Chapter III - The Grand Entrance
Setting: Asgard
•
Cara's experience traveling through this medium of transportation was zero to none.
This was different than anything she had ever felt before. This was surreal, and her entire body felt as if it ceased to exist. Was that possible? Was she floating aimlessly somewhere?
However, the feeling quickly dissipated as her body carelessly, and somewhat violently, was thrown and her arms instinctively covered her face to protect it. Her body hit something hard and cold as a rush of air left her legs. This something sounded like armor and she found strong, sturdy hands holding her up. Cara's chest heaved up and down, her entire body soaking wet from the downpour in Alfheim.
She continued to try and catch her breath, but her mouth wouldn't form a single word due to the cotton like feel that kept her from doing so. She looked at the arms that held her and slowly her bright eyes trailed up the golden armor had a very ancient gleam to it. Up and up her eyes went until they landed on a dark-skinned man with the most vexing colored eyes.
His head was adorned with a large golden piece that covered most of his face, but his eyes held a strange all-knowing power to them that immediately made her tense up. She could barely breathe, let alone speak in his presence. It wasn't that he was scary, he was just ethereal and very intense.
Her eyes scanned her surroundings rather quickly, a wave of nausea passing over her like a tidal wave that came and went rather quickly. She looked to be in a large sphere of some sort that had a small opening at the front that looked to lead to a road, or a bridge, maybe?
Was this Asgard?
Her chest was still heaving up and down as Heimdall peered down at Cara peculiarly. He was about to open his mouth to say something, but his head jerked back up to the void of colors where she had flown in from. Heimdall's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. The next set of events happened so fast that Cara barely had time to blink, let alone breathe.
Whatever portal she had just come out of was whirling about in a strange way and Heimdall shoved her to the side quickly, "Get down! They are coming!" Heimdall grabbed for a golden horn and when he blew into it a mighty sound rang out. One so deafening that she covered her ears and braced herself against the wall of the sphere.
A warning call...
Silently, Cara was already pulling her daggers out and she flipped them in her hands with ease. It could only mean that some of the Fallen Fay had jumped into the Rune circle before Queen Anastasia had closed it. Four familiar looking bodies flew out and into the sphere.
The Fallen Fay
They were bodies that were fully capable of cutting down many a man, but Cara had a feeling that this golden armored giant was anything BUT a normal man. The man that so effortlessly caught her moments ago had the stature of an oak tree and though his armor was bulky, she had a feeling a very large man was hidden underneath.
One that could cause some serious damage. Cara pulled the dark black cloak up and around her head to conceal her face just as all four of dark faeries let out a mighty roar of anger. It was in that moment the one closest to the dark-skinned man lunged, but he already had retrieved his sword to block the blow of the dark faerie.
For a moment they went blow for blow and the man who had caught her was gaining momentum and getting the upper hand. The other three faeries circled around the two men like a boxing match. The front of the sphere opened and a beam of darkness from the dark faerie sent the dark-skinned man flying out of the opening of the round sphere and out of her line of sight.
The dark faeries didn't even see her as she crouched low and blended with the shadows along the way. They walked towards the opening with an evil gait, the stench of their darkness making her nose flare in disgust.
Cara saw a straggler falling behind the other three and she used all her energy to launch herself into the air. Just as she had predicted she landed on his back, toppling him over in surprise. She was thrown immediately as he knocked her face with the back of elbow.
The force of his elbow knocked her right in the cheek, but she paid no mind to the blow. She scrambled to her feet right when the colorful bridge they stood on rumbled as if someone had landed upon it.
Not a someone.
Many people. A small army. And far behind in them in the distance was a majetic city.
They were now standing on the other side of the Fallen Fay, leaving the dark faeries between her and them. The man with the golden armor was getting up and to his feet with the help from a man with long blonde hair, his red cape billowing behind him in the wind.
Behind the caped man stood a small little army of soldiers, but one in particular stood out as it was a woman. She had long brown hair that was pulled back in a braid and she was ready to attack.
This was Asgard.
And the man with the blonde hair was Thor.
The blonde hair was a dead giveaway for Loki's brother and Cara couldn't help but feel her heart flip in elation that she had made it. They just had to defeat these bozos before they could wreak havoc on Asgard. Cara got to her feet behind the enemies, her face still shielded, but the dark faeries let out a guttural roar as if their patience was getting tested.
One of the Fallen Fay whirled around to face her. It was the jackass who had elbowed her in the cheek and Cara felt a strength surge in her that wasn't there before. She was done with these evil beasts. She was ready to fight. Three of the dark faeries charged towards Thor's group while the fourth one set his sights on Cara.
His tactics were not meant to kill her, and she realized that very quickly as he continued to use his hands to attempt to apprehend her, but not his magic. Clashes of brutal violence were not too far from her ears, but she couldn't lose focus.
She couldn't see how the fight was going with the others, but judging from the thunderous roar that came from the clouds and the lightning strike that followed next Cara could only pray that the Asgardians were succeeding.
"You thought you could escape to Asgard?" His voice was dark, demonic and almost sounded like it was garbled with interference. His very tone sent goosebumps up and down her arms. She stared at her attacker before raising a small smirk, "And you thought you could follow me and live?"
He looked perplexed at her retort so she used the moment to make her move. Cara got a running start for the evil faerie, but as he went to grab her she slid right underneath him and in between his legs. She jumped up quickly and kicked him in the back which sent him flying forward. Cara launched across the bridge using her faerie agility to land atop him before he could even get back up.
She was straddling his back as she whispered in a cruel manner, "You should have thought twice before coming after me." Just as the tip of her daggers lifted his chin up so she could slit his throat his right hand reached up unannounced.
He grabbed her cloak and flipped her over and onto her back, which cracked in a way that would have killed a mere mortal. All the air escaped her lungs as she cradled her daggers against her chest, a deep painful groan escaped her lips.
That was unexpected
The dark faerie was getting to his knees and a deep rumble of a laugh emitted from his belly, "You are a formidable fighter Princess. I'll give you that." He circled around her like a predator toying with their victim. She turned on her side to look across the bridge as one of the other dark faeries was already on the ground and he wasn't moving.
She could see through her slightly blurry vision the tangle of swords and powerful magic that was happening right across the way from her. She watched as the brown-haired female decapitated the second dark faerie. His head rolled off his shoulders after a brief moment of hanging there.
That left one more on their end and the one that circled her. She pushed to her feet and attempted to swipe at him with her dagger, it had been a careless movement on her end as he caught her arm. He pulled her towards him with a violent tug that resulted in his large claws digging into her skin through the cloak. The feeling burned her and something about his dark magic made her blood fizzle and goosebumps rise on the back of her neck.
"Agin isn't through with you yet."
His left hand enclosed around her throat and she wriggled with everything she had before feeling her powerful faerie magic course through her veins. Right before she could emit a beam of magic from her hands someone appeared behind the dark faerie. She couldn't see anything, but she could feel the rush of magic that had gently caressed her skin, as if something invisible had blown past her.
Before the dark faerie could whirl around to the prescence behind him two daggers came protruding out from the mid-section of the dark faerie, the daggers twisting counterclockwise with a sickening sound. The dark faerie roared in pain, his grip on her neck falling away, but not before hitting Cara with a beam of dark magic that shot her back. Her grip never faltered on her daggers.
They had been spelled specifically for her by the Evelyn and they were all she had left of the old woman who cared for her. Cara's eyes opened the moment after she landed. In her haste to get up the black cloak fell away from her head as the clip came undone, leaving her face exposed.
Her eyes sought out the person responsible for killing the dark faerie. The owner of the daggers stood tall, staring down at the nasty creature with disdain and annoyance. His side profile was all Cara needed to make the connection. It was Loki in all his prideful glory.
"Loki?" She breathed out, too stunned to say anything other than his name. The dark faerie beneath his feet was very much dead now. Purple blood oozed from a large gaping wound in his neck, which she figured Loki had done after she had been thrown. Cara's breath caught in her throat at the mere sight of him, her blonde hair billowed in a small breeze that rippled across the rainbow bridge, carrying the sound of her voice with it.
He was adorned in a green and gold armored outfit that fit his frame. His black hair so carefully slicked back it was a wonder not a single hair on his head was actually out of place. She could see the curls at the end of his hair and for some reason it made her smile.
She thought it was instinct that made Loki look up in her direction, but she had been wrong. He heard her melodic voice calling his name and his entire body went frigid with shock. He knew that voice like the back of his hand, how could he ever forget?
Cara's entire body was stark still, his smoldering gaze held her captive and she couldn't move. His eyes went wide with shock, momentarily stunning the silver-tongued God to silence. The God of Mischief was too stunned to speak, let alone move, as his imaginary friend stood before him.
Alive.
And very much real.
"Loki, get away from her! They are enemies that have breached Asgard!" Thor's loud voice boomed from across the way. All the dark faeries were snuffed out by the Asgardians, but Thor's overzealous and already angered state at Loki parading around as Odin had him jumping the gun. Heimdall's cry of protest and his attempt to reach out and stop Thor was a moment too late. Thor raised Mjolnir in the air and procured a lightning bolt that was meant for her.
Looking back, Cara couldn't blame Thor.
She was in a dark black cloak, her hands held magical daggers and her stance looked very offensive as if she were an enemy. The moment Thor raised his large hammer Loki had already been running at her, but midstride he completely disappeared for a brief moment as the bolt of lightning traveled from the sky and straight for her body.
Loki reappeared right before her, his towering frame crashing into her lithe body, while his right arm had snaked around her torso just moments before the lightning bolt struck the place she had once stood. Loki and Cara crashed into the rainbow bridge, their bodies rolling together as Loki's right arm still held her to him. They landed in a heap on the bridge, their legs tangled. Cara's head pounded with a fierceness, as did her arm where the dark faerie had grabbed her so roughly.
If I get thrown on this bridge one more time someone is getting hurt.
Loki unceremoniously had landed on top and she felt the weight of him beneath her. She groaned and opened her eyes and saw that Loki was already alert and staring down at her. He was peering down at her with mischief in his green eyes, "Now that's what I call an entrance."
Her lips quirked into a small smile at his velvet voice. Cara felt something akin to her soul catching fire the moment he spoke. All the hurt she felt upon seeing him last time seemed to have faded briefly. His eyes were bright and alight. The darkness that she had seen in him last time was tamed. It was there, but it was being kept at bay.
His words were a play to hide his inner turmoil, as she could see the way his eyes burned with so many questions. Her lips parted to speak, but the others were already rushing over to them, with Thor and Heimdall taking the lead.
Thor pointed Mjolnir at her accusingly, "Loki, get away from that evil sorceress!"
Loki got up, his hand offered out to Cara and she stared at it for a fleeting second. She took his hand hesitantly, but quickly pulled back upon standing as the feel of him sent her an unexpected jolt of surprise. She saw his jaw twitch slightly when their hands had connected, but he never lost eye contact with Thor.
She knew he had felt it too.
Loki stepped forward and used his left arm to move Cara slightly behind him as if shielding her from the others. However, Cara was too focused on Thor and his rude comments to take note of how Loki was trying to subtly protect her. She spoke boldly without hesitation, "Tread carefully with that tongue Goldilocks, you're speaking to a Princess."
The accusation of her being an evil sorceress was strike two. The lightning bolt meant for her head had been strike one. He was heading for strike three very quickly. There was a peculiar look that crossed Thor's face as if the word Princess had him shocked. He lowered Mjolnir slowly, yet hesitance flickered in his gaze. The brown haired woman to his right was ready to fight again. The look of disdain in her eyes was clear, but Cara realized she was glaring daggers at Loki, not her.
"She a friend of yours?" Thor asked with an accusing tone. There was some kind of hidden rage behind Thor's eyes that made Cara think Thor and Loki were not on the best of terms. Heimdall chimed in quickly, "I saw her coming through the Bifrost, M'lord. Her and the others. However, I do not believe she was with them."
Thor looked at Heimdall quizzically before Cara peeked out from behind Loki, "Does he always throw lightning bolts and ask questions later?" She narrowed her brows at Thor and he gave her rude look back. Loki turned to glance over his shoulder at Cara, "Yes, he's quite brash."
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Thor bellowed and started to walk towards them with a gait that didn't sit too well with neither Loki or Cara. She swallowed thickly and was ready to be led to Asgard in chains. Loki returned his gaze to Thor. A mischievous smirk snaked its way on his face, "I do agree, dear brother."
There was contempt in the word brother that Cara noticed, but before she could even utter another word Loki had taken a small step back so that he was standing beside her. His left arm snaked around her waist roughly and he pulled her close to him as they disappeared from the bridge without so much as a warning.
When her feet were on solid ground, she felt slightly dizzy and put a hand to her forehead for a brief second. She caught her breath and steadied her body as the rush of magic had taken her completely off guard. She pouted, "You could warn a girl before you do that!" Loki was standing at arms length from her and answered with a small smirk, "Where's the fun in that?"
Their eyes locked upon one another as Cara looked around for a moment and proceeded to whisper, "Where are we?" Her eyes explored her surroundings. She took note of the vast area where she stood and the tall ceilings. It was a glorious room with a large bed, the etching and detail that adorned the walls and the ceilings was quite mythical.
The tapestry around the room was in green and gold hues and the large balcony leading to a grand city view across the way was breathtaking. She pictured a young Loki reading on the balcony and a soft smile escaped her lips. A stack of three books lay on a small end table next to the bed and Cara pursed her lips as realization started to dawn on her. Loki spoke up with a wry smile just as her eyes landed on his books, "Looking familiar yet?"
Yes, I know this place...
Loki's room.
"You must wine and dine a girl before you bring her to your chambers, Loki." Cara joked and Loki gazed at her steadily. "I've never been one to follow such proprietary customs." Loki replied coolly and Cara snickered in response. He placed his hands behind his back and raised a brow, "If I'm not mistaken I just saved you from Thor's wrath."
She smirked at his words, "I guess playing hero is a good enough reason to bring a girl to your chambers." The playfulness of Cara had never left and Loki found himself biting back a genuine smile until she mentioned being a hero. He grew a bit dark and narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, "I'm far from a hero."
His change in demeanor was noticed by Cara, but she didn't look scared and for some reason that perplexed and annoyed Loki all at the same time. He started to grow slightly impatient as they didn't have much time left to themselves, "Time is of the essence. You see moments from now they'll find us. But, not until after they've searched the many Asgardian homes for us because this is the last place they would begin their search."
His smile was proud and Cara saw a hint of the young boy she knew in that smile. "You can teleport." Cara stated matter of factly and Loki followed up quickly in response, "And you can heal." He took a quick step towards her and cleared any distance between them that had been there before.
He watched the cuts on her face slowly mend themselves, but there was a bruise upon her cheek that was healing a bit more slowly than everything else. She pulled up the sleeves on her cloak and he saw what looked to be claw marks. And now they were now healing. His eyes immediately sought hers again at this revelation of her powers. A mixture of astonishment and curiosity marked his features.
He didn't remember her having this ability when they were children. In a second his demeanor changed to a more serious one, "It seems we have some catching up to do, Cara."
Author's Note:
Welllppp there it is. Cara is in Asgard now. I did use Norse mythology when it comes to the warning horn that Heimdall blows. Also, I will be tapping more into Loki's magical side, such as teleporting and illusions. I kinda got goosebumps writing the part where Loki grabs her and teleports out of the way of the lightning bolt. Like, I legit saw it in slo-mo! XD Oh, and she will find out about him being "adopted" some point soon. These two are going to be a joy to write!
