~Chapter Seventeen~
Common Ground
Rose stayed high above the world of Hel with her eyes closed, sending thoughts and words of love to Brooklyn, hoping and praying he heard and felt her.
Wherever he was.
She slowly opened her puffy eyes after having had a good cry but felt at great peace up here. It was as if the darkness spoke to her and gave her a place where she felt closest to her mate. But now, she had to go back. Back to Hela, back to her prison, back to everything she hated… before Hela sent the Draugr demons to drag her back to the castle, like the prisoner she was.
Giving the darkness and the shield one last thoughtful glance, she slowly and unwillingly turned herself around, collapsed her wings, and then let herself free-fall back to the ground. Rose never thought that she would be comfortable free-falling, but now, it was enjoyable, invigorating, and just the right amount of adrenaline to feed her adventurous and risk-taking side.
The ice-cold air blasted her in the face, still being high-above the heated world, but when she fell through the wispy red-hued clouds, the air suddenly turned hot and uncomfortable. It was as if she were falling straight into a fire below. Seconds passed by quickly, and the ground came closer. She was about to meet even with the monstrous volcano, when she spread her wings out, caught the air, and glided her way back where she left Hela. Flying closer to the cliffs, she turned herself northbound and saw the small figure of Hela, who was relaxing against some rocks on the high ledge while waiting for her.
When Rose drew nearer, Hela suddenly looked up at her.
She flapped her wings against the current of air to slow down and level herself out, and then touched down gently onto the cliff. Then they settled naturally on her back, finally at ease and at rest. She must have looked as powerful and free as she felt, because Hela smiled darkly, stood up, and slowly walked towards her.
"So… I see that you like the new you."
"How can you tell?" Rose asked while grinning to show off her sharp teeth. Hela smirked more, crossed the distance between them, and gently placed a hand upon her wings, which jerked slightly and naturally at her touch.
"Because you were gone a long time, So, either you were trying to escape this world and found that you couldn't, or…" She then grinned at her, "you actually were enjoying yourself."
"If I said both answers are correct, would you believe me?" Rose asked with a mischievous grin.
"I would believe the first part, yes," Hela chuckled. "I had no doubt that you would try to find a way out of here. But, there are none- save by portals and magic, none of which you can break, so I wasn't worried. The second, I actually have a harder time believing, since you were always so hell-bent on not becoming who you are."
Rose shrugged at this. "Well, believe it, I've grown quite fond of my new form, actually."
"Really?" Hela asked with a raised eyebrow. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Because I feel like I've found a piece of myself that has been lost for a long time," Rose said quietly, thinking deeply about her answer. "A part of me, that is separate from my bond to Brooklyn, is now back. And I… I don't feel so… incomplete anymore."
"That's because you never were really a human, Rose," Hela said softly, smiling faintly. "It pleases me to hear you say that you've found inner peace with yourself, and are finally accepting who you truly are. And that you are accepting your fate."
"Maybe I have… or… maybe I haven't," Rose teased lightly. "Maybe by giving me these wings, you've given me the confidence to know that I can not only fly but can bring down this entire world with my will-power." She then shrugged. "Perhaps you've unleashed a greater problem for yourself and daddy dear."
Rose half expected Hela to see through those words and get angry, but to her shock, Hela tilted her head back and barked out a laugh instead.
"Oh, that I do believe, and you bringing down this entire world is exactly what we are after." She then paused and stepped closer to her with a dark smile on her face. "Your father will be so proud of what you've accomplished on your own, in regards to your power, my dear. With it, we shall take down this world." Hela then clenched her hands into tight fists and her hazel eyes glowed red with vengeance. "Starting with Avalon."
That wasn't what I was meaning, exactly…
Rose narrowed her eyes at Hela, knowing the game wasn't over. She cleared her throat, turned away from her, and looked out over the horizon but Hela then placed a hand upon her shoulder, making her look back, and her face was gentle again.
"How's your back feeling?"
"It feels fine," Rose answered flatly. "I'm not in any pain."
"You might be sore tonight," Hela said. "I'll have Ilana tend to you the moment we return back to the castle. It's best to combat the pain before it truly hits you and before this party tonight. You'll need your strength for that, no doubt."
Rose nodded and stared back at the dark-red horizon.
"Are we going back now?"
"It's best if we should, We wouldn't want to be late for your father's grand celebration in yours and Kevin's honor."
"Do we have to?" Rose groaned slightly. "I mean… we are having so much fun up here."
"Fun?" Hela chuckled darkly and turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Me teaching you to fly by pushing you off a cliff was fun for you?"
"Hell yeah, it was," Rose teased sarcastically, grinning cheekily at her. "I love being pushed off cliffs and falling to my death. And hey, don't deny it, you enjoyed pushing me off and possibly relished in the fact that I had to learn, or be the Draugr's next meal when I splattered to the ground like a meat pie."
Hela suddenly snorted.
"How very delicately and disgustingly described, my dear."
"What?" Rose laughed. "It's sad but true. But, they're your demon pets, not mine."
Hela laughed again, but loudly this time, and nodded. A sense of mischief was also set in her eyes.
"You're right Rose, that was fun to do, but I knew you weren't going to die. I just know that you tend to make your decisions best when… put to the test. So, I merely trained you to fly like a mother bird does with her young. They push them off from the comfortable nest and let their wings take over and be strengthened by the wind."
"Nah, I don't think that was it, I think it's because you're the Queen of all bitches and enjoy making everyone else miserable around you." Silence followed those words and when she turned to face Hela and saw that her eyes were wide with shock and hurt. Rose snorted in laughter, showing that she was teasing her, and the hurt faded away from Hela's face.
"Careful my daughter," Hela grinned darkly, "those are fighting words."
Rose laughed again and sincerely believed that she and Hela were now bonding. But it wasn't over. Whipping a long sword out of her hand, using her bright red magic, she twisted it around with her wrist playfully and faced Hela.
"I was hoping for that," she teased. "You said that you were going to teach me to fight after you helped me learn to fly. So… I challenge you to a duel."
Hela watched her magically wield the sword out with ease, as she could, then stepped forward with a dawning smile; taking Rose's challenge. However, she suddenly stopped, looked out towards the horizon where the castle sat, and was most likely debating against how much time they had before they had to be back for the celebration. But Rose didn't want to go back, for when they did, her nightmares would begin again.
"Come on, mumsy! You said that you were one of the fiercest warriors alive and that fighting is your specialty? Prove it! You and me, let's fight. But we'll make it more interesting…" She paused, then grinned wickedly at her, "if I win, you have to tell me all about your past with Oberon and Titania, how you lost your wings and ended up here in Hel. Then, I want you to explain to me all about the shield above us, that is the starless night sky we see from here… and if you win…" she paused again, but suddenly didn't quite know of any good, but non-hurtful leverage to use.
"Er," she tried again, then caved, "what exactly would be your terms? I mean, you have me here in Hel, and you used my blood for that damn curse… so I'm not quite sure what else you'd want from me."
At her being called by a more endearing name by Rose, Hela's face was frozen in true shock, but after time, it faded, and a fierceness overcame her. With a twist of her wrist, followed by her bright red magic, she wielded a long and jagged sword and held it tightly in her hand. Her eyes were glued to Rose's, and a true smile dawned on her face.
"I had hoped to spare you the humiliation of hand-to-hand combat… my daughter."
"Yeah, yeah, okay," Rose laughed, then got a bit more serious. "Come on Hela, what do you want from me if you win?"
Hela raised an eyebrow at her.
"If?"
"Yeah, if."
"Alright, dear, I'll play along," Hela said, smirking at her. "When I win…" she then paused as Rose snorted, and her face when dead serious, "I… I want you to call me your mother, and not just out of cheek or teasings. Then, I want your sincere forgiveness for what I've done to you and Brooklyn."
Rose froze and swore that her heart stopped beating. Hela was staring at her with great intent, with an eye of hope almost, but her words took the fire out of her. She could barely move, breathe properly, nor swallow.
Could she truly forgive Hela for what she did to Brooklyn?
The hatred and rage for Hela, Kevin, and Demetrius was something that kept her fire going against them, but without it, she could very well soften up and be dragged under to their evil will and plans. And she would lose.
Rose continued to think deeply about the conditions and then thought of something. Perhaps pretending to give Hela forgiveness would allow her to soften up to her plan of overtaking Hel quicker… but then again, because it would be a lie, she could possibly chain her own soul up in the process. Which would damn her to this world. Permanently. But if she didn't… the fate would be the same, but she truly would lose all control over her life.
Hela was still watching her carefully, but after a few minutes in silence, Rose finally took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"I…" she started, but faltered, then stared back into Hela's hazel eyes and tried to read her soul, and for a moment, she saw a small amount of hope and longing deep down.
"I… I can't promise that it'll be immediate. But, I can try."
At this, Hela's face lit up again, and a true smile broke through her mask.
"Thank you, Rose."
Rose smiled sadly back, but then cleared herself of all the hurt held deep down, to focus on beating Hela. She wasn't ready to forgive her just yet… "Alright, alright. Conditions have been set, do you agree with mine?"
"I suppose I can live with them," Hela said coolly, bracing herself and holding her sword up. "Now… let's see what those Gargoyles taught you about fighting."
"And Puck," Rose added, and Hela snorted.
"Oh… well, in that case, I have already won if you're boasting about him teaching you how to fight."
"Oh, I don't know Hela, he taught me to have a few tricks up my sleeve," Rose chuckled darkly holding her sword up, ready to take her on. "We'll see who's laughing in the end. May the best bitch of Hel win."
Hela grinned back evilly and looked like she wanted to prove her right. It was her title after all.
"Oh, don't worry, Rose dear. I will."
Rose laughed out loud, twisted the sword around in her hand once, then launched herself at Hela. Their swords instantly clanged together and their eyes were glued to each other in equal fierceness. With two competitive stakes on the line, the game was on.
Hours could have passed by, or at least that's what it felt like, as Rose and Hela playfully dueled each other in sword-to-sword combat. The more time passed by, however, the more intense the fighting got. They relied less on their swords, and more on shielding and blasting each other off their feet with their identical magic. They were both gritting their teeth and grunting out, with each slash of the swords, but they also laughed and trash-talked their way through most of the fight.
Somehow they also moved and hiked to different paths along the cliffs, some being very thin and dangerous paths. One wrong step of their feet and they would plunge to the ground at the base of the volcano, but Rose wasn't afraid to fall off the edges anymore because of her wings. Hela didn't look worried about that fate either.
As the minutes passed into what felt like hours, Rose was now sure of two things. One, Hela was strong and a very fierce warrior, but she, being her daughter, was just as strong. And two, she was able to stand up to her, and make it this far against the Goddess of Death. So either Hela was going easy on her, or she should be proud of herself and her skills.
Her wings, she realized, were a huge advantage as well. She was able to jump higher and flap wind at Hela, which would push her flat onto her back on the ground. When she did this the first time, Hela laughed, then rolled away from Rose's counter-attack, right before her sword slashed the ground where she was seconds ago. This kind of light battling continued for a long time, but it was clear that both of them weren't tired, nor giving in. This bet was just barely starting between them, and both were too stubborn and competitive to give in.
Some moments, Hela would either compliment or redirect her actions, and the advice was surprisingly helpful to Rose. Hudson and the Gargoyles were amazing with hand-to-hand combat, Puck was great at teaching basic skills at magic and tricks to use, but Hela was a force of nature, mixed between them all. She was a powerful warrior, but knew how to use her magic with those fighting skills, and could anticipate when Rose would use her wings or not.
Now hours later, both were tiring out, but Hela's strength and endurance were more than Rose's. However, she wasn't going to give in. She couldn't because all she could think about was the bet she made with Hela.
Forgiveness…
Why was that such a steep price to pay? She wasn't sure. Her Pop and Nana taught her better than to bear grudges, but this was different. This was personal and was her only leverage and play in bringing all of them down, for what they did to Brooklyn. And what they did to her. This was all for her revenge, and it wasn't something she was willing to just give up. Rose gritted her teeth as rage and anger built up inside of her. The playful battle was now turning cold and fierce.
"Rose," Hela gasped but was still holding her off strongly with her sword. "We've been at this for hours. You've proven how strong you are. Perhaps, it's time to yield. We-"
"No! I won't yield! It's you who's going to yield to me!" Rose gasped back, then pushed on her sword, knocking Hela backward. She then swung her feet underneath her and caught Hela's legs, tripping her so she fell painfully to the ground. Hela yelped out in shock and pain but rolled away as Rose clanged her sword down where she was sitting seconds ago.
Hela whipped around, gasping and panting, her eyes wide and focused in response to seeing how intense Rose's were. But she lunged again. Their swords met, clanged loudly, and echoed all around them from the cliffs, as did their grunts and various sounds of effort that fell off their lips.
"You're good, I'll give you that, my daughter. But this isn't a war! We don't have to be enemies. You can't keep this up for as long as I can, you are untrained still! You won't win. Yield."
Rose let out an inhuman roar, pushed her off with a strong flap of her wings, then came for her again with her sword.
"NEVER!"
Clang.
"I will win…and to do so, I will do... what I must," she gasped back but felt a bit unsure of her own confidence, which had dwindled greatly. They had been at this playful fight for a long time, but now the energy was different. It shifted. Both were fighting for real this time, and it wasn't Hela that started it. It was her… and the bottled up anger and rage that was coming to the surface.
Both were panting and sweating a great deal, but they both weren't giving in. Just like when she battled Hudson, she realized that whenever she fought… it would be to the death or until she won. She forgot this about herself and was realizing how bad of an idea this was, but she couldn't give in now. Hela was going to be the one to yield, not her.
"Yield, Rose! I don't want to hurt you," Hela gasped out again while pushing against her sword, which Rose was straining to hold back.
"You already have!"
Hela's eyes went wide, realizing what this was all about, then suddenly withdrew from her, making Rose stumble backward into nearby rocks. Her world was spinning with dizziness as she gasped and struggled for proper air. However, when she looked up, Hela was standing up strong. Barely winded. Her face wore a horrified expression.
"Is that what this is all about?" She suddenly whispered. "You tricked and enticed me to train you to fight, when in fact, you're here to destroy me?"
"Not quite," Rose answered, not sure how to answer her. "I… it didn't start out that way. I do want you to train me, I just… I have…"
"Lost focus in your facade," Hela suddenly said coldly. "You only pretended to want to spend time with me. All of this has been an act."
"No, I…"
"It's now clear that this fight has been lost in your rage and hatred for me. You… you will never come to accept and forgive me, will you?"
Rose stared at her, gasping and panting, and knew it was over. She had hurt herself and what she was originally trying to do by losing focus, and by giving in to the hatred stored deep within her.
"Hela, I…"
BAM.
With a cry of pain, Rose suddenly was blasted off her feet by magic and slammed to the ground hard. Her sword flew far away from her and clanged against some rocks. She quickly looked up to see Hela was staring down at her with red, glowing eyes, electrified red magic encompassing all around her, and was slowly advancing towards her with her jagged sword.
Rose backed up in a crawl and did not have the strength nor space to flap her wings out of this tight space, nor strength, to get away from Hela's sword in time. With a few steps, Hela was bearing down on her, pointing her sword at her neck, and her face was furious and deadly.
"If you won't see me as your mother, nor forgive me for what I did, Rose, then… how about I deliver you to your father and let him take over your mind and force you to comply fully with our wishes?"
Rose backed up against a boulder but snagged a dead end. With nowhere to go, she was trapped, and had been beaten- but that threat…
"Would you really allow him to enslave my mind?" She whispered, leaning her neck back as Hela's blade pushed into her skin, though not enough to break it. "After… everything I have complied with… you'll hand me over because I've displeased you and shown a moment of weakness?"
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't," Hela whispered, the hurt clear in her eyes. "I can see that you are merely delaying your fate. Your destiny. You are playing us for fools…" She shook her head and grit her teeth suddenly. "I… I should destroy that light that's left in your soul from your mate. I should destroy your child like I meant to do when I killed your mate..."
"But you won't," Rose gasped, trying not to panic. She had to talk herself out of this and protect her child. "Because you haven't yet… and even now, I know you won't hurt me again, nor my child."
"Don't tell me what I will or won't do. I'm the Goddess of Death, Rose," Hela hissed dangerously. "I don't play favorites."
"But you have, many times, so you can't stand here and tell me that," Rose whispered, her heart pounding insanely fast now. "I know you won't hurt me, Hela, or my child. The damage you've inflicted was your part to play, under Lord Demetrius's command, but now that I'm here you no longer need to hurt me. And… you… you won't. I can see it in your eyes, Hela. Tell me if I'm wrong..." Hela's eyes widened in shock and horror, but she didn't lower her blade from Rose's neck.
"Did you forget that I can see your soul?" She continued quietly. "You do have a soul, Hela. It's there… and it's good. I… I might struggle with my anger against you for taking Brooklyn away from me, but, I can see goodness deep down within you. I know that you won't hurt me."
"You don't know me," Hela suddenly hissed, with tears filling her eyes.
"Then help me to," Rose breathed, trying not to move against the sharp blade as she looked up into her eyes. Hopelessness and sudden despair filled every inch of her face.
"It's too late for me," she breathed.
"No, it's not," Rose whispered, reaching her hands up to push the blade away from her neck. Hela let her, losing this battle regarding broken hearts and souls, not swords. At Rose's words and actions, she lowered her sword, and Rose stepped closer to her with sincere remorse and concern on her face.
"I'll help you, Hela. Together, you and I can repair the damage done here, and one day… I… I will try to forgive you. But that will come with time. However, I do have to apologize to you. This fight was all my fault. I truly was wanting you to teach me, I swear, but…" She stopped and turned around now, hating being vulnerable but allowing it.
"I've learned to bar myself up because of all that I went through with Kevin. All the times he would lay a fist down upon me, beat me until I couldn't see straight- or rape me so much that I couldn't walk… every fight that I engage in, I fight to the death or until I win." Tears filled her eyes as she spoke, and she suddenly couldn't look at Hela.
"The same thing happened when I trained with Hudson, my Gargoyle elder. He is near and dear to my heart for different reasons than the others, and yet, when we fought and trained with each other, I tried to defeat him because I got so caught up in my hatred and hurt. It's a fault of mine. A survival instinct… and it's very strong. So… this fight was not just because of my hatred for you but is stemmed from a much deeper hurt. A hurt… that you know about, all too well."
She looked up into Hela's eyes now, showing her the tears. The pain.
"You may have enticed Kevin's demons and encouraged them along in some situations to hurt me, but it was still his choice to give in to them. It was him, all along, who was willing to hurt me as he did and find sick pleasure and satisfaction from it."
A tear fell down her face now.
"He is a true monster… one that has almost surpassed my fears and hatred of the Draugr, sometimes Lord Demetrius, and even you. You all are Gods of Death, but you don't personally inflict unspeakable horrors on one specific person for sport… or fun… or because he can and enjoys watching his victims squirm under his hand."
"And yet... you've promised to marry again tomorrow night..." Hela suddenly said quietly. "Why?"
"Because… I struck a bargain with him," she whispered miserably. "I promised that I would marry him again, and endure that torture of being with him if he promised to never reveal my pregnancy to Lord Demetrius…"
"And you trust him to keep this promise?" Hela demanded in disbelief.
"No," Rose said shakily. "I don't. But I know that I can protect my child that way. It still gives me control over my fate and buys me time to figure out my next plan."
"You know what Kevin is like!" Hela said. "Bringing him back from the dead is one of the things I regret the most, Rose. I'll have you know that I should have just come and collected you myself… but to marry him again…" she shook her head, and Rose looked up at her now.
"It's not much different than what you and Demetrius have."
Hela looked shocked at this, but her silence told Rose that she was right. Seconds passed between them before Hela spoke again. Her tone, this time, was quiet, thoughtful, and sorrowful.
"So… you are willing to go through all of that abuse and torture again to save your child?"
"Yes," Rose whispered through her tears, hating that she was. "I would do anything to protect my child. But… I am not going in willingly. Unfortunately, it was the only way to appease Kevin's bloodlust. What other choice did I have?"
Hela stayed silent for a few seconds, stepped forward suddenly, and had a danger in her glowing red eyes.
"You could have trusted me to help you instead."
"What?" Rose gasped out.
"You don't think that I won't do what's best for you, Rose?" Hela whispered. " Watching you suffer for all of those years, and especially under Kevin's hand was not easy. Many times I had to walk away from seeing it happen to you, but your pain and anguish were meant to be short-lived…"
"But it wasn't, Hela." Rose gasped through a stream of tears. "I may have been married to him for seven months, but those moments of abuse lasted an eternity… and scarred me… just as intensely."
"Well..." Hela breathed, her face suddenly dangerous. "That will all change now."
Rose froze. "What… what do you mean?"
"Let's just say…" Hela said, stepping closer to her and obviously choosing her words carefully. "That a certain… someone… isn't going to be in our favor for much longer."
Rose's eyes widened.
"Kevin?"
"I'll neither say nor deny," She answered softly, but then looked over at her with hurt eyes. "But… did you really think that the someone in question would not eventually pay for the deplorable actions rendered against one of Hel's own Children? Especially one of royal blood?"
Hela was almost speaking in riddles, but Rose understood that it was to keep their conversation from fully being revealed. But when she looked around, she suddenly noticed that red magic was surrounding them, creating a bubble. A shield, from prying eyes and ears.
"Is that… certain someone… going to die?" She asked quietly.
"Oh, I think it'll be much worse than that," Hela whispered, turning away from her now and made her sword disappear. Giving up the fight completely. "I'll see to that, my daughter. You have my word."
Unsure if she should feel glad or not at this, or if she could be trusted, Rose considered her words. She would never desire anyone's death than Kevin's, but the further into this world she was getting, the more dark and complicated it felt.
Rose lowered her face, held onto her arms tightly, and felt like she was caught in a spider web. The more she fought, the deeper into trouble and the trap she got. Now, more than ever, she wished Brooklyn was here. He would be able to help her make the right choice or stay in the light. Right now, she was having a hard time believing that what she was doing, by getting her hands dirty in trying to cleave to the light, was right anymore.
Tears filled and fell down her face, and true hopelessness suddenly filled her up. She was confused. Conflicted. And didn't know who to trust or what to do anymore. Hela placed her hands upon her shoulders now, making her look up, and with a gentle finger, wiped those tears away.
"I'm sorry," Rose breathed, unable to go on and say anymore.
"No," Hela whispered back gently. "It is I who is truly sorry… for everything, Rose. But please, I implore you to understand that I was trying to just bring you home to your family. In order to do that, your soul had to darken, and those types of things were what changed my soul. Grief, betrayal, hurt, loss, and lost love." She paused, closed her eyes, and swallowed her tears down. "But... I understand now why you fought me so aggressively, and it makes me feel slightly better knowing it wasn't completely because of your hatred for me. You fight from all those who hurt you, and don't back down until you win."
Rose nodded numbly, and Hela sighed, "I understand what that's like."
How can you possibly understand? She thought to herself but didn't say anything. Suddenly, she was exhausted. Spent. She lost the fight and bet… and was now expected to give more of herself that she wasn't ready to give up. Sighing heavily, she sat down on the nearest rock and hung her head low.
Hela watched her carefully, then looked back at the horizon.
"It's almost night-time," she whispered. "We must get going if we are going to make it to the party in time…" she then turned back to face her, and Rose was shocked to see her very serious now. Almost frantic.
"I will tell you my story another time, my daughter, and perhaps we can find some common ground with each other soon, but for now, do as Kevin and Lord Demetrius asks of you, alright? This night is going to be rough… but do not be rebellious and all be fine. You may not like what has been planned for you, but you are strong. I know you can endure this night because you've endured worse." She then clenched her fists and her eyes glowed red. "Kevin will get you as his personal entertainment… but he shall not get anything else out of you after tonight. I promise you that."
"You can make that happen?" Rose asked her, raising her eyebrows high. "I thought Lord Demetrius had the final say? Or that he liked Kevin?"
"He does, but Kevin is beginning to wear thin on our welcome," Hela said, shrugging slightly. "My Lord may be the head of this kingdom, but I am the neck that moves that head where it needs to go. I shall ensure Kevin doesn't get fully satisfied by you tonight. Other females, yes, no doubt that'll happen, but I refuse to let you become a victim in that way, ever again."
"Really?" Rose asked quietly, in surprise. "You… you'd do that for me?"
Hela suddenly chuckled dryly. "I've already told you Rose… I would do anything for you, my daughter. I may have a soul still… one that I do not believe there is light in it… but… you were right about one thing about me."
"Which is?" Rose implored quietly, and Hela's face softened.
"That I shall never again hurt you."
Rose's heart fluttered in relief, not sure how much that meant or if it extended to her unborn child or not, but she knew that she was getting somewhere with her. Which, in itself, was a miracle.
"W-what about the wedding tomorrow night? If you refuse to let Kevin have sex with me, what are you going to do about it then?"
"Oh, I'll think of something," Hela said, smiling darkly at her. "For now… let's keep this between you and me, okay? Play the part you were going to play tonight, let him have his fun, but I'll have your back, I promise."
Rose grinned back at her, felt utterly amazed that Hela was being so cool with her, but still wasn't sure if she could trust her or not. As she stared at her, she trusted her gut and did believe that she was going to help her with Kevin. If she'd do that, then perhaps her soul was turning to the light.
Hela turned around to face the horizon again, as she had been doing quite a bit, and Rose realized that she was gazing at it as if longing to touch the sky again.
Then an idea hit her, a very good, and slightly crazy idea.
Standing up slowly, Rose advanced quietly on Hela while spreading and stretching her wings, but she heard her approach. Hela turned, and her eyes widened slightly.
"What are you doing?"
"You said you miss flying… right?" Rose asked gently, the warm breeze blowing in her face and through her braided hair. "Miss going high above the clouds?"
"Yes..."
"Hmm… okay, good to know," Rose said mischievously. Hela eyed her carefully, looking at her with great suspicion.
"Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," Rose teased but herded Hela to the cliff. Seeing what she was doing, her eyes went wide with shock and she looked slightly nervous now.
"Rose… I… I don't know if-" she started to say, but Rose launched herself with a bright smile on her face and caught Hela in a hug and forced both of them off the cliff and into a free-fall towards the ground below.
"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?" Hela instantly screamed over the roaring wind, as they free-fell at a rapid pace, but Rose ignored her and laughed hysterically. She wasn't sure what came over her being willing to do this for Hela, but it was something she was willing to try.
However, Hela was having a hard time seeing the fun in this. She continued to scream and clung to her as they fell in an uncontrollable spin.
"GET CONTROL OF YOURSELF!" Hela shrieked out, but unlike the first fall, Rose was and was just messing with her now. "Feel the air currents! Flap your wings!"
Laughing still, she instantly turned Hela around so that she would piggyback her, and gave her a sense of security. Hela instantly wrapped her arms tightly around her neck, then she spread her long wings out and caught them before they hit the forest floor. Smiling, she gathered the wind beneath them and glided along the atmosphere at the same incredible speed as before.
Once she realized that Rose was in control, Hela gasped out in awe and quieted down. Rose couldn't see her facial expression but almost wished that she could. She began flapping her wings to get balanced, especially since she was carrying a second person on her back, but she was amazed that her wings were able to carry the extra weight with surprising ease. Even with Hela on her back, she was able to get high above the atmosphere and flew smoothly through the warm breeze.
Minutes passed by in silence as they flew around the island, and Rose almost didn't know what to say but wanted to say something. However, ever since she got control of herself, Hela had remained silent. Which was either a good thing or a really bad one.
Turning her head slightly towards Hela's face, she yelled above the rushing wind.
"So... what do you think?" More seconds passed by, and Hela still didn't say anything, so Rose turned her head more and saw Hela's chin. "Hela…? You okay?"
"Y-yes," Hela finally said loudly in her ear. "I'm… more than okay, actually."
Rose grinned to herself, thrilled by her answer, and was feeling happier than she had felt in a long time.
"Sorry for pushing you off the cliff… I just thought I would enjoy the opportunity in doing so as you did to me."
"And did you?" Hela asked in amusement.
"Did I what? Enjoy pushing you off the cliff?" Rose reiterated, then grinned, "yes, yes I did. Quite a bit actually."
Hela laughed. "I bet you did."
"Now we're even…" Rose yelled back with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, okay," Hela chuckled, but then faltered and went quiet for a few seconds. When she spoke again, she sounded thoughtful. "You're flying very well, Rose, especially for carrying extra weight and still learning how to fly. I have to admit, I thought you were going to kill us there for a moment, but you came around… and I'm very impressed with you right now."
"I had it under control, I was just, again, giving you a piece of the same medicine you gave me."
"Ha, ha," Hela replied dryly, though Rose could hear the smile in her voice. "Alright, smarty pants. You got me. We're even."
"Would Demetrius freak out if he saw us?" Rose suddenly asked curiously.
"I think he would have if he saw us both falling off the cliff… or he would have laughed. He's into the bets and gambling of life. It's amusing to him… a sport, if you will. But you honestly have his dark sense of humor and you make him laugh more than I ever have."
"The only time I have made him laugh was by thinking very bad and awful thoughts about him, you, and this place…"
"Yes," Hela said a bit darkly. "That makes him laugh, he thinks it's funny."
Rose rolled her eyes, and mumbled, "Of course he does." She paused, then thought of another topic, as the current one seemed to depress them both. "So how long has it been?"
"How long has what been?"
"Since you've last flown."
"Oh," Hela said, sounding different now. Sad almost. Vulnerable. "Well… uh… quite some time, Rose. If I could give you a number, I would say just over two-thousand years. That's when Oberon banished me from Avalon… shortly before he cut my wings off."
Rose flinched. Hela had mentioned that this was the correct tale of what happened but never paid heed to it. Now that they were spending time together, the very thought of someone doing that to her made her shudder. Especially with knowing the intense pain that could come from her wings hours earlier.
"I thought you cut off your own wings because you were driven mad by him getting the crown instead of you?"
"Is that what Puck told you?" Hela asked quietly, and she suddenly felt a bit foolish.
"Y-yes."
"Of course he did," she said in her ear, stayed quiet for a few seconds, then spoke, "tell me something Rose… when you endured the pain this morning with your wings. Did it feel good to you?"
"Absolutely not," Rose said, shuddering. "It was horrible."
"Were you able to reach back to them and self-soothe the pain, or add the ointment to make them feel better?"
Rose thought this through, and now knew exactly where she was heading. She flapped her wings again and kept them steady so they could still talk.
"No."
"So, with that in mind, do you think it would have been possible for me to cut my own wings off, with my own hands, leaving only open-ended nerved nubs on my shoulder blades by myself? Or if I could, how could I even do any of that without passing out from the pain?"
As Rose contemplated Hela's questions, the story suddenly didn't make any sense to her. Her own wings were insanely sensitive, and to cut them off, she would have to hyperextend her shoulder and break her arm at the elbow, and even then, she wouldn't be able to reach her shoulder blades. Not even with magic was that possible.
It was clear to her now that the memories that Puck showed her and the clan were untrue, and she was fed lies to keep her afraid of Hela. To keep her as her enemy.
"No," she finally said, shaking her head, and feeling sad for her. "I don't think you could have."
Hela nodded. "There's a lot that Oberon and his Children say about me, Rose, but when it comes to that particular story, it is simply untrue and utter garbage. I would have never cut off my wings, never. They meant the world to me… and flying…" she paused on the word as if talking about this moment of flying again was deeply sacred to her. When she spoke again, Rose heard the heartbreak in her tone.
"Flying… meant everything to me. It defined me. But not only that, it set me free when the world grew too complicated- too small- and it allowed me to leave my problems on the ground. I would go high above the clouds, balance my wings so that it felt like I was floating, and then would close my eyes." Rose heard her take a deep breath as she said this as if she were doing it now.
"And I would breathe. Just… breathe. It was then, in those moments, that I felt alive and that everything would, somehow, be okay."
Rose listened to Hela reminisce and couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes. That was exactly how she felt taking to the sky as well when she touched the atmosphere at the sky shield; the curse of Hel and swore she felt Brooklyn on the other side.
"Me too…" Rose said softly. "That's actually what took me so long to come back."
Hela smiled at her. "I know it was. It's amazing, isn't it? To be one with the Earth, the sky, and the wind…?"
"You tell me," Rose replied with a grin, and Hela blinked in surprise.
"What?"
"Hold on!" She then grabbed onto Hela's arms to keep her from falling and forced her wings to head straight up. Her strong wings took them immediately high into the sky. Up, up, up they climbed and it took a few seconds longer with the extra weight to blast through the lower atmosphere clouds to get high above them, but when they did, Rose held her arms out to balance them and kept her wings stagnant, allowing them to hang in mid-air.
To float.
Hela wrapped her legs around Rose's waist to keep herself up and tightened her arms around her. There was no sun, but a dark red-light, but somehow, up here in the clouds, the light spread out in other reds, oranges, and yellows before it touched the blue and black atmosphere above them.
"Oh wow… Rose…! " Hela whispered in awe, smiling to herself, and crying. "It's… it's beautiful up here. I have forgotten what this is like. Even here in Hel… it's breath-taking."
"Hold your arms out," Rose offered, wrapping her arms around Hela's legs to keep her on her back. "I'm balanced and got you. Go on… float for a moment and be one with the wind, the Earth, and the sky. Take this moment as yours."
Hela looked down at her, and for a moment she got to see the pure joy on her face, and it was almost child-like. Tears were streaming down her face, but she didn't seem to realize it or care to hide the joy. And it was at this moment that Rose's heart suddenly began to melt.
The hurt. The loss. The darkness… all began to thaw suddenly in her icy heart. Tears filled Rose's eyes and it felt really good to serve Hela in this way; to show her mercy, and kindness, when she most likely hasn't received any for over two-thousand years. For a moment, she forgot that Hela was the Goddess of Death, and the reason Brooklyn was dead…
Thinking of him again made her chest pang painfully, and she had to quickly flap her wings once more to keep steady. That still weighed heavily on her soul, but seeing Hela in this light, she could something else developing between them. Something she never thought was possible…
Friendship.
"Look Rose, I'm one with the sky!" Hela whispered tearfully in awe, then closed her eyes, leaned her head back, and took a deep breath. Breathing in this therapeutic moment.
"After two-thousand years… I think you deserve to get away from your troubles and find the opportunity to breathe again." Rose said quietly, speaking through her heart. "Even though you're the Goddess of Death, Hela, that life isn't your final destination. You can still be happy, you still have goodness within your soul, and more than ever, you can fly once again. Because you were right… this is who we are. Flying is in our blood." She paused, and closed her eyes, "as is protecting those we love. I… I will always let you fly with me, Hela. Anytime you want to come up here, I'll take you. Without question or judgment."
Hela opened her eyes.
"Y-you'd do that for me?" Her tone was different. It wasn't stiff, or cold, but was hopeful and begging almost.
"Yes," She whispered, looking over into her eyes with sincere tears and recalled what Hela asked of her. And for some reason, the first condition felt easier than forgiveness just yet. But it was a start.
"You deserve to be happy... mom."
Hela's tear-filled eyes widened in shock, so much so, the last of the facade she was wearing shattered. Years of torture, pain, grief, sorrow, and longing suddenly crashed through her eyes. Tears streamed down Hela's beautiful face and a sob burst through and it took Rose some time to realize that she, too, was sobbing. She didn't know Hela's full story, but it was clear that she knew and did share Rose's same grief.
They both had a lost love they both mourned… and maybe… just maybe... they would find healing together.
"Rose…" Hela whispered shakily, then wrapped her arms tightly around her neck and hugged her. "Oh, my sweet daughter! Thank you!"
Rose rested her head against Hela's and held onto her arms tightly, taking the hug, and receiving it in her heart. This was not what she was expecting, at all, but now that they were sharing this positive moment- she did believe Hela's words that she would do anything for her, and wouldn't ever again, hurt her.
Rose's plan wasn't quite in motion anymore, as she couldn't find it in herself to hurt Hela. No matter how much she had hurt her by killing Brooklyn, more than ever, she saw the goodness within her biological mother and knew this was the way they were going to win.
Together, through love.
Not hatred.
A short while later Rose and Hela returned back to the castle, and Rose put her down on a high tower. Both didn't say a word to each other about what happened up in the clouds and had attracted droves of Draugr until they touched down. When they were on the castle platform, Rose crouched down slightly to allow Hela to jump off.
An icy stench filled the air around them as the hordes of Draugr landed with them, followed by the new leader Wraith. Hela adjusted her leather clothing, her long black hair, and stepped in between Rose and him. A silent stance of protection that she didn't miss and neither did Wraith.
"My Queen," he hissed, bowing before them slightly. "We've been looking for you."
"For me?" Hela asked her voice back to its regularly cold tone.
"Aye, we've been sent to search for you and... the princess…" he slowly looked over at Rose with those empty sockets for eyes, and she flinched slightly.
"Why?" Hela demanded. "Under whose authority?"
Wraith opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly a presence alerted all of them- a power so dark and great- it sent a shiver down Rose's wings and spine.
"Mine, of course."
Everyone turned, and coming out from the shadows was Demetrius. His shoulder-length auburn hair was down and whipped in the hot breeze, he was dressed in his usual black armor with a long red cape, had a thorny crown of fire up top his head, and was holding his magical staff. His flaming amber eyes bore into Rose's and Hela's and looked between them with a cold expression.
Next to him, making Rose jolt in shock, a raven-looking Gargoyle stepped out from the shadows behind him before turning magically back into a thin third race male, with white skin and black hair pulled back in a pony-tail. He was smirking at her with sharp, white teeth as if he were the one who told on them.
Rose didn't know who he was, but it wasn't hard to put it together. He was the Third Race trickster God, Raven, who often shape-shifted into a Gargoyle or a raven bird, and accompanied Hela on her usual patrols. He also betrayed the Third Race to serve Demetrius, and no doubt was a trickster much worse than Puck. She glared at him, knowing he was a snake among them, and judging by his arrogant smirk at her, she didn't doubt he was one.
"My Lord," Hela immediately said, and sauntered over to him- like a dog to her master- but he held up a hand, stopping her.
"What… is going on here?" He asked her slowly, glancing between her and Rose. His face was calm, but his tone and eyes were notably angry. "Where did you two go? You've been gone for hours, and the Draugr weren't able to locate you two after telling me that you were encountered by a Manticore beast who tried to attack you."
"We weren't attacked," Rose instantly said a bit sharply, and instantly bit her tongue. Demetrius's eyes settled on her for a moment, glaring icily, but then ignored her. His flaming eyes scanned back to look at Hela, who remained calm under his powerful gaze.
"My sincere apologies, my Lord," she said softly, bowing to him slightly. "I brought Rose with me on my patrol thinking it would do her good to see our Kingdom and get some fresh air before the celebration tonight. We did encounter a Manticore beast, but it was injured, so I summoned Wraith and his troop to come to attend to it, which scared it off. So, they feasted upon its dead mate instead, while we continued on our patrol. I then took Rose to the cliffs on the Volcano and taught her how to fly and use her wings. After she mastered that, I taught her how to fight with swords and our powers… and we… got a little carried away with the time."
Demetrius listened to Hela's explanation thoughtfully, with his hand upon his chin.
"You brought Rose on your patrol?" He asked her quietly. "Why did you not take Raven with you as an escort, my love?"
"Because I knew Rose was going to be on her best behavior," Hela said lightly, then turned to smile at her darkly. However, she saw the softness in her eyes underneath her facade. "And she was."
She turned back to face Demetrius, stepped forward, and gently took his hand in hers then brought it up to her lips.
"We encountered no problems, my Lord…" she whispered on his skin, "not even with the locals. We're sorry if we worried you."
"Hmm," Demetrius mused, taking her by the hips and suddenly crushed her body against his. "I wasn't worried… much." He then paused, smirked down at her, and then looked over at Rose. She didn't break eye contact with him but stayed still… with her emotions hidden. He looked over her face, the leather outfit she was wearing, and then over to her large feathered wings with dark interest.
"You taught her to fly and fight with both magic and swords, you say?"
"That I did, my Lord," Hela whispered while running her hands up his chest and wrapping her arms around his neck, caressing his skin as much as she could. Rose watched this with unease but could see what she was doing. The Hela that opened up to her moments ago was no longer there, but hidden again… and it was up to her to not only save the innocent lives here in Hel but her as well, somehow, from the Lord who held them all bound and chained here.
Hela stayed in his arms, letting his hand run up and down her skin-tight leathered back and backside, as he studied Rose. She felt slightly dirty watching him do so but refused to let it bother her.
This was all a battle of power and control.
Just then, a dark power came over her mind. Unable to fight him, she instantly let him in and showed him her flying and fighting lesson, leaving out the more personal parts between her and Hela. Hiding them from him as if they didn't exist, like her child. Luckily, he didn't seem to notice as she shielded parts of her brain with great ease and as seamless as possible, which left her in control. No more would she be an open book for him to study and look through at his leisure. It would be on her terms only… even if he didn't know it.
A few minutes of him studying her went by, and suddenly a dark smile formed on his lips, after seeing what he wanted to see. Rose stayed emotionless but narrowed her eyes at him.
I hate it when you do that.
He chuckled out, a low, vibrating laugh that showed off his bright white fanged teeth, at her thought, and Hela was watching her carefully over her shoulder. Silently communicating with her, almost telling her to not divulge anything that happened between them, but she didn't.
He saw what she wanted him to see.
"I am sorry Rose," Demetrius said out loud, in a deep silky voice, while caressing a hand seductively over Hela's backside. "I had to read your mind and see for myself what my Queen has described. But it would appear that you have indeed mastered flying, in such a short amount of time, and fought a good, long battle with her. Very good…" He then turned and looked down upon Hela amusingly. "So… who won?"
"I did, my Lord."
"Hmmm, that's my Queen," he growled back, nibbling on her ear lobe. "I'm taking it that you two have come to an understanding with each other? Dare I say that she is now further along on our side?"
"You can say that," Hela answered while trailing circles on his chest with her finger, distracting him. So Rose joined in, stirring the pot more. Making him believe that she was turning.
"Mother and I have found… you can say… a common ground with each other, and she has helped me see things as you see them."
"Mother?" Demetrius suddenly demanded, his attention pulled away from Hela's distractions. His eyes glazed from Hela's to Rose's in shock and Hela simply nodded once at him.
"Yeah… it was a bet," Rose said, trying not to make it sound a big deal. "I had to start calling her mother if she won our little fight, and she did. I haven't enjoyed it, but, hey, a deal is a deal. There was no sense in fighting her anymore."
"Hmmm… good, good." Demetrius chuckled darkly, relaxing. "It would appear that our daughter is warming up to us, Hela, my dear."
"Yes," Hela whispered against his neck and began kissing his skin lightly while grinding her hips against his. "She is beginning to see things… our way."
"Excellent," he answered darkly. "It would appear that you've worked your special magic on her, my Queen."
"I have," she breathed against his skin, then smiled wickedly. "I can show you more of that 'special magic' of mine in our bed chambers before this celebration starts... if it would please you, my Lord."
Grinning, he cupped Hela's backside roughly in his hands in response to her seductive tone and then brought his own lips and teeth down to her neck. Rose blinked in discomfort and looked away from the grotesque display of sensual affection, hoping they didn't strip each other down and claim their prizes here… but Demetrius suddenly raised his lips off her skin, and snapped his fingers to summon someone.
"Ilana!"
Rose looked back over in surprise, and her nymph handmaiden suddenly portaled to where they stood. She looked gorgeous. She was dressed in a see-through light pink dress, her long brown hair was curly and down, and the swirls on her green skin were traced with a glittery golden substance. Then it dawned on her… she was ready for the celebration and would pay a part as one of the 'entertainers.' Just like she would be forced to do.
Ilana gave Rose one quick glance, then turned, and bowed deeply before Demetrius and Hela.
"My Lord and Lady," She greeted formally. "You summoned me?"
"Yes. Take my daughter, have her bathe, and get ready for the celebration tonight." Demetrius told her in a gutted voice, obviously distracted at Hela's lips and tongue which were hungrily feeding on his neck. "She's to wear what has been discussed and be Kevin's date and entertainment for the night. That is the punishment I've promised Kevin for her previous rebellion. Understood?"
Ilana bowed again. "Yes, my Lord. It shall be done."
"Good," He said curtly, looked over the Draugr and Raven, and sent them away with a flick of his hand. They left immediately, and Rose knew it was her cue to leave as well, but it broke her heart slightly as she watched her mother play pet.
Hela had seduced him to distract from prying in Rose's mind further, but regardless of the reason, her kisses turned hungry against his skin, instantly making him growl, and soon his lips were on hers. But Hela suddenly broke away, turned to face Rose, as he took his turn to kiss and devour her neck.
"Go with Ilana, Rose. Get cleaned up," She said a bit breathlessly, but still in her cold and demanding tone."And Ilana?"
Ilana stepped forward, bowing again. "Yes, Milady?"
"Tend to Rose's wings again like you did this morning. She might feel slight pain or discomfort from our flight tonight."
Ilana bowed again. "It shall be done, my Queen."
Hela said nothing but quickly moved her eyes to look at Rose. They gazed at each other for a moment, and Rose longingly looked after her, as if wanting to stop her from giving herself to Demetrius, but they both knew that nothing could be done.
"Remember what I've said about tonight and what will be expected of you…" She said coolly, but Rose understood what she was really trying to say. They both were being forced to do things they didn't want to do, but she had to trust Hela. That was all she could do now. Tomorrow night, she was to wed Kevin again… and then the Death Curse was to be released upon the world. She was running out of time to stop it and to turn Hela, however, she hoped the flight tonight did the trick.
Only time would tell.
Nodding stiffly, she instantly walked over to Ilana refusing to look back at them. Ilana grabbed onto her arm and instantly portaled her away from the scene, where Lord Demetrius and Hela were now, no doubt, claiming each other's bodies.
When their feet hit the floor in her bedroom, Rose's heart sunk at the thought but one thing was now clear. Hela did that to protect her and she really was sacrificing a lot for her well-being. Which was what Rose realized that she now had to do. For her Clan, for the world, Avalon... all of those innocent lives who were depending on her to stop the curse.
The price to pay for being here wasn't yet spent, the nightmares not yet over.
They were only beginning.
**Author's note- Hey all! Thanks for reading my story so far, I hope you're enjoying it. SO... as many readers on here have maybe guessed, there is something up with the fanfiction website. I have posted chapter 18, and it keeps deleting it...? Why? I have no freaking clue lol. But it's stressing me out. Anyway, if you read my story from the app, chapter 18 should be up, but if you search for this story from the website, it's not there. We'll get it figured out, but just know that's what's going on. I AM still posting chapters. Chapter 19 should be up soon. Thanks for your patience! Shine on,
Sunmoonlight**