"She's gone?!" exclaimed Loki, Koutaro's words having finally sunken in. "What do you mean she's gone?!"
Daidouji put himself between Koutaro and Loki, noticing the crazed look in the god's eyes at the mention of Mayura being gone. "He means she's been kidnapped, Loki. We're not sure exactly how but we were standing out on the balcony watching you kill that giant when a really cold wind blew across us. It was so cold and so strong we had to close our eyes, when it ended we looked around but Mayura wasn't with us. We thought she might have gone inside to escape the wind but we didn't find her anywhere in the house." He then reached into the breast pocket of his shirt, pulling out a piece of paper. "Although we did find this, but we couldn't figure it out, I think it's written in ancient Norse."
Loki took the note from Daidouji's hand, finding that the letters were indeed those of ancient Norse, though that did not reassure him. He knew that some god was involved in this, one that knew about Mayura and what she meant to him, but then again if what Ratatoskr had said before was true then every god in Asgard knew about her. He read the note carefully, wondering what this mysterious assailant could possibly want with Mayura:
One for the other,
To the man who loves her.
The human for the giantess
Or else.
The poem was obviously outlining the terms of a trade, one Loki was less than pleased to enact but he knew if he did not Mayura might be harmed and that he especially could not allow. He would have to give Spica over to this mystery man in order to have Mayura returned to him, yet he was unsure of whom he would be dealing with in this matter, as far as he knew he was the only one who had ever loved Spice. He looked over at the giantess in disguise, she was holding their eldest son with their youngest hovering beside her and he felt a sharp pain stab through his heart. While he did not love her romantically any longer, he still cared for her deeply as a friend and member of his family, after all she was the mother of his three children and had known him for centuries. Trading her for Mayura almost felt like a betrayal . . . to both women.
"I suggest heading back inside," announced Yamino when he saw the gods' somber looks. "We're all upset and tired, so how about everyone head to the loft while Mother and I make some snacks for everyone? We can discuss Mayura then."
Reluctantly Loki had to agree, until they knew who had Mayura they did not have a lead to follow, so he followed the others back into the house though he made sure to stay at the back of the group; he did not want anyone else to know what the letter said until he was ready to tell them and that would mean speaking to Spica first. Then again he was not sure he wanted to know if she had had another lover, it would bring up a lot of unwanted possibilities.
"Spica," he said in a whisper as he passed her. "Meet me down here in three minutes."
The giantess nodded then closed the door behind her, wondering what Loki could possibly want to discuss with her.
When the three minutes passed, Loki excused himself from the loft and headed downstairs, hoping no one would see him as he met with Spica. To his great relief no one but her was in the living room, Yamino and Verdandi having made themselves at home in the kitchen that was blessedly a decent distance away. His former wife seemed calm however he could see in the worry in her eyes, she likely had a feeling that Mayura's disappearance had something to do with her.
'Loki, you wanted to see me?' she asked, her sweet voice filling his head.
'I did,' he replied as he sat down on the couch, motioning for her to join him, when she did he continued with his train of thought. 'Angrboda, I need you to be honest with me when I ask you something.'
'Absolutely,' she said without hesitation so he figured she probably did not know what he was going to ask her about.
'Have you had another lover besides me?' he asked, disgusted with himself for asking although he knew it had to be done.
Spica shook her head firmly. 'No, absolutely not. You were and still have been the only person I have shared a bed with, and the same was true for you until you met Mayura. Why are you asking me such a question?'
Loki looked around before pulling the note out of his pocket. 'I haven't told anyone yet, but this is a ransom note for Mayura. The person who wrote it is asking for me to trade you for Mayura. The part that troubles me is the second line.' He handed the note to her to read.
Spica's eyes immediately went to the second line and she could understand her former husband's confusion, it clearly indicated that someone was deeply in love with her, though she did not know who. 'I see, well this is troubling, since I can't think of anyone else who could be in love with me. I know you were at one time, when you still ruled Utgard, but I'm not sure about after you left and created the Void. I think that was when you stopped loving me.'
Loki set his jaw in irritation, this was getting him nowhere, though he found it strange how everything happening lately was coming back to Utgard. He thought carefully about these past events, starting with Hild and her message: Someone from your past has wandered back into your present, with the intention of taking what once was his again. Chancing a glance at Spica he tried not to cringe at the thought of someone coming after her, after all she had been his once.
'Wait a minute,' he thought to himself, taking the note from Spica's hands, rereading it. 'Whomever wrote this has to be the person Hild mentioned! This is too much of a coincidence not to be the same person.' He then played over the last few days. 'A blizzard in June, the giant escaping through the Void, Mayura going missing after a sudden cold wind, her ransom being a powerful giantess. All signs point back to Utgard, but how is that possible? I haven't been there in centuries.'
Loki thought about the last time he had been in Utgard, after he had struck a deal with Odin to seal off the World of the Giants from the other Worlds in exchange for a place with the Aesir. He had used half of his magic to create the Void, sealing it with his blood so only he could reopen it should the time come, and Odin had replenished his sacrifice with some of his blood which made him half-Aesir and half-giant. Now the Void had indeed been opened, which meant someone of his blood, his giant's blood had somehow figured out that secret. But that was impossible, since his children never knew about that little trick, he had made sure they could not ever be used in that way.
Then again, how he created the Void was unclear in itself, he knew it required a sacrifice of blood and powerful magic but what happened when those two mixed together like that? No one since had used magic like that, so there was nothing he could compare it to, if anything it was all theory. He had always thought as long as he stayed alive so would the Void, and if he were killed it would reopen and the giants would escape, that was how he assumed the blood magic worked at least. Was it possible that the magic and blood combined in a different way beyond the Void?
"Verdandi," called Loki as he stood up and went into the kitchen, Spica following closely behind him. "Verdandi, I have an academic question."
Verdandi looked up from the garlic bread she was making and turned to face him, a curious look on her face. "Alright, what is it?"
"What happens when blood and magic are combined?" he asked, knowing this was going to open a floodgate of questions.
"Well," she said as she thought about the question. "It would depend on who did it; humans of old have been known to use blood as a catalyst for magic with some mixed results. But I can tell that's not what you're asking, Lord Loki. You're wondering about what happens when a god combines magic with blood."
Loki cursed the fact she was the Seer of the Present, but that was beside the point. "Yes, fine, do you know?"
Verdandi thought about the few times she had ever come across a god combining his blood and magic. "In theory, when a god gives blood to magic, he gives also a part of himself as well such as aspects of personality and knowledge. Our blood is different in the way it contains our very essence, changing with us as we change, so it is never quite the same as before; so it's entirely possible that the blood used in combination with the magic could create another god. The god one used to be based on what is contained in the blood at the time. Of course, this is just a theory."
Loki's heart sank to the floor, he had a feeling she was right and that that was what had happened in this situation. "Unfortunately Verdandi, I believe your theory is correct. I think when I closed off Utgard from the other worlds, I inadvertently created another me, one that would be just like how I was when I was the ruler of the giants. That's the only way any of this makes any sense."
"Master Loki, are you certain?" asked Yamino, his wavering voice betraying his nervousness. "This could just be Odin."
"No, I can be sure of that," said Loki with a mirthless smile as he showed them the ransom. "Whomever this is, he's asking for Spica in exchange for Mayura and claims to be in love with her. Spica confirmed to me that I'm the only person she can think of as being in love with her, and I was at the time I created the Void. If what Verdandi said is true, then this double of me is exactly how I was before and that includes being in love with Angrboda. This version of me is trying to get her back, as he thinks she was his before."
Verdandi gasped. "Mother's warning to you . . . about someone from your past wanting to take something that was his . . . she knew the whole time!"
A dark looked crossed Loki's face. "Yes, she most certainly did. She probably knew his intentions towards Mayura as well, which is why she wanted to meet her, to see if I actually did love her or if it was just a rumor. We walked right into a trap and didn't even know it."
Yamino frowned. "But what about the giant? It certainly seemed like it was trying to kill us, maybe it's unrelated."
"I don't think so," said Loki sternly. "Thinking about it now, I was stupid to separate myself from Mayura, that was exactly what this other me was counting on. He sent the giant after us deliberately in the hopes of me sending Mayura away in order to fight without worrying and he seized the opportunity to take her away. The giant was just a diversion to keep us from detecting his presence."
"Come to think of it, I couldn't even sense another presence," said Yamino as he thought about the battle. "The giant seemed to be clouding everyone's auras because I could barely tell who was who once it showed up. That could have been used to your other version's advantage to capture Miss Mayura."
"But why take Mayura?" asked Koutaro as he came down the stairs, the others following him. "If this double of yours really wanted Spica, he could have just taken her when he had the chance and been done with all of this."
"How much have you all heard?" asked Loki as the others settled themselves in the kitchen.
"Enough to know what we're dealing with," replied Daidouji crossly. "Now why did this second you take Mayura? Koutaro's right, he should have just taken Spica and not involved Mayura at all."
"Because he needs me to open the Void," growled Loki, his temper flaring as he realized his double's plans. "Before I created the Void, I sent Angrboda away to a different world so she wouldn't be trapped there and could see our children. In order for Angrboda to return to Utgard and for me to get Mayura back, he needs the Void opened completely."
"But why?" asked Frey as he took a bite from a cookie. "He already opened it enough for a giant to get through, couldn't he just get out himself?"
Loki rubbed his eyes in frustration, this double really was as devious as he was. "It's a one way gate right now, he can open it and send something through it but he can't get them back in to Utgard. I'm the other half of the key, the one that will make it possible for things to get back in, and he's holding Mayura so I'll have an excuse to go in and he wants me to bring Angrboda so she'll be able to get home as well."
The giantess nodded sadly, she did not like being used this way but she had no choice in the matter now. 'And he was able to get Mayura in because she isn't a giant, so the Void doesn't work against her.'
"Is Mayura safe with this version of you?" asked Daidouji, his arms crossed against his chest. "I mean, he is you so she must be, there's no need to rush and destroy something that probably needs to be there."
"Well, actually, she might not be," said Loki quietly and Daidouji nearly fell over. "You see, she's with the me I used to be and that person was . . . less than friendly towards humans. He won't hurt her, not unless we back out on the trade, but he won't be kind to her at all."
Daidouji felt a vein pop in his head he was so angry. "Then we should get her back this instant! I don't care if we have to tear the galaxy in two, I want Mayura here, not in some other realm with someone who might kill her!"
Loki wanted that too, gods did he ever want Mayura back, but he had to think about this a little bit more; after all opening the Void might cause Odin to attack him on the grounds of betraying them to the enemy. Then there was Spica to consider, she probably did not want to leave, after all her family was here on Midgard not in Utgard. They could try some form of deceit to get Mayura back and still keep Spica here, but then again his double had probably thought about that and was prepared.
"How much time do we have?" asked Freya, wringing her hands with worry. "Did he give us a time limit?"
"His note didn't say," said Loki, looking back at the piece of parchment, only to see that part of the first line had vanished. "Actually, never mind what I said, he did give us a time limit; we have until the note disappears."
'That isn't long then,' said Spica, looking at him with worry in her brown eyes. 'Loki, you need to bring Mayura home, damn the consequences. I remember what you were like then, and saying you were less than friendly towards humans is an understatement, Mayura is in serious danger with this other you. Please, let me go in trade, I know what she means to you and the others.'
'But Angrboda,' said Loki a sad look in his eyes. 'This isn't fair, especially to you.'
'And it's fair to Mayura to yet again be used as a pawn?' snapped Spica, her giant nature showing through. 'You don't have a choice, Loki! You either get her back alive and well or dead, those are your only options.'
'But the same could be said for you!' barked Loki. 'He might want you just to kill you or something, I can't put you in that kind of danger.'
Spica pressed her lips into a fine line. 'No, you're being selfish, that's what this is. You want both me and Mayura, you can't settle on having one when you've had both for so long. It seems you haven't changed that much since your days in Utgard, which is a shame really, I thought your time as a child might have allowed you to grow up a little.'
Loki bit back a scathing remark, now was not the time to argue whether he was selfish or not, that could come later when tensions were less. "Spica says she'll do it, she'll be traded for Mayura," he announced and the giantess nodded solemnly. "Norns, is there a way we can get to Utgard from here?"
The Norn sisters looked at each and nodded in unison, they had a way.
"Koutaro, is there a full-length mirror someplace?" asked Urd, looking at her boyfriend.
He nodded. "Yes, in the master bedroom. Why?"
"There's a spell we can use to temporarily transform a mirror into a gateway to another realm," replied Skuld. "It's not permanent or anything but it should suffice for a quick visit someplace."
"That's all we need," said Loki sharply. "Let's go, we don't have much time left."
The group of humans and gods watched as the Norn sisters gathered around the mirror, their hands touching the glass as the recited a spell Loki recognized, he had heard them do this before but he could not place why. That did not matter anymore, it was probably just as long ago as his living in Utgard, no need to dwell on the past any longer. When they finished speaking the mirror's surface shimmered and warped before the night sky appeared in the surface, though Loki knew better, the portal had opened up at the Void though some distance away from where it started.
"Who's going with me and Spica?" he asked the room as they walked towards the portal.
"I am," said Fenrir, running forward to sit at Loki's feet.
Yamino stepped forward. "I would like to go as well, if that's alright."
Loki nodded at both of his sons, suspecting that they wanted to say goodbye to their mother before she left them for good. "That's fine," he replied and then looked at the Norns. "Keep the portal opened only as long as you have to, if it looks like we aren't going to make it back, close it. I don't want to be the reason any more giants escape into Midgard."
The Norns nodded their understanding, then Loki took a deep breath before stepping through the portal, his feet were on something that felt solid but when he looked down all he saw were stars. Being a god had a few benefits apparently, like walking on air.
Spica and Yamino followed him quickly, Fenrir in the giantess's arms and they too were able to stand in the emptiness as if there were a floor beneath their feet. When Loki began walking towards the Void, they followed him quietly, all knowing this would be the last time they would be able to be together for a very long time.
Fenrir could not handle the prospect of his family being separated again, he had enjoyed having everyone together again too much. "Daddy, are you really going to trade Mom for the Mystery Girl?" he asked, his false sweet voice in place.
Loki nodded curtly. "I am, Fenrir."
"But why?" asked Fenrir desperately. "Mom hasn't done anything to deserve this!"
"And Mayura has?!" demanded Loki, glaring at his eldest. "I know you aren't happy about me marrying her, Fenrir, I heard you tell Thunder Boy as much. But your mother's consented to this trade and I can't let Mayura get hurt, that's why we're doing this."
"This isn't fair," whined Fenrir as he nestled further in his mother's arms. "I don't want Mom to leave, we've been so happy since she came. Please, can't we find another way?"
"There isn't one, Fenrir," said Yamino sadly, sensing his father's anger. "Father and Mother are doing what they think is best, so we shouldn't question their decision. Instead we should enjoy these last moments."
Loki gave a small smile to his youngest son. "I knew you were my favorite for a reason."
Fenrir balked as Yamino blushed, though Loki only laughed so neither son could tell if their father was being serious or not. Spica was smiling through her tears, she was going to miss this, miss her sons and her best friend but she knew it was time for her to move on. Loki had a new life now and while she wanted to be a part of it she knew it was time to let go, he had someone wonderful who made him happier than she had ever seen him.
They arrived at the Void and Loki summoned his staff, indicating to the others to stand back while he broke it open. The spell came easily to him, the memory clear in his mind as he recited words he never thought he would again, the magic building in his staff before he raised it and slammed it against the empty space. Suddenly there was a cracking sound and a white line appeared where Loki's staff had struck, it slowly spread across the space in front of him and the cracks grew bigger and moved faster. When they reached what appeared to be the top, the Void shattered completely, revealing a snow covered world Loki was intimately familiar with and as he examined the vast world in front of him, his eyes landed on some moving shapes. He had a feeling that was his double coming with Mayura.
"Come on," he said dully. He started walking towards the moving shapes, his family behind him as they approached the shapes, worried looks on their faces.
When they reached a clearing in the middle of their path, both parties stopped and then two members from the other party continued the journey before stopping halfway between them. Even from his position Loki could make out Mayura and his heart pounded in his chest, she appeared to be unharmed but looked very scared, though she seemed a little dazed. Silently he indicated to Spica to walk with him, and she nodded but did not leave right away, instead she said goodbye to her sons. She scratched Fenrir behind the ears and kissed his head, then set him down in the snow before embracing Yamino as tightly as she could then kissed his cheek. When she was done she walked up to Loki, nodding again to indicated she was ready to go, and he gave a gruff noise as a response.
Together they walked the rest of the way to Mayura and her captor, Loki feeling as if he were walking through quicksand instead of snow, but they finally reached their target. Loki was taken aback at the appearance of his double, they were almost identical except his double had silver hair and red eyes, what surprised him the most was he was wearing the black and silver clothes he used to wear when he lived in Utgard.
'I guess Verdandi was right,' thought Loki as he stared calmly at his double.
"I see you figured out my messages," said his double, grinning devilishly. "It would seem you aren't as stupid as I thought, being a god hasn't softened you too much."
Loki took a deep breath. "Is Mayura unharmed?"
His double rolled his eyes. "But soft enough to care about a human." He then forced Mayura to look at Loki. "Does it looked harmed to you, brother? I tried to take care of your pet as best I could."
"Mayura's not my pet, she's my wife," snapped Loki, his eyes flashing red. "Now please, give her back to me."
"Not until I have Angrboda," said his double, and his harsh glare softened at the sight of the purple-haired giantess in disguise. "My beautiful Angrboda, how I've missed you."
Spica looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "What am I to call you?" she asked, her voice having returned.
"You may call me Utgard Loki," replied Utgard Loki, smirking at Loki. "Now please, return to my side, my love and let us be done with this pest and her so called husband."
"Of course," said Spica pleasantly as she moved from Loki's side to Utgard Loki's, looking surprisingly relaxed. "Now give the human back to him."
Utgard Loki smiled wickedly as he threw Mayura into the snow, causing the young woman to cry out as she collided with the cold substance. Loki immediately went down to his knees and pulled Mayura against him, he noticed her shivering violently and he wondered if she had been kept outside all this time. Without a second thought he pulled back and took his jacket off then wrapped it snuggly around Mayura before situating her in his arms bridal style and then standing up.
"I don't want to see you or any giants again," said Loki harshly.
Utgard Loki chuckled. "Don't worry, I have no interest in war against Asgard or attacking Midgard, I have what I want and intend to keep it that way. Now go and take your human with you, and don't think to come back here or I won't be so nice."
Loki turned around the moment Utgard Loki did and he walked over to where Fenrir and Yamino were waiting for him, Mayura still shivering in his arms. He had a feeling she was sick from her exposure in ill-suited clothing and he felt incredibly guilty about that.
"Let's go, you two," he said as he passed them and his sons fell in line beside him as he walked back towards the portal, wondering if Utgard Loki would really keep his promise.
