Nier POV

Yonah, Kaine, and I come across a pile of rocks that resembles the gateways Brok told us about. I pull out the Seed of Yggdrisil and it causes the rocks to be put together and form a door. We enter it and find ourselves in a fantastical place and walking through what appears to be a large branch.

Yonah: Look at this place... this must be a branch of the World Tree!

Kaine: I'll admit, I never thought I'd see it with my own eyes, much less walking on its fricking branches.

Nier: Maybe let's try to stay on the branches.

Kaine looks over an edge and sees nothing but an abyss.

Kaine: Fuck, you and Brok ain't kidding. I can't see shit except endless emptiness.

Yonah: I still can't believe it was Baldur that came to our house. The Aesir god, Baldur. And Nier won!

Nier: Temporarily

Yonah: One of Odin's sons - Thor's brother. And now he's hunting us with his nephews. Why's this happening.

Kaine: If we can get Mimir's soul back into his head, you can ask him.

Yonah: Okay.

Kaine: And also "Won" is a rather strange term when your opponent doesn't stop and won't die. If what you say is true, then Nier just incapacitated him.

Nier: We better be ready for anything.

Yonah: Can I tell you both something?

Nier: What is it?

Yonah: It's silly, but I secretly hoped that we'd find a Giant somewhere in that mountain. I guess they really did leave Midgard - except for the serpent. He may be the last of his kind.

Kaine: Nier, 5 coins says Brok asks about the head.

Nier: A little short on that at the moment.

Kaine: Pay up then or later. Just don't weasel out of it.

Nier: Okay then.

The three eventually come across a gateway and go through it. They find themselves in Brok's workshop where he is eating some meat.

Kaine: Hey Blue, you going to share that?

Brok: Find your own meat.

Kaine: Yeah, fuck you too.

Yonah: We saw your brother again.

Brok: Congratulations. And I'm sure you let him go and roger my weapons good and plently again. Let's see the damage...

Yonah and I throw our sword and axe to Brok and he catches them.

Brok: Little canker-throat wouldn't know proper weight and balance if it were dangling off his chut.

Brok puts the weapons on an anvil and grabs a hammer.

Brok: He eating well enough?

Yonah: Looked like it.

Brok: Good

Brok hits the blades with his hammer and uses his magic.

Brok: All better. 'Er you go.

Nier: Thank you, Brok.

Kaine: Why'd you ask about if Sindri's eating well enough?

Brok: 'Times he gets so wrapped up in his work, Sindri hasn't the sense to sip or sup.

Kaine: I know what that's like.

Brok then tosses Kaine a piece of meat. Kaine is all too happy to eat it. We then leave the workshop and get back on the road of Tyr's temple.

Nier: Let's get to the boat.

Yonah: It'd be nice to sit down for a bit.

Kaine: No complaints there.

We get the the boat and I start rowing us away from the pier. We go back the way we entered the lake next to the statue of Thor. I still think about everything I've done in my past life. How such vile sins followed me to this one. Kaine notices me, but doesn't say anything.

We eventually get to the path we used to leave Emil and his mother's house. Once we deal with the Nightmares that returned, we make it to the lift that was placed.

Yonah: I know Emil and his mom are really powerful, but you really think they can bring a head back to life?

Nier: They seemed very skilled in their abilities.

Kaine: Not like we've got anything to lose.

Yonah: If she can't bring it back to life, can I bury him?

Kaine: Or just feed him to the fish.

Once we got to the top, the house wasn't there. Meaning the turtle has moved or simply risen. So we had to take a path leading to a hole above ground. We end up coming across words written in in the hole.

Yonah: "Turn back Aesir".

Nier: Guess the gods aren't welcomed here.

Kaine: I actually have a bunch of signs around my place. Except they all just tell the Gods to fuck off.

Yonah: Is it disturbing that I don't mind your language?

Kaine: Just don't be like me until you're way older and you'll be alright.

Yonah: Okay.

We get out of the hole and enter the woods. We also see the giant turtle standing.

Yonah: *Gasp*, there he is! I hope he remembers us.

Nier: Well, he seemed friendly when we first saw him.

We continue walking and getting closer to the turtle.

Yonah: How's it going, Chaurli? Is Emil and his mom here?

Kaine: What the hell's that name?

Yonah: That's what he told me it was - or what it sounded like in my head anyway. Chaurli!

Nier: Interesting name. I've heard a bunch, but Chaurli stands out. No offense Chaurli.

Chaurli: (Purring)

Yonah: He says none taken.

I knock on the door and wait for someone to answer.

Kaine: Really, dude?

Nier: They helped us. And we need to ask them for something insane. Let's just be not so impolite.

Kaine: Whatever.

The door opens and reveals Emil, who is happy to see them.

Emil: Yonah, Nier, Kaine. Welcome back.

Yonah runs up to Emil and hugs him. A little worried how she's already hugging him.

Nier: Am I paranoid that she's already hugging him after two meetings?

Kaine: No, but don't let that be an open thing.

I nod at her words and enter the house. We see the Mage sorting books and tending do a bunch of crows that are in a small aviary.

Emil: So how was Alfheim?

Yonah: It was a beautiful place.

Kaine: But the Dark elves trying to kill us and Demons trying to corrupt the place was a huge turn off.

Emil: Yeah, mom said that. I'm glad you're all okay.

Yonah: Emil, strange question. Can you or your mom bring a head back to life?

Emil: ...What?

Mage: So you three are back. Which means you have replenished the Bifrost. So did you reach where your destination.

Nier: It kinda looks like have to take a detour.

Emil: I got fruit If you three want some. You must be hungry.

We go follow Emil and I notice the Mage using her magic to lift the Mistletoe arrows out of Yonah's quiver. She ends up making identical copies before throwing the original ones into the fire. I didn't know what to say, so I keep it to myself.

Kaine: So we're hear for something.

Mage: And I can't wait to hear the profane filth that comes out of your mouth.

The Mage then remembers something and looks at Yonah.

Mage: Wait, what's this about a head?

I grab Mimir's decapitated head and present it. Shocking Emil and his mother,

Mage: Do you have any idea who this is? Did you kill him?!

Nier: At his request. He said those who know the old magic could revive him.

Mage: So you chose us?

Emil: Mom, why does that head look like Mimir, the God of Knowledge?

Kaine: Cause that is him. Found him imprisoned and choose to help him. Either by resurrecting him or putting him out of the miserable existence that Odin put him through.

Yonah: Please?

Emil then looks at his mom in with a face that begs her to let them help us.

Mage: *Sight*. Take him to the table.

Emil and Yonah have a relief expression on them and I follow their instructions.

Emil: Hemili. Been a while since I've practiced the old magic, but do know what to do.

Mage: Hold him there.

Emil gets his staff and several herbs to do the spell.

Emil: You guys worked pretty fast to get him here. Thankfully his head hasn't decade much and his brain is still intact. Nice, clean cut.

Emil then pours a bowl of, i have no idea what it is, into Mimir's mouth

Mage: Cutting his head off of all people. I sure hope you three know what you're doing.

Emil: Now put his head under the cauldron water and don't let go. I mean it since we want him back in this realm.

I do so and put Mimir's head under the water in the cauldron. It begins to get tugged on by something, so I use all my strength to grip the rope and wait until Emil says so.

Emil: Pull him out now.

I do so and the runes etched into Mimir's head glow for a bit before he comes to life and spits out the ingredients

Yonah: It worked

Kaine: Mimir, can you hear us?

Mimir: Loud and clear.

Suddenly, the Mage snagged Mimir and aimed him at her face. Mimir was frightened at the sight of her.

Hera: Can you see as well?

Mimir: Oh shit. Yes I can. You look well.

Hera: What my son did, he did for them. As far as I'm concerned, death suits you better.

Mimir: Forgive me your majesty. I'd bow if I could.

Hera give Mimir back to me before walking to the other side of the room.

Mimir: Had I known one of the "Mages in the woods" was Hera herself, I never would have suggested this.

Yonah: Hera. The goddess Hera?

Nier: As in Hera Familia? Or is that a different one.

Kaine: Judging by the look on her face, I'd say they're one in the same.

Emil: Mom, you're a god?

Mimir: You didn't know either? Sorry.

Hera: When word gets out that Mimir is free, the wrath of the Aesir king won't be far behind.

Kaine: You're a fucking God?

Hera: Former queen of Olympus yes... and the Hera Familia, yes as well... But no longer. 

Kaine clearly had words for her, but I didn't want things to get any worse then they've become.

Nier: Thank you for helping us, Hera. We'll be on our way.

I pull Kaine and while she was mad, she complied. Yonah then looks at Emil.

Emil: This isn't goodbye. Just till next time.

Yonah: Take care, Emil.

Emil: You too, Yonah.

I put Mimir back on my belt and the four of us leave the house. 

Yonah: Why were you so mad at Hera, Kaine. She helped us.

Kaine: She lied.

Mimir: Some people value their privacy. Best not to judge, sister.

Kaine: When I feel like hearing whatever wiseman shit you have in your head, I'll let you know.

Mimr: Fair enough. Get me to Tyr's temple in the lake of the Nine, and I'll get you to Jotunheim as promised.

Yonah: We know the temple.

Nier: What else is there?

Mimir: Only the last living Giant left in Midgard. Who better to tell us the way?

Yonah: The World Serpent? Wait - do you know how to talk to him?

Kaine: Talking to the snake, is that really a thing?

Mimir: Indeed he speaks in an obscure tongue, more ancient than even these mountains. None are left in Midgard who speak it. Except, of course, for me.

Yonah: You do?

Mimir: It's true. You wouldn't know it to look at him, but Jormungadr is a sparkling conversationalist

Nier: Good to hear.

We return to the boat and head for the Lake of Nine on our new mission to get to Jotunheim.