AN: Thank you everyone who reviewed and favorited! I really cannot express how much I appreciate it! Your suggestions and comments really help a lot!

Here is the next chapter: a little shorter than I was anticipating, but only because it split a larger chapter in two. I hope the split works well!

Please enjoy!


Chapter 27: Loyalty


Sif rolled the yellow stone in between her fingers, the glow of the gem radiating in her dark eyes. It was a stunning thing, really. Faceted and glittering, the stone looked like it belonged on the necks of Asgard's most beautiful woman. It reminded her very much of them gems that would adorn Freya's form—for the goddess of love and fertility always covered herself in glittering gems. Sif of course knew she was not so lucky. Instead of wearing stunning jewelry like Brisingamen, she had always been adorning blood and dirt.

Looking across the common area, she sighed as she saw one of the mortal women laughing with The Warriors Three. The lot looked to be in a lively conversation, with the liquor having been poured some time ago and the laughter flowing just as easily. She could see Frandall dip his head back in a hearty laugh, batting his blue eyes at the dark-haired mortal in a futile attempt to win her favor. Hogun, ever the serious warrior, had his eyes studying the orange gem in his own hands.

She had been around the stone far too long, and hoped that the trio had put a harness on its powers. The orange brother to her stone played with time—showing visions of the past and future. The stone had made victims of all their minds, and Sif could remember the nights she would wake up in tears…visions from her past reminding her of everything she had lost. As beautiful as the orange stone was, it was perhaps one of the most dangerous.

For time was something that was not meant to be toyed with.

"You look sullen, Lady Sif."

Breaking her thoughts, the warrior turned around only to be met with the stunning blue eyes of the man she was in love with. Thor stood there, a worried expression painted on his face, and a red stone in his hand. It seemed that he, too, had been contemplating the uses for his gem.

"I am merely considering our situation, Milord." She admitted quietly, "What Loki spoke of is…worrisome."

To her surprise, Thor sat down across from her and gave her a reassuring smile. His face had a red hue to it—an artifact from the powerful gem in his hands—but the warrior goddess couldn't help herself from wanting it to be for her. She wanted the smiles and the glances to be for her. She wanted the Thor of her memories back.

"I have had words with my brother, Sif." Thor muttered, "He is ever difficult, but his knowledge of these stones is invaluable. We have little choice but to trust him."

Sif clenched the yellow stone harder in her hands.

"He told me that this stone." He began, holding up the ruby colored facets, "Bestows upon the yielder greater power. Tis really a shame I am unskilled in magic."

To this, Sif gave the man a small laugh.

"Milord, you are perhaps the strongest man I know." She admitted, "I cannot think of a more fitting person to yield it."

And Thor was strong—far stronger than her, at least. In the many battles she had followed him into, there was not another being who killed more of the enemy. She could still remember the smile on her face when he would split the sky and shower them in the glitter of lightening—still feel her hair stand up as electricity filled the air. He would use the stone to its full potential.

"I have thought of putting it on Mjolnir's hilt." Thor mused, "Thanos will only get the stone when it lays in my dead hands."

Feeling her chest tightening, Sif considered for the first time the possibility of Thor's death. What would become of her in its wake? She could remember the screaming and sobbing in the aftermath of Loki's apparent passing, but would she really fall so far? She didn't even want to think about it.

"Tis a fair plan, Milord." She whispered quietly, "I wish only for your safety."

This time, Thor gave a small laugh. As of late, the once bright light of the prince had dimmed dramatically. On his young face, Sif could see the marks of stress from his brother and wars. Even Gods were not immune from the marks Time had to bear.

"How time has changed me!" Thor remarked nostalgically, "I am nervous, but only a year ago I would have marched into battle unafraid! I would have taken on twice as many foes without a second thought!"

Thor smiled a little brighter as he brought a drink to his lips.

"And I recall the many times I would wade into the most dangerous of affairs with my brother at my side." Thor remembered, "We cared not if we died—we only lusted for the glory of battle."

Sif smiled at the prince across from her.

"Oh and how mother would scold us." Thor laughed, "Lady Eir would not talk to me for weeks."

"Thor, you and your brother would return half dead." She pointed out, twirling the yellow stone in her delicate fingers, "It seemed as though you and Loki would see who could return with the more glorious battle wounds."

And as she looked at the guilty smile on Thor's face, and as she heard the growing laughter from the Warriors Three from across the room, Sif felt for the first time in so long that everything was right. Perhaps Time had not changed much after all.

"Yes, well." Thor started again, "I always believed my brother fancied time with Lady Eir."

Sif rolled her eyes. She could have told him that.

"And you, Thor?" she asked with a smile, "What was your excuse?"

This time, Thor lowered his eyes from hers. What was a beaming smile filled with nostalgia, was now replaced with a vulnerable look she had not seen in some time. This time, there was no glowing red stone on the table to give him the blush that he now wore.

"I was trying to impress you."

Blinking a few times, Sif could feel her heart stop as Thor gave her a bright smile and stood up from the table.

"Wha…milord?"

He just gave her a wider grin.

"Sleep well, Milady!"

Watching with wide eyes, the warrior could feel her heart racing as he gave her a small wave goodbye and slid off to another part of the expansive tower. Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Sif allowed her lips to curl into a smile filled with disbelief. He had truly been trying to impress her all these years? With centuries of fighting valiantly besides him, it had been her that made him fight even harder?

Feeling the heat rise in her face, Sif thought of the way he looked at her and the way he spoke to her. It was like the man she had grown up with—it was the man she had loved for centuries. The man that laughed and smiled at her was not the worried would-be king of Asgard…he was happy because of her.

But as her eyes traveled to the stone in her hands, a sick realization filled her mind and the smile quickly left her face. In the back of her mind, she could see Odin standing before her with the yellow stone in his hands. She could remember the powerful feeling when the gem touched her skin, and she could still hear the echo of his words.

The stone granted wishes, no matter how illogical.

It had all been distorted reality.


Loki hissed as a wave of nausea washed over him. He felt as though he had been hit in the head—his senses distorted and his world shaky. Fishing around in the dark for a light switch, the man groaned as his hand came up with nothing. Narrowing his eyes in the dark, he stood up only to find that his feet made contact with a cold floor, not Stark's carpeted one.

It was his room.

Waving some fire onto a candle, the prince winced as the bright light stung like needles. His head was spinning, and he was suddenly surrounded by all his possessions in Asgard. The bookshelves were just as he had left them. The green bedding was just as he remembered. In the corner of the room, he could see the dirtied gilded helmet he loved so much. But he knew none of it was real.

Walking over to his large golden door, Loki gasped as his feet made contact with a bloated body outside his door. Upon looking down the halls, he could see a scattering of Asgardians—fluids dripping from their noses and mouths—and eyes fixed in a deathly glaze.

Closing his door cautiously, Loki continued down the halls only to find more casualties. All around him an unsettling silence permeated the sparkling palace. Halls that were once filled with music and laughter were now covered in blood and weapons. The hall that once housed his mother's famous handmaidens was littered with their bodies—their beautiful gems broken and glittering against their bodies.

Swallowing hard, Loki could feel a shiver down his spine as he heard clicking echoing in the hall. It was a slow beat, the cadence singing an ominous song, and Loki knew that whatever was walking down the hall towards him was what killed everyone he knew. He knew that whatever was walking down the hall was the being that brought him here.

And he had a very good idea of who it was.

"I told you I would find you."

Turning around, Loki narrowed his eyes at the large purple being. Thanos had a smile on his face that was positively vile, and for the first time in a while Loki felt true terror. Living up to his name, the God of Lies simply painted a fearless face upon his features and took a deep bow.

"Lord Thanos, I never doubted you." Loki said smoothly, "What do I owe the pleasure?"

Not breaking eye contact, Loki breathed deeply as Thanos walked over towards him—circling him in a predatory way.

"Malekith says you have gone soft." Thanos whispered, his breath hot against Loki's neck, "I simply called your mind here to see if there was any truth to that."

Tightening his jaw, Loki looked towards the Titan with the most defiant glare he could manage. Malekith had been playing dirty-gathering information on him and everyone at Stark tower. Loki was certain that whatever information the elf had gained would be used against them in battle…'Kate' would have had access to every file. Thanos knew everything.

"Malekith is well known for his deceitful nature." Loki explained calmly, "It would be unwise to trust him."

To Loki's surprise, Thanos simply laughed.

"And trusting words from The God of Lies is wiser?"

Thanos had walked in front of him now, and Loki could feel his heartbeat quickening. The yellow eyes seemed to be clawing into his soul, their analytical nature examining every aspect of his mind. He could see Thanos studying his features, and he was sure that the alien could hear the pounding of his heart in the silent room.

"I know exactly where your loyalty lies." Thanos spat, "And it's not with me."

Tightening his fists, Loki let out a growl.

"When I come to Midgard." Thanos whispered, circling Loki once again, "When I yield the army you were too weak to command…"

Loki closed his eyes as he felt Thanos's breath on his neck once again.

"I will seek out everyone you hold dear…" He spat, the spit hitting Loki in the face, "And I will make sure you watch as I slaughter them!"

Cringing, a number of images entered the god's mind. He could feel his chest tightening as he imagined Thanos butchering the people he loved like animals. His mind was fabricating their desperate screams, and he could feel distress when he was powerless to save them. The images were vomit inducing, complete with smells and hysterical sobbing.

"Kill me instead." Loki offered shakily, "Right now."

To his surprise, his offer was met with a hearty laugh.

"Oh, I will kill you." Thanos smiled, "But only after."

Thanos seemed to be relishing a beautiful thought.

"Only after I have quartered your brother." He whispered, "Only after I have eviscerated your lover. Only after I have strangled your friends."

Loki could hear his own heart pounding in his head as Thanos grabbed hold of his neck.

"Only then will I kill you."

Loki could feel it becoming harder to breathe as Thanos grabbed tighter.

"See you soon, Loki."

And as soon as everything had happened, it was over. Green eyes shot open, and a shaking hand grabbed a sore throat. This time, Loki was met not with the spacious bedchambers of Asgard, but with the unremarkable ceiling of one of Stark's guest rooms. Coughing a few times, Loki sat up and put his hands to his sweating face. Even now, he could feel the strong hands of Thanos around his neck. Even now, he could feel the alien's spit on his face.

But that was not the worst of what he was left with. No, what he was left with were the images of what Thanos promised to do. Thanos never bluffed; and when he spoke of the horrors he would make Loki watch, the prince knew he wasn't joking. Letting out a shuddering sigh, Loki put his hands to his face and tried his hardest to contain a scream.

But in the end, he failed.


Thank you so much for reading! Please remember to drop a review-they are always very much appreciated! ありがとうございます!

Next Chapter: The Soul Gem attacks again and leaves Eir with some bitter memories.