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Chapter Sixty-Five: Goddess of Death

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"I'm sure you can," I said briskly, standing, "Now you just need to find someone who actually cares enough to listen."

I descended the steps, pushing coolly past Loki and stopping in front of Strange. Slowly, I pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me," I said, as we pulled apart.

"It was my pleasure," he smiled warmly, "And you're welcome here any time. Now, get him out of here," Stephen looked pointedly at Thor, "And keep a better eye on him in future, alright?"

"Keep an eye on me?" Loki repeated, grimacing, "I'm not a child that needs to be watched you second-rate—"

"Alright, bye-bye," Strange sent the portal whirring forwards just as Loki began to charge him, sweeping all three of us through it.

One moment I was standing in New York, and the next, I was in Norway. That, I would never get used to.

Loki was sprawled at my feet, caught off guard from having been transported. I met Thor's amused gaze, but then something over his shoulder caught my eye.

"Odin," I said breathlessly. He stood at the edge of a cliff that overlooked the water, which stretched on for miles.

Thor and Loki followed my gaze to where their father stood. And then, the three of us set of towards him, approaching gingerly. Thor reached him first, looking down on Odin with concern written across his face. "Father?"

"Look at this place," Odin said distantly. "It's beautiful."

I chanced a look at Loki, a frown pulling at my brow. There was a look of apprehension plastered across his face, as he approached Odin's other side. I gravitated further away, giving them their space.

"Father, its us," Thor said.

"My sons," Odin reminisced, and then, without looking behind him, "Alivia. I've been waiting for you."

I startled a little, unsure of how he'd even detected my presence.

"I know," Thor took a step closer to his father, "We've come to take you home."

"Home, yes," Odin nodded shallowly, his eyes still fixed on the horizon, "Your mother, she calls me. Do you hear it?"

"Loki," Thor looked up at his brother sternly, "Lift your magic."

Loki shook his head stiffly, and Odin chuckled, finally moving his eyes to Loki.

"Took me quite a while to break free from your spell," Odin said, amused, "Frigga would've been proud. Come and sit with me, I don't have much time."

Odin turned to the semicircle of boulders behind us, and I drifted beside Thor, coming to stand behind him as the three of them lowered to seat themselves. I felt the electric spark of Loki's eyes on me, and I did my best to ignore it, placing a comforting hand on Thor's shoulder.

"I know that we failed you," Thor said pleadingly, "But we can make this right."

"I failed you," Odin contradicted, "It is upon us. Ragnarok."

Thor glanced up briefly at me, and I frowned. "Ragnarok?"

"No, Ragnarok was stopped long ago," Thor shook his head, letting his eyes fall back to his father, "Surtur's crown was destroyed."

"No," Odin shook his head, leaning back, "It has already begun. She is coming. My life was all that held her back, but my time has come. I cannot keep her away any longer."