Mu
[Asgard]
Rage was a dangerous motivator and Loki knew it too well. Yet, in that moment the only thing he could trust was his rage because everything else he believed in had failed him.
For one moment, while he was on Pandora, he thought he had a sense of purpose and in another moment, Odin had taken that away.
He had arrived back in Asgard a few hours ago and was told by the court’s messenger that he had to wait.
Thor would have listened. But he was no Thor.
His seidr was raw as he pressed the arched doors to open.
Immediately, the guards that would safeguard the king had turned in his direction while holding onto their respective spears and swords in a defensive position.
I don’t have time for this, Loki mused darkly as a flurry of green waves covered his hands. Almost immediately, the guards were forced to kneel.
“Loki,” Odin shouted as he stepped forward with Gungnir in hand. “Stop this.”
His piercing green eyes found Odin. “You did this.”
“You were about to involve Asgard with war… a realm that isn’t even under our protection,” Odin snarled. “I did what was required… to safeguard tradition, and laws.”
“Laws?” Loki snarled as he took a step forward. “You choose them as you please. Where were these laws when you conquered the other realms? Where were these laws when you stole a baby from Jotunheim?”
“I saved you,” Odin returned as he stepped forward. “I saved you from a life of death.”
“By giving me a life worthy of death,” Loki screamed as he let a bellowing screech loose. “A life… to live in the shadows of your golden son… to be nothing more than discarded goods.”
“Never,” Odin answered as he stepped forward. He dropped Gungnir and had his arms apart. “I do not wish to fight, my son, I just want to talk.”
“Talk?” Loki screeched. “You used the Bifrost to get me from Pandora without talking… you brought me back to Asgard without talking… no, the only peasantry conversations I’ve had till this point has been with the messengers outside,” he continued. When Loki saw Odin opening his mouth to respond, Loki immediately pulled his hand up in front as he motioned him to stop. “And now you want to talk?” Loki roared.
“Loki,” Odin started.
“Cease this pathetic – whatever this is,” Loki cut in. “I told you then… I’ll tell you now, I have grown Odin King… grown in ways that you could scarcely imagine. That pathetic boy who sought attention and love is no more… this is the result of your doing – the result of your hands,” he continued grimly as his eyes frantically darted from side to side as he did his utmost to maintain some form of composure.
“That’s enough Loki,” Frigga squirmed as she entered the throne room with Lorelei and Amora at her side.
“This doesn’t concern you mother,” Loki shouted. “This has never concerned you,” he added hastily while immediately regretting his choice of words.
“You have your father pinned against the wall while your seidr is running amuck,” Frigga answered as she stepped forward. “If I am not here when my son and husband are at wits’ end… then when can I ever be concerned?” she asked softly.
“He’s not my father,” Loki shouted while staring at Odin. “He was never my father.”
“Then am I not your mother?” she asked softly as she stepped closer to Loki.
“Don’t come any closer to me,” Loki frantically shouted.
“Girls,” Frigga murmured softly.
Loki’s eyes widened. Immediately, in the corner of his eye, he could see Lorelei and Amora joining hands as a wave of seidr crept over him as he was forced to kneel.
“Traitors,” Loki snarled as he venomously tried to break through.
“You are strong,” Frigga murmured softly as she rubbed Loki’s head. “But even you know… numbers will beat might.”
“Gah,” roared Loki as he was forced to his knees.
“You are not making this easy, Prince,” winced Lorelei.
“I thought I taught you better,” Loki retorted as magical, invisible restraints forced his hands onto his back as he let a cackling laughter flicker into existence. “This won’t hold me.”
“It will,” answered Amora as she stepped forward.
“It’s time,” Frigga said to Odin.
Immediately, Loki’s attention was caught. Shifting his view to face his mother and father, he said, “Time for what?” he snarled.
“Frigga,” Odin started.
“No,” she snarled venomously. “I lost him once… I remember the pain… I remember losing my mind… no more,” she continued. “No more, Odin.”
[Flashback Begins]
A queen by marriage, yet a seidr user by birth. But, when title and skill have been skinned away, she was a wife and mother first.
Masked and basked in a garden of green she could do nothing but cogitate as her heart yearned for her lost child. She believed that mothers should not outlive their children. Yet, knowing what she knew, she could not stop the overwhelming sense of pain, guilt and suffering from funnelling through her body as she spiralled across the garden with her arms apart.
A garden that she and Loki had used on many occasions. With rich memory intact, Frigga found that she could recall the profound memories of when Loki started walking, to memories of when he started using seidr.
Yet, knowing what she knew. She could not smile.
She wanted to grieve, but with Odin and Thor at odds, she knew that she would get no rest nor peace.
Odin and Thor, she thought. Stubborn as mules, she added as an afterthought.
Accidental seidr was not unheard of, but it was uncommon for the elderly to display it. It meant that there was a lack of control over emotions. And at that moment, Frigga did not care.
It was a wee small thing. A green silhouette of her dark prince. When she thought about it, she could only describe it with one word. Immaculate.
It played homage to warmth and growth. Something that had ceased to exist.
“Hello, mother,” the silhouette said.
“My son,” Frigga replied with a short smile as her eyelids became wet.
“Am I?” the silhouette cackled.
“Yes,” she ushered desperately. “Always.”
“Nei,” the silhouette responded grimly.
“Please,” she commanded.
“I was never your son. A stolen relic, by Odin-King. Captured and conquered for a purpose,” he continued maliciously.
“No,” she screamed into the wind. Her breathing hardened as a sense of panic waved. Were these his last thoughts as he fell into the void? That he wasn’t loved? That he didn’t have a purpose as her son?
“For what it’s worth. You were a mother. You taught me seidr in these very gardens. You were more family… than Thor and Odin. So, thank you,” the silhouette muttered quaintly as it turned away.
“Loki,” she stuttered. It was a moment of weakness, and it was dire and costly. She knew better, but she could not help herself. It was instinctive. After all, what mother didn’t want to hold her child? As her hand gently tried to grasp the fleeing silhouette of the fallen prince, she knew that there would be no physical touch.
Instead, her eyes widened as the silhouette of green decolourised.
Fading into the light, she found herself lost and alone.
Hot tears streamed down her face as she failed to squeeze her eyelids shut in the hopes of stopping the overwhelming tears. Combined with her heaving breathing she couldn’t help herself as she curled her body into a ball.
[Flashback Ends]
“What is she – what is mother talking about?” Loki asked as Odin sighed.
“This,” he answered softly as he stepped forward.
“What are you doing?” Loki roared as he tried his utmost to move against Lorelei’s and Amora’s seeping magic.
“A memory,” Odin answered as he fell to his knees. Slowly, but steadily he placed his arms on Loki’s temple and pressed his forehead against his. “A conversation between myself and your two courtiers when you fell… a memory that served purpose.”
[Flashback Begins]
His eye bulged as he stood a little taller. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Tell me.”
Amora nodded. “When Loki was sitting upon the throne – Sif and the Warriors Three attended and asked that they reverse your last will -,” Amora started.
“My last will … was banishing Thor,” Odin noted. Of course, they would, he mused darkly.
“Prince Loki denied it. With what has happened in Jotunheim… Prince Loki informed us that we were on the verge of war. If it’s true… that there was a fight on Jotunheim, then Sif and the Warriors Three would have been privy to such knowledge,” Lorelei continued dryly as she walked towards the window once more. She could feel the tears on the brim of her eyelid, but she refused to give in.
“They were privy to such knowledge,” Odin hummed. “I was there, after all,” he added gently.
“And as such, he needed everyone to be ready. To be prepared. Prince Loki had told Heimdall that the Bifrost is not to be in operation and that Sif and the Warriors Three should not leave,” Amora continued grimly.
Her voice was coarse and hostile. If this was another day, Odin might have done something about it. But having lost Loki, he couldn’t help but admire their loyalty to him.
“Prince Loki was desperate. He didn’t know anyone… he was a social outcast. So, he tasked himself with the impossible,” Lorelei said in a feral tone.
“It enraged him… that his first command as regent was thrown aside. He saw red when he froze Heimdall with the Casket of Ancient Winters. He was the gatekeeper to Asgard, not to a mere prince… he had lost faith in him,” Amora continued as she ignored Odin’s gawking expression. “Then our Prince proceeded to find out how he could go about reversing the matter at hand - Thor’s banishment.”
“The plan was simple,” Lorelei said. “Loki couldn’t simply rescind your last command. Besides, that’s not in Prince Loki’s volatile nature… so the Prince… the acting King, had me and Amora research worthiness. We took the matters into our own hands and asked the council members and delved into some reading in the library. We reported our conclusions to the Prince.”
“A state of absolute fear had to be reached,” Amora continued pleadingly. “Prince Loki would have no choice but to inform Thor that you had died… it pained him, but he had no choice. It was better than saying you fell asleep… for Thor would not have arrived at Asgard.”
“It was the best manner in which Thor could humble himself quickly,” Lorelei said silently before coming to a halt. A moment passed before she continued. “Knowing that you had died… it would make Thor think along the lines of what he did wrong to lose his father rather than wondering why he had been stripped of his abilities.”
“Then, there was the final part. The heroic act,” Amora continued. “Prince Loki got the destroyer to go after Thor.”
“Thor would be forced into such a corner… that he would have no choice but to fight for righteousness,” Lorelei ushered in a low, hushed tone. “There is no better righteousness than death itself,” she added in an even quieter tone.
A single tear trickled down from the empty socket hidden behind the eye patch. “I didn’t…”
“The irony is not lost,” Amora noted sadly. “Loki had assumed that Thor was still the same Asgardian that was fixated on the destruction of Jotunheim… yet it was not the case it seems.”
“His own doing… to do what was right… was his end,” Lorelei answered meekly.
“And he dealt with Laufey while all of this was happening,” Amora noted with a ghastly chuckle. “Prince Thor has returned as a hero… and Prince Loki has been discarded as a ravaged beast lost to time… not even worthy of a burial rite to Valhalla.”
“In the end… he was all alone… he had no choice but to manipulate matters into his own hands. He had no one in his corner… he didn’t know who he could turn to after the Warriors Three and Heimdall defected from their duty,” Lorelei said grimly. Yet, as she did so, she couldn’t help but let her lips curl upward. “Unlike everyone else though… he chose his own path,” she added with conviction.
“The mightiest death possible,” Amora nodded in turn as she eyed her sister. No words were needed. They were sisters by blood and kin. Yet, their eternal stares towards each other painted a thousand words that Odin couldn’t comprehend.
Instead, fury crept into existence. His aura darkened as curtains, and woven quilts fluttered against the turbulent winds created by Odin’s seidr. Fixtures that had been nailed and pierced began to quake and shudder.
Rage danced on his fingertips as his body allowed his Aesir blood to move more smoothly. He was angry, he was annoyed, and he wanted revenge.
Their actions have cost me a son. An action that can no longer be overlooked, he mused darkly as he walked towards the arched windows. He ignored Amora’s and Lorelei’s stricken stares.
Instead, he looked at the darkness that Loki found comfort in. His son was right in many ways, but wrong in a number. His greatest regret was not teaching them. But going forward… I will live by them, he mused grimly.
[Flashback Ends]
Loki gasped as Odin pulled away from him as he turned his gaze to Lorelei and Amora. “You told him,” he said. There was no hint of malice laced on his lips, just shock and surprise.
“Of course,” Lorelei answered while Amora nodded in agreement.
“Even after finding out about my heritage,” Loki whispered.
“You are our Prince… Blue or not, you are Asgardian,” Amora murmured softly.
Blue or not, you are Asgardian, Loki mused silently as he turned his gaze to his mother and father.
“I have erred… I feel it, and know it,” Odin said, “But, not a day goes by when I haven’t sought a chance at redeeming myself as your father,” he continued as Frigga held onto his arm tightly.
Loki nodded silently as a million thoughts passed through his mind.
One way or another, this was his family.
He didn’t know why, but his body moved autonomously and he verily followed.
Slowly, but steadily, deepened blue surfaced from within as his jarring green piercing eyes turned to a shade of red.
Lorelei and Amora gasped.
For the briefest moment he expected them to attack, to shout filthy remarks but then he realised that they were surprised that he had broken through their seidr as he was now standing with his arms at his side.
Jotun and Asgardian, Loki mused as he looked at Odin and Frigga.
They seemed smaller.
No, I’m taller, he mused. He wasn’t as tall as most Frost Giants, but he was taller and it was notable.
He took a step forward.
He half expected Odin and Frigga to take a step back, but they didn’t.
They accept me… or they have already accepted me, he mused.
“Odin,” Loki started stoically. Immediately, his choice of word filled him with a sense of dread as he watched Odin wincing in return. “No,” he murmured while shaking his head. “Father,” he attempted in a softer tone. “While I cannot forget… I have forgiven you.”
It wasn’t perfect, and it was far from ideal, but in that moment, Loki realised that his father had aged significantly. He could see cracks of rustled skin bursting through.
Regardless of what has passed, his father tried his best. Whether his best was enough was a different matter, but for now, this was good enough.
“Thank you,” Odin answered as he stepped forward. “Can I?” he asked softly.
“Err,” Loki murmured.
“Loki,” Frigga admonished playfully.
“Yes,” Loki answered as he leaned forward. In return, Odin had his arms afar as he embraced his son into a heartwarming hug.
“I want a hug next,” Lorelei chimed while Amora simply shook her head.
“Amora,” Loki mulled grimly as he stepped back while maintaining his gaze on Odin. “I want to… no, I need to return to Pandora.”
Odin sighed. “Very well.”
“Listen,” Loki started before abruptly blinking. “Wait… what did you just say?”
Odin smiled. “I made a mistake all those years ago when I failed to notice you. It was my mistake that led you down a path of secrecy – no more.”
“The laws,” Loki started.
“Are just that… laws that can be adapted, reformed and regulated,” Frigga answered. “One of the reason’s your father sought you – was to buy some time as the councils needed time to pass new reforms. After all, you did accept Eywa’s taking… to safeguard Pandora.”
Immediately Loki’s eyes widened. “Heimdall told you,” he deduced. “Of course, he has… he’s such a chitter chatter.”
“If you were to stand on the bridge… looking into the stars day in and night out, you would as well,” Heimdall murmured as he entered the throne room while Loki’s expression of amusement changed to one of annoyance.
Heimdall simply smiled. “It is done, my King and Queen… they are ready”
“Excellent,” Odin answered with a bellowing smile as he walked past Loki. “Come… time is of the essence.”
“Huh?” Loki asked while dazed. “What’s happening?” he asked while Frigga matched Odin’s every step.
“Come along Prince,” Amora and Lorelei murmured hastily as they pushed him from behind to follow the King and Queen.
*
[Pandora]
They thought they had time, they couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Less than a day had gone by, and in that moment, Spider knew that his luck had run out.
The RDA were swift and merciless as they launched a full-frontal attack that came from the skies and the seas.
In the corner of his eye, he could see piled bodies bleeding senselessly as they swarmed and gravitated towards the vast ocean that he fondly adored. What was meant to be clear, was now filled with deepened clots of red.
“Spider,” Quaritch screamed. “Boy… get your ass over here,” he said as he sauntered towards him in a drunken state. Truthfully, not drunk but tired from the exhausting bloodshed.
“No,” Spider whispered as he tepidly crawled backwards.
“Spider, run,” Jake screamed as Neytiri was thrown aside by Quaritch’s might.
“Pathetic,” Quaritch screamed as he ran towards Jake. Immediately, the pair began rolling across softened sand while trying to gain the upper hand.
It seemed that destiny was against him.
Spider gasped when Quaritch held his hands against Jake’s neck.
He could hear the faintest harsh gasping sounds that would escape Jake’s lips.
Fear and panic crept into his mind, as a single thought blossomed into existence, that his luck had ran out.
“Boy,” Quaritch said as he dragged Jake across the softened sand.
“Let him go,” Spider snarled venomously, much to Jake’s protest who kept motioning him to run away.
“My own flesh… attempted to kill me,” Quaritch sneered. “And for what? This… thing?” he roared. “No… that cannot go unpunished. Everyone will die today.”
Spider’s eyes widened. In the corner he could see Kiri and Tuk being rounded by the other recons while bodies continued to pile in tenfold.
On the other side he could see Lo’ak and Neteyam doing their best to fight, but even he could see that they were losing ground.
In that moment, he came to a resounding conclusion. A conclusion he had always known.
He was weak, and that it was his fault.
There was no victory.
There was only death and failure.
His hands had found the Exopack.
He remembers when he first unclasped the Exopack.
He remembers Kiri’s screams.
He remembers smiling as he fell into the ocean.
And in that moment, he understands Loki’s psychotic tendencies as he lets a cackle loose.
His hands scurry across the Exopack till it finds the Velcro that holds his Exopack in place.
He knows that what he’s about to do is cowardice.
That it’s his way of running away.
That it’s his peace to die on his own terms without fighting.
What he didn’t expect was another onto his hand. Turning his head to the side, he sees it’s Neytiri.
“Back again?” Quaritch sneers as he eyes both Neytiri and Spider. “I presume, that you want to trade?”
Trade, Spider muses as memories of what happened before surfaces.
Release or I cut.
“No,” Neytiri answered in a weakened tone as she eyed Jake with a saddened smile before turning to face Spider. “He is mine… he is my child… there will be no trade.”
Quaritch laughed. “Wild beasts caring for humans… crazy,” he chuckled. “I’ll kill him… you know,” he said while pointing towards Jake with his free hand.
“I know,” Neytiri answered while cupping Spider into her side. “Eywa knows all,” she whispered.
“Pity,” Quaritch said as he plucked a knife from his side and had it raised above Jake’s head.
“No,” screamed Spider as Neytiri held onto him tightly.
Being helpless, he expected the worst as his gaze changed from Neytiri to Jake frantically as he came to a resounding ‘This was my fault’. Then, he felt himself drowning.
Yet, in his darkest moments, he heard a whisper.
The faintest of whispers of the most angelic voice he has ever heard.
He comes, Eywa ushered.
-
The horned helmet was the helmet Loki wore when he would partake in battles, symbolising the sorcery he wields while also showcasing his devotion to Asgard.
Yet, as it rested on his head, it felt different with a whole new perception.
Immediately, the crystal-like rainbow colours engulfed him while providing him with a sense of warmth.
The transition was at most, a few seconds, but in that moment, it felt more.
To his side, he could see his brother with Mjolnir at the ready, with a smile that could melt mountains.
Sentiment, Loki mused silently.
[Flashback Begins]
“Absolutely not,” Loki answered as he apprehensively took a step back. “I don’t want the Einherjar to come… least of all, you,” Loki snarled at Thor while turning to face his father and mother. “I’ve always done things alone… and the enemy is a mere mortal.”
“And you are a prince,” Frigga answered as she subtly jabbed Loki in the ribs. “You must act accordingly.”
“No,” Loki venomously answered while shaking his head. “I didn’t agree to this.”
“You did agree to giving me a chance to be a better father,” Odin answered in ushered whispers. “You are a Prince of Asgard… there will be no going about things on your own. Not anymore.”
Loki seethed.
“Look at him,” Lorelei pursed as she rolled her shoulders.
“He acts like a child,” Amora added softly while letting a bemused grin appear as her lips curled upward.
“Ahem, ahem,” Heimdall said in a monotone. “The war has started… and you are needed.”
“Thank you,” Loki ghastly said as he ventured over to Heimdall. “Someone here has some sense.”
“I will activate the Bifrost for all those who are going,” Heimdall said, while Loki scowled.
“See,” Thor said as he walked past his friends and family. “It will be an adventure like the old… me, you, Sif, the Warriors Three as well as the Einherjar… good versus evil,” he continued while chuckling.
“Adventures where I was forced to tag along,” Loki answered while rolling his eyes.
“Tomato, tomato,” Thor answered idiomatically.
“Excuse me?” Loki asked with his head to the side.
“A mortal saying,” Thor said with a loud chuckle.
Loki just shook his head while his father grinned and his mother looked on with a tearful smile.
[Flashback Ends]
“Sentiment,” Loki mulled as the rainbow colours dispersed. Immediately, he found himself standing behind Quaritch. “A dead body should remain dead,” he mulled as memories of Spider killing him came to mind.
“What the fuck?” Quaritch screamed as he turned around with Jake under his might.
“Surprise,” Loki taunted as a dagger materialised.
Before Quaritch could process the implausible, Loki had shifted to his frost giant form while also guiding his dagger to Quaritch’s neck. “Exemplary, if I do say so myself,” as he feverishly licked his tongue while letting his dagger borrow deeper and deeper.
“Loki,” Thor mulled. “You’re turning all dark… there are children around, you know?” he murmured while letting Mjolnir do most of the work.
“Quite,” Loki answered with a small smile before looking down. “Are you still alive?” Loki asked Jake while holding onto Quaritch’s still body.
“Yes,” Jake rasped while rubbing onto his neck.
“Loki,” Spider screamed as he ran towards him. Playfully, Loki smiled and let Spider crash into him which led them both to tumble and roll across the softened sand as mighty roars from the Einherjar could be heard. “You made it,” he murmured while holding onto him tightly. “You made it.”
“You doubted me – a god?” Loki asked playfully while rubbing Spider’s head.
“Never,” Spider whispered while hiding behind his muffled tears.