《Between Gods And Mortals》Chapter 18: Erik Receives The Crown
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A few weeks have passed since the visit to Asgard and Ivar has not been found, which leaves the people of the kingdom of Jotunheim and even more the high dome. The fact that the assassin was an Asgardian was hidden so that the people would not despair of a possible war against one of the greatest enemies the giants have ever had.
Ragnarson has just left another meeting with the other advisors, something that has become routine, after the king's coronation he will have his position as official advisor. The situation he had been imagining a few weeks ago has not changed and he remains unanswered, and everything is very calm. King Lumnus's death brought nothing next, such as an attack or a harbinger of war or enemy invasion.
Most of the caravan advisors, including Ragnarson, didn't believe Loki and Thor's conversation, they believed the king and brother were hiding something. However, the giants went there with their hands tied with the imminence of war. The war between the two kingdoms would be an Asgardian unilateral victory, since they own Mjolnir and the Mens Slayer.
The loss of the king, the military might of Asgard, the peace treaty arranged by Lumnus and Odin that consecrated a peace never seen before, weighed on the attitudes and how to deal with the Asgardians. Not being able to call Jotunheim an open-hearted war, a fact known to all. Therefore, Ragnarson first tried to talk to Thor before taking any action.
Ragnarson! What was it ? Bella has arrived from her mission in Midgard! Wonderful! Finally good news…
The warrior quickens his steps to meet Bella, who is already waiting for Ragnarson in the meeting room; he hopes she can bring news and maybe even answers. She stayed there for a few months. She must have found Odin. Einar couldn't bring her much information due to the tension in the realm.
The warrior pushes the door with both hands, anxious and hopeful for what the princess could offer. He sees her and apparently everything is normal, with no bruises or injuries, just plain weird Midgard clothes. Ragnarson prints a smile and goes to hug the woman he considers as if she were his niece. The hug is strong, proportional to how much he missed the girl.
Bella! How are you ? I am fine! Let's be direct! I bring a lot of news from Midgard! Right
Ragnarson calls Einar and locks the room so that the information only stays there for the three of them. Both he and she have something to tell each other. Bella begins by telling her everything she experienced in Midgard and why she stayed longer than necessary. She says that she found Odin, who now lives as a Midgardian and is the master of a boy named Mike. The former Asgardian king believes that Mike is chosen and so passes on Mjolnir to him. At this point, Bella is interrupted by Ragnarson.
What ? Mjolnir is no longer with ¨Thor but Odin? And now Mike? That! She hasn't been with Thor since she did that with Mike's dad… Ivar had a son in Midgard and he is Mike, Odin's disciple? That By the Gods…
Ragnarson now understands why Thor is no longer in Mjolnir's possession. The warrior believed he was hiding on his visit, but he lost possession of him. Such news makes Ragnarson happy, as without Mjolnir much of the Asgardian force is gone. Not to mention that Odin is no longer among them either. Which gives a balance in case of war, but still has the Man's Slayer.
What will Odin do? He thinks war is inevitable and so he's training Mike in hopes of stopping his father and preventing a war that would be horrible for both sides! I see… The news around here is not the best… As you already assumed your brother won the election to inherit the throne and the coronation will be public in three days! What resulted in the conversation with the Asgardians? The peace is still maintained and Thor has assured him that he has not ordered King Lumnus's death. A hunt for Ivar is taking place right now! Um… This is all very strange. It's like someone is playing in the game itself and we don't know the rules let alone the game! That's exactly what I think, Bella! However, our hands are tied. We cannot act abruptly! Time in this case is also our enemy… The less we do, the more the enemy benefits. That 's right!
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Bella, Ragnarson and Einar talk for a while longer. She tells all the details, especially about Odin and Mike. Even though she heard that they would come to help, it didn't hold much hope for the warrior. Their help would not have the impact necessary to prevent a war in his view, even more so as Odin would be on the other side and his disciple will likely follow him.
Even with new news and information from Bella. Nothing makes an immediate impact again. When she said time is the enemy, it was worse than she thought. Anytime something big could happen. This is where the reasoning of the three arrives. The death of King Lumnus will not be the last action. A moment of silence lingers in the room. Bella puts a hand on her chin and Ragnarson on her head. Until they both say:
Coronation of my brother!!! Erik's Coronation!!!
They come to the conclusion that there may be a new attempt to assassinate the king, which would be Erik. This option was ruled out before because there are too many soldiers involved and the public. Which makes it impossible, but Ivar is an exceptional warrior and he's not acting alone.
I have a plan! - Says Bella. Interesting! - Ragnarson says with a slight smile on his face.
Two days pass and it is time for the coronation of the new king of Jotunheim, Erik. Everything is prepared outdoors with decorations, soldiers in their best clothes, the street set aside for their passage, music and food. It will be a party. A rite of passage from the old king to the new. In which the population can be calm and have high expectations for the next one who comes to the throne.
Erik is in his room, tidying and putting on very nice clothes fit for a king. His sister watches him and is proud that his brother is about to succeed his father. Something unimaginable for her, who thought her father would be immortal.
Brother, you look great in these clothes. Maybe I shouldn't even wear soldier's clothes anymore! Quiet! Haha ha. Rest assured that everything will work out!
Bella approaches her brother and hugs him from behind, in order to give him confidence and support. Erik takes her hand and holds it. Due to political disagreement over the kingdom, they both stopped being brothers for a while. With the throne already set, Bella has to put her worries aside and support her brother for the kingdom's future.
Outside, Ragnarson helped with the preparations and security at the king's coronation. The ceremony would take place near the castle where there was a large area for attractions and communications for a large number of people. The stage is set there and the act is based on passing the crown and staff to the new king.
Erik's heart is still a few hours away, but people are already starting to show up. The citizens are not happy yet, but with Erik's coronation they would be relieved and see that they can get back on track. The death of the greatest king Jotunheim has ever seen is not easy to deal with either for ordinary people or for the top. But, it is necessary for everyone to move forward and for the kingdom to return to the tracks it was on.
It has been reported that a large-scale assassin hunt is underway to look for the murderer whose name has not been given out on purpose. It would only be revealed the moment he was arrested and sentenced. Lumnus has always prioritized free press and information in its entirety. However, it is necessary that the information be withheld for the sake of the realm and investigation.
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The disclosure that Ivar is the murderer of former King Lumnus would bring chaos to the kingdom with protests, turmoil and hatred directed at the Asgardians, that is, they would be facing the possibility of a civil war before a war against Asgard. Even the fact that Thor no longer has Mjolnir. A fact known only to Bella, Ragnarson and Einar is kept a secret to use to advantage is that Erik doesn't rush into his decisions.
All necessary caution in this transition process and while Ivar is not captured. Erik's mother also helps with the preparations, and is by Ragnarson's side as well. Her husband's death had a huge impact that left her out of politics and away from her children. Each went their way. She's apparently better now, but she doesn't have any political clout. By even her own choice, since Lumnus was alive.
That doesn't make her useless, she raised her children and they grew up, either of them being able to inherit the kingdom that Jotunheim would be under good command. She puts a hand on Ragnarson's shoulder, the warrior looks at her and sees a wide smile on the widow's face.
It's going to be alright, Ragnarson! I trust you! Take care and help my children well… Of course, my lady! You don't even have to ask! Thanks!
Everything is ready for the heart ceremony. The band responsible for the soundtrack, the stage set with the throne in the middle on which Erik will sit, food and non-alcoholic drink for the people and there are already enough people to consider themselves a sea of people. Throne pass is a special occasion in Jotunheim, which is a holiday, in which people go to honor the new king. Tradition that lasts for many years.
The rite of passage consists of the king receiving his people, greeting and receiving a crown and staff from selected children of the kingdom. The reason children are responsible is that they are the future of the nation. It means that the ruler must always think about the future. And finally, the king walks all over the city to see his people.
The whole dome and the king's family are on stage. Bella and Ragnarson are there side by side. Erik still hasn't appeared, only for a few moments. Meanwhile, upbeat music plays for the citizens. People who come with a sad expression start to change to a better mood. Momentarily people there forget about past problems. Bella touches ragnarson and asks:
Is everything ready for today? It is crucial that it works... Yes… I believe that today we will have answers to our questions, finally… It's… We can't lose everything! Exactly If it doesn't work... I don't know what I'll do...
Bella's phrase catches the attention of Ragnarson who remembers his battle at Aegir's castle when they were trapped. On that special occasion, Erik was pretty sure he would die in battle, but he couldn't convey that feeling to his soldiers. Bella is really counting on the plan to work, her enthusiasm and nervousness can get in the way. So Ragnarson puts a hand on her shoulder and smiles at her saying:
If it doesn't work, we will find another way. We have our letters in Midgard too, thanks to you! Truth! I had forgotten about that…
The girl responds with a slight smile. Both have laid out a plan to capture King Lumnus's assassin today. The enemy is very cunning and it is very likely that Ivar is just a pawn, as in a game of chess. Where the queen is the most powerful piece and the king has been checkmate before. It is likely that he is in check right now
Anticipating the enemy's plan was Bella's way of capturing him. She believes that because it is basically impossible to kill the king again, she will be tempted again. So this time they will be prepared to avoid and capture Ivar.
Erik makes his appearance and heads towards the stage. The music changes to a calmer and more beautiful one, people applaud and then go silent to attend the entire ceremony. Lots of applause and even cries as the children put on the crown and give the bat to Erik. At this point, Ragnarson looks at Bella and nods, she responds with the same gesture and he leaves the stage without anyone noticing.
Erik climbs into the specially made carriage so that he can greet the citizens and they can have a closer contact with the new king. This is the last act of the ceremony. The carriage is made up of the king's guards and family, namely Erik, Bella and their mother.
Bella positions herself close to her brother, which makes him immediately odd, but continues to greet and wave to the people around her. Her sister doesn't do anything for no clear reason. He immediately realizes that he has something wrong and suspicious, only he can't do anything about it. He has to keep up appearances so as not to alert people around him. Erik can only believe and trust his sister.
Meanwhile, Ragnarson is running through the city streets. There are some people in front of him and he pushes them. Some obviously frown and others don't understand the warrior's haste, which goes in the opposite direction of everyone. Everyone is honoring the new king and now is the time to put Bella's plan into practice.
As he runs, Ragnarson watches all the buildings around him, until he finds what he wants and enters it. As he enters the abandoned old house, he slows down and starts to make less noise. Cautiously he climbs the stairs until he finds a man in front of the window watching. Ragnarson pulls his sword very slowly so it doesn't make a noise and touches the lion bite to the back of the man in front of him.
The man notices that there is something sharp on his back and raises his hands slowly showing that he is helpless and does not intend to fight. The man still has his back to Ragnarson and says:
I think I underestimated the giants, especially you… Ragnarson! How did you find me ? Maybe… It was Bella's plan. Hmm… the generation to come comes strong! Without a shadow of a doubt! If they are well guided, they will easily overcome us...
Ivar turns slightly and faces Ragnarson, strangely the old Asgardian is smiling and very well physically. His body bears some scars that are visible with his light warrior clothing and a hood. Now the lion bite is in his neck, which makes him lift his head a little. Ragnarson still puzzled asks:
Why, Ivar? Why ? Hahahaha why not? You have become regicide and want to create chaos in Jotunheim! Yes! And I will continue! Until the giants perish! Ivar… I know you're not alone! Who is your commander? Who ordered this? And how did he convince you to do this? Too many questions to answer...
Ragnarson draws his sword further into Ivar's neck. His words irritate the giant warrior, in addition to his posture that all along was one of contempt and sarcasm. And for the worse the answers don't lead anywhere, but right now face-to-face is the best time, as he's far away from the old bores that surround him.
You have no idea what's to come, Ragnarson! The worst is about to happen! Ivar… Don't you think about your son and wife? This is all past! I believe in him! Who? hahaha I let it slip
As they speak, the noise becomes intense, meaning the king is approaching. Ivar is completely another person, turned into an insane and crazy being. Waiting for the perfect moment, Ragnarson is distracted for a second that was enough for him to have the sword thrown to the side and kicked in his stomach.
You rusted, Ragnarson! Ugh…
Pushed back, Ragnarson is thirsty for blood, after everything Ivar has done is unforgivable. He's even happy that he resists, so he can fight him and leave him half alive to be handed over to the authorities. The giant runs towards and grabs Ivar, who is not pushed back. He punches him and uses his knee to push him away again.
A little blood comes out of Ragnarson's mouth and Ragnarson decides to raise his arms, indicating that he will exchange punches. He goes up and Ivar dodges and defends himself from everyone. His strength is greater than before in Ragnarson's vision. That time that he was missing and considered dead he increased his strength exponentially.
Ivar goes to the attack and lands several punches and kicks on Ragnarson, the battle is one-sided. The giant warrior has no choice but to take his sword, otherwise he will come closer and closer to death. He pushes Ivar away and grabs his sword. Ivar smiles and also picks up his sword that he had thrown to the ground when Ragnarson surprised him.
They position themselves for the next round, which will be a duel of swords, while outside the noise gets louder and you hear the noise of people gathering. The room they both are in is large and has only one door that opens onto the balcony. Ivar goes up, with the sword the battle is balanced. Only Ragnarson is unable to inflict any attacks and feels pressured by Ivar, something he has rarely seen in his warrior life. Both hit the sword hard diagonally and move apart.
The feeling Ragnarson has is that his enemy, Ivar, is just playing with him. He's not giving it his all and just stalling. And the giant immediately realizes that he still thinks about killing the king after being found. Wide-eyed as you make these findings. Ragnarson has to stop him and it can only be killing him. And for that he changes to the attack position, without concern for the defense. If he doesn't risk it, the king can be killed.
Ragnarson goes up and gives it his all, even so it's very difficult to pierce Ivar's solid defense and in the last blow Ragnarson puts all his strength up by raising the sword to the maximum and lowering it to split Ivar in half. Only he crouches down and positions his sword vertically to withstand the attack. Both swords are made of great material, if it were any other, Ivar would be dead and his sword destroyed.
Ivar gets up and the two warriors face each other pushing their swords against each other. Until the ancient Asgardian says:
It's too late, Ragnarson! What is to come is inevitable! Never!
The Asgardian kicks Ragnarson and runs towards the balcony, King Erik is already right there below them. Ragnarson runs too, only to see Ivar already jumping over the balcony of the four-story building. Ragnarson does the same and they both stay in the air, seeing that he won't reach him as the last act he hurls his sword towards Ivar's hand, where his sword is. He hit him causing him to lose his sword.
Everything happens so fast that the audience and Erik doesn't have time to react, Ivar falls on top of his carriage and pulls a dagger from his boot. About to strike and kill the king. Bella uses her sword with the magic stone of thunder. She takes aim at Ivar and hits him. The regicide falls to the ground immobilized and all the soldiers in the kingdom appear pointing their weapons and arresting Ivar.
The biggest enemy in the kingdom tries to kill the king again, but this time is stopped by Bella and Ragnarson. Erik was startled to see Ivar suddenly and did nothing. Likely seeing his father's assassin try to kill him also paralyzed him, even though he was an inexperienced warrior.
Ragnarson looks out over the crowd looking for someone. And by far him against the person he wanted to see. He is wearing a hat and notices the warrior watching him. Modestly, he puts his hand on his hat and turns away, waving one of his hands in farewell.
The sadist gives a slight smile and in his head thanks that man for his help. An ally who helped him again. This man is Willian, if not for him. Erik would be dead and Ragnarson would not be able to enter the royal castle. Which makes him think he has to find some way to reward him in the future.
Bella's plan was to predict the enemy's next move, which would likely be Ivar, as he is the most capable of executing and could have a high chance of trying to kill the king again. And so they thought about what they would do if they were in Ivar's mind. Ragnarson gave all his features to Bella and analyzed the city map to see the points where the attack could come.
To make the plan work, Ragnarson asked his former commandos to guard certain points of the city under warning of an attack. And the castle has been strengthened. This was all hidden from the elders and Erik. All this so that Ivar could be captured without any margin for error.
At the time, Bella saw that the plan was very good and had a 99% chance of working, but it's the 1% that she fears and all her intelligence comes out. The most likely possibility is the one Ivar should use. A frontal and direct attack on the king, even with all the people and soldiers around. At the time of the king's march, in which he is most exposed. An attack could come from above, from the surrounding buildings, or from below, where the audience would be.
Bella says she will take care of what comes in the public and will be glued to the king at all times, while Ragnarson will look around for houses. Trouble was, there were too many houses and it would give Ivar enough time to kill Erik. Bella says it's possible to distribute power-measuring spellstones around houses, place them under rugs. When a person approaches the stone, it heats up quickly and takes a fair amount of time to cool down.
She suggests spreading them around the houses in a certain perimeter, except that she would need someone she trusts and who knows the city very well. That's when Ragnarson remembers Willian. That helped him into the castle and could be of help. On the day of the coronation everything was prepared and what really happened was the 1%.
However, the miscalculation was that Bella thought Ragnarson would be able to neutralize and defeat Ivar with ease, and he didn't. The giant warrior was defeated and the king almost died if Bella was not prepared for a frontal attack.
Ragnarson recalls these events leading up to this moment and reflects that it was worth it even if it was risky. Ivar is insane, handcuffed to the floor, but laughing. Which leads me to believe that he went through several bad experiences in this vanished time.
Take him to the castle. The party is over. Today we have captured King Lumnus's assassin! - Ragnarson says to the soldiers nearby. You will be tried for your crimes and then executed, Ivar! - Says Bella. IT'S NOT OVER YET, RAGNARSON AND MEDIOCRE HUMANS! THE END IS NEAR AND YOU WILL ALL DIE! THE FURY OF ASGARD! THE KINGDOM THAT IS ABOVE ALL!
What Ivar had just said was heard by everyone around them, who were perplexed. The assassin of former King Lumnus confessed that Asgard and Thor had been behind this all along. The common people angrily tried to go after Ivar and lynch him, but were stopped by the soldiers who arrested him.
Another one who is furious is also the current King Erik, after all that happened he still hasn't said anything. Too many emotions coming at the same time made it impossible to proceed. Betrayal, sadness and anger. All together culminated in a single feeling, hate. He then shouts at the people present:
From this moment on I declare war on Asgard for the assassination of the former King Lumnus and the attempt to kill the current one! They broke the peace treaty and even set up behind our backs! It won't stay that way!!!
The people around him show support to Erik who rave, showing that they will be with him in whatever comes. Hate makes people go blind and not realize their situation. Reason and logic are no longer present. War is the only answer.
Ragnarson is also overcome with anger at having his friend and king killed. Now that he knows Thor orchestrated everything. There is nothing else that needs to be asked or looked for. The sadist resurfaces at this point and is bloodthirsty. Meanwhile, Bella watches everyone who is crazy and not thinking beyond what they see, which leaves her worried and confused about the direction both realms are heading.
Bella realized that even though Ivar said the Asgardian domination plan, it still doesn't make sense. There are questions and puzzle pieces missing. With all the high spirits it is impossible to achieve anything at this time. She has to get back to Midgard as soon as possible, as the worst that could happen is right in front of her. And so ends the day of the new King, Erik.
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