437 CDXXXVII. The Mutual Enemy (1/2)
During those moments, the bond of friendship between the two of them was strengthened by the love they both shared for Dag, remaining ready to intervene to his rescue in case of need.
...
”You really don't know anything about it?! What you have in your hand is the most powerful artifact on this planet!” Kranus exclaimed, who spoke of the Crystal inside the Giantbane as if it was a divine relic.
”I wouldn't have gone all this way if I hadn't wanted to find out the truth, don't you think? I would have stayed in Okstorm, safe in my Clan's fortress. What is the Crystal Of Fire?” Dag asked, looking forward to hearing Kranus's next words, who sighed, trying to explain all the details.
”Its story is not so easy to explain... it all started in the days leading up to the creation of this planet. The mighty Ymir, King of the Ice Giants of Jotunheim, was leading the eternal battle against the rock giants when they arrived, the Frostsinners...”
”What? The Xis?” Dag thought, without interrupting Kranus, who had to tell the whole truth.
”They forced all the giants and Gods of Asgard to abandon the Earth and destroyed Yggdrasill, the cosmic tree that connected all the nine kingdoms, exiling them here, on Skjold. Ymir failed to counter the unstoppable power of strangers, rendered invincible by their power, able to manipulate the only matter that has no space and no time: the Dark Matter, the same of which the universe is made.”
Dag tried to hold back the avalanche of emotions that were exploding inside him: the man who came out of nowhere, not only knew the function of the Giantbane but also knew what was behind its powers.
”The rock giants were completely exterminated, as were those of ice. Only Ymir managed to save himself, thanks to his strong spirit, but he was locked in the most extreme depths of the sea, at the lowest point of a pit in the center of the Great Deep See, bound by chains made of Dark Matter. But before he was exiled, someone reported to him and the Aesirs the existence of a relic that contained the power to counter the Dark Matter. That relic is the Crystal of Fire, the one embedded in your weapon. In other words, your axe is the only one that can really hurt the most powerful Frostsinners and free Ymir, to allow him to rule this world as it should be” Kranus continued, who as he spoke, looked upwards, as if he found inspiration in the deep blue sky above their heads.
Dag squinted, unable to speak after listening to the ice mage's explanation.
After a sigh, he returned to himself and said, ”rule this world? He should rule over Jotunheim, that's his place, as Odin's one is Asgard, and so on. Kranus, believe me, even though I didn't know these facets, you and I are fighting for the same purpose! I am a declared enemy of the Frostsinners and they have tried several times to kill me!”
”Yes, several times, in the form of animals or people. They are able to control the bodies of living beings, giving them supernatural powers. In my life, I have been forced to fight against giant crows and other animals, not to mention the dead who came back to life through the power of the Xis. They can also control people alive, but they must be consenting, otherwise, the process becomes impossible” Dag explained, who as he noticed that Kranus was inclined to listen, gave him all the information he had.
”And how did you survive? Not even the Gods have been able to counter their power... you're lying!”
”I'm not lying, believe me, it's the truth! The Xis I've fought against in the past were definitely less powerful than a real Frostsinner! Having taken possession of fairly weak bodies, their strength was limited!” Dag replied, looking at the man with sincere eyes.
Kranus paused for a few seconds, looking at the faces of Egill and Sander to see if Dag was telling the truth or not.