Please like and comment if you enjoy! I hope to post a chapter every month or so as long as my mind allows, thank you so much
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Frigga spent the better part of ten minutes pacing the hall, waiting for his return. Her heart thudded off in her chest at the thought of them, praying Thor would be able to get through to him. She set a hand to her forehead, whisking away the sweat with a deep sigh. A feeble attempt at calming her nerves, which nearly worked until she heard something strange in the distance. A pair of heavy footsteps headed toward her.
"Mother!" The panic resonating in her eldest voice instantly set her on edge, carrying with it something she hadn't heard before, fear. She turned heel just as the two of them rounded the corner. Her eyes falling over the stock blond and the limp figure tucked in his arms. Her heart plummeted when she saw Loki bloodied and out cold. Ushering them into her chamber without hesitation and locked the door behind them.
"What happened to him?" She urged, stepping close to them as Thor carefully laid Loki out on the bed, mindful of the glass. Her eyes widened at the sight of him. "I don't know, I just found him like this." Thor had never seen him look so calm. Usually they were too busy arguing with one another to boar over subtle cues. But even when he was asleep he seemed so serious, as if he was faking it. He'd never sunk into the bed, slack jawed and was totally unconscious like this before. Loki was a remarkably light sleeper, known to sleep with his eyes open from time to time. Which really terrified him as a child, claiming it was for meditation or whatever he called it. Although he never knew for sure, always assuming others would be sneaking about in the night. Ensuring he was the only one creeping about, always up to something. Thor shook away the thought as his mother stepped closer.
She leaned over Loki, noticing how his cheeks were sunken, a clear indication of malnourishment. She set the back of her hand against his temple. Although it was normal for him to run cold his body was freezing to the touch. Even his pale skin seemed to be turning blue. She knew he was dying and he wouldn't last much longer like this. It broke her heart to see him this way. If Thor had been a few minutes later she was sure he would have perished. She swallowed hard, preparing for the worst as she rolled up her sleeves.
"I just don't understand." Thor muttered, staring into his hands slick with blood. Frigga's expression tightened with her back to the other. She stood firm, tossing him one of the towels she'd gathered as well as handing him an empty bowl. He seemed confused for a moment, coming back down to reality. "It'll be alright, just bring me some hot water and the kit." Thor nodded, taking the vessel. He hesitated momentarily, looking back to him before disappearing.
Frigga smiled timidly, turning back to the other. Noting how his face was tranquil, knowing how exhausted he must've been. She checked his vitals. His pulse was a bit fast, to be expected. Although his breathing was stifled and ragged. There was no disguising that disgusting rattle resonating from his chest. She felt along his abdomen, noticing how his ribcage was distorted. She furrowed a brow, only able to speculate the extent of his injuries. She shifted her sight to the bedside table and procured a knife. Carefully she sliced his shirt open from the bottom up. It was blood soaked and worn, tearing away like tissue. She wondered why he hadn't changed out of his battle worn garb. They made sure he was given a fresh set of clothes and yet he chose to remain. She clenched her jaw, a bit tense for what she's about to uncover.
His body was soaked in crimson, seeming as though it hadn't all come from the puncture wound at his side. She produced one of the towels and cleaned away a bit of the substance, careful not to jostle the fresh injury. Although the more she wiped away the more she uncovered. It seemed that piece of glass would be the least of her worries. A shiver ran down her spine as thick scarring and deep blue bruising appeared on his flesh. Thick tears welled up in her eyes, refusing to spill. Just as Thor reappeared with the necessary supplies she stood to face him. Her cheeks were deep red and the combined look of horror and dissonance painted on her face was enough to tell him something was terribly wrong.
He hastily set the water and medkit on the floor between them, the steam rising in the empty space. He stepped up close with his eyes wide. They were equally shocked to see the numerous twisting scars covering Loki's body. Even familiar with these cruel methods, guilty of using them from time to time on their own prisoners but never to this extent. These were meticulous, calculated cuts. Many of which collided, deliberately tracing over each other. They were all deep and in different stages of healing. Their only purpose was to inflict pain. She set a heavy hand against his chest, thumbing one of the thicker scars crossing over his left collar bone and coiled around his neck. The sight of it made her nervous. She traced its path, noticing how it sliced into his jugular, an undoubtedly fatal blow. She tilted her head, wondering how he was able to survive such torment as she watched the subtle thump to his heart beat beneath the scar tissue. With a wound like this he would've bled out in minutes. The anger within her heart burned with speculation, only able to fabricate an explanation but never for such cruelty.
Loki seemed so fragile to them, like the slightest touch would shatter him. Although he'd proven to be tougher than that. Frigga held a steady palm over him, the anger in her eyes churning with a subtle curiosity. She would find out who did this to him but first she had to know the extent of his condition. Her hand descended, setting it firm against his forehead, still slick with sweat and dirty from the previous fight. From this close she was able to see light, faded scars scattered across his face and neck. Some of which were acquired recently of course but most were built up over time. Whatever happened she couldn't even imagine. Frigga closed her eyes and concentrated, taking in a deep breath as she focused her magic. She exhaled slowly and suddenly little pulses of gold flushed through him. The bright energy radiated along her palm and pierced his mind. His labored breathing stifled momentarily and the worry etched on her face seemed to double.
She scanned his broken body, seeing the extent of his trauma. Every wound old and new appeared to her, even worse than she could have imagined. From what she could tell from her scan that shard was the least of her worries. Many of his bones were fractured if not broken. The most peculiar thing being how it seemed there were many instances of repeat breaks and deformities most likely due to being forced to heal in pitiful conditions. Her eyes wandered, noticing how they correlated to the underlying contusions. Among the more primitive carvings she noticed several precise surgical incisions and other would be fatal wounds long sealed. Thick scar tissue seemed to burrow into his body, honing in on a peculiar portion that maimed his heart. He'd been stabbed in the chest.
She furrowed his brow, upon further examination she noticed other distinct puncture marks along his hairline and at the base of his skull, long healed but strange nonetheless. She only assumed whoever did this to him was skilled in dark magic, meddling with his mind was no easy task. To be able to override his freewill. It's not possible, she refused to believe it. She may not know how they managed it but there was one thing she was sure of. Loki fought them the entire way. The terrible burn scars along his right side and shoulder was proof of their desperation. It set her on edge. Heat was absolute torment for his kind. Whoever did this to him exploited his weakness and truly revelled his suffering. The more she discovered the worse they felt. Still there was a reason he hadn't surfaced in all this time, the condition he was in proof of his resistance. What a miserable experience. She started to cry. He shouldn't be able to move so why would he fight like this?
Thor could only watch in awe as everything he knew came crumbling down. How could this happen? How did he not realize Loki was hiding this from him? "Tell me what you saw?" She asked openly, a touch of sadness in her voice. Thor's eyes met the floor when he spoke because her guess was as good as his. "It was strange, the room was destroyed and he tried to fool me with a projection. I believe he means to end his life but I don't know what compels him to do this to himself." Frigga nodded, knowing he had his reasons. She should've realized the moment she saw him that he was unwell.
"Can you thread the needle for me please." She smiles at him, concealing her feelings for now. Although Thor knew better, he nodded and made quick work of it. In the meantime Frigga took a wet towel and cleaned his face, feeling the heat radiating off of him which worried her a bit. She narrowed her brows, gazing down at him. Loki's eyes were closed although his expression slowly melted into discomfort, no doubtably feeling the pain in his comatose state. First things first, she had to remove the glass shard embedded in his side before she could begin the mending process. Frigga wrapped a thin piece of leather around the glass to ensure her hold. Looking back at Thor who held the curved needle at the ready, waiting for her signal.
She seemed to take a steady inhale and in one fluid movement it was out, quick and painless from his standpoint.
Loki didn't even seem to notice, his eyes remained glued shut. She discarded the shard, tossing it idly on her nightstand. It was a little over four inches long and three wide leaving a nice deep wound for her to seal up. She set one of the thick towels against his wound as she leaned over and took the needle from Thor. After a moment of soaking up the blood she deemed it well enough to stitch, doing so with profound precision. Having much practice over the years. She tied it off and urged Thor to maintain the pressure while she rummaged through her cabinets for necessary salves. A slight eureka at the sight of them made her giddy as if she couldn't get her hands on them any quicker. She returned in moments spreading a heavy layer of balm over any open wounds she found. She hadn't realized how many there truly were until she was running out of medicine. She stretched the rest of it as far as she could before bounding his midsection in thick bandages. She cleaned herself off, amazed he was able to carry on a fight let alone walk in this condition.
She focused her breathing, calming her nerves as she held her hands over the wound, the blood already seeping through the bandages. The energy radiated within her as she channeled her strongest healing charm. She could feel his skin beneath the cloth mend as if nothing had happened. Plucking him back from the edge of oblivion. Doing so takes a tremendous amount of energy so she had to spend it wisely. Choosing to partially heal the cut versus sealing the entire wound. She knew she would need to focus on other affected areas. There was so much prior damage done to him that inhibited his ability to breathe. It gave her this uneasy feeling. If she had to guess, she'd say his lung capacity was cut in half, the constant breaking and shift of his bone has deformed his ribcage, inhibiting his basic abilities. She was a gifted healer not a miracle worker still she would do everything possible to repair the damage.
Frigga set a hand on his forehead, peering into his mind only for a moment. Long enough to feel the anguish and fear he concealed in its raw form. It set her on edge, as a vile feeling overtook her. She was only able to catch a glimpse of what was going on inside his mind although it was worse than she could have imagined. Her intuition was right after all. She knew there was something very wrong with her son. Cursing herself for not acting accordingly when she felt a certain way. Nothing about the circumstance made any sense. For him to suddenly show up without their knowledge was troublesome. This was premeditated. Her expression softened as she mentally prepared herself for what she was about to witness. She could hear Loki's screams resonating within her head.
"I just don't understand why he won't accept help." Thor admitted suddenly, unable to grasp the severity even now. Frigga eyed him knowingly, feeling the weight. "Something has invaded his mind." She didn't want to go into any detail not now and Thor accepted that as he watched her work. Loki's eyes were shut but his face reflected how he truly felt. She wanted to soothe him, gracing his temple with a golden glow at her fingertips. "Calm." She whispered, tapping the tips of her pointer and middle finger against his temple, instantly Loki's breathing steadied and soon his body relaxed and fell heavy against the bedding.
She closed her eyes, holding her hand out, setting the other against his forehead. S'he took in a deep breath, diving deep into his subconscious. Her brows narrowed as she listened to his thoughts, holding numerous questions of her own. His mind was a jumbled mess, sporadic memories that seemed to be sealed off were coming back to him.
She could feel his fear. Flashes of torment and the remembrance of every instance of pain was coming back to him.
"There's so much more beneath the surface we have yet to understand." She uttered, able to catch a glimpse of the torment. This is something stronger than any dark magic. Pared with something else, medical manipulation. Through a combination of trauma and malpractice they managed to block out major chunks of memory. As if there was a wall keeping them at bay although it was weakening. As much trouble as they went through to conceal such things, they underestimated him. She could hear partial conversations between his captures. Placing herself as if she was there when it happened.
…
Loki blinked heavily as fluorescent light flooded the dark room. His eyes fixated on the silhouette of a large man, if it was a man. He couldn't see him very clearly but he could be better described as a monster. "I was surprised to see someone like you floating lifelessly suspended amongst the stars. Not a single breath left your body. It didn't seem like a very pleasant way to go." His voice spoke softly but there was power behind it and something else present. It was a deep battleworn utterance that made Loki nervous. To wake up in a strange place greeted by some unknown, would throw anyone into a panic. Although he was good at hiding it. He would not show fear to someone who has yet to show themselves.
"Who are you?! I demand to know where I am!" He tried with whatever strength he had left to sound like a threat, because his voice couldn't convey the desired effect. The stranger laughed. "Oh you demand it, I see. You're not in any position. Just a spoiled little prince left to die." The stranger spat out. Loki took in the tone and hushed long enough for the figure to plant himself in front of him.
This was all starting to feel way too familiar; roles reversed. He'd done this in his past to any unlucky souls to have crossed his path, likely in the need of saving. In this day and age you can't get something from nothing. This time he was at their mercy. Loki paused, thinking it best to comply with his demands at least for the time being. Perhaps it wasn't a great idea to agitate the man who could turn him into another blood stained painting on the wall.
"Where am I?" Loki affirmed calm. The figure towered over him but he could not see his face. Still adjusting to the dark. "Safe now aboard my humble ship. If it weren't for my keen eye you would have died out there." Loki wondered if that would've been a better fate. His body was giving signals for him out of here. There was only one reason someone would go out of their way to save a soul like his. "You're a little far from home."
He remained quiet, knowing this beast wanted something from him. The fallen prince's face shadowed beneath his hair, feeling the weight of it. He truly had terrible luck. Loki swallowed hard, his throat dry and his chest felt heavy as he stared at the floor. "I have no such place. What do you want from me?"
He shook his head, "It's what I can give you. If it's true you have no place then join me, I believe a partnership could prove beneficial." He held his hand down to Loki. "I can give you a second chance."
The voice trailed off. Frigga narrowed her brows as Loki's memories skipped around, some mostly faded but the ones that stuck out were pretty gruesome. Shifting to another which she could assume were months later, his hair had grown exponentially since the first memory.
Loki watched from his place on the ground, sweat beading down his brow as shadows scrounge around in the dark. Waiting in anticipation until the proper tools were found. He wasn't bound, figuring they forgot or knew better. He was outnumbered and weak. Letting out tired rasped breaths from where he lay face down, his bare chest cut to ribbons, bleeding against the cold metal floor. After everything he'd been through he didn't think he could stand let alone run away.
Something heavy pressed him to the surface. Loki just glared back at them, his muscles tight against his will, the bite block deeply indented with his teeth grinded against it. He could barely inflate his lungs from this position, each bitter inhale slowly rising. Even with a foot in between his shoulder blades he managed to lift his head. His greasy black locks fell across his face like a curtain, obscuring his features. That horrible scratching sound set him on edge. Something he'd never get used to. He watched with curiosity, wondering what they would do next. It wasn't until a spark of light caught his eye. The scent of fuel gave it away. He glanced over as a blow torch came to life and spat fire.
…
She could feel the heat radiating off of him. Loki jerked against her touch, certain he could feel it too. She pulled back, unaware her cheeks were slick with tears. She'd witnessed more than enough to satisfy her curiosity. Skipping through months of begotten inquisition without much context all within the span of a minute. Those methods of cruelty Loki was subjected to would haunt her waking form. She could only imagine the effect they have on him. To withstand such trauma and be able to carry out his mission. There were pieces missing. As defiant as he was, how were they able to persuade him?
She swallowed hard, knowing if she dug a bit deeper she'd be able to find out. However in his fragile state she feared it would be too much to handle, tethering so close to the edge already. She allowed herself to withdraw, breaking the connection to his shattered mind. She wiped her face and opened her eyes, noticing how the pain he felt seemed to outweigh the effect of her charm. She wanted more than anything to ease his suffering but there was only so much she could do. He was so close to death. She clenched her fist tight as Loki stirred in discomfort.
Frigga was surprised when he greeted the dim lighting with tired eyes. Her heart leapt as she slipped a timid hand beneath him, tilting his head toward her. He was distant, the confusion evident on his face. He hadn't the slightest idea how he got here but didn't seem to mind. His eyes trailed around idly with blurry vision, able to make out the familiar silhouette looming over him through a half squint. "Mother?" Loki's voice was low and hoarse. A bit surprised to see her looming over him. Thor perked at the sound, maintaining his distance but remaining within earshot of them. She took his hand in hers. "Hey, I'm here, don't worry. Everything's going to be okay." She cooed, hoping to ease his affliction.
He wouldn't be able to relax. Perhaps it was the steady ringing in his ears or the lingering taste of copper on his tongue. It could also be a fact that everything hurts. Breathing was almost impossible, each inhale procured the repugnant reverberation of fluid trapped in his lungs instigating the constant feeling of drowning. Still he survived like every time before. He gritted his teeth, recalling the moments before he lost consciousness only to draw a blank.
There was this overwhelming feeling that he was losing himself. He glanced around, his heartbeat rapid as he remembered this place. He was here not so long ago, under false pretenses. He tricked Laufy into coming here while Odin was incapacitated. Led by promises of aid in slaying his sworn enemy. Only to fall prey. Loki slayed Laufy without hesitation, staging the rescue of his foster father moments before everything fell apart. Looking back on it he should've known better. Fate was never in his favor. Still she brought him here, he lay in the same bed as Odin. They'd gone through all of this trouble; he just didn't understand why they bothered, convinced they were messing with him.
"Why, after everything I've done?" He couldn't meet her eye as if she could see right through him. She held her tongue, allowing him a moment to collect his thoughts. "Why care for such an impotent creature?" The idea that they'd long left him for dead weighed heavily on his fractured mind. He was unable to tell whether he was on the brink or led by their lingering influence. He was unsure but something felt off. If it was too good to be true, it probably was. After spending so much time aloof and maimed he found it hard to be optimistic. It wouldn't take much to believe they were a figment of his imagination and that this was another false projection ironically mirroring the front he boasted. He weighed the odds on whether this was just another self manifested iniquity. It'd be easier to believe it was the conjuration of his dying mind while he subconsciously waited for the torment to ensue.
"I've been nothing more than a thorn in your side." It hurt to speak, even more to admit. "Still you insist on playing pretend. It's so much easier to let me go." He was determined to carry the blame, maintaining the facade that he was this hardened villain instead of just another frightened soul, tormented and swayed into the dark by some other force.
"You don't expect me to believe any of that." Frigga urged. He's willing to say anything in an effort to push her away but she wasn't buying it. "There's nothing you can say that would turn me away." Loki pulled his hand from hers, shifting in a feeble attempt to sit up but instantly regretted the motion as a jolt of pain shot through his body. He ignored the feeling, attempting to intimidate her but she could see the pain on his face. "Don't you see? It doesn't matter, I'm not your child. When will you understand that I'm not your responsibility? At best I'm the spawn of some demon incarnate, sent to set the world on fire. Everywhere I go leads to ruin, it's bound to follow me here."
Something in the last bit caught her attention. She knew the truth, well enough of it to draw a conclusion. She could tell he was afraid. Afterall Loki was just a pawn in the grand scheme of things, one of many moving pieces. He wasn't the mastermind, hardly even a puppet. Treating him more like target practice rather than an ally. It was enough to make her blood boil. The weight he carries must be overbearing. "They can't reach you here."
Loki's eyes widened slightly. "What did you say?" His heart plummeted at the idea that she knew something. "I acted alone, there's no one else." It was almost compulsory to stick to his false narrative. She was tired of entertaining this notion. She knew better than that.
"You expect me to believe that you did this to yourself." She said suddenly, gesturing toward his broken body. It caught him off guard. He hardened his brows, shifting his sights from her prying eyes as she continued to speak. "The quiver in your voice gives it away. You've been lying to protect us." He was visibly frustrated, evident by the fatigue tempting at him to give in. Perhaps he underestimated the amount of energy needed to carry on a conversation. Or the fact it'd taken such a dive into the subject. Choosing to listen to her words.
"Loki, it's okay to be scared. It's a sign that you're still alive. You don't have to lie anymore." He looked up to her with those woeful eyes. He had nothing to hide, still he didn't understand. "How did you?" Loki questioned.
She took a deep breath before explaining herself. "It wasn't hard to figure out, still I'm stronger than you realize. I don't like to resort to these methods but I'm desperate. I was able to peer into your mind. I know what they did to you, how hard you fought to resist until the bitter end." She started to cry again, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "We haven't heard anything about you in almost a year and after I saw what happened to you I needed to know." The things she witnessed crushed her. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't be there for you."
Loki was stunned. Unable to form the words to say. He felt violated. His heart was heavy, the painful ache of his wounds and uneasiness felt when being placed in such a vulnerable position and yet it opened the opportunity. He debated whether he should tell them. Although he was still miles from admitting what happened as if speaking about it would bring it into existence. He was unclear on the details, having trouble backtracking. From the look he got of himself he was better off not remembering.
"You read my mind?" Loki inquired. She nodded, her cheeks were flush. The images were fresh in her mind. "What did you see?" He was curious how much she knew. "Enough." It was obvious she didn't want to talk about it. From the look in her eye it was something awful. He fell silent, narrowing his brow. He shifted his gaze past her, staring up at the ceiling.
"If we're to find the one responsible we must stop fighting each other. Please Loki, just tell the truth." Frigga pleaded with him. She could tell from the look on his face he was debating it. Like circles in the sand to be washed away, every thought seemed like a bad one. He was afraid of what might happen should he speak. "I can't." There was a bit of strain in his voice. Frigga wouldn't give up that easy. Willing to keep this up as long as she needed in order to break through. "What do you mean? Of course you can, it'll be such a weight off your shoulders." As if that would convince him. His palms were sweaty, the thought of that tyrant sent a shiver down his spine.
"It's not me I'm concerned about." Loki admitted. He would not wish his treatment on anyone else. That was the reason he withheld. They were quiet. "Don't you understand, the one responsible for this is dangerous. He promised to level everything in his path." They could tell it hurt him to admit as if reliving it. "But Loki." Frigga urged, unable to get much of a word in. She was unaware of his nature. This unknown assailant was not one to trifle with. Loki clenched his teeth. "He's more capable than you realize. The things he's involved with, the allies he's made. I have no doubt he would find this place."
Frigga seemed taken aback by his ominous warning. Still that wouldn't prevent them from pursuing that bit of information. "What's his name?" His heart dropped at the inquiry. "I can't say. I just, you have to understand. He said he'd kill everyone and I believe him." He looked up at her with big doe eyes full of anguish and suffering. She wanted so very much to take these experiences away from him. If only she could rewind time, mend his burdens. His body was so tense that she was sure this amount of stress on his body would only worsen his condition. Yet his eyes remained sharp and alert, as if that culprit would spring out in an instant. Whoever it was set him on edge. She could sense his heart was racing as a spike of anxiety ran through him.
"It's okay." She cooed, gently running her fingers through his long black hair. She could tell he was getting worse. His body temperature was rising, undoubtedly a symptom of his body fighting back. For his sake she needed him to calm down. "Whoever it is, they can not reach us here. I promise everything will be alright." She could only be so sure. Loki knew it would only be a matter of time, especially with him left alive. Loki knew valuable information, something He wouldn't take kindly to losing. Although Loki managed to set him back a bit, it wouldn't keep him at bay forever.
"Swear to me you will not seek him out." He eyed her with a serious look. If he was ever sure of anything it was not to underestimate this enemy. From what they've seen done to him they were assured. She bowed her head in silence, a subtle nod followed. Thor stood up from his spot having heard enough. "I can't make that promise. Someone like that, needs to be held accountable." He bellowed, a bit of fury in his voice. Loki balled his fist in the sheets, tears welting within his eyes. He motioned to sit up, ignoring every pain signal. "Please, don't." He choked out before she managed to push him back down.
He got the message across, not that they had the slightest clue where to begin. "Hey, take it easy," She said, reluctant to move her hands in case he tried anything else. Thor was also surprised he was able to move. Whoever did this to him was serious business. His mind rushed with oddity. As Frigga consoled his troubled brother. "Loki, I need you to calm down. There's nothing we can do right now but, Thor's right. Someone like that is capable of inflicting horrible damage on the nine realms. Look at what he did to you and Earth. I can't imagine what it must've been like."
Loki was breathing hard. He didn't want to bring it up but he strangely felt better after talking about it. He knew if he could recall anything it would be helpful for his own sake. Suddenly he did something they weren't expecting. He started to open up. "I can't remember much, they did something to repress my memory. Every time I got too close they would send me away." He looked her in the eye and she could tell he was speaking from the heart. "Do you know what it's like? Incapable of trusting your own mind. Forced to follow the commands like some weary dog. It made it nearly impossible for a counter."
Thor didn't understand what he meant by impossible to counter. "What are you referring to?" Loki couldn't help but smile. Surely an explanation would be necessary. "I'm sure you think it's just a coincidence Selvic knew to include a fail safe?" Thor's eyes widened at the realization that Loki was the whole reason they were able to stop the attack. He didn't understand how he managed to do such a thing. "I may have been under their control but was able to convey certain things to the others. They may have had control of my mind and body but they couldn't sway my feelings. They could however heighten my undesirable attributes. Making me easily swayed into fueling their resolve. They swayed all that anger I held towards you." He admitted to the blond. "I hate to say it but it worked."
Thor held his shock as Loki revealed the truth. "After I fell the only thing I held was disdain and resentment. I'm ashamed to say they used that to their advantage. For that I am weak." It was hard for him to confess but they had to know. Thor was surprised nonetheless, the fact that someone was able to manipulate him like that. It didn't seem possible but with everything considered he managed to flip the switch there at the end. "Honestly I'm impressed you managed to pull that off as messed up as you were." Thor professed, unexpecting this confession. Before today he didn't think he could see him in this kind of light. He fooled them, all while carrying that weight, it must've been such a burden to bear. Loki sighed, that was no lie. He was nothing more than a walking corpse when they sent him.
"Towards the end I was able to distance myself enough to realign myself with reality. It was thanks to your green friend, for knocking some sense into me." He smiled, remembering how it felt to be slung around. "How did they control you?" Frigga asked, hazy on the details. Loki wasn't too keen on explaining further, pale at the thought of it. He swallowed hard, "They're very resourceful." Things were starting to come back to him, some a bit more violently. It was like there's a tether to them, procuring this uneasiness.
"It has to do with that scepter they sent me with, they used it on me for the first time nearly a month ago." He remembered how it felt. "They had to sink it into my heart to gain that much control." He set a hand against his chest where there was thick scarring. "I can still feel it." The two listened to him empathetically. "It was maddening to have someone nestled in your head, uttering terrible things like sweet nothings. The consequences should I fail. Even now it's like they are still in control." He seemed unsure of himself. Frigga wanted to put his mind at ease. She set her hands on each side of his temple, concentrating.
"I don't sense another presence but it's like there's a crumb trail of manipulation. Through the medical malpractice there's something I can't quite place. It resembles dark magic. Do you think it could be from the scepter?" She mentioned. Her guess was as good as his. This was truly peculiar. She wondered what the source could be as her eyes fell on his chest. She noticed the hesitation as if each inhale was carefully calculated. His body was overwhelmed and there was no guarantee he would survive the night with his injuries. It would take much more than a good night's rest. He could only handle so much stress at a time and at this rate. She shook off the thought.
"Loki, do you trust me?" She said suddenly, catching him by surprise. He nodded. If there was one person he trusted in this world it was her. They could tell she was torn up about something. She leaned in closer, speaking a bit louder than a whisper. "The last thing I would wish on you is harm but, in this state I have a hard time believing you'll survive on your own. There's no quality of life like this, I see you struggling for each breath and I fear one of them may be your last." The room was heavy. Thor remained silent, feeling totally useless as things went from terrible to worse. He balled his fist in frustration as Frigga made an offer they weren't expecting.
"I'm able to mend some of the damage done but it's going to be incredibly painful." She seemed visibly tense, taking the reality of this worse than Loki who would have to endure the feeling of his bones breaking and reshaping. "I can give you the strongest anesthetic I have, but with this kind of treatment it's like dumping a bucket of water on a forest fire." For some reason he didn't seem fazed.
"There's so much trauma I'm fearful if your lungs aren't well enough to receive oxygen nothing else will matter." She set a hand on his chest, feeling his shifted ribs. Loki seized at the slightest touch "You're slowly suffocating." She explained. Thor who'd been listening the entire time shuttered at the thought. "This has become a recurring thing, but how long ago did it start?" She asked, knowing they all ranged from different times but remained consistent. Loki thought about it a moment, his past blurring into a single instance. "I'd say within the first month. I'd received regular beatings. That is until those primitive creatures discovered tools." He scoffed, in a pitiful attempt at a joke, supposing they were unable to cope with his dark humor. "You've been living with this the whole time." Frigga uttered, unable to fathom the feeling. Her heart was heavy for him.
"It's okay, I can take it." Loki said suddenly, he didn't need to give it much thought. Oddly enough he was okay with it. No longer having a reason to hide. He would do anything she wanted, if she believed it to be the best course he agreed. "I trust you." Those words made her melt. She'd waited too long for this, wishing they could've made up under better circumstances. She held her reservations still she knew this had to be done. She'd already made up her mind that she would do everything within her power to right the wrong. She would never allow something like this to happen again, forcing herself to remain optimistic. Manifesting every ounce of energy, knowing she would need it.