𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 || 𝘈𝘯 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳-𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮

"ODIN GAVE US A DEAL THAT HE KNEW WAS FORSAKEN FROM THE START."

Talon had been talking for what seemed like hours now since Leila and Thor were tossed into separate cells. He'd been cursing Odin for what he had done to the both of them. Swearing that he would've been better off inside the ring without a vessel instead of being stuck on Earth. And rightfully so, it had become rather annoying.

"Would you shut your trap for a moment and let me think?" She seethed harshly.

The commander turned to her and laughed. "What is there to think about, Leila Emigold?" He questioned. "We're stuck on Earth with no explainable reason as to what to do. Thor can't wield Mjolnir and we can't go back to Odin without our end of the deal being non-fulfilled. We're lost, child!"

"Then let me think of what we can do," she hissed. "There is no reason Odin would've done this to us without an explainable reason behind his actions. He always has a reason."

That made Talon crouch down in front of her with a blank expression. "Don't you think it might just be because we're Alexion blood?"

The question caused Leila's brows to furrow in slight confusion, but the Wraith continued. "Asgard has been ruler of all realms for generations. Alexion was banished after the Dark Lords lost the war against Asgard."

"Yes, I know," Leila said. "I've read the history books. Hurry on with what you have to say."

Talon sighed. "From your mind, I've seen the visions of all the hateful Asgardians have said to you and about Alexians," he stated. "Don't you think this was his one chance to rid himself of a...'pest' problem?"

Now that it was explained and said aloud, it made sense. Odin wanted to get rid of two people who had been sworn enemies to him and all the realms. Sure, Leila may not directly be from that time, but she still had Alexion blood in her. The ragefulness of all generations coursed through her. It would make sense that he would want to rid himself of the problem before he could let blossom into anything more.

But Leila wasn't able to ponder upon it anymore as the doors to her room opened with a woman stepping inside. Leila took a moment to can her features. She had long brown hair. Glasses that sat perfectly on her nose. Her complexion was soft and from her suit, she seemed professional.

The woman sighed as she shut the door behind her. Smiling at Leila who was bound in cuffs that bit at her wrists. "Alright, the more you talk, the easier this gets, alright?" Leila didn't answer, only watching the woman to take her place in the center of the room whilst Leila stayed in her position on the bench against the wall.

"Names, Agent Usoro. Call me Nova, if you'd like. I want to know-"

"Is Thor okay?" Leila interrupted, voice small and worried as she stared up at Nova.

Nova, on the other hand, exhaled heavily. "Don't worry about your friend-"

"Please, let me go see him." Leila's voice was firm, desperation able to be found in her words. She needed to comfort him after everything that just happened. To console him with the possibilities of his father's true intentions. She just wanted to be useful to him in any shape or form.

After a moment, Nova looked at the woman blankly. "Answer my questions and I'll let you go see him. Alright?"

It took a moment, but Leila nodded as Nova hummed. "One of our experienced agents said you shot out one of the wires from the cart he was in. I'm sure you remember- anyways! I don't know a single other person capable of doing that except that agent," she stated. "So, where did you receive your training?"

"Ullr," Leila answered. "He taught me from the age of 21 to the present."

"And you are...?" Nova trailed off.

"45 years old."

"Damn!" Nova exclaimed with a grin. "You need to tell me your morning and workout regimen. I wish to look like you at that age. Jesus." The annoyance written on Leila's face was enough for Nova to smile in amusement, carrying on. "But you trained with Ullr in archery. Why all the medieval clothes then?"

"These were given by me from Odin," Leila answered. "They are from the realm I was born in that was destroyed after the collapse of the Alexion people."

When Leila looked up at Nova, she was not surprised to see the woman frowning at her explanation. Mortals didn't know what expanded beyond them. Their minds were too fragile to handle that information. But it only made Leila dread how long this was going to take for her to give reasoning behind it.

"Where did you say you came from?" Nova asked.

"Asgard," Leila sighed. "I travelled through the Bifrost and Thor did the same after he attacked Jotunheim."

Nova couldn't help but let out a laugh as she began to pace. "So, let me get this straight..." she trailed off. "You and goldilocks fell from the sky from a place called, "Asgard"? I must say, you must've had the best acid trip ever."

"I can already tell I am going to hate you, mortal," Leila grumbled in annoyance.

The woman nodded, snickering in amusement. "Well, if that's the story, we'll run with it," Nova stated. "Don't go nowhere, Leila."

Leila watched as the woman stepped out of the room, getting the briefest of sights of what awaited along her cage. Soldiers and what seemed to be people at computers working tirelessly. They were trying to figure out what the point of Mjolnir was. It wasn't hard for even the dumbest person to understand. But that vision outside was cut off when the door shut behind Nova. Leaving only a reflection of the room that Nova was left to sit in.

A deep sigh slipped past her lips, bowing her head and resting her face in her palms. Groaning as she rubbed her eyes harshly. She needed to be out of here. She should be back in Asgard trying to tend to the affairs that Thor created with his actions. Not on Earth making a fool of herself to people that didn't have enough knowledge to understand.

"Leila." The girl lifted her head and flinched at the sight of Loki. He wore an outfit that she believed was created by mortals, which she guessed was his disguise. But it frightened her how he appeared out of nowhere. They didn't consider him the god of mischief for nothing.

"Loki," she breathed, a pinch of a smile appearing. "Oh, my god. Loki!" She nearly cried, launching at the man and hugging him.

He laughed softly, hugging her back. "Good to see you two."

Leila sighed, arms tightening around the man. "Still full of surprises I see," she muttered. "What's brought you here? Is Odin finally done with this cruel game he's played on Thor?"

There was a break of silence as Leila soon lifted her head to see Loki pursing his lips. Not much needed to be said as Leila understood in an instant the words that needn't be spoken.

But his hand that grasped her shoulder softly made her frown in slight confusion as he inhaled deeply. "Odin is dead, Leila. Thor's actions created too much for his mind to comprehend and he passed in his sleep."

A choked breath left Leila as she stumbled back into the bench and gasped. "I- I don't understand-"

"He said that you too would be banished to Earth for the rest of your days with Thor- My mother has solidified it."

Leila's eyes welled up with tears as she shook her head. "No. No, no, no. I- 've done nothing wrong, Loki. Frigga knows that," she said. "I've lived by your people's rules. I've done everything to their standard. I-" Leila let out a sob, chest beginning to tighten as breaths began to become shorter and shorter till they were blocked off by her throat beginning to close up.

Everything clouded up with two hands grabbing her shoulders as her glassified vision found Talon's eyes. His body hunched over, his hands able to be felt on her shoulders. "Talon!" She sobbed, finding it harder to breathe.

"Don't worry. I've got you." His promise echoed in her ears as she continued to choke on her own breaths. Heart thundering against her chest as Talon's body vanished with Agent Usoro taking his place. A worried expression on her face as she cupped Leila's face.

"Leila, breathe, sweetheart," Nova said. "You gotta breathe. Just focus on your breathing, okay?" Leila tried to, hands holding Nova's forearms in an attempt to ground herself. "Close your eyes. Count from 1 to 10 and breathe in deeply and out. You can do this."

Following the girl's advice, Leila closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.

"Talon, the girls need you! Come with us."

Then she exhaled.

"Odin will have me killed the moment I step off that ship, Tikka. I can't."

In an instant, Leila's eyes snapped open and her breathing suddenly cleared. Coughs fell from her lips as Nova kept a soft hold on her, helping her lower herself back down to the ground of reality. Slowly sitting her up and rubbing her back softly. Glancing at the other agents standing by the door and waving them off. Looking back down at Leila, she saw the woman's eyes flickering across the ground frantically.

"You were having a panic attack, but you're all right," Nova reassured, holding the woman's shoulder softly. Smiling softly when Leila reached a hand up, placing it over hers. Leila accepted it, allowing the very little comfort to be found soothing to her current circumstances. "You are clear to go, Leila. A friend of yours was rather convincing with her reasoning of you being able to kick the shit out of our agents." She tried to joke but got no amusement in response. Opting to take the silence and help Leila to her feet. Gathered her belongings and take the woman out of the cell and tent.

Outside, Jane stood waiting patiently with a few guards watching her closely. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, head snapping in multiple directions. Her eyes focused a little longer on the rifles than normal. But upon hearing a pair of footsteps, her gaze went to the entrance where she found Leila now standing without the assistance of Nova by her side. One hand held her sword whilst the other held her jacket. A solemn look was only to be found on her face as she went down the steps and came face to face with Jane.

The scientist felt uneasy for a moment, unable to hold the woman's blank gaze. But when she felt arms wrap around her waist and pull her forward, she yelped in surprise at the warmth of Leila's chest. Her arms were strong and far more defined than Jane had thought beforehand. Jane's eyes were wide as Leila rested her face in her hair. "Thank you, Jane."

A smile formed on Jane's lips as she allowed herself to hug the woman in response. Feeling the space between the two of them dissipate. "Of course."

Slowly, the pair parted and walked to Jane's vehicle. Leaving the compound without Mjolnir in their possession and very little hope to be found within Leila's heart. All of it had been put to flames the moment Loki had to arrive to deliver the news of her banishment.

The drive was quiet and Jane couldn't help her eyes from worriedly flickering to Leila. Finding the woman toying with a ring cuffed to her index finger that glowed from the touch. Yet, her mind was focused on those voices. Talon's voice with a woman named Tikka and children. A memory with no finished canvas. It had all been muddied by Leila's heart that pounded in her ears and choked breaths. Only fragmented pieces for her to pick apart and wonder what their true origin could be. Talon hadn't appeared since the vision, so that said enough about how he felt about it.

"Wanna talk about what happened?" Jane's voice cut the silence, raising Leila's attention from the ring. Staring out at the dusty and abandoned back road silently for a few moments. Only able to run her tongue along the inside of her lip as she shook her head. Odin had tricked her and Talon into a false hope. A false possibility of what could've benefited them both.

Leila let her hands fall to the hilt of her sword and sighed. "I don't know what I must do," she whispered, voice wavering as the sight of tiny motes in her eyes brought a sparkle to her alluring gaze. Swallowing the lump in her throat and letting out a strangled sigh. "My fate is unknown to me now."

Jane stared at the woman for a few moments, completely surprised by how distraught and in pain she was. Everything that she had researched today about Thor and Norse Mythology always had some inkling of fate as it was so important to them. Someone was supposed to die or this was supposed to happen. But hearing Leila be so lost, broken, and destroyed about it put things into perspective for Jane.

Enough so that she had involuntarily reached over the space between them and grabbed Leila's hand and interlocked her fingers. Still, Leila fought back the tears in her eyes, determined to not let a mortal see her like this- or anyone for that matter. But Jane didn't care because she tightened her hold on Leila's hand. "Fate does not bind us to one path," she said softly. "Life is an ever-changing system. An action can always bring something new for us."

When they arrived back at Jane's worksite, Leila had retreated inside. Finding comfort in the wide inventory of food and drinks she could indulge herself with to pass the night away. Keeping in mind Thor's lack of presence, which felt unsettling. His carelessness was rather missed compared to the constant emptiness she felt in the great hall in Asgard. Hell, even Earth fell empty without him by her side, whispering out smart-ass remarks and flirting to piss her off. All of it pissed her off, but it was normalcy that she had grown accustomed to and didn't like being taken.

So, now she was left to do what she willed to with the free time she had. Exhaustion was left on hold with the many worrying thoughts in her head. Not even noticing a vehicle arrive with a very drunk Erik Selvig and Thor helping the man walk. She didn't even acknowledge Thor's arrival when he left Jane's sleeping side and approach the back entrance to the building. Finding dimly lit candles near the kitchen table where Leila could be found sitting, staring at a glass with very weak alcohol. Nothing like the mead she drank in Asgard.

"Leila?" Thor said softly, approaching the woman that did very little to greet him. But telling by the silence from her and in the entire building, he supposed the reasoning to be the news Loki gave them. "Leila, are you okay-"

The slamming of her fist against the table silenced him. Her eyes flickered to visible dents in the metal as she stared up at him, jaw clenched and eyes cloudy with tears. "How do you think I feel?" She exclaimed, earning only silence as a pitiful response. "How do you think I feel knowing I have been banished from the only place I can call home? Hmm? You know my pain, so don't act like an idiot!"

"I only want to comfort you, Leila," Thor soothed, slowly approaching the woman that looked ready to put his head on a pike. "Do you think I would be right here with you if I didn't care about how you were feeling?"

Leila's lips wobbled, eyes narrowing as sharp as spears. Seat screeching as she stood to her feet suddenly and stomped towards him. "You are just an animal," she spat. "All you do is take and take until you are full. Not caring that there are others that are affected by your actions. You will never change!"

Now standing in front of the towering god, she felt his warmth. The smell of burnt wood from the campfire he had sat around with Jane and a bit of beer could also be smelt off of him. Something about it seemed comforting like she had felt this before in the past. So angry, so frustrated, so warm, and so at ease. It was a weird feeling of deja vu, but she couldn't place her finger on it.

"Leila-" Thor was silenced when the woman slapped him harshly. Nothing that would hurt him, thankfully. But enough that it made his head swing to the side and blink harshly.

"Yet after everything, I came down here," she wept, body beginning to tremble with each sob. Unable to help herself by smacking his chest over and over again. "I came down here for you! For you!"

By the fifth or seventh slap, Thor whispered out her name. Catching her wrists as she tried to pull away, but he yanked her into his chest where he held her tightly. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I'm so sorry, Leila." She slapped his side, sobs falling from her lips as the fight in her slowly dwindled down to her latching onto him for dear life. Hiding her face in his chest with her hands holding balled-up fists of his jacket. Soaking in the warmth of his arms and the stroke of his hand over her head.

Life is an ever-changing system.