Chapter 18
The drinking lasted far into the night, longer than Kol had planned but it was worth it. The three of them were bonded in friendship and family with a sense of purpose when it came to the quest. Kol had never been close to anyone in his life before and now that he had people in his life that he cared for it somewhat bothered him. He wouldn’t allow any harm to come to the new brothers if he could help it at all and there in laid the problem, any enemy could exploit this vulnerability and use it against him. Life was going to be much more dangerous for him from now on but even though he had worries about what would happen next he wouldn’t change it for the world. He finally had a real family.
Walking into their room Kol can’t help but smile while looking at the other two demigods. They were sprawled out in awkward positions on the floor; clearly they had tried to make it to the beds but were unsuccessful. Flopping down on one of the beds Kol is overtaken by sleep in minutes as his mind drifts into dreams.
A cackling laugh shatters the silence of the room for a moment as an eerie shadow begins to emerge from the walls. Moments later a five foot two woman steps into the dim moonlit room, she has pure black eyes and ash white skin. Her brown hair is messy and tangled sticking out in multiple directions, as she looks around the room at the three men her mouth breaks into a smile reveling two fangs protruding further than the others and dripping drool. Her claw like nails glimmer in the night as she draws closer to the middle of the room and her pure white shirt and shorts hang loosely on her body.
“Which one of you will be first?” She questions in a hiss. “Perhaps it would be best to start with the pure hearted son of Thor.”
Half walking and half floating the creature approaches Hallthor flipping him onto his back and straddling his body the hag of a woman leans down to his face breathing a white fog from her mouth into his. For a moment Hallthor moves around in his sleep as if he’s trying to escape but the woman holds him firm breathing more fog into his mouth.
In Hallthor’s dreams he is well respected and loved by everyone in Midgard and Asgard, proudly he is standing in the hall of his father called Bilskirnir. Thor is beaming with pride as he and Kol walk down the aisle way with the people cheering vigorously, this is the day he has been waiting for. Throughout the past years he, with the help of his adopted brother, has become the most famous demigod in all the worlds, time and again they have defeated monsters and saved both Midgard and Asgard among other worlds. Finally his day has come, today is the day that both he and Kol will be made immortal, full Asgardians and to top that off today he will also be crowned king.
Standing at the back of the crowd silently staring is the woman from the room, as she watches the ceremony her body shifts and changes shape until she is the perfect clone of Calder.
“Hallthor my son and hero known through Midgard and Asgard today is a special day for both you and my adopted child Kol. Step forward and hand me your hammers.” Booms Thor.
“My hammers?” Questions Hallthor hesitantly looking at Kol who shrugs unsure.
“Are you questioning what I say?” Thor queries with a bit of irritation entering his voice.
“No father.” He answers quickly handing over his weapons.
Grabbing the hammer Thor turns forcing them to disappear into thin air. “Good, now everything is almost as it should be. First off Kol, you have been part of my children for a great many years now fighting side by side with Hallthor. You have supported him throughout his journey and shown who you truly are.”
Beaming from the praise Kol begins to bow but before he can complete it a sword pierces his back exiting through his chest, as he dies Kol just stares down at the blade in horror.
Hallthor turns in complete shock to see Calder ramming the sword deeper with a laugh, anger swells in his chest but before he can do anything Thor’s hammer rams into his chest knocking him to the ground breathless.
“Why father?” He questions over the cheering of the crowd.
“Because Kol is a useless child of Loki, never did I care for him. I used both Kol and yourself for my own ends, I had originally hoped you would die on one of the quests I sent you on but alas you two had a bad habit of surviving. In the end though it was for the best, the satisfaction of watching Kol die in front of me was much more enjoyable. As for you Hallthor you have always been a disappointment to me, it was not Calder and Ragnar that chose to beat and torture you it was I that ordered them to. You were a mistake something I never wanted and cursed the day you came into this world. Now that the tasks I needed have been fulfilled I can do with you what I always wanted, guards take him.”
In a rush the warriors three and lady Sif surround and beat Hallthor so badly that he knows he’ll never be the same but that is nothing compared to the pain in his heart at the loss of his brother and betrayal of his father.
“Bind him.” Thor laughs as he watches. “Now Calder my favored son step forward.”
Calder walks past Hallthor spitting in his face as he does. “Yes father?”
“Favored son of Asgard from this day forth you will not only become a full immortal Asgardian but also king, by the power granted to me by my father and his ancestors back to the beginning I Thor son of Odin bestow upon you the gifts I have aforementioned.”
The hall shakes and fills with a brilliant light as Calder is transformed and crowned king destroying Hallthor’s heart even further.
“And now for you Hallthor, I proclaim that from this day forth you shall remain in prisoned and tortured until the day your mortal life ends at which time you will be sent straight to Helheim.”
“No!” Screams Hallthor struggling and crying.
Hallthor’s body shakes violently in his sleep but the woman holds him firm until his eyes shoot open and roll back into his head as his body goes limp.
“One down and two to go.” She larks heading over to Curios. “Your turn.”
Sitting on his waist she again leans down to his head performing the same actions as she did with Hallthor.
Curios has finally done it, he finally performed enough heroic deeds that his father noticed him. He was welcomed to the ocean kingdom and crowned prince of the realm, Triton was to be king but he didn’t care about that all he wanted to do is be with his family, to be accepted. With the help of Kol and Hallthor he finally achieved what he had wanted.
At times he missed his adopted brothers but he had responsibilities now that he couldn’t avoid, he was sure that he would see them again someday. His father had been stressed lately fighting a war with someone or another but he had been kept out of it. His father didn’t want to risk his life and although he was over joyed at his father’s concern for him he desperately wanted to help.
“Dearest son I know you have been unhappy with my decision to let you help me in the war I have been fighting.”
“I understand your reasoning father and I accept it, but if you ever need me to do anything father all you have to do is ask.” Replies Curios giving Poseidon a hug.
“I’m glad you said that son, as it so happens there is something that I need you to help me with, if you do this with for me my son I will know without a doubt where your heart truly lies.” He responds.
“Anything father.” He smiles happily.
“Good come with me.” Leading Curios through the underwater palace halls.
As he walks side by side with his father, Curios can’t help but let his mind wonder conjuring images and thoughts of what he could possibly be asked to do and the rewards that will follow.
Walking into a large room filled with people Curios starts to feel a little intimidated, staring at him in the room is his stepmother and half-brother Triton, the captain of the guard and all of the honor guard are there as well.
“Good evening everyone, are we ready?” Questions Poseidon sitting in his chair and motioning Curios to sit next to him.
“We are my lord.” Replies Triton.
“Good then let us begin.” With a wave of his hand an air bubble appea
rs in the middle of the table.
Shining for a moment it suddenly comes alive with the image of Thor.
“What is the meaning of this?” Demands Thor.
“I call for your surrender Thor, if you don’t immediately agree to this I will take something from you that will forever scar you.” Answers Poseidon.
Leaning over to Triton while his father talks with Thor, Curios voices his question. “I thought the Norse gods were our allies?”
“They were but then the mortals that follow them and the mortals that follow us began to war, the gods came to their defense and the war started. There have been many losses on both sides and it’s now too late for a peaceful solution.” Replies Triton curtly. “Now be quiet and pay attention.”
Looking back at the conversation Curios is stunned at the news he just heard.
“Then let what happens now be on your head!” Poseidon yells slamming his fist on the table. “Curios come forward!”
Slowly Curios comes to the head of the table standing next to his father with all eyes watching him closely.
“Bring in the prisoners!” Yells Poseidon.
Another door opens reveling two men encased in chains being dragged into the room. When they look up to his horror it’s his surrogate brothers Kol and Hallthor.
“Is your answer still no Thor? Are you willing to sacrifice your sons?” Questions Poseidon clearly amused.
“You have gone too far!” Yells Thor so forcefully the bubble shakes.
“Then you still remain stubborn, so be it! Curios, prove yourself to me and kill the prisoners.” He shouts.
Grabbing his trident in his hand Curios miserably walks up facing the two men.
“We are brothers Curios.” Begins Kol.
“I know.” He replies beginning to cry.
“Let me finish, we are brothers and both myself and Hallthor have agreed, we knew that you’d be forced to make this decision and as such we release you from any guilt or fault, do what you must my brother. We both wish you only the best and love you.” Says Kol.
“Goodbye brother.” Adds Hallthor lowering his head.
“Do it boy or you will forever be banished from my sight!” Yells Poseidon.
“I’m sorry.” Whispers Curios stabbing Kol in the chest followed by Hallthor.
“NOOOOO!” Shrieks Thor watching the killing.
“Mark my words you will pay for this Poseidon, if your son could so easily betray those that he lived with a fought beside how loyal do you think he is really? One far off day he will betray you!” He says disappearing from view.
“You did what I asked Curios for that I am thankful, I knew that the killing would hurt Thor more if it came from you. Unfortunately he is right, you easily betrayed the men whom you were close to. There is something missing inside you my child and that is a risk I cannot take, from this day forth you will be transformed into a regular mortal, you will be forever removed from this life and family. Until such time as this war is over though you will remain in prisoned here, I will not have the enemy capture you and revel secrets of this place. Take him away.” States Poseidon with a sigh.
“Father please don’t do this, I would never betray you! I didn’t even want to kill them. The betrayal broke my heart and destroyed me inside.” Howls Curios as he’s dragged away.
The scene fades around Poseidon as the form changes into the hag for a moment before fading leaving only the prison trapping Curios. Again the woman snickers holding Curios in place as is body shakes for a moment before going limp matching Hallthor’s.
“Aren’t you done yet?” Stresses another voice in the room.
Turning abruptly, the haggish lady stares in fear for a moment before bowing stiffly. “Lady Sigyn to what do I owe this honor?”
“Spare me the formalities Juntas, have you finished trapping the demigods in their minds?”
“I have finished with Hallthor and Curios, only Kol is left.” She answers.
“Get on with it then, my husband Loki may have faith that Kol will be on our side but I have felt the good in him and I will not chance our future on this child of another union.”
“As you wish my lady by the time I am done Kol will either be trapped for all time or corrupted to the point that he is yours forever.” Says Juntas turning towards Kol.
“I will hold you to that creature do not fail me.” She replies disappearing.
“Come Kol let us see how the darkness can be twisted inside you.” Juntas whispers straddling Kol’s body.
Immortals Children Of The Gods Page 18