Doorstep to Hell Pt. 2

Zephyr remained steadfast with Minerva backing her up, their eyes glowing from the activation of their codes. All the while, Hela approached them step by step, as if she was confident that no matter what they threw at her, she could handle it with ease.

Suddenly, a series of metallic clatters rang from afar. Even Zephyr herself barely saw a string of segmented blades flying past her with unfathomable speed. Hela, however, caught the string right out of the air.

"Hm? What is it now?" she muttered as she studied the strange blade.

The strings, once loose, tightened. Hela felt a subtle tug coming from the other end. From behind Zephyr and Minerva, a figure flew into view. Using her whip sword to propel her forward, she swung her arm back. As much as Hela considered the possibility of another Calypso, this was one she wasn't prepared for.

"KEIRA!" Loki screamed at the top of her lungs.

She plummeted to the ground, landing a clean hit straight across the face. Once for, Hela had been struck, as she stumbled back while clenching her jaws. While Loki trudged forward, hands tightened around the handle of her sword, Hela spat blood from her mouth.

Loki raised her arm and swung, while Hela unsheathed a dagger from her leg to counter it. Their blades clashed, sending a shockwave rippling across the ground. Neither of them moved, keeping their hands steady yet trembling, refusing to submit to the might of the other.

"Well..." Hela grinned, her eyes widening with savage joy. "Quite the reunion, hm?"

"Shut up..." Loki muttered.

"Oh my. Why the hatred? Aren't you happy to see your big sister after more than a decade? Because I, for one, am very delighted to see you again... Lilian.

"SHUT UP!"

With a powerful shove, Loki pushed Hela back, surprising even the general herself. She then swung again, but Hela bent her entire body back, performing a backflip to avoid it.

Hela simply stood there as she watched her sister still in the motion of swinging, head down with her hair covering her eyes. She let out a light chuckle as she twirled a strand of her hair absently, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

"Lilian," Hela said softly, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "You've grown so strong. I’m impressed. Really, I am. I always knew you had it in you, my dear little sister."

"Don't... call me that," Loki growled. Her fists were clenched so tight her knuckles turned white, her whole body trembling with rage as she stalked closer.

Hela let out a soft, almost wistful sigh. "But to see you now, after all these years... it just fills my heart. Look at you, all grown up, trying so hard to be someone important. It's almost... cute."

"I'm warning you, Hela." She took another step forward, her boots crunching against the debris underfoot. "You don't get to talk to me like that. Not after everything you've done."

"Oh, but I do. I mean, who else can talk to you like I can? Who knows you better than I do? You've always been such an angry little thing. So full of rage. It's adorable, really. Is that why you hate me? Because I know the real you?"

"I said shut up!"

Loki let out a fiery roar, lunging forward, her sword pointing at Hela's face. But Hela sidestepped the blow with ease, her movements as fluid as water. She made no effort to counter, simply watching as Loki's rage boiled over.

"Still so predictable," Hela mused, not even a trace of fear in her voice. "You haven't changed a bit. Always reacting, always lashing out. But that's what makes you so fun to watch."

Loki let out a feral growl, her fists blazing with raw energy. She swung again, and again, each strike more ferocious than the last, but Hela dodged effortlessly, her smile never fading. It was as if she wasn't even trying.

"Why are you like this...?" she muttered. "Why do you always—!"

Hela suddenly stood only a hair away from Loki. She reached up and rested her hand on Loki's cheek.

"Why? Because I love you, dear sister."

Loki froze for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. Then she snarled, teeth bared in fury. "You don’t know what love is! You... You're a monster."

Hela chuckled, a cold, mocking sound. "And you’re still so naïve. But that's alright. I'll take care of you. I always have, haven't I?" She tilted her head, her gaze almost tender as she whispered. "Shut me out all you want, Lilian, but deep down... you know you love me too."

"No, I don't!" Loki screamed, her voice breaking as she launched herself at Hela again, her fists crackling with energy. This time, Hela caught her wrist in midair, holding her fast with an iron grip.

"Such fire," Hela murmured, her voice low and taunting. "But no matter how much you hate me, you'll never be free of me. You'll always be my little sister, no matter what you do."

Loki's eyes burned with tears of rage as she tried to yank her arm free, but Hela's grip only tightened.

"Shut up..." Loki's voice faltered, her rage giving way to something darker, something desperate. "Just... Shut. Up."

Hela's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with victory. "Never."

Loki readied herself to charge once more, but Zephyr appeared and stood in her way.

"Zeph...?" she mumbled.

"Calm down, Loki," Zephyr said. "Look at her. Don't you see that smile on her face? She's purposely speaking nonsense to provoke you."

Minerva approached Loki from behind and rested her hand on her shoulder.

"Minny..."

"We're here, Loki," she assured. "You're not alone."

Loki's eyes peered over to Hela. Just like Zephyr had said, she had a sweet smile that was filled with mockery. However, this time, she didn't feel as much anger as before. She questioned why, but she already knew the answer.

"Hah... Thanks, girls," Loki chuckled, her eyes filling with renewed confidence and composure.

"Hmf. That ended quickly," Hela pouted. "I didn't think you'd get over it that quickly. That's no fun."

"You may be my blood sister, Hela, but these girls... They're my real sister."

"Fufu~ I'm hurt. How could you say that to me, darling? Now, what should I do about this blatant disobedience?"

"Just do what you're best at."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

Loki grinned beautifully. "Being a bitch. Give me more of a reason to kill you so I can finally feel the satisfaction of cutting your head off... Just like you did to Mama and Papa."

Hela let out a subtle chuckle. She raised her hand to cover her eyes, the chuckle morphing into a harrowing cackle.

"Oh, dear..." she scoffed. "Still caught up in the past, huh? That's good—very good."

Her hand moved slightly, revealing a dangerous glow of red from her one visible eye.

"Now that we have all of our attendees for the show... Let's not disappoint, hm? You're up against Keira Van Lachlein. I expect nothing but the best performance."