It's done. 95 chapters. Around 475,000 words. Two and a half years later. Now I have come to the end of an era.

To be honest, it feels strange to imagine not worrying about updating this anymore. It feels strange to imagine a life without Distortions in Time. It's been a long road - upon which I have gained and lost readers, but all in all had a great time.

For those interested in my writing, feel free to PM me at any time. I post original fic for free on inkitt (dot com) as well as wattpad under scarecrowslady.

I finished an original fic a week or two ago, so I'm feeling fairly accomplished this year. This summer I hope to work on another original fic, as well as a new fanfic. Probably a Star Wars fanfic.

For those interested in what is gonna happen with Distortions in Time in the future, read my announcements at the end of this chapter~!

Thanks to all who have reviewed over the years. I hope you had fun reading this! To new reviewers, don't be shy. Leave a review letting me know what you guys think.

Chapter 95
The Story Begins Anew

[…all things come to an end…]
[…but it is not the end, surely…]
[…for with each ending…]
[…there is…]

After dismounting by the Royal Stables, Loki made his way around a few newly carved pieces of stone which would be used to rebuild the outer wall of the King's courtyard. The city is already healing from the war, he thought, but it will take some time to smooth out the edges. Everyone will be looking to the Royal Family. We are the first examples for our people. As such we will have to work hard and persevere. Speaking of persevering... Is that Thor? At the sight of his older brother making his way down the far steps, Loki's initial direction changed. It is his first day back within Odin's Council, Loki remembered. Thor probably needs an outlet for his energy. Although it is odd, for he does not bear Mjolnir. Perhaps it is not a quest in the making, but the tavern.

"Thor," Loki called, drawing his brother's attention toward him as he approached cautiously. "How did it go?"
"The usual," frowned Thor. He grimaced as he glanced upward at the sun now overhead. "You would think that a war and the near destruction of Jotunheim would bring some kind of unity to the Asgardian people. Apparently not."
"I am sorry to hear that. 'Old habits die hard, and ambition festers for eternity'." Loki noted sagely. "They are all old men who wish to die with great honour and in comfort. Their personal goals will always play a part in their politics."
"Ah, quoting Elder Havarthar at me now?" Thor shook his head. "It is a pity he is not alive in our time. He would save Asgard from itself. I will work hard, but no matter how much I listen and speak, I wonder if anything can be gained."
"Peace and wisdom will come. In time." Loki offered what encouragement he could, knowing how hard it was to wrangle Odin's Counsel. "The fact that you remained so long in the meetings tells me that your will has changed for the better. The people will respond in time."
"The will is there," Thor sighed, "but the body grows restless. How long was I cooped up in that room? It feels like forever."
"Perhaps a drink is in order," Loki clapped his brother on the shoulder.
"Ah, that would be nice," Thor smiled then. "Sadly we do not have the time."
"We do not?" Loki raised an eyebrow.
"I should say, 'I do not'. I have… I have something personal to do," Thor shrugged awkwardly then.
"You will return for the banquet, right?" asked Loki.
"Of course. Mother would kill me if I did not arrive on time."
"So you will be back within the hour."
"Yes," Thor looked away. "There is something I must do."
"Would you wish me to accompany you?"
"It is fine, Loki." Thor sighed and then admitted. "I am merely going visiting the Observatory."
"To ask after Jane," guessed Loki.
"Foolishness, I know, but…"
"No," Loki stepped back. "If there is someone you care about, someone worth caring about in your life… It is one's duty and one's joy to watch over them. Do it, Thor, while you can."
"You are like Father," grunted Thor, waving at a stable boy and shouting for his horse before turning back to Loki. "You do not approve."
"No. That is not what I meant," Loki stopped. Then he started again with a frown. "Perhaps Father and I sound similar when we speak of Jane, but our motivations are different. I merely wish to warn you that time is precious and life is fragile. Enjoy what you can – now – while you still have it. Jane is a mortal. She will not be here forever."

At Loki's words, the taller blond warrior turned his gaze away from his horse which was being brought out of its stable. Thor stared at the spare frame of his younger brother and remembered Loki's quiet admission. There had been someone for Loki who was now lost to his younger brother. Someone Thor had never met, someone who had for a short time found joy and love with his younger brother, someone who had left her mark on Loki. That someone had disappeared – or died.

"I am sorry, Loki," Thor shook his head. "I did not think-"
"It does not matter," Loki said lightly.
"It does," Thor drew close to his brother and raised his hand to settle it upon Loki's thin shoulder. "You should know out of everyone here the pain of losing someone you love. You have not been given the chance to grieve her loss or avenge her death."
"Vengeance was not quite what I had in mind," Loki laughed shortly then. He drew a sharp breath as though in pain, his green eyes glittering. "But it does have a certain appeal. I will go in search of her and discover the truth of what happened that day in the ship."
"The coordinates."
"Those, too," Loki nodded. "The Mage's Circle is well on its way to recovery, but after I have helped Mage Hrotha and High Mage Agaeti as best I can, I will leave Asgard for a short time. There are things I must do."
"I will wish you well," Thor drew his brother close in a bear hug of an embrace. "Of course, I offer my help also. If you wish Mjolnir at your side, I will join you. If not, Mother, Father, and I will be waiting with open arms. You will always have a place to return to as long as Asgard remains."
"I know." Loki drew back then. "I will not forget." Noticing that the horse was now saddled and bridled and ready, the dark-haired prince punched Thor playfully on the shoulder. "Go on then, you have a girl to check on. Say-"

A shout resounded across the courtyard as the Warriors Three and Sif burst out of a side door of the south tower, looking tired but cheerful. Sif, dressed in smart leathers, did not look like she was headed to a banquet. Loki's eyebrows rose, but he held his tongue.

"We are returning home to prepare for the banquet," Sif said, giving Loki a look that meant 'I know what you are thinking'.
"Really?" Thor asked. "You all look great."

Loki sniggered as Fandral looked with horror at Thor. Hogun stared down at his mud-caked riding boots, and Volstagg patted at his rather wild beard.

"Thor," Fandral sighed theatrically. "Tell me you are joking."
"Only a little bit," Thor laughed. "But I am glad you are all coming."
"It would not be the same without us," Fandral reminded Thor, ignoring Sif who rolled her eyes. "The girls would be devastated as well."
"The food will be delicious. How could one say no to that?" asked Volstagg.
"That is one way of looking at it," Hogun muttered.
"I think it is a good way to celebrate our new life," Sif said. She smiled then at the princes. "To celebrate peace with Jotunheim, to celebrate Thor's and Loki's return… So many things to be thankful for. It is not just the Palace either – the entire capital will celebrate. I wonder how Loki is going to attend the Mage's Banquet and the Court Feast."
"Illusions," Loki waved his hand grandly and gave a short bow.
"And the way we know that it is you depends on how much you talk? Trust the Silvertongue to show up at the Court Feast. There are more heads to turn there," chuckled Volstagg. "Ow!" He glared at Hogun, who had hit him on the shoulder suddenly.
"Well, I hope you are at the Court Feast," Fandral smiled. "The ladies will weep if you do not attend, especially considering how… exotic you have become."
"I – what?" Loki blinked. "Exotic?"
"The Jotunn element, Loki, the Jotunn element. Girls always enjoy something differen- Ow!" Frandral rubbed his arm where Sif had hit him.
"Loki is not going to parade his heritage for some wenches," Sif frowned. "The people of Asgard may be interested in Loki's Jotunn colours, but if he wishes to retain his privacy, that is his prerogative."
"Loki is a babe magnet," Thor chuckled. Mounting his horse, he looked down at his friends and noticed their blank expressions. "Oh. I mean – a person who attracts girls. Babe magnet. As a friend of mine would say, 'Chicks dig guys who are blue'."
"Thor, I have no idea what you are talking about," Fandral grinned, "but it sounds about right."
"Well, I am not going to be blue tonight," Loki said mildly. Then he glanced at the men curiously. "They really… think that my blue skin is… attractive?"
"Uhhh… Yes," Frandral slung a comradely arm about Loki's shoulders and gave his friend an earnest look. "Yes, Loki, they find it very attractive. It might be the powerful warrior-mage image you have created as well… The fact that you are a Prince of two Realms and an Heir Apparent of one."
"Asgardian women do not find Jotunn attractive," Loki frowned. "I heard them on many occasions–"
"Giant Jotunn are not attractive," Sif sighed. "I cannot believe that I am having this conversation. Look, giant Jotunn are not attractive. So, in general, having only seen Giant Jotunn, Asgardian women have not found Jotunn in general to be attractive. Now we discover there are… smaller built ones who are great fighters and powerful mages. Well, that changes things."
"Oh," Loki said in a daze as his world began to shift yet again and was now turned on its head.
"So, if I were you," Fandral said, "I would prepare myself – for an onslaught of delightful company. Dress well and be yourself – and have a great time which you no doubt deserve."
"Also be prepared for a whole night of drinking and eating," Volstagg cheered.
"The whole night," Sif agreed. "A few taverns have reopened. If the feast ends too early, we can always relocate the celebration."
"A good plan, huh?" Volstagg smiled.

Loki looked up at Thor uncertainly. Thor smiled down at his younger brother.

"It will be just like old times," Thor smiled. "Even better than old times."
"Yes," Loki glanced at the people he now could accept as friends. "Better than the old times. I had… I had better go get ready."
"Oh goodness," Volstagg's eyes widened as he noticed the passage of time. "I had best head home. Must not be late!"

With that, the group split up, hearts filled with excitement.

[…for with each ending…]
[…there is…]

Loki found Frigga in her sitting room, ready for the banquet. Today, the queen was dressed in a beautifully draped blue dress cinched with a pale gold belt which matched her delicate earrings. Other than the belt and earrings, her only ornamentation was a delicate necklace holding a single sapphire – a small gift from Odin several years back, Loki remembered, and her favourite.

Next to her, Loki cut a somber figure, dressed in deep greens and blacks with only the hint of gold within his clasps and buckles. He wore a dark green long coat over well-cut trousers, a white cotton shirt, and well-tailored vest. Without his armour, Loki's height and spare frame was even more apparent. Glancing only briefly at himself in the large mirror within his mother's sitting room, Loki noticed that his cheekbones were particularly sharp as his face had lost a lot of weight. There is nothing to be done about it, Loki reminded himself. Illusions would be silly. You are a survivor of imprisonment, torture, and war. There is nothing to be ashamed of.

Still, he approached Frigga slowly. Some traitorous part of him, a dark voice deep within, whispered that he would never be good enough. Loki shoved it down and moved forward. Catching sight of her son, Frigga rose swiftly and moved forward. Her blue eyes lit up instantly at the sight of him, which once again renewed Loki's confidence.

"You look quite dashing," she smiled. "All the ladies will approve."
"I hope so," Loki blushed just a little. "I mean–"
"I know what you mean," Frigga reassured her son and winked at him. She sat down in her favourite chaise. "It will be a long night, I imagine. I am sure everyone has already planned after party drinking and whatnot. Have you prepared a speech?"
"A speech?" Loki took a seat on the small couch opposite her. "You think I will be asked to give a speech?"
"So, you have thought of what to say." Frigga nodded approvingly, recognizing Loki's prevarication for what it was - the usual lack of self-confidence. "You always were well-prepared when it came to feasts and teas."
"A lifetime of diplomacy and manipulation."
"Diplomacy," Frigga assured him firmly. "Let us just leave it at that. You will need diplomacy tonight – with everyone asking you questions about your future. You know how these busybodies get."
"Yes." Loki sagged back against his mother's couch.
"Just confuse them with the truth."
"The truth?"
"That the future is uncertain," smiled Frigga. "There are many things in this world that I do not know, but one thing is certain – your path is your own and, as always, it is unique to you. Step forward in confidence; people will eventually come to understand."
"I–" Loki hesitated. "I am not as concerned about the court's opinions…"

At the familiar look of uncertainty which Loki so often tried to hide, Frigga rose from her seat and joined him, taking his hand in hers. They felt cool within her warm grasp – cool and hardened and roughened. A warrior's hands.

Loki also gazed down at her hands and remembered the many days Frigga and he would sit together and talk in her garden. They would plan and they would gossip, and yet…And yet, Loki admitted, I would never tell her the full truth of what I truly struggled with. Fear destroyed my trust and hope. It isolated me. It made me weak in so many ways. I became easy prey. Not again.

"I do have some idea about what I need to do," Loki finally said. "During my exile, I came to understand that there are others like me – small Jotunn who are often gifted with magick. They shapeshift as I do and hide on planets within other societies. I want to… I want to find them – the Lesser Kindred – and perhaps bring them back home to Jotunheim."
"The Lesser Kindred. So the ancient stories are true." Frigga smiled. "They survived to this day! Where?"
"I do not know – but I have some ideas of where to start. Besides that, Mal left me a message which I really ought to pursue."
"Mal?" Frigga gave her son a gentle inquiring look.
"Ahhh…" Loki glanced away then. "She was…" He sighed gustily. "Mal was a captain who saved me. She was…"
"Someone you loved?" asked Frigga.
"Love," Loki said wistfully. "Perhaps. Respect and joy – that is what we shared."
"Shared?
"Since I last saw her, I have walked among the Stars. When I passed through space and time to reach Thor's side, when I wielded the Casket, I could not find her, could not feel her. I must make certain the worst of my suspicions."
"I am sorry."
"As am I," Loki gazed down at their joined hands and smiled sadly.

Frigga said nothing for a long while, merely rubbing Loki's back as the young man struggled to keep his tears at bay. Eventually Loki raised his head and allowed his mother to draw him into her arms. He slouched then, gratefully laying his dark head on her shoulder.

"But she left you a message," Frigga wondered aloud after a short while when Loki's breath had steadied. "Can you guess why?"
"I cannot read the message." Loki shook his head, sniffling a little but finding strength again with each passing minute. He pulled back a little, but still held tightly onto Frigga's hand. "Not the writing at any rate. There are the coordinates. I will find a ship and follow them."
"Be careful, dear."
"I will," Loki gave his mother a crooked smile.
"Be careful about what?"

It was Odin in full feast regalia – a deep crimson cape over his best finery. Over the softest, whitest cotton, Odin wore a deep black and red vest traced with patterns of gold. Gold trimmed his undercoat as well as his overcoat. His trousers were neatly pressed, and his boots shone. At the sight of her husband, Frigga rose, exclaimed in admiration, and drew her husband close for a kiss. Behind her, Loki rose as well.

"You look quite fine," Frigga finally ended her examination of Odin's outfit. "Very handsome." Realizing that Odin was more interested in what they had been talking about, Frigga sighed. "Loki was just telling me his plans for the near future."
"They are nebulous," Loki added hastily, "but, in short, I hope to rediscover the Lesser Kindred of he Jotunn, as well as follow Mal's coordinates."
"Who is Mal?" Odin's brow furrowed suspiciously. "Not another Midgardian?"
"No," Frigga gave Odin a look. "A girl who Loki met while exiled. They were together for a while."
"Hmph. It would be too much to hope she was from Vanaheim or Asgard," Odin muttered.
"Skrull, actually." Loki battled down annoyance. "I owe her my life – and I need to find out what happened to her after I left her."
"And the Lesser Kindred. Is that in any way related to the mythical being on Jotunheim from the Ancient Days?" asked Odin.
"Yes," Loki nodded. "I have discovered that there are some on Midgard, but I got the feeling that the situation is very delicate and complicated. Midgard is a very complex society, and to go in without understanding the full situation could damage a peaceful relationship."
"They are on Midgard?" Odin did not look too happy.
"They are not dangerous, Father," Loki sighed. "They just want to live peaceful lives."
"Deceiving the Midgardians."
"Which Asgard has done for millennia."
"For their own good," Odin insisted.
"For our good as well," Loki shook his head. "I agree with the policies of Asgard in general. Non-interference has been the best path for Midgard… and Jotunheim. Until now. Perhaps the time has come for a change - but we must have care in how we reveal ourselves, how we build our relationships."
"Jotunheim perhaps," Odin said reluctantly. "Jotunheim needs our aid if only for the sake of survival against Thanos."

Loki stamped down on his rising anger.

"I will do my best to make a decision that will aid as many people as possible," Loki finally said with a calm firmness. "The path I take to that route may not be expected, but I will do my best to choose the right path."
"Well, I suppose I cannot expect any other way than that from you, Loki," Odin gave his son a small smile. "You always fought for your own ends. Whatever decision you make, we will stand behind you. Your mother would not have it any other way."
"Absolutely right," Frigga nodded.

Father is a complicated man, Loki thought with an internal sigh. A complicated mixture of King and father and man. On so many levels, he makes decisions, but I can play that kind of a game too.

"I am not certain about my level of commitment toward Jotunheim," Loki shrugged. "I may return for a short while at least to help them heal their land with the Casket. However, I am not sure what I can do exactly. The practical side of helping Jotunheim still escapes me. There must be rituals of some sort. Perhaps the Lesser Kindred could tell me – or the King's Archives or the Jotunn Elders on Jotunheim."
"You may search the Asgardian archives. The Elves also may have some information."
"I could look," Loki said, unconvinced as he remembered is previous experience researching in Alfheim. "The archives in Alfheim were a bit vague about the Jotunn."
"I was also thinking of the Dark Elves."
"Ah," Loki nodded, remembering the pale still face of Malekith. Malekith knew of the name of Loki, after all. However, enlisting his aid may be well night impossible. "I did not think of that."
"Well, it sounds like we will all be busy," Frigga drew the two men close to her in a large hug. "I am very happy to hear my boys getting along so well. The future is as bright as we make it, I always say – and the future has never looked so hopeful."
"Hope," Loki murmured thoughtfully. "A precious thing…" He smiled at his parents then. "Whatever happens, I will hold onto hope for our Realms, for all the Realms."
Odin grunted, "We will need all the hope we can get – and then some, if we are to face Thanos and survive."

Loki remembered the words of the Heimsrsal, the one who was not Elska: I thought you could bring hope to Jotunheim. The Stars ever spoke of the eternal dance between Life and Death. Neither will lose, Loki smiled to himself, neither will win. Death's words returned to him then: All of our children have their own ascension and descent, brilliant stars as they are in the tapestry we all weave. Those closest to our hearts, we shelter as we may. Loki's grin broadened. There is hope, while we still have time – and time has been given to me over and over.

Thanos lost long ago; he just does not know it yet.

[…a broad horizon spreading before you…]
[…you have come to rest…]
[…places called home welcome you…]
[…is this the end?...]

An hour and a half later, the banquet was in full swing. Beneath great banners and the flags of Asgard's domains, Odin gave a speech about Asgard's hard won victory, about the sacrifices of the warriors who had fallen, about the return of his sons, and about Asgard's future of peace. Loki noticed that although the All-Father mentioned future battles to be won, Odin had said nothing specifically of Thanos. Loki understood and approved.

The people need a rest before they come to grips with what warring against the Mad Titan will entail, Loki thought grimly. Doom and gloom is not what is wanted at a victory feast.

After a few requests, Frigga also rose and spoke a few words thanking everyone for their hard work during the short war with Jotunheim. Unlike Odin, Frigga openly encouraged her people to show clemency toward the Jotunn and encouraged the Asgardians to look to their neighbouring Realms with a willingness to give and take. Applause resounded around the hall as the beautiful Queen took her seat, and Loki, who sat at her side as was his wont, joined the throng. His heart swelled with pride.

When I – If I become King, Loki corrected himself, I hope to bring as much hope and encouragement to my people as Mother does.

Thor whooped and yelled in the wake of Frigga's speech. More like a battle cry, it raised the energy of the room even further, and Loki could not help but smile. Following Frigga's speech, jesters and entertainers joined the nobles, jumping, dancing, and twirling. Bards moved about slowly, standing by various groups of noblemen and singing songs. Stories were bandied about at the top of the warriors' voices.

Great trays bearing fruit and meat and bread and wine were brought in and passed around the room. On the Royal Dais, where Odin and his family as well as his generals and a few mages sat, servants brought small delicacies which High Mage Agaeti, Frigga, and Loki preferred. Thor had already eaten his fill of venison, potatoes, and mead, and now picked at a fruit cake slowly while discussing provisioning with General Tyr.

A small flourish of trumpets sounded, and Loki's eyes lit up at the sight of familiar, small, white bowls. He glanced at Frigga who met his inquiring gaze with a smile and a nod. Mint pudding.

"We have several servings for you, dear," Frigga told her son, in a conspiratorial voice. "Feel free to ask for more, when you are done."

She patted Loki's hand and turned to Odin, offering him a bowl of pudding. The King set the dish beside his plate, smiled at his youngest son and his wife, and shook his head in amusement.

"Thank you, love," he said.
"You know how–"

Frigga stopped as someone yelled up at the dais in a strident voice which somehow overrode the clatter of utensils and tumult of the Court's combined conversation.

"Thor!"

The areas closer to the dais fell to a murmur as one of the younger lords, obviously rather drunk, rose to his feet with a glass raised.

"Prince Thor! A tale of your victorious exploits on Midgard!"
"Oi! Thor! Tell us of Midgard!" Volstagg roared in agreement. "The final battle you fought before arriving in Asgard!"
"Thor! Thor!" The crowd chanted.

Thor rose, his hand raised to calm the crowd. He stood up, but he did not jump over the table and cheer, neither did he call Mjolnir to egg his people on, nor did he stride to the front of the dais to start his tale.

"Aerth. Volstagg. Everyone." Thor stopped when the entire hall fell silent, hanging on his every word.

Almost everyone. Thor glanced sideways down the table at Loki whose attention was focused on his second helping of mint pudding.

[…perhaps it has now come to an end…]
[…all things come to an end…]
[…but it is not the end, surely…]
[…for with each ending…]
[…there is…]

"To be honest, Aerth. Volstagg… This tale is not mine for the sharing."

The room fell utterly silent at Thor's unexpected words. All of the servants froze. The young warriors tipped their heads back in confusion. The young ladies stopped whispering. The older warriors and courtiers and ladies set down their knives and pints of mead to properly look at the Crown Prince in slight shock. Loki's spoon hovered over the pudding as Loki looked at his older brother in surprise.

"You have to understand that by Asgardian standards, my years on Earth was spent in a rather unremarkable way. I learned some important lessons, but these lessons everyone here would perhaps find rather dull on a night like this. Such lessons – on wisdom, patience, and compassion – are better for another day. As for the final battle on Midgard... The end of my stay in Midgard ended with a battle, true, but the roots of the battles and the wars we experienced, both on Midgard and Asgard, have roots deep within a past few here know or understand."

Odin, leaning back in his chair, gazed up at his son with pride, and Frigga dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief. Mesmerized, Loki raised his cup of pear cordial to his lips; his eyes were fixed on Thor, wondering what his newly matured brother would do next.

"This is, I think, Loki's tale."

Loki choked on his drink as Thor's hand gestured in his direction.

"He is, after all, a master storyteller."

For the barest second, nothing was said. Then, from within the crowd a mage shouted.

"Hear! Hear!"
"Loki!" Sif shouted. "Let us hear the tale already!"
"Silvertongue!" bellowed a few of the bards. "Silvertongue! Silvertongue!"

Loki, his pale cheeks just a little flushed, rose to his feet, refusing to meet Thor's or Frigga's gaze.

"It is a long tale," he warned them, "and rather complicated."
"We have all night," chorused a bunch of mages.
"We do not!" Volstagg roared. "I have an appointment with a tavern!"

Laughter ensued, drowning out the warrior's grumbling. Several tables began to chant Loki's name. Loki turned and glanced at his family. Frigga's blue eyes twinkled in encouragement and Odin nodded. Thor roared and stomped his feet, which all the younger people in the hall emulated immediately. As Thor took his seat, Loki bowed and then moved from his seat round the side of the long table to the front of the dais.

Recognizing that the famous storyteller was about to being, the crowds fell silent in anticipation.

[…a new beginning…]

As he strode down the front of the dais, Loki's hand swept through the air, casting the room into soft darkness. Above them, the lamps dimmed and became one with the illusion of an endless vista - stars shining and twinkling. About the Court, hills of snow rose, blanketing the wall-hangings and the stone carvings of Odin's great hall. The pillars became empty ruins of a broken city.

Loki began his tale.

[…the skies are empty in Jotunheim…]

"The skies are empty in Jotunheim."

Loki whirled to cast the great cold suns into the empty dark sky. His smooth voice spoke the images into being as his memories rose within him and channeled themselves through his hands.

[…so wrong…]
[…there is life even here…]

"Yet, those tales are so wrong, for there is life even here in the Realm of Snow and Ice. Long ago, before the forgotten wars, Jotunheim was filled with starlight and the magick of its people, and the beasts of Jotunheim roamed wild and free. But then… in the name of power and greed, the greatest cities came to ruin, and the land of Jotunheim fell silent. All that remains today are the few cities of the Greater Kindred: Utgard, Griotunagardar, Gastropnir, and Utgard. Utgard, the westernmost citadel, stands as a sentinel at the chasm's edge. This is the Eybjarg, and here – here, too – is silence. It is the deep calm before the storm of war. Asgard has brought the war with Jotunheim home."

The scene shifted to show a looming dark altar, a blood-stained floor, and a small dark-skinned baby overshadowed by an icy ledge.

"Yet, in the midst of loss and destruction, hope, perhaps, was born for Jotunheim. I could not believe it myself for many years, but now I see it as the truth. Can you hear it?"

[…can you hear it?...]

"Fate's tapestry reveals a new path for the Realms, and the Spirits of the Realm sing out with joy. This joy reaches down within cold starlight to the babe and wraps itself around the abandoned Royal Child, the unnamed, unwanted Crown Prince of Jotunheim. It wakes."

A child's frail cry echoed through the now enthralled hall of Odin.

"It cries. Will no one hear it?"

Footsteps approach, and a grizzled old Jotun appears in the doorway, looking puzzled.

"Yet, it is even here, in the silence, that Fate will be born anew."

The End

Done. And done!

Now you guys know who/what the [...speaking stuff...] is all about~! At least, now you should know. If you still don't get it, private message me or email me at Kakashidiot at gmail. I love roundabout stories and this is the ultimate roundabout epic. Although I must say that I am the type of person who geeks out about roundabout story telling, others may just be like 'meh'. Haha. But I've been planning this forever, so it's nice to see the culmination.

Anyways... Let me know what you think!

I'll miss hearing from many of you. Don't be a stranger... You can always get in contact with me on gmail (Kakashidiot) or Tumblr (dappled-things/kakashidiot/) or here with private messaging or on inkitt (scarecrowslady) or wattpad (scarecrowslady).

Original Fiction I'm writing will be mostly sci-fi, science fantasy, fantasy, mystery, action-adventure. You can definitely check out Night Runners: First Year on Inkitt!

Also be sure to keep an eye out on Distortions in Time: The Untold Tales. I may add small short stories to that little collection in the future.

My future plans for Distortions in Time go thusly:

1) I will be editing the story again with the help of the wonderful Thalia Arche.

2) I will be posting the edited versions on inkitt and wattpad along with maps and pictures and etc.

3) I will be splitting the books into 3 parts.

4) I will also be open to sending people physical copies of my final edited books, when they are finished. The hard copy books will be cheap because they aren't for profit. The price (paid via PP) would only be the cost of shipping and printing the book. If you are interested, email me at kakashidiot at gmail. Important Note: Folks who reviewed every single chapter of this story will be eligible for a free poster of the front cover of DIT. V beautiful.

5) At some point in the future, I will begin planning the sequel to DIT (Book 4-6).

Well, that is it!
Love you guys! Ja ne~
(bows)
(exits stage)