Descent into the Void

The Winter Solstice had fallen on Asgard, and as such there had been much merriment in the past days. Every night without fail, a banquet would be served in the Great Hall of Valhalla and everyone was welcome, peasants and royalty alike, to come and partake.

It was a joyous time, when stories were told and ale was guzzled to the point of extinction.

The festivities were that of legend. Every man, woman, and child was happy within the warmth of Valhalla, save one.

This particular man walked through the deserted streets of Asgard, with only one thought on his mind. He had to get away. . . He had to leave, for the sake of all those merry-makers, and his sanity.

The man had no idea where he was going, but it didn't matter, as long as he got away from the person that had caused his pain.

Loki stood at the edge of the city of Asgard; his shoulders bared high in the blizzard, despite his low spirits. The sense of betrayal filled him to the brim, making his hands shake uncontrollably with anger. How could his brother have done this to him? Whywould Thor do this to him?

After years of brotherhood and friendship, this was his reward: heartbreak and heartless treachery.

The God of Mischief cried freely, his tears falling down his sullen cheeks as he replayed the horrific conversation that had taken place only half an hour prior.

Earlier . . .

Loki had watched his fiancée all night, a smile covering his handsome face, as he took comfort in the fact that in less than two days he would be a married man.

The God had proposed two months earlier, and to his everlasting pleasure, she had agreed to be his wife.

Loki hadn't officially meant to propose, it had been a slip of his mischievous tongue. But the moment the words had left his mouth and he had asked Sif to be his, Loki knew he truly did love her.

In that one instant Loki knew he would never be able to let her go.

The God currently watched Sif move around the Great Hall with soft, adoring eyes. His pulse seemed to increase with each passing second as he admired now beautiful she was.

Both Loki and Sif had agreed not to have sexual intercourse before their nuptials, because of the delicate fact that Sif was still a virgin. With each passing day this simple vow had slowly driven Loki mad with desire, but he had kept his promise. They both remained celibate.

Whenever Loki found his resolve slipping, he would force himself to think of Sif. He wanted her first time to be . . . memorable. If it was on their wedding night, she would always cherish it, as much if not more so than him. With his patience, he, Loki Odinson would be Sif's first and last man she ever accepted. In two days' time, Sif would no longer be a virgin.

Loki talked with his mother Frigga, about a topic that he had little to no interest in, lingering on the small details his fiancée possessed. The slight sway in her walk, the way the corner of her mouth quirked upward when she smiled, and the way her fingers slid seductively around her glass of ale when she thought no one was looking. The God marveled at how such a strong, independent creature could be so dangerous and yet so lovely.

Loki listened to his mother politely, though he was counting the seconds, until he could steal Sif away for a moment alone.

This time came sooner than he thought, and to Loki's surprise, his fiancée came to him, her face suddenly unreadable.

As she approached, a smile came back to her face and she addressed his mother. "Frigga, might I steal your son for a moment?"

Frigga smiled back at her sweetly, "Of course, my dear. Just make sure you bring him back."

Loki winked at his mother playfully, "It's not me you should be worrying about mother."

Frigga batted at her son, though the smile stayed on her lips. "Go on, Loki, before I change my mind!"

Loki kissed Frigga's cheek before he extended his arm to Sif. "It seems we are unwanted my dear. . . Shall we?"

Sif silently grabbed his forearm and let him lead her out of the Great Hall, and onto one of the countless balconies that lined Valhalla. Snow covered every inch of the marble parapet, but Loki didn't mind in the slightest. He was too happy to care about such trivial things.

With each footfall they took, the snow crunched beneath them loudly, making Sif visibly flinch.

Loki watched her reaction with curious eyes. "Darling, is something wrong?"

Sif didn't answer him as she let go of his arm. The beautiful female walked as far away from him as the balcony allowed, her back to the young God.

Loki felt a small wave of fear wash over him and instantly a thousand questions echoed in his mind. But he remained silent, knowing she would explain when she was ready.

Sif didn't turn around as she said the words that she had been turning over in her mind all night.

"I can't marry you."

Loki felt his heart break, but he didn't let it show. He simply asked, "Why?"

Sif turned around, and when she did Loki could see that she had tears in her eyes. "I'm not ready for marriage, Loki. I can't-"

Loki held up his hand in a gesture, interrupting her. Sif instantly fell silent, knowing that he didn't believe her. "Don't lie to me." He enunciated every word, making Sif shiver.

After a moment of debating, Sif decided to tell him the truth or a part of it anyway.

"I joined Thor's warriors, earlier today." She said quietly.

Loki's stomach clenched, a sickening suspicion clouding him with like a murderous fog. The God, acting on impulse closed the distance between himself and Sif in several large strides. Loki looked into her eyes, as he slowly reached down and placed his hand in the length right below her belly. Loki flexed his fingers, reading Sif's body with his magic. Within seconds of concentration, the God knew every secret that her body had to tell.

Loki closed his eyes, fighting the urge to cry.

"Did you agree to it, or did Thor force you?" His voice was a whisper, and he sounded calm.

Sif studied him with worried eyes before she answered him truthfully yet again. "Thor seduced me, but I was the one who made the choice."

Loki's eyes slowly slid open, and his voice came out as a sinister growl. "Am I really so repulsing to you, Sif, that you had to go to my brother for, comfort?" He said comfort like it was poisonous. The God seemed to glow with anger.

Sif couldn't bear to look him in the eye. "I don't love you."

"Then why did you agreed to marry me!" Loki yelled, several tears falling from his stunning light green eyes.

Sif finally met his gaze, her eyes sorrowful. "Because I wanted to make Thor jealous! He wouldn't have wanted me unless he thought he couldn't have me!"

Loki laughed without mirth. "And people dare to claim that I'm cold hearted."

Sif raised her hand up to cup Loki's cheek, "I never wanted to hurt you."

Loki slowly stepped backwards, so that Sif could no longer reach him. He wanted so badly to kiss her, and at the same time to push her off the edge of the balcony. His emotions flared dangerously.

After a moment of horrible silence Loki looked at her one last time his eyes an open gateway to his soul. Sif sobbed at what she saw there, and for the first time she regretted her decision.

"You wouldn't have had to change anything, for me." He whispered wistfully, before he turned on his heel and left.

Sif fell to the snow covered floor of the balcony crying that she had in years, knowing that she had hurt her best friend.

With great self-restrain, Loki walked away from Sif, a part of him instantly dying. The loving part of him numbly, descended into a dark listless void.

The God of Mischief didn't know where he was going. But he was grateful that his feet carried him further away from Valhalla with each passing second.

Loki didn't feel the cold of winter as he walked through the streets of Asgard. He couldn't feel anything but the red hot need for revenge.

Author's Note:

When I wrote this, I thought it would just be a One-Shot. But now I'm wondering wither or not I should make this into a short story with several chapters. :/ Would you guys like to see this continued? If so please let me know.

Oh and heads up: This story takes place several years before Thor's corination in the movie. So draw your own conclusions. ;P

~Lyn Harkeran