The wind blew her hair across her face, blocking her scarred eyes and covering her shocked face. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" Her cry echoed over the mountains. She broke down sobbing uncontrollably for her lost love, tears slipping down her face and falling softly on her armor. Why her? Why now? She pushed her hair behind her ear and stared out over the war torn land. Her resolve started to harden, slowly transforming her face from one of anguish and mourning to one of grim determination. A need for bloodthirsty revenge consumed her as she gripped her sword, ready to make the ones who did this pay for the horrors they unleashed onto her life.

"CUT! That's a wrap people! We have ourselves a movie!"

She sighed, relaxing her stance and sauntering off the set toward the crew.

"That was great, Alyss!"

"Awesome work, Alyss!"

"Alyss! Great performance!"

She waved their compliments away. "Please. I'm just lowly start-up actress."

"You're really going places, kid." The director insisted. "Stick with it."

"I intend to. If this movie can be a success, my career will soar."

"It's going to be a hit!"

"One can only hope." Alyss muttered under her breath. The script wasn't exactly an Oscar winner and almost all of the actors, including herself, weren't really well known. The only saving grace this movie had was the producer's name, and Alyss hoped against all hope that it would be enough. If Valhalla Lost didn't make it, she didn't know what she was going to do.

Acting was tough, especially for someone who looked like her. Scarring on her cheeks and eyes gave her a wild appearance despite her pale skin and long red hair. That's why when she announced her intent to be an actress, her family and friends laughed and wrote it off as an identity crisis. But she had worked hard, got into top-notch acting schools, landed small roles in TV series and commercial, catching breaks from minor made-for-TV movie companies. Hollywood was a cruel and heartless place to newcomers, so one can only imagine her surprise when a well-known director approached her and offered her the lead in his upcoming movie.

Suddenly, the "up-and-coming" Alyss Frost was the talk of every trashy tabloid and gossipy Hollywood show. What was she like? Can her talents match up to the prestige of Jack Silver's movies? Did she compare to some of the greatest actors ever? Were her life's struggles a help or hindrance to her career? And just how did she get those scars?

It was enough to drive a girl mad.

She moved through the busy set, dodging extras and PAs as they broke down set and the editing process began. As she walked, her vision started to get fuzzy. She slowed, squinting her eyes in panic and confusion. "What the-?" A wave of nausea flowed over her, making her knees buckle and head spin.

"It is time. Everything has been set in motion. The time for action is now." a voice echoed in her head. Alyss doubled over, crying out in pain. "Help! Someone! Argh!"

"No one can help you, child. Not anymore."

One of her coworkers rushed over to help her to her feet. "Alyss, are you okay? What happened?"

"I-I don't know."

"DO you need to go to the hospital or something?"

"The hospital? I think I should- ah!" Her head throbbed, cutting her off. An eerie smile flickered across her face

"No, don't be silly. I'm fine." Her eyes and scarring seemed to glow malevolently at the man. "I'm fine."

"Uhh, okay. Sorry. I'm sorry. Bye." he turned his back on her and fled, terrified.

As soon as he left, Alyss shook her head, trying to clear it.

"Fine. You may win this time. Next time I will be stronger and I will take control."

Just like that, the pain subsided and Alyss was left alone and confused. "What the hell?"

She stood straight, writing the incident off as post-shoot emotion and nerves about the movie. She made her way to her trailer very slowly in case it happened again.

Once inside, Alyss sighed and sat down at her desk. She removed the most constrictive parts of her costume and wiped off the layers of makeup caked on her face. A knock at the trailer door made her cringe. Why couldn't everyone just leave her be for a few minutes?

"Just a moment!" She threw a T-shirt over her costume and opened the door.

"Morning, darling. Fancy a picnic for two?" asked a familiar voice.

"Tom!" All her worries and doubts melted from her mind. When she was with Tom, she knew she was safe.

A wide smile stretched across her boyfriend's face as he held out a bouquet of daisies. Alyss returned his smile with a kiss. "One sec, let me change. Come in." She opened the door wide to let him in. "I didn't expect you so soon. Shouldn't you be filming for your next blockbuster?"

"They decided to let the scene out early." he replied casually, setting the bouquet down on the vanity.

"You skipped out, didn't you?"

"Hey, they didn't need me! And I had to see you finish up your first Jack Silver movie."

"I'm flattered, but if you keep doing this, they'll…"

"They'll what? Recast me? Too late for that. Besides, I hear that the Avengers have been spotted downtown. How could I pass up an opportunity like that?"

"Alright, alright!" she laughed. "I'll go. Just promise you won't skip out again!" Alyss gave him a friendly swat and drew the curtains to the bed area closed. There would be time to worry about what happened on set later. She quickly changed out of the rest of her costume and put on decent, normal clothes.

"What a relief. I don't know how the people back then stood it." she sighed, looping her arms in his and leaving the trailer together.

"It was a lot colder where the Vikings lived." he reasoned as they walked to the parking lot.

"But still, all the fur…" she shuddered."I'm glad that I talked costuming into using faux."

"You're probably the only actress would even do that." Tom teased.

"Hey, it's accurate enough."

Tom held to door to the awaiting limo open for her. "Alright, but the serious fans might know the difference."

"They're just going to have to deal." she smiled.

"I couldn't have said it better myself."