Malekith
The golden light of the Asgardian evening had faded into the muted glow of moonlight. Outside, the realm's towering spires gleamed, but inside Loki's chambers, a storm brewed.
Loki paced the room length, his hands clasped behind his back, magic swirling faintly at his fingertips. Thor leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he watched his brother wrestle his thoughts.
"We cannot wait for Father's deadline," Loki said, his voice sharp and urgent. "Malekith will not hesitate. He will come, and when he does, Asgard will be caught unprepared."
"And what do you propose, Loki?" Thor asked, his tone surprisingly calm. "Hide Harry in another realm? Turn him into a fugitive all his life?"
"I propose we act, you oaf." Loki snapped. "The Allfather will waste time debating, and by the time he makes a decision, it will be too late."
Thor frowned. "And what exactly are you suggesting?"
Before Loki could answer, a faint sound caught their attention, a whimper. They turned to see Harry stirring in his bed, his small frame curling in on itself as if warding off something unseen.
"Harry?" Loki was at his side instantly, his hands gentle as he brushed back the boy's sweat-dampened hair.
"Papa..." Harry's voice was trembling, his red-tinged eyes fluttering open. "It's so loud."
Loki frowned. "What's loud, my little gem?" Harry clutched his chest, his small hands trembling. "The light....it's talking. It's angry."
Thor exchanged looks with Loki, "The Aether?"
"It's stirring," Loki muttered, his voice tight. "The closer Malekith gets, the more it reacts." Thor gripped his brother's shoulder, "We must act now." Thor said firmly. "Asgard can withstand an invasion. But Harry cannot face this alone."
Loki hesitated, his gaze falling on Harry's frightened face. For all his power, Loki felt helpless at this moment. But then, as if sensing his father's fear, Harry reached out and grasped Loki's hand. "I trust you, papa, I know you'll keep me safe," Harry whispered. Loki's heart clenched, and his resolve hardened. He would protect Harry, no matter the cost.
The alarms blared, across Asgard as the skies darkened with the arrival of Malekith's fleet. Sleek, black ships descended from the heavens, their jagged forms cutting through the golden light of the city. The air crackled with energy as the first volleys of dark magic struck the palace walls, shaking its very foundations. Loki and Thor arrived just in time to see the chaos.
Frigga approaches the two brothers. "Stay here with your brother and father, they need you here more Loki." Loki was about to say something when Frigga cut him off, "Don't worry about Little Harry, I will stay and protect him, focus on defending Asgard with Thor." Frigga reassures Loki and nods in Thor's direction before running towards Loki's chambers.
"Man the defenses!" Odin's voice boomed through the halls as guards rushed to their posts, weapons drawn. Loki stood on the balcony overlooking the chaos, his face grim. His magic flared green as he hurled bolts of energy at the advancing Dark Elves. Thor swung Mjolnir, sending bolts of lightning crashing into the enemy ranks. The ground trembled as dark magic clashed against Asgardian shields, and warriors fell on both sides. "They'll come for Harry," Loki muttered to Thor, who was beside him.
"I know," Thor replied, gripping Mjolnir tightly. "We must hold the line. Father will secure the palace."
"No," Loki said sharply, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "Malekith isn't here for Asgard, he's here for Harry. He'll come straight for him."
As if on cue, explosions rocked the inner halls of the palace. Loki's heart leaped into his throat. "They're inside!" he hissed, turning on his heel. Thor followed close behind. "We need to split up, I'll guard the main hall. You get to Harry. "
Loki didn't wait for a reply. He sprinted through the corridors, his mind racing. He knew the Dark Elves' cruelty and their obsession with the Aether. They wouldn't stop until they had Harry.
Meanwhile, in Loki's chambers, Harry sat at the edge of the bed, his small hands gripping the blankets tightly as the sounds of the battle echoed closer. Frigga stood in front of him, her sword drawn. "Do not fear, Harry," she said gently. "I will protect you."
"I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me," Harry whispered, his red-tinged eyes glistening with unshed tears. Frigga knelt in front of him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You are not to blame for this, little one. You are stronger than you know and you are very much loved here."
The door to the chamber burst open and two Dark Elves stormed in with their weapons. Frigga moved with precision, her blade slicing through one before the other could react. She turned to the boy. "Stay behind me!"
Harry nodded, trembling, as more Dark Elves poured into the room. Frigga fought valiantly, her sword a blur of motion, but the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed her. One elf managed to knock her to the ground, his weapon poised to strike.
Before he could deliver the blow, a blast of green magic hurled him across the room. Loki strode in, his face a mask of fury. "Get away from my son," he growled, voice dripping with venom. Loki unleashed a torrent of magic, his energy slicing through the Dark elves like a storm. He moved to help Frigga to her feet. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," she said, her gaze shifting to Harry. "But they're not stopping, Loki. Malekith is coming."
Loki turned to Harry, his heart aching at the fear in the boy's eyes. "Harry," he said firmly, kneeling before him. "Stay close to me, do you understand?" Harry nodded, his small hands clutching Loki's sleeve. "I'm scared, papa."
"I know, my gem," Loki said softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "But I won't let them take you." Frigga smiles softly at their interaction, wishing for the better of the future.
As Loki, Frigga and Harry made their way through the palace, the shadows seemed to grow heavier. The air turned cold, and an eerie silence fell. "They've breached the inner sanctum," Frigga whispered. "No," Loki corrected, his voice tight. "He's here."
From the darkness, Malekith emerged, his pale face twisted into a smile. "Prince of Lies," he greeted Loki, his tone mocking. "And the vessel of the Aether. What a touching reunion."
Loki pushed Harry behind him, his magic swirling protectively. "You will not lay a hand on him."
Malekith's gaze shifted to Harry, who peeked out from behind Loki. "The boy," he murmured, his voice reverent. "So small, so fragile, and yet, the Aether chose you. Fascinating." Loki's magic flared brighter. "You'll find I'm far from fragile."
Malekith's smile turned cruel. "Then prove it."
The battle began in a flash of light and shadow. Loki and Frigga attacked in tandem, their magic and steel clashing against Malekith's dark power. The walls trembled with the force of their blows. As the fight raged on, Harry's chest began to glow faintly. The Aether pulsed within him, reacting to the chaos around him. "Papa," he whispered, clutching his chest. "It's happening again."
Loki glanced back, his heart lurching. "Harry listen to me. Focus, you can control it."
"i-I can't," Harry stammered, the red lights spreading through his veins. Malekith's eyes gleamed, "Yes, child. Let the chaos consume you. Embrace the chaos within you."
"Don't listen to him!" Loki shouted, his voice filled with desperation. "You're stronger than him, Harry. You're stronger than the Aether." Harry's breath quickened, but he fixed his gaze on Loki, drawing strength from his father's unwavering presence. Slowly, the light in his veins began to dim, the Aether retreating.
Malekith snarled, his victory slipping from his grasp.
The air crackled with dark energy, the scent of battle thick and acrid as Loki watched Frigga fight to stay on her feet. His mind was racing with desperation as Malekith's dark magic continued to wear her down. His mother was fighting with all her strength, but the force of the enemy's attacks was taking its toll. Loki's heart clenched as he saw Frigga stumble. Malekith was no longer just a threat to Asgard; he was coming for Harry and Loki couldn't allow that to happen.
Frigga barely had time to raise her sword before Malekith struck. His blade sliced through the air, catching her in the side with a deep brutal cut. She gasped in pain, blood pouring from the wound. She staggered backward. her hand pressing to her side, but the damage was done. Her sword slipped from her hand, and she collapsed to her knees, clutching her side as blood stained the floor.
Loki's rage exploded. "No, Mother!" he shouted, his voice thick with fury. He turned towards Malekith, his magic flaring bright and violent. Loki sent a surge of green energy toward Malekith, but the Dark Elf dodged it with ease, his laughter dark and mocking. “You can’t protect her, Loki,” Malekith sneered, his gaze flickering toward Harry, who was now trembling behind Loki. “The Aether is what I want, and nothing will stop me from claiming it.”
Frigga, weakened but resolute, glanced up at her son. “Loki… protect Harry…”
But before Loki could respond, Harry, his small form still trembling with fear, reached out toward Frigga.
The sight of Frigga, someone who cared for him, injured so gravely triggered something deep within Harry. The Aether, which had remained dormant inside him for so long, responded to his fear and desperation. Harry’s red-tinged eyes widened as the power inside him flared, the glow in his veins pulsing brighter than ever.
Loki glanced back at Harry, his voice soft but filled with fear. “Harry, no—”
But it was already too late.
A surge of energy erupted from Harry, pulsing through the room with a force that knocked Loki back. The Aether responded, coursing through Harry’s veins and exploding outward in a wave of destructive power. It wasn’t the chaotic force it once had been—it was controlled now, channeled by Harry’s intense emotions, his fear and his desire to protect those he loved.
“No!” Loki shouted, scrambling to regain his footing, but Harry was already standing, his small hands raised as crimson energy swirled around him.
“Stop hurting her!” Harry cried, his voice trembling. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt!”
Malekith, momentarily stunned, turned toward Harry just as the child’s magic blasted toward him. The energy hit the Dark Elf square in the chest, sending him sprawling across the room, crashing into the stone walls with a violent force. The air vibrated with the power of the Aether, and Loki’s heart skipped a beat.
The room was filled with a blinding red light as Harry’s emotions fueled the power inside him. The Aether didn’t consume him. It became a part of him, controlled by the boy’s will to protect those he loved. And with that control, Harry was able to contain the energy—finally mastering the force that had once threatened to destroy him.
Malekith gasped, his body writhing in agony under the energy that Harry had unleashed. The Dark Elf’s attempt to retaliate fizzled in the face of Harry’s power. Loki’s magic surged around his son, but this time, it wasn’t to protect—it was to guide.
With a final cry, Malekith’s body disintegrated into a cloud of black ash, his form reduced to nothing under the sheer might of the Aether’s power. The silence that followed was deafening.