Striking a deal with the Goddess of War.

"I want revenge." After going through so many hardships, Gudmund could only say those simple words with such a heavy heart as he fought not to show any tears in front of the Goddess of War. He had a feeling that she would not appreciate it. "Our men fell on the battlefield and our homes were plundered and burned to the ground. Where were you all this while?"

Hildr was a bit taken back by his question but she could not find any reason to get angry at his imprudence at the moment, especially when he showed no sign of fear or remorse. She turned her back to him and chose to stare at her sister's statue instead. "I wasn't aware of your people's plight early. When I finally found about it, I was forbidden to interfere with mortals' fate as my sister told me."

Gudmund looked at her with confusion written all over his face when he heard her words. It was a bit hard for him to believe her words but he made no comment over it since he did not wish to lose his life here. "Then why did you answer my call now?"

The Goddess of War finally faced him and said with a hint of anger on her face. "Because I am tired of listening to my sister's unreasonable orders. We have failed you all as the goddesses of a supreme race and we have no reasons to justify it. I want to rectify my mistakes this time. I do not care what punishment I will face in return."

Gudmund was finally moved by her words. She was the only one who had heard his plea despite his journey to other temples to ask the gods for help. This was the last remaining temple of the Goddess of War standing and he was glad that he had preserved. "Are you going to help me?"

"Yes." Hildr told him. She would have doubted her decision if it was anybody else but she was sure about this person. He had shown her his courage and persistence in coming here but she was most moved by his love for his people. "I will make you the most dangerous man in this universe, capable of defeating thousands and millions of men on the battlefield. Your name will spread across the planets victorious and powerful and you shall dominate your enemies."

Gudmund was about to say a word of thanks to her but his words were cut short by the horror and shock on his face when he saw her dig her long fingernails in her chest, bringing out a beating heart of gold. He stumbled back as she stretched forth the heart towards him but all he could see at the moment was the hole in her chest that was missing a heart with yellow streaks of gold pouring out of it. "W-What is this?"

"Take my heart, Son of Sigurd." There was no trace of pain or anguish on her face as she held forth her own heart to the young man. "Since I am already defying my sister's wish, I might as well go all the way in order not to make my efforts go in vain."

Gudmund was greatly dumbstruck when he heard her words but he made no attempt towards her. "Y-Your heart? Why?"

Hildr felt a great change of energy before she could answer his question and that was when her patience began to stretch thin. She narrowed her eyes at him in annoyance and said. "My heart would ensure you do not repeat the same mistake twice and it would assist you greatly in the task ahead for you will wield the power of a god. Do not hesitate, Son of Sigurd. We no longer have much time. To do this, you must be ready and willing to sacrifice your own heart to pay our enemies for the pain and humiliation they have done. Do you accept?"

It took some seconds for Gudmund to come in terms with her words. He had finally understood what she was trying to say, this was a mission that was to be paid with blood no matter what. Since he was the Crown Prince, only him could shoulder this great responsibility. The memories of his father and mother flashed through his eyes as he nodded slowly. "Yes, I accept."

"Good." The Goddess of War pushed the heart forward to him, letting it float in the air as it spiraled towards him and vanished into his chest. "This will also delay my punishment for a while since I no longer bear any powers. I will be going to sleep now but I will awaken once your mission is done. I wish you the best, Gudmund."

Gudmund hugged his chest in pain as he felt the heart of the goddess merge into his body. He could feel an unknown power coursing through his vein and spreading all over his body. The overwhelming feeling fall to his knees in pain, making him unable to catch the sight of the goddess turning back into stone. She pointed to something behind him and he managed to turn around to see a portal appearing behind him. 

His brothers stormed into the room after hearing his cry and immediately rushed to meet him writhing on the floor in pain. Askild shook him with panicked eyes. "Brother? Brother, what is going on? What happened to you?!"

"The portal..." Gudmund groaned out loud as his brothers picked him from the ground. The portal light was so dazzling that it almost blinded their eyes but he still gritted his teeth and told them. "We have to go into the portal! That's what the goddess said."

"Are you sure about this?" Ivar asked doubtfully but his body had already begun to move towards the portal. He had never seen this kind of hole before but he was ready to follow his brothers no matter where it was as long as they were together. 

"Yes." Gudmund nodded as they stopped just before the portal and then he took a step inside along with his junior brothers. "This is our second chance."