A Little Supernova

Never in my existence have I ever been so completely caught off guard. When I first felt the tentative pressure of her mind at the edge of the city I was convinced the grieving was getting the best of me. 

In a blind rush, I stumbled from the library and threw together my disguise. Barley registering which one shimmered in a gust of green around my form. I didn't care… I had to know. 

There she stood, just a few steps into the square, shrouded in my cape. All I could do was stand and stare as Anna Beth approached Saint, whose fur was still dusted with the sands. It wasn't until she was only a few paces away from me that her state was apparent. 

Deep patches of purple sat under her eyes, her skin paler than ever, even her cheeks appeared sunken. Yet her eyes…. Oh, her eyes. The green orbs that have haunted me since our meeting were devoid of life, yet that spark that always lingered was now all encompassing. Setting a worried feeling over me… did she survive the snap? 

Or did it kill the last bit of humanity left in her? 

The scales of the suit rub against my bare arm, but I can't complain… I've still yet to truly comprehend that she's here. She's traveled all this way.. Somehow..what she seeks must have to do with Hela. There's no possibility she only traveled to see me. 

My little supernova must have a plan, a trick to play, or some havoc to wreak across the realms. Whatever chaos was lurking in her mind is now ablaze, I can feel it bustling from the confines of her mental barriers, that are just barely managing to hold it in. Along with the crippling grief. Though it's contained, it's ever present. Something that no being could mask. 

I already wanted to tear Thanos apart but now? Feeling all the grief and turmoil… even at a distance that's raging within her… I want him to be tortured for centuries for causing her this pain. 

Her mind is careful not to brush against mine but she couldn't recognize it anyway, it's heavily guarded. I can never know what Hela is thinking, this is her realm and now that I'm a part of it she may be plotting. 

Saint darts ahead of us, winding through the various other beings milling about, leaving a dusting of sand as he goes. 

Addie remains quiet, seemingly content to observe the being and the city itself… it kills me to not reach out and soothe her mind. To ease the pain, to pause the itching… I can see her fingers twitch. 

But I can't tip my hand… it could kill her… if Hela knew what she meant to me? She wouldn't hesitate to use her against me, though I'm sure my Adhara would put up with one hell of a fight, no being could defend itself successfully from the goddess of Hel. 

Then there's the fact that I want to know what her plan already is, the cobblestone of the city transitions to slabs of stone as the castle entrance is now before us. A giant metal archway contains heavy wooden doors which are guarded. 

On the left stands Fritz, one of the few allies I've managed on the right, is Marz, a tentative ally. Though can anyone have true allies in a realm controlled by your vengeful death goddess daughter?

“Ah, Sylive, the queen was just asking for your presence in the throne room.” Fritz’s statement is no surprise, I'm sure some servant tattled on my hasty departure. 

“Well, I sensed quite the intriguing guest, one I simply had to see for myself.” He takes my lie in stride, believing it no doubt. Adhara remains quiet, but from the corner of my vision I see her observing every detail of the men… Sizing them up. 

“Yes, the queen is aware as well, she wants to see our guest after a word with you.” As he speaks he motions for Marz to open the doors, revealing the rather grand courtyard. 

Saint heels to Adhara with a slight tap to her thigh but she has yet to let me go as I guide us through into the main hall. Gently I pull her to a stop, the scales feel rough yet smooth under my fingers as she turns to look at me. 

“Rest here, in the dining hall dear. I'm sure it won't be long before someone brings you to see the queen.” Ignoring the building feelings in my chest, I let her arm go and left her there in the large dining hall. Saint gives a low whine as I exit, he knows somehow, animals always have their quirks. 

The hall is empty, the gray walls devoid of any decoration and my footsteps echo in the empty space. At the end these wooden doors are open, letting me see directly into the room. The deep red carpet runs from the entrance to her throne and is flanked by benches. 

Hela sits sideways, her legs thrown over the arm of the chair as she watches me. Stepping over the threshold is when she speaks, her hollow tone still makes my sedir skittish, it's been restless in this realm, unhappy. 

“Enough with your costumes,” she waves a dismissive hand towards me and I cooperate without a word. It's not worth the protest. Faintly green rolls off as the illusion fades, restoring the appearance Adhara is familiar with, lacking the cape. 

Absently she picks at her nails with a blade, playing a game of her own, it seems. “You know her and,” now she fully sits up, leaning into the back of her seat, looking down at me, “she's here for you.”

Shit. 

How can- “My queen, I assure you that-”

“Don't bother with your lies, I'm not in the mood. Now go get her, she's far more interesting than your pathetic tricks.” She dismisses me with a wave of her hand, if she wants games, fine. Turning away, I return to the illusion of an older woman, the wooden cane forming underneath my right palm, tapping my exit from the room. 

Back in the dining hall, Adhara resides by the table, carefully picking through the food and anything deemed suitable goes to Saint. Is she even eating? 

“I know you're there.” She calls while looking over a loaf of bread before passing it to the floor, “let's get this over with.” Pushing up from her seat, she brushes past me. Leaving Saint mid-bread and me alone in the hall. 

Heaving a sigh, I look him over, before patting my thigh, “Come on boy, lets go before they start fighting.” Slower than I expected he stands and follows into the hall, where I can see Adhara already in the throne room… dammit Adhara. 

Before I can rush, Saint blocks my path, letting me catch their conversation. 

“Though, I will not lie, Midgardian. I am curious as to what you seek from here. You are very far from home.” Hela’s words echo, I'm sure on purpose. A warning to stay away. 

I know she can see us from her higher seat, slowly I am moving down, not looking away from her, if I do, even a second, Hela will kill Adhara. 

She's only alive because she managed to capture Hela’s attention… I'm not sure that's any better. 

“I'm here to retrieve a man,” Good, Adhara, the less information the better. She still holds Hela’s attention, the slight head tilt gives her away… Adhara must know it too. Always so observant. 

“What makes you think that's a possibility?” Hela’s question, while appreciated, it's a space for Adhara to stumble, to reveal more. Come on, be quick. Even after all these decades of tricks, anxiety dances within me. Never did I want to play a trick with her life. 

Saint’s nose presses into my palm, cold and wet, jarring yet reassuring. I've seen him perform the same act many times for Adhara. A way to ground her. From here, halfway down, I can see the rigidity in her frame, the way her hands twitch at her sides, as if waiting for permission to grab her weapons and unleash herself. 

Come on Adhara, hang in there. 

“It's been a habit of mine to do the impossible. Now what would it take for me to leave with them?” Good, keep the conversation moving, don't let her in on anything. Hela smirks, and props her chin in her hand. 

“Well, it seems there's no persuading you, Midgardian. Tell me, who is it you seek?” Hela's question is the one I was dreading, would Adhara try and lie? But she doesn't hesitate with an answer.

“No,” Adhara takes two steps closer, as Saint and I cross the threshold to the carpeted run, “Tell me what it would take from you to free a soul.” There's my girl, don't play her game. 

If Hela is surprised by her resolve, she hides it well, but something shifts in her posture. A note of finality almost. “I'm sorry, what was your name?” What? How could that-

“Adhara.” Hela nods and spares a glance at Saint, but makes no comment. Whatever she's thinking, it can't be good. Absently she twirls the blade, trying to feign boredom, but Adhara doesn't seem convinced. 

“Adhara, there is only one way for a soul to leave Hel that entered through death.” She pauses to inspect her fingernails, dragging the blade tip under one. “I have to remove them from my book.”

Letting the words sink in, I observe her relaxed from, sprawled across her throne. Unbothered by Adhara’s request. Almost stumbling, I sit on a bench, staring down at Hela, and we both know that is utter bullshit. 

“And what would it take for you to do such a thing?”