Ragnarok Unwound: The Awakening

Chapter 2

The bitter clang of blades echoed through the hall. A mix of frustrated grunts and roars of anger served as a broken melody. Blood stains covered the floor like a violent painting. In the center of all of this stood two unyielding forces, dancing the dance both life and death. One was a dusky skinned girl with ruby eyes that glowed with resolve, her arms littered with bruises and scars. The other was the goddess of this art itself, Freya.

Keir stabbed at Freya, who easily side stepped. Without hesitating she struck out with her shield, only for Freya to block with her own shield. Before Keir could react, the pommel of a sword smashed against her face and knocked her to the ground. Keir quickly grabbed her bleeding nose and shot a glare at Freya. The goddess stood above her and smiled beautifully, as if she hadn't just been locked in combat. As Keir's eyes met Freya's pure deep blue ones, her glare faded into a scowl.

"Let's call it a day. You did well." Freya said, dropping her sword and extending her hand out. Keir huffed irritably and took the hand, her arms aching as she did so. The four hour combat training session was taking a toll.
"I didn't defeat you." Keir stated. Freya grinned warmly and shrugged her armor clad shoulders, tossing her golden braided hair over her shoulder.
"I'm a goddess and war is kind of my thing." She responded. Keir quirked a brow at that.
"'My thing'? When did you begin speaking casually? When we first met it was "mortal", and things like that!" Keir asked, a smirk threatening her strong features. Freya remained silent and smiling but Keir saw something flash in her eyes. It was unmistakable sadness.

"What's wrong?" Keir realized that the tone sounded as though she was demanding an answer. Freya remained silent for a moment, then let out a sigh and her eyes darted away quickly. Bad news. Keir knew Freya could never look at her when she had bad news.

"I have to leave soon, and I don't know when I will be back. I have business to conduct and... personal issues." Keir noted that her voice sounded guilty. That was, till the words sunk in.

She's abandoning you!

Why would Freya do that? Why would Freya leave her alone at the Academy? Didn't she understand that the others hated Keir? Didn't she know that Skadi would not return for another month? Keir could feel cruel anxious claws tightening on her.

"When do you leave?" She asked. Freya became somber at the question.
"I have new recruits arriving tomorrow, after I introduce them I must take my leave." Keir felt a great unease. She suddenly found herself unable to look at Freya. She felt the winter winds begin to sweep into the empty hall. She hugged herself tightly as a sharp pain shot through her head. She was determined not to let her desperation and fear break through her icy mask of indifference.

"You must understand that I do not wish to leave you here Keir! You must trust me when I say that I do this for a reason! I have something very special planned for you!"

She is abandoning me? Why? Why would she do this to me?

Because you're a Jotun! Why would she care about an abomination like you?

That's not true!

If that's not true, why are you panicking? And why is she looking at you like that?

"Keir!" Freya's voice cut through the voice in Keir's head. Keir took in a sharp breath and looked up at the goddess. She saw fear and worry in her eyes. Keir could feel heavy guilt building on her chest, she bit her lip so that her expression would not slip.

"Ice," Freya spoke in a sudden softness. Her eyes cast downwards and she reached out for Keir's hand. The girl looked down as well. Sharp shards of ice spewed out at her feet and frost covered her gloved hands. Her dusky skin was now a pale blue-gray. One of the ice shards pressed lightly against Freya's armored abdomen. Keir's breath hitched in panic and she quickly moved away from Freya. Freya drew her hand back quickly, not surprised by the reaction but still upset. Please, don't touch me. Keir had always known what would happen if people touched her skin. She feared it for the same reason she feared moments like this. Her control had slipped, again.
"I... we'll talk later. By the way, this is for you." Keir tried to maintain a calm voice. She dumped a small black pouch from her belt into the goddess' waiting hand. She had worked on the gift for months, making sure every little detail was correct. It would be wrong not to give Freya it, even given their current situation. Without another word she pivoted on her heels and ran for the only exit to the hall. She could hear Freya call out for her but ignored it. She couldn't stand it when that happened. When she slipped and let her true nature show its hideous self. Why couldn't she be normal? Why did she have to be born the way she was?