Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Hel
The morning sun crested the horizon, casting a golden glow over the mountains. Fenrir lay resting while Rose slept soundly beside him, using his fur as a pillow.
Thanks to Flora, the townspeople had no memory of what happened. Not wanting to linger, he and Rose had slipped away before dawn, putting as much distance as possible between them and the town.
Before she left, Flora had shared some valuable information. The gods didn't yet know his exact location—at least, not yet. She only sensed his presence because she had been near him.
Also the rainbow beam that attempted to take him wasn't sent by Odin or any other god; it was from Nexus, a realm that automatically summoned new gods to its domain. According to Rose's books, Nexus wasn't just for gods—it was home to many powerful beings.
Flora also warned him not to use his divinity. He was lucky the gods hadn't detected it yet, but if he wasn't careful, they would. Apparently, divinity itself carried a distinct signature, one the gods could easily track.
Fenrir exhaled, frustration building. Everything was spiraling into chaos, and the worst part? He was still stuck in this wolf body. It was absurd.
I thought I was asexual… but I was wrong.
The thought made him chuckle, but another realization struck. He should have asked Flora if there was a way to shift into a human form. If she could shapeshift, why couldn't he?
With a sigh, he closed his eyes. Another problem for another day.
Rose stirred beside him, slowly waking. Fenrir watched her, a heavy weight settling in his chest. He hadn't told her the truth about what he was—a god. How could he? One day, she would pass on, and he would remain. The thought sent a sharp pang of loneliness through him.
Then, like a whisper in the wind, voices filled his ears. He could hear everything—wars raging, people crying, suffering spreading across the planet. His heightened senses picked up more than he wanted, but he forced himself to block it out.
He wanted to help. Every instinct in him screamed to act. But if Flora was right, if Odin sensed his chaos divinity, he wouldn't just come for him—he would erase this world without hesitation. The thought sent a surge of fury through him. Rose was here. This was her home. And Odin would wipe it all away without remorse.
His claws dug into the earth. These gods are worse than humans, he thought bitterly. They're nothing like the gods my people back home believed in.
"Fen? Are you okay?" Rose's voice pulled him from his thoughts. She reached up, gently patting his head. "You've seemed distant lately."
He forced a small smile. "Yeah… I'm alright." He stood, shaking off his lingering frustration. "Come on, we've got a long road ahead."
————-
A crimson bird cut through the thick gloom of Helheim, its vibrant feathers a stark contrast against the cold, misty darkness. It soared past jagged cliffs and rivers of ice before landing gracefully on a jagged rock. Before it, looming in the dim glow of the underworld, sat Hel—the goddess of death.
Perched upon a throne of bones, she exuded an unsettling presence, her piercing gaze fixed on the small messenger. Draped in a flowing green gown, her black hair cascaded over one shoulder as she lazily crossed her legs. A smirk played on her lips.
"My, my, Flora," she mused, her voice smooth yet laced with quiet menace. "What brings you to my domain?"
The bird shimmered, shifting into the form of a woman—Flora. Her expression was grim as she stepped forward.
"I found him," she said. "The god of chaos."
Hel's smirk widened. "I see. Then I will inform my father—my undead army will be ready."
Flora hesitated. "There's a problem. He's not willing to aid us… His attention is fixed on a human girl.
Hel let out a soft chuckle, tapping a finger against the armrest of her throne. "Then kill the girl," she said simply. "Once she's out of the picture, his anger will be enough."
Flora stiffened. "I can't do that, Hel."
A long silence followed. Then, Hel tilted her head. "Oh?"
The air around them seemed to grow heavier.
"Let me remind you," Hel continued, her tone deceptively light, "he is the only one who can kill Odin."
Flora swallowed. "But… what if Celestia gets involved?"
At that, Hel scoffed. "Oh, please. They barely care about what happens here. Their interference grows weaker by the day."
She leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming. "But if you don't want to do it… I will."
——————-
Fenrir and Rose splashed through the cool water, their laughter echoing across the riverbank.
Rose giggled, flinging a handful of water at him. In response, Fenrir lunged forward, using his massive body to send a wave crashing over her.
She shrieked, drenched from head to toe. "Hey! That's not fair!" she huffed, but the smile never left her face.
They eventually collapsed onto the grass, catching their breath under the warm sun.
Rose turned to him, her eyes soft. "You know, Fen… I'm really glad you're here with me."
He met her gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… me too."
But as the peaceful moment stretched between them, unease curled in his chest. Something felt off. A lingering tension in the air, like a storm waiting to break.