L O K I

Everything was dark; blackness filled the scene as screams filled the air. Countless voices bombarded Loki with deafening cries. His vision finally cleared, revealing two great armies colliding on the battlefield.

Thor stood on a distant hill, a crown atop his head, bellowing, "We will slay them all!"

Loki watched in horror as his brother only grinned at the great amount death before them as soldier after soldier fell. Every one of them shouting, "Hail King Thor!"

How could such a thing be allowed to happen? the younger prince thought.

Because your brother is king, a voice whispered in his mind.

Thor would never allow so many of his own men to be slaughtered, Loki countered.

Has it not happened before?

"Loki!"

The familiar screech jerked the prince's attention back to the fray. "Amora!" he cried.

Racing in the direction of her voice, he struggled through the mass of soldiers, dodging various weapons and blows. Finally, a small break came in the crowd and lying in the center was Amora, a gaping wound in her torso soaked her clothes with blood. Breathless, Loki dropped to his knees beside her and frantically pressed his hands on the gash.

He began to panic as more blood continued to come out despite his best efforts. The woman weakly grasped his hand and he looked up. But Amora's eyes held no comfort or sadness; they only held betrayal and fear.

"You said that you would protect me," she cried as a tear trickled down her face, "Why did you not protect me?"

Shaking his head weakly, Loki croaked, "I am sorry. There was noth--"

"No," her broken voice interrupted fiercely, "there is something that you can do."

Following her pointed gaze, Loki's eyes landed on Thor holding his hammer high in the air. The younger prince furrowed his brow and shook his head. "He does not matter right now. You need--"

Turning back, he felt the words catch in his throat as his heart stopped. Only a cold, blank stare was left to meet his eyes; the pain still etched in Amora's now pale face.

"No," he choked out, reaching to gently caress her cheek. His breaths came faster, becoming more sporadic. Trembling, Loki drew her into his arms and cradled her into his chest. Everything began to spin as his world came crashing down around him. This is all my fault. I should have protected her.

"No!" he screamed, scratching his throat raw.

And now she is dead because of my failure.

Loki jerked awake in his bed, his bare chest heaving from the night terror. Darting his eyes about the room, he reluctantly slowed his breathing as his mind processed everything.

It was just a dream, he mentally repeated over and over, It was just a dream.

He stared at the dark room around him but could find no peace. Relenting to his paranoia, he got up and quickly wrapped a robe around himself; he had to be certain that she was alright if he wanted to get any more sleep.

Despite his better judgement, Loki could feel his anxiety building with each step as he made his way to the healing hall. The inconceivable thought that she might be in danger plagued his mind.

Upon seeing the disheveled prince enter, Emelía stood at attention, her eyes wide. "My prince," she addressed surprised, "is everything alright?" His appearance was undoubtably alarming; his hair was unkept and in every direction, his clothing rumpled and incomplete, and his eyes frantic and bloodshot.

With the barest glance, he replied distractedly, "Yes, I just need to check on Amora."

He barely registered the healer saying something about Amora still being asleep, but he did not waste another moment in reaching her private room.

Opening the door, Loki peered into the dark room, desperately searching for her peaceful, sleeping figure. The memory of her covered in blood made him tremble at the thought of the horrible sight meeting his eyes once again. Thankfully, the light only revealed her slumbering calmly. No blood, no fear, no desperation; only the steady rise and fall of her chest and relaxed expression on her face.

However, her features twitched slightly, disturbed by the light and the sound of heavy breathing coming from the doorway. She stirred, reluctantly squinting her eyes open.

"Loki?" she called groggily, "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

As she sat up, the prince could only stare at her, his breathing slowly calming down.

She is alright, he repeated mentally, She is alright.

Sighing shakily, he shook his head, "No, everything is fine. I am sorry for disturbing you." Somewhat embarrassed, Loki turned to leave.

"Loki," Amora's soft tone making him stop and look back at her, "come here. Something is obviously wrong."

He opened his mouth to deny it, but she gave him a pointed look before scooting over to provide room for him on the bed.

After a beat, he walked over and awkwardly sat down beside her, hoping to not have to share his dream. Unable to tear his eyes from her torso, Loki could not dispel the vision of her covered in blood. The various aspects of the dream replayed in his mind until resting on Thor in a crown.

He could feel her insistent gaze burning into his face but did not wish to relive the horrors of his nightmare. With a small huff, Amora relented into silence and rested her head on his shoulder.

Hesitantly, he broke the silence and asked, "Do you think Thor will make a wise king?"

Amora frowned and turned to look directly at him. Pausing, she spoke thoughtfully, "Your brother has a foolish mind, but he has a good heart. Guidance will make help his rule."

She then smiled warmly and rested a hand on Loki's cheek. "That is why he is so fortunate to have you at his side."

Her words elicited a smile from him, but the anxiety still remained in his heart. Obviously seeing this in his tense expression, Amora added, "And your father will be there to help manage him."

When she removed her hand from his face, Loki could not suppress the slight disappointment at losing her touch. But he still said, "Thank you, Amora."

She patted his chest and responded, "You should rest. Ease your mind."

With a playful smirk, the prince simply leaned back against the pillows with his hands behind his head, waiting for her cheeks to redden or her eyes to roll. But the amused Amora merely raised an eyebrow before resting her head on his chest.

Tensing momentarily, he slowly relaxed and prayed that the beautiful woman could not hear his racing heart. Carefully wrapping an arm around her, Loki could not help but think of the way that he had clutched her dead body in his dream.

As the sound of her slow breathing lulled him to sleep, he silently vowed to avoid such a reality at all cost.

* * *

A M O R A

Several days had passed since Loki's unexpected midnight visit and Amora had grown restless, having lost the same vigor that her investigation on Midgard had provided. According to Heimdall, Stark had been taken hostage by terrorists in the desert, not the feared titan. She cringed at the thought of adding 'fortunately' to that thought.

How could anyone be relieved to hear of another's misfortune? But it was better than having the brilliant inventor in the hands of Thanos. Nevertheless, the whole situation made her stomach churn with guilt. It also left her with no need to visit Midgard anymore, leaving her with only simple activities to busy herself.

The healer loved remaining somewhat useful in the healing room, but she had lost the same sense of purpose from before. Oppositely, Loki's anxieties over Thor's coronation provided no shortage of worry for the woman, but she could not bring herself to fully confront the younger prince. He may have some logic, but he completely lacked faith in his family.

Perhaps I can speak to Frigga, she thought, dreading the thought of any direct confrontation with the princes.

Emelía's and Theoric's constant companionship also provided entertainment, but they also hindered Amora from paying Lorelei another visit.

Until she was finally given an evening of peace and solitude. Taking the precaution to lock her door, the sorceress quickly settled herself on her bed and allowed the enchantment to transfer her image to her sister's cell.

The redhead lay flat on her small cot, aimlessly tossing and catching a small, metal cup. Sending their mental connection, she paused, stopping her repetitive action, and smiled. "I see you have returned for more insight."

"I come for more information, not your twisted--what is that?" Amora asked abruptly, noticing the object in the prisoner's hands.

Lorelei shrugged with a slight smile. "Just a little trinket from one of my visitors."

The brunette scoffed. "Guards do not count as visitors, Lorelei, even if they only come to admire you."

The redhead only smiled at the trinket, a distant look in her eyes. Glancing up, she saw the expectant look on Amora's face and gave an overdramatic sigh.

"Well," Lorelei sat up and swung her legs over the edge of her meager bed, "where was I last time we spoke? It has been some time since your last visit so it is difficult to recall." She gazed upward in a mock show of thought.

"Oh, please. You have survived 400 years alone in this cell? What is a few days?"

The prisoner smirked before looking up at Amora. "You have quite the tongue now, sister. Is it that sharp for everyone, or am I just special?" Before the brunette could respond, Lorelei continued. "I am sure your precious prince is so prou--"

"When I was here last, you had said that you once found Karnilla doing something," Amora interrupted, "What was it?"

With a sigh, Lorelei looked down at the cup in her hands, frowning seriously. "She was seated in the middle of a dark and secluded room holding a gem of some sort. It looked as though she had just come out of a vision or trance."

"So, you think that she was communicating with Thanos?"

The redhead nodded and Amora was once again filled with excitement.

Finally, a legitimate lead, she thought, beginning to pace the cell. "Where was this room?"

"Nornheim. In the depths of her Nornkeep."

"Then all we have to do is find it." Amora could not suppress the smile forming at the thought of another excursion.

However, a sharp laugh from Lorelei interrupted her racing thoughts. "I am sorry, but who is this 'we' you speak of? I am a prisoner and you are a cripple."

The healer flinched at the bitter truth in those words. She was useless without proper mobility; it would be years before she could regain full ability in her leg.

Wracking her brain for an alternative, Amora perked with an idea. "Loki could--"

Lorelei stopped her with an pointed finger. "He knows nothing about Karnilla. He is mystically weaker than the both of us. And do you know if he is truly trustworthy?"

Taken aback, the brunette indignantly replied, "Loki has been nothing but trustworthy and truthful to me."

Lorelei gave her a long look before diverting her eyes to the hallway as a set of footsteps echoed down. "Has he, though?"

Amora opened her mouth to respond but her sister interrupted her. "Ah, here is my visitor," she announced cheerfully.

The brunette froze when she heard the 'visitor' speak. "Lorelei, who are you talking..."

Loki trailed off when upon seeing his friend in the cell, as well. The two simply stared at each other in shocked silence before speaking in unintentional unison.

"What are you doing here?"

* * *

What is Loki up to?? Why is he visiting Lorelei???

I guess you'll find out next weekend! *evil laugh* (But I still love you guys)

Thanks!!! :)