- 23 hours ago
The Vanishing Shadow
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:06You are Odin's beloved firstborn daughter.
00:09He himself handed down the Oracle to ordain this yoon.
00:13What right did I have to refuse?
00:15If not for you, Gudrun and I would have been together long ago.
00:20Just then, a calm yet utterly frigid voice rang out from the entrance of Valhalla.
00:24Your father will never get the chance to know.
00:27It was Gudrun.
00:28What does she mean?
00:30I opened the rift between Asgard and Jotunheld.
00:33Nivdog has chewed through the deep roots of Yoggdalra.
00:36Right now, Odin is fighting for his life atop the Biflok, battling to keep the Nine Realums from falling.
00:41The throne of Asgard has needed a new master for far too long.
00:45Ten years, and I never realized how deeply my husband hated me.
00:48If I could live it again, I would never choose him.
00:53You have always favored Valder.
00:55If he can make my beloved daughter happy, then choose him.
00:59No, father!
01:02What is it, my child?
01:03I will not choose Valder.
01:06I choose him.
01:10Him?
01:10In the Millennial Holy War between Asgard and Jotunheim, we had faced each other's spear to spear, clashing endlessly across
01:17the starry void.
01:18His movements had been fluid and ruthless.
01:20With a single strike of his scepter, he sent my morning star spear flying from my grasp, the frigid tip
01:25of his stack pressed to my throat.
01:26I had been bent over a newly bloomed star blossom when he materialized silently behind me.
01:31He snapped his fingers, and the flower withered in an instant.
01:34I had baked a honey star blossom pie with my own two hands.
01:38Loki had dropped out of nowhere, snatched the pie clean out of my hands.
01:42Loki, Brunwilla, are you certain?
01:44You have been sworn enemies your whole lives.
01:46I have made my decision.
01:48I choose Loki.
01:52Loki, walked out of the selection hall with regal composure.
01:55The white jade square outside the hall had long been packed with the Acer gods.
01:59Your Highness, Brunfing, who have you chosen?
02:01Is that even a question?
02:03It has to be Valder.
02:04Everyone in Asgard knows how long your highness has loved him.
02:07If there's one person her highness would never choose, it's Loki.
02:11They tear the realm apart every time they meet.
02:14How could she possibly pick him as her sacred marriage partner?
02:17My chosen betrothal is...
02:19My betrothal ceremony will be held in seven days' time.
02:22On that day, Hemdav, Herald of the Gods, will announce my chosen fiancée to all of Asgard.
02:27You will have your answer then.
02:28You will be in attendance, won't you, Valder?
02:34Your Highness Brunwilla.
02:35I shot her a cold, dismissive glance, not breaking my stride, and walked straight past her.
02:40The moment we brushed past each other, driving the blade far through her own skirt and deep into her thigh.
02:44Your Highness Brunwilla, why would you do this to me?
02:53Gudrun, are you hurt?
02:54Brunwilla, apologize to her, now!
02:57It's the same old routine again.
02:59The exact same scene played out in my previous life.
03:04But now, I'm no longer that fool who was blinded by love.
03:08This trick won't work on me anymore, Gudrun.
03:11She cut her own dress.
03:12She inflicted this wound on herself.
03:14She's deliberately framing me.
03:16Why the hell would I apologize?
03:18Your Highness Brunwilla, are you saying that Gudrun hurt herself on purpose just to frame you?
03:24I will not jump to conclusions.
03:26What all of your eyes have seen is the truth.
03:28Enough!
03:29Everyone in Asgard knows Gudrun is kind and pure.
03:33She would never sip thing no sip something this despicable.
03:35Valdra, watch your tone when you speak to her.
03:42Stop!
03:42Everyone in Asgard knows Brunwick was utterly devoted to Valdra.
03:46Don't make an enemy of the entire war god for her.
03:48There was a time when I was truly blinded by love.
03:50I forgave Valdra for anything and everything, no matter how far he crossed the line.
03:54But that time is over.
03:56Forever.
03:57I'm going to ask you one last time.
03:59Did I inflict this wound on you?
04:01If I have offended you in any way, Your Highness Brunwilla, I am deeply sorry.
04:06But you did not need to humiliate me like this out of nothing but jealousy.
04:10Before she could finish her sentence,
04:12I lifted my rune scepter of the Morning Star and slammed it hard to the ground.
04:17My father, the All-Father, has granted me supreme judicial authority over the Valkyra legions.
04:24If I truly wish to punish you, I would not need anyone's permission and I would never swoop to such
04:29pathetic, underhanded tricks.
04:32You love playing the poor, pitiful victim to win sympathy, don't you?
04:37Then I'll give you exactly what you want.
04:40Before the words left my mouth, I gave her a single, light shove, flickering the tumble down the high stone.
04:47A collective gasp ripped through the crowd.
04:50She crashed hard onto the ground at the foot of the steps.
04:53Brunwilla!
04:54You have gone too far!
04:55I've gone too far?
04:56You were the first to show me disrespect.
04:59Leveling public accusations against me without a shred of proof.
05:02And demanding I apologize to someone who framed me.
05:05If anyone crossed a line today, it was never me.
05:08Let's get one thing straight, Valder.
05:09I am not your wife.
05:11Not yet.
05:12You have no right to order me around.
05:16Did you see that?
05:18Her Highness Brunwilla just dressed Valder down in public.
05:21She used to move heaven and earth to protect him no matter what.
05:24Thank you for stepping in for me earlier.
05:26You must come to my betrothal ceremony in seven days.
05:29What difference does it make if I come or not?
05:30You're not going to choose me anyway.
05:32I'll likely be swamped that day, but I'll send your priests a generous betrothal gift.
05:38I will choose you.
05:40And I have a gift for you too.
05:42One you will never see coming.
05:49Your Highness, this gem is called the Heart of Yugdryra.
05:53It was forged from a core shard of the world tree Yugdryra, gathered and blessed by the
05:57three nigs themselves.
05:58It holds their eternal blessing for lovers, and it is the only one of its kind in all the
06:03nine realims.
06:03I picked up the gem, turning it over in my palm to study it closely.
06:07Its soft starlight reflected in my eyes, identical to the glow of the well of WYRD I had seen
06:11in my final moments in my past life.
06:14Valder, thank you for staying with me today, for standing up for me.
06:17This is all my fault.
06:18I've dragged you into this.
06:20Brunnic is only taking her anger out on you because of me.
06:23She is Odin's most beloved daughter, of purest blood and highest state.
06:26She has always gotten everything she wants, whenever she wants it.
06:29I've long since grown used to it.
06:31You should never have to endure this.
06:33I will make this up to you, no matter the cost.
06:36I heard Master Broke just finished forging a one-of-a-kind gem, the heart of Yggdar.
06:40May we go see it?
06:41Of course.
06:42Anything you want, it's yours.
06:48I'll take this gem.
06:49At that exact moment, the hall door swung open and Valdrin Gudrun stepped inside.
06:56Look!
06:56Valder!
06:57This is the one-of-a-time treasure I told you about.
07:00It's breathtaking.
07:01If you like it, I swear I'll make sure it's yours.
07:09Brawnilith?
07:10What are you doing here?
07:12Have you been following me?
07:14I was here first.
07:16Don't be so paranoid.
07:20Valder, you act like you've never had me follow you around before.
07:25Visions of my past life flashed through my mind in an instant.
07:28Him practicing his spear thrusts in the training grounds,
07:30me hiding behind a tree, watching him for an entire afternoon.
07:33My eyes filled with nothing but adoration and reverence.
07:36Him eating alone in the dining hall of Valhalla.
07:38Me sitting down beside him cautiously, only for him to not even glance my way.
07:41Late at night, me dressed in my finest gowns.
07:44Bringing him pastries I'd baked with my own two hands,
07:46only to be met with unbridled impatience on his face.
07:49Don't worry.
07:49That will never happen again.
07:51Master Brock, I will pay 100,000 of these holy Acer gold coins for the heart of Yggdrasar.
07:56Valder, it's so beautiful.
07:59Her Highness Brunwinka has any gem she could ever wish for,
08:02but I...
08:03I've never owned anything so precious in my life.
08:08I'll buy it for you.
08:09He turned to me, a smug, triumphant confidence on his face.
08:12He was certain that I, the woman who had obeyed his every whim in my past life,
08:15would back down this time too.
08:17I'll pay triple the price for this gem.
08:19Brunwatha, you have more jewels than you could ever count.
08:22Let Gudrun have this one.
08:25Valder, do you truly think I care about a few gold coins?
08:29Your Highness Brunwile,
08:31I've heard the heart of Yggdrasar holds the Nerg's blessing for lovers.
08:35Are you...
08:36Planning to buy it for Valder?
08:42She's still planning to give the gem to me after all.
08:45You're going to give this gem to me sooner or later anyway.
08:49You might as well do me a favor now.
08:51What's more,
08:52You pushed Gudrun down the steps and left her gravely injured.
08:56You owe her this compensation.
08:58So let me get this straight.
09:01You want me to spend my gold to buy this gem?
09:05Then hand it to your mistress with my own two hands?
09:10Just so you can play the hero for her?
09:13Valder, you have absolutely no shame.
09:15Unfortunately for you,
09:17the heart of Yggdrasar does not belong to you,
09:19and it certainly does not belong to her.
09:21Wrap it up.
09:22I'll take it with me now.
09:24Something was wrong.
09:25Terribly wrong.
09:26She was nothing like the Brunwinna who had hung on his every word before.
09:31It's fine, Valder.
09:32We don't need it.
09:34Let's just go.
09:40I let out a contemptuous snort,
09:45tilting my head as I stared at him like he was nothing more than a bumbling fool.
09:48Fine.
09:50I'll give you your chance.
09:51But can you even afford it?
09:53It's just 300,000 holy acer gold coins, is it not?
09:57A full pouch of gold, worth far more than 300,000.
10:01Brock opened the pouch and appended its entire contents onto the table.
10:05But what clattered to the floor was not gleaming holy acer gold coins.
10:08It was a pile of rusted scrap iron, shards of broken metal, and worthless rocks.
10:12A deathly silence fell over the entire hall in an instant.
10:15What?
10:15This is impossible!
10:22What the hell is this?
10:23Open another sack!
10:24Now!
10:25The servant trembled violently, dragging over a second burlap sack and fumbling it open in a panic.
10:30Its contents spilled across the floor, more rusted iron, shards of broken metal, and a pile of worthless rocks.
10:37What's wrong, Valder?
10:39Have you finally realized you've been bankrupt this whole time?
10:43If you would, please wrap up the heart of Yegazereld for me.
10:47Brock nodded at once, wrapping the gem swiftly and carefully before handing it to me with both hands.
10:51I took the silk box, my bearing poised and unshakable, the starlight around me seeming to glow brighter with every
10:56step.
10:57With Anna Hild at my side, I turned and walked out, a triumphant smile on my face.
11:01Behind us, Valder and Gudrun stood rooted to the spot, their faces awash with shame and embarrassment.
11:06Nothing more than clowns left exposed and humiliated for all to see.
11:09The moment we stepped outside the Sacred Forge Hall, Anna Hild could barely contain her excitement.
11:13Your Highness Bronwola, that was incredible!
11:15I have never, never seen Valder humiliated like that in my entire life!
11:19But Your Highness, even if you're furious with him, are you truly not going to choose Valder at the betrothal
11:24ceremony in seven days?
11:26Aren't you afraid he'll turn his back on you completely?
11:28You think I'll choose him too, don't you?
11:30Of course.
11:31Every god in Asgard knows you would have done anything for him once.
11:34You would never choose anyone else.
11:36Then in seven days, every god in Asgard will learn just how wrong they are.
11:44At that same moment, in the War God's Hall, he slammed his war spear into the ground,
11:49a tidal wave of holy Acer power erupting forth and striking Valder Square in the chest.
11:53Father, why would you do this to me?
11:55You dared to disrespect her Magisbrunn Huynil, all for a half-breed demigoddess of low birth?
11:59Faith in the Nine Realums is fading by the day.
12:02For years, our entire clan's survival has depended on the Morningstar boots from her Magnus Brunhilde.
12:07And now, she has cut off every last drop of our resources.
12:11We are ruined!
12:14If you truly wanted that half-breed whore, you should have at least waited until you were betrothed to Brunhilde.
12:20Until your seat was secure!
12:24Relax, father.
12:26Bronwil is just throwing a tantrum.
12:28Her love for me is blind.
12:30Even if she walked in on me in bed with Gudrun, she'd cry for a day or two,
12:33then crawl right back to me like she always does.
12:36At the ceremony in seven days, the man she chooses will be me.
12:39No one else.
12:44Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
12:46On the day of the betrothal ceremony, the Great Hall of Valhalla was packed with the gods of Asgard.
12:50They clustered in small groups, murmuring amongst themselves, all speculating on the final outcome.
12:54The announcement is any minute now.
12:56Who will Her Highness Brunhilde choose as her fiancée?
12:58Is that even a question?
12:59It has to be Valder, there's no other possibility.
13:01The wind is that Valder has his heart set on another.
13:04It's been the talk of Asgard for days.
13:06I think we're in for quite the show today.
13:08In a shadowed corner of the crowd, Gudrun stood silent,
13:11her gaze fixed on the high dais at the center of the hall,
13:13flames of malice and jealousy burning bright in her eyes.
13:15At that same moment, in the private chambers of Valhalla,
13:18I sat before the mirror, dressed in a magnificent gown woven with starlight,
13:21my makeup flawless and regal.
13:23I looked every inch the rightful ruler of Asgard.
13:25A soft tap came at the window.
13:32Loki?
13:33A betrothal gift.
13:35For you.
13:35But the ceremony hasn't even started, why are you giving this to me so early?
13:40Because I'm leaving, I won't be attending the ceremony today.
13:42Try it.
13:42If you don't show up, I swear to you, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
13:45Loki took a step forward, stopping directly in front of me.
13:48He stared down at me, his dark gold eyes deep as an endless abyss,
13:52filled with a love so thick it could not be contained.
13:54For a heartbeat, that eternal devil-may-care mockery vanished entirely,
13:58leaving only raw, overwhelming emotion, bitterness, longing,
14:01and a desperate, all-consuming restraint.
14:02I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself.
14:05I'll burn this whole ceremony to the ground.
14:06What I mean is, I might get a little bored and decide to ruin your wedding.
14:10Where's the fun in that, after all?
14:12Loki!
14:13If you dare not show up, you will regret this!
14:16Loki!
14:16Today my fiancé is you!
14:21The empty night air gave no answer.
14:23I spun around, marching toward the ceremony hall, fury burning in my chest.
14:27I had barely rounded the corner of the corridor when soft footsteps sounded behind me.
14:31I whirled around and saw Gudrun standing there, walking slowly toward me.
14:35What are you doing here?
14:36Outside the halls of Valhalla, storm clouds blotted out the sky.
14:39Crimson thunderheads rolled slow and menacing above the white marble corridor
14:42that stretched out toward the cliff edge.
14:44Far below, endless lightning split the air above the abyssal rift of Jodenheim,
14:48the dividing line between Asgard and the realm of the giants.
14:51Your Highness Bronwyck,
14:52I know I am nothing but a lowly half-breed demigoddess,
14:55not even worthy to stand in your presence.
14:56But Valder and I, we love each other with all our hearts.
14:59I beg you, do not take him from me!
15:02Valder is mine.
15:04You brought this all on yourself, Bronwynda.
15:11Valder and I will help you!
15:18Gudrun!
15:22Gudrun!
15:32Bronwildun!
15:33I already agreed to marry you!
15:35Why can you not leave Gudrun be?
15:37Her power is so fragile.
15:38Did you truly mean to strike her down with divine replotion?
15:41I did not push her.
15:42Nor did I call down the lightning.
15:44Felder, do not blame Herminus Brunwickle.
15:47This is all my fault.
15:48I only came to congratulate her.
15:49I must have done something to upset her.
15:51I cannot believe it.
15:52Herminus Brunwickle used divine lightning against her romantic rival?
15:55This is sacralange against the sacred laws of Asgard.
15:57It isn't a rauge.
15:58How could she?
15:59Brunwickle, you pushed her down the steps last time and she let it go.
16:02But this, I will not tolerate it.
16:04Apologize.
16:05To her.
16:06Now!
16:08Apologize to her?
16:10Never.
16:17Loki dropped from the sky.
16:18This scepter of life slamming hard into the marble floor,
16:20sending the surrounding guards flying backward, scrambling to flee in terror.
16:26Loki!
16:26This is between me and Brunwilla.
16:29A giant from Jornheim has no right to interfere!
16:38Anyone who dares disrespect Brunwilla deserves to die.
16:42Mind your own business.
16:44Heimdall will be here any moment to announce I am her betrothed.
16:46Unless Gudak forgives her, this betrothal is worthless.
16:50Kneel, apologize to her now!
16:52What are you waiting for?
16:54Make her kneel!
16:55Enough!
16:56At that moment, a bullying, authoritative voice cut through the chaos.
17:01A blinding wave of holy light split the storm clouds.
17:04By the order of Odin, Allfather of the Aesar, I am here to announce the chosen, sacred betrothed of Her
17:11Highness Brunwilda of the Morning Star.
17:14He is...
17:17Loki Laufesson.
17:28This is impossible!
17:30There has to be a mistake!
17:31What made you ever think I would choose you?
17:34I have never been short of options.
17:37Loki, will you be my betrothed?
17:41If I say yes, you won't turn around and take it back halfway just to toy with me, will you?
17:47My father has already written your name there. Why not see for yourself?
18:04If this is the will of the Odin, with deepest gratitude...
18:07No! This cannot be real!
18:09Everything you did, putting Gudrun in danger, playing hard to get, it was all to get my attention, wasn't it?
18:16How could you possibly choose Loki?
18:18Since you've brought it up, we're going to settle this once and for all.
18:21I will not allow anyone to slander my betrothed.
18:25Lady Gundred, I have a question for you.
18:27How exactly were you struck by lightning?
18:30I... I was speaking with Her Highness Brunhild.
18:33I only mentioned Valder once, and she flew into a rage.
18:38She was the one who summoned the divine repreption.
18:40Are you certain?
18:41Thor, god of thunder who wields the lightning of Asgard, witnessed the entire thing.
18:46Shall we call him forth to confirm your story?
19:04Your Highness Loki, you have summoned me.
19:07How may I be of service?
19:08Tell everyone here exactly what you witnessed with your own eyes.
19:12I witnessed with my own eyes that during the conversation between Brunhilder and Gudrun,
19:16after Gudrun F. speaking, she turned of her own accord and walked straight into the path of the thunder.
19:20Every word is true.
19:21It was Gudrun Herminus Brunhildam into the corridor of her own volition.
19:24At Nogren, who walked into the radius of the divine revention lightning by yourself?
19:27By Odin!
19:28She walked into the divine lightning on purpose just to frame Hermhigis Brunhild?
19:32The sheer audacity!
19:33Every bit of her softness and kindness was an act.
19:36She has a heart blacker than the abyss.
19:38Gudrun, the evidence is irrefutable.
19:42What do you have to say for yourself?
19:47No! No! This isn't real!
19:50They're all lying to you, conspiring against me!
19:53Gudrun, is this true?
19:56You walked into the lightning on purpose, then pretended to be the victim?
20:00I was just so cared.
20:02The thunder was so close, my mind went completely blank.
20:06I would never frame Herminus Brunhild, never!
20:15Gudrun, you concocted this entire elaborate scheme to destroy my reputation.
20:19Under the sacred laws of Asgard, for malicious framing and desecration of divine retrobation,
20:25you are sentenced to 30 lashes with the sacred whip.
20:28No!
20:30And you.
20:31You have repeatedly shown me disrespect, slandered me in public, attempted to coerce me,
20:36and desecrated the authority of your liage.
20:38Under the sacred laws, you are sentenced to seven days of solitary confinement.
20:43Sentence.
20:44It seems we all misjudged, Her Highness Brunhild.
20:46Truly, I never could have imagined Gudak was capable of such malice.
20:50He put his faith in a wicked woman, and he will surely regret it for the rest of his days.
20:54From my love of Jesus.
21:21And I'll give you a special thanks to her.
21:41Lords of Asgard, Enghangari warriors, Valkyries of the Sacred Host.
21:45We gather here today to witness the forging of the sacred bond between my only daughter
21:49Bronna Will of the Morning Star, Valkyrie of the Morning Star, and Loki Laufason,
21:53Lord of Juddowild, God of Tricks and Shadow.
21:56If you want to back out, this is your last chance.
22:02Don't use me as a tool for your revenge if you're still thinking about Valder.
22:09I'm not, sir.
22:12Bronwina Loki, do you swear before Odin and all the assembled gods that from this day forward,
22:18your strength, your glory, and your fates shall be bound as one?
22:23We swear.
22:24We swear.
22:28We swear.
22:38This gem was a treasure from the deepest reaches of Jotunheim's star sea.
22:42A stone so rare even Asgard held barely a handful of its like.
22:45I could scarcely believe Loki had given something so precious to me.
22:48I closed the box and set it aside, then picked up the gift I had prepared for him, the heart
22:53of Yggdrasil. I held it in my palms, turning it over slowly, a flicker of hesitation crossing
22:57my face. Will he even like it?
23:00A low, amused voice sounded suddenly behind me. And I jumped, spinning around with a sharp
23:05gasp. Loki stood there, only a loose bath towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was
23:10still damp, droplets of water trailing slow paths down the sharp, defined lines of his
23:14chest. My gaze lingering on him for a heartbeat before I snapped back to my senses, swallowing
23:18hard. My cheeks burning hot against my will. Loki noticed my fluster, a playful smirk tugging
23:24at the corner of his mouth. He reached out and plucked the gift box straight from my hands.
23:29Is this for me?
23:30Loki laughed, holding the box high over his head, clearly relishing the game. I stood on
23:35my tiptoes, straining to grab the box. The towel around his waist slipped loose, falling
23:40straight to the floor with a soft thud.
23:45We both froze in an instant.
23:52Loki picked up the gift box again and opened it slowly. The moment his eyes landed on the
23:57heart of Yggdrasil inside, his dark gold irises lit up at once, as if he'd captured the entire
24:02starry sky in his gaze. The heart of Yggdrasil.
24:17My cheeks burned hotter with every passing second, my heart hammering so hard I thought
24:21it would burst straight out of my chest. This is a gift blessed by the nurgs meant for lovers.
24:26Don't tell me you've liked me this whole time, Brunwelter.
24:30Don't flatter yourself. I only bought it because it's pretty. I'm going to bathe now. Your room
24:36is over there. Don't get the wrong idea.
24:42Don't flatter yourself. I only bought it because it's pretty. I'm going to bathe now. Your room
24:48is over there. Don't get the wrong idea.
24:59At that same moment, in the solitary confinement cells of Asgard, in just seven days, he had grown
25:05unshaven and gaunt, his face haggard, his eyes heavy with exhaustion and cold malice.
25:11Wait! I've been waiting for you.
25:15Get out of my way.
25:19I swear I never framed Brunwilth. They all banded together to lie to you.
25:24The evidence is irresputable. Why on earth should I believe you?
25:28Valder, have you not seen it yet? Everything that happened that day was Brunwilth's revenge,
25:32from start to finish.
25:33What are you talking about?
25:34She hates us. That's why she joined forces with Loki. To humiliate us in front of every
25:38god in Asgard. To ruin us completely.
25:40That explains it. Everyone thought she would choose me, but she picked Loki instead.
25:45You're right. I had no right to blame everything on you.
25:48It's all right. Now that Brunwilth has chosen Loki, no one can keep us apart ever again.
25:53We can finally be betrothed.
25:55You're right. I will hold our betrothal ceremony in the grandest palace in Asgard,
25:59and I will swear my vows before every god of the Nine Realms. My love, I will give you the
26:03very
26:03best this world has to offer.
26:05Thank you. I will become Valder's wife. I will rise to become a true High Lord of the
26:08Aesir. No one will ever look down on me again. No one will ever stop.
26:15A grand crystal sanctuary floated amid the sea of clouds above Asgard.
26:19Sunlight struck its translucent crystal walls, refracting into a dazzling, shifting rainbow
26:23of light. Within mist curling slow and soft around the sanctuary's spires.
26:26Two winged angelic sentinels, spears in hand, hovered at the sanctuary's entrance,
26:30their bearing solemn and majestic. Valder rode a cloud of holy light,
26:33Gudrun nestled close at his side, as they arrived together at the sanctuary's gates.
26:37This is the crystal sanctuary forged by Master Brock and Lord Heimdall together, isn't it?
26:41Valder, if we could hold our betrothal ceremony here, it would be perfect beyond words.
26:46Leave it to me, my love. I'm a regular here.
26:50I'm the luckiest man alive to have you, Valder.
26:53Valder smiled back, and the two of them walked together toward the sanctuary entrance.
27:16The two sentinels exchanged a glance, and one nodded, turning to glide into the heart of the sanctuary.
27:22Inside the sanctuary, along the panoramic viewing corridor, Loki and I walked side by side,
27:27chatting casually as we drank in the breathtaking view of the cloud sea stretching out below.
27:30The view here is breathtaking. There's nowhere else in Asgard that can compare.
27:35I can tell. You used to come here with Valder all the time, didn't you?
27:39From this day forward, I'll only ever come here with you.
27:41Valder? He can go crawl back to Jotunheim for all I care.
27:52See? The steward's here to apologize to us.
27:55Your Highness Brunwell, Your Highness Loki, welcome.
27:59Your presence honors this crystal sanctuary beyond measure.
28:02Thank you for your hard work.
28:03His outstretched hand froze midair. Stormed forward, his jaw clenched tight.
28:07You! Brunwilla. This is your doing, isn't it?
28:11Got a cold, sharp last.
28:12What on earth are you rambling about?
28:14Cut the act! You're the one who revoked my access, aren't you?
28:18This is your petty revenge!
28:20Brun hurried forward at once, stepping in front of Valder,
28:23her voice soft yet dripping with malice, her eyes glistening with faint tears.
28:27Your Highness Brunhelda, I know you resent us, because Valder does not love you.
28:32But did you truly need to go this far?
28:35I don't waste my time on people who don't matter.
28:38The crystal sanctuary only hosts the most esteemed Ligids of Asgard and Jokernhilst.
28:44Face the truth, Valder. Without me, you are nothing.
28:49Say that again!
28:53Before his fingers could even graze me, Loki moved.
29:00Touch my betrothed again, and I swear you will regret the day you were born.
29:04Valder stumbled back several steps, crashing hard to the ground.
29:08You dare insult our most honored guests?
29:11From this day forward, these two are permanently banned from the crystal sanctuary, with no chance of reprieve.
29:17Valder and Gudrun's faces turned even darker.
29:20I let out a contemptuous snort, slipped my arm through Loki's, and walked straight into the crystal sanctuary.
29:25I will never understand how Valder could throw away someone as someone as noble as Herminus Brunwickle, all for a
29:30lowly half-breed demigoddess.
29:32If you ask me, Herminus Brunwickle spoiled him for far too long, made him forget his place.
29:36Now that Herminus has chosen Lord Loki, it's about time Valder learned where he stands.
29:40Valder heard every word, his jaw clenched so tight it ached, his fists balled at his sides until his knuckles
29:45turned white.
29:45Suddenly, his face shifted violently.
29:48A spectral figure materialized before him.
29:50Tyr, god of war.
29:52Father.
29:53Get back here at once, you insufferable fool!
30:01Valder returned to the war god's hall in disgrace, Gudrun at his side.
30:05Tyr stood with his back to them in the center of the hall.
30:08He turned slowly, and the moment his eyes landed on Gudrun, all his pent-up fury erupted.
30:12You dare bring her back here? If you hadn't let this woman turn your head...
30:16Brunica would never have chosen another! You have single-handedly destroyed everything our family has built!
30:22Father, I do not love Brunwith. She has nothing but the All-Faithers' favor to her name.
30:27The woman I love is Gudrun. She is beautiful, kind, and wields immense purification powers, things Brunwith could never hope
30:34to match.
30:35I intend to be betrothed to Gudrun.
30:37Purification powers?
30:39Three years ago, the god of lies placed a strife curse on me. I was bleeding uncontrollably, convinced I would
30:46die.
30:47It was Gudrun who came, broke the curse on my body, and saved my life.
30:52Among the descendants of Odin, there has long been a prophecy.
30:54One among them wields the ultimate power of purification, able to break even the strongest original sin curses in all
30:59the nine realms.
31:00You, too, carry the All-Fathers' blood. Could it be that you are the one?
31:04Gudrun lowered her eyes, sneering inwardly.
31:06Of course not, you fool.
31:07Yes, Lord Tyre.
31:09Very well.
31:09Tyr stared at her in silence for a long moment, before finally nodding slowly.
31:13I approve of your betrothal.
31:15In three days' time, Asgard will hold the Feast of All Spirits Harvest.
31:20Every High Lord of the Aesid will be in attendance.
31:23You, too, will come with me.
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