Chapter 1: Dark Messages

Now let's move to Niflheim, where the daimakaicho, Hild, is returning to her chambers after a long day of looking over contracts made by her underlings with humans, punishing the ones who've failed in their tasks, and plotting ways to increase their shares on earth.

'Just another day of causing havoc on the earth the only way we demons can.' "But I have to admit, it does get tiresome after awhile." Hild sighed as she collapsed on her bed.

Hild hated to admit it, but she really wished she could just abolish all things associated with the heavens.

"But of course there needs to be a balance in order for the world to function." She sighed angrily before she threw a depth charge at the nearest wall in frustration.

At that moment, it was the only time Hild had ever lost the slightest bit of control…just enough for someone to get into her head.

"Indeed…but who cares about the balance?"

"Who was that? Where are you?" Hild demanded, eyes searching her quarters.

"I'm speaking to you telepathically. Perhaps you've heard of me, my name is Trigon."

"Trigon? Oh I've heard of you…you're infamous even among those of a different demonic following." Hild smiled as she settled down.

"Really? Though it's not too surprising, considering my power. And what might your name be? I'd like to start things off properly."

"You're talking to the one and only Hild, the ruler of the demons in Niflheim, pleasure to talk to you at last Trigon, the mighty and terrible."

"The pleasure is yours Hild…but I'm sure you know I didn't contact you just for small talk."

"I figured as much…after all, you we're sealed away by your own daughter and her friends…oh what did they call themselves again? The Titans or something or other?" Hild smirked playfully as she mocked Trigon.

"The Teen Titans…and you dare to laugh at me! I could easily crush you in the palm of my hand, woman." Trigon's voice hissed in Hild's head.

"Oh settle down you old fart. So…why the social call?"

"I wish to return to Earth's surface, and I hate to say this…I need a bit of…assistance."

"So you're asking me to help you come back to earth, so you can rule over all there is? And just why should I help you?" Hild scoffed as she checked her nails.

"My dear lady…aren't you tired of goddesses cutting into your share of the world? Don't you wish demons ruled while those who've aligned themselves with the heavens beg for mercy? Can't you imagine it Lady Hild?"

"I suppose it has crossed my mind once or twice…"

"Hild…aren't you tired of making deals with humans? Don't you despise them? They get to live on the surface, out in the sun, while you and your minions are stuck in the heat and darkness of Niflheim. Isn't that a bit unfair? And the Almighty One…"

Hild growled at the mention of her former lover.

"He favors the mortal race, and didn't he take your only daughter from you?"

"Urddy was one of the norns…I had no control over that." Hild scoffed.

"But don't you hate him for that? Don't you want to make him pay? Just a little?" Trigon pushed, his control over Hild slowly but surely taking hold.

"But the balance…"

"Is not important. Hild…join with me…together we can destroy the Almighty One and his forces. Then I shall rule the heavens and the earth, with you at my side."

Hild was tempted a moment…but she still hesitated.

"Hild…all you need to do is help me, and we shall be unstoppable, the very universe will bow down at our feet!"

"The whole universe…yes, that would be nice." Hild smiled, allowing Trigon to take over a small part of her conscious.

"Release me Hild, and the world, the universe, shall be ours."

Hild debated the matter a moment…until she came to her final decision.

"Trigon darling…you have a deal."

"Wonderful…now, I'm going to need a few things if I wish to be free of this hell of a prison…"

"I'll have one of my best demons tend to it. Do you wish to send a message to the Titans while we're at it?"

"Not right away…I want to make my return a surprise for my daughter, if I can."

"Of course…" Hild nodded as she summoned a miniature, "Go and retrieve first-class demon Mara, I have a task for her."

A while later, Mara was trembling before her boss.

"Please Lady Hild, whatever I did I beg your forgiveness!" Mara pleaded as she went on her knees.

"Dear Mara, there's no reason to be so afraid, you were not brought here to be punished."

"Really Lady Hild? That's a relief."

"Glad to see you're happy. Now, have you heard of Trigon?"

Mara froze in place as she started shivering.

"Trigon the Terrible? The demon who devoured whole worlds and slaughtered any and all who opposed him? Wasn't he sealed away years ago by his daughter?" Mara whispered, fearing Trigon's name alone.

"The very same, and yes he was. But we're going to free him and rule the universe." Hild grinned evilly as she brought her fingers together.

"Bring him back! But Lady Hild, I thought we just wanted to increase our demonic shares?"

"I know Mara…but I'm tired of just doing things bit by bit. I say it's about time we take our rightful place as rulers of the earth, the heavens, and the very universe itself."

"But…" Mara said timidly.

"Are you saying you're going to defy my orders Mara?" Hild smiled, though it was anything but nice.

"No! No, I would never…!"

"Good, now…we've much work to do if we wish to release Trigon back onto the surface world. And we must get things prepared before the arrival of the lunar eclipse."

"Why the lunar eclipse?"

"Because…the blood red moon signifies that the line that separates the supernatural from the living is at its thinnest. That will be the time to bring back one of the most fearsome demons in history!"

"But…what if Urd and her sisters try to interfere?"

"Who cares, this time…victory will go to the side of evil!"

"Uh, yes Lady Hild!"

Trigon, while in his prison, smiled in triumph as he anticipated his return.

'Soon I shall rule over the pathetic humans once more, and once I've gotten Raven and her meddling friends out of the way, no one will stop me.'

As the demons we're plotting down in Niflheim, one certain demon/goddess hybrid felt the surge of evil from Trigon.

"The hell was that?" Urd muttered as she sat up in bed.

Urd got up and looked out at the night sky, chills still running down her spine.

'Something is wrong…very wrong.'

Dragonlover71491: Now we begin! Next chapter is going to be a doozy as we see what the goddesses decide to do, plus we finally introduce the Teen Titans!

Edgar H. Sutter: Hope you all look forward to it just as much as we do to writing it. A meeting of the minds, those two are not messing around. This can't mean anything good for anyone with good intentions. The end of all hope has begun! keep on reading!