For the rest of the village, the events of today were something to behold. As they looked out of their windows, gazing upon the bodies of the conked-out collectors, and their deceased captain, without a horse in sight, they didn't know what to think. From their perspective, the two strange warriors who entered their town just today and poked around for seemingly no reason had truly defeated their debt collectors - and now they could live on to the next month with all their money. On the heels of this momentous event, one question scratched the back of everyone's minds - could this spell the end of their troubles?

The chief, for his part, was relieved, endlessly grateful, as he took a deep breath out, stepping into his house with a smile on his face and a full pot in his hands. "...and so we make it through another month, unless the king does something funny." he hummed happily, putting the pot down in the corner before placing a wrinkled hand on his chin. "...hmm, I don't believe I got their names. I wonder, to whom do we owe our lives?"

"Hey! Listen!"

Once he said that, he turned around, watching in amusement as a firefly wandered into the house, wondering if they were a native species. That thought evaporated instantly once the light the firefly emitted expanded, filling the room with a bright white radiance and forcing the man to cover his eyes, letting out a shocked little scream. Once he moved his hands away from his eyes, he watched in confusion as a most unfamiliar man stood in the middle of his house. A man with scruffy black hair and orange eyes, while wearing a black coat over his whole body, looking around before his eyes met the chief. "I see you've watched our chosen in action."

https://youtu.be/w3r4MEjA21I

"...and who are you?" the chief squinted, staring at the black-clad man, who watched him with an easygoing smile, extending a hand towards him.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Brandle, apostle of Sunna." he told him calmly. "You may not have noticed me, but I've been staying in this village for a little while. But worry not - the sun goddess only means to help your people."

"How long have you been here?"

"Just a few days." 'Brandle' answered honestly. "I have passed the time acting in service to you and your village. I contributed to your quota, and it was by our decree that those valiant heroes rose to challenge your oppressors."

"Truly?"

He'd stolen a few eggs, too, but that was hardly important here.

"Why, yes! We heard of your plight, my friend, and personally recruited two fine champions into this mission, all so you may have a brighter tomorrow!" Anwin exclaimed, grinning cheerily. "And now, they set off to face the king. Your glorious sunrise nears, my friend."

"But...why us?" the chief asked, listening with interest. "Why go out of your way to help our tiny community, when there is so much more in the world that would surely mean so much more?"

"Everywhere the sun touches is smiled upon by my lady, friend." Anwin bowed his head, putting his hands together. "To preserve her smile, I ask that you only spread the word. In nomine sol, for a brighter tomorrow."

"...in nomine sol." the chief repeated, also putting his hands together with a smile. "If what you say is true, we owe our lives to your lady. May she shine ever bright, and may you continue to do good in her name."

"That is all I ask." Anwin took a bow, as a shower of white light began to surround him. In an instant, he was gone, having returned to his cabin, standing in the centre with a firefly by his side. His serenity quickly giving way to his usual apathy, he looked ahead with narrow eyes. "I feel dirty."

"Aww, look at you! All smooth and suave and loyal!" Sunna teased. "I'd almost say you believed what you were saying back there!"

"I told you I was a diplomat, didn't I?" Anwin shrugged. "Ugh, to think I had to say something good about gods and worship. And it was you, of all people."

"Aww, look on the bright side, Mr. Apostle." Sunna giggled quietly. "You've done something good for these people! You even picked the chief, so now word will spread faster. You've given this town something to believe in."

"Uh, okay," Anwin began, raising an eyebrow. "But since when do you care about that? Sure you're not just happy the extra faith will strengthen you?"

"Rude!" Sunna protested. "I have morals, too, you know!"

"No you fucking don't."

"Alright, fine! But this is a good thing, you know! You should feel good about it, right?"

"I guess." Anwin shrugged once again. "I just don't know how to feel about this. These people, all reliant on gods that don't give a shit about them because they'd rather uphold a wyrd that tells them to abandon mankind and let monsters rage when convenient. How do I feel increasing that reliance?"

"...Anwin?" Sunna watched him carefully, both curious and worried at once. His face was calm, but there was anger behind his eyes. She could sense that quite clearly.

"In the end, I'm not too sure." Anwin sighed, looking up to the ceiling. "But there's one thing I am sure about: if a monster was to ravage this little village, Asgard would know. And they wouldn't lift a finger to stop it."

Sunna fell silent for a short while, a silence that Anwin didn't fill. It took some time for her to find a response, but she spoke it right away when it came. "If you felt this way, why'd you even come up with this idea?"

"Seemed like the kind of thing you'd appreciate. On that front, I guessed correctly." Anwin explained. "Plus, I dunno, I guessed if I played my cards right, the influence of 'Brandle' could come in handy later on."

Another round of silence, Sunna once again carefully considering her words once it became apparent that this was a sensitive topic for him. Why, she could not say, but she could read a room. "...well, what do you think the chief is gonna take away from that meeting?" she asked. "Sure, he'll come away thinking that I'm amazing, and I totally am, but he'll also think about the values I represent."

"You're just the sun god, right?"

"The values you've convinced him I represent." Sunna corrected herself. "All of that virtuous stuff Brandle told him, that's what's gonna spread around the village! If, by chance, it spreads beyond the village, then all the better!"

Anwin hummed at that, and Sunna, sensing she was getting through to him, went in for one last strike. "And hey, I'll see if I can stick my neck out for these little guys when they need it." she said. "So cheer up! Think of it as spreading goodness, not loyalty."

"We'll see." Anwin chuckled quietly, nodding slowly as he placed a hand on his chin. "For now, though, good job. You've performed well."

"Haha, of course I have!" Sunna exclaimed proudly. "Shall I go back to spying?"

"Please, do." Anwin smiled slightly. "Let me know if anything goes wrong."

"Will do!" Sunna chirped. Without hesitation, she flew out, Anwin psychically holding the door open for her once more. They still had to monitor things, after all.

.........

https://youtu.be/Li9Vi_-Nufk

"Come forth, Einar."

The scene was a vast green field laden with lush grass, circled by towering trees. Nature sang from the surrounding forest, and at the other end, there sat what looked to be a small castle - about as tall as any tree neighbouring it, with black stones composing its walls and a flat, slightly elevated roof covered in moss and leaves.

In the centre of the field sat multiple large, round rocks sticking out of the ground. They were many in number, and each was occupied by a person, watching in intrigue. All except one - a callow, blond-haired youth, who, hearing his name called out, looked around frantically. His hazel-brown eyes went wide as he tried to scan the faces of those around him. Maybe there was a different Einar in the crowd!

And yet, all eyes were on him. The man sitting next to him, a taller man bearing a close resemblance to him, patted him on the shoulder, giving him a stoic nod. "It'll be alright, son. You'll make it through."

Einar nodded at that, placing a hand on the edge of his tunic as he stood up. With everyone watching, he had to put on a brave face. So he walked up before the altar and gazed up at the man behind it. This man was tall, imposing and grim, dressed in a suit of black plate armour adorned with viridian antlers. His hair was dark, tied into a warrior's topknot and complementing his beard - present so all knew he was a warrior, but short enough to stay out of his way. His eyes, green as the surrounding forest, pierced Einar's very heart.

Einar, standing before the altar, took a bow, beads of sweat already beginning to race down his face. "P-Present, your majesty!" he stuttered, his nervousness noticed but ignored by the king.

"Einar, son of Thorbjorn. I commend your bravery in coming here." Hrafnkel spoke, his stare unflinching as he watched Einar's movements like a hawk. "You needn't fear. I come bearing not cruelty, but impartial judgement. My verdict is Frey's, after all."

Understandably, this didn't do much to ease the boy's worries. Hrafnkel, for his part, was almost like a statue as he spoke, well-measured and utterly detached. "But let us get to the point." he said, pausing as he scanned the area, making sure he had everyone's undivided attention. "Einar, son of Thorbjorn! Shepherd and apprentice! You stand accused of high blasphemy! How do you answer these claims?"

"Y-Your majesty, I can explain!"

"Your request for an explanation is an admission of guilt." Hrafnkel pointed out, crossing his arms and looking down at him. "But if you have an explanation that may please Frey, give it."

Einar shuddered, looking back as he felt everyone's eyes on him once again, watching him for the slightest slip-up. He was at their mercy now. His knees almost falling weak, he looked up, staring closely at Hrafnkel and clearing his throat. "Y-Your majesty...as you know, I am a shepherd! I herd the sheep, j-just as you tell me to!" he explained. "But just yesterday, I had a bit of a problem! As you know, I require a horse to keep up with the flock so that I can keep them in line, but this time...every horse I approached just up and ran! I was at my wits' end, but there was one horse - just one - that did not flee from me..."

"An understandable situation. Certainly not an enviable one." Hrafnkel commented. "But you had to know the consequences. Freyfaxi is my personal steed, one I have personally dedicated to Lord Frey. So strong is my devotion that I have sworn an oath to him - anyone but myself who rides Freyfaxi shall die by my hand. Is this not common knowledge?"

Einar looked back, trembling as he saw the people speaking among themselves, an aura of agreement present in their words even if he couldn't possibly make out every single one. Turning back to Hrafnkel, he bowed his head. "I-It is, your majesty, but I had no choice!"

"Perhaps you are correct. Perhaps there were other choices available that you did not see." Hrafnkel said stoically, shaking his head. "It matters not. The sin has been committed. Let us see what Frey has to say."

He closed his eyes, and at once everyone fell silent, the tension in the air thick enough that one could cut it with a knife. Einar's breathing grew heavier, shakier, as he awaited his verdict, and he looked back at the crowd to see them all waiting. Some in excitement, some in fear, some in pity. His father, particularly, seemed to be making a quiet prayer of his own. He turned back to his judge, watching in petrified anticipation as his eyes finally opened, looking down at Einar with a stone-cold glare. "Nothing changes. The sentence is death."

Einar gasped, freezing up in terror as Hrafnkel held out his hand, and in a soft flash of green light, a ceremonial axe appeared, thorns running up its handle. Thorbjorn, in the audience, slammed his fist on his rock, indignation on his face. "Have mercy, your majesty! He is but a child!"

"And yet, Frey's verdict remains unchanged. Unless you wish to take your complaints up with him." Hrafnkel said simply, slinging his axe over his shoulder as blades of grass rose up, coiling themselves tightly around Einar's ankles and locking him in place. "That said, this execution...it is among the worst I have done, and likely will ever need to. Would you accept an offering of Voids as compensation?"

"I don't need your compensation!" Thorbjorn cried, tears welling up in his eyes. "I need my son!"

"An oath is an oath." Hrafnkel said icily, his gaze settling on the young Einar. "If you have any last words, child, now is the time to speak them."

Einar's eyes grew wide, but he shook his head, remaining silent as Hrafnkel stepped out from behind the altar, raising his axe. Recognising the lack of last words, he swung it, severing his head in a single, swift motion. The deed done, the axe disappeared, and Hrafnkel turned his back to the crowd. "You are all dismissed."

Without a word, he walked away from the audience and into his castle, and at once, everyone stood up and left, talking about what had happened. All except Thorbjorn, who wept silently for his son, his head in his hands, and another man, who stayed by his side, his hand on Thorbjorn's shoulder.

"It's okay, brother. We can make this right, somehow."

.........

https://youtu.be/CVO8E69HEas

The walk to central Adalbol was quiet and awkward, neither warrior knowing what to say in the wake of the captain's execution. With Yuri's stony expression a constant and Oz's mask glued to his face, neither could get a read on the other, either, and even Freya struggled to decipher what either was thinking, even if she could chance a few guesses. Nonetheless, they both knew to move quickly. The sooner they could get an audience with the king, the better.

Following the path, they were met with a walled gate, with two gatekeepers standing in front of it, dressed in flowing white robes. They were bald, with magnificent black moustaches on their faces as they gazed down at the pair, immediately posing with their arms crossed, standing back to back. "Halt!" the man on the left yelled, getting both of them to stop and listen in an instant. "Do you seek entry into this town?"

"That we do." Oz nodded.

"Then prepare yourselves!" the man on the right declared. "For we hold a trial most trifling to the mind! One of us speaks truth, and the other only lies!"

"Nay! Heed not the words of my brother, friends!" the left gatekeeper bellowed. "We request only a shrubbery!"

"...a shrubbery?" Yuri tilted her head, confused. Freya sighed at that.

"It makes sense. Frey always was something of a hipster..."

Yuri nodded at that, looking ahead calmly. "Then...which one is it? Which game do we need to play?"

"Ooh, I believe I know this one." Oz piped up, stepping forth and meeting the gatekeepers' quizzical gaze. "For you see, it is a simple case of misdirection, and indeed it is quite difficult to wrap your head around. But let it not trip you up, or it will conquer you. So, let us get into the thick of it, shall we?"

The keepers continued to watch him closely, and Oz also examined them, checking for any signs of pain or discomfort. Upon not finding any, he smiled, clapping his hands together and, in a flash of green light, a small, well-kept shrub appeared. He held it out to the two, who eyed it with their eyebrows raised in sync. "Is this the shrubbery you requested?"

"That is certainly a shrubbery..." the right gatekeeper mused. "And yet, you have yet to prove yourselves."

"I was simply getting to that." Oz raised his finger, before pointing it at the left keeper. "Because you, knight who says 'nay', are the liar!"

"Nay! Explain how you reached this conclusion!"

"Quite simply, only one of you reacted to my shrubbery, and it was not you." Oz shook his head, tutting softly. "You requested my plant, but it was clear as day that you did not truly want it. Is that not the mark of a liar?"

He smiled slightly, watching them as they followed his movements. "You also appear immune to the word 'it'. A sign that you are no true knights who say 'nay'."

"Hmm. A well-thought-out, if fairly off-kilter, deduction." the right gatekeeper nodded. "You may enter."

"Excellent!" Oz exclaimed, watching as they opened the gates for the duo and gesturing towards Yuri. "Let's get going, shall we?"

"U-Uh, right..." Yuri nodded quickly, following him through the gates and into the verdant kingdom. "You...did well back there."

"Thank you." Oz bowed his head gracefully. "But we mustn't falter. Keep your wits sharp, for the woods whisper, and they have it out for us."

"He's not wrong." Freya added, and if Yuri wasn't perplexed before, she certainly was now. "We're entering Frey's territory. Hrafnkel's territory. Always watch your back."

"O-Oh...is it dangerous?"

"You never know what to expect with Frey." Freya mused. "So, for now, all I can say is 'welcome to the jungle'."

And into this fertile soil, the pair stepped, ready to brave the forest's pleasures and horrors alike - for as much as they disagreed on certain matters, at the very least, they had one another's backs.