Beyond the Apocalypse

Vlad frowned deeply, his thoughts racing like a storm as he processed Freya’s revelation. It was a moment of weighty significance, one that demanded careful consideration. His mind worked at an astonishing speed, piecing together fragments of information and possibilities Then, as if struck by a bolt of divine insight, his expression shifted. A flash of clarity lit up the Depravita of Wrath’s features, and a broad smile broke across his face. Whatever realization had dawned upon him, it was so profound that it ignited a spark of unrestrained laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

The sound of Vlad’s laughter echoed across the mountaintop, resonating with excitement and awe. Yet, despite the joy in his voice, his focus remained sharp. With an energy that seemed to radiate from his very being, he placed a firm hand on Freya’s shoulder and nodded, his smile brimming with confidence. "I understand now. Everything is alright."

Freya blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his reaction. She wasn’t a child in need of comfort, yet the calmness and ease in Vlad’s demeanor stung in a way she hadn’t expected. When she had first received the summon from Valhalla, her thoughts had been consumed by one thing: the painful realization that her time with Vlad would soon come to an end.

The possibility of never seeing him again had weighed heavily on her heart. And yet, here he was, laughing as though it didn’t matter. A pang of disappointment coursed through her, but before it could fester, Vlad spoke again, his tone brighter than ever.

"It’s fine if you leave," he said with an almost carefree certainty. "After all, I’ll be leaving Terra too."

The words struck Freya like a lightning bolt, scattering her sadness and replacing it with a surge of confusion. Her head tilted slightly as she studied him, searching his face for answers. "What do you mean? Are you planning to follow me to Valhalla?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

At her question, Vlad laughed again, the sound warm and genuine. "Follow you to Valhalla? Freya, that would be impossible!" His grin widened as he continued. "How would that even work? Valhalla’s Will would reject me outright—I’m a foreigner to your plane, so it would be very hard to enter that world even if I was not on a New Plane."

Freya huffed, crossing her arms as a slightly annoyed expression flickered across her face. She did not like Vlad making fun of her confusion. But deep down, she knew he was right.

The Viking Legend that sent her to Terra had left a mark on her soul and that of the rest of the vikings. And it would be through that she would be pulled back to Valhalla, so clearly Vlad could not follow her. Even so, his words only deepened her curiosity. "Then what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice sharp yet filled with genuine interest.

Vlad’s eyes gleamed with an unshakable determination as he answered. "I’m going to a Doomsday World."