Warning: Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Psychological Abuse and Trauma


oOo

Chapter 8 – Threshold

Hela sat on the couch, smiling at all of them. She had noticed from the moment she had entered that there was tension dramatically flaring from each of the mortals. Hela giggled darkly, as her lips puckered up. The raven, who had once lounged on the table, now sat on the arm of the couch right next to her.

Hela carefully eyed Thor, who was the image of regality and almost a splitting image of a future King Odin. She took off her gaze from him and eyed the rest of the team, and thought, what an unlikely group of misfits.

"Shall I cut to the chase?" Hela voiced. "Or must I introduce myself?"

"An introduction would be nice." Steve carefully said. "Do you want us to each—?"

"No need, I know you all."

"Really?" Clint gaped.

"I think I would know a pretty lady when I meet her." Tony said.

"Doubt that." Natasha murmured.

"I have met you once or twice in my domain, Tony Stark." Hela said, almost seductively. "You were pulled away from me when your life, so fleeting, roared energy and took you away from me for good. No matter, I will have your souls sooner or later. That is, if you do not reach Valhalla."

"Please do not frighten them, Lady Hela." Thor said sadly.

"Not at all, Thunderer," She smiled. "You and your brother were once afraid of me. I wonder what had changed."

"Perhaps facing danger all the time, counts."

"I know Loki does not fear death anymore, only the pain that comes with it."

"Uh, we're not here to talk about Loki's past, are we?" Tony said, feeling guilty. "I think that's too much of a sore subject to talk about."

"Rude," Hela told him. "But nonetheless a very charming notion."

"So you're the goddess of death?" Bruce piped up.

"Not quite."

"My father sent for you," Thor grimaced. "Why would he go through the trouble?"

"Because I was there," Hela explained. "I was the shadow, who was trying her hardest to point out the problem without so much as saying a word. However, the people in your family are far too dense to notice. Only Loki seemed to be the smart one."

"You have much to explain then."

"I do, Thunderer."

"Then speak."

"A little patience and self-control, please," She put a finger to her lips. "One would think you have the temper of your father and not a single ounce of patience from your mother."

Thor palmed his face, she reminded him so much of Loki. One would think they were related, but that was impossible. Thor leaned back on the couch and thought his words wisely. Hela was a tricky person. Nearly all the rulers were tricky. Thor had to be careful of how he spoke, and weary of where the conversation would lead to.

"My friends," He decided. "This is Lady Hela, the Queen of Hel."

They all nodded to her.

She nodded back.

"Do not mistake me for death." Hela spoke out. "I am not the one Thanos is trying to woo."

"You're not?" Clint gaped.

"No."

"But he's bent over death right?"

"I am not death herself," She expressed. "Death is an abstract entity, one who possesses omnipotence and omniscience. I am merely the ruler of the underworld, a caretaker of souls offered to death."

"A pleasure to be working with you," Steve said awkwardly. "Ma'am."

"Indeed." She grinned. "But I am not here for pleasantries. The All-Father did demand retribution."

"Demand?" Thor grimaced.

"A request then, but it seemed like a demand." Hela shrugged. "His tone with me was quite anxious and full of distress. He was quite adamant that I get going and explain the entire situation to you and your meager friends."

"He had a bargain with you?"

"Only the assurance of my title and rights for my realm to stay intact and nothing more. Your father expressed his wishes to get your dear little trickster, Loki, back home as soon as possible. And get what I want, by the end of it. A simple transaction, a win-win situation."

"Why don't I like the tone of your voice?" Clint frowned.

"Loki and I are quite acquainted."

"What do you know?" Natasha crossed her arms.

"Miraculously so, the Queen of Hel seeks help from you." She pointed out. "You see, I know where dear Loki is, and with my knowledge, we may be able to work out a negotiation."

"You've already negotiated with Thor's father." Tony said.

"Ah, but that is my transaction with him." Hela said. "My realm rights, for my loyalty to the All-Father. But our transaction was just for me to explain to you, not help."

"What do you want then?" Natasha glared.

"Your help, in exchange for mine." Hela said.

"We are listening." Thor said.

"Wait, Thor." Steve said. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah," Clint said. "It sounds like you're selling yourself to her."

"I agree with him." Tony pointed out.

"I want Loki back home, safely." Thor lowered his gaze. "And I know my soul is not what Lady Hela wants, am I correct?"

"I am in no need of any Aesir souls, for now." She smiled. "Just your cooperation to help me."

"What is it that you need help for?" Bruce asked.

"It's simple, really."

"And Loki?" Thor wondered.

"Loki is in a world Thanos created." Hela explained. "It is a world devoid of any means of escape, hope and happiness. It is a living nightmare. It is a series of maze, all designed to look like one of your worst fears."

"A haunted house?" Tony voiced.

"More or less."

"Called it."

"I don't know what frightens me more," Clint muttered to Natasha. "The fact that the Lady of Hel understood that or the fact that Stark brought it up."

"Thanos created this world for Death. I am in need of your help, because the souls used in this damned rip-off creation of a world were taken from the halls of my realm."

"Thanos stole from you." Steve concluded.

"Yes, and ever so uncaring," Hela grimaced. "He believes that taking from my realm would please death, but that is highly unlikely. He will never be able to shape death's preference and approval by his offers. So I looked for a way to tear down his creation. If it is not torn down, the souls collected from my realm will stay in that closed space he created and will result to a stronger world. That cannot happen."

"Because there could only be nine realms," Natasha stated.

"Yes."

"You've told Father this?" Thor asked.

"I did, and he expresses great concern over it and is prepared if things drastically turn." Hela smiled wickedly. "I even have a feeling he will turn to Jotunheim as well."

"What?"

"So desperate is he to win."

"Is there a way to stop it?" Bruce wondered. "It'll throw off the balance—"

"Ah, that's the word."

"Lady Hela, we will help return the stolen souls of your realm," Thor said like a King, earning her attention. "But you must help us by telling us more. Otherwise we will not be able to help."

"Fair enough," Hela narrowed her green eyes. "Thanos is a strong being, he can manipulate to his will if he finds your transgressions against him to be, how should I put it… unfair? He created a world of pure terror, beyond what powers we realm rulers are capable of. The more Loki stays inside that closed space, the more it will feed into his nightmares. And the dear boy has quite a lot. More than any of you combined."

"Let me get this straight," Tony coughed. "Thanos created a haunted house world for Loki, used the souls to make it scarier, and the more Loki is scared, the bigger it gets?"

"So rude," Hela smiled at him. "Loki is a living soul. They will latch onto him more because of the energy trapped in his veins. But you are otherwise correct."

"What do we do?" Thor wondered.

"Break the walls that bind it."

"And the souls and Loki will be released?" Natasha asked.

"If you do that, I will come in to recollect them." Hela nodded. "They are mine, after all."

"Now that we established the how," Steve declared. "Where exactly is Loki located?"

"In Niflheim."

"Where?" Thor clenched his fists.

"He is in Nastrond."

Thor turned pale as a sheet, his hand clenched in front of him. He took a deep breath and stood up with a wobbly foot. He lowered his head and walked to the window, taking a deep breath, trying to compose himself so he won't break anything.

"Thor?" Bruce walked forward.

"No," Hela ordered. "Leave him be."

"He's our friend," Steve said.

"I can see for myself."

"What exactly is Nastrond?" Natasha glared at her.

"It is called the Shore of Corpses." Thor took a deep breath. "It is a place that dwells in Hel, where Nidhogg lives. Nidhogg chews on the corpses and roots from Yggdrasil itself."

"Can you elaborate?" Clint raised an eyebrow.

"Nidhogg is a serpent." Hela smiled.

"It lives, it eats and is known as a monster that protects Yggdrasil." Thor said, turning to Hela. "How did Loki get to Nastrond without the Bifrost?"

"Thanos."

"That's still too far away—"

"How bad is it at this Nastrond?" Tony asked.

"It is as translated." Thor swallowed, leaning his head on the glass. "He is trapped there."

"Not quite." Hela said.

"What?"

"Loki is not truly at Nastrond, but the closed space is located there. In the closed space, Loki lurks through it."

"How do we get there?" Natasha wondered.

"We enter Hel first." Hela smiled viciously. "Ginnungagap is a primordial void, literally a gap that separates the North, Niflheim which is a cold dark place and the South, Muspelheim which is a very warm place."

"Sounds like two versions of hell." Clint grimaced.

"It's a place for the afterlife." Thor explained further. "Nastrond is a place for those who are guilty of murder, oath-breaking and adultery. To put Loki in such a place even if it is merely a rift or closed space is an insult."

"I am concerned with these mortals, Thor." Hela chuckled. "They know so little of the Poetic Edda, nor the Prose Edda that was written in their history."

"It's old," Tony excused.

"And full of lies."

"It is?"

"Half-meant truths."

"Make up your mind, Lady."

"Let me give you a lecture then," She said in her own translation. "Nastrond, a hall standing far from the sun, the doors to the Northward it is turned, the venom drops and falls from the halls in which is covered by the serpents back. Here the souls are doomed to stay. A stream of murderers is what they remain."

"We must hurry and leave now." Thor decided. "We need to leave."

"I agree." Hela stood up.

"Wait, Thor. Just let us get our things." Steve said.

"I have seen your capabilities, but I would advise ill that you bring your suit." Hela pointed to Tony. "I doubt you will be able to use it much. More so, if you become a liability."

"That's not gonna happen, Lady." Tony said.

"Why can't Stark bring his Iron Man suit?" Natasha wondered.

"Complications," Hela said.

"What complication?" Tony eyed her. "If we're getting through serious shit, I want to have my comfort zone with me."

"What troubles you, Lady Hela?" Thor narrowed his gaze.

"You will be encountering your worst nightmares in that realm," She explained. "You will not know the difference between friend and foe. To have something so dangerous could also be a fault, unless you are not so trigger-happy, then you may do so."

"Yeah," Clint tilted his head. "I don't want to risk getting shot."

"She's right, Stark." Natasha cocked her head.

"I'm not trigger happy." Tony pouted.

"Maybe you should stay, Tony." Steve suggested. "You and Banner—"

"I think it might be a good idea, Tony." Bruce said. "I don't want to risk this."

"I'm going." Tony glared. "You can't stop me."

"It was only a warning." Hela smiled, walking farther away from them. "I know that Thor, will think first before he reacts, lest he wishes to harm Loki if he were ever to encounter a nightmare. Your dear, Captain, has a virtue more saint like than any other. Your dear Widow, I believe is what you are called? You may be potential to figuring it out on your own, and so does your archer friend. The other two, the jolly green giant is more reckless than helpful, although that would help you with your search and destroy situation. It will cause more damage than naught."

"And Stark?" Thor narrowed his gaze.

"A weapons maker with a penchant for recklessness," Hela smirked, trying to rile him up. "I see no good, when he cannot even control his own nightmares."

"Fuck that!" Tony glared. "I'm going whether you want me to or not! Suit or not!"

"Banner?" Steve turned to him.

"I'll stick with Tony, I suppose." Bruce mumbled.

"We have to tell Fury," Clint said.

"As much as I hate to say it, we don't have the time." Natasha frowned. "If Loki is in there, he might not make it."

"We need Fury to know where we are." Steve said.

"Jarvis," Tony said, glaring. "Once we leave, I want you to send Fury a video feed from when Thor came till we leave, okay?"

"Of course, sir." Jarvis answered.

"That's one way to settle confusion." Bruce smiled.

"I have my uses." Tony scoffed.

"Is everyone ready then?" Hela smirked, turning to the window. "I have approval from the All-Father to take you to my realm."

"We are ready." Thor nodded.

Hela snapped her fingers and a dark shadow circled the glass window, turning it completely black and mist like. Hela smirked at them and stepped forward into the glass. She passed right through, disappearing to the other side.

"I don't like this." Tony breathed.

"You wanted to come along," Steve said. "You don't get to complain."

"She reminds me of Loki." Clint grimaced.

"You are not alone in that thought." Thor said. "All rulers are devious."

With that, they entered Hel.


oOo

"My Boy!?" Cannibal-Odin asked. "Where are you?"

"Calm down…"

"My son! Please!"

"It's a lie."

"A chance! It's all I ask for!"

"I'm sorry."

Loki covered his mouth, allowing no sound to come out. He was trembling so badly that the bed was making noise. When it did, Loki turned and peeked through the hole. He saw the Cannibal walking closer to the bed. When it dropped down to its knees to look below, Loki felt relief. The Cannibal was confused, and walked away.

"Norns," Loki thought.

His heart won't calm down.

It was a good thing that Loki chose to hide on the roof of the bed instead of under it. From up there, he was concealed by the dirty torn curtains. Otherwise, he would have been caught. He had no idea what would happen if he did. Then, the bed creaked again, causing the Cannibal to turn.

Loki tried to stop himself from trembling.

"No, please don't look up."

"I know you are here." The old Cannibal laughed. "I—I know it."

"No…"

"I—I'll come back for you."

"No, please don't."

"I'll come back."

The Cannibal turned away, nodding at himself.

"I'll just come back."

When the Cannibal walked away and his footsteps were echoing softly through the hall, Loki broke down in tears. He couldn't stop trembling, he embraced himself and tried to calm himself, but nothing was working.

He was shaking.

"I have to get out of here." He swallowed. "I need to get out."

Loki carefully moved himself off the roof of the bed and dropped down the floor. He carefully made his way to the door to look both ways to see if it was clear. Loki had seen the Cannibal turn left, back to his place.

Loki decided to avoid that from now on.

He took out the small pouch of crystals and eyed it.

Six left.

He took one and placed it by the door. It glowed a faint red color that reminded him of Thor. Loki placed a palm on his lips to stop a sob. He hoped that the crystal would be a smart enough landmark that would remind him never to go through that side again.

Thor…

He really needed Thor.

Loki maneuvered himself by the side of the wall, avoiding the puddle of blood trailing towards the Cannibal's den. Loki continuously looked behind him, just in case he was being followed and he was lucky he wasn't. He walked the hall straight, trying to avoid the intersecting halls, afraid that going left or right would have led him back to the Cannibal.

He went straight and heard a familiar grunt.

He saw a shadow through one of the door, and he couldn't simply ignore it. It might as well be another horrifying image of someone he knew. It just had to be. So Loki walked to it and looked. It looked like the normal Asgardian training entrance.

"That's odd." He figured.

Loki pushed the door gently and walked inside, seeing that nobody was there.

"I could have sworn someone was here."

Loki eyed the place further and noticed that it looked nearly the same as the one in Asgard. There was a giant door to the left that led to the outside. It was a narrow hall facing the door with an intricate fire place in the middle.

"I wonder," Loki thought.

It looked similar to the scene Loki had spoken to Thor with during the coronation, but this place was damper and darker, despite the fire in the middle.

"Maybe if I stepped outside—"

Suddenly, he heard a sound.

Loki flinched and turned.

He saw the door open from behind him and ran to the curtains by the pillars to the left and hid himself in the shadow. Hoping that the figure would not find him, he couldn't run. He really couldn't bring himself to run anymore.

His peeked through the curtain pass the pillar.

His eyes widened at the scene.

There stood Thor.

"Is it really—?" He swallowed.

Thor wore no shirt and his complexion was dark.

Loki eyed Thor's body riddled with scars, his body was sweaty and bloody, but Loki was smart enough to figure out that it wasn't his blood. Loki eyed as Thor raised a goblet he held and drank from it. He started to walk forward to the fire and threw the goblet in it. Thor had that strange expression on his face that Loki couldn't pinpoint.

Suddenly, Loki heard cheering.

Thor immediately raised his head and grinned maliciously.

"This cannot be the image of Thor."

Loki followed his gaze to Thor, who moved to the gate.

He opened it with one push and walked out, his arms up above his head as the crowd cheered. Loki found it strange, how was this terrifying? So Loki followed Thor out, he made sure that no one was behind him as he walked to the gate and peeked through it.

The sky was dark and dangerously bloody as the rocky tiles on the floor were.

There was a massive crowd around the bloody arena, but that's not what disturbed Loki the most. It was the Jotun's tied all over the arena, looking to be slaughtered. The people cursed them, shouted and ridiculed them, but the worst Loki saw was Thor just standing in front of them.

"Do you have any last words, Frost Giant?" Thor said.

The Jotun remained silent.

What Thor did next was inexcusable.

Loki had to cover his mouth again.

Thor had taken an axe and slammed it at the Frost Giant's head.

Thor stepped on the Jotun's shoulder and pulled the axe, allowing it to break free. The Jotun fell and the body still twitched. The crowd had cheered and what was worse that Thor did not stop there. Thor raised the axe and brought it down to the Jotun's body, breaking the skin and doing the same thing he did before. He pulled the axe free and brought it down again. The other Jotun's tied up watched in horror, all while the crowd of Aesir's cheered.

Loki stopped looking and leaned back on the wall.

He slid down and tried to compose himself. He needed to control his breathing, because if he didn't and he had to run, he would be in trouble.

I'll hunt the monsters down and slay them all.

Was that what it meant?

Loki couldn't bring himself to think anymore.

He could hear Thor's dark laughter from the outside and the sound of his axe colliding with its victim. Loki tried to tune it all out and stop listening to the sounds of death right behind the wall. Loki trembled, and swallowed, trying to gain back some confidence, but he still couldn't look at Thor, he just couldn't.

It was wrong.

That wasn't the Thor he knew at all.

"Do you want me to slay them all?" Thor shouted. "Do you?"

The crowd cheered.

Thor brought down his axe to another, and one by one, Thor finished them all as the crowd continued to cheer.

"They're all gone."

The crowd laughed with Thor.

"No matter, I think I missed one more."

Thor's gaze went to the door.

He walked back to the gate, and the crowd's cheers died down. The arena full of people disappeared one by one, like ink melting into the gaps through the stone. Thor had a lustful grin on him, as he silently walked forward.

Loki still sat there, tuning Thor's voice out. He figured Thor would be too distracted to notice him anyways.

"I should look for an exit." Loki thought.

He brought out the pouch of glowing crystals. There were five left and he took one out and placed it right beside him. It glowed a faint red and green, reminding Loki of how he and Thor's colors clashed perfectly together.

"Four left." He sighed. "I shouldn't waste any more."

He placed the pouch back in his pocket and leaned his head back.

"You must be lost," Thor grinned. "Little Jotun."

Loki jumped, face turning to Thor, crouched up beside him.

How did Loki not notice him?

How did he not hear him?

"Thor…

"The little Jotun Ergi knows my name, how thoughtful."

"Jotun—you think that—"

"I wonder what someone like you is doing at a place like this." He smirked, touching Loki's chin as if they've known each other for long. "I've never seen a Jotun as small as you are. You are quite charming in Aesir form."

"I'm—" Loki quivered.

"Do not dare deny it," Thor laughed. "I've slayed more Frost Giants than I can count. I think I would know one if I met one."

Loki slapped Thor's hand away and stood up, backing away from him carefully. Loki was so glad that Thor hadn't noticed the glowing crystal glowing green and red by the floor. Loki continued back away, while Thor followed his steps carefully, ready to pounce.

"I shouldn't have left my guard down." Loki thought.

"Now that is rude." Thor narrowed his gaze. "Someone as fragile as you shouldn't be so frightened of someone like me."

"Like you said, I am lost." Loki answered courageously. "If you could just point the way out, I could leave."

Thor laughed. "We have a jester."

"I should go."

"Why the rush, little Jotun?"

"I need to go."

"Can you not stay a while? We could talk about the other Giants I slayed. You can praise me if you wish, tell me I've done a good job."

"Why would I do that?" Loki said cautiously.

"Because you've done the same, haven't you?"

"What?"

"Seeking approval, looking for attention for the right thing you did."

"Killing isn't right."

"That never stopped you." Thor smiled maliciously.

Before Loki could run, Thor was quicker and grabbed his wrist, pulling them in an awkward angle, making Loki scream. He then pinned Loki by the pillar and held his wrist together in front of Loki, making Loki wince and whimper. He used one hand to pin both Loki's wrists while the other hand held firmly on the back of Loki's neck.

"I like the sounds you make." Thor crept closer to his ear.

"Get off!"

"You're different from the other Giants I've met."

"Please—" Loki struggled.

Not this.

Loki struggled, trying to push Thor away.

He tried to gather his Seidr, but in his panic the threads connecting to them continued to vanish and he couldn't grasp them. Loki felt so useless, and out of all the things that could happen, it just had to be Thor.

Not you!

Loki hated being touched, or seen in that kind of light. His time with the Chitauri had ruined his very being, his dignity. He had lost everything when they ravaged and raped him. He would've been able to push everyone else, fight for the ones that did him wrong, he could accept his defeat there, but he wouldn't be able to accept it if it was Thor.

"Please what, little Jotun?"

Thor lowered his hands to Loki's waist and nibbled Loki's neck, pinning him further onto the pillar, making Loki whimper.

Loki's free hands tried to push Thor, but he couldn't break free from the grip Thor had on his waist.

So he tiredly slung his hands by Thor's shoulder, continuing to push with effort.

It was painful.

The small bites on his neck that Thor made, made his knees weak, and Loki couldn't stop thinking about the horrid things the Chitauri did to him. Something that not-Thor would do much worse to him, and he would never be able to see real Thor the same way again.

He wanted to die, he really wanted to die.

"I don't want this." Loki sobbed.

He couldn't reach his Seidr no matter how hard he tried. His body wouldn't obey him, and that was Loki's weakness. If he was stuck in that darkness, he would stay stuck. Tears fell from his eyes as his knees buckled, but Thor only tightened his grip on his waist to pull him up.

"You don't want this?" Thor licked his neck, making Loki shiver.

Loki rested his head on Thor's shoulder, unable to move.

He was so tired from running.

So exhausted.

There was only so much energy he had in the first place until it all disappeared, and he had been through so much. His body just wouldn't work anymore. Thor held him tight, reminding Loki of how much he missed the real Thor.

"You don't want this?" Thor repeated, nibbling and sucking his neck.

Loki cried softly. "Anything but this."

He would rather be chased by Odin than touched by this Thor.


oOo

"Pull the lever, Barton!"

"For the last time, Stark!" Clint yelled. "Stop making references about that!"

"Fine, to the bat cave then!"

"I am not robin you ass!"

"You're such a killjoy."

"Natasha," Clint turned to her. "Is it alright if I accidentally killed Stark? I can tell Fury that I couldn't do my best to save him. That I tried so hard, but it was just too late!"

"Sure." She answered.

"You two are a headache." Bruce mumbled.

"I agree." Steve voiced.

"Ugh," Tony frowned. "I hate you guys."

Thor and Hela were walking forward, a little farther than any of them were. Thor wanted to see Loki safely, and as soon as possible. They weren't going to waste any more time. But Hela stopped as she pointed at the gate.

"I want you all to be careful." She said.

"Why?" Tony sighed.

"Because my lovely Garm guards Gnipahellir," Hela smirked. "The entrance to Hel."

"Garm?" Steve wondered.

"A vicious Hell hound that guards Hela's gates," Thor answered for her.

"Once we reach that side, I can safely help you get to Nastrond faster to your brother, trapped within that place. There is a rift there in which the closed space hides, I could lead you there immediately, but there won't be any turning back."

"That's fine." Natasha said.

"Yeah, we did decide this after all." Clint nodded.

With that, the Avengers and Hela traveled pass Garm. The dog lowered its gaze and growled when the Avengers looked at him. They carefully made their way towards a pathway Hela had in her palace.

"This looks normal," Bruce said.

"Talk about gothic." Tony rolled his eyes.

Once they reached the pathway, Hela merely walked forward and dove right through. Thor followed without a word, making everyone question the difference in Thor lately. He was so determined, something they had not seen in a long time. The Avengers followed and nearly dropped when they reached Nastrond.

"Are we there yet?"

"Surprisingly so, yes, Tony Stark." Hela smiled.

"Great."

"Thank you, Lady Hela." Thor said.

"I've only gathered enough strength to help you reach this place," Hela whispered. "I cannot interfere, lest I wish Thanos' upon me."

"And it's okay, if it's us?" Tony glared.

"Oh you test my patience, mortal." She giggled. "I've given you a decision and you made your own choices. Trying to help you any further would only ensnare me into Thanos' cage."

"We did this for Loki," Thor voiced.

"Indeed, that is your sole purpose Thunderer." She smiled. "My soul purpose is to return what belongs to me. Return them and I shall pray that your life be spared by the Norns."

"You have no control what the Norns say."

"I have enough to bind what will I crave, Thor. Your sole would still be a lovely addition, but I do not seek that yet. You have a life ahead of you."

"This is getting weird." Tony whistled.

"Ha, you call that weird, I call every shit weird." Clint laughed.

"We should keep going," Steve said. "Where's the rift?"

"Just walk towards the shore of corpses, straight through and it will lead you there." She pointed. "Be careful, it will feed off your nightmares. I have warned you. The only reason the rest of you are here is because you have a better chance at finding Loki in number. Let us hope you do not fall prey to the horrors that lurk within."

"Thank you again," Thor voiced.

Hela nodded, and disappeared in a flash of green.

"Let me get this straight," Tony said, unable to look at the shore of corpses. "We're going to a haunted house created by every living nightmare that exists and to stop it is to destroy the ones that bind it. Free the souls or whatever. Face your fears, yeah?"

"That is what Lady Hela said." Thor nodded.

"We need a plan." Steve said.

"What plan exactly?" Clint said. "Have Banner smash through everything?"

"That's not a good idea." Bruce muttered.

"I don't agree with that too." Natasha said.

"Can we do this from the inside?" Thor wondered. "I do not want to imagine what horrors Loki is facing right now. I need to be with him. I need to speak with him."

"It's fine, Thor." Steve said. "We'll find your brother."

"I hope so."

With that, Thor walked into the rift first.

"Please tell me it's not really a haunted house." Tony complained.

"Why, you scared, Stark?" Clint mocked.

"In your face, Legolas."

"What has your Iron panties in a twist?"

"What has your bow in a knot?" Tony retorted.

"Good one."

"Come on Cap, I'm tired of this bullshit." Tony pulled Steve in, and they walked into the rift.

"Bruce?" Natasha said.

"I'm going." Bruce ripped his gaze from the bloody water and walked into the rift.

"It's you and me." Clint said. "Ladies first."

"Whatever." Natasha pulled Clint's collar and they both walked in.


oOo

"Please don't be like silent hill," Tony had his eyes closed, saying it like a mantra. "Please don't be like silent hill."

"Tony, open your eyes." Steve said.

Tony did open his eyes, and boy had he never regretted doing something as simple as opening his eyes. The place was full of blood, the walls were damp and cold, the place was in ruins. It was literally a real horror house, but bigger. It was terrifying, just standing in the hallway made Tony's whole body shake, and all the hairs on his body stand up.

"Oh man," He breathed. "It's like silent hill."

"Tony, it's fine."

"I don't like this, Steve. I didn't even like watching the movie."

"Why, is it bad?"

"No. It was too…"

Scary.

"Where are the others?" Steve wondered. "They should be here."

"Bruce followed after me," Tony whispered, looking cautiously. "More importantly, where's Thor?"


oOo

TBC…

Please review and tell me what you think.

A/N: Btw, I really want something bad to happen to Loki. xD
Like really bad that would turn his whole world upside down bad.
Something bad like DarkThor did it, bad.
I don't know why,
maybe it's just the cruel author side of me,
but I want your opinion on it.

Review and help me out?