Aria breathed in deeply before opening the door and going down the steps. She could hear the clamoring of people not too far from her yet she didn't hear him at all. She reached up and pulled her hood further down her face but knew she didn't need to hide from the guards. She could just put them to sleep again. Reaching the last of the steps, she glanced up at the backs of the guards and whispered the word sleep while walking past them. Their bodies slumped down with loud thuds. She walked a few strides away from them before stopping at his cell. She now noticed how much larger than the others it was, the golden glow from the magical wall hitting her boots and leggings. She remained still in front of it, figuring out what she wanted to say. He didn't need her words and she doubted he wanted to hear them, but this was a visit more for herself than for him.
"Oh brother, come to visit me in the depths of the underworld?"
She swallowed the lump in her throat before pushing the hood down from her head, her eyes pushing up to watch the smirk disappear from his face. He stood straighter and bowed mockingly, the smirk reappearing. She narrowed her eyes at the show before sitting down on the floor and crossing her legs. He did the same.
"Why have you come? I did not expect another visit after how our last one ended," he asked.
"I came to apologize for just that."
"Apologize?"
"Yes. I was…not within my right mind when I was here with you and so I acted out in a way that was not myself."
"Was my mother behind that?"
Aria cocked her head at his question, her brows creasing in confusion. How did he know?
"I can tell the tales of my mother's spell work from miles away…suspected it the moment you sat down here yesterday. For the small time I've known you, composure seemed your specialty."
"It still is. Hence why I am now tying up the now loose ends that were damaged by her spell."
"Damage? As if you hurt my nonexistent feelings. If anything, you just made yourself a fool."
"Damage to myself. I let you get under my skin and I refuse to leave it at that."
"You are weak."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me correctly. Weak. Insufferable. Childish. I would not have come seeking acceptance for such an outburst like a child seeking their mothers love after a small dispute. Yet here you are."
"Your words do nothing to me now. I don't need your acceptance Loki. I'm here to speak and you will be here to listen. Whether you choose to reply is on you but I owe this more to myself than anyone else." Aria stated blandly as she stared at him, smirking at the loss of his smirk, "And it's not like you have a choice in the matter. Being caged and all."
"Is that humor I hear? My mother's spell must've hit each root inside, I can say you're a whole new woman." He sneered as he looked away.
"You're right, it did and I am. Regardless, I am sorry. Genuinely…my anger then was misdirected at you and it stemmed from jealousy."
He stared at the wall to her right, not budging. But even she could see the twitch in his eyes when they moved to faintly glance in her direction. When Loki didn't move or say anything, she decided it was her best chance to continue her apology.
"You were right about my father. And right about me not knowing what you've been through. There's no mistake in that. I tried to force my grief and my experience onto you and that isn't fair. While similar, our situations are different. For years I thought myself a monster…in some cases I still do. I have never been comfortable in my own skin unless I'm killing or hurting someone or something. I think that classifies me a monster, no?" She paused and breathed out slowly, watching him intensely, before going forward, "Not being useful enough, not being good enough for a mission…it drives me insane and then I come to find out not even my 'death' was grounds for my father to come find me…well your mother's spell brought out the worst of my emotions regarding that. And I took it out on you; someone who doesn't know loss. Who doesn't know the hopeless and helpless feelings I've had to endure. It wasn't fair of me to try and make you see what I do when it comes to your…situation. So I apologize."
"I don't find you as useless or as monstrous as you think of yourself."
Aria's eyes widened slightly at his words and her mouth shut instantly. She studied him, waiting to see what he would say next. Nothing twitched. Nothing moved. She looked him up and down as anticipation of what he could say thrummed alive. She didn't know why his words had such of an affect, nor did she ponder it. She opened her mouth to say something but was stopped short when his words hit her ears.
"I forgive you."
"You...forgive me?"
"Not fully, not just yet. I am much more fond of actions as an apologetic delivery rather than words… and I believe I have an offer the both of us may benefit from…"
"Of course there's something." She muttered astounded at the individual in front of her, "What do you want?"
"Simply to train you."
"What?" She asked taken aback.
"You may be Asgardian but you're as dull as a Midgardian, pathetic really."
"This dull Midgardian bested you."
"Only because I let you."
Aria huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest, anger flaring at the smirk that etched itself back on his perfect face. His eyes swirled around to see her, his hands going up in mock surrender. She stared at him and hoped annoyance was prevalent. She doubted it though because she was more intrigued with his offer.
"What do you mean by train me?"
"There is magic within you…I've felt it. You have raw power little one. And you don't even use it correctly."
Aria narrowed her eyes and bit on her bottom lip, staring at him. She saw the glint in his eyes and the smirk grow more crooked, what game was he playing?
"Okay I'll bite. If I do agree, how do you think I'll manage that? You're a high prisoner of Asgard and I've only been here for a couple days. It's not as if I have anything to run with."
"Talk with my mother. She will be beyond herself for enchanting you and will do anything to befall herself in your good grace. She might be the only way to get through to Odin. Then will your apology be fully accepted." He sat smugly. Oh how she wanted to wipe it off his face, "And if all fails, we know you can just walk in here anyways no?"
"Silver tongue fits you swell. I can't believe you're using me to get out of this cell," Aria breathed out as she crossed her arms as a ghost of a smile worked her mouth, "but I'll try. I don't know the whole scope of my powers and if you can help me figure that out then...sure."
"Excellent."
Aria nodded her head and stood up silently before throwing her hood over the top of her head. She looked at Loki for a long moment and with a small chuckle turned away and walked towards the stairs.
He has no idea what we're capable of.
Neither do I and it's not like your fond on teaching me. You and your secrets.
If I were to teach you, I would need control.
That's not happening unless there's dire need.
Silly girl.
Aria pushed the door open, annoyance drifting to the forefront of her mind. But it wasn't her feeling it. She stopped mid-stride and looked at the mirror that was hung on the wall to her left. She watched horrified as her eyes were the same color of Hati's, swirling with the emotion that had stopped her. She shifted and moved closer to the mirror as she focused on her now blue eyes. Her hand came up to her reflection, fingertips ghosting over her irises. She blinked a couple times and the blue was replaced by her normal emerald, the annoyance now gone from her. She swallowed heavily and stared into the mirror at herself.
How? What was that?
The silence was deafening and Aria growled internally at Hati. She knew things within them were changing but she didn't know the scope of the change. It led her to wondering if he would be able to just take control one day, instead of being on the sidelines. She felt bad for him of course, but never let go of the idea that he would be walking carnage no matter the planet they were on. His nature was to destroy and demolish, good or bad. Aria planned to never let him have full control. She was afraid he'd never let her back.
Well this day is just one big fuck you to the face isn't it?
oOXXOx
"I can't."
"You can but lack the focus."
"I've never thought of shooting energy out!"
"Well, you've never had such a handsome and superior in magic like I teaching you. Everything you know is due to trial and error instead of discipline and direction. Now focus. Think of it like a ball, picture it as something you can throw."
Aria grunted in agitation before taking the stance Loki showed her. Legs shoulder length apart, arms up, palms out, and concentration on the energy flowing within.
I can easily teach you unlike this fool.
The whole point is being able to do it without you Hati. Of course, I can do things under your guise I normally wouldn't be able to but what if like one day you're gone for some reason? I need to know I can do these things.
I'm speaking of verbally teaching you. You must think of how it feels when you use your energy to enhance your hand-to-hand combat. You can't tell me you believe that you can break the very ground you walk on but not shoot it out as well.
I know I know but it's a tad bit-
"Na uh uh, no speaking to Hati while we are training. We made it a rule little flame," Loki chastised as he flicked her forehead while walking across her.
"Ow!" Aria yelped before rubbing her forehead, "there was no mention of not listening to him. He is an ancient being who's literally made of energy himself..."
"Who is trapped and can only let you borrow a small percentage of his actual power. And not to mention, he is also a wolf. His way of using his power differs than how you can," Loki said as he crossed his arms over his chest. The thick, silver bracelet wrapped around his wrist glistened under the Asgardian sun and clashed with the rest of his wardrobe.
Aria grumbled before resuming her stance. She closed her eyes and directed a small amount of energy into her palms. She thought of the tendrils of energy wrapping together to create a sphere instead of reaching out to bind to someone. She breathed out and opened her eyes to see a bright white light emitting from her hands. She flipped her hand over to see the ball of white light swirling in her palm, excitement bubbling in her chest. With a newfound determination she immediately threw her palm out to the tree in front of her, begging the energy to push out as she did so. She watched in fascination as it propelled through the air and hit the tree, dispersing around it in a smokey fashion.
She stood up straight and stared at the tree, noticing there was not a single dent in it. She sighed out of frustration and looked down at the ground. A week and a half had come and gone working on this one thing alone and so far that was all the progress she'd made. She bit her lip in frustration before she heard Loki cough. Looking up at him she saw him motion to the unmarked tree. Scrunching her brows, she followed his eyes only for them to widen in shock. Where her energy hit the tree was now blackened. The small tree groaned before slowly collapsing to the side, the blackened area billowing out to dust.
"What...? When did that...?" Aria questioned as she slowly walked towards the tree.
"It seems to me that your energy...consumes the energy force of other things...interesting...I wonder..." Loki speculated as he watched her walk towards the tree.
"Wonder what?" She questioned as she bent down to look at the charred end of the trunk.
"When I hit you with a blast from the scepter, you believed that you absorbed the power correct?"
"Yes, so? But it hurt like hell."
"So in theory, you should be able to absorb any magic or energy that hits you." Loki announced with a mischievous tone underlaying his voice. "I wonder then why my mother's spell didn't wear off sooner..."
Aria shifted uncomfortably at his speculation. She hadn't told another soul about what happened the two times she had gotten near the stones. She had absorbed a portion of the stones themselves, or at least a portion of their power. She still wasn't sure what it meant or how to fully utilize their power but she definitely noticed that they boosted her natural pool of energy. As in she had much more energy to use before asking Hati of his. And she was able to do things that she hadn't really before, like putting those guards to sleep the first night she had gone to see Loki. She was always able to slightly influence the thoughts of someone but to be able to put them to sleep just by thinking so wasn't on her list of abilities until after the mind stone had grafted a portion of itself into her. She hadn't tested anything for the reality stones power mostly due to the fact she knew not what it could enhance.
Now that she saw the tree, she wondered what it could mean. Was she able to absorb energy as well? Is that why the stones did what they did to her? She had so many questions flurrying through her mind and no one to ask who held answers. She grunted out in agitation before standing and looking to him, narrowing her eyes at his wicked smile.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Well, obviously we need to test this theory. I cannot help you with this but I know someone who can. Come, we must find Frigga," Loki spun on his heel and began walking towards where they had come from.
Aria jogged to catch up with him, her mind wondering about what just happened. They stayed silent on their walk through the small line of trees leading into the city. She mulled over everything to that point. She had been in Asgard for over a month now but it seemed as if it were a blink of her eyes. Loki and her had only begun training this last week, after Odin had asked his best sorcerers to conjure up bracelets that dampened Loki's powers to as if he was human. He couldn't cast any illusions or conjure up any spells to their knowledge, and if he did try it would send jolts of electricity through his body. She looked at his wrists and a small smile broke out on her face.
It's as if he was a bad dog and got a shock collar slapped on his neck.
That is not humorous at all.
That's only the case because you're a dog.
A dog?! I am an all-powerful being, capable of decimating planets. I am more than just a dog.
Oh hush you too are in a kennel that just happens to be me.
The growl that came from Hati reverberated through her whole head and Aria just smiled at the sound. She found that they were at the steps of the grand palace now, Loki just a few strides ahead of her. She looked around and caught the stares of various civilians all but glaring at the prince. When she looked at him his head was held high and his posture dripping with an elegance. He had to have felt the stares and heard the whispers but seemed unbothered. She knew how it felt being on the receiving end of such things, hoping that she also possessed the same demeanor as he was showing in the times of scrutiny. She knew though that was only a hope as she succumb to hiding in the shadows, avoiding it all together.
They continued forward, the guards not even sparing a glance in their direction. Loki walked through the halls quickly and Aria still couldn't remember all the pathways in the large compound despite the many times she'd walk through it. He, however, seemed to know each and every crook of the place with every confident stride. Soon they were before a door with Loki knocking on it with a rhythm before pushing the doors open wide. Aria marveled at the gorgeous room before her, eyes taking in the elegantly furnished room. Gold, green, and red were the prominent colors throughout it and Aria couldn't help the thought that the Queen picked these colors based on the men in her life.
"Frigga," Loki's voice echoed aloud, "I require your assistance with Aria."
"Oh my dear, does it unsettle you so much as to refer to me as your mother?" Her voice drifted inside from the open balcony doors. She walked in quietly, her eyes focusing on Loki before sliding over to Aria, "Hello Lady Aria, my pleasure to see you so soon."
"So soon?" Loki questioned as he looked back and forth between the two of them.
"It's nice to see you again as well," she replied and bowed her head. She wasn't about to indulge Loki with the fact that her and Frigga had been seeing one another more often.
After "blessing" Aria with her spell to Aria talking to her about Loki training her, the pair began to find themselves meeting together more frequently. Aria was intrigued with the magic the woman was able to perform and quite frankly, Aria missed having a mother-figure. She'd become very fond of the woman quite quickly, her warm and caring demeanor addicting. More so than she cared to admit. She had much knowledge and wisdom to which Aria absorbed like a sponge. And Aria believed Frigga to take her for the daughter she was never able to have. So, they seemed to have found solace in one another and had a bond that Aria didn't think possible after how their relationship started.
"Ah yes, she was here for tea in the early morning. I wanted company and Lady Aria was more than willing to come to my aide." Frigga smiled and tilted her head, "now, what is it that you ask of me?"
"We were out training and something weird happened," Aria spoke before Loki could. He glared at her for interjecting, but she continued on, "I knew something was weird with me after New York and I've honestly never really tried to fully understand what I can do, but now it's...interesting. Loki believes I'm a syphon of some sorts when it comes to energy. We want to test that."
Frigga nodded her head, understanding passing through her eyes. She clapped enthusiastically before reaching for Aria's hands. "I believe I know the perfect place to practice safely."
Frigga smiled warmly before dropping her hand, turning to walk out of the room, and navigated them through the palace until coming to a stop in front of another door. Frigga waved her hand in front of the door and whispered something inaudible before the doors creaked open, dust falling every which way it pleased. They followed her down the dark staircase with only the sounds of their steps echoing.
"Odin was very thorough when he created this place and I guided him with how to guard it from magic. There are witches and magical beings that may wreak havoc on the realms. This tower was built to contain them if the need ever arose until the dungeons became fortified with the same magic I imbued here. So, it became forgotten." She explained as they walked down the seemingly endless stairs, "Only my magic may work here for the sigils constructed in these walls house remnants of my enchantments from the past. If you truly are able to syphon power Aria, and it is not your magic doing so, we will find here."
They finally reached the bottom of the stair case that led to an open room and a long hallway, cells of metal lining each side. Aria felt a chill go down her spine as she looked down the hall, a flash of her uncle's laboratory flashing before her. She then set her eyes on Frigga as she moved to the left.
"Now, unfortunately I must bind you Aria." Frigga stated softly as she reached for chains embedded to the wall, her hand running over the cuffs. A small thrum rung through the air before they popped open.
Aria grimaced at the chained cuffs and without realizing took a step back. "Bind me?"
"It is for your protection and ours. I can feel an ice-cold aura enveloping you as we stand here. Loki, I believe you feel it as well?" Frigga questioned while staring at Aria. However, her eyes rested below Aria's face and Aria brought her hand up to her neck.
No magic works down here besides Frigga's...and Hati is contained by magic...
"Do you believe it wise to bring her down here? Isn't the beast contained within her by the magic of others?" Loki seeimingly spoke her thoughts while moving to stand next to Frigga, his calculating eyes trained on Aria. Their looks made a pit in her stomach as her thoughts began to pierce the severity of the situation.
"This is something that must be done here my son. We shall move with haste in our work. Come Aria. This will be done quickly and painlessly."
Aria breathed out slowly and walked forward. Her mind began to flash memories out of her time with her uncle. An uncanny resemblance to when she used to be experimented on by him surfaced. She turned her back to the cold wall and panic bubbled in her chest once the cuffs fastened against her wrists. She swallowed the lump in her throat and lifted her chin up in defiance of the feelings, willing them down to nothing. She was not the helpless teenager from before and Frigga was nowhere near the evil that was her uncle. But for some reason, she couldn't fully shake those feelings away.
"Loki, please stand by the staircase as to not unintentionally intervene. Now, Aria my dear, I will cast out my magic and with your hand I want you to touch mine. That is where I will focus my magic."
Aria hummed in agreement before a pounding in her head caught her off-guard, making her physically wince. She looked up at Frigga alarmed before wincing again. Hati's howl rang through her ears much louder than ever before.
Why are you fighting me?!
Merely because I can. This tower is weakening the seal and I am just testing the weakness. Why do I feel so much doubt in you?
I...I don't know. It does not feel like a small test.
Place more trust in me human. From what I can tell, I could easily break free but I've chosen not to. Does that not show my loyalty? I believed us further than this but I sense mistrust.
Aria looked down suddenly at his words, guilt flooding her. I am sorry. But you have to understand my hesitance in putting my trust into you fully. After all, just recently have we been working more together than just alongside one another.
All is forgiven, mostly because I can sense your true intention. I will refrain from testing the seal, I had no idea it would physically hurt you. Please do continue, I await the results from this experimentation.
"Aria?" Loki's voice broke her from her inner dialogue, concern palpable from his tone.
"We're okay...let's continue." Aria softly responded, Hati's words spiraling around in her head. He is right, she mused to herself, our relationship is different now.
Her attention snapped to Frigga as her hand was gently grabbed by the woman's hand. A warmth began to emanate from their connected palms as Frigga inaudibly chanted. Aria then began to feel the warmth creep up from her palm into her arm, slowly rising through her upper arm, before it seeped into her chest. She felt uncomfortable and gasped out as her chest began to constrict. Frigga stopped her chanting as well as a pained groan escaped from her before her hand retreated from Aria's. Their eyes both flicked to the womans now greyish fingers before Aria closed hers in pain. The constricting feeling was only getting worse and Aria began to panic once more.
Hati what do I do?
"Dispel the energy taken Aria for your body seems to be rejecting the magic you took from my mother," Loki said astounded, his eyes glowing a faint green in the darkness around them.
"I don't...I don't know how! It's as if it's stuck in my chest...I-I can't move it like I do my own," Aria stuttered out as her chest began to burn searingly hot.
"We need to do something! She's breaking out in a sweat...Mother what do we do?"
"I'm not sure...I've never seen this before...the witches never..."
"Well something...there has to be a way to..."
Aria gasped for air, her throat seemingly closing up. Their conversation faded to silence and all she could focus on was the lump of energy stuck in her chest. She could feel it swirling inside yet it would not budge under her command. She heard Hati snarl before suddenly her eyes rolled back and darkness consumed her sight. The pain ebbed away slowly and Aria felt herself falling. It seemed to last forever but just as quick as she fell, she landed on her back.
Grunting at the rough contact, she put her hands out to feel grass sliding between her fingers. Her eyes fluttered open to indeed see grass. She scrunched her brows together before pushing herself up. Glancing around, she found herself in a meadow. In her meadow. She sat upright slowly, calming her shuddering breaths. The pain was now gone along with the feeling of something trapped in her chest no longer there. She pulled herself up to stand and looked around for Hati, her lips settling into a grim line when no trace of the wolf was found.
"Hati?"
I am here.
"Where is here?"
I took control. Now before you get angered-
"What do you mean you took control?! Hati this is why I said I couldn't put my full trust in you! The moment the seal is weakened you decide to-"
Quit your nagging brat. You would have died if not for my intervention. The witch's sigils were too strong for you alone to overpower and even if you had borrowed my energy, it would have been futile. So to save us both I did what had to be done. Once we finish trekking up the stairs, I will gladly give you reign, but until then just enjoy the tranquility.
Aria's face went taken aback at his tone, her hand coming up to her chest. She sighed and sat back down but it did nothing to help her nerves. Her questions had been answered. At least partially. With the seal being weakened by Frigga's sigils, Hati was able to slip into control without even asking. Outside of the tower, the seal was much stronger but Hati's influence was gaining more traction. Her thoughts raced to the incident in the hallway, their blue eyes burned in her brain. The seal was weakening already and Aria had no doubt it was because of the stones. If that was a good or bad thing she did not know.
Hati also had changed over the course of the last two months. She thought back to how he had been when they were first showed the Tesseract and even before then. His bloodlust, his anger, his killer-instinct. He seemed to be changing and Aria surmised that it may also just be because of the stones as well. While he was still snarky, insufferable, and demonic at times...he cared. She never would have thought him as he is now; caring that she lived. She mulled over the thought some more, comparing how Hati was now back to before they'd ever reacted with the stones.
My time in control is finished girl. We are well outside of her sigils control; her energy has been released.
"Well...thank you."
My pleasure. Now go quickly, I believe us to be vulnerable when we switch.
She watched as Hati materialized in flurry of white and blue flowers, his eyes baring down at her from his massive height. Aria believed she would never get over his beauty. He snorted in annoyance before moving his snout and opening his mouth. Aria's eyes widened before she watched as his jaws clamped down around her. With a start, she opened her closed eyes and was greeted with faces of concern.
Loki and Frigga regarded her with varying degrees of said concern. She held her breath before looking around, finding they were indeed out of the tower a few steps away from the door. She licked her lips and brought her arms up to hug herself. She didn't know how to feel about the events that just transpired nor did she know what to say.
"Lady Aria, if I may say...I believe that you are a syphon indeed. Yet when you don't have access to your power, you may still absorb the energy of others, the powers of others seem to be toxic. Quite fascinating..." Frigga explained in sheer delight.
"So are we not to talk about how exactly Aria was able to unbind herself from the chains? Or of her drastic physical changes?" Loki piped in, bringing Aria's stare to him.
"Physical changes?"
"Your hair went white and your eyes blue. Your demeanor also changed...much colder than what you are normally."
"The seal on my neck is what keeps Hati trapped inside my body and it's held strong by magic of others. So going in weakened it so much so that Hati was able to push to the front. He took control in order to save me."
oOXXOo
"What do you mean the realms have gone into rage?" Aria questioned from her meditative place on the floor in her room.
The intruder laughed before he dropped himself in front of her, a sigh escaping him, "Ever since my father went into Odin-sleep about a year ago, many of the realms went into an unease. Upon him waking from said sleep, peace continued to be the norm just until recent. Many rulers deem him incompetent to lead and thus are now waging wars without fear of his rebuttal. With the Bifrost still under reconstruction our efforts to maintain peace have been for not, however with the Tesseract I am more able into leading efforts to banish the tides of bloodshed and usher all in another era of peace. I wish for you to aid my efforts."
Aria opened her eyes to see Thor's blue eyes looking at her like a kicked puppy. She rolled her eyes before flashing him a small smile. "I suppose I can use the workouts. I haven't had the chance to be in an actual fight since New York. I don't want my skills to become rusty."
"Do you not spar with my brother?"
"He drills me in magic, not combat."
"Oh well why hadn't you spoken to me for such? I will happily be of service when it comes to the combat nature of your skill set. You are an apt fighter and that shouldn't dimmish in your expansion of your tricks."
Aria nodded her head slowly at his enthusiastic offer before relaxing her posture, "so how does the Tesseract help you? That should be locked away instead of being used."
"Heimdall and our version of what you know as engineers have created a smaller version of the Bifrost, but with the Tesseract acting as the unit of travel. It is entrapped in the device used to bring us here from Midgard but now can transport more than those touching it. I know not how it works but know that it is only being used until the reconstruction of the bridge is finished. My father wouldn't allow such power to go in the hands of those corrupted."
Aria shifted uncomfortably at the idea of being near the Tesseract again. And Thor's words did nothing to qualm the unease of the damn cube being used wrongly again. Just because Asgardians were "better" than humans did not make them more morally sound. Odin being the head of all operations nonetheless did not help ease anything she felt. However, she understood she was in no position to say anything against the Tesseract being used in such a way. At least they weren't making weapons from the thing. It was just a means of transportation.
"Okay...well where are we going to go?"
"Nornheim, the land of the Rock Trolls. Their leader, Ulik, sent a soldier with a message. They are being ravaged by the demon dwellers of Muspelheim. Most of their lands have been engulfed by their ever-burning dark flames. We must go at once."
"Ever-burning dark flames? Sounds like a picnic." She said sarcastically. "I'll meet you in the commons in 10. I need to get ready."
"Excellent! I will tell the Warrior Three and Sif that you are to be with us in battle," Thor boasted before jumping up and rushing out of her room.
She blinked a couple times processing the information given to her before standing up herself. She walked over to her closet and opened the wooden doors to expose the clothes within. Since being there, she was given her own temporary room within the palace. It was much smaller than that of Thor's but she didn't mind. It's not as if she needed such a big room anyways. She also had clothes made for her, Frigga insisted, that were more towards her expectation. She had grown to love the Asgardian look minus the flashy colors, in spite of the fashion not being entirely suitable for battle. Stealth wasn't a factor for Asgardians it seemed since they always used their sheer force to win battles. Plus, the fibers used in the clothes were made for battle specifically in mind. While they could still tear from the slash of a blade, it would take more than one slash from said blade in order to do so.
She reached into her closet to the nearest hanger and put on the clothes she retrieved. She slid on her boots, the one thing she didn't change, and looked in the mirror. The top and bottoms were a shade of dark purple that reminded her of grape wine. The top stopped right above her belly button and hugged against her tightly. The shirt stretched to just barely cover her breasts and above where the fabric ended was mesh-like fibers crossing over one another up to below her neck; it was sleeveless which she liked. The bottoms were as if one sewed spandex underneath a skirt. There was a large slit in the front that exposed the black spandex underneath which gave room for movement. The garments' ends were rimmed with the darkest black she'd ever seen matching the mesh part of the top, the spandex, and her boots. She grabbed onto the black arm guards and slid them up her arms. They stopped above her elbow and ended above her wrist. The laces going down the back and front were reinforced with a metal that supposedly protected one from being cut, but with how bendable it was Aria doubted it.
She hand brushed her hair before quickly throwing it up into a bun not caring that some pieces came undone. She grabbed her black pouch and clasped it around her hips before throwing her sheath holding her small sword across her head. Her enchanted daggers already home in her boots, she double checked she had everything before nodding her head. She then slid her hand to her neck, fumbling with the wolf pendent.
Let's go kill us some demons.
Ahh the promise of bloodshed warms my soul.
She closed her eyes as Hati's lust for blood came to the forefront, sending a chill down her spine. She shook her head before heading out to meet Thor and the others. Aria wasn't sure she would ever get used to the newfound quality of Hati's and hers dynamic of being able to feel his feelings at a much greater scale. She found them in the common area and nodded her head as a hello. Thor turned around and looked her over before seemingly nodding in approval, his eyes holding an emotion that Aria couldn't quite place. She watched it disappear as he turned towards the others once she was next to him, seriousness now replacing it.
"My friends, it is my greatest pleasure to venture the tides of war with you by my side. The Muspelheim soldiers are nothing to underestimate. I've already conferred with the soldiers accompanying us to liberate our ally Norheim, so I must bestow this warning to you as well. The demon flame that we will encounter has no remedy besides killing the one that spawned its life. It is vital for it to not touch our being for it will begin to burn the flesh from the bone. If you are touched by this flame, killing the demon quickly is your chance of survival. Let us stick together and defeat these evil creatures of the night!" Thor rallied as he yelled out while thrusting his hammer into the air.
The Warrior Three and Sif accompanied his battle cry with their own before angling their preferred weapon to the middle. Aria summoned her dagger and put her right hand to meet with theirs.
"For Asgard. For Peace!" They all yelled in unison before dispersing with a heaviness in their steps.
Aria stashed her dagger before walking with Thor at the front. They walked until meeting with a group of soldiers all standing before a closed door. Aria looked over all the soldiers, noting they all wore the same armor and had the same weapons. As she overlooked the men and women coming into battle with them, she didn't expect to see emerald eyes staring back at her. She blinked rapidly as she focused on the soldier staring at her and dread pooled in her stomach. Fjor stood tall and proud, clad in Asgardian armor, his gaze unfazed as Aria stared at him.
No...now this just got more complicated.
It's not as if you've tried to connect with the boy, why believe it causes implications when it shouldn't.
He is still my brother no matter how our relationship is. It causes implications because now I have more than myself to worry about.
You worry for too much that is out of your control.
I need to stop this. He's just a kid.
And you were an infant when blessed with me.
Exactly my point. Where has that gotten me? Hunted and experimented on.
"Thor," she whispered hotly "Fjor cannot come with us."
"Hmm?" Thor looked at her questioningly before he followed her gaze to her brother, "Fjor? He has seen two battles already. I believe him fully capable to join our effort-"
"No. He will serve nothing but a distraction for me."
"It is too late to turn back now Lad-"
"I already told you to stop calling me that!" Her anger seeped into her hushed voice, a small pang hitting her when Thor flinched.
"I am sorry Aria but the gate is already opening and Fjor has proven himself well-capable. I cannot undo what my father bestowed."
"Shit!" Aria mumbled before looking at the gate in front of them. Behind the doors was a chasm of spinning colors and dots of white light.
She watched alarmed as her brother raised his sword along with the others. Heard their battle cry before the sound of running feet hit her ears. She saw the first wave of warriors run into the chasms and disappeared in a flash of light before more of the battalion lurched forward to do the same. Before she knew it, it was now their turn to run into it. Fjor was a part of the line in front of her and before he was sucked into the portal, he turned to look at her and his eyes burned with a clear message.
Don't get in my way.
Aria swallowed thickly as her body moved forward as Thor's did, it completely on auto-pilot. She now felt this mission was separated into two: save the Rock Trolls and keep her brother alive. She took in a deep breath as they ran into the colorful light and it was all but taken away from her as she passed through. It felt like she was spinning but standing still. The colors rushed past her quickly and Aria looked forward in amazement. It wasn't her first time going through this experience as memories of Thor, Loki, and her using the Tesseract to come to Asgard resurfaced. Yet it was still fascinating to go through.
Within seconds they found themselves out of the bathe of lights and now on solid ground. Aria looked around apprehensively at the dull landscape. A smog of some sorts made the atmosphere seem grey and lifeless. Thor walked forward before trudging through the group of soldiers to lead them. Aria stayed back even as the Warrior Three and Sif followed Thor's steps. She slunk to the left and hurried her steps to catch up to her brother. He stayed in march with his comrades and didn't even glance at her arrival.
"Fjor...I am not going to tell you to go back or to stay away from the fight...but I am going to say to be careful. And if you need me, scream for me." Aria said hushed as she looked around.
"I doubt I will need your help but...thank you," Fjor responded quietly and Aria swore she heard compassion in his voice, "you be careful as well. They are worthy opponents."
Aria slid her eyes over to him and found no fear or anger on his face. Her eyes softened as she continued to look at him before she hummed and looked forward. She would have to believe Thor's words and not be distracted. Afterall, the group of them were walking into a war. They walked for a small while before they encountered a thick tree line and stopped before it.
"Aria?! Come forward," Thor bellowed out as he turned his head very slightly right.
Aria trotted her way up and nodded her head at him before stepping forward. She knew why he called her to the front. Aria breathed in and out slowly before closing her eyes. She let her senses creep out as far as they could. She tilted her head in confusion at the feedback she got before trying to further the reach of her sense.
There's...nothing? Not even the feel of the tree's...
That is very odd.
Aria opened her eyes slowly as she reeled her senses inward. She looked at Thor behind her and shook her head, "I sense nothing. Nothing at all...not even the trees."
Thor nodded his head slowly before raising his hand and motioning to keep going, "Stay together and compact. We've no idea what is awaiting within or past. We are a few paces from the Troll's main village. Let us be haste but mindful."
Aria walked forward after he finished his small speech. She figured that staying away from Fjor may be better for the both of them. She felt that she could protect him effectively but it would distract her too much from protecting anyone else. Twenty came in and Aria would make sure twenty went back.
They cut through the trees with little to no issue, the only sounds around them in the form of their steps. It made Aria feel uneasy to not hear anything but their quiet breaths and slinking footsteps. She could tell Thor held the same issue, his grip on Mjolnir tight as ever. Suddenly though, through the silence a ghastly whisper was heard from her right. Her head snapped to the sound but found nothing but shadows dancing as a wind began to pick up. When they broke the foliage, Aria let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. She turned to look at the forest with distrust. Something was there.
In front of them was the remnants of a village. Most of the buildings had black flames devouring everything it touched. They walked forward and separated into groups to scout the area with Aria staying with Thor and the others. She walked up to one of the flames and put her hand out.
It doesn't give off any heat? That's weird.
She then heard a scream come from behind them before something crashed into her roughly. She flew through the air and twisted herself to land crouched on the ground, her daggers being summoned to her hands. She flipped her head up and faced the thing that attacked her. It stood well above her as black flames came out from its body from what she could say were slashes that littered it. Humanoid in only body, the skin was charred and its hands had three claws coming out. The head was round and where its eyes should've been were hollowed, its black flame illuminating the holes. It screamed out before throwing itself at her.
She rolled to the right out of the way before thrusting her daggers out at it, watching as they hit their marks. One lodged in its eye and the other its throat. She landed on her back and slid a couple feet before she threw her right arm out to propel her up and on her feet. She turned back towards the creature before it laughed manically and pulled her daggers out. Once they clattered to the ground, Aria put her hands out and called them towards her. The creature watched inquisitively, studying her for a moment before screaming again. This scream however ushered even more screams from other creatures that had been lurking in the trees.
"It's an ambush...they were waiting for us..." Aria spoke to herself as she watched at least a dozen begin to run towards them, "It's an ambush!"
The creature in front of her roared before running at her on all fours. Aria gritted her teeth before running towards the advancing thing. She pooled energy into her arms and threw a punch to the monster's head. It connected and sent the thing flying back and crashing into one of the stone buildings. Aria hissed in pain and looked down at her hand. Her knuckles had smoke coming from them but thankfully no flames. However, the part of her hand that did touch it burned as if there should've been. She watched with sickened amazement as her skin began to redden before blood slowly oozed out of the afflicted area and immediately seemed to char.
She looked up after hearing the creature's shriek, shaking her hand in attempts to shake away the pain. Its claws slammed on the broken wall before it hoisted itself up. Its face was now sunken in and its jaw unhinged from where it had been originally. Instead of blood pouring out of its injury, the dark flames fell down and pooled together on the broken wall or floor. Aria squared up with the creature before reaching out to grab her sword. Hand-to-hand combat would hurt her more than it so she'd need to find another way to kill it. She crouched down slightly to which the monster shrieked again before pushing itself to the middle of the path.
Aria's eyes scanned the area and dread filled her at what she saw. Monsters were going through the soldiers like nothing, swatting them into the air as if they were light as feathers. Thor was handling three of them on his own while the others were facing one to one. She tried to look for her brother but was interrupted by the thing lashing out at her. She threw herself back and watched as its claws ripped through the air. She put her left arm down and threw herself up once it connected with the floor, vaulting herself against a nearby wall. Pushing against it with her weight she sent energy into her legs before shooting off the wall towards the demon. She then sent energy into her arms before pulling her sword behind her. The creature yelled and put its arms up as if to catch her. She brought her sword down, feeling the resistance of the things flesh as it cut through it, and twirled into a kneeling position behind the thing. Her head was bowed down and her eyes closed as she let her senses spiral out, the feedback making her eyes twitch. She could feel Thor and the others close, along with at least 15 others. That meant five had died so far.
She brought her senses back in as she stood up. Slowly turning around to see if it were still alive, she opened her eyes to its position sprawled on the ground. Half of its body was still standing with the other half dropped to the ground. Its body twitched and spasmed before the other half fell as well. She turned back around and continued walking forward, the burning sensation her hand had now fading away. The body behind her erupted into white flames before dying out and leaving nothing in its wake.
So we have to fully separate these things to kill them.
They seem to be bound by an old magic. Someone is controlling them.
Theoretically if I were to cast out energy to them it should drop them, right?
Maybe. I believe so. I've directed a small portion of energy to our hand to heal it.
Our hand? You mean my hand. And our energy can heal? I thought that only yours had the healing capabilities...or the energy of others?
Ah yes, it is your body...and well you are not wrong but not right either. I can influence the energy you hold with limit.
So then will it to kill these damn things.
It doesn't work like that I'm afraid.
Plan B then.
Aria blinked and found herself a few paces away from Thor. He threw his hammer out before punching at one of the demons, a shrill coming from one of them. Aria then saw one sneaking on him from behind. Acting quickly, she summoned her dagger to her free hand and threw it out towards the creature. Running behind it as fast as she could, she watched as her dagger embedded itself in its eye as it moved to lunge at Thor. It roared before its claws went to scratch out the offending object. She threw her feet out beneath her and slid along the ground while throwing her sword up as she passed through the creature's legs. Black flames trickled down onto her clothes and she grunted in pain as it burned through her clothes immediately and touched her stomach and chest. The creature let out one last roar before toppling over. A white flame consumed the body before dispersing and leaving nothing behind. The burning sensation now gone; Aria rushed to her feet to look over at Thor.
"They are done with once the flames burn white." Thor said as he put his hand out to summon Mjolnir.
"Yeah, I got that. What about the others?"
"Helping the Einherjar with their battles against the demons. Are you well?"
"I'm fine. There's more coming from the trees. For every one we kill, there's two more in its place. Can you get a handle on the tree line?" Aria asked while searching for the nearest demon and her brother.
"I believe so. I will go do my best."
Thor began to swing his hammer before jumping into the air. The air began to tremble before bangs of thunder could be heard overhead. With Thor taking care of that, Aria continued working with helping clear the demons in the immediate area. She looked to her right and saw a group of soldiers struggling against two monsters. Aria began running to them before something tackled her away. She landed on her back as the breath was knocked out of her before quickly bringing her sword up to stop the claw scratching at her face. Her eyes snapped up to the creature on top of her, panic bubbling in her chest.
On top of her was a dog-like creature, its front claws pushing against her blade. She slid her eyes down to its claws as she watched droplets of the dark flames ooze out and down onto her chest. Hissing as pain erupted where the drops landed, she sent energy into her arms and pushed the creature off. It howled as it landed on its side a few feet away from her and they both scrambled to get up. Aria swung her legs around until they were underneath her, one leg outstretched and the other bent. Her left hand held her sword above her hip and her right was balancing her weight on the floor. The demon-dog snapped its jaw at her before growling at her, the growl sounding nothing like she'd heard before. She breathed in and out quickly, the pain still very prominent from her chest. She waited for a moment, watching carefully as the dog paced about in front of her. An idea popped into her head and she smirked before slowly standing up. She opened her right hand and began willing energy to form in her palm just as she had done with Loki. She quickly glanced down at it to see a faint flickering white light emitting from her palm. When she looked back up at the dog she saw its gaze directed at her hand. It suddenly began running forward and Aria moved to buy herself more time. Sheathing her sword quickly, her left hand flew to her pouch and grabbed three needles. She ran to the left behind a broken building and slammed against the wall as her breaths came in and out, heavier than before. She stabbed the needles into the side of her pouch and when they were taken out, they were coated in a thick red slime.
"Now focus. Think of it like a ball, picture it as something you can throw" Loki's words drifted into her mind.
She closed her eyes and focused on the energy but didn't have much time as a burning feeling enveloped her shoulder. She gasped before looking at the black flame now resting on her shoulder before slowly looking up. The demon was peering down at her, its jaw opened up and flames spiraling inside its mouth. She jumped forward and rolled around before quickly turning and putting her palm out. With a yell she forced the energy out and watched as the ball fly through the air and into the mouth of the dog. Her eyes widened when she realized said dog was still flying at her very much alive. She couldn't find it in her to move out of the way, shocked that her plan didn't work. That her power didn't work.
All too quickly the dog crashed into her and its jaws clamped on her shoulder. With a yell she crashed down backwards, and another yell forced itself from her throat as the dog thrashed its head around with her shoulder still in its mouth. She channeled energy into her left arm and stabbed its ears with the three needles she had grabbed, the ends coated with a poison agent that bursted out once in contact with liquid. She doubted it would work but the pup howled in pain and dug its claws into her thigh, but at least let go of her shoulder. She yelled as she poured energy into her right arm and swung at the beast's head, freeing her from being pinned by the animal.
She looked down at her very exposed thigh and grimaced at what she saw. Disregarding it for now, she pulled herself up and found the dog not too far from her. The needles clanked to the floor before its livid eyes locked on her. It made a move to walk towards her but then froze in place before shrieks of what Aria assumed pain bellowed from it. It began to claw at its chest and Aria tilted her head in confusion before deciding to focus on her wounds. She sent energy to her thigh before telling Hati to do his best on that. The burning sensation she felt on her shoulder and chest were beginning to fade away however, which brought her attention back to the dog. It rubbed its head to the floor before collapsing, its black flames beginning to shine white.
It…it worked? I thought it didn't…
She watched as the dog disappeared in a white flash, nothing left besides the damage it had caused her. Aria hobbled over to the closest wall and slumped against it; her eyes trained on where the creature had been. She let out a breath before hissing in pain as she moved her leg. She adjusted her skirt to expose the wound, her hands shaking as she did so. Three large and deep gashes were on her thigh and had torn through the spandex. Blood was rushing out in waves, the dark red staining everything it touched including her hands.
"I miss the days where it was just people I hunted down. Oh yeah definitely better days. Could sense someone miles away but these bitches? Nope not even if they're hiding right behind me. Lovely." She spoke to herself while summoning her daggers to her hands.
She dropped one next to her, the other one ripping a chunk of cloth from her skirt. Once done, she put her daggers at home in her boots. She breathed in and out quickly before sucking in a large breath. As she focused on breathing, she lifted her leg and wrapped the torn clothing around and up. Once she began covering the wound though she couldn't help the yelp of pain that came out. She tied a tight knot and put her hands above her head as her breathing came in and out faster in reaction to the pain. She closed her eyes and muttered a couple curses before opening them to check the makeshift tourniquet. Already drenched, she bit her lip and pushed herself up. It would have to do for now until Hati could heal it.
She regulated energy to go up and down her whole leg which helped to alleviate some of the pain. The rest of her body was okay, the burning sensation fully gone once the dog was gone. She looked around and saw that a majority of them had banished their enemies to wherever it was they'd go in the light, most of the Asgardians tending to their wounds or others. Some were dragging the bodies of those not so lucky together in a pile. Aria began to walk in that direction as quickly as she could. She hoped Fjor wasn't apart of those unlucky.
"Aria! Holy Valhalla are you okay?" Sif's voice came from her left but Aria ignored her. She needed to see.
She stopped in front of the bodies, her eyes looking at the faces of the dead quickly. Her heart hammered in her chest and pounded in her head. Eleven bodies were there but none belonged to her brother. She let out a breath she wasn't sure when she had started holding before setting her gaze on a worried Sif.
"I'm okay. Where's Fjor?"
"I'm not sure. Your leg does not look okay though. I insist you have it overlooked by our medic."
"Our uh medic…died." a soldier's voice called out exhaustedly.
"Ah well then I suggest you sit for a moment and let me see your injury." She backtracked, sadness creeping into her voice.
Aria looked the woman over, her clothes singed in various places and cuts littered over her whole body. Aria sighed before moving to sit at a tree until movement caught her eye. She looked over and relief burst through her as her brother walked towards them alongside Thor. He was limping but was alive. Throwing herself into the tree, Aria slid down and grunted in pain as it jarred her leg. Tears sprang to her eyes as the pain continued to thrum from the wound, but she wiped them away angrily. No place to cry if she was alive.
"I do believe you are to take me on my offer of a sparring partner Aria." Thor joked as they walked up on them, his eyes glued to the bloody rags.
"I guess so. I might be a little rusty," she joked back before wheezing as she began to undo the knot.
A squelching sound could be heard as she took off the tourniquet, blood dripping from the cloth as she discarded it. Sif knelt on her side, assessing the injury. Aria clenched her teeth at the pain, flinching when Sif prodded at the skin around the wound. She glared at the woman before reaching to her pouch and retrieving a needle.
No need. Im working on patching the wound but it is deep. The beast managed to tear through much muscle.
How can I heal it faster? Like when we healed my abdomen after Loki shot at it with the scepter.
That was done unconsciously and with the help of the stones power coursing through your body. However…
However what Hati?
If you would allow me partial control, I can easily heal it.
How would I even do that?
Accept my power and don't fight me when I chip away at your control.
That sounds pleasant.
Roaring in the distance caught everyone's attention. Aria looked at Thor, his face drawn into anguished concern. She followed his gaze to the rest of the group and saw how mangled up everyone was. They were in no shape to take on another wave. Even with Thor busying the majority of the demons many still came through. And from the 20 that came with them, eleven were now dead.
If I gave you full control...could you save them?
The amount of time it would take you to kill one I could kill three.
Then do it. Take control.
Are you sure?
No but...I've already lost too many and without my leg fully healed...Just give me control again when the threat is terminated.
Aria closed her eyes and heard Hati snicker throughout her head. A headache began to thrum from the back of her head but instead of fighting it, she relaxed. Hati's power began to flow from her neck down, an icy chill overcoming her senses. When she opened her eyes the image of those in front of her were way above her now, as if she was falling. Darkness was now encompassing everything, the last look of everyone disappearing as if wind was blowing away sand. Aria closed her eyes again but instead of being angry or scared of the fall she welcomed it.
XXOOXx
Aria stared blankly ahead as her breath was coming in and out quickly. She blinked rapidly before relaxing her posture. Her eyes began to quickly scan the area. She didn't know where she was. Aria swallowed the lump in her throat before she caught sight of the blood caked along her arms. Alarmed, she then went into a frenzy of checking her body and spinning in every direction to see what had happened. Memories of where she was came crashing into her all at once, memory of what she had agreed to allow as well.
Hati?!
Threats have been eliminated. I gave you control once I finished.
Why couldn't I see anything? Feel anything?
I put you in a state of sleep. I believed it better for you to rest than to worry over every step I took.
Why is there blood covering my arms? The blood from the creatures would disappear and this blood isn't on fire it's red. What. Happened.
Aria was met with silence, which did nothing to calm her nerves. Suddenly a hand clasped on her shoulder. She jumped and turned her head, sighing when Thor's face came into view.
"Aria?"
"I'm here...are we...did we win?"
"Yes but I'm afraid...how did you...how did you do the things you did?" Thor's voice rasped out, his eyes darting back and forth between hers. "We were surrounded...and your body was mangled...yet..."
"I...I wasn't the one doing them."
Thor nodded his head before his lips curved into a grim line, "Aria...the other being...it did not care for those around it. An adept fighter of both strength and magic but it ended up killing one of the Einherjar. It seemed accident enough to everyone else but to me...I don't know...it could have avoided doing what it did."
Aria's eyes widened at the news before her eyes slid to behind Thor. The soldiers and Thor's friends were too busy celebrating their victory and patching up their wounds. She counted over and over how many people were left, hoping that Thor was mistaken. That he had seen it wrong. But after counting for the fifth time, she closed her eyes to stop the tears that begged to be released.
"It wasn't...it wasn't Fjor right?" She asked quietly, not seeing her brother in the times she counted.
"No. He is alive, just sent to scout with another soldier."
Relief hit her quickly but her despair remained. What did you do?
Accidental. The Asgardian got in the way.
Thor said it could have been avoided!
Not in my perspective. The grunt would have been killed regardless. He should have stayed back and let us handle it.
So that justifies killing someone?! I asked you to defeat the demons not kill Asgardians!
I did what needed to be done.
Aria brought her hands up to her head, pressing hard against both sides before fighting to breath properly. It wasn't the first life these hands had taken but every other time she had been able to stop if necessary. She had the choice to not go through with an action if she thought it would've resulted in death. Her head began to spin as she tried her hardest to will herself to remember. Hati might've put her to sleep but it was her eyes that saw what happened. It was her body that killed the soldier. Her breaths came in and out much faster and Aria felt like she couldn't get a grip on how to breath. She closed her eyes and felt her lips quiver. Suddenly, two arms wrapped tightly around her to which she froze at.
She opened her eyes slowly and looked down at the arms enveloping her body before tracing them back to their owners. Her hands leisurely fell down before a sob wracked through her body. And then another one. The tears fell down quietly as she leaned into the embrace.
"I do not blame you for the actions of another, even if it was your hands doing so. It was not you in the moment. Do not fret over it, it will be said he died an honorable death. I understand why you might've let the beast have control. I know we all share thanks."
"No! Thor…nothing I try..." she breathed in sharply, tears spilling from her eyes, "I try to do good Thor. I try to be good but somehow someway I-I just. I can't get this blood off me. It's everywhere I go. I just can't do fucking anything right."
"We all knew the risks coming here. While I don't feel it was a necessary death, it is necessary that we continue forward. Clear your head our task is not done and I need you here. We can speak of what happened later, in private without extra ears."
Aria nodded her head mutely. He may be able to shake it off, but Aria was having trouble to. The first time she trusted Hati with full control and he killed someone all because they got in the way. It wasn't right. But he had a point; they still hadn't gotten any closer to helping the Rock Trolls. They had to find their sanctuary and rid of any demons outside of it. And it was south of this village from what Thor told her. He was also true in not speaking about it in front of others. She slowly pushed his arms away and took a shaking breath in. Thor looked at her with concern, his arms dropping back to his sides. He nodded his head before turning back towards the rest of their group, his head motioning towards them. Aria took the hint and followed behind him. The banter slowly died upon their approach and Aria wanted to crumble under the stares she felt. Instead, she held her chin up high and her shoulders squared. Loki never let his poise fall, so why should she?
"Thank you, Lady Aria. Had you not done what you did, I believe we all would have made our trips to Valhalla!" A man spoke out while raising his weapon, "To Lady Aria and her heroic triumph!"
What? He's…he's thanking me? Aria felt taken aback as the others followed suite by raising their weapons and repeating his last sentence.
Thor turned towards her as a sheepish smile worked its way on his face as he shrugged his shoulders. She blinked a couple times from disbelief before shaking her head, a ghost of a smile forming on her lips. She couldn't believe that they were congratulating her. She had killed one of their own. Not wanting to look a horse in its mouth, she nodded her head and stashed the feelings away as best she could. She would deal with them later, right now they still had a mission.
They continued their trek undisturbed. No attacks, no ambush, no nothing. However, Aria did feel fatigue catching up to her. Every step she took seemed to become harder and harder, her eyes threatening to close at any moment. She didn't know why but she believed maybe when Hati and her had switched, the toll on her body was more than they thought. It was the first time he'd taken full control of them, put her to sleep, and fought. The last time he took full control she was in the mind field, and it was just to walk up steps. This switch was definitely different. Thor stayed by her side, his stride beginning to slow down. He must've noticed how her steps were slowing.
"Sif, Fandral, run forward with two others and try to survey where we are in relation to their haven." Thor ordered.
Running footsteps continued forward until they became distant footfalls. Aria sucked in air before stopping against a tree, a heavy sigh coming out as she did. She looked up at Thor and shook her head, a crooked smile playing on her lips.
"I just need…I just need a moment. I think the switching tired me out more than I thought." She said quietly.
"I noticed your struggle to keep up. We may rest now for a moment…will you be able to face what is to come? I can't fathom bringing you to battle and you get hurt."
"I'll be fine Thor just give me a minute," she spoke out harshly, anger at her current state seeping into her words.
Thor nodded his head mutely before he turned around and took a couple steps towards the rather ragged group. Aria's head thudded against the tree before she closed her eyes. Everything felt heavy from her sword to her boots. Her eyes fluttered open before closing once again as the fatigue finally hit its peak. She felt her body relax against the tree and despite her struggle not to do so sleep called her name. A call she was unable to decline.
oOXXOo
He opened his eyes and looked around wearily. The God was standing over the pitiful excuse of soldiers, his voice muttering what he assumed were words of hope. He scoffed mentally at the show before rolling his shoulders and popping his neck. Or well hers. He licked their lips and smiled before moving their hands in front of him. The sensation of opening and closing her hands was exhilarating to him, having not done so for what seemed like lifetimes. Outside of recently that is. But this time he had full control; no chirping in their head of what to do or say. It was him alone roaming once again.
"You are not Aria, are you?" The God's voice interrupted his ecstasy.
He looked up and glared at him for a moment, smiling at the unnerved look upon his face, "No it seems that Aria was struggling. So I came to her rescue."