Chapter Six
Loki looked back constantly as he and Angrboda headed back towards the bifrost. "I was hoping that Balder would come to see us off."
"Perhaps he got called into the same meeting your mother and Thor were."
"Perhaps..." Loki shifted Hela to his other arm and took Angrboda's hand as they stepped into the bifrost portal runes. "I just wish I saw more of him. He's worrying me, with his recent behaviour."
They took their place, and turned to Heimdall.
"We're ready."
"Perhaps a small delay is necessary," Heimdall replied, a slight grin coming over his face. "Young Balder is running to have the chance to say goodbye."
"That's more like him," Loki chuckled.
"I wonder why he didn't come say goodbye earlier."
"Perhaps he and Nanna were 'busy'." Loki teased. "Ow! What was that for?"
Angrboda smirked. "You make crude comments, you get reprimanded. And I'm going to make sure Hela learns all these tricks to deal with you."
"I'm doomed!" Loki groaned dramatically as Balder, panting, caught up with them.
"You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" the young prince demanded.
"We said our goodbyes a few hours ago." Loki frowned. "No-one knew where you were."
"Oh... Sorry. But I'm here now!"
Loki smiled indulgently. "Are you going to hug me goodbye like always?"
Balder forced a smile, and then forced a hug. "I wish things could go back to when I thought hugs fixed everything. But they don't, do they? They fix nothing."
Loki frowned. "They cheer people up, at least. I wouldn't say they had no purpose."
"But they don't solve anything." Balder's voice was morose.
"Maybe not but-"
"Jotunheim is under attack." Heimdall said suddenly. "Surtur."
Loki and Angrboda both paled. "What?!"
"I'll get Thor," Balder shot back down the rainbow bridge.
Loki handed Hela to Angrboda. "Heimdall, send me there-"
"And leave me behind?" Angrboda interrupted. "Unlikely!"
"Hela needs you."
"She needs you more!"
Heimdall looked from one to the other, waiting for a decision to be reached.
"I am part fire demon. I can fight them more effectively."
"I am the queen of fire. I can burn even them! And I have more experience."
Angrboda reluctantly nodded. It was true. "Then go. But come back to us."
"I will." Loki kissed Angrboda, then cuddled Hela tightly, before stepping into the Bifrost. He met Angrboda's eyes as the portal opened. "I will return soon. I love you."
And then, in a swirl of light, he was gone. Angrboda cradled Hela worriedly. Everything is going to melt! Moments later Thor arrived, flying, carrying Balder.
"A squadron has been summoned to aid the battle. They will be here soon," Thor said hurriedly to Angrboda. "Heimdall!"
The Gatekeeper walked back to join them. "Yes, my lord?"
"Send us to Jotunheim. Now." Thor's voice left no room for argument.
Heimdall hesitated.
Thor frowned. "Now, Heimdall."
"Heimdall!" Balder said sharply.
"I am looking for a location that will not kill our allies."
"Well, do it quickly!" Thor's voice was sharp with panic. Balder was staring at the ground.
Heimdall activated the bifrost without another word. Balder and Thor landed in the middle of a raging battle.
"Heimdall needs better aim!" Thor heard Loki shout from nearby. "He nearly crushed me!"
Thor blinked, confused- Heimdall didn't make mistakes like that! Figure it out later, he told himself, flinging Mjolnir into the nearest cluster of Fire Demons. Win battle now.
Everywhere he looked red fire was bursting up. He didn't even know things on Jotunheim could burn! He beat back a fire demon and stumbled over a scorched body - Jotünns. The demons were setting the Jotünns on fire!
He scowled, mowing down the loathsome creatures even faster, determined to end this as quickly as possible. He fought his way to Loki's side, then glanced around for Balder- they'd gotten separated in the chaos.
"Balder?" he shouted.
Loki was distracted, nearly getting himself skewered but Thor smashed the demon before that could happen.
"Where's Balder?" Loki shouted.
"We were separated!"
Loki's attack became more vicious. "NOT TODAY!" He fought ferociously, leaving nothing but corpses in his wake as he searched frantically for his younger brother. There was no sign of him!
One day you will cause the death-
"NO!"
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Balder ran from the battle, clutching the jade spike Set had fashioned for him before he was sent here. Is this it?
Yesss, Set crowed triumphantly. Hurry!
"No, I meant is this the place?" he snapped, coming to the edge of a huge cavern.
Yesss, thisss isss it. Tosss the jade in.
Balder pulled the spike from his coat and held it over the lip of the cavern. "This is going to destroy Jotunheim, isn't it?"
Yesss. Throw it in.
"Am I going to die?"
Yesss. Asss you have wissshed.
Balder took a deep breath and threw the jade down. "Goodbye, Nanna."
Set began to laugh as an ominous rumble sounded, and the ground shook. Balder backed away, bracing himself.
Of courssse, I never sssaid you would die today.
"What?"
Did you truly think it would end that easssily? Fool!
Balder's shoulders slumped. I...
You hate me. I know.
I think I'm beyond hating you by now. I just want this to be over!
I know you do. Set hissed in almost a comforting manner; it always surprised and confused Balder, the way the Elder serpent could be mocking in one sentence and then almost trying to comfort him in the next. But you'll want to meet your child before death, won't you?
Nanna is giving birth to you, you said it yourself!
"Balder!"
The young prince turned to see Loki and Thor running for him, both looking panicked as the ground beneath their feet rocked and swayed. Balder didn't move. Are you going to make me watch them die?
Yesss.
His brothers reached him. Loki grabbed him protectively, pulling him away from the edge of the cavern.
"What's happening?" Thor shouted.
"I don't know!"
Balder spoke, his voice flat. "Jotunheim is tearing itself apart."
His brothers stared at him.
"How do you-" Loki started, but then the bifrost descended and snatched them all away. Balder gasped as he found himself back in Heimdall's observatory with Loki and Thor. Set hissed angrily in his mind.
YOU WERE TO LEAVE GAEA'S SON AND GRANDSON BEHIND! Balder heard him scream angrily, and then he realised that Set was speaking to Heimdall.
"What happened?" Loki was grasping Balder's shoulders, peering intently into his eyes. "How did you know...?"
"I was chasing a fire demon," Balder replied, the lie coming automatically without Set having to order him. "He threw something into the crevice. Told me that it was going to rip Jotunheim apart before he jumped in after it."
"What?" They turned to see Angrboda still standing right there, her blood-red eyes wide, standing rigidly. "Jotunheim?"
Loki went to her, wrapping his arms around her. "I am so sorry."
She went pale, shaking her head. "But... we were rebuilding... there were so many innocent souls there..." She turned to Heimdall. "What's happening?"
Heimdall's gaze was distant. "Jotunheim is no more."
Angrboda passed Hela to Loki, and without a word turned on her heel and walked away. "Leave me alone right now, Loki. I will accept your presence in two hours, not a second sooner."
Loki stood holding his daughter, looking lost. "What sort of weapon does Surtur have that can do this?"
Thor put a hand on his shoulder. "I have no idea. Balder, you said something about a fire demon tossing something into the abyss?"
"Yes."
"What was it, did you see?"
"No. I was too far away."
"And I saw nothing until you joined young Balder," Heimdall interjected.
I don't understand, Balder thought, his head hanging. You said that you wanted Jotunheim's heir. Why destroy the realm then?
I like to keep you guesssing. My plansss are far beyond conquer and rule.
So what DO you want? Just to destroy everything?!
Yesss.
And is that going to resolve your issue with Jor-
SSSILENCE!
Balder pressed a hand to his head as a searing pain shot through his skull- a sign of Set's rage.
"Balder? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing," he mumbled, and then unable to take his own helplessness any longer, turned and punched the wall with all his strength. Pain shot out from his knuckles. "I HATE THIS!" he screamed. "I HATE THIS! IF I HAD BEEN FASTER, STRONGER-"
"Balder!" Thor cried, shocked.
"DON'T COME NEAR ME!" he shouted as both his brothers stepped forward. "I WISH I WAS DEAD, I WISH I WAS NEVER BORN!"
Loki and Thor were both stunned. "What are you talking about?!"
SSSILENCE!
Balder shook his head, breaking down weeping. "I just- I just wish I was dead."
The elder two Odinsons exchanged helpless looks. Balder had never acted this way, and neither of them knew what to say. Loki handed Hela to Thor, and then slowly approached and wrapped his arms around his little brother. Balder responded by clinging to him.
"Balder, we love you, you know that right?"
The younger god nodded glumly. "I don't deserve it, though."
Loki rocked Balder the way he used to when his little brother was just starting to walk and was constantly falling down. His terrified gaze met Thor's. Neither of them wanted to think that Balder was being serious!
"Balder, whatever you think you've done can't be worse than what I knowingly did," Loki said quietly. "We need you, little brother. You're the only reason I'm here, you know. Why I met Angrboda. Why Hela exists."
Balder's only answer was a strangled sob.
"You deserve our love, Balder. And we love you."
Tears still fell from Balder's eyes, but he did seem to be trying to calm himself. Thor met Loki's eyes.
"Should I get Mother?" He mouthed. Loki shrugged, unsure as to whether it would help or make things worse
Balder pressed his face into Loki's shoulder. "I'm sorry." He wanted to tell him exactly what he was sorry for, but Set's rage was palpable. He didn't dare even think of the words.
Thor cleared his throat. "Heimdall, can you see what's left of Jotunheim? Are there any survivors, or...?"
"There is nothing left, not even the ice. It's only a ring of vapour now."
Loki looked stunned. "There has to be something left!"
Heimdall shook his head, his face stoic.
By that time, the warriors three had arrived with Sif and a squadron of Einherjar. Sif looked to Thor; he sadly shook his head.
"Balder, Loki, take Hela back to the palace," he ordered softly. "Heimdall... ready to send the rest of us where we are needed."
Sif joined Thor as Balder nodded. Loki took his daughter back and held her close. She was whimpering, sensing the fear and anger around her but now knowing what it was coming from. The soldiers took their place at the bifrost.
"What happened?" Sif murmured.
"Jotunheim has been destroyed."
There were cries of horror.
"The whole realm?" Sif asked dazedly.
Thor nodded bleakly.
"How?" Fandral demanded. "What happened?"
"Surtur has a new weapon, one that can destroy entire realms it seems," Thor replied grimly.
Volstagg was white faced. "But if he's done this, and escaped Jotunheim... which realm will be next?"
"None, if I have any say in it!" Thor's voice was determined.
Sif's eyes widened. "Do you intend to march on Muspelheim?"
Thor nodded once, determined. "This war ends. The Norns started it, but Karnilla has too much strength at the moment. We will call on Vanaheim and we will decimate the fire demons. Karnilla will be forced to use her own strength against us."
"This is a decision that needs to be made by council or king," Sif replied. "You are neither."
"Not yet."
Her eyes widened. "Do you intend to take the throne, then?"
"If I must. I don't want it, but this war needs to end, and soon. Too much has been lost already. As soon as I have control of our forces, we march on Muspelheim."
The warriors three looked grim.
"And in the meantime?" Hogun asked.
"Our forces on Alfheim have been attacked again," Heimdall replied. "Karnilla's forces are strong. And joined this time by dwarves."
"I'll lead them," Sif said to Thor as he started towards the bifrost where the rest of the soldiers were standing. "I'll get them under control."
Thor caught her arm. "Be careful."
"I always am."
Thor was left staring as the Bifrost carried his lover and his allies-in-arms away.
"Inform me if Karnilla sends more troops," he ordered before turning on his heel. He began swinging Mjolnir for takeoff. This ends.
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Atum found Sigyn in chains. At least, that's what it looked like she was wearing while she danced provocatively on a stage, dozens of men whistling at her while a large Jotünn (who must be the Helblindi she ran off with) stood keeping them at bay under threat of axe.
The sun-god sighed as he approached; he desperately hoped that Sigyn was in this situation of her own free will and was not being forced into prostitution or anything of the like. He really wasn't feeling up to killing at the moment...
She finished her dance to applause, curtseying to her audience, before noticing him. Colour flooded to her face. She tapped on the Jotünn's shoulder and whispered into his ear before disappearing behind the curtains. Helblindi gave him a distrustful look as he approached.
"Amora told me to let you pass if you wish to speak with her," the Jotünn said, his gaze locked on Atum. He smashed a drunk man in the face as he tried to sneak aboard the stage. "Who are you exactly?"
Atum's hairless brows raised. "I'm Sigyn's uncle."
"Oh."
The Jotünn stood aside to let him pass without another word. He stepped back through the curtains to find himself in a small dressing area; one corner was curtained further, and that was where Sigyn appeared to be.
"Sigyn?"
"Just a minute." Her voice was small, embarrassed. She emerged, still red-faced, wearing a simple dressing robe."What are you doing here?"
"Your mother was worried about you and so asked me to check up on you... Are you alright?"
She nodded.
"And so this is..." Atum gestured to the curtains, where the stamping of feet could be heard.
"It was my idea. I wanted to try something new..." Sigyn's face was tomato-like by this time. "I don't want to go home."
"I'm not here to take you back to Asgard, unless you wanted to go." Atum reassured her.
She exhaled in relief. "So... how much are you going to tell Mor?"
"All of it."
"Please don't."
"She's going to want to know exactly what you're doing." Atum gave her a disapproving look. "Having only one bodyguard against that pack of wolves out there isn't a good idea, Sigyn."
She flared her hand. "I can defend myself if I must."
"Until somebody throws water at you."
She rolled her eyes. "What makes you think something's going to go wrong?"
"It always does," Atum advised solemnly. "Besides that, last time we met you could hardly control your abilities. Has that changed all that much?"
She looked at the floor.
"I thought as much." Atum sighed. "Promise me you won't do this again, and I won't tell Freyja about this. Deal?"
"But what if I want to do it again?" she challenged immediately. "What's Mor going to do about it?"
"Worry herself to death."
Sigyn's shoulders slumped. "Alright, I won't."
"Thank you, Sigyn."
"Oh, by the way, that's not my name anymore, I'm calling myself Amora."
Atum frowned. "Why?"
"Fresh start."
"Amora," Atum repeated. "I suppose you could have had a worse name."
Sigyn - Amora - rolled her eyes. "I like it."
"Good. I'd hate to have my niece running around the universe using a name she didn't like."
"Sarcasm only works if you show feeling in your voice, you know."
"I am never sarcastic," Atum replied seriously, but a ghost of a smile flitted across his face. "If you want, I can help you learn more about your powers."
"Would you?" Amora's heart leapt. Maybe I can stop starting fires in my sleep...
He nodded. "For a time. I generally don't stay in one spot for long."
"We have a ship."
"I know. Stealing the royal family's personal vessel?"
"It was the only one equipped for a long journey!"
"Which makes it fortunate that you were able to steal that particular one, isn't it?"
Beyond the curtain, the waiting men started stamping their feet and howling for Amora to come back onstage. Atum glared at the curtains in annoyance. Amora looked sheepish.
"Are you actually going back out there?"
"Um..."
Atum raised a brow.
"I do have one more outfit... Plus I'm not sure if the pickpocket we hired has had enough time to steal everybody's coin purses."
"What?!"
Amora's face went red. "We're out of money!"
Atum stifled a groan. "Why didn't you just ask? I have access to enough gold for you to live on for a while."
"We want to make our own way."
"By indulging in petty crime?!"
"There are worse ways of getting money."
"And how long will it be before you resort to such ways, do you think?"
Amora shrugged sourly. The sounds outside the curtain were becoming riotous.
"I have to get ready for the next dance. Will you excuse me?"
Atum nodded once, and she disappeared again. He did not like where this was going, but didn't know where the boundaries lay for him... He was Sigyn's father but not really... He decided to remain just outside this.. whatever-it-was, so he was close enough to intervene if something went wrong. But I have no desire to see Sig- Amora making an exhibition of herself again!
He called out to her. "One last thing. Is this something you wanted to do, or did you decide to do it because you were low on funds?"
"I wanted to do it. I wanted to know how it felt."
"And how does it feel?"
She shrugged. "Liberating."
"As long as you enjoy it."
"I... think I do. I wouldn't want to live like this, though... Could you turn around or close your eyes or something so I can get to the stage?"
"It's that bad, is it?"
"Just look away!"
Atum did as she asked, turning away. "You're reminding me a lot of your mother right now."
"Mor did stuff like this?"
"Not exactly..."
Amora actually felt curious. "Remind me to ask you for details later!" She darted back to the stage.
"Alright."
Cheers rose up the moment she went out onto the stage, and Atum sighed. He would find a way of getting the young, naive lovers gold before 'Amora' was forced into even worse situations... This was bad enough, even if she wanted to, but he had met many women in his lifetime who had no choice and would give anything to get out of the lifestyles they had fallen into...
He shook off the dark memories and went to stand outside, purposefully not looking at the stage. He took up a spot next to the Jotünn, in case the crowd got too rowdy for him to handle by himself. Helblindi looked at him worriedly, but didn't speak. Atum decided to make conversation.
"So what's your new name? I'm assuming you've changed yours, as well..."
"Skurge."
"Skurge? Really?"
"It was Amora's idea and I liked it."
"And you had no better suggestions?"
"I liked it," 'Skurge' repeated. "It sounds dangerous."
Atum snorted. "If you say so. And may I ask, who came up with this particular scheme?"
"Amora," Skurge replied. "I didn't really like it, but she insisted. Said she wanted to know what it felt like."
Atum regarded him seriously. "If I asked you to stop her doing something like this again, would you?"
Skurge shifted uncomfortably. "I'd like to... but we do need money!"
"I can give you lots of gold."
"Who are you, exactly?"
"Amora's uncle." Atum hesitated. "Atum of Heliopolis."
Skurge's eyes widened and he paled. "God-slayer..."
Atum glared at him. "Don't panic, for goodness sake!"
"Er... Um... Loki told me about you..."
Atum paused- he'd have to tread carefully now. Loki's wife aside, the Jotünns believed Loki to be Laufey's son, or at least, that was how it had stood last time he was on Jotunheim. "What did he tell you, exactly?"
"That he met you once as a child..." Skurge trailed off. "Not much, really. Angrboda was the one who told me you were Amora's uncle."
Atum waved this off. "I repeat; if I arrange to supply your funds, will you stop any more of... this?" He gestured at the stage without looking at Amora.
"I'm not here to tell her what she can and cannot do. I can try to convince her not to do this, but if she insists I'd rather be here to protect her from these dogs-" he kicked a man in the face as he tried to scramble up onto the stage, "-then leave her alone. And I'm not sure that she'd accept anything. Maybe if it was like a buried treasure or something..." Skurge's eyes lit up. "Amora! If your uncle here sent us on a treasure hunt, what would you think of keeping whatever we found?"
"A treasure hunt? Sounds fun!"
Atum fought the urge to bury his head in his hands- did these children think this was a game? Still, if it meant 'Amora' would accept his aid... "A treasure hunt it is. With a map where X marks the spot and everything."
"Don't make it too easy, though, okay?"
Atum grinned evilly. "Trust me, I never make things easy!"
"Good!"
"Why do I think we're going to regret this?" Skurge muttered as Atum excused himself.
"Don't be silly!" Amora beamed. "This will be fun!"