“Deals in survival…. Is blocked by fear…. What do I fear”? Shiva asked with her eyes closed and her legs folded one over the other. She meditates and to her perception she was sitting in the middle of open space surrounded by stars. She wears purple and blue robes that almost blend into her surroundings. Her past life sat across from her wearing similar robes. The two of them sit the same way and look at each other as the stars move around them. “What do you fear”? The male counterpart asked. “Nothing. I am the mighty lord Shiva! I have nothing to fear”. She returned boldly. The previous incarnation shook his head. “There is always fear. More power means more fear, not less. Without fear we can not be brave and I consider myself very brave. Try harder”. He offered as a scene plays beneath them as if the pair were sitting on a television screen.

The male Shiva stands on water in the vision as he watched an island become engulfed by the ocean. The current incarnation gasped as she covered her mouth for a moment. “There were people on that island weren’t there”? She asked leaning in to watch the event closer. Her previous incarnation nodded. “Atlantis…. The people there claimed to have a ‘God Slaying’ weapon. The Olympian messenger God, Hermès went to investigate. While there he bed and had a child with an Atlantean. On the day of that child’s birth we were given a prophecy. That child would ‘re-arrange’ the pantheons. Those were the details given. Out of fear I regrettably destroyed the island and killed Hermès and his child in the process”. He admitted coldly as he locked eyes with his current incarnation. “Why? Why are you telling me this”? She asked looking concerned. “Even the mighty Shiva has fears”. He responded as he pointed to the vision that changed quickly as if someone simply changed the channel. The images now were were the moments just before Shiva’s death on the moon. She watched it clear until the end of her previous life. She gasped and looked away.

The vision faded away as the previous incarnation reached out and guided her gaze back to him. “There. That is fear. It’s ok to be afraid. Fear is instinct telling you that your urge to stay alive is strong. Sometimes fear tells us that you don’t understand something. So, let me help. Death is not something to fear. Not even just because of the process of ascension. Like being born, death is completely natural. It’s just like before you were born. Nothing to fear. When that time comes you shouldn’t be afraid. It isn’t in the nature of us Deva to fear death but, it’s in the nature of humans…” he said as he moved his hand from her chin to her shoulder before he magically vanished.

Shiva found herself alone on the moon. This loneliness was only temporary because the horror that was never in focus appeared. Shiva took in a sharp inhale as she shot her explosions at him. Three shots went off before he appeared and thrusted his fist into her stomach before he disappeared again. She coughed and dropped to her knees as she fought to get back her breath. She looked around desperately for him while getting to her feet. “Where”? She wheezed before he returned to her line of sight. Both hands framed her third eye, this time she made a rectangle around it with her fingers. Her hand motion mocked a camera shutter as she did this action three times. The blur vanished again. She turned around and snapped her fingers on her right hand. This seemed to cause three more explosions. Same as before the horror appeared in front of her and jabbed her stomach. The same spot he hit before. Again she went to her knees. She growled as she got back up and summoned her weapon. The blur was all she could see as it got around her defenses over and over. She lost count of how many times before she could feel the horror’s hands on both sides of her face. She knew what came next. She almost panicked. Her heart started to get faster and her face started to sweat. There was an instant of relief as the fear washed from her face. She even smiled as the loud snapping noise filled her ears.

Shiva opened her eyes to find herself sitting under a waterfall wearing orange and green robes instead of the cosmic themed ones from her vision. Ravana sat across from her in red and blue robes offsetting the colors on her own. She sighed out of relief as she could feel the sun again. “Congratulations. You have opened the first chakra. Shall we take a break or shall we continue to the second chakra”? Ravana asked as he stretched his own arms out.

She smiled as she deeply inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Let’s continue….” She stated as the third eye appeared on her forehead.

Asgard

Hanna is wearing a pair of cargo pants that are army green and all the pockets are clearly full. Her T-shirt is a matching green with the word ‘Survivor’ in bold white letters across her chest. She wears a jean jacket over that. The entire ensemble already looks worn and tattered but, Hanna looks energized and full of childlike wonder. She literally examines every inch of her surroundings as if she’s never seen anything like it before. She giggled as she touched every odd colored tree and flower. Even the orange and yellow blades of grass seemed to be odd to her. “They don’t feel dead or dying…” Hanna stated out loud before she looked up to find Loki had walked a fair distance away from her. She jogged after him to catch up. “Has the plant life here always been this color or is it seasonal”? She asked looking over Loki’s shoulder.

He glanced at her through the corners of his eyes and smiled. “No. The plants here were once green. When Surtur claimed Asgard, that’s when the colors changed. Seasonally orange and yellow grass would’ve been cool I guess”. Loki said as the pair made their way to a bridge that leads to the City of Asgard.

Just standing before the bridge Hanna began to have visions of the All Father standing where she stood. She came out of the vision to find Loki already crossing. “Would you wait up!? I’m having visions over here! It’s hard to walk and trip at the same time”. She called out as she crossed the tattered bridge as if it were in pristine condition like it was all that time ago. “Okay. So this planet is called Asgard and so is the city”? Hanna asked as she called out as she caught up to Loki.

“No… the planet is called Earth just like where you’re from. Here there are nine continents that we called ‘realms’. We are currently in Midgard. Asgard is the name of the city. At least you got that part right”. Loki responded without ever slowing down.

The pair of them soon were passing through the tattered remains of the city. She looked around almost as if she were about to cry. “W-what happened here”? She asked staying close to Loki now.

“Ragnorok…. The Asgardians made their last stand here but, Surtur ultimately claimed victory. We only managed to save a handful of the ascended. The mortals of Asgard weren’t so lucky. When Surtur won, it’s said he celebrated by lighting this whole world in flames. Looks to me like he just smashed up the houses”. He said as they briskly walked down the deserted streets.

“You don’t remember”? Hanna asked as she tried her best to keep pace with him.

“Not really… it was a long time ago. I remember my uncle, Ullr tried to go back for his son. I told him that he was dead. That I watched it happen but, he went back anyway. I fought alongside him, begging him to come back. Eventually, he gave in. I remember lots of death but, a lot of the specifics have probably been pushed from my mind”. Loki responded as he struggled through memories. “But, that was lifetimes ago”. He shrugged as they eventually came face to face with Odin’s castle.

When Hanna looked upon the remains of her castle she could see her previous incarnation’s memories as he returned to this spot. Over and over again. Seasons changed but the image was the same. Odin standing before the great gates where she stood now. Only now there was no door. “It must’ve been awful….” She stated half mesmerized by her visions.

“War is never pleasant…” Loki stated in an uncharacteristically melancholy tone. “But, let’s not dwell on that! Come on! There are lots of cool places to explore! I hope the armory is still standing”! Loki said as he perked up and rushed inside.

“Wait up”! Hanna came back with as she chuckled as she jogged after him.

The moment she crossed the threshold she was back in one of Odin’s memories. He and a young, couldn’t be more than twelve year old Loki came home. Loki carried in his arms a black furred puppy that had a striking resemblance to a wolf. It’s red eyes are fixated on the young Loki just before the boy brought it up to his face and rubbed his nose to the animal’s. The puppy eagerly licked the boy. “Come on Fenrir. This will be your home for now on. I’m sure you’ll be very happy here”. The boy said happily as he set the puppy down on the floor.

“Loki”! Odin called out as he reached for the boy physically.

“Yes father”? Loki asked as he turned to look at a young, vibrant Odin. Blonde and full of charisma not to mention, in possession of both of his eyes. The eyes that look back at Odin are the heterochromatic ones. They are innocent and cling desperately to what his father had to say.

Odin looked at one of Loki’s eyes and then the other as he eventually sighed and patted his son’s left shoulder pauldron. “Keep a close eye on him son. Don’t want him making a mess. Teach him to piss and shit outside. Oh and keep him out of my trophy room. If I find even one scratch-“. The all father got out aggressively before Loki smiled and bowed quickly.

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“No need to worry father! I promise I’ll take good care of him. I will keep him under control”. Loki ran off and the ankle high puppy followed close behind him.

Odin sighed as he watched the pair retreat. He took a different path into the castle. His travels lead him to the familiar face of Heimdallr’s. The albino bowed.

“All Father…” he said hesitantly while his face expressed doubt, almost even fear.

“Spit it out”… Odin stated as he slapped the albino on his back.

“You have a visitor….” Heimdallr said with a sigh as he lead Odin away.

The two of them enter a room filled with books and maps. In the big, ornate red and gold chair in front of the fireplace is the Morrigan. She looks no different than she does even now. She wears her dark purple, hooded robes that show off plenty of her flat deathly pale stomach and matching legs, she doesn’t even wear shoes. When Odin entered she took down her hood to reveal her knee length black hair that is currently in a braid accompanied by a ribbon that matched her robes. Those lavender colored eyes were not glowing in this moment as she looked over Odin. “Tis wonderful you could join us. We have most disturbing news… Naturally, we couldn’t wait to share it”. As she spoke it sounded like three women were speaking at once. All heavily accented and equally as mesmerizing. Odin shook his head quickly as if pulling himself out of a trance.

“Pleasure to see you too Morrigan. Since it brings you such pleasure to deliver news that has poor Heimdallr even more quiet than usual, please don’t let formality or respect keep you from it”. The All Father offered sarcastically as he shrugged and then crossed his arms across his chest.

A grin appeared on her purple lips before she responded. “We’ve foreseen your demise…” she lulled out pleasantly as her body became more relaxed, almost to the extent that it might be considered lazy or ‘un-ladylike’. “Swallowed whole by the God of Wolves. Not even the fountain will bring you salvation”. She continued as she simply smiled at Odin.

“Troubling news indeed”… He stated unmoved by her words. “I assume you brought the prophecy with you. I wish to hear it’s exact wording”. Odin said as he extended a hand to her.

The Morrigan laughed slowly as she made a glass ball appear in her hand. “Gonna try to defy destiny are we”? She asked as she tossed to Odin, the glass ball.

He caught the ball and examined it. “I decide my own destiny…” Odin said smiling at the glass ball.

Hanna came to from this memory to find herself in the library that she had just been in or rather, the one Odin had just been in. Unlike in the vision, there weren’t books lining the walls. The chair the Morrigan had been sitting in was destroyed. The room was damaged just like everything else here. “Woah… How did I get here”? She asked as she looked around cautiously. “Loki, was this my study”? She asked as she soon found she couldn’t find him. “Loki? Loki where are you? Loki this isn’t funny”. She insisted as she searched the room more thoroughly. She eventually found a lever in one of the bookshelves. The gold, ornate handle had been snapped in half but, enough of it was still present for Hanna to get a hold of. “Oooooh what’s this do”? She asked as she pulled the lever. When she did, one of the bookshelves moved aside revealing a passageway. “Loki? You in there? If you are and you’re planning to scare me then it’s not funny”. She said as she invited herself in.

The corridor is cramped and dusty. It seems the opening only got smaller the longer one traveled into it. She made it to where she almost no longer fit so long as she was standing. “Okay? This is a weird passage maybe I should…” she whispered as she spoke to herself. She turned to find herself face to face with the horror with wings. She hopped up and screamed out of surprise. She hit her head on the ceiling before falling back. When she landed the ground gave in and she fell through.

The horror grinned and faintly laughed as he vanished.

Hanna screamed as she fell through and fell all the way down into a poorly lit maze. The walls are stone and lit with orange runes. She landed on one of these walls initially but, rolled off it as she landed into the pit. “Ow…..” she groaned as she strained to push herself up onto her knees and eventually onto her feet. “Am I dead”? She asked aloud as she felt vital spots checking for external injury as well as anything broken. “Okay… ow! Nothing seems broken… I guess that’s good…” she complained as she placed her left hand against the wall. “These are cool symbols. I wonder what they mean”. She asked as she found herself drawn into the orange glowing markers that are placed several feet from each other as they also act as lights. “They are warnings. Imagine they say ‘danger’”. The old Odin said as he appeared next to her. “You… you look familiar…” Hanna responded as she reached out as if to grab his beard, only to find her hand went through him. Odin laughed. “I should. I’m you”! He let out as he looked around. “This is some mess you got us in”. He teased as he looked around. “Then… you’re Odin? You’re the me that… Wow. I must’ve hit my head harder than I thought…” she looked confused as she rubbed the back of her head. Odin laughed again. “Get us to a spot in the maze I recognize. I can guide you out from there”. He said as he vanished just as quickly as he appeared. “No wait don’t go”! Hanna called out as she reached for him again. “Shit”! She complained as she started following the walls of the maze.

It seemed to go on forever. The runes provided nothing in terms of direction for they were all exactly the same. She traveled with her hand against the wall. When she reached what she thought was the end. She found a collection of chains and the sound of subtle breathing. The chamber she is in had more light than the rest of the maze and when her eyes followed the chains the sight she found caused an uneasy feeling to fill every ounce of her body. A wolf. It’s hard to tell just how tall it is due to it laying down but, she could tell just by looking at it, it would be easy for her whole body to fit in its mouth. It’s fur is the darkest of blacks. The massive wolf lay there sleeping but, with Hanna paralyzed with fear before it, the beast seemed to stir until it woke up. When it’s eyes open they glow a fiery red. The glow is haunting as it eyed her. It tried to stand but, couldn’t due to something in the mess of chains all over its body. The beast whiffed the air heavily as it took in the new scent. “Odin”? The beast grumbled.

Hanna looked it over as she backed away slowly but stopped as she remembered the puppy with Loki. “Fenrir?.... Damn you got big”! She stated still hesitant to move closer.

“You don’t remember”? Fenrir growled out in a low gruff tone. “Your soul. I smell… your spirit smells the same. Someone… someone killed you! Unacceptable”! The large wolf howled as he shook and rattled his chains.

“Oh? Your upset about my death? Then you must care. Why are you”? She got out before the beast interrupted her.

“I am meant to kill you! Nobody else”! He howled again as he thrashed about.

“That explains the chains”. Hanna responded with a lackluster tone. “Why uh? Why do you want to kill me”? She asked realizing he can’t chase her.

“You tricked me! Forced me into these bonds! But, if that’s not enough you tried to have me killed! Many times! Even tried to get my father to kill me! He refused and you burned him too! All for your stupid prophecy! But, fate is more cruel than destiny… here you are… right before me… and I can do nothing…” he got out in a low grumble as he stopped wriggling.

Hanna looked at him sympathetically as she walked towards him. “You’re all chained up. Why not kill you now”? She asked boldly.

Fenrir laughed maniacally in response. “I am wrapped in one of Cthulhu’s seals. If I die the seal will break. They say it’s unbreakable otherwise. I’m pretty determined though. These other chains they put on me are useless. Break this stupid ribbon and nothing will stop me. I swear this”. He responded as he exhaled slowly in a relieved manner.

“You got time to tell me a story then? I’d love to know about my previous life. I think I deserve to know at least why I deserve to die in full detail”. Hanna offered as she sat down cross legged as she looked up at him.

“That is an odd last request… Very well… A long time ago, when I was big enough to fit in one of those ridiculous pockets of your’s; Odin went on a hunting trip. He killed a mother dire wolf who was guarding her litter of pups. You ordered the hunting party to dispose of the litter. I was spared by a boy who begged to keep me, the runt. You thought me small and not worth fearing so, you agreed to your son’s request. We were inseparable. As I got bigger you began to express concern. You sent hunters and warriors to kill me but, we always prevailed. You reasoned that they were tests for Loki but, I knew different. When I was the size of a bear, you ordered Loki to kill me. He brought you back the pelt of a bear and claimed it was me. You knew no different and wore that mantle with pride for many years. Loki’s lie eventually became unearthed and I haven’t seen my father since. You eventually found me and stood to reason with me when you found Loki taught me to speak. You promised I would see my father again if I wore your chains. No matter the material I broke free without much effort. So, the bargain changed to if I’d wear this infernal collar. I sensed mischief behind the gesture and asked what it would do to me. You claimed nothing so long as I behaved. Your henchman Tyr offered to put his treasured right hand in my mouth. If I sensed mischief I simply bite down and I will have disarmed my enemy’s strongest follower. So, I agreed. Needless to say: Tyr lost his hand and not in all his incarnations will he ever get it back. I’ve been here waiting ever since”. Fenrir told the story with his eyes always fixated on Hanna who just tentatively listened. As he spoke the memories washed back in brief bursts. Almost like a slideshow playing in her head.

“That’s… that’s horrible….” She responded with her gaze drifting to the floor. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry… I’m sorry I did that to you. I know it probably doesn’t mean anything to you but, I’m not that person anymore. Literally. I would never do anything like that to you”. She followed up with as she looked up into those glowing eyes.

He was silent for several seconds. “I’m sorry too… I’m sorry that you’re so different from your previous incarnation. Sweet. Caring. But, honestly… If I were to allow Odin to wake up I would never forgive myself. I’m sure you’d make me regret it. Your sacrifice is a necessary one in my eyes. The prophecy will be fulfilled…” The wolf god grumbled out.

Odin appeared next to her also in a seated position. His sit was much less elegant than hers and he used the bear pelt that Fenrir spoke of as a cushion of sorts. He pet the pelt gingerly as his gaze looked from it to Fenrir.

“Do you? Do you remember the wording? To the prophecy. It was important to my past life. It must be to you too”. Hanna asked practically crying as she looked up at Fenrir with twisted emotions of fear and guilt…

“I don’t see why it’s wording is important… but yes I remember…” the gargantuan canine lulled peacefully.