Illusions | Loki & Jane

39. The Escape

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PART THREE
Illusions of Redemption
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"Jane," he whispered, a desperate urge to chase after her igniting in his chest. But before he could move, he felt a cold blade pressed against his throat.

"Betray him, and I'll kill you," a voice warned, laced with venom.

He chuckled softly, cocking his head with a playful smirk, his charm returning as he met the glare of the woman before him. "It's good to see you too, Sif," he replied, feigning nonchalance despite the danger. The warrior stepped aside, allowing him to slip through, her focus shifting to the approaching guards, and her grip on her weapon tightened.

Thor turned to his friend, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, my friend." As they moved toward Malekith's crashed ship, Jane offered a reassuring smile to Volstagg. Just as Loki was about to follow Thor and Jane aboard, Volstagg stepped in front of him.

"If you even think about betraying him..." Volstagg began, his voice low and threatening.

Loki smirked, "You'll kill me? Evidently, there will be a line." Volstagg let out a frustrated grunt but allowed him to pass.

Once inside the ship, Thor eagerly examined the controls, pressing buttons with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "I thought you said you knew how to fly this thing?" Loki asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I said, 'How hard could it be?'" Thor replied, his confidence wavering as he continued to fumble with the controls.

Outside, Asgardian guards rushed toward the ship, and Volstagg stood ready at the entrance, preparing to defend them.

They heard the guards coming closer. "They're on the ship!" one guard shouted.

Engaged in combat, Volstagg held his ground against the advancing guards.

"Well, whatever you're doing, brother, I suggest you do it faster," Loki urged, glancing anxiously at the chaos unfolding outside.

"Shut up, Loki," Thor retorted, still frantically pushing buttons in a desperate attempt to start the ship.

"You must have missed something," Loki suggested, glancing at the controls.

"No, I didn't! I'm pressing every button on this thing!" Thor insisted.

"No, don't hit it—just press it gently," Loki advised, trying to remain calm.

"I am pressing it gently! It's not working!" Thor exclaimed, frustration building.

Suddenly, the ship roared to life, and Thor let out a surprised laugh. Outside, Volstagg was quickly being overwhelmed by guards.

"Get him! Get him!" the guards shouted, their voices rising in urgency.

Amidst the chaos, Volstagg began to laugh, noticing the ship rising, albeit colliding with the palace columns in the process.

"I think you missed a column," Loki remarked dryly, unable to suppress his sarcasm.
"Shut up!" Thor shot back, his focus unwavering as he concentrated on the controls. At last, the ship broke through the palace walls and soared into the sky.

As they flew over Asgard, Jane wrestled with the tumult of revelations that had just unraveled before her. The reality that John, her ex, was actually Loki—the god of mischief and brother to her new boyfriend, Thor—was a shock, and it certainly made things more complicated.