Huginn and muninn

The next few days were spent refining the materials he had gained from the gates into weapons. Elsa soon woke up and dedicated the following days to enhancing her movements through rigorous training and sparring sessions with Bruno. The last time had been a perilous encounter for her. If it weren't for Bruno's timely intervention, she would have been trapped within the gate.

It couldn't continue like this. While it was just a rank one gate, Bruno had faced a rank thirty gate and still managed to rescue her. She felt incredibly weak, but that perception was wrong. It was unusual for a rank 1 awakened individual to confront a gate alone. However, her reference point was far from the norm.

A month had passed since the gate raid, and Bruno was on his way home after purchasing groceries in town. As he passed under the waterfall, he could barely feel the water against his tough body. Suddenly, an extraordinary scene unfolded before him, like a scene from a film. Elsa was sitting on the grass, gazing terror-stricken at the sky. A raven stood on the edge of the hole on top of the cave.

Behind the black bird, the rising sun shone brightly, enhancing its presence. The raven's black eyes shifted to purple, its beak opened, and a commanding voice echoed. It wasn't loud, but it instilled fear in anyone who heard it. In this case, its targets were Elsa and Bruno. The lady coughed up blood just from hearing it, while the boy struggled to take a few steps. The raven disappeared, releasing the pressure on both of them.

Realization struck him quickly. He grabbed Elsa's wrist and rushed out of the cave. Elsa was visibly confused, but he had no time to explain the situation. After five minutes of running at full speed, he finally released her wrist, leaving a purple mark from his strong grip. They found themselves in another cave, this one completely sealed at the top. They sat on the slightly damp floor.

Elsa asked, 'What… in the world was that?'

After a long sigh, Bruno began explainin:

"Huginn, one of the most fearsome creatures on the planet, and Odin's aide.' Hearing this, her face filled with panic and despair. 'We're in trouble. Now that Odin has located us, there's nowhere to hide.'

Bruno pondered their situation and his next steps. 'The best solution might be for me to leave her here and go on my own. However, I'm uncertain if Odin will let me leave without interference. He won't leave any witnesses alive. In that case, I should make use of the perfect opportunity he's given me" A devious smirk crossed his face.

With a convincing and calm voice, in the dark of the cave, he said to Elsa, touching her shoulders, "Calm down. You're not alone. Do you think I'd leave you alone? Join me. I need your power, and in exchange, I'll hide you from Odin for the time being." A glimmer of hope appeared in her already lifeless eyes as she raised her chin, crying.

'Will you really… keep your promise?' she asked.

'I will. You've already seen what I'm capable of,' Bruno replied. "However, don't ever think of opposing him face to face. You have no idea how powerful he is. It's like... like a god."

"I understand. I won't challenge him. Come here." They hugged each other, but while she sobbed and drenched his shirt with tears, he did his best to contain his excitement. ~Thank you, Odin. You've given me one of the most powerful allies I could ever wish for. I'll make sure to use it well."

A few minutes later, something else entered the cave. Tik… tik… tik. Its footsteps echoed throughout the entire grotto, closing in on them. "Damn, he's found us. These footsteps… it must be one of his ravens."

As expected, it was a raven, this time a white one: Muninn.

The raven stopped a few meters in front of their pale faces, leaving a letter on the ground and departing. They both took a sigh of relief and then opened the letter. Instead of a writing, a voice emanated, the same one that had spoken through the crow – Odin's voice.

"Hahaha, who would've thought the idea of hiding in my territory would ever cross your mind? Ah, that's right, it must've been their idea, right? DIMITRI AND ANDREI!

How dare those fools try to oppose me. Well, look at their deaths. Those idiots had talent, and they both died uselessly at the hands of the demons. Mh Mh, let's not get off track.

Elsa, no, FREYA, don't even think of escaping again. If you disappear, your parents, who came all the way from Germany to find you, might be disappointed. Isn't that right, Mr. and Miss Becker? Say hi to your daughter.

'H… hello, darling.'

'We w-wwil wait for y-yyou.'

That's all. Come to me, and let's forget about this. If you don't show up at the Reykjavik association branch in the next ten days, then don't be surprised if your parents aren't there waiting for you when you return home."