"What? Not happy to see me?"
Loki's smirk was carved from trouble itself. He twirled my water glass between his fingers like he owned the table, the tavern, the air I was breathing.
"Why are you casting the illusion?" I asked, voice low. "What's your game this time?"
His grin widened. "Oh, Lia. You wound me. But no—this isn't my doing."
I narrowed my eyes. "The hell is that supposed to mean?"
He leaned in just enough to make me uncomfortable. "I didn't cast the spell. I came because of it."
Before I could respond, I sensed Tory's return. He stopped at the edge of the booth, taking one look at my clenched jaw and Loki's smug face.
His hand dropped to Loki's shoulder like a warning.
"This man bothering you, Lia?"
Loki tilted his head back, laughing softly. "Would you look at that? A white knight come to rescue the damsel." He glanced at Tory again, smirking. "Though you look more like a lost puppy than a knight."
Tory didn't flinch. I saw the flash of steel instead—a dagger now pressed against Loki's lower back.
"I don't know who you think you are," Tory said, "but you need to screw off."
I began to rise, to warn him—but Loki's gaze snapped to me. His fingers made the tiniest flick.
"Sit still and shut it."
The words slammed into me like a wall.
I couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Could only watch.
"Who do I think I am?" Loki repeated, vanishing in a blink—only to reappear behind Tory, shoving him hard to the ground.
"I'm someone not worth messing with, little puppy."
Tory growled, trying to stand and stab him again—but Loki vanished, then reappeared in front of him and slugged him across the jaw.
Tory staggered.
"How—ugh—are you doing that?"
Loki laughed, stepping back. "You mean this?"
In a blur, he vanished and reappeared, punching Tory each time before blinking to another spot. Again.And again. Until Tory could barely swing back.
I felt the spell holding me start to slip—he wasn't focused on me anymore.
I forced my voice free.
"Enough!"
The tavern fell silent.
Everyone froze.
Loki straightened, brushing his sleeve off. "Well... fine."
Tory wiped the blood from his lip, still glaring.
"This is Loki," I said flatly. "God of mischief. Trickster of the old myths. Don't piss him off."
Tory scoffed. "Never heard of him."
Loki blinked. His smile twitched.
"You've never heard of Me?"
"Nope," Tory said, deliberately, like a brat with a stick poking a bear.
Loki's eye twitched. "Well, isn't that offensive. But I suppose a nobody wouldn't be in the know."
Tory stepped forward, fists clenched, but I caught his arm.
"We're not doing this again." I turned to Loki. "Why are you here, Loki? Really."
He brushed imaginary dust from his lap. "Once every hundred years, a True godsworn is born. For every god, one mortal capable of channeling our essence—our power. They're rare. Dangerous. And practically useless unless bound to the right god. Their full magic only activates if their god chooses them."
"Let me guess. You're here to claim yours."
"Correct!" Loki snapped his fingers. "But here's the issue—I can't find them. The city's magic is interfering. And if any of the gods I've pissed off get to them before me…" He trailed off, voice hardening. "It'll be another hundred years before I get a shot."
"Not our problem," I said.
"I can help you." Loki's voice softened. "More power. More mana. Maybe even a few forgotten spells the other gods wouldn't dare teach you."
I hesitated.
Tory tugged me aside.
"We can't help him," he whispered harshly. "The stories about him—he destroys lives. Civilizations. You know this."
"So you do know me!" Loki chirped, suddenly appearing between us. "I knew that 'never heard of him' crap was a lie!"
Tory spun to punch him, but I caught his wrist.
"Enough!" I snapped. Then to Loki: "We'll help. If the godsworn isn't harmed. Not touched. Not manipulated. Not broken. Not you."
Loki studied me for a long second, then smiled.
"You've grown soft since we last met."
I met his eyes—then drove my silver dagger into his chest.
"Have I?"
Loki looked down at the blade.
Pulled it out like it was nothing.
"...Fair enough."
He turned, already fading.
"Search for strong magic. If you find the godsworn, you'll know. I'll be here—drinking. Bye now!"
And just like that—he was gone.
[Day 17 / 3650]