Into Darkness

Chapter 33

THIRD PERSON P.O.V
ASGARD

Loki held an unconscious Lorien in his arms and a grief filled cry escaped his lips. No, no, no, this couldn't be happening. Loki's hand shot to the side of her neck, desperately searching for a pulse.

His fingers paused as he felt a faint flutter of a heart beat. It wasn't at all persistent and was fading by the second.

"Eir!" Loki cried out, his head whipping in the direction that he had last seen the Goddess of Healing. His tired emerald eyes landed on Eir as Addea worked quickly to release her from the chains bounding her wrists. Eir's eyes were trained on Lorien and the moment she was freed, she raced over.

"I need all of the ingredients, now." She urged, pulling Lorien from Loki's arms. Natasha appeared at her side within seconds, handing over the sand, the feathers and finally the Freyja stone.

Eir quickly set the stone over Lorien's heart and then gently placed a feather in each of her hands. Loki and the rest of the group watched on, their hearts beating rapidly in their chests.

Eir began to mumbled words under her breath—words Loki had never heard before. Whatever language she was using was ancient and powerful.

"η πιο αγνή ψυχή, κατηγορήθηκε άδικα"

Eir pulled open the bag of sand and poured a small amount into her palm.

"θεραπεύσει τον άρρωστο, και θρηνούν τους νεκρούς.  αλλά αυτό που πεθαίνει είναι, στα χέρια του θανάτου."

Eir sucked in a breath, reciting the last line and letting the sand drain between her fingers and fall upon Lorien.

"πρέπει να απελευθερωθεί."

The air was thick with silence and Eir slowly lowered her head and set her hand on Lorien's forehead.  She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping and begging that the spell would work. 

Eir bit her lip, feeling tears prick at her eyes.  She had failed.

Eir hesitantly willed herself to look at Loki and the raven haired God gulped, his fingers going numb.  He felt his heart break—his sister was dead and there was nothing that he could do.  He watched Eir's slowly lift her hand from Lorien's head when she went ridged. 

Loki followed her gaze, stopping when he noticed the slow rise and fall of Lorien's chest.  Loki couldn't believe his eyes, reaching out a shaking hand to take his sister's.

"She's alive."  An unfamiliar voice proclaimed, "the bond still stands."

Loki's eyes shifted quickly to the owner of the voice.  Loki took in the sight of the massive beast that stood a few steps behind him.  A giant wolf, with ragged black fur and piercing amber eyes—the wolf that had appeared out of no where and killed Amora.

"Who are you."  Loki demanded, thankful but at the same time wary. 

"Käro."  Eir confirmed for the wolf.

"He use to be a friend of mine."  Eir explained when Loki gave her a look of confusion.  "But why are you here?"

"The lady Amora."  Käro sneered.  "The curse needed a balance and I happened to be it.  I've been stuck, bound to the curse for nearly two years."