Falling, that's what it felt like - but how could one tell? Was this abyss endless? Had Loki Laufeyson died, and this is a god's final destination? They fall into an eternal blackness? Loki didn't scream. He was still in shock, perhaps. Or was it the realization? Was it the realization that made him voiceless? He felt betrayed by the ones he used to call his family. The disdain was clear in Odin's eye.

Loki could have been falling for minutes, hours, days, weeks maybe. Time had more or less become meaningless since he had let go of the Gungnir in Thor's hand. But no matter how long he had been in this abyss, he could still hauntingly recall his encounter with the Allfather vividly.

"I could have done it, father! I could have done it! For you! For all of us!" While his father was in the Odinsleep all Loki had done was take the throne, it was his birthright. With Thor banished from Asgard because of his boyish urge for war against Jotunheim, Loki was next in line for the crown. It was what Asgard needed, what his people needed. Thor's incapability of running the throne had been clear once he claimed war on Jotunheim. Odin cast Thor out. After Loki had learned of his true parentage, Odin had still claimed him to be his son. The guard had presented him the role of king while his father lay, unconscious. Loki had killed Laufey, the true monster. He saved Odin, his mother, and all of Asgard. All while Thor was defenseless on Earth.

Everything Loki had done was for Odin's approval. It was for the good of Asgard and how is it that the Allfather responds to that?

"No, Loki."

The words repeated in his head. No Loki, you are not worthy enough. No Loki, it was never your birthright to be king. No Loki, none of this was good enough. No Loki...you were never my son.

Then there was Thor. His brother, or so they had Loki believe. The brother who had returned to Asgard. The brother who had returned to battle Loki as if he were another villain in Thor's path.

Loki felt there was nothing for him now. He had no place to call home. No throne to rule. No family of his own. Nothing. That's what he had. He had nothing.

He was left falling, with rage coursing through his veins.

The peculiar abyss remained continuous until Loki saw what was at the end of it. A gaping hole. As he was falling at the end, the abyss was growing larger, and Loki could see the opening to another realm, but he didn't know which one. In one quick down swish, his body was out of the forsaken portal and into this unknown world. In this world it was too dark and air was sprinting across Loki's face causing his eyes to sting, making it more difficult for him to see. He kept falling but this time, the panic was finally sinking in. He struggled in the air as the ground was beginning to become more visible. He tried to think quickly, waving his hands in front of him for his magic to save him.

But he was too late. His body slammed into some sort of unyielding structure and he landed on the ground, hitting his head. Everything went black

Pound.

Pound.

Pound.

Sweat was beating from her forehead, lines of blonde hair drenched into brown. The wrappings around her knuckles were starting to rip, along with her skin. Pain struck through the nerves of her hands but it encouraged her to continue hitting the punching bag. The echoes of the pounds surrounded the room she stood in. They rang through her ears and vibrated through her tense frame. She was stopped by a voice.

"Harley."

Her hands wrapped around the punching bag, causing it to stop swaying. She didn't make eye contact with the man.

"What?"

"We got something."

Everything came in flashes for Loki.

The muttering of male voices surrounding him. His body being lifted. His knees dragging through rocks, dirt, and twigs. Bright lights blinding his sore vision. The men's voices growing louder, more obnoxious, and their words became clearer.

"He's an intruder."

"You should have left him for dead."

"Go get the boss."

"Should we kill him?"

Yet, even while all of this was happening, Loki wasn't able to react. He observed everything going on as if he wasn't in his body. He felt the men slam him into a chair, tie his wrists together behind his back. They poured ice water into a bucket. Loki's body was too weak to react, until said ice water was thrown onto his face.

The excruciatingly cold water shot through his pale skin causing a sharp gasp to escape his body. Now he was fully awake. He heaved heavy breaths. Azure eyes shot open and darted towards the men surrounding him. Tall figures stood before him, some crossed armed, some leaning against the walls and tables, some holding weapons. But they all shared menacing traits across their faces. Loki felt bound around his wrists and immediately attempted to pull his arms. He hissed as he struggled to escape the metal chair. This caused the man directly in front of him to smile maliciously.

"You got somewhere to be?"

"Release me." Loki growled.

"Not a chance." The man standing directly in front of him looked to another one of his fellow men. "Check to see if there are more." With that command, three men sprinted out, including the man given the order. He looked back to Loki.

"So what happened? You fall off the roof while trying to spy on us?" Loki's only response to this was sending daggers through his glare at the man. The man leaned in, placing his hands on his knees. His eye level meeting Loki's. "Who do you work for?"

No response.

"Alright. We'll get you to talk somehow." His volume of voice raised. "Where is she?!"

"I'm right here." All of the men looked up, including the tied up God. A woman paced towards the circle of men. Her stance caused the men to react differently. They stood up straighter, their menacing faces disappeared. Loki noticed this. Was this mere woman the one who held authority over these barbarous mortals?

Finally, she planted her feet behind the man kneeling in front of Loki. "What did you guys drag in this time?" There was annoyance in the tone of her voice as she crossed her arms.

One man leaning on a metal table spoke. "We found him inside the compound. There's no trace of how he got in."

Another man spoke, "We think he broke in and probably fell off the roof by accident."

One yelled from the back. "He's an intruder who should be dealt with."

The man kneeling in front of her spoke again, "He doesn't want to talk." The man stood up, standing beside the girl. His hand reached up near her face, he lightly entangled his fingers around bleach blonde hair that escaped from the girl's braid. "You think you can get something out of him?"

She smiled as her hand met with his, swiftly releasing the hair around his fingers. Loki observed this with a furrowed brow, but her next action surprised him, it even amused him. The girl harshly pulled the man's hand back, twisting it. His face scrunched as he tried to hide his reaction of pain.

She spoke softly. "Don't ever touch me." His twisted hand stayed in her grasp for another moment before she forcibly pushed it away.

Loki's deep chuckle caught their attention. This was met with a punch to the face from the man. Loki's face swooshed to the side, black strands of hair following suit. He adjusted his sharp jaw and his eyes darted towards the man. "You'll regret that."

"Oh really?" The man stood in a cocky stance. "Is that a threat pretty boy?"

"It's a promise."

"That's enough." The woman standing before them spoke.

She watched their prisoner intently. There were cuts around different parts of his face. One across his straight nose. One above his dark eyebrow. One straight down the side of his pale forehead and one cutting through the bottom of his thin lips. She furrowed an eyebrow when she noticed how he was dressed. Leather armour with fabrics of green and plates of gold. As elegant as the outfit once looked, it was now torn and damaged severely. Some rips revealed skin around one of his shoulders, across his chest, and one on his torso. There were a few slits along his leather pants as well.

Despite his disgruntled look, she could see a fury, waiting to be unleashed. If given the chance, he would be ready to fight, however, she could also see that he was physically weak. The dark circles around his piercing blue eyes contradicted the mischievous spirit he was radiating. There was something about him that intrigued her.

"Leave us." She said, which shocked every single man in the room. Including Loki.

One man walked towards her with hesitation, "Are you sure?"

Her eyes didn't break from Loki. "Positive. I want to talk to our prisoner. Alone."

"So I'm your prisoner?" Loki said with a sly smile which gained no reaction from her.

None of the men moved, they were unsure of the intentions of this man, or of the woman in charge for that matter. Their doubt caught her attention.

"Did I stutter?" Her voice rose.

With the warning, they all began moving their feet to exit the room. However, the man who punched Loki stayed, expectantly. As if he were a part of the "Us" when she said "Leave us."

But Loki noticed the girl's eyes turn towards the man, as he stood there foolishly. "Damien," she said. "I meant everyone." He looked at her surprised.

"I'm the boss' second hand man, I think I should be here."

"Well, the boss isn't here, is he?"

He clenched his jaw and nodded. "Guess you're right miss." Angry eyes darted towards Loki. "Yell if he starts to cause trouble."

"I think we'll be fine." Her lip twitched up, almost into a smirk. Loki noticed, which caused a slight smirk to grow on his face. With hesitation and embarrassment, the man named Damien finally stormed out in a huff. Leaving the two alone.

The girl grabbed a metal folded chair similar to what Loki was tied to. She opened the folded chair, placed it in front of Loki, and sat down across from him. Extending her legs in front of her, she leaned back into the chair with her arms crossed. She took a few moments to look at Loki, her eyes squinted as they scanned his being. "You're not a spy, are you?"

"Already you're more intelligent than the men working for you."

"They don't work for me." She stated.

"Are they here for pleasure then?"

"Fear. They're here out of fear."

This surprised Loki, even though the woman before him appeared fierce and respected, any of the men who were standing in the room before could have easily outmatched her. "And how do you strike terror into their hearts?"

"By being the daughter of a very dangerous man. They all work for my father."

Loki nodded slowly. "So they do work for you."

She pursed her lips and looked away. "See it how you want." Her head turned back to him. "But the way I see it, those same men who work for my father, are convinced you work for someone they really don't like. They might even be capable of killing you without any proof that you're even a threat. So if I were in your position, I'd try to avoid an unjustifiable death by saying why you're really here. Because something tells me, you're not here on purpose."

"And you assume that, how?"

"Call it a hunch."

Loki didn't believe it was a hunch. However, he did believe her statement about the men who are more than willing to kill him without reason. No answers came to his head. Even if he were to tell the truth, she wouldn't believe him.

There was something that interested him about the woman sitting opposite of him. He took a moment to observe her. Her hair was in a loose long braid that was an inch away from her hip. At first glance, you'd say her hair was a very light blonde, but Loki noticed it looked almost pure white. Yet there were dark roots seen on the top of her head. She had a small frame, yet held herself so fiercely. And there was blood. Blood staining the wrapping around her dainty hands.

His gaze planted on her hands. "Was that from the last person you interrogated?"

Her eyes followed his fixed look on her cut up hands. She looked back up at Loki. "I'm pretty sure I'm the one who should be asking the questions."

"Ask away."

"The injuries on your face," she pointed to the door the men exited from. "They do that?"

"I believe the blow from that man who foolishly touched you was the only injury I received from your men."

"So they're not the only people you pissed off?"

Loki clenched his jaw as he thought of his last fight with Thor.

Full of rage.

In that moment he's never felt so much hatred for Thor before. The one he claimed to be his brother. Someone he thought he cared for. A thought occurred to Loki. They would most likely have an equal amount of hatred towards him if he were to return. Thor, Odin, Heimdall, Thor's friends, the people of Asgard. Perhaps even his mother.

"You could say that."

"Well, what would you say?"

"I would say you should release me before a series of wretched events happen."

"Another threat. How intimate. And I don't even know your name. What might it be I wonder." She said with a mock curiosity.

"I could say the same for you."

"I asked you first."

A scowl played on his lips. He was done playing games. "I am tired of these questions. Release me at once. You had stated yourself, I am not a threat."

"I said you weren't a spy. I never said you weren't a threat."

"Push me and I'll become one."

"Ooh, you tempt me, Loki."

He blinked in bewilderment. "You know who I am. How?!" His voice raised at the question.

She stood, sliding her chair back to its original place to the side. She sauntered towards a metal table, lifting herself up to sit on it. "Let's just say it'd be unwise to lie to me."

"So you read minds?"

She was slightly caught off guard by how quickly he figured it out "You don't seem surprised."

"I don't seem impressed is more like it."

An unexpected laugh was the reaction to Loki's comment. "How sweet of you."

"It never struck me to be….'sweet'."

"Well that's a shame because I'm the only reason you're still alive."

"Is that so?" Loki said teasingly.

Her tone changed as she looked at her black boots that swung above the concrete floor. "I've seen them slaughter innocents and they still sleep soundly at night. A few of them even kill for amusement sometimes. Frankly, I don't think some of them have the emotional capability to feel remorse." Her eyes met with the ceiling as her lips pursed. "Which is why my father hired them." Then her eyes met with Loki's. "Can't have an army feel sentiment when you order them to do inhumane things. You're only alive now because they always have me scan every person they drag in."

"Scan. So they use your sixth sense for their own gain. To do what, exactly?"

"Well, if you must know, I can tell when someone is lying. If they're guilty of certain crimes. But when they're not using me, they have me go on missions. Favors, as my father would usually call them."

There was a familiar look to her. Loki couldn't figure what it was. But the hopelessness in her eyes, it was recognizable. It was the same hopelessness he felt that caused him to let go of the Gungnir in Thor's hand. That same feeling caused him to truly see that nothing he did for Odin, for Asgard, was good enough. "You don't agree with what they do, yet here you are. Why is that?"

"You're not the only prisoner here." Her eyes appeared glossy.

Loki nodded, understanding. "Well...may I ask what my cell mate's name is?"

The girl smiled but it didn't last long before hesitation weighed her body. After a few moments, she finally answered Loki's question.

"Ayla."

"Pleasure to meet you Ayla, even under these circumstances."

"And you as well, Loki, I'd shake your hand but….you know."

"That's very amusing of you."

She lightly laughed, but switched to a serious tone instantly. "You're right. I don't agree with what they do but I gotta tell them something. The best I can do for you is to get you out of here with a hood over your head and they'll just throw you out of the car in the middle of nowhere. But you gotta help me out here."

"I have nothing to say. I have nothing to prove."

She nodded, understanding a little bit of why he was probably beaten up when they found him. Even tied up, bruised, and weak, his ego was in full control. Ayla wasn't surprised, a man's body breaks way before his pride. She hated it.

"Well…." she lifted herself up and jumped off the metal table. "Don't say I didn't try to help you." And with that, she stepped away from the stubborn man, arrogantly unaware of what waits for him.

"Ayla." He called out to her, causing her to stop. "What makes you so certain that I'm innocent?"

Her body turned, her arms crossed over her chest, and her lips were smiling. "Loki, something tells me you're far from innocent." Her smile faded. "But something also tells me you shouldn't be tied up in that chair." She turned and returned to her pace, however Loki's voice stopped her again.

"I will be released here. And when I am, don't think I won't hesitate to slit every one of your men's throats."

She only turned her head as she was two steps away from her door. "Like I said, not my men."

And with that she was gone, and Loki was alone. Bounded to this infuriating chair. He closed his eyes and breathed in. Now that he was completely alone, his magic can break through these bothersome restraints. But even as Loki recited spells in his head, nothing happened. No flash of green. No enchantment coursing through his veins. He couldn't even rely on his natural strength to break him free.

He was powerless.

Captured, probably soon to be tortured.

Usually if he had his full strength and working magic, none of these men would be a match for him. He could walk out of this place with bodies marking the path he took. But first, he needed a plan. However, the only thing he could think of was rest. Loki's eyes fluttered closed and exhaustion took over his body. Sleep soon consumed him and with that, he was out.