Guys! I can't believe I'm writing this...but it's the final chapter! The end of book two! My goodness what a whirlwind it has been. I just want to thank you all for the support and love you have shown to the book! You guys really are the best :)
I hope you enjoy 💚
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The night was tranquil.
No noises seemed to stir.
The wind had long but disappeared.
Leaving an eerie silence lingering over Asgard.
The night sky was clear, scattered with countless stars, twinkling overhead.
It was as if Mother Nature herself was in mourning.
Thor came to Loki's room where I had taken refuge in the rest of the evening after peeling myself off Bucky's tear stained chest to collect me when the time came. I hadn't wanted to face anyone. How could I?
How could I explain to them I was a hollow shell of my former self.
I had gained a new found strength in my body, but lost myself to grief.
I took his arm, after pulling Loki's cloak over my shoulders again and smoothing down my black dress.
Thor looked at me with a sorrow and a pain in his eyes, "No one ever told me that grief, Little One. It feels so much like fear."
"I know. Do you feel as numb as I do?" I asked.
He nodded quietly, and I noticed a few tears escaping his eyes. I moved around to face him, throwing my arms around his neck. Trying my best to comfort him.
"We have a piece of him with us forever, not just in our hearts Thor. And we have each other to lean on for support. I will always be here for you." I mumbled between tears.
We held each other for a little while. Before both of us made our way to the docks in silence hand in hand.
No more words needed to be spoken. We were both grieving. We just needed to be there for one another.
Thousands of people lined the streets down to the docks. Moving out of our way to clear a path as we approached, bowing their heads out of respect for our loss.
I smiled weakly at them as they looked at me sympathetically. Many of them had lost their sons, husbands, brothers or fathers in the war.
I wasn't the only one hurting. That was apparent by the many tear stained faces I met. I needed to keep it together and show my respect for their loss as well.
I let out a long shaky breath, pushing my shoulders back, I straightened myself. I felt like I had a duty to these people too.
Thor noticed the change in my stance and squeezed my hand, "You've got this Little One." He whispered, smiling down at me momentarily before we came to a halt beside Frigga and Odin.
Odin nodded solemnly at me, before turning to the crowds to address his people.
"We are gathered here tonight. As a family." He paused. "Each and every one of you are apart of that family. In times of turmoil and despair we gathered together and fought as one. So together we will mourn and pay our respects as one. Many of you have lost sons, husbands, fathers or brothers. All of you are feeling the grief and loss in your homes as well as in your hearts. As are we. Each and every man on that battlefield fought valiantly and have made you proud. They died protecting us and our home from the evil forces that threatened to take it away from us. We too, lost someone important to us. We lost our Son. Your Prince." Odin paused again, reaching over to place his hand on my shoulder as I struggled to choke back tears. "Loki died fighting to protect our home but most importantly his fiancé. Who he loved and treasured more than anything else in the Nine Realms. I must thank her, for showing him that he was truly worthy. Worthy of love. Worthy to live life as the man he was destined to be. I failed him as a Father for many years and I can only hope he can forgive me after finding his saving grace in her." He smiled at me nodding his head. "We must also celebrate Y/N for stopping Ragnarok. Tonight, however. We commemorate those lost. But fear not, these brave men will continue to their afterlife. Where they will relish in the halls of Valhalla, where they will once more get to be the gallant warriors they were born to be when the time comes. Be proud of the men you raised. Be proud of the warriors they became. Brave. Noble. Fearless. Strong. Still the loss will hurt no less, I can only hope that my words give you some form of comfort in these somber times. The only other thing I can say is thank you. Thank you to each and every one of you who have sacrificed someone you love for our home."
With that he turned, nodding to someone in the distance.
One by one, we watched on in silence as small ships were freed into the ocean. Bobbing along in the calm waters. Each one holding one of the many lives that had been lost on the field of Vigrid.
Slowly, Loki's ship floated down the long river that flowed from the palace to meet with the sea. His golden armour glimmering below the lanterns that twinkled along the high walls. His horned helmet placed proudly upon his head.
People bowed, mumbling prayers and paying their respects to the Prince that lost his life all too soon as he passed bye them.
As the ship grew closer I felt everyone huddling around me. The group had made their way forwards to stand behind us for support. Thor's grip tightening on my hand as he felt my body beginning to tremble involuntarily.
I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I turned momentarily to see Bucky, who smiled weakly at me. His eyes filled with a sorrow. I doubted very much it was for the loss of Loki, but rather the pain I was in. I turned back away from him, leaning into his touch slightly.
But no longer could I hold back the tears as Loki passed bye us.
I couldn't pretend to be strong anymore.
His ship was ladened with treasures for the after life. Foods, alcohols, books, I knew my letter was safe by his side and the dagger he had gifted me for my birthday secured in its sheath. In his hands his sceptre. Odin must have returned it to him.
Even in death he looked regal.
"Goodbye Brother." Thor bowed his head to his casket. "Until we meet again on the battlefield." His voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
I felt my knees beginning to go weak. Grabbing tighter onto Thor's hand in an attempt to keep myself upright.
"I've got you Little One." He reassured, moving his arm to wrap it around my waist, supporting my weight.
We watched on in silence as his ship moved out across the vast ocean. His casket the largest out of them all. Yet it still seemed so small in comparison to the large stretch of water.
Odin nodded his head to the head archer.
He lit his arrow from the flames of the lantern, taking his aim, he pulled back, pausing momentarily before releasing it. A small whir sounded as it flew effortlessly through the air.
Then Loki's ship caught flames.
My cries rang out through the silent night as it was engulfed by them.
And I buckled to the ground.
He was really gone.
Never to return.
Frigga raced to my side kneeling beside me to comfort me as tears slipped from her eyes as she embraced me. "I know Dear. I know it hurts."
I sobbed into her shoulder. "He's really gone Frigga. He's really gone..."
No one could provide me with any kind of comfort that would help. No one but him.
Odin banged his staff and as it echoed out through the night, the archers released more flaming arrows. The many valiant warriors ships set on fire too, sending them on the way to their afterlife.
I stumbled to my feet clumsily. Pushing through people with blurry vision, I couldn't be here. I couldn't be strong anymore and I didn't want them seeing me fall apart all over again.
I whistled into the night.
Everyone jumped back as Hades thundered through the air to land at my side. I mounted his back, flying off into the night sky.
"Take me away boy." I whispered into his mane, lying my torso against his neck for support.
Soon he landed. Turning to nuzzle my leg, letting me know we had arrived.
I looked around. My breath catching in my chest.
He had brought me to the mountainside Loki and I had visited to watch the galaxies that night. The night he had laid his claim to me to the Gods for the first time.
I made my way over to the edge, falling down onto the grass. I tugged at his cloak, wrapping it around me tighter. Trying to provide myself a little comfort.
Hades moved to slowly lie behind me. Nuzzling my arm.
"You miss him too boy. Don't you?" I mumbled to him through tears as I leant back against his side.
He let out a small whinny as if in response.
"Yeah. Me too." I sighed as I looked out over the docks.
I watched as Loki's ship made its way to the edge of the waterfall.
Before falling, green sparks seemed to fly up into the night sky. I craned my head back to look where they went. One star in particular seemed to shine a bit brighter after the sparks dissolved.
"I love you Loki." I whispered. Closing my eyes and holding my hands over my heart.
When I opened my eyes again, thousands of tiny orbs filled the sky. They had been released for all those lost in battle.
I summoned my powers, creating a small amethyst orb in my hands, slowly pushing it up into the sky and releasing it to join the others.
We sat up on the mountain side for hours. Finally I felt my tears subside.
Out of nowhere Hades jumped from the ground abruptly, snorting out and shielding me behind one of his wings protectively.
I stood up quickly on high alert, "What is it boy?"
As I peered out from behind his wing. A strange orange glow began to form in the shape of a door in front of us.
Suddenly 3 people dressed in black clothes, wearing helmets and what I imagined where bullet proof vests. Stepped out of the portal.
They stood to attention before a man in a brown suit stepped out.
He had grey short hair. He had to be in his fifties. As I studied him I noticed that his nose looked like it had been broken once upon a time. He looked around the open space of Asgard before spying me.
"Y/N?" He asked, squinting at me.
"Depends who's asking." I replied curtly, stepping out from behind Hades to stand at his shoulder.
"My name is Mobius, and I need you to come with us."
I furrowed my brows. "Come with you where? What for?"
"How rude of me," he stepped towards me extending out his hand.
But Hades charged forwards baring his teeth at Mobius. Placing himself in front of me again protectively.
Mobius jumped back, the fear apparent in his eyes. He reached up fixing his tie, before looking around Hades.
"Quite the guard dog you've got there."
I rolled my eyes. "I have just lost someone dear to me. Believe me, he is the least of your worries. I advise you please explain what the fuck you want before I lose my patience." I flicked my flames up my onto my hands as a warning.
Mobius held his arms up in surrender, "Whoah there. Slow down. There's no need. I can assure you. We are the good guys here. We are from the Time Variance Authority and we need your help."
"You need my help?" I snorted.
"Yes." Mobius nodded his head.
"What the hell for?" My patience was wearing thin.
"To help us with Loki."
"I beg your pardon?" I spat. Was this man being serious right now?
"Loki." Mobius said again. Looking confused by my reaction.
"Loki is dead you sick son of a bitch."
"No. He's not. He is very much alive and needs your help. He's in danger Y/N." Mobius' eyebrows knitted together and he looked at me pleadingly. "I fear only you can save him."