Roots of Eternity

Chapter 32 - The Bond of Siblings

The dungeons of Asgard had always unsettled me, even as a child. They were cold, dimly lit, and void of the warmth and life I craved. My powers had always flourished in the vibrant, sun-soaked gardens of the palace, surrounded by blooming flowers and the hum of life. Here, there was only stone, silence, and shadows. Even now, as an adult, I couldn't shake the unease that settled in my chest every time I ventured this deep into the palace.

I paused at the entrance of the corridor that led to Loki's cell. Thor stood beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder, a gesture that had been his way of comforting me since I was a child. His grip was firm but gentle, reminding me that no matter what I was about to face, I wasn't alone.

"You don't have to do this, Helena," Thor said, his deep voice breaking the silence. His eyes, the same shade of blue as mine, were filled with concern. "Loki... he's changed. He's not the brother we once knew."

"I know," I whispered, though I wasn't sure if I fully believed it. "But I need to see him. I need to understand why."

Thor frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. "He's dangerous. He might try to manipulate you, to hurt you. You're still young, Helena-Loki has centuries of experience with deception."

"I'm not a child anymore, Thor," I replied, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. "I can handle myself."

Thor studied me for a long moment, clearly torn between letting me go and stepping in to shield me from the hurt he feared I would face. But finally, with a resigned sigh, he nodded. "I'll be right here," he promised.

I gave him a small, grateful smile before turning and walking down the corridor. My footsteps echoed off the stone walls, and the closer I got to Loki's cell, the more my heart pounded in my chest. I hadn't seen him since the Battle of New York, since he had tried to take over Midgard. That day had shattered something inside me, seeing the brother I had adored for centuries turn against everything we had once stood for.

But a part of me, a small, stubborn part, still hoped that there was something left of the old Loki-the Loki who had taught me magic, who had shared stories with me in the gardens, who had protected me when Thor had been too busy training with the warriors.

I reached his cell and hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. Loki was there, sitting on the small stone bench inside the glass-walled cell. He didn't look up at first, his gaze fixed on the floor, his once-pristine appearance now disheveled. His dark hair hung loosely around his face, and the sharpness that had once defined him seemed dulled by bitterness and defeat.

"Loki," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

His head lifted slowly, and when his eyes met mine, I felt a pang of sorrow. His green eyes-once mischievous and full of life-were now cold, guarded, but beneath the surface, I could still see the flicker of something familiar. Something broken.

"Helena," he said, his voice smooth but lacking its usual charm. "Come to gloat, have you? To remind me of my failures?"

I shook my head, stepping closer to the cell. "No. I came to see you. To understand."

Loki let out a bitter laugh, leaning back against the wall. "Understand what? That I was never truly part of this family? That I was always just the second son, the forgotten one?"

I frowned, my heart aching at his words. "That's not true, Loki. We've always loved you. I've always loved you."

"Loved me?" Loki's voice was sharp now, his bitterness cutting through the air. "You loved the version of me that was convenient, the one that fit neatly into Asgard's perfect little picture. But the moment I wanted more, the moment I stepped out of line, I became the villain."

"That's not what happened," I insisted, stepping closer to the glass. "You-"

"I betrayed everyone, I know," Loki interrupted, his tone mocking. "Spare me the lecture, Helena. I've heard it all before-from Thor, from Odin, from everyone."

I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening into fists at my sides. "I'm not here to lecture you, Loki. I'm here because... because I miss my brother. The one who used to protect me, who taught me magic, who-"

"Who no longer exists," Loki finished coldly, cutting me off once again. "That Loki died long before you realized it, sister."

Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. "You're still my brother, Loki. No matter what you've done, no matter how far you've fallen. I believe you can change."

"Believe what you want," Loki said, though his voice was quieter now, less harsh. "It won't change the fact that I am where I belong."

I felt my heart twist, but I refused to give up. "Do you even care about what's happened? About what you've done to us? To Thor? To... to me?"

Loki was silent for a long moment, his gaze dropping back to the floor. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, almost pained. "I care more than you know."

I took a small step forward, my breath catching in my throat. "Then come back to us, Loki. Please. You don't have to be alone."

His eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for the briefest moment, I saw the Loki I remembered. The one who had once carried me on his shoulders through the gardens of Asgard, who had teased me about my green hair and conjured flowers to make me laugh. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by the cold, distant mask he had worn since the moment I walked in.

"You're wasting your time," Loki said, his voice hardening again. "Leave, Helena. Go back to your perfect life with Thor and Odin."

I wanted to reach through the glass, to pull him back, but I knew there was nothing more I could say to change his mind. With a heavy heart, I nodded, turning to leave.

But just as I reached the door, Loki spoke again, his voice barely audible.

"I'm sorry."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and filled with a sorrow that neither of us knew how to express. I stopped, my heart pounding in my chest, but I didn't turn around. I couldn't. If I did, I might break.

Without another word, I walked away, leaving Loki behind.

When I reached Thor at the end of the corridor, he immediately saw the pain in my eyes and pulled me into a tight embrace, his strong arms wrapping around me protectively.

"He's still in there," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I know he is."

Thor's grip tightened, but his voice was steady. "I know. But he's not ready to come back yet."

I buried my face in Thor's chest, letting the warmth of his presence soothe the ache in my heart. I didn't know if Loki would ever return to us, but I wasn't ready to give up on him-not yet.

And as we walked back toward the surface, leaving the cold dungeons behind, a flicker of hope remained, fragile but alive.