Higher Powers

Jade was brought before Magnus in his throne room filled with demons. She fought against the arch demon’s grip and pried their claws off of her arms. She now wore a green gown to compliment her other features.

“What is it you want?” she asked with a glare

Magnus grinned. “Odin has taken down the first of the titans.” He paused for her reaction. “Does it please you to hear?” he asked when she didn’t answer.

Her expression didn’t change. “I’m overwhelmed with joy,” she replied blandly.

Magnus brought his hand up and glanced at the tips of his fingers. “You don’t seem pleased that your lover is risking his life to become your rescuer.”

Jade didn’t move. “He’s only my rescuer because you put him to the test.”

Magnus looked at her and froze and replied in a cold voice, “and I will continue to test him, until he has cleared his transgressions against me.”

Jade scoffed, “What sin, exactly, has he committed?”

Magnus placed both hands evenly on the rests of his throne. “Well, you’re his love; his obsession. So, obviously, you are his sin.”

Jade slightly shook her head. “I fail to make the connection.”

Magnus stood up and paced around her from a distance.

“You know that Odin was once the eldest of elders. The story that you haven’t heard goes like this. One day, he fell in love with the one creature in the universe that is forbidden to all powers and forces. And by no means would he be allowed to pursue this passion. He fell in love with a soul. One that he had known for ages. A soul that he himself had brought to the afterlife. It took him a hundred years to forge a deal with our father, but eventually, the father gave in to Odin’s wishes. They both broke the vows of the elders and brought a soul back from the afterlife before its time had come.

Completely ignoring the words ‘Observation only’, they took the soul that was rightfully mine, gave it a body, and hid her away from me on this putrid little planet. When I tried to take that soul back, he sought to destroy me so that I would never be able to claim that which is mine.”

Jade froze. “So, how will you reclaim that soul?” she asked.

“If Odin doesn’t settle this score, I’ll kill you myself. If he fails to meet me, I’ll have you at rest once again. And if he dies, I’ll have his soul instead of yours. Either way, the debt will be repaid,” Magnus paused. “Only one thing remains to be answered.”

Jade tilted her head in a sarcastic gesture of interest. “Do tell.”

Magnus snapped his fingers and appeared in his throne.

“Why? Why does he go to the trouble of saving you? Why did you catch his attention so many generations ago? That answer eludes me,” he said snapping his fingers again.

Suddenly, her gown fell completely off her body. She knelt down to pick cover herself, but the arch demons stopped her, holding their claws up to her neck. She stared back at Magnus, as a melody from a music box echoed through the great hall. Like a dream, the music transformed the ambiance to a more peaceful nature.

“Dance for me.” Magnus softly commanded.

Angered by his wish, she got up, and slowly moved her body into a Dryad step. Magnus never took his eyes away. He instantly saw what Odin saw, when he carried her through the worlds. She was passionate and tender. Her moves were caring and gentle, yet vigorous and pleasing. Magnus brought a hand thoughtfully up to his mouth, and watched carefully as he enjoyed seeing through his brother’s eyes.

She danced: spinning, twirling, stepping, wrapping her arms around her chest and moving her hips. She looked absolutely angelic and as she continued, Magnus became envious of his brother. The obsession was deeper than a lust for the body Odin had shielded her in, or the soul that dwelt in it, but in both combined. Everything that had made the act of love forbidden called to Magnus, in this moment more than ever.

Through and through, Magnus could see that she truly was perfect. The love she felt for Odin only made her that much more appetizing. She slowly spun, and looked at Magnus to see if she was pleasing him. He was satisfied to say the least. She closed her eyes and twirled again, holding the anger back. Her majestic hair flew in her sudden spin, but she flogged her own soul in doing so. Tears filled her eyes.

“Enough,” Magnus called, having had his fill of sensation.

She curled herself up. It felt more comfortable to conceal herself, than to stand there for eyes to gaze and judge. She wept, wanting so badly for Odin to hold her. The arch demons stepped in to force her to her feet. Magnus jumped up angrily, and with a wave of his hand, the demons fell to the ground. He turned his head away from the little Dryad, snapped his fingers and she reappeared in the tower with her clothes intact. Her sobs echoed in the tower, and her sniffles only fed the depression.

“Odin, where are you?” she cried.