Fallen Máni: Ice

As above, so below, and in the depths of the underworld, Hel saw light crack the void.

Blasted Dagr, she thought.

She claimed neutrality, as she always did, as she would always do. But maybe such a statement was becoming obsolete, for if the chaos above started to meddle with the underworld, maybe it was time to change course.

She pitied her nephews, attached to a fate now unravelling in ways that were not meant to be. A fate she did not truly want; what would two sources of light do in her frigid realm?

Still as a corpse, she nonetheless turned, as if such a motion was an impossibility. Níðhöggr, the ancient serpent gnawing at Yggdrasill's roots, hissed and turned, as if the sap was sour.

Go, Hel commanded the beast with a snapping sound, her raised arm, bring my gift to the Moon.

A hiss it made, but it followed its master's orders. The sounds of ice cracking filled the previously silent void: the ice breaking to untangle massive, membranous wings.

A single beat like a pushup and Níðhöggr was airborne, flapping and gliding, its flight as silent as an owl's. Tranquility returned to Helheimr, and Hel reclined peacefully.

***

The arrival to Fensalir was not what Manuel expected.

Thor and Sif, just moments hesitant as a shadow was cast over them, were immediately jubilant. Thor hugged the group, seemingly having the strength to crush them yet feel like the cushiest of pillows.

"It's been so long Moon-boy" Thor said, "You may not remember it but you were fun to hunt giants with. And boy did you drunk!"

"T-thanks?" Manuel said.

"You all are exhausted!" Sif exclaimed, "That won't do!"

Sif cut her golden hair and fashioned it into soft, basket-like rafts floating in Fensalir's muddy waters. She nodded in encouragement, and the group sat on them, then laid fully relaxed.

"That's the stuff" Bil said, eyes half closed.

"You deserve it, my darlings" Sif said, her voice turning sad, "So much death and fear these days, you are at home here."

"Thank you" Manuel said, almost crying.

There were no shortage of godly allies it seemed, but he was truly exhausted. He didn't even have the time to fully process everything from being a god to his sister's seeming death to all the confrontations with the wolves. Silvia was flat out asleep, and he held his hand with Jonathan's, both adrift in water and thoughts.

The peace lasted only so long, however, for another shadow was cast on Fensalir.

"Níðhöggr" Thor muttered angrily, grabbing Mjölnir.

"Wait" Sif raised her hand, "It comes bearing a gift."

The dragon splashed on the water, so loudly after its silent flight, and swam towards Manuel. It coiled around him and Jonathan, the water between the serpent and the rafts turning into ice.

"I feel... stronger" Manuel said, "Like after having an energy drink after running for miles kind of strong."

"Weird analogy" Silvia chimed in, trying to stay awake.

"It's a good thing, I mean."

"It is a gift from Hel herself" Sif said, "She has renounced her neutrality and decided to aid you for some reason."

"Good" Hjúki said, "That crone has long just watched others suffer. It's about time she does something to help."

Níðhöggr uncoiled itself and sank into the muddy waters of Fensalir.

"Where is it going?" Silvia said.

"Back down" Bil answerred, "It might have flown here, but sinking is the fastest way to death's domain.

"These metaphysics confuse me" Silvia said, stretching herself out of sleep.

***

From the branches of the tree, the wolves watched the scene unfurl.

"So, auntie's not on our side" Sköll mused.

"Let her rot" Hati growled, "I will have my fate, whereas she wants it or not."

He galloped towards Fensalir. Sköll rolled his eyes, but deep down knew that this gift was a turning point.

Other jötunn no longer were on their side.