The Family Lokison (Part 4)

It Begins (LOKI)

Horns on the horizon, low and droning. Loud enough to vibrate the palace. They called from the edge of the city and roused me from my last restful sleep.

I jumped from the bed and raced for the balcony to listen for anything more. It wasn't even close to dawn; we'd gone to bed three or four hours ago. But three bleats from the horns was the signal we were waiting for.

Surtur was coming. It was time to fight.

Sigyn followed me out of the bedroom and wrapped her robe tightly. "Lo, what is that?"

Just then, our precious bell of Forseti rang from the high tower, calling for action instead of peace. It made both of us look up to the ceiling in surprise.

"Surtur isn't waiting until daylight." I wasted no time and ran back to the bedroom and stripped, pulling on my armor sheath as fast as possible. "Please wake the boys. I've something to tell them."

She nodded with an obvious tremble and knocked on their door. Quiet mutters left their room; thankfully, no fits or protests.

One piece at a time, I assembled my armor. My vambraces—Vali's name on the right, Narvi on the left—were easy to put on alone. I slid my boots on and removed the cape from the main breastplate, spreading it out on the bed for Sigyn. She'd need to assist me with attaching the rest.

She brought Vali and Narvi into our room just as the horns blared again. "Sit on the bed, boys. Go on."

"Gin, please fasten me in." I held my arms out while she adjusted the clasps of the breastplate from front to back, and I spoke my thoughts out loud to calm my nerves. "My sons...the last time I left our home for battle, you were too young to know what was at stake. Now you have a right to know. I'm leaving to fight on behalf of Asgard. For all peaceful people in our universe. I will stand beside Thor and Odin on the field at Vigrid. You're about to see our Yggdrasil change, for better or worse."

Sigyn finished putting my armor on and sniffled while looking at me. "Let me get some twine. I'll tie your hair back." Even with limited time, I didn't say anything against it. I'd want a few minutes devoted to my wife, in case it was the last I'd ever see her.

I shifted my focus to the children again, kneeling in front of them. "It is likely that my daggers, magic, and sword will claim many lives today. I want you to know that I don't take this reality lightly. I carry the weight of the dead on my shoulders for all time, as should you, if you ever become warriors."

Vali jumped into my arms and cried into my ear. "When are you coming back?"

I squeezed him and etched how he felt into my mind. "I don't know, little wolf. But you'll have to promise me to keep them safe."

"I will, Father. Narvi and I won't leave each other behind. I'll do the same for Mum."

"That's a good boy." I patted his back strongly and opened my arms to Narvi. "Son, please?"

He fell against my side the same way Vali did, weeping instead of speaking. I held him and hummed—in that moment, he wasn't a strong young boy anymore. He was the tiny babe I cradled on my chest many times, always pushing against my sternum to find the perfect divot for his ear.

"I love you, Narvi. Bring comfort to your mother while I'm gone, will you?"

He pulled back and sniffled. "Are you scared, Father?"

The innocence of his question pulled the truth straight from my eyes. My lips quivered with the strong beat of my heart. "Fear can keep us alive, son." I wiped my cheek clean and clutched his shoulders. "I'm not ashamed of it."