It was indeed cold in Jotunheim; Vera was glad she changed or else it would surely be obvious how cold she was. She tightened the strings to her robes knowing it wouldn't do much to keep her warm.
Loki snickered at her but she just glared at him. Normally she would say something but this was not to time or place for such playfulness. Eventually they had made their way to the castle of Laufey, darkness and ice was all that could be seen.
"Where are they?" Sif spoke the question that was on everyone's mind.
"Hiding as all cowards do," Thor smirked. His confident words were quickly dismissed when a deeper voice echoed in the darkness.
"You've come a long way to die Asgardians."
"I am Thor Odinson." Thor replied.
"We know who you are."
"How did your people get into Asgard?"
Vera flinched at his tone; she was not one to side with the enemy but Laufey was a king and this was his realm he did deserve that respect.
Laufey turned his gaze toward them, his red eyes glinting in the deep blue of his skin. "The house of Odin is full of traitors."
Chills rolled down Vera's back and it wasn't from the cold. Loki came to her side, watchful.
"Do not dishonor my father's name with your lies!"
Laufey stood as he roared back at Thor. Now Vera had seen many creatures and beings within her life but none so terrifyingly fascinating. They were called giants for a reason; their height could cast a far shadow if the sun ever touched the sky of the winter world.
"You're nothing but a boy trying to prove yourself a man."
They were all quickly aware of the sounds around them. More Frost Giants were coming out of the darkness surrounding the area.
"This boy has grown tired of your mockery."
Loki quickly stepped up to his brother, "Thor, stop and think. Look around you. We're outnumbered."
"Know your place brother..."
Vera stepped up next, "Listen to him Thor, this is not a winnable situation."
Laufey laughed, "You should listen to their council. You do not know what your actions would unleash...I do. Go now while I still allow it." He turned away as he finished a pain in his voice.
One Frost Giant made his way forward his height over eight feet, a dark sneer on his face. Vera held one hand on Thor's arm and the other on the handle of her whip.
"We accept your most gracious honor my lord," She spoke loudly, her eyes shifting to the icy king.
His red eyes stared back at her before nodding slightly.
Loki pulled on Thor's arm, "Come on brother."
A perfect scenario would be them quickly walking away and making it out of there. Of course nothing was ever simple when it came to Thor. They had barely taken two steps when the sneering Giant spoke.
"Run back home little princess."
The words froze everyone; Vera made a face while Loki slipped out one word. "Damn."
Before anyone could think Thor slammed his hammer into the Giant. Within an instant they were rushed with Frost giants, a full on battle erupted. Vera unhooked her whip slashing it out at the first giant that ran toward her, the small silver blades slicing through the creature easily. Twisting around she cut off the head of another before letting the whip stiffen into a single sword and stab one in the heart.
Why must this happen every single time, Vera thought to herself as she cut and sliced any giant that came toward her. Casting her eyes around she saw the others fighting many other off. Thor was getting to great of a satisfaction from the chaos he had caused. Rolling her eyes when he roared at one, she fought her way toward where she had last seen Loki.
The moment she had a chance to catch him in her sight her heart dropped at the scene, Loki was standing on a ledge of a pit with a giant running full speed toward him.
"Noo!" Vera's voice echoed as she ran. Pushing herself into a sprint she knew she still wouldn't make it, the giant was faster. Then the trick was played, before she could slow herself she saw the giant run straight threw Loki and tumble into the pit. The false Loki disappeared and the real Loki stepped out and pulled her to him.
Her chest slammed against his, his grip tight on her. "Must you fall for that every time?" His warm breath rushing against her face.
Vera glared at him, panting as she spoke. "I hate it when you do that." With a growl she pulled away from him knowing he was smirking widely.
Volstagg yelled about not letting them touch but seeing Fandral being impaled by ice erased all concern. Vera ran up to him slicing the ice away while Loki killed off another two giants.
"We can't continue on with this," Sif spoke up.
"Then we retreat," Vera looked at her.
"Thor!"
The call of his name fell on deaf ears. "We must go!" Loki shouted at him.
"Then go!" He replied sending his hammer flying through giant after giant.
Vera turned to Loki, "We can't just leave him..."
A sudden roar ripped through the air, everyone's head turned to the Ice Troll that pulled its way from its frozen chamber.
"Yes we can." Loki grabbed her arm and they ran.
They made their way quickly over the icy grounds trying to make their way back to the cliff were they entered. Thor deflected the giants that tried to follow them, shattering the ground beneath their feet and letting them fall to their doom.
Vera and the others reached the cliff safely, Volstagg calling out for Heimdall to open the bridge. Yet no light, no sound, nothing came down, the bridge was still closed.
"That is not good," Volstagg added adjusting Fandral on his shoulders.
Before anyone could speak a large clawed hand slammed into the ground in front of them. The ice troll snarled as it climbed up the side of the mountain. Saliva dripped from its jagged teeth as it let out another roar. All of them stood ready for its strike, but as it rose its arm and opened its mouth a blur shot threw it.
It crumpled to the ground in front of them dead as Thor landed smiling like he accomplished a noble task. Vera opened her mouth to curse him but the look on his face stopped her.
Turning with the others, Laufey and many more Frost Giants stood before them. They were cornered and they knew it, and in that moment the giants rushed forward. The wave of giants would not touch them as a thunderous sound echoed in the sky and a beam of light shot down upon them. It was only for a moment but it was an image so empowering; Odin bathed in light on his eight-legged steed, Sleipnir, dressed in his battle armor. It was a sight that not only stopped the Asguardians but the Frost Giants as well.
"Father we will finish them together!" Thor yelled to him.
"Silence." Odin quieted him, clear anger in his voice.
Satisfaction spread across Loki's face but was quickly removed when Vera nudged him.
The ice beneath Laufey shifted raising him up so he stood in front of Odin. "All-Father you look weary."
"Laufey end this now," Odin spoke calmly.
Vera looked at Loki scanning his body for any injures. "If you wanted to stare you could have asked." He kept his eyes on his father and Laufey.
"I was just making sure you weren't hurt. What happened to your arm?" Her fingers traced his bare skin.
His hand grabbed hers bring it to his mouth, brushing a light kiss to them. "I'm fine, but I have a feeling my brother will not be."
Laufey had turned down ending any bloodshed, saying they will get the war and death Thor came for.
"So be it." Odin replied, watchful of Laufey's next move. Laufey moved quickly but Odin was ready slamming his staff down and blasting The Ice King away. The light of the Bifrost engulfed all of the Asgardians and pulled them off the frozen planet.
Thor's voice was the first thing Vera heard when she arrived back at the observatory. "Why did you bring us back?"
"Do you realize what you've done? What you've started?" Odin's voice was thunderous. He pulled Heimdall's sword from the panel and threw it at him.
"I was protecting my home," Thor roared after him.
"If you cannot protect your friends, how can you hope to protect your kingdom?" Odin ordered the warriors to bring Fandral to the healing room.
Vera turned to leave but Loki stopped her. "Stay."
"But..." The look he gave her stopped her from continuing, a bad feeling twisted in her stomach.
"What kingdom will there be to protect if you are afraid to act? Whatever the cost the world must know that the new king of Asgard will not be held in contempt."
" That is pride and vanity that talks. Have you forgotten all that I have taught you about a warriors patience?" The tone in each of their voices were rising, the tension growing tight in the room.
"While you wait and be patient the Nine realms laugh at us. You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls."
"You're a vain, greedy, cruel boy!" The words were harsh but true.
Thor's words were just as sharp, "And you're an old man and a fool!"
Vera's eyes widened, shock clear on her face. The room was silent as Odin looked down on his son.
A pain crossed his face, "Yes, I was a fool to think you were ready."
Loki stepped forward, "Father-."
The sound that erupted from Odin made Vera jump. It silenced the Silvertongue prince freezing him in his spot."Thor Odinson...you have disobeyed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you have opened these peaceful Realms and innocent lives to the horrors of war."
The feeling in Vera's chest twisted at the words Odin spoke, she came to Loki's side her hand gripping his arm. His words were not of a father disappointed in his son, they were words of a King punishing a soldier.
Odin slid his staff into the panel starting up the Bifrost. Realization overtook Vera, he wouldn't do that not to his own son.
Odin walked up to Thor, "You are unworthy of this Realm..." He ripped off the metal disc on Thor's armor.
"...unworthy of your title..." He ripped off his cloak.
Vera's eyes started to water, her head shaking. "No..no," the words slipped softly from her lips.
"...unworthy of the loved ones you've betrayed. I hereby take from you your powers." Mjolnir, Thor's Hammer flew from his hand to Odin's.
"All-Father please," Vera's voice fell on deaf ears.
"In the name of my father and his father before..." Lightening shot out blasting off parts of Thor's armor.
"I cast you out!" A bolt shot out slamming into Thor and sending him flying into the Bifrost.
"No!" Vera screamed as she rushed forward. Loki caught her around the waist holding her close as she screamed Thor's name.
Odin whispered enchanted words to the hammer before throwing it into the Bifrost and letting it close.