Hammer of the Gods

Chapter 27

ODIN

Chapter 15

An Eternal battle he must win,

Against the dragon his cursed twin

Never misses Odin’s spear,

Holy water undead fear

Two Archangels from Heaven came,

Brother against brother both are maimed

Sacred garden Satan comes,

Well of Urd clear water runs

A book for an eye a terrible price,

Wisdom gained by drinking thrice

On the evening of the fourteenth day, they sat in a circle having dinner. The food was limited at this point. They were running low on stores even though the angels gave their portion to the mortals. Although they searched, there was naught to eat in the caves thus far, other than the occasional mushroom, blind minnow or shrimp near or within the rare pool of clear water. Nanuk, having spent a lot of time hunting and fishing, had been put in charge of rationing. He made an inventory of what remained. Few of the loaves of sourdough bread that had been wrapped in beeswax coated cloth remained. There was some moose and caribou jerky a couple of dried fish and some mushrooms and cheese, but it only would last two or three more days.

Water was easy enough to come by, running down from the tunnel walls in different areas or held within small pools in caverns. Some of these little ponds were so clear that any creature swimming within was clearly visible like shrimp or small fish, but they were white and without eyes. There were a few ponds which were murky and smelled foul. Movement could be seen just below the surface, so they were careful to pass these by in haste and with as much distance as the passage permitted.

“We will have to cut back to half-rations to ensure we will have enough to make it through the tunnels.” Nanuk explained. His announcement was met with groans from the mortals.

“We could make mana for them to eat for the remainder of our journey,” Raphael said to Gabriel in the angelic tongue.

“Yes, but if they can learn to get along tired, and hungry, in the dark then they will be better prepared for what is to come.”

“That is true brother, let us give them some more time on their own then.”

The air was still cool, for the most part thus far, other than one path they had come across which had warm air which rushed past the opening. The narrower opening was taller than wide and there were jagged, black crystals protruding from the stone as if it were a great mouth waiting to consume any foolish enough to venture inside. Hammerhand did not think his uncle had ever mentioned traveling through a warmer passage on his journey to Asgard all those years before. So, they had continued straight, following the larger tunnel.

It was during meals that the archangels would often tell them stories of heaven and earth and try and teach the mortals about the dangers they may face.

“Since we are looking for Odin, could you please tell us more about him?” Lorne asked.

“Perhaps you should take this one, Raphael, since you were the last to speak with him.” Gabriel suggested.

The tall, dark-haired archangel had removed his helm and placed it upon a large stone along with his shield. His silver armor glinted with the light from the illuminated stones that the members of the group had placed before them. Standing, Raphael made a circle with his right hand in the air and the golden light began to swirl outward until it surrounded the small group once more. As he spoke, they were carried away in a vision of the past.

“Odin was one of the twelve Archangels of creation and carries a spear which he named Gungnir. Like the other heavenly weapons, it was fashioned by Azazyel, using the enchanted hammer, that now belongs to Thor. Gungnir means, “The Unwavering One”, and like Mjolnir, it can be cast at one’s adversary but will return to its user. Additionally, his trident never misses its mark it is said. Like other staves or wands, it can focus the offensive power of the wielder into a beam of pure energy. Odin further enhanced its powers by immersing it into Mimir’s Well. This sacred pool lies beneath the Tree of Life. Those waters or items which have been dipped within are a bane to the undead.”

“Wait, the Tree of Life? It is still here, upon the earth?” Jonah asked inquisitively.

“Yes, it is the greatest of all trees. It stands within the Garden of Eden which in turn rests upon the floating Isle of Avalon. It is there, beneath the tree, that Mimir, the eldest of the cherubim, resides. He has stood guard over the garden since the fall of Adam and Eve and he bears one of the flaming swords,” Raphael explained.

“Odin’s flying steed is an eight legged horse named Sleipnir which comes from another world.”

“Like a Pegasus?” Angelica asked.

“In some ways, except Sleipnir has six legs, not four. Odin’s wife, Freyja, is queen of the Light Elves.”

“Excuse me, Raphael. So you are saying, that not only are elves real, but that Thor, is half-elf, like, pointy ears and all?” Angelica asked, amazed.

“Well, that is what Odin told me, but I have never met Thor personally, but the elves do have pointed ears, so it is possible that the mixed-blood son of Odin and Freja does as well,” Raphael said, as the vision ended.

“What about the children of angels if they dwell upon or within the earth? Are they immortal as well?” Atungitok asked.

“When there are two angelic parents the child, will in turn, inherit their immortality, but they cannot fly or transfigure into beings of light. They are called the Earthbound angels, while those who were not cast out of heaven but come here of their own accord are named the Highborn,” Gabriel interjected.

Raphael waved his hand in the air once again and narrated the tale as the vision continued. “Odin traveled to the Garden of Eden to consult with Mimir. The giant cherubim, once was the keeper of all knowledge and possessed the key to the great libraries in the heavens. Odin hoped that he would aid him in his desire to build a device that would allow his followers, who were not Highborn, to transport between the Nine Realms.

“Satan had long ago left his emissaries, lesser demons, near the paths leading to the garden. They would not venture near enough to attract the wrath of Mimir, and surely could not over power him, but they did alert Satan that Odin was traveling there. Lucifer arrived first.

“Our fallen brother could not long endure the righteous waters of the Well, nor the holy presence of the Tree of Life, so he had to work quickly before his illusion would fail. Being twins, it was fairly easy for the Devil to fool the winged giant at first. He only had to manipulate the appearance of his armor, lengthen his beard, and alter the appearance of his two pronged spear to look like Odin’s trident. Satan approached the diamond gates cautiously. He thought about how to best impersonate his twin’s mannerisms, personality traits, and his voice.

“Mimir! It is I, Sandalphon, I have come to council with thee,” Satan cried out with a loud voice like rolling thunder as he stood outside the diamond barrier.

From beneath the Tree of Life, shot an arc of fire, like a meteor crashing to earth. Stopping above the barrier, he hovered in the air flapping his enormous wings. Holding the flaming sword, Glodenheim in his right hand, he stared down upon the smaller visitor outside. He drifted down to the ground as his fire died out. After sheathing his sword upon his back, massive wings folded behind him as he approached. Reaching out with one long finger, he touched the intricate designs upon the entry as a flash of light spread across the images of the figures of the Tree of Life, and the Tree of Knowledge, which had been fashioned to form the two sides of the gate. The doors slowly opened outward as the illumination died.

Satan smiled.

“It is well. Follow me, thou Son of the Morning.” Mimir’s voice was like the crackling flames of a great fire that burned inside him.

Satan followed the giant cherubim through glade and vale, over rock and stream. The beauty around them was astounding, yet Lucifer appreciated none of it. They continued until they were beneath the tree. Sitting across from one another, the Devil surveyed the large crystal well which separated them. A circle of ornate chairs, which were carved from quartz, surrounded the low wall of the well. As the light from the small, inner sun penetrated the gaps between the roots of the Tree of Life, a dazzling array of rainbows were cast throughout the chamber.

“Mighty Mimir, steadfast, loyal, powerful, and wise, I have come to converse with thee in hopes that you might aid me in my battle against Satanel.”

“Why do you still call your twin by his royal name? He deserves not his former title due to his treason and rebellion,” Mimir said.

Satan, still impersonating Odin said, “Yes, you are right. Lord of Carrion or Father of Lies I might rather call him it is true, but it would be an insult to name him either Lord or Father, so we will refer to him by his outcast names, Satan, Lucifer or the Devil. Tell me Mimir, are you as resolute now as you once were? Is your obedience to our Father still absolute, or have your views changed somewhat, here in your exile in the garden? I understand that Satan offered you command of his armies if you would join him. You were promised to be his second, and to sit upon his right hand in honor. Do you regret your choice now to fight against him?”

Mimir appeared troubled. Something is amiss… He watched Odin closely. The pause seemed to agitate the archangel before him.

“I am obedient and loyal to Father. That has not changed. This is not exile. I will fight Satan for eternity. He is wicked, corrupt, and full of pride and deceit. You have been exiled for disobeying Father, not I. My calling, is to protect the garden and to prevent any mortal from eating of the fruit of this tree. I may return to heaven when I choose, for I have my free agency, but you have been banished for disobeying Father. I will fulfill my duties here until the end of days if need be.”

“You are like Gabriel, loyal to a fault. We must look to our own wisdom when The Most High will not take action, should we not? Do you judge Zeus, Poseidon, and me, for our choice to come to the earth with our legions to fight Satan, even though it was against the will of Father?”

“It is not my place to pass judgement upon thee and your two brothers. I however, will not disobey Father. Come now, have you changed so much in your exile to question my loyalties so? You come here to flatter me with words full of honey?” Mimir’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Satan’s face took on unnatural expressions as his hands began to shake. He started to speak, but then paused. Mimir, sensing the deception, drew his flaming sword.

The ruse had failed.

Satan took on his natural form. He had left his spear by the entrance as a peaceful gesture on his way beneath the tree. Drawing his own dark sword, he feigned to flee. Mists from his unholy blade smelled of poison and sulfur. The fumes stung the eyes and fouled the air around the wielder. Turning quickly, he fended off the terrible blows from Mimir’s fiery blade. However, so great was the strength of the cherubim, that Satan was forced slowly back towards the entrance. When he was able to gain a little distance from the fiery, winged giant, he transfigured so that he might fly and be at his full strength. His wings had become leathery, his skin red and his eyes were now black. His halo had broken in his fall from heaven. Rather than a crown of light he now bore horns upon his head. Though in heaven, his raiment had been white, he now wore black armor and a dark cloak which trailed wisps of smoke.

The battle went to-and-fro. The pursuit of the Devil climaxed in the very air between the branches of the Yggdrasil. The animals of the garden fled from the terrible conflict. Satan dodged and weaved through the glittering limbs to avoid the scathing attack from the guardian’s flaming sword. Beams of fire shot forth from Glodenheim’s blade. Burned by one such blast, Satan sought to flee through the branches, thinking Mimir’s size would hinder him there. He now began to question his wisdom in attempting to fight the giant alone.

The Devil swung his sword at the cherub’s head. The winged-giant managed to block the blow with his own weapon, but when he made to counter, Satan deflected the blade. Mimir’s enchanted blade was now lodged deep within a branch of the tree. The guardian was momentarily distracted as he strained in desperation to free his sword. Seeing his opportunity Lucifer flew forward and thrust his wicked weapon into Mimir’s heart. Flames shot from Mimir’s chest as he cried out in pain. The roar of his voice was like the sound of a falling mountain in a deep valley. His holy fire began to flicker and die out.

Satan wrenched free his black sword and rose above his wounded adversary so that he might gloat.

Mocking Mimir with a sneer, he snarled, “You should have accepted my offer to join me! You could have commanded my armies, and upon my right hand thou would have sat while I ruled from my Father’s throne. So be it, one less cherub to hinder me during Armageddon. Only two remain.”

“Father, grant me strength!” Mimir cried out, as he yanked his sword free. The branch, now severed, fell to the ground, trailed by golden, glittering light. Using the last of his power, he flapped his great wings and grasped Satan by the torso and upper legs with his left hand.

Lucifer struggled to break free.

With his right hand, the winged giant made one swift swing with Glodenheim, striking below Satan’s knees, severing his lower legs, which fell into the well. Though he was spirit only, the enchanted blade broke the bonds that held the fine matter together. The holy waters erupted in a mighty geyser of steam.

Vapors of darkness and a black ooze, as thick as sap, came from the maimed legs of the Devil. His cries of pain shook the very earth. Mountains were laid low and rivers reversed their course for a time. The sons and daughters of Adam and Eve were thrown to the ground in fear not knowing the meaning of this great calamity. The shaking was so great, that a valley was created to the north of the garden, which at that time, was still upon the surface of the earth.

Mimir’s sword fell from his hand, landing in the well, its fire extinguished. The Devil was still being burned by the cherub’s fiery grasp. The fallen archangel struggled to free himself, flapping his leathery wings in vain. Mimir pulled Satan down with both hands until their eyes were even.

“With my last breath, I curse thee! Now, truly shalt though crawl upon thy belly and thy beauty shall forever be marred. Thou shalt never be free of the pain from Glodenheim’s flames, and when my thousand year sleep has ended, I will come for thee once more!” A crystal which had hung around the cherub’s neck suddenly shattered, and its light went out. For such a holy talisman, can be used to curse another, but once.

Mimir looked up towards heaven and cried out, “Father, forgive me, I have failed in my charge.” His golden eyes rolled back in their sockets, and his wings flapped no more. As he fell, the flames upon his body were extinguished. Satan was pulled down with him.

Mimir’s soul returned to the throne of God in a ray of golden light before his body touched the ground. His watch over the Tree of Life was ended. Later his two brothers, Mimor and Tibor, took his place, and the garden was moved to where it now floats within the earth.

The branch that fell from the sacred tree was not noted by Satan or Odin and the stump healed itself. The severed limb was later found by Mimor and Tibor and reverently washed by them in the well as they wept for their brother. It was this branch that was later named the ‘Rod of God.’ This is the staff that was given to Moses and used by his brother Aaron to perform great signs and wonders in Egypt. Exodus 4:1-5, 17, 20.

Satan was unable to retrieve his feet or the sword from the Well. The holy waters are like acid to the fallen angels and vampires. Our brother lay writhing in pain on the ground. He tore his cloak and wrapped the severed stumps of his legs before crawling back beneath the tree.

With great effort, he finally reached his destination. Positioning himself on Mimir’s large throne, he took on the appearance of the fallen cherubim, as he waited for his twin to arrive.