Chapter 265 - Tyr III (2/2)

Tyr smiled and gave Signi's hand a tight squeeze. He stood up, and she stepped back from him, giving him space, for she could sense the resolution building up within him.

”I would like that,” said Tyr. ”But we shall think about that later. For now, the ritual awaits.” He raised his voice. ”Hildr!”

His voice boomed across the throne room, and it shook and rumbled for an instant before a rock hydra sn.a.k.e.d its way from the other end of the vast room, weaving through pillars with agility that belied its size.

Tyr opened his arms up wide as the rock hydra approached. Unlike its more deadly variant in the Hinterlands, the rock hydra had not nine heads, but three, and its body was stubbier and more squat, much like that of a wyrm's. Its scales were also grey instead of a toxic green, being stonier and studded with hardened metals for the rock hydra was not poisonous like its western relatives.

Instead, it was more a physical specimen, being thoroughly tougher and faster.

The hydra nuzzled one of its heads into Tyr, and even its single head nearly completely shadowed over the dwarf. He petted the hydra as well as he could.

”Good girl,” said Tyr. He had known Hildr almost since the day he first wielded a sword, for every elite dwarven knight would pair and bond with a rock hydra native to the mountains so as to forge a close kinship to last a lifetime.

It would be no exaggeration to claim that Hildr was like family to Tyr.

”Hildr, my dear, I know you love this warm room so very much, but it is time to leave,” said Tyr. ”I must be alone for this.”

Hildr loosed a low grumble as she withdrew her head, her yellow eyes falling down in sadness.

”But worry not,” said Tyr. ”I will be finished within the hour. For now, take flight down to the Ironforged Gates that guard our home, this ancestral mountain stronghold that we have defended for so very many years together.

For when I emerge once more, it will be in glorious rebirth, with the power of the gods flowing through me, and I will meet you at the gates and we shall fly together in one final thrill of battle.”

Hildr's eyes brightened up, but she stayed aback, a little concerned. She grunted, and Tyr understood.

”Ah, this rebirth- it will not change me,” said Tyr. ”Signi has made it clear to me. It will only grant me power, and with it, we may give our home peace. I will always be the same, my dear, the same Tyr that I was when I was a boy waving my blade about like a fool and you a hatchling struggling to fly.

And now, we will fly together as divinely blessed rider and hydra – how far we have come. Promise me only that you will wait for me at the gates, for I know how impatient you can become.”

Hildr nodded her three heads and grunted in acceptance before charging out the throne room, her wings fluttering as she sailed across and out, up towards the surface. He smiled fondly at her excitement for battle, and he eagerly awaited the ritual's end til' he could ride atop his beloved Hildr with his wondrous wife Signi and free his home from the darkness that choked it.

He could finally meet his peoples' expectations. He could finally become worthy of the crown atop his helm.

He did not know this was the last time he would ever see Hildr. The last time he would ever see Signi. The last time he would see much of anything aside from darkness.