As Odin made his way to the battlefield he heard Ethan's voice ask "Why did you lie to her?" With a straight face Odin responded, "I didn't, I merely said the truth strategically. She will eventually figure it out." Ethan hummed in Odin's head before saying," I see, you don't want to reveal to the elders you gave out information. You are right to fear their wrath. This is how we both got here." Odin smiled, " are you still unhappy you got matched with a schemer?" Ethan answered, "I can tolerate you now, but I don't understand why you chose to risk getting thrown into the dungeon for her." Odin stopped smiling, "because she believes in the living God." "How do you know?" asked Ethan. "Her guide is powerful and cannot be bound by any of the magic on the realms. She has chosen to be bound to follow her here," answered Odin as he came to a halt. "Do you mean, one of them followed her here and chose to participate?" asked Ethan. Odin nodded, "her guardian angel can break free anytime, but is choosing to remain silent about its identity," said Odin. "Humans have always been blessed by the living God, but have not discovered the extent of it. The angels don't take form here because of all the sin and they are forbidden to manifest in this realm without permission by the living God, but now that you mentioned it, this is the first time a human chooses a guide of human form." Odin looks at the battles taking place below the mountain and then at the sky. "I think they know too. Why else would they pick our realm to be their first server war. They were actually hoping I do their work like a puppet," said Odin as he gathered the energy of the atmosphere to empower him. The clouds began to form and lighting started striking players on the battlefield.
A memory flashed through Odin's mind of the kingdom he once had before the elders conquered them. His people were once free and enjoying life. He had previously refused in a game the elders suggested. They were immortal, so entertainment was something they indulged in. Only, they liked to play with different worlds. Odin didn't know how strong or old were the elders, but he was confident that his kingdom would not fall. Then, in broad daylight, his kingdom was overwhelmed by the different species of different worlds. Odin believed he would be able to defeat them until he realized that the elders were toying with him. Bruised and battered, Odin was brought to his knees. He watched as his people were enslaved. They were classified before his very own eyes what purpose they would serve in this game. His family was torn from him and was left with specific instructions to follow if he wanted his freedom. It was decades before he realized that the rules were made to hold him prisoner. He was angry and decided to decimate all unsuspecting victims each war. He was the only one of his kind in his realm on purpose. The elders didn't want Odin to have any loyal subjects.
"You know I can see your memories when you replay them in your mind while we are merged, have you begun to trust me?" asked Ethan. Odin stopped the lightning, "No, I just couldn't help to think of my family and the things I've done. I was reminded of how unworthy I've become being in the presence of that angel" said Odin as he was smudging the tear of his face. "That angel concealed its presence until that girl said something that stirred it up," said Ethan. Odin began to walk down to the battlefield to check who was defeated. Then he said, "I can feel your hope growing, do you think that one girl will bring an end to this game the elders created." There was no reply from Ethan, but Odin was sure Ethan was beginning to feel hopeful for the first time since they were paired.
After looting what he could, Odin set his path towards the hive of FOX. He was about to reach it when he was met with a man dressed in black armor on a horse. His guide was a gargoyle looking creature that was surrounded by black mist. There was a choking collar around the guide's neck and a chain that hung down and disappeared. Behind the man, were a few other players who had mystical creatures as their guide, some fairies and others beasts. Odin told Ethan, "this is what we're used to seeing. There's always one with that race leading the rest." Ethan replied, "It makes sense now, since humans aren't used as guides for being so weak, it's an empty shell created when it's selected like an incubator. The angel isn't manifesting, but instead using an empty vessel." "Still, the living God must already know" added Ethan.
The man on the horse was none other than CallanRok from the FOX alliance. With a smile he said, "You picked the wrong house to come to. We are rallied up for you. Everyone's army stood behind them. They all held their alliance banner high and excited. Odin said, "Do your best." Then CallanRok gave the order and they all charged to attack at the same time. Odin released a thousand lightning strikes and swatted away everyone near him. As each person fell one after another, the fear in people's eyes began to creep in. Alas, CallanRok was the only one left still conscious. Odin walked over to him and said, "You only have one among you that could stir up the realm and be a legend, that is not you." Then he swung his ax down to end CallanRok.
A little flame would dance over the body indicating that the player was killed and there was a 5 minute cool down before the player was able to respawn, but at a much weaker level. Only the troops that can fit in the hospital are able to recover with the cost of resources and the rest were either deserters or awaiting the shrine to be released by using phoenix stones. CallanRok could see Odin walk away and he cursed himself for losing so miserably.
Ethan asked Odin, "what are you scheming this time?" Odin smiled and answered "causing confusion. After all, your hope would wither away if she wasn't given enough time to grow into what she could be." Then Ethan replied, "you mean our hope."
Odin looked at the sky, this hope is what they have wanted to extinguish, but now it will spread through each realm. He thought back at the gear and battles he has fought against other creatures. None brought him this feeling. Then a chat box popped up on his screen with a friend request. He's never received a friend request from a different realm since he never tells anyone what his name is. During server wars you can cloak your name with a temporary one which he uses all the time. When he looked at who sent it, he laughed. It was Great Eden, the girl he and Ethan were talking about. "If you accept it, they will monitor your conversation very closely and try to find you guilty of breaking their rules," said Ethan. "Let them do what they will, do you think we will be spared for being compliant?" replied Odin with a grin. Then Odin accepted the request. This will be interesting, he thought to himself.
Jericho was fighting an opponent when he noticed Odin headed in his direction. Jericho hit the player with an elbow on the area between his neck and shoulder which made the player fall unconscious. Jericho then stabbed the sword on the man's chest. He then turned to look at Odin who appeared smaller now that he was closer. Jericho thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. The two men were now the same size. Their blades collided causing a thunderous roar throughout the area. A few more swings and Jericho was able to hit the ax out of Odin's hand. Jericho noticed that his viking opponent wasn't sweating during their spar. He was relieved when the ax was on the ground, but he felt that it wouldn't matter because this man was strong. As Jericho swung his sword, Odin would casually move out of the way to avoid getting hit. Footsteps can be heard getting closer from men riding towards them. It was the rest of the coalition returning to aid Jericho who was their hope in winning the war. Then as if Odin was waiting for an audience, he stopped moving from the strikes of the sword. Two slashes across Odin's chest. Then Odin stepped back to teleport back to his realm. Everyone watching cheered as they made it to Jericho's side. Fatigued, Jericho sat on a rock nearby. Dboots said, "that was impressive, you gave that guy a run for his money." Still catching his breath, Jericho said, "Oh yeah? Did you see that guy? He didn't even break a sweat." Jiman arrived and overheard Jericho, then said, "from our distance, we can't tell. All we saw was him dodging your sword and running as soon as you hit him twice."
Later that day, Odin was sitting in his garden where he kept plants he collected from every realm. Ethan, now in his own body, sat nearby watching the fish in the pond. "Why did you need an audience to show weakness when you already showed the other humans your strength?" Odin was staring at a flower that was blooming. "Humans like to make up stories to fit a narrative that they can understand. I also needed a diversion while the real flower blooms" said Odin as the flower he was looking at came to a full bloom at the end of his sentence.