Sins With the God of Mischief

Hel's Return

"It has been done." Hel's sullen words echoed throughout the throne room as she walked in through the front doors, her cloak billowing around her as her bony frame strode across the ebony floor.

Her dreary expression and the bags around her eyes have gotten even more severe, making her look like a walking corpse. She was even skinnier, and those dark circles had grown enough to resemble empty eye sockets that made her white eyes stand out even more in contrast to her her gray sunken in skin.

When she returned, she said nothing more than this, and no one felt brave enough to question her on the details of her mission as she tiredly slumped away toward her chambers, but the collection of elites that had gathered for the feast in Hel's hall were relieved at seeing her return

Kitri glanced at Loki. "This means the time to act is now, is it not?"

He nodded as he stood, all eyes turning to him. "It appears the time has come. Prepare all of those whom we have gathered to move out as soon as Isis is ready to guide us."

He looked over to Isis, who nodded once. "I am ready. Once we finish this feast, we will all split to gather our people outside of this hall. Which realm will I be taking you?"

"Midgard." Kitri answered.

Loki looked hesitant for a moment. "Before our departure, I wish to say my farewell to Hel."

Kitri gave him a small nod of approval. "Please pass along my gratitude as well."

Loki left Kitri in the throne room with the others as he hesitantly walked toward Hel's study. He gently knocked on the door and heard a quiet hollow groan from the inside. It seemed it was voiced with the purpose of acknowledging whoever was there, so Loki slowly turned the handle and opened the door.

Hel was slumped in a large dark red armchair, staring into the flames of the raging fireplace in front of her. He made his way over to her and softly put a hand on her bony shoulder. She looked up at him with her tired, empty eyes.

"I am certain you may be the only one who can imagine the difficulty in what had to be done, brother." She said quietly.

Loki sighed, furrowing his brows and drawing his lips into a thin line. His eyes stung at the thought of it, and he gently squeezed her shoulder as he spoke. "I believe I am well aware. Your... I mean, our mother is someone I care about very deeply. It must have been heartbreaking."

Hel glanced up at him briefly before moving her gaze back to the fireplace. Frigg's death was hard on him, but he could not even begin to imagine what it would be like to have to cause her death himself by defeating her as she fought back with all her might.

"I have made a decision..." Hel suddenly said, massaging the fabric of her robes between her long bony fingers. "I can not dismiss the validity of the concerns you have raised about my duties after your arrival. It is unfair that our father did not ensure our mother's safe passing to Valhalla after her death. It is unfair that this had to take place to make things right, while he remains there in bliss and ignorance. I feel like my eyes can see with more clarity, and my decision has been made for me to shift the scales of fate."

Loki looked down at her in confusion. She paused for a few seconds, never raising her eyes from the fireplace. "My decision is to erase your name from my books, Loki."

Loki's eyes widened in shock, and there was a long pause as he tried to push some words out. "If I am not mistaken..." he trailed off, for once unsure of what to say as his silver tongue turned to lead.

Hel nodded twice before speaking. "Yes. Do not believe I had ignored your sharp intellect and skill, even from just being able to make it here. Especially after this task, I began to wonder if my guidance in what is right has been misplaced. I had decided, as I said, your name will not remain in my books. If you so choose, you may never have an obligation to end up in my realm." She said, gently placing a cool hand over his, and looking up at him with one of her pained smiles. "Although you will always be welcome here."