The view from Aaron's eyes was quite simply. Only for the simple reason that there appeared to be a permanent Green filter placed over them, as no matter how many time he rubbed at them, the never ending green fog and snowstorm in front of him never changed as he continued to walk on aimlessly.
'I don't recognise this place at all.' Aaron thought to himself as he continued walking towards the unknown. With no source of light in the sky, there wasn't horizon in sight.
As flakes of snow hit against his skin, he never felt that sense of coldness to his skin either. Instead he would feel his energy and will to continue fade ever so slightly.
'This can't be my end.' Aaron thought to himself as he pushed forward. As the winds howled past his ears, Aaron swore he could hear them call out to him. "Fyrirheitin af orðum mínum. Bundinn af blóði."
'What was that?' Aaron asked himself in confusion. "Ég sver við orð mín. Ef ég hitti hann. Ég skal drepa hann." The Wind whispered once more past Aaron's ears.
As Aaron looked around he couldn't see nor sense anyone around him. "Please stay the night with me. I don't want to be alone before I die... I don't even want to die."
'Wait... That was my voice!' Aaron realised as he continued to hear his own voice in the Wind. "I won't let you fucking touch her ever again!"
"Unlike him, I will keep my word to you! Unlike him, I will never betray you! Unlike him, I'll give you all of my Heart!"
"And because he has made you suffer and cry, I will kill him for you. So that you will no longer live inside this Nightmare!"
"Grandfather... Please grant me some strength. To win this fight... And to save her!"
"Þangað til þú heyrir rödd mína. Verndaðu hana."
"Love... You." Upon hearing the wind's final whisper, Aaron had finally stopped moving and was thrust out of his snow filled vision.
When he looked around there still appeared to be a green filter over his eyes but it wasn't as strong as it was a few moments ago. The Wind also now felt much different, as he could now feel it's chill touch brush against his skin.
But his eyes widened in horror when his eyes caught the shining reflection of Gold behind him. Looking back in horror by a vision of Gold. Standing directly behind Aaron he could see Helhiem's Bridge of the Damned, and it appeared that he had already finished crossing it.
As Aaron attempted to cross back over the Bridge once more, he found that he was being blocked by some kind of invisible force just several meters away from the Bridge.
He noticed that when he felt the force push him back, the Runes that marked the pillars that held the Bridge's Golden Roof up began to radiate a dim Crimson Red glow.
But before Aaron could even begin to question what was happening, a Voice spoke out to him from behind. "You have completed your Journey into the depths of Helhiem and have now crossed the Bridge of the Dead. From this point on, the you cannot return. And none have ever returned under my nerver ending watch."
Turning to face the owner of this voice, Aaron was meet with a Black haired woman who appeared to be wearing a black version of the Valkyrie's Uniform. He knew who this woman was. It was the female Guardian of the River Gjöll and Gatekeeper of Helheim, Modgud.
"Since you are on this side of the river, you can no longer return to the land of the living. Your soul now belongs to my Mistress Lady Hela." Modgud emotionlessly explained to Aaron.
Refusing to accept this, slightly lowered his body, showing signs he was ready to fight in order to escape. However, Modgud remained still and impassive as she was before. "I wouldn't... You shall fail like many before you, if you try." Modgud stony voice stated out.
Growling back with his anger rising, Aaron exclaimed. "There's always a first!"
Rushing towards the unmoving Modgud, Aaron threw his arm upwards looking to entrap the Guardian's body in Ice... But nothing appeared.
'What?' Aaron through to himself in a panic before Modgud kicked him back to the ground.
As Aaron rolled backwards along the hard and stone filled ground, he was forced to jump to the side to avoid Modgud's incoming spear.
He had little time to recover as Modgud pressed on her attack. It was clear to Aaron now that crossing the Bridge had somehow zapped him of the semi-divine powers and strengths. Leaving him with nothing but the strengths and limits of a Mortal man.
But thankfully he still had something he could defend himself with. Raising his left arm up, he tightened his fist into a ball. A second later a metallic clink was heard before a small circular shield appeared over his gauntlet.
'Looks like I'm gonna have to Captain America this shit then.' Aaron thought to himself as he looked around to find anything he could use as another weapon. Only to find nothing.
Launching a quick attack, Modgud thrust her spear forward. Knocking the oncoming spear upwards, Aaron parried the attack but cursed himself when he had nothing to Counter her with except his shield itself, but it wouldn't have been effective as she was just out of reach for a meaningful blow to be dealt back.
A small smirk then seemed to appear on Modgud's face as she looked at Aaron. "It's been quite some time since I had someone capable of parrying let alone counter one of my attacks."
"But I must tell you... Even if you somehow manage to defeat me, you still won't be able to cross back." Modgud explained as her facial features returned to their normal impassive look.
"And I'm guessing only Hela can allow that?" Aaron asked as he kept his shield ready.
"Of course." Modgud replied.
Aaron remained silent as he thought about what his next move should be. With quick glances around he couldn't see any other abandoned weapons. Nothing but Dust and small Stones that couldn't even shatter fragile glass no matter how hard it was thrown.
That and along with not wanting to find out what happens to you after you die a second time, Aaron decided bartering might be a better option. "Any chance she might be up to make a deal?"
Modgud raised an eyebrow at Aaron's question. she remained silent as she was unsure of the answer herself. "I can not answer on Lady Hela's behalf so I am not sure."
"Then if it's possible, I'd like to ask." Aaron stated as he deactivated his shield.
Seeing that Aaron was no longer interested in this fight, Modgud raised her spear to her side. "Follow me then."
As Modgud lead Aaron through the Realm of the Dead, his eyes wondered to the view around him. The hills were jaded and cracked and looks like the aftermath of a large scale battle. The souls that they had passed all seemed lifeless and dull eyed, eternally staring out or to the empty sky above. There was an eerie silence over this world as he noticed a note standing below a Soul they had just passed.
What seemed peculiar about this soul was his appearance. He appeared to be a young man, barely in his twenties if he was even that age. But Aaron could tell he wasn't of Norse Origin. Because his Uniform was that of Spanish Conquistador. Picking up the paper, he seen it was folded with the words 'Si regresas, léeme.' (If you come back, read me.)
Dropping the piece of paper, Aaron shook his head in confusion. 'He must've had that on him when he died.' Aaron thought to himself as he watched Modgud wait on the path up ahead.
For several more minutes, the pair walked on in utter silence. That was until the came up upon a clearing. Sitting on a stone throne which appeared to have skulls carved into the sides was a woman that had the right side of her face covered by a veil. When a light breeze passed through, Aaron could just see what the veil was covering. The skin on the right side of her face had merged into her skull.
From the brief glance, Aaron knew that before him was the Goddess and Master of this Realm, The Goddess of Death herself, Hela.
"I have waited a long time for you arrival... Aaron Davidson... Or is it Skadison?" Hela sultry voice asked Aaron she smirked.
"Both would be correct." Aaron evenly answered. He didn't want to show any reaction to this Goddess. Not when he wanted to escape as soon as possible. "I've come to make a deal with you... If that's even possible."
"Oh, have you now?.." Hela stated as she stood up and walked over to Aaron's chest. "And tell me what have you to offer me?"
"Your Body?.. Or your Love perhaps?" Hela teased Aaron as she brushed the back of her hand against Aaron's chin. "You're cute... But not that cute."
As Hela returned back to her throne she rested her hand under her chin. "Let's face it boy. You have nothing I could possibly want."
"That's not true... There's is something I managed to keep." Aaron knew that there was only one thing to say in his position. And as he swallowed the lump in his throat he didn't have a clue what would happen next. so he mentally prepared him. "I offer my Free Will. So... Name your price."
Hela's face within the blink of an eye morphed in the most evillest and wildest grin he had ever seen. "So, you've seen through the loophole I see. While I may own your soul, you still have your free will... That shall be our agreed price."
"Here's your deal. When you fail... You shall become my General. And then I shall truly reward you." Hela stated as she crossed her legs. "If if you win, then you are free to leave my Realm."
"You said when I fail?" Aaron asked in confusion before Hela clicked her fingers as Colour returned to Aaron's face.
Feeling the sudden rush of energy arrive back into his body, It had knocked the wind out of Aaron's lungs. "What just happened?" Aaron asked as he looked up at Hela.
"I have returned your mortality to you for the task you have been given." Hela answered with the same sadistic smile on her face.
"And just what the hell is my task?" Aaron asked as he readied himself for a fight.
Hela chuckled darkly as she raised her hand once more. "Escape." Hela grinned as she clicked her fingers.
"Wait what?" Aaron asked out loud in confusion before he was placed under Hela's spell. As the Aaron Hazel eyes dulled, he became motionless, showing signs he was under Hela's illusion.
"So it seems that your plan to kill this Demi God was successful after all. However, I do not like giving up any soul Father. Tell me, why did I allow him even a glimmer of hope?" Hela asked out aloud.
From the shadow of Hela's throne, Loki appeared. "Everything so far has come to fruition, my dear Daughter." Loki replied with a sinister smile.
"For years I have waited for a Demi-god like our dear Aaron here to come along. For he shall lead my Army of the Damned during Ragnarök." Loki continued as he turned to face his Daughter. "He had always vexed me this one... No matter how I would attempt to kill him, he would only stand tall after each occasion... I'm barely able to even hold back my excitement any longer, now that I finally have his power in my grasp!"
"Then why involve the Greeks? You risked losing him to Hades!?" Hela's anger slow began to rise as it countered her Father's excitement. She stood up from her throne and glared at him to demand a satisfying answer.
"I would never allow a weapon of mine to fall into their repulsive hands." Loki snapped back at his daughter before glancing at the dazed Aaron. "But I needed them to deliver him to us. The setting and the timing were both right. You might even say that the Stage was set or the Stars had aligned."
As Loki chuckled, Hela held a look on confusion before she asked. "Then why did you transform that creature known as the Ophiotaurus? Could it not have been used by us?"
"That dull creature was too tame to be used effectively as a weapon and Atlas' eyes were on me for every step I took. But it in the end it served its purpose... Once it was confirmed Aaron had rescued Mimir, I transformed it, giving the Titans a reason to kill me and bring me here. Where I must be, for Ragnarök to begin." Loki answered with a sly and wicked grin on his face.
"You still haven't explained why I had to give him a chance to escape?" Hela asked, her temper dealt with for now.
"To break him, my Daughter." Loki chuckled as he brushed the back of his hand against Aaron's cheek. "Once he has been forced out of his dream by us, he would do anything to return to it. Besides... He'll never be able to complete your task. He won't break out of that Dream."
Loki chuckled once more before he stated. "After all, who would ever want to leave an illusion that is your Heart's greatest desire? To willingly leave your own personal Paradise?"
(Aaron's Dream)
As Aaron abruptly woke up from his bed, he looked at around the unfamiliar room. 'Where am I? Am I still in Helheim?' He though to himself as he continued scanning the room.
As he pushed himself upwards, he placed his left hand onto the bed and felt it's warmth against his skin. Only to look over and see that there was no one beside him. 'Someone's slept here beside me?' Aaron's confusion only continued until he became alert when he heard the door creak open.
He was about to stand in a readied position but when he seen a small boy rush into the room, he was caught off guard. Simply because of the boy's appearance.
He looked exactly like he did when he was four or five years old, expect his skin was more copper like, along with the darker brown hair.
"Daddy, you're awake!" The boy exclaimed as he jumped up and as tightly as he could wrapped his arms around Aaron's neck.
Aaron remained frozen as the boy's grip loosened, only to look up at his Father in concern. "Are you okay Daddy?"
But before Aaron could speak a woman's voice spoke out from just outside the room. "Erik, how many times must I tell you? No shouting in the house!"
Aaron knew that this was Zoe's voice and when he seen her open the door further it was no longer the Zoe he remembered. Instead of an eighteen year old, he seen a young woman in her mid twenties with a baby wrapped in a bundle on her front.
"Come on, eat your Breakfast first. Then you may go out Hunting with your Father." Zoe's stern voice left little room for bargain as Erik groaned before rushing out of the room.
With their son rushing off the the Kitchen, Zoe smiled as she looked over at Aaron. "Sorry I wasn't in bed when you woke up but, Little Atalanta here had beaten you in your sleep and was quite hungry this morning." Zoe smiled as she lightly rocked the small infant in her arms.
As Aaron slowly got out of his bed, he gingerly made his way over towards Zoe and Atalanta. When he stood in front of them, he lightly pulled back a piece of the wrapping and looked down at his daughter.
When he had seen her face a tear fell from his eye. From her lightly chubby and rosy cheeks to her eyes had the same sky blue appearance as his mother. Her soft brown hair was lightly fluffed up as she cutely yawned in her Mother's arms. In that moment, all Aaron could see was perfection.
"Are you okay?" Zoe asked with concern as she looked up and touched Aaron's face.
Aaron didn't miss the sight of a ring on Zoe's finger as he slightly leaned into her warm touch of her hand. Aaron smiled before he moved down and gently kissed her lips. "Yeah... It was just an old nightmare... I'm fine now. We're fine now."
Book 1: The Norse Demigod & the Titans Curse: End