Chapter Two: Deadly News
Sigyn was worried. Loki had sent her to Valhalla to keep her safe from Thanos' wrath. Hela, Loki's daughter, helped her settle in; even though it was hard to be comfortable when she was one of the only living people in the land full of the dead. Sigyn was kept busy trying to make sure that Jormungandr and Fenris, Hela's older brothers, stayed out of trouble. Sleipnir, the only somewhat responsible elder child, helped out the best he could, but even he was a child of the God of Mischief.
Sigyn sighed and looked out her bedroom window. The landscape matched that of Asgard's down to the last blade of grass. Hela had designed it to match the landscapes of every planet and realm in all the universes. It was nice, so the dead could go on "living" in the comfort of their homes.
Sigyn was stirred from her daydream by a knock on the door.
"Mom?" a teenage boy's voice asked.
Sigyn stood up from her window seat and opened the door. A boy about fourteen stood there. He smiled sadly. His short black hair that faded out to brown contrasted his hazel eyes, which were shining with unshed tears. Sigyn smiled back and let him in.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not your mother," Sigyn said.
The boy shrugged tiredly. "Well, since you're dating my father, I thought I should get used to calling you Mom."
"We're not getting married yet. We're too young," Sigyn replied. The boy turned and stared at her, hazel eyes meeting her own violet ones. His high cheekbones reminded her of Loki.
"Yeah, but still…"
"Is there something you want, Sleipnir?" Sigyn asked and sat down on a chair. Sleipnir remained standing.
"I just got news that Thanos is active."
"Thanos?!" Sigyn stood up quickly. "What do you mean?"
Sleipnir took a deep breath. "He just attacked the refugee ship that Dad's on."
"Is he alright?" Sigyn's worry was increasing.
Sleipnir shook his head. "Hela found out that he…um…passed into the land of Valhalla this morning. Hela's already sent out a reaper to collect his soul. T-Thor's alive, but Hela's afraid that Thanos will end up collecting all the Infinity Stones, and wipe out half the universe. If that happens, Valhalla will be in chaos."
Sigyn was silent. "Loki? He didn't make it?"
"No. Thanos broke his neck—" Sleipnir couldn't hold together any longer and broke down crying. Sigyn hugged him close, tears falling from her own eyes.
"He'll be alright, right? I mean, will he be in Valhalla, not Helheim?' Sleipnir asked, his voice wavering.
"That is out of our hands," Sigyn answered, even though she wasn't sure that Loki would make it into Valhalla, especially his crimes against New York. "If anything, they'll give a fair trial."
"He's innocent, though. Hela said that Thanos made Father attack New York. Thanos is the one responsible for the New York Incident."
Sigyn said nothing, but she was surprised. Loki never told her about what happened after he fell from the Bifrost. She assumed it was bad, though, since she knew that Loki would never hurt someone on purpose.
Sleipnir sniffled and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "Hela said that he should be here in about an hour."
"Give me a minute alone," Sigyn muttered. "I'll meet you there."
Sleipnir nodded and left Sigyn alone in her room. Sigyn grabbed a tissue from her desk and wiped her eyes.
"Oh, Loki." Sigyn collapsed on her bed and broke down crying. She couldn't believe it. Her boyfriend of nearly a thousand years was dead, and officially this time. She doubted that he would be coming back from the dead this time.