The characters in this story do NOT belong to me. All rights reserved.
11: The Darkness—
His eyes were open, yet he could feel that sleep still had him. The space he stood in was dark and cold, the black almost tangible. Loki had been here before, standing in the same manner, waiting for HIM to call out.
"Loki—"
"I am here," Loki said automatically. Their conversations had always started the same.
"The blind one will come this day."
"He has decided on our deal?"
"Yes. His wants have taken over him, just as I had foreknown."
Loki scoffed. "Hodur has always been the weak one."
From in the dark, Loki's ears picked out the sound of skin gliding across skin, muscles moving. A deep hiss ghosted through the dark. "You will use my gift, God of Mischief. You will blacken the Light."
Loki felt his eyes roam to the side. He had yet to see HIM, though the curiosity—the fear of seeing his guiding voice had long ago dissipated. They were one now; a driving force and a willing body.
"Your doubts, God of Lies? Are they still present?" the Voice hissed close to his ear, so close yet so hidden.
Loki smirked at the question. His doubts would not be an issue, for he had none.
—
Loki woke to the steady gaze of Sigyn.
Her face was close, cocked to the side with observing eyes. The subtle smell of ale and earth emitted from her. Loki indulged himself in her scent, a scent from the outside world. A precious scent.
"Sigyn…" he whispered, ruined lips aching and sore.
Sigyn's shoulders stiffened and she pulled away as if burned. "I am sorry, my king. I did not mean to wake you," she trembled out. She dipped her head, hiding her delicate face behind tangled strands of gold. "I saw the guards were few today—I had to see you, my king."
Loki blinked. His eyes traveled down the young girl's neck, white skin leading to round breasts covered in thin cloth. He let out a ragged breath, "You are a loyal one."
"I am, my king," Sigyn said eagerly, eye lifting to finally meet his. She moved a pair of pale fingers to brush absently at Loki's freed lips, each fingertip gliding along the scars the string had left.
Loki felt his body shake. "You will do as I say then?"
Sigyn's eyes glinted then closed as a low breath was admitted from her lips. "Yes. Always." Leaning forward slightly, Loki felt the weight of thin lips on his. He paused before tilting his head and letting Sigyn deepen the kiss. They stayed joined for moments more when Sigyn pulled away, their noses still touching. She blinked down at him with glazed eyes, "I will do anything."
Loki felt his mouth twitch with satisfaction. He rolled his head away from the woman's to gesture to the other side of the cave. His eyes locked onto the glinting stake leaning there. "Fetch that," he said hoarsely.
Standing straighter, Sigyn looked over. She hurriedly darted over to the other side of the room and placed two pale hands on the cave's wall. Her fingertips brushed down, searching, before landing on the smooth surface of the stake. Hesitating, she glanced back at Loki then to the weapon in her hands.
"Mistletoe?" she asked.
Loki breather. "Bring it."
Sigyn obeyed and soon held the stake to him, palms facing up. Loki studied the stake, eyes barely able to detect the green poison that slowly ran under its white cover. The tip was gnarled and deadly, yet who would ever find it a threat. The Queen surely hadn't, Loki thought. Foolish cow.
A small snigger broke his train of thought. He moved his eyes up to observe Sigyn, whose lips were twisted while holding in any more laughter. Loki felt pins of irritation jab into his skin. "What?"
Sigyn's eyes widened then she smiled. "Plan on picking a giant's teeth?"
Her humor was lost in the dark as Loki continued to stare at her darkly. "I plan on killing my brother."
With this, Sigyn's features twisted, the shine in her eyes blowing out to leave burning coals. A crooked smile formed on her lips as she reached out and stroked a dirtied hand down the side of Loki's face. "Will I get to see?"
After a moment Loki allowed a smile to stretch across his face. "They will all see," he whispered, soon silenced as Sigyn pressed another heavy kiss to his lips.
They stayed this way till a scrapping sound came from the entrance of the cave. Sigyn froze before dipping away and pulling from under the hem of her tattered dress a sharpened blade. Loki watched her crouched beside his bed of rocks and hold the knife close to her breasts. He smiled to himself as she caught his eyes, nothing there but darkness. Brave girl, he thought.
He turned his attention to the door and cocked his head as the large figure of Hodur walked in. The man took slow steps, careful and steady, and shut the large door behind him. He stood there looking out into the dark with his dead eyes, a scowl etched onto his face. "Loki?"
Loki gave Sigyn a glance as she hunched down more before given his attention to Hodur. "Hodur," he chirped, anxiety building up in his throat. He let his tongue glide across his lips as he settled his beating heart. "You are on guard today, I presume?"
"Nah. Told the man out to get. We have things to talk about 'n don't want no prying ears," Hodur said. He took his time down the slope, descending into the cave like a lumbering bear. As he came closer, Sigyn shifted again, moving her blade forward slightly.
Hodur stilled. His scowl deepened and his hand flew to his sword. "There's another in here, gypsy! Where?" Hodur's gruff voice barked, bouncing off the close walls like thunder.
Loki merely smirked. "A man gets lonely — you should know. A whore is all." Loki turned his head to a frowning Sigyn and she stood quietly. "She will do no harm. Now, you wish to speak to me?"
Hodur stayed motionless, eyes darting. "What ya said, 'bout me eyes. Ya mean it? Ya can give me sight?" he said after a long while.
Sigyn had by then slid the knife back into her dress and stood to the side, watching. She and Hodur eyed Loki, both waiting for him to answer.
"Of course I can," Loki said then. "You know what I'm capable of. A snap of my fingers, dear brother, and the world would be yours." Loki watched as wonderment flooded Hodur's face. He shifted in his chains. "You know my price however."
Hodur shook his head then lowered it. "I do."
Loki wiggled his hands in the clasps, feeling the poorly set bones of his broken wrist creaking. He tilted his head, "You will release me? You will agree to our deal?"
Hodur moved a large hand to pat at his wiry beard. He rubbed a thumb across his lips before taking a breath. "I do."
To his surprise, Loki felt a wave of relief swarm him. He shut his eyes and asked for forgiveness for ever doubting HIM. He looked over at Sigyn, "Guide him," and then watched as the thin woman stepped to his brother slowly.
Hodur visibly tensed as Sigyn placed a hand on his arm. "Walk with me now," she said. The large man walked behind her awkwardly, stumbling slightly. She stopped him when they reached Loki's side. She turned and looked at the man through squinted eyes. "Do you have a key?" she said slowly.
Hodur tipped his head down so his eyes were on the woman's, though they quickly slid off to stare into the distance. He silently slid a hand into his robes and produced a small key. He held it out and Sigyn took it. She turned away and focus to Loki's raised hands. She twisted the key into the chains locks. With a 'click' the chains loosened and Sigyn slowly helped lower Loki lower his arms.
A long hiss escaped the god's lips as Loki's muscles bunched and strained. His arms were weak and sore and shaking. He bit down on his lip as his now crooked and bent wrist came to cling close to his chest as any movement sent torrents of pain through his biceps and up his neck. He looked at Sigyn to move away as he lifted himself off his back. Thick red and purple welts had appeared on the spot where his bones stuck out from under his skin, sores and bruises patterned him like eloquent designs. Loki bit back a cry as he finally sat up straight.
To his side Sigyn stroked at his hair, whispering encouragement, while Hodur watched on, uncomfortably scratching at the back of his hand. Sigyn helped him pull the dirtied red sheet around all of Loki's body as he struggled to stand. When his weight reached his feet the room shifted and Loki held back the urge to vomit.
He slapped away Sigyn's worried hands and looked to Hodur. He reached out and took a fist full of the other man's robe and tugged him closer. Hodur stumble forward with a small gasp as Loki lowered his ear to his mouth. The smaller god hissed, "Lead me out."
Hodur frowned. "We made a deal, gypsy—"
"Yes," Loki cut in, holding a finger up to the man's chin, "we did. And I will honor our deal. But I need out of this cave, first."
Hodur stared down at him before nodding. He turned swiftly and made his way up the slope with ease. Loki shuffled forward then sagged, just landing into Sigyn's firm arms. She held him up, her small hands still cradling the stake. They walked forward, painfully slow, and made it to the top of the slope. Loki could smell the fresh air from outside and drank it in.
"Give me it," Loki whispered to Sigyn as they waited for Hodur to open the door.
Sigyn slipped the stake into Loki's hand. He gripped it tightly. "Now go."
Sigyn paused. "My king, I wish to stay with y—"
Loki's eyes glinted at the small woman before saying more forcefully. "Go. I do not wish for you to get caught. I will find you after this." Sigyn gave him a crushed look and Loki smooth at her hair. He gave her a small kiss on the forehead and watched her shutter.
"You will come back to me?" she whispered.
Loki gave a brief nod before pushing the woman away again with a gentle, feeble hand. "Go."
Sigyn blinked then slipped away, back into the darkness of the cave. Loki nodded once more. He would return for her, but he needed to complete what he started first. All of this needed to come first. His destiny.
Hodur finally opened the door, pushing it open with one strong shove and Loki stopped him before taking a step. "We'll wait," Loki hissed into the larger man's ear. "Just a while. Then I will fix you." Hodur froze, opened his mouth to speak yet closed it, and nudged off the other's hand.
"No tricks," Hodur's voice came out shaky and weak.
A smile tug on Loki's crooked lips. He let his hand stroke down Hodur's stiff back as he let the light, the smell, the feel of the lost world he had thought never to seen again waft over him. "Of course," he replied. "No tricks."
—
When he came Loki nearly laughed.
He brought no others with him, no weapons, protection, nothing; just his golden hue, his blinding shadow, that smug face. He must have felt that the cave had been open, that he had been let out. Did a voice in your head tell you? Loki thought. Did you try and bat it away?
As Baldr walked further down the long bridge that branched off the cave's entrance, Loki lowered himself so he was hidden behind his still frozen brother. Hodur turned in questioned, looking over a shoulder, before a call from Baldr brought his attention forward—
"Hodur! What are you doing? Why is that door open?"
Hodur's eyes widened. "Brother?" He search forward fruitlessly, allowing his ears and nose and senses tell him how close his brother was.
Baldr came to a stop in front of Hodur, a crease made in his tanned forehead. "Why is that door opened, then? Eh? You fool, why are you just standing there? You aren't even supposed to be on guard."
Behind Hodur, Loki stood still, breath trapped as he refused to risk the sound of his lungs rising. He watched as Baldr's commanding voice slowly break down Hodur's ridged shoulders. He watched as the larger man fidgeted and moved to a side. He watched as his cover was taken away leaving nothing between him and the light.
In a shuttered gasp, Baldr's eyes locked onto Loki's. "The Hel..?" Baldr hesitated for a mere second before pulling out his sword.
But the light was to slow.
By the time Baldr had pulled his sword fully from his sheath, a long, jagged stake had rammed itself into the side of his neck. The god gawked, his mouth falling open unleashing a river of red to spill down his chin. He staggered and grunted and heaved.
Loki stood inches away from the man's face, their eyes still locked. He took the pale hand that was wrapped around the stake and twisted, watching as more red was added to the waterfall of blood. He smiled fondly at Baldr's stunned face. "Shh. There, there," he smiled softly then proceeded to rip the stake clean of the god's neck. Baldr sank to the ground with a whimper.
With a strain Loki leaned down and brushed at Baldr's shining hair. It seem to dim by the second. Baldr's eyes were still on his, looking up with blown pupils, black covering the bright blue. Tears of pain slid down from the corner of his lids. Loki smiled yet again as the light finally left the god and he went limp.
"Brother?"
Loki turned back to Hodur who stood with his hands clutching in front of his chest, heavy face alert and confused. "Baldr? What's happened?"
The larger man continued to call for his brother, like a child, not for a moment noticing Loki stand and approach him. "Brother? Broth—" Hodur shut his mouth when he sense Loki's hand close to his face.
Loki watched the man's dead eyes bulge and travel through the air rapidly. "You've done well," Loki whispered. He hitched up his bent arm painfully before swiping his good one across Hodur's face, just brushing his skin.
Hodur flinched then gasped and blinked. And blinked. He turned his head from side to side and his mouth fell open. He blinked again then looked down at Loki, pale eyes replaced now by two orbs of green. He continued to blink down at his hands, his feet, himself. And when Loki moved aside, his brother.
The god's face drained of color as his eyes examined the bloody body of his brother. "Baldr…?" Hodur whispered and cocked his head. "B-Brother?" A retched scream escaped Hodur's lips. The man staggered, trying to step away from the red mess on the ground facing him, and soon felt the world shift.
Loki did not watch as his brother fell back into the cave they had just come from, nor as the large man landed with a sickening crunch, the cold cave floor cracking his head like an egg. He simply walked on, across the bridge an into the castle, leaving the bodies of his two brother to rot just as he had.
—
Outside he could see the blue sky suddenly lose color and fade into dark looming clouds. Darkness edged up over the kingdom like a clawed hand, its black fingers nearly tangible.
Loki came to rest at an arch that stared out upon Asgard. He tilted his head to watched as the bright orange orb of fire that hung high in the air was taken over by black. He smiled and let his eyes close.
"We have done it," he sighed.
Yes, God of Mischief, the voice called to him in his mind. You have served Jörmungandr well. Now look upon me as I descend from the stars.
Loki opened his eyes, the sense of bliss strong within , the skies were shaking and the seas were rolling. He could hear the panicked screams of the people, the poor stupid sheep, all scrambling, trying to make sense of what has happening. Above the middle of the port a large building darkness was forming, splitting the clouds in half and creating a passage. Loki watched with glee.
"Loki!"
Loki blinked then turned slowly.
Thor stood to the side of him, his hair tossed and his cheeks red. He stared at his brother with wide eyes filled with shame and fear and heartbreak. "What have you done?" he croaked.
Loki stared emotionless at the other before a crack of thunder drew both brothers to look out to the port. The passage in the sky had grown to an enormous size and grey smoke flushed its way from it. The world shook again before stilling, as if waiting.
Screams and cries all sounded around the kingdom as the body of a coiling, black snake was suddenly dropped from the passage. From where Loki stood, HE was small, off in the distance, yet he could feel the energy that was emitted from HIM. It took what seemed like years for the body to hit the sea, but when it did, wave as tall as giant swept up then crashed down, upon ships, bridges, lives.
Loki heard his brother cry out behind him. He turned his head back to look over his shoulder. He stared at Thor as he asked him "WHY?" Loki merely laughed, raised his unbroken hand—
And snapped.
And Loki vanished.
FINALLY done. And for the first day of school *cries*. Thank you all for reading and reviewing, I love you all so much!