Illusions | Loki & Jane

16. Mjolnir

Loki stood outside Jane's building, feeling a sense of disappointment wash over him. He had longed to see her again, and after months of waiting, she was nowhere to be found. He had hoped to find her at home, but now he was left staring at the empty windows of her Brooklyn apartment, wishing he could catch a glimpse of her.

He had already visited the university, but neither Selvig nor Darcy had been there either. The familiar scents of the city mixed with his frustration as he let out a heavy sigh. Should he wait for her to return? The thought lingered in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Heimdall was keeping an eye on him, watching an illusion of Loki in New Mexico where Thor was supposed to be. If he lingered in New York for too long, the all-seeing guardian would discover his true location.

With one last longing glance at Jane's window, hoping to see her silhouette, he turned away, disappointment settling in his chest. In an instant, he vanished, as if he had dissolved into thin air.

This new power of Odin's staff was indeed helpful.

Loki reappeared on a hill in New Mexico, gazing down at an unusual sight. In the middle of the desert, a construction site had sprung up—a translucent cube was erected amidst a crater, surrounded by white tunnels leading to various containers. Floodlights illuminated the area, casting sharp shadows as guards patrolled a fence set fifty yards from the crater. He watched as workers scurried about, carrying strange devices, their frantic movements reminiscent of ants scurrying around a hill.

They still remind me of ants, he mused, squeezing his eyes to get a better look. In his mind, he imagined a fat queen sitting at the center of this self-made hive, directing her minions. The thought made him chuckle, but he quickly pushed the image aside. He knew the truth of what lay within that cube—the object of his brother's power, his hammer.

A wicked smile crept across his lips as he conjured an illusion around himself, rendering him invisible. With stealthy determination, Loki made his way onto the grounds, slipping past the busy workers unnoticed.

As he approached the center of the site, he found what he sought: Mjolnir, lying deep within a massive hole created by its impact. Loki strode up to the legendary hammer, a slight smirk playing on his lips. He crouched down, his fingers extending toward the handle, a flood of images filling his mind—visions of wielding the might of Thor and Odin, of commanding power that had always eluded him.

His fingers brushed the wooden handle cautiously, and he took a deep breath, preparing to pull. But when he tugged, Mjolnir remained stubbornly in place, as if it were glued to the ground. Loki's expression darkened, frustration bubbling within him. He mustered more strength, but to no avail.