Idavollr, Asgard

"And so it was that I, Sir Ratatoskr, alongside a formidable Dwarf named Throyo and an eagle of legendary stature called Randolf, stole Surtur's most cherished ring and reforged it into my sword, Stung."

From the depths of his rucksack, Ratatoskr unveiled a smallsword of the finest craftsmanship. The blade, forged from golden metal and laced with pulsating white veins, shimmered under the awe of Thor and Diana. Their eyes widened in wonder as Ratatoskr demonstrated Stung's prowess, the air parting swiftly with each elegant thrust and slash from the small but mighty weapon.

Over the years, with countless tales of Ratatoskr's valor from his own retelling, even the skeptical first prince, now a teenager, had grown to admire and embrace Ratatoskr's presence on Asgard. If the rising number of wards and safeguards around the realm was any indication, then the one-eyed scoundrel Odin was definitely none too pleased with Ratatoskr for sticking his nose where the All-father didn't want him to.

Ratatoskr watched as Loki's brows puckered together in contemplation before asking. "A Dwarf typically spans 18 to 20 feet in height. What kind of Eagle can carry a person that large?"

While the second prince continued to harbor reservations about the old squirrel, Ratatoskr saw a certain charm in Loki's unfavorable attitude towards the dramatic reenactments of his fables, not to mention himself. After all, a true artist flourishes not only through praise but also through the critiques that challenge him.

Ratatoskr shrugged his tiny shoulders and vaguely responded. "The large kind."

Loki's frustration simmered at the squirrel's reply. "Yes, but which species specifically?" He pressed.

"The large species." came Ratatoskr's equally vague answer.

Loki threw his hands in the air at his wit's end and resigned. "You…are incredibly frustrating as always, squirrel."

In stark contrast, Thor, animated and captivated by the stories, smacked his palm against the trunk he was sitting on. His voice rang out with excitement. "A splendid tale! Another!"

Yet, with his story finished and the children sufficiently pleased, Ratatoskr decided it was time to depart for the day. "Alas, I can stay no longer, children. I must take my leave before my beloved's heart grows achy without my presence."

Ever eager for more of Ratatoskr's adventures, Thor exclaimed. "Next time, tell us of your victories over the Frost Giants!"

The squirrel's gaze flickered towards Loki before he offered a noncommittal "Perhaps."

With each visit to Asgard, Ratatoskr noted the growing disdain towards Jotunheim, a sentiment increasingly echoed in Prince Thor despite his brother's origins. To his credit, the royal children did not know the truth, and Ratatoskr expected all of this to be part of some elaborate scheme from Odin. What was better in war than commanders and warriors who hated their foes?

Either that or the All-father neglected his children enough not to truly know the recipe for disaster that was approaching. Considering what happened to his first daughter, the latter was not too far-fetched.

Although, Ratatoskr believed the truth lay somewhere between those two explainations. Like him, The All-father was an old relic of the past. While the One-Eyed stayed in his golden palace with a crafted mask of civility and diplomacy now, his true face was of war, duty, and an ocean of red. You can take the dragon out of the fight, but you can't take the fight out of the dragon, as the saying went.

Hence, Ratatoskr sought to temper the siblings' perceptions of the Jotuns, subtly shifting their views towards a more compassionate understanding. If one day, by chance, they figured out Loki's heritage together when listening to his rambles, then at least they would have each other for comfort.

Breaking him out of his thoughts, Diana presented a blurry glass box with a sealed lit to Ratatoskr. "These are chocolate-covered candied dorang peels. Mother said they are a delicacy from the Nova Empire. They are positively scrumptious! Please have them with your wife."

The princess had grown much since Ratatoskr first met her. The ever-maturing girl had finally abandoned the habit of storing sweets in her dress pockets due to the repeated scolding from her parents. Ratatoskr was inclined to agree with them this time since Diana tended to smash the items in her pouches to a pulp while she did whatever the children did during the day.

Ratatoskr accepted the box with a twinkle in his eye. "Ah, a delightful gift out of The Nine. If my wife wasn't married to me, I fear she would have fallen for you instead."

Diana's response to his quip was a burst of giggles, her laughter ringing clear and joyful.

Loki, amused but not surprised by Diana's generosity, remarked. "Isn't that all of what mother gave you, sister?"

"I've already had some. I thought Sir Ratatoskr and his wife would enjoy the dorang peels as much as we do." Diana confessed offhandedly, her mind occupied by something else.

"You are truly too kind, princess. We will surely enjoy them dearly." Ratatoskr said, bowing gracefully. He had grown accustomed to the occasional treats the girl provided them, as did his wife—a few tales for the price of Asgardian or elsewhere delights. Ratatoskr dared say it was a bargain.

Thor offered to Diana. "Then, you can take some of mine later."

"and mine." Loki chimed in.

"Sibling affection." Ratatoskr mulled over with a hint of warmth. "Truly amazing to see no matter where I go. And with that, I must bid you farewell..."

As Ratatoskr focused his mind on calling upon his strength to depart, to his horror, Diana abruptly grasped his arm with concern on her face. "Wait! Aren't squirrels allergic to choc…"

Before he could do anything, Diana's fingertips brushed against the squirrel's russet fur, and both vanished, whisked away from the watchful eyes of the Asgardian princes.

______________________________

???, ???

Diana's eyelids fluttered open to reveal a dimly lit world of shadows and ice. Beneath her lay not the fine linens of Asgard but a hard, unfamiliar surface—slick and rough like hardened metal. She lay there momentarily, allowing her senses to adjust to the sudden transition. Unlike her vibrant home, here, there was no wind, no ambient sounds, and no discernible smells; Only silence and stillness greeted her awakening.

As her vision cleared, Diana found herself nestled within the vast expanse of an enormous cavern. Towering spires of ice stretched skyward to a dark ceiling sprinkled with glints resembling distant stars.

Sitting up, she took in her surroundings with awe and apprehension. This place, wherever it was, seemed untouched by time, a hidden corner of the world where ice reigned supreme. There were no signs of Asgardian architecture or the expansive skies she knew—only the relentless embrace of frost. Despite her situation, Diana remained unfazed by the chill surrounding her, for the cold never bothered her anyway.

Her attention was then captured by clusters of ethereal lights in the distance, their gentle radiance piercing the gloom around the cave. Intrigued and drawn by their beauty, Diana stood, her resolve firming. With measured steps, she advanced towards the nearest cluster of the strange glow in the darkness surrounding her, each step echoing softly in the vast silence of the ice-bound chamber.

Suddenly, a deep, feminine voice emerged from the shadows as if standing right beside her. "Do not go towards the lights, child, for they mean you harm." The whisper was a chilling breath against Diana's ear.

"Who's there?" Diana spun around, her eyes searching the engulfing darkness. "It's so dark here. I can't see you." Her voice echoed with a mix of curiosity and caution.

"A name is owed before it is asked, is it not?" The voice gently reproved.

Chastened, Diana replied. "Oh, right. Mother would be so mad at me. I am Diana Odinsdottir of Asgard."

"Truly?" Queried the voice.

"Umm…yes? I think so. I am also the daughter of King Zeus of Olympus and Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira. But Queen Hera of Olympus was not my mother at all, and there were no Kings in Themyscira." Diana paused to take in a deep breath. "I had thought I had six parents, but my mother…Queen Frigga of Asgard said it wasn't like that. It is very confusing." Diana confessed.

The stranger's laughter echoed, somehow causing a gentle tremor in the surroundings. "Do you not find having multiple parents confusing?"

Diana swayed a little to balance herself. She was worried for a second, but Loki had said that sometimes, when father was angry, his chidings seemed to shake the heavens. So she decided it was nothing big and continued. "Not really, Lady…"

"Nidhogg…of Hvergelmir." The stranger introduced herself.

"Lady Nidhogg. Heimdall, the gatekeeper of Asgard– and we have but one–said that he has nine mothers. I think families are just complicated. My brother Thor said complicated things are for us to deal with later when we are older and wiser, like my father. My father Odin, that is. Although, now that I think about it, my other father, Zeus, was said to be wise and old too."

"Breath, Diana." Nidhogg interjected softly.

"Am I talking too much? I think I'm talking too much. I am sorry, my lady. I talk when I get nervous," Diana admitted. She felt heat rising to her cheeks, but she hoped Lady Nidhogg wouldn't be able to see Diana's embarrassment wherever she was.

"It is no trouble." Nidhogg reassured, her voice blending warmth and solemnity. Yet, she warned. "Caution is good for those who find themselves in Hvergelmir. It is not kind to its inhabitants nor its visitors."

Diana felt a mix of curiosity and unease as she spoke. "Oh…Lady Nidhogg, is Hvergelmir on Asgard? I have not heard of it before."

The reply came quickly with vocal shock. "Girl, are you unaware of the realm you've entered?"

"Realm?" Anxiety edged into Diana's voice. Her heart rate was picking up now.

"You stand in Niflheim's deepest reaches." Nidhogg clarified, her voice echoing slightly in the vast darkness.

Panic surged within Diana. "NILFHEIM? Oh no…oh no no no no. How am I supposed to go home now?

Lady Nidhogg hummed. "You will be fine if you listen to my guides, Diana." Her voice softened, offering a glimmer of hope.

Diana felt her spirits sink as the full weight of her predicament settled heavily upon her. Her tendency to act on impulse had often led her into tricky situations, but none as dire as this. Never before had her actions whisked her away to an entirely different realm—a consequence that surpassed even her brother's most mischievous escapades.

"While unexpected, it is good to put a voice to the name finally."

Diana, easily distracted, jumped at the opportunity to not think about her situation. "Do you know me, Lady Nidhogg?"

"I do. My husband speaks highly of you, and your treats are quite enjoyable." Nidhogg responded warmly.

Diana hesitated. "Ummm…"

"Ratatoskr, he mentioned me, yes? I believe he was just on his way to see you on Asgard."

Realization dawned on Diana. "Oh…Ohhh…OHHHHH. You are his wife! Wow. I've always wanted to meet you. It's so dark here that I can barely see anything. Can we go over there to those floating lights so I can finally see you?"

Nidhogg's admonition was sharp and resonant, causing the very air to quiver. "Do. Not. Girl. By The Void, do you not have any self-preservation?"

Diana sheepishly protested. "Is…is it so bad? They're just lights."

"They are not just anything. Those were once Ljosalfar, but the days when they resembled anything like the light elves are long gone. They are now outcasts." Nidhogg corrected her.

Diana's confusion deepened. "The Light elves? But I imagined them as radiant beings, each a beacon of light like a sun itself."

Nidhogg explained in a grave tone. "In the past ages long ago, the most dangerous and vile criminals of Alfheimr were exiled to Nilfheim to be consumed by…something monstrous. But they were not found wanting and remained here ever since. Over eons, they became those husks, just waiting for newcomers or visitors like you to pass by and be consumed. So stay still, Diana."

Diana's voice was small. "I simply wished to see you."

Nidhogg's reply came through gentle yet firm. "You may not be able to see me from where you are, but believe me, I am with you. Besides, you might find my appearance quite intimidating, Diana."

Emboldened by Ratatoskr's descriptions, Diana insisted. "Sir Ratatoskr said you are the prettiest thing he has ever seen. And you're such a kind person! I cannot imagine fearing you, Lady Nidhogg."

Nidhogg, amused by Diana's flattery, hinted at a compromise: "Such sweet words won't allow you to see me, but nevertheless I will linger until Ratatoskr comes to find you."

"He will?" Diana asked, a spark of assurance lit within her.

"Without a doubt. Do you think my husband so cruel that he would leave you here stranded forever? Were he to abandon you, the All-father would upend the realms to seek justice, and if Odin wouldn't, then I shall."

Diana's heart warmed with gratitude. "Thank you for staying with me." She said sincerely.

Nidhogg replied. "I find you entertaining enough. But how did you arrive here? I felt my husband's magical signature, and to my surprise, I found you in his stead."

In a rush, Diana blurted out. "Igrabbedontosirratatoskrwhenhewasleaving."

Nidhogg chided. "Speak clearly, girl."

Diana reluctantly answered but with some rekindled shame in her words. "I grabbed onto Sir Ratatoskr when he was leaving."

"You…what?" Nidhogg's laughter rumbled through the darkness, a blend of surprise and disbelief at the discovery. "Did your family not warn you of the danger of spatial warping?

She explained her reasoning. "I know I shouldn't have, but I just had to warn him! I gave him a box of chocolate-covered dorang peels to eat with you. Although, I remembered reading that squirrels are allergic to chocolates. I didn't want him to get a stomachache or something worse. Those are painful!"

The ground quaked more intensely, forcing Diana to steady herself.

"Ratatoskr isn't just any old squirrel, Diana. He would have been perfectly fine." Nidhogg clarified. Her voice deepened and took on a more serious tone. "Though you might not have been. That was incredibly reckless of you."

"I didn't know that." Diana conceded. "Besides, it is not so bad here. I got to meet you, Lady Nidhogg."

Nidhogg's skepticism was clear. "Spoken like a true daughter of Odin. Honeyed words. Though, do they mask deceit as his often does?"

Diana was stunned by Nidhogg's sudden change. She did not like how Lady Nidhogg talked about her father or the accusation of herself. "I do not lie. Mother said that honesty is where trust is built, and only with trust can we forge and maintain family and friendship."

Nidhogg countered. "You may believe so, but Odin is the greatest of all deceivers. And I've seen how he treated his family."

Diana's temper flared. "Why would you say that? My father had never mistreated me or my brothers! He took me in when I had no one else!"

"A rose-tinted belief of a child." Nidhogg observed. "You've known him for decades. I've known him for millennia."

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Unable to tolerate further slander against her father, Diana burst out. "No! I don't want to hear any more of this! I thought you were nice!" Her frustration unleashed a surge of energy, her eyes glowing with a fierce light as she turned and ran away from the open cavern into the ranges of ice spires.

As she ran, Diana's thoughts lingered on her father, his wisdom and his warmth, a sharp difference to Nidhogg's accusations. She couldn't accept such claims against Odin, the father who had shown her nothing but kindness.

"Stop, Diana!" Nidhogg pleaded as the grounds shook. Despite her flight, Nidhogg's voice seemed omnipresent; no matter where she ran in the dark, her words always seemed to follow right behind her. She did not want to hear it. She was angry. She deserved to be angry. Diana felt betrayed by the words of someone she had started to trust.

"Listen to me. You need to stop running!" Nidhogg implored, her tone desperate.

Yet, as Diana sought to distance herself from the painful assertions about her father, her resolve only fueled her dash further into the shadowy depths of Hvergelmir. She extended her hands to avoid colliding with the various ice pillars that jutted out from the shifting ground.

Whipping around a sharp corner, Diana's steps halted with jarring suddenness as she encountered a dead end, a wave of fear instantly etching itself across her face. Barely a few paces ahead in a dim and unsettling light, four figures loomed ominously. The skin clung to their bones like damp parchment to a forgotten tome, stretched tightly over a frame that seemed too fragile to support life. Their eyes, deeply recessed into their sockets, shine with a faint, unnerving luminescence, casting an otherworldly glow that increases the hollowness of their gaze. The sight of them sent a primal fear coursing through Diana's veins, the instinctual recognition of something profoundly wrong and inherently terrifying.

The most horrifying aspect was the synchronized turn of all four figures towards her as if magnetically drawn by her presence. Diana wanted to scream out of terror, but some deep and unyielding part of her being stifled this impulse, denying her even the cold comfort of giving voice to her terror.

"Do not say a word and calm your breathing, child." Nidhogg's voice cut through the tension. At that moment, all of Diana's previous anger towards the woman evaporated, leaving her clinging to Nidhogg's voice like a lifeline.

In the oppressive silence that ensued, Diana's heartbeat thundered in her ears, a rapid drumbeat echoing her fear. Remembering Nidhogg's advice, she forced herself to breathe slowly and deliberately, striving to calm the storm of panic raging within her. The figures stood ominously still, their intentions obscured in the dim light. Diana's eyes, wide with fear, darted between them, searching for any sign of what they might do next.

The four outcasts slowly advanced towards Diana, although Nidhogg's unseen presence felt like a shield around the princess. "They are drawn to your divine essence. You need to stiffen it. Imagine yourself as a small critter, not worth noticing."

Channeling the image of her brother, Loki, transforming into a mouse to evade Thor's clutches, Diana envisioned herself as small and inconsequential. The grotesque entities seemed to search the air, their senses keen yet confused, unable to locate the source of what they hungered for.

"Good. You are doing well, Diana. Now, you need to move near the walls, just a little bit, away from the entrance, and find something to hold on to. Can you do that?" Nidhogg instructed.

Diana nodded her head, not knowing if Nidhogg saw what she was doing.

The girl moved with slowed steps, swapping feet very carefully so as not to make a sound while she shuffled away from the entrance. Her hands sought to hold on to the slick ice walls until she discovered a crevice just wide enough to anchor herself.

"Well done. Now, hold on tight!"

The entire ground shook violently as never before while blaring waves of oppressive aura pulsed from the distance. Diana held her makeshift anchor with a death grip, the tempest around her threatening to sweep her away at the barest loosening of her fingers.

The outcasts writhed in agony; their bodies rag-dolled between the frost pillars and the ground. The screams were frightening to hear. The ice around Diana groaned but did not bend nor break under the strain. As the disturbance waned, the outcasts dragged their broken bodies out of the entry Diana previously found herself in, leaving her alone in the aftermath. She watched their glowing faces sniffle and bite at the air on their path out of the area.

Diana couldn't tell how much time had passed as she just sat there on the pulsing ground, arms wrapped around her knees, lost in a sea of thoughts and fears. Eventually, Nidhogg's voice broke through the stillness. "They are gone now. You can talk."

"What were those things?" Diana's voice trembled slightly, not at all from the cold. Relief washed over Diana, yet the echo of the outcasts' screams lingered, a haunting reminder of the danger she had narrowly escaped.

"I believed you saw them before. You were much more eager to approach them then." It was a callback to Diana's initial fascination with the deceptively pretty lights.

Curiosity pushed Diana to ask. "And the earthquake?"

"That was me." Nidhogg's reply came with a moment of hesitation. "Grating myself against the spires imprisoning my body. The Outcasts loathe the essence of my being, yet they are drawn to feast upon my wounds. Forsaken Pests."

"You? The ground. Am I standing on you? Did you hurt yourself to save me? But…" Diana felt a mix of gratitude and guilt, astonished at what Nidhogg was and how she endured pain on her behalf.

Nidhogg's response was unexpected. "Shut it, girl. I am Nidhogg! The Serpent That Gnaws! The Malice Striker! And I do not get 'hurt' easily. Banish the thought!" Her words were stern, yet Diana felt a protective fierceness behind them.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for not listening to you." Diana expressed her gratitude as genuinely as she could.

Nidhogg's response was, once again, unexpected and gentle. "I too am… Oh, Void, I blame Ratatoskr for making me soft. I am sorry for pushing you with your father. Do not think much of it. I wouldn't know familial connections if it struck me in the head."

Diana's brows furrowed in concern, and her voice dropped to a solemn tone as she asked. "Do you not have a father or a mother, Lady Nidhogg?"

"Not that I can think of. My beginning was as an egg laid amidst the frost of Niflheim in an era when The Nine were but in their dawn. By the time awareness took hold within me, I had already found myself imprisoned by these accursed pillars."

"But someone had to lay you as an egg, right?" Diana's curiosity sparked, and she tried to piece together Nidhogg's mysterious origins. She was thankful for a chance to distract herself from the earlier petrifying experience.

"I guess so. Maybe the ice did it. It never mattered to me before." Nidhogg's answer was nonchalant as if she did not care.

"Lady Nidhogg Issdottir?" Diana offered, a tentative smile on her lips.

Nidhogg considered it. "Not bad for a last name. Though that would also make me a prisoner of my father." Her tone was accepting, but there was something else behind it that Diana couldn't quite catch. "Fitting, as is the theme in Niflheim."

"Oh…I'm sorry. I just thought it was pretty." Diana insisted, her admiration for Nidhogg growing.

"So you do." Nidhogg acknowledged, then posed a question. "Answer me this: do you have any sister?"

"I only have my brothers." Diana contemplated before she continued. "I think I had sisters in Olympus and Thermyscira, but Mother said they went to Elysium, a place I can not go until long after I am ancient and grey like my father. Did Sir Ratatoskr not tell you?"

Nidhogg hummed contemplatively. "Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't. I am even more ancient than your father. My memory is not what it used to be."

Diana was agape to hear that. More ancient than father? Then at this rate, it may take an eternity for me to meet my Olympian family. But before she could say anything else, Nidhogg urged. "Now rest, Diana. When Ratatoskr appears, I'll tell him where you are."

A question tugged at Diana's mind, borne of the confusion swirling within her. "Shouldn't Sir Ratatoskr have arrived by now? I think we left Asgard together."

"Ratatoskr's travels defy the conventions of time and space, bending them to his will. Such journeys are solitary by nature, ill-suited for unprepared companions. It's likely your unwanted presence disrupted his course. To me, you arrived shortly after he had just departed for Asgard. He could be here in moments or far longer. Either way, he will come."

Diana nodded, accepting the reassurance. "Okay."

"Do you have any other questions?" Nidhogg's query was kind, offering a further explanation if Diana sought it.

"I don't think so." Diana responded, the weight of her recent experiences pressing down upon her. Despite the myriad questions dancing at the edge of her consciousness, exhaustion was her most pressing concern. Beside, Diana just didn't want to impose.

"Then sit down and rest. You've been through much." Nidhogg advised before she comforted the girl further. "We'll get you home soon, child."

"I know," Diana whispered, feeling a sense of safety envelop her. As Nidhogg suggested, she settled down, letting the shifting ground form a strange but welcoming bed. Her thoughts drifted amid the echoes of Nidhogg's words. In this frozen, strange world, far from the warmth of Asgard, Diana found solace in the company of Nidhogg, The Serpent.

______________________________

Hvergelmir, Niflheim.

Diana, astride her majestic giant dragon, surged forward into the heart of the battle, her figure a beacon of bravery against the backdrop of a closing army of bright-eyed skeletons. Sensing its rider's determination, her trustworthy dragon let out a thunderous roar that echoed across the battlefield, a sound that seemed to shake the very earth beneath them. With a simple command from Diana, the dragon unleashed torrents of ice from its gaping maw, its breath a spectacular display of raw power that transformed the air into a frigid frost.

The skeletons, caught in the icy blast, were frozen instantaneously. Their movements halted in bizarre, almost comical poses. Some were caught mid-stride, others with arms outstretched as if reaching for a victory that would never come. The battlefield soon became a strange garden of icy statues.

"Wake up, Diana."

The princess hardly registered the voice, lost as she was in the depths of her slumber.

"How long did you say she was here for, love?"

Diana, still half-asleep, felt a vague irritation. The intrusion into her sleep was not welcome. Couldn't they see she wished to go back to her dreams?

"I do not know. The only reason I know that time even passes is because of you." came another voice, distant yet familiar to Diana. She instinctively covered her ears, yearning for the silence that slumber promised.

"Right, it's time to go home, princess."

Something pushed against her head, Diana murmured in protest, her voice muffled by her hands. "No, mother. The sun hasn't even come out yet. I want to sleep some more."

"We are not your mother, girl! Wake up and return home!" A startlingly deep voice jolted Diana from her rest.

Startled into full consciousness, Diana sat up abruptly. "What? Where?" Her eyes quickly focused on a comforting sight – Sir Ratatoskr, bathed in the light of a glowing rune stone. "Oh…Sir Ratatoskr! You came! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to grab on to you."

Diana's emotions got the better of her as she impulsively moved to embrace Ratatoskr. Which the storyteller avoided and settled quickly on her head instead.

"My, my. It is quite alright. Although, please never do that again. You gave me the scare of my life, princess! The things Odin would do to tiny little me. I would never get to see my wife again! Outrageous!" Ratatoskr's tone was half-scolding and half-relieved as he danced about on her hair.

"I won't. I promise." And she truly did mean it.

"It's time for you to go along now." Nidhogg's voice then cut through the moment.

"Wait, but I want to see you first, Lady Nidhogg." Diana protested.

"Not today, child. I am sure Ratatoskr is tired from his journey. If he brought you to me, I doubt you'll return to Asgard any time soon. You know who's fault that is, Diana."

Diana sheepishly said. "Oh, haha. Well, I'll come by to visit sometime then!"

"And how, pray tell, will you manage that?" Ratatoskr queried, incredulous.

"By asking you politely, Sir Rataroskr?" Diana suggested with pleading eyes.

"To reduce me to mere transportation? Alas, the indignity." Ratatoskr lamented dramatically.

Ignoring the squellings of the squirrel, Nidhogg interjected. "Very well. Though, hopefully, not too often. I enjoy my peace and quiet. One chatterbox in the vicinity is more than enough."

Ratatoskr feigned heartbreak. "My heart! Shattered. By my own wife." His body fell dramatically from her head down to the ground. Diana had to reach out in a slight panic to catch him.

Nidhogg's next revelation took Diana by surprise. "And you, girl, you snore."

"I do not!" Diana gaped, her face heating with embarrassment.

"Whatever you say." Nidhogg replied dryly.

"Maybe just slightly…" Diana conceded softly before gathering her courage to express her gratitude. "Lady Nidhogg, thank you for taking care of me. I promise that I'll come back to meet you truly. You must be lonely with only Sir Ratatoskr here. And I'll bring treats next time!"

Ratatoskr hopped off her hold and stepped briefly to the side, mouthing silently. "Unbelievable."

"You go wherever you want." With that, Nidhogg offered a simple: "Take care of yourself, Diana Odinsdottir."

"Farewell, Lady Nidhogg Issdottir." Diana replied. Her heart lightened with the promise of future visits and the hope of unraveling more mysteries of Nidhogg and the first otherworld Diana had the pleasure of visiting on her own.

______________________________

Valaskjalf, Asgard.

Diana looked at the list before her and felt that her parents were being quite unreasonable. It was definitely not warranted.

The list read: "List of Things Diana Will Not Do Again" in white parchment and black ink. The more memorable things on the list included "Number 1. Do not talk to strangers, magical or otherwise." and "Number 9. Do not feed The Destroyer Armor food because you think it is 'hungry.' It is a weapon, not an animal." The newest addition to the fold was "Number 13. Do not grab onto mages (of any species) during the middle of their transportation spell." To ensure Diana learned her lesson, her parents refused to let her go outside her room for at least one week. Though her brothers often came to see her throughout her day, or else she would have gone mad.

As if on cue, Loki, ever the instigator, slipped into her room with a knock, his tone teasing as he surveyed his sister's sprawling form on her bed. "Enjoying your punishment, sister?"

However, Diana, the ever-scatterbrained girl, had something else occupying her mind. She faced Loki, her expression laden with earnest curiosity rather than any concern for her restricted freedom. "Brother, did my first mother or my first father lay me as an egg?"