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3.55% Desolation Series / Chapter 7: What Say You?

Chapter 7: What Say You?

Odin stood on the golden dais in the center of the village square. Michael stood next to it, his arms crossed, a dark and worried expression on his face. On the first step of the dais, Mahria stood in her full glory - golden wings extended, her body armor gleaming in the late afternoon light, and her sword unsheathed in her hand.

It wasn’t as if they were expecting trouble, not exactly, but together they had decided on a show of strength, and so here they were. Mahria and Michael flanking their king, their god, as the plan was presented to the people.

For their part, they waited restlessly for Odin to begin, whispering among themselves. Most of the whispers were correct, and that troubled Michael. The only way they could possibly know anything of what was to come was if Loki himself had told them - or begun the rumors the citizens of Asgard now spread like a virus among themselves.

Michael glanced over his shoulder at Desi, who stood with the Valkyrie acolytes. He caught her gaze and felt himself relax just a fraction as she smiled at him and gave him a small nod of reassurance. He shouldn’t fear the people. He wouldn’t. They were his brothers and sisters. His friends. He knew their hearts as well as he knew his own - surely they would see the right in this plan.

“My people,” Odin said, lifting his hands slightly to quiet the crowd. His magic-amplified voice carried easily over the multitude and silence soon fell upon them. “Many of you already know that my council and I have been working on a plan that would allow more of you to have the opportunity to earn Ascension. Some of you don’t wish for it, and that is fine, but many others do, and I have no wish to deny you. However, Ascension has always been a place of rest for the gods - and I cannot make you all gods in your own right.” He smiled, and the people laughed.

Michael gauged the mood around them as hopeful, even cheerful - Odin’s tone suggested there would be a path for Ascension for them and now that they knew that was a possibility, their concern waned. He relaxed, dropping his arms to his side - though he noticed Mahria had not altered her stance at all.

“I understand the rumors are already lighting your imaginations, so let me put them to rest.

“Ascension will not be earned by all. You must exhibit a commitment to all we stand for here in Asgard; you must be exemplary, true citizens.” Odin smiled gently as he looked out over his people - so great a number that Michael could not count them all. “If that judgement were to be made today, every one of you, I’m sure, would meet these requirements.

“However, there must be more. I hope you all can understand, that you must become like a god - with power over good and evil, right and wrong - in order to be truly found worthy.

“It has been my passion to create for you a life as perfect as I can make it. Here, you are free from disease, brutality, the whims of nature and the forces of evil. You know of evil - we have had to fight against it, whether in the guise of the giants or the Sveltalfahr - but it has never been allowed to coexist with you. You know me,” he added now in a softer tone. “You love me. And so you trust me and fight with me, seeing the good as so distinct from the evil.”

Michael’s body tensed once more as he anticipated what was to come. He sensed the confusion and tension growing in the people as well.

Odin took a deep breath, then raised his voice so it rang with the authority and clarity of a general, a king. A god. “If you wish to gain Ascension, you must choose to leave this place and to be stripped of your memories. You will live on Midgard - a world much like our own but without a god of its own; it is subject to the whims of nature, and the ebb and flow of life.

“There, you will be reborn as a child, grow and live, every day choosing right from wrong, good from evil as you learn to overcome the natural world - and the natural cravings of a body made of earth.”

In response to the cries of concern and protest of his people, Odin raised his hands, placating, gentling. “I will not leave you helpless, my children.

“I will watch over you. I will send my warriors, as angels to watch over you. And you will retain your essence - that spark of Asgard that resides in each and every one of you. It will be hidden, but I promise you - if you nurture it, choose to honor it as you grow and learn - you will be equipped to arrive victorious at the end of your natural life.

“At that point, you will be given a choice, and you will have full knowledge with which to make these choices. For at the end of your time on Midgard, your desire for Ascension may have waned. You may no longer desire to join the stars and live in perfect peace and happiness. You may choose to join the warrior Valkyries or convene in Valhalla to train and work to protect Asgard against her enemies.

“You may choose to return to life here in Asgard.” Odin swung his arms, indicating the beauty that surrounded them on all sides. “Or, you may choose Ascension.

“There are many and varied gifts for the cost of a natural life that is but a moment to what you have known.”

Odin paused now, considering his people. Michael and Mahria did the same, but everyone seemed to be considering this, thinking. Michael exchanged a glance with Mahria and saw the same reservations he had reflected on her face. Could it really be as simple as this? Could they accept the plan?

Finally, Odin raised his hands high over his head. Michael looked up at him, smiling at the radiance shining on his king’s face. “What say you?” Odin called out.


Chapter 8: I Will Save You

“Hold!” The cry, a man’s voice, seemed to come from everywhere at once, but at first Michael could not see its source. Cold wind kicked his hair and the hem of his tunic as a shadow approached from the west. His sword was in his hand and, seeing Mahria poised to protect Odin, Michael stepped backward until he stood before the acolytes - next to Odin, Desi was the most precious being on this world and Michael would protect her with his life.

The monstrous creature, black scales gleaming and dripping a viscous slime that sizzled as it struck the ground, beat its massive wings to slow its descent, pulling Michael and the others toward it in its downdraft. It landed with a thunderous boom, and Michael recognized it as Nidhogg - the dragon of evil and chaos, the destroyer of Yggdrasil. The creature roared, a ruff of spiny skin flaring out at the sides of its serpentine head, revealing two rows of jagged teeth, honed by centuries of gnawing on the roots of the world tree.

Nidhogg lowered its head and horror struck Michael as he saw Loki sitting astride the creature’s sinewy neck. Loki swung over his leg and dropped smoothly to the ground. Michael moved to block the prince’s climb up the dais, but Odin beckoned him to let him pass with a flick of his wrist. Nidhogg rose back into the sky, his dark shadow casting the bright day into gloom as it circled overhead.

“Grandfather,” Loki said as he reached the top. He cast a glance at Mahria, who took the barest step to the side but did not lower her weapon. “This is quite the welcome.”

“I knew you would come,” Odin replied smoothly. “However, I was uncertain of what to expect once you did.”

Loki grinned. He flicked his fingers toward Odin’s newly patched eye. “I can see that.” He leaned forward, peering at the patch. “Nicely done. Too bad your sacrifice won’t help you.” Odin frowned, but made no move to stop Loki as he whirled to face the gathering.

“You have heard my grandfather’s plan - now hear mine.” He lifted his arms, his face alight with triumph, so confident was he that the people would choose him over Odin.

“You know from where Nidhogg comes,” he pointed upward toward the circling dragon. “You know it is Hel’s creature.” The people nodded, cowering together as fear of the creature and its reputation of working with criminals threatened their safety as Odin’s children. “What you don’t know, what Odin failed to tell you, is that when you fail to pass all the tests of the mortal life you will lead on Midgard, you will be subject to Hel and all her whims. You will be taken to Helheimer, where untold sorrow and pain will be your mainstay for eternity.

“He -” he pointed at Odin, but did not turn to face him, “is willing to sacrifice your eternal wellbeing for a chance that you will choose correctly. Are you truly willing to risk your soul for his plan?” His voice was filled with horror, and the people consumed it and made it their own. They cried out in fear and disappointment. They wondered aloud how their king, their god, could betray them so.

Michael raised his sword, glowering at the crowd that moved forward, tension and anxiety now raging through them like a fire.

“But I - I will save you.” Loki placed a hand over his heart, his face a treatise of empathy. “Make me god of Midgard, and I will protect you. I will receive you there, and help you remember who you are. I will show you right from wrong. I will ensure that each of you passes all of Odin’s tests and that you achieve your goals of eternal joy!”

The crowd roared their appreciation of this plan and soon a cry of “Loki! Loki!” was taken up, echoing across the courtyard and beyond.

Loki turned to face his grandfather, victory written as clearly as the sun on his face. “You see, Grandfather?” he said, quietly. “I can lead this people. They do respect me. Give me Midgard and everyone will have what they want.” He reached his hand out to Odin.

Desi put her hand on Michael’s arm, urging him to lower his sword. “It’s okay,” she whispered, her warm breath tickling the back of his neck. “It’s not a bad plan. It might be the way.”

Michael half-turned toward her while he kept an eye on the dais. Odin stepped up beside Mahria, who moved out of the way once Odin’s intentions were clear. Odin watched Loki’s face intently and Michael saw the hope and desire struggling with fear as it always did when Odin considered Loki - but now so much more was at stake.

Odin raised his hand -

Out of the corner of his eye, Michael saw a flash of red. He crouched, pulling Desi to the ground behind him as a meteor flashed into the sky and blasted into the ground just before the stage. Michael lowered the arm he’d raised to protect his eyes from the blast, only to see the shape of a man come into view through the rapidly dissipating smoke.

Michael and Desi each slowly stood, mirroring the movements of the man in front of them. He was large, with muscles straining beneath his tanned, soot-stained skin. He wore no shirt, no armor, but he glowed with a golden light and the hint of his aura radiated outward behind him.

“Is that...” Desi made to push past Michael, but he held her beside him.

“Yes,” Michael said, joy and wonder causing his voice to crack. “Thor,” he and Desi said in unison.

The crowed watched in awed silence as their once-prince climbed the stairs to the stage. Thor had not been seen on Asgard - and no one had claimed to know where he was - for a millennia. Not since Thor had betrayed the bargain between the gods and produced Loki from his union with Freya. Thor’s self-imposed exile had been long and complete, so much so that he had begun to fade from memory, slipping into the realm of myth and mystery.

Even Michael, who had once claimed a close friendship with Thor, had not laid eyes on his friend since before that fateful time.

Thor took the stage, looked long into the eyes of his father and son, then turned to face the people.

“I am here to stand with my father,” he said in a voice rough with disuse. “And though this man may be my son -” he indicated Loki who stood just behind him and to the left, “he is the father of lies and is here to deceive you.”


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