"You can leave and take your rest. I'll be fine on my own." Ruby said to her maids who only bowed and left.

When the doors closed shut, Ruby removed the satin bath gown wrapped around her body and allowed it to gently hit the floor. She slowly made her way to the flower-covered water of the frigidarium before submerging her whole body in its refreshing embrace. The cold water kissed her skin with a welcoming delight, washing away her fatigue caused by the hot temperature outside. 

She slowly closed her eyes and allowed her body to float on the chilling water. 

Her mind was surprisingly blank for the first time. Recently, her thoughts were only filled with all the things she should do for Rizenhal that she could barely think of anything else besides work and Dyrroth. It was odd, like a responsibility is weighing down on her shoulders but she couldn't remember it making her anxious. 

She decided to take a deep breath and completely submerge her body under the water where all the noises of the world were muted out. It was a welcoming change. The emptiness and the peace were all comforting compared to the chaotic buzzing of the palace. 

"Enjoying the feeling of power?" A deep and chilling voice said from somewhere above her. No, it couldn't be from above. The voice is clear and confident. It was not muffled by the water so how can she hear it with such clarity? 

Ruby abruptly opened her eyes and found herself staring at the purple twilight sky instead of the painted dome of the frigidarium. It was a familiar sight but she couldn't figure out where she saw it before. She was confused and astonished. She repositioned her body so her feet could touch the floor but to her utter surprise and horror, there was nothing below her feet but more water that seemed to stretch deeper and deeper as if she's at sea. 

Correction, she is indeed in the middle of the sea which made her panic and began flailing aimlessly. She wanted to scream and cry. How did she end up here? And where the hell is she? 

She was about to scream out Sorca's name or even Skoll and Hrod but then she suddenly felt a chilling presence that induced fear to course through her veins. The hair on her skin immediately stood with dread and alarm. Her eyes widened. 

Above her, she could see Fenrir staring at her with unreadable eyes before puffing a cold breath on her face. He was standing on the water as if it was something solid making her stare at him in astonishment. 

"Must you meddle with my maiden, you envious snake." muttered the wolf which made the tips of her hair tingle with fear. 

"I..." Ruby was about to say something but a deep dark chuckle interrupted her words. It sounded sinister and deep, reminding her of the screaming caverns in the Abyss filled with dangerous monsters and evil spirits. At the same time, it also sounded like the rumbling of boulders during an earthquake. 

Ruby stared in the direction of the sound and what she saw nearly made her faint with fear. There, staring down at her not too far away was a gigantic snakehead protruding from the surface of the sea like a pale misty mountain. He was massive, his wide mouth was slightly parted to show a mischievous grin while his crimson eyes glowed ominously. 

"I was just curious about this beautiful thing you've been obsessing about since the beginning of time. She's indeed quite pretty and special at that." said the large snake. 

Fenrir glared at the snake, scoffing with displeasure. 

Ruby was frozen in her spot. She couldn't breathe and she couldn't move her muscles. She feared that one wrong move could trigger the snake to swallow her whole. She nearly sank to the bottom of the water but something held her up to the surface. Something rough and scaly. She immediately paled as white as paper when she realized that it was the Snake's tail and she looked at Fenrir pleadingly to help her out. 

"This is why you are my least favorite brother. Even mom doesn't love you as much as she does with me." said the wolf as he gingerly picked Ruby up from the water with his paws before placing her on his back. When she emerged out of the water she was surprised to see a thin chiton dress wrapped around her body. Her hands clenched his fur tightly between her fingers while she gave a fearful side glance towards the snake who stared at her with interest. She doesn't know why but he somehow seems familiar. Something much smaller and kinder-looking... 

"Aaahhhhh!" she exclaimed as realization shook her whole being. 

Fenrir obviously winced at her sudden yelp, making his ears twitch slightly. 

"What the hell is it, Ruby? I know my brother looks hideous but if you could reserve your insults later we'll be able to leave faster. I may be superior in strength, wisdom, and handsomeness but his cumbersome size is very inconvenient."

"But... But he's Lyca." whispered the maiden as she remembered the gentle-looking snake she brought to Martis while crying about how pitiful it was for having no arms and legs. 

"Who?" Fenrir frowned. 

"The snake I met before meeting Loki." Fenrir regarded her with confusion for a brief moment as if to say 'Why do I have no knowledge of this?' Ruby only shrugged before pressing her body closer to his back, thinking that it would protect her more. She's not afraid of monsters and she doesn't usually cower in front of her enemies no matter the size, but Jörmungand is just too massive not to be afraid of. Plus he looks so sinister compared to Fenrir who is terrifying but also aesthetically pleasing with his fluffy silver fur and blue wispy aura. As a monster, Fenrir looks awesome, terrifying, but awesome. While Jörmungand is rugged and hideous. 

Ruby suddenly gasped when she saw electricity sparking through the Wolf's fur. She was afraid that she would get electrocuted but to her amazement, it only made her skin tingle a little. The lightning coursing through his body doesn't hurt her at all! 

"You WORM! You led her to Loki's trap!" roared the wolf as a massive thunderbolt struck the snake who released a chilling scream of pain. It was a sound so loud and so guttural like the explosive eruption of a volcano. 

"HOW DARE YOU?!! You were the one who almost let her die!! That's why I couldn't see her for a while because you had something to do with it!" yelled the wolf as the water froze under his feet before bursting into sharp ice spikes all pointed at the snake. 

Jörmungand shook his head before snarling at his brother as if the lightning bolt was a mere punch to the face. Ruby was afraid that the two would get into a fight and much worse, she's in the middle of it. 

"Hssss... Took you long enough to figure that out. I thought you were the most intellectual among us three. It seems like Gleipnir is also wrapped around your punny dog brain." chuckled the snake. 

Ruby could feel the rumbling of the Wolf's body as he growled at his brother. Before she could even blink or take another breath, the snake was already hissing in pain as Fenrir scratched his eyes faster than he could react. The snake was about to strike him back with his sharp fangs but an iceberg suddenly shot out from the sea and hit the snake square on the face leaving him dazed and distraught. 

"You do not touch what is mine." Fenrir said menacingly making the snake hiss at him with hate. 

The snake opened his mouth and breathed out deadly acid towards the wolf who jumped away from the liquid's trajectory while making sure that not even a single drop would land on Ruby. The wolf glided smoothly against the surface of the water before leaping into the heavens and bouncing through the air as if there were invisible stairs where he could walk. 

Ruby was both amazed and terrified at this legendary battle where she literally had the first-class seat to watch. She hugged Fenrir tighter to avoid falling down and watched as the clouds began sparking with lightning. Soon they were upon the heavens with the snake looking up at them preparing to launch another gush of poison. 

But to Ruby's utter shock and horror it was not only acid but also fire. It was explosive and lethal and the venom seemed like it could kill with one drop. The maiden could only watch with bated breath while Fenrir calmly regarded his brother with a look that says he was not even a challenge. 

"I am the incarnation of fear and valor
Devourer of the moon and destroyer of the sun
With she who shall break my chains
I shall bathe the world with frost and blood
To bring an eternal winter upon the Realms
Bow down for my name is Ragnarok!"

A whip of lightning struck the heavens as Fenrir finished his chant. Ruby was flabbergasted when he suddenly transformed into a massive humanoid who held a giant scythe in his hands made out of black steel and ice. She recognized the metal of the shaft as skyiron of the finest quality and stared in awe of the beautiful craftsmanship of his weapon. Its sharpness was lethal and its balance was perfect. 

Fenrir lifted her from his shoulder and placed her on a frozen throne that floated in the sky. Ruby gawked as he regarded her with a smirk. His long silver hair framed his handsome face perfectly well while his sapphire eyes glinted with mischief. 

"Watch closely. This is also the extent of what you can do." he said to her in a conspiratorial whisper. 

Ruby only nodded and watched as Fenrir propelled himself towards the snake and sliced through the fiery acid blast with the frozen blade of his scythe. She noticed that the toxin was boiling and corrosive but the ice blade wedged through it like nothing. She was debating whether it was actually ice or adamantine crystal but decided to ask the wolf later because the show was getting good. 

Jörmungand rose higher and hissed at Fenrir. When the Wolf God reached him the giant snake immediately constricted around him trapping him in his massive scaly body. 

"Oh, no! Fenrir!" Ruby exclaimed as she watched the wolf punching the face of the snake to disorient him while Jörmungand only laughed and hissed at his brother's futile attempts. 

"Give up, Fenrir. You know that you are no match for me." sneered the serpent. 

"Really? Then why are you already defeated?" smirked the wolf. 

"Huh?" Before the snake could even comprehend what was happening, Fenrir's scythe was already slicing him in half. 

"Kack--hhhssssssssss!" was the last thing the snake said as Fenrir eviscerated him. Huge chunks of the monster fell down slowly in the water creating mini tidal waves and large splashes. 

Once the fight was over, Fenrir took Ruby in his giant hands and began boasting to her about what he did while relishing in her praises. 

"Woah, that was so awesome! This is the coolest dream you've shown me. Can I really do that? Can I touch your scythe?" 

"Yes and no, hahaha. You can do that but you can't touch my scythe. You can touch my abs instead." said the wolf as he shrunk into a more humanoid size before taking her in his arms. 

"No, thanks." Ruby refused with an annoyed smile. 

"You bastard... I was only joking and you had to slice me up like mutton." cut in Jörmungand as he burst out of the water again fresh without injuries. 

"Huh? But you died… How are you still intact? Fenrir sliced you in half." Ruby questioned in confusion, furrowing her brows at the snake who stared at her with slight disdain.

"He is the Eternity Snake, Ruby. You can kill him as much as you want but he'll keep coming back to be a shrewd bitch. He's too huge so even Hela wouldn't want him in her realm. Added with the fact that he tried to fuck with her. Incestuous bastard."

"Our sister is very hot and sadistic. I was merely swayed by my male instincts. I am guessing now that you will be asking for a tribute to your victory."

"Yes, give me the Heart of Skadi." Fenrir said, lending out his hand. 

"A most ambitious wish, brother. But very well."

Ruby saw the water bubbling and bulging through the surface as if something was trying to break through it. Soon enough, something small and glowing emerged and rose into the air, being lifted by some magical forces. An amulet landed on the Wolf's outstretched hand. It was a large polished sapphire stone that shined marvelously like a star. Unlike the gems that only reflected the light from their surface, this amulet seems to radiate its own light. It was marvelous and mesmerizing. Ruby couldn't help but want to touch it and hold it in her hand but she dared not to. 

"Now, I heard that congratulations are in order. You recently ascended the throne and earned your own queendom. Congratulations. I will soon send you a gift not as Jörmungand but as Lyca, your sweet docile friend. Accept it as an apology gift as well." said the Serpent as he smiled at her. 

Ruby was bothered by it but she only nodded. She can feel Fenrir scowling so she tapped his shoulder to capture his attention. The Wolf's face softened at the sight of her and gave her a questioning look. 

"Is there something you wanted to say to me? That's why you summoned me?" she asked. 

"Yes, I have something to give you before this worm messed with our connection by changing the coordinates where I summoned you." said Fenrir as he glared at Jorm. 

"Fine. Fine I shall go now." replied the serpent as he began to sink back into the water. 

"Oh, and before I go back to sleep. Ruby, my brother will leave you once you accomplish your role in his schemes. Be careful. He may hold some affection for you but don't think that a monster like him is capable of love. He is still a wolf, dear child." Jörmungand finally disappeared under the water leaving the maiden alone with the wolf. 

Fenrir scoffed at his brother's words before bringing her back to his island. He landed on the familiar beach where the perpetual twilight cast a purplish light over the white sand. 

"Don't mind the words of the snake. His forked tongue can never be trusted." 

Ruby only nodded before looking around. "This isn't your island, is it? The sky is familiar along with the island and the water but it feels different. You are unchained and your brother was here. Plus the atmosphere feels different… I feel like I'm nowhere. This is not Midgard, right?" 

"It is not. You are rather sharp with that one. This is a mirror dimension where I can freely roam. This is the world of thoughts where anything can happen. It is also the hub of imagination." 

Ruby was perplexed by his words but she decided to give it a try. She began imagining a garden of flowers blooming around them. She focused her mind on that thought. At first, there was nothing, but after a few minutes, shrubs and bushes began to rise from the shining sand. From their healthy foliage bloomed the most vibrant hydrangeas she had ever seen which delighted her heart. It was a very beautiful sight, truly magical and majestic. 

"I can do anything here with just my mind?" She asked excitedly. She began thinking about bringing a certain someone to her side. Immediately after that, Dyrroth's likeness began to materialize in front of her before taking definite shape and appearing in front of her. 

"Dyrroth! You're safe! You're alive! Are you okay? Is there something that hurts? Please tell me." she exclaimed as she ran to him. But just as her fingers reached his chest, her hands went through him as if he was made of smoke and vapor. 

"Dyrroth?"

"So you do miss me? You should have told me that sooner. You're so cute, Ruby." he said as he beamed at her with his trademark smirk. His eyes were just as she remembered them, always filled with mischief and affection only reserved for her. 

He's just as she remembered him. The thought brought a solemn smile to her lips. 

Dyrroth opened his arms to wrap them around her. Ruby merely smiled at him as she waited for his warm embrace. However, it felt like mere vapor was surrounding her body even though she can clearly see him in front of her. 

"Ruby, stop that. That is very sad and pitiful." whispered the wolf with displeasure. 

"F-Fenrir... What's happening?" she asked as she took a step back from Dyrroth. 

"As I said this is a world of thought. Nothing is truly tangible, nothing is concrete. It is a formless world if you will." explained the wolf as he took her in his arms. 

"You mustn't worry too much, dear child. Your partner is safe and he will return to your side soon enough. You will be together." he reassured but Ruby was unconvinced. Even though Fenrir has never lied to her before, he had also never really told her the whole truth which made her doubtful. 

"You're telling the truth?"

"Yes. I am helping him after all. My sister is a bit reluctant to release him but Dyrroth is fighting very hard to free himself and be with you."

"Dyrroth is in Helheim?!"

"Yes, we wagered for 7 labors to free his soul. So far he's won four. But aside from that, the reason why I summoned you here is to congratulate you. Hail my valiant Queen Ruby." the wolf said as he bowed his head to her. 

Ruby blushed, feeling flattered that her patron God is bowing down to her. She squirmed not knowing what to do until he rose and directed her with a flirty smirk. 

"I was supposed to give you a different gift but the Heart of Skadi seemed more fit." Fenrir held out his hand presenting her with the pendant. Ruby hesitantly took the pendant into her palms before inspecting the shining gem. It was oval-shaped and surrounded by tiny diamonds. 

"It's pretty. Is there something magic about this?"

"Yes, it will help you in your greatest time of need. Skadi is the Giantess of Hunting and snow, plus she hates Loki so I think that she'll keep you safe against him. You and Skadi are quite compatible so I think that she'll answer your prayers."

"I see. Thank you, it's beautiful. I'll always keep it with me. But about Dyrroth-"

"You will meet him tonight and confirm his well-being for yourself. I'm sure of it. Now, there's a visitor you must attend to. Bye." 

"You're not making any sense. What—" Ruby's complaint was suddenly cut short when she burst out of the water gasping for breath. She's no longer on the island but in the bathhouse submerged in the aromatic water. 

"What the..." she almost thought that it was another senseless dream until she felt the cold sapphire pendant above her breasts. It glowed beautifully reassuring her that the events that took place in her mind really happened. 

"What the hell does he mean? How can I meet Dyrroth tonight?" she sighed, taking a seat on the steps. 

"Can't he just tell me things at face value instead of making them cryptic and vague? Add more details, will you? !" she complained as she slumped against the marble steps. 

Ruby was suddenly alerted when she finally felt another presence in the room. She cannot see him nor hear any sound that he emits but her senses can detect someone else in the room with her. There are no weapons present in the room to help her defend herself and she left her scythe bracelets with the maids to keep them safe. The only pointy things that she can use to attack with are her golden stilettos lying on the floor. 

"Ruby, it's—"

With no regards for her bare body and the water dripping from her skin, she immediately grabbed the heels before leaping towards the sound of the voice. She saw a massive figure cloaked in black and immediately punched him on the face before pinning him against the column. She pointed the tip of her stilettos against his neck and glared at him fiercely. 

"Who sent you?"

"You did!" replied the person and her heart dropped as she immediately recognized his voice. 

"M-Martis?" A gasp escaped her lips as he pulled the hood off of his face. 

"It's me." he replied with a melancholic smile before taking her in his arms.

"I finally found you, Ruby."