Extra Chapter {Thank You Loyal Readers}
Axel stood like a statue, unmoving, his eyes locked onto the door with unblinking intensity. Ever since Trisha had told him that his mother had been discharged from the hospital, he had taken up position here, his entire world narrowing to the space in front of him. His heart raced in sync with the seconds that ticked by, each moment feeling longer than the last.
Even though this was what he had asked for, what he had begged Mictlantecuhtli for, why did it feel as if he was standing on the edge of something immense, something he could barely handle?
Behind him, Loki and Hera stood quietly, their presence fading into the background as Axel's focus sharpened. They knew what this moment meant, and they had given him space. Trisha, on the other hand, remained by his side, her arms folded, her eyes occasionally flicking toward him. Despite her usual sharp demeanor, even she was quiet now, sensing the weight of what was about to happen.
Axel's hands trembled at his sides. He had prepared for this—mentally, emotionally—but as the moment drew closer, he couldn't suppress the overwhelming fear that gnawed at him. It had been so long since he'd seen his mother as anything more than a fragile shell in a hospital bed. The guilt weighed on him, an anchor he could never fully discard. He had barely visited her before her death...
her temporary death. If he had been stronger, smarter, more present—maybe things would have been different. Maybe she wouldn't have been taken from them in the first place.
The sound of a car's engine pulling up outside snapped Axel from his thoughts. His heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening as the car came to a halt. The engine cut off, and for a moment, the silence was deafening. Footsteps followed. Axel's breath hitched, his body rigid as the front door's knob slowly turned. The world around him blurred, the only thing in focus was the door as it creaked open.
Annie stepped in first. Her eyes met his, and though she gave him a soft, reassuring smile, it was the figure next to her that caused Axel's heart to stop.
A woman stood beside her—no, *his* mother. The resemblance was undeniable, yet there was something ethereal about her now. Her long white hair cascaded down her back, flowing like silver strands of silk. Her face, though older, was still breathtakingly beautiful, her features untouched by the passage of time.
The white dress she wore seemed to glow in the dim light, accentuating the unnatural yellow shimmer of her eyes—eyes that locked with Axel's the moment she stepped inside.
"Mum?... Mummy?" The words spilled from Axel's mouth before he could stop them, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees, his hands instinctively flying to cover his face as tears streamed down his cheeks. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn't cry, that he would be strong for her.
But seeing her now, alive and standing before him, shattered every wall he had built.
Hera narrowed her eyes, studying Trisha closely. Something about the way she had pulled her out of the room didn't sit right. "You love Axel, don't you?" The words slipped out, a quiet observation rather than an accusation.
Trisha froze. Her entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. For a moment, she said nothing, her back turned to Hera. "No," she finally muttered, though her voice wavered. Read new adventures at m_v-l'e|-novelhall.net
Hera cocked her head, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Was it that obvious?"
Trisha's shoulders sagged slightly, and though she didn't turn around, Hera could sense the blush creeping up her neck. "Shut up," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
Hera let out a small chuckle. "Let's focus on what matters. We can talk about *that* later."
***
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Loki leaned against the counter, biting into an apple as Thor's furious voice echoed from the phone.
"You useless bastard! Did I not order you to bring Axel to me the moment you found him?"
Loki smirked, chewing slowly before replying. "I told you I'd let you know when I saw him. I never agreed to deliver him on a platter, Thor."
"I don't care about your technicalities. You're defying me, Loki."
"You know, you're starting to sound desperate," Loki said, his tone light and teasing. "Axel is my boss now, and my friend. I'm not going to betray him for you."
"First, you take in that brat, and now this?" Thor's voice was seething with anger. "When I find you, Loki—"
The call ended abruptly as Loki hung up, tossing his phone onto the counter with a casual flick. He took another bite of the apple, his mind elsewhere. 'Hurry up with your family reunion, Axel,' he thought to himself. 'You're making more enemies than I can count.'