Miracles Do Happen

Chapter 3

The brothers were still about 4 miles from the city, and Thor was showing signs of improvement.

Though, there had been some difficulties along the way. Food was scarce in their area.

The oldest brother was now capable of walking by himself, though with a slight limp of course. He was still healing and recovering from recent traumatic events.

It was night time now, and the glistening and bright lights of the tall buildings and skyscrapers shone in the distance.

Thor sighed. "This is taking forever."

His younger brother turned to face him with a amused smirk. "I never knew you to be impatient, brother."

Thor rolled his eyes.

"We'll be there soon enough," Loki finally replied after a few moments of silence.

Both brothers continued walking for about another mile in silence, except for the occasional singing of the birds that flew above them or the gentle breeze of the wind.

Loki and Thor were both battered from the attack on the Statesman, but Thor came out the worst.

Blood ran down his healing head wound, his nose bloodied, his lips cracked and dried with blood. Loki, however, was just bruised and scraped up.

Though Thor was capable of walking, that didn't mean his legs were ready for long journeys.

Thor could feel his legs buckle beneath him, and found himself on his hands and knees on the cold grass. The coughing fit he had earlier had returned, and Loki had knelt down next to his older brother in concern.

"Perhaps we should take a break," He said.

Thor chuckled slightly as he sat himself upright. "Exactly what I was thinking."

Loki and Thor were sat next to each other while poisonous thoughts from the Statesman flickered through his head.

Thor could almost see Thanos pushing the sword through his best friend's heart and the dead bodies that littered the ship. It was hard to believe that just a few moments before, it was crowded with hopeful families, but all that hope was diminished.

His breathing had apparently gotten heavier, because Loki was trying to get him to calm down.

"Brother, relax. I understand the memories are painful.." Loki said, placing his hand on his panicking brother's shoulder.

Thor swiftly glanced over at his brother, before his gaze returned to the ground.

He hated the memories of the events that happened not even a day ago. It hurt..

His younger brother got to his feet, pulling Thor to his as well. Luckily, his feet could support his weight again.

"Come on, lets keep going," Loki said as he led the way toward the beautiful city of New York ahead of them.

Every so often, Loki glanced over at his oldest brother. To be honest, he was kind of worrying.

Even he was surprised at himself. He loved his brother even though he never actually said it to him. His brother getting hurt would hurt him too.

Thor continued to walk without giving even a glance toward his younger brother, most likely not wanting to show how much he was upset.

Loki sighed to himself, looking around the dark landscape while they walked.

A noise seemed to spook Thor, though Loki grabbed his arm before he could topple over from surprise.

Both brothers glanced toward the noise, Thor taking a step back as he noticed the figure.

Loki didn't know who the figure was, since he had never encountered him and Thor kept his encounter secret.

"Xhosa..." Thor breathed, watching as the large, muscular, anything but human, man stepped into view. He was wearing dark armor and had a large hammer slung over his shoulder. Xhosa looked the same the last time they...met.

Loki turned to his brother in confusion, "Who?"

Thor sighed, realizing he hasn't told his brother. "I'll tell you later..."

Loki rolled his emerald-green eyes.

"Nice to see you again, Thunder boy," the man boomed. His voice was loud and demanding.

Thor kept silent.

Xhosa scoffed, shaking his head. "How disrespectful. Your not even gonna wave?"

The Thunder God once again kept quiet, only staring at the large male in annoyance and anger.

"Go away, Xhosa.." Thor sneered.

Xhosa laughed.

"I guess I should, shouldn't I? Your weaponless! And who is this, your ward or something?"

Loki scoffed, feeling offended. "I am a sorcerer you big oaf!"

Xhosa chuckled, "A sorcerer, eh? Impressive."

"You talk too much," Thor growled, staring the man down with his piercing gaze.

Loki's gaze flickered between both men, before landing on Thor. The words hurt him a little, memory going back to the events on the Statesman, Thanos gripping Thor's head, as if he could crush it any second.

Thor didn't seem to flinch when he repeated those words.

Xhosa took a large and heavy step forward, swinging the hammer back over his shoulder and slamming it into the grass, barely missing Thor's toe. There was a decently large hole left from the impact.

Thor looked up in surprise, Xhosa glaring him down with his piercing red eyes.

"I shall not flee from a battle I will most definitely win," Xhosa said with a small grin.

Thor's first cackled with lightning. "How do you know you'll win?" He asked.

Xhosa seemed surprised, having forgotten about Thor's powers and not knowing he could still be capable of wielding them without Mjolnir.

Thor's body lit up with particles of lightning, along with his remaining eye.

Before Loki could intervene, both men charged at each other.