Chapter Thirty Nine
Loki stood in a common room, deep in thought, while Sif, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg rambled.
This was not what he had meant to happen.
Thor was not supposed to be banished. Yes, Loki had expected trouble, but he had never meant to throw Jotenheim and Asgard into war.
"Dude," Rissa said, next to him. "You fucked up."
Loki ignored her. He didn't want to even consider what Rissa is thinking.
He examined his hand. What was happening to him?
"How did the guard even know?" Volstagg asked, interrupting his thoughts.
Loki looked at him. "I told him."
"What?" asked Fandral.
"I'd told him to go to Odin after we left," Loki said. "He should be flogged for taking so long, we never should have reached Jotunheim."
"You told the guard?" Volstagg asked, incredulous.
"And saved our lives," Loki said. "And Thor's. I had no idea that father would banish him for what he did."
"How could you?" Sif asked, getting up. "You must go to your father and convince him to change his mind!"
"And if I do, then what?" Loki asked. "I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you know what he is! He's arrogant, he's reckless, he's dangerous! You saw how he was today!"
He turned and walked away, asking, "Is that what Asgard needs from it's king?"
...
Loki went to the weapons vault. He walked down the hall to the casket.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Rissa whispered. He paid her no mind.
He grasped the sides and picked it up. Loki watched his hands slowly turn blue.
"Stop!" Odin commanded.
"Am I cursed?" Loki asked. Was that what was wrong with him
Next to him, he heard a tiny sniffle. He looked out of the corner of his eye. Rissa was crying, tears spilling down her face silently. She looked so sad.
"No," Odin said.
"What am I?" Loki asked, putting the Casket down.
"You're my son," Odin said softly.
Loki turned around and faced his father. He was completely blue, with angry red eyes.
"What more than that?" he asked. Loki walked forward towards Odin. Slowly, his blue skin faded back to its normal color.
"The Casket wasn't the only thing you took from Jotenheim that day, was it?" he continued, walking forward.
He continued, waiting in silence.
"No," Odin said. "In the aftermath of the battle, I went to the temple…and I found a baby. Small, for a giant's offspring. Abandoned, suffering…left to die. Laufey's son."
"Laufey's son," Loki repeated as the truth sunk in.
"Yes," Odin whispered.
Loki was breathing hard. It felt like something was squeezing his chest together. "Why?" he needed to know. "You were knee-deep in Jotun blood, why would you take me?"
"You were an innocent child," Odin replied.
"No," Loki said, sensing another reason. "You took me for a purpose. What was it?"
Silence. Odin said nothing.
"TELL ME!" He shouted. His whole family…was nothing but a lie.
After a few moments, Odin said, "I thought we could unite our kingdoms one day, bring about an alliance, bring about a permanent peace. That's where you came in. But those plans no longer matter."
"So, I am no more than a stolen relic locked up, here, until you might have use of me?"
"Don't twist my words," Odin said.
"You could have told me what I was from the beginning! Why didn't you?" Loki cried.
"You're my son," Odin said. "I wanted only to protect you."
"What, because…I'm the monster that parents tell their children about at night? You know it all makes sense now. Why you favored Thor, all these years. It's because no matter how much you claim to love me, you couldn't have a Frost Giant sitting on the throne of Asgard!"
Odin collapsed on the floor, clutching his chest.
Loki froze. What was wrong with Odin?
Father…Loki thought, as he bent down to help him.
He didn't know what to do.
"Guards!" he cried. "Guards, please help!"
They ran into the room and started checking Odin's body.
Loki stood by the side and watched, unable to do anything.
"I'm sorry," Rissa whispered, standing beside him. "I'm so sorry."