Upon their arrival back in Asgard, Thor and Loki were met with Odin's armored guards, weapons pointed steadfastly at them, ready for any sign of danger that may have followed the two home. Without preamble they were lead to the great throne room where Odin waited, scepter in hand and seated on his regal throne. As the echo of the great doors closing behind them Odin spoke.
"Do you have nothing to say for yourselves?"
Neither Loki or Thor dared reply.
"You have both put Asgard at great risk all on a selfish whim."
With each word of condemnation Loki felt his control snapping under the weight of Odin's disdain, the bitter coldness he felt towards his adopted father solidifying into a great block of ice in his heart. Thor was a much different story.
"I would not call it selfish father," Thor spoke stepping forward. "The norns admitted that you misinterpreted their predictions- we can still save Fiore and the realms. I…,"
With a loud echoing jab of his scepter against the marbled platform of his throne Odin brought Thor to silence. Standing Odin looked down upon his sons.
"Lady Death is perhaps one of the greatest evils of the nine realms and you practically handed Fiore over to her in your ill fated attempt to prove that Fiore's relationship with you could result in anything other than the destruction of our world."
Every word was meant for Loki, the brothers knew it. And with each stinging word Loki felt nothing but the familiar cold hard bitterness that shielded him grow. He stood unflinching against the condemning words, without even a single word of refutation to add to his own defense. The same could not be said for Thor as he stepped before his brother protectively, ready to refute his father's words.
"We will prepare Asgard for battle against Lady Death," Odin spoke, cutting off Thor before he could speak. Odin's words were solemn and powerful, demanding to be obeyed. "And there will be no leeway given for Fiore. Consider the girl lost- by now her soul is long since gone."
Loki said nothing. His icy gaze cold, betraying nothing.
"You and your foolishness have once again opened Asgard and the nine realms up to war. And all for one girl and childish proclamations of love. Love is a great gift but not when tempered with war and destruction- in such instances it is like a disease that infects and spreads. And you my son have brought it here like the plague! Congratulations Loki, you have finally brought about Ragnarok."
Thor could only stare in pure wonderment at the shockingly hurtful words Odin spouted against Loki. There father had always been a strong and noble sort, harsh but fair in all judgements. Only now it seemed that his fear that had blinded him to Loki and Fiore's plight had only created an even larger rift between father and adopted son. Even more shocking was the fact that not once did Loki rise to meet Odin's anger, but rather stood stoically taking the accusations.
"I will offer my services to help protect Asgard," Loki finally spoke. Sensing Odin's immediate doubt in allowing him to participate in the battle he believed that Loki had created he added, "You will require my expertise if you are to destroy Lady Death."
"Loki, what are you doing?!" Thor demanded.
Loki did not answer, refusing to move his gaze from Odin's own cold and calculating glare. Finally, the Allfather gave in, clearly realizing that Loki spoke the truth regarding his magic and knowledge being a great advantage to the upcoming battle. However, it did not lessen his distrust in his clever adopted son.
"Very well," he conceded. "You will be taken to your old chambers where a healer will be sent to you to help with your injuries. There is no telling how much time we have before Lady Death makes her way here and it would be best if you are fully rested and healed before that time arrives.
"Don't bother," Loki replied coldly. "I am more than capable of healing myself."
Without another word Loki turned on his heel to leave but before he could take more than three steps Odin called out to him.
"It would be wise of you to remain in your room."
The words were demand for Loki to remain in his room- informing him in no uncertain terms that he was under house arrest by confining him to his room. He couldn't be surprised- rather, he was shocked that Odin hadn't condemned him back to the dungeons where he had been meant to wither way before Thor's breaking him out. Loki did not reply to the demand but merely continued on his way.
Nothing more was said as Odin dismissed his oldest son and reclaimed his seat at his throne. With a great heaving sigh Odin motioned towards his guards in a silent demand to call forth his war council. Under normal circumstances Thor would be involved in such matters but due to his current state of clouded judgement.
When the doors of the throne door shut soundly behind them Thor reached out, stopping Loki's stride with a powerful jerk at his shoulder.
"How could you agree so easily to father's demands. He means to kill Fiore!"
Loki shook of Thor's hold on his shoulder turning to him with a cold glimmering stare.
"I believe I never agreed to kill Fiore," he replied evenly. "I will save her- she's still in there."
"But how can you be sure?"
"In the moment Lady Death was about to land a killing blow and yet she paused for the briefest of moments," he explained, recalling everything about that instant with great detail. "In that moment I saw not Lady Death's gaze but Fiore's. It was her, she somehow took control from within
"That's great!" Thor cried happily, an over exuberant hand slapping Loki across the back and momentarily knocking the wind out of him.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Loki replied turning to continue on his way down the hall, forcing Thor to follow at his side. "Lady Death had obviously believed Fiore was no longer a threat and likely that her soul now suppressed had dissipated within her body- but that was clearly not the case."
"And in her bid to protect you she let her continued presence be known," Thor added, clearly having picked up on Loki's troubling train of thought. "But there is still hope for Fiore then," he spoke again, trying his best to provide some semblance of ease and hope for his brother.
"I think I can reach her," Loki informed Thor, causing the blonde prince's steady pace beside him to falter.
"You mean speak to her? How is this possible?"
"Fiore isn't foolish and her magic is powerful, even when disconnected from its source. If she can muster enough power to do it, I know what she will attempt to do."
"And that is?"
"She will attempt to contact me."
"I am not sure I understand."
"I haven't the time to explain," Loki grunted in reply, clearly growing impatient with Thor's clear lack of understanding the arts of magic as he and Fiore were able. "I must go to my chambers."
And by in no uncertain terms demanding that Thor leave him alone Loki disappeared down the hall. Thor knowing that for the time being there was nothing he could do for his brother let him go. Loki was clever and powerful, and he would do what he could to help them prepare for the battle that would so descend upon them. He would do the same. With one last glance down the hall in which Loki had disappeared Thor turned to track down his band of warriors. Much to his disappointment, Thor felt that he could not trust Odin to be impartial while planning battle strategy and use Loki and himself to the advantage of Asgard's defense- or to save Fiore. However, he could trust Sif and the Warriors Three to help him do just that.
Once alone in the familiar surroundings of his bed chamber Loki found little solace in the once comforting presence of the stacks of books. With a heaving tired sigh he melted into his favorite worn chair nearest the grand set of windows that opened onto his balcony. His head pounded painfully with a thousand racing thoughts, all of which seemed to focus solely on Fiore. So consumed with his worry and fear for her he had all but forgotten about the painful wound on his right arm until he tried unsuccessfully to attempt to rub away the pain in his head only to find that he could not lift the arm.
With another sigh he rose once more to his feet to rummage through the shelves full of potions and others of his experimental magical brews. Finding what he needed he pulled the stopper loose with his teeth and proceeded to single handedly douse the wound in the shimmering blue liquid contained within the bottle. The wound sizzled as it was purified of the darkness which had created it. Loki took a deep breath preparing himself once more for the burning pain to lance up his arm and through his body. Again he poured the liquid onto the wound causing him to grunt from the pain.
After several more healthy doses of the potion Loki managed to wrapped the wound snugly with fresh linen. The wound would heal without a scar thanks to his remedies but it would still need at least a few days to heal completely. Yet, at the very least he could now manage to move it properly, if he ignored the stiffness of his arm muscles and pull of the healing skin.
Returning to his seat at the window Loki looked out as the sun began to fade on the great glittering city beyond. Tonight would perhaps be one of the last quiet night Asgard would see before it entered into battle. There was no telling when Lady Death would find her path into Asgard. He was sure it would not take her long. A being of such immense power and her disposal, even more thanks to her possession of Fiore, would easily be able to find a way to travel through realms. Even he had managed to find a pathway that allowed him to travel between realms. Now, all they could do was prepare.
What Loki feared was what would become of Fiore. With each passing second his mind continued to circle around what the Norns had spoken.
Fiore had been so confident in them- in him. And yet, he could not share in the same belief.
With each passing second knowing she was in pain, in danger, near death or already gone simply made him mad. It filled him with fury. A boiling rage simmering hotly beneath the surface ready to erupt. The type of rage that he knew could bring about ragnarok- whether to get Fiore back or for revenge. In that moment he would betray her and do so without compunction- he would sacrifice everything for her, even the world, and even her belief in him.
His mind swirled around the idea that Fiore would somehow try to contact him. The only question was how. He had taught her a great deal about magic when they were children but he could not know how advanced she had become after their separation. And with the added hurdle of her current precarious position there could only be so many possibilities- possibilities that may never work.
The only hope that he held onto was currently floating on a string, tenuous and ready to snap. What he had told Thor was the truth. In a single instant, nearly impossible for any normal person to notice he had seen Lady Death's ruby colored eyes turn to the familiar mismatched shades of Fiore's eyes. She was in there and she was fighting.
Somehow managed to find the strength magically change out of his leathers and armor for a more comfortable tunic. Without any more strength to spare his long body slumped deeper into the chair and despite the swirling mass of rage, pain, and sorrow Loki found himself drifting off into a restless healing sleep.
Far away, but closer than expected Fiore remained in the dark prison of her own body, meditating as she gathered her power through the tenuous remnant of her soul's connection to her power. In her meditative state she could remain aware enough of her surroundings but be in a partial sleep state that would allow her to dream walk with her chosen target, in this instance Loki. With her ever dwindling powers and her connection to them growing ever more difficult to grasp she feared that she would not have the power to hold a connection or even find him. She was relying solely on the power of their intense, soul deep connection to give her own a boost and help her achieve this bit of magic and she knew it.
She set her mind out, searching for the smallest crack in the prison containing her, small enough to slip a thread of her consciousness through. Eventually, she had found such a path and immediately grasped hold of Loki's aura, but she could sense that Loki was still awake and resigned herself to wait. For a moment she began to fear that he would not sleep at all as it was in Loki's personality to go for long periods at a time without sleeping, particularly when his mind was preoccupied with something else.
If she were their with him she would have been berating him for foolishly refusing to gain some much needed rest in order to heal his wounds. Such a thought only brought up the memory of the horrible wound he had sustained against his first run in with Lady Death. Had it not been for her interference both Loki and Thor might very well be dead at that very moment. Fiore's mind circled around such thoughts for several endless minutes- or perhaps hours, as she had no way to tell.
Suddenly she felt it in her heart, a tiny spark of connection. Without hesitation she finally allowed herself to slip into a full meditative state. When Loki had first taught her this particular piece of magic he had explained that is was not necessary for the dream walker to be a sleep as well to form the connection, but with her current lack of power she felt anything extra she could do to boost the connection she was forming was worth the possible risk.
Fiore found herself out of the darkness and walking through the glimmering empty halls of the palace of Asgard. The details of the dream were so sharp that had she herself not walked these very halls she might have thought the splendor surrounding her simply a figment of her dream state. Following the strong pull of the connection with Loki that she had grasped hold of her pull herself into the dream she calmly made her way down the winding halls in search of him.
It took only a minute before she realized that she would find Loki in his personal chambers. What she had not expected upon reaching the tall door was for them to burst open and a strong hand to
On instinct Fiore's first reaction was to try to shake off the unseen figures hold on her. However, the only response her actions gained was for her to be pulled roughly into a strong chest causing her to gasp at the sudden unexpected contact. In that instant she felt a familiar electric shock run through her body, her breath caught as she looked up to lock eyes with the soul searing blue gaze of Loki.
"Loki...you're here," she managed to stutter. "I'm so glad you're okay. You found me so easily," she observed.
"If I were blind I would be able to find you," he replied matter of factly. "I was after all the one who taught you this little trick."
Unable to help herself Fiore rolled her eyes at the thinly veiled arrogance of the prince standing before her. "It's a risk coming here, wasting the energy to pull me into a dream," she attempted to admonish, but not very convincingly.
"I thought you might need something to brighten your day."
"What, you? Aggressive, sarcastic, and never shutting up you to brighten my day? Don't you mean annoy?" Fiore asked trying to appear at ease.
"Yeah, and those are just my good qualities," Loki smirked mischievously, the smile that she loved. But even then she could see the cracks breaking through his playfulness.
Even knowing that the dream state distorted their physical appearances to look like their original selves- but she could not help herself from running her gaze over him to appease herself that he was very much alive and well. Her gaze lingering on his right arm in particular. Sensing her worry Loki chuckled tightening his hold on her, causing her heart to begin to race. He leaned over her, pulling her so close that his own much larger body seemed to envelop her.
"I am mending," the cool whisper of his breath breezed against her cheek. He leaned back only enough to look her over as well, as if he were able to see past the glamour of their dream state any more than she could.
Fiore hated that he was getting a reaction out of her, she could feel her cheeks heat against the steady penetrating blue gaze. It seemed like it had been so long since she had been held by someone. Locked away in the darkness, separated from her power, and separated from Loki had left her desperate for Loki- to be held by him. That desperation and consuming fear she had somehow managed to control, but now held in Loki's strong arms her strength began to crumble. In that moment there was nothing she needed more desperately than this contact.
They had been separated for so long with the excuse of fate being against them and then they had found each other once more, and they had been so happy. In that short time Fiore had come to know just how deep love could carve itself into a person's very soul. Loving him was like being brought back to life. In those years since their separation she had come to realize that she had only been living a half life. And in that moment she found him once more, seeing him sitting in the dungeons it had been like coming out of the darkness, looking at the sun. For so long he had turned her away, refusing to let himself be close to her once more- protecting her- and protecting himself from hurt. But the first time that he held her again, that they kissed, that he made love to her, told her that he loved her she had felt as if for the first time she'd been seen or heard. He'd answered her lonely call just as she had answered his. Now separated from him, with a impassable ravine between them it was like standing in the snow in their clearing waiting for him to arrive only for him to never show all over again.
The feelings were all so overwhelming- and she still could not seem to get used to them. His presence alone leaving her breathless and her heart pounding with anticipation.
And like a predator Loki could sense her weakness. On instinct he moved ever closer, providing her the much needed comfort. A gentle smirk curled wickedly across his lips and slowly trailed a long pale finger along her jawline causing yet another shudder in response. He stopped at her chin and began to softly brush her lip with the pad of his thumb. Fiore, leaning into the cool but heated touch, released an involuntary sigh that made his eyes flash with need. Loki knew full well the reaction he was having on her, even more so in her emotionally vulnerable state.
Had it not been for their current predicament Loki may have very well lead her toward his large beckoning bed across the room. Dream walking or not their soul deep connection made denying themselves such comforts all the more difficult.
"Are you…," Loki paused, his silver tongue unable to find the right words. Safe seemed inappropriate, impossible, until she was well and truly back in his arms.
"Two days," Fiore replied with meaning, purposely bypassing the answer to Loki's unspoken question.
Even in their dreams Loki looked tired. His wound was beyond her sight, the pain not affecting him in his state of unconsciousness, but it did not hide the clear bruises of exhaustion from beneath his eyes.
"I suspected as much," Loki answered, his smile flattening instantly with the serious turn of conversation. "And don't tell me, she wants to rule the nine realms. It would be nice if these enemies that pop up could come up with something perhaps a little more original."
He was clearly attempting to ease Fiore's worries with a joke. But even Loki could not muster his full charm to sound anything but serious. He had always appeared somewhat aloof- or perhaps 'carefree' was a better word; separate from worldly cares. Or at the very least it was as he prefered the word to see him. It seemed as if nothing could bring him down. But now, it was clear that was only on the surface; far below, in his heart churned passion, concern, and fear.
His strong, slim fingers lifted to twine in the crimson plait of her braid, using his grasp to pull her closer. He tugged at the tie holding it in place, and her hair fell about her shoulders with a soft swish, the silver strands mixed with the red glimmering. Somewhere in the recesses of her love clouded mind she heard the cord of her pants loosen, and shivered as with each kiss that landed on her lips. She barely registered Loki moving them across the room towards the bed to lay them across the gold and green satin sheets.
The most powerful, most overwhelming feeling of that moment was the desire for him to be closer to her. Even the tightest embrace still seemed too much distance. She pulled his closer, her fingers grasping at his tunic, mindful of his injuries as she pulled it from his chest. With the offending piece of clothing gone she allowed her fingers to travel across his body, relishing in the cool warmth of his skin beneath her own; every so often she paused to trace the light marking of a scar.
Fiore wanted to give him everything there was of her. She reached out toward him, her hands trembling, and he met it with his own. Loki's hand was warm and strong, and its fingers wove themselves through her own and gripped it tight, as if he would never let go.
If only that were possible. But if they could not be together outside of this moment then they would take advantage of what little time remained to them in their dream world.
"Loki..." her whisper was scarcely more than a sigh. Their lips pressed together once again, and the kiss was long and passionate. When they finally drew apart, he looked into her eyes and whispered…
"Please, say it again…"
Fiore let the name roll slowly across her tongue, savoring it. She closed her eyes and strained to commit to memory this feeling, so that she might never forget it: the heat of their bodies pressed against one another; the sound of his heartbeat. As their bodies became one, she vowed silently to herself that whatever she could do for him, she would.
"I love you."
Loki and Fiore lived in a word where any day might be their last- now, more than ever. There was an excellent chance that if they parted now, it would be for good, and the dream of a peaceful life together would shatter and fade. Yet, where they were now, in their dreams, where the outside world full of death and uncertainty could not reach them. For this brief moment in time they were together.
There was no telling how much time had passed in their dream world. But as they lay their entwined in the sheets of Loki's bed, holding each other close Fiore could sense reality begin to set back in. Try as they might their time together was running out. She felt it- the weakness within her body, to her very core.
With those thoughts blazing through her mind Fiore rose from the warm comfort of the bed. Hiding her winch as she felt a bolt of pain flash through her body she began to dress herself. Loki meanwhile did not seem nearly as concerned about his nakedness as he rose from the bed to merely wrap the green sheet from the bed around his slim torso as he went about dressing himself. Fiore watch each movement, taking in everything about him.
While she may have long ago committed every facet of his being to memory her fascination with him never seemed to waver. There was so much more to this man standing before her than the people of the realms, or even Loki himself seemed able to see. Beneath the cool exterior of mischief and chaos there was a strong and loving man- the same man she always saw when he looked at her.
"Loki," Fiore called gently, drawing his attention to her fully. "If it should come to it- I want you to go through with…" her words fell away, left unsaid when both knew exactly what she meant.
As she grew weaker, Lady Death grew stronger and soon Fiore herself would be no more. Loki and the the warriors of Asgard may do their best to stop the inevitable, but the reality was there was not much hope for any other outcome. The only hope for the realms was to stop Lady Death and that may very well mean her sacrifice.
"If it comes to it…" she began again, fighting back the tears with each stuttered word.
"Stop!" Loki growled out, refusing to allow her to finish.
His face was so close to her own that she could feel his breath whisper against her cheek as he spoke.
"I know what I'm supposed to choose, but I'm still too much of a coward to do it…"
As his eyes looked into her's, she could see the turbulent storm of his emotions just behind them: anger at himself, frustration with his own indecisiveness, disappointment, misery…all for what was to come.
"I don't want to live in a world without you, but you must live for both of us. Be strong, be honorable. Love with all your heart. Laugh with all your soul. And fight the good fight, just as I know you can."
"We will figure out a way to save you. I…"
"Don't do anything you will regret, Loki. Everything has an important moment. If you let that moment go when the time comes, you'll not get a second chance!" Fiore cried, the tears flowing freely now, wracking through her body in sobs. "I can only warn you of her plans- my powers are already dying-soon, I will fade away. Don't let the memory of me influence you! You have to save everyone."
"The only life I am interested in saving is yours."
"But I am already lost," she whimpered, sniffing back the tears.
Loki did not reply, he simply held her closer, as if holding her to him now would stop the inevitable parting- what was to most likely be their final meeting.
"I know, but I am asking you to not stop fighting. Even if I am not there beside you. When you stop fighting, you stop living. If you stop living you embarrass me…"
Fiore paused ensuring that the severity of her words sunk in. Her words ringing deeply through Loki, a loving demand-a command. The unspoken words, that if he were to allow Lady Death to live, he would be forcing her to give up her life for nothing.
"So find your fight and fight like hell til your battle is won- if you won't fight to protect the realm or your family, fight because
"It's not fair!" he suddenly growled, the words bitter and full of anger. "We were finally together- it appears the Norns were right. Falling into Lady Death's trap will set off Ragnarok- because I can't do what you ask."
"Do you think the universe fights for souls to be together?"
"What?"
"I believe that. We can't change destiny," Fiore smiled tearfully, raising her arms to hold Loki close, her fingers sliding through his raven locks. "It was destiny that we met- that we loved. I believe that with all my being. But…," she continued pulling away only enough to take hold of Loki's face, holding it gently to bring his gaze to her own. "We can change the future. We can still prove to the world- to Odin that love can change the future."
Loki's hands moved to take hold of Fiore's face in return bringing her lips to meet his. Her tears sliding over his fingers as he held her face gently.
"The world can rot in hell- all the nine realms can!" he cried angrily. "But you…" his words faltered and his voice cracked with the effort to speak the words. "You're not just the center of my world Fiore. You're the whole of it!"
Before Fiore could speak anything in return she felt a wave of dizziness overcame her. If not for Loki holding her, her legs would have given out completely beneath her. Her eyes widening with a mixture of shock and pain as pain lanced through her. The tether connecting her to Loki suddenly growing taut and ready to snap. Already she had run out of time, her power weakening beyond the point of maintaining the connection.
"No!" Loki sobbed, no tears coming out of his beautiful blue green eyes. "Stay with me!" he demanded, grasping hold of her almost painfully in a desperate attempt to keep her with him. "Open your eyes."
She did not even remember closing them but she obeyed. Fiore knew she was fading quickly. If not for Loki's desperate hold on her she would not even be able to stand at that moment, the deep sense of exhaustion that had suddenly overcome her making it impossible to even manage to stand on her own.
"I...love you," she whispered softly, leaning her head against his shoulder. Soon their connection would break and she would be flung from the dream but until that time she soaked up every last bit of cool warmth she could from Loki. She basked in the familiar scent of forest and books that was so much a part of him. She relished the feel of his strong arms holding her protectively against his chest as if he could hold her to him by sheer force of his will. "I always have…just please, no matter what happens. Do the right thing."
"Don't speak as if I am never going to see you again!" Loki demanded heatedly, his hold on her growing unconsciously tighter. "I won't allow it," he bit out through gritted teeth.
"I know you won't," she smiled. "But don't give Odin the satisfaction- if it comes to that."
Holding her as close as he was Fiore could feel Loki's body shaking as silent sobs mixed with desperation and anger wracked through his body.
"Thank you for holding my hand and thank you for letting me go."
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. The world around her was growing fuzzy, preparing to fall away and leave her once more in the darkness. Loki dipped his head closer, his lips meeting Fiore's in a gentle kiss. The kiss made everything snap sharply back into focus as her arms rose to circle his neck, keeping him with her. The feel of his lips against hers, one strong and at her back holding her close, and the other tangled in her wayward red hair momentarily soothed Fiore. The last farewell kiss giving her the needed strength to keep faith that somehow they would succeed.
What they had went beyond friendship, beyond lovers, beyond fate and destiny- it was forever. It just seemed that forever did not last as long as they may have first hoped it would.
And with that her eyes closed and the dream connecting them snapped.