Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel, Elder Scrolls, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Final Fantasy, Harry Potter, or anything else that finds its way into these pages. No disrespect intended, only homage, no profit made, only entertainment intended. If you're a fan, read it, if you don't like it, stop reading. Simple as pie.
Rating: M for Mature.
Spoilers: Few but possible throughout the comics and the entire MCU, although I don't know yet whether the MCU will even come into play here. Currently we are long, long before any of that takes place.
Chapter Seven: Race Among the Ruins
The road to love is littered by the bones of other ones
Who, by the magic of the moment, were mysteriously undone.
You try to understand it, but you never seem to find
Any kind of freedom. Coming clean is just another state of mind.
When you wake up to the promise of your dream world coming true,
With one less friend to call on. Was it someone that I knew?
Away you will go sailing, in a race among the ruins.
And if you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon.
- "Race Among the Ruins," by Gordon Lightfoot
We've covered a lot of ground in the last few chapters, a lot of very big, life-altering things have happened. So this feels like a good time to remind you that all of it, from the Rogue Tomato hunt on, happened on the same afternoon. That should give you some taste of how long is an Asgardian day. Fear not for the future, the story will move through the years faster as we continue.
But for now, we're still on that same day. Loki was at loose ends until his father meant to introduce him to whomever he meant to introduce to him, and the idea of playing in his room held no appeal, so after he collected the bounty on the Thextera he went to Migelo's Sundries and looked for work. Migelo wasn't there, he was busy preparing for the fete that night, and one of the homeless children was minding the store, a young girl named Sigyn. Sigyn, despite having a Nord-sounding name, was a Viera, one of the so-called "Beast" races because they had certain animal characteristics instead of appearing entirely Nord or Elf-like. She actually looked very Nordly, from head to foot, but she had long, rabbit-like ears, claws on her fingers, and catlike feet with no heels. She also had a short, fluffy tail usually obscured by her clothes. All Viera had dark skin, pale eyes, and white hair, but Sigyn used what money she made that did not go towards food and housing and clothes to dye her hair and ears a pale pink. She was just a little older than Loki. She was quite pretty, but he was far from noticing girls.
"Hello, Loki. What brings you by?" she said, smiling.
"I was just wondering if there was any work for me," he said. "I've got some time to kill."
"Migelo's not here, but I wouldn't mind some company minding the store," she said. "It's not really a two-person job but it does get dull."
"All right," Loki said, and for the next few hours he stayed at the store and in between customers the children talked and got to know each other. She wanted to know what sort of toys he played with. He told her. He was surprised to learn that she had no toys at all. He asked her what sort of toys she wanted.
"If I could only have one toy," she said, with a wistful look in her eye, "I'd want a simulator house. I try to save up for one but they're so expensive, and I can never get any money ahead. Ah well."
"A simulator house was like a dollhouse, but instead of a solid house built of wood that only had one shape, a simulator house was projected from a holographic platform and the child could design it in any way they wished, and create their own lifelike dolls to play in it. They were very popular with little girls, but as she said, rather expensive.
"I've got some coin, I could buy you one," Loki said, though he didn't actually know whether or not he could afford it.
"Oh, it's… kind of you to offer, but I couldn't ask that of you."
"Are you sure? I don't really need the coin for anything myself," Loki said.
"I'm sure."
"Hmm. All right."
"Loki left the store when it was time to go home, but on the way back to Odinhall he tripped over something in the crowd and fell flat on his face. He looked up and saw Sif standing with her hands on her hips above him. She tossed her golden hair.
"I got a terrible dressing down from my parents because of you, Little Black Prince," she said.
"What did I do?" Loki said. He started to climb to his feet but Sif planted a heel on his back and pushed him down again.
"Stay in the dirt where you belong, Vanir dog. If you hadn't come running after us like you did, Thor would have killed that dragon and we all would have been bathed in glory. Instead you stole our glory like the little shit you are, and ratted us out to your father to boot. Why don't you just drop dead, Black Prince? Nobody loves you. Even your own mother can't bear to touch you!"
"Loki struggled to get out from under her boot, but she was strong. "Don't talk to me like that!" he said.
"I'll talk to you any way I want," Sif said. "You know why? Because you're no true prince of Asgard, Black Prince. No Vanir dog will ever sit the throne, no matter what happened when you were presented to the Court. You're worthless. Just a worthless black-haired piece of Vanir shit."
"She kicked out with her foot and stepped off him, and flounced away with her curly blonde locks bouncing. Loki watched her go, his eyes burning red again. Then he blinked and climbed to his feet. A few more blinks as he brushed himself off and his eyes turned back to green. But he didn't forget.
"In the throne room, the Court and the Throne were both empty, but his father awaited him off to one side, next to a tall High Elf, or Altmer, of indeterminate age. Most elves were best described as being of "indeterminate age," since throughout their very long lifespans few of them ever seemed to age at all past a certain point, even though they rarely lived any longer than Nords. Altmer were the most powerful race of elves in Asgard, almost the equal of Nords in society, enjoying privileges other races simply did not.
"Loki, right on time. I would like to introduce you to Auryen Morellius, Sorcerer Supreme of Asgard. He is here to determine whether magical education is necessary in your case," Odin said.
"Although I have it to understand you've already proven yourself an Adept in the realm of White Magic at the least," Auryen said. "You are a Summoner, are you not? Tamed a giant wolf and the Earth Tyrant as well?"
"I guess so," Loki said.
"Well that's an excellent indicator that you are, indeed, an Adept, at least insofar as White Magic is concerned, and if you're a natural in White Magic you're probably naturally skilled at one or more of the other branches of magic as well."
"How can you tell for sure?" Loki asked.
"Well, my lad, I'm going to have to cast a few spells over you, to find out whether you resonate with natural magic of any of the different varieties. It's a bit of a complicated process, so this should be done somewhere you are comfortable."
"Show Serrah Morellius to your room, Loki," Odin said.
"Loki looked at his father in alarm. "My room?"
"Yes, my boy. So he can perform his tests."
"Sh-shouldn't… someone come with us? A guard maybe?"
"It will be all right, my boy," Odin said, gently enough. "He is not here to hurt you."
"I assure you, young man, there is nothing at all dangerous about these tests," Auryen said, smiling.
"It's not the tests I'm worried about," Loki muttered, but he did as he was told and led the Socerer Supreme to his room.
"All right, my boy, if you would just lie down upon the bed," Auryen said.
"Nuh uh," Loki said, with a vigorous head shake.
"Well, the tests can be performed while the subject is standing, but you will be levitated, and there may be some spinning – most people find it less alarming if they are laying down," Auryen said.
"I'd rather stand," Loki said.
"All right then, step out here into the middle of the room where there's plenty of space. Don't want you to hit your head on anything, Your Highness."
Auryen raised both hands. "You don't use a wand or a staff or anything like that?" Loki said.
"Not for this. Once you reach a higher level of magical mastery, you tend to leave the knickknacks on the shelf. You will no longer require their aid in focusing your mana. Now remain calm, I'm testing your aptitude for White Magic."
"A rush of white light left his hands and wrapped itself around Loki. He felt himself rise into the air, and then he began slowly to turn, just a bit, like a top at first, but then tilting and toppling, turning upside-down and right side up several times before Auryen broke the spell and he landed, gently, on his feet.
"Took that like a champ," Auryen said. "And as your Summoning suggests, you are strongly adept at White Magic. That's not terribly uncommon, though having the ability to Summon is more rare. White Magic is the most common magic that the peoples of Asgard are likely to possess. Do you know aught of magic at all?"
"Not much. Mama is a bit of a mage, but I've never seen her use it and she doesn't talk much about it."
"There is still lingering prejudice against magic, and mages, in Asgard and Vanaheim. People don't like to discuss the issue. I'm certain Her Majesty has faced her detractors, at least prior to becoming Queen. All right, hold still. I'm testing you now for aptitude for Black Magic."
"A dark purplish glow erupted from his hands, and again Loki rose into the air. As he spun, more vigorously this time, Loki was moved to ask, "Why don't people like magic?"
"Because in these immortal realms, the Veil that separates us from beings considered demonic is thin, easily breached. It is thinnest and most easily breached in our dreams, and all the more so where magic is available. Mages must guard their minds night and day from demonic incursion. If they lose control, they may become possessed, become an Abomination, and have to be destroyed by specialized warriors known as Templars. Long ago, mages were kept locked away in prisons known as Circles from the moment their abilities were learned until the day they died, but eventually the Circles fell, and mages won the right to be free. You are quite lucky to live in the time that you do, Your Highness. Even a mage of your stature would not be allowed to live freely under the old laws. There we go. Yes, yes, you're quite naturally adept at Black Magic as well. Still not altogether uncommon. If you're going to be born a mage, Black Magic is likely to be what you're attuned."
Auryen cast other spells to test for Red Magic and Blue Magic. Loki proved to be attuned to them but not to the extent of Black or White magic. This, Auryen said, was normal. Red Magic, or Blood Magic, as it was more commonly known, was legal in modern times to a degree, but still had a strong stigma attached and generally was not openly practiced. Blue Magic, also sometimes known as Mimic Magic, was very complex and difficult and almost nobody was naturally attuned to it except for those who had a racial affinity for it, such as the Ronso. Showing any degree of affinity for it at all gave him a considerable leg up. And then Auryen tested Loki for Green Magic.
"Oh my..."
"What?" Loki said, trying to look up while spinning round and round. This was the fastest and most aggressive spin yet.n style="font-size:
"Most mages show no affinity for Green Magic. I, personally, have never met a mage with the least affinity for it. Until now. You're practically drowning in it."
"Is that good?" Loki asked.
"Hard to say. Green Magic is troublesome stuff."
"What do you mean?"
"Most people who attempt to practice it… either die in the attempt… or cause such extraordinary damage that it would be better if they had."
"What's so bad about Green Magic?" Loki said, alarmed.
"Green Magic is the magic of Chaos," Auryen said. "All the ways you can imagine to divert the natural flow of things, from the way physics works to the flow of time itself is wrapped up in Green Magic. It is incredibly powerful stuff and incredibly dangerous to dabble with."
Loki stood stock still and thought long and hard about it. Magic that could alter the flow of time? He was very young, but he was bright enough to know at least some of the incredibly horrific ramifications of that, even if he couldn't quite wrap his mind around all the nuances. He didn't realize how long he stood there locked in a sort of stupor until Auryen cleared his throat and reminded him that it was almost time for him to go down to dinner.
Loki shook himself from his dark thoughts. "My apologies," he said. "Won't you join us? There is always more than enough for guests."
"I do have some things to discuss with His Majesty, so I think I shall take Your Highness up on your kind offer, if it's no bother," Auryen said. "After you?"
"Right this way, Serrah."
Loki led the Sorcerer Supreme to the family dining room and introduced him to his mother and brother.
"I hope you don't mind, Father, but I invited Serrah Morellius to dinner, as it was growing so close to time," Loki said.
"Of course, my son. It was quite proper of you," Odin said. "Please, Auryen, have a seat. I hope you like our fare. It's probably not that to which an Altmer is accustomed."
Auryen chuckled. "I have eaten at the tables of many Nords, Your Majesty. I actually quite enjoy the meat and potatoes diet of your people."
There certainly was plenty of both circulating the grand dining table. Servants piled helpings of what appeared to be beef, mutton, turkey, and pork on the golden plates, along with gigantic baked potatoes dripping in butter and rich gravy, many kinds of bread, a few heavily buttered greens, and at all times many varieties of rich desserts. Loki applied himself to his food and tried to forget the idea that he somehow had the power to twist time.
"So, Auryen, how did my son fare through your tests?" Odin said.
"Very well indeed. Indeed, I wished to speak with you of that very thing. He has proven to be at least somewhat adept at all branches of magic. I recommend a balanced magical education from a high-level educator."
"Excellent. Do you have anyone specific in mind?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I would like to teach His Highness myself."
"Really? Don't you have rather enough on your plate, what with the duties of Sorcerer Supreme? Seems like a lot to take on an apprentice, too," Odin said.
"If it weren't for the fact that your son is so strongly adept at Chaos Magic, I would pawn him off on some lesser Master," Auryen said. "But with that aptitude, I feel he needs a stronger guide to keep him from running off the rails and potentially becoming a very grave danger to the realm – and himself."
"Well we don't want that," Odin said.
"Wait, what now?" Thor said. "The runt is a danger to the realm?"
"No, Thorvald. Finish your meal," Odin said.
"No. I want to know."
"Your brother is a mage. All mages are dangerous. He will be taught so that he will not be dangerous. That is all we are saying," Odin said.
Thor glared across the table at Loki, a turkey drumstick in his hand drooping forgotten. "You hear that? You're a danger to the realm. Step out of line and I'll end you, runtling."
Loki felt again that burst of rage, and once again his eyes turned red. This time, though, something happened. Without any clear idea of what he was doing, he raised his hand and pointed at his older brother, and suddenly in the middle of Thor's plate sat a large bullfrog with golden hair. Thor himself was gone. Frigga shrieked.
"Loki! What have you done?" she said.
"Be calm, Your Majesty," Auryen said, "it's a simple transfiguration spell, easily made right. The only troubling thing is that as far as I am aware, your son was never taught how to cast it."
"You said he was Adept, Auryen," Odin said.
"I did, but transfiguration is Chaos Magic. Even the simplest and least dangerous spells from that school require intensive training. It is not heartening to see that your son can do them without any training whatsoever."
"What do you mean, Auryen?" Frigga said, one hand to her heart.
"He turned Prince Thor into a frog, but can he turn him back?" Auryen said, rather grimly.
"I… I don't know what I did to turn him in the first place," Loki said, looking down at his plate.
"You're lucky this happened while I was present. I can undo this spell, but consider what would have happened if I were not here?" Auryen said. He waved a hand over the frog and Thor reappeared, and slid off his mess of a plate back onto the floor, staring at his brother wide-eyed and frightened.
"Now, Your Highness," Auryen said, looking hard at Loki, "I don't want you casting any more spells without my supervision, do you hear? From now on, you are under my care – my apprentice, do you understand?"/span/p
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"Yes, Ser," Loki said.
"Very good. I shall arrive each afternoon and we'll spend a few hours each day studying. It won't be too strenuous at first, on account of your youth, but it will become more advanced as you prove you can stand it."
"As I prove I can stand it?" Loki said.
"Oh don't worry, hardly any students are severely injured studying magic, and almost nobody dies anymore," Auryen said. "Safety standards in magical education have risen considerably since the Circle days, and I am the best there is."
"Almost nobody dies?" Loki said.
"I hope you die," Thor whispered across the table, still wide-eyed.