Hey! Read me!: Hi everyone! Thank you to everyone reviewing, I really enjoying reading the reviews! I've had over 400 hits from the last two chapters so I'm really excited! I'm hoping the new readers will say hi too!
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Also, we are going to be jumping ahead in time in the next chapters to come, so don't panic everyone! We will all time warp together, I promise!
I know, I'm not funny. I'll still to writing this story for you!
As always...
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A few days had passed leaving Kaleria feeling more isolated than before. She knew it was for the best, being alone to think about what exactly she wanted. Things were changing, she was changing, and there was nothing that could stop it no matter how hard she tried.
Kaleria would take long walks, making sure to avoid the typical places she would meet Loki; the courtyard, the library. Any place she thought he would be, she avoided it like the plague. She was a ghost as far as she was concerned.
Today Kaleria found herself walking around the shore, the water splashing up against the sand gently. She was walking without real purpose or cause, just trudging her way down the shoreline.
Kaleria stopped walking when her attention was grabbed by the wetness on her feet. She looked down at her feet as the waves washed up against her gently. She smiled weakly at the water; it was cold against her skin.
"I suppose that answers my question." Kaleria turned around to see Loki walking towards her proudly, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Your question?" Kaleria asked, her heart skipping a few beats as he came closer, standing a few feet from her.
"Water does not harm you." He replied simply, turning his attention to the water.
Kaleria half smiled as she looked down at her feet once more. "No, it just hinders my abilities slightly."
"So it is a weakness?" Loki asked.
"I said slightly." Kaleria corrected him. "It makes conjuring much more difficult."
"Well, if we are ever enemies, I shall make sure our battle will involve water."
"We are not enemies, Loki." Kaleria corrected him once more.
"Hm." He replied musically as he moved a little closer. "If we are not enemies…" He began, taking another step. "And we are not friends." He was another step closer. "And last I checked we were tolerant of one another." He finally looked at Kaleria, thoughtfully. "Then what are we?"
"It's simple what we are." She said quietly. "We are you and I, I and you. We exist…" Loki seemed less than satisfied with that answer; he had an expression of defeat. "We exist together." Kaleria continued. "I do not know what that means or what I can expect that to mean… but we are something Loki. We are two energies drawn together whether we like it or not. We are you and I, and I and you."
The corner of Loki's lips turned up slightly as he nudged Kaleria playfully in the arm. "So, have we graduated from tolerant then?"
Kaleria laughed. "Perhaps."
"And?" Loki pressed on.
"I enjoy having you around." Kaleria sighed, rolling her eyes playfully.
Loki beamed. "You enjoy having me around?"
"Don't let that get to your head." Kaleria warned. "It's such a very thin line from tolerant."
"Well, then I may just lose your enjoyment of my company then with what I am about to do…" Loki said.
Kaleria looked at him curiously. "What are you-?" Before she was able to finish her sentence, Loki had already put one arm behind her knees and swept her up into his arms. Kaleria began kicking and struggling. "Loki! Put me down!" She cried as Loki walked further into the water, dropping Kaleria right in. Kaleria went under, but was able to find her footing to stand. Loki was waist deep in the water, grinning mischievously. Kaleria brushed her fiery red, and now wet, hair back with her hands.
With one mighty motion, she used both hands to send a small wave of water at Loki, splashing him. He looked at her, laughing. "Oh yeah?"
"You started it." Kaleria grumbled as she looked down at her wet attire. "If I could, I'd light you on fire."
"Then thank goodness you cannot." Loki teased, moving closer to Kaleria and splashing her.
"You're a dead man, Odinson!" Kaleria threatened as she tried to move passed him. Loki wrapped his arm around Kaleria's waist, forcing her back and cradled into his arms once more. She looked at Loki with panic in her eyes. "Don't do it!" She begged. "Loki! Truce!"
"Fine." Loki sighed, putting Kaleria back on her feet in front of him.
Kaleria fixed her wet dress and hair once more. "Thank you." She said. Loki just nodded.
Unexpectedly to Loki, Kaleria swiftly jumped up on him, knocking him back into the water, bringing her with him. Loki came back up from under the water, locking eyes with the laughing Kaleria. "What happened to our truce?" He said in disbelief.
"Looks like your mischievous ways are rubbing off on me." Kaleria teased.
Loki splashed her, causing her to flinch. This was his moment to make his move and grab her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck tightly. Loki's arms were wrapped around the small of her back, supporting her. "You throw me, you're coming with me!" Kaleria warned.
Loki laughed at her empty threats. "Now Kali, why wouldn't I just take you with me?" He asked. "I could easily just-"Loki was interrupted by Kaleria leaning forward and pressing her lips quickly to the edge of his mouth. It was a quick and shy kiss. Their eyes met before Loki leaned forward, kissing her fully on the lips.
Loki's one arm snaked up Kaleria's back; he placed his hand gently behind her head, holding her there for the kiss. Kaleria didn't mind the gesture; it made her move closer to him. Her mind was made up, she knew exactly what she wanted from this… and there was no going back.
"You are all smiles today." Sif commented as she picked a grape from the bowl of fruit in front of her. "What has made you so happy?" She asked as she ate the grape. The two women were sitting in the gardens, eating their fruit breakfast and spending quality time together. Something they were trying to do more of.
Kaleria had been holding the same grape she had plucked a few minutes ago, unable to eat it as she blushed slightly, smiling. "I cannot just be happy?"
"Not like this, there is something you're not telling me." Sif added with a smile. "You have hardly even touched your food."
Kaleria quickly popped the grape in her mouth and ate it. "Everything is fine." She replied, looking at the bowl of fruit in front of her, the corner of her lips curling up again. "Everything is really good."
"So you have spoken to Loki then?" Sif asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. Kaleria avoided Sif's gaze as she grabbed another grape and popping it in her mouth. "Are you two…?"
"We exist." She stated simply. "We exist together and that's that."
"And how do you exist together, exactly?" Sif was curious about her sister's happiness, whether or not she approved of Loki, or any form of the relationship they were creating. She knew she had to be supportive, she felt as though she had to make up for the lost years with her younger sister.
"I'm happy Sif." Kaleria began. "I'm happy because I don't know what any of this means. I'm blissfully ignorant."
"Ignorance is not always a good thing, Kali." Sif reminded her. "However, if you are happy then you will have my blessing."
"That's all I want."
"Just know… if he causes any problems…" Sif said. "He's a dead man."
Kaleria smiled. "I'd kill him first."
"There would be a line." Sif joked causing a slight giggle from Kaleria.
"I believe he means well, Sif." Kaleria sighed peacefully. "I truly believe he does."
Sif took another grape. "I do not trust him; however, I trust your judgment."
Kaleria was interrupted before replying with a teasing remark. Thor, Loki, and the Warriors Three walked through the garden in quite a hurry. Sif looked concerned as the group approached them. The two women stood to greet the men. "Lady Sif, Lady Kaleria." Thor nodded at both of them.
"What news?" Sif asked, she already had inkling as to what was going on.
"It has happened." Thor confirmed.
"For certain?" Sif asked in somewhat shock.
"Heimdall confirmed it this morning, they've started the attack." Thor replied.
"Attack?" Kaleria asked confused. "What is going on?"
Sif turned to Kaleria with a solemn expression. "Marauders have been rumored to be stirring trouble in Vanaheim; they've begun their attack today."
"Vanaheim?" Kaleria swallowed hard. "Father?"
Sif was unsure how to answer as Thor chimed in. "We have no news yet of what is happening, but we must head for battle." He looked to Sif. "When can you be ready?"
"I'm ready now." Sif replied.
"Good, we need to leave as soon as possible." Thor said.
"I'm coming too." Kaleria chimed in.
"It's dangerous, Kali." Sif said looking to her sister. "They are fighting to kill, this is not training."
"I know, and I want to fight." Kaleria said.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Loki said. "You still have a lot of training to do."
Kaleria narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm ready to fight."
"We could use her." Thor nodded.
Kaleria smiled at him. "Thank you, Thor. At least someone believes in me."
"You could get seriously injured, Kali." Loki added. Sif looked at Loki, narrowing her eyes slightly at the use of the nickname for her sister.
"Vanaheim is still my home, I'm expected to help." Kaleria added.
Loki looked to Thor. "You cannot be serious in having her help, Thor. Consider the possibility that she is still unpredictable with her powers."
Kaleria was hurt with that comment. "Thor, I have to help my home." She tried appealing her case to Thor. "I can do this."
Thor smiled quickly at Kaleria. "She's coming with us. She's a warrior of Asgard."
"Thor…" Loki gritted his teeth.
"We must prepare to leave." Thor said.
The group nodded in agreement as they headed out of the gardens and to the Bifrost.
Kaleria felt butterflies swarm her stomach as she looked at all the other warriors waiting at the Bifrost. They were all typical warriors; she looked small and lost compared to them. Sif had managed to find her in the crowd of people. "Kali, you don't have to do this."
"I want to." Kaleria replied. "You cannot keep shielding me forever."
"I wish I could." Sif smiled weakly. "I do not know what the conditions are down there… or about Father."
Kaleria shook her head. "We can figure that out later."
Sif had been holding a medium sized knife, she handed it to Kaleria reluctantly. "In case something happens and you cannot conjure…"
"Vanaheim isn't covered in water, Sif." Kaleria said taking the knife. "But thank you."
Heimdall had opened the Bifrost while Kaleria and Sif were talking. Warriors began walking through the barrier and traveling to Vanaheim for battle. Sif looked back at the barrier, then to Kaleria. "Ready?"
Kaleria nodded. "Ready."
Sif and Kaleria walked with the rest of the Warriors and headed back to where Kaleria never thought she'd return…Vanaheim.
The forests of Vanaheim were covered in smoke and ash, the fields held corpses and destruction. The same field Kaleria had left behind over two months ago now. Warriors were running towards the Marauder army, fighting as they went. The sounds of explosions, swords clashing, and yelling filled the air. The smell of fire and death surrounding Kaleria, making her feel sick. She felt a tug on her shoulder, causing her to turn swiftly, her hands heating up in caution. "Keep moving!" It was Sif, yelling to her.
Kaleria nodded, following Sif into battle. She was a brilliant warrior, striking deadly blows to Marauders as she went. Kaleria followed as best she could, dodging explosions and corpses on the ground. She looked to her left just in time to dodge a blade from a nearby Marauder. She quickly dodged another attack, and another. Kaleria kept jumping back, trying to keep herself safe from the Marauder's blade. The Marauder kept slashing at her, striking and barely missing her.
Kaleria tripped over one of the corpses, falling on her behind. She scrambled backwards as the Marauder closed in on her, raising his sword. Just as he was about to release the final blow, Loki grabbed him, stabbing his knife deep into the Marauder's side. Loki angrily offered his hand to help Kaleria up. She reluctantly grabbed it as he looked down at her. "This is exactly what I said would happen. You could have been killed."
"I had it." Kaleria argued.
Loki scoffed. "Yeah, you had him alright."
Kaleria narrowed her eyes. "Give me a chance."
"That was your chance, this is war Kali, and you do not get such kindness from your enemy." Loki growled.
"I meant you!" Kaleria yelled. "You are supposed to believe in my abilities and believe that I can do this! You were so against me fighting and doubting my abilities."
"I was trying to keep you safe, Kali." Loki argued.
"Then keep me safe here, don't hold me back!"
"Duck!" Loki yelled and Kaleria quickly ducked as an axe swept over where she was standing.
Loki attacked the Marauder wielding the axe, dodging his attacks as best he could. His knives were no match for the axe, but his wit and deception was a great asset. The Marauder kicked at Loki causing him to stumble back as the Marauder charged. Without truly thinking about it, Kaleria shot two fireballs at the Marauder, setting him on fire. The Marauder screamed in pain, running from the fight with Loki before collapsing and dying. Loki looked at Kaleria in somewhat shock, she shrugged. "See? I can take care of myself!" Kaleria retorted.
"Behind you!" Loki shouted.
Kaleria turned, catching a Marauder's hand in hers as he was just about to bring the blade down. Kaleria's hands were burning, causing the skin on the Marauder's hand to melt, and soon, his body engulfed in flames. The smell of burnt flesh and the screams of the Marauder filled the air.
Loki ran over to Kaleria as she stared in somewhat horror at what she had done. "That was… new…" He muttered.
"I…" Kaleria looked at her hands. "That was horrible…"
"It's war." Loki replied sympathetically. "Come, we must continue on."
Kaleria nodded slightly as she followed Loki deeper into battle.
Kaleria and Loki fought more Marauders as they moved forward to reach the main battle. To Kaleria's dismay, she used her gifts in the more gruesome ways possible. War was not something she enjoyed, but this was her home, she kept reminding herself what she was fighting for. Loki on the other hand, had a much easier time killing. He was swift, cunning, and most of all, dangerous. Kaleria took note of that…
After clearing the area they were in, Kaleria placed her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Loki walked over to her, crouching down to her eye level. "Are you all alright to continue?"
Kaleria nodded, breathing heavily. "I'm going to be sore in the morning." She joked, forcing a laugh.
Loki chuckled in response. "We're almost at the main battle sight; we're pushing the Marauders back."
"That's a good thing." Kaleria commented as she stood up straight, taking in her surroundings. So much death and chaos was disturbing to her, especially from her home realm. "This was my home, Loki…" She replied sadly. "If you could even call it home…" She looked away from Loki as he stood upright again. "My Father sent me away because of my gifts being too out of control… from fear… little did he know he was only promoting the fear." Kaleria laughed sardonically. "I never belonged here."
Loki placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, forcing Kaleria to look at him. "You don't have to belong here, you belong wherever feels like home."
"Asgard is home." Kaleria smiled.
Loki returned the smile. "Glad you feel that way."
Loki started leaning in a little closer to Kaleria, attempting to steal a kiss. Kaleria cleared her throat. "We have a battle to win."
Loki grinned. "I expect a victory kiss."
"We have not won yet." Kaleria responded. "Besides, I am still upset with you for earlier."
"I should not have doubted you, but is it wrong of me to want to keep you out of harm's way?" Loki asked, causing Kaleria to shrug slightly. "But you're right; we have a battle to win." Kaleria nodded as the two headed for the center of the war.
"You missed the best part!" Volstagg shouted incredulously. "I wielded my axe, fighting off as many as a dozen Marauders at a time!" Kaleria and Loki looked at Volstagg in disbelief. They had just joined the main fight only to find out that the Marauders had surrendered.
Volstagg continued telling his story as Sif ran over to her sister, hugging her tightly. "I was so worried once we were separated."
"I'm fine, Sif. Glad to see you're okay as well." Kaleria replied. "Loki kept an eye on me."
Sif pulled away from her sister and looked at Loki, she didn't have to thank him verbally, she just nodded at him and that was enough. "You're all right though?"
"Yes, I'd prefer not having to use my gifts like that ever again but, this was necessary." Kaleria shrugged.
"She did wonderfully." Loki added. "She surprised us all."
"I can handle myself." Kaleria continued. She looked around at the wounded warriors and the Marauders who were now prisoners of Asgard. She then looked to Sif. "Father?"
Sif nodded. "He is fine; we intercepted them before they reached our home."
Kaleria just nodded. "When can we head home?"
"They're rounding up the prisoners, you can head back if you'd like." Sif smiled. "We've got it from here."
Loki placed a gentle hand on Kaleria's shoulder. "I can go back with you."
"That would be nice." Kaleria agreed. "I will see you home, Sif." Sif nodded with a smile.
Loki and Kaleria walked to a clear spot, looking up to the sky as Heimdall retrieved them.
Loki and Kaleria walked out from the rainbow transportation. Kaleria was holding her head and shaking it slightly as she laughed. "I will never get used to that."
"You will." Loki reminded her. "It takes a trip or two."
"This is my second one." Kaleria added with a sigh.
The two of them began walking towards the bright city, it was night time, and the lights were brilliant in the distance as they walked along the glowing bridge. "I'm sorry." Loki finally said.
"Pardon?" Kaleria asked in disbelief. "You're sorry?"
"I will not repeat it again." The corner of Loki's lips curled into his signature smirk.
"You're sorry for doubting me then?" Kaleria pressed on.
"You are a very capable woman." Loki added.
"Go on." Kaleria beamed as Loki chuckled. They kept walking as Kaleria continued. "I was doubted enough by my Father and even by Sif… I don't need to be doubted by you as well."
Loki nodded. "I do not want to inhibit your gifts, I want you to explore them and be comfortable with them." Loki looked at Kaleria. "I do not want you to think you cannot do something, and I apologize for my own selfish ideals that were keeping you back."
Kaleria nudged his arm with her elbow. "You're forgiven."
"Well, it seems there is only one thing left to do."
Kaleria raised an eyebrow curiously. "Oh?"
"We did win this battle…" Loki started, as Kaleria laughed.
"Fine, you can have your victory kiss." Kaleria and Loki stopped walking. "Oh brave warrior." She teased as he wrapped his arms around her back, lifting her enough that she was standing barely on the tip of her toes. Loki's lips brushing against hers gently, then with much more need as their passion grew. Kaleria's heart fluttering as she realized… things truly were changing, unbeknownst to her then, things would be changing drastically.
Final Thought: Ending on a happier note for Kaleria and Loki with this chapter... I can't wait to begin adding chaos! :D I mean... Well, in order for me to continue and to find out what's next, remember, I need at least FIVE more reviews! Can't wait to hear from you! Thanks for reading!
