Flames of vengeance
Chapter 7:
The realm of Vanaheim was heavily populated by forests and wild areas. It made sense, as, the Vanir were a people of magic and fertility, which heavily relied on trees and nature.
Now however, the dense woods served a much greater purpose. It was what hid Hela and Fenris, along with Freya and their forces, without having to waist the energy of the Vanir spell casters even before the fighting began through having to cloak them.
Hela's entire body buzzed with anticipation. She could hear Fenris growly beside her, just like old times. It had been so, so long since she had actually been in a battle... Her desire for blood was overwhelming.
She felt a slight twinge in her heart at the absence of Loki. She had imagined that she would fight the first battle of her revenge with him by her side. She had to remind herself that he would join her soon enough.
She was now staring out of the forest to the Asgardian colony, only a hundred metres or so away from them. It was not too heavily guarded, only a few thousand actual warriors. A foolish oversight, no doubt born of Odin's arrogant assumption that Vanaheim would not dare rebel against him.
Well, they were about to prove him wrong. She only wished she could see his face when he eventual heard of what was about to occur.
"We are ready."
She turned to see Freya, dressed in her armour and ready for battle.
Hela grinned.
"Good."
Freya frowned.
"Are you sure that we have enough fighters?"
Hela looked at the small gathering they had brought to help with destroying the colony. Vanir warriors, unlike Asgardians, used both weapons and magic in their combat. This made them quite formidable, however, Asgardians were still seen as better with weapons in general, considering that they did not divide their attention between two forms of combat. Still, Hela believed that it was better to have skill in both weapons and magic, than only being a professional in just one.
They had brought only around five hundred warriors, both of Vanaheim and Jotunheim. Freya had been sceptical, insisting that they should bring more. However, Hela had assured her that they would be fine.
"Again, I assure you, we will be perfectly fine." She replied. "After all, while they may be mighty warriors, we are more diverse in our skills."
Freya nodded.
"Remember Hela," She began. "I do not want to harm any of the non-warriors and children in the colony."
Hela nodded.
"But the warriors are fare game?"
Freya nodded. Hela smirked.
"Excellent."
Freya chuckled.
"What is so amusing?" Hela asked.
"Oh, nothing." Freya replied. "Only that you bare a striking resemblance to Loki when you have such an expression."
Hela's smirk widened.
"Good. Show we begin?"
Freya nodded.
"Should I expect Thor to come storming in?"
Hela shook her head and smirked.
"I have a little surprise for Thor and his little friends."
"Dare I ask?" Freya asked before shaking her head. "Never mind. I am ready to begin the attack when you are."
Hela nodded and turned to one of her generals, one of the former frost-giant faction leaders who had a lot of military experience.
"It is time." She said. "Let us spill some Asgardian blood."
The frost-giant grinned. He then turned to his frost-giants and barked an order. They lifted their hands, and heavy clouds gathered in the sky. Snow began to fall heavily, quickly coating the entire colony in a large layer of snow. Now the Asgardians, who were accustomed to the mild weather of Vanaheim, would have a much harder time of fighting, and the frost-giants will have no trouble in eliminating them.
Hela smirked and summoned a large spear. Fenris's hackles raised and he began to growl. Hela put a hand on his large side.
"Let us begin our revenge Fenris." She whispered.
She then raised her spear high above her head.
"Vanaheim, Jotunheim, to freedom! Let us paint the snow with the blood of Asgard!"
A mighty roar echoed around her, and they all began to charge.
The situation in the tower had been tense. They had been expecting Hela to attack them at any second.
However, nothing had happened. For two months, there had been no sign of her. This only made them more suspicious. What was she plotting? Tony kept saying that it could be anything, cause she was Loki's bio-mom, and he had to have gotten his scheming brain from somewhere. At this, Loki would throw a dagger at the wall behind Stark's head.
Loki had spent much of the time either in the gyms or in the woods, far away from the tower or anything in the city.
His time in the wild was spent trying to train Thor to use his powers. He thought that, considering Thor's powers revolved around lightning and storms, it would be more beneficial, and safer, to be outside while trying to train him.
At first, they had had little success. He could barely summon a spark, let alone a storm. However, Thor, for once, was actually listening to Loki. Soon, Thor was throwing around lightning bolts.
The only problem was teaching him how to actually control them.
Several trees ended up getting hit and catching fire. He almost caused a serious forest fire at least five times. Loki found it hard to teach his hot-headed brother to control his inner lightning.
"You need to stay calm and controlled." He kept saying. "Control your lightning, don't let it control you."
"I'm trying!" Thor shouted. "I just cannot help it! Every time I feel the lightning in me, I remember how it felt with Mjolnir, and then I remember how Hela destroyed it. And then I cannot stop imagining blasting her with the biggest lightning bolt in the history of lightning bolts!"
He then fired another lightning bolt. However, this did not hit a tree. This instead hit Loki himself.
When the brothers returned to the tower, both Tony and Clint laughed to see that Loki's hair had become quite frizzy, causing him to have an afro.
"Hey, what's with the hair?" Tony asked.
"No comment." Loki replied dryly, before going to presumably fix his hair.
Eventually, thankfully, Thor had gained some control over his lightning. He and Loki now practiced using their respective powers in combat. Both actually found this enjoyable. Thor would often say that it felt just like when they were children. Loki smiled and agreed, though inside he thought it was much better.
The avengers would sometimes come and watch, though behind very heavy wards courtesy of Loki. Loki remembered when people would watch him and Thor sparing in the training-yards of Asgard. They would always cheer for Thor, but never him. Whenever Thor won, they would congratulate him. Even Odin, who would then praise Thor for his skill in combat.
However, whenever Loki won, no one would congratulate him. They would only walk away quietly. The only ones who would give him any amount of praise were his Mother and Sigyn. And now they were both gone...
The avengers, on the other hand, cheered for both he and Thor equally. Well, at least most of them.
Over the past two months, he had become closer to the Avengers. He was even on a first-name basis with most of them.
Steve was a comfit. Whenever he had a bad dream, he would go to the Captain and he would listen patiently. He would help Loki calm down and work through the negative thoughts and feelings. He did not know why, but for some reason he felt comfortable talking to this man. He wondered if this was what it was like to have a friend.
Tony was actually fun to be around. He was very intelligent, much like Loki, and the two would have very long discussions together. A lot of the time they ranted about their fathers, and Loki found many similarities between himself and the man. Both may have been raised in luxury, but they were also denied the one thing they wanted most. For their fathers to show even the slightest amount of affection.
They would also discuss ideas about combining Asgardian magic with Midgardian technology. They both found the possibilities fascinating, and thought that they could come up with a way to make great improvements for Midgard through their combined studies.
And Tony had also made a comment that he was curious if they could make something called a "lightsabre". Loki had asked him what that was, and that had led to Tony introducing him to a very popular part of Midgardian culture. He had actually found the movies quite enjoyable. This then led to him exploring Tony's extensive collection of movies and television shows. Tony had even recommended a children's show of all things. The man had argued that he thought Loki would like it, as there was a character who was a lot like him. So Loki had agreed. At first, he had found it boring, but then in the middle of the first season, he became more interested. By the end of the first season, he had discovered which character Tony was comparing him to, and for the rest of the series Loki eagerly watched the character's journey from antagonist to redeemed hero. It was quite beautiful, in his opinion.
His new found fondness for Midgardian entertainment resulted in the entire team beginning a tradition of movie night. It was nice, having the seven of them on the common-floor and watching whatever they chose. Sometimes, Tony would order a Midgardian food called Pizza, something Loki grew to enjoy greatly.
His newfound friendship with Tony led to him spending more time with Dr. Banner, as he too was often in the labs. At first it was tense, as Loki was in constant fear of the Hulk. But eventually, he grew a bit more comfortable around the man. They often had conversations about the biology of the different races of the Nine Realms, and how certain species found it easier to interbreed then others. Bruce was also curious about Loki's shapeshifting abilities. He had proceeded to turn into many different forms.
This also led to some awkward questions regarding certain tales from Mythology. And this led to many more questions about what was and what wasn't true.
He was horrified, and a little disturbed, to here that the Midgardians believed he had actually given birth to Odin's horse Sleipnir. That would imply that he had actually lane with a horse, which was not an image he needed in his mind. He had been quick to tell everyone in the tower that he had no children what so ever, let alone an eight legged horse. And he was not even going to get into that story concerning a goat and his...
But he was very amused when he heard the tale of Thor wearing a wedding dress, just to get his hammer back. Though he advised that it would not be wise to tell Thor this story, as he was still upset about Hela destroying Mjolnir.
He had continued to regularly spar with Natasha. He found it quite enjoyable. They would often talk while fighting, and she was a great conversationalist. He felt himself becoming closer to her, and he believed she felt the same. However, part of him was stopping anything to grow beyond a friendship. He could not allow it, would not allow it.
Part of him still called for Sigyn. Still felt that she was out there, somewhere, calling for him...
Loki now stood in the kitchen on the Common-Floor, making some breakfast and both the kettle and the coffee maker on. After he discovered the miracle of coffee, he had wanted to learn how to make his own. And then, once he did learn, he discovered that he had quiet the talent for it. Now, he made coffee for the entire team.
Well, excluding Bruce, who preferred tea, hence why Loki also had the kettle going, and Barton.
Though Loki had apologised to him, and though he had had as much control over his actions as Barton had, the Midgardian was still tense around him. Loki could understand, anger was a hard thing to overcome, and forgiveness was hard to give. Loki knew this all to well.
But he also knew that, if they stood even a chance against Hela, then they needed to all work together. It would be impossible to defeat her if their internal quarrels remained unsolved.
And then there was Natasha. She and Barton were friends. She cared deeply for the man. However, it appeared that she was also beginning to care for Loki. He did not wish for her to be torn between the two of them.
However, there was nothing Loki could do.
Loki had just finished making the coffee when Steve came into the kitchen.
"Morning Loki." He said, walking to the cupboards.
Steve was always the one to make breakfast. It was surprising, to learn how well the Captain cooked. However, Loki was not complaining. The two made a great team in the kitchen.
"Good morning Steve." Loki replied. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." Steve replied, organising the equipment for fruit pancakes. "How about you?"
"Fine." Loki replied. "Your coffee is just here on the counter."
Steve smiled.
"Thanks."
Tony then entered the kitchen, yawning.
"Morning."
Loki walked over to him and hand over his coffee.
`Thanks." Tony said, smiling and taking a large gulp of his coffee.
Loki was thankful he had learnt to use some of his frost-giant magic to slightly cool down Tony's coffee, so it was still hot but not enough to burn the man's throat. The Midgardian was not a morning person. Maybe because he never got enough sleep, something that Steve was constantly lecturing him about.
Next in the kitchen was Thor.
"Good morning brother!" He boomed.
"Good morning Thor." Loki said as he handed Thor his coffee.
Thor took it gratefully and sat at the table next to Tony.
"Steve, what are you cooking this morning?" Thor asked.
"Fruit pancakes." Steve replied.
"Wonderful." Thor replied.
Next in were Barton and Natasha.
"Hey Clint, you going to try some of Loki's coffee?" Tony asked.
Barton only shook his head and sat at the table.
Loki sighed. Barton did not even trust him enough to enjoy some of his coffee.
Natasha took her cup gratefully and sat next to Barton.
"It's a real shame." She said casually. "It's really good Clint."
Barton only shrugged.
"I'm good." He said.
Finally, Bruce came into the kitchen. Loki gave him is tea.
"Thanks." He said, smiling.
"My pleasure." Loki replied.
He put Steve's coffee and his own cup of tea at their usual places. He liked to alternate between coffee and tea. He found coffee stimulating, but found tea calming. Plus, the latter reminded him of his Mother.
He assisted Steve in serving breakfast and sat down. The conversation was casual enough.
"So, what you guys doing today?" Tony asked him and Thor.
Loki shrugged.
"Most likely trying to teach Thor control, again."
"I know how to control my power." Thor argued.
Loki rolled his eyes.
"No, you know how to throw lightning everywhere. You need to learn accuracy, and you need to learn how to control the intensity of the bolts. Plus, you still need to regain your power of summoning actual storms instead of throwing around electric shocks."
Thor snorted.
"I'm working on it. But my electric shocks work perfectly well."
Loki rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I am aware. And so is the local forest..."
He could then see lightning sparking between his brother's fingers.
"Okay, calm down." Steve interjected, also seeing the danger.
Thor calmed, and Loki shot the Captain a grateful smile.
"Awww." Tony said. "Come on Cap, it's so fun when they fight."
"Is it as fun as your tower getting blown up?" Natasha asked.
"Good point. On second thought, good job Capsicle."
They all laughed.
Suddenly, there was a loud booming sound.
"Thor?" Bruce asked nervously.
Thor shook his head.
"I did not do that."
There was a buzzing sound and Natasha pulled out her communication device.
"Hello? Yeah, okay."
She put it away.
"That was Furry." She explained. "That booming sound was a portal opening in the middle of the city."
"Great." Tony said, getting up. "A portal opening in the middle of New York. That never leads to bad stuff."
"We don't have time to be sarcastic." Steve said as they all stood. "We need to get ready, now."
"If you would allow me," Loki began. "I could use my magic to help you get changed in a matter of seconds."
All accept Barton nodded.
"Come on Clint." Natasha urged. "We need to fight whatever comes out of that portal as soon as possible."
"Yeah, odds are Hela's behind this." Tony added.
After some more coxing, Barton finally agreed. Loki's green magic surrounding all of them, except for Bruce, before dissipating to reveal them all dressed in their uniforms and armour.
"Come on." Captain America said, hoisting his shield.
They all left for the quin-jet so they could get to where the portal was.
As soon as the quin-jet landed, the avengers and Loki departed to find that the authorities had thankfully cleared the area of civilians. However, there was still the matter of what had come from the portal.
Several hundred horrifying beings now stood before them. They looked like rotting corpses, with green flames burning in what should be their eye-sockets. Loki had a bad feeling about these creatures.
"What the hell?" He heard Ironman mutter.
Loki could sense the dark magic coming from them. He sucked in a deep and nervous breath.
"I believe these things were sent by Hela." He began.
"Yeah, but what are they?" Hawkeye asked.
"Draugar." Loki replied, trying to hide the fear in his voice.
Thor let out an excited laugh, and Loki thought that his brother was insane.
"This shall be exciting!" Thor boom, lightning beginning to gather in his fingers.
"No, it will not." Loki argued. "Draugar are very dangerous Thor."
"Yes, exactly." Thor replied. "Sif and the warriors three shall be envious."
Loki had to resist the urge to face-palm.
"Hey, errr, what are Draugar?" Ironman asked.
"They are reanimated corpses." Loki replied. "They are very fast and strong, and can only be destroyed by either fire or having their heads destroyed. Aim for the brain, in particular."
"Right." Captain America said.
They then began to fight the Draugar.
Loki became lost in the mayhem. There were hundreds of the draugar, and only seven of them. He could hear Ironman blasting them from high above, Hawkeye shoot explosive arrows, Black Widow firing her guns, and Thor shooting lightning. He attempted to ignore the constant roaring of the hulk, as every time he heard it he was reminded of how the beast had smashed him around like a ragdoll.
A draugar charged at him. He side stepped and threw a conjured dagger at it's head. The blade hit it's mark, and the draugar fell to the ground to join the many others he had already taken care of.
More and more attacked him, and they all had similar fates. He managed to sidestep most of them, but a few to in some hits. They didn't have weapons, but they were extremely strong. He was soon battered and bruised, but at least nothing seemed broken.
Soon, he managed to reach the portal. It did not seem that any more draugar were coming out, but he did not wish to risk anything more coming out. So he summoned his magic and proceeded to close the portal. It was hard, but he wasn't the most powerful sorcerer in the Nine Realms for nothing.
Soon, the portal was closed. Now there would be no more surprises, hopefully.
As the ranks of the draugar seemed to thin, he found himself close to Hawkeye, though the man's back was to him. Hawkeye was busy aiming at a large cluster of draugar. Too busy, as he did not notice the draugar sneaking up behind him.
"Watch out!" Loki shouted, jumping towards the draugar.
He tackled the creature and they rolled on the ground. He felt a hand clasp around his throat, but he did not stop. As the air was choked out of him, he thrust a dagger into the monsters head.
It fell limp, and the head fell from his neck. He collapsed on top of it, gasping.
"What the hell?"
He looked up to see Hawkeye staring at him in disbelief.
"Why did you do that?" The man demanded.
"I... Needed to... Help you." He gasped. "That thing... Was going... To snap... Your neck..."
"Yeah, but why did you save me?" Hawkeye asked.
Loki glared at him.
"Because we're supposed to be allies, you idiot."
Hawkeye blinked, but remained silent.
Loki looked around. Thor and the Hulk had just taken out the last of the draugar. His brother was grinning like an idiot.
"That was incredible!" He boomed. "I cannot believe I actually got to face draugar!"
Loki got up and walked to his brother.
"Thor, you are an idiot." He said, his voice still a little horse.
Thor frowned.
"Brother, are you alright."
"Oh, I'm fine." Loki replied sarcastically. "I was only just almost choked to death by a draugar."
Thor blinked.
"How?"
Hawkeye head them.
"He jumped on one that was trying to get the jump on me." The Midgardian replied.
Thor frowned in confusion. But then his face split into a wide grin.
"Well, I suppose you can end this quarrel you have with my brother," He began. "For he has proven himself by saving your life."
Hawkeye stared at Loki for a long time. Then, he finally spoke.
"Yeah, maybe." He replied.
The rest of the team gathered around them, out of breath. Bruce was adjusting his trousers after turning back from the Hulk.
"Well, that was fun," Ironman said. "I mean, it is not everyday you get to fight Norse zombies."
"Yes, I agree!" Thor boomed. "This will truly be a tale to tell. Draugar are a truly horrible foe."
Loki frowned.
"Hey, is there something wrong?" Captain America asked.
Loki shook his head.
"It just seems strange." He said. "That was far too easy."
"Easy?" Hawkeye said incredulously.
Loki nodded.
"There has to be more to this." He continued. "Hela must be up to something, I just do not know what."
"Let's think about it at the tower." Captain America suggested.
They all nodded and proceeded to walk back to the quin-jet.
For the first time in a very, very long time, Hela felt the familiar feeling of bloodlust. It was like a haze that clouded her mind. Anyone who tried to hold a blade against her was quickly cut down.
Blood soon stained the snow red, and Hela reveled in it. With every stab, every thrust, every wound she inflicted, every Asgardian life she took, she felt a thrill of excitement go through her. It coursed through her veins, flowed through her lungs like the air she breathed.
She cut through warrior after warrior, showing no mercy. Whomever she did not kill, Fenris quickly devoured. These people deserved no mercy. They had shown her and her son no mercy. They had been cruel to Loki, mocked him, shunned him, and now they would pay the price.
She knew that Freya and the rest of their forces were also fighting, but she felt that she was taking the majority of the lives.
She was retribution, she was vengeance. She was the Goddess of Death. She shall reap every last Asgardian who stood in her way, until she reached Odin. She shall create a river of Asgardian blood, and Odin shall watch as his kingdom falls.
This was only the first of many battles. She looked forward to many more.
She had just struck down another warrior without much effort. She was just passing a house, when, suddenly, the door of the house opened.
A woman attempted to ambush her with a kitchen knife of all things. Hela quickly knocked her aside.
The woman rolled to where the last warrior she had killed lay, and grabbed his sword with trembling hands.
"You... You killed my husband." She said, attempting to sound strong.
Hela smirked.
"He was in my way."
The woman hefted the sword.
"You will pay, she-devil."
Hela's smirk widened.
"Oh, really?"
The woman was better than Hela had expected, even if she seemed to move strangely, as if every movement caused her pain. Even if she had not been suffering from such an affliction, she was no match for her. Hela quickly disarmed her.
"I must admit, you are a strong one." Hela remarked. "You could always join me."
The woman spat at her feet.
"Oh well." Hela said before cutting off the woman's head.
As the head rolled, Hela kicked aside the body. She was about to leave, when she heard a noise that caused the haze of bloodlust to fade.
She walked into the house and followed the noise into a small room. In this room, there was a small cot. And in that cot... Was a baby.
Hela walked quietly to the cot and picked the babe up in her arms gently. She cradled him to her armoured and bloodstained chest.
That this why the woman fought so fiercely.
She thought.
She was protecting her child.
She looked down at the babe. He still had some lingering fluids staining his hair and skin. He must have been only newly born.
That that was why the woman had moved so awkwardly. She had just given birth.
So small, so fragile.
Just as Loki had been.
She had just robbed an innocent child of his parents. What would happen to him now?
An unfamiliar feeling pierced her heart like a sharp knife. Was this feeling guilt, regret?
The child began to cry. On instinct, she stroked his head where a tuft of dark hair sat.
Just like Loki.
This child was now alone in this world.
Just like herself. Just like Loki.
Had she just doomed this child to the same fate as Loki and herself? To live, without the love of a parent? What would become of this boy?
The child's cries became louder. Hela gently hushed him.
"Shhh, shhh." She said. "Do not worry, I will not hurt you."
Eventually, the child quietened and fell asleep.
As Hela left the small house, she continued to gently rock the child in her arms. When she met with Freya after the battle, the Vanir Queen stared at her and the child.
"What is this?" Freya asked.
Hela looked down at the child sadly.
"I killed his parents." She explained quietly. "I am now responsible for him."
Freya glanced from Hela, to the babe, and back to Hela. She then smiled.
"I was not aware that you could be so gentle." She said.
Hela grinned.
"I may be the Goddess of Death, but I am also a mother. I could not let another child suffer as my son has."
Freya nodded.
"Very well."
She looked around the ruins of the colony.
"We have freed Vanaheim from the tyranny of Asgard." She began. "Or at least we have begun. Asgard will be back."
"And we will be ready for them." Hela replied.
Freya smiled.
"The next step is Alfheim."
Hela raised an eyebrow.
"Have you been in contact with them."
Freya grinned.
"My twin brother Frey is the consort to Queen Elsa." She explained. "He to, wishes to be free of Asgard."
Hela nodded.
"Very well."
Freya smiled. Then, she looked down at the babe in Hela's arms again.
"Does he have a name?"
Hela also glanced down at the child. Forever marked, forever scared. Though he did not know it yet, this event will mark him for the rest of his days.
He was born during a battle which marked the beginning of a war. A war that had begun for revenge. He would forever be marked by the fires of vengeance. Hela could see this.
"Vidar." She says softly. "His name, is Vidar. Child, born of the fires of vengeance."
"Vidar." Freya said in a whisper of a voice, reaching out to stroke the newly named boy's face.
"I can see it." The vanir woman said. "He shall be known as the God of Vengeance. He shall be mighty, and bring with him retribution."
Hela grinned and nodded.
"Come, let us clean up this mess." She said, gesturing around them. "And then, we can prepare for Alfheim."