As I make my way back up the magnificent set of stairs leading away from Odin's throne room, my trembling doesn't stop. Instead, it increases as terrified thoughts rush through my mind. Have I just ruined everything? Or did I say what needed to be said? Did I go too far, or not far enough?

Suddenly I trip on my shaking legs, nearly break my wrist as I catch myself on the stone stairs, and then just sit there, my breathing heavy and my face pale. I shake my head. I've got to get control of my emotions. I can't think clearly in this state. I close my eyes. Breathe. You can do this, Vikki. You have to stay strong. Taking my own advice, I breathe deeply, forcing myself to calm down. Slowly, as I concentrate, my hands stop shaking and my breathing goes back to normal. Freaking out will make everything worse. Be calm and collected. Stay in control.

I sigh a few minutes later, opening my eyes. I need to stop getting so worked up over things like this. Realizing that I'm still sitting on the stone stairwell, but not wanting to move, I make myself invisible. I smile slightly at the magic that dances across my skin, remembering the first time I used it. I was so frightened and confused then, and it had flickered in response to my strong emotions. But I've had very little trouble since Loki explained my problem...I wonder if that's normal. Didn't he say it takes many years to master magic? I furrow my brows, trying to remember. He told me that everyone has a magical strength, and that mine is invisibility. I smirk rather bitterly. That is true on multiple levels. His strength is shapeshifting, I remember clearly. It doesn't surprise me, although in my own world I would have thought that his strength would be illusions. It makes sense, though. He is always changing himself to match his surroundings-he was such a patient teacher while training me, but a vengeful warrior in New York. Now he is a caged panther in his cell, and will later be the sly usurper of the throne of Asgard. So many different appearances, and yet only one man.

Suddenly feeling tired from the ordeal with Odin Allfather, I decide to go sit at the bottom of the stairs and just let the breeze flitting through the long hall wash over me. As a teen, I did this often—found a quiet place to sit, and simply let my mind wander. And at the moment, that sounds wonderful. I stand and make my way to the bottom step of the enormously wide staircase, then sit down, leaning against the staircase's railing for support. I don't know how long I stay there, just enjoying the slight breeze and mulling over the incredible events of the past two weeks. I have so much to think about, and then ability to just relax without knowing I'll be needed someplace else is refreshing. But over and over again, my mind returns to the question: Have I ruined the timeline?

Unable to answer it, I turn my mind to other things. I wonder what the rest of my life will look like. Will my uncle ever figure out that I stepped into his machine? Is my family looking for me? Do my friends miss me? And what about myself—I know what will happen over the next decade or so, but beyond that, what will I do? I'm Asgardian; I'm going to live thousands of years longer than anyone on Earth. But six years from now, Asgard is going to be destroyed. And then Thanos will decimate the survivors.

So...what am I going to do?

I sigh. That question is another that seems to dominate my thoughts lately. I don't want to live thousands of years—watching those I love grow old and die around me while I remain young. And what of the Asgardians? I am one of them now, and I live among them. Will I survive the coming destruction? There is, of course, the option of returning to Earth via the Bifrost before Odin's death and Hela's return, but I refuse to even consider the idea. I will not abandon my own. I frown. Well...I guess that answers my question. I'll die with my people on the Asgardian escape ship six years from now if it comes down to it. The idea is frightening, but I've never been one to run from a fight. Especially if it involves protecting another. And if that is where I find myself six years in the future, then I will be ready.

But for now, I don't need to worry about it. I have a full year to adjust to life as an Asgardian on Asgard before the Dark Elven attack, and five years after that until Hela and Surtur destroy this beautiful place. During that time, I have a lot of adjustments to make. One of which is no internet. It's been very strange to wake up in the mornings and not have to check my notifications on social media. Even though I had very few social media platforms, I still had plenty of notifications to wake up to most mornings.

Another difference is the fact that most Asgardian ladies don't really wear pants. I've never much enjoyed wearing dresses for long periods of time—mainly because I needed the pockets of my usual jeans or shorts to carry my phone, earbuds, and pocketknife. But now, I won't be using my phone or earbuds, and a pocketknife will do little good in a world of swords and spears. And my Apple Watch's power ran out yesterday. So, I suppose I'll be getting a crash course in life on Asgard with no connections to Midgard.

A commotion somewhere nearby slowly awakens me. I open my eyes, blinking in the bright light, and frown. Where am I? I sit forward, looking around. What on...oh, great. I fell asleep on the stairwell! I scramble to my feet, still trying to wake myself up. I rub my eyes, blink a few more times, and then quickly take in my surroundings. My eyes widen. Ohhhhhh no...how long was I sitting there?!

A small procession is making its way down the hall towards the throne, about to pass my position. Because there is a pillar in my way, I cannot see the whole procession, but I can easily see the guards, and the length of chain connected to a prisoner who is still hidden from my view behind the pillar. My heart hammering in my chest, I quickly move up the stairs a bit, hiding the entire procession from my view. I look down at my hands and arms. The magic is no longer dancing across my skin. I must have released it in my sleep. I quickly make myself invisible once more, but to my shock and dismay, the magical energy begins to flicker. I try again, but the flickering only intensifies as my heart rate increases. The guards are about to see you, Victoria! Get a grip! You're probably not supposed to be here! I try once more, but then I stop. This isn't going to work until I calm down. I close my eyes and force the panic away, taking a deep breath. Control your feelings, or you won't be able to control your power, I remember Loki telling me. I take his advice, forcing myself to calm down and focusing on breathing deeply. I open my eyes just as the first two guards re-enter my view, and I look down at my skin. The beautiful blue magic is once more dancing across my arms and hands. I smile, breathing a sigh of relief. Then I watch the procession of guards walk past.

Just as I suspected, the prisoner attached to the lengths of chain is the younger prince of Asgard. He is wearing an outfit very similar to the one he wore when attacking NYC, and his face is now mostly healed of the bruises and scrapes from his encounter with the Hulk. There is an entire entourage of guards escorting him towards his adoptive father on the throne, and his features are covered with a perfectly sculpted mask of indifferent arrogance. I sigh, waiting for the frown that I know is coming. He doesn't disappoint. Brows furrowed, he turns his head and looks in my direction as he and his entourage pass by. I don't move, just watch him walk past. I can't afford to be caught.

Once the procession has moved further down the hall, I hesitantly walk back down the steps, continuing to watch them as they move towards the AllFather. My heart rate begins to accelerate again. Will everything go according to the movie? Or have I ruined the timeline?

Knowing I can't go any closer for fear of discovery, I am forced to stand at the stairwell and watch the scene unfold from behind. I rack my memory for the small details that will prove I haven't yet ruined the timeline. I watch with bated breath as Frigga stops her son, exchanging a few brief words with him before she turns and leaves. I gulp. Now I know I'm not supposed to be here, but at least that went according to the movie. Now for Loki's sentence.

I watch carefully, frozen to the stairwell as the AllFather confronts his adopted son. From where I stand, I cannot hear the words exchanged between estranged father and son, but I can hear the echoes of both their voices bounce off the stone pillars and floor. The exchange does not last long, and soon Loki is pulled back by the guards. He hesitates long enough to say one last thing, and while the AllFather responds, he is pulled away by the restraining chains around his wrists and neck. Then he is walking back in the direction he came from, straight towards me.

I have to purposely steady my heartbeat as the small entourage nears me. Are they taking him back to the prison, or to his death? Unable to just stand still any longer, I follow the procession once they have passed me. This time, Loki doesn't seem to notice me, too deep in his thoughts to do anything but walk obediently with his guards. I stay close behind them, walking with them until, to my dismay, we reach another odd-looking Asgardian elevator. The guards don't hesitate, stepping inside with their prisoner, but I know that if I try to squish myself inside it with all of these tall men, I'll surely be discovered. So I am forced to stay behind while the "doors" of the elevator close.

Now what? Trying to figure out where they have gone is nearly impossible because of the size of the palace. What if there's an execution area that he is being taken to on another level I don't know about? And even if he is just being taken back to prison, there is no possible way I could descend that many sets of stairs in time to be sure. I'm going to have to find out what his sentence was some other way.

I turn and quickly run back to the set of stairs I fell asleep on earlier, taking them two at a time. I don't know exactly where I'm going, but I know who to find if I want answers: the queen. And how to find the queen? Ask a servant. I run through the golden halls, looking for the nearest guard or servant, my heart racing. My magic begins to flicker again, so I release it, not caring if people see me. I have to find out what Loki's sentence was. If it was death…

I shake my head, forcing that thought away. No, if the sentence was death, I'll—

Just then, I round a corner and slam right into another Asgardian. We both stumble backwards, each of us hastily reaching to steady the other, and quickly right ourselves with wide eyes and multiple apologies. Then I get a good look at the person I just about knocked over. "Malye!"

"Victoria." She doesn't sound very happy. My face flushes, and I apologize again, inwardly fuming at myself. You're going to make a fool of yourself in front of the Queen's personal handmaid! Get it together, Victoria!

Malye waves off the apology, looking anxious to escape the awkward situation, and rather annoyed. But I can't let her go yet. "Malye, I know this is going to sound odd, but I need to see the Queen right now. Do you happen to know where she is? It's extremely important."

Malye scrutinizes me, eyes narrowed as though she's trying to decide whether she can trust me. And I don't blame her, after our last two encounters. But I don't have time to fix the situation. "Malye, I know this is unusual and probably very disrespectful. But it's a matter of life and death, and I don't have time to wait. Please help me." I give her a pleading look, trying to communicate the urgency of the situation. Malye doesn't look very pleased. But she hesitantly nods.

"Follow me."

A repeat of this morning's encounter quickly follows, with me walking next to her. But this time, I have to purposely slow myself down to stay with her. My angst is getting the better of me. Malye leads me back the way I'd come, but this time she takes me past the stairwell and towards the back of the palace. It isn't long before I spot the Queen, surrounded by a small group of young women. They are of various heights and ages, and look to be receiving instructions from the Queen. As we approach, Frigga looks up.

"Oh, Victoria! There you are!" She smiles and walks forward to meet me, dismissing the young women with a last instruction. I quickly drop a curtsy, then hurry forward.

"My Queen...I know this is probably disrespectful, and I apologize for that, but could I have a moment alone with you? It's extremely important."

"Of course. Malye, give us a moment, will you, dear?"

Malye curtsies. "Yes, my lady." Then she walks away, head held high. I hope I haven't offended her.

Frigga turns back to me. "This is about Loki, isn't it?"

I blink, then shake my head, huffing a laugh. "You are incredibly perceptive, my queen. Yes, it is about him." I purse my lips, my angst returning full force. My next question will reveal wether I've ruined this universe's chance for survival against Thanos.

"I...I sincerely hope that I'm not intruding on private matters, but...what was Loki's sentence?"

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm back! And with a brand-new, fresh-baked cliffhanger just for you! I hope you're enjoying. Thank you so much for the kind words in the comments! It really means a lot to me.

I love you all 3,000!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.