https://youtu.be/MRKJZUq034s

Having escaped following his battle with Oz, Anwin knew exactly where he was heading. But it was a long way away, regardless, so what followed was a long, arduous trek to his destination. Never a fan of walking, he, envying his lack of access to Bifrost, spread his wings - a pair of orange-scaled, draconic flyers - and took to the skies, alone. He absolutely could not face Gardariki after today. Acid was painful. So the only thing to do was return to Muspelheim for now, and hope Gardariki didn't track him down.

Not that he was confident that the man himself would do so. He was hardly ever even around. Not to mention, he'd witnessed Oz's conviction, and it didn't exactly leave him feeling like doing Hel's Angel business. Not right now.

By sundown, he alighted in the middle of a town, whose houses, stones and soil were coloured in an ashen grey. With sunwheel symbols carved onto the ground and glowing a bright orange, the very earth emanated a cosy heat that wafted through the entire town. It was a nice place - if he could've chosen where to live when he was a human, he'd have picked here. Alas, the freedom of choice was not afforded to him at this juncture.

He walked through the place and into the town square, his hands in his pockets as he ignored the stares and chatter - seriously, one person asked if the circus was in town. Where would he get that idea from? He wasn't here for them, at any rate. He had one thing he was seeking. And right in front of him, he saw it. A towering crimson obelisk, with runes inscribed on it that, when he came into close proximity, glowed, opening up a flamelike rift in front of it. This was it, thought Anwin. The portal to Muspelheim.

But as he reached out, something within him hesitated. At the other side of this portal was his duty. His duty to disrupt, capture and kill. And at once, that damned conscience of his kicked in, as he spotted what he was certain was a vision of Oz, repeating those words to him:

"But if we both want to break the cycle...I'd rather risk my own life than everyone else's."

"...fuck." Anwin groaned, closing his eyes and shaking his head. Shit like this was never convenient, and now of all times? Genuinely, fuck this. Sucking in a deep breath, he lowered his hand, turning his head away from the obelisk and slowly beginning to walk away. Only when his back was turned did he hear a familiar voice in his head.

"Hey, little guy! Looking a little conflicted over there!"

"Hey, you're that bitch!"

The girl in his head made an audible gasp at that, prompting a chuckle from the ifrit. "Alright, you little bastard, you ready to throw hands with a god? Just 'cause I gave you power, doesn't mean I don't have any of my own!"

"Chill, Sunny. I'm just messing with you."

"Sunna!" the goddess yelled, and he could practically feel her pouting aggressively at him. "Honestly! I give you mortals power and guidance, and this is the thanks I get?"

"Guidance?" Anwin raised an eyebrow, tilting his head. "Last I checked, you gave me my Myriad Might and just up and dipped."

"Obviously, I've been puppetting your body to lead you to this very moment. Dumbass clown couldn't even tell."

"Haha, no."

https://youtu.be/zMpPCUqJ0h8

"Naturally, I'm kidding." Sunna chuckled. "So, was I right? Are you feeling conflicted?"

"Well, I was," Anwin smirked slightly. "But at the moment, my desire to throttle you is pretty certain."

"Tempting, but I'm not into that." Sunna responded casually. "What's the matter, Anwin? Not a fan of obelisks?"

"Yeah, they remind me of the incident." Anwin deadpanned, his hands going into his pockets and shaking his head. Maybe, just maybe, he could confide in her. What was the worst that could happen? "...in truth, though, I'm just lost."

"Well-"

"And before you come in with some joke about my physical position, I meant that in a more spiritual sense." Anwin cut her off, leading to an audible whine from the goddess. "When I joined up with Rags, I always told myself that things would be fine as long as I was working towards a good goal. And then, Oz showed up, and now I'm not sure."

He shrugged casually, shaking his head slowly. "As you can imagine, I'm not really feeling up to doing Hel's Angel stuff right now, but...well, what do I do instead?"

"Well, you could become a travelling mime."

"Disgusting."

"What? You're already dressed for it!"

"Are you colourblind? Or deaf? I'm not a damn mime, Sunna."

"Wish you were." Sunna snickered, before clearing her throat. "But seriously, you should do something about that. Maybe some kind of journey of self-discovery?"

"If you're about to tell me to live, laugh, love..."

"That's low-hanging fruit even by my standards." Sunna scoffed. "But what do you say?"

"Hmm, maybe. I could go around Midgard. I do need to collect my thoughts and all. Dunno where I'd go yet, though." Anwin hummed quietly. "But hey, that's for me to work out on the way, right?"

"Then that's a plan!" Sunna exclaimed. "You and me, wandering around and finding out who you are. It's gonna be a blast."

"You seem awfully invested in me. Wonder why that is." Anwin raised an eyebrow, beginning to calmly walk away from the obelisk. "What, do you like the circus?"

"Pantomimes are better. But I'm just bored, okay?" Sunna admitted, audibly groaning. "Being the goddess of the sun is a drag! Just sit on my ass all day and check in every couple hours to make sure it hasn't imploded yet? Bo-ring~!"

"And you think watching a depressed clown will be more fun?"

"Sure, why not?" Sunna said. "You might do something interesting, and I want a front seat."

"Then keep your eyes peeled." Anwin shrugged, continuing to make his way out of the square, ignoring the stares from the passersby. "But if the sun does implode, let's agree that that's your fault, not mine."

"Yeah, whatevs." Sunna responded, watching from the heavens as Anwin left this place once and for all. Where he would go, he did not know. But here was hoping that it would at least be interesting.

.........

https://youtu.be/YyknBTm_YyM

"You may enter."

At the usual, familiar words, Yuri, at the other end of the door, hesitated briefly, taking a deep breath as she pressed her hand to her heart, feeling its rapid beating. Without further ado, she opened the door, walking in and beginning the slow trek down the golden carpet, having spotted a brief glimpse of what she assumed was Dvalin and Durin making themselves scarce. Right now, she was alone with Svafrlami, who slouched in his seat with his palm on his cheek, watching her every move.

She knelt down, bowing her head in respect as she spoke up. "Good evening, Sir." she greeted. "I have returned...with some valuable information..." Svafrlami immediately perked up at that, only to deflate as Yuri finished her sentence. "...about the Hel's Angels."

At that, an annoyed sigh could be heard, and Svafrlami, making a frivolous hand gesture, shook his head. "Get on with it."

Yuri scowled, well aware that that was the wrong answer. But what was she supposed to say? "I...have learned the identities of some of their commanders." she said, looking up to notice Svafrlami only just beginning to pay more attention. "...an elf named Aleron...and an armoured man named Ragnar...and they answer to a man named Gardar-"

"Get to the point, Yuri." Svafrlami glared softly, crossing one leg over the other. "Do you have any updates on Oz?"

Yuri opened her eyes widely at the question, recalling once more what Freya had told him. It had been clear for some time that Oz and Svafrlami didn't have the best relationship, and with what she knew about Oz, next to what she had learned about Svafrlami, she had to wonder - was her boss truly the villain here? Regardless, she couldn't just tell him 'I think you might be evil' to his face, so she did not, instead shaking her head. "...no, Sir."

At once, there was silence, before Svafrlami let out an exaggerated sigh, looking down at Yuri with a disappointedly neutral expression. "Well, then, you'll have to keep looking, won't you?"

"I..." Yuri began, stopping herself before her sentence could really begin as she considered her words, before deciding to get out with it even as she noticed Svafrlami's eyebrow rising up. "...forgive me, Sir, but I believe Oz Abendroth is innocent."

Svafrlami chuckled insincerely at that, smirking as he looked down on her rather pointedly. "Ah, Yuri, I do appreciate a good jape every now and then," he began. "But despite my astonishment at your evidently budding sense of humour, I must remind you that this is no laughing matter."

Yuri, either not noticing or intentionally ignoring the clear undertone of 'shut up and obey', persisted on this, clearing her throat and looking at Svafrlami directly. "That...wasn't a joke."

Svafrlami stared at Yuri blankly, about to speak only for his minion to beat him to the punch. "I...have had my eye on him, and he seems sincere in his efforts. Everything he's done has been to save lives and undermine the Angels, even if his approach is more merciful than mine." she told him, noticing his anger slowly boiling up as he watched her, desperately trying to maintain a poker face. "...Sir, may I ask why you believe so strongly in his guilt?"

"...have you lost your mind, Yuri?" Svafrlami murmured through gnashed teeth, his eye twitching slightly as he sat up straight. "I think you ought to lie down for a bit."

Yuri immediately shrank, shaking her head. "M-My apologies, Sir. But some things here don't make sense to me..." she said. "Oz has successfully befriended both Thor and Freya - how would he get them both to turn on Odin-"

Svafrlami, eyes wide, pointed at Yuri on reflex, and from their wall compartments, several swords and spears shot out, flying towards her as she quickly dodged backwards, visibly astonished by the sudden attack. She looked up to see Svafrlami breathing heavily, positively livid as he glared into her eyes with fire and venom in his own.

https://youtu.be/_4IRMYuE1hI

"You ingrate!" he roared, shedding the mask of civility completely as he bared his fangs towards Yuri, who was beginning to cower under his wrath. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to? Was it not I who took you under my wings? Who saw your potential and gave you meaning? And yet you dare to defy me? You would repay my kindness by trusting that blasphemous betrayer and that dastardly WITCH over me?"

"N-No, Sir, I-"

Yuri began trying to cover for herself, fighting back tears, but her words were interrupted as the Knight Commander slammed his fist on the arm of his throne. He let out a deep, frustrated sigh before returning to glaring at her, his gaze a corrosive toxin that ate away at her remaining confidence. "I truly thought I could count on you, Yuri Croce." he said, shaking his head. "The fault is mine. I overestimated how useful you were."

"Sir, please!" Yuri yelled, her voice desperate as she felt something warm and moist trickling down her cheek. "I...I apologise...I want to be of use to you, Sir...if you'll let me..."

She crouched even lower, her head to the ground, and Svafrlami, raising an eyebrow, smirked slightly as he watched her prostrating before him. He shook his head, leaning back in his seat. "Perhaps I shall." he told her, his expression quickly returning to normal. "But do not disappoint me again, Yuri. Consider yourself warned."

Yuri sniffed and nodded slowly, not daring to look up or meet his eyes. "...thank you, Sir." she mumbled, a melancholic darkness brewing up within her. Something about this didn't feel right, but at the same time, it did. "...what are my orders?"

He smiled a little more, his control of the situation firmly reestablished. "The plan has not changed. Please, keep doing what it is you're doing now. Keep watching Oz, and make sure to make note of anything that may point to his true allegiance. No facade is perfect, after all." he said, seeming to calm down somewhat as he gazed upon his disciple. "And do make sure not to keep falling for their deceptions. He's clearly a tricky, slippery little snake."

"Understood..." Yuri nodded, unsure whether or not to take Svafrlami's word anymore, but understandably not feeling up to questioning him.

"Then you are dismissed." Svafrlami said, making a shooing gesture and watching apathetically as Yuri stood up and left the room. Once he was alone, he sighed softly, his hand on his cheek as he thought about the situation.

"...Abendroth, eh? I thought Freya was the biggest threat, but you may prove the greater thorn in my side." he murmured to himself. "To think a masked jester like you could get your grabby little hooks into Yuri - what a sick joke!"

He scoffed openly, placing a hand on his forehead. "I was going to kill you anyway, Abendroth, but now...now, I simply must have your head!" he declared angrily. "That light in your eyes...I'll snuff it out for good!"

.........

https://youtu.be/o5nocuMinjs

After the day's battles, rescues and investigations, Oz was, as always, relieved to finally return home, knocking on his door before teleporting inside anyway. And thus began the short, brisk walk towards the living room - and then upstairs, once he saw that Freya was not there. So, upstairs, he navigated towards the pinkish door before his own room, turning the silver doorknob and opening it.

There, he was given access to the luxurious room of Freya, with pink walls and a velvety red carpet, and the faint scent of chocolate wafting through the air. Laying on the spacious, well-cushioned bed in the centre was Freya, surrounded by a horde of cats, with silver fur and pink eyes matching their mistress. As she heard him entering the room, she smiled warmly, patting the space on the bed next to her as the cats intuitively made way to give room. "Welcome back, Oz." she greeted him. "Care to join me?"

"Good evening, Freya." Oz replied politely, nodding quickly as he approached the bed, sitting down next to her. "Apologies for my tardiness. I was simply helping make sure things were fine in Cynrio and Eadred."

"And was Eadred to your liking?"

"Oh, not at all! So much blood!" Oz exclaimed cheerfully, Freya shifting her position to look at him. His jocular tone betrayed a hint of pain that she only just caught onto. But it vanished with his next line. "Regardless, it does appear the Angels were driven back. The massacre was stopped. I know not what you did, but...thank you, Freya."

"If you want to thank anyone, thank Yuri." Freya shook her head, smiling softly as she began to think back to what she had seen - the way Yuri spilt all that elven blood with so much ease. They were evil, sure, but she was certain Oz would have some choice words for her if he'd been there to see it. "...by the way, Oz, is something on your mind?"

"Well, aside from Anwin being en-route to Muspelheim, I'm fine." Oz sighed, glancing down at her. "If things don't go as planned, his death at my hands is a simple matter of time."

"Perhaps...but how much time?" Freya pointed out, winning his undivided attention as he pondered this. "The extenuating circumstances may change this, but don't you see that right now, you're the one who calls the shots? If Anwin is fated to die, it won't happen until you come up to him."

"...I see." Oz smiled slightly, raising a hand to his chin. "What you're saying is...I have been afforded time to stall!"

"Or to prepare. That works, too." Freya hummed softly, reaching out to Oz and resting her hand on his. "So don't worry too much, okay? Everything will be fine."

"...yes, of course." Oz nodded, smiling gently in turn. "Thank you, Freya. I needed that. Oh, and I'll have to give thanks to Yuri, too, should we cross paths again."

"Haha...perhaps so." Freya chuckled nervously, closing her eyes and giving Oz's hand a gentle squeeze as she looked back once again on the happenings of Eadred. She couldn't help it, after the mention of Yuri. Ever since she'd seen it, there had been but one question aching at the back of her mind. "...may I ask you something, Oz?"

"You may ask me whatever you desire, Freya." Oz nodded slowly. "But if you are about to sell me any insect- or fish-based pastry, I must preemptively decline."

"Oh, I would never." Freya shook her head, throwing her legs over the side of the bed as she sat up, right next to him. "I've noticed you tend to show mercy to your enemies. I understand it with Anwin, but you even let common foot soldiers live to fight another day. Wouldn't it be easier for you if you cut them down? I'm sure you've heard the saying, that ruthlessness is mercy..."

She looked up to scan Oz's expression, seeing that he had gone silent. For a second, his smile had been replaced with what could only be considered a thousand-yard stare. She didn't know just what thoughts were going through his head, but just as quickly, he returned to normal, beaming brightly. "You ought to know by now, Freya, that I am not one who simply seeks the easy way out."

"Right..." she murmured, wondering whether or not to dig deeper and get to the point. "...but why do you insist on open arms, then?"

Oz threw his hands onto the bed, making sure to be wary of the cats, who had begun to paw cautiously at his fingers, and closed his eyes as he began to reflect on his experiences. "Well...I suppose I've always been rather averse to death. More than your average person." he began, an introspective smile making its way onto his face. "Whenever I see an enemy - even one who is harming the innocent - I can't help but wonder, who will mourn them when they're gone? I know some of them may be mourned even more than I. Would it be fair, then, if they died by my hand?"

"I do understand your perspective..." Freya murmured, gently intertwining their fingers. "Even so, sparing your enemies allows them to come back another day to try again."

"I know that." Oz said simply, his face devoid of emotion. "But I can't do anything about it. The very thought of someone dying so that I may live makes me sick to the stomach."

Listening to Oz's words, Freya closed her eyes in understanding, nodding slowly. "...is this a personal matter for you?"

"...you could say so, yes."

"Alright, then. I won't pry." Freya smiled sympathetically. Oz looked down at her, considering all of this. She wasn't forcing him to open up, but somehow, he still didn't feel the need to keep her locked out. An unusual feeling, he thought, but that was how things were. He smiled softly, but it was different from his usual smile - more like a soothing moon than a shining sun.

"...Would you like to know, anyway?" he asked, and she opened her eyes again to look up at him. "Because it may get lengthy..."

"I don't mind. We have time, don't we?" Freya pointed out, causing Oz to smile a little more. "And I'd love to get to know you better."

"Then brace yourself." he told her calmly. "For I have a tale to tell you."