Shattered Reflection

Chapter Ten

Loki's POV

I was running, to or from what I am unsure. I only know I need to run. I see a light in the distance and run towards it, desperate to escape this darkness. I make it to the center and look around wildly.

Whisps of fog appear around me, encircling me. Someone begins to come forward.

"Whose there?!" I ask. The figure steps into the light. Her golden hair, beautiful icy eyes, and pale skin. Natalia.

Her eyes flash, "Hello Loki."

I try to move but I found my feet unwilling and unable to move. I reach out my hand towards her. She walks slowly towards me, reaching for my hand as well.

A scream breaks from her mouth as a sword is thrust through her, the point pointing out of her stomach. Natalia looks at me, blood rushing from her stomach. I scream out, but there is no sound. She looks at me and I see her dying eyes as she drops to the ground again. I fall to my knees.

More figures come from the darkness. Many of her. All wearing bloodstained nightgowns. Their eyes gray, cheeks hallow, and lips blue.

"Why didn't you save me?" They all ask in unison.

"I'm sorry!" I call out.

"I though you loved me!" They say, louder.

"I do! With all my heart..." I trail off.

"You let me die!!!" They all scream.

Over and over, the chanting of all of them only grows more intense. I cover my ears, desperate to block out their pained voices. I yell out, but it's smothered in their screams.

Suddenly, it's silent.

I feel a warm sensation surrounds me and a hand is placed on my shoulder. I look up to see my Natalia in a long white dress, her eyes bright and skin warm. Her hair floating around her like a halo. She's like an angel. I stand and grasp onto her. My tears flowing freely. We descend to the floor. My head buried into her hair. I eventually stop my tears and wipe them away from my face.

"I'm so sorry, my darling." I say and pull her to me tighter.

"Don't be. None of this is you're fault," She says. I pull away.

"I could've saved you," I say. She places a hand on my cheek.

"You did. In so many ways, and so many times.

"I love you," I say.

"I love you too," She says. I feel our surroundings change and I realize we are on our pond back on Asgard.

"Why are we here?" I ask.

She smiles sadly, "This is where I knew I loved you for the first time."

My heart cracks further. I look to the water, unable to look at the sadness in her eyes.  I pull her to me again. She lays silently in my arms, her head buried in my chest. She pulls away and looks at me.

"None of this is your fault. Promise me you understand that." She says and looks deeply in my eyes, searching for a future lie.

"I promise." I say and Natalia looks into my eyes, searching into my very soul. She smiles a little, satisfied with my answer.

"Good. I would never want you to blame yourself for what happened," She says, running her delicate fingers across my cheek. I close my eyes, burning the memory and feeling of her touch into my mind. She withdraws her hand and turns away from me.

"It's time." She says sorrowfully.

"So soon?" I ask. She turns and looks at me with a sad smile.

"This is a dream after all. Time moves much faster here." The realization hits me like a wall.

"Oh."

"It's alright, love. I'm always close by. Whenever you need me, I'm there. Trust me. I love you so, so much." She says. I kiss her passionately and she starts to fade away. I only stare as my angel disappears before my eyes.

"I love you!" I call out as she's almost gone completely.

She smiles at me, " I know."

I open my eyes, confused as to where I am. I realize I am in Talahgard and sigh. I get up and summon the day's attire. I look out my window to see I've slept to almost midday.

I step out of my room and I wonder the halls, not feeling up to eat. I come across a room with a huge pool. I see a figure on the bottom. I step inside.

"Hello?" I ask.

The figure looks up and swims to the surface. I see the long brown hair and relies it's Reuka. She climbs out and dries her face with a towel.

"Oh! Hello Loki," She says.

"Hello to you as well. Just wondering the halls," I say. She walks to me as gold surrounds her and she is suddenly in a purple gown. I feel my heart clench.

She must have noticed my uneasiness, "Are you alright?"

"Your magic is gold. Like hers," I say quietly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," She says as we leave the room.

"It's not your fault," I reassure her.

She changes the subject, "Let's go into town today."

"That sounds nice. When?" I ask.

"Now. Let's leave now," She leads me out the main entrance and we walk down to town and I am surprised by the large community.

I look around amazed at the business of it all. Many people come up and day hello to Reuka. I smile.

I suddenly hear a shout, "Thief!"

A little boy that barrels past is clutching a bag. Reuka throws her hand out and the boy freezes in a golden glow.

We walk over to him and I hold his arms and she unfreezes him. His eyes widen in fear.

"I'm sorry! P-please! Don't hurt me!" He squeaks. Reuka's eyes soften and she kneels in front of him.

"Why did you steal?" She asks.

"M-my mother. She's very sick and we're too poor to afford medicine," The small boy starts to shake.

"Take me to her," Reuka says. She gives some money to the merchant the small boy stole from and he leads us to a poorer part of the district.

We come to a small shack and the boy quietly pushes back the curtains that act as doors. We see a sickly pale woman in a bed.

"Princess?"