Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

"There are two options then: either Dag is dead, or your 'eyes' no longer see as they used to do" Gridd promptly answered, showing a coldness worthy of a Sons Of Freya's Master.

The Overseer shook his head, not biting the blonde-haired girl's trap and continuing to talk without showing violent intent.

"Everything you say is highly unlikely, if not impossible. I kindly ask you to tell me where your brother is, remembering that any information in your possession could be useful. Your Earthly brother is significant for the research about Dark Matter. By studying his body, our science could take important steps forward, and humans living underground on planet Earth could benefit. Don't you want to contribute to the well-being of your own species?" 

Gridd remained silent for a few seconds, studying every sneaky word of the Xis and knowing that his only intent was to obtain information for the location of Dag. "All he says is a lie. He's just trying to hit me where I'm weakest, convincing me that, in case I helped him, I'd do good to my people. What a motherfucker!" he thought.

"I was born and raised in Skjold. The people of Skjold are my people. I have no interest in Earthlings, apart from Dag. If I had remained in Krypstorm, I'm sure Dag would have been safe with me, but I was forced to come back here. The only culprit for this is the one who calls himself King and answers to the name of Einar. If I were you, I'd take it up with him," Gridd replied, trying to shift the Xis' attention to the person she hated the most in the world at the time.

"You're just trying to waste my time. Einar is just a homunculus who thinks he's a God. What he would tell me would be completely irrelevant. Rather... the people who live with you on this farm. They are the mother and brother of 813666, right? I'd like to talk to them a little bit too," the Overseer continued, raising his hand toward Gridd and then moving it to the window from which Asa and Eirik were eavesdropping the conversation.

"Forget about it. They haven't seen Dag in months, and they know less than I do. You can't talk to them," Gridd exclaimed, carrying both hands behind her shoulders and clutching both of her swords, ready to pull them out and fight to the death to protect her family.

"Gridd?" a distant and familiar voice from the road leading to Jernhest suddenly exclaimed.

The Overseer's and Gridd's eyes immediately pointed to the direction of origin of that voice, discovering that a skinny red-haired boy was still looking towards the farm.

"Karl! What are you doing?! Go back to your house, you're not safe here!" Gridd exclaimed aloud, whose legs continued to tremble from the cold emanating from the Xis.

"I couldn't sleep because of a nightmare, and I was walking around to clear my head a little bit when I heard you talking very loudly. What's going on? Who is this m..." 

When the young healer's gaze crossed with the Overseer's two purple eyes, Karl immediately realized that the one in front of his best friend's sister was not a human being.

"That... that's a..." 

"Hello, young man. I know you. You are the healer..." the Overseer whispered, turning towards Karl and taking a step in his direction.

"Kaarl!" Gridd shouted, pulling out both swords and running towards the enemy, fearing he might hurt her childhood friend.

The Xis opened his palm towards the Shieldmaiden, and suddenly, her feet came off the ground, preventing her from running.

"Run away, Karl! That's not a man! He's a Xis! He came all the way here because he can't find Dag!" the young Master Of Offense of the Hevnen's Clan yelled, wriggling her arms and swinging her swords in panic, unable to free herself from that invisible grip.

"Calm down, Karl. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not here to use violence, just to get information," the Overseer said, keeping Gridd suspended in the air under the astonished gaze of her loved ones, who didn't know how to help her.

"What... what do you want?! Is it true what she said? Are you really looking for my friend Dag?! He's on the other side of the world, you're completely off the road!" Karl said in a flickering voice, slowly retreating and beginning to regret taking that night walk.

"What kind of nightmare disturbed your sleep, boy?"

"W... what?" 

"You said a nightmare didn't make you sleep, right? I'm asking you what was scary enough to alter your peace," the Xis continued, trying to put Karl at ease, terrified of that vision.

"My... my sister. I was dreaming of my sister Freydis. Horrible things were happening to her, and she was in danger of dying in battle. But that has nothing to do with the reason why you're here, don't try to fool me! Don't underestimate me, Frostsinner! I'm not as incapable as you think!" Karl replied, clenching his fists and confronting his interlocutor.

"Freydis? I met her less than an hour ago. She's a beautiful young woman. You look a lot like her." 

"Less than an hour ago? It's not possible. Freydis is with Dag, far away from here. Travelling such a great distance in such a short time is impossible even for a Frostsinner!" 

"Time and space are not a problem for me. Your sister's in Krypstorm with your friend Reidar, but Dag's not with them. Did you know that?" 

Karl's gaze fell beyond the Overseer, framing Gridd, who, suspended in the air, did not seem to feel any kind of pain.

"Is he telling the truth, Gridd?" the young healer asked, not trusting the Xis' words.

"I don't know..." the Shieldmaiden whispered, unable to give a specific answer to that question.

"Why would I come here if I found your friend in Krypstorm? Dag must be where my eyes can't see him... tell me, Karl… where did he go?"