"I was walking through the battlefield. It was over. We won. The dead bodies were everywhere, and I was making my way knee-deep in the enemies' blood. I led the attack and so it was up to me to grant the mercy if there was to be any. But remember, mercy does not come free. It needs to be paid for."
"How?"
"I stood in front of their so-called king and asked him to kneel in front of me."
"Did he?"
"I took his most loyal warriors and one by one I slew them. Slowly and painfully. And he knelt."
"When I grow up, I want to be like you, father." The little Thor said as it was obvious from his father's tone that the story was now over. Thor was sitting next to his father on a big sofa. Next to Thor, Loki was holding his brother's hand.
Odin smiled at his older son's admiring tone. The boy was going to be a mighty king one day, the Allfather didn't doubt it.
"Do the Frost Giants still live?" The younger boy asked timidly. Those stories have always frightened him, and he couldn't understand why his brother cherished them so much that all the time they got to spend with their father, which wasn't much as Odin was the ruler of all the Nine Realms, Thor made him narrate his glorious battles.
"Loki!" Thor said annoyed and let go of his brother's hand. "Stop asking this question every time father talks about the Jotuns! You act as if you asked enough times, they would just disappear. But you heard father say that he has granted them mercy. And that's good because if they step out of line, we will finish them together. Won't we, father?" Thor looked at Odin longingly.
Odin smiled at his older son.
"The Jotuns cannot challenge us, Thor. They are too weak. There is no need to break the peace we have over some petty Jotun who decided to pick a fight. The peace must be preserved so that the Asgardian warriors don't die in vain." Odin was pensive and then he turned his attention towards his younger son. "But if the time comes when war is necessary, would you like to fight alongside me, your father and king, and your brother, Loki?"
And Loki began fidgeting with his fingers as he always did when he tried to hide how uncomfortable Odin was making him feel.
"LOKI! How many times have I told you to stop that annoying habit of yours?" Odin screamed suddenly, and Loki's head shot up as he practically jumped on his seat.
Thor, torn between his father and brother, took his brother's now shaking hand back into his and looked him in the frightened, emerald eyes.
"Answer father's question, brother." He said seriously, hoping that Loki would just do so to prevent Odin from any more outbursts.
Squeezing Thor's hand, Loki replied.
"Yes, father. There's nothing I would like more than to fight alongside you and Thor and prove myself worthy." Loki said quietly.
Odin gave him a stern look.
"If you decide to lie to your father in the eyes, then at least do it properly. You are a terrible liar, Loki." And Odin stood up, shaking Thor off him.
"Are you leaving us already, father?" Thor was disappointed.
"I have the Nine Realms to rule, Thor. One day, you will understand the burden it is."
When Odin left, and the guards closed the door behind him, Thor turned to Loki who was fidgeting with his fingers again. Thor squeezed his brother's small hand more firmly to make him stop.
"Loki. Why do you always make father angry? He leaves sooner because of you." Thor said, not noticing the tears that appeared in his brother's eyes upon hearing those words. They were gone before they could start running down his face.
Later that day, the little Loki decided that if he could not be the son his father wanted, he will at least perfect the art of deception, so that even Odin could not see through his lies.
…
Loki was getting closer to the portal and his inner dilemma was growing. Should he change his appearance back to the Asgardian one?
There was nothing in the Nine Realms, should he start saying eight realms now Loki asked himself, he would like to do more than leave the disgusting body of the Frost Giant and turn back into the version of himself that he was used to. At the same time, despite being confident about his masterful art of deception and manipulation, he still couldn't quite believe his luck that the Frost Giants have actually accepted him as their king and decided to follow him into the battle against Thanos. Somehow, he didn't want to push his luck too far in turning back into his Aesir form.
He didn't want Thor to see him like this. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. But then he imagined what would happen if they lost.
He imagined the bodies of all the Asgardians he fought so hard to save. He imagined the bodies of the company that followed him from Sakaar to Asgard, Korg and his squeaky voice silenced forever. Korg, who could never go back home to show to his mother's new boyfriend what a brave Kronan he managed to make out of himself. Somehow, Loki really wanted for Korg to have the chance to throw this into his step-father's face.
And then he imagined the lifeless body of the incredible Hulk, being spit upon by Thanos. A few years ago, Loki would love to see Hulk being defeated and humiliated. But not by him. And not since Banner decided to come to his help to the SHIELD headquarters even though he had no reason to do so.
And Thor. Loki's mind was very creative which was a blessing and yet a burden. His mind was showing him one picture after another, depicting all the ways Thanos would deal with the son of the man he despised so much. He would tear Thor to pieces and kill him slowly in every way he knows he fears. And then he would crash his skull.
Loki couldn't let it happen.
He would stay in his Frost Giant form. In the end, he was a survivor. And if survival was what he was after, he would have to do what it takes.
Loki stepped into the passage and made it visible for his army to follow.
There was no turning back now.
Many updates lately; I surprise myself ;) Please, as always, reviews are very appreciated.