Ascension

ch 45

The ruins of Asgard were a testament to the devastation wrought by Nanna, but they were also a reminder to Loki of the treachery of power-hungry gods. As the last god of Asgard, he was determined to thwart the remaining Sumerians who might bring further chaos to the realms. However, true to his nature, Loki's interests were never entirely selfless.

In the mortal realm, Eve and Perseus journeyed through treacherous lands, determined to find the entrance to the underworld and aid Hades. Their path was fraught with peril, but their resolve was unwavering. Eve, with her keen intellect and innate courage, and Perseus, with his heroic strength and experience, made a formidable team.

As they traversed a dense forest filled with shadows and whispers, Loki appeared before them. He stepped out from behind a tree, his form shimmering as he revealed himself. His eyes, sharp and cunning, were fixed on Eve.

"Eve," Loki greeted, his voice smooth as silk. "Perseus. It's good to see you both."

Perseus immediately drew his sword, his stance protective. "Loki. Why are you here? We have no time for your tricks."

Loki raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I'm not here to deceive you, Perseus. Hades has enlisted my help. We share a common enemy in the Sumerians."

Eve looked at Loki with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "Why should we trust you? You've betrayed others before."

Loki's expression softened as he turned his full attention to Eve. "I understand your distrust. But I assure you, my intentions align with yours. The balance of the realms is at stake, and I have no desire to see them fall into chaos again."

Perseus kept his sword raised but nodded slightly to Eve. "We could use all the help we can get. But one false move, Loki, and you'll regret it."

Loki bowed his head slightly. "Understood."

As they resumed their journey, Loki walked beside Eve, his presence both comforting and unsettling. He began to speak in a tone that was both charming and earnest.

"You know, Eve, I've always admired your bravery and intelligence. It's rare to find a mortal who can hold her own among gods and demigods."

Eve glanced at him, her expression wary. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Loki."

Loki chuckled, a genuine sound that seemed to melt some of the tension. "It's not just flattery. You have a spark, a fire that I find... captivating."

Eve rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "Focus, Loki. We have a mission."

Perseus, though focused on the path ahead, couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He had always admired Eve, and seeing Loki's attention on her was unsettling. He tightened his grip on his sword and continued to lead the way.

The landscape grew more treacherous as they approached the entrance to the underworld. Loki, with his vast knowledge of magic and trickery, helped them navigate through the dangers, earning some measure of trust from both Eve and Perseus.

At a particularly perilous crossing, Eve stumbled, and Loki caught her, his touch gentle yet firm. "Careful," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "We can't afford to lose you."

Eve steadied herself, her heart racing not just from the near fall. "Thanks," she muttered, trying to maintain her composure.

Perseus watched the interaction with narrowed eyes. "We're almost there," he said, his voice tight. "Stay focused."

"This war has really touched us all, I am now the only remaining Agardian." Loki spoke with solemn words. Eve turned to face Loki.

"I'm sorry to hear that. It must be difficult." Eve tried to sympathize. They knew he was telling the truth. Hecate had filled them in on what Sumer and the others were doing.

"I only wish to avenge my family and aid Hades on his quest to bring them down."

Hades sat in his cage, torn with anger and guilt. Sumer knew what he was doing by leaving Hades alive. He wanted him to suffer. To feel guilt for being responsible for bringing this all into motion. After he accepted Garbeal's decree from on high and slain Zeus, he put everyone in danger. However his thoughts shifted. It would have been only a matter of time before the Sumariane would have sorang this into action. Their sins were not a result of his own actions. This war had been planned and it was only by chance it started after Zeus's death. Hades sat and began to think how he could escape.

Finally, they reached the entrance to the underworld, a yawning chasm that seemed to swallow all light. Hecate awaited them, her presence a reassuring beacon in the darkness.

"Loki," Hecate acknowledged, her tone neutral. "I see you've decided to join us."

Loki inclined his head. "For the sake of balance, yes."

Hecate turned to Eve and Perseus. "The time has come. We must free Hades and put an end to the Sumerians' threat. The other god will distract the Sumarians with battle."

As they descended into the underworld, Loki stayed close to Eve, his charm a constant, subtle presence. He regaled her with tales of his past exploits, his voice weaving a spell of its own. Despite her initial wariness, Eve found herself drawn to his wit and charisma.

But as they ventured deeper, the true test of their alliance awaited. In the heart of the underworld, they would face not just external threats, but the inner demons and desires that could either unite or divide them.

Loki's intentions, though seemingly aligned with their mission, were never entirely clear. His interest in Eve, genuine or not, added another layer of complexity to their already dangerous quest. Only time would tell if the trickster could truly become the hero they needed or if his own ambitions would ultimately lead to their downfall.

Eve, Perseus, Loki, and Hecate approached the heart of the underworld. Their journey had been grueling, but they were closer than ever to freeing Hades. The labyrinthine passages twisted and turned, each step taking them deeper into the shadows.

Loki, ever the trickster, continued his attempts to charm Eve. Despite the dangers around them, he maintained his playful demeanor. "Eve, you must admit, we make quite the team. With my cunning, Perseus' strength, and your unparalleled bravery, there's nothing we can't achieve."

Eve, though wary, couldn't deny the growing bond between them. She glanced at Loki, a small smile playing on her lips. "We'll see, Loki. Just don't let your tricks get us into more trouble than we're already in."

Perseus, ever vigilant, kept his focus on their mission. He trusted Loki only as far as he could throw him, but he couldn't deny the trickster's usefulness. "Stay sharp. We're nearing the chamber where Hades is imprisoned."

As they turned a final corner, the massive gates of Hades' prison loomed before them, pulsing with dark energy. Hecate stepped forward, her hands glowing with ancient magic. "These wards are strong, but together we can break them."