View Above All

View Above All was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5, in which a vision of one of Odin's memories could be seen.

Description

Havi met with Týr, Thor, and Freyja to discuss pressing matters.

Dialogue

Eivor drank the potion Valka made for her and lay down, slipping into dreams.

A cloud tunnel gave way to a view of an island holding the city of Asgard. The Bifröst led to it from a smaller isle, and behind Asgard stood the titanic tree Yggdrasil, its branches reaching across the sky. A raven, one of Odin's two familiars, flew from Heimdall's Tower to Asgard's palace, the highest building of the city, and landed on the throne Hliðskjálf, in which sat Havi.

• Havi: The prophecies of the Nornir are as clear as daylight. The Æsir are doomed. All Asgard is doomed.

Havi surrounded by the Nornir

Havi looked over a pedestal set before him, covered in the blood of a sacrificed bird. Around his throne stood the Nornir.

• Havi: Repeat the last passage.
• Urðr: Brothers will fight one another and kill one another.
• Verðandi: The home of the gods turns red with gore.
• Skulð: It will be an age of storms.

The Norns drew closer to Havi.

• Urðr: An age of wolves.
• Havi: Not this! Further along... the foretelling of a wolf, a great beast.
• Verðandi: The wolf Fenrir howls terribly before the gates to Hel.
• Skulð: The beast will break its bonds and run.

The Nornir revealing Havi's prophecy

Havi leaned forward in his seat.

• Havi: And my part. What about me?
• Urðr: Then comes the second great sorrow...
• Verðandi: ... when the Havi goes to fight the wolf...
• Skulð: ... and falls to Fenrir.
• Havi: And falls to Fenrir! It's there you see? You have foretold my death. Your Havi will die.

Havi stood and the Norns stepped closer again.

• Urðr: We speak what we see.
• Verðandi: We know your fate, your destiny.
• Skulð: Have you gleaned enough, O Wise One?

Man is bound by destiny.Fate can be altered.Life is what you make of it.

• Havi: Fate governs all humankind. But I am the Defier of Death. I am not bound by these forces.
• Urðr: All threads are measured. Everything dies. Even ancient Ymir, whose fertile carcass gave birth to the nine worlds.

• Havi: You three spin our destinies as a thread in fabric. But threads may be unraveled by snags and catches.
• Skulð: Not all can be foreseen, but loose threads can be rewoven or restrung. At day's end, the tapestry will be preserved.

• Havi: Why struggle and fight if we are but threads stretched between anchored points? Without hope, life is a prison, not a gift.
• Verðandi: Life is the music that comes from playing those threads. That is what lifts our spirits and fills our hearts.

• Havi: I am no string to be plucked or tied! I am the High One, the Lord of Ecstasy, the Enemy of the Wolf. I am eternal.

Havi reflecting on the Nornir's visions

The Nornir turned and walked away, vanishing in clouds of white moths. Once they were gone, Havi walked to the edge of the tower platform to look out over Asgard.

• Havi: Riddled words only cloud my thoughts. A storm is brewing, not in the clouds but down below. Does our final battle draw near? Is this how Ragnarök begins?

Before leaving the tower, Havi found a note on a nearby pedestal.

Heimdall's Report

Havi –

The attacks grow more fierce and I must venture from my tower. What I hear with my Hidden Ear worries me, and now I must see it with my eyes.

I beg you, once again, to assign me a serious apprentice. Loki clearly resents his role as gatekeeper and bristles at the lightest of requests. He will need some supervision in my absence. Not that he can do much harm without my key, but the wards have been weakened, and he would be next to useless against a full Jötnar assault. Best that he be reassigned—or expelled from Asgard altogether—despite whatever fool's bargain you've struck. I swear he will be the death of me.

– H.

Havi performed a Leap of Faith from the tower into a pool of water far below.

• Norse Warrior 1: The Havi returns to lead us to victory!

Emerging from the pool, Havi neared the table in the Great Hall, where the other leaders of Asgard argued.

• Týr: We must devise a strategy to deal with these invaders, Thor! You cannot smash your way out of certain death!
• Thor: Who crushed the skull of Thrymr, King of the Jötnar? Who slew Geirröd the Gargantuan with a flaming ball of—
• Týr: Ja, ja! And it was all well done! But the past is settled. It is our future we must decide!
• Thor: You don't decide the future, you strangle it! By Mjölnir, I will hunt down these invaders to the ends of Asgard if I must!
• Freyja: And leave our halls undefended? Without your hammer, we'll soon be overrun!
• Thor: More danger, more glory!

While they argued, Havi read another note on the end of the dining table, written in Týr's hand.

A Plea for Fairness

Havi –

A witness has come forward in the case of Sigerdrifa to support that she was indeed coerced. In light of this new evidence, it seems overly cruel and perhaps short-sighted to let her fate hinge on a curse. I say this not out of sentimentality but simple practicality. Sometimes the ripples from these tiny tragedies can come crashing to our shores.

– Týr, Lord of Justice

The gods continued arguing as Havi approached them. Freyja rose from her seat.

• Thor: Búri's balls! We are Asgardians! We don't skulk around like elves. We fight!
• Freyja: We are fighting! For our homes, for our people. But some problems can't be solved with the hard end of a hammer!
• Thor: Name one!

Týr shook his head before spotting Havi's approach.

• Týr: Havi! Break our stalemate.

Havi meeting his associates to discuss the jötunn attack

Havi stepped up to the table and looked over the map spread across it.

• Havi: What is this, another invasion?
• Týr: Warriors from Jötunheim! They attack from all fronts.

Týr leaned over the map, pointing at locations on either side of it.

• Thor: While we sit on our trembling hands and scratch our bums!
• Freyja: Not so, Thor. Many Æsir have been sent to the four corners of Asgard, leaving we four to defend the Great Hall.
• Thor: Havi! Lend me a score of your warriors and I will lead them into Jötunheim myself!
• Freyja: We cannot afford such a loss. The Einherjar (champions) must hold back to defend our city.
• Týr: I would bring them here to hold the Great Hall itself. This invasion is too large to spread ourselves around.
• Thor: All this prattle solves nothing! Battle or death!

Havi slammed his fist down on the table.

• Havi: Silence, all of you! We will take the fight to the enemy before they cross the Bifröst.
• Týr: Well said, Raven-Feeder! Name those who may fight beside you!

Týr, Keeper of Justice.Thor, Lord of Thunder.Freyja, Queen of Asgard.

• Havi: I need only one. You, Týr, Lord of Justice. We'll gather our forces and scatter the enemy like grains.

Havi patted Týr on the shoulder. Thor cursed and stormed away.

• Týr: Yes! I will fight as a thresher through a field of wheat, Mad One.

• Havi: I need only one. You, Thor, Lord of Thunder. Together we'll cripple the enemy before they grow too bold.
• Thor: Rouse every warrior who can hold axe or hammer! We're hunting Jötnar (giants) heads!

Havi smirked as Thor ran ahead.

• Havi: I need only one. You, Freyja, Queen of Asgard. Will you fight at my side?

Freyja nodded, while Thor cursed and stormed away.

• 'Freyja: I'm with you, Havi. Let the Bifröst shimmer with the blood of their dead.

• Havi: The rest of you stay back to protect the Great Hall.

Havi started to leave but stopped after only a few steps, the Nornir's words weighing heavily on him. He turned back to Freyja and Týr.

• Havi: Were any creatures among the jötnar? Draugr? Trolls... or wolves?
• Freyja: What troubles you, Havi?
• Týr: Does your far-sight tell you something?

Havi looked away, troubled, but the conversation was interrupted by a warrior rushing in.

• Norse Warrior 2: More invaders! They gather at the Bifröst bridge!
• Týr: Where's Loki? He should be guarding that door!
• Havi: Warn the others. The fight begins.

Havi chose Týr.Havi chose Thor.Havi chose Freyja.

Havi and Týr heading to the battlefield

• Týr: I'm with you, Havi. Let's deal out some punishment.

Havi led the charge from the Great Hall with Týr.

• Týr: They're pouring in from Heimdall's tower! We must clear the bridge!

On the stairs landing below, Thor joined them.

• Thor: Mjölnir! It is time to crush!

• Thor: Einherjar! Here is the battle you died to attain! For Havi. And for Asgard!

Havi led the charge from the Great Hall with Thor.

• Thor: Jötunheim scum! Welcome to your doom!

Freyja stepped up.

• Freyja: Come Havi! Tonight we drink and swive! But now's the hour we prove our might!

Havi smirked and together they led the charge from the Great Hall.

• Freyja: If they've breached the gate to Jötunheim, someone must close it!

On the stairs landing below, Thor joined them.

• Thor: Mjölnir! It is time to crush!

The gods and the warriors of Asgard ran through the city toward the Bifröst, many Asgardians fleeing past them toward the hall.

• Norse Warrior 3: Lead us to glory, Havi!
• Havi: Warriors, with me! The rest of you, guard the Great Hall!

They reached the Bifröst.

• Havi: With me! I gift this battle to myself!

Halfway across the bridge, a fog filled the air, blocking view of the other side.

Havi chose Týr.Havi chose Thor.Havi chose Freyja.

• Týr: They cloud our senses with enchantments!
• Havi: Kill them, and their illusions die!

• Thor: Einherjar! Bring the Havi your blades! We'll drown our enemies in blood!

• Freyja: Jötunheim magic! It conjures a concealing mist!
• Havi: My steel will shred their illusions.

The Asgardians clashing against the jötnar

As it started raining, the warriors of Asgard reached the invading jötnar and the battle began.

• Havi: Blood for Asgard! Say hello to Jörmungandr!
• Jötun Soldier 1: Kill the Æsir! Burn their halls!

Havi fought his way to the other end of the Bifröst.

• Havi: Cut them down!

Havi reached Heimdall's Tower. As he ascended the stairs, he saw a group of jötnar waiting. Before he could reach them, Thor leapt from a cliff above them.

• Thor: To Helheim with you!

Thor crashed into the group with Mjölnir and killing them all with a wave of lightning, and laughed.

• Thor: You break too easily!

Havi continued up the stairs, where more jötnar came from the open gate to Jötunheim. While the Asgard's army fought most of the invaders, the god headed for the door where a large jötunn waited.

• Jötunn Soldier 2: Asgard will fall!
• Havi: Not while I stand! Return to your Jötnar masters!

Havi shutting the gate to Jötunheim

Havi killed the soldier and proceeded to quickly push shut the heavy door to Jötunheim. It closed in a bright flash of light and frost.

• Havi: Loki was charged with guarding this gate, and yet it was left open.

The Asgardian warriors killed off the last of the invaders as Havi stepped back from the gate and heard someone begging.

• The Builder: Please! Have care! I've done you no harm!
• Havi: What's that?
• Loki: You've done us no favors either, Jötunn (giant).
• The Builder: Wait, no, you're mistaken! I'm no Jötunn. I was only passing through from one land to another!
• Loki: Would your song be the same if the Jötnar had won this fight?
• The Builder: Yes, of course, of course! Are you calling me a liar?

Havi discovers Loki with a prisoner

Havi approached where Loki stood over a human-looking man lying on the ground.

• Loki: Havi! I found this one lurking in the shade, shying away from battle. Shall I extract some teeth to get him talking? Or pluck out an eye?
• Havi: You were told to guard this portal, Loki. What happened?
• Loki: The portal opened, and these soldiers came bleeding through. So I sent warning straightaway.

As they spoke, the Builder stood. Loki grabbed him by the throat.

• Loki: And I captured this one, the soggy-jowled sheepherder.

Loki shoved the man away, sending him falling to the ground again, and laughed. Havi shook his head disapprovingly, then kicked the captive lightly in the leg to get his attention.

• Havi: What is your name, stranger?

The man stood.

• The Builder: I'm called the Builder by most.
• Loki: He wants your name, not your trade.

Loki stepped towards the Builder threateningly, but Havi put out a hand to stop him.

• The Builder: If I have another name, it's not within my memory. Builder it's been for as long as I've been... building things.

Are you with the giants?What can you offer?Why are you here?

• Havi: Do you come from Jötunheim?
• The Builder: I do, or I did. That is to say, I passed through. But I am not of that place, which pleases me well, for I hated it.
• Havi: Had you any dealings there?
• The Builder: As a builder, yes, for a time. But they took a dislike to my methods, which are... shall I say, magical in nature.

• Havi: And what can you build that would impress me?
• The Builder: I work with stone, wood, metals, whatever is at hand. And I finish by infusing my work with subtle charms and wishes.
• Havi: Did the Jötnar benefit from these charms and wishes?
• The Builder: O, for a time, for a time. But you and I both know, the Jötnar are a dull and desperate race.

• Havi: Why have you come to Asgard?
• The Builder: To balm my bruised ego, I'll admit. The Jötnar did not appreciate my skills and crafts.
• Havi: And you thought we in Asgard might?
• The Builder: Was it wrong to believe you and your kin possess a wisdom beyond measure and could recognize such a rare opportunity?

• Loki: Havi, when someone gifts you a horse, you ride it. I'd put a bridle on this one.

Havi and Loki interrogating The Builder

Havi paced to the other side of the Builder, inspecting him.

• Havi: Is that right, Builder? Are you a gift horse... or a secret curse?
• The Builder: Neither, High One. I am only a tool. One with hopes to be well used.

Havi turned to look at the gate to Jötunheim again.

• Havi: This portal has been a source of misery for some time. I want it sealed.
• The Builder: With respect, this is not the only way the Jötnar can enter Asgard. May I propose a more encompassing solution?

Your arrival is suspicious.Walls have failed us.What is your price?

• Havi: Quite a coincidence that you came when you did. At the tail end of a brutal attack.
• The Builder: That I came when I did was by design. I have been among your enemies for so long, I know how they hunger for your demise.

• Havi: We have tried all manner of barriers, and still we are breached. What makes you think yours could keep out giants or worse?
• The Builder: I have been among the giants, learned their weaknesses. My shield will succeed where yours have failed.

• Havi: And what do you want in exchange for this shield? Other than your freedom?
• The Builder: I must give that a thought, a very deep thought. It would not be a simple task, and I do have my reputation to consider.

• The Builder: If you doubt me, I could offer a demonstration.
• Loki: A demonstration, yes. And if he fails to impress... we hoist his skin as a sail.
• The Builder: I'll accept these terms with a last condition. I would need water from your Well of Urðr.
• Loki: What do you know of our sacred well?
• The Builder: It's a place of great power and vital magic. A source of spirit. It's the water there that will power your shield.
• Loki: I'll collect the water, Havi. Keep this one clear of our sacred sites.

Loki began to walk away, but Havi stopped him.

• Havi: Loki, halt.

Loki stopped and sighed.

• Havi: I will go to the well. You must find this Builder a clearing for his display.

Havi walked past and Loki hurried to cut him off.

• Loki: No, no, it's no trouble, Havi. The damp and the dark appeal to me.

Havi commands Loki to follow his orders

Havi fixed Loki with a searching glare, then stepped in closer.

• Havi: Go with the Builder, then return to the Great Hall with news of our next step.

Loki bowed his head as Havi walked away.

• Loki: As you command.

He began to lead the stranger across the Bifröst.

• Loki: An interesting offer.
• Havi: A curious coincidence.

Outcome

Havi closed the door at Heimdall's Tower and stopped the jötnar invasion.

Behind the scenes

The prophecy that the Nornir recite is an alternate translation of rearranged lines in the Völuspá, the Poetic Edda's opening poem.

The line from the Norse warrior cheering Havi to "lead [us] to glory" and Havi's order to the warriors appear to trigger in mutual exclusion; one will be chosen at random regardless of how slowly or quickly the player proceeds down the steps to the circular plaza and to the Bifröst, or which god the player chooses to join Havi in the charge.

Gallery

• 
  The Nornir dismissed
• 
  The battle near the gate

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla