Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/2574821. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major_Character_Death, Underage Category: F/M Fandom: Norse_Religion_&_Lore, Thor_(Movies), Marvel_Cinematic_Universe Relationship: Loki/Original_Female_Character(s), Baldr_|_Baldur/Hel_|_Hela, Original Female_Character/Original_Male_Character Character: Loki_(Norse_Religion_&_Lore), Fenrisúlfr_|_Fenrir, Original_Characters, Jörmungandr_|_Jormungand_|_Midgard_Serpent, Hel_|_Hela, Huginn_&_Muninn, Ratatosk, Baldr_|_Baldur, Óðinn_|_Odin, Níðhöggr_|_Nidhogg, Loki_ (Marvel), Loki Additional Tags: Trickster_Loki, King_Loki, Dom!Loki, Dark_Loki, Loki-centric, Loki_Porn, Dark_Porn, Porn_With_Plot, Alternate_Universe_-_Original, Alternate Universe_-_Loki_Wins, Loki_Has_Issues, Loki_Does_What_He_Wants, Loki Lies, Extortion, Manipulation, Molestation, Non-Consensual_Touching, Vaginal_Fingering, Forced_Orgasm, Bondage, Kidnapping, Bondage_and Discipline, Non-Consensual_Spanking, Punishment, Public_Humiliation, Rebellion, Frustration, Rough_Kissing, Dream_Sex, Magic-Users, Magic, Spiritual, Spirit_Animals, Spirit_World, Ragnarok, References_to_Norse Religion_&_Lore, Alternate_Norse_Religion_&_Lore, Community:_norsekink, Topping_from_the_Bottom, Orgasm_Delay/Denial, Fear_Play, Explicit_Sexual Content, Violence, Plot_Twists, Angst_and_Fluff_and_Smut, Minor_Character Death, Dom/sub_Undertones, Painplay, Biting, Rough_Sex, Nipple_Torture, Begging, Submission, Master/Slave, Master/Pet, Master/Servant, Sexual Slavery, BDSM, Vaginal_Sex, Implied/Referenced_Cheating, Blackmail, Dirty Talk, Obedience, Collars, Leashes, Ankle_Cuffs, Handcuffs, Nightmares, Forced_Eye_Contact, Hair-pulling, Non-Consensual_Oral_Sex, Dissociation, Nipple_Clamps, Conditioning, Brainwashing, Siblings, Loki's_Kids, Best Friends, True_Love, Shapeshifting, Pain, Loss, Death, Grief/Mourning, Depression, Water_Sex, threats_of_forced_pregnancy, Threats_of_Rape/Non- Con, Fatherhood, Psychological_Trauma, Mental_Breakdown, Heartbreak, Desperation, Mind_Manipulation, Altered_Mental_States, Dreamsharing, Cultural_Differences, Royalty, Non-Consensual_Somnophilia, Childhood Sexual_Abuse, Attempted_Sexual_Assault, Rough_Oral_Sex, Self-Defense, Survival_Training, Menstruation, Period-Typical_Underage, Cutting, Self- Harm, Epiphanies, Friendship, Consensual_Underage_Sex, Power_Dynamics, Blindfolds, Gags, Choking, Anal_Fingering, Anal_Plug, Anal_Sex, Whipping, Heroes_to_Villains, Backstory, Rape, Loki_Rapes, BAMF_Loki, Maledom, Maledom/Femsub Series: Part 1 of Trickester_Trilogy_(Includes_Drafts_&_Excerpts) Stats: Published: 2014-11-11 Updated: 2016-04-29 Chapters: 59/? Words: 325459 ****** Mystery & Mischief - Loki Literotica ****** by Mystie_Helix Summary Ragnarok has begun and Loki has a job to do. He must test Misuteri and her companions, The Guardians of Light, to insure their worth as the heralds of Midgard. If they can overcome the challenges he sets before them, he will aid them in saving their realm. Loki's plans have been long in the making. He's been working tirelessly to prepare for Ragnarok while The Guardians of Light have become slothful in their duties. He will test Misuteri first. He will push her beyond her limits in every way he knows she fears. He will break her. She will adapt and transform but into what? She will either emerge a worthy champion of Midgard or she will never return to her realm and her loved ones. Loki must act cautiously, carefully balancing his many responsibilities but he has a secret that threatens to destroy everything. While he dreams of becoming Asgard's champion, her King, his success depends on much more than his ability to control his baser motivations. Update 4-29-16: Just added 4000 words to Chapter 38: The Moonlight. And I've posted a new Shadow series. Check it out. Comment. I'll love you for it! Progress: Chapters 10-38 and 50 are polished! ***** Their History (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri has a duty, as a loyal friend; however, her good intentions lead her straight into a trap. Chapter Notes This is the second rough draft of Mystery & Mischief. At this point I've posted chapter 50 and I think there's gonna be about 20 more chapters until the end. If you binge, do NOT go onto Enigma & Chaos. SO much has changed and my skill level as a writer has significantly increased since I wrote it. I've got a few pet projects I'm working on while I finish up Mystery & Mischief and then I'm going to start redoing the sequel, Enigma & Chaos. So, this first chapter is backstory and fluff. However, the gist will stay the same. Loki still lures Misuteri out to see him all by her lonesome under the guise of a needy friend. I'm probably going to add a prologue soon (as I am finally at a point in the story that I can use to really rope people in. I also plan on reordering the tags, in order of appearance you could say. This is just the first chapter is a very long, drawn out plan (although some of the character descriptions are incomplete or unnecessary at the moment and the is a thing or two that needs to be tweaked). It spans several years. And I've got to redo a lot because according to this first chapter, Loki pops in after Misu and Jouten are married in Ordinaria, and that's just...not going to work in the long run. As you might expect, Loki is not afraid to play dirty and take what he wants. Update 4-10-15: I've made some changes to this chapter, just like I warned you. Technically the timeline has changed - not that that really matters for anyone reading this just for Loki. The other thing is I've changed Misu's friend Loki's name to Lok, just for clarification. I've also added some references to my original material to really tie things together with my other stuff. See the end of the chapter for more notes      A young woman with chin length, bright red hair sat at her desk. She spun in her high back computer chair. The layers in her hair spun around her face. She beamed. Her blue eyes were crescents. Her smile reached ear to ear. She placed her hands on the large, dark wooded desk and stared at her monitor. She stopped and looked at her friend fondly. She leaned back and her large breasts perked up under her tight, white top. She wore a black, unbuttoned blouse over top of it. Her pale skin shown brightly as the harsh white light bore down on her from above.     “You always know how to make me laugh. I miss you,” Misuteri complimented her friend.     A young man, approximately the same age, with straight, chin length black hair stared back at her. His face was perfect with all its angles and sharp curves. Smile lines were just starting to form around his lips. His perfect smile radiated his charm across the internet. He sat there in a green v-neck shirt and a velvet sport coat. He lowered his head and then looked up at her. His bangs fell from behind his ear into his face. His expression was the epitome of humble friendship.     “And I, you. You are as adorable and sweet as ever, Misu. You have my thanks,” Lok replied in with a thick, Scandinavian accent. He emanated an old world charm despite his modern appearance.     Misuteri was still unable to overcome her smile. “We should do this more often.”     Lok nodded. “We should,” he looked into the camera. “But you have been so busy with this new boy toy of yours,” he teased her.     Misuteri scoffed. “It sounds like you've been talking to Nero,” Misuteri rolled her eyes.     Lok imitated her sound. “Nero,” he said with disgust and irritation. “Do not speak to me of that lout,” he dropped his hand to is desk.     “Be nice. He's helped me out a lot. And without him, I would've never met Jouten,” Misuteri scolded Lok.     Lok let out a slow breath. He cleared his throat and leaned in towards the camera. “Tell me about this Jouten. What is he like?”     “Well, my foreign friend, he's amazing!” Misuteri's face lit up. “In some ways he's like Kouken...but in others he's like....” Misuteri refrained from saying Nero's name. “But in all the right ways. He's moral and strong. A little quiet sometimes but I know he's smart. We have so much in common, it's impossible to tell you everything. We connect perfectly. It's hard to explain! We both love video games and movies. And animals! Especially dogs! We both love dogs.” Misuteri could have rambled on about her new interest for hours but Lok stopped her.     “What of his goals? His ambitions? What type of life do you expect to have with this boy of a man?”     Lok had little respect for Misuteri's love interests; and for good reason. Her first boyfriend, Kouken, though his intentions were pure, his mistakes hurt Misuteri deeply. The second...they rarely speak his name. He did unspeakable things. Even though that was when Lok and Misuteri met, there was little anyone that cared about Misuteri would like to relive in that relationship. Her most recent ex-boyfriend, Nero, was a small, arrogant individual. Though he never disrespected or deceived Misuteri like Kouken or her other boyfriend, he was still difficult to like. Lok had little hope Jouten was truly different.     Misuteri was unsure what the answers to his questions were. Jouten and she had only been seeing each other for a short time. She relied on his reputation to supply her with the information she needed to make her conjectures. He was a loyal friend with a kind heart. She had never heard anyone sing anything other than his praises.     “He's honest and compassionate. His work ethic and will power are unparalleled. He's humble, yet confident.” Misuteri paused. “I don't know if he's the one yet or anything...but he's not like the others. You have to trust me.”     Lok sighed. “I hope you are right,” his tone was still unhappy. “I hope you are right.” ===============================================================================     Misuteri was consumed with her new relationship. It was the most normal relationship she had ever been in. She resisted moving too quickly. She really liked Jouten but kept him at arm's length for as long as she could. All of her relationships had started too quickly and she always got hurt.     This time, it was different. Everything was different. Jouten forgave Misuteri's insecure, passive-aggressive tendencies. He put up with her antagonizing nature. He resisted the urge to criticize her child-like curiosity and impulsive decision making. He adored her willfulness and emotional resilience.     His powers of perception rivaled hers. He could see through the facade she channeled. It was not the typical mask one wears amongst acquaintances. It was the mask of ignorance. In many ways, she still knew not who she was. That made things confusing and difficult. It was difficult for her to show him who she really was.     Vulnerability was her fear; as it was his. He had to fight his own instincts to run from her. He planted his feet firmly before her and she rivaled his dedication. Together, they built a foundation of unwavering faith.     It didn't happen over night. He was patient. He was as patient as he could be; he had waited so long to get her back. He wanted things to return to how they were, before Kuro was born; but he understood that she had been hurt deeply. He knew he would never know the pain she knew; he could never truly empathize. Though, she did not ask him to. She shouldered her burdens with a strength he could only imagine.     He knew he wanted to protect her. He wanted to shelter her and care for her like no other woman he had ever met before. He saw her fragility in a way few ever could. He cherished it. He  saw her innocence, where she saw none in herself. It was important for him to show his support and love her, so that she could see she was worthy of his affection. In all her confidence, she was still just a girl that wanted to be loved.     He loved her more deeply than he ever thought possible. She brought a light into his world when he did not realize the darkness he lived in. His entire life changed in the blink of an eye and he did not regret one moment of it. Her gaze made his heart stop and her smile brought him back to life. Every moment with her was bliss.     Misuteri did not understand how she could love such a perfect man. He was a modern knight in shining armor. He was the strong, silent type forever watching over her. He empowered her and treasured her like a king in fairy tales. Their compassion for others brought them closer together. His moral compass aligned hers and she was dedicated to becoming worthy of his love.     Though their families and friends watched their love blossom with unexpected speed, they were not the only ones watching. Lok observed them closely. He consumed her social media feed as if it were his only nutrients. He bantered with her from time to time; and he consoled her subjectively to keep her favor.     Lok found out about their engagement the same way most people did. It came all too fast. Social media was the easiest way to keep an eye on his dear friend. His heart burned with jealousy as his eyes scrolled across the thin frame of plastic and wires. He crushed the small mouse in his hand as his anger seethed. His feelings grew deeper and darker as he pondered her careless and disrespectful actions. He could no longer withhold his true self.     He stood up, knocking over the modest wooden chair. A green mist appeared in the room around him. It was quickly consumed by a fire of power that engulfed his erect figure. His face aged and darkened. His hair curled at the ends as his energy surged around him. His modern clothes melted off of him. In their place appeared first an undershirt and leather pants. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was protected in his leather trench coat with a golden scepter in hand.     “You will not best me, Midgardian!" He declared with hate burning in his eyes. =============================================================================== Still, more time passed before Loki and Misuteri had a meaningful conversation. Learning everything there was to know about Katharsi was hard work. It consumed most of Misuteri's attention. She was plunged head first into a world she was very unfamiliar with. Her spiritual lessons were ever compounding, deepening. From time to time, she focused too much on logic and rationality; two things that meant nothing now. Katharsi sucked her dry. It was a world of infinite possibility and everyone was always pushing, running, exploring this and that;     The reasons for her neglect mattered little to Lok; he understood. He was forever the faithful friend. He had regained his composure. He resigned himself to his fate, for the most part. On occasion, he tried to regain the level of intensity their friendship once had. He preyed on the weakest parts of Misuteri and Jouten's relationship: communication. He disguised his concern in advice. Most of it was genuine, and it worked, but Lok constantly prodded Misuteri about how hard it was to be married. She often shrugged it off. She wasn't afraid of hard work. She had faith in her relationship and that's all she needed.     And so, despite his efforts to affect her in his won ways, Lok watched Jouten foster her change - her evolution - from afar. Each time she gained control of a new power, she grew closer to her companions - the famed Guardians of Light. It was more than just that. Her appearance changed. She no longer changed her hair. It was now her natural, light blonde color. She grew it out. She dressed more modestly. She was more concerned with how her actions would effect Jouten. She had truly fallen in love with him. Such a fact insulted Lok personally.     Although, in some ways, it didn't matter. Lok and Misuteri connected on a level Jouten and she struggled to maintain. Jouten was so intense; he made things all too real. His knowledge and passion were what brought he and Misuteri together but it was also what drove them apart. It was hard to simply be in love in Katharsi - nearly impossible, actually. But Lok was always there to offer his aid to her as her loyal friend. He never judged her insecurities, nor was he invested emotionally in her every thought.     With the support of her loving husband, Misuteri returned to one of her favorite passed times: writing. She wrote vehemently to understand her thoughts and feelings on a variety of topics. Some of them far more intimate than others.She didn't share most of these thoughts with Jouten, although a handful of her friends had access to her writing. It was not a matter of trust. She trusted Jouten with her life. She simply didn't want to distract or confuse him. He was often too invested in the topics to consume her thoughts objectively. Kizu, her best friend from grade school, was her most trusted confidant. However, Lok had manipulated his way into gaining permission to her intimate secrets as well. For him, these secrets were gifts he could use as weapons.     Misuteri wasn't fully aware of the stress her relationship had on her friendship with Lok. She could see the seething jealousy in his eyes or hear it in his tone but she assumed he was just trying to flatter her. She often appealed to Lok with flattery of her own and offered him camaraderie whenever they conversed. She was thoughtful and thorough in her communication with him out of respect for their friendship. Unfortunately, with Jouten being the new measure of a man in her eyes, Lok commanded little respect from her. He was tall but he lacked the musculature Misuteri admired. He had always been lighthearted. He seemed to lack fortitude and a seriousness she could connect to. He was sensitive in his expression of his ideals and ideas. He was the young man that helped her free herself; Jouten was the man that had watched over her every step of the way.     Misuteri saw Lok for everything he was not. He was Jouten's equal in every way. He played a part for her. He played his part well. He played his part in order to slip into her life undetected. His intentions were far more dangerous than high school love affairs.     Misuteri was blind to Lok's deceitful tactics. Had she known, she would have understood the real reason why Lok and she met. She would have known their entire friendship was a long and elaborate rouse. Misuteri would have cast him out of her life, as she did Saiaku and for the same reasons. She no longer had any sympathy for sociopaths.     ===============================================================================     A long time had passed since Misuteri and Jouten had begun their courtship. They were married now. Misuteri was more mature and most of her old wounds had healed. Jouten inspired her to be wholly herself and she did the same for him. Together, they explored what that really meant for the both of them. They shed their facades and did their best to be transparent with each other.    They had grown close with many of their friends. They had declared themselves The Guardians of Light! They quested often to rid Katharsi of Shadow Soldiers and an Elite Shadow here and there. Misuteri and Jouten welcomed them into their massive home, Kardia Lux. Kizu was the first to bond with both of them on an intimate level. They told her everything. Their conversations often resulted in her learning far more than she wanted. Though, Jouten insisted they keep their sexual escapades to themselves. Misuteri found it difficult not to brag.    Next, Nero and Zuri returned with Kuro. Kuro, Jouten's son by Ayamaru (Misuteri's Shadow), now deceased, woman found it hard to be around Misuteri. She looked just like his mother but she was barely older than he was. Nero and Zuri had taken Kuro in at Jouten's request. He needed to be a normal teenager and after his mother's passing, Jouten could no longer be the father he once was. Jouten strove to repair his relationship with his son. In doing so, he grew closer with Nero, and especially Zuri.    Kuro matured right along with the female Guardians. They were all about the same age. In some ways, they were all going through the same things. Having lived a relatively normal, uneventful life, now the Guardians had been ushered into a world of magic and wonder. Kuro had somewhat of an advantage, having lived in Katharsi his whole life, but it wasn't long before the others gained control of their powers. Each of them had their own missions they had to succeed on before they could actualize into the powerful beings they could be, like Jouten. Even Misuteri had a long way to go. As they ventured on, exploring the relatively safe world Jouten had carved out for them, he had a quest of his own to fulfill. He had to save his son.    Zuri was the most cunning and strategic of the group; but he was also a sensitive romantic at heart. He searched endlessly for his soul mate. Many women were intimidated by his large stature and his dark skin. He wasn't unattractive by any means but he was a lot to handle. He was charismatic and loud. He charmed girls with his grace on the dance floor or with the sound of his beautiful voice. He showered them with gifts and impressed them with his intelligence; but there was something about the girls he liked. They all needed saving and they all weren't ready to be the queen he deserved.    Nero and Misuteri maintained an intimate friendship despite having been in a relationship.  They talked for hours. More often than not, Misuteri counseled Nero. She tried desperately to steer him away from his promiscuous lifestyle; he owed it to himself to follow his dreams. She often asked him questions about his faith. In the recent months, Nero had been showing real promise but still, his goals eluded him.   Kissui was Misuteri's protege. Misuteri pored her heart and soul into teaching her everything she knew. She and Kissui had been through so much together. They had successfully escaped their abusive exes together. Misuteri would have never left hers without Kissui and Kissui would have never left hers if it hadn't been for Misuteri. Misuteri loved Kissui so much, it was almost impossible for her to describe it. Misuteri became a mumbling fool whenever she tried to voice her feelings for Kissui. In the end, they weren't meant to be more than best friends.   Misuteri was still close with Kouken, her first boyfriend. That's not how she really describes him anymore. He's just Kouken, her hilarious, charming, intellectual Heathen best friend. She adored having long, in-depth conversations with him. When they were younger, they discussed a broad spectrum of philosophy; many of the values and ideas Misuteri has came from those early conversations. In many ways, Kouken was like Jouten. He was bright, cheery and loved to make people smile. He was a protector and guardian; and Misuteri was no exception. They had seen each other at their lowest points and had gone through a lot together. He had grown leagues from who he when Misuteri and he were teenagers; and so had she. Through their experiences, an unyielding respect for each other grew and fostered a bond that could withstand almost anything.    Tiabu was Kouken's best friend. They grew up together but they saw the world very differently. Tiabu was always very diplomatic. He made it a point to look at things from multiple points of view and he wasn't afraid to say when he thought some arguments were valid; even if it made someone he cared about uncomfortable. Tiabu and Zuri had quite a bit in common in matters of the heart. Tiabu struggled to find a mate that would put him first; as a result, he lived alone. He often isolated himself from people. He abhorred conflict and competition; but he loved his friends. Without Tiabu, Misuteri would have found herself dealing with the aftermath of her abusive relationship alone. Tiabu was dependable and responsible. He was a rock of support for Misuteri. He was the glue that kept Misuteri, Kissui, Kouken and himself together then.   Misuteri had a dozen more people she could call friends and her family that she loved and admired. She was at a point in her life when all those things really mattered. She desired a strong sense of community. She had finally found a place, and a plethora of people, she fit in with and that liked her for who she was, not who she pretended to be. She knew all of her friends for almost half her life. Jouten was the only exception but it seemed like he knew her like he'd been there the whole time. She was finally in a positive place in her life. She and Jouten were dedicated to being examples for which others could follow, in hopes their wisdom and experience could lead others to happiness.   Her relationship with Lok was just as complicated as the others. She had met him, randomly, one night at Saiaku's place of employment. Her ex courted him as a potential business partner and when he requested a private moment with Misuteri as incentive, she thought he was just like all the rest. Then, when they were alone, he changed. He was a young man. He wanted nothing from her. He actually gave her something. It was a piece of metal no larger than a traditional USB drive but he told her it would become anything she needed, whenever she needed it. It was imbued with magic Saiaku could not take from her. Misuteri did use it to escape and when she was free, she called upon him again. He was a noble stranger she had to get to know better and thus, their friendship began. ===============================================================================   Misuteri and Lok shared many secrets with each other. Some of it was important, life-changing stuff, other times it was nothing. It wasn't unlike them to send long, ranting emails back and forth. Often enough, they were never about anything serious but one day, that changed.   Misuteri logged onto her laptop just like she did any other day. She routinely checked all of the things normally did and saw she had a message from Lok. She scrolled through the content in her feed and casually opened Lok's email. She was in a fairly pleasant mood.   "Misu, this is important. I cannot explain but have been keeping a  secret from you. I apologize for that but I need your help. I need you. Just you. I have no idea what to do without you. Please, come find me before I do something terrible. - Sent from Mobile 04:35 A.M. "   His short message was filled with foreboding. She reread it a dozen times before she fully comprehended his subtext. She was more than just concerned. She noted the signature on the message. He was rarely on that early in the morning.   Perhaps he's been an insomniac lately.  She tried to reason through it. It was almost impossible. He would have never sent her a message like that. He had never seemed so desperate, let alone suicidal! She had to figure out a plan. She needed to find him and find out what was wrong. She owed it to him; she owed it to their friendship.    Misuteri was wracked by guilt since she read the message. She didn't tell anyone, especially not Jouten. She still hadn't decided what to do. She felt a sense of impending doom. She felt as if every second she was not actively trying to help Lok, she imagined that he spiraled further into despair. It didn't that he was being irrational. He had helped her so much and now he needed her. She stared up at the dimly lit crown molding on the ceiling. She quickly grew bored as her eyes traced the square lines over and over again. She tossed and turned. She wan't exactly subtle in expressing her discomfort. Her restlessness woke her husband.     The strong, white haired man turned to her. Free from his embrace, Misuteri sat up and leaned against the headboard. His big blue eyes looked up at her sleepily.     “What's the matter?” Jouten asked groggily. “Did you have a nightmare?”     Misuteri shook her head. “No...I wish,” she was dismissive of his concern. She was too distracted by her own worries to be attentive to his concern for her.     Jouten was quickly waking up. He narrowed his eyes and sat up next to her. “Misu, talk to me,” he tried to be gentle. He was caring even though she had hurt his feelings.     “I...” Misuteri found it difficult to answer him. She was less worried about his jealousy and more worried about her need to go alone. “Do you remember Lok?”     “Yeah,” Jouten responded.     “You remember how he helped me escape...?” Saying his name was still painful. She hardly choked out her sentence.     Jouten looked at her tenderly. He listened closely instead of answering her rhetorical question. He remembered everything.     “He sent me a message last night. He's in trouble. He needs my help,” Misuteri frowned. She still withheld vital information. She didn't want to admit what she inferred from Lok's subtext. She needed to stay focused. Thinking about it made her emotional.     “Then we'll leave first thing in the morning!” Jouten declared. He smiled down at her.     His love was almost painful. Misuteri shook her head. “I don't think that's a good idea. He sounded lost. I don't know how he'd react if you showed up. I don't want to push him farther over the edge just in case he is...ya know, suicidal.”     Jouten was rapidly understanding what Misuteri was really so worried about. He knew there was only one way to put her mind at ease. His job as her husband was never easy. He often had to go against his better judgment in order to make her happy. He squared his shoulders and faced her. His expression was serious. He had prepared for this. He knew what she wanted, what she needed from him. “Then first thing in the morning, you'll go,” his words were unarguable.     Misuteri looked up at Jouten in disbelief. He knew what she was asking without her saying the words and he so willfully fulfilled her wish. She was speechless in her gratitude. Jouten pulled her in close.     Misuteri almost resisted his affection. Then she felt herself on the verge of tears. He compelled her to feel her truest emotions so intensely, that she could rarely control them whenever he was around. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest and her words were choked off in her throat. She resisted the urge to sob in relief rather than fight her true love.     Jouten's strong arms pressed into her bare flesh roughly. The weaker she fell into his arms , the harder he wanted to press her into him. His embrace always held her together in moments of concern. Although he could smother her with his love if she let him, little malice ever lingered in his affection. He always wanted what was best for her. She was everything to him.     “You know I love you, right?” Jouten asked sweetly.     Misuteri still could not muster words. She simply nodded vehemently against him.     A moment passed and Misuteri successfully distanced herself from her emotions. She pressed her hands against Jouten's bare chest and looked up at him. “Thank you...for loving me so much,” her voice was meek and it almost cracked.     Jouten held her harder still. Misuteri resigned herself to her fate. She let him bruise her shoulders and slowly suffocate her. He was quite the constrictor. If given the opportunity, he would try to make them one person by sheer physical might alone. Misuteri knew if he could turn his feelings for her into his actual measure of strength, that he would break the physics of earth. No single man should be that powerful; even a good man. ===============================================================================  Jouten and Misuteri sat closely in the back of their large sedan. An immaculately dressed, young man sat at the wheel in front of them. He watched the planes land and take off as the couple conversed. “I will call if I need anything. I swear,” Misuteri was trying to assure herself everything was okay more than Jouten. “I know,” he replied. He could not hide his melancholy. “I miss you already,” Jouten whispered to his wife. He squeezed her hand in his. The edges of their wedding rings cut into the sensitive flesh between her fingers. It was a sensation she would miss. “I miss you too but you don't have to worry. If I am in any danger, I will call for you,” Misuteri looked up at him lovingly. “If you are in danger, I will already know,” Jouten's expression was serious. Realistically, there was little that could do to real harm Misuteri. Her life wasn't in danger unless she happened upon a Shadow Elite. She had access to Jouten's limitless strength through their bond and blood. He had made sure she had every protection charm on her known to man. Every weapon she needed was safely packed away in her bag.  Only something, someone truly terrible could harm her. Both knew such a thing did not exist in their realm of reality. More often than not, it was emotional wounds they had to defend themselves against. “Alright...” Misuteri murmured. “The sooner I go, the sooner I can come back,” she looked up at Jouten with longing in her eyes. Without a word, Jouten tightened his embrace. He held her as if it were the last time he would ever hold her for that was always his deepest fear. Misuteri squirmed in his arms. She returned his affection but could not withstand his compulsion for long. She dug her fingers into his back. “I love you,” Misuteri whispered with all the breath she could muster. A moment passed and Jouten did not reply. Misuteri began clawing at his shoulders. “I can't breath!” Jouten let go remorsefully. “I'm sorry,” he still held her hand tightly. “I don't want to have to go. I wish you could come with me,” Misuteri assured him. “Then let me. You know I can stop him before he can hurt himself,” Jouten argued. “What if the second we land, you set off some magical alarm and he takes preemptive measures?” Misuteri argued the worst case scenario. "Then it'll be really impossible for me to get close to him." “How do you know he'd do something like that?” Jouten was sincerely perplexed. “How do we know he won't?”  Misuteri was becoming aggravated. Jouten was too, she could see it in the way his jaw tensed up and he grit his teeth; but she knew how irrational and unstable a person could get when they thought there was only one way out. She couldn't let that happen. The young man in the front seat was growing uncomfortable. He shifted and gripped the steering wheel more tightly than before. Jouten shut his eyes slowly and exhaled. He took long, deliberate breaths. “Fine...just...stay in touch.” He reined in his passion. “I'm sorry.” “I already said I don't like being away from you either. But seriously, I really should get going.” Misuteri grit her teeth and frowned. Jouten leaned forward and kissed her forcefully. He held her to him by the back of her head with his fingers wrapped in her hair. He pulled back just far enough to see her eyes look back at him in surprise. “You are mine. I expect you to return to me with haste,” his icy blue eyes pierced her defenses. Misuteri melted in his touch. A fire suddenly burned between her legs. She kissed him with an equal amount of passion. Her small mouth widened to accommodate an extra tongue. All of her fear and anxiety fell away from her as she pressed her chest against him. She pulled at the short hairs on the back of Jouten's head as she kissed him. Jouten clawed at her as he absorbed every second of her affection. He could hardly hold himself back. He desired to tear her clothes off and take her right there. He resisted as Misuteri expressed her love. A long moment passed as they expressed their carnal attraction to one another. Then, Misuteri snapped back into reality. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the young man's face in the rear view mirror. She broke their kiss and pulled back from Jouten's embrace. She tilted her head and darted her eyes towards the driver. “He'll get out, if we're gonna....ya know,” Jouten smiled at her devilishly. Misuteri closed her eyes and shook her head. “We really shouldn't...” Misuteri frowned. “But as soon as I get back...I'm all yours. No excuses. I promise,” she looked up at him. Her eyes were big and sincere. She meant every word. Jouten lifted his eyebrow. “Anything I want? All night?” He tilted his head as he awaited her answer. That was a tall order. Misuteri averted her eyes. She both smiled and frowned. “I....” She hesitated. She knew what sort of things his idle mind might think of. He would take full advantage of his time with her. She might enjoy some of it; even most of it but he would experience a rare delight. She sighed. It's the least I could do. He's making quite the sacrifice for me right now. Rarely did Misuteri think so rationally. More often than not her thoughts were equal parts  rationality and irrationality. She looked up at him with a smile and a nod. “Yes. Anything.” Anything implied anything within her hard limits. Jouten was often quite the gentleman. He was happy to oblige. “Then you best hurry back,” Jouten continued to charm her. The young driver sighed in relief. Misuteri kissed Jouten. “Of course,” she hugged him tightly. “I love you.” “I love you, too,” he replied. Misuteri held her head down as she slipped from his embrace. She grabbed her backpack  at their feet. She carefully swung it over her shoulder. She could not look at him as she exited the car. She missed him already. She shut the door softly. The window rolled down. Jouten leaned towards her. Misuteri looked down at his handsome face and kissed him once more. “I'll text you when I land,” she kissed him again. The young couple was rarely apart for more than a span of several hours. They could not bare to part for more than that before their wedding day. Now they resisted tears. They showered each other with loving pecks and sweet assurances. Misuteri stepped slowly away from the car. Her movements were cold and harsh. It was the only way she could stand to leave him. She found herself growing annoyed with how difficult it was to leave her true love's side. Deep down, a part of her desired to be less dependent on him.  She closed her eyes and turned. She hardened her heart and her resolve. I have to help Lok. Simple as that. Misuteri stomped up the stairs of the small, private plane. She ignored the attendant. She did not turn to Jouten. She found her seat next to a window and buckled herself in. “Would you like to take off?” The middle aged woman asked her. Misuteri nodded. She did not look at the woman. She watched her tell the pilot and take her own seat. She pulled out her cell phone and shut it off. A moment later, the engines roared and the plane came to life. Now, she let herself look out the window. She stared down at the black, luxury sedan parked closely. There was still time to turn back. She could still tell them to stop and go get Jouten. She dug her fingers into the leather of the seat. She tightened her seat belt. She closed her eyes so tightly it hurt. She did everything she possibly could to resist her instincts. She wanted so badly to be close to Jouten. She fought the foreboding in her stomach. She lied to herself and blamed her nerves. It was more than that. Whenever she felt this way, it always was. Then she felt her stomach rise. The plane was lifting into the air. It's too late. I'm on my own. I have to do this on my own now. Now, the true reason for Misuteri's distress became clear. Without Jouten, her insecurities and doubts ran rampant in her mind. Whenever he was away, she remembered how much she needed him. He was her anchor. As much as he was her best friend and lover, he was her protector and guide. Misuteri's anxieties made her feel nauseous. She tried to breath through it. It's Lok. He's gonna be okay. I can do this.   Chapter End Notes Things that I plan on changing: the description of Loki and Misuteri's past. The Trickster Trilogy will take place only in Katharsi, not Ordinaria. Thank you soo much for finishing this first chapter. I really love my OCs, every one of them is really special to me for one really awesome reason or another. But I absolutely love how Loki turns their world upside down! (Even if it means ripping Misuteri away from the people that care about her most.) ***** The Capture ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri shouldn't have taken the time to take in the sights when she was supposed to be helping Loki. Chapter Notes See the end of the chapter for notes When the black car faded from her sight, Misuteri quickly felt better. The tether Jouten had on her fell slack whenever he was out of sight. Misuteri could breathe more easily now. She was even able to relax. Jouten and Misuteri had magically searched for Loki's location, as he knew they could. He was on a remote island in the middle of the ocean. This is going to be a long flight. I should probably take a nap. Misuteri stood up and pulled a blanket and pillow out of the overhead compartment. She flicked the light off and shut her window. The attendant noticed her actions and dimmed the lights. Misuteri leaned back in her comfortable leather seat. It's strange. This is the first time I've flown without Jouten. I thought I'd be less okay with it. Misuteri kicked off her pink and black sneakers. She pulled the fleece blanket over her shoulder. She tucked the pillow in under her neck and curled into a ball. Her blond hair flowed out behind her. Her eyelids grow heavy. It was not long before she slipped into sleep. =============================================================================== Loki had been standing over her for quite some time. He stood in his leather coat with his cherished weapon in hand. Most of her body was covered. All but her tiny feet and head lay exposed. She used the blanket as a shield from the outside world. Beneath it, she was safe, for now. His eyes moved over the smooth, round curve of her face. He paused his gaze on her small, light pink lips. He could almost feel them upon his skin. Her long, black eyelashes, covered in mascara drew his eye away. Her long, voluminous golden locks enchanted him. He gripped his scepter tightly in his right hand. He clenched his jaw. The fine muscles pulsated beneath his skin. His eyes glowed with his intent. His power filled the room with a green mist. He resisted the urge to reach out and touch her. He had to be patient. His plan had already been set in motion. Loki was finally able let out a relaxed sigh. He closed his eyes and smiled. “I will enjoy making you mine, darling,” Loki spoke as if she could hear him. The mist thickened around Misuteri's throat as Loki's words reached her ears. She began to squirm and gasp for air. Suddenly, the plane shook. The mist dispersed. He looked upward. His eyes focused as if he could see passed the metal walls of the aircraft. Then, he vanished. =============================================================================== The attendant slowly lit the room back up. The light roused Misuteri. “Miss, we will be landing soon. Will you sit up and fasten your seat belt?” Her voice was calm and kind. Misuteri nodded. Her throat felt tight and dry. “Yeah. Can I have a bottle of soda before we decline?” “Of course,” the attendant smiled at her. Misuteri yanked her blanket off. She felt hot as she fully regained consciousness. She sat up and her seat returned to its normal position. She reached down and slipped her tennis shoes back on. She stretched her neck and shoulders. As the attendant returned, she took the bottle from her and gulped it down. She quickly capped it and fastened her seat belt. Several minutes later, the plane hand landed. Misuteri swung her backpack over her shoulder and thanked the attendant. When she looked outside, she was pleasantly surprised. She had been imagining a barren wasteland. This island was far from it. Wow. This is...beautiful. She stepped off the plane onto a small, black sand beach surrounded by trees. The sun was high and warm. In the distance, she could see several buildings. One in particular stood out against the rest. It was by far the tallest building she had ever seen. It looked especially out of place. It was dark and foreboding while the other buildings appeared to be normal. Misuteri marched towards the city inland. She nearly reached the trees when she heard the small plane turn and take off. She turned to watch. It quickly ascended and she was left alone with the ocean horizon. She smiled at it. She put her hands in her pockets and felt her phone. I should take a picture and tell Jouten I've arrived. I miss him so much already. Misuteri pulled her phone out of pocket and pressed the power button. It took a moment for it to fully start. When it did, she hastily dismissed her notifications, email alerts and text messages. She really just wanted to take the picture and get on with her mission. A moment later, her camera began working. The forward facing camera image appeared first. She looked down at an image of her face. The sunlight warmed her skin. Her hair shined and her blue eyes glittered. She could not resist. She began snapping photos of herself from all different angles. She giggled in satisfaction with her beauty. Okay. Just one more. Her smile grew. She angled the camera high above her. She blinked for a long second before staring up into the eye of the lens. Her wide eye grin quickly melted into concern as she saw movement in the image. Two masked figures appeared behind her. Dressed in all black, these men ambushed her. Misuteri did not see them in time. She dropped her phone. In her surprise, she activated the recording function. It sat in the sand, staring up at her as a passive witness.  One man grabbed both of her arms and held them tightly behind her back. Then, almost instantaneously, the other covered her head with a thick cloth bag. He drew the draw string tight around her throat. Misuteri struggled. She kicked forward and backwards first. Then, she twisted at the hips and shoulders. She felt her bag slip off of her shoulder. She held onto it tightly. “We're to bring you in alive. Not unharmed,” the man behind her shook her. Misuteri got the hint. She would be safe if she cooperated. Once she stood still, the men bound her hands behind her back with zip tie cuffs. She felt suffocated beneath the bag. She was never comfortable with her head covered. Her senses went into overdrive. She watched a shadowy figure appear in front of her. An uncomfortable, silent moment passed. I'm an idiot. I shouldn't've let my guard down. She kept her cool with little effort. She was nervous and had no idea what was about to happen but she was prepared. They had yet to search her for weapons and they had not taken her backpack. She felt confident that she would be able to escape when the opportunity arose. Loki bent down at picked up Misuteri's cell phone. He did so carefully, as if not to damage it. He dusted off the sand and looked directly into the camera. His devious gaze reflected back at him on the screen. He clicked the end button. He texted Jouten as if he were Misuteri. He returned his sweet nothings and assured him of her safety. He knew how Misuteri spoke via text. His thumb danced over the touch screen with speed and grace. When he was finished, he dropped the device into his pocket and waved the men away. Each man grabbed Misuteri by the shoulder. They dragged her backwards. Simultaneously, they lifted the trunk door of a modestly sized SUV. They pushed Misuteri into it. They were less than gentle. Misuteri scooted inward until she could rest against the back of the back seat. She felt the vehicle move as one of the men sat opposite her in the trunk. “Don't try anything stupid,” the second man spoke. His voice seemed nervous and cagey. Misuteri nodded her head vehemently. She dare not speak and reveal her calm. The first man slammed the trunk door and circled around to the driver's seat. He hastily started the engine and sped off. Misuteri listened intently in case one of her captors revealed something – anything – that would help her understand her predicament. They were eerily quiet for the entire ride. Misuteri tried to create a plan B but the SUV halted. She heard the window roll down. Then, it went back up and they began moving again. Soon, they were parked. We must be here...wherever 'here' is. The back door of the SUV opened again. She heard the man in the back with her exit. She paused for a second, unsure what to do, and then began moving towards the door. Each one of the men grabbed her by the elbow and helped her find her feet. “Thanks,” she uttered her gratitude lowly. “The girl has manners!” The driver mocked her. Misuteri glared at him from beneath the cloth bag. She was grateful it hid her disdain. She thought him a lackey but he could be the one pulling the strings. Misuteri had no idea. She practiced caution though her pride could easily cause her trouble. Her captors' grip was tight. They rushed her across a hard surface and up several stone steps. Soon, they were inside a building. Misuteri could tell as the temperature and humidity changed noticeably. The pair of men continued to usher her across a large room until they came to an elevator. Misuteri tried to accommodate their speed but the faster she walked, the harder they pulled her along.  When they finally stopped in the elevator, Misuteri thought the worst. Then she felt the lift jerk and begin to descend. It startled her and she fell against one of the men. She felt a handgun on his hip. Her nerves got the best of her. She had been shot at far too many times for her liking. She did not want to experience it again. She stood straighter and widened her feet to keep her balance. After a long quiet moment, she felt the men lurch forward towards the doors. She tried to move gracefully with them but their long strides and quick pace made such a task difficult. Then, they stopped again. One of the  men let go of her and the other moved her to the side. Misuteri saw a large shadow before her. The man behind her cut her plastic binds and then shoved her violently forward. Misuteri stumbled and fell. She was able to catch herself. She was more stunned than hurt. They quickly shut the door behind her. Misuteri heard several locks clicking before they walked away. Misuteri yanked at her hood. She pulled the string loose and tossed it aside. Her eyes did not adjust quickly. Misuteri pulled her bag around in front of her. She knelt on a cobblestone floor. She ran her fingers through her hair. She breathed deeply as she took in her surroundings. The first thing she noticed was a full sized bed against one wall. It had four tall posts and a big headboard. It looked old and rickety. There was a singular, wooden nightstand next to it. The bedspread looked rough and uncomfortable. There was just a dark, wool blanket over top a set of dingy white sheets. There were several gas powered lights upon the walls. Misuteri scanned for a switch but she found none. In one corner, there was a single wooden chair and desk. They looked aged as the bed and nightstand were. Misuteri stood up. She moved passed the bed to find a semi-hidden nook. There was a steel toilet and sink combo with a tiny mirror above it on one wall. It perplexed Misuteri to see such a modern object in an otherwise mid-evil themed cell. She turned to find a narrow, stand-up shower. There was no shower curtain. Misuteri felt the chill of a cold shower on her skin. She trotted out of the tiny bathroom. I hope I'm not here long enough to need to use those. Misuteri's confidence in her ability to protect and provide for herself  was still strong. She often used her magical tricks to make her everyday life easier; and whenever she found herself to be in trouble, her supernatural talents aided her every time. Misuteri grabbed her backpack off of the floor and took it to the bed with her. She sat up against the headboard with the pillows cushioning her back. She rapidly combed through her bag to make sure everything was still there. It was. She zipped it up and set it aside. =============================================================================== Several hours passed. Misuteri grew restless and paranoid in the dim silence of her prison. She did whatever she could to keep herself occupied. She stared at the walls. Her eyes zigzagged across the stone blocks that  made of the walls around her. She glared at the dried mud between the cracks. Then she heard voices outside her door. She pulled her legs under her and turned towards the door. Her paranoia came true. The door swung open and someone fell into the room. He was shirtless and dirty. He had bruises and dried blood all over his hands and back. He could hardly stand. Misuteri felt instantaneous compassion for the poor, helpless victim crouching before her. She quickly noticed he was male. She went to him. She lifted him by the shoulders and let him fall against her. She swept his long, dark hair out of his face but he hid it from her. She was overcome by her emotions. Her compassion was rapidly devolving into anger. Who are these people? Who would do this? A moment passed and Misuteri just held the scared, shivering man. She gently rocked him and stroked his skin. She eyed her touch so she would avoid his wounds. “Shh, shh, shh,” she soothed him. “It's okay. Everything's going to be okay,” she whispered sweetly to him. Hearing her voice seemed cause a change in his behavior. The weak man slowly lifted his head. Misuteri's eyes went wide as she recognized his face. “Loki!?” She exclaimed. Chapter End Notes Oh no!? A disheveled Loki? Blasphemy! Thanks for reading! Comments and feedback are always welcome. ***** The Pain ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri finds out just what sort of mess she's stumbled into. As she struggles with her own past, she tries to comfort Loki. Chapter Notes I know this story is very different from the original Mystery & Mischief and I apologize for that. However, I do think this is a much more realistic story that allows me to do my characters justice. I hope you're liking it. I will not be writing Enigma & Chaos until I finish this rewrite (sorry again). See the end of the chapter for more notes “Oh, no. No, no, no!” Loki cried out as his eyes fell upon Misuteri's face. “Shh, it's okay.” She tried to calm him. Loki burst to his feet. He threw his arms up and pushed her away. “No. This cannot be. This is another one of their tricks. You are not here!” Oh lord. What did they do to you? She was hurt. Loki would not let her near him. “Please...Loki...it's okay. It's me.” She continued to try to comfort him. Her efforts yielded little results. Misuteri huffed in frustration. She stood up and went to the bed. She haphazardly dug through her backpack. She retrieved the item she was searching for. She went to Loki again and held out her palm face up. “If I wasn't the real me, then how would I have this?” She asked anxiously. Come on. If this doesn't work, I don't know what will. Loki's eyes drifted downward from her face to her hand. A small, flat piece of black metal lay in her hand. It looked unassuming enough. It appeared to be a tiny piece of scrap metal. It was no larger than a thumb drive. His eyes widened. “You still have it?” He was extremely surprised. His face softened. He took the object in his hand and it changed shape. It took the form of a small knife. Misuteri nodded approvingly. “Of course,” she replied pleasantly. She knew it would bring him around. She had given him the object that he had given her when she belonged to her ex. Without it, she would not have been able to escape. Kouken gave her the courage to run. Kissui inspired her; Kizu supported her. Jouten gave her the strength. But it was Loki's gift that made her escape possible. That tiny transformable relic was every tool, every weapon she needed it to be without using her magic. “This is amazing. This is perfect.” The color came back to Loki's face. His eyes no longer looked hallow and dark. Loki spun the knife around between his thumb and index finger. He relaxed on the floor with his back against the bed. Misuteri sat on the floor beside him. “You don't have to worry. We'll escape soon. And then when you're safe, I'll come back and we'll take care of the people that hurt you.” Loki shook his head violently back and forth. “No. The second we escape this room, they will be upon us in hordes.” “I'm sure we've both taken on tougher opponents,” Misuteri was naturally dismissive of Loki's fear. “No. You do not understand. I tried to escape once. I fought off numerous drones with ease...but when he appeared,” Loki paused. He turned away from Misuteri in shame. “He knew precisely what I would do before I did it. He knew everything. Misu...I am so sorry. He knew you were coming because of me.” Misuteri was beyond vexed. “Alright...That's it. I'm done.”  Misuteri stood up in a rush, not out of disbelief but out of caution. She had learned when it was best to call in reinforcements. She no longer ran off half cocked. She reached into her bag again. She pulled out a bag of pre-moistened facial clothes and handed them to Loki. “First off, I can't stand to see you like that. Clean yourself up,” She realized the harshness in her voice. “Please,” she added calmly. She knew it was not his fault that they were in this unpleasant predicament. Oh, but it was. It was his fault. Everything was his fault. Nevertheless, Loki took the plastic bag from her. He also took the brush as she held it out to him a second later. He proceeded to clean himself up at her request. He used two wipes to get his neck and upper chest clean as well. Once his face and chest clean, he gingerly brushed his hair. In mere seconds, its silky texture emerged. Misuteri smiled as she saw his perfect, porcelain skin come back to life.  He was quickly looking like his old self. Misuteri continued to rifle through her bag. She pulled out a narrow tablet laptop. She flipped it open and turned it on. She sat on the bed with the device on her lap. She was nothing, if not prepared for such a trap. Loki did not notice her device until she was already verifying her connection to the internet. The computer struggled to pick up the satellite signal through the thick walls. How far down are we? Misuteri was finally able to get a connection. It was faint and slow. It's better than nothing. Suddenly, Loki stood up and knocked the tablet onto the floor. Misuteri was unable to hold her temper back. “Why in the hell did you do that?!” She shouted at him. She scrambled to pick up her only lifeline to the outside world. “You have to stop. That is how they caught me. That is how they knew you were coming!” Loki appeared to be in physical distress. “I don't care, Loki. I have to tell Jouten. He and Kuro and everyone else won't let anything bad happen to us. Jouten has to be stronger than whoever in hell has scared you to death.” Misuteri started to calm down. “Besides, he's probably worried because I haven't checked in with him yet. If I don't tell him what's going on, he'll come anyway. It's just a matter of time.” “You must stop him. That man...he assured me if anyone else tried to rescue me that he would kill you. I cannot live with your blood on my hands,” Loki moved closely to Misuteri. He pushed the laptop aside and directed her full attention on him. “We have to deceive them on our own.” “Loki...you're not listening to me. If I don't tell him I'm okay, he's going to storm this island and rain fire down on anyone that tries to stop him.” Misuteri paused. “I don't care about anything you've kept from me. I don't care who you're messed up with. I'm not afraid of them. Or him. I've been through worse. I know how to survive.” She tore her attention away from him and tried to grab the computer. Loki grabbed her by her shoulders. “I am wholly confident that you will survive this. It is not your survival I am concerned about.” “Then what are you so worried about?” Misuteri groaned. “You...I am worried about you,” Loki emphasized that he was not referencing her safety. “What are you talking about?” Misuteri shook her head. She tried not to roll her eyes. She had never respected him for his courage. Now, she saw a coward instead of her friend. “I know how you change...in situations like these. This man...he is far worse than...” He refrained from saying Misuteri's ex's name. “You must trust me.” It was nearly impossible for Misuteri to imagine a man worse than him. She threw up her walls. Her defense mechanisms made it impossible for Misuteri to heed Loki's warning.     She shook her head. “No. I'm sorry. I know what you've been through must've been terrible but even though I've told you...everything you can't imagine what it was like. You couldn't know if it was worse.” She was completely serious. She believed every word she said to him. “He has made me watch him...he has made me...I have done things...Things I never imagined I could do...and he will do the same to you...if you try to stop him...” Loki tucked his head to his chin as he spoke. He shook in fear. He held crossed over his chest. Misuteri stood up with anger pumping through her veins. His presumption to know what it was like for her made her extremely angry. She wanted to hit him. Unless he...unless he tricked you into loving him...and then made you hurt people...hurt yourself because it was the only way to stay in his favor...then you have no idea how it felt to be me. Misuteri had compromised everything she was for him; just to make him happy. She allowed him to hurt her, to rape her, to demean her in almost every way possible because she thought she had to. She was trapped by more than the bondage that held her. He held her core in his hand. He promised her glory but all he succeeded in doing was tarnishing her. Misuteri still fought the demons he had planted in her. She still struggled to regain her shine and innocence. All of her emotions flooded her brain. Misuteri was incapable of coherent thought. Like a ghost of herself, she moved in front of him and took Loki by the shoulders. Her eyes were hallow like his.  She saw his pain and his weakness. She wanted to fight him as she wanted to fight herself. Her instincts told her to push him harder. He was already broken. She resisted the urge to break him further. She struggled to hold onto her compassion. It was hard. Tearing him down would be the most efficient approach. If she were the one calling the shots, he would resist her less. She could save him faster. The direct path was more than insensitive. It was sadistic. She gritted her teeth and and forced herself to embrace him. She pressed him into her as if she could protect him that way. She held him as she wished to be held. She broke herself down instead of him. She let her defenses fall and she softened. Her sorrow and guilt overcame her. “I'm sorry, Loke,” Misuteri whispered tenderly to him. “We'll do this your way.” She rocked with him for a moment until he stopped. He has to save himself. It's the only way he'll really make it out of here. The truth of the matter was the hardest thing for Misuteri to accept. She was never good at simply accepting things the way they were. She always fought them, as she fought herself, good and bad. It was the one thing she could do, as a friend. He looked up at her in disbelief. “The next time they take me...that will be your chance. They will not keep us together for long. The only reason you are here is because I...” Loki turned his face away from her again shamefully. “What is it? What did you do?” Misuteri's voice implied that he could not have done anything too terrible. “I...I behaved...He said as long as I obeyed him he would not harm you,” Loki almost could not bring himself to admit what he had done, even in broad terms. The most likely source of his reluctance was all too clear to Misuteri. Was this...am I supposed to be some sort of reward? Misuteri was overcome by an eerie sense of familiarity. She tried not express her horror and denial. Maybe he can imagine what it was like... Misuteri often found it difficult to use the most direct terms to describe her past relationship. Her ex was more than just her boyfriend. He had been her master and she had been his slave. Their relationship started off consensual but the more power Misuteri gave him, the darker his desire grew. Misuteri quickly lost all input in their relationship. She became a source of power, a weapon for him to manipulate. Misuteri was often too consumed by this or that to ponder the true nature of their relationship. It had become normal to her. It was only her desire to protect Kissui that broke the cycle. Now she had to protect Loki. She was not the object of this sadist's attention. She held no power with her behavior. He did. Misuteri did not know what to do in her position. It was an entire different reality. She had to follow his lead. She had to be his pillar of strength and his guiding light. “I'm here for you. Just you. Remember that. I'll do anything you need. You just have to  know that we can get out of here. Both of us,” Misuteri needed to get the idea of splitting up out of his head. Loki ignored her. “When they come for me,” he grabbed the tiny knife off of the bed. “Use this to pry the lock. Then run to your left. The third door down is where they keep the weapons and armor. Disguise yourself as one of the guards and...get out of here,” he enunciated each of the last words with desperation. He put the knife in her hand. It returned to its plain shape. He closed her fist around it and held it tight. “Please...listen to me.” Misuteri's lips pressed firmly in a frown. She held his hand and nodded. I don't want to. I can't leave him. But if I don't...he'll never regain hope. If he helps me...then...then he has a chance. Loki let go of Misuteri. He slid across the bed and looked upward at the ceiling. He seemed to slip away into his own world with his small victory. Misuteri shoved the piece of metal in her pocket. Then she picked up her computer and shut it off. She set it back into her bag. She organized it a little bit and then hid it under the bed by the nightstand. She turned to Loki and realized he had fallen asleep. What am I supposed to do now? Jouten's going to kill me. Whoever this guy is...he has to be stopped. Even if it is too late for Loki...he can't be allowed to hurt anyone else. Chapter End Notes Oh and...uh, just in case you thought I forgot about the erotica part of literotica, fear not. In the next chapter, Misuteri walks into another trap. ***** The Reveal (Plot=Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri successfully escapes the room after Loki is taken. But when she ventures to the armory to complete her escape, she falls into Loki's dark grasp. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape are never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. This chapter has undergone some significant changes. Loki's non- consensual advance on Misuteri has been expanded, mostly. Triggers: Non-con elements, molestation, choking, forced orgasm. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri and Loki sat side by side on the bed. Misuteri had taken her sneakers off and tucked her feet under the blankets. Loki was still unconscious. He looked dirty and exhausted. Misuteri combed her fingers through his matted bangs and smoothed his hair out of his face. She didn't dare disturb him with her questions. She only wanted to look after him. Misuteri wrapped her arm around him and pulled him close. She tried to keep him warm and comfort him. She let her smoky pink magic fill the room to keep him asleep. He needed his rest. She had nearly dozed off, too, when the someone twisted the locks on the wooden door. Oh, shit!  Loki jumped, suddenly alert, as he heard the final lock turn over. Misuteri's nerves had gotten the best of her; her magic had been dispelled by her surprise. “Stay back. They will hurt you if you resist,” he in a low, protective tone. He held his arm out to guard her. A large figure in a black uniform and what looked like a motorcycle helmet stood in the doorway as the door fell open. He held a large semi-automatic gun in both his hands. The guards' presence seemed to initiate some sort of behavioral ritual. Loki dropped his arm and stood up. He took a slow step towards the door. His back was hunched and his gaze was low. He looked barely larger than Misuteri as he shuffled his bare feet across the rough stone floor. He did not eagerly approach them but he did not resist. No. Don't go. We have to fight. Misuteri balled her fists in the blanket. She wanted to reach out and stop him. It was painful for her to watch him go. The way he moved, his posture, she knew what that meant. He had submitted to his fate. She turned her head but she could not avert her eyes. She watched another figure reach out and snatch Loki  by the neck. The guard pushed him in front of him. The other shut and locked the door. When Loki was out of sight, Misuteri's blood rushed to her head. She spun on the bed and slipped her shoes on. She grabbed her bag and pulled Loki's gift from her pocket. She knelt next to the door. She could see three locks. The piece of metal took the shape of a thin hook. She was able to slip it between the door and the door frame to begin jimmying the lock. On the other side of the door, Loki stood in his Asgardian attire. He waited to see if she heeded his warning. A quiet moment passed. Then Misuteri began orchestrating her escape. He watched the tiny piece of metal slide into the crack. He watched as she over shot her target and struggled to hook the lock. Once she did, he flicked his wrist and the lock opened. Misuteri smiled as she regained her confidence in her ability to pick a lock. She adjusted her position and aimed at the second lock. Yes. I'm awesome. Let's do this! This time Loki smiled to himself as he watched her hook the second lock with ease. He knew what was happening. As her confidence grew, she would grow more brazen. Her spirit and passion excited him more than any willing participant could. She would prove to become the perfect kindling for the fire he intended to ignite upon Midgard. Misuteri pulled hard on her tool. She pulled harder than she had on the previous lock. She stood up and adjusted her grip. She groaned and growled as her frustration grew. She contemplated putting her foot up on the door jam and pulling as hard as she could. What...the...hell? Loki flicked his wrist once more and the lock slid open. Misuteri fell back as the lock suddenly did not resist her might. Her bottom dropped on the stone floor with a low, painful thud. Ow... She whined and pouted. She successfully resisted the urge to cry out in frustration. She frowned and rubbed her bottom. She quickly stood up and brushed herself off. She refocused on her task, with her confidence renewed as she realized the second lock had been opened. She picked up her hook off of the ground and approached the third lock. It was level with her chest and the easiest to grab. Last but not least. Misuteri took a deep inhale. Loki could hear her. She braced herself and then pulled as hard as she could. She was determined not to struggle like she did the last time. Loki heard the metal hook scraping against the brass lock. It was a fairly unpleasant noise. He quickly allowed the lock to open. Misuteri stumbled backwards as her momentum was no longer met with resistance. She allowed the hook to revert back to its natural shape. She put it in her backpack and then swung it over her shoulder. She took a deep breath and turned the door knob. Loki dissipated into a fine, green mist as Misuteri opened the door. She didn't notice the tiny water drops in air. Well, a part of her noticed. It howled at her screamed to ignore Loki's warning. Instead, she ignored her instincts. She was too focused. She cautiously looked both ways. When she was satisfied her path was clear, she slowly closed the door behind her and darted to the left. The third door down. Change. Then run. She reiterated the plan to herself. She was slowly losing her confidence as the long, dimly lit hallway produced few doors as she jogged. She was light and springy on her toes. Her backpack made low, jingling noises with each bouncy step. She held the straps close to her shoulders. Her nerves stood on end as she turned each sharp corner. Despite the lack of guards on patrol, she feared she could be caught at any moment. She feared what that might mean for Loki. Finally, she came upon the third door on her left. Misuteri let out a sigh of relief as she approached it. She looked side to side before opening the door. She entered the dark room and shut the door behind her. She was more concerned about not being seen than she was about checking the room. Loki's tone had assured her it would be empty. Alright. Where's the light switch? She felt along the wall. The switch eluded her. She narrowed her eyes. Her blue irises glowed pink, allowing her vision quickly adjusted to the dark. She saw something come towards her. Sure that something was a someone – more specifically was the man Loki had warned her about – she opted to flee instead of fight. She turned on her heel and snatched the door knob. It would not turn. Suddenly, her backpack was being torn from her shoulders. She let go of the door and was force to move backwards with whatever force tore her from it. She struggled to look behind her. “Show yourself! Do you know how I am?! Are you the one that hurt Loki?!” She shouted, her voice quickly becoming her only weapon of protest. She tried to sense how powerful her company was but who ever it was didn't want her to know just who she was struggling against yet. The individual in the room with her snickered at her pitiful display of dominance. Misuteri could here a familiar, condescending tone in his laughter and that's all it took. Misuteri's nerves no longer made her nervous. They did quite the opposite. She felt herself begin to shift. She could feel her nails grow in length and strength. With each beat of her heart, her body grew hot. She balled her fists as she prepared to endure the pain. She would grow stronger; strong enough to defend herself. In the grip of her unknown assailant, Misuteri transformed. She took in long, deep breaths. Her body quickly broke down her human anatomy and her physiology changed. First, a hairless tail sprouted behind her. It tore through her thin, cotton leggings. It soon glowed and emerged with long, blond hair. Then the world went silent. Misuteri's human ears flattened against her skull and a pair of pointed wolf ears burst forth beneath her hair a top her head. They were covered in short, golden hair. Her hearing slowly returned to her. Her body consumed most of the fat stored around her waist to replenish her energy supply. Her magic surged through her spine and then throughout her body. Her veins pulsed with a dull pink light beneath her skin. Her fuchsia irises glowed brighter. They were met with a pair of crimson orbs as she tried to wipe around to face her attacker. They were the sole source of light in the room until she drained her energy drained to her palms. It burst forward out her hands. The bright white flash filled the small room before quickly vanishing. Misuteri twisted her shoulders once more to find her assailant was unaffected. Her defensive flash hadn't stunned him as it would have an ordinary Shadow Soldier. He pushed her forward and then spun her around. She moved backwards. She could feel him getting closer. After her second step, he grabbed her by both of the shoulders. His long figures ripped her backpack from her and threw her off balance. He moved so fast, she barely managed to keep her balance. Reluctantly, she let her backpack fell to the ground. Before she could react, she was thrown upon a table. She landed supine. She cried out as she fell upon the new growth on her tail bone. It sounded more like a howl as it vibrated passed her vocal cords. Her long tail lay flat against her leg for a moment. Then it twitched to life as the  pain slowly faded. She was slowly regaining her senses. She pressed her tail against the wood beneath her. She would not let it curl between her legs in fear.  She perked her ears forward and she grit her teeth in a snarl. She stayed still, waiting for the other person to make the next move. He did act, swiftly and silently. Thick, metal shackles clasped around her tiny wrists. As the metallic rings closed around her joints, she felt her powers weaken. Suddenly, she felt weak and helpless. She tried to call her energy to her hands again but it couldn't pass her enchanted bondage. The room was still dark but her senses had sharpened. She could see someone moving around her. His hands were locked behind his back. She could hear the sharp clicking of his boot on the hard ground.  Her new ears funneled the noise unlike her human ears. She could not only hear what direction he was coming from but how close he was. His movements were slow and calculated. It sounded as if he was still stalking her. Is this the creep Loki warned me about? Misuteri felt frightened and helpless; and that made her dangerous. Her self- preservation instincts were taking over. She teetered on the precipice of blind rage. It took every ounce of her willpower to pull herself back from the edge. She quietly tempered her fight or flight response and tried to think rationally. Being rational when she was terrified was nearly impossible. Misuteri waited for as long as she could. Whether it had been several minutes or, more likely, the succession of sixty consecutive seconds, it felt like an eternity. “What do you want?” Misuteri's voice was deep and angry. When there was no answer, she continued to try to antagonize him. “I demand you let me go,” she growled. She felt four long fingers curl in her hair. His fist tightened, painfully yanking her head to the side by the roots. Her cheek was pressed firmly against the wooden table. She shook her head in an attempt to make him release her. He stood directly behind her. He dipped low to her ear. “You are in no position to be making demands,” he purred. He carefully pronounced each word. The way he spoke left no room for misunderstanding. Misuteri started to tremble at the sound of his voice. Satisfied with her reaction, the man smoothed out her hair and stood straight. He returned his hands behind his back. His smooth, sophisticated tone told her everything she needed to know. He was incredibly powerful but for some reason, it also told her she didn't need to be scared. She quickly deduced the reason. Her wolf-girl form enable to hear the subtle hints that the man's voice gave her. It was as if she could see the way his lips formed the words. Her eyes widened. “Loki?!” Misuteri exclaimed. Her voice cracked in surprise. Her mood had instantaneously changed. She couldn't stop her tail from thumping against the wood beneath her. She sighed in relief and a small smile formed on her lips. She exuded optimism. The man stayed silent. He moved around the table to her feet. His figure moved over the streaks of light coming in around the door from the hallway. “Look, I know you're King of Pranks but come on, this is a little extravagant, don't ya think?” the pitch of her voice was high. Most of her frustration had faded into discontent. Still, he was silent. He simply watched as she jerked at the shackles. He listened as she tried to use her sharp tongue to escape. “Okay. Seriously. This is ridiculous. Unlock these..now,” she demanded once again. She pulled her limbs in as close to her torso as she could. She lifted herself up on her elbows and glared at the dark figure at her feet. The figure moved behind her in a flash. Misuteri felt the wind of his movement brush against her cheek. Then, something cold and heavy fell against her collarbone. It surely bruised the thin skin. “Ouch,” Misuteri tried to reach up and feel it. Her reach was not long enough. Then the collar pulled her against the table once more. She heard the man attach it to something beneath the table. “This should help you remember your place, dog,” the man replied, ignoring everything she had just said. He stood to the side and stared down at her. His blood quickened at the sight of her helplessness. Misuteri could no longer sit up. She let out a low growl from behind her clenched jaw. “I am no dog,” she replied with disdain. “My apologies,” his voice was caustic. “Of course you can understand my confusion. I was under the impression you were a domesticated pet.” Misuteri let out a laugh. It wasn't much of a secret that she liked to be topped but everyone that did know, respected her enough not to try to use such information to degrade her. “What my husband and I do behind closed doors is no one else's business besides ours.” She snapped back at him. “Hmm. You are mistaken, Misuteri,” the man stroked her hair. “You are very mistaken.” He held up his hand. Misuteri turned her face. She thought he was about to strike her. She shut her eyes tightly in anticipation. He flicked his wrist and the light came on. Misuteri heard the electricity surge into the light bulb above her. She relaxed her eyes and cracked them open. The light hurt at first but then, as they adjusted, she turned towards the man standing above her. “It is you!” She nearly shouted in surprise. She shook her bondage. “What is going on?” “I needed to see if you still trusted me,” he said casually. He spoke as if his words explained the entire situation. “Is this some sort of prank, Loki? Don't you think this has gone far enough?” Misuteri's panic was quickly returning. She had trusted him but he had given her little in terms of reassurance. Loki shook his head. He did not answer her questions directly. Misuteri's eyes went wide. She noticed his odd apparel and how he had changed. He was stronger and older. His hair was longer and curled out around his face. It was pushed back over the top of his head. Its perfect black color reflected the light back as pure white. Suddenly, she could no longer ignore her instincts in hopes of maintaining her optimism. Was there every another man? Who were those men that grabbed me? Why did he pretend to be hurt? Why did he need to know if I still trusted him? “What's going on?” she asked, revealing her nervousness. Misuteri swallowed hard. She swallowed all the questions she assumed he would not answer. Loki was still quiet. “Why did you need to know if I still trusted you?” asked, hoping he would answer. Not knowing was killing her. She held back fearful tears. She stared up at the ceiling, refusing to look at him. “Without trust, our entire dynamic falls apart. Besides, it was important that you proved yourself capable of following simple commands,” his voice sounded solemn and distant. Misuteri did not want to ask. She waited a second, hoping he would elaborate. He did not. “What dynamic? Why was that so important to you?” The annoyance was clear in Misuteri's voice. Loki looked her in the eye. His dark green irises glowed with his power. Then he changed his form. He now wore his golden armor and helmet with his scepter in hand. “Oh, yes, you have no idea who I really am,” he paused. He composed himself a little and looked down his nose at her. “I am Loki, God of Mischief and I will be the new King of all Nine Realms,” He stood tall over her. “And you are my first royal hostage, my vassal.” Misuteri's eyes widened a little as she watched him change but then her laughter burst from her lips. “Okay, okay. You got me.” She snickered. She closed her eyes and tried to stop herself. Unable to put her hand over her mouth, she had little success in doing so. “Royal hostage. Vassal? Pfft!” She continued to laugh through her scoffs of absurdity. Her tail flicked beneath her as she expressed her entertainment. What he said was unbelievable! “This is no laughing matter!” He shouted at her. “I am a king! I demand respect!” His voice turned deep and dark. Misuteri's laughter ceased. His anger was more than enough to snap her out of her disrespectful mindset. Her nerves started to make her tremble again. Wait a second...he's serious, isn't he? She cleared her throat. Her lips parted as she prepared to speak. Loki stopped her. “You can either live down here, in the dungeon, like a dog,” Loki dragged his hand up her leg. He stopped atop her upper thigh. “Or you can live in a suite, as my servant, while I finish my business on Midgard.” What happens after you've finished your business? Misuteri felt herself begin to nervously salivate. She closed her mouth. She swallowed hard. Neither option sounded preferable. “It all depends on how you behave,” Loki vibrated the last syllable seductively in her ear as his hand slid up her skirt. “Nononono!” she cried. Misuteri tried to pull her legs together. Her knees couldn't touch. She bucked her hips as Loki's cool fingers ventured beneath her panties.“S-stop!” Misuteri whimpered in disbelief. This was a nightmare! She jerked the shackles. She tried to reach down and stop his advance. Loki's fingertips glided passed the small tuft of hair above her sensitive pearl. He cupped her womanhood in his hand. His large hand encompassed the entirety of her entrance with ease. It quickly grew warm in his touch. “Please...Loki...” Misuteri felt tears well up on her waterlines. Loki turned his face to her. He dropped his scepter against the hard ground. The noise was sharp and loud enough to wound her sensitive ears. She cringed. Its only mercy was that it distracted her from his hand for a moment. “I am a king!” He drove his middle finger deep into her. “I am your king and you will regard me as such. If I have to remind you again, you will not enjoy this.” He hooked his finger into her upper wall. He pressed it roughly against her g-spot. Misuteri cried out. She tried to hold it in. He was scaring her. “I – I'm sorry,” she stuttered. “My k – king,” she forced the words passed her lips. They felt strange on her tongue. Jouten was her king. He was her everything. Which meant Loki was simultaneously violating everything she held dear. Loki banished his scepter. He used his free hand to stroke her hair. “Yes, I am your King,” he said gently, conditioning her with the sound of his voice. He started to gently work her dry folds. His dexterity was god-like. He moved his long fingers around her entrance and his thumb against her hyper sensitive slit with precision and expertise. In seconds, he had coaxed her pelvic muscles to relax. Misuteri's body was quick to betray her. Her desire pooled between her legs and leaked over his fingers. Loki was able to easily slip a second finger into her. “I am your new God, Misuteri. It is time you accept it as truth,” he purred impassively. Misuteri arched her back and gasped in surprise. It was then that she realized she was panting. She tried to passively resist his touch. Unable to stop him, she squeezed the ends of the table. She ventured far away in her mind but with each painfully gentle stroke, Loki pulled her back. She didn't want this. She couldn't want this but she couldn't help it. She was hot and weak with need. “Please...stop...” she whispered feebly. She meant it as a protest but she was sure it didn't sound like it. She wasn't sure she was capable of making such sounds at this point. He hastened within her. His thumb vibrated on her clit and a third finger filled her. She gasped and shuttered. Her inner walls clamped down on him. She tried to push him out. She tried to resist but it was useless. She couldn't stop him. She couldn't stop herself. “I am your Lord and Master, pet, and your new purpose is to serve me,” he whispered. She looked up at him, struggling to understand what he was saying. “Think of me, and only me...” his voice was a slow drawl, as if he was requesting her compliance. Loki smoothed his unoccupied hand up her chest. He wrapped his hand around her neck, tucking his thumb in the soft spot of her throat. He held her there, caressing her as she lay suspended in anticipation. He slowly, gently pressed his thumb against her windpipe. It was just enough to cut off her air. It wasn't a painful sensation. It made her eyes roll back as she submitted to him. "That is what I want..." he cooed. "Now, enjoy yourself." A few long moments later, some of which he had let her breath through, she began to weep. She felt bad for crying. The way he looked down at her was disarming. His eyes were so full of pity for her. Soon enough, his talented, knowing touch made her entire body tense against her will. She stared up at him with defiance until her orgasm sapped her energy. Her lids grew heavy and her eyes rolled backward once more. She twitched and bucked against his hand and the table. She grit her teeth and groaned in frustration. She was rapt and breathless as he withdrew his hand from her weak, helpless form. Loki gazed down at her with a satisfied smile. He flicked his wrist and a handkerchief appeared in his hand. He proceeded to clean his hand. “I have been waiting a very long time to do that...” Loki confessed as if he were confessing to his friend instead of his prisoner. He waved his hand towards her and the shackles and collar opened. Misuteri didn't have the strength to move right away. Her transformation made her weak. The sudden flood of relaxing hormones had counteracted any adrenaline left in her system. Her thoughts were swimming in a dull, aching need to be near him. Exhausted, Misuteri was more at his mercy now than ever. Loki let her lay there for a moment. He reveled in his victory. Then, as her eyes opened and peered lazily up at him, he held out his hand. I suppose this means he thinks I'm his... Slowly and hesitantly, Misuteri accepted his hand and moved with him as he helped her sit up. She swung her legs over the side of the table. Her tail moved effortlessly behind her. She shook her head in an attempt to get her wits about her. The blood was slowly returning her major functions. She let her weight pull her down onto her feet. She was still wobbly. Loki smiled down at her as she regained her balance. He placed one hand on the small of her back and held her hand out in front of her. He guided her to her feet and let her rest against him. What is he doing? Misuteri eyed him suspiciously. Her mental faculties had nearly fully returned. She allowed herself to appear as he wanted her to be. She faked a stumble as she took her first step forward. “Whoa, there,there, pet,” Loki laughed. “Baby steps,” he encouraged her. His tone mimicked his voice from before. Misuteri looked up at him. His height made her genuinely feel dizzy again. She fell against his hard armor. Loki changed his outfit. He cast away his armor and helmet for his leather exterior. Misuteri felt the fabric soften beneath her cheek. She looked back up at him. She forced a small smile upon her lips even though, deep down, she was filled with disgust. It was all the submission she could muster despite her sleepiness. “You should retire,” Loki asserted. Without another word, he scooped Misuteri up in his arms. She fell limp against him. Then, he vanished leaving only his green mist and Misuteri's backpack behind. Chapter End Notes *mischievous grin* What do you think of Loki now?! Nevertheless, thank you for reading. You're awesome. ***** The Confusion ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri is unhappy with her situation and Loki reminds her that she doesn't have a choice in the matter. Chapter Notes This chapter is heavily littered with Misuteri and Loki's typical D/ S power struggle. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri roused slowly. She rolled over beneath a plush comforter. She rubbed the top of her head and squinted her sleepy eyes. Sunlight beamed into the room. It was mid-morning. Where am I? Misuteri was not startled by her lack of wolf ears. It was normal for her to revert to her human form when she slept. It was less painful and more convenient that way. She groaned as she sat up. Her eyes lazily scanned the room. It was a normal sized room. There was enough open space for her to roam without feeling cramped. It was modest and clean. In a far corner, there was a plain door.  Not far from it were two siding doors. The walls were white and undecorated. Opposite the bed stood two wide, black bookcases. They were filled with books from floor to ceiling. On both sides of the bookcases, large windows that filled the room with indirect sunlight. To her right was a night stand with a small pitcher of water and glass. To her left sat a drawing desk. The top was angled up towards the chair. There was a thick pad of drawing paper on it. Her hoodie was tossed over the back of the chair and her sneakers sat side by side next to it. Misuteri threw back the blanket and sheet. “Gah. I have to pee,” she spoke to herself. Hearing her own voice filled the silence and made the new scenery less unsettling. She slid off the bed and walked towards the door in the corner of the room. It was a modest bathroom. It had all the essential fixings and utilities one would expect given its designated function. None of them were especially elegant or even new. The walls were a light blue. Everything else was white. She turned to the mirror. She ran her fingers through her hair and wet her face. She straightened out her shirt. Misuteri scoffed as she sat down to relieve herself. She saw the hole in her leggings from her tail. She peeled them off of her. The air was cold as she lost her second skin. She tossed them aside and looked around the room. She was unimpressed. Some king. Then her flow stopped almost mid-stream. Her memories came back to her. She remembered everything in an instant. Loki... Her thoughts were intense and hateful. She stood and pulled her panties up. She stared into the mirror. How dare he... Misuteri could not look herself in the eye. She felt ashamed. She grieved the loss of her friendship. Loki was no longer the man she thought he was. He was no longer her compassionate friend. She held the rim of the sink tight in her hands. She held back tears. Then, she forced herself to look at the mirror. I don't know what's happening... A wave of confusion and disorientation hit Misuteri. It multiplied the intensity of her pain. She longed for Jouten. She regretted having left him. Her heart ached in her chest. She was in physical pain with each passing moment. Each breath pressed her heart against her ribs and each beat of her heart knocked the air from her lungs. She could not will them to stop. An agonizing moment passed before Misuteri was able to tear herself away from the mirror. She flushed the toilet and washed her hands with haste. She wanted out of that tiny room. As she exited, she caught a clearer glimpse of herself in the mirror. She let the door fall open as she reversed her direction. Her eyes fixated on a dark strap around her neck. It was about an inch and a half thick with a wide strip of thin gold in the middle. It was engraved. Property of Loki? She read it. Her brows furrowed in dismay. Is this some type of joke? This all has to be some type of joke. She reached around beneath her hair to find it had no clasp. It was one piece of leather that had been transfixed to her throat with magic. Misuteri began to feel uneasy again. Her sorrow and guilt had ebbed and now her worry flowed. She left the bathroom and searched the room for her backpack. There were few places it could have been hidden in the modest room. She checked underneath the bed. Then she searched the closet. She pushed the sliding doors to either side to reveal an empty space. There were no hangers on the rod. The shelf above it was bare, too. He must have taken it. I mean...why wouldn't he? I showed him the laptop and the scrap metal. It wouldn't have been a stretch to say I had more in there. She returned to the bed disappointed. She slowly realized that he had out smarted her. Impulsively, she returned to the bathroom. She stared in the mirror, at the immovable collar around her neck. She glared at it until her anger and frustration burst from her lips. This is unacceptable. “Loki,” she said quietly. “Loki?!” her emotion was boiling to the surface. “Loki!” She shouted loudly, as if to cast her anger out with his name. She exhaled and closed her eyes. She felt a little better. “You have finally awoken,” Loki stood six feet from the bathroom door in his Asgardian armor. Misuteri turned to face him. Her face was the epitome of disbelief. She had summoned him. Loki took a step towards her. He smiled devilishly at her. “Stay away from me,” her voice trembled in fear. She held her hand up. “Oh, come on, you need not be so cruel,” Loki continued his advance. Cruel? I'm being cruel? She had a foreboding sense that she had not even begun to experience Loki's cruelty. She winced as he neared her. She lowered her hand and clasped it in the other. “Please...don't...” Misuteri pleaded with him. She backed into the wall behind her. Loki stopped at the edge of the door way. His boots still fully on the carpet of the bedroom. He held out his hand. From Misuteri's point of view, it was impossibly long. It seemed he could reach out and grab her without taking another step. She stared at his long, strong fingers. She remembered the way he touched her the night before. Her throat tightened and it was hard for her to breathe. “If you behave, you will have nothing to fear from me,” Loki tilted his chin down. His eyes locked on her. His stare made Misuteri shutter. The longer she met his gaze, the harder it was to think. She was soon grasping at the fray of her thoughts.  She suspected he was lying but even that was slowly slipping away. He was hypnotizing her. Misuteri took a step forward. She reached out and put her hand in his. With alarming speed and grace, Loki pulled her from the tiny room and against him. His free arm tightened around her waist as a snake would. He loomed over her in their proximity. Misuteri stared up at him blankly until he had her firmly within his grasp. She gasped in surprise. She tried to pull her hand from his but he squeezed her fingers too tightly for her to succeed in freeing them. “Ow,” she quickly stopped trying to pull her hand free. Loki looked down at her as one looks down at a new pet. She squirmed in his hold like a new born puppy. She tossed her head side to side and pulled her arm from him. He could not help but smile. Misuteri regained her human thought processes. She stopped trying to escape by force and took a different approach. She held his hand tenderly and looked up at him. She expressed her confusion and dismay but not her anger and frustration. She held it in and allowed it to ferment along side her violent desires. Loki softened his grip. He tenderly stroked the outside of her thumb. “That is better, is it not?” Loki's voice hinted at his condescending nature but he held his true emotions back. Misuteri lowered her head. She did not answer him right away. The longer she waited to reply, the more nervous she got. With his eyes bearing down on her, she felt the urge to appease him. She would do anything to make him stop. “I guess...” she answered reluctantly. She flittered her anxious gaze up and down from his expressionless face. She could not discern whether or not he was appeased. He was not. He was far from pleased with her. Loki cleared his throat. Misuteri looked up at him more directly. She attentively waited for him to speak. Loki saw her attitude change. It calmed his temper. He tried to be patient. A part of him was still her friend. He let go of her hand and watch as she curled it up to her chest. “You will change and accompany me upstairs. I desire your company,” Loki spoke directly in a matter-of-fact tone. He implied no disrespect. He simply asserted his authority. Misuteri was confused and whenever she was confused, she lost her cognitive prowess. He thought that he was in a position to give her orders. She did not think herself in a position to take such orders. “What about what I want?” Misuteri's tone was rebellious and disrespectful. “Misuteri...what did I say not five minutes ago?” Loki kindly warned her. Misuteri knew what he was alluding to. She ignored it. She ignored his warning. “I don't care what you just said 'not five minutes ago',” She mocked him. Loki closed his eyes slowly. He breathed deeply. And then turned his gaze back on her. “You should care,” his voice now trembled with his immense anger. Misuteri could feel it roll off of him in an avalanche upon her. The fewer words he spoke, the worse Misuteri felt. Still, she ignored her feelings. She pushed him. She pushed him as she always pushed her boundaries. “Well...I don't,” Misuteri crossed her arms and turned her head. If she could not see his anger, it was not there. She was lying to herself. Loki snatched the tip of her chin in his hand. He drove the knuckle of his index finger under the soft part of her jaw and pinched it against her chin with his thumb. He turned her face to his. Being held that way was more than painful. It was humiliating. She was stuck. She was stuck by such a simple tactic, it was embarrassing. She could not rip her chin from his grip. She dared not try. The sensation made her salivate. She could not swallow. The position of his large knuckle made it hard to breathe and yet, she took shorter, faster breaths. He choked her without touching her throat. He watched her eyes fill with terror as she stared up at him. His smile grew larger and his eyes turned dark. He let her stew in all her anxiety and worry. He let her own fearful emotions compound before he alleviated her distress. “I will not tolerate such apathy,” he scolded her. He loosened his grip on her chin. He still held her but he allowed her to swallow. Her breathing slowly returned to normal. Yet, she still listened intently. “However, I suspect it to be a facade,” he paused. “And a fragile one,” he talked down to her. Misuteri lowered her gaze. He was right. She could barely bring herself to admit it but she did so with the tiniest of nods. “I will not permit such affluent disrespect. I will not tolerate your tedious rebellion. You are in my care; and I do not allow those in my care to be so willful. If you choose not to control yourself, I will do it for you, do you understand?” Loki looked down at her with all the seriousness befitting a king. No...I really don't. “Yes?” Misuteri replied hesitantly. Loki sighed and released her. He purposefully lowered his arms to his sides. He knew she came from a different time than the one he fostered during the dark ages. He knew she was a commoner. She knew nothing of the world she was about to be thrown in to. These were things she could not be held responsible for. She did not know how to behave in the presence of a king. The circumstances still tried his patience. “I will grant you the privilege of a learning curve, if you try earnestly,” Loki looked down at her with a gentle gaze. Misuteri was still confused. She opened her mouth to speak. “Unless you intend to apologize for your behavior, I advise you to stay silent,” Loki's voice was firm and authoritarian. Misuteri closed her mouth. She suddenly felt the urge to apologize. “You will always look at me when I am speaking. You will listen closely to what I have to say. More often than not, I will inquire if you understand. You will not question me. When I ask you a question, you will answer with a simple yes or no, followed by an address of respect,” Loki instructed her. Misuteri did listen closely. She stared at his lips as he formed each and every word. She nearly got lost in the sharp curves of his face. Loki noticed how she gazed up at him. He paused just to watch her look at him. He could see the longing in her eyes. It was clear she was attracted to him. He resisted the urge to tease her about it. He had other matters to attend to. “Would you care to join me this afternoon?” His voice was soft and almost sweet. Misuteri nodded at first. “Yes, sir,” she used the only frame of reference she had. She made it all the more clear to Loki that she was far from ready to serve him at court. He would have to work quickly. His learning curve might not be as gentle as he promised, even if she complied willingly. He closed his eyes and put his hand on her shoulder. “That will have to do...for now,” he tried to praise her effort. Loki lifted his head and flicked his wrist towards the closet. “Get dressed and take the elevator up one floor. Tell the secretary you are my intern and she will see you find me,” Loki looked at her closely. “Okay...” Misuteri held back her questions. Loki stood up straight. His outfit changed to a formal, black, three piece business suit. His jacket was unbuttoned but his vest drew her eye to his narrow waist. His dark green tie firmly sat at the base of his neck in a knot Misuteri did not recognize. He had large, golden cuff links and shiny black dress shoes. “I expect you to arrive soon,” Loki started to fade. “And no magic,” he ordered just before he completely vanished. Chapter End Notes I'm trying not to write out all of the Mystery & Mischief I've already written. After this 'slow' beginning, I should be able to mix the old material in. But that also means I have to go back and reread everything up to current for Enigma & Chaos, so it may take a while for me to finish this re-write once I'm done with this new material. Wish me luck! As always, thanks for reading!! ***** The Firm ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri takes the elevator up one floor and she's not quite sure what type of world she stumbles into. Chapter Notes See the end of the chapter for notes Misuteri quickly felt like herself after he left. I don't know how fast he expects me to be with no magic. Especially because he took my effing backpack. Misuteri turned on her heel. The closet doors were still open from before. Now there were several items hanging and a pair of heels sat below them. Misuteri looked around the room. She had a feeling she was being watched. No one was there. She proceeded to strip off her pleated skirt and rumpled top. She adjusted her breasts in her bra before she approached the closet. She looked threw the few hanging items. A dark gray skirt suit hung before her. She grabbed the most obvious first layer. It was a plain white dress shirt. Luckily I wore a light bra. Misuteri slipped it on and quickly fastened the buttons. She was finished sooner than she would have liked. The shirt lacked buttons passed the highest curve of her bust. Misuteri adjusted her breasts again. She pulled them far apart so that her sternum showed between her breasts. They appeared high and round, just like she preferred. Misuteri carefully pulled the skirt off of the next hanger. She made sure the tight clips did not tear the fabric. She unzipped it and stepped into it. It was a slim pencil skirt. She had trouble pulling it up over her hips. Once she did, it sat neatly over the white shirt. It fit best high, near the smallest part of her waist. Wow...that's short. Misuteri no longer felt the need to flaunt her assets now that she was married. She spent plenty of time with Jouten in sexy lingerie and cute little outfits. She preferred to be naked whenever he was around. She had nothing to hide from him. She was his. I do not belong to Loki. Misuteri zipped the skirt up and yanked it down towards her knee. Every time she bent to pull it down, the curve of her behind pulled it back up. She huffed in frustration. She quickly moved on to the shoes. She grabbed them and sat in the drawing chair to fasten them. They resembled a pair of black, office pumps. However, they donned a thin strap around her ankle and did not pinch her toes once fastened. Misuteri sighed in relief. Uncomfortable shoes would have made enduring Loki's arrogant company impossible. They were high and the heel was narrow but Misuteri owned higher and narrower heels. Once she felt sturdy in her shoes, Misuteri returned to the closet for the jacket. It was short and fit over the high pencil skirt. It too accentuated her narrow waist. Every curve of her hourglass figure was on display. She could feel it. The way the clothes hugged her made it obvious. Misuteri started to feel self-conscious. She was losing her normal confidence in the wake of her abnormal situation. She was not joining Jouten in a board meeting with his investors. No, she was meeting Loki, a man she knew nothing about. Once Misuteri fastened the three round buttons on the suit coat, she looked at herself in the mirror. She gasped in surprise. She put her hand over her mouth. Everything looked perfect. She looked perfect. Every hair was in place. It lay weightless and sleek around her face and shoulders. Her skin was dry and even. Her eye make-up was crisp and clean. Her mascara no longer stained her cheeks. The collar was gone. She looked like she was ready to intern in some office building. How did he do that? Misuteri had not felt a magical tingle or twinge. Her hand slid down her face and over her neck. She felt something beneath her fingers. It's still there. She quickly realized it was an illusion. It's all fake. To him...I probably still look like crap. That meant she still looked dirty and unkempt to herself. She took a rag off of the ring next to the mirror. She wet it and washed her face. If she could not put more make up on, she would make sure it was all off from the day before. Since she could not see her progress, she had to do it by feel. She rushed herself and rubbed roughly over all the spots that were usually dirty. She dropped the rag on the bathroom counter and then hurried towards the door. Misuteri exited the bedroom with ease. She entered a wide, hallway filled with doors only feet apart. It appeared like any hotel she had ever been in. She looked down both ways until she found the elevator. She shut the door behind her and hurried towards it. She hit the up arrow and the elevator opened almost immediately. I wonder what would have happened had I hit the down arrow. Misuteri entered the small, stainless steel lift. She turned to where the buttons were. There was just another set of up and down arrows. So...what, this thing only moves a floor at a time? Misuteri raised one eyebrow. She pressed the up arrow again and braced herself. There were doors on both sides of her. Unsure which side would open, she leaned against the adjacent wall and held onto the railing. The elevator gently sunk and then lifted. A moment later, she arrived at her destination. The same doors she entered through opened again. She walked through towards a wall of glass. There were men and women in suits moving to and fro in a conference room. There was writing etched into the glass that she could not read. She turned and saw a woman sitting at a desk down the hall. Misuteri approached her. She was a young woman, younger than Misuteri. She was wearing a loose, pink blouse  and a long gold necklace. She had long, wavy brown hair and a pretty smile. She looked up at Misuteri curiously from behind her computer screen. “May I help you?” her voice was soft and sweet. Misuteri cleared her throat. This girl was the first person she had seen since Loki had taken her. She seemed so normal. If I tell her what's really going on...she'll probably tell Loki. Or worse. I'll be putting her in danger. Misuteri laughed at herself. “Um, yeah, sorry. I'm just a little nervous. You see, it's my first day. I'm the new intern and I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go.” Misuteri's charm soothed her nerves. The young woman stood up. “Oh, hello, it's so nice to finally meet you,” she reached out her hand. Misuteri took it and gently shook the girl's hand. “You, too. I bet we'll be seeing each other a lot for quite some time.” She exchanged pleasantries. “I don't know about that. Mr. Laufyson tends to keep his interns pretty busy,” she snickered. The girl's tone implied a subtext Misuteri did not understand. Misuteri smiled nervously. She crossed her arms and leaned back on her heels. “Can you tell me where to find him?” “He's in a meeting. He has been for quite a while. It shouldn't be much longer. I'll have someone escort you to his office,” the young secretary sat back down and picked up the phone. She dialed a number and called someone for assistance. Misuteri looked down at her with her brows closely knit together. Something unsettled her about the girl. Then she looked up at Misuteri. “Someone will be here in just a moment,” she said while faking a smile. “Go ahead and take a seat.” “You know, that's really not necessary,” Misuteri turned from the secretary and walked towards the door leading to the offices. “I'm sure I can fine the biggest, nicest office without much effort. Thanks anyway.” Misuteri grasped the smooth metal handle to the glass door and pulled. It was locked. “I'm afraid you're going to have to wait for an escort. Mr. Laufyson doesn't like to leave anything to chance,” the girl laughed at Misuteri. Misuteri stared forward at the door. She slowly lowered her hand. She was humiliated. She could hear the snide attitude in the young woman's voice. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She turned back to the secretary's desk on her exhale. “What did you say your name was again?” Misuteri leaned over the counter and looked down at the secretary. The young woman looked up at Misuteri. Her hazel eyes were narrow with irritation. “I didn't,” she paused. “Because you don't need to know my name. Now, please,” she hissed the word. “Sit down and wait.” Misuteri was about to reach over the counter and politely warn the girl to mind her manners when she heard someone behind her. “Aww, Jessie, be nice to the new girl,” a man came up next to Misuteri. He leaned over the counter. He shared a look with Jessie before he turned his attention to Misuteri. He held out his hand. “I apologize for my little Jessie's manners. She's always jealous when Mr. Laufyson brings in a new girl. Don't worry. She will be disciplined.” The man's eyes drifted back towards Jessie. She sank in her seat and avoided eye contact. She was seriously unnerved. Misuteri stared at the man's large shoulders and arms. They were bursting out beneath his jacket. She looked up at his wide, square jaw. He had small, light colored eyes. His hair was light blond. It was cut short to the sides of his head with a little extra growth on top. Misuteri forgot her words as he used his size to intimidate her. He had let his hand fall slack over the edge of the counter. Misuteri swallowed and held out her hand. “Hi, I'm Misuteri, the new girl.” She smiled. The escort took her small, delicate hand in his. He shook it firmly. “Hello, they call me Glad. I'm head of security here at the firm.” Misuteri tried to return his strong greeting but her firm grip was terribly unimpressive. “I'm pretty sure he's waiting for me...can we go?” Misuteri failed to recover. Glad stood up straight. He was nearly a foot taller than Misuteri. “Yes, of course. Follow me,” he moved passed her. He held out a small ID card attached to the inside of his jacket pocket. The door opened. He held it for her. As she passed, he glared at Jessie. Misuteri caught the look out of the corner of her eye. Once the door was shut, she spoke candidly with her escort. “You know, she was really fine. There's no reason for her to get in trouble. I mean, I did try to barge in here,” Misuteri let out a small laugh. She tried to make light of the topic. “She is my responsibility. As are all our employees. If I deem her actions unacceptable, she will have to make up for her mistake. This isn't the first time I've caught her being rude,” the man paused and looked down at Misuteri. “I'm sorry. There's really nothing I can do. If I go easy on her, then I'll lose my authority over all my employees.” His tone was soft. He seemed genuinely torn but something was off. Misuteri lifted her head. “Ah, I see,” she replied. Glad walked her down several long hallways. Each one looked like the last. All the walls were glass. The carpet was rough and light gray. There were nicely dressed employees in most of the rooms they passed. None of them seemed to be doing anything out of the ordinary. “So, what kind of work does this 'firm' do?” Misuteri asked curiously. Glad looked at her and smiled. “You want to work here and you don't even know what we do?” He knew she was oblivious. “Uh, well, yeah. I mean, sort of. I know what I'm going to be doing here,” Misuteri took a breath. No, I don't. I don't have a freaking clue! “I was just wondering what we do as a whole company, ya know?” Misuteri raised her eyebrows. Please believe me. Please. Please believe my bullshit. “I see,” Glad paused. He continued to lead her down another hallway. “We do a little of everything. If you want specifics, maybe you should ask Mr. Laufyson when he's finished in his meeting.” He shut her curiosity down with ease. Misuteri did not push it. She kept her head low and followed Glad's lead. A moment later, he stopped and opened a door. He held it open for Misuteri. “Wait here. He should be finished any moment now.” “Thanks,” Misuteri nodded her head and entered the large office. Glad quickly shut the door. Misuteri watched him press his ID card to the glass before he walked away. The glass wall turned a dark gray color. Uh, yep. I bet I'm locked in here now. Misuteri never disliked small spaces. She actually enjoyed them. However, she never enjoyed not being able to come and go as she pleased. She always had a hard time sleeping in handcuffs whenever Jouten was too exhausted to unlocked them after sex. This was like that just way worse. The fact that the rooms were spacious did not comfort her. She did not bother checking the door. She sat down in one of the leather chairs across from the large ornate desk. She stared forward at all the plaques and awards on the wall behind the tall desk chair. They all read with the name “Lok Laufyson”. That's weird. Not Loki? Just Lok? Like I'm locked in here? Misuteri rolled her eyes. It did not surprise her he had more than one alias. Her eyes rolled over several dark wood bookcases filled with old reference books. Misuteri was disinterested in their contents. The room was bright. The sun came in through the large windows along two sides of the room. The wall across from the glass hallway and opposite the desk were large pieces of tinted glass. She could see the sun high in the distance but the color of the glass protected her from its unpleasant glare. Misuteri spun in the chair. She noticed a long couch along the wall next to the hallway. It was light gray leather with a dark green blanket over it. At both ends, there was a black throw pillows. That looks like a perfect place to nap. Taking a nap meant she would have to relax. Relaxing was the last thing she would be able to do in a place like this. It was full of people. Worst of all, Loki was there. She was trapped in his office! Exhaustion from sheer panic seemed like the only way she could rest. Misuteri grew restless. She stood up from the chair. Then she quickly sat in the one next to it. The slightly different angle was no more comfortable. She sighed. She got up again and moved to the couch. First, she sat on it. She was careful not to mess up the blanket. Then, she made herself at home. She laid down and pulled the blanket off the back. She tucked one of the pillows under her head. She kicked the other onto the floor when she stretched her legs out. She closed her eyes and tried to drift away. She thought of anything, anyone except where she was and Loki. Home. I want to go home. I want to be home with Jouten. Jouten and Kissui and Kizu and Kuro and...Loki. The harder she tried to pretend she was elsewhere the more she was stuck in her reality. She squeezed her eyes shut more tightly but the sun was relentless. She rolled over and hid in her own shadow. She relaxed a little more but the room was still too bright for her to sleep. Loki...what happened? You were my friend and now...you're just not? You're supposed to be a king all of a sudden? When did that happen? There was never an emergency. You just wanted to trick me. I don't understand why I'm here. I'm not royalty. What do you need a 'royal hostage' for? What does that even mean? Am I your prisoner? Why me?   And what sort of business is this? Why are you here? Are you some powerful CEO? What sort of company do you run? If you have a whole different world to run...why are you here? Misuteri contemplated the answers to all the question she had not asked. Misuteri lay there for almost another hour before the door opened. She heard a faint noise of the glass door swinging open and then closed again. She rolled over slowly. Chapter End Notes The next two chapters will illuminate this strange new world Misuteri's gotten herself stuck in. (I'm thinking about 7-10 more chapters to really lay the foundation before I start mixing in the old stuff. However, I'm seriously missing Fenrir right now.) ***** The Truth ***** Chapter Summary Loki returns to his office and Misuteri stands up for herself. Loki decides it's the perfect time to teach her a lesson. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. Specifics: There's a pretty awesome - I mean awful - spanking in the middle of this chapter! Enjoy. See the end of the chapter for more notes Loki stood over her with a curious expression on his face. He seemed confused why she felt the need to lay down in the middle of the day. He was close. He was really close to her. His proximity surprised her. Misuteri jumped and slid off the couch. The slick leather and the soft fleece was a dangerous combination. It was a short distance to the floor. She landed hard but she was fine. Oh god. That was humiliating. She was mortified. She stared at the ground, still half wrapped in the blanket with Loki standing over her. She closed her eyes and prayed for him to go away. Loki laughed. He did not snicker or sigh. He laughed loudly at her clumsy nature. He crossed his arms and put one finger over his lips. He quickly controlled himself. “I suppose you found something to occupy your time instead of giving into your mischievous little impulses,” he did not hide his amusement. Misuteri exhaled slowly. He's not going away...is he? She frowned and pulled the blanket off of her. She used the couch to lift herself back up. It was not easy in a pencil skirt and heels. Eventually, she found her feet beneath her and plopped onto the couch. She looked up at Loki with all her mortification. She stayed quiet for a moment. She leaned against the back of the couch and looked up at him. Her confidence was slowly returning. “How was your meeting?” She tried to turn her attention to anything besides her lack of grace. “I am a little disappointed. I suspected I would return to find you misbehaved in some manner,” he walked over towards his desk. He sat in his large chair. “I'm...sorry I'm not sorry?” Misuteri replied. She tried to hold back her sarcasm. Loki smiled. “No need to worry. You will do something soon enough,” he crossed one of his legs over his knee. His long, slim legs made it appear as if he were on stilts from Misuteri's perspective. She stood up. She kicked the blanket aside so she would not trip on it. She sat in her original seat. “Will you tell me why I'm here?” Misuteri struggled not to be angry or scared. He's still Loki. He's still my friend. “I thought you would acclimate better in a more modern environment,” he held out his hands. He ignored her question. “Do you like it?” Misuteri nodded. “Sure...” “Excuse me?” Loki dropped his foot on the ground and jolted forward. His tone was sharp and authoritarian. He almost shouted. He had lost his casual accent. A small gasp slipped between Misuteri's lips. She pressed herself against the chair. She tried to make herself small. “Yes, sir,” she replied quickly. Loki leaned back and smiled. “I was meaning to talk to you about that...” his voice trailed on. It was smooth and nonthreatening. It slipped passed Misuteri's defenses and disarmed her without her knowing. It was that sort of voice that she admired in strong, sophisticated men. “Sir is what you call a man you are unfamiliar with. Sir is what you call a knight. I am neither of those things,” his voice was still calm. Misuteri listened closely. She hung on his every word. “I am a king,” the way he emphasized the harshness of the 'k' made it stick in Misuteri's ear. “I am your king!” His perfect teeth appeared to snarl at her as he suddenly shouted at her. “I don't know what that means!” Misuteri shouted back. Loki stood up. He shed his jacket and vest. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. He removed his cuff links. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbow. He was silent as he moved. His thoughts and intentions unclear to Misuteri. He sat back down and looked Misuteri in the eye. “Shout at me again and I will bend you over my knee,” Loki laced his fingers and leaned his elbows on the desk. “And only one of us will enjoy it.” Misuteri stared at his strong forearms and his large hands. Her gaze eventually drifted upward to his face. He waited patiently for her next move. “I'm sorry...my king,” Misuteri stared at him as a deer stares at headlights. She was caught in the wake of his demanding aura. She froze. She feared her next move could be her undoing. “Now that we have that out of the way,” Loki smiled casually. He leaned back in his chair. He set his hands on his lap. “I will give you an opportunity to speak freely,” Loki was surprisingly smitten with her new attitude. He'll give me this opportunity to speak freely? Loki's gift was a curse. She was dumbfounded. Misuteri could not speak. All the words she wished to say were the wrong ones. It was physically painful keeping them all in. Her jaw was clenched tight and her teeth began to ache. Her neck and shoulders tightened into the beginning of a migraine. Loki watched her struggle. He delighted in her distress. She could not hide it. She could not stop her micro-expressions. She could not stop her nose curling up in disgust. She could not stop the blood from turning her cheeks red. He watched her fire grow beneath her cool exterior. Finally, Misuteri mustered enough control to take advantage of Loki's generosity. “I don't think that's a good idea right now...I don't have anything nice to say,” she breathed through each word to control her temper. Loki smiled. “Your youth betrays your true wisdom,” he complimented her. Misuteri was too angry to appreciated it. Loki stood up. He walked around his desk and leaned against it with his arms crossed. He held one hand up close to his face. Misuteri resisted the urge to stand up and put some distance between them. He was too close again. The desk had made for a comfortable barrier. “Let me explain to you how this,” he made a circular gesture at the ground, “entire situation is going to work. You see, you might as well forget all about the boy you were friends with. He does not exist. He never existed,” Loki waved his hand as if he were tossing something aside. Misuteri sat forward. She opened her mouth to interject into the conversation. Loki held his palm up towards her and then slowly curled his fingers in so that only his pointer finger was held up. “You had best not interrupt me. Never interrupt me,” his voice turned dark. “If you interrupt me, I will be forced to discipline you,” he said the word 'discipline' the same way Glad did earlier. Misuteri was slowly understanding the subtext of Jessie's condescension. Oh god. An equation appeared in Misuteri's mind. Royal hostage + creepy firm = high class sex slave ring? Misuteri's eyes widened as he assumptions ran rampant in her imagination. “Everything I have told you in the past twenty-four hours is true. I am a god. Always have been. And I do have a new kingdom to rule in Asgard,” Loki repeated himself. His pride and arrogance was nearly palpable. “You want to know how you fit into all this. It is simple. You are the most important thing to the strongest individual on Midgard. I refuse to let him muck up my plans. As long as he sits idly by while I finish my business, I will return you to him, unharmed,” Loki looked down at her. His face was relaxed as he dropped his arms to his sides. He held the edge of the desk, making his muscles flex beneath his skin. Misuteri swallowed. She stared up at him. She tried to ignore his casual demeanor and the way he used his looks to charm her. She mentally pleaded with him to stop. He was the only thing she could think about. She could not stop lusting after him with the way he was standing over her. His seductive behavior worked to her advantage. It distracted her from all the things he really wanted to say. She wanted to tell him how much of an idiot she thought he was. She wanted to tell him how there was no way in the world Jouten would let him extort him like that. They were supposed to protect people. That was what they promised to do, no matter what. “Would you like to speak now?” He asked her as if he were doing her a favor. Misuteri nodded. Her mouth was both too dry and too wet at first to form coherent words. “What am I supposed to do? I don't understand how I'm supposed to behave,” she was as honest as she could be. “I've never been a 'royal hostage' before.” Misuteri looked up at him earnestly for direction. Loki stopped leaning against the desk. He put his hands in his pockets. He stepped nearer to her. His crotch was chin level with her. “Pull my cock out and fellate me,” he was not asking her. Misuteri blinked rapidly and stared up at him. Her mouth agape in surprise. Did he just tell me to...? “What?” She exclaimed. Her thoughts finally fully registered. “No!” She shouted. She could not stop herself. “That is the opposite of how you are supposed to behave,” Loki spoke softly with disappointment. “What did I say would happen if you shouted again?” He took a step back and pointed to the couch. “You will follow me over there, hike up your skirt, remove your panties and bend over my lap,” his voice was not angry or mean. He held back his excitement. I'd rather give you the blow job now. Misuteri was never great with taking orders without entering some sort of submissive head-space. It always took work to break down her walls until she was finally vulnerable enough to follow someone else without question and that was with her husband! Now, Loki expected her to do it out of fear. She automatically defaulted to her drone-like survival facade. She would disassociate from all her surroundings. She could do just about anything to survive because she would be making the decisions. She would be in control. To her dismay, deep down she knew Loki knew everything about her. Even if he was a regular supernatural being, he would know how she would react in this situation. Even if she had not allowed him access to her deepest thoughts, he was there before. He saw her at her ex's mercy. The way she talked, the way she moved, the way she did everything was different. What she did not know was whether or not she could trick him like she tricked her ex. Misuteri blinked. She refocused her sight and Loki had vanished. She turned to see him sitting on the leather couch with his arms over the back of it. His knees were close together and his feet sat slightly apart. She forced herself to stand. Her knees were weak. She could barely balance in her high heels as she tried to move towards him. She used the chair for support. She felt a twinge between her legs. The anticipation was arousing her. She swallowed. He'll know...he'll know and then he's just going to humiliate me more. She took another step forward. She crossed her legs far over the other in order to slow her advance. She took short, slow steps. She never stopped moving but she did not advance eagerly. Does he really know all my tricks? Misuteri was more than half way to him. She locked eyes with him. His gaze made her heart knock against her chest. The mesmerizing way his dark, green eyes summoned her to his side was irresistible. Unintentionally, she quickened her step. Seconds later, she was in his grasp. He held her wrist and pulled her towards him. She stood to his left. She was frozen, unsure what to do, again. He let go of her wrist and her arm fell to her side. “Pull up your hem,” Loki commanded with his smooth, disarming voice. Misuteri leaned to one side and grabbed the under side of her skirt. She lifted it, bit by bit until both sides sat above her hips. Her eyes never left his. Her lips were slightly parted as if to argue but no words passed. She let him distract her. She let him take her to another place far, far away from wherever they were. “Now...remove your panties...” Loki spoke slowly and seductively. His words snaked up Misuteri's bare legs and into her loins. There, they coiled and knotted into her desire. Misuteri slipped both her thumbs into her lacy underwear on her hips. She pushed downward, simultaneously, with the perfect amount of force to make them drop to her ankles. She lifted her feet, stepping out of them. Loki's eyes dropped from hers. He memorized the curve of her hips. He followed the line from her hip bone down into the crease of her thigh and then back up the slit between her legs. His eyes lingered on the soft tuft of yellow hair above the center crease and smiled. He remembered how it felt beneath his fingertips. Misuteri's body grew hot. She was exposed so close to him. It was unbearable. She unbuttoned her jacket and tossed it against the couch. The movement drew Loki back into reality. His lust had grown thick beneath his slacks. He grabbed Misuteri's wrist again and pulled her down over him. She landed on her knees with her face low against him. Misuteri was suddenly breathless. She began to pant. “Spread your legs wider,” Loki commanded. He pressed her chest down against his leg while he measured his hand against her backside. “Hands behind your back.” Misuteri obeyed. She could feel the cold air against her moistened womanhood. She closed her eyes and sunk her head low against the outside of his leg. Her brows were knit together in a long wincing expression of anticipation. She knew it would hurt. She knew not how much. Breathing in his scent helped distract her again. Loki smoothed his hand over the tight round of her rear. “Why are you being punished, Misuteri?”Loki's words pulled her back to reality. The feeling of Loki's hand tenderly stroking her bottom made her more nervous than comforted. “Because I yelled at you.” Misuteri replied. She did her best not to answer with a question. “Say it and apologize,” Loki squeezed the sensitive underside of her tail end. His hand overflowed with her in his grasp. Misuteri turned her head so she could speak more clearly. “I – I'm being punished because I yelled at you after you warned me not to?” She could not help but reply insecurely. She knew not what he wanted exactly. She hurried to apologize. “And I'm sorry,” her breath hitched as he patted her bottom gently. “I'm so sorry, my king. Please forgive me.” Misuteri was nearly sobbing on his lap. She felt so vulnerable and unsafe. “Count each strike. If you lose count, I will start over,” Loki removed his hand from her. Then, before Misuteri could think to consent, Loki brought his hand down upon her. “One!” Misuteri cried out. Her voice was high and surprised. It was not as unpleasant as she thought it would be. He was only beginning. Loki's hand withdrew from her still pale skin and came down upon her again. “Two!” Misuteri cried out once more. She felt her skin turn red in the shape of his palm. The sensation had not ceased before the third and fourth strikes came down. She counted each time with sharp, breathless cries. She had submitted to her fate and obeyed his every command. Loki pulled his hand back higher the fifth time. He shifted his aim. Loki's hand came down lower than before. It was clear why he wanted her legs apart now. His hand planted against where her bottom and thighs connected. It was normally a pleasant spot to stimulate but the most of his hand struck between her legs entirely. Her slick folds throbbed hotter than her rear. “Ow!” Misuteri's arms fell forward. She lifted her upper body off of his lap and breathed heavily. She flattened her hips against him. She had just experienced one of the most painful things she had in a long time. The force of Loki's strike had rippled through her entire lower body. It still tingled. “You have exactly five seconds to return to your proper position and count before I begin again,” Loki was generous in his warning. Misuteri knew he was. She quickly threw her arms behind her back and lay her head against the sticky leather. She rose her behind into the air and repositioned her knees. “Five!” Misuteri panted under Loki's gaze. “Good girl,” Loki stroked her hair. “Next time, it will be ten and I will not be using my off hand,” Loki warned her. “You may sit up.” Misuteri moved slowly. She had found comfort laying against his strong legs. She felt safer not looking at his beautiful face. She was sore and still unsure of herself. She let her arms lift her up. She eventually found her way back up on her knees. She was covered in sweat. She kept her head low to hide her red, blushing face. “Look at me,” Loki said. Misuteri tipped her chin and looked at him. He too was covered in a fine layer of sweat. His face, however, was unaffected by their exchange. She knew he was attracted to her too. She felt it. She felt him against her abdomen while he was spanking her. She felt his entire length throb against her each time she called out. “You enjoyed that, did you not?” Loki looked her in the eye. It was impossible for her to disguise her true feelings. She wanted to deny it. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to run. She could not. She could not speak. She could not run. She could not lie. What would he do if he caught me in a lie? She simply did not answer. “You can lie to yourself all you like. I know the truth. You cannot hide it from me,” Loki smiled at her. His smile exposed her. She felt more vulnerable than while he was spanking her. It looked as if he knew everything. He does know everything. He knows everything he could possibly need to know about me...about Jouten. About our lives. Misuteri felt dizzy and nauseous. She pushed her hem down and sank against the back of the couch. She turned her head from him. She was lost in her thoughts. She pulled her arms into her chest. Eventually she pulled her legs in towards her sore bottom. She tried to make herself small and insignificant. If she was small and insignificant, then she hoped he would become disinterested in her. Loki looked over at her. Her meek and unassuming nature aided her little. His desire was far from satiated. His eyes drifted from her wet eyes to her shaking hands and then to the curve of her hips. He wanted to bury his fist in her hair and take her right then. He gritted his teeth and turned his head away from her. Misuteri darted her eyes up to his face. His indirect gaze was intimidating by itself but she could not stop herself from staring. She stared as if he were a piece of art, not a monster, sitting next to her. Several minutes passed and they just sat there. Loki fought his primal desires for control and Misuteri relinquished her rigid reservations. “So...” Misuteri whispered. She was unsure if she was allowed to speak. Her voice was a gleeful distraction from Loki's plight. “This is what you want...you want me just to submit to you?” Misuteri needed him to clarify. “No,” he answered plainly. “I want your husband to submit to me,” Loki left his reply open for a moment longer than he needed to. He watched the worry return to Misuteri's eyes. “I want to break you.” His voice was flat, as if no malice was intended. Misuteri covered her mouth. “I thought...I thought you said you wouldn't hurt me if...” “Do you really expect Jouten to bow down without a fight?” Loki looked over at her as if she were the dullest creature he had ever met. Misuteri lowered her eyes. She knew the answer. As did he. “Do you think you are capable of behaving for more than five consecutive minutes?” He raised his eyebrow as if to taunt her. It almost worked. Misuteri tucked her chin closer to her chest. She looked down at her nails. She started to pick the clear polish off of them. “I have a feeling this is about more than a new throne and some unfinished business,” Misuteri stated. She had no question for him just then. “This is all about my new kingship and the conclusion of some very unfinished business,” Loki corrected her. He was telling the truth. “Then I suppose this unfinished business is personal and you decided we're the first ones you'd bully with your new power,” Misuteri still did not make eye contact. She simply spoke how she felt. Loki took her chin in his hand as he had before. “I am no bully. I am a king.” Yes, you are. Misuteri looked up at him for a second and then dropped her gaze. She did not want him to see the fire rekindled in her. She took advantage of her submissive feelings. She knew she had to hold onto them for as long as possible. It was a matter of survival. “I'm sorry, my king. I didn't mean to offend you,” she let her gaze flicker up to his face. Loki let her go. She sank back down next to him. He didn't deny it. This is personal. “You know whatever happened...Jouten...he's not. He's not the same as before,” Misuteri felt her confidence rebuilding. “It matters not. He is still responsible. As are you,” he hissed at her. “What did I do? I was a friend to you,” Misuteri had trouble controlling the volume of her voice. She was genuinely insulted. It was obvious she had recovered from her spanking. Loki's eyes grew larger. His lips pressed firmly together. His expression was a warning. “Seriously though...” she spoke softly. “I always tried...I'd like to try again if you'd let me,” she reached over and set her hand on his leg. “We were never – we will never be – friends,” Loki growled his hateful words in her ear. “I am your king and you will know your place,” he snatched her wrist in his hand. He tossed her arm aside. “Do not touch me without my expressed consent.” Misuteri withdrew her arm. She turned her head and tucked into a tighter ball. She did not bother apologizing. He had frightened her and hurt her feelings; and all without remorse. I wish you wouldn't touch me without my expressed consent. But we both know that'll never happen. Chapter End Notes In the next chapter, Loki reveals his inner exhibitionist and Misuteri resists. If spanking is your thing, I hope you liked that one! Thanks for reading. I adore your comments and feedback. ***** Following Him ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri and Loki have an interesting conversation after her spanking. Loki asserts himself and makes sure Misuteri serves her purpose. Chapter Notes Loki continues to subtly train Misuteri. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri moved slowly. She had found comfort laying against his strong legs. She felt safer not looking at his beautiful face. She was sore and still unsure of herself. She let her arms lift her up. She eventually found her way back up on her knees. She was covered in sweat. She kept her head low to hide her red, blushing face. “Look at me,” Loki said. Misuteri tipped her chin and looked at him. He too was covered in a fine layer of sweat. His face, however, was unaffected by their exchange. She knew he was attracted to her too. She felt it. She felt him against her abdomen while he was spanking her. She felt his entire length throb against her each time she called out. “You enjoyed that, did you not?” Loki looked her in the eye. It was impossible for her to disguise her true feelings. She wanted to deny it. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to run. She could not. She could not speak. She could not run. She could not lie. What would he do if he caught me in a lie? She simply did not answer. “You can lie to yourself all you like. I know the truth. You cannot hide it from me,” Loki smiled at her. His smile exposed her. She felt more vulnerable than while he was spanking her. It looked as if he knew everything. He does know everything. He knows everything he could possibly need to know about me...about Jouten. About our lives. Misuteri felt dizzy and nauseous. She pushed her hem down and sank against the back of the couch. She turned her head from him. She was lost in her thoughts. She pulled her arms into her chest. Eventually she pulled her legs in towards her sore bottom. She tried to make herself small and insignificant. If she was small and insignificant, then she hoped he would become disinterested in her. Loki looked over at her. Her meek and unassuming nature aided her little. His desire was far from satiated. His eyes drifted from her wet eyes to her shaking hands and then to the curve of her hips. He wanted to bury his fist in her hair and take her right then. He gritted his teeth and turned his head away from her. Misuteri darted her eyes up to his face. His indirect gaze was intimidating by itself but she could not stop herself from staring. She stared as if he were a piece of art, not a monster, sitting next to her. Several minutes passed and they just sat there. Loki fought his primal desires for control and Misuteri relinquished her ridged reservations. “So...” Misuteri whispered. She was unsure if she was allowed to speak. Her voice was a gleeful distraction from Loki's plight. “This is what you want...you want me just to submit to you?” Misuteri needed him to clarify. “No,” he answered plainly. “I want your husband to submit to me,” Loki left his reply open for a moment longer than he needed to. He watched the worry return to Misuteri's eyes. “I want to break you.” His voice was flat, as if no malice was intended. Misuteri covered her mouth. “I thought...I thought you said you wouldn't hurt me if...” “Do you really expect Jouten to bow down without a fight?” Loki looked over at her as if she were the dullest creature he had ever met. Misuteri lowered her eyes. She knew the answer. As did he. “Do you think you are capable of behaving for more than five consecutive minutes?” He raised his eyebrow as if to taunt her. It almost worked. Misuteri tucked her chin closer to her chest. She looked down at her nails. She started to pick the clear polish off of them. “I have a feeling this is about more than a new throne and some unfinished business,” Misuteri stated. She had no question for him just then. “This is all about my new kingship and the conclusion of some very unfinished business,” Loki corrected her. He was telling the truth. “Then I suppose this unfinished business is personal and you decided we're the first ones you'd bully with your new power,” Misuteri still did not make eye contact. She simply spoke how she felt. Loki took her chin in his hand as he had before. “I am no bully. I am a king.” Yes, you are. Misuteri looked up at him for a second and then dropped her gaze. She did not want him to see the fire rekindled in her. She took advantage of her submissive feelings. She knew she had to hold onto them for as long as possible. It was a matter of survival. “I'm sorry, my king. I didn't mean to offend you,” she let her gaze flicker up to his face. Loki let her go. She sank back down next to him. He didn't deny it. This is personal. “You know whatever happened...Jouten...he's not. He's not the same as before,” Misuteri felt her confidence rebuilding. “It matters not. He is still responsible. As are you,” he hissed at her. “What did I do? I was a friend to you,” Misuteri had trouble controlling the volume of her voice. She was genuinely insulted. It was obvious she had recovered from her spanking. Loki's eyes grew larger. His lips pressed firmly together. His expression was a warning. “Seriously though...” she spoke softly. “I always tried...I'd like to try again if you'd let me,” she reached over and set her hand on his leg. “We were never – we will never be – friends,” Loki growled his hateful words in her ear. “I am your king and you will know your place,” he snatched her wrist in his hand. He tossed her arm aside. “Do not touch me without my expressed consent.” Misuteri withdrew her arm. She turned her head and tucked into a tighter ball. She did not bother apologizing. He had frightened her and hurt her feelings; and all without remorse. I wish you wouldn't touch me without my expressed consent. But we both know that'll never happen. Loki looked down at his wrist. Misuteri saw him move. Was he even wearing a watch five seconds ago? Misuteri averted her eyes and pretended not to notice. “I have another meeting in a half hour. You can either accompany me as my intern or you can keep Glad and his men entertained until I return,” Loki gave her her ultimatum as if either choice was reasonable. She looked at him. She knew her answer before he finished. “You!” She held it in as long as she could. “Very well then,” Loki started to unroll his sleeves. “Retrieve my cuff links and assist me,” he pointed to his desk. He began completely undoing his tie. Misuteri nodded attentively and stood up. It took her a second to regain her balance in her heels but once she did, she scurried across the office to get his cuff links off of his desk. She grabbed them and held them tightly in her fist as she returned to him. “Put them in,” he looked down at his cuff. Misuteri set one cuff link on the couch next to him. Then, she held the holes of the cuff flush with each other and slipped the link through. She gently twisted the end so that it would stay in place. She repeated the motion on his other wrist. When she was finished, she stood straight with her hands folded in front of her. “Secure my collar,” Loki lifted his head. He gave her access to the tiny button under his chin. This simple task racked her nerves. She reached out and gently took both sides of his shirt collar in each hand. She measured how much extra room she had to do the deed. There was none. She struggled to pull each side close to the other. Oh god, if I choke him or slip...he'll probably get pissed. Finally, Misuteri took a deep breath and held it until she succeeded in fastening the button. It was extremely tight on his neck but once he lowered his head and adjusted it on his shoulders, it looked like a comfortable fit. I think he does does shit like that to fuck with me... Misuteri stepped back from him and waited for his next command. She watched Loki tie his tie without a mirror. She tried to watch how he made the unique knot but he quickly lost her with his swift and concise dexterity. “Fetch my coat already,” his voice was annoyed. Misuteri frowned and went to his desk again to grab it. She folded it over her arm. When she returned, she noticed he had finished tying his tie and it was perfect. She held out his coat for him. Loki let out an exasperated sigh as he stood. “Do not fold it,” he took it from her. He fluffed it in the air and handed back to her, open. “Hold it out so that I can put it on without creasing it,” Loki's order seemed obvious to him. Misuteri frowned and corrected herself. She held it up for him. He slipped his arm through one side and then she walked around to the other. “Now, reach into the sleeve and pull my cuff away from my elbow,” Loki's voice was a tad bit kinder but he was no more patient. Misuteri did so. She pinched the stiff, starchy material and pulled it towards the edge of his jacket sleeve. She pulled the first sleeve, as well, when she was finished. “When we leave this room, you do not stray from my left side. If I find out out of arm's reach, you will be reprimanded. You will be reprimanded if your behavior deviates from anything I describe.” Loki paused. He looked down at Misuteri to make sure she was listening to him. When he was satisfied he had her full attention, he continued. “You will not speak unless spoken to. I may hand you things to carry. Do not read any documents or open any files in your temporary possession. I will expect everything to arrive safely to my desk when we return. Is that understood?” Loki listed her duties as if it truly were her first day at work. “Yes, my king,” Misuteri nodded. “You may refer to me as sir in the company of Midgardians,” Loki said. “Do not use my first name in the company of others. We are not companions.” His voice was harsh. He insisted on dashing any hope Misuteri might have had with his insensitive tone of voice. “Lastly, you do not have any opinion in any matter I might oversee. If you insist on voicing any opinions, in public or private, I will put you in your place. You have no expertise, no social standing, thus your word is of no value to me. If you wish to save yourself such humiliation, stay quiet.” Loki paused as if to think of anything else he might need to warn her about. Misuteri looked at her feet. He made her feel worse than helpless. He made her feel worthless. She did not even feel worthy to look up at him. When he spoke, she did anyway. “Oh, if you feel the need to rebel or disrespect me in any fashion in the presence of others, you will not only incur my wrath when it happens but ten fold in private. Your job is to remind people that I am to be respected and feared. You cannot do that if you do not respect and fear me,” Loki glared down at Misuteri. He looked at her as if she had done something wrong. “Yes – I mean...I do, my king,” Misuteri fumbled for the right words. “Good,” Loki petted her hair and pulled her closer to him. He bent down and kissed her the top of her head affectionately. “Fix your skirt and put your jacket on. We must go.” Misuteri felt strange being given affection. She felt as if she had not earned it or deserved it. Misuteri turned and did as she was told. She pulled down the hem of her skirt and grabbed her coat off of the couch. She stopped as she stepped over her panties. “No. Leave them,” Loki corrected her as if he could hear her thoughts. She bit her lip and hurried to his side. Chapter End Notes Oh and the plot thickens! Don't worry...it gets thicker. xD Thanks for reading! Enjoy the next chapter, too! ***** The Meeting ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri accompanies Loki to a meeting where she meets two new major characters. Loki enjoys playing with his new toy. He is hastily beating her into submission without raising a hand to her (this time). Chapter Notes A lot happens in this chapter. It's pretty long. I didn't feel right cutting it off earlier. Which means you guys get to read all about Loki's forceful kiss. See the end of the chapter for more notes Loki sat in a comfortable office chair at the head of a long, black table. There were over a dozen seats that lined both edges. A glass, a pen and a folder sat across from each chair. After they arrived, others slowly entered the room. They were all dressed professionally. They were well groomed. They all greeted Loki respectfully before taking their seats. None of them acknowledged Misuteri. She tried not to take it personally; except she was so used to being treated with the same respect as her husband. Jouten and Misuteri had made it a point that every individual was to be treated with the same amount of respect. Their gender, race or status did not matter. They were people deserving of love and respect. It was that simple. Things here were not. I suppose women are property here. Her gaze flicked up at the men as they filled the room. She watched Loki closely. She thought he was ignoring her. She was wrong. He was watching her very closely from the corner of his eye. Misuteri stood closely to Loki's left side. She kept her head low and was extra attentive whenever Loki did anything. She was so utterly focused on him, most of what the others said sounded like gibberish. Then, a woman entered. She was tall and elegant. She had long, skinny legs and beautiful dark brown hair. Her bust was large and displayed like Misuteri's. Her hips were narrow. She greeted Loki warmly. He returned the affection, unlike with the others. She quickly took a seat at the foot of the table. Something grew in the pit of Misuteri's stomach. It was something like hate. It stirred in her as the woman's hazel eyes lingered on Loki. It was jealousy. The feeling had almost vanished when a girl walked in. What is she....twelve? She wore a bright white school girl outfit. Her skirt was long and pleated. It Her jacket was mostly white with a black trim around the lapels and edges. She wore knee high socks and black Mary Jane's. She was shorter than Misuteri. Her figure was thin. She had barely hit puberty. Her clothes disguised her boyish figure. Her face was still round and innocent looking. Her hair was thick and black. Her bangs covered nearly one whole side of her face. “Good afternoon, Father,” she approached them. She kissed his hand and smiled lovingly at him. Her eyes flicked upward and glared at Misuteri with hate and disgust. Her bright green eye bore into Misuteri's soul. Father? Your his kid? Misuteri averted her gaze. She kept her head low. It aided her in hiding her surprise. The girl turned and took a seat next to the tall woman at the foot at the table. The room quickly filled. Glad was the last to enter. He stood at the door with another guard at his back on the opposite side of the glass wall. His foggy glare was unsettling. Misuteri ignored him. She ignored everyone in the room but Loki. Loki stood up once the last chair was filled. “I want to thank you all for coming,” his voice was formal and polite. He spoke as if he had to say those words before proceeding. “I am only a passive observer. Today, I will be turning this meeting over to my daughters, Jormangundr,” he held out his hand and the beautiful woman across from him stood up. “And Hel,” the girl stood up. When she did, Loki sat down. Both of them are his daughters?  Misuteri almost shouted out loud. Her eyes grew wide in surprise and confusion. Her thoughts were so loud, she did not hear what Jormangundr said. Your-mun-gun-der? That's an interesting name for a girl. And Hel? Really? Is that short for something...? The room grew dark. Thick curtains fell over the windows and the glass tinted dark gray. A screen behind Jormangundr and Hel lit up with a presentation. “I will be walking you through a nine point plan to smoothly merge our three companies to further grow our wealth and successes,” Jormangundr moved aside as her sister took the lead. The light cast down from the projector made her curvy silhouette the only thing Misuteri could see. Once Hel started describing the details of her plan, Misuteri hastily tuned out. She was not interested in business, especially business that could get her in trouble. She was, however, too interested in Jormangundr. She stared at the woman as she stood in front of all the men. Misuteri could not see the fine details of her loose blouse and skinny slacks. She only noticed general things. In one hand she held a small remote and the other, she held a long pointing stick. Throughout her presentation, she thwacked it, hard, against the cloth screen. It made Misuteri uncomfortable each time she heard the noise. Loki saw her jump the first time Jormangundr did it. He smiled in delight. He reached out and touched her behind. Misuteri let out a tiny gasp. It was still sore and tender. His gentle touch almost caused her pain. The anticipation of what his kind hand might do made her heart beat faster. Loki slithered his hand around her hips and pulled her towards him. He nudged her discreetly at first. She moved with him. Once she was moving, he pulled her onto his lap more eagerly. Misuteri landed against his hard thighs roughly. Before she could assess the situation further, Loki's hand was slowly lifting her skirt. His hand made it to the crease of her pelvis before Misuteri realized no one had noticed she moved. They, too were transfixed on Jormangundr and Hel. All their heads were turned away from her. Misuteri's worry did not fade. Seconds later, Loki parted her legs over his knees and slipped his hand between her legs. No. No, no. I'm not an exhibitionist. Still, Misuteri was soaked. Loki's fingers coaxed her arousal out with ease. The way he grazed his fingertips over her tiny folds made Misuteri shiver. She grabbed at the top of his hand. She felt the way his tendons moved. It was as if he were playing an instrument and that instrument was her. Loki felt her fingernails dig into the back of his hand. The sensation made him lose control. He drove his middle finger deep into her before he meant to. With his plan accelerated, he took full advantage of the opportunity. He reached around Misuteri's mouth and pulled her against him. Her long torso sunk against him. He could see down her shirt. He could watch the way she tried not to squirm beneath his touch. He could feel her deep, hot breaths on his hand as he took control of her body. He enjoyed the way her large breasts heaved into the air each time she struggled to take a breath. She grew wetter by the second and his desire grew large against her spine. Loki continued to tease her swollen entrance. Every so often he would go deep enough to brush against her g-spot or beat his thumb against her clitoris but more often than not, he steered clear of her most sensitive nerve bundles. He played with her as if she were a toy to use to entertain himself. He molested her as she stared down at his daughters. Misuteri resisted her mental faculties. She could not bear the thought of incurring his wrath. He had kept her on the edge of release for several minutes. She felt her eyes glaze over and her vision blur. Misuteri lay against him, weak and defenseless. She submitted to his delightful touch in hope he would bring her to completion. She did not think about Jormangundr staring at her as Hel spoke. She nuzzled against his chest and moaned softly against him. She gently grind her hips against him. She moved with his dexterity, not against it. Her breath changed. She started breathing in short, controlled huffs. “No,” his voice was low and harsh. “I have not given you permission to release,” he drove his fingers deep into her. He held her against him tightly. “Do you understand?” Misuteri stiffened against him. “Yes, sir,” she whispered. Loki relaxed his grip. He continued making a mess of things between her legs. She had nearly soaked through the back of her skirt. Soon, her excitement would ruin his pristine slacks. Such a thing was unacceptable. “Go to the bathroom, the door behind us,” he withdrew his fingers. “Wait for me there,” he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned his hand. Misuteri slowly slid off his lap. She pulled her skirt as she rose up. She successfully covered herself before anyone might see her. She flexed her joints and the blood started to flow back into her stiff limbs. She moved swiftly towards the door behind them. “Excuse me?” Hel's voice changed. “Where do you think you're going?” Misuteri froze mid-step. She gently put her foot on the ground and turned. Oh god. She is talking to me. “I was going to the bathroom...” Misuteri replied in a small voice. It was humiliating enough being outed in front of all the strangers in the room but adding the fact that now they all assumed she had to pee, Misuteri was about to throw up. “Without permission?” Hel scoffed. “I don't care how new you are, you will not leave my father's side without permission.” But he told me to... “But he said to...” Misuteri started to defend herself. “I didn't hear him utter a word to you. Either you're lying or you're calling me a liar,” Hel's voice was fixed in an entitled arrogant tone. “Which is it?” She demanded Misuteri to answer her. “Nei...” Misuteri stopped herself from arguing. It was physically painful. “I'm sorry.” She lowered her head. She could not look down the room at all the men staring back at her. “I lied...” Misuteri whispered. She could not look at Hel and lie to save her own hide. Her face burned with anger. “Who was your instructor during your orientation?” Hel was less angry at Misuteri now and more angry at the situation. She slammed her hand down on the desk. She made her sister jump. The lights came back on. “I should have them flogged for your ignorant behavior.” She started to lash out at any target. Orientation? What orientation? Misuteri opened her mouth to reply. Loki stood up. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down the table at his daughter. “She is under my tutelage,” Loki glared at Jormangundr. “I – I'm sorry. I didn't know,” Hel was instantaneously humiliated. Jormangundr nearly dropped her pointing stick. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell agape. She lived for such titillating drama. “Continue your presentation,” Loki commanded. With a flick of his wrist, the room went dark again. “You are excused, Misuteri,” he continued. He turned to watch Misuteri as she slowly approached the powder room. Hel stared down the long table at her father. She watched him dismiss Misuteri without malice and it made her angrier. As Loki turned his head back towards her, she straightened her posture and hid her disdain. She cleared her throat and reiterated her past few thoughts before she saw Misuteri walk away from Loki. =============================================================================== Oh god...That was... Misuteri slowly dropped to her knees. She used the counter to lower herself to the floor. She curled over her knees and tucked her head. That was the first time in a very long time that she was forced to take someone's abuse without fighting  back. It made her entire body ache. She felt so humiliated, so violated. Enduring Loki's unwanted advances was hard enough but she stood no chance at survival if she had to take Hel's abuse too. She was such a bitch. How dare she treat me that way. I was just...Loki told me to...and then he just sat there. He sat there and watched what I'd do. She wanted to seriously hurt herself. Her frustration burned beneath her skin. Her humiliation crawled across her nerves. Her masochism betrayed her. She was losing control. She dug her fingers into her scalp and hot tears rolled down her face. “I see you are coming to terms with your situation,” Loki stood behind her. The door had not opened or closed. He just appeared. Misuteri lifted her head. She looked at him in awe and confusion. I don't know what you're talking about...just make it stop. She turned on her side and stared up at him. She conveyed little emotion. She was numb. “Please...” she held up her hands to him. “Make it stop...Please...just make it stop.” She dropped her arms to her thighs and trembled beneath him. “I can make them stop,” Loki's spoke slowly.  I sense an 'if' coming. Misuteri's senses were slowly coming back to her. Loki reminded her of who she was and who she wanted to be. She stay quiet, with her eyes aimed at his lips. The silence was agony. “Then make them stop already,” Misuteri gave into her impatience. “No,” he replied simply. “Why not?” Misuteri whined. “Is it because you really can't make them?” She purposefully irritated him. “I do not bother protecting someone who adamantly resists my claim of ownership,” Loki lowered his head. He locked eyes with Misuteri. He expressed his displeasure with her attitude. Really? That's how you're going to play this? Misuteri understood the situation more clearly now. She rolled her eyes. She pressed her lips together and made an effort to stand. Her legs were weak and she had to use the toilet to help herself up. She stood confidently before him, ready to fight for her pride. “I don't see why that matters. You've all but stuck your dick in me. You already think I'm yours. That's all that should matter,” Misuteri looked up at her dark captor. Loki was smiling down at her. He was genuinely amused by her. “You have a talent for forgetting your place,” he said as he stepped towards her. His face turned dark as he stepped under the light. His entire face was covered in shadow and his eyes glowed at her. Misuteri was able to take one whole step backwards before she was pressed tightly against the wall. She had nowhere to run in the small powder room. His proximity was draining her confidence. “You should know something very important about me,” Loki placed one hand on either side of her shoulders. His long, black tendrils fell against his cheeks. “When I finally take you, you will want it. You will beg me to do it. You will beg me for release. And when you do, you will be mine,” his profound statements fell from his lips as threats. He spoke as if he could see into the future, as if he knew truths no one else did. It was what made his words so unarguable. It was what made him seem so sure of himself. Misuteri was hypnotized by his omniscient glare. Her mouth was just slightly open as if ready for him to kiss her. Her eyes were wide. She watched him intently waiting for him to speak again. Her thoughts were blank. Nothing else existed except for Loki. Almost nothing existed. She existed. She was there. Deep inside herself, she was there. This isn't right. Her thoughts echoed through her empty mind. Her voice was small and distant inside her head. “Swear your loyalty to me, Misuteri, and I will protect you,” Loki was guiding her back to him. He was showing her the path back. His voice pulled her unguarded self towards him and into his clutches. No! You can't. Don't do it. Don't let him have control. Loki watched the light slowly return to her eyes. He waited anxiously for his spell to take hold. Resisting him was hard. His voice was so smooth and elegant. It was like he was singing to her. She was about to crash upon the rocks and be left helpless against the siren that was Loki. Still, her stubbornness aided her. Her will to be herself was pulling her back. It pulled her away from Loki, from the way he wanted her to go. Slowly, her thoughts were her own again and the light returned. Misuteri arrogantly flicked her eyes up at Loki. “No,” she rebelled. Her rebellion was impulsive and irrational, like that of a young child. She infuriated him. He took both of her hands in one of his and held them above her head. With he other he took her by the throat. His hand did not tighten as she expected it to. He simply held her there. He looked down at her helpless form. “Excuse me?” His tone was thick and hot like lava. His anger dripped over her like searing hot venom. The fire in his eyes was impossible to hide. Misuteri did not give into him as he tried to intimidate her. She flexed her abdomen and sunk against her feet. He could feel her defiance beneath his touch. “You can do whatever you want to me – you're gonna do whatever you want, no matter what, so it doesn't matter but I refuse to make it any easier for you. I will not do your dirty work for you,” Misuteri spewed her conviction at him until he pressed against her throat. He did so slowly. He cut off her words, not her air. He held her their while he composed himself. His anger had nearly consumed him. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He knew Misuteri was helpless in his grip. He knew she had no chance to escape. A part of him was impressed with her resolve. His spell would have worked on any ordinary mortal. Her extraordinary behavior infuriated and excited him. So few individuals resisted him so strongly. He would have to step it up a notch. Loki deliberately lowered his arms and smiled. He stepped back under the light. He opened his eyes to watch Misuteri pull her sore wrists into her chest and rub her neck. She was not looking at him. He deciphered her expressions with stunning accuracy. Oh god. What did I do? Why didn't I just say, “Sure Loke, I'm all yours?” “I suspect you have never taken the easy road,” Loki stifled a laugh. Misuteri frowned. She looked up at him. “No...”  she felt ashamed. The way he talked made her feel ashamed about her actions. Loki smiled deviously. “Do you think you kiss me back if I kissed you?” His voice sounded  young and charming. Misuteri furrowed her brow. “Of course not,” she replied stubbornly. In one swift motion, Loki pounced on Misuteri. He held her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. He gently pressed her against the wall until her body relaxed against his. He was not deterred by her lack of enthusiasm. He slipped his tongue in against hers tediously. He coaxed hers to relax. A moment later, he felt it flick against his. His passion grew. He drove his tongue deeper into her mouth. One of his hands slipped behind her head. He caressed the back of her neck as she tilted her face up to him. His other hand slipped down her neck and groped her breast. A whisper of a moan escaped Misuteri's lips as he touched her. Several, long, entangling seconds later, Misuteri found the strength to resist him. She tore her face aside and pushed against his chest. With their kiss broken, Loki reluctantly stopped his advances. He straightened his jacket and tie. “Now we both know you lied about that. When will you realize what else you are lying to yourself about?” Misuteri sunk against the wall, breathless. As her knees began to buckle, she forced herself to drop onto the hard toilet seat lid. I didn't. I'm not lying...I...he made me... Misuteri shook her head. “I'm married. I love my husband,” she stared down at her wedding ring. “I will not have some sordid affair with you,” she looked up at him with hate and fury in her eyes. She disguised her sadness well. "I am a king. I decide what you will and will not do. I decide whether you are or are not married." Loki had no sympathy for her. He held out his hand. “Give me your hand,” Loki ordered. Misuteri held her right hand out to him with her palm up. “The other one,” he corrected her without emotion. Misuteri obeyed and lifted her left hand up in the same fashion. Loki snatched her wrist in his hand. He grabbed her ring and started to pull. It did not slip off easily. Misuteri struggled against him. It did not matter how hard she jerked against him, his wrist held her hand still. She quickly realized just how strong he was. Loki continued to wiggle the shiny white gold band filled with diamonds off of her finger. He had nearly gotten it passed the first knuckle when she curled her fingers into a fist. Loki surprised her by letting her wrist go. “Give it to me,” Loki ordered. He held his hand out. His voice was calm. Misuteri withdrew her hand. She pushed her ring back down to the base of her finger and held it her right hand over it. “No,” She defied him. “I will not let you take the only thing I have left,” Misuteri barked at him. She tucked her head low. She attempted to make herself small again. “Take it off or I will take your whole hand and send it to your husband,” Loki made it impossible to tell if he was bluffing. In shock, Misuteri stared up at him. Her grip became even tighter but it was nothing in comparison to the grip he hand on her wrist. No...he wouldn't...he couldn't be so cruel. “Do not test me,” he shook his outstretched hand. Misuteri swallowed hard. She looked down at her hand and started to wiggle her ring free. She rocked it over her knuckle easy enough. Tears filled her eyes as she held it free in her right hand. She expected Loki to snatch it from her. She tried not to close her hand around it. “Place it in my hand,” he said softly. His voice hinted at tenderness and sympathy. Misuteri closed her eyes and held it out to him. She gently put it in his hand. She almost could not release it. Eventually, she did and watched the tiny ring drop against his large palm. She stared at it until he closed his fist around it. Once it vanished from her sight, her tears streamed down her cheeks. She stared up at him. It was a wounded, defeated stare but she refused to let him break her. She would get her ring back, somehow. She was determined not to let him win. “Stand up,” Loki motioned for her to come to him. In the tiny bathroom, it was only a matter of feet. Misuteri wanted to resist. She wanted to fight and rebel but her spirit had been temporarily fractured. She did not have the energy nor the willpower to muster much of a resistance. So, she stood and went to him. She stood opposite Loki with her back to the small sink and mirror. She looked up at him with a frown and red eyes. Loki lifted her onto the counter. He kissed her again. This time Misuteri did kiss him back. She did so meekly. She touched her tongue to his and let her jaw relax. Her shoulders were lax and her hands sat in her lap. He had emotionally beat her. Loki was rapidly leaving his mark on her psyche. Chapter End Notes You guys mean the world to me!!!! Thanks for reading. ***** The Nightmare (Plot=Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Loki tells Misuteri to rest and falls under her spell unintentionally. Loki takes advantage of her carelessness. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape are never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. The naughty bit starts out as Misu and Jouten and then turns into Misu and Loki. Two very different situations. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri and Loki eventually rejoined everyone else in the meeting. After their stint in the bathroom, Misuteri felt exhausted and helpless. She felt naked without her wedding ring. She ran her fingers around the skin where it sat. Each time she realized it was not there, she fell deeper into a pit of sorrow. The meeting concluded rather quickly. Jormangundr and Hel said their goodbyes to Loki and then departed. Loki was the last to leave the room. He stood up and lead Misuteri back down a maze of glass hallways to his office. “You look terrible,” Loki was annoyed. “I'm sorry...I'm tired,” Misuteri replied lowly. Being scared for forever always makes me tired... “You may rest over there,” he motioned to the couch. “I will wake you when I am ready to leave. You will be joining me for dinner tonight,” Loki sat at his desk. He waved his hand and piles of folders and papers appeared. He started to flip through them as Misuteri made her way across the room. She picked up the blanket and pillows before sitting down. She reached down at unbuckled the strap on her shoes. Pulling them off revitalized her half as much as a nap would have. She wrapped the blanket around her legs so her bare skin did not stick to the leather. She lay there, trying to fall asleep for quite sometime before she mustered the courage to speak. She sat up and stared at Loki as he read through the files on his desk. “Does he even know I'm not coming home yet?” She asked unsure how he would react. Loki put the paper he was reading down and looked up at her. He was displeased she was not asleep. “If I allow you to rest, you should take advantage of the opportunity,” he blinked and looked back down at his paperwork. Misuteri frowned. She rolled onto her side and pulled the blanket up over her shoulder. She shut her eyes tight and tried to will herself to sleep. She failed. A moment later, she sat up again. “It's just...I'll rest better if I know...” Misuteri was not lying. Loki sighed with annoyance. He ignored her. “Please, my king,” Misuteri started to beg. Loki lifted an eyebrow. He set his paper down once more and looked over at her. “If I answer your question, do you promise to obey my every command tonight?” He did not speak in his slow, deliberate way. His words were rushed and impulsive. He laced his fingers together and leaned on his elbows as he waited for her answer. He did not stay there long. “Yes!” She replied without thinking. “Of course, my king!” Misuteri leaned forward. “No,” He replied simply and then looked back down at his desk. “Now go to sleep,” he did not look at her. He returned to his reading. No? “No” is all I get? Misuteri stayed sitting up. She stared out at Loki dumbfounded. Her thoughts were bursting with questions. Her disbelief kept her from asking them. She could not comprehend the fact that Jouten had no idea what sort of danger she was in. Knowing did not make her feel better. It made her worry more. It hurt knowing she was all alone.  A part of her was happy he did  not know. She still had a chance to fix this without him even knowing. She liked that idea. She liked that she had a chance to get herself out of this mess. Really though, what sort of chance do I have? She hunched over her knees and looked up at Loki. He sifted through his paperwork and scribbled his name every now and then. He acted as if she was not there. His disinterest in her was comforting. Eventually, her thoughts quieted. I should at least try to sleep... Misuteri frowned. She lay down against the hard couch. She turned away from the orange, evening sunlight. She was relaxed enough to fall asleep but her body refused to let her. This was not an especially strange situation. It happened quite frequently when she was at home, with Jouten. She was tired but not sleepy. She knew how to fix it. She learned how when she was little. She had to run away. She had to escape her conscious mind to fall asleep. It was a pretty simple task. First, she emptied her mind. Her thoughts were blank and she focused on nothing but the darkness behind her eyes. Then a warm, comforting feeling pooled in her chest. Her body grew warm and relaxed even further. She breathed more slowly and more deeply. The warm in her chest spread up through her neck and shoulders. Soon, her arms felt limp and distant. The tension in her upper body felt further and further away until she was pleasantly numb. Now that she as far away from her body, from the real world, her imagination took control. However, the were few thoughts and images that made Misuteri relax no matter what. Her wrist and ankles tingled a little. She could feel her pulse. It grounded her and it released her. =============================================================================== Misuteri's lips press firmly against her lover's skin. Soft, breathy moans escaped from her. She tossed her head back against the pillow with her eyes firmly shut. She dug her nails into his broad shoulders. She arched her back so her breasts rubbed against his chest. Her nipples growing harder with each thrust. She pressed her pelvis upwards. Her feet flexed firmly to resist a toe curling cramp. She bucked her hips against his. It was pure ecstasy every time he pulled back but she did not want him to. Oh, no. The closer he was, the better it felt. The better she felt. The better everything felt. His warmth surrounded her. There was nothing but her between him and the sheets. He knelt over her, with his long white hair flowing over his shoulder. He stared down at her with teeth clenched and his brows closely tucked together but his gaze was soft and loving. Each time he watched her lips form that perfect circle, he melted with bliss. He cherished her. His strong back and thick arms protected her, shielded her from the outside world. She was his and he never neglects what is his. It was almost time. He had been holding back for quite some time. He stared down at her large breasts as they bounced beneath him. He nearly lost it. He looked up at her face, savoring the moment. He brushed a piece of hair out of her face. She lay there, weak and wholly dependent on him. He slowed his pleasure.  He tenderly kissed her. His weight temporarily suffocating her. His long tongue and full lips made him an amazing kisser. She was forced to break it in an attempt to breathe. She gasped and flexed around him. His loud, masculine moan sounded more like a grunt of pain than of pleasure. With his passion renewed, he doubled his speed. He now had little concern for her tender folds. It mattered not. He had made her so slick between the legs that he'd have to go all out to cause her any real pain. Once more he combed the hair out of her face. He lowered himself over her and whispered, “one more, baby, one more, with me.” He slowly coaxed her to consciousness. He wanted her – needed her to be all there with him. If she was off in her own world, he was incomplete. =============================================================================== Loki looked down at his papers with an uncertain expression. His eyelids felt heavy and his fingers tingled. He leaned back and shook his head side to side. A moment later, the feeling returned. He dropped the document on his desk and rubbed his eyes. Upon opening them, his gaze fell upon Misuteri. He focused his sight upon her. He honed into the cause of his discomfort. A thin, pink smoke dripped from the couch. It rolled and dissipated into the rest of the office. He took a deep breath in and felt his grogginess return tenfold. It took all his willpower to stand. He resisted her potent spell and approached her. He made it across the room with slow, staggering steps. He must wake her to break the spell. The closer he got, the harder it was for him to resist the urge to sleep. His body grew weak and more difficult to control. He stumbled and caught himself on the edge of the couch. He reached out towards her but as their skin touched, Loki lost consciousness. =============================================================================== He felt his body fill with feral desire. His passion overcame him. His body roared to life once more. For several, long moments, he was just a passive guest in someone else's world. However, he would not be beaten twice. His cognitive functions returned to him. He used his logic and reasoning quickly dissected his predicament. Loki looked down at Misuteri. Her head was tossed to the side. Her long neck and torso lay beneath him. He felt her legs over his thighs. The air was thick with the scent of her. He saw her bare breasts heave up towards him. Her moan was so soft, so subtle, he almost couldn't hear it. Her hips worked against his. She teased him with mercilessly soft touches. His desire for her grew. He let out a deep, throaty growl as he thrust as hard as he could against her. He grabbed both her wrists and held them down tightly at her sides. He leaned forward on them. He tipped her hips up towards him. Reflexively, Misuteri crossed her legs. She barred him from going too deep and too fast for her liking. “Straighten your legs,” he growled down at her. His voice was a mixture of his own and Jouten's. Misuteri was too far gone to notice. She heard who she wanted to hear. She did as he wished. She straightened one leg and stretched it up towards his shoulder. That was enough. That was all he needed. He had the leverage he wanted now. He pressed his weight against her raised leg and rolled her onto her upper back. He bent her at a painful angle and continued to drive himself deeper inside her. Misuteri cried out. She flexed her wrist and curled her fingers into fists. That was usually all it took for Jouten to let go. Loki did not. He ignored her subtle cries for reprieve. He found that perfect angle to achieve his goal and he was going to make sure she stayed there. When he wouldn't let go, she opened her eyes and turned her face towards her lover. Her softened anger quickly boiled to hysteria. His raven hair fell around his face and his piercing green eyes glared down at her with malice and rage. She thrashed beneath him. She successfully dislodged his member from her and threw his rhythm off.  The sound Loki let out was nothing she had ever heard Jouten make. It was void of all human emotion. It was some type of beastly roar. He dropped his lower body onto hers. He let go of her wrists and balanced over her. He snapped his jaw at her as he neared her face. The second he let her wrists go, she thrashed again. She felt him baring down on her and did everything she could to fight him off. She beat her tiny hands against his chest. She left red marks on his perfect, silky skin. “Get off of me! Get away from me!” She wailed at him. His face turned red with his fury. “Stop that!” He shouted at her. Misuteri did not listen. She reached up with an open palm and struck his face as hard as she could. “Get off of me!” His face did not move with the force of her blow. His eyes burned more brightly than before. His terrifying expression made her grow silent. She drew in her arms against her chest and stared up at him in fear. She trembled, slightly, beneath him. Apologize. Just apologize. Misuteri could not muster words. She watched him contemplate what to do with her. The longer it took him to decide, the violently she shook. Then, in one sudden motion, she felt a force, pulling her arms behind her. She tried to stop it. The more she resisted, the more painful it was. She arched her back to accommodate her forearms. When she could touch her elbows with her fingertips, she was stuck. She shuttered. She looked down at her breasts. They had fallen apart. She could see straight down her sternum and abdomen. There hung Loki's member. It was full and engorged with blood. The tip was half the size of her fist. She did everything she could not to look at it. She stared up at Loki's flexed stomach and his hips. The curve of his lower body over her with the gleaming shine of light on his slick manhood made her quiver. She flicked her eyes up at him. His hateful glare had turned into an amused grin. No more than a few seconds had passed and her arms were falling asleep. She wiggled beneath him to relieve her discomfort. Her helplessness made her irresistible. Loki watched her soak in her distress and saw it turn to frustration. Misuteri looked up at him one last time. “Please, Loki, don't do this. Please. Just let me go,” she pleaded with him. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hit you. I didn't mean to.” Her apology was sincere despite her lie. It felt amazing to hit him. “Let's talk. Please.” She paused for a moment. He was giving her nothing in terms of nonverbal communication. “Re-remember what you said? You said you wouldn't take me until I begged for it...until I wanted it.” Loki burst into laughter. It was that type of loud, infectious laughter that could get even the most stoic individual to chuckle. Misuteri was too afraid to laugh. She knew she was the joke. She didn't understand what was so funny. “This is a dream, pet,” Loki still snickered. “It does not count,” his jovial tone turned dark again. “You best behave from here on out or else I will punish you, and in here, I need not be gentle with you.” Misuteri's mouth was dry. She wanted to speak. She opened her mouth and gave it her best effort but nothing came out. Tears watered her eyes. She exhaled slowly and turned her head. A tear fell from the corner of her eye as gravity took hold of it. She pressed her lips tightly together in a frown. Loki's dark smile grew ear to ear. His perfect, white teeth nearly glowed in the dark setting that was her dream.  He would have his way with her and release all his pent up frustration. She deserved it. And after all, it was only a dream. This is a nightmare. She fought back her sobs as Loki adjusted her legs once more and drove himself mercilessly into her. She closed her eyes and stayed as quiet as she could. She would not give him the satisfaction of her unhappiness; and she did not want to incur his wrath anymore than she already had. She focused on the discomfort of her arms, not between her legs.  Loki pounded into her with such speed and force, he almost pierced her womb. The sensation of him pushing against her cervix was a pain she always avoided with her lovers. It made her nauseous and dizzy. Loki only seemed to truly enjoy himself when he saw her eyes roll back and her lips pressed together. He had little interest in any other body part. This little mercy went unappreciated in the whole scheme of things. She endured an eternity of his godly thrusts before he finally let go. He timed his release just as her body came to terms with her situation. It could not protect her from him. He was too quick. He outsmarted her biology. She felt him push harder against her in one, long, sustained thrust. Then, his orgasm began. He announced it with a groan he held in his throat. The velocity of his seed against her sore, beaten insides was beyond painful. Misuteri felt each, tiny twitch. It was like he was mocking her, reminding her of her fragility. Misuteri whimpered. She gave in. Now that he was finished, she let her walls crash down around her. She no longer lay there in denial of what was happening to her. She was just as vulnerable as Loki had forced her to be. A part of her was at peace. It was content with having lost the war because she no longer had to fight. She breathed deeply. Her hips dropped down against the bed as Loki withdrew his sensitive member. He stay on all fours over her. His body was hot and sweaty. “I,” he was still out of breath as he spoke, “I will enjoy making you mine.” Chapter End Notes Whew! What do you think? Did that count? Or was Loki totally cheating? Thanks for reading! ***** His Responsibility (Plot>Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri takes a different approach to rebelling against Loki. He uses the opportunity to slip in behind her psychological defenses. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape are never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. Specifics: Loki molests Misuteri again. She tries to use some of her old tricks and fails. Loki takes precautions and makes sure she can't 'finish' without permission. If you've been aching for Misuteri to mouth off and give Loki a piece of her mind, this is your chapter! See the end of the chapter for more notes She woke in a panic. She remembered every detail of her nightmare. Then, she slowly realized she was free of him, of his touch. She pulled her legs in beneath her. She remembered she wasn't wearing shoes and scurried off of the couch. Once her feet touched the carpet, she realized Loki was laying on the ground. She backed away from him slowly at first. Then her feet moved more quickly beneath her until she was next to the door. I have to get out of here. I can't let that become a reality. Instinctively, she knew what happened. She had used her magic to fall asleep and Loki touched her. She tried to keep her spell going. She wanted him to stay under for as long as possible but she was no anesthesiologist. This spell could not be explained by science. It was more spiritual than healing magic. There was no way to tell how long its effects would last on an Asgardian. Misuteri knew the door was locked. She reached out and shook the handle anyway. It barely budged. She stared down the hallway. She could not see through the gray tint of the glass. It was too thick. She turned and looked around the room. Since Loki had uncloaked his desk, there was an array of office supplies at her disposal. She quietly sifted through the cup of pens. Then through the small tray of paper clips and tacks. A letter opener! Oh, the things I can do with a letter opener! Misuteri stifled her excitement. She snatched the letter opener out of his stand-up sheath on Loki's desk. It was narrow with runes on the handle. It looked like a dull, narrow dagger. She turned back to the door. She bent over and felt along the glass for an opening near the handle. “Drop it, now,” Loki hissed his order at her. Misuteri turned in surprise with the pointed tool waist high. Loki took a step towards her. Reflexively, Misuteri rose the letter opener chest high. Her grip was tight and defensive. She stretched out her other hand with her palm towards Loki. “Do not make me repeat myself. If you do, we will be late for dinner and if that happens, your stay will get very uncomfortable, very fast,” he held out his hand. Misuteri looked in his direction but she could not find the courage to look him in the eye. I should do it. I should charge at him right now while I have a chance. No matter the consequences, I have to fight. I have to. She didn't. She dropped her arms to her sides and flung the letter opener towards the door. She stepped to the side of it, towards the desk, and lowered her head. She saw Loki move. She assumed he lowered his hand, too. Then she saw him come towards her. She flinched. He picked up the letter opener and returned it to its sheath. He shook his head in disappointment. “It is going to be a long time before you have the privilege of handling any sharp or bladed objects,” Loki spoke as if he were explaining the consequences of her behavior to a child. Misuteri was overwhelmed with the compulsion to apologize. “I'm sorry...” Loki folded his arms behind his back and looked at her curiously. She could not ignore her compulsion. “My king,” she reluctantly finished. “I just couldn't help it,” she held out her hands, “I can't just let you...” “You can and you will,” he interrupted her with an authoritarian and kingly tone. He circled around his desk to his chair. “But I can't,” she whined. Her pitch was beyond annoying. It was painful and irritating. “Enough! I have had enough of your whining. If you utter a word out of turn at dinner, I will have you flogged in the lobby with the entire office watching!” Misuteri lost the ability to swallow as Loki threatened her. She turned and fell into one of the curved chairs by the desk. She nodded and lowered her eyes. Loki sat at his desk and finished whatever he was doing before their nap. She sat their, patiently waiting for him to finish. Misuteri had forgotten about her promise before she fell asleep. She did not want to go but she thought best of her rebellion. She turned away from him and enjoyed her lovely view of the sunset. She watched two large birds cross the sky every once and a while. It nearly put her to sleep. Her nap had not been exceptionally restful and she could not remember the last time she ate something. Her body was still wracked with fatigue from her shift the night before. I wonder how he does it. It's probably a cloaking spell. Like the one he had on his desk. He doesn't actually change; he just changes his appearance. He probably can't actually shape shift like we can. Misuteri looked over at Loki. She had found some remnants of pride in herself and her race. It must have shown on her face because Loki glared up at her. Or maybe he doesn't like to be stared at all the time. She tried not to look at him again for a while. She failed. Or maybe he just doesn't like being stared at the way he stares at people. Misuteri softened her gaze as much as she could when she finally realized she couldn't not stare at him. She resented the fact that he was so beautiful. Sometimes when she looked at him, she thought he was more beautiful than she was. That was a double-edged sword. His attractiveness did rely heavily on his more feminine features that Misuteri wasn't overly fond of in men. She had a type for both sexes. She liked girls that were like her. She liked girls the way Loki liked her. Misuteri liked her men very differently. She fell head over heels in love with Jouten almost the second she set eyes on him because he was tall, handsome and strong. He had to wear relax-fit jeans to accommodate his muscular thighs and his shirts had to be extra wide in the shoulders. Loki looked like he could fit into any sort of clothes he wanted. He used to wear the slimmest clothes he could find. Misuteri had always adored his rail- thin, tall figure. That also meant she teased him about it...a lot. Now, he appeared more masculine than before but he was no Jouten. I'm probably not the best person to consult on the matter...I'm pretty bias. While Misuteri passed the time thinking of whatever she could to her fidgeting to a minimum and keep herself occupied, Loki finally finished his paperwork. “It amazes me how you Midgardians have reinforced your strict hierarchies,” he spoke without looking up from his last sheet of paper in a large, loosely bound stack. “You have managed to make the many individuals lower than you complacent by delegating your responsibilities. They not only do most of the work but do it as if you are sacrificing something by allowing them to do the deed for you,” he scoffed in astonishment. “And your officials still get to claim credit!” Misuteri looked up at him with a puzzled expression. Loki looked her in the eye. “Do you think that there is something wrong with that?” She shook her head. “No, my king,” she answered honestly. He looked at her curiously. “Why do you suppose the many let the few take responsibility?” So many answers came flooding to her head. “Do you mean in a business setting or...?” She left the question open ended. She was not sure what he wanted. “In any setting,” he folded his arms on the table. “If you diverge from my point, I will redirect you,” he continued. “Um...okay,” Misuteri looked down self-consciously. His full attention on her made her nervous. “Well, in a business setting, like...there are things that other people, usually bosses, that know things that you don't and it's their job to teach you...so you do their job, so you can learn how to do their job. In the mean time, they take responsibility because if you mess up, it's on them.” Misuteri flicked her eyes up at Loki to tell him she was finished. “Are you implying that all individuals that give up responsibility do so in order not to take responsibility for their failures?” Loki's tone was genuinely curious to see what her answer is. “Not all people. I mean, nothing really applies to everyone but yeah. I'm sure some people stay in lower positions to avoid responsibility because of the chance of failure,” she paused in thought for a second. “I also know people that don't want the stress of responsibility...having to do certain things all the time, no matter what, or having people depend on you...it can be hard and some people just don't like it.” “Do you shy away from positions of authority in order to avoid failure or the responsibility of such authority is too much for you to handle?” He intentionally used the condescension in his voice make her angry and uncomfortable. Misuteri looked up at him. “I don't shy away from positions of authority.” Loki wanted to call bullshit but he would not use such crass words. “I think you are lying,” he lifted an eyebrow. Misuteri sat up and looked him in the eye. Her confidence was returning. She did not let him intimidate her. She shrugged her shoulders. “I don't care much what you think,” she said with a cocky smirk on her face. “Oh yes, you do,” Loki spoke before Misuteri's arrogant words soaked into her thick skull. Loki flashed around the table. He tipped her chin up with his index finger, “and do you want to know why you care so much?” Misuteri narrowed her eyes. She stood up with Loki's finger ever pressing under her chin. “Why do you think I care so much?” She hissed at him. “For the same reason you will beg me to fuck you,” the way he enunciated the last words caused him to flick his tongue violently against his teeth. “I suppose you know why I'd do that, too?” Misuteri stood stiff against him but the anger still boiled in her veins. Loki snatched her hair and pulled her against him. “Because, when you finally realize you will never see your doting husband again, you will need someone to fill that void before it eats you alive,” He whispered in her ear. He reached down and lifted up her skirt. Misuteri could hardly breathe as he pressed her against the fabric of his suit. She tried to fight him but he only loosened his grip when she stopped. He grazed the outside of her womanhood. He teased her at first and then slipped his fingers inside of her. Misuteri closed her eyes and breathed deeply against him. She tried to resist his touch. “You will thank me for every morsel of responsibility I give you and you will do so eagerly and with enthusiasm. You will preform any task I ask of you with accurately and promptly,” he held her still against him. His fingers rapidly causing her body to produce more lubricant between her legs. “And you will never forget who is truly responsible for your behavior, good or bad,” Loki growled in her ear. His breath passed over her skin with a tingle that went down her entire spine. His fingers still molesting her with increasing passion. “Please...Loki...” Misuteri grabbed onto his lapel. Her knees grew weak. “Please, what?” He taunted her. “You better not cum without permission.” “Please...I'm...you're gonna...” Misuteri was almost entirely dependent on him to keep her upright. “You better ask before it is too late,” Loki spoke in a slow drawl was he increased the speed of his fingers. Please...Loki...can I...? She could barely form thoughts let alone words but there was something she could do. She almost always had enough energy to rely on impulse alone. “Please...” she said meekly as before. “I wouldn't want to ruin your cheap suit, you conniving bastard,” she spoke with a momentary clarity she had lacked since he touched her. “I will enjoy punishing you for that later,” Loki lifted her up by the jacket collar and his hand between her legs. Oh, no...It didn't work. It didn't work! Misuteri almost screamed. She pushed at him and his arm as hard as she could. She tried to squirm away on the desk but he was too fast. He held fast to her dress shirt and suit jacket. “The faster you beg, the faster this will all the over,” he glared down at her. “No...no, it won't,” Misuteri was far from stupid. The sooner she gave into his demands, the faster they would snowball into more taxing tasks. She would sooner endure his punishments than reward his brutality with cooperation. She was on the edge, ready to fall off in a matter of mere seconds. “I am not a patient individual. I will have your compliance. Willingly or...less so,” Loki stated. He with drew his hand and placed it over her pelvis. He pressed his other hand firmly against her heart. Misuteri's skin grew hot where he touched. She looked up and saw him silently mouthing words. She tried to push his hands away but they were fixed to her. His green aura clashed with her natural defenses. She started to thrash against him but her movements became less voluntary like a convulsion. “Stop. Please, it hurts!” Misuteri screamed. Loki just looked down at her. His eyes were narrow as the light shined up at him. Then, Loki did remove his hands. The pain slowly faded. Misuteri sat up. She pulled her legs together and straightened out her top. It hurt to move it over where he had his hand. “What did you just do to me?” Misuteri looked up at him. “From this point on, no matter how much I toy with you, you will not know release without my permission,” he glared down at her. “And I assure you, you will not know release without submission and a healthy dose of fear.” Loki stuck his hand back in between her legs. No. That's impossible. He couldn't've done something like that. Nothing felt different. His touch was still remarkably dexterous. In some ways he was even gentle as he warmed and relaxed Misuteri's body without her consent. She was quickly breathless and hot. She was still in disbelief. Her chest and her desire did not see eye to eye. It did not matter how tender or ready her loins grew, her heart felt still in her chest.  She looked up at Loki. “You mean...” she breathed. Her head fell back against the desk. “Now I don't have to beg you to stop?” Misuteri rebelliously cried out. She exaggerated a moan. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked at Loki. She resisted the pleasure he was building between her legs. “I think we both know you should probably stop. This really isn't doing anything for me.” It took every ounce of her guile to look up at him with such nonchalant confidence. Loki did withdraw his hand from her. His frustration grew. He had not expected her to react like that. No woman could resist his touch; resist the instinctive need to release. Perhaps he did underestimate her stubbornness or rather he thought she was smarter. He refused to let her disrespect him. His anger seethed, just beneath the surface. His irises glowed red as he pondered his next move. Misuteri felt him move. She pulled her legs together and sat up all the way. She almost had her feet on the floor before she caught Loki's glare. His fury was suffocating. His green magic filled the air and made her feel heavy. Her fragile facade cracked under his angry stare. She let it show as she tugged at her skirt. Oh shit. Ireallyshouldn't have done that... She found her feet beneath her. Misuteri held her hands up. She was not only trying to keep him at arm's length but to show her surrender. “I'm sorry...I shouldn't have done that...” Misuteri would have shrank away in a corner if she were able to. Loki just kept staring down at her. He crossed his arms and tilted his chin up. It seemed he decided what he was going to do but he was waiting for Misuteri to make the next move. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? Misuteri dropped to her knees. “Please,” she whimpered. “Believe me. I'm sorry,” she looked up at Loki. “I won't do it again,” Misuteri lowered her head. She stared down at his shiny boots. She trembled a little. That was so stupid...I should've just begged. I should've just done what he said. Loki stared down at the quivering, pathetic girl at his feet. He knew she was nowhere close to being broken. She may have been afraid but she was laying it on thick to gain his favor. Loki let out an annoyed sigh. “Get up,” Loki ordered. He reached down and grabbed her upper arm when she did not move fast enough. He shook her a little and forced her to look up at him. He held two fingers under the soft part of her chin. Misuteri looked up at him softly with a small frown resting on her lips. She was trying so hard to be submissive without giving him full control. “If I made a promise to you, you would want me to keep it, correct?” Loki relaxed his face. Most of his anger had faded with her show of good will. She nodded in reply. “I will keep my promises for as long as you keep yours. You do remember what you promised me you would do tonight, do you not?” He pressed easier against her chin.  Loki's unwavering gaze made it easy for her to remember. It was simple. It was the one thing he had been telling her to do since she got there. “I promised I'd obey you, my king,” Misuteri replied. The words were hard for her to say. She wished she could take them back. I bet that promise came with an implied 'without question clause'. "Do you understand the importance of our conversation about responsibility?" Loki looked down at her. He studied her for weaknesses. He waited to see if she would lie. Uh...not really, you random bastard. She understood the concepts they talked about but not why. And why mattered far more to her. "Yes, my king," she replied hesitantly. "I think so," she looked up at him. She showed her uncertainty. Loki reacted to her without malice. He explained himself as if he were confiding in her. He knew her, too well, and he knew if he was going to gain her trust and respect, he needed her to fully understand. “I am responsible for a great many things, Misuteri, and in order for me to manage things well, everyone must play their parts. You may think everyone else does all the work and I get all the credit but remember what my job really is. I must lead and rule. You will learn that I am capable of both great compassion and great cruelty,” Loki rested his hand on Misuteri's shoulder. He returned her softness. He even gave her a reassuring smile. Oh yeah right. I bet you help old ladies across the street all the time. She looked up at him as a young child looks up at an adult. She tried to smile back. She understood why he asked her such a strange question out of the blue. It didn't matter much to her. She did not trust him or respect him. She resisted her combative, argumentative nature. She held back her temper and listened to her own reason. He wants to lead. He's either going to take it or I can give it to him. If I keep fighting him, I have a feeling things are going to get very, very bad very fast. “I am willing to forgive your transgression if you keep your promise,” Loki's face returned to its serious default. It took a moment for Loki's words to set in. Misuteri repeated them over and over in her head until she figured out the best thing she could do. She looked up at him with big, hope filled eyes. A small smile flattened her frown. “What would you like for me to do?” Misuteri straightened her posture and folded her arms in front of her. “Accompany me to dinner,” he held out his hand. Misuteri eagerly took his hand. As her fingers brushed against his, she felt the energy in the room change. She suddenly felt warmer. Her skirt suit had faded away into a sleek, black dress with green accents. The sleeves were long with thumb holes. The neck line swooped down over the roundest part of Misuteri's breasts. They felt way more exposed now. The skirt was longer but the it felt as if it were made out of spandex. She felt it ride up as Loki walked towards the door. She resisted the urge to pull on it. Despite her new slinky outfit, she was actually happy to go with him. His composure was less animal and more kingly. She was confident that if she behaved, he would not hurt her. If things stay like this all night...there might be some hope for this rabid beast of a man. Loki was quite satisfied with her change in attitude. She proved to be as intelligent as he suspected. He still intend on tearing her down and claiming her for his own. He knew her current mood would not last. It took too much effort on her part to sustain. His way would make her realize how easy it is just to listen to him. Chapter End Notes In the next chapter I'm going to be setting up for some of the 'old' material. Fenrir should be back and super adorable soon! And Jouten is going to take a surprise trip to the island to figure out why his wife won't call him back! Thanks for reading! I love your comments and feedback!!! ***** Their Dinner (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri and Loki have dinner with Hel and Jormangundr. She gets to know them and Loki's plans a little bit more intimately. Chapter Notes I tried to add some humor to this dark battle of wills. So, be willing to laugh or at least smile. Enjoy! See the end of the chapter for more notes Loki opened the door, without manually unlocking it and exited the room. The rim of the glass door shined green and he vanished. Misuteri stood there, partly from surprise but mostly from confusion. She lingered staring at the doorway. I should go. I should hurry. She didn't want to. She wanted to stay as far away from Loki  as she could for as long as she could. Only a few seconds passed before she closed her eyes as tight as she could and burst through the door head first. As crossed the threshold of Loki's office, she disappeared in a blaze of green fire. =============================================================================== Misuteri hurried forward without concern for her direction. Her supernatural momentum kept her moving forward. By the time she realized she was headed straight at Loki, it was too late. His back was turned to her. All she could see was the flat black color of his suit against his broad shoulders. Loki knew she was coming. He stepped to the side, moving Hel aside with one arm. She glared at Misuteri as she fumbled forward towards Jormangundr. Loki looked down at his clumsy, new toy without concern. Misuteri was filled with a mixture of relief as she saw Loki move aside just in time. It did not last long. The next second, she was suddenly gasping for breath. Jormangundr didn't notice what was going on until Misuteri face planted in her overflowing bosom. Hel scoffed. “Your new pet has no grace,” she said with disgust. “She will,” Loki replied passively. “If I didn't know better, I might think you were in over your head,” Hel had that same chastising tone Loki usually had when speaking to Misuteri. Loki looked down at his daughter's delicate frame. His expression was a mixture of dismissal and malice. He crossed his arms and looked towards Misuteri. “You had best know better than to doubt me,” he said in a low, stern voice. He shot a glance down at Hel, who was looking up at him. “Or else I might have to remind you what I am truly capable of, personally,” Loki's voice was dark and threatening. It sent shivers down Hel's spine. Loki shattered Hel's cool exterior. She looked to her sister. She watched Jormangundr pull Misuteri from her mostly exposed chest. Upon impact, Misuteri tried to pull away from Jormangundr. However, the tall, scantily clad woman had other ideas. She held Misuteri to her with surprising strength. The harder Misuteri tried to wiggle free, the harder she squeezed. Misuteri clawed at the loose fabric around Jormangundr's shoulders. Her dress hung around her neck and flowed over her chest loosely with a deep cut to her navel. The bottom of the dress was tight around her upper thighs. It barely covered the entirety of her bottom. “Let her go, Jormangundr,” Loki commanded with an entertained smile. His tall daughter pouted at him. She reluctantly dropped her arms and left her face fixed in a frown. Misuteri stumbled backwards. She gasped for air. What just effing happened? She made eye contact with Jormangundr. The serpent's expression changed as their eyes met. She looked down at Misuteri with a look of hunger. It unnerved her. She took a step backwards and looked to Loki. When Jormangundr saw her frightened gaze, she smiled. “Apologize for your ungraceful entrance,” Loki nodded his head towards Jormangundr. Misuteri bowed her head. She bent slightly at the waist and apologized. “I'm sorry...I didn't mean to fall into your...” Misuteri looked up at Jormangundr. She straightened her posture and looked her in the eye. “Thank you for catching me,” She took another step backwards towards Loki. She was suddenly overcome with the need to be near him. Loki stepped forward and put a hand on her lower back. He kept her still. He held out his hand towards Jormangundr, “This is my eldest daughter, Jormangundr.” Loki placed his hand on Misuteri's shoulder and turned her towards Hel. “And this is Hel,” he moved between them. “We will be having dinner with them tonight,” Loki looked down at Misuteri. Misuteri looked away from Jormangundr and then down at Hel. Her constant, one- eyed glare disturbed her. I should probably introduce myself. Misuteri took a breath in and held it. She turned to face Jormangundr. She held out her hand and smiled politely. “Hi. My name is Misuteri. It's nice to meet you,” Misuteri turned her palm upwards towards her new acquaintance. Misuteri tried not to stare at her breasts. In one, long, slow movement, Jormangundr stepped nearer to Misuteri. She scooped up her small hand. She brought it to her lips and kissed it. “The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure,” she replied seductively. Misuteri was wary not to let Jormangundr's seemingly kind behavior disarm her. She was Loki's daughter and she knew what it was like to be a seductress to get people to like her. Misuteri smiled wider and withdrew her hand. She hastily turned to Hel. “And it's nice to meet you, too,” Misuteri extended her hand again. She observed her. Hel just stared at her until Misuteri retracted her hand. She successfully intimidated Misuteri despite her size. Her black dress shirt was buttoned high under her chin and she wore a pair of black slacks match. Her shoes were flat and did not aid her height. Uh...was it something I said or...do you just not like anyone? “Let us eat,” Loki moved between Misuteri and Hel. He walked passed Jormangundr. Misuteri followed behind him closely. She moved passed Hel and Jormangundr as politely as possible. She kept her head down and did not make eye contact. She only looked at Loki as he lead her through the tables. She focused so hard on him that she didn't notice the rest of the room was empty. She stopped right after he did. She was surprised as she watched his next move. Loki pulled out a high back chair. He moved it closer to the one next to it. He turned to Misuteri and told her to sit. She did and he pushed in her chair. He pinned her tightly against the table. He barely had enough room to sit in his own seat. Jormangundr and Hel took the two other two seats across from them. Misuteri looked around the large dining room. This whole place is empty? Oh god. That's creepy. This whole thing just keeps getting...worse? Misuteri did everything she could to distract herself from the fact that she was alone with all of them. The ceilings were high and covered with ceramic tiles depicting the constellations. There were tall, Grecian columns along the wall. It looked like they were cut in half and placed flat against the deep red paint. The lights were high and pointed in all different directions, like in an art gallery. “So this is the girl you've picked to find our brother?” Jormangundr stared at Misuteri with that same hungry stare from before. Her comment distracted Loki from summoning the food. He stared at her with dampened annoyance. Misuteri turned to her with a confused look. Brother? There's another one of you? And it's a dude?! Misuteri shoved her panic down deep inside her. She was worried how much worse his son could be than his daughters. She looked curiously at Loki. She saw him give an unamused look at Jormangundr. “Perhaps,” he answered her. What do you expect me to be able to do? If he's Asgardian, what do you need me for? Misuteri's questions bubbled to the surface. She pulled her lips in around her teeth and pressed them tightly together. She looked down at the concentric circles the plates made in front of her. “We should not talk about such things while in such undistinguished company,” Hel snapped at her sister. Misuteri kept her eyes low as she watched the exchange. It made her quite uncomfortable. She was too busy trying to keep her mouth shut to be insulted by Hel's comment. “Why? Father has everything under control, don't you, daddy?” Jormangundr looked over at Loki. “That is besides the point,” Hel scolded Jormangundr before Loki could answer. “Alright,” Loki spoke patiently. “That is enough bickering for one night,” his voice turned more authoritative. He made sure they did not argue for the rest of the night. “This little miscreant in our company will learn our plans sooner or later,” he placed his hand on Misuteri's leg. His touch did not comfort her. Misuteri looked at him desperately. “She's frightened, like a little mouse,” Jormangundr smiled. That concept excited her. It made her want Misuteri. Mousey? I miss her. If she were here, I'd know what to do. Misuteri immediately felt guilty for feeling that way. She was right. Kissui would remind her of the right thing to do, despite the odds but if Kissui were there, she would be in great danger. She would be trapped, just like her and Loki would have even more power. “Father, is she really capable of dispelling the runes that protect Fenrir?” Hel ignored Jormangundr's base interest in Misuteri. “She is so...ordinary.” Fenrir...I know that name. Hey, wait, I'm not ordinary! Loki laughed. “You will learn what she is truly capable of. Meanwhile, you must trust me,” he tightened his grip on Misuteri's thigh.   “Of course but I cannot help my apprehension. I do not understand why we are here when...” Hel expressed her feelings freely until Loki interrupted her. “We must tread lightly. I need Fenrir at my side, just as I need you and Jormangundr,” Loki looked down at Hel sternly. Hel nodded. She was unsure how to proceed with caution. Loki could see Hel's uncertainty. He knew how to quell her worries. She turned to Misuteri, “Misuteri, I give you permission to be fully yourself, for the time being. Tell Hel and Jormangundr about your magical prowess.” Misuteri was confused. She looked at Loki dumbfounded. Uh, be myself? I don't know what that means. How exactly do you expect me to be myself right now? It's not a switch. Misuteri let out a small laugh. “Now that I've met you...I'm pretty sure my powers are a joke,” she spoke as candidly as she dared. “But...um, before this whole...thing,” Misuteri was gaining no points with Hel for lack of eloquence. “I was pretty awesome,” Misuteri smiled nervously. “What can you do?” Jormangundr asked. She was polite and curious. “I can do a lot of things,” Misuteri replied pleasantly. “Just a little while I go I...” Misuteri felt Loki's hand tighten around her leg. She quickly rephrased her answer. “I can put people to sleep and enter their dreams,” she looked to Loki for approval. He was looking at Hel. Misuteri turned back to Jormangundr. “I can channel my spirit animals and take on their characteristics,” Misuteri's demeanor was beginning to change. As she felt more comfortable. “What do you mean?” Jormangundr continued to engage her in polite conversation. Hel and Loki just watched and listened. “Well...if I call on my wolf, I grow ears and a tail! And if I try really hard, I can grow three different pair of wings!” Misuteri got excited. Jormangundr looked impressed. “Can you do both at the same time?” She seemed to know what to ask to make Misuteri's powers seem useless. Misuteri looked down. “I've only done that once...and I...I slept for a month afterwards,” she was slightly embarrassed. Jormangundr closed her eyes and snickered. “Misuteri, do you know who I am?”  “You're Loki's daughter?” Misuteri replied as plainly as possible. “Have you ever heard of the Midgard Serpent?” Jormangundr asked. Her eyes started to glow. Her dark green energy flowed around her. She leaned forward. “Um...I don't think so,” Misuteri responded apologetically. “When I fully transform, I can swallow a whale whole,” Jormangundr bragged. "I can topple ships with a flick of my tail and make an entire crew go mad with the sound of my voice." Misuteri tilted her head to the side. She was firmly rooted in disbelief. “A whole whale? What on Earth do you shift into?” Misuteri asked as politely as she could. Asking that sort of question was like asking someone if they liked boys or girls. “Why, a serpent, of course!” Jormangundr boasted as Misuteri had earlier. A serpent? Like a snake? No wonder she looks at me like that... “But I've never heard of a snake large enough to swallow a whale!” Misuteri made a joke but it was just to make herself feel better. “My Jormangundr is a fearsome beast. She has laid dormant in the darkest crevices in your oceans for centuries,” Loki explained. “That's amazing!” Misuteri was amazed but not in a good way. Imagining a water snake that large made her incredibly afraid. I hope I don't ever see her like that. Loki's comment and Misuteri's reaction calmed Jormangundr. Her eyes returned to normal and her hair rested against her skin again. Misuteri cleared her throat. “Why didn't you just wait on land?” She referred to Jormangundr's very human appearance. “My form suits my father's purposes,” Jormangundr paused. “And I never said I didn't go to the surface from time to time.” She smiled deviously. “I'm sure you're all more powerful than me...why do you need me?” Misuteri respectfully glanced at all of them. “No...” Hel paused for the right word, “Asgardians cannot enter the cave where our brother is trapped. And only someone with powerful light magic can break the runic seals,” Hel was exceptionally forthcoming with such information. I wield light magic...but the way you're making it sound...it sounds like you'll need Jouten, not me. Misuteri was still unsure how she fit in. She was filled with just as much darkness as she was filled with light. “Tell them where your power comes from,” Loki nodded at her. He tilted his chin up and looked down at her. He sat perfectly straight in his chair. “I...” Misuteri was suddenly less confident than before. “My power comes from my...experiences,” she felt embarrassed. Loki knew exactly where her power came from. “They seem to surface to protect me...and then, if I'm lucky, I can control them...mostly,” Misuteri felt like a child. “Continue,” Loki urged her. “At first...it was dark. Like, really dark...but then after a few years...it turned light...really light,” Misuteri's nerves made her ability to describe her powers difficult. “Sometimes, I just know things, about people or a place or a situation, and it makes it easier to deal with things.” Misuteri's lips felt numb and her tongue was following suit. “If I'm at my best...I can do a lot. I can help a lot of people,” she paused. “If I'm not at my best...I'm pretty much out of control...I can hurt a lot of people...” Hel looked down her nose at Misuteri. Her infantile skills were disappointing. Jormangundr looked at Misuteri the most kindly. It was like she understood how hard it was to control her powers. Loki's expression was the most complex. They had bonded, before, over their struggle for control. Everything he had told her was true, to some extent. She was still trying to figure out what the truth really was. “I could probably do what you need...I'll just need some help focusing,” Misuteri tried to sound assuring. “I know how to properly motivate you,” Loki smiled. His hand slipped deeper between Misuteri's legs. She blocked his advance. She pushed against his wrist firmly. She locked her elbows to keep him at bay but he thrust his hand upward roughly. Misuteri jumped and forced herself to relax. She rested her hand on the back of his and cleared her throat. “I thought we were going to have dinner?” Misuteri distracted herself from Loki's hand. “Yes, father!” Jormangundr said excitedly. “I'm starving!” Loki sighed. He stared Misuteri down for a long, uneasy moment before he pulled back his hand. He turned towards his daughters and waved his hand over the table. A small feast appeared. He flicked his wrist once more and their glasses filled with a transparent liquid. Jormangundr shamelessly began scooping food onto her plate. Her appetite was unlike anything Misuteri had ever seen during a meal. Hel followed suit. She was far more civilized in doing so. Misuteri waited to eat until Loki filled his plate. She peeled the meat off of the rib of a nearby chicken. She took a spoonful of mashed potatoes and pees. Their conversation ceased as they ate. The silence was not comforting. Misuteri felt exceptionally self-conscious. She found it difficult to enjoy the great food with them so close. Nevertheless, she ate as much as she could while she had the opportunity. Her body needed the nutrients. Chapter End Notes I wanted to take a second to tell you all that adore your comments and kudos. The more you like the story, the more I keep writing! ***** The Beginning (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri and Loki finish dinner. Then, Misuteri begins her journey to free Fenrir. Loki and Hel have an argument about Misuteri. Chapter Notes This is a pretty long chapter. I broke it up into three parts but it felt weird and choppy to just stop/start a new chapter because of it. Anyway, here you go! Enjoy. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri had nearly finished her plate. She curiously panned the room. Loki was most of the way through his half a roast and vegetables.  Jormangundr was on her third plate. She was sucking the meat off of a rib bone. Hel was sipping on her glass of wine. Her plate was clean. Misuteri traced long waves of Hel's black hair. She noticed how it was parted to the far left to allow the hair to fall over her right eye. Misuteri was surprised she had not gotten any food in her hair because the tip of her bangs curled at the corner of her mouth. She looked down pleasantly at her cup. Her normally hateful glare was softened by her full belly. For a moment, she could have been mistaken for a normal girl. “What is it, Midgardian?” Hel dampened the disdain in her voice. Hel caught Misuteri staring at her. “Oh, nothing. I'm sorry,” Misuteri looked away from the girl. She looked over at Loki to make sure he wasn't mad. He wasn't paying her any mind. Misuteri made sure she didn't stare at Jormangundr or Hel for too long. When Misuteri decided she was full, she watched Loki. She watched every tiny movement he made as he chewed, as he swallowed. She watched him as she assumed he watched her. Everything he did was elegant and graceful. This is all so bizarre...they're all so strange... There were a million reasons that they seemed odd to her. They were from an entirely different world. Loki had done well to immerse himself in Midgardian culture but some things he couldn't undo, like the way he talked. Whenever he wasn't angry, he was so prim and proper. Even if he wasn't Asgardian...I think he'd still be...different. The longer she observed him, the more she admired him. She watched him as one would watch a tiger as it paced in its cage at the zoo. She a part of her was filled with respect and wonder. She followed the muscles in his face and neck as she would a tiger's shoulders as it walked. His movements were slow, and calculated. Each seemingly passive movement made her realize how deadly he probably was. It didn't matter how charming and beautiful he was, he was dangerous. He was just as dangerous to her as a tiger would be to a hundred and twenty pound mortal. The second I make a wrong move...he'll pounce.  She was slowly realizing she was trapped in the cage with him and she was safe as long as he permitted it. She was here, with him, because he wanted her to be. She had no chance of surviving an attack if he didn't want her to. The second he doesn't need me, he'll probably kill me. I have to make sure that doesn't happen. I have to make sure I'm useful. Luckily, I'm pretty resourceful. Misuteri had gotten lost in thought while she stared at Loki. Her focus had shifted from him and onto brainstorming about how she could be useful. Loki noticed as her gaze fixed on the wall behind him. He didn't like it. “It is impolite to stare,” Loki teased her. He flicked his gaze up at her. His smile was soft, almost affectionate. He set his fork and knife down. He had finished his meal. Misuteri looked away. “Sorry,” she apologized hastily. Loki's grin grew. He reached over and put his hand on hers. “Do not fret. I like it when you cannot take your eyes off of me,” Loki purred. Is he flirting with me? Did he think I was flirting with him? Flirting seemed like such a normal thing to do. They seemed to find each other more than desirable. It would only be normal for sparks to fly, especially with their overwhelming chemistry. But nothing about this situation was normal. She couldn't bring herself to do it. She was lying to herself. She could do anything to survive. She just couldn't think about it. “Well, luckily, I like looking at you,” Misuteri turned her hand over in his and squeezed it. She smiled shyly at him. Crap. What did I just do? What did I just say!? Why in the hell did I admit that?! Misuteri was overcome with her self-doubt. She looked away and frowned. She felt Loki squeeze her hand in return. Then he traced her fingers with his. He opened and closed his hand loosely over hers in a kneading motion. It made her nerves tingle and go weak.  She looked up at him with a smile again. His affection was comforting. For a second, she forgot she was locked inside a cage with a wild animal. Loki looked to his daughters. “I believe we have all successfully bonded over our meal this evening. You may be excused,” he dismissed them. Both Jormangundr and Hel stood up. They were exceptionally agreeable. Misuteri slipped her hand out of Loki's grip and stood up. Well, she tried. Loki had pushed her so close to the table, it was almost impossible for her to stand up without help. She almost knocked over her chair in doing so. She caught one of the front legs with her foot. She held it in midair behind her as she spoke. “May I say something before they leave, my king?” Misuteri looked at Loki. She expected a scornful glare but he relaxed when he heard her timid voice. He nodded with approval. Misuteri turned towards Jormangundr and Hel. They looked at her with poise and curiosity. “I want to free your brother, Fenrir,” she admitted. “And when I do, I hope you'll like me more,” Misuteri expressed her vulnerability and weakness. If I get on their good side, then I'll probably be on Loki's good side, too. Both Hel and Jormangundr smiled. It was the same smile, like they both knew something she didn't. “You might just have what it takes to free him after all,” Hel complimented her. She looked at her father. She was exceedingly confident in his plans now. Jormangundr circled around the table. “You are brave, little girl, and such bravery can be dangerous,” she got close to Misuteri. Almost too close. “Uh...well then, I'm lucky I'm on your guys' side,” Misuteri smiled nervously. “Very lucky indeed,” she whispered seductively. Misuteri looked away from Jormangundr and at Loki. He cleared his throat and stood up himself. He dropped his napkin on the table and buttoned his jacket. “Alright, now, that is enough,” Loki dismissed his spawn once more, “you may leave.” “Good night, father,” Jormangundr gave a small bow before she turned and walked away. Hel vanished in a puff of thick, gray smoke upon her father's request. Loki turned to Misuteri. He noticed her trembling leg. He held the back of the chair and set it on all four legs. “Thank you,” Misuteri turned to him. “You are welcome,” Loki replied politely. Misuteri was overcome with a sense of unworthiness. He had done a thorough job of making sure she didn't feel like she deserved his kindness. She didn't expect anything but his brutal nature. Everything else was just a perk. And it was better that way. It kept her safe. Without missing a beat, Loki took her chin in his hand. He fixed his eyes on hers. He wet his lips subtly. “Did you mean what you said?” He was gentle in his interrogation. “Y-yes, I meant it,” Misuteri was intimidated by his passion. “Why would you say such a thing? Do you think my favor can be won with such idle promises?” Loki watched her closely. He pressed his thumb against her chin more firmly. Misuteri grabbed his wrist. “Please, will you stop?” He was hurting her and making it harder to answer him. “I've behaved all night, I'm not going to stop now that we're alone, I swear,” she pleaded with him. Loki let go and dropped his arm to his side. “Answer my question,” he commanded. Misuteri massaged her chin. “If you really knew me at all, you'd know that I would've helped you with Fenrir if you'd've just asked,” Misuteri explained plainly. She tried not to express her annoyance or frustration. “You didn't have to do all of this. You didn't have to kidnap me or hurt me. You just had to ask,” Misuteri looked up at him. She begged him to believe her. “You assume my business on Midgard ends with Fenrir and hope your compliance will gain you your freedom,” Loki straightened his posture. He crossed his arms and laughed. “You foolish girl.” “You're wrong. That thought didn't even cross my mind...although that would be great...I'm not an idiot. You took me for a reason and it wasn't Fenrir. Me getting Fenrir for you is just you hitting two birds with one stone,” Misuteri looked at the floor. “I guess I just realized things are gonna be easier for me, if I...ya know, obey,” her voice got smaller as her real motive was revealed. “Perhaps you are clever,” Loki smiled. Misuteri looked up at him. “Just...please, don't ask me to do anything...” she paused to search for the right word. “Bad,” she continued. “I'm one of the good guys, and I'd like to stay that way,” she looked away from his face. She assumed he was pure evil and it was best if she stayed in the dark. Loki could not help but laugh at her naivety. “You need not be coy with me, Misuteri. I know your true intentions. I know you very well.” Loki moved closer to her. He waved his hand over the table and the mess of dinner disappeared. He pinned her against it and put his hands on her hips. “I know your deepest, darkest fears,” he ran his hand up her waist and over her chest. He held her by the side of the neck and locked eyes with her once more. “And with me, you will face each and every one of them.” His free hand lifted her skirt and stopped just outside her entrance. Misuteri tried to turn her gaze from him but he stuck his thumb firmly into the soft spot under her chin. She simply lowered her eyes. She held onto the edge of the table for balance as he pressed his weight onto her. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. Reflexively she closed her legs around his hand. Stop. Please. Just stop. “Oh but you behaved so well all night. You should not stop now,” his voice was soft and smooth in her ear. “Please,” she whispered. “Just let me get Fenrir for you,” Misuteri brought her shoulders up closer to her ears. She pulled her hips up towards her chest as close as she could. “If you obey me, I will let you free my son tonight,” Loki whispered. Why should I believe you? You've been trying to fuck me since I got here. “Why should I trust anything you say? You're a liar.” Misuteri asked nervously. Loki narrowed his eye at her. He did his best not to let her insult get under his skin but she did have a talent for it. She was a poor liar and a green word-smith but her stubbornness and rebellion spoke volumes for her. “Because not trusting me has far harsher consequences,” he growled. Misuteri swallowed hard and nodded. She exhaled forcefully and let him lift her onto the table. She was tense and nervous. What if I fail? He placed his hand on her chest and applied pressure until she was supine on the large, round surface. “Relax,” he stood over her. He looked down at her kindly. “Your quest should not bring  you harm,” Loki stroked her hair out of her face. “Just relax and listen to my voice. Listen closely.” He closed his eyes and focused his energy on her. Loki put one hand on her forehead and the other on her chest. His green mist filled the room. As it touched Misuteri's skin it condensed into a liquid. “I'm cold...” Misuteri shivered beneath his touch. She tried to relax. She tried to listen. She wanted to.  “I know. Once you fall asleep, you will cross over into another realm. When you come upon a cave, go inside. If a woman tries to stop you, show her this,” Loki placed a round piece of metal in her hand. “This crest will prove you are loyal to me. Go deep into the cave until you find the river Van. Follow it upstream. When you find its source, you will find Fenrir.” No sooner did Loki say his son's name, she was out. She was on her way to find Fenrir. Loki lifted her into his arms and transported her elsewhere. =============================================================================== Misuteri wandered a barren plain. She had no shoes but her feet did not stick to the frozen water beneath her. She did not feel cold. She traveled on the ice for a while. She could hardly see past the sudden flurries that picked up and knocked her off balance.     Am I lost? I can't be lost. I can't be lost but where am I? How am I supposed to find Fenir?     She cursed Loki for his vague instructions. She cursed herself for volunteering. Seriously though, did I have a choice? I either did it willingly of my own volition or he would've extorted my services. I just hope Fenrir isn't a psycho like the rest of his family.     Misuteri pulled her only defense from the chilling wind around her. A single, green, wool blanket with three golden clips. Each metal fastener had Loki's crest engraved on it. She kept the highest one tight around her neck. The second was clipped chest high. The bottom one pulled the blanket open. It was broken and the cloth was torn, as if from a struggle. The wind caught it and made it almost impossible for the lower half of her cloak to stay closed around her. Still, the harsh wind and snow against her bare skin gave her no discomfort.     In the distance, Misuteri saw a speck of black in a sea of white and blues. As she neared, her eyes widened in delight. She had found it!     Once she arrived at the entrance of the cave, Misuteri tip toed inside. There was a fire. It was modest but several large branches sufficed enough to warm the cave, especially in comparison to the harsh Arctic air.     “Who are you? How did you get here?!” A woman charged towards Misuteri from behind.     Misuteri spun on her heel and put her hands up. Instinctively, her magic protected her. A shiny, pink barrier appeared between the woman and Misuteri. It reflected the nearby fire as if it were made of metal, not light. Her display of power caught the woman off guard.     “Wait, please,” Misuteri shouted. “Loki sent me!”     “How could a man strapped deep underground have sent you?” The woman approached.     Misuteri could see she was much older than she sounded. Her skin was creased and thin. Her hair was white and messy. Her clothes were rags.      “I don't know what you're talking about lady, but he's up and walking around on the surface just fine,” Misuteri lowered her hands. “If you don't believe me, he said to show you this,” Misuteri's barrier came down and she stepped closer to her would-be attacker. She watched as the woman's milky gray eyes widen.     “Then it has begun. What realm are you from?” Her voice was full of foreboding and sorrow.     “Um...Loki keeps saying Midgard?” Misuteri answered. She assumed Earth would mean nothing to the old woman.     “I see, that explains your ignorance,” she said woefully. “If you release Fenrir, the end will surely have begun,” the elderly woman warned Misuteri.     “What are you talking about? What did he do to get locked up down here?” Misuteri asked.     “Nothing,” the woman replied simply. “The poor creature did nothing to deserve such a cruel and lonesome fate.”     Misuteri ignored the woman's use of the word 'creature' in reference to Loki's son. Both his daughters looked human enough, Fenrir would surely, too.     “Why did they lock him up if he didn't do anything to deserve it?” Misuteri asked inquisitively.     “He held such promise. Loki's children are not Asgardian, though he resides their with all the privileges of any citizen, thanks to Odin's generosity,” the woman paused to wet her tongue. “They inherited a terrible prophecy when they were born outside of Asgard's walls and because of this prophecy, they were considered threats to the realm and cast out for its protection.”     Misuteri was suddenly filled with disgust and frustration. She had read her fair share of tragic plays. She knew how wrong and unfounded many prophecies were. Most of them were self-fulfilling.     I hope Loki and his children haven't fallen victim to these prophecies.     “Their fate is their own,” Misuteri declared. “I will free Fenrir if he is innocent. It isn't right that he be locked up and isolated for no good reason.”     “You may have the power to free him from this place,” the elderly woman approached the small fire. “Go deeper into the cave and you will find him but beware, Gleipnir is no ordinary tether. It will not take kindly to force.”     Misuteri looked at her with a perplexed look. “I was told I needed light magic to free Fenrir...that's why Loki couldn't come himself.”     “You needed light magic to find this place. You need a pure heart to free Fenrir,” the old woman sat down. “You should go. Loki has never been known for his patience.”     Misuteri smiled.     That's an understatement. =============================================================================== Loki sat upon a tall, marble throne. His arms lay upon the backs of two small stone dragons. They were surrounded by large, sharp black geodes. They lit the room with a soft, ambient light. Their tales stretched up to make the back of the throne and then crossed at the top. They lay with their heads turned away from the throne. Their wings were pressed flat against their backs. Their limbs were curled tightly beneath them. They were sentient and very uncomfortable. He sat with his legs crossed at his ankles, reclined back in the uncomfortable seat. He wore his casual leather coat and matching pants. He rested his face upon his fist and looked out into the modest room. Loki had taken her to the place where Misuteri's powers first emerged. Her famed Alter Room had endowed her with great power that long ago night, with Kouken. However, he had made his own changes. The room was no longer blood red. The crimson and pink hues were had all been replaced. All the stone and tiles were green. It made the room appear significantly smaller but it was so much more like him. He had to be as big of a part as the place as she did for such powerful magic to work. Misuteri lay upon a long, black pedestal in the center of a white pentagram upon the floor. Another large, black crystal hung over her. It pulled energy from both Misuteri and Loki. The floor glowed softly as it resonated with the magic. Hel burst through the protective barrier over the front of the cave with ease. She charged down the dark corridor with vigor and purpose. She quickly found Loki, half asleep, and Misuteri unconscious in the Altar Room. “What do you want?” Loki rolled his eyes away from Misuteri and towards her. Hel moved around Misuteri, careful not to step on the pentagram. “It's been three days since you sent her to find Fenrir. Perhaps you blackened her heart too much to pierce Gleipnir's hold on him!” She was moved by not only impatience but sisterly concern. “I am the Queen of Niflhiem and I demand answers!” Her plans as well as Loki's depended on Misuteri's cooperation. She was unimpressed with Misuteri's powers. She behaved too much like a commoner. She had no discipline whatsoever. She feared that with everything on Loki's plate that Misuteri could tip the scales in their disfavor. That idea made Hel very uneasy. She bet everything on Loki's flawless plan but things had like he said it would. Loki was now fully awake. He leaned forward. He held his hands on the curve of the dragons' backs. “And I am the King of Asgard! I do not take demands from you!” Loki roared. His voice boomed all around him. “You cannot win your throne without my armies and they will not fight for you if you do not return to me what is mine,” Hel argued heatedly with her father. She fought hard to regain her most precious possession. Loki had had enough. This wasn't the first time she had thrown an impatient tantrum in the midst of his plans. She was a short sighted, greedy girl. “You prideful, ungrateful child! You would have nothing – be nothing – without me! Nothing!” He shouted maliciously at Hel. His anger made her go on the defensive but his disappointment soothed her temper. Loki sank back against the throne. He closed his eyes and pressed his hand to his forehead. He was partly to blame for her behavior. He spoiled her. He saw himself the most in her and favored her over his other children. “I have given you everything...” he spoke regretfully. She would not let him disarm her with false vulnerability. She knew his tactics. She, too, had mastered his games of deceit. “Do not forget, father, I know you. I know who you are. You have benefited just as much as I have from your gifts!” Hel took a step forward and pressed her finger into her chest. “You owe me. You promised me Baldur would return when this woman was yours,” she began shouting again. She pointed at Misuteri. Her passion overwhelmed her logic. She had more in common with Misuteri than she would like to admit. Loki turned his intolerant gaze towards Hel. He stood up slowly and then with Godspeed, he snatched her by the collar of her shirt and slammed her against the stone walls. “I have given you a title, an army, an entire realm! You have power your brother and sister could only dream of! You have lived in wealth and privilege while they have rotted in the bowels of the most wretched realms in existence!” He shook her. He stared hatefully in her eyes. His fury and strength was too much for even Hel to resist. “And still, when you fell in love with Odin's youngest son, I schemed so you could have him. I gave him to you! And all I ask in return was your loyalty and respect. And this is how you repay me?” Loki howled in her face. He spoke so swiftly that Hel could barely comprehend what he was saying. “I should keep Baldur for myself. I should break him down and parade your lover around like the whimpering dog he is!” Loki shook her once more. He harbored so much resentment and hatred for Baldur that such events would be therapeutic. “You wouldn't dare,” Hel glared back at him. It was the only reply she could conjure in her throat. His words left her speechless and terrified. “Call my bluff then, my darling daughter,” Loki's words feigned affection. His grin grew ear to ear and his face grew dark. His devious nature and chaotic alliance aided him. There were few things he would not do to meet an end and Hel knew this threat wasn't one of them. He watched her closely. She didn't. She could not do it. Even she wasn't brave enough to make such a daring gamble. She turned her head away from him and almost pouted. She realized she had pushed him too far, too hard. He would tolerate her entitlement no longer. She would endure the verbal lashing as penance for her childish behavior. She hoped it would be the only consequence for her actions. “I can image how humiliating it would be to have your pet roaming court naked, on all fours for all to see. Or perhaps you would rather take his place and save him?” He was serious. He was more than willing to degrade his own daughter to teach her a lesson but she knew her well. He watched her face turn red and pinch in the middle as she cringed at the thought. She was too cowardly to endure such humiliation. Hel reached up and held some of her weight on Loki's wrists. She tried to retain some dignity. “Fine,” she said defeated. “You've made your point,” she tried to get him to release. He wasn't about to let her go so easily. He didn't feel better yet. He tightened his grip and held her still. “From here on out, I will keep Baldur in my custody for one Asgardian year for every one of our future outbursts,” Loki lifted his eyebrow as if to better observe her reaction. He had found the easiest way to obtain her obedience. “You will do as you please, regardless of what I want,” Hel replied cynically. “I'll play the dutiful daughter as long as you keep your promise.” She looked down away from Loki. Her words were still resentful and full of scorn but they were just words. She didn't sharpen them as daggers to wound him. Loki gently set her feet on the ground. He let go of her shirt and returned to the dragon throne in the back of the room. He placed two fingers on his temple and massaged it. He took a moment to relax himself. Hel was already to the door when he looked out at her again. “I would advise you remember that I am no longer just your father, I am your king.” Hel turned on her heel attentively. She tried to swallow her pride as gracefully as she could. She failed. Loki saw her frustration and disgust all over her face. She bowed slightly at the waist, “Yes, Your Majesty.” She said as she faded away in a fine, gray mist. Chapter End Notes I'm not sure if I'm 100% happy with Hel/Loki's conversation. Their relationship is...complicated, so it might take me a while to tweak it. In the meanwhile, I welcome any feedback/ideas. :) ***** The Cave (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri finds and frees Fenrir. Chapter Notes This chapter is quite long. Enjoy! Edited 4-10-15 See the end of the chapter for more notes     She pulled the cloak tight around her and ventured into the cave. She felt soft moss beneath her feet. She dipped down low to see if there was any fungus that she might want to avoid. She despised fungus. It made her nauseous. When she was sure the coast was clear she continued to wander, deeper and deeper into the cave. She blew gently on the embers. She stayed straight and the cave sloped downwards. The decline continued to get sharper. There were stalagmites that she could easily skewer end up skewering herself with.       Her curiosity however only grew with each step. The colors that shined back at her just beyond the tiny flakes of light upon her torch dazzled Misuteri. She tip-toed around tiny rocks and leaned playfully towards the large cones of mineral deposits. She explored the cave as her normal, brave self.     Abruptly, Misuteri felt something sharp under her toes. She bent down to see the jagged edge of  a rock. With another step, she felt the same, distinctive feeling. The decline was significantly sharper. It was about ninety degrees sharper than usual. She blew hard upon her light and took another, closer look.     Stairs? This deep in to the cave? Why would anyone carve stairs this far down? I've probably walked for at least a mile. I must be getting close.     Misuteri stepped down the stairs with caution. There were several steps and it took a moment for Misuteri to reach the bottom. With her final advance, Misuteri gingerly pressed her foot down. She was wary of traps or loose rocks. To her surprise, her toes slipped underwater. She pulled her foot back and walked back and forth on the bottom step.         Is this just a puddle or the river I've been looking for?     She let her foot lay flat beneath the water's edge. It came up to her ankle. She felt muddy sand between her toes. She followed with her other foot. The water was lukewarm. She tread carefully forward. She followed the water upstream.     It's not cold. It can't be a puddle. I must be close to Fenrir.     As she walked on, the water became warmer and shallower. Within her, her hope grew like the light of the sun over the horizon at dawn. Misuteri allowed her feet to lead her. She followed her instincts as she would on any mission.     The water was but a slow trickle. Misuteri approached the source. A warm gust of wind blew and the embers on her torch glowed bright orange. The light reflected off a dark, glassy orb. Misuteri was taken back. She tripped and fell. Her torch slipped and rolled into the water. Misuteri's cloak was damp beneath her.     Another warm breeze wrapped around Misuteri. She welcomed the warmth but it smelled of something rotting. Blind, Misuteri walked forward. She lifted herself upon a flat slab of stone. It stood almost waist high. The breeze became warmer. It circled the room, rhythmically with increasing speed. Misuteri squinted.     I can't see anything. I can't find Fenrir like this.     Misuteri took a deep breath in. She used the cloak to cover her mouth to keep the smell at bay. She held out her other hand and several, tiny pink orbs of light appeared above her palm. Each one no larger than a ping-pong ball, they spread out around the room. They barely lit the large cave. Misuteri's eyes could not adjust to such a low light.     “Do not be frightened of me,” a deep, male voice filled the room. “I intend to do you no harm,” he spoke slowly as if it were difficult for him to speak.     Who said that?     “Fenrir?” Misuteri replied cautiously.     Misuteri focused on the small spheres of energy. She pulled them nearer to her, to the middle of the cave. They gradually grew in brightness. When Misuteri's eyes adjusted to the light, they grew large. She was standing next to a huge mound of dirty, gray fur. She was eye level with the crest of the fur. She slowly backed away.     “Fenrir?” She asked again. “Is that you?” She turned and lowered herself off of the large stone slab. Her feet sunk into the warm river once more. She followed the familiar curve of the animal with the light from her energy spheres. She treaded lightly as she moved around towards the front of the beast. “I'm not here to hurt you.” Misuteri spoke to fill the silence. “I'm here to free you...”     Fenrir said nothing.     Misuteri stumbled backwards in surprise as she came eye-to-eye with Loki's son. She saw one large, yellow iris staring at her. It was the size of her fist. She steadied herself on the jagged wall behind her. She followed the long curve from his eye down to a big, black, wet nose. It pulled her towards her as he took in her scent. He lay on his side looking up at her. Misuteri could feel his breath on her. He lifted and dropped his heavy tail against the stone behind him. She could feel the gusts of wind it created.     “You're a...” Misuteri's fearful surprise was quickly turning to excitement. “Loki didn't tell me that you're a...” she laughed at herself. “A wolf...like I'd ever be afraid of a wolf.” She closed her eyes and rested against the cave wall with a smile on her face.     Why didn't he just tell me? Why didn't he just ask?     “Please, my new friend, take the sword from my mouth,” Fenrir's patient voice changed. It was clear he was in pain and he was desperate.     Misuteri's lips turned into a concerned frown.     A sword? What sword?     She scanned the wolf's cranium. His lip was curled upward. She stared at his large teeth.  She moved to the side until her light reflected off of something metal. She stood behind his lower jaw. His tongue lay against the rock beneath him. He flexed it as he followed her with his gaze. He was filled with anticipation. His pulse quickened as she neared him. The blood flood that flooded to his face was like lava beneath his skin. His eyes began to water. The searing pain in the roof of his mouth burned hotter with each second.     “Please, act with haste,” Fenrir pleaded with her.     “Okay, okay...I think I see it...” Misuteri whispered.     Without hesitation, she reached deep into his mouth. His enormous canines spanned the length of her forearm. She couldn't help but stare at them as she did Loki's scepter. Their sheer size made her feel dizzy and nervous. She froze. She couldn't fathom the bite force behind jaws as large as his. Her gaze lingered for too long. Fenrir lost his patience.     “Hurry!” The wolf howled at her.     Alright, alright. I'm sorry.     She peered deep into his mouth. She grabbed the short hairs on Fenrir's muzzle for balance. She pulled one of her tiny balls of light towards her. It shined off of the sword again. It was far larger than she was expecting. The blade had runes carved into it. They glowed pink as she neared them. The top half was covered in blood. The hilt was buried deep in his lower jaw. It was pressed against his gums. There was a large black spot surrounding where it rested. Fenrir's tongue lay beneath it. Misuteri followed the blade up to the roof of Fenrir's mouth. Its point was embedded just before the soft part of his pallet, above his back teeth. There was a large wound from the sword gouging his flesh. Gravity had pulled it downward over time.      Who would do such a thing? This is cruel.     “I found it!” Misuteri shouted with excitement. She looked down and analyzed how best to remove it.     This is going to be one of those band-aid situations, isn't it?     Misuteri moved impulsively. She positioned herself between his large jaws. She closed her eyes and reached down with both hands. She grabbed the hilt of the great sword. It was slimy and wet. She squeezed it and pulled back with all her might. The runes glowed more brightly. They burst forth from the sword as she took hold of it. They expelled the sword from Fenrir's mouth.     Misuteri was blinded and thrown back by the light. The sword slipped against his gums more easily than she expected but it was heavy. It weighed her efforts down as she slipped it from his mouth. It knocked her off balance. She couldn't control her momentum. She tumbled backwards, dropping the sword into the river. She tipped on the edge of the large stone.     Now free of of the sword in his mouth, Fenrir snapped his jaws shut. He caught the cloak. His large front teeth tore into the fabric. He held her there, on the edge, until she was able to steady herself.     Misuteri was startled. She grabbed the bottom of her cloak and pulled herself forward. She planted her feet firmly and smiled. She bent over and patted Fenrir's lip. His whiskers were long and hard against her hand. He lay with his mouth closed and his bottom jaw against the rock.     “Thanks, buddy,” Misuteri looked up at him.     Fenrir released her cloak. He let out a sharp exhale and replied, “it is I whom owe you thanks.”     “So, that's it? You're free?” Misuteri suddenly realized she had been holding her breath. She bent over and put her hands on her knees. She breathed deeply as she waited for his reply.     “No...I am still pinned down. You must remove Gleipnir,” Fenrir's voice filled the room but his mouth did not open.     Misuteri stood up straight. The top of her head was level with his. His pointy ears stood up atop his head. She reached out towards him, “may I?” She asked respectfully.     “May you what?” Fenrir replied.     Misuteri smiled and frowned at the same time. She reached out slowly towards the back of his ear. She dipped her hand deep into his fur until she was able to roughly scratch his skin.      Fenrir let out a surprised gasp as the roughness of her touch soothed him. It made his back leg twitch uncontrollably for a second. He let out another sharp exhale. This time, its cause was his relaxing muscles. He closed his eyes and let them roll back into his head. She scratched him as hard and fast as she could.     “By the gods,” Fenrir exclaimed as he sighed.     Misuteri's arm quickly grew tired. She had to work significantly harder to get through his thick fur than she would a normal pet. When she suddenly stopped, Fenrir opened his eyes and stared at her with disappointment.     “Is something wrong?” He asked. The long hairs above his eyes pinched together.     Misuteri shook her head. “No...my arm just got tired,” she smiled. “You've never been petted before?”     “No,” he replied simply. He tried to hide the sadness in his voice.     Misuteri frowned. “Well, if we're friends, I'll pet you a lot...if that's you want me to,” Misuteri was unsure how to approach Fenrir.     He's a wolf but he's not. He's Loki's son.     “I...I think I would like that,” Fenrir opened his mouth a little. It looked as if he were smiling. His tall thwacked the ground lightly behind him.     “Well, then, where is this Gleipnir?” Misuteri put her hands on her hips. She leaned side to side, looking for something holding Fenrir down. She could see deep grooves in his fur.     “Untie the ends from the stone, then, you can untangle it from my fur,” Fenrir nodded his head to the side.     Misuteri circled around his muzzle. She hopped down off of the stone. She pulled one of her energy spheres towards her. She dragged her hand along the edge of the rock until she found a spike. There was a thin ribbon tied around it. It was still in perfect condition, like the sword. When Misuteri reached towards it, it glowed white. It was bright enough to light the entire cave. Misuteri held her hand over it. She hesitated as she felt its power. It made her skin tingle.     “If your heart is pure, you can release me,” Fenrir assured her.     Misuteri looked over at him. She couldn't hide her worried look. His big yellow eyes were wide with anticipation. He watched her anxiously. She turned back towards Gleipnir.     I can't let him down.     Misuteri reached forward, just as she did with the sword, with her eyes shut tight and her fist clutching the mysterious relic. ===============================================================================     The room went dark. Time stopped. Gleipnir no longer lit the room. A source of bright, white light shined behind her.     “What are you doing?” Jouten asked. He stood tall behind her.     Misuteri spun around. She let go of Gleipnir and froze with her mouth agape.     Jouten walked towards her. “Why are you helping Loki? He took you from me. How could you?” He frowned  at her with narrow, weeping eyes.     “Jouten...” Misuteri was overcome with relief. She couldn't believe he was there. She moved towards him but he put his hands up. She stopped. Her jaw dropped again in disbelief.     “No, I can't be near you right now,” Jouten stood tall surrounded by his white aura.     “Jouten...I'm...I'm not helping Loki,” Misuteri tried to explain herself. “I'm helping Fen...” She could see his anger boiling to the surface. She quieted herself and waited for him to speak. It took forever and she was cowed by his outburst.     “You care for him. You care for the man that took you from me!” Jouten shouted at her.     “No, I don't...” she protested. She couldn't care about Loki. She loved Jouten.     “Then why haven't you fought him? Why haven't you resisted him? Why are you here?” Jouten roared his questions at her.     “I was...I did fight. He's just too strong!” Misuteri shouted back. His accusations made her defensive. She balled her hands into fists and threw them to her sides.     Jouten marched towards her. “I don't believe you. How could I? You're here.” He threw his hands up to the sides of his head and clenched his fists.     “I'm here because I know light magic. I'm here because I have a pure heart! I'm only here  because of you!” Misuteri shouted accusations back at her husband.     Jouten was taken back. “So this is all my fault?” He lowered his hands to his sides. His face melted into sorrow once more.     “No,” she shook her head. “No...I never said that.”     “But it's what you meant...” Jouten replied.     “No...no, it's not! None of this is your fault...it's mine!” Misuteri pushed her index finger into her chest.     Jouten let out a light scoff. He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “This is your fault, huh? I find that hard to believe.” Jouten tried to disguise his chastising tone. He didn't mean it. “This is your fault because you care for others?”     He could not fault her for that. They both knew, deep down, that everything that was happening would have been impossible if it they had never fallen in love. Jouten was there to guide and protect Misuteri. His love purified her dark, broken heart. If he hadn't loved her, Loki would not have targeted her. If she had never loved him, he wouldn't have gotten a second chance.     Misuteri's head hung low. She couldn't look up at him. She felt so ashamed.     He's right. I'm here...doing exactly what Loki wants. I'm not fighting him...but I have to.     Misuteri's gaze fell over Fenrir.     “We save people. What if we can save Fenrir from Loki? What if we can give him a second chance? Shouldn't we at least try?” Misuteri looked up at Jouten.     His lips curled up and his eyes widened. It didn't take long before he gazed down at Misuteri lovingly with a toothy grin. “I love you,” he couldn't resist her any longer. He reached out and pulled her into his arms.     Misuteri was on the verge of tears. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. “I love you, too.” She choked back her sobs. “So, does this mean you're not mad at me? Does mean we're gonna try to save him?” Misuteri rushed her uncertain questions.     “If you can befriend Fenrir, we will gain a powerful ally against Loki,” Jouten stroked the back of her head. He loved the feeling of her silky hair against his skin. He tried to stay calm. He had to. He had to be calm to be her rock. “So, yes, I think you should try,” Jouten answered her directly.     Misuteri pulled back a little. She looked up at him while they embraced each other. “What about Loki? I don't know what to do. Jouten...”  Misuteri started to weep. “I'm so scared.  I don't know what to do!”     “He is beyond saving as far as I'm concerned,” Jouten's voice turned dark. His anger returned. His bright white aura was tainted. It glowed red and black behind him.     Misuteri shook his head. “No...” She looked up at him. “Not yet...I can't believe that...not yet,” Misuteri frowned.     Loki was still her friend. She refused to believe that the young man she knew was gone. She thought it was impossible that he never existed. No one could act that well; no one, not even the King of Lies.     “When I leave here...I will know, Misuteri,” Jouten warned her. “I already suspect something's wrong...but when this spell brakes, I might not know have specifics but I'll know...and I'll come for you,” Jouten looked down at Misuteri sternly.     She looked away. “I know...” She frowned.     She knew what he was trying to tell her. It was an ugly, unpleasant truth.     What am I going to do when he comes? Will I try to save Loki or will I let Jouten kill him?     She didn't know the answer. It disturbed her. A world where she might not want to return to her husband for another man frightened her. But that was just it, Loki was her every fear. He made her something other than herself. Loki's personality was so strong he drown Misuteri out until she was nothing but...everything he wanted her to be. That everything was the exact opposite of the person Jouten loved. She was ashamed that there was even a chance that he could change her.     Jouten saw the worry on her face. He didn't know the source. He didn't need to. He loved her. He loved her more than anything. He just wanted to make her happy again. He dipped down low and kissed her. He slowly stood straight, tilting her head up towards him. Their passion was reflected in the light of the cave. It glowed deep purple and pink as their lips met and their tongues entwined.   His simple gesture of affection was all it took to cast aside the shadows that darkened Misuteri's heart and free Fenrir. Their love was the purest thing that existed. No one could deny that. Some even argued it was the most powerful thing in Katharsi! ===============================================================================     Time was restored. Gleipnir burned bright with the color of Jouten's aura. The ribbon itself turned dark purple with a bright pink hue. Misuteri turned to it. She could still feel him on her lips. She felt empty without Jouten. She shook her head and dismissed her feelings. She placed her hand on the knot. It slipped free of itself without effort. The other end did, too.     “Alright!” Misuteri exclaimed victoriously. “Now, let's get this thing off of you.”     Fenrir let out an acknowledging sigh.     Misuteri followed the ribbon over to Fenrir's front leg. It was wrapped around his enormous paw several times. She let the ribbon fall to the ground and she pulled it up towards her. He was finally able to lift and stretch his leg.     Misuteri followed the ribbon up over his neck. She had to move around to the other side of him to do the same thing. She pulled it from the bloody knots in his fur. She could see where it cut into his skin.     He grew into it? How big was he when they put him down here?     Misuteri was more gentle now but she still worked as quickly as she could. The cuts around his ribs and waist were deeper than his neck. She made semi- circles around him as she moved back and forth to get the best leverage on Gleipnir.     This has to hurt. I know he's big and strong but this...it's so thin...and it's cut so deep.     He let vocalized none of his discomfort. She expected whines and whimpers but he was silent. He lay there, still and stoic as she diligently worked to free him. She stroked his fur as she pulled on the ribbon. She petted him and spoke to him as she finally made her way to his back leg, several agonizing minutes later.     When Misuteri finally slipped Gleipnir from Fenrir's back paw, she coiled it around her hand. Almost immediately upon being freed, Fenrir sprung up to his feet. He had to hold his ears flat to his head. He could not fully extend his legs. He stretched in every manner he could in the cramped cave. He rolled over onto his side and stretched his legs out. His joints cracked loudly with every subtle movement until he finally relaxed again. Misuteri backed away and gave the wolf more than enough room to reacquaint himself with his paws. He flicked his tail upward and knocked rocks from the roof of the cave down. He shook them off and stretched his hind end up in the air.      “How could such a thin, delicate thing hold you?” Misuteri walked around to face Fenrir.     “It is made of impossible things,” he answered her. “Thus, it is impossible to break.”     “I don't understand how...why would someone want to tie you up down here?” Misuteri examined Gleipnir in her hand. She looked up inquisitively at Fenrir.     He returned her curious expression. “I thought you knew. You smell of my father. You wear his crest,” Fenrir was perplexed.     “I...” Misuteri touched the crest near her collar bone. “Loki did send me...but I'm not Asgardian,” she replied.     “I know, you are Midgardian,” Fenrir said nonchalantly. It was clear he held no hatred for the race.     “He...just asked me to do him a favor. He didn't tell me anything about you, except that you were his son,” Misuteri explained. “I didn't even know you were a wolf until I saw you,” Misuteri smiled.     “Not many people like wolves,” Fenrir dampened his frustration.     Misuteri stepped closer to him. Fenrir lowered his head towards her. She was as tall as his skull was long. She tried not to be intimidated by his sheer size. She knew he would not harm her.     “I don't really care for people that don't like wolves,” Misuteri replied with a confident smile.         Fenrir let out a low scoff. “Well, my new friend, climb upon my back, and I will free us both from this place,” Fenrir lay on the ground once more.     “Are you sure? Your cuts...” Misuteri walked to the side of him.     “Are no more. I heal quickly,” Fenrir assured her.     “You have no idea how glad I am to hear that,” Misuteri held Gleipnir tightly in her hand as she gripped fist fulls of Fenrir's fur.  “Sorry,” she said as she dug her pointy feet into his ribs. She lay straddled his wide ribs and lay her torso flat against his neck. “I'm ready when you are.” Misuteri dismissed her orbs of light.     “Keep your head low,” Fenrir warned as he dashed through the river. He had to crouch most of the way through the cave.     His eyes glowed in the darkness. He could see as if it were the middle of the day. He followed the river down until he picked up Misuteri's scent. He found the stairs she had taken and charged upward. He trotted through the stalagmites as if they were obstacle in an agility course. With his large size, he had far less room than Misuteri to navigate through the cave. He kept his head low until he could smell fresh air.     “We are nearly out,” Fenrir said to Misuteri.     Misuteri gazed up to see the light of the cave opening. She could smell the cold air as they neared the exit. The light became too much to bare after having adjusted to the dark of the cave. Misuteri buried her face in Fenrir's fur just as they burst forward out of the cave.     When Misuteri gazed upward again, the ice had vanished. The sun was high and warm. Fenrir had taken pause to gaze up at the sky he had not seen in so very long. He stood up straight. He flexed and stretched every muscle in his body. He was unencumbered by Misuteri on his back. The clouds passed slowly. The sun shown brightly down upon them. Fenrir lifted his head high and breathed in the spring scents. The air was clean. There was dew on the small patches of grass. They were on a beach. A huge lake lay before them.     “This was all ice,” Misuteri was flabbergasted.     “No matter, I am an excellent swimmer. My sister taught me,” Fenrir smiled back at her. He walked forward and waded into the water. It took a long moment before the water was deep enough for him not to be able to touch the bottom.     Misuteri adjusted her hips. She lay flat on Fenrir's back. Her entire length was less than half of Fenrir's body. Fenrir began paddling. Misuteri's feet dipped beneath the cool water on Fenrir's back hips but for the most part, Fenrir kept her above the water.     He was fast. The current didn't push him far off course as he charged forward. It seemed more like he commanded the water to move out of his way with the way it rolled of of his waterproof fur. Her weight did not seem to phase him; but even with Fenrir's speed and strength, it was a long while before they saw shore. Chapter End Notes Okay, so, yeah, the feels in this chapter! This Jouten-Misuteri-Loki love triangle thing (if you can call it that) is seriously intense. I have a feeling it's only going to get worse by the time this book is over! Well, enjoy the next chapter. It's MisuxFenrir bonding time! In other notes: If you're curious why Misu didn't use her wolf-girly powers like she did in the beginning, there are a couple of reasons. One: she is WAY too out of sync with her spirit animals to even try to tap into their powers. Two: Loki's no magic conditioning has left its mark. Three: it's not like she's thinking clearly/logically. ***** The Wolves (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri and Fenrir get into a fight and start to finally get along. Chapter Notes Misuteri and Fenrir have so much in common. So willful...so wild...yet loyal and compassionate. Balancing those things is extremely difficult. Especially when Loki expects nothing less than conformity. If you love wolves as much as Misuteri does, you'll love this chapter. Edited 4-10-15 See the end of the chapter for more notes Fenrir moved swiftly through the water. He was unfazed as the waves crashed upon his chest. He kept his head high above water with his eyes focused forward on land. Misuteri lay against the back of his head and neck. She was on her belly in between his ears. She perched herself up on her elbows to look ahead with him. “Fenrir, why were you locked away down there? And what did you mean that this thing,” she stroked the silky tether in her hand, “was made of impossible things?” She spoke quietly. “I assume it's been some time since the vikings reigned?” Fenrir replied simply. “That's an understatement,” Misuteri looked up from Gleipnir. Misuteri gasped. “Wait...you have no idea how long you were down there?” “Time flows differently when you live, unable to move, in darkness,” Fenrir replied solemnly. “But you're free now, you can do whatever you want,” Misuteri commented optimistically. “You said my father sent you...that only means one thing,” Fenrir slowed his pace. He was suddenly in no hurry to return to Loki. Yeah...he wants something. The wind brushed more softly against Misuteri's cheeks now. “What do you think he wants?”  “He wants me to fulfill my role in Ragnarök,” Fenrir replied. His tone was distant and cold. “What is your role in Ragnarök?” Misuteri asked kindly. “It is the end,” Fenrir replied. “Loki wants me to kill Odin in The Final War,” the gargantuan wolf explained. “Is he the one that locked you away? Why didn't Loki stop him?” Misuteri asked insensitively. “My father was already gone...removed from Court for the strife he caused the other Aesir,” Fenrir's blood began to boil. The cold water was the only thing that kept him calm. “And yes, Odin is responsible for my imprisonment.” “Why did he imprison you?” Misuteri silently cursed herself for her ignorance. She knew Fenrir didn't want to talk about it anymore than she would want to talk about Loki. “A prophecy foretold my role in The Final War, and Odin was afraid. I had never purposefully done anyone harm...I was just a pup, with a body I had yet to grow into,” Fenrir was ashamed of himself. “I was strong, and willful...Odin, as the King of Asgard, had no choice...he had to protect Asgard. He had to protect himself,” Fenrir spoke as if he had done something to deserve his punishment. Misuteri knew exactly what was going on in his head. He was internalizing everything Odin did to him, the same way she was internalizing everything Loki had done to her. She still needed to understand. She was away from Loki, this was her only chance to gain perspective. “I don't understand...why didn't he just kill you?” Misuteri tried to be sensitive. How do you sensitively ask why someone didn't kill you? Really? “It is forbidden to shed blood in the Halls of Asgard. And as fifth in line for the throne, he could not kill me without risking scandal,” Fenrir's voice was still thick with hate and anger. “Fifth in line?!” Misuteri exclaimed. She stopped petting him for a second. “You're related to Odin? Wait...is Loki related to Odin?” Misuteri suddenly had more questions than before. “Loki is Odin's son, not by blood, by oath,” Fenrir explained. “He lived in Asgard for most of his life until the Aesir and Asynjur would tolerate his pranks and scorn no longer,” Fenrir dampened the disdain in his voice. “He found refuge in Jotunheim, where he fathered my sisters and I.” He continued thoughtfully, “but when Odin heard Loki had taken a wife outside of Asgard, and fathered children,” Fenrir's inflection made it obvious how inconceivable such a thing was, “he demanded we return to the Golden City. And so we did. It was then that whispers of the prophecy began to circle like vultures around my family's head. When Jormangundr and I continued to grow far faster than those our own age, and Hel did not, our father was no longer able to hide our true shape. His magic was not strong enough to protect us and himself from being ostracized. It was not long after that, when my father learned of his true lineage, as did we all. When that happened, we were cast out. All of us.” Loki isn't Asgardian? How could he be king if Fenrir was fifth in line? He'd be third...unless someone was before Loki...and they had children. Misuteri listened to him closely. She heard low growls as he replied. It was obvious the topic was painful for Fenrir to recall. She decided it was best if she stopped asking her questions. Everything had to sink in. She didn't want to risk forgetting something. Knowledge was her only weapon against Loki. If she knew what he wanted, she could stop him or at the very least, protect herself. She gently stroked the fur between Fenrir's eyes. She felt his anger melt into sadness. “None of that was your fault...they were wrong...” Misuteri whispered softly to him. “The worst part of it all...was that...they betrayed me. Tyr, my best friend, and Odin. They gave me hope. Odin offered me asylum when everyone turned against me, Tyr offered me friendship...and they both...they both...” Fenrir choked back his sadness. Big wet tears now soaked the fur at the corners of his eyes. “I was so scared...” “It's okay...we don't have to talk about it anymore,” Misuteri kept petting him. She stroked his large ears and above his brow. Fenrir was fed up with his pain and suffering. He wanted retribution. “They will pay. If Odin and Tyr are still alive...I will kill them,” he charged harder in the water. He sunk all but his head into the water, dipping most of Misuteri under with him. The sudden increase in speed almost knocked Misuteri off of him. “Hey, whoa! Fenrir! You need to calm down,” she gripped tightly into his fur. She clung to him for dear life. He felt her panic. He immediately slowed down and lifted his head. “Please, accept my apologies...” He was embarrassed that he had lost his temper. “It's fine...just please...get us to shore,” Misuteri exhaled sharply. She let her weight fall against his large skull. “Yes, my lady,” Fenrir did as she asked. He paddled diligently towards the beach. “We will be there soon.” =============================================================================== As soon as they came ashore, night fell upon them. They decided to rest and continue their journey in the morning. The enormous wolf lead Misuteri to the grass line. He quickly dug a hole, and she gathered firewood. Misuteri used an energy sphere to light the tinder. They sat around a pyramid of thick branches set ablaze over dry leaves and twigs. Night had set in and the cool, damp air was settling in around them. Misuteri hugged her knees as she sat opposite Fenrir. “Fenrir...I've been thinking about what you told me earlier...” Misuteri glanced up at him as she poked the modest fire. She was tip-toeing around the issue. “Say what you wish to say, and say it plainly,” Fenrir made it clear he didn't want her to dance around it. “You don't have to do what Loki wants...you could forgive Odin and Tyr...they may have been wrong but you don't have to kill them,” Misuteri was hesitant to make her point so plainly. It sounded too much like she was trying to derail Loki's plans. She didn't want that fact to outshine her genuine concern for her new lupine friend. “Why? Odin is incapable of forgiveness. His wisdom made him paranoid. I was no threat to him and yet, he chose to believe that I would kill him,” Fenrir growled. The topic brought out the savage part of him that he tried so hard to ignore. “No, I will kill him. I will fulfill the destiny he tried so hard to stop!” “You don't even know how long you've been down there. What if he's dead? What if he's a different person? How do you know he's incapable of forgiveness?” Misuteri flung her questions at him like daggers. She tried to cut through his anger and into his heart. “Besides, this isn't about him. Or Tyr. Or Loki. This is about you!” Misuteri stood up and marched towards the wolf. She stared him in the face without fear. “If you're hellbent on revenge, if you kill Odin and do exactly what that stupid prophecy says, if you do what Loki wants...then what does that make you? You'll be nothing but a puppet of fate. Is that what you want? What do you want?” “What does it matter what I want? My fate has been determined for me at every turn, it matters not what I want,” Fenrir did not want to fight. He turned his head away from her. “That's bullshit, and you know it,” Misuteri looked down at him. “I'm surprised. I thought you were a wolf, not a dog,” she turned and walked back over to her spot by the fire. Fenrir snapped his head back towards her. “And I suppose you have an expert opinion?” He scoffed. “You – one of my father's lackeys – an expert on what makes a wolf a wolf,” he let out breath of laughter in disbelief. Seconds later, Misuteri took her wolf form. In this world where they needed no food, nor shelter, her transformation was painless. Her hair lay wildly over her shoulders. Her tail was erect behind her. She tossed aside her cloak. She stood before him in the her warm leather suit. “I am more wolf than you and I am not one of Loki's lackeys!” Misuteri shouted at him. Her lip snarled and she balled her fists. Her long nails dug into the leather of her sleeves. “I demand your respect.” Fenrir stood up immediately. His ears fell back against his head for a split second and then perked forward. His tail stay flat against his rear. Slowly, the tip of his tail raised up over his hind end and into the air. He was confused and unsure how to approach Misuteri now. “What? You are of Midgard! Midgard is full of weak, simple mortals. What trickery is this?!” He exclaimed in surprise. “I am no weak, simple mortal, Fenrir. You should've figured that out when I freed you,” Misuteri hunched forward slightly with her arms dangling at her side. She gripped Gleipnir in her hand. Her primal side was filling her up. Her inclination towards sentiment was fading fast. The longer she stared at Fenrir, the more she wanted to roll him on his back. Fenrir lifted one front and one back paw at once in a sign of retreat. Her posturing intimidated him. Her size relative to him meant nothing. She embodied both the dominance of an alpha wolf, and a Valkyrie in Valhalla. Fenrir stared down at her with wide, unsure eyes for a long moment. Her stare did not waver from his. “What will it be, then, pet? Will you fight me like a wolf or will you roll over like a dog?” Misuteri rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. She shook her arms out and looked back at him with a malicious grin. Her glare was merciless and terrifying. Her skin grew hot and her bloodlust made her salivate. Fenrir slowly placed his paws to the ground. He let out an uneasy huff of air. “I do not wish to fight you,” he blinked and looked to the ground. Misuteri's grin grew larger. “Then submit to me, pet,” she let the words roll off of her tongue sensually. Fenrir met her gaze with all of his willful might. “But I am no pet!” He snapped his jaws sharply just before her nose. Misuteri straightened her posture and laughed in his face. She leaned forward, and with one hand, pushed his muzzle aside. His reaction exhilarated her. She looked him in the eye and smiled. “Those are just words, pet, actions make us who we are,” Misuteri's grin was both gleeful and devious. Fenrir sat down. He towered over Misuteri with his head high. “I do not wish to hurt you,” he replied stoically without looking at her. A moment later, a pair of wings, covered in black feathers, burst from Misuteri's upper back. She jumped up with the full strength of her legs and stretched out her wings just before she made her decent. She now hovered over Fenrir. She flapped her wings lightly in the air. She kept herself up in the air by pushing her own energy back down at ground. So long as she countered gravity's pull, she would hover in the air. “You are no ordinary mortal,” Fenrir looked up at her again. His eyes were wide and glowing with the reflection of the crescent moon. Misuteri lowered herself over Fenrir's muzzle. She let her weight fall on him. “You can't hurt me if you can't catch me,” Misuteri said. Then, summoned a long, oak staff to her hand. She tapped him on the side of the nose with it before propelling herself off of Fenrir and over the lake. She circled back around towards him. She pulled her wings in towards her to gain speed with her descent. She aimed at the wolf's long abdomen. Fenrir, turned his head, just in time to see her swoop under him. Misuteri tripped both his back legs with her staff and used her momentum to knock him on his side. He landed with a loud thud. She howled gleefully with her head back and her face towards the sky as she darted upward. She was far from done. She watched Fenrir scramble to his feet. His chest heaved as if she had knocked the wind from his lungs. Misuteri made a sharp turn and aimed herself for his muzzle. This time, Fenrir turned on her and jumped into the air at her. The tip of Misuteri's win glided between his huge jaws with a split second to spare before he chomped down. With mouth full of nothing but air, Fenrir turned towards Misuteri once more. He watched her assent. Then, she disappeared in the dark spot of the moon. “Where am I, Fenrir?” Misuteri taunted him. She moved swiftly, side to side, through the air to disorient him. “Can you find me, pet?” She whispered to him. “Can you catch me and become a wolf again?” She landed silently behind him. She swung the staff rapidly through the air until it fell hard against Fenrir's back paw. Fenrir whipped around, jumping and snapping his jaws together. “I am no pet. I will not play these games with you, Midgardian. It is best you stop your journey down this foolish path before you get hurt!” Fenrir jumped at Misuteri. She was up in the air, twice his height before his paws fell back to the ground. She stretched her hands out to both sides of her, with the staff in her right hand and then she folded them back until her fingers touched her chest. “You dare patronize me?” She smiled back at him. Misuteri could resist humiliating him no longer. She darted down towards his face, and then turned upward at the last second. Fenrir snapped his jaws at her in an attempt to ward her off, but he was too slow. She flipped in the air and thwacked the staff against Fenrir's ribs, once on either side. “You are such a nuisance!” Fenrir howled. He stretched up on his hind legs and batted at Misuteri. His large paws, nearly half her size, swiped rapidly at her. Misuteri twisted and turned through the air as if she were dancing and Fenrir were playing her music. She fended off some of his more accurate attacks with the staff with weightless grace. She smiled at him whenever their eyes met. Her deep blue eyes matched the passion and tenacity of his golden orbs. His eyes narrowed and focused on her every move but he saw no pattern. The truth was that Misuteri did move whichever way she wanted. Her impulses moved her, not strategy. Her thoughts were quiet and her aching heart was still. Her soul drifted away as she breathed in the crisp, damp air of the forest. The fine mist settling between the lake and the trees blanketed her and protected her. She listened to the waves as they crashed on the not so far away beach. The rhythmic lapping against the shore was the beat of her heart. Though her eyes never left her opponent, she seemed to be paying little attention to Fenrir, as if he were a harmless child she was occupying. Her casual nuance was driving Fenrir mad. He grew more intolerant to her torment. He was a wolf and he would not be trifled with. He planted his front feet and watched her evermore carefully. He, too, heard the waves as they came on land. He, too, smelled the clean, forest air. His blood boiled and cooled at the same time. His sight became clearer. Though she could soar higher than he could jump, he was still sure he could catch her. Misuteri felt the subtle changes in her new friend but she ignored them. She stayed focused on the weightlessness of her heart as she glided through the air. She was free. Loki had no hold on her. As she remembered what it was like to be unkept, she let her guard down. She took her eyes off of him and focused solely on herself. I needed this. I needed to remember. Fenrir's eyes moved side to side, as Misuteri descended. He watched as she only flapped her wings once or twice before letting herself fall. She twisted and turned with just the flick of her head and she let gravity pull her down. Fenrir moved silently over the soft grass. He positioned himself below her. He moved his head slightly as she fell closer and closer to the earth. He matched her rhythm and pace and waited. And then his moment was upon him. She was low enough for him to strike. Misuteri held her staff out away from  her. She twirled it slowly in her fingers. She looked down and saw Fenrir. It was too late. He was already up on his hind legs. His front paws were folded against his chest one second and then they sprung forward. He caught her staff between his jaws. He held it firmly, without breaking it. He used it to gain leverage on her. He pulled her down too rapidly for her to resist. His large paws pinned her wings against the ground. She lay on her back with him standing over her. Once she was on her back, Fenrir snapped her staff. It fell in splinters around her as if it were a brittle twig. He lowered his nose towards her and growled lowly. He did not glare or bare his teeth to her.  Misuteri's eyes were wide in disbelief. She held her hands up towards him. “Alright, alright, you win,” Misuteri couldn't help but smile. She knew what she had to do next. She lowered her hands and turned her head to the side. Fenrir stared down at her for a long moment. He breathed in her scent. When he was satisfied with her submission, he lifted his front feet off of her. He sat down and looked down at her patiently. In a puff of pink smoke, Misuteri's wings vanished, as did the splintered staff. She sat up and let out a long sigh. “Well, that was fun,” Misuteri smiled. She looked up at Fenrir. He let out a breath that sounded like a scoff of laughter. “Now that that is out of your system, can we sleep?” Fenrir was genuinely tired. His muscles were weak and the swim to shore was long. He got up and walked back over to the fire. He lay down, curled around the fire. Misuteri stood up and walked over to him. “May I?” She pointed to the spot beside him. “Of course,” Fenrir flicked his tail out close to the fire. Misuteri hurried towards him with a child-like smile on her face. She tucked in close to his abdomen. When Fenrir pulled his tail back around her, she hugged it tightly. “Fenrir,” Misuteri lazily whispered. “I'm glad you won,” she said, “I'm glad you're a wolf and not a dog.” Fenrir delighted in her affection. He never meant her harm. He knew how great of a favor she had done him. She understood him like no one ever had. She understood him better than she understood himself. In all his lonely years tied down in that cave, he never thought he would know such friendship. Chapter End Notes Thanks for reading! If you have any comments or feedback, I'd love to hear it! FYI: Loki is back in the next chapter. He will definitely be in the next one. Other notes: Fenrir's back story isn't 100% set in stone. Since I haven't written when Tyr and Odin lock Fenrir up, I'm a little iffy on the details. However, the gist is still true and Fenrir is going to be less than friendly when he happens upon either of those characters in the future. Also: if I've told you this is based off of Norse Mythology, not Marvel Comics, and you're confused how Loki or Fenrir could be in line for the throne, be patient, everything will be explained in Enigma & Chaos. I'm sorry if I messed with your head here. ***** Her Return (Plot>Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri's and Fenrir's friendship grows more deeply. Loki becomes impatient and pulls Misuteri back to him. Upon their return, Misuteri attacks Loki. Chapter Notes The Altar Room and the special guest are a very important in Dawn of Inception, the story where Misuteri gets her powers. I haven only posted the first chapter on here because it's been years since I wrote it and I'm the biggest procrastinator when it comes to stuff like that. Anyway, if you're curious and bug me about it, I might get off my butt and add a little more every now and again. Get ready for one BAMF Misuteri ready to put Loki in his place. See the end of the chapter for more notes Fenrir woke first the next morning. He flicked his tail gently to wake Misuteri. She clung tighter to him and groaned. “Stoooop!” She howled trying to rest her head against him. “Come on,” Fenrir nudged her with his big, wet nose, “it's time to get up.” “I don't wanna,” Misuteri whined. Fenrir lifted his brow and looked down at her.  The high pitched squeal of her whine made his ears tingle. He tilted his head to the side and blinked slowly. He paused to contemplate how to get the petite human off of his tail. He lifted his tail off the ground but she held tighter to him. He dropped it to the ground and she landed with a low thud. “Ow...Stop it!” Misuteri's voice was returning to her normal pitch. Her annoyance was clear.  Fenrir lifted his tail once more despite her pleas.“Stop before I bite you!” She lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. Fenrir scoffed and gently rest his tail against the grass again. He lifted a single brow again. “And why would I be afraid of such tiny teeth?” He teased her. Misuteri pursed her lips together and pouted. She lay her head back against his fur and adjusted her grip. “Hmph! I'm going back to sleep until you're nice to me.” Fenrir lay his head against the ground for a second. He was greatly amused by her stubbornness. Then, reflexively, he licked his lips and an idea came to him. He lifted up his head again and stretched back towards her. He sniffed her hair and then licked her. He pressed his tongue firmly against the back of her legs and stroked all the way up to her shoulders. The rough texture of his lingual muscle lifted her into the air as it would his fur. Once he retracted his tongue, Misuteri flopped wet and sticky against him. “Oh...gross, dude!” Misuteri knit her brow and frowned. “I can't believe you just did that.” She stood up with her arms out away from her sides. Fenrir stuck his tongue out towards her to do it again. Misuteri jumped over his tail and backed away with her hands out. The length of her arms was nothing in comparison to the length of his tongue. She stuck her index finger in the air. “No...don't...just don't.” Misuteri lowered her hands and ignored Fenrir's very existence. She flung her cloak off and unfastened the loose toggles on her leather shirt. She peeled the moist, clingy fabric away from her skin. Her breasts quickly fell free. She disrobed as if she were undressing in front of an animal. She unlaced the waist of her pants and yanked them off. She picked up her discarded clothes and took them with her. She marched towards the cold lake. Fenrir watched her intently. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. He felt his heart quicken and his thoughts became fuzzy. He breathed in her bare scent. It was thick and strong. He inhaled all the pharamones her body gave off like a perfume. As Misuteri trotted away from him with her clothes, he followed her instinctively. He was overcome with need. He was overcome with his need to be close to her. Misuteri paid Fenrir no mind. She dropped her clothes far away from the water's edge. She stared at the water regretfully. It was clear and clean. The ground was mostly sand, not mud, and the seaweed was thin. Its beauty did not calm her. She could still feel Fenrir's thick saliva on her skin and in her hair. It made her skin crawl. I have to do it. It doesn't matter how cold it is. Misuteri took in a deep breath. She let the water lap at her feet. It's perfect! Misuteri rushed into the lake, head first, with the enthusiasm of a child. She let her Once she was chest deep, she turned towards the shore. She saw Fenrir staring at her. When their eyes met, he looked away. He dipped his head down and drank from the lake. “Come on, Fenrir! Swimming's a great way to loosen up those old bones of yours!” She teased him. Fenrir looked up approvingly. His desire for her had faded. The water washed away her scent. Without a second thought, he jumped as high and as far as he could. He leaped over Misuteri. He sank into the water, back feet first, with a huge splash that picked Misuteri up and dropped her in the shallow water near shore. She giggled and returned to the water. Fenrir dove beneath the surface and came up under her. He lifted her out of the water with his nose. Misuteri lay draped over his muzzle, soaking wet and smiling. =============================================================================== Jormangundr strode into the Altar Room with heavy steps. She found Loki standing over Misuteri in his thick leather coat. She saw a heavy, pink smoke surrounding the pedestal that Misuteri lay upon. She saw Misuteri's new form. Her thick, blond tail lay stretched out beneath her and her small, pointy ears twitched atop her head. “What is she doing?” Jormangundr asked. Loki stayed silent. He didn't have an answer. “It's been several days since the Guardians started searching. They're getting closer to the island. I can only topple so many boats without being seen...” she regretfully informed her father. “I know,” her father replied. Loki stared down at Misuteri. He placed his hands against the black stone. His lip twitched as he resisted a snarl. “Jouten will not give her up without a fight.” Loki looked up at Jormangundr. He took a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders. “Let them see you...” His words utterly shocked her. Jormangundr had spent most of her life in hiding. She didn't know how to reveal herself to outsiders. “You can't be serious!” She exclaimed impulsively. Loki tilted his head to the side and twitched his brow. He dared her to question him again. “Yes, father,” Jormangundr turned with her head low. She headed towards the exit. She stopped before she got to the doors and she turned towards him again.“Hel wanted me to tell you that Nidhogg and Ratatosk are ready.” “Good,” he replied lowly, never taking his eyes off of Misuteri. Jormangundr didn't get the warm praise she was hoping for from her father. He was too preoccupied with Misuteri. She burned with jealousy. She swallowed her anger and left the Altar Room. Loki reached out and stroked Misuteri's hair. He brushed his knuckles against her ears. “It is time to come back to your king, Misuteri,” he whispered. “Return and be mine.” His hand glowed green. He mingled his will with hers and drew her back to him. =============================================================================== The odd pair played for hours without a care in the world. Misuteri pestered him relentlessly. They played like children. She taught him how to play tag. She evened the score by sprouting her wings. She soared through the air just over Fenrir as he tried to touch her with is wet nose and she flew in circles, trying to grab his tail. They spent the day with huge smiles on their faces. Fenrir, despite his size, respected Misuteri as an equal. In their short time together, he had grown to care for her deeply. He knew Misuteri adored him, too. Whenever they weren't chasing each other, she gently stroked his fur. Sometimes, she did it so lightly he couldn't feel her touch through his thick coat; but he knew she was near and soaked in her affection all the same. Misuteri did not fear his size, nor his intended prophecy. He was just Fenrir, her new friend. She was happy to forget everything and just enjoy her time with him. He didn't treat her like a savior or a hostage. She grew quite attached to him in a very short time. The sky grew darker once again as they lay together close to a fire. This time, it was larger. They spent a great deal of time finding large, dry logs to heap on the flames. Misuteri sat farther away from the bonfire. She leaned against Fenrir's shoulder with her hand stretched out in front of her and her elbows on her knees. The wolf lay fast asleep with his chin resting on one paw. She stared into the fire and watched the flames. She eyed the thick curves of the flames and the way the embers glowed in the pit. She focused on just the light from the fire. The hues of blue and orange were the perfect distraction from her thoughts. Nevertheless, she could feel the darkness around her creeping in. Her stomach sank and the hair on her arms stood up. She pulled the cloak around her shoulders and tucked her chin close to her chest. Misuteri was just about to drift to sleep when the orange flame of the fire became verdant. Loki rose up in the flames and stepped forward. His body appeared transparent, like the flames, and then he became solid as he cooled. Tiny embers fell from the tips of his hair and his coat. He loomed over Misuteri.  She was frozen and speechless. Her eye grew wide and her limbs felt weak. “Lo...” Misuteri muttered. “Loki?” She squeaked out his name. Loki pressed his finger to his lips. “Shh,” he whispered. “We would not want to wake Fenrir.” He warned her. Misuteri trembled against her lupine friend. I should scream. She couldn't. She opened her mouth but she choked on her words before she could speak them. She closed her mouth and looked up at him. Her gaze a fine mixture of fear and defiance. A large, toothy grin grew across his face. “I am happy to see I made an impression,” Loki held out his hand to her. Misuteri reached out and readied herself to stand. Loki snatched her wrist and pulled her into him. Her petite frame slammed against the leather of his coat. He roughly held above both her elbows. Her hands quickly felt numb and her arms fell weak at her sides. She turned her head down and away from him. “Jouten knows you have me. He'll free me from you,” Misuteri whispered her threats. “He'll free me and he'll stop Ragnarök,”she growled. Loki stifled a laugh. “He is too late,” he enunciated his words precisely in her ear. “Ragnarök has already begun,” Loki resisted his amusement no longer. He grabbed Misuteri's face in both of his hands and made her look at him. “Besides, you need not bother yourself with such matters. You should do as you are told like the pretty, little slave girl you are,” Loki patronized her. Misuteri let out a low growl. She ripped her face from her hands and backed away from him. “No. Fenrir doesn't want this. He doesn't want to fight your war!” She exclaimed. Loki scoffed. He held out his hands to either side of himself. “Fenrir will return to me with open arms and if he does not, you both will pay the consequences,” Loki warned her. “I don't care what you do to me, just leave him out of it,” Misuteri barked at him. Loki held out one of his hands towards her. Gleipnir appeared upon her wrist. It glowed green with Loki's influence. It unraveled and floated through the air towards him. “Trust me, pet,” Loki grasped Gleipnir and wrapped it around his hand. With each twist of his wrist, Misuteri was pulled closer to him. She dug her feet into the ground but her resistance yielded little results. “After a little reconditioning, I have grand plans for you,” Loki smiled as Misuteri stumbled the last few feet towards him. He possessed her once again. He brushed his hand across her shoulder and then her neck. He tangled his fingers in her hair and forced her to look up at him. Her defiant eyes made him burn with desire. He kissed her passionately. He invaded her mouth with his silver tongue and pulled her against him. She could feel his passion for her growing. She relaxed into his touch. It was easier that way. He got what he wanted and it didn't hurt as much. His affection was more bearable that way. She didn't resist; she didn't defy him. She didn't submit. Loki broke their kiss. He pulled back and looked at her. He observed her heavy lids and her slack posture. He was holding her up. He let her fall against him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her. “If you follow me, I will lay a path of gold before you,” Loki whispered, “whether you like it or not, you are at my mercy. I can be merciful, if you let me. If you insist I am your enemy, I will be your enemy. If you embrace me, I will embrace you,” Loki wove an idealistic picture for her. “I wish I could believe you,” Misuteri replied with her head against his chest, “but you are a liar. You are Loki, King of Lies!” She pulled back and stared up at him. “And you will pay for having ever laid a hand on me.” “We shall see, pet,” Loki stepped backwards into the flames. He pulled Gleipnir towards him. The invisible tether was still tied around Misuteri's hand. Loki pulled her towards him, towards the fire. He stood stoically with the flames lapping at his coat. Misuteri was terrified of being burned. She watched as the flames engulfed Gleipnir. She twisted and turned. She dug her feet into the ground with all her might until finally, he had her again. “Fenrir!” She screamed in a desperate attempt to free herself from Loki's hold. Then, she was gone. The wolf looked up to see nothing but a thick fog. It smelled of both Misuteri and his father. He searched for her frantically. He had lost his only friend. He howled for her but when he got no reply, he panicked. He ran as fast as he could. He ran whichever way his heart willed him to go. =============================================================================== Misuteri twisted and pushed against Loki. He let her go once there was solid ground beneath their feet. She stumbled away from him. She tore and yanked at the knot Gleipnir made around her hand. It glowed pink just long enough for her to slip her hand free. Loki quickly coiled it up around his hand and then let it vanish. She turned towards him, still short of breath, and glared at him. “You didn't have to do that. I would've...” Misuteri paused to let herself think. “I would've come back...you didn't have to take me away,” Misuteri's heart sunk.  She thought of how worried Fenrir had to be. A frown carved itself deep across her face. She knew how Fenrir must feel and she was slowly realizing Jouten had to feel a hundred times worse. He knew she was gone now; he knew she was in danger. She fell to her knees with her head low. Her sadness and guilt set in and weighed her down. I should've come back right away. I should've been here, fighting Loki, not playing stupid games. Gah! I'm so selfish. “Maybe if you behaved a little more often, I would believe you,” Loki replied harshly. He watched her resolve weaken and he had no sympathy for her. Misuteri looked up at him. She swallowed her sadness and anger. She refused to give him the privilege of seeing her fragile state. She forced herself to stand. “Where to now, my King?” Her tone was thick with resentment. Loki snickered. He let his head fall as he laughed. Hearing his snide, condescending tone, even in laughter, was enough to make Misuteri cringe but this time, something was different about her. His amusement made something rise up inside Misuteri. She felt her primal self rise up in her. It must have been something in the air, there, in the Altar Room. Her Shadow lurked just beneath the surface. It called to her to let it free. It could protect her. It could give her the chance she needed to return to the rest of the Guardians.  It waited for Misuteri to need its power badly enough before it could take control. A moment passed, as she stood there with her eyes staring at the ground, soaking a long slur of Loki's chiding comments. She wasn't really listening but when he tutted, calling her like a dog to his side, she snapped. Her Shadow burst forward in a wave of desperation. Her hair darkened and and her eyes narrowed. Her wolf ears and tail retreated beneath the surface. They were replaced with a pair of thick, tightly curled horns. She donned a dress Jormangundr would have loved. “It's been a long time since I've had to surface,” Ayamaru spoke in a slow, seductive voice. “You must really be as big and bad as you say you are,” she smiled. She approached Loki with long, slow strides. The way she twisted her hips, side to side, made even Loki shift his attention. She snaked her way under his nose and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Now, baby, why don't you tell me what's really going on here, hmmm?” Ayamaru purred in his ear. She turned him and let him press her against the black pedestal. Loki's eyes widened a little but overall, his expression was emotionless. If there was a part of Misuteri that could rival him, it was her Shadow. It was Ayamaru. “And you must be the seductress that ensnared Jouten,” Loki returned her sensual purr. He ran his fingers up her sides and kissed her passionately once more. Ayamaru lifted herself up and leaned into him. She not only kissed him back but reciprocated each and every one of his advances. His hands groped and clawed at her skin. He ripped her dress off of her shoulders and freed her large breasts. She let him mark and pinch her flesh as she kissed him. She twirled her fingers in his long black hair and let out deep, breathy moans. Behind Loki, the dragons guarding the throne came to life. They stretched their necks up and pulled their front legs in towards them. They regained their bright red color. They heeded their Mistress's silent command. They resumed their former position and waited. Ayamaru nudged Loki backwards. She continued to kiss him and pull gently on his hair as he backed towards the throne. He fell against it and pulled her onto his lap. Loki buried his face against Ayamaru's chest as he suckled and groped one of her breasts. He slipped his other hand between her legs. He began driving his middle finger deep inside of her. He used it to pull her towards him. “Oh, my King!” Ayamaru exclaimed. She started to grind against his hand. She threw her head back and moaned. A moment later, Ayamaru slipped out of Loki's grasp. She withdrew his finger from her and planted both her feet on the smooth, stone floor. “Now, why don't we get serious?” she said as she grabbed the hem of her dress. As she pulled the up over her head, she emerged clad in armor. The dragons lifted up and dug their claws deep into Loki's chest. He groaned in pain as they tore open his flesh. The instant they made contact with him, they drained his energy from him. They pinned him to the throne as Misuteri finished her metamorphosis. Her black wings stretched out behind her and a great sword manifested in her hands. The green color of the room was slowly fading away. With each second, Ayamaru regained more power in her nexus. “This is quite serious, indeed,” Loki sneered. Ayamaru held out her the sword. She placed the tip beneath Loki's chin. “You're going to stay put while I go find my husband and when we get back, you're going to be held responsible for your actions, do you understand?” She let the weight of the blade cut against his skin. Loki laughed. The dragons' claws in his chest did not hinder his laughter. It hurt but she was being so absurd, he couldn't stop himself. He smiled and lowered his head. “You are walking down a very dangerous path,” Loki leaned back. He let the dragons press him against the throne. “You thought you could really best me, here?” Ayamaru pulled the sword from Loki's neck and gestured to the rest of the room. “Now I know you're crazy,” Ayamaru laughed. She turned and walked towards the exit. Loki swallowed and let his head fall against his chest. He breathed deeply and pooled his strength. “If you leave this room, Nidhogg will defeat you. Jormangundr will kill all the innocent people looking for you and Hel will have her way,” Loki's threats seemed both too vague and too specific to be bluffs. Ayamaru spun on her heel. “And if I don't leave, you'll probably kill millions more in this Final War of yours,” she retorted. Loki scoffed. She had no idea what she was talking about. She had no idea what Ragnarok would really do to Midgard. “You will not defeat Nidhogg and you cannot stop what I have begun,” Loki growled at her. The eight deep wounds in his chest sapped his power with every second. If Misuteri left, he would be left defenseless. "In fact, you would be putting everyone you care about in danger if you even attempted such a thing." “And what would your allies do if their leader were dead?” Ayamaru marched back towards him. “I bet they'd scatter. Sounds like a pretty good way to end a war, if you ask me,” she held the great sword with both hands. “I should kill you now!” She lifted the sword above her head. Her wings stretched out as she flexed her shoulders. She took a deep breath in and swung downward with all her might. Chapter End Notes Oh, no! A cliff hanger?! :3 Don't get too worried. The next chapter is already up. Binge away, pets! <3 ***** The Taking (Plot=Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri tries to stop Loki and fails. Loki decides it's time for her to realize just what he's capable of. Chapter Notes Squeee! Here's the chapter we've all been waiting for! It's finally here. Enjoy. Here's a good picture of Ayamaru: http://s179.photobucket.com/user/ Misuteri/media/Katharsi%20Souls/Misu/Ayamaru/ f1271509420_zps477b0354.jpg.html?sort=3&o=24 Here's one of Nidhogg: http://s179.photobucket.com/user/Misuteri/ media/Trickster%20Trilogy/Nidhogg/armor-artwork-black-warriors- 2653524-1200x675_zpsdbd82e45.jpg.html?sort=6&o=5 Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and are rape never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. Edited: 4-13-15 See the end of the chapter for more notes Vibrations. Loud, sudden, painful vibrations. Ayamaru's entire world was nothing but stinging, ringing vibrations. They rippled through her body, through her ears and through her very core. She tried to look around the room. Her vision watery and blurry. Her head pounded, and there was pain. So much pain. It was so hard to breathe. She pressed her hands to her temples and curled into a ball as she attempted to ride out her disorientation. A deafening crash echoed through the room. The sound of metal on metal clashing into each other made the dragons cry out. They curled their claws deeper into Loki as they resisted the shrill noise. They watched as Ayamaru smashed against the far wall and how her sword fell to the ground at Loki's feet. Ayamaru knew she couldn't stay down for long. She had to get up. She had to fight. She scrambled to get her feet beneath her. She fumbled, still stunned. She clutched her left side tightly. She let out a guttural grunt as she breathed through the earth-shattering affects of the attack. She tried to regain her cognitive functions. She had at least two...no, three broken ribs. She cried out as the burning pain struck her spine and seeped into her chest. It disabled her ability to move again but her adrenalin was kicking in.  What in the world could've hit me that hard...that fast? Her curiosity was piqued. It motivated her to move more so than her stubbornness. She rose to her hands and knees. She could not give up. She would not give up. She coughed and tasted blood. She swallowed it back down. She refused to show anymore weakness. A whimper escaped her lips as she mustered her strength. Loki quickly found himself free of the dragons' hold. Blood soaked his leather tunic and coat as he slowly mended his massive wounds. He marched, quickly and with purpose, to Ayamaru and stood over her. “Get up, Misuteri,” Loki said her name as if he were calling her to the surface to replace Ayamaru. His tone was scornful and angry. Loki's voice sent shock waves of nervous energy through her. Ayamaru couldn't resist it. It was engrained so deeply into Misuteri's psyche that her fear of Loki was a part of Ayamaru, too. Misuteri's terror made it impossible for Ayamaru to fight. Ayamaru retreated deep inside of Misuteri. It was in her nature as a coward. Her pin straight, black hair faded to blond and her horns retracted. The armor faded and she was defenseless. Misuteri's last resort had failed. The petite, injured blonde had returned but she was exponentially more disoriented than her counterpart. Her self-preservation instinct transformed into her need to appease him. In a way, Misuteri, too, was a coward. Loki had demolished her bravery and beaten down her courage. She couldn't deny his affect on her. Her heart ached but she was his. Misuteri struggled to obey her King but it hurt too much to move. Her body was weak from her transformation and her injuries...she nearly passed out in her attempt to stand; but she had, however reluctantly, returned. She had obeyed Loki's order, at least in part, and she hoped it would matter. She opened her mouth to say so when she quickly learned her efforts were unappreciated. Impatiently, Loki reached down and grabbed her by the hair. He jerked her to her feet. She whined and mewled as he manhandled her. Misuteri was weak and didn't resist his pull; if anything, she welcomed the help, even if it did hurt. Her confused expression twisted with a twinge of masochism as he forced her to stand straight against his hard chest. He turned her towards the throne. He kept one hand in her hair and the other on her broken ribs. The thin dress aided her little. She quickly saw what, or rather, who hit her. A man nearly twice Loki's size stood near the throne. He appeared bigger that Jouten and Zuri but she felt far from safe with him in the room. He was covered in thick, dark, pointy armor. On both shoulders lay two dragon's heads. He held a large, black and red battle ax in both of his hands. He had long, wavy brown hair pushed back out of his face. His chin was strong and defined, like his brow line but softened by a thin layer of dark stubble. He looked to Loki with rich, golden eyes. “Now, your precious dragons will die for your foolishness,” Loki let go of the back of her head and pinched her jaw. He made sure she looked forward as Nidhogg readied himself. Misuteri struggled against Loki. “No! Stop! They're the only two left!” Misuteri tore her head free of his grip. She tried to turn to him. He quickly snatched hold of her throat - an action that almost always made her freeze - and pressed his thumb against her cheek but still, she looked up at him with teary, pleading eyes. "Ididn't do anything," she wept. "...I didn't...I swear..." she cried. "You know very well what you did," he chided. Loki dug his long, pointed fingers into her wounded side. She straightened and pressed against him. Her pitiful, whimpering cries were cut off by a sharp, painful gasp. Now that she was quiet, Loki grinned with satisfaction. “Endure the consequences of your actions with dignity!” He scolded her. Her tears were already flowing down her cheeks. Loki knocked the wind from her every time he pressed harder against her ribs. It hurt bad enough just trying to breathe, now, everything hurt. For some reason, Loki made everything hurt. I don't know why he hates me so much...I don't know what I did to deserve this... She stopped struggling against his hold on her. She tried to relax against him and ease he pain. It helped a little. Her submissiveness seemed to make him soften his touch. But still, she couldn't watch She gritted her teeth and held her breath. She watched as the wide blade of the ax came down on the first dragon's neck. The dragon cried out in protest. At the last second, Misuteri spun around to Loki. “Please, don't,” she whimpered. “Don't punish them for something I did. I'm sorry,” Misuteri sunk to her knees. She couldn't stand the thought of her innocent guardians dying because of her. They had been sentient staples in her Altar Room from the first time she set eyes upon them. Loki bent down and pulled her back to her feet. “You could swear your fealty to me this instant but it would not change their fate,” he spun her around to face Nidhogg once more. “If you do not watch them die quick deaths, I can assure you they will suffer in your absence,” Loki said darkly. His tone was cold and distant but he felt he was being more than fair. Despite her having attacked him, he was patient with her. This was her first beheading, even if it was just a pair of rogue dragons. The second Misuteri's eyes fell upon Nidhogg's ax, it was already speeding through the air. The dragon continued to writhe in its sedentary position. It could not run; it could not escape its executioner. It cried out in protest, over and over again. It pleaded with Misuteri, with Loki, with Nidhogg, with anyone that would listen. It's screeching roar reverberated through the small room. With one, precise swing Nidhogg severed the dragon's neck from his head. And then, there was nothing but silence. It fell to the side with its eyes and mouth wide open. The blood gushed forth from the dragon's thick flesh surrounding its cervical vertebra. The ancient reptile hadn't given up, even in the very end. It was there...and then...and then... the next second, it was gone... Misuteri turned her head. She buried it against Loki's chest. She couldn't bare to watch it again but Loki snaked his hand up under her chin. He pressed his thumb harder into her cheek and forced her face to turn forward. Her tears soaked the tip of his thumb. She stared the poor creature in the eye. Her chest heaved with sorrow and guilt. Nidhogg silently watched for Loki's cue to continue. When Misuteri was facing forward once more, Loki nodded to his muscular ally. The dragon turned its head and closed its eyes. It stay silent as it accepted its fate. It was an act of mercy, not defeat. Once Nighogg's ax came down with a clean cut, the dragon's wound was almost invisible. The blood slowly flowed out of its wound. The cut was so fine, despite the size of the ax, that if one hadn't know better, they could have mistaken the creature as sleeping rather than dead. Misuteri fell weak in Loki's grasp. She slumped against him, unable to shoulder her guilt. He held her around the waist. He kept her from falling into the dragons' blood. Nighogg swung his heavy, silver-edged ax over one shoulder. He walked up to Misuteri with fury and disgust in his eye. “These were not the last of my brethren, Midgardian,” his voice was deep and angry. It rippled through Misuteri as if he had struck her with his ax again but in fact, he took mercy on her. Nidhogg pitied Misuteri and her plight in spite of his disapproval. He turned away from her and Loki. He quickly and silently exited the Altar Room. Then, before Misuteri could speak or protest, Loki transported them elsewhere. Loki let Misuteri fall to her knees. He walked away from her, transforming his ruined clothes into a modern business suit. Misuteri groaned as she pulled herself to her feet. She looked around. They were back in his office. “Why are we here?” Misuteri regretted talking as soon as the air left her lungs. “You were gone too long. I have work I need to do,” Loki answered her dismissively. Misuteri lifted her head up sharply in acknowledgment. It hurt almost as much as talking. She let most of her weight lean against the round guest chair in front of her. She was wiped out. She was emotionally numb and her body was weak. There was no way she could fight him now. She cleared her throat. “Can I go lay down, my king?” There was no disrespect in her voice. She asked as respectfully as she could. “Yes, but no magic,” Loki warned her. “I cannot afford to be distracted with you tonight.” Misuteri let a small smile cross her lips. “Yes, sir,” she replied enthusiastically. She turned and made her way to the couch. He doesn't want me to accidentally put him to sleep...or heal myself, big surprise. “If you can manage to behave for the next few hours, I will heal your injuries,” Loki promised her. “I hope I can hold you to that. This whole 'no magic' thing sucks hard enough,” Misuteri picked up the blanket and tossed it over the back of the couch. She laid down with a rough plop. She groaned and pulled the blanket over her. She was asleep almost before she made it to the hard, leather couch. The next several hours passed rather quickly for Misuteri.  She didn't dream. It was a hard, restless sleep. Once Loki was sure she was completely unconscious, he stepped out from behind his desk. He moved to her side and stood over her. He contemplated a great many things as he stood there, looking down at her. She appeared so delicate and yet, somehow, she was incredibly resilient. He wondered if he had done the right thing, killing her dragons to punish her. It seemed to be effective, more effective than his more physical approach. "...Loki..." she mumbled weakly. The sound of her voice startled Loki out of his thoughts. "...Loki...please..." Misuteri slurred her vague request. Loki narrowed his eyes at her. He knew she was asleep. He could feel it but still, he couldn't resist the affect of her meek voice. His own Shadow rose up in him, tinting his irises red. He stiffened and forced it down. His desire roared against him, against the inside of his trousers. His face pinched in frustration. Loki shoved his hands in his pockets and turned on his heel. When he returned to his desk, the lack of proximity to Misuteri quelled his inner darkness; but before returning to his work, he narrowed his eyes at her. He resented her a little for the affect she had on him. =============================================================================== When she regained consciousness, her body ached so badly, she couldn't move. However, she could think more clearly and so she opted to take advantage of the opportunity to do so without distraction. She stayed still, locking her consciousness behind her eyelids. What the hell? After everything I've been through, Lok's - I mean Loki's - my arch nemesis? She let out a sharp, painful scoff. She cranked her neck back far enough to see Loki at his desk. He didn't seem to notice and she just flopped back down against the couch. If Ragnarök is supposed to be a big end of days, The Final War, type deal...what the fuck is he doing paperwork for? I mean, you fight in wars, right? Why aren't we fighting? Fighting I could handle...it's normal...this...this is all just fucked up. Time passed rather slowly as she contemplated this and that. Her time with Fenrir seemed like a distant memory now. The fact she had seen Jouten - or at least some form of him - was almost the last thing on her mind. She thought of the dangerous man right in front of her. She tried to reason through her situation, her role in Ragnarok. What does he really needmefor? It doesn't make any sense. It was useless. Misuteri couldn't come up with a logical explanation for everything that had happened. She couldn't think of a logical reason for Loki's actions. Things seemed more complicated than an old vendetta. Her intuition told her Loki was more complex than that, that it would take more than that to motivate him to do something of such magnitude. She willed herself to be still and quiet for almost a half hour before she finally couldn't take it anymore. She had to move. Her body was painfully stiff. She let one of her legs fall of the edge of the narrow couch and she pulled herself up with the back of it. Her feet planted against the ground with some stability. She rested her back against the couch and looked over at Loki. “It seems someone is finally awake. Did you know you talk in your sleep?” he remarked. Loki didn't look up from his paper. His eyes scanned the black letters on the white parchment. “Yes...did I say anything interesting, my lord?” She replied pleasantly. “Just my name...” Loki looked up at her to see her reaction. She rolled her head upward. Misuteri huffed a laugh in response. “I must have been having a nightmare,” she comforted herself. “Ah well, in any case,” Loki replied with a tiny smirk. He didn't take her comment personally. He was starting to respect her rebellious streak, in his own way. “I am almost finished.” “Now that's something to be happy about,” Misuteri replied. “Just tell me when you're ready to leave.” Misuteri's eyes rolled back into her head. For some reason, it was really relaxing and she nearly fell asleep again. Loki hastily finished preparing the document he was organizing. He stood up and walked over to Misuteri. He lifted her gently into his arms. =============================================================================== Loki took Misuteri to his bed. He tenderly lay her against the soft, velvet comforter. He pulled it back and lay the soft, cotton sheets over her. He cast away his Earthly wardrobe and donned a long night shirt. Then he climbed into bed himself. He moved close to her. He turned down the sheet so it lay folded at her hips. He disrobed her with the wave of his hand. Her tight little dress melted away in a green glow, just as it had appeared. She lay next to him in nothing but her engraved collar. Misuteri felt the magic and then, the cold air around her. She rolled her head to the side. She peeked open her eyes and saw him. He appeared blurry and distant but she knew he was close. Too close, like before. She could feel him stroking her hair. “Please...don't...” She whispered. She took advantage of her sleepiness. Her voice was weak and her tone passive. “Shh...” he hushed her. He put one hand over her eyes and stroked down her abdomen with the other. Her skin was already dark purple and blue. His touch tingled and cooled the hot, tender skin. It wasn't a particularly pleasent sensation. In fact, it hurt, a lot. She tensed and winced. Misuteri couldn't tell if he was healing her or not. She tried to stay still but it tickled. As much as his touch hurt, it tickled too. She let out a pained laugh. Loki looked up at her. He could feel her eyes pinch and tighten beneath his hand but there was a smile upon her face. He trailed his fingers in circles, letting them drift outside the bruise. He watched her carefully as she bit her lip and held back her expressions. He was surprised she hadn't kicked or swatted at him. “Loki...please...it hurts,” she whimpered. “I am your king,” Loki asserted his authority. He let his touch graze her skin a little more roughly. She let out a gasp. “Please...my king,” she whispered weakly to him. Loki rest his whole palm over her injury. His large hand and long fingers were more than enough to cover three cracked ribs and a bruise that covered nearly a quarter of her abdomen. It was easy to forget that she was so small, so delicate because she tried to act so tough. There was a brief moment of cold and then numbness. She was still sore and stiff. It was hard to take a full, deep breath but it didn't hurt to breathe. He let her injury linger. It did not hurt; it only hindered her. “If you misbehave and get hurt again, I will not heal you,” Loki spoke sternly. “You will have to suffer with the fullconsequences of your actions, do you understand?” “Yes, my king,” Misuteri answered. “Thank you...” she replied reluctantly. She was grateful. She wasn't as grateful as she would have like to have been but she was. “But why wouldn't you just let me heal myself?” He smiled. She reverted back to her normal self no sooner than she was comfortable. “There is a very complicated answer to your question. The simple answer is because I did not want you to,” Loki spoke in her ear. Misuteri opened her mouth to speak again but Loki put his finger on her lips. She relaxed her jaw and her lips met again. “I do not wish you to speak unless I tell you to for the remainder of the evening,” Loki's voice was firm and authoritarian. Misuteri swallowed nervously. She felt Loki's hand move from her lips, down her neck and between her breasts. He groped and massaged one of her nipples with his fingertips. Her breath hitched and she grit her teeth. “I want you to roll over onto your side and do not open your eyes,” Loki lowered his hand. He nudged her hip so that she would turn away from him. He took off his night shirt and lay naked against her. He positioned himself low, with his hips curving around her bottom. He pressed his chest against her back and caressed her. Misuteri relaxed against him. The warmth from his stomach and chest against her sore back felt incredible. His skin pressed against hers made her muscles twitch as the tension slowly faded away. Her eyes relaxed in their closed position and she could breathe more easily. His warmth felt nice against her. He felt like Jouten with her eyes closed. A small smile crossed her lips. I...feel...so much better... Loki pulled her shoulders back so her arms lay folded behind her. He dragged his fingertips down her ribs and over her hip. “If you really want to thank me, be mine,” he purred. He followed the curve of her thigh inward and gently lifted her leg. He pulled it back towards him and let her knee bend over his leg. He pressed his pelvis against her harder. He slipped his swollen, throbbing desire for her out so it lay against the moist folds between her legs. Misuteri turned her head away from him and let him move her. She curled her fingers and felt the dense ripples of his stomach. His skin was smooth and hard like marble. It made her remember what it was like to yearn for someone's touch, for her husband's touch. She pushed the thought away. She resisted the warmth as it pooled in her loins. She was certain he would not force himself on her. She hadn't begged. She didn't want him. Her confidence was shattered when she felt the full length of him pressed against her vulnerable slit. She swallowed hard. She tried to pull her hands out from behind her. Loki held her shoulder still, his large fingers pressed into her flesh, as she wiggled against him. “Stay put,” he ordered. “Please...don't...” Misuteri tried to push him away from her. She placed her hands against his stomach to keep him at bay. She pulled her leg down and tucked it into her chest. She pulled her other leg up to meet it. Loki propped up on his elbow and held a fistful of her hair. He roughly dragged his fingertips down her arm and onto her tender side. He squeezed her cracked ribs in his hand. Misuteri choked on a cry as he knocked the wind from her. Her eyes burst open. She pushed out her legs and her entire body stiffened against him. Her eyes began to water and she shuttered. She darted her eyes around the room but she could see only darkness. “That was only a warning, pet,” Loki whispered. His tone was void of praise and scorn. "Disobey me again and I will punish you." Misuteri got the hint. She gulped nervously before she was able to appease him. She adjusted her shoulders and leaned back against him. She turned her head away from him, leaving the long curve of her neck exposed. She buried her face against the pillow. She closed her eyes and fought back her tears. She still pressed her knees and ankles together in a desperate attempt to fend off Loki's advances. Loki loosened his grip on her hair. He caressed the back of her head and neck. He pulled her shoulder back towards him. He watched the muscles in her neck flex as she clenched her jaw. He found himself salivating, as if she were a piece of meat to be devoured. His eyes glowed red again. It happened too quickly for him to stop himself. The primal urge quickly overcame his controlled sensibilities. He spread his jaw wide. His perfect smile, his perfect teeth became tiny daggers as they clamped down on her flesh. The leather strap of her collar offered her little protection from his carnal bite. He sucked and gnawed at the skin on her hypersensitive neck. Misuteri couldn't stop herself from twisting and jerking against him. Every movement hurt in some way, shape or form. She couldn't escape the pain. Her cries quickly turned to screams as he relentlessly tore at her flesh. She couldn't take it. She had to get him off of her. She yanked her arms forward and reached up behind her. She groped haphazardly at him until she grabbed hold of his dark mane. She pulled desperately on his long, black hair as she writhed against him. Loki snatched her wrist in his hand and held it down at her side. He quickly wrapped his arm around her chest, tucking it beneath her, pinning her to him. For a split second, there was only the searing pain as her blood rushed to new, tiny wounds. Then, Loki took her flesh into his mouth again. This time, it was lower, closer to her shoulder, on the nape of her neck. The pain and the surprise made her vision go white. She could feel his thumb pressed against the base of her skull, forcing her to face away from him. She took rapid, shallow breaths to distract herself from his torment. Everything she did, every time she moved, it hurt. It didn't matter if she submitted or not. It was torture and so she screamed. It was the only thing that seemed to help. She screamed, over and over, just like her dragon, as he ravaged her. Loki was no fool. He hurt her even when she was still. He had denied his carnal desires for too long. She was so stubborn. He would make sure her willfulness was her end. He bit down hard on her tender, broken flesh one final time and as the sweet, metallic taste of her blood flowed over his tongue, Loki's eyes glowed brighter. He moved out from behind her with godlike speed. She fell back against the bed, clutching her shoulder. She hadn't stopped screaming. She could feel the blood on her fingers and as it coated her flesh. Tears soaked her face and she trembled. She looked up and saw Loki's scarlet eyes glaring down at her. “You will beg me to take you this night,” Loki's voice was dark. It sounded almost distorted, like two people talking at once. “You will submit to me and you will be mine,” Loki lowered himself onto her. He let his weight fall onto her and breathed in her scent. She was terrified. She grew more and more frightened of what he might do with each second. Her fear consumed her. It short circuited her brain. She couldn't think; she couldn't speak. She could barely comprehend what he was saying. Loki reached down and pushed one of Misuteri's legs to the side. She was too scared to move against him. He rested his knee in the gap and then repeated the motion on the other side. He rose up between her legs. He took the sight of her in. His eyes glided up her trembling pelvis and up her shaky abdomen. He slowly gazed up over her heaving chest. She still held her bloody shoulder in one hand and her aching side in the other. Her breasts were pressed together with their stiff, pink tips pointed at him. He licked his lips once more. “Let us see how long you can resist me,” Loki lowered himself over her again. He slipped one hand between her legs. He hastily drove two fingers deep inside of her. He stroked her and massaged her swelling, pink pearl with vigor. “Oh, from the feel of it, it will not be long,” he whispered. His voice was victorious and full of undeniable confidence. Misuteri may very well have been aroused but it wasn't until he started to stimulate her that she found herself feeling it again. The pain and fear was slowly being mixed with something...different. She was quickly panting with desire but she still rebelled. She tried to will her fear away. “Please...” Misuteri's stuttered her pleas, “don't do this...” She groaned as he molested her more passionately. Seconds later, Loki ripped her hand away from her neck and pinned it against the bed. He  took the tip of her breast into his mouth. He held it tightly in his front teeth. She screamed and bucked against him. Then he let his tongue twirl around the marked flesh. He focused his attention between her legs for a long moment while he soothed her wound. She whimpered with each lap he made. His violent side seemed to quell. Misuteri felt her need grow with every second he touched her. He dexterity was superb and his silver tongue was long and flexible. It had to stop. She had to try to stop him. “Please...” Misuteri let out a breathy whisper. “I'm begging you to stop...” Without a word, Loki bit down hard on her other breast. She shrieked. Each and every time he felt Misuteri's chest rise with enough air to speak, he made her scream. She got the hint....eventually. She couldn't take much more. It didn't matter how hard she tried to fight him. He subdued her at every turn. And no matter how badly she wanted to release and escape, she couldn't. Her heart would stop every time she got too close to the edge. It would choke the air from her lungs and neutralize her endorphines. I can't take it. I'm sorry...I can't...I just...I have to let go. I have to give in. “I...” Misuteri didn't know exactly what to say. “I'm...yours...?” she shouted as his teeth dug into her flesh. Loki lifted up off of her. He stilled his hand deep inside of her. The feral red in his eyes began to fade. “Beg me to make you mine; beg me to take you, to free you,” Loki's words were clear and precise. “Please,” Misuteri didn't skip a beat, “please, my king, take me...Make me yours...” She turned her head, exposing the uninjured side of her neck. “Please...I beg you...” Misuteri took her hand from her ribs and reached down stroked the full length of his manhood. She heard Loki let out an unsteady breath. “More...” he commanded. “Beg me more,” his voice was sharp and demanding. Misuteri didn't stop massaging him. She took his girth into her hand and stroked him. She made long, steady motions over his engorged member. It was smooth and perfect in her hand. She followed its distinctive shape. It curved upward towards him. She quickly realized the tip was especially sensitive. Each time she touched it, her fingers became slick with pre-cum. “Please, my king,” she whispered desperately to him. “Please, make me yours,” she continued to gently stroke him. “Please,” she repeated herself, “please...” “No!” Loki released her wrist and took her breast in his hand. He squeezed it roughly and then bit down on her again. This time, he was gentler. This time, he wasn't trying to make her scream. He began to roll his fingers deep inside of her once more. “Please!” She cried out. “Please...Loki!” Her body convulsed against him as he took control of her. “No!” Loki growled. “You must try harder than that!” He snickered in her ear. He quickened his pace inside of her. Misuteri whined and whimpered. She was so close, so very close to the edge. She stared up, where she was sure Loki had to be, and begged vehemently. “Please, my king, have mercy! Take me.” She reached up and clawed at his chest. She tried to pull him down on her. “Pleasepleaseplease...I don't know what I'll do if you don't!” She cried. “One more time, Misuteri,” Loki was overjoyed. He savored every second of her torment. “One more time, just like that!” “Please,” Misuteri squealed the word out in a long breath. “Please, my king, take me,” she was nearly sobbing. “I'll do anything...just pleasepleaseplease...let me be yours.” “As you wish,” he replied with a smirk. Loki didn't waist a nanosecond. He thrust his entire length deep into Misuteri. Her back arched reflexively and her breasts were thrown up towards her face with each hammering stroke. He moved so quickly that Misuteri didn't realize what had happened until several moments later. She was breathless and serene. Her entire world froze around the single moment as Loki invaded her. Her body felt full and she was suddenly certain of her fate. In an instant, her hope was renewed. “Yes,” Misuteri gasped. “Oh, god, yes!” She was nearly moved to tears.  “I am your King,” Loki roared, punctuating his decree with a thrust. “I am your new God,” he asserted himself over her. “You belong to me,” he continued to positively reinforce her submission with deep, pounding thrusts. “I am your Lord and Master, and you will worship me!” She was weak and soaked between the legs but now the creature stirring within her loins became content as he stimulated her. The heat that rolled off of his skin; the weight of him pressing her against the mattress; and the sound of his voice made her feel secure. Every word he uttered chained her down and as he imposed his will upon her, she was set free. “Y-yes, M-master,” Misuteri felt like she had to reply. “Say it!” Loki commanded sharply as he rolled his hips into her. “I belong to you,” Misuteri cried out. She sounded almost proud as his ecstasy filled her. “You are my King...my God...my Lord and...Master,” she choked out each title as he slammed his pelvis into hers. “And I will worship you!” Loki almost lost control. He took her by the throat and leaned forward. He tipped her hips up towards him and buried himself to the hilt. A shutter of a gasp escaped his lips as he choked the air from Misuteri. He felt her tiny fingers grasping at his forearm. “I permit you release, Misuteri.”  Loki lifted off of her just long enough for her to gasp, just once, and then he returned to his punishing thrusts. One stroke was all it took for Misuteri's entire body to tense up and then to melt into a puddle. She was no longer herself. She fell apart into a million, tiny, defenseless, little pieces. She couldn't control the breathy moans that escaped from her lips or the way her pelvic muscles tried to strangle Loki. Once Loki finally let her breathe again, she felt weightless. Every ounce of pain had left her beaten and bloodied body. She finally found peace. She didn't think about anything other than Loki. No one else existed. There was no impending doom or Final War. There was just Loki. Misuteri mindlessly moaned beneath Loki for quite some time before his demeanor changed. It was obvious to her when it happened. He dropped over her and held a moan in his throat.  The guttural sound sent chills down her spine. He grabbed fistfuls of her hair. Then, she felt him slam into her cervix. Reflexively, her pelvis twitched and clenched around him. She coaxed his seed from him and heightened his release. Loki let go of her hair and pushed off of her. He fell onto his side and tossed the sheet off of his legs. Misuteri could finally breathe easy. She turned onto her side, facing away from Loki, and pulled her knees up towards her chest. She shuttered as her sore, aching body tried to move in the wake of his assault. She was almost asleep when she heard his voice. “I cannot wait to see your husband's face when you try to explain this to him,” Loki laughed to himself. “I will send a messenger, tomorrow, to welcome him here, so you can tell him what you have done in person,” he mused to himself aloud. Misuteri's eyes burst open. She turned to him, with every ounce of fear she had before still in her veins. She held the sheet tightly against her chest. Her jaw hung ajar but she couldn't bring herself to speak. No...no...no. Please...no. “No!” She screamed. The word left her lips but she couldn't tell if she had actually spoken. Loki turned his gaze to her. His green eyes glowing in the darkness. “Then I suggest you be on your best behavior, or I assure you, he will find out what a weak, unfaithful, little slut you are.” Misuteri was shaking. This was her worst fear. She was in bed with the devil himself. “Come here,” Loki pulled her towards him. “Lie down and rest,” he commanded. Misuteri moved closer to him. She held the sheet against her as he pulled her into his embrace. He made her lay on her tender, bloody shoulder. Though her head rested on his chest, she was unable to rest. He stroked her arm mindlessly as he contemplated his thoughts. His touch, his scent, everything about him put her on edge. Eventually, her body gave out and she lost consciousness. Chapter End Notes Okay, so whew. *fans self* I know it's been a long time coming, let me know what you guys think! I love your feedback. <3 The very last bit always makes me think of the song Unfaithful by Rihanna...I think it fits. Anyways. Thanks for reading! ***** The Guardians (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Jouten misses Misuteri and he's on his way to surprise her. Kuro, Kizu, Zuri, Nero and Kissui all come along to help. However, there may be things they're not equipped to fight already on board with them. Chapter Notes For those of you how haven't read the edited version of the beginning few chapters, I've changed Misu's friend Loki's name to Lok for clarification's sake. So, Lok is the harmless 20-something-year-old that Misu went to help. Loki is the evil villain. The group knows Misuteri when to help Lok, and knows next to nothing about Loki, up to this point in the story. Just a reminder, remember who really has Misuteri's cellphone. <3 See the end of the chapter for more notes An exceptionally tall, thickly muscled man with short white hair slept restlessly in a narrow bed. His body twitched, causing him to toss and turn during the few hours of the night he could manage to sleep. His deep blue eyes danced rapidly beneath his eyelids but his mind was blank. Another dreamless night wasn't anything out of the ordinary but his gut twinged with a nasty bout of nervous energy. Fear, anxiety, sadness, guilt all rushed at him, through him. They surged through his veins as if it were his own. They twisted him up, tearing him away from his own semi-peaceful state. He woke breathless, in a cold sweat. Instantly, he knew why. Something was wrong, very wrong. Misuteri was in trouble. He could feel it. It almost broke him down. He almost couldn't take it. He quickly convinced himself it must have been a dream even though it felt so real. His strong jaw clenched with frustration. He held in a heavy sigh, only to release it reluctantly through his nose in a violent huff. It calmed him a little but nowhere near as much as he wished it could have. He resisted the urge to plant the side of his fist into the old wood beside him. He resisted all of his more destructive urges. This whole thing was ridiculous. Misuteri was fine. She had to be fine. He dragged his large hands down his face in an attempt to sooth his suffering. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He assured himself that it was just paranoia. He had been away from her too long and he was having withdraws. It's normal to be irrational when experiencing withdraws. That had to be the answer. Misuteri had expressly told him everything was fine and he wanted to believe that with every fiber of his being. He didn't want to believe she had lied to him, even a little. If she was in trouble, she would have told him; and if she needed help, she would have asked. He had to have faith that that was true. If he didn't, he would definitely snap. He let that happen. If, on the off chance, he was right, he had to keep a level head. There was really only one way to remind himself of such a simple truth. He had been texting his wife while she was away. He hadn't heard heard her voice but at the moment, physical evidence of her safety was more valuable than that. He pulled his cell phone out of of his pocket and scrolled through their texts. He did it for reassurance but secretly, he was searching searched for anything he could have missed. Three Days Ago: Misuteri: Hey, baby, I just landed. I'll let you know when I get to Lok. ( Received at 1:17:56 PM) Jouten: Okay. Call me. ( Sent at 1:20:12 PM) Jouten: Misu...call me! ( Sent at 1:30:35 PM) Jouten: At least text me back! ( Sent at 1:40:47 PM) Misuteri: I tried. I can't. Crappy signal. I'm sorry. :( ( Received at 1:45:32 PM) Misuteri: I'm out in the middle of nowhere. I'm surprised you're getting my texts at all. ( Received at 1:46:00 PM) Jouten: Why is it taking you so long to text me back? ( Sent at 1:47:15) Misuteri: Yeah, I think. I should go. I need to look for Lok. I love you. <3 <3 <3 (Received at 1:50:50 PM) Jouten: I Love You, too, My Little Queen. ( Sent at 1:51:54 PM) He didn't find much in those few words. He remembered how that first day made him feel and it wasn't good. The first day's texts left Jouten with an overwhelming irritation. That was the only way he could describe it. They had talked for far too little and it ticked him off the rest of the day. He did his best to stay away from the others. He didn't want his bad mood to have a toxic effect. He had managed to quell his negitivity then. He just had to do it again. Two Days Ago: Jouten: Hey, what's going on? I haven't heard anything from you. ( Sent at 9: 08:12 AM) Jouten: I love you. ( Sent at 9:29:30 AM) Jouten: Your profile says you logged on last night. Why didn't you message me? I need you to check in Misuteri. ( Sent at 12:49:21 PM) Jouten: If I don't hear from you by midnight, I'm having Kuro ping your phone and coming to get you. ( Sent at 5:01:02 PM) Misuteri: I'm sorry I didn't check in earlier. I've been using my phone a lot and it died. I finally found Lok a little while ago and got a chance to charge my phone a little. He's kind of been living off the grid here, so I don't have a whole lot of battery power. Sorry. I love you. <3 ( Received at 10:54:02 PM) Jouten: I love you. Call me. ( Sent at 10:55:00 PM) Misuteri: I still have shitty signal. The call won't go through. I'm still surprised you're even getting my texts. But don't worry. Everything's fine. ( Received at 10:56:52 PM) Jouten: ...What's going on with Lok? When are you coming home? I miss you. ( Sent at 10:58:05 PM) Misuteri: Idk. A while but not too long? I got him to let me in but he's not doing much talking. He won't tell me what's wrong. He looks terrible though. I think I've got to nurse him back to health before he'll open up. Or at least, that's the plan, ya know? ( Received at 11:00:43 PM) Jouten: Does he have a land line you can call me with? Get on the computer and chat with me. Something! ( Sent at 11:01:05 PM) Misuteri: I really should get back to him...I love you and miss you too. As soon as I know anything, I'll let you know. I promise. <3 ( Received at 11:01: 10 PM) Jouten: I love you too... ( Sent at 11:02:07 PM) Jouten quickly scrolled through his first few texts. Rereading them would do him no good. It just reminded him how desperate he was for her attention. He was glad had Kuro search for Misuteri's location; and he was even more content with the fact he hadn't waited until midnight like he said would. He knew exactly where Misuteri was and that was comforting. Unfortunately, such knowledge was little more than a balm. He was quickly plagued with something more frustrating. He was a little jealous of Lok. He imagined Misuteri tending to him; being silly to make him laugh; and simply being close with him. He felt guilty but he was her husband. It wasn't wrong for him to crave her intimacy. He shook his head and scrolled on. Yesterday: Jouten: Good morning, my little queen. None of us have heard from you in a while. We're starting to worry. I've never seen you offline for this long. Is everything okay? Do you need our help? ( Sent at 12:00:40 PM) Misuteri: It's been really hectic around here, trying to keep Lok busy. He's still not talking much but I think I've got everything under control! This place is huge. I've gotten lost twice...lost my phone more than that. Please don't get mad if you don't hear from me right away. Everything's fine, I swear! <3 I love you. Hopefully I'll be able to come home soon. ( Received at 4:48:39 PM) Jouten: I'm glad everything seems to be going well. Do you have an ETA? ( Sent at 5:05:06 PM) Misuteri: Not really. But hey, maybe this'll cheer you up! (Download Media Attachment) ( Received at 5:15:26 PM) Jouten: Misu! You look beautiful... ( Sent at 5:05:06 PM) Misuteri: I feel like I just made you miss me more...:( ( Received at 5:15:26 PM) Jouten: No. No. No. Just really happy to see your pretty face. ( Sent at 5:16: 56 PM) Misuteri: *blush* Isn't this place beautiful? ( Received at 5:20:42 PM) Jouten: Hold on. I didn't even look at the background. ( Sent at 5:22:04 PM) Jouten: It looks amazing! Almost as amazing as you! I wish I could be there with you... ( Sent at 5:23:13 PM) Misuteri: Me, too. Maybe after Lok's feeling better, we'll all be able to come visit. I definitely wouldn't mind that. ( Received at 5:25:19 PM) Jouten: Deal. <3 ( Sent at 5:27:52 PM) Misuteri: Alright, baby, I really have to go. I've been playing spy ever since I got here and I've just started putting the pieces together! I love you and miss you. <3 ( Received at 5:30:26 PM) Jouten: I love and miss you, too! And be safe. That's an order! ( Sent at 5:32: 11 PM) That was it! He was on his way to surprise Misuteri. She seemed to be in better spirits, which meant Lok had to be too. They had actually had something of a full conversation. Maybe it was just seeing her smiling face but he was suddenly filled with hope again. He was finally able to think more clearly. The haunting emotions that woke him had diffused. He remembered why he was there, in the bed that he had never shared with Misuteri. He left Kardia Lux to search for her the day before. He had only told one person what he planned to do, his son, Kuro, but before he knew it, four more of their friends wanted to go, too. Jouten didn't have to guess how it happened. Kuro had likely told Kizu or Kissui and then the word spread to the others. They all had their sneaky ways of finding something out, especially Zuri. They could go days, even weeks, without crossing each others' paths but gossip spread like a virus. He couldn't fault Kuro; and it was sort of his fault for not expressing specifying he intended to go alone. Things had been quite dull around Kardia Lux, up until Misuteri went on her impromptu trip to see Lok, nothing much had happened. It was no wonder some of them wanted to go on a little adventure. Besides, he couldn't deny Kuro the excitement he anticipated when they all wanted to join in. He was so like his mother, it hurt. Jouten was less enthusiastic, at first. He eventually warmed up to the idea of several of the Guardians joining him. He figured if they all went as a group, they would all be less threatening and one of them might get along with Lok; which would give Misuteri a break. The thought of getting some alone time with his wife sooner was all it took to make him optimistic again. There was one problem though. They didn't own a working vessel that could carry them all. This wasn't some mission within a reasonable distance that they could travel on foot. Misuteri had ventured far outside their usual boundaries to see Lok. Jouten was about to break the bad news to everyone when Kuro and Kizu came to him. "Dad, I have something to show you," the raven-haired, young man said softly. Both of Jouten's eyebrows popped up and he tilted his head warily. "It's nothing bad, just come see!" Kizu assured him. The lithe, brunette grabbed Jouten's hand. Kuro snatched the other and they both jerked Jouten down a hallway. They came upon a large door in the depths of Kardia Lux. "Okay, now, close your eyes," Kuro insisted. Jouten sighed heavily and rolled his eyes into the back of his head. He pressed his lids together and huffed again. He appeased his son even though his own anxiety was killing him. "Okay, stay right there," Kizu said. She waved her hands in front of his face. Jouten contemplated snatching them just to make her jump but he didn't want to be accused of having his eyes open. It would have been entertaining but certainly not very nice. "Hurry up. I've got something I need to tell everyone before we leave." Neither Kizu or Kuro replied. They opened the large doors. There was a large, cave-like opening directly opposite the door. It let in bright yellow sunlight from the bay. The other three Guardians stood on a large, wooden ship. They waved them over with excitement. Kissui couldn't contain herself. Adorably, she bounced as high as she could, which left her almost a foot taller than Zuri each time. Nero and Zuri didn't really feel the need to be so jumpy. They were anxious to see the look on Jouten's face. "Alright," Kuro said. He pulled on his father's thick forearm while Kizu ran ahead a little. "Follow me." Kuro was grinning with insurmountable excitement. He led Jouten around the edge of the cavern and over to the dock. When they met Kizu, just before the wooden dock, Kuro spoke again, "it's kind of dark in here, but go ahead and open your eyes." Jouten slowly peeked his eyes open, ready for anything. He hadn't been to this part of Kardia Lux for a long time. He didn't have a clue what they might have found down there. It was half cloaked in darkness but Jouten could see it just fine. He knew exactly what he was looking at. It was one of his favorite artifacts. His eyes went wide. His normally stoic expression was replaced with awe. He didn't say much at first, he just let his jaw hang open. They all knew him well enough to know he was impressed. He stood there, staring at his old, beat up frigate made anew. The first thing he noticed was the wood. It was so smooth and clean. He could smell the polish and wax from afar. It's metal accents were shiny and smooth. The ropes were pristine and taut. The sails were silver with the Guardian insignia printed on it. It was half bright pink and dark purple. The entire ship looked brand new; which was impossible, because it was hundreds of years old. It literary choked him up. He wished Misuteri could be there; then he wondered if she was in on it, too. "We've all worked on it, one way or another. We wanted to show you how much we appreciate all your help," Kizu said somewhat shyly. She was happy Jouten was happy but she felt a little selfish showing him his present, only to ask for his help, so they could all do something he originally planned on doing alone. Nero rushed out to meet him on the dock before he climbed on board. "Just so you know, it's not 100% finished but we're pretty sure it's close. We wanted to finish it, to surprise you..." "But since we realized we weren't all going to be able to go see Misu if we didn't have a means of transportation, we thought we might as well tell you now..." Zuri marched forward, cutting Nero off. "So, will you help us finish it?" Kissui maneuvered around Zuri and passed Nero. Her hazel eyes sparkled like the water as she looked up at him. Jouten nodded slightly. His heart was beating so hard, he only had two options. Nod silently or squeeze the life out of them. He had chosen the more dignified option, but, he wasn't quite satisfied. They deserved to know just how grateful he really was. Kizu saw that glint in his eye. He was thinking about doing both. "Uh, we might wanna brace ourselves - " She barely got her sentence out before Jouten snatched her, Kissui and Nero all up in a hug. He squeezed the three of them into him far more gently than he wanted. He felt them attempt to return his affection but all three of them combined didn't have a chance. They groaned and tried to wriggle out of his grasp. He saved his roughness for Zuri, the only one of the Guardians that could handle it. He let his smaller companions go and turned to his ursine brother. Jouten smashed into Zuri and held him tight. Zuri was ready for him, so it was more like hitting a brick wall than a human body but that didn't deter Jouten. It encouraged him. The Guardian King tightened his embrace until he was sure his captain was bruising. He pulled back and Zuri patted Jouten's shoulders. The pair reflected toothy grins back at each other before Jouten turned to Kuro. His son stood beside him, anxiously awaiting his father's affection but trying not to show it. Jouten wrapped his arms around Kuro's shoulders and hugged him tightly. One hand snaked up his back until it rested against the back of Kuro's neck. He held him firmly against his chest for a moment before pressing a kiss to the side of his head. "Thank you," Jouten whispered to Kuro sincerely. He was the only one, besides Misuteri, that Jouten felt comfortable enough around to let his emotions show through. Despite his compounding emotion, Jouten felt the need to promptly thank the rest of them. He turned to the others, "all of you..." He was teary- eyed. His pure happiness shone through on his strong features as he truly felt it, as a painful amount of joy. That rare sight made all their secrecy and hard work more than worth it. After they welcomed his thanks, it didn't take long for Jouten to get the ship up and running. It wasn't a mechanical problem. It was physically perfect. It was the magic they were struggling with. Luckily, it wasn't the first time Jouten had cast such enchantments on his dearest vessel. By that afternoon, the thing could essentially steer itself. =============================================================================== Outside of Kardia Lux, Katharsi was still a very strange place for the Guardians of Light. It was incredibly vast and empty. It looked like Ordinaria but vacant, untouched by human civilization. There was little more than forests, lakes and rivers nearby Kardia Lux. That is, except the city Jouten had created for Kuro as a child. It was the only thing that resembled modern Ordinaria in all of Katharsi. While there were a great many spirits, Luminaries, Shadows and other ancient guides like Jouten, wandering around Katharsi but without Vessels, or their consciousness, to give them form, Katharsi appeared barren. Kizu and Zuri could sense the spiritual energy around them a bit more easily than the others but without a Vessel's consciousness, all they could see were colors and sometimes animals. Their lack of familiarity with the real Katharsi was to be expected. They hadn't spent much time there, especially in comparison to Jouten; but they were there, nonetheless. It really was amazing, what they had accomplished. They had all ventured into Katharsi, alone and in their own realms of perception, from time to time but to be there, together, was something of a miracle. It was actually unheard of. No one had attempted such a thing in such a long time, let alone succeeded with a task of such magnitude. They were all walking around Katharsi - the spirit world - in their human bodies. They had turned such an unfathomable possibility into truth. It certainly helped to have Jouten on their side, coaxing them along. With Misuteri's help, they had all banded together and formed the Guardians of Light! It sounded silly at first but they needed to call themselves something. They were a pack of misfits in Ordinaria. One thing or another had threatened to chew each one of them up and spit them out in Ordinaria but in Katharsi, they found each other. Now, they wanted to share that with others. They wanted to help lost Luminaries and Shadows alike to reconnect with their Vessels and help them find peace, the way they found it. For some of the Guardians, specifically the ones joining Jouten on his trip, helping lost souls wasn't their only goal. There was a reason they had been pulled into Katharsi. Everything was at stake for one of the Guardians in particular, Kuro. After Kuro was born, Jouten and Ayamaru sensed something coming. Katharsi was on the brink of a cataclysmic event that threatened the very existence of their son; and so, they prepared a plan to ensure Kuro's safety. The Guardians privy to Kuro's plight had planned to train themselves and gain control of their powers. They needed to be ready to fight and defend their world, all of it; and save Kuro. The fact that Kuro was a spirit didn't faze most of the Guardians. They had sensed something was different about the boy but knowing what didn't change their opinion of him; just like it didn't change their opinion of Jouten. However, Jouten did make a point to make sure Kuro didn't know any better. Jouten didn't want his son to feel out of place or different; nor did he want him to know why that put him in danger if something were to happen to Katharsi. He had gone so far as to manufacture an entire city, with Ayamaru's help, to acclimate Kuro into Ordinaria. Everything the Guardians thought was strange about Katharsi, was all Kuro had ever known. He grew up in a world with magic and spiritually enhanced people. Kissui and Kizu usually handled the day-to-day stuff. From time to time, Nero and Zuri would take back over but with Jouten back in Kuro's life, the boy spent as much time as he could with him. It wasn't like the topic came up in conversation often. It usually took the form of an uncomfortable twinge when they thought of their families in Ordinaria or when they forgot he hadn't ever been there. It was hard to think of Kuro as different from the rest of them. At first, he was more talented but with Jouten's help, they had all figured out how to tap into their powers at will. Their ability to control their spiritual energy in Katharsi as Vessels sent them leagues ahead of the most skillful shamans in Ordinaria. In Katharsi, they were able to fulfill their potential and actualize at a rate that otherwise would have been impossible. For the Guardians, doing the impossible became commonplace. While Katharsi was an exceptionally large place, Jouten knew a thing or two. He knew how to get around his ever-expanding realm with relative ease. He expected to be able to find Misuteri in a day or so but when they came upon Misuteri's general location, there was nothing there. In fact, there was nothing but ocean for as far as they could see. Under the assumption they had made a mistake, they tried to scry for Misuteri but the spell failed. It was the end of the fourth day and he hadn't heard anything from Misuteri. They all tried to stay level-headed as they assessed the situation. "You said she was going to see Lok, right?" Zuri asked. He stood with both his hands planted on a large table in the Captain's cabin of the frigate. Jouten stood opposite him with his arms folded and nodded in response. "Isn't he the one that gave her that..." Nero snapped his fingers as he tried to think of the object in which he was referring to. "Yeah, yeah, that little metal thing that turns into stuff...." Zuri paused to think too. Kissui stood up from her chair against the wall and walk towards the center of the room. "Yeah, he gave it to her, so what?" she asked. "Well, that means he knows or has access to some pretty powerful magic," Zuri finished the gist his original thought. Kizu nodded. "If I remember right, she told me he could change his form, if only for a short period of time. I think it's safe to assume he knows magic." "So...doesn't that mean Lok could've tricked us into thinking Misu was somewhere she wasn't?" Zuri looked around to gauge the others' responses. They all looked down and pondered the possibility. None of them knew Lok personally. He was someone Misuteri knew from when she was with Saiaku. Jouten narrowed his eyes in disbelief as he listened to the others talk. When no one answered directly, Zuri looked down at Kissui, "you met him, didn't you?" The petite girl's eyebrows pinched together. She shook her head. "No...not technically...I never met Lok. I met Loki," she over enunciated the name to illustrate the difference. "Ya know, the guy he pretended to be." That answer didn't make Zuri feel anymore optimistic. "What if there wasn't ever any Lok? What if there was only ever Loki? What if it's been a trick from the beginning?" Nero piped in with the worst possible scenario. He sounded a bit more well spoken than normal, which usually meant he was listening to his instincts, whether he realized it or not. "Wait...Loki? I know that name..." Kuro stopped leaning against the wall and walked over to the others. He stood between Kizu and his father. "Loki was the name of a Norse god, Kouken told me about him. It isn't an especially common name, is it?" he looked around at the others. "No...I don't think so..." Zuri responded verbally while the rest of them shook their heads. Jouten hummed suspiciously. "That doesn't mean much," Kizu added. "We all know things aren't always what they seem here. What if Lok really is Loki? What if he's a spirit trying to help her learn something?" She implored the others to think about the situation more logically. They all had their own experiences with spirits. Most of them were in the form of animals but she had tangled with a ghost or two herself. She knew not all guides had to stick around for good. "I guess that's not impossible but we can't discount the possibility that he isn't benevolent," Kuro supported Kizu's idea. The others nodded. They all took in the information at hand and processed it their own way. It didn't make not knowing where Misuteri was any easier for any of them. "All we can do is look," Jouten asserted. He pointed at the map on the table. "We'll start here and keep going in bigger circles until we find something worth looking into," he declared. He looked up at the others and nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me," Nero made a fist and shook it in agreement. "Absolutely," Zuri agreed. Kissui, Kizu and Kuro all nodded. "Alright, we'll start first thing in the morning," Jouten said as he stood straight. "And guys, make sure you're careful. We don't know what we might run into in this corner of Katharsi." ===============================================================================   Jouten had just managed to fall asleep. He had managed to dismiss his anxiety for paranoia once again and been able to relax. It was not long after his eyes started to flutter back and forth that his body began to glow white with his aura. His light quickly turned dark red and black; but then, as suddenly as it happened, it stopped. Jouten's entire body seized up in pain. He was crippled by a sharp pain in his chest. It shocked him right out of any state of relaxation. He cried out. His painful roar reverberated back at him. He sat up and clutched his arms to his chest. He curled forward. It was a blinding, disorienting pain like he hadn't ever felt before. It seeped from his chest into the rest of his body. His entire world became pain and fear in a matter of seconds. The door creaked as Kuro burst in. “What's wrong?!” He stood there with his hand on the door, with his black boxer briefs clinging unevenly to his long legs. His long, black hair was messy and unkempt from his pillow. He looked out at his father with big, worried blue eyes. “Nothing, just go back to bed,” he growled. He couldn't let Kuro see him like this but he was in so much pain, he couldn't argue with him if he stayed. Kuro dropped his head. He stepped back and slowly started to close the door. He heard Jouten let out a sharp breath. Without looking up, he stepped back into the room and shut the door. “It doesn't sound like nothing to me,” he approached his father. He made his way around the large table in the center of the room. “Tell me what I can do to help. If I can't get it now, I'll send Nero out to get it,” he sat down next to Jouten. Jouten didn't answer. Partially because he couldn't will himself to speak; mostly because he didn't know what to say. His pain wasn't just physical. He had to let his son's concern hang in the air. Kuro was the epitome of his parents. He had solid, fit limbs on a narrow torso with wide shoulders. He talked too much when Jouten was quiet like his mother but right then, he had his father's posture. His shoulders sunk forward and he rested his elbows against his knees with his hands in his hair. He let out an exasperated sigh. “Alright, look, if you don't want to talk, fine. You just have to say so,” Kuro got up. Jouten snatched his arm. “Tell me she still loves me. Tell me she wants us to find her,” Jouten confided in Kuro. He turned to his father in shock and awe. His jaw fell slack and he was speechless. He knew the words he had to say; and he believed they were true; but his father had never seemed so fragile. Kuro stuttered at first in surprise, “o-of course she still loves you.” His tone slowly became more confident. “She wants us to find her. She wants to kiss you, to hold you and do all those sappy, lovey-dovey things you two sickos like to do. Don't you ever doubt that. Ever!” Kuro was a tad rougher with his comforting than Misuteri was. His optimistic confidence made Jouten smile. He wasn't just looking at his son. He could see Misuteri in the way he smiled and talked. It took the pain away for a second. “Thanks,” he whispered. “Now, go on back to bed before Kizu catches you in your underwear!” He teased him. The thought ran chills down the young stallion's spine. He nervously smiled. “Uh, yeah, that's probably a good idea,” he pointed towards the door with his thumbs, “I'm gonna go now.” Kuro hastily galloped backwards towards the door. “I'll see you in the morning.” Kuro hopped up the steps and took his leave silently. Jouten lay back against the bed with a relieved sigh. His chest hurt a little less but he was still worried. His stomach had flipped and sunk with great variance since his dream with Misuteri but he had experienced nothing like the sharp, disabling pain in his heart. He silently scolded himself for having made a sound and woken Kuro. If he woke him, it was likely the others were awake. He couldn't let that matter. It didn't matter if he woke the others. He could just tell them he had a nightmare; he wasn't quite sure that statement was a lie. That didn't matter much either. He had to be strong. He had to lead. He had to, for Misuteri, to find Misuteri. It was the only way he could do it; but suddenly, he felt so weak. All of him hurt. It was like the light had been sucked right out of him. He was so angry, so hateful. His entire body burned and ached with his rage. He tried to breathe through it. With deep, shaky breaths, Jouten tried to calm himself but he couldn't. He was losing control. Jouten could no longer resist the compulsion to lash out. He slammed his fist down on the old, wooden bed frame. The dry wood cracked, making his bed sink and pinch in the middle. Jouten stifled another bellowing roar as he rose to his feet. If the others weren't up before, they probably where now. He jerked his jeans up over his thick legs and fastened his belt tightly against his hip bones. He strode out of the Captain's cabin with heavy steps. He sprinted towards the prow with his head forward and his elbows tucked in close to his ribs. He launched himself into the air and dove into the icy water. His skin prickled and tingled as the freezing water surrounded him. He choked his oxygen down as it tried to escape him. His vision sharpened and his blue eyes glowed  as he glared into the ocean depths. =============================================================================== Kuro lightly tapped the steps of the stairs leading to his open quarters. He tip-toed to his bed. He slipped behind the curtain separating it from the others. “Did you really think we wouldn't hear you leave?” Kizu said casually. A thin girl with long brown hair lay back against Kuro's pillow. “Gah!” Kuro jumped. He lightly planted his feet on the ground. He tried desperately to regain his composure. “Kizu, can you please...?” Kuro pointed in the opposite direction nervously. “Would it make you feel better if I was in my underwear, too?” She teased him. She stood up to strip her button down top and pajama pants off. “No!” He whispered harshly. He held one hand out and one up close to his eyes. Kizu snickered. She enjoyed teasing Kuro. His reactions were priceless. His bashfulness and innocence made her more comfortable with herself. She lifted his robe up off of the hook beside his bed and handed it to him. “Here,” she said thoughtfully with a sweet smile. “Thank you,” he slipped it on and was instantaneously more comfortable. He sat down on the narrow cot and let out a concerned sigh. “Is everything okay?” Kizu took a seat next to him. Kuro nodded his head vehemently. He nodded for a few seconds too long to be convincing. “Yeah,” he replied. “Everything's as okay is it can be right now.” Kuro was still neck deep in his empathy for his father. He and Misuteri had traveled a tremulous path to get to the point they were at now. Kuro still struggled with a lot of his emotions when Misuteri was involved. He put them aside for his father and for Kizu but his resentment for her had only begun to subside before she left. “We're all worried about Misuteri, Kuro, ya know,” Kizu assured Kuro as if she were talking to Jouten. The dim, yellow light cast a disguising shadow over Kuro's face. She was unable to see the inner turmoil he was hiding. “I know, we wouldn't be here if didn't,” he replied. He discarded his feelings and turned to Kizu with a smile. He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. “We're family and we owe a lot to Misuteri. We owe it to her to get her out of this mess,” he was trying to convince himself. Kizu smiled approvingly. “We should probably get some sleep,” Kuro patted her on the knee. It was an affirmative, brotherly gesture until the heat from her skin sent a surge of warmth through his entire body. “Yeah...” Kizu replied in a slow drawl. She scooted closer to him and lay her head on his upper arm. She really didn't want to leave. She dragged her fingers up Kuro's forearm. “Kizu...” The young man didn't know what to do. He knew what others would do. He knew what all of his friends would do...but he was so unsure of himself. He brushed the hair off of her shoulder and hugged her. Kuro caught himself staring at her. His gaze lingered on her long, dark brown hair. He followed it up around her ear and then down her shoulder. He could see the tiniest curve on the edge of her lips. Her long, dark eyelashes made her beautiful blue eyes impossible to look away from but still he managed. He memorized the narrow curve of her chin and the perfect pink color of her lips. Her fair skin glowed in the faint light of the lantern on his night stand. She, without a word, had enchanted him. He felt like himself when she was near. His heart quickened in his chest but time stopped. He could see what really mattered. He could see her and all her natural beauty. In that moment, he knew who he was and what he wanted. All he had to do was reach out and grab it. He just had to take what he wanted. It was so simple but every time he tried, he froze up. His doubts seeped in and sapped his courage. Kizu looked up at him. She slipped her hand down until she could lace her fingers with his. Her hands seemed so small in comparison to his long, dexterous fingers. She stared up at his steel blue eyes and over the smooth angles of his face. His thick hair was more voluminous than usual. The subtle waves of his usually straight hair around his face and shoulder framed the curves of his high cheek bones. There was a sheen from the light that reflected off of his black mane. Her gaze lingered on his full lips. She was ready. She had been ready for a long time. It had been so long since their first real kiss and she wanted to feel that way again. Her need grew as she knew his did, too; but she had to be patient. She knew why she had to wait. She knew exactly how his brain worked.  She had been where he was. They were too alike. It made their connection undeniably intense, almost volatile and yet, their relationship had remained stagnant. “Will you two make out already?!” Nero teased from the other side of the large room. He couldn't see them from behind the privacy curtain that separated them but he knew exactly what was going on. He could feel it. “The sexual tension is killing me!” The keen-eyed man rolled over on his side. He faced away from them and tried to go back to sleep. The young pair of friends shared an uneasy look. Now they felt it. They felt the nearly irresistible pull they had on each other when they were close. It tugged at their hearts but it was more than that. The electricity in the air made the hair on their arms stand up. Their skin tingled and they almost gave into what would come so naturally to them. Kuro could feel her eyes on him. It made his nerves worse. His doubts overwhelmed him. He fought for control over his emotions. Everything had to be perfect. It had to be perfect. He couldn't let himself lose control, not now. Not with three other people within earshot. He couldn't let their first time happen with the equivalent of a sheet between them and everyone else. Impulsively, he cleared his throat and nervously stood up. He held his hand out, parting the curtain around his bed. Kizu took a deep, disappointed breath. Kuro's head hung low. He averted his eyes as his best friend and would-be lover, walked passed him. Suddenly, they heard a series of heavy hoofed thuds above them followed by a loud splash. Jouten's frustration left his comrades concerned. It wasn't the ice cold water they were worried about. They knew he would be physically fine. It was his emotional state they wondered about. They cared for him so deeply but their respect for his boundaries left them on the outside; and this was a time when they very much needed to be let in. He rarely talked about his feelings and he never talked about anything negative going on between him and Misuteri. He kept it all bottled up inside. They knew why. No amount of talking ever made him really feel any better. He only talked half the time out of politeness. He only occasionally opened up and said something meaningful to anyone but Misuteri. It was an unpleasant truth for the rest of the group but they respected him. It wasn't hard to be his friend on a day-to-day basis. He was kind and sincere. Jouten never wanted anything but the best for those he cared about. They might have only known him because of Misuteri but it was their connection to her that made them love him even more. He only brought out the best in her. They loved him for it. In his own way, he did the same for reach of them. He didn't need to talk about himself to do that. He just had to be there and whenever they needed him, he was always close at hand. He was so stoic. He was strong and stubborn. He would deal with his feelings alone. It was his responsibility. Misuteri was his wife. He shouldn't have let her go without him. It didn't matter how strong she was.  It didn't matter that she had already survived being beaten down and raped. It didn't matter how much she had grown. He was supposed to be there to protect her. It was his job, not theirs. But he couldn't ask them to leave. He would not ask them to. They were his friends, too. The circumstances in which they grew close were unconventional at best. There was a seed or two of resentment and anger still buried deep in his heart from the past he shared with some of them. Nevertheless, he worked hard to purge himself of his negativity and move on. He did it mostly for Misuteri. It made her happy to have them so close and he was happy to oblige. Kizu turned to Kuro. Jouten jumping off the side of the ship obviously bothered her. Misuteri wasn't there to stop him from doing some crazy, testosterone fueled, dangerous thing. Jumping into the pitch black water was far from wise. The water had been so turbulent since their arrival. The mood of the entire barracks changed. A large, dark skinned man rolled over and planted his wide feet on the ground. He stretched and stood up. His baggy shorts danced around his knees. “I'll go check on him. You two should get some sleep.” he said as he approached the worried couple at the far end of the room. He walked towards the stairs leading to the deck. Kizu spun around and stared up at her imposing friend. He looked down at her and smiled. His brown eyes were full of empathy and compassion. “It'll be okay.” Kuro put his hand on Kizu's shoulder. “We have to get some rest. We'll keep looking in a few hours,” he tried to calm her with a confident smile. He failed miserably. Kizu appreciated Kuro's attempt but Zuri had already soothed her. She could feel his energy flowing over her like a balm. In a way, he reminded her of Misuteri. He definitely reminded her of the Jouten she really knew. “Thanks, Zuri,” Kizu replied. “Good night,” she nodded her head slightly and then walked away. “You, too, mister,” Zuri was evermore the big brother. Kuro smiled and closed the curtain. He hung his robe up and plopped down in bed. Zuri quickly made his way to the deck. He looked out into the water. His brown eyes glowed as he searched for Jouten. His attention was drawn to an over-sized orca in the distance. He knew it was no ordinary alpha whale. He could see the way the water shimmered bright white as it dove beneath the surface. The cold air chilled his skin. He shivered and then took in a deep breath. He knew what he had to do. His heart quickened and grew within his chest. A thick fur began to grow out from beneath his skin. He stripped his shorts and walked towards the edge of the ship. His bones cracked and his muscles stretched as he transformed into a beastly grizzly bear. He was eye level with the helm, now. He took another deep breath and leaped into the water. Gauging how easy it was going to be to get Jouten to do what they wanted was an art form. Even Misuteri only guessed right half the time. It was like he whimsically decided whether or not he felt like doing whatever it with few consistent parameters. It could be as easy as asking; he might need to bargain with him; or it might take a really persuasive argument to get him to come aboard. In any case, Zuri was confident that Jouten would see reason, even if he was determined to be stubborn. Chapter End Notes Just in case you were wondering, the next chapter will refocus on Misuteri and Loki; but another Guardian's chapter isn't far away. After editing the first half of this chapter, I'm thinking about going back over the beginning chapters. I'm thinking Misu should travel via a mystical ferry service opperated by spirits thankful to Jouten? The plane thing works just fine, cause of Kuro's city, but I'm not sure. Just trying to think long term. I think the ferry thing makes more sense. In the meantime, I wanted to thank you for reading! I adore your support. And your criticism. These are often rough drafts that I post for my Beta (Kizu) to look over. If you have any questions as to why this or why that, I'll be happy to answer them! (Unless the answers contain spoilers. You'll have to search for those.) :3 Don't forget to come get your Loki fix! ***** Her Job (Plot>Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Jouten continues to dismiss his friend's concerns and quickly returns to his quarters. Misuteri tries to get acquainted with her new surroundings and her new rules. And Jormangundr refuses to play the doting daughter. Chapter Notes There are a lot of little things going on in this chapter. Foreshadowing galore! <3 See the end of the chapter for more notes There was something that Zuri had been keeping to himself. There was a reason he wanted to be the one to get Jouten. It was just a feeling he had. He hadn't told anyone about it but he something told him he shouldn't let Jouten roam around the water alone. He sensed something big nearby, which meant it had to be in the water. He didn't feel particularly safe in there himself but getting Jouten out was more important. Then, Jouten had to go off and jump into right into the freaking ocean! Even though Zuri loved water, taking a swim was pretty much the last thing his instincts wanted him to do; but, of course, he ignored them and dove head first into the frigid water to help a friend. There was something in the water and it was big. Jormangundr was lurking nearby. In fact, Zuri was swimming right over her, well part of her at least. He couldn't see the thick rolling coils of Jormangundr in the distance. Even if he had, with it being night he probably would've assumed they were rogue waves. She was the one responsible for their lack of progress by water. She did everything but make it rain. She did her best to be inconspicuous. Loki may have told her to let herself be seen but she took that as more as an invitation not an order. She simply continued to do what she had always done: swim. The simple motion of her tail made the waves swell and rock violently. She had gotten quite good at keeping the Guardians away from Loki's hideout. They hadn't really noticed but she turned them around more than once in the middle of the night while they all slept peacefully. Unbeknownst to them, she had ample opportunity to kill them; the only reason they were still alive was because Loki wanted them to be, although she couldn't comprehend why. They had Misuteri. She had freed Fenrir. Jormangundr couldn't think of a reason why Misuteri, or the rest of them, were important at all. Deep down, in some part of her locked very, very deep, she wanted Loki to keep them alive. In her own way, she had grown fond of the little pets in the wooden vessel. She had been listening, watching and smelling them all for several days now. There was one she was particularly interested in. The white haired one looked so familiar but she couldn't place him. She was sure she had seen him somewhere before but whenever she had must have been a very long time ago. Unable to recall where she had seen him, Jormangundr was forced to wait. She had a great many number of questions. She knew Loki had the answers. She knew he had been keeping things from her, things she deserved to know. She felt wronged, insulted by his blatant disrespect on the matter. She had been loyal and dutiful. She had earned the right to know the answers to her questions. It was the least he could do, especially given the fact that he didn't intend to stop using her to meet his mysterious ends. Despite the way that being in the water was particularly unnerving, the water itself felt great. Putting some distance between him and the resident love birds was a treat in and of itself. Zuri used a combination of his enhanced bearish senses and his empathic compass to find about where Jouten was hiding. Zuri caught up with Jouten as fast as he could. It wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. He could feel the water hardening on the edges of his fur. The ice crystals slowed him down and made him more susceptible to the cold. He dived below the surface of the water. He braved the sting of the icy liquid on his eyes and looked around with his irises glowing bright blue. He watched as the tell-tale white and black pattern a few yards away from him, he let out a bellowing roar. It wasn't an aggressive, territorial sound. It was a choppier type of call. He had caught Jouten's attention as he came up for air. The large orca turned and looked at Zuri. His blue eyes focused on his ursine friend. Jouten resisted rolling his eyes in frustration. He had just started to feel better when he heard Zuri's call. He wasn't in the mood for a fight or a compelling argument. Zuri was probably the only one persuasive enough to actually get Jouten to change his mind. For Jouten, it wasn't worth the time or effort trying to stay out in the water. He knew well enough that if Zuri intended to complete his mission no matter what. Almost immediately, he shifted forms. Jouten never liked to be anything but himself around other people. Well, he was okay with being his spirit animals around the others. Channeling his more exotic powers was an exceptionally private thing for him and he liked to keep it that way. And, so, it seemed as if Zuri's mere presence encouraged Jouten to do what was best. As Jouten got closer, Zuri, too, returned to his human form. He let himself drift back towards the ship. “Feeling better?” He asked casually while floating on his back with his arms behind his head. “You guys really should stay in bed. I don't need a baby sitter,” Jouten replied. He tried not to sound bitter but even though his subtext was full of gratitude, he doubted it got through. “Now you sound like Misu,” Zuri retorted. He quickly rolled over onto his stomach and started to actively swim. He didn't realize what he had said until he saw the look of utter misery on Jouten's face. A second later, he felt it hit him like a ton of bricks. Zuri hastily swallowed it down and tried to refocus on the situation at hand. “I just wanted to check on you. With the way these waves have been...we can't risk losing you, too.” He spoke a little quieter now, trying to be more sensitive. He wasn't used to having to be sensitive with Jouten. Jouten looked away. He focused on swimming towards the ship. The faster he got on board, the fast he could hide in his room. “I know,” he replied just to acknowledge that Zuri had said something. Zuri just let out a loud huff of air in response. He was frustrated with himself. His empathic powers had been on the fritz lately and he couldn't quite figure out why. Normally he knew exactly the right thing to say. The pair swam to the ship in silence. The waves were exceptionally calm as they cut through the water. At times, it even felt like they added them, pushing them towards the ship instead of trying to drag them away from it. When they finally reached it, Jouten let Zuri go up the ladder first. The large man shimmied up the side of the ship rather gracefully despite being soaking wet. He pulled his shorts on and called out to Jouten. A moment later, Jouten propelled himself out of the water. He glided through the air, his bright white wings glowing in the moonlight, until he spied his jeans. He landed with a series of light thuds as his feet danced across the slick deck. His thick, heavy frame was hallowed out by his wings. His constitution and strength might have taken a hit while using them but they had a knack for making it seem like he wasn't as upset as he really was. He slipped his jeans on and fastened his belt. He quickly walked back towards Zuri and the Captain's cabin. Zuri stood between Jouten and his bedroom. He reached out and grabbed Jouten's upper arm before he could barrel passed him. “We're here for you, as much as we're here for Misuteri. Don't forget that.” He stared deeply into Jouten's blue eyes. Jouten put his hand on Zuri's. “I know,” he replied in that same polite tone. “Thank you,” his gratitude held a little more sincere emotion. He knew if Zuri was going to let him pass, he had to do more than act like he felt better. He had to really feel better and so, he did. He forced himself to push down every ounce of negativity he had and focused on the one glimmering hope he had: his wife. He mustered a reassuring smile and Zuri's hand fell from his arm. It was a silent movement but a form of communication nonetheless. “Try to get some sleep,” Zuri shouted in a low, still slightly worried voice. Jouten lifted his head in a slight nod before disappearing behind the wooden doors of his quarters. =============================================================================== When Misuteri woke the next morning her first thought was of Jouten. Her second was of Loki. He wasn't there in bed with her. She found herself in the small apartment he had moved her to before she found Fenrir. She stretched beneath the blanket of the full sized bed. Her reach was severely hindered. Misuteri rushed to unburden herself of the leather cuffs about her wrists. Her efforts were in vain. Each one was pinned to her with a tiny padlock. The chains connecting her ankles and wrists were attached permanently. She wanted to scream. She sat there, seething on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest. She counted the average size links that created her shackles. She had approximately six inches between her wrists and just over a foot between her ankles. She let out a frustrated groan and ran her fingers down her face. It was oily and she could feel her dried tears on her cheeks. Why did this have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? She tossed her head side to side on the plain wood headboard. She pulled the sheet out from beneath the mattress and tucked it around her. She tried to distract herself from her feelings. She did not want Loki to see her like that. She was angry and vulnerable. She couldn't be angry and vulnerable. She had to be strong and dignified. His words from the night before started to flood in from her subconscious. All of them, at once. It was like he was there berating her, patronizing her and molesting her all over again. The worst part was, some of his words had weight. They were good advice. His warnings and decrees were so inarguable they sounded valid and right. “Then I suggest you be on your best behavior”... She felt her skin crawl and then she heard those words in her own voice. I should be on my best behavior. Her stomach flipped and her heart sunk in her chest. She was internalizing everything he had done to her; but it wasn't like she realized it. She genuinely felt like it was her fault, that she deserved it. I am an unfaithful, little slut. She looked down at her wrists again. Her anger had subsided and she sunk into self-loathing. Her side began to ache and then her neck hurt. Everything hurt actually. She moved the sheet aside and looked down at herself. Her hips and thighs burned as she slowly set them on the ground. She got up and walked towards the bathroom. The chain cut her natural gate in half. She tried not to rush herself but she wanted to shower so badly. She needed to feel clean and worthy of love again. The restraints did not stop her from showering, nor did the lack of personal care products. She wanted the water to wash her clean. It had to wash him off of her. It was the only way she could feel right again. She rushed nonetheless. She scrubbed and scratched at her skin as hard as she could stand. The low water pressure and the stationary shower head were no help. She could not decide between scolding hot or freezing water as she tried to feel clean. After several long, frustrating minutes, Misuteri turned off the water and threw back the shower curtain. She looked directly ahead of her at the counter and a plush, green towel had appeared. She turned back towards the shower and contemplated turning the water back on and hiding. She knew it was no use. She dried herself off as casually as she dared and then wrapped the towel around her torso. The water under her cuffs squeaked as she walked out of the bathroom. Loki was sitting on the bed with his back to her. She could see the broad shoulders of his leather coat and the green nuances in the light. For a moment she just stared at his long, beautiful hair until something gleamed behind him. A dagger lay on the bed. It was hers. It was the one Kouken had given her; the one thing she still had from the beginning. She had brought it with her in her backpack. She resisted the urge to lunge for it. It was clearly a trap. “I'm not an idiot,” she tightened her grip on the towel. “I wonder what your husband would say. You did not even try to kill me,” Loki spoke from behind her. He already had his hands on her shoulders and he was pulling closer. He trailed his long fingers down her damp skin on her upper arm. Misuteri's eyes still had not faltered from the man sitting on the bed. “Don't talk about him,” she whispered at first. “You don't have the right to talk about him!” She tried so hard to squelch her anger. In the blink of an eye, the man sitting on the bed stood before her with the dagger at her throat. His eyes glowed bright red. His gaze made her quiver like the night before. “I have every right. I am a king,” he corrected her. Behind her, Loki tightened his grip on her shoulders. He moved one of his feet between her legs so it sat in front of the chain. Misuteri bit her lip. She closed her eyes and let out a shuttering breath. “You're not real. You're just a trick, an illusion, you can't hurt me,” she glared at the man in front of her. “I am an illusion but I am very real,” he smiled deviously at her. The blade vanished and his motivation changed. Loki pulled tight on her elbows. He replaced his grip with another set of shackles. Then, the Loki in front of her yanked the towel from her. He started to trail his fingers across her chest and down her breasts. Misuteri's emotions quickly moved from surprised to frustrated to afraid. She could not drop her arms. Her forearm was tightly pressed against her tender ribs. She swallowed hard. “I'm sorry,” she whispered. She turned her head down and away. “Oh, you are, are you?” The anterior Loki smiled. He dipped down and turned her chin towards him. “And now what are you willing to do to prove it?” He tilted his head to the side and ran his hand up her thigh. Misuteri was stunned. She didn't have an answer. She wasn't necessarily willing to do anything to prove it. She opened her mouth in an attempt to let some impulsive lie escape. Loki lifted his eyebrow and smiled. She could not feign sincerity. He knew whatever she said would be a lie and he was ready to call her bluff. “I don't want to do anything,” she resorted to speaking the truth. “Well, that is simply not good enough,” the Loki behind her said. He reached around her hips and pulled her against him more tightly. He slipped his fingers between her legs. He was not hindered by the way she clenched and flexed around his fingers. Misuteri's surprised exhale turned into a moan. “Stop,” she pleaded. “Please...it hurts...” she closed her eyes and tucked her chin to her chest. It was the only thing she could do to hide. The Loki before her rushed towards her. He kissed her passionately. Misuteri neither consented nor resisted his advance. She felt weak in knees but he held her up. She pressed her hands against the warm leather of his tunic and gasped for air. In mere seconds, she was putty in his hands. Not because she necessarily enjoyed it but because she knew if she fought him, he would hurt her more. Loki pulled back his fingers and stopped kissing her. He held up his hand so she could see. “If you can lie and say you do not want me, I will not bend you over that bed and take you,” Loki's challenge was more than fair. In his arousal, he was overconfident. “I – I don't,” she panted a little. It took every ounce of her willpower to not do what he wanted. “I don't want you.”  It wasn't just his touch that melted her psyche and made her body betray her. It was everything about him. His voice, his scent, his warmth; everything encompassed her and made her less herself. Loki let out a loud, disappointed groan. He narrowed his eyes until he was finally able to close them. He took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He regained control over his arousal and kept his word. He had to make sure she knew he was capable of being honest. She needed to know he was a man of his word, for better or worse. That took priority over his more primal needs. He dismissed his illusion and the restraints on Misuteri's upper arms. He walked around in front of her as she rubbed the sore spots above her elbows. He flicked his wrist and suddenly, she was clothed. The chains connecting the cuffs vanished. Misuteri's skin felt soft and warm after Loki's magic clothed her. The long sleeves of the black, cowl neck sweater were comforting. She felt the secure, supportive embrace of a bra around her breasts. She wore a solid green skirt and black, thigh high stockings. “Take a deep breath in,” Loki spoke calmly. Misuteri looked up at him with a puzzled look. She quickly inhaled as deeply as she could. “Now, exhale fully,” Loki instructed her once more. The slow, pleasant release of the carbon dioxide in her system was short lived. Before she could instinctively take another breath, something wrapped tightly around her waist. It put pressure on her cracked ribs and she cried out. It was hard for her to take in a full breath. A matte black corset was now wrapped around the smallest part of Misuteri's waist. It was narrower than she was used to on her long torso. A dull point rubbed beneath her sternum and another just passed her navel. “You will be accompanying me in public. Remember your duty and your manners,” Loki approached her. He put his hands on her waist. “This is to assure you do both.” He squeezed. Misuteri could feel the metal boning starting to pinch deeper into her skin. “Yes, my king,” she replied. She took shallower, sharper breaths under his intense gaze. Loki's lips turned up in a satisfied smile. Loki, in an expensive pin strip suit, led Misuteri through the lobby of his office building. Glad was waiting for them at the reception desk. He pushed off of the high counter and stood straight as Loki approached him. “Good morning, sir,” Glad greeted the God of Mischief. “Everything's ready for you in the Executive Conference room,” he reported confidently despite Loki's intense gaze. “How are our other charges?” Loki adjusted the cuff of his sleeve casually. Other charges? What are you talking about? Misuteri's time with Fenrir and Loki's dominating presence had made it easy to forget what went on the last time she was there. She looked down at the prisoner's cuffs on her wrists. She squeezed her top hand over the bottom in an attempt to resist fidgeting. Then, she looked over at the desk. She remembered Jessie. She remembered how she treated her and the spark in her eye but it was gone. Misuteri could not see much of her over the high counter. The girl's lovely long brown hair was tucked into a tight bun atop her head. It exposed her neck and drew even more attention to the leather collar wrapped tightly around her throat. She glanced up and caught Misuteri staring at her. They shared a brief, empathetic look. Misuteri's heart ached more for Jessie's loss of freedom than her own. When Jessie frantically answered the phone, Misuteri's attention drifted back to Glad. She stared him defiantly in the face as he answered Loki. “The majority of them have been placed on high alert. We've implemented almost all of  the adjustments you issued this morning. The rest should be finished by the end of the day,” Glad was proud of himself and it showed. “Anyone exhibiting weakness or disobedience will be quarantined and re-educated,” Glad's attention drifted to Misuteri. “The safety and protection of our charges is of the utmost importance to us, of course. We will be on lock down until the threat is eliminated.” Misuteri froze as she made eye contact with Glad. She hardened herself. She tried to maintain her defiant glare but she couldn't. The arrogant way he looked down at her like a new show pony made her stomach flip. His creepy, misogynistic smile made her skin crawl. She couldn't help but look away. “Very well. I expect the rest of the changes finished by the end of the day,” Loki moved passed Glad and towards the door. The overgrown man was still staring at her as Loki moved away from her. Misuteri had to literally drag her feet in order to follow him. Loki looked casually over his shoulder. “If you want, Glad can watch you for me. Surely he has plenty of good pets for you to play with,” he teased her. Misuteri's step quickly increased. She was almost immediately at his side. “No, thank you, sir,” Misuteri replied with quick glances from the floor to his face. Loki laughed softly. He reached out and petted the back of Misuteri's hair. He looked over at Glad. “Maybe if she misbehaves while we are here, I will let you discipline her,” Loki spoke casually with his hand on the door handle. “It would be an honor, sir,” the tall, buff man replied. Wait, what? What the fuck did you just say? Did you just offer me to him? Misuteri was suddenly overcome with anxiety. She stared at Loki's hand, praying for him to open the door. She started biting her own tongue to stay quiet. She didn't want to be there anymore. She wanted to get away from Glad and Loki was the only one that could save her. Her masochistic need to help Jessie didn't have a chance. She was solely focused on her own survival. After an eternity, Loki opened the door. She stayed very close to him. She was afraid he would be angry with her for crowding him but then she realized something. In her quick, frantic glances around the offices as they made their way to his office, she saw no one. There was no one to be embarrassed in front of; there was no one to embarrass him in front of. She let out a sigh of relief as they entered his office. “They're getting close,” Jormangundr was already there, sitting on the edge of his desk. Misuteri froze as the glass door shut behind her. Loki kept his eyes forward as he walked around the desk and took his seat. “Jormangundr, why must you insist on breaking the simple laws of etiquette?” The woman with long brown hair and even longer legs, spun around. She slammed her hands on the hard oak wood. “Why do you insist on hiding from those that threaten your plans? Hel's plans?” She was confused and frustrated. “You need not know my reasons. You need only to do as you are told,” Loki uncloaked his desk and combed through the papers that appeared. I'm sorta glad I'm not the only one he talks to like that. Misuteri was still in awe as she watched Loki fight with his daughter. She moved slowly, to the side, and ventured towards the leather couch. She tried not to look at Loki or Jormangundr directly. Jormangundr was taken back. She stood straight and backed away from the desk. She adjusted the waist of her long, form fitting dress. She put her hand on her hip and pointed at Loki with the other. “You will listen to me. I saw a killer whale that was too big to be natural. It made the water shimmer and glow white. A while later, a large bear appeared to be swimming after the whale. They disappeared and then, I saw two men climbing aboard a ship – unaffected by the water.” Loki looked up at her for a moment. He let out a small sigh. “That information does not effect your orders,” Loki said under the intense glare of his daughter's narrow pupils. A bear and a huge killer whale? No...it couldn't be. Misuteri's thought processes were returning. Loki's dominating presence was losing its hold on her. She quickly scrambled through her memories. She knew it was completely possible that Zuri could have been the bear. She couldn't figure out why Jouten would have taken the form of an orca. Killer whales were her water phobia - or at least they were - not his. She started to pick at her nails. She mostly tuned Jormangundr out. She shouldn't have. Jormangundr had spent most of the night trying to figure out where she had seen the white haired Guardian before. It took her until early morning to figure it out. When she did, her feelings of being manipulated had her angry enough to lose what little tact she could normally muster. She was overwhelmed with the compulsion to confront Loki. She had sneaked into his office and waited for him to arrive. “I saw him. I saw Baldur, father. Why is he after you? How is he even alive? I thought he vanished from Helheim." She continued to rattle off her questions, knowing full well her father didn't intend to answer any of them. Getting them out helped, though, and there was a tiny chance he might indulge her at some point. So she kept going. "Ragnarök has started, hasn't it? That's why you're here. That's why you woke me; why you've woken Fenrir. That's how you're free. I haven't asked many questions because I didn't care. I was simply content knowing we were all apparently allowed to speak!” Jormangundr watched Loki's eyes roll to the back of his head. She slammed her hands on the desk again. She got Misuteri and Loki both to look up at her. “Now, I do. Baldur was my friend, too. Fenrir is my brother. Whatever you and Hel are up to, I won't let you keep using us without answers,” she straightened her posture again. She crossed her arms and glared down at Loki. Baldur? Who's Baldur? If it were possible to do physical damage with a stare, Loki could have slaughtered Jormangundr and Misuteri right there. He stood up, slowly and buttoned his suit jacket. “Leave, now,” Loki's voice was deep and calm. The white hot fire in his eyes did not escape in his tone. Jormangundr wasn't about to back down. She wanted answers and she was determined to get them. She glared back at Loki defiantly. Misuteri could feel them battling wills. The energy in the room was thick and heavy. Her skin started to feel clammy and uncomfortable. She focused her worried gaze on the subtle curves of Jormangundr's back beneath her clingy, green dress. I have to do something otherwise he's gonna kill her. Misuteri contemplated the pros and cons of such an event hastily in her head. It didn't matter that she didn't know Jormangundr; all she knew was that she was trying to protect those she cared about. She cared about Fenrir and whoever Baldur was. Misuteri sprung to her feet. She rushed to the side of Loki's desk. She stood between them but not in their paths. “Um, okay, so I know this really isn't my place but I really think we should all take a deep breath right now,” Misuteri nervously spit her words out. She tried not to stutter. She held her hands out in a non-combative gesture. She focused on Jormangundr. She would make her surrender or raise the white flag for her. “It seems like you really care about Fenrir, Jormangundr,” she spoke slowly. She could physically feel the burning on the side of her neck as Loki's gaze turned her way. “He'll be here soon, I know it, so maybe when he gets here, we can all figure this out together. In the meantime, it's probably best if you don't antagonize your father, the king.” She emphasized his title. She had to. It was her job. It also seemed to quell some of his anger. “You're right, pet,” Jormangundr said sharply. There was no sweet, affectionate connotation. “It isn't your place to interfere in the dealings of royalty. Why don't you get on your knees and suck his cock? Maybe that'll make him a little more reasonable,” Jormangundr scoffed. She turned in her stiletto, black pumps and charged out of Loki's office. Loki sat down slowly. Misuteri saw him move and let out the breath she had been holding. She let her head fall and she closed her eyes. Whew, that was close. “Jormangundr is a sensitive and stubborn girl. How do you think she feels that a slave saved her from her father?” Loki asked casually. Misuteri looked up at him. “She doesn't like it...but she's alive, isn't she? She should be at least a little grateful,” Misuteri spoke frankly. “I would not kill my own flesh and blood,” Loki spoke slowly. He was preoccupied with his paperwork. Wouldn't or can't? Misuteri was starting to remember key pieces of information. She was unimpressed with his feigned morality. “Well, either way,” she crossed her arms. “I'm glad you didn't hurt each other.” Misuteri looked down at Loki's desk. Her eyes glanced across the words on the papers. The words "Asgard- Vanahiem Treaty" gleamed off the page at her. She quickly stopped snooping before she irritated him. ...So...maybe he is a 'king'...I suppose it's not unusual for a king to be a coward... Loki watched her carefully. He sensed the change in her behavior. He didn't like it. He had to fix it. “Come here,” he said in a calm, authoritarian tone. Misuteri obeyed. She moved around the corner of the desk to his side. “Kneel,” Loki turned in his chair towards her. He smiled as Misuteri slowly lowered herself onto her knees before him. He reached out and tipped her chin up. “Jormangundr owes you for intervening and I should reward you for your exemplary behavior,” he spoke slowly, leaving Misuteri to wonder what his point was. He brushed stray blond hairs from her face. “But this is neither the time nor the place for a reward,” Loki released her throat. He summoned a six foot leash to his hand. He looped it around a the metal handle of his desk drawer and clipped it to the D-ring on her collar. “This is the time for strict discipline,” he smiled and patted her on the cheek. He turned back to his desk with a small satisfied smirk. Misuteri knit her brows in confusion. She looked down to find her wrist and ankle cuffs strung together by the same chain as before. She opened her mouth to speak. “Not a word, Misuteri,” Loki said without looking at her. “You will sit there for as long as I wish it and you will do so silently and without a fight.” Misuteri quickly understood what had happened. She kicked out her feet to the side and leaned against Loki's desk. She just stared at him or at her hands with a pouty look on her face. She would sit there, silently and without a fight, for as long as he wanted her to. She didn't have a choice. She was finally realizing that now... Chapter End Notes I hope Misu comes home to Jouten soon! He seems to be having a pretty tough time without her. Thanks for reading! ***** The Light (Plot>Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Things don't go as planned when Loki leaves Misuteri alone in his office. Chapter Notes This chapter is more juicy D/S power play action from Misu and Loki. There is a naughty part in this chapter now, but it's only because I've added some old material. Misu's defense mechanisms are based around a fight em or fuck em. So, yeah, that's what she tries to do to stop Loki. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri had nearly fallen asleep when she heard Loki rush to his feet. Her head jerked back just in time to watch him anxiously stare at the door. It looked like he was expecting someone. It looked like he was about to leave. She forced herself to her feet, assuming he would want her to follow her. It wasn't the easiest thing to do with her limbs still numb and stiff. Her narrow corset didn't make moving any easier. She stood quietly, looking up at him, still chained to his desk. She simply waited for his attention to turn back to her. All the while she debated whether or not that was what she really wanted. “Sit,” he hissed. Loki turned slowly and narrowed his eyes at her. Misuteri didn't try to hide her relief but she didn't like the idea of being left alone. She frowned and then sat back down on the ground next to Loki's chair. She stayed quiet, hoping her silence would prove a wiser choice than saying anything; but questions bubbled up in her throat. “I will be back soon. Do not misbehave or I will let Glad take you to the Stables,” Loki vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a fine, green mist. Misuteri's relief turned to confusion in his absence. Without his aura suffocating her, she could think more clearly. She wasn't a bare, reactive nerve when he wasn't around. Stables? Is that where you keep your other 'charges'? What kind of Head of Security also manages stables? He didn't look like much of a ranch hand to me. Still, her thoughts lacked depth and they barely strayed from Loki in some way, shape or form. Misuteri played with the chain links between her cuffs and the leash connected to the desk. He hadn't locked it. It would have been so easy to unfasten it from her collar. How would he know if I wandered around for a while? Why can't I stand? Why do I have to sit, here, of all places? She huffed under her breath. She stared up at the plaques and framed awards up on the wall. Her eyes rolled over all the boring looking books on the shelves. She contemplated if she could reach them. She probably could. For some reason, her eyes would always drift back to Loki's chair. From her point of view, it was tall and imposing. It was clearly comfortable and functional but it was more than that. It was his chair. Nope. Not doing it. This is a test. This has to be a test and I'm not failing. Misuteri literally had to sit on her hands to stop  herself from fidgeting. Her idle hands ached and tingled with the urge to fiddle with something. She still curled her fingers and dug her nails into the carpet beneath her. She lay her head back against the desk and squeezed her eyes shut. Now, she was wide awake. “Oh, god, this sucks so hard!” She whined assuming no one would hear her. She chewed on her lip and resisted the urge to hit something. She would have loved to trash Loki's office just to get back at him for leaving her alone. She tended to be a little short sighted when she was irritated and bored. Then, she heard the subtle noise the glass door made as it opened. She turned her head to see a pair of thin legs and bare feet coming towards her. They were attached to Jessie. “Misuteri...that's your name, right?” She spoke in a hushed tone. “If we hurry, we can get out of here while they're in their meeting,” she rushed towards Misuteri in a herding motion. Misuteri stood up and held her hands out. She caught the girl by the shoulders. She was only about an inch and a half taller than Misuteri. She was frail and too thin. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Misuteri narrowed her eyes at her in concern. “Do you realize what we're up against? Even if we manage to get out of this building, where are we going to go? We can't get off this island.” Jessie grunted. “That doesn't matter. If we don't try, they're going to do to us what they're doing to everyone else. If you stay, you'll end up just like me.” She looked down at herself, knowing full well how ill she looked. Misuteri shook her head. “No. Go back to your desk before they realize you're missing. I won't tell anyone if you don't get caught,” Misuteri turned her around and gave her a little push. “Hurry.” Jessie stumbled forward a little. “If you don't come with me, I'll tell Loki it was your idea to escape andI stopped you.” Misuteri narrowed her eyes at the damaged, young woman. A low growl escaped her lips. Loki's not an idiot, bitch. “Even if you did, I don't think he'd believe you,” stifled her irritation. Misuteri knew better than most people what being locked up and used did to a person. She didn't want to take her own frustration out on someone that didn't deserve it. Misuteri inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. By the time she opened them, she heard the door swing open again. She sank down to her knees again. That poor girl...I wonder if she'll ever forgive me. Misuteri groaned and dropped her face into her palms. She felt sick to her stomach. Her entire situation made her organs knot up and throw bile up her throat. She probably thought I was her best chance at getting out of here...and I failed her. This is probably our best chance. But if she doesn't know who Loki really is... She stared up at the name on the wall in front of her. I can't put her in that sort of risk if we fail. I can't try to escape unless I'm a hundred percent sure I can succeed. She let out a defeated sigh. She was slowly resigning herself to her fate at Loki's hand. She let her head roll to the side for a moment as her body relaxed and she drifted back to sleep. Jessie reentered the room silently as Misuteri slipped into unconsciousness. The girl's petite form shimmered and glowed with magic as Loki returned to his normal form. He crouched next to Misuteri and smiled. He gently turned her chin towards him and kissed her firmly on the lips. =============================================================================== Loki entered Misuteri's mind via the poorly guarded gate of her heart. He believed that he had finally been able to take possession of her. She was his and thus, her heart was his. He needed no spell or key to enter a space that belonged to him. Misuteri had told him about her adventures into her own psyche. He knew what to expect and he had concocted a plan to slip in behind her defenses. He planned to change her from the inside out. All he had to do was find the little girl that lay locked inside. He was determined to find her, to find Misuteri. He would tear down the confident seductress inside of her and surely defeat the proud guardian. When he entered, he was blinded by a sourceless light from above. He turned his face downward and covered his eyes but still, the light found its way in. He growled in frustration. He despised when his missions did not go as planned. “What sort of bloody defense is this?” He cursed Misuteri. He looked down at himself. His armor gleamed in the light but it did not blind him. He could look down at himself with no fear of the light. The light was no longer unpleasant. It was warm and comfortable. He could feel it on his face and on the backs of his hands. His skin glowed. The closer he looked, he could see the glow was pale green. The harder he looked, the more clear his vision became. Slowly, a small smirk carved itself on Loki's face. He snickered. He quickly stopped himself from praising Misuteri's cleverness. There was a reason she wasn't afraid to tell people how to get inside her head. She knew once they got there, if they were able to escape the light, they wouldn't do her any harm. That told him everything he needed to know about how to break free of her disarming, little trick. She left her heart unguarded for a reason. She wanted people to find their way in. She wanted them to know and love her. She wanted them to feel the kindness and compassion she was capable of. She wanted them to see themselves in the light she saw them in. Her psyche reflected that. The first chamber in her mind was full of purifying light. Light that could only be dismissed by one of equal intensity. The only way for anyone to do that was to become their Luminary. They would have to become the kindhearted, sincere people she believed them to be before they could explore her depths. Each light represented a person. They were a gateway of sorts that she intentionally left unlocked. Loki was no exception. He was her friend once. He helped her save herself. She may not have understood his intentions but she believed that they were good. She could feel it. Once, she saw the goodness and kindness within him. She still had faith that boy was inside of him, somewhere. She was determined not to let go of that part of him. It was there, inside of her, waiting for him to reclaim it. Loki closed his eyes. He lowered his hand and tipped his head upward. He embraced the light. He held out his hands and let it engulf him. As he opened up himself, a darkness seeped from his pores. The overhead light bore down on him, expelling the hatred and disgust within him. It was a painful process. He clenched his jaw as the light purged the Shadow within him. He knew that wasn't the entire story. He knew why she insisted on shining such a bright light on others. She had to blind them. If they could not see their real selves, they could not see the real her. They couldn't see the person she hated and despised. She knew how hard it was to stop looking outward for answers. She knew everyone that found their way inside of her would try to put the light out first. No one liked to think their flaws were on display. That was her self-defense. Her insecurity led her to discover one of the strongest defenses that existed. Her plan wasn't working quite the way she wanted it to. The light wasn't cleansing him; he was devouring the light. His dark energy wasn't escaping his form, he was pushing it out. With each second that passed, Loki did reclaim his light but only by replacing it with his own darkness. It was not long before the light began to dim and then flicker out altogether. Loki was capable of having control over his parts but they often worked in opposition to him. He was rarely able to utilize the strengths of his Shadow to do good, and thus, he was unable to use his Luminary to do evil. If he did, it was rather by accident than by design. Being whole again made for an incredibly frustrating distraction. Loki released a deep, satisfied groan as his eyes snapped open to see nothing but darkness. His Shadow had devoured every light, ever portal into Misuteri's heart. A large, victorious grin grew upon his lips. His green eyes glowed brightly as they adjusted. Loki was was exhilarated. He invented cloak and dagger tactics. He would enjoy playing with her in the shadows. He stepped forward. His footfall made no sound. His heavy boots were like the wide paws of a panther, and his coat moved swiftly behind him as his tail. He quickened his step as he darted towards his true target. =============================================================================== Loki passed through a tunnel. He found himself in a vast arena. The floor was harsh and wooden. The walls were high. There were several other tunnels with bars on them. Bars crashed down just behind him. He stepped to the center of a great Colosseum. He gazed up and all the seats were empty.     “So you're my opponent. I wondered who was next. I've been bored,” Misuteri stepped forward. She wore a bright pink sports bra, black gloves and matching shorts. Her boots were dirty and scuffed. “I hope you're going to be a challenge.”     Loki turned. He watched her hop from one foot to the other. He hadn't expected to come up on this part of Misuteri so soon. The fighter stared him down, ready to protect the inner chambers from him. “I promise this shall be fun.” He grinned. He summoned his scepter to his hand and readied himself to attack. He charged her with his scepter forward.     Misuteri jumped backwards. She did a flip and balanced with her feet wide and her head low. “I guess you're not such a coward after all.”     Loki lunged at her again. This time he swung his scepter, side to side. Misuteri jumped over him. She landed on his coat tail and turned. She struck him low in his ribs. Loki turned, first with the heel of his scepter. Misuteri rolled out of the way. Loki spun his scepter in his hand. He cast away his coat.     “Now we're getting serious, huh?” Misuteri provoked him. “Let's see what you've got, little man.” This Misuteri harbored no fear of him whatsoever. All she wanted to do was fight and defend.     Loki appeared behind her and struck her high with his scepter.     Misuteri fell to the ground. “I guess you are a coward.”     Loki loomed over her. He lifted his scepter again and drove it into her stomach. The force caused Misuteri to lurch forward around his weapon. The air surged from her lungs. Then Loki appeared in his original position. Misuteri rolled to her side. She clutched her stomach in pain. Slowly, she rose to her knees. She lifted herself.     “Back to your feet already. I must not go easy on you then,” Loki burst forward with godspeed.     Misuteri barely had time to dodge his first move but as she twisted away from his scepter, his fist caught her in the chin. Misuteri was knocked back. She resumed her hunched over position but then she began to laugh. “This is going to be fun.” Misuteri stepped back. She pulled her elbows in close to her hips and she lowered herself over her knees. She squeezed her fists tightly and a light burst around her. “You can't take away my powers here, Loki.”     Misuteri launched herself into the air. Her black wings sprouted from her back. Her long, fluffy golden tail and her pointy ears erupted from their respective positions. With her strength renewed, she dove at Loki. She turned into a tail spin just before she connected with him.     Loki was knocked back and Misuteri shot up into the air. Loki levitated himself to be level with Misuteri. He pointed his scepter at her and a red burst of energy shot out from its tip. Misuteri swooped out of the way but Loki shot another. Misuteri turned in time to see an onslaught of blasts coming her way. She turned and headed to the ground. She tucked her wings in close to her back and used her ground speed to dodge. Before the smoke cleared she returned fire with a hailstorm of scarlet lightning bolts.     In surprise, Loki vanished. He appeared behind Misuteri. He wrapped his scepter around her chest and pulled her into him. Misuteri gripped his scepter with both hands and pushed but even her supernatural strength was nothing against him.     The smoke began to clear and Misuteri marched backwards. She lifted her feet and used her weight to twist Loki to the left. Now, close to the wall, she jumped and used it to slip out of his grip. She jumped once she was free and landed center stage.     Loki turned toward her and smiled. She saw that she clipped him upon the scalp. A small drip of blood ran down his forehead. “I see gods do bleed or perhaps you're no god at all.” Misuteri laughed. “Why don't you turn back while you still have a chance.”     “You are brave or maybe you are just stupid and stubborn,” Loki blasted his scepter at Misuteri.     She jumped but Loki was there to kick her to the ground. Her wings got most of the hit as she landed. She rolled quickly and shot up into the air. She stared down but he had vanished. Misuteri twisted around to find Loki above her. She pulled away but he was there again. This time, Misuteri swung at him. Loki caught her fist and twisted it behind her. Her back arched in pain. With one of her wings pinched, her other stretched out in reflex. Loki reached out and pulled a handful of feathers out from her wing. She screamed. He let her go and she spiraled to the ground.     Loki floated down to her. He landed next to her and laughed. “I thought you were going to put up some kind of a fight.”     Misuteri held her wing. She reached down and felt the blood spill from the undercoat of the feathers. Loki opened his hand and blew the feathers down upon her.     “You're an asshole,” Misuteri rolled away. She slowly stood up. “This isn't over. Not yet.” She lowered herself again and howled.     A light engulfed her. This time it shown too brightly for Loki to look at. He covered his eyes. When it was gone, Misuteri had grown, yet another set of wings and the feathers on the top pair were healed. She was surrounded by an impenetrable sphere of intense pink light. It embodied her very essence and was powered by something greater than herself.     “It seems I am not the only victor of trickery,” Loki laughed.     Misuteri hovered over the ground. She did not need her wings to fly. “Do not come any closer to me, Loki,” Misuteri warned him but he continued to near her.     “Do not think yourself my equal, wench!” Loki tried to spear her again.     He was knocked back by Misuteri's barrier. He tried again but now, his attacks had no affect.     “What type of witchcraft is this?” He hissed beneath his breath. His face showed his disbelief.     “The kind that can defeat you,” she replied flippantly.  “Isn't that why you keep it locked away? Isn't that why you've tried to dull my light?” She held her hands out and light burst from her palms. Loki was knocked to the ground. “This is not your world, Loki. Leave at once.” Misuteri warned him again.     “This is a world of pretend, Misuteri and I will not let you win,” Loki growled. His eyes started to glow red. He threw his arms up and loud grunting came from deep within his chest. Loki aimed his scepter again and shot at Misuteri.     His blast burst upon impact on Misuteri's shield. It had not gotten through but the damage was done. It had cracked. The dark red energy seeped into the pores of her barrier weakening it further. He did so once again and it shattered. He marched towards Misuteri. She took in a deep breath and tried to focus her energy. Loki's foot steps were heavy and distracting.     The only other person that ever broke my barrier was Jouten. He can't be that strong. If he is...then I...     Misuteri's doubt grew within her. Suddenly, Loki placed his scepter at her throat. It's pointed end dug into her skin and began to draw blood.     “You don't want to do this, Loki,” Misuteri's warning turned to a plea.     “You should not start a war you cannot win, my dear.” Loki stood firm.             Misuteri lowed herself. Her feet touched the ground and Loki's scepter slipped off of her. He followed her and placed his scepter at his side.     “You have two choices, swear your fealty to me or I will turn you to dust,” Loki's proposal dripped from his lips like venom.     “You cannot kill me and I cannot let you own me,” Misuteri said. Her voice was soft but not defiant. It was as if she had a serious dilemma to ponder. “It seems even I am not strong enough to protect her from you.” Misuteri paused again. “But may I propose a compromise,” Misuteri asked.     “Go on,” Loki mused. He tilted his head and cracked his neck. He had no intention to actually listen.     “I will not vow allegiance to you but I will vow to let you pass, if you do not harm her.” Misuteri stood, confident, before him.     “No,” Loki's reply stung her.     “Then I see we are still at a stalemate. If you kill me, I will be reborn. I am vital to her being,” Misuteri said calmly.     “As am I,” Loki stated.     “How can you say such a thing if you mean her harm?”     “I do not mean her harm but to hold her accountable. Did Jouten not do the same as I?” Loki asked. He poised his question knowing she had no choice but to answer him the way he wanted her to.     Misuteri nodded. “But how do you mean to earn her respect with such deceit and spite? These are not things that will transcend one's soul to a higher purpose.” The angel was still confused how a monster such as he could have gotten so far.     “She need not respect me if she fears me. If she does not want to fear me, then she needs to respect me. It is simple logic, really.” Loki shrugged.     “You care not of her wants and desires?” She knew there had to be light inside of him. Everyone had a Luminary. It was only a matter of connecting with it before it could emerge.     “Why should I care what she desires?” he bit back.     “That is an question only you can answer.” Misuteri said softly.     “Quit playing games with me, woman.” Loki demanded.     “It is not my intention to offend you and I certainly do not intend to anger you, Loki. I am only curious.” Misuteri stated simply.     “What is your intention?” he growled.     “A compromise. There must be a way to resolve this issue with us both obtaining our goals.”     “I think not,” Loki closed the gap between Misuteri and himself. He placed the scepter to her throat again. “Do you yield to me or do you wish to die?”     “As I stated before, I cannot die. If you succeeded in killing me, you would have to return, time and time again for I will be reborn as long as she lives,” Misuteri closed her eyes and bit her lip.     “The angel is not infallible, I see,” Loki pulled her into him. “If you chose to interfere any further, I will kill you and if I sense another rebellion, I will return and I will not kill you. I will bind you and carve out your heart, slowly and when you beg me to stop, I will continue, simply for the pleasure of it.”     Misuteri looked away from him. She was not infallible. She knew what pain could turn her into.     Loki grabbed her chin. “Do you understand me?”     “I see no idle threats here, Loki. I understand.” Misuteri twisted her chin from his grip and pulled away from him. “Go...before I regain my courage.”     Loki smirked. Impulsively, as if to prove a point, he ran her through with his scepter. The blood spilled backwards over his hand. Misuteri's wings shot apart and then fell limp. He pulled his scepter from her body and it dematerialized upon the ground. He shook the blood from his staff and retrieved his clothing. ===============================================================================     Loki's vision was dark. He feared nothing for he sensed nothing to be fearful of but his curiosity piqued as he smelled the air. A light orchid and pink rose scent filled his nostrils as he took in a large breath. He held it for a moment and then released.     He walked on. He followed his path diligently. He did not waste time on all the little things going on in her mind. He wanted the deeper parts of her. He wanted to satisfying taste of her most intimate fruit.     “Oh, Loki....” a soft, sultry voice called out to him. “Where are you, Loki? I've been waiting so long for you.” The voice trailed off as Loki continued upon his path.     He ignored it. He continued on in the darkness.     “Don't leave before visiting me, Loki, please?” She asked coyly. “Don't make me have to say all those mean things that those other girls said just to get your attention.”     “Do so and you will meet the same fate,” he hissed back at her.     “Oh, Loki, don't you want to have a little fun? Stop being such a stiff,” she teased him.         A soft, green light appeared in Loki's path. He passed through drapes to enter the room. Within it looked like a carnival. There was a black tiger with golden stripes caged upon a small stage. There was a high wire and a large rope net. He looked up to find one of the trapezes swinging. Everything was decorated in black, green and gold. The stripes on all the poles were the same as the tiger. The main stage was covered in dark green cloth. Props and costumes lay haphazardly about the place. The seats were empty, except for one.     When his eyes fell upon her, she waved. “Hi, there, Loki. I knew you couldn't resist.”     “You did not give me a choice, now show me the way out,” Loki was far from pleased.     “You know, have you even thought about what you're going to do once you get as far as you can go? What if no one's there? What if it's just darkness? No one knows,” she stood and began walking down the stairs.     The light shown more brightly upon her now. Misuteri's petite body was dripping wet, as if she had just walked out of the shower but her hair was dry. The long waves of her blonde locks fell over her breasts like Godiva upon her horse. Her make up was thick and dark about her eyes until the black faded into green sparkles.  As she neared him, he could see that it glittered beneath the moist appearance of her skin. Her sex glittered most of all. Hundreds of tiny gold flakes reflected back at him as he stared at her up and down.     “You're curious who I am, I see it in your face. There isn't a man I can't read.” Misuteri drew her finger around his chest. She walked before him and stopped. “I am the Seductress, my King and I am here to serve you.” He took his hand and kissed it. She bowed.     “I have no interest in you and your games, if you truly wish to aid me, get out of my way,” Loki had made it nearly half way through the tent. He walked around her.     Misuteri turned and stopped him again, “Do I have to be bad for you to punish me, Master?”     Her hair was pulled back into pigtails. She wore a restrictive outfit of thick leather straps about her breasts and hips. She had a collar with a long chain and cuffs about her joints. Her skin was still slick with excitement.     “I will not allow you to distract me from my true purpose,” Loki pushed passed her again.     Misuteri narrowed her eyes at him. She shifted again. This time in tight shibari style rope bondage. She was hog tied, on her knees before him. Her eyes glazed over, just a little. She felt the rope dig into her as she spoke.     “Aw, Loki, please don't leave me,”  she looked up at him and then down in shame.         “Do not make me repeat myself,” Loki marched on.     Misuteri changed again. She stood upon the stage in a sophisticated, three piece suit.     “I knew you weren't man enough to take me. The only man that has dared to enter my chambers and leave was Jouten. Now, Jouten, he was a man. I can't wait until I can have him again. I'll love telling him how you walked out of here with your tail tucked between your legs,” Misuteri amused herself. She began to pick at her nails and walk away behind stage.     “You think you are woman enough to match me?” Loki appeared before her.     “I don't think I am, I know I am. You might as well just carry on your merry way,” Misuteri walked around him.     Loki snatched her hair.     Misuteri dematerialized and appeared down stage.     “It won't be so easy. Here I can manipulate my form just as easily as you can,” Misuteri spun in a circle and regained her original appearance. She spun again and stole Loki's image.     “You are far from special. You are ordinary. You are no more than human here,” Misuteri's words dripped from her lips and shot at Loki like daggers.     “You are foolish, woman. You should have never challenged me,” Loki slammed the end of his scepter into the ground and knocked Misuteri back.     Her illusion vanished and she looked at him from behind her long blonde hair. She smiled. Then, she charged at Loki. She tackled him to the ground.     He spun her and regained the upper hand with ease. Misuteri vanished from his grip and took his scepter. She dipped her head down, low to her knees and lifted her leg up in the air. She wrapped it around the scepter for balance.     Loki turned to see her. Partially stunned at the sight of her twisted around one of his most cherished, phallic possessions.     She lifted her torso to be perpendicular with the scepter. Her breasts hung in the air unhindered by clothing. She saw she had his gaze upon her. She spun herself around the scepter in such a fashion that she suddenly stood with it between her legs. With both of her hands choked up on the head of the staff, she used its magic to blast Loki.     He dodged and came upon her from behind. Loki wrapped his fingers around her neck and tightened his grip. He took his scepter from her and pushed her onto the ground.     She looked up from her hands and knees to find him glaring down at her.     “If you want to learn the true depths of my manhood, you will submit to me,” Loki said calmly.     Misuteri stood. She stared at him with defiance. “Make me.” She challenged him, yet again.     Loki disappeared from before her. He began walking towards the exit. He was just a few feet from the drapes when he heard Misuteri's voice.     “Fine! I submit.” Misuteri's words slipped through her teeth like a rebellious teenager.     Loki transported himself back to her. “Say it like you mean it, Misuteri,” he ordered.     Misuteri took in a deep breath. “I submit...” she said with less reluctance than before.     Loki had stripped himself of most of his adornments. He stood with out his outermost layers. He had taken off his shirt. His pants hung just low enough to show the tip of his hip bones.     Misuteri was on all fours upon a table in front of him. She watched him from behind silent eyes. He had gagged her and bound her to the table. A bar spread her knees, leaving her sex open and vulnerable. Her eyes were weak but her body was hot and yearned for attention. Her body had begun to betray her, even as the seductress within Misuteri. Her sex began to drip with excitement as she heard his footsteps around her. She lowered her head. The chain that connected her collar to the table went slack and as did the chain attached to the devices clamped firmly on her nipples.      Loki paced around her, taking in the sight of her. When he heard the chains clink against the table, he took a whip to Misuteri's hind end. She jerked up from the pain but was unable to lurch as far as she wished she could. She was stuck in her position. Loki went around to let her see him. His cock throbbed beneath his pants.     “Are you ready for your reward?” Loki teased her. He unleashed his member before her lips.     Misuteri leaned as far forward as she could but Loki pulled away. Misuteri lowered her head again in defeat.     Loki went around her. He climbed upon the table and positioned himself behind her. Her sex dripped with desire. She arched her back and leaned her hips back as far as she could. Reflexively, she began to move her hips back and forth. Loki dug his fingers into her hips and steadied her. He flicked his head against her soaking lips and his grin grew too big for his face. Misuteri's body shuttered in anticipation. Her breath was heavy behind the gag. Loki pulled away from her and gripped her cheeks. He pulled them apart just before he thrust into her.     Misuteri's anus exploded in a hot, burning pain. His wide head tore through her with ease and his shaft pulled her delicate skin without mercy. She cried out in pain. Tears welled up in her eyes but before she could focus on how much pain she was in, he began to pump his hips to and fro. Soon, Misuteri's excitement began to drip down her thighs. Her eyes rolled back into her head. She clenched her fists again and again with each pulse within her.     Loki could see her helplessness. Her sphincter was wrapped so tightly around him that he felt as if he were to explode with each stroke. He unleashed his passion without mercy upon her. He resisted as long as he could before he decided to enjoy his release. He entered her with all his  length and twitched within her.     Misuteri's eyes widened with surprise. Spit dripped from her chin. Her palms were red and sore. She could not wait for him to pull out and to empty herself of him. She felt as if he had  shot his sperm straight into her stomach and filled her completely.     “If you drip even a single drop of me, I will never return,” Loki whispered.     A jolt of anxiety rushed through Misuteri just as he began to withdraw from her. Unsure of her ability to hold him she clenched around him with all the strength she had left. It slowed his retreat and elongated her agony. Once he was free of her, Misuteri's body began to convulse. Loki stepped back and watched her struggle to obey his command. His face twisted with satisfaction.     He summoned a large plug to his palm. He teased her with it. He tickled her with it as she tried to hold his orgasm within her.     Then, he slowly slipped it between her cheeks. Her ass expanded more largely than his cock just before it nearly closed around the end of the plug. She screamed and twitched within her restraints. Loki took a large vibrator and slid it inside Misuteri. Her body quickly forgot about its torment and moved with enjoyment. Loki snapped his fingers and a chastity belt wrapped around Misuteri's hips and between her legs. She felt the tight leather against her clitoris and the metal about her waist.     Loki waved his hand over Misuteri. He dismissed many of the restraints. Misuteri was upon her knees, facing him. He had two pair of restraints that hog tied her limbs behind her. There was a pole just behind her. Most of her weight leaned against it. Misuteri stared at him. Loki looked upon her with glee. Her breasts were tied. They looked larger and firmer than normal. He could see her dismay and her pleasure upon her face. He pulled the gag from her lips. Misuteri dropped her head and panted. She was too consumed with need to speak.     “Enjoy your reward,” Loki smiled at her before he vanished.     Misuteri's body went limp and she succumbed to her defeat. =============================================================================== Loki knew there couldn't be much farther to go before he came upon the part of Misuteri he desired. There were only so many defenses her subconscious could conjure up before leaving her vulnerable. He continued to trek through the empty spots in her psyche. He traveled through the parts of her she blacked out and wiped clean for remodeling. She hadn't gotten so far as to start such a process. They were almost too good to be true but his reconnaissance proved to be worth while. They were perfect place for him to sow seeds of doubt. He planned to reek havoc on her inside and out until she crumbled into pieces at his feet. He grinned with satisfaction as he looked around the once darkened and barren space inside Misuteri's mind. It was now lit up with dashes and orbs of energy. The color of his magic took form in respect with what he intended the spell to do. Mostly, though, they attacked her memories. His magic melted with her perception of her friends and twisted their image in his favor. He intended to sever the connection to her Guardians until he could shape them to his liking. He needed to ensure continued to behave like herself but under his direct influence. She would be his pet, his puppet and he would delight in pulling her strings. If he did his job well enough, she would even enjoy it, too. "What are you doing? How'd you get in here?" a tiny, timid voice asked in the dark. Loki turned towards the sound and narrowed his eyes. He could see the delicate features of a little girl in the distance. He followed the curves of her round face and the waves of her long blond hair. "I apologize for the intrusion. I seem to have gotten lost and you see," he let out an embarrassed laugh. "I hate the dark and I simply could not stop myself from brightening up the way." The space between them glittered and glowed with magic. He watched the gears turn in her head. She was thinking about whether or not she believed him. "I can help you find the way back, if you want," she offered. She stepped forward, letting more of herself emerge from the darkness. "What would you say if I said I wanted to stay just where I am? Here, with you?" Loki smiled with sincerity. His features were soft and yet, still refined enough to make him look intimidating, even from afar. "Ummmm...." she muttered unsure what to say. Loki hummed and slowly crept closer. He kept his hands behind his back and his head held high. He walked towards her, cutting through the sparkling swirls of energy. "It must be awfully lonely in here all by yourself," he mused. The young Misuteri looked away from him. She was lonely. Only a few people ever came to see her and it didn't happen often. "I was lonely, too. That is, until you came along," he grinned again. This time his mischievous nature worked in his favor. It made him appear younger and even fun to be around. "Oh..." she replied a tad more optimistically than before. Misuteri didn't want anyone else to be lonely. She quickly warmed up to the idea of being friends.  He had gotten close enough so that she was within arm's reach now. He hastily circled around her and then squatted down to  her level. "Would you like to be friends, Misuteri?" Misuteri whipped around on her heel and began nodding vehemently. She didn't take notice to the fact that he knew her name without telling him. That happened a lot. She simply assumed that because the people she met knew her name, they couldn't have been bad people. That assumption had been reinforced a number of times from encounters with others in the past. "Well then, we should find a more suitable place to play. Would you take me to one?" Loki held out his hand. Misuteri grinned excitedly. "Sure! I have a tree fort that's really close. We can play there!" She grabbed his hand. Loki quickly stood up and let her pull him forward. He pressed his lips together tightly as a large, toothy smile tried to emerge as he reveled in his success. It would not be long before he had full control over Misuteri. Chapter End Notes There is some heavy Enigma & Chaos foreshadowing beginning, just fyi. Thanks for reading guys! I've got some really awesome stuff planned in the next chapter. Puppy Fenrir returns and Loki finally puts Hel in her place. I'm really excited about it and I hope you are too! ***** The Father (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Jouten leaves. Loki returns. Glad teaches Misuteri an important lesson. Then, Hel and Jormangundr challenge Loki. Fenrir stops them from making the same mistake he did. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape are never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. Specifics: There is some pretty graphic, kinky 'dirty talk' in this chapter. It might put images in your head. It's a necessary evil. So, there is A LOT going on in this chapter. It's pretty long. Don't be afraid to take it slow. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri felt her head fall to the side in a jolting fashion. She gasped in surprise and her heart jumped in her chest. She looked around the room again; she tried desperately to occupy her bored mind. Nothing worked. She decided to stretch her legs. She stood slowly and with a low grunt as she pushed herself up. She used the desk to stabilize her as the blood flow returned to her legs. She let out a relaxed sigh as she pulled back her shoulders in a stretch. “I'm glad he hasn't made you too uncomfortable,” a familiar male voice spoke from across the room. Misuteri looked forward to see her husband standing before her. He walked forward in his most regal, war armor and long, white hair. His skin was sun kissed and smooth. His stubble was as light as his hair. She froze in surprise. Is it really him? “Jouten? Is that really you? Are you finally here?” The words escaped her lips too quickly, too eagerly for her to be satisfied. She was overly excited. “Yes,” he answered curtly. He stepped forward with his helmet under one arm. He reached out to her with the other. “I'm here to take you home.” Misuteri was wary of a trick. She wanted to do what he said. She wanted to leave so badly. “Then hurry, come unlock me. Break these chains so we can leave!” Misuteri almost couldn't contain herself. She held out her hands to him. The chain linking her cuffs hung in a long arch between her wrists. “No, you must unleash yourself and break your own chains. I can only release you from the bondage I place you in,” Jouten's voice was deep and omnipotent. Misuteri whined. She was afraid he would say something like that. This wasn't the first time they had been down this rode. He had strict rules about when he would and wouldn't be her knight in shining armor. She looked away from him and frowned. “I can't.” Those were the only words she could will herself to say. “Have you even tried?” The disappointment in his voice was palpable. It teetered on anger and pain. Misuteri let out a low, frustrated growl. Of course she hadn't tried and she wasn't about to. It could be a trick. He could be mad at her all she wanted but she wasn't about to put herself in more danger just to do what someone else thought she should do. She had to protect herself. It would always take priority over anyone's expectations. She had to do what she felt was best for herself, even if her judgement might be clouded by fear. She knew how well fear could protect her. “If you're really my husband, then save me. We'll talk about the deep rooted resentment I have for being a damsel in distress, later." Her eyes narrowed at Jouten. They had discussed her desire for independence. She had made Jouten promise that if she could save herself, that he wouldn't do it for her. It appeared as if this was one of those times and she hated herself for it. The tall, white haired man stepped forward. He set his helmet down on the desk and circled around towards her. The nearer he got, the softer he was. His expression changed from a hard, pressed line on his lips to a small, loving smile. His blue-gray eyes were glittered with hope. However, he did not remove her leash. “I love you,” he vowed without hesitation. It was the  one moment when he was the most himself. He was the purest essence of love and he belonged to her. He desperately wanted to take back what was his but there was something making hold himself back. Something deep in his heart nagged at him, making it impossible for him to do what she requested. “I love you, too,” Misuteri said anxiously. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to free her. It was her the one thought that passed through her mind. She reached out to him and held onto his ironclad gauntlets. The metal was sharp and uncomfortable in her hands. “We should go.” “I need to know something first," he whispered softly. He hid his pain and anger. "He said something - Loki did - before we captured him. He said to ask you about last night. He said to ask you how you begged him for it,” his tone turned sharp and his words struck her like daggers. Jouten's throat and jaw got tighter as the words passed his lips. He almost couldn't look at his wife. Misuteri's entire world froze. She had to tell him. She had to tell him the truth before Loki's words let anymore doubt seep in. She opened her mouth to argue but she couldn't speak. Nothing she thought to say would escape her lip. Her arguments were caught in her throat. They hung their lifeless until she forced herself to swallow them. “Then it's true...you had sex with him...” Jouten was on the verge of tears. He ripped away from her. He shook his head, his eyes filling with despair. She was stunned again. Unable to move or speak, her fears came true.  She closed her eyes and started shaking her head, too. “No!” Misuteri shouted. “He raped me!” She blurted out her truth. She had to muster every ounce of her willpower just to speak. It was already too late. Jouten turned away from her. He faced the long line of windows. “I wish I could believe that,” Jouten whispered. “But I know you better than that. You two deserve each other.” His words were full of venom and spite. One long, silent moment passed. She watched, a passive audience to the nightmare unfolding before her. Misuteri was trapped within herself. She couldn't cry out. She couldn't scream. She couldn't stop him from leaving. She couldn't even make him look at her. She was stuck, hallow and distant from herself, as he charged towards the horizon. Jouten burst forth from the side of the black tower. His seraphim's wings carried his heavy body across the wind. He quickly became as a dark speck against the sun as it lowered over the water in the distance. “No! Don't! Please! You have to believe me! I didn't want it. I don't want it. I want you. I want my husband back! I want my old life!” Suddenly all her words came rushing forward. She almost didn't have enough air to vibrate her vocal cords. She repeated herself, as loudly as she could, as if to somehow to make her voice reach him in the distance. It didn't matter. The damage had already been done, to the both of them. She was hopeless and pessimistic. She wished the world could fall in around her. She would let it devour her, if only to quell her suffering. Her pain and anguish choked the air from her. She let her weight gradually pull her down against the floor. She stayed there, stunned, unable to comprehend how the one person she wanted to be around, to be with, could abandon her so callously. This fate was worse than the one before. She had hope then. She was her optimistic self then. Loki may have tricked her but she was waiting for Jouten, to be rescued by her friends, her Guardians. That's what she really had wanted. That's what she had been begging for. Not this, not to stay with Loki. =============================================================================== Loki sneered at Misuteri as he returned to his corporeal form. He knelt beside her for a moment, just staring at her tormented expression. Even in her sleep, her lips were firmly held in the pouting position and her brows were pinched closer together than normal; but he still could not help but admire her youthful, pale skin. With her eyes closed, she looked like a child that needed protecting. In her bondage, she appeared to be a pet in the need of saving. Loki knew better than to judge a book by its cover but she was beautiful. His Luminary was enchanted by her innocence and defenselessness. He refused to let her take advantage of his sentimentality by simply refusing to be sentimental. Misuteri was a means to an end. She was a delightful one and oh, was she fun to play with; but she was nothing more than that. She could not be more than that. He could not afford weakness. His efforts were only meant to enable him to take the path of least resistance. He wanted her to get attached to him, not the other way around. A low, rousing whimper escaped from Misuteri's lips. Loki vanished but only to reappear outside the door. He watched her closely from the other side of the glass as one would watch a wolf as it emerged from its den. Misuteri groaned as she leaned forward. The sharp edges of the desk had indented her flesh. It hurt to pull away from them. She put her hands on the carpet out in front of her and stretched her shoulders and spine. She lifted her hips into the air too before she finally lifted into a plank position. She stayed there for a whole of two seconds before plopping back on the ground. Her muscles were stiff and still sore from the night before. She felt so weak. She could feel how being around Loki was sapping her strength, physical and spiritual. Watching her stretch made Loki's mind run wild with all sorts of positions and ways to torment her. He quickly dismissed his Shadow's thoughts and continued with his original plan. He moved back towards the door and entered his office. He made his presence known. Misuteri felt her skin tingle and the air become thicker. His energy was heavy and distinct. She had become all too familiar with his magic. Loki's back. Misuteri was filled with the need to gain his approval. She wanted to earn his praise instead of his scorn. She rushed to pull her ankles under her behind. She let her weight fall back on them as she folded her hands in her lap. She anxiously tried to peer over the desk to see him. She couldn't but she knew he was there. He made sure of that. He was behind her. He watched her scramble and try to impress him. “Hmph,” Loki scoffed. Misuteri turned her head to see him towering over her. Her instincts told her to greet him but she didn't know what to say. She lowered her eyes and tucked her chin to appear innocuous and submissive. “So, you only remember your posture when I leave?” He was unimpressed because he knew exactly what she was trying to do. “We will have to remedy that,” he mused as he walked around her and took his seat. Misuteri parted her lips, intending to explain or apologize but when she realized Loki's attention was elsewhere, she pressed them together in a disappointed line. Her plan hadn't worked in the slightest. It rekindled the fire she had tried desperately not to feed. When have I ever been this quiet? Why does he make me stop to think before I speak? She contemplated whether or not he was doing her a favor. She wanted to rebel. She wanted to shout and throw a fit. She wanted to stand up and slap him right across the face. She let out a low groan and rolled her eyes back in her head. That would be so amazing. She knew that would never happen; and that if it did, nothing good would come of it. She groaned in protest again and leaned to the side. She let her hips slide off of her heels and onto the floor. She kicked her feet out in front of her. She was determined not to submit. Loki didn't react as she moved into a more comfortable position. It actually irritated her more than before. This is so boring. Why isn't he paying attention to me? Why does he want me right here if he's just going to ignore me? She knew why. He was training her. He had already begun to condition her to him; now he was being more deliberate. He was asserting himself over her and watching how she behaved. She didn't care. It made her sick. She couldn't stand the fact that he wanted her to sit there and be at his beck and call. She resented him for making her want his attention. She glared up at him. I shouldn't let him do it. I shouldn't let him get away with treating me like this. She was full of resentment and frustration. Those worse emotions than fear and sadness. They clouded her judgement more so than before. They made her short sighted and impulsive. When she was angry, she was stupid; and being stupid with Loki was dangerous. There wasn't much she could do to stop herself. Things were black and white when she was upset. She couldn't think of a reason why she would yearned for his attention – his affection. She may have been sore and tender. She felt alone and scared but she should have wanted someone else's attention, not Loki's. However, in her current state, she was unable to reason the way she would have otherwise. So, she dismissed why she was so twisted up. She focused on everything right in front of her. Jessie, her dream, her distance from Loki all added up to one thing. She remembered what she truly wanted. She remembered the life that she had and the type of life she did not want to live. Misuteri rose first to her knees and then to her feet. She stood tall next to Loki. He was eye level with her sitting down in his tall, black chair. “Sit down, Misuteri,” he commanded. Loki did not look at her. His voice did not have its usual effect. She was far too determined to do the exact opposite of what he told her. She reached up an unclasped the leash from her collar. She would have removed the entire collar if she could. She would have ripped off her bondage and threw it at him if she could. Instead, she just let the chain loudly drop against the desk. She stood tall and with confidence. “No,” Misuteri replied. There was no anger, no fear in her voice. She was simply resisting his dominance. She bit off the reflexive and antagonizing “make me” that hung on her tongue. Loki turned to her. He stood up, donning his leather attire, and glowered down at her. “Do not be foolish, Misuteri. I will summon your husband and I will tell him how you writhed beneath me last night,” Loki's threats were far from empty. “I don't care. He won't believe you when you tell him I wanted it. He'll know you raped me,” she hissed back at Loki unafraid of his heavy threats. Again, his words had no effect. She called his bluff with every ounce of willpower she had left. “Very well,” Loki snickered. His face shone with a familiar expression. It was one of condescension. It was as if he knew something she didn't and she wouldn't be able to fathom just what it was before it was too late.  “When he finally gets here, I will not protect you from his scorn. I will not embrace you when he discards you.” He warned her with disdain and malice. He wanted her to know how much he would enjoy watching her fears come to life. “He won't. He wouldn't do that!” Misuteri shouted back at him. She believed it with every fiber of her being. She hid a grin. She wanted him to call Jouten. She wanted them to find her. She knew things wouldn't go the way he said they would. There was no way they would believe him over her, ever. “Oh, he will and he will believe me. He will believe every word I say because it is true,” Loki started to poke holes in her confidence. He knew her certainty was a front. He knew that somewhere, deep down, there was doubt because he had put it there. Misuteri swiftly countered. “See, all you have are empty threats and impossible what ifs,” she narrowed her eyes at him. “Some god you are,” Misuteri scoffed. She feigned disinterest as convincingly as she could. She knew she was no were near as good of an actor as Loki was but her intent was all that really mattered. Her willful disobedience and blatant disregard for his authority was surely to have its desired effect. Loki started to laugh loudly in her face. He was in a sincerely jovial state. He looked down at her for a second when he was finished. “You will regret those words,” Loki was certain he was right. His confidence started to shatter Misuteri's. He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. “Send Glad to my office.” He dropped the phone in his pocket again. Misuteri's eyes narrowed with confusion and then went wide with fear. “You're not seriously going to let someone else spank me for talking back to you, are you?” Loki shook his head in a facade of disappointment. “It really is too bad. My meeting is in fifteen minutes. I was really looking forward to showing you off.” He let her question hang in the air. He watched as it slowly ate her from the inside out. His tone implied she wasn't in for a simple spanking. She could only imagine the things that Glad might come up with. They might not be as sadistic as Loki but she was sure they would be equally as humiliating. Something snapped inside Misuteri and fear, paralyzing fear, flooded her system. She was overcome with the urge to apologize profusely. She wanted to put the leash back on and sit down. She could sit still for fifteen minutes. She wanted to beg him to be joking but she just stood there with her jaw slack in disbelief. Loki tilted his head up and looked down his nose at her. A mischievous smirk tugged at one side of his mouth as he watched her start to quiver. Her pupils had begun to dilate and her breathing increased. She was right where he wanted her to be and he enjoyed every second of it.   “If you plan on dissuading me, you best hurry. It will not take him long to get here,” Loki smiled as he watched the color return to her face. Misuteri was in a state of complete panic. She had no idea just how long she had been standing there. Her thoughts were consumed by the terrifying things Glad might do to her. She hadn't even realized she had started to shake. She bit hard on her lower lip and the sharp pinch snapped her out of her own head. She forced herself to start talking. “Please, don't let him take me. You're the only one I want to touch me, my king,” she pleaded. She opted for the monster she knew rather than the one she didn't. She finally regained enough feeling in her limbs to kneel. “Please..." she whined pitifully. "Y-you're the only one I want,” Misuteri whimpered as she bent over and dropped her head to the ground. She was tempted to prostrate herself flat on the floor but she clung to the last scraps of her dignity. “Please, please, please, let me stay here with you, my king,” she implored him. Misuteri had successfully filled the last few seconds of their alone time begging for her captor's mercy. He hadn't let on whether or not he was satisfied. It appeared as if he were still thinking about it. Loki widened his stance over Misuteri. He stared down at her. Her trembling intensified. He grinned at the sight of her reaction to him. Her words validated his authority. He loved it. He wanted to see if she meant it. There was a knock at the door. Misuteri shot up to see Glad lightly tapping on the glass. Her eyes quickly darted over at Loki. “Please,” she whimpered. “I'll be g-good." Her voice cracked. It was clear she was on the verge of tears. “You had best mean it,” Loki bent down over her. With a flick of his wrist, the leash reattached to her collar. “Sit properly and do as I say,” Loki's voice was deep and strict. Misuteri was already moving into position before he finished his sentence. he wiped her face and tried to compose herself. He stood up straight and turned towards the door. “You may enter,” Loki spoke to Glad. “Yes, sir? You requested my presence?” Glad entered respectfully and with confident. “Yes, I did,” Loki paused. He shot a glance down at Misuteri. She hadn't stopped staring up at him the entire time. “Misuteri, stand up and greet our guest,” he made eye contact with Glad again. Misuteri took a deep breath. She wasn't sure she could stand or speak but she was determined to obey. Carefully lifted herself to her feet. It was tricky with such a small range of motion. She did her best to be graceful. Once she was standing, she turned to Glad. With a small smile, she greeted him, “good afternoon, sir.” She gave him a curt nod. She was unsure if she was supposed to keep looking at Glad. She opted for no. She was embarrassed and very nervous to look at anyone but Loki. “Now, down,” Loki ordered. He didn't look at Misuteri again. He watched her carefully with his peripheral vision. With a slight nod, she lowered herself to her knees again and sat back on her heels. A small grin tugged at his lips.  “It seems your one-on-one training is going well,” Glad assumed Loki just wanted to show off. “I look forward to future displays of her obedience,” he commented respectfully. His misogynistic tone still made Misuteri's skin crawl. “Glad,” Loki curled his index finger to call him closer. “Would you explain to my new pet what exactly you do for me?” Loki held out his hand for him to stop when he was directly behind Misuteri. “Of course, sir,” the pitch in Glad's voice went up. He was too excited to follow Loki's orders. He crouched down close behind Misuteri. He pulled her long, blond hair to the side, away from her ear. “I'm really just a humble teacher. I teach people lessons,” he whispered. He spoke loudly enough for Loki to hear him. He looked up at him for approval. Misuteri tried to stay perfectly still. She simply stared up at Loki. The only thing that made her feel better was pretending Loki was the only person that mattered. She let herself get lost in the sharp curves of his cheek bones and the fullness of his lips. She was almost completely ignoring Glad, or at least, she was trying to. “I make people remember how to do their jobs and I remind them of the consequences if they fail,” the sadistic trill in his voice was unnerving. He was convincing her he had no soul. “You see, if you're not a good, little girl, your master might let me take you down to the Stables,” he let his words hang in the air. He let her wonder just what that meant for a moment before he continued. “Now, in the Stables, you're my responsibility. I expect nothing less than perfection. Everyone is on high alert, all the time. I bet you're just learning what that means. Let me give you a little advice: he owns you,” Glad flattered Loki's ego. “You do exactly what he says, when he says it. It doesn't matter what you want, the only thing that matters is what he wants. If you misbehave on high alert, your punishment is ten-fold.” Misuteri couldn't help but listen intently. His words snaked into her brain and filled her head. Her throat filled with apologies and gratitude. She blinked but her gaze never fell from Loki. She didn't feel the need to fidget or keep her hands occupied. She was already paying full attention to one thing and one thing only. Glad adjusted his slacks as he leaned deeper into his squat. “Let me give you an example,” he paused for a moment. His eyes flicked up towards Loki once more for the go ahead. “If one of my new pets misbehaved before I was finished training them, I might spank them a little and send them to bed without dinner,” he paused again. “But if they misbehaved on high alert, even if they didn't fully understand what that meant, after their punishment they certainly would. Punishment on high alert implies no leniency, no mercy. You're going to ride that wooden horse while I whip you and I'm going to fuck you when you're done. That's it. It's just going to happen.” Misuteri's breath hitched as Glad finished his description. Her nervousness was starting to show. She could feel the sweat glisten on her forehead. She swallowed as daintily as she could manage under the circumstances. She was sure they both heard try to gulp down her anxiety, which just added to her humility. “If this kind and generous man does anything less severe than that if you misbehave, you had best worship the ground he walks on,” Glad stood up. He straightened out his suit and backed away from Misuteri. “I think you should thank Glad for enlightening you,” Loki's gaze flicked from Misuteri's frightened face to Glad. They exchanged small, satisfied smiles. Misuteri tucked her chin towards her shoulder. She looked up at Glad. “Thank you, sir,”she thanked him quickly. She was just so excited he was finally leaving. She was mostly thankful Loki was nothing like Glad. She lowered her eyes and then turned her gaze back to Loki. Loki smirked. “You are excused, Glad. I no longer require your assistance,” Loki dismissed him quite formally. The stocky man nodded. “It's always a pleasure, sir,” he smiled and exited the room. He was gone and some of the tension in the room dissipated. Misuteri wanted to release an exhale of relief but she couldn't. She sat there, with her lips slightly parted and her eyes wide. Her muscles were still tense. Loki hadn't told her she could relax. Loki turned to her slowly. He put his hands in his pockets and looked down at her. “Every word that man said was right. I should let him take you and put you on Level 3 protocol for a week. Do you know why I did not?” “No, my king,” she replied. Misuteri's eyes darted downward in shame. Her body relaxed a little and then she looked back up at him. “You did something brave and unexpected earlier. I want you to do it again, if the need arises." His admission seemed too sincere to be genuine. The way he paused before he continued made her second guess her intuition. "I want you here, with me, and only me. I want you, Misuteri,” he repeated himself and his tone sounded sentimental. “I want you to be loyal and serve me and I want it to be your choice.” Misuteri exhaled sharply. She couldn't hold it in any longer. Her eyes darted to the gray carpet. His words knocked her totally off guard. There was a part of her, deep inside, that wanted what he wanted too. The feeling surprised and unnerved her. She quickly did her best to push it down and away from her thoughts. She assumed her mind must be playing tricks on her. What? You want me to...what?! Misuteri knew what she had to say but she was unsure if she could make him believe her. He had already given her a second chance. She was sure he wouldn't give her a third. Loki sat down in his office chair. He resisted the urge to rub the bridge of his nose and bury his face in his palm. He did something a little more subtle. He dropped his hands over the arms of the chair and leaned back. “When we return from this meeting, I will let you speak to the boy you used to know. Is that sufficient enough motivation? Would that earn your trust and your faith in me? Would that make me worthy of your loyalty and your obedience?” He looked tired and weary. Misuteri almost immediately replied affirmatively. His vulnerability made her want to comfort him. She stopped herself. She knew Loki was trying to manipulate her. She made herself think about her answer. I have to be careful. He'll hold me to my word. He'll know if I'm lying. “I want it to be enough, my king,” she replied solemnly. Misuteri stood at Loki's side with her arms folded in front of her. He had removed the chains connecting her cuffs. They had been in the large, gray and black room for a while now. Loki hadn't sat down yet. From the moment he entered the room, he was bombarded by questions. “What in the Nine Realms is this?” Hel threw down a folder full of photos. They spilled out. “This man looks exactly like Baldur and you didn't think I'd want to know? Then, when Jormangundr saw him and you hid it from me?” She pointed at the photos. Luckily for her, her sister was more loyal than her father. “I cannot believe you!” she exclaimed in frustration. She silently cursed herself. She should have known better. She stood with her feet planted wide apart in a pair of flat black shoes. She was wearing a white pant suit. The lapels of her blazer were black. Her wavy black hair curled around the bridge of her nose and down her chin but it couldn't hide her fury. Misuteri couldn't help but look down at the large, oval table. She saw Zuri and Jouten aboard an old ship. It made her take pause. She knew that ship. They had all worked on it together. She sighed, realizing it was no longer a surprise. They had finished it and begun using it without her. There were other photos, of most of her friends underneath. She saw Kizu, Kuro, Kissui and Nero. The thought made her heart sink but she did her best to stay vigilant. She knew the only time she was going to be able to gather information was by eavesdropping. She quickly forced herself to refocus on the situation at hand. Baldur? Why do you keep calling him that!? Misuteri's intuition screamed at her. Something was off. She couldn't fathom why Hel would be so upset about Jouten, about herhusband. She burned with possessive jealousy. Her skin prickled and she was moments away from trying to shift. Does she like him? Does she want him for herself? It doesn't matter. Shecannothave him! I don't give a shit what's going on. Misuteri did everything she could to calm herself. There was no guessing what Loki would do if she misbehaved now. She turned to Loki and all of her questions faded away. She stopped wondering why Hel and Jormangundr thought that Jouten was Baldur. She watched him stand there and let Hel scream at him. He appeared both disinterested and indifferent. It was as if he wasn't paying any attention; but Misuteri had a feeling he was listening intently, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Misuteri wondered if he was even in the room with them. He look almost...regal. Maybe if he can rein in an unruly bunch like this, hecouldbe a decent king. “You said if I helped free you, you would give me Baldur back. Here he is! Alive and well and you didn't say a word!” Hel was nearly foaming at the mouth. Her proper exterior was shattered by her furious whines. Jormangundr just stood back with her arms crossed. She let the fire she ignited inside her sister roar. She was proud of the chaos she caused. It served her father right for treating them like children. She tightened her arms around her and pushed her breasts up. Misuteri couldn't help but notice how it looked like if she sneezed, she might fall out of her low cut dress. Misuteri scanned the room again. She noticed a broad, muscular man standing in the corner behind Hel. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded behind his head. His biceps bulged on either side of his head. His casual red shirt was stretched to the limit over the widest part of his chest. The tip of his hip bones showed beneath the hem of his shirt. His black leather pants were tight around his large thighs but they were loose over his calves. He had long, brown hair that flowed wildly around his face and over his shoulders. Misuteri eyed his strong chin and brooding brow line. She admired his tan skin and it showed. Nighogg grinned at Misuteri when he caught her staring at him. She looked away when she saw his long, pointy teeth and his intimidating golden irises. Her attention dropped to a much smaller, red haired man sitting next on the ground next to him. His straight, ear length hair did not disguise his disdain. The skinny, redhead sat with his arms crossed and his knees pulled up towards his chest. He looked as if he had been dragged there against his will. He had on a loose, white dress shirt that was only half buttoned. He had a large suit jacket hanging on one shoulder and a pair of slacks to match. His clothes were rumbled and ill fitting. He narrowed his eyes at Misuteri. She quickly looked back at the company she was more familiar with. “You are an ignorant, incompetent, and aloof impostor. You do not deserve to rule Asgard. You have betrayed and deceived your kin for too long. I will not stand for it. I will retrieve Baldur myself while you stay here and play with your new pet and when I find Thor, he will know of your trickery. He will exact justice for your crimes from your very bones and in return, he will have the power of all of Helheim at his beck and call,” Hel spat her grievances with renewed conviction. She was determined to get what she was owed. Loki slowly turned his head down towards Hel at the sound of Thor's name. His eyes glowed bright green as his passion was ignited. He threatened to immolate his daughter where she stood. She got what she wanted; Loki was paying attention to her now. He just barely shook his head in disapproval before stepping forward. He closed in on his prey. “You presume to understand the course you have aligned yourself with,” Loki said with disgust and disappointment. “You cannot grasp the complexity of the fate I have woven you into. You selfish, insignificant, and narrow-sighted child,” the scorn in his voice lashed Hel as he scolded her. “You most of all lack the discipline required to vanquish our enemies. You, the one I have invested most in, are the one who is least grateful for my gifts. You have shown me no loyalty. You have only expressed your growing contempt for me,” he held his fingers of one hand to his chest and stretched the other out towards Misuteri. “I should bestow my grace upon someone more worthy; perhaps then you will renounce your recreant ways and be the loving daughter I deserve.” Misuteri was taken back by Loki's gesture. Her eyes went wide but she resisted the urge to cower. She remembered his words from before she left. She straightened her posture and nodded her head slightly. She acted like it had all been planned from the start. Effortlessly, she followed his lead. She avoided looking at anyone but him. She could feel their eyes on her,. All of them were staring at her. She could feel their envy. She could feel Hel most of all. She, too, was astonished. She disliked Misuteri before, but now, she abhorred her very existence. Misuteri felt some semblance sympathy for Hel. In that moment, she didn't care if Hel was pining for Jouten, or some man named Baldur that looked like Jouten. She feared Loki. She knew what he was capable of. He was both clever and cruel. His brand of creative problem solving was far more vast than anything Misuteri's imagination was able to conjure. Her inability to predict what he might do made her all the more obedient. She didn't interfere like she had with Jormangundr. She had a feeling that wouldn't go over so well in their current circumstances. There was an audience and far more going on than met the eye. Hel forced herself to ignore Misuteri. She had bigger things to deal with. She hated her father but if there was ever a time for Loki to be Hel's priority, that time was now. She took a step backward and looked up at her father. She tried desperately to wipe the smug, scornful look off of her face. Loki lowered his arms and turned back to Hel. “I refuse to endure your disdain any longer," he chided. He paused in thought. "But nevertheless, I am at a loss,” he paused to lock eyes with his thoroughly cowed spawn. “So, tell me, my dear Hela, what should I do with you? I have ruined lives – I have killed for lesser insults than yours, my dutiful daughter,” Loki erected his posture and shot a glare at Jormangundr. He folded his arms behind his back and stepped to the side of Hel. The fragile-looking girl was frozen solid. She was incapable of coherent thought, much less speech. She only wanted Baldur back. She would let her father slaughter her army fighting the losing side of a war if only it meant having Baldur back. Loki had successfully reduced his willful spawn to a whimpering, fearful child. “I called you all here for a reason,” Loki let his former question hang in the air. He walked towards Jormangundr. He knew Hel's outburst was her doing. “I had an encounter with another of my willful offspring. I wanted all of you to fully understand that there are consequences for insolence,” he paused in the middle of the room. “Fenrir has returned,” he added as he walked around Jormangundr. He circled her, letting his presence coil around her. She was anxious and on edge. The last thing she wanted was to be so close to her father. He preyed on weakness and she was nothing more than a boneless lump of flesh out of water. What was worse was that this was all her fault. She knew he knew that she was responsible for Hel's outburst.  She was the reason that Hel was getting such a lashing. Her eyes were wide. They followed Loki until the moment his eyes met hers. She couldn't help but shrink from his gaze. Her weak conscience was growing more influential with every second. Her guilt took the form of an indigestible pit in her stomach. She needed to know if she would ever see her brother again. Loki stared down the small, red haired man for a moment before softening his gaze and looking upward at Nidhogg. “Would you fetch him for me?” he requested. The tall, muscular man lowered his arms. He nodded respectfully at Loki and left the room with haste. Loki ventured back towards the head of the room. Misuteri watched him in awe. She wanted him to come nearer. She craved his proximity. She needed him to be close; she wanted him to shelter and protect her. She felt a sense of relief when he took his place next to her. She smiled up at him. She was almost giddy with excitement at his return. Loki refrained from being receptive. He had hardened his persona and he had to follow through. His allies would only be subject to his will if he maintained consistency. He folded his arms over his chest and looked towards the door. He had to make Misuteri think he deserved her attention and affection, whether she thought he was paying attention or not. He was still training her. The truth was, he was training all of them. The females stood with their nerves on end with anticipation. The room was silent. Loki stood with a hard, impassive expression. He watched them all with glee as they squirmed anxiously. Nidhogg returned a moment later. They could see him through the frosted glass but he didn't look like he was with Fenrir or anyone for that matter. A large wolf certainly wasn't following him. It wasn't until he entered the room that they saw his arms folded protectively over his chest. He was carrying a fluffy pile of fur. A tiny nose and a pair of dark brown eyes defined themselves as Nidhogg came closer. A small, dark gray and brown pup popped up in his arms. He adorned a thick, golden collar and a leash to match. Nidhogg held him tightly to make sure he didn't slip. The little wolf scratched and pawed at him, trying to escape his grasp. The tiny creature had no chance against the basilisk of a man holding him. “Put him on the table,” he instructed. Loki pointed. He stood their, closely watching those around him. Nidhogg obeyed. He gently dropped the wolf on all fours against the shiny black and placed the golden chain in his lord's hand and stepped back against the wall. Fenrir was shaking as he eyed all the people around him. He felt small and anxious. He could feel the prickly energy in the room. His sharp nails scraped against the polish on the table as he shook. He hated the sound and the feel of the slick wood beneath his feet but he couldn't stop himself. Everyone looked so big and he felt so helpless. He was hungry and nervous. He didn't know what to do. He was young and frightened. He tried to take solace as he sniffed the air curiously. His little wet nose scrunched and twitched as he pointed it upward. It was full of a bunch of familiar scents he couldn't quite place. Some of them made him feel comfortable. There were two he paid particularly close attention to. One he wanted nothing to do with; the other, he craved. He quickly identified the one he didn't want to be near. His father stepped nearer to him. He cowered as Loki stood over him. The last time he had seen Loki, he was crass and rough with him. He didn't remember what had happened or why. All Fenrir craved was comfort and a little kindness. Misuteri reflexively stepped forward towards Fenrir as Loki did. It was the first time she had moved since they entered the room. Her legs were numb and the movement surprised her. She stayed behind Loki but she desperately wanted to comfort her confused friend. Her heart ached as she stared down at the infant lupine. She was ready to give him all the love and friendship she could. What happened? Why did he do this to you? “Is that really Fenrir?!” Jormangundr shouted. “How could you do such a thing?” She was the only one that had enough courage to ask. She was astounded, not accusatory. Loki's point had hit its mark and the last thing she wanted to do was incur his wrath. “Yes, this is your brother,” Loki sneered at the Serpent of Midgard. “He refused to fulfill his destiny at my side. He was thankless and arrogant. He criticized my morality; he demanded I see the err of my ways,” Loki glared down at the shivering pup beneath him. “It was my responsibility as a father to discipline him.” His voice took on a hint of pride. “What are you going to do with him now? He's useless to you like this?” Hel held her hands to her chest. Loki scoffed. He picked Fenrir up by the scruff of his neck and turned to Misuteri. “He is now your responsibility. You will care for him as if he were your own and raise him to respect my rule.” Misuteri held out her hands and took Fenrir from Loki. She held him gently She held him close to her chest and stroked his ears. She bounced him gently in her arms and whispered to him. “Shh, it's alright. Everything's going to be okay, now,” she cooed. Her voice was a little hoarse from having stayed quiet for so long. She softened further and kissed the top of his head. It was as if Fenrir innately believed her. He didn't really understand his instincts or intuition; but it was a combination of the two that told him she was being honest. Maybe it was Misuteri's calming aura but he felt safe. He trusted her. She was warm and gentle. He loved the smell of her. It was pure and sweet. He let out a low, content whine and relaxed against her. Her touch was the first loving thing he experienced. He reveled in it. He breathed deeply and soaked in her scent. “You would let a slave raise your son?” Hel's eyes went wide with disbelief. "She is a prisoner of war! Not a housemaid!" her astonishment caused her volume to increase involuntarily. “And she would be mother to you, and Jormangundr, as well, if you require reminding of just who is in charge here,” he declared. Loki stepped between Misuteri and his daughters. The room was divided with his daughters before him and the rest of them at his back. Jormangundr and Hel lowered their heads and backed away from him. They were both stunned. Yet, even in their denial, they made the conscious decision to respect their father. Loki resisted a smug smirk as it tugged at his lips. Instead, he turned to Misuteri. He held out his hand to her. It took a second for Misuteri to notice. Fenrir wasn't the only one desperate for affection and sweetness. Misuteri adored animals and Fenrir would be no exception because he was Loki's son. He was already her friend, in this form and his former. She would treat him with the kindness he deserved. She would love him unconditionally. Misuteri adjusted so that she could hold Fenrir with one hand and she put her palm in Loki's. He pulled her towards him. “Tell them: who is your King?” Loki put his hand on her shoulder. He stood to the side of her, both in front of her and behind her. Misuteri looked up at Loki nervously for a second and then back at Jormangundr. “Loki is my King,” she answered confidently. Her words may have sounded convincing but her nerves were working against her. She swallowed hard. She assumed Loki wasn't finished using her to display his power. She tried frantically to find some scrap of dignity and worth to hold onto. She had to be strong. Jormangundr and Hel preyed on weakness. “Who is your God?” Loki asked. Misuteri's stomach flipped. He really wasn't finished. He intended to go through their whole routine in front of everyone. It made her sick. Telling him what he wanted to here, saying what he needed her to say was almost a fate worse than death. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about it. She had absolutely no control and she had even less hope. She knew what she had to do. She knew what she had to say. Her fate wasn't just depending on her decisions anymore, Fenrir's did too. “Loki is my God,” she said as proudly as she could. She was slowly regaining pieces of herself that she thought Loki had stolen from her. Her ability to be convincing was her biggest strength now. It was really the only thing she had that she could hold onto. If she couldn't manage that, Loki would ensure her sincerity through other means. The raven haired man smiled behind her. He squeezed her shoulder lightly as encouragement. He pulled the hair back from her face and smoothed it over her ear. “Who is your Lord and Master?” he asked smoothly and confidently. “Loki!” Misuteri exclaimed. “Loki is my Lord and Master,” she asserted as if the statement gave her some sort of power. She narrowed her eyes at her adversaries. She quickly realized what she was saying and how she was saying it. She swallowed her unhappiness and continued to harden her exterior. She mimicked Loki the best she could without shutting out Fenrir. It was a difficult balancing act but one she was confident she could handle, with enough practice. She was sure she would have plenty of time to practice. “Tell all of us here, who do you believe is the rightful King of Asgard?” Loki moved so she could look up at him. “You, of course, my king” Misuteri answered quickly. She smiled affirmatively. She felt Fenrir tug at her hair. She scratched roughly behind his ear but she never took her eyes off of Loki. It was a tough thing to accomplish. Fenrir was so irresistibly adorable! Misuteri looked forward to raising him. “Would you give your life to protect my son?” Loki saw the bond the pair had forged in such a short time. He didn't need her to answer. “You would do whatever necessary to keep him safe; just as you would do anything to please me?” Misuteri looked up at him and nodded. She knew his question wasn't really a question. Everyone else in the room knew, too. Still, she replied, “yes, my king.” Loki was overcome with pride. He turned towards his recalcitrant allies. “Now, I think it is time to leave you with your thoughts. I know some of you must redefine what it means to have loyalty,” he declared. Loki put his hand on Misuteri's shoulder again. With one last dominating glare, they vanished in a burst of green mist. Chapter End Notes I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter. Let me know if you did too! Even though some parts made me kind of depressy. But Loki's one confusing dick at the end, ain't he? ***** The Chair (Plot=Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Loki takes a moment to train Misuteri. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape are never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. Specifics: BDSM culture and rough oral sex. There is a lot of fluff and important information in this chapter. However, the context in which the conversation takes place is far from normal. Then, Loki takes Misuteri again. See the end of the chapter for more notes Misuteri held onto Fenrir tightly as she felt Loki's magic encompass them. She rubbed behind his ear when they reappeared in her little apartment. “Put him down,” the king commanded. Loki pointed towards the bed. Misuteri didn't want to but she didn't want to disobey him even more. The last thing she wanted was for Loki to punish her in front of Fenrir.  “Yes, my king,” she said dutifully. She turned towards the unmade bed and gently lay Fenrir down. He immediately hopped up on his feet and whined. Misuteri put her hand out for him to stay. The three month old pup squeaked an unhappy bark out at her before he flopped back on his behind. Misuteri turned back to Loki with a smile. The exchange only lasted a few seconds but Loki felt as if he waited an eternity for her attention. He looked towards the wall across from Misuteri's bed. She followed his gaze. There was a glimmer of green energy in the air at first. Then, there the outline of a tall, black chair appeared. Misuteri watched in awe as Loki created it. It sat low to the ground with short, ornately carved legs. It had no arms. It was a shiny black color with velvet black padding on the back and on the seat. It was one of the most beautiful, Gothic pieces of furniture Misuteri had ever laid eyes upon. As Loki's magic faded, he moved her closer to it. It was offset from the center of her bed. It lay in line with the right edge of it. In proximity to it, Misuteri eyed the baroque detail more thoroughly. He circled around her, flicked his coat aside and took his watchful seat. He sat back, tall, with his hands resting near his hips. “Kneel,” Loki commanded. Misuteri knew precisely what he wanted and what she had to do. She moved closer to him and knelt down. She was far less concerned with the chair now; her attention was focused solely on Loki. “I am your Lord and Master, now,” he spoke in almost a whisper. “Do you know what that means?” He hunched forward and leaned on his knees. Misuteri averted her eyes for a second and looked back up at him. She knew what it meant to be submissive. She preferred to be a bottom but that was it. She had no idea what it meant to be Loki's submissive. “I don't know what it means to be yours,” she admitted. Misuteri sounded almost ashamed. Loki knew she was no mind reader. He wasn't prejudice against her ignorance. He reveled in it. She was his to mold to his liking. He leaned back and smiled. “Very well. This is your chance to learn,” he flicked his wrist. Misuteri suddenly felt cold and exposed. “I expect you to be naked, whenever you are not in public,” he held out his hand and a leash appeared. He gently pulled it taut.  Misuteri leaned towards him. She noticed her cuffs were reconnected. She felt exceptionally vulnerable. She tried not to show her apprehension. Loki pulled her closer to him. He positioned her square between his feet. He choked up his grip on the leash and drew her face in against his thigh. Loki petted her and brushed the hair out of her face. He bared her shoulder and neck to him. He curled his long fingers round the nape of her neck. He pressed his thumb gently into her shoulder. Misuteri was tense and unsure as he guided her into position. She realized he could feel it as she felt the pressure from his grip. He didn't tighten his grip or become rough. He simply continued firmly pulling her into him. Once she was where he wanted her to be, he must have pressed a pressure point because her eyelids drooped and she weakened against him. She could feel his body heat radiating off of his legs around her. It made her want to curl around them. She was filled with the need to be close to him. It was more than just a physical need. His attention was comforting. She felt his energy wash over her and it was soothing. With each deep, steady breath his calm demeanor flowed from him into her. He wanted her to feel safe. He wanted her to trust him and let him take control. She could feel what he wanted and it made her want to give it to him. Misuteri clung to the frayed edges of her autonomy. It was hard, really hard. Loki made it feel less like giving in to him and more like she was slipping away into a freer state of mind. It wasn't so bad being free with him. Loki could feel her teetering on the fulcrum of total submission. In return, he decided to give her one final push. He sent out a surge of energy. Loki's own concerns were pushed to the fringes of his consciousness as he crept into the deepest parts of his own being. He settled into his own skin more readily than before. As he took Misuteri over, he became more himself. When both Misuteri and Loki settled into their new places, they became bonded. She could feel him, all of him, as if they were one being. The intimacy they shared was what Loki craved. He needed to be close to her light. Her light banished his darkness as much as she coaxed it out. She forced him to be more in control than he had ever been before. It was both infuriating and exhilarating. His Luminary needed her. He needed her to help him or all could be lost. He needed her to want to be his. “I told you I would let you speak to your friend when we returned. You earned it, Misuteri,” he spoke softly to her. He had to stay true to his word. It was important for her to believe he was trustworthy. “However, it would require more deception on my part to fulfill that promise.” He took a deep breath and monitored Misuteri's reactions. She didn't move, yet she clung to his every word. “However, I have a counter offer. I will allow you to speak candidly with me, without fear of reprisal, as often as you like. You may request to do so whenever you feel the need under one condition,” Loki paused to calculate his next move. “You must always be as you are now. You must be calm and submissive. I am your King; your Lord and Master. You must always remember to treat me as such. You may speak honestly but without aversion.” Loki looked through the wall opposite him and off into the distance as he spoke. He didn't need to look at her, he could feel her under his skin. “You must not abuse nor neglect this privilege. If you do, you will lose it. Do you understand?” His eyes dropped to her as he gently stroked her long, blond hair in his lap. Misuteri listened closely. She was pretty sure she liked the opportunity to talk to him without having to think so hard a better trade off than a lie. She was content with idea and smiled softly. Her hand drifted closer to Loki's lower leg. Touching him as he held onto her seemed right. It connected their circuit.  This is so weird...why do I feel this way? Her thoughts were shallow. She couldn't answer her own question. Her ability to think critically vanished with his touch. She was perfectly content to sit beneath Loki, at his feet. She felt so relaxed even though he terrified her. She realized what he meant when he told her not to neglect or abuse such a privilege. She wanted it to be like this all the time. She felt safe in his openness; she trusted him. She didn't need answers. She didn't feel the need to insist on them as she would any other time. She was lost in him and didn't want to venture back. It was safe here. “I asked you a question,” Loki squeezed her shoulder. “Is something the matter, pet?” He pulled Misuteri back. His spells had worked too well, too fast. If she fell too deep, too fast, it would backfire. Too much was riding on the foundation he was building. She had to be an active participant for his plan to succeed. “Yes – I mean no, my king,” Misuteri replied as she emerged from the safety of her dissociation. “I understand. I'm fine,” she recovered quickly. She opened her eyes and looked ahead of her. She saw Fenrir sleeping on her bed. Her anxious, obsessive need to push her boundaries was returning. She tried to keep it under control. In doing so, her compulsive curiosity returned. “Did you really make Fenrir small because he rebelled against you?” she blurted out her question impulsively. Loki's eyes flicked upward towards his son. “Yes,” he replied simply. He could feel how her mood had changed. Her awareness was as wide as his. Her heart was so strong. She had so much potential. “It seems you were not the only one that needed to see that your actions have consequences.” Misuteri didn't miss a beat. She was ready to take full advantage of Loki's forthcoming mood. “Would you really make Jormangundr and Hel young, too? Would you make me responsible for them?” Misuteri had raised plenty of dogs in her time but actual children were completely different. Little did she know, Fenrir would be no walk in the park. “Yes and no,” Loki answered. “I am far too selfish to let them have all of your attention,” Loki looked down at her for a moment. “Your responsibility is to serve me, first and foremost,” Loki's tone was deep and unquestionable. “Though your responsibility to Fenrir is important, it will never take priority over me. Nidhogg and Ratatosk will assist you in rearing him.” “Ratatosk,” the name felt strange on her tongue, “is that the red haired guy?” “Yes.” “So...Nidhogg must have been the one that...” Misuteri's heart seized up in her chest. It sent a sharp pain through her entire chest. The memory of her Altar Room made her heartache terribly. “Nidhogg is not one to be trifled with,” Loki warned her. “Beware, both Nighogg and Ratatosk have been valuable assets and will continue to report directly to me.” “The little guy didn't seem to want to be here,” Misuteri commented. She tried not to let his foreboding warning discourage her. “Do not underestimate him because of his small stature. He is a talented spy. I trained him myself,” Loki educated Misuteri as he groomed her. She would need to know his Court well. A quiet moment passed and Misuteri simply drifted through her thoughts. Bits and pieces started to come back to her consciousness. Misuteri's eyes went wide. She could see the pictures of Jouten on the table again. Her heart lurched forward. It knocked hard against her chest. She almost pulled out of Loki's grip. “Jouten...” she said his name softly. He tightened his hand in her hair. It was a warning. “You know he has a long and complicated past. She is part of it,” Loki closed his eyes. He let his senses heighten and his magic fill the room. He was ready to counter her. “He's not that person anymore," she snapped. She was close to barking. "It doesn't matter. Whoever Baldur was, he doesn't exist anymore. So she can get over it. He's mine.” She was instantaneously transformed into her wolf-girl form. Her ears perked forward and her tail was pressed firmly against her back. The topic was clearly too personal for Misuteri. She could no longer be objective and gather information. Her emotions ran wild and her power crashed against him. Loki's eyes widened as he watched Misuteri's emotions overpower the enchantment on her bonds. She shouldn't have been able to do such a thing. They were supposed to trap her magic inside of her; keep her from being able to use it. He experienced a mixture of pride and apprehension at her display. She was strong but he would tame her. There was nothing Jouten could do that he could not. Fenrir had been in a dead sleep but as the atmosphere in the room changed, he hopped up on all fours. He gazed over the edge of the comforter at her. He was both curious and cautious. He watched his father's eyes glow red. At the sight of him, he hid beneath the blankets once more. Fenrir didn't understand what was happening. All he knew was that Loki frightened him. The new, familiar smell of Misuteri's wolf form was far less appealing as Loki's darkness spilled into the room. “Enough, Misuteri,” he commanded. Loki became flush with his own power. His dark energy poured over her and dampened her fire. His thick green mist was the direct opposite to Misuteri's pink smoke. “That is enough. Calm down,” he repeated his command. Misuteri's hair stood on end. She was conflicted. Glad's words echoed in her head as she heard Loki's commands. It didn't matter. She wasn't overcome with love for her husband or the need to survive. Her rational had left her. All of her feelings had been unlocked. A floodgate of anger and pride had refueled her strength of will. She knew could snap the chains that bound her. She could hurt Loki. She could grab Fenrir and dart out the window before he could stop her. But she knew she was on the edge of losing control. The only way she could be capable of such a thing is to let Ayamaru out again and Ayamaru was a reckless coward. She wouldn't safe Fenrir or Misuteri. Without Jouten, Misuteri would be left with no compass to guide her primal self. She would have no direction and once she was out of energy, she would be completely helpless. If she didn't stop herself, both she and Fenrir might get hurt; and she would be no closer to escaping Loki. She couldn't let that happen. Loki felt her resistance and confusion. He could feel her fighting herself. She didn't need him to conquer her; she needed his help to calm herself. She wasn't trying to disobey him; she genuinely couldn't stop herself. He understood then and stopped trying to dominate her. “Shh,” he coddled her. His darkness dissipated and the room filled with a light, harmless magic. “Hel poses no threat to your marriage,” Loki was telling the truth. As far as he was concerned, she wasn't married; there was no marriage to be threatened. “She will never have the man you fell in love with," he added. Still, he was being honest. Baldur and Jouten were not the same person. He gently stroked her hair and let her feel him breathing deeply. She shivered beneath his touch. Slowly, she started to follow his lead. Loki's magic regained control of hers. She reverted to her human state. She felt weak and cold beneath him. “I'm sorry...” Misuteri whispered fearing his wrath. Her waterlines started to fill with tears and her vision blurred. She rubbed her eyes and choked back a sob. "I'm sorry..." she repeated when he didn't say anything. She started to bawl. “Why me?” Her question escaped her lips in an agonizing fit of self-pity. Why do you keep doing this to me...? I can't it....I just can't... "You are mine. That is why," he replied as if his words held he answers to all of her questions. He continued to pet her until she slowly calmed down. Her tears stopped and her quivering became less intense. She was almost reverted back to her original state of submissiveness. Unfortunately, Loki could not let her outburst go unpunished. “You must take responsibility for your actions,” he said. He seemed to referenced both her most recent actions, as well as, something she had done in the past. Loki let go of the nape of her neck. He expected her to turn and look at him. When she did not he commanded her to. “Look at me.” Misuteri sniffed the air hard and wiped her cheeks. She leaned away from the chair and turned to him. “I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...” Misuteri whimpered. She could hardly hold his gaze. He hadn't been as rough as she expected but she still feared him. Every bone in her body feared him. “You have behaved both very well and very poorly,” he announced. Loki sat with his back flat against the high back of the chair. “How you behave next will determine the severity of your punishment or the generosity of your reward.” Loki leaned forward. “It has been a very long day. I want you, Misuteri. Will I have to fight you for it or will you give yourself to me?” He made the right answer to the question very obvious. Misuteri held her hands to her chest and her knees were pressed firmly together. It took her a second to register what he was saying. He wasn't asking permission. He was telling her what he was going to do and giving her a choice. His question felt like a subtle form of torture. It doesn't matter what I do. He'll rape me if I don't...If I don't let him. I should just let him... She looked away with shame. With a slight nod, she answered him, “I won't fight you...” Loki relaxed his brow and grinned. “And why not?” He delighted in her dismay. Because it doesn't matter what I say... His taunts were taking their toll. She didn't have enough energy to control herself. She was a raw nerve and it was like he enjoyed watching her struggle to do what was best for her. Misuteri felt willfulness return with a vengeance. She bit back her initial recalcitrant reply. She lowered her gaze and spoke lowly, “because you're my king.” Her words were pointed and curt. She said what she was supposed to, not what she wanted. It was clear that her sadness and submissiveness had faded. Loki stood up. He watched her as she cowered beneath him despite how she burned with humiliation. She kept her face pointed at the ground; her eyes went wide as she heard the tell-tale sounds of a man unsheathing his member. Her expression didn't change as he sat back down before her. “Then service your king, pet,” he ordered smoothly. He shot her a charming smile before grabbing a fistful of her hair. He didn't have to use much force as he pulled her nearer to him. Her nose was pressed firmly against his shaft. The scent of meaty flesh left her wolf snarling with malice. She held it back. She gritted her teeth. She didn't want to risk making her situation worse; but at the same time, she couldn't be an active participant in her degradation. She tried to maintain control of herself but Loki knew how to push her buttons. It was like he wanted her to fight him. She took in a sharp inhale. The scent of him and leather washed over her and she clenched her jaw tighter. “What are you waiting for, slave? You were given an order." Loki tightened his grip on her hair. Misuteri reflexively cried out in pain. Loki hooked his thumb into her mouth and around the bottom row of her teeth. He pulled her higher over his lap. He pinched his knees against her ribs. He listened closely to her distorted, startled whimpers. None of them seemed to be in protest. She closed her eyes and relaxed her jaw. I don't want to. Please, don't make me do this. Her pleas never left her lips. They couldn't. His hold on her was too tight. A short moment passed before Misuteri had the courage to look Loki in the eye. She slowly reached up and gently pulled his hand away from her face. Simultaneously, she leaned forward and Loki's grip loosened in her hair. She let out a small sigh of relief before taking his full girth in her hand. Loki petted the hair out of her face as she tenderly licked the thick head of him. She could and would be an active participant. Loki demanded it. He wanted everything she had to give and he would have it. He flexed in her soft grip as the cool air of the room mixed with the warmth of her breath on him. She took in a deep breath and slowly slid him into her mouth. Her small mouth stretched to accommodate his width. Still, she was confident that she could handle the god's length. She swirled her tongue around him. She let her lips collapse on him and sucked hard on his swollen head. Then, she leaned in to take more of him in. She continued to inhale him, tightening her lips around him, as her nose drew nearer to his stomach. She quickly realized she had met her match. Loki had nearly filled her with only half his length. It was as if he had grown twice the size since she started. She did the only thing she could do while breathing. She halted her advance and tantalized him with her lingual dexterity. Shit. What do I do now? She pulled away from him and licked from hilt to tip. She made his full length slick and wet before wrapping her lips around him again. She bobbed her head and pulled tightly around him. She stroked him gently. As she pulled away from him, she moved her hand in opposition towards his hips. She moaned softly. She varied her speed and intensity but Loki just sat back, watching her as if he were detached from his body. She was filled with dismay. He was nowhere near as receptive as she was used to. She knew what he wanted – what he needed but she couldn't do it.  Deep throating was never her forte but she had a feeling he would use himself to choke her just for fun. She was right. If I don't at least try...he'll do it for me. Misuteri attempted to make a good faith effort. She breathed in deeply and drove down on him as far as she could. She stopped and held him in place when he was pressed firmly against her esophagus. She tried to stroke him with her tongue but it just made her mouth too small. She could feel the back of her throat pulsating against him. She felt him flex and her eyes shot upward. She could only see the detailed stitching of his green and black leather tunic. She hoped it was enough to impress him. Almost a minute had passed and she needed to breathe. She started to panic. Her throat was seizing and she was starting to black out. She held the edge of the chair between his legs and began to lift herself up. “No, not yet,” Loki growled. She was barely able to inhale half a breath before Loki pressed her back down on him. He held her harder and pressed deeper than she had been voluntarily. Her fear was coming to life. She choked and she felt bile rise up from her stomach. She made her shoulders go limp. She knew it would be worse if she resisted. She squeezed her eyes shut tight while she tried to endure his forcefulness gracefully. Loki enjoyed making her give in to him. He liked to watch her struggle and submit to him. He knew she was suffocating on him and yet, she did not bite him nor did she rebel. He was a little disappointed. A part of him wanted to make her suffer more. The pleasure he felt now was nothing in comparison to the pleasure he had planned for the both of them. Several seconds later, he got his wish. Misuteri's entire body convulsed and face started to turn pale. She tried to stay still. She really did but she couldn't take it. He released his hold on her. Misuteri shot back as if she had been thrown. She was coughing and holding her throat. Loki waited patiently for her to recover. “I'm sorry,” her voice cracked as she tried to avoid being punished. She coughed again. She was mostly choking on her own spit now. She curled her legs in towards her chest. Loki smiled. She was apologizing even though she had done nothing wrong. His hold on her was strengthening. He stood up with the posture befitting royalty and took a step forward. His pants had been fastened but his arousal pressed firmly against his inseam. “Would you like me to take you now?” He stood over her defeated form. Misuteri nodded. “Yes, my king,” her voice was hoarse and her throat was sore. It was a calculated choice. Her hips and thighs were still sore and tender from the night before but her throat was far less resilient than the tissue between her legs. She knew it didn't really matter what she said, he was going to have his way with her but if she could save herself some suffering, she had to try. Chapter End Notes I hope you liked this chapter! There's more to come in the next one! Enjoy! ***** His Need (Smut) ***** Chapter Summary Misuteri becomes a victim to Loki's inner conflict. As he tries to be both disciplined and assertive, Misuteri piques his primal interest and pays the price. Chapter Notes Warning: The naughty bit in this chapter is non-consensual. I do not condone nor promote this deplorable behavior. This is fiction. It was written as a form of entertainment and catharsis. Molestation and rape are never okay. And remember, when participating in D/S or any kink, it is important to keep things safe, sane and consensual. This used to be mostly a pure, unglorified rape scene. Loki is extremely domineering and sadistic even though Misuteri submits to him. However...there is a reason for it now. I've finally been able to put it into words. The subtle changes in Loki's behavior are important for plot. (How dare I do that?!) See the end of the chapter for more notes Loki dropped down on all fours over her. He had shed his shirt and flexed his powerful chest. He rolled his shoulders like a panther and smiled deviously as he lowered himself upon her. He pressed his lips roughly against hers. Misuteri held her arms up as he collapsed over her. Her hands planted firmly against his impossibly hard chest. Her eyes went wide as he kissed her. He grabbed her jaw and forced her mouth open. She shuddered as his tongue brushed against hers. He let the weight of his hips fall between her legs. He pulled her hands away from his chest and stretched them above her head. He held them in one hand and trailed the other down her chest. He groped at her bountiful bust. His smile grew as she took in a sharp inhale and turned her head away. The marks on her neck were still dark yellow. Her skin had healed but the tissue beneath was still too sensitive for her liking. Loki dipped down and let his breath run over her skin. Misuteri squeezed her eyes tight and clenched her jaw. He could feel her body reacting to him despite her fear; it responded all too well to his brand of terror. “You are perfect,” Loki whispered sweetly to her as he lay light kisses along her neck. “So...” he lifted his hips off of her. “Very...” he glided his hand over the sore crease of her inner thigh. “Perfect...” he cupped her outer folds and gently slid his finger inside of her. Misuteri had been holding her breath. She let out a gasp of surprise. I think I hate him more when he's nice... Her thoughts and feelings swirled and mixed together until she couldn't tell the good from the bad. Loki held her against the rough carpet. His weight kept her grounded as he set her body free from the tension. She breathed heavily as he coaxed her inner walls to relax. It was working. She was panting. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Loki slipped another finger inside of her. She gasped again and pressed her breasts against him. She resisted the urge to rock her hips against his hand as her desire flowed over her. With every second, every stroke, Misuteri lost more of herself. “Good girl,” Loki pulled back his slick fingers with a victorious grin. “Are you ready?” He wasn't asking to be polite. Misuteri lay with her head to the side. She nodded. “Yes, my king,” Misuteri replied in an unhappy stutter. She was far from the enthusiastic submissive Loki wanted. She had accepted her fate, yet, she did not submit to it. Her breathing was slowly returning to normal. Her thoughts were becoming clearer. A flood of sadness washed over her. She sniffed harshly through almost runny nose. She stared under the bed, at the wall on the other side of the room. She wanted to be anywhere but there, with him. She made the conscious decision to disassociate. Her vision blurred and she ventured closer to numbness. Loki narrowed his eyes at her. He saw the way her eyes went dark and her gaze became hollow. She was drifting away. She was running away from him. He felt a fire rage within him. He distanced himself from it. He would not let his emotions control him. He cast his trousers aside and took aim at her. He pressed hard at her slick entrance. As he thrust inside her, he watched her reaction. He tilted his head to the side and watched her with a sadistic sort of curiosity. Her face pinched in the mildest expression of discomfort. Loki drove himself as deeply as he could and a sharp gasp escaped her lips. Misuteri couldn't escape as far as she was used to. Loki's cuffs kept her firmly locked within herself. She couldn't astral project and run away for real. She could feel even his slightest movement. He kept himself buried deep inside of her. He rocked her hips upward and stayed hunched over her. He seemed intent on slamming against her cervix. She wasn't entirely wrong; but it was the look on her face rather than the action itself that he really enjoyed. She was so quiet as he crashed his hips against hers. Unless he thrust as hard as he could, the act elicited almost no response from her. It was incredibly dissatisfying. He wondered if this was what she was used to; he found her ability to be so distant fascinating. That is, if fascinating meant infuriating. He adjusted his knees and pushed one arm beneath her. He snatched a handful of her hair and made her back bow towards him. She cried out. It was almost a scream. The sound of her surprise made his desire for her grow. Her dissociation was making him go mad. It made him want more than to simply dominate her. It made him want to hurt her. Her hardened heart made him want to break her. His eyes glowed red and he grinned with his sadistic intent. Loki summoned a pair of butterfly clamps. Misuteri didn't notice the green shimmer above her head. He drove himself into her to the hilt and stayed there. With expert accuracy, he caught the hardened tip of her breast between the rubber ends of the clamp. Misuteri screamed as the a sharp, hot pain shot up her chest. He had successfully pulled her back. She both stiffened and flailed beneath him. He pulled her hair tighter until she stay still and snapped the other end down on her other sensitive, pink nipple. Misuteri's second scream got caught in her throat as she twitched in pain. She whimpered as Loki adjusted again. He balanced himself on his knuckles beneath her and pulled the chain connecting the clamps over her shoulder as he rested his hand on the ground. He lowered his lips close to her ear. “Never run from me,” he whispered harshly as he pumped his hips into her. “You will never escape your fate,” Loki's voice was dark and emotionless. He didn't sound angry or insulted, though he was. “Forget about the life you had before. You are mine, and you will serve me for the rest of your days. I am your Master. You exist purely to be ruled.” Misuteri was in tears as he lectured her. Is he right? Is there no hope? “I'm sorry...” she whimpered. “I didn't mean to...” she lied to him without thinking. Loki scoffed. He loosened his grip in her hair. He pulled back his hand and she collapsed against the carpet. He held her hands above her head again. He made a fist around the chain connecting the clamps. “I watched you. It was no accident. You dare to lie to your king?” He pulled the chain taut. “No!” She shouted. “No, no, no...” she whimpered and shook beneath him. She arched her back towards him. “Please...I'm sorry...please, believe me,” she tried to pull her hands free. She pressed her cheek against the carpet in submission. She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye desperately trying to display her sincerity. “I want you. I want to be here with you,” she pleaded with him to believe her. Her eyes darted back and forth between his face and the wall on the other side of the room. What she said was true. His omniscience made her want to let him take control. Loki believed her. He could feel her body grow hot. She was melting under his gaze. She was becoming something soft and small he could easily manipulate. He let the chain go slack and he relax his grip on her wrists. He smiled as Misuteri's body collapsed beneath him. He watched her breasts heave in the air as she took deep, unsteady breaths. He lowered himself over her. “Would you like me to remove these?” He gently held one of the clamps in his hand. Misuteri nodded. “Yes, please, my king.”  It was either now or later; now was the lesser evil. She knew taking it off would hurt worse than him pulling on it. She had a nervous yelp waiting in her throat. “I will do so under one condition. You must not make a sound,” he rolled his hips between her legs. She was tight and hot with anticipation. Misuteri nodded again. Loki grinned ear to ear. His perfect, white teeth seemed to glow in the low evening light. His eyes focused sharply on her. She was holding her breath. As he pinched the device on her, he watched how her lips pulled back over her teeth in a silent scream. She caught several high pitched, reflexive noises in her throat. She twitched and breathed heavily. She swallowed to coat her dry throat. Loki dipped down and pumped his hips inside her again. He engulfed the sore, throbbing nipple in his mouth. He lapped it, feeling the deep grooves left by the clamp. The warmth of his mouth was soothing. Misuteri was afraid he would pinch it between his teeth but he didn't. He coaxed it to regain its shape. When it did, he pulled away. “There, there,” he cooed. He gently rubbed his thumb over it. “That is better,” he whispered. “Yes, thank you, Master.” It was hard for Misuteri to force the words out. She was grateful but she didn't know what he would do next. His unpredictable behavior made her feel nervous and insecure. Loki promptly directed his attention to the other breast. He held it roughly from underneath in one hand. He was pleased by the abundance of flesh in his grip. Misuteri took a sharp inhale through her nose and braced herself. Loki grabbed the chain as it rolled down her ribs. He did not pinch the second clamp. He lightly tugged the chain in his hand. He watched Misuteri's face contort into that familiar wide-eyed, pained expression but as he continued to pull, he watched her jaw clench and her eyes squeeze shut. As the clamp pinched tighter around the stiff, reddened bud of her breast, he grew harder. He paused for a second and felt a new flood of arousal flow over him. Her skin was so hot. She was so receptive. She was here with him now. She was his. He jerked the device off in one quick motion. He had to resist kissing her and using her to satisfy his own needs. He wanted to savor every second with her. Misuteri arched her back as he pulled and then fell back down against the scratchy fabric of the carpet. She whimpered and breathed heavily. She pulled her arms down towards her torso. Tears escaped the corners of her eyes as she comforted herself. She would have curled into a ball if he had let her. It hurt so badly. I didn't make a sound. Maybe it's over. Maybe now he'll just finish and leave. She rubbed her face and tried to regain her composure. She caught a glance of Loki's face. He liked seeing her like this. She could feel him inside of her, growing and stiffening. She felt so small and weak beneath him. “Y-you're going to break me...aren't you?” Her thoughts escaped her lips before she could filter them. Loki's eyes went wide with surprise. His irises reverted to green. She was so perceptive, even now. She was so intelligent. She could prove to be his favorite if she continued. The sound of her voice made him want to care for her. The way she quivered beneath him made him want to caress her. If he wasn't careful, he could become enamored with his new pet. He lowered himself over her and kissed her passionately. He was as gentle as he could be with her. He was struggling to control his primal desires. He pulled back and cupped her face in one hand. He wiped her tears away. “Yes, someday soon, you will be fully mine,” he smiled and kissed her again. “I am your rightful owner. Every part of you already belongs to me,” he asserted. Loki rolled his hips into her slowly as he spoke. “It matters not if you fight me or surrender to me.” He pumped his hips faster. His voice deepened an octave as his Shadow attempted to regained control. “I will shatter your entire being.” He came to almost a full stop. He turned her to face him. “And when you do, I will pick up all of the pieces and put you back together,” he kissed her. He felt her hands slide up his chest and caress his face. “And you will be mine.” Misuteri let the momentum of his passion rock her arms above her head again. She looked up at him in awe. She followed the angular curves of his nose and cheek bones. Her eyes lingered on his lips. His long black hair set the perfect back drop to his pale skin. Even as stray strands fell in his face and obscured her vision, she could still see a king. Maybe he is a man worth serving - respecting – loving. Her thoughts followed the rhythm of Loki's pace. He ruled her internal world as much as her external being. Her gaze softened as she watched him. He was too beautiful. She didn't feel worthy. She felt shy and insignificant in his wake. Even if he did insist on ruling her, she didn't deserve it. She had a feeling living in Loki's service would eventually mean more than sex and power displays. She would aid him in Ragnarok and he would probably win. If she let him break her, she didn't deserve to be put back together. She deserved to wander lost and broken. Misuteri wasn't wrong in her assumptions. She knew herself well. Certain patterns didn't change. She still believed she had a choice. She still believed that it would be her decision when she broke; just like it was the last time. She feared losing control over her Shadow more than living under Loki. If she had to choose between Ayamaru and Loki, she would always choose the latter. She had to. It was the only way she could hope she would return. It was the only way she could think of to make sure Misuteri always returned. It was the only way she would be able to save herself...eventually. Loki watched as her facial expressions changed from wonder to sheepish. He could feel her apprehension as her body tensed. It was as if he could read her mind. Her bashfulness made him want to be tender. He turned her head towards him again. He petted her hair and smiled down at her. He attempted to comfort her. He softened his gaze and slowly filled her. A knot formed in the pit of Loki's stomach as he looked down at her weak and timid form. It was too soon. He couldn't afford weakness. He was about to make a terrible mistake. He had to stop himself. He let go of Misuteri's face. He closed his eyes tightly. He paused his assault on her and a low growl escaped his lips. He let go. He let his control over his primal, sadistic desires. He let his Shadow free. She was there for one thing and one thing only. She needed to know that. He needed to remember that. Misuteri narrowed her eyes as she tried to ascertain just what was wrong because she was suddenly very aware that something wasn't right. She was behaving. He shouldn't be rough with her. She was saving herself pain and embarrassment by complying. That was the only reason she obeyed. For some reason it was still hard for him to look at her helplessness. He had taught it to her. She was doing exactly what he wanted. Her submissiveness curved his dark cravings; but this wasn't a punishment. He was training her. He needed to make sure she had no expectations of him. He had to just do it; it had to be done. “Turn over,” Loki growled as he withdrew from her. She wasn't moving fast enough. She couldn't will herself to do it. His eyes turned a deep scarlet and his lip turned up in a snarl before he grabbed Misuteri's shoulder and pushed her over. Misuteri moved with him. Her muscles were stiff. She moved as quickly as she could. Her skin was suddenly coated in the evidence of her fear. When she lay on her stomach, Loki dragged his fingernails down her spine. He held her knees together with his as he took aim at her entrance again. He thrust his hips forward as hard as he could. His size made Misuteri choke on her own spit in surprise. It hurt her already sore throat. He felt so much bigger than before. She gritted her teeth and hugged her arms beneath her. Loki eventually knocked her knees apart and pressed her firmly against the carpet. He thrust his hips down on her as hard as he could. She cried out loudly. She tensed and squirmed beneath him. He snatched her hair and held her face to the floor as he grind against her. It wasn't enough. He wanted more. He craved it. He grunted as he pulled back his full length and slammed against her. A hard clap echoed through the room as Loki's pelvis came down on the round flesh of her rear. His passion renewed and he increased his speed. It was as if he used himself as a weapon against her. He was full of malice and anger. She was the vessel in which he cast those feelings away the only way his Shadow knew how. Misuteri grunted in discomfort. The rough leather of the cuffs dug into her chest and the carpet rubbed her damp cheek raw. Her entire upper body was tense as she braced for his powerful thrusts. She tried to keep her hips relaxed. This is what I wanted. I wanted him to hurry up. I wanted him to finish and leave. She clung to her fragile ability to reason. It was the only other thing she could do besides dissociate. She didn't want to risk him catching her trying to distance herself from him. Not again, not when he was like this; it wasn't worth it. So, she endured his assault. She looked at the wall in front of her. She blinked when the tears blurred her vision. She turned her lips in around her teeth as she winced in pain. She clung to the shreds of hope she still had. The hope he wouldn't always be this way was the only thing she had. Loki was focused on one singular objective. It no longer mattered if she was there or not. He thrust as deep and as hard as he could. He refused to be gentle. He used her body to bring himself to completion. He growled and clenched his jaw as he felt the first wave of pleasure wash over him. He roared a loud groan over Misuteri as he rolled his hips forward. He knew in his momentary trough of ecstasy that another crest was coming. He could feel it building in his chest and between his legs. Then, his scrotum convulsed and he threw himself deeper into her. He was firmly locked between her legs as his seed burst forth. It filled her and surrounded him. He tightened his jaw and his throat as guttural moans escaped him. He let go of her hair and collapsed onto one elbow. He kept his other arm stretched out over her to keep himself from falling on her. His legs were numb and he was short of breath. He flexed the arches of his large feet as they twitched. His vocal cords vibrated in low growls as the aftershock of his orgasm sent electrical twinges through his limbs. He finally looked down at Misuteri. She had pulled her knee up towards her chest and curled around it. She tucked her chin against her collarbone. She held her hand over her face. Her eyes were shut tight. His face softened in an expression of sadness. He smoothed his long fingers through the loose strands of her hair. He felt better. He felt so much better but he had to be hard. She must fear him. She must know she has no control. Loki swallowed and lifted off of her. He watched as Misuteri pulled both her legs up to her chest. She didn't look up at him. She cowered and whimpered at his feet. Loki scoffed.  “If only your comrades could see you now,” the disgust in his voice was clear. He watched as his words tore at the emotional and psychological wounds he had already caused. They had to be deeper. The pain had to be greater. The more pain she endured the more powerful he was. “You deserve this. How dare you presume you were ever more than what you are now.” This is so much worse. It's worse when he stops. Why is it worse? She buried her face deeper and farther away from him. She was a quivering mess. She barely seemed human. He knew she was terrified. That was good. It was good for them both. He erected his posture and clothed himself. He wanted to pick her up and carry her to bed, his bed, and hold her. A part of him wanted to apologize and erase the fact he had even done such a thing; but he couldn't. He could already feel her affect on him. He simply had to stay true to his word and everything would fall into place. “Misuteri,” he called to her authoritatively. She instinctively turned, the way someone turns when someone else says their name. “Go to bed,” he pointed. Misuteri couldn't move. She didn't have feeling in her limbs. He had taken them from her. Yet, somehow, she willed herself to her hands and knees. She lifted herself onto her feet. She wiped her cheeks and pushed her hair out of her face. Her vision cleared. When she was able to actually look ahead of her and saw Fenrir's nose sticking out from under the comforter. She smiled fondly. Suddenly it was easier to move. I forgot he was here. He must've gotten scared and hid under there. Misuteri slid into bed, careful not to displace Fenrir. She pulled up the blanket and rested her head against the pillow. Her body twitched involuntarily as her muscles started to relax. This was what she needed. She needed the softness of the sheets and the warmth of Fenrir. She wondered if he knew. She wondered if he was being kind. “I will return for you in the morning,” his voice was harsh and distant. Misuteri still hadn't stopped smiling at the thought and sight of Fenrir. She reached down and gently stroked his soft fur. She nodded with a small smile but then she looked up at him. His tall, dark form stood over her. She swallowed nervously and replied, “yes, my king.” Her voice was low and submissive. Loki flicked his wrist and the heavy shades drew to a close. The room darkened and sleep crept over her. He turned from her and his form dissolved from her vision. The second he was gone, Fenrir roused from his hiding spot. He nudged the blanket out of his way as he made a cave of the blankets. He moved clumsily with his big paws and short legs. He quickly made it up to Misuteri's face. She petted him and kept his tiny, sharp nails from scratching her sensitive skin. “Shh, it's okay. He's gone but it's time to sleep,” she said as she pressed him down against the mattress. She needed him to sleep. She almost couldn't face him in the darkness. She was too embarrassed and weak to endure Fenrir's need for her attention. She felt disgusting and worthless. She didn't want to take it out on Fenrir. She didn't want to yell or scream at him for just being a puppy but she might. Even though he didn't do anything wrong; he didn't deserve it. Loki was gone and she really needed to put herself first. The young wolf settled down as she caressed him against her. He got the hint. He was happy enough just with her near and his father gone. His thick, golden collar was warm and smooth as he dropped his head on her upper arm. It was only a matter of seconds before he was asleep. Misuteri followed closely behind him. Chapter End Notes I'm really unsure about this chapter. I tried to make it all about Loki but in the end, I kinda just feel terrible for Misuteri. And Loki, too? Maybe that's because Loki feels bad? Maybe she should've fought more or harder? I don't know. Maybe. But he does make it pretty clear not to...and she's not supposed to like it. :/ 4-22-15: I think I finally figured out why I was always so confused about this chapter. It's really flip-floppy and I could never make Loki be soft or rough when I wanted him to. And it's all Misuteri's fault. Why? Because it's one of her powers. She is both a Shadow- Eater and a Luminary-Sympathizer. Usually people only have one of those powers, eliciting one response from a foe. But because Misuteri is subconsciously doing both at the same time, she's pulling on Loki's spiritual strings, which knocks him off balance and makes it harder for him to control himself. The fact that it seems like *I* can't make up my mind, ultimately illustrates Misuteri's affect on Loki. Like always, I let me know what you think! I'd really appreciate it. ***** The Crew (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Jormangundr and Hel have an interesting conversation about Baldur. Then Jormangundr spies on Loki's approaching enemies. Jouten is falling deeper and deeper into despair. Nero finds something that could lead them to Misuteri. Chapter Notes See the end of the chapter for notes Jormangundr and Hel stood side by side in Hel's great hall. The room was dark and dank. Water trickled down the jagged rocks surrounding them. It smelled like a bog full of rotting corpses. Hel didn't seem to notice the thick scent of death in the air. It overwhelmed Jormangundr's sensitive nose. The moisture in the air stole what little warmth Jormangundr could muster. The serpent woman curled her arms towards her chest to trap her body heat in. She would have dressed a bit more modestly if she had known Hel would insist on bringing her here. She stared at her sister's childish form with resentment. Hel's eyes were firmly fixed on a throne carved out of sharp rocks in the distance. She frowned. Her kingdom looked so dreadful without her beloved. Hel quickly dismissed the thought. She was a queen and it was her job to lead. She started to walk towards it as if her sister wasn't there. Jormangundr had only been in Helheim once before, before Baldur was killed, after a nearly fatal encounter with Thor. She had learned her lesson then. That's when she stopped having a taste for red meat. For a second, she could feel the horn of the bull's head hooked in her cheek. She shook her head and refocused on the matter at hand. “Why did you bring me here? I hate it here,” Jormangundr hissed. Hel ignored her and kept marching forward. She cut in front of her sister to get her attention. “You wouldn't hate it, if Baldur were here," she paused and looked forward again. She remembered how her throne room used to emanate light. She found herself longing for its scent of flowers and fresh water. "He gave this place life," she whispered nostalgically. Guilt and a sense of inferiority flooded her system. She couldn't take care of her subjects without Baldur. She was ashamed of needing him. "Even in a hopeless place like this...his light never dulled.” Hel looked up at Jormangundr. “I know you and Loki think I am nothing more than a selfish child but you're wrong,” Hel tried not to let her resentment overwhelm her. She held her hands out and gestured to her surroundings. “I have an entire kingdom to think about! You think I'm miserable without Baldur? What of the millions of souls that reside here? Without Baldur, they lose all hope,” her voice squeaked with emotion. The source of the sadness and frustration in her voice was becoming clearer to Jormangundr. Hel really was capable of thinking of someone besides herself. She started to believe the Queen of the Draugar. She was willing to sympathize with Hel's plight but she couldn't come out and say it. Hel was very much like Loki. She would try to manipulate her if she showed any sign of weakness. So, she carefully calculated her reply. She settled on following Loki's 'less is more' example. “I'm sorry,” she apologized sincerely and frowned. She felt better knowing she at least tried to convey her feelings. As a result, her heart warmed and the cold didn't bother her as much. “None of you seemed to need me then. You tucked your tail between your legs and hid like a coward. Then, Fenrir and Loki got themselves locked up. I was stuck here, alone..." she hissed. It was the only way she could hide her sadness. She built up walls of frustration and anger to keep her sister at arm's length. She turned away from Jormangundr. "Baldur was the only one that cared enough to want to stay..." Jormangundr loved her sister but her insults blinded her. She stopped listening half way through. “All I knew was that it was father's fault Baldur died. And I knew you liked him." She huffed in frustration. "Father always did like you best,” Jormangundr spoke under her breath. Her sister was ungrateful. Where she and Fenrir had to beg, scratch and plead, Hel was handed everything. She ruled a kingdom. She had an entire realm named after her! She was stuck at the bottom of an ocean with nothing. “What were we supposed to think?” she snapped her rhetorical question. “Yes! There it is!” Jormangundr's comment made Hel clench her jaw. Hel marched away from her sister until she finally spun on her heel. She threw her hands up and then pointed at herself. She readied herself to show Jormangundr just why she shouldn't make assumptions. “Yes, exactly, because I had a childhood crush on Baldur, Loki killed him for me." The absurdity in her voice was palpable. "He loved me so much, he taught me all his tricks,” she scoffed. She was almost dumbfounded by her sister's blissful ignorance. She intended to illustrate the burden she shouldered as queen. Jormangundr crossed her arms and glared down at her. Hel held her gaze without flinching. They battled more than wills. They fought for what they thought was right and true. Unfortunately for them, they had no idea what the whole truth was. They were both caught in the web of lies Loki had spun their entire lives. They learned what a lie was before they could understand the power of the truth. Now, they both were so tangled up in their own deception, they had forgotten how to be honest. They wouldn't believe a word the other one said unless it was what they wanted to hear. Yet, still, they desperately cried out for help. “He taught me nothing," she asserted hatefully. "With the exception of the fact that people would hate me if I showed my true self." Hel's self-loathing was clearly a facade to hide her growing insecurity. She didn't pause to ponder that fact, though. "Yes, he taught me how to lie and manipulate, but not out of fatherly love, oh no," she sang. "If that were true, he would have to be capable of love." Hel's disdain for Loki was finally bubbling to the surface as she vented to Jormangundr. "I learned by following his example. It's your own if you can't do what we do,” Hel snapped at Jormangundr. Hel's condescending tone was somehow worse than Loki's. Hel had no patience for her older sister and treated her with nothing more than disrespect. Jormangundr had let her sister get away with it all this time because she thought she had Loki in her pocket. She knew better now and she refused to stand for it any longer. “How dare you say that! You've had how long to practice down here with no one to hurt if something went wrong?" It felt good to give Hel a taste of her own medicine but magic was a sensitive topic for the reptilian female. She may have been coldblooded but her heart still ached for those she hurt in her youth. "Do you think I wanted Thor to hate me for killing his precious Midgardians? They were innocent. I don't blame him for wanting to kill me..." Hel scoffed again. “Are you telling me that your violent tantrums were you trying to practice magic?” She cackled. “And you actually feel bad about killing a few humans?” Hel couldn't help but laugh at the thought. Humans were nothing more than insects to her. She had no sympathy or compassion for the species and refused to believe her sister could feel any differently. They had turned the both into villains and refused to tell their side of the story. All the Aesir didn't care about their side of the story. She turned to Jormangundr with a smug, dismissive smile. Instantly, she saw the serpent's distress and her sadness. Hel's face twisted in surprise and confusion. “Wait...you're serious, aren't you?” “I've seen them...that girl's - Misuteri's - friends...and Baldur. They're people, just like us. They don't deserve to be swallowed up like plankton in our wake,” Jormangundr justified her feelings to her sister even though she assumed she could never understand. Hel was surrounded by death. It had hardened her heart. She was detached and unwilling to let herself feel anything remotely human. The only compassion Hel had left was focused narrowly on Baldur and Helhiem. Jormangundr couldn't fault her sister for that; Hel was doing her best to be a good queen. She didn't have the luxury of taking the time to appreciate the enchanting subtleties in human nature. Hel understood death the way Jormangundr had grown to understand life. She knew how to unlock its secrets and use its power to her advantage. They stood on opposite sides of the issue. Seeing a mortal tap into her limitless potential and still retain her most human traits had to be painful. It had to be the reason Baldur was drawn to her in the first place. Jormangundr knew that's why her queen sister disliked Misuteri so much. “They are weak," she growled with disgust. "Please, sister, do not tell me your sympathy for the entire species rests on the merits of a few.” Hel's tone expressed her amusement at the idea but she was completely serious. Her hate may have had an emotional motive, but she approached the subject from a rational point, too. In all the creatures she had collected and examined, humans were the most fragile in body and spirit. “You can't see it, can you?" Jormangundr's eyes went wide with disbelief. "They have the potential to become so much more than just human. It's there, in their eyes. I see it in the lion-hawk that soars the skies above; I see it in the ursine beast that destroys forests; I see it in the dark haired boy when he looks at his companions; and I see it most of all in Baldur,” she asserted. Jormangundr grabbed her sister by the shoulders. “I bet, if you let them try...if you inspired them, the way Baldur did...that the humans here could bring the light back to Helheim,” Jormangundr's brow pinched in the middle as she pleaded with Hel to understand. Hel was captivated by her sister's passion. It was invigorating. For a moment, it felt as if Baldur had returned. She almost wanted to believe Jormangundr but then, reality set in. She remembered how hellish Helheim was when she first entered the realm. It was a place of nothingness and misery. There was no way she could rebuild everything she had alone. She couldn't do it before Baldur came to her which meant she couldn't do it without him. She knocked Jormangundr's hand away. “Nothing and no one could do what Baldur did,” she sneered. Hel was close to snarling. Her anger rose up in her so violently, it disabled her ability to appear prim and proper. She would have suspected that was Jormangundr's intent but she knew her sister well enough to know that was almost impossible. She looked to the ground to hide her dismay. “No one could ever replace Baldur!” Hel shouted. Jormangundr was knocked backward by a burst of grayish water. She put up her hands just in time to feel herself being flung through the air. Hel expelled her from her realm. She could tolerate no more of her sister's foolish humanitarianism. She found Jormangundr's arguments invalid and her opinions insignificant. There was no way an ignorant snake could understand her burden. She was a queen. It was her job to rule an entire kingdom of souls. She had a responsibility to herself and to her ever growing number of subjects. There was only one way she knew how to fulfill both those roles. She needed Baldur back and she would do whatever necessary to ensure that happened. She would be loyal to Loki as long as it was what was best for her kingdom. =============================================================================== Jormangundr stumbled as she felt herself be thrown out of Helheim. The heels of her shoes sunk in the black sand reappeared on her father's island. She quickly regained her balance and glared off in the distance. She cursed herself for trying to reach out to Hel. She was sure Hel wouldn't want anything to do with her now. She tried to shrug it off but she couldn't help but care. She rolled her eyes and decided it was best to focus on her own responsibilities. It was still midday and the sun was high in the sky; but it didn't give off much warmth. It made the serpent woman feel cold and vulnerable. She craved the safety of the water. Her compulsion to seek shelter in the waves aided her in her inexperience with magic. Her skin flushed and then hard, smooth scales crept over her epidermis. She exchanged her tan exterior for a more familiar one. Then, once her human form was fully plated in greens and black, her bone structure reverted to that of a limbless lizard. In a matter of seconds, she transformed into a six-foot, green anaconda and slithered into the water. Once she was submerged, she grew, exponentially, and darted towards Jouten's ship. She ventured out and kept watch over Misuteri's companions as Loki had requested. When Jormangundr approached the ship, she shrunk down to her average size. In her smaller form she traded strength for stealth. She kept her eyes and nose just above the water's edge as she spied on the unsuspecting crew. She slithered close to eavesdrop. Kuro leaned over the edge of the old, enchanted ship. His eyes were fixed on the horizon. His elbows were pressed firmly against the unfinished wood. The sight was beautiful but water made him nauseous. He didn't like not having solid ground beneath his feet. He was a land dwelling creature through and through. He wore a fitted black, turtle neck sweater and a pair of casual slacks. The ocean breeze tousled his perfect black hair. Kizu came up behind him. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a leather coat. She kept her hands firmly tucked in her pockets. She stood next to him and followed his eyes out to where the water met the sky. She curled her fingers against her cheek to pull stray hairs away from her mouth. She didn't remove her headphones. She just enjoyed his company as she listened to her music. The midnight stallion smiled as she hummed the lyrics. Kizu had such a beautiful voice. Jormangundr could hear the pleasant vibrations as they danced across the water's surface. She lifted her head out of the water a little higher. Her tail started to move back and forth with the melancholy tune. She was so preoccupied with Kizu's voice, she didn't notice the griffin soaring overhead. She should have. The great raptor would have been able to snatch her right out of the water in her current form. The warmth of the sun washed over the bright red front feathers of his head and chest. The yellow rays of light from above reflected off of the tawny fur of his hind legs giving them a golden sheen. His dark, sturdy beak defined his face. The honey brown color of his keen eyes focused on the lithe forms of his companions. T maroon hue of his wings and his white under belly were cast in shadow as he circled around to land. The broad wing span of the hawk cast a shadow over half the ship. He screeched before he landed with his back feet first. His large lion claws dug into the wood for balance. His front claws came down as human hands. He shivered as the cold air hit his moist skin. His stomach grumbled as he regained his upright posture. He rubbed his face and trotted towards the boxes on the middle of the deck. Nero slipped his baggy jeans on over his lean thighs. He fumbled with his hoodie. His shoulder and back muscles were sore from flying.  He shoved his feet into his tennis shoes and called out to Kizu and Kuro. Kuro tapped Kizu on the shoulder and pointed behind him. When they turned to face him, he spewed at the mouth. “Hey, is Zuri on board? I found something weird,” he asked with a sharp, nervous edge to his voice. His Luminary's sight had enabled him to find something the others might have missed. “No, both – '' Kuro was interrupted as Jouten barreled in. He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. “I stand corrected.” Kizu sensed the tension in the air. She could see Nero's apprehension as Jouten closed in on him. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two. She readied herself to defuse a fight, if need be. She yanked her ear buds out as she watched Jouten's wings fold in around him. His short white hair matched his wings perfectly. His heavy, black armor clanked as he marched towards them. His exceptionally tall form was balanced by the bulk of his armor. He didn't revert to his human form as he approached them like Nero. He kept one hand tightly wrapped around the pommel of his sword. “What is it Nero? What did you find?” He shot his questions at the small man like rapid fire. He may have only asked two questions but that was Jouten's version of an interrogation. He obviously wasn't his respectful, considerate self. He was direct and almost insensitive. He needed to know if there was any sign of Misuteri. Every second without her was agony. Nero didn't want to answer that question. He didn't think Jouten was ready to hear the news he had - it wasn't necessarily good news and he wasn't sure what Jouten would with such information - but he didn't want to have to lie. He prayed for Zuri to return. He was confident that the bear had sensed his distress and was already on his way back. "Ummm....well," Nero stalled. Jouten's brow line lifted from its semi-permanent broody position. His entire face softened and lit up with hope. It was torture for Nero. If he didn't know better, he would have thought Jouten was doing it just to pull on his heartstrings. He couldn't look at the big guy for more than a second. His eyes often darted to the side. It was then when Nero saw his best friend closing in. The rectangular, black wings of his eagle almost blotted out the sun as he headed for the ship. It wouldn't be long before Zuri could protect him from putting his foot in his mouth. “There's, um...some sort of, uh...barrier surrounding an island," he muttered. “Even if we set the course now, it'll be dark by then," Jouten interjected. If they didn't get there before sundown, the rest of them would insist they wait until morning. They still assumed Misuteri wasn't in any danger. None of them felt her use her magic, which was usually a good sign. "We can fly. Take me there,” Jouten rolled his shoulders confidently. His wings fluffed out as a reflex. Nero's eyes went wide in surprise. Jouten wanted to do the last thing they should do. "It's about a hundred and fifty miles away!" Nero exclaimed. He was only able to catch a glimpse of it before he flew out passed the point of no return. He didn't hesitate to express the absurdity of flying that far. "We should be able to get there by water just fine." He tried to add his last statement coolly but he could feel his ears flushing red as he grew defensive. Zuri landed lightly on the far deck of the ship. His naturally wide, sturdy feet gave him the perfect foundation for his heavy stature. He could sense Nero's nervousness and Jouten's burning unrest. He drew in his enormous wings and readied himself to pull them in. He shed the long black feathers of his wings and groaned as the flesh and bone became part of him again. He normally wouldn't have bothered shifting back but if Nero and Jouten got into a fight, he would need to be at his full constitution. He moved towards the group as quickly as he could. He pushed out his cool, soothing aura to help the pair settle down. The aviary man took a deep breath and tried to focus on one thing at at time. “I'm sorry but I just don't think that's a good idea," he asserted his opinion. His words carried just as much weight as the rest of them. He would use that to reason with him. “I'm exhausted. So is Zuri. We need something to eat and rest.” The bald man planted his feet firmly before Jouten. He knew his friend wouldn't like what he said. He was ready to endure his frustration. He would be Jouten's punching bag if that's what he needed. Zuri rushed forward. He near them but not quite between Nero and Jouten. “He's right...we're all tired,” he added agreeably. He eyed Kuro and Kizu. He needed back up. His silent plea did not go unanswered. “Uh, yeah, dad, sorry.” Kuro scratched the back of his head. He looked down at Kizu nervously. He wanted to get away from all the alpha energy spinning around the three men on deck. They shared a look and she understood. He was getting exceptionally anxious from all the tension. The truth was, so was she. She was better suited for one on one situations. She opted to care for Kuro while Zuri tended to the situation at hand. “I was just about to fix dinner," she lied. Well, sort of, Kissui had already started prepping dinner but she really did come up to get Kuro to come down. "I actually came up here because I could use some help," she elaborated innocently. Wordlessly, Kuro agreed with a nod and Kizu took his hand. She led him below deck. They made their escape before anyone could stop them. Jouten took a deep, unsteady breath. His impatience showed. They were doing exactly what he expected them to do. He felt cornered and pressured into giving into their collective will. He didn't often let Misuteri manipulate him this way but if he rebelled against all four of them at once, things surely wouldn't go well. So, he closed his eyes and sighed. he let his sadness and loneliness wash his frustration away, so his friends would feel better; but still, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help but put his need to find Misuteri before the biological necessities of his comrades. He was so focused on Misuteri to notice that he was going numb. It wouldn't be long before it was like they weren't even there at all. The thought made his heartache. There had to be something he could do to stop that from happening. The last thing he wanted to happen because if it did, Misuteri might return to find her without him. “Fine...' he submitted. Jouten lowered his head in disappointment and let a heavy sigh escape his lips. He looked back up at Zuri and Nero with a troubled expression. He didn't attempt to hide his dismay but he hardened himself. He had to lead. He had to do what was best for everyone. “Keep a look out and let me know when we get close,” his voice was smooth and commanding. He spoke to them more as a captain, not as a friend. It was hard shutting them out but it was the only way he could keep moving forward. He turned on his heel. He headed up the narrow steps to the helm. Zuri and Nero tried not to take Jouten's mood swings personally. They understood what he was going through. Sure, they might have been worried but his heart was being torn asunder with every second she was away. Jouten didn't simply miss Misuteri; he was dying with out her. They had no idea the true depths of what her being gone could do to him. They only saw bits and pieces of his neglectful and destructive behaviors when Kuro was with them. Kuro hadn't really indulged their curiosity much once they found out who his father was. The boy didn't want to ruin his father's image nor did he want to dwell in the past. They only really knew the man that Jouten was with Misuteri and Kuro. They knew the doting father and the darling husband. It was then Zuri realized just how unraveled Jouten had become; and he didn't want to imagine how much worse it could get. Zuri looked down at Nero. His hairless friend stared up at Jouten. His gaze wasn't quite a glare but it wasn't far from it. He was had clearly become less aware of the subtle changes in Jouten's behavior; or maybe he was aware and was just choosing to ignore them. Either way, it was not going to end well for any of them if he continued down this path. Nero's sight had narrowed in on something. He had noticed Jouten wasn't himself but he didn't care. There was no excuse for treating his friends like that. He was lying to himself, knowing full well if the shoe was on the other foot, they all probably would have threatened to beat him more than a few times for the same reason. If Nero hadn't been so frustrated, his respect for Jouten would have reached a new high. But that wasn't the case. He was focused on the now and right now, he was working just as hard as any of them to find Misuteri and he was the one that actually found something. It would have been nice to get a little gratitude. Zuri grinned mischievously. There was one fairly easy way to snap Nero out of it. He stretched his shoulders and brought his huge bear paw down flat against Nero's back. His hand landed hard and flat against Nero's sensitive spine; it stretched from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. He laughed loudly. “Good job, little buddy! I bet we'll find her in no time!” he boasted. He did get a twisted sense of making Nero tense up in agony and surprise but that wasn't the real reason he was grinning. He could feel Nero's energy shift. It made his palm tingle with hot, magnetic sparks. His plan had worked perfectly. Nero's narrow gaze drifted from the stoic man at the wheel to his suddenly jovial best friend. His lips were pressed in a firm, pained line. He let out a low, guttural grumble. He opened his mouth but before Nero could scold him, Zuri slid his hand up to the back of his neck. He used his huge, wafting aura to sooth Nero's temper. He urged his friend to be patient and listen to reason. He grabbed it lightly and pulled him in a playful gesture befitting his excited mood. “Not here...” he whispered as he massaged his friends sore muscles. “Let's talk in the barracks,” he turned and not-so-subtly pulled Nero in the same direction. Nero might have had an inkling of understanding now but it didn't make him feel much better. He didn't want to be talked out of his anger, like always. He moved forward and grumbled in response. He rolled his shoulders and followed Zuri below deck. =============================================================================== “Maybe I should go up and talk to him,” Kuro whined to Kissui. He stood with an apron tied tightly around his waist. His hair was pulled back in a pony tail. He had not let a single hair go astray. “I wouldn't bother,” Nero hissed. He had made his way in front of Zuri. He stomped down the stairs into the scullery first with his snide remark and frustration. He was riding a fine line between having had enough of Jouten's crap and his basic altruistic nature.  He stormed off into the barracks. He needed time alone with his thoughts. Zuri had opened a few doors, now he wanted to sort through the situation by himself. “What happened?” Kissui asked tentatively. She had been listening the whole time but she wasn't the best eavesdropper. She turned from the gas burners in front of her. Meat sizzled on a skillet and the hot, peppery scent filled the air. Her hair was pulled back loosely. Her bangs curved around her brow line and cheek. She held a spatula firmly in her right hand. “Nothing,” Zuri assured them. “He's just being broody,” he stated casually. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and smiled. Things tended to roll of his back easier than Nero's; but even though that was true, the potential gravity of the situation had started to weigh on him. His thoughts reflexively pondered different scenarios and how best to deal with each one. He hated how his brain replayed the image of him fighting Jouten to protect the rest of them. He pushed it down and dismissed it as paranoia. He had to stay optimistic. The rest of them were leaning on him to be the pillar of strength in Jouten's absence. While he didn't shy away from the position; he did dislike the deceit that he had to pepper their lives with to make it bearable. Kissui turned back to their meal. “At least we know where we're going,” she commented. Knowing made her feel better. It gave her a goal to focus on. She resolved that she might actually be able to shake the state of limbo she had been in the past few days. “Is that enough? What if we don't find her? What about my dad?” Kuro put the started to fret. He put the knife down and spun around. "She hasn't texted him back all day. I can tell it's really starting to bother him..." he muttered. He resisted the urge to stomp his feet and panic. He pressed himself firmly against the counter behind him and tried to stay calm. “That's more than what we had yesterday or even five minutes ago!” Kissui stated harshly. Her passionate response came from excitement, not anger. The more she thought about the idea that they might actually be close to finding Misuteri made her giddy! “That's right,” agreed. The petite beta seemed to have quite the handle on things. She reminded him a little of Misuteri with how assertively she was despite her size. He had grown to respect Kissui in their short time in such close proximity. Zuri was still standing at the head of the kitchen. He moved closer to Kuro knowing the closeness would help him settle down.  “We have to actually get there before we know what's going on," he reasoned. Kuro found the natural, deep tone of Zuri's voice calming. His brother Guardian knew how to make things feel like they were going to be alright without actually saying it. It was probably because he knew them all so well. Zuri knew their buttons and pressure points and used them to subtly accomplish his goals. His actions often resulted in an increased cohesiveness, that is if everyone was willing to set their egos aside. Kuro's buttons in particular were especially obvious; however, no one else dared to try and use them against him. No one knew what might happen if the boy went off the deep end because in some ways, he hadn't really matured since his mother died. He always needed his father to help him regulate his emotions. He needed to talk to his dad but he couldn't. He couldn't talk to Jouten about how his father's behavior was bothering him. He didn't know what to do. Zuri and Nero were the closest things he had to brothers; and Kizu was his best friend; and Kissui was a welcomed distraction from his plight. He needed them, all of them. They were his family. He needed them to be strong, so he could be strong for Jouten. “I need to go get cleaned up, are you going to be okay?” Zuri patted Kuro on the shoulder. He shot a glance at Kissui. She nodded her head reassuringly. She could handle his mood swings just fine. It was Jouten that made her really nervous. Kuro forced a weak smile upon his lips. The corner of his mouth barely twitched upward. “Uh, yeah, sure,” he turned around. “I should finish chopping up the salad anyway.” He started rocking the knife back and forth over a carrot on the cutting board. Zuri nodded approvingly. He squeezed Kuro's shoulder reassuringly. A moment passed and the tension in the air evaporated. Zuri let out a sigh of relief. He felt satisfied he had fulfilled his role as a big brother. He ventured off to the barracks and waited for his turn to shower. He looked forward to the way the water could drown out his thoughts and give him a little peace. =============================================================================== Jouten looked off in the distance as the wind caught the sails. The ship was finally aimed in the right direction. The breeze was weak but steady. He felt the ship jerk and rock against the waves. The surface current was pushing them in the opposite direction he needed to go. If they were going to make it to where they needed to go in a reasonable amount of time, he was going to need help. Jormangundr had a job to do. She knew what they had found and it was imperative that she impede their advance. She grew larger. She sunk low until most of her body was beneath the boat. She could have easily capsized it but she didn't want to hurt Baldur, even if he wasn't himself. She was careful to avoid the rudders as she sway her body in opposition to the vessel. Her mass easily created a current to counter the pleasant breeze. Jouten's impatience grew as the ship glided slowly over the surface. He needed to get to Misuteri sooner. He was more than confident that he could do it himself. He took a deep inhale. Time stood still as he filled his lungs to capacity. The hair on his arms and chest stood up. His body surged with his energy. He tapped into the depths of his power. His heart beat rapidly in his chest and his vision cleared. He knew exactly where Misuteri was. He felt alive again. He looked outward once more. His blue irises glowed white as he searched the horizon for his target. He caught a glimmer of something green in the distance. His intuition told him that was where Misuteri was. He set the ship's course and locked it in. Its enchantments would keep it from crashing. It could be some time before his companions even knew he was missing. He sunk down low and launched himself into the air. Jormangundr felt the ship vibrate with Jouten's take off. She turned her large, boxy head to the helm. She blinked in surprise when she realized he was gone. She moved out from beneath the boat and scanned the sky for him. He was already a black dot in the evening sky by the time she found him. He was heading towards Loki. She had to follow him. She changed shape again. Her body was far more resilient than the humans she advocated for. It reminded her of her own power. She might not have been as talented as her sister but she was strong. She flicked her tongue and followed the remnants of Jouten's energy in the air. He beat his powerful wings against the air as he flew towards his target. He wasn't tired. He wasn't hungry. His weaker allies would not slow him down. It didn't matter how much he adored them. He had to find Misuteri. Without her, he was empty inside. He felt himself slipping away. He struggled to balance the temptation of his power with his humanity. The cold air and the sound of the wind rushing at his face made it easier to think. He closed his eyes and let his wings carry him. He was too big, too heavy to move quickly through the air like Kizu or Kissui. He would get there a fair bit faster than the ship and he would be far less conspicuous. Chapter End Notes Some notes about the Guardians: Nero has the ability to see magical auras/streams when he uses his griffon/hawk. He can also dispel whatever illusions a person cast to keep such magic hidden. He has an innate ability to see through lies and deception, if he is centered with his Luminary. The exact opposite happens when he gravitates towards his Shadow. He is blinded by anger and pain; thus leaving him, and the rest of the group, at a significant disadvantage - especially against Loki. Kizu and Zuri are both empaths. Zuri's abilities are much more honed; he's had more practice using it because he was born with the ability to physically feel someone else's emotions. He can *usually* turn it off under normal circumstances. Kizu's empathic abilities are rooted in her disdain for conflict. She learned how to use her compassion for others to her advantage. She has a much more logical/rational approach to understanding and empathizing with others. She can choose whether or not she wants to be empathetic (more often than not, she is). Kizu is much more stealthy/rogue like. Kissui and Kuro are both major observers until they see an opportunity in which they can help. They continue to gather information and to watch how the others interact/react in different situations. They often relay this information to someone in an effort to help. (Kissui to Misu/Kizu; Kuro to Jouten/Zuri) Kissui is very much like Misu. She isn't afraid to get her hands dirty to get a job done, especially in service to a friend. Kissui is Misuteri's beta. Most of Misuteri's offensive magical powers come from her connection with individual that taught it to her. That's why Jouten seems so much more on edge and why the others haven't really picked up on it. The specifics are still in beta form but that's the general idea; and the major reason why Loki insists she not be able to use it. Jouten is capable of tapping into any raw form of energy around him but doing so has its price. He does have a number of skills that are only his but he often draws the strengths of those around him to enhance the group's overall synergy...that is on a day that he's not hyper focused in on one thing and one thing only. All these notes are still being filled out but I hope they gave you a better idea as to some of the little things that happened in this chapter. I wanted to thank every single one of you awesome-faces for your support. I've worked really hard to make this story unique and intense. You keep me going. You're the best. Keep it up! <3 ***** The Barrier (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary Jouten and Loki meet face to face for the first time. Chapter Notes I will warn you, I intend there to be some enormous feels in this chapter. If you're not in the mood to be remotely sad, I suggest waiting. However, the events that transpire do give Loki the upper hand - so it's all for a good cause! That's not right. I'm sorry. I adore all of my OCs, regardless if they're a pain in Loki's ass. Or mine. :P Enjoy. P.S. This chapter is quite long. I didn't feel right cutting it off at the average length. Like I said, lots of feels. Anger, hate, desire, sorrow, pain, confusion, grief. You name it...it's probably in here. 4-28-15 Update: This chapter has been changed significantly. While the content is still mostly the same, I have expanded and added to it quite a bit. What does that mean? Well, it went from 5200 words to 11300 words. And from 10 pages to 17 pages. I have yet to go through it and proof read it as a whole, so I apologize in advance for any errors. See the end of the chapter for more notes The five Guardians were centered around the long table in the middle of the scullery. The entire room smelled of juicy red meat and veggies. Nero and Zuri were clean of the aftereffects of shifting. The pair sat opposite their female companions. They didn't bother asking Jouten if he wanted to join them. They all knew he would say no. He had little need for food. Kuro was much the same way but he enjoyed it too much to decline an invitation. None of them had even gone above deck. They all agreed it was probably best to give him his space. It was the one thing he seemed to want, besides Misuteri that is. They assumed Jouten was at the helm, steering them towards Misuteri. They couldn't have been more wrong. Kuro hadn't even sat down before he started to interrogate Nero. “So, what exactly did you see?” he pressed the hawk hard for information. He took his seat between the two Kissui and Kizu at the table. The boy was smooth and confident. He had resolved to be in the absence of his father. He emulated Zuri the best he could for the time being but he hoped he wouldn't have to keep up the act for long. Nero stopped eating. He leaned on his elbows with one hand clasped over a fist as if in thought. He pressed his lips to his hands and lifted his finger. His eyes narrowed in uncertainty. He was vexed. He didn't know how to answer the question. “It's hard to say...” he paused to find the right words. Zuri was almost half way through his plate. “Come on,” he whined with his mouth half full, “just tell us what you saw.” He pointed his fork at his friend. He threatened to poke him with it if he didn't keep talking. Nero pressed a finger to the utensil and moved it back towards his friend's plate. “It was just a barrier. That's all I know. I didn't get close. I came back here as soon as I saw it.” Nero put his hands up as if he had surrendered everything he knew. The girl with full, dark brown hair and a face full of bangs watched Nero closely with her big, hazel eyes. She looked innocent and unassuming; but she was deceptively intuitive and more perceptive than she let on. Kissui narrowed her eyes in disbelief. She finished chewing and called him out. “No," she declared, the annoyance in her voice was palpable. "If that was it, you would've just said that.” She was short with Nero the way Nero was short with Jouten. Her best friend was missing and if he had information that could help them find her, she was going to find out what it was. Kuro followed Kissui's lead. He leaned forward on his elbows mimicking Nero. “What. Did. You. See?”  he asked again. It was then the ship jostled them a little. They were all too focused on Nero to really care. They thought it was a little strange but assumed it was just Jouten jerking the wheel or something. Nero shook his head and lowered his hands to the table. He couldn't look either of them in the eye. The look on his face made it pretty clear what was going on in his head. There was something he didn't want to tell them. If he told them, it could be real and he didn't want to believe it. This was his curse: knowing horrible truths before anyone else. Zuri was the first one to pick up on it and as his face softened with sympathy, Kizu fell in sync with their wavelength. Kizu set her fork down gently on her plate. She had been listening intently, gathering information the whole time but this was something she almost couldn't stomach. She could see Nero's dismay and she couldn't stand by and watch it eat him alive. He wasn't just frustrated with the situation but rather with the information he had. He didn't understand it at all. Her heart ached a little for him. She wanted to sooth his suffering. She reached out and put her hand on his. =============================================================================== A pristine vision, like none other she had experienced, took over her sight. She was there, high in the sky, seeing through his eyes.  It took her a moment to adjust to the change. She resisted at first until she finally submitted to the disorienting, unfamiliar sensations. She could feel the cold air on her skin and the weightlessness of flight. She inhaled the salty mixture of the pure, unpolluted air and the mist that floated between the ocean and clouds. She was surrounded by the blues of the sky and sea. Her world consisted of a serenity she had long forgotten about. There was nothing to ground her or make her feel heavy. Her existence was effortless, unlike when she stood on her own two feet. She was both whole and free. She remembered the pure bliss she was capable of achieving if she could just let go. It was earth-shattering but in the best way possible. For one, long, carefree moment, she was content. She wished for nothing more than to stay there and let the wind carrying her whichever way it pleased. That is until Nero turned his head towards an unexpected glimmer in the distance. The crushing weight of reality came down, destroying her fragile state of tranquility. She felt the tingle his magic transform his eyes once more and then understood the cause of Nero's dread. A large dome made of dark green and light blue swirls of energy shone in the distance. It took her breath away with fear and awe. It was larger than any barrier either of them had ever seen. It was broad enough to protect an entire city from intrusion. It radiated a dark, foreboding energy. It sent vibrations through the air that made Nero's fur and feathers tense up and fluff out. It warned him not to come any closer. He heeded the warning. Only someone with great magical prowess could have mustered a display of power. She felt Nero's doubt and frustration along with her own.  He was usually so prideful and confident in their abilities. In the face of this adversity, he wasn't. None of them were even remotely strong enough to contend with such a foe, even together. He wasn't sure whether or not Jouten could remove such an obstacle from their path. She wasn't sure he was wrong. All the while Nero's doubt coursed through her veins, she felt his and her intuition screaming at her. Misuteri was there. She could feel her presence and gravitated towards it. It surprised her that she could feel Misuteri so easily despite the magic and distance. She quickly realized why as Nero's eyes focused in on tiny, pink lights sparkling on the barrier's surface. For some reason, she was helping her captor, at least in a way. She was allowing them to use her magic to their advantage. Kizu understood Nero's frustration now. For a moment, she was angry, too but she tried to stay rational. There had to be a logical explanation for all this. She quickly settled on her answer. It was clear that more than Misuteri lurked behind that shield of energy. Whatever it was, was using her. They dangled her prettily as prized bait; bait they knew the Guardians and especially Jouten, would not be able to resist. Her heart pounded with horror. They were walking right into a trap and there wasn't much any of them could do about it. =============================================================================== Her entire body shook and she pulled back her hand. She was short of breath and her skin had lost its color. She was startled not only by what she had just learned but by the action of having seen it at all. It sapped her spiritual reserves and she fought to keep her head on straight. She hated not being able to predict when it would happen. It was frustrating enough hoping and praying from time to time that it would; but this time, she saw her gift for what it was: a curse. “I saw it..." she muttered in a small, frightful voice. She looked Nero in the eye,  "Misu's barrier, isn't it?” She said in a small, frightful voice. Nero's brows pinched together for a split second and then his eyes went wide. “You just...?” He was shocked. The fact that she had physically touched him was surprising enough but for her to have seen what he saw nearly floored him. Kizu nodded. She was lost for words but she could feel how everyone was staring at her. “I felt it. I could feel her..." she breathed. A moment passed as she resisted the tears on her waterlines. She was frustrated and embarrassed. Nero was lucky he had the whole trip back to sort through his feelings. Her more rational functions were eluding her. "She's calling out to us...but...” she muttered, giving the other Guardians another crumb. "She's what?” Kissui asked. She urged them to answer her with her impatience. She was sitting on the edge of her seat. She looked back and forth between Nero and Kizu. They both looked afraid and upset. She needed to know why. Her nerves were standing on end. She wouldn't be able to take much more of this. "Bait..." Nero answered. There was hate and disgust in his voice. "We're walking into a trap." He still didn't want to admit how formidable whoever had her really was. "We kind of already knew that..." Zuri commented. "Yeah...maybe...but guys," Kizu said lifting her head. She paused for a long moment until she worked up the gull to just spit it out. "I don't think we can win...any of us...the barrier, the magic...it was the most powerful thing I've ever seen." Zuri, Kuro and Kissui all experienced the same cycled through the same emotions in a matter of seconds. Their sympathetic nervous systems were flooding their bodies with a potent combination of surprise, disbelief and fear. Zuri felt it most. He knew for a fact they weren't exaggerating. He could feel it and it only compounded his horror. Kissui took a mental step back. She didn't want to believe it to be true anymore than the rest of them but she was the most susceptible to pessimism.  It wouldn't be long before she convinced herself the situation was hopeless and she didn't want to do that. If she let that happen, she would be completely useless. Kuro was the only one of the three that didn't almost crumble. He cared about Misuteri but he wasn't very close with her. He couldn't be. She reminded him too much of his mother; it was too painful to be intimate with her. This new information connected dots he didn't realize were related. “Could be why...” the young man muttered, breaking the uneasy silence that had fallen over the room. Zuri had been lost in thought. He was trying to ignore the dread filling the room. He tried to think of a solution. When he couldn't, he looked at his raven haired friend. "Why what?” “My dad...he said something...it was weird...I thought he just had a bad dream..." Kuro said a whole lot of nothing as he mulled over his thoughts and organized them. "He asked me if I thought Misu wanted us to find her...if she still loved him,” he sunk his head into his long fingered hands. He dug his perfectly groomed fingernails into his scalp as more and more pieces started to fit together. “I'm sorry...I couldn't say anything sooner..." Nero frowned. He blamed himself. It was then when he could really empathize with Jouten. If he blamed himself for such a small thing, then it would make sense that “That's what's been wrong with him. It's not just that Misu's gone. He can sense how strong whoever has her is,” Kuro continued to explain. “Even if he doesn't know what's going on, he can feel it...” Zuri's jaw dropped. He smoothed his hand over his face. He knew that Jouten was more sensitive to the goings on around him than the stubborn lion would like to admit. His mood swings made so much more sense now. The pieces were coming together for him, too. Fear rooted itself deep in his heart as he thought of the danger Misuteri could be in. “Oh god. What are we going to do?” He looked at the rest of them. “I don't know...” Nero responded impulsively. The quintet had fallen into another dreadful silence. Still, the Zuri's question rang in Kizu's head. She searched for an answer, a solution, something that could sooth their nerves. "Do we still think it's Lok or Loki or whoever?" Kizu asked inquisitively. Kissui shrugged in reply but Kizu couldn't see her passed gesture through Kuro. "It is the only lead we have," Zuri asserted. He, too, was deep in thought. "What are we going to tell my dad?" Kuro interjected. He knew what would probably happen. He was afraid he would lose his father again because of Misuteri. He blamed her like it had already happened because he knew it was only a matter of time. His father always put himself in danger for her sake. Half the time, it was like he didn't even exist. His resentment for her started to churn in his stomach. It was thick and sticky like tar. Now that he had let it stir, it would continue to cloud his judgement. “Nothing. We can't let him get to that barrier. If he does, he'll know. He'll know everything and try to charge in there, guns blazing," Zuri declared. “Wait,” Kizu barked. “I don't think lying to him is the best way to go about this. He's our friend. We should trust him to do the right thing." She hated the idea of being dishonest with Jouten. He was her best friend and he would never do something like that. Misuteri might but he would never keep something so vital from her. She felt compelled to do the same for him. "What do you think he's doing? He is doing 'the right thing'. He's going after his wife and that's exactly what he's going to keep doing," Nero asserted. He understood Jouten's motives better than most. He couldn't blame him for doing the 'right thing' over the 'smart thing'. He did it all the time.  "Think about it," Zuri implored Kizu. "He's headstrong and prideful. If we tell him what we know, he'll force our hand." Zuri adjusted in his seat so that he was leaning most of his weight on the table. "We're walking straight into a trap. We don't have a choice. We're going to get Misu back but if we tell him what we know, he'll force our hand and then we'll be at even more of a disadvantage than we are right now." Kizu let out the breath she had been holding. Zuri's logical and passionate argument had won her compliance. “But what about my dad? You expect me just to let him soak in his own self-pity until you figure out a better plan? He's basically circling the freaking drain if you haven't noticed. I can't stand back and watch!” Kuro seethed with anger. The four of them had sworn an oath. They had made a promise to do what was right and here they were talking about lying to his father! They were basically betraying him. He wouldn't stand for it. Kissui's eyes went wide. She slammed her hand down on the table. "You have to. So, suck it up!" She had had about enough of his whining. She cared about him but he could be so immature sometimes. Nero lifted his eyebrows and nodded in agreement with her. He didn't like it much either but he wasn't going to spout off at the mouth and put everyone in danger. "I understand why you're worried, Kuro, but sometimes, you have to do things you don't like for the greater good." Zuri shut out Kuro's anger and did his best to be sympathetic. Kizu was still frowning as she struggled with the idea. Not telling Jouten was only going to be a temporary fix. "So we're not telling him...for now. What are we supposed to do when we get there? We only have a few hours." She needed to keep the conversation moving forward. If it became stagnant, the possibility of finding a solution would all become just another impossibility. "We should probably call for back up," Zuri answered. "Yeah...but even if we can get a hold of Kouken and Tiabu, they won't be able to get here by morning," Kissui added. "What if I tell him I made a mistake, steer us away from the barrier, that could buy us a day. Would that be enough time?" Nero actively joined in on the brainstorming.Their collaboration was making him feel more optimistic than normal. "Two people might help but it won't be enough. Who ever is powering that barrier has more power than all of us combined, even Jouten," Kizu finally mustered up the courage to be frank. She didn't want to get her, or any of their, hopes up by minimizing the problem. "And they're using Misuteri's magic, too; and the only one that can get through that is Jouten." She neatly laid out all the information she had gathered in hopes that having all the details might help one of them figure out an answer. "How could someone in Katharsi be that powerful and none of us sensed anything? And if it is Lok, why did he wait so long to strike? Why did he give Misuteri that relic...why didn't he just break her out of there himself?" Zuri was quickly finding he had more questions than answers. The others shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads in response. This was all too much for Kuro to process. He didn't have any of the answers to Zuri's questions, so he only focused on one thing. He couldn't come to terms with the fact that someone could be more powerful than his father, than all of them. He hastily convinced himself that there was absolutely no hope for Misuteri. She was trapped in that barrier with someone he equated to his worst nightmare and he assumed all of them were thinking of ways to sacrifice themselves to save her. He was going to lose all of them. He was going to be all alone again...and it was all Misuteri's fault. He kept shaking his head back and forth. “No...no...no...this is not happening,” he tugged at his hair again. “I can't believe this is happening." That wasn't entirely true. Just about anything was possible if it involved Misuteri. "It's all her fault. None of this would be happening if it weren't for her. She's such such a pain in the ass and she's not even worth it! We should just leave her there to fend for herself.”  Kuro's frustration burst into rage. He was so infuriated he couldn't see straight. He let himself say all the things he had kept bottled up for their sake. He shot up to his feet and his dark grey energy lapped at his skin in flames. The other four Guardians immediately stood up too. They all stared at him in disbelief. They knew he wasn't all that fond of Misuteri all the time but they had no idea he felt so passionately about it. Zuri's gaze darted to Nero and then at the door. Nero quickly sprinted to guard the door to the deck. His first priority was to make sure Kuro's anger didn't jeopardize their mission and Nero followed his lead. Kizu slowly moved to the side of Kuro so she was facing him. Her brows were creased just barely and a frown had curved upon her lips. Kissui stepped backwards towards Nero to put some space between her and Kuro. She was about half a second away from putting the boy in his place. They had all blocked his path in one way or another, giving him two choices: back down or calm down. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Zuri held his hands out towards Kuro as he slowly stepped around the table. “That's uncalled for," he spoke smoothly and patiently. He had no idea exactly what might happen if Kuro went off the deep end. The boy didn't have a Vessel. He didn't have anything to help him ground himself. The boy was just raw, undisciplined spirit energy given form. His polarity was easily thrown off kilter and it was their job to bring him back to center before he hurt someone or himself. "I understand you're scared, Kuro, I really do," Zuri looked Kuro in eyes. He slowly walked forward. He did his best to emanate a cool, relaxing energy to sooth Kuro's temper. In many ways, Kuro was just a hormonal boy. Zuri often didn't attribute his immaturity or lack of foresight to Kuro's exceptional spiritual circumstance, although, he was sure that it didn't help. "But you need to calm down. We're going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine," he asserted. He had successfully closed the gap between them without scaring him off. Kuro narrowed his eyes at them all. His lips were pressed firmly in a line and he grind his teeth together. He saw what they were doing. It made him sick. They were all taking Misuteri's side, just like his father. They always would. He would always be the only one on his side. He couldn't stand to be around any of them. He needed to go for a run. He needed to get out of the room. He had to be alone. He stayed silent and let them try to calm him down. He knew they weren't going to let him out of there unless they were sure he was 'okay'. They took his lack of resistance as a good sign. It was a perfect time to start giving Kuro the nuggets of wisdom they had in hopes to they would aid him, too. Nero spoke first. “We have to have faith,” Nero stared Kuro in the eyes. It physically hurt to take the high road and lead by example. The words sounded hypocritical to him but that didn't make them any less valuable.  “We all have to have faith that everything is going to be okay. It's the only way we're going to make it through this...together.” Kuro stood opposite Nero and his arms crossed. He closed his eyes and exhaled. Kissui did almost the exact same thing but she wasn't faking it to give them a show. "Look...I really don't care what you think about Misuteri," she fibbed, "but this isn't about her. This is about you, and Jouten, and all of us. You wouldn't be able to live with yourself if you just gave up and let Misu rot in some dungeon somewhere." She was surprisingly rational in her argument. “I can only imagine how much you must be hurting, Kuro," Kizu stepped forward. She pursed her lips and let her sympathy show. "But Kissui's right and you know it." She saw the look of disinterest on his face. "Even if Nero and Zuri are wrong and everything isn't okay, what you do right now will set your course down a road you might not be able to come back from. Think about that for a second. Is that what you really want?" Kizu pulled at Kuro's heartstrings with expertise. She didn't patronize him or try to make him feel guilty. She made it clear he was the one making the decisions. She just wanted him to be smart about it. When Kuro sighed again, it was genuine. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and his shoulders relaxed. His tension physically left him in a tingling shiver. He still wasn't happy but he definitely wasn't as angry as he was before. He could feel the atmosphere in the room and he breathed in deeply. "Alright, alright. I'm fine now..." he assured them. "Now, can I go get some air?" The others looked around the room at each other and then Nero, Kizu and Kissui looked at Zuri. He sighed and resisted the urge to snicker. He wondered why it was always his job to make decisions when Misuteri and Jouten weren't around. He calmly contemplated Kuro's question. “That depends. Can we count on you?” Zuri angled his head down and lifted his eyebrows. “Yes,” he said with an exasperated sigh. he sounded like an annoyed teenager agreeing to chores. The truth was, he didn't like the fact that Zuri tested his patience with the topic so soon; but with his answer, Nero stepped to the side.  “I won't sabotage whatever little plan you guys come up with...." he added. With his full answer, Nero moved out of the way and he ventured closer to the door. He was surprised at himself when he stopped before stomping up the stairs. His throat filled with his frustration again and he had to vent it. If he wasn't allowed to be fully honest with his father, he would be fully honest with them, whether they liked it or not. "But don't plan on me being the one to drag her out of there. I won't fight her. If she wants to stay – she can stay. My dad's better off without her. He'll get over her eventually...” He left the room before anyone could argue with him more. He sprinted up the stairs to the deck. He didn't want to have to validate his feelings. They were his feelings. He knew they would tell him how wrong he was. He didn't need their criticism. Even now, Misuteri was waging war against him. Everyone liked her more. Everything he had, she took from him. There was no way he was trying that hard to get her back. The four members left looked around at each other. For some reason, what he said felt like a bad omen. It was like the venom in his words poisoned what little optimism they had. Kuro might very well be the only one able to reach Misuteri. It was completely possible that they were all too close to the situation to see a real solution. It was a terribly disturbing thought to process. It felt like they were being punished for being Misuteri's friend. The uncomfortable atmosphere made them all want to diffuse. Nero frowned and decided it was best if the conversation ended. He took refuge in the barracks. Zuri sat back down and ran his fingers through his hair. He needed a minute to sort everything out, too. Kissui followed Nero. She really needed to some alone time. Everything that had just happened was more than a little overwhelming. She couldn't get under her blankets fast enough. Kizu thought it was best to keep herself busy. She proceeded to quiestly clean up. Before she was finished, Kuro stomped back down the stairs. “He's gone!” His voice echoed through the rest of the hollow ship. Every single one of them jumped. Zuri and Kizu turned to him. Their faces frozen in confusion. The confident man at the table mustered his composure. “What do you mean 'he's gone'?” He asked as calmly as possible. Kizu quickly recovered from the shock. Nero and Kissui stood in he doorway to the barracks. They waited anxiously for the answer to Zuri's question. “I mean he's gone," Kuro repeated himself. "He's not on deck," he counted his example by hooking his right hand around his left pinkie finger."And he's not in the cabin." He did the same thing again only this time he pinched his ring finger against his littlest digit. "He's gone!” He threw his hands out as if he had just done a magic trick. It was never a good thing when Kuro made wild gestures. Kuro, again, immediately thought of the worst possible scenario. After their conversation, he had little faith in his father's chances of survival, especially, without the group. Zuri dropped his face in his palms and slouched over the table. He didn't want to believe that he would leave without telling them; let alone, do it. The flabbergasted expressions on Kizu and Kissui's faces expressed the same thing. Nero was the only one that really expected it. He might not have expected to do it so soon, but he wasn't surprised. However, that didn't make him any less irritated. “I can't believe he'd be such an idiot!” Nero spun on his heel. He stopped himself and turned back towards Kuro. He pointed at him. “Are you good to shift?” Kuro's brow creased in confusion. “What are you talking about?” There was nothing he could do. It didn't matter if he could shift or not. “We can't go after him like this,”  Nero gestured to his human form, “and it'll be at least another two hours until the ship gets even close. We have no idea when he left. We have to go now.” The others had to admit Nero had some valid points but chasing after him blind was almost as bad as Jouten leaving alone. Before any of them could say anything, Kuro jumped on board with Nero. Kuro rocked his head back and forth. “Yes! Yes! Let's do this!” He beat the side of his fist on the wall. Zuri stepped forward and pointed at Nero and Kuro. "Hey!"  He stopped them in their tracks. “No, no, no! Hold your horses!” He heard the words that actually came out of his mouth and cracked a smile. His plump lips curled upwards as he chuckled.He flattened his hand out. Kuro was unamused but the girls were smiling.It was a welcome break from the tension. He dropped his head for a second and cleared his throat. “Seriously, we have to rest. I don't think Kizu and Kissui want to have to hover over four dirty, broken dudes if something goes wrong. And what if they get hurt?” He lifted an eyebrow and let reason sink in. Kissui and Kizu were pleasantly contented by Zuri's levelheadedness. It seemed to balance out the other two males quiet effectively. “He's right." Kizu asserted, giving her bearish ally an approving nod. “You two need rest," she pointed at Nero and Zuri. "And you,” she grabbed Kuro by the hand. “You need to stop worrying so much. We will find him.” She was so close. He could smell her shampoo and her natural scent mixed together perfectly. It calmed him and yet, put him on edge. He wanted her. He wanted to be with her. He wanted to protect her and save her; but he respected her too much. No, that wasn't it. He respected himself too little. Unfortunately for him, the throbbing in his groin didn't care. He was so frustrated and overwhelmed, he needed a release. Kuro grumbled. He took a deep breath and nodded. He let Kizu start to lead him up the stairs. Nero had turned on his heel and returned to his cot. He did just what Kizu said to. He knew he would need every ounce of energy he could muster to drag Jouten back to the ship. Zuri was caught in a daze as he felt Kuro's unexpected wave of arousal hit him. His throat swelled up with emotion and his need pulsated against his trousers. His skin became slick with perspiration and he was dizzy. He felt his Shadow well up in his chest. He fought it, tooth and nail, with every bit of strength he had left in him. It was one of the most intense, most disorienting sensations he had the displeasure of being caught off guard by. He stepped backwards and slumped on the bench of the table. Kissui was still standing there, lost in thought. She hadn't noticed Zuri's mood swing but he noticed her. Her fear and passion were swirling together in a potent mix of pharamones. She was the most delicious smelling woman he had the pleasure of indulging in in a very long time. Mindlessly, she sighed heavily and turned to Zuri. He looked unwell all of a sudden. "Hey, are you alright?" Kissui tilted her head to the side to look at Zuri's face. He nodded and waved her off. "Yeah, yeah," he said. He pressed his hand over his eyes to resist the urge to look up at her. Kissui was so tiny; she would be so easy to take. He was forced to choke down his Shadow again. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'm fine, just tired," he assured her. He mustered up the energy to move again. He had to get away from her. He needed to be near someone who's plump rear end he didn't want to bite into.  Kissui didn't take it personally as she watched her large, dark skinned friend abruptly exit the room. She merely sighed and slowly followed behind him. =============================================================================== Jouten smoothly glided through the cool night air but there was no weightlessness and serenity for him. He drifted there, in the state of agony and numbness that was pure heartbreak. He had done his best to prepare himself with what was to come. It was hard but there was only so much room inside him now. His heart was full with his love for Misuteri and Kuro. It had consumed his passion. He had spent most of his power on them and the other Guardians. He didn't regret it. His actions were necessary; just as his actions now were necessary. He did allow himself one last look at the beautiful scenery that would set the backdrop to his lone assault. There was nothing but vast, black watery plains and the half moon to keep him company. The snowy semicircle was already high in the sky, shining illuminating the night sky with pure white light. There were very few thin, dark gray clouds stretching overhead. It made it that much easier to see the green glossy dome over the island just ahead of him. He was close now and his companions were nowhere near; he could afford to take a moment for himself. He tipped forward, until he was low against the water. He reached his hand down and dragged his fingertips in the water. The frigid liquid bit at is flesh, sending tingling sensations up his arm. It made the hairs on his skin stand up and he shivered. It made him feel very much alive again. It reminded him of how it felt when he touched Misuteri for the first time. Her light had done the same thing to him all those years ago. He pulled his hand back and grinned. He didn't let the thought linger as he neared his target. He couldn't afford distractions. He banished melancholy thoughts and his crippling nostalgia. He refocused on his surroundings; he was poised and alert. Jouten's black, heavily armored boots sunk in the smokey gray sand as he landed. The weight of his armor threw him off balance a little as he started to move forward. He took a moment to become reacquainted with his own feet. That fact didn't surprise him; he felt very unlike his usual self. He was quickly becoming a stranger in his own body. He stretched his huge, white wings out and rolled his shoulders. He let them fall relaxed against his back. He took a deep breath and marched towards the glimmering barrier. Jormangundr watched Jouten with awe as he dipped down low to the water. She could have very well lurched up and swallowed him whole if she wanted; but she didn't want to. She made herself small as she approached the shore. She watched Jouten closely. The unpredictability of this human creature intrigued her. She wanted to know what he would do next. The Baldur she knew couldn't break through the barrier - though she was under the impression that Baldur wouldn't need to destroy it to enter, it only protected Loki from Midgardians - but this man was very different than her old friend. He had a darkness inside of him. She could see how he fought it with every step he took. Jouten's eyes glowed white as he drew nearer to the enormous barrier. He could feel it trying to repel him. He could feel it warning him and filling him with dread. The fact that it felt so sinister was a good thing in his opinion. It didn't feel like it was Misuteri as he expected it to. This was something very different than Misuteri's magic. It was dark and deliberate. It was powerful and ancient. He closed his eyes and relaxed. He let the energy radiate through him. As it did, he could taste the source of its power. He opened his eyes and smiled. He was impressed. It was rune magic. It had been a very long time since he played with rune magic. Getting through it with brute force alone was going to be challenging; luckily he wasn't intimidated by such a challenge. It filled him with a childlike excitement. The Serpent of Midgard grew more anxious by the minute. She could hear the low hum of the ship getting closer. They were about half way there. She had to do something. She didn't have time to think. She had to protect them. No, she had to defend her father. Either way, her goal really was the same; she had to keep them away from the barrier. Impulsively, she shed her serpent skin and climbed ashore. She donned a tight, olive green dress with hip high slits. It had a high neck and no sleeves. She spared little time, except in her conscious decision to dress more modestly than usual. She didn't want to look like she was trying seduce him if he saw her. She stayed low by the to the reeds and foliage as she crept closer. Jouten held out his hand and stepped within arm's reach of the barrier. His palm lay flat against the raw, solid manifestation of energy. It was hot. It burned his hand; it seared his palm to his enchanted gauntlets. It tried to repel his touch but he sunk his center of gravity. He wasn't about to give in that easily. He needed to know just how strong it was before he could assess just how to get through it.   Jormangundr's skin ran cold as she watched Jouten touch the barrier. The smell of burning flesh washed over her. She was ready to come to his aid if he needed her. She stand crouched down with one long leg stretched out in front of her in a deep lunge. She tilted her head to the side. She tried not to give into her natural lilting sway as she watched him drag his hand against the barrier. He could see swirls of pink, green and light blue on the surface of the half- sphere. It was clear now. Whoever held her was using her magic against her. He could feel her fear and how she tried to repel him specifically. It hurt but he didn't let it linger. He had one goal and he was determined to succeed at any cost. He suspected there was more than one person responsible but he didn't care. There could have been an entire army on the other side and he wouldn't have cared. If he could break through the surface layer, through Misuteri's barrier, he could break through the supporting defenses. He was confident in his ability to do that. He had done it before; this time would be no different. Nevertheless, his heart ached evermore. He hadn't had time to recharge. It had taken him centuries to concentrate that much energy and he had expelled it in what he would have considered an irrelevant and short period of time. He might not have still fully been the man that endured a millennium relatively alone in Katharsi but it still frustrated him. He felt weak as he watched his companions grow stronger by the day. He felt like his knowledge and experience was the only thing that really gave him any edge. None of that really mattered. He treasured his memories with them and his family. He had lived a life he never thought possible. He had been happy and now, he was forced to call on the immortal power of the spirit realm itself to aid him - just as he had as a boy - to restore the joy and peace he cherished so much. He wouldn't have been so willing to do such a thing with his companions. He wouldn't make them watch him trade his soul for power; he would not ask them to bare witness his sacrifice. He had known all along that he needed to go alone. They would have tried to stop him. They would have tried to persuade him to wait and the part of him that lacked courage wanted them to. He loved them all the more for it but he couldn't let them stop him. He had a way to clear them a path, so they could rescue Misuteri; and he had to do it. It was the only option he had. Every second without Misuteri, he was losing parts of himself. If he waited much longer, he would have nothing of value to trade. Either way, he would no longer be himself; this way he could make it mean something. This way, it would be his decision. Jouten's lips tipped in a sideways smile and chest filled with a bittersweetness. He had at least attempted to make peace with his decision to go off alone. He could feel the foreboding energies emanating off of the barrier. Whoever it was was infinitely stronger than anyone the Guardians had faced. He wasn't a fool. He knew why Nero was so upset earlier. The barrier's magic almost dwarfed him. The griffon must have been terrified by such a source of power and he didn't blame him. None of that mattered now. This way, they would be forced to be strong enough. They would be able to save Misuteri this way; his spirit would compel them to do so. Jouten began to pool the very life force of Katharsi into himself. He swallowed hard. The stoic man was overwhelmed with a sense of dread.  He could feel his human side weakening as he grew more powerful. The raw energy from Katharsi was eating away at his strengths and, at the moment, without Misuteri, his heart was the single source of his strength. He hadn't intended to let Katharsi take that from him but it seemed he didn't have a choice. As it slowly left him, he realized that there was a significant chance he wouldn't survive. The idea made tears welled up on his waterlines. The cracks in his aching heart finally shattered. His instinct to live screamed at him to wait but he couldn't. As Katharsi devoured his love for his companions, it was replaced with a blinding, greedy vengeance. He wanted his wife back. He wanted to slaughter their offenders and betrayers; but most of all, he wanted to possess Misuteri again. The emptiness in his chest filled with all his pain and torment. His throat seized up as he drown in his despair. He fought through it and pressed his hand harder to the barrier. He let Katharsi throw him forward, forcing him to crash against the focused power of the barrier. His hand devolved into little more than charred digits and his body trembled. It had been so long since he was forced to rely on the spirits of Katharsi for aid. It made him feel small and insignificant in comparison. It made him feel more human than he had in a long time. Feeling human made him feel mortal. He resisted a laugh as the thought passed through his head. He could barely remember what being mortal meant. He almost vomited as the anticipation of his demise pooling in his stomach threw bile up his esophagus. He could barely stand. His knees went weak. His body was unable handle the depth of his emotions. They sapped his strength and devoured him from the inside out; just as Katharsi did his spirit. “I'm sorry, Misuteri,” he whimpered, choking back his tears. “I will always love you.” A sense of euphoria washed over him. He was filled with his pure, unconditional love for her; and it was then, he remembered what it really meant to be human. To be human was to love; and sacrifice was love's ultimate gift. He was content with his decision. He was sure this was the only way to insure her safety. The other Guardians would be there soon; she would be home soon. She would be safe. Jouten roared and every ounce of his energy burst forth. His seraphic wings sprouted from the vents in his armor and fanned out behind him. He and the barrier were instantly engulfed in a white light. He supported his blackened, offensive hand by locking it in place with the other. He made sure his palm would not stop touching the barrier, no matter what. The action gave him more leverage and enabled his balance. He thrust his hand forward harder than before. The harder he pushed, the faster it disintegrated. His power ate through the surface layers of the defense like acid. His white hot power vibrated on the surface of the barrier until it started to shatter. Jormangundr stood erect as bits and pieces of the barrier fall at his feet. She could see something at the very center of the light. She could tell what was happening. Jouten was nothing more than a shapeless, black figure. Jouten was no longer Baldur; he was pure Shadow. He was giving up pieces of himself in return for the power to destroy the barrier. She was overcome with a profound sadness as she watched him go after Misuteri. His love for her made her heart ache. If she let him continue, Baldur would be gone again. She was going to lose her friend all over again. She couldn't let that happen. Hel could hate her all she wanted. She would even endure Loki's wrath. She couldn't let that happen. Baldur was worth saving - Jormandgundr thought he was worth more than Misuteri - even if Jouten didn't. Jormangundr sprinted forward. She pushed against the energy radiating off of him and the barrier with every thing she had but she couldn't get near him. She wasn't strong enough. Fragments of the barrier rushed towards her. She dug her bare feet into the sand. She held her arms up to shield her eyes from Jouten's powerful light but she still refused give up. “Baldur! Stop! Don't do it!” Jormangundr cried out to him. “She isn't worth it! You're killing yourself! If you die, you'll never be able to save her!” She screamed at him. Her argument was an impulsive, yet elegant, blend of truth and altruism. Jouten turned to see the woman struggling against his wake. He experienced the faintest sense of familiarity as he looked at her. He heard her desperate pleas. He knew she was going to be caught in the blast. He wanted to stop, if only to save her life, but there was nothing he could do. He was already through the first layer. He couldn't stop now. It was too late. He had traded too much of himself. He turned away from Jormangundr and focused on his last task. When he turned, his eyes went wide with surprise. A man with long black hair and glowing verdant eyes stood before him. His emotion was cold and emotionless. He held a long spear in his hand with a bright blue orb near the tip. It vibrated with energy as Loki neared the barrier. He watched Jouten's face carefully as the wounded lover tried to reach him. Jouten eyed the sharp curves of his face and the perfect, smooth texture of his pale skin. He glanced over Loki's exotic, intricately carved golden armor, assessing him as a threat. Loki was covered in it from head to toe, just as Jouten was. He had come ready to do battle. His regal posture and poised facial expression could only mean one thing. This was the man that took Misuteri. Loki grinned and raised his arms up. He was exhilarated to face such a worthy opponent; though he still considered their encounter an unfair fight. He, too, was able to use the energies of Katharsi to his advantage and he was at full power. Jouten felt the shield swell with Loki's energy. It enraged him. His entire body shook with the ferocity of his intent. He had come too far to be stopped now. He refused to be bested. He waged the last pieces of his humanity against Loki. He felt something more than familiarity emerge from the depths of his being. His body surged with a dark, ancient fury as he recognized Loki. His clandestine foe smiled as he saw the look of knowing on Jouten's face. Jouten roared again. He curled his fingers in towards his palm. He squeezed his fist hard. He drew back his fist high as if he was aiming a bow. He slowly twisted his hips away from the island's shield. He filled his lungs with his final breath and then punched the barrier with all his might. The force at which Jouten's fists collided with his enemy's defense was astronomical. All the bones in his arm and chest shattered as the momentum vibrated back through him. Jormangundr was knocked unconscious and thrown all the way back to the water's edge. The entire island was encompassed with a blinding white light. =============================================================================== Kuro and Kizu stood at the nose of the ship. Their eyes were anxiously fixed on the dense, swirling energy ahead of them. It felt like they were being pulled towards it by more than the waves and wind. It was as if it was calling to them, luring them into their enemy's clutches. They could see the entirety of the barrier and the island that it shielded. Being so close was a toxic feeling. They knew it wouldn't be long until they could bring Jouten back but it also meant they were closer to the darkest source of power either of them had experienced. Kizu was in the middle of saying something soft and sweet to sooth Kuro's worry when his attention was violently jerked towards their destination. They saw white sparks leaping off of the surface of the barrier. They knew it could only mean one thing. Jouten was trying to break though. They continued to watch as the sharp, hot bolts of energy darted in every direction. The flashes of light came faster and faster until the barrier became thicker and opaque. The defensive response was met with an equally powerful offensive blow. Kizu almost couldn't stop watching the cataclysmic event as a huge wave of energy was coming straight towards them. Kuro was frozen stiff. Without hesitation, she tackled him to the deck. She spread her lithe body over him protectively. There was no way to know what that much energy would do if it hit him. His constitution was considerably lower than the rest of them. The enchantments carved into the vessel activated and protected the crew from most of blast. The aftermath sent a shock wave that snapped the ropes holding the sail to the mast. If it had hit them broadside, they would have been capsized. If they had been much closer, it could have sunk them at any angle. Kuro recovered quickly in his panic. He pushed Kizu off of him and shuttered as the energy washed over him. It was Jouten. It was him in ever way possible but mostly, it was his pure, intense, unconditional love. Before it passed, Kuro felt his father embrace him and then he vanished. The young stallion attempted to stand and look for him but he only fell back his knees. He couldn't breath; he couldn't think. He barely comprehended what had happened. It was only when he looked over at Kizu and saw the tears on her waterlines was he hit with the reality of it. “No...Dad!” He bellowed. He was utterly crushed. Every fiber in his being fractured under the weight of his grief. This was so much worse than losing his father to Misuteri. This was so much worse than anything he could have ever imagined. He beat his fists against the deck. The wood splintered as he struck it. “No...” he whispered as the tears flowed from his narrow, blue eyes. Kizu wrapped her arms around him. She wanted to comfort him but she couldn't stifle her own sorrow. Kuro may have just lost his father but Kizu had lost her best friend. She needed comfort, too. Her sympathetic nature didn't make her feel any better. She thought of Misuteri; she had lost her husband. She had to know and she was all alone. She couldn't imagine the pain she would be in. She choked it back as tears slipped down her cheeks. Nero, Zuri and Kissui sprinted up the stairs. The ship had protected them from the blast but as they emerged from the safety of its sturdy walls, they knew what happened. Jouten had gone after Misuteri by himself and he summoned too much power.They didn't get to feel the last burst of Jouten's aura wash over them but they felt an emptiness in their hearts that wasn't there before. If any of them needed any proof that their intuition was right, all they had to do was look at Kizu and Kuro. They were little more than heartbroken, sobbing shells of themselves. Jouten's absence hit Nero the hardest at first. His compassion welled up in him, the equal an opposite force to his grief. He marched forward, ready to protect and support his mourning companions out ahead of him. Zuri caught him by the shoulder and pulled him into his chest. He knew Nero's intentions were pure but he didn't think Nero's raw, suffocating passion was going to help Kizu and Kuro right now. Zuri attempted to soak in Nero's pain and anger but he couldn't. The intensity of the emotions swirling around the ship for the past few hours had left his empathic powers sapped. His own grief prickled at his nerves. It was a slow numbing sensation that made him well up with sadness. He concluded it was a blessing in disguise. He would feel the pain of Jouten's loss later. For the time being, they would give each other the comfort they could not give Kizu and Kuro. The pair forced their grief deep down inside of their hearts. They hardened like they knew Jouten would. They needed to be there for Kuro. Kissui turned away from Nero and Zuri. She knew they would pull her into their embrace if she let them. She couldn't let them. She didn't even want to be near them. All hope of rescuing Misuteri had left her the second she realized Jouten was gone. Still, she submitted to her masochism. She forced herself to look ahead. She needed to see if it was still there; she needed to know if it was all in vain or not. It wasn't like she had to look. She felt the eerie darkness emanating off of the barrier still. Her eyes widened as she watched it flicker for a moment and then returned to its normal, translucent hue. Her heart leaped in her chest. It crashed into her ribs and made her want to throw up. Slowly, she gathered the courage to turn and gesture to Zuri. She hastily spun on her heel and sprinted into the kitchen. Zuri and Nero followed her with just as much urgency. When the door to the deck was firmly shut behind them, she turned to them. She leaned against the table and just stared at them with a morose frown. Both of them stood there, anxiously awaiting someone to break the silence. Every second it was quiet, all three of them thought about Jouten. “It's still there...it didn't break,” her low voice cracked. It was literarily the most painful thing she had ever had to do but she had to tell them. They needed to know. It didn't matter how hard it was. The thought just made her think about how hard it must have been for Jouten to sacrifice himself to rescue Misuteri. Her guilt and pain felt small and insignificant in comparison. She felt selfish and pathetic. Her vicious, soul-numbing Shadow was slowly creeping to the surface. Nero shook his head. “No...that's...that's impossible.” He dug his fingernails into his bare scalp. He spun in a circle until he collapsed to his knees. He fell back and sat on the bottom step in complete and utter shock. He mumbled and tried to react. He couldn't. His throat seized up and choked off his words. His heart beat rapidly and painfully in his chest. It flooded his system with a mixture of neurotransmitters that made his brain misfire and lock up. The events that transpired had left him stupefied. He was stuck in a near catatonic state as he tried to comprehend what all had happened. His brain cycled through his concerns for everyone but only partially. Each time his thoughts attempted to finish they sputtered out and a new one started in its place. He chose this over the alternative. He chose to be still and useless instead of letting his Shadow rise up. He knew he couldn't fight it if it took hold now and it had plenty of hate and anger to fuel it. Zuri still waded through a thick, muddy pool of sorrow and continued to let himself dissociate. It was the only way he was going to be able to survive in such close quarters with everyone. It was the only way he would be able to lead and protect them. It would only be a matter of time before his empathetic powers left him too receptive to Kuro's - to everyone's - pain. He swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. “Are you sure?” Tears watered his big, brown eyes as he tried to be strong. “Yeah...I'm sure,” she almost couldn't muster the words to reply. Kissui almost burst into tears as she endured Zuri's woeful expression. She chewed on her lips and then her fingernails as she resisted the urge to weep. She turned away and nearly sprinted to her cot. She would need a dozen more blankets and a furry animal or two before she started to feel any better but being alone helped. While she was alone, she would let herself cry and feel pain. Alone, there was no one to feel embarrassed or guilty in front of. She was just able to let her sobbing exhaust her until she fell asleep. Zuri felt dizzy and nauseous. He let himself fall against the stairs. He held the corner of the wall to slow his decent. He sat near Nero but not touching him. The last thing he could really handle right now was physical contact. When he realized Nero had shut down, he was thankful. He could take care of himself for a moment. He shuttered as he ran his hands down his face and let out a sigh. He mustered all his strength to calm his nerves and steady his mind. He was able to succeed, to some mild extent until his Shadow began whispering truths to him. It told him of Jouten's true motives. It blamed him, all of them, for Jouten's actions. Zuri's Shadow saw the situation with a clarity Zuri was unaccustomed to. It was sharp and pointed. It hurt just to comprehend. Jouten had grown uncomfortably aware of where their true boundaries lay. They would have done anything to save Misuteri; but now, they knew exactly what they wouldn't have done. They wouldn't have sacrificed one of them for Misuteri. They would have insisted their be another way; they would have left Misuteri at the mercy of her captor until they found the best plan. Their humanity caused him agonizing pain.They reminded him of everything he had become for Misuteri and Kuro. He couldn't help but feel annoyed by their lack of resolve. He knew how they felt and why. That was why he went off on his own. He did what they could not. He did what they were too weak to do. Their unwavering morality pushed him away. He was gone and it was all because of them. Zuri knew his Shadow wasn't technically wrong. His Shadow was often never wrong; but right now, it wasn't wholly right either. It lacked the ability to admit the complexity of Jouten's motives and the fact that no matter what any of them did, Jouten would always do whatever he set his mind to. Such illuminating truths were difficult to accept. Most of them hadn't even been able to process the situation up to that point. They were still stuck in shock and denial. The ship could have sunk under the weight of their guilt and grief. Everyone was stunned and overwhelmed with despair. The unthinkable had happened and he felt responsible. They all felt responsible, in one way or another. They all felt like if they had done something, anything differently, that Jouten would still be there, with them, alive. None of them would ever be able to know for sure whether or not they were right. Jouten had taken that chance from them and forced their hand. Now, they had to pick up the pieces and keep fighting. That was their responsibility as Guardians. Jouten's body dropped, lifeless, as the light around him faded. His armor clanked against itself as he fell and then again as he clashed with the sand below him. His enormous, seraphic wings had been burnt away. What was left of them twitched and then disintegrated beneath him. The white feathers outlined his broken form. They lay in stark contrast to the dark sand and his dark form. Jouten no longer looked like himself. He was little more than a crisp, charred husk of a man. Only the hair on the back of his head was left an almost whitish color. They grayish grains stuck to him and crept into the crevices of his armor. Once Loki was certain his opponent was disabled, he stepped out from behind the barrier. He approached his fallen foe with caution. He made it a priority to make sure Jouten was dead. There really was no need, Loki could see the unnaturally dark color of his skin. He dismissed his scepter and knelt beside his victim. Loki looked at him with curiosity and skepticism. He stared at him until a subtle frown jerked at the corner of his lip. It was as if he was dismayed to see Jouten in such a vulnerable state. He found himself wanting to comfort the forlorn lover. That as impossible now, of course, but perhaps there was something he could do to comfort his companions. He would save them the horror of seeing their friend in such a state. Loki smoothed his hand down Jouten's face. He healed it so that it no longer showed the disfiguring affects of the blast. It was clear Jouten's pain and suffering had ended. He gently dusted off the sand on him. The heat from the blast still radiated off of his armor. Thin, silvery trails of smoke snaked out . His entire body must have gotten the brunt of the blast. He wouldn't have been surprised if nearly every inch of him was blackened and melted to his armor. He gently moved Jouten's hands over his chest. His heavy gauntlets clinked as they lay against his breastplate. Loki's hand was burned in the process but he quickly healed himself. Loki stood up and moved to Jouten's feet. He bent down and placed Jouten's ankles side by side. He did appreciate that the man stayed in one piece as he moved him. A part of him respected and even admired Jouten. Loki intended to treat him as such. When he was finished positioning Jouten in a more dignified manner, Loki stood straight again. He lingered, looking down at Jouten. He almost couldn't pull his eyes away from the bittersweet sight of him. His face was so sweet and harmless looking. Jouten was boyish, yet refined enough to prove his worth as a man. It was almost hard for Loki to believe that he was capable of such ferocity and passion. However, the truth was undeniable. The man had fought so valiantly for the woman he loved, he had earned Loki's respect. He often wished he was capable of feeling so passionately about things; he was quickly learning what that was like in his time with Misuteri. He could empathize with Jouten's plight and desire to be near her. She was intoxicating. For a moment, he saw himself in his foe. Loki's frown carved itself more deeply as the reality of the situation sunk in. His face contorted in the faintest expression of remorse as he narrowed his eyes in hatred for the man below him. He hated that Jouten made him feel anything. Loki quickly redirected his attention. There was no reason to let Jouten elicit more emotion from him than he already had. He narrowed his eyes as he looked out at the ship in the distance. He knew Jouten had allies aboard it. He would let them have his body. He would allow them time to grieve. It was the honorable thing to do. He grinned at the thought. He saw Jormangundr, too. She still lay unconscious. She wasn't nearly as badly burned as Jouten was but she most of her lovely skin had been melted away. He had no remorse for his disloyal daughter. He would let them have her, too. She was perfectly capable of defending herself against the mournful crew that approached, that was, if she was still alive. “You need not worry, old friend, Misuteri will not mourn your death,” Loki promised. He nodded slightly and turned on his heel. He vanished in a gust of green mist. He had other duties to attend to as king. He needed to return to Misuteri immediately.   Chapter End Notes Feel free to yell at me in the comments. I hate me, too, a little, for writing this. However! This is 100% necessary to ensure Kuro gets a Vessel. Just in case you were wondering what the silver lining was. The following chapter will refocus on Misuteri and Loki. However, the OCs and Loki's brood will be playing more frequent roles for the sake of the plot. By the way, I wanted you all to know something embarrassing about me: I don't delete emails from Archive. I save each and every one of them...even kudos from mystery guest readers! I love you that much. I hope you keep reading! ***** The Ocean (Plot) ***** Chapter Summary It's time for Loki to implement some of the more vital parts of his plan. He makes the necessary preparations and then takes Misuteri to a very special spot. Chapter Notes Loki tries to be less of a creep in this chapter but Misuteri isn't receptive. See the end of the chapter for more notes Loki appeared in Misuteri's apartment. It was almost midnight. The room was pitch black but he could see her, and Fenrir, with ease. She lay in a deep, dreamless sleep. He had taken precautions for such an event. His spells from the night before had already taken root. He was more than confident her spiritual connection with the motley crew of Guardians was little more than a shadow of its former self. He concluded that much must have been true. From the looks of her, she was completely unaware of what had happened to her husband. Nevertheless, he intended to keep his promise. He held his scepter horizontally at his waist. He looked closely at the blue orb of energy at its tip. He watched as tiny bolts of electricity sparked around it. Loki reached into the light and pinched his index finger and thumb together. He slowly pulled his hand away. He gently coaxed the stringy piece of magic from his scepter. The light spun slowly in its golden prison as if Loki were pulling thread from a spindle. The icy blue fiber of magic broke off from the scepter with ease. Loki held it in his palm.  He added his own green aura to it before he lowered it near Misuteri's nose and mouth. As she breathed in, she pulled it into her sinuses. It quickly made it to her blood stream and found the center of her cardiovascular system. The blueish-green magic encased her empathetic heart. Her link with the others would decay and her connection with Loki would grow. He knew there would be an ever growing need for discipline now. Jouten had accelerated his plans. He hoped he had laid a sturdy enough foundation for which to build his kingdom. Hel would be contented now, with Baldur, and Jormangundr would surely dispose of Misuteri's other allies. He could have her without outsiders interfering. She was his greatest obstacle now. He was confident that she knew it was best to simply follow his lead. He turned from her and moved to his regal chair. He dismissed his scepter and shed his armor. He lay against the back of the chair in a pair of cloth trousers and a baggy, cotton shirt. He sat back tall against of it and folded his hands in his lap. He took in a deep, sturdy breath as he relaxed into a state of meditation. There was a chance she could feel something and wake. It was best if he was there, ever vigilant, if the opportunity to console her arose. She should to lean on him. She was his responsibility. He would not fail her. He was more than just a king; he was her Master. =============================================================================== Fenrir woke first. His eyes popped open with the sudden urge to urinate. He turned and looked at Misuteri. She had rolled over onto her side away from him. He whined loudly to get her attention. She didn't respond. She didn't recognize the noise. She was unable to distinguish his conscious whine from the noises her unconscious mind might create. She unintentionally ignored him. Fenrir whined again. This time he was louder, more persistent. He He resolved if she didn't wake this time, he would hop down and let go all over his father's chair. His tiny heart fluttered at the idea and the chance to be mischievous. He was just a child after all. He didn't know any better. His tail wagged a little but not for long. If he were capable of frowning, he would have. The thought was little more than a fantasy. His father's presence still made the air thick and heavy. He wouldn't dare do anything to make him angry. Loki roused as the high pitched sound vibrated the tiny bones in his ear. He peeled his face off of his knuckles and groggily peeked at Fenrir. He liked the idea that the pup had no idea he was there. His paws were pressed against Misuteri's back. If the girl was asleep, she must need the rest; and if Fenrri was awake, he must need something else. The king rolled his eyes. He wasn't lying to her when he said he didn't have the patience for children. Loki took a deep, waking breath and stood up. He had the wolf's attention now. Fenrir stopped pushing on Misuteri and turned around. Loki ventured over to the bed and picked Fenrir up by the scruff of his neck. The tiny wolf froze with his tail tucked firmly against his belly. The sudden weightlessness of being lifted made his stomach flip. He almost relieved himself as Loki lifted him into the air. Loki's quick and efficient actions made sure that didn't happen. His magic filled the room as he took Fenrir somewhere safe for him to satisfy his biological needs. Loki's absence lifted a weight off of Misuteri's chest. She woke with a sudden gasp for air. She quickly settled and continued to lay in a half-awake, half- asleep state. She was content until she realized Fenrir was gone. Her heart began to race. She quickly sat up and pulled the sheet over her naked form. If Fenrir was gone, that meant Loki or someone else must have taken him. She didn't like the thought of someone being able to sneak him right out from under her nose. The worst part was, she was still locked up. The leather cuffs on her distal joints were still attached to each other. Misuteri frowned. She had always hated waking up still tied up. She pulled her knees up close to her chest and crossed her arms. She pouted with her eyes narrowed in a scowl. It wasn't like Loki cared what she liked or didn't like. She sat, soaking in her frustration and angst, until her hopelessness returned. She felt so alone. Her heart felt empty and dark. It was like she couldn't find the light that there once. She closed her eyes and tried to think about her friends and husband coming to get her; but she couldn't see them. They weren't there, smiling at her, welcoming her home. She was alone, cold and in the dark. She had lost everything she had worked so hard to find. The place were she belonged now was so far away; it felt like a dream. She felt like she had dreamed it all and it was fading. She rocked forward and pressed her forehead against her knees. She shook violently with the loss of them. A sob rose up in her chest like a rock until she finally let it come out. It sounded more like a cough than a cry as she tried to choke down her sadness. Things could be worse. Things could be the way Loki said they were. They could hate her for what she did, for what she let Loki do. She was responsible. She begged him. She submitted to him. There was no getting around that. It was all true and all she could do was hope he was wrong. The only thing she could cling to was the one thing she wasn't so sure was real anymore. She had relied on her faith in them. They all did. They all kept each other in check and on the right path; but she was gone. She wasn't there to shine their light back at them. She was a pit of agony and despair. She assumed Jouten was the same by now, which meant Kuro was too. If their family was blemished, if the core of the Guardians was tainted, she couldn't expect the others not to be. They were all directly and intimately connected to the Akaris. They had so many memories together. The Guardians were more than friends, they were family. And as much as it pained her to do so, she needed them to be good and bright. She needed them in every way she tried to be there for them. If they couldn't do that, if even one of them let their Shadows show, she would break. Her world would shatter and then Loki would be right. Every word he ever said to her would come true. She would need him. She would be lost and he would feel like home. Misuteri's entire body convulsed at the thought. Her abdomen violently flexed and heaved. She covered her mouth as she resisted the urge to vomit. Her stomach was empty. There wasn't much to keep down but in her success, she was left feeling sicker than before. Her sadness was almost completely wiped out by disgust. It took hold everywhere. It slowly morphed into her Shadow. Ayamaru hacked through her memories of the past few days. She cleaved them and severed them from her without mercy. She attacked Loki and her self-worth alike. As she broke him down, she broke Misuteri down; but despite her unbiased cruelty, Ayamaru gave Misuteri a temporary reprieve from the sharp, suffocating pain in her heart. Her anger flowed freely as her cautionary locks were bypassed. In a matter of minutes, Misuteri felt her sanity start to slip. Her skin itched and burned. She could feel Ayamaru throwing everything she had against the surface. She slowly watched as her flesh started to turn bright pink. Her skin glowed hot with her power. She started to sweat as her discomfort slowly increased. Ayamaru was persistent. She knew Misuteri couldn't shift or use her animal spirits to fight her. Misuteri couldn't resist her. This was Ayamaru's best chance to try and safe them both. Misuteri knew she couldn't take much more of Ayamaru's frustration. She started to claw at her restraints. Ayamaru wanted out. Misuteri needed her out but Loki's spells made that impossible. Misuteri started to freak out as she felt Ayamaru climbing closer and closer to the surface. Oh god...oh please, god. I can't take it. Get her out. Please, just let her out! Misuteri shut her eyes tight as she prayed for the strength to endure Ayamaru's assault on her. It was the only tactic she had left. It was the only way she could stay in control. For a second, Misuteri thought her prayers had been answered. Ayamaru waned in hesitation. Misuteri tried to inhale deeply only to find the air had been sucked out of the room. She knew then why Ayamaru had stopped. Her Shadow feared Loki to the very core. The angst and fury within Misuteri quickly ebbed. She could not afford to be confrontational with him, not again. Submitting may not have made him treat her better but fighting him definitely made things worse. Misuteri struggled to breath and settle herself before he fully returned. She wiped her hair out of her face and resumed her previous position. She tightened her grip on her knees. Her jaw clenched and her scowl narrowed. She knew where he was going to appear. She averted her eyes and breathed deeply. She tried desperately to keep herself calm. Even if Ayamaru hadn't just cycled her through her emotional turmoil, her reaction would have been the same. She wasn't ready to face him. She couldn't do it, not after last night. What if he wants to...again. I should've pretended I was still asleep. She could still feel him on her. She started to panic. Her anxiety pricked her skin like static electricity. It latched onto her suddenly and compulsively. It crept in from her toes and fingertips. It surged through her limbs and up into her center. It made her muscles jump and twitch involuntarily. She wasn't fortunate enough for it to leap over her pelvis. She felt her core tighten as every single nerve in her core was set on edge. It wouldn't take much to subdue her and make her pliable in this state. She shuttered at the thought of him finding her like this. She was so close to breaking. She couldn't stand thought of doing most of the work for him; she had to stop herself. She had to be rational. Her desire to quiet herself only made things worse. Misuteri's heart pounded hard against her sternum. It quickly heated her back up. She felt as if she had been set on fire again. She was close to hyperventilating. She was dizzy and lightheaded. Her thoughts ran rampant with anticipation. It was all she could do to cover her mouth and try to force herself to calm down. Loki stood silently and invisible to her. He expected her to notice him, as he made no attempt to hide his presence, only his image. Perhaps she did but she didn't move to acknowledge him. He paused to contemplate whether or not to correct her behavior, he found himself with a third option. As he stood there, he watched her fret. He observed how easily she was overcome by her own weaknesses. He had heard her desperate plea for help. He had intended to remedy whatever it was as a small way to prove his worth as her Master. And indeed, he had returned just in time to see the bright pink hue beneath burning beneath her skin but it was gone now. She should have felt better and he couldn't fathom why she didn't. His brows knit together as he understood that he had caused her unnecessary plight. He was overcome with the need to rectify the situation. It was his responsibility to calm her. She was his to care for. It was obvious she needed a reprieve from her training. He did fully intend on breaking her but not now, not this way. He shifted into a pair of narrow slacks and an unbuttoned green dress shirt. His undershirt clung to his strong chest and his rippling abdomen. His hair was gently tousled and he relaxed his usually intense gaze. He took a deep breath and let himself appear at her bedside. “Good morning, Misuteri,” he greeted her kindly. There was no harshness in his voice. Misuteri let go of her face and gasped for air. With a new breath in her lungs, she froze. He was reallythere. She felt the habitual urge to reply politely. She opened her mouth but the words got caught in her throat. It wasn't personal. Her fear took hold of her and lose control again. She covered her mouth with her hands once more. She nodded in acknowledgment as she breathed in and out sharply. She kept herself angled away from him and her limbs pinned close to her chest. She made herself small. She dared to hope her meekness was the cause of his softness. Loki smiled. It was a genuine, caring smile though he assumed had she seen it, she would have inferred some sort of deceit on his behalf. That was of no consequence. He was Loki. He was King of Asgard. He did not let such things faze him. He moved forward and sat on the bed next to her. There was just enough room for him to make himself comfortable. He would wait patiently until she was comfortable again. He felt her tense up beside him. In response, he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. He pulled her gently against him. "Shhh, pet," he cooed. "Everything will be alright." He adjusted his arm so that it hung bent around the back of her neck. He let his magic soothe and relax her. He doesn't seriously expect me to believe that...does he? Misuteri was forced to choke back a surprised scoff. The last thing she wanted to do was make him upset. So, she did her best to stay silent, yet, attentive. His calm tone made her want to trust him again. He sounded like the Lok she had grown to adore but she knew better than to let herself be fooled. Maybe she wasn't being completely honest with herself. She wanted to pretend he wasn't a monster. Her struggle to stay optimistic was based on the fact that she didn't know how much longer she could endure this battle of wills. She had accepted that his stronger than hers. It would be so easy for her just to let go. Misuteri sunk in against him. She knew better than to resist him. She felt him pressed firmly against her. Touching was hard at first but she submitted to the sensation, just as his presence demanded her to. Her instincts told her exactly what to do. His will felt ingrained in her now. Still, when his weight pulled the sheet taut which making it harder for her to cover herself, she tried to keep them tight to her chest. It was a futile effort but his warmth made up for it. He was so warm. It made Misuteri's sore muscles relax even though she didn't want them to. She didn't want to be relaxed around him. She didn't want any of this. She had to stay on guard. She had to protect herself. “I hope you slept well,” he commented smoothly as he leaned his head back against the headboard. Misuteri nodded again. Sleeping wasn't the hard part; being awake around him was. In an effort to maintain her modesty, she adjusted her arms to keep one tightly cupped around her breasts. She swallowed nervously and kept her chin tucked to her chest. She resisted the urge to lean on him more than she already was. “Did you dream of anything?” he mused softly. He didn't expect an answer but still, he wanted to show he was interested in more than just her body. Loki was determined to get passed her defenses. Misuteri shook her head in response. She was almost comfortable enough to speak but not quite. Most of her irrational anxiety had left her. It was replaced by her very real fear of Loki but somehow, that was better. Though he was unpredictable and hard to read, there seemed to be a safeness in being near him. She breathed deeply and relaxed against him more. Loki lifted an eyebrow as he looked down over her fragile form. She was so small in comparison to him. This time his thoughts and intentions were less than pure. He could make her cast aside her reservations. He could growl and demand her attention. He chose not to. Instead, he smiled. He steeled himself. He would not give into his Shadow. He would whittle her down with his charm. “I left Fenrir with Nighogg and Ratatosk. I have no need to return to the office. I planned it as such so I could have you all to myself,” Loki purred. He stroked her stray hairs down against the top of head. He does want to... Misuteri's eyes went wide and her heart skipped a beat. Her breath caught in her throat again and she stiffened. Loki realized what he said and how it must have sounded. He rolled his eyes in irritation. He thought if she knew where Fenrir was, she would relax. His plan had backfired. “I did not mean to imply that I desired you sexually. I am still quite satisfied,” he corrected himself. He was, of course, lying. His desire grew every second he spent with her. Misuteri let out the breath she was holding and closed her eyes. For some reason, she believed him. She assumed he wouldn't bother lying. They both knew he was perfectly capable of taking what he wanted from her. Loki smiled as he felt her relax again. “If you want to keep it that way, you better keep me entertained,” he smiled playfully. His intent was mischievous, not devious. She wasn't as receptive as he would have liked. He was growing impatient. He shifted his weight towards her. He pulled her tighter against him and put his other hand on her knee. He leaned in close and placed a kiss on the top of her head. He rested his cheek on her as he held her in his embrace. “Is there anything in particular that you would like to do today?” I'd like it if you got the hell away from me, you creep. Misuteri shook her head. She gulped down her disrespectful reply. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her desire for independence did mean one thing. She felt more herself again. His closeness did seem to balance her out. She felt whole again and her fight was slowly returning. “Hmm,” Loki looked down over her shoulder. He saw her digging her fingers into her upper arm to hide herself from him. He didn't like it but he would allow her clothing if it made her more compliant. “We could get you dressed and go for a walk,” he kindly suggested. "There is a delightful hot spring nearby. You would love it!" he added. He made sure his voice had no hint of the lecherous nature of his intent. He was her friend then; he had no ulterior motive. The corner of Misuteri's mouth tugged upward and she shrugged. She resisted the urge to agree and save herself some of the awkwardness of being naked. It wasn't the worst idea he could have come up with but she still didn't want to be anywhere near him. The fact that he wanted to get her into a hot spring didn't surprise her in the least. She assumed his motives were far from altruistic. She doubted he was even capable of doing something that wouldn't, in some way, benefit him. She was determined not to let his kindness distract her from who he really was. Loki heavy sighed. He would give her one last chance to decide her fate. He picked his cheek up off of her and let his hand on her knee fall to his lap. His head hung low in disappointment. “Do you...even want me here?” he asked as if to reveal some sort of insecurity.   The sudden shift in his tone was enough to shake Misuteri's dismissive replies. She didn't gesture immediately as she had before. She just stared across the room at the bathroom door as she contemplated her answer. This was no simple yes or no question. Yes would require her to lie but no wasn't the right answer either. Either way, she would anger him, sooner or later. Shrugging would tell him she didn't care. She did care; she just didn't know what she wanted. “I...I don't know...” Misuteri frowned. She turned to him. She hadn't realized he was so close. His brows were high and his lips were pursed. He looked so forlorn without her full attention. It was as if he needed her, needed her approval. His concerned and interested expression made her breath hitch. She wondered if that was what she looked like when she looked at him. Loki's entire demeanor shifted as a wide, toothy grin parted his lips. His eyes widened and grew brighter. “She speaks!” He let out a jovial laugh. He seemed more than content with her reply. The last thing she expected was for him to react like that. He was like an excited puppy dog. She was overcome with bashfulness. She turned her head from him and hid a tiny smile. She hadn't heard him laugh like that in a very long time. It was infectious. She resisted the urge to let it win her over. Loki ultimately resolved not to leave her to soak in her misery. He made it his goal to erase it. He was rather confident in his abilities. He could be her knight in shining armor. He had a great many sets of armor and they all shined. There was no reason a king could do more than take credit for the rescuing. He inhaled deeply and stood up. He circled around the bed and held out his hand. He stood tall with a welcoming smile. He did not let Misuteri's reluctant expression deter him. I might as well enjoy his good mood while it lasts. She spun her legs around over the edge of the bed and took his hand. She kept a firm grip on the sheets until he pulled her closer to him. She stepped even nearer and pulled her arms in close to her chest. She kept her knees turned in. She knew liked her close and used it to her advantage. She hoped her proximity would keep most of her hidden from him. “You need not shy away from me,” he asserted. Loki took her other hand in his and pulled them up to his chest. His comment sounded like a joke to her. She tried not to laugh. She turned her lips in around her teeth to resist a smile. She tucked her chin to her chest and averted her eyes. There was no way she couldn't feel insecure and pathetic around him. He made her that way. He had done more than lock her powers up. He had made her damaged goods, inside and out. Loki could read her like an open book. He knew why she was so uncomfortable. He took in a deep breath and on his exhale, he willed his magic to wash over her. The chains connecting her cuffs vanished. Her hair rose up around her face. Her golden locks fell light and shiny over her shoulders. She was suddenly clad in a olive green, long sleeve shirt. It had a deep, scoop neck.  A tight, black corset wrapped itself around her waist. It lifted her large breasts high on her chest. A pair of tight, black, cotton pants clung to her legs and a set of black ankle socks warmed her feet. Misuteri felt comfortable again. She felt clean and warm. She instantly relaxed. She could breathe easier, even with the corset on. She felt like she was in her own skin again. She smoothed her hand over her upper thigh and felt the fabric against her skin. She didn't feel exposed any longer. She tried to hold back a smile but it was pointless. This was all she really wanted and he had given it to her, without request. She looked up at him and let him see her genuine gratitude. “Thank you, my king.” He nodded in reply and simply allowed her to enjoy the privilege of being dressed. She looked a way for a second in shyness but she quickly returned her gaze to him. She couldn't wipe a content smile off her face.  “Do you want to go for that walk now?” She batted her long, black eyelashes at him and squeezed his hand affectionately. A sweet, relaxed smile curved Loki's lips upward. “Absolutely,” he said softly. “I suspect you will behave,” his tone was playful but still more sinister than before. It was a warning. He made it clear he hadn't changed. He pulled her close to him and prepared to transport them to the shore. Misuteri stiffened in response. She closed her eyes slowly and prayed.  She felt her entire body jerk and then she could feel Loki's arms around her. She felt secure but she didn't feel safe. She could feel his aura wrapped around her. It was wrapping and entwining with hers. She could barely tell where they were separate now. She could feel his intent to keep her from harm but she knew what sort of man waited just beneath the surface. His cruelty and predatory nature lurked closely, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Even if she was determined not to give him one, he would manufacture one. He would fabricate some elaborate circumstance in which she would always lose to him. She knew he could and would if she didn't give into his demands. Even if he was being kind and gentle now, that didn't mean he wouldn't hesitate to satisfy his own desires. He had told her exactly what she had to do. She had to keep him busy and interested. It was important to keep him entertained. She had discerned that she was there to appease his darkness. If she was going to succeed at such a daunting task, she would have to play earnestly. He would have it no other way. She had to lie and play his game; and she would. She intended to play his game as long as it kept her alive. =============================================================================== Misuteri clung to Loki's arm as they casually walked across the black sand. They stayed away from the shore; the beach was littered with hard, sharp rocks. Loki had given her a pair of soft leather boots. They were thin and flexible. They provided minimal protection and warmth. She felt like she was still shoe- less but she was nevertheless grateful. They allowed her more comfort than her socks alone would have. There was a light, cool breeze that wrapped around them. “It's so cold even though it's the middle of summer...I don't understand,” Misuteri commented as she carefully tip-toed over the damp rocks. “It never gets warmer then this in the summer and it rarely drops below freezing in the winter,” he replied. Loki kept his hand wrapped over hers on his arm. Loki was scanning the parameter. As they walked, he diagnosed the shield's strength. They were nowhere near Jouten's body. He kept her far away from the very edges of the barrier. If she wasn't looking for a way out, she wouldn't see it. It need only be known to those trying to enter or escape it. He would know her true intentions if she saw it. He walked slowly and carefully. He let her take in the scenery. A small smile played on his lips as her eyes widened and narrowed as she scanned the horizon. She stared out at the beautiful crashing waves. She had never been surrounded by the ocean before. The water stretched as far as she could see. The water called to her. She wanted to go out and explore it. It reminded her of her first time in Katharsi and the first time she learned she had magic. It actually made her feel a little overwhelmed. She feared she would give into its alluring song and when she least expected it, the current would pull her under. There was so much she didn't know or understand lurking it its depths that she couldn't think about it. The thought of being surrounded by that much water disabled her normally courageous demeanor. It short circuited her thoughts. It ground her rationality to a halt. She would rather avoid the depths than face them. She was thankful for Loki's grounding presence. She was honestly more scared of the water than she was of him. He had picked an ingenious location to trap her. She could not - would not - run away as she had from the others. There was no where to go. The vastness of the water made her so nervous she didn't even want to entertain the idea of flying over it. It's not like he knew. He picked this place because it's remote and convenient for him. Misuteri wasn't entirely wrong but Loki could see the fear in her eyes. She looked out a the waves the same way she looked at him. Her eyes filled with both awe and admiration for its strength and beauty; but she knew how dangerous it was. There was nothing about the ocean and its currents that she could control to feel confident and secure. The chance of being washed away or torn asunder at any moment unnerved her. She was far less aware of her subconscious tells. The only thing water had in common with Loki was that she didn't want to be stuck alone with either of them; and yet, she was captivated. She couldn't resist the pull of him and the water alike. They were both undeniably a part of her, whether she liked it or not. If her life up to this point had taught her anything, it was a lesson of acceptance. It was best if she didn't resist. Her strength wasn't determined by the difficulty of the path she took; it was how her experiences shaped her on the other side. Loki gently pulled Misuteri's arm. He pulled her back to reality with him. “Ah- ha! I finally found it,” he declared. She turned to him with a confused look on her face. He nodded to the left and pulled her along. She followed him with plenty of curiosity of her own. Loki moved swiftly across a narrow path surrounded by trees. He kept her arm pinned to his side as he weaved through the forest. A minute later, he stopped. He planted his feet firmly and stood tall. His grip on Misuteri's arm loosened and a smile tugged at his lips. Misuteri dug her feet into the soft ground to stop herself from bumping into the tall, elegant man in front of her. When she regained her balance, she peered around him. Her eyes went wide with surprise. She felt his grip go slack and her arms fell to her sides. A large pool of water lay ahead of her with a frothy white layer of steam rising from it. It was secluded enough to feel private but large enough to comfortably fit a dozen people. “Is that a hot spring?” Misuteri mumbled as she stepped closer. She had forgotten he had mentioned one earlier. Loki nodded and his smile grew larger. “Yes. I thought it would help you relax.” He moved closer to the steamy water. He slipped off his dress shirt and undershirt. He folded them neatly on a rock. He turned to her, bare chested with a welcoming grin. “That is, if you would like to join me.” Misuteri drew her hands up to her chest. She wanted her hands there, in case he reached out to her, that way he couldn't accuse her of shrinking from him. Her thoughts urged her to look away from his perfectly carved chest. She swallowed hard. She hesitated to join him. She wanted to. She was sore and cold but she still hesitated. She wasn't so far gone as to feel comfortable doing something so intimate with Loki of her own free will. A moment passed and Loki shrugged his shoulders. “I can enjoy the comfort of the water with or without you,” he said casually. He hid his impatience and displeasure well. He turned from her and unbuckled his pants. He quickly slipped them off and folded them. He stood in front of her in a pair of green, sateen boxer briefs for a moment. He was sure his confidence would wash over her and make her feel more comfortable. Misuteri's thoughts sputtered out as Loki flexed his back and stretched in his underwear. As she stared at his tone back and muscular shoulders, she felt even more unsure of herself. His legs were so long and lean. She hadn't noticed before, not that that was really her choice. Every time he had been naked before he was driving himself into her mercilessly. She turned and faced back towards the way they came. “I could make you join me,” he said lowly. He was almost threatening her. “It would be for your own good,” he purred to her persuasively. Loki heard her feet shift against the loose dirt. He stripped off his boxers and tossed them on top of his other clothes. Misuteri heard his feet slosh in the water. She held her upper arms in her hands. “Thanks...I'm good,” she stuttered.  She had to resist him as long as he would let her. It was the only control she had, even if he gave it to her. If that wasn't frustrating enough, the image of his almost-nakedness was still fresh in her mind. The sound of him moving in the water stopped and she turned around. Loki sat near the edge of the pool a quarter of the way in. Misuteri noticed there were a set of old steps carved into the stone leading into the pool. The edges were blunt and eroded from the sloshing water. She saw the edge where Loki had his arms up; it looked like it was carved, too. She moved closer to the warm water. Loki smiled at her. The tips of his black hair dripped with water. He dipped his arms in the water and let out a relaxed sigh. “You really should join me,” he suggested with an innocuous grin. He let his body sink lower. The full brunt of his level of attractiveness seemed to make her nervous, so he let the water swallow it up. Talk about peer pressure. Misuteri did like how warm it felt. The water smelled clean and fresh. She saw a small trickling stream dripping into the pond at the far end. The water droplets fell at the perfect relaxing pace. She stared at Loki's calm expression as the water lapped at his collarbones. I should just do it. If it were anyone but him, I'd do it. If he were Jouten, he'd know I wanted him to make me, and I'd let him. Misuteri realized she hadn't thought about the Guardians or escaping Loki this entire time. She clung to Loki like a lost child as he led her around the island. It hit her hard. She felt nauseous and embarrassed. No wonder he wasn't upset with her. She might not have been indulgent but she was more than submissive. She turned away to hid her anger and frustration. Her passion and outrage welled up in her but she did everything she could to keep it at bay. She crossed her arms and tucked them around her tighter than before. She stared at her feet and chewed on her lip. If I tried...could I escape? He must know this entire island like the back of his hand. If I ran, where would I go? I have no idea where I am. I haven't eaten in days. I don't have the strength to escape on my own. Besides...if I tried... She turned and looked at Loki. It seemed like he had not noticed her mood change. She looked forward again. He looks so harmless. He wouldn't be expecting it. I might have an advantage. I should try. I owe it to myself – to my friends and Jouten. It's my job as a Guardian of Light. I have to honor my light. I have to protect my Luminary from darkness. If she could run...she would...wouldn't she? She shook her head as she struggled with her inner conflict. Her Luminary wouldn't run. She would do whatever it took for her to keep Misuteri safe. Misuteri's safety was her priority, not her pride, not the expectations of others. Those were values Misuteri put on her. She didn't mind, normally, but this situation was far from normal. She didn't want Misuteri to care what the others would think. She didn't want Misuteri to do anything that might make Loki angry. She feared what his Shadow as capable of. Loki watched her closely with his peripheral vision. He struggled to keep his domineering 'warnings' and 'suggestions' to himself. He wanted to see what she would do without his influence but oh, he knew exactly what he would do if she ran. The deepest, darkest parts of him wanted her to. They wanted desperately to escape his calm, calculated demeanor. It was only then when he let go. It was only then his Shadow was set free to reek havoc on her. No. I can't. He'd be furious. He'd catch me and probably never let me leave that room. I might never see Fenrir again...I'd just see him...whenever he wanted to... Misuteri held her hands out in front of her. She looked down at the leather cuffs on her wrist. She shook her head again. He'd never trust me again. I have to befriend him. It's my best chance. Misuteri took a deep breath and turned to Loki. She got closer to the edge of the water. She cleared her throat and tried to smile. “Is it still okay if I join you?” She asked politely. Loki nodded. “Of course,” he cheerily replied. With a flick of his wrist, he dismissed her restrictive corset and the cuffs on her wrists. Even her collar vanished. She had earned the chance to prove her commitment to him. A tiny, excited giggle escaped her lips. She felt strange without support under her breasts. She sat on a rock near Loki's clothes and started to wiggle her boot off. She had nearly yanked her first shoe off when she heard something familiar. A series of loud screeches pierced through the trees. The high pitched sound waves were followed by a long, bellowing roar. Misuteri shoved her foot back against the thin sole of the boot and turned towards the noise. Her eyes went wide as her senses sharpened without Loki's enchantments on. She almost didn't recognize the calls. It felt like she hadn't heard them in decades. Nevertheless, her wolfish instincts confirmed what her intuition told her was true. That's Nero and Zuri. Her skin became gooseflesh as she sprung to her feet. Loki was the last thing on her mind. This was her chance. She wasn't alone. She had to. If she didn't try now, she would never escape. The naked man behind her rose from the water. He marched toward her with purpose. As he stepped out onto the dirt, he became clad in armor. His scepter appeared a second after his clothes. He knew what she would do. He could feel her intentions as her energy radiated off of her. “Do not move, Misuteri or your friends will pay the price,” he warned her. He tightened his fist around the smooth gold body of his scepter. He stood behind her with his eyes fixed on her still form. Chapter End Notes Oh yeah, I'm sure you know what Misuteri's gonna do and she's gonna pay for it, too. :3 I hope you enjoyed the chapter. As always, I adore your feedback and your kudos. Thanks! Katharsi Notes: Akari means 'a light' in Japanese. Adding it to Misuteri, Jouten and Kuro makes their names a little bit more descriptive. Jouten Akari - God of Light/A Light God Misuteri Akari - Mysterious Light/A Light of Mystery Kuro Akari - Light of Darkness/A Black Light Since I don't actually speak Japanese, these names probably wouldn't make sense in a sentence but hey, they're not really supposed to. They're just names. :P ***** The Threat (Plot