What seemed like for-ever ago now, A prince of Asgard had been presented to Thanos.
Even though he had spend the last couple of days running and slaying creatures back then, he still stood tall.
He had looked proud and regal. His back straight, his clothes while being worn still empathizing his elegant yet strong build. And his green eyes though being filled with anger and distrust had been clear.
A creature was now presented to Thanos. Hunched over, seething and foaming at the mouth. Naked and covered in filth and dirt.
His skin was white as the purest snow, making the cuts and wounds stand in a sharp contrast to the whiteness of his skin. You could count the ribs on his body and see every bone as he was forced to hunch.
His hair black as the darkest night was mattered and obscuring his face, but even then static green eyes were shining through with their madness.
Oh excuse me green? No, there was a sick blue colour to them. Shining and crackling as if it was electricity.
Ebony looked with utter pride at the creature he presented. "My finest creation to date." he gasped. "The god of Mischief, now the god of Malice! Father. I present to you!" he stated spreading out his arms in pride. As if presenting the greatest circus act ever made.
Thanos though was unmoved as he looked at the sad pathetic creature standing in front of him. "We shall see." he stated. "Now then Loki No ones son. It has been a while since we last spoke." he stated and Loki slowly lifted his head looking up at Thanos.
His eyes glistening, shining in that unnatural blue light.
"Back then. I made you an offer." Thanos stated. "What-ever you desire. Tell me. What do you desire?" he asked.
"Kill…" Loki gasped. "Let me Kill Thor. I want to Kill Thor!" he stated. "Then Odin. But not before I've seen him suffer. Let them suffer!" he asked. "They humiliated me! The throne is my right! I AM THE BE KING!" he shouted. "And they will grovel before me, then I'll end their pathetic lives!"
Thanos looked at Loki, then a smile spread across his face. "Tell me. What would you give to make this happen."
"Anything!" Loki gasped. "No price is to steep! Just let me kill them! I must be the one to put a blade to Thors throat and put a spear through Odins heart!"
Slowly Thanos stood up, then slowly he took a step and another until he stood in front of Loki, towering over the god in front of him.
"Will you kneel?" Thanos asked.
Loki looked up. "You promised me to give me what I wanted. Will you make me king?" he asked. "Will you let me kill both Thor and Odin?"
"Serve me faithfully, and it shall be yours." Thanos stated. "Only you must be allowed to kill those two, but kill them you will! They will be gifted to you to do with as you please. You will be king, over all the nine realms. Even if we'll have to conquer them one by one. All you have to do, is kneel before me."
Loki looked up, his eyes at Thanos. Then his head bowed down, and Loki dropped down on his knees. Then he bowed over so his head touched the ground in front of him while he bowed to Thanos. "I will serve you." he breathed. "My lord."
And Thanos grinned, his eyes filled with a light. Then he reached over a hand and gently put it on Lokis head. "Oh my child, how much you suffered." he sighed. "I do apologize. But it was necessary. We must suffer to be re-born. Rise again and be stronger. Be better and thus survive." he stated.
Loki swallowed as he was still on his knees with his head on the ground.
"You may stand." Thanos invited. "It's quite all right child." he said in a kind soft voice.
And slowly, with shaking legs did Loki managed to stand back up. Though he was almost falling down.
"Now then Prince Loki." Thanos said. "I'm afraid you'll have to proof your loyalty, but it wont be hard. Serve me well, and everything you just asked for. It will be yours." he stated.
Loki smiled, his eyes almost sleeping as he looked up.
"How-ever." Thanos stated and Lokis smiled faded. "Let me down, fail me. And the consequences will be…" he let the words linger. "Severe."
Loki stood still, frozen in front of Thanos. His face impossible to read and Thanos smiled as he turned to Ebony.
"My child. Please show Prince Loki to a place where he can rest." Thanos asked. "He must be quite hungry, give him some food and some wine. Make sure a hot bath is ready for him as well. And clothing of course." he stated. "Is there anything you would like Prince Loki?" he asked. "A specific food? A specific drink?"
"I…" Loki swallowed. "It feels like an eternity since I had anything green. Or tasted the sweet taste of any fruit."
"Of course." Thanos nodded. "Grapes, apples. Salad." he stated. "Not easy to come by here. But for you my child. You shall have it."
Ebony smiled as he walked over to Loki and gestured with his hand. "This way please." he asked. "I made some rooms ready for you. I hope they will be to your liking."
Loki nodded as he took a step, slowly starting to follow Ebony out. Almost at ones they took a different turn. Gently Ebony touched Lokis arm and allowed them both to float away from the Asteroid soon landing on another and Loki looked up to see an actual building made a stone which Ebony guided him towards and let him inside.
Ebony guided Loki past a few doors and finally opened one to reveal a room bathed in a warm light created by actual oil lamps.
Loki blinked as he looked in.
"It's all right." Ebony assured. "This room is yours."
Loki swallowed as he shivered, like a scared rabbit he finally dared to take a few steps inside. Only to feel the soft sensation of a carpet under his bare feet.
Loki looked down, trying to comprehend this feeling. Something feeling honestly soft. Then he looked around. The room was sparse but nice.
There was a made up bed in the corner, with soft looking blankets and even a pillow. There was a wardrobe and a night stand, then another door.
"Bathroom is that way." Ebony showed. "A hot bath has already been made ready for you. While you bathe clothes and food will be made ready for you in here. You are free to go where ever you like. You are free now. Of course, it would be hard to get off this asteroid without any help but you know." Ebony shrugged.
Loki looked at Ebony, a look of incomprehension on his face.
"See I told you." Ebony said in a soft smile. "My father is kind. And he is fair."
Loki looked at Ebony. Then a blue light became visible in the corner of his eye and he turned his head to see the same sceptre which had beforehand been in his cell, hanging on the wall opposite the bed.
"What…" Loki breathed.
"You will need a weapon. Wont you?" Ebony asked. "Daggers is hardly fitting for a true king such as yourself. A sceptre like this though?" he asked. "That's more approbate for a man such as you. A grand sorceress and rightful king."
Lokis head tilted as he looked at the sceptre on the wall. The blue light of the sceptre looking to reflect in his eyes.
"Rest up my friend." Ebony smied. "The Black Order welcomes one with your talents."
Loki turned back to Ebony, confusion still present in his eyes.
"Soon you will be put to the test." Ebony assured. "Until then. Bathe, eat. Rest."
Slowly Loki nodded and Ebony smiled. "Well, I shall leave you to it then." he said and finally left closing the door behind him leaving Loki standing there looking around the room in its warm brown and orange colours, looking so inviting and comfortable and yet… It didn't seem right at all.