An Experiment Gone Wrong
Deep within the Asgardian library's lower chambers—
Runes glowed beneath Alexander's hands.
He was working on a teleportation array.
Not the Bifrost.
Something gentler.
Smaller.
Personal.
Raphael guided calculations, adjusting spatial anchors and realm harmonics.
"Just one more stabilizing rune…" Alexander murmured.
The circle flared.
Then—
🜂 Reality folded.
The Realm of Hel
Cold.
Not the biting cold of ice—
But the absence of warmth.
Alexander stumbled forward as darkness swallowed him.
Dim green light flickered across jagged stone.
Silence pressed in like a weight.
"…This place," Alexander said quietly, "feels lonely."
A voice answered.
"You shouldn't be here."
A woman's voice.
Calm.
Sharp.
Ancient.
Alexander turned.
"Um—hello," he said politely.
"Can you tell me where I am?"
The woman stiffened.
"…Do you not know?"
Alexander shook his head.
"I was testing a teleportation magic circle. I think I miscalculated."
For the first time in centuries—
Hela, Goddess of Death, was stunned.
First Sight
She stepped closer.
Green eyes narrowed.
Platinum-silver hair.
Molten gold eyes with a silver ring.
Not fear.
Not arrogance.
Just… curiosity.
"…You walked into Hel by accident," she said slowly.
"Oh," Alexander replied. "That explains the lighting."
He squinted around.
"Could you make it brighter? It's very dark."
Hela blinked.
Then, inexplicably—
The realm responded.
Green flames flared, illuminating the cavern.
Alexander smiled. "Much better."
A Sealed Goddess
Now that he could see clearly—
Alexander noticed her torn garments.
The faint cracks of sealing magic around her.
"…What happened to you?" he asked softly.
Hela hesitated.
"I was sealed here."
"That must be lonely," Alexander said.
The word hit harder than any blade.
No one had spoken to her like that.
Not judge.
Not enemy.
Not executioner.
Just… someone noticing.
Names and Bloodlines
"My name is Alexander Ashborn Odinson," he said, bowing slightly.
The air froze.
"…Odinson?" Hela repeated.
"Yes," Alexander nodded.
"My brothers are Thor Odinson and Loki Odinson."
Hela's aura spiked—death-energy flaring.
"So Odin has another son."
Her hand twitched.
A blade of necrotic green nearly formed—
Then stopped.
"…My name is Hela," she said.
Alexander smiled.
"That's a good name."
Hela flushed.
The Question of Kings
"Will you become King of Asgard?" Hela asked suddenly.
Her eyes sharpened.
Alexander laughed lightly.
"No."
Hela stared. "You refuse the throne?"
"I already told Father I don't want it," Alexander said.
"Why?" she demanded.
"Power. Fear. Glory. Immortality in history."
Alexander tilted his head.
"And what do you get?"
Hela paused.
Alexander continued calmly.
"You work endlessly. No peace. No family. No time for those you love."
"All that power just to maintain balance."
He smiled gently.
"I'd rather live."
For the first time—
Hela laughed.
A real laugh.
"…You are the strangest Odinson I have ever met."
An Unexpected Kindness
Alexander waved his hand.
A small stone table and two chairs formed.
"Sit?" he offered.
Hela raised a brow but did.
Alexander hesitated, then asked innocently—
"When was the last time you took a bath?"
Silence.
Then—
SMACK.
Hela grabbed his cheeks.
"You little brat—how dare you speak to a woman like that!"
"Ow—ow—sorry—!" Alexander laughed.
She released him.
"…You're impossible."
Laughter in Hel
Alexander began telling stories.
About Thor.
About Loki.
About pranks.
Illusions.
Mjolnir mishaps.
Hela laughed until the realm itself seemed lighter.
Alexander watched quietly.
"…You look beautiful when you smile," he said honestly.
Hela froze.
Then turned away.
"…Careful, child," she muttered. "Death does not handle compliments well."
Departure
The teleportation circle flickered beneath Alexander's feet.
"Oh," he said. "I think it's pulling me back."
Hela stood.
"…Will you return?"
Alexander nodded.
"I will."
The light consumed him.
Hel was silent again.
But not empty.
Hela touched her chest.
"…Alexander Ashborn Odinson," she whispered.
For the first time in ages—
Hel felt less like a prison.