Chapter 9: Frost Giants
Five years and four months had passed since Sylvia arrived in Asgard. Strange things had happened. A lot.
Not longs after she had arrived, as she recalled, was a very weird encounter with… herself.
She was getting used to the palace and walking without a destination in the gardens when she passed a circular clearing. Her powers sensed somethings strong, and the next things she knew was a girl landing lightly in front of her.
"Who are you?" The girl had dark hair, dark eyes, and pale skin, wearing normal Asgardian cloths.
"Sylvia. Sylvia Black." She introduced herself, "And you?"
"Strange, my name's Silvia too." The girl narrowed her eyes, "You're from Midgard, are you? Why do you have the powers?"
"I would ask you the same question." Sylvia replied, having a strange feeling about this whole thing, "Who are your parents?"
"Why, pray tell, would you want to know that?" Silvia said rather aggressively.
"Just asking." She looked for no reply, but the girl went on anyway.
"The full name's Silvia Hoderta, granddaughter of the Allfather, though I'm not supposed to say this to anyone around the village." There was a pause, "You know Hoder? God of Darkness?"
"Think I've heard of him." Sylvia frowned, hiding her surprise well.
"Anyways, you still haven't answered my question." She glared at her.
"I had the powers ever since I was born."
"Really?" Her dark eyes were nearly all black, but they showed a flash of suspicion as she said that.
"Look, I don't want to get into fights two times in three days while I'm new to Asgard – "Sylvia didn't get to finish her sentence.
"Give me a reason to trust you, intruder." Sylvia had to put all her energy on her air force to stop the ice from getting near.
"Protengo!" Without her knowing, her wand was in her left hand and the words streamed out of her mouth before she could stop. Came from too much dueling trainings.
Silvia paled slightly but hid the emotion even better than Sylvia did. The question popped into her mind as she continued to duel.
Is this… me?
The rest of the fight passed out in her memory, but the thought was still clear.
She had never seen the daughter of Hoder ever since the duel, maybe because the Goddess of Nature decided to go down to Midgard as a newborn baby for some reason and became Sylvia herself.
They were standing in the throne hall with all people of Asgard, she was standing with the Warriors Three thanks to Frigga. The Queen of Asgard had recognized Sylvia, and it turned out that she was in good terms with her as her old self. That was probably why Frigga said hi to her when she did the time-travel.
It was supposed to be Thor's big day of becoming the King of Asgard, but the thing is, he wasn't here yet. Everyone was waiting for the Asgardian prince, while not everyone was happy.
Loki was the most obvious one. This was his brother's big day, his brother becoming the King, his brother having all the attention and his brother being the chosen one, not him.
Lady Sif, the best warrior in Asgard, looked annoyed. Sylvia had to agree, Thor was the kind of person that would love to grant attention by making a grand entrance.
Their prediction was right. A few moments later Thor flew inside with his hammer and did some fancy tricks with it, making everyone cheer for him.
"Oh, please." Lady Sif rolled her eyes and groaned.
Thor took no notice of his friends' reaction and continued to make people cheer for him. In Sylvia's opinion, Thor had no need to do this at all, he was already the one with most of the attention in Asgard, while Loki had none.
When the God of Thunder finally finished his show, he held up his hammer as if to show everyone that he was "worthy", before turning to his father, Odin.
The Allfather grinned at his favored son and started the ceremony.
"Thor Odinson," Odin started, "my heir, my firstborn. So long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolnir, forged in the heart of a dying star, its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy, or as a tool to build. 'Tis a fit companion for a king.
"I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms, from the time of the great beginning. Though the day has come…
"Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?"
"I swear." Thor boomed.
"And do you swear to preserve the peace?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear, to cast aside all selfish ambition, and to pledge yourself only to the good of the Realms?"
"I swear!"
"Then, on this day…"
Sylvia sensed something she wasn't sure of, and Odin went on.
"…I, Odin Allfather,
"proclaim you…" He suddenly paused and looked up.
"The Frost Giants!"
"The weapons vault." Sylvia hissed to the Warriors Three and rushed downstairs with them. When they arrived, the just caught a glimpse of a large silver figure vanishing into the fog.
At the entrance were three large blue bodies on the floor. Dead.
"The Jotuns must pay for what they've done!" Thor roared as they went back to the hall. He was in anger for his big day ruined.
"They have paid, with their lives." Odin said, "The Destroyer did its work. The Casket is safe, and all is well."
"All is well?" Thor repeated, "They broke into the weapons vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics…"
"They didn't."
"Well, I want to know why!"
"I have a truce with Laufey, King of the Jotuns."
"He just broke your truce! They know you are vulnerable!" Thor was getting hotter.
"What action would you take?" Odin suddenly looked older.
"March into Jotunheim as you once did." Thor said as if it was obvious, "Teach them a lesson. Break their spirits so they'll never dare try to cross our borders again."
"You're thinking only as a warrior."
"This was an act of war!"
"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail."
"Look how far they got!"
"We will find the breach in our defences and it will be sealed."
"As King of Asgard…"
"But you're not king!" Odin snapped, "Not yet." Then without another word he stormed off.
Loki, Sylvia, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three walked to Thor's side. They've been listening to the whole argument.
"It's unwise to be in my company right now, Brother." Thor said as Loki approached, "This was to be my day of triumph."
"It'll come." Loki said, "In time."
"What's this?" Thor looked surprised with Loki saying this to him.
"If it's any consolation, I think you're right." He went on, "About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate Asgard's defences once, who's to say they won't try it again?"
"Next time with an army."
"Exactly."
"There's nothing you can do without defying Father." Thor said thoughtfully, "No, no, no. I know that look. That's the only way to ensure the safety of our borders."
"Thor, its' madness." Fandral said.
"What sort of madness?" Volstagg asked stupidly.
"We're going to Jotunheim." Sif sighed.
"What?" Sylvia exclaimed in disbelief.
"This isn't like a journey to Earth, where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god." Hogun reminded Thor, "This is Jotunheim."
"My Father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies and took their Casket." Thor defended himself, "We would just be looking for answers."
"It is forbidden!" Sif hissed.
"My friends," Thor began to soften, "have you forgotten all that we have done together? Fandral, Hogun. Who led you into the most glorious of battles?"
"You did." Hogun replied grimly.
"And Volstagg, to delicacies so succulent, you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?"
"You did." Volstagg answered.
"Yes!" Thor grinned and turned to Sif, "And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this realm has ever known?"
"I did." Sif frowned.
"True, but I supported you, Sif." Thor said and turned to Sylvia, "And who led you into the palace when you are the most helpless?"
"Loki did, and so did Frigga." Sylvia rolled her eyes.
"Yeah…" Thor paused for a moment, unable to rebuttal, "Anyways, my friends, we're going to Jotunheim."
"You're going to be the end to all of us, Thor." Sylvia growled but still followed.
"If you don't want to go, then stay." Loki frowned at her.
"You think you're going to take on the whole of the Frost Giants in their home without me?" Sylvia smirked, "That, Loki, is unacceptable."
They rode horses – she still couldn't get why there were horses in Asgard instead of the winged horse she'd seen Valkyrie riding – across the Rainbow Bridge and arrived the Bifrost, where Heimdall was guarding the entrance of Asgard.
"You leave this to me." Loki said as they got off the horses and approached the Gatekeeper, "Good Heimdall – "
"You're not dressed warmly enough." Heimdall said calmly.
"I'm sorry?" Loki looked shaken for a moment.
"Do you think that you can deceive me?"
"You must be mistaken – "He still wanted to smooth the situation.
"Enough!" Thor cut him off, "Heimdall, may we pass?"
"Never has an enemy slipped my watch until this day." Heimdall said grimly, "I wish to know how that happened."
"Then tell no one where we have gone until we've returned." Thor ordered, "Understand?"
Heimdall nodded and unblocked the way.
"What happened? Silver tongue turn to lead?" Fandral asked as he passed Loki's side.
"Be warned," The Gatekeeper told them, "I will honour my sworn oath to protect this realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, Bifrost will remain closed to you and you'll be left to die in the cold waste of Jotunheim."
"Couldn't you just leave the bride open for us?" Fandral suggested.
"To leave the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it."
"I have no plans to die today." Thor said confidently.
"None do." Heimdall said and turned on the Bifrost.
They walked into the Bifrost and arrived seconds later on a cold, icy planet. Jotunheim.
"We shouldn't be here." Sif murmured.
"Let's move." Thor said and led the way.
"Where are they?" Volstagg wondered.
"Hiding," Thor answered, "as cowards always do."
"You've come a long way to die, Asgardians." A very deep voice boomed. It was a huge Frost Giant sitting on a throne.
"I am Thor Odinson!" Thor shouted, as if the name would scare him.
"We know who you are." The giant growled.
"How did your people get into Asgarol?" He got straight to the point.
"The House of Odin id full of traitors." Laufey murmured.
"Do not dishonour my father's name with your lies!"
"And why have you come here? To make peace?" The King of the Frost Giants mocked, "You long for battle. You crave it. You're nothing but a boy trying to prove himself a man."
"Well, this 'boy' has grown tired of your mockery." Thor growled.
"Thor, stop and think." Loki reminded his brother, "Look around you, we're outnumbered."
"Know your place, Brother."
"You know not what your actions would unleash. I do. Go now, while I still allow it." Laufey said.
"We will accept your most gracious offer." Loki said, "Come on, Brother."
"Run back home, little princess." Laufey mocked and the sparks rose to fire inside Thor.
The God of Thunder hit the nearest Frost Giant with his hammer, "Next?"
"Damn." Sif muttered and they were forced to fight.
Thor fought like it was all a game. He smacked the Frost Giants easily off their feet with his mighty hammer and began to boast.
"At least make it a challenge for me!" He mocked.
"Shut it, Thor Odinson." Sylvia growled and used fireballs to hit a few of the monsters.
More Frost Giants ran towards Thor, making loud stomping noises as they were at it, "That's more like it." He laughed and continued to fight.
She finished off the giant she was fighting and turned to see Loki being cornered to a cliff by three Frost Giants. She knew what was going to happen. One of the Frost Giants jumped to take him but went right through and fell off the cliff. The real Loki appeared from behind a stone to vanish the illusion.
Volstagg was fighting a huge giant and suddenly his arm was grabbed, and it began to freeze,
"Don't let them touch you!" Sif warned them.
Loki was fighting with his real body after the incident and his arm was grabbed by a Frost Giant as well, only it didn't freeze, but it turned blue like the skin of the giants. He looked surprised then stabbed the giant, before staring at his arm in confusion as it slowly turned back to normal.
There was no time to think about it. The Frost Giants released a frozen monster. It was huge. A bit like a tiger, but with horns and it was frozen blue. It broke free from the chains and ice then pounced towards them.
"We must go!" Sif shouted.
"Then go!" Thor called back from somewhere.
"Run!" Fandral led the way. They ran along the icy ground for their lives with the monster right behind them. The monster pounded on the ice that made them fell into the darkness under. Sylvia had to use her powers to stop the ice beneath them from falling.
The monster fell with a large piece of ice, and Fandral laughed.
"Keep going, idiot!" Sylvia panted, "It's under us!"
That was true. When they reached a cliff, they were forced to stop as the monster jumped out from the other side of the ground. It advanced on them while the Frost Giants caught up on them, blocking their path behind.
They thought they were going to die when something – no, someone – flew straight into the monster's opened mouth and ripped a whole right through it. It fell down and out of their sight.
"Thor!" Volstagg yelled.
"Show-off." Sylvia muttered.
"Heimdall!" Thor called to the sky as he landed, "Open the bridge!"
Nothing happened for a few seconds and the Frost Giants ran towards them when a bolt of light smashed down to the ice.
"Father! We'll finish them together!" Thor said to Odin.
"Silence!" The Allfather hissed and looked to Laufey on his… eight-legged horse.
"Allfather." Laufey smiled evilly, "You look weary."
"Laufey, end this now." Odin said.
"Your boy sought this out."
"You're right." He admitted, "And these are the actions of a boy, treat them as such. You and I can end this here and now, before there's further bloodshed."
"We are beyond diplomacy now, Allfather." Laufey growled, "He'll get what he came for. War and death."
"So be it." Odin replied. The King of the Frost Giants ran to fight him, but he shot him away with his spear and brought them all back with the bridge.
"Why did you bring us back?" Thor questioned.
"Do you realize what you've done?" Odin looked angry, "What you've started?"
"I was protecting my home." He objected.
"You cannot even protect your friends! How can you hope to protect a kingdom?" Odin turned to look at Volstagg, "Get him to the healing room! Now!" Sif and the Warriors Three rushed off.
"There won't be a kingdom to protect if you're afraid to act. The Jotuns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you." Thor continued.
"That's pride and vanity talking, not leadership." The Allfather said, "You've forgotten everything I taught you about a warrior's patience."
"While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us." Thor was getting angry too, "The old ways are done. You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls."
"You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!" Odin snapped.
"And you are an old man and a fool!" Thor snapped back. Sylvia attempted to cut in but must admit this wasn't the time.
"Yes." Odin whispered, "I was a fool to think you were ready."
"Father…" Thor seemed to have the same feeling as Sylvia and Loki, this wasn't something good.
"Thor Odinson," Odin started, "You have betrayed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you've opened theses peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war! You are unworthy of these realms! You're unworthy of your title! You're unworthy of the love ones you have betrayed. I now take from your power! In the name of my father and his father before, I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!" Sylvia was so shocked by the words that she barely noticed when Odin ripped off Thor's cape and armours. He picked up the hammer at the last words and pushed Thor into the Bifrost with a lightning.
Sylvia's silver eyes widened. She saw Odin murmuring something to the hammer before throwing that into the Bifrost as well.
"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy," The words were, "Shall possess the power of Thor."