Chapter 5: The Blessed Armory

Gabriel stood in the center of the village, his radiant wings folding gently behind him as he addressed Bjorn. His calm demeanor betrayed the power within him as he spoke, his voice resonating with both confidence and warmth.

"Chief, why don't we test how durable the barrier truly is?" Gabriel suggested. Without waiting for an answer, he ascended into the air and glided just outside the shimmering dome of light.

The villagers watched in anticipation as Gabriel scanned the surrounding area. His gaze landed on a massive boulder, nearly the size of a cow, nestled at the base of a nearby hill. Hovering a short distance away, Gabriel raised his hand. The boulder trembled before lifting off the ground, levitating as if weightless. With a flick of his wrist, the massive stone hurtled toward the village with a speed that made the onlookers gasp in alarm.

The boulder streaked toward the barrier, the sheer force of its trajectory making it seem like a cannonball. Villagers shielded their faces, bracing for the worst. But the moment the boulder struck the translucent barrier, it disintegrated into countless fragments. The shrapnel turned to harmless dust, and the barrier remained unscathed—no cracks, no vibrations as if nothing had happened.

Inside the village, the ground didn't so much as tremble from the impact. The people stared in awe, murmurs spreading through the crowd like ripples in water.

Bjorn exhaled deeply, his hands unclenching. For years, he had prepared his people for the eventuality of war, knowing each battle would come at a cost. He had often feared losing the people he loved most, even in victory. Now, watching the divine barrier stand unyielding against such force, he felt an unfamiliar sensation—relief. For the first time, he truly believed his people could survive without the looming shadow of devastation.

Gabriel descended gracefully, landing in front of Bjorn and the villagers who had gathered. "The barrier is strong enough to withstand even greater attacks," Gabriel assured them. "Now, let us prepare further. Show me your weapons, shields, and armor—anything your warriors use for battle."

Bjorn nodded, his voice carrying through the village. "Gather all the equipment. Bring it to the center of the square."

As the villagers laid down bows, arrows, swords, axes, shields, and armor, Liv and Eira lingered nearby, their curiosity uncontainable.

"What are you going to do with all this, Sir Gabriel?" Liv asked, tilting her head.

Eira smiled knowingly, nudging her sister. "He's probably going to do something magical. Isn't that right?"

Astrid placed a hand on each of their shoulders, her own curiosity hidden behind a calm exterior. "Just watch and see."

Gabriel extended his hand toward the assembled weapons. Particles of light began to swirl around him, spreading outward like glowing fireflies. The light danced across every blade, shield, and piece of armor, coating them in a radiant sheen. The villagers watched in reverent silence as Gabriel's power enveloped their tools of war, transforming them into something extraordinary.

When the light faded, the equipment retained its original forms, but an unmistakable aura of strength and purity radiated from each piece.

Bjorn stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "What did you do, Gabriel?"

Gabriel turned to him with a gentle smile. "I blessed them. They are now far more powerful than you could have imagined. Each weapon and piece of armor carries a divine enhancement—but with restrictions. The blessings will not activate if used for greed, cruelty, or evil deeds."

Sigrun approached, her emerald eyes meeting Gabriel's. "Thank you, Gabriel. This is a wise precaution. Power like this can corrupt if left unchecked. I'm grateful for your consideration."

Gabriel inclined his head. "I understand, Sigrun. I intend to protect, not to inspire lust for power. These blessings are meant to safeguard your people, not harm others needlessly."

Bjorn nodded approvingly, then turned to his warriors. "Let's test the weapons. Start with the bows."

Outside the village walls, Liv and Eira took their positions. Dummy targets had been set up at varying distances, the closest within ten paces and the farthest nearly fifty. The twins, both skilled archers, nocked their arrows and drew their bows, their movements fluid and practiced.

"Fire," Bjorn commanded.

As the twins loosed their arrows, something incredible happened. Each arrow multiplied mid-flight, splitting into several glowing projectiles. The arrows homed in on all the targets simultaneously, striking each one with unerring precision. The dummies were pierced cleanly as if the arrows had encountered no resistance.

But the spectacle didn't end there. The arrows that embedded themselves in the ground detonated a moment later, leaving small craters where they landed. The twins stared at their bows, mouths agape, before breaking into delighted laughter.

"These are incredible!" Eira exclaimed, practically bouncing on her heels.

"Even better than I expected," Liv added, her reserved demeanor cracking under the excitement.

The warriors around them murmured in awe. If just the bows had this level of power, what of the melee weapons and armor?

Gabriel nodded toward Bjorn. "Try the melee weapons next."

One by one, the warriors tested their swords, axes, and spears. Each weapon glowed faintly with Gabriel's blessing, their strikes sharper and more precise than ever before. Swords cut through thick logs with ease and axes cleaved cleanly through targets without the slightest effort. Yet, when the weapons were swung at fellow warriors, the strikes harmlessly stopped before contact, as if an invisible shield protected them.

The armor was no less impressive. Warriors tested it rigorously, striking each other with their newly enhanced weapons. The blows landed without so much as a scratch or dent on the armor, and the wearer remained unscathed.

Bjorn watched in silence, his expression a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. He approached Gabriel, his voice heavy with emotion. "Gabriel, thank you. With these blessings, my warriors will survive battles that would have claimed their lives before. They can return to their families and their loved ones. You've given us more than just weapons you've given us hope."

Gabriel smiled softly. "You are a noble leader, Bjorn. Your love for your people is genuine, and your intentions are pure. That is why I'm helping you. I see in you not a warlord, but a protector—a father to your people."

Bjorn's jaw tightened as he fought to maintain his composure. He clasped Gabriel's arm firmly. "You honor me, Gabriel. I will not forget this."

As the testing concluded, Gabriel turned toward the longhouse. Astrid, Liv, and Eira were quick to accompany him, eager to speak with him about what they had just witnessed. The twins peppered him with questions, their excitement infectious, while Astrid hung back slightly, her gaze thoughtful.

Bjorn and Sigrun remained in the square, addressing the gathered villagers. "We will prepare for the coming war," Bjorn announced. "But we will remain on the defensive. If other villages call for aid, we will respond. For now, focus on fortifying our walls and training."

The villagers nodded, their spirits lifted by the blessings they had received.

Inside his room, Gabriel sat quietly as Astrid guided her sisters away, leaving him to his thoughts. The glow of the barrier outside cast a soft light through his window. For the first time since arriving in this world, Gabriel felt a sense of purpose a feeling that this village, and these people, were meant to be his to protect.

He closed his eyes and let the silence envelop him, readying himself for the challenges to come.