Hello friends, I'm not feeling very well, but I didn't want to leave you without a chapter. Apologies if it's not perfect, but I hope you enjoy it. If you can support me on Patreon, it would really help.
patreon.com/mati6x
The ancient walls carved with runes vibrated with every impact of Gungnir against Vidar's body. The young god, covered in wounds and with his white tunic stained with blood, barely stood as Odin, consumed by fury, unleashed blow after blow mercilessly.
"I'll teach you to defy me, you wretch!" roared the All-Father, as his spear traced golden arcs that shattered the ground in its path.
Vidar breathed heavily, but there was no fear on his face... only a cold calm, almost defiant.
Another blow struck his chest and sent him crashing into a marble column. The impact shook the throne of Asgard, making the torches flicker. Vidar, staggering, got back up.
Odin stepped forward with a sneer.
"Still breathing?" he growled.
Vidar then raised his left arm, and upon it, the Freund Schild formed: a shield made of reishi and glowing runes, with the Quincy symbol shining in the center. Its angular structure looked fragile, but its aura was as dense as the night.
Odin furrowed his brow.
"And what is this supposed to be? Another trick from your mother?"
Vidar gave a tired smile.
"No, Father... this is mine."
He stood tall, and the shield shone brightly.
"This shield doesn't just block attacks... it absorbs misfortune, disasters, injuries... every wound I receive, it stores within. —" His voice hardened. "And when I decide... it will be returned to its owner, multiplied."
Odin's eyes widened with fury.
"Arrogant bastard!"
He launched another strike, a burst of pure divine energy that struck the shield. Vidar staggered but did not fall. The shield flashed, absorbing the energy like a sponge of light.
Vidar took a deep breath.
"Let the balance be restored," he whispered.
He activated The Balance, and in that instant, all the accumulated misfortune was reversed. A flow of dark and golden energy enveloped Odin, who felt the weight of every injury, every blow, and every curse thrown moments earlier.
The All-Father took a step back, stunned as cracks of pain marked his arm.
Vidar lifted his gaze, his left eye glowing intensely.
"This is how my power works, Father. You can hit me as much as you want... but every misfortune you cause me... will be returned to you."
The great hall fell silent. For the first time, Odin realized that his son was no longer a pawn on his board... but an enemy capable of breaking his balance.
The golden hall of Asgard burned with tension.
Odin, still recovering from the devastating effect of The Balance, struggled to catch his breath. The residual energy from Vidar's counterattack lingered in the air like burning embers.
From a distance, Frigga burst into the hall, her pale silk gown trailing behind her. Her eyes reflected fury, desperation, and a soul-wrenching pain. She ran to her husband, never taking her eyes off her son.
"What have you done, Vidar?!" she shouted, kneeling beside Odin as her hands moved over the All-Father's darkened face.
Vidar stood still for a moment. Then he lowered the shield, his expression hardening.
"Only what had to be done."
Frigga looked at him, her eyes blazing with rage and sorrow.
"Did you really think you could escape? That after this, the gods, your father... I... would let you go free?"
Vidar took a step back, his white cloak trailing along the cracked ground.
"I was never free, Mother. I only begin to be free now."
For a moment, the queen seemed about to speak... but the words caught in her throat. Deep down, the goddess knew she had lost her son long ago.
Vidar took a deep breath.
"Thank you for everything, Mother... the runes, the spells... and the warnings. But I won't return to this place. I don't belong to your war, nor to its crown."
Frigga gritted her teeth, barely containing her tears.
In the shadows of the hall, leaning against a column, Loki watched the scene. His lips curled into a half-smile, enigmatic, as if savoring every second of his brother rebellion, without saying a word.
Vidar glanced at Loki for a moment, and he raised an eyebrow, a silent gesture of respect, or perhaps amusement. No one would ever know for sure.
Without saying another word, Vidar turned on his heels, hidden by the shadow of his shield and cloak. He crossed the threshold of the great hall and disappeared into the Asgardian night.
Frigga grabbed Odin's hand, her face contorted.
"I'll find him... and bring him back."
Behind her, Loki let out a soft chuckle.
"Or maybe... he'll find you first."
Vidar moved through the shadows of the forest surrounding Asgard, the echo of distant torches fading behind him. The night enveloped his figure, and the cold wind carried with it the scent of burnt wood and blood.
He stopped at the edge of a cliff, where he could see the Nine Realms stretching out like distant points of light in the sky.
He placed his shield on the ground and stared at the horizon.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"I think it's time to visit that place..." he murmured, his voice barely a whisper, yet filled with determination.
The memories of forbidden words, forgotten names, and doors sealed by fear returned to his mind.
Vidar closed his eyes.
"And maybe... I should free my sister as well."
The wind howled fiercely, as if the gods themselves trembled at hearing those words.
Without looking back, Vidar took his shield, covered himself with his cloak, and stepped into the darkness.
The fate of Asgard... had just changed.
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/mati6x