[PoV ???]

The grand hall always made me feel small, no matter how many times I had crossed it. Towering marble pillars lined the space, while walls adorned with gold-threaded tapestries bore symbols of majesty, magnificent and elegant.

Yet, no amount of beauty could ease the worry tightening in my chest as I gazed at the man I loved. He sat on his grand throne, his expression dark with a deep frown. His usual presence, filled with wisdom and authority, now seemed dimmed, replaced by a posture heavy with unease.

I could feel his anxiety. The aura of wisdom that always radiated from him was now subdued, replaced by a bowed head full of turmoil.

I couldn't bear to see him like this. With light steps, I approached him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, hoping that my embrace could offer him some comfort. As our skin touched, I felt the tension in his strong, rigid muscles.

Leaning in, I whispered playfully into his ear, "What troubles you, my husband?"

He turned his gaze toward me. The stiffness in his expression softened slightly, sending a gentle warmth through my heart. But beneath that tenderness, I could still see the storm raging in his mind.

"My wife," he called me, his voice low as if it pained him to say what came next. "It seems… someone has altered the course of fate."

I tilted my head, not understanding his words.

"Someone has interfered with Fenrir's fate, the wolf girl we sealed away," he continued, his tone filled with a seriousness that made my heart clench.

My face paled at the name he had just spoken.

Fenrir, the one we had sealed long ago due to her destined path of destruction. She was meant to remain bound by Gleipnir until Ragnarok arrived. What could have happened? And who was foolish enough to meddle with Fenrir's fate?

"But how is that possible?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Who would dare to do something so reckless? Do they intend to throw the entire Yggdrasil into chaos?"

"Shhh… lower your voice. Someone might hear us." My husband placed a finger before his lips, warning me to be cautious.

I fell silent immediately, realizing just how grave the situation was. The cosmos had long known the fate of Loki and Angrboda’s children, a destiny of ruin and destruction. That was why everyone feared and despised them.

Perhaps my husband intended to keep this news hidden, at least for now, to prevent unrest among us gods.

"I don’t know the full details yet," he sighed. "But one thing is certain, we must act before it's too late."

I nodded in agreement, though my mind remained filled with questions. "So… what do you plan to do, my husband?"

He took a deep breath before answering, as if trying to ease the burden weighing on his mind. "I will send a few gods to check on Fenrir," he said in a deep voice. "If anything seems amiss with her, I won’t hesitate to take further action."

"And who will you send for this task?" I asked, keeping my tone steady, though deep down, I was eager to hear his answer.

"I haven't decided yet. But for now, I will send a few young gods to assess the situation."

"Would you consider sending our child? It could serve as good experience for them," I suggested.

As a mother, I naturally wanted my child to gain experience. And yet, I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at my heart.

"No. They are still too young. I won’t take the risk if anything happens to them."

I nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words. "Perhaps you’re right," I murmured.

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For a moment, we sat in silence, sharing our unspoken concerns. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders once more, holding him tightly, hoping to bring him even a sliver of peace amidst our growing fears.

"I love you, my husband," I whispered, soft and sincere.

"And I love you, my wife," he replied, his voice warm yet still tinged with unease.

In the vast, silent majesty of Asgard’s great hall, we remained together, just the two of us. And for that brief moment, the world beyond felt like nothing more than a distant shadow.

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[PoV Loki]

The cave was silent, except for the faint dripping of water from the stalactites above. The dim glow of torches mounted on the stone walls barely illuminated the space. The scent of damp earth mixed with the faint aroma of incense wafting from a silver bowl beside me, creating a strangely calming atmosphere.

I lay on my side atop a flat stone, one hand propping up my head while the other rested lazily on my waist.

Before me, a crystal orb the size of a human head floated, its surface radiating a soft blue glow that rippled like water. My fingers moved idly over it, swirling the images displayed within.

Scenes from the Nine Realms flashed by in rapid succession. I watched the humans of Midgard wage their meaningless wars. The dwarves of Svartalfheim, busy forging weapons. The elves of Alfheim, indulging in their tedious dances.

Nothing piqued my interest. I sighed, nearly yawning. "Damn it, there's nothing entertaining at all."

Few things ever caught my attention. Everything had become far too predictable. Truthfully, I had once held some hope for my children, those who had been prophesied to bring destruction.

Unfortunately, Old Man Odin had taken precautions long before that could happen. He cast Jormungandr into the Midgard Sea, banished Hela to Helheim, and bound Fenrir in unbreakable chains.

From time to time, I checked on them through the pendants I had given them, but the result was always the same. None of them had done anything to shake Yggdrasil as Odin's prophecy had foretold.

Jormungandr simply lived peacefully in the ocean. Hela dutifully carried out her role as ruler of Helheim. And Fenrir, that fool, still struggled against her bonds, despite knowing full well it was futile.

I was about to end my observations when suddenly, the crystal orb shone brighter. The fleeting images now sharpened, revealing a grand hall I knew all too well, Asgard's palace.

Through the orb’s glow, I saw Odin seated on his throne, his expression one I rarely witnessed. Normally, he carried himself with unwavering confidence, his sharp gaze seeing through everything. But this time, something was different.

Doubt. Worry.

I chuckled. "When was the last time the All-Father showed an expression like that? Now this is interesting. Very interesting."

Beside him, his wife stood with her hand resting gently on his shoulder. I couldn't hear their conversation clearly, but I could read their lips.

Fenrir. Someone had interfered with the wolf girl's fate. And lastly, had tampered with Yggdrasil itself.

“Wait, did I read that correctly?” My eyes widened, and soon, so did the grin spreading across my face. "Tampering with Yggdrasil. Now this is going to be fun."

My mind wandered, envisioning the great events that lay ahead, with myself watching from behind the scenes, enjoying the spectacle while feasting on a roasted chicken leg.

I pushed myself up, stretching my arms above my head, then twisting my back left and right until a series of loud cracks echoed through the cave.

Clasping my hands together, my grin widened once more. "Fenrir, my foolish daughter," I whispered, stifling a laugh. "I never expected some lunatic to try meddling with my little girl."

My thoughts drifted toward whoever this madman might be. Honestly, only two kinds of people would dare approach Fenrir. Someone as foolish as she was, or someone like me.

"Someone like me," I murmured, my voice low and thoughtful. "Now I’m a little curious about this person."

I ran my fingers over the crystal orb, and its images swirled like a whirlpool before revealing a new scene. From the grandeur of Asgard's palace, I was now shown a dense forest, shrouded in a thin mist.

My foolish daughter.

A vision of a long-haired girl with deep violet locks emerged through the haze. Her ears twitched, and her tail swayed slightly. A wide smile adorned her beautiful face, something I hadn’t seen since she had been bound.

I clicked my tongue. "I’ve never seen her smile like that before. Who’s responsible for this?"

I studied her carefully. Her hands moved repeatedly in a steady rhythm, as if she were holding something.

"What is she holding?" I brushed my fingers against the orb again, zooming in for a clearer view.

My attention shifted to the dark figure curled up in her lap. "A raven? Why would a creature like that dare to approach my foolish daughter?"

Ravens were creatures with keen instincts. It should have sensed Fenrir’s aura of destruction and stayed far away from her. Unless...

I narrowed my eyes. "There's something about him."

Then, Odin’s words echoed in my mind. Someone had tried to alter the course of fate.

"Is this the one Old Man was talking about?" I muttered, eyes locked onto the raven.

Too coincidental. Too strange to ignore.

An idea began to take shape in my mind, slithering like a serpent rousing from its slumber. A rush of excitement spread through my chest. Slowly, the grin on my face stretched wider.

This was going to be interesting. I had to act before Odin ruined my fun again.

I rose to my feet and strode out of the cave, my thoughts already spinning with the possibilities ahead.

A faint smile crossed my lips. "Be patient, my little girl. Your father will be visiting you very soon."