The Hel Experience

-1 year until Ragnarok- Muspelheim-

Sometimes I wonder about time. Such an abstract idea. If a day is just a time, an idea, which- in reality- can last an eternity or a heartbeat... is a year the same? An eternity of pain, chaos and darkness, or a heartbeat of love?

Sometimes I wonder about things like this, because I know that if I had just stayed away from myself and shut up my ache for a battle, I would never have to rot in my own sick memories for the rest of my never-ending life.

But at the time I didn't know what the consequences of my actions were going to be. Just the idea of the throne was enough to send me into Muspelheim on foot, where the burning sky and golden floor was blinding to my Asgardian eyes. The streets in the cities were far more perfected, far more beautiful, than the realm's rotting landscapes and dull scenery. Though it still glowed sepia, standing on it's floor was like a dream or a movie in Midgard.

As I found my way through it's capital city slowly but surely, I found myself guided by more than 10 'friendly' visitors, all trying to rid the city of me, by dumping me at my destination. They didn't want 'dangerous' people like me on their streets.

"I think I can find Surt from here."

"No, let us help!"

Most of the time, I would sigh and give in to them, but by the time I had reached the palace gates, I hushed them away with the excuse that the guards would never let them all in. They didn't bother mention that there were no guards.

I looked around for a moment, my hand resting on the dark metal bars of the gate, through which I could see the large, red palace stand tall in front of me. It looked like it was made with red gold, shimmering under the bright sun, with tall, pointy towers and large, stain-glass windows. However, no matter how beautiful and proud it stood there, it's gardens looked dead and empty, covered in crumbly grass.

As I walked forward, since nobody was stopping me, I watched the ground in front of my feet for traps. Somehow, I was still expecting Asgardian machinery to click and turn on, clasping around my leg and disabling me. Perhaps other realms didn't have as many trust issues as it seemed to have, which made me wonder why. Was it just Odin's behavior being spread throughout all of Asgard? What had ever made him so scared of others, in or out of the realm?

Now that I know what the vision had shown him about me, about Fenrir, and about Jormungard, I know perfectly well what had created the man he was.

Just a few minutes later, I reached the large entrance to the building. Without a slave to take the coat I had folded over my arm and invite me in, I got desperate, and reached for the knocker. On it was a metal pour of a smiling man, who stared down at me, with that emotionless look in his eyes that sent a shiver through my spine.

I almost turned around and walked away, but Balder would be too disappointed in me. Seeing his heartbroken, faked smile was just about as bad as life could get. He was all I had, and I'd do everything within my power to protect him and keep him fully happy in his afterlife.

Even if I was destroying his innocent soul with every step I took in his direction.

"Hel."

I snapped out of it. My head jerked up and my widened eyes just stared back up at the man.

Surt was taller than I'd expected. His brown hair had dark-ginger lines running from the roots to the tips of his locks, and within those were small blond accents, and was the perfect combination with his green eyes. His muscular arms were folded in front of his chest. As I watched him, unable to react, I noticed a ring on his finger with runes scratched onto it... F... Fi.... Fir-

"How can I help you?" he asked. His tone revealed his will to be polite, as well as his lacking attempt at it. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I have a matter to discuss with the king of Muspelheim, sir," I answered, as I plied for him and took a step forward when he moved out of the way. If you payed close attention, you may have noticed I didn't mention what the discussion would be about. First, I needed to know where he stood against Asgard at that point.