#and she died in ragnarok so naturally there needs to be a new goddess/god of death and naturally that would be her biological child

[musclesandhammering]

Unpopular opinion: I don’t want og!Loki to be in Valhalla after Thanos killed him, I want him to be the new ruler of Hel.

[dailylogyn]

Logyn Meta: Loki & Sigyn’s Family in Myth and Marvel (Comparison)

Photo Source: https://www.deviantart.com/youkai-no-shimo/art/Colouring-LOKI-s-FAMILY-260392721

The family that is ready to begin Ragnarok in order to defend your honor. It’s a tragic tale, but family is something worth fighting for!

Follow me as we explore this crazy, wonderful family that is probably the most famous of the Myth’s. 

We may not know much about Sigyn’s side, but Loki’s side is one that legends are made of. 

From the Norse Myths, to Marvel Comics and the MCU, we will see the similarities and differences for each member in the different universes as well as learn facts about each one and why they are important. 

Laufey (or Nál) - Loki’s Mother 

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

She is Loki’s Mother in Mythology.

Mostly mentioned by the matronymic, “Loki Laufeyjarson” meaning: Loki Laufey’s Son.

Her name (Laufey) is typically thought to mean leaves/foilage. Nal means Needle. 

Not much is known about her. We don’t even know if she was a Goddess, human or giant so it is assumed Loki gets his godhood from her. 

In the poem Sörla þáttr, Nál and Laufey are portrayed as the same person: "She was both slender and weak, and for that reason she was called Nál [Needle]." 

Laufey is listed among Ásynjar (goddesses) in one of the þulur, an ancestry that perhaps led her son Loki to be "enumerated among the Æsir", as Snorri Sturluson puts it in Gylfaginning.

Related to nature like forests and leaves.

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Laufey is Loki’s Father in this universe. 

As Loki was born small, a motive of embarrassment for his parents, his existence was kept a secret.

A younger Loki sends Laufey into a fateful battle between Odin, leading the All-Father to claim Loki as a son. Laufey was left for dead, wounded, but alive, leaving a future Loki to kill him. 

A group of Frost Giants try to revive Laufey by retrieving his skull. It ends with Malekith performing a spell to resurrect King Laufey. 

Laufey hates Loki and thinks of him as a disgrace

It ends with Loki killing his father again after he tries to steal the Casket of Winters and kill Frigga. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Same as Marvel Comics Counterpart. Appears in the first Thor movie. 

Fárbauti - Loki’s Father

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

He is Loki’s Father in Mythology. 

Attested in the Prose Edda and in Kennings of Viking Age Skalds.

A Jotunn

The Old Norse name Fárbauti has been translated as 'dangerous striker','anger striker',or 'sudden-striker'.

Related to lightning

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Mother of Loki in this universe.

Gave birth to an unusually small child to the annoyance of her husband.

It is said the night Loki was born that she stabbed her own heart with an ice dagger, but Loki suspects Laufey is the one who killed her. 

Appears as a figment taken on by a parasite. She’s mostly deceased in the comics. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Does not appear or have a reference in the MCU

Loki Laufeyjarson - Son of Laufey & Farbauti. Lover of Sigyn & Angrboda (and many others honestly)

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Everyone already knows the tales about Loki, so I won’t repeat it all again. It’s pretty lengthy. I’ll just point down the basics for him with it. 

He’s famous for causing trouble among the gods as the Trickster and God of Mischief. Not a bad guy, but misinterpreted that way, although he can be a dick too. Despite how much he causes trouble for them, he also helps them out of situations too. He just wants to have fun, even if he takes it overboard at times.

Some sources put as Jotun and some say he is Half-Jotun, Half-Aesir (on his mother’s side.) 

A well-known Shapeshifter who can be anything: Salmon, Male, Female, Horse. The list just goes on. 

A really handsome being who loved to get it on. *finger guns*

Blood Brother’s with Odin. How? We don’t know. It’s interpreted as a friendship or foster-brothers. It’s unclear really.

Gonna start Ragnarok for valid reasons honestly after having his entire family taken away from him or killed by the Gods. #TeamLoki

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Far too many appearances to document here from 1942 to present. There has been some retcons as well with the fact the current Loki has been reborn in a new incarnation also known as Ikol.

In the comics Loki is the adopted son of Odin and Frigga and Adoptive brother to Thor & Balder. 

He’s depicted as being the God of Evil in the classic comics serval times. In fact, it’s one of his titles. 

Depending on the writer for the classic comics, Loki can have moments of humanity, but all around he causes trouble.

Just wants to rule Asgard and get rid of Thor who is his enemy. 

He’s honestly a bad guy most of the time in the classic comics #VillianTrope

I personally have yet to read any current comics of Loki that aren’t the classics so this is where my knowledge and research stops. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

First off, Tom Hiddleston as Loki is just *chefs kiss* perfection. 

Pretty much the same as comics except for the fact he isn’t really a villain. He plays tricks on people for fun and laughs and truly cares about his family. 

However, things change when he discovers the truth that he is a Jotun and has been lied to about it his whole life despite being told countless stories of how Jotun’s are monsters to be slain (You fucked up a perfectly good kid, Odin. Look, he has anxiety and trauma.) 

He develops major identity problems on top of others things, but despite it, Loki tries to still do best by his family as he wants to belong. Yes, he becomes a villain in The Avengers movie, but not for the hell of it. #Thanos

Honestly, he just deserves better. That’s where this leads. Thank you.

Angrboda - Loki’s Consort/Lover (Fenrir, Jormungandr & Hel’s Mother)

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

She is only mentioned once in the Poetic Edda as the mother of Fenrir by Loki. The Prose Edda describes her as "a giantess in Jotunheim" and as the mother of three monsters: the wolf Fenrir, the Midgard serpent Jörmungand, and the ruler of the dead Hel.

A Jotun known as Mother of Monsters and Giantess of Ironwood. 

In Old Norse, Angrboda means: 'the one who brings grief', 'she-who-offers-sorrow', or 'harm-bidder'.

According to scholars, the name Angrboða is probably a late invention dating from no earlier than the 12th century, although the tradition of the three monsters born of Loki and a jötunn may be of a higher age.

Some scholars say she was a very powerful witch and that she had the ability to see into the future. She was confined to Hel and would not be released from the realm of the dead until Loki was unbound.

In some versions of the Myth’s she knows her children will bring about the end of the world (Ragnarok) as well as being a witch set on fire three times before Loki eats her heart. 

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

A giantess of Jotunheim and a Witch.

Born to Elderspawn Vârcolac and Echidna.

She mated with Loki and gave birth to Fenrir and Jormungadr. Legends say she also gave birth to Hela, but it seems to be nothing more but legends. 

Angrboda died of unknown causes and was sent to the Underworld of Hel. 

When Thor needed to know how to get to Hela's realm because she had been taking mortals to Niffleheim, he went to the Hlidskjalf and summoned Angerboda from the underworld, forcing her to tell him how to get there. Once she revealed to Thor the path he had to follow, she tried to take him with her to the underworld.

Only has one appearance in the comics -- Thor #360 (1985)

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Does not appear or have a reference in the MCU

Sleipnir - Loki’s Son

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Attested in the Poetic and Prose Edda. In both Sleipnir is Odin's eight-legged steed and child of Loki by Svaðilfari. He is described as the best of all horses.

The Prose Edda contains extra information saying he is grey. 

Old Norse meaning: Slippy or the Slipper. 

Sleipnir is also mentioned in a riddle found in the 13th century legendary saga Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, in the 13th-century legendary saga Völsunga saga as the ancestor of the horse Grani, and book I of Gesta Danorum, written in the 12th century by Saxo Grammaticus, contains an episode considered by many scholars to involve Sleipnir. Sleipnir is generally accepted as depicted on two 8th century Gotlandic image stones: the Tjängvide image stone and the Ardre VIII image stone.

Scholarly theories have been proposed regarding Sleipnir's potential connection to shamanic practices among the Norse pagans.

Sleipnir was born when Loki shape-shifted into a mare and became pregnant by the stallion of a giant, as is recounted in the tale of The Fortification of Asgard.

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

There are two different origins for Sleipnir in the comics: 1. Thor fighting off an army of the undead on Midgard. He promised to help as long as his horses weren’t eaten, however, Thor was betrayed and took his horses remains back to Asgard, coupling it with Asgardian Magic to create Sleipneir. 2. Loki had hastily agreed to let a Frost Giant re-build the wall around Asgard, in exchange for the Moon, the Sun, and Freya, only he had to do it in six months. The Frost Giant had only asked to use his grey stallion, Svadilfari. Right as the last brick was about to be placed, Loki transformed into a beautiful white mare, and lured Svadilfari off. Loki later gave birth to Sleipnir. (Just like in the Myths.) 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Odin’s eight-legged steed. 

Sleipnir’s origins are unknown. He appears in the first Thor Movie. 

Fenrir Wolf - Loki & Angrboda’s Son

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Attested in the Prose and Poetic Edda as the first son of the Jotun couple. He is a wolf destined to kill Odin. So, they bind and seal him when he's still young, with Tyr losing his arm in the process. When Ragnarok comes, he indeed kills Odin, but is killed by Odin's son Vidar in return.

Fenrir is the father of the wolves Sköll and Hati Hróðvitnisson. 

In the Prose Edda, additional information is given about Fenrir, including that, due to the gods' knowledge of prophecies foretelling great trouble from Fenrir and his rapid growth, the gods bound him, and as a result Fenrir bit off the right hand of the god Týr.

No chain can hold him, except for Gleipnir, a rope made by Dwarves containing the roots of a mountain, the breath of a fish, the sound of a cat's footfall, the sinews of a bear, the beard of a woman and the spittle of a bird, all of which were impossible items to obtain.

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Pretty much the same as his Mythos with some additional storylines. 

When Raganrok happened, Fenrir was reborn with the other gods on the New Asgard universe on Midgard. No details of his fate on Earth have been revealed.

Fenrir helped the mutant Wolfsbane as she was carrying the child of one of his descendants. 

It is one of the few individuals believed to be more powerful, or equally as powerful, as Dormammu; the others being galactic entities like The Beyonder.

Fenrir is Genderfluid in the comics. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Fenris is a giant Asgardian Wolf who serves under Hela and is portrayed as Female. She resurrects her as they take over Asgard. 

Instead of being her brother, Fenris is her loyal companion and mount. 

Fenris ends up getting into a fight against Hulk as he pushes her off, sending her falling into the void below to her supposed death. 

Appears in Thor: Ragnarok. 

Hel - Loki & Angrboda’s Daughter

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Attested in the Prose and Poetic Edda. She is a giantess/goddess who resides over the Underworld that is also called Hel, a place where many of the dead reside. She is the daughter of Loki and Angrboda, sister to Fenrir and Jormungandr and usually depicted as the youngest of the three.

Goddess of Death and Graves and ruler of Hel who welcomes the souls of those who died of old age, disease or by accident.

Hel is described as having been appointed by the god Odin as ruler of a realm of the same name, located in Niflheim.

The Prose Edda details that Hel rules over vast mansions with many servants in her underworld realm and plays a key role in the attempted resurrection of the god Baldr.

Old Norse Name Meaning: Hidden

She’s mostly mentioned only in passing. Snorri describes her appearance as being half-black, half-white, and with a perpetually grim and fierce expression on her face.

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Renamed Hela in the comics.

Allegedly the daughter of Loki and Angrboda, but it’s never made clear or stated. Hela's genealogy is the subject of controversies and retellings. 

Her path pretty much follows her Mythos where she is destined to do terrible things and Odin makes her the ruler over the dead in the realms of Hel and Niflheim until maturity. 

At some point, she was considered the daughter of Odin and of a long-lost goddess.

Honestly, she usually tries to expand her powers, wanting to rule over Vahalla and obtain Asgardian souls. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU):

Appears in Thor: Ragnarok as Odin’s firstborn and only daughter. Sister to Thor and Loki.

Kinda pissed her dad locked her away and wants to rule Asgard and take revenge.

The cause of Ragnarok and supposedly dies on Asgard after everything is said in done in the movie.

Jormungandr - Loki & Angrboda’s Son

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Usually depicted as the middle child of Loki and Angrboda, he is known as the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent who is a giant snake. When Odin takes Loki’s kids away from him, he tosses Jormungadr into the ocean that encircles Midgard. The serpent grew so large that is was able to surround the Earth and grasp it’s own tail. When it releases it’s tail, Ragnarok will begin and he will fight his arch-enemy, Thor. 

The major sources for myths about Jörmungandr are the Prose Edda, the skaldic poem Húsdrápa, and the Eddic poems Hymiskviða and Völuspá. Other sources include the early skaldic poem Ragnarsdrápa and kennings in other skaldic poems; for example, in Þórsdrápa, faðir lögseims, "father of the sea-thread", is used as a kenning for Loki. There are also several image stones depicting the story of Thor fishing for Jörmungandr.

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Both Loki and Angerboda were descended from the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and were of humanoid appearance; however, the sons Angerboda bore Loki, Jormungand and the Fenris Wolf, did not. It has been suggested that Jormungand and the Fenris Wolf were born as sentient animals because their parents each had the magical ability to change his or her own shape. Hence, Jormungand and the Fenris Wolf each bear the form of the animal that their parents had assumed at the moment they were conceived.

Jormungandr follows the same as his Mythos to a certain degree with his fate to fight Thor during Ragnarok as the God of Thunder would die from his venom. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Does not appear or have a reference in the MCU

Sigyn - Loki’s Wife

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Sadly, not many stories that have Sigyn in them have survived to this day. She is only attested in the followings works: Poetic Edda & Prose Edda. 

The most famous of her story tells of how Loki has been bound by the gods with the guts of his son, Nari, and how his son, Vari, has been turned into a wolf. The Goddess Skadi fastens a venomous snake over Loki’s face, from which venom drips. Sigyn, stated as Loki’s wife, stays by his side and holds a basin under and catches the venom so it won’t drip onto her husband, but when the basin grows full, she pulls it away to empty it, during which time venom drops onto Loki, causing him to wither so violently that earthquakes occur that shake the entire earth.

In the poem, Gylfaginning, Sigyn is introduced in Chapter 31 as being married to Loki and that they have a son by the name of “Narfi or Nari”. She is then mentioned again in Chapter 50 where events are described differently than in Lokasenna; Vali, described as a son of Loki only, is changed into a wolf by the gods and rips apart his brother, “Narfi or Nari.” The guts of Nari are then used to tie Loki to three stones, after which the guts turn to iron, and Skadi places a snake above Loki. Sigyn of course catches the venom in a bowl. This process is repeated until he breaks free, setting Ragnarok into motion.

In the poem, Skáldskaparmál, Sigyn is introduced as a goddess, an Æsir, where the gods are holding a feast for their visitors and in kennings for Loki: “husband of Sigyn” and “cargo [Loki] of incantation-fetter’s [Sigyn’s] arms.”

Old Norse Name meaning: Victory Girlfriend. 

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Lonely and looking for female companionship, Loki ends up coming across Sigyn and plans to make her his. However, she is already engaged to a warrior of Odin’s Crimson Hawks -- Theoric. Hence, Loki sets up a trap to have Theoric killed during a mission so Loki can disguise himself as Theoric. Once they are wed, Loki reveals himself and despite Odin attempting to annul the marriage (which goes against Asgardian Law)), Sigyn tells the Allfather that she will follow the duties of a loyal wife since she is Loki’s now. 

This is when Odin proclaims her to be the Goddess of Fidelity. This was a thing first started by the Marvel Comics.

Sigyn doesn’t have much of an agency in the comics except being a loyal wife to Loki, sometimes going along with his plans or getting on him for it. 

I personally haven’t been able to find any evidence of Sigyn’s parents being Iwaldi and Freya in the comics, so I’m not sure if this fact is Fanon or not. 

Sigyn has suddenly seemed to vanish from the comics with her last official appearance being in 1996. It has been allueded at that she died or was killed during Ragnarok. 

Her relationship with Loki in the comics is...complicated and changes a lot depending on the writer. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Does not appear or have a reference in the MCU

Narvi/Narfi & Vali - Loki & Sigyn’s Sons

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Not much is known about Narfi and Vali except for being Loki & Sigyn’s sons with Vali being transformed into a wolf by the gods and killing his brother whose inners are used as a chain to bind Loki in the cave. 

Narfi and Vali are referred to in a number of sources. According to the Gylfaginning section of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, he was also called Nari and was killed by his brother Váli, who was transformed into a wolf; in a prose passage at the end of the Eddic poem "Lokasenna", Váli became a wolf and his brother Nari was killed.

Snorri also names "Nari or Narfi" as the son of Loki and his wife Sigyn earlier in Gylfaginning, and lists "father of Nari" as a heiti for Loki in the Skáldskaparmál section of his work.

Narfi’s name could mean “Corpse” in Old Norse, relating to how he was killed by his brother. 

There's no mention of what became of Vali after he became a wolf.

MARVEL COMICS (Earth 616)

Narvi never makes an appearance in the comics and is only mentioned in: Free Comics Book Day Vol 2018 Avengers. 

There is a Vali in the comics called Vali Halfling. He is the son of loki and a unnamed mortal woman. So, I don’t consider this to be the same Vali that is the son of Loki and Sigyn. 

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)

Does not appear or have a reference in the MCU

_________________________________________________

Thanks for reading everyone. This required a bunch of research, but I hope this helps and has been educational. We only have what we can work with considering the surviving myths, but there is so many stories out there that we don’t know of that aren’t clear because of it. 

I tried my best to cover everything I knew about them in Marvel too, but sometimes so many retcons is too much to keep up with. I know there may be some errors in places, but it’s the best I could get this with what we have to work with.

SOURCES:

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Laufey_(Earth-616)

https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Laufey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laufey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fárbauti

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Farbauti_(Earth-616)

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Angerboda_(Earth-616)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angrboða

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Hela_(Earth-616)

https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/giants/hel/

https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/giants/jormungand/

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Jormungand_(Earth-616)

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sleipnir_(Earth-616)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleipnir

https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Sleipnir

https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/giants/fenrir/

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Fenris_Wolf_(Earth-616)

https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Fenris

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigyn

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sigyn_(Earth-616)

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Narvi_(Earth-616)

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Vali_Halfling_(Earth-616)

https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/the-aesir-gods-and-goddesses/loki/

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Loki_Laufeyson_(Earth-616)

https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Loki

https://skjalden.com/narfi-and-vali/

https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Hela

[lokiodinsonofasgard000]

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Mobius M. Mobius

Prologue:

The man in the suit walked a bit ahead of them as they trailed behind “They offer you a position to work with them?” Loki asked looking ahead with a low voice “Affirmative. I'm assuming you also?” (Name) asked in a low voice also “Mmhmm… however, something doesn’t feel right about this place” Loki confessed.

They continued to walk and (Name) too the time to look him up and down and held an amused smile, Loki arched a brow and looked at her “What’s so funny?” “Nothing just odd to see you in that. You look so normal, granted a prisoner uniform of sorts. But so normal” she chuckled “I mean you’re a quote on quote “god” so seeing you so ordinary is just odd that’s all” “Keep amusing yourself darling” he said rolling his eyes at her “In all fairness miss the whole god like Asgardian attire” she mocked lightly. Loki gave her a small smile then smirked “won’t change the fact I could kill you right now if it were for this suppressor” “So you are just an ordinary man, give or take 5,000 years?” “I am not that old. I’m 1,048” Loki exclaimed, almost offended.

They finally arrived at this large door. Walking in it was a conference room with a large oval table. Loki and (Name) shared a look with one another  as the man in the suit asked them to take a seat, the two prisoners sat side by side “Now let me understand something. Looking through your personal files there’s no mentions of you two ever meeting. However it’s a little tricky with multiple timelines that had recently been created…” spoke the man “Sorry to interject just now but. What even is your name?” (Name) asked him “Oh my apologizes Mobius M. Mobius” he introduced himself before getting back to talking “so I want to know the chemistry you both displayed before you capture...it’s unheard of, unforeseeable” “With all due respect agent M. but when two people are in life or death situations it is natural to try and work together and get out hopefully alive.” (Name) held her expressionless look “Well say what you like but there was chemistry no doubt.”  Mobius shrugged “The idea is that we have you both work for us, (Name) would serve as more of a babysitter for you, Loki. Your reputation is known to be wavering on your alliances, and proved so in your possible futures?” “I beg your pardon?” Loki asked now engaging in the conversation and a bit offended of the suggestion of him needing a babysitter.

“If you look at this hologram projector this was you up till now, 2012. Captured by the avengers and was to be taken to your location point; for Odin’s judgment back on your home world, Asgard. However, 2018 from 2023… things go downhill from 2018 onward” Mobius spoke with grim in his voice.

Both Loki and (Name) watch Loki’s original future unfold. Loki being sent to life imprisonment, the Almother dying protecting Thor’s girlfriend, Jane. Loki’s first ‘death’ as he takes over Asgard; send Odin onto Midgard in a retirement home. Thor and Loki get Odin, but the Alfather dies. They find out they have a sister, goddess of death, Hela. The day of Ragnarok and the end of Asgard and lastly Loki’s second and final death, by Thanos’ hands- “The sun will shine on us again, brother-”

“That’s enough!” (Name) slammed her hands on the desk.

Loki stared at her in confusion. Although it was a hard pill to swallow to know he lost so much and despite trying to redeem himself it was short lived. But the death of his mother was the most effective one. Loki for once was silent. “That’s enough! You claim to hold balance and here you are showing him his ‘true’ future!” she yelled “the repercussions are absolute! Showing his future he will now try to prevent it as soon as you allow him to step foot out!” “Now agent (Name). Loki’s death is in a way a fixed point. It needs to happen. He is one of the biggest threats of the T.V.A and the multiverse time continuum. As long as Loki ceases to exist in 2018 it does not matter what time, day or location all that matters is that he is dead” Mobius explained calmly “That’s obscured! Granted Loki is dangerous, but surely he was shown to change his ways. In the end he chose to save his people of Asgard-” “He gave Thanos the space infinity stone!” Mobius spoke with a raised voice “To save his people!” (Name) snapped

Loki watched as this Midgardian woman fought for his future self. It shocked him, although aware that in this moment; he was not that person that had redeemed himself. But seeing someone genuinely fight for him brought a sense of warmth that he felt from only his mother. “So let me get this straight Mr. Mobius. If I take your proposition and conditions, you will have me get rid of other threats to the multiverse timeline, that is too hard to do yourselves. Inevitably after that you’d send me back to my time of 2012, to follow the said script and die of Thanos’ hand...and if I don’t I’d be a wanted man” Silence (Name) gave Loki an exacerbated look which he returned a look to tell her to trust him. Clenching her jaw tight she sat back down “More or less...but there is a catch” “Go on” (Name) hissed out “Well the end game is that you both kill Thanos… before he collects the stones but we would still have to kill you in 2018”

-

-

“Here are you. Your uniforms” Mobius spoke, handing them both a pile of clothing “before you get changed and we take off the restraints we do need to do one little procedure...follow me” Loki and (Name) walk with Mobius and walk into what looked like a medical bay. The two weren’t sure but they were seated in these chairs and automatic metal restraints came up. The two started to struggle in their seat “We already said we join this stupid organization” snapped Loki “Oh we know. But we need to put a space and time GPS bio-implant to make sure to track both of your whereabouts at all time... through time and space” Mobius explained as two people in white walked over to them and started to inject some kind of thing in their forearms.

Once the whole procedure was done the two changed into their uniforms in their separate change rooms while Mobius waited for them outside. When they finished up and in their new uniform; khaki trousers, blue button up and a dark navy tie and black closed shoes. Loki was wearing a T.V.A tan coat while (Name)’s was being tied around her waist as she rolled up her sleeves “The trousers are hideous” (Name) mumbled out “Agreed” Loki said quietly, giving a small smile. She looked at him with a raised brow. She wasn’t sure why he was smiling ‘he’s planning something’ she thought. She looked to Mobius as he started to show them around the compound. (Name) was emotionless as she was lost in thought until she hear Loki’s smooth voice “You remind me of someone back on Asgard” Loki quietly “Hopefully not a lover of yours. Wouldn’t want to damage your ego when I turn you down” she said half jokingly “Oh gods no, she is a very strong warrior” Loki chuckled “and don’t flatter yourself, I would never stoop so low to fall for some Midgardian wench” “I’ll ignore that last part. I’m surprised honestly, from what Asgard has been described and what has been on your file Asgard seems so medievalesque. So I’m surprised a woman would be allowed to fight. Given the whole prim and proper attitudes” she said rather casually. Loki stared at her a little baffled by her sudden friendly and casual attitude “It’s not common but is accepted we- people of Asgard tend to overlook gender and focus on your abilities as an individual.” (Name) took notice of his hesitation and frowned lightly. Their conversation fell for a moment. “Your file says Asgardian. You were raised as any other Asgardian, jötunn or not you are Asgardian.”  (Name) said with a small shrug “but what do I know, I am just a Midgardian”

-

-

Chapter 5: Day One Begins

[aileysmirnov]

Loki x Ailey hc! part 1

I was watching Thor Ragnarok with some friends (over zoom ofc) and then It popped up in my head a conversation that I had with @melyaliz and Alex (ig: shir.0_guru) a while back, and I couldn't shake it off my brain as I was trying to write some other thing. So hopefully writing this down would apace my mind.

TW: Arranged marriage, depictions of emotional/psychological abuse

Summary: Eris and Odin find a solution to what's been threatening their domains, an alliance between 2 of the most powerful families, but Ailey and Loki don't seem so keen about it.

Disclaimer/notes: Ailey is my OC! You can learn more about her in here!

Ailey has finally been reunited with most of her family and entered the realm of gods in this AU.

Samaras is the last name of the Eris family, they are rulers of Thera (Eris kingdom) and each member bears a royal title.

Ailey is the only demi-goddess in her family, Demigods are seen as shameful in this AU and usually they have a birthmark and a weakness that distinguishes them as such. In Ailey's case is her golden rose hair once she transforms in her god-form and her weakness is her allergy to gold, it practically burns her skin, debilitates her magic and herself, is like kryptonite for her.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

The only reason they even know about the other, is because of their parents: Eris had been in conflict with Ares lately, and one of his recent attacks greatly debilitated her army and Odin had trouble with a few of the realms under his command forming complots against him and the safety of Asgard.

Both rulers found themselves in need of the other: Odin had the greatest warriors and military at his service, and Eris being the goddess of discord could easily rise or disipate any conflict that may come her way (except for Ares ofc), an easy way in or out of war.

And so, they decided to form an alliance; But Odin being the wise men he is, knew better than to trust blindly in the goddess of chaos, after all...Eris was known for being a backstabber who acted only to beneficiate her own interests.

To prevent that, Odin decided to make the alliance under the condition that one member of the Samaras family must marry the second son: Loki, God of mischief. And so, Eris agreed and offered her youngest daughter: Ailey goddess of ruin and folly.

God it was an absolute mess since the beginning!

Frigga was the one to inform Loki, who immediately went to Odin to protest, but like always his father ignored him, shutting him down by comparing him to his brother and how he would do anything to protect Asgard but Loki was being selfish.

Ailey in the other hand was kept ignorant of such decision and only knew about it a few hours before the engagement party began and only because a servant accidentally told her.

She was furious and much like Loki tried to protest but Eris couldn't care less about her daughter's opinion.

Ailey could rage all she wanted, Eris wasn't even paying attention, the only thing she was accomplishing was in making her angry.

—Child, I think you tend to forget your place in this world, you see: among humans you might be...special but in here... you're just an idiot with too much privilege—Eris had a way with words that could make them feel like poison, creeping in to the insecurities of one's heart.

—If it weren't for me and your brothers, you would be Hera's new toy, so please remember, dear. You not only owe me but to your brothers and this kingdom as well.

Ailey headed back to her room feeling ashamed and angry, she felt her mother's words had some truth in them, seeing as how different she was viewed here in comparison to the human realm.

When the time came for the engagement party and for Ailey and Loki to meet for the first time, is fair to say neither of them were in a good mood.

Even though deep inside they knew both of them didn't have any say in the matter and were pretty much in the same situation; they still felt irrationally mad at each other, that's why since the moment they met to the end of the ceremony they would throw little passive-aggressive remarks at each other.

She viewed him as a pretentious asshole, and He saw her as a spoiled brat.

Almost near the end of the celebration and no announcement had been made so Eris took it upon herself to throw them into the spotlight.

—I believe you two have something important to share with all of us—her face was smiling but her eyes were threatening.

Ailey bit the inner side of her cheek, rolled her eyes as she turned to face Loki who only gave an exasperated sigh before speaking in a monotone voice

—Do you want to marry me?—he didn't even bothered to get on one knee and just extended the ring for her to take.

Ailey felt tempted to say "no" and walk away gracefully but doing that would probably have a negative impact on Thera, so after a long pause she answered.

—Whatever—and put the ring on, herself.

Clearly a good start :) .

I think they didn't saw each other that much afterwards and when they did it was mostly for wedding arrangements in which they continued with the passive-aggressive comments but this time about everything the other would pick.

The mood was so uncomfortable every time they were together everyone around them was like:

I think that sometimes they would have moments where they realize they had been too harsh with the other and would tone it down a little but treating each other like that was the only way of protest that was allowed for them.

Specially for Loki since he constantly had to travel to Thera bc for some reason unknown to him Ailey refused to go to Asgard, which only made his negative opinion on her grow.

In his mind, it was probably because she thought she was too good for Asgard but the reality was: Asgard is practically a death sentence for Ailey since 90% of every building in there was made of gold.

But she will never tell him that.

I think their first "moment of closeness" came to be purely out of the realization neither of them had any option other than get married or see their domains destroyed.

So, they decided to call it a truce: both would play along with the whole marriage fiasco for a while until things died down and then they could divorce and pretend they never even met.

And so, the passive-aggressive comments slowly died down, not that they started acting like lovers all of a sudden, instead they acted like they were just... co-workers or something.

They would greet each other in a formal manner and then only talked about the arrangements and left, nothing else.

But then, inevitably they started to get closer.

It was something so gradual none of them really knew how it happened.

It started off with small comments about decoration ideas for the venue, it turns out they both had quite the interest in interior design.

Eventually those small comments became lengthy conversations about which combination of colors would look the best.

When it came down to learning about the nobility attending the wedding on each side, both would spend a little more time together. Studying the proper way on how to address them and their interests all for the possibility in forming new alliances.

But I feel like instead they would roast the hell out of them, like they would be going through a list of the Asgardian nobility that were to attend and Ailey would just point at a picture of a random Asgardian noble and go: "Oh. My. God. what is he even wearing?"

And Loki would try to force back a smile or a laugh but eventually he would just give in and start joining Ailey in the roasting.

They also have a very similar sense of humor, but Ailey is just more blunt and open about it while Loki isn't, I feel like most of the time he has genius comebacks to stupid comments people make but he's a gentleman and normally just keeps it to himself or would only say it in a polite but slightly aggressive manner, so when Ailey just bluntly says something similar to what he was thinking he can't help but laugh a bit (he won't admit to it though)

Other things Ailey and Loki have in common is their love for drama and spectacle, while Ailey is more of a ballet/dance-based plays person, she understands Loki’s enthusiasm for theater and books even sharing some of it herself.

Not only they enjoy these things, but they also found comfort in them: For Ailey ballet began as something her mother forced upon her but transformed in an outlet for her emotions and a way to connect and control her powers.

For Loki theater was a form of escapism since he was a child, every time he felt like he didn’t belong he found a safe place in countless stories of the misunderstood heroes.

This only makes their bond grow deeper; up until this point they never had anyone to talk to about their interests in such depth, so now they talk all the time about it, sometimes they would surprise themselves looking forward to the next meeting just to gush about a new play or book they just saw or read.

I feel like Loki might’ve even lend Ailey some copies of his favorite books and Ailey as a “thank you” decided to sneek out with him to the human realm to watch "Tristan und Isolde".

Everyone is able to notice the change in attitude of these two, especially Thor who only had heard about the girl but could tell how happy she made him every time Loki would mention her.

And he was happy for his brother but felt curious about his soon to be sister-in-law.

So, it was only natural when Thor asked Loki if he could tag along the next time he went to Thera.

He said no.

Thor went anyways.

When Ailey met him, she could only think about one thing: "he himbo" which she thought was cute btw.

Thor could see why Loki liked this girl so much, they were practically the same, which he found sweet yet amusing.

—Lady Ailey, a pleasure to meet you, mi brother has told me a lot about you!—he stated.

—Really?!—Ailey questioned directing an incredulous glance at Loki. 

—He asked­—Loki tried to defend himself by downplaying his brother statement. 

—No, I didn’t.—Thor retaliated with a mocking smile, he could tell his brother felt embarrassed so he decided to tease him a bit more. 

—In fact, he won’t shut up about you. 

—That’s not true, he’s just.. 

—No, he’s all the time saying Ailey this, Ailey that. It peaked my curiosity and so here I am… 

—Brother, Could you shut up?—Ailey could only smile and hold back a laugh at the brothers spontaneous quarrel. 

Truth is she thought it was sweet of Loki to talk about her with his brother. And teases him about it afterwards.

I think Thor might talk privately with Ailey and would ask her to take care of his brother. 

—I know Loki can be a bit…difficult, but have patience with him, I can tell he really likes you. 

And Thor was correct, Loki really did like her. But it might take a while for him to come to terms with his feelings, and would only manifest in small gestures towards Ailey, like: tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, subconsciously offering his arm for her to take as support when walking down the stairs, placing a hand on the small of her back as guidance whenever they were in a crowded space, sneaking small glances at her, etc.

Overall, he starts acting a lot softer with her, a lot more caring.

Ailey might be a bit oblivious to this (since she’s only used to overly sexual advances and has a difficult time understanding genuine affection), but she appreciates it none the less.

And both might even find themselves thinking that maybe…just maybe spending the rest of their lives together isn’t a bad idea after all.

[birdyverdie]

Positive vibes only bitches

seeing a lot of character hate in my dash and?? ew disgusting. so how about a post about why i love all the Marvel characters ey?

Tony: Pure bean nerd, so tired and so curious about the world around? remember that starry eyed look he had in im2 with the new element?? damn. Also do you not see him caring for inanimate objects like Dummy and U? like wow me too. he is so sentimental and cares so much but is emotionally constipated and can’t show it :/ Also just wants the world to be safe and sure, he makes mistakes but Tony Stark never makes the same mistake twice.

Steve: lawless righteous man. Loyal?? to like a fault but that doesnt remove how freaking powerful he is. he tries to do whats best for the team and it shows and he is really careful about everything. also that little weasle tried to illegally enlist his 90+ lbs asthma self to the army? wow. Steve Rogers is literally teaching us to follow ur dreams and one day you will achieve it. also? art goals.

Natasha: black widow queen baby! .like she’s so wary bcuz of red room and it probably still haunts her and she really wants to be a better person. Red ledger? she’s trying to grab a sponge and a hell of a lot of bleach to clean it out. Knows she made mistakes and is actively trying to fix it and is so strong by doing so <3 plus she will steal ur clothes if she likes you and will beat anyone up and it really shows

 Bruce: what a shy lil scientist boy. surprisingly witty and funny? like wow have you seen AoU and Ragnarok? a powerful man regardless of his green. insecurity that reeks across the room but can become so confident so quickly. 7 phds??? damn can you help me with my physics homework pleasE? also is teaching us?? that all things will get better soon and you can do it. Go past all your fears and insecurity because theres a strength inside of you that can be released so easily <3

Clint: what a hecking trickster, probably the super milder version of Loki because he has those™ vibes. honestly just tired and wants to go hope to his family and his dog named lucky. he’s?? so underrated?? and is funny and i really like this character and i hope we get to see more of him/ronin in Endgame <3

Thor: So sweet, like terrifying when he wants to be but such a bright and innocent soul. Definitely the light of the party. Im not gonna lie im really happy they took out his Shakespearean schtick and made him much more relatable and smart. like? “All words are made up” finally!! we can see him for who he really is!! 1500+ year old wise god with powerful skills but empathy. character arc!! used to be a screaming baby with goals of genocide but finally learned the true ways!! and damn if Marvel isn’t all about change. He sees a mess? and he goes and fixes it to the best of his ability

Bucky: haha 1942 science nerd. Legit went to a science expo because he likes it!! he’s also so loyal and confused and is really just tired of war and is filled with regret. He wants to be better and not be a tool. because no more! no more! he got brainwashed first so now he’s going to take control of his life and become the best person he can be!!

Sam: wow?? look at how strong this guy is. his partner died and instead of wallowing and turning to rage he just? decided to help people with PTSD? like thats some major strength right there. he literally is the type of “something bad happens to you? dont let it get you down and help others out” like wow so hecking powerful. quippy sarcastic but well-natured and i strive to be like him!! really underrated!!

T’Challa: Wakan’t do this forever but he tries. he?? took the mantle of King right after his father’s death because he knows he can’t fail everyone else. They need a ruler. And he provides that . freaking best older brother you can ask for, like?? he knows jack shit about Shuri’s references but tries to go with the flow.

Stephen: snark™ king 2.0. do no harm but take no shit. thats literally his character and i love it. really wants to try to find the most peaceful resolution to everything even though he is a major badass and can kill so many enemies so easily. character growth!! like damn he really taught us that it’s not about us. its about the others and it really shows. like wow wheres the love for this guys?

Vision: oh man everyone loves Jarvis and he?? is part of Vision and you can see the Jarvis reeking out. He’s so witty and powerful and damn. Absolute walking computer, you can ask him to play whatever song and he’ll somehow be able to do it. strikes me as a pinocchio kinda guy. i mean a sentient robot in a human world? must be kinda hard to fit in. 

Wanda: powerful goddess like damn have you even seen her?? she’s so angry with the world and with loss but is quick to change her views. she changes and thats all that matters. because people don’t stay the same way. She teaches us that it’s possible to change even though it goes against all of your beliefs. Everything that you stand for. she aims to fix her mistakes and learns from them.

Peter: PUREST BEAN. like so stressed with school, but so responsible. Well....unless you disregard all his missing backpacks. he honestly has one goal and that is to help the people. he’s literally the representation of everything we want for a leader. So capable and he knows it and just tries to reach his potential the fastest and quickest he can. plus vine refrences?? says “more expresso less depresso” despite probably disliking coffee. like damn no wonder why everyone just wants to adopt this kid. 

Rhodey: Will take none of your bullshit, he sees you with negative thoughts or whatever? will tell you that ur so hecking wrong and you better think better of yourself. so positive but so realistic. tries to do what is best and doesn’t let any silly thing like a disability bring him down. He out there ready to kick some ass and he will do it with style, man. nothing can bring him down.

Scott: World’s greatest grandma. have you seen how nice and parental he is with his daughter? like get me a dad like Scott please i beg. His whole characters surrounds around trying to be the best dad he can be to Cassie. He’s also  funny and witty and a goof but a planner. sees something that can help? will absolutely take it regardless if he knows what the hell is going on or not. he knows that people are smarter than him and won’t take offense because heck yeah you go support!! moral support!!

No hate please!! i will block anyone with any hate comments!! i dont wanna hear it!!! i love all the characters so take your hate somewhere else!!!

[dailyawakening]

oh please tell me your thoughts on loki! she's actually a rather interesting character and i dont think intsys could do her justice so i would love to hear your ideas!

this response is so late because A) I’ve been trying to figure out what to draw for it and B) I’ve been trying to figure out how to structure the monster novel that by necessity needs to be attached to anything relating to my Loki thoughts. 

As a disclaimer, all of this is entirely my own invention based on the original mythology and what we’ve seen of canon; I’m resigned to the fact that there’s no real chance any of this will become part of Heroes, but this is what makes me happy personally, so I’m going to stick to it as an AU if nothing else.  So with that out of the way: let’s talk about Loki. 

I decided that the easiest way to go through this would be in the major stages of Loki’s life, with each one showcasing a different appearance (Loki’s a shapeshifter, after all).  It’s not always easy to put myths in order, but I have a pretty strong personal plot thread that runs through Loki’s myths, so let’s start at the beginning: with Loki’s early experiences as one of the Aesir. 

Loki is not technically a god – not in the way that Odin and Thor are, at least.  Loki is a child of jotunn, and more than likely is a jotunn as well, rather than one of the Aesir, so under normal circumstances would not have counted among their number; however, Loki and Odin forged a blood pact and swore an oath to treat one another as brothers, and so Loki was adopted into the Aesir fold by bonds of kinship. 

Loki is not truly evil, and never has been.  Loki is a mischievous spirit, fiery and wild, fond of trickery and games, and those have a tendency to get out of hand sometimes, which leads to big problems.  But Loki’s word is also their bond, and when they swear an oath, they keep it.  The myth of Idunn shows this very clearly: when Loki is captured by a jotunn, they swear to give him whatever he asks, and he asks for the goddess Idunn, responsible for keeping the Aesir young and strong.  When Loki is released, they do exactly as they swore, and lure Idunn into the jotunn’s clutches; however, when the rest of the Aesir realize what’s happened, they force Loki to promise to get Idunn back, which Loki proceeds to do. 

This oath keeping is important.  It will come up again. 

Now, because of the bond they swore, Loki was often called on by Odin to perform various tasks, many of which sent them wandering across the various realms – of course, Loki also succumbed to wanderlust sometimes when left bored too long, and had been known to wander off.  On one of these wanderings for whatever purpose, Loki met the jotunn Angrboda and ended up having a rather extended affair with her – enough that three children came of it: the wolf Fenrir, the serpent Jormungandr, and a daughter named Hel who seemed neither living nor dead.  

Loki loved those children.  They didn’t care a whit that they were seemingly strange: those were Loki’s babies, and Loki doted on them endlessly.  Eventually, though, Odin had need of Loki again and summoned them…and rather than leave the babies behind, Loki decided to bring them back to Asgard.  Now, the Aesir were significantly less thrilled about these children than Loki, but when Loki asked the Aesir to look after them in their absence (calling on Odin’s pact when he falters), they relented, and Loki left the three children with the gods. 

For a while, things were fine.  Unfortunately, Fenrir and Jormungandr in particular grew at an alarming rate, and the Aesir came to fear what monsters they would eventually become – so rather than let them become destroyers wreaking havoc on Asgard, Odin chose instead to deal with them while Loki was absent on a mission: Fenrir was bound with the ribbon Gleipnir (only managed because Tyr, the Aesir he trusted most, agreed to place his hand in Fenrir’s mouth to prove it was no trick – and he lost that hand for his deception), Hel was exiled to the realm of the dishonored dead (those who died of sickness and famine rather than gloriously on the battlefield), and Jormungandr was thrown into the swirling chaos of the Tempest before Odin used his might to quell it. 

Loki was…less than pleased when they got back.  Vascillating wildly between rage and desolation, they took out their suffering through increasingly malicious pranks on the Aesir (the theft of Brisingamen and the shearing of Sif’s hair), which ultimately ended in Loki paying the heaviest price.  Eventually, grief took its toll, and Loki gave in to a listless depression; it was their inability to care at all that made them discount Svadilfari’s strength, and they came to pay for that, too – though the price came in the form of a new child, the eight-legged colt Sleipnir that Loki bore as a mare.  Unwilling to see another child suffer the same fate as the first three, Loki gave Sleipnir over to Odin in hopes that leaving him in service to the Aesir would protect him from harm…and, at least, Loki would still be able to see the child. 

And it’s here that we reach the first turning point: realizing how unstable Loki had become owing to the loss of their children, Odin decided to take drastic action and try to ground them in the present – by arranging Loki’s marriage to Sigyn.  No one actually expected the marriage to be more than lip service, with the two leading separate lives within the same house; however, much to everyone’s surprise, Loki and Sigyn readily came to care for one another, and Loki finally began to heal from the loss of their children.  They still mourned, yes, and still worried for Sleipnir, but much of their playfulness returned as they found joy with their new wife.  Settling with Sigyn and becoming a more committed member of the Aesir led to the first major shift in Loki’s appearance, as well. 

Loki and Sigyn had a child together: a son named Narvi who they both loved dearly.  Having a child to raise once more helped to ground Loki still further, and they finally settled comfortably into their role and came to be almost friendly with several of the Aesir.  When Thor’s hammer was stolen, Loki helped him first to find it (by using Freya’s cloak of feathers to fly to the realm of the jotunn; he promised to return it and made good on his word) and then retrieve it, and even won a new ally into the fold with their antics.  Loki and Thor traveled together as allies for a spell, no less, and had a rather harrowing encounter with a jotunn skilled in illusion (during which Loki lost an eating contest with a wildfire and had an unwitting encounter with Jormungandr, something they mourned once the truth was revealed because they had no idea).  And beyond that, Loki even came to the aid of mankind alongside the other gods, helping to save a boy from being devoured by giants when even Odin and Thor could not. 

Sadly, this period of happiness was not meant to last.  In time, Odin’s second son Baldr began to have terrible nightmares about his own death; fearing deeply for her son’s life, his mother Frigg went to every plant, animal, and other object in the world and begged them to swear to do Baldr no harm, to which they all agreed. 

And this is where things get dicey: Odin, wise and well-traveled already, had knowledge of what would come to pass at Ragnarok and after – and because of that, he knew that Baldr would rise from Hel to claim the world after the rest of the gods and men had fallen, inheriting the new and beautiful world that rose from the fire and flood.  With Frigg’s frantic attempts to keep her son alive, that prophecy would be endangered.  Odin, of course, is known as a good and honorable god…but looking at the myths more closely, it sometimes seems that he’s only ‘good’ and ‘honorable’ because he has others do his dirty work (it was his order that had Loki lure Svadilfari from his work, thus cheating the builder of his prize, after all) or claims that he acts in everyone’s best interests (as he did when he bound or exiled Loki’s first children).  

So in order to preserve his son’s ability to inherit the world, Odin went to Loki and asked him to find a way to take Baldr’s life. 

Naturally, Loki balked at that.  But Odin cited their blood bond, and insisted that it was necessary.  In the end, Loki agreed – on the condition that his family be spared from whatever followed, for there could be no doubt that there would be a heavy price to pay for this.  Odin swore it, and Loki left, discovering that Frigg had failed to ask the mistletoe for its oath and using it to create an arrow; and while the other Aesir were having a grand time throwing things at Baldr and watching them bounce off him without doing a thing, Loki tricked Baldr’s twin brother Hodr into firing the arrow – which struck Baldr in the heart, killing him instantly. 

It took little enough time for the gods to realize that Loki was behind the crime, and they proceeded to shut him out of everything.  Wracked with guilt and emotionally unstable, Loki gradually neared a breaking point, which led to the roasting of the other gods at Aegir’s house (which Loki intruded upon by pointedly reminding Odin of the same blood oath he’d cited to make Loki agree to the plot).  Realizing that Loki posed a great danger should the truth come out, Odin took drastic action: when the other Aesir, incensed by Loki’s criticisms and sharp words, hunted them down to be punished for Baldr’s death, Odin turned his youngest son Vali into a wolf and had him attack Loki’s son Narvi, viciously murdering the boy; and to make matters worse, the Aesir then used Narvi’s entrails to bind Loki to a stone beneath the earth, transfiguring them into chains before affixing a snake above Loki’s head to drip poison onto them for eternity. 

Only one stayed beside Loki through this: their wife Sigyn, who remained by Loki’s side catching the poison in a bowl (though she had to leave to empty it on occasion, and when she did the searing poison made Loki writhe violently enough to cause earthquakes).  And it is because of Sigyn that Loki remained passive for so long: her presence kept Loki calm, kept their thirst for revenge from overwhelming them, for she reasoned that if they did slip those bonds and set Ragnarok in motion, then Loki and all of their children all would die, just as Narvi had.  At least now the children had life and could have pleasant dreams – and at least now, Loki had Sigyn. 

But at some point in the very recent past, something happened: Sigyn vanished.  Loki had slept, and when they woke to the searing pain of the snake’s venom, they found that their wife was nowhere to be seen, and no amount of calling and pleading made her reappear.  That, truly, was the last straw for Loki: all their grief and despair turned to fury and hate in that instant, and the fireball they became incinerated both their chains and the snake that had so long tormented them.  In the aftermath, only one link of the chains remained intact, and Loki kept it close, fashioning it into the buckle of the belt they wear.  And without Sigyn by their side, Loki allowed that desire for vengeance to burn through them, which has led to where things stand today. 

The shape Loki now assumes is strategic as much as comfortable, meant to distract enemies and give her more openings in combat. Everything she does is self-serving, up to and including her alliance with Surtr – hence her betrayal when he ceased to be useful.  What she seeks: her children.  Calling on Veronica to secure Naglfar and raise the Tempest, she sought Jormungandr (and still seeks him, as each foray into the Tempest has left her empty-handed); and now that Surtr’s power has been added to Hel’s army, giving her the ability to break the barrier Askr put in place, Loki seeks her lost daughter.  And in the end, she intends to make the treacherous Aesir suffer for the pain and misery they caused her and her family for so long. 

[loki-the-odd]

A Mischievous & Deadly Family

Loki goes to Hel and he runs into Hela, Goddess of Death and from there they form an agreement.

Rating: Idk teen I'm guessing?

Warnings: This fanfic does deal with death and IW so if that triggers you, look away. Might also be some slavery bc it's Hel and Hela would totally have slaves. Gore and Loki having terrible nightmares. Spoilers for Infinity War and Thor: Ragnarok.

AN: I know that I still have to update 'Friends and Enemy's' and I will have the next chapter up by the end of the week. I just have been super busy, that's all. Also I have no idea what color Toms eyes are bc one second they look blue, then green, so I just went with mint.

Loki was dead.

He awoke in a small, dark room. His chest raised up and down rapidly as he tried to collect himself. 'No revival this time'... Was it actually possible? Was he really dead?

He layed back down on the bed. It wasn't a dream. If it was he would be on the ship, Thor would be trying to calm him down. It had become their routine on the ship. Loki almost always woke up screaming out of fear. His nightmares barely let him sleep. He usually was in Asgard watching helplessly as his mother, the only person to show him how to love, died terrible deaths, or he would think back to when Thanos found him and kept him as prisoner, starving him, berating him...

Thanos...

He jumped up quickly from the bed. He saw a mirror on the wall. He still wore his clothes before the ship was attacked, his hair was ratted and he had cuts and brusies all over him. Blood covered him. He didn't know who's it was. His face was a light blue that he wished was because of his Jotun form, along with his usual mint colored eyes brightly standing out against the blood from the popped veins in his eyes. His neck was nearly black from Thanos choking him and while it wasn't broken, it was sore. His throat felt as though it was on fire. He needed water. His body screamed it's protests as he moved through the room for something, anything, to drink. Rest! Go back to sleep! His eyelids felt heavy. He couldn't find water anywhere. Where was he? This certainly was not Valhalla, (Idk how to spell it I'm sorry) surely someone would have come for him already.

He layed back on the bed yet again. He allowed his eyes to close, just before a great boom sounded through the room.

He snapped up once more, causing sharp jolts of pain throughout his body. His eyes widened.

"Hela."

His usually smooth voice sounded as rough as sandpaper. His throat was raw and he immediately regretted speaking as the pain coursed through. He instinctively went to hold his neck, but his hand flinched away from it as pain surged through there as well from touching the bruise.

"What happened to you? When I heard you were here I expected something more..." Her black eyes narrowed as she looked for the right words. "...handsome..." She crossed over to him, putting a hand on his back. He felt the pain almost evaporate. The cuts on his hands and torn clothes returning to their original state before the crash. He stood up and glanced at the mirror. His hair was now brushed and framed his now Jotun colored face. His eyes now fully blood red and the frost giant markings carved into his skin.

Hela backed away. "What is this?! It was supposed to return you to your natural state!" Her voice almost sounded panicked. Why would she be concerned for me? I killed her not even a week ago...

"Odin found me on Jotunheim after battle at the temple. He took me so that he could offer peace between the two kingdoms." Loki said with a tinge of sadness. While he was no longer angry, he was, however, deeply depressed that neither of his fathers loved him.

Hela circled him, taking in his new form. "Well, don't worry. Odins not here, somehow." He turned to face his sister who was examining his cape.

"Where am I?" He was almost scared of why Hela hadn't attacked him yet.

"Are you truly that stupid? You're in Hel. My kingdom."

He felt the blood drain from his face. He knew that was where he was most likely to go. He had committed terrible acts, one after the other. And even if he hadn't been doing half of them willingly, that was still no excuse. Hela scoffed behind him.

"If you cry, I'm going to punch you so hard you'll be alive." Nonetheless, tears started streaming.

"May I have a moment?" He looked to the dirty floor below him. Hela said nothing as she crossed to the door.

"You have a week to rest and compose yourself before you begin to pay the price for your sins." She said coldly before slamming the door, locking it behind her.

The God threw himself on the bed as his body was racked with sob after sob. At some point he passed out into a dreamless sleep. He dreamt of home, remembering his mothers graceful steps, Thors booming voice and Odins harsh glare. He remembered the songs the birds sang, the rain his brother would summon for Loki to calm him. The way he and Thor ran through the halls screaming with joy as they reinacted their fathers battles, hitting each other with long sticks. The books his mother read to him when he was still small enough to sit in her lap. The heart attacks he would give the maids as they all chased after his many illusions, with only Thor or Frigga being able to catch the real him. He remembered the happiness he felt, the love that he gave and recieved from his family.

And then he woke up.

[elsannafervor]

Goddess of First Snowfalls

By: ElsannaFervor

Notes: This fic is dedicated to @fruipit​, who won its creation in the Elsanna Olympics. Better late than never! Special thanks to @idunscrewedup​, @bittertomato​, @forkanna​, and @not-rotting​ for co-authoring this!

WARNING: Graphic depictions of gore/decapitation of minor characters.

GLOSSARY:  dunga (DOON-gah) — a useless fellow eldhúsfífl (EHLD-hoos-feef-uhl) — “hearthfire idiot” goðar -- priests Einherjar -- warriors in the afterlife of Valhalla Thögn -- silent  skáld -- poet

Disclaimer: Sources and texts vary on the nature of who specifically gains entry into Valhalla, so this fic follows only one of the many interpretations. This does not make the other interpretations any less valid, or this one more correct, nor does it reflect the personal views of the writers involved. It’s all for the sake of fiction and the pursuit of particular themes.  

An arrow whistled past her head and Anna turned to spot the archer responsible, braided pigtails swinging. There! she thought, spotting movement in the right direction. Anna’s grip tightened on her sword in preparation of the charge. 

“Ahhhhhh!” The sound spilled from her mouth as she sped after the enemy. The shape broke away from the strand of trees the archer had presumably been using for cover. The noise of the other battles faded away as Anna gained on him.

Belatedly, she realized she was being led away from the rest of her clan. Just a little bit--Anna lunged for the back of the archer’s legs--closer…!

Her blade connected, slicing into his calf. He fell over, letting go of his bow. Anna approached, cautiously circling around until she could see his face.

“Hans!”

“Anna,” Hans sneered. 

A flash of steel was the only warning Anna had when Hans lunged using his good leg. A sharp pain in her abdomen indicated his ploy was successful. In response, Anna knocked his hand away, hopefully leaving the knife in the wound until she could inspect it, and used the momentum of a partial spin to slice through his neck.

A satisfying, wet thump sounded as his head hit the ground. Anna thought it was fitting that his last expression was twisted into a grimace.

She wiped her sword on his cloak and sheathed it in order to inspect her wound. The knife had stayed in, helping to stem the blood. She suspected it would be a mortal wound when her hand still found her shirt soaked and slippery with blood.

Anna fingered the white streak in her hair; it marked her the clan chief’s daughter and favorite of the gods. She sent a prayer, not for her but for her clan. Already her father had died to these battles.

Steeling herself, Anna turned and retraced her steps and followed the sounds back to the battlefield. The ground was stained red with the blood of all clans, and littered with bodies. She caught sight of a familiar shock of blond hair.

Olaf!

Anna hurried to his side, dropping to her knees into the bloody mud. Shaking fingers reached out to run through his hair. His eyes stared right past her, focused on something in the sky only he could see. Something inside her broke, wanting to shake her younger brother back to life, wanting to wail and scream. 

Her hand drifted down to find the wound, a hole in his side from a spear. He wasn’t even supposed to be here. Anna roughly blinked the tears away. She closed his eyes lovingly.

Standing up, Anna felt a wave of vertigo. Her thoughts were becoming hazy, except for one: I need to declare a new chief to lead our clan.

Thankfully, most of the bodies seemed to belong to the Westergaard clan. She turned her attention to the group still fighting, one hulk of a man giving her hope. Anna watched as Marshal used his axe to cleave an opponent in two, following that to behead another.

A cry went up: the enemy’s retreat signal. Stumbling now, Anna made her way towards Marshal. He saw her easily, trademark strawberry pigtails standing out, and began to move towards her as well, much more swiftly.

“Oi, Chief!” he cried, and a roar followed from the others. “Chief!” 

Marshal picked her up in a great hug and spun her before noticing her blanche. Then he noticed the wound, his eyes caught hers and Anna nodded.

“Marshal, lead them.” Her teal eyes sparkled with mingling grief and pride. “You’re chief now, old friend.”

In that moment, her eyes turned upwards, looking at something only she could see. Marshal laid her body back down respectfully, closing her eyes, and made preparations for the funeral pyres. 

Blue eyes as clear and cold as ice slowly opened, taking in the morning rays creeping into her chambers and casting soft shadows along the stone walls. She felt an extra weight--ever so slight--on her back, and rose from her bed to walk over to the balcony. 

Basking in the warmth of the sun, Elsa greeted the dawn with a Valkyrie’s wings. A sigh--carrying with it lifetimes of words left unsaid--drifted from her lips as she extended them, allowing the snow-white feathers to enjoy the sun as well. Although the wingspan was impressive, they didn’t feel all that heavy on her back. Weight would do no good for her on the battlefield, of course; she would need speed above all else.

As expected of the Allfather’s blessing.

“So it begins again,” Elsa muttered, raising a hand. An elegant but deadly spear of ice materialized in her grasp, glittering beautifully in the sun. Nordic runes carved themselves along the length of the shaft, imbuing it with ancient spells even Elsa did not know. Perhaps only the Allfather could discern their true meaning.

It was the Allfather, Odin, who had made her a Valkyrie in the first place--a minor goddess with only one priest to her name, almost fading away from memory. On a whim, he had saved her from the void all gods feared would take them someday, appointing her as one of the many Valkyries who dutifully served him.

...Whenever she was called upon, of course, for she was not part of the inner circle; only the reserve force. It was not often, but every call left her with something she could not quite place.

Or, perhaps...something you do not want to acknowledge.

Shaking her head to clear her mind of any more thoughts, Elsa’s grip tightened on her spear. She called her Valkyrie armor into existence, leaving the winged helmet for last. The helmets, she had been told, were a formality, as some preferred to leave theirs behind to better their visual range. 

Elsa paused, wings poised and ready for flight, contemplating. It was a minor decision, one that wouldn’t mean much--if at all--in the grand scheme of things. But a helmet was order; it was sense, it was uniform.

It was a constant.

Enough of this, she chided herself. The battlefield is no place for beauty; no place for--

Her wings gave a mighty beat, speaking what she would not dare to voice, and pushed her off into the air like a deadly arrow, leaving all other thoughts behind. Her heart leapt into her throat at the familiar exhilaration that came with flight; the pure, unrestrained feeling called ‘freedom’ that left her fingers and toes tingling long after her feet gently touched the polished floors of Valhalla.

Her sisters-in-arms lingered in the Allfather’s throne room, waiting for the official order to descend into battles across the worlds. Odin’s Valkyries came in all shapes and sizes and colors, yet they all bore the same deadly grace of those who would shepherd fallen heroes from fierce battlefields to the blessed afterlife of Valhalla. Many were other goddesses; some, Odin’s own daughters. A lucky few were favored mortals, but still shone brilliantly nonetheless. 

But regardless of their lineage, none would be spared of the Allfather’s wrath, should they incur it.

“Brynhildr!” Odin’s voice suddenly thundered, his fury echoing in the spacious throne room. “Step forward, and receive your judgment!”

Elsa craned her neck, peering over the shoulders of the other Valkyries in an effort to see. And when she couldn’t, a slight beat of her wings gave her the needed height.

A Valkyrie with long hair pale and ethereal as moonlight stood before the dais leading up to the Allfather’s throne, garbed in the intricate silver armor all of his daughters wore. She had forgone a helmet, so Elsa could see the fear in her amethystine eyes that her proud stance would not dare betray. Brynhildr brought her large spear closer to her, grey wings carefully spreading themselves behind as she bowed slightly--a sign that she would not run.

“For siding with King Agnar, I strip you of your wings and your immortality--”

Elsa gasped sharply, as did the other Valkyries gathered. 

“--and sentence you below to Hindarfjall. There, you shall sleep until one of the heroes you love so much will awaken you from the flames,” Odin declared, scowling with a darkness to rival the black feathers of the two ravens perched on his throne’s armrests. “I have no need for a Valkyrie who is constantly swayed in her duties.”

They were meant to guide only the best warriors to the blessed halls of Valhalla, where food and drink and battles reigned eternal. At least, until the destined day of Ragnarok. Only the most honored of warriors. Only the most valiant of deaths. Anything less would be unsuitable for that glorious day.

“‘Duties to the Allfather’s ego’, he means,” a nearby Valkyrie muttered under her breath, barely audible even to Elsa’s divine ears.

The Valkyries were not perfect, though most could present themselves as if they were. Heroic deaths, arguably, could be subjective, and were up to the sole discretion of the Valkyrie watching. Barring those that could also be claimed by the goddess Freyja for Folkvangr, not even Odin could revoke a soul’s entry to Valhalla.

Watching the faint tremor in Brynhildr’s shoulders, Elsa’s hand curled tighter around her own spear. Her fingernails dug into the leather of her gauntlets, almost deep enough to bite at her palm. She fought to keep her wings steady, lest their mad beating from her weakened will draw the Allfather’s attention.

She had her own share of Einherjar who should probably not be at Valhalla, though not to the extent as Brynhildr’s chosen. Elsa concealed her feelings far more carefully.

“Father.”

Brynhildr’s soft voice, growing in uncharacteristic volume, tugged her mind out of the chaos it had threatened to plunge into. This was her punishment they were witness to, not Elsa’s.

“Please...reconsider!”

Even with the weathered eyepatch, Odin’s narrowed gaze hardly lost its edge. “I will not. This sentence is already generous of me, as you share my blood. You may not see it now, but you will...eventually. Simply pray your hero will not betray you.”

He stood from his throne, staff in hand, and slammed its butt onto the dais’ floor.

Instantly, a choked scream escaped from Brynhildr’s throat as her beautiful wings began to shed their feathers in mangled clumps. She doubled over--pitiful wings flapping desperately, as if they could take her away from the pain--heaving for breath amidst her screams as the Allfather wrested Eternity away from her grasp. Brynhildr could clutch her spear as tightly as she wished, but Forever was now beyond her reach.

The last remains of her wings tore themselves from her back, disappearing with the others in a white light, and the final cry she gave sent shivers through every Valkyrie’s soul. The sentence delivered, Odin gave a wave of his hand and the floor opened up beneath Brynhildr, to Hindarfjall waiting below. To her mortal life and enchanted sleep she fell; her spear and armor the only reminders of what once was.

For a bird stripped of flight would have no place in the heavens. 

A tense silence settled over the assembled Valkyries as Odin slowly lowered his hand; the portal disappearing with it. He closed his eye, sighing with a weight to rival the nine worlds.

“Go.”

As one, the Valkyries spread their wings and took flight, riding the currents to the battlefields that awaited them. 

Blade against blade rang sharply through the smoke-filled air, multiplied a hundredfold. Fires burned here and there, carrying the scent of charred wood or flesh as they blackened the earth in their hunger. Pained screams and war cries seemed to sound with every other beat of Elsa’s wings as the fighting grew in intensity.

It was a territorial war between a number of clans--a Valkyrie could not ask for a more perfect opportunity. Many of her sisters in arms circled the sprawling battlefield with her, eyes vigilant for a heroic death worthy to regale the other Einherjar in Odin’s halls. A few had already descended below to greet their chosen warriors and guide them to that blessed afterlife.

Yet, Elsa’s mind was far from the duty entrusted to her; further still from the memory of Brynhildr’s sentence.

A single streak of white amidst coppery locks--her wide-eyed gaze focused on this miracle of miracles as time slowed and the sounds of war faded from her ears. She was scarcely aware of the wind whipping at her braid as she sped towards the woman who bore the mark of her blessing.

Her blessing as a goddess.

Anna didn’t know how to speak around the lump in her throat. She was looking at the prettiest woman she’d ever seen. 

The pain was suddenly gone, indeed Anna could no longer see anyone else on the bloody battlefield. The goddess, for no mortal could look like that, had the fairest hair Anna had seen on a woman, fairer than even Olaf’s. It seemed almost white and glowed, reflecting the sun. Atop her head was a Valkyrie’s winged helmet.

Anna froze upon meeting her eyes. They were a bright blue, brighter than the clear sky, but somehow deep and ageless. Her gaze continued down, finding full, pink lips wrapping a smile that reminded Anna of the moon. It was a compassionate smile, soft, but with brightness behind it. Then she was able to process the beauty in full; porcelain skin, white-blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a loved one’s smile. Anna swooned that this Goddess might be here to greet her, for what feeling there was in the goddess’ face.

The face was suddenly a lot closer, strong arms wrapping around Anna. A slight shift and Anna was being carried like a bride, an arm behind her back and knees. Anna felt safe, comfort filling her soul and sweeping away the pain and worries she’d carried.

The goddess leaned down, kissing her head, and Anna’s body lightened. A powerful beat from wings unnoticed until now launched them into the air. 

Said goddess had first met her most loyal priest when he had been an apprentice, serving under the older goðar who dutifully tended to the shrines of the other gods in the pantheon, spread throughout the land. The gods had descended briefly to bless the Yule feast with their presence, and to welcome the apprentices into their final year of training. Elsa had noticed him then; his reddish hair out of place amidst the crowd of blond and brown. His freckled cheeks had still held the softness of youth; his teal eyes bright with curiosity and mischief.

Anders, his name had been. His companion, a pig named Norm, had never strayed far from his side.

Except for the day he had. Something had scared Norm, and the pig had made a mess of the feast--tripping many of those in attendance, knocking over tables of food and drink, and overturning the ceremonial braziers. A fire had spread by the time Anders had grabbed hold of Norm and calmed him down. Had it not been for Elsa and the other gods with the necessary influences, the fire would have burned the whole village to ash.

By the time the smoke had settled, Odin and most of the gods had already returned to their respective homes, thoroughly displeased by such a disastrous feast. Surrounded by the hostile or pitying gazes of both man and god alike, Anders had stood alone with Norm in his arms, shivering from the cold. He had fought not to let the tears stream down his ash and dirt-covered cheeks as the elder goðar passed the sentence.

Dishonorable loss of his apprenticeship, and death to his only companion. 

Elsa had chosen to keep silent as the remaining gods voiced their approval, adding an extra layer of punishment for the eldhúsfífl that had ruined Yule. Not only would Norm be killed, but a portion of him would be a burnt offering to the gods to appease Odin. The rest would be served as a replacement for the food that had been lost.

And Anders, under the eyes of men and gods, had been forced to have the first bite.

Elsa was a minor goddess with priests dwindling every year--it would have been foolish to go against the majority-decision of her divine peers. Suicidal, even. To this day, it shamed her to think of the silence she had kept to protect the few priests left under her watch.

For she hadn’t known, back then, that Anders had chosen her long before she had chosen him.

“The Goddess of First Snowfalls,” he had muttered, two weeks after that disastrous day. He had visited her only shrine, and taken refuge there after his exile from the village. “As a child, I always loved it--that first snowflake falling gently from the sky. Norm did, too. We would play together, running around and catching as many as we could.”

He had seated himself in front of her shrine, back leaning against the weathered stone. Elsa had silently taken her place on the other side, watching the sun rise over the horizon and reflect off the northern sea.

“One could say you were my first love.” Peering into his past and his truest self had been easy, even for a minor deity like her. Each word had rung true, and his path had laid itself out before her, arriving at this day. A confession like that had deserved an honest answer.

“I do not love you.”

A moment of silence had descended then, uncomfortable at first before Anders’ chuckle broke the tension. “Fair enough. I didn’t ask you to.” There had been a soft ‘thud’ as his head rested against the stone. “But… if you will have me, I’d still like to be one of your priests.”

The few priests left to her had grown old--there had been no doubt that Anders would’ve been the last, if she had accepted. And if she hadn’t...that great and terrible void would have taken her.

“I have nothing left to lose,” he had said.

Elsa had lifted her gaze to the sky, watching the snow begin to fall. Her fingers had curled into the icy fabric of her robes, knuckles paler than her skin as she clung to the promise of Eternity.

“Neither do I.”

On that day, with snowflakes in their hair and the gentle sea behind them, she had appointed him as her priest. Two years after that, Anders had become the only person left to tend her shrine and speak the prayers.

As the years marched on, he had been a constant companion; smiling brightly with every visit and every crocus carefully laid upon the weathered stone. He had spread her faith around to those he could, and the edge of the abyss had receded for a time as her name passed around the hearths. A future had been established; her days had no longer been spent wondering if the next would be the last.

For the first time in centuries, Elsa had just enough power for a true blessing--one that would remain with her Favored even if she faded away. So she had gently pressed her lips to the reddish hair of the newborn cradled in her arms, leaving a streak of snowy white as Anders and his wife proudly watched.

His first love had waned, as all passions did with the passage of time, but it had yielded the greatest boon to them both: a successor. One who would keep the light of her faith burning long after the flames had eaten up Anders’ funeral pyre.

Or so they had hoped. 

What am I doing? Eldhúsfífl, dunga! Why did I do that?! 

She had acted without thinking. On today, of all days, with a Valkyrie cast down for the first time in her memory, Elsa had chosen a woman to be one of the Allfather’s Einherjar. Today, of all days, when Odin would be watching closely, Elsa had broken one of his strictest rules.

A less-than-heroic death could be ignored, or waved aside until one reached the degree that Brynhildr had. But for a woman to be chosen… only Freyja and her own Valkyries held that right.

Elsa grimaced, unseen by the warrior in her arms. Her death hadn’t even been heroic, by Valhalla’s standards. Bleeding out from a knife wound versus using one’s own body as a shield for their allies to create a decisive opening… She had acted on her instinct to protect and preserve the soul of her Favored without regarding anything else.

A soul guided by a Valkyrie could not be revoked their right to the afterlife. That was an absolute.

Odin will hear of this, if he hasn’t already.

She had precious little time to make her choice. To fly slow enough so as not to alarm her chosen warrior, but to fly fast enough to delay the inevitable consequences. Balancing these, Elsa gritted her teeth as her mind raced to match the frantic beating of her heart. 

With Valhalla looming beyond--doors open and waiting with food, drink, and eternal glory--Elsa made her decision, just as she had that snowy day.

Her fate branched. Her path diverged.

She banked to the right with a mighty gust of her wings, sending them speeding away from Odin’s hearth to the warm fields of Freyja’s domain. 

To say that today had been eventful would be an understatement. 

The clans had found themselves embroiled in war. Anna’s father had died three days before in the initial skirmishes, making her chief; she had defeated her greatest rival, her brother had been the next to die. Her own wound mortal, she had appointed Marshal as her successor, and Anna had been spirited away by a beautiful Valkyrie when she herself had also fallen from the mortal coil. The afterlife would be a welcome reprieve following so much chaos and heartache.

So now why, with Valhalla in sight, were they turning away? Anna craned her head to look up at her Valkyrie. The question on her lips died once she saw her hardened gaze, and the sweat trailing down her brow.

And the fear. The unbridled terror no Valkyrie ever had in the stories passed down through her clan.

What should I even say to her? What if I distract her and she drops me? That would be silly. Surely a Valkyrie would have more grace than that.

“Excuse me--”

She dropped her.

Anna, battle-hardened warrior chief in her own right, screamed shrilly as she started falling. The scream abruptly stopped when impact knocked all of the breath out of her. Her hands felt around her, meeting soft grass warmed by the sun. What in the…?

She looked up to see the Valkyrie holding a finger to her lips in the universal sign for silence. She nodded, stomping down the flurry of questions in her throat at the sheepish look thrown her way. Apparently satisfied, the Valkyrie rushed off in a gust of wind.

Anna decided she would lay there until she came back. 

Exhaustion seeped into every part of Elsa’s being--her wings, especially. But she could not rest now, not when the Allfather could intervene at any moment. Her armor grew more and more uncomfortable from the exertion of her journeys, so Elsa unclasped her Valkyrie helmet and tossed it below--whatever the outcome, she would no longer have need of it. As soon as she had spotted that white streak, all order and sense had been cast aside.

They had failed each other, but that didn’t mean she would turn a blind eye if she could help it.

Onward she flew over the verdant fields of Folkvangr, Freyja’s home rapidly approaching until Elsa almost crashed onto the steps from the speed of her descent. Fortunately, she didn’t. Accidentally dropping her chosen warrior had already been embarrassment enough.

“Oh…? And what business does one of Odin’s Valkyries have with me?” a lofty voice drifted to her ears.

Elsa raised her head to see Freyja standing there, her blonde hair radiant in the sunlight, and her white robes almost glowing. The smile on her face was not unkind, but Elsa would have to tread carefully nonetheless. Her chances for success could waver and disappear at any moment.

“I bring with me a gesture of good faith, Lady Freyja,” she finally answered with a bow of her head, “and a favor, if you would entertain me.”

“A rogue Valkyrie at my doorstep is already entertaining,” the goddess chuckled, stepping aside to reveal the spacious foyer of her home. “Come. Your words are probably best spoken away from prying ears.” And, when Elsa failed to move right away, “You… are a rogue Valkyrie, yes? You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”

“I… I am.” Hesitant on moving as the goddess had bade her--perhaps suspicious about the way Freyja wanting for them to talk alone--Elsa replied, “I would like to ask, this isn’t a jest, is it? I would very much have us talk out here if-”

“Come now, dear, who do you think of me as? What am I capable of doing other than… well, supply love?”

“Surely, you know more than just that?” 

She raised a questioning eyebrow, a hand balanced upon her gently-flaring hip. “Unless you do think that I will supply love the instant you enter my home.”

“Don’t think me so presumptuous!” Elsa interrupted, but she knew she had stepped over the lines, sighting Freyja’s raised eyebrows. Though, other than feeling embarrassed, Elsa showed a distinct annoyance with the huff of air breathing out her nose. “Please, I am still… recovering from the heat of the moment; I apologize.”

“Well then, I suppose I can forgive that--only if you come in. I promise, I wish you no ill.”

“Then…” Elsa succumbed to defeat. “May I come in?”

Freyja sighed, shaking her head in disapproval of her reaction--then nodding in approval for the Valkyrie to be let in her doors.

While it was surely magnificent, the home that Freyja resided in, Elsa was nowhere impressed. She had not thought of the interior or exterior at all. In her mind, all that occupied was the woman with copper hair, and the endless sleep that Brynhildr was sentenced to. Still hearing the terror in her scream, seeing the tearing of her wings, the horror that was in her eyes, left Elsa scarred with regret. But it was that beautiful girl that kept her from thinking ever so grimly.

“So… I am guessing that you want a favour granted, seeing how you came to me.”

Elsa turned around, unbeknownst about how long she had just stood there, with the love goddess standing behind her. She opened her mouth, only to be interrupted.  

“Ah, ah, ah. Quiet now, darling. I am also sensing… a speck of sorrowness? Oh! Perhaps, you’re also in fear of something--but what? Who?” Freyja squinted.

Elsa felt her heart begging for a rest from its rapid beating. “Lady Freyja… I’m sure you have seen it.” 

“I’m terribly afraid that I have the worst memories, if I have ever seen it. Speak, my dear.”

The Valkyrie doubted that, but she could entertain this dance as long as she got what she wanted in the end. “I have gone down to the battlefield, and I wish for you to accept this person I have flown with--”

“Ah, it is no wonder you are feeling such great sorrow. He has fallen into death, is that it?”

“No! Are you not the Goddess of Love? How have you not seen it already?” Elsa was getting too uncharacteristically aggravated. The view of Freyja glancing over her nails at Elsa proved to her that really, the goddess did not care. But it did not prove that Elsa should give up on trying.

“Oh, you expect much of me. To soothe your grieving heart…?”

“My sorrow comes from witnessing Brynhildr’s sentence. But that is not why I have--”

“Will it not help to fly back down again in search for someone else?”

“Please! Listen to me!” Elsa took a deep breath. “Lady Freyja, it is my duty--as all the Valkyries here--to go search for warriors--”

“But who you have held in your arms is not a warrior, is he? Or should I say… she?”

Elsa felt her skin prickle with goosebumps at the sudden change in Freyja’s playful voice to something stone cold. But despite the piercing eyes drilling through her heart, Elsa felt it was her duty to stand her ground.

“I found her surrounded by bodies upon bodies. Unmoving, but alive as I am speaking now. A hole pierced her body with precious lifesblood spilling, and I was afraid I would not make it in time. I have flown down in duty, searching for a warrior, but I have found her in the peak of her beauty and strength. The streak of white hair amongst all the red confirms that she… that she is one of my Favored, as well.”

She took a brief pause, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “But she is a warrior in her own right, Lady Freyja, and you are the Goddess of Love--as well as the goddess overseeing the afterlives of warriors such as she. My wish is that when I bring her, you formally accept her into Folkvangr.”

Freyja tilted her head. “Now why should I do that for you… if you haven’t gotten yourself killed by Odin yet?”

She gulped. “My death is irrelevant. My only wish is for you to grant me--grant her a place here.” 

The Goddess hummed, tucking her slender arms together. There was a moment of silence, in contemplation. “You surely do have a death wish. Fine, I will offer you this: I will accept her into Folkvangr, and in return, you will be my Valkyrie. That is, if Odin does not catch you first, and indeed… you do not want to be caught.”

In disbelief and filled with gratefulness, Elsa beamed. She bowed her head down immediately, disregarding the unpleasantness of Freyja’s voice when she said it was not needed. “How could I ever repay this favour?”

“You won’t.” Freyja strode towards her slowly, her hand touching upon Elsa’s cheek. “You will, however, remain forever in debt as the Goddess of Love’s Valkyrie. There are… worse fates, I suppose.”

“Thank you. A thousand times, thank you!”

“And surely…” She smiled with graciousness. “When she does arrive, she will be waiting for you with open arms.”

Elsa blinked. “What do you mean?” 

Meanwhile, the mind of the maiden-warrior in question had changed itself. As if she’d wait for that Valkyrie to come back. She was in the afterlife now, for gods’ sake!

“It doesn’t look too different from back home,” Anna mused aloud as she sat up, fingers digging into the soft earth while she craned her neck to look around her. Lush green fields stretched on as far as the eye could see, broken up by small groves here and there. The warm sun shone brightly above the settlements scattered about, with a large longhouse in the distance. The Valkyrie had flown in the direction, if she remembered correctly.

“Might as well meet her there halfway, at least,” she mumbled, standing up. A stray thought passed through her mind, and she lifted a hand to feel around her abdomen. While there was indeed still blood on her armor and tunic, her fingers found no evidence of a mortal wound--only smooth skin. Marveling at her recovery, she began to walk.

It didn’t take long for her to come across the other residents in this afterlife--Folkvangr, unless there was some other realm the dead would pass on to that she didn’t know about. And this didn’t look like Hel at all. Maybe.

Hopefully.

“A new soul, eh? I haven’t seen you around here before. And trust me, I’ve had plenty of time to get to know everyone’s faces,” a young woman with blonde hair greeted her, smiling as she extended a hand for them to clasp forearms. Her grip was firm and trustworthy; the lean, bare arms bore the evidence of an archer’s craft, as did the bow hanging on her back.

“I’m Birgit, by the way. Over there’s Gunnar One-Eye, Alfhild, and Lars,” she continued, gesturing at the other three sitting around the hearth nearby, roasting a wild boar on a spit.

Gunnar indeed had one eye, with the other covered by a weathered band of leather wrapping around his bald head. He was a mountain of a man, the log he sat on seemingly too small for him as he turned the spit. Alfhild was a wisp of a girl, more suited to village work rather than the battlefield. Her dark hair fell messily over her eyes as she carved at some bread and cheese, wielding the knife with surprising dexterity. And as for Lars…

“Oh! We match!” the young man said with an easy grin, pointing at the white streak in his short, reddish-brown hair. “There’s quite a few of us here with it. Maybe you’re part of our clan?”

His sea-green eyes felt oddly familiar.

“I’m not sure. Maybe? My father had the streak, as did his father, and my great-grandmother before them,” Anna explained with a helpless shrug. Then her eyes widened. “Oh, sorry! I should introduce myself too, shouldn’t I? I’m Anna. Anna Agdarsdotter. Former chief before I, well… before I died, I suppose.” 

“Guess they really are changin’ the names,” Gunnar grunted, peering at the sizzling boar. “Back in my day, best we got was--”

“Oh, someone shut him up before he goes on again,” Alfhild hissed under her breath, tossing some cheese, which Birgit deftly caught. Beside her, Gunnar harrumphed and scowled, plucking a knife from his belt to start carving up the meat.

Lars offered Anna a wedge as well, inviting her to take a seat around their hearth. “Don’t mind him too much, sister. He’s been here almost as long as Birgit.”

Perhaps she should wonder where they found this food, but she was too hungry to think any further on it. Dying apparently worked up an appetite, and Anna devoured the cheese with gusto, eyeing the cooked boar expectantly.

Birgit laughed, boisterous and loud and from the stomach as she swatted Lars’ shoulder. “She’s one of your kinsmen, all right!” He nearly choked on the tankard of mead he had raised to his lips, spilling a little bit of it on his lap as even Gunnar grunted out a laugh of his own.

“So, Anna--how did you die?” Alfhild asked, handing over a tankard of the same mead. A ghost of a smirk danced on her lips. “It’s not poisoned, I promise.”

Wait, what?

“Erm… thank you?” The drink felt warm to the touch. “It was a feud between clans; a territorial dispute. A bast- well… a rival stabbed me in the stomach, and I bled to death on the battlefield.” 

“Aye, yer guts be messy like that,” Gunnar said, nodding as he began handing out the meat to everyone. “I trust ya got ‘em back fer it? Definitely not a worthy death fer Valhalla, either way.”

Anna frowned at the memory of Valhalla, its massive doors open to reveal the blessed hall within… before they had flown away to Folkvangr. “Yes, I… I beheaded him right after. He was an archer, so close combat wasn’t his strongest point.”

“Must’ve been a piss-poor archer to get in a position like that anyway,” Birgit scoffed, handing her some of the cooked boar. And she would know. “But if he put up a fight before you beheaded him… might be enough to win your way into Folkvangr.”

“Maybe even Valhalla,” Lars muttered, sipping at his mead.

“Don’t even joke about that.”

Anna felt their questioning stares as she kept her gaze fixed on her tankard, the meat briefly forgotten. “Someone like Hans? Going to Valhalla?” Her grip tightened. “If someone like him was chosen, and I wasn’t--”

“Oi, Agdarsdotter. Keep goin’ on like that, an’ I’ll finish what he started,” Gunnar snarled, rising to his full height. He must have had some giant’s blood in him with how he towered over them all. The light of the fire made his battle-scarred face seem more terrifying than before, and she could’ve sworn there was a faint glow behind his eyepatch.

Lars stood up as well, moving to block him from Anna. “Gunnar, let’s just calm down and--” 

“Ya got a soft heart, boy. Don’t forget, that’s what killed ya,” the warrior growled over his protests. “Yer kin not only insulted Freyja’s hospitality, but her own Valkyrie, too. Aye, we all dreamed of Valhalla once, but this is where they decided we should be.” He clenched the knife in his hand tightly. “They held the fate of our afterlives in their hands. They chose us to pass on, and yer goin’ to disrespect them like this?”

“Gunnar’s just mad ‘cause he was in love with a Valkyrie once. One of Freyja’s,” Alfhild yawned, taking a sip of her mead. “She didn’t love him back, of course, but he did hurt his own Valkyrie by being an eldhúsfífl. Now that was an entertaining drama.”

Silence fell as the giant warrior turned to her instead, flashing the knife in front of her face. “Oi. Ya wanna die again?” 

“If my scorekeeping is correct, I currently have the lead over you,” Alfhild nonchalantly replied, nibbling at her boar. “Anna’s mead isn’t poisoned, but I didn’t say anything about yours.”

Birgit quickly stood up, attempting to calm them both down and keep them from killing each other--again?--as Lars returned to his seat. He had knocked his tankard to the ground in his haste to stand, but now he made no move to retrieve it.

“I’m sorry,” he said, gaze fixed on his worn-out boots. “But honestly, it wasn’t intended as a joke. You only recently killed each other, and I wouldn’t make light of that.”

Pushing down the churning in her stomach from the whole display just now, Anna sighed. “It’s… Well, I wouldn’t say it’s all right, but I do forgive you. None of you know of Hans, so of course you wouldn’t understand.”

Lars chuckled wryly, lifting his head to offer a similar smile. “I think I can guess why.” The wry smile then shifted to a pensive frown; one that felt oddly… familiar. “But Anna, glory and heroics on the battlefield goes both ways. Who’s ‘right’ and who’s ‘wrong’ depends on perspective, and they’re both meaningless in the face of death.”

A bit of the anger began to return. “So you’re saying that it’s entirely possible for Hans to be in Valhalla?”

“It’s not an impossibility. Even here in Folkvangr, there are warriors who killed each other in battle, and ended up at the same place,” Lars replied, finally reaching down to pick up his fallen tankard. “Just as you would be heralded a hero in your clan, Hans would too in his own. Taking an enemy chief down with you? That’s something a Valkyrie could notice for Valhalla, regardless of the ‘side’ someone is on.”

Again, the memory of Valhalla’s open doors flitted through her mind. “Lars, could… Could a Valkyrie make a mis--” 

A powerful gust swept through their encampment, carrying with it the familiar beating of wings as all conversation came to a halt. Her heart began to race at the thought of her Valkyrie’s return, but when Anna turned her head to look, an imposing figure with long, flowing brown hair greeted her instead. The armor was different as well--less elegant and complex, focusing on simpler leather and furs.

“Thögn!” Alfhild called, lips pulling into a warm smile at odds with the assessment Anna had already formed of her.

The Valkyrie gracefully touched down, folding her golden wings behind her back. She dismissed her shield and spear, spreading her arms wide with a shy smile of her own. Shoving the rest of her food into Birgit’s hands, Alfhild was little more than a blur as she ran over to the waiting Valkyrie. They embraced fiercely, Thögn lifting her a little as Alfhild nuzzled into her hair.

“They do this every time,” Gunnar grunted, taking another piece of boar from the spit. “It’s only been… what, since mornin’?”

“Yes, since morning. But for lovers, that might as well be whole lifetimes!” Birgit laughed merrily, setting Alfhild’s food aside. “Weren’t you the one who said it’s been two hundred years since you last saw Skuld? Please. It’s only been fifty since that Valkyrie’s last passed through here.”

Had Anna been in the midst of drinking, she might have spat out her mead. Fifty years seemed far too long for her young mind to wrap around, let alone two hundred. But...

“Do… Do all of Freyja’s Valkyries dress like that?” Anna whispered to Lars. He tilted his head, eyebrows scrunching together.

“Yes...? Is something wrong with that?” 

“No, no, I just thought they… you know, wore more metal. And no furs.”

“Ah, those are Odin’s Valkyries,” Lars said with a slight smile. “We see them from time to time, like the one that flew over our camp not too long ago. But Freyja’s always prefer leather. Probably some sort of show of prestige on the Allfather’s part to insist on ornate armour; who can say?”

“Oh, gods…” Anna breathed, losing all appetite.

“Anna?”

She set her food down, grabbing Lars’ hand. “I need to talk to you. Right now.”

“But we’re already ta--oof!” She tugged him to his feet, calling out to a confused Birgit that they would return shortly. Family matters to discuss, and all.

Not that I even know for sure yet if we’re truly related, she thought to herself. Sharing the same white streak and same eyes doesn’t guarantee anything. But…

But she felt she could trust him, strange as it was. Looking at him was like looking into her reflection in the water, albeit an older, male version of herself. If they were related, that meant they were intrinsically tied through lifetimes--and if she couldn’t trust family, then what was left to trust in this otherworld? 

When she was satisfied they had put enough distance to avoid being overheard, Anna turned around and said, “I’m not supposed to be here. My Valkyrie was one of Odin’s, and I saw Valhalla before she flew us here instead.”

Lars’ eyes widened like hers, mouth parting just like hers. “Oh, gods.”

“That’s what I said! Do you know if a Valkyrie can make a mistake? Has this happened before?” She let go of his hand, wringing both of hers in worry. “Is she even a real Valkyrie? What if she was Loki, or some other god in disguise, and I’m caught up in his schemes somehow? Would Freyja send me away if she found out one of Odin’s had brought me here? Would Odin take me in anyway, or would I go--”

Lars interrupted her by holding out his hand, gesturing for her to stop. “Gods, we really are kin. Oh, Freyja, just… just give me a second here to think. That was a lot to take in.”

“Sorry… sometimes my mouth runneth over.”

He bit at his bottom lip, eyebrows scrunching together as he stared at a point past her right shoulder. After a few seconds, his eyes finally met hers. “Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. Perhaps not. Probably no.” A beat. “In that order, I think.”

Anna ran her hands down her face, groaning. “I don’t even remember what I asked.”

“Who was your Valkyrie?” Lars asked. “Did she give you her name?”

I can’t tell him I was too stunned to ask... “No, she didn’t, but… she was very beautiful, like a goddess--”

“Almost all Valkyries are,” he laughed.

“--and her eyes were like ice even if her gaze was warm, and her fair wintry hair was tied back in a single braid. Her wings were white like snow and she had a spear that looked like an icicle, too. I think. She didn’t actually… say anything to me, but I bet her voice is as beautiful as her face! I can tell somehow.” 

Lars blinked. His whole expression softened suddenly. “Anna. Tell me, why did you describe her like that? Like winter?”

What sort of question is that? “Obviously it’s because she’s the--” The words died on her tongue as her mind blanked. “She’s the… what? What was I going to say…? It was right there in my mind somehow, even though I’m sure I’ve never met her before.”

“Elsa, the Goddess of First Snowfalls,” Lars softly answered for her. His eyes shimmered, the fractures revealing a profound pain and grief similar to Anna’s the day the warriors had brought back her father’s body. “No one worships her anymore. No one has, for centuries.”

Elsa. Elsa…

The name rang through her mind like a song half-remembered. It was the first time she had ever heard that name, yet it felt like she had known it for a very long time. She tested every syllable, flowing off her tongue in a way that just felt right.

“What is she… to us…?” Anna asked, furrowing her brow as her hand absentmindedly drifted up to her streak. “Or rather, what are we to her? It has something to do with the mark, right? This blessing.” 

“It’s a sign that she Favors our line. When we call upon her power, it protects us, grants us boons, some extra luck when you’re in a bind… those sorts of things. And the cold. We don’t feel the cold, not in the way everyone else does.” Lars’s breathing began to quicken as he endeavored to hold back his tears. “But that’s only if you remember that power; if you remember her and worship her. Until then, it lies dormant and unused.”

His shoulders began to tremble, ever so slightly, and Anna tentatively reached out a hand. “Lars…?” 

“She was right there. She flew above us. Elsa is still alive,” he croaked, staring up at the sky. “When I first arrived here, I didn’t know any of it. My great-grandfather had to tell me everything--all that we had lost, how we failed her… How could we call ourselves Anders’ descendants if we let our goddess die?”

His pained words sent a chill down her spine, stronger than any winter or near-death encounter she had ever faced.

“Lars,” Anna tried again, her throat suddenly dry. “I’m sorry, but I’m a little confused. What happened? How did you-- did we fail?”

Lars brought his hands to his face, pressing his palms to his eyes to stop the tears. His mouth opened in a pained grimace, like a silent scream, before he answered, “Our… ancestor, my great-great-grandfather… was the last… the last true priest. His name was Anders, and he loved our goddess, and our goddess loved us, and we… we killed her…!” His hand clenched at the streak in his hair just as Anna threw her arms around him in a tight hug. “Great-grandfather… he wanted to be a… a warrior! And his children did, too, and his children’s children…!” Lars sobbed in her ear. “We all forgot somewhere along the line! We couldn’t hear her anymore!”

If a god called for help and no one could hear them, did they even exist anymore? It was a heartbreaking thought, and Anna’s own eyes brimmed with tears. How many other gods had faded away like that? How many had been left alone, pleading for someone to hear them as the void began to consume all that they were?

In that moment, Anna knew, neither of them regretted becoming a warrior. Somehow, she knew, no one in their line did. Only in the afterlife could they look back and regret the death of their patron goddess, but none could say they regretted the path that took them here.

And that made it all the more tragic. 

Eventually, they ran out of tears. The remaining boar Gunnar had taken off the spit had already lost most of its warmth by the time they returned, and Birgit had already passed out from all of her drinking. She slept propped up against her log, head tilted and drool dripping onto Gunnar’s boots as he napped on the grass, surrounded by bones picked clean.

“Welcome back,” Alfhild drily greeted them, curled up against Thögn from where they sat beneath a tree. The Valkyrie had dismissed the rest of her armor, leaving her in a more comfortable-looking linen tunic and loose trousers. Her wings had curled around herself and the girl at her side like a makeshift blanket.

“Oh, right. Anna, this is Thögn. Thögn, this is Anna Agdarsdotter. She died today.”

“More than a bit late for that, don’t you think?” Lars asked, arching a brow as the corner of his lips twitched. “And welcome back, Thögn.” Thögn gave a small wave, smiling warmly.

“I can’t help it if you two run off into the woods to talk about boring family politics,” Alfhild jabbed back, closing her eyes as she leaned her head against the Valkyrie’s shoulder. “Every time someone with a white streak comes along, I swear…”

“Don’t get too comfortable there, Alf. We need to talk to Thögn.”

The Valkyrie in question lifted a hand, stroking through Alfhild’s dark hair until she gave a grumpy grunt of assent. “I’ll go nap near Gunnar, then. Birgit gets too cold.”

“The benefits of having some fire giant blood, I suppose,” Lars chuckled. Anna felt satisfied that she’d guessed correctly. “Don’t worry, we won’t take up too much of her time. Hopefully.”

Alfhild lazily waved away his words as she stood up and walked off. “If you don’t understand something, just give Birgit a firm kick to wake her up.”

Anna frowned, looking back and forth between the Valkyrie and her. “Ah… Wouldn’t it be better just to wake Alfhild up instead?”

“Alf might accidentally kill you if you do,” Lars explained, tugging the collar of his tunic down a bit to expose part of a pale, jagged scar on his neck. “Old habits, and all. She never naps without a dagger on her.”

Thögn giggled; her hands moving as if she were spelling something in the air, or making warding signs. Each move was graceful and precise. 

“I agree with you there,” Lars laughed. His expression grew more serious; brow furrowing the way Anna’s did whenever she was about to make a possibly ‘bad’ decision. “Thögn… do you know if any of Odin’s Einherjar were ever sent to Folkvangr instead? If a Valkyrie made that sort of mistake, or if Freyja decided she wanted them?”

Thögn’s eyebrows drew together as she tilted her head. Her hands signed an answer, slowly and… questioningly? Perhaps a little belatedly, Anna began to realise that she was speaking through these hand motions--entirely, not merely gesturing for emphasis.

Lars exhaled loudly, reaching up to run a hand through his white streak. His lips pulled into a grimace. “Yes, I’m well aware that’s his rule. That’s what I thought. I only wanted to make sure…”

Anna looked back and forth between them. “What did she say?”

Her movement caught Thögn’s attention, and the furrow on the Valkyrie’s brow disappeared as her green eyes widened slightly. Her wings twitched as she signed something to Lars, never turning away from Anna. When Lars didn’t respond, merely fixed his gaze on his boots, she gave a little huff and turned her head to face him once more, rising to her feet.

Lars stumbled a few steps back as Thögn quickly approached, jabbing a finger at his chest. She asked something else that made Lars swallow hard. Did Thögn piece together the truth? He seemed strangely small in that moment, despite sharing the same height as her. He shook his head before answering.

“No, not Brynhildr. Elsa.” 

Thögn blinked, her mouth parting slightly. Her hands signed with that questioning movement again.

“Yes, that Elsa. My... Our Elsa.”

The Valkyrie sighed, taking a few steps back to give Lars some space. Her hands had slowed with their movements, but they contained a sharpness to them. A finality.

“Most… most likely, yes.” 

Anna had enough. She walked over to them, arms spreading in exasperation. “Excuse me, but could someone explain what’s going on? If I’m in danger of being killed by Odin or Freyja, I don’t have time to learn how to understand what Thögn’s saying.” A beat. “I-I mean no offense, Thögn! I’d definitely learn if I had the time! Especially if it makes things easier for you...”

Thögn merely nodded in understanding, lifting her shoulders a bit. Beside her, Lars exhaled loudly, muttering under his breath a little before properly answering her.

“Short answer? You should be safe as long as you stay in Folkvangr, but we’ll have to appeal to Freyja ourselves just to make sure. And… there’s a high chance Elsa might be punished. Severely. Odin hasn’t been in a good mood of late.”

The pounding in her ears grew as the beat of her heart took on a more panicked pace. “What’s… what’s the long answer, then?”

Lars hardened his jaw as he turned his head to look at a massive longhouse in the distance. Anna had seen it earlier as she had wandered, and something that big could only mean one thing.

“I’ll explain on the way to Freyja’s hall.” 

Thögn agreed to fly them there, albeit at a slower pace than Elsa had when she left Anna behind in that field. After all, if she flew faster, Lars wouldn’t have time to give Anna all the details.

And gods, what a fine mess she had gotten into.

“That’s so stupid! Women aren’t allowed in Valhalla?” was all Anna had to say after that. In her right ear, Thögn grunted in agreement; as her hands were currently occupied with carrying both of them, it was the only response she might give.

“It’s Odin’s one, absolute rule for the Einherjar,” Lars answered from the other side. “And since one Valkyrie has already been cast down today--his own daughter, no less--the Allfather would be more than likely to simply kill Elsa and be done with it.”

And so, her only hope would be to work out a deal with Freyja, she thought frantically. Now that I’ve heard everything, her flying off so fast makes more sense… That terror, too.

“But… if it’s like you said and she did it to protect me as our goddess, can’t Odin just wave it off? You know, ‘what’s one girl between gods’, or something like that?” 

Thögn cleared her throat a bit as she shifted her grip on them both. She started rasping a word that sounded like it might have been “duty” but never quite made it.

“A Valkyrie’s duties to Freyja or Ordin are above whatever godly duties she may personally have,” Lars finished for her, and Thögn shot him a grateful glance. “When she chose to guide you in that moment, she put herself before Odin, which… I suppose that’s worse than picking an Einherjar who died un-heroically. His title as the Allfather isn’t for show; his Valkyries have their roles because of his will. On top of that, you’re a woman too, so--”

“I understand,” Anna quickly cut him off as the tips of her ears burned. “Elsa is in grave danger because of me.” To think I was so happy to be in her arms…

“Because of all of us, honestl--AAH!” 

Thögn had briefly dropped Lars mid-mutter, only to catch him a heartbeat later. She merely huffed; nose turned up, eyes narrowed ahead, and seemingly ignoring the panic and indignation on Lars’ face.

“Thögn, I could’ve died a second death with a scare like that!” he shouted, clinging to her arm as if she’d drop him again at any moment. “What was that for?!”

True to her name, Thögn kept her silence; lips downturned into a disapproving frown. Anna could guess why, but she fought back the urge to speak the words on her tongue. Scolding Lars for sharing the same sentiments she held would only be hypocritical. Instead, she voiced a safer, concern. 

“Come to think of it… Why is Thögn helping us if she’s a Valkyrie? Wouldn’t she be in trouble with Odin for sort of helping Elsa?”

“What Freyja’s Valkyries do falls to Freyja herself, not Odin. It’s one of their agreements when it comes to overseeing their own--separate--homesteads,” Lars answered, mostly regaining his previous composure. He hadn’t let go of Thögn’s arm, though. “Since Elsa is already negotiating with Freyja, this won’t be seen as ‘helping’ her. That, and Thögn is one of the kindest people I know… except for when she drops friends from the sky.”

Thögn rolled her eyes, but Anna could see she was trying not to smile. Trying.

“She also owes me a big favo--AAAAHHH!”

The Valkyrie unceremoniously dropped Lars for good this time, paying no attention to his scream as her golden wings suddenly flared to slow her speed considerably. As Thögn gracefully began her descent, it was only then that Anna noticed they had already reached Freyja’s longhouse. Much like the brief view she had of Valhalla, the roof of Freyja’s personal dwelling was an overturned longboat massive enough to hold hundreds of warriors. Stone walls rose up beneath it with battles, fierce figures, and all manner of history beautifully carved onto their surface.

Freyja may be the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility… but she was also a goddess of war and death. The dying warriors with their stony mouths open in soundless screams grimly reminded Anna of the latter as Thögn gently touched down, finally allowing her to stand on her own.

“A hand’s breadth away, and I could’ve truly died again!” Lars shouted at them, gesturing to the stone path leading up to the doors of the longhouse--beside which was a suspiciously human-shaped indentation. With his other hand, he brushed grass off his hair and tunic, frowning in a way Anna knew all too well. Olaf’s pranks had often been similar in nature.

Olaf… I wonder which afterlife he has gone to?

Thögn signed something to him, though the mischievous gleam in her eyes told Anna all she needed to know.  

“Let’s just go,” Lars grumbled, turning around to head for the doors after a brief--albeit intense--’conversation’ between them using their hands. “Thögn, you can return if you want. I know how much Alf’s sleeping face invigorates you so after work.”

Thögn absolutely beamed at that, and Anna’s own lips couldn’t help but pull into a smile of her own at the infectious joy radiating from the Valkyrie. Lars must have felt it too, for he hunched his shoulders to his ears as he walked, waving at her impatiently to get going. Golden wings raised themselves high, and Thögn shot into the air with a mighty flap, leaving a powerful gale in her wake. Anna’s braids slapped at her face as she raised her head in spite of the wind, watching as the Valkyrie sped back the way they had come like a loosed arrow.

Could we be like that, I wonder…? 

Heat immediately gathered in her cheeks at the memory of Elsa’s smile--a genuine smile meant for her, and her alone. No one had ever looked at her like that before, as if she was the most important person in the world. If she had a gift for words like the skálds back home, perhaps she could describe the feeling better than even that.

“Are you all right?” Lars’ voice broke through her thoughts, layered with concern. “If you’re afraid, that’s to be expected. We are about to confront a goddess and try to help save Elsa’s life, after all--one who is a major figure in the pantheon, no less.”

She hadn’t yet moved from her spot, apparently. The heat spread to her ears as she hurried to join her ancestor at the base of the steps leading to the large doors of Freyja’s hall. “I-It’s nothing; I’m fine. My thoughts just wandered.” 

“If you say so...”

To prove her point, Anna squared her shoulders and marched past him, eyes trained on the doors ahead. Once she reached the top, she raised her hand, ready to knock on the intricately carved wood. Her blood pounded in her ears like the war drums from earlier that day.

“Just knock,” Lars offered after ten heartbeats had passed without her moving, trying to smile encouragingly. It didn’t help. “Do you know how to knock?”

This shouldn’t be that hard. I can’t be killed for good again, can I?

But Elsa could. With that thought in mind, Anna took a deep breath and--

The door opened just enough for a woman with long, blonde hair to peek her head out. Her amber eyes held a mischievous glint in them as she smiled with a radiance to rival the sun above. 

“How much longer did you intend to keep waiting?” she asked, voice light and teasing and at odds with the foreboding chill creeping up Anna’s spine. So Freyja really had been expecting them…

“Is… is Freyja angry?” Anna asked, fighting the urge to sneak a peek past the woman’s head. This would be the worst time to be rude to a goddess’ servant, even if by accident. “For waiting, I mean. I-I swear, we rushed over here as fast as we could after we figured it out!”

The woman blinked; her mouth parting slightly in surprise. Her smile was quick to return, however, as her gaze slid over to Lars. “She really is your kin, isn’t she? You were similar, yourself.”

...What?

Anna turned her head, a question on her lips, only for that question to die at the sight of Lars kneeling, his head bowed so low, it must have hurt. His hands had clenched into tight fists, trembling ever so slightly.

“Lady Freyja, please forgive her ignorance.”

Lady Freyja?!

Anna’s cheeks burned anew as she hurried to copy her ancestor, but a hand on her arm stopped her. “Relax,” the goddess laughed as she opened the door wider to accommodate them both to pass into the entryway, nodding for Lars to stand. “Come, join me.” He nearly tripped over himself in doing so, his own face red with embarrassment. 

“Is this… really the time to be playing games, Lady Freyja?” he managed to ask as they followed her inside, determination coating every word even as he stumbled on them. “Odin’s wrath is an urgent and serious matter, and relaxing is, well… as I said, it seems a bad time.”

Anna had never been good at the more formal aspects of being the chief’s daughter, and speaking to a goddess would be similar to speaking with another chief and their council, wouldn’t it? Or perhaps something more, considering they were gods. She hadn’t been very close with their clan’s priests to know how to-- 

That’s right… We were priests, once. She bit her lip as the thought resounded painfully in her mind.

“Games? My dear Lars, I may enjoy watching you squirm from time to time when it concerns the heart, but I am not Loki. I would not have you dance to your demise,” Freyja answered with another smile as they entered the main hall of the longhouse. “Anna Agdarsdotter… I welcome you both to my home, Sessrúmnir.”

Anna’s eyes widened as she took in the large, open space. A big fire serving as the goddess’ hearth burned strongly in the center; enough so she could feel its warmth even from here. Lit braziers lined near the walls, evenly spread with beautiful banners hung in the spaces between. At the far end of the main hall, situated atop a raised, shimmering dais, sat Freyja’s gilded throne.

And standing at its foot, white wings carefully tucked behind her, ice spear firmly in hand, and head held as high as she dared, was-- 

“Elsa!” they both cried, feet already rushing them over to their goddess. Anna nearly stumbled in her haste, her chest almost painful from the frenzied beat of her heart. Questions upon questions welled up inside of her when they both came to a stop, their gazes reverent as they properly beheld the Valkyrie before them. She had so much to ask, so much to talk about, but the way Elsa clenched her spear closer to her, wings twitching anxiously, kept the words at bay.

But gods--goddesses?--she was beauty beyond measure, now that Anna had the chance to properly see her face-to-face.

“Hello,” Elsa said after what felt like a lifetime of staring had passed. Her voice sounded as melodic as Anna had imagined, her eyes darting back and forth nervously between her and Lars.

“‘H-Hello’, me?” Anna blurted out for them, seeing as Lars seemed to be paralyzed in place.

Elsa’s left hand left the spear briefly, reaching towards Anna almost imperceptibly before tightening back around its shaft. Her voice was softer when she answered, “Yes.” 

Thoughts raced through Anna’s mind and her mouth started moving without her permission. “Lars told me who you are.” She twirled the streak absentmindedly. “Elsa, the Goddess of First Snowfalls. My--our,” Anna motioned to Lars and herself, “patron goddess.”

Freyja approached and Anna quieted as the goddess gestured between the other three. “You all might as well catch up. Odin could yet decide to kill Elsa.” Freyja’s words were not meant to be cruel, simply blunt, yet they cut through Anna and Elsa winced. Her expression was impossible to read as she breezed out of the room.

Before Anna’s mind caught up, she’d crossed the distance between her and Elsa. She stopped just before touching the Valkyrie, her goddess, and knelt before her looking at the ground. 

“I’m sorry we… that we forgot. We lost touch with your memory and left you neglected, and now…” Anna raised her face. “Why would you choose me? Why call Odin’s wrath upon yourself when we’ve failed you as your priests and priestesses?” A small part of her, the one that warmed when Elsa’s blue eyes met hers, hoped it might mean something.

“Oh, Anna,” Elsa said tenderly, a bit of the tension bleeding from her posture. “Because you are mine.” She did reach out this time and threaded her fingers through Anna’s hair, through the streak. “My responsibility. That’s what this mark means; you have my Favor. I could not leave you once I saw you in such torment and peril.”

Her hand left Anna’s hair and held it out, offering help to stand. The part of Anna’s heart which already loved Elsa swelled. She took the proffered hand, clasping the cool and smooth one with her own warm and rough fingers. Anna was standing even closer to the goddess after finding her footing, close enough to feel Elsa’s light breath against her lips and for Anna to lose herself again in Elsa’s blue eyes. 

“Odin won’t kill you,” Anna declared after a long pause. “I won’t let him.” The idea was ludicrous; she was fully aware. But she wouldn’t--no, couldn’t stand aside and let this majestic wonder be killed for choosing her.

“We won’t let him,” Lars spoke up, startling Anna further towards Elsa, though thankfully not knocking her over. He stated with conviction, “There’s quite a few of us here, Elsa. We almost let you fade away, and that was our mistake, but we won’t sit idly by and let this happen now. It’s the least we can do as penance.”

Elsa started shaking again, but Anna only knew because they were almost flush now. Automatically, Anna did the best thing she could think of, which was to wrap her arms around Elsa in a hug of sorts. One of her arms wrapped around Elsa’s waist, out of the way of her wings. The other came up and -- with no resistance -- leaned Elsa’s head into her shoulder. It was the same hug Anna’s father and mother had always given her when she was upset. 

As if that was the cue Elsa had been waiting for, the trembling worsened until Anna was sure she was crying into her shoulder. All Anna did was hold her tighter. Was a goddess really crying on her? The afterlife was strange, indeed.

Long moments passed before Elsa calmed, sinking further into the comforting embrace. Her voice was soft and muffled as she turned her head and mumbled into Anna’s neck, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” was Anna’s simple reply. She pulled Elsa back enough to face her and leaned forward to softly kiss Elsa’s forehead. The act earned them matching flushes, and Anna marvelled that there was anything she could do to make a Valkyrie blush--much less something so simple.

“What a heartwarming scene. I presume you’re all ready for the battle to come, yes?” Freyja’s voice drifted over to them, carrying with it a mischief Anna hadn’t noticed before. Lars seemed to already be familiar with this particular tone, judging by the way he exhaled deeply--tiredly.

“Lady Freyja,” he began, “forgive me if I’m being presumptuous or too forward, but… your games aren’t over yet, are they?”

The goddess tilted her head to the side, smiling warmly. “I told you before, didn’t I? I would not have those under my watch dance to their demise, not when they have done nothing to deserve such a thing. Mind your tongue.”

They all visibly relaxed at that, though Elsa seemed to have already had a hint of the goddess’ decision, based on the way she tiredly shook her head as she stepped away from Anna’s embrace. “Before you both arrived at her hearth, Lady Freyja and I had discussed how to deal with Odin’s wrath.”

“A fight, yes?” 

“Not quite, dear Anna,” Freyja chuckled. “Since you have both intruded upon my domain, what happens in my domain falls to me, not the Allfather. And although he is in a most sour mood--and believe you me, you’re better off not hearing the details--he has agreed to my decision to keep you both here as my denizens. There is little else he could do without risking outright war between us, which none here desires.” 

Joy rose powerfully in Anna’s chest, and she felt her legs might buckle. They could stay. Even though she had not yet fully grasped that it worried her more than any matter had ever worried her before, she couldn’t pretend not to feel that worry flee, leaving her lighter than air.

They could stay. She could stay with her goddess.

“I am relieved,” Elsa admitted in a soft whisper, her arm around Anna to support her. She hadn’t even noticed when it found its way there. “That my Favor was not a curse upon you, Anna.”

“How could any fate be a curse if the fate comes from you?” she responded immediately. They leaned their foreheads together, basking in the warmth of the moment. The pure relief at knowing they would not be separated or cast down, or worse. That a new life lay before them--one in which Anna might rediscover her lineage, and the goddess who oversaw it.

And in which Elsa could discover Anna.

“Now, as for the matter of your punishment…”

Of course; there was always a catch. Anna held her breath, as did Lars. Even Elsa’s wings stilled so only the crackling of the massive hearth could be heard.

But Freyja winked, eyes dancing. “I much prefer watching you both find happiness and love. That amuses me far more than any number of lashes or years spent toiling.”

Given that it was not their place to argue with Freyja, neither Elsa nor Anna decided to try. 

THE END 

EPILOGUE

Turns out, Hans didn’t get into Valhalla. Anna would have felt vindicated, except that the asshole ended up in Folkvangr instead. And proceeded to not actually be so evil as he had been in life. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he wasn’t worth Odin’s hearth that humbled him, or perhaps it was the knowledge that Anna had made it there, as well. She never asked.

Lars’s knuckles had been oddly bruised for the first few weeks since they all had found out, though.

Anna didn’t really bother thinking about it that much. Elsa distracted her more than enough.

[minaminokyoko]

Thor: Ragnarok is extra as fuck and I am so down with that.

Oh, sweet Odin, you don't know how much I fucking needed this movie in my life.

Now, I am one of the only MCU fans on the planet who not only loves the Thor movies but would like to happily tell the rest of the MCU fans to fuck off the edge of my metaphorical dick for constantly ragging on them. They are fun films with lots of charm and I can't stand that Thor is constantly thrown under the bus by these same fans who worship worthless characters left and right and yet won't give the God of Thunder the time of day. Well, if nothing else, I think the naysayers have to admit that Thor: Ragnarok if nothing else will be the most memorable film in his trilogy. To me, it's like a giant, decadent chocolate sundae. It gets sweeter with every bite and you love every second of it. Naturally, spoilers ahead.

Overall Grade: A-/B+

Pros:

-Obviously, the script writers had a bet with the Guardians of the Galaxy writers on how they could make the funniest film in the MCU, because Ragnarok was making an honest effort to beat their films in terms of just gut-busting moments. It's awkward humor, it's visual gags, it's wonderful performances, it's everything to make you damn near pee yourself in your theater seat. I've always liked Thor's balance between serious Shakespearean drama and goofy humor, and Ragnarok basically turns it up to eleven. I think that Thor's best quality is that he's a big old dork with a big old heart, and it shines true in this film. He's a warrior and a giant golden puppy and it's shown so well in this film. The way I've been describing it in my head is "the most extra Marvel film in the entire MCU" and I mean that in the best possible way. Everything is extra as fuck and it works.

-Hela was awesome. I mean, duh, Cate Blanchett, and she was deliciously over the top exactly the way we were all hoping for. The House of Odin is basically the House of Big Hams and so she fit right in. Plus, she was a legitimate badass threat and it was great to see women in this film kicking ass and looking fly as fuck while doing it.

-Valkyrie was also a delightful welcome. I thought Jane was cute as a button and I didn't mind that her badassery came from her mind, but I liked Valkyrie palling around and being a grumpy drunkard who could kick your ass if you looked at her wrong. I also liked that they didn't make her a tomboy--she's just cranky as hell. She didn't feel unfeminine, and that's good to see in a film that's kind of a boys' club. It was so wonderful to see a woman of color kicking ass and taking names, and it was even more of a relief that the initial rumor was wrong and she isn't Thor's love interest. I wouldn't mind a future romance, but it's great that they are just brothers in arms.

-Jeff Goldblum. I don't need to elaborate. Just...Jeff Goldblum.

-Loki, to me, felt pretty balanced here and he didn't overtake the film the way he did in The Dark World. Mind you, I loved TDW. I thought focusing on the brothers was awesome and interesting, but it came at the expense of the villain and that was kind of a bummer. Here, we get just enough of the God of Mischief, but he doesn't stifle Thor or the others. Plus, he was so fucking extra in this movie. I'm crying. The play he put on and the statue he built was just hilarious. He's sitting there mouthing the lines and what have you. Oh, Loki. You are just a fountain of fucking entertainment. Also, I forgot how utterly attractive I find Tom Hiddleston, especially in tight clothing and all black, so I may have had a lady boner for pretty much most of the film. Damn you, Tom.

-The action was extremely well-paced. You had just enough time to get to know people and see the new characters and understand the threat while being treated to some truly awesome fight scenes. Plus, the Thor/Hulk battle lived up to its potential. We were all waiting for them to throwdown, and they certainly did in an epic way.

-Thor and Bruce's dynamic was charming. So, so charming. It was cool because of the Avengers team, the two of them seemed to interact the least and it was great to see them bond and develop a rapport. It's also cool that the film is sort of nodding to the Planet Hulk idea while not being able to go into it with a solo film, but hey, you get what you can out of the MCU.

-Surprisingly, no Avenger cameos and no references to what's happening on earth aside from Age of Ultron. Very cool of them to let Ragnarok be its own story and not get interrupted.

-Ragnarok is honestly as visually stunning as the Guardians movies. I'm really glad they amped up the way everything feels foreign and alien. It gives it its own unique flavor and sets it apart from the first two movies, and I know a constant complaint has been Thor being on Earth too much. Problem solved.

-The Matt Damon and Sam Neill cameos had me roaring. So random, but so good.

-Even though he's pretty much the Butt Monkey for most of the film, I loved seeing Thor be his big adorable, doofy self. He's like a wonderful frat bro, but not the obnoxious kind, like that adorable meathead kind of personality like Joey Tribbiani from Friends. He's a good man and he's been humbled a lot and he does the right thing whatever the cost may be. Good on you, giant puppy god. I'll always have your back no matter what.

-Side note: MCU fandom, I'm not saying you should write Valkyrie/Loki hate-sex fics...but you should totally write some Valkyrie/Loki hate-sex fics.

Cons:

-I hate it when major franchise sequels do this shit: writing the love interest out of the entire story with one line. I was furious. Look, I know Natalie Portman exited the franchise. I don't know if she said anything rude on her way out, but she was instrumental to the first two fucking films and it drives me insane when movies don't address why a major character has left, and it's especially fucking rude when said character was the love interest of the main lead. Stop. Doing. This. Hollywood. Respect these characters. I don't care if the actor/actress left--you need to neatly wrap it up and explain what happened out of respect for the story and the audience, not your fucking studio. Jane Foster started the entire story of Thor. Without her, everything would have been incredibly different and Thor might not have had the development he received as a character without her. I'm not saying you had to drag Natalie back on set. All I'm saying is to give Thor a five minute scene explaining why they broke up, because that's fucking important to him and to those of us who shipped Fosterson. So fuck off with your one sentence explanation, you selfish pricks.

-To that end, fuck you for killing off Volstagg and Fandral without a single fucking word or nod of acknowledgment of Thor's that they died defending Asgard. Look, I'm not stupid. I can acknowledge that these characters were an afterthought and they weren't given time to develop, but they were still a big part in helping Thor out and he loved them like family, so letting them die without even going out like badasses for shock value was a discourteous move. I can't believe the actors even agreed to show up for that bullshit. It's disrespectful. They also never reference where the hell Sif went, so thanks a lot for that too. I haven't watched Agents of SHIELD in over a year and I know she cameo'd there, but I have no clue where she was and why they didn't tell us why she wasn't protecting Asgard. At least Hogun got a goodbye, but why him and not the others? You dicks.

-The story is overstuffed and it's probably because Ragnarok is only 2 hours and 10 minutes long. They really should have just trusted the audience and made it two and a half hours long. Guys, we can sit through great films for that long. We don't mind. We are excited about the characters and the worlds they're in, so don't cut your movie short when you have this much going on. It's okay to slow down.

-Related to the above con, Bruce didn't really get a resolution to his story. His fear of being trapped inside the Hulk forever is legit as hell, and because of the short running time, he just sort of gets over it and switches back to save the Asgardians. While that is noble, it's frustrating to see his story arc get pushed aside due to the short running time, much like in the first Avengers where we don't see how he is able to control his transformation. Do the work. Give him some room to develop alongside Thor.

-Curiously, they didn't give us more fuel for Infinity War aside from (possibly) Thanos' ship popping up. I was sure they were going to show us Loki nabbing the Tesseract in the end credits and then Thanos finding out and going after it, but I guess not. Odd. I figured they'd allude to the Grand Master still being alive as one end credits scene, but I'm once again a bit frustrated with the lack of teasing.

-This isn't a personal con for me, but if you went into this looking for a serious story, you're going to hate this movie. It's charming and full of delicious Narm and one-liners, so if you've got a stick up your ass about your Marvel films being deep dramas, don't even bother with Ragnarok. It's a popcorn flick on steroids.

-I kind of wanted a little more of Thor mourning Odin, but part me is also like, "Man, FUCK THAT GUY. Odin won the Worst MCU Father award alongside Howard Stark.” I mean, Christ. "By the way, you have a sister who is the Goddess of Death and instead of preparing you for her arrival once I die, I'm just gonna spring this shit on you at the last second. Kthxbai." FUCK YOU ODIN. I tried to defend you when the Loki fangirls came after you, but now you can kiss my ass and die. Ugh, what an asshole.

-I would have liked Thor and Valkyrie to have a quiet moment to bond. Yes, this movie is all big laughs, but I'd have enjoyed seeing them genuinely have a moment, platonic or otherwise.

-I wish they would have outlined Hela's abilities and weaknesses (if she had any) before we got her showdown with the Big Nasty. It might have made the finale go down a little easier.

Ragnarok was oodles and oodles of fun and delivered what it promised. I'm already ready to see it a second time and enjoy the charm and the extra-ness. Please do yourself a favor and join me.

[sirtravisjacksonoftexas]

Is Jesus a Mythical figure based on the Norse god Thor? Um, NO, and here is why:

Thor, Son of the god Odin and the goddess Fjorgyn (aka Jord, aka Hilodyn), was the Norse god of Thunder. He flew on a bronze chariot pulled by two goats (Tanngnost and Tanngrisnir), and battled frost giants, creating thunder whenever he struck one with his hammer Mjollnir (though some sources state that it was caused by his chariot rumbles). 

Though eventually becoming the sworn enemy of Loki, god of fire, Thor’s greatest nemesis was with Loki’s child Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent (due to the fact that it was so big that it encircled the earth). Eventually, Thor and Jormungand would one day clash at Ragnarok, the Norse battle of Armageddon. There, Thor will finally get his wish and slay the Midgard Serpent, only to perish in the venom that flows from its body. Though not the King of the gods (a title reserved for Odin only), Thor was nevertheless the strongest of the gods and more beloved by Norse farmers and Icelandic colonists (while the Viking raiders put more emphasis on Odin).  

But was he more than just the Norse God of Thunder?

Was he the basis for Jesus Christ?  

Let’s look at their “parallels” and see why this is a thick-headed idea:

1. Incarnate god?

No. He was never incarnated as a human.

 2. Trinity?

No. In the Temple of Uppsala, there was supposedly a statue of him along two others (one of Freyr and another of Odin), but this doesn’t mean that they were a trinity. They were simply three gods put together. Indeed, the idea that there were three such statues in the temple has been called into question. Thor was never considered part of a Trinity. 

3. Son of God?

Yes, but not in the same way. While Thor was the son of Odin, Jesus is God the Son, a part of the trinity of God that existed long before he was born into the world as a human being. God did bring about his conception by divine power and thus makes Jesus a “Son of God” (Luke 1:135), but he existed in the infinite past (John 1:1-3).  

4. Born of a Virgin?No, Odin and Fjorgyn had sex. 

5. Born of a union of Heaven and Earth?

Thor’s father was the sky god Odin (also the personification of the sky). His mother, Fjorgyn, is an earth goddess. Thus, he is the product of a union of Heaven and Earth.

Though Jesus existed in spirit long before he was born (John 1:1-3), his conception came about because God used his powers to conceive him in Mary’s womb. Heavenly god, earthly woman, together conceiving God the Son incarnate, a product of a union of Heaven and earth. Of course, this union was not sexual in nature (Luke 1:26-37), but then again, not all such unions in ancient religions and myth were said to be sexual in nature. For example, the first man Adam was made out of the dust of the earth, and later brought to life when God breathed the “breath of life” into him (Genesis 2:7). Animals were likewise made in this fashion (Genesis 2:19, compare with Genesis 1:30, 7:14-16, 21-22). 

It is true that both Jesus and Thor are both, in a sense, a product of a union of heaven and earth, but…is this a good parallel?

Well, it’s a bit of a broad parallel. 

 As I mentioned, there are other figures in religious texts and world myth that are products of a union of heaven and earth.  Indeed, there are many. Adam and the first animals in the Bible are several Old Testament examples. The Titans, Hechantonchires (50 headed, hundred handed giants) and the primordial cyclopes were all likewise children of a union of heaven and earth. Specifically, their parents were a sky god (Ouranos (Roman Uranus) and an earth goddess (Gaia). Later, when their son Cronus castrated Ouranos, his blood fell on the earth, creating the Erinyes (Roman Furies), the Meliae (ash tree nymphs) and the Gigantes or giants, massive creatures who had enormous snakes for legs. 

Given this, can we really say that Jesus’s physical body, being a product of a union of Heaven and Earth, was based on Thor being a product of Heaven and Earth?

No.    

6. Star proclaimed his birth?

No.

7. Wisemen?

No. Odin would have no doubt visited him after he was born, and Odin was wise, but…to make a comparison between that and the Wisemen is one of the greatest stretches imaginable, especially considering the fact that none of the Wise Men were Jesus’ father. Indeed, they visited Jesus about 2 years after his birth, not on the night he was born (Matthew 2:1-16).  

8. Someone sought his life shortly after he was born?

No.

 9. Taught in a temple as a boy?

No.

 10. Baptized?

No.

 11. Tempted by the Devil?

Loki, the Norse Equivalent of the Devil, at times got Thor into predicaments and brought him misery, but he never tempted him.

 12. Miracle worker?

All gods were, big deal.

 13. Turned water into wine?

No.

 14. Multiplied bread and fish?

No.

 15. Walked on water?

No.

 16. Healed the sick?

No.

17. Raised the dead?

Thor’s hammer could raise animals from the dead. He would often kill and eat Tanngnost and Tanngrisnir, using his hammer to resurrect them afterwards (though their bones had to be intact for it to work). However, though his hammer had power over death to a certain extent, it could only resurrect animals, not human beings.

Jesus didn’t need a hammer.

18. Had power over storms? 

 Jesus did calm a storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25. Likewise, Thor, being the god of Thunder, had control over storms. However, there is an important difference; Thor had control over the storms because he is the god of Thunder, while Jesus had control over the storms because he, being God, is omnipotent (Matthew 19:26, compare with John 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:17, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1). Jesus is more than a Thunder God. 

He is the God of all. 

19. Cast out demons?

No, Thor never performed exorcisms.  

20. Betrayed? 

 Loki betrayed him on several occasions. Once, he cut off the hair of Thor’s wife Sif. Thor chased him down and nearly killed him. Indeed, he would have done so if Loki hadn’t vowed to get Sif some new hair. On another occasion, Loki convinced  Thor to leave both his hammer and belt of strength behind before they visited Geirrod the Frost Giant. Previously, Geirrod had once taken Loki prisoner. The fire god obviously didn’t want to die, so they made a deal; Loki would be spared if he agreed to bring Thor to Geirrod…without his hammer in tow. Thus, he would seemingly be defenseless when the Frost Giant made to kill him. However, along the way, Thor and Loki met Grid, a frost giantess who warned Thor about Geirrod’s intentions. 

Worried about him, she gave Thor several weapons, including an unbreakable staff and a strength belt of her own. These proved handy when he battled Geirrod, his daughters and his servants, slaying them all. Likewise, Jesus was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16, 47-56). 

A parallel, right?

Not so much. 

 I mean, how many people, and how many people in religious texts where shown to be betrayed? How many characters of world myth were likewise betrayed? It’s a bit of a broad category, don’t you think? Look at the Bible alone: Jacob betrayed Esau (Genesis 27), only for Laban his father-in-law and Leah to betray him in turn in Genesis 29. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37:12-36). God was betrayed by the Israelites whenever they turned to worship other gods, such as during the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32). Delilah betrayed Samson, cutting off his hair so that the Philistines could capture him (Judges 16). Absalom, David’s son, betrayed his father by launching a rebellion against him (2 Samuel 15). 

I mean…really, folks? Really?

This would be a stronger parallel if Loki had betrayed Thor for money, but that’s not the case; he did it for kicks (Sif) and to save his life (Geirrod).

 21. Crucified?

No, Thor is destined to die by the venom of Jormungand.

 22. Death linked to a serpent?

As stated above, Thor is prophesied to die due to Jormungand’s venom. Right before this happens, Thor slays Jormungand with his hammer.

How does this supposedly parallel Christ?

In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, God lays the hammer down on both them and the Serpent, who tempted Eve to eat it. He turns his attention first to the serpent, telling him that he is cursed above all animals, that he is to move on his belly and eat dust.

Then he says something startling in verse 15:

“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel."

This is perplexing, since “Seed” was a euphemism for sperm in the ancient world. Since men have sperm and women don’t, one is left to wonder why the woman’s “seed” is mentioned here instead of man’s. True, some translations have “Offspring” instead of seed, but the Hebrew word translated here, Zera, primarily means seed and semen. It can also refer to offspring, but only by extension. This, among other reasons, is why this passage is considered a Messianic prophecy. After all, Jesus didn’t have an earthly father, but a Heavenly Father. Jesus was conceived by divine power working within Mary.

Thus “seed of a woman”.

This prophecy fits even more when we realize that Satan entered Judas, leading him to betray Christ (Luke 22:3-6, 47-53). As a result, Jesus was arrested and later died on the cross. However…he arose from the grave three days later, enabling mankind to accept him as Lord and Savior and thus have eternal life. Satan’s spiritual stranglehold on all mankind was over (see Colossians 1:13, Hebrews 2:14).

Can you say “backfire”?

Satan caused Christ’s death…which in turn destroyed Satan’s spiritual domination over the souls of men. Now people can escape his yoke if they accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. By Jesus’ sacrifice, Satan was defeated.

Keep in mind; Satan is called “Serpent” on several occasions in the Bible (Revelation 12:9, 20:2). Contrary to popular opinion, the identification of the serpent with Satan is actually an ancient one (as indicated in the passages from Revelation cited above). Indeed, one ancient scroll, the “Visions of Amram”, depicts a “Prince of Darkness” in a serpentine fashion. Archeological evidence from ancient Israel shows that they depicted Seraphim angels as winged serpents (sometimes as just serpents). There is much evidence to show that the serpent in the Garden was in reality a powerful supernatural being whose appearance was serpent-like, indeed Satan himself.

Satan, who took on a serpentine fashion, bringing about Christ’s death, only to be defeated as a result, while Thor kills the world serpent, then succumbing to its venom. 

 This is a parallel for sure, but not a perfect one. Indeed, unlike Jormungand, Satan does die; he’s only defeated. He isn’t even shown to take a serpentine form when he enters Judas and gets him to betray Christ. There is a similarity here, but this reeks more of coincidence than of one borrowing from the other. 

Unless, of course, Its not Christians who are doing the borrowing…

Read on. 

23. Resurrected?

No, he is not to resurrect. You’re thinking of the Thor movie.

24. Rules over a future age?

No, his sons Magni and Modi  rule in a future age, along with several other gods.

 Not many similarities, are there?

Indeed, its highly likely that there were originally even less similarities than these. As I said in my previous article on the Norse god Balder, the oldest texts on Norse myths were written by Christian Norsemen in the dark ages, men who added biblical elements to them. I also noted that the Vikings added Christian elements to their faith centuries before this, even placing Jesus Christ into their pagan pantheon. Thus, if there was any borrowing…it was the other way around, the myth of Thor borrowing from the story of Christ in the Gospels. This doesn’t mean that Thor wasn’t worshipped as a God before the arrival of Christianity, or that the Norse were inspired by Christ to come up with Thor (he was worshipped long before Scandinavia was converted), but It does mean that the Norse myths were Christianized by Norse Christians. 

Thus, Thor wasn’t the inspiration for Christ.

Jesus wasn’t based on a hammer-wielding god of thunder. Jesus is God almighty. 

Sources:

“The Prose Edda” by Snorri Sturluson (Translated with introduction and notes by Jesse L. Byock), ix-xiv, 15, 73, 90-92

“The Poetic Edda” Translated by Lee M. Hollander (Second edition, Revised), ix-x

“The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology” by Arthur Coterrell and Rachel Storm, 46, 204, 216-17, 232, 234-37  

“Myths of the Norsemen From the Eddas and Sagas’ by H. A. Guerber, 38, 59-84, 329-39

https://www.ancient.eu/article/1305/nine-realms-of-norse-cosmology/

“Norse myths” By R.I. Page, 46

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Norse_Myths/ODbBmS8Ks-AC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Odin+Thor+Freyr+three&pg=PA46&printsec=frontcover

“The Vikings and Their Age” By Angus A. Somerville, R. Andrew McDonald,102-103

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Vikings_and_Their_Age/AA7YBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Odin+Thor+Freyr+three&pg=PA102&printsec=frontcover 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_1275.cfm

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jord

“Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology”, 141-42, 157-58, 448-49

https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_85.cfm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO13BSSjsYU&t=170s

“Clash of the Gods” Documentary Series, “Thor” episode.

“The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World” Documentary series by Professor Robert Garland, episode 38 (”Being a Viking Raider).

“The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World: Course Guidebook” by Professor Robert Garland, 261-62

“The Portable Seminary” by David Horton (General Editor), 93-95, 120, 124-146, 281

“Systematic Theology Volume Two: God, Creation” By Dr. Norman Geisler,597-99

https://sirtravisjacksonoftexas.tumblr.com/post/628627120722198529/was-jesus-a-mythical-figure-based-on-the-norse-god

https://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Ouranos.html

“Titans and Olympians: Greek and Roman Myth” by Tony Allan, Sarah Maitland and Dr Michael Trapp (consultant), 25-27

https://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Erinyes.html 

“Does the Bible Predict the Future?” By Ralph O Muncaster, 14

“Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance: Second Edition” by Edward W. Goodrick and John R. Kohlenberger III, 820, 1401

[thelongestdamnreviews]

Valkyrie Profile

Valkyrie Profile is one of my favorite games from ages past.  I remember renting this more than a few times repeatedly, slowly progressing through the game each time.  I was familiar with Enix and tri-Ace's Star Ocean The Second Story, so I guess that got me interested in it.  Though I played the PS1 version, it's available on the PSP too.  Both versions are the same game, but the PS1 version displays in a 4:3 format and has item sorting.  It took me about 26 hours to get to the end with Ending A on Hard Mode.  

Valkyrie Profile is also a pretty bleak game if you consider the setting.  Just watch the five-minute Prologue detailing a small portion of Platina's life, her escape from her horrible mother, and tragic death.  Things don't improve from there.  Several of the blurbs about the various locations mention war with another country, you're outright told you only have so long until the end of the world, and you also see several people die over the course of the game.  Considering the nature of the protagonist, that's necessary to get new allies to fight the forces of evil around the world. 

Yes, little girl just got slapped by her mom. 

You are Valkyrie, a goddess of fate and chooser of the slain, tasked by Odin to recruit worthy souls from Midgard to send to Valhalla so they can fight in the coming Ragnarok, the war of the gods but also the end of the world.  Though the game is timed, it is not in pseudo real-time like Majora's Mask, but instead you 'spend' the remaining Periods for each Chapter on doing Spiritual Concentration to unlock new dungeons and allies, to visit towns and dungeons, and to recover health outside of dungeons.  When out of Periods, you're given a report on your Einherjar's statuses, you're given points to create new items, you're given supplies in the forms of gear and skill/spellbooks, and you're also given a list of traits and skills that Valhalla wants in the heroes you send during the next chapter. 

This game is an interesting mix of gameplay features.  It's a side-scrolling platformer game with turn-based RPG fights that has shades of fighting game mechanics in it.  Still with me?  You start with the 'airship' level of travel on the world map, so you can fly to any destination you like.  Land on a blue dot and you enter a town to converse with the locals and learn a little bit about the setting.  A red dot is a dungeon, and this is where most of the gameplay takes place.  Valkyrie can run, slide, and jump to get around obstacles, she can swing her sword to get the first turn against enemies, and she can shoot crystals to stun some enemies for a moment or shoot crystals into walls to form temporary structures she can climb on or explode to leave a 'dust' platform that slowly descends.  Most dungeons won't require you to do anything crazy with the crystals, but it's a handy feature that's only limited by the number of crystal platforms you can have active at one time.

Not all of the dungeons are sideways/upside-down affairs, thankfully.

 In battles, each member in your team of four is tied to one of the face buttons on the Playstation controller, so someone is Square, someone is Triangle, etc.  When it's your turn, you press the character's button to command them to attack.  That's simple enough, but the game's first actual boss battle introduces weapons that enable additional attacks.  Non-mages are able to use up to three attacks each turn, and that's controlled by the weapon that character is using.  In their stats, weapons have an O for which attack it enables, so you can have a really strong weapon that allows only one attack, or a decent weapon that can do all three.  Each character has their own set of attacks and you can only change the order they happen in (123, 231, 312).  Each attack has a direction it will knock the enemy into, so the idea is you work your team's attacks into a nice pattern so everyone's strikes hit.  But of course, enemies might be light, might be heavy, might fly, might block...

The game has a Practice feature where you can try your attacks on an enemy who's either light, heavy, or blocks, and neither side dies so you're given plenty of opportunity to try things out.  

Another reason you want your allies' attacks to hit is the way special attacks work.  Each attack when successful contributes a set amount of energy to the Heat Gauge, and when that hits 100, you're able to use Purify Weird Soul (or what's called Soul Crush in later games).  These are flashy special attacks that do a lot of damage and these too can contribute to the Heat Gauge, though it starts off with less in the gauge for each one in the chain you do.  They're mostly overkill for regular fights but they can put out quite a bit of damage against bosses.  You're then given Charge Turns before you can use them again, but you can reduce the time required by comboing enemies that are on the ground to release a purple gem that flies to anyone with CT.  Juggling a foe releases a crystal that grants a 5% EXP boost, stacking up to 40 times.  It does get button-mashy, but you can put out some great combos with the right team if you try to time everything just right. 

STEP ON IT PRESS BUTTON You thankfully have the option to just skip (if you already killed the monster with regular attacks for example). Also hi I’m using Retroarch here.

Magic is fairly basic compared to how warriors and archers fight.  Mages only get one attack per turn, and you need to teach them spells found in dungeons to expand their spellbook, though they only get set one offensive spell for their button.  Magic PWS is just the spell cast three times in rapid succession, but some weapons allow Great Magic which hits all foes...but it comes with the drawback of most early-game options having a chance to break when used this way.  My first time playing, I missed that you can actually activate magic from the in-battle Select menu to cast Heal, as well as buffs/debuffs.  Some spells like Fire Storm are capable of hitting all foes when cast from the menu, but with the drawback that you aren't able to combo off of them immediately. 

When you level up, you're given SP to add to skills like Fight or Tactics which raise stats, or skills like Demon Intelligence or Find Trap which don't have any effect other than fulfilling a Valhalla requirement if asked for.  You are able to find skillbooks for Automatic Skills, Support Skills, and Attack Skills and can allocate points to those too.  Each character is able to equip two Automatics and one Attack and one Support skill, though what's offered varies based on the character's class.  I liked how you only needed to use skillbooks once--for example, if you had the book for Auto Item and used it, then every character in your party and everyone who would join later would be able to put points into it.  You're also able to put SP into character Traits, some of which might be asked for in each Chapter.  These don't affect stats either, but they affect the Hero Value which determines their worthiness in Valhalla.  Something else that tripped me up my first time was negative Traits.  You can put skill points into those to lower their value, with the net effect of the character's Hero Value increasing just like raising positive Traits. 

Positive traits can be raised to rank 8, but negative traits can only be reduced to half their initial rank.  Some characters are just more heroic than others too.  

Valkyrie doesn't have a Hero Value but she has two other stats--Evaluation Level and Seal Value.  Evaluation is tied to the quality of heroes you transfer to Valhalla, but is also impacted when you open an Artifact chest at the end of dungeons.  Keep the item and you lose five points, or send it to Odin to gain one point.  You can largely keep every Artifact but not everything will have a use, but some of them are nice weapons and armor you'd definitely want to hold onto.  Consistently keeping a very low Evaluation Level unlocks the C ending where you're destroyed for being bad at your job.  The Seal Value is tied to Ending A, but it would require a guide or a lot of luck to enable due to the nature of how it increases and decreases. 

Not relevant to the review text, but I figured I'd show the map feature.  You can make the current/all layers translucent, and there's an item that can reveal every room that you haven't visited yet, but it won't tell you how to get there.  Nethov Swamp is a simple map, but The Tower of Lezard Valeth and the Tombs of Amenti are difficult to navigate even with this map.  

This game has three difficulties and three endings.  Amusingly, Easy is actually the hardest difficulty by virtue of it not having amazing gear, so while you get easy EXP and levels, you're operating at low power, basically.  Normal is middle-of-the-road all around.  Hard is interesting because every character who joins starts at level 1, but there are different dungeons only found here (but you don't get to play the Easy/Normal only ones in exchange).  New characters starting at level 1 sounds like a massive handicap, but you can put great gear on them to bolster their survivability, and there's a neat feature in the EXP Orb to help them catch up to the rest of your team.  When you complete puzzles and clear dungeons, you're given Event EXP that goes into the Orb, and you can then dole out the Orb's contents to your choice of characters.  Really helps given the nature of the game is to train up mortals to remove from your party until the very end of the game, so you can quickly get someone up to competence to replace whoever you sent. 

The Hard-only dungeons also have Flame Gems that unlock rooms in the post-game dungeon, so you could pretty much see everything in the game running through it twice.  Start a Normal save, sleep through the Chapters until Freya nukes you (Ending C), play normally and get Ending B, then start a Hard save and follow a guide to get Ending A and the Flame Gems too.  There are some dungeons available in any difficulty so there'll be some overlap, and you can get every character but one without Hard Mode, so it's your call if you want to one-and-done it or not. 

Like Star Ocean 2, there's a Voice Collection of your characters' battle cries, hit grunts, and death quotes, as well as some foes'.  This is at least shared across all saves so you can use different characters to slowly fill it out either in one go-through or through several.  The voices are all done by the late-90s Pokemon cast in the west, so you might hear someone familiar.  This still applies even in the PSP port though the CG cutscenes use different actors for everyone but Valkyrie.  The voice acting isn't bad but it's still in that "first generation we really had voice acting" kinda stage. 

I was a fan of Motoi Sakuraba's music in Star Ocean 2 and that still applies here.  The towns have somber music befitting their settings, and the dungeons have a pretty varied mix of music.  The standard battle and boss themes are high-tempo and some fights use unique music--some tracks from SO2 even show up in the postgame dungeon, even. 

Despite the fact he's actually close to my frontline, I still can't attack him with my melee troops because of how the game works with its 'row' feature.  

Even though you're a Norse goddess and there's other Nordic divinity in the game, there are no Vikings at all.  Midgard is largely Medieval Europe in setting, though there's an island nation that's based on Japan.  Might be kinda jarring for those expecting a more faithful to the myths kind of game.  And then there's the Egyptian pyramid in Hard where you fight a mummy at the end...

You would expect an RPG to have a focus on story, but there's not really much here (at least outside of Ending A).  The world's gonna end, so go find people to send to Asgard so we don't lose in the coming war with the Vanir.  RPGs tend to work on some ratio of story and gameplay, and VP has a much larger gameplay bias.  You're not given a reason to go to dungeons other than "well, evil is there so go kill everyone", but then there are no fetch quests or anything of the sort to deal with.  That may or may not be a drawback for some, but it's a change for those used to hours of exposition in their RPGs.  You just get it when you recruit people instead.  Valkyrie Profile Silmeria and Covenant of the Plume both work the story/gameplay ratio back towards the story side, at least. 

DAWN OF THE FIRST DAY ~220 days remain~

You see the scenes of characters dying, but they then don't show up in the story after joining your party (to account for them possibly being sent to Valhalla).  This then means that nobody really gets any character development since you see them a bit before they die for the most part.  All of their personality is contained in their recruitment scenes and their voicework during battle.  It's even worse because the first section of the game is fairly lengthy, involving Arngrim and Princess Jelanda, and you even control Arngrim for it!  You might expect the other character recruitments to go the same way but they're much shorter and automatic...but then you get two for one in this case and it further showcases the setting of Midgard and how bad things are.  There is no banter between people who knew each other in life, but I recently learned there are three special scenes when you transfer two certain people in specific chapters--who knew without a guide? 

Another thing that I had a problem with on this go-through is that you send your people to Asgard to fight in the war, but you're only given snippets of what happens.  You don't see any battles happen, just text overviews with a couple of conversations if that.  I know the point of the game is to have Valkyrie stay on Midgard and take the souls of the virtuous, but it felt like a missed opportunity to have the divine war, the entire reason you're collecting souls in the first place, be so out of focus.  Shame since some of the battles sure sounded cool. 

This is not one of those battles, but this is how the transcription goes for the most part.  

Though you're given a lot of time to go collect people and clear dungeons, I never really felt like I had to grind even on Hard mode.  Granted, there's a skill combination that snaps the game's difficulty apart.  The game is naturally harder without it, but levels don't really seem to have a dramatic impact on stats it felt like.  That could be why Easy mode is so difficult since you're lacking on the gear side of the equation and even maxing out skills doesn't make up for the slack. 

I haven't looked at the prices for the PS1 version for a long time but I don't think I want to know.  I got discs-only in okay condition for $50 years ago, so it might be worth pursuing the PSP version so you're not paying out the ass.  I mean it's a great game and all, but it rivaled Suikoden II for the price people wanted for it on eBay due to the low print run.  If you're gonna go for this version anyway, good luck.  I had a disk-read error during The Lost City of Dipan that thankfully was avoidable but you never know how bad the discs you'll get will be. 

So yeah, VP is a bit of a weird RPG where everyone on your team is dead and you juggle monsters to level up faster.  It's not the best choice for someone looking for a gripping story, but the battle system is pretty unique and it can be fun trying to time everything just right so you wreck your enemy.  Ending A definitely changes the story/gameplay ratio and delves into Valkyrie's past, so it's not like it's completely devoid of story.  And hey, since you'll probably need a guide already to get it, why not take the Hard route so you can fall back on the guide when you get stuck on one of the puzzles?

No winpose for you, Valkyrie.