Blades met in a clash of fire, and both were enveloped in it. Not that either could be harmed by it.

 

Not harmed, no, but I understood that this was a fight not just of arms but of will and fire and who was closer bound to Muspelheim.

 

I understood then that Surtur was going to win. Oh, it did not appear inevitable to start with, but Muspelheim did not want Helgr.

 

Was rejecting her, painfully, I heard the gasping of her breath as the blades met again as if I was standing right next to her.

 

How did I know this? I feared that I knew and understood too much in that moment, too much to stay aloof.

 

But I also could not help. Had this been treason by Surtur, then it would have been my task and honor to.

 

Why was this happening?

 

Fire flickered, and a spark landed at my feet. I jumped back instinctively, as if not yet ready to let it touch me, even though I knew it would not harm me.

 

Worse, what they were doing was draining the land further. It was my fault.

 

It was all my fault. “I should have stopped this.”

 

A hand reached out, pulled me back. An old fire giant. “You could not have stopped her.”

 

“I encouraged her.”

 

“Because you believed her right.”

 

“Because Surtur is insane.”

 

“Yes.”
And this meant Muspelheim was insane too. Perhaps. Could a realm go mad? Or was it that the king was the land was the king? Something dwarves and giants knew and mortals had once well understood.

 

Something I knew now.

 

The king was the land was the king. Surtur’s madness was too deep. The land writhed against his touch, but it was a touch it knew, like a beaten horse that still turned to its master to seek treats.

 

It was too late. But I had still…the prophecy.

 

“What can we do?”

 

“Find somebody who will give themselves to the land without seeking power.”

 

Then the old fire giant was gone, and I knew he had never really been there.

 

Or rather, he had, but he was no fire giant.
Give themselves to the land without seeking power. Except if they knew they would get it…

 

I closed my eyes. If they knew they would get it then it could be no true test.

 

And then I knew. The king was the land was the king.

 

The king was also the sacrifice.