Collide

Three

Astrid stood, panting, catching her breath, holding her daggers at her sides in a fighting stance, as she glared at Odin. Blood dripped from the blades, and the four guards that came at her, now lay dead at her feet.

She saw the shock on his face, if only for a moment and she was proud of herself. Odin did not know, that she had been trained to fight in combat, and in magic by Loki. For years, he trained her in secret, teaching her everything he knew, and here, right now she had shown Odin, exactly what she was capable of, without her power.

She was not the cowering, simpering little girl he fathered, no. She was the strong warrior princess that Loki raised. She held her head high, waiting for him to make a move.

'You dear girl, will learn your place once I'm done with you..'.. Odin spat from his horse.

Astrid just smirked, tilting her head to the side. She had yet to show that she had magic. That, she was saving until the last second... 'Why don't you come down here and teach me, instead of sending these pathetic, weak men..'.. She saw him falter for a second, and he reared his horse. She didn't flinch, she wasn't going to allow him to intimidate her any longer.

'Sister, I will distract them, you must run. He will kill you..'.. She heard Loki in her head, hearing the pain in him. She knew his heart was broken, that he had lost his love... 'Please Astrid, I cannot lose you too, I cannot bear it..'

It was only because of his plea, that she answered back to him, in his mind. She would run, but only if he would run with her. He promised he would, and Loki instantly conjured illusions of him, dozens of them.

Astrid spun, throwing her daggers at the guards holding Loki, and she ran to him, grabbing his arm, and the two ran as fast as they could, heading south, towards the bifrost. She did not want Odin to know of the secret passageways.

The two sprinted as fast as they could, hearing the shouts and hooves behind them. Astrid was terrified, she didn't want to give up, she was so close to being free.

Making it to the bridge, they kept running, and she made the mistake of looking back, seeing Odin and the guards bearing down on them. She could see the pure rage in his face.

Using her magic, she threw all her energy into conjuring a water dragon from below the bridge, forcing it to sweep them all off and send them crashing into the waters below.

Spinning back, to continue the last of the distance to the dome, Thor dropped down, holding his hammer at his side. She saw the fear in his face, but all she felt for him, was betrayal. She screamed in fury, and slammed her fist to the bridge, sending a shock wave of magic at Thor, knocking him down.

'Astrid, go!..'.. She watched as Loki charged forward, his wrists still bound, and dove on top of Thor, trying to hold him down... 'Run Astrid!..'

She didn't want to leave him, but she saw it in Loki. He would give himself up, for her to be safe. Giving him a small smile, she took a deep breath, and ran as fast as she could to the dome. The only one left in her way, was Heimdall. She knew he was a fierce and loyal warrior to Odin, but she didn't care if she died in this fight, she was not giving up and going back.

'Princess, you should not be here..'... She spun, seeing him up on the dais, holding his sword... 'You must return to the palace..'

'Let me leave Heimdall, or I will take your life before you even raise your sword..'... She conjured more daggers, glancing out to the bridge, seeing her brothers fight. In the distance, she saw Odin rise up out of the water, and her heart almost stopped... 'Heimdall, please. I will kill you..'

'I'm sorry princess, I cannot let you leave..'.. He charged at her, swinging his sword, but it only cut through the illusion. She kicked him in the back of the leg, taking him to one knee, and then drove her dagger into his back. She only wanted to wound him, not kill.

'Forgive me Heimdall..'.. She twisted the blade and he dropped forward. Astrid rushed to his sword that slid as he fell, and picked it up as best she could. It was heavy, but she wasn't giving up. She placed it in the slot, and opened the bifrost, ready to run through.

She almost made it, when she got hit in the back, sending her to the floor with a grunt... 'You foolish girl! You will spend the entire tournament in the dungeons...'.. She heard him come closer, and saw his boots to her left, and then felt him press down on her back with his staff... 'I will ensure, that you beg to be obedient. You will watch as Loki bears your punishment. The wedding will happen, or Loki dies..'

Astrid took a deep breath, feeling drained, physically, emotionally, mentally. But hearing that he would harm Loki, she found her anger again. Pulling on every ounce of strength she had left, she conjured a dagger and threw herself to the side, swiping out and slicing his leg. She rolled to her feet, taking a stance.

'You hurt Loki, and I won't ever stop fighting against you. I will take yours, Friggas and Thors lives without hesitation. I will make you suffer, as you have made me suffer. I will draw it out, a slow, painful death. I will dance on your corpse, and laugh as I hold your still warm hearts in my hands..'.. She would never give up, no matter what.

He just stared at her, as she edged closer towards the bifrost, and then he gave her a mirthless laugh, shaking his head... 'Perhaps we were wrong about you girl. You have a spine..'.. She watched him walk fast to the sword, pulling it out, and tossing it aside... 'You, would rather abandon your people, your world, your family..'.. He gestured towards the palace... 'Than do your duty? You are ungrateful, spoiled, selfish little girl!..'

She watched as he slammed his staff in the slot, opening the bifrost... 'I Odin Allfather, cast you out!..'... He threw a blast at her, knocking her back.

Astrid was sure she was dying, from the pain that tore through her, as she fell into the bifrost. The last thing she could hear, was Lokis screaming her name, as darkness took her.

😘