[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/IXuUWbR.png?1[/img][/center] [COLOR=GOLDENROD][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]S T A R C I T Y, C A L I F O R N I A:[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][COLOR=LIGHTSLATEGRAY][B]S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 8[SUP]T H[/SUP], 2 0 1 8 - 0 9 : 0 1 a m | O W E N S T E A D A P A R T M E N T S, T H E G L A D E S[/B][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT] [INDENT][INDENT]Materializing inside of June’s apartment, Amora tried to steady herself on the stained countertop as June fought to take her body back. Her will was forceful, but it wasn’t enough to overwhelm her host’s as she let out one last defeated scream before the straight blonde hair filtered into a tousled brunette leaving a rather anxious June panting heavily as she allowed her body to slide to the floor. But something had changed within June during Amora’s last takeover, Amora now only felt overwhelming desperation and fear as June looked down at the necklace around her neck, cradling it in her hands as she stared into the empty apartment. Fear overriding any of her remaining facilities as her mind was on the brink of snapping. [color=lightseagreen]“You almost killed Thor.”[/color] Her voice was barely a whisper, but it did little to quell Amora as the Enchantress’ voice snapped back at June, screaming inside her head as June fell to the floor, clenching either side of her skull. [color=SPRINGGREEN][b][i]I would have killed Thor if you had not interfered! You insolent little brat, you are nothing, nothing! I am the greatest thing to ever happen to you and you could not let me have the one thing I desire most in life![/i][/b][/color] [color=lightseagreen]“No,”[/color] June said as she looked down at the necklace. [color=lightseagreen]“You are the worst thing that has ever happened to me.”[/color] She retorted as she took a hold of the necklace. [color=lightseagreen]“If I had let you kill Thor, my life would have been over, it would have been ruined!”[/color] June hissed back in response. [color=lightseagreen]“You may be able to take on Thor, but you can’t just kill him and get away with it. Someone will come looking for us, and they will keep coming until they find us. I can’t have that, I can’t live with all this death on my conscience!”[/color] Sobbing between words, June became more and more hysterical as she continued. [color=lightseagreen]“I asked you to release Raimi from your control, and instead, you threw him out a window. I am so fuckin’ done with you, you stupid fuckin’ whore!”[/color] June screamed tightening her hand around the amulet as she pulled the necklace as hard she could waiting for the satisfaction of the chain snapping while the amulet sailed out of her hand and through the open window. But nothing happened. The necklace never left her hand, the chain was unwilling to break or even bend. Amora’s laughter echoed through June’s head as tears began to stream down her face. [color=SPRINGGREEN][b][i]I am surprised you had not tried that already, child. Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?[/i][/b][/COLOR] [color=lightseagreen]“No, no-no-no!”[/color] June sobbed as she tried to futilely crawl away from Amora, the sorceress’ words following her no matter where she went. Taking hold of a chair, June pulled herself to her feet, running to the bathroom before slamming the door behind her. Reaching towards the mirror, June nearly ripped the door of the medicine cabinet clear off its hinge. Reaching inside, June pulled out the first bottle of pills she could find. [color=SPRINGGREEN][b][i]What are you doing now, child?[/i][/b][/COLOR] [color=lightseagreen]“Freeing myself from you,”[/color] June stated some defiance left in her as she slammed the mirrored door shut, watching it crack as Amora stared back at her, her face twisted into a scowl. [color=SPRINGGREEN][b][i]This will not go the way you think, child[/i][/b][/COLOR] [color=lightseagreen]“You’d say anything to save your own skin.”[/color] June snapped back as she popped the lid off the bottle, tilting it to her mouth. Pill after pill hit her tongue as June swallowed them all, a smile crossing her face as Amora’s screams rang in her ears. Suddenly there was silence as June let out a small smile, falling to the floor as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. It was over.[/INDENT][/INDENT] [COLOR=GOLDENROD][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]M A R V I L L E, O K L A H O M A:[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][COLOR=LIGHTSLATEGRAY][B]S U N D A Y, J U L Y 2 9[SUP]T H[/SUP], 2 0 1 8 - 1 2 : 0 1 p m | H O M E O F B L A K E D O N A L D S O N & B A R A B A R A N O R R I S[/b][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT] [INDENT][INDENT]Watching as Barbara’s squad car left the driveway, Blake pulled himself out of bed, wincing as he walked towards the ensuite. Washing warm water over the wound seemed to do nothing as he looked in the mirror, tired eyes staring back as his body was more focused on healing than it was on resting. Walking back into the bedroom, Blake felt a draft as he looked up to see the window was open. Resting on the window sill was a raven as it carefully watched Blake move towards the bed, its black eyes unblinking. [color=goldenrod]“Did you save me?”[/color] Blake asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed as he looked up at the bird as it continued to watch him. The familiar voice suddenly floated into his mind as Odin answered his question. [color=darkorchid][b][i]No, you have more friends than you know.[/i][/b][/color] [color=goldenrod]“More enemies than I know about too, seems your son’s memories aren’t all there,”[/color] Blake replied, the pain causing him to wince again as he waited for the Allfather’s response. [color=darkorchid][b][i]In time your memory will return. For the time being, you have a more pressing threat. It would seem the Enchantress cursed you, were you a mortal man that spell would have eaten through you hours ago. You need to come to me.[/i][/b][/color] [color=goldenrod]“Would it not be a lot easier for you to come to me?”[/color] Blake asked. He could feel Thor laughing as the raven’s gaze seemed to intensify while cocking its head before Odin replied. [color=darkorchid][i][b]I can not heal you there, you need to come to Raven’s Grove.[/b][/i][/color] Blake stared at the raven, disbelief was clearly displayed on his features. He knew of Raven’s Grove, he hadn’t visited it since high school. To the local’s, it was nothing more than a secluded place to take your date after the home team won during homecoming. [color=darkorchid][b][i]Do not dally, boy. Come now.[/i][/b][/color] Reluctantly rising from the bed, Blake pulled a pair of jeans on before quickly pulling a shirt over his head. Walking down the stairs, he made his way out the front door as he headed towards his motorcycle before remembering his injury as he looked around the driveway realizing the only other vehicle was Barbara’s truck. [color=goldenrod]“Amora had better not show up,”[/color] Blake muttered as he climbed into the cab and rolled the engine over. The drive didn’t take long as Blake bypass Marville and took the country road around the town. Pulling off onto a dirt road, Blake slowed the truck down as the frame rocked back and forth as each wheel traveled down the bumpy road. On either side, thick pines blocked the high sun casting long eerie shadows that lent to a natural darkness as the truck’s automatic headlights illuminated the road ahead. Overhead a raven swooped down taking the next right as Blake followed the bird coming to a stop as the road came to an end. Exiting the cab, Blake took in his surroundings. It had been the better part of a decade since he had last come to Raven’s Grove, he had still been dating Jane then, back before she left for New York. Still, this particular area was unfamiliar to Blake as he began to walk a narrow path that led through the thick overgrowth of evergreens. He could feel the beady eyes watching him as more and more of the soot coloured birds gathered in the branches until suddenly the trees gave way to a clearing. In the middle of the clearing sat an older man, a large wide-brimmed hat across his head, a tattered coat covering his torso. He smiled towards Blake, his one eye twinkling as he took a drag on his long pipe held to his mouth by one hand while the other tightly held a walking stick in his lap. Behind him was a large tooth-shaped rock, protruding from the ground defiantly as it pointed towards the sky. [color=darkorchid][b]“This grove holds many secrets, my son,”[/b][/color] The man said as he placed his cane on the ground, standing as he walked to greet Blake. [color=darkorchid][b]“Can you feel it? The air is alive in the grove.”[/b][/color] It was true, the moment that Blake had stepped into the grove, the hairs on his arm had stood up. It was as though the air was humming, it reacted to him. It reacted to his wound. [color=darkorchid][b]“This is a place of power,”[/b][/color] Odin stated as he guided Blake towards the stone. [color=darkorchid][b]“It is a bridge between the other realms and one of the last remnants of Asgard.”[/b][/color] [color=goldenrod]“What happened to Asgard?”[/color] Blake asked as Odin placed a hand on the stone, a circle of white light engulfing his hand. [color=darkorchid][b]“That is an answer you already possess and in due time,”[/b][/color] Odin answered, [color=darkorchid][b]“It will be revealed to you. But until then, that is a story for another time.”[/b][/color] He stated before turning to Blake, placing the orb of light on his shoulder as the pain was increased tenfold, Thor and Blake both crying out as the light slowly darkened, swirling energies of purple and green corrupting the orb until suddenly Odin pulled back, releasing the orb to the sky. [color=darkorchid][b]“The curse is lifted.”[/b][/color] He huffed, leaning heavily on his cane as he lowered himself to the ground. [color=darkorchid][b]“My strength is not what it used to be, I am afraid.”[/b][/color] Odin lamented as he looked to Thor who had taken Blake’s place during the healing. [color=goldenrod][b]“Father, what of the Enchantress?”[/b][/color] Thor asked as he moved his arm, the absence of both pain and injury coming as a relief to the God of Thunder. [color=darkorchid][b]“What of her, my son? Should she remain free, she will become a threat to all of Midgard.”[/b][/color] Odin replied. [color=darkorchid][b]“You are bound by duty to protect, Midgard as you are all the realms, you must face her again.”[/b][/color] [color=goldenrod][b]“Her quarrel is with you, my King.”[/b][/color] Thor replied, [color=goldenrod][b]“If I am to quell her rage, I must know why.”[/b][/color] [color=darkorchid][b]“If you must know, then I will show you,”[/b][/color] Odin replied reaching forward as he placed his thumb beneath Thor’s eye and two fingers to his temple. Thor felt his eyes roll back as the grove faded from his vision and he was transported to a more familiar location. [color=goldenrod][b][i]Asgard... [/i][/b][/color] [color=darkorchid][b]“Amora of Vanheim, you are found to be guilty of committing fornication while honoring the oath of Idunn. By the laws of our forefathers and the treaties of the Vanir, I am forced to remove you from your tutelage, you will never tend to the garden of Idunn.”[/b][/color] The voice of the Allfather echoed over throne home as a younger Amora stood before him, crying out in protest while the palace guards came to take her away. Standing beside his father’s throne, Thor watched as a woman hide her smile while Amora was dragged away. [color=goldenrod][b]“Brother,”[/b][/color] Thor asked as he pointed towards the remaining woman. [color=goldenrod][b]“Who is that?”[/b][/color] [color=1a7b30][b]“Lorelei,”[/b][/color] Loki answered raising his head from the tome he currently had his nose stuck in. [color=1a7b30][b]“The accused’s sister.”[/b][/color] He added for his brother’s clarification before turning the page and resuming his reading. [color=goldenrod][b]“If that is the accused’s sister, why does she not weep for her sister?”[/b][/color] Thor asked as Loki let out a sigh, placing the tome down on his lap as he looked at Thor. [color=1a7b30][b]“Do you really need it spelled out for you, brother?”[/b][/color] Loki asked. [color=1a7b30][b]“They were both in line to be Idunn, but only a virgin can tend to the Maiden’s garden. I would imagine, she…”[/b][/color] Loki paused for dramatic effect as he smiled wickedly. [color=1a7b30][b]“Screwed her competition.”[/b][/color] [color=goldenrod][b]“But why did the Allfather not see through her deception?”[/b][/color] Thor asked as Loki shook his head in disbelief. [color=1a7b30][b]“You give the Allfather too much credit, he is old and these matters are but trivial to him. Beneath the Allfather, surely this could have been addressed by the Norns instead of dragging them here to the capital.”[/b][/color] Loki scoffed. [color=1a7b30][b]“Asgard needs a new ruler on its throne.”[/b][/color] [color=goldenrod][b]“When I am King, it will have one,”[/b][/color] Thor answered as Loki scowled behind him. [color=1a7b30][b]“Then, I do hope the sun smiles on Asgard before that day.”[/b][/color] He muttered picking up his book, as he stood. [color=1a7b30][b]“If you’ll excuse me, the palace has begun to bore me. I think now is a good time to stretch my legs.”[/b][/color] [color=goldenrod][b]“Agreed,”[/b][/color] Thor stated cheerily. [color=goldenrod][b]“I think a trip to the Jotuns is in order, it’s been too long since my last fight.”[/b][/color] [color=1a7b30][b]“More likely since your last fuck,”[/b][/color] Loki whispered under his breath as Thor slapped him on the back. [color=goldenrod][b]“Will you not join me, brother. Perhaps put some of that knowledge of yours to use.”[/b][/color] [color=1a7b30][b]“I think I will take a pass, I never really feel like I fit in when we go to Jötunheim,”[/b][/color] Loki replied shrugging out of his brother’s grip. [color=goldenrod][b]“Your loss,”[/b][/color] Thor replied as he swung Mjölnir around before suddenly being pulled into the air as he left Loki’s side, the younger prince sighing in relief as he took his own leave. Exiting the golden palace, Loki followed the seemingly endless stairs and winding footpaths until he found himself in the royal gardens. Making his way to the large fountain, Loki took a seat on the edge of the flowing sapphire waters as he cracked open his book once again. Turning the page, Loki paused as he suddenly realized he was not alone. Soft sobbing was coming from the other side of the hedge as Loki jumped to his feet, snapping at the source of the noise. [color=1a7b30][b]“The royal gardens are not the place for your emotional drivel, wench. Pull yourself together or excuse yourself before I remove you.”[/b][/color] The sobbing was suddenly replaced with short breaths as Amora sheepishly stepped out from the hedge, turning her back to Loki as she began to leave. [color=1a7b30][b]“Wait!”[/b][/color] Loki suddenly called, a smile crossing his face. [color=1a7b30][b]“Is it true?”[/b][/color] He asked, [color=1a7b30][b]“Did the Steward really have you in every way he desired? Did you really let him put it in every hole all so he would ensure you, not your sister, would be the next Maiden Goddess?”[/b][/color] Amora paused, her crossed arms falling to her sides as Loki spoke, hands curling into fists as she suddenly spun around, swinging wildly as her fist collided with and then passed through Loki’s face as the visage in front of her dematerialized. [color=1a7b30][b]“I thought not,”[/b][/color] Came the smug reply from behind her as Amora jumped, turning around to see Loki standing behind her. [color=1a7b30][b]“So now what, you resign to your fate and go back to what, serving in the tavern?”[/b][/color] [color=springgreen]“Working on my parent’s farm.”[/color] Amora snapped back as she wiped a residual tear from her left eye. [color=SPRINGGREEN]“What do you care, it was your father who passed judgment.”[/color] [color=1a7b30][b]“I do not always see eye to with my father,”[/b][/color] Loki responded. [color=1a7b30][b]“Besides, do you not want justice?”[/b][/color] [color=springgreen]“Of course, I want justice, my prince!”[/color] Amora exclaimed, [color=SPRINGGREEN]“But I have no means of getting it.”[/color] [color=1a7b30][b]“I can give you those means.”[/b][/color] Loki mused as he circled the woman, his eyes wide like a predator who had finally found its prey. [color=springgreen]“There must be a catch,”[/color] Amora stated, crossing her arms as she looked at Loki. Returning her gaze, he smiled. [color=1a7b30][b]“I want to make a deal.”[/b][/color] Loki replied, [color=1a7b30][b]“I will make you into a powerful enchantress, one who will never have her life again ruined by a man, but you have to take an oath to never betray me.”[/b][/color] [color=springgreen]“We have an accord,”[/color] Amora said extending her hand as Loki pulled a knife from the back of his waist. The blade slicing through the air faster than the woman had a chance to react as it sliced the open on her hand. Blood spilled out of the fresh wound as Loki pulled back his own sleeve, revealing a scarred palm as he dragged the knife across his palm before pressing his wound to Amora’s. [color=1a7b30][b]"The deal is done.”[/b][/color] He said, smiling as he shook her hand.[/INDENT][/INDENT]