The Challenge

Thirty

((A/N: Final chapter, enjoy!!!! Also, same TW apply that applied to chapter 29, for refence check back there!!))

The Great Hall of Asgard was adorned with vibrant decorations in honour of Thor and Namira's wedding, coinciding with the joyous celebration of Imbolc. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the warm glow of countless candles. Greenery and symbols of fertility adorned every corner, bringing an aura of love and prosperity to the grand space.

The walls were draped in rich tapestries depicting tales of love and union, while golden banners bearing the insignia of Thor and Namira fluttered in the breeze. Tables were laden with sumptuous feasts, and the guests, dressed in elaborate attire, mingled with goblets of mead in hand.

Odin had clearly done the most when he'd offered to set everything up.

In the midst of this splendour, Thor, adorned in ceremonial Asgardian attire, stood near the grand entrance, rehearsing his vows while Ares and Freyr listened. Thor had barely slept, constantly checking in on his brother to see if he was alright, still there and if anything had improved. With every check in there was no difference.
He was worried, distracted and constantly in doubt whether the vows he had created and practised where good enough, strong enough and whether they said everything he wanted them to.

Ares clapped Thor on the shoulder. "Speak from the heart, Sparkles. Let your love for Namira flow through every word. You're not delivering a battle speech; you're professing your love. There is no right or wrong, as long as it is true."
Freyr added with a smile, "And don't forget to mention her laughter. A good love story always has room for laughter. It's the bond that sustains through joy and sorrow, as yours has, that should be the most obvious."

Thor nodded appreciatively, absorbing their advice. He took a deep breath, looking toward the magnificent altar adorned with flowers and symbols of love. The sounds of celebration surrounded him as he mentally prepared for the most significant moment of his life.
As the ceremony approached, Thor intended to make his way down the aisle, his heart pounding with anticipation and excitement. He couldn't wait to call Namira his wife.

Just as he was about to take the final steps, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt but also one of the deities Namira had befriended during their stay in Olympus, emerged from the shadows, a worried expression on her face.
"Thor," she said urgently, "we can't find Namira anywhere. She's not in her chambers and no one has seen her since you left last night."
The words had barely left her before the scent of Asgardian blood travelled through the realm, calling the Gods and Goddesses in to protect one of their own.

Thor's eyes widened, a mix of confusion, fear and concern crossing his face. He barely had the thought to answer her as sheer panic overtook him.
Had someone attacked her?! Taken her?! His anger directed itself at Loki.
Artemis placed a reassuring hand on his arm, "We're searching for her, but we've not had any luck. I'll keep looking... If she's somewhere in Asgard, we'll find her and bring her here."

Thor felt no comfort at the words, not with the scent of blood in the air, he was torn with the desire to see his bride and wed her and now he'd tear Asgard to shreds to find her if he had to.
He vanished without a word, right to the room Loki had been staying in, only to find his brother missing as well.
His heart pounded wildly now as this knowledge grew his fear. The apple she'd gifted Loki to help him heal was no longer there. Thor frowned, his voice loud and booming as it echoed through the whole of the realm, "If I find you with her, you are dead Loki!"

The skies over Asgard roared with thunder as Thor's fury manifested in a tempest, the dark storm echoing the tumult within the god of thunder. The great hall, once a place of celebration, now trembled under the weight of Thor's anger. Ares stood at the forefront, his eyes narrowed with determination, while he listened to Artemis, who informed him Namira was missing. This, combined with Thor's roar to kill his brother was enough to explain what had happened.

"Enough of this chaos," Ares commanded, raising his hand to still the raging storm. Lightning crackled around him as he surveyed the grim atmosphere. His gaze shifted to Zeus in the hopes his power could outbalance Thor's before he addressed the gathered crowds, "We must focus on finding Namira and that traitorous worm."

The air crackled with tension as they moved through the darkened halls of Asgard. The echoes of Thor's distant thunder reverberated, a constant reminder of the urgency of their quest. Ares led the way, his eyes sharp, cutting through the shadows as he did his best to track Loki down as he followed the blood trail, while Zeus attempted on ending the storm brought on by Thor's anger and panic over losing Namira.

Ares had gathered a select group of gods from both the Greek and Norse pantheons. Athena, Artemis and Apollo joined him from the Greek side, while Tyr, Balder and Freyr represented the Norse pantheon.
Together, they embarked on a mission to track down Namira, the missing bride while Odin did his best to help Zeus against Thor's blind rage, further fuelled by the power he had gained through Namira that far outshined the power of the others.

As they traversed the celestial realm, signs of Loki's presence became apparent. Illusions danced in the corners of their vision, a distraction to make the path more difficult to follow. Ares, however, recognized the illusions for what they were and pressed forward, determined to pierce through Loki's deceit.
The group reached the inner sanctum of Asgard, where Loki's dark magic lingered like a malevolent fog. Ares raised his hand, signalling the others to halt. "We are close," he declared, his gaze narrowing on the shimmering portal.

Loki's figure materialized, his once-mischievous grin replaced by a grotesque visage.
His body was severely damaged, blood staining his once-pristine attire. His eyes, vacant and unresponsive, flickered with a strange intensity.
Ares knelt down beside him, checking to see if the God of Mischief still lived.
He breathed a sigh of relief.

Thor, fuelled by a mixture of anger and concern, approached Loki after finding the crowd, grabbing his collar. "Where is Namira?! What have you done?!"
Loki's mouth moved as if attempting to speak, but no sound emerged as it became clear his vocal cords had been destroyed.
Ares, sensing Thor's anger stepped forward, "Enough games, Loki. Tell us where Namira is, or you will face the wrath of both pantheons."

Loki's eyes, despite their vacant look, conveyed a hint of desperation. Ares, sensing something amiss, gestured for the others to stand back, to offer space.
The gathered deities did their best to draw Thor back with them.
As Ares knelt down next to Loki he lowered his voice as he questioned softly, "What happened to you, Loki? Where is Namira?"

In a silent struggle, Loki's damaged form attempted to communicate.
His bloodied hand weakly pointed towards a distant portal, a flicker of remorse in his lifeless gaze.
The gods, now realizing the severity of the situation, prepared to confront whatever awaited them on the other side of the portal that Loki had used every bit of his strength to keep open. Thor's eyes flashed with anger and terror, Ares nodded toward the portal.
They had one shot to go through while Loki's strength deteriorated as he used every bit of power and life energy to keep it open for them.

The gathered Gods stepped through, hoping to rescue Namira from the unknown perils that lay ahead, from whomever had taken her, from wherever they'd taken her.
If she still lived. 

The End.