The Unknown

Chapter 6: Death at the Dinner Table

Hela had left the council and didn't have long to change before she met with her little sister. The council was a group of 100 men, women and even the odd child who studied the cultures and lands of all the nine realms. They dedicated eternity to learning about the realms so that as times changes, as cultures evolve and die out, they would be aware of it. Each person had their select area of expertise and when Hela was in doubt or questioned her actions, she would turn to the council to offer advice and wisdom. Hela created the council as she was still just a young girl when she took the throne and needed the guidance of others when it came to issues that she was not aware of due to inexperience, but over time even with the experience in many areas, they helped and guided Hela when it seems her judgment may be clouded by other factors. Overall, the council was built on the foundation of having the best interest of Niflheim at heart and they continued to do so a thousand years on. The council were beginning to share their worries on Voldemort as he had avoided death but none knew how. They all remembered the souls that came through in the first war, even the children, and none wanted it to happen again. Hela assured them that the war wouldn't last as long as the last because she'll find him. But even that worried them as they all remembered what happened the last time.

Hela was ten minutes late to meeting her sister when she walked into the throne room and immediately said, "I am so sorry. The council meeting ran longer than expected so I only had a short time to change".

"It's fine, Hela".

Hela nodded to Eva as Eva bowed and left, knowing that she wasn't needed anymore. Hela and Dahlia linked arms and began to walk out of the throne room as Hela said, "Dahlia, I'm going to take you outside and show you around but you remember what I said about people here. Not everyone is from Midgard and some look different".

"I know. You receive souls from all nine realms because they're connected, if they didn't die what Odin calls an honourable death".

"Just so you're aware. We have Jotunheim, home of the frost giants. Vanaheim, home to the Vanir. Svarthalfheim, home to the dark elves. Nidavellir, home to the dwarves. Muspelheim, home of the fire demons. Alfheim, home of the light elves. Obviously, Midgard and I don't get any souls from Asgard, even if they die of old age, Odin has ways of making sure they go to Valhalla".

"Is there never fighting?" Dahlia enquired. "I mean with the different races".

Hela nodded with a sigh, "that's why I have soldiers on the street to keep order. It's mostly just the newer ones that died, but people like Midgardians who don't know about the nine realms get told when they first come about them. It's like an induction to the afterlife," the girls laughed. "Anyway, those who don't follow the rules get sent to the south and after some time, people just learn to live with each other like they always have. It helps that there is an appointed leader to each realm here so that when I have council meetings, the leaders are also there to bring up any issues that they have. There's a peace treaty between all the realms on this realm, well when they're dead anyway". She then said quietly, "I also have it on good authority that the members of the light and dark elves and the Jotunehim leader actually have a game night".

The girls laughed once again as Dahlia said, "so you basically have peace?"

Hela shrugged, "there's the occasional fight but that gets resolved in laughter down at a tavern. Most people stick to where the rest of their kind live and only interact during the day. We do have a few mixed segments of people living together though...this is not Valhalla; not eternal peace and all that Odin preaches but it is good".

Dahlia smiled bright and said, "you've done an amazing job, have I told you that".

"Maybe once or twice," Hela teased as they were coming up to the castle entrance. "You ready?"