Chapter 33

Sages and Sagas

"Okay, we have to do that again!" Sayaka said as she landed, still thrilled. "That was like a rollercoaster on steroids!"

"Can we not? I feel nauseous." Kyoko said.

"What, don't like rollercoasters?"

"Infernal devices designed to make me puke up food I've already worked hard to obtain and eat? No thanks."

"Welcome to Asgard." A deep voice said. She looked up to see a tall black man in golden armor standing upon a podium clutching a sword. Awesome.

"Good to be back Heimdall." Thor said.

"I notice that you are carrying the skull of Surtr on your back." Heimdall said. "That would be the safest within Asgard's vaults."

"Where I'm headed right now." Thor said with a grin. He stepped outside of the room and then with a wave and wink to the others swung his hammer, taking off.

"As floor the rest of you, a transport should be waiting at the other side of the Bifrost like before."

"Cool!" Sayaka ran out of the room, and then paused in awe as she saw Asgard. The beautiful golden city. "Holy shit!"

"Yeah, it's amazing isn't it?" Madoka said.

"Totally, I'm snapping a picture." Sayaka said, pulling out her phone. As she opened it, she heard a strange beeping sound instead. The device for a moment became hot, and then the Summon app opened by itself. Then the screen went dark and a glowing red rune appeared, before returning to the app window. There, she saw a new icon added after Ramuh and the Magus Sisters. A strange red horned head.

"No way..." Sayaka started to get what was happening, a second before the text displayed. Ifrit.

Madoka had drawn her Gummiphone as well and was looking at the same thing Sayaka was. "We can summon Ifrit?"

"It would seem so. You're battle with his aspect as Surtr must have forged a connection." Ramuh said. It was then that Sayaka noticed that Ramuh hadn't returned with them after they exited the Bifrost portal. He must had de-summoned or whatever they called it at that time.

"Neat let's-"

"I would advise against that." Ramuh said.

"Yeah, Ifrit's a jerk in this World." Said a feminine voice. She then saw three more holograms appear. Those of the Magus Sisters.

Sandy spoke up. "I'm certainly not interested in having a run in with him as Surtr, if Ramuh's recount was anything to go by."

"Good thing Odin kicked his ass so long ago. He got loosened up like a jar of pickles. A jar of pickles that is somehow on fire..." Mindy said. "Though strange as their greater selves get along pretty well usually."

"I have a question." Madoka asked.

"Speak, I am a spirit of knowledge. I would be happy to aid you." Ramuh said.

"So… you said that Odin is like you, he's been around since near the beginning of the universe. Forming spontaneously as concepts like glory and wisdom took root. But… he has a father here. Bor, and then Bor's father Buri… How does that work?"

Ramuh smiled, clearly happy for an opportunity to teach. "As I have said, we take many forms across many worlds. It is necessary, in some respects." Ramuh's appearance transformed. His appearance changed, and now he wore yellow robes, and had dark skin, looking more Indian in his appearance. He changed again, transforming into a bald man in orange robes with a long mustache. He didn't remain in that form for long, transforming again. This time, his face was concealed by a large helmet, from underneath which his beard flowed out, and he wore incredibly large and loose robes.

Yet again he transformed, becoming something more mechanical looking, almost like a robot of some sort. Electricity crackled across the length of a long pipe he had as an array of lightning shaped symbols floated behind him. Then, Ramuh transformed one last time, returning to a smaller version of the form she had first seen him in. The flowing robe that seemed to glow near the end, a long beard, small horns leading up to long hair partially held in a bun.

She watched in awe as the Magus Sisters transformed as well. The first wasn't too different, their outfit merely changing colors. The second was more drastic. Sandy's clothes became green and even more revealing, a bra and loincloth, mixed with thigh high stockings, that accentuated her more robust figure. Cindy's figure became more curvy, wearing something similar to a short kimono, open to expose her cleavage, while Mindy's clothes became more sleek, a tunic and shorts, mixed with a scarf.

Their appearance changed again, wearing outfits that made them resemble insects. Sandy's was a mantis, Cindy's a beetle, and Mindy's a wasp.

"We Espers are, in a sense, beings of stories. While we can be summoned into a World by those that know the proper magics, we are then bound by the conditions and laws of the summoning. Usually to act at the behest of the summoner. If we wish for more freedom to affect a World, then we must become a part of that World's story. Melding ourselves into that World seamlessly."

"What does it mean to do that though?"

"In entering a World without being summoned, we must become part of that World, called manifesting. This can take many forms. We can be born, or created, or in some cases if were lucky, simply spontaneously appearing. We don't actually have full control over what we end up as, though how much power we impart into it can affect that. Often, we take roles as deities, which might explain why Odin was worshipped once in your own World. Perhaps he was a part of it at some point… I'd have to ask his greater self when I have the chance. Regardless, he manifested himself in this World by being born. Hence why here, he has parents and siblings."

"That's kinda cool! Why don't you do that everywhere though?" Sayaka wondered. "If I could do that, I'd want to see all sorts of Worlds!"

"Manifesting is a major undertaking. It involves essentially breaking off a portion of our self. As I said, to enter a world, we must become a part of that World. That manifestation is of course weaker than our greater being, and loses much of the awareness of other Worlds, in some cases, losing that knowledge entirely. It's not something to be done lightly."

"Breaking off a portion of yourself? That's..." Sayaka turned to see Madoka staring off into space. Her eyes were wide, unblinking.

"Madoka? What's going on?"

"Um..." Ramuh paused.

However, before anything else could happen, Mindy spoke up.

"Meh, we don't need any of your old man lectures on how serious manifesting is. I just think you always want to be the one in charge."

At her words, Madoka seemed to regain focus. "Huh?"

"Yeah, you don't need to manifest yourself as something big and dramatic like a deity. Sometimes, you can just give yourself a smaller form. Sometimes you don't want to be in charge of things, and you'd rather just experience a World you're curious about." Sandy said. The sisters then transformed into the forms of women with the lower bodies if snakes, and hoods like a cobra in place of hair. After that, they transformed into a trio of women in functional armor.

"So sometimes, we just manifest in lesser forms. Sometimes leaders, sometimes average people, sometimes monsters or even entire races or species. Goblin, and King Moggle Mog XII especially like to do this." Cindy elaborated.

"Indeed. Some even become fixtures of the world like objects, landscapes or buildings, or even ideas and concepts, like this worlds Ragnarok." Ramuh said.

"Yeah, Ragnarok's freaking weird, even by Esper standards." Sandy said.

"And that is also why I would not recommend summoning Ifrit here. As said, we take many forms and roles across many worlds, though they are always aligned with our nature. For me, lightning is the element of inspiration. I am the Esper of Storms and Knowledge. My roles are often as guides, scholars, teachers, and mentors. To gain and spread knowledge. However, not all Espers are so benevolent. Ifrit is the Esper of Fire and Ruin. Fire is the element of passion. While that can be embodied as love, drive, and energy, it can also manifest as destruction and rage. Ifrit has been at times a protector, a hero, a savior of the innocent and downtrodden. However, at other times, he has been a destroyer. This is why I say it would be… unwise… to summon Ifrit here in the Nine Realms. As he is here, in this world as Surtr, he is destined to bring about Ragnarok. Fire can create and empower as much as it can destroy."

"That's… that's crazy!" Sayaka said. The idea was just... why? How? "Why would he decide to help people in one world and decide to hurt them in another?"

"We Espers are in so many ways bound by our nature, as I said, we are beings of stories, concepts given Heart and Body and we must act accordingly to what we are, even if we at times might wish otherwise. Free will is a product of mortality, after all. I am lucky in that my sphere is that of Knowledge. The Magus Sisters are the Esper of Cooperation and Sisterhood. Our spheres lend themselves to more benevolent pursuits. Others, are more divided. Take Bahamut. He is the Esper of Majesty and Force. While at times, he can be a paragon of justice and beacon to heroes and leaders, a storm of destruction is in a sense, majestic, is it not? Or say Leviathan, Esper of Water and Changeability. As changing, harsh, and untamable as the sea itself. The ocean can be a sailors greatest ally one moment and their worst enemy the next, after all."

"And then still, there are some espers who are just dangerous, like Shinryu or Shemhazai. Their spheres are wholly destructive." Cindy said.

"That's… a lot to wrap my head around." Sayaka said.

"Hardly. It's people. Some are nice, some are shitstains." Kyoko said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Well people can choose to be who they are." Sayaka said. "If you have to do something, no matter how much you might not want to, or no matter how much you disagree with it, that's..."

She was at a loss for words. Espers were completely different beings.

Madoka sighed, looking off in the distance.

"Maybe this is a bit heavy of a topic. I do believe I have let myself get carried away and droned on longer than I expected, though it has brought us to our destination."

"And it looks like our ride is here!" Kyoko said. "Flying longboats. Of course."

"That sounds awesome!" Sayaka exclaimed.

"It is! It's amazing!" Madoka said. "I love the view!"

"I can't wait!" Sayaka said as she rushed forwards.

"We've already been on a flying ship, remember?" Kyoko said.

"Yeah, a spaceship. Not an airship!"

"What's the difference?" Kyoko asked.

"There's plenty of difference!" Sayaka said, as she leaped into the ship. Madoka and Kyoko filed in after her. The ship took off, flying off of the bridge and across the city.

"Hey, wait!" Madoka asked. "I thought we were going to the palace to meet Nagisa?"

Sayaka's heart sunk as she heard the pilots words.

"No, she's not at the palace. We've taken her for examination at a medical facility."

Madoka couldn't help but stare at Nagisa, as she lay on some sort of stone altar, unmoving, and in some sort of horrific state. She looked like a clown, or at least clowns from the nightmares of frightened children. Her skin was white as snow. Her eyes were wide and bulging, with strange rings of colors, while her mouth had a massive and unsettling looking grin. Orange circles were painted on her cheeks.

If it weren't for her costume, Madoka feared she wouldn't have even recognized her. A thought that filled her with shame. Nagisa was her friend. Did she really mean so little to Madoka? God she was an awful person.

"What the fuck? What's wrong with her?" Kyoko said.

"We are still trying to figure that out." Said one of the women examining her. "Whatever it is, it's like nothing we've ever seen before."

"What happened to her?" Sayaka asked.

"Heimdall finally found this poor girl in Jotunhiem, lying in the ruins of a frost giant village, almost buried in snowfall. We thought her condition mere hypothermia, but she has recovered quickly from that, and yet she does not stir."

Madoka watched as Sayaka walked over to Nagisa. "Hello? Can you hear me?"

She waved her hand over Nagisa's head and even snapped her fingers, but there was no response, even though her eyes appeared wide open.

"Is there anything we can do?" Madoka asked, though she already knew the answer.

"I'm sorry. Perhaps it would be best if you were to return to the palace for now. We'll update you if her condition changes." the healer said.

Madoka frowned, but oblidged. Just one more thing she was useless at...

It couldn't be that simple could it?

Kyoko had lagged behind the others as they walked towards the palace. She had to admit that Asgard certainly was fancy, though unlike the others, she wasn't as naively awestruck by all the gold and glitter.

It was omnipresent, like some rich fuckwit who always showed up in the most expensive suits and latest cars, and flaunted their status every chance they got. The whole thing reeked of desperation. Screaming "Look at me! Look how fancy and important I am!" Dolling themselves up to try to distract everyone from how ugly and pathetic they were. Like a cheap alley hooker drenched in makeup and perfume.

But she wasn't going to be fooled. Nobody got rich without stepping on others. That was the way of the world. Survival of the fittest. As she looked around the palace, at all that splendor, she wondered which poor saps had been at the wrong end of an Asgardian sword. God, Odin, it didn't make a difference. Buncha deities more concerned with power and attention whoring than actually fixing problems.

But again, that was life, wasn't it? Rich assholes wasting their money on five-course meals and designer foods they're meant to be seen eating, where most of that food probably got thrown out, while less than a mile away there was probably some poor bastard starving to death.

Odin was the Esper of Wisdom and Glory. She recalled Ramuh's lecture about the nature of his kind as she looked around at the golden towering palace. Self-glorification certainly seemed like it fell under that purview.

Then, she saw it. That stupidly named hammer, what was it, Mew Mew? Whatever. That hammer that Thor had been wielding, just sitting off to the side of the courtyard. That hammer that could control the wind, shoot lightning, fly, and smash monsters like nobody's business, and it was just lying there. Out in the open, off to the side of the path.

Kyoko looked around. Was this a setup? Surely nobody could be stupid enough to leave a weapon that powerful just lying around where anyone could just walk up and grab it. Kyoko walked up to the hammer, inspecting it. Up close it really didn't look like much. It was oddly small, having a short grip with a strap at the end. The head had some neat looking carvings though that was it. But then again, she had seen this weapon wreck armies and own fire giants.

Ah fuck it! Kyoko thought. She then walked up to the weapon. Maybe Asgard worked on the honor system or something stupid like that. Whatever, if they were just going to leave something as powerful as that unprotected, then it was really their own fault for what would inevitably happen. Looking forwards to her joyride, Kyoko grabbed the weapon.

And it didn't budge.

"What the hell?" Kyoko let go, confused. The thing wasn't moving at all. She tried again, only to the same result. It didn't budge. How heavy was this thing? Sure, Thor was strong, but Kyoko and the others were stronger than normal as well. She grit her teeth, gripped the hammer with both hands and pulled.

The result was again the same. Was this a trick? A setup? She pulled again and again, only to find no luck. The hammer seemed determined to stay put.

"You won't have much luck with that, I'm afraid. It only allows those who are worthy to lift it." Said a female voice.

"Yeah, because some spoiled prince livin' in a golden castle is totally 'worthy'." Kyoko snapped back. She turned to see a middle-aged looking woman standing before her. Her hair was done elegantly, and she wore a blue dress that surprisingly had some armor mixed in to the design.

"You'd be surprised. Thor has had his arrogant and shortsighted moments in the past, but he's grown into quite the hero. I'm so proud of him."

"You talk like you know him. Who even are you?"

"Frigga, queen of Asgard." She said.

Crap. Kyoko was tempted to make a sarcastic remark, but held her tongue. Both because she had no desire to piss off royalty, and also because she remembered that these people were helping them. Rescuing her friends and looking into whatever strange malady Nagisa had. So instead, she bowed.

"Um… you're majesty, I'm so-"

"Oh, don't bother with those empty formalities. We both know you don't mean it."

"Uh..." Kyoko stood up straight, caught off guard.

"It's not necessary regardless." Frigga said, turning towards the hammer. "You were curious about Mjolnir. The hammer is enchanted by the power of Odin himself. 'Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.' It won't allow anyone unworthy to wield it."

"So, it's like the Keyblade then." Kyoko said.

"Perhaps. I know much of magic, but unfortunately little about them. The last time we had a wielder in this realm was well over a millennium ago. I believe it was a 'Bill' or something? Quite the charming fellow, even managed to impress my husband, and he doesn't give out praise lightly." Frigga's expression then became more serious. "But, I can tell that you aren't particularly interested in history. The hammer, the Keyblade. You feel unworthy. Inferior to those around you."

Kyoko stiffened.

"What do you know? What makes you think you know me?! Do you think you can read my mind or something?" She asked sarcastically.

"Because I am a queen? Living the high life in the palace? I think not. I was raised by witches and I can see with more than just my eyes. However, I don't need that to tell what's bothering you. I am a mother after all."

"How so?"

"You remind me of my younger son. Neglected by his father. Always living in his brothers shadow. He didn't have the strength and boisterousness that his brother did. That Asgard so valued. He felt he couldn't live up to the ideals that surrounded him. So yes, I do understand. Tell me."

Kyoko sighed. She really didn't want to. Or maybe she did… Ah fuck it.

"Were… on a quest. A whole… save the universe thing." Kyoko said.

"I've seen my fair share of those." Frigga said.

"Yeah… Everybody else is just… into it, I guess. They just accepted that they're now fighting the Legion of Doom." Kyoko said.

"And you don't."

"I… I don't know. Back in that Mordor place or whatever, I got into an argument with Sayaka. Like… were not the first people to attempt this quest. Nowhere near the first. All the other people who have tried to fight the good fight have ended up suffering horribly for it, or having their victories be revealed to be meaningless. But… Sayaka… she said that even knowing that, it's still worth doing. But I've seen-" Kyoko stopped as images she fought to keep repressed surged back into her head. Her fathers tears, empty pews in the chapel, burning, so much burning...

"Seen what?"

"I've… seen this all before." Kyoko said. Once she started, the words wouldn't stop. "Tried to be a hero. Looked at all that was wrong with the world, tried to change it. My father was a preacher. A really compassionate man, the kind of guy who would just cry at sad stories he heard on the news, even ones that had no relation to him because he just cared that much. And yet, no matter how hard he preached, how many people he tried to teach, nothing was getting better. So he changed his preachings, saying that they should be updated for the modern age rather than cling to outdated ideas. It was amazing. But nobody listened. Everybody just saw him as crazy and left. We tried to be heroes and all it did was tear our family apart. Now, I'm the only one left."

"And now you see it happening again."

Kyoko stiffened. The queen had cut right through her. "I… I want to believe in this. But every time I do, I see my little sister. Wasting away... crying… dead… The others can just do it, just… be heroes, but I..."

"Feel unworthy?" Frigga said.

Kyoko looked back at Mjolnir. "...y-yeah."

"By whose standards?"

"Huh?"

"By whose standards?" Frigga asked. "The Keyblades? You're fathers? Mjolnir's?"

"Well, being considered unworthy by a god-king is a pretty sound rejection."

"Oh Odin." Frigga then gave a mischievous grin. "Just between the two of us, Odin wouldn't be half the king he is without me. In fact, I daresay that if it wasn't for the fact that it was he who placed the enchantment, he himself wouldn't be worthy of Mjolnir."

"Huh..." Kyoko's opinion of the queen shot up a few notches.

"Others may or may not consider you worthy by their own standards, but the World is vast. What's necessary in one place may not be such in another. In the end, everyone fails at who their supposed to be. The true measure of a hero is how well they succeed at being who they are."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Kyoko asked.

"I suppose, I see a bit of my younger son in you." Frigga said, looking somber for a moment. The expression vanished quickly however. "And with that, I may have something to teach you...

Thanks to The Name Of Love for beta-reading and idea sounding!

~Dragonexx