kalt konungur. ♔

How he before the thunderous throne doth lieLumen T1

[tooyoungtorule]

Essence of Life (Intro/Open)

Once more a creature of darkness, it’s one eye shining brightly at the pale girl, hauled her over it’s shoulder. A young, horned boy yelled in protest, taking his sword and thrashing wildly— he was too slow. 3 more came and knocked him on the ground. The girl stayed silent, but the terror on her face was obvious. Her little hero was overwhelmed, and she was slipping beneath the darkness. Just as he got up, yelled her name and make a dive for the black portal, her pale, luminescent hand was sucked into the darkness.

Yorda was not quite sure how long she had been asleep, nor where she had awoken. She was on a bench, the town around her bathed in an almost holy light. It was quite beautiful. Behind her a statue of a winged horse made home— a Pegasus  if she remembered correctly. The stories of her childhood had been so long ago. Glancing around the square, two thoughts occurred.

One: Where was Ico?

Two: Where was the castle?

The girl stood from the bench, bare feet touching the cobblestone warmed by the sun. Overall it was a beautiful city, but the young girl merely wanted to see Ico once more, even if it was in that dreadful castle. Walking towards someone, Yorda reached out, but was brushed off. Ah… But she needed help…

[betterfeared]

Loki had already become bored.

The island was rather beautiful, but he deserved no less than that--- after all, many considered him to be a god, and he certainly behaved like one, himself. If all went as planned, and he was certain things would, then he would make use of his unexpected arrival... and he would require others to serve him, but the place was teeming with mortals.

However, his attention was drawn to a lone figure nearby. Loki turned his gaze to the small girl, staring down at her. She seemed so small.

Slowly sauntering over to her, he stood before the pale stranger. "You there..." Why he was wasting his time with someone who appeared to be hardly more than a child, Loki did not know (then again, he could be considered ancient, so most people were children in his eyes). Perhaps she could be of some use to him.

"What business have you here?"

It appeared as though she'd wanted help from someone. The nerve of some humans.. Of course, Loki had no intention of assisting her, no, but he had to admit he'd become curious. There was something about her that seemed.. most definitely different from all the others there.

[ohmypeanutbuttercup-deactivated]

betterfeared started following you 

Rancis eyed the male in front of him, raising a brow with a rather confused look on his face. It took him a while before he spoke up, but he looked away upon greeting him. “Who’re you?”

[betterfeared]

What an odd being. They were so very small in comparison to the practically-hulking god. He gazed down at the blond, viridian eyes cold as he spoke.

"I am Loki, of Asgard.."

He was of royalty--- a god, cast down, but he expected such tiny beings to kneel before him all the same. "You dare look upon me so brashly-- a mere mortal.." The trickster scoffed harshly, pointing his sceptre at the other. "Kneel."

[betterfeared]

[Moving Loki, please unfollow!]

[betterfeared]

☈ ruling.} closed summon

He murmured the incantation, a focused glow to his gaze as the summoning began; such magic required experience, something Loki had very much of. The trickster was fortunately well-versed in sorcery. It was something he'd become familiar with at a very young age, largely differentiating him from his brother. A cold wind blew forth as he continued uttering the words, ice forming on the ground in an astonishingly intricate circle.

"...From the Crown, come forth and follow the forked road leading to the Kingdom. Heed my words."

A second gust of wind blew past, causing his cloak to billow, the cerulean orb at the blade of his sceptre glowing with a faint hum ---- but rather than fading, the noise grew louder and louder, swelling forth before he finally set the weapon down with the harsh noise of metal upon the now cold ground.

It rang out, echoing, before a blast of deep blue, similar to the color of the night sky before it turns a murky black color, shot all around, coming from the summoning circle. And as the smoke cleared, a lone figure could be seen before him.. just as he had wished for.

"Rise... before your king."

[betterfeared]

♚ nyctophilic.} open

[crystalinnocence-blog]

Though this man was very intimidating compared to her small stature, she’d stand her ground. A chill was sent down her spine as he smirked, his icy gaze meeting her own. She found it difficult to look away it was as if he was somehow pulling her in just by looking at her. “Loki..” she whispered. She’d heard the name before, but only in legends.

A man of legend towered over her. It was safe to assume that she shouldn’t have approached someone of such great status so casually, but he gave off the sort of aura someone else she had once known did. However, he seemed much worse than the Millennium Earl did. Though different in looks, their thought pattern seemed the same. Loki thought lowly of humans and as did the Millennium Earl, making them no different from each other. “I’m not a child,” she started “You don’t know who I am or what I’ve been through.” standing up for herself was the only thing she could do in a situation like this. Though he had lived much much longer than she ever will, he had no right to call her a child and she wouldn’t allow it.

Her craving subjugation? Utterly ridiculous. What human being would want to live under the rule of a tyrant this man proved to be? As he moved closer to her, she stepped back at each advance he made. She’d almost given up once in her life and she was not going to do it again. “I’ll never submit to someone like you.” Her hands now clenched into fists as she turned her gaze elsewhere refusing to look at him.

“Nobody ever will, Loki.”

[betterfeared]

No... she was just like all the others. He was so much more powerful than them, and yet, Loki was still looked down upon ---- however, he was sure that would change once he won the war. It was amusing to know that she'd hear of him before... good. Perhaps his previous adventures upon Earth had given him a reputation of some sort. Of course, the humans all scorned him now, but he'd still gotten what he'd wanted, in the end; a trip back to Asgard. His features turned harsh as he feigned surprise,

"Oh? ...And are you willing to stake your life on that claim?"

A cold wind blew past them, slightly tousling his shiny black locks. But it didn't die down, rather.. it only grew cooler. He waved a hand at the ground below them and gradually, sparkling frost began gathering at their feet. It built up, as though spreading to the girl, and he leaned forward, "I wouldn't be so quick to make assumptions."

He grinned widely, teeth nearly bared, but it wasn't a kind gesture. The trickster's gaze gleamed dangerously as he raised his sceptre, pointing it's tip towards where her heart was.

Nevertheless, he didn't intend to do anything irreversible yet. No, no, it was too soon for that... even by Loki's wretched standards. Slowly, the frost turned to ice, inching around and up her foot, towards her ankles. Once something became superfluous to him, it would be eliminated. It was only a matter of time, and time was exactly what the young girl was rapidly running out of.

One eyebrow quirked as he asked softly, "Who is your servant?"

[betterfeared]

♚ nyctophilic.} open

[crystalinnocence-blog]

While today had been fairly nice, the clouds that had suddenly gathered in the sky was starting to prove otherwise. The once bright blue sky had now turned dark, looking like it was going to pour rain at any moment now. She turned her gaze towards the sky, lips curving down into a frown as she mumbled, “I really hope it doesn’t rain..it was such a nice day a moment ago.” She hurried down the sidewalk only to be stopped by a sudden streak of lightning that touched the ground only inches away from her being, the roar of thunder following in it’s arrival. On instinct, she moved back as soon as the lightning had struck, shielding her face with her arms as she did so.

As the smoke cleared from the sudden strike, to her utter surprise there was a man kneeling in the center. Baffled on how he could’ve survived it, her eyes widened in surprise. How could one simply walk away quickly and pretend like they’d never seen it in the first place? Screams could be heard from civilians as she was lost in thought. Everyone seemed to be pointing at this man who had appeared so suddenly.

He was no ordinary human if he was even human at all, she’d come to that conclusion when she studied his attire. It definitely wasn’t something people around these parts wore just for a casual stroll around town. Hell, people probably wouldn’t even wear such attire at all. Finally, having the courage to say something rather than watch Lenalee stepped forward, “You..aren’t normal.” Stating the obvious was always essential when confronting someone. “Who exactly are you? By that type of entrance I can only assume you know something of the Holy War taking place.” Hopefully she wouldn’t sorely regret this confrontation. She didn’t exactly know what the man was capable of doing to her. It didn’t help that she’d come alone either.

[betterfeared]

The screams of bystanders only served to boost his ego. Loki almost felt theatrical, and he thrived in the attention, relishing it. After all... is it not better to be feared than loved? But he paid them little attention, about to saunter forth before a simple stranger--- no, a mere girl approached him. She moved carefully, and yet the fact that she was bold enough to go to him was rather.. bold.

What fun.

“Who exactly are you? By that type of entrance I can only assume you know something of the Holy War taking place.”

A cold smirk twitched to his lips as he gazed down at the human, practically looming before her. But he liked her.. or rather, he liked how easily she accepted his superiority. It was evident that he was the stronger of them both. "Of course.."

"I am Loki."

He was not of Asgard, nor of Jotunheim, either. That was something the trickster had come to accept throughout his strenuous quests. He didn't even bother specifying that he was a Master. That would not be necessary.. for the term servant could never apply to him. At least, that was what he believed.

"I must say... despite my nearly despicably low expectations for your petty race, I had not expected to be up against mere children such as yourself." Of course, compared to his years of experience, all humans could be seen as children. Loki had lived for thousands of years, and he intended to live for much longer, as well.

"You, too, crave subjugation..." He stepped closer to her, dangerous gaze sparkling with intensity. "Surely it would do you good to simply submit now to my rule rather than bother fighting at all."

[betterfeared]

♚ nyctophilic.} open

It was eerily silent. The faint chill of a breeze could be felt, and, although the sky had been a serene, blue shade mere seconds before, clouds were suddenly gathering, shrouding the street in a dark shadow. A shockingly bright flash of lightning tore across the sky, the sound of thunder roaring as something bathed in brilliant, golden light shot from the sky and towards the ground.

Something, or rather, someone had arrived.

They landed, leaving a cloud of smoke to clear as a figure could gradually be seen. It was a person— more than just a person, it was a god.. Loki. Kneeling, with his vibrant, green eyes cast downwards, he held in one hand a grand scepter. 

His green gaze slowly raised as he gradually looked up, coming to stand. So he’d made it unbound… there had been much to sacrifice, of course, to manage the transportation, but Loki hardly cared for anything that Odin had lost in the transition. 

As he straightened up, viridian eyes cast about, he took in his surroundings. The cold air chilled Loki as it blew past his past, making his cloak flutter slightly. It seemed the place was mainly made up of pathetic humans… nothing truly magnificent. Still, with a war brewing, he had reason to feel some sort of excitement.

In the end, it would be every man for himself. No nations, no armies — just as their wretched race had begun.

[ilokilaufeyson]

[thorvaenn]

“Poor foolish brother… Always forgetting that lightning is but a flicker of light, punctuated on all sides by darkness.”

[xavir-blog]

Is it?

[deconsecration-deactivated20170]

She tells me I'm not capable of what they accuse me. With no remorse I stand and say that guilt is what I plead

[betterfeared]

soon to be affiliated w/ knight's vocation

[betterfeared]

❝a god am I.

[loveoverdiscord]

It seemed that they had reached a truce. And in the nick of time as well, for Charles no longer felt the motivation to keep up his illusion. Furthermore, as sorely as he wished to utilize such an ability to perplex the other…he resisted such a blatant abuse of power. For now, he would allow Loki to underestimate him, to believe his power only went so far. And, while Charles was indeed exhausted by the events of the day, it was that initial weariness that seemed to have such an impact on his abilities, as opposed to overuse.

There was much his powers could accomplish, between diving into the minds of others, projecting his own consciousness, forging illusions…one would think the repeated use would wear him out. But the truth of it was, it had been the resistance that weighed so heavily on his body and mind. Loki was a man of power…and with that came a powerful, assertive consciousness. Charles had felt it, the way his mind seemed militarized against intrusion. And, as quickly as Charles had burrowed his way in, Loki cast him out with that icy edge.

Although in many senses it was perhaps a little late. Charles had seen enough.

“I should hope so. Elsewise we wouldn’t make a very effective team, now would we?” A quiet smile established itself on Charles’ features as he lowered his fingers from his temple, dropping the illusion. He was vaguely aware of the result of the blast the other has issued, but he didn’t spare it a glance, instead sliding his hands into the confines of his pockets.

“Ah…” There was a pause where Charles’ gaze strayed, blue eyes taking note of the shadows cast across the floor from the light of a small window along the hall. It seemed that dusk was falling more quickly than anticipated.

“If I may beg your indulgence…have you anything else you wish to discuss? I believe I have a dinner date to tend to.”

[betterfeared]

Loki nodded mutely, smiling all the while as he watched the mutant reappear. As far as he could tell, Charles was only capable of mind tricks... which were, of course, impressive, not to mention overwhelmingly powerful, at least if he knew how to master such an ability.. but the trickster's own power still outweighed those of the smaller man.

Perhaps that was why he was so willing to work with the mutant ---- because even if they appeared to be in a rather mutual agreement, Loki could easily still look down upon him, both literally and figuratively.

“If I may beg your indulgence…have you anything else you wish to discuss? I believe I have a dinner date to tend to.”

The god couldn't help but give a faint scoff at Charles' comment, a more sly expression coming over his features.

"Well, I certainly would not want to keep you waiting.."

Slowly, he took a step back, sceptre tip pointing downwards till it very nearly grazed the cold, white hospital floor. They would meet again, that much was certain... after all, even if Charles did not truly wish to work with Loki, it wasn't as though he could escape the tall mischief-maker.

They were all trapped there whether they liked it or not.

"Enjoy yourself, Charles. I'm sure we will meet again soon."

And with a nod, he turned on one heel, striding away. There was still much to take care of, but at least for now, Loki had enough control over the mutant to be content.

[xavir-blog]

This is a child, a prayer. Pathetic.

[betterfeared]

trickery// hallows eve open.

[llorandohueco]

“I am perfectly aware of my position.” He was the former Fourth Ranking Espada of Aizen’s army, a title that had no doubt been stripped after his untimely ‘death’ at the hands of a certain Shinigami but that hadn’t altered his loyalties to the man in the slightest. By human standards the hollow was corrupt by many flaws, wavering devotion was not one of them.  

As the much, much taller raven haired male closed in on him, presumably to try and install a sense of intimidation upon the Cuarta [an intention he miserably failed to achieve] the hollow was unreceptive to the threat. Whatever powers the staff in his grip were capable of, Ulquiorra was more than confident in his own abilities to deter them.

A God, how ridiculous. All he could see what a petty , powered up human with sever delusion of grandeur and piteous control over his emotions.

“Not the God I serve.” So far only one person was exhibiting a so called pathetic behaviour, and he was not a guilty party. Fortunately the more humane member of the group piped up before the debate could escalate further. As much as the other was trash, he was inclined to agree with the suggestion and apparently the so called God had heeded his words and was finally progressing in terms of venturing into the other side of the door.

Silently, Ulquiorra followed behind the one leading the group , reptile like hues swelling just a fraction attesting to his surprise at what was to be found. A frozen, desolate land of icy constructs towering over the trio. He was unsure what to make of this, until it became apparent that this area was of some familiarity to, who had now been identified as ‘Loki’. Probing emerald hues shifted to focus on the adolescents that had drifted into his sight. Their apparition seemed to have unbalanced Loki to an extent - a fine example of a deity, unable to steel his nerves at the slightest disturbance.

“Compose yourself, trash, act like the entity you claim to be.”

[loveoverdiscord]

The tension in the air was thick, providing a vast challenge for the mutant who seemed to be swept up in the middle between these powerful…and opinionated brunettes. There was no telling what lay ahead of them, and this uncertainty in their ability to work together as a team was a little unsettling to Charles. Although he supposed if worse came to worse…he could offer them a special nudge in the right direction to at least tolerating one another’s presence. At least for the time being, Charles could rest assured he would receive little backlash, certain their feud would persevere the full length of this impromptu adventure.

The door opened, the sparks that seemed to be flying between the two dissipated almost instantly by a flurry of snow. This sight was familiar, Charles thought…as if from a distant dream. Or rather, a memory. But not his own, to be certain. In his investigation of Loki’s mind, Charles had come across this place before. He even knew that it had a name: Jotunheim. This was the home of the frost giants, of Loki’s people. But this situation…the mutant could recall no such thing, leading him to believe that this particular memory was one buried deep in the furthest recesses of his mind, what Charles had come to refer to as the brightest corner of one’s consciousness.

“I am unsure our voices will reach him here…” Charles commented softly, in his awe at their surroundings apparently oblivious to the insult in Ulquiorra’s words. Instead, he merely spectated, shuddering at the stark cold that assaulted them out of the blue. He was hardly dressed for such a drastic temperature drop, the wool sweater he wore doing little to protect him from the elements whirling around them. The snowflakes licked at his cheeks, now and then assaulting him with such force that Charles momentarily felt a prick as with a needle where the flakes landed. How one could suffer such weather day by day was beyond the mutant, who could already feel his limbs growing stiff with the cold.

“Perhaps you would care to see a trick?” A smile dashed over Charles’ face as he turned his attention over to Ulquiorra briefly, unfolding his arms to bring two fingers to his temples. He would need to intercept Loki’s mind, to see what he saw, to know how this memory would unfold. However, if Charles believed it would be that easy…he was sorely mistaken…

His attempts to peruse Loki’s mind were null and void, his efforts instead landing him with a very different result… He could see the world, the careening snowflakes, and Loki before him, very much an adolescent in his eyes. It was through the eyes of the boy that had spoken, through Thor’s that Charles instead witnessed the scene. But there was something terribly off…an evil inside such a mind that shouldn’t have been. In a memory emptiness would have sufficed, but instead Charles was met with what he could only describe as something wicked. And it was here he chose to withdraw swiftly from the mind he had accidentally invaded. A tinge of pain came with it as the mutant now lowered his hand, realizing that his telepathic abilities seemed to be malfunctioning here. No doubt per the doctors’ orders…

“Something is wrong… This is no ordinary memory.” Charles now cautioned the other softly, feeling already in the nature of the dream that things wouldn’t go as planned… “We need to depart as soon as possible…”

[betterfeared]

Loki shook his head, the wind leaving him undeterred due to his true family's kind ---- perhaps species was a more appropriate term. After all, he no longer had a family..

He did not even shoot Ulquiorra another dirty look, his gaze entirely captured by the image of Thor and the rest of their dear friends. Carefully and slowly, he stepped forward, boots crunching faintly in the snow as the wind howled on by, rustling his hair faintly. Something was wrong, he could nearly taste it..

"Odinson--"

But now it was Fandral who spoke.

"What's the matter, Loki?"

And then Volstagg.

"Have you lost your tongue?"

With each word, they looked more and more confused, more.. disappointed. Even Hogun looked upon him with unusually harsh disdain. This was not right at all, this was not accurate to his memory which he'd managed to keep so strong within the very recesses of his mind.

“We need to depart as soon as possible…”

Charles' own voice managed to awaken Loki from his deep thoughts, and for once, the trickster found he agreed with the mutant. "..Yes. Yes, we must leave at once." He nearly turned away from his false companions before his young brother's voice spoke out, stopping Loki in his tracks.

"Loki... you've been lying, haven't you?"

He did not wish to gaze upon the blond. Thor's smile had disappeared, now replaced by a look of careful suspicion. Just seeing such an expression on his ex-brother's face was like receiving a punch to the stomach.

"Thor, please--- it was a misunderstanding--"

[trahisongager-blog]

quarantine. - - ✁-

 from what he could hear even boxed all the way up in his room, there was more of a commotion in the facility than ever. hardly a reason to go out, since he’d eliminated any prospects of ‘company’ for the longest while, it seemed. 

- but it was about time, wasn’t it? 

to set foot outside and try to get himself back into the scheme of things, because - there wasn’t much a ‘world’ to go back to, now was there. not in this residence at least. 

the notice had been what had caught his attention, —- so people that collected items like him and hoarded them all in one place could be festive, too. he might as well. 

It’d be a reason to step outside, however, and he wouldn’t refuse that. Scrolling through the listed selection he drums his fingers in a mixture of impatience and idle thought. — it was a one time a year thing, why even bother to go with something tame? 

- 

 Satoshi’s normal gown had been strewn out across the back of his chair, and he himself was left sprawled out over his bunk in his more creative attire. It had taken him a whole hour or so to debate whether stepping outside and carrying through with this whole fiasco was worth it or not. But he’d gone through the trouble, right? Finally uprooting himself from his bed, he reached for his baton after tugging his gloves securely on into place. With clear clacks tapping across the floor, he stalls to a halt just before the frame. 

Tentatively reaching for the doorknob, he shrugs and pulls it open to start down the hallway. The moment he’s slipped outside, however - the previous recluse in making’s whole face lights up.

This was going to be fun.

[betterfeared]

Normally, he would not have bothered speaking to mortals, especially not some small, insignificant child--- but this was a different case. Loki desired information, and he doubted a boy would not take very much heed of him.

"You there."

"Mortal.."

It was not uncommon for the former Asgardian to address others in such a brutally blunt manner. "I hear there are festivities occurring within these wretched confines.. Tell me--- have you not received word from the doctors? I'm afraid it is urgent that I locate them in due time."

He did not intend to keep peace between him and the other humans there, oh, no. Rather, Loki wished to curse them all, bringing upon them a fate worse than the one they had already been presented with.

If he had his way, not only would he escape the hospital, but he would entirely annihilate them, as well. Then again, the humans simply being there and enduring such strange forms of torture was quite cruel, as it was.

"I trust I am not spending my time searching in vain."

Quite honestly, he had not interacted with any children for.. well, to put things lightly, quite some time. It occurred to him that he may have been harsh in his approach, but Loki, as usual, did not care. He did have his priorities, after all.

[betterfeared]

❝a god am I.

[loveoverdiscord]

The other’s locked gaze was eerie, giving Charles the uncomfortable impression that Loki could see him. But he knew this wasn’t so…if the mutant chose to peer through his eyes there would be no traces in the god’s sight of the brunette himself…nothing at all to betray his location save for the light stench of the burnt wool that had formerly been his sweater sleeve.

Loki’s assumption was correct. And, though Charles had not initially thought this way, he felt like he was a mere prisoner now more than ever. Upon his arrival Charles had yet to see the barest trace of evidence concerning this ‘illness’ they were apparently afflicted with. Not a cough, not a sneeze; perhaps a few migraines ..but nothing critical, crippling, or cause for quarantine.

“Together.” Charles echoed the word cautiously within the other’s mind, wanting to affirm and drive his next point home. “That I am able to do. But forgive me, as I feel I must make this clear now… I am fully willing to work as a team, an equal sum of a whole. But by no means am I a subject. Your stature as a god surely outweighs my title as Professor, but I am afraid I could not work under conditions where I may not do as I will.” Charles needed to have a say, this was key for his cooperation. But it had not always been this way…at least, not nearly so profound. Perhaps this was Erik’s influence taking root. Surely he would be happy to know of it…although considerably less pleased to hear of Charles placing such a blind faith in a man of Loki’s track record.

“I believe I understand your conditions…and you, mine.” He now spoke once more into the other’s mind, unwilling to give away his location so carelessly once again.

“Then…if we are in agreement, I must request you show me the same courtesy as far as loyalty. Regardless of what stock you hold in the petty promises of a mortal…I am a man of my word. I will not betray you, Loki.”

[betterfeared]

It was now clear how patient and even.. powerfully confident this mutant was. Loki could sense a sort of leadership quality residing strongly within the other, and he found it rather respectable ---- but of course, he would not easily admit that.

Still, the mischief - maker remained placid all the while, trying to listen in silence before he received the chance to speak in return. Although he was putting on a polite face, Loki still fully intended to get what he wanted. He did not have to remind himself of their ranks; he was a god, while Charles was.. well, as Loki enjoyed thinking, he was a mere ant in comparison.

Regardless of what stock you hold in the petty promises of a mortal…I am a man of my word. I will not betray you, Loki.”

Betrayal. What a fine subject. The former Asgardian was not one to trust others very easily after having such a jarring wake up call when learning of his own identity. He needed to see actions in order to be convinced, not just hear mere words that could very well be empty.

"Oh, I can only hope so."

"And as far as things go in terms of.. titles, please know that as far as your will coincides with mine, I shall be satisfied."

His behavior had made a drastic turn from what it'd been like only a brief moment ago, but Loki felt he was convincing enough. And it wasn't as though he didn't entirely mean his words! That was the trick to lying; the liar had to be able to believe themselves, as well.