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“And he who takes the Eye of Hod
shall curse his friends to mighty death.
Whilst he shall live to the end of gods
And never take his final heartbeat…”
Hogun the Grim looked at his friends around the campfire as he finished the Vanir translation. They all remained silent before Fandel the Dashing asked, “Shouldn’t it Rhyme?”
“What?”
“These ancient curse type things. They tend to rhyme, do they not?”
Lady Sif smiled at her companion. “It rhymes in Vanir, Hogun’s strengths are in his battle prowess and his fluency in the ancient Vanir tongue. Not his poetry.”
Volstagg the Svelt looked up from his portable banquet. “So if this curse thing is real, that means we will all die in mighty battle!”
“All but one of us,” Loki mentioned from where the campfire warmth could not reach him. “The person who took the Eye of Hod is cursed to live forever and see his friends die before him.”
The Warriors Three, Lady Sif and Loki all went silent.
“So it’s not good that I have this then?” Lady Sif said as pulled out the stolen Eye of Hod.
Immediately the silence was broken by the glorious sound of laughter! Even Hogun the Grim cracked a smile before quickly hiding it away from his friends. At last Volstagg spoke “The Vanir were never famous for their curses nor their poetry. I believe we will be fine. Still, it is nice to know that our place in Valhalla is assured!”
“For you all, not for me. Unfortunately I shall live forever,” complained Lady Sif in a manner of jest.
“The translation does state that 'he' shall live forever. Perhaps the curse will not apply to you because of the ancient Vanir’s inability to foresee a warrior maiden,” Hogan pointed out.
“Well I hope this curse does not take place soon. I intend to do glorious things in this life, before I move on to the next.” Loki added as he sat up.
Fandel flashed his dashing smile. “Yes I see your legacy now. Here lies Loki, beloved brother of the mighty Thor. The warrior who fought best by hiding behind his parlour tricks!”
The Warriors Three and Sif had a hearty laugh, which was not shared by Loki who chose to quietly sulk in the shadows.
Before he could give a witty retort, a monstrous roar filled the air.
The 5 god-like beings jumped up and drew their powerful weapons as a flaming beast 10 feet high approached them.
“By the Allfather, what is that thing?” Volstagg asked.
“The wrath of Gullveig. A mighty unstoppable beast of fire. It’s attracted to magic and curses,” responded Hogun.
“I wonder why it’s attacking us?” Fandel sarcastically added.
“Scatter!” Lady Sif finally ordered the quipping Asgardian as he narrowly avoided the flaming maw.
Volstagg began striking the beast with his axe but all it seemed to be doing was annoy it.
“We must flip it over and pierce it’s underbelly!” Hogun informed the group.
“Easier said then done,” responded Fandel as he attempted to reach the underbelly with no success.
“The one time Thor misses a quest because of royal duties,” Lady Sif muttered under her breath. She turned and saw that Loki was right next to her. “Well your highness as we are lacking in a big heavy hammer, do you have any bright ideas?”
Loki didn’t respond but in his hand was the Eye of Hod, in the other was an Asgardian magic staff topped with a bright green crystal. He said nothing as he began slowly approaching the Wrath of Gullveig.
The beast noticed the magical cursed feast awaiting for it and began barrelling towards the prince of Asgard. The Warriors Three were shocked by what was about to happen and began shouting, “Don’t!”, “Loki no!”, “Stop!” but it was too late. The mighty beast opened it’s maw and consumed Loki of Asgard whole. Then before anyone could do anything, the Wrath of Gullveig started stumbling around. It’s took three more steps before tripping over its own feet and nearly falling over.
Without wasting any time, Lady Sif grabbed her shield and rammed into the beasts side. At the same time, the Warriors three leapt high into the air and pierced the beast's soft underbelly. The Wrath of Gullveig gave out a mighty roar before it burst into magical flames leaving nothing behind.
“Loki. Where’s Loki?” Volstagg asked.
“My word this is terrible. What will Odin say, what will Thor say?” Fandel said in a panic before suddenly fainting.
Hogun bowed his head in respect for the dead. Whilst he did so, Lady Sif decided to take charge in honour for their fallen comrade. “We shall return to Asgard as soon as we can. We will tell the allfather what has occurred this hour. Whatever happens, we will stay strong and stay together. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” They all said in unison.
After Fandel woke back up, the 4 mournful warriors decided to host a makeshift eulogy for Loki of Asgard. “You were a warrior true and I was honoured to fight by your side,” Said Hogun.
“We may have had our disagreements, but I always carried a special kind of love for you,” Added Lady Sif.
“You were not the strongest fighter, but you were far smarter and more cunning then any of us,” Volstagg continued.
Lastly, Fandel came up to where the beast had disappeared and said, “Loki, you were more than a fellow warrior. I considered you like the brother I never had.” Volstagg and Hogun looked at each other in confusion. As far as they knew, Fandel had a dozen brothers all of which he loved dearly. Lady Sif checked her pockets. Inside was the Eye of Hod! But if she had the Eye of Hod… Fandel continued, “Whenever we entered a tavern, I was always a little afraid you would steal some of the beautiful maidens from me.”
Lady Sif looked at her friend through the true sight of the Eye of Hod. The image of a sobbing Fandel was replaced by Loki, desperately trying to hold back his laughter!
Sif couldn’t believe him. “Loki.”
“Everyone always considered me the most dashing of the group, but truth was I was always jealous of your superior looks.” 'Fandel added'
“Loki!”
“Whenever I was asked who out of my companions I would gladly bed, every single time I would always say-”
“LOKI!”
“Lady Sif, it is not good practice to interrupt a eulogy,” Hogun chastised his companion.
Sif responded by handing him the Eye of Hod. Hogun looked through the eye until he saw Loki standing right next to him! He screamed loudly, bumping into a startled Volstagg as Loki reappeared in a flash of green light laughing and crying.
“That was a very lovely eulogy, I never knew you cared so deeply!” Loki laughed as he wiped a genuine tear from his eye.
“Wait if you’re here then where’s…”
Right on cue, Fandel’s peaceful napping body was unveiled from Loki’s hidden magic.
Lady Sif approached her friend and put a warm hand on his shoulder. “We’re so glad you’re alive,” she said with a smile before punching him in the face! “Never do that again,” Sif added, her smile unwavering.
As they made their way back to Asgard, one by one the warriors began to forgive him and even see the funny side!
“It was a very amusing jest," said Volstagg
"And cunningly done so as well!” Fandel added.
"As long as he does not do it again," Hogun grumbled with an unamused expression.
Lady Sif smiled at her companions as she jokely pushed the trickster around. “Oh don't worry, I’m sure this is the last we'll see him perform this kind of stunt!”
“Oh you really think so?” Loki asked, the twisted smile on his face growing wider.
Lady Sif gave a great laugh of confidence. “Of course, how many opportunities are you going to get to fake your own death?”