To no surprise, everyone smirked at Grimhild's comment—they were aware of her power—showing no signs of worry on their faces. Fhiron nodded his head at the witch, chuckling.
"Do what you must, Grimhild, if these two really mean a lot to you, then I'll let you fight this battle on your own."
The witch turned and nodded with a smile, before facing the contemplative Cyrodel.
Walking forward, Kyto said, "I want to help..." he balled his hands into fists as determination flickered in his eyes.
"Kyto..." Grimhild turned to face the demigod, understanding his frustration and desire to save his friend. "You already know that it is dangerous... Hel is the Alufray Spirit of Death, and the Ruler of Helheim. Just like Gaia, who embodies all of Midgard and nature, Hel embodies all of Helheim and Death." Facing the other way, Grimhild lowered her head in thought. "Even I have yet to come across Hel and her infamous Death Magic, so imagine how you'll end up trying to fight her?"
Kyto quivered in his lip as he tried to come up with some excuse, but all of it seemed illogical.
"Yeah... I know... I know that! But Elizabeth, she's my friend! I have to protect her! Even if it costs me my life!" He averted his gaze, ashamed to face anyone. "I ran like a coward when she needed my help... how can I live with myself if I don't bother doing anything to save her?"
Grimhild closed her eyes and sighed.
"Actions have consequences, Kyto."
"Huh? What are you implying?" Asked the Cyrodel.
"What I'm trying to say is... this is your fault."
"What?!" Kyto contorted his regretful expression into one of anger, approaching the witch from behind. "How is this my fault? I didn't plan for any of this!!"
"You foolish child, you just don't listen." Grimhild spun around and bonked him on the head with her staff.
"Ouch-! Hey, what the hell was that for?" He held his scalp in pain, rubbing it back and forth, though his anger was still apparent.
"You didn't listen to me, Kyto, I already told you and Elizabeth the dangers of wandering into Mythical Valley, and yet you two went anyway."
Kyto widened his eyes at the realization, knowing she was right, though he tried playing it off with an inaudible grunt, crossing his arms.
"Hmph..."
He turned away from the witch, slightly embarrassed knowing that he was wrong, but also pissed off at her comment; knowing she was right.
"Yeah... well..."
"Do not let your arrogance be your downfall, Kyto, it will do you no good." Said the witch.
"Okay... whatever..."
Grimhild nodded her head with a smile.
"I know that you're still a growing boy, and arrogance is common among young men, but you're not King Arthur." She bonked him again, this time harder.
"Aaagh!" He crouched down, tears forming in his eyes.
"Even Fhiron, the Elf King, isn't arrogant. He's more stupid if anything."
"Huh?" Fhiron, with his arms crossed, lifted his brow. "Oi, leave me out of this! I take no part in this conversation!"
Kyto turned around to face the pointy-eared elf, widening his eyes.
"W-Wait, the elf king? That's Fhiron??" He asked, pointing at them.
"Unfortunately it is." Said Grimhild with a disappointed glare.
"What do you mean 'unfortunately', I'm no one to take lightly!"
Both Jean and Chroliosa snickered at Fhiron's comment as Zarutha shook his head.
"What are you two laughing about?!" The elf king raised his hand, stomping over to them. "I already told you my mana hasn't returned! Just wait until I'm replenished!"
Grimhild placed her hand on the Cyrodel's shoulder, gaining his attention once more. Kyto turned to face the witch with a puzzled expression, staring at her hand with a mix of emotions.
"I understand that you hate me, it is only natural... I'd also hate myself if I were in your shoes. You may not be willing to forgive me, Kyto, but I will do whatever it takes to save Elizabeth and bring her back."
Glaring at her hand, the Demigod felt anger, but also reliability. There was something about Grimhild that made him question everything. She may have been responsible for the death of his loved ones, but she also wanted to redeem herself from the past. Anyone could see it in her eyes.
Mustering up the strength to reply, Kyto took a deep breath as the witch removed her hand, waiting for his response.
"If what you say is true... then... I put my full faith in you, Grimhild..." His words felt bittersweet. Never in his life would Kyto expect himself to trust the Witch of Destruction—but here he was—knowing she was Elizabeth's only saving Grace.
"But don't get it wrong... I still won't forgive you! You caused a lot of pain and suffering, and many of my people have perished because of you!"
Grimhild closed her eyes, nodding at his words. She understood his pain.
"I understand... as long as you can trust me... that's all that matters."
Grimhild turned around and advanced forward, heading to the heart of danger.
"I will return. Keep everyone safe, Chroliosa."
Grimhild snapped her fingers as Chroliosa glowed in a bright light. "Huh??" A surge of magical power coursed through her body as her human physiology vanished in an instant. "My spiritual form... It's returned!" Lifting her palms, she flexed her fingers and stared at them with joyful eyes. "T-Thank you, Master Grimhild!" She looked up at the small witch, smiling. "I'll protect them with my life!"
"Mm." The witch nodded as she continued forward, making way into the dreadful forest.
+
"So, no response, eh?" The Queen of Death stood idly in the forest, sighing in disappointment. "Tsk tsk tsk, I forgot how puny Midgard truly was! Only the heroes and dragons pose a challenge within this realm."
"Is that so?" Approaching Hel from her frontside, a small witch was standing before them, smiling with confidence. "Let's test that little claim of yours."
"Hm?" Hel placed her hands on her hips, facing the unfamiliar arrival. "What's this? A human not running away?" A maniacal grin crossed her face. "How intriguing... you piqued my interest!"
"Human? Not quite. You're not dealing with your average Yggdrasilian."
Hel cackled at her comment and lifted her hand in excitement, extracting her long claws.
"It doesn't matter to me! Elohim, Spirit, Mortal, I'll fight you one way or another! My greatest desire is the death of all things, especially with a challenge!"
"You've taken Kings, Gods, and Spirits, Death, but today... I'll make sure you bleed like the rest."
"Then prove yourself worthy!"
Hel was the first to attack, lunging at Grimhild at the speed of light and reeling back her fist. She threw a direct punch, though to her surprise, her fist phased through the witch's body.
"An afterimage?" Widening her eyes, she turned around to see Grimhild 12 meters behind her.
"Emil Dronta Hades."
Extending her staff, a magic circle appeared, launching a forward wave of jet-black flames.
"Destruction magic, huh? I've dealt with this before!" Hel spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick into the black fire, dispersing it instantly.
"Hm?" Grimhild lifted her brows, a bit surprised at her retaliation.
"I bring death to all!" Hel smirked confidently, sprinting toward the witch once again. "Destruction, Life, and Creation, all of it can experience death! Your magic means nothing to me, mage!"
Grimhild took flight via Flonta and gained distance from their predatory speed. She flew backward through the forest, observing Hel's every move.
"So... your power allows you to kill concepts and ideas, bringing them to their end."
Hel's maniacal grin seemed to falter at Grimhild's comment as she ran after them.
"You already discovered how my power works? Quite impressive... but if you know of its true nature, then you must know that this battle is unwinnable!" She finally managed to catch up with Grimhild before kicking at their gut.
"Unwinnable? Is that so?"
Hel's foot would smash through Grimhild's stomach, bursting out her innards all over the ground. A rain of blood and gore covered the forest as the Witch of Justice had her very concept brought to death.
"Naturally! Death represents the end of all things, and that is what I am." She lowered her leg, disappointed that the battle ended so early. "You stood no chance from the beginning, but you did put up quite a challenge."
Grimhild's lifeless body would lie on the ground as blood spurted from her gaping wound.
"I not only bring death to abstract ideas, but everything associated with them. Their history, their stories, and their origins! I stand at the end of all things in Yggdrasil! Oblivion could not compare!" Her disappointed glare became one of psychopathic excitement. "No one can defeat me! My Death Magic embodies the final point of existence! You were merely part of that last point, mage!"
[System Authorized.]
[Current death of Grimhild Yorgana: 204. Reason of Death: End of all things, Death Magic, Having a story]
From far far away, a monotone, robotic voice spoke in a realm outside of Yggdrasil, revealing a petite girl with long white hair, floating upside down in a void.
She possessed inhuman beauty; enough to make any person who set their eyes upon her incapable of forming a thought.
[Improving New Body: Existing outside the End of all things. Bestowing a new body complete transcendence over Life and Death. Currently removing the new body's narrative; Grimhild will no longer belong to any story. Grimhild will no longer be bound by the narrative. Please wait…]
A few seconds would pass as the floating petite girl constructed Grimhild's new body.
[Evolution complete. Grimhild is now freed from the narrative of the world. Preparing the formation of new body.]
Flesh, organs, and bones would slowly compact together in the void, forming a newer and improved body of Grimhild.
[Transferring Memories and Experiences into a new body.]
The Yorgana System, transferred everything back to Grimhild, giving her life once more.
[Transporting a new Soul and Nucleus into the body.]
Gaining everything she needed, Grimhild was back in her prime, but stronger this time.
[Transfer Complete. Omnipresent Program Launch in 3... 2... 1!]
Thus, Grimhild's body was transported from the void outside of time and space, and back to Midgard. With Omnipresent Program, she could manifest in any point of time or location.
The Queen of Death walked away, unsatisfied with the outcome, but also prideful in her capabilities.
Unaware of Grimhild's return, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, widening her eyes. "Huh?" Hel turned around. "You survived my Death Magic…?"
"It was only a minor inconvenience, Queen of Death." Grimhild walked forward, confident with every step. "Our real battle has yet to begin."
Grimhild was standing behind her, bloodlust in her eyes.