Chapter 863: Odin’s Order

The light of the Bifröst descended over Vergil and Freya like a solid column, surrounding them before either could take another step. The circle beneath their feet vanished, the mountain was torn from their senses, and for one brief instant, all that existed was the violent displacement between layers of reality. It was not like crossing a portal opened by Vergil. His dimensional cuts obeyed the direction he chose, ignoring distance and boundaries. The Bifröst, on the other hand, did not merely carry someone from one point to another.

It dismantled the traveler’s position within the Nine Realms and reconstructed it at the destination authorized by Heimdall. Freya felt it immediately and stiffened, because the route was not heading toward Helheim.

The colors around them angled upward, following the upper branches of Yggdrasil instead of descending through the roots where Hela’s realm was located.

"He is taking us to Asgard," she said, raising her voice over the noise of the crossing.

Vergil showed no surprise. His right hand remained close to Yamato, although he still had no intention of drawing it.

"I noticed."

"That is not what we asked for."

"No."

Freya turned her face toward him, irritated by his calmness.

"And you are going to allow it?"

"I want to know why."

Before she could answer, the displacement ended. The multicolored light opened in every direction, and the two of them landed on a white stone floor reinforced by golden circles.

The air of Asgard was cold, dry, and saturated with divine energy. Around them rose towers of aged gold, high walls, suspended bridges, and structures far too large to have been built merely for comfort.

Asgard still possessed beauty, but it was no longer the pristine beauty of mortal stories. There were repaired cracks in the columns, weapon marks on the walls, more patrols than necessary, and a military tension concealed beneath the appearance of order.

Vergil and Freya had appeared on a reception platform directly connected to the Bifröst. Heimdall waited several meters away, holding his long sword with both hands. Behind him stood a complete formation of Valkyries.

Some carried spears, others swords and shields, all of them wearing pale armor marked with Norse runes. They were not positioned for a reception.

They were positioned for containment.

Freya realized it before any order was given.

"Heimdall."

The guardian of the Bifröst did not return the greeting. His golden eyes remained fixed on the two of them, attentive to every movement.

"Freya Vanir. Vergil Sparda. By order of the All-Father, you are under arrest."

The Valkyries advanced at the same time. Runic chains emerged from the circles carved into the platform and wrapped around their arms, legs, and torsos. Freya tried to react, but the chains recognized her former divine signature before she could concentrate her power.

The fact that she was now a demon confused some of the runes, but not enough to prevent them from closing. Vergil did not move at all. The golden chains passed around his arms and tightened against his body, trying to anchor his presence to the territory of Asgard.

He looked down, analyzing the enchantment.

It was not weak.

It was also not enough.

Freya pulled against the chains, and the runic metal vibrated.

"What are you doing?"

"Following orders," Heimdall replied.

"Whose orders?"

"Odin’s."

The name hardened her expression.

"Odin no longer governs my will."

"He governs Asgard."

"And that gives him the right to abduct anyone who crosses the Bifröst?"

"You were not abducted. You were intercepted."

Freya stared incredulously at the chains.

"That is the same thing with prettier words."

Heimdall ignored her.

"The All-Father wants answers about Helheim, about Frey, and about the external interference within the Nine Realms. Until he receives those answers, neither of you will leave."

Vergil finally raised his head.

"You speak as though Odin has authority over me."

Heimdall tightened his grip on the sword.

"Inside Asgard, he does."

Vergil watched the guardian for several seconds. There was no anger on his face. Only that cold calmness that usually appeared whenever someone said something sufficiently stupid to require correction.

The demonic energy inside him began pressing against the chains, not through an explosion, but as a steadily increasing weight. The golden runes flickered. Some of the Valkyries noticed and adjusted their stances, preparing for a battle that would probably destroy the entire platform.

Heimdall raised his sword.

"Do not try."

Vergil did not look away from him.

"You should choose your orders more carefully."

Before Heimdall could answer, Vergil looked toward one of the Valkyries at the front of the formation.

She stood several steps behind the guardian, wearing heavier silver armor than the others. Long pale hair fell behind her shoulders, held only by two narrow braids at the sides, and her eyes possessed a firmness that did not belong to someone merely carrying out an arrest order. The spear in her hand remained lowered, but not because of hesitation.

She seemed to be waiting for the right moment.

Vergil recognized Brynhildr.

He did not say her name.

He merely looked at her.

Brynhildr held his gaze for an instant and then gave the order.

"Release them."

The Valkyries did not hesitate.

The spears maintaining the chains were raised, the runes went dark, and the golden bindings vanished from Vergil and Freya’s bodies like burned threads. Freya stepped back, completely confused. Heimdall turned so quickly that his cloak moved like a strike.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Brynhildr advanced.

The tip of her spear stopped against Heimdall’s throat before he finished raising his voice. The metal touched his skin without piercing it, but the pressure was enough to keep him still. The other Valkyries moved next. Spears, swords, and shields were pointed toward the guardian of the Bifröst. The formation that had surrounded Vergil and Freya only seconds earlier now surrounded Heimdall.

"Be silent," Brynhildr said.

Heimdall went pale.

His eyes moved across the platform, searching for doubt among the warriors.

He found none.

All of them remained firm. Some appeared tense, others furious, but none lowered her weapon. The decision had already been made before Vergil and Freya arrived.

"The Valkyries will no longer follow the All-Father," Brynhildr declared.