The Big Finish

The Big Finish 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 went to inspect the tower that The Builder had completed at Indre Holm.
==Dialogue==
Havi went to speak to the Builder about their deal. From a distance, though, it appeared the tower was already complete.
*Havi: He finished the tower. Have we been outplayed?
As Havi entered the tower, the Builder called out to him.
*The Builder: Like what you see? Quite the tower, hm?
Havi approached to speak to the Builder.
*The Builder: Not my best work, but it has a certain glow. Now then, where's my queen?
Havi turned and looked over the tower.
*Havi: You're finished? The tower is functional?
The Builder walked up the steps to stand in the center of the tower.
*The Builder: One rune remains, which I shall inscribe after I am wed.
*Havi: Who helped you complete the work, Builder? You could not have managed so quickly on your own.
*The Builder: Our agreement said nothing about outside help. Now, where is Freyja? I tire of waiting.
*Havi: Outside help? Interesting choice of words.
From one side, Freyja approached, flanked by Tyr and Thor.
*Tyr: Hail, Havi! Hail, Builder!
*Thor: We bring you your bride?
Confused, Havi moved to question them, but stopped when he received a wink from Thor.
*The Builder: Freyja! My beloved!
Freyja looked up with a strange grin. Unnerved, the Builder hesitated.
*The Builder: Why does she leer so wickedly?
<tabber>
|-|She has no appetite.=
*Havi: Freyja is so excited that she has refused food or drink until the marriage is consummated.
*The Builder: I am pleased, but somewhat surprised since this unwilling union was thrust upon her sight unseen.
*Havi: Once she saw this tower--a testament to your strength--she knew you to be a great man indeed!
|-|She hungers for you.=
*Havi: She starved, Builder. Hungry for you. Eager to consume you like a moist and dainty morsel!
Freyja smiled and winked at the Builder.
*The Builder: Splendid! She'll be please to know, I have an appetite to match her own! Our union will be a feast of the senses! 
|-|You disgust her.=
*Havi: She agreed to marry you for the sake of Asgard, but she is not warmed by the idea. In fact, you revolt her utterly.
*The Builder: If she hopes to dissuade me from this union, she'll be quite disappointed. I am committed to seeing this through.
</tabber>
*Tyr: Enough chatter! We have upheld our end of the bargain. Will you finish your work?
The Builder examined Freyja closer.
*The Builder: I'm sorry, but... I've never seen such wild eyes. Why does she look so feral?
<tabber>
|-|She hasn't slept.=
*Havi: Since hearing of your offer, she hasn't closed her eyes. She fears what she might miss in the abyss of comforting sleep.
The Builder stepped up before Freyja.
*The Builder: This is no dream, my love! It is all quite real! Speak and tell me you agree!
|-|She dreams of you.=
*Havi: Asleep or awake, her eyes swim with naught but the image of you. She is blind to all else.
*The Builder: Blinded by love or disgust? I do not grasp your meaning.
|-|She suffers nightmares.=
*Havi: She was shocked into a waking sleep at the news of her betrothal. She prefers this dreamlike state to the ugly reality.
*The Builder: It will be a rude awakening if she does not come around willingly! I will not use her gently.
</tabber>
*Thor: Quit stalling and kiss her, dung-mead! Consummate your betrothal!
Still silent, Freyja shook her head in panic.
*The Builder: Yes, a kiss! A brief taste to whet my appetite!
The Builder kissed Freyja, who quickly shoved him away, wiping her mouth in disgust.
*The Builder: Delicious! Your lips are two pillows on a bed of reinrose petals!
When Freyja spoke, it was with Loki's voice.
*Loki-as-Freyja: And yours are cold and rough as unpolished stone.
*The Builder: What trickery is this?
*Havi: Is something wrong?
*The Builder: Her voice! It's hideous.
*Loki-as-Freyja: I've been told it has a seductive quality.
Thor laughed and muttered softly.
*Thor: By a wolf.
*The Builder: Treachery! Bring me the real Freyja or my offer is withdrawn!
*Freyja: I'll bring myself if you don't mind.
The real Freyja walked in, Thor, Tyr and Loki all looking panicked.
*Tyr: Freyja, you don't need to--
Tyr started to approach Freyja, but she walked past him.
*Freyja: You have next to nothing, Æsir! Only this useless monument to your ineptitude.
Loki, still appearing as Freyja, stood back. Thor stood in Freyja's way, uncertain.
*Thor: Ah--
*Freyja: You've been a good boy, Thor. Don't gamble your winnings.
Thor grunted and moved out of her way, and Freyja advanced on Havi.
*Freyja: And you, Havi...
The Builder watched on, rubbing his hands together with a grin.
*Freyja: You tried to avoid responsibility by not making a choice, but that was a choice in itself. And look where it has brought us! 
<tabber>
|-|You've been ill used.=
Havi stepped forward and took Freyja's hands in his own.
*Havi: We have taken you for granted, it's true. That ends now.
|-|My actions are justified.=
*Havi: No one has done more for Asgard than me. Did I not carve this land from Ymir's steaming flesh and bones?
|-|The outcome is unwritten.=
*Havi: You are no one's prize just yet. If this scheme turns sour, I will fight for you 'til my sinews snap and my bones break.
</tabber>
*The Builder: Has this sad spectacle been for my sake alone? I've seen better drama on the festering carcass of a dead pig.
*Havi: Finish your work. Or suffer.
*The Builder: No Freyja, no shield.
The Builder walked off and the others watched, gathering around Havi.
*Loki-as-Freyja: To Helheim with him, Havi! I know where he keeps his enchanted paint.
*Havi: Show me.
Loki went to the side of the tower to wait while Havi addressed the others.
*Havi: Thor, Tyr, watch our guest closely. Freyja... I hope we will have words when this is done.
Havi left to join Loki.
*Havi: Why do you still wear Freyja's form?
*Loki-as-Freyja: A reminder of who's at stake.
*Havi: Change back, this is disturbing.
In a flash of blue, Loki returned to his usual appearance.
*Havi: Where do we go now?
*Loki: I don't know. I didn't say I was watching him every moment.
*Havi: So, you do not know where he kept his supplies?
*Loki: They must be nearby! He never left this area! Mostly never!
Together, Havi and Loki made their way south from the tower, where Loki had noted activity. Some way in, Havi spotted tracks in the mud.
*Havi: Footprints.
*Loki: Large footprints.
Following the tracks, they found a cave near the shore, entrance boarded over. Havi broke the planks and entered.
*Havi: We have found the worm's lair.
Further in, they saw two sleeping deer.
*Loki: Are those the Builder's pets? He has strange tastes.
*Havi: Ignore them. Find the paint.
Havi inspected some crates and bags to one side.
*Havi: Useless.
He found another stack of crates.
*Havi: Nothing here.
<tabber>
|-|Woke the deer.= 
Havi drew too close to the deer and they awoke, turning into Jötnar.
*Loki: Shapeshifters!
*Havi: More deception! The Builder will suffer for this.
Together, Havi and Loki defeated the two Jotnar.
*Loki: Where there's guards, there's goods. There's a door further in. Help me smash it.
|-|Didn't wake the deer.=
Havi spotted a red door set into the wall of the cave with two glowing runes inscribed on it.
*Havi: Those runes. I know them. The Builder's supplies must be hidden behind this door. Loki, give me a hand.
*Loki: Coming. Wait!
The deer awoke and turned into Jötnar.
*Loki: Shapeshifters!
*Havi: More deception! The Builder will suffer for this.
Together, Havi and Loki defeated the two Jotnar.
*Loki: Now, let's smash that door.
</tabber>
*Havi: Hold, Loki. We need to talk.
*Loki: What is it, Havi?
*Havi: Loki... did you know this Builder before we met him at Heimdall's tower?
*Loki: Did I... know him? As in friends? Or know of him?
*Havi: Did you invite him here?
*Loki: I... I did, yes. He rescued my son from Jotunheim, so I agreed to bring him here, and help him find work. That's all.
*Havi: Make this right, Loki. Or the blood-oath that binds me is forfeit. For you and your son, is that clear?
Loki bowed his head.
*Loki: As a cloudless sky, High One.
Conversation over, they turned their attention to the door, working together to force it open. Inside were several more sleeping animals.
*Havi: More deer.
*Loki: Go ahead. I'll watch your back.
*Havi: That's cold comfort. A quiet crossing might be best.
(If Havi woke the animals)
:The animals awoke and turned into Jotnar. 
:*Havi: Ymir's blood. Loki! Slay these shape-shifters!
:Havi and Loki killed the last of them.
:*Havi: Is that all of them?
:*Loki: I hope so. Let's get the paint and go.
Havi made it to the back of the cave, where there were three crates of paint. He lifted one.
*Havi: I have the paint.
*Loki: Then let us fade like shadows in the light.
(If Havi made it back to the door undetected)
:*Loki: We got lucky.
:*Havi: Let us take what we need and go! We've no time to tarry.
Havi and Loki left the cave with the paint and headed back toward the tower.
*Loki: It appears we've underestimated him.
*Havi: On your advice. Find some way to hinder his efforts or I'll offer you as his prize.
*Loki: I live to serve, Raven-Feeder.
They neared the tower.
*Tyr: Our Havi returns.
*Thor: Stay right there, Builder. We're not finished with you.
Thor was holding the Builder by his neck as Havi and Loki entered the tower, though he released him as they drew near.
*The Builder: You survived my trap. How disappointing.
Havi set the paint down in the center of the tower.
*Havi: Invaders from Jotunheim. We slaughtered them all.
*Thor: Buri's ballsack! Can I kill him now?
Havi cracked his knuckles.
*Havi: We do not need this honor-cheat. We will complete the tower ourselves.
The Builder shook his head with a smile.
*The Builder: My hugr makes it work. I am bound to it through the magic of your realm.
*Havi: You perverted our sacred waters. We have every reason to kill you.
*The Builder: Well reasoned. They should call you the God of Hindsight. All-knowing after the fact.
Havi thought for a moment.
*Havi: I will finish the inscription. Builder, you stay with me. You others, go.
Thor and Tyr walked away. Freyja paused at Havi's shoulder.
*Freyja: "Elhaz." For protection.
She glared at the Builder, then left. Havi painted the final rune in the center of the tower. As soon as it was complete, a glowing blue shield encircled the tower and the Builder began to grow, transforming into a jotun.
*The Builder: You gutless worm. Slayer of my kin. Oath-breaker, spirit-taker! I didn't build this tower to keep your enemies out. I built it to keep you in!
The Builder attacked Havi.
*The Builder: You thought you could slay my people without punishment or price! You and your slab-headed son!
*Havi: Their lives were the price of their arrogance.
They continued to fight.
*Havi: His head is exposed. How do I reach it? I could get a better shot at his head from above.
After some time, Havi began to wear the Builder down. The Builder slammed the top of his hammer to the floor in the center of the tower, causing the inscriptions to light up and empowering him.
*The Builder: You shaped the nine worlds, but you do not control them.
*Havi: Control them? I only wish to survive them.
The Builder resumed his attacks, more powerful than before.
*The Builder: Your bones will form the cornerstone of a new world ruled by Jotnar!
*Havi: Your time has passed. There is no turning back the seasons.
*The Builder: If our doom is assured, I will ensure that you share it.
Havi weakened the Builder further.
*Havi: Almost.
Finally, Havi knocked the Builder to his knees, grabbing the giant hammer and holding it so the base of the handle was raised. When the Builder fell forward, it stabbed into his chest, and Havi pushed him down, impaling him upon the grip. With the Builder dead, the shield that had encompassed the tower fell and the other gods returned.
*Freyja: Is the Jotun dead?
Havi nodded.
*Havi: And his magic dies with him. Does that worry you, Trickster?
In the middle of adjusting his sleeve, Loki looked up in shock to find the others all staring at him.
*Loki: What are you implying?
*Freyja: Were you behind this, you dishonorable Truth-Tangler?
*Loki: What do you know of honor, Freyja? You've bedded more men than all the halls in Midgard.
Freyja bared her teeth, nearing Loki as though to attack, but stopped as Tyr spoke.
*Tyr: You're a fine one to talk of sexual appetites. You fathered a wolf cub!
*Loki: I'll not hear a lecture from the Lord of Petty Rules, who stiffens at the thought of laying down the law! And before you threaten to brandish your hammer, Thor, remember... without it, you'd be no better than a troll, only twice as stupid.
Angered, Thor also made to attack. Havi got there first, though, his ferocity causing both Thor and Tyr to step back warily.
*Havi: You festering ballsack, swollen with the foulest drippings of Ymir's corpse. No oath is worth this abuse! 
Loki folded his arms, smug.
*Loki: But you won't break it, Havi. You cannot. All your efforts to evade destiny will only fling you further along its course. If you're not careful, you may be the author of your own destruction.
Thor pulled out his hammer with a snarl and Loki flinched back, then waved his arm dismissively at them all and walked away.
*Havi: Leave him. He will do little harm while his son remains captive.
*Thor: A mouthful of iron would put a stop to his babbling.
*Freyja: What now, Wise One? We have returned to the place from which we set out. Ragnarök is coming, and we are no safer.
*Havi: There may be a solution in Jotunheim. Hugr magic, they call it. I will travel there to see it for myself.
Havi turned to Tyr.
*Havi: Until I have the final binding, Loki's son must not leave that island. In time, it shall serve as a sanctuary for all wolves.
*Tyr: I will watch over him as one of my own kin.
*Havi: Then I leave the realm in your capable hands, my queen. If my own are empty when I return, I will accept destiny with both.
Leaving the others, Havi returned to Heimdall's tower, where the door to Jotunheim opened, icy air escaping from it. Havi went through.
Eivor awoke in Valka's hut.
==Outcome==
Havi defeated the Builder in battle and travelled to Jötunheimr.
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
Category:Memories of Eivor Varinsdottir
Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5