Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

"Did you speak an alien language? Dag, what the fuck!" she replied, reacting to the story and slightly walking away from him, frightened.

"Hahaha, yes! I don't know how it happened, but before I killed Hjalmar, I was able to understand his language and play its sounds. As I explained, I discovered that I could increase my 'dark' powers by ingesting the blood of creatures controlled by the Xis. But lately, Karl has discovered a way to increase the effect of that blood, injecting it directly into my veins".

Gridd did not answer.

"I know this may seem absurd to you, but you will believe it when we happen to fight. It's not over, there's one last thing that happened to me".

"Uff... go on" puffed Gridd, holding her forehead to avoid fainting.

"When I arrived at Vegard's, my companions and I discovered that he wasn't just a human being. The blacksmith was actually Weland, the God. This axe... after I defeated him, he decided to modify Brann's Red Executioner and to add the power of his Mimungr, Mimir's legendary sword" Dag continued, pulling out the Giantbane and showing it back to his sister.

"Okay, I definitely need to get some air" exclaimed Gridd, who got out of bed and opened the room window, breathing in the air outside to calm down.

Dag also stood, standing still by the bed, with the axe in his hands.

"I remember when you arrived at the farm. You were a puny, helpless kid. Look at you now... you possess mysterious powers and you've even managed to defeat a God... what the fuck, Dag! Do you want to drive me crazy?!" she continued, looking out.

Dag looked at his axe, while the light coming from outside reflected on its blade. 

"You taught me that I should never give up. And that's what I did. I've risked my life many times... But now I feel strong, I feel I can defeat anyone" he said, in a low voice, sitting on the bed again.

Gridd looked at him, thoughtfully.

With a small hidden smile, she approached him and placed her hand on that of Dag, who was touching the axe.

"I believe every word, Dag. I'd be stupid if I didn't believe you. In my heart, I always felt there was something inside you... something that inspired me to trust. That was one of the reasons why I told you about Brann. You know what? I will come with you regardless. If the other two Masters will refuse the plan, I would leave the Clan and help you complete your project" she said, resting her hand on Dag's cheek and gently stroking him. 

Dag looked up at Gridd, his eyes expressing the happiness he was feeling.

"Don't say nonsense, sister. You have struggled so hard to become a Master, you can't give it up just because I asked for your help..." 

Just then, someone knocked on the door, interrupting the conversation.

"Gridd! We're ready for the council! See you in the rhombus room of the basement!" yelled Jens from behind the door.

"All right, I'll get to you in a few minutes!" replied Gridd.

She stood up on her feet and tried to recompose, adjusting her jacket and hair, which were messy. 

"Let's go!" she said.

"Me too?" asked Dag.

"Yes, I demand that you be there too" she replied.

Dag nodded, happy with his sister's answer.

When they left her room, Karl and Agnes stood in the hallway above the stairs, looking around.

"Where were you? We've been looking for you everywhere!" said Karl, walking towards Dag and Gridd.

"I've been awake for hours! You're the usual sleepers, you two!" replied Dag, chuckling.

"Yeah... yes, you're right, we woke up late... again" Karl said, touching his nape, embarrassed.

"Wait for me downstairs, or go for a ride around town. Reidar will be back here in the afternoon. We will meet in front of the entrance. I'm a little busy, now" Dag continued, hinting to Karl that it was something important.

"Go for a ride? Sorry, but..." 

"Let's go to town, big mouth! Come on, hurry up!" interrupted Agnes, pulling Karl by the arm and dragging him out of the fortress.

"Well, we can go now, sorry" Dag told Gridd, who was laughing at the scene.

After descending the stairs and crossing the room with the large table, Gridd stood by the fireplace, while Dag watched her movements, not understanding what she was doing.

She grabbed a sword hanging from the wall and rotated it forcefully.

At the same time, a brick entered the wall, forming a socket that was not there a few seconds before.

Gridd slipped her hand into the socket and pushed, opening a secret door, which was inside the wall itself.

"Wow! A secret passage? The Temple Of Orn doesn't have such 'technological' stuff! Haha!" chuckled Dag, trying to study the wall's opening mechanism.

"Quiet! New recruits don't know this passage!" whispered Gridd, looking around and making sure she was far from prying eyes.

After entering the secret door, it closed with a slight push of the hand, as if it was much lighter than it seemed.

Gridd grabbed a torch attached to the wall and began to walk down a narrow corridor, making light. 

Dag followed her, without adding anything else.

The walls of the corridor smelled of mold and the humidity on the ceiling, made Dag guess that he was underground, although the descent had been imperceptible.

"This way" said Gridd, who turned right when they reached a kind of junction.

They found themselves in front of a small rusty iron door and Gridd inserted the torch into an apposite crack on the wall.

"These corridors were built hundreds of years ago by the old Masters of Fort Skjonnet. It is said that the Masters themselves went here to discuss 'secret' topics and avoided being heard" she said, as she pulled out a bunch of keys from her belt.

"Secret topics?" thought Dag aloud.