Chapter 10

The sound of clinking armor and heavy doors thudding open woke Cephera from her slumber. She sat up as she listened to the sounds that surrounded her and yet there was nothing in the room. Still she heard shouting almost like an echo and the clear sounds of battle. Cephera shook her head fiercely and looked over her shoulder at Loki. He lay in deep slumber still; the noises not reaching his ears.

Cephera swung her legs over the side and before her feet touched the floor an alarm sounded out and Loki jerked awake. He was on his feet so quickly it startled her. "The vault." Loki growled pulling on his clothing as fast as possible. Cephera didn't question him nor did she mention the ever-fading sounds of battle as she got dressed and followed him out of his room.

Rushing down the hall they were met by the twins and further through the palace they spotted Thor rushing ahead of them. Guards were quickly trickling in to pile up behind their king and around him. Finally, reaching the vaults they were met with fallen dead guards and strangers they had killed in return. The heavy golden doors were thrown wide open and inside lay more that had both attacked and defended.

Following the trail of bodies everyone was on edge and ready for a fight, but no such fight came. The vault was empty of any breathing enemy or ally. Cephera watched Thor as he swivelled his head from side to side looking around him at the items. "I want the archivist woken immediately. I want a thorough sweep of this room and its contents. I want to know what's missing." Thor bellowed and several guards rushed off.

"If the guards had time to sound the warning how did the thieves have time to get out?" Loki pondered to Thor as he stood at his side also looking around. There were shelves and pedestals full of trinkets and bobbles. Shining objects that resembled jewelry that was most likely powerful in some manner.

"Frigga said we had two of the items created that sealed Ragnor, which two are they?" Cephera pipped up scrutinizing everything near her.

"I don't know, mother would." Thor gave a nod to a guard who took the meaning and left to track down Frigga.

"I sense a heavy lull of magic in here," Loki said.

"Me too." Diana confirmed. Cephera didn't feel it, but then again her skills in magic lacked training.

"I'm thinking magic was their escape. It would make sense," Devian said. It appeared Shiva had not rushed out with him during the warning alarms.

"Where's Shiva?" Cephera asked.

"I sent her to check on grandmother." He replied. Cephera smiled. It was nice to see Devian thinking of others. He always was the more considerate of the two. The slapping of bare feet on the marble floors had everyone looking at Frigga as she entered. Shiva was behind her and Karr had been at her side until he took to a run and up to his mother. Cephera smiled down at him and put a hand across his bed ridden hair. He looked sleepy and worried.

"I have sent the for the archivist to deem what is missing." Thor told his mother promptly.

Frigga took a moment before responding. Like everyone else she was scanning the room. "I think it's what's not missing." Frigga moved to a shelf to her left and gestured to two items among seven that sat there. "If these are what you were worried about they are still here."

"Then perhaps the guards managed to kill all intruders before they stole them." Loki began to analyze the trail of battle that led into the vault. It didn't look as though anyone made it in this far. Cephera bent down to one knee beside Karr. She wasn't comfortable with him being around so much blood and death.

"You should go with Shiva back to your room." She told him.

"I want to stay." He told her frowning.

"There is nothing any of us can do here right now and you need your sleep if you're going to come to earth with us." She responded continuing to fix his hair. He sighed and his shoulders slumped.

"Fine." He agreed and Shiva directed him out. Cephera watched them go before turning back to the rest of the chatting group. Theories were currently being slung around as to why the vault was broken into and who the dead attackers were.

"Wish they had left at least one half alive." Diana growled kicking one corpse in a disappointed manner.

"They most likely knew such a task would mean certain death. I doubt they would have told us anything," Devian said to his sister.

"Still, could have been worth a try." Diana licked out her tongue at her younger twin.

"Heimdell saw nothing." Seraphina's voice echoed as she walked in. "When the alarm sounded I went to him figuring you all had this covered." She explained seeing the confused looks on their faces. "They didn't use the Byfrost to get in and by the time he set his eyes on the vault they were gone ... or dead." She added seeing all the fallen bodies.

"If they did indeed come to claim the artifacts we must move them to a more secure location," Thor said.

"I'd advise against that. It's clear they knew this vault wouldn't be easily stolen from and they may very well be trying to make us move them somewhere else where they might have a better chance." Loki replied putting a hand to Thor's shoulder. Thor looked at his advisor and nodded his understanding.

"So, they used magic to get in and possibly out depending if anyone actually escaped. Teleporting?" Diana offered her idea with her finger pressed to her cheek.

"Maybe. They would have to be truly talented to do so. Teleporting can have major consequences if you don't have a clear mind and a picture in your head of the area you wish to appear in." Loki was looking around again. "They must have appeared outside the vault. Not many have seen the inside to have described their landing point."

"They have a clear visual now." Frigga spoke up. "This may have simply been a way to make it easier for them to return." Cephera stayed out of the conversation as she really didn't have the experience to add any expert thoughts.

"We need wards on this room to block any future attempts by the use of magic." Thor declared and no one disagreed.

"Wards of that kind will take energy and time. Our trip to Midgard will have to wait." Loki looked to Cephera. She nodded understanding the delay.

"I'm going to check on Karr. You guys do what you have to," Cephera said.

"I'll lend you some of my energy." Seraphina offered to Thor and the others as Cephera was leaving.

Cephera felt unsettled the entire way to her youngest son's room. The voices and sounds she'd been hearing were like black windows to the things happening. She didn't experience anything physical this time, at least nothing she noticed, but she was sure that the things she heard were connected to the potential thieves. She would tell Loki later for all the good it might do.

Cephera opened her son's bedroom door and stepped in. Shiva was in the room with him keeping her eyes on him. Cephera remembered what she was told about his powers and smiled. He would have most likely tried to stay if someone hadn't been watching him.

"I got this." She told Shiva who looked tired. It was still very early in the morning. Shiva nodded with a suppressed yawn and left.

"Did you get them?" Karr asked looking up at her bright eyes and bushy tailed.

"No. Their putting wards and extra protection on the vault." Cephera explained sitting next to him on his bed.

"Is this about Ragnor?"

"We think so, but they didn't steal anything." Cephera didn't think leaving her 12 year old in the dark was a good idea. Not with his powers. It would only add to his curiosity and make him feel left out. After dealing with two curious and troublesome kids already she was prepared this time.

"That's good right?" Cephera noticed the way he would sway toward her, but he seemed almost unsure how to get close to her. Instead, she moved closer to him putting one arm around his shoulders.

"Right now we are exploring all possibilities so next time we'll be ready." Cephera assured him. When she had made first contact he finally pressed his head to her side.

"Are you afraid?" He asked tilting his head to look up at her.

"No." It was the truth. She felt unsettled, but not afraid.

"D&D used to tell me about how you would lie down with them and sing them to sleep when they were young." Cephera smiled at his nickname for his brother and sister. "I know I might be too young, but could you do that for me?" His request was shy and he was looking down and swinging his legs as he asked.

Cephera smiled and pulled herself across his bed and took him with her. She led on her side and he led on his. She put a hand to his shoulder as her second hand ruffled his hair. He let out a small giggle when she tickled his ear. "Close your eyes." She told him. Cephera closed her own eyes and began a song she used to sing to her twins when they were children. She was glad Karr wanted to do these things with her. It was like he was trying to reach back to his childhood and gain back moments he might have shared with her then.

Cephera wrapped her arm around him and held him close rocking ever so slightly. Her heart aching at the thought of losing this life once more. There was so much she wanted to live for and yet nothing to guarantee she could.

(Loki)

After the wards were up, Loki and the rest of the group felt exhausted and it was now midday. Magic of that magnitude took a lot of effort and he wasn't the only one feeling ready to drop. He found his bedroom empty and kept moving. He knew Cephera must still be with their son and when he found them asleep and curled up on Karr's bed he stopped and just stared.

Loki often let Karr sleep with him and the visual in front of him now gave him hopes of a happy family. Loki had envisioned what a moment like this would have looked like if Cephera had lived. Carefully, Loki moved and joined them. He squat himself on the other side of Karr lying down on his small bed. He wrapped his arm around his son and his future wife. He was desperate to find a way to keep them like this forever. He was even thinking of an extended time for her to stay. Even a couple of hundred years was better than the possible months or less they had now. The closer they got to solving who was seeking to release Ragnor meant the sooner Cephera would be gone.

A part of Loki loathed to solve this mystery, but an energy devouring, realm eating power that is unstoppable wasn't something to just ignore. If this Ragnor was released he'd lose not just Cephera, but everyone. He couldn't risk that. As much as he wanted Cephera alive he couldn't risk the fate of everyone.

Loki closed his eyes his mind foggy and his energy drained. He was just exhausting things he already knew and currently he couldn't solve any of it. The moment his eyes closed he drifted into a heavy sleep.

Thank You's

- Loki's Dreamer: Cephera has been sent back regarding Ragnor. A marriage is definitely needed.

- Vulcaniumx: haha I'm glad I can be part of your great day.

- Short Haired Me: I'm sure you're not the only one. ;)

- Doctor Loki Love: the wedding is a good idea. They all need it. I'm sure it will bring a feeling of relief to all of them.

- Benfan1: I'm glad I can bring out both of those things in one chapter. :)

- Ikatie 101: thanks so much for the compliment! I'm writing my own novel right now maybe one day you'll have a chance to read it once it's published. :)

- Poodle Warriors: there was no play on words. Ragnorok is said to be caused by Loki and this is not the case but a huge power that consumes everything in its path can certainly mean the end of the world. Lol

- Akera Writer of the Night: Chin up darling. There will always be happy to be found within the sadness.

- Guest: I had no thoughts about bringing Seria into this ... Though now that it's been brought up you never know, but I doubt it.

- Spazz 123: well Ragnor will consume everything in its path and so could very well mean the end of the world which would mean everyone dies but it's not the foretold Ragnorok. I'm pretty sure Loki is actually the only technical survivor of that in the comics because he was locked away when it happened or something. I could be wrong. Lol

- Guest: Thank you so much for the compliments. I'm flattered you've enjoyed them all so much! I try my best to not rush my stuff and I'm glad the character development shows through. :)