Revamped!

Chapter 124: What Happened in Asgard Part Twelve

Months Ago - Hel

Hela puts her hands on her hips, displeased with the sudden and impolite entrance. "This is my realm and I don't recall extending you an invitation. I expected you later and in a different state but you claimed guest rights after abolishing my fleet so welcome."

She opens an arm out as a welcoming gesture, showing off her realm. Even when the skeletons were put together and fighting, the realm wasn't attractive. Everything was shades of black and grey, dusty and dead, sharp and jagged. The environment is a hazard. Nothing in the realm is alive except for them. They couldn't speak for Hela.

"Ah, yes," Hela says. "It's not much to look at but why should your future graves be attractive? You'd be corpses." She glances at Apollo and Sigyn who are silent. Then, her eyes go towards Freya. "Possibly not your grave, darling. You might be blessed enough to go to Valhalla."

Hela caresses a lock of Freya's long hair. Freya stares at her for a second before pulling back. She isn't scared but she wasn't comfortable.

"You were expecting us - or expecting them?" Freya asks.

"Yes," Hela replies, "mostly after Ragnarök, but I assumed they might show up beforehand. Again, not this soon. I won't kick you out. Apollo did claim guest rights." Her eyes look towards Apollo and Sigyn and she smiles in an eerie nostalgic way. "Oh, my, I haven't seen you two since you were babies…"

"Babies?" Sigyn questions, a little weirded out.

Hela nods. "Loki and Amora kept you here for a bit before he took you away and Apollo was born here. How is your dear mother?"

"Fine…" Apollo mutters. He doesn't want to bring up his mother knowing how much his birth traumatized her.

"We were born and will live the afterlife here…" Sigyn mutters sourly. "How fascinating. The circle of life is ironically the circle of death in our cases."

"Hela," Apollo says, focusing back on The Goddess of Death and ignoring his cousin. "Aside from your army cleaning out Midgard, what's your involvement in Ragnarök?"

"I was a part in making Ragnarök," Hela says. "The other gods and I discussed our roles and our prophecies. Not only would I be your keeper in the afterlife if it goes to plan, but The Midgard Serpent is my pet. I placed it there when the gods created Midgard."

An uncanny smirk crawls on her face like fear on the surface of Apollo's skin. Not only was he in the realm of his birth and his soul's final destination, but he's in the presence of someone who created Ragnarök and The Midgard Serpent. His fear responds in anger, gripping the handle of his axe.

"Stop Ragnarök or I'll kill you!" Apollo orders.

Hela doesn't react to his weapon, threat, or the building storm. She glances at the sharp blade before locking eyes with Apollo.

"Dude!" Sigyn yells, lowering his arm and the axe along with it. "We didn't come here to kill her!"

"No, you and Freya didn't come to kill her. I'll kill anyone involved with Ragnarök!"

"Perfect!" Hela folds her hands together. "You're involved in Ragnarök and so is Sigyn. The Gods will love to hear that."

Apollo's mouth dries up and he's lost for words. Sigyn's face pales. Hela smiles at them.

"Ragnarök must happen," Hela says, sounding like The Norns themselves.

"No!" Apollo yells.

"Let me finish," Hela states. "You Asgardians are always so brash that you fail to listen to reason. The Gods originally intended for a newly purified world to come at some point. I had no interest in pursuing that because if the mortal and Asgardian worlds needed purifying, then they don't deserve a world they'll ruin again. Makes sense, right? They're dishonourable, hence my realm. The Gods and I disputed so we decided to fight it out when the time comes. That's Ragnarök. It serves to be a test to see if those lives deserve a rebirth. We had the chance to nominate our champions to represent us in the final battle. The Gods picked Apollo for being born of Asgardian royalty and Midgardian, a being of both lives."

"Then why am I involved?" Sigyn asks.

Hela shrugs, keeping her grin. "Lots of reasons, my darling. You already had a prophecy separate from Ragnarök that can't happen if Apollo is already dead. He has to stop you before sacrificing himself."

"Stop me from what?"

"You tell me."

Sigyn pauses. She has a plan to make Ragnarök happen but Apollo wouldn't kill her to stop her from making that happen. He wants to avoid Ragnarök or fight against The Midgard Serpent. He also wants to protect her, right? Not to the same extent as his life but his intentions still exist, right? Is it possible that he's so desperate to get his way that he would be willing to kill her? The scary part is that she has to ask herself.

"That sucks…" Sigyn mutters.

"Sounds like it doesn't," Hela responds.

Sigyn narrows her eyes at her. There are more reasons for her involvement but she won't get them from Hela.

"But that still doesn't answer why Apollo has to be the one to kill Sigyn," Freya says.

"Nothing is ever truly answered…" Hela mutters, circling them. "But in the Gods' defence, they never pictured Thor and Loki to be on friendly terms with one another let alone have Thor take Sigyn in. They've already tampered against their ancestors. In a perfect world, Sigyn would have teamed up with me but she became too Midgardian…"

Sigyn feels tears start to form in her eyes. She inhales a shaky breath and slowly exhales.

"What do you expect to find here?" Hela asks them.

"Stop Ragnarök," Apollo begs softly. "Please. I'm not a champion. I'll leave your pet alone if it returns the favour."

"Darling, if you want to stop Ragnarök, don't start it."

"But I still don't understand how I'm supposed to start it."

"You'll start it when you're ready."

"What does that mean?"

"Self-awareness."

"That's not helpful."

"Perfect," Hela states. She pulls back her hair and bunches it behind her head, forming a headpiece more extravagant than a crown. It resembles the dead and tangled branches on Hel's trees.

And again, Sigyn is amazed. "Can you teach me that?"

"You have a crown?"

"It's not mine, but you should see me in it."

Sigyn mimics Hela's trick and her hand glow with her magic. Instantly, The Serpent Crown appears on her head and Apollo whacks it off. Sigyn shoves him and goes to pick it up, checking it for damage and dusting it off. Apollo glares at her and Sigyn makes a portal with one hand and throws the crown through it. When her portal closes, she brushes her hands off on her dress.

"Is it back home?" Freya asks.

"Yes," Sigyn grins.

"Has my father been here?" Apollo asks, focusing back on Hela.

"No," Hela replies. "After your birth, Thor would never visit Hel. I encourage Ragnarök so I wouldn't help. But you and I, Apollo, are on the same page. I believe in your desire to fight The Midgard Serpent."

Apollo looks up. He's confused but feels hopeful. "You do? Even if it's yours?"

Hela nods. "My Serpent has a vulnerability that I can't fix. If given the chance, I would've chosen you as my champion."

Before Apollo could exclaim out of joy, Freya pulls him to the side, excusing them. Hela nods, smiling to herself as she gives them their space.

"See, Hela wants us to fight!" Apollo whispers excitedly at her.

"I'm not saying that you don't have a chance but she's only saying that because she'll have a higher chance at winning with those odds," Freya replies, looking at Hela before facing Apollo again. "Hela's manipulating you, playing with your ego."

"How could you say such a thing?!"

"Haven't you been listening?! She's your antagonist. The Midgard Serpent is hers."

"But I will win."

Freya grunts. "You won't! Put your pride away for one second and trade it for common sense."

Their argument stops when Sigyn fails to hold back laughter. Hela unexpectedly laughs at them as well.

"I haven't been this entertained in centuries," Hela beams. "I applaud you, Ragnarök participants, for bringing a smart one since you're both so stupidly ignorant. She should've been the chosen champion instead."

Sigyn's offended that she got called stupid and ignorant as Apollo gets defensive over Freya. Hela coos him sarcastically as she pats his head with one hand and Freya's with the other.

Hela looks at Sigyn and saunters over to her.

"You, Daughter of Evil," she points at Sigyn, "it's interesting to see that you two are working together. The son of Thor and the daughter of Loki, the latter destined to die at the hands of the former - her cousin who is like a brother. My, my, Ragnarök makes strange allies."

"We're not allies," Apollo tells her. "Well, we're barely allies. I'm not sure at this point."

"Doubt that…" Hela mutters.

"I'm not my parents. I'm my own being," Sigyn says.

"I know. I heard what you did to your mother."

"You know?"

Hela nods. "Every realm knows. Thor had to consult his officials about acquitting you for a vengeful murder and a power grab. Maybe that's why you're destined to die at Apollo's hand. They knew from the start that you would execute her. A life for a life, it's as simple as that. You're not as innocent as Thor believes you are. Amora's spirit is here if you'd like to say hello."

Sigyn shakes her head, her voice starts to tremble. Maybe if she didn't kill her mother all those years ago, her hands would've been washed clean. She lost control of her emotions and power, causing chaos. The Gods must've known she would have done that. Why else would her name be scrawled in Ragnarök?

"I'm good," Sigyn mutters in response to Hela's offer.

"You know very well that because of your blood -"

Sigyn's voice hardens. "Quit talking and help us!"

Hela pauses before smiling sourly. "On your exterior, there's nothing, not even the dread of death. You're just like Loki and Amora. They're such persuasive speakers: one moment flattering, threatening the next."

Sigyn swallows her trembling fear. "You're wrong, Hela. I'm not siding with Apollo. I want Ragnarök to happen as it's written."

Hela tilts her head a little in disbelief, shaking it. "Lies, lies. Alhough I can't tell if you're lying to me, Apollo, Freya, or to yourself. Be mindful that stretching the truth always does more harm than good. You didn't choose to be created. The Gods believed that your mixed heritage of magic could ironically bring something good, that the power inside of you might be turned into a better purpose. The same theory applies to Apollo being Asgardian and Midgardian. Now, you're both screw-ups which is why they destined you to die so the rest of the realms could live. What a waste of strength and power…"

[Was Hela being truthful in her words? Will she be of any assistance?]