Ragnarok Unwound: The Awakening

Chapter 4

Thor roamed the gardens of Asgard, a deep frown upon his bold features. Scratching his dark red beard he let out a sigh of aggravation. Oh how he ached to feel the thrill of battle! Odin had forbade him from going to Midgard and Jotunheim for a time. So what was he supposed to do? Freya was always sneaking away these days and he made quick work of the others.

Part of him had to admit that he missed Loki, soley for the adventures they had together. Everything seemed to become dull and tiresome recently. Every so often there would be a threat in Midgard but as soon as it showed up, it would disappear. And now under Odin's order he couldn't even go there to simply exercise his skills.

Thor considered that everything was sort of suspicious. First the strange attacks on Midgard, then Freya and Skadi began to vanish, then Odin banned him from both Jotunheim and Midgard. Even today, Heimdall, who was supposed to spar with him, had vanished.

Thor sat himself in the shade of a tree and let out a deep breath of bordome. He pulled his skin of ale to his lips and watched the night sky. After taking a deep drink he watched crows fly over head. Probably taking news to Odin.

Whatever it was, Thor was positive that it was neither interesting or important.
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An evil smirk formed on Loki's lips as he heard the soft sound of padded paws hitting the rocky floor and small pants fill the air. His keen ears twitched and his wicked green gaze shifted over to his wife's sleeping form. In recent days some of Loki's acquaintances had assisted her in building a small stand for the basin. This allowed her to sleep and move around, but she was forced to remain so that she could empty the basin and keep her husband company.

Loki turned his gaze back to the direction of the sound. It was not long before a sleek black wolf came into his sight. In its mouth it held a rolled up piece of paper. Loki pulled right hand from the chains, something Sigyn was unaware that he could do. Thanks to his new friends Loki was slowly becoming free of his binds, much to the ignorance of the Aesir and his wife. As he pulled the letter to his eyes, he had to surpress a victorious cackle.

His little spy had managed to make it into the Academy. Even better, they had found both of the keys to Loki's victory, and a spy for Odin. Handing the letter back to the wolf, Loki closed his eyes and let out a content sigh and a small mocking laugh.

It was time...

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It was a soft mocking hum that awoke her. Her long lashes fluttered open and her blue eyes scanned the rocky terrain dreamily. She tried to follow the humming but she couldn't find the source. In fact she couldn't find anything, not even her supposedly bound husband. Sigyn arose in a panic, her mind filled with confusion.

"Loki?" She called as she rose to her feet. There was no response, only humming.

"Loki!" Sigyn shouted pushing back her golden brown locks. Frantically she searched every possible spot. There was no way Loki could have gotten free, and if he had, he wouldn't just abandon her! Would he?

Dammit Loki, after centuries of this? Where are you?

"Loki! Loki if this is some sort of illusion, I'm not in the mood! Loki!"

"Loki's not here!" A female voice responded, the humming coming to an abrupt end. Sigyn froze, a tingling sense of danger ran up her spine.

From behind a large jagged rock stepped a female shape. As she stepped into the light Sigyn was able to get a good look at her. She was tall and slim with sharp features and grey-green skin and long black hair that touched her waist. She was dressed in a long sleeveless coat with the fabric of the tail contorted to look like leather feathers, tight leather trousers, and knee high boots. She gave a wolfish smile and her eyes, which had a black corneas and forest green irises, shined with wickedness. She sauntered over to Sigyn, a strange swagger in her step. She stopped only a few inches in front of the goddess. Sigyn wanted to step away but something in the woman's eyes kept her locked in place. She chuckled and placed her hand, that was wrapped in rough, dark material, on Sigyn's cheek. The goddess quickly regained herself and jerked free of the hypnosis-like state. She realized that she did not know this woman, but at the same time she did. Fear and anger bristled in her chest and she sneered as the name came to her mind. Angrboda.

"Where is Loki? Tell me what you've done with him!" She snapped, trying not to look intimidated by the mother of Loki's children.

"Loki is not here, he is free." She spoke with a sultry voice but Sigyn could sense the venom on the woman's tongue.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean he's free?" Sigyn knew something wasn't right. There was no way Loki could have gotten free of his bonds without help. And even if he did break free, he would not just abandon her! Would he?

No I don't believe that! Loki has done terrible things but he wouldn't do that! He wouldn't just abandon me! This witch is hiding something!

"I want to speak with Loki! I want to speak to my husband!" She demanded standing tall, though she was still so small compared to the giantess. Angrboda bared her vicious fangs and struck Sigyn, knocking her down. Sigyn tried to stand but before she could even get to her knees, sharp, thorned roots broke through the ground and bound her hands. Sigyn cried out and she felt the witch pull her hair back aggressively.

"Loki does not wish to see you! Your usefulness has been spent and you no longer serve a purpose for him! So you just be a good little dutiful wife and stay out of his way!" With that Sigyn felt Angrboda's sharp heel hit her hard in the back. Shortly after that there was a sharp kick to her abdomen. There was a mocking laugh as Sigyn cried out. Then there was only silence, the witch was gone.

Sigyn bit back tears as she tried to free her hands. She had to do something! But what? She wanted to help Loki; he was her husband! But she had to help the Aesir as well; she had to stay true to her loyalties. But where did her loyalty belong if not to her husband? What good did these thoughts do if she could not break free. With one last agonizing tug she ripped her bleeding hands free.

She knew that there was only one person she could go to. Only one place that would be her safe harbor. Only there could she find the one person who would understand her dilemma. The daughter of Loki. The daughter of Angrboda.

Hel...