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Skadi and Frey's story - Divine Retribution

Skadi moaned slightly as he turned over in his bed and groped for his everlight stone .As his fingers brushed against the edge of the faintly luminous stone a deep black light undercut with a pale but vibrant blue began to fill the tiny room. Slowly Skadi rose from the bed and opened the curtains to let in the light of the coming sunrise. The pale sunlight glinted off his sleek black fur. Turning to the three drawers that made up his dresser, he pulled out his clothes and reached into the very bottom of them to grasp his clothes for the day. He began to get dressed and paused as he heard the sound of a Sky-Lark begin to sing. The sound of its light and airy song brought back his dream from the night before, He blushed deeply as he thought about it .The dream had been about his best friend and soon to be oath brother Frey. As the song began to drift away, he resumed getting dressed. Instead of his usual black leather outfit he wore a pair of bright green pants overlaid with tiny silver scythes, above which rested a golden skull with two long sweeping horns that held up a black book. It was his family crest, not that anyone would recognize it for it was far older than any of the crests recorded in the Golden Book. In place of his black shirt he wore a crisp, clean white linen shirt and his usual heavy wolf hide coat. As he picked up his everlight stone he swept his gaze over the tiny room that he had called home for the past twelve years he couldn't help but smile. Oh how glad he would be to leave his room behind and move into Frey's.

"Why is it so funny that I who alone in my family chose to come back to here and hide my true Heritage, be so glad to finally leave this simple existence and return to sleeping on the ground and having to hunt to get anything decent to eat?"

He wondered aloud.

"Because you love spending time with me and because I am the only person who knows your secret."

Came the reply from outside his door.

"Now get that skinny ass of yours in gear and moving or else we're gonna be late to the ceremony. Oh and don't forget your swords!"

Still smiling Skadi grabbed his twin swords which were gifts from his grandmother and his scythe which was a gift from his father. As he moved to the door he made no sound until he was so close that his nose was touching the door then he yelled as loud as he could.

"Shut up I'm coming!"

Laughing he heard Frey jump back in surprise and knock someone else over in the hallway. With tears streaming down his face he finally managed to open his door and enter the hall. Wiping the tears from his eyes he saw Frey's tail sticking out from under the pile of half forged swords, iron bars, and other assorted pieces of metal work in progress. Suddenly he heard the deep booming voice of Sam the Head blacksmith coming from behind him.

"Oi, now that you've knocked me down you two can carry that up to Nevin and tell him to get to work on that batch of swords for the new pages."

"Come on Frey move that skinny ass of yours or else we'll be late and the Headmaster will blow his lid again."

Skadi said as he pulled Frey out from under the pile.

"Sorry Sam we have to run. The ceremony is gonna start soon and we're the first to swear this year."

Skadi yelled as he drug Frey down the hall by his arm.

"Then when you're done you can help forge the new swords, and don't think I won't track you two down!"

Sam hollered to them as they raced down the hall and took the corner so fast Skadi had to run up the side of the wall or risk hitting it at full speed. By the time they reached the main hall the headmaster had nearly finished checking everyone's everlight stones. The headmaster was a sour and grumpy old wolverine with a scarred body that testified to the countless battles he had survived. Most of his tail was missing, it had been severed when he had fought with Skadi's sister several years beforehand and was a constant source of amusement to Skadi. Taking his place seconds before the headmaster reached him Frey tried to slow his breathing down. As soon as he was able to take a normal breath he barred his throat to expose his everlight stone. As the stone rose above his collar its faint emerald glow began to fill the room with its light. The headmaster leaned in to examine the stones color and hue. After a few minutes the headmaster straightened and said,

"So nice of you to join us my Lord Frey."

Skadi standing directly across from him chuckled as he said,

"So nice of you to grant us poor pages the opportunity to bask in your glory good Sir."

The headmasters smile faded to be replaced with a look of sheer contempt. As he turned and walked towards Skadi everyone else froze and tried to become invisible. It was well known that to those who angered or annoyed the headmaster the most unusual punishments were given. Once when Skadi had locked two feral weasels in the headmasters underwear drawer the headmaster had forced Skadi to wear nothing put his boxers for a month in the middle of a blizzard.

"Ah so the lout does speak after all."

The headmaster sneered as he stopped in front of him, suddenly there was a flash of ebony and the headmaster found Skadi's twin swords crossed over his throat and resting on his shoulders.

"Oh I do speak quite often and quite well, I just choose to only speak to those I deem worthy of hearing my voice."

Skadi replied in a velvety tone.

"Now then can we continue with the ceremony or do we need to settle our little bet here and now instead of afterwards. Please decide quickly headmaster because I get very cranky when stupidity keeps me from my breakfast."

The headmasters face paled as he considered his options.

"After the ceremony we will settle our bet and the whole school can watch you lose."

The headmaster replied quickly. As fast as Skadi had drawn his swords they were returned to their sheaths.

"I don't lose. Ever."

Skadi said in a tone that sent chills down everyone's backs.

"You would do well to remember that."

Suppressing an involuntary shudder the headmaster realized that Skadi had not been bragging but merely stating a fact.

"Your stone."

The headmaster said simply and with more courage than he felt. Smirking Skadi reached into his shirt and grasped the black chain that held his everlight stone. As the stone rose above his collar the entire hall was plunged into darkness. A series of outcries cut the darkness as the headmaster yelled for order.

"Enough Skadi!"

Frey called above the others

"Stop playing around. I'm just as hungry as you are and so is everyone else, so suck it up and move on!"

Feeling hurt by Frey's harsh rebuke Skadi let the darkness fade revealing the faint blue undercurrent. As the blue light began its swirling and twining throughout the blackness Skadi could feel the stares of the rest of his year's pages. With his cheeks burning from the sudden and unwelcome silence he dropped his everlight stone back into his shirt.

"I see."

The headmaster said in a voice so quite that Skadi almost missed it even with his superb hearing.

"I'd heard the rumors about your aura but I didn't believe them. Do any of you know just how rare a double aura is?"

The headmaster asked

"I do Sir."

Came the reply from next to Frey.

"Very well then Charlie please enlighten the rest of the pages."

Charlie was a tall sleek otter with light almost sandy brown fur and bright blue eyes. He stood an impressive six foot five and had a swimmers build. Even though he was tall and slim his muscles were like braided steel and he was far more powerful than people thought.

"There have only been three known cases of double auras. Of those three cases not one of them ends happily, all three of them died by the hand of their best friend."

He paused so as to catch his breath before continuing.

"In all three previous cases they died horribly. They were killed over the course of several years, very slowly and very painfully. Also all three of them were of Northerner royal birth."

The hall which had been silent burst into life as the pages began talking to each other and pointing at Skadi and Frey.

"Enough"

The headmaster said above the din.

"Are you done gossiping like old maids and little girls?"

The din quieted and the headmaster proceeded to move the boys into their respective lines.

"So Skadi what is your other side like cause if anything like your usual then I can see why someone might take a couple of years to kill you. I mean you're so warm and fuzzy it would be a shame to lose your sense of humor."

Charlie said as he took his place beside Skadi.

"And it would be a pity if the rest of our year heard about your little party after the winter festival."

Skadi said calmly.

"You swore never to talk about that Skadi."

Charlie hissed as one of the other boys ears picked up.

"But we had such fun, especially when you ....."

Skadi left the words hang between them.

"I'll kill you for that. Now Marty is gonna ask what I did and why he wasn't invited."

"Too bad for you Charlie, serves you right for playing the headmasters pet earlier."

"Go to hell Skadi! I should never have invited you to my party."

"Are you two done over there or are you going to make out!"

The headmaster said from the end of the other line.

"Actually headmaster we were discussing how long it will take to make you beg for mercy later when I beat your ass in our duel."

Skadi retorted. The other boys chuckled at this and then fell silent when they remembered that they still had to complete the ceremony.

"Very funny coming from the boy who didn't take a single class about how to fight. Do you think that just because your father is a spy master that you stand a chance against a real warrior?"

The headmaster shot back.

"Actually I thought that this wasn't going to be a fair fight because you don't know how it is to wake up every day to your brother or sister's aiming a sword at your face. Do you headmaster? Nope didn't think so Sir."

The sound of the bell tolling above the hall cut short their little verbal battle.

"It shall begin."

The headmaster said as he pulled a book out of his robes. Slowly everyone counted the tolling of the bell. When the bell struck thirteen both Skadi and Frey stepped forward. The headmaster began to recite the words of power as Skadi pulled out Huginn and Frey pulled out

Oath-breaker. Carefully they slit each other's wrists and then quickly they crossed their cuts. From the shadows a black and green cloth shot out and wrapped itself around their wrists and up their arms. As the cloth settled into place Skadi felt a tidal wave of memories and emotions enter his mind. As the flood slowed he was able to pick out specific memories,

"He was sitting on the queen's lap and listening to a story. Suddenly the secret door behind the picture opened and four men entered the room with weapons drawn."

Skadi let the memory go feeling bad about knowing what happened soon after that. After what seemed to be hours the memories and emotions trickled in and then ended. Opening his eyes Skadi found that he was staring into Frey's eyes.

"Skadi you have one fucked up family."

Frey said to break the awkward silence.

"From the little bit that I've seen it seems that they're always trying to kill each other."

"Always Frey, remember the party at my house over winter break. That was when Aria knocked me off the roof and left me hanging there in my underwear until the next day. Trust me spending the night in your underwear clinging to the gutter during a blizzard is not a good way to spend one's night."

Skadi replied as he looked about the hall.

"Wonder where everyone else is? Think we can cut this cloth off now?"

He asked.

"Only if you have been a good boy."

Came the reply as the headmaster stepped into view.

"Either you're slow or one of you has some serious brain damage. I've never seen the ceremony take so long."

Skadi used Huggin to cut the cloth. As soon as Huggin touched the cloth it dissolved into a fine dust and drifted away on a small breeze of wind.

"Wish someone had said something about the whole memory thing. Don't you think somebody might like to know that kind of shit is gonna happen beforehand?"

Skadi said bitterly.

"That normally doesn't happen, the last time it did was over one hundred years ago."

The headmaster said tartly. As Skadi brushed the dust off of his paws he drew Munnin.

"Headmaster I do believe you owe me a duel."

Skadi said in sickly sweet tone.

"Do try to survive won't you because the King won't be very happy if I kill you by accident."

"Hmmm well then boy let's see how well you fare against my sword, Skyfalcon."

The headmaster drew his sword and settled into his fighting stance.

"Come Huginn, Come Munnin, let us chase his Skyfalcon to the ground and pluck his feathers out one by one."

As Skadi spoke he began to spin his swords. Faster and faster they spun until it looked like he was holding two flat, solid ebony discs. Without warning the headmaster lunged and thrust his sword directly at Skadi. A sharp screech signaled the stop of the headmaster's sword. The tip resting between Skadi's teeth, while Huginn and Munnin rested on the headmasters shoulders. Without blinking he spit the sword out and smiled.

"Now that is impressive. To be able to stop my thrust and with only your teeth. Who taught you how to fight I wonder?!"

The headmaster asked as he brought up a ball of his aura and threw it towards Skadi.

"My grandmother and my sister's. You remember Aria don't you headmaster."

Skadi said smugly as he avoided the ball and blocked the headmasters sweep at his legs.

"In case you have forgotten she's the one that called you an old fool and cut off your tail."

He said to provoke the headmaster into making a mistake. Returning the headmasters sweep he slashed Munnin down low and swung Huginn up high. As the headmaster dodged the swords he missed Skadi's foot fly out and catch him in his chest. The headmaster's body folded in half and he went flying through the air. As he lay on the floor feeling the sharp pain that meant he had several broken ribs he heard the door to the great hall open. Huggin and Munnin suddenly dropped from Skadi's hands and landed in the stone floor. The sound of footsteps rang out in the sudden silence. As the sound got closer a low rumbling sound began to come from Huggin as the ruby in its pommel began to glow with a bright vibrant red. At the same time a high pitched keening sound began to emanate from Muninn as the sapphire in its pommel began to glow with a pale blue light.

"Why, why does this always happen to me? Come on seriously can't I ever catch a break?"

Skadi asked looking towards the ceiling.

"I mean really do you guys just love to fuck with me or what?"

Stooping he grasped hold of Muninn and attempted to sheath the sword. As Skadi fought to sheath the swords a stranger appeared wearing a simple cloak and short dagger at his waist. A sense of despair proceeded him.

"Where is my son at?"

He asked coldly. The only reply was the swords increasing in volume. The stranger seemed deaf to their songs.

"Where is my son?"

He asked again.

"Where is he?"

As the man spoke a freezing wind blew through the hall and blew out the torches. As the hall was plunged into darkness the headmaster finally managed to get to his feet.

"Answer you stupid little shit or else I will make you beg to die, and don't tell me you don't know, you reek of him."

The stranger demanded advancing towards Frey. Using his aura the headmaster created a ball of light and threw it to the ceiling where it hung and cast a yellow glow over the hall.

"Excuse me but that is my page and if you even think about threatening him again I will make you beg to die!"

The stranger turned to the weakened headmaster and raised his left arm. As he opened his mouth to speak snow began to fall in a thick blanket. Wearing only his ceremonial clothes Frey wasn't prepared for the frigid onslaught and he fell into a rapidly rising snow bank. The tip of his tail could be seen shaking from the snow bank.

"You dare to challenge ME Artemis Crowley the third. You dare to defy ME! Where is my son!!?"

The stranger was nearly shaking with rage, but the headmaster wasn't going to back down. He had served in countless battles and had seen too many young people killed before their time. He had sworn an oath to protect every page he taught even if it meant staring death in the face. Sadly he didn't know just how true his oath would one day become.

"I don't know how you know that name I haven't used it since I crossed over from the old country but it doesn't matter! I will die if that is what it takes to protect my pages so step forward and face me if you're man enough!"

The headmaster said boldly as loud as he could without his ribs paralyzing him with pain. As the two faced one another Skadi was finally able to stick Muninn back into its sheath. Next he grasped Huggin and proceeded to pull it out of the floor. (Now I know how Arthur felt with the sword in the stone!) He thought to himself. As the tip of Huggin left the floor the stranger drew his dagger and slowly approached the injured headmaster.

"You weren't thinking that I'd fall by your hand were you? I certainly hope not Artemis because if so then you are more pathetic in your old age than a newborn babe. Haven't you wondered why Skyfalcon hasn't sounded its song yet or even responded to the threat of your death? It's because the Warrior-Goddess has removed her blessing of protection and has forsaken you."

The entire hall was engulfed by snow and ice by the time he finished speaking. The headmaster was forced to use his aura to keep himself from freezing to death. As the stranger mentioned the Warrior-Goddess and her blessing the headmasters face contorted into a mask of hatred.

"That bitch can take her blessing and she can shove it up her ass for all I care!"

He roared with venom dripping in his voice.

"I watched her help that BASTARD take boys to their graves before they even got to taste life! She and that bastard can go rot in the most terrible and forsaken Hell that there is for what they did to those boys!"

The headmaster was dripping with sweat from the pain of his broken ribs by the time he finished his ranting. With a small nod to the headmaster the stranger let out a sigh.

"Those were terrible times, there was much done then that is regretted now, and you also did things that still haunt you didn't you? Didn't you kill the women and children of a small village called Clovers Crest?"

"That was an accident; I didn't know that they were hiding in the grain bins you bastard!"

Summoning up the last of his strength the headmaster lifted his sword and attacked. The stranger disappeared in a flash of snow and reappeared behind the headmaster. Skyfalcon fell from the headmasters numb fingers and clattered to the floor. A thin line of blood appeared across the headmaster's body as he slumped to the floor. As he took his last breath he turned towards Frey and screamed,

"Run boy, RUN!"

As his body exploded into a mist of red the last of his aura enveloped Frey creating a pocket of super-heated air and melted the snow and ice surrounding him. As Frey stumbled to his feet he saw the headmaster's sword laying on the ground amidst a circle of blood and gore. Looking towards the spot where the stranger stood Frey drew his sword.

"You bastard what did he ever do to you to deserve this? I'll never tell you a damn thing so go to hell you piece of shit!"

Frey roared angrily. As Frey advanced towards the stranger Skadi was attempting to silence Huggin. The stranger placed the sheath back on to his dagger and advanced towards Frey.

"I will hold back for I cannot kill you as it isn't yet your time."

Without warning the stranger swung his dagger at Frey. As Frey dodged he caught sight of Skadi forcing Huggin into its sheath. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and focused on his opponent. Again the stranger swung the dagger at Frey, this time instead of the blow connecting as he thought it would the stranger found Frey's sword flying in from his only opening. Oath-Breaker sliced into the strangers cloak and bit into the side of his face.

"Well now you might actually be a worthy opponent for me. Still I hope you don't disappoint me and lose too soon."

The stranger said as he pulled back his disfigured hood revealing his face.

"I'll wipe the floor with you, you bastard, I only lose to one person and you aren't him. So prepare to die you fucking asshole!"

Frey said in response. Slowly the stranger pulled the sheath off of his dagger and let it drop to the floor. Frey took the chance to open his eyes and look at his foe. What he saw amused him; the stranger was a pure white wolf with milky eyes and a long scar down the left side of his jaw. A shallow cut just below his eye marked where Oath-Breaker had bit into the wolf's flesh. With a hint of amusement he noticed that the cut formed a small cross where it met the scar on the wolf's face. As soon as the dagger was unsheathed Frey closed his eyes again. Slipping back into the border of Fate as Skadi had taught him he was able to see every move the wolf would make. He saw the dagger coming in from the left and dodged to his right to avoid it. As he rolled he missed the dagger suddenly switch paths and follow his trial. As he sprang to his feet he felt the tip of the dagger slice through his shirt and graze his skin. Instantly he felt his arm go numb and drop to hang limply by his side. Then the pain hit him and he dropped to the floor writhing in agony.

"Pity, you talked so big and yet even the slightest scratch is too much for you. Now then where is my son at? If you tell me I promise to make the pain go away."

The old wolf said as he lowered himself in front of Frey. Unable to speak through the pain Frey spit in the old wolf's face and smiled at him through the pain. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Skadi sink Huggin into its sheath and turn towards him. (Run away you stupid idiot, I can't bear to watch you die here.) He thought as Skadi charged the old wolf. The silence that had followed Huggin being sheathed seemed to have distracted the old wolf for he had cocked his head to the side and was crouching there unmoving. As Skadi reached the old wolf he suddenly had his scythe, Ragnarok in his hands. Swinging the scythe Skadi caught the old wolf in the face and hurled him across the room.

"God damn you dad what the hell do you think you're doing to Frey you stupid bastard?! Didn't Gran tell you she gave me Mom's old swords with an even stronger spell on it than before?!"

"Oops sorry I forgot about that, I thought someone here was hiding you from me and I've been wondering around for the past week looking for you."

"Whatever, I don't give a damn about that bullshit. What did you do to Frey and why did you kill the headmaster like that now he's useless to me. Also stop the Realm from leaking over before you kill us with the cold. I'm not completely immune to it but I can take a lot more than anyone else and even I'm getting cold."

Abruptly the snow stopped and began to melt all across the room.

"Look Skadi I'm really sorry about this whole mess I got carried away and I didn't mean to hurt your -"

"Shut up!"

Skadi suddenly cut him off

"You and me will talk later about this whole mess you've caused for me, and then I'm gonna kick your ass for hurting Frey. You know about how close we are what were you thinking using Ouranus on him? You know what it does to people!"

"Look I didn't know that was Frey, you don't ever really talk about him with me and when you do it's only in passing."

The old wolf turned to where Frey lay on the floor. Frey had passed out from the pain and was still clutching Oath-Breaker in his hand. Skadi's face was livid.

"How many times have I told you I'll get in touch with you the first and thirteenth of every month so you don't need to come find me? I mean you're always busy up there with all the deaths going on everywhere and Mort isn't any good at sorting the souls apart. Last time you were gone five minutes a riot broke out."

Skadi had exhausted his anger and sighed deeply.

"Look at this mess, I got so pissed I even summoned Ragnarok to hit you with. I'm sorry I lost my temper with you Da it's just that I can't stand to see Frey get hurt, every time he even stubs his toe I feel like smashing the step or the table to pieces and grinding them to dust."

Letting out a sigh Skadi dropped down next to Frey and gingerly pried Oath-Breaker from his fingers.

"Hey Da can you drop the whole disguise thing? It's kinda pointless now anyway."

"Sure and Skadith I'm sorry about Frey, I really didn't know."

The old wolf shimmered and disappeared to reveal a skeletal wolf with two long sweeping horns and a set of skeletal wings sprouting from his back. The impressive figure walked to where Frey lay and traced a skeletal finger over the scratch on his arm. As his finger left Frey's arm he suddenly opened his eyes and let out a quiet mew followed by a string of curses that could shame even the most hardened sailors.

"Whoa!!! Who the hell are you and where'd that old asshole go?"

He asked as Skadi lifted him to his feet. The wolf let out a small laugh at Frey's question and then laughed even harder when Frey staggered and fell against Skadi making him blush deeply.

"Frey I'd like you to meet my real Father, Grim the Reaper, he also goes by The Black God of Death, The Winged Horseman of Doom, and The Trickster to name a couple of his more common nicknames. You can call him Da or you can call him by his real name Jaden. I see that you two have already gotten off on the wrong foot. So please make up and don't worry Frey he'll apologize for being an idiot and messing up your arm, won't you Da!"

Skadi said loud enough for his father to get the hint. Grim shrugged and then cocked his head to the side as if listening to something far away.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Frey please forgive me about the whole fight thing I tend to get a little carried away when my son Skadith is involved. I'm sorry I can't stay longer but I need to go save Mort before he gets locked in his desk again by some mercenary who doesn't want to pass on yet, oh and by the way there is someone coming towards the great hall I think it's the King and he's not alone. He'll be here in about five minutes or so."

At the mention of people coming Skadi and Frey's faces paled slightly, then Frey suddenly asked in a voice that suggested he was trying to hold back laughter,

"I'm sorry but did you say Skadith is your son?"

'Yes, why?"

Grim asked in a serious tone. Skadi was ready to kick Frey as he burst out laughing.

"So Skadith, you don't mind if I use your full name do you, Skadith? Wait till I tell the guys, this is so good I can't wait to see their faces when they find out."

"Dammit Da how many times do I have to tell you I hate that name, it's not Skadith its Skadi. Say it with me Skadi, S...K...A...D...I... is it that hard to remember?!!"

"Your Mother named you Skadith."

Grim said softly.

"And I prefer to be called Skadi Da; it's just easier that way."

Skadi said in a quiet and slightly embarrassed voice. Frey had stopped laughing at the mention of Skadi's mother; instead his mirth was replaced by a ravenous curiosity. Skadi had only mentioned his mother once and even then he had been vague. Before Frey could open his mouth to ask Skadi about his mother there came the sound of someone pounding on the doors to the great hall.

"Shit it's your dad Frey."

Skadi said as the sound stopped and then returned much louder.

"What should we do? We can't explain the headmaster's bloody stain without telling the king I'm part god, and I don't feel like having to explain my heritage to your dad without a good reason."

He asked Frey as they all listened to Frey's father bellowing orders to stand back so that he could blast the doors open.

"How about plan number 66 Skadi?"

Grim asked looking towards the doors.

"I think it would get you two out of answering any questions for a while and it would take all suspicions off you for Artemis' death."

"That perfect Da, It'll completely fool them."

Skadi said enthusiastically.

"Just try to be gentle please."

He said as he glanced at Frey.

"Hold on what's plan number 66?"

Frey asked as Skadi closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

"This is the plan."

Grim said as he punched him in the face. It only took a couple of seconds before he blacked out but Frey could feel several of his bones snap before the peaceful bliss of unconsciousness took him.

"Well that works, hopefully nobody bothers to ask how we're still alive." Skadi said before his father knocked him out.