Eren snapped awake, the cot he had been sleeping on creaking loudly.
What in the hell was that… That wasn't a normal dream. Why… why was I dancing with Annie?
"Captain, he's awake!"
His eyes darted over to the speaker, it was Armin, sitting across from him with Mikasa. Their faces were full of confusion and worry. That was when he looked down and notice that he was wreathed in steam, the entire room was flooded with the steam from his body!
Captain Levi came in, wearing his 3D gear, the usual stoic look upon his face.
"What were you dreaming of Eren?"
How does he know…?
"Eren, you were talking in your sleep, saying strange things," Armin said, "You also kept saying that you had to save… Annie."
Shit. What else did I say?
"Explain yourself now, Eren," Levi said, as he fanned steam out of his face, "What did you dream?"
"I… I don't really know," He rubbed his eyes, trying to remember, "It didn't feel like a dream. It felt more like a vision, or like I was actually there."
Mikasa and Armin leaned forward, while Levi quirked an eyebrow.
"In this… dream or vision or whatever it was," Eren said quickly, the memories flashed into it, "I kept getting referred to as… Ragnar, yeah, that was it. I was in a huge room, even larger than the Military Tribunal room, surrounded by people in strange, elaborate clothing… And Annie was there. But… we were attacked by, assassins. I was shot with several strange weapons, and I felt the rage welling up inside of this 'Ragnar'. Then it all gets so blurry."
His head began to ache, and he noted that his clothing was covered in blood in several spots.
That's where I was shot in my dream…
He looked up in horror, as another wound appeared on his face. Steam poured from it as his body as it began to try to heal itself.
"Father, what in the hell is going on with Ragnar?"
Suttungr was in his father's private audience chamber, pacing back and forth in front of the King, who was sitting regally. He'd sent the servants and advisors away as soon as Suttungr had entered.
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" He asked incredulously, flinging his hands into the air, "He is manifesting new powers! Powers that I've never heard any Jotunn having! He manifested blades, blades that I can only manifest in my Jotunn form, with his human body! Ragnar was wreathed in flame! Now answer me truly," He paused in his fretful pace, and turned to his father, pointing angrily, "And why did you not tell him the entire prophecy?"
The king sat back and pondered, his blue eyes thoughtful. He looked at Suttungr out of the corner of his eye.
"Suttungr, you remember your mother, right? Ragnar wouldn't, but you do."
"Of course I do, I was a man by the time she died!"
"Then you know that she was not of the Jotunn," The Kings voice grew cool, as he was forced to relive his past once again, "She was an outsider, but not from the Council Lands or from the Wall… She is from even further away. I know little of her people, except that they are… fearsome. Most of your strength comes from your mother."
His father paused, as Suttungr stared at him suspiciously.
"What are you trying to say, Father? That Ragnar and I are not of the Jotunn?"
"You are half Jotunn, and half… Utukku," The king said simply, as if it was a completely normal thing to say, "Ragnar is the same, though… You remember that your mother left for six or seven months before he was born? She chose to go home… That is why I do not blame your brother for her death. Inanna knew she was going to die, her people did something to Ragnar while he still resided inside her. And now you see how he is." He rubbed the bridge of his nose, then pointed at Suttungr. "Between you, Tobias and Luigi, you have to teach him how to control his power… It is of the utmost importance. And you have to carry on, when my part of the full prophecy comes to fruition."
A King's blood must bathe the land, Suttungr thought.
"You know I have been doing my best, Father… But it's just been so terribly hard. Losing Fastvi…"
The King looked up at his eldest son, his eyes hard.
"Suttungr, sacrifices must be made! Your brother must fight for the world."
Damn the prophecy!
"Father, what would you have me do?"
His father laid out his plan, several times Suttungr scoffed at him.
"That plan depends upon Arthur leading the Surtr," He said, knowing that the Surtr had likely chosen a new leader, but… "Unless you know something I don't."
"Arthur, or more properly, Erra, was your mother's Guardian before he was yours," Suttungr sank into a chair facing his father, "He accompanied her from her homeland along with another."
"So he's one of these Utukku?"
The King nodded, sipping from a glass of water from a side table.
"Yes, that's why when you were born, he became your Guardian. So he could teach you at least some of the techniques of the Utukku, like your ability to manifest blades, and the power of your Jotunn form."
Suttungr pondered for a moment.
"But, if you assigned Arthur to me, to train me in the ways of these Utukku, then that means," He looked at his father incredulously. "Luigi?"
His father nodded again.
"Very astute of you," The King said. He reached into his vest, and pulled out a small book, leather bound and ancient looking, "He is also known as Nergal. But that is of no consequence now. You are to read this journal, which I have kept since I was young. You are to study it, to learn from it, and, at the right time, you are to bestow it upon Ragnar."
"How will I know that it is the right time?"
"You will know," He said cryptically, "Now be gone with you! Just know that this war that is coming is only the start, that flames shall cover the Earth. I believe you may find page, oh, like one hundred and forty two, very interesting."
Suttungr left the audience chamber swiftly, that precious book stuffed under his arm.
"Annie, help me get him on the bed."
Annie was growing tired of having to drag an injured Ragnar into bed. She and Eleanor hefted him into his bed, before Eleanor tore off his shirt. His wounds had healed thankfully, leaving only the blood stains on his clothing.
All that embarrassing crying for nothing… I need to remember that he's pretty much indestructible.
She kneeled beside the bed, her hand lightly touching his other hand, as Eleanor lifted his head and placed a pillow underneath it. He seemed to be coming to, as his eyelids began to flutter open.
"Annie, can you take care of him for a few minutes? I need to speak to Luigi and Nick."
Annie nodded, and the larger woman trotted out the door.
She laid her head on the soft bed, her hand still touching Ragnar's.
Why must being near him always be so difficult, she thought scornfully, I'd almost rather be back inside the walls now…
The bed shifted, and she looked up, as Ragnar sat up. She smiled at him.
"I'm glad to see you're alright."
She immediately knew something was wrong, for his eyes glared down at her… And they seemed the eyes of a beast... the eyes of his Jotunn.
"The price must be paid!" He said, but his voice was not his own. It was the layered basso voice that he had spoken with in the ballroom of the Styr's home.
Why can't I move? She tried to flee, but her muscles refused to move.
Terror welled up in her, as those eyes seemed change… they looked like the eyes of a hungry animal.
Ragnar moved off of the bed, his movements' jerky, as with a puppet whose strings aren't correctly used. He pushed her to the ground, and straddled her chest, looking down the whole time at her.
His hands moved across her body, something that might have interested her in another circumstance, but which she reviled now.
"Love must be sacrificed."
Ragnar spoke again, as he leaned down and clumsily ran his lips down the side of her face.
No, no, not like this! She wanted to scream, but there was some force holding her back.
His hands wrapped around her neck, and began to squeeze. The force he was exerting was tremendous, and she felt her throat close.
"The prophecy must be fulfilled, Love must not interfere!"
What is all this nonsense he keeps spouting?
Then her vision began to blur, her body began to weaken…
Just as Annie's eyes began to roll up into her head, she heard the door slam open, and several pairs of feet storm in.
A sword sprouted from Ragnar's chest, and Suttungr, who was the wielder, then reached out and drug Ragnar off of Annie.
"What the hell!" Eleanor yelled as she saw how purple Annie's face was, she reached down and grabbed the younger girls hand, "Why would you do that?"
Suttungr pulled his sword out of Ragnar's chest, and he kneeled down next to his brother, whose eyes had softened. The rage had passed out of him it seemed.
"Annie?"
Annie heard the words, but felt only a coldness. Not the warmth that she had usually felt when she heard that deep voice call her name.
As she began to catch her breath, she stood, assisted by Eleanor. Luigi stood back, looking over the whole scene with concern.
Ragnar's eyes were huge, staring at the red marks and bruises that Annie couldn't see, but most definitely could feel. She looked down at Ragnar, his face now the one drawn with terror, while her face could have been etched in stone. She ripped the elaborate necklace he had gifted her with and threw it on the ground next to him.
"I don't wish to see you ever again, Bastard!"
And then she stormed out of the room, not even taking a second glance. She heard a wailing from behind her, but she walked on, making it nearly to the end of the hall before she collapsed and began to cry.
Why did he have to do that! Why can't things ever be simple!
For nearly the entire day after Annie stormed out, Ragnar lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had stopped weeping within the first few hours, but still he just stared.
Suttungr and Luigi sat in the room, keeping watch over him. The silence was killing them both, but they endured it.
Luigi had briefly spoken to Eleanor, who had done her best to calm Annie, moving most of her meager belongings to a room on the floor above.
"She's still weeping, though the marks have healed," She had said quietly as they stood outside the door, "By the sky, why can't Ragnar do things the simple way… How did the beast get control of him at the ball? It's never taken control of his human form before."
She'd left then, while Luigi let himself quietly back into the room. Luigi had sat back and looked at the pair of nine inch crystal knifes that Ragnar had manifested, their wickedly curved blades quite menacing in the lamplight. He called a servant, and told him to bring leather and glue.
Luigi sat in silence, wrapping the two blades handles, so that they would be easier to grip. Then he sat them aside.
I'll have to get sheaths made for Ragnar. He may have lost control… but these are exquisite blades, better than I could do.
Suttungr watched him work with interest, almost a little too much interest, like he was studying him for the first time. But every time Luigi looked up to catch his eye, he was looking away, or reading from a small book he'd pulled from his cloak.
Silence was their only company, and Luigi began to wonder after Master Tobias. He hadn't seen him since earlier this morning, when Ragnar had been training with him.
I wonder where he's gone too… He should be here.
It was several hours after that before Ragnar sat up, and began to quietly ask after Annie. Luigi rushed over to his side.
"Luigi… Is she okay? Please tell me I didn't hurt her, I don't know what came over me. Can I see her?"
Luigi looked down at the young man who he had helped raise, and felt a terrible longing to be able to help him.
"Listen," He said, "You tried to kill her, or more likely, that beast inside you did. She's… mad with you right now. You can't see her, but I hope things will get better."
Suttungr sat up at that point, and looked at Luigi, his eyes narrowed.
"You know what's wrong with him, don't you, Nerg-"
A loud rapping at the door brought the two older men to their feet.
Luigi had heard what Suttungr had nearly said, he'd nearly used his true name…
So, Hoenor has finally chosen to tell him the truth about his mother and myself…
Suttungr answered the door, spoke quickly with someone that Luigi could not see, and returned a moment later, his face hard.
"Luigi, it seems the Surtr have sent an envoy. Ragnar and I are requested in the throne room."
It took nearly an hour to get Ragnar prepared, and he still looked grief stricken and his face was still drawn into a frown as they lead him into the throne room. The entire assembly of Nobles had not been called, and only the thirty heads of the Great Houses stood near the throne, along with all of the top commanders of the Royal Guard and Army. Sigmund and Freyr already stood before their father.
Standing before the throne was one man, dirty and wearing clothes that showed great wear. He wore the brown cloak of a Surtr, and stood before a heavy oak chest.
The man turned, and smiled as he caught sight of Ragnar and Suttungr.
"So the Traitor Prince and the Death Prince have arrived," His snide voice, "Excellent, Lord Arthur sends his regards!"
The King stood, with a dozen guards between him and the Surtr, and watched as the three of them bowed and then approached.
"Welcome, my Sons, it seems that the Surtr have sent us an envoy," He gestured flippantly towards the brown cloaked man, "He has brought demands, but he says he has a pair of gifts for you, Suttungr."
Suttungr shot a suspicious glance at the man, seeming to recognize him from his time as King of Muspelheim.
"What do you want, Kynes?" He asked, his voice harsh.
"I have come with the demands of Lord Arthur," The man bowed sardonically, "He wished that peace can flow between Jotunheim and Muspelheim. But with you sheltering the Traitor Prince and the Death Prince, he has been given no choice but to attack, and he did, a pair of days ago."
He held the attention of everyone in the chamber, as he grinned. He pulled something out of his pocket, and threw it too Ragnar. He caught it and looked down… It was the charred remains of his standard that flew from Vanirhaus, the valknut still visible on its black background.
"He led the legions of Surtr to Vanirheim, the closest city to us, and burned it to the ground," Ragnar's head shot up, and Luigi immediately put his hand on his shoulder, comforting and restraining at the same time, "He regretfully chose to not allow any of the Jotunn within to live."
Luigi was forced to wrap his meager arms around Ragnar, as he tried to charge the man.
He truly needs to learn how to control it.
"Ragnar, cease that now!" His father yelled from the throne, "He is an envoy and may not be attacked!"
Ragnar growled, but didn't struggle with Luigi anymore. Luigi wasn't stupid enough to let go, however.
"Ha, so the Death Prince can barely control his beastliness even now!" Kynes let out a bellowing laugh, then turned and pointed to Suttungr. "Now, Lord Arthur has sent along a pair of gifts for you."
Kynes moved over to the chest, and kicked the lid open. He then kicked the chest over, and two… object rolled out.
A gasp filled the throne room, followed by an agonized shout from Suttungr.
The decomposed, though still recognizable, heads of Fastvi and a young man that Luigi didn't recognize…
"Fastvi, Ivar!"
Suttungr was kneeling, holding the head of his late wife, a look of horror upon his face. Kynes looked down disgustedly.
"Lord Arthur has sent these gifts, to prove that he is willing to negotiate," He turned to the stunned King, "You shall give him the Suttungr and the Death Prince Ragnar, or he will begin to destroy cities at an ever increasing rate. Even now the Surtr ride for Niflheim. If you were to meet him there with these two, then he may choose to spare it. Now, I must return to my Lord."
The brown cloaked man turned on his heel, and left, though no eyes followed them, they were locked in one of three places, either at Ragnar, who was trembling with rage, to the King, whose face was cold and stone like, or to Suttungr, who had removed his cloak and wrapped the two heads in it… Tears still shone in his eyes.
"MacArthur," The King said to his head guard, "How is the state of the Royal Army?"
The older man, turned, looking up at the King.
"We have only three hundred men present, and without the levy you spoke to me of from Vanirheim," His eyes drifted to Luigi and Ragnar, "The other levy's should be here within a day. We should be able to reach Niflheim in two days if we rotate horses…"
Ragnar had ripped free of Luigi's hold, and approached the throne, his whole body exuding determination.
"Father, I would like permission to ride to Vanirheim, to check after my people!"
"No, Ragnar, you are needed with the Royal Army, I forbid it."
"Damn you," He said rebelliously, his fists clenching at his sides, "I must see to my people! They are my responsibility!"
"You're responsibility is to follow the King's orders!" MacArthur said, but Ragnar looked at him so ferociously the veteran warrior took a step back.
Luigi approached the throne, gripping Ragnar's arm, pulling him gently backwards.
"Come Ragnar, you are still not totally recovered."
He complied, but pulled his arm free of Luigi's grip. Shooting his father a grim look, he then stalked out of the throne room, Luigi in close pursuit.
One of the posts of Ragnar's bed snapped under his blows, as he raged. He'd already nearly thrown a chair out the window, only the chairs great size not allowing it to fall.
It's all fucking bullshit!
He stopped in his destructive ministrations and turned to Luigi.
"I want the Guard assembled in the palaces courtyard, now!"
"You cannot disobey the King's orders, Ragnar," Luigi protested, "You cannot become reviled! You know this!"
Ragnar shot him an evil glance, his eyes flashing with that inner rage which so terrified everyone. Luigi met his eyes, held them for a moment, and then turned to carry out his order.
Sitting alone, Ragnar felt himself being pulled apart, the beast inside pulling him towards death and destruction, while he himself tried to love.
Damn me! Why did I have to try to kill Annie, she probably hates me now!
He nearly got up then and went to her room, but a mental fist crashed down upon him.
The price must be paid! That rage filled voice said.
Fuck your price! And fuck you! You have done nothing but ruin all that I have worked for, you tried to kill the woman I loved!
The prophecy- The beast said, but Ragnar cut it off.
Fuck the prophecy. From this moment forward…
Ragnar was dragged into his own mental world, again. Once again he floated in the void, looking at the grinning beast within.
What, you will break the prophecy? Ha, you do not have the power!
You forget, Beast, that you are a part of me! I will have your power!
Ragnar reached out, grabbing the beast,
You cannot handle my power!
I am the Death Prince! I can handle whatever I want! We will come to an understanding, now.
Why should I, The beast said snidely, I like our arrangement.
Because, Ragnar said darkly, If we do not I shall cut you out of me! I grow tired of these games with you!
Suddenly he was being shaken awake, as Luigi stood over him. His rage had drained away, and he simply felt tired.
"Your Guard has been assembled as you ordered, My Prince."
"Thank you, Luigi," Then Ragnar, looking chagrined, said, "Luigi… I am sorry for how I have acted recently."
Luigi nodded, and they headed out into the courtyard.
The twenty seven remaining guards that remained to Ragnar stood at attention as he walked out.
He saluted, then looked at the three pairs of swords that were laid in the spots that Todd, Buckley and Sid usually sat in.
All twenty seven saluted in turn.
"I release Sid, Buckley and Todd from my service," Ragnar called out, "They died honorably for my life, and the life of my Lady Annie. Let their… Families never want."
Ragnar cringed, knowing that their families had likely been in Vanirheim.
I can't believe Vanirheim is gone… Damn Arthur! When I see him, I'm going to fucking rip his head off!
"Now… I must bring you terrible news," Ragnar began, "News that I myself received only recently… Vanirheim has been destroyed by the Surtr. They burned it, and… killed all of its citizens."
He unfurled the burned standard before them, and they knew it true, as Ragnar did.
A startled cry went up from his men, a few falling to their knees in disbelief.
"Those murdering fucking bastards!" "No, my family…" "Why, why would they do this!"
Ragnar heard them all murmuring, even Nick and Tyr, both of whom had family in Vanirhem, looked downtrodden, especially with the wounds that still covered them.
"When do we ride to Vanirheim, My Prince," Nick called out, the anger in his eyes apparent. Ragnar had met his wife and children a few times…
"We shall not be riding for Vanirheim."
Shock rumbled through the ranks of his guards.
"Why, My Prince?"
Ragnar shook his head, knowing what he truly wished to do…
I want to see Vanirheim for myself, to run its ashes through my fingers, to be sure… But I cannot.
"Because, we must ride with the Royal Army," Ragnar's voice became a shout, "To avenge the deaths of our loved ones! To kill those who murdered them!"
He saluted them again, and their spines stiffened as they returned the salute.
"We shall destroy them, wipe them from the face of this world! Not even their bones shall remain!"
The set of his men's eyes changed. Tyr and Nick both raised their voices.
"We shall destroy them!"
Ragnar nodded, and broke the salute.
"Be prepared to ride by tomorrow, sharpen your blades and rest. We shall not be getting any once we leave
Yggadrasil. Dismissed!"
As the men began to file away, most reverting to the grief they felt for their lost families, Ragnar approached Tyr and Nick who were doing their best to hold back their own grief.
"Listen, I have a special mission for you two…"
Nick stepped forward, nodding.
"What is it, My Prince?"
"You are to remain behind and guard the Lady Annie, along with Eleanor."
He held up a hand, silencing their protests.
I cannot bring her with me, for the beast inside will try to hurt her again. He thought to himself, feeling like he should rip out his own heart.
"Eleanor cannot do it alone, and the both of you are injured still," Steam emitting from Nick's stump highlighted his point, "I would prefer to know that Annie is… safe."
"She won't be riding with you?" Tyr said, confusion spreading across his face.
"No… It's, too dangerous for her to be near me at this point."
Their eyes narrowed, then widened as they caught his meaning. They bowed to him, knowing the turmoil that was likely rampaging through him.
"We shall protect her with our lives, my Prince."
Then they walked away towards the Royal Apartments, while Ragnar stood in the courtyard as the sun rose high overhead. He handed Luigi the burnt standard.
"From now on, we shall fly that standard whenever we march. We are orphans now, with no home to return to… But we have each other…"
They returned to the Royal Apartments themselves, and Ragnar fell into a sleep blissfully free of any dreams or nightmares.
The Royal Army gathered in the courtyard of the Royal Palace, as the King spoke to them.
Ragnar and his men were joined by Suttungr, who felt the same need for revenge that all of the others did. He'd spent the previous day burying Fastvi and Ivar's heads on a hill outside of the city. Now he sat astride his horse next to Ragnar, wearing the blue and gold of his livery.
Even Master Tobias rode with them, having appeared out of nowhere, seemingly knowing all that had transpired the last few days. When Ragnar had asked him where he had gone off too, he wouldn't say.
The Army sat in formation for nearly an hour, with most of the population of Yggadrasil, having heard about the destruction of Vanirheim, congregated along the streets, waiting for the Royal army to march.
"And so I say unto you, my Royal Army," His father's long winded speech was finally wrapping up, and Ragnar breathed a sigh of relief. "Go forth and purge this world of the beasts! Slay them, and burn their bones! Now ride to Niflheim, and see my will done!"
He pointed dramatically in the general direction of Niflheim, and the entire army saluted. Then cries went up from the head of the army, and the column began its long parade past his father, and out the main gates.
Ragnar could see the standards his brothers, the green and blue of Freyr, and the red and gold of Sigmund, along with the complete blue of the Royal Guard, flapping in the wind at the head of the column, Ragnar's men were at the end of the column.
But we shall be at the forefront of the fighting, I shall make sure of that!
He felt eyes upon him, not from the crowd, but from the apartments behind him. He craned his neck around, and caught a flash of gold as someone darted out of sight…
Ragnar hadn't seen Annie since that terrible day, but Eleanor had told me that she was… back to her usual self. He'd sent her a note, knowing that he could not bring himself to see her, not before they marched.
By the sky, I wish I could see her though… When I return, I'll make everything up to her!
Looking ahead once again, he felt the unfamiliar weight of his war armor, the steel plate across his back and chest, with a cowl covering his neck, all hidden by his cloak. His two new knifes, now sporting leather grips that Luigi had wound himself, and hidden in newly made sheaths between his swords and his waist. They'd make a nasty surprise for anyone foolish enough to near him.
Without Nick and Tyr, his two next most experienced guards were Alex Nigohr and Beth Simonson, who rode behind Ragnar, Suttungr and Luigi. They were both experienced, and well known for their skill with the sword, but they were not up to par with Nick and Tyr. The same dark skinned recruit who had carried the standard into Yggadrasil, who Ragnar had discovered was named Annar, carried the larger, burnt and tattered standard, riding in front of Ragnar. He'd apparently proved himself very skilled with the sword.
I must bring more skilled men such as him to my side.
A roaring cheer went up as Freyr, Dugan MacArthur by his side, led the army at a trot out of the gates, people calling out prayers to the sky to watch over them. The green and blue standard of Freyr, and the blue of the royal standard snapped in the wind of their passage side by side. The three hundred men of the Yggadrasil Guard complement followed, riding ten wide through the gates, then the men of Freyr's guard. A hundred men in his green and blue livery.
Sigmund was next, his hundred men wearing crimson, his standard flying high. The cheers bathed him, buffeted him in their strength. The beloved sons of the King's had passed, and the cursed ones now rode forth.
"We are a meager number, Brother," Suttungr said from beside him, barely audible over the roaring still coming from ahead. "They do not know the rage we carry in our hearts… I have no doubt your men will be worth more than the rest of the Army… And with you and I at the head…"
He looked over, and Ragnar met his gaze. Then Ragnar nodded, as they passed through the gates.
The cheering continued, but it dropped in volume considerably, as Ragnar and Suttungr passed by. Many pointed at the burned standard, and wide eyes sprung up everywhere as they noted how set his men's faces were.
They don't know the half of it…
It took the Army nearly an hour to wind its way through Yggadrasil, but when they reached the edge, they picked up their pace, and raced towards Niflheim.
We will slaughter them!