Here is the next chapter. I honestly hit a huge writers block at the end of this chapter as I really wanted to continue it, but I couldn't... then I realised two weeks later that this is a perfect evil cliffhanger to make you all suffer so... you know. Here you go. Suffer.

Issei was released from the hospital room, which was located in the palace, rather quickly. It was about an hour after he and Freya admitted some sort of feelings for each other, though neither actually said that they loved each other. It wasn't unsaid either, but neither of them knew what they felt, other than that they wanted to spend more time together and figure their feelings out. Issei was just too new to this feeling to know what he was feeling and Freya wanted to explore it herself before getting back into another relationship. While in human years, it may seem like a very long time, being several centuries, but to an immortal being such as herself, it didn't feel all that long ago. She could still feel her ex-husband on her lips, on her body. She could still remember him. So, she didn't want to rush into things as she also felt like it was betraying her dead husband.

After being released, Freya escorted Issei back to his room, for the lad, despite having slept for a very long time, felt rather drained. When he got back to his room, he gave Freya a smile and climbed into bed, nodding off rather quickly. Freya left his room and made her way to the banquet hall. Upon entering, she took her seat. In the meeting hall, there was Odin, Frigg, Thor, Göndul, and Ölrùn. All were seated on the far side of the table, clustering around as close as possible so neither person had to yell. Odin and Frigg sat together on the narrow end, while Thor and Göndul sat to Frigg's left. Frigg was on the left side, while Odin was on the right. Ölrùn was sitting by herself closest to Odin, leaving the seat next to her open. Freya took her seat and both of Issei's parents looked at her.

"Is he alright?" Frigg asked, smiling at Freya.

"Yea, he passed out as soon as he hit the mattress. So, why did you gather us here? I'm going to guess it's Issei."

"Yes." Odin began. "That power of his that swept through the room. It… It was something that shouldn't be possible. He wielded the power of Helheim itself as an aura… let alone what else he could do. I am at a loss at what to do about this development. I thought I'd bring you all here in order to work out what should be done about this."

"Are you considering killing him?" Asked Ölrùn who was the most intelligent and well studied of the Valkyries.

"Of course not!" Frigg said, looking at her like she grew another head. "How could you suggest that?"

"I'm merely putting all the options on the table. His power is not exactly friendly." She said without any remorse for her suggestion.

Odin sighed. "The option to kill him is off the table. It is not my sons choice to have this power."

"No, but he has it now and poses a threat to us." She replied to the Allfather. "No, I do not think he would purposely harm us, but that power to do so is there and should he lose control..." She said, trailing off.

"Yes, which is why we're here to discuss the best way to go about this."

"Train him." Thor said, leaning back against his chair. The entire room looked at him with surprise. "What? He's my brother, of course I'd want him to live and the best way for him to get to control his powers is actually by using them on a consistent basis and learning to control them. You can't just slap a seal on him and call it a day. Plus who knows what'll happen if we do that. He could explode from all the sealed up power. It's happened before."

"Are you offering to train him yourself?" Odin asked his brutish son. Thor stared at Odin.

"That is the intention."

"You? Take on an apprentice? Since when?" Freya asked him, looking at him incredulously.

"Since I learned that he's my little brother and he needs me." Thor said, crossing his overly muscular arms over his broad chest.

"You never offered to train Loki." Frigg pointed out quietly.

"I did actually. He declined it because he said, and I quote, 'I don't need charity. I can do things on my own'. This is different anyway. Loki already had good control over his powers, Issei is at least part human still. He needs it."

Odin nodded. "And what do you plan on training him in to be specific?" Odin questioned.

"Simple. Full on combat sparring. He'll throw everything he has at me. I will be holding back of course, but it's the best way to learn it. You know that father."

"I do… but he'll need more."

Göndul let out a sigh. "I guess I should help him train with the aura and magic, so he can use the ice properly."

Freya nodded. "I will continue my training with weapons."

Odin nodded. "I appreciate it. I sincerely do." He bowed his head in gratefulness to his subjects. Frigg also gave a bow of her head before smiling.

"Now then, I think it's time for everyone of us to get some sleep. It's very late after all." The Goddess said. With that, the meeting was over and everyone went their separate ways, except for Frigg and Odin since they slept in the same bed.

Morning rolled around and Issei rose with it. He had actually slept for a good ten hours before the morning, so when he did actually wake up, he felt pretty good. It was a natural wake up instead of an artificial one with an alarm. Issei climbed out of his bed and strolled into the bathroom, leaning down to the sink to wash his face for a few seconds. When he leaned back up, his eyes went wide as he stared at his mostly naked form. All Issei was wearing was a pair of jet black boxers. Issei's body had exponentially grown since he last saw himself in an actual mirror, which was before he was forced into Helheim.

He was now a solid six foot two in height, his hair had slightly darkened so his hair looked a lot better of a shade of brown, his eyes had sharpened. His muscles had grown to levels that he didn't even think possible. He wasn't overly muscular, but every single inch of his body was brimming with muscles. A six pack, toned legs, good sized biceps and triceps. He looked good. Very good. 'Did all this happen because of Helheim? I… I wonder what else is different…' He thought to himself as he stared at his reflection. After another minute of staring, he turned on the western-style shower, climbed in and leaned his head against the wall as the hot water streamed down his back.

'I feel… I feel so strong… I don't understand what I feel except… I feel strong. Like I could take on a troll with my bare hands!' He thought, grinning slightly. His grin grew ever wider as he remembered the night before. 'I told Freya that I liked her and she liked me back!' Issei cheered, his grin growing. 'I have a girlfriend! WOOOOOOOOO!' His smile grew even bigger in the shower, only to falter. 'Are… we girlfriend and boyfriend? What… are we? What do I do with her? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT! Oh she's going to think I'm pathetic! AAH! I'm a loser! I'm a loser!' Issei banged his forehead against the wall a few times, cursing his lack of experience with the opposite sex.

Freya, on the other hand, was also in the shower having thoughts about Issei, though they weren't necessarily unpleasant. They just weren't the ones you truly want to have in the shower. 'Jeez… why did I have to go and say that to him… I just got out of a marriage… I'm leading him on.' She thought, shaking her head as the hot water cascaded down her back. 'Leading him on? Your feelings for him are real.' Spoke another voice in her head. 'You've also been a widow for many centuries. Your beloved husband also told you to find happiness, to move on from him. You'd be doing his wishes.' It continued. 'No! It's betraying his memory so soon! I loved him! I can't just move on so quickly!'. Freya's brain said. Her heart was the other voice. 'You like this human. You know he's a good man and your husband would have loved to meet him. Stop denying what you truly want and be selfish...'

"Be selfish…" Freya whispered into the room.

Issei exited his room, dressed in a fresh change of clothes. He was wearing a plain black t-shirt, long cargo pants, black socks and black sneakers. He looked left down the hallway, and then he looked right. He didn't see anyone so he quickly started to job, looking behind him and in every open door room as well as any of the hallways that he crossed. It looked like he was either searching for someone or trying to avoid someone. He grinned to himself as he was making it to the palace door. 'As if I'm going back to that dreaded Valkyrie for more magic lessons!' Issei cheered, reaching the palace door. As it would have it, Issei's luck didn't really exist.

"And where do you think you're running off to in such a hurry?" Spoke Frigg with amusement in her voice.

"Oh… I was going to go find Göndul of course! You know how I love her training." He lied through his teeth, chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Well why didn't you say so. She's in the palace after all!" Frigg said with a knowing grin.

"Oh, I was taking the long way around! I was going to go through the gardens of course!" Issei said with a furious nod. Frigg rolled her eyes, strolled up to Issei and flicked his nose.

"You aren't very good at lying Issei. You know that Göndul is doing you an important service."

"I know she is but… she hates me! She's hated me from the beginning! She's mean!"

"Issei… Alright, if I let you off the hook for this one day, will you be good at return to Göndul tomorrow for training?"

"I'm not a child anymore! I can make my own decisions!" Issei declared.

"Issei." Frigg said, her voice turning dark and serious. "You need this training or you cannot be in Asgard anymore." She said sternly, staring at her son.

"W-What?" Issei asked in fright.

"Issei, listen to me." Frigg said, her voice softening as she hugged her son now. Issei was a good foot taller than her, having had a growth spurt while away in Helheim, which should have stunted his growth if anything. "Do you not understand what you've done and become? That aura you wielded is not an aura a human would have! It is… it's an aura of a God! You have no control over that power and should you get angry or distressed, you could let it loose… in the middle of innocent people. You need this training… please."

"I… mother..." Issei said, looking at her. "I'm sorry. I promise to start training tomorrow. I don't… I want you to be proud of me."

"Issei… I am proud of you. You're a remarkable young man. You've grown up so quickly in the short time you've been here with us in Asgard and you have so much more ahead of you. If you continue on the path that you've taken ever since you've arrived in Asgard, you'll be one of the most amazing men to ever walk the nine realms." She said, which got Issei to beam in pride. His smile lit up the hallway they stood in. "Now, I believe you were wanting to go somewhere today… would I be wrong to assume you're visiting a Valkyrie?" She asked with a teasing grin and tone.

Issei blushed and nodded once. "Y-Yea..." Frigg chuckled at her sons embarrassment.

"Well, you have a good time with her Issei. I'll see you later." She said, giving Issei one more tight hug before letting him go. Issei's face was bright red, but he shook his head clear of such thoughts and exited the palace, once more going to a jogging pace as he rushed towards Freya's house. It took him about five minutes to reach the house that was sitting next to Valhalla. He quickly knocked on the door, backed up a foot steps and waited, a big smile on his face. Half a minute later, the door opened, in which Freya looked at Issei with a smile.

"Good morning Freya." Issei said, looking at her. "You look beautiful today." Freya blushed but smirked playfully.

"I look as I always do Issei." Freya teased. "What's changed about me that makes me beautiful today?"

"We- I- yo- I-…" Issei sputter, all flustered before gaining his voice. "You always look beautiful Freya." Issei said, giving her a corny smile. Freya rolled her eyes but smiled warmly nonetheless, moving out of the way to invite Issei into her home.

"You're too sweet." Freya said as Issei walked past her and looked around her living room. Freya closed the door and led Issei deeper into her home. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" She asked. Upon her mentioning food, Issei's stomach rumbled and he held his stomach.

"Maybe a bite..." Issei said, blushing. Freya laughed and nodded, going into her kitchen to whip up something. Issei watched her leave, taking this time to wander her body. 'She's so pretty...' Freya was a very attractive woman. She had a youthful appearance of someone in her late 20's early thirties, but she kept really good care of her skin, so she was absolutely stunning in that regard. Her skin wasn't pale white, but it was a slightly darker color. She has long-shoulder length black hair with some braided strands. She had D-cup breasts hidden behind a brown dress with animal skins. Her dress was fairly modest, but it hugged her more than anything, leaving Issei with very little imagination about what she might look like without that dress on. She had light crystal-blue eyes that shimmered with mischievousness and mirth, though at the time, Issei couldn't see that.

Freya sighed and smiled. 'Just take it slow… no need to rush this relationship that we're obviously heading towards. Just start with hugs and kisses… no need to rush.' She told herself like a mantra. She finished making the breakfast and brought it over to the kitchen table before sitting down. "Breakfast is ready." She called out, her voice smooth with a hint of playfulness. Issei walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table, on the furthest side from Freya. There was a large blush on his face, which got the Goddess to raise a brow at the human's reaction. 'Looks like he's truly growing up. He does look at me but I don't think he realizes I notice. I wonder if he'd want to keep looking at me knowing that I'm watching.' Freya wondered. She wasn't thinking he was a lecher or a pervert, just a boy who went through puberty extremely quickly and must be awfully confused about his own body. She decided to test him out. "What's the matter Issei? Your face is all red. Are you sick?" She asked, getting up from the table, sauntering over with a sway in her hips. She was giving him a show and she knew it.

"N-no! I-I'm not sick!" He sputtered, blushing as he had to look away rather quickly as she took a seat on the table in front of him, leaned in and put her left hand on his forehead to take his temperature.

"I dunno, you feel awfully warm." She teased, her right hand quickly going to dress to draw it down some more, giving Issei, when he looked back to her, a wonderful view of her cleavage. "Issei, I think you might be sick." She said before smirking. "I think you should head home. We should postpone whatever we were going to do today."

This got Issei's attention real quick. He turned his head so fast, he should have received whiplash! When he turned, his eyes immediately widened as they were at the perfect height to stare down into Freya's bountiful chest. His jaw hung open slightly as he stared in admiration for the sight before him. Freya's smiled at seeing Issei like this grew even wider. She wasn't offended or even disgusted by his stare. If anything, it made the Goddess feel worshiped and all deity's like being worshiped. 'He's just so adorable. I can't help myself...' She wrapped her arms around Issei's neck and pulled him closer as she leaned down and enveloped his lips with her own, in their first kiss.

Read. Review. Moo.

I do hope though that I'm doing well with the pacing.