A S G A R D

The journey is what I can assume to be as quick as the speed of light, yet I feel like I'm experiencing what seems to be infinity. Outside of the bifrost's rainbow lining that is already favoring my childish astonishment of space, I see more than lifetimes.

I'm clutching onto Thor's abnormally large chest for dear life as we pass planets and whole galaxies. It seems endless. Infinity. Space, numbers, time, god. Whether or not it truly exists, the idea has kept me alive. The idea that there is always something more.

How beautifully unsatisfying.

Thor grips tighter around my waist to signal we have reached our landing and the pressure on my hair relaxes in the next second as it falls gently upon my shoulders again.

The silhouettes of our three bodies project themselves on the wall in front of us as we emerge from the glowing passage. I squint my eyes until I can adjust to the light of the realms golden reflection, but it seems the other two are more than used to it.

Asgard, the most glorious realm. D.A.R.K. had studied this place after Thor had first come down to Earth. It's as beautiful as it is ironic.

Asgard is the leader of all the realms, preaching peace, prosperity, and representing superior technological and cultural advancements. Yet, it had all been built up from unparalleled military excellence, and their tactics had been exceptionally savage.

You can tell as much without knowing anything really. No man should ever have this much gold.

It's comical to try so hard to hide a destructive, oppressive past. Peace treaties do not suppress those in the darkest corners of the universe. It's inevitable that the past catches up to you.

If my word is good for anything, than I can say confidently that every reign holds hypocrisy. This place proves no exception, but I came with no other expectations.

I smile away from the eyes of the gods, laughing to myself at how I can't allow myself in the presence of beauty without finding its faults.

I break away from Thor's grip, trying not to stray too far from his side as my eyes wander around the golden finishes. I can feel him smile at my back as he addresses the gatekeeper.

"Heimdall, happy to see you again. Thank you."

"Welcome back." The gatekeepers voice booms possibly even louder than Thor's. I look to put a name to the voice, soon pairing it with a rather muscular, golden dressed, yet modest man. One who radiates nobility, whose eyes look more wise for their own good, and is perhaps too humble for the power he possesses.

I like him.

He turns slightly to meet my eyes not a moment later. "Ms. Natalle, It is a pleasure to see you beyond Midgard."

I look to Thor, unmistakenly confused, yet utterly intrigued, to which he quickly tends to beyond a soft smile back.

"This is Heimdall, the all-seeing and all-hearing shield of the nine realms, as well as the guard of the bifrost. This will take you anywhere in the world you desire and this man is aware of most everything happening throughout the universe."

I couldn't help but relish in the way Thor speaks of him. It was proud, eager, like he were presenting Asgard's greatest trophy, yet his tone holds the utmost respect.

I raise my eyebrow playfully, turning back towards Heimdall.

"In that case thank you and I'm sorry."

He smiles and shifts more comfortably in his stance. "An apology is not necessary, Ms. Natalie. My mind recognizes you in high esteem."

The fact that I killed over 90 people in the last week must have just slipped past him. I smile nonetheless.

"Do stop by again," he starts again. "I believe we will make excellent conversation."

"I hope I do not disappoint," I laugh, meeting his gentle face with a pre apology I felt to be obligatory.

Six guards enter the bifrost room before we were done smiling at each other like old friends, all heavily armed with steps of severe duty and responsibility.

"Welcome back, Odinson. We have been sent by the all father to retrieve the prince. Promptly."

Thor grabs the chains he holds with his other hand and passes the guards his brother, who scoffs under the muzzle. "Thank you. I will follow shortly."

Somehow, all eyes other than the mischievous gods seem to briefly address me, as if I am the only one unfamiliar to a secret they hold. My head holds still as my eyes move to meet each pair of theirs, puzzled, yet a smirk slowly forms. I couldn't help it.

The god turns his head to see where all the attention has gone after he felt no tug at his chains to move. Our eyes meet again, provoking one of the guards to finally speak up.

"Thor, would you like us to escort the lady up?"

Thor nods towards the guards and waves a hand in the air. "It would be best she stay with me."

The criminal makes a sudden step move forward, causing the guards to quickly push back on his chain. Thor takes a step in front of my body, shielding me from anything that could have come forward.

The god cocks his eyebrow at the reaction before giving Thor a look only the two of them seem to understand. Thor sighs and walks over, carefully removing the muzzle from his mouth.

For a convicted war criminal, he seems rather relaxed. It's unsettling to see someone as cunning as him in such a state. Either he is working hard to hide something, or his plan is working perfectly. Perhaps it is both simultaneously.

The contrast between the two brothers is evident to anyone. Both are tall and built in their own complimentary ways, yet it is clear that the specialized excellence in intellect and muscle are not shared.

That is what makes the black haired god most dangerous I suppose. He is bound to be underestimated for his talents are not on the surface. He would never let them be.

He catches me staring as the muzzle is pulled off, but I feel no reason to move my eyes away. He grins before looking back to Thor, bathing in a pent up resentment.

"Thank you, Odinson," He mocks before walking compliantly with the guards. He turns his head to the side in line with his shoulder, watching us in the corner of his eye. "Your arms won't hold strong enough, brother. She may need a cell if you're to keep her from me."

Thor walks to me as if he had to regain his confidence with each step. He motions me back under his arm. "Come, I will get us there quicker."

"Where are we going?"

He smiles and takes my body in softly. "Odin. He would like to meet the savior of Midgard." He jokes, as he forces his other arm into the air in triumph.

He winds up his hammer as I look back to Heimdall, who nods to me with reassurance.

Thor and I soar over Asgard towards the palace. It's more than a sight. The city exudes pure vitality. The perfect place for the electively ignorant and the intelligently wicked.

I have to wonder what appeal Earth had when his home realm is a perfect place for such mischief.

The grand doors of the throne room open before we are able to touch them. Everything seemed to tower over me, as it is a common theme in every palace I had been in. The criminal was nowhere to be seen, yet his presence had left the room with a burdening tension. Odin sits before us as Frigga paces behind him, clearly more affected by whatever had happened than he is.

Thor walks confidently towards the throne as I follow more hesitantly behind him, trying to assess the situation before I speak. It seems Odin had recognized.

"Ms. Natalle, Welcome to Asgard."

I bow as I believe I should. "Thank you. Asgard is of the utmost distinction."

"I believe you will find it to be as fitting for you as it is for us." I nod in response, starting the pause that signaled the end of the obligatory greetings.

From all that I had read of the Allfather, I can safely say my opinion of him is not one of high regard. Asgard's past should be hanging over him like a knife on a loose string, yet he remains on the throne with no consequence.

It seems he may feel the same from the way his eyes scan me with a hint of resentment. It's as if we share a brief moment of understanding; Some kind of false politeness for the good of the others in the room.

"It seems the Prince has met his match," He roars. "I never thought I would see the day."

The guards shift in their stance behind Thor and I, making their uneasiness audible.

I smile and nod as a response, knowing the confidence in my words unspoken would prove more hostile than good.

Thor walks beyond me to happily join his father on the steps of the throne. "By tomorrow's morning, you will be given a few guards that will need assignments. You will work as Loki's primary which requires your attention at his cell. Everything else like his food and supply deliver will be taken care of my the others."

"When should I be posted there?"

"There is no set time you need to worry yourself with," He continues. "Once or twice a day will suffice. In your spare time, you are encouraged to train to familiarize yourself with our military. Pick any opponent you like, but I would be more than happy to give you one of my choosing."

The only opponent I want is behind bars.

I smile to show my understanding, but Thor is eager to continue, having felt a sudden surge of authority from the steps of the throne.

"Make Asgard your home. What is ours is yours."

I can't help but imagine how this will look. They act as if I had given back a stolen relic, but they don't know my plans to destroy it right in front of their eyes.

Odin stands, finally choosing to speak in my direction once more. "Your past is of no regard here Ms. Natalle. I hope you find your future to be of Asgard's interests."

I mask my face with a smile only he could see through, for I intended no undeserved respect. "Thank you. Your efforts are more than appreciated."

"Guards, please show Ms. Natalle to her room." Odin motions for three of his men to walk me out.

I hate the feeling of being handled, and perhaps he figured that. A smile had grown on his face before I turned my back to walk out of the throne room.

The large double doors shut as our feet echo down the golden floors. It was difficult not to feel like royalty in the presence of such skillful architecture. Asgard was truly a beautiful realm and they made sure to celebrate it in any way they could.

We suddenly stop in front of another pair of double doors, much smaller than that of the throne, but grand enough to show significance.

One of the guards pushes a door open, signaling for me to walk in. The room is large, yet holds that dark elegance that made it seem comfortable. The walls are lined with bookcases, interrupted by only a grand fireplace. The bed was decorated black and gold. My combat colors. It seemed this had been tailored to me.

"You two are similar, yet I believe you already figured so." I hear a soft, yet poised voice coming from my doorway. I turn to see Frigga as she waves the guards away sweetly. They gaily abide, having great respect in anyone who treats others as her equal.

"I tried my best to accommodate to you in a short amount of time. Heimdall had told me only so much."

I wave my hand in the air, dismissing the idea. "This is more than enough. Thank you."

She smiles and enters, taking each step assured in who she is, but conscious to the fact that I may be uneasy. That accommodation takes a special kind of grace.

She walks to the bookshelf in front of me, carefully examining the shelves before taking one down. She holds the book in his hands as if her selection had been honored before bringing it to her chest.

"I don't know how you did it, and perhaps I don't necessarily want to know how. I don't think I want anyone else to know."

Her blatant manner takes me by surprise, but I have no such time to react before she turns to face me again.

"I can not humanize him for you," She starts as she walks over to the blazing fireplace. Her eyes draw themselves to the flame as if it had called her name.

I follow hesitantly, settling on the opposite side of the mantle, yet tense with the simple mention of him.

"I do not even want to try. I fear he is right sometimes, that I have created something out of nothing." She smiles as her eyes finally meet mine. "Sentiment."

She relaxes her relationship with the fire to fully turn towards me. "He is my son. Whether he admits it or not. A son much different than Thor. I feel as if he had been mine. My reason for living, and consequently the reason for my inevitable death."

I still. No words come to mind and I know I couldn't possibly speak, but it's a selfish hope that she delves deeper, even if it is at her own sons expense.

"He is aware of how caring he is, unfortunately. He is selective in his choosing, but when you are chosen, it is for life. And perhaps that is what keeps him from sharing himself almost at all." She laughs to herself slightly before falling back to her face of despair. "He's too romantic for his own good. So Shakespearean."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," I say lightly, knowing exactly what she means.

"He cares in his own way, I suppose. He will push you away to avoid the consequences of his feelings. He understands their danger and in turn, he tries to keep you free from disappointment. He knows his fall."

I shuffle in my stance at the words that seem exceptionally specific. She is no fool, but I didn't expect her to know as much as she does. She changes the tone as if she had noticed my revelation.

"I do not fault you for how you feel of him. Do not think I am naive enough to understand the benefits in his death. The things he has done, the people he has killed..."

She walks away from the fireplace to the center of the room, hoping to escape the light of the flame.

"His destructive pursuits are nothing new, but for a while I thought him impenetrable. I have been his one confident in all the nine realms and he still has not listened. He thinks our distance is for my own good."

Frigga's body moves to face me again, eyes filled with twisted conviction. "Then came you. The one who could reach him."

My eyes grow wider than I should have let on. This hope had been misplaced.

"Queen Frigga...I'm afraid you have misconceived my intent." The last thing I wanted to do was leave this woman with the burden of heartbreak while she expected anything else.

She smiles back weakily, almost at the extent of her own despair. "I would not dare task you with his redemption. Although, that would be easier on the heart."

She gracefully makes her way towards me, laying a hand on my cheek. "I love Loki dearly, and that is why he must fall."

I lay my hand atop of hers, narrowing my eyes at the mother infront of me. She seemed to expect as much, for she starts again.

"Safiya, darling. Your reason for chaos, the rest on your conscious, is me." She places the book down on the side table, bringing both hands to my face.

Her eyes pierce into mine, looking for answers, finding none. She whispers softly, "For all the realms. He must fall."