Prologue: Loki

Loki had been grinning, kicking his feet back and forth over the kaleidoscopic bridge stretching far and wide throughout the Myriad Heavens. The bridge sparkled like an endless nebula of worlds and galaxies. 

"This woman is such a fool… What is her name again? Maylar?" He laughed, falling to his back, his lips all but curled down at the sight of Heimdall staring at him with multicolored eyes, glimmering misty colors. He nearly jumped in shock before chuckling. "I keep forgetting you're alive. How'd it feel to die and resurrect? You must be happy Lord Zariel brought you back." 

Heimdall, with his sun-kissed skin, winced. "Better than being a thrall to one of the Nine Monarchs of Hell." 

Loki hopped to his feet, laughing. He patted Heimdall's shoulder as if to beat the dust off his shoulders. He ignored the shudder running through his half-brother's body and looked him in the eye.