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| ...For love is Immortality.; Hetero, James as Thor/OFC Valkyrie, AU | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: August 15, 2012, 1:22 pm (15,389 Views) | |
| Olyamet | May 27, 2014, 10:50 pm Post #316 |
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Jäger.....
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Thank you girls so much!!!! Okay! Now... shall we go back to Astrid and Thor? XXXVII. (Thor's POV) My eyes moved over the black waves spread over the fur, then stopped on alabaster cheeks, shadowed by long black eyelashes. Who knew that my simple and silly use of powers to see my future back in Asgard on the day before my life changed was true... this is the moment I saw... My Valkyrie, beside me... something I only dreamed of back then, a happy reality now... My hand moved an unruly strand of hair off her forehead, and her lips, slightly swollen from my kisses, slid into a smile. “I am so happy... I couldn't even imagine that it was possible to feel like this...” Her eyes slowly opened to deep blue lakes of serenity and I breathed in, pulling my little Valkyrie closer. “Me neither...” “You? With your experience?” Blue eyes smiled at me. “What ever I experienced before does not even compare to this. It was just me and you, no magic, no powers... but it felt like magic...” I looked into her eyes, sparkling with silent laughter, and bit Astrid's shoulder. “Don't you dare laugh at me when I'm being all... softy-mushy-over-the-top-smitten! You're the one who did this to me!” “Then I'd better fix it. The Mighty Thor can't be all softy-mushy.” “I don't think you can, you melted me into this puddle of sensual goo...” I smiled. “I bet I can fix it with just a few words, to redirect and rename what we felt so it's more... you and me like...” She giggled. “You can try, but it won't work.” “Okay... you can stay a puddle of goo then.” “Noooo... I can't be a puddle, I'm Thor, Almighty God of Thunder, who makes storms and lightning... I can't be a puddle... you have to try and fix it.” “Then lets put the love aside, because that is what made our intimacy so magical, so overwhelming, so...” “Not helping... when you talk like that and call it intimacy.” “Okay, what do you want to call it? Love making?” “No, that's even worse! That makes me even more liquified... lets call it sex... amazing, mind blowing sex...” “It was absolutely, unbelievably incredible...” “How incredible?” “Astounding.” “How astounding?” “Well...” Her eyes sparkled wickedly and her lips slid into a dirty smile. “Not that I have anything to compare to... but I can try and compare it to the most extremely breath-taking experiences I've had in my life.” She pulled her finger to her lips. “Lets see... what gave me the most overpowering feeling... hm...” She glanced at me, and her smile grew wider. “Remember when we accidentally ended up on that wild dragon? And it went crazy, trying to shake us off?” “I do and I also remember that after we were safely back on the ground and sitting by the nice and warm fire, you said that it was better than anything you'd ever felt. You kept going on and on about it even after Balder and Loki retreated into the tent, you kept telling me how you felt, driving me almost insane with your words! Talking about that strong tingling in your lower stomach when the dragon dove down into a free fall, how your heart was beating so fast, pumping blood in your ears, how your breathing came out in gasps, how all of your insides almost melted in a peak of absolute ecstasy, and how when the dragon pulled up at the last minute, you felt this energy hit your lower stomach so strong, you almost passed out from the sensation, and how after that, when the dragon was gliding over the water, serenity took over your body, splashing warmth through you...'” “I remember saying it and remember what I felt... I also remember what you said...” I smiled. “I wanted you so much at that moment... you were so fired up... and I felt so jealous...” “Jealous? Of the dragon?” “Of the what you described so vividly... of what you felt with the dragon and not me.” “I didn't feel it with the dragon... I felt it during the ride. But that explains why you said that I can feel all that and so much more riding the lightning!” “Yeah, but you brushed me off as usual with 'that ride has too long of a line for it.'” “And you smirked and said that good rides always have long lines...” Astrid smiled and bit her lip. “But... I must admit. You were right.” “I was right...?” “Yep, that dragon ride is absolutely nothing compared to... what I felt with you...” “So... in a few more minutes, when my 'lightning' is all ready... you're up for another ride?” I wiggled my eyebrows and she laughed. “That's more like it! You are not a puddle anymore, but your usual self.” She laughed and bit her lip again. “And yes, I would love to ride your lightning.” My lips covered hers, kiss deepened, and my mind caught a lonely thought floating somewhere on the surface of the ocean of happiness. I'm sooo not out of the puddle of goo condition... She makes me melt right back into this... this... bliss... everything about her, her smell, her voice, her smile, her soft skin... I reached my hand to Astrid's chest, pulling the covers off, and as I pulled out of the kiss, her hand flew up, covering the burn scars on her skin. I shook my head, gazing into her deep blue eyes. “I already told you, I don't see what you think is something that would turn me off. I see you, my little Valkyrie, my love, and nothing else.” I pulled her arm away and kissed the rough skin, but Astrid pulled the fur over her chest, pulling my face to hers. “It just makes me a little uncomfortable... you're used to all those flawless, silky bodies of Goddesses and I...” I silenced her lips with mine, pushing my arms under her body and turning onto my back, pulling her on top of me. “You are not them, you never were and you never will be. All those flawless, silky bodies never got any further than my bed. They came and went, not leaving one shred of memory in my mind. You on the other hand, are the only one who managed to bypass the offered bed and walk straight into my heart, filling my mind, making me dream of you, crave you, making me want to always be by you. Making me afraid of losing you so much that I couldn't dare open up my feelings in fear that I may lose you as a friend. For hundreds of years I loved you and only you.” (Astrid's POV) I looked down into clear blue eyes and smiled. “Why? Why me?” “Because...” Thor smiled back, pulling me into another kiss, but I pulled away. “No, really. I was just a Valkyrie... a Demigod. Why did your heart choose me?” Thor deliberately frowned, trying to pull me back to his lips, but I stood my ground. “No kisses until you tell me.” “That is so cruel... especially because I have no idea why.” “That is not an answer.” He sighed and looked into my eyes. “I don't know why... maybe because that evening when I asked you out the very first time, you didn't smile with a silly giggle and eagerly jump into my bed like every singe girl I ever propositioned did. You weren't afraid to say no to me, more so, you mocked me. No one ever dared to talk to me like that. You weren't after a chance of the slight possibility that I may call you my girlfriend, with a future claim at the throne as queen of Asgard. And you were very smart with you sharp tongued answer. I think that was the first time I thought that you were more than just a beautiful girl. Then, later, we became friends, and somehow you always managed to see right through me. You saw through all my masks, and every time I pulled one on in front of you, you ripped it right off. Somehow you knew the true, real me...” I felt warmth spilling over my body after I heard his words and lowered my face to his, but he pushed me back with a smile. “What about you?” “Me?” I scrunched my nose. “Well... I do have to disappoint you a little. I did have a huge crush on you before our first meeting... and if you would've truly asked me out, and not blabbered out your descending, indecent proposal, you would've gotten that silly giggle of happiness. But you didn't. You came to me with that smirk.. 'yes I know you want to' assuming that I would be happy to be your girl for a night... It woke up this rebel inside of me... 'I don't care who the fuck you are, you are not taking me for some stupid bimbo.' I guess it was my pride... or just my temper... either way, that was the true me that came out...” “And that is why I fell for you. You are never fake, never false, you are always you... no matter what...” He pulled me into a kiss and when our lips parted he buried his face into my neck, whispering. “That is why it scared me so much when you said you would stay to save those mortals. I knew that there was nothing I could do to change your mind.” “Then why did you try to pull me away by force?” “Because even if you would never forgive me for that, you would've lived. I would've saved you, even against your will, because I can't let you die, I love you too much... I love you and nothing else matters...” He pulled me closer and I swallowed my sigh. And that is what scares me... that is why there is only one way to make you go back if the seed doesn't work or if the other Gods forbid my return... I can't let you stay with me here, and lose your home, your world, only to watch me to grow old and die... I can't let you do that... you have a big future and I won't let you lose it because of me... I love you too much to be that selfish... Thor's lips slid on my neck and his body moved under me, pulling me up and reminding me of the euphoria of our earlier union. His hands moved to my hips, his lips found mine, and my thoughts drowned into bliss as his lips turned from soft and sensual into demanding. Heat rose up inside of me, splashing over my body and yearning for the ecstasy of melting into each other. And reality pulled away, melting into a fog of delirium and unmeasurable pleasure... |
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| Olyamet | July 6, 2014, 9:47 pm Post #317 |
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Jäger.....
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Okay... hope someone is still interested in the update... XXXVIII. (Balder's POV) “Is that really you? How can this be? How are you here in Midgard?” “You are really that boy! You know who I am?” She pulled closer and I gripped her shoulders. “You are Nanna, daughter of Aegle, a Royal Nymph. Everybody thought you'd died that night with your parents!” “Aegle... my mother... she's dead?” “What happened?” We both breathed out as one. “I'll tell you what I remember or what I know from those weird dreams I have.” She lowered her eyes and her story floated from her lips. She finished and rose her sad green eyes at me. “I guess I was frozen for hundreds of years... then somehow ended up in a human's family... I don't know that part, but I know someone who may be able to tell me. Radda said she was there when I was born, but one time it slipped out from her tongue that she found me...” “Is that the friend who you're going to?” “Yes, she lives far North...” She didn't finish her sentence, interrupted by a white furry body happily jumping out of the bushes. Geri wiggled his tail, lowering his head and stopped a few feet away from us, looking at me with a guilty face. “Oh, come on, you big softy, I wasn't really angry at you!” “You weren't really hunting him.. were you?” “No, I love wolves! Meet Geri, my friend and the reason I'm here--” I choked on my words when the wolf jumped on top of me, pushing me to the ground with his weight and licking my face. “I love you too, Geri! Come on, get off of me! Stop that!” I breathed out, trying to escape from the wet tongue and the wolf finally jumped off, laying down by my side and smiling at Nanna. She moved closer and stretched out her hand, carefully petting the wolf's side. He rolled onto his back, offering her his stomach for an expected rub and she smiled. “You have no idea how happy I am that you're not...” She paused and glanced at me, then continued. “Happy to finally find someone who knows who I am.” “I can tell you about your parents... all I can remember, I was pretty young when... when you were born... it was about six hundred years ago...” We sat there for hours, with Geri between us, sharing the stories, filling in the missing pieces of the puzzle. I told her about Asgard, about that happened after she was taken, how my father went to Jotunheim and the Frost Giant's King denied his hand in all that happened, assuring my father that it wasn't done with his knowledge or by his order. How on his way out of Laufey's castle he was attacked by Grundroth, Laufey's son. How Grundroth got a nasty scar on his face and upper body from my father, how Laufey stepped in, ordering his son to stand down. By a mutual agreement, Grundroth was forever banned from the castle, and Laufey himself put the price on his head.” “He wanted his own son dead?” “Grundroth almost drew him into another war. Laufey didn't have his power source, he knew that another war would mean total annihilation of the Frost Giants.” “So many new names, other beings... I never knew any of that... never saw any other places...” “You will now! I just have to find my brother first... that's why I came here. Well... he...” I pointed at the sound asleep wolf. “He brought me here. That's why I was chasing after him, he brought me here, told me to go North and then vanished. And without him, I have no idea where to look for Thor.” “Wait... you're looking for Thor...?” “He came here to save Astrid and--” I stopped halfway, watching Nanna's face light up, her eyes widening as she gasped, gripping at her chest and starting to talk fast. “I'm looking for them too! We got separated, well, Sig and I got separated, I never met Thor, there was this farm we passed and we got attacked. Not us, but the farmers. Sig ran to help them and I was kidnapped, but your ribbon saved me and then I went back, and the farmers told me that Sig, left looking for me, because the stranger, who was calling himself Thor told her that his friends took me to the village up North, only I don't think they were his friends and he most likely lied, but he was telling the truth before, but she didn't believe him, she tied him up and took him as a prisoner..” Nanna breathed in and opened her lips again, but I stopped her. “Okay... relax, breath... and repeat all that again, only slowly and making a little more sense. And please, start at the beginning, and tell me who this Sig is, and what she has to do with anything.” Nanna slowed down her breathing and lowered her eyes. “Sorry, I get like that when I'm over exited.” She breathed in and out and repeated the story again with more details and in a way that made a perfect sense. “So we're looking for the same people and this furry white snorer can help us find them. After we know that they're okay, we can find your friend and find out what she knows about you.” “Deal, but... what if Sig... I mean, Astrid already knows who she is... maybe they left to go back home...” “No, they can't...” I sighed and stroked Geri's side. “Here is what happened... why they're here...” |
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| tuesday's gone | July 9, 2014, 4:04 pm Post #318 |
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Poor Twisted Me
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I am still interested! I am ALWAYS interested! I wish I had the time to comment as much as I would like. But anyway, YAY for Balder and Nanna! Isn't it just wonderful how the recounting of past events leads them to build the story together, almost as if they get back to their beginnings, the beginnings of the two of them, to start building what is yet to become their future together. Those subtle looks and unspoken sentences, the fact that it was the wolf, of all animals, the wolf to bring them together! It makes me wanna clap my hands of joy! Plus the sight of Jason and that wolf.... can it get any cuter?!?!? Then the moment of immediate trust that Geri shows towards Nanna, how he rolls on his back and just surrenders, it is so symbolic, I expect his master will do just that sooner rather than later Thor and Astrid... "I love you and nothing else matters" No words really... just |
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| Olyamet | July 12, 2014, 1:14 pm Post #319 |
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Jäger.....
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Thank you Bo!!!! Okay, the rest of this chapter.... loooooong update. (Lana's POV) I listened to Balder's story and the place and the condition I found Sig... Astrid in finally made sense. So did the mystery of why I felt her pain... I simply sensed the pain of her seed. When Balder finished his story, he looked at the wolf between us and stoked his neck. “I'm sure Geri knows where they are, my father's wolves often roam Midgard, it's their favorite playground and they know it well.” “So far everything is pointing to the North... so I think that's where we should continue our travel... right through this forest, back to the lakeside...” I didn't finish my sentence, only now noticing the sun was long gone behind the tree tops, drowning everything in quickly darkened air. “I guess we spent most of the daylight talking...” “I guess we did... maybe we should think of settling here for the night, and in the morning we--” Before my newly found savior finished his words, the wolf quickly stood up, and waved his tail at Balder, then snorted and gripped at the bottom of his cape, pulling it. “I think he wants us to go...” I stood up, curiously watching what the wolf would do next. Geri let go of Balder's cape, running onto the bridge, and stopped in the middle of it, looking back at us. “That's the wrong way, Geri. We just came from there.” Balder shook his head at the wolf and pointed at the forest line. “North is that way.” The wolf growled and lowered his head, sticking it between the rope rails and released another short bark-like growl. Balder turned back to the wolf. “You told me to go North and now you are telling me to go back, get your mind straight and show us where to go.” The wolf barked again and suddenly leaped off the bridge. I gasped, watching in horror as the white furry body cut through the air, disappearing into nothingness halfway down. “What happened? Where did he go?” I turned to Balder, and he scratched his head. “He showed us the way.” He started walking to the bridge and I stepped back. “You're not seriously thinking of jumping off that bridge, are you?” I swallowed and glanced down at the furious current below. “By the looks of it, it's just another portal, I already went through one when I was following him here.” He took my hand in his and lightly pulled me with him. “Come on, it's only scary and confusing the first time.” “I've never done this before... how do you know I can go through and not fall down?” I stepped on the bridge, still shaking after the wolf's jump, feeling my heart beating fast in my chest. ”Balder.. I don't know if I can do that...” I looked at the face in a frame of chestnut curls and blue eyes smiled at me. “I promised your mother that I would never let anything bad happen to you. Trust me, you'll be safe.” We made our way to the middle of the bridge and Balder pulled me to sit down on the boards. I gripped at the ropes and looked down at the rumbling current below our feet. I swallowed, feeling fear taking over my body as Balder's hand took mine. Blue eyes smiled at me. “Trust me.” My hands let go of the ropes and I slid off the boards, feeling my body dive down towards the angry waters. I gasped, gripping tighter into Balder's hand, and closed my eyes, preparing for the worst, but instead of the expected fall, I felt my body lifting up into a thick fog. The direction of our movement changed from up to fast forward and then slowly down, until my feet touched invisible solid ground. “See? Nothing bad happened.” Balder smiled at me, pulling me with him and we stepped out of the fog to a muddy shoreline of the slow and wide river. I breathed in, letting myself relax and was about to smile at my new experience of travel, when my eyes stopped at the somehow familiar willow tree up on the hill. Something inside of me turned, making me let go of Balder's hand and make my way up the hill. “I know this tree... and this place... somehow I know this...” “Well, at least one of us does, because I have no idea where we are and once again Geri is no where to be found.” Balder caught up with me, looking around. “Geri! You bastard! Get back here!” I placed my hands to the calling to me trunk and slowly moved around, letting my fingers outline the lines of the rough bark. I felt a barely-there wave of sadness washing over me, as if the tree was mourning someone... or something, and then a light touch, like a an invisible hand of a beloved and long lost friend, stroking the back of my head. I swallowed and quickly turned. What I saw at the distance beyond the line of the other trees, pushed the tears to my eyes and made me gasp in pain of remembrance. A tall, broken stump of my burned down oak tree was towering over an empty field with a half fallen fence. (Balder's POV) I looked around in search of Geri, who once again left me, but nothing was moving in the slightly foggy air. I heard Nanna's gasp and turned back to her, surprised to see tears sliding down her cheeks. Her hands gripped at her throat and lips shook, releasing a whisper. “I know where we are... this is the village I grew up in... and my oak tree... my friend, that died because of me... because of who I am...” I didn't say anything, just silently followed Nanna through what seemed to be a long forgotten field to the burnt tree. She walked around it and then stood on her knees, pressing her forehead to the charred trunk, as if asking for forgiveness. “What happened?” Nanna looked down, then rose her tearful eyes back to me. “Fear happened... they were afraid of me... they wanted to push me away... so they burned my friend... I used to spend a lot of time here... this tree knew all my secrets... it knew everything... I'm sorry I didn't tell you the real story of my life earlier... before I knew who you really are... now I can tell you everything.” As she revealed to me all the events of her life among humans, we slowly made our way through another small field and came to a small empty house with crossed boards covering the doors and windows. Nanna touched the half fallen fence and stopped and I walked a bit further, looking down to the valley. At the distance below I saw multiple small houses of the rest of the village, some were broken, some where intact, with boarded windows and doors just like Nanna's house, but they all had one thing in common. There were no lights in the blackened windows, even though the sun was half below the horizon line. No sounds of any kind, the yards were empty and grassy weeds were covering most of the walkways and roads. The whole village looked forgotten and left a long time ago. “No one ever took our house... I guess they thought it was cursed...” I heard Nanna's voice and turned to her, watching her lips slightly move with a sad smile as she continued. “Too bad we can't stay here... it would've been more comfortable than a night in the woods. But I fear the villagers may notice someone here and--” “I don't think they'll notice... look.” I pointed at the valley below and Nanna came closer, looking over the ghostly village. “It looks like no one's lived here for years... like everyone left... most left with no intention of coming back... and in a hurry... they didn't even board their houses... but it doesn't look like they went through a raid... nothing would've been left standing...” “I don't know much about human customs, but doesn't it seem kind of weird... the whole village just packed up and left?” I turned to her and she shook her head. “It is weird... I don't know what happened here... when we left, the village was full of life...” Her eyes moved to the right and stopped at something that looked like a burned tall constructions. “Is that... burial pyres...?” “Big burial pyres... built for many dead to be burn at once...” I heard Nanna sigh beside me and turned to her saddened face. “If this place brings bad memories, we can set camp in the woods...” I started and she turned to me. “I'm okay, all of it is in the long gone past, and not all of it was bad, I did have a few good memories here. Plus, it's been so long since I've had a nice sleep on a comfortable straw mattress with a roof over my head. Come on, we can stay in my old house. We can even catch something for supper, there was always a bunch of rabbits running in those fields. We can easily make a few traps.” “But you look sad... I don't want you to feel sad...” “I'm sad because this place was my home, and I knew all of the people here... and now they're all gone and by the looks of it, many of them died...” “How can you be sad for them... they were mean to you.” “Not everybody was mean, I did have many happy moments here. The lady that lived in that small house by the tavern always shared her sweets with me... and the older man in the far house in the back let me play with his dogs... and the family in that first house closer to ours were always friendly with my parents... there were many nice and good people here.” She sighed and started pulling on one of the crossed boards at the doorway. I joined her, easily ripping the boards off, and we walked in. Although this house was left empty for years, it was still in pretty good condition, besides the fact that it was small and humble. Later as we set the traps, Geri returned and joining us, chasing rabbits, and almost costing us our dinner. But a few hours later he managed to catch one and after he got his part of the food he fell asleep in the corner, leaving me and Nanna to settle down by the small wood burning stove, watching our supper cook. I looked at Nanna, watching her eyes shine with the flickers of the fire, saw her lips smiling, but the sadness that I saw earlier had never left her face. Then my mind brought back something she'd said earlier. How can she be sad for those who were mean to her? She didn't say it was just a small group of people, she said almost the whole village was there... I tuned to Nanna. “I don't understand, how can you say those villagers were good? They burned your tree, they pushed you away.” “People are good, most people anyway... until they see something they don't understand... that brings fear and fear pushes people into crowds. You join the crowd and you become part of this horrid powerful, hungry for revenge, beast, with no heart, no mind, and no mercy. All you want, all you feel is a strong thirst for blood and pain of the hunted one, of the one who is different, the one you fear. There are no single person deeds any more, no one in the crowd is judged by their personal actions, it's all deeds of the beast and no one will answer for their doing. Fear changes people and it brings out the worst in them...” Nanna's eyes slid to the two small banks beside the window and I saw her sigh. “Fear can even turn brother against sister...” “Your brother called you a freak... he was reason why you ran...” I remembered that part form Nanna's story and she sighed. “It wasn't him talking, it was fear... I still love him, even now... when I know he's not truly my brother...” Nanna slowly got up and made her way to the small beds. “You know he was always staying in bed until father screamed at him... he was never happy to get up in the morning and always had a small bag with some kind of food hidden under his pillow.” “He was a fat kid?” “No...” She smiled, and touched the straw bedding with her hand, then sat down. “He wasn't fat. It's hard to get fat when you work most of the day.” “Kids work?” “Of course, we did, we had many responsibilities. We woke up with the sunrise and had to feed chickens, gather their eggs and while mother cook those, we clean chicken coop. Then, after the breakfast, father would take the sheep and cows to the pasture we had to clean their corral, change the straw, and then move on to the horse stables. After that we had to go and get water with mother, bringing it from the river in small buckets and filling all the animal's water troughs. Then go and help father work on the field; our job was pulling weeds as he was sifting up the ground. That was the summer work. In the winter we had to clear the snow around the house, feed the animals with hay and corn... In spring spring we would wait for father to turn the soil with a horse pulled plow, and then help our parents go over it with rakes to smooth it out, then sew the seeds into the ground. There was always something to do... grind wheat into flower between two polished rocks...” “Wow... I had no idea humans had to work that hard... does everyone live like that?” “Hunters, good hunters, live a little bit better, not work wise, they still all have livestock and take care of their animals, but they don't have to work the fields. They trade furs for crops. But they do risk their lives when they hunt, plus you have to spend days in the forest, travel far... Not many of them live to be an old age... weakened hands and eyes, turning you from a hunter into prey for another predator.. but if you are a good hunter, you have what you need, plus fame... an important thing when you're a teenager... you are also more desirable in the eyes of girls as a good provider...” “You know, I'm kind of a hunter... I mean we don't hunt for furs... more like for fun...” I smiled, but suddenly remembered how mad she was at me when she thought I hunted Geri and quickly added. “Not like we kill anything just because we can, more like hunting dangerous beasts...” “As long as you're not hunting wolves or overpowering something smaller and less powerful than you.” “Nope, definitely not smaller and much more powerful. Besides, we have a rule not to use our powers during hunts, so magical beasts have a clear upper hand.” “Then I guess it's okay.” She smiled and came back to the fire. “You know, my brother wanted to be a hunter...” “Why didn't he became one?” “It wasn't a choice, he was born a farmer and since my parents only had two children, they needed our help. Besides, father didn't know how to hunt, so he couldn't teach him. One night, when our parents went to the nearby village and we stayed home, because one of the cows was about to bring a calf. We were up all night, watching her and he told me his big secret plan. He said that he was secretly helping one of our neighbors, doing little chores for him in his spare time for the promise to give him a job as his helper when my brother grew a little bigger. I felt very close to my brother that night... he trusted me with something so big... he knew if our father would ever find out he would be furious... That was one of our best times together... He never talked to me like that again... a month after that night the villagers burned my tree... I was running to my dying oak and my brother tried to stop me... when he caught my arm, I looked back at him and he... he jumped back away from me with a horror twisted face... he saw something in my eyes... something that scared him... I don't know, I can't explain what scared him...” (Lana... Nanna's POV) I quieted down, trying to chase the gloomy memory away and Balder turned to me. “Probably your glowing eyes.” “What do you mean, 'my glowing eyes'?” I swallowed and Balder sighed. “I'm sorry... I thought you knew that... When Nymphs feel strong pain of someone or something they love, The Sacred Tree energy that's in them shines through their eyes, making them glow bright green-yellow.” “You mean like an animal's eyes glow when they look at the light?” “No... much brighter... and more like the whole eye just turns into this bright beam of light between the eyelids...” “Oh.. well... that explains why he looked so scared... I wonder how much more I don't know about myself... about Nymphs...” “Probably as much as I don't know about humans and how they live now.” “But you're their God... one of their Gods. How can you not know your charges? They pray to you, pray for your help. I used to pray to you!” “Really? What did you pray for?” “I was asking you to watch over our crops and protect them from frost and send your light to help them grow stronger.” “And did it ever help?” “I don't know... I wasn't just sitting and doing nothing but preying... I was doing my part, I was covering the new seedlings with straw over night and opened them to the sun in the morning...” “See, you didn't need my help, you did all the work yourself.” “So what do the Gods do then, if they're not answering prayers or helping people?” “We don’t really hear prayers anymore, we kind of turned the voices down, until they became this barely there white noise. We used to help people... when Midgard was just born, humans were like children, we guided them, helped them, interfered in their lives, answering every prayer.. but the human race grew and they weren't innocent children anymore. They wanted more and more, they didn't want to make their own decisions, their own choices, waiting on the Gods do it for them. Then they became violent, pushing each other from better lands, turned greedy with wealth and power. They started asking for us to destroy their enemies, to make others suffer... It became impossible to help them, because for every prayer to do something for someone, there was another prayer to do the opposite from someone else. It all almost ended up in chaos: 'I prayed to my God and he helped me and you lost because your God is weaker than mine, thus, my God is better and you should pray to my God, or die.' They have no idea that they might have been praying to the same God, just calling him or her a different name... That's when Odin made the decision to pull back, to let humans mature on their on. The basic rules are still there. If you lived an honest life and you have a clean soul, it will go to a better place, if your soul is blackened by your deeds, it will sink down to Hel's realm of darkness. If you are a skilled, honored warrior, who fought for truth and for a great cause, you will be chosen for Odin's army. And it doesn't matter if someone saw you doing something bad or not, the soul of a human records it all, nothing is hidden and when you die, there is no cheating, no begging for mercy, no one will listen to your explanations and excuses of why you did what you did. It will all be there out in the open with no way other than the one you made for yourself. It's only up to you where your soul would go.” “Never thought of it that way... does that mean you're not interfering in humans' lives at all?” “We do... when needed. To fix something that came from elsewhere, to counteract other powers... other influences. To guide, to show a way... but never to simply fulfill some stupid shallow wish for riches or a better life. We help when we see someone in real need of our help, who is worthy of it, but taking into account that most of the future is written and some things have to happen. That every interference may change something in the far future that even we cannot see.” “That makes me wonder if my life was set as it unrolled, because it was meant to be that way...” “I'm sure it was... to make you who you are now... but changes like that never happen for just one person... somewhere alone the way, what happened to you will unroll or fulfill something else, be part of something else...” “Like Astrid... It wasn't coincidence that I was by that valley to find a fallen and hurt Valkyrie...” “Or fall on me from the tree...” I smiled and Nanna smiled back. “In that case, you were there right in time to soften my landing.” “And to find you.” Balder's eyes sparkled in the light of the fire, looking right into mine, and I felt warmth filling my body. I lowered my eyes and he cleared his throat. “Anyway... Like my father said, everything happens for a reason, everything is connected, every road leads somewhere. And every person we meet in our life is there because they need to be there, they're there to either make you look at yourself from a side, or to test you, try to push you and see if you will stand your ground, or just simply bring pieces of knowledge you're meant to know...” “Radda was right...your father is very wise.” “He is a God of the Gods, after all, you will like him when you meet him.” “Me? Meeting Odin himself?” I gasped and he smiled. “Sure, you will be living in the Sacred Garden, which is right by his castle. He likes to walk there and often visits with your Aunts.” “I have Aunts?” I gasped again. “Your mother was one of the Royal Triad, her sisters Erytheia and Hesperie, will be happy to see you alive. They mourned the death of your parents and you for almost six hundred years.” “Erytheia and Hesperie...” “They are the most powerful Nymphs. When you get your powers, you will be as powerful as they are.” “But I don't have any powers... when do you think I'll get them?” “The full unlock of powers happens when you come of age... before that you have just a small amount. If you would've grown up in Asgard, you would've been trained to know exactly what you feel and learn to control your powers long before that happened... Like me and my brothers had powers since we were kids, but only a small amount of it, just enough for us to play with it and learn... it came to a full right after we turned seventeen.” Balder stopped and turned to me. “How old are you?” “Almost seventeen in human years... my birthday's in two days... you think...” I didn't finished and he breathed out. “I don't know if human years are the same as the years of Asgard... but just to be safe, we'd better get you to your aunts before your birthday, they are the only ones who can help you control that astounding burst of power... from what I heard, it could be dangerous...” “Dangerous for me? How dangerous?” I felt my heart pounding and swallowed. “Not for you. But for anyone and anything around you... very dangerous.” “Like.. deadly dangerous?” I breathed out and Balder sighed. “I don't know. All I know from the stories my father told me is that when the Royal Nymphs got their powers Yggdrasil grew ten times bigger, and three stars went supernova... and those Nymphs were trained to control their energy...” “Great... I am a threat to anyone and anything around me.” “I think you're safe here in this realm... I remember something about the need to be within proximity of the Tree Of Life... without it the powers would not emerge... or something like that...” “You think or you know?” “I think... I'm sorry, I just don't know much about Nymph stuff... plus nothing like this has ever happened before... not even any of the regular Nymphs had their powers wake up while in Midgard... usually it's a sacred ceremony... but just in case, if you start feeling something, you should tell me.” “Something like what?” “I don't know... anything weird.” “Weird like what?” “I don't know... anything strong... powerful...” I swallowed and breathed in and out, then stood up and walked to the window, looking into the darkness. “I just found out who I am, found out that I have family, found out that when I get my powers I could harm someone, and I have no idea when that moment comes and who will be around me. I don't want to hurt anyone and that means if that happens I have to run again, away from everything I just found to keep it safe! From you, and if we find Thor and Astrid, from them too! I feel lost and scared, not just scared, I feel completely terrified, I feel like I'm about to cry.” I turned back to Balder. “Does that count?” “Is that a weird feeling for you?” “No... not really... unfortunately that is how I felt for most of my life...” I felt tears rolling out of my eyes and Balder stepped behind me, turning me to him and pulling my head against his chest. “I'm sorry... I'm sorry for what happened to you, that you were torn away from your world, from your family... that you lost your loved ones and spent your life not knowing who you are... I'm sorry I can't fix that... sorry that I wasn't there to protect you... but I can promise you, I will never let you feel alone ever again.” His hands slid to the side of my head, pulling me away, and his eyes looked into mine, and at that moment Geri jumped up, almost trampling us over and plunged out of the window. “What's wrong? Where did he go?” I looked into the darkness behind the window and Balder whispered by my side. “I have no idea...” We heard the distant howl of our friend and almost immediately another loud howl answered. And then a distant man's voice scream something. |
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| Olyamet | July 29, 2014, 1:43 pm Post #320 |
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Jäger.....
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Okay... hope my readers got too busy to come and read, but I need to continue... if only for myself. XXXIX. (Thor's POV) “Okay, are you ready? The sun is almost gone, time to go.” Astrid picked up the bag and slid her sword in behind her belt. “Let me just get a few torches ready and--” My words were interrupted by a loud snort-like bark and both of us turned to the sound. A big gray wolf was standing at the opening of the corridor which brought us here from the upper part of the Sunworshiper's caves. “Freki!” Astrid gasped with a wide smile, and the wolf jumped to her, lowering his huge paws on her shoulders and licking her face. “Where did you come from, boy?” I stepped to them, and the wolf bumped me with his head, enjoying my ruffling his neck. “That's a very good question... I thought Eos sealed all the upper parts... how did he get in?” Astrid looked at me and I turned to the wolf. “Freki, how long were you hiding there?” The wolf jumped on the one of the rocks and lowered his head looking at me, then at Astrid and back at me. His face was clearly smiling. “Don't tell me you were here all this time watching us!” Freki sat down and covered his nose and partially one eye with his paw. “Ugh, you bad wolf!” Astrid shook her head, holding her laugh back. “Hope you got a good show.” I winked at the wolf and he lifted his head, releasing a loud howl. “Good thing it was just Odin's wolf, and not one of his ravens. Don't really want your father to witness.. um... what we did in here.” Astrid turned serious, looking at me. “Yeah, we got lucky with the choice of animal. Besides, Freki’s always favored yo. I grew up with him and he runs to you first.” “It's called animal magnetism.” Astrid wiggled her eyebrows at me and then bit her lip. “That and the fact that I always had something for him, hugs and kisses, tummy rubs, something to snack on... secrets to tell...” “What kind of secrets?” “Just one, the big one that I couldn't open up to anyone...” “You mean this gray furry bastard knew how you felt about me?” I turned to the wolf. “And you couldn't tell me when I spent so many drunk nights pouring my heart out to you?” “You mean he knew how you felt about me, too?” Astrid gasped. “I had to tell someone...” “Well, then it's only fitting that he is the one who witnessed our... um... coming together...” Freki rose both front paws in the air and turned on his back paws on his rock as if doing a little dance and released another short howl, then jumped off, racing back to the entrance of the corridor he came from and picking something up off the floor with his mouth. “What do you have there?” I stepped closer and he sprinted by me, jumping onto the flat rock right by the cave opening and dropped something shiny by his feet. “He found your pendant!” Astrid stepped to the wolf, but he quickly picked up his treasure and jumped to the entrance of the cave. “Astrid... if he takes it back to Asgard.. if mother or father sees it... they will know the Thor that is currently playing my role is a fake... they will make me go back...” I quickly turned and slowly stepped forward. “Freki, you are a good boy, right? Give it back to me.” The wolf shook his head and stepped back, looking at us. “Come on Freki, please, we need it back.” Astrid took a step forward and the wolf lowered his head with a muffled short bark before sprinting out of the cave, vanishing from our view in the bushes. “Shit! We have to get it back or the plan will be ruined!” I ran after him, closely followed by my little Valkyrie. We ran through the forest, jumping over the fallen trees, tripping in the vines and following the gray furry spot far ahead of us until it turned behind the trunk of a huge tree. We made it to the tree, almost breathless from a long chase, but there was no sign of the wolf anywhere. “Look, there are clear paw prints here, right by the tree and then... nothing... like he just disappeared...” Astrid lowered herself on one knee, looking at the ground and I joined her, bracing my hand on the tree, and it suddenly fell through the emptiness as if the tree wasn't there. I pulled my hand away from the tree and pushed it in again, slowly, and it easily passed through what seemed to be solid tree bark. “What the fuck?” I withdrew my hand and repeated my move with the same result and Astrid lit up. “It's a portal! That's where Freki disappeared into! Remember, when your father said that his wolves can run all over Midgard in one day, using their portals?” “Well, what are we waiting for? Lets go after him!” I stood up and was ready to make a step, but Astrid pulled on my arm. “What if it takes us farther from that mountain you want to find?” “Then we'll use the Satyr's flute to summon him and ask where the fuck we are. It would be easier just to ask him to take us there, but since you refuse to let him help us, we can at least ask for directions. If we are further, then we’ll simply come back here.” Astrid smiled and made a step but then stopped with a sigh, raising her saddened eyes to me. “You can go through and see if you can find Freki... I'll just wait here.” “I thought I’d never see the day when Astrid the Valkyrie admits any fear.” I smiled, but she didn't join me, simply lowering her eyes with another sigh. “I'm not afraid to go through it. I can't.” “I don't get it... why?” “Because...” She rose her eyes to me. “It's only open to immortals...” She slowly reached out to the tree and her hand landed on the rough bark. She moved her hand up and down and to either side, but nothing happened. “See? Humans can't pass through...” I felt a wave of anger mix with sadness and put my hand on top of her’s, and before I could say that we’d just have to hope that Freki wouldn't sell us out and we'll continue to walk, both of our hands dove into an invisible portal. Astrid's face lit up. “It’s letting my hand in with yours!” “Let's go!” I stepped inside of the tree, pulling her with me, but only her hand pushed through the barrier. I tried to pull, but heard her muffled voice. “It’s not letting me in...” I stepped back out and scratched my head. “If I hold your hand... it can go through... lets try something...” I picked my little Valkyrie up in my arms and held my breath, stepping into the tree. A thick muddy substance splashed under my feet, foggy humid air blew over my skin, and my foot tripped over something, making me dive forward. At the last moment I turned, tightly pressing Astrid to me, and plunged backwards into shallow, cold water. “Thor, are you okay?” Astrid's hands pulled my head out, and I spat out the fishy smelling liquid from my mouth. “Where the fuck are we?” “We are through, it worked! But I have no idea where it brought us...” She helped me up and we made our way out of the knee high water and to the shore. Somewhere up the small hill we heard a howl and another more distant howl answered. “Freki!” My loud scream cut the dark and foggy air around us. “Get your furry gray ass back here!” “Come on, he's right there!” Astrid ran ahead and I stepped forward to follow, but my feet slid on the ground and I dropped to my knees and hands, splashing the mud into my face. I shook my head, then swept my wet hair back, wiping the fishy sludge off and standing up. “I'm going to kill that fucking wolf...” I caught up with Astrid by the big charred stump of a tree and she turned to me. “I see light... looks like there’s a house there and Freki is heading right for it.” “Not if I get to him first.” I growled and ran as fast as I could to the lightly jogging gray wolf ahead of me. “You getting to him first? You’re joking right? You could never out run me! I'll be the one catching our furry thief.” Astrid caught up with me, easily passing me by. I growled, increasing my speed and suddenly saw a white flash darting to Freki from the side. “Geri?!” Astrid stopped, and at that moment the door of the house opened, letting out the figure of my brother, followed by the figure of a young woman, both holding torches in their hands. “Balder?!” “Thor! Astrid! Freki!” “Sig!” “Lana! Balder!” Our screams bounced in the air as we ran to each other, smiling wide and embracing each other in hugs. When the commotion settled, Freki eagerly returned my pendant and we made ourselves comfortable in the tiny house, talking non stop about our adventures. The food that Balder and Lana.. or as we learned her true name, Nanna, had was joined by a hefty sized rack of goat with some somewhat rough bread and mead that was given to us by the sun worshipers, and for a few hours I completely forgot that we were in Midgard. I felt like I was back home... |
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| Olyamet | August 6, 2014, 11:27 am Post #321 |
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Jäger.....
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Well.... the show must go on, right? So here is the rest of that chapter. (Astrid's POV) When the stories were finished, we made plans to go together to Radda's house, since it was at the foot of the mountain which, according to Thor, held the lost seed. We planned to stay in, or, since there were four of us, maybe somewhere by her house for the next night, and find out all we can about Lana's... Nanna's mysterious past, and maybe even find out if Radda knows anything about the seed or an easier way to the mountain. Then, the next early morning we planned to travel to the mountain. Me and Thor tried very hard to be discrete about the change in our relationship, but when the time came to settle for the night, Thor gave us away, blabbering out that me and him will take the barn for the night. Balder immediately got up. “Nonsense! The girls will stay here in the house and me and you can sleep in the barn.” I was ready to step in, but Nanna glanced at me and quickly pulled at Balder's sleeve. “How about me and you go to the barn, since it's kind of our house and they, as our guests, can stay in here.” “But guys should give the most comfortable place to girls...” Balder started and Thor sighed, lowering his hand on his brother's shoulder. “Look, baby brother. It's not a question of who goes where... more of a... who goes with whom question...” (Nanna's POV) I pulled the fur over my shoulder and turned to the window, looking at the stars. So much happened today... so much happiness. First I find out that Jason was really Balder, now I knew who I was, where I belong, what happened to my parents.. It seemed like the day couldn’t get any better, but it did, when Sig... Astrid and Thor suddenly showed up. Finally, for the first time in my life, I was surrounded by my kind... by friends... It was all so amazing, how it all worked out, how I found them... or more like they found me! I had friends now, I knew who, what, I am.. not to mention my feelings for Balder! I never thought you could feel so strongly about some guy... All of it, everything that happened in the last few weeks just... It was like a dream come true—a thought like a cold whip lashed through my mind, making me sit up in the bed. What if all of it WAS just a dream?! I felt my heart jumping in my chest, hands nervously gripping at my braid. I swallowed and shook my head to myself, then looked at the fur covered figure of Balder on my parent's bed, highlighted by the moonlight. No.... no it couldn't be... so many details... everything felt so real... I feel touching my hair, I feel this bed under me. It is real, it couldn't be a dream... My mind quickly pulled through the gathering warmth of easiness, spitting out another cold flash-like thought. You always had vivid dreams! And when you’re dreaming they all feel real! I swallowed, feeling my body shake, and pressed my hand to my mouth as if to silence the ready to surface scream. No! It can't be a dream! I don't want it to be a dream! My terrified mind didn't wait, spilling another thought as if to add oil to the fire of fear already raging through my body. What if you really never left your house? What if you had a fight with your brother and just cried after falling asleep while gathering clothes? What if you fall asleep now, in your perfect dream, and wake up in reality? In your bed? I felt my breathing speed up to shallow gasping, throat closed up, narrowing, arms and legs starting to burn with a heavy tingling, heart beating so fast that my chest felt as if it was ripping apart. “Are you okay?” A sleepy voice broke through the ready to swallow me darkness, like someones hand pulling me up to the light. I swallowed again, feeling the abyss of horror pulling back, releasing my heart, and tried to steady my breathing as I whispered. “Yeah... I'm okay... just... I was just...” I swallowed again, looking into the warm blue eyes shining in the moon light across the room. “I just fell asleep and had a bad dream...” I quickly lied, wiping the beads of sweat off my forehead with my icy cold hand and continued. “Just a bad dream, that's all... nothing to worry about... go back to sleep.” “Are you sure you’re okay?” The blue eyes deepened, trying to read my hidden by the shadows face. “Yes, I'm absolutely fine now... thank you...” I pushed out a fake yawn and laid back down, gripping at the straw bedding with my still shaking hands. I will be fine... but only if you are there when I wake up... Please be there... please don't be just a dream... A few more minutes passed and I heard old boards squeaking as Balder turned on the bed, trying to get comfortable. His slow and deep breathing filled room with a soothing calmness, and I managed to regain control over my panic. A few more minutes passed and the fear completely dispersed, leaving my body feeling exhausted. My eyes felt heavy, making it hard to fight the fog that was slowly filling my mind. I closed my eyes and almost immediately opened them again. The figure on the bed was still there, I swallowed and quietly mouthed. “Please be there when I wake up...” --- I heard a man's scream and my eyes flew open. I was in my old house, the same house me and Balder shared last night, but the bed by the wall was empty. No Balder, no fur covers, just an old packed straw cover over slightly bent boards. I got up, running to the door and quickly pulled it open, stopping in the doorway. The mountain of tension dropped off my shoulders when I saw a Valkyrie and two very close to me now Gods. Astrid was pouring water out of a bucket on Thor, bent over in front of her and half naked, despite his loud growl. “Ugh! It's fucking cold!” My eyes moved to the figure of Balder standing by their side. He pulled the cape, which he was using as a towel, off his face and giggled. “Oh, don't be such a wuss! Remember when you pushed me into one of the nine rivers of Niflheim? Now that was cold!” I rested my back against the door frame and breathed out, feeling my lips sliding into a happy smile. Oh thank Odin, it wasn't a dream. “You know, this realm’s not so bad. It's beautiful in its on wild way... we should visit more often.” Balder dropped his cape on the fence poll and stretched, and my eyes slid over his figure, stopping for a few minutes on his strong shoulders, then moved to his back, sliding to his waist. “Yeah, so much to see... so much to discover... makes you wonder what is hiding from view...” I heard Thor's voice and turned his way, finding his smiling eyes winking at me. I quickly lowered my eyes, feeling a hot flush making it's way to my face. I bit my lip, turning away, and almost ran into the door frame, hurrying back inside and hearing Astrid's voice. “Stop it Thor, she's not used to your jokes, she's innocent.” “I didn't say anything foul, I was just making a simple conversation with an observation... ouch, okay, okay, I won't say a word the next time she stares at my little brother’s naked torso. Ouch! Stop it! Oh, look now he's blushing like a girl! You like her. too!” “Thor!” “Okay, okay, I'll shut up. I can't believe you’re scolding me for stating the obvious.” I pressed my back to the wall by the door and felt a smile stretching my lips. Can it be true? Balder likes me, too? |
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| Olyamet | August 18, 2014, 10:36 pm Post #322 |
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Jäger.....
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XXXX. (Rodimir's POV) I tied the last rope over the pole of my Goddess, carved out of a large oak, and stepped back from the horse cart. I spent two days working non-stop to make it so it would be ready for the village celebration. And now... now the hardest part is coming... to dare and place it by the idol pole of Perun on the Sacred hill. I have to succeed, no matter what... I have to... My wife stepped beside me, wrapping her arm around my waist and lightly sweeping her other hand over her round stomach. “It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful... but... Rodimir... Are you sure you want to do that?” “It needs to be done tomorrow. Everyone will be there, I can make people listen. She should be prayed to and honored and she will save them as she saved us.” I nodded as if to reassure myself and she turned to me, gazing into my eyes. “I fear for you life, my love. Maybe it's better to place it here... near our house, we can make our own God's sacred hill.” I rose my hand and grazed my fingers over her cheek. “We can't hide her, we have to share our Goddess with others. Please don't worry about me. Nothing will happened to me, she promised me that and I believe her.” She caught my hand in hers. “But I am worried. You know Boris will never let you to do what you plan...” “You doubt the power of the Deity that saved me? Don't you believe in her? Don't you believe me?” “I do believe you, and I believe in her power... but other people listen to Boris... he is the head of the village, he has all the power... and he laughed at you when you told him your story...” I pulled away from my wife's hand and lowered my arms beside me, feeling my fists tighten. “There is nothing that Boris can do to me. You will see, everyone will see. No harm will come to me. My Goddess will protect me and everyone will see her power.” I turned back to my wife and gripped her hands in mine, pulling them to my lips as I whispered, gazing into her eyes. “Mila, please believe in her, as I do. She is real, she saved both of us and our future child. She showed me the future, the horrid future that this village will face if they are not under her protection. Don't you see, my love? I'm doing it to save them all.” (Thor's POV) As we made our way through the forest, I kept looking at Balder and Nanna, who were walking ahead of us. I’d never seen my baby brother looking at a girl like that before, not like girls were shying away from him.. he was, as they say, a good looking guy, but he never looked at any of them the way he was looking at this one. I smiled, watching him pulling branches of the trees aside for Nanna, listening to her, like she was the most interesting person in the whole world, and a little mocking voice in my head teasingly sang: 'Balder found a girlfriend!' I smiled again and heard Astrid's whisper. “Stop staring at them, let them be, and promise not to make any more remarks about how they’re looking at each other.” “I just don't want them to end up like us. Become friends and all that. I want to pull this mutual attraction out into the open right away, so there will be no time wasted. They both obviously like each other, and I want them to know that and move in the right direction faster.” “I think they’re already moving in the right direction pretty fast. Look, he gave her a hand when she jumped over that stump and she didn't pull her hand away.” “So you’re telling me to leave them alone, but you’re watching them, too. You’re as bad as I am!” I hissed through a big smile and Astrid gave me one of her 'grow up' looks and went ahead, throwing over the shoulder. “I'm not watching them, they just happen to be walking in front of us and I can't help but look at them time to time.” She pushed a branch up and away, walking under it, and turned with a smile. “Besides, Nanna is my friend, so is Balder, I'm allowed to be interested in my friends’ life.” “And I'm allowed to be worried for my little brother's heart.” I returned the smile and Astrid lifted her eyebrows. “Worried?” “Yes, worried. What if she ends up breaking his heart? You know, Nymphs always prefer their own kind. Have you ever heard of any Nymph who dated a God?” “You never heard of any Valkyrie dating a God either, but here I am.” Astrid let go of the tree branch she was holding and it swung back, hitting me in the chest, but I hardly noticed it, pushing though with a stupid happy smile. Yes... Here you are, by my side, finally mine. I caught my little Valkyrie’s arm and wrapped it around my waist, pulling her closer. My smile widened when my heart beat happily drummed. ‘All-mine’, 'for-good', 'for-life', 'for-ever.' --- We heard a chopping sound and the wolves sprinted ahead, vanishing into the bushes. Nanna turned to us with a smile. “That must be Radda!” All of us sped up, and soon the chopping noise stopped and we heard a woman's voice somewhere behind the line of smaller trees. “Blake, Snow? I'm so glad to see you boys!” Happy bark-howls followed and the woman's voice returned. “What is it? What's wrong? Where are you going? Is someone there?” At that moment we came out to a small hill with a cabin under a huge ancient looking Elm tree. An old woman was standing by a pile of the freshly chopped firewood with an axe in her hand. As soon as her eyes caught Nanna, she dropped her axe and her face softened up with a wide smile. “My dear child! I thought I’d never see you again! You’re all grown up and more beautiful than I ever could imagine!” “I'm so glad to see you Radda!” Nanna ran to the old woman, embracing her in a hug, and we stopped, giving the two friends time to greet each other. “How are you here? That happened in your life, tell me all, my dear!” “My life... it's different now... my friends and I came here for a reason... can we go inside and... and I'll tell you everything, it's a long story.” “Great Odin, where are my manners! You all must be tired, parched, and hungry! Come on in, come on in! My home is your home!” We came closer and an old woman's eyes slowly moved from me to Astrid and to Balder and Nanna breathed out. “This is my good friend Radda, who you all heard so much about.” She let go of the old woman's shoulders and nod at us. “Radda, meet...” Her eyes frantically moved from Astrid's face to Balder’s and slid to mine, her face froze with a lost expression and partially open lips. “I'm James, this is Sif...” I stepped forward. “And that is Jason!” Nanna breathed out and smiled. The old woman's eyes repeated their path from me to Astrid to Balder, then returned to me, then moved to Astrid. “Anyone Lana calls her friends are more than welcome in my home.” She smiled and stretched her arm to the door, quickly limping her way to the entrance and inviting us in. “Come on in, come on in, dear guests!” We made ourselves comfortable at the small table in the humble wooden cabin and the woman started running around, bringing water, starting a fire in the kitchen, and trying to talk to us at the same time. “I haven't had visitors for a long time, no one comes around anymore, just wolves and ravens. Not like I had a lot of visitors before... but a few visits per year or so. I'm going to cook you a nice dinner, you all look tired and hungry! I don't know if I have enough plates, never had so much company before! What a joy, what a joy, my dear little girl came to visit with her friends. I thought you forgot all about your old friend, but here you are!” She peeked out of the kitchen with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes and hid back behind the wall, making noise with the pots, her voice continuing. “You know I think the wolves knew you would come! They usually help me hunt little things, like rabbits and squirrels, ducks, but yesterday they brought a whole deer! I was wondering why they would bring so much meat, I even thought they were planning to leave me, too... for many years now I have to provided for myself, the garden my primary source of food most of the time, that and the hunting, thanks to Odin the wolves help a lot, don't know what I would've done without them!” “You should tell her we don't need all that...” Balder started, watching the old woman limp across the room and pull wooden dishes to the table. At that moment both wolves barged in through the still open door. Both of them playfully brushed against Balder's legs and Geri sitting by Astrid, pushing her hand with his nose as she smiled, petting his head. Freki jumped to me, lowering his huge paws on my shoulders and reaching to lick my face. “Come on, Freki, stop it! Go play outside with Geri.” My furry friend let go of me, jumping off and behind him I saw Radda's pale face. Her widened eyes was set on me, then moved to Astrid, then slid to the Valkyrie's sword, then back to me and then to Balder, stopping on his weapon. The pot she was holding in her hands dropped on the floor, sending potatoes rolling all over the floor, she gripped her chest, and dropped to her knees and forearms, lowering her head to the floor. “My Gods!” “Radda, you don't have to do that, please get up!” Nanna jumped to her and Balder and Astrid both rushed to pick up the spilled potatoes. “I don't dare, dear child, do you know who your friends really are?” I stood up, and pulled old woman up by her shoulders. “What gave us away?” Radda lowered her head, breathing shallow and not daring to look into my face. “The wolves... I suspected that they are not ordinary wolves for a long time... they outlived their kids and spouses... but when you called them with those names... Odin's wolves... and they acted as if they love and know all of you...” Nanna took Radda's hand and pulled her to the chair. “I'm sorry we tried to hide it from you... sit down, and I’ll explain everything.” “I cannot sit in the presence of Gods!” “Yes, you can. How about we all sit down and talk, like we’re old friends, without all this bowing and dropping to your knees thing.” I sat the woman down and she rose her eyes to me. “If you insist my God.” “I insist, and you can call me Thor.” As my name flew off my lips the woman's head dove down. “What did I say about bowing? We don't need that. This is Balder.” Radda's eyes moved to my brother and she was about to lower her head again, but I shook my head and she stopped with a nod. “This is Astrid, she's a Valkyrie.” The woman swallowed turning with another nod to Astrid. “And the girl you call Lana is really a Nymph. Her name is Nanna.” Radda pressed her fingers to her shaking lips, looking at the Nymph. “I knew one day they would come for you... I knew you weren't of this world.” Nanna sat down by Radda, looking into her eyes, an took her hand in hers. “Do you know how did I end up here? You said once that you were there when I was born... how did I ended up in that family?” “I’ll tell you all I know, my child--My Goddess.” The woman pressed her hands to her chest and Nanna embraced her old friend in a hug. “Don't call me Goddess, I'm not! To you I will always be a friend, just like it was before.” Radda looked at the girl by her side and sighed. “I found you... Blake found you... It was a strangely short, but rough winter that year, and the spring came so suddenly... seemed like just yesterday the blizzard was blowing white covers over the land and the next morning it was spring. Nature woke up so vigorously, taking advantage of the unusually warm days. I was planning to go to the mountain slope to collect saffron... Blake accompanied me as usual... we were on our way back... The sun was shining, the snow on the sides of the mountain was shimmering, I was deep in my thoughts, thinking about my life... Blake was leading the way and I was just following him, not paying much attention to the surroundings. I dropped out of my thoughts when I heard him whine... he was standing up higher on one of the mountain side cliffs, vigorously digging the half melted snow. When I slowly made my uneasy way up to him, I saw a dim blue light somewhere deep under the snow where he was digging. I started helping him and soon we saw a blue orb covered in thick ice, it was shimmering and pulsating... almost like a blue, glowing heart was beating inside of it. I pulled the orb out and Blake started licking it, melting the ice... when one side broke off I saw an almost completely white and motionless newborn girl inside of it. The blue ribbon on the hand of the girl was sending those pulsating light waves. Blake howled and started licking the baby and the baby moved, the color returned to her skin, the blue light went off and the girl opened the brightest, most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen and started crying. That is how I found you... I brought you home and all the way you were crying nonstop. I had only a small amount of goat milk in my house, I warmed it up and fed you, then I took the ribbon off your wrist and gave you a bath and you fell asleep. I just sat there, by your side, having no idea what I was going to do with you... I was too old to take care of a newborn, I had given you all the milk I had in the house, now I had nothing to feed you with... I started to pray to Odin, asking him to give me guidance, to tell me what to do and that is when I heard a woman screaming somewhere near my house. Someone was knocking at my door and a man's voice was calling out. “Healer, we need your help!” I quickly covered the basket you were in with a blanket, putting it on the small table by the bed and opened the door. The man was pulling a screaming woman off the horse cart, the small boy, not more then three was standing by his side. “She is in terrible pain, the labor started two days ago, but something is wrong, the baby is not coming out! I don't know what to do! I was going to get you, but she started bleeding so much, I didn't have time, I brought her here.” I rushed to the woman and we helped her to my bed. Her clothes were soaked in blood, she was pale and felt cold... she was gripping at her stomach, bending in pain. When I pulled her skirts up I saw the deformed and blue foot of her child. I sent the man to fetch water from the well, ordering him to put the big bucket of it over the fire in the barn and boil it. When he and the boy left the house, I came back to the bed. I gave the woman a drink of a poppy seed potion and when she dropped to her back and grew quiet, I pulled the rest of her stillborn baby out. By the looks of it, it died long before it was born... I covered his broken body with a rag, cut the cord and sat on the bed by her side... preparing to deliver the devastating news to the parents, and that is when you woke up... You started crying and the woman miraculously came around, opening her eyes. The decision was made in seconds... back then I truly thought that Odin had sent this woman here for a reason... that this family was the answer to my prayer... I pulled the rag with the dead infant below the bed, pushing it under with my foot and pulled you out of the basket, handing you into an arms of the woman... She pressed you to her chest, looking at you with such love... her fingers gingerly threaded through your hair and she smiled. “You are so beautiful... I was going to call you Tatjana... but it doesn't seems to suite you... I was preparing a name for a dark haired child... but you have most gorgeous white hair and amazing green eyes... you look like you’ew made of light itself...” “Why don't you call her Svetlana... it means light.” I whispered, feeling overwhelmed with feelings, and thanking Odin for his wise answer. The mother would never feel the pain of loss of her child... and the lost child would gain a loving mother... “Svetlana…” The woman smiled, looking at the baby in her arms. “It's perfect! My beautiful Svetlana.” They left the next day, the woman was pressing you to her chest, smiling... you were sleeping in her loving arms... I was sure I’d made the right decision... I had no means to raise a child.. nothing to feed you with... plus even then I was an old woman.. a crippled one at that... I wasn't very welcomed in the village... many were afraid of me, rumors of my magic with wolves had spawned its seeds many years before... they came to me only when they had no other choice... like your adoptive family. I didn't want you to be raised all alone with only the company of me and the wolves. A child needs friends, family... Then we finally met again... the Gods’ will brought you to me once more... we became friends... I was going to tell you the truth, but I couldn't... you loved your family so much... I couldn't take that away from you... I thought of telling you everything when you were all grown up... or at least older... When you didn't show up for your usual weekly visit... I thought at first you were just busy... then another week had passed and you hadn't come... I started to get worried... I made a trip to the village and learned what had happened... I was devastated... but I always prayed for you to find your way to me... so you could learn the truth... and the by the will of Gods you're back.” “I know how I ended up on the side of that frozen mountain...” I whispered, hugging my friend. (Astrid's POV) As Nanna's story unveiled, filling in the missing pieces, I stared out of the window at the broken mountain peak above the trees, deep in my own thoughts. Everything fell into place for Nanna, the missing child of the Aegle... would my story end tomorrow with a happy finale? I doubt it... I know something that Thor doesn’t... he has high hopes for the seed, he's so sure that the missing seed is meant for me... but I knew that it couldn't be so... I knew it couldn't be used by a mortal... which means I can't possibly use it. As for Thor... he could've used it, but not to give anyone power or immortality... or wish for my return to Asgard... The sun slowly moved across the sky, rolling behind the forest, the air darkened as if following my gloomy thoughts and as Radda started to make preparations for the night, pulling out fur covers, I returned to reality, helping to move the few pieces of furniture to make room on the floor for the beds. When everything was set and ready I made an excuse to go outside to the well for more water. I made my way past the ancient elm, deep in my thoughts. Tomorrow will be a long day... and possibly the last day of my story... tomorrow we find the seed and after we fail... I will have to make Thor go back to Asgard and forget me... I sighed and heard a loud 'caw' above me. I lifted my head to the raven, stood up on one knee, and placed my hand over my heart, as I always did in the presence of Odin. “Father Odin... I'm not asking you for myself. I did what I did, and I will pay the price for my actions. I will not try to better myself in your eyes, explaining why I granted that man his life. I'm not asking you to forgive me... what’s done is done and I accept my sentence to be imprisoned as a mortal in Midgard. But please, hear my plea for your son. Make him forget me, take the memory of me out of his mind, take his love for me out of his heart, so he can go on with his life. Let me remember our love for both of us, but make him forget.” |
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| HellHathNoFury | August 18, 2014, 10:47 pm Post #323 |
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Poor Twisted Me
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Ok, I just started reading this a few days ago and now I'm caught up. This is a really great story
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| tuesday's gone | September 2, 2014, 6:02 pm Post #324 |
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Poor Twisted Me
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What better cure to my post-holiday depression than long new updates! I just love where they are now, I hate knowing that shit is about to hit the fan, I just want them to be in love and happy Can I just ramble about how incredibly cute Balder and Nanna are? How just purely Jason he is? How I'm totally smitten by him being so protective over her and Thor, again being so essentially James, teasing his little brother while actually worrying about him having his heart broken. I mean... I could read dozens of chapters like this one! I love this story, love how it is different from all your previous fics, touching upon so many universal topics, playing with gods and humans, intertwining their stories, every single character with a specific role to play in the grand scheme of things, for the immortality of love and love of immortals... I love you for writing and making my hectic day(s) better! |
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| Olyamet | September 8, 2014, 3:45 pm Post #325 |
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Jäger.....
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Thank you girls!!!! You made my day! Okay, so... lets continue! XXXXI. (Thor's POV) I opened my eyes, hearing a whining noise, and lifted my head. In the barely there morning light I saw something gray moving at the far end of our 'slumber-party' type of the commune bedding that took over most of the floor. The noise repeated and I sat up, turning to the corner as I heard a wolf's whining. “Freki, stop that! Go away!” I whispered and the wolf rose his head, howling loudly. Astrid turned, opening her eyes. “What's wrong?” “What's all the noise?” Balder sat up, rubbing his eyes. The wolf rose his head, howling again and laid down beside the shaking under the fur figure of Nanna. “Nanna?” Balder reached to the Nymph's covers. “She's shaking... her hair is all wet... Nanna! Nanna!” He touched her shoulder and moved his hand to her forehead. “She's burning up!” “What is going on in here?” Radda walked in from the outside, holding a bucket of water in her hands. “It's Nanna, she's sick.” Balder stood up with a worried expression on his face. Radda rushed to her friend’s side and touched her forehead, and at that moment Nanna's eyes opened, beaming a bright green light that lit the cabin. “Shit! Her powers!” Balder hit his forehead. “Powers? Didn't she have any before?” I threw my covers off and stood up. “No, she wasn't of age yet... She said she will be seventeen in two days.. that's today...” Balder looked at me and then at Nanna. Radda swallowed, moving her gaze from Balder to Astrid and me. “Then it's not bad.. right...? You are all here to help her. She will be okay... right...?” “I don't know... I'm afraid none of us knows exactly what happens to Nymphs when they get their powers...” I scratched the back of my head, and that’s when it hit me. “Gemon! He’ll know what to do!” I quickly pulled my bag open and fished out the magic flute, pushing it to my lips and blowing into it as hard as I could. No sound came out and everyone stared at me with a question in their eyes. Freki pressed his ears to his head and howled. “It works, it's like a dog whistle, we can't hear it.” I explained and at my last word the figure of Gemon appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the room. “It couldn't come at a worst time, I was just about to--” He didn't finish his sentence, eyes stopping on the figure of the shivering Nymph on the floor. He seemed to be astounded, just staring at the light in her eyes and when he had finally regained the power of speech he carefully lowered himself to her, gliding his hands over her body. “This is impossible... she shouldn’t... this is not right... how can it be...? We are in Midgard... this is not possible... but there it is... happening... how is it happening..? It shouldn't be happening... but it is happening...” “Gemon, stop mumbling and tell us what you’re talking about. What is impossible and why?” I stepped to the satyr and he stood up, looking at me with wide open eyes. “This. Awakening of her powers is impossible. Not here, not this far from Yggdrasil, it's not possible, not even for the Royal Nymph! Because there is no power source here to make it possible and the Holy tree is too far for that. This shouldn’t have had happened until she was in Asgard.” “Does it have to be Yggdrasil itself? Or could have just part of it?” Astrid stepped forward, moving her fingers over her pendant, but Gemon shook his head. “Even if your seed was intact, merged with a Valkyrie seed is no use. It's something else... something...” He closed his eyes, slowly turning. “I can feel it... I can feel the energy...” He stretched his arm, as if trying to find invisible line, then abruptly stopped and opened his eyes. “It's coming from there...” All of us looked in the direction his arm was pointing and our eyes stopped on the window. The broken peak of the mountain was shining in the first rays of sunrise above the trees. “The lost seed!” Me, Balder and Astrid breathed out at once and Gemon opened his eyes with shock on his face. “The lost seed?” “Yes, there is a lost seed that fell into that mountain! Remember that story about your father and the fallen star? It wasn't a star, it was a seed!” I breathed out and Gemon looked at Nanna then turned back to us, shaking his head. “Then there is nothing we can do to stop it now... we can just hope it will not end in the total devastation of this realm... but that is a faint hope... a very faint hope, I tell you... a great power is coming into her and with that, a great danger...” “Is it that bad? What can we do?” Balder looked at the Gemon and the old satyr sighed. “She's a Royal Nymph... her power, if it is controlled and diverted, can turn a star supernova... but only if it’s controlled... Nanna never got any training, she has no idea how to control it, and none of you can do anything... not like this. With your powers combined you could’ve shield this realm... direct the energy beam somewhere safe... somewhere in the cosmos, like Odin did for her mother and aunts...” “Can you do anything? Can you transport her to Asgard?” I stepped forward with hope, but the old Satyr shook his head. “She is connected with the seed and I can't break this connection... no one can... it's like a two way feed. The energy from the seed awakened her powers and right now there’s no feedback from her to the seed yet... well, just a tiny amount. Look, I’ll tell you all I know from the the Royal Nymph’s Coming to Power story. They say there was a light of life shining from their eyes first... then they went through a shape changing... then they started releasing energy orbs... anything they went through was burnt, but the place they landed on flourished with a magical growth spurt. Then, they say the Nymphs started glowing brighter and brighter until they turned so bright that no one could bear to look upon them... and then all that light, all the energy sunk inside of them, building up in their chests and then a bright beam shot from their chests... the first burst was turned by Odin and directed to the stars he chose, setting up a stellar explosion, the second beam hit the skull of Ymir... it got trapped in it, the energy was trying to escape, making his skull spun so fast, it melted everything around. Then it stopped moving, the walls of it softened by the heat were expanded into a perfect sphere shape, with enormous energy sealed in them. When the Odin created an opening the cooled condensed energy shot out in a straight line, hardening as it reached Asgard... That is how the Himinbjorg and Bifrost where formed. The next one and the last beam from the Nymphs went to the point of the starter energy... Yggdrasil, and the Three of life grew ten times bigger. In this case it will go to the seed...” “And that is okay, right? I mean the seed is a part of the tree, it has powers, too... it will just absorb it, like Yggdrasil did...” I didn't finished watching Gemon lower his head, slowly shaking it. “Even all the seeds together are not strong enough to absorb that much energy... only the Tree Of Life.” “You mean...” I swallowed. “You mean it can destroy it?” The Satyr silently nodded. I gripped Gemon's shoulders. “How long till the that last blast of energy?” “The process is already started... a few hours maybe...” My mind sprinted with thoughts. A few hours.. and the walk to the mountain will take half a day... we wouldn't be able to reach it in time, there is no way we can. No way. My eyes drifted to Nanna, then moved to the worried face of my brother, and stopped on Astrid. She was nervously pulling on her empty seed setting. “You said Nanna would never lock up to Astrid's seed, even if it was intact, why?” “When a seed merges with a Valkyrie, it becomes part of them, it's devoted to them and only them, it's simply not free for anything else.” “That’s it! So if that seed merges with Astrid it would stop this... wouldn’t it?” “The seed can break the connection if it desires to do so, yes.” That was all I needed to know. I turned to my brother. “Balder, you stay here, watch over Nanna... me and Astrid have to get to the seed now.” I pulled my Valkyrie to my side and turned to Gemon. “You said you would help her, even if you get punished for it. Help her now. Take us to the seed, we will never make it there on foot.” “No Thor, you can't...” Astrid started, but Satyr's hand touched mine and in the blink of an eye, we reemerged in a huge white cave somewhere deep inside of the mountain. The sky high ceiling was covered in long icicles, the walls were polished to a mirror-like smoothness, the floor was laced in frost, and in the middle of the cave stood a tall wooden pedestal with a lightly glowing seed on a purple pillow with golden tassels. 'Ugh!” Gemon gripped at his ears and looked at me with surprise, then his eyes moved to the flute that I was still holding in my hand. He dug inside of his bag, pulling a scroll, and opened it, reading, then looked back at me. Meanwhile, Astrid neared the seed, reaching for it and I swallowed with anticipation. Come on... just work, please work... “I wouldn't touch it if I were you, mortal.” A loud voice that seemed to come from the wall shook the icy cave. One of the mirrors moved, opening a hidden door and letting out an old dwarf. “How dare you talk to a Valkyrie that way?” I raised my voice, and the dwarf turned to me. “I see a mortal woman, a powerless God and an old Satyr in here. I see no Valkyrie.” “This powerless God can kick your ass to teach you some manners!” I gripped my axe and the dwarf smiled. “If you came here just to kick my ass, or teach me manners, you made your trip for nothing, I can send you back to where you came from with one wave of my hand, young God.” “We are not leaving without the seed, dwarf.” “And who said you can have it?” The grumpy halfman smirked at me. “So... this is the future King... impatient, rude, too cocky even in a diminished, powerless state... I can't believe Odin's son lacks his wisdom and tact.” His eyes moved to the Satyr and then to Astrid. “And this is the fallen one... the disgraced Valkyrie...” My jaw clenched, fingers tightening on the handle of my axe, and I stepped forward, but Gemon caught my hand and was about to say something when the dwarf turned to him. “Silence. I have no need for protective speeches.” He turned to me. “I have no need for threatening ones either. There is nothing you can do to me. Odin put a spell on this cave and me, bonded me with this place. This spell can only be broken when the seed is used. The power would just disappear and I will return to my world, but for now, I'm a God in here and I can do whatever I want.” His figure grew, changing and filling the cave, clothes turning into scales, face stretching with a horrid mouth full of long and sharp teeth, leather wings sprouted from his back, pulling to the ceiling, and the fire filled roar of a dragon burned my face. “I am all powerful in here!” He lashed with his tail like a whip, smashing it into the floor, and my axe flew out of my hand, imbedding its blade into the ice of the far wall. Another lash of the tail and the Valkyrie's sword followed. The dragon fell apart in a fog, slowly dispersing and uncovering the shaking with laughter figure of the dwarf. He turned to us and with a self-satisfied smirk. “Now, I'm not asking you to drop on your knees in front of me and beg... I could've... just for the sheer entertainment.. it's much too boring in here... but I won't. All I'm asking for is politeness toward someone more powerful than you, if only at the moment.” I clenched my jaw again, fingers gripped into tight fists, but when my eyes caught a glimpse of Astrid's face I let my fingers relax. “A rude welcome was answered by a rude response.” “You’re right. So lets try this again. I'm Fafnir, guardian of this treasured seed and the God in this place.” The dwarf spread his arms, lifting himself above the cave floor, then lowered himself down with a somewhat insane grin. “And I know who you all are, no need to introduce yourselves.” He giggled, walking around us. “Yes, I know... you are wondering how I know? I'll tell you... because I am a God here... I've been here for so long... I never left this cave... I could never leave my treasure unattended... what kind of guard would I be if I did?” “Tell us how to use the seed.” The dwarf turned to me. “Tell us how to use the seed...” He stretched the last word as if waiting for more words. I sighed and swallowed my irritation. “Tell us how to use the seed, please.” “Now, that is the word! But... I've been here so long, got so attached to my jewel...” He flew to the pedestal, hovering over the seed, then sighed and turned back to us. “But fortunately for you I'm sick and tired of this place. So lets get this show started. She...” He pointed at Astrid. “Cannot touch the seed, she's a mortal... any mortal touches it...” He smashed his fist into the palm of his other hand. “Boom! Death is imminent.” I turned to Astrid and swallowed. She could've died... just a few minutes ago I could've lost her... The voice of the dwarf continued. “Now don't look at me, I didn't make the rules, it was meant in case a mortal would somehow wander in here and slid by my guard. Like that’s possible! I'm here on guard non stop! I don't sleep, I don't eat, no need to when you are an almighty God, all I do is guard this seed, this jewel, staring at it day and night though the wall of my mirror hideout. Some times I come out and stay right by it...” The dwarf rose above the ground, flying to the pedestal and stopped a few inches from the seed, hovering over it and looking at it with the a mesmerized gaze. “It so beautiful, so small, but so powerful... it just draws you in... makes you want to just stare at it non stop, hold it...” I cleared my throat and the dwarf’s eyes moved to us. “Right... so... where were we? Oh, the rules! So, she can't touch it, imminent death, blah-blah-blah.” The dwarf pointed at the satyr. “He can't either, nature spirits won't dare touch the Holy of the Holy.” The dwarf smirked and I stepped forward. “I can.” The dwarf looked at me. “You? Yes, you can. If it’s anyone here it’s you, and only you... you have no powers, but you are immortal. So, yes, you can.” “How do I use it?” The dwarf's lips slid into a wide smile. “Easy, you just place you hand on the seed and make a wish.” I stepped to the seed, raising my hand above it and the dwarf floated in the air, stopping on the other side of the pedestal. “But... and this is the fun part. Your wish cannot be to give or...” He glanced at Astrid with the smirk. “Per say return power or immortality to anyone. Also, the seed cannot be used to break any rules of Odin, so you can't wish for her to be returned back to Asgard.” His face turned completely insane and he shook with loud laughter. “Then what? What I can wish for?” My voice thundered over his irritating laugh. The face of the halfman turned sad and then lit up with an insane smile as he quickly nodded his head. “I know! You can wish for her to die now and spare her the pain of living in this shit-hole realm, spare her of growing old and dying from some horrible human disease later on.” I was about to grip isolation crazed guardian by his neck when Gemon rushed to me with a scroll in his hand. “No, not her... my Lord, this message was given to me by Sigyn and now I know what it means! read this.” He handed me the paper and the dwarf moved his hand, pointing at the satyr. “Now your part here is done, begone to where you came from!” The figure of Satyr blinked and disappeared. I looked at the paper and read out-loud. “Wish for the mortal, who’s life was speared to die.” As soon as I said that Astrid gripped into my arm. “No! You can't do that! Thor please, it's not the way!” Astrid... I have to.. it is the only way, the only way I see... my thoughts never turned into words, getting stuck in my throat, that suddenly grew a lump in face of tears in the eyes of my Valkyrie. The dwarf's face budged between us, his eyes smiling at me. “Oh, but that is not true! You see, you kill him and the energy will return, no need to wish for it. Of course it wouldn't restore the dead seed... but it will restore what she lost. All of it.” “Thor, don't!” Astrid pushed the dwarf away and gripped my shoulders, shaking her head and I looked into her eyes, feeling my heart ready to jump out of my chest. “Astrid, it's just one mortal, what is his life to me compared to yours?” “It's not his life he asked for, it's his wife's and she is pregnant. You will be killing three, not one! Thor, you can't do that!” “Three? Is that what you think?” The dwarf’s giggle made us turn and he continued. “You think all that power, that huge amount energy went to just protect three miserable short mortal lives? You have no idea how all of this works do you? Let me enlighten you. See, when you spared the life that was meant to end, his and his wife's and their unborn child... let's just make it clear, she would’ve lost her child, and, struck with grief, would've soon perished herself. So here is three lives.” He waved his hand and three foggy figures appeared in the cave. “So now, they will go on living... have more kids they weren't supposed to have...” Three more figures appeared as the dwarf continued. “Those children have their own, and so on and so forth...” The cave started to fill with the figures, they were standing shoulder to shoulder, then they all got smaller and the next row of figures appeared above them, following the voice of the guardian. “Generations... after generations...” The pyramid of figures grew all the way to the ceiling as the dwarf continued. “Hundreds, thousands of lives that had no energy to live before, got it now, from you.” The figures melted away at the silent command of his hand and I saw Astrid standing by the pedestal. “I can't let you do that Thor... Please forgive me.” She quickly rose her hand above the seed and my heart jumped, but the dwarf moved his hand and the pedestal with the seed moved away from Astrid's hand to my side. “It's not your decision, it's his!” Astrid turned to me. “Thor please don't! You can't, please don't do thi--” “Silence, mortal!” The dwarf moved his hand again and Astrid's body froze in place. The dwarf rose up in the air in front of me, moving the pedestal with the seed between us, his eyes staring into mine and all the crazy sparkles I saw in his eye before were suddenly gone. His lips moved with an absolutely sane voice. “Decide, future King.” |
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| Olyamet | September 30, 2014, 2:40 pm Post #326 |
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Jäger.....
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Okay, continue of the story. XXXXII. (Balder's POV) Nanna's body lifted in the air, slowly turning, her eyes wide open, beaming out light, and the floor started to shake. The light from her eyes passed over me, leaving nothing but a warm line on my body, but when it reached Radda, the old woman gasped, gripping to her chest, and fell down. I rushed to her, but the floor suddenly arched under me, throwing me onto my back. The boards shook, ripping out of place and stood upright. As I watched in amazement, the tips of the boards split, letting out branches and sprouting leaves, and the bottoms dug into the dirt with quickly growing roots. But that was just the beginning. As Nanna's head tilted upwards, the roof vibrated under her light, the wooden tiles slid off, dripping with the softened sap that held them in place. The straw rained down, turning into green and lush grass. The logs in the walls split from each other, rolling on the ground, then stood up, following the floor boards in a growth spurt. The roots were entangling me, pulling me with them to the ground, the branches grew bigger adding to the weight. It took me forever to get free, fighting with the out of control nature, ignited by the green light of the Nymph's eyes. Somewhere up on the quickly growing tree I saw the dark blue fabric of Radda's skirt. I climbed up, gripping her unconscious body, and looked at the unbelievably changed yard down below. The garden grew as tall as the forest, the house was gone, and a thick wall of trees stood in it's place in a circle surrounding the turning figure of Nanna in the air. Suddenly, the movement stopped and her body landed. As her feet touched the ground, the dirt crawled with fast growing green grass. Flowers followed, opening big blooms facing the Nymph. I made my way down, pulling Radda's body out of the ring of wild growth and laying her down on the other side of the well, hoping that the stone would protect her. I checked her pulse and felt a strong beating heart, but the healer was still out. At that moment I heard Nanna's moan and turned. Somewhere behind the tall trees I saw a flash of green light and heard another moan. “Hold on Nanna, I'm coming!” I pulled my sword out, cutting my way to the shaking figure of the Nymph. I was finally through when Gemon appeared at my side, but before I could say anything, Nanna froze in the air, facing us as her hands and feet turned white, then the light burned its way to the middle of her chest, forming a twirling ball. I stepped forward, but Gemon gripped my arm. “Don't. That energy ball is dangerous.” I froze, not sure what to do next, but the Nymph's body shook and the ball of light shot in our direction. On pure instinct, at the last moment I moved my sword up and the orb bounced off, burning it's way through the sky, heading East. Gemon licked his lips and swallowed, watching the energy ball vanishing into the clouds. “Gods help anything in its way down...” “What would happen if it hit something... or someone?” “It will burn through anything... but when it hits the ground, it will absorb, giving instant life to anything made of wood... just like this place, all around will transform...” “Lets hope it's not someone's house...” I breathed out and Gemon swallowed again and was about to say something but Nanna gasped, gripping her head as we rushed to her. I was just a few feet away from her, but Nanna suddenly turned transparent blue. Her hair rose up above her head, turning into streams of water. One ripple fell on the nearby branch of one of the trees around her and bounced off, right into my face. I whipped the water off and saw Nanna's figure in her normal form standing right in front of me. Her eyes were wide open. “Balder... what's happening to me?” “Your powers...” “I don't know how to stop it! Help me stop it! Help me to--” Before she finished her sentence her body shivered, then started to stretch up, skin darkening and hardening in the form of bark, her white hair turned green, breaking apart into long whips of a weeping willow. “Gemon, how do we stop it?” I gripped at the satyr's shoulders and he shook his head. “There is no way we can...” “There has to be a way, there has to be something!” “Help me, Balder!” Nanna's muffled voice called to me and I jumped to the quickly growing willow, gripping the trunk. The tree stopped moving up and froze in my arms and I stepped back, but as soon as my hands let go of the bark, the tree started moving up again. “No, no, don't let go! Can't you see, it's working! What ever it is you’re doing, it's working!” I heard Gemon's voice and stepped forward, gripping the trunk again, this time the tree only partially slowed down, lifting me up with it. I gripped to the nearest branch for support, finding a place for my feet and started to climb up. My hand pulled me up, gripping to the next branch, the tree moved and I had no choice but to encircle my legs around the trunk and suddenly the tree shivered, then shrunk, bending backwards under my weight, and finally falling to the ground with me clinging to it, like a rider to an out of control wild horse. The tree bark under my hands softened, deflating and the next thing I knew I was on top of Nanna, face to face, lips to lips, with my hands somewhere they were not allowed to be... One on her right breast and the other gripping her left buttock. I swallowed, jumping up and the Nymph sat up, turning red with a deep blush. I bit my lip and cleared my throat. “I didn't mean to... I didn't know what I was grabbing... I'm sorry..” She stood up, lowering her face, then swallowed, breathing fast and shallow. “I a... I know you didn't...” Her gaze slowly rose up and followed through the newly formed forest and she gasped. “What happened to the house?” “Um... you.” “I...” She turned to me with a wide open eyes. “You mean to say.... I did all this?” She slowly started to make her way between the tall trees and then stopped by a smaller tree, and quickly bent down. “Radda! Oh dear Gods! Did I...?” I came closer to the tree and saw that it grew through Radda's leather boot, pushing it apart. Nanna looked up with a tears filled eye, whispering with shaking lips. “Pleace tell me I didn't kill her...” “No, no! She's alive! I carried her behind that well... her wooden leg must've fell off...” Nanna ran to the well and I was about to follow her, but Gemon pulled on my arm. “Look, she is obviously responding to that.. what ever it was... what ever you did... keep it up, and maybe, just maybe we can distract her enough to slow down the process, or at very least minimize the damage.” (Rodimir's POV) I wiped the sweat off my forehead and my eyes stopped on the star. It hung just above the line of the horizon, the last star on the lightened by the sunrise sky. The name of my Goddess slid off my smiling lips. “I'm working on it, I'm not going to fail you, my Goddess. I will make them believe in you.” I pushed my shovel in the ground by the freshly dug up hole and looked at the Idol pole of Perun next to me. “Just as in the sky, you will be placed together here.” I smiled and looked down from the cliff I was standing on, waving my arm to my wife. “Okay, raise it up!” She nodded and pulled the reins of the horse, walking it forward and the rope on Astrid's pole tightened and started slowly moving it to the hole. I picked up the head end and the base slid into the place, I yelled. “Hold!” My hands moved on the wide pole, lifting it up to my shoulder and with all the strength I had left in my shaking form from the long work hours. I pushed the beam above my head, pushing it higher. The pole slid deeper into the hole, almost skinning my palms, but I held on, propping it with my shoulder. My hands let go, moving the rope higher on the pole and I yelled again. “Okay, a little bit more!” The rope screeched, stretching in tension, and my feet dug in, pushing my body forward, hands working their wat down the pole, pushing it into an upright position, and the column gave in, sliding its base to the bottom of the hole. “Hold! That's good!” I quickly picked up the previously readied wooden stakes and pushed them on four sides of the pole, keeping it in the right place. In the corner of my eyes I saw a few groups of people making their way through the valley to God's Hill. I must hurry, the gathering is starting... My hands gripped the shovel, working fast to fill the sides of the hole with dirt. My heart was pounding in my head, pushing sweat sliding on my face, and my feet started their work, packing the ground around the pole. I stepped back to look at my work, making sure all was done just right. “What is this?” I heard a voice from below. I swallowed, cleared my throat and stepped to the edge of the cliff, looking at the people that had gathered there. “What I told you about my Goddess is true. She is real, she saved my life, and she sent me a message in the dream, that this village is in danger. I saw a horrid future, I saw death all around me, Every one of you laying dead, and only me and my my wife left. She saved the ones who believed in her, she can save all of you, you just have to believe and pray to her for the protection of your loved ones. If you join me in payer, then--” “Don't listen to this heresy!” Boris’ voice covered mine, stopping me mid-sentence. In the heat of my speech, I didn't noticed when he and two of his close followers made their way on the side of the hill to me. “It's not heresy! She is real!” “Sure she is, but only in your crazed mind. Now, I let you continue living in my village when you came back from that battle absolutely insane. I thought it was just a temporary madness and in a few days, when people were tired of listening to you, you’d finally stop your delusional stories, but now you have gone too far! Placing the pole of your imaginary Goddess on this sacred place! Insulting our high God by placing that blasphemy of a false deity side by side with him! How dared you!” “She's not a false deity! She spoke of Perun and she said 'we will hold you to your promise' meaning her and him, she spoke of him as an equal! She came down with the bright northern lights, but with the Perun's lightning and with his thunder as the sound of the hooves of her stormy steed in the sky!” Boris quickly stepped to me, gripping my throat. “I will show you where your false deity pole belongs and where you belong!” With those words he pushed me down into the ready hands of his helpers. One fist twisted my jaw, the other bent me in half, drawing the air out of my lungs, and a kick to the head followed, sending me rolling to the edge of the cliff, and the next one ripped the land from under my hands and knees. I grabbed at the air, releasing a scream and landed heavily on my back on the rocks beneath the cliff at the feet of the rest of the villagers. “Rodimir!” My wife rushed to me, dropping on her knees by my side and gripping my head with her hands. Before I could move I heard Boris’ voice from the top of the cliff. “And take this heresy with you! Hit it, Mathew!” At his words, Boris’ son stepped to my horse, slapping its rear end with his fist. The beast neighed loudly, kicking his back legs in the air, and jumped forward. The rope that was still tied up to Astrid's pole jerked, wrenching it out of the ground. I gasped and the rope snapped, sending the horse free, but it was too late. As though in slow motion, I watched the pole, carved with my complete devotion, flying up before turning in the air a few times and dropping down on the rocks, just a few feet from me and Mila, who clung to me. Boris stepped on the edge of the cliff, looking down with a smirk. “Where is your Goddess now, Rodimir? Hm? Why isn't she punishing me in her fury for throwing her statue down? Your heretic deity is silent, just like you are. Seize him!” Before I could say anything, two of Boris' men pushed my wife away, yanking me up and twisting my hands behind my back. At this moment the sky shook with distant thunder and the head of the village smiled, pointing up. “You hear that, people? The Mighty Perun himself is approving of my actions! He’s letting us know he is pleased!” I opened my mouth to say that it's not Perun, but my Goddess's steed shaking the sky with his hooves as he brings her to my side, but a hefty fist dove into my gut, punching the air out of my lungs, as Boris continued his speech, looking at the now huge crowd of people below the hill he stood on. “You see, my good people, false Gods can't act! His false Goddess can't do anything! Can you see her coming down here and punishing me? No. She is silent! She does nothing, simply because she is nothing! She doesn't exist! She will not come and protect you and your loved ones, just like she will not come and protect him!” The hands of Boris’ men tightened on my arms as the village head's voice loudly declared. “Rodimir, you are guilty of heresy. You are guilty of dishonoring our Mightiest Deity, Perun, by placing a false Goddess Idol on his sacred hill. And that is punishable by death. If you have any last words you may say them now.” He looked down at me and smirked. “You can denounce your false Goddess in front of all of these people and die in peace... or...” His eyes laughed at me. “ Or, you can waste you last words to ask your Goddess to come and rescue you.” I looked right into those beaming with superiority eyes and answered. “Asking her for my life wouldn't do any good.” I watched Boris' lips slide into the satisfied smirk, as he mistook my words for the beginning of my apology, and turned to my wife. “Mila, my love, do you remember what I told you? The only way of praying to our Goddess that works is when she’s asked to save and protect loved ones.” My wife rose her hand to her lips. “Rodimir, please...” “Ask her.” “Rodimir...” “Ask her, pray to her, as I told you. Pray to her to save and protect me, and you will see, all of you will see, she will answer.” My wife's tears slid on her face, falling down to her feet, her eyes looked at me with a silent plea, but I couldn't back out. I knew, I believed, I truly, unconditionally believed that my Mighty Goddess would save me. I did what she wanted me to do, I did my part and now it was all in her powerful hands. “Please, Mila, ask her.” Boris giggled at the top of the hill. “Yes, lets all hear that heretic prayer, and we all will see the proof, that the blasphemous deity doesn't exist! More so, ask her to come and punish me for what I've done! Come on, pray to her! Tell her to show her power! Let's see if she is faster than the axe in the hands of my son.” He placed his ands on his hips and gave Mathew a quick nod. The redhaired son of the village head bared his crooked teeth, mirroring his father’s smirk, and stepped to my side, pulling the axe from his belt. The hands of my captors yanked my hands up, bending me forward and I breathed out. “In the name of our love, pray for me, Mila, pray to her.” I looked at my wife and she rose her tearful face to the sky. “Oh, Goddess of the wishing star... who looks down upon us through her magic pendant, that we see as the light of the first brightest star of the evening and the last star of the morning. Oh ruler of the rain, Mighty Warrior Goddess, who rides lightning itself. Oh Goddess, who's brilliant silver armor sets the sky on fire in majestic lights. Oh Fearless Goddess, who commands the celestial steed made of the darkest storm clouds. I pray to you, protector of loved ones. Please watch over and protect the one my heart holds dearest....” Another wave of thunder shook the sky right above us and my wife glanced at me, looking clearly spooked, but I nodded to her with a smile and her voice continued. “Please, my Goddess, save and protect my husband! Show your power and punish the one who claims that you are not real! I beg of you, my Goddess, save and protect the one I love!” Mathew cackled and rose his hand with an axe, ready for the hit and at that moment a loud thunderous roar repeated, getting louder and rolling above us, a few heads in the crowd rose up, gasps of shock followed, hands pointing up at the clouds, sparkling with lightning. Mathew's hand with the axe froze, and the hands that held me in place shook, quickly releasing their grip as the roar in the sky grew louder. I stood up and smiled with relief. “I knew she would hear you, my love...” Right above the Boris' head, the high thundering cloud split, letting through a bright star, that was quickly getting bigger as it was coming down with a deafening whistling sound. In the blink of an eye, the bright orb crossed the sky, flying just above Perun's pole. Like a sword through the water it passed through the chest of the village head, and plundered into the ground by Astrid's pole, raising the rock and dirt up in a loud explosion, and throwing my body onto my back. When the cloud of dust settled down, I saw the twisted faces of the crowd all looking at something on the ground. I stood up and Mila gripped my shoulders. “Rodimir.. did you see that? Did you see what happened?! She... she answered! She answered my prayer!!! She heard me! Look!” She pointed to the ground at the base of the hill. Boris' body was laying with a mask like, twisted in horror face. His eyes were wide open and blindly staring into the sky, his arms and legs were spread wide, and a completely round hole was glistening with charred edges in the place of his chest. By his side lay the body of his son, his head was sliced open with his own axe, which, just a few seconds ago, was hanging over my heck. I turned around and saw the two blood covered bodies of Boris' men, who had held me. One had a huge rock in the place his head once was, and the other’s neck had twisted in a weird, unnatural way, face down. I swallowed, stepping back from the deathly scene and heard multiple gasps in the crowd. Everyone was staring at me and Mila. “That is the proof of my Mighty Goddess’ powers. She is real, and she--” I didn't finish my words, almost losing my balance when the ground under my feet started to shake. Before I could say anything else, Astrid's pole suddenly moved, standing up on it's own. Frozen in place, I gaped at the eerie display of something truly magical in front of me. The pole moved again and suddenly came alive, releasing quickly growing roots from it's base. The roots thickened, pushing down, burrowing into the dirt, cracking and lifting it. I stepped back, watching the ground moving in waves as the roots spread further, displacing dirt from the depths under our feet. But that was just the beginning... The top of the oak trunk, that I had found dead and dry last summer in the forest and brought home for future use as fire wood, suddenly sprouted full of live branches, reaching up to the sky. The base of the fast growing tree widened and the middle grew bigger, raising the face of my Goddess that I had carved up with it. The branches sprouted green leaves, raising the tree to the level of the cliff, and beyond it. The huge oak kept pulling up like a wild, live giant until the face of Astrid had finally stopped at almost the same level as the carved face of Perun, on the Idol pole of the Mighty God of Thunder placed hundreds of years ago. “They are equal... I was right...” I breathed out and Mila let go of my shoulders and made one unsure step forward to the magic tree. “She did it... she's powerful just like you said... she...” My wife swallowed and quickly stood on her knees, placing her hands over her heart and lowered her head in a deep bow to the huge oak. “Thank you, my Goddess. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer, thank you for saving my loved one, my husband. Take this as my thank you gift to you, my Goddess.” She took the ribbon off her air and stepped closer, tying it to the lower branch and stepped back, moving her arms to her chest and lowering back to her knees. “Oh, Goddess of the wishing star...” I made my way to my wife and stood down on my knees by her side, and my voice joined in with her's. “... who looks down upon us through her magic pendant, that we see as the light of the first brightest star of the evening and the last star of the morning...” I felt movement all around us, people were kneeling one by one around the majestic oak. More and more voices joined in our prayer. “Oh ruler of the rain, Mighty Warrior Goddess, who rides lightning itself. Oh Goddess who's brilliant silver armor sets the sky on fire in majestic northern lights. Oh Fearless Goddess, who commands the celestial steed made of the darkest storm clouds. I pray to you, protector of loved ones. Please watch over and protect the one my heart holds dearest...” All faces were looking up, hands on their chests over their hearts and I raised my voice, repeating the prayer. “Oh Goddess of the wishing star, who looks down upon us....” |
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| Olyamet | October 29, 2014, 11:59 am Post #327 |
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Jäger.....
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Okay, more. XXXXIII. (Astrid's POV) I tried to scream, but my lips didn't move, my whole body was motionless, as if something was holding me in place. I could hear and see everything, helpless to interfere. A silent scream was bouncing in my head, making my heart thrash in my chest like a wild bird in a cage. Thor, please don't! You can't kill thousands of innocent people! You can't! Thor! Please don't! The dwarf waked around the God of Thunder and stopped in front of him. “So... what are you waiting for? Make the wish. I mean, what are thousands of lives of some future mortals to you, compared to the life of the one you love? They are just mortals! They live short miserable lives and then they die, like flies. Who cares? Puny, whiny worms, they aren’t worth anything. Their lives aren’t worth anything. Come on, make a wish!” “Shut the fuck up!” Thor growled and the dwarf smiled, looking at me, then turned back to my love. “Okay... but there is one last little thing you should know... that might just sweeten the deal. Kind of a cherry on top.” The dwarf's lips slid closer to Thor's ear, but I could still hear his words. “When her immortality comes back... she will not remember any of this...” The dwarf licked his lips and his hands landed on Thor's forearm, darkened eyes locked with blue clear gaze. The lips continued moving as if they were slowly releasing sweet poisoned sap into the ear of the future King of Gods. “She would not remember this place... she would not remember the price of her immortality... she'll be... kind of rebooted back to the time she lost it. She will not even remember falling down... or burning... she will not remember being in Midgard at all... more so... she will not remember anything that lead her to fall... she would believe that she did her sworn duty as always... that she got the soul of the mortal warrior she came to get and then fell asleep. You will remember it all, and I will, other's would think they had a very unusual dream... but you will know the truth... you and I will be the only ones...” Oh, you little son of a bitch! I tried to burst out of the invisible binds holding me, feeling my heart skip as I saw Thor swallow, breathing out. “She will remember nothing..?” The dwarf pointed at the seed. “Make a wish, it's an easy choice. I know how much you love her. Now, place your hand on the seed and say the words.” I saw Thor swallow again and as he placed his hand over the seed he turned to me, and I silently screamed. DON'T!! Thor, please don't do it! Whether or not I remember later, I know it now! I can't... please Thor, don't! The God of Thunder swallowed again and turned to the dwarf. “Okay, so I just have to say my wish out loud?” The dwarf smiled. “Yes. You don't even have to name that mortal by his name. I don't think you even know it. So just say: 'I wish for the mortal who's life was spared by Astrid the Valkyrie to die.' Either way it will be the right mortal.” “That's not what I want to wish for.” “What?” The dwarf moved his hand and the pedestal dove down away from Thor's hand. “I told you, no wishes to give her power will work, there is no other way for what you want, no other way for you to be together.” “There is one.” Thor looked at me, then quickly lowered himself to one knee and placed his hand on the seed. “I wish to share the fate of the one I love, what ever it may be.” I felt my heart drop down and stop as a cold flash ran through my motionless body. Oh, no... oh Thor... what have you done...? The dwarf gasped, his eyes widened. “You! You idiot! Don't you understand what you just did? You just lost everything! Asgard, the future throne, your powers, and your immortality!” Thor stood up and smiled, turning to me. “Yep, I sure did.” The dwarf looked back at me, then at the seed and back at me, then lowered his head, mumbling under his breath. “Everything... your home... your friends, family... throne... power... your way of life, no not just a way of life, your life...” “Well, not my life, I will have a life, a happy mortal life.” Thor winked at me. The dwarf looked at Thor. “You gave it all up for her... why?” Thor's eyes gazed into mine as he smiled. “Because without her, everything I have is worthless.” The dwarf flew, rising above the floor and trying to look into Thor's eyes. “Even your immortality?” “Especially my immortality, to live forever without her is the worst possible fate I can imagine.” I felt my heart beating somewhere in my throat, making it hard to breath, tears slid on my still frozen, motionless cheeks. The price is too high, my love... way too high... I can't--- Someone's barely there, almost unreadable whisper invaded my mind, like a distant wind. 'Oh, Goddess of the wishing star...' My mind clouded, I felt as if the binds that held me in place started to slowly release their grip. I swallowed my tears, overwhelmed by the sorrow and the sweetness of the present moment and my lips breathed out a whisper. “Thor.. what have you done...?” 'Oh ruler of the rain, Mighty warrior Goddess, who rides lightning itself!' The choir of voices filled my mind and the binds that held me a prisoner suddenly let go. 'Oh Goddess who's brilliant silver armor sets the sky on fire in the majestic northern lights. Oh Fearless Goddess, who commands the celestial steed made of the darkest storm clouds....' The voices grew louder and louder, making me grip my head, deafening me and drowning my mind in a fog. The cave suddenly lit with a bright blue fog and the chanting voices continued, filling my head... (Thor's POV) Despite the fact that I’d just lost everything, I left strangely light. The feeling of happiness made it's way to my head, bubbling with fuzzy warmth. The thought appeared in my fogged mind that somehow nothing else would happen. I turned to look back at the seed and felt slightly lightheaded. What in Hel's breath...? The dwarf was still here and Astrid was still frozen... and the seed lay there, just as it had been all this time... no light, no nothing.. I thought it was supposed to... Before I could finish my scattered thoughts, the seed suddenly lifted itself from the pillow, spreading and pulsating with blue light waves, and as the first surge reached me, my head spun, weakness taking my body in an iron grip, making me drop on one knee under the suddenly heavy air in the icy cave. The next wave slammed into my chest, taking my breath away and knocking me to the ground. Wow... is this how it works... how it feel to lose my immortality? I didn't know it would be so strong... “Thor... what have you done...?” I heard her whisper and looked at my little Valkyrie. She suddenly gripped to her head and dropped to her knees. The light got stronger, filling the cave, making me blind, and then the light dimed and went off. I pulled myself up and stood on my knees. The dwarf shook his head. “It's done. I can't wish you a happy life together... it would only be a short, mortal life.” His figure became transparent and then completely disappeared. “I would say unexpectedly and imminently short.” A loud, hoarse voice shook the cave with laughter and I turned, feeling cold shivers on my back. A block of ice came apart from the wall, darkening and taking the shape of a scarred jotun. “I must admit, I never thought you would be so stupid and make everything so much easier for me. I was standing there in the wall, watching the show, waiting for that dwarf with his powers over this place to leave and preparing to battle with the newly empowered Valkyrie to get to the powerless enemy of mine. But you made it all so laughably simple.” “Grundroth.” I spat the name between my tightly clenched teeth, trying to get up, but my body was way too weak, betraying me and dropping me back to my knees. I glanced at Astrid, who was laying on the floor with her hands tightly pressed to her head and moaning. “What did you do to her? Let her go!” The jotun made his way to me and stopped, turning to the Valkyrie on the ground. “I haven't done anything to her yet, didn't even touch her. She’s rolling in her own… whatever the fuck it is.. a fit? A mortal dance of overpowering fear in the face of a giant?” He turned his attention back to me and pushed me down with his foot, making me drop back onto all fours. His scarred face lit with a satisfied smirk. “Mhnn, mhn, mhn. I wish I’d brought my sculptor with me. This is a picture perfect moment for a statue in the center in front of my future palace. The feared Mighty Thor, God of Thunder, possessor and commander of the undefeatable Mjöllnir, Future King, Son of Odin.. on his knees before the great Grundroth, begging for his life.” “Don't kid yourself, I've never begged anyone for anything.” “Well, it’s never too late to change your ways. Anywho... lets get this show on the road, shall we? So... How do you want me to kill you? I was thinking slow and painful, enjoying every minute of it... or maybe, I'll kill her first, make you watch. I don't even know what the best way is... so many choices...” “You touch one hair on her head and I will kill you.” I growled, ordering my body to obey and stand up, but it refused to move, heart pounding fast in my chest with fear for my little Valkyrie, who I was helpless to protect. “You will kill me?” A thundering growl sounded, followed by a crackled laugh. “I would love to see you try! You can't even get off your knees, so weak, so pitiful! You know, I will make a great story out of this... how you crawled at my feet, begging for your life, helpless, worthless. How I pulled the heart out of your Valkyrie right in front of your eyes, slowly squeezing the still beating flesh in my fingers, until it raptures in my hand. How I then made you eat it, shoving it into your mouth, making you choke with her blood. I will be honored, I will be a hero!” His words sent a flash of the anger over me and my heart pushed up, pulling my body to my feet in front of the giant towering over me. “No one will call you a hero for killing a mortal woman, where is the honor in that? Besides, no one will believe you without a witness. How about you let her live as a witness and take your anger out on me, instead. I will do what ever you want.” “Hm... you’re right... I'm too long forgotten and pushed away from my rightful place near the throne, thanks to your father, they may not believe my words. A witness would be handy... It would be less entertaining for me... although it is what I came for. Your life, not some mortal broad.” I breathed in and out, trying my best to stop my weakened body from shaking. “So how about it? Promise to me she'll leave and we'll fight, one on one, me and you.” “Just me and you.” Grundroth placed his hands in front of him, bowing his head. “I accept your proposal, and will fight you on the same level.” He lifted his face with a grim smirk and shook in laughter. “Don't tell me you bought it? I'm not an idiot Thor, and don't give a fuck about that code of honor crap.” “That is why you were disgraced into nothing even by your own father.” That's right make him angry, but not too angry... anything to make him forget about Astrid. I breathed in and straighten up. “I can kick your blue monstrous ass as I am, no powers, no immortality.” Jotun's lips stretched with a smirk. “Do me one favor, son of Odin, don't die too quickly. I want to prolong my revenge.” “Ready when you are.” I rose my fists in front of me and he stepped forward, raising his arm or a hit. “This is for my scar, that your father give me.” The blow of his fist sent me flying across the cave to the opposite wall. A copper tasting liquid filled my mouth and I spat out blood on the icy floor. The jotun smirked. “Well, at the very least I will have fun coloring this cave with your blood.” “Leave him alone!” Astrid pulled herself off the floor, standing up on weak, unsteady legs, and I shouted. “Astrid don't! Stay out of it, it’s not your fight!” “She can join in, I don't mind. Let's see if what they say is true and she is fearless in battle! Come on, give me your best shot, Valkyrie!” “She's not a Valkyrie, she just a mortal, leave her be, you promised me!” I stood up. “Come on, see? I'm back to my feet and ready!” The jotun turned back to me and at that moment Astrid made a step to her sword, pulling it up in her weak hands. “Astrid, please don't! If you love me, please stay out of it.” “I can't! I can't just stay here and watch him killing you, because I love you! If we are to die, we'll die together, fighting side by side!” “Enough with the shitty syrup of 'oh I love you, I'll die with you’! You want to die together? I will make it happen! Fuck the witness thing, fuck the story of my glorifying victory! Let me see you crawling to his side from there!” The Jotun reached Astrid before I could do or say anything and with a short, fast move of his fist her body flew in the air, hitting the wall across the hall. (Nanna's POV) I dropped on my knees by the listless body of my friend. “Radda...” I moved the hair from her face and turned to Balder and Gemon. “It's... it's not her...” “What do you mean, not her?” Balder stepped closer, looking at the woman on the ground. “Wow... what happened? I put her here... she's wearing the same clothes... it should be her... but....” “But this woman has both legs and she is my age!” Nanna turned back to the unconscious figure. “She must've gotten a dose of your life giving energy. It healed her.” Gemon sat down on the ground by my side. “It healed all that was sick or in a bad condition... her leg and her aging body.” “Will she--” I didn't finish my sentence when the figure on the ground moved and moaned, opening her eyes and sitting up. “Oh, my dear child, I'm so glad you’re okay!” She stood up, pulling me up with her and I smiled. “I am okay... but you... you...” I let go of my friend and stepped back. “Radda, look down, look at your feet.” My friend's eyes moved down and as they stopped on her legs she gasped, gripping her chest. “My Gods! Is it real?” She stepped forward, pulling her skirt to her knees and stepped again, keeping her widened eyes on her feet. “My leg! I have my leg back!” “That is not all you have back.” Gemon smiled and pulled out a small mirror from his bottomless bag, handing it to Radda. She took the mirror in her hands and looked at me. I encouraged her with a smile and a nod and she rose her hand with the mirror to her face with another gasp. “Oh my...” Her other hand reached to her face, touching her lips, her eyebrows, her cheeks, her gray-free brown hair. “Am I dreaming?” “No, it's all real! You are young again! You have all of your life ahead of you!” I smiled, happy that I did something good for my dear friend, even though I had no control of my deeds, but my eyes moved to the forest that used to be Radda’s house and sighed. “Only... you have no place to live in...” Radda looked back at what used to be her house. “Wow! You did all this? You have amazing power, my dear child!” “But I ruined your home...” Radda turned to me and smiled. “Not much of a loss, considering what you gave me in return. Plus... I don't think I want to spend this gifted life alone again. There is no one near, the village you grew up in is gone...” My friend's eyes saddened and she sighed. “The past years I spent completely alone...” I swallowed, remembering the ghostly village. “Radda... what happened to the villagers?” She looked at me and sighed again. “They couldn't let go of the fear and with you as a primary threat gone... they found another...” “Another?” “The day I came to the village to find you, when I learned what happened, was also the day one man returned from trading in a far northern land... he brought back many new exciting things, everyone wanted to see... no one suspected back then, that he also brought something else... a sickness called the black death... The first were the ones close to him... he was next... then the neighboring family’s child... then the whole family... the sickness was moving through the village and instead of connecting this to him, they... they connected it to one other person who visited the village that day...” “You...” Radda sighed again and nodded. “They thought I cursed them because of you... The crowd made their way to my house in the middle of the night, carrying torches, axes... I tried to talk to them, tried to reason... but they didn't listen... thank Odin for the wolves. They scared them away and after that, they guarded my home day and night for a few weeks... but no one came... the wolves soon left, and after a few months of loneliness I decided to go to the village and talk to the people one more time... but I found empty houses, burned down burial pyres... I figured whoever was left alive moved, leaving this in their mind cursed place...” “Radda, I'm sorry...” “For what? You didn't do it. Things happen... their fear clouded their minds, and instead of thinking that they needed to find the source of the sickness, they started looking for someone to blame... instead of avoiding contact with the people who were sick, they gathered in crowds, planning their revenge and making the spread of the black death faster. Instead of asking me for help, which I could've given them, they blamed me for their deaths.” She looked at the newly grown forest. “This place was my home for a long time, and I’m thankful for that, but it was a lonely life... detached from everything and everyone... it had many good memories, like you and the wolves... but most of the nights I dreamed of what my life would've been if I lived among people...” “I believe I can make those dreams come true.” Gemon spoke up and I turned to the satyr. “How?” Gemon smiled. “I think I know just the right place, where she wouldn't be alone.” “Will she be welcomed there?” “Very welcomed. There is a place called the Black Forest, I recently relocated a tribe there, they used to live in caves and know very little about life in the forest. Radda can teach them what she knows, you can help them, and unlike other people you met in your life, they wouldn't turn on you or think you are different, in fact, you can tell them all the truth, including your real age. They are not... new to magic, they will understand, in the end, their leader is the daughter of a sunray and she is very wise despite her youth.” “No hiding... no lies... is it really possible?” “Let me tell you a little bit about them...” Gemon smiled, started his story, and I looked around. I can't believe I did all this... all this time I had no powers, no powers what so ever and now... wow... I stepped forward and felt something scrunch under my foot and a small pin of pain dug into my chest. I looked down, noticing a broken white flower. You poor little thing! I bent down and placed my hand above it, wishing it well. I felt warmth coming from my hand, down, and the flower lit up with a green light that was coming from my fingers and moved, strengthening up. The broken stem came together, the wrinkles on the petals disappeared, and I removed my hand, looking at the completely healed flower. Wow... this is so awesome! I stood up, searching for anything else. I walked through the trees, trying to feel everything around me, I moved further and felt a small faded wave of something... then another, then another, a pulsating, invisible beam was coming from the broken peak of the mountain beyond the forest. It was calling me, pulling me in, awakening something inside of me and clouding my mind... I made a step forward to that calling ray, then another step, and another... and my mind drowned in something warm and powerful... (Balder's POV) I noticed Nanna looking at the forest. She slowly got up, turning around, and I followed her, but she stopped, lowering herself down to a small flower she’d stepped on, and I watched the flower coming back to life under her fingers. Nanna got up with a smile and continued into the woods and I smiled myself, maybe it's best to let her to take it all in on her own, see and understand what great power is hidden within her. I returned to Radda and the satyr and propped my back against a nearby tree, listening to the story about the sun worshipers. “...so you see, I think you will be more than welcomed there.” “It all sounds wonderful! I can start a new life, and I owe it all to all of you! Especially you, my dear child!” Radda turned to look for Nanna, but the Nymph was walking to the line of trees, looking at something in the forest. Her back was straight, hands at her sides. There was something unnatural in her posture, in her gait. “Nanna?” I pushed away from the tree and Gemon and Radda stood up. “Nanna, can you hear me?” I repeated, walking to the Nymph, but she didn't respond. “Nanna?” I caught up with her and reached to her shoulder, and she stopped, but didn't turn. I walked around and looked into Nanna's mask-like face. She was looking right through me with glowing green eyes. “Nanna!” No answer, no movement, only her green eyes flashing with a stronger light. “Gemon! I think it's starting again!” “This is it, the last stage! She is locked up with the seed!” Gemon stepped to the mortal woman, gripping her arm and turned to me. “Do something, try to get her attention, break this connection, or she will destroy the seed!” “How?” I looked at the changing Nymph in front of me. “I don't know, just do what you did before!” Okay... I breathed in and placed my hand on Nanna's waist. The Nymph didn't move, her eyes drowned in green light, the skin on her face darkened, moving and flashing with dark brown bark. “Nanna, it's me! Nanna!” The body of the Nymph turned transparent blue, then started stretching and hardening. Patches of blue changed into green, then brown, hair sprouted leaves.. “Balder, do something, I have to get Radda to safety!” I looked behind Nanna and saw Gemon and Radda disappearing into thin air. Meanwhile, the Nymph's body rose a few inches off the ground and started glowing white, sending pulsating waves to the top of her head. “Great, this is just great... come on, Nanna, snap out of it.” I took her shoulders in my hands, and tried to shake her, but it didn't wake her up from her trance. Her body started vibrating and the pulsating lights sped up, making the top of her head glow. “Okay... what got her out of this before was me... well... I'm sorry... but you leave me no choice...” I swallowed and quickly moved one hand to her hip, nothing happened. I move the other hand, holding it by her breast, but it froze midway. I can't... it's not right, grabbing her like this... it’s just wrong... I feel like a perv... My hand hovered by her breast as I battled with my conscience and I lowered it. I can't... not like this... Come on, Balder, you did it before! Only because I didn't know what my hands were touching, but now... now I know and... it's just wrong... Suddenly, the Nymph stopped shivering and froze, the top of her head released a bright beam of light that shot into the air, making a rainbow across the sky and dropping down into the broken peak of the mountain. Shit! The seed! I have to do something... I have to! I looked at her face, her closed eyes in front of me. I have to do something... My eyes slid to her slightly open lips. I have to break this connection... and the only way to do that is to make a different connection... I swallowed and stepped forward. “Okay... I know it's rude... to do this without your permission... but...” I made another small step forward, encircling Nanna's face with my hands and locked my lips with hers. |
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| Olyamet | January 7, 2015, 2:41 pm Post #328 |
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Jäger.....
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XXXXVI. (Thor's POV) My gut felt as if someone had filled it with hot charcoals that were rolling around with every move, trying to burn their way out from the inside. I tried to catch my breath through the sharp pain in my chest, which squeezed my lungs into a gargling cough. One eye was swollen shut, a cut somewhere on my forehead continuing to bleed, interfering with the vision in the remaining eye. I wiped the blood off my face, turning to my side, and a sharp whip of pain lashed from my left shoulder to my brain, and the rest of my arm went absolutely numb, as if it didn't exist. I swallowed and gripped my elbow, clenching my teeth. One quick jerk and the dislocated shoulder slid back into place, sending another lash of sharp agony. “Son of Fenrir!” I growled and rolled onto my back, feeling broken ribs digging into my chest and pushing out another spasm of a bloody cough. “Not so tough now, are you, Valkyrie?” I heard the jotun's voice and turned my head. On the once pure white and now bloody red ice floor of the cave just a few feet away from me laid Astrid. Her eyes were looking at me, blood was coming out of her nostrils, her breathing was fast and shallow. I tried to reach for her hand, but she was too far. I swallowed another attack of coughs and whispered. “Please stay down. I beg of you, stay down.” She closed her eyes and a tear slid down her bloody temple. The red drop fell onto the ice and her lips mouthed. “I can't, I love you, that’s why I can't--” Her face was blocked by the boot of the giant. “Why don't you bring your fight to me, you blue monstrosity!” I spat out and pushed myself to get up, but despite my words, Grundroth’s foot sent Astrid's body sliding across the ice. She knocked the pedestal with the seed on her way across the hall and slammed into the opposite wall. “You hear me, you fucker? Fight me!” I growled as loud as I could and yanked my body up, drawing a red line on the snow with the edge of the broken bone of my left leg. I clenched my teeth, trying to keep all my weight on the good leg and screamed to the jotun, who was making his way to Astrid. “Where are you going? I'm still standing! I thought you wanted to fight me, or are you scared? Is that why you father's always thought you were too weak to be a leader? Because you prefer to run from a real fight?” Grundroth stopped, turning to me and I continued. “He never wanted you to become a King, he knew you’re not just a moron, but also a fucking coward!” “I am not a coward!” I glanced at Astrid, but she was still lying in the same position, eyes closed. I felt my heart skip as I saw blood sliding from her lips. I swallowed, but in the next moment her chest rose with a breath. Oh, thank Odin, she's alive. Just stay down... please stay down. I rose my gaze to the jotun standing beside her and breathed out my next insult. “You are a coward and you know it, everyone knows it! Even you father was ashamed of you! He didn't want you around, the agreement with Odin was just an excuse to get rid of you for good!” “My father is not worthy of being King! He is a disgrace! He made a peace treaty with the enemy! I would've destroyed Asgard! And I will! I'll take your father's throne and everyone will see! Everyone will fear me! I will be the ruler of all worlds!” Grundroth's voice shook the cave and I squeezed my fists. “You have to go through me first.” “With pleasure.” His scarred face twisted with a grim smirk. His fingers grew into an icy sword that reached the floor, scratching a line in the cave floor with a screeching noise as the jotun walked toward me. His giant figure covered my view of Astrid as it came closer and closer. That's right, you concentrate on me and leave her alone... hopefully when I'm dead you will forget all about her... I breathed in and smirked. “Yeah, yeah, blah-blah.. less words, more action.” “I will be a God of Gods and ruler of all worlds.” The giant's voice filled the cave, and I spat back. “Over my dead body.” “Goodbye, Son of Odin.” The hand with his sword rose into the air and slammed down, but when I was ready to feel the deadly cold cutting through my flesh, I heard Astrid's voice. “No!” (Astrid's POV) I was laying on my back, with my arms stretched and unable to move, the taste of blood filling my mouth. The only thing I could hear was a loud pounding pulse and a low pitched buzz. I tightened my grip on the handle of my sword, which was still in my hand, and tried to get up. The sharp pain that seemed to be coming from everywhere twisted my body and I closed my eyes, feeling the tear burning it's way down my scuffed temple. I have to get up, I have to draw Grundroth's attention away from Thor... I have to get up. I clenched my fists and another lash of pain sent rainbow lights dancing behind my closed eyelids. Don't you dare to pass out! He needs your help! Get the fuck up! Come on! You can do it... just get up... I felt another tear sliding down and clenched my teeth. No! No crying, you will not give that jotun the satisfaction of your tears! GET UP! 'Oh Goddess of the wishing star... who looks down upon us through her magic pendant, that we see as the light of the first brightest star of the evening and the last star of the morning...' The words came from somewhere far, cutting through the deafness. The burning pain in my body rendered, slowly leaving my body and something slid off my chest on my neck, vibrating lightly. My shaking hand reached up and my fingers gripped into my pendant, only the setting wasn’t empty anymore. My eyes flew open as I pulled the pendant to my face. In the setting, glistening with rainbow lights, sat a clear, multifaceted crystal. The voices in my head chanted: '...magic pendant, that we see as the light of the first brightest star of the evening and the last star of the morning...' The crystal pulsated in my hand as I pushed to sit up, and at that moment I saw the seed sliding off my chest and to the floor. How did it get here? My eyes moved to the pedestal laying on it's side. I must've knocked it over when the jotun hit me... A cold flash gripped my spine, sending my heat into a jitter. The seed was on my chest! It touched me! I'm dead! The dwarf said that death is imminent if any mortal touches the seed! I felt another wave of warmth making it's way through my body. But I feel... I reached to the deep cut on my forearm, squeezing it in my fingers. The pain shot up my arm, burrowing into my head like a sharp dagger. The dead do not feel pain, I should know, I saw my fair share of dead warriors! I still feel, and that means I'm still alive. I reached to the seed, but my fear stopped my hand just above it, my heart starting to beat faster, pushing a nauseating clump down into my stomach, but my mind reached in, gripping that fear in a tight fist. The nausea vibrated and rendered. The hand that was still hovering over the seed stopped shaking and readily picked up the seed. It pulsated in my hand, sending another wave of warmth through my body, taking the rest of the fear and pain away with it. The blood from the cut on my forearm withdrew, disappearing, the skin slowly closed up, leaving no marks on my arm. As I stared in disbelief at my miraculously healed arm, a lonely thought burned through my mind, making me hold my breath. I am dead... I've seen that before... millions of times... those warriors that I brought to Valhalla... their wounds healing just like that... Is that-- The thought broke off, pushed away by a humming chant. '...Oh ruler of the rain, Mighty Warrior Goddess, who rides lightning itself...' I felt pinches of warmth dancing between my fingers and looked at my hand. Small blue, electrical sparks flew from finger to finger, then moved to my hand, arm, and shoulder, multiplying. '...Oh Goddess, who's brilliant silver armor sets the sky on fire in majestic lights...' The charges came together, covering my arm in a sparkling blue net, and the bloody sleeve of my shirt turned into silky white fabric that clung tight to my skin. The sparks took over my chest and silver armor appeared out of nowhere. I quickly got up, watching in disbelief as the rest of my clothes changed. The seed pulsating in my hand flared up, beaming pulsating light, and every wave ran through me, filling my body with strong energy. Another thought weakly touched my foggy mind. Maybe it's different with me... because I am a Valkyrie... was a Valkyrie... so this is how it feels to move to the other side...? To die..? The pounding in my head suddenly stopped and the real world came back with Thor's hoarse voice. “Over my dead body.” I quickly turned and saw Grundroth's hand with an icy sword above my love's head as the jotun's voice barked out. “Goodbye, Son of Odin.” My heart jumped toward Thor, hands outstretched to stop the movement of the lethal weapon, and I breathed out. “No!” And then, something happened. A pure white light burst out of my hands, flying to the jotun's sword, and the glistening spike shattered, raining drops of water over Thor. “What?!?” The giant growled, watching in disbelief as the shiny drops landed on the God of Thunder, each sending a circle of golden waves through his skin. I looked at my hands, which were still pulsating and glowing. … How did I do that? “It's not possible! You have no powers!” Grundroth stretched his hands to the neck of the man in front of him and was sent flying across the cave with an invisible force that blinked blue and gold. “What the fuck is this?!?” The giant released another growl, and Thor turned to me with wide eyes. “Astrid... it's you... you...” “Have powers! I have no idea how or why, but I do!” I made a step and my body lifted in the air, flying to my love and landing by his side. “I'll kill you both!” The jotun's roar filled the cave. He was heading full speed at us with both hands stretched into icy swords. But I knew, somehow, I knew he couldn't harm us. I rose my hand in front of me as lips breathed out simple words. “No, you won't.” I felt warmth from my hand pushing forward and the giant slid back, crashing heavily into the wall. The ceiling in the middle of the cave rained down icicles, splitting up, and a beam of golden-white light hit the floor. Six hooves touched the floor, sending a cloud of white dust up, and the jotun quickly melted into the wall, fleeing from the God of Gods. “Father!” Thor breathed out and I let go of him, lowering myself down on one knee and placing my hand over my heart in a respectful bow to the King of Asgard. “Allfather.” “Goddesses do not stand on their knee in front of me, Astrid, they just bow.” Odin smiled at me, getting off his horse and making his way to us. “Goddesses?” Me and Thor gasped in unison and Odin placed his hands on my shoulders, pulling me up. He then turned to his son and Thor's clothes changed to his usual armor, the bruises and wounds disappearing as if they’d never existed. The God of Thunder looked at his father and lowered his head. “Thank you, although I don't deserve this...” “You disobeyed your mother and broke many rules... but you also made many decisions that were not driven by the anger or power, but by wisdom and your heart. You could've taken the easy way, let millions of mortals die, but you didn’t, and instead gave all you have yourself. I'm proud of you, my son. You did well.” Odin pulled Thor into a hug and then stood back, placing his hands on both of our shoulders with a smile. “You both did well. That and only that could've broken the spell I placed on myself and freed me. I'm proud of both of you.” “But how... how is this possible...?” I started, and Odin smiled again. “I explain everything to you when we get back home.” He paused for a second, as if listening for something, then added. “But first... lets visit one little house not far from here... or rather, the place where it used to stand... to finish it all and set it right.” Odin let go of our shoulders and got back on his horse, and I felt a little tug on my back. I turned and saw a seed floating in the air behind me, it flickered blue and moved to the level of my hand. I looked at the Odin and he nodded. “It chose you.” “Does that mean I’m a Valkyrie again?” “No, it chose you as the next guardian.. till the time is right for it to meet it's destiny.” “What destiny?” Odin's face lit up with a secret smile as he glanced at Thor and then at me. “Only the seed knows that...” |
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| HellHathNoFury | January 8, 2015, 9:52 pm Post #329 |
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Poor Twisted Me
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Love it that she's a Valkyrie. This is so good
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| tuesday's gone | May 12, 2015, 4:57 pm Post #330 |
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Poor Twisted Me
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bump! I know I don't deserve it, but I'd still love an update Miss you
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8:39 PM Jul 10