I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that remains. Thor pondered over this phrase which he did not understand.

He continued walking away from his mother and took a brisk step out into the open. He inhaled the cool night breeze, refreshing his mind.

Lanterns lit up the gardens, creating a breathtaking sight. Thor stood still and observed its beauty. What once was a war zone had now turned into the portrait of peace. His eyes couldn't quite settle on its silence, but he was easily distracted by a continuous muttering ahead of him.

He saw his brother pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. Thor noticed Loki's bent head and mumbling whispers as if he was trying to recite something. He had dressed into a cleaner set of clothes, and gelled back his hair ready for tonight.

Thor ignored his irritating behaviour, shook his head and walked down the steps to pass him. He saw Loki instantly turn to look at him as he noticed his brother's presence, and paused.

For some reason, Thor slowed down as the lanterns lit up Loki's face. He was weeping.

Thor noticed his brother's lost face. He never understood how Loki magically gathered some good sense into his thick skull. Since childhood the two of them had competed against one another to gain their father's approval and the fame that followed closely behind. Thor always knew it meant more to Loki— that it took control over his life. His brother was cruel, manipulative, dangerous. Yet, after everything Loki had been through, this was the first time Thor had seen his brother admit defeat.

Was it because of the Frost Giants' return? Or Jane?

Thor grunted and looked away. In the corner of his eye, he could still see Loki staring at him. He could tell his brother was trying to cover up the expression on his face by finding the right words of mockery. But either way, Thor wouldn't have acknowledged them.

He finally decided to walk on, past Loki and towards the river. He took broad and wide steps to get to his destination. He heard a voice behind him, but forced himself to keep walking. He could then hear large footsteps drawing up behind him. A hand took hold of his arm and dragged him to a halt. He turned back frustratingly and glared at Loki.

Loki instantly loosened his grip and took a step back, surrendering his hands in the air and smiling.

"I am not in a gaming mood, brother!" Thor clenched his fists, veins crawling up his arms. He saw Loki's eyes look towards them, and lowered his hands, his smile fading.

"Nor am I."

Thor grunted in laughter. "I doubt that, all you know is mockery and games. There is no truth to your words." They stared at each other, noticing a dead end to their conversation. He looked Loki up and down then spun round to continue walking.

"Wait! Thor!"

"What is it you want?!" Thor turned back round and charged his way to Loki, he picked him up by the scruff and held him above the ground. "I do not care for your petty jokes and lies. Jane is dead, and neither you nor anyone else can restore her!"

Loki panted in panic. "I apologise!" He held onto Thor's arms to settle him down. "I am sorry for your loss."

Thor threw him down to the floor. "What do you know about loss! About love! You are not capable of such feelings. You just bring pain and suffering to others!" He looked down at him. "You feel no compassion."

Loki slowly stood up, keeping his distance from his brother. "I have felt those things, Thor. And it was Jane who showed me."

Misunderstanding his words, Thor grabbed hold of Loki again. "How dare you speak of her in such a way!"

"You have to understand, she told me what a true King would be like."

Thor rolled his eyes. "Is that all you care for? Being a King?" He tightened his grip, ready to end him.

"That is the point. I will never be one. Jane made that clear to me."

Thor scrunched up his face in confusion. "Explain!"

"Our father sent me to protect Jane. I know not why, but he said that if I protected her then there would be hope for me yet. So I did what I was told, hoping that once it ended I would have a chance to become King."

Thor raised him up in anger. "Spit it out Loki, do not test my patience!"

"At first we avoided each other, seated in separate corners of the hall, but for some reason she came and sat down opposite me. She asked me why I acted like I did. She questioned me continuously till I responded. I said that being a King is greater, but she proved me wrong, saying that I deserved qualities which would serve by my side. I knew you already possessed such qualities, yet you still reject the throne."

Thor loosened his grip and lowered him down, letting him go.

"She reminded me of mother. Her words were subtle and full of wisdom. She would have been a perfect fit for a Queen."

Thor stayed silent, shocked by his brother's words, but grateful.

"For once I felt redeemed! But when our enemy made a hole through her chest, I felt rage and anger I could not restrain myself from snapping their neck!"

Thor closed his eyes, holding back the image of Jane lying beneath him, blood staining his hands.

"She asked us to promise her something."

"Promise that we would stick together..."

"She saw something that our eyes cannot see. From spending little time with her, I cannot help but uphold her promise." He put a brave hand onto Thor's shoulder. "I will be with you, brother, 'til the end."

Finally, Thor understood. He took hold of Loki and embraced him. Together they wrapped their arms around each other and held tight. "Thank you, Loki."

Eventually they let go and smiled. Side by side they walked up the path of leading lanterns toward the river.

"I failed her, Loki. How am I supposed to become a King if I cannot protect the people I love?" They walked in silence. Thor felt relieved that he had his brother back, but still grieved for Jane. "What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. I have grown to understand this, but I do not feel her presence."

"In time. Frigga's words have meaning to them, but time will tell when her words turn to action."

Thor thankfully patted him on the back, nearly sending Loki to trip up on his feet.

Thor and Loki slowly walked together down the path of lanterns. They stayed silent through the rest of their journey and kept their heads down as they pondered over their memories with Jane. Thor felt low and hollow, he felt an emptiness inside him which he had never felt before.

Sometime later, Thor and Loki arrived to see a crowd of civilians. They stared at him with sorrowed faces, and looked as if they had the same emptiness inside of them. The majority of men, women and children held white, illuminated cylinders which glimmered in the dark and created a quiet hymn as they glowed.

Thor saw how sad they were, grieving over their lost ones.

A comforting hand was pressed against his shoulder. Thor turned his head to see Loki with a kind smile across his face. He tightened his grip on his shoulder and urged him to move forward.

The crowd split apart as Thor walked through. They bowed their heads in respect and lay hands on him as he walked by, mumbling prayers. Thor did the same. He could sense the same happening behind him to Loki, though people disliked him, they still showed their respects.

As he made his way through the crowd, they reached a small, narrow canal. The water was crystal clear and still. Floating atop the water was a cup-shaped wooden boat. Inside lay a beautiful brunette woman wearing a wedding dress, holding a branch with blossoms on it with both her hands and a thin laced veil across her face.

Thor could still see her beauty and remarkable complexion. Petals were scattered around her, and autumn leaves flew in the air.

"I promise, Jane," Thor muttered under his breath.

Loki walked up next to him and looked down at her graceful body. "She still is a vision of beauty," he chuckled and walked up the canal, accepting all the attention he could find.

Thor smiled and shook his head in disbelief as he watched Loki walk on. His gaze turned back to Jane, and he somehow felt lifted. He gripped hard onto Mjölnir, and continued walking behind Loki.

As he walked, he noticed the boat floating alongside him, moving up the canal. Thor smiled and continued walking, bowing his head to people as he passed by.

Once Thor reached the end, he was greeted by his family; Frigga, Odin and Loki stood together. They were standing on a vast mount of green which stretched out by the sea. As Thor wandered up a hill towards them, he noticed the boat gliding on ahead, slowly reaching out of view. He watched her float by soundlessly.

He raced up the hill, standing next to his mother and greeted his family. He looked out across the sea trying to find Jane. His heart pounded, not wanting to lose sight of her. Unexpectedly, he felt a nudge by his side, he turned to see his mother leaning in towards him and pointing down towards the sea just below the hill.

Thor recognised the lantern lit in Jane's boat and followed it with his eyes as it drifted further and further away.

The cool, night sky made it easier for Thor to begin reflecting on his last few days, regarding the fact that he lost track of how much he'd been through. If the attack had never happened, he would have been worrying over being a King and preparing for the wedding. He never had the chance to think of what life would be like without her. He didn't need to.

He frowned and looked down at his feet. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to remember Jane's last words. He grew frustrated at not remembering them.

He gave up and looked back towards the sea. Autumn leaves still fell around them. One accidentally flew into his face. He flinched and took hold of it. As the gentle wind blew the leaves, Thor recalled the feeling when autumn leaves fell over Jane once she had passed away.

The memory flooded back to him, remembering the sight of red filling the room, Jane's body limp and lifeless. Suddenly he heard her voice inside him.

"I will always be with you."

Thor relaxed, feeling grateful and overwhelmed after remembering her last words. He thought about it, and smiled. He let go of the leaf and saw a lantern in the distance drifting across the sea.

After a few minutes had passed, Thor looked over to his father who nodded and signalled to a guard. Thor followed his signal to a yellow jacketed soldier holding a bow and arrow in his hand. By the time the signal was made, the soldier took his arrow and held it over a flame. Instinctively, the tip caught alight creating a flame.

Briefly, the soldier looked over to Thor. He held his gaze, but the soldier looked away. Thor knew that he was applying pressure to the soldier to not miss his target. He didn't want to cause the soldier a distraction; he just wanted Jane's passing to be perfect.

The soldier looked out towards the sea, then aimed his arrow high up into the sky. He pulled on the bow string, then released.

The flaming arrow soured through the air like a shooting star. It was beautiful to watch, but Thor couldn't help feeling saddened. The passing ceremony was a rare occasion for Asgard, and it broke Thor's heart knowing that this one was for Jane.

Seconds later, the arrow landed on the boat. Instantly the flames started to expand and tear through the wood. Fire walking on water. Thor turned round to the soldier who gave a huge puff in relief. He made eye contact, and bowed his head in thanks. The soldier smiled politely and bowed his head in return.

Thor looked back out to sea, noticing hundreds more flaming arrows distributed into the sea. More and more boats started to light up brightly under the moon. They expanded and trailed behind Jane's flamed boat creating a sea of fire on water.

The boats following behind held deceased soldiers who dedicated their life to Asgard, and protected it as much as they could. Innocent children and women who were caught in the incident also lay atop the sea.

Thor heard a woman grieving in pain behind him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to block it out. However, he felt the same way, he tried to hold back his anger and torment to show his strength but felt like he was doing the opposite.

Janes boat started to go further and further away towards the edge of the sea. Beyond was a waterfall which fell off into infinite space. The leading boat was starting to get closer to the edge. Thor held his breath, knowing that this was the last time he would see her again.

Frigga put a warm hand behind his back. He instantly looked over at her and caught Odin's eye. He motioned his head in signal, waiting for Thor's response. He nodded his head and looked out towards Jane, gripping tightly onto Mjölnir.

He waited for the signal, and when it came, Odin picked up his staff and hit it against the ground, causing the boat to continue ahead of its course off-water.

After a few seconds, the boat carrying her body fell down the waterfall while a blaze of minuscule diamonds flew up into the air above the boat. Thor watched as they began to drift upwards, seeing her soul living eternally in space.

Thor observed how blissful and enchanting it looked. For the first time since her death, Thor felt at peace and didn't feel empty or lonely anymore.

The diamonds sparkled in the air, glowing in multiple different colours. As they ascended further up into the sky, Thor's eyes followed. He saw stars beyond his reach, and planets visible to the eye, moons that orbited them, and many different vibrant colours filling the dark space.

Jane's sparkling spirit continued further up, until it evaporated into the galaxy above, joining a blue nebula of stars.

She was now with their ancestors, watching over them. Watching over him.

Just as Jane's spirit was lifted, the citizens around Asgard lifted up their hands, releasing the pure white glowing cylinders that began to fly upwards, joining Jane. It created a beautiful picturesque view as they illuminated the air, singing as they glowed brightly in the darkness.

Thor turned round to see thousands of bright souls fly in the air, the souls of deceased family members and friends. He couldn't help himself but wonder why this sudden attack was so violent, yet the view he saw before him was unimaginable. The glimmering shapes made Asgard look like a Kingdom of stars gathered together as they joined the nebula above. The mass of light above them floating upwards like lanterns, until they were at peace and out of sight.

It was over.

The whole of Asgard was at the funeral, but then started to part and separate toward their homes and their safe environments, away from the dead. They scattered themselves in opposite directions, passing Thor and his family as they walked, bowing their heads in gratitude. Parents held their children close while walking away, looking agitated and unsettled, but still showed their respects. Young men and women grieved over their beloved, linking arms with friends for comfort.

Thor accepted their condolences, and returned the favour. As he watched the field slowly begin to quieten, he recognised two familiar faces. A man and a woman.

One of them was a similar height to Jane, dark wavy brunette hair and black glasses. She wore all black with a red woollen hat. Her cheeks were slightly puffed out, but it was hard to see in the dark. She watched people walk past her, her eyes sparkling as they watered.

A man behind her put a hand on her shoulder, she turned round and they both looked out to the sea. The man was considerably older, he had light hair, broad shoulders, who also wore all black. It was a strange tradition for humans to wear black at funerals, but the colour coordination did seem sensible and adequate to the eye.

People disrupted his vision as they walked into view. The woman wearing black turned back round and caught his eye. He saw a quivering smile appear, but not a joyful smile. Thor couldn't help but stare at her, until an elderly Asgardian patted him on the shoulder, making him jump.

"Sorry for your loss, son." His voice rattled as he spoke.

Thor took hold of his hand and thanked him, then watched as he safely made his way into the darkness. He still stood next to his family who were looking out to sea. Jane had meant a lot to them, and they all wished to properly pay their condolences before leaving.

He heard footsteps behind him and saw his friends. All four of his lifelong warrior friends had stood by his family. They greeted each other and looked out among the stars, listening to the silent whispers of the wind.

Thor's head turned to see one of the dark clothed figures run towards him. He smiled as memories flooded back.

"Darcy!"

She ran and dramatically leaped onto him for a hug. She felt weak under his arms, her body shaking as she cried into his chest. The male figure walked up to them and patted him on the back.

"Thank you for coming, Erik, both of you."

Darcy left the protection of his arms and stood beside Erik, wiping her eyes and sniffling.

It was Erik's turn for a hug, both of them patting each other on the back and grunting in respect. They separated and stood in a huddle.

"Thor, you don't understand how grateful we are for looking after her." Erik smiled, attempting to reassure him, but only got a fake one in return.

"She will not die in vain!" Thor's voice deep and determined.

"Thor, we're not asking you to avenge her." Darcy's voice was whiny after crying, but delicate to the heart. "We're asking you to mourn with us."

Thor shifted uncomfortably, knowing how weak and vulnerable that made him feel.

"Let this sink in before you do anything more. If she didn't die in vain, then prove it by taking the right actions, at the right time."

He lowered his eyes in understanding. He then opened his arms and gave them both a group hug. "Thank you."

After a few moments passed, Thor, Darcy and Erik walked together to the edge of the hill where his family stood, each of them looking beyond the sea. Thor wrapped his arm round Frigga's waist, her doing the same for support. All of them, looking out to Jane.