HEY! Guess what...
I PAST MY EXAMS... all except one... but that doesn't matter because... even better...
I GRADUATED! read it again... I GRADUATED! OMG I DID!
And now I'm ready for University... I guess...
Anyway, I know I promised a quick update, but you see holidays... I was in London. So every Londoner (or London tourist) reading this: if you saw a group of crazy and disturbing Belgians during the first week-ish of July... That was us... I LOVE LONDON! (and Shakespeare, and Harry Potter, and Billy Elliot, and freaking the whole of London)
Whatever, start to read, people! I believe this is the longest chapter I've written until now, meaning that if you see spelling mistakes, please don't kill me! I'm just too freaking lazy to edit properly!
ENJOY
Chapter 46
Loki took a deep breath. He was getting tired, but he refused to give in. Arya threw him an encouraging smile… or was she just smiling of excitement? After all, they had a plan now!
The young king sliced his way through the bandits. One by one they dissolved in the air, only one time a painful scream cut through Loki's soul. Arya was fighting right behind him, moving like a dark and swift shadow. The dissolving illusions around her created a waving cloud which caught the bright sunlight like a diamond. Loki smiled. Her eternal enthusiasm gave him the strength to keep going. With every step they took, the pair got closer to what had been the local open theatre. It had no solid roof, but was covered in a big transparent glass dome. Storborg was known far and wide as the city of light because of the constant reflected sunlight. Inside, the theatre existed of one round stage in the middle, surrounded by rows of seats climbing to the sky. Right now, most of the famous beauty of the theatre had been destroyed. The glass dome was broken, sparkling splinters now covering the stage and seats. The carved wooden door had been ripped out of its hinges and one side of the building had been transformed into a ruin. Nevertheless, it was as good as empty. No bandit found it necessary to keep an eye on the theatre.
When the duo finally reached the door, they were out of breath. Both of them stumbled inside and sank to the ground.
After a couple of seconds Loki took a deep breath and turned to his Captain.
"I presume the sorcerers will notice I'm searching for them. Once they do, they will probably send their forces inside. Then it's your turn! You'll have to keep them away until I'm done. I don't know how long it will take… If you see they'll overrun you, you fall back and you leave me behind! Is that understood?"
Arya smiled and shook her head. "With all due respect, sire, but I will go down fighting!"
Loki sighed but smiled. He didn't have time to argue about this.
The young king took a deep breath.
"Right then, we'll better get started…" he said.
For a second, Arya looked worried, but she quickly forced a serious expression on her face. She knew this was the only way…
Loki nodded and Arya got back to her feet. She readied her bow and smiled to her king who was still sitting at her feet.
"Good luck, sire!" she said.
Loki smiled back before closing his eyes. He crossed his legs and set up straight. Now it was only a matter of concentrating. Slowly, all sounds faded, making place for the steady beating of his heart and slow breath. Loki put his hands on his knees. Now it was just him and his magic, raging through his veins. No Storborg, no theatre, no fighting…
The young king took another breath before focusing on the present magic. With an enormous burst of magic he forced a thin, almost invisible layer of energy to flow from his body over the ground and creep further over the battlefield and the rest of Storborg. Further and further, faster and faster. Every time he passed an illusion, Loki's senses would peek and inform him of the possibility of a sorcerer, but the young king ignored them. He knew the actual sorcerers would feel a lot stronger than the illusions. Just when Loki started worrying that he wouldn't find anything useful, he hit upon an extremely strong and dark source of magic. Loki opened his eyes, but he didn't see the theatre. He was watching on the spot where he'd found the source through the eyes of one of his own invisible illusions. There was nothing to see, but Loki could feel the presence of something powerful. The young king forced a new wave of magic through his fingertips to flood the ground. The air above the source started flickering and then, just like that, a man appeared. He was tall and completely hidden underneath his dark cloak. His arms were stretched in Loki's illusion's direction, his palms facing forward. In the skin of the man's palms Loki could spot a weird symbol existing out of three curled up lines, all connected in the middle.
The young king frowned, although his projection didn't show that emotion. He knew that symbol. It had been a while since he'd last seen it, but still… it would never leave his memory. The only problem was that he'd never expected to see it on this dark sorcerer. It was the symbol of Merlin, after all. A symbol of light.
Loki wasn't given much time to think about it, because the dark sorcerer lifted his head. From underneath his dark hood, two yellow eyes lit up and revealed a wicked smile.
Suddenly Loki hit upon two other sorcerers, quickly followed by another three. Every time, the young king send another projection towards the source. One by one the sorcerers became visible. All six of them, hidden underneath their dark robes and burned with Merlin's symbol in their palms.
Loki swallowed and shivered on his spot in the theatre. Although his light grey eyes were staring into the world, he only saw what his projections were broadcasting. Six different views, spread over the battlefield. Six… Six skilled and dark sorcerers who didn't seem impressed or alarmed by the fact that Loki had discovered them. They just remained calm and didn't move a muscle nor did they drop their spells.
And then, out of nowhere, an ice cold voice echoed through the young king's mind.
Loki, Son of Odin, Son of Laufey… Apprentice of Frigga, child of two worlds, king of lies and mischief,… You truly are a powerful sorcerer…
Loki shivered and almost lost control over his projections. Feverishly he searched for the sorcerer who was speaking to him, but none of the six was preforming this kind of spell. There had to be another sorcerer somewhere. One Loki couldn't find… One who could hide… And one who was powerful enough to create a link without Loki's permission. The young king knew he was in danger. Someone was inside his mind. Dark memories of the time he was still connected with The Other drifted through his mind, but Loki forced them to disappear. He had to be careful now. Any sign of fear could be used against him.
Who are you? Loki asked.
A creepy laugh echoed through the young king's mind.
Do not pretend you do not know us…
Loki frowned. He really had no idea who he was talking to.
Please, enlighten me…
It stayed silent for a couple of seconds.
Your power is failing… the voice continued, ignoring Loki's question. You are strong, yet tired. Join us and you will become even greater…
Loki shook his head. For some reason he had the idea that there was something he didn't know. Something he definitely was supposed to know, or at least remember. This sorcerer was talking to him as if they'd already met.
Why are you here? What are you trying to accomplish? These people have done nothing to you…
Again that hollow laugh. Loki felt his magic weaken. He forced a new wave of energy out his body.
These people are not our target… they are only a distraction, a call for your attention…
My attention?
We have awaited this moment for decades… Loki, Son of Frigga, master of lies, hidden frost giant… the time has come to join us…Together we…
A sudden scream ripped Loki from his trance. Someone tripped over his leg and fell back into his lap. With a shaky breath Loki came back to the theatre. The sunlight cut into his open eyes while all his magic uncontrollably burst back into his body.
The young king wanted to scream when the amount of energy burned his skin and muscles, but his voice got stuck in his throat. Blinking confusedly, Loki looked down and found Arya in his arms. The young Captain looked bewildered when her emerald eyes met Loki's.
"My lord, look out!" she screamed when a shadow suddenly arose behind Loki's back. The young king didn't hesitate and quickly rolled aside, with Arya still in his arms.
Loki looked up. He didn't know how long he'd been in trance, but the theatre was crowded with bandits. Arya was cut in several places, but she didn't show any sign of pain. Again three bandits attacked. Automatically Loki pushed Arya behind him and stretched his arm in his attackers' direction. With an enormous blast, the three bandits were thrown back.
Arya lifted her head and witnessed her king's magical attack. Clumsily, she got back to her feet. Just in time, because without warning, Loki suddenly stumbled backwards. Arya only just managed to keep him on his feet.
"My lord?" she asked. Loki's eyes turned away. For a second Arya could feel his weight increase in her arms, but the young king opened his eyes and forced himself to get back up.
"Time to fall back…" Loki said in a hoarse voice. Arya nodded and pulled her king away from the battle. Loki stumbled behind her. The colours around him started melting into each other. Somewhere he heard Arya call for Sif and Hogun. A gust of wind announced Thor's presence as well. Before Loki knew it he found himself back inside the school. Without further notice he sank to the ground, ignoring all the worried expression around him and. Loki pulled up his knees and buried his face in his clothes before closing his eyes. He felt as if the universe was spinning around him at a thousand miles an hour. He could still feel the slight pressure of the sorcerer in his mind which meant the link was still there.
"Loki!" Sif's voice sounded. Two hands tried to lift his head, but Loki shook them of.
"Seven…" Loki eventually muttered. He lifted his head and let his eyes adjust to the light while sounds of battle slowly found their way through. In front of him he could see three vague silhouettes which slowly got form. Fandral, Sif and Arya all stared at him with worried expressions covering their faces.
"Seven…" Loki repeated tiredly. "There're seven of them… and they're more powerful than I already thought, especially their leader…"
Leader… I'm not our leader… We don't have a leader, not anymore… the cold voice sounded in Loki's head.
The young king winced and rubbed his eyes.
"They're here for me apparently…" Loki continued, trying to ignore the sorcerer in his mind. "And there's one other thing…"
Loki turned silent for a second. His friends waited patiently.
"They bear the mark of Merlin…"
Sif and Fandral shared a look, pure fear and worry colouring their faces.
Loki noticed. Again he got the feeling there was something he needed to know.
The young king sighed. "If there is any dirty secret I'm not aware of, I demand you to tell me right now!"
Fandral and Sif turned quiet. Arya watched the two warriors with the same questioning look on her face as Loki.
"Seven you said?" a low voice suddenly sounded behind them. Fandral, Sif and Arya looked up. Loki turned around and found Thor standing behind him. For the first time in weeks, the God of Thunder didn't cast his usual scowl on Loki. Thor seemed genuinely worried and scared.
"Yes…" Loki confirmed. It stayed silent for a couple of seconds. "Anything you want to say, Thor?" Loki asked viscously.
The God of Thunder seemed to hesitate.
"Tell me, Thor!" Loki shouted furiously.
Thor sighed.
"Please, don't ask, Loki. It would burn you and turn you mad…"
If he hadn't been so tired, Loki would have started screaming against his brother, but right now he only stared back in disbelief.
Thor's expression turned sad. "There are things that are better kept quiet…" he said. "Yet one day, the truth will see the light, one way or another. I'll tell you everything you ought to know once the battle is fought."
Loki couldn't believe what he was hearing, but his exhausted mind couldn't find the strength to argue.
You truly have no idea who we are… the sorcerer sounded. Loki growled and rubbed his forehead before answering.
You have no idea who you're dealing with. Surrender or die! You will not find here what you are searching for! If I must, I will use other powers to destroy you!
The sorcerer laughed hoarsely. Oh, so I see… The Valkyrie stone… how exciting! Your knowledge of darkness is great, but lacks perfection. We can teach you this…
Why me? Why come to me?
Don't you crave for power, Loki Laufeyson… Don't you desire strength? To be stronger than that fool of a brother? Stronger than anyone, even the Allfather?
Loki swallowed. They were reading his thoughts. The young king turned to Sif.
"Remember what you promised Sif…" he started. "One sign of darkness and you kill me!"
Sif frowned. Loki seemed worse than ever. One moment he was present, the other his eyes dulled.
"Loki, what's going on?" she asked worriedly, but the young king seemed far away.
Join us, Loki! Together we can rule the universe! Even the great Thanos will fear us and bow at our feet!
Loki shook his head. "Shut up!" he shouted. His friends threw him a questioning glare, but the young king ignored them.
Leave me alone! he shouted back inside his head.
"We need to finish this!" Loki suddenly said. Fandral Sif and Arya looked up in surprise.
"My lord, you can't!" Arya said. Loki threw her an angry look.
"We don't have time, Arya!" he bit back while he tried to get on his feet once more. Fandral took his arm and pulled him back up.
"Loki, this is madness!" the golden warrior shouted.
The young king smiled shortly. "Good, that's right up my alley!"
"At least let someone come with you!" Fandral continued, but Loki shook his head.
"Not a chance! If I can't control his stone, it's safer not to be around me!"
Fandral opened his mouth to argue, but Loki threw him a meaningful look.
"That's an order!"
Without another word, Loki strode back to the ripped out door where Volstagg and Hogun were still fighting of the remaining bandits.
"Thor!" Loki shouted.
One second later a powerful earthquake raged through the city. All bandits dropped and the illusions dissolved.
"Everyone eyes on me, but keep your distance. I'll direct you to the sorcerers. Try to keep them busy until I get there!"
"Loki, this is not a good idea!" Thor interrupted. Loki turned to his brother. Every second they wasted here complaining, meant more chance for Loki to finally collapse.
"Nobody asked for your opinion, Thor!
Before anyone could say anything else, Loki threw himself into the fight. The others followed.
The young king closed his eyes and focused.
You cannot beat us, silver tongue… a voice sounded, but Loki ignored it. He started running.
"Fandral! With me!" Loki shouted. A golden flash informed him that Fandral was following. Loki kept running to one of the spots he'd felt the presence of a sorcerer. There was nothing to see, but Loki knew the sorcerer was there. Loki lifted his hands and blasted a wave of energy towards the one spot. Immediately the invisibility spell dropped and the sorcerer became visible. Fandral threw himself forward, but was blasted away by a simple wave of the man's hand. Loki attacked again. The sorcerer stumbled back which gave Fandral just enough time to charge. The man screamed when Fandral's sword cut through his dark robes.
Impressive… the voice echoed. Let's make it more interesting shall we…
Loki felt another power source close in.
"Fandral! Behind you!"
The golden warrior ducked aside and sliced blindly. Loki threw another wave of energy to the invisible newcomer who immediately became visible.
The second sorcerer charged towards Fandral, but got interrupted when Arya and Sif suddenly joined the fight.
In the next ten minutes the six sorcerers assembled around Loki while his friends joined the fight one by one. The illusions of the bandits were dropped. Now it was only the two fighting groups that remained. Although the six sorcerers were visible, the seventh was still only a voice in Loki's head which kept tormenting the young king with every step he took.
You fight with bravery, young ruler… the voice sounded. Your men are failing! Stop fighting us… join us!
Loki winced and answered. What could you possibly have to offer me?
A low snigger sounded. Everything!
Who are you?
We are legend, Loki… Our tale is old, yet our master will never leave memory. I would expect a sorcerer like you would know of us…
Your master? Loki asked in surprise. You said you didn't have a master!
Our master is long gone… he was murdered by none other than The Allfather, Odin… a fool who feared real power!
Loki frowned. He should have remembered that!
"Why me?" Loki shouted out loud while searching his surroundings for a sign of the seventh sorcerer. "Why come to me?"
Again that snigger.
You truly are ignorant… I wonder why…
Loki growled in anger. "What don't I know?" he shouted infuriated. "Who are you! What do you want from me?"
Your mother was a legendary witch… A true apprentice of my Master. Yet she lacked the intellect to make the right choice. Maybe she was weak as Odin, afraid of the powers we wielded.
Loki's eyes turned dark. He blindly burst a wave of energy through the air.
"How dare you insult my mother! And don't you ever compare her to Odin! She was nothing like him!"
Although you are not connected by blood, you do share your persistence with your mother!
"You don't speak of her!" Loki bit back, only to be laughed at inside his head.
You fool… You cannot stop us! We fooled your mother, we deceived your father… you think you stand any chance?
Loki wanted to answer when a sudden ice cold feeling spread over his whole body. The young king felt his legs lose strength, his view melted into one of pure darkness, all sounds faded… And then he opened his eyes. Storborg had disappeared . Instead he was facing a familiar scene. He was standing in his mother's chambers, back on Asgard.
Loki cursed under his breath. They'd done it. They'd put an idea inside his mind. The young king scanned his surroundings. Although the image was still getting formed, the detail was fantastic, which probably meant that this wasn't just an idea, but an actual memory. Loki looked down. He didn't have a body, he was just part of this memory, looking at the scene from the eyes of the seventh sorcerer.
Why were they on Asgard and why were they inside his mother's chambers. And more importantly, when were they?
Loki's heart stopped beating when a sudden figure formed in front of him. There she was, in all her glory. Queen Frigga, his mother, his tutor, his everything! Her bright eyes were filled with determination, hate and above all power. Her normally soft, gentle hands were clenched fists. Her golden hair shone in the evening sun which was colouring the room. Loki smiled. His mother looked younger, maybe a few millennia… The strong stab of grief tortured his heart, yet the joy of seeing her once again washed over his pain.
Your father was pathetic to think that he could beat us! Us, The Great Seven! The sorcerers voice sounded through Loki's mind while the memory got better formed. He had killed our Master on Midgard, but we escaped! In search for a new leader, we chose your mother, Queen Frigga. Who was better qualified than her? After all, she was our ticket into Asgard and to the power we deserved. Queen Frigga, mother of the worlds and strong as our master. Queen Frigga, apprentice of Merlin! Alas, she declined our offer! Now Frigga has left these realms. We trust she taught you everything her master ever told her and more! Follow us, Loki! We will make you stronger! We will make you our leader! Finish Merlin's noble work!
Loki was frozen. His heart stopped beating, his breath got stuck in his throat. All the joy he'd felt faded away to reveal a sickening feeling in his stomach.
Merlin? he thought. The Merlin…
The young king tried to recall the day he'd received the sad news that his idol, the Great Merlin, had passed on. He remembered he'd promised himself that day that he wouldn't rest until he could call himself Merlin's equal.
That's a lie! Loki shouted back.
I can see the betrayal now… the sorcerer sounded. Your mother tried to protect you… pathetic! Oh my… You're a child of lies, my lord!
Loki wanted to shout something back, if only to deny his mother's lie, but when he thought back of Thor's, Sif's and Fandral's faces when they heard about The Seven, he knew it had to be true.
A low laugh sounded through Loki's head while a grave sadness took hold of his broken heart. Another lie… one of many… Did they honestly think him that weak! Did she! His mother, who had told him he was strong!
I sense your anger, silver tongue… Use it, capture it! It will make you stronger! Let me show you the truth!
Before Loki's very eyes, the memory started moving. Loki got pulled away from the body of the seventh sorcerer until he found himself floating a bit to the side where he could see everyone. He looked down and discovered he had his own body, if only a poor projection of it.
Apparently he'd been standing on the small balcony, facing the gardens of Asgard. The Seven were standing in formation with their backs to the outside world. This time they weren't wearing their hoods, so Loki could see their faces. To his surprise he recognized two dark elves and one light elf. The others were Asgardians or Vanaheimers. The seventh sorcerer, being a dark elf, stepped forward, a wicked grin scarring his face.
He looked down on Frigga and smiled.
"Queen Frigga, Allmother and apprentice of Merlin, we give you the chance to join us, lead us in our mission!"
Frigga laughed, but it was nothing like the cute, ringing laughter Loki craved to hear. It was filled with disgust and pity.
"Ruling the realms by means of darkness is hardly a mission! It is utter madness! Even my master, Merlin, wouldn't have wanted this to happen! He was grieved and broken! A broken man does strange things! You are nothing more that monsters in search for blood!"
"Monsters you say…" the seventh sorcerer answered. "Like your bastard son, you mean! I'd say that our Queen is attracted to monsters."
"Don't you say one word about Loki! You will not use my family against me! You will fall in the depths of your own darkness!"
Loki felt a spark of proud warm his cold heart.
The seventh sorcerer made a clacking sound with his tongue. "You're pathetic, woman! Very well! But we will avenge our master! If you don't follow us, you will bow at our feet or die!
The next second hell broke loose. The seven sorcerers attacked as one. Frigga blocked the first attacks, but her shield cracked under the amount of energy. The beautiful queen was thrown back.
Loki screamed when he saw his mother hit the ground painfully. He rushed forward but when he altered to touch his mother, his hand went right through her fragile body. Loki looked up when another sound caught his attention. A low scream rang though the air when a blond boy jumped from behind a pillar.
Loki's eyes grew big when recognized the younger of his brother. Thor's eyes were filled with utter panic and fear and that one look Loki could only describe as : "I have no idea what I am doing!" and which he'd seen in Thor's eyes many times before.
The young, blond prince sprinted in Loki's direction, simply ran through his body and threw Mjölnir towards the seven sorcerers.
The Seven were taken by surprise and attempted to produce a shield. However, Mjölnir was known to be stronger than any kind of dark or light magic. In fact it was so perfectly balanced that it's power had no equal, except maybe an Infinity Stone.
The shield was blown to pieces and The Seven were thrown back. One by one they hit the ground and remained there, dazed and paralysed. At the same time, the doors of Frigga's chambers were busted open and Odin stormed inside, followed by at least two dozen warriors.
The Allfather cast a look on his pale son and his wife who was crawling back on her feet. She made eye contact with her husband and nodded, showing nothing but sadness on her otherwise cheerful face.
Odin ripped his eyes from his family and made his way to the seven sorcerers who were currently being pulled on their knees. Each one of them got a pair of magical handcuffs to keep them from using any kind of magic.
With darkness filling his eyes, the Allfather looked down on The Seven.
"According to the laws of the nine realms you are sentenced to death!" he roared. "To insure that you will not escape me a second time, your sentence will be performed right here and right now!"
The Seventh sorcerer looked up at the Allfather. Loki, who had been standing with his distressed mother and scared to death brother, walked closer so he could follow their conversation.
"Mark my words, Allfather! One day we will return! No one can hide! Not you, not your wife, not your fool of a son and not that bastard frost giant!"
Odin didn't show any emotion. He stepped away and nodded at the seven warriors standing behind the sorcerers. The warriors lifted their swords and watched their General, waiting for the final order. Odin lifted his arm.
"Asgard will always be protected by its forces!" the Allfather spoke. "Magic and sword alike! And even when I have passed on, the realms will stay protected by Thor's great powers on one side and Loki's magic and knowledge on the other! One spark of light is enough to conquer a world of darkness! I have two!"
Without another word, Odin pulled his arm down. Loki closed his eyes. He never enjoyed executions!
And just like that, Loki felt darkness take hold of him when he was dragged away from the memory, back to Storborg.
The young king gasped for breath and opened his eyes. The stench of blood, death and fire cut in his nose. He was lying on his back in the mud. Brilliant! Above him he saw the towering figure of the seventh sorcerer. The reason Loki knew it was him was because he'd lowered his hood. The Dark Elf was grinning down on him with in his hand…. The Valkyrie Stone.
Loki froze once more. He didn't hear any fighting… Slowly the young king crawled to his feet, not once taking his eyes of the sorcerer standing in front of him. The young king scanned his surroundings. How long he'd been out, he didn't know, but the other six sorcerers had succeeded in overpowering his friends. They were standing in a circle, every single one holding one of his friends. Only Thor was lying unconscious on the ground, the mighty Mjölnir only a few meters away.
While taking a deep breath, Loki turned back to the seventh sorcerer. The Dark Elf smiled wickedly while playing with the stone in his hand.
"Looks like you just lost your plan!" he snarled. "Tell me, silver tongue. What now?"
Loki swallowed. He thought about his mother's resistance. Even though he somewhere wanted to take the offer, he couldn't drop the feeling that his mother would be devastated.
"No!" Loki said after a short silence.
The Dark Elf scowled.
"So you chose to be the toy of Odin! Nothing more than a stringed puppet like your brother! You could be stronger! Greater!"
"I don't do alliances!" Loki answered in a low voice while stretching his fingers behind his back, crackling with energy.
The seventh sorcerer scowled. "Very well… Unlike some, I have been presented with a plan B!"
For a second the sorcerer turned silent. The other six looked up at him and Loki knew he'd send them a message.
The Dark Elf let his eyes scan Loki's body. He almost seemed disappointed.
"It's a pity, really…" he said while re-establishing the eye contact. "Such a loss of potential power…"
At the same time Loki and the sorcerer threw their arms forward. Two waves of energy crushed into each other and threw both sorcerers back. As a result the energy blasted over the battlefield, giving Arya, Sif and the Warriors Three just enough time to distract their attackers and break free. With a loud roar the battle started again. Thor awoke again and joined the fighting.
Loki rushed forward and charged the seventh sorcerer, but just before he managed to strike, the Dark Elf grinned and disappeared. Loki looked bewildered. The sorcerer had transported himself. The young king looked around and found that the other six sorcerers had done the same thing. Much time to think about it, he didn't have because the remaining bandits stormed upon the scene.
"Loki!" Arya's voice sounded. "My lord!"
The young Captain rushed to Loki's side.
"What do we do? The stone is gone!"
Volstagg joined them. "We must fall back, Loki! If they use that stone…"
"Silence!" the young king shouted. "You finish off these bandits! The Seven will not use the stone against us! If they wanted to, they would have done so already! They're up to something else! I'll find out what it is!"
"Loki, we are tired! We cannot fight these bandits any longer!"
"That was an order, Volstagg!"
Loki turned around, stumbled forward a few steps before finding his balance again. Dark spots were gathering at the side of his view, but the young king shook them off.
"Thor!" he shouted. The God of Thunder landed at his side. "You'll come with me! Mjölnir is the only thing that can stop these guys."
Thor frowned and looked down on his brother. One look was enough to tell him what had happened. Loki looked dreadful. His face was pale as ice, his eyes were red and swollen as if he'd been crying.
"They showed you…" Thor said in a low voice. "That's why you fainted…"
Loki didn't respond. The young king closed his eyes for a second and focused on his surroundings. He should be able to feel seven strong sorcerers. There you had it. South-west of Storborg.
Loki opened his eyes and started running. Thor followed.
"Loki!" the God of Thunder shouted. "You need to listen to me! What you saw… You have to understand that mother was only trying to protect you!"
Loki laughed hoarsely. "Protect me!" he spit out. "Protect me? It seems as if that's the only thing everyone ever tried to do! Protect weak, little, puny Loki! Protect me from everything that I called my own! Look where it got me!"
"It doesn't matter where it got you, Loki! All that matters is what you chose to do with what you have now!" Thor shouted back.
Loki stopped running. He was out of breath and stumbled backwards. "Don't you see, Thor!" he called out, sounding more desperately than Thor thought possible. To be honest, it rather scared him. Loki always had a plan.
"Don't you see! I don't have anything! My magic isn't strong enough, I lost the stone, we have no backup, no plan anymore and everyone is tired! We are done for! I don't even know what I'm doing anymore!"
Loki broke down in tears. Even the young king was surprised by his sudden breakdown. Thor looked around him, completely taken aback.
"Brother…" he tried. "Listen, no one ever said you had to stand alone… You said it yourself! We have Mjölnir! Sounds like a plan to me…"
Loki smirked. What a plan…
"Thor, it's a mystery to me how it is that we are still alive…"
Thor grinned widely. "I believe you played a big part in that…"
Loki smiled shortly. "Obviously!"
Unexpectedly the temperature dropped. Dark clouds assembled above Storborg. Loki and Thor shared a look, watching their breath form white clouds in the air.
"Loki…" Thor whispered while a sickening feeling filled his being. "What's happening?"
Loki wanted to answer when a sudden agonizing pain spread over his body. The young king wanted to scream, but his voice got stuck in his throat. From one moment to the next, Loki collapsed on the ground while the world spun around him.
"Loki!" Thor shouted while catching his brother just in time. The young king gasped for breath and shivered uncontrollably in the cold air.
Thor shouted his brother's name over and over again while memories of the day Merlin had died came to the surface.
"The… The st… stone…" Loki whispered. Thor looked up. His eyes fixed on a small group in the distance. An ice cold wind seemed to be blowing from their direction. The Seven…
Hurried footsteps rushed closer.
"What happened?" Arya's distressed voice sounded. The Captain knelt down next to Loki's shivering body. Two other pair of feet came to a halt as well.
Thor looked up and found Fandral and Sif staring down at him. Both of his friends knew exactly what was happening.
"It's the stone!" Thor explained. While turning his attention back on his brother.
Sif frowned. "But why does the dark magic affect him now? I mean… there's been some strong dark magic here today…"
Fandral raised his shoulders while throwing a worried look on the God of Mischief. "Maybe this one is stronger…"
Thor shook his head. "No… these sorcerers are capable of controlling the Bifröst. It must be something else…"
Arya threw her friends a questioning look. "Can someone tell me what is going on?" she asked in despair. From her point of view her king was dying!
Fandral and Thor quickly explained the situation.
"So your saying that Loki is responding on Merlin's dark magic…" Arya asked afterwards.
"Yes!" the three friends answered in unison.
"And the Queen stopped it…"
"Yes, she did!" Thor answered.
"What if…" Arya started. The others fixed their attention on her. The young Captain swallowed.
"What if Queen Frigga didn't just stop the influence of the Dark Magic…"
"What are you suggesting!" Thor shouted. He was getting scared. Loki was getting colder by the minute. They had to stop the sorcerers, but he couldn't leave Loki either.
"What if Queen Frigga protected Loki from any Dark Magic from that day forward? It would explain why he survived the wormhole, why he's capable of resisting the Dark Magic enough to use the Valkyrie Stone…"
"Maybe…" Fandral answered impatiently. "But what does that have to do with the current events?"
"It's logical that Queen Frigga protected Loki from any kind of Magic she possessed. Any kind of magic in existence. That didn't include Merlin's! He was already gone!"
"Yes…" Sif answered confusedly. "Your point being?"
"This stone is used to control ones soul. What if these sorcerers found a way to bring a soul back permanently without the need of a body. What if they plan to resurrect… Merlin?"
The four remained silent before they turned their gaze on the seven sorcerers.
-xxx-
Loki tried to scream. Nothing. He tried to breath. Nothing. His body felt like ice. His heart was failing. What was happening! The young king recognized the cold stabs of Dark Magic in his soul, yet it had never had this effect.
Get a hold on yourself! He screamed to himself. You know how to control this!
Loki forced himself to breath. His view was blurred. All he saw were four dark spots, drawn against the grey sky. He could hear a voice. A clear, kind voice. Arya… She was talking about something his mother had done.
Loki growled. There was no way he was going to die here! In the arms of his perfect brother! He wasn't weak! He didn't need protection!
The young king closed his eyes, took a deep raspy breath and opened his light grey eyes onto the world once more.
-xxx-
"I'm afraid you're right… Arya…" a hoarse voice sounded. The four turned back as one and watched Loki push himself back up. The young king almost resembled a living corpse by now.
"Loki, you can't go any further!" Thor immediately shouted, but the young king ignored him.
Loki's eyes fixed on the three newcomers. "I thought I told you to fight the bandits!" he shouted.
Arya, who seemed rather relieved that her king was somewhat back, smiled and answered: "The villagers decided to join the fight. Volstagg and Hogun are still there, but the battle is almost won!"
Arya's smile faded when her eyes found The Seven again. "Of course, that won't matter if they are actually bringing Merlin back…Then we're just…"
"Doomed…" Loki finished, following her gaze. The young king tried to get on his feet, but his insides were burning.
"Loki, please…" Thor tried again, but his brother didn't listen.
"The only thing that can stop them is probably Mjölnir. Nevertheless, I doubt they haven't thought of that yet. I presume they have some kind of protection. If and only if you have a chance to get to them, I'm pretty sure you'll only have one!"
Loki tried to move forward, but his feet were failing so he was forced to grab Thor's arm to remain standing.
"Now," the young king continued before anyone could say anything. "Why don't we just skip the part where you try to stop me and just get this over with!"
Loki didn't wait for an answer. Instead he used all the power he had left to move his feet in the right direction.
Thor shared a look with his friends, knowing it was completely hopeless to try convincing Loki to fall back. The four friends stared at each other. Especially Thor, Sif and Fandral knew what was really going on. The chances of not coming back were real.
Fandral laughed shortly. "It has been an honour fighting alongside you, my friends!" he said with a wink towards Arya. Thor and Sif nodded before following Loki to their certain doom.
With every step they took, the air got colder and heavier. At one point Loki couldn't go further. It was as if an invisible force was pushing him back. The others felt the same.
All five of them stared to the small circle ahead of them. In the centre of the circle a dark cloud had started to form.
"You hear that?" Arya shouted. Her voice almost disappeared in the loud wind spiralling around the circle.
Loki nodded. The air seemed filled with silent whispers. The whispers of the dead he knew.
"Thor!" the young king called out. "It's now or never!"
Yet the God of Thunder didn't answer. Loki turned around and saw his brother struggling with his hammer.
"I can't…" Thor eventually said in surprise. " It's this force… I can't move!"
Loki had to agree. The cold was starting to get a grip on his already burning muscles as if it tried to pull him down to the ground.
The young king looked around. All colour was draining from his friends' faces.
"Guys!" the young king shouted, but his friends slowly sank to the ground with only a blank expression in their eyes. Loki fought off the growing pain. The spell wasn't effecting him as much as his friends. Maybe what Arya had said was true… Maybe he was more immune thanks to his mother's protection.
"Stop this!" Loki shouted against the raging storm. "You cannot control a mad soul! The dead remain dead!"
Once our master has returned, no force will stop us! The seventh sorcerer sounded in Loki's mind. The time of darkness has come, young king!
Loki screamed in agony while grabbing his head. He closed his eyes. Suddenly the ground was right underneath him. Loki looked at his hands. A small layer of ice was starting to form over his skin. A deep darkness crept upon his view while his insides burned.
"Loki!" a weak voice sounded right next to him. The young king managed to look up to find his brother's blue eyes. "We have fought till the end!" the God of Thunder announced. "It has been an honour!"
Thor reached out and Loki grabbed his arm. The young king smiled. "Careful I don't play another trick on you, brother…"
Thor laughed hoarsely. Both brothers turned towards The Seven. In the middle of the circle the dark cloud started to get a human form. The ground was covered in ice by now.
"Master!" one of sorcerers shouted while The Great Merlin slowly appeared. His eyes were red and burned like fire in his skull. An evil grin cut through his face.
Loki and Thor shared one final look before…
A blinding flash of white light spread over the grounds followed by an enormous strong blast of energy. Loki and Thor ducked down and watched The Seven being thrown back through the air. A warm breeze chased the coldness away. For a second the two brothers felt a familiar warm sensation warm their frozen bodies. Loki looked up and blinked confusedly. There, in the middle of the broken circle stood another blazing figure. A woman dressed in golden ropes, which moved around her like wings. Her golden hair waved in the wind and glowed in the brightness she shed over the ground. A pair of bright blue eyes like Thor's lit up her beautiful face and white, sparkling smile.
"Mother…" Loki and Thor whispered in awe.
"My sons…" Frigga answered. Her voice was soft like a summer breeze. "You've fought hard and brave! This fight is almost won! Stay strong, my precious sons!"
Another blast of pure Light Magic lit up the scene and forced Loki and Thor to cover their eyes. When they looked up again, their mother had disappeared. Both brothers stared at the same spot, completely stunned.
"Was that…" Arya's voice sounded.
"Queen Frigga…" Fandral finished sounding out of breath. The golden warrior crawled to his feet and whistled between his teeth. "What a woman!"
"She saved us…" Sif continued while getting on her feet as well.
"She must have stopped Merlin from the Other Side…" Arya said in amazement. "That's amazing!"
Loki and Thor were the last to get back on their feet.
"Mother…" Loki whispered while he looked at the spot Frigga had been only seconds ago. Slowly the young king made his way to the centre of the broken circle. On the ground he found the Valkyrie Stone. Only now it was no longer black as night. The stone had turned silver and when Loki picked it up, he could no longer feel the Dark Elf Magic in side it. The Stone had returned to its original state of Light Elf Magic.
"This is not the end!" an outraged voice sounded. Loki turned around and only just managed to pull up a shield to withhold the burst of Dark Magic coming from one of the sorcerers. Frigga's magic had thrown them back, but not eliminated.
With a simple wave of his hand, the stone disappeared and Loki threw another blast back. His mother had given him new strength to go on.
"Let's finish this!" Loki shouted. His friends, rushed behind him. "For Frigga!" As one they charged The Seven.
At first it seemed that they would win, especially when Volstagg and Hogun joined the fight as well, but before soon, Loki was reminded of their strong dark powers.
New illusions of bandits were formed and attacked the group violently. Before anyone noticed it, the seven Asgardians were split up. Loki could feel his powers fail once more. How long they were fighting, he didn't know, but it seemed like hours.
Suddenly the seventh sorcerer, the Dark Elf, appeared in front of the young king, grinning from ear to ear. Although Loki was wounded, dirty and tired, this sorcerer seemed as if he'd never seen battle at all.
"Young frost giant! I would suspect you to learn! You're losing! You never stood a chance!"
"Then I will go down fighting, you vermin!" the young king answered in despair while blasting a ball of fire towards his new opponent. Of course he knew they had to fall back, but that just wasn't an option right now!
The sorcerer easily blocked Loki's attack. With a simple wave of his hand Loki was thrown back. Yet, the young king refused to give in and quickly jumped back to his feet. Five illusions surrounded the sorcerer, but still he didn't seem impressed.
"You cannot fool me, Loki!" he snarled. The young king dropped his illusions and took out his daggers. With a loud scream he threw three dagger at once, but not one hit target.
"Stop this now! I give you one more chance! Join us, Loki! Let us make you stronger!"
Loki laughed. "You're desperate! You failed to bring your master back! Now you fall back on old plans! How pathetic! But I will never join you!"
"You're a fool, Odinson!" the sorcerer snarled. "Look around you! You're losing! Your friends are dying on your command! Join us and they will be spared!"
Loki ripped his eyes from is opponent and scanned his surroundings. Every single one of his friends was being bothered with one sorcerer. First he found Hogun, who was fighting of at least ten bandits at once while the sorcerer kept making new illusions. Right of him Sif and Fandral were suffering the same fate. All three of them were covered in their own blood. Loki could see the determination, but also fear and exhaustion in their eyes.
More to his left he spotted Volstagg who was trying to fight of an army of illusions of himself. Thor was fighting next to him, swinging Mjölnir around non-stop, but his hammer didn't have any effect on the illusions. And then there was Arya. Beautiful, strong and brave Arya. Loki sighed. He felt miserable. If only he could see her brilliant smile once more…
"You're losing!" the seventh sorcerer shouted. "You're a disgrace! You don't deserve the title of king! You're a disappointment to your family! To your mother! To your father! To your friends! You're a failure!"
But Loki wasn't listening anymore. His eyes were glued to the fighting silhouette of Arya. Like a black shadow she moved between her opponents, slicing through the illusions.
It was over…
They were going to die…
The battle was lost…
Loki closed his eyes.
Do not kill me... I'll try uploading as soon as possible. Until then you have this beautiful cliffhanger (maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh).
I hope it was worth waiting for!
Please review!
Rumple x