-Karnilla POV-
Was my end near? Had fate finally turned its back against me?
The past few days have been, without a doubt, the worst I have ever experienced.
I have had my fair share of struggles, although I was born talented, I had to train a lot to grow, Nornheim back then was under Asgard's rule, and us Norns were oppressed…
When I grew strong enough, I allied myself with the three norns, together, we planned for a revolution, a war of independence.
It was difficult… To stand against the mighty Aesir, against Odin, those warlike Barbarians were not something you could fight against easily.
I was scared many a times, pulling myself through with sheer determination, then slowly, I grew to a level where even Odin couldn't ignore me.
To counter his Odinforce, I took the aid of Norn stones, arose the largest army Nornheim had ever seen, gathering everyone for a war of independence.
Then, finally, we achieved it, Freedom.
I became the queen of Nornheim, it was one of the proudest moments in my life.
The realm of Nornheim wasn't rich, we knew that, nowhere near the splendour which was Asgard, but we were free, and we had peace, those are things valuable enough to ensure money can't buy it.
Then, for thousands of years, I defended and ruled of Nornheim, firmly believing that this is how it will go on forever.
But a century ago, I came to learn of Odin's downfall.
It was a strange mix of emotions, happy that our tormentor and greatest enemy had fallen, but also wary, because, the mighty Odin had had fallen.
I had readied my forces, aiming to battle to death with our foe, the one who took down Odin, his own son, The legendary undefeatable god of Asgard, Magnar Odinson.
But no attack came, for an entire century. I had almost made myself believe that Magnar truly didn't like war, and was only forced to do so due to Odin.
But I was wrong, he too craved for war, and the first opponent he chose… Nornheim.
I felt like a clown for my previous thoughts.
But, still, it would go like it always had, I would defend my realm from Asgard.
Pity… I was wrong, the moment I laid my eyes upon Magnar, the emotion which filled me was… horror.
If earlier I wondered about how Magnar managed to take down Odin, now I was wondering how the hell did Odin manage to survive even a single strike from that…monster.
Because, I was sure, that if he attacked me seriously, I wouldn't survive. My senses were amongst the strongest in the Universe, therefore I was sure of it.
But, even then, I held on, for my people, my realm. They chose to believe in me for their freedom, and I ought to protect them.
But what was it all even for?
We survived, we were even free, for he did not conquer us.
But I wasn't…
The norns had… Discarded me.
After all I did for them… They betrayed me.
And for about the next year, I was as weak as an ordinary woman without any powers.
So, I could only imagine what horrors I would go through…
And right I was… It was then that I realized that the Norns whom I so believed to be innocent were… worse than beasts.
I had imagined many things, I thought for a moment that Ulik would force me to become his woman, but… He forced himself upon me, and discarded me…
No, discarded was a strong term… He used me as a bargaining chip, to the nobles, to be toyed with…
They didn't know that eventually my powers would return.
For an year, I went through horrors that I couldn't even imagine…
I felt broken, down to my core, I wanted… to die…
I had never felt such before in my life, no desperation, humiliation, or severity came even close to this…
If… If I had a chance, I would rather have surrendered that day, I don't believe that proud Aesir king would stoop to using me as a bargaining chip, force me to become a whore…
And so, one day, finally, my powers returned.
Pity, the Norns had still used all sorts of sealing on me, even if I could use my power, I would only be at 5 to 10 % of my peak level, not enough to defeat Ulik.
So, I needed to plan, to bid my time, and have my revenge.
But I was careless. The three norns held power over fate, those three wenches came to know of it, me regaining my powers.
Maybe if the past year hadn't happened, they would have tried to make me join their side again, but they knew that it wasn't possible, so they decided to deal with me.
They went and informed Ulik of my situation.
Ulik wasn't weak… Sure, he knew that he wasn't my opponent by a long shot in my peak, but in my current state… I would lose easily.
I needed at least 20 to 25 percent of my powers to deal with him, that was his level of power previously.
But now, I am not sure, because, for one, the fates are helping him, he has gained Kingship, a divine position, and has the Norn stones with him.
If I take myself as an example, with how my strength progressed, I would say that now, even without Norn stones, he should be around 50 to 60 percent of my strength…
And if I don't gain the powers of Norn stones, while he has them, I can't win. He is stronger than my base strength while he possesses the Norn stones.
And so began a time even worse than the past year, they went all out to humiliate me, so bad that even if I did defeat Ulik, I could never become the queen, for I had no reputation left…
Maybe it was time to use it… the last resort.
I wasn't sure whether it would even work, and I could only use it after regaining my powers.
The conscience of Nornheim.
I had created it, an ancient piece of magic, power from the Norn stones, along with the strongest of Ancient magic, infused with my will.
When everything failed, this was supposed to be a last resort, to guide and protect the people of Nornheim, to ensure that we didn't go extinct.
It was supposed to be used after my death, but now I am the one using it.
{I pity seeing you…} the will of Nornheim, a fragment of my own will, and the first words she said upon meeting me, was that she pitied me…
'Indeed… I have been reduced to a state where all I can get is… pity.' I chuckled in self-mockery.
{So, what do you plan to do? I can't help you too much, for we are no longer one, and I have a mission which you yourself assigned me, it can't be changed now, the ancient magic was very clear on that.
But I can remove your restraints, make you go back to your peak.}
'And, so what? I would still lose to the current Ulik, I need the Norn stones to win.'
{I can't help you with that, at most, I can help you cast ancient magic.
Best case would be that you just let me restore you to your peak, and I am done with it.}
'At best only ancient magic huh…' I once again wallowed in my sorrow, and asked in a desperate tone, 'So, can this ancient magic turn this all back?'
{it can.}
'What? How… Tell me… please… I beg you.'
{No need to beg, after all, I am still you in some sense…
Time can not be turned back without the Time stone… but, you can indeed go back in time.
With our current reserves, both you and me combined, let's say, about 2 years, max.}
'Two years won't change much…'
{I said max 2 years, I am planning to return you back to the time you fought him.
Trust me… surrender to him.
Remember, I can see fate better than the three Norns.
This… is your only chance.}
'So, I still end up being a slave? Not much of a change is it…'
{Do you want it or not? It's either that, or nothing, don't bother contacting me again.}
'No… wait… Please, I agree, I would surrender to him… Do it. Please.' I said, tears forming in my eyes… So, I can still cry… I thought I already shed all my tears.
{Very well. Enjoy your future, a hint… Your peak begins from now, not the time you became the queen of the Norns.} And the magic began.
Ancient magic power filled the dungeon I was imprisoned in, I felt my energy drain, even the sealed energies.
Then, all of a sudden, there was a blink, my horrors, my prison, all gone.
I was back to the last time I was the Queen of the Norns.
Fighting the most despairing battle of my life.
"Hahaha, you joke well, queen of this backwater village. I have decided, here's a proposal for you, become my slave and accept me as your master, and I shall leave Nornheim as it is, under my rule, of course." I heard his boisterous voice, but strangely, it filled me with happiness and relief…
-End of illusion-
"P… Please, I beg you, I accept your surrender, please, let me be your slave, I… I promise, I won't even think of betrayal, please, I just don't want to be here anymore, take me away, please…" It was a bit shameful, but compared to what I had suffered… this was nothing.
Mighty King of Asgard… I hope I made the correct decision… Please… don't let me down…
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