Chapter 25: Bloody Ground

There are moments when history seems to write its own pages in blood—
without pen, without ink, without will.

As if the footsteps of destiny were already etched, one after another, upon a ground that never ceases to bleed.

When gods believe they hold control, when men think themselves eternal,
that is when life proves them wrong.

For neither immortality is invulnerable,
nor is absolute power free from error.

Pain, like fire, does not choose its victims with justice.
And tears—those so many refuse to shed—
can become the only currency capable of buying back the irretrievable.

A god has fallen.
And with him, a crack has opened in the very structure of balance.

Now, in the shadows of the underworld,
amid training that pushes flesh to its limits
and negotiations that defy the sacred,
a countdown begins.

A countdown not only marking the possibility of a return…
but also the price all must pay.

For when a soul seeks to return from the realm of the dead,
it does not only defy death…
it also challenges the living.

——————————————————————————————————————————

The impact shook the stone as if it were soaked paper.
Eden’s body slammed against the wall with a dry crack, leaving a deep fissure behind.

Hela, standing before him, maintained her serene posture.
“Is that all you’ve got?”

“This has only just begun,” Eden growled, rising with his arm dangling uselessly.

His thoughts were a storm of pain.
“Damn it… her strength is devastating. I can barely feel my arm.”

Hela observed in silence. Her eyes showed no cruelty—only analysis.
“He reacted better than I expected… endured the blow without fractures. Interesting.”

“Dark Technique: Black Flame!”

A flame as black as the abyss roared up from the ground toward Hela. But she vanished in a blink—the attack swept past harmlessly.

“Not bad, boy… but you still have much to learn.”

Eden spat blood, bewildered.
“What…? When did you…?”

“Delayed strike. You didn’t perceive it because you still don’t know how to sense them.”

“Delayed…? How can it hit me after the fact?”

“I’ll teach you. But first, serve your punishment.”

Still bleeding, Eden dropped to his knees without complaint and began doing push-ups.

Hela’s eyes glimmered briefly as she thought:
“His body is at its limit, but his will does not break. Balder was right… this boy is a monster still dormant. If he unleashes his power, not even the gods will stop him.”

“Done,” Eden panted after the last repetition.

“Good. You know what Zenka energy is, don’t you?”

“Yes. And I know the different types.”

“A moment ago, you did something without realizing it. When I struck you, your body reacted instinctively and concentrated Zenka in your arm. That’s why it didn’t break.”

“But that didn’t happen with the delayed strike…”

“Because those are harder to anticipate. Now you’ll learn to wield your energy at will.”

Her voice grew more serious.
“First: make your Zenka flow through your entire body.”

“Alright.”

A dark aura began to cover Eden, the air growing heavy.

“Now!”

In a contained burst, Eden released a brutal surge of energy. The ground cracked beneath his feet.

“Incredible…” he thought. “I’ve never felt it this clearly.”

“First time doing it?”

“No… but the first time I’ve done it consciously.”

“Now channel it to a single point.”

The energy began to gather in his fist… and kept growing. Hela frowned.
“Wait… not that much.”

A second later, Eden’s body dropped like a stone.

“Damn it!”

Hela knelt and struck his chest with surgical precision. Eden’s heart jolted back to life.

“What… what was that?”

“You forgot something: you must never leave the rest of your body without energy. If you do, you simply… stop functioning.”

“You could’ve said that first.”

“And you could’ve asked.”

Eden smiled wearily. He took a deep breath and tried again. This time, the flow was steady.
“I did it.”

“Perfect. Now strike that rock. But only destroy its interior.”

“What?”

Hela didn’t answer. She only demonstrated.

With a simple touch—no sound, no visible crack—she tapped a massive boulder. Nothing happened… at least, on the surface.

“And that was…?”

She struck again. This time, the rock split in half, its interior reduced to dust.

“What you see was the inside. I eliminated it without damaging the outside.”

“Incredible…”

The energy in Eden’s fist faded.
“What happened?”

“Your control isn’t stable yet. We’ll start from the basics.”

Hela shattered the rock into smaller fragments.
“Hold the energy in your fist as long as possible. Destroy these stones. One by one.”

“Understood.”

Hela began throwing the stones at increasing speed. Eden smashed them as best he could, but his energy dwindled. After ten seconds, his legs wavered.

“That’s it? You disappoint me, after all your talk…”

“Exhausted… I can still keep going…”

Hela didn’t reply. She kept throwing.

A few seconds later, Eden collapsed.
“Damn it…”

“Rest. That’s enough for today.”

“No… I can still—”

“I said rest. If you force your Zenka any further, it won’t only cost you today. It will destroy you later.”

Eden’s gaze hardened.
“I don’t care.”

“What drives that effort? What do you want?”

“I can’t tell you. But I have to get stronger as soon as possible. Please…”

“Even if it costs you your life?”

“Yes.”

For the first time, Hela smiled. A faint, cold… yet strangely genuine smile.
“I like people with will.”

And without warning, she struck him sharply on the head.

Eden crumpled to the floor.

“But I hate idiots.”

The darkness of the underworld wrapped everything like a thick fog. In the center of a cavern carved from black stone, Eden opened his eyes with a low groan. The surface he lay on wasn’t comfortable… but after hours unconscious, his body welcomed it.

“Seems you like sleeping,” murmured Hela, sitting nearby, arms crossed, watching him.

“Why did you knock me out?”

“Because I know idiots like you. Words don’t work on them. A blow was faster.”

“Thanks… I guess.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Starving. After so much training, I feel like I could eat a dragon.”

“My servants will arrive in a few minutes. Wait.”

“Alright… By the way… why did that god come the other day?”

“God? Ah… you mean Hemord? The one who arrived on horseback.”

“Yes, him.”

“Nothing important.”

“Really? He looked very worried.”

“Don’t worry. Those are godly matters… nothing that concerns you.”

“I see…”

At that moment, footsteps echoed—dry, rhythmic. Several skeletons in rusted armor and tattered robes entered, carrying steaming trays.

“You took your time,” said Hela without looking at them.

The skeletons set the food before Eden with clumsy but careful movements. Warm, spiced steam rose into the air.

At first, all this terrified me… but I’ve gotten used to it, he thought.

“You may eat,” Hela instructed, eyes still fixed.

“Thanks…”

Eden looked at the dishes in surprise. Cooked meat in dark sauces, warm bread, blood-red fruits—all releasing an aroma that made his stomach roar.

“Bon appétit,” he whispered.

He took the first bite… and his eyes widened.
“This is amazing!”

The skeletons, though silent, tilted their skulls slightly. Some even lifted their shoulders, almost as if they were smiling.

“Wait… are they… smiling?”

“Seems your comment made them happy. They can’t speak… but I’m sure they’re grateful.”

“Do they still keep their memories?”

Hela fell silent for a few seconds. Her eyes gleamed with a faint melancholy.
“Who knows. Death is complicated… even for me.”

Suddenly, a deep growl rumbled at the entrance. A gigantic black hound, eyes burning like coals and fangs longer than swords, approached with firm steps.

“Forgive the intrusion, my queen,” Garm said in a grave voice.

“What is it, Garm?”

“It’s an urgent matter. Please, come with me.”

“Can’t it wait?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

Hela sighed with annoyance but stood.
“What a nuisance. I’ll be back.”

“Alright…”

They both disappeared into the shadows, leaving Eden alone among skeletons and steaming plates. He rested his elbows on the table, staring at the food still unfinished.

Since I came here… I’ve changed. I feel stronger, more aware. But… how much time has passed? Here there’s no sun, no moon… How are the others doing?

In a side chamber, amidst blue flames and whispering echoes, Hela stopped before an altar of bones.
“So, they couldn’t fulfill their part, could they?”

“No, my queen,” Garm answered bluntly. “Everything went exactly as your father expected.”

“I see…”

Hela closed her eyes for a moment. The silence grew dense.
“How is the outside world?”

“Little by little, everything is falling apart. Winter has come sooner than expected.”

A faint crack ran through Hela’s fingers as she gripped the arm of her throne.
“I understand… So, that moment will come soon.”

“It will.”

The sound of the sea crashing against the shore was slow, steady, almost ceremonial. A carefully carved ship rested upon the sand, carrying not only a body but the weight of a shattered world.

Dozens of gods had gathered in complete silence. Some hid their tears, others could not. Their gazes drifted into the void. At the front, Balder’s lifeless body lay in serenity, as if asleep, accompanied by his horse and a few personal belongings.

Hemord approached a figure crouched beside a stone carved with flowers.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Nanna…”

The woman lifted her face. Her eyes were swollen, but dry. There were no tears left.
“Hemord… I can’t go on. I can’t live without him. I find no meaning in a life without his voice, without his laughter… without his ‘good mornings.’”

“Balder would have wanted you to live…”

“To wake up for what? To see that he’s no longer here? To pretend I’m still strong when everything inside me has shattered?”

Hemord extended a hand, but Nanna gently pulled away.
“I’m sorry… I’ll go sit for a while…”

“That’s fine…”

Meanwhile, Njord struggled up a rocky hill, carrying a solitary flower in his hands: a purple iris. Before him lay a simple, nameless grave. It was Hodr’s.

“I’m sorry it had to end like this, my friend. They did not forgive you… but I did. I wish you could explain yourself. I only ask that you understand them…”

“What are you doing, Njord?!” Tyr shouted from below. “Get down here, now!”

“I’ll be right there…”

Njord placed the flower upon the stone.
“May a garden grow around you. I’m sorry I didn’t do more for you.”

Below, beside the ship, Odin stood motionless. He stood before his son, caressing his golden hair.

“My son… I never thought I would live to see you like this… I’m sorry I didn’t spend more time with you. I’m sorry for being a poor father.”

He slipped a silver ring from his finger and placed it in Balder’s hand. Then he leaned close to his ear.
“We will bring you back… no matter the cost.”

Odin stepped back a few paces and looked at Thor.
“Everything is ready.”

“Alright… push the ship.”

Several gods stepped forward. They put all their strength into it, but the ship didn’t budge.
“It’s impossible!” Tyr roared. “It weighs more than we expected!”
“Damn it!” Thor ground his teeth. “This is useless!”

Then an imposing figure emerged from the woods: a colossal jötun with a neutral expression.
“Leave this to me,” she said. Her name was Hyrrokin.

The giantess pushed… nothing. She grunted… and without warning, she kicked the hull with tremendous force.
The ship shot forward, skimming the waves. But the friction against the sand sparked. Within seconds, flames began to consume it.

“What the hell have you done?!” Thor shouted.
“I’m sorry, I…”

A dwarf tried to intervene. It was a terrible mistake.
Blinded by rage, Thor kicked him. The small body flew straight into the burning ship and was swallowed by the flames.

“You damned jötun! I’ll kill you!”

“Enough!” Odin’s voice thundered.

“Balder!” Nanna cried out.
The woman ran as if possessed by desperation and threw herself onto the burning ship.

“Nanna!” Hemord shouted.

The gods watched in stunned silence, eyes wide with horror. Their helplessness rooted them to the spot. Odin closed his eyes tightly; his jaw trembled. Thor stood amidst crackling lightning, his fury barely contained.

“Stop this!” Odin shouted. “No more deaths! This is not what Balder would want! We will not slaughter one another like beasts!”

Thor’s eyes were hollow—yet they glowed from within. Frigg stepped forward and placed a hand on her son.
“My son…” she murmured.

“I will kill him…” Thor whispered. “I will kill him… when I find the one responsible… I will kill him…”

All the gods broke down in tears. The ship dwindled on the horizon, consumed by flames. Only ash remained… and a void.

Later, in the great hall of Asgard, Frigg gathered the strongest warriors.
“Why have you brought us here?” Hemord asked.

Frigg rose, solemn.
“Because I have a request…and a promise. Whoever succeeds in bringing Balder back from Helheim will be granted any wish. I myself will grant it.”

Murmurs swelled into cries of determination. Swords were lifted. Souls burned with faith.

Hemord thought to himself: From Hela’s hands… what could I offer that would be worth enough?

The warrior mounted his horse. The icy winds of Helheim waited on the horizon.
“Wait for me, Balder… I will pull you out of death… or die trying.”

Garm’s claws slammed into Eden’s body with overwhelming force. The youth was hurled, crashing into a wall as black as night.
The dust hadn’t even settled when Garm growled sharply.
“Come on, boy. Attack with everything you’ve got!”

Eden staggered to his feet. His gaze burned, and dark energy began to cloak his body.
(Thinking) Despite his size, he’s incredibly fast… I need to find an opening.

With a burst of movements, Eden launched multiple consecutive attacks. But Garm danced through them with inhuman precision. In a single bound the beast bit his arm and hurled him again into a wall, shattering part of the ground on impact.
“You’re too slow,” the creature snarled.

Eden’s arm dripped blood. His bones creaked.
But then… it began to heal.
(Thinking, Garm) Just like Hela said… his recovery factor is superhuman. If I want to beat him, I must push him past his own limits.

Eden rose with difficulty. Sweat ran down his face. He concentrated energy into his fist.
(Thinking, Garm) Are you really going to be that obvious? That attack won’t work.
(Thinking, Eden) I only have ten seconds to do this right… if I fail, it’s over.

He shot forward like an arrow, his fist charged. But just before impact, Garm blocked the blow with his fangs.
(Thinking, Garm) Got you!... wait… I don’t feel the energy anymore.

Garm’s eyes flew wide. Eden’s right arm was broken… but the energy was gone.
Then the left fist—the real one—erupted in dark energy. Like a compressed star.
“Darkness Technique: Reverse Impact!”

Eden’s fist tore through the air with devastating force. Garm barely had time to open his eyes. Eden was already gone. The strike hit the ground, and the entire training field collapsed. Rocks were blasted away. Walls split. The echo of the blow rolled into the deepest corners of Helheim.

From afar, Hela watched in silence.
(Thinking) What a reckless play… He sacrificed his arm as a distraction to use the other as the true strike… You surprise me more each day, Eden Yomi.

Garm staggered to her side, panting.
(Thinking) That hit… if he had landed it on me, I wouldn’t have survived. That kid is a monster.

Eden knelt, trembling. Sweat dripped from his chin. The energy in his arm faded.
(Thinking) I failed. I was too slow… Even with that maneuver I didn’t make it. If I want to survive, I must become much faster… and more precise.

“Darkness Technique…” he murmured, but his body collapsed before he could finish.

Hela walked toward him slowly.
“That’s enough for today. You’d better rest.”
“…Understood,” Eden whispered.

“You’ve improved a lot in this time. At first you were just an arrogant brat. You still are, but now you’re a strong brat.”
Eden smiled through his gasps.
“Thanks for everything.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Only when you can defeat both me and Garm will you earn that right.”
“I will. And when I do, I’ll force you to take that nickname ‘brat’ off me.”
“When you get there… maybe I’ll consider it.”

They looked at each other and laughed. For the first time, Hela did not present herself only as the goddess of death… but as a proud teacher.

At that moment, Garm perked his ears.
“What is it, Garm?”
“My lady… we have visitors.”
“Go deal with it.”
“Understood.”

Shadows stirred. In the distance, the clatter of hooves cut the frigid air. Hemord, his cloak torn by the wind, arrived at Helheim’s gates.

Garm waited, his gaze sharp.
“What do you want here? Our queen had no visitors scheduled.”
“There’s no time to argue. The world is in danger.”
“Our problems are not your problems.”
“Now they are. If we don’t act, the nine worlds will fall. Including this one.”

From high above, Hela watched in silence.
“Let him pass, Garm. I’m interested in what he has to say.”
“Understood, my lady.”

Hemord walked straight to the throne. His face showed no fear—only desperation.
“You’re back again, Hemord…” Hela said without moving. “I can sense it… you’ve come to ask me for another favor.”
“Yes.”
“Eden, leave us alone. Keep training with Garm.”
“Okay…”

As he walked away, Eden shot a strange look.
(Thinking) What could have happened to make him look like that…?

Hela descended from the throne. Her shadow seemed longer than ever.
“Tell me… what do you want now?”
“You know. Balder is dead…”

A thick silence filled the place.

“Does the boy know? From what I understand… he cared for him very much.”
“No. Not yet. If he knew, it would affect his training.”
“Huh… it’s the first time I’ve seen you care about someone.”
“I don’t care. I just don’t want a brat crying in the corners.”
“Of course… as you say.”

“And well? What do you offer?”
“The All-Father is willing to give a hundred souls from Valhalla. And in the deal… also his soul… and mine.”
Hela narrowed her eyes.
“Odín’s very soul? That is interesting…”

“So—do you accept?”
“I can’t refuse an offer like that. But you know it’s not that simple. To bring back a soul that belongs to death… I’ll need more than a bargain.”
“I know.”
“I will return Balder to you… if you achieve something almost impossible: make everyone, absolutely every living being in the nine worlds, weep for his death.”
“That will take time.”
“That is the nature of magic at this level.”
“I will do it.”
“You have one week. Not a second more. If even a single being does not cry for him… I will keep his soul. Forever.”
“Understood.”

An ethereal chain rose from the ground and bound his hands.
Hemord and Hela (in unison): “Pact.”
The chain vanished in a flash of ash.

“Thank you, Hela.”
Hemord did not wait for a response. He mounted his horse and disappeared into the mist.
Hela watched him ride away… in silence.

(Thinking, Hela) Good luck, Hemord. You’re going to need it.