Hellbound

by Tina Glasneck

Thor

  Thor and Kara had barely crossed the border into Alfheim-Prime when the giant roaring his name caught his attention.

  He wasn’t in Alfheim to fight, but for the giant to be there meant one of two things: either the elves wanted to ensure that he was there on a peace mission, and testing him, or they were in league with the giants and needed him to fight.

  “We want the cauldron,” one of the giants shouted.

  Sheesh: number two. “Looks like we are going to be fighting, after all, Kara,” Thor deadpanned.

  “Yes, my prince. There are not many options left.”

  The giant picked up a mechanical horse and chariot, then tossed them into several parked cars. Cars honked, lights flashed, and the giant continued to smash metal and bend it under his pounding fists.

  Thor removed Mjolnir and spun her around in his palm. “Oh, the scent of battle.” He breathed it in. “I’ve needed something to smash.”

  More giants approached and slashed the air with their axes, maces, and swords.

  The lead giant moved toward Thor and swung his mace.

  Thor jumped to the side and rolled. “We can make this the easy way or the way that you die quicker. Just give up.”

  “You speak so because of your blasted weapon, but without it, what could you do?”

  Kara cast him a look. “Don’t let him trick you into fighting without your weapon.”

  “I am hot-headed, but not a fool.”

  “No, you are a cuckold. Isn’t that why no matter how favored you are by Midgard, one Midgardian will not have you?” the giant retorted.

  “Now you are just being mean.” Thor raised his hammer and leapt into the air, smashing his hammer into the giant’s temple. The giant dropped to the ground with a loud crash.

  He moved to the next one, and the hammer moved straight through the giant’s image—a hologram.

  “Did you think we would all be so easy?” The giants then morphed into a pack to surround him and Kara.

  Kara moved with the speed of a tornado, and just as she was part of the storm, Thor joined in on the fun. This was just a distraction, diversion for what was surely to come next. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lady Hel, Loki, a wolfhound and Sif join in.

  “I didn’t expect to find you here,” Sif said, and Thor glared. “That makes two of us.”

  “Let’s keep the banter to the side, as there are more pressing things to wonder about than if your wish to love her will be fulfilled,” Loki spat.

  Both Sif and Thor cut their gazes to him. It wasn’t like Thor to want to be in any sort of love triangle, especially when affection seemed to be the furthest thing from the intended’s heart. There were enough women in Midgard who’d gladly warm his bed, and right now, Sif had shown no interest in his enticements.

  “This threat is not one that we have not prepared for,” Kara voiced.

  Thor knew she meant Lady Hel and Loki. He trusted those two like he trusted Surtr to just make nice.

  Thor moved forward, and a roar moved through the crowd. “I grow tired of your games.” When the giant came forward to strike, Thor raised his hammer. Thunder rolled, cracking the ground, sending up dust and broken stone.

  Only one giant remained standing; the others disappeared in their chaotic illusion.

  Clapping ensued from the sidelines, where the royal greeting party waited. The ruler of the Light Elves approached. Her crown made of twigs, and twisted with gold wire, rested on long flowing locks of purple-and-pink hair. “So, you have come in peace, dear Prince?”

  “That was the case before your giants descended upon us,” Kara interjected.

  Thor cleared his throat, and to his side, Gi returned. “We have come as we believe Njord is here.”

  “It is nothing odd for Njord to be in our presence,” the mouthpiece of the queen said.

  “But where is your regent? Is it not tradition for him to greet the gods?” Thor countered.

  “What you suggest is that this place is not one of tolerance. We have done nothing to receive the ire of the gods.”

  “Allow me to be the judge of that. Again, I will ask to see Njord, but I am done asking.” The threat was evident in his voice and stance. If he needed to fight all in Alfheim Prime, he would do just that.

  The queen raised her hand. “You need not make threats, dear Prince. Come with me, and I will show you where he is.”

  “And your guards who already aim, what will do you with them?” She raised her hand, and, he watched them lower their weapons.

  “Take me to him, now, please.” Thor tried to use his manners, after all, right now he represented his father, too. It wouldn’t be good to smash up this kingdom just to get answers, even if his temper wanted him to smash all the things within eyeshot. Maybe this would lead him to what he needed to know, and where he needed to go.

  The sound of a staff striking the floor rang throughout the area, and the gathered crowd separated.

  “Please forgive us for our lack of hospitality, as things have been strange in the realms, leaping over from Midgard to here.”

  “You seem to know of this,” Kara accused.

  “Why yes, when Njord arrived to us, he was not in the best of places. He ranted and raved about the war long gone, between the Aesir and Vanir, and that of the elf king. We have not had a king since the Alder King was dethroned. Since then the monarchy has passed down maternally, from mother to daughter.”

  “And what of the strangers who have passed through here?” Kara asked.

  “We have trade, so there have been many who pass through, but no one of great concern. We quashed all potential coups, expelled any who cause problems. With Njord, this is different.”

  “How so?”

  “I shall not speak ill of one held in such high regard, but I fear that something has taken possession of his mind, as he is not like the Njord I’ve always known. Instead, he rages and fights invisible figures, and declares that the end is nigh.”

  Chapter 30

  Sif

  Unfortunately, our group of gods wasn’t one I’d want to bet on. We’d more than likely stab each other in the back, the front, in between the ribs or just in the heart. The animosity hung heavy in the air like bad hairspray that made everything sticky.

  “What are you doing with them?” Thor leaned forward and hissed in my ear. “Here I thought you were in trouble and I find you again in the hands of our enemy. I’m wondering who the traitor is—you or me?”

  “I don’t need to explain my actions to you, but I am here to help, just as you are,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “You betray us,” Kara muttered.

  “No, I am getting all the help I can to find Chi.”

  We stopped walking, and Thor grabbed my wrists. This is the last time I’m asking you this, so choose your words carefully: Why are you with them.”

  I was reminiscing not too long ago about how I’d wanted this god to see me, empower me and make me something, someone, to mold me like clay, but now, we stood, and I mourned for the naïve woman I once was. I’d planned every moment of what it might mean to just be in his shadow. He was, after all, the one who saw the best in mankind, never one to hold something over anyone’s head, but why was he so different with me?

  “Are you asking as a patron god or something more?” I countered.

  He quirked a grin. “This isn’t the time nor the place, but my temper got the best of me. I’d like to think that just as I see the wonder in you, the beauty in you, that you might wish to learn more at my side.”

  “Bloody hell, you’re not going to do this now, Thor,” Loki countered. “She has a lot on her mind, and the last thing she needs is your advances.”

  “I can be her hero.”

  “She doesn’t need a hero, you bumpkin,” Loki interjected. “She needs someone who can make her ache and wish for nothing more than the next shared moment, stolen glance, and fire.”

  I threw my hands out at both of them. “Hey, if you haven’t fig
ured it out, now isn’t the time or place to ask me to prom. Timing is horrible. Instead, let’s deal with Njord, find Chi, Harley, and get this over with.”

  “Harley?” Thor asked. “Why are you looking for Harley?”

  “Because I am a woman of my word, and even Lady Hel deserves her beautiful love affair with the man who made her complete. Some of us are more than lucky to have something that special.”

  I turned away and caught up with the rest of the party. I wouldn’t let them fight over me or determine who I should choose. That would be on me, and me alone.

  We entered the garden, and Njord sat next to a well babbling. His voice thick; his words made no sense to my ears. “What is he saying?” I asked.

  “He speaks of Freyja and says that she is in a well.”

  “That is preposterous. She is back in Asgard with the All-Father,” Thor rebutted. “He also says that the elves are working with Hoenir.” Thor moved forward and took Njord by the shoulder. “Amra seeks to destroy the key.”

  My ears perked up. I knew that name. The one of the demon woman in Midgard—the one-horned-fire-raining-down-beast-of-a-woman.

  “What about this Arma?” I asked.

  “He says that she has set a trap for the key and will bring forth the blood eagle should she not show up for the dual of recompense.”

  I couldn’t follow too much of what he said. As if he couldn’t find the thread of what he needed to convey. His clothes were homeless-tattered. There was nothing kingly about him. He must have felt me staring at him, as he raced towards me and tackled me to the ground.

  “Don’t do it! Don’t go, it’s a trap, and death will rise.” I saw the crazy in his face. His eyes filled only with the whites, no pupils, no irises.

  Something more was at work here. Njord had never come undone in such a way. It was almost as if someone was tap dancing in his mind, and he wished to blurt out all that he knew while he had a chance before all of the answers quickly left.

  “He’s acting like he’s taken the magical mushroom,” Loki joked.

  I glanced around the room but didn’t see Lady Hel. Where was she?

  “Loki, where is Hel?” I demanded

  “Looking for Harley. He’s here,” he answered nonchalantly.

  “How do you know that?”

  “She’s had a bit of help, and that is why you’re here. Come, let them take care of Njord. The sooner we get this Harley stuff done, the sooner we can make sure Chi is okay.”

  I needed Thor to trust me to do the right thing, but I wasn’t sure what those right things were. There was so much enmity and anger between sides, and the past never just stayed there. I couldn’t help heal all wounds, no matter how much of a web they all spun around me. All I’d been doing was bending, stretching and now breaking to placate and bandage up a problem that had begun eons before I started along this gilded path.

  “Thor, I hope you can trust me to make the right decision.” I squeezed his hand and followed Loki out of the room.

  My words were stronger than I felt. We were all a bunch of strangers forced together, each shadow boxing with our understanding and predispositions of who the others were. Of course, they all knew one another, but my knowledge came from books, not interaction.

  And each interaction was like rolling dice. Sometimes I crapped out.

  I could only hope this wouldn’t be one of those times.

  How much were they willing to risk to get their outcome? Everything. They believed they could change their prophesied destinies, just like we all wanted to know ours.

  Still, I followed Loki to where Hel would be waiting.

  “You don’t need to worry, Hjarta. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Loki gave my hand a squeeze.

  “You say that now, but I know you love your children, too.”

  “What I’ve felt for you has been honest and true. You make me forget, forgive, and that can be dangerous for a man like me. You make me hope.” He trailed his finger down the side of my face. “If this was another time, maybe—”

  “Shh.” I couldn’t hear it, nor did I want to. Were his words because of how he felt or because Thor was now coming more and more to the forefront? All I needed was a pissing match between them. Thor was a good guy; the one who you knew would keep your heart safe; and Loki, he was the bad boy you wanted to do bad things with and enjoy every minute of it. One was long term. One was supposedly just for fun.

  I pushed past him and continued down the hallway, not noticing any of the décor or anything. I just wanted to get this over with.

  And then I could save Chi.

  Chapter 31

  Lady Hel

  Let them bicker about Sif; Lady Hel didn’t care, but what a great distraction. According to the map, Harley’s body was kept in a guarded crypt. “Where are you, my love?”

  With a snap of her fingers, she moved through the elven soldiers and followed along the forest-like décor, where flowers and intricate greenery wrapped around large rock columns.

  Loki was always good for putting on a show. She wasn’t going to spend all day thinking about if her father was willing to toss out their plan for that woman, a woman who still hadn’t figured out what the key could do. She shook her head and stopped walking as she came to the large, thick crypt doors. Just like the map had said.

  Two elven guards stood outside the crypt and crossed their staffs to block her entrance.

  “Surely, you will not stand in my way,” Lady Hel said and batted her eyelashes.

  The two elven soldiers in their bright white-and-gold uniforms exchanged looks. “We’ve been ordered not to allow anyone entrance.”

  “I was hoping you wouldn’t say that.” She twirled her fingers and flicked her wrists until green magic filled her palms and moved up her arms. “You will not block my way.”

  Daggers appeared in her hands, and magic moved up their steel blades to float in the air, above her open palms.

  “As you wish,” she said, and the daggers flew through the air to land in their elven hearts. They crumbled to the floor.

  She stepped over their bodies and approached the large doors. In Gaelic, she saw his name written out in knotwork, as well as a warning.

  There was no need for a warning to be placed on Harley’s crypt. No, her Harley was and would always be special. The runes glowed from her touch. She shifted them around until she heard the clicking sound of release, unlocking the door. In the distance, she also heard approaching soldiers.

  Today would not be ruined by more guards. The click released, and the runes shimmered and came to life, animated as the scene of the great Alder Tree growing taller, higher, mightier appeared.

  She pressed against the door, and the resistance was now gone.

  “Welcome beloved of the Alder King,” a voice said, and Lady Hel nodded. “Before you proceed to the crypt, please take note that the Alder King is in a state of stasis. Should the procedure to visit not be done properly, then the room will be quarantined, and all within vaporized,”

  Lady Hel rolled her eyes. These elves loved to take things up a notch.

  Cool, stale air greeted her. Her throat tightened. She’d returned to retrieve Harley’s body, one that she’d buried to find it gone, his grave desecrated, and her grief re-opened. With it reignited, she refocused.

  In the middle of the room rested a large sarcophagus with a sculpture that bore the striking resemblance of Harley, crowned. They’d warded it to try and nullify her magic.

  They knew she was coming.

  She’d always show up for him.

  “It took you long enough to get back here. I thought you were going to continue that talk of choosing a suitor over the more pressing issues,” Lady Hel said aloud to the sound of Sif panting. She must have raced past the guards, too.

  “I’m here now,” Sif said and came and stood next to Lady Hel. “I have a million and one reasons why I shouldn’t trust you.”

  “Yes, but I am one who can help you save Chi, no?”
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  People could be so weak. Maybe it was the thought of Harley being alive again that made Sif just stand there, instead of wondering what would truly be required: Blood magic.

  “So, what do you need me to do?” Sif asked.

  “Join hands with me. Our energies will combine, allowing us to break through the wards and raise the sarcophagus. Tonight, my beloved will walk again.”

  “I too am happy that Harley will be back.” Lady Hel could hear the happiness in Sif’s voice.

  They joined hands, and the green and blue magic mixed to form a thick barrier around them and the sarcophagus until the sarcophagus then cracked in two, releasing an odiferous gas.

  “Was it supposed to do that?” Sif asked, and Lady Hel dropped her hand, to then flick her wrist and send the shards of the sarcophagus flying through the air. There on the slab, she discovered the handsome face of Harley, no different than when he’d last smiled at her.

  Maybe this time, things would not go awry.

  Quickly, she crafted the crown from a young alder and cast metal, and produced the eight gems she’d received from Ola. She spoke the enchantment over the crown and watched it begin its cycle. She then pricked Sif with a thorn capturing a drop of the key’s blood.

  “What are you doing?” Sif questioned. “That was not part of the plan.” Sif shoved her injured finger into her mouth.

  “Don’t interrupt me. I have to do this just right.”

  “What happens if you mess up?” Sif asked.

  “We don’t want to consider that.”

  Lady Hel began the enchantment over, and carefully the stones began to float in the air, shifting around the air to take their determined spot until at the end she had a jewel-encrusted crown to befit a king. It looked different than she remembered, as if something was missing.

  She licked her lips and took a deep breath. “Let us pray this works.” She placed the crown on top of Harley’s head then spoke the words from the book of the dead, which she’d memorized from Morrígan. “Rise, oh, Alder King, awaken from the prison cell, and come back to the realm of the living. I call to the east, the west, north, and south, and order the winds to quicken you. To return to the one who loves you; I command your spirit return, and for you now to breathe.”