A/N: First and foremost, welcome back.
Really not feeling well atm with the flu. Sorry if this isn't up to my usual quality standards.
Second, if this old timer can humbly recommend music for this chapter? God of War (ft. Eivør Pálsdóttir) | God of War Soundtrack, its a proper banger for this chapter.
Be sure to put in on loop. Really fits the theme I was going for here.
Alright. Now that we've sorted that, I owe you all an apology. Been away for awhile again, I know. I've failed you. I'm sorry for that. Forgive an old man for losing his way. Ragnarok reignited my spark, brought me back to finish what I started so long ago, and this story has been through developmental HELL since the last chapter.
Going through three different co-writers, four drafts, one rewrite and I'm finally confident enough to continue this.
At present, I'm writing this by myself again. Probably better that way. Ronin's gone, Dylan is busy, haven't heard from Dark, and Slifer is one of the few co-writers I trust these days. Feels like the whole word's gone graxy.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is almost nonexistent and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts.
I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Now then. Let us continue. As always, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. They're merely tributes to legends right and proper.
And if you thought Odin was a bastard in the game...wait 'till you see this version.
Case in point, this quote sums up the bastard quite nicely:
"I curse you, Freya. For your betrayal, I strip of your wings. Of your strength, and all that you hold dear.
You will never harm a soul, through magical means or physical. You will never leave this realm.
And last of all...I take THIS from you. Your very pride itself, yours to be held no longer.
You think yourself better than me? That you know more than I, the Allfather?
You think this is suffering? No, no, no. Your suffering has only begun.
You are naught but a child compared to me.
YOU WILL NEVER BE WHOLE."
~Odin.
Promises and Curses
That dream again.
Freya opened her eyes and found her face damp. She scowled at her weakness, dashing a tear from her cheek with the back of her fist.
That wasn't what had awoken her. No. Something else had. There was a disturbance in her woods. Someone had tripped one of her wards. She felt it in her bones; a presence strangely familiar, yet alien all the same. And with that feeling came dread. Had "he" found her at last? Tracked her down with his ravens? Would she have to flee? Where would she even go?
...no. If this was to be her end, then she would meet it with honor.
Even if she couldn't fight back against that bastard.
She would at least die with dignity.
Drawing herself up from her cot, she snatched up her satchel and raised her house from beneath the earth with a wave of her hand. From there she slipped outside. A whispered spell untangled the undergrowth before her, opening the woodlands for her once more. Dappled sunlight spilled forth, the sweet light of mid-morning warming her face.
Even from here she could hear the ruckus; the snapping of branches, the shouting of voices, the tearing of trees. Someone was certainly chasing something though she knew not what.
...blast it all. She was going to have to investigate this herself, wasn't she?
Bare feed padded against the dirt. Slow. Too slow. Much to slow.
She hated this form. Missed her long legs, she did.
Was it not enough that he had ripped away her wings? That he'd trapped her here in Midgard, never to return home, to see her brother, or her family? Of course not. Cursing her wasn't enough. Odin didn't care that she'd been rendered unable to harm any living being through means magical or physical. No, crippling her wasn't enough. He wanted to humiliate her. And so he'd done this to her.
For you see, Odin's spite ran deep.
In a final act of cruelty, he had trapped her in this form, leaving her in the guise of a child, a mere girl, a flowering fledgling. And a small one at that! She'd lost half her height! Did he have any idea how difficult it was to cast her spells in such a state? Nevermind living in such a form; tending a garden, anything at all! To build a house?! Absolute arse! Just thinking of it left her seething.
Damn. Damnit. Damn him to Helheim!
Freya's foot caught a root as walked and she went flying with a curse, tumbling into the dirt. Dignity alone kept her face intact. She righted herself with a long-suffering sigh. Accursed little legs. Another slight to repay her oaf of an ex-husband for. If she could just recover her wings she might be able to break the bindings that held her to this weaker, lesser form, this...facsimile. But she didn't even know where to look!
No, no, no. Dwelling on the past didn't help. Focus on the here and now.
Quelling her anger, she followed the noise to it source.
Soon enough her patience was rewarded.
Hildisvíni, her old friend, burst from the brush ahead of her. at a gallop. She spied something wrong at once; the boar was badly wounded, eyes rolling in his head, all but squealing with terror.
"You're hurt!" she held out her arms to him. "Poor thing...come here, let me see your wounds-
The reason for her old friend's terror soon became apparent as a blur of bloody red raced out of the undergrowth. A primal roar of triumph pierced the air, then said scarlet streak struck the boar and took it down like a lion would a lamb, all but hammering him into the ground. Thor himself couldn't have done better.
She had time enough to glimpse blond hair, whiskered cheeks, and wild red eyes.
Clawed hands swiped down, ready to disembowel.
"Wait!" She flung out a hand! "Don't kill him! I beg you!"
The boy froze atop his prize, stiffening beneath her plea. He glared at her, eyes red and wild, chest heaving.
No. Not a boy, she realized. It would be so easy to think of him as young at a glance-but she saw deeper. There was power in this seemingly feral creature; strength sealed and suppressed so much like her own, but whatever curse he suffered from ran far deeper. For all his might his true potential was bound by powerful magics. No, perhaps that wasn't the right word. This was magic yet not magic, a kind she'd not seen before.
So much power. He'd kill her, she realized. He would absolutely kill her if she didn't think quickly.
"...!"
"Peace." she held up a hand. "I mean you no harm."
He snarled at her in response, teeth gone sharp, eyes glowing red.
"Calm." she willed a thread of golden magic his way, trying to pluck him out his rage. "Friendly."
The "boy" straightened with a snarl as her words rippled over him. It was enough. Red eyes dimmed to blue and that ominous red aura around him dimmed.
"Wha?" he blinked, coming back to himself. Looked down at the poor boar pinned beneath his boot, wheezing for breath. "Oh." Touched a hand to his bloody face. "Again?" he muttered to himself, still palming his whiskered visage. "I lost control, didn't I? I'm sorry." he turned to face her with a sheepish smile. "Please tell me I didn't hurt you...?
He sounded so mournful in that instant; the mother in Freya wanted nothing more than to wrap him up in her arms and never let him go. She resisted by the merest of margins. Something told her the boy wouldn't much appreciate that; he didn't seem the sort, certainly not after that display.
...you didn't." she said instead. "Would you mind letting that boar go?"
The boy looked down at Hildisvíni, still trapped under his boot. "He was meant to be our lunch."
Her boar squealed out an imprecation.
"Don't pout." the boy clicked his tongue at him. "I would've killed you quickly. Not my fault Atreus missed your vitals."
Freya grimaced despite herself. Our? He wasn't alone, then. That might prove...problematic. If there were more of his number here, her presence might be well and truly exposed-
"What is he to you?" the boy asked of her, drawing her out of her reverie. "A pet?"
She placed a fist on her hip and scowled his way. "He's my friend."
He seemed to consider her words for a moment. At length, he nodded. Up came his boot. "Then I'll help you get that arrow outta him."
"Good." she granted him a grim nod. "Hold him steady. He's losing blood...
Together, they went to work, kneeling before the battered boar.
"Name's Naruto." the blond said apropos of nothing.
Freya hid a grimace in her work. "...Frigg."
She loathed using Odin's old nickname for her, but she dare not reveal her true name. Not a stranger such as him. Best she use an acronym to conceal herself. If others had found their way into the forest so easily, it would only be a matter of time before others wormed their way in. She'd have to prepare...
Naruto's gaze narrowed on hers. "Strange name. Sounds familiar."
She quailed a little. "I am not your enemy."
"Ain't me you have to convince."
The brush parted behind him as someone else came crashing through.
"Brother! There you are!" A young boy bulled into the clearing, bearing a bow on his back. "I thought we lost you after you ran off. Did you kill the boar?"
Hildisvíni squealed angrily, causing the boy to wince. Naruto only laughed.
...we'll find something else to eat, little brother."
Frey found herself smiling despite it all.
They were siblings, then? How quaint.
But where were their parents?
"Boy!" A deep, resonant voice boomed in the distance, rattling her very bones. "I told you not to run ahead!"
Naruto winced.
Before she could even think to steady herself a great mountain of a man clad in piecemeal armor burst through a gap in the stone behind her and landed before them. His skin was pale as ash, marked by swirling red, his brow dark and stern. He paused. Saw her, just as she saw him. His bearded face drew down in a grimace.
"Who is this?"
Freya stiffened, all her words turning to so much ash in her mouth.
This was a god. She could sense it. He didn't hail from this realm, or even from her pantheon, but he was divine all the same. There could be no denying it. Blood stained his soul. She could see it. This was a god killer. Panic bleated in her breast. If he realized what she was...if he took it into his head to slay her...well. She'd not be able to do a thing about it. Her magic might've calmed Naruto, but it wouldn't work on someone like this.
Naruto swept out a hand between them. "She's a friend, old man. Don't get your boots in a twist."
The man's face grew thunderous. "Boy...!"
The younger lad saved her from answering a painful question with one of his own. "We didn't know the boar belonged to anyone...?"
Freya favored him with a small smile, grateful for small mercies. "He doesn't. He's a dear companion of mine."
A dear companion, one of the few Odin hadn't taken from her.
That seemed to take some of the fire out of the old god. "The boy was following my command. He is not at fault."
"Then help fix this." she latched onto his wrist and dragged his hands down to the boar, replacing Naruto's palms to better steady her boar. "Hold here, please." She didn't give him time to protest. Younger or no, she was still a commander at heart. "Hold, I said! He's losing blood." The bearded god complied with an annoyed grunt and an irritated grumbled stole out of her in turn as they worked. "The last of his kind in all the realm and you try to eat him. For food?"
The younger boy grimaced. "Target practice."
"...?!" Had she still been capable of harming others, Freya would've given the little lad a good hard shake. "Target practice..?!
Naruto made miserable noise. "Didn't know he was your friend."
Atreus gave her a glum nod. "I'm so so sorry.
...no, its fine." She scowled at their father. "Keep that pressure on. The blame is mine. I should've kept a closer eye...
Atreus whimpered a little. "Will he die?
She hissed. "I will not let him."
What followed was touch and go at best. She bid the pale man -curious that neither boy looked a thing like him- to hold the wound closed while she worked her magic. Their father remained unmoved. Naruto didn't bat an eye at it. Not so his younger brother.
The little lad balked at her. "You're a witch...
"I can't finish the healing here." she drew herself up with a grimace. "My home is just beyond the trees there. You'll carry Hildisvíni, yes?"
The pale god hesitated. His sons implored him with their glares. Freya drove the last nail into the coffin of his resistance.
"You're the only one who can carry him." she flung her arms out. "He must not die.
He conceded at the last, taking the wounded boar into his ars.
"This way." She jerked her chin to one side. "Follow."
Naruto did so, forcing his family to do the same. The two of them fell into step with one another, walking ahead of his stoic father and sullen brother. Freya didn't pay them much mind at first. She watched the whiskered warrior instead, glancing at the bemused blond out the corner of her eye. What was he? She didn't know, and she wouldn't have her answers here in any case. Not with his family watching.
So she made small talk instead.
"That bow is a little big for you, isn't it?"
"My mother made it for me." the little lad clutched at it defensively. "Said I'd grow into it."
A most wise mother he had indeed. "I've never seen you in these woods. She must miss you being away from home.?
"She...she's dead." merely speaking the words seemed to physically pain him. "We're taking her ashes to the highest peak in the realms"
Her brow furrowed as they walked. "Ashes...?"
Naruto heaved a sigh. "It was her last wish. Though at the rate we're going...
Their father rumbled a warning behind them. "Boy!"
"I'm sorry for your loss." Freya interposed before another argument could brew. "We're here."
And they were indeed. Her tree awaited in the clearing beyond, and beneath it, shelter.
Atreus piped up first, ever curious, just as Baldur had been. "You live in a tree?"
"Not in it. Below it. A wave of her hand and a muttered spell did the trick. The earth cracked and split as another of her dear friends emerged. Chaurli, a giant tortoise hiding her home from prying eyes. He loomed large over them, giving her guests pause...if only for a moment.
Naruto whistled.
Atreus rushed forward. "Is he friendly?!"
"I promise you he's safe." She said it as much for the boy's sake as their father. Grumpy as he might be, she didn't miss the wonder in their young eyes. "You can touch him if you like."
Atreus didn't need any further prodding. "You won't hurt anyone, will you..
Hildisvíni began to writhe in their father's arms, the boar kicking and squealing She hastened their pace and ushered them inside.
"Quickly, place him on the stave there...
Atreus looked around, noting the single bed as their Father laid Hildisvíni down upon the floor. "You live alone, too?"
Pain stabbed at Freya's heart, tearing the scar off an old wound. She suppressed it. "...Its better this way."
Even if it hurt, isolating herself was for the best, lest Odin try to take still more from her.
A glum nod. "Yeah, father doesn't like people either."
Said father barked at him. "Boy!"
"Well, you don't...
From there it was a simple matter of distracting Naruto's father and brother with menial tasks to heal Hildisvíni. Sending them out back to the garden might have been a touch excessive in hindsight; still it served her purposes. It wouldn't buy her much time, but it left her alone with him. It would be enough. Finally she could bear it no longer. Perhaps it was unwise to speak with his father and brother near, but she had to be certain.
"I know what you are."
"Do you?" Though he whispered back, Naruto didn't look up, still cleaning his face of blood. "And what do you think I am?" He continued to wipe himself down, never once looking at her, never meeting her eyes. "You seem awfully certain of something."
"I know you're a god." she waited for a tensing of his shoulders, anything at all, but it never came. "I'm not sure if you're of this realm, but there's no mistaking it." still no reaction. She chose a different approach. "Your little brother doesn't know, does he? Your true nature. Or his own...
Naruto sighed. "Kratos-dad," he corrected himself, setting a hand on his dented shield, "Will deal with it."
Such naivete. Was he truly divine, or just that stubborn. Freya almost pitied him his ignorance.
"The gods of these realms don't take kindly to outsiders." she warned him. "Trust me, I know. When they find you, and they will, they'll make trouble for you."
"They already have." he raised his gaze, eyes gone dark. She noticed his injuries, healing perhaps, but still visible were one to squint.
It looked like someone had punched him a great many times. She could think of only one god who used his fists.
Sending Baldur after such a boy. Was there no end to Odin's cruelty?
Her heart ached anew and she sensed a story there. Best not to pry. "Then you were lucky to escape them."
"We were." he considered her for a long moment. "I died." she wasn't even given time to dwell on that remark; because his gaze was fixed firmly on her again. "Seems we're both in the same boat...Freya."
Her very soul stilled. She "I haven't the foggiest idea what you mean-
"Stop that." His fist struck the wall, producing a harsh crack. "Do not...lie to me."
She didn't dare after that display. Rather than deny, she sat before Hildisvíni and began to stroke the boar's battere dhide. "What gave me away?"
Naruto plonked down beside her.
"I had my suspicions." Here at last his eyes met her, gaze biting deep. "You used magic to calm me back there. I felt it. A normal witch couldn't do that. That was the power of a god, however weakened it was. And those spells just now, you're wholly in tune with nature. I may look dull, but I know my stories, and I read all bout The Queen of the Valkyries when I was younger. Although," and here a wry smile curved his lips, "I didn't think you'd be quite so young in person."
Anger loosed her tongue. "I did not CHOOSE to look like this-
"Aha." he gave her a rueful grin. "So it IS a curse, then. You just confirmed my theory. Thanks for that."
Freya's face closed down. Clever boy. Dangerous boy. He'd sussed her out in an instant. She'd best be wary of him. Were she wiser and not so desperate for allies, she would have fled by now. But she was desperate. And besides, this irascible rascal had caught her eye. He proven himself to have a sharper wit than his younger brother, and more approachable than his "father". Moreover that power of his; it was potent. She could sense it even now, pulsing in his stomach, beating in time with his heart. It went well beyond anything she'd ever felt from the Allfather.
The power to kill a god.
Could such strength slay Odin...?
...perhaps," she began slowly, choosing her words with infinite care, "The two of us can reach an accord.
"How so?"
"You seek to be free from the chains binding you. Just as I do mine." when he didn't challenge her, she barreled onward. "We both have no love for the gods of this realm. Our goals align."
"Sure." His elbow jostled hers. "Whatever you say, short stuff."
Freya twitched. "I beg your pardon? I am not short!"
"Sorry," Naruto set a hand to his ear, "couldn't hear you down there."
"Impudent...!" she scowled up at him. You're only a head taller than me!"
He waggled a brow at her, a prankster even now. "Only~?"
She scowled. "You're being an ass."
"I'm trying to cheer you up, is what I'm doing." He laughed it off. "You can give me a good smack if you like. Don't mind."
Any mirth she might've felt died in that instant "...I cannot.
He laughed, not comprehending. "Sure, you can."
"You misunderstand. I can't."
His eyes widened with realization. Clever, clever boy. He really "Another curse, then?"
"Among other things." she looked away with a bitter smile. "I am a shadow of what I once was. As, I suspect, are you."
"Dunno about that." Naruto shrugged, leaning against the wall. "My memories are fuzzy at best." a hand rose and he gazed at it as though it were foreign to him. "Even if they weren't, I don't think they'd change who I am now. I want to protect those close to me." a pause followed, as he considered something. "These curses of yours...do they preclude you from having friends?"
Her lips pursed. "They do not, no."
"Aha! Well, there you go. Lets be friends."
Freya barked a laugh at that. "Demanding boy."
"Admit it," he snickered in return. I'm growing on ya."
"Indeed you are." she sighed, but the sound lacked rancor. "Like a tumor...
A/N: Didn't see that coming, did you?
Cursing Freya like that, It strikes me as something Odin would do. He's a spiteful, petty bastard.
Really not feeling well atm. Sorry if this is short.
Hope this hints at my potential game-plan going forward.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore.
Holidays are her, and my free time is limited to the extreme now. As such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews!
POTENTIAL ones!
(Previews)
"That...is a big snake."
"So you're supposed to be queen of the Valkyries, eh? I met a Valkyrie. Her name was Eir.
That girl's still alive...?
Eir struggled. She could feel the corruption eating away at her. For every soul she saved, Valkyrie or no, she had her limits.
"Aye, lad. That's the long and short of it. Wait." Mimir blinked. His eyes bulged. "You're sweet on her...!"
Naruto clapped a hand over his mouth. "Shhh! Not another word"
Mimir's laughter was muffled against his palm.
"You seem like a calm and reasonable person." The hooded man smiled at him. "Are you...a calm and reasonable person?"
"What are you-no, nevermind that! I don't have time for this! Move! They need me! I have to-
A hand closed around his shoulder. "'M'fraid I can't let you pass, boy."
He yanked back him backwards.
The world blurred.
"ODIN!"
The chains snapped.
"Get up!" Another sparking hammer blow rocked his world, turning everything red. "I'm not leaving until I see the real you!" His head snapped back, spitting blood. "What's wrong?!" Still the onslaught continued. "You think you can burn everything, latch onto a family, get a clean slate?" A tooth whistled free as he decked him across the face. "That ain't how it works. We both know you're not some weakling. You're better than that." a kick launched him away, only for a hand to catch his ankle and sent him slamming down.
"I know it. I can see it in your eyes." The hammer hurtled after him, flung with intent to bash his skull in. "YOU'RE A DESTROYER! LIKE ME!"
A clawed hand caught the hammer. Red eyes narrowed. "...I know."
The hammer was heavy. Terribly so. Yet here in this instant, he could hold it back. He'd always known, hadn't he...?
His foe only laughed and recalled the hammer back into his waiting hand.
"There he is. That's my boy. Now fight like you mean it!"
Scarlet light swelled around him. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
"With an attitude like that, you just might!"
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore.
Holidays are her, and my free time is limited to the extreme now. As such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work!
R&R~!