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The Birth of Norse Mythology

The next day, Forseti called Shilut and left home, heading to the Rainbow Bridge. Soon, they encountered Tyr, the god of war.

"How many frost giants are left in Midgard?" Forseti asked.

"Not many," Hermond replied. "Heimdall has spotted only a few dozen, estimated around a hundred in total, scattered and causing havoc among mortals there."

"A hundred?" Forseti was surprised. After Ullr's death, Tyr was now the strongest Asgardian under Odin. It seemed excessive to send Tyr for just a hundred frost giants.

Despite this, Forseti didn't dwell on it and proceeded with plans to import vibranium from Wakanda. Over a hundred Asgardian warriors, including berserkers and Skurge's brother Randolph, prepared to depart.

Randolph greeted Forseti warmly, although Forseti couldn't help but think Randolph lacked ambition, having remained a common soldier for millennia. In contrast, Skurge had risen to a significant rank and was renowned in Asgard.

Heimdall opened the Rainbow Bridge, transporting Tyr, Forseti, and their troops to Midgard. The rainbow light flashed, and they vanished from the teleportation hall.

In the Kingdom of Norway, frost giants' influence persisted, maintaining an icy landscape. A group of humans struggled through the snow, desperate to escape the frozen environment.

"Abel, have we left Norway?" an old man asked weakly.

"No, we haven't even left Tonsberg," Abel replied heavily.

Disheartened, the old man murmured, realizing escape seemed unlikely. Suddenly, a rainbow beam appeared overhead, drawing their attention. As the light faded, figures appeared in the distance.

"It's the Aesir gods! They haven't forsaken us!" someone exclaimed upon recognizing the Rainbow Bridge.

Forseti and his fellow Asgardians approached, generating warmth amidst the freezing cold. He addressed the gathered humans, offering aid and guidance.

Abel hurriedly led the crowd towards the shimmering figure sent by the rainbow.

Though close in distance, the bitter cold made each step agonizingly difficult for the humans.

Thankfully, the figure noticed them swiftly. In a flash of fire, a blond youth in a crimson cloak appeared before them.

His enchanted cloak settled, and Forseti descended gracefully.

As Forseti's fiery aura enveloped them, the ice beneath melted, and warmth spread, dispelling the biting chill.

People gathered around, basking in the long-forgotten warmth, their spirits lifted.

"Are you from Tonsberg?" Forseti inquired.

"Yes, noble Aesir. We're bound for the East in search of warmer climes," Abel replied.

Other Asgardians arrived, including Tyr, who approached, saying, "Just beyond your route, more than ten frost giants lurk."

Abel and the others gasped. One turned pale and asked, "What should we do?"

Tyr smiled reassuringly. "No need to worry. We're here on Odin's command to eliminate the remaining frost giants."

"Thank the gods, thank Father Odin!" the people exclaimed gratefully.

Among the Asgardians, opinions varied as they observed the humans.

"These Midgardians resemble us so closely. It's hard to fathom their fragility," remarked one.

Most Asgardian warriors spoke in their native tongue, leaving humans unaware of their discussions.

Beside a Berserker, Randolph was captivated by a girl in a green dress. "She's beautiful," he murmured.

"Are you smitten with a mortal?" the Berserker teased.

"No...I just find her beautiful," Randolph replied.

Lifting a hand, Forseti addressed Abel and the others, "Remain here. Even without frost giants, the journey ahead will be treacherous. I will help improve the surroundings. Summer approaches, and the Kingdom of Norway's environment will slowly recover."

The people agreed wholeheartedly.

Some Asgardian warriors departed to deal with nearby frost giants, while others stayed to assist the humans.

Forseti began by using fire to melt ice and snow, directing Shilut to construct simple stone dwellings.

While unable to transform the entire environment drastically, Forseti ensured these few hundred people had shelter.

With the melting snow and newly erected stone homes, Abel and his group finally found relief from their harsh living conditions.

As night fell, humans gathered around bonfires, seasoning meat, and singing and dancing outside their stone houses in celebration.

Most Asgardians preferred a reserved demeanor, indulging in only a few glasses of wine and refraining from full integration, save for a select few.

One exception was Randolph.

Embracing human beauties and flashing a wide grin, he regaled them with tales of Asgard.

"Hehe..."

"Tell us about Asgard, Randolph," a woman requested eagerly.

"In Asgard, we have a mighty king, Father Odin," Randolph began. "As the ruler of gods, Odin reigns supreme in the cosmos."

"Besides Odin, who are the other gods of Asgard?" another asked.

"Tyr, the god of war and our commander; Forseti, the sun god you've just met..."

"I've read about a sun god named Rowe in Macedonian history," someone interjected.

"Macedonia? I'm not familiar," Randolph replied nonchalantly.

"Is this the seasoning for the sun god?" someone queried, sprinkling cumin on the barbecue.

"Yes, that's right."

"Who else among the gods?" the crowd pressed on.

"And Víðarr, the god of the forest; Heimdall, the all-seeing sentinel; Hela, the goddess of death; and Hermond, the god of speed..."

Randolph spun tales, engaging his audience. Though casual conversation, it captivated them as if they were attending a lecture, some even taking notes.

And thus, unwittingly, the myth of Asgard began its spread from Tonsberg, sweeping across northern Europe in the years to come...

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