(LOKI)

When the creak of the outer door marked Sigyn's exit, I clenched my fist—Odin's fist—and vowed not to spend time in my own skin until I could be certain the Chitauri were defeated and no longer a threat. My faith wasn't placed in the soldiers I commanded—I approached the upcoming battle as if there would be thousands against only myself. I had too much to lose if I didn't defeat them.

At least the girl had friends and her cat to keep her company. I deserved to be alone.

Heimdall's prediction proved correct. Just before midday, another fleet of Chitauri fighters whizzed past the Bifrost in double the numbers that came before.

Asgard's army was ready for them and shot down many before they were anywhere near the city limits. Horns blew to alert the citizens to stay inside or take shelter. A glimmering shield made its way over the top of the golden palace, protecting all inside from errant debris that fell from the skies.

This time, the Chitauri had a leader—a strange creature with green skin and long ears, somewhat resembling an elf, only he was much larger. Not quite the formidable being that Thanos was, but a daunting foe nonetheless. He rode a larger ship than the rest of them and yelled commands from high above his charges. As if his vessel didn't set him apart enough, he was clad in an obnoxious shade of violet.

I set my sights on him immediately, directing the rest of my commanders to keep the smaller minions away. Perhaps they would be wiped out before we were even finished. With Gungnir as my weapon, I plowed through a few smaller vehicles and struck his metal ship.

But he was unfazed by my attack—his own force field knocked me backward. As soon as I hit it, he yelled, "Surrender your world now, or be forced to watch it burn."

I wiped my lip and took aim at his head. "Who dares incite the wrath of Asgard?"

"I am Kl'rt of Skrullos, the new king." He grinned, dripping saliva like the Chitauri, though he certainly belonged to some other race. "The titan Thanos sent me to do as I please here, so I'm claiming it. One of your own failed and betrayed him. The rest of you will pay the debt."

"Are you certain of that? The man you speak of was not of Asgard and never was. Leave, or I shall return you to your master in pieces, Skrull."

Two barrels on the top of his silver machine twisted toward me. "I have no master. You will bow to me, with or without your head!" Fire blasted my direction, too close for comfort, forcing me to flee. His weapon continued in quick succession, chasing me through the skies as if we fought alone.

Odin's heavy body stifled the momentum of my skiff glider, which should've been able to spin circles around Kl'rt so I could gun him down myself. His fast approach and cackling laughter as he grew closer humiliated me.

Think. Think. I scanned the city to gauge our position—an incoming line of Chitauri, straddling their cruisers, advanced on an unmanned plaza below. Their faces grinned in their sickening surety for the carnage they were about to leave behind.

It was better to be bait than butchered. I leaned as hard as I could on the steering column and dove before the incoming line.

Kl'rt, unaware that missing me meant hitting his own men, mowed them all down like the cannon fodder they were all along. When he realized his error and the shooting stopped, I took another sharp turn and blasted his ship with my skiff and Gungnir together.

His force field was well-armed, however. While it shone with a halo of bright colors with every hit, the Chitauri numbers were dwindling around us. The minions were mindless, following whatever instructions they were given and unable to make split decisions to save their own skins. Pitiful. Just as I remembered.

"You still believe it wise to challenge us?" I yelled, perhaps a bit too smug for Odin's real attitude, but none of my soldiers could hear me where I was so sounding like my normal self didn't matter. "One by one, your soldiers fall. Soon you'll be alone, hiding within your marble. It won't protect you forever."

His purple face grew distinctly mauve with anger. Kl'rt pulled his ship back and sounded an ear-piercing alarm which shook the city. The few Chitauri who remained alive retreated along with him.

My soldiers cheered, as did the citizens who crept outside to watch, but I refused to celebrate. They would return without a doubt—and every time the mindless drones witnessed our defenses, their knowledge grew. Chitauri were good at one thing: mimicking the strategies of whomever they fought. Too many battles, and they would know our moves before we did.

The shield over the palace lowered as the sun set. Asgard hadn't suffered as many casualties as expected, though the city still mourned for the few. A somber tone followed me to all of the dead that I needed to thank. Families were present for many of them since the enemy wasn't coming by surprise, so they waited for word and found their loved ones quickly. Their tears stung my soul. The Chitauri were expendable to Kl'rt, but my people were not.

Thankfully, our preparations kept citizens safe and only soldiers perished, but a few young men and women who watched the battle approached me to ask what else they could do.

Their earnest eyes reminded me of my own from the past—an eagerness to please and do their part, with or without recognition. If only they knew what they might sacrifice. As much as I wanted to settle this matter alone, I could not, and I certainly didn't want Thor to arrive and be heralded a hero once again. I needed the triumph, even in Odin's skin.

"Train as a soldier. Learn to fight. If the enemy should arrive at your door, I expect you to be prepared." I nodded to the group who asked and rose my voice so all could hear, "That goes for each of you. Asgard is at war. Protect yourselves and your loved ones without expectation of being rescued. Now is no time for fear. Everyone must fight and prove that Aesir are not easily defeated!"

Cheers ensued, yet they felt thin. False. Until I could be certain the enemy would not return, victory over single battles was nothing but a consolation to keep the people motivated. Thanos, Kl'rt, the Chitauri soldiers who would surely multiply next time...they could crush us in ways Asgard couldn't fathom.

I'd seen it. Fear was beyond appropriate. We'd held our ground, but for how long?