Not Quite Valhalla

She became aware of the sensation of floating. Felt as the world slipped away from her flesh, untethered as the wind carried her in its soft embrace. Her eyes were too heavy, unwilling to respond and so Katla just drowned herself in the sense of peace. The feeling of calm after, she couldn't remember the after, but some lingering sense of self told her it was not peaceful.

The soft ripple feathers against her cheek should have disturbed her, the sensation of being held in great claws, as she floated further from the earth, as more bits of herself floated away to drift upon the wind. Then even thinking about the sensations along her body became too much, too trivial, and she let it go- fell into the calm peaceful nothingness.

Katla felt the cold first. The damp mist that coated over her bare flesh and the scrape of stone against her body as she instinctively curled up to find some semblance of warmth. As it became clear that warmth would not be forthcoming she opened her eyes to meet a pair of bright gold ones framed by thick black feathers. Any lingering mental fog dispersed as she jerked upright, pushing her bare thighs against the stone as she pushed herself back before her brain caught up with her reaction.

The raven before her tipped its head in curiosity. The gold eyes too intelligent for a simple beast stared back into hers. Katla remained still, all too aware that she was essentially naked, cold and in a place she knew nothing about. Her hand reached out and up, palm flat in the universal gesture to stop, to not harm her. The raven just shook its feathers before scratching along its head with silver tipped taloned feet.

"Greetings, I bring tidings." Katla blinked at the scratchy voice that erupted from the bird in front of her. Her mind groped at the empty void of her memories, seeking anything that would give her a basis for the giant talking bird in front of her.

"Tidings?" She echoed dumbly. The response seemed both reasonable and inane at the same time. Her gaze jerked from the raven to the standing stones that circled them. Crudely etched images over the stones triggered a sense of familiarity as she tried to identify the creatures found on the carving.

"Odin greets you hero." That jerked her attention back to the raven. Odin? The name felt familiar, but Katla couldn't fully place it. The lack of memories should have bothered her, but all that she could focus on was the talking raven before her and the fact that she was both naked and cold. "Your bravery has secured you a trial to enter Valhalla. Before you can enter and feast with the gods of Asgard, you first must assist with the slaying of the fiercest of Odin's foes. Find others of your kind, Shield Maid." The raven let out one final harsh caw before launching itself into the air with a flurry of flapping wings.

Internally she worked to piece together what had occurred. At first she wanted to think it was a joke, like one of those, well she couldn't place exactly what one of those were but she remembered a sense of disdain for that form of entertainment. Katla wanted to be upset over the blank nature of her memories, but without basis she couldn't find the outrage. Instead her mind turned towards the basic needs of survival. Naked, alone, and standing in a circle of stones there was little to aid her or relieve her pitiful condition. With a sigh she pushed herself to her feet as she tried to ignore the cold that pebbled her skin and the caress of wind over flesh she was pretty certain had always been covered in the outdoors.

"Well nothing like the present." She sighed before stepping off the stone surface and onto the grass. The soft blades were interspersed with rough and prickly plants that caused her to wince at the contact. Resolute she took a few mincing steps forward before stubbing her toe on a rock. Hissing she dropped to a crouch as she checked her foot. The toenail had broken in a jagged line and the tip of her toe bled, but overall seemed unharmed.

"Son of a.." Katla hissed over the pain as she grabbed the rock in frustration. As she rose to throw it as an outlet her body froze. Momentarily stilled as knowledge assaulted her. Uses for the rock, knowledge of how to turn it into various tools, bombarded her mind. Her fingers relaxed their grip and the stone threatened to fall before it disappeared from her hand but suddenly a weight pressed against her back.

'So I get a pack, but not clothing?' The logic behind the world seemed confusing, still she needed to find shelter and hopefully something to clothe herself in before the sun set again. Careful on how she placed her feet, Katla paused and collected stones and sticks among berries and other plants that seemed useful. Each new item forced her to pause as she learned by each new item that appeared in her hand.

As she approached the edge of the meadow towards the sparse woods of birch and beech trees she paused. The shadows within flickered and shifted triggering a hidden anxiety. Her fingers clutched over the strap of her rucksack before she swung it downwards to rummage through the various materials she had gathered to fashion a crude stone axe. Settled with the basic weapon Katla once more squared her shoulders to step into the soft loam of the mossy ground cover beneath the shade of the trees.

Something shifted in the shadows, rustled between the bushes, before rushing at her. Instinct had her swinging her axe downwards before she could even make sense of what she was seeing. Glowing gold eyes, a hunched back, and flesh that gave the appearance of shadow dappled wood and moss. The blow connected and jarred her shoulder, but the creature just spun around and came back at her. Another swing and connection that took the wind from lungs, however the last blow was enough for the creature to fall.

Katla stood there panting as the creature's body disappeared with a flash of glittery dust leaving behind only a glob of yellowish goo. Resin, not full set into its solid form, she scooped it up and again more information rushed through her mind. Recipes for torches to light her way, and the promise of further knowledge to come. The sound of rustling feathers caused her to whirl in surprise to face the danger. Her axe clutched between both of her hands she faced off once more with the oversized raven.

"Greetings." The strange scratchy voice again issued from the parted beak of the creature. "You have lost the skills of your previous life, by touching and feeling familiar objects you will regain the knowledge needed for survival in Valheim. Beware though, the creatures of this realm are not the placid and gentle creatures of Midguard. Gain strength by defeating the misshapen creatures of this land and earn the skills needed to defeat the greatest of foes."

Before Katla could respond the raven once more flew off. The sharp sound of its beating wings broke the eerie silence of the shadows before her. Katla suddenly felt herself resenting the bird, before she even knew its purpose. The fact that it appeared, dropped tiny little nuggets of information, then flew off before providing anything of substance was deeply aggravating. Temptation to launch a rock or a stick at the animal in retaliation pressed at the edge of her mind.

The whisper of a breeze across bare flesh drew her attention back to the reality of her situation. A deep breath had her squaring her shoulders as she focused on the task ahead of her. Survival meant she needed shelter, clothing, fire. All things she had learned to make as she gathered. Her stomach grumbled and Katla popped a handful of the ripe raspberries she had found while wandering into her mouth. The sweet burst of flavor against her tongue eased the pinch in her stomach and renewed her energy.

Resolved she pushed into the woods, the moss soft under her feet. Absently she continued to gather what fallen wood she could grasp, cutting down small saplings and watching the sticks of wood disappear to settle itself into her rucksack. The size discrepancy bothered her, the fact that wood longer than her height fit into the small pack on her back. The sparse thicket parted as she stepped into another clearing.

An angry squeal broke her concentration in surveying the downhill slope before her. Again she swung with her axe striking down the back of the creature. A hiss escaped her as angry tusks tore along her bare abdomen and thigh. Hot blood ran down across her leg as she winced but held her ground. Another swing and strike to the pig as it ran its oblong course around her. Oddly her axe suddenly felt lighter in her hand, easier to wield. Her next strike downed the angry beast and much like the last creature it dispersed leaving behind some tattered bits of leather and chunk of meat.

Both items were scooped up and with it came the basic understanding of how to fashion those bits of leather into clothing, the meat was only identified but she figured it could be roasted to be eaten. With both items settled she pulled out another handful of the raspberries and shoved them into her mouth. Katla looked down watching as her wound stopped bleeding before slowly starting to stitch itself up. Her weariness disappeared too as the food settled in her stomach.

"Curiouser and curiouser," Katla muttered at she continued her trek forward towards the unknown. Driven by some unknown instinct to find fresh water. The terrain was once more the mix of soft grass, thorns, and clinging seed pods. A few more raspberry bushes dotted the landscape for her to hurriedly harvest and shove into her pack for later. She could feel her pack getting heavier on her back, pushing her ability to carry it until it was too full of various supplies for her to stuff more in.

Katla surveyed the landscape in hopes for a place to rest. Open grassy meadows that were dotted with jagged rocks jutting up from the earth. Hills and dips added small valleys and shadows. Occasionally she could see the shambling ruins of hastily erected shelters from ages ago. Those she continued past, assuming she was on the right course until she heard the soft noise of moving water. The lap of waves against a muddy bank, the splash of fish jumping, and other creatures entering the water drove her further forward, half sliding down the hillside and through the narrow thicket to emerge on the banks of the river.

The water reflected the sun into her eyes and indicated how close it was to reaching the horizon. Night would be coming soon and she had nothing to show for a shelter or clothing outside of a few bits of leather from the angry boar she had slain earlier. Desperately she surveyed the bank to find anyplace that would be wise to set up a rough place to rest for the night. A large stone outcrop jutted into the water. Three sides surrounded and near sheer with only a thin slice of earth to connect it with the rest of the meadow.

That decided she jogged forward and started the process of setting up her camp. First things, she set out sticks and stones to fashion into a wooden mallet. As she took the tool into her hand, Katla was besieged by another deluge of information. Fire, warmth was the main goal until she could effectively hunt more boars to make clothing. The mental list of recipes drawn upon as she set up a fire pit complete with the warmth of dancing flames. Tentatively she tapped the edge of her new tool against the stone only to fall back in surprise as her bag lightened and in return a circle of small stones with a merrily crackling fire appeared.

"I think you and I are going to be fast friends." Katla addressed the hammer in her hands. She absently toyed with the handle, rubbing it in circles with her cupped palms in an unspoken attempt to soothe away her unspoken anxiety. Her rucksack rubbed at her shoulders, reminding her of the weight that was barely lessened by the removal of the few items needed to make the fire. The warmth of the flames removed some of the urgency that had driven her through the day and the odd absence of biting insects only encouraged Katla to take a breath and assess her situation.

From a distance she could see deer innocently grazing along the fringes of the scattered groves of trees. Her stomach grumbled again looking at the source of meat obliviously standing in the open. Boars circled over the grass and occasionally she could see the rustling of shadows and glowing orange hostile eyes. As the flames leapt and spat the creatures shied away, darting to hide further in the low bracken of the sparse meadow bushes. Graylings, some inner voice provided, were afraid of fire and would not approach as long as the flames were high and bright.

The knowledge of those things lurking out there left her uneasy, even if the knowledge promised they would not bother her pathetic camp. A shudder ran through her as she lifted the hammer in her hand. The mental image of a simple spit over the fire rested at the back of her mind as she pointed the crude mallet at the ring of stones. The flames continued to crackle merrily as nothing happened. She tried to concentrate harder, shook the mallet, and even clenched her eyes closed to no avail. Nothing appeared; just the happily flickering flames that continued to taunt her.

"How do I use you?" The whine escaped her before she could bite it back. Some part of her cringed at the pleading notes as if it had been an anathema to her previous self. Regardless, there was no answer forthcoming. Just the soft sound of water lapping against the shore and pops of the flames devouring their wood. How had she summoned the other items? The knowledge had been there, she had just needed something. Now she needed a way to cook the meat in her pack and ease the cramps of her stomach.

Katla looked at the mallet one more time before finally the puzzle came together. She needed another item to craft the more intricate tools for survival. A workbench; it wanted that for her to build the more complex items off. It made sense and she found a spot that seemed level enough to place the bench. Tentatively she tapped her hammer against the stone. Her pack lightened again and the materials within assembled themselves into the desired object that settled on the hard stone with a hard thunk.

Well, that was certainly interesting. Another caw broke her puzzling through the oddity of what she was experiencing. Katla turned to look at the giant raven as it landed near her again. Waiting on her the bird preened the feathers under its wing. The beak clacked and chattered as it worried over a loose feather before it fell away. The glint in the golden eyes clearly implied that it would wait until she moved closer. Katla cast a sorrowful glance at the fire behind her before she approached the animal. Her arms crossed over her chest, trying to ease the discomfort of the cold away from her bared breasts.

"I bring tidings." The Raven started on it's next statement.

"Who are you?" Katla interrupted before the crow could finish talking and fly off.

"Munin, I bring the words of Odin to you mortal." The crow's head tipped as it scratched along the side of its beak with those deadly silver claws. "With this bench you can craft more items to aid your survival. Create shelter to shield you from the cold and the twisted creatures of the dark." Katla's mouth gaped with the deluge of unasked questions as the raven launched upwards into flight again.

"Gods damn it. Next time, instead of sage advice bring clothing you feathered bastard" Her mind started working as she screamed at the retreating raven. Her only reply was a mocking caw that echoed through the twilight air. A huff escaped her as she was tempted to throw herself on the ground in a good sulk, but the brush of cool air against her bare thighs reminded her about the folly of that idea.

"Right.. First things first. Cook that meat." She summoned the hammer once more to her hand. Again she pointed it over the flames and pictured the end result before swinging it downwards. The weight over her shoulders lightened again, almost to nothing now. Over the fire was a simple wooden spit, ready for the pieces of boar meat to roast over. Just as the thought occurred in her mind two pieces of meat were suddenly hanging over the fire, the scent of cooking meat suddenly filled the air.

Something should trouble her about the way things had worked since she woke, but the empty void of her memories also buffered any suspicions about the rules of this world. The scent of the meat roasting drew her thoughts away from puzzling through exactly how this was not normal, not the way the world had worked in her experience. Hunger turned her mind away from the unease that lingered at the back of her thoughts. Katla watched for the meat to darken as it cooked, before it turned a rich brown on the outside.

She reached towards the meat as she deemed it fully cooked. It disappeared from the spit to leave one piece in her hand and the other settled with a hard tug into her pack. Too hungry to think beyond the immediate she tore into the meat with her teeth ravenously. Fat coated her fingers, lips, and cheeks as she devoured the morsel. When it was gone she licked her fingers clean before taking the few steps needed to rinse her face and hands in the steady current of the river. A mouthful of water helped to fill any remaining space in her stomach.

A glint of silvery gray caught her eye as she rinsed off in the water. Curious, Katla stooped down and scooped up the hand sized stone. Flint, the identification came to her mind as she wrapped her fingers around it, then as everything else had, it disappeared into her pack. The knowledge in the back of her mind expanded to include weapons that could be made from this brittle stone. Mindful of the approaching dusk, she gathered as many of the stones as she could while remaining close to the campfire. Satisfied with her discovery she walked out a little further to gather a few more downed branches. A crowing laugh escaped her as double checked her available materials before she rushed back to the work bench and created a crude flint spear.

"Now, to hunt come morning." The silence of the night was broken by only the pops and snaps of the fire and her voice. Eerie and she should have been unnerved by it, however Katla was too busy celebrating her small wins. She had a weapon, fire, and a place to cook. Tomorrow she would start the basics of clothing, before she packed up to move onwards in hunt of another human settlement.

Exhausted she laid on the stone that was slightly warmed by the cheerful fire and curled up. Her spear remained clenched in her hand as she drifted off to sleep, lulled by the soothing sound of the flowing water and the promised protection of that warm flickering orange light that surrounded her.