Leaving Home
You woke up painfully aware of the emptiness around you. You still felt the weight on your arm and desperately clung to it hoping, wishing, it would bring him back. But your room remained empty. You gave a sharp inhale before letting go of your arm and sitting up. The room was still dark but you could hear a few songbirds begin their morning ballads. Dawn was approaching. You slowly slipped out of bed, moving silently to your wardrobe.
There was a soft creak as you pulled it open revealing the numerous garbs you had worn during your time in Asgard. A soft orange caught your eye causing an instant ache in your chest. You pushed all the garments aside and reached towards the back, pulling out a small black sack. You pulled it open making sure the contents remained. You thumbed through several small bags giving them a small shake to test the contents. You found each bag was still full so you slowly closed the sack and tossed it on your bed. You quickly pulled out a pair of black boots, tights, and a dark simple tunic and threw them on. You paused before reaching your hand back into the wardrobe and pulling out a dark cloak, quickly fastening it around your neck. You turned to your bed, tied the small sac around your waist then paused. Your eyes caught the bundled package on your nightstand. Moments passed but you didn’t move, your eyes never leaving the cloth. Light began to fill your room and you realized dawn had arrived. You bit your lip, your hands finally moving to grab the clothed package from the table before you turned towards the balcony.
The soft light began to fill the courtyard below you sending the dark shadows away one by one. Your eyes scanned the horizon before catching a glimpse of somebody tucked in one of the remaining shadows of the courtyard. He hates waiting. You sighed before carefully sliding the cloth down your boot. You positioned yourself near the edge of the balcony, hopping up on the ledge using the nearby column for balance before swiftly jumping over the edge. The distance to the ground was further than you anticipated, causing you to ungracefully collide with the floor. You landed on your feet sending a sharp pain up your legs and sending you tumbling forward. You managed to tuck into a roll, and rather ungracefully flopped onto your back. You let out a soft groan as you remained still, staring that the reddish sky. You sat for a few moments, waiting for the pain in your legs to subside before carefully shifting into a standing position and moving to the location you last saw Heimdall waiting.
“Nice fall.”
You could practically hear the laugher in his voice.
“I needed to wake up somehow.”
You still could not see Heimdall but you couldn’t let his remark go ignored. You finally crossed the courtyard and rounded a column before coming face to face with him.
“Best get those risky impulses out now, where you are headed you will not be able to make those mistakes.”
Just like that, the mood turned. You could tell Heimdall was serious and you gave him a soft nod. He gave a soft sigh.
“I only mean for you to be safe. I desire you to return home someday.”
He placed a hand on your shoulder and you nodded again a little firmer. You heard a door close in the distance and both your heads snapped towards the sound. You caught the tail end of an exchange between what you believed to be two guards before the morning returned to quiet stillness. You both slowly turned back to each other.
“We shall speak later. Come.”
Heimdall turned and you fell in step behind him not making a sound. You passed a handful of guards as you exited the castle but kept your head down to avoid unnecessary conversation. You continued to follow him through the city and out into the nearby forest. You had no idea where you were headed and knew better than to bother Heimdall while he was focused. By the time you reached your destination, the sun had risen fully, its warm rays beating down on your all-black attire. Anyone else would find this heat unbearable, but you were right at home with the sun. Heimdall came to a stop near the edge of a cliff and you fell in place beside him.
“This is it.”
Heimdall was gazing down towards the bottom of the cliff. You took a deep breath before glancing down, the cliff dropped about 150 meters down, at the bottom was a fast-moving river.
“You have got to be kidding.”
“I do not kid.”
You turned to Heimdall but his face was as serious as ever, his eyes still focused on something near the bottom of the cliff.
“I could follow Loki only to here before I would lose sight of him.”
You slowly peered down the cliff again. The height you could manage, the fall wouldn’t kill you but it would hurt like hell. The river, however, sent a shiver up your spine.
“Are you sure?”
“Certain.”
Heimdall moved his hand gesturing towards a small area on the cliff's face right above the rushing water.
“There.”
You followed his outstretched hand focusing on the spot he was pointing to. But all you could see was the rushing water.
“I don’t see anything.”
“Keep your eye on the spray of the river.”
You focused harder, ignoring the goosebumps that were beginning to form on your arms. Your eyes watched the water, waiting for the occasional splash of droplets to climb up the cliff. It’s just water. What is he seeing? You spent a few more moments studying the stray drops that flew towards the cliff. Wait! The drop you had been following seemed to disappear. You kept your eyes on the area where it vanished and noticed all the drops nearby also vanished when hitting that specific spot.
“The water, it disappeared.”
Your gaze turned back to Heimdall who simply nodded.
“If there is a portal here, that would explain the water.”
“So, you think that’s where it is?”
“Indeed.”
Your gaze fell back to the water. There was no way down this cliff, if you wanted to get to this spot you had to jump. A shiver ran up your spine causing you to retreat from the cliff’s edge.
“It is not required for you to go, you could remain here, I would think no less of you.”
Your gaze caught his and for a moment you almost believed him, believed you could go back to the castle and live your life as nothing had changed. But that lasted only an instant before the thoughts of Loki flooded your mind once again.
“I would think less of me.”
You dropped your gaze to the rocky ground beneath you.
“If there is even the slightest chance he is still out there, and I didn’t do everything in my power to find him…”
You felt the tears began to form and took a sharp inhale.
“You do not owe him your life.”
“Maybe…but I do owe him for giving me a chance at a better one.”
You turned to Heimdall. Your decision made. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before turning back to the water.
“If it is indeed a portal, I do not know where it leads. You could land in any of the realms.” He took another deep breath. “Furthermore, there is a strong possibility that the realm you land in is not the realm Loki currently resides in. If that is indeed the case your sacrifice would be for not, and you will remain in that realm alone. Do you understand?”
You took a few steps forward, joining him at the edge of the cliff.
“I understand.”
“Know that I support you, however, I believe this mission to be futile.”
You knew the chances of you finding Loki were practically non-existent, but fate brought you both together once, you believed it could do it again.
“I have to try.”
“Then I will miss you.”
You focused on the water below, forcing back the tears that were threatening to fall.
“You will still be able to see and hear me. I’m the one who will miss you.”
Your voice cracked on the last word, but you kept your sobs in check.
“If you ever feel alone, know I will be watching over you, always.”
That did it. The first tear broke free and before you knew it, your arms were around Heimdall, your face smushed into his chest. You felt his arms fall gently on your back, holding you steady as the silent tears continued to fall. This is the last time. The last time I let my emotions win. No more crying. No more self-doubt. I will save Loki and we will return home!
Your tears came to a stop and you slowly pulled away from Heimdall, wiping your cheeks with the back of your hand.
“Better?”
You slowly nodded before daring to meet his gaze.
“Sorry.”
“Never apologize for your feelings. They merely show what you truly care about.”
A soft smile appeared on his face as he reached out wiping away the last tear from your cheek before pulling you into another embrace. The motion caught you by surprise, you were always the one who initiated any contact between you too. Heimdall’s arms held you tighter than last time, you could barely move your arms up to hug him back. The moment didn’t last long but you swear you heard a sniffle before Heimdall pulled away.
“Ready?”
You nodded before turning to the cliff.
“Wherever you land, be sure to keeps your powers in check. Do not reveal them to anyone unless it necessary. Some are not as understanding to those that are different.”
You nodded again.
“I will be watching over you, but will not be able to intervene, so…”
Heimdall’s voice cut off and your eyes shifted to him. He was staring at you, and for the first time, you saw sadness in his eyes.
“…stay safe.”
You nodded.
“If the power of the Bifrost returns, I will bring you home. Until then you are on your own.”
“I understand.”
Heimdall placed a hand on your shoulder.
“If anyone was to succeed in this mission. It would be you.”
You brought your hand up to cover his.
“Then I will not let you down.”
“You never have.”
He gave you a small smile which you returned. You stayed like that a moment longer before you both turned, dropping your arms to your sides. You carefully moved along the edge of the cliff, lining up as best as you could with the spot where the water seemed to vanish. You took a deep breath, staring at the rushing water below. Everything in your body willed you to step back from the edge, but you remained rooted in place. You took another deep breath. For Loki, I can do this. You gave one last look to Heimdall.
“Thank you, for everything.”
He gave you a small nod as you turned back to the cliff. I’m coming for you Loki. It’s my turn to save you. The ground beneath your feet vanished as you stepped over the edge of the cliff. You slammed your eyes shut, not wanting to look at the water rushing towards you. The fall lasted longer than you expected, fear that you misjudged the jump spread throughout your body. The thought of landing in the water, somehow being more terrifying than the thought of being teleported to a different realm. You were about to open your eyes when your feet made contact with solid ground. The impact was unexpected, you did not have time to soften your fall. You heard a distinct crack, instantly feeling pain shoot up your left leg. You crumpled to the left, your eyes finally opening just before your face connected with the ground. You laid still, the pain from your leg now mixing with pain radiating from numerous other parts of your body. But you ignored it, something else flooding your senses instead. Cold.