THE PRICE

Harshal raised Mjolnir.

The hammer glowed. Faint light in the dark. Enough to see the rocks in front of him.

"What is happening?"

He swung.

The hammer hit stone. Crack. Small pieces fell. He swung again. More cracks. Light growing.

One more swing. A hole opened. Small. Just enough to see through.

He looked out.

Deep ocean. Dark water. Nothing moved.

No serpent. No kraken.

He pushed through. Kicked up. Swam toward the surface.

Light grew above. Air coming closer.

He didn't look back.

Behind him, in the dark water, two eyes opened.

Glowing.

Watching his back.

Harshal broke the surface.

Air. Sun. Forest around the shore.

He pulled himself onto land. Wet. Tired. Breathing hard.

The animals were there. Waiting.

Deer. Fox. Wolf. Bear. All of them. Watching him with the same look.

Are you okay?

Harshal looked at them. Nodded.

"I am okay." He paused. "And I am going."

The lion stepped forward. Looked at him. Its mouth didn't move. But Harshal heard the voice. Clear. Inside his head.

Thank you. For staying with us.

Harshal met its eyes. Nodded.

"It's okay."

He stood. Raised his hand. Copy-Blade responded. Liquid metal flowing. Wings unfolded from his back.

He beat them once. Rose above the trees.

The animals watched him go.

Harshal flew.

Clouds passed. Winds shifted. The world shrank below.

Then he saw it.

Valaskjálf.

Odin's hall. Silver roof. Floating in the sky like a wound in reality.

Harshal slowed. Hovered.

His chest tightened.

Scared.

He looked at his hands. One held Mjolnir. One empty. Copy-Blade on his back. Ur-Blade at his belt.

He had stolen from Thor. Fought Zeus. Talked to Jesus. Survived a nuke. Almost drowned. Almost been eaten.

But this was Odin.

The All-Father. The one who saw everything. The one who knew.

Harshal took a breath.

"Let's do it."

He flew forward. Fast. Toward the silver roof.

He landed near an entrance. Slipped inside.

Hallways. Long. Gold. Silent. Guards standing still. Spears in hand. Eyes forward.

Harshal moved behind a pillar. Watched.

One guard turned its head. Slow. Looked right at him.

Harshal didn't move.

The guard stared for a second. Then looked away. Back to forward.

Harshal let out a breath.

He moved. Silent. Fast. Past guards. Past doors. Past things he didn't recognize.

Then he found it.

Odin's room.

The door was open. Just a crack.

Harshal looked inside.

Odin stood by the window. Back turned. Looking out at nothing.

Harshal waited.

Odin spoke. Voice calm. Old. Like mountains talking.

"So you are here."

Harshal stepped inside. "You know, huh? Thor told you?"

Odin didn't turn.

"Yes." Pause. "And I also know why you are here."

Harshal's jaw tightened. "Then just give it to me."

Odin turned. One eye. Blue. Deep. Watching.

"So you can give it to him."

Harshal paused. "So you know him too. Then tell me. What is his name?"

Odin was quiet for a moment. Then:

"I can. But I shouldn't."

Harshal let out a breath. "Okay. I don't care. Just give me the eye."

Odin smiled. Not warm. Not cold.

"Just fight."

The room changed.

Not space. Not time. Something else.

Harshal moved. Odin moved.

They fought.

Harshal sat against the wall. Bleeding. Breathing hard.

Mjolnir on the floor beside him. Copy-Blade on his back. Ur-Blade still at his belt. He hadn't drawn it.

Odin stood. Then lowered. One knee on the ground.

He was smiling.

"Is it enough? Or do you need more?"

Harshal didn't answer.

Odin stood. Looked down at him.

"And I know you have Mjolnir. Be grateful you are not dead. And I am not taking it."

He smirked. Turned. Walked toward the door.

He didn't look back.

The door closed.

Harshal sat alone. Blood on his lips. Arms shaking.

He looked at Mjolnir. Looked at his hands.

What can I do now?

He closed his eyes.

Then opened them.

"There is only one way."

He raised his hand. Spoke the name.

"Chitralekha."

The air shimmered. Colors bent. A figure stepped out of light.

She was tall. Dark hair. Eyes that held stars. Her voice was soft but sharp.

"You called."

Harshal stood. Slow. Painful. "Take me to Jötunheim. Under the root of the World Tree."

Chitralekha tilted her head. Looked at him. Blood. Bruises. Mjolnir in hand.

"No."

Harshal's jaw tightened. "What?"

"I don't work for free." She crossed her arms. "You want to go there? Pay me."

Harshal stared at her. "Pay you with what?"

She smiled. Small. Sharp.

"That's your problem."

Harshal looked at her. Steady.

"Daughter of Kumbhanda. Minister of King Banasura. One of the most intellectual, talented, and beautiful ladies."

He paused.

"What do I have to give you?"

Chitralekha's smile faded. Her eyes sharpened.

"So you know me well."

She stepped closer.

"But I also know you well."

She counted on her fingers.

"Part of the Elemental Fragment of Brahma. Owner of the strongest weapon in the universe—Ur-Blade. And Copy-Sword, which can be any weapon, as powerful as the original, or even stronger."

She tilted her head.

"And also... just a human incarnation. Who lost to Ashwatthama in his arrogance. And who has the largest debt in the whole universe."

She stopped in front of him. Close.

"So tell me, little god. What can you possibly give me?"

Harshal met her eyes.

"But you never asked something from Usha."

Chitralekha's expression flickered. "Are you Usha?"

Harshal shook his head. "Nooo."

Chitralekha studied him for a long moment. Then her face relaxed.

"If you can't pay me..." She paused. "Give me one month of your time."

Harshal waited.

"I can draw a portrait of you."

Harshal nodded. "Okay. You can draw me, Chitra."

Chitralekha smiled. Soft. Almost warm.

"Of course I will." She looked at him. Blood. Dirt. Torn clothes. Bruises everywhere.

"But in your state, even demons will be freaked out."

She snapped her fingers. Light flickered around her palm.

"Let's clean you first."