Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

[You have unlocked the story quest 'Order in Niflheim'. Do you wish to accept this quest? YES/NO]

Kaizen looked at the notification that appeared before him with interest. He felt a mixture of curiosity and determination as he read the words, realizing that apparently his journey with these two ice giants was just beginning.

Still, Kaizen wasn't sure he wanted to commit to a story mission at this point, so he clicked on the mission name to check its rewards.

[Mission Name: Order in Niflheim

At the moment there is no exact order in Niflheim. There are those in charge and those who obey, but the ice dwarves practically live in a dictatorship, working every day from dawn to dusk. In addition, most of the ice giants have disappeared and the clues to their whereabouts have been quickly covered by the incessant snow.

Furthermore, an uncertain fate awaits this world, because having its riches exploited to the roots has awakened ancient mythical forces, and if the process is not stopped, the world of Helheim, positioned just next to it in Yggdrasil, may be next, and then billions of souls will begin to walk all over the worlds.

Possible rewards upon completing this Quest:

- +500000 XP.

- Class Points (5).

- Apprenticeship in smithing with the Ice Dwarves.

- +10000 Gold Coins.

- Ratatosk's Gratitude

Do you wish to accept? YES/NO]

Kaizen looked at the screen that suddenly appeared and thought for a moment. They were good rewards and the quest seemed important, but also, as a classic of Rise Online, it did not clarify for him the path he should follow. Still, 10,000 gold coins for a single mission and the 500,000+ XP were too good to ignore.

[You accepted the quest 'Order in Niflheim.']

[Mission Goal: Restore Order in Niflheim.]

"Kaizen, I thank you for bringing our minds back." said Glacius with his voice laden with austerity. "However, nothing will change what we have done."

Grognar nodded, and his expression showed sadness. "We... I don't know... Grognar is tired."

Kaizen understood the hesitation and sadness in the ice giants' eyes. He understood in a way their pain and the guilt they probably felt, no wonder they took that anger out on each other for so long. Nevertheless, he believed that together they could find redemption and restore order in Niflheim.

"I understand that the scars of the past will not be erased easily..." said Kaizen with empathy in his voice as he slowly levitated towards the ground. "But that is exactly why you must move forward. Through your actions, you can begin to heal the wounds and bring hope to Niflheim. Besides, I believe that just by no longer having you two fighting all the time, there will definitely be more peace."

He looked at Glacius and Grognar, conveying confidence in his words.

"I know you are tired, but together you are stronger."

Grognar looked at Kaizen, his expression charged with doubt and exhaustion. However, a spark of hope began to appear in his eyes. "Kaizen, you are right. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future. I choose to fight once again, for a higher purpose. However, I have to know, why did you help us?"

"Um... I wouldn't say I helped you while you two were almost killed for me." Kaizen crossed his arms and stated.

Grognar and Glacius then looked at him, frowned, then looked at each other, and then began to laugh. Their laughter was loud. Kaizen watched the laughing ice giants, surprised by their unexpected reaction. He was a little confused, but also relieved to see that their presence and their words had broken the tension between them.

After a few moments, the laughter subsided and Glacius looked at Kaizen with a smile on his face. "You are indeed a peculiar ice dwarf, but I think that is exactly what we need. I believe Grognar was asking about your goal for wanting to help us."

"Oh, my goal? At first, I just wanted you guys to stop fighting so that I could search in peace for a Flower called Isara's Tear. However, even after I asked, you ignored me, so I had to use force." Kaizen was sincere and prepared a lie soon after. "Of course, one of the reasons I did that too is because I want peace in Niflheim."

"Isara's Tear?" Grognar inquired.

"Exactly. It is a small, fragile flower that grows in just enough dry places that there is no snow, but still receives the icy breeze from the plains. It is common to find it under rocks or inside caves, but the climate here is so intense that they last only a few minutes or hours after blooming." Kaizen explained.

As Kaizen told Kaizen details about the flower, Glacius and Grognar looked at each other, seeming to have an idea. Glacius then addressed Kaizen with a friendly smile.

"Little one, you mentioned that you are looking for this flower and that it is usually found in dry, sheltered places. Well, I have a cave at my back that might be an ideal place to look for it. Would you like to take a look there?"

Kaizen was surprised by Glacius' offer. The prospect of exploring the cave on the back of an ice giant was particularly exciting and offered a unique opportunity to find the much sought after flower, because he had already looked in several places.

"That would be amazing! I thank you immensely for the offer, Glacius. It would be a great help in my search for the Tear of Isara." replied Kaizen, excitedly.

"There's no reason to thank me. I am merely reciprocating."

Gently, Glacius bent down, allowing Kaizen to climb on his back and enter the cave. The entrance was wide and lit by a soft light that penetrated through small cracks in the ice rocks.

Kaizen advanced cautiously, amazed at the vastness of the cave and its icy beauty.

...

Edited by: DrHitsuji

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