Prologue 0.3: The Sudden Disappearance

Universe of Asgard

Atop the world tree, an owl covered in beautiful white feathers with some black patters scattered scarcely on his body, giving of an ancient vibe flew over. It flapped its wings as if swimming in the wind, it crossed the borders of space effortlessly as it vanished from the eyes.

It was an owl of wisdom. A race which was said to be the first mortal race to achieve wisdom. It made it's home within the canopy of the world tree, Yggdrasil, observing everything that happens within gathering the precious knowledge. It was said to know everything of past and present. It's wisdom was second only to Odin within the entirety of Asgard. A rare race that was representative messenger of the Asgard divine realm.

Today it's destination was the Hellenic realm, carrying with itself the message telling the situation of Clotho and asking clues about the situation that led to this predicament.

.....

Clotho, the youngest of the three fate sisters, beautiful face and youthful and energetic personality. Her being young meant that she was still incapable of complex calculations that ran beyond her area of expertise. Her dropping near the Well of Urd could only be indicative of one thing, 'she was sent here by someone else' as she was definitely unable to calculate the coordinates so accurately.

But then the question, 'Why did they not come themselves, why send Clotho?' 'Why was she covered in injuries, did they encounter a disaster...?' Yet the questions would remain unanswered till Clotho herself woke up. The most important task at hand for the Norn sisters was to inform the king of the Asgard divine realm, Odin.

Odin, as the king of the Asgard divine realm, acclaimed to be the wisest within the Asgard universe, he had the knowledge of almost everything that goes on within this universe. With his order Clotho was instantly brought over to be treated. Eir, one of the handmaiden of the goddes Frigg, the wife of Odin and the queen of Asgard divine realm, was sent over to treat clotho. Eir was the best physician one could find in the entirety of the Asgard.

'It is rare for Frigg to show interest in any matter that doesn't concern her, such is her personality. Sending Eir over to treat Clotho shows the importance she attaches to her treatment. It seems that the matter is not as simple as it seems' thought the Norn sisters.

Indeed, as the wisest of all Odin could tell at a glance, the curse contained within the wounds that covered Clotho's entire body had extremely ominous origins. He was rather curious to know, who could inflict such injuries upon one of the superior Gods.

.....

As the news of Clotho's survival reached Mount Olympus, the Olympian Gods were all pleasantly surprised.

An ethereal blue divine crystal was brought within the Mount Olympus main hall. As soon as it was placed above the bowl containig water it floated in the void and started spinning, gradually a clear image of Odin's royal court appeared on the water surface. The connection was secured. For a while there were exchange of pleasantries before the actual meeting began.

Clotho who had just woken up was surprised to find herself within the Asgard universe. Upon clarifying her situation with the Norn sisters, whom she recognized, she was first relieved. Then as the memories surged within her mind, her brain rumbled. Remembering of what happened her face went pale again.

Consoling her, the Norn sisters brought her to the Hall of Valhalla where the audience between the realms was underway.

The hall was brightly lit, beautifully decorated with unique designs. At the head of the hall was the king's throne, simple with the least amount of designs, yet it gave off a majestic feeling. Upon it sat Odin, he was slightly old, but his demeanor unhinged. He sat straight giving of the sense of Supreme authority. Covered in black royal clothes that contained very few decorations. A gold chain that hung around his neck, as well as the golden crown that shore with the bright light formed a sharp contrast with his apparel. A scepter, made of pitch black wood, enlaid with gold and beautiful yet mysterious gems was held in his hands, supporting his posture.

Beside it slightly at the back, was the throne of the queen. Here sat the majestic Goddes Frigg, a veil draped over her face made of golden and pitch black threads interwoven together, forming a beautiful dark and gold colour combination.

Entering the hall, Clotho was still slightly dazed from what she had experienced. After greeting all the dignitaries present on both sides she started to explain what she had seen, trying to put into words about what happened.

Yet she dared not tell them about what her sister said to her before pushing her into the spatial gate. She herself did not know what her sister meant, or perhaps her mentality just didn't allow her to explore a deeper meaning to it.

.....

The castle of Valhalla

In the residence where Clotho was temporarily arranged to stay and recover, she sat on her bed still dazed. Repeating what had happened over and over in her own mind she tried to make sense of this senseless situation.

Knock, knock...

There was a knock on the door. After getting Clothos approval the door creaked open, as Skuld, the youngest of the three norn sisters entered the room. She too was young like Clotho, her beauty not losing in any way either. But currently, her face had lost its youthfulness, her energetic appearance that she was know for was nowhere to be found.

After greeting each other she sat across her bed as both of them started to converse. There was laughter at times, at times was awkward silence, some sniffles could be heard from time to time as well. The conversation continued, as a glint of determination crossed across Skuld's face. As she was about to say something to Clotho, suddenly the space rippled alerting both of them.

Looking over a small spatial gate opened as a deer like animal entered the room. Small antlers on the head, a deer like face, a beautiful white body with golden dots scattered over it forming its beautiful appearance. It was sorrounded by the aura as warm as the sun, as soothing as the mother's embrace. It was a cute yet majestic creature. But what was most surprising was still the laws of fate that sorrounded it.

It looked over towards them intently for quiet some time. Both the ladies in the room were momentarily mesmerized by its breathtaking appearance and majestic presence. Before they could leave their dazed state, the creature opposite lifted it's small head high. There was ripple in the sorrounding space. But if one looked closely they could see that it was quiet different from spatial distortion, it was as if the reality itself was being distorted along with all the laws contained within it. There was only one way to describe the situation 'it was a beautiful disaster. '

.....

Sensing the anomaly within the castle, Odin's eyes moved. He looked in the direction where Clotho was arranged to stay. Before he could take action there was a loud thud, a soldier dressed quiet differently from conventional palace clothes broke into the room.

He was an old man with a face filled with wrinkles, telling the stories of hardships he had endured during his lifetime of services. His goatee speckled with gray, framing the mouth that tightened with pain. Draped in dark cloak that concealed half of the medals adorning his military attire beneath. His eyes bloodshot, traces of blood trickling down his nose and corners of the mouth, a grim sign of internal injuries he had just suffered. Yet despite his battered state he had rushed over, with no time to even properly wipe off the traces of his suffering.

Before anyone could say anything the man kneld down on both knees before the king's throne. He bowed as if asking for forgiveness for the great sin he had committed. He said, "My lord, forgive me, I have committed a great sin. I let young master Loki escape due to my negligence." His breaking was heavy as if he would die any second. Indicating for him to calm down, Odin asked of the physicians present to tend to his injuries.

After he had calmed down he started explaining the details entailing to the incident. "I was practicing my arts as usual within my residence, when suddenly I sensed the panicked state of the snake guarding the cave where master Loki was imprisoned. Before I could do anything a sharp pain hit my soul, reducing my state to what could be seen. My contracted spirit was already dead, and master Loki had escaped." He said still breaking heavily, "My lord in light of the great sin I have committed, I am prepared to forfeit my life."

Listening to his explanation, Odin's anger rose to the extreme. But before anyone could react there was another news that reached the hall. 'Eir who had gone to administer the medicine to Clotho found her to be missing. Skuld, the youngest of the three Norn sisters was also missing along with her.'

The hall fell into deathly silence. The previously oppressive aura of Odin was now cloaked in an unnerving stillness. Every soul in the hall knew that despite his calm demeanor, a tempest brew within. Additionally the threat of unknown that loomed over their heads made the already stifling atmosphere even more unbearable. A storm was about to come.

Top of the world tree

Within what seemed to be the canopy formed by the stars in the sky and its ethereal branches, countless wisdom owls flew past disappearing into the void one after another. Their destination were the countless allied universes as well as the residences within them, Gods and demons alike. Each carried with itself the message of prediction of great disaster concluded by the God known for his divine wisdom, Odin himself.

.....

Dharmic universe

In one of the two great divine realms was the realm of seas, in the centre of the deep blue ocean floated a colossal snake coiling itself forming a majestic throne. Pitch black in colour, it had thousands of heads indicative to it's eternal nature of bring, it's name Adhishesha.

Upon the throne sat Lord God Vishnu, the protector and preserver of the entire Dharmic universe, stretching his legs as his back rested on the neck of the primordial serpent. His dark blue complexion was indicative of the infinite and boundless nature of the cosmos that he protected. He wore golden yellow clothing and was adorned with ornaments that strike a balance between grandeur and subtlety. His auspicious presence dazzled the entire realm of seas, making all the Gods in his presence awed.

Beside him sat Goddes Laxmi, his wife, beautiful and ethereal. Adorned with gold to the brim she represented luxury and riches.

Sage Narada the divine prophet was visiting the realm during one of his numerous travel journeys. He stood before lord Vishnu showing utmost respect to one or the three great primordial deities. The numerous Gods and holy souls residing within the realm of seas stood behind the primordial serpent forming a spectacular arc.

Narada's eyes shone with divine light. Looking into the void it was as if he could see through the reality of things with just a glance. He looked intently focusing his eyes to look through the cause and effect of the transpiring events.

Suddenly the beads of sweats flowed down his forehead he opened his eyes, confused he asked lord Vishnu, "My lord I am lost within the sea of chaos not knowing where to go. Please guide me forward to see the light."

.....

Bodhic universe

Under the auspicious Bodhi tree, that was sorrounded with relatively simple and primitive environment, sat Lord Gautama Buddha. He wore a simple single piece saffron clothing. The aura of enlightenment sorrounded him forming a golden divine light.

As he opened his eyes, with golden shimmer the universe was reflected within. He looked into the void ahead, his face expressionless, he said, "It seems another upheaval is underway. Sigh... countless wars, countless death, accumulation of countless karma... sigh... I wonder what will become of the world afterwards."

.....

In the countless demonic realms.

Unlike the divine beings, demons were warmonger, seeking war and destruction. The civilizations would collapse wherever they went, their mere presence was enough to fill mortal souls with terror. They were embodiment of destruction.

Unlike divine realms the demonic creatures rarely gather together. It was even rarer to find a civilization among them. Even among such disorderly and chaotic beings there were some entities born with Supreme strength who suppressed others and gathered numerous followers forming their own kingdoms.

Knowing of the series of incidents that took place within divine realms, there was a storm brewing within the demon realms.

Many aggressive demons prepared to go to war with the Gods. While there were many wise ones who could sense the greater disaster that was about to form, their thoughts were yet unclear.

One thing was certain, chaos was about to ensue which would envelope every existing realms in all the universes known or unknown.

It was the start of another great upheaval.

*****

Hello once again

If you had made this far in your journey, you are definitely not a noob (like me). Reading the normal chapters after this, you are definitely going to enjoy the developement of the story much better.

Warning (this time for real)

Starting from chapter 1 you will encounter some places with use of strong language. Read with caution. Please avoid reading if this is an important concern for you.

Good luck, the journey's just begun.