Death's Desire (Pilot)

Chapter VI: Old Habits Die Hard.

Hel was strolling alone in Ginnungagap, conducting voodoo magic, and bringing back Kvasir's head to life.

"Kvasir... you there?" Hel said waiting for his answer.

"Yes..." Kvasir said while waking up.

Hel spat on Kvasir's face as he responded, "Good."

"Oh... Hello, Hel. It has been a long time. You look good."

"I did what I did because you appear to be too intelligent to provide those dwarfs the best method to murder you. In my opinion, death is a preferable option for your acts."

"I would kneel if I could, your Majesty. Forgive me."

"Well, if you really want me to forgive you, you can start helping me throughout all the 9 realms with my task." Hel said.

"Fair Enough."

"It's a deal then?" As Hel said it the abyss was filled with a bright green light for the first time after thousands of eons later, souls were screaming covering Hel's hand.

"Pardon me your majesty but what do I get from this?"

"I can either get your soul and you continue to live like nothing happened, or I can cease my spell and keep you dead." As he said it abyss glowed more.

"But your highness how can I shake hands with you without a body?"

"And they say you are the smartest man alive. We can do the same thing that Asgardians and Vanir did, spitting in a bucket."

"I am the smartest man alive! And a random bucket will not work. We will need a special bucke-" Before Kvasir finishes his sentence Hel snaps his finger and a magical soul binding cauldron appears.

"Any other excuses?"

"You really do want my soul to do not you your grace?

"Well, I will never say no to extra souls I can use." As he said it lights of soul went brighter and screams got louder.

"I agree." Kvasir said and he spit in the bucket as well as Hel did, and Kvasir for sure knew he will regret this.

"Do not be that sad, and hey I will even sweeten the deal. I will carry you all along with me." As Hel said it, he got a rope and tied Kvasir up to his belt.

"Your excellency, all due respect but since when did you become so manish?"

"In what way?"

"Physically and the way you act."

"When was the last time you heard of me?"

"I actually never did your royalty; I have only read books about Helheim that barely mentioned you!"

"There are reasons for that Kvasir."

"There sure is my lady."

"Enough talk, we need to go back to Asgard and pick up Barbara."

"Who is Barbara?"

"Why not ask her yourself?" As he said it, they found themselves in Black Thunder, the most famous tavern in all Asgard, and it was in pieces, destroyed.

"What happened here?"  Kvasir said, as he said it bunch of ravens start to spin and suddenly Odin came out of there.

"Hello, Hel." Odin said.

"Odin." Hel said.

"Looks like you made some new friends Kvasir..." Odin said, and Hel got his spear aimed at Odin.

"I just want to talk."

"Mentor to Mentor. Speaking of which, imagine my surprise when Barbara showed up to the bar calling me. She is doing well, by the way. And always will continue to do so just so long as I return to my lodge sometime soon." Just for the sake of Barbara's safety he removed it from Odin's face keeping it near him.

"Besides... our friend here has a, has a whole lot to live for."

"Arguable" Kvasir said.

"Shut it, head." Hel said.

"New Spear? Never much care for the blacksmith of yours, but cannot deny the crow's talent." As he said it, he came close to Hel and tried to touch his spear, but Hel pulled it away from Odin not letting him touch as a sign of aggression.

"You came to speak. Speak." Hel said.

"You do not really want war. Do you, Hel? All that blood on your hands, on Barbara's hands? I want peace as much as you do. Perhaps we can find it together!"

"He's lying." Kvasir said.

"That girl of ours... she is everything I expected. So clever. Kind. You sure she is yours? You really ought to be very proud. She is the key to peace in our age, to break free from all this fate and prophecy."

"Barbara is not your key."

"Do they not have metaphor in your homeland? Or rather, did they? I am sorry, that is not fair. I know you are not the god you once were. And now it is your chance to prove it."

"Return my vessel. Or you may meet the god I once was." As Hel said it, he walked closer to Odin threateningly.

"And what kind of god is that Hel? What do you even know about godhood? In your lifetimes, has anyone worshipped you? Ever prayed to you? Can you even imagine that kind of love? No... you do not care about mortals. You do not care anything beyond yourself. Beyond the monster who kills without cause. You fear what you can never even hope to understand. Is it any wonder that she is in no rush to come back to you? As he said it ravens covered him and disappeared with him leaving no trace.

"Do not listen to him. He is just trying to get in your head. Superior bastard. The nerve of him showing up here... At least you rattled him up as much as he rattled you..." Hel sat on the ground thinking.

"Head, tell me a story."

"It is not the best time I would say, but as you wish. There once was a pale woman with dark hair very lonely."

"Why was she lonely?" Hel said to Kvasir.

"All beings must meet this woman, so they shunned her."

"Did she chase them all? Hel said.

"She took an axe and without batting an eye, cut herself in half."

"So, she would always have a friend?"

"So, she would always have a friend."

"Kvasir, where did you hear of this story?"

"The giant raven of the Helheim has told me."

"Hræsvelgr."

"Yes, and it also have told me that you will explain rest of the story. Care to finish it?"

"I am not the Hel you used to know. I am only part of her."

"Wait so the story was talking about you and Barbara! I finally understand. I am dangling from the hip of the bloody Dread of Copperleaf!"

"Do NOT call me that."

"Do not mistaken me brother. From what I heard, the pantheon had it coming. But still, it is a bit to take in. I knew you hate gods, but you really cannot stay away from them, can you?

"You must say nothing to Barbara. She must never know."

"Bollocks, brother, respectfully, bollocks. She has to know. She will never be whole without the truth. Look I get it. You hate gods. All gods. It is no accident you include yourself. And it includes her, don't you see that? She feels that! She cannot help what she is. She cannot begin to help it, because you have not told her. It is all connected, man!"

"You... will tell her nothing."

"Very well brother."