Chapter Text
*Loki’s POV*
Thanos was choking the life out of me. I had failed to kill him. I knew I would fail but I hoped that my death would cause Thanos to spare Thor. “You…. will…. never….. be… a…. god.” I choked out and I watched as Thanos smiled before blackness overtook me.
So this is death , I thought to myself as I stood in the blackness, I expected worse.
Suddenly there was a bright light and then there was a beautiful woman standing before me. “Hello, Loki Friggason.” The beautiful woman spoke, her voice was smooth and rich.
I smiled a charming smile, not betraying any of the anxiety and uncertainty I felt. “You have me at a disadvantage. You see, you know who I am but I’m afraid I don’t know you.”
The woman smiled and her smile was warm and genuine. “I have many names but you might recognize the name Skuld.”
I sucked in a breath but otherwise did not react. She was one of the Norns. “What can I do for you, Skuld?” I asked politely. There wasn’t much I could do now that I was dead but it’s the thought that counts, right?
“It is not what you can do for me but what I can do for you, Loki Friggason.” Skuld paused for a moment. “Do you want a second chance?”
“A second chance at what?” I asked.
“A second chance at life. Become one of my champions and I will send your consciousness back in time to three days before your brother’s coronation. Do we have a deal?” Skuld extended her hand towards me for a handshake.
However I hesitated, never one to agree to something without all the details. “What would being one of your champions entail?”
Skuld smiled. “You always were a cautious one. Being one of my champions means you have to vow to do everything in your power to stop Thanos. To sweeten the pot, I’ll even tell you how to stop your sister from emerging if you accept.”
I thought about it for a moment as I weighed the pros and cons but really there were no cons, I could fix things, fix everything and save so many people, my mother — so I nodded in agreement. “I will become one of your champions. Now, how do I stop Hela from emerging?”
“Your father is the anchor to Hela’s prison. There is a spell that can transfer the anchor from your father to a powerful relic. The eternal flame will do nicely.” Skuld said.
“What is the spell?” I asked, eagerly.
She walked forward until she was right in front of me. She tapped my forehead and the spell appeared in my mind, beautiful in its simplicity . “Thank you.” I whispered.
“No, thank you for becoming one of my champions and swearing to defeat Thanos.” Skuld smiled at me. “He has upset the balance beyond repair, broken the universe in a way no other has. Killing half of all life and then destroying the infinity stones caused enormous upheaval in the balance and while the heroes of Earth along with your brother managed to fix some of it, it was still broken. Do not allow this to come to pass, Loki Friggason, I am counting on you.”
“I swear I will not fail you.” I thought over her other words. “You say, ‘one of my champions’, who are the others?” I asked.
Skuld smirked and then winked at me. “You’ll have to wait and see.” She drew her arms up as if she were about to embrace me and I was suddenly blinded by a brilliant white light.
When I opened my eyes, I saw that I was in my bedroom in the palace. I looked around in wonder at the place I thought was lost forever. I sat down on my bed and thought about what to do next. The only way I could perform the anchor transfer spell was if Odin was in the Odinsleep. Last time, when I confronted him about my adoption, he fell into the Odinsleep. Hopefully, a repeat performance would do the trick. I would do it after Thor’s coronation.
Now what to do about Thor’s coronation? Thor learned several valuable lessons during his time on Midgard last time. As of now he was an arrogant, bigoted fool and not fit to be king. He needed to be banished so he could become better and be worthy of being king.
So I would go through with my plan to help the frost giants into the castle but I would make sure that the guards weren’t in their way this time. The Jotnar that would die first in the break in and then during Thor’s attack were regretful losses but I was still willing to pay that price for Thor to become worthy. After all, I still didn’t particularly care for the Frost Giants despite being one myself.
Then there was the matter of Midgard. How to prepare them? Last time, it was Thor’s banishment and our subsequent fight that alerted them to the fact that they weren’t alone in the universe. Perhaps I should go there and warn them of what’s to come? Say that I had a vision about the Chitauri coming for the Tesseract? That sounded like a plan. Hopefully, they would heed my warnings and put the Avengers together.
Perhaps I could stay on Midgard until the Chitauri attack once Thor is worthy and takes the throne back. All I would need to do is confront Thor and Frigga about my adoption and say I needed space. It would be perfectly believable.
The next three days passed quickly as I got used to being a prince of Asgard once again. I soundproofed my room so that no one would hear me when I woke up screaming from my nightmares. I avoided Thor, Odin, and Frigga because I didn’t know how to interact with them anymore. Frigga, my beloved mother, had kept such a huge secret from me and I never really confronted her about it last time. Never got the chance. During our argument the last time I saw her I disavowed her as my mother but I never asked her why she lied all this time. Thor was not yet the man, the king, that he would become. He was so arrogant and foolish now, I didn’t know what to do with him. And Odin… well Odin was just full of secrets and lies. It would take effort to act like I knew nothing about his secrets and that was effort I wasn’t willing to expend just yet.
Finally, Thor’s coronation was upon us. I caused a distraction near the vault so the guards were preoccupied and wouldn’t come to harm this time and then I watched as Thor arrogantly paraded down the aisle towards the throne. I surreptitiously opened the portal to let the Jotun through while pretending to pay attention to Thor. The crowd cheered raucously for Thor and he was obviously loving it. However when Odin raised Gungnir and slammed it down, signaling for silence, the hubbub quieted immediately. “Thor Odinson. My heir, my firstborn.” I just barely resisted rolling my eyes at that particular lie. I tuned out the rest of his speech until I noticed Odin trail off and whisper. “Frost giants.”
I followed Thor and Odin as they rushed to the vault. I stayed silent as Thor and Odin argued about what to do. Just like last time, Thor wanted to wage war on the Jotnar. Again, Odin shut Thor down and again Thor stomped off in a huff. I repeated my previous actions of following my brother into a dining hall and I watched as he flipped a table full of food in his rage. I sat down next to him to pretend to be sympathetic.
“It is unwise to be in my company right now, brother. This was to be my day of triumph.” Thor said angrily.
“It’ll come.” But not until you are worthy of it. “In time.”
The Warriors Three and Lady Sif entered. “What’s this?” Volstagg said in despair as he looked at all the food on the ground.
Time to motivate Thor to go to Jotunheim. I leaned in and whispered the same words as last time. After all, why mess with what worked? “If it’s any consolation, I think you’re right. About the frost giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they’ve found a way to penetrate Asgard’s defenses once, who's to say they won’t try again? This time with an army.”
Thor was eating it up. “Exactly.”
“There’s nothing you can do without defying father.” I added with faux regretfulness. And like clockwork, Thor gave me the look that said he was about to do something stupid just like last time. He got up and I followed, feigning anxiety. “No, no, no. I know that look.”
Thor turned to me. “It’s the only way to ensure the safety of our borders.”
“Thor, it’s madness.” I said loudly in order to catch the attention of the others.
“Madness?” Volstagg asked. “What sort of madness?”
“We’re going to Jotunheim.” Thor said decisively.
I sat down and tuned out Thor convincing his friends to join him, I had already heard it once. Everything was going to plan but a part of me ached at the thought of Thor slaughtering all those frost giants with a smile on his face. When we had met again, it didn’t seem to matter to Thor that I was a Jotun but how long did it take to get him to that point? Was his immediate reaction disgust? Revulsion? Maybe I wouldn’t have to send the Destroyer, I really didn’t want to. The first time, I had been so terrified that Thor would kill me if he knew that I acted irrationally. Trying to destroy Jotunheim was another act of desperation for Odin’s approval, that I was indeed his son. When he said “ No, Loki,” I lost all hope that he could love me and so I let go. I thought I would die but instead I was captured by Thanos and tortured until I gave into the scepter’s power. I didn’t want to invade Midgard but I had no choice. The worst part was that Thor didn’t question my behavior, he thought I was capable of such horrible acts. When the Hulk smashed me into the ground repeatedly and lifted the mind control, I knew no one would believe me so I played my part as the villain that everyone expected me to be.
Thor had apparently convinced his friends to join him as he came over to me and grabbed my shoulder. “Come on, Loki! It’s time to go!”
I stood up and followed him and his friends to the stables, making sure to tell the same guard as before where we were going and to inform Odin. I truly don’t know what took him so long the first time but I needed everything to happen the same as before so that Thor could learn his lesson and become worthy of being king.
Riding to the Bifrost proceeded just like last time and again we encountered Heimdall. Again, I purposely fumbled trying to get Heimdall to let us pass but this time it was to keep the timeline the same and not because I wanted Heimdall to deny us. Just like last time, Heimdall’s wounded pride that an enemy got past him had him letting us through. Again, I ignored Volstagg’s dig at my abilities and walked into the Bifrost.
Heimdall’s warning was the same as last time and soon enough we were on Jotunheim. We walked through the desolate lands of Jotunheim in silence until Sif spoke up.
“Where are they?”
“Hiding.” Thor said scornfully. “As cowards always do.”
“You’ve come a long way to die Asgardians.” Laufey’s voice echoed through the area.
“I am Thor Odinson.” Thor proclaimed loudly.
“We know who you are.” Laufey responded ominously.
“How did your people get into Asgard?” Thor aggressively demanded.
We still couldn’t see Laufey but his deep voice could be clearly heard as it resounded throughout the area where we stood. “The house of Odin is full of traitors.”
“Do not dishonor my father’s name with your lies!” Thor said angrily.
Finally Laufey came into view. “Your father is a murderer and a thief!” He spat. “And why have you come here? To make peace? You long for battle, you crave it. You’re nothing but a boy, trying to prove himself a man.”
“Well this ‘boy’ has grown tired of your mockery.” As Thor spoke, I could see Jotun coming out of the shadows all around us.
I tried to intervene like last time, wanting to keep everything the same until Thor was banished. I grabbed Thor’s arm. “Thor, stop and think. Look around you, we’re outnumbered.”
“Know your place, brother.” Thor said dismissively and it hurt just as much as last time to know that Thor thought me beneath him.
“You know not what your actions would unleash. I do.” There was a somber tone to his words before Laufey growled. “Go now, while I still allow it.”
A Jotun came to stand in front of us, it was the same one that insulted Thor last time. I kept hold of Thor’s arm and spoke for us both. “We will accept your most gracious offer.” I started to walk away. “Come on, brother.”
Thor obviously didn’t like it but he acquiesced. That is, until the Jotun that was in front of us said. “Run back home little princess.”
We all stopped and I muttered. “Damn.”
The fight broke out immediately.
The difference was that this time, I tried to save as many Jotnar as possible. Cushioning their falls as they were knocked down by Thor so they only fell unconscious instead of dead, healing as many injuries as I could, and aiming my knives for non lethal areas that would disable them instead of kill them. I even spared the one that grabbed me and revealed that I was a Jotun. I didn’t particularly care for Jotnar but I disliked needless death and destruction more.
Just like last time, Fandral was gravely injured and Sif shouted for Thor. “Thor!”
“We must go!” I yelled in an attempt to get my brother to stop, even though I knew it was futile.
“Then go!” Thor yelled back, obviously relishing the current fight.
Then Laufey released that Helish monster and Volstagg shouted. “Run!”
We ran and the monster chased us. The difference being that I was exhausting myself using my seidr to save as many Jotnar as I could as Thor destroyed the very ground they walked upon. I had honestly forgotten how many Jotnar Thor killed during this whole thing and I was almost beginning to regret ever leading him to this. So much death and pain and Thor relished in it with a smile on his face. It was sickening. I’d had my fill of pointless bloodshed while under Thanos’ thumb.
When we reached the Bifrost site and shouted for Heimdall, he didn’t respond because of the beast that appeared in front of us. Thankfully, Thor took it out like last time and I wasn’t sad to see it go.
As the hundreds of Jotnar surrounded us and converged on us, the Bifrost opened and Odin appeared. Finally , I thought, if only he came sooner. I should have gone to a different guard that would have made Odin appear sooner and therefore save some of the Jotnar. Some of this could’ve been avoided while still accomplishing my end goal. Thor would have been banished and subsequently learned valuable lessons.
Speaking of Thor. “Father!” He cheered. “We’ll finish them together!”
“Silence!” Odin hissed.
Laufey appeared before Odin. “Allfather. You look weary.” He mocked.
“Laufey, end this now.” Odin said.
“Your boy sought this out.” Laufey countered.
“You’re right. And these are the actions of a boy, treat them as such. You and I can end this, here and now, before there is further bloodshed.” Odin said.
“We are beyond diplomacy now, Allfather. He’ll get what he came for. War and death.” Laufey growled.
“So be it.” Odin said as Laufey summoned a knife of ice and tried to stab Odin.
Odin used Gungnir to throw him back and we were all taken back to Asgard through the Bifrost. When we were in the Observatory, Thor demanded. “Why did you bring us back?”
“Do you realize what you’ve done? What you’ve started?” Odin said angrily.
“I was protecting my home.”
“You can not even protect your friends! How can you hope to protect a kingdom?” Odin yelled as he removed Hofud (Heimdall’s sword) from its place and threw it to Heimdall before pointing at Fandral. “Get him to a healing room! Now!”
Fandral was carried away by Hogun and Volstagg while Sif and Heimdall followed after them. Thor spoke just as angrily as Odin. “There won’t be a kingdom to protect if you’re afraid to act. The Jotuns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you.”
I watched silently as Odin responded derisively. “That’s pride and vanity talking, not leadership. You’ve forgotten everything I taught you about a warrior’s patience.”
“While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done. You’d stand giving speeches while Asgard falls.” Thor sneered.
“You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!” Odin snarled.
“And you are an old man and a fool!” Thor yelled back, red in the face from his anger.
Odin looked down, the anger seemingly draining out of him for the moment. “Yes. I was a fool to think you were ready.”
I tried to intervene like last time, keeping things the same. “Father—”
Odin growled at me loudly to shut me up and I subsided. He turned to Thor. “Thor Odinson, you have betrayed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity you’ve opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!” Odin took Gungnir and slammed it into the Bifrost, leaving it there, he walked over to Thor. “You are unworthy of these realms!” He stripped his armored breastplate. “You’re unworthy of your title!” He ripped Thor’s cape off. “You’re unworthy! Of the loved ones you have betrayed.” Odin walked away from Thor. “I now take from you your power!” He held out his hand for Mjolnir and it slammed into his hand. “In the name of my father,” Thor’s armor on his left arm fell apart. “And his father before,” the right arm fell apart. “I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!” Odin blasted Thor with Mjolnir and the rest of his armor fell apart as he was sent into the Bifrost.
I watched as Odin sent Mjolnir after Thor before heading to the room I knew that Volstagg, Sif, and Hogun were in. Hogun was pacing while Sif, Fandral, and Volstagg sat in solemn silence, Volstagg was drinking and he broke the silence. “We should never have let him go.”
“There was no stopping him.” Sif said, resigned.
“At least he’s only banished, not dead.” Fandral spoke up. “Which is what we’d all be if that guard hadn’t told Odin where we’d gone.”
“How did the guard even know?” Volstagg asked while Hogun rubbed healing ointment into his burn.
“I told him.” I admitted, just as I did last time.
“What?” Fandral asked.
“I told him to go to Odin after we’d left. He should be flogged for taking so long, we should never have reached Jotunheim.” Oh, how I regretted not going to a different guard, one that would have told Odin faster.
“ You told the guard?” Volstagg asked incredulously.
“I saved our lives. And Thor’s. I had no idea that Father would banish him for what he did.” Which was true the first time.
“Loki.” Sif stood up. “You must go to the Allfather and convince him to change his mind.”
“If I do, then what? I love Thor more dearly than any of you but you know what he is. He’s arrogant. He’s reckless. He’s dangerous. You saw how he was today, is that what Asgard needs from his king?” Before I left though, I decided to give them some peace of mind, not for their sakes— he loathed them— but for Thor’s. “Father sent Mjolnir with Thor after placing an enchantment on it. Once Thor is worthy of being king of Asgard, he will be able to pick up Mjolnir and return home.” And with those parting words, I left.
I made my way down to the vault to confront Odin about my heritage and force him into the Odinsleep so I could enact the anchor transfer spell. Once I was in the vault, I went over to the Casket and picked it up. Last time, I was too caught up in my raging emotions to notice but this time I felt something inside of me break apart as I held the Casket. I inspected the broken thing with my seidr and realized it was a spell that had broken. A spell that kept me in my Aesir form unless I consciously shifted.
“Stop!” Odin cried behind me.
“Am I cursed?” I asked as the blue spread across my skin.
“No.” Odin said quietly.
I set the casket down. “What am I?”
“You’re my son.” As if it was ever that simple.
I turned to face him. “What more than that?” Venom coated my words as I started to walk towards Odin. “The casket wasn’t the only thing you took from Jotunheim that day, was it?”
When I was standing at the base of the stairs that Odin was on, he spoke. “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.”
I pretended this was news to me while inwardly I questioned how he knew that I was Laufey’s son and some random Frost Giant runt. “Laufey’s son?”
“Yes.”
I made myself look horrified. “Wh-Why? You were knee deep in Jotun blood, why would you take me?”
“You were an innocent child.” Odin said but we both knew there was more to it than that.
“No, you took me for a purpose, what was it?” I stared intently at him and when he didn’t answer, I screamed at him with tears in my eyes that weren’t completely fake. “ TELL ME!”
“I thought we could unite our kingdoms one day, bring about an alliance, bring about a permanent peace through you.” Odin said gravely.
“What?” I gasped as if I was shocked by his words while I privately wondered how he could do that with an abandoned child that had been left to die. Had what he said just been more lies? I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they were, Odin seemed incapable of being completely truthful, even when he was about to die, he said nothing of Hela.
“But those plans no longer matter.” Odin said to himself quietly.
The fact that I was just a pawn still cut deep even now and I poured that hurt into my words. The same words I used last time as tears fell from my eyes. “So I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you might have use of me.”
“Why do you twist my words?” Odin despaired as he shook his head in denial.
“You could have told me what I was from the beginning, why didn’t you?” I demanded, foolishly hoping for a better answer than what he gave me last time.
“You’re my son. I wanted only to protect you from the truth.” Was the same bullshit he had spouted last time and I knew it wasn’t the truth. I doubted Odin had ever really seen me as his son.
“What, because I-I-I’m the monster who parents tell their children about at night?” I cried in despair, the words still ringing true in my mind even now after knowing the truth of my heritage for years.
“No, no.” Odin denied as he started to fall backwards onto the steps.
“You know it all makes sense now!” I said venomously. “Why you favored Thor all these years! Because no matter how much you claim to love me,” I pounded my fist into my chest. “You could never have a frost giant sitting on the throne of Asgard!” I snarled at Odin with tears streaming down my face, even though I was pleased that my plan to put Odin into the Odinsleep worked, the hurt I felt so long ago and had thought buried was brought to the surface. I looked down at Odin’s sleeping face and I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing his hand. After a moment, I came back to myself and called for the guards. I wiped away the tears on my face.
Two einherjar crowded Odin and then sent for the healers. I watched as they brought a cot for him and placed him upon it. I followed them to the healing chambers and soon enough mother— I shouldn’t think of her as my mother, she isn’t— joined me. “What happened?”
I turned to face her but I couldn’t look her in the eye. “Father and I were arguing and he collapsed.”
Lady Eir came over to us then. “The Allfather has fallen into the Odinsleep.”
“Oh, he’s been putting it off for so long now.” Mother— no, Frigga— lamented.
“Yes, and as a result this one is deeper than the other times, he won’t wake for some time.” Lady Eir said.
Great, so I had some time to recover from exhausting my seidr today.
Frigga turned to me. “Loki, darling, are you alright? You look pale.”
“It’s nothing mother, I just exhausted my seidr during the battle.” I said, still not looking at her.
“Well, why don’t you go and rest now, I’ll look after your father.” Not my father.
“I’ll go and do that. Goodbye mother.” Before I could leave though, Councilman Arne walked through the doors with Gungnir in his hands. Several einherjar and other council members were with him as well.
He kneeled before me and presented Gungnir. “My king.”
For a moment I just stared at him because how could I forget this part? With Thor banished and Odin in the Odinsleep, I was next in the line of succession. Fuck, I was going to have to be king for a while. I never truly wanted the throne, just to be Thor’s equal instead of his shadow. I took Gungnir from Councilman Arne and everyone bowed before me. I straightened my spine and addressed them. “Rise.”
They all stood up and I left the room with Gungnir in hand. Now that I remembered that I was to be king for a while, I also recalled that Thor’s friends wanted to say something so I went to Hildskjalf and sat upon it. Soon enough, they appeared.
“Allfather, we must speak with you urgently.” Sif said, they were all bowing their heads in respect but stopped when they saw it was me upon the throne and not Odin.
“My friends.” I said with false sincerity. They had never been my friends, always Thor’s.
“Where’s Odin?” Fandral asked as they started walking forward.
“Father has fallen into the Odinsleep, he will not wake for some time.” This time I didn’t lie and say that he would never awaken like I did last time. I didn’t feel like pushing them this time.
“We would speak with the Allmother, then.” Sif said as they all stopped at the base of the stairs leading to the throne.
“She has refused to leave my father’s bedside. You can bring your urgent matter to me,” I stood up and tapped the bottom of Gungnir upon the ground to emphasize my point. “Your king.”
Volstagg was the first to kneel before me and the others followed suit. “My king,” Sif said. “We would ask that you end Thor’s banishment.”
I scoffed. Did they not understand? I spoke the same words as last time. “My first command cannot be to undo the Allfather’s last. We’re on the brink of war with Jotunheim,” which I would hopefully be able to end peacefully. “Our people need a sense of continuity in order to feel safe in these difficult times. All of us must stand together for the good of Asgard.”
Sif stood up angrily and I withheld a smirk at the disrespect. She never liked me. Fandral grabbed her arm. “Yes of course.”
“Good. Then you will wait for my word.” I said, knowing they wouldn’t.
“If I may,” Volstagg said. “Beg the indulgence of Your Majesty to perhaps reconsider—”
“No.” Perhaps I could make them understand. “Once Thor proves himself worthy on Midgard, he will regain his powers and come home. I will gladly give him the throne if he does so before Father wakes.” If that didn’t convince them, then I didn’t know what could.
“Really?” Sif said, disbelieving.
“Really. Now, we’re done.” I said firmly.
They all got up and Sif glared at me but I motioned for them to go and they did. I retired to my chambers and even though I was exhausted, I knew that I needed to see Thor. If things were going as they had before, he would be fighting his way to Mjolnir. I got rid of my ceremonial garb and even though I was exhausted, I skywalked across Yggdrasil to Midgard and to where Thor was. I made myself invisible immediately and watched as Thor failed to pick up Mjolnir. It hurt to see him in so much pain but I didn’t reveal myself, just watched as they shackled him and led him to a room with a single chair.
They sat him down and unshackled him when they saw that he wasn’t fighting. He was completely despondent as a man in a suit interrogated him. Eventually something in the man’s pocket beeped and he left the room. I revealed myself to him. I had a different plan for how this conversation would go this time.
Thor started when he saw me. “Loki? What are you doing here?”
“I had to see you.” Which was the truth.
“What’s happened? Tell me, is it Jotunheim? Let me explain to Father—”
I interrupted him. “Father has fallen into the Odinsleep, he won’t wake for some time. The burden of the throne has fallen to me now.”
Thor looked tentatively hopeful. “Can I come home?”
“Not yet. You must become worthy of Mjolnir again and then you can come home.” I was going to be completely honest this time.
Thor looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“Father cast an enchantment on Mjolnir before sending it after you. When you become worthy of the throne, your powers and titles will be restored to you.” I explained.
Thor looked lost. “How do I become worthy?”
“I know not.” I paused. “There is something else I need to discuss with you.”
Thor looked at me. “What?”
“When we were on Jotunheim, something happened.” I bit my lip and steeled myself. “One of the Jotnar grabbed my arm.”
“Are you okay? Did you treat the frost burn?” Thor said immediately.
“I’m fine and I wasn’t burned.” I took a deep breath. “When the Jotun touched me, they revealed what I truly am.”
Thor looked confused. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m Jotun, Thor. Father took me from Jotunheim when I was a baby and pretended I was his son.” I felt something inside of me break when I saw the horror on Thor’s face.
“No, no it’s not possible.” He shook his head in denial.
I snarled at him and shifted to my Jotun form. “Yes Thor, I am one of the monsters you have always been so desperate to slay.”
“No!” Thor shouted as he stood.
I shifted back to my Aesir form because I couldn’t bear the amount of revulsion I saw in Thor’s eyes. “You can’t will away the truth, Thor. I am Jotun, son of Laufey and there is nothing you can do to change that.”
Thor just stared at me in horror. “Laufey’s son?” He said in disbelief.
“Believe me, I was shocked when Odin revealed that too.” I snarked.
“How is it possible?” Thor asked.
“What part are you failing to understand?” I said bitterly. “When Odin took the Casket of Ancient Winters, he found me and took me as well. He lied to both of us for a thousand years, letting us believe we were brothers, that he was our father.” Thor stared at me and all the anger drained out of me, leaving me exhausted. My seidr was dangerously low, I shouldn’t have come here without resting first. I would either have to stay here for a night or have Heimdall open the Bifrost. “So now you know the truth, that I am a monster and that you were always right to believe me beneath you.”
Thor looked startled. “I never—”
I interrupted him with my best impression of him. “ Know your place, brother. ”
Thor flinched. “I didn’t—”
Again, I cut him off, feeling the anger resurface again. “You have always thought that I was beneath you,” I sneered. “You have always thought that you were better than everyone else. Your arrogance is one of the many reasons you are not worthy.” Thor’s expression turned from hurt to anger. He surged forward with a roar but I easily swatted him aside. “You are mortal now, Thor, you have no hope of beating me.” I took a deep breath and looked Thor in the eye. “Goodbye, Thor.” Then I gathered up my strength and teleported a few miles away from the compound.
Once I was far enough away from Thor and his hammer, I looked to the sky and called out. “Heimdall! Open the Bifrost!” A moment later I was engulfed in light and once more in the Observatory of the Bifrost. I turned to Heimdall. “Thor is not to return until he can wield Mjolnir, do you understand?”
“Yes, my king.” Heimdall said.
I nodded my head and started the long walk to the palace. I didn’t have enough strength to teleport again, my seidr levels were dangerously low and I needed to rest.
Eventually, I made it back to my chambers and I slowly stripped out of my armor and into my night clothes. I immediately collapsed into bed and drifted off to sleep.