Young God | L. Laufeyson

57. Shattered

Aurora has never felt such a heavy silence among so many people. It feels like a burden just to breathe, the sorrow leaving its marks, even for the half-Celestial. Fortunately, Hulk, Val and Thor have returned and now the King is watching his kingdom fall, collapsing like a house of cards. Hela is defeated by Surtur, it was her death for Asgard, a high price.

"The damage is not too bad. As long as the foundations are still strong, we can rebuild this place. It will become a haven for all peoples and aliens of the universe." Korg's voice is laced by hope and faith, his optimism has always been one of the characteristics Aurora likes about him. In the next moment, Asgard explodes in Surtur's destruction and Aurora's eyes widen. "Now those foundations are gone. Sorry."

"What have I done?" Thor sounds empty, a void filling his tone. And his right eye.

"You saved us from extinction." Heimdall glances with gratitude at his best friend. Their future is a step closer to safety. "Asgard is not a place... It's a people."

"You've done more than enough, Thor." Aurora encourages him and pats his shoulder proudly although her small hand can barely capture the whole muscle. "You're a great king and a hero."

"Thank you." He slightly smiles at her. Without the auburn-haired girl, the blonde would have been lost during his long journey and adventure. "I'm glad to call you my friend."

"Aw, gosh." She swallows at Thor's sincere words, her tears almost arising. Although they already had a great relationship before, she's glad that their bond has strengthened. "I would cry now if your eye wasn't so damn gross. Let me go get an eyepatch for you. You can take care of the Asgardians in the meantime."

"All right." He chuckles lowly while Heimdall grins at her blunt comment. "What of Loki?"

"He's almost here." Raising the hourglass, Aurora shows how the emerald sand is running down, close to its end. "Be right back."

While she slips through every possible gap in the crowd to get to the Grandmaster's dressing room, Brunnhilde finds her on the way and decides to join her. "There you are."

"Oh, have you been looking for me?" Aurora smirks whilst wiggling her eyebrows playfully, almost making Valkyrie smile. As the two walk out of the main deck, they head to the lower corridor.

"Well, someone has to take care of that scratch on your beautiful face, right?" Valkyrie stops the auburn-haired girl and runs her thumb carefully above the wound, Aurora wincing. The Asgardian takes out a patch and places it gently on Aurora's cheek. "I swore you an oath and I broke it."

"What?? No, you saved me, we saved each other, okay?" She immediately protests and grabs Valkyrie's hand, squeezing it slightly to reassure her that everything's okay. "I'm so glad that you got your revenge and made it out alive. You were a true Valkyrie today."

Valkyrie only smiles silently, being more grateful than ever to have met Thor, Aurora and Bruce. The past years of loneliness and alcohol haven't filled the hole that her past had left, but they may do it. While Aurora walks into the room stored with clothes and finds an eyepatch, she doesn't notice that the last grain of sand falls.

"Oh, I totally forgot. I also have to charge my jet boots and space suit– "

"Aurora." Valkyrie's tone is odd and the half-Celestial frowns. "You may want to turn around."

As she does so, the God of Mischief suddenly stands in the room, only a few meters of distance separating them. While Loki awaits her with a genuine smile, Aurora's heart races in happiness and anticipation and green eyes meet blue ones. Without breaking the eye contact, Aurora hands Val the eyepatch.