The Weight of Immortality - CH - 15 (Patreon)

As the years passed, Harry delved deeply into the mystic arts, immersing himself in the teachings of Kamar-Taj. His mastery over the mystical energies grew, and he became one of the most talented sorcerers under the Ancient One's guidance. He learned to wield spells that could bend time and space, walk through dimensions, and manipulate the very fabric of reality. But despite the wealth of knowledge he gained, there was always a sense of longing within him, a piece of himself that felt incomplete without Hela by his side.

In Vanaheim, Hela struggled with her own feelings. She had always been strong, independent, and fierce. But without Harry, she felt an emptiness that she had never known before. It wasn’t just the absence of his warmth or his laughter that left her feeling hollow; it was the realization that they were intrinsically bound to each other. It dawned on her that no matter how far Harry traveled, no matter how much he learned, she would always be a part of his journey—just as he was a part of hers.

She tried to distract herself with training, honing her magic and combat skills to perfection, but nothing could replace the bond she felt with Harry. She would often find herself staring at the sky, wondering what he was doing, what spells he might be practicing, or what new knowledge he was uncovering. She missed his stubborn determination, his relentless pursuit of knowledge, and even his occasional foolishness.

One evening, as she sat by the river that ran behind their cottage, she finally allowed herself to admit the truth she had been avoiding all along—she couldn’t be without him. Harry wasn’t just her companion or her partner; he was her anchor, the one person who made her feel whole. She loved him, deeply and unconditionally, even when he chased after what others considered foolish dreams.

“I’m done waiting,” she muttered to herself, clenching her fists. “If he thinks he can go off and explore the universe without me, then he’s sorely mistaken.”

With newfound determination, Hela rose to her feet. She channeled her magic, creating a swirling, green-tinged portal that pulsed with power. She could sense Harry’s presence through the realms, faint but familiar. Without another moment of hesitation, she stepped through the portal, feeling the energy wrap around her like a comforting embrace. She could see the swirling colors of the Bifrost, the echoes of the realms passing by her, and then she emerged, finding herself in the heart of Kamar-Taj.

Harry stood in the training courtyard, surrounded by swirling rings of golden light, as he practiced a complex spell. He paused, sensing the shift in the air, and turned just as Hela stepped forward. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, and in that instant, all the years they had spent apart melted away.

“You’re here,” Harry whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief and joy.

Hela smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest. “Did you really think you could leave me behind forever?” she asked, her tone teasing yet soft. “You may be a fool, Harry, but you’re my fool. And I’ll follow you, no matter where you go.”

Harry took a step closer, reaching out to cup her cheek. “I missed you,” he admitted, his eyes filled with emotion. “I always felt like something was missing, even with all the knowledge and magic I found here.”

Hela leaned into his touch, her own hand coming up to rest on his. “I missed you too, you stubborn rogue,” she replied. “So, if you’re planning to explore this primitive world, you’re not doing it without me.”

Harry’s smile widened, and he pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling the weight of their separation lift from his shoulders. “Then we’ll explore it together,” he promised. “Every spell, every secret, every bit of magic this world has to offer. We’ll learn it all—together.”

And so, with Hela by his side, Harry continued his journey on Midgard. They studied magic side by side, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. The world might have seen them as an odd pair—an eternal warrior and a wandering sorcerer—but they didn’t care. They had each other, and that was all that mattered. As they stood together in Kamar-Taj, surrounded by the ancient energies of the universe, Harry knew that no matter how vast the realms or how endless the mysteries of magic, he would always be complete with Hela by his side.

During their time in Kamar-Taj, Harry and Hela quickly rose to the highest ranks, mastering the mystic arts with an ease that astounded even the most experienced sorcerers. Together, they delved into the mysteries of the universe, learning how to manipulate reality, travel between dimensions, and harness the raw energy of the cosmos. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, and it was clear that they were not just skilled practitioners but true masters of the arcane.

The Ancient One, who was not a single person but rather a title passed down from one guardian to the next, took a particular interest in Harry. She recognized his immense potential and his unyielding spirit. She saw in him not just a gifted sorcerer but someone with the wisdom, compassion, and strength needed to protect Earth from the countless threats lurking beyond its borders. The Ancient One approached Harry with a proposition, offering him the chance to take on the mantle of the next Ancient One, to be the protector of Midgard and its people.

Harry, however, was resolute in his decision. "I can't stay on Earth forever," he explained, his eyes reflecting the depths of his soul. "There are too many realms to explore, too many mysteries to uncover. And I have my own journey to follow, my own path to walk. But I promise you this: I will ensure Kamar-Taj has the knowledge and power it needs to protect this realm. You have my word."

True to his promise, Harry shared a vast array of magical knowledge with the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. He taught them spells, wards, and enchantments that he had collected and developed over the years, some from the ancient tomes he had discovered during his travels, others from his own experimentation. But he was careful not to reveal everything; the most dangerous and destructive spells he kept for himself, understanding that such power could easily be abused if it fell into the wrong hands.

Even the "average" spells he shared caused waves of astonishment among the sorcerers. They quickly realized that Harry's definition of "average" was vastly different from theirs, as these spells were powerful enough to reshape reality, repel dark entities, and obliterate powerful foes. The warding techniques he introduced to Kamar-Taj strengthened their defenses to an unimaginable level, making the sanctuary nearly impervious to any threat from the outside world.

Hela, meanwhile, watched Harry with a sense of pride and admiration, knowing that he was not only making an indelible mark on Kamar-Taj but also ensuring that its sorcerers could protect Midgard long after they had left. She, too, contributed to their training, teaching the younger students how to channel their power with precision and control. Her mastery of combat magic was unparalleled, and even the most skilled sorcerers struggled to keep up with her techniques.

In time, Harry also began to assist the Ancient One in dealing with the darker threats that sought to breach the boundaries between realms. As the Master of Death and with his connection to Helheim, Harry could draw on energies from the dark dimensions without succumbing to their corrupting influence. This made him a formidable opponent against the demons and malevolent entities that sought to invade Midgard. Together with the Ancient One, Harry confronted these creatures, sealing rifts, banishing demons, and even destroying a few particularly powerful beings that had long been a thorn in Kamar-Taj's side.

One of the most significant battles took place when a powerful demon lord attempted to force his way into Midgard, seeking to turn the realm into his own personal kingdom of darkness. The Ancient One called upon Harry, knowing that his power was the key to repelling this monstrous invader. With Hela at his side, Harry stood at the gateway between dimensions, facing the demon lord in a battle that shook the very foundations of reality.

Using a combination of mystic arts and his own unique magic, Harry unleashed spells that tore through the demon's defenses, weakening it with each strike. Hela fought with ferocity, her blades cutting through the creature's minions with ease, and together, they managed to drive the demon lord back into the dark dimension from which it had come. As they closed the portal, Harry placed powerful wards around it, ensuring that no other entity would be able to use that gateway to invade Midgard again.

In the aftermath of the battle, the Ancient One approached Harry, gratitude and admiration shining in her eyes. "You have done more for Kamar-Taj than I could have ever imagined," she said. "Your knowledge, your power, and your compassion have made us stronger than ever before. Thank you, Haraldin Peverell."

Harry simply smiled, inclining his head in respect. "It’s my duty to ensure that Midgard is protected. I may not be able to stay, but this realm will always have a special place in my heart."

The Ancient One nodded, understanding that Harry's journey was far from over. "If ever you need sanctuary, know that Kamar-Taj will always welcome you and Helena," she said with a smile.

And with that, Harry and Hela continued their journey, their time in Kamar-Taj coming to an end. They left behind a legacy that would endure for generations, a foundation of knowledge and power that would help protect Midgard from the darkness lurking beyond its borders. As they walked away from the sanctum, hand in hand, they knew that their journey was far from over, and many more adventures awaited them in the vast, unexplored universe beyond.

The Dark Dimension, a realm of infinite chaos and raw, unrestrained power, was unlike anything Hela had experienced before. It was a place where the laws of reality twisted and bent, where time moved in unpredictable ways, and where the air itself seemed to pulse with dark energy. For someone like Hela, who had spent countless years suppressing her true strength under Odin's rule, it was a paradise, a sanctuary where she could finally let go and unleash the full extent of her abilities without fear of reprisal.

Within this dark realm, there were no eyes to watch her, no prying gaze of Heimdall to track her movements, and no Asgardian sentinels to report her actions. Here, she could be herself in the most primal, powerful sense. Every breath she took seemed to ignite a fire within her, a reminder of the godhood she had been forced to bury deep inside her soul.

The first time she unleashed her magic in the Dark Dimension, it was as if a dam had broken. Waves of green, crackling energy erupted from her hands, enveloping everything around her in an emerald storm. Shadows twisted and writhed under her command, forming massive spears that cut through the dimension’s inhabitants like they were nothing. Beings made of pure darkness screeched and howled as she tore through them with a ferocity that would have left even Odin trembling.

"Do you feel it, Hela?" Harry's voice called out to her through the void, calm and steady despite the chaos that surrounded them. He stood not far from her, his own magic coiling around him in shimmering arcs of light. "This is who you truly are. There are no chains here, no restrictions. Just power."

Hela turned to face him, her chest heaving, her eyes burning with an unholy light. "It's intoxicating," she confessed, her voice rough with exhilaration. "I’ve always known that I was stronger than Odin, that I was more than just the Goddess of Death. But here… here I feel limitless."

Harry nodded, stepping closer to her. "You are limitless. The only boundaries that exist are the ones you set for yourself."

With Harry by her side, she dove deeper into the Dark Dimension, challenging beings of immense power, battling demonic entities that would have torn apart lesser warriors. Every clash was a test of her strength, every enemy a reminder that she was more than what Odin had made her. She wasn't just a goddess – she was a force of nature, an unstoppable storm that consumed everything in her path.

There were moments when the battles grew intense, when the dark energies of the dimension threatened to overwhelm her, to pull her into its depths and strip her of her identity. But every time she felt herself slipping, Harry’s voice would cut through the chaos, grounding her, reminding her of who she was. "Focus, Hela," he'd say, his voice sharp as a blade. "Remember your purpose. This power isn’t meant to consume you – it’s meant to be mastered."

And master it she did.

With each battle, Hela grew stronger, faster, more attuned to the dark energies that swirled around her. Her magic, once a wild, chaotic force, became a precise instrument of destruction. She could summon weapons from the shadows with a mere thought, could conjure storms of blades that tore through her enemies with terrifying efficiency. Her strength, already beyond that of any mortal or god, became something truly monstrous. She moved with a fluid grace, each strike perfectly calculated, each spell flawlessly executed.

One day, as they stood on the precipice of a massive black chasm that seemed to stretch into infinity, Harry turned to her with a faint smile. "You’ve surpassed even my wildest expectations," he admitted, his eyes shining with pride. "There’s nothing left in this realm that can challenge you."

Hela chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent shivers down Harry’s spine. "It feels good," she admitted, her voice softer now. "To be free. To be strong." She looked down at her hands, clenching them into fists as green energy crackled around her fingers. "For so long, I’ve had to hide this part of myself, to pretend that I was something lesser. But now… now I remember what it means to be a true goddess."

"And what will you do with that power?" Harry asked, his tone serious. "You’ve proven yourself here, but the Dark Dimension is not the end of your journey."

Hela’s eyes flickered to his, and for a moment, the intensity of her gaze took his breath away. "I don’t know," she admitted. "But what I do know is that I will never be caged again. No one – not Odin, not anyone – will ever make me feel weak."

Harry reached out, taking her hand in his, the warmth of his touch grounding her even amidst the cold, chaotic energies that surrounded them. "Good," he said softly. "Because you were never meant to be weak. You were always meant to be extraordinary."

She squeezed his hand, allowing herself a rare moment of vulnerability. "And you, Harry? What will you do with all that power you’ve amassed?"

Harry smiled, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "I suppose I'll keep doing what I’ve always done – protect the ones I care about, and continue searching for knowledge. There’s still so much left to learn, after all."

Together, they stood on the edge of the abyss, the Dark Dimension swirling around them like a living thing, and for the first time in centuries, Hela felt at peace. She wasn’t just a weapon, wasn’t just Odin’s enforcer or a prisoner of her own power. She was Hela, Goddess of Death, and with Harry by her side, she knew that there was no limit to what she could achieve.

From that day forward, her battles became less about proving her strength and more about testing her limits, about pushing herself to become more than she ever thought possible. And as she tore through the Dark Dimension's most fearsome entities, as she conquered realms of shadow and flame, she felt a sense of satisfaction that she had never known before.

There were no chains here, no expectations, no one to tell her what she could or couldn’t do. Here, in this place of pure chaos and darkness, Hela was free. And for that, she would forever be grateful to Harry for showing her the way.

One day, after an especially brutal battle with a towering demon whose skin was harder than iron and whose breath could melt stone, Hela stood amidst the ruins of their battlefield, panting heavily but with a smile of pure, unadulterated joy on her face. Harry approached her, his own magic still crackling in the air, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. "You’re enjoying this far too much."

She laughed, a sound that echoed through the dimension like thunder. "Maybe," she admitted, wiping the blood from her brow. "But can you blame me? After all these years, I finally feel alive."

Harry’s smile softened, and he stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "You were always alive, Hela. You just needed to remember how to live."

And in that moment, as the darkness of the dimension swirled around them, as the echoes of their battles faded into silence, Hela realized that he was right. For the first time in her long, tumultuous life, she wasn’t running, wasn’t fighting against her nature or the expectations of others. She was simply herself – powerful, unyielding, and finally, truly free.