Chapter 2
There was this strange heat, fluctuating between a warm sensation and fierce burning. Sometimes, I would hear or feel something, but it was like my mind was trapped in a thick, dense fog.
I vaguely remembered hearing soft yelps and a warm, deep, silky voice asking if I was alright, but then my mind went hazy again. It felt like I was floating in an everlasting darkness.
When the burning sensation returned, I thought I might be in hell—forced to endure this pain for the rest of eternity. But after those horrible moments, I would sink back into the void, only to be brought back by distant voices or sounds, never able to find the direction or energy to follow them.
My mind struggled against the nothingness, against the helplessness of my state. I wanted—needed—to pull myself free from this purgatory, but there was nothing I could do.
After what felt like an eternity of pain and darkness, I decided to let go.
I gave in and lost myself to the void, not caring about the world around me, allowing myself to drift, hoping it would all end soon.
Then, something changed.
The first thing I noticed was sound—the soft rustling of wind and the distant chirping of birds. It was soothing, yet I had no concept of time in this state.
The second change was light. It broke through the darkness, faint at first, but gradually brightening. Still, I was unable to open my eyes.
The third—and most shocking—was the absence of pain.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I was pain-free. I searched for any lingering discomfort, but felt nothing. And yet, it was the most comfortable I had been in ages.
A soft breeze caressed my skin, sending shivers down my arms.
That’s when it hit me—I could feel my body again.
If I could feel my body… then I wasn’t dead.
My mind whirled at the realization, but I focused on the one thing I hopefully could control. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.
The sight before me stole my breath.
I was in a room unlike anything I had ever seen—massive arched windows adorned with sheer, flowing fabric. One of the windows was left open, allowing the wind to stir the curtains gently.
Through it, I glimpsed a stunning view: towering golden spires, a lush green landscape stretching beyond a grand city, and further still, an ocean, its horizon endless and shimmering beneath the sunlight.
My gaze shifted back to the room. The walls were built from a soft, warm-toned stone, and the ceiling was ornately decorated with golden carvings.
I was lying in a grand bed draped in pristine white sheets. Beside it, intricately carved wooden chairs with cream-colored velvet seats. Matching nightstands flanked the bed, their golden embellishments gleaming in the soft light.
So, this is what heaven looks like, I thought, a small smile tugging at my lips.
I had never believed in gods or an afterlife, but given my surroundings, it seemed like the simplest explanation.
After a moment of taking it all in, I decided to test my strength.
With some effort, I pushed myself upright. My muscles protested, but to my surprise, I felt a fresh surge of energy course through me. Encouraged, I flipped back the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
As I stood, a long, soft fabric cascaded around my legs, and my bare feet met the cool stone floor.
Looking down, I realized I was dressed in a long flowy pale green gown. The fabric felt luxurious beneath my fingers—soft, almost weightless.
My eyes roamed the room, landing on two sets of doors: a grand double door and a smaller one to the side.
Deciding to be cautious, I opted for the smaller one first.
I pushed it open and gasped.
The bathroom was fit for royalty. A massive golden bathtub gleamed at its center, and along one wall, a set of sinks stood beneath ornately designed faucets. Everything exuded extravagance, from the marble counters to the intricate golden details on the fixtures.
But what truly caught my attention was the full-length mirror across the room.
Drawn to it, I stepped forward, and when I finally saw my reflection, the air left my lungs.
The woman staring back at me was familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar.
The gown I wore was something out of a fairy tale. It draped elegantly, the sweetheart neckline accentuated by golden strands of fabric crossing over my chest and wrapping behind my neck in a halter style. Another golden ribbon cinched just beneath my chest, forming a delicate bow at my back before the fabric cascaded in soft, flowing layers.
Then, I looked at my face.
My skin was paler than I remembered—not drastically, but noticeably so. My green eyes, once muted, now gleamed with an almost unnatural vibrancy.
But the biggest change was my hair.
The last time I had seen myself, my strawberry-blonde curls had barely reached my shoulders.
Now, they were a rich, striking red, tumbling down my back in thick, cascading waves—far past my waist.
“What the hell…” I murmured aloud, but before I could finish the thought, a loud crash from the other side of the door made me jump.
The sound of shattering glass echoed through the room.
Heart pounding, I hurried back to the bathroom door and peered out cautiously.
A young woman stood in the middle of the room, a tray—once laden with bottles—now scattered in shards across the floor.
Her wide eyes were fixed on the empty bed, her expression frozen in horror.
"Are you alright?" I asked softly.
The woman gasped and whirled toward the bathroom, clutching one hand over her mouth as if suppressing a scream.
Guilt immediately flooded me—I hadn’t meant to startle her.
Instinctively, I stepped forward, wanting to reassure her, but halted abruptly.
Between us lay a sea of broken glass, glittering like dangerous stars upon the floor.
The woman, still motionless, stared at me with terror-stricken eyes, her fingers trembling over her lips.
"Are you alright?" I tried again. "I would come over to you, but I have no shoes, and I don't want to step into the glass."
I could see her eyes dart between the glass on the ground and my feet. Before I got a chance to say anything else, she turned and nearly ran out of the room through the double doors at the end.
I wanted to follow, but again, the glass on the floor stopped me.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s reaction and the absurdity of this whole situation.
Now, with the path to the double doors blocked off, I turned towards the window. As I made my way over, I saw it wasn’t exactly a window but more like French doors. I opened them further to find a small rounded balcony on the other side.
Not having felt the warm rays of the sun for as long as I could remember, I stepped out onto the balcony, turning my face into the sun and just basking in all its warmth.
I was startled by the sound of glass breaking and scraping over the floor, and I quickly turned my attention back to the room. I was expecting the young woman to be back with a broom or something to clean the mess on the floor.
When I turned, I saw a man looking at me through the sheer curtains that were still softly blowing in the wind.
I slowly walked back inside as he just kept looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face. He had beautiful blue almost green eyes. He was tall, with shoulder-length black hair and pale, flawless skin. He was dressed in a dark, leather-looking outfit with dark green and gold embellishments.
For a moment, we just stood there, looking at each other. I really didn’t know what to make of this whole situation, but I decided I would just take the first step.
"Hi," I said with a small wave to the man in front of me, a small smile crossing my lips.
I could see him blink his eyes a few times before he hesitantly said, "Hello."
This time, I couldn’t help but laugh, and I could see him watching me with a confused look upon his face.
"I'm sorry," I added, still giggling. "But when I said hi to the other woman a few minutes ago, she just gave me almost the same look and ran out of this room nearly screaming. So, I'm just happy to get a reply without you running for the door."
I could see a small smile form on his lips.
"Ah, yes, I see," he replied. "The way she burst into my room just now, you would have thought that she was being hunted by a pack of wild wolves."
"Not a pack, just me," I added with a smile. "And I wasn’t running after her, I don't think my feet would have survived that." I motioned towards the glass on the floor.
I could see him look down at the glass and then towards my feet. He made a small, strange movement with his hand. Like magic, I saw the glass and the tray scattered over the floor disappear, and the floor was once more immaculate like the rest of the room.
Before I could even comprehend what had just happened, the double doors opened and a beautiful woman with long, dark blonde curly hair entered the room, followed by a second woman.
"My dear, you are awake," the woman said while walking towards me. She took my hands softly but firmly and led me back towards the bed. "If you don't mind, Lady Eir wants to check on you to see how you are doing." With this, she gestured towards the woman behind her.
I didn’t know what to think, but I decided that as long as they all seemed friendly, I would just play along.
"I don't mind," I replied and sat down on the side of the bed as the beautiful woman sat down next to me.
The woman introduced as Lady Eir took a few minutes to check my vitals and temperature, and after a few moments, she gave the woman next to me a nod.
"She seems to be well, but I would like to run a few more tests later if she is ready for it."
And with a nod from the beautiful woman and a kind smile to me, she left.
Here I was, sitting on a bed, God knows where, surrounded by strange people. I could see both the man and the woman looking at me like I was something very alien, and I could feel myself getting nervous.
"I'm sorry, my dear. This must be very strange for you," the beautiful woman said as she clearly noticed my discomfort. "I see you met my son, Loki." She gestured towards the man. "My name is Frigga. My son found you in the forest. You seemed to be unwell, so he took you back home, and we have been tending to you in the hope you would regain your health."
It was hard to think back, to try remembering anything before the darkness and burning, but slowly I remembered the forest. There had been something in that forest…
"The wolf!" I squeaked in a high voice.
I could see them both jump a bit at my sudden reaction.
"Sorry," I added, and I could feel a big blush creeping over my face. "It's just that I remember the wolf now. He was hurt. I removed this big piece of wood from a wound on his chest, right under his front leg. Is he alright? Did someone help him too? I did my best to stop the bleeding, but I really need to know if he's alright and looked after!" I knew I was rambling, but I was really worried about that big, sweet animal.
I could see a small grin form over Loki's lips, and I could see Frigga looking a bit shocked.
"He is alright, right?" I asked again, now even more worried since they were not answering me.
My gaze fell over Loki, who looked very amused at my concern for the wolf.
"Yes, Fenrir, or the wolf as you call him, is quite alright," he said as he moved closer to the bed and placed himself on the chair in front of me and Frigga. "You have not to worry about him. But I do like to know more about yourself. Pray, what is your name?"
I had to grin inwardly a bit, as his manner of speech was very old school and very posh.
"Well, I'm... I'm..." I tried to think hard. It shouldn't be that hard to say your own name, right? Panic once more rising as I was doing my best to answer him but still drawing a blank. It must have registered with Frigga because I could feel her hand on my arm.
"I don't know my name," I let out in shock as I looked at her and then Loki. "How can I not know my own name?"
The last bit came out almost a full octave higher. I could feel my heart beating in my chest, and my breath hitched.
"Calm down, dear. There is no need for panic," Frigga said in a soothing voice, her hands gently squeezing mine. "What is the last thing you remember?"
I tried to steady my breathing, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself. It was hard to do with two people staring at me. While Frigga’s eyes were soft, comforting, and kind, Loki's were piercing, intimidating. His gaze felt as if he were trying to peer inside my mind. I decided to ignore his stare and focus on my memories.
"The first thing I remember is the forest. I woke up in the forest," I said, watching the scene play out in my mind. "It was cold, and my head hurt a lot."
Instinctively, I let go of Frigga’s hand and reached up to the back of my head, expecting to feel a large lump. But as my fingers ran along my scalp, there was no sign of any injury. Confused, I continued with my story.
"I was hurt, cold, and decided to walk to get warm and find help. I reached a clearing and saw some people with a wolf. They were trying to secure the wolf to a tree with a ribbon. I wanted to get their attention, but they were being rough with the animal, who was clearly in pain. I changed my mind—if they could treat a wounded creature that way, I wasn’t sure I’d fare any better."
I paused for a moment before continuing.
"When they left, I went to the wolf. As I suspected, he was badly injured, with a large piece of wood sticking out of a wound on his chest. I managed to pull it out, but that only made the bleeding worse. I tried to put pressure on the wound to stop it, and I think I must have blacked out."
I took a moment to think if there was anything else, but nothing came to mind. I shook my head.
"After that, all I remember is darkness and pain. Until I woke up just now."
A shiver ran down my spine, and I winced at the thought of the emptiness and agony.
Frigga glanced at Loki, and they exchanged a silent look, as if communicating without words. After a brief pause, she turned back to me.
"Would you mind if Loki looked into your mind to see if he can uncover anything you might have forgotten?" she asked.
"Look into my mind?" I repeated, blinking in disbelief. Did she really just say that? Either she was insane, or I was hearing things.
"Yes," she said simply, her face now unreadable.
Suddenly, I had the distinct feeling she was expecting me to refuse—and that refusal would not be well received.
"Is it weird if I ask how he would do that?" I said hesitantly, my voice sounding almost childlike. The last thing I wanted was to give them a reason to cut my head open.
"With magic," she said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"Right. With magic," I echoed, blinking slowly as I tried to process the information. I must have looked like an owl at that moment.
I didn’t know if she was joking or serious; her serene expression betrayed nothing. I turned to Loki, hoping to read his face, but he was even more of a mystery. His intense gaze revealed nothing.
The tension in the room grew. I knew I had to say something, but what does one say to people who claim to use magic?
Before I could think, I blurted out, "Will it hurt?"
"Not if you let me search freely. If you resist or try to block me, it will become uncomfortable—and even painful," he replied matter-of-factly.
I studied them both, searching for any sign that this was a joke. But they were deadly serious. That scared me the most.
I didn’t want to alienate these people—I was clearly dependent on them right now. So, I nodded and decided to play along. If magic wasn’t real, then this wouldn’t hurt. And if it was, I wouldn’t fight it. I had nothing to hide.
Taking a deep breath, I shrugged. "Okay, so what do I need to do?"
Loki closed the distance between us, moving like a predator stalking its prey. He carefully placed his chair directly in front of me.
"I'm going to place my hands on either side of your head. All you need to do is look me in the eyes and try to relax. Don’t fight it—just stay calm. That way, you won’t feel a thing."
I nodded again, my stomach twisting with nervous energy. The idea of staring into his eyes without looking away seemed difficult—they were so intense.
I watched as he slowly raised his hands, placing them gently against my temples. His hands were warm and unexpectedly soft. The butterflies in my stomach intensified.
I kept my gaze on the floor, knowing full well I had to look up at him. It took me a few seconds, but I finally did.
His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, he was so close that I could feel his breath. I felt flustered but knew I shouldn’t look away. So I focused on the intricate details of his irises—the feather-like patterns, the tiny green flecks hidden within the blue.
A warmth spread from his fingers, sending a jolt through me. A tingling sensation formed in my head, startling me. But I kept my gaze steady, willing myself to relax, still unsure what he was doing.
After a few moments, the tingling faded, and he pulled his hands away.
"She is telling the truth," he said, surprise lacing his voice. His words were directed more at his mother than at me. "I can see her memories of the woods and Fenrir clearly. But the rest—it is only darkness. I believe her memories are still there, but they are inaccessible. I can sense them in the back of her mind, but they are clouded—shielded. There is a darkness surrounding them. I could not break through it, and I doubt she can either. While she retains basic knowledge, her real memories remain blocked."
He leaned back in his seat, looking thoughtful.
I just sat there, blinking, looking between Loki and Frigga. I wanted to ask a thousand questions. I felt so overwhelmed I almost wanted to scream—but I remained silent. Dazed.
I had felt him do something inside my mind. And earlier, with a flick of his hand, he had made the shattered glass disappear.
But magic? Did he really use magic?
It was a lot to take in.
"You look shocked," Frigga said softly.
I nodded. "I don’t know what I find more disturbing," I admitted before I could stop myself. "The fact that I’m actually considering magic might be real—or the fact that I can’t remember anything about my own life."
Frigga stood from the bed and walked over to a small nightstand.
"When my son found you in the woods, you had a few possessions," she said, opening a drawer and retrieving a small bundle. She returned to the bed and placed it in my hands.
I carefully picked up the bundle and inspected the clothes. They looked like the ones I had been wearing in my memory of the forest. After wandering through a forest at night, dizzy and falling, it was no surprise they were tattered.
There was also a small purse. Inside, I found a few items and some jewelry. I pulled out a wallet and a phone, holding them in my hands. I tried to turn on the phone, but it had no power left. Too bad I didn’t bring my charger—I could have plugged it in. With a sigh, I put it back into my purse.
“Could you tell us what that device is?” Loki asked curiously.
“This?” I asked, holding up my phone. “Just my phone. Do you have a charger by any chance? I might be able to see who’s in my contact list and ask if they know me.” The idea actually sounded amazing—until I met Loki’s gaze. He was looking at me like I had just spoken in riddles.
“You talk to that thing?” he asked, his expression skeptical, as if I had lost my mind.
“Well, yes. That is the definition of a phone. You can call people and talk to them. Although, this being a smartphone, it can do much more. But since the battery is dead, it’s useless right now.”
He eyed the phone warily and then turned to his mother.
“And the other item?” Frigga asked, pointing to my wallet.
“That’s my wallet.” A strange feeling washed over me. “It’s for storing money and identifica… Identification!” I nearly shouted, yanking it open to find my ID.
Sifting through my cards, I finally found it. Clear as day, in black and white: Aurora Williams. Born on May 9, 1991, with my picture next to it. Relief flooded through me, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m Aurora. Aurora Williams!” I held out my identification for them to see. Excitement buzzed through me as I continued searching my wallet. There were a few basic cards—credit card, membership cards—but then my eyes landed on a keycard. It read: Hotel La Minerva. Valid from June 2016 to August 2016.
“Can you please explain where I am?” I asked, suddenly wary again. Something was seriously off. This definitely wasn’t a hotel, and I was growing increasingly uneasy about the strange people surrounding me.
Frigga nodded after a moment. “You’re in Asgard. To be more precise, you’re in the medical wing of the royal palace in Asgard.”
I blinked at her, my mind struggling to keep up. Before I could even formulate a response, she continued, her voice gentle but firm.
“As far as Lady Eir could tell when Loki brought you in, you are not from around here. You appear to be mortal and from the realm we call Midgard, though your people call it Earth. We do not know what brought you here. We only know that when my son found you, you were unconscious and badly injured. He brought you back to the palace, where we tended to you and waited for you to wake up. But it took a very long time for that to happen.”
My stomach twisted. “And how long is a very long time?” I asked slowly, my heart pounding as a heavy silence filled the room.
Frigga gently placed her hand on mine. “It has been two years since he found you in the forest. You have been unconscious for two years.”
I just sat there, staring at her, my brain scrambling to process what she was saying. If this was true—and that was a very big if—then I had been out for two whole years.
Dizziness hit me like a wave, and I felt her arms gently wrap around me, keeping me upright. I stayed still, trying to keep my emotions in check.
“So, I’ve been asleep for two years, and now, I’m not on Earth—or Midgard, as you call it? But in a different realm? Or a different planet?”
Frigga nodded slowly.
“And how do I get back to Midgard?” I was doing my best to sound like I believed them. They were crazy, obviously. But it was better to play along and get back to safety as soon as possible. Don’t antagonize the crazy people who think they can do magic. I needed to get out of here.
Loki was the one who answered this time. “While we do have ways to travel between realms, including Midgard, there is another problem.”
He looked at me, and for a brief moment, I saw something that almost resembled pity in his expression.
“While we can transport people back to Midgard, it seems you are not only out of place—but also out of time.”
My brain pounded against my skull, but I kept up the act. This conversation was already insane—what was one more layer of nonsense? “What do you mean, out of time?”
Loki exhaled deeply before answering. “Based on your possessions and what you just confirmed, you were born in the calendar year 1991 of your world. Correct?”
I nodded, hesitant.
“Well, in Midgard’s current calendar, the year is 1821. Even if we sent you back, you would still be hundreds of years away from your own time.”
That’s when I snapped. I completely freaked out.
My head felt like it was being crushed by a jackhammer. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shot up from my seat. Loki and Frigga mirrored my movement, their tension palpable. Frigga took a step toward me, but I jerked back, nearly stumbling into Loki. His hands caught my shoulders, but I recoiled instantly, wrenching myself free with all my strength.
Tears streamed down my face as I backed away.
“No!” I shouted, voice shaking. “This can’t be true! I’m not mad! Magic doesn’t exist, Asgard doesn’t exist, and you—” I pointed at them both, my hands trembling, “—you are just a figment of my imagination! I am NOT in another realm or another planet, and I am definitely NOT 170 years in the past!”
My breath came in short, sharp gasps. I pinched the skin on my hand as hard as I could, desperate to wake up. But I didn’t wake up. The pain was real, sharp, undeniable.
“Wake up!” I yelled, more to myself than to them. Panic clawed at my chest, threatening to consume me. My entire body trembled as I stumbled back, using the wall for support. But my legs buckled beneath me, and I collapsed.
With my left side against the wall, I crawled backwards until I was pressed into the corner, as far away from them as I could get. Curling up, I wrapped my arms around my legs and pressed my forehead against my knees. My breathing was erratic, shallow—I knew I had to get it under control before I passed out.
There was a gentle touch on my arm, and when I peeked up, I saw Frigga on her knees beside me. Loki stood a few steps behind her, looming over us both.
"Can you please leave me alone?" I screeched, no longer caring. Their hovering was the last thing I needed right now. It was already hard enough to breathe without an audience.
"We will leave you, my dear," Frigga said softly, quickly moving back to give me space. "We understand this is a shock. Take your time, and we will be back in a few hours. We will tell the staff not to bother you in the meantime."
I ignored her and let my head drop back into my lap, trying to make myself as small as possible.
After a few seconds, I heard their steps echo through the room, followed by the sound of doors opening and closing.
I don't know how long I sat there on the cold floor, but after what felt like forever, I finally got my breathing under control. Eventually, my eyes grew heavy. Without the energy to get back into bed, I let myself drift into sleep right where I was.