Descending from Valhalla on a grey misty morning; the stuff of Norse legend, The Four gathered to  undertake the dread and sacred southern transit known as The Commute:

• Thor Drastic
• Odin Bucky
• Beowulf Steve
• Loki Bullet

Thor Drastic, scorning the warning from On High, defiantly removed his rain jacket as if to laugh at the Gods.

With grey skies beckoning and the departure of the 6.45am Iron Horse, distant Wagnerian strains called The Four southwards.  Off they ventured, aware that this could be a day like no other.

A melting pot of trepidation, fear, awe and excitement creating a sacred power drove the wheels of their winged (pronounced wing-ed) chariots southward towards the place they knew they must go (the office), but not knowing what awaited them.

• Beowulf Steve and Loki Bullet found sanctuary on the old tales and stories of yore.
• Odin Bucky brooded and gazed upon the threatening skies on the alert for what the Gods might have in store.
• Thor Drastic harnessed the power of his latent rage and channeled it towards the challenge ahead – The King of the Ascent.

Lulled into security, The Four wound their journey south. The Commute always had surprises, and they waited patiently for the Gods to show their hand. Signs displayed their speed and offered thanks, even the lights changed synchronistically as if inviting them onward.

“Gatsey Manoov” muttered Odin Bucky in the Ancient Tongue.

“Pardon” retorted Thor Drastic.

“Gutsy Manoeuvre” Odin Bucky repeated “running that light.”

But they all knew that Thor Drastic laughed in the face of such challenge.

And then it came, Valhalla’s doors creaked open; first a spit, then a drizzle, and then down it poured.  Steeling themselves against the onslaught The Four took evasive action, “I’m going to put on my rain jacket,” cried Beowulf Steve.” See you at the top.”  And then there were three.

Shortly after, Thor Drastic, “I think I might do the same.”

They were being torn asunder, their resolve in tatters, Loki Bullet and Odin Bucky made a break for it and pushed on to the Ascent unsure if they would ever see their comrades again, hoping to find refuge at the top. Chaos ensued as each seemed to rail in the abyss of the unknown.

However, Fortune favours the brave, and The Four regathered at the top of the Road of Willoughby to tell tales of brave deeds, celebrate their survival and deride their foes.

The Gods, beaten but never defeated, retreated to Valhalla to plan their next assault on the Hard Men of the North.

“Straight to the showers, Boys” cried Thor Drastic.

EWOTY deferred.