Chapter 3
Loki struggled to breathe. The Maw was finally gone. He finally allowed the sheilds around his mind to rest. Physical pain mixed with the attacks on his mind had left them weak, and he would need to rebuild them before the Maw came again.
"Most people don't survive this far," a voice commented from behind him, "much less hold out."
Loki didn't turn. He already knew who was speaking. He hadn't heard the figure speak yet, but they had been watching him ever since that first day. "I suppose I should take that as a complement."
"Take it as what you wish. It will only get worse from here. He'll start to get creative, and he doesn't get to do that often."
"Yes. I do know how torture works."
He could feel them studying him. "Yes, I would suppose you do."
"And what makes you say that?"
"I've been trained as an assassin. I've learned to read people."
"A useful skill."
"Again, as you would know."
"Hm. Wasn't exactly trying to hide that one."
"No. I could easily tell you were watching me."
"You're one to talk."
"I'm not trying to compare."
"No, I suppose not. So, what did he do to you?"
He could feel them stiffen. "Who?"
"Well, I don't believe it was the Maw. Not for someone like you, someone trained here like you were. No, I would think Thanos did that himself."
"You see too much."
"I observe, just like you do. I'm sure you've seen things I don't want you to see. At least I'm up front about it."
"Not everything, I'd guess."
"And wisely. But answer my question."
"Turn around."
"That sounds like a trap."
"I'm sure you can read scars, especially ones as obvious as mine. Turn around."
Loki followed their instructions. They- she- was inside the cell this time, visible. Immediately, he could see.what she was talking about. Much of her body had been removed, replaced by metal parts.
"Thanos must really hate you."
"It was to improve me." He could hear the hate in her voice. He could understand it, the need to be more, only to be told he wasn't enough, again and again and again. The woman continued speaking, her eyes cold. "My sister was always better, and every time she won, a new piece became metal. But I still never won."
Loki was speaking before he knew what he was doing. "On my world, I was one of two princes. My brother was always better, always stronger, and while I was better suited, it was always him who would one day be king. I was always in his shadow."
She smiled grimly. "One day, I will win."
Loki sighed. "That option isn't available to me anymore, and maybe it never was. But maybe I will find another way someday." He laughed without humor. "Or maybe I will die here."
"You don't sound worried about that."
"I dropped off the side of my planet by my own choice. I didn't do that expecting to survive."
"Well, tell me if you ever want any help with that." She turned to walk away.
"Do I get a name?" Loki asked, instead of asking how, he was suppossd to tell her. So far, he'd only seen her when she'd come to him. He couldn't exactly walk around asking after a half-metal woman who had promised to help him die. Not that he'd really need help at that point.
"Nebula," she told him before leaving his cell, the door shutting behind her.