Fated

Chapter Three

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Asgard, a world placed above the highest mountains of earth, protected powerfully from the carefully craved walls, protected those that live inside which reached high and wrapped within the clouds above. It gave out a sacred light, leaking its ray that surrounded the walls heavenly. Near the gates of Asgard at the end of Bifrost – the glittering rainbow bridge – stood the watchman God Heimdall, guarding it from the intruders who would dare try to enter.

His sharp hazel eyes from underneath his golden-blonde hair unfocused, gazing endlessly at nothing, his cleaning of the daggers on his hands un-concentrated. A scowl marred on his lips as he whispered, “Loki.”

Ever since Loki was bound, events that involves with the Asgard had become too peaceful…too quiet. Without Loki, not much drama ever occurred and the silence was most definitely killing Heimdall to the point where he would dare himself to search for anything exciting, though he knew it was much better then having the Trickster God among with them.

Now the horrifying news of Loki’s escape from his bonds had spread through each of the Gods; all of them were already preparing for the waiting days when Ragnarok would begin that the Norns had warned. What confused Heimdall – and also the others – is how Loki was able to escape the chains that should’ve been impossible to break. And even if he did, then why is he in hiding instead of starting Ragnarok?

The Norns had warned that Loki will start the war with many years to come and it has only been recently that Odin had bound him below. His eyes saddened with pity, wondering of the condition of Sigyn – a goddess who exiled herself from Asgard to be beside her husband, therefore having the name of Faithful Sigyn. If Loki had escaped, then what had become of her…?

“He probably abandoned her, knowing him…” Heimdall cursed the God, nicknamed Father of all Lies, with such hatred, angry at the mere thought of him. Then his ears perked at a sound no other God could hear if they were to stand beside him, straightening up from his seat to stare down at the Bifrost. With his sharp sight, he could see a couple figures making their way towards the gate.

Two people, one is a woman while the other is a taller one covered fully with a woolen cloth, hiding themselves from view. Heimdall analyzed them carefully when they slowly arrived, knowing that neither of the two are giants – the ones who should never be allowed to set foot into Asgard.

His eyes flickered in acknowledgement when recognizing the smirking woman. “It’s you again…”

Runa raised a hand for a greeting, “Are we welcome enough to stay in Asgard for a while, Heimdall?”

“For a Vanir Goddess in Vanaheim, you sure like to travel a lot,” Heimdall chuckled, eyeing the covered figure suspiciously when hearing it choking in shock, as if finding his words really surprising to hear. “Who is that…?”

“My husband,” Runa answered with a quick thought, elbowing Ikol painfully when knowing he would want to protest, “He’s a very private man. He doesn’t like to show much of his face to anyone.”

Heimdall’s eyes narrowed. “Have you heard of Odin’s warning? Surely the news should have spread to Vanaheim by now…”

Ikol perked as Runa gave him a fake confused look. “News? I’m afraid we were traveling around for some time.”

“Loki…” The watchman God paused, glancing over at Ikol. “…has escaped and there is a prophecy that a ‘Chosen One’ will be the one to find him for Ragnarok to start; the world will probably be ending sooner if that happens…”

Ikol’s body stiffened, his jade eyes behind the covers of the large woolen cloth he’d wrapped himself in widening. The feeling of dread swirled tightly at the bottom of his stomach enough to make him sick. Cold sweat dripped from the side of his face, back, and his boots. The ‘Chosen One’…could it be me…?

“Heimdall…” Runa’s face dropped to mild anger. “Are you suggesting that my husband may be Loki who I dare hide away from you?”

He slowly glanced back at her. “Of course not…you may proceed through…”

Guessing where Ikol’s arm is at, Runa grabbed hold of it and lead him though the gate, “Thank you, Heimdall…”

“What is your reason for coming back?” Heimdall swiftly asked before she can disappear from his sight, “You came here before many times alone…now you’re back with another?”

Runa’s solemn face turned to him. “It doesn’t concern you. I have my mission and my mission alone. Do you have any other questions?”

He snorted, waving her away and turned back to guarding the gate. Once she was gone, Heimdall slowly face around with a dull frown. “But I have a warning…Odin already kept his eye on you two when you first stepped onto the Bifrost. Your husband may not be accused of being Loki, but a ‘Chosen One’ he could be…”

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“That was close!” Runa sighed in relief, hearing soft chanting at the end of the bright Hall of Fate they’re walking in. Blinded by the light of the halls, Runa’s scrunched her face from the uncomfortable and lonely feeling from every images she sees of herself that bounces off from the walls and floor. An emptiness of the light, a light so bright and holy, but never serene and comfortingly. “He seems to be having suspicions, so we must be careful from here on out.”

“I have a question for you,” Ikol muttered, removing his head out of the cloth so he can breathe properly, returning it to her. He has wanted to ask if she was the ‘spirit’ that visited him from last night, but reminded himself to ask later, now that there’s more better questions to ask. “You’re a Goddess?”

“From Vanaheim where all the Vanir Gods and Goddess live,” she smirked with a nod, hiding the large cloth easily from under the long shirt that sways over her body like gentle leaves playing softly with the wind, “Surprising, isn’t it?”

“Of course, I mean, here I thought all Goddesses are kind,” Ikol grumbled before cowering in fear at her murderous face, “I’m kidding!” Runa grunted, arms crossed over her chest and swore to kill him soon after but cringed at his next silent question. “And what does that man mean by the ‘Chosen One’?”

“We’re going to be meeting the Norns now so I want you to show some respect,” Runa replied instead, purposely ignoring his question, “If you make one of the Norns mad, especially Skuld, she’ll be giving you a bad future.”

“I don’t care about that!” Ikol burst out angrily, grabbing her by the shoulders to face him as they stopped, “I want to know what that Heimdall meant by the ‘Chosen One’! Is it me he was talking about? My job is to find Loki to start Ragnarok so the world can end?!”

“Calm down, Ikol.”

“How do you feel if someone just came out of nowhere, asking for you and immediately force you to agree all of this!” Ikol shouted, resisting the urge to grab his head and cloaking it in a nearby wall, “Saving the world I can understand a bit but we’re finding a man who’s ending it! ENDING the world, Runa!”

Runa trying to comfort him – as cruel as she is – is what Ikol expected. But her grabbing him by the shirt and knocking him against the wall, dangling in the air was most definitely not! She glared coldly into his eyes when he finally silenced himself to prevent any more damage that she was probably going to inflict on him.

“Truthfully, I’ll be mad if that happens as well,” Runa replied instead, literally dropping him to which he fell onto his rear, “But there’s no other choice, is there? Ignore it as much as you want, now that you know, but you can’t help but perform this mission or else be facing other consequences.”

Ikol sat there, head lowered. “But why did the Norns choose me…?”

“What’s the difference if they chose you or someone else? As I said, it must have been randomly or you might have some sort of ability where they know you’ll succeed,” Runa said, walking alone down towards where the chants are still heard. “They’re waiting for you right now.’

“Runa…” Ikol called, slowly standing up and followed behind her, “Why did you agree to all of this…?”

She had stopped so fast, Ikol had to halt in his tracks quick enough not to bump into her. Her answer was barely heard but he was close enough to hear it. “I choose too…”

His looked at her in confusion, but catching a small glimpse of her sad expression, he reached a hand out for comfort.

“But I accepted the fate…that’s why I listened to whatever Skuld had told me to do as my part of being in a team with you.” Runa faced around with a kind smile which stopped his hand in mid-air. Raising an eyebrow when he stood there awkwardly, she gently grabbed his hand with a light squeeze. “Be brave, Ikol…”

Shocked at her behavior, he silently nodded. Releasing his hand, she continued to walk down towards the end until the chants were cleared, large leaves of wines were seen attaching to the bright walls, as if welcoming and reaching out for them. Ikol stopped in confusion and amazement, looking back at the halls and now into the open greenery.

Runa gave a respectful bow, naming each of the sisters in order from the left. “Urd, Verdandi, Skuld…”

“One is chosen…”

“Together he’ll gather…”

“And follow the path of destiny…”

Ikol raised an eyebrow, “You’ve been chanting the same thing repeatedly, didn’t you? Doesn’t it get old?”

Runa choked, lucky enough to keep her composure, her eyes widen in shock as she stared at him before glancing uneasily at the sisters. The chants stopped from the three ladies in front of them, the swans in some sort of a large well swimming around in circles, all of them glancing over at the two. “Ikol…you’re speaking to the Norns here.”

Trouble immediately rings into his ear while slapping a hand over his mouth to hold back a yelp, edging his way to hid behind Runa.

“So you had spoken, Ikol!” The one with the veil covering her face hiding her features giggled, “You perform your part well, Runa!”

Runa smiled, relief that neither of them are angry at Ikol’s behavior.

“But I’m afraid you were caught,” Verdandi – Ikol blushed – was very beautiful with the warmest smile on her face. “Odin, as we speak, is watching our every move.”

“Do not worry, young one,” Urd – Ikol cringed, finding it difficult to know if the woman was an old hag or a young one with a wrinkly face – muttered dryly, still creating the strings from the distaff unlike her other two sisters who had stopped, “There is still time…”

“Ikol, come forth to me,” Skuld ordered bubbly, bouncing to her feet. Runa rolled her eyes at Ikol’s frozen form and gave a forceful shove to which he stumbled forward with a glare. Slowly, he crossed past the well where the two swans are and stood to his full height in front of her. I’m in trouble…I’m really in trouble…

Skuld laughed sweetly, reaching up to grab his chin and forcing him down to lay a kiss upon his lips, the veil on her face the only object blocking between them. Ikol’s eyes went wide open; the sound of Runa’s jaw hitting the ground was heard behind him as well. But he grunted in shock when the kiss turned hard and painful, taking a bitter taste of blood at the edge of his tongue which he pushed himself away by force.

Backing away to stand beside a dumbfounded Runa, he started to feel around his lips, not feeling any pain or cut. Then gradually, he lifted his face to look at Skuld uneasily – for the blood he had tasted were hers, “What…did you do?”

“You’re not going to be exploring without using any special abilities. You’ll be forced to use it whenever danger approaches,” her sweet voice spoke with a giggle, sitting back down. “A gift from me, Skuld, the Norn representing the Future.”

Urd lifted her face towards them, “There will be one waiting for you to join in Alfheim…choose your companion wisely, Ikol…”

Skuld waved her goodbyes happily at them and starting to play the strings again while the sisters went back to their usual chants. Runa gave her a last bow, grabbing Ikol by the head and forcing him to do the same before both walked back out. At a couple of steps, Runa broke into a run, leaving behind the still disbelieving boy.

“Runa!” Ikol shouted in surprised, catching up to her speed.

“We must leave before anyone can catch us,” the seid said breathlessly, shaking her head in frustration, “I knew coming here without any difficulty was wishful thinking.”

“Is that it though?”

“They don’t have to waste time by explaining about you being the ‘Chosen One’ since you already know,” Runa grumbled, hearing someone ahead while she grabbed his hand and yanked him to the other direction of the hall, “They’re already here!”

Ikol looked around panicky. “What can we do?”

“Help us!”

“…What?”

“Skuld gave you a gift of magic that you will perform during dangerous times,” she reminded him quickly, stepping onto her heels to an absolute stop when seeing the grave Heimdall standing in front of them ahead. “Now is a good time!”

Swallowing from the memory of the bitter blood tasted in his tongue, he shook his head, “But I don’t know how!”

“How are you and your husband faring?” Heimdall questioned silently, advancing towards them. They tried to turn to the other direction, only to stop when a whole group of others blocked their path. “Odin has given an order to take you two in…”

“Kindly tell him we disagree, if you will,” Runa said with false sweetness, her hands turning at her side and Heimdall knew an attack would be ready.

“Runa, are you trying to cause another war between the Aesir and Vanir if you dare attack them?” One of the goddesses spoke, elegantly stepping out from the group.

“Freyja…” Runa whispered and Ikol had to fight to prevent another blush. Freyja, another Vanir Goddess, was very beautiful; in fact, she seemed to capture all the attention between everyone that stood with them.

“Come to Odin peacefully, Runa…” Freyja eyed the two with hard sapphire eyes, her long blonde hair shimmering beautifully behind her. Silently, her gaze stopped at Ikol’s figure who was now uncomfortable at the stares he’s receiving.

“A Vanir Goddess against another Vanir Goddess; this is something not very common,” Heimdall smirked before following Freyja’s gaze at the flinching Ikol with shocked eyes. “…Loki…?”

Ikol blinked, catching Runa’s confused look. “Are you kidding me?”

“No…not Loki,” Heimdall’s face darkened. “Though the color of his hair is lighter and much different, he could still be mistaken for him…”

Ikol stared at the ground in disbelief, having trouble mumbling out the question once realization hit in. “Runa…am I chosen because I look like him…?”

“Ikol…” Runa’s eyes were narrowed in thought. “Don’t think that way.”

“I’m only a normal peasant…why is this happening to me?” Ikol asked himself, clutching onto his head and biting hard on his bottom lip, “They’re using me…just because I look like someone, they have to choose me!”

“Ikol!” Runa shouted for a warning but was too late when Heimdall reached out to grab him. Instead of feeling the material of the boy’s shirt, Heimdall withdrew his hand with a cry of pain, feeling an unexpected heat burning through the flesh of his palm. The watchman God quickly backed away, seeing flames bursting around Ikol, though the boy was much too angry to notice it. Runa’s crystal eyes slightly brightened, He’s doing it! He’s using the gift! We’re going to escape!

Her hopes where instantly crushed when the flames engulfed him alone as he disappeared out of sight. Runa stood there in stunned disbelief before a moment later she felt her body tremble in mute rage, her teeth grinding together.

“Seems like your husband had just left you, Runa,” Heimdall said once snapped out of his shock, ignoring the pain from his hand. He turned on his heels and ran down the hall while shouting to the others, “Search for him and bring him to Odin! Do not let him escape!”

And everyone scrambled away, leaving behind Runa and Freyja as the two Goddesses stood there in silence. “He left me…” Runa said to herself, her fist clenching hard at her side, “He left me, that bastard!”

“It’s been a long time since I last went back to Vanaheim, our home, but I never heard of you having a husband, Runa,” Freyja muttered, walking over to her and raising an eyebrow, “Runa?”

“I am so going to twist his neck once I get a hold of him,” Runa continued to say silently, fully aware of Freyja’s hand on her shoulder. Slowly, Runa looked up at her.

“Odin will want to speak to you, but don’t worry, I will help if things get out of hand…you’ll be safe; trust me.” The beautiful goddess gave her a small smile. “But…what were you doing helping the ‘Chosen One’?”

Runa simply lowered her head in silence.

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Gentle hands reached down and caressed an herb from the deserted meadow on a small hill; a wave of forest-green hair touched the ground while examining it with knowing amber eyes. “The herb is still young but mature enough to cure any wounds,” the Goddess spoke out loud through her knowledge, kneeling on her knees, “Using the leaves alone can also-”

And a burst of flames exploded in front of her, cutting her words short and giving a shriek in great shock. Out of the fire once it died down came an apparently unconscious boy; she couldn’t help but wince when he landed on the ground quite painfully and slid, destroying any flowers and herbs in his way until he came to a full stop just at the edge of the hill, his arms twitching high in the air.

Shaking her head, she stood and rushed towards him in concern, flipping him over until he lay on his back. His face was covered in dirt; eyes swirling under his red bangs, his arms were still twitching. Fingers at the base of his throat to feel for his pulse, she sighed in relief, knowing he was only unconscious.

But the Goddess was curious to no end for she had never seen this boy around, not to mention no such God could ever fly without aid, as bad as he was or appeared so suddenly, covered in fire. Checking around, her amber eyes lightened and reached out to grab the long stem of a particular flower. Discarding the petals, she twisted the thick stem until seeing the juice and instantly popped the whole thing into his mouth.

She gave him two seconds and grinned when his eyes snapped open in pure utter disgust, showing in his striking jade eyes like a pair of glimmering jewels. He quickly sat up and spat the stem out from his mouth, practically hacking and spitting to get rid of the foul taste.

She reached down to her side to grab a leather canteen and handed it to him. “Here, drink.”

Ikol thankfully grabbed it and took a large amount, only to spit the water out, hoping the flavor is washed away but panicked when it worsened. Before he could repeat, he yelped when feeling a hand slapping him upside in the head. He turned to glare at the girl sitting beside him, “What?”

“I said drink, didn’t I?” she reprimanded, flicking her face so her long forest bangs can move away from her face, “That’s the only way to get rid of the taste.”

He gave her an unbelieving look but did as she said, swallowing a small sip and was surprised that the taste slowly disappeared. He continued taking larger gulps and choked when she grabbed her canteen back, shoving his head to the ground as well.

“Did I tell you to drink the whole thing? I need this to last for the rest of the day!” she scowled in a sharp tone, tying her canteen back at her side.

Ikol frowned, “Who are you?”

“You don’t know who I am?” She raised an eyebrow before narrowing her eyes. “If you don’t, then obviously you don’t belong here in Asgard.”

Ignoring her, he looked around in confusion at where he’s at, scratching the back of his head nervously, “How did I get here?”

“Pardon…?”

“And…” His eyes went wide, hopping to his feet and making sure not to slip down the hill he’s closely standing by, “Runa! Where is she?!”

“Runa?”

“She was with me a minute ago! Did I somehow came here without her or is this just one of her damn tricks?” Ikol was boiling mad, now pulling onto his hair in frustration and gave a loud scream, “WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?!”

The Goddess frowned, “I don’t know what you’ve been drinking but you need to quiet down.”

Ikol glanced at her and from the serious look on her face, he immediately calmed with a short nod. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to yell like that.”

“Sit.” She patted the seat beside her which he immediately took without hesitation. “What’s wrong?”

“People are looking for me,” Ikol nervously glance around, “Is it safe here?”

“It has been safe ever since I started coming here daily,” she laughed, shaking her head, “And why would anyone be looking for you? Who are you and what is your purpose for coming here?”

“I was forced to come here,” he replied, lowering his gaze dully, “I just want to have a normal life…but obviously, fate has given me a cruel different direction.” He chuckled lamely, covering his face. “What a laugh…just because I look like him…”

Not wanting to pry into his life while saddened at his troubles, she placed a hand on his lightly, smiling when he glance at her. “Anything I can do for you to ease your troubles? I’ll try my best…”

“Help me go back to my life…that’s all I want…”

They were interrupted when a cry for “Eir!” was heard in the distance away. Both stared at each other with wide eyes until the girl, now known as Eir – the Goddess of Healing and Medicine – grabbed his hands, placing it over his mouth firmly and kicking him down the hill where he began to fall over the edge, the hands at his mouth blocking his cries.

Eir started to examine another flower just in time when a God arrived; she looked up with a sweet smile. “Ah, Heimdall! It’s rare to see you inside the gates of Asgard. Something wrong?”

“Where is he, Eir?” Heimdall slowly asked, looking around, “I heard him here all the way from the halls I had run out from…you know my hearing abilities are very powerful…”

She slowly glanced at the spot where Ikol had fallen in, closing her eyes peacefully and continues to examine the flower. “Yes, I do know that.”

“Eir…do you know that the ‘Chosen One’ is here in Asgard?”

Eir’s eyes open unnaturally wide, looking up at the watchman God. “The one that Odin had warned us about…?”

He nodded. “He has disappeared away from me and the others; now everyone is searching for him. Do you know where he is…?”

Eir felt her body shudder with guilt, nervously picking on the broken stem. “What is Odin going to do with him…?”

“You should know my father well, Eir...”

Eir nodded, a chill running down her spine coldly before pointing down at the steep hill. Heimdall hastily looked down at the edge with Eir cringing when seeing him unconscious, laying around in an undignified dizzy pile. She gave a small mutter, “I didn’t mean to hurt him…”

“You’re doing the right thing,” Heimdall whispered gently, hopping down towards Ikol and lifting him easily in his arms. Looking up at her, he nodded. “I’m going to bring him to Odin; come and see if you want to.”

Eir nodded with a wave of her hand, watching them walking away from her. She glanced at Ikol’s face, lowering her eyes sadly. “I’m sorry…but for something like this, I cannot help you…”

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