Chapter 30

"A week passed Isabella, you should say what happened."

Could I, really? Loki thinks I am traumatized, he worries Thanos broke me, he is so wrapped up in his concerns that he forgot to be angry with me for making him lose his consciousness. I wasn't broken, my body was. Me facing Thanos left permanent marks and this time the stone didn't heal them. I was almost strangled, Thanos' grip was craved in my neck. Purple troubadour left scars on my face, he slashed my cheek from ear to lips. At the end of our encounter I was cut open.

"Thanos left."

That was one way to say it. I didn't want to lie to him, but lies were inevitable. It shouldn't matter what I say. I've been lucky to survive him that should matter. My heart beats, Thanos didn't crush it. I'm alive, breathing and enduring pain. I am what I've always been, but different, in a way upgraded. And free. I have no strings on me, no reason and no want to stay in what is left of Asgard. Life here is violent and harsh, so I cannot help but miss simplicity. There is life with people on my own.

"He left his army to die."

"He took the stone out, that is what he wanted. He doesn't care for us."

"Thanos almost had us, he could have destroyed us." Yes he could.

"Thanos wanted us all to suffer. He is not done with us yet."

"Of course he isn't." Loki agreed."He set us perfect trap." Nah, not really.

"He expected we would run."

Unlimited power of stones, who wouldn't want it? Power changes people, it is toxic. But weakness is worse, just take me as an example. Or don't. I am corruptible as finest politician and I'm not even ashamed of it. They have decent salaries as it is and then they get something on the side. If that is not a good life to have, then I have no idea what it is. Maybe queen or king live better, but we know what happened with Frigga and fate wasn't exactly gracious with Odin.

"How did he seem to you?" Wrapped in arms of death.

"Like madman."

"This madman united all stones."

Poor us and poor universe. I was so tired of hearing about it, not interested in the fate of the whole universe. I've become the worst version of myself, but I do not regret it. I am not burdened by guilt, but I don't want to make a reputation as a cold - blooded killer. What people don't know cannot hurt them. It is better to be seen as harmless than as harmful. I hate being vulnerable, but I have absolute fun playing I am completely vulnerable left at someone's mercy. I hate pity, but I am an opportunist.

"What of Asgard? What will happen now?"

"Thor will take the throne in Odin's absence."

"What did you say what you did with Odin?"

"I told him the truth. I didn't kill his father. I tried to keep Odin safe in his sleep."

"You know Odin won't return?" I made sure of it.

"We were all waiting for the day he falls asleep and never wakes up. Asgard has great protector."

"And you?"

People of Asgard saw Fallen Prince fight for them. They listened Loki's orders over Thors. It was Loki who saved them while Thor would have them run into battle they will lose. It was unfortunate how Loki would be a perfect king if it wasn't for his sins of the past. I think even Thor sees it now, how much wiser Loki is. I was kept safe by him even though I didn't trust him so maybe that was his motivation for saving me so he could prove me wrong. He stayed in Asgard even when Thanos was knocking on our doors.

"I have sentence to serve. This changes nothing."

"You know Thor won't allow it."

"He is king now, he has to do what is best for his people."

It is best for his people if he dies and someone with an actual brain takes the crown, but maybe that is just my opinion. Loki did save Asgard, but he betrayed it and fooled it. Even if his crimes were forgiven, there are still his crimes against the Earth and I don't see Fury forgiving him that easy. I don't want to see Loki rot and I know he won't because Thor is blind idiot who loves his brother dearly. If I was Jane I would worry about that kind of love, they aren't really brothers and, you know, Thor could just as well be gay.

"If he will do what is best for Asgard then you won't be the only one imprisoned."

"You think people will remember what you did to them now when you don't have the stone."

"They will, I cannot control them anymore."

"Leave then when you still can." And leave you behind?

"Heimdall will be first one stop me from leaving."

"He knows you took Odin, but does he know where you put him?"

"Impossible. I made him look away."

"Then bargain with it. Odin for peaceful life, Thor will accept."

Loki wasn't even trying to keep me close, he was letting me go. We didn't talk about it afterwards. Loki stayed with me during the night and kissed my forehead in the morning before he was taken to the dungeons. I haven't seen him since. I've listened him and did exactly how he said, with little change. As soon as I set foot on Earth, I was lost to them. I didn't give Odin to them and they couldn't find me. Years have passed since and I stayed hidden in plain sight. Unchanged by years and worry, I learnt one thing:

"Infinity doesn't age."

End.