As the night settled over Asgard, Nikolaus felt a sense of peace. He had faced unimaginable challenges and emerged victorious. Now, with the support of the Gods and the love of Hel, he would find his path forward, whatever it might be.
Loki chimed in again, telling Nikolaus, "There's someone outside the room waiting for you." Without waiting for an answer, he started walking towards the door, pushing everyone else out with him. As Loki left, he turned back and said, "Even though I enjoy mischief, my daughter still means a lot to me." With that, he closed the door behind him.
Nikolaus stared at the door, anticipation building in his chest. Slowly, the door opened, and he saw a familiar face with tears streaming down her cheeks. Hel stood there, her eyes filled with emotion. Nikolaus tried to stand but was unable to because of the pain shooting through his body. Instead, he called out her name, "Hel."
She rushed to his side, wrapping her arms around him and pressing a kiss to his lips. Nikolaus wrapped his remaining arm around her, whispering, "I tried to keep my promise to you."
Hel held him close, pulling his head to her breasts. "You have kept our promise," she whispered, her voice filled with love and gratitude.
Nikolaus wanted to talk more with Hel, to tell her everything that had happened, but the warmth of her skin and the exhaustion from the battle overtook him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep again.
As he fell asleep, Hel whispered, "Thank you, my love."
Nikolaus felt a profound sense of contentment as he drifted into slumber, comforted by Hel's presence and her words. In that moment, he knew that no matter what lay ahead, he had the strength and support to face it, and the love that bound them would guide him through any darkness.
As the morning came, a beam of sunlight hit Nikolaus's face, causing him to wake. He saw Hel lying next to him, still asleep. Gently, he kissed her lips to wake her. Hel stirred, her eyes opening to meet his. She smiled and embraced him tightly.
After several minutes of holding each other close, the door suddenly burst open to reveal Thrain from Svartalfheim. He was holding something in his hands, and his face lit up with joy.
"I've created an arm for you to use in place of the one you lost!" Thrain exclaimed, walking over to Nikolaus and Hel without paying attention to the moment they were sharing.
He grabbed Nikolaus's shoulder where his arm used to be and said, "This will hurt," before connecting the metal arm to his body. Pain shot through Nikolaus, but he gritted his teeth and bore it.
Thrain stepped back, looking at his handiwork with satisfaction. "You should try it by holding your wife-to-be closer," he said with a chuckle, then headed back to the door. He glanced back at Nikolaus, who was wincing from the shock of the pain, and gave him a knowing smile before closing the door behind him.
Nikolaus, still processing Thrain's words, looked at Hel with confusion. "What did he mean, 'wife-to-be'?"
Hel, a little bashful, looked down and then back up at Nikolaus. "The other Gods have agreed to let you marry me, if you want to."
Before she could finish her sentence, Nikolaus took her in his arms and embraced her tightly. "There is nothing I would want more," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Hel, with a tear falling down her cheek, whispered, "That's all I want as well."
They held each other close, their hearts filled with joy and love. The morning sunlight bathed the room in a warm glow, symbolizing a new beginning for both of them. The trials they had faced and the battles they had fought had led them to this moment, and together, they knew they could face anything the future held.
As they prepared to leave the room, Nikolaus watched Hel's naked body as she got ready, admiring her every curve. Hel noticed his gaze and, with a shy smile, asked, "What are you looking at?" She began to cover herself up.
Nikolaus walked over to her, gently uncovering her and leaving her bare skin exposed. "I was admiring your beauty," he said softly, "and I want to know your body as well as your mind."
Hel's face turned downward, a blush coloring her cheeks. No one has ever been this bold with me before, she thought.
Nikolaus lifted her chin between his thumb and index finger, cradling it gently, and brought her face up to meet his. He kissed her deeply, their connection growing stronger with each touch.
They continued getting ready, stealing moments to enjoy each other's lips and embrace. Nikolaus traced his fingers along Hel's skin, committing every detail to memory. Hel responded with tender caresses, each touch filled with affection and gratitude.
As they dressed, Nikolaus couldn't help but smile at the way Hel moved, the grace and strength in every gesture. He marveled at her resilience and the depth of her love. Hel, in turn, watched Nikolaus with admiration, appreciating his courage and unwavering determination.
When they were finally ready, they took one last moment to hold each other close. "You are everything to me, Hel," Nikolaus whispered.
"And you are everything to me, Nikolaus," Hel replied, her voice filled with emotion.
Hand in hand, they left the room. As they stepped into the hallway, a crowd of people gathered, having heard of Nikolaus's bravery. They cheered and called out, "The hero of Asgard!"
Nikolaus smiled at the crowd, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. But his focus remained on Hel. He squeezed her hand and said, "Let's explore Asgard together."
With their fingers intertwined, they began to walk through the grand halls of Asgard, eager to experience the wonders of the realm. The admiration and cheers of the onlookers followed them, but for Nikolaus and Hel, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them, bound by love and the promise of a future together.
As they walked, Nikolaus couldn't help but steal glances at Hel, his heart swelling with love. Hel, feeling his gaze, looked up at him and smiled, a smile that spoke of shared dreams and unspoken promises.
The path ahead was filled with uncertainty, but with Hel by his side, Nikolaus felt ready to face whatever came next. Together, they would forge a new destiny, one where love and courage would lead them through any darkness.
Chapter 12: The Groom of Hel
As the two walked through Asgard, enjoying the scenery and each other’s company, they marveled at the grandeur of the realm. The golden towers shimmered in the morning light, and the vibrant gardens filled the air with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Hand in hand, Nikolaus and Hel reveled in the tranquility and beauty surrounding them.
As they continued their stroll, they passed by Odin and Freyja, who were also out for a walk. Odin and Freyja noticed the couple and approached them with warm smiles.
"Good morning, Nikolaus, Hel," Odin greeted them. "How are you enjoying Asgard?"
"It's beautiful," Nikolaus replied, glancing at Hel. "We're enjoying every moment."
Freyja nodded in agreement. "It’s good to see you both well. We were just discussing battles past and what lies ahead."
The four of them stopped to talk, reminiscing about the recent battles and sharing stories of past victories. Odin spoke of ancient wars and the wisdom he had gained over centuries, while Freyja shared tales of her valor and the strength of the Valkyries. Nikolaus listened intently, feeling honored to be in the presence of such legendary figures.
Hel, standing by Nikolaus's side, contributed her own insights, speaking of her realm and the balance between life and death. The conversation flowed naturally, with laughter and camaraderie bridging the gap between mortal and divine.
After a while, Odin turned to Nikolaus, a twinkle in his eye. "Nikolaus, we would be honored if you joined us for a feast to celebrate the end of the corruption and the recovery of the Hero of Asgard."
