You know, looking back on my very long lived life. I had to wonder what I would be doing in the Afterlife. I would hope I'd be in Valhalla with my fellow warriors but in order for that to happen. I'd have to die in battle, back in the day, war and raids were plentiful but now in the modern world. Battles didn't come by as much as they used to. Sure there was war but using a gun, that was boring as Hell. Give me a sword and a shield any day of the week. There was something about going head to head with another army or a person with nothing but a sharp piece of metal and a wooden thing to block blows or even bash in some heads. Why be far back when you can be up and close in your enemy's face. It was a thrill, one today's people just didn't understand but that's just how it is. I've watched the World change for over a thousands years and boy has it changed but again, these were thoughts of an old man even if I didn't look it. Being a Viking Shaman has it's perks, that and being on good terms with Hel. That helps too.
Someone would wonder who can you be on good terms with a Death Goddess. It's fairly simple. When she asks you to do something. You do it. For reason I don't know and I dare not ask Hel but she and Hades don't like each other and when ever one of them can vex the other, they will take that chance to do it. I just so happen to be one of those times for Hel. To make a long story short, I had to go to the realm of Hades to steal some of the Lord of The Underworld's fire. So taking Hades' fire did piss him off. Of course it did but Hel had a joyful time. So now, every so often. Hades would send assassins after me. It was a pain in the ass, I won't lie but again when a Death Goddess tells you to do something, you do it. She watched over me and kept me alive. That's what was my reward for doing her little task. Just to piss off Hades, I couldn't die. Well kind of. Another Death God could claim me, but Hel wouldn't give me up so easy.
So due to Hades always wanting me dead. I've had to change my place of living and my name. Yeah Jake Avery wasn't my real name, clearly but I've come to like it. I've been Jake Avery since 1920, I think. I don't remember but it's something around there. I haven't had to deal with Hades' goons for some time now but that meant shit could happen any day now. If that was the case, I tried to be ready for them any time. I've had some close calls over the years. One time he sent goblins after me. Yeah, goblins. Why he would send such stupid creatures is beyond me. If he sent a whole army of them after me. Sure, yeah maybe he could have gotten me killed. I was rather insulted if I'm honest but he also had sent a hydra to kill me. That was one of those close calls. Good thing I'm a Shaman, I don't know how I would have made it out of that encounter if I didn't have the help from the elements and my skills with a sword. I would surly have been killed. Hades was an asshole. So fuck him.
I've been all over the world and learned a few things and a few language. It's been a fun life and I'm not tired of it one bit. I'll go to Valhalla when and if I'm chosen by Odin. The Gods keep their eyes on the world and when I mean the Gods. I'm talking about all the pantheons. The Greek, Japanese, Christian God, all of them. I've even met a few but you'd really just want to stay away from them. A deity could be friendly to you but one wrong step and you'll be turned to ash or something far worst I dare not think about, hence why I've been hiding away from Hades. I stepped on his toes and now he wants me dead. He can't go after Hel but he can go after me and that's good enough for him. When he found me the last time. I was in Ireland and living a great life, I even got married again and had a few kids. Thankfully by the time The Lord of The Underworld had found me, I had outlived my family, they were gone and in the ground. So I moved to America, it was harder for the older Gods to get to me. Not many people worshiped them here but you had the Native Gods, like Coyote. A trickster God. Met him once or rather the Apache version, different tribes had different ones but I'll tell you right now. Don't even trust a single one of them. I moved to Boston to get away from all that bullshit. The last thing I needed was to be tricked by one of those bastards.
Boston was a Crazy, Noisy, Bizarre Town. There were a few witches, some vampires even werewolves and other supernatural being. Of course you couldn't tell if you were a normal everyday human. People in today's world think they are only myths and legends. Which would be for the better. People would freak out if they found out they were real and then a bunch of bullshit would happen and that would just make my life a pain. I was happy they kept low key. I met a lot of them because I owned a New Age shop. I sold many of stuff. Books on Wicca, herbal tea, candles. Items like that. Of course most of my magic books were fake and a bunch of crap but that was so that normal people didn't do stupid shit, like summoning a demon or pissing off a Goddess. No, I kept the real stuff in the back. I knew who was apart of the supernatural community. I had my own magic I could use to see who was who. I had my house and shop covered in magic runes that warned me if something magical or otherworldly stepped in. One of the many things my old teacher taught me but over the years I improved the spells and made them stronger. They could tell me when a deity walked into my place of business.
I was at my work this morning. It wasn't busy since it was only a Tuesday and business didn't tend to pick up til later in the afternoon anyways. I had a few people come in, a lady looking for healing crystals and a pothead thinking just because I sold herbs, I sold those kind. Not that I couldn't grow Cannabis, which I did from time to time. I wasn't going to sell it out of shop. That's what drug dealers were for. I had to turn away these kind of people from time to time, a bit annoying but it's gonna happen. The third person who came in. She caught my attention. The runes went off warning me. Whoever this person was, she was powerful. My bet. She was a witch, old one and she was stunning, but of course that was due to magic. Some sort of spell I'm sure. Her skin was pale, like a porcelain doll, lips red as blood and long flowing black hair like a raven's feather. She looked to be in her mid twenties but I knew better it was just glamour magic. I'm sure she could make any man do what she wanted, to buy what she wanted. By Odin's beard. There was a reason why I didn't trust witches. I was behind the cash register when she walked up and greeted me with a smile.
"Hello and welcome to my humble shop. How may I help you?" I said before shooting her a friendly smile.
"Greetings. Gunnar Harou."
Oh fuck.
That took me back. I didn't see that coming. Some random woman calling me by my given name. Not many people knew it and everyone who did. I knew them. Whoever this person was. She had gotten it from someone. There was no way she knew who I was unless told so. I didn't give her reaction when she said my true name. I didn't want her to know I was shocked.
"Miss. I'm Jake Avery. I think you have the wrong person." I said, trying to get a feel of the situation and playing it off like I had no clue what she was talking about.
"Come now, I was sent by a friend of yours. He said you could help me."She replied with a warming grin. No doubt trying to use her charm on me, of course this being my home turf, that wasn't going to happen.
"A friend you say? I don't have a whole lot of friends. Who sent you?" I would know soon enough. Which ever one of my friends sent her, they would have told to tell me a little code to know if it was true.
"Tis was Marcus and he said to tell you the Moon is full and the night is perfect for a hunt."
Well well well. So she wasn't lying, at least from what I could tell and my runes weren't going off telling me she was. Marcus had sent her. The man known as Marcus was in fact a werewolf. He was the pack leader here in Boston and the only lycans here. Others tried to move in and failed. Marcus always put them in check or killed them, which ever one came first. I relaxed after she told me the code.
"Ah, Marcus. Yes I know him. Sorry about that but if he told you to say that. Then you must be alright, but know this. The moment you are a threat to me. I will not hesitate to defend myself and end you. As long as you know that. Then I can help you."
The black haired woman nodded in agreement.
"My name is Sofia and I work with Marcus and his pack."
"What is it you do for them Sofia?"
"I'm the pack's Vargamor."
Well that makes sense why she was powerful. A Vargamor is like a wise woman or witch who helped the pack with stuff. To guide them and bless them for up coming fights or when the old alpha dies, she'll make sure the spirit finds it's way to the Afterlife. Stuff like that.
"Ah, got you. Why didn't Marcus just call me?"
"Simple, I asked him not to. I wanted to meet you face to face. He told me who and what you were and I had to see for myself. All he said about you is true. I can tell by your aura. You're very old and powerful. I've never met a Shaman before. So seeing you is a treat really."
"Glad you got your fill, but why do you need my help? You're no lightweight either."
Sofia sighed deeply. I could see worry in her Jade colored eyes.
"Something in the wood where they do their pack business is trying to mess with them and I can't seem to find out what it is. It's magic is dark and strong and hungry but I need to destroy it. Some of the pack is looking at Marcus as weak. Since he too doesn't know how to deal with it but it's the magic effecting the members. I need your help before there is a civil war. Marcus and I will be in your debt if you choose to help."
Having those two owe me one would be a good thing to have in my back pocket for a rainy day. This wasn't something to pass up on. Plus I could use a trip to the woods. Get outta the town for a bit.
"Sure. I'll help. When do we leave?"
"As soon as you're ready."
TBC
"Deacon, you're a fool if you think The All-Father had forgotten about me. Why would he? I bring him glory to his name and in return he blesses me with mighty power. Now I know you too have some power but it doesn't mean a damn thing if you're going to sit in a throne like Thanos for ten fucking movies doing nothing. I don't fear your dark magic and I sure a Hel don't fear you. I've been alive for over a thousands years and I've dealt with many people like yourself. Yes, someone who is wrapped up in their twisted religion and thinks it makes them powerful or a God. Get the fuck outta here with that shit. Odin doesn't ask for me to bend the knee. No, he wants us to stand mighty and strong but I am no fool. I won't underestimate you. No warrior should ever do so when it comes to facing an opponent. Why do you think I've been alive for so long? The moment we stand in that ring and fight. It will be the biggest fight you've ever been in. Trust me on that. Just feel lucky that I'm not allowed to kill you. The boss man doesn't want that. Sad but true. I'll have to settle for just kicking the shit outta of you or I might just say fuck it and take your head from your body."
"I will decimate you and have you kneel at my feet. You'll learn on Savage just who you stepped in the ring with. I'm a warrior, born and bred. I've gone to war for the the glory of Odin. My enemies from years gone are dead and I still stand. In the end, you'll end up just like them. Face down, bloody and defeated. Come at me with everything you have for it will not be enough to take the win. You can beg your God or Gods for help but you will find nothing but silence. Do not worry, for I will send you to them if you so wish it. So come to Savage, fight and lose. That is your fate. To lose by my hands and that as they say, is that."
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