The walk back to the castle had been…awkward.
For him, at least.
I was smug.
I won, and he knew it.
His perpetual frown just made it all the sweeter. I can't say I'm always a sore winner, but in this particular case, I made sure he knew that I won as I kept Sir Wiggles on my head as we walked back.
He was honestly baffled beyond words.
I didn't know what he would say to seeing Sir Wiggles as a proper, albeit former, King of Asgard, but here we are. Frankly, I think the fact that I also sat on the throne was significantly more mundane in comparison. Especially considering all the other nonsense I had going on inside of me.
I wasn't oblivious to the fact that I was a walking amalgamation of absurdity that somehow retained the shape of a half-human, half-devil.
Regardless, when we got closer to the castle, I did end up putting Sir Wiggles away.
Odin and I... we reached an understanding.
Neither of us likes the other. Maybe it was instantaneous on his part because of my 'demonic heritage,' but it most certainly was because of what I did to Loki. And he blames me, not Ddraig, for the 'accident.'
Maybe if Loki was well and truly dead, our fight wouldn't have been so…lackluster in conclusion. Even for the fact that he had no real leg to stand on. Compared to what Loki did, what I did in retaliation was rather tame.
He recognized that, of course, but as a king and perhaps even a father here, he would still hold a grudge.
I can see why Hela hates him in some part, though. Frankly, the Odin back home did tell me about how he was back in the day, and this isn't far off from what I imagined or was told about.
And I assuredly do not regret what I did.
Fuck Loki, and I truly meant it.
He was damn lucky I didn't come over and lop off his head rather than send Ddraig to make him question life.
So yeah, we came to an understanding. Both of us were going to be…polite for the sake of Jeanne.
Mostly because he wants to humor his wife, who accepted Jeanne so readily as her daughter, and of course, because I care so much for Jeanne.
I was worried at first that Jeanne was just going along with everything because she didn't know how to tell them to stop. But once I saw them interact, I could tell that she was being genuine and was very happy to see Frigga.
Maybe Jeanne did yearn for a mother figure even if she didn't truly see Frigga as a mom—as they've only known each other for a few days. I couldn't claim to know all her thoughts on the matter, only that she seemed happy, and for that, I wouldn't do something to destroy it.
Funny enough, the guards around the place barely spared us a glance.
Well, it would have been hard to not have confidence in Odin if I were in their shoes as well. I know for a fact he held back quite a bit—not that I didn't either.
Still, if I were just guessing based on looks, he didn't look like he could still fight like he could back in the day. For some reason, this Odin felt much…older, in a sense, compared to mine back home. Ironic considering that the one back home was also somewhat an old man and older than humans in general.
Maybe it's just a sense of perspective. Odin back home seemed to have much more vigor in him, while this one was much more reserved.
Again, I was told what Odin back home was like before modern day, and I could attribute it to that, I guess.
As soon as we arrived back at the original location—the throne room—there were two angry women looking right at Odin and me.
For the first time since meeting, I think we both had a smidgen of sympathy for the other.
Thor was just kind of standing off to the side, looking utterly confused about how he should react.
"Husband, are you done playing around, or would you like to destroy more of Asgard before dinner?" Frigga asked him, and I recognized the tone. "Perhaps you'd like to attack one of our dignitaries to further work up your appetite?"
Displeased Frigga was displeased.
I wanted to say something sarcastic, maybe take the chance to verbally poke Odin, but I was receiving my own reprimand.
"You're at fault too, Will." Jeanne had already grabbed my cheek to pull on it.
Frigga cleared her throat, hiding a small smile behind her hand. "We should retire to the banquet hall before the carefully prepared dinner is wasted due to any more nonsense."
"Yes, Mother, let us feast!" Thor chimed in, the weird atmosphere alleviating somewhat as they seemed to just leave the entire mess that happened as is.
And when she said banquet hall, she certainly meant it.
It was a hall able to fit probably several hundred people at once, yet it was completely desolate bar just us five.
Odin took a spot at the 'head' of the table, his wife next to him and Thor on the other side. Thankfully, the extremely long 'Viking table' was in fact sectioned off so part of it was pulled away, making it less awkward in size.
Jeanne and I sat opposite of them, side-by-side.
It felt kind of incredulous.
I was just fighting Odin minutes ago; now we're sitting down for a family meal.
The food looked amazing, what you would expect from a godly realm. Many things—meats from animals I didn't recognize, vegetables that looked similar but slightly off—but I happily helped myself.
At least this whole thing had a lot less pomp to it than the last family dinner I had been involved in.
"This is very good, thank you." Jeanne was the first to break the silence after everyone started eating.
"I'll be sure to let the cooks know that their princess praised them." Frigga smiled.
"Eat well, dear sister; it is a meal fit for gods. Mother made sure of it!" Thor chuckled. "You will hardly find such food and drink anywhere else in the universe!" He boasted quite openly.
Odin and I were not so subtly staring at each other.
"On Midgard, it's proper etiquette to bring a bottle of wine when invited to a personal, if formal, dinner." I produced a jar of peach wine, setting it on the table. "Please accept this gift as thanks for the hospitality."
Despite the fact that I didn't really like this Odin, I did want Jeanne to not feel put in a difficult position because of me and her own desires. So, it was a small sacrifice to make even if I didn't have much peach wine in general to utilize. Though I'm sure I could get more in the future or have Venelana brew some other stuff from whatever I find.
Jeanne looked at me, surprised, but then she gave me that signature smile of hers, the impossibly beautiful smile, one of the reasons I fell for her in the first place.
Odin silently gestured to it, and it floated over to him, as it was a bit out of reach. He uncorked the jar and smelled it; his eyes widened, even his eyebrows raising in surprise. "This is a fine gift."
"Such an aroma!" Thor exclaimed. "Father, don't steal it for yourself!" Thor joked, and even Odin's expression softened ever so slightly. "This is a man's drink; are you sure you can handle it?"
"Father, dare you challenge me to see who can hold their drink!?"
"My son, you are grown, but you still have much to learn." Odin chuckled. "But not this drink." He took the jar and gently poured it into a few mugs, ever so careful not to spill a drop as he presented one both to Frigga and Thor. "This is the type of drink to be carefully savored." He didn't stop, but the cups in front of Jeanne and me floated over to him, and he poured for both of us as well before they returned.
It was…. A nice gesture.
"Shall we toast? To new family?" Frigga offered.
"Aye, to our new sister!" Thor raised his glass.
Odin nodded. "It is a somber night; one of ours is missing, but we also gained a daughter. Loki may be distant for now, but he is not forgotten; thus, we celebrate our daughter."
He looked at me as he said that; I think he was seeing if I would say anything.
I silently raised my glass halfheartedly as Jeanne looked happy to join in.
My feelings about Loki were known; there was no need to reiterate them at this point. And Jeanne, specifically, didn't seem all too concerned about what happened to her.
But that's because Jeanne is the most forgiving and kindest girl I've ever met in my life.
Also, Jeanne was kind of…an afterthought, it seems, based on what I've learned and what Loki did.
Still, I wouldn't forgive and forget.
"What a wonderful drink." Thor was praised. "I can feel it in my belly."
"It is truly a wonderful wine." Frigga added.
Jeanne's face flushed as she drank half her cup.
Did she drink much wine? Well, she is French, so she should be used to it, right?
…is she a lightweight?
"It's good." Odin nodded.
Which was high praise, especially in this situation.
I've already drunk it plenty of times now, but really, Venelana outdid herself.
"I must know, how was it made, and who made it? Someone of much skill, no doubt." Thor praised still.
"I'll let my grandmother know she has a fan." I smiled lightly. "As for the ingredients… I managed to get my hands on a Peach of Immortality and some water from the River Styx. The duality of ingredients created a rather interesting combination."
Odin recognized my words, it seems, because he looked at me in surprise again. Perhaps for Frigga too, but Thor just looked at his cup in wonder and gleefully took another drink.
"I'm curious, how did you two meet?" Frigga put her cup down, looking at Jeanne.
"Yes, sister, tell us how you met!" Thor encouraged her as well.
"Ah, well…." Jeanne was still flushed a little. "I was the arbitrator for a war that Wilhelm took part in, and we met that way." She looked at me and huffed. "He used me as a shield when we first met!"
I admit, I had to hold back from laughing.
Good times.
"Don't laugh!" Jeanne poked my cheek.
"Explain this 'war' of yours." Frigga smiled, seemingly not taking the 'using her as a shield' thing at face value.
"Well, there were two groups of mages that were fighting over a Holy Grail. The ritual entailed summoning heroic spirits, and they would fight until one remained, and the winner got a wish." Jeanne sort of just rolled it all out in one breath; I could tell the alcohol was affecting her.
"A wish, dear sister? What do you mean by this?" Thor questioned.
"A wish, whatever you want, you can wish for it." Jeanne held her arms open. "It's why the fighting was so intense…"
"Are you sure such a thing granted a 'wish'? It sounds rather…fanciful." Frigga's lips pursed. "What do you think, husband?"
"It sounds like a trap." Odin said simply.
Well, he isn't wrong.
"Will, you explain it better." Jeanne pulled on my sleeve.
"You're right, it's both a trap and a bit more fanciful than it actually is. It's essentially a very powerful magical battery that allows you to bulldoze through most restrictions to actualize an effect. When she says 'wish granting,' it just had enough power that it could theoretically do whatever you wanted, within reason. There are limitations, of course." I explained a bit better.
"Such a thing sounds dangerous, does it not, Mother?" Thor looked at Frigga.
"You're right, my son. Nothing ever comes without a cost, especially matters of magic." She nodded.
"It was a grand ritual that required the deaths of many other people…people like Jeanne to fulfill the conditions. But the sheer amount of magical energy the Grail contains is no lie. However, it is volatile and uncertain at the best of times. The object itself isn't very good at 'granting' said wish, and it may turn on you if used incorrectly."
One of the reasons neither I nor Zelretch make use of the Grail after having used it for both Raikou and Scathach.
It was volatile and delicate; usage of it could easily go heavily wrong. Despite the mention of Magi calling it some sort of omnipotent wishing device, it was a dumb piece of magical equipment.
"I see, it must have been difficult. You say that you became acquainted with Sister here during such an event?" Thor questioned. "Did you too desire this 'wish'?"
Jeanne laughed as she grabbed my arm. "Tell them why you fought in the war."
"Oh yes, I'm curious as to what a man such as yourself would fight in such a war for. Tell me, my dear daughter, there were others like you, yes? It must have been quite the fight."
"Oh, they were much stronger than me! There were a bunch of demigods too, and famous fighters, and they were very strong!" Jeanne nodded enthusiastically.
At the mention of demigods, it seems like they all did a double take of surprise.
Jeanne looked up at me expectantly, and it seemed like I was being forced to answer. I knew Jeanne was taking delight in making me 'embarrassed' like this.
"Someone I loved died, and I didn't want to live without her." I finally spoke.
Jeanne smiled as she wiggled in her seat.
She was having fun.
"It was so sweet!" Jeanne cooed.
Though the others seemed surprised again.
What were they expecting, I wonder?
"Tis not what I expected." Thor admitted.
"Because I'm a 'demon'?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow.
Thor coughed awkwardly. "I insulted you; I am sorry."
"Though crass, I agree with my son. Simply, it's not something I expected to hear from you." Frigga chimed in. "To hear of a magical item that can grant 'wishes,' reviving a…loved one was not what I would assume to hear from you."
I pursed my lips because I was getting tired of all the 'demon' things being thrown around, even if it wasn't directly said.
"As I told Thor several days ago, I thought I was a normal human until I was eighteen years old. Until that point, I lived an utterly mundane life that could match anyone on Midgard." I grumbled out.
"Don't think badly about Wilhelm; he's nice!" Jeanne even defended me, giving them a look as she grabbed my arm almost protectively. "It's done a lot of good things! If it weren't for him, someone bad would have gotten the Grail and wished for something bad."
"It sounds like a magnificent tale then!" Thor said jovially, perhaps a bit forced, but he took the opportunity to change the subject. "Tell me, what nefarious scheme did you thwart so?"
"There was an idiot that wanted to wish to make every human immortal." I said plainly.
It was Odin who responded first with a scoff. "Foolish."
Next it was Frigga who clicked her tongue and shook her head. "It sounds as though they had their heart set on doing well but failed to see beyond their own life."
"Ah?" Thor looked around. "I believe I am misunderstanding; would that not be a heroic wish? To no longer have the mortals of your world die?"
Odin put a hand on his shoulder. "You still have much to learn, my son. What have you to say, daughter? You disagree, yes?"
"Humans aren't meant to be immortal." Jeanne said. "At least right now, at this point in time, it would be bad. Humans need to keep moving forward; if they suddenly became immortal, they would lose all progress and deteriorate and couldn't cope with it."
"Well said." Odin nodded. "Your sister has wisdom you should learn from, my son."
"I see, I did not consider that perspective. I am used to those who live long lives; I hadn't thought how that would affect a world of mortals." Thor said with introspection.
Of course it was much more complicated than that, but it essentially boiled down to making humans immortal by actualizing their soul via the Third True Magic.
"I forgot to ask, Thor. But what happened to your friends and the Frost Giants back on Earth—Midgard?" I corrected myself at the end.
"Lady Sif and the Warriors Three remain on Midgard still, as do the Frost Giant prisoners. Fear not, they will be returned on the morrow when the Bifrost is repaired." Thor responded quickly. "Heimdal has already informed Lady Sif, and she expressed no concern with the situation."
That's good at least; they got things handled, so I don't need to interfere.
I cut into a strange meat dish; it seemed almost like pork, but sort of with the consistency of chicken. Regardless, it was juicy and tasted delicious. "If you don't mind me asking, I was confused about something, All-Father."
Odin paused with his own silverware. It was the first time at this gathering that I had directly addressed him. "Ask."
"Thor mentioned that the Frost Giants were…regressed? If that is the correct word, without the Casket." Well, that was my assumption.
Odin continued with his own meal, his silverware moving steadily. "They were born from the Casket of Ancient Winters; it is their mother and their heart. This generation was neither the first nor the last. My father's father also warred with them down to the last of their number. They returned as ever before, from the cold of the casket. Without their sacred relic, their world loses the ability to produce in numbers needed to wage war across the cosmos. They also lose much of their power, as a bird without the ability to fly, so too are the Frost Giants crippled."
So it was about what I expected in the end, but I also learned some new things.
"Is that why you refused to destroy them for good?" Thor looked at his father. "They no longer posed the threat once their sacred relic was gone."
Odin smiled lightly. "To exterminate a species is a foul thing indeed. They are no longer a concern to the other realms."
"Then why did you fear a war when I went to Jotunheim?" Thor asked, though his eyes widened. "I did not mean—"
"Peace, my son." Odin smiled lightly, putting a hand on his shoulder again. "I know from which your question was asked, and it was not arrogance nor contempt, but born from curiosity. It is because while they are crippled, they are not without means. For a temporary period, they can ignite with a fervor that could shake Asgard as it did in ages past. It would spell their doom just as well, but it is a threat of mutual destruction that keeps others from seeking them while they are weak. This is why I seek peace and was filled with anger; they are not the weak Frost Giants you believe them to be. Had you invaded Jotunheim in the past, you would not have survived until I arrived."
Thor seemed humbled by that.
I'm learning a lot today, it seems.
"But such talks are not meant for this evening. It is a celebration of your newest sister and getting to know one another." Odin smiled warmly, and I could see the same tone and mannerisms as my own Odin back home that seemed reserved for his own family.
"Well said, husband." Frigga smiled. "Come, Jeanne, surely you have more stories to share, yes? Or was it simply this young man here being a dashing hero that won your affection?"
Jeanne turned a brighter shade of red, and it wasn't just the wine this time. Though she did take another drink of it to seemingly calm herself, I don't think it quite helped. "It wasn't like that!" She squeaked out. "I mean…he was sweet and caring and funny, and he was so nice to me and made me feel happy… And after the war was over, even when I had to leave the world, he took me to see my home as it was in the modern day. M-maybe that was when I think…" She grabbed her long braid bashfully and didn't finish.
"You forgot, handsome." I added.
"Neh!" She playfully hit my shoulder but looked down. "...well, that's true too." She said in a whisper.
Thor laughed jovially. "It sounds like a great tale, sister! A love wrought from battle and honorable fights! And even saving your world, why, I could only imagine the songs that accompany it."
That's one way to put it, I suppose.
"I'd like to hear more of this Grail too; as someone who dabbles in magic, it piques my curiosity." Frigga brought that back up.
'Dabbles.'
She's a goddess of magic.
"It would take a long time to explain. If you want a simplified version, several predominant Mage families came together to create it hundreds of years ago. It essentially is a device that can draw in power from the local Leylines over the course of 60 or so years. The wish-granting aspect comes from a certain mage family that inherits a sorcery trait that, as a byproduct, can essentially brute force the spell process."
"Ah, Leylines, that would do it." Frigga seemed to be able to carry on with my vague description. "Still, it would have to be an impressive mortal creation to be able to contain the power of your world's leylines like so and mold that into usable power."
"The more I hear, the more I understand in my ignorance that you are a truly talented sorcerer. However, I understand not what you had said." Thor responded.
"There's a Mage family that has an inherited magical trait that allows them to skip most processes required in spellcasting. Say you wanted to cast a spell and be immortal; how would you go about that?" I asked Thor.
"I…do not know, but it would be something quite difficult, I would imagine." Thor pondered before speaking.
"This Mage family, in this example, would go, 'I want to be immortal, and their magical trait allows them to skip the process and arrive at the result. However, this requires an obscene amount of power, as you would imagine, hence the Grail."
"I see, I believe I understand, but how would this device operate if it is an 'inherited trait,' as you say?" Thor asked.
"Ah, well, that isn't a particularly good topic to discuss over dinner. Suffice to say, they're known for making homunculi—artificially created humans that are…disposable."
Thor wasn't dumb; it took him a moment, but his nose scrunched as he realized the implications.
"It's unfortunate, but you will discover that many things involving magic can become unscrupulous if allowed." Frigga said softly. "Enough of the dreadful talk; let's move on to something pleasant. Young man, I saw you punch my husband in the face; it was quite spectacular."
Odin nearly spit out his drink. "Wife?!"
Thor also had nearly the same expression as Odin.
Frigga just had a mischievous smile on her face as Odin silently sighed at his wife's teasing.
I have every confidence that they were only being this casual because this was a private affair. I couldn't imagine the Odin that I talked to earlier showing this kind of scene to others.
And I particularly noticed that he made no mention of my peculiarities out loud.
If Frigga knew on her own, I don't know, but Thor was still completely in the dark. "Jests aside, I noticed you make use of runes quite competently in that; you must have had a wonderful teacher. What did you call that lightning spell that struck my husband—Thor's Hammer? Quite the proper name, if I do say so myself."
Thor blinked and laughed. "Is that so? I too saw the wondrous sight of your fearsome spellcasting. To have a spell named after me, I am honored!"
"It does sort of look like him, doesn't it?" Jeanne added in.
"I believe you captured my heroic manner well, my friend!" Thor continued to laugh as Jeanne nudged me with her own little giggle.
I think even Odin found it amusing despite calling me a cunt when I used it on him.
"Speaking of your heroic manner, I'm sad I never got to see Jeanne as the Goddess of Thunder. It's a shame that she never got to use all the power of Thor."
Thor's eyes widened. "Indeed, this is something we should remedy!"
"Ah!?" Jeanne became startled. "But I don't want to be a god!"
"Sister, I see you hesitate. Do you fear to become a god even temporarily?" Thor was surprised, and he was the first to speak up in a soft tone.
"Well, it's against my…" Jeanne frowned. "I don't think I'm allowed to?"
"It's not against the Bible." I pointed out, then glanced at the others. "The holy texts for her religion." They seemed to nod in understanding. "The Bible says not to have any gods before him, so just playing around with Thor's power shouldn't be a problem if you weren't actually assuming his mantle with everything that came with it."
I wasn't just talking out my ass just because I wanted to see Jeanne become a goddess even for a moment. I do believe context mattered quite a bit in this situation.
Worst case, I had Big G in my sphere as backup if something did go wrong.
If she didn't actually become a god with everything that entails and treated it as the same as simply recognizing the existence and respecting other gods rather than putting them ahead of Big G, then realistically, it shouldn't be a problem.
"It's up to you, no pressure; if you want to try it, then try it. You can apologize to Gabriel back home if you think you did something wrong or ask her." I didn't want to actually pressure her into something she didn't want to do.
"Well…." Jeanne bit her lip. "I kind of want to try…" Maybe it was the alcohol talking.
"Come, sister!" Thor laughed merrily, holding his hammer out as he got up with Jeanne from their seats.
Frigga and even Odin looked up curiously.
Jeanne quite easily took the hammer into her hands, and I think Odin still showed a hint of surprise despite him knowing she did so previously.
"What do I do now?" She asked.
"...I do not know; it is natural for me." Thor scratched his head. "Mother?"
"Focus on the Hammer, feel the power within it, and draw upon it as you would cup water from a lake." Friggat told her.
It was abrupt, accompanied by a thunderclap that kicked up a whirlwind inside the room, nearly blowing away the dinner if not for Odin making a gesture to keep everything stationary.
Once the proverbial dust settled, Jeanne stood there, perhaps a few inches taller, wearing armor and a cape very similar to Thor's, and her muscles were a little bit bigger as well.
"Well done!" Thor clapped.
"This is so strange!" Jeanne looked over herself. "Eh, I have a cape!?" She spun around as if trying to catch it. "Look, Wilhelm, I have lightning now too!" She held her hand out, a few sparks danced between her fingers before a large jolt jumped out and crackled across the room, making the three of us sitting at the table duck to avoid it.
"Well, I can certainly say she's no worse than Thor was when he came into his powers." Frigga noted that there was a charred line running across the table at this point.
"I'm sorry!" Jeanne blushed.
"Don't mind it; the Queen Mother is merely reliving the memories of Thor's youth, as chaotic as they were." Odin chuckled. "You would have made a wonderful goddess, but your resolute faith is even more wonderful, I believe."
Jeanne blushed a little bit more at his compliment.
"Try to toss Mjolnir, sister." Thor ushered her on. "Then command it to return to you with my will."
"Toss it?" Jeanne asked. "Like this?" She sort of gently let go of it, and it did a little lob through the air before hitting the ground.
I don't think anyone wanted to make fun of her for the awkwardness of her toss; she seemed unsure of what to do and just did some sort of half measure.
Thor's lips twitched, but he kept his expression even. "There, now hold your hand out and call to it with your will."
Silently, Jeanne held her hand out, and the hammer trembled a few times before it shot up off the ground right to her. She caught it easily enough, but the momentum seemed to take her off guard and carried her up off her feet, and she went sliding across the ground a bit before finally coming to a stop.
She looked up with the most adorable pout as she rubbed her butt.
That was the point where everyone just laughed.
She released the hammer with a huff, and the godly power within and around her abruptly dissipated just as quickly as it appeared, and she returned to normal.
It was certainly a strange thing to see, but amusing nonetheless.
"You did well, sister!" Thor still helped her up, complimenting her despite the comical nature of what just happened.
"Thank you, Thor." Jeanne still smiled.
I wrapped an arm around her as she took her seat back next to me, and she even scooted in a little bit closer as I did so.
This was…surprisingly nice.
I mean, I was still annoyed, maybe even angry, but also kind of happy?
It was strange.
"Jeanne, why don't you tell them about the Holy Compass?"
"Holy Compass?" Frigga raised an eyebrow.
"It's nothing!" Jeanne squawked.
Frigga and I seemed to be on the same page as we shared the same smile.
[Line Break]
A/N
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
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