Jane drifted in and out of consciousness, unsure if the blurred lights and dull voices were real or simply a dream. She stirred minutely, and the voices that surrounded her became more pronounced.
"I cannot search any further, my dear." A soft female voice.
"Why not?" A strong and wizened voice.
"I can only see as much as she can, and with the state that she is in, there is not much that she can reveal. Sometimes, I am able to get a glimpse of what her night terrors and dreams are, but they are unfocused and fleeting," the woman explained. A heavy silence ensued. The voice that sounded old and worn spoke again in response, but Jane could hardly hear it; her mind flickered between consciousness and unconsciousness, muffling their words.
A throbbing pain flowered at the base of her skull, and she moaned. The talking stopped, and she felt the mattress dip beside her as a new weight settled, and a warm hand wrapped around hers tightly before she lost consciousness once more.
oOoOo
"Why...why are you doing this?" he rasped, gritting his teeth in agony. His head ached and pounded, making it very difficult to form a coherent thought.
"To ensure that you do not fail me again," Thanos snarled.
His mind felt distant, no longer his. He tried to grasp at it, to hold on to it, but it was no more effective than grasping at straws. Everything he had ever thought, every memory that he had ever had of anything and anyone was being strongly suppressed. Everything swirled and seemed to disappear, replaced by a singular thought, a singular motive.
Loki's eyes opened, and he saw the world anew. He knew his purpose, his reason for living, for being.
oOoOo
Jane opened her eyes and was greeted by a room that seemed to shine brilliantly despite the dim lighting. She sat up on her elbows, feeling wearier and more worn down than she had ever been. She looked around the room; there was something about it that didn't quite sit well with her, but her mind was too hazy to try and decipher what it was. Her eyes continued to explore the room until they landed on the sleeping figure sitting in a chair at her bedside.
"Thor?" Jane whispered. He still slept soundly, his chin nearly touching his chest. She tried again.
"Thor?"
He jolted awake, eyes wide. He immediately relaxed when he saw who had called his name. He stood up and stretched before moving to sit on the bed next to her.
"Jane, how are you feeling?" he asked gently, bright and tired eyes meeting hers.
She furrowed her brow. "I feel tired. It hurts to move and—where's Loki? What happened to him?" she asked, looking around the dim room. Thor grasped her hand and held it tightly, and a pained look entered his eyes.
"Jane, you must listen to me. Loki...we have been trying to find him. He is beyond Heimdall's sight as well as my mother's. Frigga is one of the most talented seers in all of the Nine Realms, but she cannot find where he has been taken."
Jane's heart sank. "W-when?"
"You do not remember, Jane? It must have been sometime while you were asleep on Midgard."
Her memories came flooding back; memories of her frantic search for Loki back in her apartment. Her apartment. Jane paused.
"Wait, where am I?" Jane asked.
Thor hesitated before replying. "Asgard."
Jane gave him a disbelieving look. "You're joking."
"I wish I were."
"Why...how?"
"I brought you here. Heimdall informed us shortly after Loki went missing that you still remained. It was suggested that you might know Loki's whereabouts, even subconsciously. I came to Midgard to retrieve you—my timing could not have been more perfect, it would seem—and you were having some kind of...fit. I assumed it was because of Thanos, and I brought you immediately here. Frigga did her best, but she only knows as much as you," he explained. Jane leaned forward and propped her head up with her free hand, elbow resting on her knee.
"I-I wasn't paying attention. This is my fault. Oh god—" she began rapidly, realizing she was falling into a panic attack.
"Jane, listen to me. None of this is your fault, do you hear me? What happened to Loki has happened solely because of what he has done; there was next to nothing that you could have done to prevent this. Do not plague yourself with what ifs or fill yourself with doubts."
"But I was there! Thor—"
"No, Jane. That is enough. You cannot dwell on what has already happened. The goal is to find my brother, to find him and bring him back." He gently squeezed her hand. "Jane, I understand that this is much to ask, but there is a way that you can help us. Might I persuade you?"
"Anything. Tell me what it is and I'll do it."
So began the days of near-eternal sleep.
oOoOo
Days passed; days became weeks, and weeks became months. Jane had spent so much time on Asgard that she had lost track of it. She couldn't tell day from night; she almost never left that room.
Jane was informed early on that no one in Asgard was to know of her presence other than a select few, which meant that she was to be confined in the room. Jane feared being caged, but she feared not being able to find Loki even more. She swallowed her fears and readily agreed.
She spent the most time with Frigga. She was kind to Jane, very understanding, and completely attuned to her mind. The older woman spent countless hours at Jane's beside, pulling at her mind every which way to see what she could find. More often than not, Jane was subjected to an induced state of sleep; Frigga was the one to induce it in hopes of finding even the smallest hint regarding the whereabouts of her youngest son.
There were no dreams. Only darkness. Jane never once protested: even when Frigga suggested she rest, Jane only shook her head and pressed for her to continue. They had to find him; there was no other way around it.
Thor visited sometimes; those days were the days that Jane looked forward to. He always managed to find a way for Jane to laugh, to feel good again. He took her mind off of the endless search for Loki. His warm smile and positivity always brightened her day.
As the months continued to pass, Jane's health slowly deteriorated. She rarely ever had a proper night's sleep, and when she did, she slept fitfully. Frigga was usually the one to wake her from her brief and dreamless nights. It was becoming difficult to eat; her stomach didn't tolerate anything that was brought for her, even the simplest and most bland meals. The dark circles that had once been beneath her eyes only deepened, and her body had reached such a point of exhaustion that it trembled. Thor and Frigga grew more and more concerned for her as the days passed.
oOoOo
"Jane? May I come in?"
"Of course."
Frigga entered with a smile on her face, softly illuminated by the hanging lamps. "How are you faring, dear girl?"
Jane stood up from where she is sitting by the balcony windows, slightly inclining her head. "Better, thank you."
"I am happy to hear it." The older woman quickly strode over to where Jane stood and looked outside. "I thought that a trip to the palace observatory might interest you. Could I convince you to accompany me?" she asked with a sly smile.
Jane's face lit up at the invitation, and she nodded eagerly. "I'd love to. I've heard it's pretty impressive," she supplied excitedly. Frigga nodded in agreement.
The two left Jane's chambers in search of the observatory. For the first time in a long time, Jane could feel shivers of excitement course through her body. Nearly three years ago, she would have given anything to be in the position she was in now. As they approached, Jane nervously ran a hand through her hair. This is it, Jane.
Two guards pushed the doors open, nodding reverently as Frigga and Jane entered. The latter gasped in awe: the ceilings were higher than any of the observatories she had ever been to on Earth. Evening shone through the opening at the highest point in the domed ceiling, bathing the entire observatory in soft light. The circular walls were lined with bookshelves, and Jane eyed them curiously. Frigga followed her gaze and smiled ruefully.
"Those are all texts about nearly everything regarding the Nine Realms: charts, constellations, and so on. They've all been meticulously kept." She gestured to them. "Go and take a look. I believe they will be of interest to you."
Needing no further encouragement, Jane stepped forward and pulled one of the thicker tomes from the shelf. Setting it down on a nearby table, she carefully opened it. Her eyes roamed the pages hungrily. After a few moments, Jane looked up at Frigga, her eyes alight with pure joy. Frigga smiled.
"There are many questions you have; I can see them in your eyes," the older woman said. "Perhaps they might be saved for another time. For someone better suited to explain the answers than myself."
Jane nodded in understanding, and returned to the open book in front of her. She flipped through the worn pages, fascinated to read what those pages contained. As she continued to look through the old book, something painful tugged at her heart. She furrowed her brows and she found that her hand would no longer turn the pages. Familiarity pulled at the hazy corners of her mind, and a spark of recognition crossed her dark face.
"Who kept these?" she whispered, unable to meet Frigga's gaze.
"Loki did. Almost all of these journals, these charts and tomes, are his." She sighed. "He often found solace among the stars. This observatory was a gift from Odin for his coming-of-age." Frigga looked up through the circular opening in the ceiling, tears threatening to fall as she remembered more and more of her lost son. "It was nearly impossible to pull him away from here."
Jane watched Frigga with sadness, and turned her gaze back to the familiar and elegant handwriting that lined the musty pages.
"I'm so sorry," Jane said quietly. "I wish I could be more helpful. Truly."
Frigga shook her head and walked to Jane's side. "My dear girl, you've been most helpful. If not for you, we might not make a step in the proper direction. We'll find him. Do not fret," she said gently, placing a delicate hand on her forearm.
"I just wish...I wish I had paid more attention. I didn't—" Jane began, but her body began to tremble, and her vision started to lose focus.
"Jane? Are you quite alright?" Frigga asked, voice filled with concern. Jane's only response was an unsteady step backwards. Frigga moved quickly and guided Jane to the floor, holding her in her lap.
"Stay with me Jane, just a moment longer," she said soothingly. Jane whimpered as she squeezed her eyes shut. Frigga laid a palm to her temple and closed her eyes as well. She focused on harnessing Jane's subconscious, and before too long, she was sucked into Jane's vision.
Darkness swirled around Jane, until a gust of wind pushed it away. Two figures walked toward her, both formidable. They walked among the buzz of figures working hard at something; what it was, she couldn't tell. The din of their environment was dulled, becoming a quiet hum. The two figures standing in front of them approached, and instinctively she stepped back.
Frigga recognized the larger figure from memories of Jane's previous encounters: Thanos. He walked with his hands behind his back. The second figure at his side pulled at her heart, but she could not interfere.
Loki.
"Everything is nearly done. Your forces are at the ready once more."
"Good. You will leave for Asgard in a day's time." Thanos smirked to himself. "The Allfather's weakness grows; I can sense it. Asgard is ready for the taking. You will bring me what I asked, is that understood?"
Loki nodded, a vacant look in his eyes. "Yes, my lord. Once I have overtaken the Realm Eternal, the Infinity Gauntlet shall be yours."
Frigga opened her eyes and let out the breath she hadn't known she'd been holding in. Jane lay in her lap, still unconscious.
"Guards! Guards! Come quickly!" Frigga cried out. Not moments later, two guards appeared in the observatory, waiting for their queen's command.
"One of you must take Lady Foster back to her chambers. See to it that she is looked after by the healers. The other must seek the King in the council meeting; tell the Allfather and the Prince that there has been a recent development."
The first guard quickly walked to Frigga and lifted Jane from her lap, exiting the room soon after. The second guard regarded her.
"Do you wish for me to call upon the Gatekeeper, my queen?"
Frigga shook her head. "The good Heimdall already knows to seek me out." She stood and quickly walked toward the observatory doors. "You must make haste; time is precious, and we cannot afford to lose one moment."
The second guard bowed and followed her out of the observatory, turning down the hallway opposite her.
oOoOo
Jane awoke in a panic. Her heart sped up, and she sat up quickly. She was back in her room; Frigga was not there. In fact, she was completely alone. Fear suddenly gripped her heart, and she struggled to keep her breathing steady.
Frigga was pushed out of the vision too soon. She needed to know.
Jane threw the blankets back and she hit the ground running. She nearly lost her traction as she swung the doors open and careened down the hallway. She passed quite a few guards and servants, all of whom gave her surprised looks, but she ignored them. She had one thing on her mind, and one thing only.
oOoOo
"How large was his army?" Thor asked urgently.
"Numerous; I imagine it is as large as the army you had faced on Midgard, if not more," Frigga answered solemnly.
"Was there any sign of tampering with the vision? Anything at all?" Odin asked.
"No. Everything seemed sound."
Odin nodded and turned his wizened gaze upon the Gatekeeper. He nodded.
"I can confirm, Allfather. Everything the Queen says is true."
Thor opened his mouth to ask another question when the throne room doors burst open. Jane stood in the doorway, breathless, a wild look in her eyes. The three of them stopped to face her; Thor stepped forward.
"Jane, is everything alright?" Frigga asked quickly.
"What has happened?" Thor inquired at the same time.
Jane's eyes moved rapidly between everyone in the room before she rushed forward to stand with the group. She spoke directly to Frigga.
"There's something you missed. You left too soon. That vision-we have to move quickly," she spoke hurriedly.
Thor furrowed his brow in both confusion and concern. "Jane, of what do you speak?"
Just as Jane was about to respond, a large crash was heard, followed by several screams. Jane blanched.
"They're here," she whispered.
"But...how? We were to have a day's preparation!" Thor exclaimed.
Heimdall bowed slightly. "Allfather, we do not have much time. I will speak with the captains."
"And I shall meet you on the battlefield." He turned to Jane and Frigga. "Come; we must get you to safety. Allfather, you should—"
He shook his head. "No, my son. I shall fight by your side. I will have words with Heimdall. In the meantime, take your mother and the Lady Jane to the safe rooms."
Thor nodded and did as was instructed. He quickly guided Frigga and a shivering Jane to the hidden safe rooms at the back of the palace.
oOoOo
After depositing his mother and Jane into the safe rooms, carefully guarded by a handful of palace guards, he ran to where he'd come from, following the sounds of frantic fighting. The closer he became, the louder the fight was. When he reached the throne room, it was teeming with Chitauri; the Aesir were in a frenzy to combat their newest threat. Several of the palace's residents lay slain, many of them simple palace guards. Thor quickly surveyed the damage, and held his palm out as he called for Mjolnir. He gritted his teeth, watching with disgust as Chitauri cut down numerous palace guards.
A smile of satisfaction reached his lips as he felt Mjolnir slap into his palm, catching the attention of several Chitauri soldiers. They screeched as they recognized him, and ran toward him, brandishing their weapons in the air. Thor lifted Mjolnir above his head and swung the hammer forward, knocking the beastly soldiers back several feet. He cut through the droves, helping the remaining palace guards fight off those that had made it inside.
Once he made an advance, pushing the Chitauri soldiers back out of the main hall, he rushed out into the city. He gasped; the city was nearly overrun. Aesir ran frantically as the Chitauri forces chased them, slaying anyone in their path. Clenching his teeth, Thor raised the hammer above his head and summoned lightning. Dark clouds began to swirl in the sky, and lightning struck his adversaries, killing them where they stood.
Thor spotted the gleaming golden armor of the Allfather, and he made his way to where he stood.
"Father!" he called out. Odin, in all his glory, stood beside Heimdall and the captains of each regiment. The Allfather barked out short orders, and the captains scrambled. In no less than three short moments, the Aesir regiments marched into the city.
"How did you manage to assemble the Aesir army so quickly?" Thor asked the Gatekeeper. He bowed his head.
"I sensed an imbalance; something did not feel right with the universe, my Prince. I alerted the captains and they prepared for this a few days before now." He shook his head. "Though I will admit, I did not know it would be the Lost Prince."
The three stood in silence, all feeling the sting of bitter disappointment. Never did they imagine Loki's schemes would bring them to this.
Their reflection, however, was short-lived; the screeching of the Chitauri's war cry broke through their thoughts, bringing them back to the present. Thor set his jaw.
"Your plan of attack, Father?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"That is just it, my son: attack."
Thor grinned maliciously and threw Mjolnir forward. The hammer parted the proverbial sea of enemies, tearing down one Chitauri soldier after another. The Allfather jumped into the fray beside Heimdall, wielding Gungnir and cutting down each adversary that made the unfortunate mistake of crossing his path. The Gatekeeper fought with just as much tenacity and without mercy.
Thor advanced quickly through the enemy ranks; the thrill of battle and bloodshed, though not as potent as in his youth, rushed through his veins. Nothing could stop him now, not even—
He froze. The drone of battle dropped to a dull buzz in his ears, and he neither heard nor saw anything else but what stood before him. Dread seeped into every corner of his body and pooled in the pit of his stomach as his blood ran cold. Thor's blue eyes met the unnatural blue of the figure in front of him as it approached, face completely devoid of any recognition or emotion.
In that moment, Thor felt his heart tear in two.
Loki stood before him, staff poised for attack. Only then did Thor realize its target:
His own heart.
A/N: Whew, guys. This is going to be a lengthy author's note. I first have to apologize; this has been the longest I've gone without updating, but for good reason. One, I've been acclimating myself with classes and university (max credit hours: not my best decision), and two, this chapter was extremely difficult to write. If you know me and my writing, you will know that I hate writing the boring stuff, and I often get stuck. Plus, I don't have to beta, so I need to go over chapters more than once just to make sure that I get everything correct (and even then, I miss things). Please be patient with me; I'm going to try my best to update quicker next time. I just didn't feel right giving you all a really short chapter this time around.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait. Thank you guys so much for your patience, and I hope to see some reviews!
-Soph
