Rightful Place (Loki Fan-fiction)

Chapter Eleven

            Both Loki and Erica continued their way down the corridor in silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence, just simply an ‘I have nothing to say’ type. They both preferred silence over chatter. Stillness always seemed to calm everyone’s nervous, in every situation.

Loki favored the quiet Erica more than the giggly, annoying Erica. She appeared more put together, tough, clever, and sophisticated, which he liked in a woman. Unlike most men, when he met a woman that could challenge him, test him, and perhaps even scare him, he found it extremely attractive. Oh, and don’t forget sass, always got to love a woman with sass.

 As they turned the last corner, Erica slipped her arm out from under his. They were there, the library. Loki gazed upon all of its glory and majesty. It had been years since he had laid his eyes on something that was so full of such beauty and knowledge. Books, they were some of the universes best inventions, if not the best. They were the only thing that could truly bring a smile to his face, besides Frigga of course.

 “Well, it’s been a pleasure serving you. I must return to Rheda’s side, if you will excuse me.” Erica said as she quickly bowed and then gracefully spun on her heel allowing her to head down the long hall once again.

 “What are you doing? Don’t let her get away!” Rheda spoke within Loki’s head suddenly.

 “Whatever do you mean? Why should I have her return into my presence?”

 “Because it’s important, just do it. Now!” Loki rolled his eyes. He knew that Rheda was up to something. He didn’t know what it was exactly, but he did know that whatever it was, he wasn’t going to like it.

 “Erica?” She spun around to face Loki as he called after her. “W-won’t you stay? I always enjoy company. It would be nice if you could perhaps give me some pointers on what is good to read.” Erica stood there a bit dumbfounded at first. But after a moment, she recomposed herself and flashed him a toothy grin.

 “Of course your majesty,” Erica spoke as made her way back in his direction. “whatever you desire.”

 “That’s a good boy, just do as I say. This is important.”

 “Why is this so important?”

 “You will see.” Erica walked past Loki, leading him through the entrance of the library.

 “This is ‘Aió̱nia Gnó̱si̱ kai Sofía tou Kaloú kai tou Kakoú’, which translates as ‘Eternal Knowledge and Wisdom of Good and Evil’ into the English language of Midgard.”

 “That’s a mouthful. Why such a long name?”

 “When this was built, over two thousand years ago, King Ruben named it, may he rest in peace. Indeed it is long, but in his honor we never renamed it. It just felt wrong.” Erica said as she ran her hand over the golden door frame.

 “Is that pure gold?”

 “Yes it is. Why? Did you expect much less from a realm that is burning to death?” Loki shrugged his shoulders and cleared his throat.

 “You were going to show me around.” Erica smiled, and then led him inside. Loki inhaled the oh-so-familiar sent of books. Suddenly, a question dawned on him.

 “If you are Fire Giants, then why risk having books made of paper? Won’t they burn?”

 “And how do you stand on our fiery planet without burning up? The answer is the same for us. We simply take our Æsir shape. If hideaway our true form around books, we will not burn them. Now, enough chatter. What would be a good book for The Promised One to read?” Loki opened his mouth to answer, but Erica stopped him by placing a finger upon his lips.

 “I wasn’t talking to you. What? Did you really think that I was stupid enough not to know that you and Rheda were communicating telepathically? Do not take me for a fool, King Laufeyson. For I know more than you think me to.” Erica stood still for a moment staring into Loki’s eyes. They were beautiful indeed. A deep, sea blue that was full of vulnerability. Wait, weren’t his eyes usually an emerald green? Erica shook the thought out of her head. There were more important things at hand, like what book Loki should read. Then, it suddenly clicked. She knew exactly what he should read.

             Erica spun around on her heal and began to run down one of the book isles. She rummaged through all of the tons of books that lay atop of the dusty shelves. It had been a long time since the people of Muspelheim picked up a book, too long in fact.

 “Ah-ha!” Erica yelled out suddenly, as she pulled a large black book out from its place. She blew a breathe of air onto the top of it, in an attempt to remove most of the dust that had rested there over the years. Erica finally stopped when she was able to read the title of the book clearly. ‘Muspelheim’ it read, in ancient, italicized handwriting.

 “That’s a big book.” Loki said while hovering over Erica’s shoulder.

 “Yes, it is, and you get to read it.” He sent her an astonished face as he gazed upon the massiveness of the object. Loki sighed.

 “Why must this be the book that I read?” Erica smiled and clutched the book tightly within her grasp as she held it in front of his face.

 “This book, this precious item, was written and made over ten thousand years ago. Throughout the years it has been altered and things have been added to it. It is filled with the most wondrous of things, and the most evil.”

 “Like what?” Loki said, now fully interested in reading the large history book.

 “Prophesies, ancient wars, realms that are no more, secrets that must never be told, and so much more. You are in here, actually. Not your name, but it mentions that The Promised One. I want you to read this, simply because of two reasons:

1)      You are going to become our king. You must know something about the realm that you are going to lead.

2)       There are things in here that you must be aware of. Things that have already been, things that are in motion, and things that have not yet come to pass.

These are the very reasons why you have to read this. You must be aware. For if you don’t you will fall.”

             Loki stood there completely stupefied. He knew not the words to speak. Everything that Erica said was spoken with such strength, such depth, such power, such knowledge, as if she had witness everything that she spoke of. It was extremely intriguing. Too good of an offer, actually, but Loki couldn’t allow someone to see his true feelings and emotions.

“Um, shall I read this after my ceremony?” Erica chuckled.

“Nice try, but you haven’t taken your shift watching Rheda in days. Therefore, you will get the privilege of reading all of these wondrous things to pass the time. Good luck.” She said as she walked away from his presence and out of the room, but not before leaving the book on a table. He was going to read it as soon as possible. He needed to know. He had to know.