Summary: The war between Jotunheim and Asgard draws to a close, but thanks to a horrible twist of Fate (or perhaps not), the nameless runt of Laufey-King is not discovered by Odin and so begins a remarkable journey of life that should not have been. Jotun!Loki AU. Set pre-/during-/after Thor/Avengers Assemble. MCU-verse only.
Warnings: ANGST! Loki-whump! Language, adult situations, violence, child abuse, dub-con, sexual assault (also of a minor), substance abuse, one abortion scene (sort of), slavery, sex trade (maybe), some mild original character/Loki M/M pairings.
Comments: This is not a slash fic. Sorry. It's Loki-centric, although I definitely show the rest of the Avengers and etc. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers. Marvel owns it. I do not get paid for this piece of work. Sadly, but understandably. LOL.
Thanks to everyone reviewing! To: Double-Gemini, Immortal Sailor Cosmos, ClaMiAl, DragonsFlame117 and wbss21.
So, reading fic again... why can't people get the difference between shudder, shutter and stutter? (sigh)
To see a map of the battlehouse - visit: i1354 DOT photobucket DOT com SLASH albums SLASH q695 SLASH scarecrowslady SLASH Fanfiction%20Fanart SLASH Battlehouse_zps8f770bb7 DOT jpg
OR my tumblr - .com!
Warning! Slavery! Warning! Gladiator stuffs and violence! Warning!
Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]
Chapter 26
Day By Day II
In the light-dark world of Space, approaching Sharda'aa, all you see at first is grey. Streaks of black and white clouds swirl together in an endless slow-moving mass of pollution... and beneath – a grey block of sentient life in concrete and metal and glass and plastic piled up on top of each other, lit with colours and filled with a scented haze. In between, some green still lingers from the Old Days. Hardy trees now potted or protected in small translucent domes. The Battle House of Shax, Franchise Number Fourty-Three (of fifty) was located in the same mega-block as Poison Paradise. This megablock was located in a middling section of the planet's large mega-metropolis located several miles away from the northern pole. As such, it was neither incredibly wealthy nor as poor as the dirt-side ghettos below. An in-between world, perfect within which to hide human contraband.
About eight floors in entirety, the Battle House was a very busy place. The top floor belonged to the "Tough-As-Nails" Shax (his 'Promotional Office') and a couple VIP lounges which overlooked the expansive dance-hall floor below. The second floor, what the clients and audiences saw most, was huge and held many chairs and lounges as well as mega-bars and dance stages. Various stairs – large and small – led downwards to the sizable stadiums below. The largest stadium could seat around three thousand, although most nights the crowd was about two thousand. The smaller battle pits closer to the four corners of the Battle House allowed for audiences of fifteen hundred maximum. A piece.
The Battle House was good business.
Standing before the metallic grill, breathing in the smell of hot sand and oils, the tang of blood, the stink of sweat and bile and piss, Kol'la stared forward jaw set. Beside him, Thor – Exon – shifted eagerly from foot to foot.
The fool.
Kol'la remembered with sudden clarity the day he had "discussed" with Master Shax and the Five Madames the issue of Thor. It had been two days after his punishment and he had felt light-headed and rather uncertain, but had held his tongue.
"He needs to be blooded," Shax stated bluntly. "That much is clear. Kol'la. Five nights from now, he will battle the Half-Breed and Golan."
"By himself?" Madame Trab'ba had asked.
"With Kol'la here. Two on two." Shax had smirked then, bushy eyebrows quirking upward, as he bent to eye Kol'la's carefully blank face.
"As you wish, Master Shax," Kol'la had replied evenly, inwardly cursing the tall, skeletal, half-Cyborg to the Void and back.
"Hmmm..." A smile then cracked the ancient alien's face. "You are not pleased?"
Kol'la knew better than to reply to the not-question. He had learned this dance well – had played this game too many times before. So he held his tongue.
"It will teach you something of responsibility..." Shax grinned then. "And, who knows, you may come to enjoy it. Kol'la Silvertongue, I am sure, has some surprises for us all." The man tapped Kol'la's collar. "Magician Suppressor Aga'no will be by today. Make certain to see him."
"Yes, Master Shax."
[... always say yes...]
[... but inside...]
[... inside...]
So here he was. Far behind them, guards hustled and bustled. Two stood by the door of the cage they had been placed within – hulking Boulder-People with bones the consistency of stone. Faces set in stone. Just as silent. Definitely living up to their names and reputations.
Thor did not speak either.
Small mercies.
Attempting to speak was futile at any rate – thanks to the head-splitting, mind-numbing, ever-increasing roar of beings who filled the stadiums. It was a busy night, according to the Fourth Madame, and the audience was more than ready to taste blood in the air. Hypnotic bass drums pounded, lights flashed and flared over the empty, tan arena which was surrounded by the steeply rising stadium seats of the smaller Pit Three.
White light. Kol'la shivered. White light. And dark. The Visha'anas.
White light.
It faded and memory returned full force.
He was on the mats, groaning on his back as Thor stood above him, laughing at Kol'las obvious inexperience with the wide blade which had been in his hands and had just now skittered across the floor from a well-timed blow to the slighter slave's wrist.
"Perhaps a spear would suit you better."
"If I had my magic, any weapon would be merely –"
"Tricks have no place in battle," Thor looked disapprovingly down at Kol'la who rolled to his feet, suppressing a moan.
At Thor's words, the slighter, leanly muscled slave glared at the man who was attempting to call him 'shieldmate' and 'good fellow' and other meaningless Asgardian nonsense, while at the same time demeaning his abilities.
"Say one more word, Brainless Lout, and you will taste the force of my will with an easily conjured dagger in your back –"
"Fighting words," the prince grinned back, unrepentant. "Let us see how effectively you can enforce your will – or not."
Kol'la had launched himself then, calling on the magic the Suppressor had allowed him. The two battled through the early evening until both were sore. Thor did not lose – but neither did he win precisely.
-0-0-0-
As the two of them stepped out onto the newly raked sands of the arena, the roar increased if possible – a raucous noise of boos and taunts and curses. As their opposing combatants stepped out, everyone cheered. Kol'la glared sourly at their opponents. Thor and he were not the favourites tonight. We are facing Death. He grinned wolfishly then. Or so they think.
Dark, smooth, metallic walls rose up around them in a large circle – indestructible and daunting. Offering no easy escape, the inner edges along the top were lined with live wire, Kol'la knew. The only way out of the arena was either on one's own two feet or in a coffin. Sometimes mercy was shown – and Kol'la knew that this battle was not intended to be a fight to the death. However, judging by the tense stances of his two opponents, the lithe slave-boy had a feeling that the ever annoying, brash prince-in-disguise had somehow managed to irritate the two fighters.
Kol'la sighed. Things are never easy...
The Half-Breed – Toh, the Half-Breed – was an infamous fighter, known for her feral attacks – using claw and tooth and nail to bring down her opponents. Tall and bony, Toh's appearance did not promise much, particular as her skeletal frame appeared to take more after her Ananuki genetics. However, the short black fur which covered her body spoke of Tsatatohalun blood and the small magicks she wielded appeared to be Elven in nature. Pitch black eyes glinted from a bone-white skull-shaped face and a grin widened, baring long canines.
Kol'la winced at Toh's obvious excitement. Shifting from foot to foot, Toh looked energetic – definitely spoiling for a fight. Dressed in a roughly weaved standard one-piece cut high upon her thighs and a bandolier of bone, teeth and beads which slung low across her hip, holding a short dagger, Toh definitely looked ready to win.
Beside her, clad in a simple leather kirtle and armed with a sturdy belt, broad sword and buckler, Toh's usual partner, the Golan, appeared to be more calm – but his dark, beady eyes were a shade more intense than usual. Thor was already sizing up the muscles and Kol'la decided for his own preservation to let the two hulking beasts at it. He would have to be up for the task of dealing with Toh's blood-lust, magicks and cruel morning-star.
Somewhere overhead, the bright voice of one of the Announcers was whipping the crowd up into a frenzy. The starting bell blared – and without any further ado, the Golan and Thor leaped for each other, leaving Kol'la to face off Toh.
-0-0-0-
Thor's sword clashed and rang as it met the Golan's blade time and time again. Bucklers bashed against each other and their forearms bruised with the pull of steel and the pounding of the broad swords. Sweat and blood flew, the sounds of the audience faded to a dull roar.
There was only sand and dust and the tang of metal and blood and the weight of armour and the ring of steel against steel. There was only the brushing of leather against leather as Thor's back met Kol'la's for a few brief seconds. There was only exhilaration, excitement and the song of war which hummed through his veins.
This was what he lived for. This was what he breathed for air. This was the fuel he needed.
This was war.
-0-0-0-
Toh was all cat. Thin muscle, but muscle none the less, athletic flexibility and a wicked sense of humour combined with a sharp tongue. In so many ways, a mirror of Kol'la – a picture of Kol'la many years in the future: experienced, cynical, talented and bitter.
"Well, little Kol'la," she hissed, black eyes glittering and her long tail flicking from side to side. "This is a long way from Poison Paradise now, isn't it?"
He did not reply, but kept his gaze fixed on her entirely – on her eyes, her neck and shoulders, her hips and feet. When she pounced, he raised his own weapon of choice – a long spear – and swept the long chain of the flying mace aside, forcing it off its trajectory as he ducked. Toh's other hand swept out, flinging three fireballs his way. Dodging them easily, Kol'la sent two ice daggers her way, which she evaded, while moving closer into his first ring of defence.
Thickly spiked boots kicked him roughly in the stomach and Kol'la found himself flung rather heavily against the wall of arena. A cry rose – of encouragement for Toh and he hissed back at her, growling with annoyance and dodged a second kick which would have buried his head in the grey metal and stone. One-two, one-two three-four, Kol'la just barely managed to fend off a following volley of blows from Toh's fists – his forearms and feet meeting hers.
From a ways away, he could hear Thor – Exon – yelling his name in concern, but Kol'la did not reply, focusing instead on the warrior before him. Toh had entered the blood frenzy so popular amongst the thrill-seekers above who watched them scrabble for their lives. The young slave cursed them, cursed Toh's heedlessness, cursed Thor – Exon's – the dou'ma's misplaced worry.
I can take care of myself, thank you, Kol'la glared, jaw set, eye twitching and fists clenching, ignoring a trickle of blood which ran down his right temple. His return blows, kicks and fire-power increased as anger flared up within him. I am no babe in the arms – I have survived worse – The runtling remembered his battles against the grarulfr upon the white plains of the Utanheim, the combat he had met against his first real foes (... those hateful Slavers...) within the now, so distant town of Snjarhamr... and all the training he had been forcefully put through in the barely padded rooms below his feet. She will regret –
That was his last thought as his shoulders widened, as he spun with his spear to place several well-placed, powerful kicks along Toh's forearms and stomach. The heavy mace whistled as it passed over his head – Kol'la had bent backwards to avoid it and a following foot. Then he was turning down, round and about to hit her on the side with his own sturdy boots.
This time, she could not miss the well-aimed ice daggers which hit the firm padding on her back – dark purple blood seeped through and Kol'la grinned wolfishly as his opponent whipped about, clearly angered beyond all reason.
Fireballs now sped toward him at an increasing pace – all of which he countered with insouciant grace. Kol'la laughed then – a hard, sharp laugh like glass and he darted forward, allowing his magic to take shape once again, lending him speed – and a clone. Toh did not pause – but stepped forward, her mace already arcing toward his clone's head – and passing through air with no resistance. His trick had worked.
With Toh attempting to shift her stance, Kol'la planted one hand on the ground and ice sprang up along the ground in a straight path toward his opponent. Toh turned in enough time to see it coming – but by then it was too late. The ice, trapping her feet, slowed her down enough for him to catch her by tangling cords of green.
The Half-Breed went down with an 'oof'! And the crowd roared as the Golan sailed overhead the two slighter combatants and thudded into the metal wall beyond them. Thor followed in hot pursuit, and the Golan found himself only to be increasingly buried into the arena's wall (dents spread outward from the green alien's body and Kol'la had to wince) thanks to repeated blows of Thor's fist and then elbow.
The Golan slumped forward and Toh spat and hissed threats as she struggled against the tightening bonds.
"You think you are so brave, Kol'la Silvertongue? That this is the place for you to shine – as you had once thought upon the stage to strut and tease – but there will only be ruin and I will laugh as you are reminded of your place once again -"
"Remind me now, if you dare, witch," Kol'la drew himself up, testing the strength of his spear within his grip, "but it does not change the truth of the matter. I have bested you and I will do so yet again. Another day. Call forfeit now, Toh."
Toh laughed then and continued to pull at the living green rope, if in vain. "Forfeit to you? On your first time out? I would rather die than surrender to a high-priced whore of a slave like you - a babe in the arts of war."
"It may be my first time in the Ring," spat back the young fighter, "but that does not mean I cannot win."
"Drunk already on your own power, little Kol'la?" Toh snarled and cruel words poured out, ably translated for the audience who jeered and roared happily at the ensuing drama. "This crowd which chants for you. For me – one day, they will cheer as I tear you apart... unless I spare you in mercy and give you what you deserve and remind you of where you belong, beneath another with your legs spread, crying mercy – that's what they say you do best – Silverto –"
Kol'la spear shifted, turned – plunged down – pale fingers tightened. Thor's voice broke out in horror as his new-found shieldmate's face tightened and a terrible blankness spread over it. There was an emptiness in those brilliant green eyes – and the spear plunged down and found its mark with surety. The crowd cried out. The Announcers were going wild. Guards spilled in. The Golan, woozily rising to his feet, was bellowing like a wounded n'ch'nka – and the spear plunged down and finding its mark, stilled. Toh's body jerked as the metal pierced her between her breasts through hard leather and even harder bone – the spear plunged down, driven by madness and despair and memory and white skin which hid a darker secret. And behind those green eyes was memory which burned like fire.
Kol'la did not feel anything, not the push and pull of the guards as they forced him to his knees and bound his hands behind his back and then fastened them with a chain to his collar, nor when the Fourth Madame and the Auxiliary Magician Suppressor hurried over to temporarily induce unconsciousness. He did not see them. All he could see was Toh's blank eyes now dull and the spear – the spear in her now still chest.
That was all he saw.
Well, there you go. Kol'la is a bit of a vindictive type - but a bit understandable, I think.
Let me know what you think!
Please review! It's really encouraging and helps me keep pumped about writing! XD
Numbers (for this quadrant):
0 - nai
1 - sa
2 - tho
3 - frei
4 - ah
5 - ko
6 - yul
7 - vee
8 - mah
9 - lei
Alien Glossary:
Dou'ma – idiot
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace.
oma'auzha – mother-effer
udji'oo – a drug, like opium
Jotunheim Glossary:
Aldinn Stathr – Ancient Place
Atfirth – energies
blakkrbjorr – black beer
Blakkrbjorn – black bear
blakkrgras – black grass
blargras – blue grass
Dagaheim
dvegr – dwarf
dyrspeki – zoologist
Eybjarg (Chasms of Forever)
fauld – a part of armour around the lower midsection
Flara River – Treacherous River
For-Eldra – Ancestors
Forn Vegr – Old Ways
Gastropnir
Gnottvatn (Lake of Abundance)
Gothahus – temple
Grarfjall – Grey Mountains
grarulfr – grey wolves
Griotunagardar
hafnathr – sea serpents
heillgrjot – healing stones
Heimsrsal – Soul of the Realm
heithrsker – crystal flowers
Holdra River – Hero's River
holkimurtr – small flat fish
Holkn Vollr – Flat Plains
holmganga – a method of ending feuds/disagreements
hota-eik – white oak
hvaeta – wheat
Innaheim – Inner Realm
jarnkottr – iron cat (beast which Laufey released in Thor)
jarnvithr – iron wood
Kaldrfjall (Cold Mountains)
Kero Fornvetr – Casket of Ancient Winters
kostrboth – a method of proving virility for the purpose of marriage
lagreinn – small one (epithet)
Lengi Ofrithr – Long War
luthrblom – trumpet flower
manisilfr – moonsilver
melrakki – white fox
Myrkr Skogr – shadow forest
Nattura – spirits
Northri Stjarna – North Star
silvralmr – silver elm
silvrfiskr – silver fish
Sithr Efingi – True Heir
Skalldi
skordyr – Jotunheim goat
snaerharra – snow rabbit
Storrholl – Great Hall
thurblakulfr – giant black wolves
tunglbom (moonflower)
ulfrbarn - wolf child
Utanheim – Outer Realm
Utgard
vaetki – nothing
ventrmellin – winter melon
villrkyr – wild ox
Virtha Aevi – Coming of Age
Vollrvatn – Lake of the Plains