The Unknown

Chapter 44: Celebrations

How much studying can one person take? The question that seemed to enter Dahlia's mind more than once that day. Dahlia returned to camp just as her sister and the tutor from Niflheim returned, the teacher was an old light elf called Professor Almar. He seemed like a strict teacher instantly and Dahlia recognised the smile on her sister's face as she left and knew that her sister was also taught by him when she came to Niflheim and instantly, she knew the lessons were going to be a nightmare. It wasn't that he was a bad teacher, gods no, and he didn't drone on about a certain subject for hours like Professor Binns did about the goblin rebellions and giant wars, it was just that what he taught was boring. The three of them needed to know what many other people their age, or Dahlia's in appearance, knew so if they travelled it wouldn't feel like they'd be left behind. This meant learning all the boring things like treaties and which realms are allied with whom, etc. Professor Almar did make it clear that they would be studying the most unenjoyable tasks first so they can get them out of the way but that only meant they would be spending quite a lot of time on boring tasks considering how much they missed. Especially Dahlia as she never had the six hundred years on Asgard and their stories like her siblings had before they were split up.

The lessons consisted of sitting at their desks in a tent set up for the education for the rest of the time, they were there with quills, paper, ink, books and chalk board all surrounding them. It consisted of Fenrir having his arms folded on the desk with his head resting on them, barely managing to keep his eyes open as he listened to the professor bang on about a certain subject. Dahlia had to nudge him every so often when it seemed like he would fall asleep. She listened to what the professor said but took little notes as admittedly it did bore her and she had her head rested on her hand most of the lesson. Jörmungandr, however, the ever-smart sibling, was taking notes all throughout the lesson and was asking the questions that he thought needed to be asked. Thankfully, after four hours, they had a lunch break and had one hour before going back into the lessons. Dahlia could tell that her father was keeping a close eye on them, in case they decided to skip. Altogether, they spent seven hours with Professor Almar and were all too thrilled to be leaving when the time was up, the boys going off to have fighting lessons with Akio while Dahlia would spend time with her father and sister on how to control her magic. That's just how her friends found her.

"Breathe, Dahlia, focus on your energy, your power, your very essence. Use your sisters Aesir power to help you focus," Loki said as he walked around his daughters, watching their every move. Both Hela and Dahlia were sat on the floor, crossed legged, facing each other as they held each others palms, the great fire next to them had not yet been lit. While Hela had her eyes open, examining her sister, Dahlia had hers closed as she continued to focus.

"Feel our energy connecting," Hela said softly, "your energy and mine, recognising one another". Their hands began to emit a silvery blue and purple light, their magic, and it entwined together, showing Dahlia was doing just as she was told.

"That's excellent, girls," Loki praised and saw that to the pathway leading to the entrance of the camp Dahlia's group of friends were approaching, being escorted by a group of four soldiers surrounding them. When they came within talking distance, a soldier nodded to Lord Loki and gestured to them, not wanting to interrupt what was going on but needed to know what to do. Loki nodded and mouthed, "they're fine." He nodded and the soldiers left, knowing all the others around would keep a close eye on the newcomers. "Now, Dahlia, try and remove your energy from Hela's. Separate it but not too quickly, not too violently, just let it flow away. Let it fly and light the fire but keep it controlled".

Slowly, the silver blue and purple lights separated from one another and Hela smiled as she saw her sister's magic hit the logs at the bottom of the fire. She became concerned when nothing happened but then the fire lit, bigger than they thought it would, and it made everyone close stand back, even Loki and Hela. Dahlia being the only one left sat where she was, still in a trance-like state.