Chapter 49

Wild Hunt 7

-:-

20 minutes later

Norsca Islands

A ‘city’ near the runway

Norscan Culture revolved around 4 major things: War, Honor, the Ancestors and the Gods.

This weird combination of traditionalist savagery resulted in an entire civilization going through an extremely long period of stagnation

Aside from the decent airport, everything else was stuck in the middle ages.

The main sources of lights where either torchers or the celestial bodies such as the moon and stars.

Despite nearing midnight, the mountainous streets of the city of Volsung was vibrant. Not in a joyous way, but in a serious but excited way.

It felt like it was the group was psyched up for an incoming war.

This made Theo quite nervous.

All those they passed by saluted Ulkov and respectfully called him ‘Harbinger’

It seemed that the Harbinger was no mere title

“Is there a festival or something?” asked Theo as he wondered what the hell was happening.

“Yes there is. The night of All Father’s Eve is when the spirits of our departed ancestors return to celebrate this day with us. It is similar to the concept of Halloween in the Commonwealth” said Ulkov. “Through the druids, the ancestors share their wisdoms to their descendants. The wisdom is fairly random from stupid nonsense as ‘you will be the wife of person X’, to the more important ones like ‘to appease the god of storms, blood sacrifice is required.’ ”

“Since Norscan culture is all about traditions, a guy that can speak for the ancestors is a fairly big deal. Interesting” Said Theo

“Good to see you’re quick on the uptake whelp.”

“Then what do I have to do?” asked the worried Theo

“Nothing really. Just stand among the crowd. If you are worthy in the eyes of the ancestors, they will speak to you. If not, either they wont even recognize your existence or they’ll throw a lot of unflattering words at you.” Replied Ulkov

“Sounds easy enough.”

“Do not let your guard down Boss. Every year there have been fights to the death due to the ancestor’s wisdom.” said Nosferatu

“That’s not what you said earlier! And aside from the F-22A, I have no other weapons!” roared Theo.

“Fret not. All battles are honorable 1 on 1 duels held in the afternoon the following day. That will give you some time to prepare.” Replied Nosferatu with a smile.

“That doesn’t make things any better!”

Theo could only groan in annoyance as the 2 older men laughed in amusement.

A few minutes later, Theo, Nosferatu, his Grave Guards, Ulkov and his honor guards arrived at a plain with an ancient looking ruin at the center.

Gathered around the ruin are thousands of citizens of varying age, gender and build.

It seemed that the Volsung Clan was much larger than Theo initially thought.

He found this annoying because he already made plans to wipe out Norsca from the face of the earth.

If they were this many, he could expect a decent number of druids from the different clans that were capable of protecting the island of criminals from large scale bombardments such as nukes.

This has been done a few times in the past, namely during the Tzaria-Commonwealth Cold War where quite a few nuclear explosions was either mitigated or nullified due to high amounts of magic

Ground assault might be hard due to the large number of magic axe wielding lunatics within Norscan cities.

Theo had to put off planning the genocide of Norsca for now.

Theo positioned himself within the large crowd alongside Nosferatu and his Grave Guards

“Before I proceed to center, I need to ask Boss to remove his helmet.” Said Ulkov, much to Theo’s annoyance. “I understand your reluctance, but we need to look into your eyes to see who you are.”

“*sigh*… It wont work otherwise?” asked Theo.

“Exactly. A true warrior has no reason to hide himself after all.”

“Tch… Filthy parasites pretending to be warriors.” Cursed Theo as he removed his helmet.

Murmur quickly spread through the crowd at the sight of Theo’s terminator eye.

It was an intimidating apparel after all.

“As expected of Nosferatu’s whelp.” Said Ulkov before heading towards the ruins where the other druids were waiting.

Including Ulkov, there were about 15 of druids in total.

The druids sat in a circle with a large bowl filled with various dried herbs.

Each druid lit a torch and threw into the bowl.

The crowd became silent while large amounts of smoke engulfed the druids.

At this point, Theo’s terminator eye revealed that each of the druid’s internal temperature spiked into beyond lethal levels

Whatever the ritual was, it was using a hell lot of magic.

The druids then began shouting random incomprehensible words like madmen. Since they didn’t say the same thing at the same time, it was akin to a drunkard debate where both sides were screaming illiterate insults at each other.

Theo wasn’t sure what the druids were smoking, but it was dangerously powerful

A few moments of idiotic screaming later, the druids became silent.

They stood up in perfect unison and approached the crowd together.

And as stated by Ulkov earlier, the ritual was both grim serious and painfully hilarious at the same time.

Ulkov and the druids would point at one person deliver their ‘wisdom’ in perfect unison before moving to the next.

The funniest one was: “How dare you boast about things you have done when your manhood is as small as a child!”

And since the druids shouted it in unison, everyone was there to hear it.

The laughter was so loud that it could wake up the dead.

Whoever was at the receiving end of that ‘wisdom’ probably wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

The most serious one was: “Be careful in the coming months for your decisions could mean the end of your very bloodline”

No one laughed on that one.

If anything, they looked at the receiver of ‘wisdom’ with pity.

The ritual went on for another 30 minutes before the druids stared silently at Theo.

They then did nothing but stare at Theo, much to everyone’s confusion.

About 30 seconds of silence passed before they did something no one expected.

The druids walked briskly towards Theo and dropped to their knees in front of him

With fearful, tearful and desperate expression, they said…

“Blessed God, head my plea, for I have seen your truth that Flesh is Weak.

For the crude biomass they call a ‘Temple’ will wither and decay.

Forgive them for they know not that their body will fail them.

Anoint me oh God to spread the truth…

That purity can only be gained through your blessed steel.

That enlightenment can only be achieved through the certainty of your holy circuits.

One day, they will beg me, your humble servant, to save them.

Because I am already saved.

For the machine is immortal.

In all things, the Machine God’s will be done!”

The druids collapsed after reciting their piece.

On cue, burly men that wore the same attire as Ulkov’s honor guard rushed towards the druids and carefully carried them away.

Murmurs then erupted from crowd as they eyed Theo both in curiosity and in fear.

Theo would have made his exit to avoid being the center of attraction, but he was too confused to give a damn.

“What the hell just happened?” Theo asked equally confused Nosferatu.

“I have no idea. I have been friends with the Norscans for many centuries and I have seen the druids make flattering prophecies of the future of a few individuals. It was something similar to an endorsement where the ancestors ‘allow’ said individual to become great. A small number of these individuals proceeded to gain fame in Norsca and infamy throughout the world. This is the very first time I have seen the prideful, egotistic and generally unlikable ancestors literally grovel and beg.” Replied Nosferatu

“Prophecies huh.... I put extremely small faith on a bunch of drugged up lunatics and their deranged ramblings”

“Given how inaccurate Norscan prophecies in the past, I would normally tend to agree with you. However, I cant help but wonder what type of entity would a minor god pray so vehemently to?”