The Infinity Stones

Ch. 7

   I pace the library, Azul watching me. "Your positive it was Virk?" He asks. I glare at him. "I'm never wrong about this, Azul. I wasn't wrong about you, or Helios. Virk is somehow inside Jane. I just wish I knew." I say, sitting down. I place my head in my hands. Thor took Jane to the Healers, hopping they would know what's in her. "The Aether." I look up, seeing Thor and Jane. Jane's old clothes were replaced with Asgardian garb. "The what?" I ask, standing up. "The Aether. It's an ancient relic known to the Asgardians. It is known to be fluid, not stone like the others." Thor explains. I look at Azul. "Virk always preferred a fluid form. To show his changing personality." I say. Azul nods. I take a shaky breath, sitting back down. Three down, three to go. "Something doesn't seem right though." Azul questions. "King Odin knew of the Aether, does that mean he knows of the other Infinity Stones?" Azul asks. "What's gonna happen to me?" Jane asks. "We'll find a way, Jane. I promise." I say, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But Odin-" "My father, does not know everything." Thor says, placing a hand on her cheek. "Don't let him hear you say that." We all turn, seeing Frigga. "Jane Foster, please meet Frigga, the Queen of Asgard, my mother." Thor says. Jane pulls her face away, a bit embarrassed. "Hi." I give a bow to Frigga, as does Azul. "Pleasure to meet you again, Queen Frigga." I say. "Call me Frigga dear." She responds. I nod in respect. An alarm goes off and we look out the balcony. "The prisons." Frigga comments. "Loki." I straighten my lips. Thor looks at Jane. "Go. We'll look after her." Thor  nods his head in thanks and takes off, summoning Mjolnir. "Come, we'll find Odin and see what this is about." Frigga says. Azul and I summon our armor as we walk out.

   We find Odin with a group of soldiers, heading for the prisons. "Odin." Frigga calls. "Frigga," Odin says, before looking at the guards, "Go!" He turns to us. "It's a skirmish, nothing to fear." Frigga gives Odin a look. "You've never been a very good liar." I watch as Lady Sif walks by, her weapons gleaming. She glances at Jane before continuing. Jealous much? "Take her to you chambers, I'll come for you when it's safe." Odin commands. "Take care." Frigga almost pleads. "Despite all I have been through, my queen still worries over me." Odin says, placing a hand on Frigga's face. As he leaves, Frigga only rolls her eyes. "It's only because I worry over you is because you have survived."  We follow Frigga, who takes one of the guards swords. "Listen to me now, I need you all to do exactly as I say and ask no questions." We all nod. "Yes ma'am." Jane says. We enter the chambers. "Azul, stay in the back with Jane. Artemis, stand there in that corner. Don't let Malekith see you." I nod and hide in shadows, my daggers against my forearms. Within minutes, Malekith enters the room. False Jane runs and hides next to a curtain. "Stand down creature. You may just survive this." Frigga threatens, walking with the sword. "I have survived worse, woman." I curl my lip at his disrespect. But Frigga continues, unfazed. "Who are you?" "I am Malekith, and I would have what is mine." Frigga strikes him in the face. Malekith takes out his own blade and they begin to fight, Frigga spinning and dodging each blow. A giant creature grabs Frigg and puts her into a headlock. She sends me a look, saying to stay where I am. I grip my dagger, waiting. Malekith walks over to the false Jane. "You have taken something child. Give it back." Malekith says, reaching for her. As he brushes her face, she disappears, revealing a hologram. "Witch! Where is the Aether?" Malekith demands. "I'll never tell." Frigga replies. "I believe you." The giant behind Frigga stabs her. "NO!" I scream. I rush out and stab Malekith, just as Thor sends a bolt of lightning at his face. The giant grabs Malekith and jumps of the balcony, where a ship grabs them. I sob as I kneel next to Frigga. The goddess seemed so much like my mother. Azul places a hand on my shoulder and I turn to him, crying into his shoulder. "She's gone." I sob quietly. "She's gone."

   The funeral for Frigga and the fallen warriors took place that night. I held a ball of light in my hands, still in mourning. I could see Thor glancing at me. He knew how I felt responsible for Frigga's death. If I had done something, anything, I could have saved her. I wish I did. Afterwards, when we let the light into the sky, I walk silently to my chambers. I draw a bath, hoping it will let me relax. It barely does. I sigh and curl up on the bed, praying for a dreamless sleep.

   I open my eyes to a realm of red. I look around me, my daggers at my side. "Honestly, sister, I was expecting a bigger welcome." I look back in front of me. Now, Virkelighet stands there, looking at his nails. He's wearing a red t-shirt, black jeans, red converse, and a black windbreaker. "It's been, what, 12,000 years?" I smile. "Something like that." I whisper. He looks up, his ruby eyes glistening. "As much I have missed you, sister, I'm here for something important." Virk walks forward, standing at least 4 inches taller than my 5'2" height. "You know how powerful we are. We cannot be destroyed by anyone but each other. When you can, put my stone somewhere safe. I will only create my physical form when you find out where." He tells me. I nod. Virk places a hand on my cheek. "Our other siblings are closer than you think. Violetta is far from here, but Ardena you will see soon." I nod. "And what of Psychi?" I ask. Virk drops his. "She is safe. I do not even know where she is. But, Helios might." Virk places a kiss on my temple. "Good luck, Artemis." He whispers.