2 The Afterlife

Ferric sat down on the sturdy bed, looking around at the room in front of him. The stone floor and the swooping rafters led to a very viking look. The chambers were sparsely decorated, only bearing a shield with the Zar family crest - a roaring ape, symbolizing strength and courage - in the center of the far wall. Ferric rested his head on his hand and sunk into thought. This world had brought him a surprise right at the start. Instead of the endless battlefield he had yearned for, he was presented with a seemingly unapproachable challenge. His only consolation seemed to be the endless mead and women that was supplied in the main hall, as was pointed out by Kargo on their way to Ferric's quarters.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door. "Come in", Ferric said, his voice resounding throughout the room. The door creaked open to reveal a skinny man. His skin was dark, and he was wearing a white clothed wrapped around him, exposing his right shoulder. He had dark eyeshadow on, and a curved blade hung at his waist. His voice rang out with a deep Arabic accent.

"Hello my friend. My name is Dagi. Welcome to the Field of Reeds. Or as you norse call it, Valhalla." Dagi broke into a grin and laughed loudly. "Come, friend. Let us go get some food and drink."

Ferric frowned. "Who are you?"

Dagi laughed again. "Oh, I'm no one. I just live across the hall. I came over to say hello. Most people are pretty down on their luck when they realize the afterlife wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I came over to see if you needed anything."

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm not really hungry right now, or thirsty either", Ferric said.

"Well of course not, it's the afterlife! You don't need to eat and drink, but how can one truly enjoy life without some good Hqt (1)?"

Ferric nodded slowly. "Alright, I will come with you, on one condition. You show me where I can start the Gauntlet of the Gods, and let me try the first trial."

Dagi smiled. "I knew you would say that. It's no problem, it shouldn't take you very long anyway."

Ferric had a confused expression. "Isn't it supposed to be impossible to beat?"

Dagi nodded. "Exactly. It shouldn't take you very long to lose."

The two walked through the halls on their way to the first trial. As they were walking, they passed many different warriors, dressed in a variety of garb. Ferric gawked at knights adorned in full plate armor, and marveled at the efficient leather designs of a Chinese warrior. He nodded affirmatively at a viking dressed similar to him, and looked inquisitively at the face masks of a Samurai. As they neared the trials , they passed less an less people, until they finally arrived at a massive door. "The Gauntlet" was engraved across the top of the door in large letters. One man stood outside of the door, sitting with a sword across his lap, cleaning it with a cloth. He looked up as they approached, nodding to Dagi.

"A newcomer?" he asked, his voice harsh and grating.

"Yes, he just ascended this morning," Dagi replied.

The man laughed derisively. "What you call ascending is nothing more than death. True ascendence only comes when you pass through this door, and the many beyond."

"Yes, we all know that ascending is very important to you Heimdallr, but since no one ever gets past this gate, what's the point in saying this isn't ascension."

Heimdallr held up his hand. "I'm going to stop you right there Dagi. We've had this argument before. For now I'm going to let this..." Heimdallr stops for a second, looking over Ferric, "Viking try the Gauntlet. Maybe he will succeed. Who knows? The last one to beat the God of War was a young girl. You never know what will happen."

"Joan was a different case! You can't judge her by the normal standard of warriors in Valhalla." Dagi protested.

Heimdallr nodded. "Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that this warrior over here has a right to try, as many times as he needs to, to beat Ares."

Ferric grunted in affirmation. "I don't know who this 'Joan' is or what we're waiting for, but I am itching for blood. Let's get this started already."

Heimdallr smiled slightly. "Bloodthirst is good. But it will take you a lot more than that in order to pass the first trial. Give it your best shot. Just remember, everyone failed the first time."

Ferric grinned fiendishly and stalked forward as the giant doors opened in front of him.

(1) Ancient Egyptian beer, pronounced "heket" or "heqet"