436 CDXXXVI. I Defeated A God (1/2)

”The Crystal of Fire... here it is, in all its splendor” the old Wizard whispered, while even his Jotunns were speechless looking at the Giantbane.

Meanwhile, Orvar and Skaldr, who had just entered the snowy forest, were continuing the route as quickly as possible, followed by the allied troop, ready to hide as soon as Dag and the others would be visible.

”This is called Giantbane, forged by the God Weland himself. The crystal belongs to me by right, created by the blood of a mortal, an earthling man, like me” Dag said in a solemn voice, knowing that Kranus was already aware of those details and prompting him to reveal something else.

”Weland is nothing but a servant of the great plan of the Aesirs, boy. Now hand me the axe and I will consider your debt to me repaid” Kranus replied, omitting to Dag the rest of the story.

”The debt? I'm sorry, but I don't owe any debt to you, Kranus. You've lost many of your soldiers, but their numbers are still lower than the innocent victims they killed, razing two entire villages to the ground. I never wanted to kill him. but he tried to kill me and take my axe away, it was the only way I had to stop him” he continued, who even though he knew he dared too much with those words, was intent on not lying about that part, so as not to arouse suspicion about his disposition.

Kranus, before answering, looked down, saddened to think of his son's death, and then looked again at Dag, but angrily.

”My son was worth more than 1000 of your men and you interrupted his young life! He was the warrior destined, one day, to wield the Crystal of Fire and avenge the Gods, as announced by the great and powerful giant Ymir before he was trapped on the bottom of the Great Deep See!”

”What? What are you talking about? Use the Crystal against who? Which enemies are you referring to?” Dag asked, who had a hunch.

”That doesn't concern you, I said! You're making me lose my temper! I was told that your insolence was your signature trait, but I didn't believe it up to this point! I demand respect when you talk to me, kid! I am the descendant of the great Ymir, who gave me some of his powers to rule this frozen land!” Kranus yelled, beginning to get seriously angry and scolding Dag, while his eyes became slightly clearer and his pupils changed color, becoming white.

”On the point of death?” the magician wondered in amazement.

”Yes. He sensed something dangerous in me and at first identified me as an enemy to be defeated. My warriors and I were forced to defeat him in combat and reduce him to death to convince him otherwise.”

At those words, the two Jottuns shuddered, looking puzzled at their leader, who was also shaken by the news.

”You... you defeated a god?!”