ASTRID AND LOKI TALKED ENDLESSLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Loki showed her around the castle, to his favourite spots. For instance, the dark corner of the library, his chambers, and the small lounge area that is overlooked by the larger one from the other side of the castle. It was fascinating seeing everything in Astrid's eyes.

They remained in the dark corner of the library which gave Loki solace. He plucked a book from the bookcase beside him, flicking through it as he asked. "You saw it, didn't you?"

Astrid furrowed her brow. "Saw what, Loki?" She questioned.

Loki cast his gaze towards her. Her frame was decorated in a cream-coloured dress with golden accents and her should-length hair was slightly dishevelled from walking around the castle with him, the braids that wrapped around to the back of her head, falling out slightly as she sat idly in the armchair he usually occupies. "My arm... back in Jotunheim."

Astrid instantly remembered. "Yes. I saw."

"And you weren't repulsed?"

Astrid's face contorted in confusion. "Why would I be repulsed?"

Loki looked down at his book, finding a certain page and walked towards her, resting on the arm of the chair. "Because of this."

Astrid scanned the page, seeing it was information on Frost Giants. "What are you saying?" She asked, looking up at the dark-haired man.

"I suspect I might not be who my father says I am," Loki said, gravely.

Astrid gasped slightly. "You doubt the Allfather? Surely, it was just a strange occurrence-"

"No, I'm certain," Loki interrupted. "I'm not like the people here. I'm sure Odin is hiding something from me. And I intend to find out," Loki stated. He stood and began walking towards the door, Astrid rushing up to follow him, the book still in her hand.

"What do you intend to do?" She asked, her feet rushing to catch up to his side, as her fingers flicked through the pages of the old book. "You are a God, after all, I'm sure it was your immortality protecting you?" She guessed. She had no clue. In reality, she knew he had to be right, but she did not want to go against the Allfather, especially after the events in Jotunheim.

"Do such things happen to you?" Loki asked, continuing his stride through the castle.

"Well, no, I've never been touched by a Frost Giant before but I'm sure we could ask someone who has before making rash decisions. Both our fathers have battled Laufey, surely they could aid you!"

"There's no time for that, Astrid," Loki spoke, stopping before a vaulted door. Astrid concluded that this must be the Vault where the Casket and other treasures lie. "I have to find out myself."

He opens the vault and enters, Astrid reluctantly following behind, not wishing to be found alone around the Vault. He walks over to the Casket of Ancient Winters. "Loki, I don't think you should be doing this," Astrid voiced her concerns. "What if something bad happens to you? What if the blue skin was just a one-time occurrence?"

Loki looked at her, determination present in his eyes. "That is something I'm willing to risk." He reached his arms out to grab the Casket off its pedestal. As he does, a rush of blue spreads through his hands, under the cuffs of his attire and ruining across his body and finally to his face. His eyes were rid of their blue irises and white scleras, now replaced with pure red, the same tone of blood. His skin was carved with delicate lines, creating patterns over his face. Astrid was in shock and worry as the Destroyer, the protector of the Vault, becomes active behind his latticework.

"I think we should leave now, please," Astrid spoke aloud, going to grab onto Loki's hand, but halting releasing it would burn to touch. "You found out what you wanted."

"Stop!" A booming voice cuts through the air as the Destroyer becomes motionless. The two gods turn to see Odin hurrying into the room, a look of dismay present in his gestures as he regards Loki.

"Am I cursed?" Loki quietly spoke.

"No. Put the Casket down," Odin ordered. Loki did so, his skin and eyes turning back to their normal hue.

"What am I?" Loki shouted, causing Astrid to flinch at the sound close to her ear.

"You're my son."

"What more than that?" Odin didn't answer, his face etched with burden and weariness. Loki realises what his father is hiding as he continues. "The Casket wasn't the only thing you took from Jotunheim that day, was it?"

Odin looked into his son's eyes. He could no longer deny it. "No. In the aftermath of the battle, I went into the Temple, and I found a baby. Small for a giant's offspring — abandoned, suffering, left to die. Laufey's son."

Astrid gasped quietly to herself, understanding that Loki was in fact a Laufeyson. She looked toward the young god, seeing his face etched with distress. "Why? You were knee-deep in Jotunheim blood. Why would you take me?" Loki interrogated.

Odin sighed. "You were an innocent child."

"You took me for a purpose, what was it?" Odin did not answer. "Tell me!" He shouted. Odin finally revealed that he hoped to bring about peace between the two kingdoms, through Loki, but since the actions taken in Jotunheim recently, those plans were no more. "So I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you might have use of me."

"The Allfather didn't say that, Loki," Astrid spoke calmly, placing a gentle hand on his forearm, trying to soothe him of his anger.

He ignored her and her actions, shrugging the hand that laid upon him off. "You could have told me what to was from the beginning. Why didn't you?"

"You are my son. My blood. I wanted only to protect you from the truth," Odin spoke.

"Because I am the monster parents tell their children about at night? Is this why I never had my own friends? Is this why when I was a child, I was pushed away? Frigga spoke about how Astrid and I used to play together as children but neither of us remember. Perhaps it was all a lie to make me feel normal?"

"Loki, stop," Astrid spoke. He was making matters worse. More than they could be.

Ignored once more, Loki spoke to the Allfather. "It all makes sense now. Why have you favoured Thor all these years," Astrid glanced over to Odin to see his expression growing more and more exhausted and weary. "Because no matter how much you claim to 'love me', you could never have a Frost Giant sitting on the Throne of Asgard!"

Odin's body begins to quiver, as he raised an aged hand to his head. Loki begins to walk past him towards the stairs leading to the exit. Odin called out to him, telling him to listen to him. Astrid moved toward Odin, holding onto his arm as his body grew limper and limper. Loki ignored him as Odin yells after him. The emotional toll must have finally set into his body as he finally fell limp, the only thing holding him up was Astrid's arms. She carefully lowered him to the ground, calling for Loki to get help.

The angered prince turns around to look at the fallen king, worry evident on his features as he rushed towards Astrid and his father.

"Guards!" Loki shouted loudly, catching the attention of the guards stationed outside the Vault.

Men came rushing through the doors, hastily picking up Odin and carrying him off to his chambers Astrid stood from her position on her knees, smoothing down her gown. She peered at Loki, still on the floor, staring at the door where his unconscious father had just been carried through.

"What is wrong with me?"

Astrid knelt down at his side, grabbing his hand tenderly. "Nothing is wrong with you, my dear," Astrid soothed. "I'm sure many people would've had a similar reaction to you after finding out such a revelation."

"Do you think ill of me, Astrid?" Loki asked, his voice timid. Broken.

"Never," Astrid whispered.

"Not even when I'm blue?" He chuckled dryly, causing Astrid to follow suit.

"Yes, even when you're blue," she giggled. "You were rather fascinating in such a state."

Loki's eyes widened, his mouth agape. "How? I'm a monster."

Astrid smiled. "I'm sure one day you'll realise that what you are is a beautiful thing," she uttered.

Once again, something fluttered inside his stomach. A mixture of flattery and guilt. "Thank you, Astrid."

"It's my pleasure."