A Liar's Truth 1
Loki had no idea where he was at first. There was too much smoke and fire and yelling all around him. The stench of war filled his senses as he tried to figure out where in the Nine he is. Then, like a star in the sky is Thor raising Mjolnir over his head and bloodlust running rampant in his eyes on a pile of dead bodies. Loki tried to rush to Thor and make him see the destruction around him, but he realized that Thor is enjoying it. Somehow, Loki had no control over his body and could not move from this carnage. After struggling, icy knowledge filled Loki's head as he realized that Thor caused all this chaos because he is… king? Fear grew in Loki as he finally had the strength to run to Thor, but once he reached Thor, lightning filled his eyes and he could see no more.
"Gaahhh" Loki shot up right with his heart pounding away in his head. He looked around, but only saw his room and not the war zone he had dreamed of. It was the dead of night and a breeze flowed from his window and gave him a comforting touch. The scent of the freshly spilt blood was replaced by Idun's sweet apples and leather. Oh odd, the scent of leather is calming Loki….
Loki placed his hands on his head as if to shake the sight of death from his mind while repeating to himself "What, what was that?" Loki tried to get his mind together and closed his eyes, but the image of the dead and Thor's bloodthirsty eyes is all he saw.
Loki rubbed his eyes, laid back into his bed, and gave up on trying to get rid of the images normally. Instead he murmured: "Gi meg sov" to let sleep over take him and allow him to rest without any dreams to taint his mind.
When sunlight filled his room, Loki woke up and felt fully rested. Once the spell set him in a deep enough sleep, it ends but some of it stays to keep dreams away. Loki rose from his bed and stretched before getting ready for the day. Of course he took his time like he always does every morning since no one expects anything from him when the royal family has nothing planned or when his presence is not needed. Usually his brother Thor is enough for appearances. Loki smiled at the thought of another day without seeing anyone in his family, well except for his mother, Frigga. He would always have a soft spot for her, even though he hates Thor and dislikes his father. Everyone could clearly see that his father, Odin, favors Thor and that it will be him to get the crown when the time comes. Loki hated that idea that Thor will get the crown as Asgard's golden boy that exceeds everyone's expectations.
Thor is all brawn and no brain, the idiot will march Asgard into war without a second thought.
"Klut og rent " Loki released the spell and his appearance went from messy and dirty to clean and proper. He checked himself in his mirror and when he felt he was good enough to be seen outside of his room, he went straight to the library to study. The one place Loki felt like he belonged was in the book room surrounded by dusty tomes begging to be rediscovered and read. The secrets and magic it holds is most useful to Loki and as he reads, he comes up with plans to ruin Thor's day or scare a poor servant walking through the halls of his home. He gets so lost in his books that he once spent three days there reading non-stop until Frigga sent Thor to go look for him. Thor almost destroyed the book room before Loki decided that ignoring Thor was not the best idea for the safety of the books. After that he made a vow to make appearances once a day in front of Frigga or Thor so they won't worry about him. He could show up in front of Odin, but Odin has never had an eye for him. It was always on Thor and his own wellbeing.
Loki did not reappear from the book room until the evening meal was being served and when he entered the noisy mead hall, as usual, no one noticed him as he sat by himself with his usual plate of vegetables, fruit (mostly red grapes), and a bit of protein, in his spot near the side door in case he feels the need for a quick escape. He started picking at his food without any enthusiasm, he would rather take his meal to his room or to the book room, but as a child he had accidently left food in the book room and little bugs found it and started eating the food and the books.
The book keeper told him if he ever did that again he would be banned from entering there until the end of time. The book keeper died years ago and Loki inherited the title as the book keeper of the book room so he could do what he wants, but he still held respect for the late book keeper and kept all the rules to heart.
Loki was deep in thought about how to create substance from nothing until Thor and his oafish friends came thundering in from battle practice and their sweaty stink made Loki's eyes water.
"People of Asgard," Thor's deep voice boomed through the entire room, "I have an announcement!"
The entire room fell silent and Loki felt a spark of irritation inside him, how can this blundering troll be able to cause the entire mead hall to quite down when he will start blabbering about some accomplishment or new goal he has in his tiny mind. Loki furrowed his brow slightly, but did not change is aloof appearance and concentrated on using magic to take the skin off of his grapes.
Thor looked around to make sure the room was entirely silent before continuing on, "I and the Warriors Three and Lady Sif shall set out on a quest to finish the Trials of Hercules to prove our greatness."
" What a worthy goal my son," Odin Allfather enters the hall and proudly walks up to Thor and places a fatherly hand upon his shoulder while everyone else in the room got up from their seats and gave a respectful bow to the Allfather.
"If you pass this feat, you shall soar higher and take on challenges that no one has ever dared to face." Odin gave Thor a warm smile, "Make me proud of the future king."
Thor returned the smile and then inquired, "Father, what brings you to the mead hall?"
Odin looked confused for a second, but as he remembered his reason for coming he replied, "I am here for Loki. Do you know where he is?"
Loki felt warmth and surprise in his body as he heard what his father said, he wants to see him… that is amazing. Loki does not even remember the last time his father summoned him for the purpose of seeing him. Loki gave a quick glance around and realized that no one saw him so he rose from his seat and called out, "I am here Allfather."
Loki kept his face composed and put on the face that read, "I could be doing something better, but I shall acknowledge your presence for the time being."
"Ah… Loki…." Odin cleared his voice and forced a pleasant look upon his face, "I come with a message."
"What is it father?" Loki forced the same look on his face for he wanted Odin to see how disgusted he is, but could not since he is the Allfather.
"Heimdall requests for you presence. Something is wrong with the Bifrost and he… trusts only you to assist him." Odin gave Loki a weak smile, "That is all… son." He turns to Thor, "I wish you and your friends the best of luck." He turns to everyone, "Have a pleasant evening" and then he walks out.
Loki says nothing as Thor ignores him and takes a seat with his friends and the feeling of hatred toward Odin and Thor filled Loki. Of course Thor receives praise and good wishes while he gets an order from the Allfather that could have been said by a servant.
Loki glanced outside of the hall and sees his mother give the Allfather a stern look and what it seems, a strict conservation. Loki then realized that his mother made the Allfather give the message from Heimdall to him. The Allfather just brushed her off and walked away toward his chambers with Loki's mother standing there all alone.
"Mother is everything alright?" Loki inquired once he reached her. If they were not in the eyes of others, he would have shown affection and put an arm around her. However the Aesirs were in the mead hall and some were watching their actions so Loki kept a respectable distance since she is the queen, but close enough since he is her son.
"Oh Loki darling, how are you?" Frigga smiled warmly at him. She is the only person to show him love that way. Well, and sometimes Thor, but that is when he wants something from Loki or when he feels like being an overbearing brother.
"Pleasant enough," Loki replied in a light tone, he does not want Frigga to see his irritation at the Allfather and Thor.
"Loki darling you can be truthful with me. I told the Allfather to talk to you. I had figured that some interaction between you two will help and perhaps, make you closer." Frigga took Loki's and held it close. "He does love you Loki, it is just that-"
"Mother he loves Thor than me." Loki withdrew his hand, "He loves the golden boy of Asgard and not the dark loner in the shadows of bright Asgard. He does not respect me for I practice magic and is clearly more intelligent than Thor."
"I will not say anything about Thor since, like you, he is my son and I am proud of him and his accomplishments. Loki, the Allfather is just as proud of you. I remember him telling me that he is happy that you are wise like a king when you guide Thor and teach him lessons." Frigga smiled and took Loki's hand again.
"I do not teach Thor anything." Loki pressed his mouth to a fine line, "I trick him because it is fun and I enjoy experimenting new spells on him. I not called the God of Mischief for nothing."
Frigga laughed, "Oh of course not my son," she gave Loki a hug, "Teaching Thor lessons is much too kind. Playing tricks is so much more fun is it not?"
"Of course mother," Loki gave his mother a warm smile.
"Be good Loki dear," Frigga let him go and started walking towards her chambers she shares with the Allfather, "I will see you later and do not forget about Heimdall."
"Of course not mother, good night."
"Good night Loki."
Loki watch his mother until she disappeared and proceeded to the Bifrost where Heimdall was patiently waiting for him to come.
"I would tell you what kept me at bay, but as the All-Seeing Heimdall, you already know what I was doing." Loki stepped pass Heimdall at the entrance of the Bifrost and went inside, "What seems to be the problem?"
"A rift" Heimdall's voice rang with power and echoed throughout the room. He followed behind Loki and stood next to him. "There is a rift in time. The Bifrost is… confused."
"Confused? What do you mean?" Loki touched the pedestal and it split apart revealing stairs that lead inside of the mechanics of the Bifrost. Loki went down with Heimdall following close behind.
"The Bifrost, like me, can see all. There is a rift in time and space and the Bifrost cannot work correctly when it cannot have a strong hold of it's reality.
"I see…." Loki gazed at the gold mechanisms of the Bifrost, trying to see where the problem was. "It will take some time for me to figure out what is going on, but I shall do my best."
"Thank you Loki," Heimdall turned to leave, "It is good you lock yourself up behind the pages of a book. I wish people were more like you so I may call upon them rather than you."
Loki turned with fury in his eyes, but Heimdall was already gone and the doorway was sealed.
Why does everyone hold me in such contempt? Loki thought as he poked and prodded the Bifrost in various areas. Then, something green caught his eye. Green? Everything in the Bifrost is gold or gold colored… like Asgard.
Upon closer inspection, Loki poked the green gear and suddenly the Bifrost began to power up and Loki was stuck in the core where the power condenses. If he stays there, he could die.
"Heimdall! Open the doorway! Heimdall!" Loki cried out and pounded the door with his fists. Loki knew deep down beyond his terror and into his reasoning, Heimdall will not open the door since the Bifrost will explode and destroy part of Asgard.
Alas, it was no use. Loki is going to die, alone, and no one will mourn.
But, something happened.
The Bifrost did power up, but the gold energy of the Bifrost did not appear. Instead, Loki recognized it to be his own energy. His energy manifested into a solid form that he saw to be his own body. Somehow, an energy form appeared to him inside the Bifrost- something that has never happened before.
The form came up to him and stared at him. Loki stared back and wondered why there is a clone before him when he did not make one as far as he remembers. He did not move from his spot at the foot of the doorway and the clone just stood there and stared.
"Who sent you? Is it Amora?" Loki asked calmly after calculating of outcome of what could go bad, "What does she want."
"Past-Loki, there is a calamity that will come. The Allfather will fall into the OdinSleep and Thor will arise to take the throne." The clone informed Loki in a flat voice. Loki narrowed his eyes, not because Thor will be king (that he already knew), but that the clone had no emotion in its voice. Usually Loki puts extra care into his clones so he may trick others and at times, send clones out to do errands while he stays in the library and studies.
"Of course Thor will come to the throne when the Allfather goes to his sleep." Loki shifted his body to a more comfortable position and continued, "What do I have to fear? The oaf will be just as easy to manipulate as usual and with him on the throne and not me, anything that goes bad will be his fault."
"The Nine will fall starting with Alfheim. Thor will bring the destruction of Yggdrasill. You, Past-Loki and stop this from happening." The clone Loki had no emotion on its face, "The late Loki used the last of his energy to create me and send me to the past. He also wants me to remind you of the dream you had of last night. That dream is an event of the future. You go to the battle field to stop Thor. As he stands upon the death children of Alfars you then realize that war has taken over him and consumed the Thor you thought you knew."
Flashes of death and blood filled Loki's vision as he remembers the dream, "What do I have to do?"
"Loki, you are the God of Mischeif. Cause some." The clone dissipated into nothing and left Loki alone with the images of the dream and the slight confusion of what to do.
The doorway opens and Loki calmly walks up to see Frigga standing next to Heimdall in an urgent manner.
"Mother?" Loki stands next to them, "What is going on? You never come here and at least not by yourself."
"Loki dear, you must think of something,"
"What?" he placed a hand on Frigga's shoulder.
Sorry readers, I had a writer's block and my muse went on vacation... anyway, here is the second installment of The Virtue of a Liar Trilogy. Stay tuned for the next part of this installment!
Much love and until next time,
Kimblee