Brawl of Legends (Thor)

[Zeronone]

Thor flashed a smile at Carol as he held up his horn. "Not just mead and Heroes, I am the God of lightning, thunder, storms, sacred groves and trees, strength, the protection of humankind, hallowing, and fertility. I do a lot and it keeps me busy. If you don't know, Hallow means holy. You could say I am a Holy God too." His laughter shook the room at the idea. As Baldr approached, Thor slammed a big hand on his back, grinning. "Ahh, we all been there at one point or another. Few hundred years ago, I too took to the feasts and parties of our Pagens and put on quite a bit of weight. I keep telling you that all you need is a six-month training regimen with Sif, she will remove that fat layer easily."

He looked back and forth between Baldr and Carol and smirked, stepping back, he turned and carried his cup over to three men who were telling stories. He joined them and raucous laughter echoed from their place. The sound of the battle horn had him turn to the door. He set down his horn and stood up, the boastful and playful Thor was replaced with the stoic warrior prince of Asgard. The smell of ozone filled the air, his crystal blue eyes turning to look at Carol. This was a different Thor than the one she was use to seeing on Midgard, his eyes held an intensity not seen before.

"Gather your courage, friend Carol. Battle calls, and it is your turn to answer the call."

The people grew quiet, eyes focused on their prince as he walked through them. They parted much like a river, hands reaching out a bit and eyes of reverence at what was to come. Gone was the merry Thor, replaced by a warrior of Sagas.

[John Kilroy]

Carol smirked and playfully jabbed Thor in the shoulder.

“Careful now, big guy! Ah, think the Angels of Heaven would contest that holy title.”

There was laughter in the room when one of the warriors in the hall placed his horn down.

“Tusen solars vingar,” the Viking warrior mumbled. ”The Heavenly Hosts are no laughing matter. The Cherubim, the backbone of the Host, has four wings and four faces: one of a man, one of an ox, one of an eagle, and one of a lion, and in their hands they carry swords of godly fire. The eyes are always watching and always seeing. The Archangels that lead are said to look like humans, or in some cases even said to be humans, but swords are meaningless against them; just one of those hosts is as strong as 10,000 Scandinavian warriors.”

. As the man spoke, his tone spoke both in awe and fear, and it didn’t take long for Carol to put two and two together about how this Viking warrior spirit seemed to be considered worthy enough to enter the halls of Asgard. But before she could ask any further questions, however, the horn of declaration was blown.



“It looks like I'll have to put this conversation on hold. She got up. Her face was now as serious as Thor’s as she clasped his arm with a smirk of grit and determination. ”Even should death take me, Ah'll not go down without a fight.”

With that, she headed to the arena. As the gates opened, she heard the roars of an innumerable number of Asgardians. How many there were, she knew not, but she could feel the eyes of all of them watching her. It was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. As she entered the arena, she heard the voice of Brokk Broom across the arena.

“Ladies and gentlemen! People of Asgard! Welcome to Blóðhöllin! We have a show for you tonight! New blood has entered this arena, and she has challenged the legendary of legendary creatures. I present to you... CAROL DANVERS OF MIDGARD and she has challenged tonight. The godkilling monsters of the Nordic Seas... THE KRAKEN! Can she do the impossible and triumph over this monster of doom? or will she prove to be another victim of Kraken’s deadly maw? Ladies and gentlemen... LET’S…FIND...OUT!!!!!”

The gates of Blóðhöllin opened up, and Carol walked through, only to find that the arena seemed to be an island resting on a massive sea. Granted, Blóðhöllin was an arena magically enchanted by Odin himself. It could be as big or as small as it needed to be. But the question was, Where was the Kraken? All she saw was this massive island.

Suddenly, there was a deep, bellowing groan as the ground beneath her feet began to shake. She was stunned to figure out what was going on. and then she saw the ground open to reveal a giant fishlike eye. Then it hit her. The Kraken wasn't on the island; the Kraken WAS the island.

Carol flew up in the air to get a better view. The Kraken rose to meet her and she got to see just how large the creature was as it nearly bolted out the sun. It was as Brokk had described it. A large blubbery creature with an upper body and arms resembling that of a crab while the lower body resembled the many tentacled form of an octopus.. Tentacles also dropped from its mouth almost like a beard and when it opened its mouth it revealed its unearthly maw…revealing rows of giant razor sharp teeth.

Brokk im the meanwhile sat at the bleachers close to Baldr and Thor

“She’ll be lucky if she last more than five seconds.”

On cue the Kraken let out a earthshattering roar as it grabbed her with it’s claw attempting to crush her. Carol let out a bloodcuttling scream as she felt every bone in her body get squeezed. Bones and joins began popping she then felt herself get slammed into the water, it began to fill her lungs, and though she did not need to breath like normal people did in order to live. The inability to take a breath…or even just scream was an awful feeling one could not easily describe.

Brokk let out a sigh. “I told ya. There is a reason why these things are called god killers. Ah well, at least she’ll respawn in Valhalla. Hopefully with a little bit of counseling she’ll…

Brokk stopped when he saw the waters begin go bubble and churn. It was as if something was fighting back. In a second Carol shot out like a rocket with a battlecry, punching the Kraken in the stomach causing it to stagger back.

“Holy…!” Brokk began to shout only to cut himself off. “She…she broke out of kraken’s death grip. she broke out of kraken’s death grip!” He looked up at Thor. “This maiden’s strong…*sigh*...but can she actually penetrate the Kraken’s body armor?”

Carol flew around as danced around the Kraken’s claws and tentacles. Every puch she gave barely seemed to phase the creature. She could not believe it. How was this thing so strong. She had punched hurling asteroids that had more give to it than the Kraken’s body armor seemed to. It also didn’t help that every attack left her open, and the behomoth of a sea monster seemed all the more willing to take advantage of that The Kraken smashed her against the seafloor, every slam felt as if she were getting body slammed by the earth itself. She was facing exhaustion.

“Ah can’t do it…this thing is just too powerful.”

*No Carol…you are strong enough…you’ve always held back your punches…you’ve held back your entire life because you are fearful that your in a world of glass. You’ve always kept it inward, compartmentalized everything, keeping it bottled up inside….but if you keep doing that it will destroy you…You’re in an environment now where you can let all that energy out and embrace what you truly are…let it out, and let yourself be free!*

Carol let out a snarl as one of The Kraken’s claws barreled toward her. Only for Carol to stop it with one hand. With an unrestricted punch she sent the sea monster staggering back. Something was different however when she got back to her feet. She began grunting and growling sounding almost like more of a beast than a woman, as she let out a feral battlecry, her eyes began to glow, but not the typical yellow they would normally glow. No this time her eyes, her entity energy aura was glowing a shade of Azure Blue. Suddenly a strange symbol began to form on her back. Glowing blue like an enchanted nordic rune. it One that Brokk recognized immediately but he couldin’t believe what he was seeing. On her back was the symbol of The Bear Skinned warriors, or as they were known in Modern Times…berserkers.

“No way.” Brokk mumbled though in truth he was having a hard time holding in his excitement.

Carol in the meantime was still snarling, her teeth were grittted her eyes were glazed in a trance-like state and her body was postured in a way as if she were a wild bear ready to pounce.

"Döda och dö!!!!"

She shouted in a feral bloodcurdling battlecry. The Asier observing the match thus far had already been drawn in, fascinated by the strange midgard woman who had seemingly been able to take so much abuse from such a legendary sea monster and was even able to fight back somewhat.

Now seeing that this midgardian was a beserker, and hearing her shout a well known battlecry, drove the audience into a joyous frenzy as they began to chant in a fashion resembling a cheer. “Döda och dö! Döda och dö! Döda och dö!”

Even Brokk was getting in on it. “Rip and Kill until it is done!”

The Kraken lunged foward attempting to crush its prey once and for all but Carol grabbed one of it’s arms and ripped it from it’s socket. The Kraken let out a pained roar only to be shocked as Carol sent the claw flying towards the creatures skull impailing it. The creature fell backwards crashing into the sea, but Carol in her Beserker rage was not done with it. She lept upon it and began punching relentlessly without a single shred of holding back. Each punch hit with the force of a lunar impact. Causing all of Asgard to tremor. Soon the shell was cracked, but still Carol kept punching, ripping and tearing, even as the arena’s oceanic battleground turned red with blood Carol kept growling and punching. Even ripping one one of the creatures eyes in her frenzied state. The Krakenm, normally the Apex predator of the deep was little more than helpless pray. Soon the Kraken stopped twitching. Letting out a death rattle.

Carol soon snapped out of her frenzied state. She looked at her hands and the carnage she had caused. Her heart was racing her muscles were pumping Adrenaline was pumping full throttle. She was covered in the blood of her vanquished foe like a true berserker…and she had never felt so alive. It wasn't because of the killing, that was the least important aspect of it. No it was about being able to go all in without holding back without being feared. She looked up at the cheering crowd as they began to shout in excitement. Tears fell from her eyes and and she grinned as she shouted a Triumphant “YEEEEEEEEAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!" As she inadvertently flexed.

Brokk raced back to the announcer section shouting “HAIL CAROL DANVERS OF MIDGARD!! HEAD BACK DOWN TO THE LONGHOUSE FOR A WELL-DESERVED REST! YOU’VE EARNED IT!

Carol however would not rest just yet. Rather she raced up to where Thor and his brother were. Her eyes were filled with excitement and hunger.

Baldr couldn't help but smile. "Feels good doesn't it? To know the first taste of victory after a real honest to goodness fight. That’s the first time you’ve ever truly been able to fight without holding back isn't it. I can see it in your eyes."

Carol could not help but nod. “It…It was Amazing! Ah…Ah never felt so alive! Not since Ah first started flying!”

Baldr laughed. “You truly have the heart of an Asier warrior. If I didn’t know better I’d say you were one of us.

Carol shook her head. “Half Kree, but no Asier as far as ah know anyway.”

Baldr shook his head. “That’s not what I…”

Before Baldr could finish his thought however, Brokk came in a laughed.

“Well Shut me up and call me an elf. I didn’t know ya had it in ya but you did! Between your Kraken kill and Thor’s soon to be kill Asgard will be eating good for years! Course as the one that slayed the beast you get the best of the meat, and of courser I am a dwarf of my word. I said if you beat this thing I’d forge you a free set of armor and weapons…”

“Aw sug you don’t have to…”

“Oh trust me, you earned it!”

He then looked up at Thor and grinned. “Can’t believe I’m saying this but you might have a challenger on your hands. I don’t know of anyone who’s beaten a Kraken with their bare hands before. I’d say she’s throwing the gauntlet down.”

[Zeronone]

Thor followed Carol out into the arena but turned off, heading for the VIP stands along with Baldr and Sif. Claiming the middle chair, he leaned forward with a grin to watch the battle below. His eyes resting on the *island* that Carol stood on, it was smaller than the one he dragged here from the ancient seas so long ago, but it obviously had its sires blood running through those tentacle veins. The battle ensued with the kraken grabbing Carol, the cheers and whispers of the Drengr watching the battle with excitement. If Carol died here, she would be welcomed to the halls of Valhalla out of sheer respect for her bravery. Though, Thor doubted she would lose.

As the battle continued, he watched Carol, and once more he felt the stirring. He looked down at Mjolnir and felt its pull towards her. Something truly was up with the Bionic woman. To say he was surprised when he saw her go feral, was eclipsed by the very shock of seeing the symbol of the Berserker appear on the Midgardian woman. He himself had that affliction but was not allowed to utilize it as his power became too great and his own ferocity unpredictable. He watched as she tore into the body of the Kraken, ripping away its outer shell and digging down into the creature. He let out a thunderous cheer that shook the stadium when Carol claimed victory.

His voice adding to the celebration for the Midgardian who claimed the Kraken. He laughed as she took the steps to the box, his hand reaching out to slap her on the shoulder.

"Well done friend Carol. You truly showed your worth today."

He watched the exchange between his friend and Baldr, a small smile forming. He looked over as Brokk joined them, the dwarf shaking with excitement as he told Thor he had a challenge ahead. Thor laughed and agreed. Brokk returned to the announcer box, his voice breaking the joyous cheers.

"Harken all, for next we have a glorious treat. The prince himself, Lord of thunder and storms, slayer of ten thousand monsters, protector of the nine realms, THOR!"

The cheers that had died down erupted again, the entire stadium shaking as loud voices echoed, feet thudded on the floor in unison for the Prince of Asgard.

Thor looked over at Carol and picked up Mjolnir off his hip and set it down on the ground. "You fought barehanded, only fair I do so as well."

Thor walked down the stairs as the Arena shifted, the ocean water sinking into the earth as the Stadium expanded, growing wider and more circular. Mountain crags rose up, the ground becoming rocky and forest like, the smell of trees and nature filling the air. From the far side, a massive squeal ripped through the arena, it vibrated bones and shook the ground. From the split down the mountain valley, the beast appeared.



Massive in size, its body coated in thick fur like bristles, tusks that looked like they could gore through the mountains itself, beady eyes that glowed red, and a massively powerful compact body. Its hooves slammed the ground causing it to shake and shudder.

"Ladies and Gentleman of Asgard, from the lands of our Greek brothers, a gift from Hercules himself, I give you the city destroyer, the mountain king, King of Boars, the ERYMANTHIAN BOAR!"

The roars of the crowd intensified, eyes staring with awe at the massive mountain sized beast.

Sif leaned forward, her face etched with both worry and fascination at such a specimen. her hands curled into white knuckle fists, her gaze flicking from Mjolnir, her husband's faithful weapon, down to where he stood alone against such a beast.

The boar let out another powerful squeal as it charged forward, moving impossibly fast as it covered the distance, Thor barely had time to get his arms up before the great beast hammered into him, sending the Prince of Asgard flying back to slam into a mountain. The impact shaking the entire arena as a crater appeared where he hit, the top of the mountain shearing away.

The boar threw its head back, squealing high into the air. Thor grunted as he crawled out of the crater, shaking it off, he floated upwards on the wind, angling his body, he flew like a cannon ball at the boar, slamming into its side causing the great beast to stumble and nearly fall before catching itself. Beady eyes full of hatred and anger glared at the Storm god. Swishing its giant head, Thor just barely managed to dodge one of its huge tusks. Countering by kicking the Boar in the middle of the head and sending it sliding backwards half a mile.

The boar lowered its head as it charged again, large trees being trampled under powerful hooves, the large crags in its path being mowed down as if they were made of paper machete, the powerful beast was on top of Thor in a hairs breath. Driving its head into Thors chest and driving him into the ground. The great boar rose up, bringing its hooves down onto the Lord of Thunder. He let out a scream of pain as the Hooves smashed down on his chest, caving him deeper into the earth.

Thor groaned as he looked up, seeing the boar raise up on its hind legs once more. He ripped up a large boulder, with one hand he threw it at the boar, hitting it under the chin and causing it stumble back. For the second time, Thor pulled himself from the earth. Lightning coursing along his body, he bent his knees and shot up like a reverse bolt of lightning, driving his fist into the underside of the boars stomach and continuing upwards, carrying the Boar high into the sky. The boar squealed angrily as it was lifted off the ground, hooves thrashing as it hit the apex, Thor tossed it aside, it's body writhing as it fell towards the ground like a meaty meteor.

It struck the ground with such force, that Asgard shook, the mountains nearby being obliterated from the savage shockwaves Thor came down, flying with the force of the heavens and driving his shoulder into the side of the boar. The ribs caved in as Thor continued, going through the great boar and out the other side into the very earth. He shot out, grabbing the boar by its tusks, the two locked eyes and with a savage twist, he snapped the boars neck.

The fight left the great beast, its body becoming still as its life force left it.

The Stadium went silent, eyes staring at Thor. The God of Storms raised a fist and let out a roar.

The arena went wild, people screaming and cheering as Brokk was leaping up and down in excitement.

"IT'S OVER, IT'S OVER, THOR WINS!" Brokk's voice echoed over the stadium patrons.

Thor floated upwards, arms wide as he flashed a grin.

He turned his gaze to Carol and pointed.

"Carol Danvers of Midgard, I challenge you to a fight right here in the arena!"

Brokk went quiet before joining the crowd in the explosion of cheers as the Prince of Asgard challenged the Berserker of Midgard. Both had just been seen slaying powerful enemies and now the idea of the two fighting in the Arena was going to run through the entire city.

Brokk grabbed the microphone, seeing the plan of his Lord. "You heard it here you Drengr, tell your friends and family, let the entire city know what is to come. Tomorrow, the Kraken Slayer versus the Great Boar slayer, The Berserker maiden of Midgard will face the God of Storms and Strength. Thor Odinson Versus Carol Danvers of Midgard!"

Thor flew over, landing in front of Carol as the two stood face to face. Sif and Baldr watching the two before looking at each other and grinning.

Brokk ran over, pulling the two warriors out of the sight of the people.

"That was great, now Blóðhöllin will be packed to the breaking point, even with Lord Odins enchantment, the feast tonight will be legendary, and tomorrow your fights will be written in the Sagas." The dwarf was almost falling over in excitement.

Thor smirked and laughed. "It surely will, but tonight we eat, come Carol. Baldyr will be eager to sit beside the great champion at the table." he laughed, showing that he did not object to whatever happened between the two. He turned, his hand opening and Mjolnir flying into it.

[John Kilroy]

Carol quickly went to the bathing area within the longhouse and freshened up cleaning the blood that was practically caked onto her. As she scrubbed it off she could still feel her adrenaline pumping. This was the best she had felt in a long time. The ability to let loose without fear of hurting innocent people, the people around her who were just like her, and loved her for her abilities…she had a sense of belonging here that she hadn't felt in her home country for a long while. As much as she hated to admit it, maybe the Anti-super resentment that had been occurring over the past decade was getting to her. She had hoped that stopping the Skrulls would put a stop to it, and to a certain extent it might have been. But it seemed like President Osborne and the suites in Washington were doubling down on everything.



It was then Carol had to admit something to herself. It was something she hadn't wanted to admit up to this point. She felt like an Outcast and foreigner in her own homeland. She needed a sense of belonging, a brotherhood that had her back. She had none of that. .Still she needed not dwell on these thoughts for too long. She had a friend to support. Changing back into her costume she reached the bleachers as Brokk introduced Thor. She too let out a roar of support and stomped her feet in unison with the crowd. She looked in awe as men in galleys took the Kraken away to be butchered and the landscape changed turned from a giant ocean into a beautiful mountainside. She was amused when Thor casted his hammer aside, as if this were a competition that he wanted to play fair in. Carol was both flattered and honored as he took his place she felt the stadium shake as an earpiercing squeal filled the air and the Boar charged forth. She was again amazed at the size of such a creature. What the Kraken was to the ocean this Boar was to the mountainside.



The Boar seemed to pumble thor at first but Carol worried not. This was Thor, the god of thunder, one of the Triad of the Avengers’s powerhouses (herself and Hulk being the other two) he would not fall to some beast. Her faith proved to be warranted as he seemed to dig himself out of the crater and struck back with a vengeance. His battle had in fact played out very similar to Her’s with similarly grisly results. With the sound of a loud **CRACK!** that sent a shockwave across the stadium Thor let out a battle cry, and the whole stadium cheered, Carol gave a cheer for her friend pumping her fist into the air and giving a huge grin as Thor formally changed her to a sparring match in the very arena in front of everybody. She crossed her arms and smirked shouting with a booming voice. “Ég samþykki!!"!!!” The crowd roared in excitement. The Kraken-Slayer would challenge the prince of Asgard to a battle of strength skill and sportsmanship that would be talked about for ages to come.



As Thor went up to greet her she gave him a hug “Nice Job big guy!” she watched as men in butcher karts heaved the boar away. She then felt something hit her hand. It was a pouch made of animal skin. Brokk smiled.



“What’s this?” Carol asked.



“What do you think it is, it’s your share of the cut!”



“My share of the cut?”



“What you think we’d force you to fight for free? Winners of the match get 10% of all wager earnings…and considering that NEARLY EVERYONE betted against ya…let’s just say you made both of us VERY rich. Hahaha. That’s real silver by the way none of that paper money you Midgardians like to use.”



Carol couldn’t help but smile.



"Thank you. You’re such a sweetheart."



Carol kissed Brokk on the Forehead and caused him to blush.



“Daw, alright now you’re just getting mushy on me.Now if you excuse me I have a feast to prepare! Between the Kraken and the Boar Asgard will be eating good this night and many nights to come.”



“You guy’s go ahead, Ah’ll catch up.”



Carol decided to go to the marketplace and get some proper clothing before Thor would have the chance to protest. She knew him. If she wanted to buy something he’d insist on paying for it. But considering this was entirely a luxury expense she just did not feel comfortable letting him do that.



Coming across a huntress selling clothing made from animal pelts and skins, Carol bought a wolf pelt coat, a shirt made of Sheepskin, a pair of breaches, and some fur boots. She even found as stylist that was to give her hair some simple braids. Carol wasn't looking to turn heads or anything, rather she wanted to blend in. She was in Asgard after all, as they say when in Rome.

Now feeling properly attired she headed into the longhouse where the feast was taking place and she was greeted by the sights and smells of a party. She had managed to make it before the feast began as the final preparations were being made. Finding Thor and his brother she sat next to them.



“Sorry about that. How do Ah look?”

[Zeronone]

As the battle ended Thor waved away his cut as most would have betted on him winning it was simply the arena winnings for fighting. He just had it sent home to his treasury. He returned Carols hug and nodded when she said she had something to do. He knew she was going off so he wouldn't offer to pay. He chuckled and turned to find a pair of fierce eyes staring at him before a beautiful blonde tackled into him. lips connecting as his wife held him, she pulled back and smirked. Hooking her arm around his he nodded. It had been some time since he had been home, and he had missed Sif quite a bit. As they headed for the hall, they were joined by Baldr who was looking around. Thor laughed, slapping his brother on his beefy shoulder.

"Relax Drengr, your person of fascination will be here shortly, fear not."

Baldr looked over at Thor and blushed, causing Sif to giggle. Entering the feasting hall, the voices cheered at their champion, Thor found a seat at the head of the table reserved for him. He took a seat Sif on his right and a spot on his left open for Carol, Baldr taking the seat next to hers. As they talked and mead was served, Carol would join them. Thor smirking as she entered and causing Baldr to turn and look. His jaw dropping which caused Thor to let out a roaring laugh. As she approached, a cup of mead was shoved into her hand by a passing war maiden, she wore a black feather cloak and a wicked spear on her back, her voice quick. "If you ever wish to join the ranks of the Valkyries, let me know."

And like that she was gone, back into the crowds. Her long black hair flashing in the torches.

Thor watched her go before turning to Carol and raised a hand, offering her the chair.

"Welcome friend Carol, come. Your seat waits for you and we can not start the feast without your presence. Would be bad taste."

[John Kilroy]

*You and your friends spend your whole lives walking among a species that will never love or understand you for what your kind truly are…you walk among manapes as if you are one of them, when your place is amongst your own kind…amongst those that Mere manapes call the gods…”

*Strange, I've not been concerned about the well-being of others in a very VERY long time.*

Carol let out a grunt as she crossed glances with a dark haired woman which she recognized right off the bat as a Valkyrie. It was strange though. Why did she sudden;y feel a cold chill of fear?

Carol shook it off as she saw Thor and Baldr sitting at one of the long tables. She could not help but smile as Baldr could be seen…rather flustered. “So Ah take it that means Ah hit the mark?”

Baldr cleared his throat and gave a warm smile. “Thou beauty is like that of a winter solstice, your eyes are like to sparkling sapphires in a crystal river. Thou hair gloweth like the sun. What fairer maid is there in all of Asgard?”

Carol could not help but blush and push some loose hair behind her ear. “Oh mah, a warrior and a poet.”

Even some of the warriors at the surrounding table were clapping. And raising their horns. Just as she was about to take her seat she once again was bumped. She then turned to see that same Valkerie that she had bumped into her earlier now give her a horn of mead. As she did so the woman leaned into carol’s ear.

"If you ever wish to join the ranks of the Valkyries, let me know."

and just like that she disappeared into the crowd. Carol couldn't help but shiver. Wait, was she suddenly feeling afraid all of a sudden? She shivered. As she sat down various maidens came out with silver platers filled with various cuts of the animals that both Carol and Thor had Vanquished in combat.

“Brokk is working with one of our mystics to get the Kraken head shunk, He figured you would enjoy having the trophy of such a creature to hang on your wall. Of course the rest of the creature is being used for the feast just as you wished,”

Carol couldn't help but smile. “Well tell him thank you for me. This smells delicious. Her mouth began to salivate. Whatever appetite was satisfied with the pre-fight feast, had now reared its head again. It also helped that it was all absolutely succulent. eating a piece of Kraken Hauch, her eyes widened in ecstacy. Fatty, yet gammy, the meat was juicy as the outer skin melted in your mouth like butter.

“Ah’ll never be able to eat Octopus or squid ever again. Wonder how this would taste deep fried…”

*No! Don't ruin such a rich opulent cut of sea meat with cheap American batter! Such meats are better left unadulterated with such sloppy methods.*

Carol truly didn't know where that thought came from but yeah she…it, whatever had a point. The Kraken tasted rich and godly as it was. There was no need to risk ruining that.

She looked down at the horn of mead that the Valkyrie had given her. She had seriously contemplated risking it or not. Asier mead was far stronger than anything on earth. If she was still vulnerable to drink, then one sip and she'd be on the floor out cold…honestly putting it that way she realized I'd serve as a good limbus test. Besides, she was technically off probation.

*Aw to heck with it."

She took a sip, waited, and then smiled. She didn't feel anything, not the slightest buzz. Part of her wondered why now she was suddenly able to hold her liquor but deep down she knew the truth. Everytime she emotionally hit rock bottom that was when she seemed to get drunk. But when she didn't feel helpless, when the weight of her life as a super didn't feel like it was crushing her, that was when the drink didn’t affect her.

It wasn't physical, it was mental. She then chugged down the horn of mead before throwing it down and shouted “SKÅL!” The longhouse seemed to erupt in a “SKÅL!” in response. Carol and Baldr began to talk about various things including pas adventures. But while the two were talking, Carol once again caught eyes with the dark haired Valkyrie that had given her the mead. The woman was staring right at her while drinking from her own horn. It was not necessarily per se, but it definitely unnerved her nonetheless.

“Excuse me Honey, Ah’ll be right back.”

Carol left her seat and sat adjacent to the dark-haired Valkyrie whom merely smiled as she took another sip.

“I figured you’d come my way before too long.” The Valkyrie said with a smile.

“Alright spill it. Who are you and why You’ve been eying me like Aragorn eying Frodo in Bree?”

“Pardon my manners. You may call me Geiravör, as far as for why I’ve been eyeing you, I know a battle-sister in the making when I see one. You have the heart of an Asier Carol, even if you don’t realize it."

Carol raised an eyebrow. “How do you know mah name?”

Geiravör chuckled taking another swallow of mead. “I know much about you Carol. You served 10 years in the airforce, a woman of high marks top of your unit…all very rare fleets given the way Humans are built, but then again your not fully human. You’re only half-human, the other half of you is Kree.

Carol rolled her eyes. “Congratulations, you read off the stats of my fanbase site. There is something else though…something about you…”

“Makes you’re skin crawl? Sends a chill down your spine? You feel anxious looking at me but you don’t know why?”

Carol nodded. “Well….yeah that actually sums it up.”

Geiravör again chuckled. “That’s because of the other soul inside of you. The one that released the floodgates on those emotions you’ve kept pent up inside yourself and embraced your inner berserker as you did in the arena today."

“Other soul?”

Geiravör nodded. “You see the Valkyrior existed long before we served Odin. In truth we existed long before there was Asier or Asgard. You’ll notice we don’t have to eat of the golden apples to keep our immortality…as neither do you I should point out.”

Carol took a swig of her own mead. “So just how old are you?”

Geiravör shruged her shoulders. “The Oldest of us are nearly as old as life itself. But you contain the oldest of us.”

“The oldest?”

Geiravör nodded.

“In the beginning. All was darkness and water. Then in an explosion. From that light came two birds. One of Cosmic fire, the other of Shadow fire. One bird was the force of change, to continue evolution to burn away what did not worked and protect the day, while the other bird kept her sister in check and protected the Night. While the Bird of Light protected life from the evil forces of the waking world, her sister would protected life from the invisible forces of shadow. She would visit people in their dreams and protect them from the demons that fed off their fear and agony.

But she turned on her sister, and in a great battle that shook the cosmos she managed to corrupt the bird of life.

The bird of light became a force of destruction. In order to stop herself from destroying the universe, she shattered herself across space and time.

Her sister in the meantime had lost all faith in humanity. She decided that they were useful but for one purpose, serve as tools for her pleasure, but unlike with her sister the battle had broken the Guardian of Shadow’s physical form. She has to bind herself to a physical host often whom she will try to control and take as a vessel of her own…”

Carol's eyes began to widen. A shadow entity that claimed to have existed since the dawn of time and lived by latching onto host like a parasite? Her mind immediately went to one villain in particular, one that had been a thorn in her side for years now.

And as if reading Carol's mind Geiravör’s smile grew wider and wider…

“Isn't that right…Skyggefugl?
.
Carol felt her stomach cramp as she almost doubled over in pain. Her heart began to race and her palms began to sweat. She felt…angry. Why did she feel angry. Her stomach began to churn, at any moment she felt like she was about to vomit. Suddenly her mouth began to open seemingly of it’s own accord. She began to speak even though she had not intention of doing so. As she spoke her voice quickly became not her own.

“How dare you CALL ME THAT!!!”

Carol felt herself get thrown to the floor as she began to vomit out a black sludge like substance from her mouth. The ooze dripped onto the wooden boards of the longhouse and began to pool and twist as it seemed to take a life of its own. As the last of the ooze expeled itself from Carol, the superheroine wiped her mouth/ Baldr soon got her to her feet.

“Ah’m alright…Ah’m alright.” She assured him weakly, having been drained from that rather violently disgusting display. She watched as the black ooze took form and began to take the shape of an all too familiar. It was none other than…

THE SHADOW KING!

The Shadow King slurked his way to Geiravör and gave a toothy sneer.

“That name, is worthless to me.””

Carol and Baldr readied themselves for battle, but Geiravör held up her hand to both Baldr and potentially Thor, knowing the god of thunder he already had his hammer out.

“Peace sons of Odin…the Allfather is and was already well aware of Skyggefugl’s presence .

Geiravör then turned back to the Shadow King.

“Tsk Tsk, My sister, how have you fallen? This hideous form does not suit you at all. How about we remedy that situation?”

Geiravör pulled a satchel from her waste and revealed a rune carved on a stone that could fit in your hand.

“What are you doing?” The Shadow King asked.

“Låt de mörka hemligheterna avslöjas…”

“Wait…stop don’t!”

“...Allfader!”

The Shadow King screamed as a beam of blue light shot forth from the rune and engulfed the demonic being. As he screamed however, something happened. He began to take on a more feminine shape. His voice became more feminine in tone and black eagle like feathers sprouted from his body. As the light faded carol could not believe her eyes. He was now a she, not the Shadow King but…

THE SHADOWBIRD!!!

[Zeronone]

Thor laughed heartily as the food was served, kraken meat salted and grilled. Boar meat coated in seasoning and cooked to perfection. He picked up a tentacle and took a bite, his teeth sinking into the crispy and salted meat and followed it by a cup of mead. The kraken was young but delicious, its ancient sire was a memory but even now he could still imagine the strength of each bite from that legendary beast. He noticed Carol's eyes and turned his head to gaze at the Valkyrie. His fathers warriors, they would be no match for him, but they were old and they had secrets. As Carol moved to the raven haired, Thor went back to eating, but keeping watch out of the corner of his eye. He didn't hear what they were saying as voiced echoed excitedly from the meal, telling stories of the battles they had seen, what was to come, and their own brave acts in and out of the arena.

He felt a shift in the air, the scent of darkness, and Mjolnir vibrating. He saw the Shadow leave Carol, saw her vomit the black ichor and it began to take form. His hands struck the table with force, thunder rumbling through the room and the talking ceased immediately. He rose to his feet, going to his full height, Mjolnir vibrating next to his hands. Eyes turned to the Valkyrie and the shadow abomination, lightning sparked in his eyes. "You disrupt our revelry, valkyrja, this could have waited till we were alone rather than pulling this fiend here for all to see. Impatient for one so old."

He turned his gaze to the Shadow King, watching the being. As the woman spoke words and shifted the creature to a woman draped in Raven feathers, he turned to Carol. "It seems we must talk, now." The last word was punctuated with a rumble of Thunder. Sif stood at his back, hand resting on her sword handle, ready to draw. He walked forward, Mjolnir flying to his hand. He passed the Valkyrie and the Shadow Bird. "You two will join us, this is not a request." His hand tightened on the handle of his ancient weapon, it was clear Thor was not in a happy mood. He kept walking towards a back room, the crowd parting quickly to avoid their angry prince. Baldr looked at Carol and smiled. "Don't worry, it will be fine, but we should join him. He is not in a good mood now."

Sif followed her husband, watching his back as her gaze swept over the Valkyrie and the Shadow Bird.

[John Kilroy]

Geiravör smiled and gave a bow. "of course my prince." She couldn't help but give a smirk towards Shadowbird as they followed The Prince to a backroom. The food and mead was as ever flowing as it was in the mainroom. however, the food would appear magically as opposed to being served by maid servants. The reason was practical. This was the room the Asgard nobility wanted to eat in private and when they wanted to eat alone, no one wanted to mess with them.

The tension between everyone involved was thick and the leer that Carol was giving Shadow King…Shadowbird…whatever he or she was could kill anything or anyone. If Thor thought he was angry that anger was nothing to the fury swimming through her veins.

The Shadow King was sitting right in front of her, the person, the thing that had caused McKinney, the thing that she had spent the last five years searching ruthlessly for, was sitting right in front of her and it appeared as if he been there the entire time.

The Shadow Bird scoffed, rolled her eyes and got up.

“Sister!” Geiravör called out but it was too late. Carol herself had gotten up to meet the Shadowbird. She went for a left book to the jaw, only for her eyes to widen as her fist went through her shadowy foe. She then threw a series of punches. With each failed punch she growled with more rage and frustration.

Shadowbird crossed her arms and smirked. “You really didn't think that plan out very well did you Carol?”

“Grrrr…. Ah don't get it!”

“I'm a shadow you foolish woman! I don't have a physical form! The only thing that can harm me is Psychic and magical attacks….why else do you think it takes the likes of Charles Xavier and the Phoenix to defeat me?”

Baldr then rose from his seat. “Carol Danvers may not be able to bring harm to you but my brother and I certainly can…so I suggest you speak quickly and bluntly about why you choose to taint our halls with your putrid presence before you try our patience to its limit.”

The Shadowbird bit the corner of her lip. She wanted to blast him with a mental attack, make him see living nightmares and visions of a possible future yet to come. She wanted to make him suffer for his insolence…but she knew she had no chance against the sons of Asgard.

“I seek no trouble son of Odin. I was perfectly content being bound to Danvers and enjoying the simple pleasures of life until….Geiravör provoked me out by invoking my old name.

“How long?” Carol growled.

Shadowbird was going to play coy but decided against it.

“I never left. I've been with you since the fight with Ultron. It's not like I had much choice. While I was playing passenger In your body, one of the rival gangs I was at war with decided to take out my original body. So, it was either bound with you or spend time as a shadow with no corporeal form…not exactly a state I want to be in if I can help it. So I stayed inside of you kept myself in the back of your subconscious letting you do your thing while I lived vicariously through you. I didn't possess you because the last thing I wanted to do was draw the attention of the likes of Dr. Strange or stars help me Thor.”

Shadowbird looked to the Son of Odin upon saying that last part. “It's kinda hard to enjoy the simple hedonistic pleasures of life when you’re left shattered into countless pieces, spending hundreds of years regenerating due to being on the receiving end of the wrath of an angry god.”

Carol in the meantime was trying to process all of it. All those years of searching for the Shadow King all of those years of searching the globe several times over, going on weeks even months at a time without sleep, and all she had to do was take a look in the freaking mirror.

Carol began to take deep breaths, her breathing turned into grunt which turned into guttural growls as her chest began to bob up and down. Her heart began to race as she felt adrenaline surge through her body on a whim. She gritted her teeth and She banged her hand hard against the table. If it was not for the fact that it was magical, she would have broken it to splinters. Soon her eyes began to glow blue as the symbol on her back began to glow once more through her tunic. as her growling became more animal-like. She even began to foam at the mouth through her gritted teeth like a rabid dog. Baldr was quick to place a hand on her shoulder. It appeared his suspicions upon witnessing her battle with the kraken were correct. It wasn't just a one time thing.

“Shhhh, hey, it’s ok….it’s ok…”

Carol snapped out of it for a brief moment and clutched her chest with one hand as she frantically rubbed the foam off her mouth with the other. She had felt it again, that same hazy state of rage she experienced fighting the Kraken. She had remembered Bruce talk about what it was like to Hulk out. What she was feeling at the moment. It was the closest way she could describe it. She was hulking out. But why? She had never in her life experienced something like this. This had to be the Shadow King’s doing…right?”

“What did you do to me?” Carol asked. Her voice was laced not just with concern but fear.

Both Shadowbird and Geiravör shook their heads.

“I didn’t do anything to you. That rage you feeling? That has always been inside you. Now…you’re just subconsciously refusing to ignore it.”

Geiravör gave a half smile., a look that read like she was trying to find a way to express something delicately or in a way that would make sense.

“The fact of the matter is Carol of Danvers…You’re a Berserker.”

Carol eyes widened and she looked around the Table It was one thing to be given that as a nickname but now The valkyrie seemed to be indicating there was something more to it.

“What…What the heck do you mean Ah’m a Berserker?!?”

Geiravör quickly interjected sensing Carol’s distress. “Carol I know what distresses you but it’s not what you think. Contrary to what tales have been passed on in time. Berserkers are not drug-addled madmen with minds of mere beasts… They never were.”

Shadowbird sighed and began to speak her words flowed as if she were reciting a poem

“I know I may sound mad but it is as if they were half beast half man. Wolf. Or dog men. They were intelligent yet kind. they were gentle, yet also fierce warriors if it came to it. Though they would never harm a hair on the head of an innocent man. if provoked, they would eat those who were vanquished.”

(OOC note: -A Paraphrased quote by a Angelo-Saxon monk supposedly) 

As lyrical as it may have sounded it did little to ease Carol.

“The Heck is that supposed to mean???”

Geiravör looked to Thor with pleading eyes. “Please my prince, you can explain this to her in a way better than I could, for you know her closely.”

[Zeronone]

Thor stood by as the three conversed, his hand held loosely on Mjolnir as he waited for them to get out whatever they had to. Sif stood at his back, her hand resting on her blade as her eyes moved to the three as if wondering who to cut down first. As the Shadow king addressed him, Thor stared stony like at her, his blue eyes sparking with lightning. Mjolnir had vibrated a few times in Carols presence, but he had not taken it into account the Shadow King himself may exist inside her, the abilities of Carol was strange to him and thus chalked it down to Mjolnir not liking it. He took a deep breath as Carol became angry, the signs of a berserker flaring through her, he himself knew it well for he was a Berserker as well. Though his was forbidden from being used as he became too powerful and too destructive. He stepped forward and laid a hand on Carol's shoulder, his gaze stern.

"We will speak of your anger later, but know a berserker is not an evil being. They were great warriors who fought for their clans. Wolf shirts, bear skins, they had many names. But in the end what they are or were is unfettered warriors. But it comes with a cost, those who fall into their berserk state become mindless killers, it takes training and years of practice to utilize the berserker rage with even a small bit of control. I will teach you personally, after our battle, until then you are not to use it."

He turned to the Shadow King, his hammer lifting up into her face. The ancient weapon sparking not with lightning but phoenix fire. Something he never used unless he had no choice, but it was a reminder to the Shadow King that Thor had more than enough power to go beyond breaking her into shards.

"You will wait until this is all over and then we will discuss your future. If you attempt to flee, I will come for you personally and make sure that you spend the next ten thousand years as little more than a whisper of a conciseness."

Finally, he turned towards Geiravör, his eyes remaining stern. "I do not know what game you are playing Valkyrie, but I do not appreciate you doing it in the hall after victory, it is against our laws to disrupt hospitality for personal vendettas. Do you need to be reminded what happened to Loki the last time he pushed our rules too far? And he was my brother!"

Mjolnir fell back to his side, Sif watching like a hawk for the slightest motion.

"After the battle tomorrow between me and Carol, we will discuss the next step. As our victory has been spoiled, we will eat here in silence and when we have our fill head to bed. Shadow, you will stay with Geiravör and Sif until after the event. Then we will deal with what comes next, do not test me."

He gazed at Carol then turned to the table, on the long ancient wood table food and drinks appeared, boar and kraken. The mouthwatering scents that had filled the room now felt hollow. He walked around and took the head seat, Sif joining on his left. He looked to Carol and pointed to the chair on his right.

[John Kilroy]

Drowning, Carol Danvers was drowning. Sexual assaulted, soul trapped and nearly soul absorbed, kicked off her own team  and on top of all that, the way Thor was speaking she was now affiliated with a curse that would turn her into a mindless killer, a weapon, glorified as she may be by the likes of the Asgardians, even at the best of times she'd be a weapon, an attack dog to unleash on the governments enemies, and the worst part was, even death would grant her no peace or reprieve.

Baldr decided it would be best to intervene. He had a way of speaking with silver tongue, while not as good as Loki, he at least lacked the sliminess and he had a way of soothing his brothers. "If I may brother, I think it would benefit our guests if they went on a walk with me. Perhaps a private feast with your wife and a nice night of love making with Lady Sif would bring you merryment?"

Even if she did die a heroes death, she'd just be whisked back to Asgard and while granted a sort of Eternal VIP seat in the Valhalla club so to speak, she'd still be afflicted with the Berserkers Rage, struggling for an eternity to maintain just a small portion of lucidity, a small sense of humanity She felt like a condemned soul. The kind spoken of in horror movie and even if she did everything she could…it wouldn't matter. All paths would intercept into the same endpoint.

Carol silently wept to herself, not loud or open enough to make a scene but it was there. It was a cry of anguish, again like a mournful ghost She cursed being born, truly she had thought that it might have been better to have been fully absorbed by Rogue. At least then apart of her would have still been alive even as Rogue she'd have still been herself to some extent, could such a thing be said once the Berserkers Curse did its work? but once the tears were shed, she steeled herself. Mourning was pointless. So.. she took a big gulp of mead casted the cup aside and looked to Thor.

“Ah want to fight you tonight after our meal.” She finished her thought before Thor would have the chance to protest.

“You want to fight me at mah best? Now is going to be your best bet, because Ah guarantee you Ah will not sleep, nor will Ah find rest. Ah will be plagued by thoughts and dreams that will have festered and ravaged me. Ah'll be nothing more than a hollow shadow of myself.” Her eyes a voice became one of pleading. “Please, if you truly do care for me as a friend, if you truly care for my honor as a warrior, then fight me after dinner tonight…and not a day later.”

With that she finished her meal. She was laying the gauntlet down. In her eyes, it wasn't just her honor that was a stake...it was her memory. If this were to be her fate, she wanted to give Thor one last great battle. One last memory of who she was, not the animal she'd become.


. Baldr in the meantime simply gazed at Carol.. He didn’t need the telepathic powers of Skyggefugl to see that Carol was in anguish. It was as written all over her face. It was a look few new, and whether by fortune or misfortune he understood it well, though his was caused by a far different reason. Carol was gravely misunderstanding what it meant to be a Berserker and what it would mean for her, or perhaps Thor was poorly explaining it. The most likely explanation was that itwas a little bit of both. It didn’t help that the more The Shadowbird/Shadow King was blanketing the room with their presence, the angrier Thor was getting. There were two things that Thor seemed to hate more than anything,



A friend in distress

A time of merriment sullied



And somehow one of their own, a Valkyrie no less had managed to do both in one fell swoop. Geiravör had in her lack of patience dishonored herself, and sure while there was a way for her to offer a tribute to her prince as atonement as tradition and custom allowed, that was assuming Thor would not decide to banish her before sunrise or worse yet demand her lif be taken for her offense…as custom ALSO allowed. And Now Carol, overcome with grief and fearful that her memory would be sulled by being a Berserker, was now begging Thor to challenge him tonight. He knew better than anyone that SHE WOULD NOT want to fight him while he was in this state. Sure she’d probably survive if he did let his temper get the better of him, but it would not be a showing of him at his strongest, nor would it be an honorable showing. Given Carol's mental state at the moment it would not be a good or strong showing for her either. It’d be as midgardians called it, a washout.



So he decided to put his own silver tongue to good use. He had a way of deescalating a situation. “Brother if I may,” he said softly and respectively,

“I think it would do good if I had our three guest take a walk with me in the brisk moonlight. Perhaps a private feast and a night of lovemaking with your beloved would put your mind at ease as well? We do want to see yours and Carol’s best showing. I promise. If Shadow King, shadow bird whatever they call themselves, tries anything…they will leave Asgard in pieces.”



Shadowbird gulped. Given the fact that Baldr was as strong if not stronger than Thor while he had a foot in Asgard, yeah that was not a threat. It was a promise.

[Zeronone]

Thor sat at the head of the table, hands clasped around a cup, leaning back in the chair as the Nordic chiefs of hold had. His sweeping gaze taking everyone in the room, his usual gentle blue eyes held a dark anger in them. He turned to Carol as she issued her challenge, his hand tightening on the metal enchanted mug, even with the enchantment against being destroyed, it began to crumple in his godly grip. Her words made him angry, the idea of her being driven to this point while a guest of his was a dishonor to her, him, and Asgard itself. His dark gaze flicked to Geiravör, her deeds had broken Asgardian hospitality law and shamed his honor, his mind turned as he considered a punishment for this night of merriment to be sent into this dreary mood that now pervaded the room. Mjolnir vibrated slightly as if eager to be used, sometimes the hammer was more warrior than Thor was.

He looked back at Carol, seeing the shape she was in there would be no challenge if he fought her now. His anger was being held back by a sliver and if he let it out there would be no real fight. Carol was in a dark mental place; she wouldn't think clearly in a fight. Baldr as usual was the voice of reason, slipping up to talk to him and give his advice. Thor heeded it, he trusted Baldr as more than a brother but a man who had bled and fought beside him. He took a deep breath, before giving a nod. "There will be no battle tonight, Baldr, do as you wish."

Thor stood up, Sif moving behind him, her hand still resting on her sword. "Geiravör, your fate will be decided once I have had time to calm down. If you attempt to flee or talk your way out of your punishment, you will pay for this dishonor with your life."

He gazed first at Baldr, locking eyes with his brother before moving his gaze to Carol. "The fight will be postponed until we have both calmed and collected ourselves. I will not dishonor you by fighting you in your current state, and I will not dishonor myself or my house by not fighting you at your best."

As he was heading out of the room he stopped, laying a gentle hand on Carol's shoulder and gave a squeeze. "Listen to Baldr, friend Carol. You are not in the danger you think you are."

He left the room, Sif behind him. Her gaze stern as she looked to each person before following her husband out of the room.

[John Kilroy]

Baldr snapped his fingers and the Shadowbird and Geiravör got up. Carol’s eyes widened as Thor warned that if Geiravör fled or even tried to defend herself, he would kill her. She wanted to protest. In truth she had felt just as responsible for this whole debacle as Geiravör was, after all, accidentally or not it was her that brought the Shadow King into Asgard. If it were not for her, this whole situation would not have happened, but before she could speak, both Baldr and Geiravör held her shoulders and shook their heads. The message was clear. “Don’t do it, not when he’s like this.” So carol remained silent as Thor and his wife walked away.

“Come.” Baldr said. “We can discuss this outside.” As the group of of women followed Balder, on the roman concrete quality stone streets, Carol began to speak.

“He’s…he’s not going to actually kill Geiravör …is he?”

Geiravör sighed. “I dishonored my prince’s show of hospitality to you Josephdottier, humiliating both him and myself in the process, Honor demands I pay with such treachery with my life if that’s what Thor sees fit.”

Again Carol’s eyes widened. All at once she was questioning what she really knew about one of the people she had fought alongside with for years. “B-But that’s cruel and unfair. If anyone deserves death here it’s me. Ah’m the one that brought a demonic abomination right into the gates.”

Shadowbird wanted to protest only to be met with a look by Baldr that quickly shot the wind from her sails. The message was clear. She had no room to speak about anything and the less she spoke unless spoken to, the better off she’d be.

Carol continued. “That whole argument would not have started if Ah hadn't brought the Shadow King into Asgard."

Geiravör shook her head. “You had no way of knowing you were possessed Carol, I on the other hand should have known better than to provoke my battle sister out of you during our feast.”

Baldr put a hand through his beard. “Yes, I'll admit, I am vexed as to why you decided to do something so foolish during such a sacred time. An argument between children is one thing but such behavior among the oldest Valkyrie…it is shameful.”

Geiravör bowed her head. “I offer no excuses.”

Baldr was at least pleased with the show of humility Carol however was not at ease.

“But what will happen to you? What is to be your fate?”

Geiravör sighed. “That will be up to Thor. He may execute me for my dishonor, or he may have me banished…my fate to in his hands”

Shadowbird gave a look that silently screamed “serves you right”, however Baldr shot her a look that quickly shut her up. He then spoke

“You, I find most odd. How is it that the Valkyries know of you yet neither I nor my brother have heard the name Skyggefugl?”

“You do know her son of Odin.” Geiravör said. “Skyggefugl is the title she had amongst her battle sisters but you know her as Nòtt.

Both Baldr’s and Carol's eyes widened at this revelation.

The Shadow King could not help but wince when they heard the name Nòtt.

“Nòtt, as in the Norse goddess of night?” Carol asked

“The Weaver of Dreams?” Baldr asked as well.

The Shadow King let out an exasperated sigh. “... yes.”

The Shadow King formally the goddess Nòtt sat on nearby rock and began to weave a tale of a time long forgotten.

“In the Beginning I was alone, there was nothing but darkness and the world was formless and nothing but the waters of the deep were upon it. Then came the Voice of the One Above All, and by his command he gave me an equal, a sister. She was the counter me to Phoenix, and from her came light and energy

Through her the one created the Stars. The planets, the day the very concept of light and life itself. Chaos magic found peace within itself. I was no longer alone. I was…happy. Over the eons we lived and played together balancing each other. I would stimulate her with new experiences with my Chaos magic, she would use her cosmic magic to soothe me and help me find peace.

Meanwhile, as demon's spewed forth and waged war with the heavens and the various man-races came into existence, My sister and I would protect the very creation that we helped create.

The Phoenix would guard the day. When demons invaded the earth and enslaved mankind, she imbued a portion of her power into a group of Five Heralds known as the phoenix Five, and with her power they drove back the demons and freed humanity from their shackles.

I protected the people in the night, defending them from the great monsters that haunt under the beds of children and tried to devour them in their dreams. It was with my Valkyrie sisters that we protected the resting and the dead. Among my battle sisters I was known as Skuggfågel, The Shadowbird. But I learned the hard way that the worst things lie in men’s hearts. I came across the First Nightmare ever conceived. I saw things in it that no one can bear to imagine. And I received comfort from no one, not the people I protected, not my friends, not even my own sister. So I lashed out. She and I battled and I forced my sister to experience everything as I had…and it caused her to break as it broke me. She had become convinced that the truest mercy she could give the world would be to destroy it and start over.”

“The Dark Phoenix.’ Carol said softly.

“Yes, that was the first instance of the Dark Phoenix, Like The Shadow King was born from the first nightmare, so too was the Dark Phoenix.”

“What I don't understand sister is why did you abandon us?” Geiravör asked.

Shadow King or Nòtt scoffed. “Why did I abandon you? Why did YOU abandon me? Where were any of you when I needed help? Where were you when I experienced violation? I saved the world from horrors beyond anyone's imagination? For millions of years I saved the world but where was anyone else when I was the one that needed saving?”

Carol's jaw dropped upon hearing those words. Almost word for word she had said the exact same thing to Thor before coming to Asgard. Part of her immediately began to wonder if Shadow King had been influencing her thoughts, had they been causing her to be as she had been the past five years…but then a more disturbing thought came to her mind. Were the two more alike than either cared to admit? Nòtt gave a silent nod and a single question escaped Carol's lips.

“In another life, could I have ended up like you?”

“In another life…in another universe…you already are.”

There was an eerie silence between the group of four as Nòtt ominous words sunk in for Carol. She immediately thought back on all the times she had mentally tormented Rogue while being absorbed. She couldn't help but imagine there was a universe where she had been unable to get her body back, either stuck as Rogue or left as a bitter wandering ghost neither living nor dead, possessing whatever body she could get ahold of just so that she could experience feeling again…just like The Shadow King.

Carol took another deep breath and asked Nòtt one more question. “So you've been inside me this whole time and yet you never took the driver seat when you easily could have. Why? I mean, there's no telling what you could have been able to accomplish using my body.”

Nòtt scoffed. “Oh please, I take over the world for all of Five minutes and then what? Your allies aren't stupid Carol. If I used your body to take over the world or create some kind of…Super Criminal Empire your Super Friends would find me out in no time flat and then Stark or Xavier would pull something out of the sky to stop me, free you, and once again I'm left floating in darkness spending months or even years regenerating and finding another host. It gets tiresome losing over and over again you know! And for the record. I did influence you at least somewhat I made it easier for you to be the cold hearted space cop you were trying to be and I helped you lose that Msissippian accent that Rogue gave you. Or have you not noticed it returning?

Carol opened her mouth but found no rebuttal to her remark, she didn’t think about it, but Yeah Nòtt was right, ever since her talk with Ben Grimm her inherited Mississippian accent and mannerisms had started to come back. It started out with the small stuff, saying “Ah” instead of “I” using the phrase “Sugah” when talking to someone affectionately, she did find that after the civil war it got much easier to be hard nosed than it all rights should have been given her character, part of it was PTSD whether Carol knew it or not, but in hindsight, the idea that Shadow King was also helping push her in that direction, it made sense.

What Nòtt/Shadow King said next however really threw Carol off.

“For what it’s worth,” Nòtt said with a bit of sadness in her voice. “I WAS trying to help you fight Ultron. I thought the best way to ensure the least amount of casualties was to go after Ultron directly. In hindsight I was wrong….I’m sorry.”

That was a mistake. Carol’s lips curled into a sneer. Shadow King was sorry…Shadow King….was…SORRY?!? Sorry didn’t stop the dam from shattering, sorry didn’t stop from Mckinney Texas from flooding, leading thousands to die. Carol began to growl and foam once more as she began to relive the news reports and the comments all over again.
(OOC Note: These are from real post)

"She dun' it!" A young girl told our reporter, mere moments after watching most of her class get washed away. "I used to want to be like her when I grow up, but I don't any more."

"It was that Avenger lady,"(She) shot the dam and killed my mommy."

" From US President Barrack Obama: My fellow citizens... a tragedy occurred merely an hour ago in the state of Texas. And while this is something that should be commemorated and remembered, that is for later.
"Now we have to look at who caused this destruction. We have to look at how this happened, and it looks like the finger of blame points squarely at Ms. Marvel. Ultron was present, but all evidence points to Marvel firing the blast that broke the dam.

"Ms Marvel, for whatever reason, destroyed that dam. She is the one who murdered that town, and the blood of countless individuals is on her hands!”

The Berserker symbol on Carol’s back began to glow once more on her back and she began to growl and foam at the mouth once again, she took a wild lunge at The Shadow King but once again it was futile. Not to say it didn’t strike the fear of God in them as they instinctively dodged Carol’s animalistic fury.

“You have the gall to tell me you’re sorry?!? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE?!? EVERY SINGLE NIGHT FOR MONTHS ON AFTERWARD AH COULD STILL HEAR THEIR SCREAMS!!! EVERY…SINGLE…NIGHT!!! SO SHUT IT WITH THE WHOLE “AH’M SORRY CRAP…SORRY CAN’T DELIVER THE INNOCENT FROM HELL!!!”

As Carol readied an energy blast she felt arms wrap around her waist and squeeze her like an anaconda. She looked behind to see Baldr trying to wrestle her into submission but still very much under the influence of her berserker rage, she fought back like a wild bull of Heaven.

“GET OFF OF ME!!”

Baldr could not help but be both impressed and afraid. She fought with the strength of ten thousand asgardian berserkers, never since trying to pacify his brother Thor while he himself was in a berserker state did Baldr experience such power and fury. Yep, if Carol accepted what she was and accepted training, she would certainly find a place within the hall of the gods. A goddess, of war, of justice, of victory or hope, there was no telling where her potential could take her. Right now however he had to get her to calm down.

Biting and Foaming, Carol lept backward and slammed Baldr right against the ground trying to throw him off like a bull bucking off a rider. Baldr could not be more thankful of his invincibility than he was now. Carol was like a wild beast, at one point he could almost swear that he saw Carol’s eyes fog over in a feral haze.

Nòtt and Geiravör looked in shock as they witnessed the furocity in which Carol fought. Yeah, there was no doubting it. Carol was a berserker, one that could rival Thor. As Baldr was pinned to the ground he looked to the two women and nodded at them. They were quick to flee. After a while, a long while Carol seemed to calm down and Baldr released her. She ripped herself away from him with one last frustrated growl.

“WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING?!? NOW THOSE TWO ARE LIKELY TO FLEE FROM ASGARD!!!”

“No…they won’t. Believe me we have eyes and ears everywhere.I let them go because I wanted to make sure that you couldn’t rip them apart.”

As Carol felt her fury fade. She began to take deep breaths and clutched her chest, her heart was going a million beats a minute (Well more like 180 beats per minute but exaggeration aside). She collapsed to the floor and let out a whimper.

“Why…Why is this happening to me?”

Baldr sat cross legged on the ground and invited Carol to do the same. She obliged. He then let out a sigh.

“It’s been called various things throughout human history, Soldier’s heart, Shell Shock, Combat Fatigue…”

Carol’s mouth dropped slightly as he listed off various names for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It didn’t take long to put together what Baldr was saying.

“Are you saying I have…PTSD?”

Baldr’s face twisted into a bit of a warm smile as he hung his head. “Really Carol, are you that surprised, after all you’ve been through? I don’t know everything but I’ve been told about some of the worst stuff that’s happened to you. Mind controlled, and violated, nearly had your soul absorbed by a mutant, frankly it’s a wonder you are able to keep yourself as much as you have. Many Berserkers would have broken long before you have.

“Is that what a Berserker is, someone who is suffering PTSD?”

Baldr shook his head. “sort of, but Not quite. All Berserkers suffer from PTSD of some kind, but not every soldier that suffers from PTSD is a Berserker. Does that make sense?”

Carol nodded. She could not believe it. PTSD She knew it was something her father had from years of serving in the Navy and being in fear of the Kree.

Her father had actually suggested that she might have has it during her fight with alcoholism, pointing out that both her “Relationship” with Marcus and nearly losing herself to Rogue both could easily cause it. But Carol blew such a concern off. PTSD? No she couldn't have PTSD.

She was an Avenger. She was the first AND last line of defense between Earth and horrors that no mere mortal could face. She had to let everything roll off her back and continue fighting. That was her job, her duty.

Yet, reality seemed to be hitting her square in the jaw as she looked at the massive meteorite-like craters that now littered the ground. The ground was healing due to the enchantments surrounding Asgard but it was still proof of the massive scuffle between her and Baldr. In the span of a day, she had 3 episodes. Two of them involved lashing out. Looking at everything objectively the evidence was too obvious to ignore. If it were anyone else she'd have recognized it and gently confronted them about it. So why could she not recognize it within herself?”

Carol let out a defeated sign. “Ah’m not fit to be a hero…Ah’m a danger.”

Baldr placed a hand on Carol's shoulder. “Carol, you're not a danger to others, and you won't become a mindless killer.

“B-But Thor said Berserkers have to…”

“It is in the nature of Aesir to…over exaggerate the awe and the peril of things…it is true, it takes training for a Berserker to develop any sense of control over their rage and some never gain absolute control, hence why they were only ever allowed to unleash it in certain places or certain times. Thor is one of them. The only place he's ever allowed to unleash his full might is here on Asgard for fear he might tear half the universe apart in his rageful fury…but many DO develop full control…I'm one of them.”

“Y-you’re a Berserker?”

Baldr unrolled the left sleeve of his tunic, starting at his shoulder and going down his arm, was the symbol of the Berserker He then gave Carol another warm smile.

“See? you're not alone.”

Carol could not help but be stunned at the fact that Baldr was a Berserker, Thor she could see, but Baldr was a surprise given her interaction with him. He seemed meek and reserved, but then again maybe that was proof that he was in full control of his gift.

“But how do you know Ah’ll be able to fully control it?” Carol asked.

“Because Carol, daughter of Joseph, you already were mostly in control of it the first time you used it, when you fought that Kraken.”

Carol thought back to her battle with the Kraken when she went full throttle, the rush, the thrill, it felt euphoric.

“Ah just thought that was an adrenaline rush Ah was experiencing from not holding back.”

“That's exactly what it is Carol, going berserk, it's not some kind of neurological disease, it's a state of mind, one that yes is birthed from Post Traumatic Stress, but we Beserkers have an ability that most don’t. We have the ability to turn our trauma into our power, our weakness into our strength.

Baldr then got up. “Look I know you’re scared, but I promise you we can help you…we want to help you….do you trust us?”

All carol could do was look at Baldr for a good few seconds. There was so much to take in and it all seemed to be going so fast, but she trusted Baldr, or at lease she trusted Thor whom trusted Baldr, besides what choice did she really have? So, she grabbed his hand and pulled herself up.

“Alright, Ah trust you.”

Baldr could not help but blush as her face was inches from his, but any thoughts he had he tried to keep far from his mind. He decided to go for a distraction.

“Hey, you know what I really think would help…a good hunt. Come on, follow me.”

~~~

Carol and Baldr walked through the icy forest of the Asgardian wilderness It was one of the few places that had remained relatively unchanged in it’s many eons of existence. Many earthlings were of the mistaken belief that Asgard was this place frozen in time that had not changed, a perfect snapshot of Nordic life in the 800s, to be fair, a lot of that DID remain in Asgard, but that wasn't to say Asgard was totally stuck in the “Age of the Vikings” as modern Terrans called it. It had movie theaters, sports bars, even some fast food chains (Yes, Even Asgard was not safe from the unyielding conquest of the likes of Mcdonalds, KFC, Chick-Fil-A, and…Taco Bell) Unlike many places however, Asgard did a much better job at blending with the old while still holding onto themselves.

Still, for Baldr it was nice every once in a while to get away from any semblance of modernisation altogether and return to his roots. A good hunting trip allowed Baldr to do just that and given everything that she was dealing with he could not help but think that it would help Carol too.

ErCarol had never actually gone hunting before. Contrary to what many people believed she was a boston city girl born and raised, and it was not until Rogue had absorbed her and Carol soul had absorbed some of Rogue’s personality traits (and vice versa) that she had developed any kind of southern girl charm or tendencies.

Still the idea of a hunt excited her, it’d be a new experience and perhaps getting more one with nature would calm her nerves.. For whatever reason however, Baldr decided that they would go bow hunting, something that she had zero experience with, but she supposed there was a first time for everything.

Thoughts and questions floated in Carol’s mind the entire walk. Baldr too was a Berserker, and according to him, all Besekere’s experienced Trauma that rendered them with some form of PTSD, so it was only natural for her to wonder what Baldr:s story was. But she said nothing. If he wanted to reveal more of his backstory he'd do so on his own time.

As they continued walking in the woods, Baldr raised his hand and gave out a small shhh.

“What?”


Baldr pointed to one of the massive trees that towered over the frosty landscape. On one of the mighty branches perched the silhouette of a large creature that looked like an owl of some sort.

“What is that…” Carol whispered

“Shhh!” Baldr urges but it was two late. The creature’s neck did a full 180° and it let out a horrific ear bleeding screech. Before launching into the sky with the force of a twister before disappearing into the night.

Carol covered her ears as she was unexpectedly thrown off her feet. Once the ringing in her ears ceased, she regained her footing.

“What the heck was that?

“A Katyogel. Creatures of high renown that are as old as Asgard itself. Some associate them with wisdom while others say that they are fragments of Nòtt’s essence. I tend to believe the latter. Come on, it seems the chase is on.”

Carol followed behind as Baldr sprinted into the direction of the Katyogel, she could not help but watch in aww as she followed his lead. There was no hesitation, it's like he knew exactly where the Katyogel was and where dhe was going.

Baldr held up his hand once more and pointed to one of the tree tops. The Katyogel was once again perched.

Baldr had Carol approach closer, the Katyogel once again turned her head, but this time it did not screech. This time, it rose up in the air and flapped it's wings like a mighty wind. The Katyogel began to speak…except it did not open it's mouth. She was speaking directly into Carol's head.

*Carol Daughter of Joseph your tormented soul approaches me. Your heart is clouded and heavy and in you I see a sea of doubt.”

Carol could not help but smirk as she approached the Katyogel. “Nice word Salad sugah, but you ain't deliverin’ any spicy hot takes that your everyday telepath couldn't muster.

With a shadowy light the Katyogel changed form. When the blacklight faded the Katyogel looked like a shadowy clone of Carol herself. Albeit in her Ms marvel/Warbird outfit. The Katyogel-Carol smirked.

“Perhaps …but is my assessment wrong? Your confused your tormented. You really have no idea who you are.”

Carol growled and lunged at the Katyogel. “No duh Sherlock!” *Pant pant*

“I've got some form of PTSD that apparently is going to manifest itself into some kind of Hulk Out, Ah destroyed my reputation and my mentors mantle trying to defend that stupid Registration Act…”

She widely swung at Katyogel-Carol

Katyogel-Carol chuckled. “It's never enough is it?”

Carol snarled. She could feel the rage build up inside of her. Katyogel-Carol raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“A winged Berserker….a rare sight indeed . I propose a wager, if you can strike me once, just once I shall grant you a gift…but if I hit you once, then you will spend an entirety watching over my young, Do we have a deal?”

Carol let out growl. “Bring it Birdie!”

Katyogel-Carol chuckled and took flight, The creature was as fast as Carol, it matched her not only in speed but agility as well, Carol in the meantime was seeing red, It was like a vicious cycle, Frustration fuled her aggression which in turn seemed to only feed into her frustration.

“I seee inside your mind Carol Danvers….” Katyogel-Carol mocked. “You have experienced pain your entire life. You’ve suffered pain most would not wish on their worst enemies…abandoned, betrayed, fearful you’ll never measure up to anyone’s expectations. It hurts does it not?”

Carol gritted her teeth as memories flooded her mind, Marcus….Rogue….Mickenny…her time as Captain Marvel….It all finally came too a head and she let out a bloodcurttling shriek.

“EVERY TIME!!!! EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!! RIGHT WHEN AH GET MAH LIFE BACK TOGETHER SOMETHING RIPS IT RIGHT FROM UNDER ME!!! AH DO EVERYTHING AH CAN! IT’S NOT…GOOD…ENOUGH!”

Without even thinking her fist connected with her Doppleganger’s cheek. The doppelganger staggered backwards. The doppelganger smiled before reverting back to her owl form.

*Do you speak true?*

Carol nodded.
*Then why do you punish yourself so? You cannot change the past anymore than you can hold onto individual grains of sand. Do not forget, learn but also do not dwell into your past failures to the point that you lose who you are. Remember this: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.*

The Katyogel Disappeared into a puff of smoke. Carol didn’t know why but something about it’s words struck a chord.

*Do you speak true, then why do you punish yourself so?*

She was reminded of a conversation she once had with the Spirit of Mar-Vell he said something that stuck with her.

“This job– we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that– then next time...maybe nobody gets saved. All we can do is the best we can. That’s all anyone has the right to ask for?”

Her mind went back to that quote. Had she truly forsaken the wisdom of her mentor? Had she forgotten his sage wisdom since Mckinney. The words of the Katyogel stuck in her mind one more time.

*Remember this: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present*

Why did she beat herself up over the stuff she had no control over, and why did she let it turn her into someone she was not, it was one thing to learn from past mistakes and become a better hero, but she when she took on the mantel of Captain Marvel she changed for the worse in all the ways that mattered to her, The second battle of Mckinney proved that much when she returned to her old mantel. Her mind went to her Berserker Rage. She couldin’t change the past, She could not change the things that happened to her and the pain it caused. But she could take away the power that pain had over her and turn it into her strength, she could embrace her pain and become the master over it…or she could wallow in her pain and remain a victim, change herself to satisfy those whom could never be satisfied and fight against herself until she was little more than a hollow husk. She chuckled.

“Never again…” she whispered. Carol looked down and noticed what seemed to be some kind of giant black owl pelt or skin. As she picked it up she once again heard the voice of the Katyogel.

*As promised, my gift to you. Wear it in battle with pride Berserker, and remember my words…Farwell Carol Danvers, Your name will be written in the Sagas to come. This I Foresee…*

“Carol!”

Carol looked up to see Baldr running toward her. “I watched the battle and chased after you two…”

He looked at the Skin, and his eyes widen….

“The Skin of a Katyogel…it is often said, that a great nordic owl will only shed it’s skin for someone who is destined for greatness, and is on the path to self-reflection…did you learn anything about yourself during your encounter?”

Carol could not help but smile. “Yeah…Ah think Ah have….come on let’s go back to Asgard.”

The two went back to Asgard, and Baldr found a tanner whom was able to make a full blown cloak and tunic from the Katyogel Skin. She also fashioned a pair of leather and fur bracers and a red sash, it was not long before Carol had a full blown outfit, one fitting of a Berserker. She took it outside and quick changed it on.

“How do Ah look?”

Baldr let out a whistle. “Like A berserker of Midgard.”

The Shadow King bounded back to Carol as Geiravör walked out of a sports bar, the two new better than to leave Asgard. Shadow King was flattered that Carol was wearing her symbol and Geiravör was impressed by the outfit itself.

“Truly you are a Beseker. Geiravör said with a laugh.”

Carol gave a hardy laugh of her own. “Come on, AH have a formal challenge to make.”

She flew and landed to the center of the square and shouted a challenge lound enough for Thor to hear. Obviously she hoped he’d respond but if not so be it.

“SON OF ODIN!!!! AH CAROL DANVERS, DAUGHTER OF JOSEPH DANVERS, THE SHADOWBIRD, THE KRAKEN-SLAYER, THE BERSERKER MAIDEN OF MIDGARD CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL FOR HONOR AND FOR SKILL, TONIGHT WE REST! BUT TOMORROW AT THE CRACK OF DAWN…WE FIGHT…IN BLÓÐHÖLLIN!!!!”

She had a feral gleeful grin on her face. unlike before at the feasting hall, there was no desperation or despair in her voice this. No, now there was vigor, excitement, a shadowy fire burned it’s blue embers fueling her. She had new life in her now and she was ready for a challenge. But the question was, would the son of Odin meet her?