This is a Hævngrímr story, the brave warrior whose fate was to meet with his ancient gods and doubts their righteousness.

Inspired by countless immersive universes throughout my life, I always wanted to create them as well. This time, I wrote a dark, mature (18+) fantasy and created slides with the help of AI, editing and combining different layers into a unified whole. This is my personal project, and I can verify the authorship of all the assets. I decided to move away from the classic synopsis format and present the story in the form of an ode, to convey the atmosphere as deeply as possible, embedding the emotional and artistic tone of “The Reaper” into poetic symbolism and giving voice to the somber world it reflects. As is known, the main driving force of any story is the forces of antagonism. And this force can be anyone, or anything. The Hævngrímr Ode, represent a story about fallen warrior finds himself bound as Hel’s servant, tasked with tracking down her stillborn children who had devoured their own kind, clearing the way for new beginnings. Hel reached the living world through a Huldra, confined within an ancient tree whose roots were submerged in a pool of bones, flesh, and blood - her dark cradle. Yet, when her errant children were no more, Valgalla’s gates did not open for Hævngrímr. Instead, Hel offered him a chance to rise as her chosen one and join the ranks of gods. But Hævngrímr rose to stand for what he knew was right.

To better convey the story, I’m unveiling two main characters and their motivations prior to the main events that unfold later in the narrative.

PLOT BACKGROUND

Huldra is a Scandinavian woman of mesmerizing beauty, whose flesh bled eternally - forever prevented from healing, filling the swamp pond at the ancient yew base, with roots sinking into the blood, flesh, and bones of the Hel’s yet unborn creatures.

Her blood was the cost of the eternal beauty and suffering she yearned to break free from by appearing in waking visions to those who answered her call. Many strongest warriors failed to end the blood curse, until she was heard by Hævngrímr.

The endless cycle of violence hardened Hævngrímr, and he began to seek meaning in the chaos of war, seeking an honorable death that would grant him his rightful place in Valhalla.

Driven by an unrelenting thirst for worthy foes, he ventured into distant lands, whose terrors were sung in ancient legends.

But the harbinger of his death become a whisper

that dawn the beginning of this tale.

ACT I

EXT. THE HOWLING PEAK. WINTER DAY.

INT. CAVE - HEL'S DARK CRADLE. WINTER DAY.

HULDRA

O my Hævngrímr, hear my mournful cry,
To break my chains - you too must die,
Let your courage answers the path I’ve laid,
And beneath the yew - my voice will also fade.

EXT. HELL'S DARK CRADLE. WINTER DAY.

Hævngrímr emerges into the light.

With Hævngrímr closing in - Huldra's vision dissolved.

At the same time, the bloody swamp began to churn, spewing its wolf-like creature onto the shore.

Their gazes locked. Beast's teeth bared as it circled Hævngrímr, cutting off his path of retreat. With a deafening snarl - it lunged.

The beast’s jaws clamped shut where Hævngrímr had stood a heartbeat before — he had slipped aside, dodging beneath the creature’s blind eye.

And in that split second, as the creature's mouth closed - Hævngrímr brought down with a crushing blow right to its skull. Shattering beast forehead and taking its only eye.

Had the creature been alive - it would scarcely have withstood such an injury. Yet the beast staggered backward and infused with a malevolent power that only made it stronger. And it spoke - not through its mouth, but directly into Hævngrímr's mind.