Helloo! I am back, I was planning on making you wait until Saturday for the new chapter then thought, 'I loving seeing story updates and I'm sure you guys do too!' So without futher wait, here ya go and I hope you enjoy!
Shout Outs!:
CHSHiccstrid
He is! Poor Thor, I feel so bad for him-he's caught in the worst way of everything and had no guidance on what would help anyone the best. Thank you, its been quiet fun and an interesting brain teaser to think about how they look and act
OminousAnonymousAnomaly
Hehe, yeah, our poor boy, not having a good time. Hela is so interesting, like, there is understandable hatred of Odin but there's not much about Thor or Loki so there's a ton of room to play around in that and then, just in general. I think I had a bit too much fun with her.
SmolAvidReader
You really should, not sure why you thought you would escape it now. Yup! XD You'll have to read to see if it works or blows up. They do be similar, its amazing. Thank you for reading!
Journal 2, Entry 5: "The Sun Will Rise Again"
Loki? Is that actually you? If it's not and I'm going crazy, please don't answer and give me hope…I can't take anymore false hopes.
Loki almost fell off the platform he'd created. Hiccup?! Thank the Norns! Where are you?
It was silent for a long moment before he received a reply, depression lined his mental tone while confusion permeated the subtle magic that accompanied it. I'm in Valhalla…I guess.
Loki didn't like the way uncertainty lingered in his voice. Yes, I know, but where? I cannot see you.
See me? You didn't die already, did you?! Odin's ghost, how long have I been here?!
Loki's lip twitched at the mention of the All-Father but he found the curse to be rather amusing. Only a year. And no, I have not died but I can momentarily see into Valhalla and I need to see you, Liten Listig.
Oh. There was another pause before Hiccup thought again. Give me a minute and…uh, wait. Where do you see exactly? I'm in the fields right now if you can shift—however you're looking.
Loki frowned and tried to think of a field and Hiccup but the image of the hall remained firmly in place. I don't believe I can change my view. I see into a hall with a great feat.
Okay, I'll be there in a minute. H-how will I see you? Will I even be able to see you? If-if I can't that's okay—just hearing you is, is enough.
Loki's heart wrenched, and he was desperate to know why so much weariness lingered in Hiccup's voice and magic. I don't know, but I am at the doorway on the Niflheim side.
Surprise shot through the weak mental link. I know that door! I came through it! Hang on, I'm coming!
Loki felt a tiny smile spread across his lips. It was such a foreign feeling after the year of melancholy…I will be waiting.
*O*
Hiccup sprinted out of the field, startling the horses. He ignored every Asgardian he passed as he ran by the sparring fields to the Great Hall. Giddiness coursed through him at the possibility of even seeing Loki again, so much that he did not care about the odd looks the other residents of Valhalla sent his way—so unused to the Midgardian showing such joy.
He slipped through the doors and walked along the wall, keeping to the shadows until he could see the golden door—it still looked as blank and empty as ever. He glanced over at the preoccupied gods, watching them carefully before stepping into the open again. He stood in front of the doorway, staring at it and trying to figure out if he could see Loki.
It didn't show me anything until I touched it.
Hiccup almost jumped, unused to having an actual voice in his head. Are you able to hear everything I think?
No, but you were thinking it loud enough that I'm sure everyone listening heard it anyway.
Hiccup huffed and reached out for the blank door. A liquid wall met his fingers and rippled under his touch. With each ripple the blackness shifted, wispy clouds barely disturbing the unchanging blackness, the only bit of actual color was of green and gold in the shape of a man.
His knees almost gave out from under him as the rippling subsided and Loki stood on the other side of the doorway, clear as day. He trembled and moved his hand so it directly across from Loki's, fighting back tears. You're actually here…well, sort of.
Loki smiled at him, it looked strained but genuine. Like Hiccup's, his eyes glistened as well. I am…I had to know… had to know you were in Valhalla and happy. His eyes narrowed as he took in Hiccup fully for the first time in a year. Are you happy?
Hiccup looked down at his feet. I'm supposed to be, I guess.
Loki shifted, frustration coursing through his veins as Hiccup's shoulders curled in and he refused to make eye contact—it was disturbingly familiar to how he first found him, before he had his confidence and no true mentor. You suppose? It's a yes or no answer and I would guess no.
Hiccup huffed quietly, not wanting to draw the attention of the others—he could only imagine what they would say about this. He glanced at them before looking back at Loki, struggling to meet his eyes. I-I'm not. I should be, but—apparently only the gods are allowed into Valhalla, there's another place for mortals. I was there for a little bit with dad. It was nice, but I still missed everyone—which was apparently odd, but not overly so. But then a Valkyrie came and brought me to Valhalla and now I'm the only Midgardian here which is beyond strange…they don't like me all that much. I tend to make a mess wherever I go. Surprise, surprise.
Turns out that using magic in a spar, even if it was because you panicked, is highly looked down upon—the only one who'll look at me now are the mages. Though, I guess you might know about that from personal experience. It doesn't bother me, much, just makes me realize how lonely I am again. After Toothless…I never thought I would have to be alone like this.
Loki's chest twisted, his eyes pinched together. Liten Listig, I am so sorry. You should never have been in this position—let alone this soon…
Hiccup shrugged. Story of my life. It's not like I haven't been in this position before—disliked and the village outcast, not dead…Do you know if familiars can come to Valhalla? I never got to ask before they began avoiding me like Odin's Scourge. I haven't seen any, but does that mean it's impossible?
Loki thought about it for a moment before quickly shaking his head. I do not know, but Hiccup-
Hiccup looked up finally, surprised with his sudden shift in Loki's tone—his face also deadly serious. He couldn't deny that it scared him, just a little. Y-yes?
Loki hesitated for but a moment. Do you want to return?
To Fólkvangr? I would love to! But…I don't know the way. It was too dark and we flew on a winged horse so I have no idea about the lay of the land.
Loki winced, unknowingly hurt by Hiccup's thought that somewhere in death was his only place to go—not that it wasn't an illogical thought. No, I mean back. Back to Berk and Midgard.
Hiccup's jaw dropped, almost stepping away from the doorway in shock. Th-that's possible?
Loki nodded, slowly and carefully crafted his words. It is tricky but yes, however I will need you to trust me implicitly. There are some parts of this that may scare you.
Hiccup was silent for a long time, initially too astonished to say anything, but then fell in deep thought and contemplation. I-
"Lokison!"
He jumped, almost losing contact with the door, and turned with wide, caught eyes.
Buri weaved through the crowd, most of whom were happy to ignore him since he was speaking to the mortal. "Why are you so close to the door? I pray you are not thinking of jumping through—only pain and misery lie beyond its threshold."
Loki glared at the former All-Father. His surprise overruled his anger—he doubted the All-Father was trying to keep Hiccup there out of true concern. Buri continued speaking to Hiccup, seemingly irate that he wasn't moving away from the doorway. Hiccup, I must warn you, the only way for me to return you is—well, part of it is you must give up your mortality and take an Apple of Iðunn.
If Hiccup hadn't already nearly tuned Buri out before, he did now. He stared at Loki, a confusing mix of emotions flittering across his face. I-
"Are you even listening to me? Do you want Hela to rip you through the veil?"
It would only require a bite—there will be plenty to offer Astrid some as well. I do not want you to trade one misery for another. He was pressing harder against the wall, fear building in his chest as Buri's face grew redder.
Hiccup glanced between Loki and Buri—basically the second-in-command of Valhalla just under whoever the current All-Father was. "I-I—yes-"
Buri grabbed Hiccup's arm. "Listen to me, mortal! Whatever it is that is whispering to you from the other side of that doorway is nothing but lies! It would not be the first time she has enticed people back through it only to torment them for eternity—I am trying to save your soul. Once you leave Valhalla, you will not be able to enter again unless the All-Father re-grants you permission—and you were very lucky to be allowed to enter here at all!"
Hiccup faltered, faith shaken just slightly but he knew, he knew it was Loki speaking to him, that it was Loki on the other side of the door. His magic wouldn't, couldn't lie like that. He shook his head and pulled back. "Thanks for the warning—but whatever's out there can't be any worse than what's in here."
Buri's cheeks burned and he was almost tempted to let the stupid mortal walk through to eternal agony…But he was more fearful of Kindra and the harping—screaming and beating him black and blue for a few centuries—should he simply ignore the mortal and let him leave while he watched.
Kindra scared him in ways that few could. She was a mage from the ancient days, days that even to him were myth and mystery. And for some reason that only the Norns knew, she'd taken a liking to the mortal. Admittedly, all the mages had—a mortal with magic was quite the novelty. Buri had seen her make some polite conversation with him, but he was still far too attached to his mortal life to think past his miseries—an odd and foreign concept to him and the others in Valhalla. Though Kindra seemed to understand it. There was always a glint in her eye like she knew some great secret, and so she would watch him. It had never escaped her notice how the mortal stared at the door.
Buri had caught her staring at the golden doorway again, which was an odd place to stare at—admittedly most tended to avoid looking at it unless a new soul entered. That was how he finally noticed the foolish mortal standing at its threshold. His fear of her retribution should he lose his soul prompted him into immediate action—shouting his name that he irritatingly ignored…
He grabbed Hiccup's arm and wrenched him away from the door, barely containing his fury at his blatant disregard of the gift of Valhalla. Never before had he been disrespected so!
"Hey!" Hiccup screamed as he was pulled away from the door and it rippled again as his fingers lost contact—Loki's image disappearing. "No! No, let me go!"
Buri dragged him through the crowd of staring gods, muttering under his breath.
Hiccup yanked his arm, but Buri held it tightly. He was tempted to draw his dagger, just to nick him so he could bolt for the doorway, but he was deep within the throng now—any one of them would easily catch him and they were too close together for him to wrap invisibility around himself and slip through them.
Buri continued to drag him along until they came to the large table the mages tended to congregate at, and threw Hiccup into their midst. "Watch your spawn before he does something irreparable to himself."
Hiccup glared at him, barely noticing the hands helping him up. He glanced at the door again before defiantly meeting Buri's eyes.
Buri snarled when Hiccup silently challenged him. "Boy, if you make me place guards at that doorway, I will make your time in Valhalla hell."
A slender hand laid itself on Hiccup's shoulder, drawing his gaze away—softening slightly as Kindra drew herself up behind him. "Peace Buri, there is no need for such dramatics. It is only to be expected with a mortal—Valhalla is not meant for them. Of course he will be restless, even more so when his time was prematurely cut short."
Buri's face twisted. "I do not care what his reasoning is. I will not have his soul-loss on my watch."
He stormed away and Hiccup's chest rose and fell tightly, staring longingly at the door. He could sense Loki trying not to scream in his head but demanding to know what was happening after he'd lost sight of him in the crowd.
Hiccup tried to quickly reassure him as he turned around to Kindra. "Please, I-I know that it's dangerous but-"
"Ap!" She held a finger to his lips then nodded to her friends and guided him away to the back of the Hall. "There is no need to draw further attention to yourself, Lokison."
His shoulder's fell and pleaded softly, "Please, I know it's not her—she could never mimic his magic like that. I can feel it's him."
A quick look from her silenced his entreaties. "I am not going to keep you from going through the doorway."
He blinked and looked up, eyes wide. "Really?"
She nodded. "No. Very few have been here as long as I—Buri likes to think himself the inner master of this realm but he forgets who crafted it. I know you seek fulfillment—fulfillment you will never find here. You wouldn't truly find it on Fólkvangr either. You are making a wise decision to return—your purpose there was not yet fulfilled."
Hiccup could say nothing for a long time, finally a smile spread on his face. "Thank you."
She nodded with her own small smile. "Now go. You may find another like yourself on Midgard if you search hard enough."
His half-step faltered when he turned around abruptly, but she was shooing him away.
"Go, go. It's time for us mages to remind these fools who truly give Asgard her strength."
He smirked at that and nodded his thanks then slipped into the shadows. I'm coming back, just wait a little longer.
I will always wait for you, Liten Listig.
He was halfway back and hiding in the shadow of a pillar, wrapping invisibility around him, when an explosion from the other end disrupted the feast and turned the Hall into a war zone. Shouting filled the air instead of drunken songs and stories with exchanges of magic and blades lighting the Hall.
He looked around, ensuring the way was clear, and bolted. A large explosion rippled through the Hall and slammed him against the wall. He reflexively cried out and the invisibility fell with his broken concentration, feeling his ribs that now ached but they didn't feel broken. He got to his feet again and ran—the door was only a few paces away…
"Lokison!"
His heart hammered with Buri's enraged shout. From the corner of his eye, he could see him shoving through the crowd—it was going to be a very near thing for him to reach the doorway first, let alone trying to figure out how to actually walk back through it.
He ran faster, drawing on his magic to give him any advantage.
The air shimmered between them for a moment before it lit up with a golden flash and Kindra appeared—right in front of Buri. She grabbed his arm and flipped him around, throwing him to the floor and pinning him with a glowing blade made of pure magic.
Buri shook with rage, nearly frothing at the mouth as he glared at Hiccup. Kindra nodded to him with a smile. "Go," She said softly.
He broke his pause and turned to the doorway, placing his hand against it—elated to find Loki still standing there. Loki beamed at him, but concern was clearly inlaid across his face as he watched the realm of eternal peace descend into war.
Hiccup stared at the doorway, almost glaring, and placed both hands against the invisible wall. He pressed harder, thinking and pleading that he wanted through, out to the other side. It wavered and started bending beneath his hands. His heart leapt and continued to press against it. Slowly, his hand started sliding through the barrier. It tingled as it passed over him and it seemed to last forever.
Buri stared at Hiccup in horror as he started pressing through the doorway. "What is wrong with you, witch!? Are you trying to condemn his soul?"
Kindra snorted and glared at him. "Do not make yourself out to be a hero, Buri. If the realms knew what you had done in life, they would accept Hela into Valhalla with open arms. You only care about his soul because he is the only Mortal in your memory to be sent to Valhalla—what a dishonor it would be to lose such a soul."
He shook with anger again and snarled, slipping out a small dagger and swiping her blade away from his throat. He rolled over but was unfortunately still positioned with Kindra between them. "Kindra, don't do this, there is still time to save him."
Her eyes narrowed and twirled her glittering, glowing blade. "I am. His purpose with the living is not yet done."
Hiccup's arms started shaking with the exertion of trying to push through. The tingling suddenly gave way and the oppressive watery force relented to air. It was just his fingertips but he'd actually done it!
Loki beamed as Hiccup started coming through, one hand was still held against the doorway so he could see, but he couldn't help reaching out and touching his fingers. You're almost there, Liten Listig! He looked up to see how the unlikely helper was fairing against an All-Father of old.
Buri swiped at Kindra's sword, hoping to throw it and her away enough for him to rip Hiccup back, but she was annoyingly sure footed. "How can you know that?!"
She smirked at him, easily blocking and irritatingly swiping and jabbing at him with light mocking attacks. "How quickly you Æsir forget. You, who have been here for thousands of millennia—how quickly you forget Skuld's Chosen. You fight against fate, a fate not even your own, and I will not allow it."
His eyes narrowed and tried to argue but the door flashed and Hiccup was gone. Buri howled in frustration while Kindra grinned triumphantly.
Hiccup pressed the rest of himself through the doorway, which was no easier after the initial breakthrough. Once he managed to get his hands through, Loki grabbed them and gently helped pull him though. The doorway was thick and slow in a way that seemed illogical, yet there it stood.
He pushed with what little was left of his feet in Valhalla and Loki pulled. Then, as if it finally relented and accepted defeat, he tumbled through and the golden doorway snapped shut.
Loki hit the platform hard as all opposing force gave and Hiccup fell on top of him. He lay there for a long time, still holding Hiccup's arms, and Hiccup remained just as still. His mind finally caught up with what he'd just done and wrapped his arms around Hiccup's shoulders and smiled wearily. "Liten Listig, I am never letting you go again."
Hiccup smiled, almost giggling into Loki's chest. He was out, away from that place that was more of a prison than a paradise.
Loki refused to move for quite some time—taking the time to revel in Hiccup's presence. Hiccup shifted within his hold but did not try to break it. He was a bit marveled by how Hiccup now felt—it wasn't anything like how felt when he was alive. He didn't even feel like how he felt pushing through from Valhalla. He felt solid, yet somehow wispy and he feared Hiccup might blow away if he released his hold.
He did so after his heart calmed, after knowing Hiccup was truly here with him to stay. It unnerved him how he couldn't feel Hiccup's heart despite how he should because of their closeness but he was still-
He shifted and Hiccup reluctantly broke away and stood. "We can fully rejoice when we leave—but first we need to give you back a body that will be whole outside of the realms of the dead."
Hiccup nodded solemnly. "What do I have to do?"
Loki's lips curled in and held out his hand for Hiccup to take. "I will explain as we go but… well, we first need to see someone and you must say nothing of the reasons behind your death."
Loki teleported them down to the ground and dread creeped over Hiccup, hoping and praying his inkling of an idea was false. "Who do we have to see?"
"Me of course, my dear nephew."
Hiccup's head whipped around to see the goddess of death standing to their left, arms crossed with a pleased smirk. "I-is tha-at-?"
Loki nodded. "Hela, Hiccup my Chosen. Hiccup, Hela, Goddess of death."
Hiccup turned to Loki, eyes wide in utter confusion, a silent 'why' on his lips.
Loki sighed and eyed Hela warily. "It seems the process of… restoring you was a tad more difficult than the ancient scripts led me to believe—which was a feat."
Hela sauntered up to them and slipped behind. Setting a hand on their shoulder, she purred. "Thank you for delivering his soul to me, brother."
Hiccup's grip on Loki's hand tightened, head barely turning to stare at Loki with fearful eyes—too scared to move otherwise.
Loki bared his teeth at Hela, looking back and sending a scathing glare at her. "Do not play games, sister. If you do not uphold your promise, I swear I will spend the remainder of my undoubtedly short life and the entirety of my after-life tormenting and haunting your every step."
She scoffed with annoyance and rolled her eyes, pulling away from them. "Yes, I imagine you would—and would be quite irksome. Be at peace, I already promised you I would not double cross you. As I said—trust my hatred. Now, are you ready?"
Loki nodded then looked at Hiccup expectantly. He nodded, albeit uncertainly, staring at Hela apprehensively.
Hela lifted her chin, looking regal despite her physical state, and held out a hand expectantly for Hiccup.
Loki released his hand, startling Hiccup who was not ashamed to admit that Hela scared him more than a little bit. "It is alright, Liten Listig. Go on."
Hiccup hesitantly walked towards her, looking back at Loki before he took her hand. Loki nodded encouragingly so he slowly grabbed her hand. He gasped and tensed when she suddenly grabbed his wrist tightly and placed her other palm against his chest, just above his heart.
"Do you reject Valhalla?"
He stared at her in confusion. Hadn't he done that when he left? What would it mean if he verbally did? Why was this so important? And why was she helping him, Loki when the whole reason…She didn't know, that was the only possible reason. But-
"Lokison," She snapped, eyes hard and demanding. "Do you, reject Valhalla?"
He nodded, fighting his voice to not sound unsure. "-Yes."
She nodded. "Then you now belong to me and Niflheim."
Hiccup barely turned his head to silently question Loki who kept his face calm, a bit of a struggle and reached through their weak bond—death weakening it due to their magics now existing on separate planes but physical proximity helped strengthen it again.
Hela lifted her chin and closed her eyes, saying something in a language Hiccup couldn't understand—even Loki appeared a bit confused, even though he probably understood more than Hiccup did.
Hiccup shivered as something cold and dark crept along his spine and he felt the remnants of Valhalla be stripped away from him. It left him feeling oddly empty, though it was far less extreme than he would have thought—it felt as if some solidity had left him.
Hela spoke a few more words before releasing Hiccup's hand and the same holding out for Loki. He didn't hesitate to come to her, despite the little flittering in his chest of constant wariness. She pressed her hand against his chest and heart and continued her odd speaking.
Hiccup felt something in him shift, something he hadn't realized had linked itself to the goddess, and snaked out to Loki. Loki accepted it wholly and once the link established itself, Hela broke away.
She looked at Loki with an amused smile. "It is done—use it wisely."
Loki dipped his head and genuinely said with a small smile, "Thank you, Hela."
She stepped back, beaming at both of them. "Please do make Odin's life miserable."
Loki laughed. "I plan to, one way or another."
She appeared genuinely happy, which was an odd look Hiccup thought—she should look terrifying if she was that happy, but she wasn't. She backed away several steps and nodded to Loki, saying, "It would be best to finish here rather than outside of the realms of the dead. The magic will be stronger here."
Loki grunted in agreement and stepped back from Hiccup. "Stay still."
Hiccup didn't dare move a muscle, afraid any kind of movement would mess it up—he was still a little unnerved about the whole thing.
Loki drew a circle around him with a few runes scratched into the rock and finally came to stand in front of him again—eyes closed.
Hiccup glanced with only his eyes over at Hela who had not left but remained at a distance. He returned his attention to Loki as he continued to speak in a tongue that sounded even more foreign than that of what Hela had spoken—and the circle and runes began to glow.
As he continued he felt something, dark in a sense, begin tugging on him—on his magic and heart—but it was not evil or wrong, it just wasn't light. It trickled through his body and into his muscles, returning the feeling of weight and the wispiness he'd felt after leaving Valhalla was gone—but something still wasn't quite right, or finished being the better description.
He tried to remain as still as possible but it was difficult when the 'darkness', he didn't know how else to describe it, crept around him and tickled every bit of his being. Some places hurt with pins and needles instead of tickling, he realized those areas were places he'd been grievously injured—his leg, arm where Krogan had thrown the small dagger, the final wound inflicted upon his stomach. That one hurt the worst and he had to bite his lip to keep from crying out, his hands shaking by his side despite him clenching his muscles so they wouldn't tremble.
Soon the needle pricks began to fade and a nothingness fell over his body but there was still something not finished. He couldn't think about what it could be, but he felt alive—almost. What's missing?
Loki stopped speaking and stepped into the circle he'd drawn around Hiccup. He removed his bracer, slid back his coat and tunic sleeves and summoned a dagger. He pricked his forearm, nearer to the wrist, but evaded the major arteries and veins, and drew an inch long gash—it bled quickly but not profusely. Before any of the blood could drip onto the ground, he swiftly slashed an equal sized gash on Hiccup's neck—this time across his main vein—and pressed his wound against Hiccup's.
Hiccup gasped in surprise and terror for a moment, but Loki moved before he could react. Loki held his head firmly so he couldn't pull away and only then did Hiccup realize what had been missing before—blood. Slowly, he felt his heart start beating again. It was soft, almost cautious at first, but then grew confidence and started beating harder and with a strong rhythm as it finally had something to pump again.
After a minute, Loki pulled back and healed their wounds. Hiccup stood still, now in wonder that he could feel his heart again. It was a strange thing to be fascinated by, but fascinated he was. He was so caught up in this new wonder that he didn't notice Loki draw the Apple out of his magical pocket until he held it before his eyes.
"You will need to eat it for the magic to retain and to fully restore your body. Otherwise the magic will quickly fade."
Hiccup slowly took the Apple, still amazed by what was happening and resolving himself to what he'd decided before. A lifespan of one of the gods couldn't be all bad, right? Especially if Loki said he could offer it to Astrid—he was mostly certain she would accept but even if she didn't…well, it wasn't like he could go back to Fólkvangr, which is where she will end up and he certainly wasn't getting back into Valhalla. At least now he would have Loki and he could be with her for the proper amount of time before she moved on…
He took a bite. It had to be one of the sweetest things he'd ever eaten but it wasn't sickeningly so and it was cool like it had been picked on a cold morning. After he swallowed, he took a shuddering breath as it slid down his throat and its magic spread within him—and he breathed. He took another breath and understood he actually breathed and not breathed in what he thought was breathing on Valhalla—air actually passed into and out of his lungs in a refreshing way. He looked up at Loki, wonder in his eyes.
Loki looked ready to cry and quickly pulled him into a hug—relishing the cool-but-not-dead skin and beating heart under his hands while his Chosen's breath blew across his neck. He held him tightly, afraid to let him go. It worked, it actually worked! He's here, he's back here with me! Bless the Norns!
Hela coughed, interrupting them. She smiled coyly at disrupting them.
Loki scowled at her but released Hiccup from the embrace but refused to fully let him go.
She approached them again and stopped a pace away with her hands on her hips. "Well this was quite the adventure—a delightful break from the daily routine I've been sentenced to. I do hope you two will not be strangers, we are family after all. Shouldn't we see each other again on Yule or something? Of course, you would have to come here."
Loki couldn't quite tell if she was joking or not. "Yes, well—we shall have to see about that."
"One more thing." Hela halted his trek back after just a step.
Loki watched her carefully as she walked over to Hiccup and regarded him thoughtfully before handing him a very small dagger, no larger than Loki's push daggers.
Hiccup stared at it for a second before taking it uncertainly. "Why?"
She smiled at him and Loki. "Because I like you. You are quite different from any Asgardian and even most mortals that come here. Also, because you are now a Child of Death as well."
Loki's gut twisted. "What? What does that mean?!"
She waved him off with a mild huff. "Not much except that he has had Death's blessing to return to the living again. Do not fret, brother, it is nothing like a Chosen. It will mark his magic in a way, but dying will do that to a person. And do not worry about others sensing it, only those who have a strong connection to death will be able to.
"There is nothing about the dagger that will harm him. I merely wish to give him a gift so I hopefully don't see him again before his appointed time. Is that so wrong?"
She smiled sweetly at him and he bristled inwardly. "No, I suppose not," he replied. "We will be leaving then…Thank you again."
"Any time," She sang with a giggle.
Both Hiccup and Loki decided they would rather not experience that again, prompting Loki to teleport them away and back to the Branch despite his magic waning.
Hiccup looked around the barren landscape before glancing over his shoulder. "I get that she's the Goddess of death—but that's not the reason she creeps me out."
Loki nodded with a noise of agreement. "Indeed. She is… different than I thought."
"You mean the crazy, murdering lady we were told she was?"
Loki frowned at him. "That is one way to put it."
Hiccup felt the air buzz around him in a way he'd only felt when well within a Branch of Yggdrasil. Loki paused and faced him, casting a spell over both of them before turning back around.
Hiccup held Loki's hand tightly as he opened the Branch and it seemed to suck them in like it had before. He carefully followed Loki along until it spit them out into a cave. They walked out, but all that greeted them was dark forest.
Loki, who had yet to release Hiccup, drew him in closer and let his magic wrap around them again, teleporting them to his rooms.
Hiccup stumbled, still not used to that particular mode of transport, but Loki did not let him fall. He held on until he was sure Hiccup was stable and finally released his hand.
Hiccup stood there in the center of the room for a minute and simply breathed—fully taking in the new wonder of his living body. He slowly descended into a maniacal laughing fit.
Loki would have been worried if he did not feel Hiccup's utter joy through their new, fully reformed bond. He smiled and laughed a little as well, feeling and cherishing their whole bond once again.
Presently, Hiccup's knees started getting weak—unused to feeling alive and actually holding him up again. Loki guided him to a nearby seat and sat with him. Hiccup sat there quietly, but anyone could see that his mind was anything but quiet.
A nagging thought finally irritated Loki enough that he could no longer ignore it. "Hiccup, may I see the dagger Hela gave you?"
Hiccup looked at him for a second before processing what he asked. "Hu—o-oh, yeah. Sure. Here."
He handed it to Loki. He'd honestly forgotten that he even held it.
Loki thanked him, then began inspecting the dagger carefully and casting every spell and charm on it that he could think of to check it for hidden dangers. He was both pleased and annoyed to find that it was nothing but a dagger that held minor traces of Death's magic that allowed it to function properly. What that exact function was he could only guess, but he had a pretty good one. Finally, he handed it back to Hiccup.
"I will ask that you refrain from using it unless sparing with me, just to be sure it is as she says."
Hiccup nodded, whole heartedly agreeing—still confused about the whole interaction.
It was silent for some time, both of them content to sit and revel in the presence of the other. Loki reached around Hiccup's shoulders and pulled him close again so he could bury his nose in his Chosen's unruly hair.
Hiccup relaxed and smiled. After several minutes, he asked, "So, if you gave me my magic—you're basically my dad in that front…I guess, by blood now too. Gods that's weird. Does that mean Hela's like my mom, because she also did something with my magic and, had to give permission to be—reborn?"
Loki pressed the palm of his hand into an eye. "Norns Hiccup, do you have to bring up these kinds of questions now?"
Hiccup shrugged.
Loki shook his head and stood. "I don't want to think about that. I'm not going to think about that. I would advise you not to think about that either. By the All-Father's beard, Hiccup, why must you have that disturbing thought? Where did it even come from?"
Hiccup held his hands in his lap and looked at the floor. "Well…I had a long time alone to think about stuff and they refused to call me anything other than Lokison…"
Loki frowned, reminded once more of his failures and sat next to him again. "You are my child, by law of Chosens and—as you said—technically by blood as well now. Hela, she is the overseer of Niflheim and Odin of Valhalla. For me to bring your soul back, and without becoming a draugr," Hiccup stiffened with a disgusted and terrified look, "I needed one of their permission's—whichever realm it was that you presided in."
Hiccup nodded. Okay, that makes a lot more sense now.
Loki continued. "Naturally as the guardian of the realm you'd briefly belonged to, some of her magic touched with yours so that she could watch over your soul. It is in no way a maternal bond. Besides, she renounced any connection to you by allowing me to restore your body. To call her mother would be the same as calling Odin father for 'watching' over your soul in Valhalla. Do not fear her any longer, Liten Listig, she has no hold or claim on you."
Hiccup looked up at him, eyes peeking through his bangs. "Even if she finds out why I died?"
He nodded firmly. "Even then. The only one who has any claim over you is me. Come on, we have both had long and tiring days."
Hiccup stood with a tiny, relieved smile. As he sat on Loki's soft bed again, dearly missing Toothless for the unknown'th time, he actually thought to sleep—he wanted to sleep. He threw himself back into the pillows with a delighted grin and grabbed a particularly fluffy one, curling around it and closing his eyes.
Seep came unnaturally quick and he did not care why, too enraptured to feel the sensation of unconsciousness again.
Loki smiled, a pleasant warmth spreading in his chest with seeing Hiccup alive, happy, and smiling. He slipped into bed but did not fall asleep quickly, unable to tear his eyes away from his sleeping child.
Okay, well...Does this make up for killing him? Or at least make it better? Now we can finally start to move on. See y'all soon!