[Supernatural][R][Liminality] Liminality - first past: Apocalypse
Full notes on the Masterpost
Note: Sequel to Moonlight, also on AO3 and ff.net
Warnings: Character death, light depictions of violence
Word count: 2,942
Summary: This is the end.
Disclaimer: Everything that's not angel is mine, the rest obviously isn't.
When a child,
certain skies sharpened my vision:
all their characters were reflected in my face.
The Phenomena were roused.-
At present,
the eternal inflection of moments
and the infinity of mathematics
drives me through this world where
I meet with every civil honor,
respected by strange children
and prodigious affections.-
I dream of a War
of right and of might,
of unlooked-for logic.
It is as simple as a musical phrase.
- War, Arthur Rimbaud
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kára, get out of here. The valkyrie knew the archangel was right, but she couldn’t convince herself to depart when the last of her companions was dying right in front of her eyes. That would be unacceptable. She had been enough of a coward. Her fists tightened when she felt her wrath to Gabriel and Alangan come back. The valkyrie slowly shook her head: not wasn’t the time to let her emotions get the best of her.
“Kára, why are ya still here? He’s gonna kill ya, ya know it-” Blood blurted out her mouth, staining her white goatee. “Ya still have a mission waiting for ya-” Her voice was so coarse and different from her usual high-pitched tone it ached to hear it. “Ya kidding, right…”
For the sake of all that’s holy, please! Kára, please, listen to the alfr. The gate is open, get out of here!
There was an edge of panic in Gabriel’s words, an urgency that hadn’t been there before. Kára couldn’t help the smirk: where was the all powerful being that had vowed to protect her, now? The cringeworthy arrogance and confidence were missing from his pleading and, despite the circumstances, that was satisfying. She heard flutters of wings above her, as Gabriel alternatively spoke to her and the other angel, prompting her to go and telling him how they couldn’t leave if Kára herself was still there. Although she could now clearly see Castiel’s and not just his wings made from the very fabric of the shadows, she couldn’t hear what he answered.
In front of her, Loki had now a knee on the ground, arms cradling Alangan like she was a delicate doll.He was still whispered to her, too quiet for Kára to hear the whole discussion. But, from the small she caught, the language he used wasn’t one she could have understood. From time to time, he was glancing at her, a wicked smile on his face and these peculiar eyes of him, full of dark promises. Diving Lævateinn further into the alfr, he winked at her, passing a tongue on his lip. The valkyrie shivered. She closed her eyes, pressing on the stump of her right arm until she hissed, to push the growing fear away.
Behind her was the gate, its runes glistening as it maintained the passage between Nidavellir and Midgard open. She just had to take a step back into the golden liquid. Then, she would be back into her realm and would be able to close it before Loki could cross it. She couldn’t bring herself to do that, though. It felt wrong to let Alangan die alone in the Ás’ cruel hands. If she were to ignore her mate’s suffering, what sort of person would she be? She had been forced to watch every one of them fall. Turning her back to the alfr’s last moments? She wouldn’t do that. She was better than that.
In her mind danced the memories, as fresh as it had just happened: Fáfnir in all its draconic majesty above their heads, his four wings stretched out while he launched a fireball at them. The quiet but strong confidence that the shield cast by Rafn and her brother wouldn’t fail protect them, followed by terror, when Aldi had emerged on the square, a big grin forming on his lips when he had seen them, as if he had been searching for hours. There had been Rikardr and Adalrikr behind him, the later stopping the first from running after Aldi. And then, when the fire and lava had engulfed everything, gliding on the barrier without touching them, it had also taken Aldi. She hadn’t looked away, she couldn’t.
In that same way, she hadn’t turned away when her companions and friends had met their end, moments ago. Even if she had been restrained, she could have turn away, but she hadn’t. She wasn’t that kind of person. And even if she died today because of it, she would let it be that way because at least, it was a fate she had chosen.
There was a soft liquid texture on her cheeks, Gabriel’s feathers caressing her. The scar on her back emitted warmth through her body, soothing a little her pain, but for now, the archangel had fallen into silence. She was grateful of that, as listening to him was only growing more tiresome, and there was no way to shut him down.
“I’ll pray for your soul to find rest in Valhalla,” Kára eventually said, approaching Alangan. She sat next to her, ignoring Loki’s gaze on her.Then,she took the alfr’s small hands in her’s. “Will you, at least, let me perform the ritual to send her by the Allfather’s side?” she asked the Ás without looking at him. He kept silent, but made no move to stop her so she took that as a yes.
“Ya’re a stupid very very stupid valkyrie, Kára daughter of Heimkell Oath-keeper,” Alangan answered, turning her big mismatched eyes on the valkyrie, clear and piercing, as if she wasn’t on the verge of dying anytime soon.
“Sorry.” Kára let go of her hands, putting her fingers on Lævateinn to coat them with the alfr’s blood.
“Na. Ya’re nat.” Kára traced the runes on her companion’s forehead, then moved other her eyelids and cheeks. “Was a great honor to fight at yar side. Will wait for ya, with the others, in Valhalla.”
When the valkyrie finished chanting the galdr to send Alangan’s soul to the Allfather, there was a sharp snap. Like he had done before, Loki had made Lævateinn like her body disappear into thin air. She was left alone with him, Gabriel and Castiel somewhere above them, but their wings were on her, shifting hues of light for the first, and moving material darkness for the second. Like that could protect her from an almighty god. A divinity who was now pouting like a child.
“I really like her, you know? We’ve known each others for centuries, had friends in common also. The first time I met her? It was here, when my brother and Hœnir came to visit the Fallen King. She was such a sweetheart. I wish I hadn’t had to kill her.”
His expression could have been contrite if Kára hadn’t known who she was dealing with. She forced her dry laugh down her throat. Nobody had forced him to kill anyone as he was powerful enough not to be threatened by mortal beings like her, or vættir like a simple alfr. And yet, he was denying his responsibility. That was so pathetic and childish that, if someone had told her that, she wouldn’t have believed they were talking about an Ás: the Allfather’s sworn brother even less. That was so disappointing.
“I like you too,” he said while moving to stand just in front of her. “It’s not a lie,” he added after a little while. Like that would make him more sympathetic. “That’s such a shame.”
Kára, please.
But the valkyrie couldn’t take a single step back; Loki was now gripping her shoulders with an inhuman strength. She could feel the bruises that were already there, darkening under his fingers, as well as the burning of the arborescent mark on her back, like Gabriel was trying to shoo the god away. The tips of the branches were right under the smug bastard’s touch, almost as painful as in the beginning and she hissed.
She shrugged also, trying to disengage herself from Loki’s grasp to no avail: the Ás didn’t even seem to notice she had moved, his head cocked on the side to study her. At least, her face was nothing but a mask devoid of any expression. She wouldn’t let him see the fear gnawing at her stomach, nor the agony she felt.
“Even if it was very short,” he eventually said, looking a little bit remorseful with his pouty lips, “It was good traveling with you.” A wink came along his words, as well as one of his usual charming smiles. “I’ve loved every bit of it.”
Kára wanted to make him eat his smile. She had never liked it anyway.“Since you seem keen on making revelations, may I ask you something?”
“Anything you want, milady.” He gave her the lewdest stare she had ever seen on one’s figure. “Do you have needs to be taken care of before we pass to more serious matters? Because it will be a pleasure to indulge in it,” he added in a sing-song manner. In the back of her mind, Gabriel was screaming his indignation. She chose to ignore both of them.
“Why?”
Her eyes left his face, looking far too young and far too affable for what he actually was. Her fingers curled into a tight fistwhile she was mentally swearing. They had been set up, manipulated from the beginning. And none of them had had any doubts, except for Alangan, maybe. That was enraging to see that they had been nothing more than puppets dancing to the god’s strings. The least she could have was some explanations.
“Because.”
Loki lifted a hand from her shoulder. With it, he cupped her face, forcing her to look at him as he caressed her cheeks with a fake tenderness. Kára felt her stomach contract with disgust. Then, he moved it to her hair to play with her curls.
“Of love,” he finished with a satisfied grin. “Like you, Nords, I love my family very dearly…” he stopped a for while, rolling his eyes when added, “Well, except for that poor and boring Sigyn.But well, let’s say it’s the exception which proves the rule.”He shrugged. “And so, I love my brother. Your bloodline always was dear to my brother and your father, Heimkell? Oh dear! Anyway, what I mean is that you’re loved by my brother, and for that, I love you guys.”
His voice was so sweet it ached to hear it. It felt like a poisoned honey was slowly sinking its fangs into her. He purred, “But Sökkólfr, you see, he was my favorite mortal, always had been since I first met him. He was my liege, under my protection. Why did he die? Because of his feud with your kin. And my son, Jörmungandr? That injuries my brother’s son inflicted on him were pretty bad, you know. And who convoked Thor into the battle? Your kin, again. See the link here?”
“You unleashed Jörmungandr in the first place,” she spat. Was he really serious? So, all of this was because of a gridge lasting from twenty years ago? This was so messed up and infantile. She took a deep breath to give herself courage, speaking before the god answered.
“You don’t react well when things don’t go your way, do you?” She laughed when saying that. Because playing brave and insolent were better than weeping on her fate. And if she could find some satisfaction in Loki’s disgruntled face before dying, it was all for the best. He didn’t look annoyed though, only grinned from ear to ear, like she had just told the best joke ever.
“Well, my dear, let’s review our situation.” He started counting on a hand.“Your son is dead. Your companions are also dead. You’ll be dead in no time. And not to forget, your whole bloodline-not that you are many anyway-will meet the same fate. The answer to your question is pretty clear, I reckon. And things did go my way. My brother will be very saddened by your demise and the fall of the Himinsfall clan. That’s my little revenge on him.”
Kára, please, say yes. I’ll protect you, Gabriel said in her mind. But like the other times, she ignored him. He wouldn’t be able to do anything for her anyway, not if she didn’t let him borrow her body like Adalrikr had done with Castiel. She had seen the results; there was no way she would let that happen to her, no matter what he said. She was tired of being played by supernatural beings like she was a mere toy.
“Moreover,” the god continued. “That pretty spirit-or whatever he is-who took a liking to you and follow you like a good dog, I very curious of what his reaction will be. He seems interesting.”
“You really are a bastard,” Kára replied when she heard Gabriel cursingLoki in languages she couldn’t understand.
“Hello,” he said, loud and haughty. His voice was nothing but a whole bag of smug and condescension. “They call me Loki.”
She felt his hand going down her back, just between her shoulder blades, right in the middle of Gabriel’s mark. He pressed her against his chest before murmuring into her ear, “Now, milady, it’s time for you to make your goodbyes.”
Flashes of memories passed. These numerous tranquil evenings when sitting by Aldi’s bedside, Thórvaldr and her read stories and legends to their beloved son to lull him to sleep, before blowing the lantern’s flame when the little sunshine was finally asleep. Her spouse, who was still waiting for her in Thorhöll, while protecting her brother.Hopefully, he wouldn’t join her in the after life before long while herself would find Aldi, wherever he was.
There was also these afternoons when of her much younger years, playing at the city’s feet with her brothers and the other children of that time with an unstained joy; a time when the battle of Loptbord hadn’t happened yet, and none of them were orphans. She thought of Trjónn who had died in the battle, at her father’s side. And of course, his sister and her fellow valkyrie and best friend, Róta, whose body had been torn in two when Fáfnir’s tail had taken her. There were also the brothers Rafn and Arnulfr, who had taken their parents’ charge after their death. Arnulfr and his young apprentice, who had put an end to the dragon thanks to Castiel’s help, at the price of both lives.
Róta and Arnulfr had always been her companions, and she hoped to join them in Valhalla.
“You won’t suffer, I promise,” Loki said gently.
Kára thought of her other mates. The childish joy of Adalrikr and the easy smile of Myr, both of them promised to a bright future before Death had taken them. Hárbjarg’s loud laughters and Alangan accompanying him with these high-pitched chuckles of her, as she played with her hairy goatee. In the meantime, the skald wouldplay, as skillfully as ever, providing a beautiful musical background to their life every time he could. She felt her guts clench at the thought.
Gabriel? She wished things hadn’t gone that way. However, according to Loki’s own words and scheme: no matter how the events would have happened, the results would have been the same in the end. If she could though, she wouldn’t let him have his way further. The dead were dear to her heart, but there were also so many livings who also counted. She couldn’t let them die at Loki’s hands. The god had messed with them enough already. She might be only a mortal and ignore what an archangel was, if she was as important to Gabriel as he made it seem like, he would be listen to her last will. She had already seen glimpses of his strength and was sure he could, at least, annoy Loki a lot, and put a hold to his plans.
Yes? Gabriel answered, his voice full of hope. She felt the nudge of his feathers, like a gentle caress on the small of her back. He hissed when Loki put his head on her shoulder. She prayed to the Allfather.
“I’m sorry,” Loki muttered. But Kára knew he wasn’t. “I can’t let your soul go to my brother’s side. But my daughter will take care of you,” he added, and the valkyrie felt his grin against her skin, where her armor had been crushed earlier, in the nape of her neck. She quivered with revulsion, loathing that a mere mortal like her couldn’t harm an Ás.
The ones left in Thorhöll. Protect them for me, they are my family.
She just had the time to register Gabriel’s shriek before the world went black.
Note: Sequel to Moonlight, also on AO3 and ff.net
Warnings: Character death, light depictions of violence
Word count: 2,942
Summary: This is the end.
Disclaimer: Everything that's not angel is mine, the rest obviously isn't.
When a child,
certain skies sharpened my vision:
all their characters were reflected in my face.
The Phenomena were roused.-
At present,
the eternal inflection of moments
and the infinity of mathematics
drives me through this world where
I meet with every civil honor,
respected by strange children
and prodigious affections.-
I dream of a War
of right and of might,
of unlooked-for logic.
It is as simple as a musical phrase.
- War, Arthur Rimbaud
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kára, get out of here. The valkyrie knew the archangel was right, but she couldn’t convince herself to depart when the last of her companions was dying right in front of her eyes. That would be unacceptable. She had been enough of a coward. Her fists tightened when she felt her wrath to Gabriel and Alangan come back. The valkyrie slowly shook her head: not wasn’t the time to let her emotions get the best of her.
“Kára, why are ya still here? He’s gonna kill ya, ya know it-” Blood blurted out her mouth, staining her white goatee. “Ya still have a mission waiting for ya-” Her voice was so coarse and different from her usual high-pitched tone it ached to hear it. “Ya kidding, right…”
For the sake of all that’s holy, please! Kára, please, listen to the alfr. The gate is open, get out of here!
There was an edge of panic in Gabriel’s words, an urgency that hadn’t been there before. Kára couldn’t help the smirk: where was the all powerful being that had vowed to protect her, now? The cringeworthy arrogance and confidence were missing from his pleading and, despite the circumstances, that was satisfying. She heard flutters of wings above her, as Gabriel alternatively spoke to her and the other angel, prompting her to go and telling him how they couldn’t leave if Kára herself was still there. Although she could now clearly see Castiel’s and not just his wings made from the very fabric of the shadows, she couldn’t hear what he answered.
In front of her, Loki had now a knee on the ground, arms cradling Alangan like she was a delicate doll.He was still whispered to her, too quiet for Kára to hear the whole discussion. But, from the small she caught, the language he used wasn’t one she could have understood. From time to time, he was glancing at her, a wicked smile on his face and these peculiar eyes of him, full of dark promises. Diving Lævateinn further into the alfr, he winked at her, passing a tongue on his lip. The valkyrie shivered. She closed her eyes, pressing on the stump of her right arm until she hissed, to push the growing fear away.
Behind her was the gate, its runes glistening as it maintained the passage between Nidavellir and Midgard open. She just had to take a step back into the golden liquid. Then, she would be back into her realm and would be able to close it before Loki could cross it. She couldn’t bring herself to do that, though. It felt wrong to let Alangan die alone in the Ás’ cruel hands. If she were to ignore her mate’s suffering, what sort of person would she be? She had been forced to watch every one of them fall. Turning her back to the alfr’s last moments? She wouldn’t do that. She was better than that.
In her mind danced the memories, as fresh as it had just happened: Fáfnir in all its draconic majesty above their heads, his four wings stretched out while he launched a fireball at them. The quiet but strong confidence that the shield cast by Rafn and her brother wouldn’t fail protect them, followed by terror, when Aldi had emerged on the square, a big grin forming on his lips when he had seen them, as if he had been searching for hours. There had been Rikardr and Adalrikr behind him, the later stopping the first from running after Aldi. And then, when the fire and lava had engulfed everything, gliding on the barrier without touching them, it had also taken Aldi. She hadn’t looked away, she couldn’t.
In that same way, she hadn’t turned away when her companions and friends had met their end, moments ago. Even if she had been restrained, she could have turn away, but she hadn’t. She wasn’t that kind of person. And even if she died today because of it, she would let it be that way because at least, it was a fate she had chosen.
There was a soft liquid texture on her cheeks, Gabriel’s feathers caressing her. The scar on her back emitted warmth through her body, soothing a little her pain, but for now, the archangel had fallen into silence. She was grateful of that, as listening to him was only growing more tiresome, and there was no way to shut him down.
“I’ll pray for your soul to find rest in Valhalla,” Kára eventually said, approaching Alangan. She sat next to her, ignoring Loki’s gaze on her.Then,she took the alfr’s small hands in her’s. “Will you, at least, let me perform the ritual to send her by the Allfather’s side?” she asked the Ás without looking at him. He kept silent, but made no move to stop her so she took that as a yes.
“Ya’re a stupid very very stupid valkyrie, Kára daughter of Heimkell Oath-keeper,” Alangan answered, turning her big mismatched eyes on the valkyrie, clear and piercing, as if she wasn’t on the verge of dying anytime soon.
“Sorry.” Kára let go of her hands, putting her fingers on Lævateinn to coat them with the alfr’s blood.
“Na. Ya’re nat.” Kára traced the runes on her companion’s forehead, then moved other her eyelids and cheeks. “Was a great honor to fight at yar side. Will wait for ya, with the others, in Valhalla.”
When the valkyrie finished chanting the galdr to send Alangan’s soul to the Allfather, there was a sharp snap. Like he had done before, Loki had made Lævateinn like her body disappear into thin air. She was left alone with him, Gabriel and Castiel somewhere above them, but their wings were on her, shifting hues of light for the first, and moving material darkness for the second. Like that could protect her from an almighty god. A divinity who was now pouting like a child.
“I really like her, you know? We’ve known each others for centuries, had friends in common also. The first time I met her? It was here, when my brother and Hœnir came to visit the Fallen King. She was such a sweetheart. I wish I hadn’t had to kill her.”
His expression could have been contrite if Kára hadn’t known who she was dealing with. She forced her dry laugh down her throat. Nobody had forced him to kill anyone as he was powerful enough not to be threatened by mortal beings like her, or vættir like a simple alfr. And yet, he was denying his responsibility. That was so pathetic and childish that, if someone had told her that, she wouldn’t have believed they were talking about an Ás: the Allfather’s sworn brother even less. That was so disappointing.
“I like you too,” he said while moving to stand just in front of her. “It’s not a lie,” he added after a little while. Like that would make him more sympathetic. “That’s such a shame.”
Kára, please.
But the valkyrie couldn’t take a single step back; Loki was now gripping her shoulders with an inhuman strength. She could feel the bruises that were already there, darkening under his fingers, as well as the burning of the arborescent mark on her back, like Gabriel was trying to shoo the god away. The tips of the branches were right under the smug bastard’s touch, almost as painful as in the beginning and she hissed.
She shrugged also, trying to disengage herself from Loki’s grasp to no avail: the Ás didn’t even seem to notice she had moved, his head cocked on the side to study her. At least, her face was nothing but a mask devoid of any expression. She wouldn’t let him see the fear gnawing at her stomach, nor the agony she felt.
“Even if it was very short,” he eventually said, looking a little bit remorseful with his pouty lips, “It was good traveling with you.” A wink came along his words, as well as one of his usual charming smiles. “I’ve loved every bit of it.”
Kára wanted to make him eat his smile. She had never liked it anyway.“Since you seem keen on making revelations, may I ask you something?”
“Anything you want, milady.” He gave her the lewdest stare she had ever seen on one’s figure. “Do you have needs to be taken care of before we pass to more serious matters? Because it will be a pleasure to indulge in it,” he added in a sing-song manner. In the back of her mind, Gabriel was screaming his indignation. She chose to ignore both of them.
“Why?”
Her eyes left his face, looking far too young and far too affable for what he actually was. Her fingers curled into a tight fistwhile she was mentally swearing. They had been set up, manipulated from the beginning. And none of them had had any doubts, except for Alangan, maybe. That was enraging to see that they had been nothing more than puppets dancing to the god’s strings. The least she could have was some explanations.
“Because.”
Loki lifted a hand from her shoulder. With it, he cupped her face, forcing her to look at him as he caressed her cheeks with a fake tenderness. Kára felt her stomach contract with disgust. Then, he moved it to her hair to play with her curls.
“Of love,” he finished with a satisfied grin. “Like you, Nords, I love my family very dearly…” he stopped a for while, rolling his eyes when added, “Well, except for that poor and boring Sigyn.But well, let’s say it’s the exception which proves the rule.”He shrugged. “And so, I love my brother. Your bloodline always was dear to my brother and your father, Heimkell? Oh dear! Anyway, what I mean is that you’re loved by my brother, and for that, I love you guys.”
His voice was so sweet it ached to hear it. It felt like a poisoned honey was slowly sinking its fangs into her. He purred, “But Sökkólfr, you see, he was my favorite mortal, always had been since I first met him. He was my liege, under my protection. Why did he die? Because of his feud with your kin. And my son, Jörmungandr? That injuries my brother’s son inflicted on him were pretty bad, you know. And who convoked Thor into the battle? Your kin, again. See the link here?”
“You unleashed Jörmungandr in the first place,” she spat. Was he really serious? So, all of this was because of a gridge lasting from twenty years ago? This was so messed up and infantile. She took a deep breath to give herself courage, speaking before the god answered.
“You don’t react well when things don’t go your way, do you?” She laughed when saying that. Because playing brave and insolent were better than weeping on her fate. And if she could find some satisfaction in Loki’s disgruntled face before dying, it was all for the best. He didn’t look annoyed though, only grinned from ear to ear, like she had just told the best joke ever.
“Well, my dear, let’s review our situation.” He started counting on a hand.“Your son is dead. Your companions are also dead. You’ll be dead in no time. And not to forget, your whole bloodline-not that you are many anyway-will meet the same fate. The answer to your question is pretty clear, I reckon. And things did go my way. My brother will be very saddened by your demise and the fall of the Himinsfall clan. That’s my little revenge on him.”
Kára, please, say yes. I’ll protect you, Gabriel said in her mind. But like the other times, she ignored him. He wouldn’t be able to do anything for her anyway, not if she didn’t let him borrow her body like Adalrikr had done with Castiel. She had seen the results; there was no way she would let that happen to her, no matter what he said. She was tired of being played by supernatural beings like she was a mere toy.
“Moreover,” the god continued. “That pretty spirit-or whatever he is-who took a liking to you and follow you like a good dog, I very curious of what his reaction will be. He seems interesting.”
“You really are a bastard,” Kára replied when she heard Gabriel cursingLoki in languages she couldn’t understand.
“Hello,” he said, loud and haughty. His voice was nothing but a whole bag of smug and condescension. “They call me Loki.”
She felt his hand going down her back, just between her shoulder blades, right in the middle of Gabriel’s mark. He pressed her against his chest before murmuring into her ear, “Now, milady, it’s time for you to make your goodbyes.”
Flashes of memories passed. These numerous tranquil evenings when sitting by Aldi’s bedside, Thórvaldr and her read stories and legends to their beloved son to lull him to sleep, before blowing the lantern’s flame when the little sunshine was finally asleep. Her spouse, who was still waiting for her in Thorhöll, while protecting her brother.Hopefully, he wouldn’t join her in the after life before long while herself would find Aldi, wherever he was.
There was also these afternoons when of her much younger years, playing at the city’s feet with her brothers and the other children of that time with an unstained joy; a time when the battle of Loptbord hadn’t happened yet, and none of them were orphans. She thought of Trjónn who had died in the battle, at her father’s side. And of course, his sister and her fellow valkyrie and best friend, Róta, whose body had been torn in two when Fáfnir’s tail had taken her. There were also the brothers Rafn and Arnulfr, who had taken their parents’ charge after their death. Arnulfr and his young apprentice, who had put an end to the dragon thanks to Castiel’s help, at the price of both lives.
Róta and Arnulfr had always been her companions, and she hoped to join them in Valhalla.
“You won’t suffer, I promise,” Loki said gently.
Kára thought of her other mates. The childish joy of Adalrikr and the easy smile of Myr, both of them promised to a bright future before Death had taken them. Hárbjarg’s loud laughters and Alangan accompanying him with these high-pitched chuckles of her, as she played with her hairy goatee. In the meantime, the skald wouldplay, as skillfully as ever, providing a beautiful musical background to their life every time he could. She felt her guts clench at the thought.
Gabriel? She wished things hadn’t gone that way. However, according to Loki’s own words and scheme: no matter how the events would have happened, the results would have been the same in the end. If she could though, she wouldn’t let him have his way further. The dead were dear to her heart, but there were also so many livings who also counted. She couldn’t let them die at Loki’s hands. The god had messed with them enough already. She might be only a mortal and ignore what an archangel was, if she was as important to Gabriel as he made it seem like, he would be listen to her last will. She had already seen glimpses of his strength and was sure he could, at least, annoy Loki a lot, and put a hold to his plans.
Yes? Gabriel answered, his voice full of hope. She felt the nudge of his feathers, like a gentle caress on the small of her back. He hissed when Loki put his head on her shoulder. She prayed to the Allfather.
“I’m sorry,” Loki muttered. But Kára knew he wasn’t. “I can’t let your soul go to my brother’s side. But my daughter will take care of you,” he added, and the valkyrie felt his grin against her skin, where her armor had been crushed earlier, in the nape of her neck. She quivered with revulsion, loathing that a mere mortal like her couldn’t harm an Ás.
The ones left in Thorhöll. Protect them for me, they are my family.
She just had the time to register Gabriel’s shriek before the world went black.