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In the serene silence of Asgard's healing chambers, Harry, his heart racing with adrenaline, stood before the legendary Soul Forge. The holographic flames flickered across Lady Eir's face, enveloping her in an ethereal light, as she prepared to explore the depths of their souls. Loki hovered in the background, his eyes darting between them like an impending storm.
"Remember," Lady Eir's voice reverberated through the room, "healing is not for the faint-hearted."
A bead of sweat trickled down Harry's temple as he met Loki's gaze, his stomach knotting with anticipation. The goddess of healing had seen their magical afflictions - Loki's mind ravaged by the Mind Stone and his own soul torn apart by reincarnation.
Harry had some knowledge of Lady Eir from the scattered memories of Harald. She was considered the goddess of healing. The Aesir held her in high regard and was more than willing to listen to her. Despite knowing she was one of the benevolent deities, the idea of entering a healing chamber, similar to Madame Pomfrey's, made Harry feel uneasy.
Harry was aware that his thoughts were irrational and that this situation should be seen as positive. However, he couldn't ignore the underlying fear he had about what she might uncover within Loki, and potentially within himself. It was becoming increasingly clear to him that something was amiss, but he had no clue as to what it could be.
The Healing chambers were completely Eir's domain. Not even the Allfather had much to say inside her walls, and you better listen to the healer as you were there, or else she would drag that poor soul back with promises of far worse treatment than if you had followed her recommendation in the first place.
Eir had been at the royal court even before Loki and Thor were mere babes. Every wound and bruise she had been helping patch up, and now said women were staring at the two males with a disappointing glare.
"It's time, My prince," she said firmly, causing Loki to pause. "Now, lie down on the platform so I can assess the damage that was done to you."
With a sinking feeling in his gut, Loki reluctantly followed the lady's orders without any resistance. The chamber was shrouded in darkness, save for the bowls of fire that cast eerie shadows on the walls. As he lay down on the altar of the soul forge, Harry could sense Loki's growing unease through their bond.
Lady Eir pressed a button on her control panel, and the black rock above them hummed to life. Neon-green particles shot out from it and swirled around Lokis's body, enveloping him completely. The particles seemed to come alive, pulsating and changing shape until they formed the figure of Loki in front of them. Harry couldn't take his eyes off the mesmerizing display, unsure if he should be amazed or terrified.
"Wicked." Harry suddenly exclaimed in a low amazed voice. Never mind that he had never been one for technology, but this was like a combination of magic and something like a moving picture.
"Glad that someone can enjoy the view," Loki drawled as he breathed out and closed his eyes; the image always made him nauseous.
"Silence" Eri commanded
Loki did not yelp, but he twitched slightly at the harsh tone the healer had used but then became still as a statue underneath her care. Lady Eir started to do her work as soon as the body was visible before them and her gaze traveled over the particles and the data that came back from the reading.
Harry stood beside her, looking at the replica of Loki's body before him. He could see some broken parts starting to show in what had to be his mind as Eri focused more on Lokis's head than anything else.
Harry knew that the mind stone's control was broken; the mind stone had no hold of his mate anymore, but to see the damage to the brain's connection was worrisome.
Eir started to do something on the panel, and the scenery changed; while she was working, she didn't say a word or show any emotion on her face. Black locks framed her face, making her blue eyes almost glisten in the low light as she worked with a clear goal in mind.
"Well?" Loki asked obnoxiously as he stared up at the particle without knowing what it was
"Well, what, my prince?" She asked, making Loki scowl at her
"Am I deemed fit to go yet?" Loki scoffed at her; his eyes narrowed at the healer
"Not yet, be quiet. I need to concentrate or I'll tie you up so tightly that not even your mate will be able to untangle you," she said, focused on her task without pausing.
Loki's lips parted to retort, but before he could, Lady Eir's gaze snapped up from the hologram, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his. "Still your tongue, Prince of Asgard," she warned, her voice calm but laced with an authority that even Loki couldn't ignore. "You would do well to remember the respect due to your elders—and your healers."
Harry, standing silent until now, reached out and placed a gentle hand on Loki's shoulder. His touch was warm, and grounding, and Loki felt a flicker of gratitude despite his pride. But Loki shrugged it off, his green eyes narrowing as he turned his head away, muttering under his breath about overbearing healers and their lack of haste.
Lady Eir ignored his insolence, her attention returning to the hologram of Loki's form. Harry watched her, marveling at her focus. The way her hands moved with practiced precision over the panels, her black locks swaying slightly as she leaned in closer to examine the golden traces of energy flickering beneath Loki's mental landscape. It was like watching a master weaver at work, threading together the fractured parts of Loki's soul.
"What is that?" Harry asked softly, nodding toward the faint golden threads weaving through Loki's hologram. They pulsed with a light that seemed both familiar and foreign, like the remnants of a fire long since extinguished.
Lady Eir paused, her fingers hovering over the panel before she glanced at Harry. "The mind stone's influence," she replied, her tone measured. "It has left its mark on him, deeper than I initially feared. The golden traces you see are the residual bonds it forged within his mind. They are... complicated. Part of him, and yet not."
Harry's emerald eyes darkened with concern. He could feel Loki's unease, a jagged edge of discomfort that resonated through the bond they shared. He reached out again, this time brushing his fingers against Loki's arm, offering what little comfort he could without interrupting Lady Eir's work.
Loki didn't pull away this time. Instead, he remained still, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as if willing himself to endure this examination. But Harry could sense the tension in him, the way his breath came in shallow, controlled measures. He was holding himself together, but barely.
"It's going to take time," Lady Eir murmured, her attention returning to the hologram. Her hands moved with renewed purpose, and the golden threads began to dim under her ministrations. "The mind stone's influence is insidious. It has burrowed deep into his psyche, leaving scars that will not heal overnight."
"And what of his Jotun heritage?" Harry asked, his voice tinged with a quiet urgency. He had always known Loki struggled with his dual nature, but seeing the physical manifestations of that conflict etched into his soul was something else entirely.
Lady Eir's gaze softened, and she glanced at Loki before returning to her work. "That, too, is a wound that must be tended. His frost giant lineage is a part of him, Harry, and it is not something to be ashamed of. But Loki has spent so long denying it, suppressing it, that it has become a source of pain rather than strength."
Loki's jaw clenched at her words, but he said nothing. Harry, however, felt a surge of determination. He would help Loki heal, not just from the mind stone's influence, but from the deep-seated wounds of his past. Together, they would find a way to reconcile the parts of Loki that had been at war for so long.
As Lady Eir continued her work, the chamber fell into a tense silence, the only sound the soft hum of the Soul Forge and Loki's measured breathing. Harry stayed close, a steady presence, while Lady Eir wove her magic, thread by delicate thread, to mend the fractures in Loki's soul.
Harry had lost track of time as he stood by Loki and let the healer do her thing. Until the movements stopped, and the noise from the machine died down. Eri tapped the panel a few times before her form fell back on the chair, her eyes fixed on the screen.
"I have done what I can for today, " Eri said. "But you'll need to enter a healing sleep to fully recover. The newer injuries should heal quickly, but the older ones may take some more time." She paused.
Harry felt the unease before it showed on Loki's face and he took hold of said man's arm "I will not go anywhere " he reassured him
"Of course not, you will be right sleeping beside him, as soon as you both are done. I will transfer you to your room" Eir said as she walked over to a large bookcase that was leaning on the other side of the room "I don't need to hook you up to feel how that soul of you is out of sync"
"Out of sync?" Harry parroted; brow knitted together in a frown
Eri nodded in agreement. "I had a feeling something like this was going on when I heard about what Harald had done," she said. "It's been centuries since you disappeared. But from what you've told me, it seems like you're still not completely whole." Eri paused before asking, "Are the memories that come back to you fragmented?" Harry nodded slowly as Eri added, "And do you ever feel disconnected or experience pain as you try to make sense of everything?"
Harry gazed at the woman, feeling a sense of unease radiating from Loki. How did she know all of this? It was almost unnervingly accurate. He didn't even need to confirm anything before Eir nodded as if she already had all the information.
"In that case, you are out of sync," she stated firmly, gesturing for them to follow her. "Time is of the essence."
Loki sighed as he was out of options and walked over to the plain bed that adored a corner of the room and lay down. Body tense as a string ready to snap.
"If this will not be quick, I promise you that I…."
And before he could finish his words, Eir touched his forehead and Loki was asleep. Eir's golden magic started to twirl around his head as she infused him with the soft healing spell that she had prepared. She kept her hand on Loki's head as his eyes were closed.
The warm golden magic was transferring over to Loki as she started to speak in a voice that sounded much like small bells ringing. It was by no means a long chant, honestly, but as Harry heard the words tingling traveled up his arms and down his spine as the flowers on his arm rustled with the tongue she spoke in.
"Earth below, sky above.
Fill the dark of night with love
The morning sun will take your pain
And you will wake renewed again.
The time has come
Renewed by sun
To count my blessings one by one
For I see you, in your wholeness
I will walk with you through the darkness
As you remember your light
So, moth it be"
She smiled softly as the last drop of magic vanished from her hand and into Loki as he let out a soft sigh and sank deeper down into the bedding in a much more calming sleep than before.
Eir's eyes met Harry's as he stared down at her. "He is going to have a lot of healing to do, both physical and mental. But he is going to be alright"
Harry nodded but refused to move from his spot as he followed the women with his gaze. He knew about the Seiðr and their rituals. That was one of the first things he researched as his memory started to come back.
"Are you afraid, little Norn?" Eir asked and Harry's frown deepened
Ignoring her question, he focused on the new word she had called him, "Norn?"
"Hm, yes" she hummed as she walked over to her shelf and picked down a dry ball of herbs "As you probably know, I'm the handmaid of Frigga, and she as a Vanir, is gifted with both divination and clairvoyance. She knew who you were before, and she knew who you have become, probably before you even knew it yourself."
Harry frowned, "Then why didn't she do anything to stop what had happened?"
Eir glanced at him before shaking her head. "She knew about you, but not when this would happen. Time works differently for us than it does on Midgard. You are considered a Wizard by your people and a deity by ours. Your connection to magic is unique and we have an ancient term for it: the Norns."
Harry's mind swirled "But, isn't the Norns the weavers of fate?"
"That it was some of them do, yes, but as not one of them is like the others there is also a difference. The old one is a special trade of the Norns and has a deep connection to the Tree of Life, the Yggdrasil". She hummed as she held out the herb ball to him "Eat this"
Harry stared at the dark thing with a skeptical look before he slowly took the ball, which was lighter than he had thought. It was not too big, only half his cupped hand but it smelled strongly of something strange and he had to fight the feeling of heave by the strange smell.
"Don't make me repeat myself"
Harry wanted to protest, but he didn't. He brought the ball to his lips and felt his stomach turn from the mere smell. He took a bite of the ball and held back a gag as he did. Eir held out a glass of water and waited for him to eat it all.
"Good" she nodded
Harry wiped his mouth with his sleeve as he drank the last water "How bad is it? The splitting between me and…Harald" Harry asked.
The healer looked over at him, sighting "Bad"
Harry felt how his whole body was put under is-cold water for one second only to feel the heat coming up from his stomach, "Tell me"
And Eri did, but that did not help to put him at ease at all. Harry's split soul, damaged mind, and corrupted fragments were slowly tearing him apart. Sapping at his life force, and as she was feeling, he was struggling with himself. Making the fragments battle each other, explaining the soul-splitting pain he had felt. But it did not end there, as both Harry and Loki's souls had been separated for such a long time neither side was in balance.
Harry felt his mouth lose all sensation, the feeling swept down his throat and chest and made the red-hot stone in his stomach burn in fear and anxiety. He turned around when his legs tingled too much and the medicine bottles around them began to shake slightly as his control began to falter.
He felt the numb feeling spread in his body, and his heart raced uncontrollably as what he suspected was the medical ball that had started to do its thing.
"Harry, listen to me, and listen carefully, I can't do anything for either of you in this state, but you can do it yourself"
That got his attention, "I can?" he asked as she nodded "What can I do?"
The healer smiled softly "Always so quick to help each other, this bond between you two is truly marvelous" she said with a sigh as she put a hand on his cheek and Harry had to ground his feet to not flinch at the sudden motherly action.
" Do you remember when Loki saved you from that bonding magic that almost took your life?" Harry nodded "That experience brought a merge of his magic and yours, creating a unique and unbreakable bond between the two of you. It's rare to see such a balance in magic. Perhaps it's because your souls are meant to be together, but even still, it's unheard of for such a complete merging of magic. She released his cheek and took his hands, her words sincere as she continued, "With this bond, you have the perfect tool to heal each other from within, with your soul and magic intertwined."
Harry blinked, healing him from within. He got something definite over him and nodded and without hesitation accepted her explanation. Eri let go of his hands walked over to her cabin and roamed around for a while before she came back with a soft baby blue potion in her hand.
"This will put you in a trance state, and I believe that this will also help your soul to become whole. But I have no idea how, that is up to you. But when it comes to Loki" She looked over to the sleeping prince "You need to chase away the darkness and show him that you are his light"
Harry looked down at the potion and took it, a silver shine of something whirled around in the blue and he could feel the energy from it. Deep, soothing, and mysterious. He breathed out slowly and nodded and opened it but Eri stopped him.
"Wait, you should lay down before you drink it, and take off your shirt"
Harry spurted at that, rearing back in surprise, and she clicked with her tongue, "Not like that, you need the soul mark to touch each other, skin to skin" She told him" That will strengthen the connection"
He felt a little stupid that he had not thought about it before and nodded before going to the bed on which Loki was resting. His forehead was deeply wrinkled and he looked anything but peaceful where he rested, he pulled off his shirt, and the black long hair fell over his now naked back. He exhaled while with Eri's help, he got his tunic from Loki. A blush spread over his cheeks and neck but quickly disappeared after he saw what condition his body was in. To his dismay, he saw that Loki had grown even thinner than before and was covered in scars that he couldn't recall ever seeing before.
Harry lay down by his side and grabbed his hand, fingers intertwined and their soul mark touching as he seconds later drank the entire contents without hesitation before lying down next to him. He could feel the dizziness sweeping over him and how the tiredness crept ever closer. Harry exhaled and closed his eyes.
Only for the nest second, he found himself in a dimly lit room with only a large mirror standing before him, reflecting his entire figure from head to toe. The atmosphere was damp and muffled, making it difficult for him to see or hear anything beyond the mirror. He turned his gaze towards his reflection, noticing how it raised an eyebrow at him, almost as if it were studying him intently.
Frowning, he gazed at his reflection in the mirror, which seemed to be smiling back at him. He reached up to touch his forehead, noticing that his reflection did the same, but with an amused expression. Harry couldn't sense anything unusual about the reflection; was this like the Mirror of Erised? Did it show his deepest desires or something similar? His eyes widened as he suddenly realized what was happening.
"Aah, there it is" The reflection's voice was light and almost sounded like water in a creek as he tried to hold back his laughter. But Harry saw the viridian green eyes glitter back at him in mischief.
"You… What? "Harry hesitated as he let his hand fall, "Are you…Harald?"
"Yes and no," Harald answered, his voice was featherlight and gentle as he spoke. His voice rippled through Harrys mind. "I'm an imprint on your soul, a fragment of the sort"
Harry could not hold back a groan that escaped him "Oh come on! "
Harald threw his head back and laughed, his expression changing from deadpan to one of amusement. "Not quite like that, little norn," he said with a smile, tilting his head to the side. His long black hair fell in a ponytail held together by a green silk band. As his eyes scanned Harry over, they seemed to hold a knowing look, as if Harald was looking at a mirror image of himself before.
"You got to be joking?!" This was not real. This could honestly not be happening again, his luck could not be that bad.
Harald stepped closer, his emerald eyes glinting with a knowing light. The dim room seemed to press in around them, the air thick with unspoken truths. Harry could feel the weight of Harald's gaze, as if it were a physical touch, probing the depths of his soul.
"You've always known, haven't you?" Harald's voice was soft, a gentle ripple in the stillness. "That you were not like everyone else"
Harry's breath caught, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to look away, to escape the intensity of Harald's words, but he couldn't.
"You don't have to be afraid, Harry," Harald continued his tone a soothing balm to Harry's frayed nerves. "You've been running from this for so long" Harald's voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight that made Harry's heart stumble.
"What are you talking about?" Harry demanded, trying to keep his voice steady, but the words came out sharper than he intended.
Harald chuckled, the sound low and resonant. "Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been feeling it, haven't you? The pull, the tug, the constant reminder that you're not whole. Your connection to the magic around you"
Harry's breath caught, his chest tightening as the words struck a chord deep within him. He had been trying to ignore it, to push it away, but the truth was impossible to deny. "And what if I have?" he shot back, his voice laced with defiance. "What if I don't want to accept another soul-stealing thing inside of me?"
Harald's smile widened, and he stepped closer to the mirror, his reflection meeting Harry's gaze head-on. "You do," he said simply. "You just don't know how to."
Before Harry could respond, the room seemed to shift around him, the dim light brightening to reveal the faint outline of a door behind Harald. The mirror rippled, like water disturbed by a stone, and Harald's reflection reached out, his hand extending towards Harry.
"Come on," Harald said, his voice filled with a gentle urgency. "It's time to see."
Harry hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't know what lay beyond the mirror, but he knew he couldn't turn back now. Because Harald was right. With a deep breath, he reached out, his fingers brushing against the cool glass.
As soon as he made contact, the world around him dissolved, replaced by a swirling vortex of colors. He felt a hand grasp him, pulling him forward, and then he was falling, the sensation of weightlessness filling him.
As Harry tumbles through the vortex, he feels a surge of magic enveloping him, warm and comforting. His senses are overwhelmed by a whirlwind of colors, sounds, and emotions, yet he can't help but feel a sense of belonging amidst the chaos. It's as if this magic is drawing him in, welcoming him to a world that has always been a part of him.
With a jolt, Harry finds himself standing in an entirely new place. The air is thick with the scent of ancient parchment and burning candles. Bookshelves stretch high above him, filled with dusty tomes and scrolls that seem to hum with energy. A massive crystal chandelier casts a soft glow over the room, its light dancing on the polished wooden floor.
Harald's reflection-turned-reality stands before him, his eyes alight with excitement. "Welcome to your soul's library, Harry," Harald says, spreading his arms wide. "This is where you'll find the answers you seek."
Harry blinked, trying to take it all in. The room felt alive, the very walls thrumming with power. He could almost hear whispers, fragments of knowledge drifting through the air.
"This... this is mine?" Harry asked, awe creeping into his voice. "All of this?"
Harald nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yours and yours alone. Every thought, every dream, every piece of magic you've ever touched. It's all here."
Harry took a tentative step forward, his fingers skimming the spines of the nearest books. Each touch sent a shiver up his arm, like tiny sparks of recognition igniting within him. "I didn't realize," he said quietly, "that I had so much."
Harald's laughter was warm and bright. "You have more than you can imagine, little norn." He moved alongside Harry, guiding him deeper into the labyrinth of shelves. "You've only just begun to scratch the surface."
"What if I don't want to go deeper?" Harry challenged, though the curiosity in his eyes betrayed him.
"Then why are you here?" Harald countered gently, tilting his head in that familiar way that mirrored Harry's own skeptical looks.
As they walked further into the library, Harry found himself drawn to a particular shelf. It was packed with journals, their leather covers embossed with intricate runes that seemed to pulse with a faint light.
"What's in these?" he asked, reaching for one.
"Memories," Harald said softly. "The ones you've locked away. The ones you're finally ready to uncover. The magic that runs through your veins, connecting you to everything around you." He steps closer to Harry and places a hand on his chest, right over his heart. "Your soul is a complex tapestry of experiences, emotions, and memories. This library is where it's all stored."
Harry's heart races under Harald's touch, feeling the weight of his words resonating deep within him. He wants to explore this newfound world freely and embrace the truth about himself. However, a nagging thought at the back of his mind reminds him that they are not alone in their journey.
"What about Loki?" Harry asks quietly, looking up at Harald with concern in his eyes. "He's been through so much already..."
Harald's expression softens at the mention of Loki's name. "Loki will not go anywhere," he reassures Harry. "And I believe that your journey together will lead you both on the right path"
With renewed determination, he takes a deep breath and steps further into the library, ready to uncover the secrets hidden within his soul.
As Harry explores the labyrinthine corridors of the library, he feels an ever-growing connection to the magic around him, as well as to Loki. Each book he opens reveals not only fragments of his memories and emotions but also mirrors Loki's journey, showcasing their intertwined destinies.
Harald walked silently with him all the way, giving him time to take it all in, to look books over. There were golden threads all around them, spreading a soft glow as they walked.
Harry closed the book he had been skimming through "What is this light?" he asked as he put the book back in its right spot.
Harald hummed softly "Your magic" he answered cryptically and Harry now turned around to pin him in place with an intense stare.
"That the only thing you going to say?" Harry asked "My magic? I could already tell that it was! It is all connected to you somehow and I don't like it"
Harald sighted beside him. "I know, and I am sorry for everything I put you through."
Harry held back a scowl. "It is not me you should say sorry to"
A heaviness settled onto Harald's usually jovial face, causing his smile to shrink and soften. "I know," he sighed, his voice filled with regret. "When I decided to offer myself as the sacrifice for the incardination, I never could have imagined that it would cost me my soul. But even knowing that now, I still don't regret it," he continued with another sigh. "At that moment, all I could think about was Loki's safety, and the thought of my family being next in line for slaughter was unbearable." His eyes held a mixture of determination and sorrow as he spoke.
Harry stared at the man in front of him as he opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The air was thick with the weight of unspoken words as Harry and Harald stood in the heart of a realm that seemed to exist outside of time itself. The silence between them was oppressive, a physical force that pressed against Harry's chest, making it hard to breathe.
"You don't understand," Harry said finally, his voice low and rough, like the edge of a blade that had been left to rust. "You don't know what it's like to feel so broken, so shattered, that even the thought of being whole again is terrifying."
Harald's eyes softened, and he took a step forward, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he were afraid of startling Harry. "I do understand," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I know what it's like to feel like you're living in pieces, like every step you take could send you tumbling back into the darkness. But I also know that you can't let that fear control you. You have to face it, Harry. You have to let go."
Harry's laughter was bitter, a harsh sound that cut through the stillness of the realm. "Let go? You want me to let go? Let go of what?! You, of all people, should know how impossible that is. You, who sacrificed everything, you who gave up your soul, your life, for a cause that—"
He stopped abruptly, the words catching in his throat like thorns. He couldn't bring himself to say it, to admit the truth that had been haunting him since the moment he'd learned of Harald's sacrifice. He couldn't say that Harald had abandoned them, that he'd left Loki to suffer, to struggle, to nearly lose himself completely.
The memory of Loki's face flashed in his mind, pale and drawn, his eyes sunken and haunted. He remembered the way Loki had curled up, his body shaking with sobs, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke, of the feeling of being lost and alone. He remembered the way Loki had clung to him, desperate for comfort, for reassurance, for the love and acceptance that had been denied to him for so long.
And he remembered the way he'd felt, the helplessness and the anger, the overwhelming sense of failure that had threatened to consume him. He'd wanted to fix it, to make it better, to take away the pain that Loki was feeling. But he couldn't, not really. All he could do was be there, to hold him, to love him, and hope that it would be enough.
But it wasn't enough. Not then, not now. Because Loki was still broken, still hurting, still trapped in the cycle of pain and fear that had been instilled in him from the moment he was born. And Harry couldn't help but wonder if he was to blame if he'd failed Loki in some fundamental way.
"No, you don't understand," Harry repeated, his voice breaking this time. "You don't know what it's like to love someone so much, to want to protect them, to save them, and yet to feel so powerless, so inadequate. You don't know what it's like to watch them suffer, to see the light in their eyes dim, and to know that you can't do anything to stop it."
Harald's expression was one of deep sorrow, his eyes filled with a pain that mirrored Harry's own. "Perhaps not," he said again, his voice filled with conviction. " But I do understand what it's like to love someone so much that you'd give up everything for them, even your soul. I do understand what it's like to feel powerless, to feel like you're failing them like you're not enough. But what I also understand is that you can't let that fear of losing, that doubt, control you. You have to find the strength to keep going, to keep fighting, no matter how hard it gets."
Harry's gaze dropped, his eyes focusing on the ground beneath his feet. He didn't want to hear this, didn't want to admit that Harald was right. He didn't want to face the truth, didn't want to acknowledge the fear that had been holding him back for so long. But he couldn't deny it, not anymore. He couldn't keep running from it, couldn't keep hiding behind his anger and his hurt.
"I'm scared," he said finally, the words barely above a whisper. "I'm so scared, Harald. I'm scared of losing him, of failing him, of not being enough. I'm scared of what might happen if I let go I open myself up to the possibility of being whole again. OF what that kind of magic will do to me, I'm scared of what that might mean, of what it might cost me."
Harald's expression softened further, and he reached out, his hand brushing against Harry's. "I know," he said. " But you can't let that fear define you, Harry. You can't let it control you. You have to find the courage to face it, to overcome it. You have to find the strength to let go, to trust in yourself, in Loki, and in the bond that you share."
Harry locked eyes with Harald, and for a brief moment, they simply gazed at each other. A whirlwind of emotions surged through Harry, and he placed his hand over his rapidly pounding heart. Harry's voice trembled as he asked, "Why is all this happening to us?" The weight of his words hung in the air, a testament to the turmoil within. Harald's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding as if the burdens of the past lingered in his gaze.
"It all sadly comes down to faith and destiny," Harald said.
"Since no ordinary person could bear the weight of being a vessel for Death. Back then, I wasn't suited for the responsibility it required, so even Death couldn't assist me."
"Hold on, you were the vessel for Death?" Harry frowned.
Harald nodded affirmatively. "Yes, Death had a plan all along, since I was already designated as his heir," he said, holding up his soul mark with a smile.
Confused, Harry looked down at his wrist where the now fully blooming forget-me-not wrapped around the golden peons protecting them in its embrace.
"This?" He had thought it would be the deathly hallows that would be their mark.
"Yes, this tattoo represents us," Harald said sadly as he caressed the flowers. "Despite what others may think, Loki is our light; he represents life, which is why he had to endure his trial of survival while we faced our trial of death." A small smile graced Harald's lips as he spoke.
"Life is a twisting, unpredictable rollercoaster, full of chaos, pain, and never-ending struggles. But amidst the turmoil, there are moments so stunning and breathtaking that they make all the hardships seem distant memories. Life will always push us to our limits, break us down, and leave us feeling shattered, but we must find the strength to keep moving forward. It's a beautiful lie we must tell ourselves to survive, to keep believing in something greater than ourselves in this chaotic world," Harald spoke with a heavy heart, his words laced with both sorrow and resilience.
"Death, on the other hand, is not a beautiful lie; it's a brutal reality that cannot be ignored. Its presence looms over us like a dark cloud, ever-present and impossible to escape. We can't try to hide from it or soften its harsh truth with lies. Death is the ultimate destination for all living things, inevitable and inescapable. It's the grim reaper waiting at the end of every road, a fate that no one can outrun. No matter what else may be uncertain in life, one thing is certain: we will all meet our end."
The mere mention of it brought a chill down his spine, a reminder of our mortality. It was a force to be reckoned with, an unyielding force that would claim us all eventually. The weight of its inevitability was suffocating, yet there was no escaping it. It was simply a fact of life, one that we must all come to terms with sooner or later.
Harald smiled as he continued, "So you see, Harry, everything happens for a reason," he said. "I am your history, the proof of your resistance to yield, and yet, I am the reward for your pain."
Harry stared at him… his reward? "This doesn't make any sense; you said it yourself; my body shouldn't have been close to being strong enough to channel your power. I'm only human-…." Harry's world died out as soon as they left him; was that why he had a sudden creature inheritance? And was that why the memories, the power, had come in waves after he had been accepted by Death as its master?
"Bingo," Harald exclaimed with a grin. "Through death, your power has reached its full potential. Every obstacle you faced and overcame in your journey has led you to this moment. And now, I have become you, and you have become me. It wouldn't be odd for either of us to possess this body. After all, we are the same."
Harald took a step forward and held out a hand. "So stop fighting me, or more like it, fighting yourself. Accept that this is our reward for all the sacrifices we've made and let us retrieve our mate." Harry gazed at Harald's hand, noticing how similar it looked to his own long, slender fingers. "I don't recall us being so pushy in our past lives."
Harald laughed "I think we have to thank Loki for that."
"Yes," Harry said, eyes twinkling, "yet, he is the drama queen of us."
"True" Harald grinned back at him "But he is worth it"
Harry nodded as there was no more hesitation in him. He reached out and eagerly grabbed Harald's hand as the other man grinned like he had given him the sun. A sudden burst of warmth enveloped him and he finally felt whole again as the image of Harald started to fade away.
"wow," He breathed and Harald laughed merrily as the warmth started to develop both of their soul parts. "But how do we help Loki?"
Harald hummed low before his green eyes started to shimmer in amusement "The exact way he uses to ground us with" the grin grew on the other one's lips. Suddenly everything exploded as the two souls started to merge and Harry let it happen.
The warmth spread through him like a gentle flame, igniting parts of his soul he hadn't realized was dimmed. Harry felt the weight of Harald's merging presence, a seamless blend of power and peace until there was no separation at all. The room around him dissolved, and when his vision cleared, he lay in the soft, ethereal glow of Lady Eir's Healing Chambers. The hum of the Soul Forge thrummed softly in the air, and the scent of herbs and something faintly metallic filled his senses.
As the warmth of the merged souls lingered, Harry felt an insistent tug on the invisible thread connecting him to Loki. The pull was urgent, a mix of pain and longing that echoed through the chambers.
With a deep breath, Harry focused on the bond, allowing it to feel Loki. He let his gaze fall on his sleeping mate beside him as he carefully traced his finger over the other male's cheek. Harry leaned down, pressing his forehead against Loki's, inhaling deeply to draw in the intoxicating scent that was uniquely his mate's.
"Let me in, Loki," he whispered with a fierce urgency to the slumbering male. Harry unleashed his magic, letting it surge from his fingertips as he focused with unwavering determination. Before he knew it, magic swirled around them and his eyes closed as he vented into his mate's mind one final time.
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