Chapter Sixteen
Loki woke in the healing rooms with Angrboda sitting beside him, Hela gurgling in her arms. His throat still throbbed with pain, but he tried to speak.
"Angi..."
Pure relief came over his wife's face. "Loki, you're awake! How do you feel?"
"Fantastic." Just the one word made him break into a coughing fit. He clutched his throat- it hurt!
Angrboda's cool hands stroked his face. "I'm glad you're back with us. I was so worried."
"I'm fine." Loki half whispered. "Water?"
Shifting Hela, Angrboda retrieved a glass of water and helped Loki sip at it.
He swallowed, smiling slightly as the pain eased. "What happened? How did I get here?" Sudden fear took him. "Where's Nanna?"
"She's in a dungeon secured by metal and magic. Atum arrived just in time. He subdued the snake, but left shortly after and hasn't been seen since."
Loki tried to push himself up. "Balder?"
"From what I've heard he won't leave his wife's side."
Loki tensed. "He's not in there with her? Set will kill him!"
"No, he's outside the barriers."
Loki pushed himself up. "I have to go see him."
"Loki, you only just woke up! You have to wait a while, at least. You could have died." Angrboda sounded near tears.
"I'm fine, really-" he collapsed back. "You're right. Wait. I'm sorry," He took her head, "I'm sorry for scaring you."
"I can't lose you, Loki. I'm sorry, I don't mean to blame you, but..."
He kissed her fingers. "I know."
Hela began fussing, wanting attention.
"I think she's messy," Angrboda muttered, turning over the infant to check her diaper. A powerful smell hit Loki's nose, making him glad that he wasn't in the condition to tend to his daughter. Angrboda changed the baby into clean diaper quickly.
Loki watched fondly. "You're a wonderful mother."
She flushed turquoise. "I wouldn't know what to do without you."
"I promise you'll never have to find out."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Loki."
"Am I interrupting?" Both Angrboda and Loki looked at the doorway as Atum strolled in. They both tensed; Atum's mere presence had that effect on people.
"How do you feel?" he asked Loki brusquely.
"Fine." Loki's voice was stiff.
Hela peered at the strange man who was talking to her father and burst into tears. Atum glanced at her, shoulders tensing. He hated his effect on young children. He reached out and stroked her red hair.
"Shh, little one. It's alright." Hela's wails quieted and she peered up at him. Without warning, she smiled. He smiled back. Loki and Angrboda both stared. It was so strange!
"Can I hold her?"
Angrboda slowly nodded and handed the baby over. She looked tiny in his arms, and reached out to grab his nose.
"She's beautiful," Atum said with a small smile.
"You managed to calm her very quickly."
Atum glanced at Loki. "She's a brave child. Babies always cry when they see me... except for two."
Loki was curious. "Two?"
Atum's face closed off.
"Balder wasn't afraid of you, but who else?" Loki pressed.
"Freyja," Atum replied shortly, and handed Hela back to Angrboda. "Can you walk?"
Loki stretched slowly before swinging himself off the bed. "I think so."
"Come with me."
Angrboda grabbed Loki's arm, stopping him. "Where?"
"I need to question Set," Atum replied. "And I need someone to stop me from hurting Nanna."
"It's alright, Angrboda. I want to speak to Nanna myself anyway." Loki squeezed her hand reassuringly before leaving. "I'll be back soon."
He and Atum walked down to the dungeons in silence. Balder was sitting outside the cell in which Nanna stood, staring blankly ahead. Tears streamed down his face.
Atum paused, looking at Loki. "Get rid of him." He muttered in an undertone.
"Balder-"
"I'm not leaving."
Loki looked at him helplessly. "Balder, it might be best if you don't listen to-"
"I'm not leaving!"
Atum walked over. "Leave, boy."
"No!"
Atum grabbed Balder by the tunic and shoved him down the corridor. "I said leave."
Balder fought back. "I said NO! She's my wife!"
"And she's the youngest daughter of the sister I loved more than my own life. But I have to get information from Set!" Atum continued pushing Balder until he was some distance away, then muttered an incantation, erecting a wall of energy between Balder and himself, making it soundproof and impenetrable. Balder could watch if he insisted, but he would hear nothing, and would not be able to interfere.
Loki was standing staring in at Nanna. Atum joined him and faltered.
"She looks so much like Freyja."
"I know. All her daughters do... did."
Atum tensed and walked straight into the cell. He walked around Nanna and grasped her by the shoulders. He muttered a spell that Loki couldn't make out. Nanna's eyes remained blank, but she nodded in response to a murmured question. Atum beckoned Loki inside.
Loki did so hesitantly. Where has all the innocence gone? He wondered sadly. He pushed down his worry as Atum met Nanna's eyes, obviously preparing to question her- or Set.
"Set. How about you and I have a talk?"
Nanna blinked and her blue eyes turned putrid green. "Hello, nephew."
Atum's voice hardened. "Don't call me that. I have some questions for you."
A sly smile crossed Nanna's sweet face. "About what?"
"How did you manage to bring the Serpent Crown into this girl's grasp, for a start?"
"I wasss trying to get it to him," Set jerked Nanna's head towards Loki. "But it wasss intercepted."
Loki tensed- this was reminding him of something... the memory taunted him, just out of his grasp.
"You've stepped up your game," Atum continued. "Destroying Jotunheim?"
"To get rid of your ssson and half-brother. Didn't quite work out that way, though."
Atum nodded. "So you manipulated the fire demon Surtur into destroying the realm-"
Nanna-Set burst out laughing.
"What?"
"Sssurtur? Oh, nephew, I thought you were sssmarter than thisss!"
"But if Surtur didn't do it-" Loki's blurted interruption was silenced by Atum glaring at him.
"What is your plan, Set?"
"You expect me to anssswer that truthfully?"
"You do sometimes."
Nanna-Set shrugged. "My plansss don't matter anymore. Chthon'sss decided to become involved. And he'sss decided to give up on you, Atum. You might not think it, but hisss hope to have to on hisss ssside hasss protected you for a long time. Now it'sss gone..."
Atum snorted. "Is that meant to frighten me?"
"It ssshould."
"It doesn't."
"Then you don't know how ssstrong your father really isss... By the way, your youngessst daughter, Sssigyn. She'sss hisss captive."
Atum grabbed Nanna by the throat. "You're lying!"
Loki grabbed Atum's wrist. "You'll kill her!"
"And we wouldn't want that," Nanna-Set choked out. "Only two daughtersss of your beloved sssissster sssurvive!"
Atum released Set and recoiled as though physically injured. "Is that why you killed her? So that I wouldn't-"
"You wouldn't have killed Nanna anyway. I'm not that ssstupid. Chthon killed Freyja."
Atum's eyes went black. There was no mercy in them. Chthon would die. Loki stepped back, wondering if he was going to have to shield Nanna's body from his angry father...
"Where is he?" Atum's voice was guttural.
"I haven't the faintessst idea."
"TELL ME!" Atum roared.
"Ssshouting isssn't going to do you any good. But don't worry. Chthon will come to you sssoon enough."
Atum lunged at Nanna; Loki barely threw himself in the way in time.
"No! What do you mean?" Loki demanded, looking at Set but keeping his hand on Atum's chest.
"What do you think it meansss?"
Loki rolled his eyes. "If I knew what your cryptic comments meant, why would I be asking?"
Nanna-Set leaned forward. "You're in Asssgard. Chthon isss coming for you. Think about it." Atum and Loki exchanged puzzled looks. What did Set mean?
"Come on, it'sss not that hard!" Set-Nanna's eyes rolled in frustration. "Chthon isss coming to Asssgard! Honessstly!"
"How?" Atum demanded. "If that is true, he would need a host!"
"Would he? Odin'sss dead, the ssspellsss protecting thisss place are weak." Nanna-Set shrugged. "But if you want to think he needsss a hossst, go ahead."
Atum was silent for a long time. Balder is vulnerable to possession.
Nanna-Set chuckled, picking up on Atum's thoughts. "Wrong, guessss again!"
Without a word, Atum turned and left the cell. Balder. Loki followed him, closing the cell behind him.
"What are you doing?"
"Chthon's attack on Asgard while Balder was a baby left him open to possession. Even if he's not how Chthon plans to enter Asgard again, he must be confined."
Loki's face went white. "If Nanna's been possessed by Set... is Balder vulnerable to him, as well?" He didn't even want to consider it!
"Yes. And even if he's not, Chthon can enter him at will."
"This is my fault," Loki realised, looking past the magical barrier that separated Balder from them. His blue eyes were dark with despair, waiting as though he knew what news they brought. "If I hadn't let Chthon into Asgard, all those years ago..." You will one day cause the death of the infant in your arms. "Is this it? Is this how he's going to die?"
Atum paused. "I don't know. The vision was never clear. It has become even more distorted over the years."
Balder's gaze was locked on Loki's face; he tried to smile reassuringly but it didn't work. Atum lowered the energy barrier, and Balder immediately began peppering them with questions.
"Is she alright? Did you find anything? Is she free of Set?" Loki didn't answer, didn't even make eye contact. Atum grabbed Balder by the arm and began dragging him to another cell.
"What- hey! What are you doing?"
"Balder, it's going to be alright," Loki tried to say, but his throat was thick.
"Loki, what's happening?" The fear in Balder's voice made Loki's gut twist.
"Balder... when you were a baby, and I let Chthon into Asgard, he did something to you. It leaves you vulnerable to possession... I'm sorry."
Balder stopped struggling against Atum as the sun-god put him into the cell and began chanting. "Is Nanna going to be alright?"
"I hope so." I have no idea.
Balder nodded as the energy barriers went up around him. Loki looked at the floor. How am I going to tell Thor? Mother? His heart ached. "Balder..."
"It's not your fault, brother."
Loki turned away. But it is. If I hadn't started all this years ago, drawing Chthon to Asgard...
"Doesss thisss mean our chat isss over?" Nanna-Set drawled from the adjacent cell.
"Be silent!" Atum roared.
Nanna-Set shrugged, and then the putrid-green faded into Nanna's cornflower-blue. She shuddered, looking around anxiously. "Balder?"
"Nanna!" He tried to step towards her but was blocked by the energy.
She looked terrified. "What'sss going on? Why are you locked up too?" Have we been found out?
"It's just a precaution," Loki assured her, not knowing that it was far from assuring. "We just want to make sure that you two remain safe..."
"Sssafe from what?"
"This isn't about you two, it's about keeping Set and possibly Chthon contained," Atum replied coldly. He glared at Loki. "And it's a lie to say anything different."
Loki didn't know what else to say. Balder and Nanna exchanged worried looks.
Balder swallowed heavily. "I don't think Chthon is going to come through me."
"You can't know that," Atum told him.
"I think I can. I'm Set's too." Instantly he cried out in pain, his whole body seizing. Nanna called out his name, as did Loki, both sounding terrified.
Atum glared at him. "What did you say?"
But Balder was in too much pain to answer.
"Stop it!" Nanna screamed. "Ssstop!"
Eventually, Balder stopped writhing in pain, and managed to look up.
"What did you just say?" Atum repeated, his tone merciless.
Balder opened his mouth - and began screaming again.
"He wore the Serpent Crown, too!" Nanna cried, and then she began shrieking with pain. "And- Heimdall!" she managed.
"Kill me, please!" Balder begged.
But Atum was already gone.
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Set sighed as his two slaves spilled the beans. Ah, well. Too late, anyway, children...
"It'sss time, Heimdall." The gatekeeper activated the bifrost, bringing Karnilla's army to Asgard; she now had Vanaheim under her command since the death of Gullveig, the dwarves were loyal to her, and the fire demons just wanted to burn everything. Set settled back, watching through Heimdall's eyes as the armies ran upon Asgard; it was too great. Asgard would fall within hours.
Are you ready, brother?
Yessss. It beginsss.
Good.
Ssshall I have my ssslave deposit you directly into the palace?
Yes. I want to watch this.
Asss you wisssh. Set sent out a command to Heimdall.
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"DON'T TELL ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING!" Helbindi shouted at Thoth, making him cower. "WHERE DID HE TAKE HER?"
"We've told you this, unstable giant!" Sekhmet snarled. "The Flickering Realm, and there is no entrance."
Helblindi rolled his eyes. "Obviously there's one, or Chthon would never be able to leave! How do we get there?!"
Thoth and Sekhmet glanced at each other.
"Only by opening a direct portal might we gain entrance, and I fear we durst not... we have not the strength," Thoth explained. "Our deaths would come by effort alone."
Helblindi ground his teeth. "So who does have the strength?"
"Atum."
"Great, how do we contact him?"
Sekhmet rolled her eyes. "One does not simply summon the god-slayer!"
Helblindi wanted to throttle her. "You must know a way!"
"I don't."
"So we're just giving up on Sigyn?"
Sekhmet growled. "What would you have me do?!"
"Something!" Helblindi took a deep breath. He hated imagining what that demon might be doing to her!
"She's not the first sister I've lost to Chthon's realm."
"And yet you won't even try to save this one?"
Sehkmet turned and walked away. "She's already lost."
Helblindi glared after her. "She. Is. Not. Lost." He turned his glare to Thoth. "And you are going to help me save her!"
"If only I could! But Chthon's powers far outweigh mine."
"I can't just give up! There has to be something!"
Thoth raised his hands helplessly. "Hast thou any books?"
Helblindi nearly snapped his neck.
"I find reading purging, perchance I might find a solution."
Helblindi was about to scream with frustration- didn't Thoth understand the urgency of this?!
"Or..." Thoth's eyes narrowed. "Hold still." He began inspecting the patterns on Heblindi's skin.
"What are you doing?!"
"I see something... be silent."
Helblindi obliged, albeit with a scowl on his face.
"Hmmm... yes this may succeed..."
"What may succeed?" Helblindi snapped.
"Why must I always deal with slow minds? This of course!"
Helblindi snapped, grabbing Thoth by the throat and hefting him off the floor. "STOP TALKING IN RIDDLES!"
"Saving Sigyn!" the avian god gasped.
Helblindi dropped him; Thoth gasped for air, rubbing his throat.
"How?"
"Thou lovest her. We can use that connection."
"Well, do it then!" Helblindi's heart raced. He could have Sigyn back soon... he deliberately did not think about the demon.
"We must have mine ill-tempered niece if we are to succeed."
Helblindi stifled a groan. "I'll go get her." He marched off in the direction Sekhmet had gone, locating her fairly quickly. She was sharpening her dagger aggressively... using her claws.
"We need your help, Sekhmet."
"What use would you have for me?"
"Thoth found a way to reach Sigyn. But he says we are all needed. Please..."
Sekhmet was on her feet in an instant. "What are we waiting for?"
"You!"
Sekhmet and Helblindi raced each other back to where Thoth waited. He appeared to be engrossed in a book.
Sekhmet rolled her eyes. "THOTH!"
"Ah, niece. Tis good you are here." He smiled. "Whyfore all the shouting?"
Sekhmet's eyes widened. She jumped forward to grab Thoth's arm - but her hand went right through him. She snarled in confusion and wariness. "What's going on?!"
"I apologise, mine niece, but I cannot risk the sacrifice of another life. Atum would kill me."
"You're not going to the Flickering Realm by yourself!"
Thoth blinked owlishly. "Of course not, bloodthirsty one. I art already here."
Helblindi's eyes widened. "You can't be serious! You said you were no match for Chthon!"
"Chthon hast left. I must contend solely with N'Garai."
"Left?" Sekhmet frowned. "He finally has Sigyn in his grasp, and he's just... left? Be wary, Uncle. This is probably a trap."
"Of course it is!" Thoth exclaimed, and then the image flickered out.
Sekhmet and Helblindi exchanged horrified looks.
"Now what do we do?"