Thor was not able to stay awake for all of Sif's visit, he made it through an apple and two small pieces of bread before his eyes became so incredible heavy.
Sif didn't seem to mind though, on the opposite she told him a little sternly that he should rest. And Thor could not deny, as he laid there while Sif stroke his hair, with a gentleness Thor didn't even know Sif had it was comfortable.
Her gentle strokes so soothing that they easily lulled Thor back to sleep. From then on Thor seemed to drift a bit back and forth.
Every time he woke up, a new person seemed to be seated next to him. It wasn't always that Thor was fully aware though, and each time the chair occupant just told him he should go back to sleep if that is what he needed.
The room was pitch black. It had to be far after sun down as a voice called him.
"Mr. Odinson, would you be able to wake up shortly?"
It wasn't a voice Thor knew. It was deep, almost humming. Thor hummed sound of agreement as the newcomer sat down and a light night was turned on.
Finally Thor managed to turn his head and look up at a gentleman with black hair and striking blue eyes. That at ones woke Thor up. "Doctor Strange!" he gasped only to hiss in pain. "Aw."
"Easy now Mr. Odinson." Doctor Stephen Strange. "It is merely profesional protocol to inform closest family of the result after surgery." then he yawned deeply. "Before I head to bed myself."
Thor looked at Strange and true enough to man looked beyond exhausted, like he could barely sit up.
Thor swallowed. "Loki?" he asked. "Is he.." he gasped.
"Loki is out of immediate life danger and is now in what we call critical condition." Doctor Strange informed. "Several organ failures occurred which meant we had to operate. How-ever all is not lost, Loki seems like he have put himself into a deep trance. Already his own magic seems to be working on healing him. So all we had to do was to ensure he didn't die allowing him time to heal himself. I have prescribed that we don't start replacing any organs but just keep him alive. That means that right now. Loki is wearing an oxygen mask to help him breath as his lungs are on the brink of collaps. We have hooked him up to a machine that dilutes his blood until the liver regains some functionality. I am hopeful that him using his own magic it will eventually. He is on an IV as well, giving him constant nutrition and sugar which should help feed his magic. He is also given a temporary pacemaker ensuring that his heart keeps going. He had several heart failures as we worked I am afraid, luckily we managed to revive him each time."
"None of that sounds good." Thor swallowed.
"Had he been a human. I would not have assumed his survival." Doctor Strange admitted. "As I said though, he seems to be using his own magic to heal himself. I am hopeful that with time he will manage to recover. But it will take time, it is a slow process. You will be allowed to see him in the morning but I warn you, the sight will not be pretty. We are using several machines to keep him stable and they only begun working on his skin as I left. He will not wake up, as I said he has put himself into a deep trance and I suspect he will not wake until his own magic deems that his body can handle it."
"So what you're saying is…" Thor sucked in a breath. "It's bad now, but you think he'll be okay eventually."
"I hope he will." Strange said. "But I am not familiar with his magic nor species. We are doing the best we can. I am trying to be as honest as I can."
"I appreciate it." Thor said his voice starting to shake. "You did much of the surgery right?"
"Oh no." Strange shook his head. "I am no longer able to do surgery myself." he informed as he held up his gloved hands. "These hands were destroyed in an accident, I can barely even bend my own fingers. Let alone even hold a scalpel." he informed. "I just offered my advice and any magical assistance I could." Strange said putting his hands back into his lap.
"All the same. Thank you." Thor said.
Strange smiled sadly. "The truth is, we need to talk to Loki." he said. "This Thanos, he is coming our way isn't he?" he asked. "My job is to protect earth, and protect certain portals placed here on earth which connects to different dimensions." Strange explained. "Usually, people like me keep out of any earth conflicts. Our mission is different, to protect these portals and earth from powers coming from the other side. This threat of Thanos though is much bigger than any usual conflicts, he is a threat to also our mission and we must act."
"Any help is appreciated." Thor said. "There are more of you?" he asked.
"Indeed." Strange informed. "We call ourselves the masters of the mystic arts. We are our own society, hidden from normal human life. Protecting four key sanctuaries across the globe which also acts as gateways to other dimensions."
"I didn't even know Midgard had sorcerers." Thor admitted. "But I am glad to find out."
Strange nodded. "I would be curious to learn more of Asgardian sorcery and how it may differ from our own teachings." he admitted. "But that must be another time." he stated as he stood up. "Rest for now. See Loki tomorrow but do not get your hopes up, I do not know when he will wake up. But I don't think it will be any time soon. Then, we must discuss this Thanos. It is of the most importance."
Thor nodded. "Aye." he said. "Thank you again."
Strange smiled a little amused as he stood up from the chair. "Get some rest Mr Odinson. Something tells me you are going to need it. And quite soon."
"You to Doctor Strange." Thor said.
"Yes I suppose." Strange sighed as he walked for the door yawning deeply and finally left allowing Thor lay back down.
Loki was alive…. He wasn't in immediate life danger. That was fine, that was what mattered.
This was Loki! Like Sif had said, the bastard would pull through like he always did. He really was a little bastard like that.
It would be fine….
