BigGator5.net

Nick Eksplosion climbed up onto the shore. He had been swimming for half an hour in very cold waters. His ship, which had been attacked by some sea serpent, was now at the bottom of the ocean. It was a brutal attack that only lasted a few minutes. When it was over, the water briefly turned red with the blood of the men that the Viking had once called friends; some of it his own.
Nick was very surprised that he survived the swim to the shore. The only thing he had left besides his clothes was a knife that was given to him by his father. After only getting a few feet out of the water, Nick felt his strength drain from him and he passed out on his back. As he closed his eyes, Nick thought he saw the rainbow bridge come down where the ship had been attacked. Nick’s last thought was that those who died in the ship will be in Valhalla and join the rest of the Einherjar, drinking the finest mead with Odin himself.

Sometime later, Nick slowly open his eyes. The sun was setting. As his eyes adjusted and his mind started to clear, Nick noticed there was a fire to his left. Nick soon realized that he was dragged further up the shore, as the waters no longer lapped at his feet. The viking warrior also noticed he was mostly dry and the fire kept him warm. As he focused on the fire, he saw that a man was sitting across from him. Focusing closer onto the stranger, Nick realized this was no man…

“Thor!?”

“Yes.” answered the God of Thunder. The Asgard was dressed in full battle armor, wearing Jarngreipr and with Mjollnir attached to Megingjord. Nick was in awe, but didn’t have any time to take in the sight before him. “Not many come face to face with the Jormungandr and live.”

“But Jormungandr…” said Nick as he tried to sit up. His head was pounding with pain and so he laid back down. “His tail-”

“He can let go of his tail for short amounts of time to feed. Like he did your ship.” Thor reached out and put another log onto the fire. “I have summoned some warriors from a small nearby Sami village and they have agreed to take care of you. They should be here soon-”

At that moment, a Goblin appeared from behind a rock and ran toward Thor. It screamed the Asgard’s name as it raised an axe above his head. Without thinking, Nick grabbed his knife and threw the blade at the foul thing. The knife flew and hit the monster between the eyes. It was dead before it hit the ground. Thor was also fast on his feet and soon was at the body of the dead Goblin. He knelt and removed the knife.

“This thing has been hunting me for some time now.” said Thor has came back to the fire. The Thunder God stuck the knife into the fire and let the blood of the Goblin burn off. “Even though it was no match for me, you still saved my life. For that, I owe you a favor.”

When the Goblin’s blood had completely burned off of the knife, Thor took it out of the fire and set the blade on a stone. Lifting Mjollnir high, he brought down the hammer and gave the knife one good smash. Small lightning bolts seemed to dance between Mjollnir and the knife. At that moment, a couple of Sami warriors came into view. They had seen the whole thing.

“This blade will now be known as Gnoordenaar, the Goblin Killer.” said Thor has he handed the knife to Nick. “I will collect it when you collect your favor from me. Until then, fair thee well…”

With a blinding bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder, Thor was gone.

*****

Nick’s fist hit the tied-up man’s jaw with a thunderous crack. The man tied-up to the post was already beaten and bleeding, but that last hit knocked out a tooth. Nick then grabbed the man’s face and forced him to look up to him.

“Guhtur, you will tell me where you hid the gold-”

“Or what?” answered Guhtur. His eyes shut, forced closed through his wounds and his white hair was stained with the blood that he was coverd in. “If I die and the gold is not found, Ivar the Boneless will have your head on a pike! Once you pledge money to him, he will have it or the Great Army will come down upon you! Our villiage will be free of Viking scum at last! My people should have never made you our lord!”

Nick roared as loud as he could. He pushed his thumbs deep into Guhtur’s eye sockets until the Sami started to scream and blood started rushing forth. After a couple of minutes yelling back and forth, Guhtur slowly died. Nick removed his thumbs from the dead man’s body and unsheathed the Gnoordenaar. Nick then slit the man’s throat to make sure that he was dead.

Nick is now the current King of the Hammerfest and all the Sami that lived there. After his meeting with Thor some seven years ago, Nick gained a large following with the Thor worshipers and overthrew their aging king. The other Sami lords did not like this; however, they refused to move against a man who was blessed by Thor himself. In the five years he has been their king, he has turned the Hammerfest into a major Viking port. Now that Ivar the Boneless was putting together a large invading army to the British Isles to the south, Nick wanted a piece of that action and turned the Hammerfest back over the Sami people. But if he doesn’t get the gold back that was stolen from him, the Hammerfest will be invaded.

“You sure do like it messy Nick.” said Bierril with a slight chuckle. He and Filpa were Nick’s Sami friends, advisors, and lieutenants. They help push him to rebel against the former Hammerfest king. They both watched Nick interrogate and kill Guhtur inside of the Hamholl, a hall where Nick and an Elder Council ruled the Hammerfest. To the right of his chair at the far end, Nick went to a wash bowl and started cleaning himself.

“This doesn’t solve our current problem.” started Filpa as Nick washed the Gnoordenaar. “Where are we going to find the money?”

“Men,” said Nick as he turned around, holding the blade in the air. “I have a favor to collect.”

*****

A month later, Nick Eksplosion was in the middle of Guovdageaidnu’s territory. The Sami there pretty much hated him and did not reconize his lordship over the Hammerfest. However, they didn’t move against him for fear of the Gnoordenaar and Nick’s connection to Thor.

Nick tried to summon Thor through the Asgard priests in the village; however, the thunder god did not come. In order to make it all look like part of the plan, Nick announced he must go on a quest. In fact he didn’t know what he was going to do, but he had an idea. On a mountain near Guovdageaidnu, there have been many reports of a huge wolf spotted near the top. Some said it was Fenrir, and Nick was going to find out.

The winter months had set in. Nick wanted to complete the quest by spring, so by the time the long boat for the invasion was ready he could join Ivar’s army. Bierril, his most trusted friend, was in charge while he was gone.

Nick rounded the cornor on his horse where this wolf had been reported and there was Fenrir, as large as life. The wolf looked like he was sleeping, but, once it sensed the Viking, it awoke.

“You are not Sami.” said the huge wolf and started to sniff the air. He tried to move forward, but Gleipnir held firm. Nick got off his horse and came closer to Fenrir. “Well Viking, come to see the fearsome Fenrir?”

“I’ve come to free you.” answered Nick.

“Have you now?” said Fenrir with a hint of shock. “Nothing can cut the Gleipnir, not even my sharp teeth.”

“I have the Gnoordenaar, blessed by Thor him-”

“STOP!” sounded a booming voice. When Nick recovered from the noise, there was another between him and Fenrir.

“Heimdall!” said Fenrir and Nick at the same time, when they realized who was standing before them.

“What are you doing man!” roared the Asgard to Nick. “You are not the one who will bring about Ragnarok!”

“But I can, that is why you are here!” said Nick as he held up Gnoordenaar. “You also can’t stop me, even if you wanted to.”

Heimdall crossed his arms and narrowed his white-within-white eyes onto the Viking King. “What is it that you want?”

“I want to see Thor. Where is he?”

“Thor does not want to be disturbed in his hall of Bilskirnir.” Heimdall then took the Gnoordenaar and gave it a once over before handing it back to Nick. “However I know of this blade. Thor has been looking forward to taking ownership of this knife. I will take you to him, but it is your head, not mine!”

With that the Rainbow Bridge came down to the mountain top. Both Heimdall and Nick started along it’s path when Fenrir growled.

“I will remember this Viking. When I am freed and have killed Odin, I will hunt you down wherever you may be.” Heimdall and Nick looked at each other and continued up the bridge.

*****

“Bilskirnir!” Said Nick as they came upon the hall of Thor. The building was huge. Bigger than Nick have ever thought possible.

On the steps leading up to the hall, Roskva was sweeping them clean. When Nick saw her, he instantly fell in love with her. Nick thought she had a simple, yet beautiful face. When she heard them coming, Roskva looked up and held out her hand.

“Halt! Thor doesn’t want any visitors. Sif has been gone these three years and Thor is not in a right mood.”

“Is Sif alright?” asked Nick, not thinking. Roskva took noticed of Nick and sized him up. Normally she would belittle this mortal for speaking out of turn, but she let it pass.

“Very likely. She does this often to piss off Thor.” She then paused and looked toward Heimdall. “Heimdall, who is this mortal?”

“Let us pass. He has a blade that Thor has been looking forward to getting his hands on. His name is Nick.” answered Heimdall. Again, Roskva looked at Nick and fought the urge to blush. She was mortal herself, but Thor had extended her life while she was his servent, and Roskva haven’t seen another living mortal in some time. Nick had stirred feelings in Roskva that she hadn’t felt in many years.

“Come on then, Nick. But it is your head, not mine.” Nick nodded, remembering Heimdall’s words. Roskva open the huge doors to Bilskirnir and set aside her broom in a small chamber right inside the entrance. They had gone several yards when Nick realized Heimdall had not followed them in and that Bilskirnir was empty. After about two miles, they could finally see Thor sitting at the far end of the hall. Thor was on a tall throne-like chair, so that he may see all that might go on in his hall. The Thunder God also had his eyes closed, as if he was asleep. When they got close, Roskva kneeled and motioned for Nick to do the same.

“M’lord, a mortal has come-” Roskva started before she was interrupted.

“I thought I told you I did not want to be distrubed until Sif has returned?!” Said Thor as he opened his eyes.

“Aye, you did. However this mortal seems to have a blade-”

“The Gnoordenaar? Raise, both of you!” Thor came down from his throne and confronted Nick. The Viking took out the blade and showed it to Thor. “So, you have come to collect your favor. What is it?”

“A man has stolen a great sum of money from me. I’d like to get it back before the spring. He died while I was questioning him. I was hoping that you can help me find him and tell me where the gold is.” Thor nodded as Nick told his tale.

“I see. Since he died in disgraced, he is most likely in Niflheim, the domain of Hel.” Thor place his hand on his chin as if he was in deep thought. “Hel does owe me a small favor. As long as we are not talking about resurrecting this man…”

“No.” answered Nick.

“Then we don’t have a problem. Come, let’s go-”

“M’lord, may I join you? I have not left Bilskirnir in some time and my brother…”

“Yes, very well Roskva.” answered Thor. The Thunder God raised Mjollnir above his head. “You can come along with us.”

With a clap of thunder, they were gone… To Hel!

*****

They appeared before Hel. This somewhat startled the goddess of the dishonored.

“Thor?! What do you want?!” Hel was an ugly being. Old, haggered, and her skin was green. She wasn’t evil, but being the keeper of the dishonored dead did not help your looks. The demon dog Garmr was lying by her side. Garmr growled when the three appeared.

“I have come to collected a small favor. This mortal needs some information from one of your dead here. May we ask him?”

“No. I am busy.” answered Hel as she lean back into her own throne. She focused her gaze at the Viking King. “A living mortal? We don’t get too many of your kind down here. I am not worshiped by many mortals in your world…”

Hel moved her butt to the edge of her throne and started to pull her dress up. “Will you be willing to worship me, mortal?”

Nick threw up slightly in his mouth when Hel fully exposed her lower half, but he was able to swallow it down. He then looked to Thor and Roskva for help, but they both rolled their eyes at him. He was clearly on his own. Nick looked backed at Hel and then moved toward her…

On their way to the wellspring Hvergelmir, Thor patted Nick on the back. They were right behind Hel who lead the way to Guhtur. “I could not have done what you just did. You are indeed a brave man.” Roskva walked behind Thor and Nick, and seemed to be mad at Nick. “Do not worry about Roskva, she will get over it soon enough.”

“Aye.” answered Nick.

“Roskva seems to like you very much.”

“Indeed. I have never fallen in love with a woman, until I saw her.” said Nick as Thor looked his shoulder over to the mad Roskva. Nick continued. “She has a simple beauty to her that I have not known before.”

“We are here!” said Hel before Thor could agree with Nick. “Welcome to Hvergelmir!”

Hvergelmir is the wellspring of all icy cold rivers and the source of the eleven rivers. It was also where some of the dishonored dead come to spend a cold day in Hel. Roskva grabbed onto Nick’s arm and when he looked at her, she pointed up. When he looked up, he too saw the huge serpent Niohoggr gnawing on one of the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. Hel ignored the mortals and went into the water. She waded into the wellspring until her knees were covered and stooped. Hel looked around the waters until she spotted something. She reached in and pulled out a man by the hair, then dragged him ashore. When they got to dry land, Hel threw down the man. It was Guhtur.

Thor and Nick, with Roskva still on his arm, walked up to Guhtur. His eyes were missing and he was covered in his wounds, just as Nick had killed him. It was Nick who spoke first.

“Guhtur, where is my gold.”

“Nick, is that you?” Guhtur shook his head. “Only a Viking would keep this up after death.”

“I am not dead. I am here with Thor to find out where you hid my money.”

“Thor?” Guhtur spit on the ground. “Now I will never tell you where that money is, I worship Loki!”

Thor kicked the man in the head. “You will tell us where that gold is or else!”

“Or else what? I am already in the domain of Hel and in that forsaken wellspring.” He was right, Guhtur had no reason to tell them. “If I were allowed into Valhalla-”

“No!” answered Thor.

“Folkvangr?” asked Guhtur. Thor thought about this for a moment. He then turned his gaze toward Hel. After a half-minute had passed, she threw her arms up in defeat.

“Very well, you can have him.” She then pointed her finger to Thor. “You owe me, big time!” With that, she was gone.

Thor bent down and restored Guhtur. “Listen to me, you will have to beg Freyja to let you into Folkvangr. But I will put in a good word for you. Now tell us where the gold is!”

“It’s in deep water, just inside the Hammerfest.” Guhtur started to laugh. “No mortal can get to it.”

Thor kicked Guhtur, who was still too weak to stand, as the god stood up. Nick stood next to Thor as he whispered to him.

“Thor, I know you have fullfilled your favor to me, but will you help me get that gold?”

“Yes, I was going to do that anyway, but thanks for asking.” Again, Thor kicked Guhtur. “You will stay here until we return or I will not take you to Freyja. You understand?” Guhtur, still on the ground, nodded. “Good.”

Thor then raised Mjollnir and, with a loud thunder clap, they were gone from Hvergelmir.

*****

It was mid-winter now and the waters of the Hamran was frozen over. Thor had gone out over the ice to look for the chests of gold below the surface. After about half an hour later, he returned to Nick and Roskva who were waiting for him on the frozen shore.

“I found the gold.” started Thor. “However it will be no easy task. Jormungandr is near by and will awake if I enter the water.”

“Oh no!” said Roskva. A worried looked came over her face.

“Do not worry. He can not kill me. At least, not yet.” Thor grabbed Mjollnir and held out his other hand to Nick. “However I will need the Gnoordenaar to complete my task.”

Nick didn’t wait for a heartbeat. He pulled out the blade and handed it to Thor. Then he placed his hand on the god’s shoulder.

“Good luck. I shall not forget what you do for me this day.” With a knowing nod from Thor, Nick let go of Thor and watched the god return to the ice. Thor raised Mjollnir and with a loud smash, he was gone under the water to do battle with the World Serpent.

“Come,” said Nick as he pulled on Roskva. “Let’s go to the village and keep warm. There is nothing we can do for him now.”

Roskva looked up at Nick and nodded. When they turned toward the village, Roskva and Nick was greeted by an incredible sight. On the edge of the clearing, there were five Sami warriors being lead by two tied-up Sami warriors. Nick quickly reconized the two who were tied-up.

“Bierril! Filpa!” Nick went for The Gnoordenaar, but when he didn’t find the handle, a look of panic overcame his face. One of the five Sami warriors laughed and Nick reconized him as the King of the Guovdageaidnu people, Edo. Edo had Filpa by his sword and Hegon, the son of Edo, had Bierril by the sword. Normally, the blade made powerful by Thor was enough to frighten these people away. Now he would have to fight them.

“Missing something! We all saw you give The Gnoordenaar to Thor. You are now powerless.” Edo didn’t like Nick’s rule of the Hammerfest. He would have moved against Nick long ago, but for the blade that Nick carried. Edo heard rumors that Nick had gone on a quest and so marched onto the Hammerfest, getting there only two nights before. Nick pointed for Roskva to move away as he drew his sword.

“I am not as powerless as you think I am!”

“Kill him!” commanded Edo. Three of the Guovdageaidnu, who already had their swords out, charged Nick. They had shields as well and so killing them would be twice as hard.

The first one was easily dispatched. A fake to the Sami’s right and Nick quickly attacked his left, cutting right into his heart. The other two would not be so fooled.

The second attacker swung at Nick a little high. Nick counter-attacked, hitting his shield and breaking it in two. This Sami backed up as the third Guovdageaidnu attack Nick. This Sami also swung high, allowing Nick to duck low and run his sword just below his stomach. When Nick withdrew his sword, the man’s guts spilled onto the white snow. Nick turn around just in time to see the second Guovdageaidnu attacker running up on him with his sword held high. Nick used the opening to stab the man right in the heart. Right before he died, the second Guovdageaidnu attacker was able to hit Nick on the head, causing the Viking to bleed. It would heal, but it was a deep and painful cut.

When Edo and Hegon saw that Nick had killed their men, they tighten their grip on their prisoners and started to back up.

“Now- Now, Nick,” started Edo. “Can we not talk about this simple misunderstanding?”

“Let my men go!” yelled Nick as he moved forward. All of a sudden, a rock came flying out of nowhere and hit Hegon on the head. Nick looked where the rock came from and saw that it was Roskva who threw the rock. Hegon fell, taking Bierril with him. Nick was quickly on him. Nick kicked Hegon’s sword out of his hand and toward Bierril, which Bierril quickly cut himself free. When Hegon regained his senses, he found Bierril now had him by the sword. Nick turned his attention back to Edo, who had almost got back to the woods with Filpa. “Now we can talk about this, misunderstanding. Your son, for my man!”

Edo stopped and thought for a second. He then slowly let go of Filpa and when he pushed Filpa away, Edo drew another sword.

“Very well, Viking scum.” Edo said with a smile. “But you and me, we finish this now!”

Nick answered the older man’s challenge, when he charged Edo. They clashed swords and fought for a couple of minutes. Somehow, Nick was able to get the larger of the two swords away from Edo and the Guovdageaidnu King fell to his knees.

“Do you yield?” asked Nick.

“Never!” yelled Edo as he raised his remining sword over his head. In one quick motion, Nick chopped off Edo’s hand and head. The snow under Edo turned blood-red. Nick grabbed Edo’s boardsword and walked up to a stunned and disarmed Hegon. At first, Hegon thought Nick was going to kill him. Instead Nick gave him the sword.

“You are now King of the Guovdageaidnu and it’s surrounding territory. You can either fight me and die, or go rule your people. Your father’s conflict with me ended with his death. Let us not start a new one.”

Hegon eyed Nick for a few seconds, put the sword into his sheath, and walked away without saying a word.

With Hegon gone, Nick and Roskva helped both Bierril and Filpa to their homes in the village. Once they completed their task, they made their way to Nick’s own chambers in the back of the Hamholl. Without saying another word to each other, they made love until the morning hours.

Then, once they rested and had their fill of food, they went to check on Thor. He was no where to be seen. It wasn’t until the third morning that Thor was sitting on the shore with three chests filled with gold. Thor was smoking his pipe to make himself warm. Roskva rushed toward him and threw her arms around The Thunder God.

“Oh M’lord, I thought he got you!” cried the girl.

“You know me,” said Thor as he huged his servent girl back. “Jormungandr is really a pushover.”

“Pushover?” It took you three whole days to fight him off.” said Nick as he shook Thor’s hand. “I want to thank you for all that you have done.”

“It was my honor, my lad. Oh, by the way…” Thor handed the Gnoordenaar back to Nick. “Even though I said I would keep it, it is really your blade. Carry it with you into battle and may it strike fear into those who oppose you.”

“Thank you sir!” answered Nick.

“Come Roskva!” Thor stood up and motion to Roskva to come closer to him. “It is time to go.”

Roskva’s face was one of saddness as she looked to Nick. She then slowly made her way to Thor and with a clap of thunder, they were gone.

*****

Spring had come and Nick was now on his way to join Ivar’s great army. Nick had given Ivar’s representative two chests for the overall war effort and kept one for his own crew. Bierril was now king of the Hammerfest and Filpa, along with twenty other Sami, had join Nick on this high adventure.

Nick joined Filpa at the stern of the boat, in which the Sami warrior was holding onto the rudder. He was looking out toward the Hammerfest.

“Are you going to miss it?” asked Nick.

“Of course.” answered Filpa. He turned back to face forward. “However I have no regrets going on this trip, knowing full well that I may never return.”

“Good,” said Nick as he slapped his friend on the shoulder. “I will come to take over in about an hour. Until then, keep us along the coast.”

A flash of light then over took the entire ship, blinding everyone. When everyone’s sight return, they all realized they had an extra person on board. When Nick saw this person, he knew exactly who it was.

“Roskva!” Nick ran up to her and picked her up. He then kissed her deeply. After parting, he was still in disbelief. “But how? Why now?”

“Thor wanted to make sure you left the village liked you had planned.” Nick open his mouth and was silenced by Roskva. “He is a god after all, he knows everything. He knew if he had let me stayed with you before, you would have never left the Hammerfest.”

“Who am I to argue with Thor!” said Nick right before he kissed Roskva again.

Nick and Roskva would go on to live long lives. After Ivar’s invasion, they settled in Ireland and had five kids. They themselves would never convert to Christianity, but all their kids would. When they died, they became Thor’s personal guests in Bilskirnir.

Bierril would go on to become the Hammerfest’s greatest lord. He would be personally invited to Valhalla by Odin himself.

Filpa died in one of the many battles alongside Ivar the Boneless. He too went to Valhalla.

Guhtur was allowed into Folkvangr, but he had to remove his eyes to get in. He won’t get them back until Ragnarok begins.

The End