Stars, constellations, the universe itself surrounds Atreus and Freya in their rise. They travel across the realm between realms that reside on the branches of Yggdrasil. Magenta and blue clouds, flakes of dazzling light graze their flesh and armor the higher they ascend. Though the Vanir Goddess shows little interest, having traveled this way numerous times, Loki gazes in awe at the marvelous sight. It's been years since he's passed through them, back with his father. Like before, he's tempting Fate not to let himself become lost in the mist.
However, time is rapidly slipping from their grasp. Already, Freya's form begins to shimmer and warp due to Odin's curse. The Goddess groans and snarls as reality tethers to her and pulls at her body. Yet, her will and prowess push her onward, driven to see this through, knowing Atreus's life is in her hands.
"Freya, are you alright?" Atreus asks helplessly.
"Just a little further," she mutters in pain.
Urgently, she continues to soar to her highest reach. The greater their ascent, the more a golden glow begins to ray down upon them. However, the power of the Aesir King's curse also grows. Her form begins to pull down and weighs heavier on her by the second. Their attempts to reach the heavens dwindles by the second, threatening not just Freya's safety but also Atreus's. Such dire desperation drives the Vanir Goddess to assist the God of Mischief once more.
"Go, Atreus!" She shouts in a distorted, warped voice.
With all her physical might, she hurls the Last Son of Sparta into the golden clouds. With a wave of her hands, she parts the fog and unleashes a gust of divine wind at Loki. Before he can say anything or interject, he's already dozens, if not over a hundred feet away from her. Before his eyes, the form of the Vanir Goddess dissipates and tears back to Midgard. The gate back to the realm between realms vanishes along with Freya.
Atreus glides through the air, in a realm he's never heard of nor seen, not even imagined. The skies are endless, orange and red, and illuminated in all directions. Though he emerged from far down below, his eyes cannot see a solid floor beneath him. Initially, the exquisite yet peculiar sight leaves him disoriented, unable to decipher where up and down are. That is until he starts to plummet.
Yet, as he drops rapidly towards the golden clouds beneath him, the rumbling sound of hooves bangs in his ears. Before his eyes, as though carried by the mist, a gold oak chariot stampedes urgently. Its driver, driven by dire anxiousness to gallop with divine haste. However, the rider's race for survival becomes indirectly impeded as Atreus crashes down mistakenly onto her wagon. Though the force of his crash doesn't destroy the carriage outright, one of the wheels fractures under the weight.
Now on a limp wheel, the glistening maiden trembles from the crash, struggling to maintain control of her stallions.
"By Yggdrassil!" She blurts, fearful while glancing over her shoulder. "Who are you!"
Though the wagon has received damage, Atreus has clung onto the enchanted vehicle with all of his strength. Raising himself to his feet, he now gains a clear image of the rider. Sol, the Primordial Goddess of the Sun, stands in front of him. Her brown skin shines and reflects like clean copper, with glowing, yellow tattoos across her body. Some of which concealed beneath her flawless white robes or by her long and flowing black hair. Her eyes burn yellow in shock at Atreus's abrupt appearance.
Accompanying her is a mortal man, dressed akin to her, but with no distinguishing tattoos or sigils upon his flesh. All that divides him, and Atreus is his gigantic, round, bronze shield. The bulwark details the iconic event told numerous times. Of the wolves chasing the sun and moon with other intricate markings upon it. This man must be Svalinn, Sol's shield-bearer, who protects her in the heavens and the earth.
"My lady, shall I boot him off!" Svalinn asks in a panic.
"I'm here to help!" He replies, raising a gentle hand as a sign of peace.
"Such fine help you've provided, the wheel is damaged!" Sol comments disgruntled. As her eyes hone in on Atreus, another alarming sight dissuades her focus. Her jaw hangs in despair, and her expressions blanketed with terror. "You must flee, now! The beast is nearly upon us!"
With adrenaline already coursing through his veins like running rivers, Atreus shows no hesitation in observing his surroundings. Yet, only clouds and golden skies surround them. Strangely, menacing bellows blast them from every corner of the heavens, despite no living thing in sight. The distant, primal growls intensify with each passing moment, gripping their hearts and dragging them down into panic. And in these extended periods, off in a vast distance, the clouds part way. The vapors are carried along and split apart by an unseen, mighty force. Atreus steels his heart and fortifies his spirit, finally catching sight of the entity.
The mighty wolf, Sköll, just as he remembered in his vision, pursues them relentlessly. Just like Sol, the beasts Bronze hide glistens in the radiance of the divine sky. The gases of the sky part way at the beast's furious charge. Even its razor, jagged fangs shine to the rays of the sun Goddess's chariot. Though the wolf displays what appears to be unbridled rage, Atreus can sense the opposite.
There's distress, pain in the canine's growls as it chases the cart without the will to do otherwise. Loki can feel this heartache in his chest, that same anguish in his heart and soul. Whatever the Allfather condemned the great wolves to endure, he shares in their torment. Bewildered, Atreus is unable to fathom the source of this spiritual connection. Though he clasps his chest while attempting to comprehend the sensation, time would not grant him the moment of deduction.
Sköll approaches in blinding haste, driven by pain-induced fury. The limp-wheeled wagon can no longer stave off the impending hound.
"You must flee, boy!" Sol spouts angrily, urgent.
"No!" Atreus shouts. "I'll slow the wolf down!"
With an arrow and bow unconsciously drawn, Atreus directs his shots against the massive canine. As swift as his hand can reload, Atreus lets loose a barrage of scorching arrows. But, he does not directly aim for Sköll, but rather around or in front of the beast. Each shot, utilized to thwart and bar the Jötunn Wolf's path. However, despite its incredible size, Sköll proves more agile and cunning than anticipated. With effortless leaps and bursts of speed, the wolf averts the fire's eruptions and presses onward.
No matter Atreus's attempts, the wolf closes the distance. Only mere moments separate him from the jaws of the beast. Atreus, without delay, turns to Svalinn, who still cowers behind his stalwart. Broadening his reach outward, he pries the shield from him. Flipping it around, just in the nick of time as Sköll's jaws descend upon them. The wolf's fangs protrude around the barrier, nearly taking Atreus with the shield. A battle of attrition unfolds as Loki remains vigilant in not harming the giant. Not until he uncovers the roots of its anguish. The wolf wrenches and violently shakes his jaws to remove the shield from its path.
The ravenous fury of the wolf combatting Atreus's resolve can only persist for so long. Dependent on his weight and his brute might, Loki brings the beast's head onto the wagon. In swift succession, like a battering ram, he throws his body into the bulwark. The imbalanced positioning, and sudden force of his tackle, tumble Sköll in his tracks. Just before Atreus crashes off the carriage with him, he whips his wrist at the vehicle. With the sliver of available time, he hurls the Blades of Chaos, latching them onto Sol's cart. Even without the solid ground being visible, his body scrapes and plows through the cloudy but dense landscape. With the aid of Svallin, Atreus regains his footing and rejoins him and the sun Goddess.
"Who are you, archer?" Sol questions with a brief sigh of relief.
"I am Loki," Atreus replies bluntly.
In this moment of alleviation, silence befalls the Primordial and her servant. They glance over to the other, recalling the dreaded title. Though their distraught is apparent as night and day, the world around them doesn't grant Atreus the chance to speak up. Off in the distance, what was a heavenly bright horizon, rapidly descends into darkness. Both dusk and dawn share the skies, split down the middle. In the wake of night, the galloping of more steeds echoes.
Mani, the Primordial God of Night, rides in haste to them. Unlike his sister, his flesh is pale as the dust on the moon, his short white hair and beard to match. His elegant attire consists of ebony silk with glistening platinum armor. His chariot composes the darkest oak material, with two stallions of white and black pulling it. The blue sigils across his flesh burn bright like the luminescent moon. As he pulls to the side of them, his expressions stained with worry over his sister's safety.
"Sol, what has happened!" He asks, dumbfounded by her carriage's condition. Not long does he catch sight of Atreus, shifting his perspective into a skeptic one. "Who is this stranger!"
"He is Loki..." Sol comments discouraged. "The time has come, brother..."
Though the discussion revolves around Atreus and his intervention, he's left dumbfounded by their obscure implications. They speak his name as though there's familiarity, that they know him, despite never interacting in the past. Yet, before the topic carries further, a chill in the foggy winds sturs through them. An unsettling silence weighs on them, conflicting their senses. Moments pass as only the gentle winds and galloping of hooves beats in their eardrums. Something is amiss. A great bane of chaos looms unseen, plotting, lurking like an unrivaled killer. Only by the skin-chilling growl does the threat present itself.
"Sister, watch out!" Mani calls out, latching his grip onto Sol's wrist to yank her onto his chariot.
Rising from the lunar mists beside them, the silver hide of Hati lunges at them. Just like her brother, the giant's mane shimmers like flawless metal in the light. Even a glow in her eyes matches the lunar rock in the heavens. In but a heartbeat of time, Atreus and Svallin throw themselves onto the alternate carriage. In that split second of time, with but a single glance, Atreus spots the source of the wolves' anguish. Barred to the wolf's throat is a spiked, sigil carved collar of rusted silver. Each rune emits a dim but apparent glow, with shades of dreaded red and sorrowful blue. Such agony clings in the silver giant's eyes as it and Atreus cross sights with the other.
While relief's shared among the passengers, Sol's temperament quickly turns to horror and sadness at what she witnesses. In that swift assault, she watches as the mighty canine brings its fangs and claws down onto her dependable and selfless steeds. The horses screech in blood-gurgling agony as Hati's tears into them, consuming and ravaging their hopeless stallions.
"Árvakr, Alsviðr, no!" She cries out, eyes watered in despair.
"There's nothing that can be done!" Mani calls out, wrapping his grieving sister in his arm.
The shrieking and neighing of the Sun Goddess's steeds echo across the realm. All the more, bringing the Primordial maiden to tears and driving her to seek comfort from her brother. Though grim and resentful toward the notion, Atreus knows the stallions will prove an effective distraction to bide their time. The thought pains him to the core of his being due to his love for all animals. Their breaking speed eventually bridges the gap between them and the gnawing, hungry canines. Despite the hardship of the situation, time is limited, and Atreus will need to utilize it preciously.
"What were those chokers, on the wolves?" Atreus addresses to alter his mindset.
"One of Odin's foul creations," Mani replies with a soft tone, continuing to hold his sister tightly. "To control the wolves, he forced those collars onto them. Whatever magics he carved into them drive the wolves mad. And prevent us from banishing them from the skies."
Atreus quickly puts the pieces together in his mind. The Allfather has proven to possess excelled knowledge of runic magic, as he had shown in Alfheim. But, every spell has its limit, and every curse its cure. Whatever binds the wolves to be rapid may also be linked with the method of freeing them and thwarting Ragnarök.
"We have to remove them!" Atreus says firmly.
"How do you propose we do that, God of Mischief?" Mani asks, outraged at the idea. "Teach them how to sit?"
"We need to draw them close," Atreus explains. "If we can bind them, even briefly, I may uncover a way to remove the bindings on them."
Though the thought has merit, the notion only increases Mani's aggravation. But Sol, who steadily comes to her senses, leans an open ear and peaks at Loki.
"We've been fleeing from the wolves for thousands of years, and you propose we lay ourselves open in full display?" Mani questions, mind-boggled by the plan.
"At any rate, they will catch us," Sol states, sniffling and wiping her tears. She leaves her sibling's hold, allowing him to handle his stallions with both hands. "With all of us on your chariot brother, your steeds will inevitably fall to the cumbersome weight. They may ride mightier than any other creature. Even they have their limits... At least this may give us hope..."
"But hope, from him..." Mani comments in a whisper before turning forward to steer the horses.
The chariot is consumed by hollow noise, with only the divine winds breezing past them and their ears. Uncertainty clings to the hearts of the godly beings. Even Svallin finds himself curled and unable to stand from the tension. Atreus feels ill confident but knows that his resolve must inspire them in their darkest hour. There will be no second chances. What happens here may determine the Fate of everything. Such pressure would bring any man, woman, child, mortal, or god to their knees. But, Loki's conviction to succeed where his father failed holds him firmly on his feet.
"Hope is all we have," Atreus claims boldly.
Again, no initial response carries back to him. The gods of the sun and moon are devoid of a proper reply, still plagued with despair. Until a deep, tired sigh escapes the pale moon god.
"Sister," Mani whispers after much self debated thought. Sol turns to him, her face meeting the gentle, cool palm of his hand on her cheek. His loving, soft smirk gives her assurance. A brief warmth that she clings to dearly. "Ride for me..." The Primordial God of the Moon places his reins into her hands. With no further words, he steps to the back of the carriage. He meets Atreus eye to eye, glaring not just at him but the windows of his soul. His icy, illuminated stare would freeze a mortal being to the core, even sending a shiver across Loki's flesh.
"Our Fate is in your hands, Son of Laufey the Just," Mani states severely. In their crossing of glares, the howling of Sköll and Hati booms across the heavens. Though Atreus flinches at the primal call of the giants, Mani is unfazed by them. "Don't waste it!"
A confliction pulls at Atreus, which one should he be more concerned of, the wolves or the Primordial who eyes him down? Before he can deduce an answer, Sköll charges them from the clouds of dusk before their eyes. But, the wolf's determination isn't what startles him. Instead, it's the initiative of Mani that stops his heart for one split second. The God of Night, with his runes shining like the brightest stars, leaps from the carriage. With a swing that would tremble the heavens and the earth, Mani brings down his divine fist onto the canine's skull. A flash of lunar light radiates and ripples across the sky, darkening the remanents of the solar rays.
Both Mani and Sköll tumble across the cloudy realm, halting the beast in its tracks. In the seconds of this godly blow, Atreus immediately follows in place. Hurling his blades forward, he clings to the wolf to mitigate the distance between them. Without sight of solid earth, they all stand atop of the clouds, preparing to do battle. Despite the heavy swing, the giant lifts itself, nigh unharmed by the strike. Ferocious and unrelenting, the beast makes its first move, hellbent on devouring Mani.
But, even the Primordial can hold his own in single combat. Without armaments, his enchanted fist prove a grander challenge than the wolf anticipated. The might of each blow blasts lunar energy, pushing the beast back. No matter the angle at which it swings its claws or brings down its fangs, Mani averts and rams his fist into Sköll's hide and head.
Atreus, from a distance, unleashes a barrage of electrifying arrows. With Sköll's durability shown, he's comfortable knowing his shots will not cause severe harm. But will prove enough to stun the giant just long enough to meet his goal. Similar to real metal, sparks and lighting channel across the wolf's hide after the succession of several fired arrows. Loki sprints toward the stunned beast, hurling himself onto it with his blades entangled around its jaws and skull. Even as lightning plunges into his flesh, he latches to the silver collar, prying with all of his might.
But, unlike before, the shackle won't submit and pull apart. The Vanir magic placed upon it fortifies the dense steel. At that moment, as he presses on to break the collar, he examines the writing upon it. Unaware of what looms around him, Hati emerges from the shadows with rage driving it to aid her sibling. With deafened but swift paws, the silver wolf charges at Atreus. Mani glances at a sliver of the beast before it leaps into the air.
However, the intervention of the Primordial Goddess of the Sun thwarts Hati's attack. A burst of solar energy throws the canine across the sky, discarding it back to the mist.
"Feel the wrath of the Sun," she cries out, hurling balls of energy across the clouds.
Though her aid saved Atreus, it also left her vulnerable. The distraction proved enough for Sköll to free itself from its stunning binds. Shaking the sparks of lightning from its coat, Atreus finds himself thrown from the wolf's back. Although he tries to keep him restrained with his blades, the giant has enough movement to lash back. But, instead of striking them, the unbeknown Sol is the beast's target. Sköll swerves its whole body, putting all of its force into his head like a battering ram. The critical hit crushes the steeds between him and the now shattered chariot. The stallion's bodies crumble, dying in an instant, as the Goddess flings from the vehicle.
"Sister!" Mani cries out, blindly rushing to her aid.
Atreus follows as well but monitors the now stunned wolf. Mani slides to the floor, raising his sister onto his lap. Though she's shaken from the experience, she appears unscathed from the crash for the most part. With only minor cuts and instant bruising, and with the wind knocked from her lungs. As Atreus approaches, his eyes peer around them. Just as he glanced for the sighting of Hati, Sköll vanished in a near-instant.
"Are you alright, Sol?" Mani questions, cradling her head in his hands.
"I've endured worse," she replies. "Fathers passing was harder than anything these beasts could inflict."
Atreus stands alert, blades in hand now that they are vulnerable. Even with his keen ears and sight, he cannot spot the wolves. Not even the sounds of growling or the pattering of paws reach out to him.
"Odin will pay for taking our father away," Mani promises, gripping her hand. "For all that he has done to us!"
Soaking in the absence of noise, Atreus questions his senses. It's as though the world around them is out to kill them. The mist thickens, surrounding them and dampening their sight and hearing. But, from the clouds of obscurity, a shape does present itself. Though only a faded, humanoid visage is visible, its distinct features and red eyes are familiar.
"Angrboða?" Atreus questions, his eyes squinted and honed on the spot.
But, as the shape becomes clouded, another one presents itself. This one's not as docile and subtle but limp and frantically rushing toward Atreus and the Primordials. They all brace for whatever is speeding at them, Mani using himself as a shield for his sister while Atreus tightens his hold on the Blades of Chaos. However, it's the azure blue flames that reveal the figure in the mist.
"Svallin!" Sol calls out in relief.
In the wake of the dreaded atmosphere that chokes them, the Goddess's shield-bearer steps from the fog. His wounds far exceed hers, such as the several gashes, a broken arm, and limp leg. Despite his grievous state and the looming danger, he still finds his way to them.
"My lady, a-are you alright?" He asks, loss of breath.
Even with his life-risking efforts to reach them, his question receives nothing but silence. Instead, raising his blood-soaked head, he looks upon an unsettled trio. Atreus shows grave concern and firmly plants himself for battle. Mani also scowls in his direction, holding his sister tighter. Yet what sends the nerve-shivering chill of hopelessness through him is the expression of his Goddess. Sol, consumed with despair, places her open palm over her hanging jaw. Her eyes tremble in fear, with the shaking of her head setting off another trickle of tears from her eyelids.
"M-my lady?" Svallin asks, his voice now shaking in fear. His heart ceases to beat as darkness casts onto him, with the earth rattling growl of Sköll deafening him.
A mere blink of time is all it takes for the giant wolf to latch its fangs into the helpless shield-bearer, with his death just as swift. The breaking of bones, the ripping of muscle and meat, shriek into their ears. Just as Atreus is about to step forward, another chilling groan of a beast trickles into their hearts. The Silver wolf Hati prowls in the mist, the only dreaded detail being her glowing, blue eyes. Following shortly after is her brother, both creepily circling the helpless deities to finish the centuries-old hunt. As they walk in circles, day and night follow the restless hunters, the twilight trailing Hati, while the dawn accompanies Sköll.
Atreus, Sol, and Mani turn their back toward each other, following in synch with the wolves. A game of patience takes hold as each side waits for the other to leave an opening. One wrong move could cost them their lives, all the more weighing on Atreus's mind. Especially now knowing the root of their cursed chokers. From what little he could translate, the blood of the Primordials is the only way to remove their bindings. Though the risks stack against them, he knows that he must cooperate with the gods of night and day if they wish to live through this.
"Have any other grand ideas, Son of Faurbati?" Mani questions urgently with a whisper.
"I do, but you won't like it," Atreus replies, knowing the stupidity of his reckless plan.
"We're at Helheims door. Whatever you have can't be worse than that Fate..."
"I need your blood..."
Atreus's blunt replies render the Primordials quiet, lacking a coherent response. The siblings can only glance at the other before directing their sights back on the wolves.
"I read the runes. That's why the wolves had pursued you so relentlessly," Atreus whispers.
Amid their conversation, the Silver canine Hati makes the first move. With a roar, the wolf lunges toward them at blinding speeds.
"Here!" Sol calls out.
Instinctively, Sol lowers herself, having Hati's jaws barely miss her by mere inches. With her palm infused with solar energy, she rams her open hand into its ribs. The magic behind the blow sends the wolf flying over the group. Conjoining their efforts, Atreus adds force to the throw with his blades. A whip of his wrists, entangling the searing chains around Hati's chest, and he flings her further into the clouds.
Returning to their formation, the process of counter striking proves futile. Several times the wolves leap from the mist, and the deities avert and thwart their assaults. But even with their powers combined, they can only stall for time. The Primordials enchanted strikes only cause minor injury and push them back into the fog. Even Atreus's enchanted arrows only slow or stave them off for a brief time. In Sköll's case, the shocking bolts no longer have the same potency as before and merely reduce his speed.
"They don't hold still!" Sol states wearily.
The exhaustion of the chase and the fight for her life begin to weigh on her. Despite their inhuman abilities, the siblings are not warriors like the other gods. After centuries of running, of fleeing desperately, even they have their limits. And in such fatigued states, the hunter finds the weakness of its prey. Hati lunges from the clouds, sprinting toward the unsuspecting Goddess. However, it is not Sol that the beast finds in her fangs.
Sol is shoved out of harm's way by her valiant brother, who receives the flesh-piercing attack. Mani's cry of pain and groans of distress pulls the focus of Atreus and the Goddess.
"Brother!" Sol calls out, just before Sköll can lash out at her. But through Atreus's actions, entangling the wolf's head with his chains, she returns to the fray. She and Loki, with chains of Hades, and blinding energy, bind the wolf.
The God of Night musters all of his strength to lessen the reach of Hati's jaws. But even so, several of her razor fangs reach through his torso, his forearms, and even his sides. Blood spews from him like a broken fountain, turning the mouth of the Silver wolf red. In seconds, as a last resort, Mani's divine markings overflow with Lunar energy. With a roar of wrath and desperation, the Primordial unleashes an explosion of radiant, ancient magic.
Hati's blown yards away by the force of the blast, vanishing into the clouds. Mani now lays helpless, soaking in the puddle of his blood. Never had he withstood such savage strikes. Nonetheless, the lunar god shows no worry. Instead, his patience thins, and he shows more annoyance towards the injuries. That is until the foggy floor beneath him rumbles. The shadow of the glistening wolf now casts over him, ready to finish the chase once and for all. He can only stare, embracing his Fate to fall to Helheim, knowing Valhalla had no place for him. The crimson-stained fangs of the wolf hover just above, dripping with bloody saliva. Mani would catch a closer glimpse at them as Hati brings her jaw down onto him in one swift stroke.
However, Atreus once more casts his life in front of the fangs of the beast. With his divine and Jötunn might, he holds the giant's canines at bay. Both hands locked onto the ridges of Hati's mouth, the front teeth digging into his palms. Mani watches in awe, dragging himself to safety with Sol coming to his aid. But the Silver wolf's brute strength gradually shows to be slightly superior, even with Troll's Bane enhancing Atreus's prowess. In desperation, the Last Son of Sparta resorts to the one gift that can help even the odds.
Before the eyes of the Primordials, Atreus dawns the form of an alpha predator. The black hide of a wolf takes hold of him, with only the refined blue mark remaining the same. Now, both canines wrestle and gnaw at the other for dominance. Even Sköll takes the spectator's seat, joining his sister in the stand-off. With the element of surprise, Atreus manages to push Hati back into the fog. Now she and the Bronze wolf stand side to side, the three of them eyeing the other down. But no matter the odds, Loki will be the vanguard for Sol and Mani.
The Primordials stand together. Even with their critical injuries, they brace themselves to end this demented game of the Allfather. But the sibling wolves show hesitance, uncertainty towards Atreus. The ebony hide matches a similar predator of their past, but not the size or color of the brand. They dare not attack careless, as Loki now stands as their equal, as a potential alpha. Every slight movement they take, he is prepared to match it and cease it in its tracks.
Sköll makes the first move, attempting to dash in a loop to slip behind him. But Atreus counters without delay, latching his iron-clad claws into him. Just as he does, Hati makes the same move, but from the opposing direction. In this state of being, the Wolf of Midgard dawns the prowess to hurl the Bronze wolf at her. The beasts collide, Sköll sent tumbling into the fog, while Hati crashes down. Before she can retreat, Atreus wields all of his strength into pinning her. His fangs to her throat, his razor nails into her hide to hold her down.
Even with his heavy wounds, Mani rushes to him. Though the primal mindset of the wolf has afflicted Atreus, enough of him remains to protect the gods of night and day. At last, the Primordial of the Moon, with his life juices, bleeds onto the silver collar. The searing sigils go dull, and the metal rapidly rusts into powder in seconds. Hati goes limp and still before letting loose an exasperated sigh. Mani collapses with her, dropping down onto her Silver Hide.
Sköll's reaction to this sends him feral, preemptively tackling and assaulting Atreus. The two of them tumble and grapple furiously like wild animals. They deliver slashes with their claws and puncturing their fangs into the other. In their brief struggle for dominion, Sol also utilizes the opening to remove the curse. Brazenly, she carries herself onto Sköll's back. With a heavenly smite, a beam of solar magic crashes down onto the beast. Disoriented and roaring in outrage, the Bronze wolf pulls back. This one-shot is all she has left, and digging her nails into her palm, she too spills blood onto the beast. She cries out, slamming her hand onto the choker, reducing it to withered dust in her grasp.
Sköll falls victim to exhaustion, crumbling by its weight. A drained exhale bleeds from his jagged mouth before submitting to fatigue. Sol's eyes fill with tears of relief. Freedom is at last theirs. Mani, off to the side, still resting atop his immortal enemy, gasps for the same. The hints of slivering joy leave him as a faint chuckle. Even more so, as his sister comes to lift him back to his feet. Though significantly hindered by this turn of events, both are speechless to be alive.
"Brother, are you-"Sol begins to examine his condition. Several puncture wounds litter his body and countless slashes. Even now, blood trickles from the open gashes, but the fluid loss doesn't show to be affecting him.
"I'll heal-" he tells her, cough and hacking into his limb arm. "In time..."
Atreus steps forward, still in his majestic, canine form. Now having come to his senses, guilt now clings to his expression. Due to his intrusion in the events, this outcome came to pass. As well as the harm directly and unintentionally inflicted to both sides. Loki breathes heavily, continuing to fight his rage toward himself and for nearly costing them their lives. Only when Sköll and Hati begin to rise from the foggy ground does his focus return to him. Sol and Mani cling close to the other, with Atreus courageously stepping between them once more.
Yet, this time, the anguish, the torment that the wolves felt before is absent. Their pain is alleviated, the shroud over their mind lifts, and the tampering of their emotions is no more. The sibling beasts are docile, and to the gods' surprise, gentle and riddle with remorse for their behavior. Just from the air rippling growl of Atreus, Sköll and Hati submit to their new alpha. Their snouts touch the floor, not daring to meet the eye of the Wolf of Midgard.
With each drawn-out breath and every steady step, Atreus reverts to his humanoid form. Carrying the injuries inflicted on him, clean and savage slashes and punctures touch each corner of his body. And yet, he's the one who places an apologetic hand onto each of the wolves' snouts. Soothing and gentle, he strokes the beasts' heads, quelling their sorrow. Their eyes open, noticing that he's lowered himself to their gaze as a sign of comfort.
"Forgive me," Atreus whispers with an unsteady tone. "For all, I've done..." He turns himself to the Primordials, lowering his gaze.
"We knew you'd come, Loki," Mani claims, his arm held around his sister's shoulders. "The Nornir spoke of your coming, long before the Gods came..."
"The Nornir?" Atreus questions, familiar with the title. His eyes widen in shock, full of curiosity towards their knowledge of his Fate. "You've known of me long before I even met you. Do you know my destiny? What my role in Ragnarök is?"
"We knew what you would bring, what you would unleash," Sol speaks over his question. "Though you have saved us, to which we are eternally grateful and in your debt. The Balance has been shifted child of the Jötnar. Had you not intervened, we could have staved the wolves for another hundred years. Until we recover, night and day will fall to stagnancy by our absence. The twilight has cast its shadow upon all of Midgard... Ragnarök has begun..."
The sibling deities lift their hands, both the primal solar and lunar powers of the Primordials burn in their palms.
"No!" Atreus states defiantly. "There has to be a way to stop it, please-"
Ignoring his pleads, Sol and Mani unleash a brilliant flash of divine light onto him and the wolves. The realm that they had stood upon has faded in an instant. Now the three fall into endless twilight and shadow. Plummeting in the realm between realms, helplessly, the wolves howl and bark frantically. But Atreus is speechless, as silent as the void of which they drop through. Again, the threads of Destiny toy with him, playing with his actions and his mind. Why is he so important? And why does everyone know of his name but not dare speak of his Fate?