01

Long ago, the God Loki had three children with the giantess Angrboða: Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Hel.

Jörmungandr, the middle child and a serpent, grew to wrap around the entirety of the world, earning the title of World Serpent, or Miðgarðsormr.

He was destined to be the fuse that would ignite Ragnarök, and as such, was sealed away to slumber until that fateful day, his tail lodged within his mouth as he seemed to eat himself for all eternity...

"Hey, Jörmungandr. Aren't you tired of sucking on your own ass?"

A smiling woman was floating in front of the sleeping serpent, a twitch being the only indication that he'd heard her.

"Did you know that all of those siblings of yours and even your father are already out and living in the realm I'm in? Yup, Fenrir, Hel—they're all there!

"Now, why not you? Don't worry—you don't have to start Ragnarök to get there. See, I just need a liiittle bit of your soul, and a body will be generated. What do you think? Wanna join in?"

The serpent which had slumbered for millennia finally stirred.

They were awake, and listening—oh, they were listening alright.

The woman's grin stretched even further.