Loki and Tyra's absence caused a great deal of worry. Thor didn't doubt they strayed away, but to his surprise Heimdall himself couldn't locate them anywhere in the Nine Worlds.

Distressed, but with his usual determination, The God of Thunder decided to teleport back to Jotunheim to look for answers. Thor was impulsive and certainly arrogant, but he cared deeply for his loved ones. Being loyal and sincere, the favorite of Asgard ventured the realm of Giants with the intention to find them, risking his life in the process. Unfortunately, he couldn't find anything.

Imagine his surprise when, a day later, the Trickster and the Vanir suddenly appeared at the gates of the Bifrost. They said the device's malfunction teleported them back to Jotunheim by mistake, although their strange explanation could leave one wondering if there was something else they were not sharing. And of course, that was the case, because as soon as both regained the castle, they rushed to hide a travel sack full of mysterious goods snuck through Heimdall's perception.

Whatever happened in that dungeon where they landed by accident remained a total mystery to everyone. No one but Lady Sif remarked that more than once, Loki and Tyra discreetly made their way into the catacombs. They brought with them some old books, spending hours inside as if researching something.

After that incident, life in Asgard resumed it's usual routine.

It was a tedious period before the next campaign to Jotunheim.

Loki, who unlike anyone else never remained idle for long, decided it was time to put his plans concerning Thor and Tyra into action:

With his innate subtlety, the Prince started turn the couple against each other, using his trusted position to create misunderstandings between them. With remarkable ability, he gave bad advice veiled as innocent concern, came up with lies, instigated disputes, slowly using this poison to ruin their marriage.

The loving relationship was transformed in a few weeks... Suddenly both seemed perpetually annoyed at each other, fighting for no reason.

The God of Mischief, who didn't miss a thing by a blink, was conveniently around to offer his support and his friendship. Under a mask of genuine concern, he listened, he sympathized; but above all, he ensured that the right words were said at the right time, pushing them to act as he intended.

To see if things were going as planned, the Sorcerer transformed into a raven and flew to the balcony in the couple's room. The other ravens that lived around the castle recognized him immediately as an impostor, and tried to beak him away. The fuss caught Tyra's attention, so she stepped in to defend the spy from the real birds.

When Thor arrived, it didn't take long before an argument started. Moments later Tyra left their chamber, so clearly beyond herself that she stormed through the corridors. Thor impulsively tried to go after her, but seeing that she disappeared inside the gardens of the palace, not wishing to speak to him, took off his gauntlet and threw it on the floor as a sign of frustration. Hopeless, the God of Thunder regained their bedroom.

The next day the raven returned. Tyra was alone but soon Thor showed up, filling the room with tension. They hadn't seen each other since their last dispute. Not sure of what to say, she remained with her back turned to him, simply petting the bird. Her feathery companion, alit on her arm, tilted it's head to observe Thor with it's beady eyes.

A bit resentful at first, the God of Thunder removed his cloak in silence, watching his wife from behind. Finally, his expression softened and he walked towards her, trying to make a bit of conversation. His tone was reconciling and humorous, clearly expressing how he wished for them to get closer again:

'This creepy bird is back to see you again. Careful, I could be jealous, you know...' He passed his arms around the woman's waist, pressing a loving kiss on her bare shoulder.

'I am sorry, Thor.' Tyra forfeited. Her eyes were starting to be filled with tears as she reciprocated his affections. 'I...!'

Their reconciliation was suddenly interrupted as the raven charged at Thor, causing them to break their embrace. Pissed, he shooed the animal with a vigorous poke.

The raven let out a threatening 'caw!' and dizzily flew off the balcony. It flapped across the castle, entering the old tower by the window.

As soon as Loki reverted to his original form, he kneeled on the ground with a grunt of pain and threw up on the floor.

Not only flying as a bird has always made him extremely nauseous, his brother's bullseye hit caused him to lose any sense of orientation altogether.

'Fucking Hel! The Kraken itself would've hit me more gently.' He cursed, resting against the wall to recover. 'But be certain, brother, that tonight I will fly back to your room, and return the favor tenth-fold.'

Unaware of this invisible enemy, Thor couldn't suspect that Loki prepared a decisive strike that night.

Certifying that his brother was alone and asleep, he nonchalantly helped himself with some fruit and sat on a chair, patiently waiting until Tyra returned.

As soon as the astute sorcerer heard steps on the corridor, he rushed to the door and walked out, shape shifting into the form of Lady Sif.

Thor's wife stopped on her tracks with astonishment as she saw a female form sneaking out of their chamber. The corridors were mostly plunged into darkness, but she could still distinguish the dark locks of a woman and a female silhouette running in front of her.

'Hey...? You there. Stop!' She yelled going after the unknown lady, but clumsy bumped into a sentinel.

'Princess!' The guard exclaimed in surprise. 'Is everything all right?'

Embarrassed, hurt by what she saw, Tyra mumbled an apology and rushed back to her husband. She angrily demanded for an explanation.

Thor swore on his innocence, but no reconciliation was possible this time.

Building walls around herself, the Vanir woman started to retreat into isolation for the following weeks. Because of this Thor felt unwanted around her and was out more often.

Far from considering the extent of his actions, The Trickster celebrated that the plan he so eagerly worked on was a success.

'The damage is done. Thor can explain himself all he wants... By casting the shadow of doubt, trust between them is forever broken.'

The fact that Loki risked compromising Lady Sif in the process gave him a good reason for laughs: What a great prank and payback for the maiden's audacity of sticking her nose in his business!

Days after...

'I am here to help!'

'Let me go, Loki!'

The corridors, set ablaze. The chaos consuming the palace of Asgard, Loki dragging her through the flames in order to save them from death.

She had been there before, she knew exactly how things would play out. Yet the last thing Tyra wished for was to go through that hell again. But mercilessly, the dream repeated itself exactly as before, finally coming to the scene she dreaded the most:

She and Loki were quarreling, at the top of the old guard tower.

But this time she could see and hear everything that was happening clearly. The annihilating hate that vibrated in each one of their words caused the hairs on the on the back her neck to stand up. It was truly an horrifying scene, that of two people ripping on each other's weaknesses.

'There you are: Safe and free to leave, if my very presence disgusts you so much!' He said letting her arm go as they approached the windows. She jumped through the opening to the outside, eager to leave his side.

Having enough of her stubborn resistance to receive his help, even in the face of death, The Prince growled in rage, deeply hurt and humiliated:

'You should be grateful I came back for you. No one else cares. Tell me, you underserving piece of shit, if you perish here today who else will shed a single tear for you?'

She halted immediately at these words, as if he just stabbed her. He brought to light those demons she tried to keep at bay for a lifetime...

'Your kind in Vanaheim?' He pushed on. 'Those who wouldn't answer your pathetic letters begging for a crumble of affection, of forgiveness? Well, I lied to you. There was an answer, only one short, dismissive, cold letter: Out of pity, dear, I burnt it.'

At his final revelation she saw herself falling to her knees with an unexpected, horrific scream. Bending over her stomach, she sobbed hopelessly, completely destroyed.

Shocked, Loki stepped closer, obviously taken by remorse, but she suddenly jumped back on her feet and pulled him closer by the collar of his cloak. Their faces were inches apart, and her expression was so frighteningly cruel when she replied, that Loki withdrew a bit:

'From the shadows of Thor, Odin's true heir, the bastard son returns...! The real reason why you seek to destroy Asgard, is because you have failed in every possible way. How does it feel to know that you will always live as a shadow, invisible and alone, yearning to be anyone but yourself?'

A tear slid and got stuck halfway through his face, making a clear line in the dark soot. His expression was blank with shock, yet his eyes gave away how devastating these words were. It was, paradoxically, the deep affection that she had for him that now wounded, urged to hurt back in revenge. Annihilated by his emotions, he imprudently stepped back towards the edge. The Prince didn't acknowledge a large gap in the floor, hidden by heavy smoke. Stumbling, they instinctively held to each other for balance, falling into the the abyss below, and faded away in it's bottomless shadows.

Tyra woke up in a sweat. She found Thor still asleep next to her, but didn't dare to go for him for comfort. Feeling anguished and alone, the woman left the room and walked to the forests surrounding the castle. Under the quiet moonlight and surrounded by peaceful nature, she hoped to find relief for her aching heart.

Finally stopping next to a waterfall, she entered it, allowing the water to fall gently over her. It was a soothing sensation, so the Princess just sat under the current for a while, until she heard a noise approaching from some bushes nearby.

The tall silhouette of a man pushed the foliage out of the way, becoming distinguishable under the light of the moon. She recognized Loki, but this time he wasn't the revengeful man she just saw in her dreams. He was smiling with affection and a hint of pleasantry, as he often did to her.

Silently, the Prince stepped inside the pound, not minding the water that promptly soaked his clothes and hair.

Feeling that dear presence next to her, the Princess sought how much she loved her friend, and her heart contracted painfully:

'Loki, please promise me that we won't ever fight to the point we'll want to hurt one another.'

'We've been mad at each other before.' He shook his head, puzzled. 'It never lasted for more than a minute. Why are you so worried about that all of a sudden?'

The Trickster sat in front of her, bidding her to explain.

'People who live with such a deep, open wound like us... Sometimes... They end up hurting the ones they love the most. After Vanaheim and Thor, I thought I didn't care enough to be hurt this way again. But Loki, you still have the power to hurt me. And I would never forgive myself if I did the same to you.'

'...You will find me to be loyal to you in a way Thor could never be, or anyone you've left behind.' He interrupted, his voice absolutely convinced. In spite of his treacherous actions, this time he was telling the truth, it was impossible for Tyra not to be reassured. 'Just try me.'

He came closer and tenderly took the woman in his arms. Comforted, the Vanir gave in to the warm embrace, and leant her head on his shoulder as a silent thank you. She became aware, with the proximity, of Loki's strangely accelerated heartbeats.

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