Chapter 40
The hall felt silent as new witness was announced. The cold creeped through the corridors and windows. The silence and fear seeped through the cold fog that preceded her. She walked in as if she was floating, some held breath, some gasped as they watched lady of death, goddess Hela walked in. The Jury too was flabbergasted at Thor, as in how did Thor managed that?
Hela went under truth spell and bowed gracefully. That managed to move everyone staring spellbound. Thor came in front and bowed to the goddess.
“ My lady, Thank you for honouring our deal. Please tell the court that you are here on the basis of of our agreement, but your statement will be true to your knowledge.”
“ My lords, I am Lady Hela, ruler of Helheim and I rule over poor souls who cannot find Valhalla. I am in a deal with the king of Asgard and I agreed to come here as witness for a bargain on his end. The agreement was only for coming as witness. Everything I state here is not part of agreement.”
“Can we know what did the king offered you for your acceptance “
“ Not if Thor doesn’t allow it “, Hela said.
“. What I offered is not relevant to the case.Can you tell us about the time when Loki….”
“ I don’t know when but Loki has been in and out of my realm far longer. When he was a guest of Thanos, he came almost every day. His soul appeared and then Thanos would drag him back into his body… it was a painful thing to see. He once tried to beg me to let him stay, but I have given Thanos certain leeway’s for his services.”
“Why would he appear in ream of death. One is either dead or alive there is no state in between that. “, Odin growled.
“But there is. It’s called bardo or twilight.You had been there before right ? You get Odinsleep after all. But you don’t visit Helheim then, because you have Valhalla at your disposal.”
“ What do you mean by that?. Are you accusing me of something my lady?”
“ All I want to say is Loki did die multiple times times during his stay with the titan. He also died when he was falling trough the void and collided with the rock.But he was not able to enter the realm. The titan would take him back before he is fully entered through the barrier.”
_*-*—*-*-*-*-
“ I would like to know what my son offered you for this favour. The court needs to know if it’s as irrelevant to the case as he claims.” , Odin asked, still shaken from the revealations.
“ If Thor has no problem…” , Hela started reluctantly
“ I don’t have any. I just wanted to keep the conversation private . Please tell Allfather why did you agreed to come.”
“ Well, my lords, Thor bargained with me for coming here. The price he offered was his own soul for my attendance. A soul that is destined for Valhalla is not a small price for me.” , Everyone gasped. King of Asgard had willingly given up on his previledge to go to Valhalla for a deal. The courtroom filled with urgent murmurs of the Aesirs.
“ What? What have you done you foolish boy?” Odin bellowed.
“ I think my work is done here, I should…” , Hela tried to get out of situation before she could get involved.
“ No. no myson wouldn’t be deprived of honourable afterlife. You cancel the Agreement.”, Odin demanded.
“ Not unless I get compensation “ Hela said Haughtily.
“ What do you want . I will provide you the price!”
“ What would be a proper price to exchange soul of most powerful man on Asgard?”, she asked calmly
“ You state the price here and now or be ready for Asgard’s wrath. In fact I will charge with every army in nine realms on Helheim.” The jury, the courtroom and spectators all were too dumbfounded to intervene in the matter between two powerful rulers who could plunge the realms into another war that would drag on for centuries.
“ And then what? Defeat the army of souls. You know it’s impossible. You will be providing fodder for me! You are toothless in front of death,you mortal !” , The raised voice of goddess of the death was no joke. It boomed through every nook and cranny of the thing hall. Everyone cowered in fear.Odin shivered but he was nothing if not brave.
“ Okay . I will admit that I can’t win an open war. But I have my ways…” , he bluffed.
“ Such honourable thing to say in front of the court. But your threats don’t work on me. State the price or I leave.”
“ What do you want ?” ,Odin was finally forced to admit he was in fact a mortal after living a long long life.
“ Father I don’t need to do this, I don’t want to go to Valhalla “ , Thor tried to interrupt
“ shut up. Tell me lady Hela, tell your price!”
“ what can be more valuable than soul of Thor himself? You understand I want another soul , right…”, Hela smirked.
Odin thought. He understands what she wants. She won’t accept anything less.
“ Fine, I offer my soul. Is the king of Valhalla acceptable?”
“ Father, no “, Thor screamed ,shocked.
“ Of course. But I will not be waiting for your natural death. Thor wanted future life before fulfilling the terms, but you are too cunning to trust. I will accept only if you come right now.”
Hela spoke but suddenly stopped to look at the high chairs behind the Jury. The atmosphere changed… Everyone shivered. Suddenly the courtroom turned into a rain-forest with peaceful nature. The birds chirped , winds swooshed around… Thor felt as if he was standing on the shore of lake. The waves making calming noise. Odin heard whispers of noises he heard in the well of knowledge , he knew every person was in there safe place mentally. Because they were here.The Norns were here!
Last time they attended The Thing was when they allowed Odin’s father as king of nine realms and Asgards kings became protectors of all … to be called Allfather! Now after thousands of years they have allowed there presence to be seen. The Jury, the royalties, witnesses and spectators all stood up and bowed. This was the power above the life, who created and destroyed the worldsfor their amusement.
As they appeared three majestic women… The aged past infinitely attractive, middle aged present with the charm no one can imagine and the younger future with eyes full of wisdom…. They looked down at the gathering and whispered in themselves like some mad women!
Frey gathered himself and welcomed them. “ We are honoured to have you here my ladies!” He said.
“ You have gone too far”,they said… to whom none knew! Nobody could understand which one of them spoke, their faces too radiant to mortals to gaze upon.
“ You brought death into your queen quarter ”. Irritation clear in their voice.
“ Apologies my ladies. My son made an error of judgment.”, Odin bowed.
“ But you are the reason…,” Hela agreed!”
“ No my ladies. I was not aware…
“ but you made his soul precious, did you not? Why was he promised Valhalla? “
“ There are no promises, If he dies honoably he would go to Valhalla, otherwise not.”
“ And he is known for seeking wars in anticipation of Valhalla. All Aesirs do so..
“ You made me the realms into war zone , stupid Aesir”
“ Why only Aesirs?”
“ Tell us Odin, since you got hold of Valhalla’s gates …Why only Aesirs have entered those gates? Other realms are not worthy? Who decides the worth.. so only Aesirs can be trusted with glory… and others are mercilessly thrown into Helheim? “
“ It’s… it’s not like ..”, Odin fumbled
“ Are you trying to con us, oh wise one? Haven’t you learned anything… You know more than us?
“ I apologise my ladies!” He surrendered.
“ But is it enough.. oh spearbeare? You were to protect the realms! All the power and all the wisdom bestowed upon you and you used it for what? Wars, murders, persecution and subjugation of others… you took away means of life from others and made yourself god! You put Asgard over others… called yourself gods! Ha! Are you trying to to be us or replace us…”
“ You took a child … you hurt a child ! You manipulated him to kill his own! You call him son and never became father… You condemned him to life of outcast and shame! You punished him to save your own face… You are the reason he jumped. He was tortured! You are the reason for all his suffering “ , there whispers rose into power full chant.
“ I am sorry… I don’t know how it came to this. But I really didn’t know he fell into titan’s clutches. I really didn’t know…”, Now he was facing the actual powerful beings, he was afraid.. afraid of their judgment for they were known to be whimsical!
“ That is not an excuse to taking a child from his father, treating them abysmal way and pushing them to brink of self destruction! You threw him into the hands of titan… “
“ I know I have no right to forgiveness… I have known for a while now. I have lost my son, both of them! I lost most precious thing to me.. my family! I know why you are here… please don’t show me mercy please punish me…! Let my soul burn till eternity… no no please just kill me and let me be at peace. Please let me be in peace “ , he fell on his knees. He was not the most powerful god anymore, just a defeated man! He cried, his wailing resonating through the halls.
“ And what about the word you gave me ? You promised me your soul… are you going back on your word?” Hela asked mockingly. The answer came from the Norns.
“ No…
“ He would fulfill his promise
“ He would…
“it has a nice ring to it. King of Valhalla surrendered to Helheim.”
“And we do have a judgment for you Thor… go take the ring off Loki’s finger! It would lose the enchantment once the caster takes his accountability. “
“ I accept!” Odin said
“ Father , No.” ,Thor bowed to the Norns and Pleaded “ Let him go. Hela can have my soul. I don’t want Valhalla… Loki won’t be there. We have been through a lot… Loki has been trough a lot. Please don’t push father’s death on him, please!” He begged.
“ He will have to take this loss… He is destiny’s child! And after life of misery and despair, spring is coming for him! He will be content. He will be happy… we are here to right the wrong. We are here to bring balance in worlds… “,the Norns hummed..they were known for changing paths of fate and for being cruel in retribution.
“ But first , the one who brought the imbalance..
“The old fool
“ The one eyed..who knows past and future!”
“ Who uses knowledge for his selfish benefit!”
Their voices hummed in courtroom.. making everyone shiver with anticipation. Odin moved forward resolutely!
“ Tell us Odin. Are you ready to atone? Do you feel any remorse? “
“ Take me my lady… I offer my soul willingly to the lady death!”
By the time Thor came out of his stunned stupor, Odin was already dissolving into air. Hela was already gone and the other spectators were still too stunned to respond in any way. It was as if a spell was cast upon the court hall so that no one medals in Norns’ will.
Thor sat down where his father disappeared.He had won the case but lost his father.
He had protected his lover and child but sacrificed his own family .
He didn’t know what he was going to tell Loki!
“