"If I didn't trust you..."
"If I didn't trust you, then I would've already let Odin do whatever he wants to do to you."
Athena walked into the Cella of her temple, the tail of her light blue dress trailing behind her. When she emerged from the shadows of the Opisthodomos, the two beings waiting for her in the Cella faced her direction.
“Iris.” The woman wearing a flowy, white dress bowed before Athena. Athena nodded once and faced the other being, this time a heavily-bearded male, wearing the Viking warrior’s armors. “Hermóðr.” Athena acknowledged the man’s attendance in her court and the man bowed before her. “Is there an urgent matter to be discussed since both of you are in my temple?”
Hermóðr gestured for Iris to begin. “My goddess, we are here because a part of Earthrealm is being attacked,” Iris reported.
Athena clasped her hands together by her stomach. “Who did this?”
“Your grace, our Queen Frigga would like to tell you that the attack is being orchestrated by her youngest son.” Hermóðr added.
Athena’s face contorted in horror, then she gasped, smiling. “Loki is alive.”
Hermóðr and Iris looked at each other, unsure of what to say. “Apparently,” he said.
“And he is in New York?” He nodded. Athena raised her hands, palms together, and tapped it to her lips. She turned her back to the messengers and walked to a gold vessel on the northwest corner of the temple. The messengers followed her. Athena dipped two fingers on the vessel and lifted it, a sliver of the blue liquid rising with it and a bubble appeared, the events in New York played before them.
They watched as the vision showed them the open portal from the sky, Loki commanding the alien creatures down to Earth, and the people fighting the aliens and defending the city.
“These people,” Athena said as the vision showed them a green giant, a redhead woman aiming her guns next to an archer, a red robot, a man who’s flinging a shield, and Thor. “These people with Thor. Who are they?”
“They are a group of mortals called the Avengers, my goddess,” Iris answered.
“Thor rallied with them when they found out Loki is commanding a group of alien creatures.” Hermóðr said.
Athena faced him, her brows frowning in worry. “Do you know where in the realms these aliens are from?”
“No, your grace. We are unfamiliar with them. The scholars are now researching our resources for any literature mentioning these kinds of creatures,” he replied. “Asgard also demands your presence, your grace.”
Athena turned back to the bubble, which is now showing Loki, paler than before, and eyes sullen. “Your prince does not look well.” Iris glanced at Hermóðr, whose face was full of contempt upon seeing the young prince. Athena returned her attention to the messengers. She noticed Hermóðr’s shift but she let him be. “Iris.” The Greek messenger stood in attention. “Summon the guardian.”
Stella was lying on her couch, having a quiet night to herself, reading a book when she heard a knock on her apartment’s door. She dropped the book, wondering who would come to her apartment at 9 in the evening without sending a text. She also thought that no one would even make a surprise to see her that hour. Stella got up and trudged to the door. She peeked through the peephole and immediately opened the door. “Come in.”
It was Iris. “Guardian, Athena sent me.”
Stella nodded, blinking the exhaustion from her eyes. “What’s up?”
Iris was still wearing her white, flowy dress. Stella figured out that the messenger concealed herself. “Athena has an urgent matter to discuss with you.”
Stella nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Stella let Iris in, closed the door, and translocated them to Athena’s acropolis, arriving at the Pronaos of the temple. As they entered, a shimmer of blue light appeared around her, replacing her grizzly bear hoodie and grey pajamas to her white bodysuit that covered most parts of her skin, her weathered golden breastplates, vambraces, with shin guards attached, and white boots. Her trusted pair of swords attached to her back. When they entered, Stella bowed before Athena and saw Hermóðr. She wondered why Asgard’s messenger was in Athena’s temple.
“My sister.” Athena warmly said and extended her arms. Stella closed in and they embraced each other.
Stella acknowledged the Asgardian messenger’s presence. “Something is going on, isn’t it?” She immediately said.
Athena chuckled. “Always quick to perceive trouble, aren't you.” She led Stella to the bubble and showed her what was happening. Stella’s jaw dropped while watching. “Have you heard of this?”
“No. I was reading a book for the nightcap and my television was off. Where is this?”
“It’s in New York.”
“What are those blue creatures?”
“They are an unknown alien species brought to Midgard by Loki.” Hermóðr replied.
Stella turned to him. “Did you say Loki? He’s alive?” Hermóðr nodded. “Wow. He survived his fall. That’s amazing.”
“Sister, I believe we do not have time.” Athena placed a hand on Stella’s shoulder. “Our presence in Asgard is needed.” Stella’s eyes veered from Athena to Hermóðr then back to her older sister. “Iris, thank you for bringing Hermóðr here,” Athena told Iris and she bowed once more before leaving in a mist of spectrum. Athena clenched her right hand and when she opened it, a winged creature covered in golden light appeared. She tossed it to the air and when it landed, a winged woman dressed in gold dress appeared before them. “Nike, I will let you take over this temple for the time being. We are needed in Asgard.”
Nike pressed a fisted right hand to her heart. “It shall be my duty,” she told Athena.
“Thank you, Nike.” Athena bowed her head and Nike did the same. She then led Stella and Hermóðr to the Opisthodomos and they stood within a circle. Athena splayed her hands to her side and closed her eyes. A golden light appeared around them.
On the edge of Asgard, where the Rainbow Bridge ends, Heimdall clutched the hilt of his sword, Hofund. Looking straight into the horizon, he could see the arrival of Hermóðr and the two Greek beings. In mere seconds, three beings appeared on Asgard’s shore, before Heimdall. With his golden, watchful eyes, he recognized Athena and the Greek guardian with Hermóðr.
“Heimdall.” Athena greeted the Asgardian gatekeeper.
“Athena,” he replied. “You and the guardian are expected.”
“As Hermóðr has told me.” She politely smiled.
Heimdall led them to the council hall, where Odin and Frigga were waiting for them. “Odin, Frigga,” Athena announced when they arrived. Heimdall closed the door behind them, bringing Hermóðr with him.
“I see that you brought the guardian with you. Very well.” Odin said. Stella bowed before them. “Hermóðr told you?”
“Yes, and I am glad he is alive. Though he does not look well.” Athena shared a warm smile with Frigga.
Stella walked to the end of the table where the nine realms are etched. On Midgard, she noticed the sparks happening on the east coast of the United States.
Odin snorted on Athena’s statement. “How can he not look well and command an alien army? He is the strongest sorcerer and he never was weak. Although he couldn’t keep up with the warriors in close combat.”
Stella can’t help but flick her eyes to the side, to Odin. She heard contempt in his statements.
Athena approached the war table. “Do you now happen to know what the aliens are and where they are from?” They watched the battle unfold before them on a holoscreen.
“Our scholars are still studying them,” Frigga replied. “I have not seen such creatures.”
“They must be beings that are beyond the realms.” Stella surmised.
“Most probably. I believe there are other beings beyond the nine realms we have.” Frigga added.
“Loki has diverted his path since Thor’s coronation. He could never be king.” Odin spat. Stella saw the king’s face starting to turn red in fury. “He brings nothing but shame to this kingdom. An ax to his neck will be waiting for him.”
Frigga’s lips tightened into a line and her eyes started to water. Athena’s head snapped to Odin. “I do not mean to question your ways and methods but you banish one from your kingdom but kill the other one?” Athena said.
Stella looked up to watch them, her guard up. Odin glared at Athena while Frigga dropped her head. Athena has her serene look on her face.
“Loki was never the type to be king,” he declared.
“And that’s it? That’s your reason for such action?”
Odin lost it. “How dare you question my action!” He barked. “He never was my son.” Stella cocked a brow in surprise.
But Athena was not fazed. “If I was in your position, I wouldn’t do such a thing,” she said in a serious tone.
“I am not you,” he retorted. Frigga was holding back tears behind Odin.
Stella shifted her attention to the holoscreen above the table. She watched as Thor was trying to subdue Loki. “Athena’s right. He doesn’t look well.” The brothers were on top of the Stark tower in New York, an astonished and remorseful Loki appeared on the screen.
“This is his second time to eliminate a race,” Odin stated as his only eye locked into the face of his youngest son. “If that doesn’t warrant an execution, I don’t know what does.”
‘Didn’t you try to eliminate enemy planets before?’ Athena thought but she shut her mouth for the good of Olympus. She exchanged glances with Stella, who also knew what Odin had done.
As Stella continued to watch, she noticed that Loki’s eyes would switch shades and he did look remorseful before something in him seemed to click again and attacked Thor. “Look at his eyes,” she told Athena. “There’s more to this,” she vouched. “You just can’t end him like that. You only have two powerful sorcerers left in your jurisdiction and you have the nine realms to take care of.”
“The three of us can take care of the nine realms ourselves.” Odin shook his head. “The moment he steps back in Asgard, he will be bound in chains,” the king declared.
“Then why have two sons?” Athena blurted out. Odin just glared at her. Athena looked at Frigga, who was unsure whether to be offended or mourn for the fate of her son.
“You’ll never know what we have to face after this,” Stella stated.
“Is there any other threat we have to expect?” It wasn’t a question, it was more of a whine from the Allfather.
Athena let Stella take the conversation. She knew Stella would say the right words. “Your son might be in danger.” Stella hinted.
“He’s not my son!” Odin growled.
Stella slowly closed her eyes and sighed - an expression that shouldn’t be done in front of royals. “Fine then. Your sons. Earthrealm. You don’t know these creatures. Neither do we. But I bet you Loki already invaded a planet and used its army to attack Earth. Expect insurgencies to follow,” she postulated.
Odin’s fists were tight on the table. “From who?” Frigga beseeched.
“Stop telling us things if you don’t even have proof.” Odin interrupted.
Stella rested a hand on her belt. “Just don’t kill him. For the good of the realms.” She implored.
“What do you know of the good of the realms?! You’re nothing but a mere mortal child!” Odin spat at Stella, who didn’t even flinch.
“This is friendly advice from an external consultant but I suggest you heed it,” Stella said firmly. After a history of facing pissed off Greek gods, egoistical eastern gods, and an army of various origins led by a mad gorgon, having a bilious Allfather snapping at her was the least of her worries.
Once Odin left, Frigga let out a breath she didn’t notice she was holding. “I was afraid he would say that.” Her voice was quivering for a queen.
Athena’s eyes were still at the door. “Loki must have a reason behind doing all this. He is too smart to destroy everything for no reason.” She turned back to Frigga and Stella.
“All he wanted was to make his father proud.” Frigga sadly admitted. “All he wanted was a kingdom to reign on.”
Athena and Stella looked at each other, both thinking there is something more than what meets the eye. Stella replayed the footage. Loki looked like he didn’t want to attack New York.
Frigga stopped next to Athena. “I would like to believe what you say is true,” she implored.
“Earthrealm’s waters would freeze if I was lying,” Athena stated.