---

---

Luna could feel the tension in the room, she looked over at Amarantha and smiled towards her friend, giving her a slight smile and nod towards her. She was glad that they would be able to help her in some way, after everything she had done for their home, and also just being there for her. Luna could hear her brother letting out a slight sigh, she knew that it did disappointed her younger brother but she had a feeling that either Anna, Freyr or Kai could do something to hurt her brother and force them into the conflict. She trusted that Ahote would still be the better choice.

Luna watched as Empress Astris started to approach her sister, whispering to speak to Valda privately she wasn't sure what the woman wanted to talk to her about. And seeing that their cousin giving her sister that look as well, made her wonder what was going on, she leaned closer towards her brother to whisper to him. "You should talk to King Alvis." She said, knowing that her brother did enjoy the Land of Long Night's culture. She didn't really want to talk to the king at the moment, after the marriage proposal ended up falling through with his son.

---

---

---

---

Arnora looked over towards Halley and nodded towards her friend. "Sure thing, just stay safe and in eyesight." Arnora said back to her, seeing both Antonije taking Sylvi's hand, and then walking out to go and search for the stone. Leaving just her and Cuyler with Bruce and Myth right now. "You sure you can see clearly with your only eye?" Arnora decided to tease Cuyler a little bit, before walking out into the crowd. She didn't really address Bruce, she wanted to just avoid him for the time being after being punched in the nose a week ago by him.

Her eyes started to scan the area, seeing all of the people there talking amongst themselves and having a good time, she thought about joining in on the games as well. She had her sword strapped to her back, as she closed her eyes again and tried to track the Tesseract again. It was somewhere around here, she just wasn't sure where Loki would actually stow the space stone, while occasionally looking over to where Baldur was.

---

---

---

Myth looked over to Cuyler with a slight shrug, "He's right. Once I am safely sure that I can bring him around without fear of something happening, I'll take him out more. You're right though, he would enjoy all of this." Thankful to have her family and friends nearby, she glanced around, wondering where a stone of this magnitude would be hidden. Would it be easily spotted even? The chance of someone finding it easily did sound like something the trickster god would do.

"Let's split up and cover more ground in the stands then. Want to come with me, love?" she asked Bruce before making her way over to the stands area, keeping an eye out for the stone. There were to be a lot of people here. If Bruce was right and something went wrong, it would be a lot of people possibly getting hurt. They would need to find this stone quickly then before something dangerous happened. She wanted a day without needing to worry, but she knew that was fantasy talk.

---

---

---

Fleur was a realist. She knew that she had a large force and it would be silly of her to assume any of them would hold back to ensure innocent people got out safely. But she also was not a monster. "With war, there come casualties. It is as much a fact of life as needing air to breathe. I will do my best to ensure innocent lives are not lost this day, but then you must also realize that it cannot be helped in every situation. I agree with your sentiment though. We attack swiftly before the games. It is best you prepare yourself, we move soon."

She left to go converse with the forces, making note to try not to take innocent lives, but to defend themselves should anything happen. She was not stupid. She knew that these games would be a public event and there could already be so many people there in anticipation. But today was the day and she would not put it off any longer.

Once she was satisfied, she returned and prepared herself. She said a small prayer to Nera for strength, clutching the Time stone she had on her. It would be back-up, should anything go wrong. She did not want to rely on it, considering she knew there were those that were aware she had it who would like nothing more than to take it from her.

---

---

---

---

Cuyler nodded his agreement with Bruce, of course it wasn’t safe but it was just Cuyler remarking on how he was sure his littlest cousin would have enjoyed all of this. Cuyler wished he could enjoy all of this but his mind was preoccupied. To make matters worse Cuyler was no longer seeing all that was around him. He was staring blankly off into space as he was overcome with a vision. Cuyler stood back at the Well of Mimir but Mimir was not alone. A small girl stood, reaching out and took Cuyler’s hand. He wasn’t sure how but he knew her name to be Apollodora and she had eyes as blue as the ocean, with hair as dark as night and she was so familiar to Cuyler. ”It's going to be okay, Daddy. You can rest now.”
Cuyler was meeting his beautiful daughter, a daughter he somehow knew he was going to have but didn’t understand the meaning of any of this. Before he could say a word, Apollodora turned to dust and disappeared before his very eyes, floating away on wind that didn’t exist. A moment later and Cuyler was looking back at the stands, hearing the roar of the crowd and Arnora teasing him and Myth agreeing with Cuyler that Halden would like this but it wasn’t safe.
Cuyler blinked a couple of times as shock and confusion rolled through him in waves. He looked at Myth before she went off with Bruce and he was left with his friend Arnora. He ran a hand over his eye patch and his hair again before he shook himself but the vision wouldn’t leave him. ”Did Saga mention anything about there being recurring visions when she spoke of the waters of Mimir?” Cuyler asked Arnora. He wanted to know what it meant and why she had disappeared like that. It had been as if it were ash but she had not caught fire and they were standing in water at the time and why did she want him resting. Cuyler couldn’t rest, they had to prevent the end of the world.

---

---

---

---

Amarantha wasn’t surprised Valda was continuing to ignore her. It had been happening ever since her release and Amarantha wasn’t even sure Valda had been completely on board with her release. No matter, Amarantha was here, doing her duty for the good of the Castle and if Queen Valda wanted to hold onto a little spat that Amarantha had when she felt her life was over and death was imminent, that was her personal problem but the safety of the Castle needed them to put their personal feelings aside and buck up. Amarantha glanced over at Lennox and nodded at him to follow the Queen when she went to go have her conversation. No royal was being left unattended today, especially when conversing with one of their many enemies.
Amarantha drifted over and stood next to Luna. ”Are you going to give one of the lovely contestants your favour? I’m sure any of the fine male contestants would be more than happy to have it.” And if two of the Kings' obnoxious laughter was any indication, they certainly would. Amarantha would have adored sticking by Luna’s side today but the both of them had a greater purpose to serve today and flirting with her charge, was not it. "If you would like, I can escort you out to the Royal Box if you would like to go now," Amarantha offered, looking back at Luna.

---

---

---

---

Ahote bowed again when Valda named him as her champion. She knew it was part in protecting her brother, which was one of his reasons for volunteering but he still couldn’t help but swell with pride from her favour. Ahote looked over at Mryus and nudged him with his elbow. ”I’ll need a coach of sorts. I would like you to come with me into the ring to prepare and be there for each task, if you desire it.” Ahote didn’t want his friend to feel as if he were being overlooked it was a safety thing just as much as it was a political thing.
Ahote looked over, hearing the Kings’ laugh and speech. They weren't being completely silent but if Ahote chose to tap in, he was sure he would be able to hear more of their conversation and see malice and lust in their auras but he refrained for a better opportunity. ”Maybe we should both go and speak to them. Teach them a little respect,” Ahote said under his breath to his two royal friends and the commander of the guard. Ahote didn’t appreciate the backwoods talk that the two of them were exhibiting and it didn’t help matters when King Nicholas flashed a poisonous smile at Valda. His hands clenched into fists and he shifted his weight. Someone cleared their throat and he turned his head quickly, seeing Amarantha smirking at him.
”I do believe you have somewhere to be Ahote Proudstar, champion to the Small Wet Country Across the Sea. Go on now.” Ahote stepped back, relaxing only slightly and nodded.
”Will you come be with me in the champions tent later on Prince Mryus?” Ahote asked his friend.

---

---

---

---

---

This day will live in infamy.

Fleur's forces were assembled and having received their marching orders, they began the assault on the Castle. Her borrowed army from the Lagoon joined up with all but five of her top witches, amassed at Raven's Rock. The Magyk of the witches and the engineering prowess of some of the soldiers allowed them to construct a temporary bridge from Raven's Rock to the Palace Landing Stage. The army traveled across the bridge, reaching the Palace Grounds. From there, the army charged towards the rear entrance of the Palace and the witches joined hands, chanting as they used their Magyk to summon a lightning storm. The lightning was building, the storm clouds darkening, but the spell was nowhere close to complete just yet.

Inside the Throne Room of the Palace, the glass windows allowed those gathered to see the oncoming storm - the massive army heading to attack. Myrus' eyes widened, hardly even comprehending what Luna or Ahote had said to him - it was like his mind short circuited. "We're under attack!!!" he screamed, startling Rowland as the ExtraOrdinary Wizard turned and saw the massive force.

"Empress, with me," Rasputina said instantly, pulling a glowing sword out of nowhere and holding it in front of her ruler protectively. King Nicholas just smirked and started to laugh, not too concerned with the army - as they had the colors of the Lagoon. King Alvis' eyes narrowed. "What is the meaning of this?!" he shouted, convinced that it had to be a bloody trick.

"Arya..." Rowland then stammered, as Violet, Fleur, and five other witches appeared in the Throne Room.

Violet stared at him without any recognition. "ExtraOrdinary," she greeted, before turning her sights on Amarantha. She was the commander of the forces of the Castle, and yet, she came from the most corrupt organization of them all - the Young Army. "You have failed the Castle," she warned Amarantha, conjuring a ball of Magykal Fyre in her hands. "And for that, you shall die." She then flung the Fyre at Amarantha, yet the flames dissipated before impact.

"No, I will not let you kill her," Rowland warned, having used his Magyk to stop the attack.

"Then you will die as well."

Outside the Palace, at the Saecular Games, members of the Hellfire Circle were Appearing throughout the stands, searching for prominent officials as Fleur had ordered. Civilians were screaming and attempting to do their very best to flee the scene, mothers trying their very best to reunite with their children lost in the chaos. Halley was nowhere to be seen, presumably attempting to persuade Baldur and Hodr to go back home to Asgard - was this the fight that would cost Baldur his life?

One of the dark mages from the Hellfire Circle used Magyk to enhance his voice, sending a booming announcement over the stands: "PEOPLE OF THE CASTLE, TODAY IS THE DAWN OF A NEW REIGN - QUEEN FLEUR! REJOICE, FOR YOU ARE SAVED!" This only incited more panic, with people trampling and shoving as they tried to flee the Palace and get back to the safety of their homes. Some of the mages had set Fyre to the stands, with innocents likely already beginning to perish in the utter calamity. "THOSE OF THE OLD REGIME, SURRENDER!"

---

---

---

---

Valda shot a slight glare at Amarantha with the whole thing she more or less was suggesting for Luna. At this point she'd prefer to have Amarantha get lost and far far away from the room, as she still couldn't really stand the woman's presence at the moment. It wasn't because she was a vampire or anything, it was more of the way that she had acted towards them before. However now wasn't really the time to deal with that sort of thing, as her attention was drawn towards Empress Astris. "Perhaps later we can talk, however I think it might appear rude to see about talking alone and such at the moment don't you think?" she said simply, glancing over towards the others in the room.

Then Fleur and Violet decided to show up.

Valda instantly recognized the two, one as the witch who was constantly a thorn in the side, and the other being the former Extraordinary wizard who was supposed to be dead. Instinctively, Valda instantly used her Magyk of Injury Transference, labeling Fleur as her target should anything attack or try to harm her. Her eyes flickered over towards her sister and brother, wanting the pair to get the hell out of the room, but she knew if she directed them that might make them a target. So instead, her goal was to more or less draw Fleur and Arya's attention away from them and to her instead. Another thought crossed her mind, as she was reminded of the chains that she had that Apollodora had mentioned wanting to use on Arya. It would be useful to try and get the chains around one of the two, but she wasn't sure who.

So instead she went out on a limb and decided to trust Apollodora's words, and aimed her attacks towards Arya.

Her first attempt to wrap the chains around her were deflected away, and her second attempt Arya had used her Magyk to defend herself with a shield. Her third attempt let her at the least hit Arya with the chains, but not wrap them around her. "Rowland, Arya certainly is more of a threat then the witch over there. Obviously the witch can't really do much without Arya, or without the army that someone else gave her. She's not worth the effort." Valda said, nodding her head slightly in the direction of Fleur and the other witches she brought with her. She turned slightly towards the others in the room, "If you would be so kind as to aid us, as that would be beneficial to your well being. Though I will say if someone wants favor with the Castle first person to do something about my obnoxious cousin who has decided to be the thug for someone else that would be the way to do it."

---

---

---

Sylvi stuck fairly close to Tate as he dragged her along somewhat to the staging area of the place, and she shrugged slightly when he had asked her about where the stone might be. "I have no idea... Though who really knows where anything is around here, there are just way too many people here, so that stone could be anywhere," she responded to him mentally. Sylvi wasn't too sure where they could find a potential super powerful stone or whatever it was.

Bruce was not too thrilled at the idea of his sister taking off to go find their grandfather on her own. It wasn't just that, but it was also the idea of her ordering him around that didn't sit well with him at all. "You can't just order me around Halley!" he called after her with a bit of an eye roll before he followed after Myth. "Honestly, she is really ridiculous if you ask me... Just because she's older does not mean she gets to act like she can boss me around..." he muttered under his breath.

Then everything went crazy.

Hearing the voice calling out from somewhere, Sylvi glanced around before the stands seemed to be hit by Fyre, setting them ablaze. "Oh no," she said softly as she pulled her rapier out of it's sheath as she glanced around at the chaos that was ensuing. "Tate, we can't let the people around here get hurt or something... We need to help them..." she told him, before she started using a bit of her Bardic Music, singing slightly, in order to hopefully enhance the abilities of those around her. Unfortunately it only seemed to be helping Tate at the moment since he was right next to her.

"Oh no..." Bruce muttered under his breath slightly, before he pulled off his glasses, he didn't technically need them to see, but he wore them so that he didn't constantly have to put them on to read anything. "Myth, find some place safe to go, and for once don't argue about that or whatever, since what I'm doing and where I'm going you can't follow." With those words, he held his hand out, and the staff Gandr appeared in the palm of his hand as he grasped onto the staff and it started to glow with an orange-ish glow. "Great-Grandmother, be with me right now so I can hopefully help to prevent more deaths," he said softly as his cloak billowed around him and he took off into the air.

Once he was high above the stands, he called the fire to him, and it started flying away from the stands, up to him instead. The fire whirled around him and he eyed those who had started the flames. "You want to play with fire? Then maybe you should take a few notes from someone who knows the extent of its full strength. If you don't know what you're doing, then you are bound to get burned," he snapped at the Hellfire mages that he was able to see, and sent a blast of flame flying down at them. He managed to blast 3 of the mages down as he was glaring, his eyes were glowing as he stayed above the crowds.

---

---

Luna looked over at Amarantha and smiled slightly towards her friend, and shook her head slightly at the moment she really wasn't looking for anyone. She wanted to more focus on getting better herself mentally and find something to cure her madness. "I'd rather not look for anyone at the moment." Luna whispered to Amarantha, while looking at Alvis and Astris feeling the tension coming from the two of them, which was obviously from the war between the two countries that they were trying to get them to join in. When Luna looked up at the windows above them seeing the sky was now starting to darken.

Her eyes going wide again when she noticed Fleur as well as Arya now to and a few witches who appeared in the room, taking a few steps back with a little bit of a terrified look. She knew that Fleur would rear her head again at some point but she didn't think that she would appear now of all days. "And this is one of the reasons why we didn't join your guys war, while we have problems on our own homeland." Luna said trying to be calm as she could.

Seeing the look of their cousin on his face, Luna did agree with her sister that he needed to be dealt with as well she wasn't much of a fighter at all. And seeing her sister attacking Arya, she hoped that her sister would be able to defeat her she hated the witches especially Fleur of all people. "I'm not joining you if that's why you decided to come here. And I don't think people will follow you, after you witches kidnapped me, and all of the other children that you have cradledsnatched either."

---

---

---

---

Arnora looked towards Cuyler when he asked if there were any other recurring dreams or visions after drinking from the waters, and shook her head slightly. "She didn't no, but she did give me another vision you and some woman in purple fighting in Asgard, all of the other gods are killed, and you dying by her hands." Arnora said, she was pretty sure that it was relevant to what was going on now. Arnora closed her eyes and focused on searching for the Tesseract again. When there was utter chaos that happened around her as some mages appeared out of nowhere and mentioning some woman called Fleur.

She was more focused at the task at hand as Arnora narrowed the stone down even more and quickly ran for the stands avoiding people who were fleeing the scene. Arnora spotted Halley talking with Baldur, and Hodr as well glad that the three of them were okay now as Arnora continued to search while looking at Halley. "We need to get him out of here." Arnora said, knowing that the three could handle things, but she was pretty sure someone would still try and use the chaos to kill Baldur.

---

---

---

---

Cuyler didn’t have much time to respond or even contemplate Arnora’s words about the vision she had seen. It didn’t really help his head and now with chaos ripping through the stands, Cuyler had to shift his train of thought quickly. He pulled his bow around and withdrew an arrow from its quiver and followed on Arnora’s heels where they came across their cousin Halley talking with Hodr and Baldur. He agreed with Arnora, it was time to get them out of there. If whoever was in the midst of this battle here for Baldur, keeping him here was a poor plan.
In the meantime, the chaos was spreading. The fire was at bay thanks to Bruce but there were others, innocents falling and dying around them all. Cuyler wasn’t built like Halley, he couldn’t ignore these people and so started firing arrows at targets. Perhaps this was a sign Cuyler should stick to Asgardian things. In Cuyler’s attempt to save the innocents, he ended up killing two before he got a hit into the bad guys. Cuyler’s face fell and he dropped his arms, suddenly feeling extremely heavy. There were casualties in war but he had never killed innocents before. With all the chaos going on though, it was near impossible to get a completely clear target, especially with the bow and arrows. Cuyler put his bow away, stealing his courage and withdrew his sword, Borghild. Close range would be better for the time being.
Thia, the loyal Night Transformer who currently looked like a Norwegian Elkhound, managed to get teeth on one of those attacking the Castle but they were able to get away from her before she could sink teeth in. She slipped in next to Cuyler and Arnora, growling and glaring at everything around her. Cuyler stepped forward again, finding a target and twisted his blade, angling it for the man’s side but the Darke mage managed to conjure a blade of his own and blocked Cuyler’s blade and now the two of them are locked in battle.

---

---

---

---

There wasn’t much more room for talking when Arya, in the flesh rather than speculation showed up, Fleur with her as well. Ayra directed her attention to Amarantha and created a ball of Fyre that made her tense in anticipation. If even a lick of that touched her, she would be finished. Luckily, Rowland stopped if from hitting her. ”As I hear it Ayra, you have turned over to the dark side as well. Who are you to judge me?” She looked at Rowland, seeming to ask him if he could handle her for the moment. Amarantha needed to get Luna out of here. She knew Valda wouldn’t leave and Mryus, as much as she didn’t want to risk his safety, was an asset.
Amarantha pulled a couple of blades out of hiding and stepped in front of Luna, even as she started to throw a valiant speech towards Fleur. ”Perhaps now isn’t the best time,” Amarantha scolded Luna. They needed to get her out of here, to the Queen’s Room. Lennox moved in with his Commander and both started to take steps back, herding Luna from the room. Amarantha’s eyes remained watching Fleur. Valda may be discarding her, either to infuriate the witch or because she didn’t really see her as a threat compared to Ayra but Amarantha wasn’t going to discount a lover scorned, especially one that was as power hungry as Fleur was.

---

---

---

---

Ahote was left without an answer and was momentarily confused when Prince Mryus shouted they were under attack. No one in the throne room was attacking anyone, that was until seven people appeared out of nowhere. Ahote turned rapidly and watched the one in purple accuse Amarantha of failing the Castle. Valda moved in, trying to take the woman in purple down but could barely get a decent hold on her with the Magyk chains. Ahote assumed all seven of these beings had some sort of Magyk in them, especially when he saw the one in purple throwing Fyre at Amarantha. As the woman in purple blocked Valda’s chain attacks, Ahote got a read on her aura. It was confused and dark. There had been a strength to her at one point, a kindness that was slowly being tainted. They had to get those chains on her, Ahote could see there was hope for this one.
”Valda, timing. Wait for the opportune moment,” Ahote stated, falling into the easy mode of teaching and training. He turned back to Ayra and charged ahead, pushing himself to a faster pace than the average human in hopes to catch Ayra off guard and restrain her. The spirits of the True North were with Ahote, seeming to guide his moves effortlessly and Ahote managed to get Ayra restrained. "Now!" he shouted towards Valda, in hopes her trick would work better for them at this time. If all else fails, put them on manually.

---

---

---

Myth enjoyed the sibling squabbles because it only solidified the power of family. Even Asgardian beings still riffed on each other and joked around. "Well, I have no siblings to speak of, but I believe there is a pecking order, even if you guys are many, many years older than the average human." There was little time to enjoy the festivities though before she could hear something in the distance.

And then it was on.

A huge army stormed the crowd. She glanced around, wondering what the others would be doing. Bruce had told her to run and hide and she could only stare at him in disbelief. Though she understood his sentiment, he greatly misunderstood her. "If you think I am going to sit idly by while others fight, you do not know me. You go where you need to go, but I am staying to fight." She took out her sword, charging forward to the oncoming soldiers. She tried to attack, but she was pushed back, a swipe against her face grazing her cheek. She summoned her Magyk to heal herself, but it was no use. The pressure was on now, so she decided that she would help the others. She belted out a tune, forming it with Bardic Magyk to boost her allies and herself. That would hopefully turn the tide in their favor.

---

---

---

Fleur glanced at the scene around her. It was about what she expected and she had them all here where she wanted them. And the woman who took her only love away from her was in front of her. Violet was ready to attack before her force was stomped out. The man who did it would be swiftly dealt with. She was inspired a bit when Luna spoke up. The girl would have been a lovely addition to her ranks, but it was not meant to be. "Oh petal, this is so much more than you now. I suggest you listen to your betters if you do not want to get hurt."

Immediately, Fleur used Concillium on Rowland, entering her will upon his. "You will not fight us. You will instead attack the very person you are protecting. With that in place (the man's mind was surprisingly malleable), she focused her sights on Valda and the others. "You place me as an evil force and if that is what you need to do to make yourself feel better, I will greatly take up the mantle. But each and every one of you should look into yourselves and decide who is truly one who can judge others."

Fleur formed with Darke Magyk a swarm of fire, unleashing the hell on to the royal party in front of her. Her attempts were on Valda, but the girl remained unharmed. Instead, Fleur herself felt the hot fire on her. It seemed the Queen did not want to get herself dirty, preferring others to handle it. That would be done. Luna was hit, but she would be fine. Myrus suffered greater injuries, but it was Amarantha that got the brunt of the blow. The fire quickly consuming her and ending her. She had intended Violet to fight her, hopefully the girl would forgive her. "That was for Nera." Was all she stated, Nera finally getting the justice she deserved.

She was next to Violet swiftly, whispering to her. "I had not intended to kill her, but I got justice for my own. The queen has some protection on her, allowing her to transfer injuries she sustains on us. That needs to be dealt with."

---

---

---

---

---

Inside the Throne Room of the Palace...

"You have my sword," Rasputina agreed, nodding sagely at Queen Valda. Her country was not formally at war with the Castle and she would not allow the Empress to die in the same room as her younger sister less than a year prior. To those with Magykal training, such as Fleur, Rowland, Violet, and Valda, it would become apparent that Rasputina's sword was somehow a manifestation of her own life force. She was a mutant like many of those from the Eastern SnowPlains.

The champion of the Eastern SnowPlains cut through one of the Magykal blasts of the Darke witches, dispersing it with practiced ease. Empress Astris smiled slightly, spotting that her sister's ghost had Appeared out of the corner of her eye. "You will owe me for this aid," Astris warned Valda, before she waved her hands and an icy blast hit the Darke witches, sending them flying backwards.

"...She's a mutant..." Myrus mumbled, his fingers trembling as he undid the fastenings on his cloak and cast the flaming garment aside. He didn't even have time to process Amarantha's death. He dropped to the ground and rolled, screaming in agony as the flames diminished but half of his face had a nasty burn on it that would be sure to scar. Luna fortunately would only have a mild burn on her hand, with Valda lucking out and receiving no wounds.

Rowland looked around the room in confusion, having been compelled to attack Amarantha but she was already dead. "Witch, stay out of my mind!" he snapped at Fleur, breaking free from her control. He saw his pupil pinned by Ahote and the chains were in the hands of Queen Valda. He tried to use Magyk to quickly bind Arya with the chains, but they didn't respond to his call - they must have been impervious to Magyk somehow. "My Queen, the chains!"

Violet nodded at Fleur's words, before attempting to free herself from Ahote's grip. His physical strength outmatched hers and she hesitated for a moment, before beginning to cast a curse on the unsuspecting man. "Blood go black and flesh go blue, evil from me and back to you, my soul clean and yours on fire!" Violet chanted. Ahote's face would begin to be tinged with blue, yet the curse was not complete yet. It would take a few more recitations before the job would be finished.

King Nicholas smirked slightly. "Well... I'm going to step out. Lovely to see you, dear," he said, winking at Fleur before he and his champion quickly exited the Throne Room in search of cover. Freyr and King Alvis were fighting back Darke witches as best as they could, using the traditional weaponry of the Land of Long Nights.

"Blood go black and flesh go blue, evil from me and back to you, my soul clean and yours on fire!"

The Staging Area at the Saecular Games...

Antonije bit his lip and nodded at Sylvi, feeling especially heroic thanks to her skillful song. "Alright, well... Where do we start?" he muttered, talking mostly to himself. He wasn't really a melee brawler. Yes, he had been able to make some progress as a vigilante but that had always been in a one on one situation where he had the advantage. He was so busy trying to think about what the best course of action was that he didn't even notice the soldiers from the Lagoon closing in on them, cutting off their escape routes.

"...Do you think you could play something to make them all cry or fall asleep?" Antonije suggested, before taking a breath and he tried to melt their minds using his telepathy. The five soldiers screamed in pain, holding their heads as they then collapsed to the ground. Antonije's own head was pounding from the strain. "Shit... That hurt..."

The Stadium at the Saecular Games...

Baldur had on a grim expression, his long beard moving slightly in the wind kicked up by Bruce's flames and so much Darke Magyk. His brother Hodr was blind and his fighting days were long since over. Before the accident that cost him his sight, Hodr had been an excellent archer, one of the best in the Nine Realms. "Grandfather, you need to get out of here - it's your death that causes Ragnarok. You know the prophecy," Halley urged.

But her grandfather shook his head. "I cannot leave while the people of Midgard need us - we have sworn to protect them."

"Aye, Halley, lend me your aid - if you can be my eyes, perhaps I can change the tide with my arrows," Hodr asked.

Halley sighed slightly. "Oh, very well..." she agreed, conjuring a bow and a quiver of arrows for her great-uncle Hodr. "Your aim will be true," she promised, a slight smirk as she helped Hodr set up the weapons. Baldur's back was turned to his brother as he sent out blasts of light, stunning a few of the Darke mages.

---

---

---

---

Cuyler’s fight with the Darke Mage was going less than spectacular. He was unable to fell him with his sword and before Cuyler could switch tactics, he was hit with another vision. In his vision this time around, he was standing in front of a waterfall that fed into three different rivers. Most disturbingly, the waterfall was red but Cuyler is unable to determine if it is blood or not. At the end of one river are all the dead of Ragnarok, at the end of the second are two people, Amarantha and his daughter Apollodora, while the third is completely covered by mist and difficult to see. Suddenly, the second river is blocked off, covered in rocks. Cuyler isn’t sure how but he knows this to mean the future is changing permanently but to what, is unclear. Cuyler took a step towards the second river, in hopes to save his young daughter when the vision leaves him and he is back on the battlefield.
Cuyler nearly misses the Darke Mage taking a swipe at his own stomach as he dodges to the side. Angry that the vision bombarded him in the middle of fighting and giving no clear answers, Cuyler reached out in search of water. He managed to pull water from the air around him and achieved at least a gallon of water. It swirled in a large sphere in-between the two men and Cuyler hurtled the sphere of water down the Darke Mage’s throat. All that achieved was giving the Mage a well deserved drink. Cuyler let out a roar of frustration and annoyance at his own power denying him of a kill and charged the man. The Mage’s eyes widened in surprise at the charging bull and before any action could be made, Cuyler had his hands on the man’s neck and snapped it. The Mage’s body instantly went limp and Cuyler dropped him without a second thought.
Cuyler turned around, his breathing heavy from the rage and adrenaline and he bent to grab the sword he dropped before returing to his mates. ”Somethings changed. The paths are changing. I’ve had another vision, three rivers, each displaying something else and one of them gets suddenly blocked off,” Cuyler said, giving everyone within earshot a run down of what was going on. He twirled his sword around and shifted to attack the next enemy that approached them. His mind swirled, trying to decipher the vision as well as wrap his head around the rage that was coursing through him. Nothing was in his control and nothing was for certain. Cuyler was constantly battling a series of unknowns and he didn’t know where that was going to lead him. Not to mention he kept looking around for a figure cloaked in purple. The figure that meant death for him.

---

---

---

---

There wasn’t even a scream as Amarantha went up in flames but Ahote could have sworn he saw a smirk as she burnt up. Ahote’s grip on Ayra tightened in response but she couldn’t break his hold. Ahote twitched at Mryus’s screaming, fighting the desire to go to his friends aid but he couldn’t. They needed to take out the leaders of this fight and two of them were right close to Ahote. Rowland, back to his senses, tried to get the chains around Arya but is was another failed attempt and now Ayra started chanting. Slowly Ahote started to lose air as his face turned blue. He gasped, trying to get more air in and in a panic, turned and punched Arya in the side of his head to get her to stop. The punch felt like nothing as Ahote’s bones felt as if they were liquifying. He lost his hold on the Ex-ExtraOrdinary Wizard and Ahote dropped to the floor, still gasping for air.
Ahote tried crawling to Mryus, hoping he could help his friend now but he could barely help himself at the moment. There was so much fighting going on around him, so much he could be fighting for. He looked towards Valda, hoping she would have a solution for all this death that was happening around them. Ahote buried into his enhanced healing and resistance, hoping it would be able to fight off the Magyk that was deteriorating his body.

Lennox, having just watched his Commander burn alive and seeing one of the royals now on fire, moved into action. He started slapping the flames out on Myrus as the Prince rolled before he quickly looked over his face. “We need to get you to the infirmary Sir!” Lennox urged the Prince. He grabbed his sword back up and turned to grab onto Luna. Things were turning quickly and he needed to get the royal line out of the Throne Room.

---

---

---

---

To say everything was going to hell was an understatement, and now she was getting more then a little mad. Glancing over at Empress Astris, Valda nodded her head slightly, showing that she understood, however right now, she was getting more and more annoyed. "...There is one thing you all seem to constantly do, and that I find annoying," she said as she boosted the Injury Transference around her to Fleur so that it would protect her from more powerful attacks. "You underestimate just what it is that I am capable of... Everyone underestimates what I can do, and remember, I do not like being ordered around!"

With those last words, she threw the chains with ease, almost as if her frustrations were fueling her strength, and they wrapped skillfully around Arya, preventing her from being able to use her Magyk, and she turned to look at Fleur, pulling something out of her pocket, holding a ring in her hand. "No one, hurts my family, and if you think you can be here and attack us expecting to win so easily, you are vastly mistaken. You will not do anything to harm anyone ever again!" Then she started using her Queenling Magyk, Magyk that Fleur didn't have access to, and what exactly was the ring in her hand? It was the two-faced ring, and the spell she was attempting? The Committal.

---

---

---

Sylvi nodded her head slightly at Tate when he mentioned the idea of using her music to put them to sleep. "So essentially play a lullaby or something like that," she muttered under her breath as she noticed Tate trying to do something to a few of the soldiers. However, she became concerned slightly when he said that he had somehow managed to hurt himself doing whatever it was that he had done, but she figured he knew what he was doing. "Don't hurt yourself Tate..." she said softly to him, before turning her attention towards the fighting once again.

Looking around, she changed her song ever so slightly, now aiming to put a few of the Hellfire group to sleep, and thankfully, she seemed to be able to do so. The sound of her music barely seemed to be out, before 3 of the Hellfire Mages had collapsed to the ground, falling fast asleep. With her sword in hand, she instantly charged at another, before slashing at them and striking them down completely. "There has to be a faster way to take out this sort of chaos... There has to be a better way to deal with all of them..." she called over to Tate.

Bruce meanwhile, noticed something quite odd that made his blood run cold, despite the fire that swirled around him, and it concerned Halley, as well as Hodr and Baldur. Namely, the fact that Halley hadn't flat out said no, considering her powers would be more useful, and the fact that despite what was going on she wasn't seemingly using them, or trying to get Baldur out of there any quicker. "...This day just keeps getting worse and worse," he muttered under his breath before in a streak of flame he charged straight into the area, not hesitating to snatch the bow and arrow away from Hodr.

"Sorry, but that's not Halley, and she is not someone you'd want to trust to aim where you want to... Hello Loki," he said towards "Halley" before he sent a streak of flame at her. However, the image disappeared, resulting in him glancing around and seeing Loki appear over by his grandfather. "Grandfather look out!" he called out, before sending a blast of flame slamming into Loki, however it didn't seem to do much to phase him. "Arnora, stop Loki!" he called out to her, he wasn't able to really get over there at the moment.

---

---

Luna's eyes went wide as Fleur sent a massive wall of flame at the group of them, she yelped in pain when she felt her own hand getting burnt, though it wasn't serious. She watched helplessly as Amarantha was instantly burned alive, and her brother who got hurt as well, seeing the burn on his face as well. Tears going down her face, feeling some of the guards trying to grab her and take her away from the throne room.

Her sister managed to use the chains and bind Arya, and the Eastern SnowPlains helped defend them, by attacking the other darke magyk users in the room. Luna wanted to help, however she could but she wasn't a fighter really at all and Ahote was looking in bad shape as well from Arya's curse she was attempting on him. She wasn't sure what her sister was going to do, but she was now focused on Fleur at the moment as she put the ring onto her finger.

---

---

---

---

Arnora stared at both Balder and Hodr as the two of them refused to go back to Asgard, it really wasn't a safe location for them to be in at all. As she drew out her sword, looking at Halley something seemed to be really off about her, and she didn't trust the tone in her voice, and quickly realized that she wasn't Halley but it was actually Loki who had somehow managed to get out of prison. And Bruce quickly also confirmed that her suspicions were right. "I'm on it." Arnora said as Loki dodge Bruce' attack and stared at him before running forward.

Arnora tried to run forward, trying to use her ability to turn Loki into an ice cube but she couldn't at all, and she tried two more times. Groaning mostly to herself in a little bit of annoyance, turning to both Balder and Hodr, as well as Bruce she didn't really have powers to teleport them anywhere. "Get Balder out of here!" Arnora yelled, if anyone killed Balder then the world would end right then and there.

---

---

---

Myth fought off as many of them as she could, eager and happy to see her inspirational song worked. Cuyler, in particular, seemed to benefit the most as he was nearly run through and managed to twist a soldier's neck. Myth winced in response. "And now you see why I didn't bring Halden with me." She joked, but it seemed the battle raged on.

Myth turned to her friends and family. In particular, her stomach leaped when she spotted Halley. Myth couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something was off about the girl. She had spent a good amount of time with her and she was acting odd. In fact, her gut told her it was not Halley. It had to be....Loki! Surely only he would be able to use this type of Magyk to cause mischief in the most inopportune time. It also seemed Bruce had the same idea as he called out. Thinking quickly and not wanting Loki to escape, she belted out a tune.



She further used her musical manipulation skills to increase its power, sending the words and tune directly into Loki's mind. Overloading it to the point he could take no more. As the music finished and she belted out the final verse, Loki fell to the ground, unconscious. "There, he should be fine while we finish this."

And then an explosion hit the sky. And the soldiers and fighters turned and ran back.

---

---

---

Fleur could feel herself being drained of power slowly. And Violet was chained and out of commission. However, was all truly lost? She may not have been able to deal a significant blow to the royal family unless you counted sending the whiny runt away with severe burns. She attempted to use the Time Stone but felt too drained for it to take effect. Valda using the Committal, she had to give credit. She had managed to kill the very woman that took her love from her. A love she was able to retrieve should she wish. This battle did not turn out how she expected, but she managed to gain so much more from it, if one thought about it. She was alive and free. She held power, opportunity, many under her command. She could rule her own land. And everyone knew she was to be feared. That this could happen again. And if they tried to attack her own home? They would pay.

She applauded with what little strength she had. "Brava. Truly, this was a worthy battle. But I am afraid this is where I leave you. You can keep your castle, your family, your power and I shall keep mine. Come at me at your own peril." With that, Fleur used what Magyk remained in her and teleported away from there. As she did so, she sent out an explosion that reached the sky, informing everyone to retreat. They had suffered losses, but they had also dealt harsh blows.

---

Fleur reappeared at the old Port With home. She knew what she was here to do. She raced up the stairs into the familiar room and summoned her Magyk which she felt was slowly returning. With the Time Stone in hand, she called forth all her power and filled the room with it. She urged, prayed, for it to work.

She was bringing Nera back and, together, they would rule.

---

---

---

Fleur's army had either fled or retreated, those of them who had not been killed in the fighting. The Asgardians - Bruce, Arnora, Myth, and Cuyler - had stopped Loki in his tracks, preventing the slaying of Baldur at the hand of his brother, Hodr. The perilous future they had witnessed would not come to pass for perhaps a thousand or so more years, just enough time for our heroes to think of another way to prolong the inevitable - the looming Ragnarok.

Had Loki been awake, he perhaps would have asked for a drink from the Hulk's grandson, a parallel to a fateful day long, long ago.

"Silvija... Look!" Antonije exclaimed, looking up at the pyrotechnics in the sky with boyish delight. The soldiers all around them were fleeing and he couldn't help but grin wildly, before pulling his girlfriend in for a deep kiss. Of course he enjoyed the explosion due to his love of fire, but knowing that Sylvi was going to be safe - that his little world here would be fine - it made his heart soar. It was a joy that he doubted could ever be achieved again. "We did it - you did it," he added, before kissing her again.

Inside the Palace, Amarantha had fallen and Fleur had Transported herself away. Violet was on the ground in chains, shaking and quivering. In her limited memory, she had never been cut off from her Magyk so completely. Rowland, her aged mentor, knelt down next to her and placed his hand on her forehead, chanting in an ancient tongue as a peace fell over her - and comprehension dawned in her eyes.

"...Rowland... I'm... I'm so sorry," Arya wept. "My Queen, I... I must apologize for... I will exile myself unless you desire a different punishment."

The young prince, Myrus, struggled to his feet. He kept a hand pressed over his eye, an attempt to soothe the pain from the burns. He was sad that Amarantha was dead - and a bit bewildered that Fleur had left. He had always seen her as a murderer, a terrorist, a tyrant... yet she had been the last avenger. She had avenged her fallen love. While that witch had killed his mother, Myrus found it to be slightly sweet - yet overall, utterly horrific.

"Valda, Luna... Can we go on a vacation?" Myrus asked meekly. "A-after we catch our cousin and throw him in prison or something..." he then added, recalling that King Nicholas had fled the room and definitely collaborated with Fleur on all of this.

Then at the top of Wizard Tower, Apollodora was sitting on the ledge, looking up at the sky with wonder. Her timeline had collapsed and faded away. Her mentor, Amarantha, had died. She didn't know if her parents would get together, yet she felt strangely at peace. The world wasn't overrun by vampires. The Norse gods had not killed the population. And by those fireworks, Fleur's forces were leaving.

"Are you ready to go home?" Rainbrook asked her, straddling a dragon.

Apollodora nodded her head. "Actually... I think I'd like to stay here, brother. And I know that your heart lies in a distant time," she informed him.

Rainbrook looked a bit sheepish. "Thalia told me what happens next in this timeline - with the Empire, the Land of the Singing Sands, the StarFyre... It's not safe, Apollo."

"Adventure never is."