Loki's Downfall

IX

Dressed in one of Loki's old hoods, I stealthily ventured out into the quiet palace. From there I went into the town, where my cryptic appearance drew little attention. I just didn't want to be a random face floating around if I wasn't sure anybody knew me. That could start rumors, but lots of Asgardians dress like this every day, like they're hiding. Like me.

I didn't know where Loki had gone, but for a while as I walked I was nervous he'd catch me out and about. As time drew on and I got further from the palace my nerves were put to ease.

I was heading toward the bifrost, maybe Heimdal would help me with my plan. Maybe he already knew who I was...

As I approached the guardian up on his pedestal, I saw him smile. "Wandering Spirit," he immediately addressed. "My name is Serena," I asserted, probably sounding much meaner than I intended. Heimdal walked down the stairs of his platform and bowed once he was at my level. "Forgive me, my queen," he corrected himself.

My eyes widened, but I tried to shake off the comment and make it look like I didn't know what he was talking about. "You have your Asgardian women crossed, I am no queen." That wasn't entirely a lie. "Your secrets may be yours, your majesty," Heimdal hinted again, circling around me. I kept turning to follow him, getting slightly annoyed now. "Alright, quit the games, Heimdal. What do you know and how?"

"I know more than the king himself knows, Serena, especially if the king is none other than Loki. I am a guardian, it's my nature to see everything that happens in the realm," Heimdal explained. I shook my head at him. "If you know everything that's happened then why haven't you done anything to stop it?" I asked. He walked up his platform again as he spoke, "I have belief that things will work themselves out for the better, eventually. As of right now I have proof: you're here."

"What does that have to do with anything?" I demanded. "You want to travel to Earth and warn Thor about his disarrayed brother, and that's apart of the better I was meaning," Heimdal stated. I looked to the ground, almost embarrassed. Of course he already knew my plan. "Do not be ashamed, Serena. You would be doing the right thing," he told me, and I looked up again.

"You yourself do not know where your heart lies, do you?" He asked as he stared me down. I decided to snap and spill my heart at that point for some reason.

"With all that Loki's done in the past, what is there to make me believe he's about to do something for the greater good now? Why would he? Maybe because he remembers Luka and I? I thought this morning about just killing him and Luka, then this would all be over! He may hate me in the afterlife, but at least Asgard then will be safe! But where will that leave them? Loki made the point to me earlier, there's no successor. But that can be sorted out later, right? Because Loki won't fix anything, no matter how pure his intentions are..."

I had to gasp for air after that monologue. Heimdal still stared dead ahead at me. "What I hear is that you're on the side of peace," he observed. I didn't reply quick enough. "You know what you must do then," Heimdal told me. With sudden anger I replied, "I need to figure out Loki's plan."

"Then why have you come here?" Heimdal pointed out. Before I opened my mouth again I thought about that. I literally just talked myself out of going to Earth because I was afraid of betraying Loki....but the truth is, he needs to be apprehended. It doesn't matter how, but something has to be done. If not me, the only one who knows of his secret act, then who will help?

"Do you love Loki?" Heimdal asked during my silence. I sighed and looked at the ground, dreading my answer. I covered my eyes to wipe away the tears falling onto my cheeks as I heard the bifrost whirl. For a second I just listened, but when Heimdal addressed me, I looked up again. "Wait," I begged, "I can't do this. I can't betray Loki, maybe things will change now, you know, since-"