Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 10:

Hela had fought in many battles. She had faced a large number of opponents. Even with sparing partners, many feared finding death at her hands. Their fear wouldn't have been too unreasonable. Sometimes, she did get lost in the thrill of the fight, and accidents happened.
But she had to admit, none had ever entertained her as much as her current sparing partner.
She ducked another swipe at her neck and aimed her sword for her opponent's legs. The woman easily jumped out of the way.
"You have good reflexes." She commented.
"So do you." Nebula replied as she fainted an attack to Hela's right with her dagger. "I have to ask, why again are we using sharp weapons?"
Hela rolled her eyes as she blocked both Nebula's fake attack and her real kick to the left.
"Why, are you scared I will hurt you by accident?"
Nebula scoffed.
"No, you couldn't hurt me, believe me."
Hela smirked.
"Never say never." She said casually.
She attempted another blow to the woman's side. The cyborg avoided.
"But as for your original question," She continued. "I feel no need to use such things. I never used any such weapon as a child, so I feel no need now."
Nebula only shrugged and continued their duel.
They continued to exchange blows for another few minutes. Then, Hela heard a cry from the sidelines.
"Stop." She said, banishing her sword.
She turned and walked toward the side of the training-yard, where a cot held Vidar, who had just woken up. Hela picked him up gently. It looked like it was time for another feeding. She walked over to one of the benches and, without a care for the other occupant of the yard, began to feed the small child.
Over the past week, she had become more accustomed to caring for Vidar. She was still finding herself less rested than she would have liked, but she supposed that sacrifices had to be made. At least she could easily use the breast-milk spell Freya had taught her. And at least she had finally figured out how to change Vidar properly, without having to ask for the Vanir Queen's assistance.
The child was never too far apart from her. She did not wish to risk any harm coming to him, and she did not trust anyone to tend the boy, save for herself.
She had gone so far as to have a mobile cot built for him, so she could bring him wherever she went around the fortress.
Nebula walked over to her and sat on the other end of the bench.
"You are really attached to him, aren't you?" She asked.
Hela shrugged.
"I have taken him as my own, so he is my responsibility." She replied. "And I at least wish to be a better parent than Odin." She added bitterly.
The two women were silent as Hela finished feeding Vidar. She righted her tunic and cradled the child.
"You were good out there." Nebula said. "I can see why so many people are afraid of you."
Hela shrugged.
"I suppose I can at least thank Odin for that." She said.
She stared off into the distance, gently rocking Vidar.
"From the moment he discovered my ability to summon weapons, he saw me as more of a tool than a daughter." She continued absently. "He trained me mercilessly. If I was injured, it was more own fault. So what if we were using sharp weapons from the start, instead of blunted or wooden blades."
She could see out of the corner of her eye, the slight tensing of Nebula's jaw.
"Thanos was just as bad." The cybernetic woman said. "Every time I lost a fight with my sister Gamora, he would take another piece of me, saying it would make me stronger."
Hela glanced over at her. She had to admit, over the past week, the two of them had become closer. Hela would almost say they were friends.
"Our fathers turned us into weapons." She began. "And now, they will reap what they have sawn."
Hela saw Nebula's expression twitch into a dark grin.
"I look forward to tearing him apart, just as he did to me." She said.
"I would not speak so soon." Hela commented. "I too, have reason to end The Mad Titan, just as much as you."
Hela's face hardened.
"For while he may have hurt you in more ways than we care to count, I was forced to watch helplessly as that monster tortured my son." She growled the last few words.
Nebula eyed her.
"I remember that, you know." She commented. "I never participated, but I heard just how much fun they had."
Hela grinned maliciously.
"And I will have fun tearing them to shreds."
Nebula continued to eye her.
"I did see him a few times." She continued. "You look like him. Well, except for the few times he turned blue."
"His Frost-giant form." Hela said casually. "The few times that I have seen him in that form, he more resembled his father than myself."
"Is it true?" Nebula asked. "That he killed him?"
Hela nodded.
"Yes, I saw it for myself." She replied. "Laufey was a good man, but unfortunately too trusting."
"So you don't mind that..." Nebula began.
"What, that Loki killed him?" Hela asked, raising an eyebrow. "I know that it was not entirely his fault. He only did it to impress Odin."
"Did you love him?" Nebula asked.
Hela scoffed.
"I still do not know." She replied honestly. "I was never shown love, so I do not know how to recognise it."
"How can you learn what is never shown?"
Hela chuckled.
"I asked Odin the exact same question." She commented.
Nebula looked off into the distance.
"I do not know how I feel about Gamora." She began absently. "I hate her, because she would always defeat me, which led to Thanos..."
She shook her head.
"But then, I remember how we used to be, despite the constant pain."
She clenched her fists.
"She always thought to win. That's all she ever wanted, to win. But all I wanted was a sister."
She shook her head again.
"I don't know why I'm telling you all this."
"You need to let it out." Hela said. "Believe me, I am no stranger to anger."
She glared at the wall.
"It is like a blazing inferno, all consuming, and dangerous."
She chuckled.
"Laufey would always say I had a spirit that burnt bright enough to light up Yggdrasil."
Her slight smile turned into a smirk as sharp as a knife.
"And now, I hope to see Asgard burn."
They were silent once again.
"You know," Hela began. "We are not so different, you and I."
Nebula nodded.
"We both had horrible fathers, and we will both be the reason for their ends."
Hela smirked.
"They have both built great empires." She began. "And soon, they will fall."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"So am I." Hela replied.

Hela looked over the maps before her. She was currently sitting in the war-room with her generals, planning the assault on the Asgardian Colony of Alfheim.
"From what Lord Frey has told us," She began. "The asgardians have been strengthening their defenses. However, I doubt they would have found a way to combat magical attacks in a week. The people of Alfheim are said to be even greater sorcerers than the people of Vanaheim, so we will not have any problems in executing the same plan as before..."
"Actually, I beg to differ."
Everyone in the room turned to see a figure where there had been no one before.
It was Loki. Only, he looked different to the last time she had seen him. For instance, he was not in his preferred asgardian form. His pale skin was now blue, covered in markings, and his emerald eyes were now blood red.
These red eyes were now examining the room.
"Loki," Hela began. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"I thought, seeing as we are now allies, that I should be a part of these little meetings."
He walked over to the table and conjured a seat for himself.
"Take a seat, why don't you." She muttered sarcastically.
"As I was saying," He continued, ignoring her comment. "I do not believe it would be wise you use the same strategy twice."
"Oh, and why not?" Hela asked. "It worked well on Vanaheim."
"Because," Loki began. "Odin, for all his faults, is no fool. He would have thought of better ways to increase the defenses of the colonies, other than merely sending reinforcements."
He lent back in his seat casually.
"And do not forget, while he may scoff at the idea of men using magic, he has the Odinforce, the power of Asgard itself, at his fingertips. He could have easily erected some form of barrier around the colony, without Lord Frey or anyone else the wiser."
He laced his fingers behind his head and his lips twitched in a casual smirk. Hela half expected him to kick his feet up on the table.
"And in any case," He continued. "Odin may anticipate you will target Alfheim next, due to the Queen's consort being Freya's twin."
The Frost-Giants around the table began to mutter.
"Then what would you suggest?" One of them asked.
Loki lent forward, suddenly serious.
"If we can not go through the defenses, then perhaps we could go under."
There were more mutters.
"How?" A frost-giant demanded.
"Simple." Loki replied. "We use some of Frey and Freya's sorcerers to dig tunnels under the colony."
He pointed to several areas on the map.
"Not too many, as then the stability of the ground may be compromised. I suggest four, in each of the cardinal directions. They can then all meet near the centre. Make a perimeter around the centre, and spread outward."
"Will we not then be trapped and surrounded by the asgardians?"
Loki shook his head.
"Not if we are able to push them towards the edges. I am sure that the combination of magic and weapon will be able to keep the asgardians on their toes."
He then traced a circle around the colony.
"If Odin has indeed erected a barrier around the colony, then they will be trapped between our forces and their protection. And, knowing the stupidity of asgardians, many of them would rather die than surrender, so if you wish for prisoners, it may be difficult. All you will have to do is keep them away from the tunnels, and to be careful of any noncombatants and children, of course."
"And what if there is no barrier?" Someone asked. "And if there is, what do you suggest we do if they are able to remove it?"
"We make a blockade around the colony." Loki replied. "I am sure that with the combined forces of Jotunheim, Vanaheim and Alfheim, that will be manageable. Especially with our greater skills with magic."
"And why should we do anything you suggest?"
"Silence fool." Skjold barked. "Do as even know who this is?"
The offending Frost-giant scoffed.
"Of course I know who this is." He replied. "He..."
"Is Loki Laufeyson." Skjold interrupted. "Our rightful king, regardless of anything he may have done in the past."
Loki eyed Skjold in either suspicion or curiosity, and Hela sighed. She may have been able to convince the vast majority of Jotunheim that Loki was not completely at fault for the death of Laufey, but there were still a few who she knew still harboured negative feelings towards her son.
Loki turned his attention to the Frost-giant who had spoken out against him.
"I understand why there may me a few misgivings concerning where my loyalties lie." He began. "I admit that once, I was loyal to Odin. However, after all that he has done, I feel I can no longer stand aside while he continues to exude his dominance across the Nine Realms."
"is that all you have to say?" The frost-giant demanded, going to his feet. "After you betrayed Laufey, a better king than Asgard had ever had. A good, and loyal man who trusted you, only to be stabbed in the back in the name of Odin."
"Do you not think that I regret my past actions?" Loki hissed. "Believe me, I do. I was a fool, seeking approval from a man who would never give me the time of day."
"Oh, so is that what you are?" The frost-giant sneered. "The great God of Mischief, little more than a boy, desperate for a daddy."
Loki clenched his fists and green magic swirled around them. Hela made to show the frost-giant his place, but Loki met her eyes and shook his head.
"This is more than just my personal quarrels with Odin." Loki said through clenched teeth. "My eyes have now been opened to the true cruelty of the supposed "Protector of the Nine Realms". He is arrogant, and cruel. He believe that Asgard should rule over all others. He pretends to be a carrying, benevolent king, but we all know he only cares about himself."
He looked around the table at the frost-giant gathered.
"I know that you may not trust me. To be honest, I would not blame you. But know, that I want nothing more than to see Odin dead, and to see his kingdom fall around him."
Everyone around the table muttered to themselves. The frost-giant who had spoken against Loki, defeated, sat down.
Hela called the room to order.
"Now that that is out of the way," She began. "Loki, do you have any more suggests?"

Loki stood, lent against one of the icy walls. He stared down at his blue, frost-giant hand. He had thought it wise to take on his jotun form, as it may win him some favour with the frost-giant. He felt that perhaps it made some sort of difference. At least they were not attacking him. Only one had spoken out against him, and one had even defended him. Though, Hela may have had some influence over this.
He was broken from his thoughts by an approaching figure. He looked up to see the frost-giant who had defended him.
"Hello," He began. "Can I help you?"
"Oh, no." The frost-giant began. "I merely wished to speak with you, Sire."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"You refer to me as your king," He began. "And yet, I am afraid I do not know you."
"Ahh, yes." The frost-giant began. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Skjold."
He extended his hand, and Loki shook it hesitantly.
"I was close with your father." He continued.
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Which only makes you referring to me as your king even less sense." He said.
Skjold cleared his throat.
"Many of us do not blame you for King Laufey's death." He began. "While it may have been you who struck the killing blow, it was Odin's manipulations which led you to it. You are seen as more of a victim, than a villain."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I do regret my actions. However, I will also not make any excuses." He said. "I will only say that, until recently, I believe that he had left me to die as a child, because I was so small."
"Bah." Skjold barked in disgust. "No doubt another of Odin's lies." He spat. "We would never abandon a child, no matter how small or fragile they are. Life is more sacred to our people than anything else, including the Casket of Ancient Winters. Laufey mourned the loss of you and, your mother, more than the Casket."
"Did he?" Loki asked, his voice catching.
Skjold nodded sadly.
"He made countless ice sculptures, though not even that could relieve him of his grief."
"He enjoyed creating ice sculptures?" Loki asked in surprise.
Skjold nodded.
"There is an entire chamber fall of sculptures of all sizes. They are quite beautiful."
Skjold sucked in a breath.
"The last one he made... Was of you." He said in a quite voice. "When he first discovered who you were."
Skjold sighed.
"He had hoped that... That once the two of you took care of Odin that..."
Skjold looked down mournfully.
"I am sorry." Loki muttered. "I now realise, and..."
He shook his head.
"We cannot change the past. No matter how much either of us want it, we cannot bring the dead back to life. All we can do is ensure justice is served to those who deserve it."
Skjold nodded.
"And Odin has avoided justice for too long." He agreed.
They were both silent.
"Laufey was a good king." Skjold said. "And I can tell you will just as great."
"You can?" Loki asked.
Skjold nodded. He then lent forward and spoke in a hushed tone.
"You are preferable to Hela, along with that asgardian child she has taken in."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"I am sensing you do not like Hela that well."
Skjold scoffed.
"She has caused our people as much pain as Odin has." He replied. "Laufey loved her, and she used him to try to rebel against her father. And all that resulted from this was the realm in ruin, and our king with a broken heart."
Loki looked down.
"I am sorry." He muttered. "I am sure that I caused more destruction with the bifrost..."
Skjold shook his head.
"Thankfully, there were very few casualties. And we were able to repair most of the damage."
He clapped a large hand on his shoulder.
"And in any case, we also blame this on Odin."
Loki remembered a comment that Laufey had made, when he and Thor had travelled with Sif and the Warriors Three to Jotunheim.
"He is a liar, and a thief." He muttered.
Skjold nodded.
"And his daughter is no different." He replied. "Many of us would prefer you over her. It is not right, to have an asgardian on the throne of Jotunheim."
"And yet you would have a half asgardian?"
Skjold shrugged.
"You seem more jotun than asgardian." He replied.
Loki nodded.
"Thank you, for your support."
To his surprise, Skjold wrapped an arm around him.
"Laufey was my friend." He said. "It is the least I could do."
He let Loki go.
"You will always have my support, Loki Laufeysson." He said.
Loki nodded, still in shock.
"Thank you."
He cleared his throat.
"Do you... Do you think you could show me this chamber of ice sculptures?"

One hour later, Loki was still in the chamber of sculptures. Hundreds, if not thousands, and beautiful pieces of art. And they had all been created by Laufey, his father.
They had all amazed him with how intricate and detailed they were. They were more beautiful than anything he had seen before. The light shone through them and cast a rainbow of colour, as vibrant as the rainbow bridge in Asgard.
The artwork of Asgard mostly consisted of painting depicting battles, statues of mighty warriors, and other similarly themed images.
But these, they held beauty beyond what he could have possibly imagined. From obscure abstract was, to great beasts he presumed were native to Jotunheim. Large was depicting landscapes, great sloping mountains, large valleys with frozen lakes and rivers.
There were even images from other realms.
But the ones which caught his eye the most were the was of Hela.
There were so many of them. In her armour with weapons coming from her hands, in a chair by the fire, with Laufey himself. There were even a few depicter her when she was presumably pregnant with him.
And then, at the very back of the chamber, was the thing which tour him apart the most.
For it was the last Laufey had ever made. A sculpture of him.
Loki was still marvelling at the detail. Laufey must have had a very good memory, to have been able to create such a detailed depiction of him after only a few meetings. Only, there was more.
The sculpture was exactly life sized, the exact same height as the real Loki. He was dressed in his asgardian armour, only without his helmet.
But the most fascinating part was his face, and whatever other parts of skin were visible.
Half of his face was smooth, just as it was when he was in his asgardian form. But the other half had markings on it, just as his own face did when he was in his frost-giant form.
He traced the markings on his own face.
So intricate, so detailed. So... So beautiful.
The sculpture symbolised his duel nature. Part asgardian, part jotun.
At this time of day, the light from the large window cast a shadow over his asgardian half.
Loki was broken from his thoughts by approaching footsteps. He turned to see Hela, Vidar in her arms.
"So here is where you are." She said. "I feared you had returned to Midgard."
Loki looked around the room again.
"Did he truly craft all of these?" He asked.
Hela sighed.
"Yes." She admitted. "He was very artistic."
"They are beautiful." He commented.
Hela nodded.
"Strange, that someone who could create such beauty would trust one who could commit such destruction." She mused. "I could never understand why."
"I have heard that he loved you." Loki replied.
Hela frowned.
"I believe we had already agreed that I know nothing of love."
She stepped closer.
"And yet, I also recall suggesting you teach me such a concept."
Loki scoffed.
"I recall telling you that love is something that cannot be so easily be put into words."
Hela raised an eyebrow.
"Try."
Loki sucked in a breath.
"Love, it is... It is like fire. It can light up a person's entire world. It can hurt if mishandled, but if you are careful, then... It can be the greatest thing in your life."
He stared off into the distance.
"It is more than just a romantic feeling. You can love a friend, or your family, or anyone you have a strong positive connection with. To love someone, or to be loved by someone, it means that... That you will stand with them, regardless of their floors, not in spite of them. And they will do the same for you."
He looked down.
"But as I said, if not used properly, love can cause the greatest pain. It can tear you apart. To be betrayed by someone who you love, it can feel as if you had been stabbed in the heart. It can feel like death by a thousand cuts. It can make your entire world seem darker, as if there will no longer be any happiness in your life."
He fell silent.
"It sounds so complicated." Hela muttered.
Loki shrugged.
"As I said, it is something that cannot accurately be expressed in words. In some cases, actions speak louder than any words I may weave."
He gestured towards the infant in Hela's arms.
"I can tell you must feel some affection for that child, as you seem overly attached to him."
Hela frowned.
"I do not trust any others to care for him properly." She said.
Loki nodded, not surprised.
"I see." He said, stepped forward. "Kay I?" He asked, extending his arms.
Hela eyed him, obviously seeing what he wanted.
"Do you mind returning to your asgardian form?" She asked.
Loki did so, seeing his skin return to the pale shade he was used to.
Slowly, Hela placed Vidar in h$ arms. The child was small, but Loki could sense he would be strong.
He looked down at the child. His hair was dark, unusual for an asgardian. And he was pale. His eyes were closed, but then they suddenly opened. They were blue, a slightly lighter shade than Thor's.
As Loki observed the child, he thought of Sigyn, and their own child. Were they a boy or a girl? Would they have inherited his dark hair, our would they have been born with Sigyn's golden locks? Were their eyes his green, or her grey?
He shook his head and handed Vidar back to Hela.
"I do hope you are not planning on keeping him here forever." He said. "The climate of Jotunheim is hardly appropriate for an asgardian child."
"I do not plan to remain here forever." Hela replied. "Once Odin is dead, I will take my rightful place as Queen of Asgard."
"And I presume Vidar will be heir to the throne?" He asked. "After all, as Laufey's only child, I must take the throne of Jotunheim."
Hela nodded.
"That is true, but any child of yours will have a better claim to the throne of Asgard than Vidar."
Loki thought about this for a few seconds.
"Well, I would already have an heir, once we find Sigyn and our child." He began. "And they would already be in their adolescence."
He smirked.
"Do you think you could handle having an adolescent grandchild?"
Hela frowned.
"This is assuming they are even alive."
Loki frowned. He refused to think of the possibility that Sigyn and their child were dead. He would not, he could not.
"Well," He began. "I should return to Midgard. The Avengers may become suspicious of my absence soon."
Hela nodded.
"Oh, and Loki," She began before he could open a portal.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Do not undermine my authority in front of my advisers again." She said.
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Are they not my adviser?" He asked. "After all, I am the rightful king."
Hela smirked.
"You are not king yet."
"All in due time." He said before vanishing through the portal.