The story depicted in the stone walls started with the disaster 'The Ragnarok' that spelled the end of the Asgardians, as the massive wolf Fenrir killed many of the gods including the all-father himself, Odin.
Fenrir's rampage practically destroyed the world and heralded the end of an era. Even when the creature was finally slain under the blade of Vidar, one of the Ashgardian gods, the myriad of gods who died meant that the age of gods had finally ended. After the death of the wolf Fenrir, it was then the birth of the wolf's curse was mentioned.
The old man started to read the writings on the wall.
"The Giantess, old and frail, spoke from within the Ironhood. In the east, the brood of Fenrir was born. They shall walk amongst humans, only to shed their guise and show their monster form before devouring the sun."
On the walls, there were carvings telling the story of how the Asgardian gods were able to defeat Fenrir, only for the wolf's immense hatred to birth the curse of the twin wolf offsprings. Skoll, the night wolf who chased the sun, and Hatii, the day wolf who chased the moon.
When the thousands of Vanir came to Earth, a few brought the night wolf's curse within them. Unable to control the curse, they would transform into beasts at random intervals. It quickly became a problem for the people of Earth, which lead to a battle between the ones with the curse and the Asgardian survivors.
It was at that time, the drawing showed the marking of a large tree, the sacred Tree Gaia that intervened. It was by the grace of Gaia that they were able to be cured. With their beast abilities, they would later repay the favor by being the protectors of Gaia itself. It was among them that the Beast King was born.
Thanks to the story, Emery found out the legacy of his feywolf nature came from the outer world. He let out a long, tired sigh. Even the patriarch of the wolf bloodline had very little knowledge about the fey wolf. This was quickly becoming more concerning. How would he learn more about himself?
At least now he gained some clues of new names to search for: Fenrir and the two twin wolves: Skull and Hati, the night and day wolf. Something to look into when he return to the magus academy.
Fjolnir, who was thinking about the old times, suddenly commented.
"I remember there were rarely any men to be seen among the fey people. I only saw the Beast King once, but he was always surrounded by women."
Klea, who had been silent so far, suddenly piped up. "Hey, Emery, I guess there's no mistake! They are indeed your ancestors!" teasing Emery who also had so many women around him.
Emery knew better than to try and justify himself, so he just ignored Klea's remarks and continued this line of inquiry, asking a different question.
"Then, does that mean we are blood related, Elder?"
The elder laughed and said. "Yes, we are, and a few million people in the world, too. It's been 3000 years since a thousand of us came here, after all."
The king added that a few people, who were blessed with pure Ashgardian blood, would have a similar power as their ancestors. They would be able to increase their innate power, shown by tattoo markings appearing all over their body.
It reminded him of the Akavi Warriors back in the Forbidden Forest, who could invoke their power to increase their strength, shown by black markings appearing on their bodies. As for Emery, he was either fortunate or unfortunate, as he inherited the 'night wolf curse'.
All of a sudden, he thought of a question.
"I wonder if there was any other man who had the 'curse' in the last 2000 years?"
"No… Not for two thousand years." The king shook his head. "The only known remains of the night wolf curse bearers and the Beast King were the fey people who locked themselves in the forest."
Emery took a deep sigh. He was hoping the king would know where he could start looking, so he might be able to find another sample for his bloodline research. Luckily for him, the king didn't stop there.
"Ah, right, there were these reports about sightings of a fey wolf a dozen years back, I didn't give them any attention, but it appeared the report was credible."
Emery turned around and asked in surprise. "Who? Where was it?"
"The identity was unknown, but the sightings were at the town of Bergen, on the easternmost shore of this island."
The location made Emery's eyes lit up in recognition. He had heard the town in passing before, for it was used as the hub to connect those sailing across from Briton and vice versa.
"As a matter of fact, Emery, the town was close to the site of the first incident between the Vanir and the cursed ones 3000 years ago. If you want to head there, I will send word of your visit. I'm sure the Jarl there will take good care of you."
Emery nodded gratefully. "Thank you elder."
His hope to find something there was reignited.
Klea, on the other hand, had a disappointed expression on her beautiful face. "So, we are leaving Venaheinm soon, then?"
Emery nodded. "Ah, yeah, that is right. Is something the matter, Klea?"
"Well, I thought we could stay a few days here first. I really wanted to learn the bird summoning spell, after all."
On one hand, Emery wished to be able to head to Bergen right away, but on the other hand, Klea had helped him so much on his way here. So, he chose to wait for her. Anyway, he could use some time to cultivate the [Nature Grasp].
"Well, I guess we could stay here for a few days first, if the king doesn't mind."
The king smiled. "Don't you know? People say that we have the best traditions related to welcoming guests." The king took a quick glance at Klea and stopped for a second. "But, if you think you can learn the magic in a few days, you need to wake up. It's not possible"
Klea took the king's teasing in stride, as she smiled and said. "Well, many said that I am pretty talented. It may be time to put that to the test, right?"
Emery turned around and thought about leaving, but the king touched his shoulder and said.
"Where are you going? I haven't shown you the main reason I brought you here."
Ah, that's right. In his excitement from learning more about his origin, he had forgotten that the king invited him here to give him something.
Fjolnir glanced at the old man, who he walked towards the other end of the room before raising his hand. The seemingly empty wall cracked, light from glowing marking spilling out from the broken rocks, before the rocks tumbled down to reveal a secret door.
Emery and Klea walked through another empty tunnel and finally, they saw a room full of skeletons. The skeletons weren't haphazardly placed. They seemed to be laid carefully stored in the walls of the place with their weapons still held tight in their long decayed hands. If they still had any flesh left, they would look like mere sleeping guards.
The room was no slouch either. It was decorated with beautiful statues and littered with treasures, creating a wondrous sight to behold.
Klea, as brave as she was, was still a little taken aback by all the bodies, tightly holding Emery's arm as they walked through the pathway cutting the middle of the room. Or maybe it was all just an excuse to cling to Emery's arm.
"These are the tombs of our ancestors and our great warriors." The king explained.
Emery looked around, it was clear there were literally hundreds of skeletons lying there like what the king said, all waiting for the time they would be reborn and roam this world once more.
They went through another door, stopping in a room with shiny stone walls. Slight wisps of light seeped out from the walls every so often, before fading as Emery touched it with his fingers.
Aside from the door, the place was filled with hanging weapons and armor. He expected the weapons to be lost to the ravages of time, but everything was intact. Each shone with a metallic glint, as if it had been polished mere minutes before they came.
The shape of the weapons and armor vary wildly, from simple spears, swords and shields, to more strange things. Emery even spotted a massive metal ball propped with chains and carved with images of the howling winds, but the strangest of all were several weapons resembling musical instruments.
"This is an arsenal!" He said in awe.
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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by NovelFull,