Chapter 21 – Council

D143/10 ABY

Rex was enjoying a lovely day in Asgard. He had come a fortnight ago, wanting to spend time with Asny. Ever since his first meeting, Rex and Asny had grown closer. He learnt that Asny was over 1000 years old and had been part of atleast 10 wars. She understood everything Rex had gone through, even told him of some of her nightmares. When Rex told her of how he was born, in lab bred for combat, Asny was disgusted.

"Tarre always said that the Jedi stood for peace and not war. How could they use you like this?", she asked.

"I thought it was our duty to the Republic, but later I understood that we were just pawns like the Jedi.", Rex answered.

"I felt like this a few times in my life. Especially in the war against the Dark Elves, I felt as a pawn. I was one of the few who confronted Odin, telling him that we won't take part in this frivolous battle.", Asny said.

"What happened then?", Rex asked.

"I thought the Allfather would be angry. I thought I would be executed. But Odin did no such thing. 'I understand', he said, 'I want an end to this war. I want to mourn my wife, your queen.' He then addressed all of us, 'You are free citizens of the nine realms. Those who choose to not take part in this violence are free to do so. There will be no consequence against any of you. I will do my duty, whatever it takes to protect the free peoples of the realms. If you want to fight by my side, then it must be your choice.' There were many of us, who chose to remain behind Rex. I did not. In the final battle, we were heavily outnumbered. If the others had come, the crises of Paralas would not have happened.", Asny said.

As Rex was beginning to say something, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and collapsed. Rex would not know this but Asny saw Rex falling and quickly caught him before he reached the ground. She then carried him to the healers.


D145/10 ABY

As Rex came to, he realized he was lying in a soft bed. Sitting at his bedside was a sleeping Asny. She looked beautiful; the clone wars veteran noted. Rex then sat up on his bed remembering what had happened.

"Good morning Rex.", he heard a voice from his other side. He turned his head and looked at an old man, who had a sleeping small girl with blonde hair with him in his bed. At his bedside, was Satine Kryze awake with worry lines across her face.

With a realization Rex whispered, "Fenrir!"

"Yes, my friend. What do you think, do I look dashing as an old man?", Fenrir asked.

"How are you feeling Rex?", Satine asked.

"I feel better. Just thirsty. What happened to you?", Rex answered and asked.

"Not much. Just a mission that went south very quickly.", Fenrir answered, "You had a heart attack. My father was the one who treated you, he wants you to avoid strenuous activities for the rest of your life."

"Oh. Has Asny been here the whole time?", Rex asked.

The two of them nodded. "She carried you here. She was very worried.", Fenrir said. "Let her sleep, she has been awake the last two days."

By then the little girl – Erin had stirred awake. She looked up at her father and laughed as she touched his white hair.

"How did you end up looking like this?", Rex asked in a low voice.

"A long story. I'll tell you all about it later.", Fenrir answered as he held Erin up in the air with both arms causing her to laugh a bit.


In a grey dull chamber in an undisclosed location sat some of the most powerful beings of the nine realms. These people were members of the Aesir council, you could say that after Buri they were considered as the real gods of the realms. Among them were – Elrond and Thranduil (Elven lords from Alfheim), Etri the fourth (High Dwarven King of Nidvaller), Ygritte (Queen of Xadia and ruler of Vanaheim), Kuzan (King of Jotunheim), Heimdall (Guardian of Asgard), Loki and Issho (Princes of Asgard). All of them were Archangels. There was a time when even Seraphim sat on the council, but the Apocalypse killed the Seraphim strong and wise enough to sit on the Council. As they sat there waiting for the one who summoned them, an argument broke out between Thranduil and Etri. Relations between the realms of Alfheim and Nidvaller have been difficult, but the animosity between Etri and Thranduil was reaching new levels.

"I find it ironic that this forest elf has found his way on the Council.", Etri spat.

"Have care of how you speak child. Your predecessor made the same mistake, and we all know how it ended for him.", Thranduil said in return.

"I will not allow a long-eared bastard to speak to me in such a way.", Etri snarled, "You are a lowly son of great rulers. I am the king of an entire realm."

"Yes, we all know what a good king you are. Almost as bad as that mad mountain king that caused me so much grief.", Thranduil said.

"GRIEF!", Etri shouted, "YOU ABANDONED MY PEOPLE."

"Don't believe everything you hear dwarf. Your people stole the heirlooms of my ancestors, desecrated the resting place of my wife. When Smaug came to Erebor because of Dwarven greed, I did what I could for your people. Without me none would have survived.", Thranduil spoke.

The others were watching this conversation with little interest.

"Etri, you will not insult us anymore. The elves of the woodland realm did what they could to stave off a disaster caused by Dwarves. It was a dwarven king who destroyed years of peace between our two realms. Remember that.", Elrond son of Frey broke his silence after a while.

As Etri began to say something, he fell silent immediately. The one who summoned them – Allfather Thor had finally joined the council meeting.

"I take it you've had ample time to address flawed grievances.", Thor addressed the room.

"So, it would seem.", Loki answered glancing at Etri and the two Elves.

"Very well. We have bigger problems.", Thor said. "Apart from Heimdall, how many of you remember the Dark Gods?", Thor asked.

"I thought them a myth.", Elrond answered.

"I have read stories about them. Do you mean to say they actually exist?", Thranduil asked.

"Aye they do.", Heimdall answered.

"Two times they have invaded in the past. Both times they were driven back at great cost. Now reports from the outer reaches state unusual activities.", Issho answered.

"The majority of them still remain at Narcisson… for the moment.", Heimdall spoke.

"Yes, but they have other interests… namely the resurrected Ophiotaurus.", Thor said.

"The primordial beast involved in the Titan-Celestial War?", Ygritte asked.

"The very same. I trust everyone is familiar with its story.", Thor asked the room. Everyone nodded so Thor looked at Ygritte.

"I will hunt it down myself.", Ygritte answered.

Thor nodded, "In your absence Issho will hold Xadia.", Thor said, "Now onto the next matter. The spirit of the Beast King has resurfaced.", Thor then looked towards Loki.

"Kaido was trying siphon of my son's power. We stopped him in time.", Loki gestured towards Heimdall and himself.

"You had imprisoned him. How is it that he was able to accomplish this?", Thranduil asked.

"It would involve a certain Vanir witch back from the dead.", Loki answered.

Thranduil grimaced at this remembering his past horrible experience with the witch, "Amora.", he whispered.

"My hunters are on her trail.", Ygritte spoke.

"Very well.", Thor said. He then looked at Etri and said, "I want you to check the Balrog graves. Ensure that they remain undisturbed."

"Why?", Etri asked. "Those graves hold the enchantment of Odin. No one could raise them."

"Amora raised a balrog. Fortunately, it was the weakest one and was promptly destroyed by Rayleigh.", Heimdall spoke.

"That is not possible.", Etri spat.

"Regardless, ensure that the graves remain undisturbed.", Thor said.

"Kuzan, I need you to work with Aegir and keep Surtur in check. Also send a platoon of Giants to Azkaban.", Thor said.

"Alright. But are you sure about this? Azkaban has those soul sucking fungi as the guards and an elite group of Angels to keep the fungi in check. Sending Giants may cause problems.", Kuzan voiced his concerns.

"A new age, brother. With it we must set aside old grievances.", Thor spoke.