Chapter 6: Knowledge

The ships computer system was significantly more intelligent than I had expected. I was intrigued at the prospect of indulging in all of this information I had yet to remember. The tablet read searching as it was collecting data for my inquiries.

"Jotunheim. The edge of the galaxy known as Andromeda. Ships most recent location before landing on the false planet that claimed to be Olympus. Home of the giants. They stood approximately fifty to seventy feet tall. Species population, nine hundred and thirty two. Technologies are primitive. Space travel... none. Some friendlies, some foe's. Species leader.... Aldonis. Description.... Metal helmet, cloth toga. Skin... purple. Planets year round temperature... minus thirty. Giants skin appear to be too tough to penetrate with any known weapon. Second largest animal on the planet... referred to as hounds. Stood approximately twenty to thirty feet in height. Three heads. Vicious, though common household pets for giants. Engage with caution." The ships AI finished, speaking as every line loaded.

I wonder if we met Aldonis when we had last been here. I wish I could remember even a little bit of what had happened there. The hounds sound terrifying, hopefully we can stay clear of them. No mention of their strengths or weaknesses.

"Show me Nibiru." I said to the AI.

"Nibiru. Home of the Swordsmen of Nibiru. Keepers of peace. Known for turning the tides of war. Protectors of what is known as the Milky Way galaxy. Planet location..... redacted. Leader. Redacted. Strengths and weaknesses. Redacted." The ships AI finished, very minimal information on his own people.

"Show me the shapeshifters now." I said.

"Shapeshifters. Come from the planet Tomall. Lead by the Mystic. Commonly found on the dark side of the planet. Mostly described as a nightmarish barren wasteland. Can take almost any form of basic beast or humanoid. Limited strength. No mouth or eyes visible, they use some sort of sonar that gives them a more clear picture. Data also reveals that shapeshifters have laid claim to a plane of existence called, Purgatory. A veil between Valhalla and Hel itself. Shapeshifters feed on souls of those they claim. Their deity, Mon'Gal, gives them strength from purgatory. Not inherently bad nor strong. But can be cunning and deceitful." The AI had finished with a tone of caution to the reader.

"So, how did Zeus get his hands on these beasts." I asked.

"Data seems to be corrupted." The AI responded.

"What do you know of the horsemen?"

"Horsemen. Tales of the legendary four horsemen of the apocalypse. War, Famine, Pestilence and Death. Strengths varying. Their true desires led them to their titles. It is said, when they arrive, Famine and Pestilence come first. Then War. Followed by Death. No additional data is available."

"Okay, show me Zeus. What is his plan?" I asked.

"Zeus. Data has been entered recently from Nibiru. Accessing.... The prophets have discovered information in regards to Zeus. The document was added due to information gathered from the Mystic. The Mystic can gather information from shapeshifters, seeing as they are a hivemind of sorts. Due to the barrier between galaxies, the information is a little distorted. Zeus was the only being on his planet. No other life forms there. He had risen with such power, and no one to lay witness. In Zeus's attempt to find other sentient life in his own galaxy, he had discovered Jotunheim. Zeus did not have a spacecraft, so it is thought he himself can travel through space. Abilities include, flying, unknown levels of strength, and the ability to conjure his own weapon, shaped like a lightning bolt. In Zeus's search of meaning and purpose, he found other civilizations across Andromeda. He met and understood these civilizations. Out of envy, he slaughtered trillions. Taking their greatest warriors and turning them into his followers." The AI said, piecing everything together.

"So his horsemen were warriors of other species." I said.

"Zeus is presumed to be searching for a way into the Milky way. Seeing that the amount of energy and resources he would use to take himself past the barrier, would be too exhausting. Other information in regards to Zeus have been redacted." The AI finished.

The information piled in my head. I was trying to piece everything together. If the shapeshifters came from Tomall, how did Zeus get his hands on thousands of them. What did Famine mean by liberating them from the Mystic?

I got up and returned to the cockpit to discuss things with Fjorn.

"Aye boy, welcome. You find what you are looking for?" Fjorn asked.

"Some information, but many more questions. One big question is, why us? Why did you and me go to Jotunheim? A Dwarf and a Swordsman of Nibiru. I am supposedly a prince, why did I abandon my people for some distress signal?" I felt like I may have been overwhelming Fjorn with the questions and stopped.

"Well. Maybe we will find out? I want my memories boy. I want to know what it's like to be back amongst my people. Dwarves and these little fellas called Gnomes." Fjorn said, his smile quickly fading with the thought of being deceived.

"Approaching Jotunheim." The AI called in the cockpit.

Jotunheim. It was a massive planet. Easily a hundred times bigger than the planet we had recently been living on. We could see mountains ripping through the atmosphere. Snow flowed like dust into space. If there was ever going to be a place that held massive giants, it was here. No doubt in my mind.