Bonds of the Fallen
Chapter 32

Bat’s senses slowly swam back into consciousness, as she sprawled at the base of the ancient, monumental World Tree. Her gaze gradually cleared, revealing Urd sitting serenely by the well, her hands gently agitating the calm, shadowy waters. The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of many flowers that wreathed the well, their vibrant colors reflected in the dark water. The sound of the water mingling with Urd’s harmonious humming created a symphony that encapsulated the very essence of the world. Above her, the leaves of the World Tree whispered secrets to the wind, and beams of golden light pierced the thick canopy, bathing everything in an ethereal glow.

Summoning her strength, Bat attempted to sit up, a movement that did not go unnoticed by Urd. The ancient being turned her head slightly, her lips curving into a benevolent smile that revealed only her profile. “My dear sister, peace is but the shadow of war, and the wheel of time halts for no one, not even us,” she spoke in a gentle timbre.

Fully upright now, Bat felt a stabbing pain shooting through her skull. She cradled her forehead in her hand, grimacing. “What happened?” she asked, her voice reflecting her disorientation.

A chuckle escaped Urd’s lips as she turned her attention back to the well’s waters. “At last, a question I am capable of answering,” she said. “Time has stretched and yawned in your absence.”

The name slipped from her lips like a curse. “Odin,” she muttered. “And Val? What of him?”

“Your courageous actions have not been in vain. Your companions are safe, and Val has been severed from the chains that bound him to Odin,” Urd responded.

Verdandi materialized beside Urd at that moment, her presence commanding and assured. “A commendable feat, little sister. I had feared Odin held all the cards in this game of theirs.” Her piercing gaze settled on Bat, her voice melodic and soothing.

The question sprang from Bat’s lips before she could stop it. “How much time has passed since I was last conscious?”

Verdandi’s lips twitched into a kind smile. “In this realm, time is an unreliable companion. It may have been a mere moment or a whole century in your world. Brace yourself, for much has altered since your departure.”

Bat’s frustration bubbled to the surface. “Why does it feel as though every word you utter is veiled in riddles?” she exhaled, her shoulders slumping. Shaking her head, she decided to redirect the conversation. “Tell me of The Hand of Tyr.”

Urd’s eyes glinted with ancient wisdom as she spoke. “He is the first of his kind. Tyr selected him to act as his emissary in your realm. His sacrifices for the good of others are many.”

Verdandi picked up where Urd left off. “His true significance in the realms remains to be witnessed. As our sister, the future is your domain to explore.”

“And the black hole?”

The inquiry had barely left Bat’s lips when Verdandi’s eyes widened in alarm. “You have gazed upon the abyss?”

Images cascaded into Bat’s mind, an onslaught that left her reeling. She saw the tapestry of human history unfold—wars that ravaged lands, famines that claimed lives, natural calamities that reshaped continents, and the rise and fall of civilizations that once stood tall and proud. She witnessed the tapestry of human existence in all its glory and its depravity—the moments of joy and sorrow, love and loss, beauty and horror. The pain in her head intensified to an almost unbearable degree, and she felt as if she was being torn apart, her very soul splintering into a million pieces.

Verdandi was at her side instantly, her hands enveloping Bat in a soothing squeeze. As the assault of images and sensations gradually abated, Bat’s breaths became more measured, though the trepidation and bewilderment lingered in her wide eyes. “What in the realms was that?” she demanded, her voice a mere whisper fraught with tremors.

A meaningful glance was exchanged between Urd and Verdandi before the former solemnly nodded. “It appears that the threads of fate have been drawing you towards the abyss—the voracious black hole that signifies both the genesis and the termination of all that exists,” Urd explained, her voice a grave timbre.

A sense of urgency overcame Verdandi’s face as she declared, “You must make haste and return to your realm at once. The entirety of your abilities remains an enigma even to you.” She offered her support, helping Bat to regain her footing. “Sister, the responsibility is yours to unravel the mysteries of your powers, or the nine realms are in grave danger.”

Urd’s nodded in agreement, her eyes brimming with concern. “A monumental gift of power has been bestowed upon you, and you must wield it with precision and control. The threads of fate are not to be trifled with; they can unleash chaos and ruin in the wrong hands or utilized improperly.”

Now standing, albeit unsteadily, with Verdandi’s support, Bat felt as though she was adrift in a tumultuous sea of information and expectations. “But I haven’t the faintest idea how to harness this power,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Verdandi placed a reassuring hand upon Bat’s shoulder, her eyes burning with a steely resolve. “Fear not, for you will learn in due course,” she intoned. “However, you must return to your realm and seek counsel from those you hold in esteem and trust.”

Nodding with a heaviness that settled upon her shoulders, Bat closed her eyes and surrendered to the torrent of energy that coursed through her. When she reopened them, she found herself wrapped in the familiar surroundings of the forest, a stone’s throw away from the compound.