Awakening (Redux)

Chapter 5: Ascension

My stomach began to sink as the door swung open and the shoes and toned legs of Luna came into view. Bea looked up from my waist and went to speak, but a sudden blur took her off of me. I looked toward my destroyed dinette and saw Luna holding Bea by her hair, a fire in her eyes.

"And just who do you think you are, coming in here and laying hands on Axel like that?!" She shouted, pulling harder.

"I was just going to sample him!" Bea snapped back, grabbing Luna's wrist and forcing her to let go.

I had to act fast, before the small gap between them closed. I felt a rush of purpose as my still injured wings sprouted, the soft flapping catching both of the girls' attention. They turned to stare at me and I pushed myself between them, outstretching my arms so they couldn't grab each other.

"Enough, enough!" I shouted before taking a deep breath, "Luna, Bea. Bea, Luna. Luna's the friend with the complicated situation I was talking about." I explained, watching Bea's and Luna's glares get deeper.

"And just why are you here, Bea? Here to try and take my man?" Luna seethed.

"No, I just wanted to sample the man who killed Odin. Such a strong warrior should be cherished and pampered until their gracious death in combat." Bea retorted.

I watched Luna's face twitch as she learned I killed Odin. She looked up at me, a worried look on her face as she took in the new scars that painted my skin. Her look of worry turned to fear as her eyes locked onto my neck and chest and I smiled sheepishly.

"It wasn't a clean affair, but I'm alive...maybe not as alive as before but still breathing." I joked, but her face still seemed scared.

"'Wasn't a clean affair'? You were dead, we watched you fall before Odin, before Yggdrasil. And yet, you rise again, like... like a Valkyrie." Bea stated, a light chuckle in her voice.

Luna pulled me in close for a hug, I could feel soft tears rolling down her cheeks to my chest as I pet her hair softly. Bea smiled, moving to sit back down at the dinette. After a moment, Luna pulled back and I wiped her eyes, smiling softly. I moved to stand next to my table, leaning against it.

"So, where did you plan to sleep Bea... I need to have a conversation with Luna here and then try and get in contact with a few... companions."

"Oh, can't I stay with-" Bea began.

"No, you may not! He's sleeping with me!" Luma interjected, pressing up against me.

"No, no. You're going back to your room after we talk. I need some time alone with my companions. Bea, my office is unlocked, sleep there." I said, petting Luna's hair.

Bea nodded, glaring at Luna as she stepped closer, running a hand up my arm along the path the chains snaked down. Her fingertips traced along my neck and I involuntarily shuddered. She leaned up and whispered something in my ear and I felt her teeth nip my earlobe.

"Al-alright, you should be leaving now," I stuttered, shaking my arm away from her, "Luna, can you go to the bedroom for a moment, I'll meet you there."

Luna grumbled under her breath, walking off to the bedroom in a huff. I walked over to the door, gripping my towel tightly as I passed Bea. I reached for the handle but stopped, turning to look at Bea.

"What'd you mean by that? 'Demigod'? I'm nowhere near a god or demigod. I got my shit slapped around like a fucking rag doll. I... I saw my dead parents." I asked, confused.

"And yet, you felled Odin. You touched Yggdrasil, no, absorbed a portion of it rather. No mere mortal could do that." Bea retorted, stepping past me.

"I'm not a mortal, I've touched death... twice now I believe. When my house went up in flames, and fighting your... boss? Leader? I heard laughter when I touched Yggdrasil, why's that?" I replied, reaching out and turning the door handle.