Krystal

78

Skurge comes to escort me to the throne room the following morning with no explanation. It was the first time I'd been allowed to leave my room since I got here.

I never knew fresh air could feel this good, but even that didn't stop me from still feeling hurt and confused over the current Loki situation.

"Prince Thor has just arrived".

"So that's it, I'm going home?"

"It would appear so".

I'm brought to Odin's side and instructed to wait quietly by his throne where he's currently sitting.

The doors open and Thor's heavy footsteps echo through the room when he approaches, with his eyes full of rage.

"Kidnapping an innocent woman? Are these the lengths you are willing to go to get my attention, father?"

"She has not been harmed in any way. Now you have arrived she is free to leave this realm as promised".

"Star is not to leave my sight for a single moment".

"I have already taken the bounty from her head and offered her my apologies for my past and present behaviour".

"Star, are you alright?" Thor asks, clearly noticing my exhaustion from not being able to sleep.

I didn't want to talk to him, especially when I knew he'd been lying to me this whole time.

"Can I have this collar off now?" I ask Odin.

"Skurge" the King nods to him before he takes the collar from around my neck.

"Would you care for me to escort you back to your chambers so that you may rest?" he offers.

"Yes".

"Star, you should remain by my side where it is safe" Thor suggests.

"Thor, I've barely slept in days. Excuse me if sticking around here while you and your father argue isn't as appealing as a bed is right now".

"So be it. I will come to collect you shortly and escort you back to Earth myself".

The second I'm brought back to my chambers, I collapse onto the bed and instantly fall into a deep sleep. I definitely needed it.

When I do finally wake up, Thor's sitting in a chair near the bed and watching over me while I slept.

"How long was I asleep?"

"It is almost nightfall. We shall depart first thing in the morning".

"Is Loki okay?"

"He has been out of his mind with worry".

"Is that worry for me, or for Krystal?".

"You know?"

"It was a surprise to say the least. Doesn't that mean you and her were betrothed or something?"

"Not officially, but yes we were. However Krystal's heart always belonged to Loki".

"I'm not her".

"No, you are not. Loki has confided in me of the growing affections between the two of you since we last spoke".

"Do you think he only wants me because I used to be her? You can be honest".

"Not at all. His relationship with Krystal was...complicated".

"Complicated how?"

"Falling in love with one another made them into better people, especially Loki".

"So it's like they were made for each other? You're not exactly making me feel any better".

It felt weird comparing myself to my past self.

"Krystal was well aware of the risks of taking dark magic into herself, but she truly believed it was the only way to return to Asgard for Loki. She had every opportunity to flee with him once they were reunited, yet she chose instead to curse our father".

"Why wouldn't she have just run away with him?"

"It would appear that she developed an unquenchable thirst for revenge quickly after inheriting the dark magic. She believed that forcing our father to sleep until he died would be the cruelest punishment".

"This is a lot to take in".

I stop to process all of it for a minute, but I still have questions.

"When Loki was hurt after a ravager he accidentally called me Krystal. He said he was sorry for betraying her?"

"He witnessed her returning after what she had done. It broke his heart, but after our father was discovered, he knew that he had to speak the truth if they were ever to be together. Even when I questioned her involvement, she lied so coldly and convincingly".

"So how did she react when she found out Loki told you?"

"She was upset and enraged. After some consideration she knew it was for the best if she were to leave this realm without her memory to rid herself of the magic that corrupted her. I suppose she believed if their marriage were annulled then it would leave him free to move on".

"And did he?"

"No. He chose to remain confined to his chambers for many months, even after I returned to Earth to visit you along with The Avengers that day. After Stephen informed me of the threat upon your life and I returned here, I was uncertain as to whether I should inform my brother at all".

"What changed?"

"I discovered my father had placed a bounty on you when his own assassins were unable to find your location. I was left with no other choice. The original plan was for Loki to simply flee to Earth, but after our mother was murdered we decided to fake his own demise. We believed no one would come in search of him and he could watch over you from a distance".

We both sit in silence for a while. They'd gone to a lot of trouble to keep me alive, and I can only appreciate it now I'd heard it from Thor in person.

"My brother also informed me of the fact that he chose to train you. He claims your skills have vastly improved and you are a great warrior".

"Was I before all this, Krystal I mean?"

"All Krystal's strength came from magic. She never used hand to hand combat as such, other than the day she first came here when I witnessed her break a guards nose with her head" he laughs.

"Wow" I can't help but laugh as well.

"I sent you to Strange so that you could not only learn to harness your magic for good, but to also learn to defend yourself in future".

"So what am I for? Who am I supposed to be?"

"That decision remains entirely with you, Star. It always has. Krystal may have been Loki's first love and served to make him a better man, but their love was clearly not destined to be. You came into existence for a reason. I believe that reason is for you to have everything she longed for".

"Love?"

"That and the freedom to pave her own path and write her own story. A gift she gave to you with her final act".

"I won't waste it, I promise" I say sincerely, wiping the tears from my face.

I was her second chance at happiness, but with a clean slate, and the second I get back home I'm grabbing the opportunity with both hands.