Thor: The King of Everything.
Summary: "(A sequel to "The King of Nothing") One month after Loki's sudden, inexplicable disappearance and the cryptic message he left behind, Thor desperately tries to hold everything- and everyone- together. But now, facing the cruel reality that his brother before him couldn't bear, failed to overcome and ultimately left to him alone to face, a war that Asgard has no chance of winning; too many people who refuse to see that terrifying truth, and even loosing the one last person he fights for, the God of Thunder knows he has got to make a stand before it's too late. His quest for victory- and to finally end all the suffering around him- will lead him into a long since forgotten, forbidden place, and reintroduce him to the cruel world he never realized he knew existed. But, with the help of his friends, and someone else who may or may not really be there at all anymore, Thor might just end up saving not only himself, Jane, his people, and his home from certain doom, but someone else who no one knew needed saving in the first place."
Warning: "This will be a relatively tame fanfic, with the exception of some blood, violence, angst, some language, a character death or two, and other adult situations. So, to be on the safe side, we'll be going with Rated T. I have watched both Thor movies and the Avenger's movie, but this does not mean that I am perfect and/or know absolutely everything there is to know about, and I'm bound to forget or misuse something. So, with that, please forgive me if I screw up, and just enjoy the story."
Disclaimer: "I do not own Thor. Please don't ruin my day by thinking I do."
A/N: "This story is dedicated to Adamzgal."
N._.s._.S
Chapter Fourteen: The Exchange.
"A fair bargain leaves both sides unhappy."
- George R.R. Martin.
"See, without this, I know that whatever it is you're planning on doing…" Loki began, after letting Zak'Vael's silence continue on for a while, keeping the tip of the blade carefully against the glassy surface of the glowing jade ball and tapping it twice as he spoke, "Won't happen."
Zak'Vael actually flinched when the tip of the blade hit the jagged surface of the sphere.
You wouldn't dare! He declared, softly. If you destroy that, then-
"I don't care what your plan is, Zak'Vael, and I really don't care what happens to this," Loki continued, interrupting the Vael with an oddly cordial voice and a half-smile, carelessly bouncing the faintly glowing, cracked jade-green ball up into the air to make his point, "In fact, I shall gladly give it to you-"
"- Loki!" Thor hissed from beside him, "What are you-"
"- In exchange," the God of Mischief added, boldly, not giving even the slightest sign that he'd heard his brother's alarmed warning, "For that pretty blue one of yours."
That certainly shut Thor right up.
And whatever it was Zak'Vael expected him to say or do...
It sure as hell wasn't that.
Are you insane? The former King questioned, coolly, Or are you simply an imbecile?
"You're not the first one to ask me that, let me assure you," Loki told him, lightly, with yet another one of his bizarrely pleasant smiles as he tossed the little green sphere back up into the air once more, "But no matter, for even I'm not sure anymore."
I see…
Ceil Zak'Vael's midnight blue eyes narrowed as he looked from Loki, to the strange little ball in his hand, and finally to the bright, cerulean one he held in his own, as if he were mulling over everything the God of Mischief had told him before making his decision.
Do not believe that freely handing me your soul in return for this woman's changes anything in the slightest, Laufeysson, Zak'Vael finally told him, coldly, For it does not.
"I take it we have a deal, then?"
We do.
With that, Ceil Zak'Vael turned his head toward his five minions, and gave them each a short nod, causing all five of the warriors, in unison with practiced flourishes, to sheath their blades and, one by one, turn their backs on the palace of gold and simply walk away, disappearing through the gate.
The tension that followed as the members of the Black Hunt disappeared was broken quickly as Ceil Zak'Vael suddenly began walking toward Loki, keeping a firm grasp over the cerulean blue orb as he approached- and Loki mirrored his movements by matching his steps, moving away from Thor and Jane, who had remained completely still during this exchange despite Thor's repeated outbursts.
Even though the Vael stood taller than Loki by nearly two full feet, the God of Mischief still managed to look almost imposing as he approached the former Honored King.
The way they were looking at each other, dead in the other's eyes, brilliant jade against furious, dark blue, promised their vendetta was far from over.
The next time they met, it would mean a true battle-
A battle that would certainly spell the death of one of them.
Loki slowly held out the green sphere, and Zak'Vael, quite unexpectedly a man of his word, held out the cerulean one in return without even the slightest bit of hesitation.
"This isn't over," Loki swore, fiercely, as he took the blue orb, "I promise you, it isn't."
Oh, I agree, Laufeysson, Zak'Vael declared, mildly, as he took the jade one from Loki's outstretched palm, This shall never be over, not until the day you lay dead at my feet.
"I look forward to the day," Loki answered with another cold nod, "But I'm afraid I won't be so easy to kill."
Of course not- but this time, Zak'Vael stepped back at that moment as he answered, holding up the jade-green ball, I have something I didn't last time.
"That won't do you much good," Loki cautioned him, seriously, "You cannot control that which will never bow its head to you."
We shall see.
With that, Ceil Zak'Vael turned his back on Loki Odinsson, and walked away, quietly tossing the jade-green, cracked little soul up and down in his palm as he trotted through the gates and disappeared, without so much as a second glance back at the man he had long-since vowed to destroy.
N._.s._.S
Wisely, Loki waited until he was sure that Ceil Zak'Vael was gone before he turned back. The bizarre smile he'd worn throughout his meeting with Zak'Vael had finally vanished; replaced with a serious, tight line that accented his suddenly pale face. Quickly, he made his way back to Thor, all as Odin, Eir, and Axel Hernsson all immediately brushed through the crowd to meet them.
"Loki, what was that about?" Thor demanded of him as soon as his brother was within earshot.
"It doesn't concern you," Loki replied, his voice oddly impatient and tense, "What matters right now is-"
"Loki."
At the All-Father's somehow piercing voice, Loki immediately looked over his shoulder at him, and there was a flash of what could only have been pain in his eyes as he met his father's bright, shrewd gaze.
"I will explain everything to the best of my ability," Loki instantly relented, though he quickly averted his eyes from his father's as he spoke, "For now, though; we need to get Jane to the Med Wing."
Odin looked over at Eir, breaking his gaze from his son at last as the old Medic-turned-General merely nodded as he took in the woman's still, bloodied form.
Thor kept his gaze on Loki as he finally stood up, keeping Jane in his arms.
"You better," was all the God of Thunder said to him.
Loki didn't answer as Axel Hernsson merely, silently sheathed his blade and looked out to the ajar golden gates.
Odinsson, he declared, so suddenly that it caused the God of Mischief to quickly turn back to face him, You have doomed us all by letting him go.
"No," Loki answered, so quietly that no one but the new Honored King could hear, "Only myself."
Hernsson's bright, maroon eyes never left Loki's back as the young God entered the palace.
N._.s._.S
Had some Internet issues for a while, sorry! XD
Anyway, yeah, I know you guys wanted a fight!
Don't worry, that's not too far away.
Right now, though, Loki's got a few other things to do!
So, hope you liked this one,
And the next Chapter will be here soon!
In the meantime, as always, feel free to tell me what you think!