Young God | L. Laufeyson

22. Escape

Although Aurora tries her best to improve Loki's mood, she miserably fails. He's still in agony because of his mother's death which is also visible in his appearance. His black hair lacks of the shine she's used to, only being a dark mess now and his green tunic is loosened on his bare chest. His foot is still injured and he refuses to take care of it, and his mood swings back and forth. The fact that he wasn't allowed to show up at Frigga's funeral just made it all worse. Aurora knows that only one thing could change that again- revenge.

Right now, Loki sits on the ground, staring into the air and not seeking conversation. Even the auburn-haired girl knows better than to disturb him, so she's drawing in her diary. After writing about the Queen's death, Aurora now tries to draw Frigga, solemnly focused on the sketch in her notebook. She's feeling much better now, her fever is gone and the wounds are nothing but scars. Secretly, the traveller knows that Loki healed her while she was asleep.

Only from the corner of her eye, Aurora notices how the cell suddenly changes and she looks up, realizing how the destruction is replaced by a fake image of the former place, hiding any trails of Loki's rage. Her eyes land on him in confusion and she sees how he suddenly looks like his old mischievous self again, standing close to the corridor.

"Why are you- " Aurora gets interrupted by steps approaching their cell and she turns only to face Thor in a dark cloak. The Prince of Asgard looks emotionlessly at the two prisoners, the marks of Frigga's death visible on his face.

"Thor. After all this time now you come to visit me." Loki hisses as his hands are hidden behind his back, leaning forward. "Why?"

Aurora notices now how Loki contains his mischievous mask, hiding his weakness and pain like the damaged cell. It hurts her that the brothers don't trust each other anymore. Putting her notebook aside, Aurora catches Thor's grave look and she just shakes her head, signaling that Loki's not well.

"Have you come to gloat? To mock?" Loki keeps trying to provoke Thor but his brother remains unaffected, knowing the raven-haired man too well.

"Loki, enough. No more illusions." The blonde prince's voice is cold and now the God of Mischief notices that he has indeed underestimate him. The illusion breaks and the real image of the cell is revealed- destruction and chaos.

"Now you see me, brother." Loki's words slip lowly through his dry lips, his back still leaning against the wall. Dark red circles are around his emerald eyes and Thor is momentarily concerned, moving to the side of the cell to be closer to Loki. "Did she suffer?"

"I do not come here to share in our grief. Instead I offer you the chance of a far richer sacrament." Thor's coldness surprises Aurora, Frigga's death must have truly broken both. She feels slightly uncomfortable, interrupting whatever kind of moment this is.

"Go on."

"I know you seek vengeance as much as I do. You help me escape Asgard and I will grant it to you, vengeance. And afterwards, this cell." Thor replies gruffly and now Aurora stares with widened eyes at him, her heart racing. There's a chance of freedom.

Loki just chuckles in amusement at the irony. "You must be truly desperate to come to me for help. What makes you think you can trust me?"

"I don't. Mother did. You should know that when we fought each other in the past, I did so with the glimmer of hope that my brother was still in there somewhere. That hope no longer exists to protect you. You betray me and I will kill you." The God of Thunder has never been that serious, his blue eyes beaming determination.

Loki smiles bitterly, somewhat gloating about the fact that he's the one that brought out Thor's cold and dark side and broke the perfect hero. Yet, his thoughts wander to Aurora. He would never leave this cursed place without her. "What about her?"