The hybrid in the cell (Complete)

In a magic dimension

*Emily*

I wake up to a skull-splitting headache, every sound too loud and the light blinding. I feel sore, but surprisingly better than expected, considering I had thought I would be dead. I try to lift my head, but it's too hard, and a slim hand is put on my chest, keeping me down. A soft female voice says, "Rest and regain your strength, Lady Emily. You will need it."

"Where is Loki?" I don't know why that is my first question, maybe because it's my job to look after him, but I feel the need to know where he is.

The voice answers me, warm and caring. "Don't worry about Loki. He is resting as well. He spent a lot of his magic and needs to get his strength back."

I allow myself to go back to sleep. I need to sleep; I can feel that. And I feel safe wherever it is I am. My sleep is filled with a lot of confusing dreams, but my brain is too exhausted. The dreams don't stick. The only thing I can remember is Loki; he is in most of the dreams.

When I awake again, the light is soft and muted, like the light of a late afternoon, and my head feels much better. So, I open my eyes and look around. I'm in some kind of cottage, a really cozy cottage.

I see a little boy, about 5 or 6 years old, watching me with interest. He has fair hair and intense green eyes. He jumps up, calling out, "Mommy, mommy, she is awake!"

"Thank you, Narfe. Now, be a good boy and run out to get your brother. It's time for supper." The boy smiles at me before running off.

A beautiful fair-haired woman with sapphire blue eyes comes into view, handing me a wooden bowl. "Here, Lady Emily, eat some soup. It will give you strength."

"Thank you," I say, my voice hoarse, barely a whisper. I take the bowl and taste the soup—it's amazing. I drink it down in big gulps, suddenly feeling ravenous.

The door opens, and I hear light footsteps and the laughter of children. The woman gently scolds them. "Narfe, Vale, be quiet, please. Lady Emily still needs peace to recover. Come here and get your soup."

"Sorry, could I maybe get some water?" I hate to ask, but my throat feels so very dry.

"Vale, be so kind and bring Lady Emily some water," the woman's voice says.

A moment later, a slightly older boy appears. He seems to be 9, maybe 10 years old, with hair as black as a raven, pale skin, and eyes as blue as sapphires, just like his mother's. "Here, Lady Emily."

"Thank you, my friend," I say, accepting the cup he brings me. I can't help but stare at the boy; he reminds me greatly of someone.

He hurries away, probably to get his soup, and I sit up a little more to drink the water. I can see a little more of the cottage now. It's warm and homely, but to be honest, it looks like it's a set from a movie about Vikings or something.

"How do you feel, Emily?" Sigyn appears again, almost unearthly beautiful, wearing a blue cotton dress that looks like it belongs at a Renaissance fair.

I manage to sit all the way up now. "Much better, thank you. And please, just call me Emily. Oh, I don't even know your name?"

"I am Lady Sigyn. You can call me Sigyn if you wish. I'm happy to see you better, Emily." Her smile is friendly as she takes the empty bowl and cup away.

Sigyn, that name rings a bell. I know I have heard it before. "Where am I?"

"You are in the magic dimension, Emily. The realm of the gods," Sigyn answers. I want to protest. I can't be in some magical place. But at that moment, the door is flung open, and Loki enters.

His hair is a mess, and his eyes look frightened. He is adorned in black and green leather, just as I had expected him to look when I first met him. "We need to leave now. We have been found."

"Loki, you are not strong enough yet, and I don't know if she is either," Sigyn sounds worried.

Loki shakes his head. "I have no choice. I have been cast out of this realm by Obadin. If they find me here, I'm lucky to spend forever in a tiny underground hole."

"Thank you, Sigyn. Thank you for everything." Loki gently lies his hand on Sigyn's cheek, and she leans into his touch, her eyes closed.

Sigyn's voice is soft as she replies in a language I do not understand, "Take care of yourself, my beloved, and take care of her. I can see she means a lot to you."

Loki nods and then sweeps me into his arms. Green flashes suddenly fill the cottage. And then everything turns black, not like being unconscious or having my eyes closed, but like there is only empty black nothingness surrounding us.

Suddenly, we are back in the room in Strong’s home, and he puts me down on the floor quite unceremoniously, almost causing me to stumble.

"Maybe another time..." I start to tell him off, but when I turn to face him, I see Loki collapsing on the floor.