Chapter 1287
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Chapter 1287 “Faith”
Lead-gray clouds obscured the sunlight, slowly rolling in from the north, gradually enveloping Asgard in a dim haze. Faint thunder rumbled like the low growl of a giant beast, echoing in the distance.
In the empty streets, two handmaidens carrying flower baskets looked up at the oppressive cloud layer above, their expressions somewhat grave.
“Thunder clouds from the north… it seems Lord Thor is about to return,” one handmaid murmured.
“Lord Thor doesn’t seem to be in a good mood. Could it be that he failed to catch the assassin?”
“It appears so. He spent two days traveling back and forth, and if he didn’t catch the assassin, Lord Thor’s mood must be terrible. This isn’t a common sight…”
The other handmaid heaved a long sigh.
“Let’s hurry back. Lady Sif asked us to pick these flowers, surely to surprise Lord Thor. If he returns to see Lady Sif waiting for him amidst so many blooming scale petals, perhaps his mood will improve.” One handmaid sniffed the rich fragrance of the flowers in her arms, her eyes revealing a look of admiration.
“The meaning of scale petals is eternal love, isn’t it? I wonder if Lord Thor will appreciate Lady Sif’s thoughtful intentions.”
“The affairs between the gods are not for us to worry about. If we delay any longer, we’ll truly be too late!”
The two handmaidens moved quickly along the cloud-covered street.
Just then, a golden rainbow light streaked across the sky. As if discovering something, it circled in the air before flying directly toward them.
Bragi, dressed in an elegant dark gold ceremonial attire, stepped out from the light. His gaze fixed on the pale yellow flowers in the handmaidens’ hands, his face brightening with delight:
“Scale petals? What a perfect meaning… Excuse me, I need to borrow these!”
Without another word, Bragi flipped his palm, and the scale petals flew directly from the handmaidens’ hands into his. His form then transformed into a stream of light, flying away again.
“I owe you for these flowers. Come to the Eternal Garden later, and you can pick any flowers you want from there!”
As Bragi’s voice faded into the distance, the two handmaidens stood motionless, holding their empty baskets in bewilderment.
“Sis… sister, our flowers were stolen!” One handmaiden finally came to her senses, nearly crying with distress.
The other handmaiden didn’t respond. She stared blankly in the direction Bragi had disappeared, standing like a stone statue.
“That was… no, it can’t be possible? Hasn’t that lord been missing for a long time? And the Eternal Garden…” Her brows furrowed tightly, her face full of confusion.
“Sister, what are you talking about?”
“…Quick, let’s go back! Go find Lady Sif and Lord Thor!” That handmaiden’s expression was extremely anxious as she lifted her skirt and ran swiftly toward the end of the road.
“Bragi has returned!!”
…
[Dear Bragi]
[Do you remember that winding stone path at the garden entrance? The one we paved together with pebbles collected from the Holy River?]
[The stones from the Holy River truly are the hardest things in the world, closest to eternity. In the hundred years since you left, they haven’t changed at all. Whenever Verdandi comes to borrow flower seeds from me, she always tries to stomp on them with all her might, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t create even a single crack.]
[Whenever I see her stubborn yet troubled expression, I find it so adorable…]
[I believe our love will be even closer to eternity than that stone path. Even if Death himself were to swing his scythe and dance upon it, he could never separate us…]
…
Under the dim thunder clouds,
Bragi looked at the familiar stone path from his memories, recalling the letter Idunn had written to him not long ago.
The pale yellow scale petals swayed in the wind, a few petals falling, gently swirling on the stone path before floating toward the end of the trail… his lips curved slightly upward.
He held the bouquet in his left hand, straightened his crisp collar with his right, like a spirited young general just returned from the battlefield, smiling, ready to greet his bride who had waited a hundred years for him.
Bragi took a step forward, following the stone path, slowly walking deeper.
…
[Spring in Asgard is always so enchanting.]
[I sit on the swing at the garden entrance, surrounded by blooming golden buds. When the warm spring breeze blows, the fragrance nearly overwhelms me… Do you remember the golden sea we saw at the peak of Jotunheim? The way the golden bud petals fill the garden with the spring wind is almost identical to the waves of the golden sea.]
[Thanks to your reminder, I asked Sif to help solve the problem of wild berry vines overrunning everything. Now the garden is as neat and beautiful as when we first married.]
[If you return, I’m sure you’ll love it very much…]
…
On the dim stone path, a wind from somewhere brought a touch of coolness.
Bragi ascended the steps amidst swirling dead leaves. His vibrant dark gold ceremonial attire seemed to be the only color in this world of desolation. The whimpering wind sounded like countless low brass instruments hidden in the forest, playing a joyful movement to celebrate his return.
Bragi, holding the scale petals, stepped onto the final stair. Full of hope, he suddenly froze at the sight before him.
The desolate cold wind swept across the grayish-white garden. On the dried soil, only scattered broken roots and stems stood lonely in the wind.
No warm breeze, no fragrance, no golden waves of the blooming golden buds she had planted with her own hands…
Under the rumbling thunder-filled sky, only a dilapidated wooden cabin remained, standing in the distant abandoned ruins of the garden.
Bragi’s crisp collar fluttered loudly in the wind. He stood motionless before this broken garden, like a lifeless statue.
His eyes were filled with bewilderment and confusion… everything was different from what he had imagined.
It shouldn’t be like this…
This place shouldn’t be like this!!?
Bragi’s pupils trembled uncontrollably. Even as he repeatedly denied in his heart that this was their home, the clearly imprinted memories felt like someone shouting through a megaphone against his ear, roaring and howling, leaving his mind completely blank.
“Impossible… this is impossible.” Bragi’s eyes unfocused, shaking his head repeatedly.
“Idunn! Idunn! Where are you? I’ve returned… I’ve come back! Idunn!!”
He forced his stiff legs forward, running like a madman along the small path in the courtyard, nearly buried by dust and soil, rushing ahead frantically.
