The Purging of Asgard

Chapter 27

The Bifrost whisks you through the stars, past other realms you forgot existed, and you step onto a platform of shining gold, in a room with no furnishings, no decoration, no windows, and only a door in and out, but the walls; the walls were so ornately and elaborately carved that you couldn't stop following the designs, the lines curling and curving around each other, each leading into the next design. "Welcome to Asgard," says a tall, dark man; his voice booming in the metallic chamber, "it's good to see you again, Lady Sigyn." His golden eyes misty as he smiles at you.

"Thank you... Heimdall." You remember, somehow. Stepping out of the chamber onto the shimmering bridge, your breath catches. Following the vaguely familiar pathways to the city gates and beyond, your gaze finding its way to the Citadel, the palace of Asgard, its towers and turrets stretching skyward.

You were home.

.

.

.

Odin's voice carries so easily in the throne room. Hela is held by Thor and Sif, facing the verdict from their All-Father,

"Hela Lokidottir, you have been found guilty of crimes against Asgard, and shall be punished accordingly."

"What a surprise." She mutters, seemingly bored. "You know your dungeons will not hold me. Your executions, however inventive or elaborate, will not keep. Even your almighty power cannot destroy me."

"Even as we sentence you, you feel a right to speak." Odin sighs,

"Even as we speak, you feel a right to sentence me." Sif kicks the backs of her legs, making her fall to her knees, "You have deeply insulted me, honestly believing I could be captured without allowing it."

"So you have an escape plan, what a surprise." Enchantress mumbles,

"Escape?" Hela says, "Why would I escape? When will you see that I am right where I am supposed to be?" From somewhere within the walls of the city, you hear a long howl, answered by another much closer. Soon the snarling and barking of a pack of wolves was mingled with the surprised and pained cries of Asgardians as the hounds make their way through the city to the palace.

"Loki, get Váli out of here." You hear a snarl somewhere in the room, the echo disguising its location. You see him whisper something to Váli, still in his arms, who nods before he is set down and Loki draws his sword. "What are you doing? Get out of here!"

"We are not leaving you, love." You hear the snarl behind you, or was it behind the throne? You all keep turning, spinning in circles, on high alert.

"Where is it? I can't see it!" you hiss to Loki, you drift closer to each other, keeping Váli close by, ready to scoop him up or push him out of harm's way.

"I say we dispatch their leader and be done with it." Sif says, stepping toward Hela. She brandishes her sword overhead, ready to strike.

"Sif, No! We cannot risk having to recapture her!" Thor yells,

"But the dogs—"

"May not stop with her death. Now, leave her."

"Look out!" Váli yells, but you turn too late, and are tackled to the ground, pushing Váli into Loki, nearly making him lose his balance as they both stumble away from you. You hear your sword skitter away from you.

"Lady Sigyn—"

"Get Váli out—" your words dissolve into a scream as you feel claws bore into your back. You can't breath, can't speak, can't move. You hear crunching and crackling as the weight on your back shifts, splintering your ribs like dried twigs, sending shards through your lungs and stomach. There is a low growl by your ear, you turn as far as your screaming neck allows and see a monstrous wolf, its eyes a deep, shining red, teeth as long as your fingers, dripping with drool; flesh peeks out where chunks of fur are missing, bones exposed in places, oozing wounds that never healed. A Hel-Hound.

His rancid breath skates across your face, ruffling your hair, making you gag and burning your eyes. Somewhere in the distance you can hear someone calling you, screaming your name. The pain and pressure are too much, so you have no choice but to let go and give in as your vision goes dark.

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