Chapter 10

The dark unknown world.

Loki stepped out onto the surface of a lost and forgotten planet. He had not been there for a time. He walked in front of a throne made of stone that hovered in the air seemingly by itself.

"I believe you have been summoning me." Loki said

"I see you have finally adhered."

"I do not appreciate the means by which you have done so." Loki stated

"It does not matter how I summon you. You are mine to command."

The throne slowly turned around and Loki was face-to-face with his "master" Thanos.

"I see you are still delusional that you control yourself." Thanos told Loki.

"I am." Loki said with venom in his voice.

Thanos laughed at that remark. This boy. He thought. I shall break him once more.

"Have you forgotten all I have done for you; a debt is placed upon you, and you have much to do in order to repay me." Thanos said

"I owe you? Has your ancient mind finally caught up with you?" Loki asked, "YOU tore me apart!"

"You took my mind, soul, and body from me and shredded it until I was no more." Loki told Thanos with all the death in his voice that he could muster.

"I made you better." Thanos stated with slight amusement in his tone.

"What is it that you have called to me for?" Loki asked

"I am merely asking for some conversation." Thanos said, "I believe you have a new friend that travels with you."

To anyone it would seem as though Thanos was making a statement, but to Loki Thanos had asked a question laced with dark curiosity and malice.

"What of her?" Loki asked him, "She is merely an escaped prisoner from Odin's dungeons."

"You have sensed nothing odd about her?" Thanos subtly pried.

"What if I had?" "She is no one of importance." Loki said, "Merely a young girl who needs to grow up."

"I see. Then you wouldn't mind introducing me to this whimpering companion." Thanos gave a hidden command

"It is of no concern to you who she is. She will not see you or your minions." Loki told him with authority.

"SILENCE YOUR TONGUE BOY!" Thanos shouted at Loki. "I have risen you up and made you stronger; you would do well to remember this."

Thanos made a gesture with his hand in order to choke Loki and bring him to his knees in submission, but Loki merely smiled and faded away into the dark.

Back in the library Loki looked back at the girl who was with him.

What did the Mad Titan want with her? Surely she was not important. Yes he had sensed magic inside her the moment he was with her, but not enough to warrant Thanos' attention. He would need to tread more carefully.

Aadya woke once more from a nightmare that seemed relentless. A strange one this time though, it was of a great man—No—monster of strange coloring and powerful beyond compare. This was not the first time he had plagued her dreams, but certainly the most terrifying one yet.

She was still in the library curled up where she had fallen asleep. Loki was asleep across from her, and she thought it best not to waken him. She arose and went to the kitchens for breakfast or rather lunch as she had slept well into the next day. As she ate she reflected on the past few weeks. How much her life had been turned upside down, and though this had happened to her many times this was by far the most drastic change yet.

She was imprisoned by the All-Father himself on the grounds of treason and espionage. She knew that Loki was kept in the prisons where she would be placed; though she knew not that her cell would be tight across from his, she couldn't help but wonder how different might things be if she had been placed in another cell.

She had faced many monsters all more terrifying than the last, yet she never come across such an enemy like Loki. He was strong—though not in the way most people would deem worthy—skilled as well in magic, culture, and defense. Talented, gifted, a genius one might claim, or perhaps down-right insane, and psychopathic. Either way there was no denying the ability for good and evil within him; within her.