Page 143 of Fallen Gods

And at the center of it all: the massive stadium and the Endir Vikings, all lined up in full cosplay. They have helmets with iron horns, and I’m pretty sure the fur draped across their pads was bought from IKEA in rug form, then cut up and glued. They’re marching around in formation, chanting, yelling about shield walls, and laughing. A few of them are so drunk, they trip over their own swords. Safe to say Endir’s more known for its academics than its sports.

An outdoor buffet stretches the length of the football field. A completely gaudy feast fit for a king with candles of every shape and size lit down the table. Whole roasted boars glisten on saucers next to bread piled like multiple armies are about to pillage. Platters of carrots, leeks, and onions. Dozens of golden pitchers filled with what I hope is mead or something strong.

It also feels a bit like home.

Reeve’s the first to speak up. “Old world meets new. They’ve been running this since forever. Nothing like an ancient tradition dressed up as a frat party.”

Aric doesn’t respond. His eyes flick briefly to the lake as we pass. It’s turbulent, slapping against the shore. The sky is clear,no wind. The violence in it doesn’t make sense.

“How many feasts are we having?” I mumble, mostly to myself.

Reeve rubs his hands together. “Thought you’d never ask. The Hunt happens in three diabolical stages. Phase one—” He points to the middle of the field. “Behold, drink and be merry.” He holds up two fingers. “Two is usually when you have a significant other who’s agreed to go with you.”

Reeve turns a judgmental stare my way.

“Assuming they don’t dump you before the big event, you sit together and feed each other. Showing true trust in food is directly related to trust for the actual Hunt, which is phase three. This is basically your excuse to run through the forest. There are games set up on different trails, but the only part that’s mandatory is that whatever trail or adventure you stumble upon, you have to finish and cross the creek that feeds the lake at the end. The water is the final ceremonial cleansing of your sins in front of the Gods and everyone. Afterward, we end up back where we started for the bonfires and fireworks to officially kick off the school year—and, of course, to feast!”

I snort. “And here I thought it was just a myth about Odin releasing ravens.”

“It’s that, too,” Aric says quickly. “You know Sigurd. He likes to honor old traditions and mix in the new.”

At least a hundred students mill about, all in elaborate masks and costumes. The air feels thick, charged, like the entire campus knows what’s coming.

I spot a group outside the student union holding torches, thrusting them high as if summoning something. The flames illuminate carved masks, the distorted faces of wolves, stags, and ravens everyone seems to be wearing.

“The professors,” Reeve says casually. “Tradition.”

Tradition. They love that word around here.

And I’m a bit surprised Endir’s professors are shouting arounda fire.

“We aren’t actually hunting anything, right?” I ask. “It’s just a party? A play on words?”

“Spirits. Ghosts. Trolls. And men who deserve worse,” Aric answers. “At least that’s what the Hunt used to be about.Right, Reeve?”

Reeve snaps to attention. “Yes, its original intent was exactly that.”

The tension among the three of us is suffocating.

Ziva elbows me. “You okay?”

I let out a rough exhale. “Fine.”

She raises her hand to pat me on the shoulder, then thinks twice about it. “Too pointy.”

“Cool, right?”

Eira lets out a snort. “When do we get to party?”

“After the ceremony,” Reeve says. “And after all the alumni and parents have arrived.” He turns to face us and starts walking backward. “Everyone needs to relax. Think of it as a game. A race through the forest. Get to the other side, and you win. Get caught, you pay a price.” He smirks. “Has anyone ever even looked up Odin’s Wild Hunt?”

Odin. He was a good hunter.

And then he trained me to be better.

I open my mouth. “Odin would lead the charge into the forests with his ravens chasing after spirits. Most humans disappeared or didn’t survive the night.”

“Survival is always key,” Aric adds.