Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

Dag spent six days on Asgard, but on Skjold, where time kept flowing normally, it had already been 42 days since his departure. 

In particular, in Krypstorm, rebuilding the city of Klorr after its near-total destruction had not been easy.

The Claws Of Fenrir, from the moment of the epic battle that marked their victory over the Lies Of Loki, remained allies of the Giants Of Ymir and, together with them, rebuilt their ancient city from the foundations, from which they had been driven out at a time that belonged to the sad past.

Taking advantage of the physical strength and bulk of the Jotunns, Bloodfang's werewolves had restored Klorr Castle to its original glory: to return the favour, they had decided that all members of Giants Of Ymir, regardless of their age or social rank, could visit and stay in Klorr as they pleased.

Huge tables packed with all kinds of foods had marked those 42 days, useful to celebrate the long-awaited peace of Krypstorm and to cheer the name of the powerful Dag, the warrior who had put an end to the Lies Of Loki hegemony and who had now ascended to Asgard along with the Gods' father, the almighty Odin.

Freydis and Reidar, though strangers in the land of perennial ice, were now bound to the two Clans they had accompanied in battle; therefore, they were regarded as elite warriors, as those who had helped Dag accomplish that crucial mission.

As the days went by, they had strengthened their bond with the two Clan Leaders, especially with Thyrius, who, despite his harsh and somewhat violent character, from the moment Dag disappeared along with Odin treated them like his siblings.

Bloodfang, after the fight against the Keeper of Klorr Castle, no longer needed to fight anyone and had spent his days helping his men with the reconstruction of Klorr and training on anger management. 

Kranus, on the other hand, had continued his studies, reading day after day what was written in the last pages of the ancient tome of the prophecy and knowing that, in that way, he could find out what Dag's fate would be. 

The city of Klorr had finally returned to its former glory, and huge banners colored red and black stretched over the buildings and along the streets, symbolizing the Clan of the Claws Of Fenrir, whose people had completely abandoned the Rocky Prison, in which they had been forced to live beneath the surface.

That day, during one evening like any other, an air of tranquillity floated among the streets of the new capital of the west and Reidar, Freydis, Kranus and Thyrius were walking, discussing the final touches that could make that place even more beautiful than it already was.

"You told us about the Hunters Of Ullr a long time ago. I remember you saying that they chose to travel to Okstorm to follow the false king, Einar. Well, that's a real shame. If they had stayed here in Krypstorm, we could have welcomed them to our capital, and we could have joined our forces!" Thyrius exclaimed, turning to Freydis and Reidar and recalling their past.

"It's true, and I'm sorry too. I have no idea what they're doing now, but I'm sure they're better off than when they were at Fort Hvit, risking every day being killed by the ice giants!" Freydis smiled, looking at Kranus and making a clear reference to his men.

"Don't look at me, Freydis. I could not know that all this would happen. I could not know that I would meet the man destined to fulfill that ancient prophecy! If I had known it from the beginning, I would certainly have avoided making the choices I made. The Hunters Of Ullr Clan, though ancient and glorious, hindered my men, occupying that old abandoned fort and looking for trouble. I just made them realize that the Giants Of Ymir's name had to be respected!" 

"Don't worry, old Kranus... I'm just kidding. The only thing that matters is that we're all safe and sound now. And by all, I mean everybody" Freydis replied, looking up at the sky and trying to peer over the clouds as the moon shone in the darkness above their heads.

"The Captain is fine. I feel it" Reidar added, who until then had not said a word, limiting himself to following his companions with his arms folded, as if he was their bodyguard.

"I have positive feelings, too. But the fact that I can't see him with my own eyes wears down my soul. We spent a lot of time without talking or touching each other, and I thought that period was over. Suppose Kranus' prophecy is really as we believe. In that case, Dag will return to Skjold when he is ready and can finally gather all the Crystals of the Elements to face the real enemy once and for all!" the red-haired girl repeated, looking forward and continuing to walk, heading to a tavern.

"Until now, everything written in that damn book has come true! Grragh! That boy's going to make it... he always made it. It is said by who was always the first to bet against him, so…" Bloodfang added, referring to himself.

Shortly before arriving at the tavern where they would drink mead to hydrate their tired bodies after the final touches at the Castle, the four warriors passed in front of a large group of people, intent on talking to each other with joy, while their faces expressed serenity and happiness.

None of them focused on all those people, knowing that the streets of Klorr since it had become a free city, were constantly crowded at every hour of the day and night. 

As they continued to walk and talk, a man broke away from the group of people and followed them at an average pace, staying about five meters behind them.

After a few seconds, Reidar, who, as usual, was a quiet person and never lowered his guard, turned his gaze backwards and framed the man.

"What's going on, Reidar?" Freydis asked, before turning around and finding out someone was following them.

In front of their eyes, there was a man of medium stature and constitution, dressed in a long black cloth dress and a wide hood that completely covered his head, making his appearance unrecognizable.