The ravens glanced at one another over Odin’s head. Their master seemed so sure that this one child was the end of all things, that they couldn’t even come up with anything to say. Despite all the myths and legends surrounding the two birds, they were actually much smarter than most humans and many of the gods. What few knew though, was that they actually had a human form that they could inhabit at any time. Mostly, they used it to help their master keep tabs on everyone. Most especially his wayward sons, Loki and Thor. How else would he have known that Loki was falling in love with Seona? What they hadn’t known until several years later, was that their love had resulted in a daughter. They knew that if Odin found out about the child, he would kill her and her mother. So, they erased Loki’s memories of them. Well, not erased exactly but burried them deep within his mind. Sadly, this had caused Loki to curse the girl without him knowing it.

Despite their silence or perhaps because of it, Odin continued.

“She was never supposed to have been born,” he sighed.

But she was born,Munin said. And Loki loved them both enough to protect them.

“And yet he cursed the girl himself,” Odin mused.

He had no memory of her or her mother until very recently,Hugin pointed out. That’s certainly a possible reason why he cursed her without knowing who she was. Also, she looks more like the young woman Hel saved years ago.

Odin gave a short, humorless laugh.

“Marie Antionette syndrome,” he muttered.

The brothers shared another look over Odin’s head. They could hear the hint of malace starting to creep into his voice. That was never a good sign.

What makes you say she is Ragnarok?Hugin asked carefully.

“The Fates gave a prophesy many, many years ago,” Odin began.

Flashback

Frigga cradled their newborn son in her arms. Odin beamed with pride. Thor’s birth had been much more difficult than this one. He made his way into the room at the gesture from the midwife. Thor’s hand was clasped in his. Frigga looked up from the child in her arms at their entrance. Her smile, though tired, was radiant. The four of them made the perfect family, until the Fates came to visit them like they always did after the birth of a child. They’d bowed low and offered congratulations on the birth of another son. Odin couldn’t fathom how they knew everything they did and that was part of why he disliked them. Another was the fact they had no true loyalty. The Fates were Greek in origin but they adapted throughout the centuries, much like the gods themselves. That adaptation meant they were loyal only to themselves. And they were selfish bitches. That day they had looked as if they’d wanted to say something about the new prince but had held their tongues, a rare feat.

Five years later, they reappeared. It was after Baldr’s birth and this time they didn’t hold anything back. They warned the family of Loki’s mischief as he grew older. They had brushed it off; he was always prone to mischief and trouble. What they said next sent chills down Odin’s spine.

“The first born grandchild will have power unknown. She will suffer things you know not and terrible loss. Her power will only grow outside the confines of the Empire of her birth. Her power will bring great destruction or great salvation. Time will tell if it is destruction or salvation that she brings.”

“And that is why she is Ragnarok,” Odin finished.

How do you know the Fates are even telling the truth?Munin asked suspiciously.

He’s right,Hugin agreed. The Fates’ loyalty has always been to themselves. How do we know they aren’t saying this for their own benefit?

“We don’t,” Odin sighed. “And that is what bothers me. How can I be sure of anything those hags say? They’re Greek! But the fact remains, Akira is the first born grandchild. She was born in the Albaron Empire. She has suffered a great deal, more than she’s told anyone. She has lost most of her family in a short span of time. She is the child the Fates spoke of; there is little question of that.”

The ravens glanced at one another over Odin’s head. They hoped he was wrong. But they knew that was highly unlikely. They knew without a doubt, if Odin thought the girl was a threat in any way he would kill her. Without question, he would kill her. They needed to prevent that at all costs because they knew something Odin did not.