt it through his kenbunshoku haki, that strange ability Thyrmr had to imbue the very power of his Haoshoku haki within his weapon... to think such a thing was possible!? Truly Thyrmr is deserving the title of Yonko! Even as he stared down the elemental storm that could no doubt wipe out an entire city, he couldn't be happier! His blood was pounding, his heart and will soaring with each exchange, he couldn't help it, he just laughed. Joyous and full of such warmth and mirth. It echoed throughout the heavens, a pure and simple joy that was as infectious as it was mad! Everyone could hear it, probably to their confusion. But he cared little for that. This moment was the culmination of everything he had done! This challenge was his and his alone to overcome! What better gift could an opponent such as Thyrmr grant him other than that?
He roared to the heavens once more in defiance, for the cry of a warrior is not a whisper but a resounding challenge to the gods themselves! Born in weakness man must struggle and endure, overcoming all obstacles to stand at the pinnacle. It is a perilous dance on the edge of death, where will and fate clash, overpowering the other until a victor emerges! And so, he welcomed the storm of chaotic elements which served as the prelude to Thyrmr's lightning thrust of one of the deadliest spears in the world!
Wind and fire wove together to form catastrophic flames that burnt the very air itself, causing a conflagration that scorched the skies until they were crimson red! Luminous lightning, its hallowed and haunted glow accompanied the resounding crack and thundering boom in its wake as it flowed like river currents coursing all around him. Chilling frigid ice flash freezing, before it was superheated, detonating and then instantly freezing again, in a pandemonium of elements clashing together! A King who had unleashed the very chaos of hell into heaven itself, that was the attack unleashed upon Zelgadis by Thyrmr.
Every part of him screamed in utter agony, it felt as if he was being pulled apart, piece by piece, as the spirits themselves boasting large portions of Thyrmr himself sought to tear him apart at not just the physical but the spiritual level as well! And then, the climax to this unholy alliance of elements was the gleaming deadly cross-point of death, Gungnir as it speared towards Zelgadis's screaming form. Yet in an utter act of rebellion his eyes lit with focus and determination as he arrested the destruction happening to his body, and slammed his palms catching the spear! But it inched ever closer towards his heart until the point dug into his skin. Moment after moment passed as it went deeper, drawing blood. Gritting his teeth, Zelgadis looked within himself, he needed to find it, that catalyst! The pain from the spear served as a reminder of his fleeting mortality, and as it drew near, he felt it. Remembered it. He could hear it! The beating of his heart as all sound ceased around him. Why had he come so far on this journey, what incessantly pushed him to do as he did!
It began with an endless void. Then a small pinprick of light in the distance. The sound of a smoldering flame. But then grew in intensity as flared, and then roared into being, illuminating the void before casting the darkness away! There in that light, those brilliant scintillating colors he saw his answer.
Violet flames erupted from every part of him, enveloping him in their majestic, conquering fire! He poured his haki through his body allowing it to blacken every part of him, but even that wasn't enough. He allowed it to flow not just within but through him as black lightning thrashed wildly from his body.
His grip tightened on the spear as he heaved and pushed it back. But it wasn't enough. Then he summoned forth that which had defined the very depths of his soul, the color of ambition ever seeking to unleash his will and dominate the world letting it expand around him! Yet while had seen it happen before his eyes, he could barely grasp the intricacies of the technique itself as he struggled to contain all of that power. It was like trying to stem the rising tide of a tsunami with his bare hands, and the guide it with his breath alone! Still he struggled. And as he came to the precipice of his limits he without a second thought smashed through them.
His flames of conquest flooded through maelstrom, suffusing every part of the attack with its being, as his and Thyrmr's very souls clashed for dominance! Zelgadis was pushing back the hellish nightmare, his flames acting as a bulwark shielding him from further damage as they corrupted and conquered innermost part of the hell storm.
And then, it happened. For a fraction of a moment. Where his Haoshoku and Busoshoku Haki intermingled seamlessly, but it was just enough. With a great heave somehow... managed to completely arrest Thyrmr's attack, diverting it off course. In that same instant, as his haki exploded outward, the hell storm stuttered as it was swept away by the enormous tide of his combined power. Yet the damage had been done. His body was wracked with pain and injuries, the sky itself bleeding red as chaotic forces had wrought havoc in the atmosphere.
When all was cleared Zelgadis stood, opposite of King Thyrmr. He had done it. He had tapped, even for moment into that elusive power. He doubted he could manage it a second time, but knowing that it was possible, that it was something he could do, had done, was more than enough for him. And so he laughed once more, throwing his head back in sheer exaltation.
"SEI-HAI-HAI-HAI-HAI-HAI! SEI-HAI-HAI-HAI!" Zelgadis bellowed, it had the undertones of a blazing fire mixed with his trademark arrogance. "Thanks to you O King of Elbaph, I can soar every higher! I see the world is even more mysterious than I thought. There are still depths of power that lie within me I have yet to tap! What a wonderful gift!" He said between laughs and with a smile. King Thyrmr's impressive kenbunshoku haki and even his eyes could peer into Zelgadis, and what he saw was something an opponent perhaps never had before.
There was no hatred, no condemnation, not even that damnable greed he so wearily often saw in others. The soul of Zelgadis was laid bare before him, it may as well have been an open biography, for all his secrets were revealed. There was such genuine joy, such happiness in him. Even as he gazed upon Thyrmr himself, there was excitement, the kind of childish glee one would feel at seeing a friend for the first time in a long time.
"If you'll indulge me, Thyrmr. From one struggler, to another. Forget the titles, forget our race, for a moment even this battle. Can you not feel it? The pure beauty of this world and all it has to offer? The battle raging below, the clashing of wills against the other. Each life is like a star, and as I gaze upon this endless sea basking in the ethereal glow of those twinkling lights, I see the majesty of creation itself." Zelgadis was silent for a moment, as he simply gazed around him in wonder. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and relaxed. When he opened his eyes again, it seemed his moment of quite contemplation was over, and the determination was visible in his eyes.
"For this last blow, I shall burn the very candle of my life to defeat you. This on my honor as a fellow brave warrior of the sea!"
Thrymr glared at the absurdity of Zelgadis, but knew well what he spoke. The giants of Elbaph had long been considered the greatest military might in the world. Pirates of infamous renown and the World Government itself sought its power, but Elbaph often stood alone because it chose to. However, the giants of Elbaph, even the stoic king Thrymr, loved the the joys of battle and the proving of might. The manner in which he became king even had him prove his strength above all giants in the island, that he alone deserved the throne.
"I will grant you this, Zelgadis, this battle has reminded me of my pride. For too long I have been a protector of my land, but the world forgets I am not a protector by trade," spoke Thrymr as his spirit ignited to his full majesty. The world around them seemed to shrink, that all that mattered was within this arena. However, Zelgadis spoke too highly of himself. He could blow out the sun, but Thrymr would remain above him.
Thrymr breathed in deeply, feeling every fiber of his essence as he did. Suddenly, from him appeared several pink spheres. His own soul manifested itself, darkening with the power of his Haki and will. The orbs flew out, into the hellish flames that Zelgadis made to imprison them. "You forget yourself though, boy. You wish to imprison me within hell itself!" Thrymr shouted as the his soul merged with the fire. There was a groan, a struggle for domination, but Thrymr was the Dread King for a reason. The ghoulish flames became the foe of their creator as they breathed in new life.
Thrymr opened his hand high in the air. Suddenly, the flames of damnation rushed to him, forging itself into a mighty spear that matched the grace of Gungnir itself. "However, how can the depths of hell contain one who stands so high above it?" Thrymr questioned as he brandished a purple spear of flames. The fetters that held them in were destroyed, all that remained was two oceanic warriors. The spear groaned in agony, the creation of one submitted to another. The flames seemed to darken as the power of Thrymr's Haki further ignited it.
"Come at me, you upstart. I will remind you that the world stands beneath my throne," Thrymr said with absolute calmness, but killing intent dripped with every word.
Drunken Dragon[]
Meanwhile...
Down below the grand battle awaiting to begin, the pirate fleet of Zelgadis raced onward intent to meet the forces of Elbaph. Many a pirate was salivating at the chance to fight free of restriction, to battle to their hearts content, while others whose will and bodies had long since been dominated silently followed the orders they were given.
The sea darkened as waves tottered fiercely under the winds from one source. The remiges made of bright purple flames spread more and more, and it never ended until it had greatly spread her draconic wings. The opening of her wings gave a simple jolt that made the ocean agitate. Many boats found themselves completely shaken and braving large waves, but that was not the show's end.
Her elongated body of reptile textile while her flaming tail extended backwards and raising the head of her long serpentine neck, golden eyes, fine and piercing slowly walked over the many ships heading towards the island of Elbaph. Thryrm's voice still resonated in her mind, making the flame intoxicate the desire to prove her worth to him. In her largest, most complete form she had ever achieved in a long time, a red-haired woman found herself riding on the back of a serpent dragon, her head flexibly turning towards her, a forked tongue twitching at the edge of her dark, reptilian maw.
"Let'ssss not delay, Skadiiii," she said in an excessively velvety and serious voice. A flap of her wings made a purple glow spring forth on the shadow in which she lurked, making ships fly over the sea and very close, the sheer proportion was terrifying to glance at. Half more and she was getting closer to the legendary tribe of ancient giants.
Skadi grinned as she felt Nanna's excitement firsthand. She understood what this meant for Nanna, something Skadi would fight tooth and nail to help her achieve. As they approached a vessel, Skadi stood on Nanna's back. "Any giants, try and just disable them if they don't turn over to our side. If they are too much and threaten our people, take them out," Skadi ordered, showing she had grown well into her role as a commander for the Ragnarok Pirates.
That said, she still was just as much herself as ever. She leapt from the back of Nanna and plummeted towards an invading ship. She splashed on to the ship, much to the confusion of the crew. However, Skadi quickly reformed with a malicious grin. The hammer crackled with lightning and she released a stream of it, shocking the people aboard the ship. "Standing against Elbaph, giant or not, is a death sentence for most!"
The people on board the ship, are still under the fumes of Zelgadis' powerful domination. After the stupor, it was time to attack the redhead who had shown a nasty desire to beat them.
Many of them, all armed, were heading towards the redhead, knocking each one out with a blow from their weapon, in several places towards Skadi. Literally, a pack was rushing to unleash itself and defend according to the established orders of superiority.
As Nanna circled above the ship in which Skadi was, the dragon-serpent continued to glide before a flaming tail of green scales whipped a row of boats in full swing. A breath resounded intensely, making the waves violently rock, ravaging all the ships that sank into the water. Screams of terror and shock followed, Skadi had given orders to neutralize the pirates and as a last resort, to kill them if they threatened, which she did.
One thing puzzled her as she scanned the fleet of ships, observing each living being stationed at their post. The captain whose name she did not know had brought many slaves in their pitiful outfits, but also giantesses who had been prisoners in their boats, she felt them and she felt in a bold mood, but one thing puzzled her
"But... he comes to attack Elbaph and there are giants, why?" she wondered before leaning into a corner, the wing barely brushing the sea and in her wake, another wing stroke knocked several ships over, making them turn over and fall into the water.
“Dethrone Thryrm? Does he love people? No, they are prisoners… surely so that he can negotiate with him” Her head was racking, filled with reflection, she interrupted herself in her thoughts, remembering the words of King Thryrm, constantly reminding herself of what she had to accomplish and it inspired her with an incredibly tender and determined flame that anger and hatred. One thing certain that came to mind:
“Freedom… that’s all that matters, isn’t it? I have to… free them!” she cooed internally, before turning around in flight and glancing at Skadi, giving her a great warning.
“The giants! You sense the giants!?” exclaimed with a worried grunt, observing the high tides which could be the victims of the shipwreck.
There was still a fleet of stable ships, however, the serpent dragon was going to have to change her methods quickly.
"That's right! Sink our ships and see your precious people drowned alongside us! Every ship has a few Giant slaves stowed away, so if you're willing to kill your fellow countrymen, then you'd best leave our ships alone!" A gruff voice said. It belonged to a weasel of a man, tall, thin and lithe. He brandished twin poleblades, one in each hand, and stepped forward menacingly towards Skadi.
"Men, prepare your guns, take that overgrown lizard down, I'll deal with this one." His eyes glowed a distinct violet, as did the other pirates, but his were definitely a lighter shade. Others were subsumed entirely by that ghastly light, while his simply looked lavender. It appeared he had retained much of his faculties, even if he was bound mind and body to Zelgadis's domination.
As the rest of the pirates on the ship scurried about, gathering their weapons and preparing a firing squad for Nanna, the Captain circled around Skadi as he spun his weapons lazily. He wore a typical black overcoat, with long brown trousers and black boots, he had a white open shirt and various vials of some kind of strange crimson liquid adorned on his person.
"They call me Mad Blood Barney, Captain of the Mad Blood Pirates! Gotta say, it's been awhile since we had some fresh blood on the ship! Chiiii-hihihihi! Chi-hi-hi-hi-hi! You know, you female Giants have quite the...." he shuddered in pleasure as his eyes rolled up his head. "-exquisite taste. I can't wait to get a sample of yours. I've managed to create quite the number of concoctions from Giants blood you know? Like this one!"
He pulled one of the vials from his belt and gulped the liquid in one go, with some blood dribbling down his mouth. Then all of sudden the veins across his body thickened as his muscles bulged, and expanded, causing him to grow. It was a sickening transformation, bones cracked, and elongated, and the spines on his back grew and sharpened. His own size increased several fold, not quite to the size of a Giant, but he was halfway there.
"Ahhh, much better. Now, shall we?" He said with a cruel sneer.
"Mad Blood Barney? You sure you aren't a villainous pirate on a kid's show or something?" Skadi scoffed as she looked on, unimpressed by the sudden transformation. He was larger now, sure, but still smaller than her. Further, he made a tragic mistake - revealing his cruel experiments with the giants. She was far less heroic than her father, but the well being of her people was of great importance to her.
Tightening her grip on her hammer, Skadi launched herself at the man with great ferocity. A torrent of alcohol spewed from her heels as she used them to move faster than one would expect. Swinging her hammer with the ease of a samurai with their sword, the crushing might of her hammer. "Only thing you're gonna taste from me is Mjolnir!"
As she delivered her attack, she looked up to Nanna circling above. "Careful Nanna, don't let these idiots shoot you down!"
The serpent dragon flew away from the main boat Skadi was on. Nanna scanned in the hope of recognizing many people drowning and drifting in the violently swaying waves. Her reptile body flew close to the sea while her claws came dangerously close to the waves, with a paw, she grabbed the hand of a giant.
Then making a detour, she grabbed a second hand of a giant, both of them caught their breath and coughed up water. They were sure that their destiny ended there, but it had decided otherwise.
"Giants! Fight for our people, free them!!" she muttered between her lacerating teeth and to their surprise, without the two giants even having time to react. The dragon threw them onto the deck of a ship where the fight between Skadi and the other strange calamity was taking place.
Their bodies rolled around before stopping not far from Skadi, coughing all their lungs. Their eyes fell on the redhead who struck her with a hammer blow.
Nanna continued her flight to find other giants who had fallen victim to her blow. However, the blonde had forgotten that an attack was being prepared to target the dragon as she continued to throw people and soak them all over the enemy ships so that they could free the imprisoned giants.
Mad Blood Barney looked at her closely before his eyes lit up in recognition as he took in the visage of Skadi. “Ahh you must be the famed princess of Elbaph, I’ve heard about. They always tended to scream your name, along with a slew of obscenities as I drained them. Quite rude really.” His tone held a smugness that would have sent shivers of disgust up one’s spine.
He twirled his poleblade with masterful ease, the twinblades taking on a luminous black and crimson hue. Skadi’s senses would immediately detect the hardening of his weapon, and what was worse, the man’s haki was… formidable. Filled with bloodlust, it was a savage and cruel will that guided his hands. The dispassionate, apathetic surety of one who would blood his hands a thousand times, all in the pursuit of his experiment. A vision of a bloody monster seemed to form around the monstrous man as he pirouetted into an elegant leap as bringing his poleblade down in a spinning slash.
He met her attack with a thunderous clash as his imbued blades fought for supremacy against Skadi. His strength despite his size was unnatural. Despite his size it would appear that he indeed had gained the strength of a giant, even if it did cost him his humanity. His smile only widened as his other arm came up from behind the other poleblade poised to skewer her during their clash, hidden by a momentary blindspot that was obscured by his grotesque body.
Ordinarily, Kenbunshoku Haki would have detected it long before he even made his move, but he seemed to have developed some ability to overcompensate simply by projecting as much of his bloodlust as possible to confuse the senses.
Regardless her nose would notice the sickening smell of rotted blood - giants blood on the poleblade that was rocketing towards her.
Meanwhile, as Nanna scoured the sea looking for Giant survivors the men aboard the ship had prepared their armaments and by the gods were they prepared. The had affixed on their ship massive launchers that would release serrated harpoons tipped with seastone, as well as massive seastone lined nets to capture Giants and those with Devil Fruits. These pirates manned these stations and to her shock were imbuing these devices with their haki to better their chances of success.
One of the pirates yelled, “FIRE!!!” and a veritable storm of harpoons were unleashed upon her Nanna, her massive size being quite the easy target for the pirates, while others prepared their own guns or arrows launching suppressive fire to draw her attention and to keep her occupied. And the pirates didn’t relent, reloading and firing at will.
The two Giants she saved earlier appeared to have regained their wits, and with a look of absolute fury stormed the launchers, before they were halted by the remaining forces. They struggled, having been in captivity but emboldened by the promise of freedom and fighting against the people who had taken them away from their loved ones. Nanna could sense them brushing off attacks through sheer force of will as they barreled through the pirates and like wild berserkers smashed at least two of the six armaments launching attacks at her. For now, she need not worry about a secondary fire from at least two but the others she would need to be wary of.
Furthermore, with her kenbunshoku haki she could easily sense almost a hundred if not more Giants in captivity, a truly massive number of slaves held below the decks of the ship. But, something was odd. In a situation like this she should have sensed fear, anxiety, a whole plethora of negative emotions, but… that wasn’t what she felt. It was a nervousness, but… not for themselves, it was difficult to place, but the prevailing emotions she felt from these giants was… gratitude, and a sense of worry, for… something or someone… else. They moved about their cells pacing, as if they were waiting for something to happen.
Skadi was shocked by the strength of the slaver. As the blades became harder, Skadi gritted her teeth and allow herself to be knocked back - sliding gracefully away. She tried to read his attacks with Kenbunshoku, but the man seemed to maintain so many possible attack ideas. As such, it was hard for Skadi to recognize his patterns, made worse by her own poorer skill with it compared to the other forms of Haki.
As such, when the sudden pole arm came to strike her - she had mere moments to react instead of predicted time. Thankfully, she more than made up for her poor usage of Kenbunshoku with Busoshoku. As the blade came down, an invisible aura caught it and blew it back - the power of Emission. "Sometimes you gotta learn from old dinosaurs how to get stronger," Skadi said, thinking of her past fight with the masterful user of Emission.
Her hammer began to take on the dark hue of Haki as well, grinning as she looked upon Barney. "You think hurting giants is funny and a game? I will show you what it means to flaunt that to a crown of Elbaph!" Launching forth again, this time faster than before, she swung the hammer in a sideways arc, aiming to smash into the side of Barney with her powerful tool and great strength as Haki empowered both. The stench of blood gave was to the smell of ozone as the hammer began to rumble to life. Before the blow could truly connect though, she once again emitted her Haki - this time from the hammer to carry her full strength. "Crushing Utgard!"
As all the first attacks were heading towards the dragon-serpent, several touched and planted between the scales of her reptilian skin, which earned it a painful cry. A high-pitched and angry cry made the seas stagger and push the waves back on the boats from the center of Nanna.
With a stroke of a wing and an agile body in constant movement in the sky, the weapons that painfully penetrated her flesh did not withdraw for their serrated tips. As a second rain of attacks continually headed towards it, the flaming green wings closed on herself before spreading them and deploying them with a violent gesture, pushing back the grouped attack.
The harpoons turned into the sea and others fell fiercely on several ships, hitting several controlled pirates. The weakness caused by the sea stone made it moan in pain and grimace, forced to transform again. Nanna was slowly regaining her human features and the creature's size was visibly shrinking, making the target much more difficult.
Her reptilian arms immediately tore out the harpoons that were tearing her flesh, making her spin in her hand as her strength resumed even more. Now in her hybrid form, her wings on her back continued to hover while her wound that was gushing from a hemorrhage was covered with strange scales, plugging the wound for an indefinite time.
With an agile body stretched backwards, the arm stretched out with the harpoon in hand, Nanna had to return to Skadi from a change of plan. But her cousin was clearly busy against her opponent, and to help her, she contracted the muscles of her arm while inhaling a disturbing whistle from her dragonesque mouth.
Throwing her arm forward with graceful ease, the harpoon projected itself at an exceedingly fast speed and tore through the air in its wake while at the same time Skadi threw her hammer at the man addicted to giant blood.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the thunderous force of Skadi’s blow blossomed fully into being. Advanced Busoshoku Haki cladding around her hammer combined with the infused power of her Haoshoku Haki become a veritable storm of righteous fury. Sound was drowned out by its power as was the shout of surprise from Mad Blood Barney.
He hastily tried to come up with a defense, yet he had only the two forms of Haki that was prevalent in the New World. To say he was shocked was an understatement. He had known of the fabled Conquerors Haki, of course, who hadn’t? But to see that the princess of Elbaph possessed this formidable power? He hardened his entire body and his weapons, covering them all in a black sheen. He tried to put up a defense, throwing his whole weight and weapons forward to block her attack. Even as outmatched as he were, with the blood of the Giants running through his veins his incredible body should be strong enough to handle anything she could throw at him.
But alas it was for naught.
He heard a loud squelch, the distinct and lovely sound of metal piercing flesh when he coughed up blood. His eyes stared down in horror at the massive harpoon piercing through his gut as he coughed up blood. He barely managed a glance back, only to gaze in growing fury at the towering visage of a dragonoid woman with her arm outstretched. He struggled as he realized that Skadi’s attack was on a collision course and he barely managed to bring his weapons up to bare but… it was too late.
Her powered attack carried with it immense power, and for all his bolstering, his power was a borrowed one, alchemical in nature really. His false strength granted him no leverage when it came to the true foundation of power in the New World, that of one’s own strength of will manifested in reality - Haki. Made worse by the weakening of his own will, as he realized with a terrible sense of unease and dread that he… was about to die.
Reflected in his eyes was the savage form of Skadi, black lightning emanating out from her hammer as a thick and dense aura of power enshrouded it came barrelling towards him. He tried to run, to flee, to escape his fate but her attack simply blew away his meager defense, shattering his weapons as it continued unabated before slamming into him with a brilliant flash of light.
A great boom of thunder followed by the cackling of lightning ripped apart the silence, as a shockwave reverberated out from her attack. Smoke momentarily obscured her foe but to Skadi’s trained senses, she could easily tell that this… was her victory. When the smoke cleared, Mad Blood Barney stood… or what was left of him. He had managed to maneuver himself somewhat which is why only half of his stomach and entire right upper portion of his body was missing, instead of the entire upper half. Not that it mattered. The smoldering corpse of Mad Blood Barney sizzled, as the distinct scent of burnt flesh entered Skadi’s nose. Even in death he was disgusting to the end. With an unceremonious thud, his corpse fell to the ground, his eyes white and mouth agape at being bested by a creature he had once considered beneath him.
His death seemed to have released the spell that the other pirates were under who had earlier one looked eager and ready for battle, only now realizing that they had never stood a chance. This wasn’t some grand stage to conquer the land of the Giants; it was an execution. Many began to realize their folly as they dropped to their knees in dawning horror.
Several shouted towards their fallen Captain while others simply ran, the primal fear of death chasing them as they fled, many simply leaping into the water. The pirates who had been attacking Nanna abandoned their attack at witnessing her return their weapon to its rightful master by spearing him through and watching die fruitlessly against their combined might. Yet the battle was not over, there were many more ships, and Captains awaiting claw and hammer.
As it were, they had a brief lull in the battle, a small period of time to check on the prisoners. That and many more ships were closing in, and with their heightened senses, they could sense the creeping despair across the many pirates as they hurried to their cannons, intent on unleashing as much firepower as they could to sink them. But, that would take some time, before they were fully ready.
With a flap of her wings, the hybrid soared through the sky, listening to their enemies' resentment of a symphony of despair. But one thing worried her, she heard the clicking of the cannons, preparing for a big attack and it seemed to take its time. With an arched eyebrow, she flew towards the boat where the red-haired giant was, the flames dancing under her wings before closing on her back, the strangely shaped foot finally landing on the ship's deck.
The blonde approached the deceased enemy which the duo of hell had just finished off, a hand gently resting on the cheek, her eyes scrutinizing the features of his condition.
"How hideous..." Nanna murmured, closing the already pale eyelids of the corpse before getting up and facing her cousin more than colossal. "What do we do, Skadi... The cannons are reloading again" she warns, her determined gaze fixed on her.
"The captive giants do not seem receptive to our orders, I don't understand, I feel their gratitude, Skadi" she explained, observing the many ships tottering from the other side of the waves.
With the fall of Barney, Skadi seemed disappointed. "That was a pretty boring clash, didn't really get to do much," groaned the girl, feeling bored. As she looked up though, she saw the other captives now looking on in fear - having lost the spell that Zelgadis held over them.
Looking up to Nanna, Skadi grinned. "Use your fire and melt the cannons. They can't bomb the coast without them and it will make getting more giants out here easier. Once that's done, see what ship has giants that want to go to Elbaph. Get any who want to go from other ships on that one and sink the rest!" Skadi said with a grin!
"W-wait!" shouted one of the captors. "I can give you information if you spare my life!"
Skadi's gaze furrowed, by she held a hand up to tell Nanna to wait. "I can agree to that, I will spare your life. What the hell is all this?" The girl put the head of her hammer on the ground, trying to appear less threatening.
"Many of us are... slavers. The giants on these ships were our merchandise, but that demon! I don't know how, but he took control of us and gave the giants freedom. This was all a ruse to fight the king and deliver these giants here and have us killed! I'm sorry, great princess, I promise I'll never enslave a giant again!"
Skadi looked at the man in disgust, but nodded. "If that's the case... we just need to kill the non-giants off," Skadi picked up her hammer. She aimed it at the men before her.
The turncoat fell to the ground. "Wait! You promised to spare me!"
Skadi nodded with a grin. "That is true, but not all these other guys. However, Nanna didn't promise you anything!" The message was clear, Nanna was to kill the man as Skadi killed the rest of the slavers. He hammer erupted with an electric blade and she went to work to kill the enemies of Elbaph. However, as she fought, a thought crossed her mind.
"Nanna... if Dad kills the guy... what if the freed giants decide to attack us in revenge? A savior is more important than a king..." Skadi contemplated. She looked to the island and to her father. The ring of flames protecting him and Zelgadis seemed to fade. "Nanna, we gotta move now!"
Nanna looked seriously at her cousin, simply nodding.
“Yes… and the king never bothered to save his poor people, what an image that gives of your father, but… all this fighting makes me question myself,” she spoke, spreading her wings flaming with a soft and dangerous green flame. The question raised about this mysterious man, thirsty for a powerful fight that was happening just on the other side, his objective was not clear, to want or not to want.
They felt them before they burst out of the hold, but several Giants stormed the deck frantically searching for something. Their eyes collectively widened as they saw Skadi and Nanna, tears forming in the corners of their eyes. They all shouted collectively in joy as they rushed over. One of the older looking Giants stepped forward towards the Elbaph princess.
"Princess Skadi, and Lady Nanna, I can hardly believe it!" His relief turned disbelief. "So its true. He did bring us here, just as he said he would." That was said in an almost quiet whisper. Looking resolute he stepped forward and pleaded with the two of them.
"Please, you have to stop him! The pirate, Zelgadis, the damn fool." He said the last part more to himself. "You have to save him! He's going to get himself killed!" The other giants nodded and murmured in agreement.
"He saved us all! Tracked down the slavers, freed us and promised he was going to bring us all home. We just had to play along with his plan, but we can't anymore. We respected his wish to fight the King but... you can feel it too can't you? He's barely holding on, if we don't stop their fight soon, the King is going to kill him, please!"
At this the older giant collapsed to his knees as he choked back a sob, tears falling freely from his eyes. "Can't you see? He did all of this... for us! He wanted to give Elbaph a chance to get justice against the humans responsible for capturing and enslaving so many of us."
“Hang on, cousin,” she suggested before running and jumping over the barrier of the boat. Nanna flew back up and at the same time, the imposing transformation grew her hybrid body into the immense creature that was.
Skadi ran in turn before jumping and landing on the back of a dragon twice, maybe even triple her size. They flew towards the sky together, wings leaning to the other side to accelerate her flight. The duo of giants were heading straight towards a goal that worried them the most, Thryrm, in all his power was about to strike down the hero of the giants.
A Promise Fulfilled[]
Zelgadis smiled in an almost serene daze. It looked so out of place on the arrogant man. “So you have usurped even my own hellish flame? Left me bereft of anything to conquer to challenge you with.” He let out a huff. Injuries crisscrossed his body, and the mental and physical strain of using so much haki just to keep up, was finally taking its toll. Even his Infernal Sovereign form, a powerful transformation in its own right, had only allowed him to just barely keep pace and even that was-!
The flame whorls that adorned his body by his hardened will began to fade and rescind into nothing. His breathing became heavy and his body ached with such intensity and heaviness it was a miracle he could remain standing. But stood he did. Even the dominated winds that kept him float seemed to stutter as he slipped down before catching himself.
It was clear to Thyrmr that the usurper was at last running on his last breathe. Indeed this very well would be his last attack. If he could muster one up that is. Even though he was wracked with injuries he refused to bow down. It would have been admirable if he hadn't invaded Elbaph with a fleet of pirates and tried to usurp his throne. As Thyrmr gazed upon Zelgadis he would find that the man's eyes were filled with determination yet... it was if he was looking elsewhere. His mind in some faraway place.
---
Inside Zelgadis' Mind
Deep inside his own spirit Zelgadis floated in a vast unfathomable void before coming to a single tree. It was here, finally at long last this was the precipice he had wanted to find himself at. In his minds eye he could finally make out the truth, the revelation he had been so damn desperate to reveal. The limits of his power, the limit of his conquest.
He saw it, faintly, the strange shape of his Devil Fruit, pulsating in the darkness. In this realm where mind and matter intermingled, where the spirit reigned supreme. he reached out with a sense of finality and relief. The Goka Goka no Mi felt warm to the touch, gentle even, and so inviting. Smiling he allowed its flames to lick against his skin and allowed those flames to envelope his fingers, and spread down his arm before greedily covering his entire body save his face. With one last shuddering breath the flames consumed him entirely.
---
A long heavy breath was released by Zelgadis that was followed through by purple flames spreading from his mouth that began covering his entire body. Soon he became subsumed in his hellish fire, which began to meld with his very form. His eyes became pinpricks of hollow white light, as the rest of his body took on an ethereal majestic flaming form. His hellfire emanated from every movement, as his body appeared to be composed almost entirely out of his hellfire.
"With this, I give you my all O King of Elbaph. My final gift, and a promise fulfilled." As he spoke it was as if two voices were speaking at the same time overlapping each other, one normal the other darker, and more commanding. Even hearing it seemed to evoke the same sense of domination that his power once before displayed. Like a whisper in his ear, but Thyrmr's formidable haki drowned it out entirely.
Zelgadis moved his hands in a circular manner, the winds, sounds, light, heat, cold; all the forces of nature around him bent to his will wrapping around his body like wisps of mist, ribbons of clouds, and flowing ropes of energy. Then Thyrmr felt it.
He felt the very life force of Zelgadis, burn as he forcibly dominated the very cells in his body, the energy and spirit within his own being to bend to his supreme will be used as fuel for the technique he was preparing.
Holding both his hands out the swirling ribbons of elemental energy began to converge. Howling winds, gleaming streams of light, raging fire, chilling cold and vibrations of sound coalasced into a shimmering sphere bound together by his very life force! This scintillating sphere was a rainbow of color and power as it thrummed with power, a distinct warble and whine echoing out as his hands moved ethereally around it.
With an almost delicate touch he gentle reached into this swelling, and swirling mass of unbridled power with his fingers before pulling back as if drawing a bow causing it to stretch and form... an arrow. All around him the world lost color, drained as it was greedily sucked into the energy construct, all sound ceased as if the world became still, heat and cold disappearing making the surroundings feel numb as if in limbo.
This... this was domination on an entirely different scale, it was more akin to stripping the elements of nature itself to forge a new power, but Thyrmr could easily pierce through the veil with his kenbunshoku haki and indeed he could feel Zelgadis' life force rapidly drain away. This single technique would shave years off his life, assuming he survived.
"My final technique, behold! Heavens Destructive Convergence - Primordial God Slaying Arrow!"
With a simple motion he released the construct bound within his hands. All of reality snapped back into focus with a violent surge, as everything rushed back in as if filling the void left by their absence. The clouds around them scattered as a thunderous boom resounded out, a shockwave of sheer force accompanying it, as the elemental arrow was launched at imperceptible speeds.
To Thyrmr it appeared as a bright, luminous ethereal rent in reality, an orb of such dissonance that everything around it seemed to bend and twist in mind-numbing complexity. It traveled through the air in an almost fractal pattern yet he knew it flew straight and true. He would know just by looking at it that on impact it would release a catastrophic implosion that would indeed eviscerate everything around it in some primordial storm of clashing chaotic elements.
With his control over his version of Purgatory Judgement, Thrymr launched the spear at arrow. The powers of hell collided in the air. Sounds of thunder and sizzle filled the air as the two attacks fought for dominance - the ultimate attack of a usurper and their stolen power under the king. Suddenly, the attack began to swell - forming a destructive orb as purple flames and lightning shot out wildly from the great mass.
The orb began to implode, just as Zelgadis predicted, dragging all around it into its mass. Thankfully neither Zelgadis’ forces were present, nor the Ragnarok Pirates. It was merely two captains standing before the destruction of hell. Thrymr could feel himself being pulled into the attack, the power wanting to consume him for his many sins. However, the King’s time was not yet for hell, and his afterlife promised reunion with the one he held most dear..
Flooding the tip of his spear with Haoshoku Haki, Thrymr was drawn to the attack. Just was he was in reach to be pulled in, he struck the bottom of the imploding hell star and sent it high into the air - away from both him and Zelgadis as it finally collapsed in on itself fully. His spear remained blacked, the purple flames of hell dancing upon it under Thrymr’s command. “Hell will not be your execution, the world learns nothing from that. No, I will take your life personally. Be honored, Zelgadis, few have earned my praise.”
He flew forth, raising his mighty spear to cut through Zelgadis and end this conflict. However, before he could, he heard a distant voice.
“Father, wait!” shouted Skadi, the duo of her and Nanna riding in rapidly from below. “It’s all a ruse, don’t kill him!”
As Yonko's daughter screamed at the top of her lungs to warn him of a tragic moment, Nanna, the serpent-dragon, rushed with deadly fluidity towards Thryrm, brandishing his threatening spear. Her slender body wrapped around Thryrm's in a graceful but relentless dance, and her flaming wings, a bright green, spread out in an elegant gesture, casting a worrying shadow on the old man's face.
Her draconic maw, a few inches from Thryrm, revealed sharp fangs of a venomous and at the same time terrifying beauty. Her forked tongue shaked frantically and her deep and hypnotic yellow eyes stared at Thryrm's face with such intensity that spittle and a toxic purple gas escaped from her maw, threatening to poison him. At the same time, the shrill whistle that emanated from her throat sounded like a warning cry. Her tail, serpentine and powerful, delicately clasped the body of the old warrior, forcing him to stagger backwards, narrowly deflecting the attack of his spear.
"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSH-"
Thrymr nearly blindly pushed through with his attack, but the sound of his daughter's voice snapped him from her hell path. Controlled the hellfire spear as one of his Vaettir, he forced it to stop its flights mere centimeters from his daughter and niece. As Nanna's roar shook the air, Thrymr felt new anger boiling inside him.
"Skadi! Nanna! What is the meaning of this insolence!? Why do you stand to guard a impetuous upstart coming for our home?" Thrymr asked in his anger. He had little trust in Nanna, a halfling in his own bloodline. He knew his ideals called for the sparing of hybrids, but to have one in his family - after what he did, Thrymr resisted the impulse to send her spiraling into the seas of Elpaph.
However, his daughter was there - his first born, his Jotunn. While she could run her mouth and be fueled by her own vices, he did trust the woman she was becoming. Her badgering of him for Nanna was wearing on him, so for the two to interrupt a righteous and just executions, the stakes had to be worthwhile.
"Cease baring your teeth, Nanna, and both of you speak."
Skadi, meanwhile, was terrified. She had seen her father angry before. If it was directed at her, while bad, it was still in love. If it was against another, she was typically by his side in support of the anger. To have an attack from him directed at her with killing intent, she realized how much she had to grow if she was to surpass him.
"Nanna, I think it's better for you to tell him," Skadi said, calming down quickly. She knew what this could mean for Nanna, what she stood to gain. Skadi wanted that dearly for her, so she would stand in support instead of claiming glory like she usually did.
Nanna slowly released the grip around Thryrmr, her slender body swaying towards the ground before straightening up with a much calmer aura than before. The draconic features slowly transformed into the hybrid form, all while maintaining her delicate presence and colossal grandeur. Her flaming wings relaxed behind her back while her forked tongue ran feverishly across her lip, facing the king of Elbaph with dignity and blatant confidence.
"Thryrmr," she said in a firm and serious voice, "do not get carried away, for the mistake you are about to make could well resonate through the ages." She paused, searching his gaze with insistence and a rare gentleness never seen before.
"This man is not just a hot-headed upstart. He is the liberator of your people, of those we have long left in the chains of slavery. In taking his life, you break more than a quarrel. You extinguish the hope of the giants who see him as the hero who freed them." She took a few feet toward the king, her serpentine voice softening slightly.
"A king is not just a warrior. He is a pillar of justice, an inspiring guide and a protector of all giants. In defying him, you turn your gaze away from what it truly means to be king. And in killing him, you offer a martyr to those who seek a cause, a reason to rise up against you. If you want your reign to survive...if you want to honor the values of the giants..." As her speech went on, her words grew warmer and warmer. Nanna took a moment, her gaze crossing that of her cousin Skadi, a simple nod of the head was enough to make her straighten up, plunging her bold gaze into those of the King of Elbaph.
"...you must show your greatness otherwise than with the blood of this hero, Thryrmr."
Consciousness returned to Zelgadis instantly. He recalled his final gambit, a heavenly convergence of the elements that spooled together to form an almighty attack. His senses then returned to him as he felt the overwhelming presence that was King Thyrmr, and two others interposed between them. Then he felt the pain. His body had been ravaged, his vitals drastically weakened, he reckoned he had shaved years of his life with that last attack. But in the end, before the awesome might of Thyrmr?
So this... is the power of a Yonko? He thought with bemusement. He knew it in his soul, he... had lost. But he did not feel sorrow, instead he felt a sense of gratitude, of relief at being able to go all out against such a worthy foe. Whether the king would fell him now was anyone's guess. He could sense them talking but the worlds sounded mangled.
Oh, that was the ringing in his head. He laughed, but it came out as a pained gasping moan, which in turned caused another fit of laughter, and then more gasps of pain. He craned his neck, tilting his head up as he was seemingly kept afloat in the air, whether by his power or another he could hardly tell until he could see exactly what was going on.
And what greeted him was truly a strange sight. He recalled their presence down below, and through his observation he sensed the uprising of the giants on the ships, of their takeover of the former slavers. It seemed his plan was finally coming to an end. He simply smiled in contentment. All was right, everything had gone exactly as he intended. A promise and debt paid in full.
Grunting he struggled through the agony of righting himself in the air as he finally gazed upon all three of them. The two female giants who had interceded at the last moment, and finally to King Thyrmr who stood momentarily in silence. He chuckled, as he realized that the Giants must have informed these lovely ladies of his true intentions.
"King Thyrmr... " Zelgadis breathed out, his voice tinged with pain as he winced while breathing. A fluttering flame had ensnared a wisp of wind and that was all his mental stamina could afford at this moment as he gently rose through the air to greet them all.
"You... are the victor." The words came out almost like a whisper. "Whatever you decide, shall be deemed as good, for that is the right of a King." He swept his gaze across the two lovely ladies before him and shook his head. He wanted to say more, but his body, beaten and battered and reeling from all the injuries he sustained prevented that. Even saying as much as he did was a struggle. But in his eyes, there was no animosity, no hate, just a quiet bemusement and acceptance of what may come.
Thrymr stood, glaring at Nanna, Skadi, and even Zelgadis. He could sense no lies or ill intent coming from the girl or Zelgadis. He shifted his gaze to Skadi, the sole person he trusted in this ragtag group of warriors. "My daughter, is this true?" asked the king, still willing the hellfire spear still. Skadi merely nodded, feeling the conviction needed to overcome the fear of the Dread King. Thyrmr clinched his eye shut, feeling a strange mixture of emotions - anger and relief. Finally, he willing the flaming spear to fly into the sky, bursting apart as an otherworldly firework as the power that gave it life was ripped away from it - the fragments of Thrymr's soul returning to him.
Focusing on Zelgadis, Thrymr's mix of emotion came to include admiration. "You risked your life to free all these giants and send them to the stronghold of giantkind. I commend that, but your gambit to gain my attention was foolish - one that nearly resulted in your death," Thrymr stated as he watched the tired form of his former foe. "Come, you will tell you fleet the battle is over. All giants who wish to find refuge here may, all who seek to sail with you may follow. You may rest in Elbaph until you are recovered."
With a simple whistle, the steed of wind, Sleip, appeared - offering its former enemy rest upon its back. Thrymr ignored this though, moving towards the two women of his family. Looking upon both, he merely nodded. "Thank you both, you have prevented a disaster for the kingdom of Elbaph that could have put us at odds with other giant lands had I killed him. The security of our kind owes you a great debt."
Skadi smiled, but shook her head. "I love the attention, but this was found out by Nanna - she's the one to thank," spoke the redheaded woman as she smiled at Nanna. Thyrmr's gaze rested on Skadi as she said this, before slowly turning to Nanna.
"I suppose you have proven your worth and I have been made a fool..." Thrymr trailed off towards the end of this sentence, looking upon his niece. He was always told to be kinder to her by Embla and Skadi, but he always resisted - a halfling in his own bloodline. She had every right to allow Thrymr to ruin his ambitions on such a grand scale, but she only allowed him to see the error in how he treated her. "I will see to it, Nanna, that you are free. If you would... visit the Castle Jotunheim tonight. I will not justify myself, but I will tell you information few would know."
Nanna blinked softly at his approval, her head falling slightly forward, her expression rather neutral, unsure of what to say. However, she needed a brief moment of reflection to listen to her feelings, and this pause allowed her to realize that something was bothering her. She had freedom and she could rejoice in it, but the fact that he assumed she had proven her worth made her hiss bitterly.
"Assume, huh? What is this resignation I see before my eyes?" she murmured, her gaze unwaveringly determined, settling on his, leaving aside the calm face she maintained.
"For the first time in a long time... I feel that... I will no longer be satisfied with such desolate words, however bitter they may be. I deserve an apology for all these years wasted, suffering humiliation and living the royal injustice that my father and I did not deserve. We deserved more honor, more respect. I know that you are only at your first step, but it is unfair to give you the blessing of doubt simply because you grant me the freedom to live. Why do I not feel relief, my king? Should I not rejoice in having had the approval of my king? Why does this sadness, this bitterness not leave me, my already upset heart? Oh, Thryrm..." she said in a slowly shaking voice, but still soft. She paused, briefly shaking her hair, indignant at his clumsy and resigned speech, then continued, her eyes dry and melancholy.
"It won't be a simple visit to Jotunheim Castle or the elixir of getting rare information, which, I grant, is an honor, which will not make me forget these lost years. Despite everything, every day, I fought to move forward, to discover, to learn myself, to not let a single moment slip away... Being a prisoner was both a paradise and a hell.
Thryrm, you are the king of Elbaph... How can you dare to display such a resigned air in front of your niece? I am more than a halfling. I am Heidrun Nanna, proud daughter of Heidrun Helblindi, the hero of my heart." she said with tenderness, but also sadness at his lack of courage to declare it.
The King and Princess of Elbaph both looked upon Nanna. Skadi looked in awe, smiling at the newfound confidence of her cousin. Meanwhile, Thrymr looked upon the half-giantess with regrets. Looking at the two women of his family, Thrymr nodded. "Then we shall speak here and now. Skadi, this does pretrain to you partially, something I have kept secret from you for too long," spoke Thrymr with conviction.
Bowing his head before Nanna, the man breathed in to prepare himself. "Nanna, I apologize to you deeply and sincerely. I should have never resented you... contained you upon this island as a prisoner. I have betrayed my very ideals and blamed you for a crime you would have never committed," Thrymr said as he looked back upon the blonde woman - his niece.
"I sought to make Elbaph a sanctuary for giants of all backgrounds, but made it your prison. I resented my brother for choosing a human after I had ascended to the throne, afraid of the idea of halfling taking it should something happen to me and my children. It is a fear unfounded, as I have trusted Norn as my right hand, Skadi has trusted you and the Wotan - a resentment carried over from years of humanity hating us," said Thrymr as his eye shut, clinched in pain as he prepared for the next statement.
Centering himself, he looked upon both women as a tear ran down his face. "And for my hatred of another like you, a half-human and giant. A man I had freed and given rank, trusted, who betrayed me. I rebuked him for a heinous crime he committed against the Blacklight and he... he created the plague that ravaged our kingdom... the disease that killed my beloved Embla, Skadi's mother and your aunt."
Thrymr bowed his head as Skadi's eyes widened with horror. She had never known the disease was artificial, that her mother was stolen. The woman began to cry as the Dread King dreadfully looked upon Nanna. "I do not expect you to forgive me Nanna, but I am sorry. I've betrayed my ideals and the hopes of my wife and daughter for too long. You are free to do as you wish, to travel as your father. Whatever you do, do so with pride as a child of Elbaph - as a princess of this land and the daughter of Prince Helblindi. These are titles you both deserve."
“Oh my king… Don’t think I’m listening to you with pleasure” she said softly, living the sincere tears of her real uncle and not that of a strong and impassive king. In her discretion, her reptilian hand naturally went towards her uncle’s aged hand, taking it delicately to caress it with the other hand and this while looking straight into his, with a compassionate air. His speech had touched Nanna’s chastening heart.
“It’s a terrible revelation that you tell us, Thrymr. Embla… Oh Embla, I understand this terrible treason, this loss that is very dear to us, I can't imagine the unbearable pain of losing the love of your life. It's like losing a whole part of yourself... I understand better why your actions led you to do your acts of the past, although it was not malicious. You were unhappy, I was unhappy…” she sighed, nostalgic for the time when Embla embellished the time spent with them. “Whatever you have done, no matter how long it takes, I will learn to forgive you,” she said sincerely intending to want to forgive him.
“You were first and foremost, my second father and Embla was my first mother” she murmured in an honest voice. The hatred, the anger, the sadness, all that torment that sheltered in her heart was light. Nanna withdrew her hand before making a slight bow, to thank him for his sincerity.
“Thank you…”
Zelgadis hovered silently taking in everything. His massive frame battered and bloodied, each movement a testament to his defiance against the odds. His clash with King Thrymr had brought him to the brink, but as he regarded the ruler of Elbaph, the princess Skadi, and heir of Helblindi, Nanna sharing a rare and heartfelt familial moment, his lips curled into a wry, bemused smile.
With a strained chuckle, he interrupted, his voice hoarse but filled with a sardonic warmth, as though sharing a private joke. “Standing down the fleet is an ill-advised command King Thyrmr, not that I would be inclined,” he said, a faint glint of amusement in his weary eyes. “And perhaps, the great king should pay closer attention to who exactly those pirates are beneath us.”
He straightened with visible effort, his height although impressive for a mere human, he was rather small compared to the Giants, yet the shadow he cast loomed just as large, despite the pain etched into his features. A sharp intake of breath preceded his next words, spoken with the gravity of a man baring his soul. “Every last one of them — the so-called pirates who make up my fleet — are slavers. The middlemen, the auctioneers, the former masters, the guards. Every vile soul I could find who played a role in the enslavement of your people.”
The air seemed to still as his words sank in, or perhaps it was the echoes of his dominating spirit lending weight. “This fight,” he continued, his voice rising with conviction, “isn’t just some foolish spectacle, as you might think. It is a retribution. It is a chance for the giants of Elbaph to exact justice against those who wronged them, to unleash their anger, their sorrow, everything they’ve kept buried in their hearts in one final, cathartic battle.”
His gaze softened momentarily as it shifted to Skadi and Nanna. There was a flicker of warmth, almost paternal, in his expression as he addressed them. “You’ve fought them. You’ve seen for yourselves the kind of people they are. Monsters, every one of them. But understand this: while I will could march them to the executioner’s block myself, I won’t.”
Turning back to Thrymr, he faced the man he had fought with a faint smile lit on his face. “Freedom and the ability to fight for one's own liberation is the right of all beings, even monsters. Their fate is no longer mine to decide. It belongs to the giants of Elbaph, to their strength, their wisdom, their anger. It belongs to their choice. This battle isn’t just for me. It’s for all of Elbaph.”
Thrymr looked upon Zelgadis with a blank face. The man made a faux force of the very people that Thrymr set out to destroy, using them as a crew to attack Elbaph with giants as cargo. "You think this as some sort of challenge? The people of Elbaph, the sons and daughters of Warland, are not isolated as many of the enslaved giants have been. Together we are united and this force you have brought is a mere trifle," state the king.
Looking upon the women before him, Thrymr nodded. His spiritual energy swelled, finally releasing a burst of Haoshoku Haki across the seas and land of Elbaph. It was not a means to attack anyone, but to deliver a message. "It has been many years, but I am calling for a Wild Hunt. The invaders are slavers holding a cargo of giants in each ship - send them all to Hel!"
Lowering himself to the deck of one of the ships, he looked upon Zelgadis. "This is what you sought to challenge," said the Dread King solemnly as the crew looked upon him with that very emotion - dread. "Feed the wild hunt!" commanded Thrymr as he began to rip their very souls away from the force. Spheres of spiritual energy tore from their bodies - years of their lives lost in mere seconds until many collapsed to the ground - dead. The collected spiritual energy flew towards Thrymr as is changed in color, matching his own soul as he absorbed it.
Raising his voice once more, he spoke to the giants on the ship and the giants of this invading fleet. "Cousins of Elbaph, on this day you can strike down your captors. Stand together with my family and those who have wronged you will find justice through blood. You may join my kingdom as a full citizen, or carry forth with Zelgadis - the choice is yours!"
Man in the High Castle[]
The giants of Elbaph fought to defend their lands. No foreign force would claim the mighty island, not on this day. The slavers who dared to trade in those of giant blood were vanquished, redeemed in their sins only by the point of a sword. Some were captured by the forces of Elbaph, with the idea of being sentence to the Underworld. However, Thrymr wanted no slaver to survive in the glory of Elbaph, not even in its hellish prison. Instead, he ripped their souls from their body and fueled himself, the eternal king of Elbaph if he wanted to be.
Standing in his throne room, he was flanked by the two people he trusted most: Skadi and Norn - his eldest child and his longest, most loyal subject. Thrymr would typically be happy with these two alone, at least his version of happy. However, before him was his niece and the man who led this invasion - Zelgadis. While there was a part of the king that wanted to display Zelgadis' corpse like a figurine, the truth of his invasion made him far more valuable.
"Nanna, thank you for coming. As I have said before, your wages is freedom and the title of princess... I will spend many moons to make up to you what I have denied for too long," spoke Thrymr, the pain of regret hidden within his voice. He should have heeded Embla's wisdom and love sooner, allowe Nanna to live as she wished. Now, he would only be able to play catch up - thankfully, giants lived long lives. Meanwhile, Zelgadis stood with his misrepresentations before him. However, he proved himself loyal to the giants. "Nanna, stand beside Skadi - take your place as an princess of this land. Zelgadis, speak your thoughts."
Feverish as she pointed the tip of her nose, she walked slowly with her shoulders straightened as if she was rediscovering the place she had already seen. Her golden gaze looked at that of her uncle, Thrymr. Then it was redirected to that of her cousin, Skadi, impatiently waiting for her to finally sit down at her side. Once seated on the comfort of the throne, inheriting the title of princess, it gave her a strange and unusual feeling. After all, she had lived her whole life as being inferior to the Heidrun family despite all the efforts of her father. Chasing away her thoughts and her inner feelings, she displayed an expression of indomitable serenity. Legs stuck together and leaning to the side, one hand placed on the knee, one hand on the support of the throne and her back naturally straightened. Nanna was no longer afraid, taking advantage of every second of her freedom that gave her an overestimated confidence.
She set her eyes on Zelgadis's reckless gaze, with a serenity that seemed almost to defy him. While the great terror Thrymr initiated the discussion with the dark-haired man. Nanna found the question more or less relevant to know his thoughts. She was supposed to say nothing, but finally, her mouth was no longer intended to be silent.
"You don't have to answer... You seem to have your tongue hanging out," she murmured to Zelgadis.
The hallowed halls of Elbaph’s throne loomed around Zelgadis, their grandeur befitting the mighty King Thyrmr, who sat upon his stone-carved seat like a mountain of resolve. Flanking the king were his daughters, the warrior princesses Skadi and Nanna. At long last the enslaved giants had been freed, and their homecoming fulfilled a promise Zelgadis had carried for years. He was beginning to contemplate his answer when the moment of silence was broken by the audacious comment made by Nanna.
Zelgadis felt his lips curl into a sly smirk as he couldn't help but chuckle. In the brief moments they had met, he gleaned that the woman before him too shared a similar origin. However whereas his had been a physical cage hers had been a gilded one. It had all the trappings of splendor, wealth, peace but it was a false one. An imprisonment in stagnation. Yet it would appear that through glorious battle, and perhaps reveling in the power gifted to her by her devil fruit, perhaps even the beginnings of the alignment of her spirit with that which dwelled within it, a burgeoning desire for freedom had developed. Even the King was surprised by boldness, and he too had been swooned by her words. Almost, that is.
"Perhaps I was pondering all the ways in which to reward the princess who stayed the kings deadly hand?" He shot back with amusement. But even he could feel the subtle killing intent radiating off of King Thyrmr. While he had granted her the title of princess by deed, she was the descendent of someone of great importance to him, and would not sit idly by, purring on his throne in amusement as he observed the banter between the two. Later perhaps, but not now. The king demanded to know his thoughts, his reasons for everything. So perhaps it was time to reveal and bring to light all that was hidden.
Zelgadis, standing tall despite the exhaustion weighing on his broad shoulders, met the king’s piercing gaze.
“King Thyrmr,” he began, his voice steady, “I must first offer you my gratitude. For granting me the honor of fighting you. Few in this world could push me to my limits as you did. It was a battle worthy of song. Yet, I lament that I could not return the favor. For that, I offer my sincerest apology.”
He then turned to the princesses, his smile softening. “To you, Skadi and Nanna, I offer my congratulations. Your strength and wisdom in holding back—choosing not to destroy the slaver ships with your fellow giants aboard—was no small feat. It speaks to your honor as warriors and leaders.”
He paused, not because of courtesy but because he seemed to wrestle with exactly how he was going to explain this. “I owe you all an explanation,” he said, straightening. “My so-called invasion was no act of conquest but a carefully orchestrated plan. Long ago, I made a promise to a dear friend—Ardbert. He was a giant who like me was once a slave. Yet during a slave revolt, it was he who stayed behind, ensuring not only my escape, but those of many others as well. He dreamed of freeing his brethren, of returning home to Elbaph, and granting that same freedom to all giants enslaved across the world. Ardbert gave his freedom for that dream, and I swore to honor it.”
Zelgadis paused, his expression darkening. “But I knew that Elbaph had grown isolationist. Any large-scale action by your kingdom would have been seen as an act of war by the World Government. So, I took it upon myself to act. I tore through the underworld, uncovering secrets, allies, and the locations of your captured kin. I forced the slavers to yield, and to bend before my will. But to mask my true intentions, I made them and by extension all of you—believe I intended to invade Elbaph itself.”
He chuckled his grin returning. “But it served a dual purpose. First, it enraged you all—pushed you to fight with everything you had, proving to the world the strength of the giants once more. Second, it allowed me to fulfill Ardbert’s dream: to bring your people home and ensure the world would think twice before targeting your kind again. By framing this as a defense of your homeland rather than an act of war, I ensured that the giants’ actions would be justified in the eyes of the world. And that the giants would obtain justice or vengeance, whichever pleased them.”
There was a pause before Zelgadis continued, his voice introspective but resolute. "Well, there was a third reason—I sought a battle that would push me to my limits, perhaps even beyond. I desired to test myself against one of the mightiest warriors in the world. And I hoped that in doing so, I could learn. I have seen the gap between myself and the Yonko, and it is vast. But I do not despair. I know I will close it. Tis only a matter of time. Any questions?" He said spreading his arms and palms out in an inviting manner.
Skadi grinned widely as she got praised. She turned her attention to her father, who placed a hand on her head - lightly patting it in recognition. Skadi was always after attention and praise, always wanting to be the favorite. However, this time she had turned it over to Nanna - who genuinely deserved it. "Nanna was able to get us there in time, she really prevented this from becoming a giant schism," Skadi said, still accepting the headpat.
Thrymr nodded at Nanna, having gratitude for the girl. He would spend many years trying to make up to her what he had stolen for too long. "My family has always possessed wise and powerful women - from marriage and birth. I trust their intuition," spoke the man as he kept his eye trained on Zelgadis. Removing his head from Skadi's head, he stepped forward.
"This gambit of your's was foolish. It could have killed you and it could have sent ripples throughout my domain. I have little love for the Yonko name, but I hold my name of King of Elbaph and Emperor of the Giants in the highest esteem. That said, by the interference of my family, it succeeded," Thrymr proclaimed, almost flabbergasted.
Turning aroud and sitting upon his throne, Thrymr thought momentarily. "Your love and service to the giants is admirable, Zelgadis. I commend your efforts in emulating what I once more actively did. As foolhardy as it was, it was successful. As I said prior, all Giants you saved have sanctuary here, but all who wish to follow you may do so without fear of recourse. Guard!" called Thrymr, ending his praise. A simple giant ran in, wearing typical leather armors and an axe strapped to his back.
"Search the island, see if we have any record of this Ardbert - dead or alive. As for you, Zelgadis, you are welcome to stay here and recover. You are honorable, and I will see to it that you are known as a friend to giants throughout the Blue Sea."
"What a beautiful title, huh? Isn't it comforting?" Nanna said after King Thrymr's statement. Since Zelgadis' monologue, the half-giant had not stopped scrutinizing the deep wounds of the great pirate who, moreover, was still not treated or taken care of. It made her grind her teeth: seeing someone suffer made her suffer, as sensitive as she could be.
This time, she glanced at King Thrymr, with a suave and subtly worried voice.
"You know, Thrymr... You didn't miss him by a hair," she said, pointing out his major injuries. Zelgadis struggled to stand, only his pride allowed him to remain upright and proud.
"I think prolonging the discussion is no longer necessary... Let me take care of him with my hands. I'll make sure he gets back on his feet. Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if he regains...", she paused for a moment, her gaze moving towards the dark one's, "...his momentum quickly," she finished, generously offering her help.
Thrymr looked upon the man, wounded from their conflict, and nodded. "As you see fit, Nanna," plainly spoke the king. There was a part of him that felt confused, years of ignoring her to now acknowledge her. However, the girl had saved his empire - Embla would be pleased by his change of heart. "Tend to him and I will report to your green house should I discover anything of this Ardbert. Nanna... I thank you again for your service. Embla always loved you as her own, I have much to atone for." With that, the king began to walk from the room.
Skadi looked at Nanna, wriggling her eyebrows. "You wanna take care of the handsome foreigner, huh?" teased the redhead, hugging Nanna with a grin.
The blush was slowly burning the tip of her nose as well as her pale ears. Nonchalantly, Nanna glared at her to shut up about her little teasing jokes. She fanned her hand with a firm no.
"Handsome foreigner you say? I didn't see it that way, silly" she replied to Skadi, still keeping a calm expression, although it made her giggle slightly. After all, the joke was funny and exactly the comment her cousin would make.
Zelgadis watched the King leave a knowing smirk across his features before he turned his attention to the two princesses who remained. He took a moment to bask in the moment, in knowing that all of his objectives had been achieved. He let out a shuddering breath as the injuries to acquire those victories made themselves known. Violet flame bloomed beneath his feet swirling wildly on the floor as the ground beneath his feet shifted like liquid. It rapidly rose up and quickly formed a large but simple throne albeit one for his size as he slumped into its cool comforting embrace.
Crimson eyes flickered up through his silver-white bangs as they shifted between the two princesses, his face easygoing and teasing. "To be given succor by the two princesses of Elbaf personally, this is quite the treat. Do you reward every would-be conqueror in this way or is it just me?" he asked shamelessly.
A short laugh escaped her lips, slightly amused by his audacity. Her arms crossed under her chest, highlighted by the elegance of her pale green dress, she observed him with an apparent calm, a falsely worried air.
“Oh… Do you think he has a fever?” Nanna suggested, adopting a mischievous tone when addressing her cousin, Skadi.
“Could he have caught the pink dreamer syndrome? It seems he allows himself a few airs. Susususu…” she murmured with amusement.
“Saving our king of Elbaf was all that mattered. However, I must admit that this is an immense feat… that a man as simple as you had the courage to surpass his selfishness to put forward all the former giant slaves, but perhaps this is only a beginning? We will see if you are worthy of our hearts of stone.”
A smile touched her lips before she added, in a softer but piercing voice.
“But will you be able to show yourself vulnerable? That is my question.”
Zelgadis regarded the two princesses with heated interest, his injuries forgotten in the face of this new... challenge. His playful demeanor returned in earnest as he fixed his gaze on Nanna. He mulled over her question, to show himself... vulnerable? His smile turned into a deep chuckle that spilled over into a hearty laugh as he threw his back in mirth his laughter echoing in the halls.
"Princess, what a strange question you ask. Do your eyes deceive you? In this moment I am vulnerable. I have revealed the secret of my purpose, stood before your king awaiting judgement, and even now I am injured and weak from battle. Ah, but you must be referring to the matters of the heart."
He arose from his makeshift throne and spread his arms wide, purple flame licking across his arms and body. "Not once have I denied what my heart desires! All that I am! All that I could be—I willfully share it with the you! With the world! For what does a warrior have to fear in his heart?"
Another laugh escaped her lips. The tall blonde brushed her fingertip over her own lips as she looked at her thoughtfully, even mockingly. It had been a long time since Nanna had been this playful towards someone, and it made her heart feel warmy.
"Silly warrior, this is not just a matter of the heart, sususu," she cooed. "How about we discuss this further over a cup of tea, in my Green Home? It would be unwise to leave your injuries exposed," she suggested, leading the two newly met people towards the Green Home, a place filled with medicinal plants.
Hightower Princess[]
Around a small low table, a gentle warmth evaporated into the air, accompanied by a graceful scent of fruity herbs. As Nanna poured tea into a cup, the bold and foolish warrior relaxed among the piles of cushions of fabrics both soft and rough. It was nothing but a heap of cushions, and just above them, many transparent veils were suspended, stretching from one end to the other. Through these veils, where the light penetrated the fine fabrics, from the windows of a garden house where there were only windows, stems of leaves ran through the space, intermingling the wildness of nature with the peacefulness that emanated from this room.
The rest of the Green Home was filled with the vivacity of plants: some medicinal, others so rare that one would have thought they no longer existed.
But it didn't matter. The only thing that worried Nanna now was the still raw wounds from his previous fight, he, a lover of intense clashes and adrenaline rushes. It made her question his way of thinking and being.
With her delicate hands, she handed him the cup of tea. "Before we move on to serious matters, drink this tea. It will relieve the most painful aches and pains, and you will feel better in a few minutes," she murmured, her air unwaveringly calm.
Zelgadis had relaxed into the ocean of cushions, his body splayed about, head knocked back as if he were resting. For several moments the only sound that could be heard was the rise and fall of his steady breathing. Then he opened his eyes, adjusted his position so that he was sitting up and graciously took the offered cup of tea.
"My thanks princess." Zelgadis flashed her a grin and a wink before he took a few sips of the tea. Immediately he felt his body relax as the tea began working its magic. He then eyed the tea with an appraising eye before placing his index finger above the tea - a small violet orb formed at the tip before it dropped into the tea, causing it to swirl and then settle glowing faintly with light.
"Domination is such a fascinating concept don't you think?" He took a sip of his dominated tea, the glow of the tea visible even as it entered his mouth, trickled down his throat to his stomach before it was absorbed and filtered throughout his body. Faint lines of violet light shone across his skin, and his wounds began to visibly heal.
"In some philosophy it is the establishment of order. Of efficiency. I have your father to thank for that revelation. But I can tell you have other matters on your mind princess." He gestured with his tea as he took another healthy dose. "So tell me, what serious matters are you wanting to discuss?" He asked with a voice tinged with a teasing tone.