The Lost Tale

Little Birds Flock

"Sleipnir's gone." I let out a frustrated moan as I sink to the ground against one of the large boulders. Inside the clearing there was little evidence of the storm raging on the other side- the stone walls reaching several feet above our heads and the trees around them lock us into a peaceful shack within the chaos.

I can hear the thundering of the sky- and the hairs on my arms stand on end. This is no normal storm- and I look to my partners; neither of them show any signs of being affected. Ove sits beside Eluf as the lumbering redhead mumbles about being doomed.

Ove runs a hand through his hair- his dark brown eyes almost glinting black in the dim of the clearing. "So we wait for the storm to pass?" His question goes unanswered for a few moments; there was nothing else we could do. The rumbling from the storm is now frightening- with each sound of thunder the ground beneath us shakes.

"I have a feeling this storm isn't just a storm- and if it's not we should be careful. Beyond our realm our spirits can take serious damage." The words falling from my lips grab the attention of both of my friends- each of them looking to me with curiosity. This is a place where even the impossible happens; neither of them have realized it yet. "If anyone starts to act out of character we need to notice. Travelling the realms has a way of playing tricks on the mind."

I pull my knees towards my chest as my skin feels a cold pressure forming all around me. My eyes scan the faces of my friends- Ove glances between Eluf and I. The dark waves of his hair fall around his face as his gaze moves between us gives away nothing of his inner self; I'm given a sense of comfort in that. The more guarded he is right now, the less likely he'll get hurt.

We all sit against the rocks- the circle acting like a shield; but the intensity in the air stirs as wild as the storm. I look next to Eluf, his expressions are normal as Ove begins to speak. "Do both of you feel alright?"

I nod in answer- and look to Eluf again as the crackle of thunder rumbles into the sky again. The red head waves his hand dismissively, his broad shoulders thump as he leans back against the stone- his ice blue eyes tracing the edges of each boulder around the clearing.

Ove and Eluf talk lightly to one another as I close my eyes. Hopefully the storm passes soon- the air feels thick around me and I wonder if the others feel it too as the ground beneath me softens. I give in to the familiar feeling of the world sucking me away- my spirit floats from my body, the cold pressure tightening around me as the ground pulls me under.

The cold sensation sinks deeper into me as I sink through the ground- the dirt around me seeming to melt as I move through it. The muffled sounds of Ove's and Eluf's voices fade into a low hum and beneath me a slab of stone meets my boots. I can't help the worry that bubbles in my chest as the ground around me swirls and changes- the earthy brown blending into beautiful hues of red and purple before fading into darkness.

My lungs expand as I take a deep breath- I can handle this. I take a few cautious steps as the darkness floods about me, it's silence welcoming as I reach out a hand to find some sort of wall or boundary. After several minutes of walking with my hands spread at my sides- I feel smooth pillars form at my fingertips, the walls sprouting like flowers from bottom to top.

As the walls take shape they begin to glow a blue glow as butterflies bloom from the walls; thousands and thousands of fluttering wings illuminate the darkness as I walk. Their wings are a glowing ice blue that fades into a dazzling royal gold at the tips- the light filtering from them both warm and ominous. A grande hall- the winged walls stretching beyond eyes view as I walk.

I can't put to words how many wings flutter along the walls of this mysterious place. Wondering how I will find my way out I follow their light- the farther I go the dimmer they glow; something is wrong.

My eyes gloss over the small light bringers- the tips of their wings no longer show their original vibrant colors- instead the edges of each wing are dull; the warmth from them now a cold charred color. It looks as if they'd been burned and a pang of sadness causes the corners of my mouth to twitch downward. The walls begin to open around me until I stand in a forest of ice- the landscape about me is flat, and the mounds of ice extending from the floor are frosted with snow.

My shoulders quiver as I am overrun with a cold breeze- it feels like sharp arrows piercing my clothing. "Stop toying with me." I mutter to myself as I cross into the fierce winter ahead- white fluff falls softly from the sky; the pace quickening as my gaze looks for any clue.

The trees of ice are spread leisurely around me, and I flick my gaze throughout them. He is here. I catch one glimpse of his cold blue eye and the massive God is upon me- a loud crack sounding as Odin's palm slashes against my cheek. A shrill gasp hisses from my lips as I turn my face up to him- the anger across his face makes the skin on his cheeks burn an ember red.

Silence hangs for several moments- our eyes boring into each other as several droplets of blood spill from a cut on my right cheek. I use two fingers to wipe the warm liquid away as the God watches me through slit eyes. "The mortals were not to help you. You are a foolish bird to think that you deserve any assistance with such a simple task!" His voice booms above my head- intense thunder rolling and small twigs from the ice trees snap from their branches.

I shake my head, my violet eyes studying Odin's face. "I don't think I deserve help- but it is no choice of mine if they want to help me. It is none of yours either." My attitude is sharp- Odin doesn't care for it much; the clenched jaw muscles ripping beneath his skin make that evident.

"Stupid. Little bird wants a flock." Odin laughs, his voice deep and warning as he continues; "your flock will show you no loyalty- these mortals will only drag you below." I stand still as the mountain of a man moves around me, his face taunting me as he speaks, "I'll show you reality."

The scene around us begins to melt. Once cold, the air now feels warm like the sun- the ice melts away and the barren earth beneath it becomes dry in only moments. An unimaginable heat burns my skin as even dry soil lights to flame- the flickering heat manifests as blackness. The black flame plumes over the landscape as Odin smiles with a smug look in his eye.

He points to a forming opening that spans several feet apart. I see my friends; Ove and Eluf sit in the stone circle. Howling wind roars against their ears, the boys cast glances towards where my body sits- a small droplet of blood dried against my cheek where Odin had struck me.

I sigh with relief as neither seem to be harmed- but that relief is quickly snatched as I feel Odin's hand on my shoulder. A cold chill is sent down my spine as he gives it a small squeeze; "Let me show you- how strong your 'flock' is."