The Hel Experience

-10 Years Left Until Ragnarok- The Palace

I guess revenge is just in our blood, our programming. Some, such as Fenrir, avenge their safety to eliminate the threat. Others, like my father, are just psychotic maniacs. He watched Odin banish me, send me on that train- all alone. So, he thought, what could he do to return the favor? The pain of losing a child? How could he avenge me?

A few days after Tyr's mishap, the sun shone bright upon the horizon. The snow had started to melt and seep into the grounds covered with dead, crunchy grass and frozen flowers. Though winter wasn't yet over, its end was- finally- nearing.

Sol moved over the horizon quickly. Long before mead had been served in the evening, she lay her rest in the west. When she did so, the torches were lit and candles set aflame, like any other day. It was a common ritual.

Like nothing was going to happen.

But, while most of the people were in their small, wooden cabins with their families, Loki was out to avenge his. As he strode toward his horse, his fingers rested on the leather handle of a small dagger, which stuck out of the scabbard on his belt. Its message had already been written on it, even long before the dawn on that morning.

It wasn't far to get to the palace and, even though he wasn't considered one of their favorite guests, he was still family, which made it his home- if he wished- just as much as it was one for any member of the family. So when he descended from his steed, a servant led him towards the large, bolted door. He was granted access into the hall, which was large and shimmered with a unique gold color. Its walls looked like they were each other's reflection, shining bright, despite the darkness outside.

"Should I inform Odin of your arrival?" The servant nervously twirled a ring between his fingers, as he awaited the answer he expected, but wasn't granted.

"No. I shall tell him shortly," my father lied.

Then he ascended the stairs to the bedrooms quietly. His hand hovered over the railing, but his fingers only glided over it as he climbed. There- at the top of the stairway- stood a door, outlined with light. No sounds came from it, other than soft breath, which he could only hear with his ear pressed up against the thick wood.

Though he expected Balder to be asleep, it was still a bit early to assume things like that, so he took his bronze, rusty gun from the girdle. When he spun the barrel, the ammunition clicked into place. From that moment, you could count Balder's life only with heartbeats.

One, he was silenced by a hand on his mouth. Though he wanted to fight back, a gun barrel pressed against his temple silenced him.

Two, he felt a terrible pain run down his leg. It stung like lightning had bolted through him, but he couldn't picture whatever terrible thing had just been done to him. As if his flesh had been torn apart, or set on fire, the pain became too intense too quickly for him to even be able to picture any difference.

Three, he felt the same pain in his stomach. His vision was seeping full with red and fading to black. Was he screaming? Maybe, maybe not. All he knew was that, when he noticed the shine of the blade reflecting the moonlight, someone was cutting him open. But why?

Well, simply, for revenge.

Four, Loki had had enough fun. His finger hovered over the trigger for no longer than a heartbeat.

Five, Balder had died.

In my name. Loki killed Odin's son, to make Odin feel exactly what he had felt- having his daughter ripped out of his hands and placed in banishment. But, even now, I doubt I would ever consent to this. Balder tells me he agrees. That he trusts me.

And the most curious part? Loki was never caught. Even though Odin could see the future of each living soul through the goggle placed where a gaping hole had been left after he sacrificed his eye for knowledge. Even though Frigga's intuition, which should have sensed the loss of life energy, should have told her of what was to happen.

Despite all that, he was never caught. His own memories, rotting in a sick soul, were what gave him away.