Story of Seasons: Fire and Ice

Ice Wolf

A decision was made. Something strange was going on with the mysterious animal, assuming that's what she was in the first place. As such, Balder and Thor reported to the All-Father, detailing their findings and all they had learned. Unfortunately, as the wolf in question had gone missing since their last encounter, the most they could do was observe. Until she revealed herself again, the three would continue on as normal. When she appeared, they could follow her.

Loki remained on the outskirts, searching for their missing quarry. He had made a few attempts at trying to find her, including his howling call. They had gone unanswered every time and his forest strolls had offered him no information on her whereabouts. The fire god didn't have a single clue where she could have run off to and had even less of an idea of how to bring her back. Worst of all, the wolf's absence had brought the god of fire to an alarming realization.

He was lonely.

While Loki wasn't typically one to seek out socialization these days, even he couldn't deny that he had been starting to appreciate Runa's presence. Over their time together, she had become a constant in his life. Someone who was available, for the most part, at any time of day or night. When Balder and Thor were occupied, she provided companionship, even though she was more of a familiar than a friend. It was kind of nice to have someone to talk to, even though she couldn't always answer back. Now, in her absence, he found that he missed her company. With or without verbal communication...

It was better than being alone.

Sighing, the fire god hopped from his doorstep into the snow. After yet another failed attempt at summoning her, he decided that a stroll through the woods was preferable to moping around his cottage. He didn't feel like pranking any gods in the city today, so perhaps a trip through the forest would do him some good. He would find a woodland creature to harass or play around with other wildlife. Boars were a particular favorite, as they were extremely uncoordinated and easy to rile up. Perhaps if he caused a large enough stir, it would lure his companion out of hiding.

It was a quiet, uneventful walk. The trees were empty of birds and the brush free of inhabitants. All was still on this day, leaving Loki with little more to do than admire the landscape. As that consisted primarily of snow and ice, there wasn't much to appreciate. His travels took him to a familiar clearing; deserted as it often was, save for the occasional herds. Stepping into the open field, Loki looked around, paying careful attention to any mounds of snow. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't in the area. With a bored huff, he instead stood still, taking in the tranquility surrounding him. It was surreal. It was too calm. Listening to the sounds of the trees, it became apparent to him that the forest wolf wasn't the only one missing. All of the wildlife had disappeared. There were no birds in the trees. No squirrels on the branches. No rabbits burrowing through the brush. All was silent... and it was deafening.

Something wasn't right. Forests weren't quiet in Asgard. There was always something in motion, a rodent in the thicket, a predator on the hunt. Such peace was dangerous in their realm. Where there was calm, there was storm, and Loki knew that better than anyone. Flames licked his fingertips as he looked slowly around the field. Yes. It was far too still... Then it wasn't.

A loud roar echoed through the air, far too large to be a boar. Bushes trembled under the weight of an unseen threat, thundering through the trees. The embers in Loki's hand erupted into a blaze. He didn't know what was coming toward him, but it was going to take more than a small fire ball. The flames extended, taking the form of a blade as he summoned his sword, Laevatein. It was uncommon for the fire god to wield his weapon, but he wasn't taking any chances. And what a good decision that turned out to be.

Bursting through the trees was a bear, massive in size with paws like dinner platters and hook-like claws. Certainly not what he had hoped to encounter today. Bears in Asgard were menacing. Their size and strength alone made them prized game for hunting parties. Thor himself had brought down his fair share over the centuries. But Loki was far less skilled in the areas of brute strength. What was it doing in this part of the woods anyway?