Eternity | T.J.

I Have Never Been More Proud Of My Brother

     Magnus stared at the god for ages as the rest of us, including Loki, waited in silence for him to speak, and, eventually, he did. But it was something none of us could expect.

     " Let me tell you about Mallory Keen."

     The god almost stopped smiling." Who is that and why should I care?"

     " I'm so glad you asked." My brother's voice began to get louder, projecting over the crowd." Mallory Keen sacrificed her life to correct her own mistake and saved the lives of a bunch of schoolkids! Now she is the best curser and one of the fiersest fighters in Valhalla. She holds floor nineteen together as a team, even when we want to kill each other! Can any of you claim the same level of camaraderie?"

     No one responded, so Magnus continued.

     " Mallory opened the doors of Suttung's cave with just two daggers! She defeated the nine thralls of Baugi with nothing but trickery and a rock! And when she found out she was the daughter of Frigg, she refrained from attacking the goddess."

     " Ooooh," the crowd said.

     " I don't think you understand how a flyting works, little man," Loki said." Those aren't even insults-"

     " Let me tell you about Halfborn Gunderson! Berserker extraordinaire, the glory of Fläm! He conquered kingdoms with Ivar the Boneless. He singlehandedly slew the giant Baugi, saving his hometown and making his mother proud! He steered our boat straight and true across the Nine Worlds, his battle ax doing more damage than most battalions, and he's done all this while wearing no shirt!"

     " He pulls it off pretty well, too," one giant muttered.

     " And the deeds of Thomas Jefferson Junior! Those are worthy of any Viking Hall! He charged into enemy gunfire to meet his nemesis, Jeffrey Toussaint, face-to-face. He died taking up an impossible challenge, like a worthy son of Tyr! He is the heart and soul of our fellowship, a driving force that never fails. He defeated the giant Hrungnir with his trusty Springfield 1861, and wears the flint shard from the giant's heart above his eye as a badge of honor. It can also light matches! I can't think of anyone more appropriate for my sister to love."

      There was a collective "aww" as I considered running over and punching my brother. Now I knew how Sam felt when the einherji teased her about her relationship with Amir.

     " And speaking of my sister, she's been there for me for nearly all of my life. Willow has gained the respect of those twice her size, and despite being a child of Frey she's a feirce warrior. She sliced off the arm of Surt himself in battle, and has kept multiple jotuns from killing us long enough for us to talk with them. I can say without a doubt that without her we'd be dead twenty times over, and no one could lead our group better then she can. I am more than proud to call her my sister."

     I smiled to my brother and gave him a thumbs up.

     " And Blitzen, son of Freya!" Magnus continued." He bested Eitri Junior at the forges of Nidavellir. He makes the best cutting-edge fashions in the Nine Worlds. He sewed the magical bowling bag of Tiny! He stood face-to-face, empty handed against the dragon Alderman and forced the monster to back down. His patented stainless-steel neckties and expand-o-ducks are the still of jotun nightmares!"

     Quite a few giants wailed in agreement at this.

     " Stop this!" Loki yelled." This is ridiculous! What's all this- this positivity? Magnus Chase, your hair is still horrible and your clothes-"