Bonds of the Fallen
Chapter 18

Velika and Ace agreed to meet with Bat in the vast, echoing library. They convened at a large table nestled among the towering shelves, the scent of old books permeating the air.

Velika powered up her tablet, conjuring up a three-dimensional hologram that flickered into existence and hung suspended above the table. Ace leaned in closer, examining the intricate diagram projected in midair. Arrows snaked in various directions, with diminutive text boxes containing concise notes.

“What you’re seeing here is everything I managed to gather on the Volva,” Velika began, her voice steady and analytical. “They’re human practitioners of Seidr, a form of what some might refer to as magic. This magic, derived from the Vanir—the ancient masters of the arcane—is the same that the gods themselves utilize. It’s worth noting that there are Volvas whose powers are so potent that they attract the gods’ attention. They can be seers, foretelling the future or glimpsing the fates of others.”

Velika paused, glancing at Bat. “Did you manage to unearth anything else on your end?”

Bat nodded. “I discovered that they can bind individuals, thereby curbing their free will. This power can be devastating in combat, rendering warriors sluggish and disoriented. Other than that, I came across some superficial descriptions and the fact that they typically wield a staff or wand.”

As Velika seamlessly incorporated Bat’s replaceings into the holographic display, she turned to Ace. “What about you? What have you discovered about the Norns?”

Ace cleared his throat before speaking. “The Norns, as per the texts I consulted, are ancient entities that predate even the gods. They’re said to weave the very fabric of fate itself. Three primary Norns embody the past, present, and future, with all others supposedly descending from them. As to how exactly they influence fate, that remains shrouded in mystery. No clear motive was discernible from the literature, but what was evident is that their will is binding.”

Velika’s slender fingers danced over the tablet’s surface as she added Ace’s replaceings to her extensive notes. She glanced up at him, her gaze contemplative. “So, the strands Bat is seeing could very well be the threads of fate?”

“It’s a distinct possibility,” he considered. “But we can’t say for certain just yet.”

“And the Volva, are they immortal like the Vampir?” Bat questioned.

Velika shook her head, scrolling through her notes as she spoke. “All signs point to them being human, but with the ability to extend their lifespan and heal themselves using Seidr.”

As Bat sank into the cushioned chair in the grand library, her gaze swept across the room, taking in the faces of those who had become her pillars of support in this strange new world she found herself in.

Her eyes lingered on Ace, her mind taking a moment to appreciate his imposing stature and the nonchalance with which he lounged in his chair. His presence demanded her attention.

Bat’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted as the library doors swung open, revealing Lyell. His stature was more modest than Ace’s, with a lean frame and aura still carrying the remnants of boyish innocence.

Lyell greeted them with a cheerful smile and a casual wave. “Hey,” he called out, going over to the table where they were seated. His eyes flicked over the scattered book assortment and the notes on the screen. “Seems like you’re digging into some serious research,” he quipped, a playful glint in his eyes.

His attention caught on a specific term displayed on the screen. “Oh, Volva! I know one who’s made camp just at the forest’s edge.”

Bat perked up at his words, her curiosity piqued. “You know of one nearby?” she asked, her tone filled with hope.

Lyell’s excitement grew as he nodded. “I can show you the way! She is just outside of the city.”

Bat was about to agree when she noticed Ace’s stern expression. His head shook vehemently. “No,” he stated firmly. “It’s not wise.”

Bat couldn’t help but chuckle at his response. “Since when did you start shying away from a little danger?” she teased.

Ace responded by crossing his arms over his chest with a wry smile. “Fair point.” His attention diverted to the small earpiece concealed in his ear. Ace rose and pulled Bat to the side, his tone serious. “I just received orders to join the patrol. The enemy is closing in, and we might have a chance to corner the followers responsible for the attacks in the city.”

Bat’s eyes met his, filled with worry and determination. “Just... be careful, alright?”

Ace chuckled lightly. “Worried about me?”

Bat rolled her eyes, but her voice softened. “Just go and come back in one piece.”

“Too late for that.” He lifted his metal arm. Ace’s eyes twinkled with mischief, “Admit it, you care about me.”

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Just promise you’ll return. I can’t have you missing out on all the fun.”

Ace’s laughter echoed in the corridor as he ruffled her hair. “Just as stubborn as ever. Alright, I promise. But you must promise to wait for my return before venturing out. I don’t need Val breathing down my neck if he replaces out I let you out of the city without me.”

Bat’s eyes widened in surprise. “Val worries about me?”

“More than you know,” Ace said, a sincere look in his eyes. “Just promise me, Bat. Promise you’ll wait.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “I promise.”

Ace squeezed her hand reassuringly before releasing it and striding away, leaving Bat with mixed emotions. From her vantage point at the library’s upper windows, Bat watched as Ace departed through the compound’s gates. The sunlight caught the black uniform of the Harii, accentuating his broad shoulders and the confident set of his jaw.

As Ace approached the gates, he turned and looked up, his eyes locking with Bat. A warmth filled her with an unexpected sense of comfort in that brief exchange. With a final nod and a smile that reached his eyes, he disappeared, leaving Bat with the lingering promise that he would return.

The following day, in the comfort of her room, Bat unfurled the pages of her notebook, each leaf whispering secrets from her past. This notebook was her anchor to a time before chaos had rearranged the world outside her window, a reminder of the girl she used to be.

Her gaze lingered over the inked scribbles, and she marveled at how the passages, once so familiar, now felt alien to her. The words belonged to someone who no longer existed, swallowed up by the relentless tide of change that had swept through her life. As she turned the pages, a nostalgic pang of loss echoed in her chest.

A soft knock pulled Bat from her thoughts, “Enter.”

The door creaked open to reveal a man with a warm complexion and light green eyes that held a glint of wisdom beyond his years. “I am Einar,” he greeted her with a friendly smile, extending his hand in camaraderie. “I’ve heard much about you. Val holds you in high regard.”

Bat felt a warmth spread over her cheeks. “Thank you, Einar. Do you have any idea when Val might return?”

Einar walked over to the tree standing in the center of the room. “The gods summoned him, and their meetings are known to stretch for indeterminable lengths. We haven’t communicated with them for centuries.”

Bat leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “What does their summoning mean?”

Einar’s shoulders slumped slightly, his concern evident. “It might indicate the fragile peace treaty we have with them is on the verge of collapsing.”

“And what happens then?” Bat pressed, her voice low and urgent.

Einar chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. “You have quite a curious mind. If the treaty shatters, we brace ourselves for war.” His hand gently caressed the tree leaves as if drawing strength from its presence. “But let’s set aside talk of war and treaties. I bring you news of your mother. It appears she’s with the followers.”

Bat’s breath hitched in her throat, her legs buckling beneath her as Einar’s words landed like a hammer to glass. She grasped the tree trunk, its rough bark grounding her as her world spun on its axis.

“Alive?” she croaked, her voice threading in a fragile whisper.

“Yes, we believe so,” Einar responded gently, his eyes crinkling with empathy. “The followers are likely taking prisoners to bolster their ranks and further their cause.”

“And when will we know for sure?” Bat asked, her heart thundering in her chest, every beat a deafening roar in her ears.

“Ace is on the trail, searching for your mother as we speak,” Einar answered, a softness creeping into his voice. “We’ll notify you directly when we have any information.”

“Thank you,” she said, the words catching in her throat as tears brimmed in her eyes. After all the lonely years of separation, the mere possibility of reuniting with her mother was overwhelming.

Einar moved towards the door, pausing to glance over his shoulder. “You should know you’ve got a cadre of solid people in your corner,” he told her, his voice infused with warmth.

Bat nodded, her vision blurred as tears cascaded down her cheeks. Einar was right. Amidst the chaos and the confusion, she had unwittingly found a makeshift family, a group of people who had her back no matter what. And now, she dared to hope she might be on the brink of replaceing her mother again.