Pressing my palms against the underground cells, I gazed upon a young man gargling on burning hot oil. He was fully naked, bleeding from his crotch. While the minotaur roared in laughter at the man forced to eat his own cock cooking within his mouth. His touch, cheeks, and lips were all but chared as he screamed like a monkey wailing for mercy. The young man savagely banged his head against his cell, pleading for death.

  "So you found him," My nephew muttered from behind me, "I was going to gift him to you, along with this tome."

  Turning to meet his gaze, I lifted the book from his palm that read, Rituals of Damnations. Passing my hands over the odd animal hide.

  "Do not ask how I acquired this tome, but read and learn. It holds many rituals that could allow you to learn about resurrecting your wife, but before that, we must understand ourselves. We could only have one chance." He said, turning to the young man screaming. "His name is Gu Shen, and he will be the key in us figuring out how we work."

  Gripping the tome-like it was the heaviest object in the world, Arsene suddenly patted my shoulder, leaving without another word. Stepping into his cell, I could not help but smile from the bottom of my heart, "Looks like your torment is not going to end any time soon; thankfully, we have almost all the time in the world."

  "Yes indeed, but you have duties," Elsa ruthlessly said, twisting me out of my fantasy.

  Turning to the pale goddess, I frown at her disheveled appearance. "What the hell happened to you?"

  "Your damn brother will not leave me alone!" She shouted, rallying the minotaur behind us. "That bastard, just propose!"

  "Could open doors for you," I replied in a jeering tone, but Elsa only turned paler. "I'm kidding; I will talk to him, but are we starting so soon?"

  "Yes, time is of the essence. There are over fifteen battles from all around. All from the Aesirs and Giants. The Vanirs we can ignore since Freya has allied herself with us."

  "And there you have an issue," I lightly said, taking my leave from this filthy dungeon towards the surface while Elsa followed. "We cannot allow a god to simply ally themselves with us, even if we have gods by our side. Death can come at any moment."

  "Than what do you propose?" She questioned, squinting her eyes towards the blinding starlight overflowing within the palace.

  "Arsene may trust Freya, but times are changing. How long till she changes her mind."

  "Politics, we are in a war. I truly do not have time for all of this," Elsa reluctantly cried.

  "My father will handle military affairs; for now, he is more than capable enough, but for now, we must stabilize our allies. Has anyone contacted the dwarven people? We need weapons, not just for this war but for the next one. Anya and mare, while brilliant, are only two people. We need more. I suggest we invade, Svartalfheim. This kingdom needs to stop mining souls and start mining resources."

  "Fine, but what else?" She asked with radiant eyes.

  "A council. Arsene is smart, but having smarter people around him is even better, and they must not just be demons or devils. We need them to have free will. It's dangerous, but there are far too many benefits to free will."

  "Good, for now, I will handle preparing a squad to invade Svartalfheim. I will leave the council to you. I believe you already have some thoughts," she said, withdrawing from sight.

  "I do indeed."

  Snapping my fingers, a faceless suddenly appeared on one knee, "You called your grace?"

  "Take me to Mimir. I heard he resides within the Palace,"

  Following by behind the faceless leading me to through the fine halls of brimstone, burning with intense heat. Why Arsene resided here is beyond me, it was a nightmare. Flames black as night reign over his castle, burning at every turn. It was magnificent but also monstrous.

  Coming upon a large door, the faceless turned, not waiting for him to say who the room belonged to, I entered. My gaze fell upon a head resting silently upon a bed.

  "Heard a lot about you, lad!" Mimir softly said. "What can I do for you?"

  "Depends. Am I talking to Freya or Mimir?"

  Pursing his lips, a slight scornful air flickered by, "Both, maybe, who can say? But that's neither here nor there. Tell me what I can do for you?"

  Scuffing, I placed my hands behind my back, "I need you, of course. My nephew was quite impressed by you, and so was I, something that rarely happens. I have read many things about the Wise Sage Mimir, and I wish for you to join our council.

  "You wish for it?" He amusingly asked, "Or are you demanding it."

  "I'm not Arsene. I have a gentler touch. I shall not force you, but I will offer you a temporary body till Arsene turns you. Why he is pushing it off, though, is quite interesting." I said, known the true reason. He was testing Mimir, or rather Freya. Loyalty cannot be bought nor traded for. Deals can be broken, and loopholes can be formed. Nothing is forever.

  "Fraya will not allow it, lad. So is my curse, forever stuck in this form till a higher power grants me peace."

  "Freya is now our ally, but she or I guess you should understand, you are in our kingdom. A gift given to Arsene, she can try to stop us, but there will be consequences." I coldly informed, turning around to leave.

  "Is that a threat?" He asked in a chilling tone, reminding me of the frizzed woman on the scarlet Lake.

  "No, I do not threaten. As I said, my touch is soft, but it's also just as cruel. You will do well to understand that, Freya. Arsene may give you a chance, but I shall not. Oh, and welcome to the council."

  "I haven't agreed,"

  "I was talking to Freya," I said, leaving without another word.

  Mimir was very well needed to help Arsene and me. He was wise, and most importantly, not bloodthirsty. There is far too much of that here.

  Returning to my room, I looked down at the tome still within my palms. I had not even realized I was still holding it.

  "If I can't bring you back, then I shall be joining you."