Monster (A Loki Fanfic)

The Staff of the Dead

My feet sloshed in the bloody terrain as I ran hastily, my heart beating out of my chest.

"My powers are limited here... But I may be able to teleport us." Loki said, already starting to breath unevenly. "All we need to do is get directly under the ship. Can you think of anything that could help us with that task?"

"I-I crashed a space pod near there" I panted.

"Brilliant" he said, but the pleasure in his words were blocked out by fear.

Silently, we kept running, zigzagging through the dreary people and jagged obsidian rocks.

Like before, the blood rain made it hard to see, but this time I really didn't care.

A large shadow loomed over us. There was a horrifying splash, then we slid to
A stop to avoid running right into Nidhogg. Somehow he had escaped the ice shell Loki had temporarily encased him in. My heart sank as his wings spread, blocking out all our easy escapes.

"Leaving so soon?" Nidhogg grinned, it was an angry twisted grin, almost giving the same effect as a scowl.

Loki immediately placed an arm over me protectively.

Nidhogg swung his tail around, creating even more of a barricade around us. It was then that I noticed something I hadn't noticed before. His tail. His fiery scales seemed to stop, leaving the end of his tale encased in a rusty silver, lined with metal spikes. It looked as if he were using it as prosthetics, perhaps he was wounded in combat. At the very tip of his tail there was a skull. What looked like shriveled and charred hand clasped it from the bottom. Somehow, it seemed misplaced. Could it be?
I took a chance and lunged for it, escaping Loki's embrace.

I gripped the skull, wrapping my arms and legs around his tail, trying to ignore the spikes burning into my skin.

Surprised, Nidhogg snarled, swinging his tail in an attempt to fling me into a puddle of blood.

I kept my grasp on the skull, but let my legs swing loosely, shifting my weight.
Just as I had hoped the skull slipped out, along with a long twisted stick that branched off and curled around the rotted skull. Then I felt the impact, my body crushed against the ground, making me go numb. Not even for a moment did I loosen my grip on the staff.

Loki's eyes widened in astonishment "How did-"

His words were cut short by a roar.
This was no ordinary roar, it seemed to come from all directions. It was a terrifying sound, more terrifying than anything I had ever heard. My ears rang, and for a few moments all I could hear was it's echo.

My next move surprised even me. Without hesitation I stood and with both hands held the staff in the air. For a second I stood there, staring the dragon straight in the eyes. Then, using all my strength, I brought my arms down roughly, clashing the staff's end with the ground.

Immediately, the world shook. A faint red wave of light spread over the land. The skeletons sunken eyes now glowed a fiery crimson. The storm stopped, but I didn't notice. I was too astonished by what I had just done.

The dead stared in awe, though they didn't look quite so dead anymore. Their blank, lost expressions were now replaced with something more driven and controlled. Something about them just seemed more lively. None of their eyes left me.

"After all your years of torment, I have finally raised you!" I exclaimed, trying to put as much confidence in my voice as I could "Now I only ask one favor." I returned my attention to Nidhogg "Destroy this monster!" I spat.

In an instant the people were swarming him like ants trying to rebuild their crushed ant hill. He tried shaking them off but more kept coming, until there were thousands, maybe millions, climbing all over him. They gnashed their teeth and clawed at his scales. Some yanked at his tail, others threw rocks at his eyes.

I stood there, unable to move. Though the scene was horrific, but I couldn't help but feel prideful.

Loki's hand gripped mine, cutting me out of my gaze. His eyes told me it was time to go.

As we turned to go Nidhogg let out a cry "You'll regret leaving me here! I will get my revenge!" His voice was desperate and vengeful, but convincing. It sent shivers up my spine. I remembered the spiders and knew he could do much much worse. He was definitely not the guy you wanted as an enemy.

Without the storm it was much more easy to navigate and we found the space pod in minutes.

"Stay still" Loki commanded.

I nodded, closing my eyes. When I opened them again we were standing in the control room. Safe at last.