I Will Follow You Into The Dark~ On Hold

Chapter 26

Falling, it was an interesting sensation, one Lilja knew quite well over the years. The first time she fell, she would have been about one hundred and fifty, maybe; the equivalent to eighteen Midgardian years. She had been cleaning one of the high rooms and needed a break. She saw a beautiful black snake with emerald eyes. It slithered out onto one of the many statues surrounding the palace. She wanted to join it; so, ignoring her mind as it shouted profanities, she climbed out and sat on the head of the Allfather's grandfather. The view was immaculate, peaceful, a once in a life view.

That was the first time she fell. No one seemed to know about it, she had teleported herself safely away. The next time was after the Själsfrände debacle. So, over the years, Lilja had gotten used to the feeling. This time, she had no idea how to describe it. She was falling but it was like going down the rabbit hole rather than free-falling from a giant height.

After what seemed like hours she came to a stop, landing in a twisted heap at the base of elegant stairs. Groaning, she summoned her daggers and looked around the room. It looked like a library, one that had been cloaked with magic, strong magic at that. There was a cape that was hung up in the corner, or so she thought. The moment her eyes laid on it, it moved, floating towards her. It pushed her into a room where a man who seemed familiar to her stood his head buried into a book.

"I see your hands are much better, Sorcerer." Lilja smiled as the man spun around, shock on his face. He looked from her to his hands and back again. Nodding he ran to her and held her face, staring into her eyes. If she hadn't been so deeply in love with Loki, she would have given this man a time of day; but her heart pulsed for another.

"You can actually see me." The Sorcerer, Stephen Strange, murmured.

Lilja looked at him, confusion evident. Was this man crazy or something. Hang on, how was he there? So far none of the team or their friends were alive in this hell. She raised her brow; his mind was like an open book; one that she needed at that moment.

"Loki had thought if the team were here, we could get through to you. Loki has been trying, but either he wasn't strong enough or too close to you, but either way you never registered his presence. He suffered your nightmares alongside you."

Lilja gasped, her knees buckling. She collapsed to the ground, her vision going blurry as she struggled to breath. It felt like someone was choking her, she swore she could feel someone's fingers curled around her flesh. It was as if the reaper had claimed her soul; her insides were burning and she could barely hear Strange screaming for her to calm down, that everything was ok.

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Loki frowned at the expressions the Sorcerer pulled as he worked his mind into Sigyn's consciousness. There was a scared, frightened look, a brief smile then utter pain. Right after the pained grimace, Strange fell, his telepathic connection broken. Sigyn started to jerk on the bed, her body straining against the restraints. Loki and Thor ran to the bed, holding her down. He prayed that whatever was causing the seizure wouldn't last for long. He watched as his mother raced to the gasping man's side, her hands glowing as she worked the pain away.

Walking forward, he looked down at Strange, holding his hand out to help him. After getting the man standing, Loki couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "What happened?"

Strange closed his eyes, shaking away whatever horror he had seen. "I made the mistake of telling her that you suffered alongside her."

Balling his hands, Loki turned away. "Why would you say such a thing?"