Ragnarok Unwound: The Awakening

Chapter 17

Patience had never been Thor's best virtue. But after Odin told him to wait in the courtyard of Asgard he found it fairly easy. Maybe it was due to the fact that Odin promised him a glorious battle with what he believed was a very powerful frost giant. Soon the challenger will arrive and Heimdall will let them pass over the bridge and onto Asgard.

From the way Odin described him, he shall be a ferocious beast in a human guise. He will respond to the name Keir and our battle shall be one of raw power! For too long I have itched for battle.

Thor was so immersed in his thoughts he almost didn't notice two figures step into the courtyard. One was a lovely young maiden. She had long flowing hair of pale gold and pure pale skin. She was dressed in pure white and pale gray attire with a snow covered cloak hanging over her shoulders.

Her companion was slightly shorter and completely covered by a thick black wool cloak. Save for the two swords strapped to their hips and their shielded right arm Thor could not see anything else. Instead he felt it. A cold winter's wind that seemed to radiate from the hooded figure. Thor quickly realized that, even with contradicting stature, the figure must have been the frost giant.

Without wasting a moment he charged forward, picking up one of the abandoned axes that littered the ground. He did not wish to use his hammer quite yet. How boring that battle would be if it ended in two seconds!

Reacting quickly the frost giant used Thor's momentum and a fair amount of strength, to counter his attack. As Thor hit the ground a wild smile spread across his face. He turned around to face his opponent only to find that their cloak was now gone, revealing their person.

In place of what Thor had believed to be a hideous male frost giant was quite the opposite. A well toned, dusky skinned girl with braided black hair stood before him. As she drew her sword Thor noticed her scarred arms were those of a well trained warrior and that her eyes were cold piercing rubies. Thor realized quickly that this was probably a disguise created by powerful magic.

"Why do you hide yourself frost giant? We here in Asgard are fully aware of what you are!" He jested towards her playfully. She sneered and turned to the beauty that traveled with her, telling her to take cover in a nearby hall. Thor watched as the blonde hesitated for a moment but grudgingly obliged, with a look of worry spread across her face.

Does she care for the frost giant?

"Why do you hide, Thor? Do you truly believe I am oblivious to who you are without your hammer?" The giant's husky voice broke through in a vicious growl. Thor smirked and dropped the axe. He pulled Mjollnir from the large sack that he had tied to his belt to hide it.

"Fair enough, now show yourself!" Thor demanded. A comprehensive look formed on the giant's face. For a moment her eyes casted over to the hall that the blonde maiden had hidden in, almost as if to make sure she wasn't watching. Thor watched as she slowly lifted her hand to her face. As she pulled it away, her dusky skin turned to an odd grey-blue. Her eyes seemed to glow red with feral nature, her fangs elongated just slightly past her lips, horns protruded from her head in the same manner a ram's would, and as she removed her gloves ice seemed to form over her hands into vicious claws. An odd enchanting sneer formed upon her face and disgust fueled her stare.

"No more hiding." Thor growled, noticing that the giant seemed uncomfortable with herself. He charged forward raising his hammer. The frost giant was obviously caught off guard by this. She raised her shield in order to block the attack. Upon spotting the movement Thor quickly changed tactics. He swung towards her side. The frost giant reacted quickly and dropped the shield down, a large wall of ice forming between them. As Thor struck it, it shattered in a million pieces. He smirked.

A hard pain struck his jaw and sent him reeling back. He looked to see that the giant had ducked to avoid impact and used the wall to create an opening to strike him with the shield. Thor commended her silently but decided that the fight must be ended quickly, should she actually be clever enough to defeat him. He watched as she readied her stance. Part of him felt bad that this battle would end so soon. To his surprise the giant seemed to have one more trick up her sleeve. He was slightly impressed as she made armor out of thick hard walls of ice. They stalked around each other, like two predators trying to assert dominance. He took note of the fact that the giant didn't reach for the other sword on her hip. Thor charged once more, hammer at the ready. Keir charged as well, sword in hand. Just as the two were about to collide a strong blast knocked back.

Thor flew back and hit his hard against a stone wall. Stunned by the sudden force, he simply sat there. He was stunned to see Odin moving towards the unconcious Frost giant that seemed to be unconscious and bleeding from her head........