"How are you doing that?"
"I'm not sure."
"How are you not sure? This barrier is made to be impenetrable unless Odin commands otherwise."
"Maybe he silently commanded I can go in and out?" Aria mumbled out as she stared at the golden barrier.
"I doubt as such considering he thinks you a liability."
"It seems I've made it in his good graces advocating for you, since you are his son. Kinda."
"I am not."
"Oh save the bullshit Loki. Not clear on the details of why you grew up with this family but if you weren't loved you wouldn't be here."
"And may we look at what 'here' looks like? Ah yes, a cell."
"At least you're here and not dead. Your impatience and jealousy are what locked you in and has you brewing in anger." Aria stated coldly while looking at him.
Loki snarled before standing up abruptly, "I did not! You yourself said I was being manipulated to do everything I did. You want the details?! Let me enlighten you to what is shrouded in such mystery. Odin took me from my people as a chess piece, held me hostage as a way to keep my true father at bay. I was nothing more than a political leverage! He never loved me and proved it by casting Thor's shadow even larger over me. You know nothing. I was raised to hate the beings who are the same as me. I was told that we were monsters, to not be trusted, to be feared. I may have been controlled but that anger is true. I was lied to my whole life."
"To me it sounds like you were lied to growing up to save you from feeling the shame of being different than your family. I can see where they wanted to protect you…they didn't want you to hate yourself because you were related to the enemy. Granted, I do believe Odin is a shitty person. From that small exchange with him I can all but agree I am not his biggest fan. But what of Frigga? Thor? Did they not love you?" Aria stood up as well, facing him and his anger.
At least you have family that loves you...
"Will you be as forgiving with your father as you tell me to be with mine?" Loki sneered, getting close to the barrier, "You have by now heard his truth as to why he never searched Midgard for you. He all but abandoned hope when it came to you. And he moved on and had a son, forgetting all about the little half-midgardian child he bore. To him you were nothing but a smear to his grand reputation here on Asgard! Will you forgive that so easily?"
Aria's anger flared and she gritted her teeth, "Don't you dare project your family crisis onto me Loki."
"Oh it is all but the same, minus that I've lived with the notion that my father hadn't loved me while you lived blissfully unaware! You cannot tell me I still have a family when I've been but lied upon!" He yelled as his eyes clashed against hers.
"I would kill to have my brother here!" Aria shouted at him as tears sprung to her eyes, "He was a small little boy so filled with hope and love. He didn't think me weird when he saw my pink hair. Or when he found I could do things that people normally couldn't. My mother cherished me. As imperfect as she was, as enigmatic she was about my true self, she loved me with her whole being. With them alone I was and forever will be content. My father I will never forgive but I will not shame the love I hold for my mother and brother based on him. I've never once said to forgive his lies, but to state you have no family is foolish and childish!"
Aria's voice cracked but she stayed holding Loki's gaze, her heart wrenching at her words. But it was true. She didn't believe she had the capacity to forgive her father but that anger didn't bleed into the love she held for those gone. Her mother, whether or not she had known where her father had gone to, would always have Aria's love and utmost respect. Loki broke their staring contest first, huffing out in a fit of anger.
"You just don't understand...living in his shadow..."
"You won't understand until one of them dies." She stated ruthlessly.
They both had shaken breaths, anger flaring in their eyes. Aria understood where he was coming from but he wasn't seeing past his disdain for Odin. It aggravated Aria to her core. Blind with rage he wasn't able to see what he truly had; a loving step mother and brother. Her family was dead, no matter that her father and half-brother were alive. It was different for them both and having a horrid example of a father was the only similarity.
"I need to go," Aria choked out before turning on her heel and rushing up the steps.
She wandered the hallways, unsure of where to go. She put out her senses and drew them quickly back in when she got waves of feedback. She sighed before aimlessly walking. She managed to find the gates back out into the bright bustling city and continued to walk.
How can he be so shallow? He should be grateful. His mother and brother are still breathing and mine are six feet under.
He has not felt the pain of losing a loved one. You have. You cannot try to reason with someone who has no knowledge of the pain.
Can you just let me be mad at him?
It is misdirected anger.
Aria grumbled at him before focusing more on bobbing and weaving through the people. She looked around and spotted a cluster of trees together. She directed herself to walk in their direction, the sounds of bartering and laughter filling her ears. She wondered if they knew her a stranger to their land. No one seemed to give her a second glance or even question her, which made her believe she blended in. It was a warming observation for it meant she wouldn't be disturbed.
Finally breaking through the horde of people and into the cover of the trees, Aria walked further into the forest until all she saw was trees. Plopping down and leaning back into a trunk she let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. She crossed her legs and closed her eyes before taking a deep breath in, holding it for ten seconds, and letting out. She continued the breathing exercise for a long moment, letting her mind wander.
Aria watched the flames burn brightly; her cheeks completely wet from her silent tears. In the flames she could see the bodies of her mother and brother. She had wrapped them in white sheets and put them above thick pieces of firewood. She stayed watching them burn until the last flame put itself out. By then the sun had set and the moon shone with a sickening brightness. She walked numbly away from the ashes back to her uncle's lab. Her tears continued to flow down silently as she walked, her throat constricted from the screams she'd released earlier.
When she had finally let go of her mother and brother, she quickly realized everything around her had been destroyed by her energy. It terrified her to think she managed to annihilate the whole home and everything inside to dust. And now she had almost nothing of keepsake. Thankfully, she kept most of her belongings back at the room her uncle had given her at the lab. She reached up to her neck and grabbed the necklace her mother had gifted her for her birthday. It was the last thing she had that they both had touched. She fumbled it through her fingers, remembering how excited her brother was to see it. She could remember the warm smile her mother gave her when she opened the gift.
Aria sucked in a gasp of air before a sob wrecked her body. She stepped through the hole she made earlier that night and let out a shaking breath. She walked the hallways, absentmindedly turning when needed. She stopped in front of her door and opened it slowly. She walked inside and walked to the dresser she knew was on the left side, grabbing the matches and striking it in order to light the candles on her dresser. The warm light flickered to life, illuminating the cold room.
She slowly stripped off her clothes. Every movement felt sagged, as if her clothes were weighed down with water. Clad in just her undergarments, Aria slid into her small cot. The carpet blanket felt rough against her skin like always yet she paid it no mind. Staring at the flame, Aria allowed herself to cry. She had nothing holding her screams back. Watching the light leave her mother's eyes, feeling her hand weaken in its hold with hers, and seeing her begin to slouch over her brother. His empty eyes burned into the back of her head. She curled into a ball as she thought of how painful it must've been to have his eyes gorged out. Her sweet little brother put through all that pain just to invoke the creature inside her. Something he didn't even know existed yet he was the one tortured for it.
Their death was her fault. Had she never continued working with her uncle...or had she been able to connect with the creature...had it worked with her to show itself...Aria screamed out again, grabbing her head between her hands and applying pressure.
"WHY? WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST SHOW UP? I know you can hear me! Look what has become of your dormant action, I've lost EVERYTHING..."
I meant not for this to happen...but now you see when a mortal is shown a glimpse of divinity...
Aria closed her eyes tightly, "They died because of you...they died because of me...they are gone, never to feel the caress of the sun and wind...they are gone and I will never feel their hug...they're gone...they're gone forever..."
She repeated the words over and over until her voice was hoarse. Her tears poured out until nothing was left. She felt incredibly numb, unbelievably alone, and stricken with immense grief.
She didn't sleep that night. Or the night after that. Or the night after that either. Her appetite was nonexistent and her thirst was grave but she paid no attention for it. It was the least she could bare of herself, the least she could inflict on herself. At least she could feel the pangs of hunger and the aridness of thirst. Her mother and brother would never feel such things again. She laid in bed until her body felt sore from not moving. The voice didn't speak to her the whole time, for which she was grateful for. She didn't need to be reminded of the reason why her family was dead. She, herself, was enough of a reminder.
On the fifth day she finally got up. Her bones cracked in relief at the movement as she sat up. Throwing her legs over the cot, she moved to the dresser and picked out clothes. She couldn't stay here any longer. She had to leave everything here behind. Where she would go she had no idea, but it had to be somewhere other than here. She trudged her way to the shower and got in, quickly scrubbing at her body to rinse off the smell from the fire. She felt as if she were on autopilot, silently going through the motions of getting cleaned and dressed. She braided her long hair back, just the way her mother had taught her.
She wore all black and covered herself with a black hooded robe. She left the lab behind, with everything that it resembled, and made her way to the nearest town. She would start over...rise again. She would learn to control the beast inside her. She vowed it to her loves now in the heaven for it was the least she owed them. The thing that got them killed would be her greatest weapon. Aria looked ahead as she neared the town, her eyes flowing with various emotions. But as she crossed into the small settlement, all of those sensations were bottled and stowed away.
Aria woke up still sitting upright by the tree. It was dark outside now, the Asgardian moon shining brightly overhead. She blinked tiredly before stretching her arms upward, moaning slightly at the satisfying pops that resulted from doing so. She stood up and stretched her legs out, popping her knees and ankles as well. She stretched her senses out, finding a mass gathered somewhere on the edge of her senses.
"Might as well go crash the party," She whispered aloud before adjusting her clothes and walking in the direction of the gathering.
Navigating through the trees was slightly difficult but once she managed to find the street she had been on earlier, she easily was able to find her way. She walked upon a festival of some sorts. Aria looked over the jubilant folk before spotting Thor leaning against a railing also overlooking the festivities, a solemn look plastered over his face. Aria walked to the right and found the staircase leading up to where he was. She plopped herself next to him once she found where he was, leaning against the railing herself.
"We may have won, but I still feel as if we haven't. Wouldn't you agree Lady Aria?" Thor spoke softly, his eyes focused on below.
She breathed out a small chuckle, "No…no it doesn't. That's cause there's always evil in the world, no matter how much you take out."
"My father spoke very maliciously about the beast you harbor, so it seems that evil is within us as well."
Aria looked at him and saw the emotions swirling over his face. She looked back down at the Asgardians and watched as they drank and danced, her emotions still very raw from her nightmare from not a few moments ago. Aria's heart lurched for the both of them as he seemed to be speaking alone from what had occurred in the last week. Her demons had been lurking since the day she opened her eyes it seemed.
"I have to say you aren't wrong. I guess it's just what you let win inside, the good versus the evil. I would like to say we've kept winning over the darkness."
"Ah yes of course…it makes me wonder if the good in my brother will ever win…I find it impossible."
"Loki isn't inherently evil," Aria spoke softly, unsure of how Thor would react at what she would say next, "he was lied to his whole life about what he truly was. And from the moment stories could be told, his kind were made out to be nothing but monsters. To which he used to believe. How would you feel if you were found to be the very monsters you hated? Coupled with the mind compulsion he was under…his anger only made it that much worse. His evil isn't true darkness…it's just fury and hurt muddled with confusion."
She looked at Thor and watched as his eyes cast downward beginning to become wet. She felt bad for the both of them. Being a stranger to their family allowed her to see the mishaps and the half-truths. While she understood where Loki's wrath hailed from, she also knew he was blinded by the rage and couldn't see that Thor loved him dearly. It didn't take much to see it either. From the first moments, Aria could tell he cared about his younger brother. Stealing him from harms way, questioning him without so much as a scratch littering Loki, and constantly defending him against those who spoke ill of him. She also thought back to their conversation about Loki's true lineage and how careful he was from using such negative words to describe the race. Aria couldn't help but envy them.
I wonder if my half-brother and I can build a bond such as this with how much time is between us…
There's a high probability it will not be in this fashion.
It was rhetorical Hati, but thank you for your ever ending bless of sense.
My greatest pleasure.
"Do you believe you capable to forgive your father?" Thor evaded, finally looking back at Aria.
She breathed out slowly before stretching herself out against the railing, "Call me stubborn, but to forgive someone who accepted my "death" so easily without seeking out my body or even my family's…I'm not sure if I can within a day or two."
"Family will always be family." Thor stated aloud, but Aria secretly suspected it was more for him than her.
She nodded her head slowly anyways, eyes sliding out to the people partying below them. The blissful ignorance they all had, unknowing of the ugliness behind the curtain they called "freedom" or "life". Some moments she pondered how she would've lived her life had she never found out about Hati. Or if she would've just stayed leading a civilian life after the incident with her family. Maybe she would be in some library buried in books, traveling the world by words through pages. Or maybe she would be a waitress in a small town. She wondered if she would ever become a mother herself. To fathom having kids now was ridiculous, with the amount of enemies she has that child wouldn't last a day without being threatened. She banished the thoughts creeping up on her away, not wanting to dwell on the what if's. She'd already spent decades thinking of any and every possible situation she could. A small memory of living the civilized life came and went, so fleeting was the time she tried. Aria stared ahead into the sea of partying people, unsure of what she was searching for. Unsure of many things.
"Well, let us enjoy the festivity. It is in honor of a victory…let me go introduce you to my greatest warriors, who are also my truest friends."
Thor walked forward with a boisterous smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Aria followed silently wondering what she was getting into. They walked down the stairs she had come up and went straight into the disarray of moving bodies. They somehow made it to what seemed the middle to which she saw three men and a woman sitting together at a table. She watched as Thor walked towards them with a yell and hands up in a welcoming manner.
"Thor! It's been too long my friend!" The bearded one called out as he embraced him lovingly.
"Volstagg! Ah you know how it goes, just another day protecting the realms from devastation." Thor bragged as he flashed a smile at Aria. She could tell they boosted his mood, the sadness in his eyes all but gone.
"And which realm needed the almighty Thor's protection this time?" The woman jeered at him with a smile.
"Midgard needed my help from my very own brother, the man decided to play God with the Midgardians." He bellowed before taking a drink from the cup the slender blonde man shoved at him.
"It seems one of the Midgardians has tagged along to show their ever-sprouting gratitude. However, she is not the Jane Foster I remember, you sly dog," the blonde joked before slinking towards Aria.
She raised her brow in response and was shocked as he threw his arm over her shoulders. Aria reacted quickly by grabbing his hand and pulling it further over across her body, vaulting him over her head and pinning his arm against his back. She knelt her knee down against his arm and grabbed a fistful of his hair, surprised at the softness of it, and lifted his head up. The groan of pain had her smirking before she released him, watching with a sick sense a humor as his head planted itself to the ground.
"Ah Fandral, I'm afraid Lady Aria does bite unlike normal Midgardian women. After all, she is only half of them anyways," Thor laughed out before helping Fandral on his feet.
"Ahh nothing beats beauty with a bit of a kick, wouldn't you agree Hogun?" He chattered excitedly while displaying a charming smirk her way.
"So that means this is the one with Vidar's blood running through her veins," the woman stated while walking towards her, "she definitely has the hair to match. My name is Sif. You already have my respect by proving Fandral nothing much but a dog that needs behaving. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Aria looked down at her outstretched hand briefly before taking it within her own, "The pleasure is mine. And yes, I'm his estranged daughter."
"Great! Now that we are all familiar, let us drink! To the realms in peace and a newfound friend!" Thor exclaimed while throwing a jug in the air.
Aria found her hands full with jugs as well. Peering inside, she found the liquid itself was gold in color. What wasn't gold here? Everyone's aura was gold, their alcohol was gold, most of the armor was gold, and their main buildings as well.
I wonder if they shit gold too. I mean their Gods right? I wonder how fucked up I'll get drinking this Asgardian stuff. It's been a long moment since I drank anyways.
You shall be grateful for my residence once more. Drink plenty, I believe having a day to relax can be swell for the both of us.
You're not wrong.
With that thought in mind, Aria brought the mug to her lips and drank the mead as if parched. When she finished she put the now empty jug on the table and looked at the shock on the groups faces. She gave a small smile and shrugged her shoulders carelessly.
"What? I've had a tough week and believe I've earned a night to enjoy myself. I pinged you lot as the type to drink and ask questions tomorrow."
"Lady Aria is right! Let us rejoice in victory!" Thor bloated out while grabbing his mug and chugging the drink.
Aria laughed and decided she would be giving into the mood of the room. Before she knew it she'd downed five mugs in contest with Thor (the alcohol on Asgard was much stronger than that of Earth) to which he insisted they go dance together afterwards. Sif joined them and not far behind her followed, who she now knew as the Warrior Three. They continued drinking and dancing before settling back at the table. Aria sat and listened to them trade various war stories, fascinated by their adventures and the care they showed for one another. For once she felt unhinged and she couldn't lie and say she wasn't enjoying herself. There was no need to be serious, no need to be on guard. She was allowed to just enjoy and have fun. She didn't pay attention to the envy she held towards Thor, the simmering thoughts of her father and the brother she still hadn't met, or even the "argument" she had with Loki that day either. In this small moment, she felt as if she had nothing to worry for. That she could be blissfully unaware and for that she would be forever grateful for this night.
oOXXOo
Aria woke up with a pounding headache, groaning as she regrettably opened her eyes. Hissing at the mistake, she closed them before throwing her arm over her face in an attempt to block the offending light. She tried to remember what happened but her mind was too muddy to work through. She groaned aloud again before pushing herself up despite her body protesting. She tried opening her eyes again, albeit much slower this time. Blurred vision greeted her and she did her best to look around and find where she was at. The commotion just outside the room got her sobered very quickly and Aria all but jumped out of bed. She reached out to sense who was there, ignoring the pounding that came with the feedback, before relaxing when she felt who it was.
She breathed out before stretching upright, moaning aloud as she felt her back and shoulders pop. She then became painfully aware she was not in her normal attire. Looking down, she observed a white shirt too large for her and silk black shorts tied to her fit but still baggy as can be. She held a hand to her head in exasperation, willing the memories to come back.
Can you cure me of this hangover please?
No. I never said I would heal you.
You're as helpful as ever. What ever happened to "enjoy yourself"?
She sighed before walking towards the door and opening it to reveal Thor eating something and wearing similar clothing to herself. Except he had black trousers instead of shorts and the white shirt barely fitting his large frame.
"Ah Lady Aria you're awake!" He stated with his mouth partially full with food.
"Where are we?" Aria deadpanned while looking around the vast area. It was bigger than the various apartments and motels she'd stayed in.
"In my room. I find it this may be your very first time ever truly in drunken shambles?"
"Yes and I don't like it. Why am I in your room? And holy fuck is your room huge."
"Advantages of being apart of the royal court I presume. Are your lodgings not as 'huge'?" He questioned innocently, "alas we're in my room because I hadn't the idea of where else to take you once we closed the night."
Aria nodded her head before walking out into the other portion of his room, unsure of what to call it. She walked over to Thor before grabbing the glass of water and the piece of bread in his hands for herself. Sending him a small sly smile she bit into the bread and took a sip of water, the liquid feeling amazing going down her throat. She walked around lazily, eyeing the copious amount of weapons and random artifacts spread among the room. She walked over to the couch and plopped herself on it, wondering how the hell her life took such a turn. One moment she was stuck in hiding, then was dragged into a war between literal God's, and now was hungover in the good brothers room. She sipped the water selfishly again, her mind trying to get a grip on everything that had happened in the last week alone.
"You know…this is the most fun I've had in my whole life…" she called out to Thor softly, watching as he made his way to sit next to her, "I've always had to be running. There was never a moment where I could stop, live out any fantasy. I tried once but on Earth, being so gifted it's…it's something you just can't turn away from."
"Yes the greed of Midgardians and their struggles with power. Not that we or any other people are better, by all means we may tend to be much worse, but I understand what you mean. When one holds power, the rest flock to control it as a moth tries to a flame."
"You have no idea," Aria laughed out dryly before taking a small bite of the bread and offering it back to Thor.
"Please help yourself. I will go fetch you some clothes to change into. However they will be more of an Asgardian cut rather than a Midgardian one," he said as he got up and walked to the door presumably leading to another maze of hallways. He stopped with his hand on the door handle before turning back around and catching Aria's gaze, "And Aria, this is now your home be it with your true parentage or within me. You don't have to hide or run any longer."
With that he walked out and Aria stared after him. The idea of a home felt so foreign to her now. She wasn't lying when she said she lived on the run. Too much blood on her hands to stay in one place, no matter if they were rightfully killed. There was always someone chasing her, looking for her, or trying to kill her. She sighed and sunk down into the couch enjoying the small comfort. As much as she wanted to just stay and be able to enjoy the life here, she knew she wouldn't be able to just disregard her plans on Earth. To get back though, there were things she had to do here, one of them was figuring out who she was.
"I thought you dead."
She closed her eyes as she recalled the conversation with her father. Going over everything he told her and didn't, she recalled the name Heimdall.
The one who sees all…but couldn't see me? Why?
She sat up with a plan for today. She needed to figure out what was cloaking her or if anything was. Her father could've easily lied to her for all she knew, but she definitely would find out. Finishing the water and the bread she got up and went to the room she had come from. The big bed looked as if someone tossed and turned in it, the blankets and sheets in disarray. She looked around more and found it like a small study. A desk was on her left, it filled with papers and books. A closet with presumably Thor's clothes was on the adjacent wall of the desk. A large mirror was across from the closet next to the left of the bed. Colors red and dull gold flared from the furniture and she could easily tell it was Thors room.
Her eyes drifted the room but couldn't find her clothes from last night. With a panic, she reached up to her neck but let out a relieved sigh when her fingers made contact with her necklace. She pulled it out from under the shirt and looked at the pendant sadly.
I feel like mother gave me this on purpose. Knowing I was sealed with a wolf inside. I wonder why the jewels are red instead of blue though, especially with the color of your powers.
It may hint at something more than just a fashion choice.
What are you talking about?
Hati only growled in response, the sound reverberating around her head which made her headache even worse. She squinted her eyes and brought a hand up to try soothing the pain. At that moment the door to the room was knocked upon before opening and Aria peeked out to see Thor's mother walking in with clothes in hand.
"My son was called to see his father and sent me in his place to offer you clothing," she kindly explained while lifting her arms up and looking at Aria.
Aria walked over and offered her a small smile, "well it is much appreciated, thank you. I wonder if you can help me with a small favor? I need to speak with the man by the name Heimdall if that's possible. I have a few questions for him."
"As I have for you my dear," Frigga countered as she offered Aria the clothes.
Aria accepted the clothes with a small thanks but stared up at the Queen strangely. She then thought back to their one conversation when she got here yesterday. Aria ran through the entirety of the interaction, wondering if she said anything to offend the nice lady. Aria nodded her head to show she was listening before unfolding the clothes she received. Thor wasn't wrong about it being a more Asgardian fashion, knowing she would normally never wear anything like this had she another choice.
"Why would you speak on behalf of Loki?" Frigga asked pointedly, her smile meaning to mask the intensity behind the question.
Aria slid her eyes back over to the woman, a pang of envy hitting her due to the Asgardian brothers having such a warm mother in their corner. She sighed, knowing that their mother was just being protective and not trying to be rude. "I didn't want him wrongly punished. So I spoke for him because he didn't seem to be speaking up for himself."
"My son would've interrupted Odin the moment his sentence was finished being uttered. He's very dramatic in that way, always wanting the last word…" Frigga said offhandedly.
"Yeah I noticed when he was trying to take over my world," Aria said dryly, "these clothes…who do they belong too?"
"Do you not like them? They are brand new, never been worn before by anyone. I had them made a long time ago when I expected to have a daughter, but as you can see I only have sons."
"Oh…no not at all it's beautiful, not my exact taste but I hope to do it justice." Aria said politely, noting the sadness plaguing the woman as she finished explaining the reason for the clothes.
It definitely wasn't something she would wear. Green and gold in color, it brought so much attention due to the bold colors but the material was the softest she'd ever touched. She pardoned herself to go put it on, closing the drapes of a door to Thor's bedroom. Slipping the garment on, she slightly struggled with the holes for a moment before figuring out where her arms had to go through and her head. Once done she walked over to the mirror to see how it looked and couldn't believe she was seeing herself.
The outfit made her look like a true warrior of Asgard, something that made her feel weird as she wouldn't ever consider herself as an Asgardian entirely. The sleeves were tight against her skin and left her shoulders exposed, the trim covered with a thick golden thread to contrast against the dark green of the fabric. The neckline of the shirt was in a keyhole fashion, the sweetheart folds coming to barely cover her breasts and the neck piece coming up into two points on either side of her neck. The fabric stitched over her breasts was a slightly lighter shade of green than the rest of the piece, giving another complement to the color scheme. It was all surrounded with the same golden thread in parts. The pants fit her perfectly, the color scheme being the same dark green with the golden thread running down the sides of the legging-like bottoms. She tied up the look with her black combat boots that she found thrown around the room, refusing to put on the heels that were given with the outfit along with her necklace. Thanking the Gods for having found her boots, she made her way out to Frigga once again and put her hands out.
"With no offense to your lost daughter, I feel like a dressed up monkey wearing this. It's very comfortable of course but like…there is no stealth factor wearing this," Aria deadpanned. "And it's my size exactly which, while nice, is odd. Thank you nonetheless."
"Well, I find it suits you well. The green brings out the color of your hair and counters the lighter green of your eyes which makes them stand out more… I hope you know you are a very beautiful woman Aria," she said kindly.
Aria blushed at the comment before looking away, never receiving such a comment from someone before. She turned around and grabbed her daggers that laid on the dresser behind her, stashing them on the inner part of her boots where she had made a pocket for them. She grabbed her small sword and put the sheath over her head and adjusted the attached strap till it felt comfortable. Nodding her head slightly she turned to look at Frigga once more. Aria swallowed thickly as she saw the warm look on the woman's face, her mother's face flashing before her eyes.
"I don't mean to be rude but is that all?" Aria asked while shifting uncomfortably.
"Yes…we'll have more time to talk another day. Come, I'll show you to Heimdall," Frigga said before walking towards the door. Aria followed silently stopping as the woman stopped as well, "I do just want to thank you…Loki is very…he feels unloved and unworthy of many things. I hope you may have opened his eyes to see that there are people who still see the good in him. So you have my greatest appreciation."
Without another word, Frigga opened the door and they walked to wherever Heimdall was in silence. Aria made a mental note of the twists and turns of the palace. She truly felt like it was a maze of a place, each turn offering a larger part of the place than the one before. They reached the beginning of one hallway that had no other turns, a single door sitting at the end wall. Frigga walked forward elegantly and Aria couldn't help but notice how she made little to no noise as her footsteps hit the ground. Narrowing her eyes at that, she began to wonder what else this woman was hiding under her sleeve. She remembered how Hati spoke of her casting a spell and wondered if there were spells to mask the footfalls of someone. She nodded her head in appreciation before the sounds of rapping at a door jarred her thoughts and she looked up waiting.
"Come in My Queen," a gruff voice called from behind.
Frigga opened the door and beckoned Aria to go in first. Accepting the offer with a small thank you, she stepped in to what felt another world. The room itself seemed surreal and Aria felt as if she were floating. All around her were floating planets, stars, and even whole galaxies. Stunned to say anything, Aria turned around and took in everything she could around her. Her eyes barely able to capture just everything she was seeing before a cough brought her back down from her fascination. She looked over to where she heard it come from, seeing a dark-skinned man sitting down as his yellow eyes seemingly pierced her soul.
"The one who I cannot see no matter where she may be…" his deep raspy voice enclosed her, "welcome to Asgard. I hope it has found you well."
Aria stayed staring at him, the hairs on the back of her neck rising at his words. She watched him bring his hand up in front of him, her muscles beginning to tense and her hands slowly inching to call up her daggers. Suddenly he snapped and the worlds around them disappeared, bringing back a normal room sparsely furnished with a bed and a nightstand behind him. Aria let out a breath and relaxed. She looked behind her only to notice she was alone. Looking back at him slowly, she took a couple steps forward and sat down as well.
"It has been…interesting...however I have a couple questions. Some I'm hoping you can answer for me?"
"Go on,"
Aria swallowed the lump forming in her throat, anxiety beginning to pool in her stomach. She was here for answers, whether they helped her or not was another story. "You said you can't see me but your infamous for being able to see everyone…why? Why can't you see me now but could before…before…"
"Before Yamilex Czen was killed?"
"Uh yeah…after she died my father said you couldn't see me any longer. Why?"
"While I'm not certain, I believe it has to do with what you house inside. Before that moment, you'd never fully accepted the beasts power. I assume the catalyst for this particular issue seems to stem from your acceptance for upon afterwards you were unable to be seen."
"So my father wasn't lying…"she said under her breath.
"No he was not. Your father is a lot of things but a liar is not amongst his titles."
"What do you know of stones holding immense power?" She questioned abruptly, the words leaving her lips before she could stop them.
"Stones of immense power...are you referring to the Infinity Stones?" He shifted his head and Aria hummed in response, "they were created before time itself it is told. Encountering these relics is very rare and dangerous. The effect they have on those who interact with them result in madness or worse, death. Have you encountered one?"
Aria swallowed thickly before shaking her head. She didn't think it smart to tell anyone of her interactions with the stones. They would most likely not trust her even more than what they did now and she still had things to find out for herself here. She wasn't keen on sending herself to one of the cells or being experimented on again. Those days were long past her.
"Well thank you…uh I have one more question…"
"Of course, what is it?"
"Where is my brother at right now?"
oOXXOo
Aria walked onto the field where many others were training. Metal scraping against metal echoed around the whole area, the grunts and yells of mostly men the only other sound. Walking through the middle of it all unfazed, Aria continued straight forward her mind set on one thing. Her brother. From what Heimdall told her, he was apparently her twin because they looked a lot alike minus the hair. While she had the pink hair like their father, he had been born with jet black hair. Green eyes, tan skin. All but the hair. She raked the area before double taking back to the northeastern area of the field. For a brief moment his eyes connected with hers and she had a feeling that was him. Walking over, she stopped once she reached their pocket of the practice area and waited patiently for him to finish his spar.
Her brother was tall, much taller than she was. Well built, only slightly less bulkier than Thor. He definitely wasn't the giant that their father was, at least not yet. Aria watched his expertise being shown on how to handle a sword, impressed by his ability to overcome his opponent quickly. He relentlessly attacked until the other man's sword was ripped from his own hand, her brother pointing the sharp edge at the man's throat.
"Ahh I believe to be the victor yet again good friend," his voice was deep and smooth, his accent thick like Thor's, "may we place a leaf in this training and pick up tomorrow. I have some…other things to attend to currently it seems."
They shook hands and her brother looked at her with a weird glint in his eyes. He sheathed his sword and walked past her, bumping her shoulder forcefully as he did so. Aria sighed and turned to follow the apparently angry child. He walked up to another man and turned in his sword and gloves before walking into the streets of the city. Aria groaned internally before catching up to him and getting in front of him.
"What's with the anger? I haven't done anything to you."
"No. I want nothing to do with you though," he stated callously before walking around her.
"What- wait why?" Aria questioned as she followed him.
"You hit my father. For no good reason. That's why. You're lucky I don't slay you where you stand." He spit out quietly, his voice dripping with anger.
"The anger I have with our father only resonates with him. You on the other hand, you're just a stranger who is my brother. Plus I doubt you can beat me…. Can you just stop and listen to me?!" Aria huffed out as she grabbed his arm.
Her brother stopped, turned around, and knocked her hand away from him. His eyes flaring with anger and disdain made Aria flinch back. She couldn't understand why he was mad. Not entirely. Yes she did hit their father but it was all within reason. He just didn't know her pain, didn't understand why she did what she did.
Let me explain to you little brother please, Aria screamed in her mind and hoped her eyes sent the message to him.
As if it did, his features relaxed and he looked down sighing. He stood up to his full height and crossed his arms, lifting his eyes back to her. Aria stared at his face, finding ghostily traces of Huskon within him. Blinking her eyes rapidly to stow away random tears, she fidgeted with herself. She was taken aback by how strong the emotions were hitting her but chalked it up to being nervous. Lately, everything seemed to make her emotional and she couldn't pin why. Instead, she focused on the matter in front of her; her little brother.
"Look…I've lived for 150 years now and…father he…he left my mom and I behind. Why? I have no idea still. He didn't offer me an explanation okay? He just said he thought I was dead because Heimdall couldn't see me after my mother died. But she died when I turned 20. So where was he those 20 years? I only met him once and the memory isn't truly mine to even say that…and so seeing him and hearing his excuse just…I shouldn't have hit him okay? But what would you have done?" Aria explained quietly, "you've had him your whole life…which I don't even know how old you are. Or even your name?"
"Well…I don't believe that hitting the man would't gotten you any answers," He said shaking his head, the playfulness back in his voice making Aria feel relieved. "I'm 120 years old…and my name is Fjor."
"Fjor huh? Well it's nice meeting you. I thought I was alone in the world after I lost my mom and brother, so it really is nice knowing I have someone."
"Who said I would be 'someone' to you?"
Aria stared at him confused, the serious glint in his eyes confusing her. Did he not want to know her? At the end of the day they were family yet he wouldn't even give them a chance as siblings? She laughed. She couldn't help it. Here she was, Aria Czen the one with no one, laughing on Asgard all because she came searching for her family who just seemed to be filled with disappointments.
"You know what? You're right. I'm a fucking idiot," she breathed the last part out before turning around and walking away. Each step breaking her heart even more.
I want to go home.
Where is our home?
Aria's eyes watered as Hati's words sunk in. She continued to walk, not hearing anything besides what he had said play over and over. She began to breathe in and out rapidly before suddenly finding herself feeling suffocated by all the people around her. The street seemed to be so much more packed as everyone walking by her ran into her. Each hit made her feel dizzy to the point she then began to feel disoriented. Twisting and turning in the thrum of people. Everything around her blurred and the colors that were once vibrant were now dull. She turned and turned, trying to find something. Anything. But what was she searching for?
"I thought you dead."
"I want nothing to do with you."
"It seems that evil is within us as well."
"To him you were nothing but a smear on his grand reputation here on Asgard!"
"This lady is a wolf in sheep drapes"
"they can't be controlled."
Aria gasped before sending energy into her legs and arms before running. The words of others were now being shouted in her mind and mixing within each other. She pushed her way through the crowd as tears ran hotly down her cheeks. Screams began to overpower the words, screams of those she killed and for a moment Aria felt like she could recount who's scream belonged to whom. Energy began to pool into her stomach, twisting and turning, almost to the point of begging to be released. She felt relief hit her slightly once she made it into the tree line but continued running further into it, the wisps of energy in her beginning to become too much. She grunted as she ran into a tree, but quickly recovered and continued running. Each step allowed a new voice, a new scream, a new plea for their life. But she knew how it ended. With blood.
She reached a clearing and dropped to her knees. She looked up at the heavens with her tear ridden eyes before squeezing them tightly. The voices in her head began to be too much and in an attempt to calm it she brought her hands up to apply pressure against the sides of her head. Sobs took over her body as she listened to each voice. Each one begging for their life, just to hear them scream before sounds of blood squelching and dripping down her blades were left. She heard the tear of their skin. Faces flashed behind her eyes and dizziness hit her like a truck.
"STOP!" She bawled as the energy building up within her released itself.
She doubled over as she gasped in and out for air. Each breath in and out stung and Aria choked on every other intake. She curled into herself despite knowing it would hinder her breathing more. She wanted to be as little as possible. However, the sound of something falling caught her attention. Slowly looking up, Aria's eyes widened when she realized the destruction around her. Sitting up quickly she looked around as fear sunk it's teeth into her soul. All around her about three meters out the earth was indented. The trees that were about ten meters away were pushed down as if a child ran over a bed of flowers. She looked around shakily before looking down at her shaking hands.
How?…Why is my energy…
Stronger? That my child is due to your interactions with the stones. I've already seen you contemplating their affect on you and your energy. You are right in your speculations. They do not only grant you a portion of their ability but also mold your power to theirs. The space and mind stone have enhanced you greatly.
They're making me into a monster! Before-before I could only decimate a room! And even then…it was it was nothing like this?!
This is a good thing. This means you can handle much more of my energy. Your interactions with the stones are strengthening you as my vessel.
You mean making me more of something dangerous.
We are not monsters…we are what others perceive but their implications aren't truth. You know better.
I'm calling myself a monster! Not anyone else, it is just me doing this! It's me who destroyed this area! It's me who've killed the people closest to me! This power brings nothing but death.
Stop pitying yourself.
Pity?! I didn't want this life! And it's not like I can end it, not with you inside. You wouldn't dare let me!
And I wasn't asked to be caged yet here I am with a vessel who can't even tell when she's been cursed to feel all these things inside.
Cursed?! The fucking spell was that?!
Aria yelled out in frustration and her energy seemed to be humming under her skin just begging to be used again in such fashion. She grimaced at the feeling and brought her shaking hands to her head. Tears welled in her eyes as she took breaths in and out rapidly.
"I am fine…I am in control…" she whispered hotly, "I am fine…I am in control…"
"Well Lady Aria, it seems to me you are not fine," a voice called out to her.
Aria's eyes widened as her gaze snapped over to where the voice was at. Thor whistled as he twirled his hammer while staring at the demolished area. His smile was big on his face but slackened when his impressed gaze clashed with her fearful one. He walked closer to her and Aria was suddenly struck with the fear that she may hurt him. She threw a hand out in a stopping motion but Thor ignored her shaking hand. He squatted down in front of her before lowering her hand down with his. Aria choked on a sob as she stared at him, eyes frantically looking into his.
"Don't let the darkness consume you. Just as you said, our position with good and evil is dependent on winning fights such as this. I know not what demons you fight in your mind but know this…you are no longer alone in these fights." He softly said before gripping her hand in his.
Aria cracked. She sobbed at the severity of his words. It rocked her harder than before, the storm bottled inside now breaking from its bottle she so carefully built to withstand it. She held onto his hand like a lifeline. Memories, old and new, swirled through her head and she cried the tears she'd never shed before. Warm arms enveloped her and she sunk into them. They were the one thing holding her from collapsing completely into herself like she had moments before. Except this time the load seemed slightly lighter than before.
They stayed in the field for a long time. Thor held her close to him and didn't let go even after her cries turned to sobs which then turned to silence. He uttered not another word for which she was grateful. Aria didn't think she could speak with everything clouding her. Once her tremors seized did he let up on the tight embrace, but still stayed holding her like a small child. She couldn't remember the last time someone did such a thing for her.
"You seem to have calmed enough now," he drawled out slowly, "if I may ask…when was the last time you ever shared the burdens of your life?"
"Only within my mind…" she answered into his chest.
"If I may shoulder just a small portion of whatever plagues you…if you consider anyways…"
"I've been alone practically my whole life Thor…the voice in my head has been the only one there and even he seems to consider my misgivings minuscule. And I know they are, in the whole scheme of things, but they just…they are just a lot…"
"Speak them now while your heart bleeds for them?"
"Like I said earlier…this power brings so much with it…death being a constant companion. Rightful or not I don't care. Every person I've had to kill is engraved in my head. Every person hurt because of me. I have a lot of blood covering my hands that not even the ocean can clean. And I deal with it alone because I am alone. But how much more do I have to deal with? My family…it's just so complicated and coming here has made it even more complicated. I thought I was an orphan for the longest time and yet I have a father and a brother but I'm unwanted. That alone kills me…everyone around me just leaves Thor…everyone leaves no matter what I do," she sharply breathed in and out, "am I not enough to stay for? Am I so bad that everyone leaves? That no one wants to keep me with them? I've tried my damn hardest to be good, to do good but it's not enough…it's never enough…for once I want to be enough."
Thor tightened his hold on her which caught Aria by surprise. She looked up at him to see his eyes looking out in the distance. His lips drew in a tight line before he sighed and looked down at her, eyes swirling with various emotions before his lips parted to speak, "I know of someone who feels the same way. His path has led him to chains…I refuse to let that happen to you. From this point on you have me and I shall say with confidence that my presence won't stray."
Aria sniffled before nudging her head into his chest, a small part of her hoping that his words were more than just that. Words.
oOXXOo
Aria walked behind Thor as they searched for his mother. After their heart to heart, Aria confessed that she believed his mother was partially the reason why her feelings were so rampant. To her it made sense now due to her normally letting only small bits of grief to be felt. Aria normally had better control over her emotions and she had told Thor she wasn't confident in her strength to control her powers from reacting to said emotions at this time. So they both came to conclude that his mother needed to lift whatever spell she cast in order to protect Aria and the people around her. So now they were back in the main building, or castle, searching for her.
The halls were alive with conversation as people walked past them. Women were bantering with one another, fluttering themselves the moment Thor walked past them. Aria kept her eyes low for the most part but couldn't help rolling them at the various women who would flaunt themselves out to the oblivious man. His gaze was straight and searching with not a glance spared at their feeble attempts of "woeing" him. He stopped suddenly and Aria almost bumped into him. A grin broke his serious demeanor as he turned slightly to grab onto her arm before all but dragging her away to the left.
"Mother!" He called out and Aria looked up to see the woman standing with others. "Ladies, I must request my mothers audience for a short moment. She'll be back by the time you can bid a farewell."
They giggled at his words before walking a few strides away and mingling within themselves. Frigga smiled at them both but Aria noticed she stared at her a tad bit longer before her bright smile aimed itself at Thor.
"What issue could warrant such a visit from my son?"
"I want control over myself again." Aria deadpanned as she glared at her.
"Oh," she breathed out, "I assume that the emotional rollercoaster has reached its peak?"
"Mother, this is not a game."
"She needed to feel it all. No games have been played. Years of hiding those burdens underneath the façade of control," Frigga said softly as she stepped to be right in front of Aria, "my child, our emotions is what makes us stronger, not weaker. They are the fuel to what we burn to do, without that kindling all you shall have are embers."
Frigga's hand came out to touch her cheek and Aria froze at the contact. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at Frigga. Her warm pools of honey brown stared into her soul and Aria couldn't help the tears that began to pool in her own eyes. Suddenly, she wasn't staring at Frigga anymore. Her mom was standing in front of her with a sad smile and her thumb raked over her cheek. Just like she remembered. Aria's head tilted to the side as she scanned over her mothers face, her breath coming in and out shallow. Aria's eyes widened as she saw blood trickle from her ear and then her nose. Panic racked through her body at the sight, her mothers eyes now turning opaque as she continued staring. Lifeless.
"No…moms gone…I want out, I can't do this anymore…I WANT. OUT." Aria yelled as she backed away, her mothers haunted eyes flinching, "My mother is dead! Gone! Your parlor tricks can't bring her back and I felt everything I've needed to feel. I'm dangerous this way. Feelings are not my fire. They are my demise! Can't you see that?"
Frigga frowned at the exclamation before looking at Thor. Aria rubbed at her eyes in frustration and was slightly relieved to find Frigga standing in front of her again.
"Please…"Aria said hoarsely, "I can't tell what's real. Whatever spell you cast…please take it away…"
The sorceress sighed before waving a glowing hand through the air, "it has been undone. I still believe that the grief you shy from must be faced, fully, no matter the consequence."
"Mother that is not your place to decide. I found Lady Aria in the middle of one of our fields, the land decimated. While I agree with what you speak of, this was not the course I believe should have been taken." Thor retorted as he threw his arms around Aria and pulled her with him as he walked away.
Aria didn't fight it because she was too caught up within her head. Those strong emotions were there but no longer threatening to overtake her. It was as if she could see into a pond bustling with fish yet the surface of the water was undisturbed. She noted how her body felt numb but she concluded she was probably in a state of shock from seeing her dead mother. Despite the eeriness of it all, Aria was beyond content to have a handle over herself again. She was grateful for Thor at the moment, his grip on her never loosening as they made their way to wherever it was that Thor was taking them. One step in front of the other was all she wanted to focus on. It was all the energy she could muster.
Suddenly they were back in Thor's room and sitting on the couch. Thor draped a soft, silk blanket over her shoulders and Aria accepted it gratefully. She mulled over her drowned feelings silently. Her eyes downcast.
"Are you okay?"
"I believe so…it's just so weird. From the moment I spoke with your mom my emotions were at the forefront of every word and action. Now? It's as if they weren't ever really there…like a dream."
"The spell my mother cast on you was not for the meek. She is a powerful witch, grew up with them as child. My mother is peculiar and mischievous, much of what my brother inherited is from her."
"I know her intentions were good but not being able to control my emotions was…frightening…it's the one thing in my full control."
"I understand. I'm sorry for your troubles."
Aria hummed as she continued looking down. The rest of her day was spent on the couch, cuddled with the blanket. All the while she internally struggled with the newfound epiphany. Emotions should've been what made her human but when she fully felt them she was short of a monster. So what did that make her now that the spell was wiped and she barely felt anything at all?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi everyone! I'm so sorry for the longest break but my old laptop finally gave out. RIP to it 2016-2021. Now I have a new one though so updates should be quick. I still was able to write though on my phone, just wasn't able to post anything. So chapters will be out fairly quickly.
I hope this chapter makes sense. It was a bitch and a half to write, along with me scrapping things often. I was finally happy with this version to post it so please let me know what you think :) Flowers out.