***WARNING*** - The following chapter contains mature content. It features graphic depictions of sexual acts that may be inappropriate for young readers.
Of Madness and Mayhem
Chapter 28
"King Thor, the chief healer has awakened. He has recovered and waits for my queen's return" Ragnar spoke as Thor emerged out of the Bifrost and into the Observatory. The gatekeeper's eyes focused instantly on Barbara's limp body, then he looked up at Thor who was hurriedly making his way towards the bridge.
"The Norns yet live" he informed him "but my king and queen do not have much time. By the time you return to Asgard, they will be dead"
Thor stopped in his tracks and looked at Ragnar with realization. "The Norns will not separate them"
"They will not save their lives" a somber gatekeeper concurred "only she who holds the stones may reverse King Loki's spell"
Thor looked back at the long lines of soldiers that streamed into the Observatory from Earth. Their return was not marked by celebration and cheer, but by urgency and despair.
"Assemble all healers and sorcerers in the healing room!" Thor ordered Sif and Volstagg the moment they emerged through the Bifrost "we will need them all"
The two warriors moved to obey as Ragnar took his hands off his magical sword, leaving it embedded into the base to keep the doors open. He climbed down the steps of the platform and stood before Thor. His red, fiery eyes scanned Barbara's broken, bloody body before his hands reached out to touch her. Thor watched as the gatekeeper's hands glowed, then a stream of magic left him and entered Barbara. Her most grievous injuries healed just enough to ease her agony, and the constant flow of blood that escaped her nose and mouth finally ceased. She stirred, and began to breathe easier.
"I can only give her time enough to reach her destination. I cannot undo the damage that has been done" Ragnar said, removing his hands "you must return before night fall or they die"
Then the gatekeeper watched as the rightful king of Asgard rushed to the bridge and took to the skies, flying over the city toward the mountains.
Thor walked through the destruction, his feet walking over piles of debris that almost blocked the corridors that led to the secret catacombs beneath the once majestic palace of Queen Karnilla. In his arms a dying Barbara struggled to hold on to the two lives inside of her. Her arms fell beside her, swaying to and fro as the one carrying her took her to the source of the power needed to lift the spell that joined her to Loki.
"Hang on" she barely heard Thor say as she looked up at the ruins of the palace. Huge boulders and slabs of rock were piled up high above their heads. She caught sight of a small ray of sunshine that streamed in through the cracks, and felt its warmth caress her cold cheek. Closing her eyes, she imagined it was Arik's small hand that soothed her clammy skin.
Barbara... she heard Loki's voice whisper weakly in her mind. He was fading, just as she was. If this is what their death was to be, it was fitting. They had both cheated death, it seemed only proper that they journeyed into Hel together. Just as he had bound her to him in life, he would keep her bound to him in death.
Loki... she whispered in her mind, I am so sorry, my love. I am so sorry...
A deep, cold, cavernous darkness suddenly engulfed her as Thor finally reached the catacombs. He held Barbara tighter against him as he gripped Mjolnir, ready to strike at anything or anyone. The eerie silence was so thick one could almost hear the echo of stillness. There was no light, no life, yet he knew he was not alone. An unsettling feeling crawled over him as he slowly and carefully began to descend the slippery stone steps. From deep down below, he could almost hear a slow, deep and hollow grumbling that rose towards him. Then then faint, faraway sound of water dripping began to reach his ears.
"De søke kunnskap" a disembodied voice, raspy and shrill spoke to him from the darkness. You seek knowledge.
"I bring one who needs your help" Thor replied to the darkness "I demand that you show yourself"
"The Phoenix" another voice spoke "he brings her to us"
"Why, King of Asgard, do you save he who would sit upon your throne?" a third hissed "let him die and save the Nine Realms from future demise. Kill the one who will bring the death of the gods. Save the universe, while his life is in your hands"
"Ragnarok" Thor said, understanding the cryptic words "do you mean to say my brother will bring about the destruction of the Nine Realms?"
He had now reached the bottom of the steps. He turned trying to find some source of light, some trace of a shadow, any signs of movement. He could hear Barbara's labored breathing, the soft, fading beating of her heart.
"Reveal yourselves, sacred Norns" he beseeched "I come not seeking your demise, but your help. I must save those dearest to my heart. I carry with me the only one who can break the bond that ties two souls to one vessel. Free them of their torment, restore their life, and in return I will grant you the status once wrongly taken from you"
His heart leaped into his throat when suddenly, a ball of light flickered in front of him and one of the Norns advanced upon him. He took a step back when he registered the horrid, crumbling face of the old witch flying towards him, but she came to a stop in front of the blond god. She lifted her hand which held a suspended ball of light, and she looked upon Thor's face for the first time. He stopped breathing as the old hag studied his face, then she looked down at Barbara. She gasped and hissed, shrinking back and pointing a spidery finger at her.
"She will see our blood spilled upon the rocks" the Norn shrieked. The other two appeared, each holding a ball of light. Thor looked around him, realizing that they were circling him. His grip on Mjolnir tightened.
"The Phoenix rose with the light of day" the three women spoke at once "It burned brighter than the sun only to be extinguished by the cold blade of the dark prince. A tangled web was weaved, dreams became plots, wars raged and blood was spilled. Love was turned to ashes and life succumbed to death. Let them sink into Hel for their time is past"
"They yet live!" Thor shouted, advancing upon the three women "you are the Three Norns, the most powerful oracle in the Nine Realms. How is she to use the stones to restore my brother into his own body? How is she to take possession of herself once again? Speak!"
His breath caught in his throat when the face of one of the Norns was suddenly only inches from his. "Has she the stones?" she hissed, her eyes wide.
"She has"
The three decrepit women looked at each other before turning their eyes to Barbara's limp body. Her eyes were glassy, her irises changed from brown to gold to brown and then to gold again. It was almost as if the fire within them fought to keep burning.
"Eyes like burning brimstone... hair black as night" the Norns whispered with reverence as though looking upon a powerful deity.
"Loki..." Barbara whispered and weakly put out her arm as if he had suddenly materialized before her "Loki..."
One of the Norns fell to her knees before her, stroking her forehead.
"A life will be taken and another shall be given away. Two shall rise in one..."
The other two followed suit, kneeling before Barbara.
"The power to break the link is already within her" they spoke "for there is no magic, no incantation, no power greater than that of love. The bond between the Phoenix and the dark prince is stronger than Death. Loves like this shall never die..."
Thor watched stupefied as the two other Norns slunk towards the one who continued to caress Barbara. He could hear them whispering, reciting what sounded like a magical incantation in a language he failed to understand.
"La disse stener skille de to
Nå én to enheter to liv
To sjeler som glans i mine to øine
Gå tilbake til han hva han ga bort
Gå tilbake til han hva han ga bort"
"Now, go" the Norns turned to Thor "the future of the Nine Realms is in your hands, king of Asgard. Let them die and the prophecy that foretold the oncoming doom will be void. Ensure that the two are separated by night fall and save the one who will bring about Ragnarok"
The sun was setting when the mighty God of Thunder raced through the halls of the palace. He saw none, he heard none as he ran towards the chamber deep within the palace that housed the lifeless body of his brother. In his arms he carried him, a desperate soul trapped in a foreign vessel, the body of the woman he loved. Yet even as he hurriedly made his way to save him, the voices of the Three Norns continued to haunt him.
"...Let him die and save the Nine Realms from future demise. Kill the one who will bring the death of the gods. Save the universe, while his life is in your hands..."
No. His brother could not be the one prophesied to bring about Ragnarok. Loki was not beyond saving. He would not mourn his brother again. The time to heal all wounds was finally at hand, and he would not let it slip away.
He burst through the doors, and stopped at the foot of the altar, seeing Loki's Jotun form still resting upon it. He looked down at Barbara who was now almost lifeless, her eyes closed and her breathing so shallow one would surely believe her to be dead.
"Barbara" he said breathless 'we are here"
She slowly turned her head to see Loki's body lying next to her.
"Loki..." She whispered, reaching out to touch him. A tear ran down her cheek.
"The stones..." she said as she tried to stand on her feet. Thor aided her, holding her shoulders as she lifted the front flap of her coat and retrieved the small pouch from the pocket inside her vest. She pulled on the string and Thor marveled at the sudden brightness that spewed from within it. She then flipped the handful of shimmering crystals onto her palm. She tried to raise her hand to Loki's, only to see her arm fall limp at the pain and exhaustion that overwhelmed her. She placed her free hand on the edge of the altar to keep from falling.
Thor looked out past the pillars, seeing the sky turn a deep shade of red, the last rays of sunlight beginning to ebb into evening. With a newfound urgency, he pulled Loki's cobalt hands apart, the two limbs having almost frozen together. He took Barbara's small hand and placed it in Loki's, the powerful Norn stones secure in her palm.
She gasped at the sudden chill that enveloped her hand and began to crawl up her arm. It shocked and sprang her senses into sudden alertness. Using the last ounce of strength left in her, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She kissed him softly, her mouth brushing gently against his as she recited the same incantation the Norns had whispered in her ear:
"La disse stener skille de to
Nå é to enheter to liv
To sjeler som glans i mine to øine
Gå tilbake til han hva han ga bort
Gå tilbake til han hva han ga bort"
("Let these stones separate the two
Now one; two entities, two lives,
Two souls who shine in mine two eyes.
Return to him what he gave away
Return to him what he gave away")
Suddenly, their joined hands glowed and to Thor's astonishment, Loki's cobalt hand began to turn ivory. The azure hue and the runes that marked his skin began to fade away, leaving only smooth, pale skin. His lips turned pink and his cheeks glowed with health and longevity. His muscles filled with strength and his chest began to rise and fall evenly with his breathing.
Then his eyes opened.
Instantly, his free arm wrapped around Barbara and his lips crushed against hers. He ravished her mouth and his arm pulled her tightly against him. Thor stepped back, leaving the two lovers to enjoy their reunion undisturbed. He shied away to a corner of the room, watching his brother and wife lost in the ardor of their embrace. His heart though, was heavy, knowing that one final obstacle needed to be crossed before the two of them could finally put an end to the odyssey they had suffered through.
"I would die a thousand times if gazing into your eyes always greeted my return to the living" Loki whispered, his forehead pressed against Barbara's and his eyes locked with hers. She smiled weakly, and nuzzled him gently. He looked down at their joined hands and saw the stones' brightness fading away. Barbara grew limp and her fingers withdrew from his, causing the stones to fall and scatter on the floor.
Then Loki's arms caught Barbara as she collapsed.
Broken.
That was the word the healers and sorcerers had used to describe her state. Broken. The moment Loki and Thor ran into the healing room, an uproar of urgency took over the chamber. Thor had to pry Loki away from the bed where Barbara was placed. Priests and sorcerers beseeched the once king to stay away, but he only roared with desperation, threatening to flay every single one if she was not to survive this. The only satisfaction he felt was that the one responsible was now dead. Thanos and his army of miscreants were now nothing but speckles of dust. Loki roared when the minutes ticked away and no amount of sorcery, no exuberance of healing magic was enough to revive her.
"Worthless imbeciles" he yelled at the healer and sorcerers as they fawned over a dying Barbara "swaggering and boasting, filled with pride and self-righteousness. And what good does it do you now, huh? Do you hear me?! You are as worthless as the whores from which you were birthed!"
Only Thor knew that the rage Loki exhibited, he aimed at himself.
He had done this to her. He had bargained for far more than he had been able to pay. His avarice and selfish quest for self-validation had led him to endanger those he loved most. His son had come close to dying by the hand of a wicked, wretched sorceress, and the only woman he had ever loved had now died twice for him. What was he to do if he lost her again?
His vibrant eyes were now bloodshot red, his veins were prominent beneath his skin. He looked on with helplessness as the healers and sorcerers joined hands around her and summoned their powers at once, sending a gargantuan surge of magic into her broken body.
Now, as the late of night crept in and Asgard was once again lost to slumber, Loki sat quiet on her bedside. His head was in his hands, and his nails dug into his scalp. Tears stung his eyes but refused to spill, remaining two glittering pools that reflected all the despair and rage boiling within him. Karnilla was dead. Nornheim was destroyed. Thanos had been vanquished. Asgard had survived. His son was unharmed. The throne was no longer his but Barbara yet lived. Why was he then sinking into the deepest depths of despair?
Was his nature really to cause chaos, to maim, to disarray, to destroy? Did he not possess a single iota of goodness, one miniscule speck of virtue? Just how really deep did the roots of his hatred go? Thor was now sitting upon the throne that was rightfully his. The greatest realm in the universe had slipped through his fingers and had fallen into the waiting grasp of he who had always boasted of his birth-given right to it.
But this time... Loki didn't care.
He raised his head and looked at Barbara as she lay on the bed. Her broken body was slowly healing. Shattered bones were slowly and painfully joining together, battered and crushed tissue was filling with life-giving blood, bruised skin was slowly restoring itself into its natural, tawny hue. She was unconscious, the result of Boden placing a sleep-inducing spell upon her to save her from the agony of healing. She would not have been able to stand the pain if she were awake.
"My love" Loki spoke as his knuckles traced over her jaw "no golden throne, no high seat, no crown comes close to the glory I find only in your arms. We will live on, you and I, treading this path of consciousness, fighting the enemies that gather at our doors, taking what we can, raiding, pillaging and plundering the treasures troves of life. Thus, though we cannot set our thrones upon the highest, we will bring kingdoms to their knees"
If there was one thing that Loki Laufeyson had learned, was survival. He, Barbara and their son would survive, even if it meant surrendering his will to his brother...
"You don't deserve her. You know it don't you? She possesses the integrity and honor you so deplorably lack..."
Victor Von Doom's voice suddenly spoke into his ear. Instantly, he felt rage and disgust rising up in his chest. The human wretch had dared to lay hands on what was his.
"She wasn't meant to be yours, but mine. You know it... You've been able to look into her memories"
Loki knew. He had been inside her mind, had seen the memories she could no longer remember. Doom had known Barbara, had intended to pursue her. He had seen the way Doom looked at her and the way she had looked back when they had stood before the other; he proud and pompous, she a beautiful, fragile mortal. Loki's blood boiled as he imagined what her future would have been had he not crossed her path when he had. He was contemplating the various ways in which he was to murder Victor von Doom when Barbara awoke.
His breath caught in his throat upon seeing her fully restored. She let out a soft groan and then her eyelids fluttered open.
"Loki?" she whispered, looking up at him.
"I'm here" he replied, cupping her cheek and bending down to kiss her lips.
"Arik?" she asked. He smiled, she always asked for their son every time she awoke. He remembered their mornings when she still remained on Earth, she would always find him in the nursery with Arik. If only things had remained that way...
"Our son currently keeps the servants occupied with his demands" he replied, tracing the outline of her brow with his thumb.
"Now that sounds good" she smiled, fully awake. She looked up at him and reached out to smooth back a stray lock of his long hair. She ran he fingers down the length of his luxurious raven tresses, then her fingers became lost in the mane of his hair. Suddenly and without warning, she pulled him down and devoured his mouth.
The instant jolt of electricity that rushed through him left him woozy. It had been no more than two weeks since he had last taken her, and yet his body screamed for her touch, craved her warmth and burned for her. She was his sustenance, his fountain of youth, his elixir of life.
The torches of the healing room and the large fire that burned in the center of the chamber cracked and sparked, their fiery blades languidly swaying with the gentle night breeze. Yet a new fire was being set ablaze.
Desperate hands reached for clothing, pulled, tugged and tore at bindings and straps of leather and silk, metal and armor. Hands roamed hungrily over any flesh that became exposed in the process, lips and tongues traced long wet lines across skin that only served to fuel the flames.
Barbara was running open lips down the skin of Loki's chest when she suddenly remembered her bargain with Thor. It would only be a matter of time before...
"Loki, I must..." she began.
"Oh yes" he murmured into her neck. He laid her down and knelt between her legs, his hands going for the bindings of her pants that were quite strikingly similar to his. He laughed, finally coming to realize that she had dressed herself quite similar to him while they were one.
"We must dress alike more often" he teased as he pulled at the bindings. She laughed but her chuckles turned to gasps when his hand reached inside, and his fingers traced over her lips that were becoming moist with her arousal. Her head spinned. She had to have him. What needed to be done could wait a while longer.
She reached for his own breeches and laughed lecherously when what remained of his clothes suddenly disappeared, leaving him completely naked. Her hands were now free to explore, to roam, to claw at, to mark. With a quick tug, he pulled her breeches all the way down, exposing her toned legs. Instantly, he settled between them, and took hold of his hard, throbbing length, guiding himself to her.
"I have starved for far too long" he said against her mouth.
She responded by lifting her hips and taking hold of his biceps, bracing herself. With a quick, swift stroke he entered her and they cried out in unison as their hips slammed together. Moving seamlessly into each other they rolled back and forth, he whispering sweet nothings into her ear while she called his name again and again. Their pace was frantic yet synchronized, desperate yet fluid, ravenous yet savoring every morsel.
"Come" he growled, feeling her walls begin to clench and her breath hitch in her throat.
She did. The sound of his voice giving her the command sent her over the edge. She screamed, feeling the currents of searing heat that rushed through her as her muscles spasmed from sheer ecstasy. Her legs shook, her toes curled, her stomach tensed, and her nails dug deep into the flesh of his back. He gasped and threw his head back, wave upon wave crashing over him as he spilled deep inside her. His hands fisted in her hair, the muscles on his back went taunt and rigid, then with a long breath he collapsed on top of her. She bore his weight gladly and her arms encircled him, cradling him as he moaned his own orgasm.
They laid there amidst the rumpled bedding, legs tangled and hands roaming as their breathing slowly normalized. Loki rolled onto his back and brought her down upon him, allowing his fingertips to caress her back. If he were to spend thousands of years in prison, his fate would be completely satisfactory if this woman were there with him...
"I need to return to Earth" she suddenly spoke. His hands stilled and his eyes hardened.
"What for?" he asked, trying to sound calm, but at present his skills of pretense seemed to fail him.
"I um..." she hesitated. He looked down at her. Though her face was downcast, he could see the apprehension written on her face.
"Whatever for, Barbara?" he questioned again.
"You know why" she replied. Loki felt her body tense, and not in the throes of pleasure as it just had. She rose to her elbows and looked down at him. He refused to meet her eyes and looked around the room as if searching for answers to questions he could not bring himself to ask.
"I need answers" she braved to say as if reading his thoughts.
"There are no answers save for one: You no longer belong to that world. You are mortal no more. All and any associations with the people of that wretched planet should be of no interest to you. You belong with me..." he finished, almost begging as he pressed his forehead to hers.
"I do. I belong with you, but..." her voice trailed off as tears poured from her eyes. He finally saw the real battle that raged within her. How long had she kept these thoughts from him? How long had she wondered, pondered, questioned and wished for things she could not even remember?
"I want to know who I was" she confessed "I wish to know where I come from. We can't continue with the rest of our lives if I am left wondering. I want to end it. I want to at least know, so I can bury it"
"Is that the only reason?" he asked, the tone in his voice now darker and borderline angry.
She chuckled through her tears, knowing very well what he really wished to know. It was no longer a mere inkling that she had known Victor von Doom as a human. She knew it now to be true, and she wished to know how.
"No, but it is of no consequence" she answered truthfully "I must also fulfill our end of the bargain. You haven't forgotten it, have you?"
He studied her. Deep down, his trust in her wavered as he remembered the scene he had witnessed. She had not refused Doom's advance, standing rooted to her spot as he bent down to claim her lips. Why?!
He let go of her and turned away, breathing heavy and fighting to control the anger that rose up in his chest. A plan quickly formed in his mind, and with a grimace he decided to set it in motion.
"Then go" he spoke. His features softened and he turned to face her once again. He tucked a curl behind her ear and studied her face. So beautiful, so naïve, so innocent even though she had proved herself to be a ruthless, fearless killer. She was his, and none other would so much as contemplate touching a single hair of her head. He would make sure of it.
Later, Loki stood on a balcony of the palace, watching the light of the Bifrost shoot out towards the vast expanse of space. In it, Barbara traveled to a world he would ensure she never returned to. He smiled mischievously, then he also disappeared.
A second later, Loki materialized on Earth.
End of Chapter 28
Responses to guest reviews:
RisDOLL: MY DARLING! I missed you! I understand how busy like has become, believe me mine has been so hectic. I am so happy to hear baby Martin is doing much better! I can only imagine how excited you must be at work knowing that Thor 2 is swiftly approaching. My best friend I bought tickets the day they came out and we'll go see the Thor marathon that AMC theatres are having on the 7th. It starts at 2:30 with Thor, then they will show The Avengers and will premiere Thor: the Dark World at 8pm. I AM SO EXCITED I CAN'T EVEN CONTROL MYSELF! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I can honest tell you that I don't know what will happen after this story is done. I may make it a trilogy, or I might start with a fresh tale with a new OC. I am also considering writing a Barbara/Doom story about what their life together might have been had Loki not crossed paths with Barbara. We'll see ;-)
Guest: Aw shucks, thanks so much! :)
Lisa F: Thank you so much for your unwavering support hun. Much appreciated! :)
Theo98xoxo: Oh you, stop it! Lol I am nowhere close to being a sex bomb. I'm so glad my advice has helped you. Keep your chin up darling, the best days of your life are ahead of you. Thanks for your compliments on the chapter as well! :)
