Interlude Loki
Loki went to help Peter sleep again. Really, he shouldn't have argued with Sylvie. She was right that it was a weak lie. But he couldn't think of a better one. He should tell her the truth. Loki cared deeply for Sylvie. He was always the more responsible brother. However, he was younger, second, irrelevant. Firstborn Thor Odinson was Prince of Asgard. His younger brother wasn't that important anymore. It was different with Sylvie. She accepted his care. She could complain, argue, scream, but she always accepted Loki's concern in the end.
Why couldn't Thor be similar?
He wanted to cheer him up after his failed coronation. He wanted to avoid a confrontation with Laufey. He wanted to speak up for Thor when the All-Father yelled at him. He wanted to be a good brother. He never wanted to hurt Thor. The Destroyer was only meant to hit Thor, not kill him. The Kinslayer. How appropriate for a parricide which he did for his adoptive father. Loki looked at Peter. His heart was consumed by guilt. If he wasn't weak, Peter would still have his family. Loki touched his cheek gently.
Loki started to sing softly to Peter.
His voice sounded like a breeze whispering stories of sailors. About long journeys, unknown lands, sunken treasures.
The night danced to Loki's song. The stars shone like lanterns over people who love.
On such a night you can say goodbye to the dead.
Peter's tears said goodbye to his family.
Each tear was like a fragment of map.
Thanks to it, his relatives to find their way to Valhalla.
They were certainly worthy Valhalla because of their kind of death.
Þat mælti mín móðir Þat mælti mín móðir, at mér skyldi kaupa fley ok fagrar árar, fara á brott með víkingum, standa upp í stafni, stýra dýrum knerri, halda svá til hafnar hǫggva mann ok annan, hǫggva mann ok annan. Þél höggr stórt fyr stáli stafnkvígs á veg jafnan út með éla meitli andærr jötunn vandar, en svalbúinn selju sverfr eirar vanr þeiri Gestils ölpt með gustum gandr of stál fyr brandi.
Peter fell asleep.
Loki went out to find Sylvie. He needed to talk to her. She wasn't home. It was already late. Where did she go?
Loki pulled out a tesseract to move to Sylvie.
Suddenly he felt as if his head had been torn open. Loki fell. He began to breathe heavily.
"Asgardian!" hissing voice appeared in Loki's ear.
It was The Other.