The girl doesn't recognize any of the people who are close to her, functionally blind to their presence. Their touch frightens her. She cannot remember anything before meeting Modi, unsure of who she is, or what she might be capable of. Hela is lost to her family, injured in body, mind, and heart.

How Modi was capable of poisoning Hela with her own magic remains a mystery. The only beings the girl lets near her is Grid, her surrogate grandmother, and the family cat Tiwaz, both of which brings Sigyn and Loki comfort. At the very least, Grid can make sure Hela stays nourished, and might even be able to determine what spell will cure her; the cat offers silent company when they cannot bear to see her.

Vali tries in vain, daily, to reach his sister. He is still so worried over her, marred by Modi's harsh words about her actions, concerned that she will forever be trapped in her own universe. The resentment towards Modi grows with every passing hour. It was stupid of Vali to not have suspected that something was wrong with Hela on that last day she was home with him. Her lingering stare at his face when he asked if anything interesting had happened... he should have noticed his sister's signal. How could I have been so blind?

"Don't blame yourself, my love." Sigyn comes to Vali's side, and both of them stand before Hela's room, watching her rock back and forth. She sits next to Grid, who has decided that company is better than solitude; the old woman is embroidering some piece of fabric, an old habit that she always seems to turn to in times of stress. "None of us could have known what Hela was doing, it was such a short time."

"But Modi knew how to reach her, mother. He knew where he would find her, and even what to say to make her turn against us. Who knows all that she told him in confidence..." Vali shakes his head, even rubbing his temples slightly to rid himself of the headache that seems to always plague him these days. "I can't help but feel like I should have noticed something, either with him or with her. I hate him so."

"Oh, shhh. We don't hate. I taught you that long ago, my son."

"But what if father is right? What if Modi returns to destroy us all, for the sake of his greed?"

Sigyn can only shake her head, and take her sons hand in hers.

"He will surely come. And we will defend our realm, our people, and our family. Hela needs you to have faith that she will return to us, and that she will understand the importance of fulfilling her own destiny. And you shall as well, my dear Vali, when the time comes to grow into the station that the people have elected you to."

Vali suddenly feels overwhelmed with the prospect of responsibility. How is he supposed to become King of a realm that might not survive the carnage of its own blood Prince? Modi has already lost his title and his station with the people, but his memory will live on as a warning to the citizens. Vali is uncertain if he will ever be accepted by the people now, if he is so closely tied to Thor and the already failing government. His mind is clouded with uncertainty. He has been trapped in this house with his torn family for so many days that he has forgotten what it feels like to be outside, his usual balm for stress.

"Mother, I... I can't stay here and watch her suffer. I can't bear to hear her ask me who I am like I'm a stranger. There has to be something I can do outside of this house." Sigyn nods in agreement at him, and watches him walk through the hall. Vali ignores the mirrors, not wanting to be recognized while out on the trail. Right now, he just wants to get away from the horror of Hela's room.

He cannot escape so easily.

"Vali, where are you going?"

"Father, please don't stop me."

"I am not trying to stop you, I merely asked where you were goi..."

"How can anyone stay here and watch her suffer? And how can you stand idly by and not bring justice to Thor over his indiscretion?"

Loki sighs loudly, standing between Vali and the door.

"My son, am I responsible for your actions? Do I have any control at all over what you believe and do?"

"No. But I was taught better than that."

"Ah, you think that Modi became an enemy because Thor failed to raise him to be otherwise. But it is not so simple. I remember being raised to think more highly of my family than I ended up treating them, too."

"Father, that was different, and you know it. They lied to you."

"Vali, Modi felt lied to as well. There is no difference."

Vali just puffs in defiance to Loki's words, but knows that there is truth in them. Thor cannot be entirely blamed for his son's actions. Modi is only using the tools he was given, though he chose to react with vengeance instead of compassion. Now he has a powerful weapon, keys to the realm, and the same angry will to destroy Vali's family.

"I know you're right. I just can't see why anyone would want to hurt Hela." Vali shakes his head. "And I am aggravated that he attacked on that day, of all days. It is not fair."

Loki eyes Vali suspiciously. Something in his words holds a secret. While Loki could expect a change in his son's attitude after being injured in battle, something else has changed. If Vali is plagued with distracted, it could cost him his life if they are not careful.

"You are not saying something, Vali. What is it you are hiding?"

His son looks Loki in the eye, deciding whether or not to tell his father about his clandestine kiss with Rigs. He has a blessing from the girl's father to pursue her, but never thought to tell his own. There's no telling how Loki will react to his son wanting to chase romance at a time like this. Vali decides that the less his father knows, the better.

"Oh, I can't hide anything from you, father." Loki knows the words are a lie, but doesn't stop Vali as he pushes past through the door.