Goddess Collector: Every Hole is a Goal

Title: Eljudnir

"This tower is called Eljudnir. But most of the times, the Hall of Hel, or Plague, is what this tower is known for," Loki sucked in a cold breath, "My final destination... all things considered."

"You're right about that," Leah snorted.

"Why?" Angela inquired.

"Why not? Only the worst of beings ever grace the interior of the hall. With my track record, I'd be lucky to have a vacation after hundreds of years of torture," Loki traced her chin with an amused smile, "Still, this hall tower holds one of the greatest men and women ever! I looked up to a few of them while growing up," she chuckled while Nik hesitated for a moment.

"Can we get done with all this? Honestly, it has been a great ride. This realm is a sight to behold... but, we do have more realms to visit," Nik spoke up.

"I agree," Morgan narrowed her eyes, "Completing other's bidding is one of the least enjoyable experiences out there. We take care of these external interferences and get done with the third task."

"Aw, but this is just the second day," Loki whined.

"It's. Always. Cold!" Janet growled.

"The outer defense of the Tower is constantly disturbed. Queen didn't have the time to check on the hall after the bridge was destroyed by the evil dragon. All you need to do is find the source of the problem and—"

"You either insult yourself by thinking that such lies could fool me," Loki interjected idly, "Or, you really do not know the significance of this task," Loki turned back and spoke up, "Remember when I told you why Hela didn't deal with Fafnir personally?"

"You compared Fafnir to an annoyance and it simply wasn't wise or profitable to deal with an annoyance at the cost of risking one's career as the Lord of the Dead," Jennifer replied with a calm expression. As she spoke up, she realized something.

"Yeah... why wouldn't Hela herself deal with this?" Jennifer tilted her head in confusion. Her words making Janet and Jennifer frown. Sharing the two Gwens confusion, Angela spoke up.

"What's going on? Did I miss something?" She looked towards the tower.

"Loki just said that beings more dangerous, and possibly deceptive, than her live within the tower. And anything that can trump the act of faking a contract and enslaving a group of highly dangerous... ghosts," Nik clenched his jaws lightly, and continued, "is something that should be taken care of personally. If Hela herself doesn't want to deal with it, naturally, it's bound to be troublesome. And if she knows that this is troublesome, then she must have a slight understanding of the situation."

"Bingo!" Loki grinned, "The possibility of Hela knowing the situation is high. Yet she sent us here. Now... I am betting that whatever the problem is, it's not external," with a narrowed gaze, Loki looked towards the tower with a bright gaze, 'it's internal!'

"Looks like this field trip will be extended," Morgan added.

"This is more complicated. Is Hela's help really a necessity?" Angela frowned.

"It's not Hela's individual help," Loki shrugged, "She's the queen of the dead. A lord of a realm. She knows it and so do I... this place will be our base for whatever we are planning. After all, Odin cannot be defeated while we act like mythical nomads!"

"Tch, if you don't want our help, why don't you go to Loki's home realm? I'm sure she will be received there quite warmly," Leah glared at Angela.

"Now, now. I'm not really regarded highly there, not after slaying their king," Loki chuckled.

"Your father, you mean," Leah continued.

"Sweetheart. If I ever slay my father, you will surely know it. Anyway, Laufey must be..." Loki began, making Leah smile.

"Inside," she pointed towards the Hall of Plague.

"Alright, why don't you assist me in checking the situation? We'll make sure that there's no additional external problem before figuring out what could possibly be going on," Loki smiled towards Morgan.

"Is that an order?" Morgan inquired calmly.

"It's a request. Come on. That pixie has the other two phantoms to talk to. Those two barbarians— my half-sister and the green giant— have each other to compete with. We sorceresses need to mix up, too!"

Morgan's eyelids twitched while Angela drew her sword, and Jennifer just took the provocation without any reaction. She wasn't going to let herself be annoyed by Loki. If she continuously fell for it, given the duration of their 'trip', it would certainly be troublesome.

---

"Father," Thor knelt on one knee, placing Mjolnir to his side. In the large court adorned with gold under Freyja's constant renovations, Odin sat on the throne and looked at his son with a conflicting gaze.

"Where did you hear this?" The old man with a white beard inquired. Odin, the ruler of Asgard. He felt many things previously but the moment he heard Thor's inquiry, all of it vanished. His clench around his staff tightened and his heart was doused with coldness.

"Loki appeared in front of me. His words suggested that he knows something about our sister. Why did you never tell us about her?" Thor looked up, matching Odin's gaze.

None aside from these two were present within the throne room. Not even the newly appointed Titan and Human who claimed to have 'healed' Odin of his need to constantly slumber.

"We didn't share her knowledge for she was slain. Unable to move, unable to feel her mother's warmth, she was stabbed through the heart... in front of our eyes. It all happened during the war... the war of our realms."

Thor's body stiffened and he continued to look at Odin, desperate for answers.

"It matters not. Your sister is no more. You have your brother, Baldur... and Loki."

"Actually... father. Loki... he, no, she seemed to have taken a shine on her female form once again," Thor informed as Odin's gaze darkened momentarily but the hint of relief within his eye was genuine.

"But, Father. I feel it. She isn't dead. I saw it in Loki's eyes. The certainty that this news would bring trouble was real and I trust that. Please, try it. She is your blood. Surely, you can feel her if you—"

"Enough!" Odin growled, striking his staff against the platform as his voice boomed out.

"Go! Return to your tasks! If it is Loki whom you seek, you'll find him... her, entering Asgard soon enough. You will no longer talk about those gone!"

Thor bit his lips before standing up and leaving with large strides.

As he left the court, Thor came face to face with a blue-skinned, terribly 'chinned', bald man with a large physique and a short human girl with short silver hair and a pair of enchanting pink pupils.

"I am grateful for your assistance in healing father. Tonight, do join the banquet raised in your glory and honor!"

Thor left soon enough. Many might feel that such rushed invitation marked as rudeness but those who truly knew Thor would only feel astonished as to how much tolerant and patient he had grown.

"I thought you would have roped him in instantly... I do understand why you were harping about him though," Brian spoke once Thor left.

"Right?" Ray chuckled, "Anyway... I still have to pay you back for using more Saps of the First Tree to heal Odin's soul. The man is at his peak because of you! But... I need to make a relationship with Thor before trying again. These Asgardians are crazy resistant against my spells and bloodline."

"So... you mean with building a relationship, the difficulty can be reduced?" Brian inquired.

"Not by much," Ray mumbled, "But yeah. If I had chosen the right bloodline, I would have more sway in the matter but... Mephisto fucked it up."

"Well, he is paying for it," Brian shrugged.

"Are you saying I'm a bad lover?" Ray pouted, "Why don't I demonstrate it to you?"

"Woah! No, I'm sure, you're amazing," Brian coughed.

"So... how will you compensate me?"

"I saw the treasures in the treasury," Ray replied, "Honestly, the best one is the living armor. It's called the Destroyer... check its description when you have the time. I think it would be of perfect use to you... but still, I always thought of you to be a close-quarter combatant. To think... tsk, tsk, you're a sneaky one, eh?" Ray chuckled.

"I excel at both," Brian shrugged, "Still, I'll check it out later... did you know the people here are crazy racist? All I received by now are dirty looks... and not the hot kind," Brian grumbled.

"Hey, we can always run back to earth now. That bridge at the end connects all the worlds, remember?" Ray cackled.

"What if Nik appears when one of us isn't here?"

"What about it?" Ray shrugged, "We welcome him. We won, after all. That's why I keep telling him to try and tame men. Whether it's intentional or not, patriarchy is dominant. You control the leader, you control the group!" Ray grinned, making Brian's lips twitch.

"I'll stay here," Brian shook his head.

"Hmm, then you wouldn't mind if I run back to earth later, right? Still got a few things left undone," Ray smiled.

"Sure," Brian shrugged.

It's not like the two lusted after the land of the realm. And being racially discriminated against and called frost giant with an absolutely hateful look countless times, Brian had already lost interest with the Asgardians.

Looking back at Odin... matching his slightly livid gaze and feeling the pressure that Ray seemed to have absolutely ignored only for him to lead Odin away, Brian huffed.

'Ray might not say it. But Odin is still resisting. Man... it's still risky here.'

He realized that this was also the reason why Ray wasn't stretching himself too thin and fully focused on Odin.