Loki smiled to himself, eyes still closed as he enjoyed the warmth of the rising sun cascading onto his back. Enjoyed the warmth of his beloved in his arms. He typically didn't care for heat, but this, this was a special occasion. For this warmth brought peace. Brought comfort.
It sounded cliché, but he delighted in the sounds of the morning birds. Appreciated the wind rustling the trees. One of the trees he knew he heard was the mighty Yggdrasil. He relished in the soft breath of his sleeping love.
Everything was right in the Realms.
Finally.
He fought for too long to be where he was right now. Fought too hard to let any of this go. Granted, every moment was clearly worth fighting for. And he would fight for it all over again, if need be. But he would no longer break under the powers of outside forces. There would be no more banishing. No more sentencing to prison.
No more separation.
Not while oxygen filled his lungs. Not while blood coursed through his veins—cursed as it may be. A content sigh left his nostrils, and he snuggled closer.
The birds quieted, giving way for the higher-pitched screeches of the day.
The rain-sounding leaves faded into a distant echo of crackling and snapping.
The smells of ash mixed with an inhale.
The warmth came not from the sun.
Loki's emerald eyes snapped open.
Aura no longer resided in his arms.
He frantically searched the eerily shaped pile of charred remains. Fingers quickly sifting the cinders. Where was she? She was just here. Just here with him. He coughed, choking on the smoke filtering into the room. His gaze lifted. Senses fully becoming aware.
Past the balcony, other sections of the palace burned in glowing orange and ominous grays. The gold's glimmer nowhere to be found.
His vision flickered back and forth over the destruction as he slowly rose. Chest gradually expanding with deep breaths. He approached the terrace. Shouts and screams reaching his ears. What was happening?
"Did you really think you could escape me?"
The god of mischief whirled around. Sight locked onto the Titan emerging from a shadowed corner of the room.
Thanos approached. One heavily deliberate step after another. "Did you think I would let your free after your betrayal on Earth?"
He stiffened. Checked over his shoulder when a fleet of Chitauri soldiers zoomed past the balcony. His focus found his former employer once more. Sounding more collected than he felt. How did the outer chaos evade him for this long? "What have you done with Aura?"
"You speak of the child, do you not? The one you sought after. The name sounds familiar." Thanos walked past the Jotunn with his hands behind his back. "I suppose it should. How many times did you cry out for her while I tore apart your soul?"
Loki's upper lip curled. "Where is she?"
He motioned behind him. At the humanoid mound of disturbed ash. He surveyed his army's waste upon Asgard. "Evidently, she wasn't as fireproof as one might think."
"There is no possible way you hurt her while she was in my protection."
The Titan brandished a gauntlet adorned with multi-colored gems. Evaluated it in the blaze of flames licking ever closer to them. "Everything is in my realm of possibility. Nothing is impossible for me."
His heart sunk at the words. Sunk at the sight of the Infinity Stones. Then he breathed a few deep breaths of rising irritation. "You have done nothing but lie to me. Why should I believe you now?" In one swift motion, he materialized a dagger and lunged.
Thanos caught the other's wrist. "You know who I am, yet you come at me with a knife? You're bolder than I gave you credit for."
"I'll give you more than bold."
He met the green gaze. "You, of all beings, should know I'm quite truthful. Unlike yourself. Did you tell her the things I did to you? Tell her the things I made you do? Of course not. You fear me. You didn't want her to know your secret. I'm the one who broke you."
Loki sharply inhaled as his wrist snapped.
The dagger clattered to the floor blackened with soot.
His teeth clenched. Eyes narrowed as his defiance continued. "You never broke me. I was never under your control. I still did what I wanted. I accomplished my goals. Your desperate attempts at influencing me proved your fear. You feared my power."
"Thanos!"
Both heads turned toward the new voice.
Odin had broken down the chamber door, Gungnir held tightly in his grip. His armor gleamed with embers and Chitauri blood. Taking the spear with both hands, he secured a wide stance. Fired of blast of raw energy.
A forcefield rippled over the Titan's purple form. The blast deflected in other directions. "I'll allow the family squabble while I tend to the destruction of the rest of this planet. The victor may face me when the other has been dispatched." With a satisfied grin, he clenched his left hand. A blue aura passed over him. Teleporting him out of the room.
The Allfather panted a bit. Rested Gungnir on the floor and leaned his weight into it. His one eye bore into the raven-haired prince. "This! This is all your doing," he raged. He slammed the spear, a shockwave of electricity emanating from it.
Loki dropped to his knees. Resisted the lightning magic to the best of his ability. Supported himself on his non-broken hand. The fibers of his being involuntarily convulsing and expanding. He gasped for air when the electricity ceased. Lifted his head.
Odin was on him in an instant. Plunging the spear with a war cry many of Asgard's enemies heard only before they perished.
He couldn't react. The weapon lodged in his chest. His hands found the spear as it sunk deeper within him. He buried his head into the wall he was pinned against. This was all happening too fast. Too much transpired without his knowledge. He would not sleep through an invasion on the palace. Would not sleep through Aura being disintegrated.
Asgard's king shoved Gungnir straight out of Loki's back, jamming it in the wall.
The younger god jerked. His eyes wide at the ceiling, and his mouth open in silent exclamation.
Odin's guttural tone emerged. "Thanos and his army came here for you. They're killing Asgard's people, and it's on your hands. And for what? Because you couldn't handle knowing the truth about your heritage?"
"B-because of...you."
"You must always blame me for your actions, mustn't you? I am the one righting your wrongs. I'm the one restoring balance unto the Nine Realms. You think Thanos is your biggest threat? It is I. Our fight in the throne room was a only a taste of my new-found power. I am the one you should truly fear."
Loki blinked past pain searing every nerve. Blinked past cloudiness in the far reaches of his mind. He attempted maintaining even breaths. Lowered his gaze to meet the glaring eye of the Allfather. "I fear, I fear no one."
"How can you be so confident? I took everything away from you. Your family. Your home. Your birthright. Your perception of yourself. Your heart. Your powers. Your freedom. Anything about you is a lie, and that's because of me."
"I am who I am," blood trickled out of his mouth, but his expression hardened, "because of me."
"And you're proud of that?"
"More than," a hitched breath, "anyone would like me...to be."
Odin ripped the spear free.
The chaos god fell forward with the momentum. Another breathless cry leaving him.
"Die here. Die alone, alongside your ego. It's the best thing you can do for the Realms."
"W-where's," he tried holding his lifeforce inside of him, "Aura?" He didn't believe Thanos's claim. Not for an instant.
"I care not for the whereabouts of that slave." The Allfather paused on his way toward the balcony. "However, you can die knowing that if I do find her, I'll kill her instantly. She's far too much trouble than she's worth. Which is nothing, for I didn't even buy her."
"Rot in Hel."
"Seeing as I have my own hall for my afterlife, I won't be able to accompany you on your journey there. You'll have to find someone else in that forsaken Realm to be your scapegoat." Odin stood on the terrace's railing. Shot a Chitauri off its chariot. Jumping onto it, he commandeered it and flew out of sight.
Loki's gaze travelled over the flames dancing their way into the room. He grimaced. Blinked away blurring vision. He was losing blood too quickly. Pushing himself onto his feet, he stumbled a few steps. Collided into the torn doorframe for support. His teeth ground together as sweat beaded on his skin.
This was wrong. This whole event was wrong.
He traversed the crumbling halls of the palace at a slow pace. Leaving a crimson trail in the wake of his dragging feet. His shaking form collapsed many times, but he clawed himself up. Forced himself to keep moving. Memory guided him when his vision fogged completely, and all he could make out were vague shapes of color. At least he knew every corridor of the great structure.
Voices spoke hastily to one another.
His brows knitted. Stopping, he listened. Determined their direction. He recognized the loudest one as Thor. His brother would help him. He left the safety of a pillar. Limped toward the thunder god.
Thor was in the middle of directing various soldiers. He commanded the Warrior's Three to the right wing of the palace. It was last place Thanos had been seen. He ended his speech when he saw the new arrival. "Loki?"
The mischief maker frowned at the other's indignant tone. This was not how he expected to be greeted. Was his brother blind to his injury? "Thor. I need, I need your help."
"Nay. You shall not have it from me." He shoulder-checked the Jotunn.
Loki's strength gave way, and he found himself on the floor. An unsolicited whimper escaped him as a fresh barrage of vibrant pain washed over him. "Brother, please."
"Brother?" Asgard's favored prince pivoted. "You are no brother of mine."
He lifted his head. Why the sudden change in attitude toward him?
Thor marched over and towered above him. "Must I explain everything to you?"
"Please...help."
"How do you remain so blind? Can you not see this destruction is your fault? Thanos has already sought your whereabouts. We know it is you he seeks."
"I'm aware."
"I never should have aided you in Midgard. I was foolish for siding with you. I trusted you, and you stabbed me in the back once more. I was foolish for thinking you changed. You have always been the same. You learn nothing from your mistakes. You leave your messes for others to handle. Once again, I am cleaning up after you."
"Brother—"
"Because of you, Asgard is dying. My people are dying." Thor called Mjolnir out of a corpse. Slammed it into a lone Chitauri soldier approaching. "Unless this was your intention all along? Was this part of your master plan? Lead Thanos to my home?"
He coughed up red saliva. In what universe could this have been his master plan? His master plan would not have included Odin spearing him. Wouldn't have included his allies turning against him. And he never once considered leading the Titan to Asgard.
The thunder god reamed another invading soldier. Turned a scornful gaze upon Loki. "You are a frost giant. All of you are the same. You only crave death and mayhem. I understand why Father encouraged my destruction of any Jotunn I come across. I should have killed you a long time ago." He poised Mjolnir, ready to strike.
Loki swallowed the cultivating liquid in his mouth. He often dreamed of dying by his brother's hand when he was a child. He used to fear Thor, used to distrust him. He didn't know why until Odin admitted his true bloodline. Then the pieces fell in place. He supposed some dreams do come true.
The hammer lowered. "Nay. A merciful death would be too good for you. You deserve suffering. Suffer and die alone."
His mouth opened, but no words left him. A pit in his stomach grew at what the thunder god said. Something was wrong; he knew it. Nevertheless, the words found their way to pierce his heart. It physically wasn't well protected at the moment. He watched the other leave. Laying in a growing pool of his ichor. It soaked his clothes, matted his hair.
A pillar crashed somewhere in the corridor, the fire subsequently roaring and hissing. The blaze raged on. The palace consumed by smoke and heat.
Einherjar trotted past the fallen prince. Not a single one acknowledging the being.
He couldn't move. Could only observe. His eyes fluttered. He didn't know how much longer he had left. Had everyone forsaken him? Did everyone believe he lured Thanos here on purpose? What did he gain from that? Death, apparently. Movement snagged his peripherals, and he squinted for a clearer image.
Bare feet walked out of the fire. Familiarly pale skin untouched by the flames.
A wave of relief washed over the Jotunn. He looked up.
Aura stood an arm's-length away from him. The restless air playing with her tri-colored hair and white dress. Her face remained expressionless.
Loki's gaze fell to his arm. Clenching his jaw, he made the appendage move. Concentrated on sliding it in her direction. "My...love."
She stepped back. "No."
His brows knitted. The void within him grew. Not her, too. "Please."
Charcoal tears slid down her cheeks. "I can't. Not after what you did. All of those innocent lives...how am I supposed to live with myself. I can't associate with that any longer. Why did you do it? Why could you possibly hurt those people?"
"For, for you."
"Please don't say that. If you truly knew me, you'd know I wouldn't want innocents to die. I never once asked you to destroy a Realm for me. Why would I want that? I'm a healer. How can I live with such death on my hands?"
He squeezed his eyes shut. "Not on yours."
"It is when you claim your actions were for me. It is when you attach my name to your unchecked destruction. Don't you understand I am just as responsible as you? But I suppose I've already paid my price. Nafni atoned me for my sins."
"No." With what little energy he could muster, he pushed up his torso. "Don't say—"
"You weren't there for me." Her crying intensified. "You promised you'd be there for me, and you weren't there. I was alone and scared and in pain. You never came for me."
Loki dragged himself toward her. "I-I know. I'm so sorry. So sorry."
Aura's deep blue eyes glazed over with realization. "Then again, you may have been there all along. You do seem to know how to find me. I was lost when Nafni approached me. You're a shapeshifter. It could have been you the whole time."
What? He froze. He would never do such a thing. He was in prison, without magic, so he couldn't have done it, anyway. But he would never. Not in a million lifetimes in a million universes. How could she accuse him of something so vile?
She lowered herself to the ground. "You're a shapeshifter. What I see before me now isn't your true form. How do I know what you really look like? How do I know you're really a frost giant? How do I know that anything you've ever said to me isn't a lie? Isn't that what you're known for—lying? I hear the other servants when they talk. They call you Silver Tongue."
He winced.
"Do you actually love me?"
"Yes." He reached out and placed a hand on her knee.
Her hands covered her face. "How can you love me? I'm nothing but a toy to you. You're a child, and I'm your toy. Look at the tantrum your threw when I was taken away. You can't love me. Not when you act like that. I don't know how I loved you. You're a monster. You've been nothing but a monster."
His fingers slipped off, leaving blood stains. Could she not tell he was dying? He was dying, and these would be the last words he heard.
A more authoritative voice filled the silence. "These will be the last words you hear."
Loki's gaze lifted.
Frigga stood in glistening armor and turquoise gown. One of her hands rested protectively on Aura's head. Her eyes swirled with the witchcraft she possessed. "I am a goddess of mothers. It was my duty to take you in and raise you. But even I could not help you. You're still the abomination that Odin brought into the palace all those years ago."
He couldn't take much more of this. What was going on? Why was everyone treating him this way?
"Always thinking about yourself, aren't you? Why have you forgotten what I've taught you? Why has your magic harmed the guiltless? Why has your dagger tasted so much slaughter? Is this how I raised you?"
No. He retreated into himself. No, it wasn't.
"I have done my best with you, and my best wasn't good enough. You are a liar, a thief, a manipulator, an assassin. You've tortured this poor girl. You're everything I didn't want you to be. You have gone against every ideal I stand for. Because of this, you must accept the bitter truth. You are not my son."
His countenance twisted with pain, and he couldn't look at her. Couldn't face her. Couldn't face Aura's soft cries. This was it. This was what he deserved.
"This is it. For you, anyway. There's only so much harm you can do before the universe casts its revenge. It is because of this that you can't be my son. The universe uplifts my children, not seeks their demise."
How could his mother disown him so? No matter his defiance, no matter his erroneous ways, he had always been Frigga's son. She was the one who loved him from his beginning. She was the first one to love him.
"Love is a sentiment a being like you cannot understand. You have never known love. Not with me. Not with Aura. You cannot love, and you will never be loved."
He couldn't control himself any longer. His caged tears fell as the crackling fire became an outlying memory. He released his clinging hold on life. Succumbed to the invading darkness.
There was nothing left for him here.
Loki's chest rose with a final inhale. His heart contracted with a final beat.
The abyss of the beyond became his only solace, his only support. Became his only friend. At least, he was now freed of his wretched existence.
