Chapter 13
Loki
If you didn’t notice I was named after a Scandinavian deity, Asher thought it was fitting. I don’t know why he chose the name for me but that’s all right. I’ve been doing a lot of research into what happens in the three hundredth year of life. Asher won’t tell me and my older siblings seem hesitant to as well. I got Diana to tell me that it is very painful and I won’t want to remember it but will never be able to forget. Great, so next week I get to look forward to pain as my gift. I guess I’ll live, everyone else has. Now I’m trying to get Ares to tell me even a little bit but have so far been unable to glean anything from him.
“Loki.” Asher shouted, breaking me from my thoughts.
Sighing I put my pen down and stretched, “Coming!” I shouted before standing up quickly.
Bounding down the stairs I skidded to a stop in front of the door to Asher’s sitting room. Taking a deep breath I regained my composure before pushing the door open.
“Yes milord.” I mocked with a small bow, “What dost thou wisheth of me?”
He sighed, “Loki, don’t make me lock you up again. I want you to go to the airport and pick up Minerva. I would have Ares do it but he had previous plans.”
“But I have a date with Hogan’s Heroes and Saturday Night Live!” I said in shock.
“I don’t care, you remember what happened earlier now go get your sister.” He ordered.
Bowing my head I picked up the keys to my car and walked outside. I couldn’t believe he was making me miss my shows. Starting my car I drove off to the airport. The night was quite beautiful but I was upset. As I pulled in I noticed Minerva waiting.
“Come on kid, get in.” I shouted.
She smiled as she tossed her suitcase in the backseat before getting in next to me, “Hey Loki!” She said happily as I began to head home.
“I might not miss SNL after all!” I said happily.
She laughed, “How can you watch that?”
I smiled, “It’s quite simple, darling.” I said quickly, “I turn the tele on and bask in its glow. Isis asked me the same thing yesterday. She also said I was insane but I didn’t listen, I was too busy watching Batman. I chased her out of the room saying that I was the Dark Knight and that her evil would never triumph. You should have seen Thor the day you left. Odin and him were playing chess when I came in with my plastic light saber dressed as Lord Vader. Scared them half to death, Thor bolted, he ran out the far door saying that the TV was coming to life. Odin got mad at me, to say the least, and told Asher what I had done. After he stopped laughing he threw my TV out the window. I got a new one but was without TV for a day. So, why did you decide to come home? If Asher wasn’t so worried about what I would do, I would leave to see the world.” I said as I pulled into the long driveway.
“I was,” She paused, “disappointed with the behavior of the people that I met. I think I shall stay home for awhile where I know what to expect.”
I nodded as I parked, “Well, I’ve done my part and can catch the end of SNL.” I said as I opened the door and bolted for the house. Once inside I ran up the stairs and into my room. In an instant the TV was on and with it came the antics of SNL.
“Loki!” Azreal shouted, “You’d better not be watching that TV!” He said.
Azreal was an ass kiss, a brown noser, but Asher ignored him for the most part, “Oh, shut up Azreal. I can do as I please. The only ones I take orders from are Asher and Sicily when Asher isn’t here.”
Azreal didn’t answer. Perhaps he was going to complain to Thor, who was still nursing his wounded pride. The narcissistic pig, I would teach him a lesson that he would never forget. A few minutes later SNL was over and it was time for cartoons. Oh, great and powerful Bugs Bunny, please bless my screen with your presence. As Bugs and Daffy began to go at it, the power went out.
“No!” I shouted, “No! This isn’t fair! This isn’t right!”
Throwing open the door I headed for the circuit breaker. When I got there I saw Azreal standing with a smile on his face. Upon seeing me it faded.
Before I could speak Bast, who was apparently behind me, did, “Azreal, what gives you the right?” She spat, “Let Loki watch his shows and let me paint my visions of home. You’ve gone too far this time.”
“You know I’ve been limited on what I can watch.” I said angrily, “Let me have my time. You can do what you want, let me do what I want.”
“How dare you destroy my story, I’m sure the computer lost it.” Persephone spat.
“You killed my character!” Odin growled, “I’m sure he’s dead now because of you! I was right in the middle of a crucial battle. There go my levels.”
“Turn that breaker back on! I was reading!” Thor shouted.
“Someone go get Asher.” Persephone said quickly.
“No.” Odin said sternly, “Loki, turn the breaker on. We’re going to beat him ourselves then tell Asher what happened. We’ll say he fell down the stairs.” He said as I turned the power back on, “Any last words Azreal?” He asked, cracking his knuckles.
“Help!” Azreal shouted as Thor grabbed his arms.
“I will have no part in this.” I said before heading back to my room.
“I trust you won’t tell Asher.” Odin said quickly.
“Of course I won’t, you have my word.” I replied as I walked up the stairs.
As I reached the landing I heard Asher’s voice from behind me, “What’s going on down there?” He asked, causing me to jump.
“Nothing, the power went out and I fixed it.” I said quickly, hoping that he wouldn’t realize I was leaving things out.
He sighed, “Loki, don’t lie to me.” He said softly, “You are omitting something.”
I shook my head, still not turning to face him, “No, I’m not. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“We shall see Loki.” He said, going for the door.
I quickly got in front of hum, “Why go down there? I took care of the power.”
He smiled, “It would be better for you if you told me everything. I will find out and if you tell me what you know your punishment will be less severe.” He said, laying a hand on my shoulder, “My dear Loki, don’t cause yourself more harm for your foolish pride.”
I shook my head, “No Asher, I can’t, please don’t make me, I promised.”
“Go to your room Loki, I shall speak with you later.”
I stood my ground, wouldn’t move from my position before the door, “I can’t Asher, I’m sorry.”
He closed his eyes, “Loki, get out of my way.”
“Asher I can’t.”
“You haven’t even reached your three hundredth year.” Slowly he opened his eyes, “This is your last chance to get out of my way.”
“No.” I replied softly.
Quickly he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the way. I let out a soft cry of pain as he dragged me down the stairs. I struggled against him.
“Let me go!” I shouted, hoping that Odin and the others would hear.
“Silence.” Asher hissed as he slapped me hard across the face, “You should have done as you were told. Now you shall suffer as only Sicily and Andre have.”
“First you throw my TV out the window now you threaten to cause me bodily harm. I’m sick of being harmed and this time I’m doing it so as not to lose my friends. This is a promise and I will not go back on it.” I said through the pain in my arm.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs he threw me against the wall. Odin and Thor looked over at me as I collapsed to the floor.
“I didn’t tell him.” I said softly.
Asher took the final steps into the room, “Well children. It looks like you have done something very bad.” He said sadly, “Foolish children. Go to your rooms and remain there until I come for you.” He ordered, “I shall deal with Loki and Azreal first then each of you in turn.”
“Are you alright Loki?” Bast asked softly as she kneeled next to me.
I nodded, “To your room Bast.” Asher hissed, “He won’t be alright for long. He shall suffer for not telling me what was going on.”
“Don’t!” Odin shouted, “Leave him be. He did nothing. I asked him not to tell you. He promised me.”
“To your rooms!” Asher growled.
Slowly the others left, Azreal and I were still on the floor. Slowly Azreal got to his feet and stumbled over to me. Quickly he kicked me in the gut causing me to double over. Without a word Asher grabbed Azreal and pulled him away as he tried to kick me again.
“Loki, tell me what happened.” Asher said, holding Azreal back.
I took a deep breath; “I was watching Bugs and Daffy when the power went out. Upon coming down here to investigate I saw Azreal with a smug look on his face standing by the box. Bast, Thor, Persephone, and Odin came down but Azreal wouldn’t turn the power on. Odin decided that Azreal needed to be taught a lesson. I turned the power on and left. Then you found me, you know the rest.”
Sighing he threw Azreal against the wall before walking over to me, “You and the others, except Odin, are pardoned. I shall punish Azreal and Odin. Go get some rest, you deserve it.”
Carefully I got to my feet, “Thank you Asher.”
He nodded, “Go quickly before I change my mind.” He said as I began to stumble up the stairs.
Finally I reached my room, all the while hearing Azreal’s screams. Once safe inside I turned the TV on and curled up in bed. Not even the wonders of TV could draw me out from my painful slump. My body ached and I felt bad about telling Asher what had happened but he already knew so I wasn’t going back on my promise. Shutting the TV off, I pulled the blankets over my head and closed my eyes.
“Loki.” Diana said softly from the door.
“Please leave me alone.” I said softly.
“Loki, the pain you’re feeling now will pale in comparison to what you will feel in a few days. Your birthday is almost here. Get some rest and if you want to talk about anything I will listen. You know where to find me. Can I get you anything?”
I shook my head, “No thank you Diana. I feel sick.”
She nodded, “You are feeling the beginnings. Rest.” She said before closing my door quietly.
I was wondering what she was talking about when it hit me. The only other time I had felt sick was the day before my second death. Was it possible that I was to die again? That on my birthday I was going to die? I didn’t want to think about it but the thought was inescapable. Every time I tried to drive it from my mind it found a way to sneak back in. As my body healed I could think of nothing else, hoping that it wasn’t true. The night passed and sleep came, finally an escape from the inescapable. When I awakened it returned. It came with the moon, filling my brain as the moon filled the sky. Hogan’s Heroes looked out at me from the TV but I didn’t laugh, didn’t react to any of it. Saturday Night Live came and went yet didn’t invade my mind, didn’t force the incessant question of, “Am I going to die?” from my mind. I knew that I would get no answer from any of the others and I had no answer to give myself. Finally I shut the TV off and buried myself in the false comfort of my blankets. I felt sicker than I had the previous night and nothing could bring me out of my slump. As the night was coming to a close Sicily came to the door. She was Asher’s eldest child and I could see why he had chosen her. To me she looked like an angel. Always dressed in a loose fitting white gown with bell sleeves. I looked over at her as she walked towards me. She didn’t really walk but seemed to float above the ground. Gliding over the floor.
“Loki.” Sicily said softly, “Come with me. Your birthday is in two days and I wish to show you something.”
Slowly I got up. My body had healed completely but I was unsure if I wanted to go with her or not. She waited patiently for me to get up. Smiling she took my arm and led me into the dinning room. I scowled and was about to speak but she held a finger to my lips to silence me. Leading me over to the far wall she pressed her hand against the crimson wall. Silently the wall slid back to reveal a set of stairs leading down. I didn’t want to know where it led but she was persistent, she pulled me down the stairs without causing me too much harm.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked softly.
“Hush Loki. I’m going to show you something that none of the others bore witness to before their three hundredth year.” She said softly, “Now be silent. You must to speak while we are down here. This is a place of death, of reverence. Be silent.”
I was completely silent; I would not speak as we continued down the stairs. As we reached the bottom I bore witness to the place of my death. A large stone slab sat in the middle of the room with silver chains. There were etchings on the walls of the circular room depicting people like Asher dieing here, chained to this slab. They looked to be in complete and utter pain. I tried to turn away and go back up the stairs but she held me fast. After a few minutes of attempting to escape she slowly took me back upstairs.
“I don’t want to go back down there. All those people.” I said softly.
“You shall join them Loki. In two days. The young ones shall be kept in their rooms, as shall Azreal. Odin shall be there, he has almost fully recovered, as shall the other elders. Go back to bed now, rest. I’m sure that Asher shall be in later to see you. Do not tell him what you have seen, he would not be pleased with me.”
I bowed my head, “Alright Sicily, I won’t tell him, I promise.”
She nodded before walking away, leaving me standing in the dinning room. Slowly I walked up the stairs, headed back to my room. I went to bed, I was growing tired, and I felt worse. With morning came blessed sleep and with night came pain. Now I knew I was going to die and the nausea in the pit of my stomach had turned to pain. Tomorrow was my birthday and I was not enjoying my gift. As the moon made it assent Asher walked in.
“How do you feel Loki?” He asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Sick. I hurt. I wish I were dead.” I said softly.
He shook his head, “Come with me. It is a little too soon but it is a good enough time for you to be placed there.”
I shook my head, “Just let me sleep.”
He shook his head and picked me up. I felt too sick to resist him. He carried me down to the kitchen and into the room Sicily had shown me the previous night. Quickly he laid me down and chained me to the slab.
“I shall return tomorrow night. If you do not get a drink of my blood then what will occur shall not happen tomorrow night, it will happen sometime during the year and I don’t think you’ll want to not know when it will happen.” He said softly, “Good night Loki. Rest and remain quiet, this is a place of reverence for the dead and dieing.”
I kept my mouth shut as I tested the chains that held me. I would never be able to break them, they were too strong, so I waited for morning to come and sleep to take me. When I awakened Asher, Sicily, Andre, Odin, Ares, and Diana were in the room with me. As I opened my eyes and looked around the room, Asher approached me. Slowly he bit his wrist and held it to my mouth. I was hungry, I hadn’t fed in a long time, and his blood called out to me. I drank for as long as he let me but it was only for a minute or two. After he pulled away I felt a burning that started in my gut. Soon I was enveloped in this strange sensation. I didn’t have time to try to figure it out though it soon turned to pain. I screamed but Asher quickly silenced me with a gag. I thrashed wildly upon the slab wanting to be free of the pain. Clenching my hands into fists I pulled with all my might but to no avail. Blood poured from my hands as my nails cut deep into my palms. After an hour the pain had grown and sweat had begun to pour down my face. I felt as though I were on fire, like I was burning from the inside out. As I pulled against the chains Diana wiped the sweat out of my eyes with a damp cloth. The night progressed but the pain did not cease. It wouldn’t stop, I couldn’t take it, I continued to pull at my bindings, continued to try to escape. I knew that I couldn’t, I knew the chains were too strong, but the pain overthrew my better judgment. It was gone, suddenly it was gone, and I lay gasping for breath, flexing my fingers. Quickly Asher removed the gag and put in a mouth guard, not giving me a chance to speak. I shook my head and was about to spit it out but instead a splitting pain shot through my head. I bit down hard and dug my nails deeper into my palms. As I bit I felt my fangs drop down, sinking deep into the molded plastic. It wouldn’t end, the pain just wouldn’t end, and there was nothing I could do to make it stop. The night seemed as though it would never end. Finally it stopped. Lying perfectly still I waited for Asher to remove my chains. I felt a new sense of calm, an inner peace as if everything in the world had been explained to me. Carefully he removed the mouth guard. My teeth felt strange, my fangs were still down, remained down even after the fact which was very unusual. I felt power flowing through my veins, energy. I felt dead, not part of the human would that I had once felt I belonged to. I was something else, I felt different, changed. Gently he undid the chains and waited for me get up. Slowly I sat up, carefully getting to my feet I stood before him. Silently all of us walked out of the room.
When we got into the kitchen Asher spoke, “You have changed once again, your eyes have turned from green to a stormy gray. Even your body has changed, your teeth shall no longer retract.” He said, handing me a small mirror.
I took it from him slowly. Looking in it I gasped. I had changed, changed much more than I had thought possible. My skin was almost translucent, my eyes were like Asher’s, and my teeth had remained down. I looked fully dead now, I couldn’t pass for human even if I tried.
“What have you done to me?” I asked, crushing the mirror in my hand.
Asher smiled, “I shall explain everything to you later today. Come with me.” He said, motioning for me to follow.
Dropping the shattered mirror to the floor I walked after him. He took me through the dinning room and living room to his sitting room. Without a word he motioned for me to sit as he took his normal chair facing the double doors that opened into his room.
As I sat he spoke, “You have changed more than the others have. You have become more like me and the others that came before me. Your evolution has brought you further than it has the others. I was surprised when I noticed that your eyes had once again changed. I knew that your teeth would, I knew that they would no longer be able to retract because I had witnessed that transformation in Sicily and the others but your eyes surprised me, it was something I had never expected. The change in your attitude and demeanor however was expected. Why do you think I let you get away with so many things and only inflict upon you minimal punishments? I knew that you would change with this death. No one else knows it but you are to die one final time, as is everyone else. It will come suddenly, it will be passing, and you will most likely feel nothing, but you shall change ever so slightly and it will take years to do so.” He stopped and took a drink from a wine glass I hadn’t noticed before, “I have told no one else but I have a feeling that your change will move you closer to my evolutionary status. That is the only reason I am telling you this now. What has happened to you is a different matter. You died in that room, you died for the third time in your life. I cannot exactly explain why but I shall try as best I can.”
“Please do.” I said softly, “I wish for you to tell me what you can about what just happened and why. I understand that I died, there is no doubt in my mind about that but what I do not understand is why now, why the three hundredth year. There must be some form of explanation as to why, there always is, so please explain.”
He sighed, “Very well Loki. I shall explain it in terms of the old society.” He stopped. I knew he didn’t like talking about the past but I expected him to this once just so I could understand, “When I was born I died, as was the way of things. It happened to everyone. Growing up was slow, by the time we reached the same size as a human teenage we were around three hundred years old but much more intelligent. It is our puberty, a great celebration of death naturally followed. The room that you were in is the same room that I died in when I reached my three hundredth year. I was chained to that same slab. Before my journey into adulthood I was a lot like you, looked a lot like you in fact. I was always sure of myself, people trusted me with secrets that they would never have told anyone else because I kept my promises unlike many others. I was the one people would come to with their problems, their secrets. I always seemed to have an answer for everything, well, almost everything. When I reached my year and was taken into the fold I changed, I still was the same person, I still kept my promises, but I was detached. I was calm, collected, not as gung-ho and headstrong as I once was, now I looked at things from an objective point of view. I had changed physically and mentally but I was still the same person. You are the same person you were Loki, you have just been modified into a state of adulthood. You will learn to adapt to your change. Do you understand?” He asked softly as he took another drink.
I bowed my head, “What all does my change entail?”
“You may now be in the sun for very limited amounts of time, you are stronger, faster, you can hear more, and see further. Everything that you were once able to do you can do better.”
“I’m going to go to bed now.” I said softly, “I think I should get some rest.”
He nodded, “Good idea. Get some sleep and you may do as you please tomorrow. Since today was not pleasant tomorrow shall be your day.”
I stood up and walked away. I went to my room to watch TV before I went to sleep. I wasn’t tired, thoughts ran through my mind like a torrent of raging water. I couldn’t stand it; I couldn’t forget what had happened in that room although I wanted to. It remained in the back of my mind, never ceasing to nag at me even though I tried with all my might to make it go away. As the sun rose I still couldn’t sleep. The noise of the TV was just there as a constant reminder of who I once was. I had no desire to watch it, to sit in the soft glow that constantly radiated from it. All I wanted was to be alone. Asher’s words whispered through my brain. He looked hurt when he spoke about the past; it was as if he wanted things to be the way they once were. Perhaps something could be done to make his want a reality. Quickly I turned the TV off and rushed down the stairs to Asher’s sitting room. Throwing open the doors I stepped inside. Asher had his eyes half closed and was lounging in his chair.
“I thought you were going to get some rest Loki.” He said softly.
“Tell me something.” I said quickly, “Tell me what it was like before the humans came. Tell me about the society, about the people. Please, I must know.” I said, sitting down in the chair he had put me in before.
He tipped his head back and sighed, “Very well Loki. I shall tell you what you want to know. Do not interrupt me or I shall stop and tell you no more.”
“Alright Asher.” I said softly.