Chapter 3 – A new case

D95/1 ABY

On a desolate world in far reaches of the unknown regions of the Republic stood the new King of Hel. He had apparently been waiting for someone for a long time now. The demon then looked at his watch and decided to leave. As he turned around, he walked into the person he was waiting for, and was immediately pushed to the ground.

Looking up he saw the face of the new Allfather – God of Thunder, King and Protector of the nine realms – Thor Odinson. Crowley got up, "Do you realize how long I have been waiting here?", he asked eyeing the new Uru arm that Thor had received from the dwarves of Khazad-dȗm.

"I should smite you… for your many crimes, hell spawn.", Thor responded calmly.

"I wouldn't recommend it.", Crowley said, "You have… no doubt been made aware that I am the new King of Hel."

"Aye. Though how a crossroads demon became King… is beyond me.", Thor spoke.

"Onto business then.", Crowley said.

"You want us to stick to the old agreement,", Thor spoke for him, "and you want us to help you keep order in Hel."

"You are omniscient.", Crowley commented.

"Nay. Merely acquainted with some of your underlings.", Thor answered. The two then looked at each other in silence.

"I find myself in a dilemma. On one hand, I feel that it is my duty to kill you, and on the other… merely killing you would bring me no satisfaction.", Thor broke the silence.

"What could you do to me, that I don't do to myself on a daily basis?", Crowley asked menacingly.

"I could smite you like I smote Vitiate – your son who spouted nonsense about eternity.", Thor spoke.

"You should have invited me then,", Crowley smiled, "I would have punished him alongside you."

"Why did you call me here?", Thor asked.

"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't… sitting on the Throne of Hel.", Crowley said.

"Kneel… King Crowley.", Thor said. Crowley complied with his wishes and knelt in front of Thor.


D99/1 ABY

Inside the house of Tarre and Ahsoka, sitting in the living room were the members of the Ghost crew, minus Zeb, Chopper, Tarre, Fenrir and Thor. Zeb had gone back to the Republic two days ago, stating that he had wanted to show Lira San to Kallus. He had asked Hera, if Chopper could accompany him and she had agreed – the grumpy droid would be helping Zeb navigate the ship they had taken. Currently they were all reading material provided by Thor, which provided a basic understanding of the Aesir, the creation of the realms and the understanding of the universe as the Aesir had perceived it. This had happened after all of them told Thor that they wanted to join the Aesir.

The door of the apartment then opened and in entered Tarre Viszla fuming, covered in some kind of pus and smelling awfully. Thankfully he didn't have his armour on, which had been painted by Sabine, but she wasn't completely happy with it.

"Oh God.", Ahsoka said as they all recoiled at the foul stench coming from Tarre. Sira nearly retched at this and put her paws over her nose.

"Tarre, what happened?", Ahsoka asked.

"Spent a better part of my day collecting pus, got caught in a stampede of Bilgesnipes and the icing on the cake – the war between Clan Bagdwella and Garden Gnomes. No one else addresses that problem anymore, so obviously it falls on the Champion.", Tarre complained mostly to himself as he tried to sit down on the sofa, but was stopped by Ahsoka.

"Go get cleaned.", she said.

As Tarre went to the refresher, the datapad Tarre had placed on the table beeped and Tarre groaned at the sound. "I swear if this is another gnome problem…", he left the threat hanging in the air and went ahead.

"I thought Fenrir was joking about the high blood pressure.", Sabine said. Ahsoka then picked up the datapad and her eyes widened. "Tarre's not going to be happy."

"Gnomes?", everyone asked.

"Yes.", Ahsoka answered.

"How can it be a problem again? He just dealt with them?", Hera asked.

"He needs to rest.", Ahsoka said.

Hera then contacted Thor; whose life-sized hologram manifested in front of them. "Hera, how goes the study?"

Hera looked at everyone and answered, "Quite good. Learning a lot of interesting things today."

"Like?", Thor asked with a smile.

"Gnomes. How resilient are they?", Hera asked.

Thor chuckled at this, "Tarre's having problems with them, isn't he?"

"He just got back and is in the refresher. Ahsoka saw the latest request and…", Hera answered.

"The Bagdwella clan have another gnome infestation. When I was champion, most of my days were spent with me sorting out their perennial gnome problem. It drove me crazy… and left me with health problems.", Thor said.

"Can angels get health problems?", Kanan asked.

"Indeed. We are living beings and as such susceptible to health problems – like high blood pressure.", Thor answered grimly.

"Is there any chance that this task could be delegated to someone else.", Ahsoka asked.

"Hmm.", Thor stroked his beard in thought. "I can delegate it to someone else. Perhaps – Bruce. He seems too happy with his free time."

"Will that be alright?", Hera asked.

"Ah yes. But he would need assistance. Perhaps Ezra and Sabine.", Thor suggested.

"What!?", the two asked.

"I think that's a great idea.", Hera said and then turned to face the look of shock on the two, "Just don't blow anything up this time."

"But…", Ezra stuttered.

"Then it is settled. Send them both to the palace immediately.", Thor said.


After cleaning himself up, Tarre entered the living room – wearing a brand-new shirt that Ahsoka had purchased for him. "All right, where is the datapad?"

"Don't worry about it.", Ahsoka said as Tarre sat down and was handed a drink by Ahsoka.

"Why not?", Tarre asked.

"Ezra and Sabine volunteered to go on your behalf.", Kanan said as Hera smiled.

"Really?", Tarre asked curiously.

"Yep.", they all answered.

"Was it a gnome problem?", Tarre asked.

"Does it matter?", Hera asked.

"It will when your father asks me for a report.", Tarre answered.

"Don't worry, dad already knows.", Hera said.

"I pity those two. Having to deal with the Bagdwellas.", Tarre said shaking his head.

"Bruce is with them.", Hera spoke.

Tarre laughed at this, "Bruce has no patience to deal with them."

The others joined his laughter, and after some time they began discussing what they had read with Tarre, wanting to have a deeper understanding of it.

"So, you have read about the creation of the Aesir, and their functions?", Tarre asked.

"Yes. But how did it all come to pass.", Ahsoka asked.

"It's like this. There are four major species of Gods – Primordial, Titan, Celestial and Angel.", Tarre spoke, "After wars between Primordials and Titans, then Titans and Celestials, and Celestials and Archangels – the universe came to be the way it is. Now there are only a few Celestials and Archangels, they had once numbered in millions. But there are no more Primordials or Titans to my knowledge."

"How do Pagans fit in all of this?", Kanan asked.

"Pagans are like demigods. They have the potential of becoming any of the major God species.", Tarre said. "Archangels are a mutated version of Angels – like a cross between Primordial and Angel."

"Alright, and you are an angel – technically a god?", Hera asked.

"Technically speaking yes. But I am not a full god, actually I am a Cherub. You only get there, when you get an official title. Generally, in the Aesir, only Seraphims and above are full gods. Like Thor – Archangel of Thunder, or Loki – Archangel of Mischief. Similarly, Issho – Seraphim of Gravity, though now he may be an Archangel."

"Alright.", they all nodded listening intently.

"Amongst Cherubs, there are three classes – Cupids, Leerei and Ares.", Tarre said, "Cupids are associated with Love and Healing. Leerei are associated with all forms of travel, messages and bringing light to dark parts. Ares are warrior angels – involved with military and diplomatic missions."

"Are there any such classes amongst Pagans?", Ahsoka asked.

"No. Pagans are a jack of all, master of none. They are open to explore all options and choose their path accordingly.", Tarre answered.

"I see.", Ahsoka said.

"So, Pagans are allowed to chose what path they will follow, unlike how the Jedi did it?", Kanan asked.

"Yes. Another difference between the two is that only those who are of legal age can join the Aesir. It has to be a willing decision, children and those below their respective legal ages can't join.", Tarre said.

"Doesn't that make things difficult?", Kanan asked.

"No. Training someone and them joining the order are two very different things.", Tarre answered.

As the discussion went on further, Tarre's commlink beeped. Answering it he heard the voice of Fenrir. "Hey pal, how was the pus?", as his life-sized hologram manifested.

"Smelly.", Tarre answered, "What do you need?"

"I am headed towards the planet of Pantorra right now. Heard of a possible case here.", Fenrir answered.

"Why are you going to Pantorra?", Ahsoka asked.

"Chairwoman Chuchi invited us all, after you had introduced us. I am the only one who took up her invitation.", Fenrir answered.

"So, will you be coming or not?", Fenrir asked Tarre.

"What's the job?", Tarre asked.

"Just get over here.", Fenrir said in an annoyed tone.

"I refuse.", Tarre sighed and leaned back.

"You can't refuse… champion, remember.", Fenrir reminded him.

"We'll be there.", Ahsoka said.

"We!?", Tarre asked turning towards Ahsoka.

"Yeah, we.", Hera asked.

"Dammit. I was looking forward to nice nap.", Tarre grumbled.

"You can nap on the ship.", Hera said. With this the four of them and Sira got up and went towards the Ghost. As the Ghost took to the air, Heimdall used the Bifrost to teleport them to a point a few hours away from Pantorra. Tarre slept through that time.


On a quinjet flying towards Pantorra, while in hyperspace. Inside the quinjet were Fenrir Lokison, Satine Kryze and Ava Zuruki. The latter was performing a handstand with one hand, this time she was able to maintain her balance, while her performance was being watched by Satine Kryze. Fenrir was in the cockpit.

"Hey kid.", Fenrir called out, stepping out of the cockpit.

Ava's concentration broke and she fell. "What?", she asked annoyed.

"Keep your focus.", Fenrir smiled.

"I was.", Ava said, "You… that is not fair."

Satine looked at Fenrir and said, "That wasn't fair." She then turned to look at Ava, "But, you'll have to keep your focus even with distractions."

Ava grumbled at this.

"New exercise.", Fenrir said, and pointed to a cup on the table, "Lift it and keep it afloat."

"I've done it before.", Ava pointed out.

"Then this should be easy for you.", Fenrir said.

As Ava got busy with her new exercise, Fenrir turned to Satine and said, "We're about to reach. Thank you for accompanying me."

"I should be the one thanking you. I have been wanting to meet Chuchi for some time now.", Satine answered. After a while she asked, "I know that Chuchi invited you and the Ghost crew, but… why are you going to Pantorra?"

"I have a feeling, that the good Chairwoman is facing an unexpected and supernatural problem.", Fenrir answered. By now both of them had gone to the cockpit and the ship had dropped out of hyperspace. As they entered the planet's surface, they saw the Ghost on their scopes.


As the pleasantries were quickly exchanged, and everyone (except Ava and Sira, who were onboard the Ghost) had settled into Chuchi's office, she addressed them. "I thank you for coming here. Although I was only expecting Senator Kryze, but…"

"You face something that you're not able to understand.", Fenrir finished for her.

"Yes.", Chuchi said. She then turned to Ahsoka and said, "I was about to contact you." She then took a deep breath and said, "I don't know where to start."

"Start at the beginning. Mention everything, even if it seems insignificant.", Tarre said.

"It happened last night. My daughter Olia… she screamed in the middle of the night.", Chuchi said, "When I went to her room, I found her awake and clutching her sheets frantically. She told me that there was someone in her room. I calmed her down, and then persuaded her to go back to sleep. Some time later, I heard her scream again… when I entered her room, Olia was on the floor unconscious. There was no sign that anyone else was in the room, and we checked the security tapes – but they showed nothing out of the ordinary.", she then paused.

"Chairwoman, was there anything else that you noticed. Cold spots or flickering lights, any unusual smells?", Tarre asked.

"Yes. Olia's room was very cold, even after the heating had been increased, and the lights throughout the house were unstable, but just for a second.", Chuchi answered. Tarre turned his head towards Fenrir, who nodded.

"There is also a mysterious mark on her ankle.", Chuchi said.

"What kind of a mark?", Ahsoka asked.

"A handprint.", Chuchi said, "My daughter is currently in a bacta-tank. The doctors… they told me that her vitals are falling, and that she could…", her voice then broke.

"Chuchi, your daughter will be fine. I promise. We will do everything to save her.", Ahsoka reached out and comforted her.

"Thank you.", Chuchi said, "Can you tell me what we are dealing with?"

"A ghost… vengeful spirit.", Tarre answered.

Chuchi let out a gasp at this, "Why?"

"We'll find out.", Tarre answered.

"Chairwoman, until we have dealt with this spirit, you should somewhere else to live. We will need the full history of the house.", Fenrir said.

"One more question, do the Pantorrans bury their dead?", Tarre answered. Everyone except Fenrir was a bit weirded by this question.

"We do. How does that matter?", Chuchi asked.

"Vengeful spirits are tied to certain objects, generally it's their remains. If we destroy those remains, the spirits lose all power and are essentially pushed out of the living world.", Tarre answered.