"Don't go. Stay with me for a bit." Araignee complained, pulling Sorca back to bed. The female arachna gorga pouted while wrapping her arms around Sorca's waist in a futile attempt to stop her. The demoness continued dressing herself ignoring the cute pleas of her wife.

"My idiot human child is in trouble. I need to rescue her as soon as possible lest my bratty prince child throws a tantrum about not protecting his wife properly." Sorca reasoned, putting on her metal boots.

"You've been so loyal to them, what about your own wife?"

"G'naic ihl mena, I've been here for three days caring for you, making love with you, and entertaining you. Surely you can still endure a little bit more delayed gratification."

Note:
G'naic ihl mena= Chadique (common tongue in the Abyss) term of endearment that means "one I desire least to kill" or "the only demon I don't hate as much as the others"

Araignee scoffed, crossing her arms. Being away from her wife is even more difficult than dealing with Alice's shenanigans. If the situation was a bit more different perhaps they would all be happily enjoying a well-deserved vacation in the mermaid tropics. A nice spa week and some bottles of sangria sound absolutely terrific. Sorca definitely needs some time off. Her eyes were sunken, her cheeks hollow, her body got thinner, and lethargy had settled on her shoulders. Exhaustion seems to be the only constant in her life.

"We've been apart for months. I've never gotten enough rest because of Alice's annoying demands for new clothes every day. No amount of diamonds is enough to pay for all the stress I accumulated because of her attitude. So please, just a few days more, Sorca."

Araignee couldn't bear to see her partner suffering like this and yet she couldn't do anything than to support her. Seriously, that little prince and his midget human will earn a stern scolding from her once everything has been sorted. She wasn't sure whether things will ever return to normal but the only thing she can be certain of is that Sorca will do everything she can to set things right.

She knew how stubborn and determined Sorca can be, after all, it was the reason why she married her in the first place. Sorca, who was then captain of the guards, courted her persistently. She never gave up despite her constant rejection. Gradually, she fell for this bull-headed demoness and they became mated after performing the binding ritual. Sorca's mark felt warm over her navel. It was comforting. The past few weeks it felt cold and kind of gloomy due to her wife's stress and fatigue. Today it felt very good, cheerful even, and very, very, aroused.

"As much as I love being with you I have a responsibility to our prince and our home. With the enemies raising their armies, it's only a matter of time before they storm Chadis and take our home. You wouldn't wanna end up living in Tate, do you?"

Araignee nearly gagged thinking about the unpleasant city. Tate is the city that specializes in explosives manufacturing making it more hazardous compared to the other cities. Besides, the main ingredient of their bombs happens to be literal demon manure taken from the sewer system of the Abyss. The hideous city is where losing factions are sent to work in the factories making it a densely populated city.

"Beard of the Cthulhu I would rather plunge myself into the bowels of the magma than live in that shit-treatment city!"

"Precisely, which is why we must never lose. Our legion is in pieces and our only hope is Ruby and her wolf army. I believe that they are strong enough to let us take back our territories and claim more."

"Oh, shit. You think we can expand our conquest?"

Sorca grinned proudly at her wife remembering all her contributions to Dyrroth's victory. The prince was a fantastic leader who led them through multiple dangerous campaigns. Most of them felt like a suicide mission but with Dyrroth's lead and excellent combat abilities a large portion of their troops always emerge victorious.

"Yes, Lord Dyrroth previously managed to secure many territories in the upper ring and several lands in the lower rings but with Ruby and Fenrir's children I think we can have more."

"Greedy. I love it."

Araignee grinned standing from her spot on the bed. "I'll be sure to make the perfect empire-building outfit for you, dear. You'll look like the goddess of death on that battlefield!"

"Nothing too posh, Ari. Wouldn't wanna trip on my own feet."

"Of course! Oh, and bring that girl Ruby to me once you find her. She needs new outfits cause princeling burned my other works when he threw a tantrum. Seriously, that brat."

Araignee could still remember the day she found out about Dyrroth's nasty breakup. She could not control the horror she felt when she heard that he burned the clothes she made for Ruby. The designer takes much pride in her works so when she found out about the injustice that had befallen her creation, she almost stormed to smack the rude prince. Unfortunately, her very loyal wife stopped her.

She should demand tributes for all of Sorca's sacrifices. That prince better make sure that his treasury is as unlimited as the rumors made it out to be.

🌹

"Wow! These are so amazing!" exclaimed Ruby, twirling in her new get-up. The Dwarves, Sigrid and Huld had designed a magnificent vermillion tunic made of thick comfortable fabric. They said the threads were inlaid with runes that could help keep the body warm, safe, and healthy despite the freezing temperature. Soft silver fox fur lined the collars and sleeves of her tunic and an exquisite wolf insignia was embroidered on the back made by a well-known tailor from the next village over.

The thread work seems familiar. Perhaps some of the Empire's taylors ended up here. Ruby marveled when the outer layer of the outfit could be folded down to the skirt. A handy feature whenever they enter a warmer climate. Best of all, the pockets were deep!

Dyrroth, on the other hand, got a violet long coat complete with a fur hood. The back part of his outfit was embroidered with a dragon insignia because the two dwarves had watched him fight Fafnir and won a whole pot of gold. His tunic was also lined with runes just like hers with a few more special features because he is a soul. Since he doesn't have his signature weapon on him, they also saw it fit to commission a new one for him. Ruby was the most excited when they gave him a pair of obsidian weapons that looked a bit like the Abyss Artifacts he usually used. He allowed her to try them out until she got tired of them.

Once they've restocked their supply and received their equipment, Hela gathered them into a campfire. The queen herself received a new, marvelous outfit. She wore a grey frock that gradients into a darker purplish shade with a plain white dress underneath. A violet gem was attached to the center of the neck while several silver patterns accented the edges of her dress. Her hair was done decoratively with braids, pleats, and a flower that Anubis made for her. She looked perfectly regal, in control. She seems to be going for intimidating and superior rather than something practical and convenient.

Everyone stood around a brazier ready and armed to the teeth. Hrod sat beside Hela looking dignified despite his smaller stature.

The goddess began to explain the situation to them.

"If we all are going to travel together, we need to establish trust. So you need to know everything there is about the situation." Hela began, capturing everyone's attention.

"Wolf maiden, what do you know about Ragnarok?"

Ruby was surprised to be addressed by the goddess. She looked around trying to figure out if she misheard but when she saw everyone looking at her she gulped and explained what she knew. "Ragnarok is the twilight of the gods. It is when Fenrir will break free from his chains, the sun and moon would be swallowed up by Skoll and Hrod, and a great battle between gods, giants, and warriors would take place. The conclusion is annihilation for all parties involved once the Muspel giant Surtr plunges the world into an inferno with his sword. Only a few gods are fated to survive and the last pair of humanity."

"Well, that certainly is the gist of it but what you don't know is that it already happened."

"What? But... Then why are Fenrir and Jörmungandr still alive?" Ruby and Dyrroth were both surprised. They looked at each other asking if they heard the same thing. Everyone else present seems to already know this but they kept quiet waiting for the goddess to continue. 

"They aren't. At least, not in the sense that you know."

"What does that mean?"

"There's an endless cycle of creation and destruction happening every few millennia. Nothing new. I believe one culture called it Samsara."

Ruby was beyond lost. All this time she has been drawing powers from Fenrir because she thought she was helping him escape but if Ragnarok already happened and he is already dead then... who the hell was speaking to her all this time?

"Fenrir has already reincarnated, at least most of him did. He has reentered a new cycle of life and death but he seems to be plotting something and you are his pièce de résistance. He also left behind a shadow that would oversee the dominoes he stacked falling into place. Though I'm not quite sure whether he's still stacking or if he's already watching as everything falls into place."

"But I've seen him... And felt his fur with my hands."

"Conjuring illusions perceivable by all senses is basic for us Jötnar. But ask yourself, was he really there or was he just in your mind all this time?"

"But if Fenrir already reincarnated then who did he become?"

"Figure it out." Hela had a mischievous smile on her face and Ruby already knew the answer.

"Okay, I'll just repress that knowledge in my brain for the rest of my life."

"It's okay Ruby. I was the Cthulhu in my past life. You can't possibly do worse than me."

"That actually makes me feel better."

"Back on topic, I've been preparing for Ragnarok my entire life. I knew that all the Realms were fated to be destroyed but I never accepted that, so I planned. I learned magic that most gods have already forgotten just to protect my realm." Hela paused, staring into the fire and reliving the past, recalling each piece of information as if it just happened yesterday.

"When both of my brothers fell in battle I immediately took their souls and brought them with me to my palace. I activated the Primordial magic that I've been collecting for centuries. And when the cleansing fire washed over the world, I wrapped Helheim in ice so thick it withstood the fire more powerful than a thousand suns. Most of Midgard survived, gods of different pantheons protected their lands."

"Vanargandr is also one of the old Norse lands. How did it survive the flames?" asked Ruby, utterly perplexed.

"Fenrir's howl could freeze entire kingdoms. Perhaps Vanargand was one of those fortunate enough to get breathed upon."

"Do you like humans?" asked Dyrroth.

"Humans have a natural knack for servitude so I don't hate them quite as much."

"Anyway, despite my efforts I couldn't save most of Helheim. The fire was able to melt the outer layers of my ice fortress, destroying a huge portion of my realm. I cannot have a queendom with no realm so I created a new one. However, I am no fertility goddess. I cannot create life from nothing or however those sparkly bitches do it. I can only create a Fable Realm, a place materialized from my own consciousness. A solid, physical memory if you will. But, as you know, Fable Realms are unsustainable. It can only last so long with most of my powers depleted. But, I've been prepared."

"Souls that separate from their bodies release a unique type of energy which I called Severance. I used this energy to fuel my fable realm to create a place for the fallen to go to. Still, it wasn't enough so I told Fenrir to fetch me a seed of Yggdrasil. One that was not destroyed by the flames, in exchange I returned the soul he "wanted" to the mortal world. The idiot managed to complete the deal and I planted the seed in the depths my palace to gradually give Helheim a true substance. Still, only a portion is completed because the tree is yet to mature so most of the things that you see are sustained by my magic. Everything will disappear without me maintaining things. I suspect that Anput and Jörmungandr will be using the tree to create a world of their own and my queendom is the sacrifice. Fortunately, they're so dumb they couldn't figure out what is basic knowledge for me."

"What do we do to stop them?"

"We take whatever weapon or power Fenrir has in his temple, storm the castle, stop Anput's plans, and fix everything they ruined. Then get the two of you out of here. We can work out the details later, for now, we have a first objective. Are you two sure that you are up for the task?"

"Yes, ma'am! I won't let you down." Ruby exclaimed with much vigor. Dyrroth nodded beside her.

"Where are we going next auntie?" Hrod asked finally breaking his silence.

"In the next village outskirts there is a friend of mine who could help us reach the northern mountains much faster.

"Good, if there's nothing else anyone has to say then let's move out. We can't waste any time. If Helheim falls, we all fall to the yawning void."

🌹

"So, do you think I'll still be able to walk after this? I mean... I think I can still feel it." Skoll asked, trying to stay calm. Martis knelt beside him, binding his torso. Several deep wounds littered his face and chest bleeding profusely. Currently, Skoll's lower half had turned to stone leaving him paralyzed. His upper half was still alright because he transformed into his human form before the curse could spread completely on his body.

"You'll be fine. We can ask the Hermit later on how to treat this. For now, we need to fix you up or Ruby will wash her hook with my blood." Martis replied, tightening up the bandage, making the wolf grunt.

After traveling for several days hunting for the mystical bird they finally found its lair. They tried to ambush it but it awakened when Skoll accidentally stepped on a twig. The bird took flight and began singing. Its beautiful soothing voice made them sleepy. Thankfully, Martis brought some powder that prevents sleep and it worked.

When the bird figured out that her song wasn't working on them she became more violent. To their surprise, the Adarna showed excellent combat abilities that overpowered them.

Some of Lapu-Lapu's warriors were already turned to stone or lying injured somewhere. The chieftain was still fighting valiantly using a bow and arrow he got from one of his men. He wasn't able to land a single hit on the bird due to its speed and agility but he was doing his best to cover for his companions.

"I have to help them. Will you be okay?" Martis asked after tending to his injuries.

"Yes, but I can help."

"No, just rest. Look at that thing flying like a one-bird army."

"Yes, I've never been more terrified of a flying chicken ever before in my life. But I can help. You can't fly but I have the ability to walk the skies. I can lend you my powers if you fuse with me."

"Won't that put a strain on your body and mine?"

"Are you afraid of getting hurt?"

"I'm not afraid of pain. I'm afraid of what Ruby will do to me if something happens to you."

"I'm fine. I have Lifesteal like dad..." he paused to correct himself "Like mom."

"Fine. But we get out once things become too dangerous."

"Oh, please. I fought in an apocalyptic war and killed numerous gods. I can handle a stupid bird."

"Okay, but you'll have to tell me all about that apocalyptic war later."

"I'm gonna save that for my victory dinner feast."

Martis laughed. "You sound like Dyrroth. You two would have hit it off nicely. You should meet him."

"That's why we're here."

"Ready?"

"Ready."

🌹

"Come at me you purple flying chicken! I'll roast you over the fire and eat your eggs!" Lapu-Lapu exclaimed, charging at the bird. He ran out of arrows so he is using the trees and tall boulders to leap toward his target. His blade swung to and fro trying to slash the Adarna.

"That's inappropriate, sir." said one of his warriors which the chieftain ignored.

"Come on!"

The Adarna screeched, its wings spreading to their full extent. Strange Baybayin letters emerged around it, merging to create a word. The words glowed releasing a torrent of elemental attacks. The chieftain blocked out most of the projectiles using his broad sword but one managed to hit him on his left shoulder.

"Datu!!" exclaimed a warrior called Ratan.

"I'm fine. It's just a gash." Lapu-Lapu held his injured arm, applying a bit of pressure to stop the blood from flowing out.

"You're bleeding!"

"That's kinda how wounds work, Ratan."

"Move!" Martis burst out from behind them swinging his swords toward the Adarna.

They were surprised to see him running and leaping in the air as if the wind itself had solidified for him. His swords danced with the Adarna and her magic. He was able to match her agility and speed enabling him to keep up with her mighty prowess. The onlookers of their battle couldn't help but gawk in awe. The battle was so vibrant and excellent that it transcends the boundaries of human comprehension. Their mortal eyes could barely keep up with the motion of the two fighters locked in combat.

"Get the net!" Martis ordered sending a blow that disoriented the Adarna.

He could sense Skoll getting weaker which means that his new levitation abilities are nearly at its limit. "Hang in there, my friend. We'll get this over soon."

"Here!"

"Hindi ako magagapi ng mga barbaro! Hindi na ako muling magsisilbi sa mga taong pangahas!" said the Adarna. (I will not be defeated by barbarians. I will never again serve insolent humans.)

"Wala akong pake!" Martis screamed back delivering a final attack that sent her tumbling to the ground. (I don't care)

The Perlas warrior moved swiftly to detain the bird catching her once and for all. The Adarna tried to squirm but the warriors held her down firmly. Not long after, she began to realize that she had been beaten and was then subjected to the laws of conquest. She stopped resisting and acknowledged the Ashura demigod as her new master. With that, they finally managed to successfully capture the legendary Ibong Adarna.