Chapter 25: Nicky

She woke later, nestled in strong arms, warm and safe. That should have alerted her. The shift in temperature slowly pulled her from the mists of her subconscious. She half-opened her eyelids, trying to make out something, but night had already fallen…

"Go back to sleep. We’re almost there, "murmured a familiar voice.

The deep, gentle tone immediately lulled her. Safe, entrusted to a voice she recognized without admitting it, she exhaled and fell back asleep.

When she emerged again, two suns high in the sky filtered through the gaps of a rough wooden roof. She couldn’t remember ever sleeping this deeply in ages.

"Half-Pint? " called a voice.

Blinking, she recognized Rauõr standing before her, a worried expression on his face. Suddenly, the memories returned: the fight, the orcs, then the black hole.

Panicking, she sat up too quickly. Her head spun, and she almost collapsed if the Viking hadn’t caught her with a sharp gesture. He lifted her roughly—and she immediately understood it hadn’t been him carrying her the previous night.

He dropped her unceremoniously onto a bed of crossed hides and wood.

"Thanks, " she mumbled anyway.

"You’re skinny, haven’t eaten in days," he grunted, handing her a piece of fresh bread.

As her vision stabilized, Blanche took in the surroundings. The cabin was barely ten square meters, windowless, but a central fire radiated pleasant warmth. Herbs dried from the ceiling, mixed with strips of meat and some hanging clothes. Around her, a methodical mess—the signature of a woodsman.

She looked up at Rauõr. Brutal, yet impressive. A wrestler’s build, a hunter’s aura. And beneath the grime, undeniable grace.

"Why do you call me that? " she asked, more to fill the silence than from curiosity.

"Because we’re halves, answered a male voice, hidden in the shadow of the wall. One foot here, one foot there. Half in one world, half in another. And note: the “Pint” isn’t necessary."

Blanche looked up. A striking brunette emerged from the darkness: long hair tied in a high bun, ripped black tank top, prominent muscles, and piercing red eyes. He exuded a casual confidence that felt out of place in this archaic world.

" You’re the one who carried me last night?"

"Nope."

His smile, both genuine and soft, belied the nonchalant tone. That set off an alarm in her mind.

" You’re… like me?"

"Yep. Nicky. Under Thor’s protection. And you?"

Before she could answer, a familiar voice slithered into her mind:

You don’t have a name. Not yet.

"I don’t have a name, "she admitted. "Fenrir hasn’t given me one yet."

At those words, Nicky’s face lit up.

"Damn, you’re lucky! Since Ragnarok, he’s THE Norse god to have on your side!"

She looked at him, doubtful. He genuinely seemed delighted.

"You’re new, right? Which mission are you on?"

" The fourth."

"One hundred twenty-six for me! "he said proudly.

"Awesome. You can explain a few things to me. Specialization?"

"Warrior, knife-thrower. My familiar becomes a unicorn when I need to travel fast."

He pointed to a hawk perched on a beam, watching her curiously.

" I set up this little refuge with Rauõr. Easier to have a rally point. You’re the sixth to join us. And the first girl, by the way."

"Black mage, "she announced.

Nicky laughed.

"Yeah, right. And I’m the reincarnation of Odin. Seriously?"

She raised an eyebrow, lifted her hands, and let a black flame burst forth. The Viking stepped back, stunned.

The fire took time to die down, and when it finally did, Nicky was speechless.

"Damn… the most powerful god AND the rarest specialization!"

She smiled. He hadn’t seen anything yet.

"Are we at the Viking village? "she asked.

" No, at Rauõr and his brothers’ hunting lodge. That’s his bed you were crashing in."

She apologized, but the Viking just grunted. Charming, as always.

"He’s nice, don’t worry," added Nicky. "Just not very fond of magic."

"So, missions always last a week?"

" No, three days max usually. Sometimes longer. And we often stay a bit more to train or rest."

Blanche let out a small nervous laugh. Oddly, she felt comfortable. As if she already knew this boy.

"And… who carried me?"

Nicky’s mocking smile gave her a bad feeling.

"The boss. Our leader. Aaron. No one knows his age or level. He came in second, but surpasses everyone. Dual swordsman, under Ra’s protection. Can make anything appear or disappear. Scary, but impressive. His familiar is… special too."

"What kind?"

"Mystery. Sometimes takes the form of an old man."

She frowned.

"And he’s here?"

"Yep. Came back with you. Usually, we validate our quests before leaving. He didn’t. Wanted me to show you around before heading out."

"You can finish a mission without validating it?"

"Yes. Some prefer to rest first. But you have to tolerate the blue pop-up that sticks to your view—it’s annoying."

Blanche nodded.

"So Aaron is first, you’re fifth… Who are the others?"

"Second is Argent—or Argy. White mage, healer and support. Maxed familiar, teleportation. His god is Munin, who sees the future. A hundred years of experience, easy."

"Impressive."

"Yeah. And you haven’t even heard the rest. Each of us has a gift, linked to our god. Aaron manipulates matter. Argy sees a few seconds into the future. I control a third element in addition to the first two."

"Which ones?"

"Earth, air, and lightning, he added with a wink."

She smiled despite herself. Thor, of course.

Rauõr returned, holding a wooden cup, which he handed her.

"If I were you, I wouldn’t drink that, "warned Nicky.

She tasted it. Immediately spat it out.

"Sorry…"

" Fermented goat milk, "laughed Nicky." Not our thing."

"Good for women," grumbled Rauõr.

"Oh, because you know a lot of women?" Nicky teased.

Ignoring the jab, the Viking returned to watch his stew.

"Then, " continued Nicky," there’s Glen. The elf. Annoying, but a deadly archer. Under Artemis’ protection—and yeah, a Norse elf, go figure. He sees everything the moon lights. And… we’re dating."

"Excuse me?!"

"What? A great catch."

Blanche laughed. Mission accomplished: he made her laugh.

"And his familiar?"

"Saph. Friendly, helpful… a bit scary, but useful."

Has scales.

"And the last one?"

"Derek. Discovered by Aaron. Wild, taciturn, loyal. Under Apollo’s protection. Can manipulate light. His familiar, though… better avoid it."

"You’re all monsters, really, " summarized Blanche.

"We are, after a certain point," he smiled. "But I’ll help you with your quest before heading out."

"Nice, but no need. Six days left in this frozen world. If I meet another orc, I scream."

" Bad race," confirmed Nicky." But you’re lucky, your quest is pretty easy."

" Easy?!"

" Yeah, most of the time it’s hunting. Like: kill fifty goblins or pick three flowers."

" And between skill levels, how much?"

"Huh?! You already know the gaps?!"

She nodded.

" Crazy. A hundred to reach level four, a thousand for five, ten thousand for six… and so on."

"By Babylon! I’ll be at it for centuries!"

"Like everyone," he sighed." And your base skill?"

" Drain."

"Seriously?! You’re the only one who got it first!"

"And you?"

" Fusion. As a Templar, I can merge with my special skills."

She was speechless.

"Wow. And… you know how to level Drain without killing?"

"Yes. Think about it."

After a tense silence, he relented:

"Okay, just a hint: if it works on fauna…"

" …then it works on flora! " she exclaimed.

He burst out laughing.

"Exactly. But first, you need a shower and some clothes."

She froze.

"Tell me you “actually” have a shower here?"

He smiled, stood up, and gestured for her to follow him outside.

" And you’re only telling me now?!"