Asgard was no longer the great and powerful kingdom it had been in it's glory years. All that remained of Asgard was rubble and the remains of buildings that had survived the Ragnarok, the entire population fled and never returned after the Hela and Surtur incident. The only remnants of the land that was once Asgard were large chunks of boulder still floating in space where they originally belonged. Impressively, there was still some atmosphere left on "Asgard", but so what if no life had been born here for a few good years. "New Asgard" consisted of a few large boulders and some smaller ones floating in space around. No trees, no grass, no flowers, even the famous waterfall was gone.
The echo of boots treading on the remains of the cobblestones spread across "Asgard". The figure that made those sounds walked with confident steps towards what was left of the royal castle. But who was this figure? Dressed in armor in shades of black and green with gold accessories. A pale figure with good body posture, tall with long hair. Green eyes and sharp facial lines indicated to only one person.
Loki.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Darkness and nothingness.
That was all that was given to Loki's soul to see just after death. Some people say that the soul after death is free and no longer struggles with anything, this is not true. All Loki could think about was Asgard, Thor, Thanos. Who survived the attack of ship? Was Thor alive? Did Thanos get all the stones and win? Loki had so many questions plaguing him over and over again, but he still didn't know the answers to them. To find the answers to them all Loki, or simply his soul, had to do was to travel through most of the universe. The first thing he encountered was the spaceship the Asgardians were fleeing Asgard in, he was not surprised to find most of the crew floating in space around him was dead. After a short search, Loki now knew the answer to one of his questions. Did everyone die after the attack on the ship? No, the body count did not match the population that was originally on the ship. Loki also found his body, which will come in handy a little later. Luckily, he didn't find Thor's body, which meant he could still be alive or be dead in another end of the universe. What made Loki to take another trip to get answers to the questions. Is Thor alive? Did Thanos finally win?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was not a small challenge to travel as a soul through the universe, and not a small challenge to reach nearby Earth. When Loki finally arrived on this planet, he was in a small town. As soon as he was in the center of town something strange happened. People began to turn into dust, screams and cries spread everywhere. What is happening? Could this be the work of Thanos? Did he win? What had to happen for him to win?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, Loki got answers to his questions. Had Thanos won? Is Thor alive?
Can the soul feel pain? We're not sure, if not what Loki felt when he finally get to know the truth.
Odin is dead, Frigga is dead, Thor is dead, a close friend is also dead. Asgard destroyed, Thanos won, Asgardians left without a king and a roof over their heads.
Maybe if Loki had hurried to reincarnate, he could have managed to help defeat Thanos? Maybe if Loki had left the Tesseract on Asgard, Thanos would never have attacked their ship and all would have ended well? Maybe if Loki hadn't died at Thanos hands everything would have worked out differently?
Is it worth going back to the living right now?
Was anything at all worth anymore?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
- They say murderers like to return to the places of their crimes..... But am I the killer of Asgard?
The echo of the boots become louder and louder. What was bringing Loki to this place? After all, there is nothing to look for here anymore. What did the one who made this kingdom burn search for here?
Asgard, in appearance, resembled a pathetic little caricature. Houses demolished, destroyed to the smallest pieces. The famous royal garden was just a piece of sand, the flowers and trees were gone. Once this place was one of the most beautiful in the nine realms, many specially came to Asgard to see this garden. Once the birthplace of beautiful new life and now a dead piece of land. We could say that this garden was a reflection of what happened to Asgard.
The famous statues of warriors and Norns have broken into small pieces. Only Bor's head remained untouched but still cut off from his body, in the same way Thor and Loki did during their escape to Svartalfheim. Surprisingly, Odin's throne had not been damaged that much, it still stood in its place, only the protruding arches had broken off from the seat.
- Oh, Norns really that stupid throne survived. - his steps turned toward the throne.
The ceiling fresco showing Odin's family was still on the ground, Loki looked with disgust at the fresco showing Hela and Odin conquering the 9 realms. The floor was in not the best condition in some places large holes appeared, walking across it was a bit of a challenge. Loki stood on the steps leading to the throne then turned his eyes on him.
- I can't believe that stupid chair ruined my life. - he said and sighed - You were not worthy my family. - he said then with one kick he separated the backrest of the throne from the seat.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Frigga is dead.
She was murdered by a dark elf while protecting this mortal woman. Why did she do it? She could have left her for dead after all, Thor would have saved the stupid girl and she wouldn't have to sacrifice herself. Loki couldn't even say goodbye to her, couldn't even attend her funeral.
He had just lost the most important person in his life, only she still cared about him no matter what he did she still loved him. And his last words to her were to deny that she was his real mother.
Frigga was his mother and always will be.
----------------------------------------------------------
- I love you my sons. Remember this place. Home. - said Odin then turned into gold dust and disappeared.
Loki couldn't believe what had just happened. Was he really... died? It couldn't be true, not now, not like this. The old fool had to put on a show before his passing. "I love you my sons." I wonder since when did that happen?Loki was always the one in the shadow, the worse one, the unimportant one. Where Thor was his complete opposite, loved by all, the best at everything, the future king of Asgard. It's impossible for Odin to change his mind about Loki, especially after what he did. Maybe the old man went crazy after being under his spell for so long.
Loki never had any intention to kill Odin, he may have hated him for what he did to him and how he destroyed his life but he never wished him death.
And now Odin is gone.
----------------------------------------------------------
It was he who put Surtur's head into the eternal flame, it was he who summoned him. It was he who convict Asgard onto destruction.
Should he really blame himself for the destruction of Asgard? After all, he did it to defeat Hela, it was he who bringed the ship back from Sakaar to save the rest of the Asgardians. Did his deeds even out? He may not have been able to save Asgard, a piece of land, but Asgard is not just a piece of ground after all. Asgard is also people.
-------------------------------------------------------
He was close, Loki felt his presence.
Thanos was close.
He's about to attack their ship and kill everything in his way. And it's all because of him, he could have left the Tesseract on Asgard it would have burned along with the kingdom.
This is all his fault.
-------------------------------------------------
- You will never be a god. - he said after which his vision began to dim. This is his end. But it was worth it at least he had was sure that Thanos would not kill Thor, after all he had already killed half the royal family.
The last thing he heard was Thor's voice saying his name through tears.
All will turn out well the most important thing is that Thor survived.
Everything will be better from now on.
----------------------------------------------
- You should have gone for the head. - Thanos said then snapped his fingers.
Thor looked into his eyes.
- What have you done?" he shouted and pulled the axe from Thanos shoulder. Thanos quickly pushed Thor away then with a smile on his face disappeared into the portal created by the space stone.
- No!
Thor's pulse went up, he found it hard to breathe, goosebumps appeared on his skin. Something was wrong. He looked around as he noticed Winter Soldier turned to dust, followed by Groot, Wanda, T'challa and most of the Wakanda warriors. No screams could be heard but silence.
Thor felt he was about to pass out and his vision was getting darker, he also was turning into dust. His hand turned into dust, as slowly did the rest of his body. Lying on the ground himself, he watched everything falling apart. One by one, everyone on the battlefield slowly disappeared vanishing into the air. It was all because of him, it was all his fault.
- Thanos.....- he said after which he turned into dust.
They have lost.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Two boats appeared over the precipice where the river used to be, filled with various things. In one was Odin's cape, his scepter and war helmet, a bag of money scattered around. In the other boat were the remains of Mjolnir, which by some lucky miracle Loki had managed to steal, also a bag full of money, a red cape and a helmet. Were these objects meant as an alternative to the bodies of the dead, which apparently Loki could not get?
The boats were held up by green magic, and its owner was already coming towards them. Over his shoulder was slung a bow decorated with gold, on his head was his traditional horned helmet. There were only two arrows in his quiver, one paper lantern was attached to his belt.
- I cannot give you a proper funeral, you know what the situation is.-he said laughing quietly- I hope you will not be angry that I disappointed you.
Loki's eyes became glassy and he began to shake a little.
- Am I really going to cry right now? - then he looked at the boats that were supposed to represent the traditional ones used during funerals on Asgard - Yes.
- Let's not drag this out. - he said and walked towards the boat assigned to Odin. - You are first in line, father. I really don't know what kind words I could bring up right now.
Loki was crying.
- You were..... my father, maybe not the best but I wasn't the best son either. Your lies actually ruined my life, I would like to know your point of view on this situation. But I must admit one thing your actions have taught me.... family isn't just the common blood flowing in our veins, it's much more than that." he said sobbing- Thank you for teaching me that. And now rest in peace in Valhalla, Odin Borson.
Loki pushed the boat gently away so that it drifted through the air with his magic, he pulled an arrow from his quiver then set it on fire.
- Goodbye. - he pointed the bow at the boat and released the bowstring.
Odin's boat caught on fire.
- Now it's your turn Thor. - he said turning towards the other boat, he didn't even try to hide his tears anymore - You were supposed to wait for me until the sun will shin again...... But you didn't make it to the end of the night. I miss you Thor.
He laughed then rested against the boat.
- You promised to you'll hug me, now what am I supposed to do? Hug your stupid helmet.- he said, leaning over the boat - The Norns won't be mad that I'm taking something from your coffin, will they? They can't see anything.
He pulled out Thor's red cape. After which he began to stare at the boat, for a long time.
- So goodbye brother, you were one of the greatest warriors of Asgard and Midgard. You were also a great king, maybe not for long but you still did well even without my help.... Rest in Valhalla with our parents, brother.
Loki pushed the boat where his tears made it almost impossible to see. He pulled out another arrow, set it on fire, and pointed it at the boat.
- I love you, Thor.
Shot.
Silence.
He stood there for a long time staring at the nearly burned-out boats, still crying while holding cape in one hand and his bow in the other.
- Alone again. - he said and fell on his knees. His crying was no longer a small tears, but a waterfall.
- I'm sorry for everything I've done. And especially how I destroyed our family. I'm so sorry.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry! - he said while sobbing and holding Thor's cape next to his chest at the same time.
- Please forgive me, I am so sorry.
/ THE END /