Chapter 14
THE MASK OF CREATION: PART B
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Ratatoskr called for the Stags of Yggdrasil. They were both wise and possessed more knowledge from him! Dainn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Durapror, are the four Stags that eat the leaves of Yggdrasil and make sure the tree stays healthy. Their presence brings forth different elements and winds. They were symbolized by the mortal world as the bringers of the Season!
Ratatoskr was an acquaintance and friend of theirs. They answered his call and appeared in front of him.
“How may we assist you Ratatoskr?”
“We have a serious problem! The Tree is unstable, as you may have noticed…”
“We did.” answered Dainn
“I have discovered who is behind it! It’s Odin! He has in his possession some sort of a mask?”
“Oh…”
“Do you know of it?”
“Yes we do…”
“What is it? Is it a threat to us? Shouldn’t we do something about it?”
“Calm down Ratatoskr, I will explain. We are much older than you and we have seen many things…” Duneyrr confessed as he was looking at his brothers and Durapror continued
“There was once a time when the mask was worn by someone faceless… He planted the Tree of Yggdrasil, brought fire into Muspelheim and ice into Niflheim, created Ymir and Surtur… He brought us, then Hraesvelgr and Nithhogg to watch over his creation as he left into, what we like to call… the Realm of Creation. His own home…”
“Yggdrasil has a creator?!”
“Yes, it used to… He left only leaving the mask behind… The mask has the ability to bend the laws of Yggdrasil and change about everything at his wearers will.”
“THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS!!! Odin could take control of Yggdrasil that way!!!!”
“No he won’t…”
“How are you so sure???”
“Because no child of Yggdrasil can surpass the knowledge and ability our creator had…”
“Does this mean we will just sit here and do nothing about it?”
“I did not say that… His obsession of control is annoying, that is true and he will only cause damage to our Tree.”
“How can we stop him?”
“Odin is trying to prevent Ragnarok from happening, that is why he tries to figure out a way to use the mask. To alter himself some events from planning out. What we would suggest is to try and make sure that Ragnarok does happen!”
“Am I allowed to intervene in the events?”
“Are you joking? Haven’t you been doing it already?”
“... You are right…”
“Find the one who already has witnessed the Ragnarok and try to plan out a way of triggering the events of the prophecy!”
“Jormungandr…”
“Yes the Serpent, Nithhogg''s champion…”
“He is just a child… I cannot force him into another tragic event.”
“He is a child who has already witnessed Ragnarok! If you want to bring Yggdrasil into its stable condition you have to do it!”
*
Ratatoskr explained as best as he could the situation to Jormungandr. Asking for his help in order to make sure Odin’s plans do not get to ruin the very existence of Yggdrasil! They need to make sure Ragnarok is going to happen!
“Let me think for a moment…” said troubled Jormungandr
“What if you just steal the mask from him?” he suggested
“I cannot do that!” answered Ratatoskr, “I may be able to do many marvelous things with my abilities, but do not get fooled, I am no warrior! I cannot go unnoticed stealing from Odin without a fight! One that would mean my defeat!”
“What if you are not the one fighting?”
“What are you implying?”
“...I will fight Odin! And in our battle you try to steal his mask…”
“Are you crazy? You cannot fight Odin!”
“Why not?”
“My friend, we cannot risk you dying before Ragnarok!”
“Ratatoskr, I am a creature with no origin, remember? Even if I die, the Jormungandr from this timeline would live in order to fight in Ragnarok…”
Ratatoskr was very angry and disappointed with the only solution they came up with. But they did not have any choice at all. If Odin does succeed in unlocking the mask’s powers, he would be the one controlling the flow of time and would be the ruler of Yggdrasil!
“Fine, let’s do it!” He agreed in the end, “But how are we going to get Odin to fight you, not to mention to even come to Midgard?”
“Travel in Asgard, visit Loki, my father, and tell him that he has to reveal what the markings on the mask say. But advise him to lie! Tell him to think of something in order to get Odin to come with the mask in Midgard! My father is much clever than me and more cunning than everyone alive. He would find a way to get Odin to visit Midgard… And when he does I will be waiting…”
“I hope this doesn’t go sideways Jormie”
*
The squirrel of the Yggdrasil did just like Jormungandr suggested. He traveled to Asgard and with his magical powers he sneaked into Odin’s secret chamber. The one Loki was held hostage in.
At that moment Balder was the only one there. Talking with the prisoner, just like Odin ordered him to do. But Loki was too cunning for any trickery being played upon him. He quickly realized that Balder was acting on Odin’s orders. So he was saying nothing to him.
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Soon after Balder gave up and left. That was the time where Ratatoskr had the opportunity to speak with Loki in secret.
“Hello, god-trickster”
“Wha!! Who is that?”
“I am Ratatoskr, the tusk traveler as they call me. We have never got the opportunity to meet!”
“Ratatoskr? What is a Yggdrasil creature doing here?”
“You will soon find out!”
They were speaking in the ancient tongue. A speech no one speaks anymore except a handful. Odin was not one of them! That is why they were sure even if they were spied on, Odin would not understand what they were talking about!
“Your son sent me!”
“What?”
“Jormungandr!”
“My youngest son! What is he doing? How is he?”
“He is fine… kinda… We have a plan to counter Odin”
“What? What do you mean ‘we’? What is the purpose of your visit?!!”
“Shut up and listen, will you?!”Ratatoskr was losing his patience as he was anxious about this whole situation, “You have to speak with Odin about the Mask!”
“No! That would mean he would get to use it! Do you even know what that thing is? It is dangerous beyond imagination!”
“I know very accurately what that thing can do! It threatens Yggdrasil’s balance! That is why I am here acting like some sort of agent. I must protect my home from this Aesir idiot!”
“And you are telling him to give him what would enable to control its power?!!”
“No! Think! You do not have to tell the truth! Just lie about it!”
“He is too cunning for that little squirrel! His eye sees beyond lies! He understands when anyone would lie!”
“Then hide the truth in a lie! I do not care what you are going to say! We are risking too much for this! Just find a way for Odin to visit Midgard!”
“Midgard? Why?”
“If Odin reaches Midgard we have a plan to steal from him the mask.”
“Steal from Odin? Are you looking out for some sort of death sentence?”
“Do you think I am afraid of him?”
“Well, if you weren’t you wouldn’t ask for my assistance!”
“You are in no position to act smart Loki…”
“Ha ha, always a pleasure, little squirrel!”
“Will you do it or not?”
“Yeah, I will try my best… Just deliver a message to my son will you?”
“I am listening”
“Tell him to be safe… and … that I am proud of him!”
*
They did not know when or how, but Jormungandr and Ratatoskr were on all time alert, in case Odin shows up at Midgard. They trusted Loki to do what he does best… fooling gods.
To their surprise he did it! The Bifrost rainbow hit Midgard! Odin steps out of it, but with Thor at his side! That is a bad sign for Jormungandr’s and Ratatoskr''s plan. Even if Jormungandr could distract Odin, no one knows how he could handle both Odin and his nemesis together!
But Jormungandr did not hesitate at all. At the blink of an eye he rose from the deep dark sees! Shrieking and charging at them! On his ascent, he rose the tides and tsunamis followed him, destroying everything in his path! The sight was apocalyptic and Thor immediately pulled out his Hammer Mjolnir and Thunder and black clouds followed his charge!
Odin did not seem like he was about to fight. He let Thor deal with the World Serpent while he was on his quest to find what he was looking for!
Jormungandr knew he had to distract the All-Father as well! In the battle with Thor, he was dodging Mjolnir’s strike, he tried to push him away as he was charging at Odin! The battle was a horrible sight for anyone alive to witness. The destruction was immense! Mountains crushed, sea tides smashing on the surface, and lighting everywhere, lit the forests on fire!
Jormungandr did manage to get to Odin and tried to bite him! Odin saw right as the serpent was coming at him, he pulled out his weapon, the spear Gungnir! He had enough of it! Together Odin and Thor charged at the Serpent!
Thor smiled at the sight of Odin fighting beside him. It was the first time ever he got to witness the All-Father fighting! Jormungandr proved the legends as the greatest nemesis of the Gods and the title as ‘Thor''s Bane’. He was the toughest and deadliest opponent they could ever face! But Jormungandr did not have an easy task at all. He was facing the All-Father, the King of Gods together with the strongest Aesir, the God of Thunder!
The battle lasted for hours! Until Thor with all his might and strength, tired and breathing heavily, he summoned a storm greater than any time ever before! Thunder hit him and his Hammer. He charged at the Serpent surrounding himself with a cloud of lighting! Jormungandr responded at his charge head on! They clashed and crashed at its other attack! While Thor fell to the ground and Jormungandr was dizzy after that clash. Odin took no time to respond! He threw his spear and hit the Serpent!
Jormungandr cried in pain and agony!
He looked at them as Thor was unconscious on the ground and Odin having the spear back at his hand ready for another throw. Jormungandr retreated, knowing that was all he could do.
Odin did not give chase to the serpent, instead he ordered Thor to get back on his feet, while he sat at a nearby rock trying to catch his breath after the long battle.
*
Blood was floating on the surface of the sea waters. The serpent''s blood. At a far coastside beach, Jormungandr laid to rest. Ratatoskr soon appeared.
“That was… horrifying to look at!”
“Ha … ha… T-Thank you…” Jormungandr tried to find the strength to speak as he was too tired and wounded.
“Are you ok?”
“...I… I will… ghhh… survive…”
“Glad to hear it, my friend!”
“Did… did you…ma-manage”
“Do not speak unnecessarily! Yes I did! I got the mask!” Ratatoskr interrupted Jormungandr''s speech knowing he did not have the strength to do it. While he pulled out the mask!
“H..how”
“I TOLD YOU SHUT UP!” Ratatoskr demanded after Jormungandr constant attempts to speak, “Does it matter how or when? You did your job distracting them! I did mine by stealing it!... We did it! We saved Yggdrasil from that fool''s plans… The future is secured… Ragnarok will take place as planned, I wonder how Odin would plan for it, once he realizes he does not possess the mask. I guess he will take his anger towards Loki, and the Giants. I am sorry for you father”
Ratatoskr finished his monologue as he witnessed Jormungandr sleeping next to him.
“Take your rest my friend, you deserve it!”
*
With that he left Jormungandr to rest and recover from his wounds as he hopped into the Realm between Realms.
While he was running and climbing from branch to branch an ominous urge and feeling overcame him with headache and pain!
It was coming from the mask! Ratatoskr could not contain its power and sorcery! It was glowing green and Ratatoskr did not know how to handle it!
“This evil, dangerous power must be destroyed and disappear from Yggdrasil! Ahhhhh!!!”
In pain he holds his both hands on to the mask. He gathered all his strength and with force he broke the mask in three pieces! But not without a price to pay in return! He lost his left eye and his life essence got split into another four variants of himself!
Immediately when he managed to break the mask into pieces and scattered them into all the Nine Realms! That way no one would ever know of their whole existence and claim its maximum power.
With his blood on his hands. He tried to cover his wounded eye, while he witnessed the four aspects looking at him!
“Who are you!?”
“Oh you do not recognize who we are? We are you! And you are us!” responded to him the aspect squirrel with a red color
“What in the Yggdrasil are you talking about?”
“We are the aspects of your personality you bigot!” The squirrel with a light green color responded
“We are the aspects of your personality.” told him the aspect squirrel with a blue color.
“Bitter, Arrogant, Anxious and Perfectionist! All are the aspects that define your personality, but I guess you already knew that, I am so sorry for interrupting…” said the purple squirrel
“Oh, I guess the mask does wonders indeed… it..”
“It did what you were looking for didn’t it? I mean you wished for a way to extract the feelings out of you! Somehow the mask did just that!”
“I guess for interrupting me that makes you, the..”
“I am the perfect one, the perfectionist!”
“Wonderful”
“D-d-does that mean we will follow you now?”
“And I guess for talking like that not so sure that makes you the anxious one!”
“Yeah yeah smartass, why don’t you deal with it and get on with it”
“Bitter?”
“No! I am the Arrogant!”
“Oh… man, I guess I’ll get used to this…For now follow me, I have to teach you so we can work all together!”
Ratatoskr continued on his way with his aspects following him and his commands.