The Great War || Loki

Chapter 31 - Loki

I spend the night drunk, and then I travel to Omnipotence City hoping to attend the funeral. However, when I get there I see that life continues like yesterday's events didn't happen.

I assume Selene's body is somewhere in her family's palace. I shape shift so I can blend in and approach there. I gather enough information pretty soon and I find the room she is in. The door is guarded, but that has never stopped me before.

I walk up to them and before they could react I put a mind controlling spell on. They open the door for me and I continue unbothered.

And there she is... Her skin looks so pale. Her chest is absolutely still. Everything is quiet. I take two steps closer. I can't see clearly because of my tears anymore. I place my hand on her head and she feels so cold.

"I am sorry" I whisper. "You shouldn't be here. You don't deserve this. It should have been me. You are the best person that ever walked into my life. Thank you for your patience and acceptance. I will miss you more than you can imagine. I miss you already, all of you. We come from different backgrounds with different beliefs, but I really hope you are some place happy. I love you so much, Selene".

I take a deep breath and I wipe my tears. I brush my fingers through her hair once again. Twice. I can't stop.

Eventually, I suck it up and stop. I reach to the back of her head, and I cut a small strand of hair from a place it wouldn't show. I use that piece of hersto make a small braid in the back of my neck. The single silver strand looks piercing between the other two black ones.

With the corner of my eye I notice a table in the other side of the room and on top there are a new set of clothes, beautiful flowers, and a few labeled bottles.

I make my way there to take a closer look. They are there for the preparation of her body for the funeral. I take the quick decision to do it myself, since they don't seem to bother. She deserves every honor.

However, I realize quite soon that was the stupidest decision I've ever taken, because I wanted to break down crying during every second of it.

I take her clothes off carefully, cutting fabrics whenever it is necessary. I clean the dried blood from her skin, and then I rub in the oils and perfumes.

They had picked out a simple white dress for her. But I dismiss it. I make her a midnight blue suit and decorative armor pieces. Everything fits her like a glove and she looks beautiful, peaceful. Too peaceful...

I move her hands from her sides to her torso. From what I've read, they put things the deceased used during their life with their body so that they will be able to have it in the afterlife. We believe in that too. I pull out of my pocket a dagger and I place it in her hands.

It's her dagger. I meant to give it to her before our wedding. We have this tradition in Asgard of exchanging swords, but I thought we could compromise. I made it just for her. It is entirely made out of moonstone. The blade is black and one of the sharpest ever made. The handle is bejeweled with tiny moonstones in the color of her eyes all along, and has an S engraved on the end of it.

I take one last good look at her. I step away backwards, and I shape shift again before stepping out of the room.

"She is ready" I inform the guards as I leave.

I drop my disguise as soon as I am out of the palace because I am too exhausted to keep it up. I wear a long cape with a hood, and I walk around the city. People start gathering and I follow them. I stay away from the ceremony but also close enough to be able to see.

Everyone around me seems sad, except her own family. They look like they don't want to be there. Did they forget Hyperion killed her?

Soldiers carry her casket outside and walk through the crowd. All gods there lower their head at her as they pass in front of them and so do I.

Eventually they place the casket on a higher display. One by one the gods walk up to her and bow. Her parents stand there like they weren't the ones who killed her. I want to take Hyperion's head off but I respect Selene's memory too much to destroy the ceremony.

They say that if the family does not pay tribute to the dead as they deserve, then they should fear the bad luck it will bring upon them.

Don't go easy on them, my love.

Following the prothesis, they pick up her casket again and bring it to the cemetery where she will be buried. This is a totally different tradition than us, but this is her origin and I am going to follow their rules.

Most people have left already, but me and a few others -amongst Zeus- remain and walk after her.

As we arrive, they lower her down in the hole. Some throw flowers inside, and I do as well. My chest aches as they close the ground above her and Zeus creates a stone with her name on it to mark the grave and ensure that the she will not be forgotten.

I wipe my tears and turn to leave before anyone else. It's over; that is what I am trying to convince myself as I walk through Omnipotence City.

But everything reminds me of her. Last time I walked down this path, it was with her. She was so excited to show me around every time we were here and she wasn't afraid to be seen with me. She wasn't afraid of what was going to happen if they found out. How could I believe that she would ever choose them over me?

"Loki, right?" Zeus calls calmly

I stop "Don't worry, I am leaving. I only wanted to say goodbye. I will not bother you again and neither will my family" I reassure him.

"That is good to hear" he replies.

My eyes follow his hand reach into one of his pockets. I am waiting for him to pull out a knife. Instead, a gold pendant comes out.

"This is a spirit pendant. Hades owed me some favours so I asked him to help me with Selene. She is in the underworld already but he swears this will provide a way to communicate with her"

A new ache starts in my chest at the potential of speaking with her again.

"Unfortunately, it is only for one use" he kills the hint of hope with this sentence.

"I should get going" I speak and try to walk away.

He stops me again "Selene made a bad choice in the battlefield yesterday and she didn't deserve to go like that, let alone by her own father's hand"

"Father..." I chuckle ironically

"I am trying to be nice here" he points out, and I shut up. "She obviously loved you and if Hades is saying the truth about the pendant, I believe that of everyone else she would want to speak to you" he says as he gives it to me.

I examine it in the palm of my hand the diamond-like pendant that was hanging on the golden string. Inside of it something blue is glowing slightly. It takes me a few seconds to process what Zeus said to me.

"Thank you, truly" I say, fighting more tears

"Don't waste it" he orders

"Be sure of that".

Eventually, he nods "Take care"

"You too. Again, thank you".