Collide

Six

Loki sat at his father's bedside, feeling many different emotions, anger being the main one. His eyes flicked across to his mother, wondering if she would tell him the truth.

'I never get used to seeing him like this..'.. He spoke quietly. No, never get used to seeing Odin so weak, so vulnerable, so easy to kill.

'He's put it off for so long now, that I fear..'.. His mother sighed, taking Odins hand in hers.

'How long will it last?..'.. He asked, remembering the last time, was after the death of his sister.

'I don't know. This time it's different. We were unprepared..'.. His mother answers and Loki had to bite back a retort. Of course it was different. It was because of Thor, the golden child who could do no wrong, the one they truly loved.

'So why did he lie?..'.. He noticed his mother's frown, as though she was wondering, before her face softened.

'He kept the truth from you so that you would never feel different..'.. Loki knew a lie when he heard it... 'You are our son Loki, and we your family..'.. He could tell she was trying to placate him with an answer, but he knew, she was lying... 'We mustn't lose hope that your father will return to us. And your brother..'

Ah, there it was. That was truth. She didn't not care for Loki, not in the way she cared for Thor... 'What hope is there for Thor?..'

'There's always a purpose to everything your father does..'.. She stroked Odins face.

Loki thought it over. They had lied to him his entire life, casting him in Thors shadow. His mind strayed to his sister, to what they had told him of what had happened. She was the goddess of Truth and nature, perhaps they had lied about her too. Surely she would have known the truth about him, that he was a frost giant.

Leaving his mother, he strolled through the halls, heading out of the palace. Why would his sister be so set of starting a was with Midgard? She had never left the palace, let alone Asgard. Confining herself to her rooms, that he barely saw her, spoke with her. Thinking over what he was told, why did she kill those guards? He had never seen her fight, not once, so how did she best the royal guards, ones who were well trained in combat.

It was starting to lose all sense. One little girl, took down four of the most highly trained guards, escaping the palace, down to the bifrost. She had attacked Heimdall, who was also one of the strongest warriors in their realm. Attacking Thor and odin too, it just wasn't possible, even with the powers she wielded.

Loki felt a prickling over his skin as he fought to remember her, and he stopped, realising what was happening. The prickle that he felt, was a spell. A powerful spell, one that had been cast by someone who knew magic very well. Aside from him, the only other that knew this kind of magic, was his mother.

Strolling through the woods, to one of the passageways, he would get answers when he would return. For now, he wanted to see Thor, to pass on a message. Smirking to himself, he stepped into the cave, knowing where it would take him.

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Thor sat in the confind room, his head hanging down in defeat. He had tried to retrieve Mjolnir, and failed. He couldn't lift it, now knowing he was no longer worthy. He would never be able to return home.

The door to the right of him opened, and the man from earlier, walked in, talking to him. Thir barely took any notice of what he said, lost in his thoughts of everything that had happened. Thor still didn't say a word as the man left.

Looking up, he saw Loki stood before him, in midgardian attire... 'Loki, what are you doing here?..'.. He whispered out as he sat up straight.

'I had to see you..'.. Thor could see by the look on his brothers face, something was wrong.

'Whats happened?..'.. He asked, hoping to not hear the worst... 'Tell me. Is it Jotunheim? Let me explain to father..'

'Father is dead..'.. Loki cuts him off, and the words cut through him.

'What?..'.. Thor didn't want to believe the words were true.

'Your banishment, the threat of a new war, it was too much for him to bear. You mustn't blame yourself. I know that you loved him. I tried to tell him so, but he wouldn't listen. It was so cruel to put the hammer within your reach, knowing that you could never lift it. The burden of the throne has fallen to me now..'.. Thors head comes up, as tears fell. This was all his fault.

'Can I come home?..'... He needed to. He needed to say goodbye to his father, and comfort his mother.

'The truce with Jotunheim is conditional upon your exile..'.. Loki gives him a saddened look.

'Yes, but couldn't we find a way-..'..

'And mother has forbidden your return..'.. Thor felt his heart shatter, knowing he would never see his mother again. That his father died, angry at him.

'Loki, wait..'.. He took a shaky breath... 'If you are here, do you remember Astrid? Do you remember what truly happened?..'

Loki tilted his head at Thor. Of course he did, the moment he stepped for on this infernal planet, but feigned he did not know... 'I remember what I was told brother..'

'I think..'... Thor took a deep breath... 'I think that we were made to forget what happened. She was not what we belive brother. She was innocent, and she was lost, because I betrayed you both..'

Loki held his ground, not wanting to ahow Thor his anger... 'This is goodbye brother, Im so sorry..'

'No..'.. Thir shook his head... 'I am sorry. You lost her, because of me. Everything...'.. He sighed... 'Is because of me..'

Thor drops his head, hearing the door open again, and glanced up, seeing the man walk back in, but Loki had gone. This was his punishment, and it was deserved.

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Astrid looked out the window of the plane, lost in her thoughts. She wanted to hurt him, so much. She didn't want to kill him, that would be too merciful. His actions cost her, her best friend, her brother, her title and powers, her home, dignity and her freedom.

She would strip him of everything, bringing him down to feel the pain she felt. He would suffer, and Astrid would enjoy watching him feel every scrap of pain she had.

Smiling to herself, she would be there soon, she only hoped, he wouldn't have returned back before she got there.

😘