Livhild

The next morning Livhild summons the group.

All her memories have returned, countless lives worth flowing through her mind and driving her near insanity. Yet, she remains calm. The voices of her past family, and the idea that she can help Eiric gives her the strength to keep her sanity for the time being.

Livhild sits against the wall outside her home. Her smile bright but painful as the group arrives. She has limited time, the true curse of her blessing.

“I’m sorry, Eiric.” Livhild said.

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m sure it’s been difficult.”

“Not just for that. I remember now. All this time, I wanted to find a way to fix everything before you arrived. But I failed every time. I would lose my mind before I could do anything, or I was never strong enough. But this time you have come to me, I know now that it is you that must fix the world we are in.”

“Do you know what I must do?”

“I have an idea of what it is. The blessings we reincarnated bear are cursed. For what reason, I am unsure. But I know it is the work of those who gave them to us.”

“The angels?”

“Yes. The demons, their blessings do not harm them, they are untouched by the angels and hated because of it. But we gain ours from them. Yggdrasil, she grows sick because of this as well. She waits for something, but our blessings prevent that from ever arriving.”

“I must stop them from cursing our blessings? How would I even get there?”

“That will be difficult. I only know of one way; you must collect a piece of Yggdrasil from each realm.”

“The roots of Yggdrasil are protected by powerful demigods.” Freydis said.

“That is correct. I’m sorry, I know of no other way. But I believe in you. I’m not sure what it is you must do, but you will find answers there. Be careful, the angels are far more powerful than we can imagine.”

“I’ll find a way then, I promise. But what about the blessed here now? Is there a way to save them from turning? Or to save those who have turned?” Eiric said.

“Both are possible, both difficult.”

“Please tell us, we’ll find a way to make it happen.” Freydis said.

“It is a ritual. To prevent a turn, to bring one back, we must perform the blot ritual. Through it, the blessed must sacrifice that which we hold most dear.”

“Like a loved one?” Eiric said.

“No. The memories of our past.” Livhild cries, “I can’t. I could never let go of those precious memories, of my child and husband. The curse is tied to our memories, if one goes so does the other. But that is the problem, the angels only give blessings to those they believe will not be able to let go of our memories. They chose us, knowing we are too weak.”

“Have others known about this?” Vilgur said.

“Many. I’ve seen it many times, the opportunity turned away because we cannot let go of it all. Eiric, you are a special case. You must have suspicions for the reason you have not turned. Your headaches, they derive from another curse.”

Eiric nods. “My past life was short. But, I have memories of many more. At first, I thought it was my imagination, or something I didn’t understand. But they are real. They guide me and give me clues. I’m not sure how, but I believe I have lived many lives.”

“You have. Eiric, your blessing is Bearer of Light. With it, and with Sigrun, you are able to send your memories back in time to yourself. Each time, you continue to search for a way to succeed. But much is different now. How you arrived. Meeting with me, I believe the time has come. There is still mystery, I’m not sure how you continue to reincarnate. Only I return from our world because of my blessing. My body remains until my soul returns to it. For you, it must be Yggdrasil, and that is why you are the most cursed of all, Eiric, I’m so sorry. I wish I could have fixed everything, but I always failed. I wanted to, so you, Skeggi, and Halvard could arrive to a world that loves you.”

“You’ve done more than enough.” Eiric holds Livhild’s hands, “You tried to learn as much as you could to help me, didn’t you?”

“I did. As little it may be.”

“It’s everything we need. We have a way to save people, I know what I must do to stop this from happening. You are the reason many will be saved, thank you.”

“You’re too kind. I believe no one will be able to give up their memories. But if you find the angels, you may be able to find another way.”

“Livhild, I promise to fix this world. To make it one you wished to create, thank you, I wouldn’t be able to do it without your sacrifice.”

Livhild smiles. “Yes. I am certain now, so much is different in this world. Yggdrasil can wait no longer. I am running out of time; do you have any questions?”

“I do.” Vigur raises his hand, “Did you recover any memories about the demons?”

“The demons disappeared long ago, never returning even for me. But they are not dead, only hidden. The demons will not have a cure for the curses, but they can teach you more about blessings.”

“Is it because they are born with blessings?”

“Yes. But, also because of their origin. Demons began as reincarnations, before the angels cursed us. Demons were once humans, but they became demons with mastery of their blessings. A curse in a sense, or punishment from the angels as they feared the powerful blessings. The curses are just a way to prevent them from becoming too powerful. If you can find them, they will empower you, I hope you find them one day.”

“I see, thank you.”

“Of course. Now, you must all go. I may lose control soon; I placed a spell on myself to chain my body here. I will not harm anyone.”

Eiric offers Livhild a hand. “Livhild, would you like to rest?”

“Rest? You know of a way?”

Eiric and Livhild walk through the immortal land. He holds her hand, helping her walk for the border she has strayed from for eons.

“All this time, you stayed alive to help me. I can never thank you enough.”

“I’m very happy that I got to see you again, Eiric. You even brought a lovely girl who gave me a wonderful gift. Take care of her, or I’ll return to punish you myself.”

“I will, I love her more than she knows.”

“Is she there, in the memories that come to you.”

“Always. I bring her only pain.”

“No, dear, only true love will find each other as you two do. How beautiful.” Livhild stops at the border of her land, the area outside one brimming with color, “Eiric. Today, you are giving me salvation I wished to have for eons. I love you like my own child.”

“And I love you, like a mother. All that you have done, I swear I will not fail you. Thank you. For everything.”

“Thank you. I’ve had many wishes, and you fulfilled many of them with your visit. I never left because I wanted to help you, but also because I feared dying alone again. I’m sorry, but you will stay by my side as I go?”

“Of course.”

Eiric and Livhild step outside the land of the immortal. Her body begins to glow, fading into magic that rises to the heavens.

“How peaceful. I cannot remember such tranquility. Eiric.” Livhild smiles, “I will be watching you. So, if you ever need help, look up to the stars. Thank you for finding me, thank you for staying at my side.”

“Always. And if you ever return, I will find you again. I will never let you, or any of my family be alone.”

“Good. Tell Skeggi and Halvard I said hello then.”

“I will. Livhild, I love you.”

“I love you my dear child. I know you will succeed. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Livhild’s hands disappears, followed by the rest of her body. The last image Eiric sees of her is her smile.

As Livhild disappears, so does the land of the immortal, now returning to how it should be with the rest of the word.

The three with Eiric pay it no mind however, all rushing for their friend as he falls to his knees.

Sigrun embraces him, holding him for as long he needs to grieve the loss of a mother.