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[FTMWDK] Chapter 53: Alfheim?
🕑 Added 2023-10-11 06:46:51 +0000 UTCAlthough he didn't know what Merlin had done to this fairy named Alice, judging from her reaction, it was probably a rather unpleasant memory.
Alice waved her hand, and the surrounding mist suddenly dissipated, revealing a road that had seemed endless until now, abruptly changed to a lake. A small boat was docked by the shore.
"Take this boat, and you'll reach Avalon." Alice said, remarkably docile, devoid of the earlier arrogance, like a submissive kitten.
"Aren't you coming with us? We finally meet, and I have a lot to say to you~" Merlin smiled innocently.
Alice was startled, vigorously shaking her head, forcing a stiff smile onto her face. "N-No need, I still have to keep watch. Whatever you want to say, we can talk about it later."
With that, she fluttered her wings behind her and swiftly flew away, disappearing into the depths of the forest.
"Well, it was just a bit of mischief. Was there really a need to be so afraid of me? I'm a kind-hearted and respected mage..." Merlin shook his head with regret.
Arkhan and the group boarded the small boat. Due to the limited space, they had to squeeze together a bit.
Guinevere and Artoria, one on each side, were tightly pressed against Arkhan. Despite the hindrance of their clothes, the soft touch of their arms still made him feel a bit restless.
'It's okay, we're family, they're just my sisters...'
Arkhan took a deep breath, using the power of Fenghuang Down to suppress those tempting thoughts in his heart.
However, he didn't notice that the slightly lowered heads of Guinevere and Artoria had subtly reddened.
The calm, almost frozen lake suddenly rippled, though there was no wind, and no one was rowing. The boat moved forward on its own.
Just as countless myths and legends depicted, to reach the Land of the Eternal Spring Avalon, one had to cross this serene lake.
Sparse fog enveloped their surroundings, and everything was a monotonous grayish-white. With no reference points, no one knew whether they were moving fast or slow.
"Hmm?"
Kay, utterly bored, glanced downward and saw ripples forming on the calm lake, gradually forming a very vivid vision.
It was him, wearing golden armor, holding a gleaming holy sword high, riding across the battlefield.
A single swing of his sword decapitated even the ancient and powerful dragons. He stood tall on the battlefield, with the dragon's corpses lying behind him, exuding an imposing and majestic aura.
His heart couldn't help but tremble, an inexplicable excitement surging from the depths of his being.
Artoria also saw a vision.
It was her as an adult, her gaze cold, her demeanor majestic, wearing a crown symbolizing royalty on her head and holding a scepter. She stood on a balcony in the palace, with tens of thousands of people filling every street and alley of Camelot, all chanting her name.
An indescribable thrill surged in her heart; this was the image she had fantasized about countless times in her mind.
Both of them couldn't help but reach out their hands as if trying to pull their ideal selves out of the water.
"Don't do anything foolish~"
A voice with a playful tone echoed in their ears, and both of them recoiled as if shocked, retracting their hands.
Merlin still had a cheerful expression on his face. "The waters here can reflect your innermost desires and aspirations, but if you reach out your hand for them, you'll be trapped in this false fantasy forever."
Fear surged within the hearts of the two siblings, and they nodded hurriedly.
Arkhan, who had known the truth for a while, remained unaffected, not bothering to glance in Merlin's direction.
"Oh... so that's how it is. I had a feeling of familiarity..." Nidhogg's voice echoed in Arkhan's mind. "So, it's Alfheim."
'Alfheim?' Arkhan raised an eyebrow and inquired Nidhogg in his mind, "Are you talking about the homeland of the elves in Norse mythology?"
In the myths, the Norse Realms were constructed upon the branches of Yggdrasil, divided into three layers and encompassing nine distinct realms—Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Midgard, Nidavellir, Jotunheim, Helheim, Niflheim, and Muspelheim.
Each of these realms was inhabited by different races, with Asgard being the dwelling place of the Aesir gods and Odin's golden palace situated there.
Vanaheim housed the Vanir gods, responsible for the procreation of all living things, the seas, and the winds, with knowledge of mysterious magic even Odin didn't possess.
Closest to these two major godly realms was the legendary elven realm, Alfheim.
"This isn't Alfheim, just a mere imitation." Nidhogg lazily commented. "Nevertheless, it captures about seventy percent of Alfheim's charm. Hmm, it seems the one who designed this place has a deep understanding of Alfheim. I wonder which old friend that might be."
"Let me give you some friendly advice—don't unleash my power. If that person finds out, you won't be leaving here anytime soon."
With that, Nidhogg fell silent once more.
Arkhan's mouth twitched slightly.
This was his first time in Avalon. While he knew it was created by the primordial fairy, Vivian, he had never heard that Avalon was an imitation of the legendary homeland of the elves, Alfheim.
If that were the case, Vivian must have had a significant connection with the Norse Realms from the past.
Nidhogg had devoured the roots of Yggdrasil, bringing about the twilight of the gods known as Ragnarok.
Now, Arkhan not only possessed Nidhogg's power but also housed a fragment of her soul. If Vivian were to discover this, he would be in a dire situation.
Though he possessed powerful strength now, even wielding three Divine Keys, this place had been cultivated by Vivian for countless years. A real confrontation here would be as challenging as facing Scathach in the Land of Shadows. Even if he managed to escape, Kay, Artoria, and Guinevere might not be so fortunate.
He had been careless. He hadn't anticipated such a turn of events.
Arkhan sighed inwardly and proceeded to place more than ten sealing Runes on himself. Still feeling uneasy, he added three Primordial Runes. Then, with the help of Jizo Mitama, he completely purged all traces of Nidhogg's aura from his body.
When he had everything prepared, the boat finally reached an island.
