Chapter 2 Odin

 Darkness was all he could see for a time. Once he could finally see again he noticed he wasn't in Altar; a strange field was in front of him. Then a girl appeared before him. His eyes widened and he averted his gaze from the beautiful woman in front of him. Her long purple hair swayed in the wind and her silver crown reflected the light of the sun. Her green eyes looked at the man in front of her, a mass of emotion in them. She wore silver armor and held a silver spear.    This was Brunhilde the sixth form Embryo of Odin. Her true self is a Maiden one who's Master believed the world of Infinite Dendrogram to be a real world. Odin was one of many who started as soon as the game came out. A Master who started in Dryfe one might wonder why he ran a Clan in Altar now. But that isn't a story for right now.

"Hello again 'Master' you look like you always do.""Brunhilde..""Oh nothing to say even now? My I expected at least something.. Looks like you'll be stuck in my realm forever.""What?!""That's right 'Master' you're stuck with me now. You can't face me you've never been able to. I doubt you ever will. Not since you've lost your nerve.""I haven't lost it!""Oh really?! Then why did you die to that scumbag!? I gave you a warning that a monster was coming! You ignored me and sentenced your 'friends' to the death penalty!""Ghk!""Your 'friends' have truly made you weak haven't they? Kiesil.""How could they have possibly made me weaker!?""Ask yourself!""... Why am I in your realm Brunhilde?""Tsk getting to the point are we? Everyone has their own reason or push to get to the next level. Defeat me in battle Kiesil. You have to take out your caged bird.""What?""Which is why you'll never be leaving my realm. A weakling like you could never defeat me."

   Each Embryo holds infinite possibilities; the most unique part of Dendro they are what makes the world's Masters themselves. Brunhilde was a Maiden with Legion Castle; the important bit here is the Legion part. An advanced application of a Guardian type much like Fafnir who can turn into a dragon Brunhilde has the Einherjar. But perhaps there is more than just them to establish that point eight four pointed stars appeared in the sky shining a bright white. Eight Valkyries appeared, their features hidden in silver armor, their white feathered wings outstretched.   Four of them held spears, another two with swords and of the remaining two one held a bow and the other held a gun. They landed on the ground and got on one knee bowing to Brunhilde. She walked up to Odin and grabbed him by the armor and lifted him up.

"The Valkyries, my direct servants. You've never been able to get them to fight for you.""They only listen to you after all.""Yes, they are loyal to me, Kiesil. Go throughout the realm, find the materials, build your castle and face me. It won't be that easy. You'll be attacked all the time and will have to defeat stronger opponents to claim some materials.""I see.""Don't use your crutches! I don't ever want to see that Mythical MVP reward and don't you dare even speak to your Clan!""Understood.""We'll see."

   Brunhilde let go of Odin and she vanished along with her Valkyries Odin placed Gungnir away into an Inventory and pulled out a separate spear. He took a step forward and immediately side stepped a person landed next to him a dagger where Odin's neck had been a moment ago. Odin's spear swung to decapitate the attack but they vanished the moment the spear hit the vital spot.   Odin sighed and placed the spear on his shoulder he kept walking through finding pieces of buildings, walls, and siege weapons. He eventually constructed something that was a castle of slightly larger size than Brunhilde's sixth form. Odin decided to challenge Brunhilde. It was a slaughter.   His castle was like an ant facing the sun. His castle burned and Einherjar fell in battle against hers. Brunhilde appeared before him, kicked him to the ground and plunged her spear into Odin's chest. He closed his eyes expecting the death penalty but when he opened his eyes again he was still in Brunhilde's realm. In front of him she was sitting on a rock using a rag on her spear.

"Just as I expected. Too weak.""How am I?""Still alive? You are in my realm, you won't die, you won't escape by using the death penalty as an excuse.""Is that how it's going to be?""Of course. Now you are trapped with me and I don't plan on ever letting you go 'Master!'"

   Brunhilde vanished again, Odin thought for a moment before walking forward. This cycle repeated for a few deaths for tens of deaths for hundreds of deaths. The minutes turned to hours to days to weeks to two months. Odin died more times in just one month than his entire time having played Dendro. True to his word he never contacted Loki or Flavian even in the real world.   Odin only left Brunhilde's realm to take care of his real body then he would be right back to challenge her again and again. On his most recent attempt he was battered and used his damaged spear to stay standing. When he looked up he could see it. The height of what Brunhilde was capable of. A fortress the size of a city with its army, the eight commanders being the Valkyries and its grand general Brunhilde. In the two months that Odin has been attempting this he has made no progress.   His fortress is the same size but he lacks anyone strong enough to take on the Valkyries in a one on one fight. If he faces them himself he runs through too much of his MP to fight Brunhilde who then kills him without fail. His heart is on the verge of breaking. Odin has played video games for as long as he could remember it was hard for him to find a game he could enjoy though him being a normally solo player didn't help either. He found no need to group up with others he didn't expect he would play the game for long anyways.   This of course changed a bit when Dendro released he hoped that this game's realism and him being there in person would allow him to stay in this game. It was more than he could have ever bargained, that is to say Jace Konrin didn't expect to actually care about anything in a game. Despite what his brain would tell him despite what his years of experience were playing video games it all fell apart. His heart wasn't convinced so when a Maiden appeared before him as his Embryo he wasn't sure what to think.   Maidens at the time didn't have as much known about them at the start of the Dendros time. So Jace had kept Brunhilde hidden from everyone fearing what could happen. Odin was snapped back to reality hearing the very familiar steps of the one who's been killing him over and over again.

"Don't you think it's time to give up? Wouldn't it be better for you to just lie down and stay in this realm with me?""Brunhilde.."

   Odin thought back to her offer. This world was a difficult one for the Masters of a Maiden. Odin thought of this world as a real one and not one to be bound behind the phrase 'it's just a game.' This meant but one thing every life lost in front of him from Tians hurt him. But most of all he feared that Brunhilde could be killed. To Odin's knowledge an Embryo couldn't be permanently killed but he didn't want to become the first to discover such a thing. Not with Brunhilde. So even if it hurt her he kept her unsummoned while still using the other things she was capable of.

"It's not a bad offer now is it?""But.""Oh please you've been beating yourself up over not letting Asgard get to the battlefield in time! Most importantly you don't want to meet with that princess after all who would want to meet with the man who couldn't even bother to show up in time to save her father!""Why are you so intent on keeping me here with you? I thought you would hate me by now.""That's not important.""I suppose it would be improper at this point to say it was important to me.""You would be right, you lost your nerve and now you're paying for it. All that has been owed to me.""You might be right."

   Odin thought back and looked at his entire time playing through Dendro. Has he really done anything important? Has his time here been worth anything? Did him being within the Kingdom of Altar mean anything to anyone? His spear slipped out from under him and he went face first into the ground. He didn't realize it before now but he was tired. He wasn't sure if he had any right to still be here to be the Clan Leader.   His Clan has been abandoned by him for two months in real time which meant within the game world six months have passed. He was sure Loki or Flavain took over by now and he was all but forgotten. Odin thought about why two Superiors were even under him to begin with. He knew it was just because he knew them in real life and that they wanted to help him out. Asgard wouldn't miss him would they?   Odin looked back at everything he had done with his Clan, all the fights between each other and monsters. The hardships in finding a place the Clan could call home. He saw the faces of all the members he knew when they started to get together. Finally he saw Loki, Flavain, and Fafnir. He could see them in an office. Most importantly he could tell they were waiting for him. So he rose once again.

"Kiesil?""Maybe it would be easier for me to just lie down and stay here. Maybe it would be better for everyone for me to not return. But I want to go back I want to hang out with everyone again. I want to go on a hunt with everyone again! I wish to once again strive to become the top!""Even if it would cause who knows how much pain for your heart?!""Pain whether physical, mental, or spiritual is but to live as a human! I understand now. Brunhilde I'm sorry for keeping you here all this time. I see now that what I saw as protection truly was nothing but a cage.""It took you long enough! Do you have any idea how much I suffered being here?! The whole time we've been together I just had to watch you get hurt and I wasn't allowed to do anything to help! Even if Masters are monsters that can just turn off pain that doesn't erase my worry!""Brunhilde..""And then you ask me if I hate you! How could I?! We are the same aren't we? I didn't have the power before to lock you in a cage to protect you. But I do now even if it pains my heart every time I must plunge my spear into you I need to keep you here.""While I do understand that neither of us will become anything staying here forever. It's time we both evolve past what we were. Even if it might hurt we shall both rise above.""You can't beat me with words alone Kiesil.""Brunhilde I have come to understand another thing I believe I do prefer to be called Odin now. My time of wanting to be a mech pilot even if I needed to be something else has died. I shall prove it to you. I will stake everything on one more attempt!""What do you mean?""One more attempt with all the cards on the table. If I win we evolve. If you win I'll stay here forever.""You can't make a promise like that!""Anything less than that would weaken my resolve."

   Odin stabbed himself with his spear resetting everything back to the start he dealt with foes and built his fortress. Everything he had gathered in the past six months, everything he learned and came to understand he challenged Brunhilde once again. He looked at the two cites, his shone with gold while hers a silver. Odin closed his eyes and realized just how much he came to rely on his Clan. He realized what Brunhilde had truly meant; he thought he could leave the hardest parts of combat to those three.   Odin was supposed to be the leader, one who led from the front that's what he based himself on. Yet he was falling to follow through with that. Flavain with his blade and dragon cut a path through even armies. Loki with Ragnarok tore through great beasts and fortifications with ease. While Odin was contending to sit in the back letting those two and the Einherjar do most of the fighting. Only for him to come in when things were close to their end to pretend he did something.   No more. This time when the gates of Odin's fortress opened up he led the charge on his steed Sleipnir, an eight legged horse just like the legends once described. A legion of cavalry followed him with infantry not far behind them. Brunhilde wasn't expecting such a drastic change so quickly and was a moment delayed in her orders. Two Valkyries raced for Odin, the two that carried swords. With a single swing of his gale infused lance the two scattered and were run over by the cavalry. Vanishing before they would be killed.    Odin's charge didn't stop even when running into Brunhilde's calvary he became a being of no mercy with his lance. Brunhilde noticed his change in lance, a specially crafted lance for Odin while on horseback. One he had never used while he was still being untrue to himself the Lance of Asgard was a powerful weapon. But in the hands of Odin even it couldn't last long. He clashed with the four Valkaries which held spears. With a burst of a gale he ran through them, his lance shattering adding to the remains of all the other lances and spears he's used.   The count of weapons broken by Odin was over two hundred now. Odin dodged arrows and bullets from the last two Valkyries but that didn't stop him for his plan was to just get Brunhilde nothing else mattered. Arrows and magic from his side cause the last two Valkyries to fall back. Odin leapt off his horse and in one leap landed the wall. He raised a new spear and pointed it at Brunhilde.

"I was wondering if I would ever see your job's strongest skill.""Commander at the Front. My stats along with any one who would take orders from me gets buffed like crazy. As long as I'm as far in the front as possible.""A charge led by you would be unable to be stopped by anything.""Maybe but I've come to take your head!""Oh silly silly 'Master' it is not my head you must claim.""Eh?"

   After all the courage he worked up to face Brunhilde the news that he wouldn't be facing her caught him by surprise. Especially with the amount of times he perished before her spear. His question of who he would fight was answered with a cloud of dust from the city in silver. He heard what was in the smoke and prepared himself.   Out of the smoke came a Magingear, a highly specialized once something that Odin had wanted to become the pilot for. Its armor was colored red with black lines; it had bulky shoulder weapons, the left a howitzer and the right a missile launcher. With its left hand it held a rifle with an underslung grenade launcher and the right had an emitter for a magic plasma blade.

"Damn it's even outfitted to my tastes for customization on a mech.""This is the final battle 'Master' who will reign supreme? The Commander of the Lance Odin? Or the High Pilot Kiesil?""There is no question about it! I've staked everything on this battle! For this Odin shall know no defeat!"

   Odin took out a small blue Inventory in the shape of a cube Brunhilde's eyes went wide. The Inventory was a specialized weapon storage Odin had made he tossed it up and swung his spear at it. The Inventory shattered and a squall of spears rained down at the Magingear. It lifted the rifle and fired a grenade which deflected a number of the spears from the explosion. It moved to the side dodging the rest.   It ignited the plasma blade and thrusted it at Odin who just landed on the ground. He knew his standard weapons wouldn't stand up to something with that much heat so he would have to dodge it every time. Though even when he did dodge it the heat was almost enough to start melting his armor. He jumped back but when he looked again the howitzer was aimed at Odin.   Unlike with mechs in other games that had to worry about ammo counts for weapons in Dendro it was far less of a concern. With Inventories specialized for holding ammunition it was easy to have enough ammo on a single mech which would supply enough for an entire squadron. Odin was able to jump to the side just in time to dodge the round from the artillery weapon.    The shot went right through the walls of the silver city and even went over to the golden one and detonated inside the walls there. Odin thought the round was made out of Hihi'irokane Mythical Metal, the second strongest type of metal in the game. He thought only the military nerd would do something as stupid as using that ridiculously expensive metal as a disposable projectile.    But that wasn't the case here. A crafter making something without worry about the cost of said thing could make something even a combat focused person wouldn't be able to win against normally. This was one such situation without something drastic Odin wasn't going to be able to defeat this machine. He had only seen one another Magingear at this level of quality. The MGFX-001 Blue Opera the mech of the Superior AR-I-CA who also possessed the Superior Pilot job Ace.

"This is insane.""So what will you do? Give up?""No."

   Odin had something to prove here; he had thought many times throughout his time in Brunhilde's realm that things would have been easier if his Clan was with him. He was going to take a step forward in becoming someone better. It started with him taking an actual step; he ignored the mech and approached a spear. Its shaft was the same dull gold as his armor with the cap stone on the opposite end from the blade was a green color. When he lifted the spear the spear head was a scarlet color.   The Spear of Asgard. The weapon that was made to commemorate the formation of the Asgard Clan given to its leader. The blade of which was made of Mythical Metal a hope that with this their leader wouldn't break it. Odin was against using it; his curse of breaking his weapon had been around since he started. Even weapons made for Magingears were like glass in his hands. But his resolve was greater now than it had been before. This was his last spear; the rest had been destroyed during the fight. Odin faced his other self once again the mech had its howitzer and missile launcher detached and tossed away its rifle. This would be the final clash man against mech spear against plasma sword.   Odin charged first his Job's skill activating Commander at the Fronts effect is weaker since he isn't charging with anyone but it was the only buff skill he could use on himself. The mech deployed the wheels attached to its legs and launched itself toward Odin. The two weapons swung to meet each other. But they never clashed.   Odin ducked under the blade and raised his spear and thrusted at the cockpit; he wasn't sure if someone or something was truly in there. But killing the pilot is always a sure fire way to stop a mech. While the armor was red it wasn't made of Mythical Metal but Adamatine the metal ranked right below Mythical Metal. So it wasn't enough to stop a thrust with the force of the wind behind it. The spear pierced through as if to represent that Odin hit his mark a red liquid flowed down the spear.   Odin pulled his spear out and started to walk away but a punch from the mech's left arm caught him by surprise. He hit the floor and bounced several times before hitting the walls. He cried out in pain when he hit the wall and weakly rose back up but when he looked at the mech it fell to its knees and disappeared into motes of light. Odin breathed out in relief and looked to his right Brunhilde landing next to him.

"So... You did it.""I did, didn't I?""Why do you sound so hurt?""Before I started this battle I turned pain on.""What?! Why the hel would you do that?!""I thought about what you said about Masters being monsters who can decide to not feel pain in this world. I didn't want you to see me as one anymore and well I thought I would face you so uh I figured I was due for some after locking you up all this time.""You absolute fool... Regardless, you've done it.""Done what?""Oh right I forgot that part. Congratulations Master Odin, we've become a Superior.""Oh.""It took you six months but you did it.""What?""I said it took six months.""It's been six months?!?!""Yes.""Oh they are going to kill me.""Did you not mention this to Flavain and Loki in the other world?""Well when you said to not message them I took it as you meant in both worlds..""So you just ghosted them for several months.""Oh boy."

   Brunhilde's entire realm shone with a bright light when Odin opened his eyes again he could see it. His Superior Embryo. A city dazzled with both gold and silver buildings. He looked at Brunhilde; her armor now had golden lines running through it. His own armor had changed as well; it now had silver lines through it and his cape now had a golden embroidered image of the city with silver as well.

"Odin.""Yes Brunhilde.""Its quite beautiful isn't it?""I agree. Allow me to swear something to you Brunhilde.""W-what?""You will no longer be a caged bird.""Are you sure?""Of course. I've been cruel to you.. Would.. Would you still fight with me as your Master?""Did you even have to ask?" Around Brunhilde her Valkyries appeared and they all bowed to Odin."I see.""Though two things before you return. The first is that your return point will be the capital city. The second is I want to be unveiled at a major battle.""You would want to wait?""Yes it would be the most grand entrance would it not!?""I suppose it would be.""So in that vein don't even tell your Clan about me okay!""Understood then it's time to go back to the world of Infinite Dendrogram."

   Odin closed his eyes and opened them once again and found himself in Altea the capital city of the Kingdom of Altar. Odin decided to check the ranking board and to his surprise Asgard was still there in 3rd place at the moment. He smiled Loki had kept everything going. Odin wanted to go back to them right away but he was interrupted by a bear who had a blond haired male with him.

"Odin!""Hm? Shu! It's been awhile hasn't it?""Yes grizz, do you know how impawsable Loki has been?""Uh who is this bro?""Oh right Odin this is my little brother Ray! He just started today.""Nice always happy to welcome a new player! I am Odin. I'm technically the Clan Leader of Asgard.""What do you mean technically?!" A new voice being a small girl with black hair and a purple and white dress."Oh right this is my Embryo Nemesis.""A Maiden! How interesting you should stop by my Clan sometime and speak with Flavain; his Embryo Fafnir is also a Maiden. You could learn a thing or two from him.""I see I'll keep that in mind.""Regardless, I need to head out now.""Pawse! Where have you been?""Oh right that's a normal question to ask at this point... Hmmmm on a long quest in a separate realm.""Is that even possible bro?""Well this game has infinite pawsablites! But come on, what were you doing?""I'm sure you of all people can tell. I am a Superior now.""Wow grizz!! Congrats!""Thank you tell me, do you know if my Clan is still in the same spot?""Hmmm I could tell you but you should go to your base to find out!""I see ah crap it'll have to wait how disappointing that the other side calls.""Well it was good to see you again! Let me know sometime when you're available we can go on a quest or something!""I will."

   Some days later Odin would manage to log back in and was able to start making his way to his Clans base. He went out to the west going through the Wez Sea Route. Along his way he noticed a group waiting ahead of him. He didn't think anything of it, most likely newbies who were waiting for the rest of their group. He was wrong.

"Well well well what do we have here?""Hm?""Kek if you don't want to take the death penalty you better hand over what you've got!""Oh my PKs are you?""Tsk so you saw through that huh?""Unfortunately for you I'm not new around here. I suggest you leave this place as a Master of Altar and the leader of the Clan ranked 3rd. I will annihilate you if you stay here.""Asgard? Don't be stupid man! It's led by Loki. That guy is scary, don't try to make him come here!""I see well I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that's the reaction to that statement after having been gone for six months I guess I shouldn't say that.""As long as you get it but for that we'll have to have you pay for that lesson!""Oh my! Unfortunately my wallet isn't for spending on fools like you. Don't worry, my spear shall serve just as well!"

   Odin drew out Gungnir; he first used it on a person that tried to attack him from behind the spear Consumed him. Realizing they were dealing with a Master that had MVP rewards they seemed less like they wanted to attack first. Odin pushed the attack this time using a Spear Dance skill to swing the spear in an aoe effect, his spears skill also triggering Consuming several of the enemies around him. He was faced with one more enemy but as he lifted his spear another person appeared. A female who punched the guy causing him to explode in blood. Odin readjusted his stance and the female got into a martial arts pose but after the two examined each other.

"Lei Lei?""Odin?""Long time no see I suppose.""Yeah imagine my surprise when you were the one missing this time around!""Yes I'm sure.""So did you turn to being a PK or something then? Because if you did.""Please save that joke, I'm on my way to my Clan's base! At least where it was before I'm pretty sure they've moved it at this point.""So why are you going to it then?""I left some things in a spot where only I could access and I think they would have left something nearby to direct me to the new base.""I see you really think they expected you to come back?""Maybe not now but I do think they would have when they moved bases.""Cool so Odin you want a drink? I'm sure you're thirsty!!""Not from you!"

   Odin turned away from Lei Lei and ran away from her. She chased him for a minute but she turned away. Odin was happy she couldn't log in much or for long especially with her like to poison drinks she gives to people. Soon enough he found the old mansion where his Clan took residence. He understood why they had to move and even more he had a good guess as to who did it.   The mansion was trashed by both time and monsters. He went through the place, recovered his items and found a map inside said stash. He was surprised they managed to get an item here but he didn't mind after all he knew where his Clan was now. He stepped out of the mansion and went back to Altea.   Some days later Odin was preparing to leave the city where he came across Ray again he had a party with him this time. The Pimp Rook Holmes his Guardian type Embryo Babylon and the Journalist Marie Adler. They were on an escort quest to Gideon the City of Duels. This was also Odin's destination so he joined them.

"Wait Odin we saw you! You fought those PKs.""That's right Ray, how did you end up seeing that?""My doing I'm with DIN and we had the stuff on that.. Wait Odin? Your name is Odin?!""Yes?""Oh my gosh you have no idea how happy it makes me to see you!""I'm sure it was Loki's doing wasn't it?""You're pretty smart aren't you, the amount of requests he sent to DIN had to have been legendary. So what were you doing?""On a quest to become a Superior.""Odin if you don't mind me asking what is your Embryo?""I don't mind Ray. I'm sure that rat posted it somewhere. Brunhilde a type Legion Castle.""Right the thing with the golden walls and bunch of people. You're right whoever this rat is, they did post a battle. It ended with you being eaten by a dragon though.""My battle in the Machine Knight War. As you said, it didn't go well.""Can I ask a question Odin?""Sure Rook what's up?""Why does it seem like you were lying about your Embryo?""Because I was. Don't look so shocked. I have a reason for hiding it but you seem to have seen through that so I don't see any reason to keep it up. Not that I'll tell you the truth!""I see thanks for confirming.""Hey don't lie to me now I can't write this down!""Well I would explain more but that would reveal too much so you'll just have to wait. Besides, we have a problem."

   Ahead of them they noticed a group under attack by a number of goblins. Ray would have a bad taste in his month if he didn't help them. His party went to action the carriage they were riding was pulled by the rhino like beast that Rook had tamed. They unleashed her and she ran ahead Ray, Rook, and Babylon ran after her Nemesis being an arms type Embryo changed her from being a sword now.    It took a moment for Ray's party to deal with them but while he was conversing with one of the tians he saved something happened. A massive creature landed on the man he was talking to which killed him. They looked at the creature as Great Miasmic Hobgoblin Gardranda, a UBM. Odin analyzed the monster and determined it to be a Legendary ranked UBM. Odin picked up Gungnir and prepared to set out himself for a Master to take on a Legendary UBM would normally need to be a Pre-Superior so Ray didn't stand a chance. Marie however stopped him.

"Are you a fool!? Ray isn't high enough level to take on Gardranda!""Support him or something then!""Tsk I'm a Superior even my support could leverage me to be the MVP while I wouldn't want to steal it from him or anything but..""It'll be fine."

   While those two were talking Marie's elixir she had thrown at Ray to counter the Miasma had faded but right before Ray could have been killed something happened. Nemesis evolved into her second form the Flag Halbard this forms skill Like a Flag Flying the Reversal turned the debuffs into the opposite buffs. Poison into healing weakness into strength and the intoxication faded away.    Ray came up with a plan and noticed a few other buffs on his status he looked over to Odin who nodded at him. Ray charged ahead dodging the flames Gardranda also could shoot out. He jumped up and switched back to his greatsword and the debuffs activated once again. But it didn't matter now he connected his sword to Gardranda and Nemesis' skill Vengeance is Mine activated. An attack dealing true damage based on the amount of damage Ray had received struck the hobgoblin. Its core which was in its stomach was destroyed, killing the beast.   Rook who had gone off to face Gardranda's mount a Crimson Roc Bird came back down on said bird. Since Gardranda was taken out Rook was able to tame it and bring it under his control.

"Man, I certainly didn't expect that. I was fairly certain you didn't have much of a chance here.""No matter how far beyond the radix point it lies, if there's a chance I will always take it.""Just like your brother I see.""Yes."

   Sometime later as the group was nearing Gideon they came across a Master being surrounded by a few other Masters. They had a short conversation and after it the surrounded Master took out two axes and slaughtered everyone around him. The hydra on his shoulder didn't even stir from the commotion. They got closer and said Master turned to them he put away his axes and waved.

"Hey sorry if you had to see that! Some of you guys look new, did you just start?""Yeah Rook and I started a little bit ago. I'm not sure how much Maire here has played and to think of it I'm not sure how long Odin has either.""Odin?""Hey Loki. You know you made it pretty difficult for me to find you guys again.""You damned old timer! What took you so long? Why the hell didn't you send a single message to us?!?!""Calm down now I'll explain everything. But I'll give you a little prelude: I'm a Superior now. Wait a minute, old timer?! I'm not that old!""Well Odin is the king of the gods is he not? He's normally depicted as an old man even if your avatar isn't like that.""Now that Odin is back Loki can you send back all your requests at DIN or come by to take care of them? We've had to devote a whole storage room for it?""Yeah yeah whatever I'll take care of it after the Clash of Superiors.""Ah right I've been hearing about that.""Well Odin it is the main reason we decided to head to Gideon.""Right might if I hop in the carriage for a bit? Our Clan base isn't far from here so we'll be out of your guys' hair in a bit.""I'm fine with it.""Thanks!"

   Loki got into the carriage and they continued for sometime eventually they came across a directional sign pointing down the road to Gideon and down another road the way to Asgard. Odin and Loki said their goodbyes to the group and got out of the carriage. On the way Odin talked about Ray's battle and Loki told Odin as much as he could about what happened in his absence.   Eventually they came out of the forest they were in and into a clearing Odin got a look for the first time at his Clans base. The main structure was a viking longhouse with a number of other buildings around for the Clans crafters. A blacksmith alchemy hut and a few others. The two were noticed soon enough by the people around and they came over.

"Loki, how did it go?""Bad.""Damn anyway who's this?""Asgard hear my voice! This is a grand day! After six months our Clan Leader has returned!"

   A cheer went up around the base which was interrupted by the door to the long house being kicked off its hinges. The door barreled right for Odin and he raised his hand to catch the door. Though the force of the hit sent him sliding back into the forest only stopped by hitting a tree. A harsh stomp hit the floor from who kicked down the door. Shattered crackers laid around Fafnir she stormed out of the longhouse and headed right for Odin.   He got himself out of the tree and set the door down and put Gungnir on his back. Fafnir walked right up to him, turned him around, grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him behind her. Odin just sat there allowing himself to be dragged by the Maiden Loki followed after her. He complained about the broken door soon enough; they were in the Clans main office with Flavain having joined them.

"Where have you been?""Trying to become a Superior.""Did you succeed?""Yes.""Really now?""I have become one. I'm sorry I didn't call anyone but I was prevented from contacting anyone during that time.""That doesn't change the fact you didn't talk to us in the other world either? You know how annoying that was for myself and Loki?""Sorry I took the not being able to talk to you guys a little too far in my misunderstanding.""Well in the end it's great your back boss man.""About that, can I really still be Clan Leader? I mean I was gone for so long.""Yes! I don't like your job. I'm fine as Sub Leader, I don't want to be Leader anymore!""Alright we'll talk more about things later for now let's just take a minute."