Chapter Twenty

"No," Katherine shook her head, the rumbling of the ground seemed to continue taunting her. She turned to face Loki whose mouth was set into a straight line, for the first time there wasn't a sarcastic reply. "No, that's not possible is it? The consequences can't be that Asgard will be destroyed for good, I mean it was Elena for God's sake!"

Loki grasp her by the shoulders. "Aei, warned us about the consequences."

"Yes, but I never thought it would be this," she bit her lip and glance to the window that was stationed on the walls. She could smell the smoke, the rumbling of buildings, the cries of children, and the desperation in the air. "I can't be held responsible for the destruction of my own country and the deaths of all these people. Like it or not, Asgard is my home and it's yours too. We spend all of our lives here, we can't just let it be destroyed." She eyed Loki. "Will you fight with me?"

After a pause Loki said. "For you and for mother . . . and for Thor, not for anyone else."

Loki and Katherine walked over to the patio where everything was more visible, a chill went down Katherine's spine. Everything seemed to be covered in a dark cloud, there were large green and red shooting sparks coming from them killing anyone they hit instantly. Small monkey like mutations with long, spiky tails were multiplying by the dozens, oozing venom wherever they went.

They saw Frigga trying to prevent them from entering the palace and Sif, Thor, the warriors three fighting, and Odin shouting orders.

"I'm a monster," she gulped. "I did this."

"Katerina-"

"No, don't you see Loki," she said flatly. "My stupid revenge against Elena prevented me from thinking, our regular spells won't working. At this point everyone will die unless-"she looked up. "Unless I do the Death Spell."

Loki looked at Katherine strangely. The Death Spell had the ability to wipe off all enemies and chaos for a price, your life. "It will be your death."

"Exactly, my death," she looked back. "Not theirs. Asgard is my home, Loki. Even if we get through this, outlive it what would be my life then? Execution? Exile? Imprisonment for the rest of my life? No, that's not the kind of life I want. Besides both of us know that I only have one choice."

"You won't be able to do it by yourself."

"Who else would-"she shook her head. "No, Loki I won't let you sacrifice yourself along with me, one of us dying is bad enough."

"I'm facing the same end as you, Katerina maybe worse." Loki said. "Either way, I'm not going to let you do the Death Spell alone. So, are we going to do this?"

Loki and Katherine walked up to the highest tower, away from possibly being hit. She looked at him trying to keep her voice from trembling. "This is it."

"This is it," Loki said in a mocking voice. "After 2,000 blissful years this is where our lives end where they began."

Katherine hugged Loki tightly. "Thank you, Loki. I want you to know that even though you're a Frost Giant that I love you and that you will still be my brother no matter what."

"Except in death." He said lightly, he looked at her, he wasn't much for emotional goodbyes. "At least we will die as we choose and not rotting in a cage." He gripped her hands. "Now."

"Nam malum quod creted." Katherine's legs started shaking and she felt like she wanted to throw up, but she forced herself to stand. "Tincidunt ut simus unum pros nobis."

And almost suddenly everything stopped.

She saw Loki fumble a little before he fell to the floor unconscious.

"Lo-"the words didn't leave her mouth, she felt herself slipping and then she felt her head hit the concrete floor. The pain and energy in her body was slowly leaving her. Her life, her memories seemed to slip off her fingertips.

"Loki, Thor I want to play!"

"Fulla, Fulla no!"

"Calder, is not going to come is he?"

"I am going to go to war."

"Come on, Rogers ten more pushups."

"Forever is a very long time."

"Elijah, please."

"Bye, bye little girl."

"I don't want to die, Damon, I don't want to die!"

"Katerina! Loki!" was that Thor? It sure sounded like Thor. "Mother, I found them, I think they're hurt. Get the healers!"

Everything around her was slowly disappearing and becoming invincible, but Katherine felt at peace. She had done the right thing, or tried to even if it came at the price of death. She had been selfish for centuries, it was time for her to start thinking about someone else other than herself.

I'm sorry Thor, I'm sorry Mother, I'm sorry Father, her eyes started to close I'm sorry Loki, I'm so sorry for everything.

-End of Chapter Twenty-