Chapter 23: The centenary of Ásgarðr's 'light'!

Chapter 23: The centenary of Ásgarðr's 'light'!

Here is the new chapter!

Thanks for waiting!

*Any images in this chapter don't belong to me! It belongs to their respective artists/creators!

*Names in Old Norse:

sgarr = Asgardr.

Balr = Baldur/Balder.

Hr = Hd.

Valhll = Valhalla.

Attention: Remember that the *auxiliary chapter* is the design of the characters chosen by ME. But if you don't like it, feel free to choose the design you like for the characters.

Without further ado, enjoy the chapter!

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- Location: sgarr / Valhll.

Pov. Third-person.

Today was a very special day in sgarr because today was the birthday of the most beloved god of all.

The 'light' of sgarr, and heir to the throne.

Balr!

The god who, according to rumors, only with his presence, peace prevailed over the discord in the environment.

Known for being a just god and for his 'purity', that's why his first title...

'The god with a gold heart'.

The vast majority of Norse gods worshiped their future leader. And so it will be a full day of celebrations in Valhll.

"Balr! Balr! Balr! Balr!"

Shouted the people of Valhll, rooting for one particular man who was seated to Odin's right side.

The man just smiled sincerely and waved at people.

It was then that Odin rose from his seat and raised a hand, and then the screams from the hall stopped immediately.

"Today... We celebrate the birth of the future king of sgarr, my son Balr!" said Odin aloud.

As Odin made his pronouncement, all the gods and beings of other races, who were in Valhll for this celebration, listened in silence.

"I must say, I feel a little envious of my son because it seems my own people want me to resign and let him take the throne already HAHAHAHAHA," said Odin, laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA..."

While the room 'laughed' a little along with Odin... Some people exchanged nervous smiles.

Because they wanted exactly that.

"Hahahaha... Maybe I'll do just that... After all, I couldn't have asked for a better son... I'm sure he will be a great ruler and I just hope to be there to see, as every parent wishes, the wonderful things my son will do," said Odin.

Odin then took the drinking horn, which was copied by the audience.

"To Balr!" Odin said loudly and raised the drinking horn. Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

The audience screamed shortly thereafter, copying their king's actions.

"TO BALR!"

"May the festivities return!" said Odin, as he sat down again.

And so the music started playing again, the guests then went back to talking, drinking and eating.

Until after a few minutes... The voice of the guard who was at Valhll's door rang through the hall, announcing the arrival of a person... Or rather, PEOPLE.

"All hail Prince Thor! And his...guests?" said the guard aloud.

It was then that most people in Valhll looked towards the new arrival.

Odin froze his gaze on someone...

For Odin, he saw his son Thor, dressed in his white coat and with the dreaded Mjolnir tied to his belt.

The first guest to be noticed was dressed in a black cape that covered most of the body and, mainly, the face... Someone mysterious... But from the figure, Odin suspected it was a woman... Which yielded a twinge of pride in old Odin.

It was the last 'guest' who held Odin's gaze.

It didn't matter if it was small or big, near or far, or even another color... Odin will always recognize his 'death'.

And his 'death' was being held by the arms of the mysterious woman beside Thor...

His 'death' was only a few meters away.

Fenrir was in Valhll.

And he was looking Odin in the eye, daring the 'all father' to even blink...

And Odin didn't dare look away.

"What is the meaning of this Thor?!" Frigg shouted, she had recognized Mimir's killer.

Odin remained silent as he rose from his seat, still meeting Fenrir's gaze.

The hall was dead silent.

The music had stopped, and the guests now alternated their gaze between Odin and his son, the 'strongest Norse god'.

The cloaked figure, who was standing next to Thor, seemed to have gotten nervous and seemed to want to get back out of Valhll...

But as soon as it took the first step back, it was caught by a hand on the shoulder.

It was Thor.

"Don't worry I always keep my promises," Thor said softly and gave the figure's shoulder a comforting squeeze.

Thor then looked toward Frigg, who had questioned what he had done, and narrowed his eyes.

"Valhll is the hall of the gods... And, by the law of the guest, no harm will be done to the people who accompany me. They're under my protection... Anyone who has any complaints, talk to ME," Thor said firmly.

Frigg was silent.

There was nothing left to do Thor placed people under the 'law of the guest' in the hall of the gods.

"While the guest law has to be respected... ITS still ME who welcome guests from Valhll," said Odin, for the first time since seeing Fenrir.

Thor then took his gaze from his mother, Frigg, and turned to face Odin.

"If you have any complaints about whoever accompanies me, it better be for 'just cause'... After all, you don't want to be recognized as the bad host who unfairly expelled the guests, would you?" Thor asked.

Odin was silent and stared at Thor until he dropped the gaze.

"*sigh*... While I'm usually the one who receives guests in Valhll... For today, I'm not the host," said Odin in a tired tone.

Thor then understood who he must be facing.

And so, he turned his gaze to the person who would be the host for the day. The people in Valhll's salon followed Thor's gaze and looked at the most important person of the day in anticipation...

Balr.

As soon as Balr understood the situation he rose from his chair and walked slowly towards Thor.

With each step Balr took, Fenrir's warning growl became more and more noticeable.

As soon as Balr was just a few steps away, Fenrir's growl reached the point where it was so loud that the entire hall of Valhll could hear it.

Balr then stopped just an arm's length from Thor and shifted his gaze between Thor and Fenrir.

Thor's response was to raise a hand, which silenced the growl almost immediately.

Balr was silent for a while, which served to make Valhll's guests more nervous It didn't help that Thor was the biggest man in the hall, both in height and strength.

Balr then decided to speak for the first time since Thor arrived.

And he spoke with a smile on his face.

"Good to see you again, big brother" said Balr.

Only then did Thor respond with a smile.

"Indeed, little brother.. Good to see you," said Thor.

Balr then embraced his brother Thor, but the embrace quickly ended.

"You will always be welcome brother... And that goes for all who accompany you!" said Balr, speaking the last part aloud.

The request was clear, the host let them stay... However...

"But before we go on with the celebrations... Could you introduce us to whoever accompany you, brother?" asked Balr in curiosity.

The figure that was covered by the cloak seemed to freeze... not knowing how to react.

Balr seemed to have sensed it and gave the figure a comforting smile.

"Don't worry... Nothing bad will come to you while I'm here, I'm sorry if I left you pressured to reveal yourself, I was just curious... My brother hardly ever comes with anyone... I just want to know who it is," said Balr, apologetically.

The figure seemed to have relaxed a little...but was still unsure, so glanced toward Thor.

"It's your choiceBut rememberNo matter what you decide, I won't let you be harmed," Thor said, looking at the hooded figure.

The figure seemed to have made up its mind after some thought... The hooded figure then handed Fenrir, who had been previously in its arms, into Thor's arms.

And then the 'cloak' that covered the mysterious figure 'collapsed into shadows' revealing a face well recognized by the gods and other races.

But... Balr did not reply.

He appeared to behypnotized.

When Thor realized that Balr would not speak because he was distracted by something, he resolved to respond.

"*sigh* Feel free to join us, Frey... And you too, after all, you're following my little brother," said Thor, looking at Sif and the unknown woman.

The child when he recognized Thor's voice said with a tone of happiness.

"Is that you Thor?" said the child with a small smile, raising his hand.

Thor smiled and softened his gaze.

"Yes, HrCome here," Thor said, reaching up and taking Hr's hand and pulling him, slowly, so that he could sit beside him, between him and Hel.

Both Hel and Fenrir stared at the child...but not in a hostile way.

Thor then turned to Frey, Sif, and her friend.

"You can sit down, but... Who's your friend Sif?" Thor asked, curious.

It seemed that Balr was curious too, as he paid attention to that question as well.

"Her name is Nanna and I met her today... But we got along really well" explained Sif smiling at her friend.

The woman, now identified as Nanna, smiled back.

"What can I sayI liked her personality," Nanna said, pointing to Sif.

Thor just shrugged and gestured for them to be seated. And so, the 'long imperial table' which was only occupied by 3 individuals, was now being occupied by another 7 people, totaling 10 seats taken... It was still a small number compared to the table's capacity, but the occupants didn't look like they care about the vacant seats, because they were engrossed in conversation at the table.

However... All this time, Balr was the only one who was silent... He was looking at Nanna...

- Timeskip: 10 minutes.

Pov. Third-person.

The party in Valhll has returned in full force after the unexpected arrival of some guests...

Some people stared at the table, which the children of Odin sat, with disapproving looks.

The people at the table of the children of Odin did not care for the looks as they were having fun in their own way.

"Let's go Balr! I bet all my savings on you! If you win I promise I will give some part!" cried Hrmod, as he cheered for his little brother.

At this point, Balr and Vidar were competing in an arm-wrestling match. There was always this uncertainty of who was the second strongest among the children of Odin...

The strongest son of Odin was undoubtedly Thor, who also held the title of 'strongest Norse god'. Odin's 'weaker' son would be Hr, but that was mainly due to his age...

After a while, Balr emerged victoriously.

"Hahaha, I'm sorry brother... But it looks like I came out victorious this time," said Balr, looking at Vidar.

"I must sayI am impressed Prince Balr. I never thought you were on the same level as Vidar, who is already famous among the Asgardians for his strength," Nanna said with a smile.

It was then that the children of Odin, who knew how Balr behaves, realized... Balr was... Shy?

"AhThank you, Miss Nanna, thanks for the compliment," said Balr.

It was at this point that Hr chose to speak.

"Bah! My brother Thor is much stronger! You must know about his adventures in Jotunheim!" said Hr.

But then Thor stopped eating and looked at Hr, and spoke in a warning tone.

"Hr... We've already talked about this. Don't be a sycophant... Remember what I said?" Thor asked, looking at Hr.

Hr looked embarrassed.

"Yes 'The sycophant is the one who wants something from you' I'm sorry," said Hr.

Thor placed his hand on Hr's head and ruffled his hair.

"As long as you learn I forgive you," Thor said.

Thor then looked at Balr and decided to comment.

"BalrI think this is a good time to deliver your gift," Thor said.

Thor then opened the storage space from his necklace and took out a small box, then handed it to Balr.

"Thank you brother" said Balr.

While Balr opened the small box, Thor looked at Hel and gestured toward Balr.

Hel understood what Thor wanted, so she summoned a shadow and pulled out a small glass bottle that had a Drakkar inside.

"I must say brother, you know me well!" said Balr with a smile on his face as he had two knuckles (English punch) in both hands.

"Hm Balr I also brought you a present I I hope you like it," Hel said, as he held out the glass bottle.

"Oh?... A Drakkar for decoration?" asked Vali, curious.

"HmmNo, when you get close to the sea, remove the cork and the miniature Drakkar will transform into a fully functional Drakkar" said Hel, remembering what Thor had told her during their trip to Asgarr.

Balr looked at the present and then Hel.

"Thank you for the present cousinThank you very much," said Balr, with a grateful smile.

Hel then smiled as if she'd done everything right and won a prize.

"Ah~... Why didn't you thank me like that when I gave you my gift?" asked Hermod.

Balr then looked at Hrmod impassively.

"You gave me a fish Hrmod... A trout to be exact..." said Balr.

Hermod shrugged.

"It was a big trout," Hermod replied.

"NoNo, It wasn't" said Balr.

The people at the table then started to laugh... But then Thor looked at Hr with a smile.

"You knowI was thinking about giving your present earlier," Thor said.

Hr then perked up.

"Really?! What is brother? Give it to me, please?!" asked Hr excitedly.

"Easy brother! First of all, I must knowHave you ever taken lessons from mother on how to mold your divine power?" Thor asked.

"Yes, she already taught me how to do that!" said Hr.

"Well then," said Thor.

Thor then made another portal from his necklace's storage and pulled out a piece of parchment with several runes written on it...

Balr, who had a talent for rune magic, identified some runes, such as blood bonding, vital energy, and guardian... But there were others runes that he didn't recognize.

"I'm just going to take some of your blood, okay? It's only going to hurt at first," said Thor.

Hr then nodded seriously and held out his hand towards Thor.

Thor then asked Sif for her sword, which she handed to Thor, and then Thor made a small cut on Hr's palm, from which some blood came out. And then, Thor used that blood to stain Hr's forehead.

As soon as Thor smeared blood on Hr's forehead, he then placed the piece of parchment on Hr's face.

The runes are written on the parchment then glowed and then disappear... When Thor removed the parchment from Hr's face, something was different.

Hr now had a single rune on his forehead, in the same spot that Thor had smeared with blood.

"Very wellNow, Hr, I want you to listen to me, focus your power exactly on the same spot I touched on your forehead, so you can 'unlock' your gift," said Thor.

Hr nodded and did that... only to be startled by the result.

"AH!" yelled Hr, nearly falling out of his chair.

But before Hr fell, Thor caught him.

"Calm down Hr, breathe calmly..." said Thor.

"Thor... What did you do?" asked Balr, worried.

But then, before Thor could respond A disbelieving voice spoke first.

"I... can... see?" said Hr.

The people at the table were surprised when Hr made such a statement.

"Is it serious?! Little brother, how many fingers do I have here?" said Hermod.

"Two?" said Hr confused.

Once again the table was surprised but confused... Because not only Hr got it right.

Hr got it right... without 'looking' at Hrmod.

It was then that everyone, except for Hr and Fenrir, looked at the only person who was smiling at the table...

Thor.

" I'll explain," Thor said.

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Well... That's it, folks!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Until next time, and don't forget to leave your comment!