The Challenge

Nineteen

It would appear Thor was not the only one upset over his brother's actions. The God of Thunder approached slowly, his eyes on Ares's bloody knuckles before travelling to Loki's bruised face and broken body.
The God of War turned to him, alarm briefly flashing in his eyes, but Thor simply lifted a hand to instantly put him at ease. He couldn't care less, whatever Loki had done to land himself in this situation Thor had no doubt he deserved the beating he received. His brother would quickly learn not all deities were accepting of his disrespectful tongue.

Ares still explained the cause for Loki's condition, "I confronted him, as is my task, about contacting Odin without Zeus's direct approval. It's a risk to what we are attempting to do here, the safety of my pantheon and so I was ordered to step in and ensure by any means this wouldn't happen again."
Thor's brow rose at the words, he felt his brother's gaze on him but he refused to acknowledge him. Ares went on, "As we spoke, he failed to realise the weight of his action and then proceeded to insult both you and Lady Namira. He spoke of choices you make in what bedpartners you've taken and what that makes her in his eyes..."

Ares's lip tilted up in a light smirk as his gaze travelled back to the Trickster God for a moment, "I suppose he failed to realise the consequences of that, too, which is amusing in its own way considering I have been very open about what you both mean to me."
Ares offered the lightest shrug, "I told him to keep his silence, but he did not. We fought absent power, upon his request. The mess you see before you now is the result of his challenge and my willingness to defend you both."

Thor smiled at that, nodding. The times he'd considered hitting his brother, killing him even, for the things he said... He hadn't, never truly harming Loki, but Thor couldn't deny it pleased him to see his brother paying for his vile words now, "What happens next?"
Ares offered a light shrug, "I need to bring him before our tribunal, see if they consider this fluke in his behaviour worthy of forgiveness."

Thor's smile grew, "Forgiveness... It would seem my brother finds himself in the position to need forgiveness a lot, yet he continues to prove himself unworthy of it. You'd think he'd learn."
Ares grinned at that, "Perhaps now his pretty face has been marred, he'll be more likely to at least think things through before acting against others for selfish gain."
Loki's troubled breathing disturbed the silence, "Stop your babbling, take me to your father, we'll see if he approves of what you've done to his guest."

Thor shook his head, his brother's twisted perception of reality was truly disturbing. Had he missed where Ares had specifically said he sought Loki out only at Zeus's request, to ensure his cooperation by whatever means necessary?
As they stood before Zeus, Namira offered to heal Loki's wounds as a gesture of kindness, but Loki declined the offer, Namira supposed he didn't want to owe her for anything. Scolding the trickster God, Zeus made it clear there would be no more chances for Loki after this. He'd applauded Ares for his actions and dismissed the gathered tribunal shortly after.

The grand halls of Olympus echoed with the celestial harmony as Loki departed. His face was still marked with bruises and swelling, his breathing laboured over the damage Ares had done to his body, a limp in his step. He approached Aphrodite's divine chamber after he left the gathering.
The air was thick with tension, even the golden radiance of the room seemed dimmed by the shadows of recent events.

Aphrodite reclined on a majestic golden chaise, her gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of her own reflection in a golden mirror. As Loki entered, she cast a brief glance toward him, her eyes narrowing at the sight of his battered visage, "Well, well... if it isn't the trickster himself," she remarked, her voice dripping with disdain, "What brings you to my abode, Loki, especially in such a pitiful state?"

Loki winced but maintained a smirk, doing his best to exude charm despite the evident pain, "Ah, dear Aphrodite, even in my current state, I can see your beauty shines brighter than the sun itself. I come to you with a matter of grave importance – one that concerns not just me but the very fabric of this divine realm and your position in it. I come to make you an offer."
Aphrodite raised a delicate eyebrow, feigning disinterest, "Oh, do enlighten me, Loki. I'm positively on the edge of my divine seat."

Loki took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto hers even though one had swollen shut, "Namira has become a force to be reckoned with. Her allure is unmatched, she's ensnared the hearts of beings from various pantheons. Even Zeus himself can't resist her charms it would seem."
Aphrodite's gaze sharpened, a spark of jealousy flickering in her eyes, "Namira, you say? What concern is she of mine? She is not here to stay and soon she will leave us."

Loki stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You see, my dear Aphrodite, Namira's influence is spreading like wildfire. Her beauty has entranced gods and goddesses alike. Even Ares, in a moment of weakness, succumbed to her allure and attacked me in her defence. The power she wields threatens the balance of my pantheon, but of Olympus as well. Everyone seems blind to this."

Aphrodite's expression darkened, "Ares did this to you, for her? Unacceptable."

Loki seized the opportunity, pressing on. He knew Aphrodite and Ares had been lovers in the past and that the Goddess before him had not willingly given this up, "Imagine, dear goddess, if you were to join forces with me... Together, we could bring Namira to her knees. With your unparalleled beauty and my cunning, we could break her hold on Olympus and restore balance to the divine order."
Aphrodite pondered for a moment, a mixture of vengeance and curiosity in her eyes, "And why should I trust you, Loki? You're a master of deceit and betrayal."

Loki fell to one knee, a gesture of submission, "Because, my radiant goddess, I am willing to make a binding vow. I swear on my powers, on my very essence, that I will work tirelessly by your side until Namira is no longer a threat to our pantheons. If I fail in this endeavour, I willingly forfeit my abilities forever."

Aphrodite's eyes glinted with satisfaction, "A binding vow, you say? I do find that intriguing. Swear it on the River Styx and I shall lend you my support. Fail me, Loki, and you will suffer a fate worse than any god has ever known."
Loki nodded, determination in his eyes, "I swear on the River Styx that I will aid you in this matter, that I will worship you as you deserve and will be at your service for as long as you demand it and should I fail to meet your expectations, I am fully at your mercy."

Aphrodite rose from her chaise, a wicked smile playing on her lips, "So be it, Loki. Let the game begin, may Namira rue the day she caught the eye of the gods, of my love. Ares has requested I make use of her gift before... I will take her up on this offer and share it with you."
As Loki's bruised form straightened, a new alliance forged in the halls of Olympus, the divine order trembled with the impending clash between the gods and the enchanting threat that grew against Namira.

Loki grinned. In one moment, he fulfilled his trial to offer something he held most dear selflessly and found a way to restore himself if it was up to his new partner in crime. He might not need the forgiveness of his own pantheon after all.
Still on his knees before her, he gasped as she touched his face and the damage that Ares had done simply vanished, "Thank you, Aphrodite."

The Goddess laughed at this, a mocking, playful sound, "It is for my benefit, I can't bear to look at you all bruised and disformed, now can I?"
She sat back on her chaise, "You swore to be at my service, Loki," her legs parted for him, "Service me."

Still on his knees, Loki grinned widely as he moved forward to kneel between her legs. This might be his best scheme yet. Aphrodite's moans of pleasure filled the room as he devoured her, feasted on her.
He'd build his own alliance.

TBC...