The Family Lokison (Part 4)

Too Familiar (LOKI)

Thor and I defended the Bifrost from any of Surtur's remaining minions while Heimdall sent the stream of citizens to the only habitable place left in the universe. I didn't much care where that was, so long as it had breathable air and wasn't about to implode.

The mountains behind the palace sank, like the base of the realm gave out. It hadn't completely disappeared yet, but I worried the people weren't leaving fast enough. We could do little to speed up the process and had to trust in those watching our children to leave when we first gave the call.

Families were harried and tired by the time they reached the Bifrost, so I was particularly surprised when a small animal scratched at my leg for attention. I squinted at the creature for a moment—it was canid, almost dog-like, but too young to know for certain. His slick black fur shined like a mirror. Not a pet. This one knew me, without a doubt. He looked at me squarely with cobalt blue eyes that could only belong to one person.

Shock and pride didn't fit with the rest of my surroundings. "Vali? Is that you?"

In an instant, he shined in a blinding cast of white-blue and fell against me in full form as the young boy he was. "Father. You're already here."

Not wanting to spoil his quick affection, I still pushed him away to see his face for certainty. I couldn't stop grinning. "I can't believe it. My Vali?"

He smiled and let out a joyful tear. "I did something. Just me."

"Yes, you did." His sugary presence tempered all the bitter losses. I scruffed his hair and looked above him to the crowd behind. "Where is everyone?"

"I beat them all here. They're coming though. I'm sure they are."

I hugged him again, just as Thor waved for me to help him once more with some one-eyed creature attempting to swim. The work was never done.

"You stay here for me, alright? Watch for the others. I'll be back soon enough." I kissed his cheek and let my overfilled heart show on my face. "I'm so proud of you, little wolf."

"Thank you, Father." He tightened his pack and put his feet together. "I'll keep us together. You can count on me."

***

There weren't many people on the rainbow bridge when I returned to gauge the progress of the evacuation. The flow from the palace was now a slow trickle, like stragglers and wounded were the only folks remaining.

"We just might survive this," Thor said, tossing Mjolnir in the air with a swift catch.

"You may be right, brother." I peered behind him to find Vali near the Bifrost's entrance.

Like when I left him, he stood alone. Only now, his form had crumpled forward. His head switched back and forth, searching the faces of anyone passing.

I narrowed my eyes. Something's not right.

"What?" Thor asked, glancing at Vali himself. "Is he sick?"

"He's alone." A surge of adrenaline made my mouth water. "He shouldn't be alone after this long. Excuse me." I ran to my son's side and hoped to find Freyr, maybe Grid, even if they were injured. The vial in my boot was low, but not empty. If my family needed me, I could help.

Vali trembled. "Father, I'm sorry. I don't know what to do."

"Shh, it's alright. Talk to me, Vali. What's going on?"

He pointed at the Bifrost. "There was a boy...a Vanir boy with brown hair. I didn't know him. He had my same sandals. I thought he was Narvi when I passed him inside." A tear dripped off his cheek that he didn't bother wiping. "I can't find them. I shouldn't have run."