Roots of Eternity

Chapter 34 - The Attack on Asgard

The air in Asgard felt wrong.

It was as though the very world beneath us trembled, sensing the chaos that was about to unfold. I stood next to Thor in the great hall, the warmth of the golden palace doing little to ease the tight knot forming in my stomach. I felt a shift in the atmosphere, the same unsettling feeling that had followed me all day, and I knew something was coming.

"Stay close," Thor murmured, his hand resting protectively on my shoulder. His eyes scanned the room, sharp and alert, but I could see the concern etched in his face. He was always on guard when it came to me.

"Thor," I began, glancing at him, "something's wrong. I can feel it."

Before Thor could answer, the palace shook violently. The grand hall's laughter and chatter died instantly, replaced by gasps of fear and confusion. The ground rumbled beneath us, and a deafening explosion echoed from the distance. The golden walls seemed to pulse with the impact.

"Helena!" Thor barked, his voice a mixture of command and fear as he reached out, pulling me toward him.

"Malekith," I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest. "He's here."

Thor's eyes narrowed, and he tightened his grip on Mjolnir. "Stay behind me," he ordered, though I could sense the rising panic in his voice.

"I can help!" I protested, stepping away from his protective hold. "I'm not just a child, Thor! You have to let me fight!"

He shook his head, eyes fierce. "Not like this, Helena! You don't understand-Malekith is not an ordinary threat. He will stop at nothing to destroy us. You're too young-"

"Enough with the 'too young'!" I snapped, frustration and fear boiling over. "I've trained with you, Thor. You know I can fight. You taught me how!"

Before either of us could continue, the heavy doors of the palace slammed open, and a wave of Dark Elves poured into the hall. The royal guards rushed to form a defense, but it was clear they were unprepared for this kind of attack. The air grew thick with the clash of weapons and the cries of battle.

"Get to safety!" Thor shouted over the chaos as he raised Mjolnir, ready to charge into the fray. "Now!"

I stood frozen for a split second, torn between the instinct to follow my brother's command and the desire to prove myself. But then I saw it-a blast of dark energy shot toward the palace gardens. My connection to the land, to nature, screamed in agony as the plants I had nurtured began to wither and die.

"No!" I yelled, my hand instinctively reaching out. In that moment, I felt the power surge through me-earth, roots, and vines responding to my will. With a wave of my hand, I called forth a barrier of thorns to intercept the blast, but the force of it knocked me back, the energy scorching the edges of my protective wall.

"Helena!" Thor's voice was full of panic, and he fought his way through the crowd toward me. But before he could reach me, another explosion ripped through the hall, and the roof began to cave in, sending chunks of debris crashing down.

I looked up just in time to see a massive pillar of stone falling toward me.

"Helena, move!" Thor bellowed, but I was already too late.

Before the pillar could crush me, a blast of magic sent it flying to the side. I stumbled, disoriented, and when I turned, I saw Loki standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

"You're not much use to us dead, little sister," he said coolly, lowering his hand after the spell had been cast.

I blinked, still in shock from the attack. "Loki..."

Thor caught up to us, glaring at Loki but clearly relieved that I was unharmed. "Loki, now is not the time for your games."

Loki smirked, though there was an edge to his voice. "You're welcome, brother."

"Loki, we're under attack," I said, struggling to steady my breath. "We need to stop Malekith."

"Clearly," Loki replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm sure Thor has already told you to stay out of it. After all, you're just a child in his eyes, aren't you?"

Thor growled, his eyes flashing with anger. "This isn't the time for your taunts, Loki. Helena is not ready for this battle."

I stepped forward, frustration rising in my chest. "I am ready! I've been training for this. You both know I'm not helpless!"

Loki chuckled darkly. "Ah, yes, the ever-protective Thor, always keeping our dear little sister tucked safely away from the dangers of the world. But Helena has her own strength. Don't you, sister?"

I glared at him, but his words struck a chord. He wasn't wrong-Thor had always been overprotective, and Loki... well, Loki had always seen my potential, even if his motives were questionable.

Another explosion shook the ground beneath us, and Thor's expression hardened. "Enough! Helena, you stay close to me. Loki, either help us or stay out of our way."

Loki's smirk faded, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something serious in his eyes. "I'll help, but only because I have no desire to see Asgard fall."

Without another word, Thor charged into the battle, Mjolnir crackling with lightning. Loki followed, his magic swirling around him like a dark cloud. I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing, but then I steeled myself and ran after them, calling upon the earth to aid me.

The palace was in ruins. Dark Elves swarmed through the halls, and the sound of steel against steel echoed through the air. I could feel the destruction all around me-plants dying, the soil crying out for help. I raised my hands, and with a surge of power, I brought the palace gardens to life. Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the invading forces, pulling them back.

I heard Loki's voice behind me, sharp and amused. "You've been practicing, I see."

I didn't respond. My focus was entirely on keeping the invaders at bay, but I could feel the tension between us-between all of us. The battle was chaotic, but beneath it all was the unspoken history we shared. Loki's betrayal, Thor's protectiveness, my struggle to be seen as more than just the youngest Odinson.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out-Frigga's voice.

"Mother!" I shouted, panic seizing my heart. I pushed through the chaos, weaving between the guards and Dark Elves, following the sound of my mother's voice.

I reached the throne room just in time to see Malekith standing before her, his eyes burning with malice. Frigga stood tall, her face calm but defiant. She had always been the strongest of us in her own way, and even now, she faced down the enemy with unwavering courage.

"Frigga, step aside," Malekith hissed, raising his hand, dark energy gathering in his palm.

"No!" I screamed, rushing forward, but Thor's hand grabbed my arm, holding me back.

"Helena, no!" Thor growled, his voice thick with fear. "You'll only get hurt!"

"Let me go!" I cried, struggling against his grip. "I have to help her!"

But before I could break free, Malekith struck. His energy blast hit Frigga, and the world seemed to shatter around me.

Time slowed as I watched her fall. My mother-strong, wise, and kind-collapsed to the ground, her life slipping away before my eyes.

"Mother!" Thor's roar echoed through the hall as he rushed to her side, but it was too late.

I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face. The garden I had summoned withered, the life draining from it as my grief overwhelmed me.

Frigga was gone.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and when I looked up, Loki was standing over me, his face pale, his eyes wide with shock. For the first time in as long as I could remember, there was no sarcasm, no smugness in his expression.

"Helena," Loki whispered, his voice trembling. "I... I'm sorry."

But his words meant nothing. The loss was too great, the pain too deep.

I stared at Frigga's lifeless body, my heart breaking into pieces.