Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

Chapter 643: DCXLIII. The Exchange

"You're outraging the family of Skjold's strongest warrior, silly Frostsinner. When I heard the girl's screams, I came to check and... here you are, I found you," Egill wisely replied, countering the Xis' accusation.

"Outrage?! Who do you think you are? This young boy's life must be sacrificed to restore the cosmic balance. Once finished, I will take care of you too", the Overseer replied, holding back the anger manifested by his body in the form of a dark aura.

"Master Egill! Be careful! His powers go beyond our imagination! He's not like the other Frostsinners!" Karl exclaimed, standing next to Gridd.

Egill, without answering, put the tip of his staff on the ground and left his grip. The wizard's magic staff remained stationary vertically, against the force of gravity, under the confused gaze of the Overseer, who knew that the old Egill would have no hope against his powers.

The green aura emanating from the magic rod completely enveloped it, and, one small piece at a time, from top to bottom, it disappeared into nothingness.

*swissh*

The same intense green light appeared again in front of the eyes of young Karl, who retreated in fear, not understanding what was going on.

After a few seconds, the bracket appeared under his eyes, vertically, in the same position where Egill had left it. 

When the hands of the Hammers Of Thor's old Master Of Healing returned along his flanks, his weapon fell forward, finding Karl, who grabbed it firmly, watching Egill from afar.

"I inherited that staff from the Master Of Healing that preceded me, and he, in turn, inherited it from those who lived and fought before him, protecting the ancient library of the Temple Of Orn. Its immense power comes from the 'tear of Eir, the Goddess of Healing', of which its wood is impregnated", Egill said, speaking to Karl as if the Overseer were not in front of him. "Now it belongs to you, my boy." 

After those words, the green light of the staff shone intensely, and the young healer was able to perceive its excessive healing power, remaining inextricably attracted to it and continuing to look at it with amazement.

"Master Egill..." Gridd whispered, taking a step forward and extending her arm towards the white long-bearded magician, who ordered her to stop with a gesture of his hand.

"The balance is the basis of everything. The imbalance creates and destroys, while balance maintains. I have watched over this principle all my life, teaching it to my disciples and spreading it among my acquaintances", Egill continued, interrupting Gridd's words and taking a step towards the Overseer, looking at him in the depths of his purple glass eyes. "Thank you." 

"Um?" the Xis exclaimed, bending his neck slightly sideways.

"Although I was not part of the great picture, you gave me the opportunity to restore balance. My body isn't worth as much as that young boy's, that's true but my powers and knowledge are much wider than his," Egill continued, smiling.

"What... what are you going to do?" Karl thought aloud, who hoped he had not heard well, looking at Gridd and noticing that a tear was flowing over her cheek while her eyes were fixed on Egill.

In those moments, Asa found the courage to exit the farm and, along with her son Eirik, stopped by the side of the door, knowing her old friend Egill and realizing that what he was about to do would probably save everyone from that night's nightmare.

"Karl!" Egill exclaimed aloud, drawing the attention of his successor, who immediately looked at him, not knowing what to say. "Eir's tear is the mirror of the soul. Her great power depends on you," the magician repeated with conviction while Karl stammered meaningless words, continuing to look at the staff and beginning to fear the worst.

"Are you really convinced of what you just said, old man?" the Overseer asked, who remained silent until then. 

"You can take my life in exchange for Karl's. But don't think I'm going to let you do it without fighting first. I'm an old man, that's true, but... as long as my feet walk on this earth, I am still a warrior of Skjold!" Egill stated, evoking from his body the same green aura coming from the staff and letting it surround his arms, putting himself in a combat position.

"Ah, yes. Hahah... dying fighting means reaching Valhalla, is it? That's ridiculous. All right. Like I said so far, I didn't come to create chaos but to cancel it. I accept your offer." 

"Noo! Master! Master Egill!" Karl screamed desperately, clutching his rod and taking a step forward, before Gridd grabbed his shoulder, stopping his advance.

"Despite your innate intelligence, you Frostsinners are still stupid, faced with the ideas that bind us inextricably to our Gods. You will never understand that even if our mortal bodies belong to you, our souls will forever be guarded by the Gods who have watched over us since our birth. But don't be afraid, Frostsinners! I'm sure Dag will teach you everything there is to know when your last survivors will be forced to bow before him!" Egill replied with ardour, increasing the adrenaline level in his body, ready to fight to the death.

The Overseer's expression remained severe and cold, and after listening to everything Egill had to say, he disappeared into a thin cloud of black smoke.

"Egill!" Gridd gasped promptly, warning him of the impending danger.

Just a few moments after the Shieldmaiden's screams, the Frostsinner materialised behind the Master Of Healing and fired a quick and violent blow with one hand, pointing it at Egill's back as if it was a blade.

With an out-of-the-ordinary speed, Egill turned on himself and, under the astonished eyes of everyone present, who had already resigned to witness his sad fate, he grabbed the Overseer's white hand, blocking it in mid-air.

"Uh?!" the long black-haired Xis exclaimed, looking up at the old mage.

"You're still underestimating me!" Egill yelled, resting the palm of his other hand on the enemy's chest and unleashing a violent explosion, which released a green, dense aura.