The walls shook. The air tasted of iron and static. James froze, wide-eyed, and Tory's hand went straight for his sword. I… smiled.
Because unlike them, I wasn't panicking. I was already thinking.
This wasn't just an attack. This was an opportunity.
I turned to James. "How much do you trust yourself to lie to a god?"
He blinked. "W-what?"
"We don't have time," I snapped. "If we fight him, we're dead. even we can't fight a god.
then i told them my plan "You'll act like you've been working with Loki for years. Like you've been preparing for this very moment. And you'll tell him you're ready to kill him. That Loki already gave you the power to do it."
James stared at me like I'd gone insane. Tory did too, for that matter.
"That's suicide," james said, "No one bluffs a god."
I leaned close to James, ignoring Tory. "Listen, boy. Tricksters thrive on perception. and what are you if not a trickster? i mean for gods sake you were born connected to Loki god of mischeif
James's lips trembled… but then I saw it. That same spark I had seen in the arena. The boy wasn't just powerful; he was clever. He understood the game.
He nodded. "Fine. I'll play your trick."
Good.
The thunder cracked again, closer this time, rattling the hut. Outside, the storm was gathering, the sky bruised purple and black. The god's voice rumbled once more:
"COME OUT, BOY! FACE YOUR DEATH AND YOUR MASTER'S HUMILIATION!"
I placed a hand on James's shoulder. "Remember. You're not the scared boy. You're Loki's chosen. someone ready to kill a god, someone who had years to prepare for this."
And together, we stepped out into the storm.
The sky was split open, lightning carving jagged scars across the black clouds. The rival god's presence pressed down like a mountain, heavy enough to choke the air.
"There you are," it growled, its voice carrying like thunder across every rooftop. "A child, hiding under Loki's shadow."
James didn't flinch. His eyes gleamed with defiance as he stepped forward."Under his shadow? I am His shadow. I've been working with Loki longer than you can think. Every trick I do, every lie I tell—All for my savior, Loki."
The storm roared in laughter. "Lies. No matter how bold you make them, a mortal cannot kill a god. Your magic is weak, boy. I can feel it. Nothing compared to mine… or Loki's."
James tilted his head, smirking."Then why haven't you attacked? Come on, I'm waiting." His voice carried over the thunder. "If I'm lying, strike me down. Kill me. But before you do…" He jabbed a finger toward the heavens. "Think. If there's even a sliver of a chance I'm telling the truth—what happens to you?"
The storm seethed. "I KNOW you're lying, boy! Your magic is weak!"
James shrugged. "You're right. My magic is weak. It's not like Loki—the god of mischief—could twist how you perceive it, just to make you hesitate. Because he wouldn't do something like that… would he?"
Silence. The storm froze, uncertain. And then—
SNAP.
The lightning shattered, the clouds dissolved, and the god vanished like smoke.
From the sidelines, slow clapping echoed.
"Bravo," Loki drawled, stepping into view with a grin sharp as knives. "What a performance."
James glared at him. "That wasn't a god. You made it up. You were testing me."
Loki spread his hands, feigning innocence. "Testing you? Oh, come now. That was theater. And you—" he tapped James on the chest—"were magnificent."
Tory's sword was already half-drawn, fury blazing in his eyes. But before he could lunge, I caught his wrist. "Not now," I whispered, holding him back.
Loki's gaze slid to me, amused. With a flick of his wrist, a crystal materialized in his hand—a shard of deep blue, glowing faintly with its own light. He offered it to me.
It was cold to the touch, colder than ice.
"A pure mana ice crystal," Loki explained smoothly. "Rare. Powerful. Perfect for ice magic. That's your thing, isn't it?"
I didn't let him see the surprise on my face. I just pocketed it with a curt nod.
Loki chuckled, clearly delighted by my lack of reaction. "Ungrateful. I like that." And with another snap, both he and James dissolved into illusion, gone as suddenly as they'd appeared.
The false storm peeled away, leaving the city whole again, untouched.
Tory and I found ourselves back on the road, the night quiet except for the soft crunch of our boots on wet earth. For a while, neither of us spoke.
Finally, Tory broke the silence. "You always keep your cool. Even with him. I don't know how you do it."
I smirked faintly. "Maybe you'll figure it out someday."
He laughed under his breath, shaking his head.
The quiet that followed wasn't sharp this time. It wasn't heavy. It felt… almost like trust.