CASTLE ↝ Loki Laufeyson | 2

↳ EPILOGUE

 

NOT MANY KNEW that once upon a time, Nova Amodei had been the calm and peaceful sibling out of the two separated sisters — mostly because it wasn't a part of her life she commemorated with enthusiasm, but it was true. Olympia had always been a brave hothead to chase after her wildest dreams and ideas, but Nova had, once, been known as the quiet, brooding member of their shattered family. Nowadays, those shambles of a past version could barely be seen, as she had built the image of a mean, outspoken woman with a tendency to act on a whim, but every now and then, the melancholy of who she used to be shone through.

The journey back to Asgard after bidding farewell to Darcy and the rest of the Midgardians was a fitting example. The adventure was fully bittersweet, and for once, Nova was devoid of witty commentary. She simply sat in the back of the boat Thor had obtained once Mjölnir had gotten them to their own realm safely, and while the man steered them across the chilly waves beneath the Bifröst and the sparkling stars of the night sky, Olympia had offered to bandage Nova's damaged leg. The brunette's initial reaction had been to withdraw and shoot a sharp argument at her sister, but when the aching from outside spread within, she only squeezed her eyes shut and caved in.

She had taken a beating in more ways than one, not only today but in the past several years, and she was ready for something else than fighting now. Luckily, as the grand castle of Asgard neared their eyesight, she had hope of a better tomorrow and her one last battle was against a relieved smile while Olympia wrapped her bruised leg up.

Moments of peace — neither outer or inner — weren't typical for Nova, so to simply sway on the waves in the surprisingly quiet kingdom was a breath of fresh air. It was late and the air around them was a cool pinch to keep them awake, and with Nova's armor dismantled from her wounded form, she could lean back with both of her arms hanging over the sides of the boat in a way that left her fingertips breaking the surface of the water. Anyone else would have disagreed, but in Nova's eyes, she had deserved a break.

Once the trio made their unforeseen return to the castle of Asgard, disgruntled guards, as well as relieved allies, flooded the entrance. Sif stood in the front with a proud smile, but the soldiers around her seemed prepared to come for Nova — the woman was an unexpected sight to everyone else, too, and she concluded as much from the shocked gasps rising from the quivering handmaidens. That alone was enough to place a satisfied smirk on her lips as Olympia helped her limp indoors, and as Thor stood back to stop the angered guards from leaping after Nova, the woman gave a deliberate wink at the speechless Asgardians.

The walk down to the cleaned-up dungeons was more than familiar and plenty to fade out Nova's confidence. She wasn't exactly sure yet how Loki intended to see their plan through, but for the first time in forever, she trusted someone — trusted him to give her the help she was finally accepting. Nonetheless, it was not the best feeling to remember all the grief that had engulfed the prison after Frigga's death, and from the way Olympia's grip tightened on her arm, she supposed the sensation was mutual.