I am sorry, my love. He thought it as he plunged to the earth. They had been so close, so close to getting the life they deserved. Fucking Odin. Hitting the ground with enough force to split the stones, he lays in the indentation gasping for breath. Once again, the smell of burning flesh fills his nose, this time he is fucking pissed. The asshole had hit his wing. He tries to stand but his leg gives out. He cannot shift because of the damage to his wing and a roar breaks free. Swinging his massive head, he locks on to the God. His fire burns his throat as it spews out. He will turn him to ash, him and the Valkyrie that stands by his side. His roar still echoes when Morrigan suddenly appears at his side.
“Father, stop this! He has reached her!” she screams at him. Asger is aware it will do no good, Odin’s face says he knew.
“Yes, I know, daughter. That is why he must die. His death will unleash even more power from her. I will have that power. I will allow you to see her though.” He speaks as if her daughter is nothing. Black mist flows from her as her rage builds. Her war cry rings across the land calling all to her aid. A dragon's roar joins her battle cry. Danu appears along with Loki. Loki moves to his brother's side.
“Good to see you are making the right choice brother,” Odin smiles gleefully, knowing with Loki at his side he will win this battle. He will wage war on this world. He will rule all the clans. Glee colors his eye silver. Morrigan’s face crumples at Loki’s betrayal. Ragnhild moves forward at the wave of Odin’s hand and Morrigan moves to meet her in battle, drawing a great sword, keeping herself between the injured Guardian and the Valkyrie.
Danu raises her magic facing the man she once loved. “What has happened to you?” anguish fills her voice.
“Nothing. I have always been this way. You just refused to see.” There is no apology in his tone. He nods to Loki, who moves toward her.
“You will kill me for him?” her outrage fills her voice with contempt. “Because only in my death will I stop fighting.”
Loki’s gaze turns to the dragon and Asger startles as he whispers in his mind, ‘Call her to you. Only she can halt this destruction. Fenrir waits to bring her.’
Bronze eyes lower as he opens his mind, searching for her through the bond. She is far from them having run the whole night. He sends her the image of the battle, lets her feel his pain. She stops and whirls looking in the direction of the mountain top. A cry is torn from her throat.
‘I’m sorry my love, my mate. I hae failed ye. I’d planned on giving ye everything, love, pleasure, and freedom.’ She stumbles forward, hand held out reaching for him. “NO!”
A haunting howl fills the air and she turns to see Fenrir loping to her, wariness stamped on his face, his lips curled in a snarl. “My father sent me. If you attack me, he will die today along with your mate. Get on my back if you want to save them.” She stands frozen for a moment before bounding onto his back, burying her hands in his fur.
Her voice is thick when she whispers, “Please Fenrir, get us there in time.” He takes off running as fast as he can, belly low to the ground, eating up the miles. The wind whips at her and tears stream down her cheeks. If she had only stayed. This was her fault. She deserves the cave, the darkness, the loneliness.
Suddenly, they were at the battle. She slides from Fenrir’s back, patting his heaving side in gratitude. But now what?
“I see you brought her to me brother. Thank you. Seeing him die will push her further.” Odin raises his hands and thunder shakes the land. Her hair stands on end as he builds the lightning.
‘What do I do?’ She cries out to Ylva. Ylva knows magic, I know war.
‘We must join together, together we can beat grandfather and we can save Asger.’ Brilliant blue eyes blaze as she fixes her gaze on her mate. Bronze eyes stare back at her, love and acceptance in them. She sends him love along the bond and opens herself to the wild magic. Blinding light shines from her eyes as she turns to Odin, her voice is layered as she speaks, “You would leash us, use us, kill our love.” Rage infuses every word. “The power will not go to you. The magic remembers the old world and it will not let you war here. She has chosen us. ME and the Guardian to protect the balance.” As she speaks, Odin’s power surges, lightning crashes around them. He stumbles as she throws her hand up and pulls it to her, glowing even brighter. She sends her new power out pulsing with her anger and it levels them all. On and on she rages; so much guilt, sorrow, loss, and grief welling within her, flowing out like boundless tidal waves.
Loki moves to Asger, drawing her gaze. She is lost in power. “Guardian, you must reach her. She is going to kill us all,” Loki screams over the fury blowing around them.
Shifting and ignoring the pain of it, he buries his hands in the soil, Asger reached for the Mother and for the Tree. “Help her!” he begs them. “Ylva! Come back to me, I need ye,” he calls to her, his voice filled with pain. “Mate!”
She screams, “Help Me!” She is unable to stop herself or the power. Lunging to his feet, he fights his way to her. Wrapping her in his arms, he takes her mouth in a punishing kiss, devouring her, swallowing all the hurt, pouring love into her. So lost in each other they did not notice the power ebbing away until her mother cried out. Asger pushes Ylva behind him just as Odin stabs at her, he flinches waiting for the pain but it never comes. Ylva holds the knife with her power, eyes narrow on her grandfather. Eyes berserker blue but filled with love instead of rage. “Goodbye, All Father. Do not come here again for I will not be so kind if you do.” She waved her hand and he vanishes.
‘Where did you send him?” Loki asks.
“Valhalla. Thank you for all your help, Trickster.” She turns, looking at the great wolf, she moves to his side and runs her fingers in his fur. “You led us on a merry chase. Thank you for giving us time.” she whispers as she hugs his neck.
“Mother.” Tears slide down her cheek as she crosses to Morrigan. “Father, I...”
“No daughter, he had longed for Valhalla for many years. None of this is your fault. If anything, it is ours. We did not count on the dragon’s wild magic.” She rubs Ylva’s hair like she did when she was little.
Asger moves to their side, limping from his burns. Ylva reaches for her earth magic and power floods his body, healing him. “Nice,” he chuckles while flexing his shoulders.
“It was the truth you know, we’ve been chosen. They mated us and made us stronger together. They showed it all to me. Our joining has been harder than it will be for those that come. We stayed four until now. Now we are two, stronger than our separate parts. Each new guardian will have only one mate, one soul that matches both man and dragon. Man and dragon will be one. Together, they are all stronger.” Asger shifts and she climbs on his back, laughing as he dives off the edge of the cliff. Gliding down before flapping his wings to climb, they turn and head out to the sea. He dips his wing in the water, spraying her. Those still on the mountain can hear her laughter and his growls as the sun rises, bathing them in its fiery light.
Morrigan and Danu look at each other. One mate. One destiny. But Ylva and Asger were the first, the first flame of the fire.
The End