Loki After Endgame: Cheating Death

Chap 27: The Raven's Tidings

Loki:

I wake up early in the morning, after a fitful night of sleep in my old bed in the bedroom with Kamilla. She's still sleeping soundly in her own bed, so I take the opportunity to shower and fix my long tangled hair before sitting on the chair by her bed. I concentrate my healing magic and funnel it into her smoothly, feeling unusually light-headed, mending the rest of her torn intestines piece by piece. I don't pause to rest, until her wound has sealed. But even though she is healed internally, a large puckered scar remains on her abdomen. I sag in my chair; I won't be able to remove the scar until I've regained my strength. I huff, normally healing a human isn't such a chore, but ever since the blood oath, my magical ability has been slightly hampered. When Kamilla was hit by that arrow the day before, it confirmed my growing suspicions: that this wretched blood oath has been slowly siphoning my magic into Kamilla. Fortunately, I'm still extremely powerful by most standards, but more advanced magic has been leaving me unusually drained. I'm no longer as strong as I once was. I sigh, I should have known better, blood magic always comes with a price.

And there's also the disturbing matter of the second unwanted side-affect. When I made the blood oath, I only wanted to feel any attempt she made to deceive or betray me, I didn't want to feel all of her feelings. And yet, I feel it all; every strong emotion she feels. I can feel her desires, her fears, her pain... and well, it is troubling indeed. When the arrow tore through her gut, I felt every ounce of her pain and terror. In fact, I was so overwhelmed by her pain, fear and exhaustion, that I could barely manage to teleport us to the spaceship and stop her from bleeding to death. It took me much longer than it should have, and I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to heal her before she bled out. Her body is so frail, and I was so overwhelmed; I was certain she was going to die. Fortunately for us both, I thrive under pressure and I was able to use every ounce of magical energy to keep her alive and stop her internal and external bleeding. I run my hand through my smooth hair, feeling prideful.
I did it! I saved her and I found the map to Klyntar! I am unstoppable!

Kamilla shifts in bed, and my eyes travel up and down her slender sleeping form. The color has returned to her round cheeks and her lips have returned to their lush pink shade. A small part of me marvels at her; why would such a beautiful creature willingly give her life in exchange for mine? What could she possibly see in me?! My mind wonders at her sacrifice; I know the blood oath didn't force her to protect me from danger, it only forces her to tell me the truth. So why would she do such a thing? Perhaps she is enamored by my radiance and splendor?

I shake my head. Of course not, she probably just wants me alive, so I can keep training her. For a brief moment I feel a flicker of wanting, tinged with jealousy. Why does Thor always get everything? Why can't I have her? Just as suddenly as the thought comes, I push it away cringing internally. Yesterday I felt the mixture of pity and admiration she feels towards me and it was utterly revolting. I hate feeling her flimsy emotions, she really ought to learn to keep her feelings locked up tight, she would be so much better off.

I cringe, the random waves of emotion that have been rolling off her, since we made the blood oath are deeply unsettling and confusing. I stand up quickly and conjure some food for her, a bowl of Asgardian veal stew loaded with vegetables, and two bottles of water, they should be enough to restore her strength. The smell of the veal stew makes my mouth water and reminds me of home. But I don't make any for myself, I haven't any desire to eat today.

Once I'm back in the control room sitting in the pilot's chair, a small familiar raven with fierce black eyes appears before me.

"Hello Ikol, it's been a while."

"You summoned me master?" The raven's voice is jagged and feral; his words ooze from his crooked beak like drops of blood.

"Yes, I've a matter I'd like to discuss with you."