{Loki Narrates}

Once upon a time, there was a happy little village. It citizens lived absolutely carefree. But, then came a beast who went on a killing spree. The men of the village hunted and stalked the creature. All attempts to kill it were in vein. A single, simple farmer broke away from the pack and found himself a quaint little shack. He broke in seeking refuge, to hide from the monster. Only what he found he should have left or he would have if he were smarter. He found an old woman at her cauldron who was mixing a magic potion. The man took in the sight with bewilderment and hope. She warned him to leave or he’d be going down a slippery slope.

The farmer begged and pleaded with the old crone to help with the beast. His request interested the old hag. Make Baba this oath: “I shall not accept titles, I will not take another’s land, I shall spawn no children and I shall never harm Baba Yaga”. Make and abide by this oath and Baba will give you the power to slay the beast that plagues you. Without further thought or reasoning he agreed. In exchange for a twisted sword, the man took the oath. Needless to say the man vanquished the creature. The villagers were so pleased they gave him the title of ‘Sir’. He was praised and worshipped. He married and had two beautiful children. But all this meant he did not heed Baba Yaga’s oath.

War threatened his village but, when the man went to draw the magic sword, it was not there. While searching for the weapon he was separated from his children. The two children stumbled upon a cabin in the woods. They were lured inside with the smell of gingerbread. The once farmer found himself at the familiar cabin. He found his children under the witch’s spell. He broke her oath. So, Baba Yaga took her compensation. The fate of the children is unknown. Theories say she ate them or enslaved them. An optimist might say they got away. What I know for sure is there is always a price to pay… with Baba Yaga.

Forests of Siberia

The chicken legs of Baba’s domain are planted behind Loki. They slowly bend as if moving to a seated position. The grey fleshed legs vanish under the cabin. It’s tattered by age and radiates a green magical aura that even Hanna could see. A mere eight feet behind where Loki sat, the cabin’s door opened.

Loki got up off his stump and proceeded towards the door. “Well? We really shouldn’t keep her waiting”. He said casually as he looked back to the rest of the group.

Ravana stepped up first. “If you don’t want to go in Lord Shiva….” He began as Shiva stood quickly and stepped out in front of him.

“Nonsense. You make it sound like I’m scared of her or something.” Shiva said stopping just in front of Ravana.

Loki shrugged and headed inside. Hanna watched him but, passed the doors frame nothing could be observed. Almost like the house actually ends at the door. She watched the others hesitate as she looked back to the strange cabin with doubt rushing upon her face. Hanna then looked over her left shoulder as she felt a gentle shove. To her surprise no one seemed to be there. She changed her posture to one expressing confidence as she walked towards the door after Loki. Shiva saw her go in and followed purely not wanting Hanna to one up her in any way. Ravana followed after Shiva. The moment the larger man entered, the door swung shut on its own and the front door vanished instantly.

Inside the cabin is in no better shape than the front, tattered from years of neglect like the house had been abandoned hundreds of years ago. Yet it holds simple amenities like a square kitchen table only suitable for four people at the most. Behind that is a simple kitchen with a wood burning oven big enough to fit an entire elk and a simple sink next to it. It has a single door in sight that at first glance could be a pantry. Off to the right of that is a rocking chair in front of a stone fireplace. The fire is lit and the chair rocks back and forth seemingly by itself. A set of knitting needles are hard at work fashioning together what might be a quilt. From the pantry door came an old woman. Her long grey hair haphazardly put up and out of her weary face. She has a long nose, a pointed chin and lifeless looking eyes. Even her dress looks like it’s seen better years. It’s long, black and full of holes. The old woman closed the door behind herself and snapped her long gnarly fingers as that door vanished as well. She smiled revealing long pointed teeth that were more reminiscent of shark teeth than humans. “Ahhh. Loki…. It is wonderful to see you again. Come to Baba”. She said in a raspy, heavily accented voice that seemed to follow suit with her appearance.

Loki sighed yet, smiled and went to Baba Yaga and embraced her. He even gave her a hesitant peck on the cheek. He then chuckled nervously as he backed off from her. “Thank you for inviting us in Baba”. He said as he gestured to the rest of the group. “This is Ravana, Shiva and”…. He said starting to introduce everyone but, Baba Yaga simply appeared in Hanna’s personal space as the witch inspected the blonde curiously.

“Odin? Is that you”? She asked as she grabbed at strands of Hanna’s hair and rolled the held hair between her fingers.

Hanna shrieked and backed off slowly, not enough to interrupt the old woman looking her over. “That’s what they keep telling me. I-I go by Hanna. I-it’s a pleasure to m-“ Hanna got out before Baba scoffed.

“Baaah! Do not attempt to lie to Baba! Baba knows your feelings”. The old ascended released Hanna’s hair and walked away from her to inspect Shiva.

The Hindu goddess held herself proudly for inspection. “This is the big scary witch? Seems like a crazy old lady to me”. Shiva spat out without even thinking.

Loki shook his head rapidly trying to silently tell her not to say that. Baba Yaga cackled loudly as she grabbed Shiva’s chin and shook her head lightly. “Aha! Baba likes this one. Blunt like hammer. You’ve all come along way. Why is it you seek Baba Yaga”? She asked as she shifted her attention to each member of the group.

“There are tales that you can do things other ascended can’t”. Ravana stated boldly as he stepped into Baba Yaga’s line of sight. “Specifically we want to speed up the ascension process for lord Shiva… and Odin. If there is anything you can do to help the universe would be grateful”. He got out as he looked down at the old woman as if trying to intimidate her.

She cackles loudly in response. “Gratitude”? She gets out as she continued laughing. At this point Loki starting to laugh with her. “When was last time Baba did anything for anything as small as gratitude, Loki”? She asked as she finished laughing but, grinning up at Ravana unwavering.

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Loki shook his head. “I can’t think of an instance”. Loki admitted as he wiped his eyes as if he’d been crying.

“Sounds right. Have anything worthy of Baba’s time do you”? She asked as she stepped away from Ravana and to her kitchen.

Ravana growled. “So, you can help? But, you won’t”? He asked following her.

“You think there is potion? Some spell to recant? Some deal to make? Ascension is the business of he or she who pursues it. Baba has nothing for you. And even if Baba did, you have nothing of value to Baba”…. She stated with a growl of her own only the entire building seems to react to her rage and the walls start slowly closing in.

“How about advice”!? Hanna asked in a panic as she observed the walls. “Surely the all powerful Baba Yaga has some advice for us”. She followed up with as she approached Baba slowly.

The walls creak as they return to their usual dimensions. The entire group looked to Hanna and then to Baba. Baba laughed loudly as she slowly approached Hanna this time. “Ha! Baba misjudged this one. Baba sees you now… Odin….” She laughed some more as she patted the blonde’s shoulder. “Alright. This Baba can give. In exchange? Baba will take a single strand of hair from each maiden”. She said as she held out a hand to Hanna and one to Shiva.

“What for”? Shiva asked as she began touching her own hair lightly.

“For a locator spell”. Loki said confidently. “It must be willingly given or the spell doesn’t work to its full capacity”. He continued as he looked to Baba to confirm it.

As expected the witch nodded to Loki. “The trickster is right. But, is small price to pay, no”? She asked still holding out her hands.

Hanna pulled out one of her own hairs and placed it in Baba’s left hand. “Deal”. Hanna said before she let go of the strand.

Shiva sighed. “Fine… Deal…” she let out as she plucked out one of her own hairs and placed it in Baba Yaga’s right hand.

“Payment is excepted. Now, Ishita: Lord Shiva blocked your Chalkras. Baba’s advice? Open them all. You’ve opened some and not in the right order. Open them all in the right order this time. Then, Lord Shiva will show you the way. And for Hanna: Go to Asgard. It was Odin’s birthplace. Events there should provoke Odin”. Baba stated coldly as she looked to each girl as she spoke about them.

“Your name’s Ishita”? Hanna asked looking to Shiva wide eyed.

Shiva sighed. “Yes….” She stated with a shrug.

“I’ve been dying to ask you about that”. Hanna stated as she offered a hand to Shiva. “Hanna Tougard. Nice to formally meet you”. Hanna offered slowly.

“Ishita Merchant. Likewise”. Shiva stated as she shook Hanna’s hand. “Stick to Shiva if you can help it”? She asked as she pulled her hand away.

Hanna nodded as they both looked back to Baba Yaga.

“Alright! Fun stuff! Let’s get going huh”? Loki said eagerly as he moved towards where the front door should have been. The door appeared for Hanna, Shiva and Ravana but Loki’s feet seem to stick to the floor.

“Why don’t you stick around Loki? Baba has some concerns to discuss…” the witch said in a hushed tone as she waved off the others.

“Thank you for your advice”. Hanna said as she bowed her head before leaving. Once Hanna leaves the door vanished again and Loki can move his feet freely.

“She is much more polite than your father”… Baba stated as she leered at Loki.

“Yeah… those human parents raised her well”… Loki agreed as he prepares for the worst.

“Why do you feel the need to conceal yourself from Baba”? The old witch asked slowly.

“What do you mean”? Loki asked nervously.

Baba Yaga waved her right hand in front of Loki’s right eye. This action took the green coloring away from it leaving a brown right eye. “You think Baba does not remember the color of your eyes? Heterochromia iridum. Rare in humans. Even more so in ascended. You should be proud of your eyes”. She said sternly.

Loki chuckled nervously. “Oh you meant that? Yeah. I was actually eventually going to come and ask you about something”. He admitted as he rubbed the back of his head.

“No better time than present. Baba would love to hear about why you possessed that poor girl”. She got out aggressively.

More, slightly louder chuckling came from Loki as his current form melted away to reveal Cindy as his ‘true’ form. She wore his clothes but, it was definitely her. “I swear I was going to”. Cindy admitted as she assumed a more lax pose.

“Talk”…. Baba commanded coldly.

“Can I assume my form first”? Cindy asked clearly meaning to take back on Loki’s form.

“How long have you been in possession of the body? This isn’t going to be like that incident with Ares is it”? Baba asked practically growling.

Cindy lowered her head. “Twenty years….” She admitted with a guilt lingering in her voice.

“Loki get out of that body this instant”! Baba said as the furniture and kitchen faded away and immediately being replaced by a stone décor including a black cauldron big enough for Baba herself to fit in.

Cindy shook her head. “No can do. Not for very long I’m afraid. You see, I found her as an infant in the same hospital that Hanna was born in. She was born with a slow heartbeat and the poor thing didn’t even cry. She was gonna die if I didn’t do something. If I leave she goes down”. She said shrugging her shoulders.

“You should have let her die “. Baba said as a book appeared in her hand.

“Her parents already lost two other children. They were praying and begging for this one to live. I made that happen. No other god was going to help. I got to keep an eye on dear old dad and they got to have a daughter”. Cindy said adamantly as she even began using her hands in attempts to show the magnitude of what she was saying.

“Is she cognizant of our conversation right now”? Baba asked flipping through her book magically.

“No. Do you want her to be”? Cindy asked looking confused.

“You can control that? Oh Loki that’s not good. She is too accustomed to your being in there”. Baba said as she scrambled and scavenged through her cabinets that magically appeared and began throwing various ingredients into the cauldron. “Bring out the girl. Baba wants a word. Better yet….” She paused as a mirror appeared taking on Cindy’s reflection but, leaving Loki where Cindy once stood.

Cindy in the mirror looks around curiously before she looked down at Loki’s clothes she wore. She chuckled as she pointed at Loki outside the mirror to find her finger hit the glass of the mirror from the inside. “Wait what”? She asked as she tested the confines of the mirror. She finds she can’t leave the borders of the mirror but, tries anyway.

Loki looked into the mirror curiously. “Now that’s a neat trick”. He said as he put his hand to the mirror’s surface. “You’re okay. Cindy look at me. You’re fine”. He assured calmly.

“But if you leave, I die. How come I’m not dying”? Cindy asked as she looked to Loki with her matching set of eyes.

“Because you are not separated”. Baba put bluntly. “This mirror simply gave you a voice dear. This mirror was made for possessions. Or rather to make it easier to pull the possessed from its possessor. Baba will not be doing this, since this is clearly not what is desired. No, what you want is more complicated. Baba can do this but, payment and details is what we discuss now”. She continued as she magically turned the mirror to face herself.

Cindy and Loki look to each other nervously. “Why do we need to separate”? Cindy asked innocently.

“You will slow Loki down. The conflict to come will require him at his best. Even without such conflict, an ascended’s energy is too much for mortals. Zeus possessed mortals for short durations for his own pleasure, Ares possessed a soldier for many years to help in a war, no matter what reason or duration there is always consequences. Baba cannot remedy the consequences but, Baba can make you live on your own. Here is what Baba proposes:”… Baba Yaga states as a large toothy grin stretched upon her face.

Outside Baba Yaga’s cabin

The mist had cleared and if the group were to turn around they would find the cabin was no longer behind them. Hanna turned first to notice this crucial fact. “Uhhhh? Where’s the cabin? And why didn’t Loki come with us”? She asked as she felt around for a way back in.

“You don’t need to be concerned for him. I’m sure they are just catching up. Nothing to worry about”. Ravana stated as he began treading forward. He looked at the stump Loki had been sitting upon as he looked back to the girls slowly.

“You don’t know which way to go…. do you”? Shiva asked crossing her arms and smiling.

Ravana sighed. “No. I do not”. He admitted as he looked back an forth even to the ground as if looking for their tracks.

“He a friend of your’s”? Hanna asked as she pointed at a figure who slowly approached them.

An all black shell, red glowing eyes that seem to shift position on an otherwise featureless face and a large mouth on it’s stomach. It is easily recognized as one of the horrors from the moon. It twitches and clicks as its head moves in strange twitching motions as it looked to each of the three humanoids before him. “Shiva…..” is the only word that is understandable coming from the guttural noises it made. From behind him came four of the horror that look like wolves. All bearing their teeth and snarling.

“I’d say not. He seems to be acquainted with me though”. Shiva responded as the tattoo of an eye appeared on her forehead.

Ravana balled his right hand into a fist and slammed it into an empty left palm. “At least we’ll have something to do while we wait for Loki”. He grunted as he began stretching his arms.

“Gungnir”. Hanna called out summoning the legendary weapon and holding it at the ready.

The horror looked surprised at the weapon. Those strange eyes moving like a chameleon’s might before they focused on the wielder. The mouth on it’s stomach opened up and released a loud blood curdling scream. The wolf-like horrors take this as a signal and rush the group all at once.