The Elden Lion - A life for a life. (Patreon)

Faye, Near the Temple of Tyr – Midgard.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

That was the only warning Faye received before the monstrous hammer was hurled toward her. Its aura of lightning was every bit as threatening as the stories had claimed. Apparently, the rumors about Mjolnir were true after all.

As were those about its wielder, Faye thought with a certain apprehension, frowning as she unleashed her own fury through her trusty axe.

Leviathan's blade became covered in a powerful layer of permafrost just moments before Faye hurled her trusty axe with lethal precision into the path of the Asgardian engine of destruction, praying to the World Tree that the craftsmanship of the dwarven brothers would be enough to stop such a monster.

The red-haired woman watched with satisfaction and relief as her trusty axe collided with Mjolnir in a thunderous, resounding impact, neither weapon willing to yield in the slightest.

Both masterpieces of dwarven craftsmanship trembled with monstrous magical power, the freezing aura of her trusty axe clashing against the titanic fury of the Thunder God's hammer.

An unstoppable force against an immovable object. The magical saturation was…concerning, at least to Faye.

Because the damned fat Aesir was simply laughing like a madman, thrilled by the fight.

"HAHAHA! I haven't had a fight this exhilarating in decades!"

Immediately afterward, the Aesir God's eyes lit up like two cyan stars as magical lightning began manifesting around his entire body.

And then…

CRAAACK!!

"AHHHHHG!"

Faye screamed in pain as the Aesir God's powerful fist struck her face. A smile of ecstasy spread across Thor's fat face before he burst into laughter once again.

In less than a second, the God of Thunder had moved and appeared directly in front of Faye, who was unable to react quickly enough to avoid the devastating blow. Consequently, she was hurled several meters backward across the valley where they were fighting, crashing into a rock that left her completely disoriented.

"Shit," Faye spat, sliding across the ground and inwardly cursing herself for underestimating Odin's son, who evidently didn't need his hammer to be one of Asgard's most dangerous Gods.

"HAHAHA! Fight! ENTERTAIN ME WENCH!" the redhead roared, his aura of lightning growing even more intense than before. His smile was…neither sinister nor cruel, but simply one of excitement, the smile of someone who found catharsis in battle.

Well, if a fight was what he wanted, then Faye would give him one…although it was far too soon. Her battle against Thor wasn't supposed to happen here, but in Vanaheim…several years in the future. This…this wasn't part of the plan.

Were her people's plans destined to fail? Faye didn't know, and right now, she had more important things to worry about.

Like surviving.

With a gesture, she summoned Leviathan back into her hand, channeling the power of frost and launching herself toward the God of Thunder with lethal intent.

Thor responded exactly as Faye expected, summoning his monstrous hammer back into his hand, more than willing, even eager, for another clash. It was evident that the Aesir God lived for this, for battle.

"COME ON!" the redhead roared as Faye prepared to respond. The last Jotun gripped Leviathan with both hands and braced herself for the confrontation.

When it happened…

A scarlet flash illuminated the sky for an instant, an event so fleeting that it could easily have gone unnoticed. But Faye was far from stupid, especially in these dangerous times…

And apparently, she was right, because a heartbeat later, an unfamiliar female silhouette had appeared on the battlefield, wielding an enormous magical sword that glowed with a powerful crimson arcane radiance.

Moving as fast as lightning and catching Thor completely off guard, the warrior maiden delivered a precise slash across the Aesir God's back, causing him to lose his concentration and allowing Faye's blow to send him flying hundreds of meters backward, straight toward a distant mountain, giving the last of the Jotun a moment to catch her breath. She quickly focused her attention on the imposing and powerful female figure.

Faye swallowed hard at the imposing and powerful figure before her. She was…one of the most imposing, elegant, and beautiful women Faye had ever seen, if not the most. Her height and aura of overwhelming power betrayed her divinity. She possessed flawless, snow-white skin, golden eyes filled with immeasurable power, and long, silky red hair that seemed almost alive. Her body was clad in elegant, custom-fitted golden armor, while strange golden wings made entirely of magic emerged from her back, the crimson glow still present along her sword.

She looked like some kind of Valkyrie, but that would be impossible. The warrior maidens had disappeared long ago, and if any of them had returned, rumors would have spread throughout Midgard by now.

"Who are you?" Faye asked cautiously, holding Leviathan defensively in her hand, uncertain of what to expect from the unfamiliar woman.

The Goddess focused her powerful golden gaze on Faye, who returned it without blinking. Both were warrior women, both powerful, and neither willing to yield for even an instant.

Faye watched as the stranger's golden eyes filled with something resembling satisfaction, as though she had been searching for something, before nodding gently.

"Female, young and fertile, powerful and skilled with an axe, magical by nature. A perfect candidate for a Golden Priestess of Leyndell," the warrior whispered to herself, examining Faye as though the last Jotun were nothing more than a piece of meat, as though Faye were merely a broodmare.

The last Jotun frowned at those…curious and concerning words before tightening her grip on Leviathan, just in case a fight became necessary.

"What are you talking about? What's a Golden Priestess? What's Leyndell?" she asked curiously, although her eyes remained focused on the ruined mountain in the distance.

The red-haired warrior shrugged and replied.

"That's irrelevant, at least for now. But my Master will want to speak with you. You appear to be an enemy of the Aesir. If that's the case, you're hereby invited to Leyndell. The Golden Lion will ensure your well-being during your visit, and any advantage in the war against Asgard will be welcome," the redhead said.

Faye blinked repeatedly without saying a single word, stunned and incredulous at what she had just heard. She had…so many questions. War against Asgard? Who was this Golden Lion who commanded such submission from such a powerful Lady?

"I'll need answers," Faye said softly, making the foreign redhead nod gently.

"And you'll have them. But wait a moment. Let's pause our conversation for now," the warrior said, taking up her sword once again and driving its blade into the ground, causing a golden rune, completely unfamiliar to Faye, to appear beneath them.

A moment later, a golden dome appeared above Faye's head. It wasn't particularly large, but it was just big enough to cover both warriors. Once inside, Faye couldn't help sighing with relief as she felt this foreign, mysterious, yet powerful magic ease the fatigue in her body, while the wounds and injuries Thor had inflicted upon her began healing almost miraculously.

"What kind of magic is this?" she asked in astonishment, feeling more energetic than she could remember feeling in decades. Faye's cerulean eyes regarded the mysterious woman with curiosity and questioning.

However, before she could receive an answer, a thunderous crash caught both women's attention, followed by a flash of lightning more furious than anything Faye had ever seen.

And that could mean only one thing.

Thor was back.

Faye frowned. The brief rest had given her a second wind, exactly what she needed to face the Asgardian. However, before the last Jotun could throw herself back into the fight, the stranger intervened.

"There's no need. He won't be able to see us. My Master's Blessing protects us. Watch," she said with complete confidence, and although Faye doubted the truth of those words…she decided to trust her, although she kept Leviathan close in case it became necessary.

An instant later, the sky roared furiously as a cyan flash landed in the center of the clearing where Faye had been fighting moments earlier, revealing Thor's silhouette, Mjolnir in hand, his body now bearing two wounds.

One was across his back, where the mysterious warrior's weapon had wreaked havoc. A kind of…red magical poison was present in the wound. Faye didn't know the nature of such magic, but she doubted it was anything…benevolent toward the cruel God.

The other cut was on his face, across his right cheek, precisely where Leviathan had struck him. And although it was small, it would serve as a constant reminder to the God that no matter how strong he might be…

He wasn't invincible.

"Where are you, you damned bitches?" he spat furiously, his eyes shining like twin bolts of lightning, filled with tremendous power as he looked around in rage.

Apparently, the foreign red-haired woman had been right. Whatever magic had restored Faye's vitality was also protecting them from the God of Thunder's sight.

This was…extremely interesting, Faye thought, watching with wicked amusement as the Asgardian brute looked furiously in every direction, insulting both Faye and the stranger.

"I'LL FIND YOU BOTH! I'LL FIND YOU!!!" the God of Thunder roared, enveloping his body in lightning before departing in a flash of golden light, leaving the two women alone.

"There. Although I suggest we remain inside the Rune for a few minutes, just to be safe. Normally, I wouldn't flee from a fight, but one of Odin's lieutenants is far too important a target for us to intervene prematurely," the woman said, making Faye nod gently.

"I understand. I'm Faye, by the way. Faye of Jotunheim," she said, bowing her head slightly.

The beautiful redhead returned the gesture with a nod of her own, bowing slightly toward Faye as a sign of respect before replying.

"Well met, Faye of Jotunheim. I am Malenia, Blade of Leyndell, Executioner of the Golden Lion of Leyndell," the mysterious woman said, making Faye nod gently before falling silent and truly studying the woman standing before her.

"You're strong. That cut you inflicted seemed to have left lasting damage on Thor. What was that crimson magic?" Faye asked curiously.

Malenia didn't respond immediately. Instead, she looked toward the direction in which Thor had disappeared, her eyes impassive, as though carefully considering her words.

"That…was a death sentence. It's not something you need to worry about, at least for now," Malenia said, pulling her sword from the ground as the warm runic field disappeared.

Faye couldn't help raising an eyebrow at the woman's words.

"Bold words, but the Aesir aren't so easy to kill," the warrior maiden said with a heavy sigh, making Malenia nod gently before replying.

"But they can die…and that's all that matters," the mysterious redhead said, now focusing her attention entirely on Faye.

"You mentioned that your Master has unfinished business with Odin, and you also mentioned an alliance. I'd be interested in speaking with this Golden Lion you keep mentioning," Faye said softly, looking directly into the imposing woman's face.

Malenia regarded her silently for several seconds before simply nodding.

"That's possible. The more allies we have to deal with the audacity of the Lord of the Hanged, the better. Come, my pupil is waiting for us before we return."

At those words, Malenia's wings shone more brightly than before. The enormous woman seized Faye by the waist, pulling her close against her immense body.

Faye couldn't help blushing at the woman's audacity, indignant at the sheer…casualness with which she was being treated.

"Wait! I…AHHHHHG!"

Faye's protests fell on deaf ears as Malenia's enormous wings began beating, rapidly lifting both warriors from the ground of Midgard and carrying them toward a nearby forest clearing.

Straight toward an even greater problem.

Freya, Forest Clearing – Midgard.

"You're not welcome here, Modi," Freya spat, crossing her arms as she watched the drunken idiot's son look at her as he always did.

With lust in his tiny pig eyes.

"Oh, but look who I've found! Oh, how far you've fallen from the All-Father's grace! Exile hasn't been kind to you, Frigg! Those rags are unworthy of the Queen of Asgard," Thor's son said, mockery dripping from his voice.

The Goddess simply rolled her eyes and sighed with obvious irritation at his incessant, childish attempts to anger her.

"By Yggdrasill, Modi, you possess neither your grandfather's cunning or skill, nor your father's strength. To me, you're about as intimidating as a fucking Gulltoppr pup. So be a good little errand boy and deliver your grandfather's message so you can leave me alone," the Goddess said, hoping that by directing the pathetic God's fury toward herself, Modi would forget about her distinguished visitor.

And apparently, judging by the pathetic God's furious expression, it was working.

Nothing like attacking a pathetic man's pride to make him lose his temper, Freya thought with satisfaction as she watched Modi's face contort with fury at the continued comparisons to his father and grandfather.

"Big words for an exiled bitch like you, Frigg! You no longer have the All-Father's protection! I can do whatever I please with you!" he spat, his eyes lighting up dark blue as an aura of lightning appeared around his mace, which he began using to strike the clearing's defenses like the animal he was.

Freya snorted at Modi's stupid words. The poor idiot genuinely believed he had what it took to face her. And although she would normally dispose of her husband's idiotic grandson with elegance, Freya had visitors to protect.

After all, powerful though she might be, this…Ciri was still human.

"I must ask you to take shelter inside Chaurli. This fight is far beyond your power," she said frankly, perhaps with little tact, but she was in quite a hurry. The sooner young Ciri cleared the way, the sooner she could distract Modi.

However, young Ciri not only refused to obey, but she also had a…peculiar expression on her face, filled with anticipation.

And in her hand, Freya noticed, was a beautiful golden ring with an emerald-colored jewel that glowed softly at intermittent intervals. It was evidently magical and a precious piece of jewelry, worthy of any Goddess.

But without examining it, Freya had no idea what it was used for, although something told her she would soon find out.

Meanwhile, Modi continued striking the defensive barrier again and again, unable to penetrate the clearing's defenses even with all his strength, something that evidently enraged him even further.

"DAMN IT!! YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER, FRIGG!! TELL ME WHAT I WANT TO KNOW AND LET YOU AND YOUR BITCH FACE DEATH WITH HONOR!!!"

Modi was so enraged that he failed to notice the golden flash that appeared behind him, nor did he notice the being who manifested at his back.

And…what a being, the former Queen of Asgard thought, appreciating what her eyes beheld.

The first thing that caught Freya's attention was his youth. It was evident that he was a God, one who possessed the face of a man who had barely reached the prime of his life, although his beautiful eyes revealed an age impossible to comprehend. There were hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years within those mismatched eyes.

His abundant, slightly disheveled black hair framed aristocratic features of extraordinary beauty: a defined jawline, high cheekbones, and lips that seemed accustomed to issuing commands. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built, with the natural elegance of a warrior who had never known defeat.

He wore magnificently crafted black leather, adorned with rows of gold and a sacred tree embroidered across his chest, although one different from Yggdrasill. This one possessed a golden trunk and leaves, unlike the bluish branches of the World Tree Freya knew.

And although he wore no crown, Freya knew perfectly well that she was dealing with a King. His mere presence was proof enough.

However, it was his magic that truly shook her, making her tremble in more ways than one. As the former Queen of the Valkyries and a Goddess of the Vanir, she had known Odin's power, Thor's fury, and the deepest mysteries of seiðr, but this was different. Magic emanated from his body like the heat of a star, ancient, primordial, and extraordinarily pure, utterly foreign to Midgard or any realm connected to Yggdrasill. Freya could feel it caressing her skin, penetrating the barriers of her enchantments without even attempting to break them. There was life within that energy, but also death, creation, and destruction. Forces that normally opposed one another seemed to coexist harmoniously within that being.

A contradiction that made him even more interesting, she thought with fascination.

For the first time in centuries, the Goddess beheld someone whose very existence could challenge the All-Father's dominion. And that possibility awakened a hope so intense that the ancient Vanir Goddess had almost forgotten how to recognize it.

Modi, completely oblivious, continued talking, threatening, and insulting, utterly incapable of penetrating the magical barrier and so furious that he failed to notice the three-meter-tall colossus walking behind him, observing him like the insignificant insect he was.

And then Ciri spoke, her voice filled with lust and satisfaction.

"That…is the Golden Lion of Leyndell," the young human said, while Modi continued shouting.

"The All-Father demands answers, and I…" he said, only to be interrupted when the mysterious God seized him by the back of his head and, without the slightest trace of mercy, began slamming Modi's face against Freya's magical barriers.

"And you…will serve as a fine message for the one-eyed old man who thought himself clever enough to deceive me," the mysterious God said, as both his eyes began to glow, channeling an aura of golden lightning into his hands. The energy appeared devastating to Modi, who began screaming in agony, struggling unsuccessfully to free himself from the God's iron grip.

Modi's face had begun to become disfigured. The damage inflicted by the foreign divine magic was…considerable. Then, suddenly, the Golden Lion pulled Odin's grandson's face away from the clearing's barrier before slamming him into the ground, causing an earthquake in the process, and kicking him several meters backward with a single blow, sending Modi's body crashing into a nearby enormous rock.

To Modi's credit, he immediately attempted to stand. His face was battered, his lips split, and one of his eyes swollen shut, but to the God's credit, he quickly seized his mace and shield, channeling his divine power through them.

Something that apparently pleased the foreign God.

"Good. Perhaps there is Aesir blood in those veins after all," he spat, and the next thing Freya saw was the foreigner simply appearing mere centimeters from Modi and proceeding to deliver the most brutal beating Freya had ever witnessed.

The God moved at a simply absurd speed, as fast as light, if such a thing were possible. It was like watching lightning, and Freya doubted that even Thor could keep up with him.

For every blow Modi attempted to deliver, the Golden Lion landed at least twenty, until suddenly, the Elden King delivered an uppercut to Modi's stomach, launching him into the air, only to stop him abruptly by grabbing his leg and repeatedly smashing his body against nearby rocks.

"He's playing with him," Freya said in realization, watching as the God used Modi's body like an old rag, in the same way the Aesir had treated the other mortals of Midgard for generations.

Part of Freya felt catharsis at seeing an Aesir pay the blood debt they owed Midgard, although it was evident that the fight was over and the Elden Lord was…bored.

"Enough. I thought this would be more interesting," he said with obvious disappointment, seizing Modi by the neck, lifting him effortlessly, and frowning when he saw that the defeated God was unable to hold his mace.

"Come on, boy. Hold your weapon so you can go off to Valhalla once I kill you. It's the greatest courtesy I can offer you," the mysterious God said, causing Modi's mace to levitate from the ground into the defeated and humiliated God's hand, while he slowly began tightening his grip around his neck.

"He's going to kill him!" Freya exclaimed in realization, knowing that the death of one of Odin's grandsons would place all of Asgard on maximum alert, even if it was a disappointment like Modi.

The foreign God began applying pressure. However, before he could break Modi's neck, a female voice suddenly rang out, desperate and powerful.

"STOP!!!"

A familiar voice, Freya realized, watching as Sif's silhouette appeared on the battlefield. Beautiful, seductive, and powerful Sif, wearing her characteristic blue dress, so form-fitting that it revealed her sensual, curvaceous figure. Her golden hair and cerulean eyes were unmistakable as she looked upon her son's condition with desperation and fury.

The Lord looked at her curiously and asked.

"Who are you?" His hand still held Modi by the neck, a single squeeze away from murdering a God.

Sif frowned, evidently irritated at not being recognized. The conceited bitch had always been vain, after all.

"I'm Sif, Modi's mother, the Aesir God you're about to slay" she said with forced calm, her stormy eyes watching as her son's life slipped away. For an instant, Freya could sympathize with the terror she was evidently experiencing.

Just imagining Baldur…Freya couldn't even bear the thought.

The Golden Lion looked at her with a raised eyebrow, without making even the slightest attempt to release him.

"And why should that mean anything to me?" the stranger asked, curiosity and amusement on his face, making Sif frown and take a step forward.

"He's defeated. There's no reason to kill him," Sif said, making both Freya and the foreign God snort in amusement.

"Curious. I wonder how many men and women your son has spared. Mercy is quite a common virtue among the Aesir, isn't it?" the foreigner said mockingly, making Sif frown and inhale sharply.

"Spare his life, and in exchange, I'll trade it for my own. Let my son continue living in exchange for my eternal servitude," she said with determination, and those words did manage to surprise both the God and Freya.

"Ohhh, this is going to be good," the human, Ciri, said behind her, looking at Sif with obvious desire and carnal interest, much to the Vanir Goddess's disbelief.

The Golden Lion looked at Sif with interest, studying her from head to toe with an impassive expression, without saying a single word.

What would his decision be? Freya had no idea.