Legions of the Gods. Chapter 4: What can I do for you?

The air was thick with smoke and the scent of mead. At the center of the room sat Durlin, a portly Dwarf with a long braided beard adorned with trinkets. He leaned forward on his chair, and then was flanked by two armor-heavy guards. Perplexing Lina a little at the awfully weird colored and tattooed men.

As the trio approached, Durlin's sharp eyes immediately locked onto them. A mischievous grin spread across his face.

"I'd think people of the likes of you, would be in the lands of Elyngard. But I guess not, eh?" He kicked his feet up on the desk. Leaning and reaching for a book with the help of tipping his chair for the shelf behind him. Grabbing the book. 

"Did you make an appointment?" He put the book infront of him.

"Actually— It's a emergency case. You'd know where Thorne is, right?" Dante gestured towards him, to which the Dwarve moves his book out of the way to see the white haired young man. 

"Actually, I do know where he is." Durlin sat properly. Closing his book and putting it on his desk. And beside him, laid a glass bowl. To which he tapped on it. Showing a little octopus coming out. Who's tentacles wrap around the Dwarve's arm. Pulling itself up and onto his shoulder. 

"He was one of my more destructive prisoners; and you're late. His behavior got him put in a… better place." Durlin petted the little octopus. 

"Sounds just like him." Dante scratched his head with a sheepish look on his face. And Durlin could only chuckle. 

"Though, at the same time. you're in luck," he scratched his chin. "His time has stopped. And he can get out, but unless he's a god he's not getting out of there any time soon. But with you and your… friends' reputation. It should be relative ease." 

"That depends. where is he?" Dante raised an eyebrow expectantly. 

"And that's where you come in; look, I know I might not deem myself very… trustworthy. But…"

"The all-father… he haunts me everyday, Dante." His voice softens, "After… that war. Every winter of my life since. Has always been in his flames… he abuses my people— my kingdom. The ones I love."

"Do you understand, my words? I mean— surely. You saved, lost, and felt the people in your kingdom."

Dante's gaze could only harden as Durlin hit a string that both are familiar of. But at the same time, he was caught off guard by the Dwarves demeanor. 

"Wow… I didn't know someone like you could have a heart." 

"Nobody does." Durlin chuckled softly. Getting out of his seat. But Dante hasn't forgotten his main quest.

"What about Thorne? How do I know my friend is safe?" Dante anticipated for his answer, and Durlin only nodded.

"Right— Thorne is in Alfheim." 

"The realm of the Elves?" Yumi interjected, "Did you actually think the likes of Thorne was that much for Svartalfheim? Putting him in a prison in a realm who are against their own kind?"

"Yeah. Have you seen the size of that man?" Durlin gave her a look of surprise at her question, "We'd be squished!"

"But now that's behind us. So, now that we got our priorities straight; will you gonna help us?" The Dwarve smiled, crossing his hands behind his back. While Dante looked thoughtful, 

"Well… if that's your case. It's the best we can do."

"Splendid," The Dwarve got out of his seat, walking up to his small shelf of books, his little hand scrolling through the row of books. Until he actually finds it and pulls it out. Revealing a small wheel which activates with a twist. Sliding opening a passage. "Come along then."

Dante looked a bit self-wary of what can happen with someone of the likes of Durlin. But he shakes it off. "Yeah. Right behind you." 

As they enter through the passage, the cavern stretched wide, its wooden platforms and creaking scaffolds weaving a precarious path through the shadows. The faint roar of cascading water echoed through the chamber, a misty veil hanging in the air as if guarding some ancient secret. 

A massive waterwheel turned slowly in the distance, its rhythmic groans blending with the sound of rushing currents below. Chains hung like sentinels from the rafters above, their metal links glinting faintly in the dim light that filtered through cracks in the rock. The entire scene felt alive, not with the presence of people, but with the restless spirit of a bygone era. Every step across the damp planks whispered of danger, and yet, an unshakable curiosity seemed to call from the heart of the labyrinth, beckoning anyone brave—or foolish—enough to delve deeper.

"Well, then. Here we are." Durlin looked back at the group of three. But Lina's curiosity couldn't help but kill her. "Hey, who's the little guy on your shoulder?"

"The Gal? Weather." The little octopus slithered down the Dwarve and wrapped It's tentacles around Lina's leg. And it slowly slithers up until it reaches onto Lina's arm and shoulder, to Yumi's grotesque. But to joy of Lina as she pets the octopus. 

"Fetched her from the waters, she's a friendly one." Durlin continued leading them along the passage. 

"By the way— I'm only making your job easier from here." 

"I think there's an overdue conversation, what exactly is what we're supposed to be doing again?" Dante raised an eyebrow, squinting an eye to elaborate. 

"Your little fight with Heimdall, ended with him stabbing his sword into the ground, yeah? Well. Just as casual as that son of a bitch did it. He stopped all of our machines. Odin cannot come to my realm, and he's warned me."

"I think we can fix that." Dante looked over at his team, but realistically the other two were hesitant. To which Dante only looks back at the Dwarve and nods. "Yeah." He nodded slowly, looking down, and seeing the adventure they were going to take through the cavern. 

"Wonderful, whenever you're ready." Durlin smiled. And soon after, walked back to his office. And right after he's left…

"Have you lost your mind!? We already have what we want! I already know why…" Yumi yelled at Dante, the three were all in the cavern after Durlin's 

however. Amidst their convo….

Durlin walked into his office. Sitting down on his chair. And opening his book. With his two guards beside him.

After awhile of staring at his book, he smirked. Remembering Yumi's words to Dante. And he laughed. 

"I tell you what— what a reckless, absolute, Idiot." He said as he chugged down some mead. Savoring the taste. "Thinking he can bring the princess here and expect her not to be in danger."

"Get them." He commanded his guards, who run out the same passage that the adventurers he sent them through. "She's coming home." And the door shut tightly…

While his guards walked off. Kragur pops into existence. And happened to be listening to it all. Enraged by the Dwarve's choice. He mutters, 

"That damn Dobber…"

Meanwhile, Dante and his group were walking around the cavern. 

"This can't be any easier…. It's just a shiny golden sword in a dark cavern. It should stand out, right?" Dante looked up to see the sword. 

"Dante, you never fail to impress me with your trust in people." Yumi crossed her arms. "It's a little too moving. To the point where you run and fall face first." 

"Yeah? Well slow down." Dante looked back with a funny look on his face. To which Yumi gauges her annoyance. 

"I didn't know this place would have a cavern…" Lina looked around her, enjoying the sight of how everything works. 

"Well. This entire realm was made by Durlin with his bare hands. All by himself. It's Impressive when you consider he did this in a span of a few days." 

"What?" Lina's jaw dropped at his words, "How so?"

"Dwarve magic; As long as they build, they're invulnerable. And he saw land just above surface. So from the inside, he made a giant waterwheel that keeps all of it from not sinking. And it's connected to all these other waterwheels." Dantr stopped for a moment.

"Speaking of it, it should be around here." He looked around, "If it's close to us,then I'm guessing the sword is too."

"As much as I hate to say it, I don't like this. But it's like talking to a wall with you and your ideals of helping people." Yumi gives him a concerned look. 

But then… 

"Does matter what you fuckin' sperm-head has to say right now!?" Kragur appeared, calling towards the three. Who all jolt a little 

"Kragur?" Dante mused, not expecting to see the sight. 

"He's coming!" He approached Dante. Reaching for the pouch on his hip. "We're skedaddling out of here." Kragur walked forward.

"What?" Dante looked confused, following the Dwarf. 

"I'll tell ya when we get outta here." The Dwarf summoned the door, Dante reaching to hold his shoulder "Wait, Durlin. He—"

As Dante spoke. The cavern rumbled. And he looked around hastily for the potential threat upon them, "You have good timing for these things, apparently. Hope that boosts your confidence." 

"Told ya." Kragur soured. 

As they spoke. The two guards, specifically the ones that were guarding Durlin. Dropped from the ground. 

"You've made a mistake, Legion of Athena." They called out, both pointing their weapons at them; one a mace, and another a chain enchanted with Bifröst 

"You do not what mistake you are doing, mortals. It is mere prelude what will come to you if that woman doesn't come back home." They walk forward. Yet slow and attentive. Looking at their movements. 

"Yeah? Then what's be the main event?" Dante cocked his head to the side, mirroring they're attitude towards him. 

"The god of foresight should've told you enough. Stop your antics, the All-Father demands it." The guard with the Bifröst chain, spins them in his hands. 

"The All-Fucker is means nothing to me!!" Kragur yelled toward the guards. Making them hiss in frustration. 

"Have it your way then!" The guard smashes his Bifröst infused-mace into the ground. But before any explosion can happen. In the span of seemingly nothing, she carved an X on his chest. Making him pour blood profusely. 

"Not. So. Fast." She threatened, her eyes glow an ominous white, getting into stance. 

Yumi's innate technique is called Ghost. Which allows her to move so fast she phases through her opponents defense and attacks, just as her innate technique says; like a ghost. 

"Brother!" The guard screams as his brother falls on the ground. And in a fit of rage launches one of his chains towards Yumi. "You bitch!"

"Not on my watch!" Dante dashes towards the guard. Who launches his other chain to Dante. To which he dodges. Making the attempt to grab the chain. However, the guard whips the chain. Hitting his hand away. Before he whips it again. This time with Bifröst. The divine magic being so strong it sends him flying on impact.

"!!" Lina watches in awe. But Kragur grabs her hand. "You, young lady, are coming with me!" Kragur tries to pull her with him. But she looks at what these two are going through, and denies it. Pushing his hand away. 

"Wait!" She raised her hand, trying to catch the attention of the Guard. 

But as she raised her hand…

Poof! The ground underneath the guard is gone and out of the cavern. The guard sent flying high. Leaving Yumi in shock. Including Lina herself. 

"Wha…?" She looks at her own hand. Surprised by her own hand. And then looks around her. She sees every atom. Except Yumi's. And speaking of Yumi, she saw Lina's eyes glow blue. 

"Are you okay?" Yumi asked her, not seeing what she is seeing. Lina blinked a few times. Seeing everything normal, her eyes almost tamed at the state they were in. 

"Uh… yeah." She nodded slowly, hesitating. What was that? Were the words on her mind. But she decided to drag Kragur instead of him doing that to her. 

"?!" Kragur wailed as she ran

"We're going now!" She waved to Yumi. Who was just as confused. 

"… She probably should've continued doing that." Yumi mused, and to say that wasn't the end. The chains of the guard was connected to Dante. And as he was sent flying. Dante was sent for a flight to. But stopped by the ceiling of the cavern. The impact makes him grunt. 

And soon after, what came up, came down. The guard smashed down the cavern. Shouldering Dante with such strength it makes both of them ragdoll. However, Dante was on it. He grabbed the guard, using his feet to launch him away from him. Having a stare down as the guard was sent flying back. He gets back onto his footing, looking at the Guard who's in the same state.

"What do you guys have with her? Why are all of you so desperate to catch her?" Dante got into a fighting stance. 

"You talk too much, and try too little to heed." The guard went back on the attack. His chains reaching to Dante. 

"If there was something to understand!" Dante pulled himself closer by grabbing the chains, spinning around to land a spinning double kick. But the guard catches his foot with his hand. However, Dante makes a counter with a elbow. To which the guard blocks. And with that same elbow he spins around, back to back together. Dante grabs the Guards arm. Throwing him. But the guard uses his chains once more as he rag dolls. Grabbing his legs and slamming into a Cavern wall that reveals another wall. 

The same giant waterwheel he was talking about comes back to haunt him. This time literally. He hits the wall and as soon as the waterwheel was gonna hit him. He stopped it with one hand as he was in the middle of getting back up. He takes the moment to breathe. 

"That's it?" He had a sheepish smirk on his fsce, but lunged forward to continue fighting. But the guard stomps on him, literally. And throws him up and out of the cavern and back into the streets of Svartalfheim. Ragdolling on the ground. And then grabbing him by the throat. He glares up at him. A thoughtful look on how he should take his prey into his mouth.

"You have sins to pay…" 

While the guard continued his monologue. The mother Dwarve that is holding her son, similar to her husband, Brok. Stands there. Seeing there only symbol of hope stuck in a hopeless spot. 

The little boy, tucked in his mothers arms. Looked up at her with a face that begins terrifying questionaries. And he looks back at Dante. Who grits his teeth. Trying to hold his breath as much as he can to not lose his breath. And he couldn't bare to see the man who despite the way he mourned for his father's death. He didn't deserve that treatment; he tried to save both, after all.

The brave little boy pushed away from the embrace of the mother Dwarve, who watches terrified for her kin. Watching with wide eyes. "Baby, what are you doing!? Please," she runs after him. But trips miserably. Her hand reaching out only to grab the fabrics of the air.

"You've gambled with your life." The guard raised his hand. Making a fist. "Now it's time you see the consequence."

"Wait!" The little boy, the one that haunted Dante with his words. Was now the one that saved him, "He hasn't done anything!"

The guard looks at the little boy. A confused and annoyed look on his face, "What?" 

"You are the ones doing wrong! Look at all of us! We can't even have fun. Even after…" His chest gets heavy as he remembers his father. Trying to find some coherence. "Even after we've lost our family!" 

"And he stood for what was right; even if it was bad!"

Dante's eyes widened as the boy's words sank in. For the first time, he realized that this small act of bravery was the spark he needed. The boy had spoken truth, and the guard was momentarily distracted by the weight of the words. Dante could see the shift in the guard's stance, the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

"He's good." 

And with that same energy, he raised his foot and kicked the guard in the back of the head getting free of his grasp. And punches the ground to create a palace of dust that traps the guard from within.

"!!" The guard is dumbfounded at himself, but more importantly. 

He'll meet something he wasn't expecting. 

"He's right, and you're the one who's wrong…" the dust quickly disappeared as it was sucked into a giant ball of red and pink flames. Which swirled at Dante's handy maneuvers.

And then launches it with a flick of his fingers.

 "Hellblaze!"  

And it flies towards the guard, in a explosive attack of flames. A dance intertwining as it collides. Leaving everything around the area in the middle of the guard. As well as a massive crater behind.

Soon after the victory held up clearly by the man walking through the fire, Dante. He Walks up to to the boy. Giving him his well earn praise. 

"That was brave," he squatted to the kids size. Making eye to eye with him. Putting a hand on his shoulder and a smile on his face. 

"Leave it to the pros next time, 'Kay?" He pats him on the head. Standing up properly. The mother Dwarve holds her child dearly in her arms. Giving him a look of gratitude.

"Thank you." She whispered. To which Dante he nodded assuringly, "Anytime." 

As they spoke. A shadow appeared from them. Revealing itself to be Yumi dived from the sky. Landing on the ground swiftly, and walking over to her friend. "Is everything okay?" 

"Yup. But the guard says otherwise." Dante looked at the crater, only shaking his head in disappointment.

"My work did its deed well then." Kragur arrived with Lina as well. A cocky grin on his cherry colored face. "Now can we get the hell out of here?" Which quickly changed to deadpan. 

As they spoke, someone's voice. Small, yet familiar. Calls out… "Dante!!" Durlin screamed with relentless fury. Almost Running, or almost waddling with the power of emotions. "You motherfucker! What did we agree on!! You so called 'hero'—"

However, Kragur just pushes him. Putting him into the ground with a thump. Grabbing his shirt. "You shut the fuck up!" 

"He's right," Dante intervened, "The man who fought with Tyr— the man who went against the all-father's will." He started at him with a sense of strong pity. "Now he doesn't even put a hand in help for his people."

Durlin only stared at Dante in bewilderment. Save? He closed his eyes tightly. A smirk of amusement plastered on his face as he laughed loudly. 

"Save?" Durlin grinned widely. Cackling. "Don't make me laugh, Koryu."

"I saved people because men like us have a duty. A responsibility. To use our talents in service of others. Whether they understand it or not. Even if those beneath us don't appreciate it."  Durlin chuckled a little more. Smiling with mischief. Talking down to him. Taking in the sight in front of him.

 "Of course you would bend my trust with you. Just like all the others did. Not only are you protecting the wrong person, but you're fighting the wrong man." He continued to talk down to him. To which Kragur, annoyed by his words, grabbed him by the throat. But he continued to speak,

"Koryu. If you want to change the world… you have to be the kind of man who can make the hardest decisions." He continued, Before throwing his octopus, weather at him. With it's beak out, and ready to chomp on it's prey. And corrects itself to be nothing to Dante. Catching the creature. 

"I couldn't agree any more," He dropped the octopus. Looking towards Kragur. Insinuating for him to let go of the man. Who still lays on the ground, defeated. And left confused at his words. 

"I guess you're have to save yourself." He walked away, murmuring the words to himself, "Even if it hurts like hell."

And then, the sounds of ravens come. Alerting Lina first. "We should go!" 

As the ravens begin to cyclone around each other. Kragur uses the cube he got from Dante, to send all of them home.

"Great." And even the man in the dance knows. Heimdall. 

"You absolutely. Unqualified. Moron." Heimdall shaked his head with a smug look on his face. 

"I mean, seriously. With your uselessness, we can fuel the entire city!" He laughed. His eyes wide with the help of amusement and disbelief. But his face falters into deadpan. 

"It's almost… moving. It keeps me up a night." He stared at Durlin. Who's only response, has been silent fear. And that's his comedian telling jokes. 

He laughs again. Slapping the back of his head. "Alrighty, bald-ass! Tell me," He walked slowly towards the sword that was stabbed into the ground. 

"Where is she now?" Heimdall looked toward the sky in boredom. And Durlin got up from his state on the ground to reply to the god of Foresight. 

"They're still with her—"

"Are you deaf now too? Where?" Heimdall cuts him off, cocking his head to the side.

"I don't know." Durlin looked down on the ground, knowing he wouldn't like the response. But it wasn't like that. 

"Well, isn't that great?" Heimdall smiled slyly to himself. Sheathing his golden sword back onto his hip. His snowy blue eyes glowing brightly.

"He'd be careful. I'd take what's his too."

"ARGH!" Inside a palace with lights all out. A man yells in rage as he crushes a glass of red wine. The smallest pieces dropping to the ground. "What is she thinking!?"

"I know just as little as you do, sir." Heimdall chuckled, who was watching on the sidelines. "Well, mostly about what's she thinking."

"She's just like her father, a trickster, she plays with people's view on you. Make her look…" He looks down on the ground. Trying to find the right words. That yet, feel so wrong. "Good."

"Enough of calling my daughter names, Heimdall!" The man gritted his teeth in anger. But Heimdall calmed him down with a simple thrust of the hilt of his sword. Which hit the weak man hard. Getting on his knees. "I will call her whatever I like, Farbauti, because if I have to remind you." He stood up. Staring at the man with disgust.

"You do know that once this cat and mouse chase ends on just grabbing the fabrics of the past. You're still a giant. You know that, right?" Heimdall crossed his arms. "You're a war-criminal to Asgard." He squats down to his level. Grabbing his arm. A cold smile plastered on his face.

"And I'll beat you and your daughter into a pulp, gladly." He assured him, "But it's the all-father's wish not to do so." Farbauti didn't respond. He only looked away. His bloodied palms reaching to grab the desk. Sighing deeply and with resentment. 

"Dismissed." Farbauti gestured. To which Heimdall nods. "Going along, then. I can't wait to tell the all-father what's been happening so far." He chuckled to himself.

As Heimdall walked away. He looked at the picture in front of him. Two people who he can recognize as himself and his wife. holding their daughter together. It was a women with red hair, almost like a much older Lina. 

"Laufey… they say with time. All wounds heal, but that's a lie." He shut his eyes tightly. Looking down in grief and sorrow. Looking at his cut hands. Before looking up at her picture with a tense look. 

"I don't know what to do without you, or Lina."