Niklas&Friends Fanart Comic - Viking Story by Ravengrim

Chapter 3, "Another Planet"

-Jorven... Jorven! Wake up!

-W..wha...

-Jorven! We arrived, wake up!

Inside the drakkar was a total mess. Everything was revolved, and for some strange reason, they felt like suspended above something, but was not the natural buoyance that gives the sea. The main concern of Fjonn was to check if Narvik was still alive... a hard task due his condition, and the absolute lack of light on that moment. He knew how to move inside, as being sailing there since he had memory. Then, when he found Narvik, put his ear to his chest, and heard a faintly beating heart. Reliefed, his next task was to find Jorven in between of all the mess. Found him easily, and after checking he still lived, started trying to awoke him. They haven't time to lose.

-Here, take, drink some water - gave him a skinful filled with fresh water.

-Ugh... my head...

-Slow, friend, slow... you feeling better?

-Don't think so. How's Narvik?

-Dunno. Alive, at least. We have to move.

-Yes, but where? It's pitch black out there... and - moved, looking outside the entrance to the sky- don't recognize any of these stars... we really travelled on the Bifrost?

-That seems. - Fjonn drank some of water.- You have the bag?

-What bag?... Ah, i get it -checked near him, and remembered to have left the bag beneath Narvik, so went to him and grabbed it, not witout caressing his Thane's hair- We need light.

-Found the stones for light. Let's see if we can go to a shore to make camp.

What was his surprise when they found themselves pending above a oak tree! and by a narrow margin, almost got agains some rocks a few foots away!

-So... we are in the middle of a forest! Nice! - stated Fjonn disheartened. - We need to find about this place, if there is someone near...

-First let's go down! - replied Jorven. - We need that light.

With some ropes onboard, the boys went down of the tree, and, after cheking the boat wouldn't move anywhere for sometime, as firmly was stuck on the cup of the oak, they made a campfire finding a lot of debris around. They would need a lot of repairing if wanted to sail again, and they had barely three moons to do it.

-Let's see - Jorven emptied the bag- a belt, a leather-enveloped stone and a medallion! Wish i would know more about how to use them!

Jorven put onto himself the belt and headed to a nearby rock, and tried to lift it... but not avail.

-Try to push it- sugested Fjonn.

As he said, he gave it a gentle push to the heavy boulder, and it got move quite easily!

-Nice, with this we will carry the boat to... somewhere else.- Jorven was kinda optimistic as was his nature. And never before had manipulated a God-crafted artifact.

-Let's see the rune - said Fjonn. Was a quite ugly stone, with some carving on both sides. He had enough care for not touching it with his hands as he remembered some of the instructions. Then he put it on his travelling bag. After that, he grabbed the Eye of Loki; was a beautiful, if kinda rustic, piece of craftsmanship, with a golden wheel engraving some precious green transparent stones surrounding two circular engraved small red gems, as depicting a pair of eyes. Also put it on his bag. Aside of his observations, saw Jorven eating some dry fish on the campfire. And then realized the past events, when his friend and Jorven's little brother risked his life for them to be released from the Kraken.

-Are you okay, Jorven?

-Yeah, wonderful - the weight of the sarcasm was too much to be funny.

-Jorven, i'm sure Sven is fine, dont you worry!

-Of course i will not worry! You were there with him, right? You saw him to stand up after that beast launched him to floor like a... like a... -he couldn't keep speaking, althoug he tried to not cry.

Jorven put his head onto Fjonn, and he caressed his head, feeling the tears to wet his shoulder.

-He's my only family Fjonn! *sob* I should have been there with him!- stated, sobbing profusely.

-Hey, i love him too! you guys are my only family since a lot of time, and you know it! Narvik too! For everyone else Narvik can be our Thane, but for us he is our friend, too! And i'm sure Sven would have liked to come here with us and help to save him.

-Yes, he is kinda that way. -answered more calm.- Never though i loved him so much until i saw him being hurted by that thing...

-He will be fine, Jorven... both of them... you will see.

Both sailors hugged under a piece of torn sail and tried to rest a little under the fresh night. A couple of hours after, they woke up. Still dark, but someone had to see if Narvik was fine. Fjonn went up, and after checking Narvik was the same, trying to give him some water and keep him warm and covered. Narvik refused the water, or any kind of food or drink. Tried to climb throug the mast to see better on the heights, and what was his surprise at seem a lot of lights far away on certain direction!

-Jorven! I see lights!

-What?! A fire?

-Not at all, or maybe, but they are at a quite distance. The Oracle said that we sholud follow them not matter what!

-And who will stay with Narvik? -Was a fair question. The Oracle was very specific to speak about "them", but with Narvik on that state, moving him to some unknown place was madness! They wouldn't even knew if he would survive if moved! Fjonn understood that they had no choice.

-We will have to leave him here.

-What?! Are you nuts?!

-We will never reach anywhere carrying him with us! We will be so worried about his wellfare that we will spend our time trying to be carefull and will not acomplish nothing! Think about it, however cruel it sounds: he will be alive for three moons, as the Oracle said! And we still don't know anything yet about this place! And we are starving! We need to move, now! Narvik rejects even the water, so it's of not benefit for him if we carry him or not!

After a brief, but thoughtful meditation, and assuming the Oracle was right about him, the decision was made.

-So, let's go then! As soon we leave, soon we'll be back!- Said Jorven.

After grabbing some clothing from the forgotten bowels of his Drakkar, headed to the far lights that Fjonn saw on the distance. Jorven had the nice idea of marking the trees to avoid getting lost. While they advanced, the forest started to make himself less dense and more clear, as the light of day started to appear. Eventually, they arrived to a place with strange houses with weird roofs, and the floor was made of some kind of compact stone, that they couldn't avoid to try and touch, and smell.

-Smells like tar! But, why they would spend all that tar on the floor? -asked Jorven.

The sun rised , and they kept walking on the middle of the strange and wide road. Until suddenly, at his back, a metallic monstruosity reached them by behind and started to squeal louder as a battlehorn, but annoying as a little girl; from inside of it, or what they could see throug the annoyingly bright light torches that the monster ported, half of a ridiculously dressed man came out and started to yell at them onto a incomprehensible gibberish! So they move aside and after more hostile gibberish, the monster, what after a thorough analysis resulted to be some kind of mount for these people, kept going for somewhere, but always inside the big road. Further observation of the place lead them of a breakthrough : noticed that, apparently, the central side of the road was meant for these beasts, and, the people on foot should go on the sides. And then noticed the prying eyes everywhere.

-This is not good! everybody look at us like we were naked! We need to get out of sight! - stated Fjonn, concerned - there!

Both ran towards a more secluded alley, and hid behind a wooden fence from everyone's sight.

Took breath, and tried to meditate on the words of the Oracle, but they never would feel prepared for this kind of situation! Distracted from his meditations the presence of a little white dog that, for some reason, tried to play, and looked very happy to see them.

-Hey! I had never saw such a clean dog! and so small! For what they could use something like that! For rat hunting?

-Dunno... - answered Fjonn - Maybe it's not a dog, but some kind of rabbit! Heh! And a friendly one! And smells better than you, even!

-This is a dog, i'm sure about it - and Jorven grabbed him - it's so fluffy! I don't think they use it for the hunt at all, though...

On matter of seconds, a little kid stood in front of them speaking, by the way, more gibberish. Looked as the owner of the "dog", and, as his pet, seemed kind of happy to see them, although somewhat puzzled.

-Emm... who are you? - asked Jorven.

They only received more gibberish in exchange. But now with some laughter.

-Hey, Fjonn! - Jorven remembered- the rune!

Fjonn extracted the envelopement and get it open. Inside was the stone, and he offered to the little boy without touching it. The boy seemed way too puzled, and Fjonn had to make some gesture to make him grab it. So, the boy took it, and then he asked for it again. When Fjon took it back, he felt like his head was kicked! Somehow everything was more clear now, and even felt he could name some of the objects and faces... but couldn't avoid to faint.

-Fabi! Fabi! Wake up, pleese! What happened to you? -heard a very fuzzy little voice.

Fjonn knew that, for some reason, he should answer to that name, but felt a lot of confusion. Still he had the stone on his hand and, with a gesture, passed it to Jorven. He received it, and went to ground too!

-Oh no! Now Jason? Whats going on with you guys? What are you playing?

Though somewhat dazed, Fjonn couldn't avoid to request confirmation of his suspicions.

-You... are... Martin, ...right? - asked to the little boy.

-Of course i am Martin, how silly! - he laughtered- But you scared me earlier, when you were talking all that nonsense! You sounded so funny! But, Jason is still dismayed... what happened to you? And why are you dressed so silly? Where you playing something?

-Eemm... Martin, have you something for eating and drink, by the way? - asked trying to reincorporate Jorven at this plane- Jorven! Wake up! C'mon!

-Sure, Fabi! You just wait here while i ask for something to mom!- Martin and Fix went quickly home, the boy asking himself who would be that "Jorven" that Fabi mentioned , and Jorven was waking up, by the way.

-W..What happened - asked very dazed.

-The rune worked! Now we can talk with everyone on this place! - Wrapping it back to his envelopement, threw the rune inside his travelling bag.

-Why are you surprised? You expected it not to work?

-Well, i can't say that, but this is a good change for better! Hehehe! -Fjonn was quite optimistic.

-Ugh! My head sored from before that dam thing, and now i feel like i'm gonna turn inside out!

Martin came out almost instantly with tree plastic cups, a bottle and some sandwiches. The boys almost ate Martin's hands before he could even handed over them! Then Martin, somewhat grossed at the spectacle, started to serve the juice from the bottle, but he had to hand it over due the anxiety of the boys. Now he was more puzzled than ever!

-You are not Fabi and Jason...don't you? - Asked Martin, on a serious tone, and with some fear.

-No we're not *grub* - answered Fjonn, with a mix of juice and bread spilling form his lips.

-But... - Martin touched Fjonn's face, trying to get convinced of that- you look so equal to them! Why?

-Dunno *glub* *glub*- Fjonn wasn't bothered at all with Martin's touching his face.

-This is soo tasty! You must be rich! *nom* - Jorven tried to talk to Martin. - Who's your Jarl?

-Jarl? What's that?

The boys looked between themselves, puzzled.

-Nobody's give orders here?

-Ahh that! Dad does that!... Are you from another planet?

They were about to make the same question to Martin.

-Listen, Martin... -Jorven tried to put hands to work on his mission, and swallow some of the contents on his mouth- we need to find the Avatar of Loki, and we have three moons to do it for saving our Thane, Narvik, before Midgard became corrupted by Helm, and Hel destroys our home. You get it?

-Huh?

Jorven felt cornered. Needed the help of this little kid, but a class of his history and culture was way above his capabilities! Even if he had the time for it!

-Martin, listen to me! We have a wounded friend somewhere on the forest, and he needs help. But for helping him we need to find a person, who we do not know how he is, to help us to heal him and send us home! If we dont do it, our world will be destroyed.

"And maybe yours too" was what he thought while talking to the boy, but he didn't wanted to scare even more than already was!

-Emm, that sounded like a crazy thingy! I dunno if i can help you. But... answer me this! That "Helm" of yours, what's that?

-A bad place where goes dead people. - answered Fjonn, trying to make himself understood as simply as possible.

-Ah! so like the "hell" of ours! And that "Hel" guy, what is?

-Its who rules that place, and is a she. - Fjonn couldn't avoid to notice the similitude of concepts and even languaje applied to them.

-Aww, so, if you dont find that person, you home is going to "hell"? -he was delighted with the chance of use a blasphemy on a serious thing without feeling was doing something wicked!

-Basically, yes.

-Ok, i get it! I can't help you a lot guys, but i have some friends who can! Let's see if they are at home; im sure they will help you with your problem! Follow me!

They were following the little boy, thinking in wich way he could help them to solve his troubles, and started to assimilate some familiarity with their enviroment. Now they don't feel so lost and strange: maybe the rune made to share between the kid and them more than just languaje, after all!

-Fabian Waitaweill!!! - heard a angry woman's call at a few steps. - Come here right now, young man!

For some strange reason, Fjonn felt stunned, and compelled to obey that voice hostile and demanding. Jorven was also very confused with the situation.

-And you are, Lady? - Asked with a defiant tone of voice.

-Oh no, young man! You will not play mind tricks on me! I have read enough books to detect them! And where did you left Niklas? And look at you! You are filthy! And how many days in a row haven't you eaten breakfast? Or bathed? You will come with me right now! - next, the angry lady took Fjonn by the arm and pulled to her house - And you, Jason, should be ashamed to be seeing filthy and wearing that way! I know your mother, and i know she cares a lot for you and Vincent to be allowing you go out like that! While you, Fabian, we will have a serious talk on home!

-But, i don't ... -tried to reply Fjonn to the weird orange haircut woman.

-Shhht! - Martin told him very loud.

-You see? Even the little Martin knows to always behave as such a gentleman! You two should be ashamed, a-shamed! Now i will not hear anymore until you take off all that filth, and i'll make sure as hell you do it right!- Then a very angry and talkative Mrs. Waitaweill left with a reticent and silent Fjonn to her house, while Martin and Jorven looked at them stunned.

-But what will she do to Fjonn?! I should...

-Hey! -answered Martin- He'll be fine! Lets find Niklas...

The topic has multiple pages now, Make sure you read the chapters in proper order 😉

Chapter 4. "We are the rescue"

Meanwhile, in some deep sector of the forest, Niklas, Fabian and Jason were walking between all the bushes in a rough general direction where the unknown object would have fallen. Niklas hadn't slept at all, and now he found himself leading some sort of expedition, with his two unwilling friends walking behind him; Fabi with a bored attitude, and Jason with a concerned one, more that about the "crash landing theory", by his friend's behavior. Niklas was deeply wounded by the lack of interest of them, so it was really a sad situation where words failed.

Five hours of marching without knowing where, and thousands of trees later, the patience of Fabi and Jason started to be put on heavy test.

-Sooo, Jason - asked Fabi, trying to break the ice at least between the "unwilling ones"- how's the stuff with Jon?

-It's the same, Fabi. I haven't mustered courage enough to speak my mind...

-It's not about your mind what we are talking about, Jason. Sometimes you overthink things. You are so smart! I believe sometimes you're kinda a genius, but you would be a lot smarter if you put more attention to your heart than your brain!

-I don't wanna be hurted, Fabi. You know it.

-If i would be put onto a choosing situation, between never have known about Jeremy, and not suffer, or be like now, i think would prefer be like now, after all! That's about loving someone, Jason! You can't pretend to love someone if you are not willing to risk the pain for it! Sometimes sucks, i recon, but those happy times will be forever.

-But Jason, what about Sniv! And Mom! and...

-We are not suggesting you marry him, Jason! - intervened Niklas from ahead - Just to tell him what you feel! We feel a lot of your pain when you're with him in front of everyone else! And i would bet all my spending money for a year that he feels the same, if not more, for you! He deserves a friend like you, and you deserve a friend like him, that's all the truth.

-I don't wanna see you like me, but without having even a chance of hugging or caring about Jerry, Jason.

The three boys kept advancing, and the forest went everytime more dense.

-Niklas, we have advanced a lot from now. Can we go back now to home, please? - Fabi asked.

Niklas was defeated. His guts were screaming harder than ever, but all the evidence showed that all had been just a bad dream. Now he had to decide if listen to his heart or his brains. And took a choice. Looking at his friend's eyes.

-Guys, you know i will love you, no matter what happens. You have been nice enough to bear me for all this time, and i give you thanks for walking with me so far. Go home now. I will not hold anything against you for doing it. But i will continue until my hearth tells me to stop it. Sorry. - smiled gratefully at them and went onwards.- We'll see us later!

Fabi and Jason ran towards him and clinged one side to another.

-And to left you alone against the wild, Captain Nikki? He! - said Jason

- You know we would never leave you alone, Niklas, no matter how dumb your decisions are. - And Fabian kissed him on right his cheek.

Niklas smiled at them sweetly. Knew his friends would never disappoint him, even if he asked to them to do it.

-Look, a campfire! We can get some rest there! - pointed Jason.

-And that's a order, Edlund!- Said Fabi, frowning.

-Aye, sir!- answered, jiggling.

The three boys sat and shared some of their provisions. Was since some time that they had shared on that way and too far from anyone a meal. They felt, right there, like everything could be fixed, and the rest of things were beautiful and eternal. Their mood improved a lot, and being upset or concerned about Nikki was a thing from the past.

Fabi, after some minutes of cheerful talk, laid his back on the floor besides the campfire, while Niklas and Jason were doing some fighting. On the cup of a big oak at his side, he could distinguish a silhouette... of a boat! A big one!

-Eem, guys?

-Heheheh, not there! Jason, you naughty! Heheheh.

-Guys?

-So you're the only one who can there, Nikki? Take this!

-Guys!!! Stop it! Seriously!

The two boys stopped immediately at the attention call from Fabi. Looked at him; he was pale and looking upwards. And then they saw it. An authentic Drakkar, with mast, sail and all, far away from the next river at least some few kilometers, on the cup of an oak tree! A ship which their only reference had been viking movies and some opera's, besides a couple of pictures onto a forgotten school book.

-Niklas, sorry for not taking us seriously. - Said Jason.

-I... Nikki, sorry too. We should have believed you, really. - apologized Fabian.

-It's ok, guys. I don't hold it against none of you. You did what you think correct, so did I. Now, let's explore it!

Immediately planed the way to go up, and found a knotted rope at a side, very easy for climb. Fabi offered himself to go first, while Jason holded the lower end of the rope. And he started to climb.

-Carefully Fabi! We dont want you to get hurt up there! - said Niklas down there, supervising the operation. Fabi arrived up in no time.

-This is so cool, guys! There are ropes, some old axes, a sail, a lot of shields! Look!

And threw a heavy round shield from up, almost falling over Jason's head!

-Fabian! You almost killed me! You dumb! - said Jason very angry.

-Don't do that again!- yelled Niklas, obviously upset too.

-Oh sorry Jason! I really sorry, wasn't thinking right! Never again!... wait, there's a little compartment at the back! Ill go to see what's in there.

Jason and Niklas thought about what kind of treasures they would find on that strange ship. Swords? Armors? Maybe even gold? And expectantly waited for Fabi's notice. And they listened.

-Oh no!... Oh my!... Guys! Guys, there's a person over here! A kid! And he's on very bad shape! Jason, come to help me!

Down there, they couldn't believe what were they hearing.

-Hurry, Jason, please, i'm not kidding, seriously! - Jason hurried and went upstairs. his physical condition and the rush for give some help allowed him to arrive fast up there, and went inside the boat's compartement. After a lot of thinking an maneuvering, Fabi and Jason found a way to pull the kid from that dark compartment. Jason went inside, while Fabi grabbed him from outside, and started to drag him, slowly but sure.

-Fabi! Jason! What's going on there!

First went out their feet, covered by some sort of boots, then they realized that the kid was wearing a very old suit! Making a supreme effort, pulled out the rest of the boy, and his face...

-Guys! What happened! Are you alright! - Asked a very anxious Niklas.

He saw them both looking at him as trying to be sure Niklas was really down there! They looked like have spotted to a ghost! Niklas couldn't wait any longer, and, taking strength from somewhere, barely climbed that rope! Once there, saw the kid lying on the deck, and Fabi and Jason looking at Niklas with a spooked face!

And when Niklas saw the face of the boy, then he saw his very own face! Niklas stumbled and fell on his back. Then, Jason reacted:

-Are you alright, Nikki? Are you hurt?

Fabi was trying to remove his coat to allow him to breath better. Obviously he needed help, so, Jason went for him. Niklas got close again, and saw the boy. Was no doubt. He was an exact copy of him, but, somehow, he was extremely sick and weakened. His skin was almost white, and his veins were too much notorious on all his body to be something healthy. He was extremely cold, but, somehow, keep breathing, faintly, without show any kind of reaction to anything.

-We have to get him down! - Said Jason. - Right now!

-I can make something with the ropes up here! but someone needs to pick it down. - stated Fabi.

-I can receive it down! - said Niklas.

-And someone to tie to the rope and grab him! We can't just tie this guy and send him down! We could hurt him even more! Wait a second...

Fabi made his calculations and figured was enough rope for the full operation, and started to work. Jason tied himself with one extreme of the rope, while Niklas acted as counterwight beneath for the other extreme of the rope, and Fabi kept pulling the rope to be stable and free on top. Then, Jason grabbed the boy by his front and made a extremely controlled descent, using the tree and his feet step to step. After thirty minutes of labor, the four kids were down. Jason, Fabian and Niklas were busted.

Covered as best as they could the another Niklas, and started to plan the way back home.

-We should call for an ambulance!- Said Jason

-Yeah, but it's five hours more or less of walking, - noticed Fabi - and the top of the trees are too dense for an helicopter to see us! And we don't know if this kid have that time for waiting a rescue. At the time someone of us arrives to the city to ask a helicopter or some kind of rescue, will be very late, and will not know how to arrive here!

-We are the rescue.- Said Niklas. - We must take him to the town by our own means!

The three friends agreed, and prepaired the ordeal for carrying the boy on their backs. Tried to give him some food and water, but the kid rejected anything they tried to give him. They were a lot concerned. The first one to carrying him was Niklas, as he has made lesser effort before. Once removed most of his old clothing, Niklas realized the kid was way more lighter than himself, and that was another sign of concern! So, they started walking home.

-This guy is malnourished!- Said Niklas

-We don't know since how many days he doesn't eat something. We'll see that at home. - answered Fabi.

Calculated a long walk home, at least five hours more if they hurry, around seven if threading carefully with the kid on back. They left Fabi's home at five o'clock, walked five hours to the boat, spent around one hour there exploring the boat and lowering the kid, were already near eleven o'clock... they would arrive back home around... six or seven, at noon!. Was quite a walk.

-It's identical to you Niklas! - Had to say it, at last! They were trying to avoid the comments as out of place due the situation, but was unavoidable, anyway.

-Considering it came flying from the sky, it's a quite surprising... concidence? - said Fabi, trying to speculate about the possible conection between Niklas and the guy.

-I felt his pain since he appeared that night- Niklas was sure now.- All that anguish and concern i felt that night were about him. Didn't knew why or for who i was so worried, but my guts almost hurted! Now i know... i feel him so close! But I don't know anything about him, and suspect that no one on this world knows! Just hope we can help him to be ok...

-Don't worry Niklas, we'll get a doctor for him soon! He'll be ok, and then we will ask him from where he came. - Jason tried to confort him, but had recognized that the boy was not ok.

Suddenly, the kid started to convulse violently. Niklas had to release him and fell to ground, grabbed his head, and a transparent liquid was pouring from his mouth.

-Put him aside! Quickly! - Said Jason. -Or he will choke!

Niklas quickly did as Jason said, and after a rough coughing, the boy puked a lot of that stuff. Niklas tried to confort him as best as he could, and for some moment, he looked to regain some conciousness. Then tried to incorporate, but was too weakened, and fell over his back. The three boys there were horrorized, and powerless against the situation.

The kid turned his face, and gave a scared glance to Niklas, who cleaned some of the puke from his face with his own hand.

-You will be fine. We are now with you, and will get help. Don't be scared, please. - The kid looked really disoriented, as trying to grab something from his side, with a scared face. Then, Niklas started to caress his hair, starting to soothe him, and rubbed his chest for near a minute.

The kid changed his face. Now he was not so scared, and, even, tried to give a faint smile; with his hand gave a soft and weak touch to Niklas's face. Then fainted. Niklas couldn't avoid the tears.

-You'll be fine, i swear it!

Said that, Jason and Fabi helped him to reincorporate from the floor and, after Niklas grabbed him again, kept walking.

The walk was silent and fast as they could, always checking the status of the kid. But it was getting his toll... everyone was extremely tired not just by physical exhaustion, but emotional. They were filled with questions without easy answer, and permanently concerned by that stressful situation. Fortunately, they started to remember the way back, and now they don't feel that the boy had weight at all, as if something were trying to carry him with them. Their provisions, by the other hand, turned heavier every time, to such point that had to drop most of them to the floor. Then, as they got near the town, the light started to faint, and darkness became imminent. Switching the kid between them, somehow the road seemed way more heavier for the ones who were not carrying him, and the stops were made everytime more frecuent.

Despite their best wishes, the night found them still on the forest, but at least they could perceive the lights of the town very close. So, with their last strength from weakness, put all their effort on the last trip, and, after some twenty minutes of forced march, they arrived to a street. Fabi carried the kid.

-Ok, now we will ask to any adult circulating to get us to an hospital! - Said Jason, very sweaty and, although, happy! - We did it!

-Oh, at last! - musitated Fabi, at the edge of fainting.

-An hospital for him wouldn't do any good! - Surprised, the boys heard a thin but loud voice from beside them. A very familiar one. If unexpected, though. Niklas asked with disbelief.

-Keith?!

Effectively, was Keith. But, somehow, was not only him. With his usual clothing, now he carried some sort of golden medallion. He was smiling and with a glance so sweet and peacefully as they rarely have seen him, if ever! At his back, approached three shadows, two a little bigger than him , and a little one. The little one was easy to spot, as Martin was clearly distinctive. The other two, by the other hand, looked as Fabi and Jason, what obviously couldn't be, as Fabi and Jason had just went out from that forest after walking almost twelve hours!

-Narvik! - Said both of Keith's companions when saw Niklas, and were about to run at him when noticed the fainted kid at Fabi's back. So they rushed towards Fabi and grabbed the true Narvik from the astonished Fabi! Jason was petrified, too, at seeing "his alter ego" wearing his favorite clothing and same red hairstile that made him so characteristic. Niklas looked at Keith with face of demanding some explanation!

-I will explain most of this mess, but first we must get Narvik to Jason's home! His mom has gone shopping and will not be back until late!

Jason looked at him with a face of "What the..." while Fabi didn't move a muscle watching his very own copy, wearing his clothing and his school backpack. Martin gave a closer look to all the boys gathering there at the side of the street, and said:

-Oh boy, this is so cool!

Chapter 5, "Cinema Terror"

A lot of things had happened while Niklas, Jason and Fabian were on the woods, and the abduction of Fjonn by Mrs. Waitaweill was only the beginning of them. With few things that could have been done to revert such tragedy, Martin and a very concerned Jorven headed to Niklas's home, to ask for help on their quest. They didn't avoided to pass near of Van Mason's though, error that Martin realized too late, and were quickly spotted for an anxious and, kinda upset, Vincent.

Jason had been postponing going to the cinema with him for a long time, but when "Ciber Sharks Invasion III" went on billboard, Sniv had to act quickly before Jason found an excuse for his tightness: so, invited Jonathon some days ago to have tea, and, knewing Jon would never say no to a movie who involved sharks, Arnold Lundgren and machineguns, and Jason would never say no to Jon, used him as leverage, and after some subtle speech, worthy of the best moments of Cicero, tied him to go see the movie. Was a masterful move.

But the suddenly absence of his brother, at merely hours of the premiere, was jeopardizing the whole operation. Sniv had grabbed and concealed all the savings of his brother as a last resort measure, in case he tried to flee from the deal; but if he wasn't anywhere near, his mom would not allow him to go near the cinema, and everything would get ruined. Thinking about future ways for vengeance or alternatively, ways for locating him, from the main door spotted Martin at the distance holding the hand of a rough dressed, shaggy red haired boy towards somewhere. But he couldn't be fooled:

-That Jason! Jeez! Tried to disguise to run away from his promise? Now he will see!

Fast as a lightning, Sniv reached the couple and started his lecture, yelling at their backs.

-Jason! Why are you dressed like that? Jon is going to arrive soon and you know that we have to go earlier to the cinema for getting nice spots for the movie! Or you "forgot" again?

Jorven almost has a hearth attack. He knew that voice too well. But from another world.

-Jaaaason! C'mon, get dressed as people and ready to go, or you will not see a single cent ever again from you allowance!

Said that, Sniv ran towards the house in case that Jason pursued him, what was the most probably outcome after his heavy threat.

Martin, somehow, realized that he couldn't be going around with "the other Jason" dressed like that by the streets.

-Hey, boy, i think it would be better if you go to the house of Jason and get some cleaning and clothing... boy?

Saw his face marked by worry and pain. And then, a couple of reddened eyes that could not drop more tears. Martin did not needed to understand anything more than he was suffering, and gave him a hug.

-It's ok, boy. All will be ok. Don't be sad, pleese?

-Jorven... *sob* my name is Jorven.

-It's ok, Jorven... let's go to the house, ok?

Both entered the house, and Martin headed him to what appeared to be Jason's bedroom. Jorven saw some of the family pictures, and was wondered about such fine craftsmanship, onto registering such happy moments. This was, indeed, a mighty civilized people.

Martin grabbed a shirt, some shorts and boxers, with some sneakers that found lying on the floor.

-First we have to get you clean, Jorven.

Took Jorven's hand and headed towards the bathroom.

-Take all of that out, please! - asked.

Jorven obeyed. Martin could not avoid of seeing the bruises and scars on all his body, and shrugged himself. But did not ask anything. Grabbed a nearby sponge and drived Jorven to the bathtub. Proceeded to scrub him as he remembered how mom did with him when he was more little, and he was kinda proud to have been left bathing alone, most of the time, anyways! Jorven don't appear to react to the water, though it was cold since Martin didn't knew how to use the faucet properly. His hair was a mess, but Martin did what he could to give him a rough Jason's appearance.

Next, Martin gave him a towel and Jorven started to dry himself. Was everything around him so beautiful! The house, the walls, the faucets! He didn't even knew why he knew what was a faucet, in the first place!

After get somewhat dry, both kids went back to Jason's room and Martin gave him a blue shirt. Jorven dropped his towel and was putting the shirt on self when Jonathon arrive suddenly to the room.

-Hi Ja... son...

-Hi Jonathon! - answered a happy and cloth selecting Martin.

-Hi... Martin... what's going on here, Jason? asked really puzzled. Jon couldn't decide what was more strange about the situation what did he found: the fact that Jason where standing without clothing at all from his waist down, the fact that Martin were selecting his clothes, or the fact that Jason was half naked with Martin on his room selecting cloth for him!

Martin gave Jorven a look as forcing him to speak. Jorven was stunned: from all the people he would have expected to find on this place, the last one on his list would have been Jarl Thonnen himself!

-Eee.. ejem.. nothing, my lord! Martin was just helping me to get some dressing!

Jon wasn't prepaired to get that kind of answer. He couldn't avoid to explode in laughter, though he was really pleased with what he was looking, and that was not precisely Jorven's face...

-Haaaahahahahahaaa!!! - He was almost crying from the laughter. Then Martin threw a boxer to Jorven's face, and Jorven put it on self backwards. Martin facepalmed himself, and gave him some shorts, now indicating his correct orientation.

-Ahahahaaaa hahahahaha.... ehehe! C'mon Jason! Seriously! Hehehe! Well *sob* ok, are you ready to go to the cinema? Where's Sniv? Sniv! Lets go!

Sniv went out from beneath his bed on the other room, with Jason's moneybox. He had not saw anything, but have been listening carefully everything. He was not happy. Something weird was going on, starting with the presence of Martin on that moment in particular, and his mention of a "Jorven". When he passed through Jason's bedroom door, observed detainedly to his "brother" without making a single expression. Jorven couldn't avoid to remember his little Sven, but he knew the boy that was in front of him was not Sven, but another kid with a brother that looked like himself. And, by the way he glanced, it would be not at all as friendly!

Sniv standed still and looked Martin. The little boy couldn't avoid shrugging. Then looked again to "Jason's" face.

He frowned.

-Sniv! Sneeeeeev! Sneeeeeeeeeev! C'mon! - Yelled a "hungry shark" Jon from outside.

Sniv looked at the Jason's moneybox, and threw it at Jorven's face. He caught it on the fly without even move or get surprised.

-Go down - Said a very angry Sniv.

And left to meet Jon.

Martin saw the hurry on what Jorven was, and gave him some instructions whispering.

-Listen Jorven! The blonde guy is Jonathon, and he is your friend. The another one is your brother Vincent, but call him Sniv. You now go to the cinema. Just follow them and keep your mouth silent and you will be fine! I will go for you with my best friend, Keith, and then we will help you. At the entrance you will have to pay - Martin on a hurry grabbed some bills from Jason's money - Pay with these, should be enough, they are large bills, wait for them to give money back and grab it or you will look weird! And, please, no silly talking! I'll be there at the exit with Keith, don't worry! Now go!

Jorven was having enough. Was a lot of info to memorize for only once, though his memory was quite good at lack of the hability to read and write. Went down to meet the boys and with them, started walking towards the cinema... whatever that thing was.

The three boys were silent. The ambience could be cutted with a spoon. Jonathon was in the middle of the brothers; he was used to hear them arguing and even being mean sometimes at worse, but now was diferent, and was sincerely concerned . Sniv kept looking at Jorven all the way. Jorven tried to ignore him, but it was getting really annoying and, by worse, he was starving again!

-What are you looking at? - tried to dissuade Sniv before he draw out the worse of himself.

Sniv didn't answered, and moved his glance in front of him.

Jonathon tried of lowering the tensions, making a set of jokes and distracting the boys from their thoughts. But he was a little hurt: Jason felt very distant that day, almost as if were someone else. And, at diference of other days or situations, being at his side didn't made Jason more tenderly nervous, but outrightly terrified! Was a subtle sensation, but manifest.

Arrived at last at the cinema, and onto good time, also! No queue, so Jorven headed to the place on the entrance that everyone went before getting in and delivered the bunch of rugged papers to the funny looking subject inside the glass.

-Which movie and how many?

-"Ciber Sharks Invasion III", for three! - said a very anxious Jon.

-Ok, enjoy... - and delivered the tickets and change.

As Martin said, he grabbed all the stuff the guy delivered, and Jon took from him the tickets. Wanted to avoid the talking between them for not spoiling the afternoon and make an scandal, by the way! So, he handled the entry and got some good seats inside. Jorven was very puzzled about all that stuff but, as Martin said, didn't want to open his mouth.

What you must understand about "Ciber Sharks Invasion III" it's that, at difference of the previous deliveries, "I" and "II" rated as "extremely brutal and grotesque pieces of nonsense", the "III", due to an unfortunate administrative mess, was rated as "apt to every audiences, as a little bunny on the prairies". So, without any legal restrictions, everyone with at least one eye who paid for it could watch without restrain of age, health or psychological status. So, the next paragraph it's what's about it(*spoilers*). You can pass it and will not hurt on anything to the tale. I wrote it just in case that you were as obsessive as me and hated to pass without all the picture.

(*Spoiler begins*)The movie started with a young and beautiful couple on the beach on a full moon night drinking champagne to be "on the wave" as they had no restrain on announce it. After some dork and cursi jiggling dialogue, they go to swim to the quiet ocean, that, by the way, lacks of any kind of wind, waves or algae. They hug under the stars swimming at the same time(?) when suddenly they divisate the traditional huge shark fin; then try to swim away of the sea, absolutely oblivious about each other, but got surrounded by four shark fins in total. But they stop, and when think the sharks are friendly, the first one draws two Gattling machineguns from his back and reduces the couple to little pieces of Krill. So, enter the titles. Next, the country is invaded by a massive force of ciber-legged Gattling back-mounted sharks who jeopardizes all the basic services and millitary forces, but, strangely, not the newspapers, tv or even the power supplies. The president tries then to arrange a meeting with the leader of the sharks, a big Hammerhead with moustache on Bern, Switzerland, to arrival onto a pacific solution, but the negotiations went sour and got eaten by the Hammerhead and his diplomatic envoys, a bunch of Tigersharks, with the full of his comitee and part of the hotel's personel (mass applause) Obviously, the country cannot stay without a leader, and assumes the beautiful President's daughter and Miss Universe, but the sharks have the control of all the nuclear arsenal of the world. Miss President, then, sends to look for Arnold Lundgren, who was working during all the first part of the Armaggeddon infiltrated onto the chinese mob. So, the sharks finally kidnapp her (Why? For God's sake the have the missiles, they won!!!) As the shark "new order" prepares to celebrate elections for representatives and discuss welfare and medicare, they feel all the wrath of our hero, who infiltrated security with a shotgun, a ninja suit and a styrofoam fin at his back to avoid radar detection. Thousands of shark bodies later and after an epic fistfight against a half-ton sized legged Hammerhead with moustache, he rescues Miss President. The final scene is a long and romantic kiss between him and Miss President with the Congress at back, burning on nuclear fire.(*end of spoiler*)

Jorven couldn't take anymore, and had to flee once the lights turned on. Needed air, alot of it! Jonathon pursued him to see if he was ok... he wasn't! Was too much to bear to him by a single day.

-Jason! Calm down, please, lets take sit on the park, let's go.

Completely forgetting about Sniv, the two boys walked toward a nearby park, and sat on the grass behind a tree, beyond prying eyes.

-Jason, breathe slow, please... i'm here, dont worry.

Jorven couldn't evade Jon's face, and had to talk.

-Forgive my weakness, my lord... i'm so ashamed...

Jonathon jiggled.

-Stop talking that way, dumbass! - smiled at him - Tell me what's going on.

-My lord, i really wish to do it, but...

Jon Jiggled more intensely. He was getting really amused!

-Oh c'mon, Jason, stop teasing me, really! I will get mad! Seriously!

-As you wish, my liege!

Jon laughtered frankly delighted! Jorven felt kinda humilliated, so lowered his head.

-Hehe! I told you to stop and you didn't. Now you'll have to face the consequences!- Said with fake wrath.

Jonathon sat over Jorven's legs, hugged him, moved his head to match Jorven's , and kissed him on his mouth. Was a long kiss. Jorven couldn't avoid to hug Jon and open his own mouth, closing his eyes... as Jon. He needed it, really. They needed each other.

After a minute or more of kissing, Jon cuddled onto Jorven's chest. And Jorven embraced him, playing with his blonde hair. Waiting for the time to pass, and hoping the time would never move forward again.

For fifteen minutes they were there, oblivious from everything and everyone. Jorven observed to Jon, and realized he was asleep. He woke him with a kiss ok his soft cheek.

-Wake up, my lord. You have to go home.

Jonathon yawned with a smile.

-As you are being so courteous with me, can you carry me home on your back, by the way? - gave him a knowing glance.

-I'm sorry, my liege, you will have to use your own means. - Said to him smiling sweetly, while caressing his hair a last time.

Jonathon raised, and, with a jiggle and a face of supreme happiness, ran to somewhere.

Jorven felt peace. Was a so strange feeling on his true life, where he had to fight against monsters and struggle for having something to carry to his mouth and Sven's. Had been just a day from his travel, and he though that, maybe, he could get used to this world. Having a beautiful life with someone who loved him. Then he looked at the sky, and his semblant changed completely: the moon was rising on the firmament, even if it was still afternoon. He felt mocked by it, and got angry. He practically could hear the moon laughing, dancing and singing "Your world will end... even if you succeed".

Jorven stood up. Was enough of rest, and he had burned a third of his time, almost. Went to the cinema to wait for Martin and his friend. And then saw Jon and Sniv sat. Got closer unseen for better hearing.

-Sniv! - Jon sounded really upset- You can't say such horrible things about you own bro! You have no sense at all!

-I know he is NOT my brother! I know it!

Jorven felt trapped. He had not considered the consequences if was caught living the life of someone's else! That blonde guy kissed him at the thought he was someone else! "I'm so stupid!" was his recurrent thought.

-For God's sake Sniv! I really would have not expected it from you! - Jon had a very sad expression on his face.

-I know i can't prove it, Jonathon! But i will! That dude was a imposter, and Martin will have to answer me some questions! - Sniv was barely fitting his rage.

He left from there. Hearing more would shatter the few nerves that he had left. And needed to find Martin before Sniv does.

Was walking away from them, and then some guy grabbed him from his arm!

-Please tell me you are Jorven!

-Fjonn? Fjonn, it's that you?!

Both of kids were almos unrecognizable between themselves!

-What the hell happened to you! - asked Jorven.

-Forget about that! I know who is the Avatar of Loki...!

Chapter 6, "Icecream, Goddammit!" 

-What did you say?!

-I know who is! Really!

Fjonn couldn't contain himself with happiness. A wide smile marked the veracity of his triumph.

-But, Fjonn... let's go somewhere else!

They went back to the park by another far entrance. Fjonn was intrigued that Jorven took so much precautions about being seen together, more now that they practically blend with everyone else! When they arrived behind of the previous Jorven's tree, they sat.

-What in the name of Odin has you so scared, Jorven!

-Fjonn, i have done something terrible!

-Well - reasoned Fjonn - If you had to kill somebody, you had to! Nothing to do about it...

-I haven't killed no one!

-So, what's the fuzz?

-I... I... - Fjonn was like a brother for Jorven, but, to tell him that he had kissed a boy at the first day of an epic quest on wich the life of their dearest friend and the fate of all the known universe were at risk? That would not happen! - Whatever, just tell me what happened to you!

And Fjonn started to explain.

Efectively, the weird looking orange haired lady had carried him away to his lair, and once in there, grabbed the poor Fjonn and got him completely undressed, bitterly critizicing the fact that he was not wearing something that she called "underwear". Then he was sent to some sort of room with a lot of nice smelling stuff that, for some reason, he knew how were they called, but haven't a right notion of how to use them. So, when the lady came back and saw him without a clue, grabbed him and started scrubbing him under some kind of thermal water source. Was so neat! Though the scrubbing, of course. Inside a room with a very big cot, he saw a little and incredibly detailed drawing of two boys, who were on some beach, and they seemed so happy! The big one looked like Fjonn himself, but the other, doesn't looked at him at all! But they looked so happy together...

Then, without saying a word at all, she came with some clothing and started to dress him like a little baby! When free, remembered his stuff on the lower level, and grabbed a neat bag with straps dropped on floor, went down and inside put the rune, eye of Loki and girdle. Then went to a contiguous room with one of these big metalic things, was made sat on front. Was very reliefed at noticing that those things are not alive at all, and are just a complex mechanism, as a catapult, but more difficult to make.

The weird part started when the automobile began to move. He was delighted with his speed! And saw the town, full of lights, people, boys mounting small metalic devices with two wheels... that was so neat! The lady started to talk more relaxed this time.

-Fabian, we have to talk.

-Lady, i don't know who is...

-Stop that game, please! You don't even realize how hurtful is to hear you to saying things like that!

-As you say, lady.

-Cut it off! I'm your mother, Fabian! What do you want from me! - She was very upset on that moment. Fjonn simply looked at her, somewhat scared. But she regained some of her composure - Look, i've been with some trouble at work, and i know you have yours too, but, what if now we go to take some of those icecreams that always you liked, okay?

-Ice what?

-Icecream! Goddammit! Icecream!- And she started crying profusely. Fjonn was astonished. He understood that the woman believed that he was his son, and by the looks of the situation, was something wrong between them.

Arrived to a place near the park. The lady made him to sit onto a chair and waited in a circular table, until a funny looking man came and asked them for what to eat. The lady then ordered two of the icecream things and, while they waited, kept talking.

-Look, Fabi - she was visibly nervous, but in need of talking - I know that may be i'm not so cheerful as other moms by there, but that doesn't mean that i don't love you, and i want you to know it from me.

Fjonn had never experienced something like that, and that means Fjonn never had experienced a mother at all! He barely remembered something when he was little, and sent to work on the ships as helper carrying stuff from there and there. Always fended by himself on the piers, as the other urchins. Sometimes the fisherman's ladies gave them the heads of the fish that they couldn't sell but didn't wanted to ate, but until he was a little bigger and strong enough to carry a spear and meet Narvik, Jorven and Sven, any familiar contact has been a issue of charity! No caring!

-Lad.. ejemm...

-Fabian, somehow you must overcome what happened with Jeremy. You can't fall on those moods so often! I'm really concerned, and expected that with some time we would past about that! But i don't see any change! Also, we speak so little between us!

-Who's Jeremy, lady?

-You were crying for him last night! And many others! Stop teasing me!

A silence was made. Fjonn could feel the impotence on the words of the lady, and understood that the boy he was impersonating was, despite his beautiful house, wealthy goods and caring mother, very sad. The funny guy arrived later with two recipents filled with something like whale fat, but colored as he never had saw before. The lady started eating the fat with a spoon, and Fjonn looked the scene with some disgust. But seeing everybody near doing the same thing, he felt compelled to do the same, with extreme caution, with the tip of his tongue. Was not bad at all! Anyway, he was starving, and grabbed the fat with his bare hands and started eating. Finished it in matter of seconds! The lady looked at him with a horror face... as some people around.

-Oh, sorry... mother!

Said that, cleaned his hands with some licking, and his mouth with the sleeve of the shirt. He felt kinda happy to have overcome the manner's test, and smiled charmingly.

-Fabian, since when do you avoid breakfast? How many times i have to tell you that breakfast is a very important meal! - said while cleaning some icecream from the face of Fjonn. - I don't want you miss it since now, ok? Well, that's not why i brought you here, anyways. I wanted to... talk to you. To know

more about you! I thought that i knew you perfectly but, sometimes i don't know how to handle the situation, or how to make you feel better!

And she started to lose her composure again.

Fjonn couldn't avoid to feel sorry for the lady. On his simple thoughts, he couldn't connect the reality around him and how she felt! Really believed that he would only find happy and friendly people, as the little Martin, seeing the amount of beautiful and wealthy stuff that surround them! And now he was facing a very sad mother, concerned about he didn't knew what about! What was a breakfast anyway?

Then, he decided to stop trying to understand, and felt the urge of confort her, so the sadness wouldn't spread further, and carry him to reveal his true inner feelings of anguish and concern. He stood from the chair and got close to her. Gave her a hug, and kissed her weird looking haired head.

- You are loved... don't doubt about it. Don't think anymore.

Mrs. Waitaweill inmediately hugged back his son, and he could feel her tears staining his shirt. Started caressing her head and, for some reason, couldn't avoid to cry himself. Felt so safe... so loved, grabbed firmly by those large and delicate arms. They were there around five minutes, but was a little eternity for them. He kept giving little tenderly kisses to the lady's head, until he felt she was more calm. And couldn't avoid to speak his true mind, closing his eyes.

-I'm so happy to be with you...

They were there a little longer, and tighter. Suddenly, called Fjonn's attention a strange vibration fron inside the backpack; released the lady and, while she used some tissues on her face, gave a sneak peek inside it.. it was glowing! And then he remembered his quest! And the few time he had to complete it! Started to look around, and called his attention a blonde long haired boy riding some of that two-wheeled stuff, having some kind of argument with another boy, also in one of these, but with some kind of music device in one of their hands.

-Mother, i have stuff to do, and have forgotten about it. Can i leave?

-Ok, Fabi * sob*, i'll go to make some shopping for supper, and we will see on home, ok?

-Ok, mother, i'll go then - and hurried towards the boys.

Effectively, they don't seemed to like at all each other. As he got closer he could listen.

-...He! At least i've not been sent to home by one of your "fevers", cretin!

-And so what! That means that i have one to show, at difference of you, little pussy!

-And you show it to boys too often, perv?

-Go to hell Dillinger! I'll catch you somewhere when you're alone and you will be really sorry!

-Ah c'mon Bullmann! Why dont you send me flowers instead, you f#$$"t ?

-You wish for them, Dillinger?! Why don't you ask for some to your true dad? Oh, sorry, i forgot! He prefered to die before being with you! Maybe he borrows you some!

The blonde one jumped off his bike and grabbed the brown haired one and started to hit his face. The other one also was giving him some beating, and frankly, they looked as a pair of cats scratching and swearing on endless rage. Fjonn decided to intervene before someone got seriously hurt. Grab them both and pushed apart. Was easy anyway, as Fjonn was remarkably strong despite his contexture and light appearance.

-Pfft! Bastard! - cried the brown haired one spitting some blood - You would have damaged my bike or my radio, and you'll be really sorry after i tell my dad! You're lucky to have found you one of your girlfriends! - refering to Fjonn. He frowned.

And then, Bullmann rode his bike towards the market. The other one, after some cleaning, mounted his bike.

-I'm ok, Fabian, i'm ok - said the blonde guy - just need to go for a ride. -felt his voice tightened

-But, hey, wait!

The boy wouldn't listen. Started to ride the opposite direction, lowered his head.

Then grabbed the backpack. The glow of the medallion started to faint.

-Is he! - Fjonn was sure. But, who was he? Have never seen him before, anywhere! He remembered his name, Dillinger! and he ride too damn fast... he lost a unique chance of making wear the Eye of Loki, but at least he had saw him, and will recognize him the next time... and be prepaired to act!

Now, he faced another problem. Had lost any contact with Jorven or Martin, and needed to be with them as soon as possible! So, started to walk towards the centre of the town, really clueless about what to do next.

Suddenly, and after a long wandering, he thought he saw someone very alike Jorven, running as if where Hel herself pursuing him! After him, a smaller blonde boy. Tried to follow their tracks, but lost them as they get inside some sort of big garden. After some prudent time of tracking, saw the blonde boy happily running towards a big building near.

-Isn't that Jarl Thonnen? - His hair was different, and seemed way less threatening than Thonnen, but his face was unmistakable. And some moments after that, saw Jorven heading towards the same direction. Was so changed! So, decided to wait a little and observe from far. From distance saw him to get close to two another smaller kids who were having some kind of argument. "Oh, not again!" he thought. But, shortly, saw Jorven carefully getting away from them, lowered his head. He ran towards him, and grabbed his right arm.

-Please, tell me you are Jorven!

......................................................................................................................................................................

-What we will do now? - Asked Fjonn.

-We will wait near for Martin. We must intercept him before that curled guy does.

-Who? What do you mean?

-He spotted me, Fjonn! He somehow realized i'm not from here!

-I'm not getting anything...

-Doesn't matter! Only that does is what we find Martin and some friend of his, and avoid the guys back there!

-Mmm, ok, but you'll give me the details later.

-Whatever, Fjonn. - He saw a little figure at the distance. - Hey, i think that's Martin! Let's go for him!

Martin was visibly hurried. Was already very late, and had the luck of finding Keith riding his bike, but almost he missed him if not for a very loud yell that drew him out of his thoughts. Tried to explain him that he needed his help seriously for a problem, but Keith wasn't in the mood for child playing, even with his best friend. More intrigued with Martin's insistence than anything else, he followed him towards the cinema.

-Seriously, Keith! we must hurry! Jorven is all alone there! Pleese!

-C'mon Martin, who's that guy anyway?

-He came from somewhere else, and he looked the same as Jason! So, Sniv caught us and had to take him to Jason's room and...

-Wait, you got inside Jason's house a completely stranger? What were you thinking, Martin?! He could have been a thief, or worse! He could have hurt you! - was visible upset about the poor decisions of Martin.

-But, you don't understand! He is like him! Really! But from somewhere else! Maybe another planet!

-Martin, i'm talking seriously to you! Never again! Promise!- he was very angry.

-Aww... - looked at Keith with a mixture of guilt and hurt by the incomprehension of his best friend. - Okay... i promise.

-Now we will find that guy and make him return all the stuff that... hey! Hi Jason! Fabian, you again?

Jorven and Fjonn were looking at him with a serious glance. Fjonn was holding the backpack in front of him. Both gave a glance inside, and a beam of light came from the backpack.

-Is he? - asked Jorven?

-He is - answered Fjonn.

-Guys, what are you holding there? - asked a puzzled Keith.

-What's that thing? Jorven? - asked Martin, very confused about what was happening.

Without losing time, Jorven ran towards Keith and grabbed him from behind to prevent him escape.

-Hey! What!? Let me go!

Fjon pulled the Eye of Loki, and his glow illuminated all the street. It looked as if were about to melt on Fjonn's hands, but he wasn't getting hurt at all!

-Easy, Dillinger, this should not be painful... or i hope so! - said Fjonn.

And walked towards a terrified and confused Keith.

-Noo! I dont want to use that thing! Put it away! Pleese! - Tried to get loose from "Jason" but he was solid as a rock! He had struggled with him before, and knew his strenght, but now was like if he turned onto some kind of statue! Won't move at all, and would not let him free!

And Fjonn put on his neck the Eye of Loki.

The shinning stopped abruptly, and Keith went to ground.

-Nooo! You pair of dumbs! - Martin started crying and hitting Jorven with his harmless little fists. Jorven didn't even notice.

-That was supposed to happen? - asked Fjonn

-Eh, wait! -noticed Jorven- You put the medallion backwards! Maybe you killed him, you dork!!!

The poor Martin started to scream on tears after that unfortunate observation.

-B-but the Oracle didn't say anything about it! How could i hav- and noticed some movement on Keith.- Eh, wait, he reacts!!!

Keith regained consciousness, but was very dizzy. A couple of tears went out from his eyes, that quickly were dried with his sleeves. Martin fell silent. Sat for some tens of seconds. Then stood up. And said:

-Let's find Narvik.

Chapter 7, "Keith Unleashed"  

Keith was walking amidst some kind of dense white fog, very confused. It was bright, though no source of light was visible anywhere. Barely remembered having riding his bike with his best friend on foot, and have found Jason and Fabian. Also, was getting dark, so, the clarity of the place, and the presence of such heavy fog were a disturbing factor for him. Although, was a peaceful place, and despite the lack of sense of recent events, if given the chance, he would like to go back there to do his meditations.

Suddenly the fog opened a wide corridor, and at few steps ahead, saw a middle aged man, blonde and very long hair that reached almost his waist, wearing a grey cassock. Was blindfolded, and sitting on floor, whatever the floor was. And he spoke to him.

-Please, sit beside me, Keith.

Keith really had nothing better to do. But prefered not to be near more than necessary from that weirdo.

-Excuse sir, but, i really prefer to...

-Sit!

And Keith sat.

- I really sorry to have resorted to this way to speak with you, dear.

-Nice weather, by the way - Keith couldn't avoid the sarcasm, with a eyebrow raised. - your favorite, i guess?

-Hehehe... i suspected you could bear such ways, my dear child... but, unfortunately, you will have to spare me that delight for the moment. Your friends are in mortal danger.

Keith got really surprised.

-Explain yourself!

-As you could have noticed, you are not on your beautiful town right now, and, believe me when i tell you this is more than a ordinary dream.

-Well, i can't see the cinema, so i guess you're right! What's the fuzz about it?

-Your world has received the visit of four presences from outside. Three of them are mirrors of three people that you love and respect, despite one of them is about to leave from this and every world forever, waiting tortured on a nightmarish sleep.

-So?

-Please dont interrupt, not yet at least! A fourth presence lies on the vessel that came to this world. It is not human, or mortal at all, and it is part of a terrible monstruosity that lies beneath the oceans on his homeworld. By now it sleeps, too, but it will awake eventually. Call it Kraken, if you want.

-So, what's the mortal danger?!

-While the three boys stands on this fruit of Yggdrassil, unwillingly they are provoking an unbalance on the whole branch, and with that, the destruction of your universe and theirs is imminent.

-What?! Are you serious?!

-Never have been more on my whole life, kiddo!

Keith wasn't sure if this was an extremely unpleasant joke of his mind or was a hidden camera behind somewhere. But it was not funny at all!

-What's that Ygdra- thing?

-Yggdrassil, well... you could call it "universe", but what does sustain your universe at his turn? That's Yggdrassil. It's the tree of everything, and the universes are his fruit. That's the short version. It's a really pain in the ass to try to explain such things on this tongue!

-Hehe... you name it!

Keith couldn't avoid to feel sympathy towards the weirdo. Something about him was very nice.

-Well, as i was trying to explain you, if they don't leave your fruit soon, the whole branch will fall and, with it, some hundreds of thousands of universes... a little thing for Yggdrassil itself, but a great deal for you!

Keith now started to dimensionate the severity of the situation.

-But, what can i do to avoid that?

-Easy-peasy!... such dumb terminology on this cursed tongue... you will become the Avatar of Loki!

-The ava-what of who?

-Bah, don't you worry, you will understand everything when you leave this place, and you will know what to do on wich moment... and will get some fun, also! So, i will not spoil the surprise! - the weirdo stood, and Keith followed.

-But, what will happen if i fail?

-Well, it's really uncertain. By all the explanations that the Lord of Tricksters has given to me, most of the universes who fall the branch will became a eternal ball of superheated goo, where time and space will be no more. For the few ones who don't get to that point, will go to Helm, to be ruled for Lady Hel: No more death, no more life, and, by what i heard, we will really miss that stuff! Lady Hel is a... kinda complicated b#%&".

-Aww. Okay... I guess i better leave now to try to fix that stuff then... But, what will i do with the "Kraken"?

-Oh, just send it where it will not disturb too much people! But before you leave, may i ask you for a favor?

-Okaaay... What would be such?

-Just give me a hug.

Keith was really puzzled. Never a character from his dreams had ever asked something from him. He couldn't avoid to like the weirdo in the cassock, so he hadn't trouble onto please him. And gave him a close, but cautious, hug.

-Oh Keith!... - with a saddened voice- My dear and wonderful boy!...

Suddenly Keith opened wide his eyes and clinged to the man.

-Dad?!

He awoke. Was again on the street, and around heard Martin crying hysterically and Jorven admonishing Fjonn. Now he knew who they were, and knew also what were they doing here. Still a little fuzzy, and remembering everything of that weird dream, tried to stood.

- Eh, wait, he reacts! Fjonn said.

Couldn't avoid the tears. He really felt him so close! But for so few time! Somehow, he suspected that he would see him again, so, dried his tears and sat on the floor. What should he do now? All remained silent.

Quickly he stood and ordered.

-Let's find Narvik.

-It worked! It worked! Yay! - Jorven and Fjonn were very happy, and hugged each other on genuine joy laughing, jumping and kissing as insane. Keith looked smiling and couldn't blame them; had happened for so much hardships on so few time! Even for seasoned sailors as them!

Martin was really happy to see his dear friend on foot.

-Oh Keith, i was so scared*sob*! - and hugged him

-It's ok, i'm fine. Thank you Martin. -he caressed his head - Now we must help them to go home.

Martin noded with a smile.

-Avatar! - Jorven said- We have marked the trees for...

-Call me Keith, please!

-Ok, sorry... Keith! We have...

-I know, i know, but will be not necessary for now to get onto the forest. Narvik will appear some blocks onward. Let's go!

Jorven and Fjonn shrugged their shoulders, and with Martin of the hand of Keith, they moved to the pointed direcction.

Suddenly, Keith couldn't avoid to see on the lonely street a beautiful and modern black bike, last model, chained to a metalic post. Wondering where he had seen it before, he remembered his; so, at the distance, he extended his opened right hand towards his bike on the ground, and closed it. His bike was not more. Jorven and Fjonn saw it all, and they marvelled about Keith's instant domain of his skills! Martin, though, had to ask.

-Keith, what did you do with your bike?

-Easy, -answered with a soft smile- i stored it on my house.

-Wow, cool! - and he needed no more explanaition.

Then, Keith remembered where had he saw that bike... was Bullmann's! So, with a heavy score to settle, dropped his left hand from Martin, and with both hands on air summoned two of the fiercest fireballs that anyone had seen so close and threw it to his mortal foe's greatest earthly possession. The poor bike melted after a big blast, leaving only a piece of chain as the only witness that it had ever existed something there. The post, though, was unscathed without a single scorch.

Now Jorven and Fjonn understood who destroyed the Kraken's tentacle that would have shattered the little Sven's body.

-Uff! That felt so damn good! - had to say Keith, with a wicked smile!

-How cool! Yeah! - Martin was on heaven with all the fireworks.

Jorven and Fjonn shrugged.

Keeping his advance, Keith could not avoid to see Glenwood from some distance. His face darkened with an evil smile and, while he lowered his head always looking the beautiful structure, raised slowly his hands. But then..

-Keith!!! Don't even think about it!!!- Martin commanded him, with a serious and mature glance, as his mom would do on such situation with a naughty boy!

Losing his initial happines but keeping the evil semblant, Keith lowered his hands, and musitated.

-Another day, Glenwood... another day...

And after a relaxing exhalation from Jorven and Fjonn, the boys continued his travel.

They kept advancing for some minutes and got near to the entrance of the forest. Heard some fast running behind them. Bullmann was quite... angry.

-Keith!!! You bastard!!! What did you do with my bike!!!

-Do i look like the lost and found department, you dork? That's what happens when you use your own dog chain to tie such expensive stuff!

- Son of b$%&h, i don't care about your girlfriends anymore, you all will pay!

Said that, drew a shiny switchblade from his pocket.

-Keith...! -said Martin scared and hugged him. Jorven and Fjonn were ready to fight. Keith made them a hand signal to wait.

-How dare you... to draw that thing... in front of a little kid, you stupid?! -Keith admonished the dork, and then, the switchblade, in matter of seconds, went to hot red, burning slightly Bullmann's hand. On floor the thing got melted with the floor!

-*tss* Ooouch!

Following, Keith made Bullmann to levitate with his left hand a couple of meters over the floor. Squealed like a catched pig, or a little girl.

-Eeeek! Eeeek!

-Martin - asked Keith - tell me about some animal that you like?

-Well... i like penguins! Because they are friendly, and small, and dance, and...

Extending his right hand, followed a very familiar *poof* noise.

A bundle of clothing fell to the ground. From inside, an small "emperor" penguin came, evidently confused.

-Gagaga!... gagagaga?...

Unsurprisingly, soon was surrounded by Jorven, Fjonn and Martin, with face of few friends. Te one who said that penguins cannot fly did not saw the kick that Fjonn provided to such specime for helping with his propulsion. Unfortunately for Bullmann, seemed that he skipped his penguin walking classes, and fell every two or three steps at first. Now on the run, and falling every five or six steps, looked like he was ready to go home.

The boys heard some walking noises from a nearby bush. Was quite late already, and the light was scarse. A group of boys came out almost at their side with one of them at the back of another exhausted, completely oblivious to them, and heard them saying:

-Ok, now we will ask to any adult circulating to get us to an hospital! We did it!

-Oh, at last!

Keith smiled. If fireballs and polymorphy were not enough to convince him that he has been talking with dad some minutes ago, to have seen his friends coming out heroically from a dark forest with someone in need on his back, renewed his far lost hope on the existance of good and true friendship on this world. And, for that, he would save it. But there was some work to do first, though.

-An hospital for him wouldn't do any good! - Said to the exhausted boys.

Chapter 8, "When you win"

At Jason's, the sweaty and muddy Niklas, Fabi and Jason himself had some rest at last. Martin had to go home, and Keith accompanied him, since didn't wanted something to happen on his way. Narvik was carried by Jorven to Jason's bed, after remove his clothing and clean some of his body with a sponge from mud and general filth, also to try of giving some hidratation, while Jason asked himself how did he knew where was his bedroom without ask. Nobody pronounced a single word. To Jorven's relief, and Jason's worry, despite the hour, was no signal about Sniv's whereabouts. And if Sniv was not in home when mom arrived, and found two Jasons, two Niklases and two Fabis instead... well, you get the idea.

Struggling for not fall asleep, Niklas opened his mouth and broke the silence.

-Who are you? - asked with a tired voice.

-I am Jorven.

-I am Fjonn.

-Curious... nordic names... - answered Niklas. looked around him, and saw Fabi was already asleep. Jason was caring to Narvik, and trying to make him comfortable on his bed.

-Now who are you? - asked Fjonn.

-I am Niklas Edlund, the guy asleep is Fabian Waitaweill and the guy with Narvik is Jason Van Mason. We live here.

-Niklas, - asked Jorven - do you have something to eat?

-I'll take care of that, Nikki - Jason heavily raised and went down to the kitchen.

Niklas was kinda upset. This mess needed some serious explanation, and those guys were asking for food? Such selfishness and lack of courtesy received from completely strangers! But he has more questions in mind for making an argument about that.

-What are you doing here?

-Sorry Niklas, i am really not in the mood for interrogations. - answered Jorven.

-I'll go to the yard to do my stuff, i'll be back- said Fjonn.

-Wait! The bathroom is for that!

Niklas guided to a twitching Fjonn to the bathroom, and showed him the toilet.

-You really expect from me to sit there and do my stuff? Really? Sorry, not in the mood!

And went to the backyard.

Discouraged, Niklas entered the room to try getting more info from Jorven, but found him deeply asleep on the floor!

-Oh c'mon!- He couldn't believe his bad luck. But then when he believed that nothing could be worse, felt a heavy commotion coming from the kitchen, with some broken dishes noise, stumbling of furniture, and nightmarish screaming! Inmediately ran down to see what was going on!

-Sniv!!! Put that damn thing down!!! - Yelled a terrified Jason.

-What did you do to my brother, you imposter!!!

Jason was running from an stick-wielding hysterical Vincent, and got him contained circling around the dinning table.

-Sniv! It's me! Jason! The real one!

-Bullshit! What did you do with the real one! - Sniv was profusely crying, and completely out of control! Fjonn had heard the rampage, and seeing a chance to disarm him, got close by his back and neutralized the stick. Then Jason climbed the table and jumped towards Sniv, dropping him with a hug.

-Sniv! It's me, you brother!

-Nooo,*sob* nooooo!

-Remember the bunkbeds!

And then, Sniv, started to calm himself.

-It's ok, bro... calm... calm...

Niklas was petrified! Never tought that this situation could arrive at such point of violence! "Poor Sniv.-he tought- What happened here while we were on the woods?" And then, realized that everyone were too exhausted for understanding anything.

-Ok. I will take Jorven to my house. You will keep Narvik and Fabi. - Jason was caressing Sniv, who was regaining some rationality at the time.

-Ok, Nikki, but what will we do with Fabi's mom?

-I will go to his house. - Said Fjonn.

Niklas wanted to object, but doubted that Fabi could go by his own means to home. He got close to Fjonn almost touching his face, and spoke low but very seriously.

-You know how to get there?

-Yes i do.

Niklas was repulsed to the very idea to supplant his very best friend. But hadn't choice.

-Use the damn bathroom! - said to him with almost anger.

-Nah! - and then, Fjonn walked back a few steps back, always staring Niklas to the eyes, and walked to the dark of the night. Although bothering, Niklas found that little act of defiance... very appealing.

Keith arrived immediately, and saw Sniv and Jason on the floor. Didn't need someone to explain him what happened.

-Oh! Poor Sniv... - said sincerely commoved of seeing his pal on that state, and caressed his head - Hush... hush... tomorrow will be a beautiful day...

Sniv fell asleep inmediately. Jason grabbed him towards his room and put on bed, with a kiss on his forehead. Then glanced onto his own room to the slept Jorven.

-We will have words...

And went to the kitchen, to join the cleaning effort before mom arrived.

Jason, Niklas and Keith were cleaning all the mess. Keith asked to put all the fragments of broken stuff onto a single plastic bag. And started to relate the three boys oddisey, since attacked by the Kraken, almost being executed by his king, until Martin found them. He didn't wanted to relate what happened next. That would be dangerous for everyone's hearth.

All pieces together, Keith grabbed the bag and, after some shaking, returned completed and unbroken pieces of the dishes and all other stuff. Niklas and Jason couldn't believe what they saw, but Keith asked them that dont think about it. They had more urgent and crucial work to do, right now. So, they sat at the living room.

-You must get inside his mind to awaken him, Niklas! - Said a very concerned Keith.

-You know i would, if that thing was remotely possible, Keith! But, are you teasing me?

-What else do you want from me, Niklas?! To bring a f&%$#"g dinosaur to prove you it can be made?!

All that situation was already insane enough to play the role of "unbeliever"

-If Narvik doesn't awoke, he will die!. If he dies, his universe dies!. If his universe dies, all his branch of universes, that include ours, dies! Something more to clarify?

-Why him? And why Niklas?- asked Jason.

-Don't really know... his fate is somehow tied to the very same Yggdrassil, or "all the universes", for what you concern! More, though, dunno. For the other hand, only Niklas can go as deep as needed on his mind, and hope to return sane, or return at all! From all the universes!

A low frequency subterranean noise sounded faintly, but with enough clarity, to be noticed as unnatural.

-What was that? A quake? - asked Jason scared.

-It's the "fracture". - Keith put his hands to his face- We are running out of time. They are overloading our universe with their very own presence. If they linger more, all we know will be destroyed!

That was new! For Jason and Niklas, at least.

-Sent them back then! - replied Jason.

-Are you stupid?! Didn't you listen what i said?! He must return awoken or there will be nothing for him to return! Or to stay!

-So what are we waiting for? Let's awake him! - Said Niklas.

-You could get trapped inside too!

Niklas was stunned. The whole operation was increasingly dangerous. Not just had to risk his body before, now his own mind! But, he made an oath to a dying boy, and he will fulfill it, even if the price was death!

-Doesn't matter, i'll do it!

-Niklas, please! It's insane, must be some other way! - Jason begged him to stop the nonsense!

-There is not other way... i'm sure of that. - Keith started crying.- You really think that *sob* i would ask Niklas to risk his life if i had another choice at hand?!

Niklas conforted Keith with a sweet hug. He may have "superpowers" now, but still is just a boy. And one of the finest, at his eyes. Since they met him.

-Sorry, Keith... it's just...*sob* the idea of losing Nik... oowww... - Jason couldn't talk more. Couldn't handle anything anymore. Had to hug Keith too. Niklas now conforted two desolated crying boys. Let some time to pass... then, dried their tears and kissed their heads.

-Let's do this! - Said with a rogue smile.

The boys went to Jason's room, avoiding the sleeping ones on the floor. Keith made Niklas to lay at the side of Narvik. And touched both heads with his soft hands.

-I'm... afraid, Keith.- Niklas whispered.

-I too, Niklas.

And in front of a concerned Jason and a focused Keith, Niklas went asleep.

Opened his eyes and found himself on a dark and scorched prairie, under a red and thundering sky. A beautiful steel armor covered his chest. The air was almost unbreathable, and tasted sulphur. Headed to a charcoal forest at his rigth side. Something called for him.

After a long struggle with the cindered branches and scorched sands, that stained on black all his self and difficulted even more to advance or breath, arrived to some sort of dead vine's grotto. A very tall, slim and beautiful woman, two or three meters tall, dressed with violets and charcoal, sitted onto a obsidian throne, cuddling a white and parlyzed Narvik, dressed only with his coat. She had their eyes bright as molten lava, and her skin had the color blue of the deep sea. Was surrounded with bushes of red roses... dripping a black oil. She delighted herself onto her prize, caressing his immobile face.

-Doesn't seem so beautiful, so eternal, so docile, Niklas Edlund? - Spoke with a voice soft and careful, as a mother caring for not to awake his little child. The woman didn't even looked at Niklas when talking.

-W-what?

-Tell me, little, weak and puny boy, why do you want to take him from my sweet embrace? He is better here! I will be his mother and father, and he will be my comatose child. I'll promise you will join us! Always have time to play with such delights as you! Hehehe. An eternity, in fact.

-Let him go, monster! - Niklas didn't allow his fear to domain him despite the disgusting spectacle.

-Recognize that now he doesn't seem so dangerous as to be feared! But upstairs, oh boy! He is another one! You really thought that i would have waited complete ages until Yggdrassil rot itself to take what it's mine by birthright? And to deliver it to you, nonetheless?

-He is not yours nor mine! He is from himself! Now let him go! - He was deeply enraged.

-Shhh. Such ignorance deserves severe punishment; don't you have a bed to wet, sissy boy? Hahahahaha!

Niklas understood. The monster was trying to gain time. He calmed himself.

-Why do you fear me, ma'am? I'm so dangerous for you that you had to present yourself to protect you prey?

-So, - changing to a defiant and more terrible voice - the little Edlund wants to play hero? You know you never defeat anything! Why this time would be diferent?

Niklas was not disposed to expend more time on nonsense and advanced towards Narvik.

-So bad do you want to rescue him? Good, amuse me!

The woman and Narvik dissapeared. But a great concentric wall raised around Niklas with a diameter of twenty feet aproximatedly and eternal height, and found himself surrounded and enclosed on matter of three seconds! Beneath him, found Narvik's body, still parlized. A gate opened on a side of the round wall.

When grabbed Narvik, thousands of spiked vines poured from everywhere, and then realized that he was shoeless!

-You can get out from here, Edlund! You can save yourself from madness and eternal sleep! But you must release that heavy burden...-whispered- dead weight!

Niklas was not dispose to lose. Not this time.

Started to advance through the spikes. Was a terrible pain! Every step was more painful than the other, and he really didn't wanted to go further! He wanted to wake up! And then, in middle of the spikes he realized that this was not a dream, but an new and horrible world!

-Hahahaha! So you now understand, Edlund? Good. Now despair!

The spikes started to move beneath him, and he still was carrying Narvik. Every step was a scream of agony! Every centimeter further was a excruciating pain! And a laughter from an pure evil entity, who didn't wanted to lose her toy, and had just made a bet for gaining another one!

At half way to the exit, Niklas fell on his knees. And the vines teared apart his shiny armor, and he felt them hurting him badly!

-Throw him from your back! Edlund, hehehehe! Silly boy! Save yourself! Be smart! -whispered again - You will never win this! You never win anything!

The sadness and despair started to consume him.

A little voice far away spoke to his ear...

-Nikki...

He knew from who it came

-Nikki, when you will win a fight?

And Niklas took his choice.

-Now i will win this fight, Jason!!!

Started advancing as if were not tomorrow! Enraged, the dark lady sent more vines, more movement. He could feel the pain, but his love was above it! He could feel the fear, but a promise was his shield! He could not walk anymore, then he crawled. Felt himself being shattered on his very sould and mind, but he would show his beloved Jason that he will win that fight! For everyone. For Narvik!

The wrath of the Dark Lady was unbound! Niklas was too close of the gate, only two feet afar, but he couldn't move anymore.

-Niklas... - spoke Narvik - ... let ... me ... fall.

-W..what?

-Let... me... fall! Save... yourself...

And Niklas cried in pain and defeat. The Dark Lady laughtered on victory! Niklas answered:

-You're.. right.*sob* I will.. loose you... *sob*- and closed his eyes, in tears.

Niklas raised... an pushed Narvik. Towards the gate!!! And Narvik crossed!

-NOOOOOOO!!! DAMN YOUUUUU!!! DAMN YOUUUUU!!!! - a terrible thundering voice exploded towards everywhere. A massive earthquake followed!

Niklas smiled, and fell on the spikes. He was beyond any reaction to pain.

-I won, Jason... I... won...

The dark lady apeared at Niklas standing at his side, her eyes hot and bright as the sun, her face twisted on wrath and hate!

- I will teach you every day, every minute, a new way of agony!!! I will rip the flesh from your soul, paste it again, and rip it once and once, and you will know the true meaning of despair and madness!!! You will be my toy, my pet, my ragdoll, forever!!!

Two thin but strong arms and a smiling blonde freckled face came out from the gate and grabbed Niklas's arms.

-But not in this universe, bitch!

And pulled him out from there.

With a huge gasp, both boys awoke at the same time. Niklas burst into tears, while Narvik puked some more of the transparent liquid. Jason conforted Niklas, that didn't stop saying "I won, Jason, I won!", while Jorven, at hearing the puke efforts from Narvik, awoke too and went to assist him. Keith was breathless, but conscious! Even for him the experience has been a challenge, and knew everything what happened there. Didn't wanted to tell, tough, despite Jason's interest. He simply went to Niklas and kissed his head. Narvik looked at Jorven, who couldn't hold his tears from happiness. Then, Niklas and Narvik looked each other.

-I sweared you that you would be fine.

Narvik smiled at him. And kissed his cheek. And fell asleep, but now with a relieved face.

Was a lot of things to assimilate for a day. The Avatar of Loki had to stay there for the night, as tired he was, so Jason called to his grandma, to avoid her worries. Was almost midnight. Niklas had to go to his home with Jorven; mom and dad were very angry at him and Jason for have been all the day outside without saying where they were. Jorven, as agreed with Jason, told them that they were at the charity event, but got too tired at the journey back and they fell asleep on Jason's. As they were genuinely and obviously tired, mom and dad believed them. So they went to his room and, without even get undress but heir shoes and socks, fell asleep over the bed, without a word. Jason's mom arrived home shortly, and Jason handled the situation skillfully as usual, so she didn't asked much. Arranged the spots for sleeping, Narvik and Fabi on his bed, he onto a sleeping bag. Any place was comfy, anyway.

From an unconspicuous round shield dropped in the middle of the forest, a piece of tentacle no greather than a thumb, started to move towards the nearest source of water...

Chapter 9, "Piece of sushi" 

It was nine o'clock in the morning, and Fjonn awoke on Fabi's bed, covered by his blankets. He remembered to have arrived to his bedroom the last night, but didn't want to use the bed, so he just laid down on the floor at the side, and shrugged. He could have slept over a rock, so tired he was. Then he noticed his shoes, dressed the day before by Fabi's mom herself, had been removed and put onto a side. By the way, though he was very used to pass a couple of days without eating at all, now he felt the urge of feeding, so, raised up, put the shoes, more to avoid suspicion than else, despite he really liked the clothing of this place, grabbed again Fabi's backpack, and went downstairs. Fabi's mom was waiting for him sitted on table, with a place to have a delicious breakfast.

He sat there without saying a word. It was like a little party just for him. Miss Waitaweill then brought a bowl of cereal, fried eggs, bacon and milk. He ate everything, with his usual voracity. So, Fabi's mom cooked for him more eggs and bacon, and sat to observe him devour, with a smile. Obviously, Fjonn remembered his manners, and sucked notoriously his fingers after grab the bacon and cleansed his face with his sleeve as thoroughly as he could, always smiling.

Then, Mrs. Waitaweill took a cloth bag filled with fruits, sandwiches and some cartons of milk, and gave to Fjonn.

-This is for your friends to have breakfast too, Fabi.

Fjonn then, raised from the table and grabbed the bag. Heading to the door, he realized that, once he crossed it, he would never saw the weird looking lady again. He turned back to her, who looked at him seriously standing beside the table, dropped the bag and ran towards her, and gave a strong hug. He didn't wanted to cross the door; he wanted to have breakfast all the time, and wear the stupid "underwear", ride metalic things and get sometimes that "icething" with her! But he knew that was not his life, but someone's else; that if he stay, everything would perish. Miss Waitaweill kissed his head, and conforted him caressing his hair, without showing surprise, or doubt at all. Then she cleansed his tears with her own sleeve, and said with great tenderness.

-Aren't your friends waiting for you somewhere, Fabi?

-Yes... they are, mother.

Said that, She gave a huge kiss to his forehead, and Fjonn headed towards the door. Grabbed the cloth bag and put inside Fabi's backpack, gave a sad last glance to Mrs. Waitaweill, and left. Reserved the hiccups for outside.

Drying a little tear from her eyes, Mrs. Waitaweill musitated.

-Godspeed, dear kid, wherever you have to go!

At Van Mason's, he found happily that Narvik was awake, drinking and eating on kitchen's table. Jason was wondering how such thin lad could ingest such quantities of food and drink without dying, when Narvik stood at the sight of his old friend and ran to embrace him. Was a moving scene, as Narvik cried loud and repeating Fjonn's name. Jason remembered Sniv, still asleep but about to wake up. So he headed to his room and found him sitting on his bed. Started explaining, as best as he could, some of the weird happenings of yesterday, and Sniv told him about his side of the facts. Jason couldn't avoid to be really upset when Sniv mentioned Jason's savings, and felt compelled to give Sniv a big piece of his mind; Sniv didn't care at all... really he was the true Jason! At least, the movie was neat!

Somehow, when Niklas and Narvik shared that horrible nightmare, their wires got crossed, and now Narvik could speak freely on the local language without needing the Rune of Loki. Was quite a discovery, but he really regret the fact of not being on a pleasure trip, and spend more time knowing the locals. Sniv and Jason got down to meet them, and Sniv couldn't believe that upstairs were Fabi, still asleep, and downstairs another version of him, almost identical!

Narvik couldn't avoid to make the comment.

-Jason! - with a very loud voice, as used to give commands, and some juice and bread poured from his lips - You brother looks very simmilar to Sven! *munch* Jorven's little brother! Quite weird, dont you think?!*slorp*

-He has a little brother too?- answered a surprised Jason.

-Hey!- remarked Sniv - I'm no soo litle, you know?

-About that, Narvik -intervened Fjonn - it's best if you don't mention it to Jorven...

-What! What happened to Sven!!!

-The Kraken hurted him... we don't know if he survived.

Narvik lost all of his good mood. And gave a fierce punch to the table!

-Hey, calm down! Calm down! We saw Thonnen drag him from the beach, so i think he is ok.

-Damn beast! Poor Jorven! I should have been there! Gaah!

Jason and Sniv knew nothing at all about Jorven's little brother. Very attentive they heard the story from Fjonn about Sven's fighting against the Kraken's tentacle, and his fate. Couldn't help to feel sorry for them both. Jason couldn't imaginate to pass about that situation, forced to leave his wounded brother to go a far and unknown land. Sniv had the same thoughts... he would risk his life thousand times for Jason... if only were a way to let him know...

-And that dumb of Thonnen! To have you chained! Doubted about your loyalty! I will punch his face! For the Gods i will!

-First we have to get you there! - Appeared a tiresome Keith, and his medallion.

-Keith, what's that thing? Seems so cool! - Sniv asked.

-I'll tell you later, Sniv. For now, we must be on the move towards the river. Now.

-I want to go too, Jason! - Sniv was very anxious.

-No way, Sniv. Don't want you to tangle more on this mess.

-But i have to see the other Jason!

-That's precisely why i don't want you to go there! Last night you tried to kill us with a stick! I don't know how will you react if you se him again.

-Humm... guess you're right. But i didn't wanted to kill everyone, just you!

Everybody laughted. Except Jason. Fabian then appeared on the kitchen, still drowsy.

-Keith! - asked Narvik - What about Niklas and Jorven?!

-I have already sent for him... don't you worry.

Meanwhile, on Edlund's home, Niklas was awoken by... Keith!

-Wake up, you lazy! - he yelled at his ear.

-Emm... what?

-Niklas, we must go to the river now. Wake up, and awake Jorven.

They were in a tangled mess. A foot of Niklas was on Jorven's face, while he was sucking his toe. Niklas was delighted, and waited a little longer. Jorven, then, regaining consciousness of his acts and started spitting convulsively with a grin of disgust. Niklas couldn't avoid to smile and blush.

-Damn you!... pffft! Pfft!

-Ehehehe...

-Keith, gimme something to take out the taste, bleagh! - begged Jorven.

-Heh! Here you go!

And threw to him a big leg of smoked ham.

-Yummy! - And Jorven started to devour.

-Eat it on the road, we hafta go now! - hurried a insistent Keith.

Niklas grabbed a box of chocolate milk from the fridge and was on the move. Jorven suddenly dissapeared.

-Where's that fool?!

-Oh, sorry - said a relieved faced Jorven - Had to go to do my stuff! Hehehe!

But he didn't got apart from his leg of ham.

With a evident face of disgust, a box of chocolate milk drinking Niklas, a ham eating Jorven and Keith started to head towards the river. At a block of distance, they could hear Niklas's mom screaming when she went to water her beloved petunias. Niklas frowned at Jorven, who returned him a mischievous glance. Jorven's vengeance had been ruthless.

-Just... advance... dork *sip*!

-As you say, *munch* milk drinker! - answered a very satisfied Jorven.

They couldn't avoid to laughter some steps further. Niklas hated those petunias anyway.

All the boys found themselves on certain part of the river, known for having a nice depth and small current. Both groups were leaded by a Keith, that, when the groups got together, dissapeared with a big *poof*. From behind, appeared the real one.

-Sorry for that, guys, but i was soo drowsy... Yawn! So i sent some images of me to gather you, and prepare the travel. While i figured how to get these - and dropped from his hands three old but nice swords. Narvik, Fjonn and Jorven hurried to grab them, and started practicing some fencing.

-Where did you get that? - asked Niklas

-From the boat, of course. If you ask me how do i know about it, i'll turn you onto a squirrel!

-What?

-Anyway - Keith tried to emphatize- we must be prepaired to fight against...

-What's going on here?!

Jonathon had followed Niklas and, supossedly, Jason and Keith. He needed to talk with the latter about something important and headed to Van Mason's but found them walking on the street, though he wondered why he behave like some sort of caveman eating such big smoked leg of ham on plain sight, and what was wearing Keith around his neck. When he saw both Keith's dissapear, he hid, and listened. But his curiosity, to see his friends gathered, and some dudes who looked really like three of them, was too much for keeping quiet.

Nobody moved a muscle.

-I will ask again! What - is - going - on - here!!! This time with a fierce temper. Narvik was wondered to see the similitude with his dear friend Jarl Thonnen, even on manners!

-Jonathon, you must leave! This is going to be really danger...

-Bullshit, Keith, i demand an explanation right now! - And then he saw both Jason's.

-Holy shit! Sniv was right!!! Oh my... - he had not time for more melodramatics, since a dense stream of a black liquid sprang from the river right to Keith's eyes, and turned him temporarily blind!

-Gaaaaah!

-Keith! What happened! - Niklas divisated the source of the stream, and saw bubbling.

-Get ready for battle!!! - Ordered Narvik, Fjonn and Jorven at his sides, between the river and Keith.

Raised from the river a way more slim version of the monstruosity that they faced on the sea. But the thing now spoke to the minds of everyone with a polite and chivalrous voice.

-I have been commanded from Lady Hel herself to bring Edlund and Narvik to her realm! Their flesh and the flesh of their friends shall be the sweet spoil and prize for my success!!!

Said that, the hostilities began.

A thin but long tentacle slided and grabbed Niklas from one foot, and started to drag him towards the beast. Fabi and Jason quickly grabbed his arms and started to pull him back. Way more of them headed right towards Narvik, but he cut them down with mastery, so Fjonn and Jorven. Keith was still out of combat! And now Jonathon didn't know what to do! Was a mess!

-Jon! Nghh...

-Keith! What's that thing!!! - said Jon scared to death.

-Listen! Nghh... you have to guide my arm towards the beast! Tell me "fire" when you got it on sight!

-What?!

-Just do it! Fast! Aim the palm of my hand towards one of the tentacles!- and raised his rigth arm with his hand extended in front of him, while his left hand tried to remove some of the dark liquid from his eyes.

Jonathon was not understanding too well what was expected from him but did as Keith asked: got behind Keith and aligned his right eye with Keith's shoulder and hand. He took some seconds, and saw a raising tentacle over the beast ready to smash Narvik!

-Fire!!!

Keith concentrated and summoned a fierce ball of fire, who went straight towards the bulk and blasted part of it with a great and disgusting explosion of meat. Jonathon was in heavens!

-Wooaaah!

-Focus! Aim again! - corrected Keith.

Now with more calibration, the batlle intensified. Then, saw two tentacles grabbing Niklas at his right side, and pulling Jason and Fabi too! Aimed at them.

-Fire!!!

The fierce fireball blasted completely both of the tings. A horrid screech of the beast was a patent sing of his pain and frustration!

-We are hitting it hard boys! - Yelled Narvik, cutting another of the thin tentacle with his sword!

-I pierced your mother's eye, monster! And i will do the same for you! - Jorven took courage at fighting beside his friends!

-Hehehehee! - Said Fjonn thrusting his sword and making the beast squeal!

Niklas, Fabi and Jason were not apart to the fight, and started throwing rocks to the beast.

-Die, you mangy squid! - Said Jason, remembering what he heard about Sven.

-Boys! - said Fabi - The thing is regenerating his tentacles!!!

Effectively, the sort of "talking giant river squid" was reconstructing it's wrecked extremities at a very fast speed.

-Damn it! We can't kill it! I need to send it somewhere else, but it's too close! - Keith knew that the only way on wich he could get rid of the beast was if, for some miracle, it was suspended on air, but the thing was huge, even if not of the size of the Kraken itself! Also, it was too near to cast some sort of spell without getting hurt everyone else!

And then, Martin appeared from behind the bushes some meters away! And started to yell to the monster at some distance. Keith horrified himself! The little one was running mortal danger on that place!

-You, bad squid! Let my friends alone.. you dumb...you mean... you naughty - threw some little rocks that didn't even arrived a third of the distance- you... piece of sushi!

The monster stop completely his squealing and attacks and turned completely towards Martin. Keith started to see some shadows...The wrathfull giant squid started to move on Martin's direcction, at the horrorized sight of everyone! Fabi ran towards Martin to getting him out of the way, but the beast anticipated and gave him a whipping, rendering Fabi unconscious. Then it's horrible jaws came out from the water.

-Martin!!! Nooo!!! -Keith was hopeless. He couldn't do anything to save his best friend.

Martin was paralyzed, and started screaming.

-Keith! Help me!!! Keeeith!!!

The whole set of new tentacles launched themselves against the poor boy.

Suddenly, was stopped. Fjonn had grabbed the tentacle who whipped Fabi... and he had done it wearing the Girdle of Jormungandr!

-Keith! Do your stuff!!! - he said.

And then, he threw the monster flying towards Keith's direction. The monstrusity screeched rabidly and completely caught off surprise, and now Keith was going to get payback! With his left hand hold suspended the monster on the air while his right was casting some kind of powerful and unknown spell.

-Go to somewhere else, piece of sushi!!!

Massing all it's wrath, the monster lauched all what he got: ink, tentacles, screeching, against the Avatar of Loki, but it was lost... Keith smiled, and his eyes glowed in power and maleficent cunning! With a huge *poof*, the squid was vanished from the place.

The viking boys yelled in victory! Jason and Niklas were concerned about Fabi, who was regaining his senses, and Jonathon went to help Martin. Keith headed to the little boy.

-*sob* I only wanted to say goodbye before they go, waaa...

-It's ok, Martin, the squid is gone... it's ok...

-Dude, you MUST teach me to launch fireballs! - Jonathon said very anxious and hyperkinetic. Keith just rolled his sored eyes.

-C'mon, i mean it! I...

-So, you are Martin, right! - Narvik was looking with curiosity to the crying kid.

-Eee... Niklas?

-Nah, he's there. I am Narvik, Thane of Trondheim! Let me say that i have never know such little and insanely brave kid as you! I will sing personally the songs of your deeds on the Main Hall. And this is for having cared of my friends on this difficult moment!. I will never forget it!. - He gave a little golden brooch in the form of some sort of deer, that he used to tie his coat befor he lost it somewhere.

-Cool! Thanks!

-That's the best you will get! - spoke Jorven - He sings like a walrus in heat!

Everybody laughtered about, Except Narvik who tried to demonstrate that false statement. Jorven was damn right.

-Keith - whispered Martin - Why a walrus would get in heat if they live on the north pole?

Chapter 10, "Words of departure"

A few hours after the "Piece of Sushi" incident, the Drakkar was floating on the river, and ready to go. Keith had "teletransported" it so it was just matter of small repairing and tie up some loose ends. Was the moment to say goodbye. Jonathon still didn't understand some details, and the need of them to leave at once; he was sure that aunt Celia would allow them to stay some time, and suspected that Randy would be a very good friend for Jorven if meet. But, the decision was made, and he, inside his heart, forgived Jorven for the liberties that both enjoyed on the park.

When Jorven saw how Jason took Jon's hand at the moment to say goodbye, had no doubt that they would be long lasting friends, and got sincerely happy for them. His heart, tough, still was heavy due to the uncertain about his little brother.

-I really sorry about your brother, Jason. - Said a kinda sad Jorven. - He is a good guy. I'm sure i scared him a lot with what we did - Martin, near, couldn't avoid to lower his head ashamed when heard that.

-Hey, don't you worry. He was just spooked. He is a lot calm by now. I really hope that Sven be fine.

-Heh, they are quite alike, by the way... did you knew that Sven was going to storm alone the Jarl's palace to release me when Fjonn and i were in the dungeons?

-No way! Really? What a badass! - exclaimed an happy and very interested Jon; after all Sniv was his best friend!

-Sniv tried to kill me last night with a stick, thinking i was you! So i guess that makes them more closer than they ever will know...

After a long sigh, Jason extended his hand to Jorven, who took it firmly.

-Thanks for all, Jason. Love your brother, please.

-I do, Jorven. - and a hug was unavoidable. Then, Jorven looked at Jonathon.

-How's that Jarl Thonnen you mentioned?

-He's a fierce warrior! And has a shitty temper, too! You are way more nicer, Jon

Jon couldn't avoid to laughter at such revelations. He hugged firmly to Jorven, who couldn't avoid to caress such beautifull head. Jason felt kinda jealous but, who without a stone by heart couldn't love Jonathon, after all?

-I will miss you, my liege.

On a little more far place, Fabi was talking with his alter ego. They were sat on the grass, watching the river to flow. Some little fish was festing with the pieces of the squid that the birds haven't picked before falling to the water.

-You mother is... kinda weird.

-Yeah, good you noticed.

-But she loves you. And cares about you. And makes that "breakfast" stuff. You really don't like that?

-It's more complicated than that, Fjonn - Fabi was, despite all recent events, still mourning for Jeremy.- I can't stop seeing her and... to think on Jeremy... and how she took part on our separation... When Hank left home and grabbed Jerry, because of her...

Fjonn associated the beach picture. Now he understood what Fabi was not only sad, but anger. Was an unfair anger, but it was there. And he had to deal with it.

-Talk to her, Fabian! Talk to your mother! And find some way to forgive her and forgive the world! Dont miss "breakfastes" anymore, please!

Fabian's tears started to run free, and Fjonn clinged to him, watching the river, caressing his hair, touching both heads.

-How much i wanted a breakfast when freezing at the piers of Trondheim, Fabi! Or loading crates heavier than me, or when having to eat rotten fish, when was available and the dogs were not too big! You are so rich! You are so beautiful! Don't want to see you suffer!

Fabi hugged Fjonn. Now both were crying.

-*sob* Well Fabi, time to go. I'll give you back your bag...

-Keep it Fjonn, please. *sob* It's a gift. To remember us.

-*sob* Thanks, Fabi.

They kept hugging a little more time.

-You mother was born with that hair color?

Inside the boat, Narvik was tiding up everything for the travel back. He felt that, due his recent "vacations" ant the quantity of work that Fjonn and Jorven had to endure while he was cuddling with the Dark Lady, they deserved at least some time to talk and relax. Niklas offered himself to help in someway, and, despite being the worst class of sailor available, his company was more than welcome.

Also, he needed to give his thanks, at lack of any kind of reward available for him to give.

-So, Niklas, was i too heavy on your trip?!- Asked loud and clear while arranging some loose shields.

-Nah, dont worry about it. Everyone helped.

-Yes, i know. - lowered his voice to a normal tone - Life is way more easier when you have a good crew of friends to help you. We are privileged.

-Absolutely, Narvik.

-About the dream, tough, when i told you to let me loose, i really meant it, by the way.

-He! You should know that our brain can be such a jerk sometimes!

Both gave the same loud laughter. Were so equal, but one was a fierce warrior, and the other... not.

-Niklas, you heart is the one who will tell you what battles are worthy of fighting and winning. Nothing else. That will make you deadlier than the sharpest sword or the longest spear. But you know that already. I'm so sorry for not having a worthy reward for giving to you that could barely match the weight of the gift that you gave me, beside my eternal love and gratitude for your hardships.

-That's the only reward that matters, Narvik.

Narvik gave him a great and strong hug. Niklas caressed his blonde hair.

-I gladly would fight at your side Niklas. I would teach you mi techniques, and tell my stories, and you would be loved, feared and respected as i am! Tough i would never put you onto a boat on open sea, you would get killed by a Narwhal!

They laughed again. And kissed sweetly in the mouth for a long while.

-You're such a jerk!- Niklas gave a dreamy glance to his twin

-You too, milk drinker! - Narvik winked with a mischievous glance.

As Martin was spellbound playing and exploring the old and big Drakkar, the only one who didn't shared his meditations was Keith, the Avatar. Anyway, he was not there; not in mind, at least. Didn't took much for him to return to that neat place amidst the clouds, fog or whatever that thing was. And, obviously, he was interested on talking with just one person.

Found it sitting at the same spot than before, "looking" the floor. Didn't expected an invitation, and just sit at his side. He could take all the time in the world, and he did. Both remained silent at each side. Meditating their words, without a damn clock that ordered to be great and short on your damn speeches, or a dumb audience to tell you if you are talking nonsense or distasteful themes. That was the neat of this place, but was better to share it with someone who really could apreciate it.

-Are you my father?

-I had a little boy once. And a wife. They were beautiful, and i loved them at such point that i would tear my own heart apart with my hands for protecting them. But they fell from Yggdrassil. Now on my fruit, they are just an echo. As my love. You are a reflection of him, as your mother is of my wife. For you, though, i am the reflection of your father. Our kinship goes deeper that the bonds of father and son.

-So then, why i can't go with you? Why i have to endure such jerk disguised as father?!

-Every fruit of Yggdrassil has it's unique taste, but every seed is placed on the right spot. Even if we dont like the branch at all. Dear Keith, don't you see with all the skills you have the importance of yourself for your world? For your mother? For your friends? For Martin?

Keith was quite baffled. The weirdo seemed to know a lot from he, but he knew nothing about the weirdo.

-I share with you the blessings of Loki. That's our bond. Our reward for the heavy payment that we have given to Yggdrassil. -accoted the weirdo.

-And if we shake the branch until what belonged to us is returned?!

The blind mand took Keith's hand. He shaked. Could feel his face stained with tears even if he couldn't see it.

-My father told me once, that if you loved someone, and you feel your chest burning on his memory, they are alive inside of you, no matter wherever they are. I tell you the same, Keith. Fall from the branch is the fate of all the things, and, as they fall, they become part of the tree. I see my little and wife everywhere, as everywhere evokes onto me their blessing. Don't tear yourself apart. He is alive. He always will be alive for you, for his little boy. Shaking the branch only would provoke more leaves to fall.

Keith then understood that he could not use his power to bring his father back. And, even sending all the universes to hell, his feelings would not be apeassed, but only made worse by the guilt and futility.

-All what matters is that you are loved, Keith. I'm so glad to have found you. -

And Keith and the weirdo hugged.

Was time to travel.

Narvik, Fjonn and Jorven hugged the little Martin, kissing him a lot. Martin was so happy to have helped that forgot quickly the fear provoked by the mean squid, and returned a lot of kisses too, with the promise of never forgetting them. After a long series of hugging and kissing, from wich not even Keith could escape, promises of "being good" and other shows of affection, the three vikings roared from inside the boat, making sword and shield battering noise as his bests goodbyes for everyone on land, and they released they moorings. Keith then as the boat drifted, focused all his power to open the Bifrost for the boys, towards home.

Jonathon snuggled on Jason, watching the boys go home. Jason asked.

-Do you think that we would see them ever again?

Jon answered.

-I dunno if we will ever see them again. But something i know!

Jason looked at him with a puzzled glance. Jon gave him back a mischievous glance.

-If you talked a little more as Jorven, you would get much more kisses!

Jason looked at Jorven, looked at Jonathon, and looked back to Jorven, and Jorven shrugged pleading guilty!

-Oh no! Oh no, no! You take my clothes! You take my allowance! You scare my bro! And then you kiss...! Come back! Come back you dammit!- Tried to climb to the boat, but was too far; started grabbing rocks and throwing at Jorven's face, while Jonathon rolled on the floor laughing about such deploy of jealousy . Fortunately for Jorven, he was wearing his round shield. Niklas, Fabi and Martin waved their hands, while Narvik and Fjonn laughed at Jason's face.

After rolling his eyes at such peculiar goodbye, Keith opened the Bifrost, and the three kids on his Drakkar, after a brightly deploy of lights, vanished towards home.

Chapter 11, Epilogue

On the piers of Trondheim, crowded quite number of people, between them Jarl Thonnen, his guardsman and some courtesans. Narvik's Drakkar had been sighted by nearby fishermen, who rushed on their lighter boats to announce the good news.

Once arrived, and being received as heros by all the mob, with all sorts of flowers and food, non-rotten this time, the first official act on Thane Narvik after stepped on ground was to punch Jarl Thonnen's face. After an amusing deploy of fists, kicks and blood-spitting, on wich everyone near was invited, both friends gave a strong hug and a lot of little kisses on their bruises. Then, following the tradition of Trondheim, was a great feast on palace, filled with a lot of food, mead and music. Thonnen, with a black eye and kinda dizzy on the mead, started planning inmediately his new adventures with Narvik who, though ridiculouly dressed for such magnificent occasion, and spitting some blood from there and there, sincerely believed that mead and feast were the best ingredients to guarantee the sucess of any endeavour.

Jorven was extremely relieved when he saw his brother Sven, who, limping a little, announced with great joy that, due his outstanding performance on the battle against the Kraken itself, has been spared execution for his attempt of storming the Jarl's palace, and better, had been invited to the feast! Jorven couldn't avoid the tears and crying as a little girl when saw his little brother alive, and his little brother

couldn't avoid the tears and crying as a little girl when saw his brave and heroic bro coming to cry at his arms. Both now were heroes and, as heroes, went to the feast.

Fjonn was not in the mood for a feast. He felt quite proud of the completion of his quest, having saved his friend's life and returned to his home. He went to the feast, but, after some drinking and eating, prefered to sit on a nearby alley, watching the stars. On the feast, Jarl Thonnen had announced that both Jorven and him had been granted the honour of be named Thanes of Trondheim, and with that, they could rub shoulders with everyone they wish. Jorven was quite delighted of a chance to rub Thonnen's shoulders, anyway, so he was happy for him. But he needed to be alone for some time.

Remembered the powerful artifacts that carried onto Fabi's bag, included the bag of Fabi's mom. That was the one who mattered for him on that moment. Onto a diferent universe, some unknown woman had shown care and affection for him. Or at least, he received it, if not specifically meant for him. He hugged the backpack, trying of remember the sensation of being loved some hours ago. Then, heard a noise on the dark alley, and looked at the origin of the noise. Some crates falling and a clumsy, filthy little urchin pursuing a faster and better trained huge rat, for dinner.

-Oh, sorry to have disturbed you, sire! - said the urchin.

He looked at Fabi's backpack, and smiled at Fjonn.

-That's really fine craftsmanship, sire!

But then he remembered his place on his life. And lowered his head.

Fabi felt as if he knew that kid from somewhere.

-What's your name? - Fjonn asked.

-Jermund, sire. - He didn't raised his head at answer.

-Jermund, i'm Fjonn. You want to have breakfast with me?

-To have what, sire? -looked at Fjonn puzzled.

Fjonn drew from the backpack Mrs. Waitaweill's bag, opened a carton of milk and some egg and bacon sandwiches. Started to eat and drink, and offered to the urchin a sandwich.

The urchin didn't think twice, and grabbed the sandwich, struggling for eating as fast as he could. Was somewhat dried, so Fjonn gave him the carton of milk, and an apple. The boy was delighted, and drank almost all of the content by himself. Fjonn smiled at him. Had remembered where had he saw him.

The urchin started to eat the apple. Had given some bites at it, and, he passed to Fjonn. Sucked his fingertips and cleaned his mouth with his sleeve. And smiled to him. Fjonn bited some of the apple.

-Do you have those "breakfastes" too often sire? - asked the urchin, intrigued, and sat down beside Fjonn.

And there, Fjonn found a new friend, under the stars, having breakfast.

A bunch of clothes was lying on a dark and lonely street. Inside, was a small portable radio device, receiving a local radio station.

-... and as was saying to you, Al, the public debate has opened as "Ciber Sharks Invasion III" is hitting the score on recaudation; despite the announced lawsuits against the studios for "difamative information respecting the true peacefully nature of Hammerhead Sharks", they have announced the creation of a musical version for all audiences, taking advantage of their calification.

-And speaking of sea terrors, Ed, with increased skepticism has been received by the international community the news from the admiralty of Japan, that claims to have lost three whaling vessels due to the attack of a massive squid-like creature. Though the creature managed to run away after devouring no less than twenty sailors, the fleet managed to get some of it's flesh, now sold on the most exclusive fine cuisine restaurants.

- Happier news for the comunity, Al, as the new zoo on the big city it's almost open to the public, making news it's Antarctic wing: a stranded penguin from the "Emperor" class was spotted onto a nearby town, inside a local family yard, struggling to go inside! As animal control arrived to the scene of the sucess, the penguin showed unnaturaly hostile to human presence, and had to be tazzed to be restrained, then translated to the zoo for further examination.

-Poor little thing, Ed, so far from home, and related to a scourge of our youth, a nearby town boy was caught tresspassing onto the very same Antarctic wing inside a penguin cage, naked and shivering, speaking nonsense about have been " bewitched", surely looking for a new way of "getting high" with veterinarian-use drugs. He will be charged, also, for the abduction of the penguin that owned the respective cage, so, until no whereabouts of such specime, no beach for you boy!

-That's righ Al, zero tolerance to penguin molesters! And a gift for our loyal listener, Ricardo Jorge, a great kudo for your loyal preference, and we hope you be well, and enjoy this south american version of a hit of the seventies "Contigo en la playa", "With you on the beach" for everyone who for every reason, work or pleasure, mythological beast or no, be... on the beach.

Ehhhhh, Ehhhhh
Ehhhhh, Ehhhhh
Ehhhhh....

No, este verano, yo no iré,
Contigo en la playa, contigo en la playa
No, este verano yo no iré
Contigo en la playa, contigo en la playa
No iré....

Ehh... *bzzzt*

Well, that's all for this one. Over the next few days I'll do some grammar edits, and try to "civilise" the text a bit.

I have more stories from Andrew, And as this one was among his earliest works in English, one can see how fast he grew in terms of progress with the language over his next stories. As you see, drawing the whole plot into a comic would be a hell of a job. And drawn in detail it would make a decent booklet about the size of monthly 'Shounen Jump' 😉

And believe me, that's one of the shorter stories from this amazing author... Altogether I've got hundreds, if not thousands of pages, Niklas world stories, other stories, side stories, and more. 

I also have a long and nice story by Ravengrim, I don't remember if it was ever finished though, I'll have to read it again to see if I have all the parts, andf if I don't, I'll do my best to recover them from the depths of the web, or my e-mail history. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did the first time, see you again soon, with more content coming up.

Cheers, or rather, Skoll!

YAY!!!! DOUBLE-YAY!!!! GREAT STUFF!!!

Wish I could decide Ravengrim to go on illustrating… I'll try…