Survivor's Guilt ~ A Marvel Story

~26~

A warm feeling found its way through me. 

My boots collided on the smooth floor of the Bifrost room. Home.

My smile quickly faded as I looked up, expecting to see my friend but instead... my eyes scanned the pale man up and down. 

"Who the hell are you?" I drew my energy sword into my palm and marched toward him. "Where is Heimdall?" I shouted, my voice echoing around the empty room.

The man backed away from me, showing his palms to me. "Woah, woah- Heimdall is a fugitive of the throne. Charged with negligence of duty." 

Fugitive. Negligence of duty. 

Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. 

I pushed past the bald man who grabbed my wrist to prevent me from walking. I held a blade up to his exposed neck. "You are going to let me go or you are going to die."

He dropped my wrist quickly, letting me walk. The energy dissipated as my gaze fell upon my kingdom. The golden castle and tall mountains. The glistening city below and the blue waters crashing against the rocky shore.

The air smelled of cold salt as white flakes flurried around.

However, nothing soothed the fear that was choking me. Odin would never make Heimdall a fugitive or banish him. 

My mind went to Rune and if he was okay. I made my first stop at the stables, wondering if he was working right now. I quickened my pace and the sea salt air gave way to a worse smell. 

"Your Highness!" A deep voice of an older gentleman bowed before me as I approached. His leather tunic shifted around his form. "We were wondering when we'd see you again!"

A smile graced my face seeing that my people had missed me. "Rune, have you seen him as of late?" I questioned, noticing the bundle of clothes the man was wearing.

"He doesn't really work here anymore except for a few days here and there. His Royal Guard work takes up most of his time these days." Relief flooded through me and I almost collapsed from it. He was alive. 

"Ah, thank you anyway," I remarked, bowing my head toward the man in respect and appreciation. I turned and began my way to the castle. "Actually, can I have a horse?"

--

My hair flew loosely around my face as I raced through the streets, on the bridges, and through the fields that led me to the courtyard of the castle. 

"Woah, woah, woah-" I spoke to the horse, rearing back the rains and staring at the golden statue that towered above the entrance to the theatre. 

The golden figure shined in the sun and he donned his large horns and his arms outstretched in presentation, snow piling in his palms. 

Realization hit me.

Odin would never send Heimdall into hiding. Odin would never replace Heimdall with someone like that bald guy. Odin would never build a statue of his bastard son. 

Odin wasn't here.

Emotions flooded through me as I stared at the golden idol of Loki. It couldn't be possible. I watched him die. 

I kicked the side of the horse gently, sending her galloping through the streets once more until she slowed to a slow prance in front of the castle. 

My feet hit the marble floor as I jumped off the mare, tying her reigns to a nearby railing. 

I looked to the large door in front of me, leading into the throne room of the castle but then I looked to my right. My feet led me to the right, searching for Rune first. He would know what was going on.