Chapter Two
Lura and Tiffany walked from the darkness and passed the warriors and went over to Gabriel. They looked completely out of place in the ancient kingdom of the Norse. But within them was the same Gothic and warrior spirit, where they would rather die than be taken alive. Asgard was a beautiful and harsh realm. There was a sense of humor about the suffering there. It was unlike a modern civilization where they refuse to simply accept their hardships.
“There is something I find humors and humbling here. But then I get a feeling of dread rather than the happiness that you should feel in a kingdom of heaven?” Gabriel said.
“This is the heaven those of us here choose by swearing our fealty to it and living by its law.” Lura said.
“So if I swore fealty to you Odin and Asgard then this is what my heaven would look like?” Gabriel asked getting up from his throne.
“Possibly....No, not you. You are still positively fake, while we are negatively happy.” Loki said with the pen in his mouth and ink running from his lips.
“It is possible but it's all in how you live, and where your true allegiance lays. I don't think it is here amongst my people. Maybe one day, but that is not why you are here now. Not to enjoy heaven, for your days of mortal suffering are not over.” Odin said.
“That's enough for tonight, Gabriel lets go to the longhouses.” Tiffany said grabbing Gabriel's hand. Pulling away Gabriel expected more of Tiffany's nightmares to fall on him like a storm. But they did not, and instead he insulted her soft hospitality. Following them back into the forest the light of the fires behind them were gone and so was Odin. The girls chains, spikes, and studs rattled in the woods. In the night Gabriel could see they were vikings amongst the modern world who were now in their true home.
Feelings of comfort fell over Gabriel, knowing they had a place. But their was no beauty, or romanticism in suicide. There was still a life that they missed and many people they let down for selfish reasons. Suicide was like painting with a pen, they ended their pain but simply caused much more for those who loved them.
Watching Tiffany Gabriel felt as he did when he first saw her. He wanted to bring down the walls and take off the wolves pelt guarding the beautiful woman inside. But if a war was really coming, then attachments would be his demise and he knew it. Still governed by his morals, and what the Christians would want from him. Maybe Odin was right, he did not swear fealty to them because maybe he already had an allegiance in the war.
Thinking into things like Gabriel loved to do, he started to panic. Maybe he was a captive, after all why all the warriors and traps. Was he actually behind enemy lines, or amongst friends. All he knew is that for now he could not let down his guard, and his sworn enemy could be his savior at any moment. Much as he could be for Apollyon but for now he was playing by Odins rules.
Making their way out of the dark forest Gabriel could see large open pastures which encircled a Norman village. Beyond the circling pastures was forest in every direction. Asgard simply a Norman fortification, although it was a rather large one from what Gabriel could see. On the walls were many berserkers keeping watch, just like those in the forest.
Stepping into the clearing it was easy to see that the clearing was just one of Asgards defenses. The clearing made him feel vulnerable. Like thousands of eye's were watching while he could see but a few of them. Thick clogs of lush grass, rocks, and little snow were in the clearing. There was also what appeared to be burial sites, but Gabriel could see it was not for men, but plunder.
Gold and jewels were poking out from the burial sites in the clearing. Maybe another defense of Asgard, or ritual he thought. Making the long walk in silence they made it to the gates of Asgard. It was made of thick dark timber, as was everything. It looked strong, for an ancient heaven but a bulldozer or match could make short work of it. Etched in the wood was many viking carvings that you would see on runestones.
The gate swung open, although a ten foot ladder would have also done the trick. Maybe it was an aspect of the heavens dark humor Gabriel thought. Since after all the marvels of man were much more impressive. A mountain fortress made to withstand a nuke would have been a better choice for a heaven preparing for war with mankind and the gods.
Walking through the gates Gabriel saw many longhouses lined up, their roofs steep with large tiles lining them. On the top of each longhouse was one massive piece of timber carved into the central support. Each one had its own dragon head, and tale on the end. The streets were filled with old Norse, and even more modern people some who adapted to the Norse attire and some like Tiffany and Lura who did not.
They were having some kind of festival, and they all were drunk or extremely stoned. Walking passed the homes in the spaces between were men and women loitering, having sex, or fighting. It did not matter, color, race, sex, or even sexuality all were the same, stoned and enjoying Asgard. Two Norse women were fighting when Gabriel was a distance from them and as they got closer they turned to making out with each other.
“Brutally beautiful madness!” Lura shouted with a wild smile. She even seemed to be going into a trance. She grabbed a handfull of mushrooms and roots from a man, and then took his drink. No asking, or even stealing it was like mutual piracy. She tossed the mush of mushrooms and roots into her mouth and then chugged it down with the mans mead as she danced in a circle. Her age meant nothing in Asgard, everyone was simply the same, completely fucking crazy. But as they walked Gabriel felt no judgment, no one even really took a glance at him.
It reminded him somewhat of the people of Axal, but everything they did was rude. Here it was rude, but in a mutual and non judgmental way and not out of hate. Really it was as though they loved each other, and their chaos Gabriel thought as they approached a central Longhouse. It was not in a line with the streets like the others, and it had no neighbor as the street went around it.
Outside were many berserkers, emotionless in servitude to Odin. They made a wall of shields around the house, with more berserkers behind that. They came to a stop to wait for the guards to lower their shields and let them pass. It was a painfully slow endeavor for Gabriel since he knew Mitch with a M16 or better yet a flamethrower, would easily get past.
After walking past a few walls of shields they made it to the large timber door, with the dragon head from the roof overshadowing it. Again the feeling of not being protected but enslaved came over Gabriel. After all where was their shield wall to protect them from the festivals inside the town. when the door closed behind them, it reminded him more of a trap cage door clanging shut.
Lura, and Tiffany walked right in as though they were right at home. The longhouse had no rooms, just open and empty space. Their was only one level, and one room even though their could have been a mansion's worth of rooms. A large oak table was in the middle, and a fire pit beside that. Along the sides were two large beds, with bear and wolf pelts on them.
In the far back was another bed, lined with a white wool blanket, more of Loki's humor, or tricks. Next to it was a desk with a book and candle sitting on it. Above that was a odd chandelier of body parts. Gabriel stared at it confused and somewhat horrified.
“What the fuck is that?” Gabriel said breaking the long period of silence.
“Loki thought you would like it, I will let him explain it to you. He calls it simply, ART! with that much enthusiasm.” Lura said laughing and falling onto her bed. She looked up at the ceiling as a dizzy drunk would do, in a sickening trance of spinning. Walking over to his bed Gabriel sat down on it and looked around the room to see if there was any more of Loki's artworks around.
His eye's fell upon a masterpiece of the heavens, Tiffany as she began her rituals before bed. Removing her black tank top and green bra Gabriel watched like a pervert in awe. Then again it was either watch Tiffany disrobe before bed, or Loki's art and Tiffany looked much more mesmerizing. Glancing across the room he could feel Lura's eye's on him. She turned from her trance to watch Gabriel trying to catch a glimpse
of Tiffany in the nude. When Gabriel look over at Lura she had a disgusted look on her face.
“Don't you try to catch a peek at me you pervert, there may not be walls here but I am still a teen and a firm hater of men, and pedophiles alike!” Lura said turning away in her bed. As Gabriel turned back to Tiffany he could see the cargo pants and chains were off and she was in all of her glory. But only for a moment as she slipped under the pelts.
“Just know Gabriel, love is the leader in your enemy’s legion that he is building. It will destroy you if you let it. If you can look at me without care, or judgment and simply as a moment of pleasure than you will have a chance in the coming war.” Tiffany said as the lights in the room went out.
“Don't worry that was all it was.” Gabriel said laying down and closing his eye's.
“I sure hope so!” Tiffany said as Gabriel fell asleep to those final words. He quickly fell into a deep and comfortable sleep. Like that of a child, with no care, or troubles, just fun and mischief in their minds.
“Baaaaaah” Gabriel heard as he awoke. A sheep was on the table in the middle of the room. The fires were lit and and it was very warm inside. Too warm to sleep, not as though Gabriel could, knowing a sheep was in the same room. Tiffany and Lura were awake now as well, looking at the sheep with groggy eye's. Getting out of bed Gabriel walked up to the sheep.
“Morning Loki!” Gabriel said looking at the sheep.
“How was your night?” He said trying to get Loki to transform from the sheep. But it just stood their looking at him.
“So whats that odd contraption hanging above the desk?” Gabriel asked the sheep.
“Hahahaha!” Laughter burst from under Gabriel bed.
“Paint, with a paintbrush, yet you speak to sheep!” Loki said laughing and getting up from under Gabriels bed. Tiffany and Lura snickered at the prank as well.
“You are a mad, mad, mad.......Well you!” Loki said.
“How would I have known a troll was under my bed.” Gabriel said laughing.
“Troll?! I am no troll that you speak of.”
“So whats the ART, suppose to be?” Gabriel asked pointing at the dangling mass of flesh.
“ART, yes....ART. Come I will show you!” Loki said excited. They stood in front of the flesh as blood dripped down on the floor and desk.
“Seeee..The eye?!” Loki said ecstatic and jumping.
“Yes you took someone's eye and hung it up...”Gabriel said.
“No not someone....But the one's eye.” Loki said now holding it in his palm.
“Is it Odin's eye?”
“Odin's eye......No not Odin!”
“Okay so who's eye does that belong to?”
“This is Van Gogh's Eye!” Loki said now petting it.
“Seee Ear....Van Beethoven!” Loki said slightly poking the ear and then quickly pulling away once he touched it, but still coddling the eye in his other hand.
“Lips, Shakespeare....Genghis Khan, hand...Brain...Who's brain. Ummm oh Da....Vinci? yeah him. Leg...Leg is...Woman's leg yes.” Loki said ecstatic and in confusion of body parts.
“Well it's a good thing you added the Woman's leg or I would say you are a sexist artist!” Gabriel said laughing. But Loki did not understand Gabriel's humor.
“Ummm YES ART!” Loki said.
“Okay so what's the book here at the desk as I assume it is for me?”
“Oh that....That is book...This though, it's ART!” Loki said not looking away from the chandelier of flesh.
“Should I read this book?” Gabriel asked like he was talking to a child.
“Noo....noo....Yes..Read ART!”
“The book was written by Odin, after his nine days of sacrifice. He gained the knowledge of the nine kingdoms and so he wrote about them. But it was only written by his hand, and the knowledge attained at the tree. So it's somewhat incoherent in sense that he en-body's all of the gods in order to write of them.” Tiffany said.
“Blah! book...Hello!” Loki said as he walked out of the long house.
“Uh goodbye Loki!” Gabriel said as Loki walked out the door.
“He is not a moron you know, you speak to him as though he is. He is infinitely more intelligent than you. Though it makes him somewhat incoherent at times.” Lura said.
“I never said he was a moron, but yeah..The book is like what the bible?”
“No it's more to the point, It's like the bible in the sense that it's one book of a few. That book is the book of the five old kingdoms. Odin is giving you his knowledge so that when the war comes you will be ready.” Tiffany said.
“So why is Odin helping me, after all I am not a part of his kingdom?” Gabriel asked.
“I do not know, all I know is what he asks of me.” Tiffany said.
“So what does he want from you?”
“To spy, on Cain, and you. In exchange I will be a part of his kingdom and have a place to call my own.” Tiffany said.
“So you are my enemy then?”
“I don't know, am I?” Tiffany said rising from her bed and exposing her bare body.
“No you are not.” Gabriel choked out the words stunned by her rugged and viking beauty.
“It would be better if I was.” Tiffany said putting her clothes back on.
“So do I have a choice, now that I am here?”
“I don't know...Gabriel, do you?” Tiffany said finishing putting on her clothes.
“Come on Tiffany lets GO!” Lura said now standing by the door.
“So what do I do?” Gabriel said.
“Choose I guess?” Tiffany said walking out the door.
“Wait, the book, where are the others?” Gabriel shouted.
“The five kingdoms of old is the only book left. The others are stolen, by god, man, or whoever.” Tiffany said as she closed the door behind her. She seemed cold and calculative to Gabriel now. His intrigue with her was only growing though. Then again maybe she was always cold and calculative and his lustful eye's and mind was blinding him and reality, or insanity was showing itself.
Confused with everything Gabriel felt like he came off a intense high and now he was at his low. A bird in a cage, led in by his hunger for knowledge, hate for Apollyon, and lust for women. Maybe after all he wasn't really different than the rest of the world, but exactly the same. A greedy, sex filled man driven by desires.
Wanting to see if he could leave, he made for the door. A part of him did not want to know if he was captive, or a free man. Maybe being blinded by ignorance and lust was a better course? Grabbing the door handle he had to know the truth, behind the truth. As he feared the door was barricaded shut. Looking out the iron gate window on the door he could see the shield wall not protecting him, but facing him.
One word...One name, he thought and I can be free. So why would they hold me hostage? Or maybe I am not, and they are simply keeping me from roaming within their kingdom. After all how can you really be free in a kingdom you have not chosen. He was free he thought, just not free to be a part of their heaven.
Walking over to the desk, his growing panic ceased. Looking at the book he thought about opening it, but wanted to maintain his freedom of choice, so he looked up at Loki's dripping art. All art has meaning, maybe if only what you believe it means. The book is religion, it to is much like art simply what it means to you.
So what does Loki's art mean, Gabriel thought as he looked at its gruesomeness and pondered its hidden meaning. After awhile it hit him, the perfect god. To see as Van Gogh, to hear as Van Beethoven. Or not to hear at all since he was deaf. Having the voice of Shakespeare, the power and strength of Genghis Khan. The mind of Da Vinci, and last but not least the legs of a woman.
It was a gruesomely morbid masterpiece. The perfect god, what we can all aspire to become. Loki was crazily brilliant. His artwork was horrible, but its meaning was one mankind could ponder endlessly or easily mistake for that of a serial killer. Then again you could look at Van Gogh's art and mistake it for that of a child, but the visi
on, and meaning behind his art is simply brilliant.
Smiling Gabriel looked away from the ART that Loki was so frantic about. Religion, god, art, how does mankind decode it. Then looking down before him was the old tattered book. Etched in the the leather front was the words “Kingdoms of old” dust covered the front as though it had not been opened in centuries. Like it sat in a tomb simply being forgotten. Opening the cover the dust rolled off of the leather front, inside was written:
Kingdoms of old
The Introduction
I, Odin endured nine days of suffering pinned to Yggdrasil. There I obtained the following knowledge, and the ensuring madness. Within these pages are the five kingdoms of old, and their gods. By my hand and their own words this was written. By my suffering, and their triumphs the story's are told. If there is one opinion I have formed from the kingdoms of old it is only this: History has shown us that religion turns to myth, as we gain knowledge. I Odin, must protect my words, because though they show my strengths. They also expose my many flaws, and flaws are something of the old god's and not the new.
Kingdom of Norse
Baldur, God of Norse Light
Son of Odin, and Frigga, I have a twin brother named Hodur. I loved my brother Hodur, but he did not envision Asgard as I do. Though he was born blind and I with vision. He saw everything through darkness, and I through light. I always dreamed of a day when I could show my brother light. But darkness had taken him. So even the prospect of heaven, was darkness on his soul.
Dream I did, and one eve I dreamed of death overtaking me. As did my mother Frigga and she was horrified at the prospect of losing the light of Asgard. So she went to the near, and far reaches of Asgard. Making all thing's vow to not kill me. But one small plant was overlooked, and did not make the vow.
I did love testing my power of impenetrability over the many things in Asgard. The warrior's and other gods would try everything to bring me down, but none were up to the task. Loki, the insane shape shifter knew of the one plant, mistletoe that did not vow to me. Loki always is up to the task and proving others wrong even if chaos arises.
Once he knew proving me wrong was within his reach he entered and insanely frantic trance and was out in the woods for many days, hunting the plant down. I was told by the wolves that he had trouble getting the plants, for each time he found one he would eat it. But after some time Loki made a spear of mistletoe.
Running to my blind brother he said “This...Here...A stick, yes stick. Surely it would not kill Baldur? Why not test, err show him that he is great. My twig, or stick..Is nothing to him.” So my brother rushed in to feed my strength. But the spear of mistletoe pierced my heart sending me from Asgard and into the dreaded underworld.
With the news of my death, my father Odin sought vengeance against Hodur. Seeking a giantess named Rindr who convinced my father into pleasuring her foul and grotesque desires. Odin did so, producing a new son, which grew in but one day. The foul creature sought my brother Hodur, and tore him into.
Cast into the underworld me and my brother awaited our release from Loki's trickery but it was not yet over. The goddess Hel of the underworld told my mother if all creatures would weep for me then I would be released. All creatures wept for me, but one. A gaint by the name of pokk, or Loki, shape shifted into a giant to keep me in this prison.
Oh, but my time is coming. The underworld will unleash us and when it does, I come for you...Loki!
Freyja, Norse Goddess of fertility
I can make your kin, like the sands. Your legion's ranks fill with berserkers who have hearts filled with lust. Sworn to protect those they love to be pleasured by. I can guide your seed to the thighs of a bedazzling viking queen. Or I can make you ugly and your flesh swell with foul and disgusting ailments. No queen, or warrior would want to touch you without honoring me.
Shifting into a bird I can do at will, but I have a possession that all of Asgard desire. A polar bear cloak, which allows me to shift into anything I desire. On my neck is a necklace holding a gem taken from the sun itself. When it weeps, gold is created and I know just how to bring a tear to a jewels eye.
You can find me within all sexual desire. You want that man or woman that you sooo desire in your bed. Then come and find me you lovers of lust!
Frigga, Norse Goddess of Prophecy
Frigga is my name, my husbands hand writes these words. I seen it coming and knew he would write these words. As with all things I see before they come. Yet I cannot change them, just see them coming. How I wish I could change his hands, and what you read of our fallen kingdom. My sons are Tyr, Hodur, Baldur, and we adopted Loki.
My only regret is that all of my sons are mortally flawed. I cannot save them from their own destruction. What hope is there for mankind, when us the god's cannot even save man from himself. The only thing I can control is the personality of those who meet around me. Anyone in my presence behaves himself, even Loki.
Heimdall, Protector of Asgard
Protect and serve, it is my duty to the god's and Asgard. Want to make the journey from Midgard to Asgard? Then you come through me. Threaten the Norse in any way and I will protect them until the end. I might not even be able to best you in battle, but I will make you bleed and remember that Heimdall is not one to be intimidated by any god, man, or beast!
Hel, Norse Godess of the underworld
Daughter of the great Loki, I was raised by the discipline of insanity. When I came of age Odin sent me to the underworld to reign over it. I decide the fate of all the dead devoted to the Norse kingdom. Those who die in battle I place in the great halls of Valhalla. There warriors can battle for all time, honing their skills of combat.
Die a meaningless death and you will sit with me, in Helheim. But honor the god's, and live by our law and you can enter Asgard! See me first.
Loki, the Trickster
I like mead, sex, what else. It started...not sure when or how. dood...poop. Odin, yes you. I am making your hand write! Now slap yourself! Odin is a fool. Odin likes to drink my piss, it was written with his own hand and so it is. I like to walk, do you walk or like it? Once I turned myself into a milkmaiden. I like milking cows, I did this for eight great years. No one knew where Loki was!
“Hey do you know where Loki is?” “No you?” “Sure don't” “Think he is a milkmaiden milking cows?” “Cant be not Loki!” But there I was, those fools. They drank milk, from the breast I pleasured! My fornicated milk making them fat, blind, and dumb. Eight years they drank my milk and never knew it!
I dislike baby's oh and brothers. Dumb brothers think they are so great. Look at Loki, the adopted bastard. Hah I showed them.....I like making baby's, but no I don't like them. I like making brothers look stupid, but no I don't like brothers very much either. I don't know what else to put here, do you know what to put. I cant think on my own please place a quote from another god here. You using their words makes you great! A word thief you are. Yes you stealer of words, no not preacher. Taking them from my mind and Odin's hand.
If I think hard enough can I make Odin paint all that I have said. Paint odin, Paint my mind!...Odin is not painting. Damnit Odin you always piss me off. You never listen, no I will write what he thinks not paint it. Then I prove you wrong and you go oh, my emotions took over me and you proved me wrong again. So you wont paint, but later why did I not paint!
They say to me, dream big Loki. But Loki's dreams are toxins in disguise. Poisoning what Loki calls real. Nightmares are where Loki's grim reality lies....Yes...Worship us, read the book and believe! its true, Loki is crazy. Loki is evil. Loki's words are that of Helheim. Frigga does not need to see it, you created an opinion that I know of. My words scare you don't they. You who judge me, know it is you I trick! Loki is so stupid, Loki is a peon. Oh but then Loki pulls the sheep out. PAINT POOP.
Njord, Norse God of the Sea
Ruler of ships, and the sea's my wife is named Skadi. She is the mountain goddess, as anyone married would know. Mountains and oceans do
not mesh well together. Oh how I hate her Mountain ranges, but I love her deeper than my sea's. Six months I must spend on the top of mountains, I would stay in Helheim though if it means I can be with her. She is a goddess of compromising though and for six amazing months she comes into my sea's. All lovers must sacrifice, and so we do.
Odin, Norse Ruler of God's
Most do not know that my figure is not truly the depiction of oneself. I appear to you as a one eyed old man, but many forms I can be. Wolves, ravens, and wisdom are my weapons of choice. It is true, I sacrificed much to attain my wisdom, and knowledge. But the greatest knowledge of all that I have gained is this. My sons, servants, and slaves can teach me much more than any tree, or spring of wisdom.
Thor, Norse God of Thunder
Mjolnir, my mighty hammer. I call upon the thunder, and brilliance of lightning. One thunder clap, one bolt, and one swing of Mjolnir and I can bring a god to its knee's! Even I must wear gloves of silver to harness such power. I can bring rain, and protect you from the many evil's of all the realms. But do not fear when you hear me coming, for I come to vanquish evil plague's. Find me in the sky's riding my chariot and smashing Mjolnir into the clouds!
Tyr, Norse Warrior God
A fair fight is the name of my game. No need to bring number's, or hire men to kill one's enemy. Meet him on thy battle field where you and him can meet one on one as two combatants. Old man weaving words of war, to hide behind them. Come out and meet thy enemy. Too meager and weak to battle you say? Then no need for battle cries, you shall retire to your bed.
Fighting battles with money, you are? I say use thy money for a fortress, to protect one's bed. Do not send hired men out to do thy bidding. Corrupt and power hunger man, this is not shameful if you fight your own battle. Honest man falling victim to a pack of merciless wolves? Do not fear, face the wolves as a man. Though thy is conquered, merciless wolves will bow to you in death.