With a peaceful smile on his face, Loki left the cottage, looking up at the bright midnight stars. Taking in a breath of fresh air, he made his way down the cobblestone path, his black boots thumping on the pavement. The breeze rustled his hair as his eyes wandered across the silent village. It made him feel… empty. He longed to have Jennica's fingers entwined with his, but then… despite her affections, was he even worthy of them? After all he did in the past, expecting a second chance seemed out of his reach. It erased the lingering smile that had been on his face. His gaze wavered to the ground. The feeling of, dare he think it, love for Jennica brought on a newfound joy that he did not believe he deserved. He took away so much joy from other people. Why did he deserve to have any? Why had she been brought into his life? Was it to merely torture him with memories of what he had done? Anger came to life in his heart like a newly kindled flame. He stopped his walking and tried to dissipate the emotion. The betrayal. The lives he took, the family he ripped apart… everything he ever did. His mind would not let it go.
The rage now burned in his heart like a roaring fire. The rage towards nobody else but himself. Running away from the village, he made his way back to the cliff where he had been with Jennica just moments before.
"Why can't I just forget?!" Loki shouted as he stood on the edge, hearing his voice echo across the nearby mountains, "Why can't I just forgive myself…?" The words slipped off of his tongue in a mere whisper as the tension in his body wrapped around his heart.
He stood there in silence until a roar of thunder interrupted his depressing thoughts. Turning around to see a flash of light that was the Bifrost, he watched as it brought Thor near the village, a few hundred feet from where he stood. He looked away, not even bothering to care if Thor approached. He looked back to the mountains, observing their sharp, jagged landscapes.
"Brother," he heard Thor say behind him suddenly after a few minutes had passed in silence, "I regret to say that… father did not agree to our plans. I have not returned with the army."
Loki, upon hearing this, closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh of annoyance, along with frustration. He partly expected such an outcome, but even still, did Odin have to be so unreasonable? There would be no hope without Asgard's assistance.
"We might as well give up." Loki muttered, barely loud enough for his brother to hear.
Thor's brows furrowed, "That's not the words I expected to hear from you. I thought that getting back at Ulric was something you greatly looked forward to."
"It would only waste lives." Loki turned to face his brother, who clearly understood once he had spoken, "For once, allow me to make decisions that are usually yours. This isn't even our realm, but after everything I've done, having a chance to do what is right feels… well, it actually makes me feel something for once. I don't think I could see Jennica witness the fall of this resistance."
"Brother, you're giving up too easily. There is still hope. There is always hope!"
"Is there?" Loki questioned with the pain of disbelief as he took a few steps towards Thor, "With everything that's happening, and with the odds against us, how do we have hope?"
Thor gave a bittersweet smile, "There was hope with you. Even when there were those who thought the opposite. Loki, I know you are only saying these words because you are downhearted." Loki's gaze pointed to the ground. He nodded subtly, knowing what an understatement that was. "Please, do not become so." Thor continued, patting his younger brother on the left shoulder.
Loki was still full of self-hatred, and it was hard to stop. It only brought on negativity that plagued his mind, depriving him of the positive outlook he had come to possess. Everything was changing. Despite that, Loki forced a smile. He would not grow weary. He couldn't. It meant too much… especially for Jennica, who had begun to pour her heart and soul into the cause. He spoke in a gentle tone, "Thank you… brother."
Clasping a large hand on Loki's shoulder, Thor led him back to the village for some well deserved rest. Morning was expected to be long and tiresome.
...
"On your feet!" Shouted Dellinger, yanking Loki out of his bed and sleep. The delirium of deep sleep clouded his judgment and so he allowed Dellinger to pull him out the door only wearing loose fitting pajamas. The sky was still dark and the stars bright. A group of groggy people stood a distance away, speaking with volume and tension.
"What is happening?" Murmured Loki, beginning to wake up his body and mind. His pajamas changed into that of his original green and black attire, with the help of his magic.
"A scout spotted Ulric's army approaching the village. They are attacking us first!" Dellinger roared in anger, "That was supposed to be us! Striking fear into Ulric's heartless chest, but here we are. Helpless!"
Jennica's heart sunk and wrenched with dread. Detecting her discourage, Loki placed a hand on her shoulder, yet she hardly paid any mind. Trying to pick her mind of any possible ways they could still fight and pull through, Jennica thought intensly. However, she had not been brought up as a princess or leader of any sort. She had no experience or skill for the matter. She could only offer up silent prayers. Sol stood nearby, her face pale, revealing the worry she had tried to keep pent up. Jennica watched the saddened state of her birth mother. It pained her greatly.
Thor gazed at the black horizon, unsure of what to do next. Should they flee? Leave everything they've known behind again… could he admit that he had failed them? His heart raced at the thought of attempting a fight. The elves were too skillful to be defeated single-handedly by himself. Escape was the only option. Ulric could not win this fight. A sigh escaped his lips, releasing a fraction of the tension in his body. A sharp pain crept into his eyes through his tear ducts, forcing Thor to squeeze his eyes shut. It began to burn. A faintly familiar burn. Opening his eyes, he saw completely different surroundings. Home. Standing at the edge of the rainbow bridge outside of the bifrost, Thor understood what had taken over him.
"Heimdall, is this the help you spoke of?" Thor spun around on his heels to catch a glimpse of the guardian who was standing immediately behind him in the vision. Thor stepped backwards out of shock before questioning,
"What… why…?"
"I have very important news," Heimdall began with the slightest hint of a smile, "Odin has changed his mind and will send troops for assistance shortly."
Thor was taken aback, nearly appalled at the sudden change. "What persuaded him?"
"I have my ways." Heimdall's faint smile only became more noticeable. Even still, Thor was surprised. A weak and distant voice seemed to echo all around Thor. It called for him. "They need you. Give them this hope and calm their anxieties. Till we meet again... soon."
The golden glow of an Asgardian afternoon faded into the darkness of Alfheim's night.
"Thor!" Even shouted in Thor's face, shaking his frozen body. When Thor had regained his bearings, he placed his hand on Even's shoulder to calm the anxious elf.
"All hope is not lost…" Thor forced out of his mouth, feeling as though he was in a new body.
"What do you mean, Thor? Are you okay?! We thought you might have been…" Jennica's voice faded away as she caught her breath. She had been hyperventilating in worry for him. Everyone stood around.
"I am fine. Do not worry. I have joyful news to share!" He turned around in a circle to look into everyone's mournful eyes.
"What joy is left? Either we abandon our cause and homes or die!" Odelia shouted at the sky.
"Asgard will give us the aid we need! Odin has been persuaded, and his army is coming."
Jennica breathed deeply, readying herself. Thor gave a swift command to prepare the village for battle. Running back to her small room, Jennica quickly dressed into her combat clothes, also slipping on the belt that held her daggers. Stopping for a moment to gaze at the gift, she thought of Loki, and her heart ached. She was reminded of her family at home. A rush of fear overcame her. If she died, she didn't know how her family could handle such news. She couldn't die. Loki would protect her. That was all that mattered. Heading back out, she opened the door to meet Loki about to knock.
"Loki!" Jennica exclaimed, jumpy from the adrenaline coursing through her.
"Jennica," responded Loki with a grim, downtrodden expression. They stood for a moment, making no movement as Jennica waited for Loki to say something. He pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Don't you dare get hurt." He whispered into her ear. Nuzzling into his neck, Jennica muttered,
"You either." Her warm breath on his cool skin made him realize just how much he wanted the outcome of the war to be in her favor. Pulling away, gazing into each other's eyes to see the share of worries and doubts, Loki placed his hand on the side of her face, caressing her cheek. There were no more words to be said. A rumble in the sky was all that was needed to let them know the Bifrost was approaching. Heimdall was bringing the army. The pair walked out in silence to the outskirt of the village where everyone was meeting up. The Bifrost landed near there. Heimdall appeared in the flash of bright light and colors, along with eighteen thousand troops. It did not match the twenty thousand that made up Ulric's army, but it was a drastic improvement. And an improvement was all they needed.
"We shall meet Ulric's army halfway between here and the kingdom." Thor told Heimdall, loud enough for the army leaders to hear.
"Understood." Heimdall agreed with a nod of his head while his grip on the Great Sword tightened, "We will head out at once."
The army gathered into an orderly group. Jennica was motioned to stand in front of them. The fear had begun to dissipate as her courage at last returned. She held her locket close to her heart. It would be her guide. Her facial expression stiffened with determination as she sharply turned to face the group of men and women who were ready to fight. In a newly found loud voice, she shouted,
"For Alfheim!"
The villagers raised up their right arms, pulling down their sleeves to reveal the double cross imprint on their wrists, shouting with war cries that the Asgardian soldiers joined in. Side by side with Thor and Loki, Jennica lead the group out of the village. They would meet Ulric. They would fight. No matter what stood in their way.
...
The clear night sky did not reflect the minds of the army that stood with racing thoughts. They took their stance after they met their enemy. Jennica's jaw clenched in determination and fear at the sight of the army before them, with thick armor, chariots and catapults, unlike what the Asgardians or villagers possessed. Thor gripped Mjolnir. Loki pulled out his daggers. Jennica squeezed her own in her hands. The two armies stood fifty feet away from each other. The air grew heavy. The moons above reflected off the armor, making them beacons in the dark. Standing in anxious silence, the front rows said their final prayers.
As the war cries at last rose up, the two armies began to charge each other at last. The shouts only grew louder. With enemy soldiers riding their chariots, some of the villagers were trampled beneath the horse hooves and the golden wheels. The Asgardians slashed the legs of the horses pulling the chariots. They stumbled and fell. The catapults began launching boulders. Few men were crushed beneath, their bones shattering. Their blood spilled. Jennica watched as more hurled towards their army. She dug inside her. Deeply. Quickly. Extending her hands, she repelled them away with the powers and guide of her locket.
Loki ran deeper into the army of Ulric. He dodged swords and dug his daggers into the hearts of those targeting him. He breathed in. Out. He dodged. Kicked. Swung. Killed. His disheveled hair draped down the sides of his face. Jennica drew near where he was. Did she dare go in so deep? An aura of raging power radiated her being as her daggers were ready, killing the remaining soldiers surrounding Loki. Both Jennica and Loki turned to face each other for a good few seconds before moving on, keeping them grounded in their own reality. The enemy surrounded them, and they fought for their lives.
A rumbling deep roar surrounded them. Some soldiers were unphased, others froze at the sound, only leading to their slaughter. Thor sent a shockwave of lightning in the midst of Ulric's army, killing over a hundred soldiers and knocking over many others. He at last looked up in time to dodge Leomaris, who had flown in from hiding. Loki's eyes widened at the sight of the low flying dragon.
"He's here!" Jennica shouted. Thor launched himself into the sky as he spun his hammer, bringing him up to the hostile dragon, whose throat was glowing with fire waiting to be released. Thor pulled himself up onto the back of the dragon, slamming Mjolnir into the side of its head. Leomaris screeched in pain, flying in every direction to shake off his attacker.
The armies continued to clash. Each one suffering more and more losses every minute. The soldiers fought through their aching lungs and burning arms. Heavy armor weighed them down more and more. Screams of pain, the stomping of feet, and steel against steel filled their ears. Fire tore through the rebellion's ranks. Jennica continued to send out bursts of energy, destroying a few of the catapults. Odelia pulled out a bow and arrow from a distance, lifting the tip of her arrow on fire and shot at another one of the catapults.
As the fight continued, the planet still spun. The air was the same air. The sky began to turn as red as the blood of the fallen soldiers. The sun still rose. The sky was a canvas of beautiful colors. Beauty painted above the tragedy and violence taking place on the ground.
"Where is your king?!" Roared Loki over the warfare, "Where is the coward?!" King Ulric was nowhere to be seen. He left his army to fend for itself.
Leomaris had struggled his way out of Thor's grasp and crashed into the archers, smashing them under his immense body. Chasing the dragon, Thor followed closely and grabbed him by the tail. Thor whipped him around to throw him against the last remaining catapult, destroying it and killing a few other enemy soldiers.
"Where is Ulric?!" Thor demanded as he grabbed one of the kingdom's soldiers by the chest plate. After receiving no answer, he bashed the soldier's head with his hammer, frustrated from the lack of answers.
A deep, roaring voice shouted over the fight,
"Ulric?!" It was Leomaris, wingspan fully spread and raging fire steaming out of his nose. Thor turned to see the monstrous dragon towering above him. "Ulric… my oppressor! Where is he?" Revealing his sharp teeth to Thor, Leomaris seemed to grow larger as he stepped towards the Asgardian.
"Dragon, you dislike Ulric as well?!" Thor exclaimed in response to Leomaris, who had paused his devastating.
"He tortured me… and caged me! I wish to break and burn only him!" A grin grew on Thor's face as he met the dragon's fiery-filled eyes.
"It seems as though we have something in common, dragon."
"He… he can talk…?" Jennica muttered under her breath at the sight and sound of Leomaris speaking to Thor. The overwhelming anxiety seemed to keep her thoughts trailing. Everything seemed to slow around her. The sunrise was disoriented. Her heart thumped loud.
"Your highness!" A muffled voice sounded from behind her, begging to ground her in reality. It was Dellinger. "Watch out!"
Jennica slowly turned, watching as a soldier charged her with his sword raised, ready to slice through her body. There was no time for her mind to think quick enough for a move of self defense that would save her life. Dellinger jumped between her and the man, the soldier's sword going through that blacksmith's back. The bloodied sword peaked out of his chest from where it impaled his heart.
"No!" Jennica shrieked, mentally pushing the soldier away with the locket's energy. His body landed on another sword.
With the painful thoughts loading her mind until she could no longer think straight, Jennica knelt down beside Dellinger's dying, bloodied figure.
"No… please…" she cried. He had helped them so much. He saved her life. He could not die now!
"F-Forgive me… Princess…. And thank y-you. " He breathed out mere seconds before his eyes rolled back and his body grew limp. Jennica's lower lip quivered as tears began escaping her eyes. Whimpered screams threatened to escape her lips. Never before had she witnessed a person die in her arms. It filled her with shock, suddenly eliminating all painful emotions. She froze, unable to think or move.
"Jennica! On your feet, you'll get yourself killed!" Loki lifted Jennica up with one hand and squeezed her hand tightly, preparing to throw himself back into the battle.
"D-Dellinger… he—" Jennica mumbled, trying to snap her mind back into the fight.
"Do not let your mind wander. It will only distract you from survival." Scolded Loki. His mind was racing in a million directions, but he had one recurring thought. Ulric was who this battle was against, not his army. He was the enemy they had to defeat. Loki glanced at Jennica, who was concentrating on pushing the soldiers away. Grabbing her by the hands, Loki said, "Let's get your kingdom back." They disappeared.
Suddenly, they were miles and miles away. Before them stood the palace. The reward they were so close to achieving. Jennica looked at Loki who was nearly crushing her with his body weight. His face was pale and his skin cold.
"Loki?!" Jennica exclaimed in worry, putting her hand to his cheek.
"I'm alright, Love," he answered with a weak smile, "Give me a moment." Jennica helped him sit on the cobblestone path to allow him to regain his energy.
"Why did you do that? Now you're weak!"
"The war is against Ulric, is it not?" Loki began, breathing heavily as the color returned to his face, "It is only a waste of lives to fight his army, and I knew the longer we waited the more lives would be at stake." With a nod, Jennica showed that she understood. Now she understood that fighting Ulric was her task. She was the instrument of fate.
"Maybe I should leave you here… you are too weak to fight." Jennica hesitantly suggested. It scared her to be on her own, but it scared her even more to think of Loki fighting in such a state.
"Jennica… please…" Loki took her hand in his own and kissed it, "We don't know who Ulric has protecting him. I will be well in a moment." Using her assistance, Loki stood up with difficulty. His vision became unbearably blurry and gray. But he kept himself up and swallowed his nausea.
"Are you sure that you can handle this?"
"I can handle anything." He answered with a wink.
...
With one swing of his Great Sword, Heimdall sliced through three soldiers, silencing their shouts. Other Asgardians surrounded him, providing as much assistance as they could. Both armies had vastly lessened in numbers. Thor had persuaded Leomaris into fighting against Ulric's army, giving them the upper hand. The dragon clenched enemy bodies in his mighty jaws. The heat of his fire scorched the land.
Fight. Kick. Stab. Shout. Slash. Fight for the resistance. The air grew heavy, along with the strong smell of the morning dew mixed with blood. The archers shot their arrows, making their mark with each shot. Energy was failing. It was running low. The lives were depleting. It would come to an end soon.
War cries. The ending of lives. The battle only continued. Even was off in the distant, kneeling beside a lifeless Odelia. Both good and bad were suffering severely. But it wasn't until Thor noticed the absence of his brother and Jennica that true panic began to arise within him.
...
Once Loki had gained the ability to walk on his own again, he and Jennica traced the path to their oncoming encounter with the king. Jennica squeezed Loki's hand tightly before unsheathing her daggers. Soldiers stood guarding the drawbridge. Ulric was not left undefended.
"No one is to see the king."
Jennica extended her hands, knocking the five soldiers back, rendering them unconscious.
"Too easy." She mused, to which Loki raised his eyebrows in his own amusement. They marched right in. The throne room was silent. Not a single soul was in sight. They meandered in further.
"We should—" Loki began, his strength returning, only to be interrupted by Vigdis revealing herself from where she hid in the shadows. Her sword was sharpened and in hand.
"Remember me?" She asked rhetorically before swinging her sword in Jennica's direction. Loki stood in between the two women, holding Vigdis off. Jennica went to push the female warrior off of Loki, but he shouted in protest,
"No! Go find Ulric. I can handle her!"
Jennica was hesitant, but she obeyed anyway, not willing to waste a single moment of precious time.
Running deeper into the palace that appeared to be empty otherwise, Jennica darted down the nearest hallway. Her deep breaths and footsteps echoed down the empty corridors. There were countless places in the large palace where Ulric could be. Where could she start first? Her energy could not be spent merely searching for him. Stopping in her tracks, she thought. She closed her eyes, digging deep. Her locket would guide her, just as it had at the start of the battle. She felt. She felt for the other shard that Ulric possessed. Surely he would still have it. The power would lead her to him. She felt it. She followed it.
Vigdis' cold stare met Loki's as she dug her foot into his chest. He grabbed her ankle and twisted her around, slamming her body to the ground. Panting breaths escaped Loki's mouth as his energy continued to waver. Vigdis swung her sword at his neck, barely grazing him.
Jennica searched, running down hallways, feeling the pull of her necklace. Ulric was near. She was close. Her obsidian daggers rested in her tight grisp. With every step she took, a new wave of emotions swept through her very being. This was for her kingdom. For her family. For all of Alfheim.
"You are weak." Vigdis taunted after throwing a punch in Loki's direction. Without answering, the prince kicked her over and pinned her down. He held his dagger above her forehead. This was his chance to finish her.
"Go ahead." Vigdis smirked, "Kill me." She could see the unsurety in his eyes. The millions of thoughts that flashed under the emerald irises.
"Sweetheart, I never meant to kill you." He replied, setting his daggers aside. With a newfound energy refilling him, he began to conjure a spell, putting her mind in a dream-like daze. Pulling her up, he took her towards the direction of the palace dungeons. He had a plan in mind.
Two doors. Two very large, dark wood doors stood in Jennica's way. Pushing them open took an incredible amount of courage. She stepped through. The room was wide and open and filled with the smell of pine. A long, wooden table covered the span of half the room, scattered with maps and plans for battle.
"I was hoping you would come." Ulric's voice rang out from where he stood by a large window on the opposite end of the room. The sunrise shone its orange light through it, reflecting off of the stone floor. With a frozen expression and death itself in his eyes, Ulric looked at her figure, tempting it to tremble. The solidity of her daggers kept Jennica's fear from overwhelming her, and she made sure Ulric could see them. "Do you really expect to end me here?" Ulric asked her mockingly as a chuckle escaped his lips, "'The brave young girl who saved Alfheim' would sound tremendously inspiring… if it really were possible."
"Do not avert this conversation to find my weakness." Jennica commanded with an unyielding tone, "You know what I have come for, and you know what you have done."
Ulric faked a smile, "My dear, sweet Jennica, this is not how I wanted your little stay in this realm to go."
"Far from it." There was a pause as the glares hardened, "Tell me. Why did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Imprison my father, banish my mother and take everything away. Tell me now!"
Ulric's eyes narrowed, until he began to slowly circle her now firm figure, carefully choosing his words, "You must understand that in these worlds, ruling and becoming one of the most high is a rank everyone strives for, no matter what they wish to go through. I was a rightful heir. The throne was mine! Your parents were simply in the way. And once I discovered the treasures becoming king held, I wanted it all the more. Including the precious shards, the one which your darling Prince of Mischief so generously gave to me." He pulled out a chain from under his cloak; it hung around his neck as the shard was fused to it, "I have already mastered its power. But you, you're just a simple minded girl raised on Midgard, with no hope of ever using them properly. Stand down, Jennica. You do not stand a chance." He stopped in front of her, glaring down with his cold, blue eyes.
"You're a beast." She spat, feeling utter rage.
"You should be thanking me!" His voice raised, "I could have slaughtered your parents, but I kept them alive!"
"For what purpose?!"
"To make them suffer." He paused as a disturbing grin began to break his sober expression. "I wanted to show him what it feels like to have what you deserve taken away from you. I meant the kingdom no harm. Submission to me is all that is needed to keep Alfheim in the perfect peace it has always possessed."
"You took away everything I had left of my true life!" The words flooded out of Jennica as tears threatened to blind her vision, "I lived a life I was never born to live. It made me what I wasn't. You've murdered, you've destroyed… you are blind to the truth of ruling. But maybe I should thank you, because it lead me to this moment. This moment when I can avenge the people you hurt and robbed."
"And what gives you the right to defy me?!"
The air seemed to stand still as Jennica straightened, standing tall with more courage than the army on the fields, "I am Princess Alfva of Alfheim. This is my home and these are my people. Stand. down."
Ulric placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and unsheathed it. Gazing at the glowing metal, he replied to her,
"How cute. Well," his eyes shifted to Jennica, his rage piercing her courage, "You had your chance. All you had to do was surrender, but you truly desire death. It's a pity. I did not wish to harm you."
"Until now?" Jennica retorted, to which Ulric clenched his teeth in rage, swinging his sword at her head. She put her daggers up in a protective motion, crossing them under the silver blade that threatened to slice her skull. Feeling deep inside of her, gathering up the shards' energy, Jennica pushed with all the power of her mind, but the smirk that spread across Ulric's face made her blood run cold. He was repelling her.
"I already told you." He whispered, "You don't stand a chance."
Ignoring his statement, Jennica kicked him in the stomach, causing him to double over for a second. She lunged at him and swung a dagger at his chest. He grabbed her wrist, twisting it away and making her cry out in pain. Begging for the locket to assist her, she flipped him onto his back. He groaned but stood up swiftly. The clash of weapons filled the room and echoed there. Jennica began to doubt herself. But she could not lose sight of victory's prize. She had two shards. He had one.
The minutes passed. She threw a dagger at him. He caught it and threw it back. There had to be a way she could win, despite her inexperience. Ulric swung his sword again. She dodged. Kicked. Breathed in and out. The sharp pain of his sword gashing her forearm brought her mind far away from focus. The wound stung. It bled profusely, soaking the sleeve of her shirt. Grabbing her by the neck, Ulric pinned her down. She felt defenseless as the daggers dropped from her hands and clattered on the floor.
"Jennica, I found your father. I'm coming now. Don't give up! Remember to trust in the shards to help you."
She heard Loki's voice echo telepathically through her mind. It filled her with a different kind of strength and determination. Her mind focused back on the present. Reaching out with her mind and right hand, she willed one of her daggers back. As quick as she had fallen, she brought the blade up and sliced it through the chain that hung on Ulric's neck. The shard fell beside the pieces of broken silver links. Now Ulric was vulnerable. Snatching up the stray shard and holding it tightly in her left hand, she willed the energy from all three shards, pushing Ulric across the room and against the wooden table, his back cracking on contact. His face contorted from the sudden wave of pain. He shot his eyes up at Jennica, who stood tall and approached him, after having put the third shard within her locket. The fallen king attempted to stand as he reached for the sword he had dropped. The shock and fear could be seen plain on his face when he found himself unable to move. With the force of the Infinity Shards, Jennica was holding him still.
"I don't want to hurt you." Jennica admitted, looking upon the unpleasant emotions that waved across Ulric's face, "I only want my people to have their lives back."
Ulric growled, clenching his jaw in rage, "You are the one that is blind to the truth of ruling!"
"That is where you're wrong."
Footsteps echoed down the hallways before entering into the room. Jennica's attention quickly averted from Ulric to Loki, who had entered with Kvasir and the other prisoners he had helped to escape from the treacherous dungeons.
"You rescued them!" Jennica exclaimed in relief as she ran up to them, leaving Ulric behind. She kept an absent minded hold on the elf, or so she tried. Loki opened his mouth to speak before his eyes darted up, widening with a rush of adrenaline as he yelled, "Behind you!"
Jennica sharply turned to see Ulric's now standing figure charging them like a maddened bull. Her hands flung up in reflex as Loki grabbed hold of her shoulders. The sudden rush of raw energy emitted in a wave that cracked the stone floors and walls. Ulric's body flew across the room. His back shattered the window at the far end, and he disappeared as he fell out of the palace. His scream echoed with the shockwave and ended with a thud as he made contact with the ground below.
The silence lasted for a decent amount of time as everyone let it sink in. Jennica, Loki, and the group of prisoners walked toward where the window once was, slowly recovering from their shock. Whispering to herself, Jennica persuaded, "I didn't mean to… to…" Eyes shifted to the ground to see Leomaris and his fire engulfing the grass and everything around it.