A Different Path (MCU)

XXXXXXXXXX

"Hello, Dear Soul."

I pause, turning to stare at the deities currently interrupting our rather intense game of poker. I'd felt them passing by, of course I had. It's impossible to miss the presence of litteral gods, but I hadn't expected them to be paying me a visit. Not this soon, at least. I'd only been dead for,… um, not long.

Okay, sue me, calculating time passing in the afterlife is both impossible and pointless.

"You can't be serious," a voice says flatly. Kuro, one of my closest companions of all time and ever loyal and fearless, glares petulantly. Only at the primordials' feet though. Even he wasn't that crazy. After all, we all knew there were worse things than death. "She's only just got here."

Death shoots him an unimpressed look, though I'm not sure how since they, like their eternal companion, Magic, are currently an indistinct, formless, glowing silhouette. In response, my friend side eyes me, silently asking if I'm okay with this, and I huff, patting his head. Nodding his acceptance, he goes back to kicking my ass, and everyone else's, in cards, and I grin fondly. The idiot was entirely too ready to throw hands with anything and everything, even the gods themselves. Not many people could claim to have friends who would do that for them, but I am well aware that I'm blessed. Then again, I consider the figures still watching, maybe I'm cursed?

"It has been rather soon since our last visit," Magic intones, pointedly ignoring Kuro, and everyone else with more sanity then him, still playing poker around me. The table is compromised of my loved ones, collected across lifetimes and worlds. Fred chucked a poker chip, making Kol and a few others snicker because they are menaces like that, but it is thankfully not met with smiting through divine retribution. "But, we've decided to reward you."

The table perks up, and Sora passes me a particularly yummy looking cookie from his side of the group. Fuyuko watches with interest, even as she tries to sneak a card out of her sleave. Setting my own cards down, utterly resigned to the fact that at least one of the other players will take the opportunity to sneak a peak off them, the cheaters. I turn to the gods fully. "A gift?"

"You have been suffering on our behalf quite harshly recently, and without any complaint," Death states, veins of glowing light pulsing with their words, sounding rather gentle now. I tilt my head, acknowledging the truth of that. After reincarnating the first time with my memories intact, I had accepted the offer to do so again and again, partly out of a sense of adventure and partly out of a desire to help the gods who had once taken pity on me. It wasn't like it was boring in the afterlife, but I enjoyed causing chaos and helping others, and fucking up Fate's plans whenever possible was always a bonus. More than a thousand years had not been enough to satiate my ire with that particular deitie's tendency to perpetually give me the metaphorical middle finger. That said, I was exclusively sent places that the gods wanted change to occur. Sometimes it was to save a world, other times it was to right an imbalance or overthrow one of their corrupted champions. I might even be reincarnated somewhere to cause the smallest ripple in the surface of time, like a stone cast into a pond, but I had learned the place was never arbitrary, and that even a tiny ripple can lead to a tsunami. There were in fact, no quiet lives at all, contrary to my naive assumption so many lifetimes ago. Death continues, "We've decided to send you somewhere… inconvenient for us, but somewhere we know you'll love."

I squint, rather wary now. What kind of world was inconvenient for the primordial forces of existence? What the fuck?

"…Uh huh. And what's the catch?" I aak cautiously.

Magic smiles, a gaping thing that feels like a crack between realms, all endless light and possibilities. The deities tended to take a form representative of the world I'd be heading to, but I had no clue what would make them look like vibrant shadows, features almost indistinguishable with only twin circles and a horizontal slash to represent their faces. "No catch. You'll even spawn in a relatively favorable situation. But, in return, we wouldn't say no to seeing you take on a zombie apocalypse after you finish up in this upcoming life."

I hear chocked laughter behind me but make a point to ignore it. "Haven't I already done something like that?"

Magic huffs, like I'm being the unreasonable one. "That was but a single battle. It does not count. We wish to see more!"

I felt my eyebrow twitch in irritation, as I realize that while they did want me to shake up this apocalypse world, they also wanted the free entertainment. Exasperated, I ask, "Will I still have my magic and foresight, as per normal?"

"Of course. Although, again, it will be different then anything you've experienced prior."

I get a shiver down my spine feeling vaguely like I was in for a nasty surprise. Oh well. Jokes on them, I've wanted to try a zombie apocalypse at some point anyway.

"Deal. But, let's talk about this next life rather than the one after it,this life that is somehow inconvenient for you. What about Fate?" Fate was the last deity in the triad that I interacted with. Unlike Magic and Death, we were not on good terms at all. In return for allowing my interference in Fate's plans, the primordial established balance by forcing restrictions on me. For example, I am able to see the future, but my eyesight is always affected in some manner. Essentially, I am always born with a serious visual impairment, a rather sore spot for me.

The saying is true and Fate really is a massive bitch.

"Nothing different from normal. Your sight will be limited, although not in a way you've experianced before. It's actually going to be comparatively mild to some of your other lives."

"So, where is this place you are sending me that you believe is a gift?" I wonder, curiously, accepting the situation easily.

Death giggles, rainbow sparkles reverberating, and I decide that, yup, this is definitely the least intimidating the gods have ever looked. "We are sending you to a Marvel dimension."

Everything goes silent, even the cursing and clinking of poker chips behind me. "…Marvel, as in superheroes?" I whisper in disbelief.

"Yup," Death smirks.

"FUUUUUUUCKKKK YEAAAHHHHHHH-" I howl, the crowd of souls around us erupting into their own cheers as my adventures had always been quite entertaining to the citizens of the Beyond. "Wait, why would the MCU be inconvenient for you?"

Death hums, the vibrations resonating in my soul. "The line between realities and universes has always been rather thin, there. We thought it would be dangerous to have you running amok."

I tilt my head, not in the least bit offended because it was true. Minato passes me another snack, a sunny smile always in place despite the suspicion I can feel under his skin. It might not have made sense to him, but I could understand that explanation. Once certain conditions are met, the qualities of one's soul changes and adapts, certain aspects becoming permanently a part of who you are. For example, my ability to see the future has become such a large part of who I am, an ability that followed me all through death and beyond so many times, it is now one attached to my soul, essentially guaranteeing that I will always be born with the ability in some way. That's why Fate restricts it rather than just taking it away. I have a few other abilities like that, like the ability to sense magic and souls as well as emotions, but having permanent qualities to your soul isn't really a rare occurrence. Every soul accumulates things over lifetimes to an extent, even if it's something like always liking berries or being born into a particular culture or race. It can be anything that resonates deeply with you on a meaningful level on a repeated basis.

I have a soul that has repeatedly transcend different realities. I haven't honestly thought about it before now, but those experiences likely affected the form of my soul. In places like the MCU, where slipping between realities was already easy, I can see why the gods would not want me anywhere near it or it's alternate dimensions.

"But, why are you now willing to send me there despite the effect a soul like mine could cause?" I ask, honestly curious why they would take the risk. Yeah, Magic and Death quite liked me, even considering me a friend, but they wouldn't put their own rules on the line just to reward me.

Magic shrugs, an oddly human gesture that makes my hair stand on end. "Since things that shook up the multiverse are bound to happen even without you, we have decided to let you have your fun. Besides, at least with you there we might be able to exert some control in case of catastrophe. This universe in particular has a flexible and ambiguous destiny, so your interference should be fine. We hope you don't cause a multiversal collapse, that would be bothersome, but outside of that, do what you may."

I snort, face palming as I'm abruptly reminded that my "friends" were very much not human and, as such, were not tied to such lowly things as morals. They would probably find it hilarious if I started my villain arc and went mass murdering conqueror.

After all, what was life and death to Them?

I shrug, the excitement building beneath my ribs again as I wide grin curls my lips. "Deal. But, can I play one more game with my family first?"

The primordials smile, approaching the table and shooing a few of my family members away, sending them scrambling and taking their spots around the table. Magic cackles. "Fine, but we are playing as well. I'm shuffling."

"Fuck," I curse grumpily under my breath. "Now theres no fucking way I'm winning."

Kuro, still seated next to me, snickers. "At least you might be able to beat Death."

I send him a withering look. "Death is trash at poker. That's not an accomplishment."

"Insolent mortals," Death grumbles, but he doesn't deny it.

XXXXXXXXXX

"You have made astounding progress in your studies, Lady Novahna. As such, we have decided to grant you the status of a noble and gold in reward." King Freyr of Vanaheim sat on a beautiful throne next to his Jötunn Queen, Gerðr, who is currently taking on a more Vanir appearance rather than that of a frost giantess.

I curtsy to the king and queen, always pleased to receive money and power. "I am most grateful, your highnesses."

The hall erupts onto loud cheers and hells as the festivities begin and the alcohol starts pouring the Vanir just as prone to rowdiness as their cousins, the Aesir in Asgard. At the age of 25, I'd become one of Vanir's strongest Seiðr, or magic users. My accumulated experience in magic over several lifetimes had led me to complete the typical magical education in a fraction of the time. Of course, magic is different in every world, each having separate laws and uses, but there was a great deal of overlap. As a result of my "accomplishments" I am currently being praised across the realm. This is also partially because of my strong prophetic abilities, something extremely valued in the nine realms, although, to be honest, I doubt there is a place where it wouldn't be highly sought after.

The congratulatory feast started as the people all around me fell into merrymaking. My mentor, Princess Freya, sirs next to her twin, the king, both beckoning me over to my seat in the position of honor at the royal table. The Royals have been rather benevolent to me, and for that, I was grateful. Freya had taken me under her wing like a perpetually drunk but super fun Aunt, making a lowly orphan her aprentice. And while I had spent comparatively little time with the king and queen, I had always found them to be wise rulers and generous, treating me well despite my status, something not necessarily true for the rest of the palace residents. When I was younger, the king would slip me sweets with a smirk and Queen Gerðr had once very generously gifted me some books from her home realm with the magic of the frost giants, a very precious and thoughtful present.

I settle next to Freya. The princess, goddess of love and beauty like her niece, Queen Frigga of Asgard, snorts and waves me off, amused by the formality. Freya had scooped me off the streets and has been my first and only true friend in this life so far. It wasn't that the people of Vanir were particularly rude to me, none would dare to do so to a disciple of the royal family, but everywhere I go, I am met with odd stares and whispers.

Part of it was my abilities, a sought after Seer with very strong magic that learned under the princess. But, most of it was because I wasn't Vanir, or at least, not entirely. If the silver hair and eyes and olive skin hadn't made it obvious, traits that weren't found often in this realm, then the fact that I grew exponentially faster than the Vanir, achieving adulthood at the rate of a human in Midgard, was inescapable.

That of course, doesn't mean I know what the hell I am, if not Vanir, or even how I came to be born here. This fact doesn't honestly bother me. I'd long since understood that such things didn't matter as much as people thought they did, and if I'd been human my goals wouldn't have changed, just the steps I needed to take to achieve them. I am going to happily take advantage of these frankly awesome genetics I'd been born with and, eventually, I'll figure it out. Knowing my luck, the reveal would be overly dramatic, but whatever.

"So," Freya purrs, eyes sharp despite being well into her cups. "Are you excited? You'll be leaving to study under my darling niece tomorrow."

I grin, taking my own goblet. "It will be nice to meet someone else with Foresight."

While bothe Freyr and Freya could do some minor scrying using spells and rituals, neither were clairvoyant linke the Queen of Asgard, who was gifted with the ability naturally, and therefore on an entirely different level then her father and aunt.

"You might be able to learn from the Watcher as well." King Freyr states. Heindal, I note, is also gifted with the ability to see things others cannot. I nod in understanding.

Freya sighs, her smirk shifting to something softer. "I will miss you, Child."

I touch her hand gently, smiling back. "I'll be there should you ever need me, Princess. I owe you a debt not easily repaid and I won't forget it."

Freya scoffs, the mead in her goblet splashing dangerously as she waves it dismissively. "Foolish girl! I would have been bored out of my mind these last two decades without you and your schemes."

I snicker, but can't deny my shenanigans considering the princess had been dragged into them on more then one occasion.

"Indeed," Freyr notes mildly, but his eyes gleam like glittering waves. "My favorite was the incident wil the Fossegrim and the troll."

"My king!" I gasp theatrically. "I had nothing to do with that! And trully, who knew a dancing troll could make such a mess of the royal gardens."

"You little rascal!" Freya scolds through barely concealed mirth. "Of course a dancing troll would make such a mess!"

The Queen breaks into laughter first, her normally stoic demeanor cracking as she tosses her dark hair back in her amusement, the rest of us following hot into side shaking laughter. What the King and his twin didn't know was that it was Queen Gerðr who brought the troll to begin with, but well, that was a secret between Her Majesty and I.

Suddenly, there is a flash of golden light, and the hall falls silent in an eerie hush as a small creature appears perched on the king's plate. I tilt my head, magic diffusing about me so that I can sense it, my eyesight too poor to actually see it. A …squirrel? What the hell?

"Ratatoskr," King Freyrs awed voice is a whisper that echoes in the frozen hall. Even Freya, whom I have never seen let anyone or anything disrupt her partying is wide eyed and stiff, goblet hovering in front of her.

"I come bearing a message from the Norns," the squirrel states in a rather cavalier tone, voice far deeper than I had anticipated.

Oh. OH! So that's why everyone looks like someone trounced on their graves. Well, things just got interesting.

The squirrel, bigger then a normal one, but still small, tosses a stroll at the King, grabs a meatpie from the table and disappears in another flash of light. I stare, magic swirling under my skin, wondering who I need to bribe to learn how to do that.

Freyr inhales sharply, and then his voice rings out. "The Norns have declared Lady Novahna Goddess of," his voice catches in utter shock before he continues somewhat unsteadily, "Life, Death, Rebirth, Foresight, and Magic."

I raise my eyebrows, but I'm not terribly perturbed to find myself suddenly under every eye in the room. I'm not even surprised by the domains I am considered to preside over since they all made sense considering my past, but I suppose they would astonish the Vanir. It usually took several centuries before the Norms would identify a God's domains, or the aspects they were known for. And while the number of domains I had wasn't particularly special, they were all extremely well respected and powerful ones, if not flat out feared.

"We'll, I guess this means I'm at least partly of the nine realms since the Norns decided to make a declaration. Huh." I shrug and go back to eating as the hall erupts into chaos.

XXXXXXXXXX

"You are most welcome, Lady Novahna," Queen Frigga told me, voice gentle and sweet.

I beam. "Please, call me as you wish your majesty. I am honered to be under your tutelage."

'Oh, my father and aunt spoke the truth when they called you a treasure, Child. I am most delighted to meet another Seer. There are so few of us. Come sit!"

I plop myself on the furniture, merrily taking the offered tea. Queen Frigga entirely embodies her domain of motherhood. Her every move is regal but endlessly kind and warm as we discuss the things I would learn from her and I can't help but bask in her presence, a soul of incredibly strong magic defined by wisdom and compassion.

"Not illusions, my Queen," I decline imedietly to her suggestion. I feel a shift in her aura as it shutters, turning wary and guarded.

"And why not?" A voice calls from the doorway. Angry, defensive, vindictive, … sad, lonely, tired, hurt. This aura…

"Loki! You're back early!" Frigga exclaims in delight, and I startle, popping to my feet and curtsying in respect.

"Yes, the training grounds were a bit … well, never mind. Why does your new aprentice not wish to learn illusions. Do you think them cowardly perhaps?" The second prince drawls, and though his tone is light, his aura is wound tight like a trap ready to activate. Dangerous. Damn I knew o was gonna like Loki, but this is even better then anticipated.

"Not at all," I respond amused. " I simply have no talent in them."

"Oh?" Loki sounds genuinely surprised by my reaction. "Surely you can learn."

I shake my head, deciding to explain. "My eyesight is extremely poor. In places that are not heavily infused with magic, I am almost entirely blind, and even here in the heart of Asgard brimming with magic, I cannot see more than a few feet in front of me, though I have other methods of "seeing". However, as a result, I lack finesse and attention to visual detail that creates believable and intricate illusions. I can do a few things, but nothing like the scale of your highness Prince Loki."

Fate's restriction in this life had been unexpected. I was used to going blind after visions, a more familiar form of Fate's bitchiness, but rather than sudden bouts of blindness, I just had varying levels of blindness depending on my physical location. I honestly couldn't tell if that was less or more convenient.

Loki is surprised into silence and I take a moment to examine his energy. His magic is nearly as strong as his mothers albeit, completely different in essence. If Frigga is like picnicking on a beautiful sunny day or being enshrouded in soft blankets in front of a blazing hearth in the winter, Loki is fluid, dancing, raging wildfire and a howling blizzard. Frigga is content, but Loki is anything but. The realization leads to the instant solidification of my plans to befriend the wayward prince.

I shake myself from my thoughts, smiling tentatively. "I hope that while I am here serving as the Queen's apprentice and handmaiden that you will see fit to bestow your wisdom and experience upon me, Prince Loki."

Flustered, the prince nods before sweeping out of the room, seemingly unable to handle such a compliment to his skills. I sip my tea, freezing when I note the way Frigga's aura shifts into an almost disturbing level of intensity.

"My Queen?" I ask warily. She just smiles prettily, murmuring something about there being hope yet.

I feel a shiver down my spine, wondering what scheme I just inadvertently became a part of.

XXXXXLOKIXXXXX

The Lady Novahna is a strange girl.

She smiles when she sees me, warm and bright, nothing like the polite curl of lips from most of the palace residents, all propriety and disdainful eyes. Of course, there were those who looked at me with lust, for my body or my status, but even they had only cold greed hidden beneath their lashes.

Lady Novahna wasn't like that at all. When we'd meet in the halls she would bow, something few bothered to do outside of official occasions. When I would inevitably run into her in the library, squinting at dusty tomes and scrolls, she would hopefully inquire about some obscure theory of magic or the proper form of runes from a different realm. And all the while, she would listen and thank me and praise my knowledge.

She might be the only person in all of Asgard outside of my mother to do so. She didn't sneer or spit words about cowardly seidr users, (about the father of monsters), nor did she sound mocking when speaking my title. There were no derisive words about the liesmith, (or hidden whispers abou a prophecy and Ragnarok that everyone thought I had no knowledge of), nor did she ever question my honesty. She didn't even fawn over Thor in the few interactions I've observed between them.

It had been a few months and still, I had yet to figure out her true intentions.

"Darling, there is no need to be suspicious," Mother scolds although she sounds terribly amused.

Startled, I nearly choke on the sweet cake I was nibbling on, focused on the silver haired girl far below the balcony we sat upon where she stood in the training fields. I blink innocently at the Queen. "Whatever do you mean?"

Mother snorts, a surprisingly ungrateful noise. "You forget, my son, that your reputation is far different outside of Asgard."

I consider this, realizing it's true. Asgard didn't value magic like other places do. It is for that precise reason that I spent many years traveling the realms and beyond, going so far as to, at one point, elope with Angrboda, a woman I barely knew, and run away at the first opportunity. Even if I am quite lethal with my daggers, I am never going to be as good as Thor. For some reason, my caution and desire to use my head rather than rushing into battle made me a coward. Perhaps if I had been a woman, this would have been allowed to slide, but alas, I was the cowardly prince, forever the disgrace and disappeared of the Allfather.

But, Lady Novahna wasn't of Asgard.

"Perhaps it is time you made a friend," Mother murmurs, eyes soft and knowing.

I nod, feeling the barest flicker of hope in my chest. Mother is always right, isn't she?

XXXXXXXXXX

There is some kind of feast today, but we were hardly ever in shortage of such events, so I found myself once again on my way to interact with a bunch of rowdy imbeciles who despise me.

"Prince Loki!" A now familiar voice calls out to me.

I feel my lips curl into a grin. " I believe I told you to drop the formality, my lady!"

The silver sorceress, dressed in flowing black fabric, huffs, shoving her moonlit waves over her shoulder, revealing bare tan skin smelling of flowers and rain. "Loki, I thought I told you to do the same."

"Nova," I greet, smirking as I see her eyes widen in surprise at the nickname rather than her full name. For a moment i wonder if perhaps I've gone too far, but then she grins, hooking her arm in mine, and begins to babble about dwarven enchantments and I decide that perhaps tonight won't be terrible after all.

I am, unfortunately, proved wrong.

XXXXXNOVAXXXXX

"-you coward! You should just disappear with your disgusting, monstrous children!" I recoil, shocked.

See, this was an alternate dimension of the MCU much beloved from my home worlds, or at least what I considered my home worlds. That said, while they were very similar, it could be said this was a step to the side, if you would. One of the differences from "canon" is the existence of Loki's children, something that baffled the fuck out of me when I found out from Princess Freya in Vanir.

They weren't a secret, but knowledge on the kids was seriously censored. Everyone knew that a couple of centuries ago, the god of mischief, trickery, deception, chaos, and magic had gotten fed up of how Asgard treated him, and with a legendary (explosive) exit, Loki dipped the fuck out. He eloped with some lady named Angrboda and spent 2 centuries essentially on the run from his parents. During that time he had Jormungandr, Hel, Sleipnir, and Fenrir. The kids were strong, really strong, and because of both their parents' reputations, (Angrboda's name a reference to the anguish she brought her enemies, apparently), and certain aspects of the kids' appearances and abilities, the children were labeled as monsters.

What people don't know is that a prophecy and Oden's paranoia would make everything monumentally worse. This part of the universe also diverges extensively from what I remember of the original MCU, and I wouldn't have known about it if I had not seen the past through my visions. Part of the reason that Oden is such a dick to Loki isn't just because he's adopted. No, the prophecy of Ragnarok stated that the trickster god's blood and magic would herald the end of the realm.

Technically, that is true. In the MCU, Loki is the one who brought forth the giant fire demon motherfucker in order to defeat Hela, Odin's daughter, who was not the same person as Loki's daughter, Hel, although they had similar godly domains and names. Odin, however, interpreted the prophecy to mean that the end would come from Loki's biological children. In response, the Allfather did some really fucked up shit.

Each child was forced into a transformation state and sealed in different places. Hel was in Helheim with her aunt, something most people and Loki and Thor didn't know.

Jormungandr was in the ocean on earth in giant snake form. Fenrir was in a goddamn dungeon below the palace and Sleipnir was treated as Odin's prized horse in the stables. It is disgusting and inhuman and I had plans for the Allfather that involved great suffering on his part.

I still occasionally had nightmarish visions of Loki and Frigga kneeling and begging to see the kids, for them to be returned to their father, or just treated better as Odin watched indifferently from his golden throne, unmoved by their tears and despair. Even worse is how he had them dragged off and punished for insolence to the Allfather. Unsurprisingly, what Odin actually did to his grandchildren is pretty much kept under wraps, including the fact that Loki isn't allowed contact with them if he is seen as misbehaving in anyway, and considering Loki is a god of mischief with a father who disapproves of his every act, that's a particularly rough goal to achieve.

Ullr, the cocky asshole, is the bastard currently picking a fight, predictable considering his status as a god of combat and war. I grab my jug of wine and head to my new friend, utterly pissed off at the way everyone around here treats Loki. Ullr continues despite the stunned silence of the hall. "Liesmith! I challenge you to a duel!"

"So be it," I say, stepping up to Loki's side. His head whips in my direction, eyes wide as I brush his arm with mine. Then I upend my jug of mead over Ullr's head, satisfied with the chaos in my wake. With a bang, I reinforce the jug with magic and smash it into his face, sending the drunk through a table and into a wall, the shocked exclamations it causes like music to my ears. Turning to Loki, I soften my smile, taking his hand in mine and bringing it to my forehead in a sight of respect. "I would be honored if you would allow me to fight beside you, your highness."

Loki, breathes in sharply before shifting his hand to wrap around my forearm something I am mediately reciprocate, a sign of mutual respect between warriors. "The honor would be mine, Nova."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Are you sure about this?" Loki murmurs. We stand across the field from Ullr and his 2 shield brothers. To my disappointment, although I wasn't surprised, no one else had volunteered to fight on Loki's behalf, not even Thor, so we were playing a two against three match. By the traditions of this realm, it didn't matter that we were outnumbered. Each dueler would be allowed to bring whoever they so wished, typically their shieldbrothers or sisters, and while Loki and I were not that, the principal was the same, even if it was pushing it a bit.

I smile. "Don't forget, Princess Freya is a goddess of war in her own right, and I've spent most of my life in her care. It's been awhile since I've gotten to beat the shit out of someone. And I even get to do it without consequences!" Loki sputters a laugh, and I bump his shoulder with mine again. "Besides, this fool insulted someone I respect."

His breath hitches for a moment before his face softens. "Thank you, Nova."

"Let the duel commence!" Odin's voice booms out, tone indifferent and no defense for his own son, and I hate him a little more as I feel Loki wilt a bit.

The trio of opponents charge, one wielding a bow, another a sword, and the last an ax. Tugging on my magic, that swirling warmth nestled behind my ribs, I rush to meet them, twin blades forming in my hands. I launch myself straight up, wrapping my legs around the axe wielder's head before using my momentum to flip down and over, hurling the man away from his companions. Magic flowing through my feet, I send spikes of ice aimed at the other two pushing them back before they can bring their weapons down on me.

And with that, I begin to dance, leaving the axe wielder for Loki, I twirl and slash at Ullr, easily deflecting his blade. The god might have been a god of war, and older than me, but I couldn't say he was actually more experienced. It may not have been this life, but I had spent centuries in battle and war. Each time the bow user tries to gain distance, I shift the ground underneath his feet and use Ullr as a shield, all the while sensing the swordsman's every move by the shifting of his muscles before he can even make them.

Frustrated, Ullr brings his sword down in an overhead strike and, snickering, I let it slide off of one of my blades into the ground where I freeze it in place, stepping into his guard and using my other sword to slash along his ribs. Then, as he hatches over, covering his wound, I bring my hilt down on his head, knocking him out, before spinning and hurling a fireball at the bowman. He dodges, but I use the commotion and smoke to get close to him and knock him out with a blaze of electricity, grinning at the shriek he lets out.

The fucker deserved it for getting a shot off at Loki's back earlier.

Satisfied, I turn to the prince only to find him casually watching as he twirls his daggers, his opponent by his feet, excitement and vicious glee reverberatinging in his aura. I bounce over to him, beaming.

"Not bad," he purrs as Odin announces our victory flatly, the crowd stunned silent. Guess no one thought the small foreigner would take out a war god.

"I hope you let me fight with you again," I tell him, utterly entertained and satisfied with the burn in my muscles.

This would become the start of our legendary partnership which would go on to terrorize all of Asgard for many years to come.

XXXXXXXXXX