Into Dark Waters (Cleansing the Earth)

[Odin]

Hoping to avoid the wolfpack he discovered earlier, Odin took a slightly different route back to the Nexus Gate. He smelled the bog before he stumbled upon it. When it finally came into view, the ground was already becoming soft under Sleipnir’s hooves. Looking right and left showed that going around was going to take an unknowable amount of time. He couldn’t even tell which direction would be more likely to see the end of the swamp. With a sigh, Odin slowly guided Sleipnir forward onto a patch that looked like it could hold their weight.

After an hour, Odin saw the forest beginning to return to normal in the distance. The creak of a branch caused him to snap his head around. Something big was moving around in the trees above them. It had appeared to be a cross between a big cat and a monkey. He had clearly seen its feet grabbing the branches, but it had long claws as well. Two large canines, like daggers, protruded from its mouth and a prehensile tail helped keep it balanced. The thing had nearly been the size of a horse.

Odin's eyes scanned the trees above him as he urged Sleipnir forward. They didn't make it more than a few feet before his mount slipped. Luckily, all those extra legs kept it from falling and throwing Odin into the foul water. The All-Father jumped down onto a small island and returned his mount to omnilium. He had lost track of the creature in the excitement. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to find it again. It was trying to stay about 15 feet behind him. Two seconds would be all it needed to bound forward and get its jaws around his neck.

Escape wouldn't work because he couldn't move quickly and one slip would be the end of him. Fighting would be difficult as well. The thing could move quickly and easily through the branches and would just avoid him until he was worn out. Waiting was a losing prospect too. The cover of darkness would just make it harder to keep track of. Getting an idea, Odin made sure the creature was in front of him and started summoning some things.

A few minutes later, Odin laid the large basket and rope aside. Then he took the net and cast it out into where the water looked particularly deep. When he pulled it in, it was full of eels, fish, frogs, and other slimy creatures. He opened the basket's lid, dumped everything in, and snapped it shut again. Then he adjusted to make sure the monster was still in front of him and cast out the net back out. It took the better part of an hour, but he managed to fill the container with a writhing mass of animals. Then he tied the rope to the basket's handles and threw one end over a sturdy branch. He hoisted it up and tied the rope off. Slowly he backed away and put distance between himself and his offering.

It didn't take to long for the creature to approach the basket. Odin could see the basket sway as the weight of something heavy lowered itself onto the branch it hung from. Then suddenly, a giant, clawed hand reached down and pulled up the gift. Odin took the opportunity to summon Sleipnir again and cover some ground as quickly as possible.

---

The next day, Odin came across an open area that appeared to have suffered a recent forest fire. On the edge of the clearing, a woman was crouched down a few tree sprouts maybe 6 inches high. She was shaking her head in clear disappointment. Figuring this was who he was looking for, Odin prodded Sleipnir toward her.

[Odin]

Odin directed Sleipnir along the edge of the burned-out clearing. They moved slowly and deliberately to avoid spooking the distracted woman. At some point, she must have heard the clomp of hooves because she stood and turned to face them. She moved with the surety of someone that could handle herself, and her eyes studied them with discrimination. After a few minutes, she nodded to herself and visibly relaxed. With a brush of her hands on her overalls and started towards Odin.
 
"Hello there," she called out when they were about twenty feet away. Then she planted her feet, squared her shoulders, and waited. She was a tall woman; and based on her physique, her work here was as much physical as magical. Odin slid off Sleipnir and left him there untethered as he approached another ten feet.
 
"Good Afternoon," he greeted her with a bow. "My name is Odin, and I have come here seeking Melody the Enchantress." As she studied him, he noticed that her hands were stained brown and calloused like those of a farmer. Her graying hair was tied in a high ponytail and sweat marked her shirt around the neck and under her arms.
 
Finally, she nodded. "Alright, you found her. Let's go back to my camp, and after I wash up, we can talk."
 
She lead Odin about a hundred feet into the forest before he saw her tent. It was large, in the style of a military officer's, and surrounded by workstations covered in soil samples, potted plants, and tree cuttings. She collected a large wooden bowl, filled it with water from an open barrel, and retreated inside. Odin looked over the workstations as he waited. Most of the plants looked withered, and the tree cuttings showed little growth. Feeling the soil in the pots showed that it was rich, post-fire dirt and had enough moisture.
 
"For some reason, the water isn't moving up through the roots," explained Melody from behind him. He spun quickly, not having heard her exit her tent. She had washed her face and hands and put on a new shirt. “So, why are you bothering me?"
 
"I was seeking a favor from the elves, but they were wary of me. Wanting assurance that I was a friend of the forest, they asked me to help you on your quest," he explained.
 
She nodded and turned toward her plants. "A few years ago, a blight struck the Tangled Green and threatened to undo it. The curse was undone, but some places were left permanently damaged. I have been working to heal them. At first, help was not hard to come by, but as new threats and concerns popped up for the various rulers, their overt support dwindled. I'm glad to see that the elves, at least, have not completely forgotten about me."
 
"It is a noble quest, and I am glad to assist. It is not my quest, however, and I do not think you are near completion. I will provide what aid I can but dare not tarry too long," he explained.
 
"Of course not," she replied, but it wasn’t clear if she was being serious or sarcastic. "There is something you could do though. The Animus River is the main waterway through the realm. At certain points, its elemental energy gathers into what is called dark water. I believe that the power in dark water will go a long way toward keeping plants in ruined soil alive until they can start healing it. A few barrels would last me good and long time." As she finished, she watched him closely.
 
It was doable and shouldn't take too long. "Very well. I will return with a few barrels of dark water, and in return, you will provide me with proof that I have assisted in your quest."
 
She frowned and added, “And make sure you get the right stuff. Some kids came by about a year ago and had brought me completely the wrong stuff. I swear.” She finished with a shake of her head.
 
Odin chuckled. “I will return in a few days with what you seek.” He climbed atop Sleipnir, who had followed him from the clearing. “Until then Enchantress Melody.”

[Odin]

As the day wore on, the shadowy forest started to grow dark. Odin slid off Sleipnir when he found a clearing large enough for a camp. Kneeling down on the ground, he summoned a campfire. Now for the biggest piece of magic he had pulled off since the first time he summoned Sleipnir. He focused his mind on the memory of Valhalla and the warriors that had been housed there. He brought one of the Einherjar into particular detail. Building his face, then his body, and finally, his equipment. When he finished, he opened his eyes and the man stood before him. Geir immediately dropped to a knee and bowed his head. "My lord."

"Stand, faithful servant," commanded Odin, and his order was promptly followed. "Wolves and other monsters hunt in these forests. I require you to watch over the camp for the night."

"My lord," Geir responded with a bang of his fist on his chest. Odin nodded and turned away from his sentinel. Then with a sigh, he worked on his final creation for the night: A pavilion.

---

The next morning they found a path leading in the direction of the river. It came with the risk of ambush or a trap, but traveling through virgin forest hadn't exactly kept Odin out of trouble so far. They didn't make it more than a mile before something moving in the underbrush ahead caught their eye. With a nod to Geir, the All-Father continued forward while the Einheriar slipped behind a tree and drew his bow.

Odin only had to get a little closer before he could make out what was lying in wait for him. Orcs. There were none where he came from, but they certainly looked like they were spawned from the jotnar. These particular ones didn't seem too intelligent. Odin could clearly make them out from 20 yards away.

"Hail beasts. I do not seek trouble but will bring you death if you leave me no further option," boomed Odin. There was a rustle, and one of the two orcs up ahead climbed out into the path and stood. He was only 5 feet tall but thick as a dwarf. He had two long, chipped tusks and was covered in pelts. One of them possibly human. The oversized axe that hung from his hand was cracked and rusted.

"Yoos hoomans don't scare us," he spat. Literally, due to a cleft palate. Suddenly, there was the twang of a bow from behind Odin and one to his right immediately after. He turned in time to see an arrow fly by his head. Geir's shot had hit the flanker in the arm and driven its aim off course. Intuition struck the old wizard like lightning, and he rolled off Sleipnir and onto the ground just as an axe spun through where his head had been a moment before. It sunk to the eye in a tree trunk when it hit.

He continued the roll until he was behind a tree, came to a crouch, and summoned Gungnir. The spear coalesced just in time for him to bring it up and block the axe of another flanker. Meanwhile, Geir dropped his bow, pulled out a wooden shield and hand axe, and charged forward with a shout. He lowered his shield and threw his full weight into the orc that had greeted them on the path. The stout greenie barely even had to take a step back. He grabbed the dead man's shield, ripped it away, and planted a big, bare foot in his chest. Gier was sent flying back into Sleipnir with an "oomph".

Odin couldn't dawdle with his opponent for long. He twisted his spear, bringing the sharp end down and the bottom end up across the orc's face. As he came to his feet, his shoulder rammed into the creature's chest, pushing it back. Now that he had the room to maneuver, he set his stance and struck out with the sharp end of Gungnir. It pierced the jowly, green neck and sprayed black blood everywhere. The greenie that had been shot by Gier had been trying to sneak up behind Odin with a jagged hunting knife in his one good hand. The All-Father was too experienced to forget the foe, however. He spun the spear in a wide arc and spun to face his adversary. The blade found unprotected belly and spilled putrid smelling guts across the forest floor.

Back on the path, another orc joined its leader, handing him a spare axe. Then they prowled toward the downed warrior. Grier was dazed and didn't react until they were nearly on top of him. With a sound as much growl as neigh, Sleipnir reared up, gleaming, steel tipped hooves threatening to break bones. Luckily, Geir managed to roll out of the way before Sleipnir came slamming down like thunder. Four of the horse's eight great hooves landed on the newest foe and crushed its skull, ribs, and a leg. The larger, more experience orc, however, sidestepped the attack and brought his axe along Sleipnir's flank. The cut was long but shallow.

Odin made it back to the path just in time to see a meaty, green fist gripping his wounded mount's mane. With a snarl, the god leapt ten feet into the air and brought his spear up above his head. The orc turned and gave Odin a toothy grin. Suddenly, Geir sprang from the bush he had rolled into with a knife in hand. The blade sank deep into the greenskin's hamstring. It roared and fell back onto its ass just as Odin landed and drove Gungnir through its thick chest.

"Yoos no stupid hooman," it gurgled, black blood spilling out its mouth as it talked. Then it grabbed the shaft of the spear, trying to rise, before shuddering and collapsing, dead.

Odin and Geir sighed in relief. Not all of them got out unwounded, however. Odin turned his eyes to Sleipnir and examined the wound. It wasn't serious, but he wouldn't be serving as a mount anytime soon. "Get some rest old boy," Odin said softly as he returned the horse to omnilium.

---

It only took a few more hours on foot before they reached the bank of a wide, slow-moving river.

[Odin]

Odin took a few steps into the warm water of the Animus River. Closing his eyes, he held out his hands and focused on his next project. A few minutes later, water splashed up against his thighs, displaced by the small longship that had suddenly appeared. The two men pushed out toward the middle of the river and jumped on board. The All-Father took his place at the bow, and Geir manned the rudder.
 
No more than an hour had gone by when they heard the scream. Without even a nod, the two men moved to the oars to speed their progress. More screams, shouts, and a loud crash were added as the men drew nearer.
 
When they came around a bend, it became apparent what all the commotion was about. A crocodile nearly 50 feet in length was in the middle of a village. It was thick enough around the middle to come to a man's chest when it was lying down and could probably swallow a horse whole. Two huts had already been demolished. Most of the villagers, however, seemed to have gathered in a group about 100 feet away. Geir gulped, but Odin directed him to land the boat near the survivors.
 
As the ship came ashore, the two men jumped out. Grier pulled it further onto the sand while Odin approached the village people. Immediately a woman came tearing toward them looking more distraught than most. A man followed behind her more reluctantly. "My son!" she cried, "You have to save him. He was still in bed!"
 
Odin eyed the beast as the others moved closer to hear his response. The man reached her and put his arms around her as she nearly collapsed. He was probably her husband and the boy's father. He watched Odin as well but seemed resigned.
 
"Gier!" Odin commanded as he moved wide around the village.
 
"My Lord," was all Geir responded with as he slowly moved directly toward the village.
 
Once Odin was away from everyone else, he started picking up rocks and chucking them at the croc. The thing was too big and dumb to notice some pebbles, however. Instead, it rutted around in one of the collapsed homes. With a curse, Odin summoned Gungnir and approached from the opposite flank as Geir. He crept into striking distance and struck out with his mighty spear. The blade clanked off the monstrous scales, but it got the reptile's attention. It turned faster than anyone would have guessed, and Odin failed to back away quickly enough. He just barely got his spear up in time to prevent the jaws from getting around him, but the impact sent him flying into knee deep water.
 
On the far side of the village, Gier made his move. He slunk quickly and quietly toward the house that had been of so much interest to the creature. The crocodile took a few steps toward Odin and whipped its tail in frustration. Geir was forced to leap over the unintended attack, and it smashed into the wall of another hut, bringing it down.
 
Odin climbed to his feet and cleared his head just as the beast reached him. He drove Grungnir into its lower lip, but it continued to advance. The blade managed to punch through one of the scales and draw blood as Odin was driven further into the river. He was now waist deep and his boots had sunk into the mud. With a twist of hits head, the croc ripped Gungnir out of Odin's hands and sent it flying onto the shore.
 
Geir got to the wrecked home and heard someone crying underneath the rubble. He tried to push a fallen beam off the top but it was stuck. Even putting his back against it and pushing with all his might barely budged it. Suddenly, he heard the sound of feet around him. Opening his eyes, he saw that some of the villagers had come to help. As a group, they moved the beam and the wall that was under it. The boy was alive but bloodied. His father started to lift him, and his son cried out. Both of his legs flopping unnaturally.
 
"We have to get him out of here," Geir said sternly. The father's face turned white, but he nodded. This time when he lifted his son, the boy only grunted and whimpered. The group quickly moved back out of the village and to safety. Geir looked over his shoulder as they did so and did not like seeing that Odin was fighting from the water.
 
Well then, there was no saving this for later, thought Odin, freeing his feet from his boots. As the lizard went to bite the god in half, Odin started to grow. Fur sprouted all over his body, and his face elongated into a snout. He moved with a quickness that he simply hadn't possessed as an old man. He grabbed the outside of the scaly jaw with one clawed hand and flung himself from the river and onto the monster's back. It tried to turn, but Odin was already racing toward its tail and the beach. He landed on the sandy shore with a roll, picking up his spear, and turning to face his foe.
 
The crocodile growled a low, earth rumbling sound as it turned toward the All-Father. Were-Odin was far faster now, though. He darted in at the beast's neck before it could get its jaws around to face him. Then he turned, facing into its bulbous eye and drove Gungnir deep into its skull. A great shriek drove every bird within a mile into the air as the monstrous lizard thrashed. Odin yanked the weapon free and dashed back out of the monsters way.
 
It wasn't dead, but it had enough. With a splash, it moved to the middle of the river and disappeared.
 
Odin turned to return to the villagers and fell to his knees. Quickly reverting to his original form. I guess I know my limits when it comes to that, then, he noted and returned to his feet.
 

---

 
As they continued down the river, Odin reflected on the recent events. They were left more vulnerable than before. He wasn't sure how long it would be before you could use his powered up form again; it would probably be sometime after finding the dark water. The villagers gave them valuable information, however, and that meant the stop had probably been worth it in the end.

[Odin]

It took the better part of the day to follow the river to where the village directed them. They took the right at the fork and half a mile later found the burned-out tree trunk with the sign warning of "Danger!" Geir steered the longboat up onto the shore, and once they were both on land again, Odin returned the ship to omnilium.
 
"Where are we?" asked Geir suddenly.
 
Odin finished absorbing the silvery ball of OM before turning to face the man. It was a question the All-Father was expecting, but not one he really had an answer for. "The Tangled Green," he replied confidently, turning to start the hike to the cave where they could, supposedly, find the dark water.
 
"Ok, but I mean, this isn't Midgard," pressed Geir. His feet were planted and arms crossed, but his face was still reverential toward his god.
 
Odin turned back with a sigh and looked him over, the question still hanging in the air. "No, not Midgard," he replied tersely, challenging him to continue. The Einherjar's mouth opened, but he decided better of it. Instead, he just nodded and started to move toward the cave.
 
--
 
They walked alongside the river for exactly an hour when it came into view. The water flowed into its mouth and didn't seem to come out anywhere, just as had been described. The other details were there as well. No animal sounds, bones scattered about, the smell of rotting flesh.
 
"Keep a look-out, and give me a shout if anything is coming my way," instructed Odin quietly. Geir nodded and pulled out his bow as Odin crept to the mouth of the cave. The All-Father waded into the water, which reached his waist by the time he could slip inside.
 
The cave was dark, but Odin's eyes adapted relatively quickly. It only went back about forty feet and was circular. The riverbed sloped swiftly downward moving toward the center. Fortunately, it was relatively shallow near the walls. The current moved around and down into the middle where it was a deep, dark blue. Odin was forced to cling to the cave wall to avoid being pulled in.
 
Suddenly, it got a lot darker. Odin shot a look to the mouth of the cave and saw that the river troll had, in fact, been home. It had appeared from under the water without a sound. Clumps of black stringy hair hung from its head, and its blue skin was covered in blotches of green scales. Its ten-foot tall frame was misshapen by knots of muscle and aberrant bones.
 
In the back of his mind, he heard a distant shout of warning, but it was too little, too late. There was no running, and after draining his power earlier, no fighting either. He did have one trick left up his sleeve, however. As the creature started toward him, he noticed that it followed along the wall of the cave as well. Odin circled away from the troll, but couldn't cover ground as quickly as the massive beast. He didn't need to escape though, only stall for a few seconds. The shapeshifter's hands started to grow claws as he shrunk to half his size. He pulled himself out of the water and fully onto the rocky wall. Short black fur sprouted everywhere, and he looked like a cross between a bat and a monkey.
 
The troll was slow to comprehend, even as it watched Odin scramble to the peak of the ceiling. It tried to keep circling around but stopped when it saw the strange creature was making a break for the now unguarded mouth. The monster quickly circled back and blocked the exit, forcing Odin to retreat to the top of the cave. It tried reaching a long arm out over the swirling dark water but the shapeshifter was just out of its grasp. The troll growled in frustration.
 
Seeing an opportunity, Odin started making a strange barking sound at the troll and skittering around just out of its reach. It howled at him in anger and prepared to jump. The ugly monkey-bat backed off to give himself more time to dodge the oncoming attack. Monsters had no worry for things like tactics, however. It simply leapt, massive claws reaching out for its prey. Odin managed to just barely scamper out of the way as the troll flew over the dark water and toward the back of the cave. Taking what was probably his only chance, he made a dash for the exit. A booming crash at the behind him nearly knocked him down into the water. As he hung from one small paw, he noticed that there were a couple of arrows in the trolls back. They didn't really seem to be bothering it, however.
 
With a struggle, Odin managed to get his other claws back into the rocky ceiling and crawled out of the cave and onto its roof. Geir cocked his head, aiming his bow at the strange creature. As he released the arrow, Odin jumped down to the forest floor, beginning the transformation to his normal form. The archer cursed under his breath and hurried to help his master.
 
"Sorry, my Lord," he apologized as he approached.
 
"We need to retreat and figure out a plan," Odin responded, ignoring the man's mistake. As they retreated deeper into the forest, the troll came crashing out of the cave with a roar.

[Odin]

Deep in the forest, the two exhausted men sat around a campfire. It was unlikely that the river troll would follow them this far from the water, but they were still too on edge to relax. Neither of them had spoken a word since their retreat.

"I was promised eternal rest after Ragnorak," said Geir. His tone was flat. One could have mistaken his words for a simple statement. There was nothing simple about what he had said, however, and the only response her got was the crackling of the fire and occasional hoot of an owl. Neither man looked to the other.

"Leave us," commanded a husky, feminine voice. The silhouette of a woman formed between two trees and approached the fire. She was nearly as tall as Odin, and her long, blonde hair was tied back in braids. She wore a steel breastplate that sparkled in the firelight, and a cloak of feathers hung from her shoulders. The beauty of the blade at her hip had not been diminished despite its use in a millennia of war. In that way, it was like its owner.

The two men's eyes went wide, and they stood up awkwardly.

"Freya," muttered Odin.

"Yes, My Lady," stuttered Geir as he retreated to give them privacy.

Freya nodded to her husband and took a seat on the log that Geir had vacated. In a daze, Odin sat back down. "What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes searching her face for any hint of deception or trickery.

She leaned back and looked up, through the branches, to the stars. A minute passed before she responded. "They're different here."

"So are we," he sighed without looking away from her.

"Aye," she agreed simply. He stood and moved to sit next to her, but she raised a hand and turned toward him. "Ours was a marriage of convenience. There are no separate tribes to bring together. No territory to divide. It died when we did."

He frowned but didn't protest. Their marriage had never been more than another illusion. It hadn't even been a particularly good one. It only worked because everyone knew it was a lie and benefitted from pretending it was true. Odin returned to his seat. "How did you find me?"

"Chance. I have been hunting the troll," she replied. Then after a second of hesitation, she added, "I saw your encounter with it."

"You wanted to see if I was as diminished as you." It's what he would have done. They had always been more alike than either wanted to admit.

"Aye," she confirmed. Answering both why she hadn't interfered and that she had reached the same conclusion as him. "Together though..."

Odin nodded. Yes, together they could kill the beast. Together they could accomplish much more as well. But it would limit them too. They would fall into old roles, old ways of doing things. Just like the stars, this world was a different place. Forcing old stories would be another lie, another illusion. Only this time it wouldn't be one that was communally told. It would be one they were telling themselves. "Just the once then, for old times sake," he grinned as he stood and took a step toward her.

She mirrored him and looked up through her eyelashes. "For old times sake," she confirmed.

---

Oblivion. That is what had been promised to the Einherjar in return for their service. Geir had waged bloody war for over 300 years in Odin's hall. Killing and drinking. Everything a Norseman could ever want. Valhalla was exactly what was promised. And yet, it was so much less. There was a reason that mead was served from casks that never emptied. First came the despair from watching your friends die every day. Then the deep sadness of never touching your wife again or seeing your children's smile. The despair of never feeling the touch of another human unless they were choking the life from you. The truth was that the Einherjar were the hordes of hell.

The glory of Valhalla was a lie. Every warrior there knew it. No one dared speak the truth, however. It was too painful. They had sold their souls to gods that cared nothing for them. They were suffering in preparation for a war they were destined to lose. They were surrounded by their fathers and sons, already damned to the same fate as them. The only hope that was left them as the peaceful rest of the void.

Now, even that had been denied to him.

---

When morning came, it found the two gods on the ground asleep. His cloak spread beneath them; hers keeping away the crisp morning air. The fire burned low. Gier had never returned to add more wood.

Hilde. That was the name of Geir's wife. The wife that Odin had stripped from him. The All-Father knew all their names, all their stories. He had known of their suffering. He had known that it was probably going to be for naught. He knew that even now, as he lay in the arms of a woman that he didn't love, Geir could no longer remember the face of the one he did.

If his gamble had worked, he could have justified it. If it didn't, he wouldn't have to face himself. Yet here he was.

[Odin]

A small deer drank from the river near the mouth of the cave. Its one good eye scanned the water, watching for danger. A ripple formed less than ten feet away. The wary animal stiffened but didn't move. Suddenly, the troll lurched forward and up out of the water, arm stretching toward the woodland creature. The deer was ready though and jumped back just out of reach. As the troll crashed forward, the deer bound away into the trees.
 
"Hey Ugly," Freya said when she stepped out from behind a tree near where the deer disappeared. The troll roared and charged her. The goddess raised her hand and channeled her energy. Their eyes locked, and the troll smashed into the shield, shattering it. The monster was left stunned, however, and Freya released her curse on it.
 
Just then, the werewolf form of Odin flew out of the woods and crashed into the beast, knocking the dazed troll on its ass. He raised his spear, Gungnir, and brought the tip down on its chest, but his target had recovered. It raised a gangly arm, and the blade bit into it. Then the troll planted a foot in Odin's chest and kicked him back. He flew a couple of dozen feet in the air but managed to roll it into a backflip and landed on his feet.
 
The troll clambered up with a growl. The hand attached to the wounded arm was limp, but the monstrosity didn't seem to notice. Suddenly, Freya struck out with her sword, bringing it across the creature's Achilles tendon. A giant, floppy paw swung toward her, and she was forced to abandon her attack to defend herself. She brought her blade up and crossed the flat end across her other arm in an X. The strike drove her back, but she maintained her footing.
 
Bounding forward, Odin took the chance to strike. He grabbed the troll's good arm, yanked it out of the way, and drove his spear up under its ribs. It howled in pain and rage. The spear was stuck, and Odin couldn't get out of the way of the coming retaliation. So, he released his weapon and held onto its arm with both hands. It turned and punched Odin in the face with its bad hand. There was a loud crack as both Odin's nose broke and so did the troll's wrist.
 
Freya brought a two-handed strike down on the beast's back. It tore a long, bloody gash. The attack should have severed muscles, but it was only skin deep. Her curse was ended, which meant....
 
Odin started to transform back into his human form. The troll ignored the attacker at its back and head-butted Odin's bloodied face, driving him to the ground. Odin was left sprawled and stunned. The troll grabbed him around the waist and lifted him up.
 
Freya had to do something. She saw Odin's spear still hanging from the troll's side and sheathed her sword. She grabbed Gungnir and shoved it as deep as possible. The troll roared and dropped Odin back to the ground, and he immediately started chanting.
 
Freya held on as well as she could as the troll twisted and turned, trying to shake her off. After a few seconds, something washed over her. Her pupils dilated and mouth twisted into a snarl. She redoubled her effort, breaking the bone the spear was stuck in, and driving the spear deeper. The spell now taking effect on his companion, Odin climbed to his feet and charged the troll. He threw his shoulder into its chest, driving it back and to the ground. He rolled off it, took his place next to Freya, and helped drive the blade into the monster's heart.
 
The troll thrashed and lashed out at them. But with a sudden shudder, it went limp and died. The two gods fell back onto the sandy riverbank and laughed.

[Odin]

Odin finished strapping the final barrel of dark water to the cart he made. Sleipnir, now recovered from his injury, was harnessed to it. Freya had finished grinding some of the troll's bones to powder, which she needed for a spell she was preparing. Odin wasn't moving as fast as he could have been. The fact was, now that they were all gone, he realized how much he had cared about the make-shift family of Asgard. It was nice to have one of them around again. Finally, when he could stall no longer without making it obvious, he turned to Freya.

"Well, I guess that just about does it then," he sighed, sitting on the cart's bench. "Need a lift anywhere?"

She smirked. "No, I think it is best we don't dally any longer." There was sorrow in her eyes but not enough to change her mind. Odin was too proud to beg or argue the point, anyway.

"Aye, I suppose you are right." Odin snapped the reigns against Sleipnir's flank, and they started off. There was no formal goodbye, and Freya didn't call anything out to him. They both just disappeared into the forest, nothing but the stinking corpse of a troll to mark that they had been there.

---

The truck back to Enchantress Melody was less eventful than his previous expeditions through the woods. He arrived at her camp a little over 24 hours after he left the river.

"Woah!" he called out to Sleipnir, more to annouce his presence than to tell his travel companion to stop.

Melody shuffled out of her tent wearing what would best be described as a bathrobe. She blinked at Odin for a few seconds before recognition hit her face. "Woden, was it? To be honest, I didn't expect you back. You look older than I am."

"Close enough," Odin smirked as she approached the cart. "Where do you want me to put 'em?"

"Over there. Near that work table," she waved indicating the largest one. Odin guided Sleipnir there and started unloading the two barrels. She cracked one open and looked in. Then with a frown, she pulled out two glass containers. The first was empty, and she scooped some water up and placed it on the workspace. The second was full of a dark green liquid. She retrieved an eye dropper from a knapsack, took a single drop of the green liquid, and dropped it in the dark water.

Nothing happened. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Then suddenly, it started to bubble. It was slow at first, but it kept increasing until it was spitting and sputtering like water dropped in boiling grease. "Well, it appears you are able to follow simple instructions. Good job." The words were both dryly sarcastic and a compliment. "Wait here."

She made her way back into her tent and came out a couple of minutes later carrying a scroll. "Alright, skedaddle. I've got work to do. I don't need sexy older men hanging around distracting me," she said as she handed him the paperwork. Odin wasn't sure how serious she was being, but he didn't waste anytime unsummoning the cart. Then he climbed up Sleipnir, nodded to Melody, and took off back toward Yggdrasil. He had a date with Fate.