They approached the haven that Sif and Fandral spotted further out past the trees. It was surrounded by the demons, them being held back by attacks from the Rock Trolls from behind said walls. Hati stood next to Thor and counted off the demons in his mind. Merely eight in the field but within the trees who knew how many. The haven was carved into the side of a protruding mountain at the end of the barren field. The tree line wrapped around on all sides and the clearing of which the demons were on was most likely once part of said trees. Despite being able to sense things better than Aria, Hati was unable to pick up the monsters himself. Irritated him to no ends but it was something out of his control.
"You must do better to not shed the bled of our men beast. You will complicate and threaten Lady Aria's rehoming back in Asgard if too many of our men are killed by her hands. You may be riding her body, but it is her body they will see." Thor said quietly, the threat in his voice apparent.
"I will do my worst." Hati barked back, rolling their eyes, "Do you believe me to be such an animal? I care for Aria more than you may care to believe. She has become more than just a vessel for my possession. She has become an ally."
"Just know I will advocate for your demise on her behalf should plans go awry due to your slashing first asking later attitude. She has become my friend, which I believe trumps ally."
Hati smirked and looked at the God bemused. The jealous tone was faint but still there. Asgardians were just like humans, funny little creatures. Aria was just as peculiar. Despite him being able to read her thoughts, she had somehow managed to close off intimate chapters of her book of a mind. He had gotten a glimpse of things when it came to what she felt towards the Dark Prince, but even then it was difficult to be certain of his assumptions. He'd have no clue if this God , or maybe the other, caught the true admirations of his sleeping counterpart. He doubted he'd ever know unless she spoke otherwise. It was something that baffled him indeed. He breathed in deeply before lazily sliding his eyes over to the demons screaming in front of him.
Delight bubbled in their chest as his smirk grew into a wicked smile. He would never not love the thrill of battle and being able to destroy the challenger. Aria tried her best to placate both his desire for blood and her morality but failed tremendously. She always favored morality to which he never understood why. Her want to see the good in others only cost her, whereas he was better suited at "slashing first asking later" just like the God said. Eventually he would get through to her, but alas it would take time that they both had.
"I assume I will be the distraction? Considering I am the only one capable of defeating these creatures," Hati said offhandedly, his crazed smile inching ever wider.
Thor glanced at him sideways before walking forward. Hati chuckled before following him and began to tap into the power that always seemed to be begging to be used. Aria was so close to being able to shoot energy out effectively and efficiently, but unlike him she did not have years of practice. In their hands was now a ball of swirling energy, tinted an icy blue from his influence. He ran forward and pumped energy into her legs which propelled them forward quite quickly. He struck out her arm and watched as the ball flew through the air before hitting one of the demons in the back. It's scream was music to his mind and he continued to shoot energy out; their cries making him fester with adrenaline; the amount of energy being pushed out increasing with every new strike; each demon howling with pain and shrinking away to claw at their own bodies.
Once they'd all been hit with a portion of his power, Hati slowed to a lounging walk before a coming to a full stop in the middle of them all. The demons were shriveling in pain at his feet, their cries mingling within each others. He lifted his hands and closed his eyes, forcing large tendrils of energy to flow from her stomach, up through her chest, and pushed it out of her palms. He opened his eyes to begin directing each rope of energy to wrap around each of the creatures with the sizzling coming from them an unexpected surprise. He smiled as he watched his power wrap around their necks and then their bodies as smoke came off them in large quantities. He began to close his hands in a very minuscule motion and their screams reached new heights. Oh how he loved to play with the souls on borrowed time. Then came the few from their perch in the treeline, and it made Hati laugh sinisterly. How they hadn't known they were running to their death as he willed more of his power to rush and meet the demons. They met the same fate as their kin. It filled him with such joy as he watched them splutter around as if they were fish thrust upon land.
A pounding came from behind her eyes that almost caught the wolf-spirit off guard. He blinked rapidly before closing her fist entirely. Each monster was cut in half right after and their bodies began to dissolve into nothing. He reached up to touch her temples which seemed was the main source of the pounding. He snarled before looking up to find the God walking past him coldly. They crossed looks, one of curiosity and one of distress, before it broke and Thor was upon the front gates. Hati shook their head and breathed out before turning on her heel and walking to be behind the thunder lord.
"Aria? How did you manage all this?" A voice called out to him, stopping him from following the God.
Hati turned around and looked at the man that was his vessels half-brother, the boy's eyes glaring. Hati faked a small smile and shrugged her shoulders, "I've been working on my own tricks. Glad for it because we really needed it out here." He hoped the fish would bite the bait.
He nodded his head slowly before a grin broke out on his face, "Well I guess this means we must spar together soon but, without all the tricks."
He smiled before pushing Aria's head up and down, turning to catch up with the God. Her annoying half-brother followed right behind them. It was almost as if he could feel the fools breath against Aria's neck.
Hati? What's going on?
Oh the human had woken up. Hati now realized that must've been the root of the pounding. Whether she did it on purpose or not he didn't know, but wasn't too bothered to find out. The pain was more shocking rather than unbearable.
I took control. You could not deter the sleep you needed from switching.
Am I not going to be tired after this?! How long have you had control?
At the least, an hour or two.
Hours?! That's no good give it back!
You will exhaust yourself if we switch now. I've used amounts of my power that your body and mind is not used to.
So then when do I get control back?!
When I say.
That's not exactly the best answer.
Hmm…after the mission is complete.
That's too long…Wait…where even am I?
You're in the middle of waking up and still being asleep. You can see what I see and hear what I do, just unable to react yourself. I also cannot put you to sleep in the state you're in.
Good. Don't do that. I need to figure this out…
The sensation of her speaking tickled his mind so much so that it sent goosebumps down the back of her neck which unsettled Hati. Normally it was just hearing her reply but being in control, he felt as if he could feel her talking. No wonder she would flinch when he'd growl. He wondered how she kept composure in certain situations with his growls and yips.
"Beast, come forth and be at my side. We must not let them know you are in control. It will only spell trouble for Aria. Act accordingly," Thor spoke quietly as he slid his gaze back at their form and further, "it is enough that you fronting has caused a physical change."
Hati sneered before walking to stand next to the God, knowing that what he said was true. Had anyone found that Aria was indeed not in control of them and reported it to Odin, then it would only create issues for the both of them. Odin had grown soft with age but he wasn't given his names due to being mellow. Hati watched as the large doors began to open and reveal a creature made of rock standing on the other side. From its facial features to its wardrobe, the troll was pure earth. The creature peered around before making an unexpected sound to where cheering could be heard from a distance. To Hati, if he hadn't known their tongue, it would have sounded as if pebbles fell from a high slope.
The footfalls in the background alerted to Hati the rest of the group was now coming in. Thor walked forward to which Hati followed next to him but a step behind out of courtesy. The troll looked between them both, the beady rocks as eyes following them until they stopped in front of the creature. Thor began to speak in their native tongue, which consisted of clicking sounds. Hati was pleasantly surprised to hear the God speaking it so clearly for it was not a language known by many. He must've had a great teacher.
"We have come from Asgard to aide you as needed. We've cleared the area and the next of the demons and will be sending troops as protection soon. May our efforts combined lead you to reclaiming the peace you seek. Now if I may, I must speak with your leader. I am to make a pathway from our Bifrost to this location, as to supply troops more efficiently."
"As you need, we shall provide Lord Thor," the creature clicked before bowing its head. "We all appreciate what you and your soldiers have done for us!"
Thor shared a look with Hati, and he acknowledged him with a tip of Aria's chin. They then marched forward to follow the troll. Once Thor finished whatever it was to get this to be a Tesseract teleportation pad, they would head back, and Hati would give control to Aria again. At least until he had a chat with a very specific God. By then, he would be able to put Aria asleep and gain a much-needed private audience with the Silver Tongue.
oOXXOo
"So the beast has shown his claws yet again," Loki said while throwing a ball up in the air from where he was laying. The cell gave off a small hum as if to be a constant reminder he was still a prisoner.
"Be careful of how you speak to me, God of Mischief," Hati rasped out as he moved out of the shadows. "You are able to feel my presence differently than hers." It was stated more matter of fact than questioning.
"Oh no, I'm terrified," Loki drawled out, unmoving. "And of course I can, I'm no child. I also know the true color of her hair and eyes."
"As you should be. I hold something dear to you in the palm of my hands," Hati jabbed nonchalantly, leaning against the available pillar, "or I must say in hers. If you are no child then I implore you to spare the act."
"From what I've gathered, this person is someone whom you care for. I call your bluff on ever truly hurting her," Loki clicked his tongue as annoyance fluttered through his tone, "at what ends will this game unveil its catch?"
"The catch is that the game ends now. Aria must stay focused and not be persuaded into anything else. Our lives are at stake on her controlling her powers better than what she does now. The more I take control I'm afraid the easier it will be to lose track of the original. If we are not within the same ability to control our power I will have to be the one at the forefront and she will be but the fluttering thoughts I have. You're right, I've come to care for her and I would wish to avoid doing that. You are a competent wizard yet have merely taught her light shows. This stalling will end and you will train her much better than what you've proven capable. Then your shackles may be lifted with our help."
"And if I do not humbly accept?" Loki sat up straight, his eyes downcast. "What if I enjoy the game we play with each other? Besides, she is set upon her pace. I only give her the tools."
"Her blood will be on your hands. Though already red as can be, hers will cut deeper than any of the others. I am not the only thing that's found comfort in her. You know what, or better yet who, is coming," Hati spoke coldly.
At that his eyes slid over to Hati, the cold look in his eyes instantly melted when he saw the body of the woman. Anger, shock, and sadness swirled in his green orbs and Hati couldn't help the smirk that split from her lips. Though Aria was his most favored vessel and he tried his best to not damage her body, Hati had left the burns and cuts unhealed for the God to see. Call it dramatic but he needed the God to see. Blood caked the remnants of her clothes, most of it scorched from the blood of the demons. Once satisfied with the God's look of broken acceptance, he nodded mutedly and put his hands out in a mock bow. He turned on his heels and went up the stairs, the guards knocked cold on the floor. He had taken a page from Aria to secure a private audience from the Dark Prince. If anyone understood the danger Hati sensed, it would be the one they foolishly locked away. Proud of himself, Hati healed her body and began to search for the sleeping human in their mind. She was dreaming for their mind scape was dark and unoccupied.
He quickly walked towards the room Aria had been taking residence in. Once behind the closed door he went to draw a bath. Aria was indeed covered in filth and her garments were tattered and reeked of blood. Stripping quickly, he sunk the woman's body down into the tub and closed their eyes.
Little human, what do our dreams hold tonight?
oOXXOo
Aria picked up the empty dishes from the table with practiced ease, shoving a chair back in place with a knock from her hips. She walked briskly to the back, dropping off the dishes with Joseph. He was the only dishwasher tonight since the others called out sick but luckily the night was dying out. Aria felt slightly bad for adding to the mountain of dishes but knew she couldn't help yet due to there still being customers.
"Ya know, if you keep bringing me dishes back you're gonna have to owe me a date. I find it only fair."
Aria laughed before hitting his shoulder, "you my friend, decided to wash dishes as a living. It is only fair I bring them to you, I'm keeping you in business."
"I mean fair but, c'mon Jazzy. One date wouldn't hurt ya!"
"Mmm I'll think about it," she replied coyly while winking at him.
She'd been in the small town for about eight months now without any hitches. No one came looking for her nor seemed to recognize her. She had altered her appearance with a blonde wig; having to figure out the best way to wear it on her own was a difficulty she was not prepared for. It seemed to look well enough that no one questioned her about her hair. She also used the name Jasmine Norca and found someone to make the necessary paperwork to ensure no one would question it. Topped with makeup she would normally avoid; Aria couldn't recognize the woman who looked back at her in the mirror when she left the shady motel in which she had been staying at.
She walked back out to the only other table with customers. She mustered a small smile before approaching the two men. She fumbled with her apron until she found a pen and rummaged some more for the notepad, finding it tucked away in one of the many pockets. She forced a larger smile.
"Hello gentlemen, what can I get started for you tonight? As it is near closing, our last call for food is in about twenty minutes." Her fake American accent was near perfect.
The men nodded their heads before looking at each other which made the hair on Aria's neck rise. It was a small town diner on the outskirts so when anyone wearing suits came in, it always put her on edge. Yet nothing ever happened so she always chalked it up to her being paranoid. She tilted her head and kept the large smile plastered on her red colored lips, the hold on her pen tightening.
"We won't be needing anything other than two coffees and toast for each of us. One wheat the other sourdough."
"Will you want cream and sugar out with those coffees?"
"Black is fine."
"Alright that'll be out in just a sec."
Aria widened the smile before turning, her face relaxing into a relieved expression. She ripped the paper off and called out to the chef what was needed before sliding over to get the coffee ready for the two guests. She poured one cup before glancing behind to the table, her brows scrunching in alarm when the table was empty. She looked back down at the other cup and closed her eyes, spreading her senses out around her. She picked up on the chef's and Joseph's aura quickly, they were both too close together to be normal. The other men were hard to pick up, on the outside of her stretch but still faintly there. Suddenly, six more auras were tickling her reach and internally she cursed. She opened her eyes and poured the other cup of coffee, grabbing the two mugs tightly.
She leisurely walked towards the table and looked around as inconspicuously as possible. She heard a pair of footsteps behind her and saw two others coming up from outside the diner. Guns were in their hands. She took two more steps before swinging to the left and throwing the hot coffee in the face of the person behind her. He screamed and reached up to his face and Aria lunged forward to tackle him down. She quickly striked at his head before rolling forward as gunfire poured in from outside. The glass shattered and bullets lodged themselves in the wooden countertops, booths, and the back wall from the counter.
She scurried to the edge of the counter top and ran into the kitchen. Joseph and the cook were tied and gagged, their wide eyes panicking as their muffled screams reached her ears. She darted to their direction and slumped to the ground. Sending energy into her hands she made quick work of their bindings and put a hand to her lips as the gunfire ceased. She looked behind her and heard the crackling of glass being stepped on before whirling her head back to the two people she'd been with the last few months.
Leave them. We have to get away.
I am not just leaving them, they'll get killed.
What does it matter to you? They will die anyways.
I brought the danger here it is my fault.
Stupid girl.
Aria grimaced at the voice before searching where to put these fragile humans. The food closest was the only thing that came to mind and she pointed at it, watching them slowly get the idea. They moved rather quickly and huddled together in the small storage.
"Jazzy, what about you?" Joseph whispered panicky, his eyes glued to her.
"Don't worry…I'll be fine. Stay here and stay quiet. They won't hurt you. They're here for me."
"What-what happened to your voice? Wait no. No way am I letting you go out there! I don't know-"
Aria interjected annoyed, "There's no time for this! I will be fine. What they have can't hurt me. You on the other hand, you'll die. Now stay put and once you don't hear anything for ten minutes then come out and call the police."
She closed the pantry door quietly before turning around as the kitchen doors swung open. She dropped to the ground in a squat, pushing against the silver preparation table.
Two…no three sets of footsteps…
She reached down under the stupid skirt she was forced to wear and found the thigh strap holding her daggers. Gripping them tightly, she waited until she heard one of them close to spring up. Jumping on his unsuspecting back, her right hand pulled up to his neck and slid the blade across the man's neck. She then pushed off him to slide across the table towards another one. His gun raised up and pointed at her, the shots taken barely missing her by an inch. As she slid off she kicked her foot up against the gun, dislodging it from his grasp. With her other foot on the ground she pushed forward and dug both her daggers in his chest. Twisting for good measure, she yanked them out before a searing pain enveloped her right shoulder. Gasping, she looked down to see blood seeping onto the sleeve of her shirt. She looked behind her and saw the panic in the shooters eyes. She smiled before twisting left and throwing a dagger to his head. It slammed with a sickening thunk and the man screamed as his shaking hands came up to the knife in his eye. Blood began to shoot out and within seconds he slumped to the ground.
Aria walked over and grabbed her dagger forcefully, "never shoot a woman in the back. It's never good for you."
She cleaned her daggers against her skirt and turned around to see a man holding Joseph at gun point. Aria froze as Joseph's nervous brown eyes met hers. She looked at the man holding him but couldn't tell much from the masks he wore. His hair was long and parted in the middle, the ends touching his chin. She also noticed the hand holding the gun was made of some sort of metal.
"Aria Czen, surrender yourself willingly and he lives."
"You wouldn't shoot a civie, would you?" Aria bit back, hoping to call his bluff.
It only resulted in the man pushing the gun harder against Joseph's head. Joseph let out a groan of pain before confusion lit his features.
"Woah woah, wait! Wait! That's Jasmine! Her names Jasmine. Dude you got the wrong girl!" He yelled out as his body shook from fright.
"I'm giving you five seconds to put your daggers down and come with me." The man spoke void of emotion, ignoring the frantic calls from Joseph.
Aria bit the inside of her cheek before slowly moving to put the daggers on the counter. She watched carefully before sending energy into her left arm and quickly flicking the dagger at the man's face. As soon as it left her hand, she dashed forward and threw herself to push Joseph away from the man and rammed her body into the stranger. They crashed against the wall with a collective grunt. His gun dropped from his hand and clattered to the floor. The man recovered quickly, his mask broken enough from the force of her discarded blade that she could see one of his emotionless blue eyes, and his metal hand wrapped around the back of her neck. Squeezing harshly, he threw her across the counter. Aria slid across and grunted at the contact of everything on the counter before feeling herself fall off of it to the floor. She pushed herself up quickly and put her hand out for her dagger. She was surprised to find that the man caught it mid-air, his head tilting at what he held in his hands.
He pulled his arm back and threw it at her. Aria moved her head to the side to dodge before having to flip backwards to avoid a punch from the man's metal arm. It plowed through the metal cabinets. She knew she had to get out of there quickly and so she threw herself through the space of the wall that she'd normally pick up her customers orders from. Landing on the countertop harshly, she let herself roll off the side and stood up. The masked man pulled his arm out and turned towards her before disappearing from her view too quickly to be human.
Who the fuck is this dude?
She stayed standing there, looking through the space. Joseph was backed against the far wall with terror plastered on his face. Guilt hit her as she looked at his face knowing that he was only going through all of this because she was here. Because she wanted to try and live a normal life. Suddenly the kitchen doors flew off their hinges and slammed into the opposite wall. The man walked out and looked around before stopping on her. Aria sent energy into her arms as she called her daggers to her hands, turning to face him.
"Who are you?"
"That is not what you should be concerned about."
"Okay then not one for polite conversation."
The man said nothing and stalked towards her. She crouched down into a stance as he approached, readying herself for whatever he would throw at her. He stopped a few feet away, so close that her fingertips could ghost across his chest. Staring at him confused, she wasn't expecting what he did next. Within a moment to blink the man had a pistol in his hand and aimed it at Joseph without even looking. The bang from the gun echoed in the empty diner, but the thump of Joseph's body hitting the wall echoed even louder. Aria gasped out in pain as she turned to see Josephs lifeless eyes staring back at her with a bullet hole now in the middle of his forehead. She watched through the tears that sprung to her eyes as his body slid down, his blood making a trail along the wall he had been pressed against. Aria's heart felt like it was ripped from her chest.
"You're going to regret that," Aria snarled as she turned her gaze back onto the man.
She lunged forward at him while slicing at where his neck should've been. His metal arm took the blunt of her blow without taking even a scratch. She pushed against it even harder before her other hand went to stab at his stomach. Instead, it was met with air as he slid to the side. His knee came up and connected with her stomach and sent her flying back first against the counter. She had little time to recover as he brought his metal arm against the left side of her face, knocking her to the right. She hissed at the pain before sending energy into her legs. Slamming her hands on the counter, she pushed herself up into the air and twisted her body to have a kick land against his face. He flew out the front window onto the street as Aria landed with a thud on the counter. She glanced over to see him getting up slowly before pushing herself back towards the kitchen. Spreading her senses out, she could feel even more people coming.
She didn't stop to look at Joseph's body. She couldn't bare it and so she ran. Out the back door where they would normally go and take breaks with each other. Dashing into the wooded area behind the diner, Aria pushed energy into her legs to make her run faster while doing her best to stop the sobs coming out. Tears finally made their way down her cheeks as her heart began to rip into pieces. Again someone died because of her. So she continued to run till she got to her motel, quickly grabbing the essentials and leaving everything she'd built behind. One day she would find that man and it would be her pleasure to kill him.
oOXXOo
Aria woke up in a cold sweat and pushed herself up quickly. She breathed in and out too fast for comfort, trying to get a grip on her bearings. She scanned the dark room around her as unease settled on her because the darkness shrouding everything around her panicked her more. The last thing she remembered was watching Thor talk with the trolls and create a camp for their troops to be at. It was all foggy after that and they weren't attacked again, at least to her knowledge. She felt uneasy at that information because she couldn't remember anything else. Like what room she was now in. The dream didn't help either; her skin covered in a film of sweat. She slowly stalked her senses out to find no one immediately around her.
She threw her legs out to the side while retracting her senses and got up as quietly as possible. Eyes roaming, searching for any clue to where she was. Her mind was quiet for once. She maneuvered as best she could in the dark as her eyes adjusted to the lack of light. She reached the wall and ran her fingers along the cold surface. When she hit a drawer she rushed across the surface before finding a small box. Lifting it close to her eyes she made it out to be a box of matches. Opening it, she lit one of them and spun the small flickering light around.
She was in her room back on Asgard.
She looked down at herself with a grim feeling, noting she had silk black shorts and a white tank top. Clothed and back home with no memory of doing so.
Home…she thought sullenly, did I really just call this place home?
She then became painfully aware of how thirsty she was. She looked around and found a candle and lit it. She swung the match to put it out and grabbed onto the side handle that came off the plate from the bottom of the candle and moved to her door. Down the hall she walked, her whole body screaming at her for each step. She ignored the soreness and continued to where she faintly remembered where the kitchen was. Voices drifting through the corridor made her stop and blow the candle out instinctively. She pressed herself tightly against the wall next to her, watching as a light began to creep out from the left of her. She narrowed her eyes as she could barely make out her brother's voice.
"It was not her who saved us my Lord."
"Then whom?" Odin.
"I believe it to be the beast lurking within…her body changed my liege. Hair turned to the color of the whitest snow and eyes that burned as bright as the bluest flame. The way she- no the way it moved was predatory."
"Mmm…I hope you hold your head high with honor my son for bringing me this information. We must…" his voice faded just as the light did as well, the tap tap tap of their echoing footsteps further and further away.
Aria's heart hammered in her chest. Odin now knew that she had let Hati take control. He must've sent her brother to watch over her. Thor had said Odin appointed Fjor to the mission...Odin had used her brother to spy on her...What he planned to do with this information...she shook her head at the thoughts of what he could do to her as if they could fall from her mind. She strained to hear anything more and when silence met her for a couple minutes, she slowly peeled away and continued to the kitchen. After stumbling through the hallways for a small time, she found herself in the kitchen finally.
Her eyes scanned the area and she sighed. She began rummaging through cabinets as quietly as she could, cursing silently at the amount of cabinets this place had.
Where the hell can a girl find a fucking cup around here?
"Aria?"
Aria froze as she heard his sleep coated voice coming from behind her. She slowly turned around with her hands in the air, "I just wanted water."
He laughed as if drunk before dragging himself past her and opening a high cabinet, his hand revealing a glass mug. He cocked his head to the side with a smirk plastering his face as his eyes held an amused gleam. Aria blinked before settling her thoughts at his charming face, that smirk of his burning through her stomach. She had to of been red in the face as she took the mug because he chuckled quietly.
"I'm glad you find it amusing. It's not like I've lived here for a thousand and some years to know the layout Thor."
"I believe a simple thank you would suffice."
She blinked a couple times again, her own smile breaking through, "thank you."
"I cannot fathom that a woman as beautiful as you can house such a twisted beast." Thor spoke softly, his eyes boring into hers.
Aria's smile faltered. She wouldn't let him compliment her just to prod at Hati; they were together until death, "He's not as twisted as you've been lead to believe. And if you could see him…you'd find him rather remarkable to look at."
"You can see the creature in its form?"
Oh shit I said too much, Aria turned quickly to the sink and turned the faucet on. "I-I can sometimes." Liar.
"What does he look like?"
The question caught her off guard. Or more so the tone; as if he was genuinely curious in a non-morbid way. She turned back around and leaned against the sink before bringing the mug to her lips. When the water touched them she sighed before gulping it down. Why am I so thirsty?
"He's huge…bigger than any building I've ever seen. And his eyes are beautiful. As if you're looking into a stormy tundra with the brightest sun overhead." She turned to fill the mug again and drank it much slower this time. Despite also wanting to chug it as well.
"So the stories are true…and what of his sister?"
"Sister?" She eyed Thor skeptically. She believed Hati would've told her something like that.
"It seems that he doesn't tell you everything. In our what appears to be now lore, I grew up with them as only stories to scare us as children, he and his sister would bring Ragnarok upon us all if they were to complete their life mission. The only reason they were brought to exist; yours is to devour the moon. Skoll is to devour the sun. Once that has been achieved then it will set Hel free upon Midgard and Asgard will fall to ruins." His voice swelled as he recalled the tale, a ghost of a smile dancing across his face as if he were living through a memory.
Aria stared at him as she slowly processed the information. Not only was there Hati, but he had a sister probably just as demonic somewhere in the universe. Which wasn't good at all. Suddenly the water was not enough to quench the desert that was her mouth.
Hati...we need to talk.
Silence was enough of an answer. She focused back on Thor, his smile still present as his eyes shown at a place that was not here. She hated that she was going to be the one to pluck him from whatever happy memory played behind those pools of crystal blue.
"Your father now knows it was Hati on Nornheim and not me." She stated bluntly, not knowing how else to put it.
His eyes snapped back to reality as he looked at her, "I will go speak with him upon the first rays of our sun."
"My brother was the one who told him."
"Ahh what an unfortunate twist of fate."
"Indeed...I told you it wasn't a good idea that he was there."
"You should've seen him. I believe he made all of our ancestors proud with the courage he showed," Thor bellowed with a dead humor as he laughed nervously.
Aria shook her head despite the smile slowly stretching across her face. Somehow this God could find humor in such a piss-poor situation. It made her feel like they could get through whatever was coming their way as long as they could find something. Hope, humor, companionship. Something other than just accepting the bleakness that comes with all the punches. Instead of doing what she had been her whole life which was just that; in that small moment she realized she was wrong.
You beckoned me?
oOXXOo
"You have a sister?"
Yes.
"And you thought it not important to share with the class?" Aria asked the wolf, staring angrily into his eyes.
The field around them was the definition of tranquility; the wind was warm and inviting, the grass slowly dancing with it. Aria would have marveled at their mind scape had she not been filled with anger.
It was not necessary to divulge that. At least not until now.
The wolf huffed out as Aria crossed her arms and sighed heavily, "well it is important Hati! Having kin out there with your abilities or even just half or more! We need to look for her."
And what will you do upon finding her? I cannot sense her so she is enslaved somewhere not on this world or Midgard.
She bit her lip at his questioning, unsure of how to answer. Aria knew that they needed to find her but Hati had a point. Even if they did, what could she do? Aria wasn't capable of the magic that imprisoned Hati so it wasn't as if she could trap her. And even if she could, she wasn't sure it would be a good idea to have both of them within her. What would it do to her body if she had another spirit trapped within it? Hati's seal was becoming weaker as the days went on but their newfound bond stopped him from testing it to ruin. She doubted it would be the same with his sister; more than likely she would fight continuously until she broke free.
You're correct in your assumptions Aria. While we've had a century to be together, my sister would not be so willing. I have put up with various human vessels, I doubt she has for I have never sensed her.
"So you think she's sealed in something else?"
I truly believe that. I do agree on needing to find her, after all this time she may just be brewing in anger to have been forgotten. Her lust for the sun must be more ravage than my lust for the moon.
"So you still…you still want to devour the moon?"
That is an intricate question with a more complicated answer. While I may still have that primal urge, I have also seen much beauty that I don't entirely want to see destroyed. I've become fond of most things so much so that the lust is barely an afterthought now. I have you to thank for it being so, the first vessel to not treat me as just the demon I am.
Aria hummed before moving to go sit against the wolf, her back hitting a wall of fluff. She pondered over what he had said before a small smile reached her lips. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes as she breathed in the sweet scent of the carnations surrounding them. The scent caught her off guard because it had never been this strong before but it was a pleasant surprise. She let her hands fall to the ground, the grass feeling so nice between her fingers. It was never like this the times she'd been before.
"You know…if I had the choice I could stay here forever.."
It is shaped this way because of you. This meadow is a core memory of yours, I can only add onto the peace in the smallest of details.
"Well, I'd say you've done a fine job. It's a memory but so much more now."
Hati's chest rumbled as he set his head down; the growl reverberated through her whole body. She began to wonder why she really hated him all these years. Maybe it was fear? Or maybe she needed someone to blame everything on and because he had been an unwelcome guest he was easier to blame. She couldn't pin when those feelings changed now that she thought about it. She'd warmed up to him after promising to hate him for the whole stretch of her life. It confused her but she didn't ponder it too long. Maybe that could be thought of for another time but now she was just enjoying the warm breeze bringing the scent of carnations to her. She almost forgot why she had been so angry.
oOXXOo
Aria was woken up harshly. One moment she was dreaming of carnations and the next she was being dragged from her bed by one of the guards. She yelped at the rough grip the soldier had on her arm. She caught her footing before sending energy into her arm to yank it free. She stepped back quickly, eyeing the intruder while rubbing at her manhandled arm.
"What the hell?!" She bit out at the stone-faced guard.
"Odin has ordered your presence."
"Well I can go on my own accord! No need for the rude awakening."
The guard was silent and eerily staring at her. Aria turned and grabbed one of the sleeping robes from the closet, draping the silk robe over her tank and shorts. She didn't have much time for anything else and slipped on some sandals before following the guard. Once out of her room three other guards joined, forming a diamond with her in the middle.
What the hell?
Aria swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to act as calmly as possible. Odin knew Hati had taken full reign and that was most likely why he was calling her. She shifted through the memory of him talking to Fjor late in the night, trying to see if she could pick out anything from what she heard. He wanted to do something but what? Lock her up and throw away the key? He wasn't that stupid. Would he try to reseal Hati? Logically that sounded like something plausible; he feared Hati and loathed him all the same. Odin wasn't too fond of her either, the look in his lone eye told her so anytime she talked before him.
After a moment they were in the royal room, Odin sitting up on his throne with his staff in hand. Two ravens perched on the high top of the throne and their beady eyes were trained on her. The more she stared at them the more she realized that they couldn't be ordinary crows. Thor was standing at the end of the stairs, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
"This is wrong Father! She fought with and for us!" His voice shouted angrily. The statement alone did not settle her well.
"Enough! I am doing what is best for all realms. You my son, are too whimsical. That beast will onset Ragnarok if it's jaws devour the Midgardian moon! It will doom us all!"
Her escort team stopped alongside Thor. Aria didn't dare look at Thor, keeping her eyes trained on Odin. She would not be taken down easily, not with everything she's been through. Odin's lone eye stared back and there was nothing to read from his stone-cold expression. Nothing besides mistrust.
"I have become aware that while battling for the liberation of Nornheim, you allowed for your demon to exact full control of your body. Is this correct?"
"Yes." Aria said coldly.
"Is this the first time this has happened?"
Aria blinked her eyes at his question, remembering the time with Frigga and Loki where Hati had taken control. Which meant he didn't know of their science experiment in his old cells. Or he did know and was testing her.
"I have asked a question child, now I demand an answer."
"Full control like that yes, it was a first in the century we've shared together. But there's been other times where we've shared control in order to save my life."
Odin hummed at the response, his free hand coming up to rub at his ivory beard, "you do realize the danger that follows actions such as those?"
"No because there is no danger."
"Do you want to explain that to the family of the soldier you killed?" He countered maliciously.
"Father that was an-" Thor interjected until Odin slammed his staff down.
"Silence! This is not for you to answer to Thor!"
Aria was caught off guard by the question, guilt hitting her full force. She had indeed killed one of their own, and she couldn't even recall how. Or if it truly was an accident like Hati claimed. She thought to Thor's words of how it could've been avoided. She looked down to the ground in anguish, careful to not let the emotion seep into her face.
No…I will not be written off because of one soldier. I've done far too much to be guilty just for one.
"It was an accident. You should have your soldiers trained better, he got in our way to kill a demon that would've killed him anyways." She spat out, lifting her eyes to the King. "If it hadn't been for me lending control, many more would've died. We were doing our best to protect everyone. Selfishly also protecting my brother. I do not regret what I did."
The silence following her statement was deafening. She shuffled on her feet as she stared back at Odin, unflinching yet uneasy. It was then she chanced a glance at Thor, a smile was on his face.
"Very well. I command you to see your father so he may look upon the seal that binds your demon. He is the only one whom knows it well enough to assess it's ability to continue having that beast sealed. He was there when it was sealed after all." Odin slammed his staff much harder, "if he reports it faulty, we shall see what is to become of you Aria Czen."
She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. The guards turned and shoved her backward, to which she almost lost her footing to, beckoning her to stay within their little jail. She scoffed at their actions before adjusting her robe. She looked back at Thor in time to see his anger flare within his eyes.
"Until then you are to be monitored, and there after."
Aria looked forward and bit her lip to stop herself from saying anything back. She didn't need a group of babysitters. Plus it's not as if they would be able to best her anyways. They continued walking out of the royal room and down the halls back to what seemed her room. At least they'd let her get dressed before taking her to her father. That in itself was something she dreaded the most.
In her whole time here, she'd avoided him. Ever since her outburst while under Frigga's spell. She wasn't ashamed but she was angry. She wasn't sure how she would react seeing him again without the influence but she doubted it would be any different. And now she had to face him with her life in his hands. How ironic.
She entered the room and closed the door behind her, leaving her newfound friends outside. She strode to her closet and grabbed the first thing she could. It was dark pink in color, the top and bottoms a matching set. She slid the garments on in a hurry and began to work on her hair, throwing it up in a messy bun.
This is a slight problem.
You don't say…and now my dad is the judge, jury, and executioner. My whole time here I've avoided him.
Aria, may I need remind you that you're an expert killer. Facing your father should be quite the mundane task, comparably.
Killing is much easier, Aria replied with a shake of her head. Never thought I'd ever say that.
A hard knock at her door roused her from her musings. She took a shaking breath before moving to her door. Here goes nothing.
oOXXOo
The cottage ahead of them seemed to fit her father well; distant from everything and smack in the middle of nowhere. It took about twenty-five minutes to walk to it from her room, maybe even a full half hour. Her stomach was rolling with each step she took towards it. She kept her chin up however, not wanting to look small or scared. No she wanted her father to see her how she always was; in control. The last time he'd seen her she was not anything of the woman she'd trained herself to be and that was to change.
One of the guards knocked on the door heavily, the knocks echoing in her head. It felt like forever before the door opened and her father stood there in all his glory. His blue eyes flowed to each of the guards before stopping at her, shock and sadness filling those cursed orbs. She grounded her teeth together at the sight of his emotional display for her. As if he truly cared and the facade was more than enough to boil her blood. However she stayed quiet, only able to stare back at him indifferent. This time she would control when her anger showed and now was not the time.
"Leave us be," his voice rasped out as his hand reached up to motion them away, "if she is here then I know what I must do."
The guard behind her pushed her forward, Aria catching her step before sending the guard a scowl. She straightened herself before walking past her father, her eyes roaming the room. The door closed behind her and the candles around the place were the only source of light. It was then that she stopped walking, her eyes intensified on something along one of the walls. Her breath hitched in her throat as she stared at the photo hanging daintily ahead.
"Beautiful…wasn't she?" Her fathers voice drifted from behind her. She didn't say or do anything, her eyes just looking at the picture of her mother.
"I never stopped loving her you know…and I couldn't help the grief that would come when I would think of going to Midgard. At one point I wanted to find you after her death but, selfishly I stayed back for my own emotion. I see the wrong of my actions however…I do not blame you for what you harbor towards me daughter."
"Let's just get this over with," Aria bit out while turning to face him, "I don't know what you need to do to check this seal out so, do what you must."
"It should be quick. Just sit and wait for me to gather the necessary ingredients."
Aria nodded and went to sit at one of the fine chairs at the elegant dark wood table. She decided on the one facing her mothers photo; she wanted more time to gaze at it. She sat and stared, her eyes willing every inch of the woman's face to memory. It scared her slightly that her mother's memory was slightly foggy. Did she really have that light brown for hair? She could've sworn it was darker. And her smile seemed much more crooked to Aria but in the picture it was perfect. She wondered what she had been doing when the photo was taken. Who had taken it? Her father? A beautiful sunset was behind her, the pink and purple hues making her mother glow. She felt like she'd seen a sunset like that before but couldn't place from where.
Her gazing was broken by the sound of glass hitting the table. She looked over at the various herbs in the glasses, some familiar some not so much. She shifted in her seat slightly out of anxiety. What would happen if the seal was weak? It had to be considering everything. She used to struggle just to hear Hati, now they were able to completely switch control to each other. There was no way it was fully intact by now. 150 years of it holding out made sure to it. Then again, Aria knew nothing of bounding magic.
"Your mother was much more talented in this magic than I was. She was a great sorceress, next in line to become Sorcerer Supreme. However, when your life was put in harms way, she gave it up so quickly. She said she'd never take a title of such importance if it were to danger you in any way. She was a good mother." His gruff voice softly spoke, a contradiction in itself.
"Sorcerer Supreme?"
"Yes…did she never explain anything to you?" He asked with a glint of dissatisfaction.
"No…she shielded me from a lot when she was alive. Before she died, she apologized for not being honest with me."
"I suppose I should depart the knowledge then if she couldn't," he grabbed a jar of crushed orange flowers and poured some into the wooden bowl, "she may have done so to protect you. Yamilex had never wanted you to grow up in an unstable life. Everything we'd done to that point made life uneasy. I can understand her hesitation in bringing you up in our worlds. Must be why she never told you of me."
"She mentioned you enough in my opinion." She retorted back, a flare of anger at his words resonating with each word.
"Hmph…she was apart of a group of sorcerers on Midgard. They swore to protect humanity from beings not of their world. From what I know, your mother was born into it. She'd been gathered by the Sorcerer Supreme at the young age of five; she was very talented. And only got so much better as she trained with them to the point, she could cast incantations without uttering a word. I met her on Midgard after being sent to patrol the world and we fell in love. When we were expecting you, her master came to us with grave news."
"Those who hold the demons Hati and Skroll are called Sacrificed. The Sacrificed holding Hati was on his deathbed, and they needed another to hold him; you. Born half-Asgardian and half-sorceress you were an ideal candidate who would last much longer as a cell for the Wolf, the other Sacrificed were only human and would need a replacement in about 80 years' time, sometimes even less. Your mother and I hadn't wanted to make you do so, to harbor this evil, but her master then made it an order. She couldn't say no and at the time was approaching the day to be labeled as Sorcerer Supreme."
He continued to make a concoction of sorts, mixing each of the herbs before throwing the mixture into water. He turned and whispered something, and a fire started in the fireplace. Her father then poured the water into a small cauldron and stuck it over the fire. He came back to the table and sat with a sigh; his eyes foggy as he recalled the memories. Aria sat silently, listening to whatever he had to say. She knew her mother wasn't a normal human after the power display in almost killing her uncle, but she never knew the extent.
"So... I was just a step taken in order to achieve that?" Aria asked numbly as she stared at the pot holding the herbs.
"No. Your mother loved you and it was one of the hardest decisions she ever made. It was hard on both of us. Since you harbored Hati, Odin found you unwelcome here until you had control over the beast. So, on Earth you stayed for I was not about to subject you to the training Odin had prepared. Wise King yes, but his methods are cruel. There are things I do not agree but dare I say anything and face exile. When Hati was jailed within you, I was tasked with the job of patrolling the vast galaxy. I couldn't stay with you both as much as I wanted to. I wish now I would have denied the honor, but alas the river of life has rushed by, and I can no longer grace the spot in which I would carve a new river. I wish I could've been there for you…it pains me that you are but a stranger to me where as Fjor…I have made my mistakes and I live with them. I can only ask for your forgiveness in my naivety and hope you accept; but I hold no blame on you for not."
His eyes burned into hers the moment they locked. Aria swore she could've seen tears sparkling in his eyes, her own mirroring. She blinked quickly and looked away, the intensity too much to bear. She instead focused again on the photo of her mother. There were so many things she didn't know of her mother and she used to think she knew enough. As it turns out, she knew very little about the person she still grieved for. They fell into a silence with only the cracks of the fire filling the void. Neither had much more to say it seemed. Aria had no more questions for now and her father seemed more engrossed by the fire holding whatever it was he was making. It was a lot to sort through and Aria was glad for the silence.
Accept his apology hmm? How can he expect me to stow away all the anger I feel? All this time I've been suffering alone…
"I believe the spell is ready," he interrupted her thoughts as he stood up, "you'll be drinking this once it cools. The taste is not welcoming but it will help me when examining your seal."
Aria nodded her head mutely as she watched him pour the liquid into a cup. Some type of leaf floated to the top of the green tinted liquid. It may not taste amazing but to Aria, the smell was very inviting. She hoped it would taste half as good as it smelled. They waited a couple moments in silence before he beckoned the cup towards her. She accepted it and went to smell the liquid once more before letting out a sigh.
Let's get this over with.
You and I both know the results of this.
Is it weakened? She brought the cup to her lips and tipped it back, the sour taste enveloping her whole mouth. That is definitely not pleasant.
Of course it is. We wouldn't be so connected otherwise.
"And now to test the seal. The liquid is meant to dampen your energy to not react to mine probing at the seal. If it were to, it could give me false readings by making it appear more intact. I will begin now, forgive me for any pain that follows." He gently placed his hands on my neck where the seal was, giving a small yet encouraging smile.
Aria closed her eyes and breathed out. She heard him murmur something in a foreign language before a sharp and searing pain blossomed on her neck. She gritted her teeth as it became stronger, pulsating from the mark on her left before moving to the right of her neck. Her fists balled together but she made no sound. While it was painful, Aria had felt worse. The pain resonated throughout her neck and felt almost suffocating, but she endured it. She would not look weak in front of him, not now not ever.
After what seemed like hours, Aria felt his hands lift from the side of her neck. With it the pain dissipated and she felt like she could breathe once more. She blinked her eyes open as the light from the fire and candles attacked her vision, dark spots floating around. She shook her head before rolling her neck, satisfying pops resounding in the quiet room. She unclenched her fists and massaged them before looking to her father. His face was set in a grim expression, his lips a tight line.
That's no good.
"I'm going to report to Odin that the seal remains intact." He stated suddenly, "However, I will let you know there's not much of a seal left. Hati could take control of you whenever it pleases. Why it hasn't done so is beyond me."
"It is because he is not the monster you all think him to be. We have an understanding between us. However small, there's still boundaries." Aria bit out hoping that any surprise was hidden by the almost angry tone she took.
This information was…unsettling as it was heartwarming. To her, it meant a lot for what Hati had said. He had changed definitely, and this proved it without a doubt. Any of these times they had switched control, Hati could have easily taken complete control, but he chose not to. He chose coexistence over utter dominance and to Aria it spoke volumes of their friendship development. She felt a sudden feeling of immense respect for the wolf.
You knew it was weakened and did nothing.
I told you; you've been the one vessel that has become more than just a jailhouse. I quite like it here.
Oh, you domesticated little animal.
Don't patronize me.
Aria smiled while looking down as his words echoed through her head. What once was a dreadful occurrence became a much more beneficial one. She then looked at her father and the smile flitted away. If Hati and her could learn and adapt, maybe they could too. It would take time and an open mind, but Aria knew in his own way he loved her. If he didn't, he wouldn't lie to his king about his findings on her seal. He would've reported it quite quickly if his loyalty to the throne matched his loyalty to family. At least that was all she could hope for.
"If we're done here… can I ask you what you would say are good places to eat around here? I'm starved and don't feel like dining with the royal family."
AND there is chapter 12. This is a bit of a long one forsure and definitely took a lot of time for me to read through and edit scenes. I feel like its progressing quite well though. There a dabble of a lot of stuff that hopefully will be considered great foreshadowing later down the road hehehe but anyways, I hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know what you liked, didn't like, and/or any other constructive criticism you may have! And questions! Again I hope you enjoyed it and will see ya next chapter :) FYI I make no money nor do I claim any characters used as my own UNLESS they are OCs :) Throwing that out there since I don't think I have in like two chapters lol
If you would want to help me pleaseeee let me know if you are willing to read and proof my work! PM me asap as I can use someone elses eyes to look over things especially with my busy assssss schedule. Finding time usually means me staying up late and alas, I cannot forgo sleep just to edit. I am sorry for the slow pace of updating but it is hard to be able to find free time for a project as massive as this one. So please bear with me!
Love yall ~ TheDaringFlower01