Chapter 222: Found the seal
Meanwhile then back in Alfheim, as Marie Alter, Tristan, Ereshkigal, Kama and Sitonai then spoke.
Kama then spoke in frustration. "At this point we are either gonna find the seal in Alfheim first before the that damn God Weapon, or the other way around".
Marie Alter glanced at Kama, her expression cool but with a hint of concern. "Patience, Kama. Rushing won't help us find the seal faster. We need to be methodical. That God Weapon... it's not something we can just stumble upon without consequences."
Tristan, ever the strategist, chimed in with a calm tone. "We know the weapon's location is linked to the seal. If we can pinpoint the exact location of the seal in Alfheim, we'll be able to handle the rest. But we can't afford to be reckless—especially with the threat that weapon represents."
Ereshkigal, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up, her voice laced with a touch of irritation. "The longer we waste here, the stronger those guardians will become. This place is crawling with them. We need to finish our task quickly. I agree with Kama, though—I just hope we find the seal before that damn weapon."
Sitonai, who had been keeping watch, turned her gaze toward the dense forest around them. "There's too much interference in this area—magical distortion, enchantments, you name it. The seal is likely protected by something powerful, and we've yet to find any leads. But I agree, the weapon is definitely the larger threat right now. If it falls into the wrong hands, all of our progress will be in vain."
Kama sighed, frustrated. "I know, I know. I just... We need to get ahead of whoever else might be after it. If we let them beat us to it, we're screwed."
Marie Alter placed a hand on Kama's shoulder, her expression softening. "We're not going to lose. You're stronger than that. We all are. But let's remember, we're a team. We don't need to fight this alone."
Ereshkigal glanced at Marie Alter, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "True, but we'll need to work fast. I'm not keen on letting anyone else get a hold of the God Weapon before we do."
Tristan nodded, then motioned for the group to follow him. "Let's keep moving. We'll find the seal. And once we do, we'll have all the tools we need to make sure that weapon doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
With renewed determination, the group continued through Alfheim, more cautious and focused than ever. The clock was ticking, and with each step they took, the tension in the air only grew thicker. The stakes were higher than ever, and the challenges ahead seemed insurmountable—but they knew they had to push forward, no matter the cost.
Sitonai then stopped as she looked at everyone. "Did you all feel that".
They looked at eachother, as they started too walk to where they felt, as they saw there is was a Sword, a Great Sword it was the God Weapon, as then they saw behind the sword was the Biforst seal.
Kama just spoke as she irrational clearly on breath. "The Universe Hates me".
Tristan's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, cautiously eyeing the sword and the Bifrost seal behind it. "This is it, isn't it? The God Weapon… and the seal. It's all here."
Marie Alter's expression darkened, her eyes scanning the area around them for any signs of danger. "This feels too convenient. It's almost as if it's waiting for us to take it. Stay alert."
Ereshkigal raised an eyebrow at Kama's outburst. "I understand your frustration, but this is no time for doubt. We need to act quickly, before someone else shows up."
Kama, still visibly tense, clenched her fists. "You don't get it. First, we find the God Weapon and the seal together, and now—" She paused, visibly exasperated. "It's all too much. We've barely managed to get this far, and now we're staring at this thing… I swear the universe is doing this just to make my life harder."
Sitonai, her sharp eyes still focused on the sword and seal, added, "Whatever the universe has planned for you, we need to focus on the task at hand. We don't know what will happen if we interact with that sword or the seal. It could trigger something... bad."
Tristan slowly approached the sword, keeping his movements deliberate and measured. "This sword... feels different from anything I've sensed before. Powerful, but cursed in a way. I'd rather not risk triggering its power without understanding what it's capable of."
Ereshkigal folded her arms, eyes fixed on the sword. "I agree. But we can't ignore that it's connected to the Bifrost seal. If we try to remove it, there might be consequences. We need to think carefully."
Kama gritted her teeth. "So we're stuck here... unsure of what to do next."
Marie Alter stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "No. We're not stuck. We act, but we do so together. We can't let this weapon fall into the wrong hands, and we need to break this seal. Let's make sure we're ready for whatever this place has in store."
There was a palpable tension in the air as they all stood there, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. They had come too far to hesitate now, but every instinct told them that pulling the sword or disturbing the seal could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Sitonai spoke up again, her voice steady. "Whatever we decide, we need to be prepared for a fight. If we release the power of the seal, we could attract unwanted attention. Let's get ready for anything."
The group nodded in agreement, each of them readying themselves for whatever would come next. As they stood on the threshold of a monumental decision, the air seemed to grow heavier, charged with both the potential for victory and the threat of unimaginable danger.
Kama then spoke Looking around as he pulled out her bow. "Where is the Guardian".
Sitonai then moved as she cut a whole tree in half, which seemed too be a monster. "There I gess".
Seating on a tree was woman, she was beautiful and had that of divinity to her, as she has red eye and green hair.
Tristan then saw the plan life move. "A Goddes of Nature".
The girl looked at as she spoke. "That is correct, it is me Jord".
Kama, ever the cautious one, nocked an arrow and aimed it, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Jord… The Goddess of Nature, huh? Not exactly what I was expecting, but I'll take it. Can't let my guard down just because she's a deity."
Jord, still seated elegantly on the tree, looked at the group with an almost serene smile. "There's no need to be so hostile, Archer. I am not your enemy unless you make me one."
Ereshkigal, ever the tactician, stepped forward, her voice measured. "You're the guardian of the seal, then? It seems we're standing before both the Bifrost seal and the God Weapon. What is your purpose here? Are you protecting them, or is there something more to this?"
Jord's smile widened slightly, her red eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. "I am the protector of nature's balance, yes, and these artifacts are part of that balance. But there's more than just guarding. I have witnessed the shifts in power, the breaking of seals, and the arrival of those who would upset the balance. That is why I stand here now."
Kama's grip tightened on her bow, not lowering it. "You say balance, but why is this sword and seal so important? What's your role in all this?"
Tristan, curious and cautious, added, "And if you're a goddess of nature, why are you here, guarding such powerful artifacts? Is this your domain or something else entirely?"
Jord shifted gracefully, her presence radiating calmness. "I guard not only nature, but the boundaries that protect it. The seal you seek is one that binds worlds together. Without it, the power of the God Weapon could fracture the realms. Nature's order would unravel."
Sitonai narrowed her eyes. "So it's not just about the seal and the sword? It's about the very fabric of existence?"
Jord nodded slowly. "Yes. The Bifrost seal is one of the links between worlds. It prevents chaos from spilling over into realms that are not yet ready for it. The God Weapon was forged as a tool to maintain that balance, and now it is a potential threat. I am here to ensure that its power does not disrupt everything."
Kama's gaze sharpened. "You think we can't handle it?"
Jord's expression softened, her voice gentle but firm. "It is not about your ability to wield it, but about the consequences of unleashing such a power. Some weapons are meant to be hidden, for the sake of all realms."
Ereshkigal spoke up, her voice filled with quiet determination. "Then what are we supposed to do? Stand back and let things unfold? We've come this far to prevent the destruction of everything, and we won't just turn away."
Jord stood up, her divine presence filling the air around them. "I did not say you must stand back. But be aware, the decision to take the God Weapon is not a light one. If you wish to take it, you must understand the weight of that choice."
Sitonai stood ready, her hand near her weapon. "We understand. And we will be ready for the consequences."
Tristan, glancing at the others, stepped forward. "We've come this far, and we're not backing down now. The weapon may be a threat, but we need to protect all worlds. If taking it is part of that, we'll do what must be done."
Kama, her bow still drawn, eyed Jord warily. "And if we don't want to listen to you?"
Jord met her gaze, her expression calm but filled with an unspoken power. "Then you will face the consequences, just as any would who disturbs the natural order. I will not stand idly by as the realms fall into disarray. But my goal is not to stop you—my goal is to ensure you understand what you are about to unleash."
Sitonai then moved her sword as she spoke. "Too bad, we need to break that seal too get into Asgard".
She then looked at her as she spoke. "Then this makes me your enemy".
Ereshkigal and Kama flared up there power. "Don't forget that we are gods as well".
Jord's expression remained unwavering, her divine aura radiating as the tension between the two sides grew. She stood tall, her red eyes glimmering with ancient wisdom. "You may be gods, but that does not give you the right to disrupt the order of the worlds. Power does not always equate to righteousness."
Sitonai's grip on her sword tightened, her gaze cold and determined. "We are not here to ask for permission, Jord. The seal must be broken. The lives of countless beings across realms are at stake, and if we must fight to do what needs to be done, then so be it."
Kama, her bow still drawn and her body crackling with divine energy, smirked darkly. "Your nature may be divine, but so are we. And if you're planning to stop us from our mission, we'll have no choice but to move forward by force."
Ereshkigal, standing with her aura flaring, her voice icy as her power surged, added, "You are in our way now. Don't make us waste time explaining why we need the God Weapon. If you understand the consequences, you will step aside."
Jord's green hair swayed as the wind shifted around her, her power making the very atmosphere hum with ancient energy. "You seek Asgard? Then you must understand that the gods there do not take kindly to trespassers. The consequences of breaking this seal could lead to far more than a simple battle between us. You will bring calamity upon all realms, and that is a path I will not allow."
Sitonai, stepping forward with quiet resolve, narrowed her eyes. "Then you leave me no choice."
With a swift motion, Sitonai surged forward, her sword crackling with energy as she launched herself at Jord. The goddess reacted almost instantly, a burst of nature-infused power spiraling around her, pushing back against Sitonai's attack with the force of a storm. The two clashed in mid-air, the sound of metal ringing as their weapons collided.
Kama, not wanting to be left behind, fired an arrow straight toward Jord, the divine energy surging within it. Ereshkigal, her eyes narrowed, summoned forth a wave of necrotic energy, aiming to disrupt the very life force around the goddess.
Jord moved with effortless grace, her connection to nature allowing her to bend the very environment around her. The trees seemed to respond to her, their branches twisting and contorting to block Kama's arrow, while the earth itself rose up to shield her from Ereshkigal's energy.
"You are reckless," Jord said softly, almost pityingly, as her power flared. "You think you can simply take what you want without consequence? The realms are not toys for you to play with. I will not let you endanger them."
Sitonai, disengaging from the fight momentarily, looked back at the group with a grim expression. "We have no choice, this fight is inevitable."
She turned her attention back to Jord, her sword glowing with an intensified power. "We will do whatever it takes to save the realms, even if it means fighting you."
Jord's voice was calm but full of unyielding resolve. "Then prepare yourselves. For I will not allow you to pass without a fight."
Tristan then looked at her as knew this fight was not gonna end will, for himz id Kama and Ereshkigal fully fought this realm might be destroyed, as he took deep breath he spoke hoping this work. "I have an idea, a game if we win you leave us and break the seal, and if you win we leave, we will not even send anyothe team from Chaldea".
Jord then smriked as her face glowed as she landed. "Very, will let me tell you the Human from proper Human History Kirshtaria, and I played with some do Valkyrie and rknwaa fun". She then moved her hand everyone was ready for dangerous game, as they are ready a then 10 tree figure came out of the ground as she was holding a plant ball. "I think it was called Football".
Tristan's eyes widened as Jord summoned the figures from the trees, their forms towering and ominous, yet somehow playful in nature. Each one carried a plant-like orb, resembling a football, and the atmosphere shifted. There was an underlying playfulness in her stance, a challenge in the air.
Kama raised an eyebrow, her bow lowered but still crackling with energy, as she spoke in a low tone. "A game... with this? You'd risk the fate of the realms over something so trivial?"
Jord smiled, her green hair shimmering with the energy of the forest around her. "Not trivial, but perhaps a lesson for all of you. You see, sometimes the most powerful forces in the universe are not battles of strength or magic, but of strategy and cunning. A game of football, as you call it, is an excellent way to prove your resolve—and see if you truly understand what you're fighting for."
Ereshkigal stepped forward, her divine aura pulsing in annoyance but holding back for now. "And what's the catch? What does your victory truly mean, Jord?"
"Ah, the stakes are simple," Jord said, her red eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. "If I win, you all leave without a single protest, and I will guard this seal for as long as I am bound to it. If you win..." She paused for dramatic effect, a smirk playing across her lips. "I will break the seal and allow you to take what you desire."
Tristan looked to Kama and Ereshkigal, both still skeptical but recognizing the severity of the situation. A game of football—if played with the stakes of an entire realm on the line—was not something to take lightly.
"Are you saying you would risk breaking the seal just for a game?" Tristan asked, narrowing his eyes, trying to gauge whether Jord truly understood the consequences.
Jord simply nodded, a flicker of confidence in her eyes. "Absolutely. If you are truly worthy of passing through, then this game should be easy for you. Or perhaps you will find that you are not ready yet. Either way, it will be an interesting challenge."
Kama gritted her teeth, clearly unhappy with the absurdity of it all but unwilling to back down now. "Fine. But if we lose, we will not simply leave quietly. Understand?"
Jord's smile widened, and she gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Deal."
Without further warning, the tree figures began to move into position, each one holding the plant ball—an energy-infused orb with roots that pulsed with life magic. The field was set, a perfect patch of lush grass appearing in the blink of an eye, the goalposts made of intertwining trees. It was a surreal sight—an otherworldly arena where nature and magic fused together to create the perfect stage.
Sitonai, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke up, her voice full of skepticism but determination. "This is ridiculous, but if this is what it takes... we won't lose."
"Let's play then," Tristan said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "No holding back."
Jord raised her hand, signaling the start of the game. "Let's see if you can outsmart me and my team of... nature's finest." She gestured to the tree-like figures, who were now positioned like players ready for battle.
As the game began, the atmosphere crackled with energy, both sides knowing that the fate of the realms—and possibly their lives—hung in the balance. The game of football had begun, and it was clear that every move, every pass, and every tackle would carry the weight of the entire universe on their shoulders.