Inescapable

Ch. 47

A/N: Please see notes at the end of the chapter!

It was darkness, until it wasn't. You felt the cold rocky floor beneath you; with your eyes still closed, a soft glow was still visible behind your closed eyelids. Groaning, you slowly open your eyes, only to immediately close them again when you realize what you thought was a soft glow was actually a much brighter light. The drastic change from dark to light overloaded your sensitive eyes and you took a while before daring to open your eyes again. When you finally brought yourself to open your eyes again, the light was still blinding; but you left your eyes open, to allow them to adjust. When your vision finally cleared and adjusted to the light you realized you were faced down on a dark stone. Groaning you lifted yourself up on your haunches and gasped when you took in the sight around you.

You knew this place. The dark stone, embedded with gold, leading a path towards a bright green light. A green light that spread over a huge expanse, branching out farther than you could see. All culminating and pulled together tightly by a friend you had missed more than you could comprehend. Tears welled in your eyes, and you fought back the hiccups of sobs as you pushed yourself off the ground, climbing the steps up the path, never taking your eyes off him. He watched you, a sad look on his face, as you approached him.

Stopping at the foot of his throne, you finally let the sob release from your chest and fall to your knees as you whisper, "Loki..." His eyes are sad and knowing when he speaks. "Y/N... what have you done?" You wipe your tears away with the back of your hand and try to calm yourself enough to speak. "It was the only way..." Loki's eyes water as he slowly shakes his head.

"You are not yet done Verdandi." A voice calls out, causing me to jump up and spin, using my body to protect the prone Loki if needed. When they shimmer into existence in front of me, I instantly relax, knowing them well. "Urd... Skuld..."

"You have much yet to do – sister -" Skuld said, her voice calm and all-knowing.

Urd, on the other hand, walks up to me and takes me into her arms. The embrace seemed familiar and warm. Urd's voice was soft and low, "I am so sorry for all that you have endured, my sister. How I have missed you."

You returned the embrace, tears falling continuously down your face. Eventually, you both pulled away from each other, and you steadied yourself before speaking. "You all need to trust me that I did what was right."

"You saved your friends." Urd acknowledged and smiled at you warmly. "Yes." you smiled back at her.

"You shouldn't be here." Loki said and it cut through your heart like a knife. You held your hand to your chest as if to staunch the bleeding from the imaginary wound his words created. Stumbling you took a small step towards him. "I - I belong here... I am Verdandi." you said, your voice coming out weaker than you wanted to.

"Not yet." He bit out, voice cold. "You do not belong -" he cuts himself off, closing his eyes as if the words are causing him pain. "You - your story in this vast multiverse is still not complete. Your duties as Verdandi cannot begin yet..." He looked at you, a pained expression on his face and your heart cracked further. "Loki..." you gave in to your emotions at made your way up the steps, stopping in front of him and placing a hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and a lone tear fell, which you quickly swiped away.

When he opened his eyes again, they were softer and warmer. "This pains me more than you can imagine Y/N... seeing you again. Knowing you'll have to leave me once more..." He looked at you straight on, his eyes burrowing into your soul. "The only solace I have is knowing I will see you again one day."

Heart breaking further you hiccup out a weak response, "I - Loki, I'm not going anywhere. I gave my life for -"

"For the soul stone. Yes. We know." Skuld bit out, seemingly rather annoyed. Turning to glare at her, you could hear Loki sigh defeatedly behind you.