{-Ash-}

Alfaðör observed them all as they entered and went to their spots. Loki and Thórr came from behind Him and sat on either side of Him. Freyr and Freyja entered from the right and sat together beside Thórr; the empty spot across from them was meant for Death, though since Hel's death no one occupied it. Nifl, Múspell, Ash, and Elm all entered from the left, splitting up to for two to sit across the other at the end of the table.

"What are you two doing here?" Thórr questioned, a sigh showing she'd at least somewhat expected it.

"The better question to ask is what else Askr and Embla could possibly be doing," Loki remarked.

Ash simply answered, "Lord Askr had other matters he needed to attend to." She wasn't going to mention how she had no idea what those things were, recently only being told the orders without the reason.

"Lady Embla was busy as well." Elm spoke with such a confidence that he must have known something. Unfortunately he was less prone to sharing than Loki was.

"We have more important things to discuss than whether or not Askr and Embla bother to show up," Freyja declared. Her brother's attempt at quietly calming her didn't work and she went straight to giving Him a glare. "Do You know what Loki's doing? I understand she's allowed to have her nightmares running around but she's using them to harm Sh—the little dreamer."

"They're only playing," Loki defended. "I can't help it if they get bored. Or would you rather I send them to the dream realm again? They'll love to be around your precious álfar…"

Nifl scrunched up her nose in disgust. "That's uncalled for."

Loki completely ignored her. "Someone needs to remember who saved you pathetic mortals in the first place!"

"Destruction that you made, if I recall correctly," Múspell mused. "Entire worlds have fallen by your hand…"

"And I'll do it again, if you keep annoying me!"

Elm even joined in. "Such a waste of power…"

"What did you just say to me? You're just a drop of Embla's blood!"

"Yet Lady Embla has graced me with the common sense to realize when something's a wasted effort."

"You—"

"Silence!" Alfaðör's voice made them all still. Ash always hated the feeling; a sweeping of a power strong enough to crush any one of them if He so pleased. Luckily he seemed satisfied when they all calmed down. "Thórr, why is that seat empty?" He gestured to Death's spot.

"I have been awaiting Your command," she replied breezily. "I didn't want to start the process without Your express permission."

"You have it. Get her to take up the empty spot, whether she willingly steps up to the position or not."

"Are we going to discuss it?" Nifl approached the subject cautiously. "What happens now that Hel has fallen?"

"Prepare," was His only response, "and present your champions." He glanced at Loki. "You know your place. Withdraw your nightmares."

"Of course." Loki lowered her head in respect.

He turned to Ash and Elm. "How are the plans coming along in your nations?"

"There are not any—"

Elm smirked. "Wonderfully. It's nearly ready to be executed."

"Excellent. You are all dismissed." Alfaðör himself disappeared in that moment and they all went to leave.

Ash placed a hand on Elm's shoulder. "What are they talking about?"

He tilted his head and stroked her cheek. "Oh, nothing that you won't learn about soon enough. I'll see you in the mortal realm."

((A/N: This happens in mortal time between Chapter 18 and the previous Bonus. Loki's definitely dragging her feet on this, but it's all better in a week or so.

This is the last bonus of the story! Ready to see what that mysterious plan was? Check out Light and Dark coming August 6th 2022!))