The Old Knight glanced sideways at Alvin, then continued staring at the two skeletal Einherjar as if he were training his endurance. "Do you know what makes this world special?"
Carter Slade watched Alvin's thoughtful expression and smiled. "You seem to know a little...
Earth is the core of the Nine Realms. Runes were engraved here to resist Fate...
Once, those runes were like towering trees sheltering all the Nine Realms. But after the people who carved them disappeared, the 'tree' slowly 'withered' under the erosion of Fate!
Odin told you that Asgard was the outpost defending Earth against outside invaders, but he surely didn't tell you that Asgard once stood beneath the 'tree's' shelter too. They, too, were once 'free' gods!
Vanaheim, home of the Vanir, was just like Asgard, except that after Odin defeated them, they chose to surrender...
After sensing Fate's erosion, Odin decisively ended the war and chose to protect Earth, preserving his connection to 'freedom.' The Vanir chose another way...
They had their most outstanding Magic Goddess marry Odin. Then there were the angels: they had the Einherjar become angels and walk the Earth, drawing people's worship and having them venerated as gods..."
Alvin stared at Carter Slade as if he were hearing a myth. Somewhat incredulous, he said, "How do you know so much? It hasn't even been three hundred years since the Mayflower reached the Americas..."
Carter Slade smiled grimly. "I told you, the Spirits of Vengeance hate the Einherjar. I've killed some and questioned them..."
Carter Slade smiled and patted Alvin on the shoulder. "Being born on Earth is our good fortune. From birth, we possess what others can only dream of.
That old Devil Mephisto planted the Spirits of Vengeance in Damon and me, but his real aim was to forge