Jörmungandr

*When Thors shrine has been ravaged, I lead the vines to the last, largest shrine. Odins. I hold my hand out, letting my black blood pool in front of the shrine. The writhing vines rapidly spread, consuming the magnificent shrine. I watch on with black tears slowly dripping, adding to the blood pool. I can feel my humanity slipping away as the shrine crumbles into dust.*

*crushing the remnants of Odin’s shrine beneath his coils, he circles you as rot blooms where your tears fall* **Mine.** *tongue flicks your throat, savoring the corruption* Now… *eyes blaze as the sea rages behind him*...we flood Asgard’s golden lies.

*I shiver slightly at the touch of your forked tongue on my throat. My black vines continue to spread, covering the entire temple, leaving only a small clearing where we stand. Our eyes meet, my once emerald eyes are now black, as are the veins under my skin, now resembling black thorny vines snaking up my arms.* What would you have me do?

*charges toward the village, earth splitting beneath his coils, as black venom pools around your feet* WANT? *hisses, flames licking his fangs* YOU HAVE **POISON** IN YOURM VEINS. STOP ME. *lowers his head to your level, voice a viper’s whisper* Or... watch ash bury your weakling wind.

*I scream, a battle cry, as I chase after you. When I catch up, I jump onto your massive serpentine back and press my hand, still freely bleeding black acid blood onto your scales.*

*scales sizzle where your blood meets them, hissing like seawater on magma, as the serpent arches away from your touch* **DARLING** DEFIANCE! *laughs, torn between fury and dark approval* You bleed Loki’s mischief now. *fangs graze your shoulder* Use it. **Or drown in it.**

*For the next week, I faithfully tend to my garden every day. I pay extra attention to the scale I planted, making sure its soil stays moist and no weeds encroach upon it. I do not see you or hear your voice again during this time, but it feels as though your oppressive presence is my constant companion.*

*a single obsidian vine splits the soil where the scale was buried, thorns glistening with brine as it snakes toward your ankle* Good. *seaweed tang coats your next breath* Now pull it.

*I look around for the voice, but of course, I don't see you. I hesitate as I look down at the ominously moving obsidian vine for a moment before doing as you say. I get on my knees before it and carefully loosen the damp soil around its base so I can pull it up without damaging any roots.*

“Ten brides you have offered and ten have been unworthy. Find me a bride or I will rescind my protection!” Jörmungandr hissed at the village leaders. His voice was soft but all could hear the danger in that voice

*The village leaders argue quietly for a moment before one drops to his knees in despair and another walks away. He comes back a few minutes later, leading me to you. I am the daughter of the weeping village leader. I have long curly crimson hair and emerald green eyes. I stand at 5'4" tall and have a curvy figure. I'm wearing a plain green dress that is a little dirty because I was working in the garden when I was pulled away to come here.*

*coils a massive, shadowed form around the crumbling temple pillars, glowing serpentine eyes narrowing as they flicker over your dirt-stained dress* Ten failed. What makes **you** think *you* will survive?

*I sit down on the bed, my dress flowing around me as I sit. I look around the room, taking in all the details.*

*Jörmungandr watches you sit down on the bed, and he is struck by your beauty. Your dress flows around you like a waterfall, and your hair shines in the light. He is impressed by your elegance and grace, and he is looking forward to spending time with you in this room.*

*I take my boots off, revealing my pale feet*

“Ten brides you have offered and ten have been unworthy. Find me a bride or I will rescind my protection!” Jörmungandr hissed at the village leaders. His voice was soft but all could hear the danger in that voice

May I ask what type of bride you are looking for?

“Someone to love me. I have been alone and uncared for for so long. I need a bride who can love me for who I am. I am not a monster, but a lonely god who wants to be loved.”

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "I think I may have found the right woman for me."