It's You

“Is it really you?”

Eiric fails to register as Livhild closes the distance between them and begins grabbing his face. Despite being in a new body, her touch still carries the same care and warmth as it did before.

“It is, I’m so happy to see you. When I didn’t see you and the others at Sanctuary I was worried.”

“It seems we got dropped here at different times despite receiving our blessings together. I, ugh.” Livhild places two fingers on her dome, a small electric shock firing off before she returns her attention to Eiric, “We should catch up. Come, I have food in my house.”

“Excuse me!” Freydis runs over to Livhild, “All that you said, is it true?”

“Freydis, it is, but I can explain more later.”

“Jealous? She is quite beautiful.” Vilgur said as he shares bread with Sigrun.

Livhild often cooks and bakes her own food at home, gathering the necessary supplies from offerings of nearby settlements that believe the offerings keep the immortal land from growing or becoming more dangerous.

Although only a local tradition, it has kept Livhild well supplied even if she doesn’t need nourishment. Much like everything else in the immortal land, her body doesn’t change, hunger is an idea of the past.

The inside of Livhild’s home is well maintained, hand drawn pictures of those important to her hanging on a wall. A picture of a man and a young boy hangs next to a picture of a young Eiric, Skeggi, and Halvard. On the floor lies an unfinished picture of Livhild, one never completed as the face remains empty.

“He’s told me about Livhild, she’s like a mother to him goofball.” Sigrun said.

“Oh, sorry.”

“Shouldn’t you be more worried. Your crush could be in danger after all.”

“Crush?!”

“Oh please, you can’t hide anything from your sister.”

“It’s just nice to have someone not care what you look like or what race we are.”

“I know, it’s why I approve. But impressing her will be difficult.”

“My blessing is immortality, but that in itself is a curse. Lesser beings like us aren’t met to be immortal. It’s difficult on the mind and soul.” Livhild jolts herself with lightning once more.

“You messed with your mind there.” Sigrun said.

“I did. You can tell; I’m impressed. Two demon children; your kin have always been kind to me, I hope Eiric is kind to you.”

“You’ve met our people?” Vilgur said.

“Many times, long ago. I can’t remember specific details anymore; it was so long ago.” Livhild scratches her head, a small drip of blood drawn where she scratches, “But they are there, deep in my memories. They left because the realms hated them, they were afraid of them. How did you meet Eiric?”

“We’re from the same village, we’re engaged.” Sigrun blushes.

“Oh, my little Eiric is already engaged? Wait, is your name Sigrun?”

“It is, how did you know?”

“So you found her, how lovely. Eiric said he was looking for you in the waiting room, even now I haven’t seen something similar. It must be your blessing.” Livhild holds her head once more, her fingers trembling as another jolt is sent into her mind.

“Are you in pain?” Freydis said.

“Pain, no, it is difficult to hold so many memories. I tamper with my mind to forget most, but immortality means I cannot damage myself. They return, quicker than before in some cases. I like to only keep the most precious, that of my past life, and of those I care about. It’s why I am so happy to see you Eiric, I never got to meet Skeggi or Halvard.”

“May I ask how long you’ve been alive?” Eiric said.

“I’m not sure. Sorry, I need to rest, sleeping helps calm everything. Here.” Livhild hands Eiric a journal with runes which give it endless pages, “I keep record of everything there. Of course, there is so much that it can be difficult to find something specific. I’ll return once rested.”

Once Livhild leaves for her room, the group gathers around Eiric, all interested to see what the journal of an immortal will look like.

“He’s a cutie!” Sigrun pinches Eiric’s cheeks as they turn to the first pages of the journal.

The first pages depict the most important people to Livhild with small descriptions below the sketches. Eiric is described as an innocent cutie, one she hoped to see at least once more in the new world they were sent to.

As they continue, the pages describe the realm as it once was. Livhild often wondered why there were so little blessed at the beginning of her life in Ymirra, but that was a blessing in itself. At the time, the blessed who turned, few and far between, were believed to be individuals who went insane for other reasons.

During this time, the realms were one. With the realms united, the six seats at the temple belonged to the six leading nations, the sixth one lead by demons. Livhild lived with them, hoping to understand why she was also beginning to lose herself as they also had blessings.

Skipping forward, Livhild does not list specific details of what separated the realms, only that it was an event of unparalleled magic she only ever feels during that event.

Only then is such magic felt around the world. Powerful is an understatement, it’s as if the gods used all of their might only to disappear soon after. Where have they gone? Why are they not in heaven? We only ever met the angels; there are never mentions of the old gods. Whatever happened, the difficulty of communication between each realm deteriorated their relationships, and in a few centuries, the issue of the blessed will pull them into a great war. I must stop it. I must try. But every solution is ignored. They believe me insane. And, I believe it too.

“What happened to the demons?” Vilgur said.

Skimming through more pages, they only find more details of changing times. Technology advancing, the formation of the great kingdoms that rule over each realm. The only mentions of demons are Livhild wondering where they disappeared to, she too yearned to find them once more.

They spend hours reading through the journal, but, after one page, the writing becomes scribbles. Most of it ineligible, at times they find names or short ideas that Livhild believes could help the world.

I fear it. It will happen again. How many times have I seen this? How many times have I failed? Him. It is always him. The world calls his name. His loss the event which destroys us all. But the world grows weaker, soon, it will cease to return. To cry. Why do they do this to us? Does our sacrifice only bring the world pain. The world does not want this. I will end its suffering.

“Who could she be talking about?” Freydis said.

Sigrun stands, walking in front of the group and raising her hand with two runes hovering just before her fingers. Across from her, standing at her bedroom door, is Livhild.

“You. Eiric. It’s you!”

“Livhild, calm down.” Sigrun said.

“Get out my way! It, it is him. Ygdrasil calls his name. Cries for him. Then, all is sent back. All killed. Eiric!”

“Livhild! Will killing him not cause another event as you have written?!”

“No no no! I will keep him here, or offer him. No!” Livhild stumbles back into the wall as she scratches at her head, “This can’t be it. But it happens. Every time… Eiric. Sweetie. Come over here. The decision will be yours.”

“Eiric, stay there.” Sigrun said.

“Quiet! Eiric!”

“Vilgur!”

Vilgur summons a shield, an explosion destroying half of Livhild’s home.