The Asgardian Witch - Series (book 1 - 4)

chapter three

A few weeks had passed.

Aria had got to grips with her powers, feeling herself becoming more stronger and skilled at it. With help from Loki, teaching her various other tricks and getting her into trouble around the palace. She wasn't as worried about the dreams she kept seeing or the visions she would suddenly have.

"As you will have noticed, there is a change in your class timetable. After lunch today, you all have to head on down to the training ring. To begin with Mistress Hera" Master Salvatore said.

Aria looked at Loki, who now sat beside her at the back of class.

"Training for what?" She whispered.

"No idea"

Loki looked less than happy at this than Aria did.

They all stood on the field, listening to Hera. Getting used to holding a sword and the moves. When she decided to have a demonstration.

"Thor" Hera said, then looked around at the other students.

"If Sif bounces anymore, she will put holes in the ground. She practically desperate" Loki whispered.

"Loki, she is desperate" Aria sniggered.

"Aria"

Her head whipped around, realising she had been picked. She tried to tell her no, but Hera wouldn't hear it.

Aria slowly walked over to where Thor was standing. She looked tiny against him.

"Don't worry. Ill be gentle" Thor smiled.

She knew how competitive he was. He hated to lose. She looked over at Loki, who looked more worried.

The class fanned out in a circle, as Thor and Aria took up there positions in the centre. Now the sword felt heavier.

"Opponents ready?" Hera called out.

"Yeah" Thor replied, cheering towards the crowds.

"Yeah" Aria replied, ignoring Sif who was booking at her.

"Fight"

Thor stepped to the side, sizing up Aria, as she stepped too, hoping this would just be over soon. He quickly stepped forward, swinging his sword, almost catching her off guard. She managed to dive to the side. Then spun around and swing her own, causing it to collide with Thors.

They danced around, back and forth for ten minutes, little gentle hits, getting a feel for each other.

Thor came at Aria full force this time. Swinging his sword so hard, Arias flew out of her hand, landing about ten feet from her. She rolled on the grass to avoid his fist, looking at her sword in the ground.

Thor looked smug, thinking he had won the fight. She could feel his victory, rolling from his body in waves.

Aria instantly thought of a dagger in her hand, causing it to appear straight away. She swung it, catching his thigh.

Thor hissed, unexpectedly in a little bit of pain, as Aria rolled and then ran to her sword, pulling it up from the ground and turning, just in time to block his above her head.

He was using a lot of strength, pushing Aria, forcing her down to her knees.

Aria raised her hand that the dagger had been in, that had now vanished, and she used a force from the palm of her hand.

Thor fell backwards, his sword now twenty feet from his hands. She got up, then used her magic to bind his arms and legs, to his body.

As she walked closer, Thor was smirking. Even though he had been defeated.

"Do you yield?" Aria asked, her sword aimed at his chest, as the purple ropes tightened.

"Yes. I yield" He chuckled.

Aria grinned, lifting her magic, then holding out her hand to help Thor up to his feet.

"Well done" Hera grinned.

"Hang on. Thats not a fair fight. She cant sue her magic during training" Sif yelled, walking forward.

"Why not Sif?"

"Because that isnt a fair fight"

Hera laughed.

"Let that be an important lesson to you all. There is no fair fights. Someone will always have a trick or two up there sleeves" She said. "Class dismissed. Well done, Aria"

Aria walked over to Loki, who was grinning. Thor picked up his sword and headed towards the palace.

"Anytime you feel like training like that Aria, just gimmie a shout" He called over to Aria.

"Thanks" She smiled back.

"Nice work Aria" Volstagg commented. "I'm starving"

"You're always starving" Hogun replied.

Loki waited a moment.

"Nice work, warrior princess" He teased.

Aria laughed with him.

"You coming?"

"Ill be right there. I just have to get my things"

Loki nodded, turned and walked away.

Aria hadnt noticed anyone still there, the adrenaline was still pumping and it made her feel good.

"I bet you think youre something special now. Dont you" Sif said, stepping out.

Aria picked up her bag, glanced at Sif, tempted to say something to her. But instead she chose to ignore her.

"He doesnt want you. You realise that"

Aria stopped and sighed.

"I aint interested in Thor. So will you stop being so jealous"

Sif laughed, walking closer.

I wasnt talking about Thor. I meant Loki She said, seriously.

Aria hesitated.

"We all have a bet on. To see how long Loki can string you along. Hes the trickster Aria"

"Youre lying" She said, but at the same time, she couldnt feel that.

"Am I?" Sif smiled. "why would he, a prince of Asgard, be interested in a little nobody, like you? Think about it Aria, to him, this is just a game. All part of his schemes"

Aria felt the anger pushing out from her, she wanted to her Sif, but she knew she couldnt. She quickly turned and hurried away from her, leaving her sword there on the ground.

Aria ran around the palace, past the stables, she didnt even go home, feeling stupid, thinking that Loki even liked her as a friend. Before she knew it, Aria was standing in the middle of a large green field. There was nobody around, no animals, nothing.

Just her.

She dropped to her knees in the middle of the grass.

Crying.

Angry at herself for being stupid.

Next thing Aria knew, she felt the biggest surge of power pulse from her body. Causing her to scream as she pushed it out.

Then everything went black.