Tabula Rasa (Unlike Loki: Book Two)

Chapter 17

(Anna)

I had set down Leolin, telling the guards to keep a close eye on him.

I run out of the room as fast as I can, tripping over my skirts. "Thor!" I yelled, panicked.

I keep calling out his name, trying to find him. I round a corner, and slam into him. He grabs me by the shoulders. "What is it?" he is searching my eyes.

"Did By find you?"

"Yes. He went to keep an eye on Torren. Well, not Torren, but-"

"It's Mangog." I interrupt in a low whisper.

His eyes shoot wide, his face turning green. "I beg your pardon?"

"Leolin was able to tell. Thor, there's no other way he could have known who Mangog was. I don't know how, but-"

"Damn."

"How bad is he exactly?" I ask cautiously.

"He is ancient. He is the sum total of every living being that was killed by an ancient Asgardian ruler. He was released when I was younger, and I, along with nearly the entire Kingdom helped my father defeat him. If he's back, he's back for blood."

"Then why not kill already? why act like he wants to take it over?" I was shaking.

"No idea. Last time, he wanted to destroy Asgard." He shrugged his shoulders, fear on his face.

"If he was killed, how did he get back?" Dead was dead.

"He's ancient, he's made up of different things than we are. If he is killed, he regenerates in what's known as the "In-Between". It's where all ancient creatures and men go when they are killed. It's also where demons go, and anyone who belongs neither in Valhalla or Helheim." He sighs. "It could take any varying amount of time for a being to regenerate. We must have done Mangog damage if he couldn't come out in a physical form. He must only be able to survive using a host."

"Which doesn't bode well for any of us."

"Precisely. Because-"

I interrupted, "Because he could simply switch bodies."

"We've got to find a way to keep him in that body..."

"But if we kill the body, will we kill him?"

Thor looked at me with sad eyes. He had no idea. None of us did. This wasn't something that was written down. This was new.

"What are you two talking so intensely about?

Torren.

I spun around putting a fake face on, and skipped over to him, planting a light kiss on his cheek, making him smile victoriously.

"I thought By went to get you?" I asked, nonchalantly.

"I never saw him." He said.

I glanced at Thor. He kept his face steady.

"What were you speaking about?" he asked again, a little harshly.

"It's a surprise!" I winked at him. "For our wedding day." I whispered.

He grinned evilly, making me automatically shiver.

"I'll have a surprise for you that day as well." He said.

I had a feeling that I wouldn't like his surprise, any more than he would like mine.