Prankster 2

"Let's begin!" Ratatoskr exclaimed with a bright, toothy grin, his small frame practically buzzing with excitement.

Zecond crossed her arms and looked down at the cheerful squirrel. "Sure, you two go have fun. I'll stay here and get dinner ready for when you're done training."

"Oh, that would be lovely, my dearest Zecond," Ratatoskr replied, his voice unusually tender, a glimmer of affection lighting his eyes.

Zecond rolled her eyes but smiled, waving them off. "Just don't make her regret trusting you," she called out.

"Alright, Lilith, follow me," Ratatoskr said, leading the way with a brisk pace. He pointed to a clearing not far from the house, a space where the grass was soft and the trees provided ample shade. "We'll start over there."

Lilith followed closely, her curiosity growing as she watched Ratatoskr's excitement. As they walked, her steps light with anticipation, neither noticed a smaller shadow trailing quietly behind them, darting from bush to bush.

Just as the shadow prepared to step into the clearing after them, Zecond suddenly appeared in its path, her massive form blocking the way. "So," she said, her tone sharp and unwavering, "you're the so-called 'errands' my husband was running. Trickster God Loki."

The shadow froze, and the form of the mouse emerged fully into view. It trembled visibly under Zecond's stern gaze.

"Do not hurt her," Zecond continued, her voice carrying a dangerous edge. "If you do, I will destroy you, Loki. No tricks, no excuses." Her eyes narrowed as if daring him to defy her.

The tiny mouse-like figure shivered and bowed deeply, its small voice squeaking out a response. "Oh, Zecond, I would never dare harm Ratatoskr's or Zecond's friend. I am here only to assist, as Ratatoskr requested. He wanted me to teach her a lesson—not harm her—so she learns that not everything comes easily."

Zecond leaned down slightly, her presence still overwhelming. "Good," she said simply, her voice as cold as a winter wind. "But I'll be watching, Loki. And if I sense even a hint of betrayal…"

The mouse quickly bowed again. "Understood, Lady Zecond."

Zecond straightened and stepped aside, letting the mouse slip away toward the clearing. She glanced toward the horizon, her expression softening as she whispered under her breath, "I trust you, Ratatoskr, but don't make me regret letting him near her."

"This is a nice spot. Let's start," Ratatoskr said with a smile, his small face alight with enthusiasm.

Lilith nodded, mirroring his smile, though she noticed something peculiar. It felt as though Ratatoskr wasn't just speaking to her. His gaze seemed to flicker, not directly at her but slightly behind her, as if addressing an unseen presence. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Deciding not to press the matter, she refocused her attention on the lesson.

"Now, Lilith," Ratatoskr said, his tone taking on a teaching cadence, "close your eyes and try to sense my magical energy as I conjure this portal. Feel the flow and movement of the energy—it will guide you."

Lilith obeyed, closing her eyes and allowing herself to relax. She focused inward, shutting out the sounds of the forest and the gentle rustling of leaves. Gradually, she began to sense it—an invisible current, pulsing faintly yet rhythmically in the air around her. It was like the hum of a distant melody, quiet but steady.

"Oh," she whispered, her voice soft with wonder. "I feel it."

Ratatoskr smiled knowingly, his claws tracing intricate patterns in the air as shimmering threads of energy began to materialize, weaving themselves into a growing portal. The air grew thick with magic, a vibrant hum filling the clearing.

"Good," Ratatoskr encouraged. "Hold onto that feeling, Lilith. Magic is alive—it flows, shifts, and responds to intent. Understanding its rhythm is the first step in mastering it."

Lilith nodded, her senses deeply attuned to the energy now. The portal began to take shape, its edges shimmering like liquid silver. It pulsed gently, inviting yet unstable, as if waiting for the final threads to be woven.

Unbeknownst to her, a small, unseen figure watched from the shadows, observing the duo closely. The figure's presence went unnoticed by Lilith, but Ratatoskr's flicker of a glance confirmed he was fully aware of their observer. With a sly grin, he continued the lesson, undeterred by the extra set of eyes.

"Now, Lilith, open your eyes and look at my portal," Ratatoskr said, his voice steady and encouraging.

Lilith opened her eyes and marveled at the shimmering gateway before her. It glimmered like liquid silver, swirling with faint hues of blue and green, large enough for her to step through comfortably.

"As you can see, it's as big as you," Ratatoskr explained, puffing his chest with pride. "I made it that way so you'd be able to use it easily. Now, here's what I want you to do: create one identical to this. But first, follow me through it. It wouldn't make sense to connect it to somewhere you haven't been."

Lilith nodded eagerly, following him into the portal. The transition was seamless, and in an instant, they were standing at the edge of a familiar waterfall, the spot where Lilith had camped on her first night in this realm.

She gasped at the sight, the sound of rushing water filling her ears. "I remember this place!"

"Exactly," Ratatoskr said with a grin. "It's always easier to conjure a portal to a place you've been before. Once you've mastered the basics, you'll even be able to create portals to unknown places. But—" he raised a finger, his tone growing serious—"be careful with that. The unknown is called that for a reason. You never know what's lurking on the other side."

Lilith nodded, her expression determined.

"Alright," Ratatoskr continued, gesturing toward the portal behind them, "let's head back and get started. My portal will remain open for about two hours, give or take. I could keep it open for a century if I wanted to, but Zecond is making dinner, and it'll be dark soon."

The two stepped back through the portal and returned to the clearing near Ratatoskr's house. Lilith settled on the ground, crossing her legs, and began to focus on the magical energy she had sensed earlier.

An hour passed, the air thick with the hum of magic. Slowly but surely, a new portal materialized before Lilith. It shimmered and pulsed, its edges steady and perfectly formed.

Ratatoskr's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow, Lilith, you truly are special. I never imagined you'd create a portal this fast—and one as big as yourself, no less!"

Lilith beamed, her face glowing with pride.

"Now," Ratatoskr encouraged, "walk through it. Let's see if it connects properly."

With a nod, Lilith stepped confidently into her portal, her heart pounding with excitement. But as she emerged on the other side, something felt off. Before she could regain her balance, she stumbled forward, the ground giving way beneath her feet.

"Wha—?!" she yelped as she tumbled headfirst into the lake beside the waterfall. The cold water engulfed her, and she surfaced with a sputter, her hair plastered to her face.

Behind her portal, hidden in the shadows, the faint outline of a small figure could be seen. The shadow murmured softly to itself, a sly smile creeping onto its face as it watched the scene unfold.