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