Loki floated mid-air, radiating malice, and even Fenrir had begun to project killing intent through his eyes. Everyone instinctively took a step back. If you looked closely, a few had begun to sweat coldly. Loki watched the scene unfold with an amused smile.
"It seems your instincts recognize the truth. This Fenrir possesses fangs capable of killing gods. Right now, Death itself stands before you! But don't worry, I've no intention of dragging this out in a messy fight. Even with me and Fenrir, if Odin draws Gungnir and you all come at us at once, our loss is very possible. I don't underestimate the power of the Chief Gods' temple."
Damn it, Loki, couldn't you just be a little careless for once? Though, fair enough. Odin is a god of war. He might put up a decent fight even against Fenrir… if the situation allows it. But if Loki really intends to kill him, it makes sense that a confrontation with Odin was always part of the plan.
"Earlier, that holy sword wielder over there said, 'Strike first, strike hard,' didn't he? But surprise is key to that strategy. For example… like this! Come forth, my beloved son… bring Odin before me!"
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!"
A suspicious light burst from Loki's palm. A screech rang out behind us, followed by a loud mechanical clank, like something unlatched. It came from behind.
The one who emerged was Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse, the divine steed who pulled his chariot!
With blank, unthinking eyes, Sleipnir moved at godspeed, faster than any of us could react. It grabbed Odin by the scruff of the neck and flung him before Loki and Fenrir, then immediately placed itself between us and them, barring our path.
Odin was bound tightly in glowing magical restraints, courtesy of Loki. Even for someone of Odin's magical prowess, escaping from that wouldn't be easy.
"Grgh… You got me good. When you gave me your son Sleipnir, you must have implanted some control ritual, didn't you? I didn't even notice with all my magical knowledge from Mimir's well. What trick did you use?"
"My, still thirsting for knowledge even now? How hopeless. I never believed I could completely outwit the Chief Temple's detection with magic alone. I'm sure you had Sleipnir examined for odd enchantments, didn't you? But powerful magicians often overlook the primitive. It was simple: I removed my newborn son's skullcap and engraved the binding sigil directly onto the inner surface, by hand! Without my specific aura, it was inert. No magical residue. You would've never found it. Of course, had you conducted Ragnarok properly, I wouldn't have had to use this... but one must always have insurance."
…That's vile! He took his newborn kid's skull and carved a spell into it like a woodblock!? And wait, wolves and horses are his kids? Gods are messed up!
"To go that far and still call him 'beloved son', you've got some gall! There's a limit to mischief!"
"Did you forget, Odin? I'm the god of mischief. It seems you'd be better off addressing your senility than chasing new wisdom. Now then, according to prophecy, you're fated to be devoured by Fenrir. The order may have changed slightly, but this is a fitting prologue to Ragnarok! Fenrir! Feast upon the Chief God before us!"
At Loki's command, Fenrir's gaze locked onto Odin, eyes glowing with bloodlust.
"STOOOOOOOP!!!"
Azazel shouted at the top of his lungs. The rest of us launched a barrage of long-range attacks at Fenrir to try to stop him, but Sleipnir intercepted all of them, moving at impossible speeds, knocking away our spells. The ones it missed were blocked by Loki's barrier. Even if a few landed, they probably wouldn't stop Fenrir anyway.
"Fuhahaha! Goodbye, Odin!!"
BOOOOM!!
Just as Fenrir's god-slaying fangs were about to tear into Odin, a thundering impact blew everything back.
A crimson meteor streaked down from the sky, slamming directly into Fenrir's lower jaw before he could react. The divine wolf spun like a drill and was launched far, far away into the distance.
"Fenrir! …Tch! You again?! Damn human!"
Loki glared at me, but I didn't even have the strength to reply.
I'd used Ittou Rasetsu to deliver that kick, my entire body was in tatters, barely able to stand. I was about to crash.
With blood streaming behind me and my speed turning me into a red comet, I'd become a proper "Red Shining Star." Not quite three times faster, but close.
Facing the enemy in this state was suicide, but I had a backup plan! In my right hand, I clutched a vial of Phoenix Tears that Ravel gave me during Issei's Rating Game. I just needed to splash it and recover, fast! Loki won't hesitate to kill me if I don't!
"Okay… nnnghh… huh!?"
Shit! I'm too injured to even open the damn vial! My hands are shaking like jelly!
"Oh no… I'm dead meat!"
"That's Phoenix Tears, isn't it? I won't allow it! You're too dangerous after that kick! Die here and now!!"
Loki conjured a massive spell and fired it point-blank.
CRACK! BOOM!!
The magic blast hit directly and exploded spectacularly.
"IKKIIIIIIII!"
"SENPAI!!"
"IKKI-SAMA!!!"
Voices rang out, Issei, Koneko-chan, Ravel, but I emerged unharmed from the smoke and quickly retreated.
That was way too close! I just barely dodged it... Wait, did Loki plan for me to dodge into someone else?
"Thanks, Kuroka! You saved me!"
She'd fired a perfectly disguised spell just strong enough to shatter the vial cap. No one else even noticed.
"Hmph. If I didn't know about your Ittou Rasetsu technique, I might not've acted in time. But seriously, using that much power and not even having strength to open a healing item? You're a walking hazard, nya."
Yeah, even I admit that was reckless.
"Impossible! That was a full-power blast! You should be dust!"
"Maybe. Or maybe you just missed it."
"Missed?! Then what did I hit!?"
Before I could answer, a grumbling voice came from behind me.
"It was me, fool."
A massive aura beam blasted Loki into the sky.
I turned, Odin had broken free from his restraints, beaten and bloodied but standing tall.
"You're my guard, aren't you?! Why'd you dodge and let me take the hit! ...Well, thanks to Loki's last attack, I managed to break free."
...Oh crap. I totally forgot about Odin!
"His bindings are gone!? Fenrir! What are you doing!? Get back here and crush these two!!"
At his command, Fenrir jumped back from far in the distance and landed beside Loki.
"Kyuu... kyuuuuu..."
"What? Your jaw is dislocated!?"
"Kyuuu! Kyuuuu!! Kuuun!!"
"Your pride as a wolf... shattered along with your fangs? You want to go home!?"
Fenrir nodded sadly.
"Stop whining! Fine! I'll fix your jaw!"
Loki tried to shove Fenrir's jaw back into place, but it wouldn't budge. Frustrated, he turned to Sleipnir for help.
"Sleipnir! Slam him! Hit that jaw like you're charging a boss! Do a tackle, no, a full-blown RAM ATTACK!!"
"HAGYA?!, GYYAAAAAAAH!!"
Sleipnir, under Loki's control, launched a headbutt at Fenrir's jaw without hesitation.
"Fuhahaha! There! Your jaw's back in place! Now, let's resume our fun!"
Fenrir glared murderously behind Loki. At this rate, even if they win, Loki's getting eaten after.
As I thought that, a voice rang out from above us.
"Looks like this party's getting interesting. Mind if I join in?"
Descending from the sky were Vali and his group, some I recognized, some I didn't.
"The White Dragon Emperor?! Damn. This isn't a fight we can win right now. We're pulling back, but! On the day of the gods' summit, I will stand before you again! Farewell!!"
Loki and his crew vanished into a teleportation circle.
Everyone remained on edge, watching Vali's team warily. Azazel, ever the negotiator, broke the silence.
"Vali. What do you want? You're a battle junkie, hoping for a fight with Loki, I assume?"
"Unfortunately, while I'd love that, we're no match for both Loki and Fenrir and Sleipnir. But if we ally with you guys... that's a different story."
Everyone looked stunned. Vali… wanted to team up?
"We're offering a temporary alliance. For this operation, at least."
Koneko, however, had turned away from the tension and rushed toward a certain someone.
"Salamander Tomita-san!? You're alive!?"
Wait, who!? That's a kappa in sunglasses! What kind of name is Salamander Tomita?! Isn't that a fire spirit's name? Why would a water Youkai be named after a fire lizard!?
...And the chaos continues.
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