Believe in Magic [a Loki fanfic]

Magic in her blood

"Why do humans not have magic?" 

Eir looked up from her work and glanced over at the dark haired girl, sitting by the window, diligently picking leaves of the sprigs of a sage plant and spreading them out on a piece of paper for drying. 

"What makes you think so? That they do not?" Ella kept her eyes on the task. 

"Because we cannot just walk around manifesting light spheres, read people's minds or change our appearance, and we do not have books that have living illustrations inside." 

"Oh, this. These little tricks are only a matter of faith or heritage." 

"Faith?" 

"Well, belief. Human's are born with great potential, maybe even more potential than creatures of other realms. They simply keep themselves in a very restricted pattern of beliefs. Human beings tend to create limitations for themselves instead of expanding their vision." 

"Why would we do that? And isn't our world different, more dense or something? I mean, we are not even half as beautiful as the Aesir to start with, and this whole place –feels so different - it feel s ethereal... and apart from the already obvious, you also call yourselves Gods." 

"You are right. Your world has a different molecular structure than this one. But, essentially it is thought that moves molecules. Thought creates reality. If you could access that part of your mind that is unlimited, that is not defining itself by limitations, then you would be able to create – as you would call it – miracles. As for why humans believe in limitations - maybe, because they are afraid of their true potential." 

Ella pondered over the Healer's words. 

"We are creating our own prison within our thoughts? The limiting beliefs we hold about ourselves?" The Goddess of Healing smiled and nodded, 

"Your thought patterns tend to contract, not expand. Only a mind that expands can create beauty and wield magic." 

"Well, mine has most definitely expanded now." The girl halted in her task and stared out the window. 

"What will happen when I am sent back to Earth?" She turned to the Goddess, who could see the deep-rooted pain reflecting in her eyes. 

"Do you not wish to return to your home?" 

"There is nothing left to return to." The Goddess of Healing regarded the girl, asking herself, like so often lately, what had happened to this seemingly fragile creature, who had the willpower of a warrior. The Goddess was also aware that whatever Ella had experienced had changed her on a deep level and it still needed healing. She needed more time. Eir wished Odin would allow Ella to stay longer in Asgard but any attempt to change the Allfather's mind fell on deaf ears.

 "I do not know what you had to endure, yet I can see that it hurt you on many levels. However, sometimes these experiences can be the most rewarding and much good can come from suffering if we can take it with the right attitude." 

The girl's eyes filled with tears. 

"I am not sure if I can ever find the right attitude." 

Ella swallowed her tears. She had lost her family, her home. Memories flashed through her mind and as she shut her eyes, tears began to drip on to the paper in front of her. 

Why were the memories coming back? Was she getting weak? She had tucked all these things away securely. In an impenetrable tower inside her mind. She did not want to remember or think about it. Or feel it. 

The Healer's warm hand settled lightly on her shoulder. 

"You are safe here." Her voice was soothing, calming Ella immediately. 

"I feel that you have not come to Asgard by mere chance. You might be mortal, but you wield powerful magic, Ella. You use it unconsciously and it would be good for you to learn to control it." 

Magic. Magic had been the reason her family was slaughtered. Did she really want to learn about it? 

"When I first touched your magic, I was surprised to say the least, because I would have said that you are the descendent of a line of sorcerers - powerful sorcerers, who wield magic from beyond your realm." 

Ella bit her lip. 

Was that who she was? What her family had been? Sorcerers? Impossible. They had been a normal family. So completely ordinary. 

"Is it possible? I mean, for humans to possess magic from another world?" 

"Of course. The easiest way would be mixing bloodlines." 

Ella winced and discarded the idea of mixing bloodlines immediately. No human in their right mind would volunteer to sleep with one of the monsters that had killed her family - not even for the benefits of magic. 

"And there is another way. Striking a bargain with inhabitants from another realm - it is risky, and there are often strings attached. It usually comes back to haunt the ones involved. Humans still tend to create these bargains with other worlds, despite being aware of the danger involved." 

That was what the monster had told her. That someone in her family had made a pact. A pact with these monsters. They had traded the life of every first born child for magic. 

Ella stared out of the window. It should have been her. Now she was the only one left. 

"Are you feeling alright, my dear?" Eir's voice brought her back. 

"Yes," she lied.