I listen to them, all of them, all of those that came to this planet looking for something better, something more. I search, trying to find those that have joined Odin, trying to help those I’ve chosen. I can’t though. There’s nothing more I can do. I’ve moved them into the best positions I could.

I feel her, my friend Gaia, the soul of this place, this world, this planet. She was here long before we ever came. She has watched not only us but the human race grow and change. Evolve. She has watched as she is destroyed, waiting for this moment, waiting for the war she knew would come. She has known since the second we arrived.

We brought war with us. Some came to get away, some came to survive, and others came to rule. Regardless of our intentions, we brought destruction. I had hope to survive, to pass on my knowledge. I’m not sure I accomplished any of it. When those that came with me were gone, I chose this tree, this form to carry on in. It was after I entered into it, sending its roots down and through the world, that I truly met Gaia. She has held my secrets all these years.

I’m alone. Loki is the last and finally there is none left for them to pass into. The time has come.

I feel him approach. ‘Why have you come?’

“Your time has come to an end. It is now my time.” Odin’s voice is tight with barely controlled fury, the magic and the tiny sliver of the ancient pushing his natural tendencies harder and harder.

‘If it isn’t so be it. You know we don’t belong here. The gift was tainted, twisted, and does nothing but harm.’ I speak directly to the part of the ancient that has bonded to Odin’s soul. He roars, and I feel the first blow. I feel the magic of the blade. Hephaestus.

I guess I was right -- my time is up. With each blow, my roots wither, and I feel less and less of the children, the chosen. On he chops, killing me with each slice of the blade. I didn’t foresee this, not my end. Not his fury. I fear I have failed. I waited too long, hoping he would see that domination is not the way.

I reach out for him, for Loki, soon my shield protecting him will fall. ‘Loki.’

I wait, and he doesn’t answer, still angry over the secrets I must keep. ‘Just know I only wanted your happiness. I searched for another way.’ A knife of anger cut through me, and I pull away from him. Can I weep in this form? I don’t know, but my soul is sobbing.

I feel her at the tree in New Orleans, her tree. Kai has taken them there in preparation. She will be the one. I will give her the secrets. I caress over her, my power slipping away. I feel her awareness.

‘You are a wondrous thing. You all are. Imagine my surprise when I saw you three, your threads so beautifully woven in with those that came here so long ago. He thinks you are beneath him, animals to be ruled, but I have watched you become so much more. I have helped all that I can.’ I fight to hide the pain from her, but he lands a blow that cuts away so much of me. Her worry races through the roots I have left to me. “Shh, do not think to come to me. He will kill you if you do.’

‘What can I do?’ Aislin whispers as her tears fall onto the soil beneath her hands.

‘Listen, child. I am about to give you a great burden. One you must bear alone. I’ve already told you the secret of Odin and Loki’s power, the ancients. I am the last. I came here long ago, even before those who were called gods. I came with others, searching for a way to live our lives, to live on. I was the one that saw the damage we were doing. I’m the one that destroyed the others. I took this form and laid dormant until I felt those two pieces of my kin come onto this world. I watched them, Odin and Loki, for a thousand years. I’ve watched as one relished the madness and the other fought it. To defeat Odin, Loki will lose himself to the power. I don’t know how to save him.’

‘No!’ She cries in denial.

‘I’m so glad he has another who truly understands him. It’s why I chose you. You love them both. You who sees into his heart and knows his secret.’

‘He loves her.’ I can hear her smile in her words.

‘He has since before she was born, he just didn’t know it. But you also know his other secret.’

Resignation swamps her. ‘He will choose to let the power take him to save us all.’ Anger flares at the injustice of it all, of his being portrayed as a villain throughout time. Anger for her friend who has been alone so long. ‘How does knowing help?’ I cry out as I feel more roots fall away from me. She leaps to her feet.

‘I’ve been shielding them, but where they are at, the shield has fallen. Send someone to warn them. Tell him I’m sorry, so sorry for everything.’