The Doors Stood Open

They sailed west, beyond the failing light of a faded world, and so came at last to the shores of Asgard. The doors to Valhalla stood open, and they threw themselves inside, eyes bright and wet with hope, love and relief.

The hearth was as black as Odin’s missing eye, the benches as empty as their orphaned hearts. Only cold and dead frost claimed Odin’s throne.

They clustered in the center of the echoing nothing, and looked at one another with eyes that said: How do we live now?