Just When I Think I'm Out, They Pull Me Back in
There had been, of course, quite a bit of celebrating over the teams victories over the various supernatural forces they'd gone up again. Dawn would still cat doubt upon how much she'd contributed and how much had largely been inspired by Asleif, but she'd joined in anyway. And she was one hundred percent normal again.
Strange though. Some small part of her did not relish going back to an ordinary life. Even though virtually every minute spent "in action" with the Defenders had left her nearly catatonic, and those moments spent socially had large moments of distress or confusion.
Confusion like now, she reflected, as she walked down the beach. Asleif had slipped away earlier, requesting that Dawn follow at her leisure. Now had been as good a time as any.
"You... wanted to talk to me?" she asked.
The dark-haired goddess nodded, then looked around as though to make certain there was no one else around to see. "I did." She bowed her head slightly. "First, I must apologize to thee. I placed thy life in great danger through my own arrogance and thoughtlessness and my own pittance placed thee in further danger still after. I did desire none of that."
"Thought you said never to apologize," Dawn replied.
The corners of Asleif's mouth twitched in something not unlike a smile. "Thou listen well," she said.
Asleif went on. "I have not spoken to mine siblings of this, though I have already made my good-byes to Zoey."
"Your good-byes?" she asked.
"I will not be staying," Asleif replied. "I was a part of thee, Dawn Roberts. Thy memories of the time we didst spend joined are mine as well. I felt what thou did feel. Thy fears. Thy passions. Even, yes, even thy heroism. It has humbled me to find such in a mortal. Thou rose to challenges I likely wouldst have shyed away from. Thou risked thine life for my family."
Asleif was quiet for a moment, and Dawn did not wish to interrupt. Finally, she began speaking again. "When we first came to Midgard, I saw it as punishment. Forced to deal with mine siblings more than I wished, force to cohabitate with mortals, forced into acting on behalf of others when it did not benefit myself in anyway. I grew within this time... but I still proved to be much myself. I suppose I always shall. Immortals, even young ones such as we, fast become complacent, stuck in our ways, even in our youth.
"If I remain here or return to Asgard, I shalt still be too much of myself. And that is not longer quite who I wish to be. I will need to find mine own way, my own path, and I will need to walk it for some time. But mine other sister didst charge me with care for Halbjorn and Ardis, and it is not one I can completely set aside. I cannot do it myself, but I can provide for their care."
Dawn had no idea what direction this conversation was supposed to be taking. "Why are you telling me all of this?"
"Because,"Asleif said, "because... I wouldst ask thee if thou would watch over mine siblings. Over Zoey. And even Griffen and Grace, and Sydney and Marlow and the rest. That you can overcome thine fears, Dawn Roberts, makes thee a hero. That thou hast them, makes thou sensible. And sense... be something sorely lacking here. Will thou watch them?"
Dawn hesistated. "I... guess? I mean, I can check in on them and everything and...?"
Asleif placed a hand upon her. "Thou will do more than that. Thou shalt be mine Avatar, mine representative here. Thou will have power, strength and size to keep up with thine powerful comrades. And I bind thee now with the magics of this Earth. Elemental magic to control the forces of nature, and other magics still to keep thee safe. Thou hadst the spark of potential, which I doth fan into a flame. "
She felt a surge of energy go through her, felt her mind practically crack as all manner of information, spells to control the natural elements, filled it. Her body felt on fire, stretching, changing, muscle and bone shifting into new configurations. There was a flash of light and she found herself taller, stronger, bigger... still recognizably herself, but as though poured into a different mold.
"What...?"
"I didst merely fan the mystic power which was already there and push it along its way," Asleif said. "As well as making certain thou will not fall prey to the frailites of the mortal flesh. Mortal thou doth remain... but with a kiss of the divine to make thee strong. Watch over mine siblings. Tell them..." Asleif trailed off.
"Tell them," she resumed after a moment, "tell them that though I do not wish them slain yet... that I should hope if they do perish, it is in battle and with honor. Tell them... I shall miss them."
There was a dimmer flash of light this time, one concentrated in Asleif, and when it faded, she was gone.
Dawn looked down at herself. She'd gone from mousey bookworm to practical amazon in the course of a moment. Without her true consent. Asleif all over again, even in parting.
"Guess... I'm not going away yet," she muttered.
And maybe, maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.
