Frigid cold enveloped Loki like a warm friend. Although, he shrugged his heavier garments closer around him out of habit. Cooler temperatures never bothered him. In fact, he preferred them. But constant, firm reprimand from his father made him question how he reacted around the cold.
The Allfather made it seem like it was a crime to prefer cool to warm. Even when Odin allowed it to snow on Asgard, the temperatures were never freezing. It was just cold enough to make hot beverages and wrapping up in fur-lined clothes enjoyable. Many assumed it was because of the feud once held with Jotunheim.
Loki used to assume it was because, deep down, his father didn't want his people to suffer. Now, he wondered what the real reason was for. Especially when he had to sit through multiple lectures and punishes for simply stating he wished it would be colder during the snow.
His preference finally grew until he bothered Thor with it so much that even Thor began to question Odin's decision on the matter. And that was when he really began to see a different side to his father. One he knew had always been in him because there was a reason Asgard was left alone by outside enemies, but one he never thought would be shown to children.
Well, he was, more or less, a young god with minor adult responsibilities. But still. He wouldn't call it torture…however, the Allfather making him sit in much warmer rooms so he would "learn to like warmth" was borderline cruel. After a handful of times of that, he was ready to comply with his father's wishes and pretend the cold made him, in fact, cold.
He didn't like the heat. It left him abnormally weak, left his magic unserviceable. He would get sick, throw up, and it could be days before he could eat again. He hated it. Hated it with a passion.
But there was one source of heat he loved.
It wasn't all too long ago when Aura discovered her fire magic. And for some time, he had been scared his father would find out and kill her.
Odin didn't like his servants having abilities. He allowed Aura to utilize her healing magic because restoration magic wasn't threatening. Plus, Frigga was a full light elf and possessed the same type of power. Saying no to Aura would be saying no to his wife, and he didn't want that.
Loki had been trying to work out a plan with his mother to teach Aura about her fire in secret so she wouldn't have another accident. His beloved did have one incident, but it was her first and only. And he had been the victim of her unintentional attack.
She had been under heavy duress, even though he hadn't known at the time. He wanted to surprise her with a nice gesture of flowers. Ended up surprising her too well. She had turned around, startled, and hit him with a mess of fire.
The flames should've burned him. Left permanent scars. However, a part of her brain must have recognized him instantly and kept her magic from doing so. There wasn't a scratch on him when the fires died. He barely even felt the heat.
He remembered standing in the middle of the raging oranges, reds, and yellows. It was an incredible experience. One he didn't want to have to go through again but breathtaking, nonetheless. And then his heart ached for her because she couldn't stop sobbing. She thought she had injured him, and it almost broke her soul.
There were times when her fragile nature amazed him. Not in a bad way. But it was astonishing she could retain her personality after all the harshness life had thrown at her. In a way, he envied her. From the time since they had met as small children, he knew his disposition had changed. However, she still loved him. That fact kept him going.
But when she thought she had hurt him, it took him nearly a week to calm her down and reassure her he hadn't been affected. It also took her the entirety of that week to tell her why she had been particularly upset at the time of the incident. And that was when he found out about the guard named Galensar.
The very day, the guard was never heard from again.
No one would be allowed to touch his beloved. Especially in a way which suggested taking advantage of her. Not even he dared touch her in a provocative manner. His mother would make sure of that, if he were to acquire an insane notion. The only being who guarded her more fiercely than him was Frigga.
Volstagg made a rather loud exclamation and pulled Loki from his thoughts.
Looking over, the youngest prince watched Thor keep the rotund Warrior from falling off an ice cliff. Right. They were here to deal with the frost giants. His fingers flexed at his sides. Well, at least he had reminded himself of the true purpose to all of his plans. Now to focus on the task at hand.
Thor led the party across the frozen wasteland until they stood amongst the edges of a long-forgotten city.
Ruins of structures made from jade and ice were strewn about the area. Relics of a victorious past. Amongst the rubble rose what was left of a temple, a half circle of sheer, jagged walls.
Sif stopped next to Thor. "Where are they?"
The thunder god scoffed and continued walking to the center of the debris. "Hiding. Just as cowards will always do."
Loki shifted. This place made him more untrusting than normal. And no, the frost giants weren't hiding. He could sense them moving in the shadows. They were using tactics. Strategy use didn't make them cowards.
They finally came to rest in the central plaza. Halted in the looming semicircle.
The rest of the group finally perceived the hidden Jotuns and grabbed the hilts of their weapons.
A blue guard approached, voice rumbling. "What is your reason for being here, Asgardian?"
Loki inhaled a deep breath. And here's where the fun began.
Thor looked the giant up and down. "I would speak only to your king, not a petty foot soldier."
An even deeper voice echoed in the broken temple. "Then speak."
The six Asgardians lifted their gazes to the veiled sovereign sitting on a makeshift throne.
The king of the frost giants leaned forward enough so part of his face protruded from the darkness. His expression proud, despite the state of decay his Realm remained in. "I am Laufey. I am the king here."
Thor puffed out his chest. "And I am—"
"I know who you are, Odinson. I want to know why you've brought the stench of your blood into my Realm."
"I demand to know how your people sneaked into Asgard."
"You demand?" Laufey rose to his full height, clearly taller than any of the other Jotuns. He released a small smirk. "Odin's house is full of traitors."
Loki glanced at the others to gauge their reactions. They appeared confused and worried, but none of them looked to him. Good. He was almost afraid this Laufey would be the one to destroy his plans.
Thor brandished Mjolnir. "How dare you dishonor my father's name with your lies."
"Your father has dishonored his own name. He's nothing but a thief, a murderer. He took what was ours, left our Realm in permanent ruin. If we so chose, we have every right to reclaim our Casket."
"Not when you use it for nothing but warfare and destruction."
The frost giant king laughed in a cold manner. Sat back down on his throne. "So why have you come here? Certainly not for peace. You long for nothing but war and destruction yourself. I can see you for who you are. Nothing but a boy masquerading as a man."
The thunder god's grip tightened on his weapon. "Well, this boy has grown tired of your senseless mockery." He stepped forward, but several Jotuns emerged, keeping him away from the throne.
Loki knew he had to intervene. This was going to go south in a heartbeat. Perhaps now was the time to placate his hot-headed brother. "Thor, please stop and think. Look around you. We are in a Realm we shouldn't be. We're outnumbered. We—"
"Know your place, brother," Thor stated, shrugging away his brother's hand.
He blinked. So much for his brother seeking his approval. My, how quickly the tides could turn.
Laufey rose once again. Fully appearing out of the shadows. "You should heed his wise counsel. You do not know what your actions will unleash, should you chose to act upon them. I do. And you should go. Now. While I still allow it."
The god of mischief moved in front of his brother, holding him back with a hand. This chance was what they needed. Inclined his head to this Realm's ruler. "We humbly accept your most gracious offer." Then he stared down Thor.
The god of thunder had his gaze transfixed on Laufey, but he finally looked at his brother. Relented with a dissatisfied grunt. He pivoted and motioned for the others to leave.
One of the frost giant sentries snickered. "Run back home, little princess."
Loki silently sighed. "Damn." They were so close to actually leaving.
Thor grinned. Flung Mjolnir around the semicircle to knock the guards across the plaza. "Who should be next?"
Laufey motioned for his men to attack.
Ice molded around the frost giants' bodies, forming thick, frozen armor. Swelled around and down their hands. Uneven short swords for their attacks against the Asgardians.
An all-out brawl ensued.
Loki shook his head as he dodged strikes. Returned to his brother's side. "Do you really think this is wise, brother? You do want to be king one day, don't you? We should cease this nonsense."
Thor ignored his younger sibling altogether, battering back another round of frost giants. "Oh, come on," he cried out, "at least make this a challenge for me!"
He groaned. Leaned back to miss a sudden sweep of a Jotun's blade. Moved away from his arrogant brother, lest he stab him, too. Or, rather, learned his place. His nostrils flared as muscle memory kept his agile frame from taking damage. Sooner or later, he would probably stab Thor simply out of annoyance.
His emerald gaze sharpened as he was soon flanked by a pair of frost giants. Daggers found each of his hands. Then found themselves embedded in the Jotuns. He was honestly beginning to wonder why the race so feared. This was almost child's play.
A brute of a frost giant unleashed a battle cry, coming forth from a cage underneath what was left of the throne. He ran straight for the blonde prince of Asgard, punching him across the ice.
Loki couldn't even pretend to be concerned for his brother, he was so exasperated at this point.
Thor, however, brushed himself off. Joyous laughter escaped him and could be heard above the clangs of battle from Sif and the Warrior's Three. "Now this is more like it." Using Mjolnir, he flew back towards the brute and smashed his hammer into the monstrous frost giant's face.
Volstagg suddenly cried out, stabbing his sword through the Jotun in front of him and drawing the attention of everyone else. "Don't let them grab you. Their touch is poison." Staggering, he showed his blackening arm for the others to see.
Lady Sif ripped her spear out of a frost giant's head. "Hold on, Volstagg." She rushed to his aid, slicing down enemies along the way.
Loki surveyed the battle from a safe place, an illusion of him seemingly helpless near a precipice's edge. He needed to assess the situation as his brother had detached himself from the group and fought on his own accord. Volstagg had been injured, but he had gone back to fighting. Hogun and Fandral were faring well, which was good.
Movement on his left caught his eye.
A frost giant had fallen for the deception.
With an unamused sigh, he made his magical double appear scared, backing toward the edge of the cliff. He just wanted to go home. There was no point in this battle. They were going to be severely punished when they returned, and his chances of making a good impression were growing dim.
The Jotun lunged, and he made the artifice disappear with the flick of his wrist, sending the enemy off the ledge. Child's play. However, a pained cry from Fandral reminded him of the very real dangers.
Jaw setting, he raced toward the impaled warrior. Launching daggers at the frost giants in his way. Out of the Warrior's Three, Fandral was the only one who liked him, was amused by his magical abilities and constant snark. Fandral was also the only one who didn't instantly assume he was behind every malicious deed in Asgard.
A group of Jotuns blocked Loki's path, keeping him from reaching the nearly-unconscious Warrior.
"Hogun," he called, summoning more daggers. He kept an eye out to make sure the Warrior Grim heard his call. Fought the several frost giants with hand-to-hand combat. Felling two of the enemies, he watched both Hogun and Volstagg pull Fandral off the large ice stalagmite. Good, they were taking care of him.
He ducked from an ice-covered fist coming dangerously close to his face. Retaliated by plunging both of his daggers into his rival's chest and sending him to the ground.
Another Jotun seized his wrist from behind.
Loki whirled around, sliding his hand free from the glove keeping him ensnared.
The dying frost giant with the twin daggers sticking out of his chest grabbed the Asgardian's bare flesh.
The mischief maker prepared himself for the searing agony, but…he felt nothing. He glanced down. A shade of blue matching the Jotuns' skin spread painlessly across his arm. With wide eyes, he yanked his arm free the downed Jotun who finally died.
The frost giant still standing stared in wonder.
Loki held up his arm to better light. What in the Nine Realms? Away from Jotun touch, his skin faded back to its normal pale color. But was it his normal flesh color? Hard breaths came from him in puffs of smoke, his raised hand slightly trembling. Did this mean what he thought…?
No. How could it? Odin was his father, and Frigga was his mother. Thor was his brother. Why would they lie to him all this time? Thor didn't have a lying bone in his body. Yes, Frigga could be sly in her own right, but she wouldn't hide this from him. And Odin, well, Odin wouldn't allow a frost giant into his family. Would he?
His eyes lifted to the frost giant in front of him. He couldn't show fear. Not here. And they needed this battle to be over with. Now. Tossing a dagger to eye level, he kicked it into his adversary's face. Looked around the scene.
Thor. Where was Thor? He needed to convince Thor to end this madness.
The thunder god was still happily killing frost giants with his hammer before their king.
Laufey slammed a hand against the wall of ice next to him, sending a pulse of energy though the wall and into the ground.
Everyone froze at the resounding crack!
Loki balanced himself from the shockwave. "Oh, this is not good."
"Look," Sif declared, pointing below the ice.
Hundreds of Jotuns stirred. Rousing to join the battle.
Loki turned to his brother. "Thor, we need to go now." However, he could tell his words were useless. His brother had forgone his hammer, fighting with his fists and consumed by bloodlust.
Volstagg adjusted his support for the slipping Fandral. "Loki's right. We need to go."
Thor turned enraged eyes upon them. "Then go!"
Sif started for the prince, but the ice broke all around them, the fresh soldiers joining the combat. "Thor."
"Go."
Hogun finally spoke. "Run."
Volstagg hoisted Fandral onto his back and carried him like a pack. Sif and Hogun followed closely behind.
Loki looked to his brother, but he knew there was no saving him. Once Thor was at this point, there was no return until his thirst was satisfied. He reluctantly trailed the others. This was insane. This whole plan of his brother's had been insane. He knew his father would blame him for not getting through Thor's thick pride.
His father—he glanced down at his bare arm as he ran. Expecting to see blue flesh. He blinked to get the imagery from his mind. He couldn't worry about that now. He needed to focus on getting the others off this wretched Realm.
Snapping lightning made him look over his shoulder as he chased the others. He watched his brother electrocute the ring of frost giants around him. His nostrils flared. This was neither the time nor the place to be showing off.
Another sickening crack of ice reverberated throughout Jotunheim.
Volstagg glanced over his shoulder and over Fandral. "What is Thor doing?"
Loki shook his head. "Whatever it is, it's going to get us all killed."
More formations fractured, and a Jotunheim Beast broke free from its frozen confinement as the ground itself shifted and fissured.
"Move," Sif screamed, jumping over rifts.
Hogun stayed beside Volstagg to help with Frandral if need be.
Loki continued bringing up the rear. He checked back on the Beast, but it wasn't anywhere to be seen. His gut told him it hadn't gone away. He didn't know those Beasts to be borrowers, but he didn't know much about the Beasts to begin with. Something he would have to study up on, given he survived Jotunheim. Given he survived the Allfather.
His nimbleness and instinctual need for self-preservation caught him up to the front of the group with Sif. Thankfully, her desire for her own survival kept her from giving him looks or making snide remarks. Although, it was his size and dexterity that often got him made fun of.
A real male Asgardian warrior should be full of strength and masculinity, is what most warriors said. He never cared. He could get any job done. Often with more skill, less destruction, and with more haste. That's what really mattered. He had no desire to keep up a stereotypical male persona. Especially not when he already had a woman who loved him and most of the others couldn't keep a respectable lady in a serious relationship.
The rumbling ground ended abruptly.
He skidded to a halt, along with Sif and the Warrior's Three, at the edge of a cliff. More like, the edge of this part of Jotunheim.
A massive paw full of claws came up from below and smacked the ice.
The five Asgardians moved backwards as the Jotunheim Beast pulled itself up.
Snarling, it unleashed a drooling roar. Reared on its hind legs. Gaped open its mouth.
Loki's eyes quickly scanned the Beast. He could teleport everyone away, but he feared making Fandral's condition worse. He had yet to use transformative magic on something this large. But he also feared his magic would be useless with how shaken he remained from the dying Jotun's touch.
Thor suddenly flew overhead, hammer first. Straight into the mouth of the Beast and out the other side of its head.
His ebony brows lifted. Well. That took care of that.
The thunder god circled back after the Beast fell off the cliff and landed with his usual flair. He rose with a grin from ear to ear. The passion for combat still swirling in his eyes.
Before anyone could give him a retort, a deafening roar rushed toward them. They all turned to see Laufey leading his army of Jotun soldiers.
Then the sky opened up, and a multi-colored beam of light scorched a familiar rune onto the surface of Jotunheim.
Sleipnir reared his front four legs. Snorted and landed with a thud.
Odin, in full battle armor, brandished his spear. His sole eye gazed over the frost giant army. Landing on their king. "Laufey. You can end this."
Jotunheim's ruler stepped forward from his mass of people and rose himself to Odin's height with a tide of ice. "It is your boy that caused this."
"There, you are right. And these are the actions of a boy. Treat them as such. There is no need for further bloodshed. We can end this."
"Your boy doesn't want diplomacy. He seeks war and death. I intend to give it to him."
Odin set his jaw. "So be it."
Without warning, Laufey swung an ice-covered hand at the Allfather, but Odin was quicker. He slammed Gungnir onto the ground, sending all the frost giants onto their backs. Then raised it to call the Bifrost. The six offenders traveling with him back to Asgard.