Three more accounts, all of them dead. Hope was their name.
Ellie read through her reports recorded from each investigation, all happening similarly to the first account in the Avengers facility. It was imperative that Ellie's team worked to keep the events on the low as best as they could, but with the accounts happening at random and in various places around the world, keeping the deaths classified was becoming impossible.
Tucson, AZ.
Westchester County, NY.
Stuttgart, Germany.
Those were her three new locations to add to the few others collected over the weeks. The other locations were in Iraq, the UK, Norway, South Africa, and another in South Korea. They were so scattered, so random, with each course of events happening similarly to the others. A person, abandoned with no memories other than of the man who was their captor, only to be found murdered under everyone's noses minutes after. To Ellie's surprise, each 'Hope' would give a brief description of who had tortured them, every single one being a different description than the last. The only one that obviously worried her was the description that matched Loki. Conveniently, Loki was no longer on Earth. If he was in recent captivity on Asgard like the Avengers had reported, then the possibility of him being the culprit was out of the question. Someone was trying to frame him, and possibly others as well. But why?
Most of the autopsy reports had made their way back to Ellie for her to read. Each murder was inflicted, most abrasions resembling knife wounds with internal combustion and strangling. None of these murders were caught on any camera, which made it more confusing. One minute, Hope was alive, and the next, dead and ripped apart. S.W.O.R.D. was expending wealthy resources to conceal these deaths from the public ear, to keep it nothing more than a rumor at most.
Another detail that intrigued Ellie was the detection of leftover magic found in each crime scene where the S.W.O.R.D. agents had scanned. Someone had been there to kill these people with a power unique to the energy of Earth, which did align up with the lack of camera footage and suddenness of each death. S.W.O.R.D. had spent years keeping track of otherworld beings and doing their part to protect the earth. She wondered if these scans could be sent in to find a match in energy. Perhaps a being was on the loose that they had encountered before. It wasn't guaranteed, but it was worth a try. This was Ellie's next step.
She immediately set out for the main headquarters of S.W.O.R.D., ready to search the database for needed answers. While S.W.O.R.D. had sister locations across the globe, their main campus for data collection was located at their first establishment on Merritt Island, Florida. This place was the heartbeat of their entire organization. There was always an odd sense of endearment when entering the building where S.W.O.R.D. was born. She owed so much to her work and those that had given her the opportunities she had.
Their data library was bustling the day she happened to pay her visit. Tablet in hand, she scanned herself in and began her search, trying to find an energy match from the ones that had been located at the crime scenes. The computer stored her information into its files first and then began sorting through past data. Ellie waited. And waited.
The buzzing from her phone in her pocket took her attention off of the computer. She was quick to notice a receiving phone call, to which she picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Ellie, it's Layten." The familiar voice of her co-agent came through. "You have a minute?"
"Yeah, I'm just at the main headquarters waiting for some information. What's up?"
"I was just asked to collect whatever information you've put together so far regarding this case with our 'Hopes'. Just send it over to my email and I'll take it from there."
Ellie frowned, pausing for a minute. "We've barely started scratching the surface. Also, why didn't I hear about this first? I'm supposed to be leading the case."
"Well gees, it's not my fault." Layten tried to chuckle off Ellie's annoyance. "Director Rambeau wants to see what we've been discovering. This is the strangest case we've had in awhile."
Layten's response surprised Ellie. There were plenty of other agents in higher ranks above them that would often collect information and later pass it on to the director, but for Maria Rambeau to ask for it this soon? And from them directly?
"Rambeau asked for it?" She asked.
Layten replied, "Yeah, and she wants it by tonight, so if you could just shoot them over, that would help so much."
Ellie put her phone on speaker and accessed her files from the small device. "I haven't exactly organized them yet…" she mumbled. "Like I said, we've barely scratched the surface."
"It's fine, I can organize them on my own before sending it to her. She just wants to be in the know of where we're at with this case, especially if it ends up being bigger than we think."
"I suppose." Ellie complied and sent them over through her phone. "Just sent. Did you get them?"
"Um…" there was a pause and a click of a computer mouse could be heard through the phone. "Yep! Just got them. Thanks so much."
"Sure thing. Hope you enjoy my sporadic notes."
Another chuckle came through the phone in reply. After that, Ellie expected Layten to end their phone call so she could get back to her work, but he instead asked, "What are you looking for at the data library?"
Setting her phone down beside the computer, she answered, "I finally have the energy scans from the crime scenes. Our suspicions were correct, there was some sort of… strange power involved in these murders."
"And?"
"And I'm trying to see if these energy scans match up with anything we have stored away. Who knows, maybe we're meeting someone that's wreaked havoc on earth before."
Layten huffed a short sigh. "I don't think that'll be much help to you, Els. We hardly take the time to store meticulous energy scans. You'll do better looking through our reports. Try to find similar attack patterns from other enemies."
"That'll take forever."
"Well, it's what I'd do. You trust me, right?"
Ellie was about to respond, but when the computer came up with the result of over fifty similar scans out of twenty thousand to look over, she narrowed her eyes. "I'll get back to you with more information later."
"Oh, okay then." Layten's tone mellowed. "Just take my advice, alright?"
"Sure. Talk soon." She hung up, confused by his remarks but eager to continue.
The similar scans given were nothing more than similar. None were a precise match, so maybe Layten was right. There was more she could use this library for, such as finding different creatures to match the description given from each of the victims. As long as she was making progress in finding out who would be responsible for the murders, then she was doing her job right.
Match found…
Ellie froze when those words appeared on the computer screen. A match had been found? Eight results. She scrolled through the displayed data and leaned closer towards the screen in surprise. The scans in front of her weren't new, but the computer had matched each of her own files to each other. The energy from her scans came back deriving from the same source.
Wasting no time, Ellie sent the data to her personal devices and went searching deeper. This time, she went through the descriptions given about the murderers. Besides the one description matching Loki, the others described a Skrull, Chitauri, and other alien-like creatures that hadn't invaded earth before, thus lacking a file in the database. All of them extraterrestrials, none of them human. While Loki appeared the most human, he was still not one of them… similarly to herself.
Was this evidence of an alien invasion? Ellie looked over the descriptions of each species again. Not a single human was described by 'Hope', but Hope themselves were human. None of this was making sense, not yet. However, one of those descriptions was similar enough that she wasn't discouraged. She had a lead, she had some direction on what to do next.
She tucked her tablet under her arm and hurried from the data library. S.W.O.R.D.'s computers gave her all they could, for now. Her mind stayed fixated on the suspect descriptions. There was someone she could turn to for answers, someone she could trust. One phone call and he would be right there. All she hoped is that he wouldn't have any bad news for her, especially now that Rambeau was paying close attention.
...
From the bottom of the ever-growing pile of ancient books, Loki found the volume and rescued it from burial. Its title in bronze shimmer reminded him of his discovery back on Earth.
"This is the one." He said, handing it over to Kvasir, who was eager to have a look. Thor and Sol equally shared the desire to see what would be uncovered once the king could see.
Gently taking the book in his aged hands, he opened it, saying, "Tell me again what happened."
"I read aloud the ancient runes and magic came to life," Loki replied. "It's as simple as that. Whatever was said in that ancient language must have been a powerful spell."
Kvasir frowned upon hearing that, and when he found the tarnished page that was burnt with magic, his brows knit tightly together. "A spell?"
"You know, the Ancient Days were riddled with them. You've even said so in the past that your old Council of Elders meddled with such things."
Sighing, Kvasir replied, trying to mask annoyance. "I do not ask for a definition, Loki. I am only seeking clarification if you truly believe this to be a spell."
"I do." There was tension in the air. Loki noticed Sol folding her hands together, tightly. "Why the clarification?"
Kvasir paused his reading of the book, preparing his response but looking pained to do so. Dozens of memories, lifetimes, played in his mind's eye, and he knew the truth behind what he was about to say. "There was always a common misconception the royal bloodline on Asgard had about magic. It is not some mystical source or an occult; rather, it is the energy that results from all living things around us."
"Of course, this has always been its explanation to us." Thor interjected. "Magic is just another word for science in our realms. It is just as natural as you and I."
"I understand, but what is often misunderstood is that the use of spells indicates dark use of magic, a magic for selfish intent."
Loki frowned. "I learned most of my spells from my mother, and she was the kindest being in all the Nine Realms. Surely, spells are not only for evil."
"Often those who do not understand the origin of spells will use them naively. Even if their hearts are good, spells were originally created to control magic in a matter that forces it to do what is unnatural in its nature." Kvasir closed the book and set it back on the table. "These runes did not bring to life any magic. It was already there, strong enough to seep into the pages and burst forth when read. Beyond the history these books speak of, the rest of them are just stories in ancient languages, telling us of how beings tried to use dark magic to manipulate the Fractals." He motioned to the other book piles they had made. "What we have from your books on Asgard, combined with our records here… we can conclude that the Fractals were hidden in temples throughout the galaxies to keep those dark ancients from destroying our universe."
"So why can we not find any other location to these temples other than the one we already had?" Loki asked, his tone becoming bitter. It felt as if they were constantly drawing the same conclusion, only with slightly more detail.
Kvasir replied, "I would rightfully assume that the authors did not want these Fractals being found. But, if you were to travel to the temple, I am sure you would find guidance on how to get to the next one. The people of the Ancient Days were known for giving direction in their architecture."
The brothers met eyes.
"We best not waste time." Thor said.
Kvasir nodded. "This first temple is the only lead you have. Even our records couldn't tell you any differently."
Sol approached, finding a window to speak. "I do worry that what we have discovered is that you may be entering a territory of evil. These spells, the concentration of centuries-old magic… even our historical records point to nothing good coming from this journey."
"We will keep such things in mind." Thor encouraged. He turned back to Kvasir. "I am grateful for your added knowledge, good king. These fractals being confirmed to having ties to dark magic explains Jennica's fractals acting out, the world of our destination covered in darkness, even history pointing to destruction when the Fractals are involved. We may not have all the answers yet, but we're well on our way."
"We at least know what we have to stop." Loki added, continuing in a low voice, "The darkness."
Thor made the decision to quickly depart to Asgard in order to let Odin know that the journey of finding the Fractals would finally begin. Their astronomer could speak with him and Heimdall on how to safely use the Bifrost to navigate the darkened world, which would be vital for their survival. As Thor disappeared, eager to make his trip back home swiftly, Kvasir encouraged Loki to fetch Jennica, who had been absent for some time. She was sent away to the Light Elf healers to tend to any ailments that were left over from the previous temperamental reactions of her fractals. Once found, Loki could accompany her back to their study where Kvasir would discuss more of Alfheim's knowledge and how it could be used on their journey. There was a lot needing to take place, but Loki agreed to Kvasir's suggestion and left to go find the princess.
As Loki walked the open halls, he noticed for the first time the abundance of natural light coming in from the large windows. It was far different than the dim candle lighting in the Asgardian palace he had grown up in. Were those windows so grand before when Ulric was ruling? Maybe he just hadn't taken the time to notice.
Sol had said that Jennica would most likely be in her room near the top of the castle. He remembered where that room was, very clearly, and not for all the fondest reasons. It was on the balcony of that room where Jennica's demeanor changed, where he watched shadows deepen in her eyes when he confessed his past. He knew his story was not an honorable one, but the rejection would forever sting. Not only because he had fallen for her, but mostly for the desire to know someone who would see the good in him. At least someone who wouldn't assume the worst.
Approaching the upper wing after climbing some stairs, he could see light seeping from underneath her door. It was occupied, but now he was dreading the knock he would have to make. His steps slowed.
Why are you nervous?
His thoughts paused when he heard Jennica speaking from within her room. His expression became inquisitive; her response sounded as if it was a reply, but there hadn't been another voice coming from within the room. Not willing to come any closer until he had heard more, Loki stopped walking.
There was silence. Then Jennica's voice could be heard again. Silence. Jennica. More silence, and then Jennica again. This confusion willed away the nerves Loki was feeling a moment before, and he desired to interrupt Jennica's strange conversation with herself and knock. So, he did.
Rustling was heard, then the knob began to turn. She appeared before him in an instant, saying, "Loki… Did my father send you?"
"He did." Loki replied. "Are you in good health?"
"The healers said there is nothing remaining to cause concern. Although, I do admit, I am very tired."
"That is understandable." He managed to soften his gaze and offer the crook of his arm. "May I?"
She hesitated, just for a heartbeat, but nodded and linked her arm in his. "You may."
Loki led her down the hall, keeping her close but not too close, walking fast but not too fast. His heart rate calmed when he could sense Jennica's arm relaxing in his.
"Thor has gone to confirm our travels with Odin," Loki said. "We can leave for the temple as soon as he returns."
Jennica's eyes lit up. "My parents have given their guidance?"
"There is one more thing your father wants to discuss with us before we depart, but overall, it appears that we are ready to finally make some progress. You are still wanting to come along, yes?"
"If you will still have me. I know I haven't been feeling the best or thinking as clearly, but I would rather help than be stuck somewhere."
"You are the only one here who has personal experience using any of the Fractals. It is more than valuable to have you with us." He stopped to open the door to the stairwell, letting her go in ahead of him. "Besides, once we secure the Fractals, you can help us keep their power contained."
Jennica's lips pressed together. "I will try my best, but we can see how my strength has been with my own fractals lately."
"After speaking with your father, we have all secured the same conclusion that dark magic is manipulating your fractals, so it isn't your lack of strength by any means."
"So, your suspicions were right?"
"So far, but we are far from discovering who could possibly be behind this."
Jennica hummed in response, letting a pause lift between them. They completed their descent down the stairs and entered another corridor.
"Your father said some things that almost troubled me." Loki continued. "He talks of spells being of evil descent, that to use magic for good means to control it as it is and not bend its nature."
"Why does that bother you?" Jennica asked.
"Because my entire skill set is based on bending magic to my will. Why else would anyone learn to use it? Magic is the definition for the natural energy around us, the composition of all creation."
"But your ability to do that is gone now that you are banished from Asgard."
Loki stiffened. "Well… yes, but my knowledge is still there."
Jennica had to fight a smile. She didn't want to tease him, but she knew she had hit a sore spot. "I'm aware that I don't know a lot about these things, but my experience with the Fractals has been on learning to use the energy that's there. Not try to manipulate them or use my words to bring out something new. I just… use them. When I can, of course."
"You Light Elves are born with magic in your biology. You couldn't live without it. The rest of us see it as a tool to be used, so I don't see why spells can't be a natural part of using magic itself."
"That's why I was given these." Jennica began to fidget with her locket, feeling the Fractals resting within. "My mother said that I was born without that magic in my body. If not for the Fractals, I would have died, so I'm grateful for them, even if they have caused me pain."
"I agree." He gently rubbed her arm with his thumb in response. The answer was genuine. He was grateful for her life.
As they neared the final corridor before the library, Loki noticed there was an absence of guards compared to the other hallways, so he paused in his tracks, deciding to ask, "Who were you talking to in your room before I knocked?"
Jennica unhooked her arm from his to face him. "What do you mean?"
"You know very well what I mean. I heard you speaking to someone but there was no other voice to be heard. Who had you been speaking to?"
"It's… hard to explain, Loki." Jennica's gaze waivered. "My mother says he's supposed to be dead but he still speaks to me."
Loki's face expressed concern. "Who? Your… brother?"
He knew. She should have known he would. It was foolish to try to hide in the presence of the 'master of lies'. "He still tells me of the pain he's in."
"But your mother says he's dead. Are you… speaking to his ghost?"
"That's the thing, Loki. I don't believe he's dead. He may be assumed dead, but he is not a ghost. He's promised to come soon and help us."
Loki crossed his arms. "Has he, now?"
"Don't look at me like that." Jennica grew visibly frustrated. "He's never done anything to wrong me and has made it very clear that he has my best interests in mind."
"I have a hard time trusting anyone, especially someone I have never met. Our journey for the Fractals should remain as classified as possible, even to someone like your brother."
"Well, it's not like I can control my interactions with him." Jennica's eye contact waivered. "He comes when he wants."
"Ah, a lack of privacy. Now that is something I despise."
"Loki…"
He chuckled. "Don't get all wound up. I am only looking out for you. Since you are still set on caring for this brother of yours, I must tell myself now that there will be no changing your mind to care less." He offered his arm again. "Now, are you willing to keep your father waiting?"
"Not at all." She began walking ahead of him instead.