Thor sucked in a deep breath, he was standing at a clear spot carrying Loki in his arms.
Next to him was Bylestir, Helbindi and a couple of other Jotunns.
Strange had agreed to return the space stone rather quickly, and had even created a new container for the space stone for them to use. This time in the shape of a sphere, shining just as blue as the Tesserect had. But with new restrictions in an attempt to make it less dangerous.
This also meant they couldn't use its full power and they had decided it was only safe to transport ten people at the time, so they had to take several travels to transport first to Jotunns back and later the Asgardians.
Strange had also said… There wasn't more he could do for Loki, other than just keep him alive. If they thought the casket could help him, at least it was worth a shot.
Thor was just grateful that Bylestir had allowed Thor and Loki to come with the first group to try.
"Ready?" Thor asked and the others nodded.
"Let's get back to Jotunnheim." Bylestir said and Thor nodded as he held the space stone in his hand, closed his eyes and called upon the power like he had before and the next second, they all felt themselves sweeping across the galaxy before finally, they landed in the thick white snow of Jotunnheim.
Above them the sky was dark, the snow seemed to light up the landscape on its own as the Jotunns looked around.
Then Bylestir closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "How I missed this." he commented.
Thor elected not to comment, to him this was very dark and dreary but looking around he could clearly see how all the Jotunns revelled in it. Then Thor looked down at the figure in his arms and saw the blue color of a Jotunn slowly crawling across Lokis skin turning him blue.
Thor could only assume that ones again this was just Lokis natural bodily reaction to deal with the temperatures around him. Thor himself were wearing thick enchanted furs to deal with the cold. Thankfully they seemed to be working just fine.
"The capital is this way brother!" Helbindi pointed. "We are not far." he smiled.
Bylestir nodded and soon they walked.
Thor recognised the place, they walked beside a river up river into the mountains, it really was strange seeing it from the ground this time instead of from up above. Thor remembered the little settlement Bylestir had made at this spot, and now it was the capital of Jotunnheim.
As they walked forward Thor became more and more eager to see it for himself, up close. The things Bylestir and his Jotunns had build.
As they walked the darkness fell over the land. Soon it was night, the snow reflecting what-ever little there was giving it all an odd soft light… It was quite beautiful.
Finally they reached a massive wall build in stone and dark wood. Thor clearly remembered, he had seen Bylestir dragging stones with the others to build this very thing. It was impressive up close, especially as he had seen the humble beginnings of it.
As they stood in front of the door Bylestir looked up and then shouted. "OPEN UP!" he demanded. "I Bylestir have returned! Your king!"
Almost immediately the doors started to open, slowly and with a creaking sound. And finally it opened up letting out a warm light coming from countless of torches attached to the buildings and there stood, all the Jotunns.
One shouted. "THE KING HAS RETURNED!" and then a big hurrai from the others.
Bylestir smirked as he put a hand on his sword and stepped inside. "Indeed!" he spoke making them all silence. "I apologize for the delay. First we faced the goddess of death herself and we were victourus!" he shouted to much cheer. "How ever that was not the end, we faced a Titan! By the name of Thanos. And ones again VICTORY!" he shouted to much screamed.
As Bylestir lowered his fist they all silenced.
"Soon I shall tell you all about it." Bylestir promised. "For now… King Thor of Asgard is here as a guest. Treat him with respect, your king demands it."
There was silence, stunned silence as all turned to Thor.
And Thor stood with Loki in his arms, then realized it had to look odd. Him the only Aisir standing there, carrying around with a limp Jotunn.
"I…" Thor halted. "I am honoured." he said. "King Bylestir and his warriors has showcased bravery, as great if not even greater than any Asgardian. His aid helped turning the ties of battle. Asgard owe him and his warriors much. And I am honoured to now stand among his people."
There was stunned silence, absolutely stunned. The Jotunns looked confused at Thor, then at each other. It looked like nobody really knew what to do.
"Look I…" Thor tried. "I know, I committed a huge injustice to your realm. And your people." he said. "What I did… was horrible. That day I was nothing but a mindless monster. Since then I have learned, I learned how wrong I was. The people of Jotunnheim are quite something. This city." he looked around. "This was not just some mercy from the Asgardians, no. This is yours, because you build it! You owe nothing to no one. This was all you. No tricks, no magic. Just will and determination and… We, the Aisir. We have grown arrogant, we ought to learn from you. Not the other way around. And if you would let me… I would like to learn."
There was silence, absolute silence.
Then suddenly a shout from the back. "HAIL KING THOR"
Everyone turned to see a lonely Jotunn with his arm in the air.
"Hail our King Bylestir!" The Jotunn shouted again. "And if he wills it, hail King Thor!"
Bylestir nodded. "I will it." he stated then finally, more started to join in in shouts, chanting their kings name and Thor smiled, hope spreading in his chest.
"Well then!" Bylestir spread out his arms. "Your king has returned from victourious battle! Bring out the food and mead!" he demanded. "Let's feast tonight!"
And everyone roared as they held up their arms and then dispersed to fetch the items.
Bylestir smirked. "Come this way, the casket is this way." he gestured at Thor whom nodded as he walked with Bylestir followed by Helbindi.
They walked to what was combined throne room and feasting hall. Thor looked around, seeing the wooden beams. The long tables, the finely carved throne. All created by the people who were here.
They continued to behind the throne where there was a door leading to another room. A hallways with several doors, finally they reached stairs made of ice going down, and as they ventured down now everything was ice. A tunnel carved into the ice itself. On the way Bylestir had grabbed a torch which he held up.
The flame reflecting in the ice, then they reached what looked like a dead end but Bylestir held up his hand and the next moment the wall slid aside revealing what looked like an alter with the casket standing on it. "There it is." Bylestir said as he turned to Thor.
Thor swallowed as he stepped inside, gently did he put Loki down on the ground next to the casket. "I pray to the norns this will work." he breathed.
Lokis eyes opened slowly to reveal their red in his Jotunn form, they looked very drowsy as they looked up at Thor.
"Don't worry Loki. Just rest… Hopefully you will be a lot better soon." Thor asked.
Helbindi stepped in. "You might want to step back king Thor. I think this will be just a bit to cold for Aisir."
Thor nodded as he stepped back while Helbindi approached the casket, he put his blue hands on the lid and then opened it up.
It was like a storm came from the casket and Thor had to lift his arm to shield his face while pure energy came forcing Thor to step back.
"What now?" Bylestir asked.
"Now we give it time." Helbindi sighed as he stepped towards them. "We should go back upstairs and check on Loki later."
Thor swallowed but finally had to concede as the bitter wind was indeed to much for him, already he felt his own veins freezing even with the enchanted furs and he stepped back.
Bylestir put a hand on Thors shoulder and guided him back, it was with a last longing look Thor looked over his shoulder to get a glance at Lokis Jotunn frame laying in the midsts of the snowstorm created by the casket, then finally walked out.
Outside Thor halted as he wide-eyed witnessed the big bon fire which had been build in the centre of the town while they had been gone. That was an incredible speed to build a bon fire!
And then a torch was put to the sticks and they lithe up in flames as kegs were brought out and busted open to welcome the kings.
And then as drinks went around, the stories began. Everyone eager to hear of Bylestirs tales, what he had been doing while away. There was an impressive new scar running down his body from where Proxima Midnight had nearly cleaved him in half, and Bylestir fully admitted to the entire story as people cheered.
Soon food was brought out as well and shared around, the plate came in front of Thor and Thor blinked by the sight.
"Isn't that Ursa tongue?" Thor asked pointing at it earning everyone attention.
Helbindi nodded. "Yes it is, it is considered a delicacy here."
"I never tried it." Thor smiled as he picked a piece up with two fingers. Everyone was looking at Thor as he examined the little piece of meat then finally put it in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully, then he lightened up. "Hey! That's not half bad!"
That made everyone smile, Bylestir smirked amused.
"What?" Thor asked.
"Loki refused to even try it." Helbindi chuckled.
"Loki has always been a picky eater." Thor laughed. "And he has accused me of eating like a pig while not even looking at what I put in my mouth."
"Indeed." Helbindi smirked then he quieted as he looked behind Thor, everyone else did as well.
Thor blinked. "What is it?" he asked then he turned and stopped, for there was a newcomer. Looking like one of the Jotunns… But smaller.
Long black hair, green clothes. And he was standing up by himself.
"Loki…" Thor gasped.
Loki smiled lightly as he looked up, his eyes looking drowsy, ready to close at any second. "In the flesh." he spoke in a weak voice.
Thor stood up, then he smiled as he rushed towards Loki and pulled him into a tight hug. "You're okay!" he cried.
Loki chuckled weakly from Thors arms. "Just… tired." he sighed. "But aye… I'll be all right."
"HAHAAAA!" Thor laughed happily. "Thank the norns."
"Come on I couldn't just stay immobile forever." Loki smirked. "Without my help you're going to get lost."
"Aye." Thor swallowed.
"You weren't supposed to admit it." Loki pointed out.
"Why ever not?" Thor asked as he stood back. "Come sit down with us Loki!" he asked. "Try that Ursa tongue, it's actually not half bad."
For a moment Loki looked like he wanted to say some sort of profanity but finally held back. "FINE!" he exclaimed. "I'll taste the damn tongue, happy now?" he asked and Thor chuckled as he guided Loki with him to where they could all sit together while drinking, eating and listening to stories.
