Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The sun was soaking the grounds around the Tariki Hongan Temple. The temple could be considered lazy as it basked in the Sun, its trees swayed like banners in the early morning breeze. The birds flying low, as if daring the air that pasted under their wings to try and sweep faster, as if to race them. The temple seemed to convey its joy as the breeze past through the small holes that where found through the temple. The breeze that floated through the grounds also seemed to find joy in the forest that was just adjacent to the temple, just to the east side.

It was at this moment, that the gentle breeze that swelled the grounds was replaced by a stronger wind that passed quickly over the grounds, and disappeared into the forest that broke the stillness of the morning. As the wind coursed in between the trees it finally found a secluded spot, and the wind dropped to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The cloud of dust and some particles airborne began to spin in the air. The air spun faster and faster as it began to materialize in the ground base. As the wind spun faster, more and more dust was fed into the cloud. First feet formed, then the legs and the rest of the body of Njord as he remained suspended in the air. But the cloud of dust changed as it flowed around the body and began to clothe the man. A short sleeve shirt of chain-mail covered his chest down to the waist, the sleeves extended to the wrist. A deep blue robe formed around his body; as the robe formed a hood was made. Gold trim lined the hem of the front of the robes, and the sleeves with only two symbols that lines the robes. One was a spiral that touched the gold trim with a thick black thread, the other were two lines that connected on the other side. The gold trims passed his shoulders and extended down his back and separating from the robed like wings. On the tips of the wings were the same markings: a small red circle and a feather looking symbol. A pair of black pants formed around his legs, finalizing the clothes that Njord was wearing, the only thing left bare was his hands, feet, and head. As the last of the breeze that feed the dust began to die, the last ounce flowed into the nostrils’ of Njord, and after a sharp intake, a steady breathe came out.

Njord opened his eyes, and looked at his hands. He smiled as the breezes that had lingered; they had come to him, and materialize in front of him, like a ghost and bowed before their master. Njord smiled and lowered his head, and placed his hand over his chest. The Breezes broke up and flowed away from him, and then went their ways through the forest. Njord looked at the forest around him, as lazy patches of sunlight piercing the top of the trees and dotted the forest floor.

As Njord continued to look through the forest, his ears suddenly turned to the sound of singing coming from deep inside the woods. Njord listened for a few seconds, the sound filled his heart with joy, and he smiled as he listened. He closed his eyes, and disintegrated flowing through trees, and bushes, moving towards the singing which grew louder and louder; Njord stopped near a clearing; he reintegrated into his human form this time he had formed a hood on the back of his robes. He raised the hood over his face; as he turned head to look, searching for the source of the beautiful music.

In the dappled sunlight of the clearing stood a woman; Belldandy was her name. She was young, in her early twenties. Behind her was an Angel. It seemed connected to her for it was singing with her. Their voices made the whole forest rejoice with their duet. They were singing to a tree, old, withered and diseased. Njord watched and as they sang to, the tree grew healthier. The branches that had tilted to one side, now it stood straight, its bare branches sprouting new green leaves. The tree finally restored, the singing ended, and the forest grew quiet and still again.

Belldandy turned to her angel, with a smile in both her face and in her eyes, she said, “Thank you, Holy Bell.”

Holy Bell nodded to her mistress and disappeared behind her silently, leaving Belldandy alone in the clearing. Glowing more brightly than the sunlight surrounding her she smiled at the tree she had restored as she walked up to it. She reached out and touched the trunk.

“The songs that the heavens have missed,” said the still-hidden Njord, breaking the silence

Belldandy startled. She looked around for the origin and, when she could not find it, she closed her eyes. She felt the waves of someone standing behind the trees. She opened eyes and turned to face Njord. His hood down as he stepped into the clearing, the sun shining on him like a spotlight on a stage. Belldandy gasped in embarrassment, and dropped to her knee bowing her head to the ground.

“M-my Lord Njord! I seek your forgiveness, I didn’t…”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a pair of feet that were in front of her. She slowly looked up, and saw a hand was extended to her. Her gaze continued upward and was relieved to see Lord Njord was smiling down at her, his hand extended. Belldandy put her hand into his and Njord pulled her up to her feet. She looked into his eyes, blue like unto his Robes. His smile was still on his face, and it began to expand almost into a laugh, but he held it. He looked into Belldandy’s eyes and said, “You haven’t change a bit, you’re still the same girl that I knew all those years ago.”

“You haven’t changed either, My Lord.” Belldandy said with a smile, having recovered from the shock of seeing him.

“It has been far too long my old friend, and I am glad to see that you are well.” Njord said, as Belldandy closed her arms around him embracing like long-lost friends.

“My Lord,” she said, “forgive my imprudence, but why are you here?”

Njord looked at her, and the smile dropped from his face; he scanned the forest before answering. “We have a lot to talk about.”

Njord and Belldandy emerged out of the forest in time to see Sigel rush by. She ran out of sight, screaming, “leave me alone.” In hot pursuit came Banpei-kun was behind her, chasing her across the grounds; Sigel was able to duck behind a group of bushes and hide before Banpei-kun came back around. When he did he changed from his scooter mode, to his walking mode and began to search around the bushes. It was here that Sigel surprised him; using her rocket punch and pulling up on his emergency shut down lever shut Banpei off.

“You really need to get your memory upgraded!” Sigel taunted, rewinding her rocket punch. As she was finishing, she noticed Belldandy and Njord watching and listening to her. Sigel ran over to this person she had never meet with a smile bowed to him, saying, “Welcome, thank you for coming.”

“Thank you, Sigel. My name is Njord!” Njord said introducing himself and bowing in return. Njord walked over to the bushes, Sigel and Belldandy closely behind. Njord looked over the motionless Banpei-kun; he looked at Sigel and asked, “Does this happen a lot?”

“All the time.” Sigel confirmed.

“Why not just ask Mistress Skuld to dismantle him?”

“Why would I ask her that?” Sigel asked, shocked at the idea.

“Well, you did want him to leave you alone; with him dismantled you can be alone.” Njord informed Sigel.

An uncomfortable Sigel looked back at Njord. “No,” a sad Sigel confessed. .

“All right, but I guess we can give him a rest.” Njord said giving Sigel a smile and a wink.

“Yes, lets,” Sigel agreed, smiling back.

With a wave of his hand, Banpei-kun floated across the temple grounds and landed in Skuld’s room. The robot was already forgotten as Njord lead Sigel and Belldandy inside the house.

Belldandy led Sigel down the hall, Njord following behind. The entered the Tea Room to find Peorth hovering and watching an American Soap Opera on the television. When Belldandy came in she turned around and said,

“Belldandy, did you feel. . . . ” Peorth’s eyes grew wide as she spotted Njord. Her soap opera forgotten she dropped to the ground with a crash. Peorth scrambled into a kneeling position, bowing to Njord.

“MY LORD NJORD!” Peorth exclaimed from the ground.

“Peorth,” Njord smirked. “I see that your vacation has turned into residency.”

“Well . . . .I . . . .um” Peorth stammered,.

“Its okay, the Council approved it last month.” Njord said still smiling at her; Peorth looked back at him and smiled as she rose from the ground.

“Would anyone like some tea?” Belldandy asked from the kitchen.

“Yes. Please.” Njord said sound excited.

“Oui, c’est pas.” Peorth said also sounding excited.

Njord, Belldandy and Peorth sat in the Tea room sipping on the fresh pot of warm herbal tea that Belldandy made. Both Peorth and Belldandy looked at each other and then at Njord as he took small gulps of the tea. As he finished the last of the dregs of his tea and handed it to Peorth; Belldandy looked at him.

“So what was it you needed to talk to me about, My Lord?” Belldandy asked, as Peorth handed him back his cup with a refill of tea inside.

“Forgive me, Belldandy, but I must ask for a little more time for what I have to tell you concern not only you, but all within this house.” Njord said and took another sip. Belldandy looked at him with concern again. Njord placed his cup down, and looked again at Belldandy and said, “You will not have to wait long; they are all on their way home, including the client.”

As Peorth, Belldandy and Njord sat at the table; the sound of the front door opened, and Keiichi called from the door,

“We’re back!”

Belldandy stood up, and called out, “Welcome home!” After she said this, Skuld appeared in the doorway and said,

“Onee-sama we felt….” Skuld’s eyes grew wide as she looked in and saw that Njord was sitting at the table. Njord smiled at her and then said,

“Skuld! you’ve grown.”

Skuld dropped to her knees, and bowed her head. Before she could acknowledge his presence with the proper greeting, the T.V. screen glowed and then Urd, suddenly appeared in the room,

“Belldandy, did you feel the….” Urd eyes widened as she looked at Njord as he sat there.

“Urd! You haven’t changed a bit.” Urd dropped to her knees as both she and Skuld exclaimed, “My Lord!”

Keiichi, who was in his room hanging his jacket in the closet. Came around one of the corners to find Skuld who was still on her knees in the middle of the hallway. He looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face. Skuld looked up for a second, and glanced at Keiichi, she screamed at him,

“KNEEL KEIICHI!!” Keiichi glanced at Skuld for a moment, again she motioned for him to kneel, this time more feverishly, and then he descended to his knee. He looked up after kneeling, he saw a man standing in the doorway.

“Ah! You must be the client!” The man said, his voice sounding like the gentle rush of a small river. Keiichi looked at him, and slowly he was able to answer him.

“Y-yes, my name is Morisato Keiichi.” Keiichi said, with Skuld still motioning him to remain kneeling.

“A pleasure, and if Skuld will stop motioning to you, I will allow you to rise.” Skuld face turned red, and the man looked at her with a smile on his face. As Keiichi rose from his knees, the man walked over to him. As he stood close to him, Keiichi felt a gentle breeze circling around him. The man extended a hand to him, and as Keiichi took it he said, “My name is Njord! I am an Element, and a member of the High Council of Heaven. I am here on the orders from the Almighty himself, with news that I must give to all of you.” He then, he let go of his hand, and turned to the remaining Goddess; three more cups then floated out of the cupboard and landed on the table.

“Everyone get comfortable, we may be here a while.” Njord said.

Njord told them everything that had happened in the Hermods program. He told the Norn sisters and Keiichi all the different things that were stolen about them. The one thing all of them could relate to is all of their roles in the Lord of Terror incident was stolen, including the report of Keiichi’s possession by the Lord himself!

Keiichi looked around the room. Urd was pale, it seemed that she was about to be sick, knowing that something had such information about her, was almost too much for her to bear. Skuld’s face seemed stolen from any expression. Someone had all of her inventions in their possession, and she could do nothing about them. Belldandy was also pale too; she knew that information on her unsealed abilities was important, but what seemed to affect her was the fact that her file on her jealousy storms were taken as well. Peorth looked around at the others just as Keiichi had done, but he could see that she was equally concerned about all of them. Keiichi was also worried about that someone was walking around with information about him.

“So…” Keiichi started, Urd and Skuld looked up at him as he struggled for the words.

“So what happens next, do they have to return to heaven?” Urd and Skuld looked at Njord, as he looked at Keiichi, “No.” he said reassuringly as all sighed with relief. Njord looked around at them, and stated; “The council has decided that all of you should stay where you are for the time being, but if the situation does grow outside of your control you will be forced to return to Heaven for your safety.”

“So, Njord why are you here?” Urd asked.

“I am here under the orders of the Almighty to serve as an observer and as a deterrent to those who may wish to bring you harm.” Njord said

“Observer?” Peorth asked puzzled.

“Yes, I am here to ascertain the situation, and observe the conditions that the five of you go through down on Earth, and report everything to heaven.” Njord said, before any one else could interrupt him, he stated again, “Now we do have more to discuss. The Council has decided that the three of you need to return to Heaven and replace the information that is missing from your files.” He said looking at the Norn sisters.

“What about Peorth? She’s been here for a while, was anything taken?” Urd asked Njord.

“Nothing was taken from Peorth’s file, but they are watching it.” Njord said answering Urd’s questions.

“But, how are they going to replace their files?” Keiichi asked, looking at the Norn sisters.

“Well, they have a choice; they can fill out reports by hand or….” Njord did not finish, because Urd let out a monstrous groan.

“No! Not that!” Urd whined, almost sounding horrified.

“Not what?” Keiichi asked, not seeing this side of Urd before, but before Njord could tell him, Urd spoke up quietly, but loud enough to be auditable. “Brain-scanner!” with these words Skuld and Peorth even shuttered.

“Brain-scanner?” Keiichi asked.

“It’s like a MRI machine that humans use, but instead of taking a picture of the electricity running through your brain; it will find the information in your brain, then make a copy of it, and extract it from the brain.” Skuld explained, slowly shuttering

“Last time I was put under that awful machine; I forgot my own name for a week.” Urd complained

“If I remember correctly, the last time you went under that machine was because you were asked by Lord Loki to guard a report he asked you hold on to, but you lost it. I arraigned for you to take the scan and get a replacement rather than face the punishment.” Njord stated, as Urd scolded at Skuld and Peorth who were chuckling. “I should add that we found the report two hours later.” Urd eyes flashed at Njord who was still smiling at her.

“So when do we need to return to Heaven to replace the files, My Lord?” Belldandy asked.

“The Almighty gave no time frame, but I think the sooner this is taken care of the better.” Njord stated. “I know that the reports will take a while, but if you decide to do the brain scan you should be back around midnight.”

“Then let’s get it over it.” Urd said.

“But what about Keiichi; He can’t just walk past the gate.” Peorth brought up.

“No, he can’t; but I’ll contact the archive programmers and establish a connection to retrieve his information.” Njord stated.

“What kind of connection retrieval do they use?” Keiichi asked, but Njord just took another sip of his tea.

Belldandy and Keiichi were sitting on the porch to their house, looking at the trees that were slowly turning into the fall colors. Belldandy had changed into her Heaven’s clothing that she wore when she needed to go to Heaven. Belldandy’s heavenly attire was blue raiment across her shoulders and extending down her sides that was connected with a gold pin in the middle. A flowing white dress was under her raiment that extended down her ankles but it was cut open up to a little above her knees. Her hands and feet were covered in a blue wrap that were held by a gold bracelets that held them in place. Keiichi and Belldandy sat together with their hands rested on each others, Belldandy’s head resting on his shoulder. Skuld and Urd were still inside the house, as Njord was on the phone with heaven.

“So he’s a member of the High Council of Heaven.” Keiichi asked randomly.

“Yes, Lord Njord and I have known each other for years; he was the one who trained me in my Elemental Powers.” Belldandy said, before Keiichi could ask another question, the sound of footsteps approaching them broke the conversation. They both turned and saw that Urd was standing over them, and grudgingly said, “Lord Njord says they are ready for us.” Belldandy nodded, and stood up.

“I’ll see you tonight.” Belldandy said.

“I’ll wait up.” Keiichi said.

Belldandy walked into the house and touching one of the mirrors she disappeared into it, as she did she smiled at Keiichi. Keiichi looked through out the house as two more lights grew and then faded all throughout the house, leaving him and Peorth alone with Njord in the house. Keiichi turned and looked out at the trees and watched as they fluttered in the wind and then he heard footsteps approaching him. Keiichi turned and saw Njord standing next to him; Njord was looking at him for a moment and then said, “Do you mind if I join you?”

“No at all…Lord Njord.” Keiichi said and Njord took a seat next to him. Both of them sat for a moment and then Keiichi said in his mind, “So, now we have an Element living with us, but what’s an Element?” Before Keiichi could even ask his question; Njord looked at him.

“An Element is someone who holds a certain jurisdiction over the Elements that allow the Earth to exist and has the responsibility to maintain and care for them.” Njord said. Keiichi looked at him with a surprise on his face and then sighed as he remembered.

“That’s right; Belldandy told me that Gods and Goddesses can read human minds.” Keiichi said.

“Well, Gods and Goddesses can read minds as she told you, but also she said that they can only read them as colors. But for more powerful deities like myself I can read your mind word for word, so it is best not to hide any secrets from me.” Njord said with a playful smirk on his face.

“So, what element do you have jurisdiction over?” Keiichi asked in wonder.

“My jurisdiction falls under the Sea and the Wind; I am their master because they chose me to be their mouth piece. I am in every breeze and every tempest, and the wind and the sea obey my voice.” Njord said, his smile was still on his face but his voice was serious enough to make Keiichi move away a little in fear. Keiichi looked at the small mark on Njord left hand and was amazed by it.

The mark on the left hand was a blue mark, and it was a symbol. The shape in the middle of the mark was a blue triangle that sat upwards and the tip pointed to his middle finger. Along the three sides of the triangle were three lines that did not touch each other, at the bottom of the triangle were two lines instead of one, but were all equal in length. At the top of the triangle was a small blue dot and also did not touch either of the lines that came to it.

“This is the mark of an Element; you will find it only on those who are called to be an Element.” Njord said, Keiichi looked at the mark, and then his eyes moved up to his forehead and the saw a small blue circle and a crescent circle that was around the circle. Njord also had under each eye and small mark that looked like a combination of a stretched triangle and a condensed circle.

“All these other marks signified my place in Heaven and place on the High Council of Heaven.” Njord said. Keiichi felt so small compared to Njord, but strangely he did not feel the same feeling from Njord, he felt almost…equal to him.

As the day progressed into the late afternoon, Keiichi was sitting in his room when he heard a loud meow. Knowing it was Velsper; he looked outside and saw Velsper standing on one end of the hallway and Njord standing on the other. Njord hand was extended to him, but Velsper would not come to him, but form the look of things he could not even move.

“Hello Velsper, long time no see.” Njord said to the cat.

“Not long enough, Njord!” Velsper hissed back at him.

“I see that Hild was nice enough to allow you to remain here, but if I had my way, I would turn you a piece of algae for the fishes of the deep.” Njord responded; Velsper hissed at Njord and in a moment jumped at Njord. Njord stiffed his hand and caught Velsper in mid-air and looked at the kitten floating before him. “But, I think you have suffered a better punishment than any I could dream of.”

“Suffered?” Velsper asked, confused.

“The only things you have to worry about are the fleas that bite into your skin, and getting hit by cars, so for now I will say my judgment against you is satisfied.” Njord said he dropped Velsper back on the floor; Njord watched as Velsper walked away from him. Njord looked and saw that Keiichi was looking at him and he said, “Cute cat.”

The next few hours pasted with no incident or discussion until almost around seven o’clock. Peorth came around the corner and told Keiichi that Njord needed to see him; Keiichi got up from his desk and followed her. As Keiichi rounded around a corner he saw Njord standing next to the phone, and then he said. “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what, My Lord?” Keiichi asked, confused. Njord held up the phone.

“Your scan!” Njord said.

Keiichi eye widen with horror, as the word, ‘scan’ escaped from Njord’s lips. He remembered what Skuld’s and Urd’s fears were like, and the thought of the scan was enough to scare him into the deepest part of his being.

“I can assure you, it’s quite safe. Your scan will only take a few seconds, not like a few minutes like theirs will, and we use a lower frequency for the scan rather then a beam.” Njord said sounding sincere about the whole thing. Even though Njord made it sound safe; Keiichi’s mind was not completely sold on the whole idea of a beam, tone, or anything poking into his brain. But Keiichi slowly made his way to the phone, and held the receiver to his ear and mouth.

“Morisato Keiichi?” A voice came over the end.

“Y-ee-sss?” Keiichi squeaked out.

“Make sure you hold the phone to your ear at all times until the scan is done.” The voice told him. Keiichi’s arm seemed to fail, but suddenly he felt a hand on the side on head, and on his back. Keiichi turned and found Peorth standing behind him holding the phone to his ear.

“This is going to feel…strange.” Njord stated.

“We are commencing the scan…now!” the voice came over again.

There was no way Keiichi could have prepared for it. It was a loud electronic warbling sound, the noise was erratic, and the signal was felt to course thought the ear, and then to his nervous system, and finally into his brain. The sound was like a synthesized fingers running across a chalk blackboard, only amplified to measure what felt like an air horn being blasted into his ear.

His knees buckled after two seconds and he wanted to rip the phone away from his ear. But Peorth’s grip was strong, and the phone stayed on his ear, as he collapsed to the floor, and finally after what felt like an eternity the sound stopped, and a voice barely auditable said, “That is all, thank you.”

Peorth pulled the phone away form him, and handed it to Njord who hung it up on the receiver, and both of them helped Keiichi stand up. Keiichi tried to walk but was unable to do so, he took only one step and then fell to the floor and landed rather painfully on the wooden floor. Keiichi tried to get back up, but he found he could not, his arms also failed him. Suddenly sleep seemed to overcome him as his strength failed, and he closed his eyes as his body felt weightless.