Hellfire

Free Above

Steve cursed, his back aching as he crawled through yet another narrow tunnel.

It had taken him hours to find the secret passage which had led him to the other side of the palace walls, and now he still had to get into the palace itself. With guards standing on high alert at every gate and door he had no choice but to search his way through the labyrinth of underground tunnels which the trickster had so easily guided him through earlier.

He decided to take a left, coming across yet another crossing which did not feel familiar. 'Fuck,' he cursed under his breath as he barely managed to dodge a cobweb. He looked down, noticing a shriveled creature, the size of his foot, dead on its back. Its large fangs were only seconds away from falling from its jaw, its eight hirsute legs curled around its body. Steve had to take a deep breath as he passed the being that was hardly a spider anymore, briefly wondering if he would meet the same fate in this cursed warren.

If only he had paid more attention when he was still with Loki.

He decided to just keep walking, marking some of the paths by drawing arrows in the dust or sand that covered the floor. He was starting to get tired, sighing hopelessly as he crossed a path which he had already walked before.

He looked around, wondering where to go as the trickster's words echoed through his mind. Loki had told him to leave the palace, to escape from Asgard and never look back.

Steve gritted his teeth in frustration. He would never leave the god like this. If only Loki would talk, if only he had said what was troubling him. Steve could have helped him. They could have worked on a solution, maybe even talk with Thor or, if all else fails, escape this damn place together.

It took the captain another three hours of constant walking before he finally found a mark that could help him navigate. He tilted his head, his attention fully drawn towards bloody boot prints that had settled on the dusted floor. They were Loki's, no doubt.

Steve followed the trail, his walking turning into a run as he started to recognize the path. He climbed up countless stairs before making it back into the palace, the trail of mud ending in one of the hallways. 'Loki?!' He shouted, but no answer was given. He tried catching his breath as he laid his eyes upon a painfully familiar satchel, surrounded by shattered glass and dead critters.

'No...' he crouched down, searching for what could still be saved.

The enhanced hearing of the soldier caused him to pick up a sound somewhere at the other end of the long hall. He ran towards the voices, took a corner and nearly crashed into two scullery maids.

'Where's Loki?' He demanded, his voice lacking its usual kindness as the two young women looked at him in shock.

'W-we do not know,' the brunette answered, two empty tankards clasped in her hands.

Steve barely managed to keep himself from slamming the poor girl against the wall. He cursed underneath his breath and gritted his teeth, the maids warily keeping their distance. 'I must speak with Thor.'

'The Allfather does not wish to be distu-'

It was the captain's fist crashing into the wall right next to her head that caused the young girl to fall silent. She hardly dared to breath, lips parted as she froze in fear. Deep blue eyes peered straight at her, demanding and shadowed with ire.

Steve didn't have to say another word, for the girl pointed towards the grand staircase, her entire body quivering. 'H-he is in his chamber.'

The man gave a quick nod in gratitude before sprinting up the stairs, ignoring the servant's further warnings.