The Iron Hammer

by J. M. Briggs

  Water spun up into the air forming a water tunnel. Morgana grabbed her arm and pulled her back from the shore as silver magic appeared around her hands. Alex blinked in surprise. This was different from what she’d been expecting. The water tunnel shimmered with golden magic that was quickly swallowed by the churning water.

  A figure burst from the water tunnel, half stumbling upon the shore and clutching a strange looking cauldron formed of ice in her hands. There was a slightly domed top over the opening and Alex blinked in surprise. Her eyes shifted up from the cauldron to the one carrying it and froze as the air rushed out of her chest.

  It was Sif. She knew that face too well from her dream. The shining pale face and intense green eyes were older and sadder than they were in the memory, but it was her. Sif’s long golden hair was styled in a long braid that hung over her shoulder and a dark green long coat fluttered around what was otherwise a very modern outfit of blue jeans, boots and cream blouse. Alex was frozen in shock as she took in the Old One, her mind trying to connect the being in front of her to the memories.

  “You’re…” Sif gasped, staring at Alex with the same intensity only to shake her head. “I apologize.” She cleared her throat and turned her eyes towards Merlin. “I’d greet you, Merlin, but this is grave importance.”

  “Sif? What is that? Where did you find it?” Merlin questioned as he moved forward, walking right up to Sif and bending over to look at the ice cauldron. “It looks-”

  “I was seeking other Old Ones who might help and found a trace of Cyrridven,” Sif explained in a rush. “It led to a small cavern where I found this.” She looked towards Alex and her expression turned slightly nervous. “I can only assume that she meant it for you.”

  Merlin nodded slowly and stepped closer to the cauldron while Alex stood on her toes and tried to peer over the rim. Wafting his hand over it, Merlin inhaled the scent of the potion with an odd expression crossing his face.

  “That’s the potion,” he agreed. “It hasn’t been used, but I’d say that it is complete.” He frowned deeply. “Has been for a while.”

  “Is it still safe?” Morgana asked. She was eying the cauldron suspiciously.

  “I think so,” Merlin said slowly. He didn’t sound confident. “It hasn’t shifted to its poisonous state yet.”

  “The cauldron is made of ice,” Sif offered, shivering a little. “It may have kept it safe.”

  Merlin nodded again and carefully ran a finger over the edge of the cauldron. “This isn’t magical ice,” he declared, frowning even deeper. “Why would she have-” He cut himself off and swallowed, shaking his head. “Maybe she knew.” A sad sigh escaped Merlin and Alex dropped her eyes.

  Hugging herself, Alex tried to stay still as guilt rolled through her. Cyrridven dying to save her had been bad enough before, but the idea that the Old One had known made it even worse. Merlin stepped back from Sif and glanced up the hill in the direction of his house. Then he looked back at Alex and Morgana.

  “I’m not sure what Cyrridven had planned, but given what we are trying to do…” Alex could feel the weight of his gaze. “Alex… this potion intensifies the magical connection between a mage and the Iron Realm. Not for long, but it gave me a vision of the birth of your soul long ago. It may be the key to helping you.”

  “Is it safe?” Alex asked Morgana softly. She looked over at the older mage who looked uncomfortable.

  “I don’t know,” Morgana answered. “I’ve never used the potion myself.”

  Alex looked towards Sif. The Old One looked torn. Their eyes met and Alex’s stomach twisted and fluttered. Horrified, Alex looked down at the cauldron and nodded.

  “Okay,” she said. The word surprised her, but she focused on the odd blooming certainty in her chest. “Cyrridven died for me. If… if she did know then she wouldn’t have left something that could hurt me. I trust her… and Sif.”

  Both Merlin and Morgana looked nervous for a moment, but their expressions quickly became resigned. “We shouldn’t do this here,” Morgana said. She stepped forward as her hands began to glow silver and touched the bottom of the cauldron.

  “Careful, Morgana,” Merlin cautioned. “You mustn’t allow your magic to interact with the potion. It is a very precise mixture.”

  “Yes, well, we can’t have the potion dripping all over the shore either,” Morgana snapped, giving Merlin a warning look. “Can we?”

  “In the car,” Merlin sighed.

  He gestured to his SUV and Morgana nodded for Alex to go ahead. She hesitated for a moment but forced herself to look away from Sif and climb back up the shore towards Merlin’s blue SUV. She got in the front seat while Sif and Morgana carefully climbed into the back. Sif asked Morgana a soft question about how safe cars were that almost made Alex laugh. Once this was over she’d have to ask Sif about how long she’d been asleep and how much of the world she’d managed to see. Enough to update her clothes at least.

  Merlin turned the SUV gently and took them back towards the house. Alex twisted her hands in her lap. Around her the magic relaxed, almost seeming satisfied with the turn of events which only confused her. There were times that magic seemed so lifeless like it really was nothing but energy and at other times it was as if an intelligence was driving it all.

  They came to a stop back at Merlin’s house before Alex could think about it too much. With wide eyes, Alex looked back at the cauldron being held by Sif and Morgana. Her heart clenched and anticipation. Alex stomach twisted as she climbed out of the SUV and hung back as the cauldron was rushed inside. Magic pulled on her again and Alex opened her fingers to release a few sparks. The pressure eased only a tiny bit and with a sigh, she directed the magic down to the hem of her jeans. Gray sparks spun around the bottom hem that was beginning to wear thin and a moment later the fabric looked good as new. Forcing herself to move, Alex was hit by a wave of dizziness that made her grip at the rail of Merlin’s porch. She almost tripped over one of the gargoyles and looked down at it.

  “The ones at Notre Dame are better,” she muttered to it. Then she realized she was talking to a stature and hurried inside. She got inside just in time to see Merlin and Sif vanish into the kitchen.

  “I have some jars,” Merlin said. “Under the sink. Nothing special, but…” he trailed off for a moment. “Neither were the others.” Merlin all but ran into the kitchen and Alex could hear cabinets opening.

  “Let’s hope it really is just a matter of getting the liquid contained quickly,” Morgana muttered. Her green eyes were dark with worry and Alex shifted nervously as the older mage stepped over next to her. “You don’t have to do this.” Morgana reached up and caressed her cheek for a moment. “We can keep trying.”

  “This is the best chance,” Alex replied. Her voice sounded a bit too weak, but she forced a smile. “I’ll be alright. Merlin was after all and I’m the Iron Soul.” She waved her hand towards the door. “And anyway something pulled me towards Sif. I don’t think there is really an option here.”

  Morgana shook her head. “You do have a choice, Alex. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” Morgana’s green eyes cut into her with a sharp intense gaze. “We don’t know how this will affect you. Who knows might it might make you see or expose you to.”

  The warning made Alex’s stomach turn. She considered calling her mom and dad, but judging from the almost panicked sounds coming from the kitchen they didn’t have much time. It made Alex wonder just where Cyrridven had been making the potion. Her eyes dropped to where Mjǫllnir was waiting on the coffee table.

  “You just left it here?”

  “We were more than a little concerned about you running off,” Morgana replied dryly. “I feared that Arthur had managed to use the Iron Chain against you.”

  Alex shuddered at the suggestion, but it seemed to be what she needed to hear. Reaching out she gripped Mjǫllnir and sighed in relief as some of the built up magic flowed into the hammer. It started to glow and Alex ignored the way Morgana’s
eyes widened. Without another word Alex walked into the kitchen

  There were several jars waiting on the counter and Merlin was digging through another drawer. The cauldron was in the sink with a faint mist rising off of it. Spinning dramatically, Merlin held up a long glass stirring rod which earned him a strange look from Morgana though she stayed silent.

  Sif’s eyes met Alex’s and she nodded quickly, not trusting herself to speak. Nodding in return, Sif turned and plucked the stirring rod from Merlin’s hand. Both he and Morgana took a step forward, but Alex waved them back. She prayed they wouldn’t protest or say anything. Alex was sure she’d throw up if someone tried to talk to her. In her chest the gathered magic was jumping around like an excited puppy and the air smelled like ozone. More magic was gathering and judging by the expression on Sif’s face she could feel it as well.

  Alex was silent as the stirring rod was dipped into the potion. Sif pulled it out slowly letting a few drops gather. Alex didn’t have Nicki’s memory for mythology, but she was pretty sure she remembered something about only the first few drops being magical. The rest was poison. Despite the urge to look at Merlin and Morgana, Alex kept her focus on Sif. It was hard to meet the Old One’s gaze and Sif seemed just as uncertain as she was, but neither looked away. Alex awkwardly opened her mouth. Sif touched her head and tilted it back slightly, bringing the stirring rod to her lips. Alex gasped in shock when the sweet first drop hit her tongue. Her fingers tightened around Mjǫllnir as the magic ripped through her.

  33

  Realm of the Dark Elves

  116 C.E. Sør-Trøndelag, Norway

  If he survived this Thor was never going underground again. All around him, the rough tunnel was closing in and it was only Sif’s hand on his arm that kept him calm. She said nothing despite the sweat breaking out on his forehead and merely stayed next to him. Everyone was as quiet as they could manage with Merlin and Frea in the lead. There was a distant sound of metal against stone and a hum in the air that felt unnatural. It was pressing against his skin and making his stomach turn.

  The air tasted wrong against his tongue. It was too metallic and sharp with a hint of something organic that he couldn’t name. Alien and uncomfortable smells were wafting up through the tunnel. He heard Morgana made a small sound that was a blend of alarm and recognition. Her speed increased and she hissed something at Merlin.

  Overhead the rock rumbled and crashes ahead of them echoed up the tunnel. Everyone moved faster and Thor’s heart was pounding as he eyed the roof. They entered an empty cavern with signs of discarded weapons and tools. None of it was familiar, but Thor thought it all looked ready to collapse. Up ahead the tunnel narrowed and it was a challenge for him to slip through. His shoulders banged against each side and ached, but he refused to let go of Mjǫllnir.

  The tunnel opened into the cavern that was partially exposed to the outside where Frea’s people had made their home. The village was in near ruins. Dark Elves were screaming and running towards them, waving weapons in the air and releasing long shrieks that made Thor shudder. Bringing up Mjǫllnir, he shifted to the side to give Sif room as she grew her sword. Then the Dark Elves reached them in a flurry of blades, talons, and screams.

  Thor swung Mjǫllnir into the chest of the first Dark Elf sending it crashing back into another pair. Before the group could right itself, Thor pushed magic through the hammer and released a bolt of lightning straight at them. It arced through the air and struck the first Dark Elf, transferring to the other two. They screamed and the first one turned to dust while the other two collapsed. A gold flare flashed through the air and struck another of them.

  In the corner of his eye, Thor saw Sif’s long braid spin in the air as she moved and smiled. Another Dark Elf was nearing the downed injured one and he released another lightning bolt. They dissolved into dust and he barely dodged a set of long talons lashing out towards him. Thor swung Mjǫllnir and brought it sharply against another Dark Elves chest. There were more of them coming and distant screaming.

  Silver magic flashed in the darkness as a rain of small sparks showered down on a group of Dark Elves. They tried to run only to trip over each other. The bolts weren’t enough to destroy them, but green magic from Merlin rolled past him and crashed over the Dark Elves. Their bodies began to turn to dust though a few crawled out of the way. Thor shoved Mjǫllnir forward and lightning lashed out to strike down two more Dark Elves.

  His eyes searched the darkness. They’d never gotten a good estimate of how many there were. Morgana’s light orb brightened, but the shadows between the stalactites and stalagmite seemed much darker than before. Frea moved forward, her face frantic with worry. Thor sped up his pace to stay close and noted gratefully that Sif was staying nearby. It didn’t take Frea long to find the captives near one of the collapsing buildings.

  Several of the Sídhe were bound to the walls in rough metal chains. Frea was at their side in an instant, tugging at the chains with her hands. Merlin and Morgana moved past them, orbs of magic at the ready for the next attack. Moving over to Frea, Thor tapped her shoulder and gestured her back. The Sídhe pulled tightly on their chains and closed their eyes, turning away as he brought Mjǫllnir down against the chains. They fell away instantly, breaking open with a clatter. Links fell on the floor and Frea helped the first few to their feet. Thor moved to the next group and repeated the process, all the while keeping his eyes scanning the darkness.

  “Take them back to the surface Frea,” Thor told her. His eyes traced over one of the younger Síd who looked terrified and was clutching at one of the women. “They shouldn’t be down here. We don’t know what how magic the Dark Elves are doing might affect you.”

  Frea looked ready to argue, but then she nodded to him. Thor tried to hide his nervousness as Frea waved for her warriors to join her. They were losing some of their help. Thor’s stomach tightened nervously, but the taste of the alien magic in the air solidified his worry. He could hear something still echoing up from the next cavern. Sif was at his side and helped up a younger looking Síd. He watched them go over to Frea but didn’t linger. A quick glance towards the roof sent a jolt of cold through his gut, but there was something off about the rock. It shimmered in the light of Morgana’s orb in a strange way.

  “Hurry,” Merlin said. “We need to keep moving.”

  They followed the slope of the tunnel down into the cavern that the Dark Elves had been in last time. Every breath sent more and more shivers through Thor’s body as the wrong taste in the air grew worse with every step. He found himself struggling between the urge to find the source and stop it and desire to run from it. A shriek from the darkness made him tense and he drummed his fingers on Mjǫllnir’s handle as Sif took a step away from him.

  Three Dark Elves rushed up towards them. Merlin swung his staff which flashed a brilliant leaf green color and bolts of magic flew from it. The first two Dark Elves were blasted back and struck the far wall. Odin waved his hand sending a wave of gold magic at the last Dark Elf, sweeping it up in the gold sparks. It was crushed a moment later by the magic and turned to dust.

  More came out of the darkness. Terrible high pitched shrieks and clicking sounds escaped them as they brought up their swords and axes. He sidestepped a clumsy axe swing and slammed Mjǫllnir down on the creature’s back as it toppled forward. Magic flared off the hammer and there was a crack just before the body vanished. Silver magic mixed with gold and green ahead of him as Sif and the others fought them back.

  Thor kept moving. With a swing of Mjǫllnir, he destroyed two more Dark Elves and in the corner of his eye saw Sif stab another before releasing a blast of magic into its chest. It made him smile. Up ahead the slope evened out and they found themselves back at the mysterious tunnel that had been dug into the wall. Thor’s heart beat raced and the energy in the air changed once again. Around him, the world seemed almost hazy, like looking through a column of heat. A glow of purple light illuminated the cavern, spilling out of a smaller tunnel and making
the world seem all wrong. Thor’s knees trembled. It was too much for his sense. Between being underground, the wrongness in the air, and the hazy world he feared that he’d collapse at any moment.

  There were more Dark Elves here, standing guard over the tunnel and baring their teeth. Morgana moved first, sending a rippling wave of silver magic washing through the air as she, Merlin, and Odin’s men charged down. Thor rushed to join them, reaching the first Dark Elves as the silver magic threw them all back. He slammed Mjǫllnir down on the nearest one and was moving before the lightning dissipated and the body finished vanishing. Dark Elves were ganging up on Odin, but Morgana sent a series of silver bolts into the crowd. Thor just hoped that she paid some attention to who their allies were.

  His stomach turned once more and Thor stumbled, almost crashing into the blade of a Dark Elf. Catching himself on the side of the cave with his left hand he pushed magic through Mjǫllnir in panic. Lightning flashed off the hammer and exploded outward, knocking the Dark Elves back. The light in the tunnel was increasing and Thor grit his teeth as a high pitched whine echoed in his skull. He pushed through the line, using Mjǫllnir to force some of the Dark Elves back. Panting for air, Thor smashed the hammer into another guard and looked into the tunnel.