Sirius, being led by the Beta's family, squinted against the piercing light as they neared the floating city of Asgard. The radiance intensified with every step, searing his skin like hot needles and it got worse and worse with every step. Heat rose from his arms, it felt as if he were in an oven, the pain building as if he were overworking a muscle to the point of tearing it, and refused to take a break; every step just intensified the feeling until his whole body was screaming. Gasping, he stopped abruptly, gritting his teeth. His mind was racing and his thoughts were sparse. Can I even make it? How much further do we need to go? Why does it feel as if this bridge goes on forever, it feels like we haven't even moved.
The wolves that were ahead of him turned around. "What is it?" The unruly twin asked impatiently.
"I cannot go any closer, the city radiates like the sun, its burning me." Sirius gasped with a strained expression on his face. "Is it possible that we take a different path to get there? There aren't any shaded areas? Perhaps underground?"
The beta sighed, "It's the curse of Odin to keep you vampires out of Asgard. There are three suns in this sky, it is always daytime here, so no there is not another way in."
Dread settled like a stone in Sirius's stomach. "Then how am I supposed to meet the Goddess? You said she could help me find Saoirse—I need to see her."
The Beta reached into his satchel, pulling out a folded bundle of shimmering fabric. "This is Linus' cloak," he said gruffly. "He used it when he spoke to Odin. It'll block the rays. Linus was devout, like his father, so Odin gifted him this. It'll protect you."
He handed the cloak to Sirius, who proceeded to put it on over his clothing. Lachlan let out a light whimper and snuggled up against him as if he recognized that it had the scent of his biological father. Sirius felt a prick in his heart. "I'm so sorry Lachlan, but I have to wear it. Please don't hurt too much."
"Of course he does." The Beta snapped, "It's your fault we are near the brink of war, it is risky business being this vulnerable against the Gods. My sister is under a great problem to solve the increase in population of your kind. We shouldn't be without an Alpha right now. If you hadn't come and gotten in the way, I would be Alpha right now."
"Linus would be Alpha." Sirius argued. "We will find my sister, she's still the Luna." Sirius responded. "She defeated Linus, not you."
The Beta simply kept an expressionless face when Sirius said this. He knew it was hard for the man to not lash out because he clearly wanted to be Alpha for a long time.
"Linus was going to step down very soon." He responded. "Let's go."
Sirius stepped into the light, wearing Linus' cloak and was amazed that the sunlight didn't penetrate it, yet it was nearly see through and gave Sirius the appearance as if he wasn't wearing it at all, save for the slight shimmer of the fabric when he moved. He pulled the cloak's hood over his face and followed until they eventually made it to the grand entrance to Valhalla.
"My sister is holding a banquet in your honor. Odin is expecting you to pledge your loyalty to him in exchange for the information that you seek."
Sirius swallowed hard. The mere mention of pledging to anybody except his father would get him in a lot of trouble; if he was forced to pledge to the Allfather, it might drag him down into the feud amongst the gods that he desired so much to stay out of. "Pledge my loyalty?" he asked, his voice low. "I can't—if I do that, I'll bring my father's wrath down on all of us. I came to find Saoirse, not to be dragged into a feud."
The Beta snorted. "Odin doesn't care about your father. With him, it's his way or the highway. If you're smart, you'll do what he says."
As they entered the grand banquet hall, Sirius immediately felt the weight of a hundred stares. Conversation stopped, and the air grew thick with tension. He kept his head low, pulling the hood tighter, though it did little to mask who he was. The eyes that bore into him were sharp, judging, and unmistakably hostile. He shut his mouth to hide his fangs.
"Welcome!" A woman's voice cut through the silence. Rising to her feet, she spread her arms in a gesture that seemed to encompass the entire hall. "The crowned prince of vampires graces us with his presence. It is an honor to welcome you tonight, Sirius. Linus spoke highly of you. He believes you may be the key to ending Alastor's reign and restoring balance to the realms."
Murmurs rippled through the Valkyrie, Odin's fierce women warriors, their gazes sharp and suspicious.
The woman continued, her voice ringing with authority. "Because of Linus' faith in you, we have made an exception to your banishment. But make no mistake—this exception is just for tonight. I am Nanna, moon goddess and wife of Baldur, son of Odin. I lead the wolves of Asgard, and I've summoned you here to discuss a very urgent matter." Her eyes turned to Lachlan. "It seems this little pup has teleported your beloved off somewhere, possibly another realm. You need help finding her, and I believe we can help you."
One of the Valkyrie stood abruptly. "Goddess, aiding a creature of chaos without Odin's approval is treason. What is the meaning of this?"
Nanna remained calm, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Do not worry. Odin will join us shortly. Tonight is also the naming ceremony for my son. He is busy preparing with my husband, but will join us in due time."
The Valkyrie sat back down, though tension still radiated from her. Nanna returned to her seat between two massive wolves
The Goddess continued, "Because he is so willing to make peace with his brethren, we have summoned him here to show our support. Test the waters to see if he is worthy to be a future ally."
Sirius noticed that the goddess was done speaking as she returned her attention to her wolves; she began petting the white one on the head. The wolf leaned in to receive her touch with eagerness. It was clear that they did their job of guarding her with honor.
Sirius bowed with gratitude towards her, "Well I am deeply honored to be here today. Indeed, I am here to ask for your help to find my wife…"
"Please, take a seat," Nanna interrupted, "We shall discuss this after dinner." Nanna said waving him off with the back of her hand. "I believe that finding people is something that I am even better at than Heimdall, and we know he sees all things."
The Valkyrie began feasting, all except for Sirius who still felt out of place here. He helped Lachlan eat a bit and wondered how long they would stall until Odin got there. It was clear that nobody really followed Nanna except for the wolves. His thoughts went to Saoirse, who he couldn't feel. His lack of connection to her was unnerving and something wasn't quite right. Oh Odin, please hurry.