7 Each to their own devices

"To our victory!!!"

In a large hall, decorated with several articles of gold and silver were hundreds of men. The brightly lit halls made the blissful expressions on their faces visible for all to see. They all held huge cups which were filled to the brim with mead.

Their eyes were transfixed on the figure that stood majestically on the huge podium. Drunk, yes, but still majestic. Just like the men and women that filled this hall, this huge imposing figure also held a huge cup, with the mead spilling over occasionally.

The loud declaration came from this man. He was a large man, his imposing figure towering over most as he stood at a height of six feet and eight inches. Though he wore a loose attire, his robust image was not hidden. His arms which, were thrice the size of a regular man's, were a sight to behold and his broad chest could not be hidden by his clothes.

Under regular circumstances, a man of his stature would inspire admiration and awe in anyone who saw him but not today. Today he had a stupid grin on his handsome face, his brown eyes clouded and hazy due to large amounts of mead he had already consumed.

"TO OUR VICTORY!!!" The loud response of the occupants of the hall shook the eardrums of all were within the vicinity. The clashing of wine cups was the only sound present for the longest of time.

"FRIENDS!! Today we fought a great battle. It may not be our greatest yet but it is more than worthy to be recorded in our history books. We all fought well. We all fought arduously. And that was only possible because we watched each other's' backs!"

"YEAH!!!"

"So friends, let us drink, let us make merry! Harder than we fought!"

"HARDER THAN WE FOUGHT!!!"

The huge man slumped onto his chair, his red hair messy and his mead spilling onto the podium below. "Cheer up brother. You don't look happy. Here, have some mead." The large man signaled to the servant that stood below the dais to serve the tall figure who sat beside him.

Just like his brother, this man had an impressive height. Though he was seated, he looked to be about six feet six inches tall. However, unlike his brother, he had a lanky figure. There were no signs of any large muscles underneath his robes and he did not look like much of a fighter.

The help stumbled onto the podium, obviously drunk, to pour out some wine into the cup of the tall man. Pushing the jug of mead aside, the lanky figure shooed the sorry excuse for a wine boy away.

"It was your victory brother, not mine. I am only here because father asked me to keep you in check."

"Oh come on now Loki. Don't be a kill joy. Here, I'll pour it out for you myself. Everyone's watching. Do not let them down brother." The stout man snatched the wine jug from the hands of the wine boy and forcefully filled Loki's cup.

The big guy was right. The little commotion on the pedestal had attracted the attention of the men and women who filled the hall. There were countless of them who had already began chanting and asking that Loki drink the mead.

"DRINK THE MEAD!"

"DRINK THE MEAD"

Loki snorted in displeasure as he was forced to drink the strong wine he very much detested. Of course it wasn't the taste he detested. No one hated honey, fermented or not. It was the ability that mead had he hated.

The ability to take away a person's reasoning and thinking capabilities was what he detested. He speedily drained his cup of the mead, filling his mouth with the rich smell of old honey.

"YAY!!!"

Thankfully, his suffering did not last for long. The ring on his finger began to flash with a pale reddish light. In their drunken states, no one in the hall noticed the flashing ring, except the owner of course, and the stupid looking boor who sat next to him.

Looking at the shimmering ring, Loki's eyes narrowed, a mischievous look in his eyes as he span a dagger around the index finger of his right hand.

"Interesting. Looks like I'll have to take my leave early brother. Don't make any trouble. I'll be back soon."

The strong looking figure waved his wand impatiently, clearly eager to get rid of the party spoiler seated at his side.

As Loki left the hall, he failed to notice the look his brother had given him. The earlier hazy state was nowhere to be found, replaced by a look of contemplation and suspicion.

"What is he up to this time?" Rubbing his beard with his non- drinking arm, he looked at the door that had acted as an exit for his brother. He didn't get to think for long though. For one of the men in the hall was standing with his cup raised high, obviously to give a toast.

"TO THOR"

Hearing the man, the originally noisy hall became noisier. Everyone stood up, cups in hand and brains tossed aside. In a loud and united voice they shouted the name of the one who had led them to victory, the Nordic god of thunder!

"THOR"

Outside the great hall, in a place far away from prying eyes and well hidden in the darkness, two men stood facing each other.

"You took a huge risk coming here, Ares."

The hooded figure took off his hood to reveal his handsome face to the trickster, Loki!

Looking into the black eyes of the man that was nonchalantly playing with his hair, Loki sighed. "You took a great risk coming to Asgard. You better have a good reason for that."

"Risk? I am the Greek god of war! If I want to stay hidden, not even Odin can find me!" Ares sneered, disdain identifiable in his words. Loki ignored the brute. He was too arrogant. If he did not need his help he would not bother even speaking to him.

"Why are you here brute? Don't tell me you came here to say hi?" Loki continued spinning his dagger, seemingly uninterested in this conversation.

"I have thought things through. I accept your offer." Upon hearing the last sentence, Loki smiled brightly, like a poor man who had just discovered a bag of treasures.

"Excellent choice. But next time, just use the ring I gave you. You can easily contact me with it instead of coming here in person."

Ares blushed in shame, now realizing the proper use of the ring he was given. "Why are you so careful? It's not like any one could see me, let alone catch me." Ares was said, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Oh my dear god of war. You were seen the moment you entered Asgard."

"WHAT!? That's impossible. No one, not even Odin, can detect me when I conceal my aura!" Ares was obviously not going to believe that there was someone capable of discovering him.

"Oh, Odin cannot, but someone can. The god of light and seer of all things, HEIMDALL. Arrogant god of war, tell me, how fast can you run."

Ares immediately understood what Loki meant. The fact that he looked like a fool did not mean he was one. If it was found out that he was in cahoots with the trickster, both of them will be done for. He had to pretend that they weren't related and make it seem like he was discovered by Loki!

"INTRUDER! There's an intruder!"

Looking at the back of Ares who had shoot forward with incredible speed, Loki smirked, a playful smile filling his face.

"Run god of war. Run."

******************

Far away from Bilskirnir[1], Thor's hall, which was currently hosting a large number of people, in the hall Himinbjorg[2], a man with golden hair was seated on a golden throne. At his left side was a horn and at his right side, a horse, dark as the night and just as mysterious. He stroked the mane of the creature that lay contently at his side and spoke.

"It seems the trickster is once again up to mischief. Looks like we will be busy again, Gulltop." Heimdall showed a bright smile, revealing his golden teeth.

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