AN ADVENTURE IN ASGARD
By; Gerald A. Polley
Part 1
NOW IN THE DAYS AFTER THE ANCIENT ONE had left The Place Of Sorrow, he was living in the common house by the park at the river called Penobscot when Edgar, his teacher, appeared to him one evening as he sat at his desk, reading.
"Why is it my wise and wonderful Teacher looks so disturbed?" asked The Ancient One. "What troubles has he seen this evening?"
"I have received some disturbing news," said Edgar. "There has suddenly been a disruption in the flow of psychokenitic energy throughout this whole sector. Much of the flow into our Sacred Places has either stopped completely or slowed to a trickle; While in those places of them that oppose us, The Power has increased. We have been trying to track the source of this interruption, and we find that it is located in Asgard, The Realm Of The Norse Gods."
The Ancient One looked up. "I thought The Norse Gods were merely an interpretation of my own people's Teachings, our own story told in a different form."
"That is only a half truth," said Edgar. "The Aesir were alien visitors to this world like your own people. When they perished in their own battles, they created their own Spirit Realm quite separate from the rest. And there, they have kept themselves separated from others except for the humans that worship them. Only they are permitted in their realm, and occasionally other visitors, but they must play the game by The Aesir's rules."
"I see!" said The Ancient One, "But now of course, we will have to send in some scouts to find the source of the disruption." Edgar looked nervous and The Ancient One had a feeling that he was about to hear something he wouldn't particularly care for.
"No spirit," said Edgar, "can function long in Asgard. Only a living entity drawing power from this world can enter that Realm and carry out the necessary tasks. A Lord Of Light must split off some of his existences, combine them into one entity, send them into Asgard, find the source of the trouble, and destroy it."
"I have a feeling," said The Ancient One, "I've been elected!"
"It is not a matter of election," said Edgar, "it is a matter of desperation. If the normal flow is not quickly restored our Work will be seriously disrupted. And you are the eldest of the reborn Lords. The others are yet too young to take on such a task. We fear it may be even too much for you to literally exist for a time in two places at once. And, there is a danger that must be spoken of before you attempt it. You can only remain separated for ten days. Any longer than that and the bond between the two existences may sever and both existences may cease to exist."
"In other words," The Ancient One said, "I would break up, my eternal part would break into billions of unintelligent fragments, each destined to grow into a new soul. And this physical form would die."
"Your perception is excellent!" said Edgar. "You would not cease to exist, but the unity of what you are would be gone forever....that treasury of knowledge and wisdom which is so precious to us would be gone."
The Ancient One stood and began to pace the room.
"We're caught, aren't we," he said, "between a rock and a hard place? The danger is great...either if we act or do nothing. But I have always been one to choose the active course. As soon as I sleep I will split my existences. I will send my alien ones to Asgard, keep my human ones here." Edgar raised his hand. "Edgar," said The Ancient One, "who is The Teacher here, me or you? How many times have I told you, don't ask my permission to speak!"
"I merely awaken," said Edgar, "I don't teach. And I learn as much from you as you do from me. It would be best, however, if you keep a mixture of your existences here, and send a mixture to Asgard. A human form would be more acceptable there, especially one skilled in the use of Ancient Weapons. A set of weapons have already been forged for you, and will materialize with you in Asgard."
"Yes," said The Ancient One, "I see the wisdom of what you say. I had not wanted to use my human form, but if it must be, it must."
"I must leave now,"said Edgar, "but I warn you, be cautious! Your form here, will become more irritable and agressive while you are split. The sooner you can be done your business and return, the better."
The Ancient One nodded. As Edgar faded back into The Spirit World, The Ancient One prepared for bed. As he laid down, he split himself and with the power of his will transmitted half of his existences into Asgard. In that Realm a circle of light appeared, and a man dressed in armor carrying a great spear and a round shield stepped through. He planted the spear in the ground, leaned the shield against it, then gathered his cloak. It was dark.
"Best build a fire," The Traveller said, "no good travelling a strange land at night!"
He built a fire, warmed himself, rolled up his cloak and went to sleep.
Far away, another armor-clad figure stood at the end of a shimmering bridge, that looked like it was made out of crystal rainbows. He looked up, and saw a raven winging towards Gladsheim, Odin's great Palace, and called out,
Page 1