Chapter 34 – The Beast Kingdom

D 250/10 ABY

Humiliating, terrifying…these were his experiences. 'I made a big mistake', thought Utgard-Loki as he crawled on the frozen ground. He crawled on the ground, no feeling in his legs. He tried to call forth his power but felt nothing. His warband lay strewn about, either dead or dying. Loki sat in his throne, in his hidden home eating his food and drinking his mead. His companion had run away, leaving him at the mercy of the two Archangels.

Kuzan stood behind him clutching the frozen severed arm of D'Chel the Deceiver, of the Dark Gods. The very same who was helping Utgard-Loki pull one over the two sons of Laufey and Farbauti.

"I can't believe Gabriel selected you as his apprentice. He must be so disappointed", Loki spoke.

"I am better than you. How did you find me?", Utgard-Loki croaked.

"As a mortal once told me when I was very young … You lack conviction", Loki answered.

"What did the Deceiver promise you? Was it the throne of Jotunheim?", Kuzan asked as he gently stabbed Utgard-Loki's back with the frozen arm. He yelled in pain.

"Why would I answer you, Aesir?", the frost giant on the ground glanced at Kuzan with pain in his eyes.

"I hope you wouldn't, or else I would kill you. See I don't need a subject that would throw his allies away. Another reason is I find you mildly amusing", Kuzan answered with a low whistle, as Utgard-Loki spat blood on the ground.

"You see…ever since Laufey's death, Jotunheim has got three rulers. There is me, Loki and Aegir", Kuzan smiled, "So when you stole the realm's capital, you didn't just piss me off but also declared war on the entire realm."

"Fortunately for all of us, there is an empty cell in Azkaban. It is where you will spend the rest of your days…fellow trickster", Loki spoke the last two words with a sarcastic chuckle.

Onboard Tarre Vizsla's ship, Hera the Celestial had awakened. Tarre was still in bed, recovering from Belmod's energy of destruction. Since no one else was in the room, she got off her bed and walked to her son's side. Carefully removing the mask on his face she saw what lurked behind. The mask slipped from her hand and landed on the floor making a noise.

"What happened to your eyes?", she whispered.

"He sacrificed them", came a voice from the door, and she saw Fenrir leaning on the door. He had teleported inside when he felt her awaken.

"We met your sister Hestia on the way. It was thanks to her that we got to you", Fenrir said.

"Where is she?", Hera asked.

"I don't know. She contacted Gabriel for us. We didn't see her on the way back", he said.

"Where is Asha and… the other one?"

"In the cockpit. The other one's name is Ahsoka, and I am sure you can feel who she is to you", Fenrir said.

"My daughter with that vile Mortis, I had felt her death. But her spirit is now that of Ahsoka's. This makes her my … daughter", Hera sighed with a tear in her eyes.

"She and Tarre are married", Fenrir smiled at Hera's surprise, "They have two lovely children, and I am the godfather of both."

"Stop. Say no more, or I shall have less to speak with my children", Hera sighed. Her body was tired, but there was a small part of her that felt happy.

"My apologies. Too much information can be overwhelming … even for a god."

"And where is Athena's grandson?", Hera asked changing the subject.

"I have a name you know", came the voice of Rayleigh, as the door opened, and Fenrir fell backwards, only to be caught by Rayleigh.

"People your age are not so clumsy", Rayleigh commented raising an eyebrow at Fenrir who stood upright.

Rayleigh then turned towards Hera, "By the order of my nephew Thor, we are headed towards a planet in Midgard called Ryloth and will reach in 4 hours."

"Why are we going there?", Hera asked while picking up the mask.

"You'll understand when we reach the planet. Until then you should rest, after all you are still recovering."

At this Tarre began to stir and got up while groaning. Running his hand through his face, he realized the mask was gone, "Where is the mask?", he stood up.

"With me. Gentlemen, I hope you would give me a private moment with my son", Hera said. Rayleigh nodded and dragged Fenrir with him saying, "You and I are going to train." Fenrir voiced his reluctance which was completely ignored.

Eurazania – a safe haven for all manner of beast-folk. Here Hera, Kanan and their family were enjoying a small holiday. Jacen was sitting on Kanan's back, Mira was on Ezra's back and the four of them were roaming ahead exploring their surroundings. It was their first time coming to Eurazania after all. Hera and Sabine were in the back, walking hand in hand with Gabriel and Skyla Viszla, and Erin. In her arms was the sleeping form Tess Black, her five-year-old cousin. The girl was still recovering from her harrowing experience and Hera felt that being surrounded by other children would help her. She had dismissed Alflyse, who had then asked General Alvis to help her contact Queen Ygritte.

Meanwhile Satine Kryze had accompanied the good general to meet with Lady Arke – Queen of the Avian beast-folk and one of Eurazania's most influential leader.

They had moved to another base, this time in Midgard. The main base in Vanaheim was still going strong, and well hidden from Heimdall's gaze. Skull holding the leashes of Skoll and Hati, who had by now recovered from their head injuries accompanied Amora and her bodyguard cum lapdog Skurge into the inner sanctum of the base.

This base was not fully functional and as such did not possess the soul severing tools that Bartholomew had put in place in Vanaheim. As such the beast-folk (also called were-folk by many) imprisoned here were stuffed in dirty cages and were fed the bare minimum. There were old, young and children mixed in this group, who had their minds stolen away from them.

Amora was growing impatient, Skull could easily see that. But every day the power bestowed upon him grew more and more.

"When I have his power … I will help free Kaido. Together we will start the purge of the Aesir", Skull declared.

"Oh my dear Johann, even with Kaido's help purging the Aesir is extremely difficult. That is why our endeavours must not be so single-minded", Amora responded.

Skull chuckled at this, "If you give me what you promised me … then our endeavours will truly succeed."

The two of them sat on their beds, Hera still holding the mask tightly in her hands. "This is awkward", Tarre said.

Hera chuckled. Before she could say anything Tarre interrupted, "I understand why you left. I never told this to Asha or even Ahsoka … but I have an inkling that Azazel was involved in your disappearance. We met Hestia on the way, and she told us of the Celestial King's devices."

"It was Azazel who taught your father how to use them", Hera said calmly.

"I will find a way to free you of their influence", Tarre said.

"Thank you. We have a lot to talk about, if you are comfortable with it", Hera said.

Ever since Hominum, she had been staying with Kelda and her son. Shaak Ti was still coming to terms with the world around her, and Mace Windu would visit her every day to help her recover. Her last memory was at the Jedi Temple meditating, when she was impaled by Skywalker's lightsaber. Her memory after that was clouded and the only thing she clearly remembered after was being in the same room as Kelda.

"Skywalker betrayed us?", Ti asked once again to Windu who nodded. She was clarifying the events that had occurred since the end of the Clone Wars.

"He and Palpatine formed a sith empire, which was destroyed ten years ago?"

"Yes", Windu responded.

"There is another order of force wielders called Aesir, far ancient than Jedi and Sith and they helped bring down the sith?"

"Yes. The Aesir's primary goal was to stop the end of the known universe, their aid against the sith was coincidental."

"You have joined the Aesir?"

"Yes. This is a way through which I can correct my own flaws."

"The Republic and the Jedi have been restored?"

"The Republic has, a new Jedi Order is still being formed."

"There are nine realms?"

"Yes. Nine known realms", Windu said, "These realms…or galaxies are bound together."

"By the force?", Ti asked.

"Partly. They are also a part of the cosmic tree."

"The same one Master Yoda had once mentioned…Yggdrasil?"

"The very same. What will you do from now?"

"I am not sure. I think I would go on a journey to try and restore my memory", Ti said.

Four hours later, with a good enough first conversation with mother and son, Hera entered a cave in an abandoned part of Ryloth. Ironically this was also the spot where Thor had crash landed and met Noir. Entering the cave, she felt a familiar presence.

"Hello Hera", came a sleeping voice.

D 255/10 ABY

Tarre was with Gabriel the first working on Fenrir's new armour. Satine was in informal discussion with Arke about the formation of trade routes, which would later be presented to the Eurazania Council, comprising of Fenrir, Arke, Hanuman, Wukong and ten others. Hera the Celestial was on Ryloth along with Asha, while the rest were on Eurazania enjoying their small vacation.

Fenrir and Alvis were searching for Skoll and Hati. The two had entered a circus on one of the Core worlds where they were to meet an informant, who had apparently heard of Skoll and Hati. While waiting for the informant, the two perused the many circus activities. One such was titled – The Amazing Snake-woman. Alvis who was disguised to look like a normal human showed interest in this.

In the amphitheater of the circus they saw a ring master making his announcement, "Ladies, gentlemen and children…today you will witness one of the great miracles of the universe. Ever since the fall of the empire and the discovery of travel to other galaxies, or what some call realms…I have searched high and low to show you the beauty that lies outside our known galaxy. Today I present to you a unique individual", as he said this the ringmaster moved towards the side, with the center of the stage opening up to allow a massive cage to rise. Inside the cage was a human woman dressed in dark blue robes, with brown hair and violet eyes. Her nails were painted black, and she had a collar on her neck.

The crowd laughed a little at this as the ringmaster continued, "This woman may look like a human, but I assure she is not. See this beauty is afflicted with a curse, for she transforms every night into a massive snake. The more she transforms the closer she gets to never turning back", the crowd looked more interested, and the ringmaster nodded at her. She hesitated for a moment as the ringmaster said, "Now I present to you…'The Maledictus'."

At this the woman's back arched back and her body started changing, her features becoming more snake-like, her arms and legs shrinking while the cloth was ripped apart. Within moments, the transformation was complete, and the crowd gasped as they now saw a giant serpent, atleast 20 foot long and quite easily 6 feet wide. The collar was still intact and as the snake gasped around, her tongue sniffing the air she caught scent of Alvis and Fenrir.

"I believe this is our informant", Fenrir whispered as the snake attacked the cage causing a scream from the crowd, as the ringmaster activated the collar causing the snake to writhe in pain.

"You maybe right. Forget subtlety, get the ringmaster and I will free her", Alvis said taking on her true form, with the snakes on her head latching themselves off and attacking the people nearby. Fenrir sighed and teleported behind the ringmaster knocking him out.