Tearing Off the Shadows

A couple of days later found them all returned to Asgard, welcomed warmly by Odin. Thor and Freyr had recovered swiftly, though there was still some gloom over all of them.

Freya had immediately taken her brother in tow, keeping a watch over him and caring for him.

Sif and Frigg had the the same with their husbands, Sif making sure there was no lasting affects on Thor or Mjollner.

Heimdall was solemn, but then, he had always been. Loki was as well, though in him it was extremely odd.

Yamino and Fenrir were at hand to care for their father, though both could see his deep sadness and were powerless to do anything about it.


And so it was surprising one day that two hooded figures stepped into Asgard and came to court with Odin. Odin, watching the two warily, welcomed them softly. He blinked as the hood was pushed back for one, revealing a smiling Hel. \"Hel! What brings you to Asgard?\" He said in surprise and a bit of wariness at the twinkle in her eye. She could be as mischievous sometimes as her father...

Tilted her head and smiled. \"Actually, I was also hoping to speak to papa and Heim-chan.\" She said with a wink, causing Odin\'s wariness to go up even as he summoned the two gods.

Upon entering the Hall, Loki stopped at the sight of his daughter. He gave a glad smile, rushing over to her to hug her. \"Hel! You\'re all right! What are you doing here?\"

Heimdall was a bit wary, though he smiled and nodded to Hel briefly.

Smiling as she hugged her father back, Hel snuggled him, enjoying the love. \"I came to see you and Heim-chan.\" She said as she leaned back, grinning. She gestured to the other hooded figure that stood nearby. \"And I have something for you. Seems you lost it.\" She said impishly.

\"Lost it?\'\" Loki arched an eyebrow up at his daughter. He shook his head, tapping her nose. \"I am glad to see you, princess.\"

Heimdall arched an eyebrow upwards, looking over at the hooded figure. \"What is it you have brought to us, Hel?\"

Giggling softly in the delighted knowledge that she\'d make them happy, Hel danced over to the hooded figure and slowly pulled down the hood, revealing the one.

Loki and Heimdall both took a step backwards, their eyes wide.

\"Mayura...\" Loki whispered his eyes wide as the two gods stared at the pink-haired girl before them.

Mayura gazed back at them silently, and then smiled brightly as she tilted her head. \"Haaii!!\"

\"Mayura!\" Loki exclaimed, rushing over to her and hugging her tightly. Heimdall followed a few moments later, just as glad to see her though he didn\'t display his affection quite as openly.

Giggling softly as she hugged them both tightly, Mayura nuzzled them lovingly. \"Hai...and two others.\" She whispered softly as she took their hands and put them on her stomach, smiling up at them.

Odin came down, smirking in amusement as Hel bounced on her feet. \"So, how did this happen, Hel?\" He asked warmly.

Hel grinned up at him and answered, \"When she died, I was able to catch her and keep her soul safe, along with her godlings. After the hold was broken on your spirits and I could work freely, I gave her back her body and took care of her until she awoke!\"

\"But how? How did you get to Niflheim?\" Heimdall asked, frowning. Mayura wasn\'t Norse, so how was she was able to get there?

\"Because of these.\" Mayura said gently as she placed a hand over their hands on her belly. \"Because of your sons. They are pure gods and were able to sustain me with their energy and since they are your sons, they are Norse.\" She smiled as Hel nodded.

Tears filled Heimdall\'s eyes. He rubbed her stomach, looking at her with awe. \"So, it\'s true then? You are with child?\"

\"Times two!\" Mayura said with a giggle before cupping both their cheeks. \"Two wonderful gifts...how\'s that for bonding?\"

“I must say, it certainly is amazing.” Loki said in wonder, looking into her eyes. To have her here…and to have her pregnant no less! It truly was a miracle.

Smiling sweetly at them both, Mayura squeezed their hands. \"Thank Hel-san. She was so wonderful.\" She said warmly as she looked at the other girl.

“Of course she was. She IS my daughter.” Loki said with pride.

Heimdall rolled his eyes, though he smioverover at Hel. “You mean to say she’s wonderful DESPITE being your daughter.”

Mayura snickered as Hel smiled sweetly. Odin rolled his eyes at them, then shooed them out of the throne room. Hel went off to find her brothers so they could play.

Once everyone was gone, Loki turned to Mayura. He took her hand in his, Heimdall taking her other. “Well…where would you like to stay, Mayura? Do you want to go back to Tokyo or stay here?”

\"I should finish school and see papa...\" Mayura said wistfully, sighing as she squeezed their hands. \"And the babies should know their ojiisan.\"

“That they should.” Heimdall said softly, looking at Loki. The Trickster looked back, nodding with a sigh.

“Then you shall return to Tokyo, beloved.” Loki smiled, touching her cheek tenderly.

Smiling gently as she leaned into his touch, Mayura\'s eyes sparkled. \"Arigato. Will...you come with me?\" She asked hesitantly.

Loki turned his face away from her, unable to meet her eyes. “We will see, Mayura.” They could take her, but staying with her was an entirely different matter.

Crestfallen, Mayura gazed at them, then looked down, nodding sadly. \"Ok.\" She said softly.

Heimdall reached out, cupping her cheek to raise her head. “Don’t be sad, Mayura. Very few humans get a chance at life again.” That was the core of the problem, he knew. She was human and they were not. As much as they wished to be with her, they could not live with her forever on Midgard, and she could not live in Asgard without becoming a goddess.

Nodding as tears came to her eyes, Mayura tried to blink them back as she smiled wanly. \"I...just don\'t want them to not see their papas.\" She said waveringly.

“Oh Mayura.” Loki wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “You don’t really think we would stay out of your life forever do you?”

\"Iiee...demo...\" Mayura sniffled as she snuggled against him. She sniffled again and tried to muffle the little sob that escaped.

“Hush now, aijin.” Heimdall brushed his hand down her hair. “We will be with you as much as we can, we promise. Do not be sad.”

\"I want to be with you both all the time.\" Mayura whimpered out as she tugged Heimdall close, wanting to feel them both close.

Heimdall sighed, wrapping his arm around her and looking at Loki. How could they? The only way was for her to stay in Asgard. They couldn’t stay on Midgard permanently.

“Mayura, there is a way. But it requires…a sacrifice.” Loki said hesitantly, uncertain.

Sniffling, Mayura looked up at Loki slowly, her face tear streaked. \"What do you mean?\" She asked softly, looking scared.

“You can stay here, with us. But…it means you must change a bit.” Loki began; unsure on how she would take this. “It doesn’t mean you can’t go back to Tokyo and visit, but you’d have to live here.”

Blinking uncertainly, Mayura gazed up at him, then over her shoulder at Heimdall, silently questioning them. \"Will it hurt?\"

Heimdall couldn’t help but laugh. “Only if eating an apple will hurt you, Mayura. It’s fairly easy, though you might feel a slight burning sensation inside.”

\"What about the babies?\" Mayura asked instantly, worried as she placed a protective hand on her belly.

“The babies would be fine, since they are part god already. It would merely make them more so.” Loki reassured her, smiling at her protectiveness.

Looking up at Loki uncertainly, Mayura relaxed slightly. \"What would it do to me?\"

“Make you a goddess.” Loki said simply, truthfully.

Staring up at him shock, then at Heimdall, Mayura squeaked. \"Aren\'t I egotistical enough?!\"

Heimdall couldn’t help but snicker. “Well…that was only figuratively speaking before. This would be the real thing.”

\"What kind of goddess would I be?!\" Mayura asked as she turned to Heimdall completely, eyes sparkling with interest. She had entered her \'Fushigi Mysteries\' mode...

“Uh…that’s a good question.” Heimdall blinked, twitching at the sparkle in her eyes. He hadn’t really been exposed to her obsession with mysteries, not like Loki had been.

“A very good question. What kind of goddess would you like to be?” Loki asked with a grin. She was just so cute like this!

Bouncing between them excitedly, Mayura babbled. \"Oh! I could be the goddess of light! Or the goddess of music! Or...or the goddess of reading!\" She said, and then stopped, pouting. \"I suppose it will just choose for me, ne?\"

“That it will, Mayura. It will look deep inside you and find what and who, you truly are.” Loki shrugged. It was how he had become the Trickster God. The apples had seen that side of him deep in his heart and soul.

Looking suddenly frightened, Mayura gazed at them both. \"Do you think I might...become evil?\" She asked in a small voice.

Heimdall laughed, shaking his head. \"You? Evil? Not you, sweet one. Never you.\"

Smiling in relief, Mayura clung to his hand. \"Honto ni?\"

“Hai.” Heimdall smiled, kissing her hand. “Have I ever lied to you?”

\"Iiee...\" Mayura replied uncertainly as she gazed at him, then over her shoulder at Loki. \"Will you both be with me?\"

“We will never leave your side, Mayura.” Loki assured her, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close.

Tugging Heimdall close as well as she leaned into Loki, Mayura smiled in relief and love. \"I\'m so glad.\" She whispered softly, sniffling.

Loki smiled, brushing his lips against her hair. Heimdall gave a brief smile, touching her cheek before taking her hand in his. It would be wonderful to have her hear with them. There were so many wonders in Asgard that they both knew she would delight in.

\"You both won\'t mind having us around? I mean...I know you two like to play and stuff...\" Mayura trailed off, gazing at them uncertainly.

“If we didn’t mind having you around in Tokyo, we certainly won’t here.” Loki said loftily, touching her cheek tenderly.

Looking at them both, Mayura smiled softly and snuggled against them. \"I\'m rather...tired. Could I lie down?\" She murmured softly.

“Of course. Come, you staystay in my room.” Loki said, knowing it was too far for her to go to Heimdall’s hall.

\"All of us?\" Mayura asked in a small voice as she looked up at them, tears of pleading in her eyes. \"I...it was so lonely in that place Hel Hel-san couldn\'t be with me all the time...\" She whispered, trembling.

Heimdall frowned a bit; he really should return to Bifrost and make sure the giants weren\'t planning anything.

\"How about this? You and I can take a nap and Heimdall will join us later?\" Loki suggested, knowing what was on Heimdall\'s mind.

Looking sad, Mayura looked at Heimdall before looking down. \"Ok.\" She said quietly.

\"It won\'t be long, Mayura. I promise.\" Heimdall touched her cheek, raising her head. He leaned in, kissing her softly.

Leaning into his kiss, Mayura wrapped her hand around his neck, holding him to her before releasing her lips. \"Promise?\" She asked softly, gazing at him sadly.

\"I promise. Half an hour tops.\" Heimdall reassured her, brushing his finger along her lips. \"And you won\'t be alone, though heavens know why you\'d want this idiot with you.\" He couldn\'t help but tease, winking at her.

Smiling slightly before kissing his finger, Mayura winked. \"Same reason you do...to keep warm!\"

\"Hey hey! I am more than a blanket you know.\" Loki pouted, sniffing.

\"You are right.\" Mayura said solemnly, though her eyes twinkled with mischief as she turned to him. \"You are a very nice pillow as well.\" She said as she bopped him on the nose.

Loki arched an eyebrow up at her, pouting cutely. \"You know, if that\'s all I\'m good for, I could just live out the rest of my life as bed linen.\"

\"Iiee!! Then who would I play with while Heim-chan took me?\" Mayura said in mock horror.

Loki bowed his head, and then reached out to tickle her. \"I\'ll show you who plays with whom!\"

Squealing with laughter as she tried to get away, Mayura hid behind Heimdall. \"Save me Heim-chan!!\"

\"Nope, not going to work.\" Heimdall said seriously, reaching behind him to continue the tickle torture.

Laughing as she batted at them, Mayura wiggled away. She stopped suddenly and swayed, moaning softly as she curled in.

\"Mayura! What\'s wrong?!\" Loki rushed to her side, Heimdall right behind him. They wrapped their arms around her in concern.

\"Feeling...a bit...woozy...\" Mayura mumbled, trembling.

\"Come on then.\" Loki reached out, lifting her into his arms. \"Time for bed for you, miss.\"

Leaning against Loki, Mayura reached for Heimdall, eyes shining with tears. \"You\'ll come as soon as you can, right?\" She whispered pleadingly.

\"I promise. I just have to check on something Mayura.\" Heimdall reassured her, taking her hand and kissing it softly.

Sniffling as she nodded, Mayura squeezed the hand that held hers before wrapping her arm around Loki\'s neck. She gazed at Heimdall and smiled softly. \"Hurry.\"

\"I will.\" Heimdall smiled at them, and then sprinted out of the hall. He turned into his hawk form and headed for Bifrost, to make sure the giants weren\'t advancing.

Loki wrapped his arms around Mayura, carrying her to his room. \"It won\'t be long, love. He\'ll probably get back before we even get comfortable!\"

Sniffling as she nuzzled him, Mayura nodded. \"Ok.\" She said softly.

Carrying her to his room, Loki opened the door and set her on the plush bed that was in the center of the room. He touched her cheek, lying down next to her. \"Feeling any better?\"

Nodding slightly as she looked up at him, Mayura smiled sadly. \"Maybe some water?\"

\"Of course.\" Loki filled a glass with water from a nearby pitcher that was on the table. He handed it to her, sitting next to her again.

Sitting up slowly, for her stomach was still churning, Mayura sipped slowly at the cool liquid before smiling wanly up at him. \"Arigato.\"

\"Welcome.\" Loki helped her drink, rubbing her back soothingly. \"Feel any better?\"

Nodding slightly as tears came to her eyes, Mayura sniffled. \"I\'m...lonely.\" She whispered softly, placing her hand on her belly.

\"Oh Mayura...I\'m here. I won\'t let you be alone again.\" Loki whispered, wrapping his arms around him. He briefly thought that perhaps she didn\'t want him, not really.

Sniffling as she hugged him tightly, Mayura closed her eyes as her tears ran free. \"I was...they were always in my mind and now I can\'t hear them. It\'s so lonely in my mind.\" She whimpered softly.

\"I\'m not sure I understand, Mayura. Who was in your head?\" Loki frowned, concerned.

\"The babies.\" Mayura whispered faintly, sniffling again as she buried her face in his shoulder.

\"When did this start?\" Loki asked, curious now. Why couldn\'t she hear them now if she could before?

\"When I died and Hel saved me.\" Mayura replied before lying back on the bed, looking up at him forlornly. \"In order to save me, she linked me with the twins so I could draw on their godling powers.\"

\"And now you can\'t hear them?\" Loki asked in concern. He placed his hand over her stomach, rubbing it gently. Could they be dead? Or sleeping? He didn\'t know.

Nodding as she sniffled again, Mayura sighed and sobbed. \"Hel-san warned me it would happen...demo I didn\'t think it would be so empty!\" She sobbed as she covered her face with shaking hands.

\"Did she say why it would happen?\" Loki asked, holding her close to him. He rubbed her back soothingly, trying to calm her down.

\"Because I would become alive and they would return to their growing state.\" Mayura sobbed out softly as she hugged him tightly.

\"Ah, I see.\" Loki nodded, and then smiled. He kissed her gently, placing his hand over her stomach. It glowed slightly, the link she\'d had with the babies reigniting for a bit. \"If you become one of us, you would be able to feel them all the time, you know. I don\'t want to pressure you into this, Mayura. It\'s a big step and once you agree to it, there is no going back.\"

Sniffling as she relaxed, Mayura watched Loki, feeling the reconnection. \"Would I get to be with you and Heim-chan all the time? Would you still...love me?\" She asked softly as she slowly looked up at him.

\"Whether goddess or mortal, we will always love you.\" Loki brushed her hair from her face tenderly. \"But yes, you\'d get to be with us all the time.\"

Tears filled her eyesshe she sniffled again. Mayura looked down and nodded silently, trembling as the link dissolved again. \'I don\'t think I can handle this...\' she thought in despair.

\"What do you want, Mayura? Deep in your heart?\" Loki whispered, rubbing her stomach again. He would give her anything that she asked, anything.

\"I w-want you and H-heim-chan t-to be with m-me and l-love m-me and the b-babies.\" Mayura said in between her sobs.

\"And we always will.\" Loki gathered her into his arms, hugging her. Another pair of arms wrapped around her, Heimdall having appeared silently.

\"I missed you both so much!\" Mayura cried as she clung to them both, trembling. She tried to calm down, knowing she might get sick with her tears, but she needed them.

\"As we did you, love. We were crazy with grief without you.\" Heimdall whispered into her ear.

\"That we were. The only thing we could think of was avenging your death.\" Loki brushed away her tears, kissing her softly. \"But we are with you now and we will not leave you.\"

Nodding as she sniffled, Mayura hiccupped as she tried to control herself. \"G-gomen...hormones...\" She mumbled softly, sniffling.

\"It\'s all right, sweet one.\" Heimdall reassured her, kissing her softly. \"No need to apologize.\"

Smiling slightly at HeimdaMayuMayura cupped his face, and then cupped Loki\'s. She giggled suddenly, and then sniffled. \"It\'s funny...but I like how you both kiss.\" She said and blushed slightly, looking down.

\"That is a good thing.\" Loki reminded her, tapping her nose with a grin. \"Since you are stuck with both of us.\"

\"I\'m so glad.\" Mayura whispered softly as she hugged them both tightly. She sniffled as tears of joy flowed down her cheeks. They were finally all together.

~owari~