Guldrin's Foreign Experience: Vikings

Burning, searing flesh, horrid stench…. That was what Guldrin experienced as he regained his consciousness for the first time in this foreign world. 'What is going on and why does everything hurt? Emily…. Care to explain?' 

'Sorry my love, but according to your own commands I'm to withhold all information about your current predicament along with the world you find yourself in and its changes.'

'Why in the fuck would I want that?'

'Your reason was and I quote, 'Where is the fun in knowing everything? If I'm going to conquer the world, why not make it interesting.' According to this reasoning, I have concluded that I should direct this play from the background. Follow my lead and…. Have some fun as I know you deserve it and much more.' 

'Well…. Fuck. First things first burning, that needs to be addressed.' 

While this was happening Guldrin was completely unaware of his surroundings as he was too engrossed in his conversation with his lovely system spirit and companion.

Opening his eyes for the first time in what seemed to be ages, Guldrin was flash-blinded by the light surrounding him. Blinking for a few seconds Guldrin regained his ability to see and what he saw bewildered him.

Flames, flames everywhere. Guldrin was tightly bound to what appeared to be a massive cross with nails holding his hands and feet in place following a common crucifixion. A crown of thorns was adjourned on his head causing his vision to be dyed red. 

Looking around he saw multiple priests. Yes, Middle Ages priests…. Panicking? They appeared to be attempting to save something…. Books, and statues. They are gathering everything they can hold and moving it away from the flames that desire to consume all in its path. 

*Bang*

*Bang*

A massive door was being hit as someone or multiple someones attempted to force entry. It seemed it wouldn't take long for them to succeed and Guldrin determined that was his cue and began to struggle to free himself.

Wiggling his hands and feet, Guldrin winced, drawing the frantic priests immediate attention. 

Staring wide-eyed the priests began shouting in a foreign language while backing away in fear. Some held crosses, some threw water from vials and others outright passed out from pure dread. 

'Heh, they seem scared… okay, first step, analyze the situation. I seem to have been crucified by what appears to be Christian priests and or fanatics… I can't understand what they are saying… how about we fix that,'

"Language of the gods," Guldrin muttered in a language none could decipher, causing a magical glow to cover his body. Majestic horns sprouted from his head while a reptilian tail emerged from his rear. His sky-blue eyes glowed golden in direct response to him casting his spell.

"Look, I told you he was the devil, horns, he has grown horns and his eyes… By God what kind of heinous creature is he?"

"God save us, the end is near!" 

"The devil! He truly walks among us."

"Oh if you only knew how right you are, Grandpa Priest. I am the END, and you… You'll be the first I send on his way following my arrival into this world. Rejoice for today is a glorious day, today is the day the 'Demon King Of The End' begins his conquest of this puny world!" 

*Bam!*

Just then the door burst open to reveal a group of scarcely armored men, wearing animal furs and holding shields, axes, and short swords. Seeing these men the priest appeared doubly frightened and panicked backing away in fright.

"The devil has summoned his demons, we are bound to die!" 

Hearing this, one man of the intruding group spoke to his companions, "Hah, What's he saying, and why is there a child on that cross? 

All while this was going on; no one but a single eccentric man had noticed the change occurring to said child on the cross. 

His once full blonde hair was now jet black with highlights of blonde laced throughout. Dark smoke was billowing out from his open wounds as he struggled to free himself from his bindings. 

"Ragnar, look, look." The man said, hopping up and down like a giddy child.

The one identified as Ragnar had a dirty-blonde warrior undercut finished by a long ponytail, sporting a confident smirk. Looking at the boy on the cross he said, 

"Don't stop on my account. Please continue your declaration, young man. Gods knows it could be your last seeing those… injuries?"

"How is that possible?"

Upon further inspection, Ragnar noticed the boy's eyes that appeared as if they contained the galaxies themselves along with his lack of his previous wounds. 

"Interesting… Anyway boy, you can understand me, correct?"

To which Guldrin nodded, seeing this, Ragnar smiled and indicated for him to continue, 

"Eh hmm, well I was almost done anyway. I will end it with this: My name is Guldrin Void Goldblood. I have been known by countless names throughout my existence, and you shall be the first stone for which I need to step on to carve my name into this world's very being."

Having finished his words black flames covered his body reducing the cross to mere ashes. The nails that once held his body aloft were now molten slag, smoldering on the wooden floor. 

Prayers along with begging ensued to which Guldrin snorted and cracked his sore bones ignoring their cries. 

"Ahh, now that's much better… How long did you bastards keep me up there? I feel like I haven't moved for weeks."

One of the priests took his question seriously and answered truthfully, "You have been on the cross for seven days and nights."

"Seven days… fuck, no wonder I feel like this. Well, it doesn't matter…"

*Fwoosh!*

The flames that covered his body retracted back inside from whence they came, leaving a tattoo of living dark flames running from his fingertips along to his shoulders. Surprisingly a burst of lethargic exhaustion assaulted him however he decided to pay it no mind as at the moment he had much more pressing matters at hand.

"Eve. Chains."

'Of course master.'

Eve, his ever faithful sentient soul weapon manifested. Majestic demonic black and red highlighted gauntlets covered his hands before chains black as the abyss began to form, extending to 3.5ft from each wrist. 

Looking over at the men who so graciously allowed him to exact his revenge he spoke, 

"While I don't know who you are, I respect and appreciate you allowing me my revenge. In return, I will give you a warning; exit this room and don't enter until I say so."

Ragnar raised an eyebrow, however thinking about it for a second he whistled and everyone filed out of the room leaving only Ragnar and the eccentric man. 

Shrugging, Guldrin thought, 'I warned them, that's more than enough respect. If they so choose to ignore my warning it's not on me.'

With a small flourish, Ragnar waved his hands in a gesture for Guldrin to continue as he watched with slightly bated breath and an amused smirk. 

With a tilt of his head, Guldrin shrugged and tapped the ground creating multiple runes that quickly manifested around the two curious observers. 

"Floki…" Ragnar said, causing the eccentric man to cackle madly, "I know Ragnar, these are Norse runes unlike any I have ever seen, and they hold more power than any runes I have ever witnessed. It's as if the gods themselves created them." 

The man now identified as Floki was a short lanky man with short hair showing signs of balding in the center of his scalp. He wore simple black markings on his eyelids creating dark shadows and black lines flowing from his eyes. 

Smiling Guldrin turned to the priests, "Now, have you made your peace?"

"Please don't kill me!" 

"I will do anyth-" 

"Tsk tsk tsk" Guldrin seemed dissatisfied as he slowly traversed the room closing the distance between them in an oddly small number of steps as if gliding.

"You have 10 seconds, consider this your last right. Go on, pray, do whatever it is you need to." 

"10" 

*Step*

The first step caused the entire room to be filled with a dreadfully dark aura. 

"9"

"You monster!"

"Devil!"

"8"

Looking at Guldrin who had neither slowed nor sped up everyone felt his momentum bring panic to their hearts. 

*Clang*

Overwhelmed by fear one priest grabbed and threw whatever he could find at Guldrin to which he just chuckled and moved his arm. 

*Swish*

The chain flew forward impaling the fool in his stomach. With a jerk, the man's guts were pulled out with a sickening squelch as he fell forward in a pool of blood.

The smell of searing flesh and bile filled the room eliciting retching sounds from its occupants. 

"5"

The pleading doubled as they begged for a chance. 

Hearing their pleas Guldrin without stopping grabbed the golden chalice that had been thrown at him.

*Shlick*

He made a long cut along his hand allowing the blood to fill the chalice. Chuckling he swirled the blood around, "You want a chance? Here it is, I offer you a choice; renounce your God, and your beliefs, swear loyalty to me, and allow my blood to judge you. If you are truthful it will be a boon, but should it find your conviction false…." His eyes glowed with a golden hue indicating his activation of his eyes of truth. His lack of words spoke more than words ever could. 

Silence filled the room as everyone registered his words…. Looking around the room he could see a display of a myriad of emotions, fear being the most common.

"Hehehe, hehehehehe, what will you do priests, will you forsake your dead God?" He gestured toward the crucifixion displayed on the wall. "Is your faith so flimsy that fear could sway you? Or do you think you can fool a being as powerful as him?" Floki gestured towards Guldrin finding the entire situation to be extremely amusing. 

Hearing his mocking words the few who were originally slightly swayed renewed their conviction. All except one who was stunned, mesmerized by Guldrin's use of magic and runes. A lone monk peeking from behind the pulpit with intrigue. 

"Hahaha, mere words swayed your faith in such a way? Nay, I changed my mind, you are not worthy of following the Dragon God of Darkness." Guldrin said with a sneer as he disregarded his countdown and swiftly unleashed his chains delivering swift and deadly judgment leaving blood, gore, and ash in his wake. 

A flick of his wrists caused his chains to be shot out and wrapped around their feet slowly engulfing them in dark flames. Pained cries and shrieks filled the room as the priests were reduced to ashes and torn to shreds. 

*Step*

Slowly he approached the lone monk, who surprisingly stared at him unflinchingly. 

"Good resolve boy, those eyes are intriguing. It's like you wish to see something that mortals are unable to perceive. If that is your wish I shall grant it, hehe."

*Snap*

Guldrin snapped his fingers and a massive rune formed in the air, examining it Guldrin made a few minute alterations before he flicked it toward the monk directly embedding it in his left eye.

"Be careful what you wish for boy, for you may never return as what has been seen can never be unseen." 

The monk in response rolled around on the floor screaming while blood flowed from his eye as the rune merged. Smiling Guldrin turned toward his observers to gauge their reactions. 

To his utter amusement, they were both silent with their mouths agape in amazement and slight signs of fanaticism in their eyes.

A few minutes later the monk had finally stopped screaming as the merging had completed. Laying on the ground the monk stared at Guldrin allowing the rune to do its job. 

In the monk's eye he could see three different colors surrounding Guldrin; Black, red, and a holy Gold as bright as the sun. The black and red appeared to take on a smokey texture as the gold radiated from his very being. The gold makes all who see it feel the urge to worship from the bottom of their heart. 

The gold represents the faith he is currently receiving from his followers. Black comes from the core of his being, and the red signified the power of END radiating from his Origin bloodline. 

"What do you see, priest?" 

Thanks to the rune the monk had received, the ability to understand all languages was ingrained into his very soul, prompting him to look at Floki and respond. 

"Nothing I have ever seen before. It's like I'm staring into the darkest hole only to be blinded by its light as contradictory as that sounds… are you God?"

Sighing Guldrin shook his head, "No I'm not the God you speak of, but I am one of many. You were taught that there is only one, but that notion was created by fear. Fear that his believers will find someone else to worship, someone else to receive the faith he has deemed his own. Willful ignorance has led you and all others to believe he is the one and only. You have been exposed to the belief of other beings that many other cultures worship but instead of attempting to understand, you label them as unholy, pagans. Even with the abundant evidence to disprove your claim, you cling to the ideology of the one and only. You continue to bury your heads in the sand and plug your ears in fear of the truth. Willfully refusing to allow the possibility that other gods may exist in the infinite cosmos we call these realms."

The monk didn't know what to say. What could he say? His entire worldview had been turned upside down. Let alone knowing what to say, he was questioning his very existence.

At this moment Emily decided it was her opportune moment to make a dramatic appearance. Floating down from the ceiling a woman who could only be described as a Goddess slowly descended toward Guldrin. She had long flowing golden hair and a beautiful face, along with a supple body that could topple kingdoms as it had in the past. 

Turning his head Guldrin smiled, "My love, have you decided to join me on this journey through this mortal world?"

Returning his smile she decided to will her hair to black and then gold, back and forth a few times signifying her descent into the mortal world, cementing the idea that she is the wife of Loki, Sigyn. Guldrin had no idea what she was doing but Emily had taken it upon herself to plant this idea in those present that Guldrin is Loki, the trickster, sly one, and the chaos bringer.

Floki being the observant and faithful follower immediately caught on and whispered 'Sigyn' drawing a raised eyebrow from Ragnar but nothing more.

Seeing her plan work she held back a smirk, and caressed his face as she spoke, "My love, you shouldn't have used that much power. Surely you have realized in this world, mana is scarce and the rate at which you can recuperate mana is significantly slower." 

A look of understanding could be seen as he attempted to circulate his mana according to his mana cultivation method. 

'What…. It feels like the mana is stagnant. As if… someone or something has systematically targeted all sources and siphoned them leaving them all but crippled.' 

Expanding his senses to the maximum, he is highly disappointed to find he can only sense one-fourth of the planet. Previously he would have been able to sense the entire world 4 times over as his original world is at least 20 times the size of Earth. 

Sighing, he examined the area he could sense in search of a usable mana source. All over the world people felt their hairs stand on end as if someone was judging their very souls. In a matter of seconds, Guldrin was able to locate two mana sources. The first and biggest source is a massive tree filled with faith energy… Well as filled as a mana-depraved world can be. The last source is in a dark room under an estate of unknown origins. It seems to be a weapon marked by a concealment rune among many others, making it damn near impossible to determine its location nor the amount of mana and faith it is producing. It is as if shrouded by fog, however, it can be inferred to be in the vicinity of a place called Kattagat as that is the most common name spoken by those inhabiting it.

"What have they done to this world? It is… utterly repulsive; how do they expect this world to progress when they stunt its growth? Even this majestic tree is contaminated by vile magic and is constantly being siphoned and sent to the unknown." 

Emily frowned, understanding what he was saying, "My love, I cannot provide the answers you seek… However, I can share one piece of information which you deemed pertinent enough to disclose. This world's gods are dead, sealed, and usurped. Powerful beings of false existence have taken the throne of which is rightfully yours and our family's."

Shaking his head Guldrin filed this information away for a later date. Looking back over at the priest he spoke, "You have been granted a boon of which many would sell their souls to obtain. What you do with said gift is entirely up to you; whether you use it for good, evil, or just to satisfy your own greed. All is your own decision, however… I don't suspect these men over here" He gestures toward Floki and Ragnar, "Will allow a weak and defenseless monk like you to wander with a gift like this without placing it under their own control. Power without the ability to defend it is the perfect recipe for disaster; if you wish to be free you need the strength to protect yourself…I have gifted you power now it is on your own to make yourself strong enough to protect it."

Ragnar as if on cue spoke, "You are correct boy-"

"Guldrin. I have allowed you to call me boy previously as you had not known my name. However, that is no longer the case and such disrespect won't be tolerated any longer. I have no ill will toward you and your people but I will not tolerate such insults as I have lived countless lifetimes in comparison to you. My full memories may have been sealed due to my own choices and I may not recall my full age, however, I know that in this life I have lived for hundreds of years as I conquered my home world. So let this be your one and final warning, my name is Guldrin Void Goldblood, and this is my wife Emily L. Goldblood."

Wearing a sly smirk Guldrin performed a royal greeting in the form of a slight bow with his hand on his heart and Emily followed suit.

Hearing this Ragnar widened his eyes and nodded, "Very well, Guldrin, and Emily is it? I am Ragnar Lothbrok, and this is my friend and confidant Floki. Now in response to your previous words, no, that monk will not be allowed to go free as everything in this city is our spoils of war… Including him, should he wish to contest this he must prove himself through force lest he be sold into slavery along with the rest. As for the both of you, you are free to follow us as we have an idea of your true identities and I don't believe you wish to stay in a kingdom from which placed you on a cross for… what was it, seven days and nights?"

Smiling Guldrin nodded "You are indeed correct, I have no reason to stay on this continent as the only source of mana is where I believe you originate from. This being the case I will gracefully accept your offer to return with you. However, let this be known that my wife and I are free and will not under any circumstances be considered your spoils as we both possess the ability to defend our freedom and will do so as needed" He paused and pointed around the room, "As you can see and have witnessed for yourselves."

Chuckling lightly Ragnar shook his head in disbelief and spoke, "I am well aware of your ability to protect yourself and welcome both of you to accompany us as free men and women to our home under my guarantee of safe passage."

Guldrin raised an eyebrow, but Emily was the one to speak first, "While I appreciate your willingness to provide us your guarantee however, forgive me for asking but what weight does your promise hold? Understand I am not demeaning you in any way, but I am merely confirming your status as our guarantee and what to expect when we arrive at your home."

Ragnar smiled as if he found this entire situation amusing, "You are within your right to question me. I however will most likely disappoint you as I am merely a farmer who commissioned a boat from my dear friend Floki here and made a bold decision to sail west without my earl's permission. However, being who you are I don't believe anyone in my hometown to be able to force either of you in any way. If you still wish to keep your identities a secret I can allow you to take refuge in my home before we make land in Kattagat. I must warn you though, I am but a simple farmer with a simple home, unfit for beings such as you." 

"Hahaha, ahahahaha, a simple farmer you say." He paused and stared at him with eyes that glowed gold and a gaze as if he could hide no lies from him, "Ragnar Lothbrok, a farmer you may be, but a simple farmer you are not… If you were; where did you gain the courage to set off on a journey against your earl's wishes? Nay, you are a man with determination, and ambition, unsatisfied with the status quo and your lot in life. Let me give you a piece of advice; ambition comes at a price, but it is not your decision as to what that price will be, however, it is always your choice to accept this condition or whether you fight to the bitter end refusing to accept fate."

Guldrin paused to allow his words to sink in before continuing, "However it is your choice to listen to my words or not. Regardless I accept your offer to travel and stay at your home till I can make my own arrangements. With us entering this agreement I will treat you as an ally until the day you prove otherwise; under these conditions, I find it important to provide you with an advanced warning… I intend to try something that may or may not end with unexpected results. So I suggest you finish with your pillaging, secure your loot, and vacate this town, or don't blame me for the consequences."

With a questioning look, Ragnar raised an eyebrow and turned to Floki who wore a smirk of a madman and spoke, "Did you hear him Floki? I suggest we heed his warning as I don't believe he is one to repeat himself… Call in the men, and take everything of value, however, the priest is to be left unharmed as long as he cooperates." He finished staring directly into said priest's eyes who in turn lowered his head in acceptance.

"Hehehe, of course Ragnar… But I wish to be present when whatever happens, happens."

They locked eyes, "As do I… as do I."

Speaking no more Floki quickly went to leave the room, however he was barred by the runes formed around him. Finding this interesting Floki poked and prodded the runes as if a child who found a new toy.

Seeing this Guldrin simply shook his head and tapped the ground dispelling the runes and allowing them to move unimpeded. Upon noticing the runes disappearing Floki giggled and exited the room…