{-Alfonse-}

The most they talked about was their plans—or more accurately, their lack of them. They didn't know what they were getting themselves into aside from that they needed to all come back alive. It wasn't like they knew anything about the realm of the dead; their only assurance that they wouldn't immediately die was the fact that this was part of the plan. Everything about it was full of ifs. Yet the only thing they could do was hope they could do something, at least, and keep any more from suffering because of her.

According to the Askran army's predictions, they were almost to the gateway. The only thing that might've suggested it was the foreboding air of this part of the woods, almost like they were being watched.

"And where do you think you're going?" The voice made them all stop and be a bit more alert.

"Let go of me."

"Do you think you're going to try to find them? Can't you see that it's in your best interest if you don't leave Hel?"

"I do not want to stay with you."

Then a woman ran in front of their path. She didn't acknowledge them, being too busy fumbling with her dagger. But they certainly acknowledged her, even if all they did was stare; after all, she bore a striking resemblance to Hel.

Two others followed her and it was clear they were not her allies. Neither of them seemed surprised to see the group—almost like they knew they'd be there.

"Of course you brought them into this," the first remarked. Though he was talking to her, he stared right at Alfonse.

"They're who Hel wants," the other observed quietly. She seemed to be perfectly intend in the other's shadow, but the way she held her tome showed she was ready for a fight. "Shouldn't we..?"

"Remember what she said, Thrasir. We can take care of them after we have an advantage." He began to back away, still maintaining his blank stare. "Oh, and Alfonse? It's been a while. Do yourself a favor and be ready to die next time we see each other, yeah?"

They backed back into the woods again. There wasn't any point in pursuing them.

Anna was already at the lead of the group, but she still seemed to move to stand between the others and the woman. "Who are you and those people that showed up?"

Perhaps realizing one wrong action or response might spark a battle, the woman slowly sat down her daggers and bowed. "I am Eir, daughter of Hel and princess of the dead. The two who followed me are known as Líf and Thrasir. They serve Hel as generals for her army."

"Why do the first king of Askr and first emperor of Embla fight for someone like Hel..?" Alfonse mumbled.

"And what did you do that they were chasing after you like that?" Anna added warily.

"The chains of death cannot be broken," Eir began thoughtfully. "Once a person is bound by death, they can do nothing but listen to Hel's orders. However, that is not the only reason why they wish to fight you… they have been promised something in return if they can win. As to why they were following me… I am not quite bound to the same chains of death as they are. Hel cannot control my actions as she can her other subjects because I am not the same sense of 'dead' as they are. I do not wish to stay in her presence. All she hopes for is to expand her reach. She does not want to simply wait for time to bring them to her. She is willing to commence in pointless shortening of lives—like she intends to do now—in order to add to her ranks. I find that I cannot fight for such a cause. So I…" She trailed off, shook her head, and tried again. "I would like to join you in your fight against Hel."

"How do you know that's what we're doing?" Anna was still waiting for that one wrong move, something that might let her see through an act if there was one.

Eir didn't at all seem fazed by the question. "Your king has fallen, yet you do not panic. You march on to the gates of Hel in spite of the possible chaos there might be in your absence. It all fits a bit too nicely to not be a part of a plan. Am I wrong?"

Their collective silence was enough of an answer for her.

"I see you do not want to trust me," she observed. "I may be a great asset to your group. Remember that I know the realm of the dead; it has been my home and chains for an uncountable amount of years. You likely will not find another offer like mine. I am willing to share everything I know about Hel's intentions and I will not tell her yours. But of course, if you deem it necessary…" She gestured to their weapons. "I offer my life to you. If you think me to be a threat, then by all means, do not hesitate to cut me down."

The most off-putting thing about her offer was the way she said it. She still had that same unemotional and unchanging tone, looking at them with the same near-distant stare. It was hard to tell if she even felt anything at all.

"Fine," Anna sighed. "But don't try to get all friendly with us because it's not going to work. You're here to help us get to Hel. You've got a long way to go before you're with us for any more than that, got it?"

Eir, if not just for a moment, looked happy. "Yes, of course. You will not regret this decision."

They kept moving until they got to the gateway, making one last check of everything before going in. Eir showed them to a spot where they could safely make camp and, not long after, they were all as comfortable as they could be in enemy territory. In an hour, after briefly discussing ways to get to Hel, Sharena, Anna, and Fauna were all asleep. Alfonse was only awake because he needed to be on watch, and Eir was absently drawing in the dirt. It was hard to tell what she was drawing from where he was, but it looked like clouds; there seemed to be two stick figures with wings, as well, though it was almost scribbled out.

"Can I ask you something, Eir?" Alfonse stayed quiet for the others' sakes; he didn't want to wake them up.

"I will happily be of service to you, if it is something I can answer," was her distant mumble of a response.

"Do you know what Hel wants from me?"

She looked up at him and shook her head. "I know that, by killing you, she has something to gain, but… that is the extent of it. I do not know what that something is, just that it must be a lot if she is willing to go through all of this trouble for you. I apologize for not knowing more."

"No, it's alright. I don't know what I was expecting anyway…"

((A/N: I actually forgot to introduce Líf and Thrasir before this chapter.

Eir, my emotionless child! If I could, I would delve right in to every characters' darkest parts of themselves, but alas, I have plans and deep, dark secrets are not part of those plans… at least not yet.))