𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 || 𝘈 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘭

"WHY DO YOU STILL COME HERE, MY GIRL?"

LEILA LIFTED HER GAZE FROM THE SLEEPING WOLF, SEEING THE GLOWING EYES OF MIMIR. A noticeably worried expression on his face as he approached her. Not daring to make a sound that could wake up Fenris from her slumber. Eyes flickering over the countless glasses of meed surrounding the young Alexian girl that stayed in her spot on the steps. Everyone knew not to come down here, but Leila somehow could be with the animal; talk to her. Even though Leila knew the beast couldn't talk, she knew Fenris understood her. Becoming one of her only friends that she could even interact with.

Being an Alexian already put a hole in her reputation. Scarring that would never heel over for as long as the pasts and history of Alexion stood in everyone's mind.

"The guards won't feed her. I seem to be the only one Fenris can get along with." She explained, adjusting the blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Glancing at Mimir who took a seat beside her on the stairs leading towards the centre of the room where the sleeping wolf lay.

One source of light filled the room and it was from the opening above in the ceiling. One single path towards the centre where the beast lay asleep. Bones scattered around the creature that didn't move a single inch and let out laboured breaths. Her body was restricted by a silk band that Leila knew very little about. Only having heard that it'd been made by dwarves and that the bindings got tighter each time the wolf tried to break free. It explained why Fenris was so weak and tired all the time. But it left Leila also curious as to how long she had been restricted to such a tight squeeze and awful position.

No one would understand it, but Leila took pity on her. Being made a monster for only the ones who knew of her existence (which was very little). But Leila saw the beast as something completely different. It was something that wanted to be free, walk the land of all realms. But since she was labelled a monster and locked away, Leila saw it fit that she spends her time with the creature as well. No matter what is happening.

Mimir let out a humourless laugh at the girl's reply. "Don't bullshit yourself, my girl. What is truly the reason behind you being here?" He questioned.

Leila smiled in amusement, nudging the man. "I thought you were the smartest man alive, Mimir. You should have the answer, my friend?"

"I may be the smartest alive, Leila, but I can't see what's inside your mind." Mimir countered without a beat.

The pair's connection started only 16425 days ago, 45 years ago. Leila was a mere babe when she met Mimir, her fascination with the man that knows it all grew each moment she spent with him. Learning of the Asgardian's past, every deal struck, and all the realm's pasts. She may have even considered Mimir more a father than Odin had even treated her. Then again, she didn't have her parents. They were somewhere out there where she had yet to discover.

But it was Mimir who made Leila want to adventure out and bring gifts to all the realms. Even travelling to Jotunheim with Mimir and meeting the Frost Giants. Leila had wanted to make a connection with each ruler of the nine realms. Wanting everlasting peace amongst them all where they could prosper. And surprisingly, Laufey had already had a friendship with Mimir, so it was only a matter of time for him to befriend Leila.

It was Mimir who taught Leila the ways things should be and to not follow what Odin had done in the past. Because he knew that even though there might be rough times, peace was still to be had. That philosophy and vision had made the two grow closer. The closest she could ever get with anyone in Asgard.

Letting out a low, animal-like hum, Leila shook his head. "Alexion. I wish to know where it has gone and where my parents on," she said. "It's all I think about now."

The fate which had come from Alexion had been a mysterious one, from what was told to the girl. Odin had told her that she was brought here by her parents, along with many other innocents seeking sanctuary for a momentary time. He had sent soldiers to the realm, but they found it in ashes and flames. There had been enough blood in the streets to become an ocean. Bodies lined the streets with each sharing the same fatal wound or burned to ashes. But it had been the dark lords that had their heads removed from their bodies and placed on pikes.

Still, it held no answers as to who caused such chaos in her home world. Or where her parents had gone as she grew up in the palace with Mimir raising her and having to deal with two rather obnoxious and annoying brothers. Her people had left to seek shelter elsewhere, understanding that they were banished. But why her? Why was she allowed to stay?

"There are many things that I have the answer's too, but those are mysteries I have yet to solve," Mimir sighed softly. "But I would not bother yourself with the mysteries of history that have yet to be solved."

Leila pursed her lips, wishing to speak more on it, but knew better. She knew Mimir was right. She knew that occupying her mind with things that have come to pass was a waste of her time. But she felt unfulfilled. There were sides of her that were shrouded in fog that related back to her home planet and her family. And even if she didn't want to, some part of her was always going to seek to learn more. So, she would try and to suppress it for the time being.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Leila turned her head just enough to see Mimir smiling softly. "You can't live in the past. You must look forward and see the future." He consoled the girl who smiled softly, giving a nod in return.

"But I came here to tell you that Thor has made a fool of himself once again," Mimir stated. "Odin wishes to speak to you."

The girl snorted standing to her feet. "When doesn't he? The stupid bastard is named heir and he already does something dumb," she sighed. "It's almost like he wants to be Loki's right hand."

Grabbing a bowl of meat, Leila walked towards Fenrir. Her boot-clad feet echoed off the empty chamber walls. The sound caused the wolf's emerald green eyes to flicker open. Finding Leila's orange ones and letting out a small whimper. "I know, girl. I know." Leila mused, stopping by the wolf's face.

Planting a delicate hand on the creature's face and stroking the pitch-black fur. Pushing the bowl of meat in front of the animal's mouth to make it easier for her to eat. "I'll be back soon, my friend. Don't get too lonely without me." Leila quipped as Fenris, tilted her head, leaning into the girl's touch.

A soft smile appeared on Leila's lips as she gave the creature one last pat before standing and walking away. Slapping Mimir's shoulder, both walked side by side while they exited the chambers. Two guards closed the large concrete doors behind them that scaled from the ground to the ceiling of the chamber. Carved out images that Leila never truly paid any mind to. Only making two words that were chipped out of the concrete.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐫

Once again, Leila had never cared to truly ask as she liked to always interpret the way she thought about it. But she didn't think much into it as she and Mimir made their way up towards the great hall.

Upon entering the great hall, she could already feel the annoyance in the air from Odin. Judging by how he didn't at all seem happy to see her was also a telltale sign of how angry the man was. She'd learned the signs from years of growing up in the palace and having to deal with Thor and Loki. They made it quite a hassle to annoy their father in more ways than she could count.

Coming to the bottom of the steps, Leila placed her foot on the first, leaning her body forward with a raised brow. "Disturbing my peace comes with a price, Odin," she teased. "You know the rules."

"Yes. Yes, I do," the man sighed. "I will prepare a barrel of mead for our next big feast, my girl. I will also have the mages prepare something to deal with the pounding headache the day after for me."

That earned a mischievous grin from Leila as she straightened her stance, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders. "But that is not why I call you here, Leila," Odin announced. "Thor and his band of misfits have made a fool of themselves by going to Jotunheim and starting a fight with the Frost Giants."

Hearing that caused the girl to stand up straighter with wide eyes. "Jotunheim, you said?" She asked. "Does he not know the implications of such an act? What the fuck is wrong with that damn brick?"

Odin and Mimir watched silently as the girl rubbed a pair of fingers to her temples. Already able to tell her anger was growing tenfold just by the thought of the problems Thor have created. That and the fact that she and Mimir have spent years with the Frost Giants and the other realms. Connecting, making friendships, and creating a strong peace with each realm. All that work had now been put in jeopardy by one of the strongest forces in all the nine realms. It made the girl's blood boil knowing that her hard work was ignored and then made a mockery of.

Inhaling deeply, Odin, exhaled heavily and stood from his throne with Gungir tight in his right hand. "Mimir has told me of the work you two have done since you were 16 summers old," he stated. "So, I know how angry you are - I share the same emotion with you, dear. So, what I come here to call you for-" He stopped, turning to Freya who entered with another woman. Freya holding two boxes and the other girl holding a much larger one. "-Right on time. Thank you, my dear."

The couple smiled at one another as Odin took the first box from Freya. "As I was saying, I call you here for a chance to rebuild in a deal we will conjure together."

"Odin, if you're asking me to play dress-up for some type of meeting, I might have to kill you-"

"Leila!" Mimir interrupted, silencing the girl, who huffed and nodded for the man to continue.

Instead of building suspense, Odin moved down the steps until he stood in front of the nameless girl. Glancing up at her before he opened the box to reveal a blade that was broken. The bottom half of it snapped off by something that had burned it.

She raised a brow, looking up at her king. "You got me a broken sword?"

"Oh, but this is not any normal broken sword." He lifted the weapon from the case, revealing the inscribed elven language glowing a bright blue upon his touch.

Noticing the quick fascination and curiosity in the girl's eyes, he offered it and she took it willingly. But taking it with two hands, one of her fingers was nicked. Hissing in pain as she stuck the digit in her mouth. "Still sharp," she mumbled, with her gaze fixated on the high elf words. "Serenely self-possessed."

"So, you have been listening during my teachings?" Mimir quipped, earning a hearty chuckle from the king.

But Leila didn't care much about that as her curiosity grew bigger and bigger. "Where did you find this? The high elves have gone into hiding after Alexion nearly wiped out their race. How did you have their magic embued into the sword?" She questioned.

Odin sighed softly. "This was not of my doing. This, is Alexion steel, Leila," he told her. "This has been in my possession since Alexion fell. We found it in the throne room of the Dark Lords..."

His gaze trailed to his wife, who smiled. Freja walked towards Leila, still holding that kind smile the girl remembers since the day she was born. "We found this along with it."

Opening the box, on a small little cushion, was a ring. Same as the blade, it had elvish writing chipped into it that glowed. Her brows scrunched together in confusion, hesitantly reaching for it. Once it was in her grasp, she handed the broken sword off to Mimir with her eyes fixed on this small bangle that seemed so fascinating, yet, so simple in its creation. But maybe that was what the Dark Lords were. Simple, stupid, and power-hungry men.

But as she stared deeper into the colours of the elvish words, her mind began to slowly numb. Everything was hollowing out beside the bangle that held her attention completely. Her brain was idle as voices and whispers filled her head. All indecipherable, but all telling her to put the ring on.

So, ever so slowly, she did. Slowly sliding the elven steel over the tip of her finger and past the first joint where she felt a powerful surge course through her body. A scream was pulled from her throat as her eyes were wide as saucers, glowing brightly as her mind was filled with a voice and cracked visions of a family, an army, a dark courtroom, and a dark cloudy day with ships appearing from the large puffy clouds.

Inside her mind, it felt like hours, but outside, it was only a mere 6 seconds before the surge disappeared and she fell to the ground. Mimir by her side, holding her softly as she panted, heart, hammering against her chest.

"What is this place?" A voice questioned and Leila felt her head snap in the direction it had come from. Seeing a translucent grey figure standing off to the side with his back turned. His eyes scanned the surroundings of the great hall with his gold intricacies.

And then, he turned around with an alarmed expression. The moment Leila met his gaze, everything around her turned to a dark fog with his body providing the blocked-out light. "Who are you? Why am-" His words fell short and silenced as his eyes flickered to the girl's hand. The ring. "The Edith ring," he breathed, eyes becoming daggers as he looked back up at the girl. "That ring must be destroyed. If there is any chance you have malicious intentions-"

His legs carried him quickly towards Leila and it was enough to have her scrambling back in surprise. "Who the hell are you?"

"Give me the ring, child!" As the man reached out to grab her, it passed through her arm. And that revelation was enough to stop him and stand there in shock. Leila was just as shocked, eyes shot wide with her hands begin to shake. Tremors ran through her body as her breathing grew rapidly and an uneven rhythm of her heart took a course.

She'd seen this man before. In ancient texts Odin had given her decades ago to learn and sedate her growing curiosity with her people. Talon Krim, the greatest Commander of the Alexion army. A man of the people and a man of great honour. But that was overshadowed by the countless atrocities he performed on many other races in the nine realms. A shameful man that only furthered the hatred for the Alexion shared across all the realms. The very thing Leila was desperately trying to get away from.

"Talon Krim!" Odin's booming voice swept the fog from around Leila as her eyes snapped to the god. Surprised that out of everyone in the room, he seemed to be the only one gifted with the sight of seeing the war commander.

But his voice had grabbed Talon's attention and made the Commander drop to a knee. "All-father. Please excuse my negligence."

"I think you should be apologizing to your new vessel," Odin reprimanded.

Hearing that was enough for Leila's eyes to shoot wide in shock. "Odin, there has to be a mistake- I am not fit for combat. I can't even swing a damn sword! I am also sure as hell not going to just give a piece of my body for this bastard to gain fragments of control."

"This is part of the deal, Leila," Odin said. "You look over that brat of a son, and I will attempt to rebuild what he's broken." The man sighed as he moved back up the steps towards his throne. Sitting down on the golden throne with a dismissive wave of his hand. "After that, you can do what you want with that ring. Destroy it, keep it, give it to the high elves- It does not concern me anymore. I only believed that you deserved a chance to have pieces of Alexion history that you could hold and use."

Before Leila could even say anything further, Talon's laugh cut through the air. "All-father, you can't be serious, right? She's weak. Was practically trembling from the sight of me. How do you think she'll fair if we even encounter the slightest amount of danger on our "bodyguard" mission?" The Commander questioned, mocking the girl who continued to stay silent with her tongue trapped between her teeth.

But the sound of Talon's voice made the god's eyes snap towards the wraith and glare. "You do not deserve my respect, Commander. You slaughtered thousands of innocents. Don't try and gloss up your history with sweet words and high morality," Odin spat. "As far as I am concerned, I should toss you into the pits of Muspelheim. Let you die inside the ring and never be freed from the eternal damnation you've been committed to. But I sure hope Leila will be able to change that, with time."

Talon's upper lip twitched, a snarl escaping him as he bowed his head with his hands clasping in front of him. The others who watched were waved off by Odin, leaving the three in the large hall with Odin glaring down at the Commander. "Now, hear me carefully. You will teach everything you can to Leila when the time comes. If you follow through on this deal, I will make it my mission to help set you free from that ring." Hearing that was enough to make Talon's eyes brighten before Odin continue. "But if you break this deal and try to go around it, I promise you, Krim, I will destroy your body and mind. Don't test me on this warning."

There was a steady silence in the throne room with Odin slowly turning his attention back onto Leila, who stood anxiously. Waiting for what was to come next for her. "Leila, you know my terms. It's up to you."

And that was enough to only put further weight onto the girl's shoulders because she did want to do this. She really did. The idea of going to Midgard and seeing all the things Loki has told her about was thrilling. But dealing with Thor would only ruin it and she would have to try and protect him with skills that she did not have. And the idea of giving Talon control didn't really intrigue her either. But if she didn't go, it left a chance of her desperately trying to fix things that were practically destroyed and unfixable. Which would only throw her down a spiral of sadness she could not continue to live with.

"I will agree under one change," she said. "Talon must tell me of our people's and teach me everything he knows so I can be reliable."

Talon's lips parted to speak, but Odin smiled. "Deal."

The Commander's lips clamped shut from the glare by Odin. Talon scoffed, walking away and vanishing into thin air, where Leila believed he went back into the ring. "Heimdall waits to transport you to Midgard."

Leila nodded, turning and beginning to walk away, but Odin's voice called out to her. Making her stop and turn to him with a raised brow. "What?" She inquired softly.

But Odin stared at her for a moment, inhaling shakily as his eyes picked delicate pieces of her apart. Sniffling and shaking her head. "Be careful."

She nodded, grip tightening around her broken sword and beginning her trek to the Bifrost. Already dreading the idea of having to see the boy who tormented her when she was a child.