Fated

Chapter Four

=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=

Hard amber eyes stared endlessly into the slightly darkened room, all her doors and windows locked, her hall uninvited for anyone to enter, but it wasn’t enough to hide her shame and guilt. Eir’s brow lowered, her hands shaking on the table. The thought of the boy who was believed to be the ‘Chosen One’ could never seem to leave her mind. She had offered to help him; he had silently already answered…but she couldn’t do anything about it.

She had always thought that if the ‘Chosen One’ were to find Loki, then he should be as terrible as the Trickster God himself. But a simple mere boy who only wants to continue to live his life at peace and normal was not what she had expected. Not to mention, the ‘Chosen One’ didn’t choose to have this kind of an absurd mission…he was forced to, as he’d claimed.

If she remembered right, he said he was chosen because he looks like him. At first, she was utterly confused but now she fully understood. If the color of his hair and eyes were darker and was cut differently, not to mention a few more inches taller and looked a bit older, then that boy could resemble Loki greatly.

Eir laughed at the irony, mentally cursing the Norns who she knew had chosen him. Just because the ‘Chosen One’ looked like Loki and was given a mission to find him…Eir couldn’t believe the unfair fate that was given to the boy! No wonder he was screaming his brains out when she first met him! And knowing Odin, he wouldn’t dare do anything to the Norns, even if he’s the Allfather of Gods. But that won’t stop him from getting his hands on the boy.

And if she had offered to help, then she will help him to the end. Eir slowly looked at the waiting herbs in a small basket in front of her which she had quickly gathered when Heimdall took him away. She had decided to use her lore of herbs to create a drink where his memories will be lost.

Even if she barely knew him and – for sure no! – his social life, but better to have his memories lost where he won’t even remember his name then to face his punishment by Odin. Perhaps without knowing a thing, Odin will send him back to where he belongs? From there, Loki can slowly be found before he can gather his allies for Ragnarok and things will get back to what it used to be?

After Loki’s punishment, she shivered at the thought of what the boy will face, considering he was given an unfair and sinful task impossible to complete. But for the Norns to be choosing him where he will find Loki so the coming Ragnarok can take its action as everyone, including the Norns, will disappear is something way too confusing to think.

She shook her head, grabbing a nearby cup and taking the herbs gently to begin making the drink and will have to find him where she knew he’ll be locked in somewhere before Odin will face him. She must hurry before the boy will receive his punishment…and that’ll be something she will never forgive herself for…

“With your memories gone, you can have a new fresh start,” Eir mumbled, quickly crushes the herbs until they’re like nothing but stains at the bottom of the cup. While working, she couldn’t help but feel a much deeper guilt settled deep within her. “This is all I can do for you…”

=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=

Pain. That was the only thing which came into Ikol’s mind when he slowly woke up, fluttering his eyes open. A hand unconsciously went up at the large bump on the back of his head, slowly sitting up with a loud groan. That’s when his memories returned on what had happened a moment ago, sitting straight up and fully awake, looking around the room in confusion. Feeling a murderous vibe coming from behind him, Ikol felt his skin crawl and slowly turned around.

“Well! I see you’re now awake at last, dear,” Runa mocked with false sweetness through gritted teeth, sitting down in one corner of the empty room they’re in.

Ikol’s eyes widened. “Runa!”

“Don’t come near me.”

“What?” He paused, now noticing the glowing chains wrapped tightly around her body. “Is it hard to break out of them?”

“If there’s magic involved holding me back like this, then it should be,” Runa scowled, leaning against the wall, “And if you try to help me out, then you’ll be automatically wrapped in one next to me.”

“Thanks for warning me first,” Ikol slowly back away, “Then how can you remove it?”

“Ask Heimdall, maybe he’ll be kind enough to tell you.” Runa mocked, her eyebrows raise questioningly, “How did you get caught? You were carried in here by him looking pretty dead.”

“Truthfully, I don’t really know. All I remember is being kicked down the hill and then I went out cold,” he answered, rubbing his head and cringing in pain from the large bump, “How did you get caught?”

Her glare was murderous indeed. “Don’t you start with me, Ikol.”

Clamping his mouth shut, he nodded wordlessly, examining the room they’re in and see if there’s any way to escape. Not even a single window is seen, even if the room seemed to be quite bright. Their only hope to escape was through the only door in which he’s leaning by.

“Heimdall is standing out there; I wouldn’t be surprised if he heard our every word,” Runa said, and all his plans dropped.

“What are they going to do with us?”

“Not they; Odin,” she corrected, giving an annoyed look at his blank stare, “He’s the Allfather of the Gods, the most respected and powerful one. He’ll be the one who’ll give us our punishment.”

“But we didn’t do anything!”

“Not now you won’t,” She whispered lowly, knowing it won’t be any use for Heimdall could still hear them from outside. “Finding Loki for Ragnarok is one of the greatest sins ever known.”

“I wanted to ask you something, Runa…were you the one that had paid me a visit last night…?”

She stopped, her eyes lifted to gaze upon the silent boy, “You were awake?”

“Why…?” He slowly questioned her, “I had a feeling that the Norns were the one asking you to find me, but why did you agree with the request…?” His teeth clenched, shaky fist forming at his side, “Why did you take me? Why can’t you just disagree and maybe they’ll choose another person! I have nothing to do with this! It’s not my fault that my looks can be compared easily with Loki! Or is it something else? Why don’t you just tell it all to me?!”

“Ikol…” Runa eyes lowered, “I’m sorry…”

He slowly glanced up at her and snapped, “I don’t want your pity or apology!”

Shock crossed her face at his words, her muscles tightening as the magic chains creaked. Before he can continue, the door suddenly blurted open and he felt more pain when it smashed into him forcefully while pinned against the wall.

Runa gave a loud shout, “Ikol!”

“Who?” Eir asked her, being the one who had opened the door with the steaming cup in her hand. Noticing where she’s staring, the goddess gave a surprised gasp, slamming the door back into Heimdall’s face – who was just about to enter.

Ikol shook his head and groaned, the bump on the back of his head growing larger. Cracking a teary eye open, he quickly recognized her. “Eir…?”

“So your name is Ikol,” Eir smiled lowly, helping him move from the spot towards the middle of the room. Looking over at the glowering seid in the corner, her smiled slowly changed to a smirk, “And she must be Runa…who you left behind.”

“Ikol…” Runa trailed off, staring at her suspiciously, “You know her?”

“A little,” replied the boy, slightly backing away from her, having no trust whatsoever, “Are you here to tell us that it’s time to meet this Allfather?”

“No,” Eir shook her head, “I came to give you something…”

“Something?”

“Here,” she whispered, lifting the steaming cup gracefully which he slowly grabbed, “Drink this…”

“What is this?” Ikol stared at the cup in disgust at the green liquid, “It…doesn’t smell appealing.”

Eir gave a humorless chuckle, thinking of an excuse. “This drink is my way of saying sorry for kicking you off the hill. That’s quite a bump I see there at the back of your head.”

Runa’s mouth formed a small ‘o’, snorting over at Ikol when knowing she was the one responsible for him being caught, not to mention the large bump as well. “I’m surprised you actually came back to see him.”

Eir gave her a pointed look.

“I noticed the pain, Eir, and this is some kind of an apology you’re giving me,” Ikol grumbled, the corner of his eye twitching, “What is this suppose to do?”

“Heal that bump of yours. It’s my fault in the first place.”

“By drinking this useless stuff?”

“At least I’m kind enough to make one!” For Eir to do something guilty but helping him by sparing his life was one thing, but for him to be arguing back because of her abilities was another! She clenched her teeth and forlornly demanded, “Drink it.”

Runa’s eyes narrowed, “And why should he?”

“I’m sorry, Eir, but I rather keep the bump until it slowly heals,” Ikol muttered kindly, giving the drink back to her but was unsuccessful when she shook her head.

Her amber eyes saddened. “Please…just drink it.”

“You made it sound like you’re poisoning him,” Runa smirked, receiving a glare from the other goddess, “Ikol, don’t even put that to your lips. Sometimes, you can’t trust these people.”

“And you call yourself a Goddess in Vanaheim?” Eir grinned which Runa did not hesitate giving an equally as angry stare, “I’m trying to spare his pain as much as possible.”

Ikol mumbled, “For a mere bump…?”

“For someone as him being the ‘Chosen One’ and all, you sure are kind to him,” Runa growled, the chains around her creaking even more as she shifted, “So he’s caught, I’m caught, and we’re both going to face Odin for our punishment in a few moments once all the Gods and Goddesses gather to witness everything. You went through all that trouble to make a drink just to heal a stupid bump you caused?”

Eir lowered her gaze.

“He doesn’t need any of your repayment nor your pity!” Then Runa stopped, her mouth still open once she realized what she had said.

“Then I won’t force him to drink,” Eir said, lifting her eyes strongly, “He will decide for this is the only help I can give him as promised. I’m sorry, Ikol.”

With one last respected bow, Eir stepped out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Runa grunted, back to relaxing and blinked when seeing Ikol still holding the cup, “What are you doing? Throw that away!”

“No…”

Runa froze.

“Eir did ask if she can help and this is the kind of help I might be needing,” Ikol silently whispered, his nose twitches from the foul smell, “But for her to try…I just can’t throw it away. She came here, knowing that I’m the ‘Chosen One’, yet she still dares to face me…”

Her crystal eyes dully glimmered, turning away.

“You can’t blame me for being the ‘Chosen One’…I didn’t choose this path and Eir knows it when I talked to her. It’s understandable that she has to turn me in, being the one who’ll find the man that brings destruction to the world,” Ikol gave a dry smirk, twirling the cup in his hand, “So this drink will heal my bump, huh? I wonder if she’s just saying that and this might ease more than just a bump…”

“Ikol!”

Noticing the change of color from his drink, Ikol shrugged it away and forced himself not to smell it and drank, feeling the thick liquid running down his throat. Trying not to spit it away, he covered his mouth until he successfully gulped it down his throat.

“Ikol?” Runa tried to stand but couldn’t, wanting to go over towards him worriedly when seeing him frozen on his spot, not moving. “Ikol!!”

And the cup shattered to glittering shards once it dropped to the ground…

=:*:=

“He drank it, Eir,” Heimdall muttered to the girl beside him, still rubbing his face from the pain of being slammed by the door, “It was kind of you to help him heal that so-called bump; now you don’t have to worry and leave.”

That boy, Ikol, had trusted me…Eir mentally thought to herself, looking back at the room with grief filled amber eyes, He believed in me…but I…

“Eir?”

“Is his punishment going to be bad, Heimdall…?”

Surprised at the question, he tilted his head to the side, “I’m not sure…it’s for Odin to decide. This is not for you to stress over.”

“Then I have no other choice…”

“What are you talking about?”

Odin…forgive me. Eir bit her bottom lip hard, cutting her lips as a trail of blood runs down her chin, punishing herself. Please forgive me…

“Eir!” Heimdall grabbed onto her chin to stop her, giving her a mad and confused look, “What are you doing?”

“Sorry, Heimdall,” Eir smiled once he released her, her hand digging through the large pouch at her side once she wipe the blood away with her sleeves. Though still keeping a sharp eye on her, the watchman god had thought she’s going to find an ointment to heal her lip. But instead, as swiftly as it came for he was much too surprised, Eir had popped something into his mouth and grabbed his throat in the most gentle but forceful way, thrusting his chin in the air where he could feel himself swallowing a round large pill.

“Eir!” Heimdall shouted once he’s back to himself, grabbing her hand away from his throat. Before he can even question on her behavior, his mind begin to grow hazy, all of his senses dropping so quickly while his vision blurred.

“Sorry, Heimdall,” He could hear her repeat until surrendering to the darkness and falling heavily to the ground. Quickly, Eir opened the door just in time when Ikol gave a loud complaint on her counterfeit drink.

“That was the most disgusting thing I ever tasted in my entire life!” Ikol gagged, looking at Eir in confusion of her appearance.

“You don’t have to say that out loud in front of me!” she snapped, muttering something under her breath that released the equally confused Runa from the chains, “At least be happy that the drink was a fake instead of the real one.”

“Eir…?”

“No time to waste, hurry!” Eir exclaimed, grabbing their sleeves and rushing them out of the room, hopping over Heimdall’s passed out form guilty. Ikol followed her steps but Runa didn’t seem to care, stepping on Heimdall’s head as if she didn’t see him while they all ran through the halls.

Ikol, still gagging from the drink, couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing, Eir?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Runa snorted from behind him, “She’s helping us escape.”

“Why?”

“That’s what I’m wondering.”

Eir looked around in alert, leading them towards the gate where the Bifrost stood, “I’ll explain later! Right now, we need to go before Odin notices and sends everyone after us!”

“A little bit too late, don’t you think?” Runa grumbled, noticing the loud cries behind them, “Odin is a really quick guy, isn’t he?”

“Hurry!” Eir shouted panicky, a bit relieved when they finally reached the gate, each stepping onto the rainbow bridge which burned within every step they took though neither of them were in any harm. Ikol moaned, looking straight ahead and wouldn’t dare look down where he knew he would see the clouds from the fragile rainbow-like glass.

Looking back, Eir noticed some of the Gods had climbed on their horses or chariots, racing after them. “They’re catching up to us!”

Runa’s hand began to glow, readying an attack that would stall them if nothing else. “Then let me…”

“No!” Eir interrupted, grabbing her hand to stop her, “The peace between your home at Vanaheim and mine here in Asgard will break if you attack them! With us escaping together with the ‘Chosen One,’ they still won’t say anything against one or the other.”

“Then what are we going to do?!” Runa shouted in frustration, “They’re gaining on us! Quite quickly too!”

With a quick thought, the two girls glanced over to the cringing boy. “Ikol!”

“Disappear as you did before, but take us along this time too!” Runa shouted, grabbing him by the shoulders.

Eir quickly added, “And appear at a better location!”

“You two make it sound like I know how to do this kind of stuff!” Ikol glared at the girls, already hearing the neighing of the horses from the Gods, his jade eyes widening fully with panic. Then flames, bursting in a magnificent red color, suddenly flared from the bottom of Ikol’s feet. And before either of the three even knew, they gave each other an alarming look when finding themselves falling through the Bifrost and down towards the earth below.

The only cries were Ikol’s screams of fright before pain came from being smacked by two goddesses, both chorusing, “NOT LIKE THAT!” and they disappeared within the clouds.

“RUNA! EIR!” Freyja hollered, pulling on the reins of her cats from her chariot that she was riding and looked over the edge of the Bifrost with horrified eyes. Their screams had gently been carried with the wind, their figures disappearing beneath the thick clouds, now unable to be seen. “…They’re gone…”

=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=:*:=