Vagary

Chapter 11: “Bitter Truths, Unseen Triumphs”

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“What can I say, that will enable you to understand the depth of my sorrow? ”

 -Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

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 Fall, 1737, Aspédona, Crest Valley, Vanaheim

The air was thick with the scent of night-blooming flowers as the little apprentices huddled together in the corner of the street that faced the backdoor of the All's Grand Inn, well, it was as grand as it could be for what a small town like Aspédona could offer.

The triplet moons at different phases cast a silvery glow over their faces, reflecting the mischief in their eyes. Dressed in elegant, flowing dresses that shimmered faintly in the moonlight, their perfectly styled hair framed their youthful faces. They looked like freshly bloomed flowers, full of promise and rebellion.

The sign above the door creaked in the wind, and the faint sounds of music and laughter drifted out into the night, mingling with the rustling leaves. Their hearts raced—not from fear, but from the exhilaration of breaking the rules, even if just for a night. The regulations at the coven were strict, the punishments even more rigorous, but that only made these moments of rebellion all the sweeter.

Hnoss, with her daring amber eyes and raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders, pushed open the heavy wooden door. The girls stepped inside, immediately greeted by the rich aroma of roasted meat, spiced ale, and the comforting warmth of a crackling fire.

The inn was lively, filled with the chatter of patrons and the clinking of tankards. But their attention was focused on one person: Enoka, the inn’s maiden, a woman in her late middle ages with chestnut hair tied back in a neat braid and sharp, mischievous green eyes that missed nothing.

She noticed the girls immediately, her face breaking into a knowing smile as she wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to them. “Well, well, look who it is,” she said, her voice warm and teasing. “What brings you gals here tonight? Not causing trouble, I hope.”

Snotra, her fair skin flushed with nerves and her strawberry blonde curls bouncing with every move, grinned, nudging Sigrid gently with her elbow. “We wouldn’t dream of it, Enoka,” she said with mock innocence, though her eyes twinkled with mischief. “We’re just here for a little… fun.”

Enoka raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she looked them over. “Fun, you say? The kind of fun that might involve a certain soldier boy who’s been getting a bit too big for his boots?”

Sigrid, with her soft brown curls and wide hazel eyes, blushed and looked down at her feet, while Hnoss laughed. “You always know what’s going on, don’t you, Enoka?”

The inn maiden chuckled, shaking her head. “When you’ve been around as long as I have, you learn to see the signs. That boy’s been strutting around here like he owns the place, and from what I’ve heard, he’s left a few broken hearts in his wake.”

“Just one heart,” Nanna corrected, her brilliant blue eyes shimmering with a playful light. Her vibrant, wavy, platinum hair framed her energetic face. “But that’s more than enough.”

Enoka’s gaze softened as she looked at Sigrid, then back at the others. “So, what’s the plan? I assume you’re not just here to drink ale and sing songs.”

Nova, with her auburn hair cascading in soft waves and her bright, light gray eyes, leaned in, her voice low but excited. “We were thinking… a little bit of payback. Nothing too serious, just something to teach him a lesson.”

The maiden’s smile widened, and she nodded approvingly. “I like the sound of that. And you’re in luck—tonight’s a busy night. The boys won’t suspect a thing if you blend in with the crowd.”

Sigrid, still blushing but now smiling slightly, looked up at the woman. “Do you think you could help us?”

“Of course,” the inn maiden replied without hesitation. “I’ve seen you girls grow up around here, and I’ve never liked seeing any of you hurt. Do you want to borrow a few aprons and serve some drinks? I can make sure the right tables get… special attention.”

The girls exchanged eager glances, their excitement building. Hnoss clapped her hands together. “Perfect! This is going to be fun.”

The older woman led them to a small back room where extra aprons and skirts were kept, handing each one a wink. "Never look for a knight, girls," she said as they changed into simple, earthy outfits. "Always look for a sword."

“Don’t worry,” Nova said with a crooked smile, adjusting her apron. “We’ve got this.”

Enoka nodded in approval, then added, “And if anything goes wrong, just signal me. I’ll make sure you get out of here without any trouble.”

As they finished getting ready, the five girls gathered near the door that led back into the bustling common room. The maiden gave them one last encouraging smile. “Good luck, ladies. Give him a taste of his own medicine.”

With that, they slipped back into the inn’s main area, blending seamlessly with the other maidens carrying trays of ale and plates of food. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and the clatter of mugs, and none of the patrons noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Nova caught sight of the soldier boy and his friends laughing loudly and oblivious to the trouble heading their way. The soldier boy, tall with sandy hair and an easy grin, sat with his friends, all soldiers in training. Their uniforms were partially undone, revealing their muscular physiques. They were loud and boisterous, oblivious to the trap being set.

Hnoss was the first to approach the group of boys sitting near the fireplace. “Can I get you something, handsome?” she purred, her voice laced with false sweetness as she leaned over the table just enough to give the boy a peek of what lay beneath the fabric of her dress.

The boy looked up at Hnoss with interest. “Well, aren’t you a pretty thing,” he said, reaching out to touch her arm. Hnoss deftly avoided his hand, her smile never wavering.

Snotra, meanwhile, busied herself by setting down mugs of ale in front of the other boys, her eyes flicking nervously between them and Hnoss. Her anxiety was evident, but she maintained her role as the shy maiden.

Nova, her hands trembling slightly, slipped a small vial filled with gray powder she had prepared earlier into one of the mugs. She tried to stifle her giggles, imagining the chaos it would cause. She caught Sigrid’s eye from across the room, giving her a wink that said, This is going to be good.

Sigrid lingered near the doorway, her heart heavy as she watched the boy who had hurt her laugh with his friends. His once-charming features, now under the firelight, seemed almost mocking.

Once the boys had their drinks, Hnoss and Nanna began their performance. Nanna stumbled into one of the boys, spilling a drink on his lap, while Hnoss laughed and apologized, her hands brushing against his shoulders in a way that made him forget his annoyance. Snotra kept her distance, biting her lip as she pretended to be busy wiping down tables, her eyes darting away quickly when meeting the boys’.

It wasn’t long before Hnoss suggested they take their fun outside. “The air’s so stuffy in here, don’t you think? We know a place nearby where we can have a little more privacy,” she suggested, her voice dripping with seduction.

The boys, now slightly drunk and thoroughly intrigued, agreed eagerly. They followed Hnoss and Nanna out of the inn, the two witches leading them toward the dark woods just beyond the town.

Snotra and Sigrid hung back slightly, their nerves getting the better of them, while Nova trailed after the group, her stomach churning with a mix of excitement and dread.

As they entered the woods, the atmosphere shifted. The trees loomed overhead, their branches twisting into unnatural shapes, and the moonlight barely penetrated the thick canopy. Hnoss and Nanna exchanged a glance, and with a subtle nod, the game began.

“Did you hear that?” Nanna whispered, her voice trembling with fear. She clung to the arm of the nearest boy, her wide eyes scanning the darkness around them.

The boy laughed, but it was a nervous sound. “It’s just the wind, don’t worry, ladies.” He put his flexed arms around Nanna, meanwhile showing off his service weapon shining in its kin around his waist. " We'll protect you."

But then they heard it—a low, guttural growl, followed by the sound of something large moving through the underbrush. Nanna let out a small cry, and Hnoss grabbed her arm, her eyes wide with genuine fear.

The boys’ bravado began to waver as they looked around, suddenly aware of how isolated they were. “Maybe we should head back,” one of them suggested, but Hnoss shook her head.

“Oh, come on, don’t tell me you’re scared,” she taunted, her voice echoing in the stillness. But there was an edge to her words now, a hint of something dark and dangerous.

As the tension grew, Nova stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to conjure an illusion. She wasn’t good at this—illusions were never her strong suit—but she had to try. She focused on the image of a shadowy figure, something that would spook the boys, but instead, all she managed was a faint shimmer in the air, barely noticeable in the darkness.

Nanna shot her a quick glare but didn’t break character. “Did you see that?” she hissed, pointing toward where Nova’s illusion had flickered. Her illusions were weak, but she managed to create the faint outline of spiders crawling over the boys' feet. 

The boys squinted into the darkness, and one of them swore under his breath. “What the hell is going on?” The soldier’s confident demeanor quickly dissolved as he looked around, panic setting in. “W-what’s happening?” he stammered, trying to brush off the spiders that weren’t really there.

One of his friends let out a yelp as his skin began to crawl with imagined worms, while another started scratching furiously at his arms, his face contorted in fear.

That’s when Snotra took over, whispering under her breath as she cast a spell. Suddenly, the boys were swatting at their skin, which had erupted in boils and pimples. Their faces contorted in pain and disgust.

“It burns!” one of them cried, while another stumbled backward, his eyes wide with terror as his skin began to crawl with invisible insects.

Hnoss and Nanna began to laugh, the sound high and eerie in the night. Snotra watched in satisfaction as the boys’ bravado crumbled, replaced by pure panic.

Sigrid found herself standing face to face with the soldier boy, the one who had broken her heart. His bravado had completely evaporated, replaced by a look of pure fear. His handsome features, usually so smug and confident, were now twisted in desperation.

As soon as he saw the girl approached, “Sigrid, please!” he cried, his voice cracking. He reached out a trembling hand, but then quickly pulled it back as if afraid she might strike him down with just a glance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it! I didn’t know—please, make it stop!”

“Why should I?” Sigrid’s voice was cold, but there was a tremor beneath it. “Why should I forgive you after what you did?”

The soldier dropped to his knees, tears welling in his eyes. “I was stupid, I know that now! I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I was just… Please, Sigrid, make it stop!”

His pleading, once the sweetest sound she could have imagined, now felt hollow. Sigrid clenched her fists, struggling to keep her composure. He wasn’t worth the pain he had caused her.

Sigrid took a deep breath, and her decision made. She reached out, and with a wave of her hand, all the illusions and discomfort surrounding the boys dissipated.

“Get out of here,” Sigrid said quietly, her voice filled with exhaustion. “And don’t ever come near me again.”

The soldier scrambled to his feet, stumbling as he backed away from her, still half-expecting another curse to strike him.

Hnoss's laughter faded into a satisfied smile. “Run along, now,” she said sweetly. “And don’t ever mess with a witch again.”

The boys didn’t need to be told twice. They scrambled to their feet, tripping over each other as they fled back toward the town, their cries echoing through the woods. The witches watched them go, a mixture of triumph and unease settling over them.

The woods echoed with the sound of the boys' frantic retreat, their shouts and curses fading into the distance. For a moment, the group of witches stood in silence, their eyes meeting in the dim moonlight. Then, as if on cue, Snotra burst into laughter, soon all the girls joining hers.

Sigrid wiped at her eyes, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten as she let out a small, hesitant giggle. “I almost feel bad for them,” she admitted, though her smile suggested otherwise.

Nova, still feeling the weight of her imperfect illusion, managed a crooked grin. “Well, I don’t think they’ll be bothering us anytime soon.”

The group began to make their way back to the inn, their laughter trailing behind them. They make their farewells to the Enoka, deliver the clothes they borrowed, and set off to Aspartaxa, where the coven's quarters reside.

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May 29, 2013, Planet Ria

When they awoke, they found themselves enclosed within a rectangular area no larger than a king-sized bed, surrounded by energy barriers that shimmered with arcane power.  Loki's and women's hands were tied with the same material. They were trapped, with no means of escape.

Slim figures moved silently around them, their dark forms blending seamlessly into the shadows. Their porcelain ivory skin was flashing through the darkness, like gems in choral. Angrboda's breath hitched in disbelief. "No way." Their marble-like eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and malice behind their worn robes, they observed their captives with cold detachment.

Loki's voice rang out with confusion. "I didn't know there were so many dark elves left in the universe."

"Not thanks to your grandfather." A voice cut through the crowd, dripping with sarcasm, drawing all eyes toward its source.

Amidst the throng of dark figures, a taller, more imposing figure emerged. Her presence in black dragon-scale sleeveless dress armor commanded attention, her every movement graceful and deliberate.

She was elven, just like the rest of them, and had the same porcelain skin and the same pointy elven ears showing behind her short silver locks, but her silver eyes resembled more like Alfim. 

Nova's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the figure before her. She was stunned silent, her emotions swirling within her. Terror, shock, confusion, betrayal, sadness, and anger warred for dominance within her, leaving her paralyzed and unable to decipher the tumultuous storm within her heart.

The woman's words cut through the air like a knife, her tone dripping with disdain. " Prince of Asgard graced us with his presence, folks." She gracefully curtsied, then opened her arms toward the crowd exaggeratedly, " Welcome him delightfully, fit for royals ." She had growled the word 'royal. '

The crowd overflowed with angry murmurs.

 " Tell me, Loki, do you still consider yourself a master magician, or has your disgraceful fall from grace tarnished even that illusion?"

Loki's expression darkened at the insult, his green eyes flashing with irritation. "Why don't you figure that yourself by coming closer? Try me."

The woman flashed a daring smile, and she walked closer to the group without losing eye contact. With a swift of her wrist, the restraints on his hand melted away.

Then she chuckled, a sound filled with mockery. "You can't do it, can you?" gives a delighted laugh, " I wouldn't say your bastard father had it in him, boy, oh poor you, he finally cut off your wings! "

Loki's jaw tightened, his frustration mounting. The woman's smile widened, a triumphant glint in her eyes. " How does it feel, Loki, to be grounded at last?"

As the reality of the situation settled upon her, Nova's turmoil gave way to fury. She did not want to understand what she was doing here or anything related to the woman who now stood before her with a triumphant smile.

With a hiss, she uttered the word that the venom had been bubbling beneath the surface: "Enough, Mom."

It was then that they saw it—the striking resemblance between Nova and the woman who now claimed to be her mother. They shared the same physique, the same nose and eyes, the same crooked smile.  

 Shock rippled through the group, their minds struggling to comprehend the revelation, leaving them stunned and speechless. Loki's and Clint's jaws dropped, their eyes widening in disbelief. After her shock, Angrboda's expression hardened, her gaze flickering between Nova and Vala. She knew what the woman did very well.

But it was Nova who bore the brunt of the revelation. Her emotions were a blunt mess. Anger, betrayal, and confusion all battled for dominance within her, leaving her reeling and unable to form coherent thoughts.

Vala, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the chaos she had unleashed. She regarded Nova with a cool detachment as if her daughter's turmoil meant nothing to her. A wide smile on her heart-shaped lips, her silver eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Surprised, my dear? I must say, I've been looking forward to this moment for quite some time. I missed you so much."

Nova's anger burned bright within her, fueling her defiance in the face of her mother's presence. She refused to let Vala's manipulation sway her, determined to keep her emotions in check.

"Mom," Nova repeated, her voice laced with bitterness and contempt. "What are you doing here? What the hell do you want?" 

Vala sighed, her confident smile faltered, "There’s much you don’t understand, but I was hoping it's time we catch up." 

She glared at Vala, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "How dare you, huh?  Show your face to me after all these years," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You abandoned me to die, and now you dare to waltz back into my life as if nothing happened?"

Vala's gaze hardened, her silver eyes flashing with indignation. "I did what I had to do, Nova," she replied, her voice firm. "You may not understand now, but everything I've done has been to ensure your future. "

Nova scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Oh, I understand it very well, after all, I had centuries to think about it. Every. Damn. Night! Every fucking night reliving the moment when you let them burn me! You let them burn me alive! " Her voice turned into screams with each syllable. 

" Believe me, Mom, how I understand so well. How you chose your precious revenge over my life, so go catch up with that somewhere else. I'm done with you." She panted. 

Vala looked at her daughter with a troubled glint momentarily passing through her features. "When you finish with your tantrum, we'll talk again."

“ Screw you!!”

 With that, Vala turned on her heel and strode away, leaving Nova and the others alone in their prison, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.

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Fall, 1737, Aspartaxa, Crest Valley, Vanaheim

The apprentices sneaked their way back into their quarters, hardly holding their snickers and giggles, passing through the fences tiptoeing, careful not to wake the watchdog, Bae. 

But as they entered the trail leading to their quarters, their laughter died on their lips. The lights of the grand hall were on. 

"Shit," The girls said in unison. Everyone was awake.

The warm glow from the grand hall seemed far too bright in the otherwise night, a beacon of looming trouble. Every window was lit, and every curtain pulled back, revealing the silhouettes of witches moving hurriedly inside. Something was wrong.

They exchanged nervous glances, their earlier bravado now replaced with a creeping sense of doom. It was Snotra, always the cautious one, who spoke up first. “We need to get to our quarters before we’re caught.”

But as they attempted to slink away, the shadows of the trees hiding them from view, a sharp voice cut through the night air. “And where do you think you’re going?”

The apprentices froze, their hearts hammering in their chests. Emerging from the shadows near the entrance of the grand hall was Eirwen, her arms crossed and her face a mask of stern disapproval. Her icy gaze swept over them, taking in their disheveled appearances, the dirt on their skirts, and the unmistakable scent of mischief that lingered around them.

Girls gulped, feeling their stomachs drop. They were in trouble.

“We were just—” Hnoss began, her usual confidence faltering under Eirwen’s piercing gaze. But Eirwen cut her off with a curt, uncompromising stare.

“Save it,” Eirwen snapped, her voice carrying the chill of authority. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. You’re already in enough trouble.”

The girls exchanged worried glances, realizing that whatever punishment awaited them for sneaking out would pale in comparison to the severity of the situation unfolding inside the grand hall.

Eirwen turned sharply on her heel, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Get inside. Now.”

They followed her, their footsteps echoing heavily in the oppressive silence. As they entered the grand hall, the atmosphere hit them with a suffocating force. Dim light flickered from oil lamps, casting long, distorted shadows that danced across the walls. The air was thick with the acrid smell of burnt herbs mingled with something foul, making their stomachs churn.

Senior witches huddled in tense clusters, their faces etched with deep concern. Nova’s eyes darted around, her heart racing as she caught sight of the trembling figures and the dark smear on the floor. The oppressive gloom seemed to seep into her very bones.

At the center of the hall, a group of witches surrounded a single figure.  One of the senior witches sat slumped in a chair.

" Silla and others finally returned?" Nanna asked hesitantly; something vital was wrong.

Silla's skin was pale, almost ashen, and her eyes stared blankly ahead, seeing nothing. She was covered in black goo mixed with blood, her robes torn and stained, and her hands trembled uncontrollably as if she couldn’t stop reliving whatever horrors she had faced.

Eirwen’s expression hardened as she stepped in front of the apprentices, her voice low and grim. ‘Some quests end in darkness,’ she said, her tone carrying the heavy weight of unspoken tragedy. Her eyes met theirs, conveying the gravity of the scene without further explanation. “ Now, leave. To your chambers immediately.”

On the floor beside Silla, barely concealed by a hastily draped cloth, were two bodies—or what remained of them. The black goo seeped from underneath the cloth, pooling around it in sticky, tar-like puddles. The girls could make out the twisted shapes of what might have been organs, mixed with blood and other unidentifiable viscera. The scent of death was overpowering, a mixture of intestines, bile, and decay that clung to their clothes and skin.

“What the Hel happened?” Hnoss whispered, her voice quivering as she fought to suppress a gag.

Eirwen’s gaze was stern, but her distress was evident. “Return to your quarters immediately. We’ll address your misbehavior tomorrow.”

“But—” Sigrid began, her voice barely a whisper, but Eirwen’s sharp look silenced her.

“No arguments. Go now.”

Without another word, the girls made their way to their quarters. 

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May 29, 2013, Planet Ria

The dim glow of the energy barriers flickered around them, casting eerie shadows on the faces of the group.

Since their host left, not a single word left the young witch's mouth. Loki, Clint, and Angrboda exchanged uncertain glances. Each of their hands was bound from behind, with the same material, giving them no chance of escape. 

Clint was the first to break the silence. "Nova, are you okay?" he asked gently, though he knew the answer.

The woman kept silent, her eyes fixed on the ground, her shoulders shaking with barely contained emotion.

"That must be quite... troubling for you, " the prince tried next. The silence was all he got in return.

Angda, unable to contain her feelings, began to speak. " You have every right to be upset," she said with sympathy. "She abandoned you while she went off on some vendetta, Rabbit." 

Clint listened intently, his brow furrowed in concern. "So, she just left you? Just like that?"

"Yep," the giantess continued, her voice rising with her anger. "When me, Skadi, and Ida found her, Nova was a mere child. We took care of her as best we could. But the damage was already done. Vala abandoned her for her twisted sense of justice."

Loki tilted his head. "Justice? Against Odin?"

Angrboda's eyes flashed with anger. "Against the Aesir. She blamed them for the death of her father and the suffering of her people, the Dark Elves. Vala is nothing but a selfish, vengeful woman."

The prince, still processing the information, looked at Nova. "So, you're part Dark Elf then?"

Nova remained silent, her fists clenched at her sides, her breathing ragged. She didn't meet Loki's gaze.

Loki, sensing the tension but unable to contain his curiosity, pressed on. "Why didn't you tell us about this, woman? About your heritage and what your mother did?"

The witch's anger flared, a sudden and intense blaze that took them all by surprise. "Shut up !" she snapped, her voice shaking with fury. "Just shut up! I don't owe you any explanations!"

Loki took a step back, shocked by her outburst. "I didn't mean to—"

Nova's voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. "I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to talk to any of you. Just leave me alone!"

The giantess tried to intervene, her expression softening with concern. "Nova, we're just worried about you—"

 The brunette woman whirled on her butt, her eyes blazing. "And I told you to shut up too, Angrboda! Shut your big mouth up for once! All of you, ugh!  Just...leave me alone!"

The huntress's face fell, an annoyed look passed through her crimson eyes mixed with hurt, but she didn't say more.

The blond archer moderately stepped in to calm the situation. "Okay, Nova needs some space. Let's give her that."

The witch didn't look up to any of their faces, turned away from the group, her shoulders still trembling with the effort of holding herself together.

The oppressive silence that followed Nova's outburst was shattered by the sound of footsteps echoing through the cavern. Eight armed Dark Elves were approaching their makeshift prison with shackles and other means of restraints. The faces of the comers were expressionless and their eyes gleaming with cold detachment, approached the prisoners.

"Time to move," one of the minions barked, their voice harsh and unyielding. "You have work to do."

The group was forcefully pulled to their feet, their bonds still tight around their wrists. 

The huntress attempted to use her charm to glean some information. She cast a sultry glance at one of the elves, hardly at the same level as her hips, her voice a low purr. "Hey there, handsome. Any chance you could tell me what the plan is for us? We might be able to help, you know."

The elf didn't even blink. "Save your breath, Jotunn," he replied coldly. "You're here to do what you're ordered to; stop asking questions."

Angrboda's attempt fell flat, and she sighed, rolling her eyes. "Can't blame me for tryin'," she muttered.

Clint and Loki were less willing to comply. The blond struggled against his captors, his defiance clear in his eyes. "We're not slaves," he spat. "You can't just—"

A rough shove from one of the minions's blind tip of his spear cut him off, sending him stumbling forward. Loki, though bound and powerless, maintained a regal air of defiance. "This won't end well for you," he warned, his voice laced with venom. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Another shove silenced him, and the group was led out of their confined space. The dark corridors of the underground city loomed around them, a labyrinth of shadows and stone. The minions marched them through the twisting passages until they reached the mines.

The scene was grim. The air was thick with dust, and the sound of pickaxes striking stone echoed through the cavern. Slaves of various races toiled away, their faces gaunt and their eyes hollow with exhaustion.

The group was disbanded, and each member was assigned to a separate section of the mine. The intent was clear: keep them isolated and prevent them from scheming an escape.

Just as they were about to be separated, another dark elf approached. "The moonchild is summoned to Moon Valaryniel's quarters," he announced.

Nova's eyes blazed with anger and defiance, " She is not a Moon, you mutt fucker." she scoffed as she was roughly pulled away from the group and led through another series of corridors until they reached a grand chamber. The door was pushed open, revealing Vala standing in the center of the room, her expression one of calm expectation.

"Leave us," her mother ordered the minions, who bowed and retreated, closing the door behind them.

Nova stood silently, her eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to meet her mother's gaze. Vala's silver eyes gleamed with a mixture of triumph and sorrow. "Novandeyri," she began softly, "I know you're angry. I understand that. But there's so much you don't know. So much I need to explain."

Her daughter's silence was her only response, a wall of cold defiance. The older woman sighed, her expression softening. "I did what I thought was best for you. For our people. The Aesir needs to be stopped, they will pay for their crimes against our people. I had to make sacrifices to ensure that; believe me, it was not an easy decision."

Still, the daughter said nothing, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Vala took a step closer, her voice lowering to a pleading whisper. "Please, dear. Just listen to me. I missed you more than you can imagine. Every day, every moment, I thought of you."

Nova's silence remained unbroken, but her eyes were glazed with unshed tears. The mother sighed again, this time more deeply, the weight of her words hanging in the air. "I know it's difficult to understand now. But you'll understand once I explain. Please let me explain."

The young witch finally lifted her head, her eyes cold and unyielding. "I don't want to understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't care about your reasons.

Vala's face fell, her silver eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Little moon, I—"

"You have no right to call me that anymore! You left me. And I will never forgive you for that."

" I am your mother- "

 "I needed you, and you made your choice, Mom! Guess what? I survived without you!" 

"You don't know anything about my choice! " The woman yelled back in frustration. "You have no idea about anything!"

She approached her daughter and stood right in front of her. "Do you really think I wanted to leave you? With those terrible mortals in that no-good realm? " 

Nova's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of confusion breaking through her anger. "There were forces at play that you cannot even begin to comprehend. Powers that you think you understand but have no idea about their true nature."

The young woman's defiance wavered, but she quickly masked it with more anger. "Stop speaking in riddles. If you have something to say, just say it."

Vala's expression hardened, her eyes filled with a strange mix of regret. "I cannot reveal everything now, but know this: Trust no one blindly, especially those who seem to have the purest intentions."

Nova clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "You expect me to believe you after everything?"

Vala's voice dropped to a whisper. "I had no choice, Nova. My hands were tied. And one day, you will understand the true depth of the sacrifices I made. Until then, stay vigilant. And remember, not everything is as it seems."

Before the daughter could respond, the door opened, and the same dark elf minions reentered the room. Vala straightened, her expression once again composed and unreadable. "What is it," she ordered.

"Mistress, you are needed. The council meeting cannot wait."

Vala's frustration was evident, but she nodded. "We'll continue this later."

Nova's defiance sparked again as the guard held her restraints. "Why do you even call yourself 'Moon'? Mene is the moon, not you. Or do you think you're a goddess?"

Vala's expression hardened, a flicker of something dangerous passing through her eyes. "Mene is not what you think she is. Don't trust her, Nova. Her intentions are far from pure. Soon, you will see her true colors."

" Take her," Her mother ordered her guards coldly.

Nova's eyes narrowed as the guards led her away from the chamber. "And I should trust you instead?"

As Nova was led away, her mind churned with mixed feelings. Confusion and a small, insidious seed of doubt took root in her heart. She tried to clear away that nutch by shaking her head and holding her composure to hold her head high. She couldn't let her have her ways, she wouldn't let her. 

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