Other Fan Fiction ❯ Path to Redemption ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

It all started – how else? – with a punishment. A just, well-deserved, long-delayed punishment. Because Odin was a wise king, he was the All Father and he knew there were ways to put some sense into his stubborn, arrogant sons and convince them to walk on the right path. Force them, if needed. If he failed to educate his sons, if he could not make himself respected by his own family, then how could he possibly deserve the respect and the obedience of an entire galaxy?

First, it was the eldest son who betrayed his trust and had to be punished. Now, it was Loki's turn to be judged for his crimes.

And here he was - standing in front of the All Father, waiting for a verdict, still defiant, still showing no sign of remorse as he looked his king in the eye, his green orbs darkened with hatred and anger. Behind that mask, the All Father could still see the pained child who had tried to destroy an entire civilization in exchange for his father's appreciation. The child who let himself fall into the abyss, preferring to embrace death than live in his brother's shadow.

His child.

Because, no matter what Loki believed, no matter what others might say, he was his youngest son – and that was the precise reason for which Odin could not be merciful. He could show mercy to his people, to his servants, to his soldiers. He could even show mercy to Jutuns, but not to his sons. They were princes of Asgard, not vassals, and they had to live up to their responsibilities. He simply couldn't allow them to throw the worlds into chaos at their whim, just because they could.

Above all, he could not allow his sons to play gods. Never play gods.

Sometimes, being a father and the king of the Galaxy really sucked.

"I was a fool to think you would understand, Loki! You are far too young, too reckless, too proud and too foolish to see the truth, to accept it!" he shouted, raising his scepter above Loki's head.

"What truth?" Loki muttered bitterly, the shadow of a smile barely touching his lips. "There is only one truth-"

"I did not allow you to speak, you foolish boy! But yes, there is only one truth and you will find it or you will die trying!" Odin cut, his only good eye cutting deep into his son's soul. "Loki Odinson, you have betrayed the trust of your king and the love of your family!"

Loki opened his mouth in protest, but Odin had no intention to hear more of the foolish retorts his son never seemed to fall short of.

"Through your vanity and stupidity you have endangered a peaceful, defenseless realm such as Midgard and a lot of lives were lost – and for what? To satisfy your thirst for some kind of childish revenge?"

"You thought I deemed you unworthy because of your origins? Was that the case, I would have never bothered to raise you in the first place! It is you and your foolish behavior which led you to this, which made you unworthy of this realm, of your title and of the love of your family!"

A few steps behind his brother, Thor made an impatient gesture, like he wanted to run by Loki's side and offer him comfort. Odin lived under no illusion that his eldest son would approve his decision, but Loki had to be punished if Odin wanted to make a man of his son. And it certainly was the time for Loki to stop acting like a one thousand years old brat and behave like the Asgardian prince he was.

Without hesitation, Odin pointed the scepter at Loki's chest.

"I take from you your magic!" the All Father shouted, his voice echoing like thunder in the throne hall. He barely finished his words and a swirl of brilliant green light burst out from Loki's body, the force of the energy wave knocking him to the ground.

For a brief moment, no one dared move. Then, slowly, Loki raised his head and reached for Odin. Anger and hatred gone from his eyes, he didn't even try to hide his pain anymore.

"Why don't you just kill me?" he whispered quietly as the last trace of magic left him, leaving him empty, helpless and... mortal.

It couldn't be helped.

"You will live, Loki, and you will repent for all your sins! In the name of my father, and his father before, I, Odin, the All Father, cast you out!"

"Father, no!" Thor shouted as a blast of white light erupted from Odin's scepter. Instinctively, Thor covered his eyes with his arm and desperately tried to reach for his brother, only to see him disappearing into the light.

"What did you do to him, father? Where is my brother now, where did you send him?"

Looking at his son's face, Odin suddenly felt very, very old.

The king had done the right thing – but that did not mean the father was happy. He wished he would have never been forced to make such decisions – especially not when it came to Loki, who had always been such a difficult, self-conscious child.

"He shall be fine," he groaned, putting a hand on Thor's shoulder. "And he will recover his magic – just like you did."

"Keep this in mind, Thor. The path to redemption is never easy, but it is a quest your brother must pursue for himself. We are not supposed to interfere, my son."

Bowing his head, Thor swallowed the lump in his throat.

"You are wise, father, and I shall obey your command. Still, I have lost my brother once; I do not wish to lose him again. I beg you, allow me to keep an eye on him. I promise I shall not intervene unless you grant me permission."

Although he would have never said it out loud, Odin was rarely able to refuse his son when he was asking him something so nicely. Besides, he was no less worried for Loki.

With a deep groan, the old king put the scepter aside.

"Be it as you wish, my son," he conceded. "Watch over your brother if you have to, but remember: should you interfere without my permission, even to save his life, I shall put you to trial. And, this time, I might not be just as merciful."

Thor didn't need to hear more.

"Yes, father," he said with a curt bow of his head before leaving the throne hall in a hurry.