Faith In The Deceiver
Chapter 9
It was two months of nothingness. Casimir had whipped himself off the map and Fury had come up with nothing. It truly was the calm before the storm and if it remained this way it would be another six months before Casimir showed himself. S.H.I.E.L.D. was up and running fully again, construction finally done much to Coulson's happiness.
Aside from the lurking threat, everything was going well.
Except for Loki.
He hasn't been sleeping properly since the beginning of these nightmares. Which frustrates Tony that he won't talk about them.
Loki laid on the exam table as Bruce took some blood, just as a precaution. Beside him Tony was flexing his hand.
"Concentrate."
"I am."
A soft, gold light began to surround Tony's hand. It didn't last long, but the fact was that it had been there.
"Yes," Tony hissed.
Loki smiled. Tony has been moving along with his magic. He's not able to do much, but he's beginning to be able to draw it out easier with each passing day. Next step will be how to form the magic into something offensive or defensive.
"All done." Bruce said as he whipped Loki's arm with an alcohol cloth. "I'll just run basic tests, make sure everything's okay."
"Thank you," Tony said as he helped Loki off the table.
"No problem, if there's anything else you need don't hesitate to ask."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Tony asked as he ran his hand through Loki's hair. They lay together in their bed. Tony's reactor being the only source of light.
"There's nothing more to tell. It's the same every night," said Loki. "They just...get clearer."
"How clear are they now?"
"It's almost like I just need a pair of glasses before I can see."
Tony held Loki closer to him.
"You're worried."
"Of course."
Loki was too. Nowadays, Loki was always worried. The calmness of everything frightened him. Casimir was out there, waiting. It wasn't only that. It was also that fact that after a solid two months, still no one had figured out why.
Why Casimir wanted this child.
And that was what frightened Loki the most.
Loki didn't realize he had fallen asleep until the fog rose up around him.
In front of him it began to stir.
To come alive.
And for the first time.
The fog took shape before him.
It was simply the shallow shape of a man.
"I've been here many times. Hearing voices."
It did not speak but Loki heard its voice.
Three voices as one.
Yes.
We have come upon you.
So you can bring back the order.
"Order of what?"
Of destiny.
Loki stared at the figure before him.
"What?"
It must be restored.
If you do not.
The end of time will come.
Yggdrasil will be destroyed.
Loki's eyes widened at those words.
"That's impossible. There's nothing that can bring down Yggdrasil."
In time.
There will be.
A child.
Forced into life.
Destined to destroy.
Loki's hand went to his abdomen.
Yes.
Your child.
Your son.
Destroyer.
Loki's voice became very quiet.
"You're wrong."
Casimir must be stopped.
"You know...about Casimir?"
Casimir was a child.
A child just like yours.
Forced into life.
"Why did you let this happen? You control destiny, do you not?"
Sometimes.
A humans free will.
Can overpower us.
Destiny.
Has many paths.
Destiny.
Has choices.
You must choose.
Loki was hesitant, his hand remaining on his abdomen.
"And what...are my choices?"
The figure before him began to disperse and suddenly Loki was engulfed by the fog.
He saw his choices.
And he knew which he had to take no matter the consequences.
He knew as much as it pained him.
As much as it broke his heart.
He knew which path to take.
Loki awoke slowly. He was conscious for a while but it took him time before he could open his eyes. Steady beeping reached his ears as well as the hum of machines. He opened his eyes and found he was no longer in his bed in Tony's arms.
He recognized the room as one in the recovery wards in S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ's. He blinked and looked around. The room was empty. He placed his hand upon his abdomen, his throat beginning to get tight at what was to come.
He waited.
Either for someone.
Or for the pain.
One was bound to come.
It was just a matter of time.
"Loki?" he heard his name said. He looked towards the door and saw Tony and Steve.
Tony was by his bedside with his arms wrapped around him before he could blink. "Thank god you're okay."
"What happened?" Loki asked, his voice raw.
"You were in a coma for nine days," Steve said as he stood on the other side of the bed and handed Loki a cup of water. Loki knew that his "dream" was responsible. He took a sip of water as he turned to Tony who had tears shining in his eyes, but a relieved smile on his face.
Loki's heart broke.
"Tony," he said in a small voice. "I'm sorry."
Tears began to stream down his face.
There was silence before Steve said he'd give them some privacy.
"Loki," Tony took his face in his hands. "What's wrong? What is it?"
Loki felt an ache in his stomach. The tears continued to fall as he tried to speak.
"I'm sorry Tony...I had to. I had to set things...things right. I'm sorry."
Tony grabbed Loki by the shoulder.
The pain in his stomach began to grow.
"Slow down, take a breath," Tony said. "Now tell me what happened."
Loki cringed as the pain just continued to increase. He looked up at Tony.
"I killed him."
Tony just stared at Loki. He was confused, he didn't understand. Before he could even wrap his head around anything Loki let out a yelp of pain.
The sheets began to stain with red.
Everything that happened next was just a blur.
For Tony and Loki.