Chapter 2 - Dreams Come True

Odo stood over the leader's body. “Rest In Peace fool.” Odo said, wiping blood from his blade, and sheathing the sword. Odo walks through the castle, spotting Elke and Aurel outside. A Roul soldier walks to Odo. He wore a leather trenchcoat, with a scale shirt under it, scale bracers and greaves, and a longsword on his back. He had black hair, and brown eyes. “Sir Dagobert. I have cut down the leader.” Odo said, bowing. “Good job Odo. You truly are an interesting investment. I wonder if that is what Childeric saw in you?” Dagobert asked. “I don’t have a clue.” Odo said. “Kind of weird, this guy led an assault, and actually entered the castle. He couldn’t beat you, I doubt he was actually a member of Clovis. Well truly, good job. We are here to help you save the day. Now find your girl.” Dagobert said. “Yes sir.” Odo said, before running off.

Elke applauded Aurel. “Are you truly the Fire King?” Elke asked. “I have no idea.” Aurel said, collapsing onto the ground. “Who would have thought I would get to meet an incarnation of Conrad in the flesh.” Elke said, poking Aurel. “Please stop.” Aurel said. Odo ran to the two. “I suppose you ended the madman?” Odo asked. “Yep.” Aurel said. Odo walked to the man and bowed. “Rest in peace.” Odo said quietly. “Hey, what's Roul?” Aurel asked. “The People.” Odo said. “And Luid?” Aurel asked. “The people that were here before the Roul arrived.” Elke said. “Don’t say it like that.” Odo said. “Good to know that human’s will be human’s.” Aurel said. Elke kissed Aurel’s cheek. “Thank you for saving me.” she said. “No problem, also no kissing. I am saving myself for another woman.” Aurel said. “Oh sorry.” Elke said. Elke placed her hand near Aurel, and it started to glow. “So magic also exists. Cool.” Aurel said in a neutral tone. The magic spreads through Aurel, filling him with a sense of warmth, as his pain goes away. “Wait, can I do magic?” Aurel said almost excitedly. “Well if what you said about being the Fire King is true, then yes. But if you are just a normal human, no.” Elke said. “You’re normal, and you have magic.” Aurel said. “In order to have magic you need blood from one of the other races that carry magic.” Odo said. “The Alfar, Dwarves, Jötnar, Vanir, Aesir. You need a genetic tie to one of them to wield magic. Unless you find an artifact covered in seidr. You can also be born a Seer, they have Woden’s Sight.” Elke explained. “Good to know. I think.” Aurel said.

A group of Roul soldiers walked behind the group. “Sir Dagobert, have you taken care of the problem?” Odo asked, walking in front of Dagobert, and bowing. Elke stands up, and walks to Odo, bowing with him. “Don’t expect me to do the same.” Aurel said, pulling the axe from the grunt next to him. Aurel held the axe with both hands. “The problem has been taken care of. Now all that’s left is to rebuild.” Dagobert said. “Cool, so I don’t need this.” Aurel said. “That’s not how you hold that.” Dagobert said. “You know that how?” Aurel asked. “Hey, Fire King, can you maybe show some respect. This is Count Dagobert. A royal knight taking orders directly under Emperor Merovis.” Elke said quietly. “Fire King, why did you call him that?” Dagobert asked. “He called himself that first.” Elke said. “I am though.” Aurel said, smiling. Dagobert walked to Aurel, and grabbed his necklace. “Only one way to tell the difference between a prophecy, and a false prophet.” Dagobert said. “Are you going to take him to the Great Seer?” Odo asked. “Yeah.” Dagobert said, dragging Aurel as he walked away. Odo sighed defeatedly. “Stop, let go.” Aurel said, worried. Elke walks over to Aurel. “You get to see the Great Seer. How exciting.” Elke said. “Don’t hype this up.” Aurel said. “Should I get the Emperor?” Odo asked. “No, keep this between us.” Dagobert said.

The four of them stopped outside a big door. Dagobert unlocks it, and pushes it open, revealing a dark room with a man sitting in the middle of it. This man was old, his hair almost gone, and one eye in his head, glowing. He looked malnourished. “Sir Dagobert, Lady Elke, Sir Odo, and Aurel Weis. What brings you to me?” the Great Seer said. Aurel got a shiver down his spine. “You know why we are here.” Dagobert said. “The Fire King. First glances are deceiving, but I see a large amount of magic hiding within him.” the Great Seer said. “Yes, I can use magic.” Aurel said, excitedly. Elke walked to the Great Seer, and looked at him with awe. “You are creepy.” the Great Seer said. “Says the one who knew my first and last name.” Aurel said. “So is he the Fire King?” Dagobert asked. The Great Seer stood up, and walked to Dagobert. “The Prince shall not worry Sir. This Legend seems right.” the Great Seer said. “If I may interject. What is the actual legend?” Aurel asked. “How do you not know?” Odo asked. “I was referred to as the Fire King, I never actually heard the legend, outside of a Mortal who stole Surtr's eye.” Aurel said. "That's not part of the Legend." Elke said, quietly, and confused. The Great Seer’s eye glowed brighter as the dust in the room swirled around, blinding the group, coming to a stop to show the legend. “Millenia ago, the Twilight Of The Gods. Fate has written their deaths, and they still fought against it. After many of the big names died, only the Vanir stood in the way of the Jötnar. After the death of Surtr, the Vanir had a clear victory, but a mortal stood in the way, Conrad. Conrad absorbed the powers of the Jötnar, and waged war on the Vanir. Joining Loki for the final battle against Njörd and Yngvi. After the battle Njörd survived and cursed Conrad with resurrection. Many years later Conrad returned and slayed the king." the Great Seer explained. “Interesting, so that’s the legend?” Aurel asked. “The sum of it.” Elke said. “So, I am this Fire King. What do I do? What should I do? What changes?” Aurel asked. “I don’t follow. I figured you to be happy.” the Great Seer said. “I am, but. Nothing actually changes.” Aurel said. “What do you want to change?” Elke asked. Aurel looked to the floor, trying to put into words the thoughts in his head.

“So what is my fate then?” Aurel asked. “I’m not a Norn. Or whatever you call it.” the Great Seer said. "Sudbina." Odo said, quickly. “Why did that woman with glowing eyes blow me up?” Aurel asked. “Celestial beings are the only ones with glowing eyes. There aren't that many left. I take it this woman, this god, will be your Fate. Who you need to defeat. But until then, you have much to train for, and to deal with. The Clovis, you decide their outcome. This Kingdom’s Fate is in your hands, but only if you become the Legend you want to be.” the Great Seer said. “We are done here.” Dagobert said, grabbing Aurel’s arm. “One last thing. Legendary King. You are the first other worlder to find your way to this realm. But when the others come, seek them out.” The Great Seer said. The room stared at Aurel for a moment, as he stared off into space, trying to stop his mind from racing. “Thank you Great Seer.” Elke said. “Likewise.” the Great Seer said. Dagobert dragged Aurel away, and Elke and Odo followed after.

Aurel is taken to a room, and shoved into by Dagobert, the door locked, and Dagobert walks off. “You are holding him prisoner?” Elke asked Dagobert. “Let's get some rest, you too, get some sleep.” Odo said, grabbing Elke’s hand. “No, this isn’t right. We can’t lock him up.” Elke said, pulling away from Odo. “This boy is either a threat to the throne, or the one who saves it, Sir Dagobert seeks counsel with the Emperor to figure out which." Odo said. “Way to talk about me like I'm not here.” Aurel said, leaning against the bars acting like a window. “I’m sorry.” Elke said, quietly. Odo grabbed Elke’s hand, and pulled her away.

As the two of them walked away, Aurel was lost in thought. He looked to his hands, seeing dried blood. Aurel collapsed onto his knees, and rested his head against the metal door, as tears spilled from his eyes. The events finally sank in, he had killed someone. The face of the man he killed flashed into his face. “Is this what it means to be a hero? Tell me Granny. Is this the fate you sought for me? It hurts. He was ready to kill me, but seeing him like that, and all I can think of is you. How you looked in that casket.” Aurel said to himself. He looked out through a barred window, and saw the moon. “I don’t wanna do it again. I’ll be the hero who spares their enemies. That’s who I'll be.” Aurel said.