Olympus
Long Ago
"Ow," Siegfried whispered.
"…Sorry…again," Brünhilde whispered, her face turning red.
Torchlight in the temple cast a warm glow over the sea of tables encircling the dance floor. As the various Gods and Goddesses made their way between the various tables arrayed with gourmet food, a dozen or so pairs glided across the open floor.
Except one.
Siegfried flinched a little as Brünhilde's foot stepped on his toes.
"…We shouldn't be out here," She whispered. She looked over at another couple, Epimetheus and Pandora, gently stepping in perfect sync with the music. Hermes played the music, which surprised no one, to the newlyweds' step, beat for beat.
"What makes you say that?" Siegfried said, his eyes trying to meet hers.
"Look at them. They're dancing like it's nothing, and here I am stomping over you."
"Hilde," Siegfried whispered in her ear.
She turned to face him, her face reddening.
"Don't do that," She whispered. She stepped on his toes, and Sieg pursed his lips. "Sorry."
Siegfried smiled despite the newest pain. "When you're dancing, you focus on your partner," He said. "You do have to pay attention to things around you, but your partner is the most important."
He sensed her foot and moved his out of the way in time with her step.
"My friend Kormakr taught me that. He practiced day in and day out to dance with his wife."
Their feet slowly started to match in rhythm. Where Brünhilde's foot went, Sieg placed his own to match her tempo and movement, but kept his eyes on hers.
"I thought you'd be a natural at this. What with all the sword-fighting," Brünhilde said, betraying some mirth.
Siegfried felt his heart flutter. "I wish. Turns out fighting doesn't stop you from having two left feet. Kormákr's not a soldier, but he's scarier than any I've ever met when it comes to learning dancing! You'd think that fury would scare an army of Jotnar!"
Brünhilde smiled, chuckling softly. As the two slowly found their pace, Pandora and Epimetheus watched the pair, smiling a little.
"Why put yourself through such a nightmare?" Brünhilde asked in a dramatic tone.
"Your friend was getting married, and weddings mean dancing…" Siegfried felt blood rush to his face. "And I wanted to dance with you."
Brünhilde's eyes locked on his, their cyan to his indigo.
"You did all that, but here I am making a mess of it, because I focused on work…"
"You wouldn't be Hilde if you didn't." I wouldn't love as much as I do if you weren't. He thought.
She let out a small huff as she looked away. "Thank you, Si—" Her foot stepped on and rolled over his.
She tripped.
She fell.
She stopped.
Siegfried's arm wrapped around her, turning the fall into a gentle dip.
Siegfried smiled, gently lifting her back up as the crowd watched, some in awe of the simple move. He felt her shrink in his arms with embarrassment and saw her smile slowly fade.
"Hilde," Siegfried whispered.
She didn't know why, but even as the music played, she could hear him. Over her shame, she could hear him.
Did it matter?
"That was embarrassing…" She mumbled.
"Could've been, but it wasn't."
"Only because of you."
The two continued their dance, falling back into rhythm with the others.
"Hilde."
"…Yeah?"
"Every time. I promise."
What was he saying? Why was he saying it?
"What?"
What could cause such a thing?
"What just happened? I'll be there. Every time. I…may not be perfect, but I'll be there."
The music stopped, and the crowd clapped as Hermes bowed. The couples split apart and applauded the band and its mysterious conductor.
Siegfried turned back to her, took her hand, and raised it to kiss it.
Brünhilde turned red enough that steam could spout from her ears. The pair walked from the dance floor to their table and sat down.
Brünhilde took his hand under the table and squeezed it tight.
You're too much, you know that. She thought. I can't say no to that. Not from you…
Months Later
"Hilde, where are you going?!" Siegfried yelled, hurrying after her. The stables for their family Pegasi were in the distance. He knew the answer, but he couldn't stop himself. "Hilde, please!"
"I am going back out, Sieg," She answered without looking back, her words heavy. "I heard word someone may have seen Prometheus."
"' May have' and 'did' are not the same thing! You just got back yesterday from your last search!"
The pair reached the immaculate white-painted stable. The sound of neighing and hooves stomping behind the stable doors slowly grew frantic.
"Ingrid hasn't recovered from the return yet. She needs more days, if not a few weeks, to rest and heal!"
"I'll take Lagertha or Liv." She opened the door and walked in. Siegfried walked in behind her.
"Did you ask Randgriz or Reginleif? You rode Ingrid for weeks all over Valhalla's Southern Region. They'll be furious if you do what you're about to do!"
He widened his stride and stopped ahead of her.
"Hilde, please—"
He froze.
Her cyan eyes had turned red, and bags had formed under them. He could see the outlines of her cheekbones, and her lips were chapped.
"…Hilde…" He whispered. Why didn't I get here sooner?
"Get out of my way, Sieg." She said, her voice going hoarse.
He shook his head, his eyes watering.
"Sieg, if you don't get out of my way—"
Sieg walked up to her and stared her down.
"What will you do, Hilde? It wouldn't be any worse than what you're doing to yourself or me now."
Brünhilde clenched her fists.
"He's… he's out there, Sieg! I'm the only one still trying to find him!"
"…"
"I…I can't stop!" Her bloodshot eyes teared up. "If I stop…then that means he got away with…with hurting Pan and Epi…"
"…"
She inhaled sharply. "I CAN'T LEAVE IT LIKE THIS! EVERYONE'S BLAMING PAN FOR WHAT HAPPENED NOW! SHE'S NOT LEAVING AETNA!" Her tears fell. She grabbed Sieg's shoulders. "I CAN'T STAND HER HURTING, SIEG! WHAT KIND OF FRIEND DOES…"
Exhaustion drained the adrenaline from her. Her legs buckled, and she stumbled into Siegfried's chest. He swayed a little, but stayed up.
Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.
She screamed into his chest.
Loud.
Ugly.
Painfully.
She cried.
Siegfried cried quietly, holding her together.
I'm sorry, Hilde…
Not long after, all efforts to find Prometheus ended. The Heaven choirs and every Pantheon under the Accords failed to find one Titan, despite their efforts. Brünhilde, despite her best efforts and constant prayers, could not reunite her best friend with her beloved. Siegfried, despite his own efforts, could not convinceBrünhildee or Pandora to reach out to each other.
For the first time, in both of his lives, he was powerless.
And it wouldn't be the last.
______________________
Another day, far in the future, forever etched itself in his mind and refused to go.
Far from the battlefields, he continued to roam; Siegfried found another great hurdle that tested the limits of his power.
One day, Brünhildee found him training with Týr. Both turned, seeing her with a familiar white coat in her arms.
A massive tear ran through the center, and blood adorned it.
Týr nodded at Siegfried and stepped back. Siegfried ran to her as her body shook and tears fell.
She fell into his arms, and the pair crumbled.
The only words she could say still rang clear as a bell in his mind.
"Sieg…Azra…Zack…My Dad… they're all… They're gone…Sieg…" She could barely get out.
Sieg held her close.
I'm here, Hilde… I'm here…
He felt his heart breaking.
This isn't right! Please! Please, I'm begging someone! I can't stop her from hurting! Please tell me something I can do!
______________________
Asgard
Mimir's Library
Not Long After…
"What…really?" Siegfried asked.
"Yep!" Loki said. "Lord Odin found out you two recently were getting married!" He floated up and grabbed a book from the nearby shelf. "After what happened to Hilde's family, he's made a personal effort to keep an eye on her and her sisters. After all, he and ole' Metty were best pals!"
Siegfried grimaced. Find that hard to believe, but okay…
"He's also well aware of your efforts in the wars against the Jotnar. After everything you've done for Asgard, it's the least he can do for one of the Jotunsbani."
Loki opened the book.
"Or you could ignore his summons and get on his bad side. Oh well!"
"If there's one thing I won't do, it's get on his bad side!" Siegfried smiled.
Loki's nose turned up.
"Thanks, Loki!"
Siegfried departed. Loki watched him go and snapped the book shut.
"Don't thank me yet."
______________________
"Hard to believe Lord Odin would invite us to a wedding greetinBrünhildeilde asked. "I thought he and my father were always at odds."
"Maybe it just came with the work. I know people who couldn't stand each other while working, but were pals when free!"
The pair stopped at the double-door entrance to Odin's chambers.
"…I don't know if that applies here."
Siegfried shrugged. "But I know after we meet with him…" He grabBrünhilde'sde's hand, eyeing the feathered gold hair-pin he commissioned from Hephaestus. Not a fancy proposal gift, but one the couple saw as unmatched.
"Yeah…"
The pair walked in.
Odin sat on his throne, with Loki to his side. On the Allfather's shoulders rested his two ever-present ravens, Huginn and Muninn.
Between the Allfather and the couple stood armored soldiers, spears pointed at them.
"Arrest him," Odin decreed.
The soldiers stepped in.
"Lord Odin, what's the meaning of thisBrünhildeilde asked.
"His Majesty is present…" Huginn, the white raven, spoke.
"Restrain yourseBrünhildeilde…" Muninn, his onyx counterpart, continued.
Loki stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Hilde, but you are in the presence of a monster," He said, stopping and coming to attention. "That man, Siegfried, has been charged with slaying Lord Odin's beloved dragon, Fafnir."
"Me?! Fafnir?!" Siegfried yelled. "I would never attack him!"
"Wasn't this about our weddingBrünhildeilde yelled.
"Why would Lord Odin care for something so trivial?!" The ravens shouted in unison. "No! It was all a pretext to bring this dangerous fool here!"
From behind the soldiers, a young maid with horns appeared.
"That's him!" She said. "He's the one we saw with Fafnir!"
"What?!" Siegfried yelled.
Odin rose, and the room fell silent.
"You…you think because the masses call you a hero, Jotunsbani, that you can act however you please?" Odin asked, his fury permeating the air.
"Lord Odin, never!" Siegfried yelled. "All I wanted to do was keep the peace you made alive! To serve the one who made it possible! Why would I go behind your back—"
"Enough."
Odin stepped down from his throne.
"Pathetic demigod!" The ravens said. "You got too high and mighty from killing some Jotnar, and look what it got you! A death sentence!"
Siegfried's eyes darted around between the soldiers. He saw swords on their hips.
If I can get even one, I can…
He looked at Brünhildee, noting the spears aimed at her.
I can…
He looked at Odin and blinked.
He was frozen. Wide-eyed even. His breathing turned shallow.
The Allfather smiled, and Siegfried's blood ran cold.
I…I can't…
"Siegfried! By the power vested in me as the Supreme and Chief God…" Odin said, his voice echoing through the hall. "I hereby decree…"
Loki wore a malicious grin at the corner of Brünhilde's eye.
"Immediate and eternal imprisonment in Tartarus."
Loki's grin vanished. What?! He thought.
"Take him away."
The guards bound Siegfried's arms. A pair crossed their spears, blockBrünhildeilde.
No….NO! Siegfried thought. Not this! Anything but this! "HILDE!"
"SIEG!"
She fell.
The guard crossed the door's threshold, dragging Siegfried.
None of you understand! I can't leave her! Who will…who will be there when it happens again?!
The doors began closing.
Before they shut, Loki looked through the shrinking crack.
Black mist formed around his face, turning into Siegfried's smiling face as he waved farewell.
A ball of burning metal dropped into Siegfried's stomach.
LOOOOOOOOKIIIIIIIII!
______________________
Tartarus
"Look at this mess," Vidarr whispered.
His stomach churned as he watched the guards place the final shackles on their newest prisoner. They hooked it to a series of chains connected to a crank and spun it, lifting Siegfried, bound head and foot to an iron beam shaped like a T, off the ground.
"Hey, Viddy…" Siegfried mumbled. "Guess we're both stuck here now."
He nodded, then shook his head. "Guess these are the lengths Father goes to after I tried to kill him a while back. He used to kill people… that'd probably be better in your case."
Vidarr turned around, followed the guards out, and closed the door.
Siegfried lowered his head.
"Hey. Viddy," Siegfried said.
Vidarr stopped. "Hmmm?"
"Please don't let Týr do something reckless again."
"I can't stop him. You know how he is."
"I know, but he's a good friend and brother! I can't help but worry a little."
"No, Sieg. I literally can't. He's ignoring me."
Siegfried chuckled. "When has that stopped you?"
Vidarr smiled a little, but sighed and departed.
I'm sorry, Hilde. He thought. I wish I could've done something. Maybe I should've.
He shook his head.
No… no, there really wasn't anything I could do, was there?
He closed his eyes, trying to remember the sensation of Brünhilde's body in his arms.
I couldn't catch you, Hilde…Please, don't push yourself too hard.
______________________
The Heavens
Eden
Mountain Biome
"Alright," Siegfried said, dusting off his armor. "That took a little longer than planned!"
You had a hole through your stomach. You were lucky you were in one piece and could regenerate your spine! Metatron answered, exasperated.
"You can do better."
I can do better, he says.
"Hey, Sir. If things go bad… I'm sorry."
…
"I guess I'm not as great a son-in-law as I wanted to be! Hilde had to go through all kinds of hell because of us!" He brandished Balmung Excelsis. "Can you forgive me?"
Sieg…whBrünhildenhilde loves brings that out of her. She will trudge worlds of pain and suffering to help her loved ones. She is cursed with it, like I am.
Siegfried stifled a laugh.
What?
"Love? A curse?"
The worst.
Siegfried felt a chill. He looked up, eyeing Odin.
Because it is his curse, too.
"You're powerful, Siegfried! Too powerful!" Odin roared. "I cannot tell if it's you, Metatron, or Yggdrasil's Runes!"
So he did know?! Metatron thought.
"But none of those…none of those matters, in Truth's wake!" He raised the twisted Garm skyward.
The ground beneath Siegfried exploded as Brisingamen's shards flew up and enveloped him.
Damn it, no! Metatron yelled. Sieg—
"If all of Creation bends to its will, then so do you." He spun his hand. "Twist and snap."
Siegfried breathed deeply. The shards pressed down on his body and swiftly spun in all directions.
Snap.
Break.
Crack.
Tear.
Each segment spun in every direction, filling the air with disgusting sounds. Odin sneered as the shard-covered mass twisted and bent into a small ball, dropping Balmung Excelsis.
"As I said." Odin stretched out his hand. "Even you bend to its…"
The shards shook, but stayed put.
"Will?"
Something scratched inside his skull.
"No…again?!"
He raked his hand back.
The shards remained.
"He is not your master! He has nothing! You dare to submit to a weaker being?!"
The shards shifted and shook.
"I only allowed him to live to be the vessel! He was at my mercy! He is NOTHING!"
The shards started moving and twisting and turning. The ball twisted and flowered out. Two extensions touched the ground, lifting the mass as it took on a human-shaped form.
YOU FOOL! A deep Basso profundo yelled. Why did you touch him directly with Brisingamen?!
Odin's eyes widened.
He has my rune! The moment it touched him, it resonated with my rune!
The shards flew away, leaving Siegfried perfectly intact. He summoned Balmung to his hand and sprinted towards Odin.
Why didn't any of you say anything?! Odin roared as he rocketed down. Egil and Gram vibrated.
Why should we, oh Lord of Madness and Rage?! The voice yelled.
Odin slammed down and rushed Siegfried.
He thrust Gram.
Siegfried knocked it up and swung down. Odin jumped back, flicking Gram through his grip. His foot stomped down as his muscles swelled. He thrust forward, letting Gram slide back through.
Siegfried raised Balmung; the flat blocked Gram's thrust and sent him flying back through the forest, decimating every tree behind him. Odin spun his free hand, summoning a swarm of shards. He swung his hand toward Siegfried.
Nothing.
He swung again.
Nothing.
He turned around and watched the shards float in place. He bit his lip, drawing blood.
"This is beyond absurd! Why are you doing this?! Do you want him to win?! Do you know what will happen if we're stopped?!"
If you're stopped, you mean. A high tenor said. Did you really think we cared if you won or not?
He's proving his strength. A hoarse Bass spoke. He fought me to a standstill.
Perhaps… A deep Tenor spoke. Is he stronger than you? I wonder if he could wield Draupnir the way he did Brisingamen?
Maybe we should help him? The hoarse Bass asked. No…let him earn the win. He'll take it from you eventually.
"EVENTUALLY?!" Odin roared. Veins raced across Odin's face as it turned red.
Siegfried rushed out of the forest.
"EVENTUUUUUUUAAAAAALYYYYYY!?" He shot back to the opposite end of the clearing. "THERE!"
He planted Garm in the ground.
"WILL!"
The shards flew in a frenzy around him, vibrating as they formed into dozens of wiry arms ending in wicked claw hands. Draupnir's rings appeared on their wrists.
"BE!"
The arms twitched to life and spread their claws. Black spheres appeared in each palm.
"NO!"
Siegfried felt a deep chill flow from the blackened tears.
"EVENTUALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
What's going on?! He thought.
Sieg! Metatron roared. I…I do not understand!
Light and color vanished into the growing spheres.
He is recreating Gleipnir!
Siegfried stomped down and kicked. He thrust Balmung, extending his radiant point.
The spheres expanded faster and faster by the second.
Come on! Get him! Siegfried thought.
The point extended meter by meter, straight towards Odin's heart.
The two spheres near Odin overlapped, and Odin vanished as the point pierced the empty darkness. The other spheres grew, enveloping everything between them.
Siegfried looked up, seeing the sky slowly get devoured.
We need to get out of here! Metatron yelled. If we get caught here, it is over!
Siegfried crouched down and jumped as high as he could, trying to thread through the shrinking gap between the spheres.
The darkness closed in.
Cyan wings erupted from his back.
He passed through the opening.
Odin appeared face-to-face with him.
"FAREWELL, SIEGFRIED!" He roared.
He swung Gram, swatting Siegfried back down into the last dregs of light.
The spheres combined, forming one massive globe.
Then, without so much as a flicker or a whirl, it vanished, leaving behind a monstrous and unpleasantly familiar crater.
"From one cell to another, you are where you belong."