Chapter 14: Divine Conflict

"Loki? You're the god who wasn't happy with me, right?" Martyn said to the figure before him.

Loki had a completely different appearance compared to Odin or Tyr. He was thin and rather short, with nails painted black and a prominent fang befitting a beast. But without a doubt, what stood out the most were the tattoos on his arms, which depicted various serpents.

"Looks like you got my earlier message. Yes, I decided to take charge of you back then, but you just disappointed me," the god responded, shrugging his shoulders.

"But you're not the Norse god of death, what did you have to do with it then?" Since Loki had introduced himself as the god of mischief, Martyn deduced he wasn't involved with what happened before.

"You ask too many questions. You came here because you wanted to get stronger, right? You must be ready for your first mission as a hunter," Loki said, ignoring the question and switching the topic. Martyn seemed hesitant to respond, but after thinking it over for a few minutes, he decided to speak.

"Actually, yes, I need to get stronger. I have enough money to train for a whole month, but instead of finding Odin, I ended up finding you in this lonely place," Martyn explained, looking around the place again. It was indeed a depressing and lonely atmosphere, the complete opposite of Valhalla.

"Relax, my dear representative, you don't need that old relic. With me here, you can become extremely powerful, trust me," Loki said with a sly smile, approaching Martyn and placing a hand on his shoulder. With Loki's help, Martyn could become stronger.

"Alright, I get it. It doesn't matter who it is as long as they make me stronger. What do I need to do?" Realizing he couldn't escape the situation, Martyn accepted the god's words.

"That's the spirit, my dear representative! I have a test for you that will make you extremely strong!" Loki snapped his fingers, teleporting himself and Martyn to another place.

"Where the hell are we?" Martyn asked, looking at the new location.

They were standing in front of the entrance to a somewhat strange cave, formed by rocks glowing with a color resembling blood, along with various lava runes covering the walls.

"That's not important for now, kid. Just know that inside here, you can become much stronger, very strong indeed," the god responded with a smile. "The test is easy. As you're already accustomed to, I'll provide you with the information myself."

With these words, the god clapped his hands, opening a message window in front of Martyn. Unlike the previous ones, this one was a bright purple.

[Loki's First Trial: Cave of Fury]

[Enter the Cave of Blood and complete the corresponding trials at each stage. Upon completion, the god Loki will reward you.]

"Is this for real? It gives very little information..." Martyn grumbled as he read the message. It was the most confusing trial he had ever encountered.

"You complain too much. Just enter, go in and get it done," the god encouraged, pushing Martyn's back while maintaining a smile.

"Alright, as long as it makes me stronger, I'll..."

"Don't go in, representative!"

Martyn, who was ready to enter the cave, was stopped by the shout of what seemed to be a man.

"What was that? I think I should..." Following the voice, Martyn took a few steps back but was held by Loki's hands.

"Go in!"

When Martyn turned to look at the god's face, he noticed a completely different expression. The irises of his eyes were completely black while his mouth was filled with fangs. Martyn tried to pull away but was pushed by the god.

"What do you think you're doing?" But before he could fall, Martyn heard the same voice from before, and then he was caught by a silhouette.

"What business is it of yours what I do? Mind your own business, Heimdall," Loki responded, showing his anger.

The person holding Martyn was a man dressed in a golden helmet and tunic. What stood out the most was his massive size, even taller than Tyr, who was already quite large.

"We gave you permission to take Hela's place while she is absent, and the first thing you do is meddle with our representative?" Heimdall spoke with an authoritative tone.

"Oh, come on. What's the problem? I was just trying to make him stronger. You know better than anyone that there's immense power in that cave," Loki replied, maintaining his usual smile. Apparently, the whole situation with Martyn was a complete ruse.

"He's not ready yet. You know better than anyone that you are not welcome in Valhalla, so I ask you to leave or..." In line with his words, the radiant man drew his weapon, a giant sword made of diamonds.

"I will stop you," Heimdall finished with an authoritative voice.

"Hahaha, do you really think you can stop me?" Without being intimidated, Loki responded. He still had his smile, but there was an incredible bloodlust in his eyes.

Martyn, for his part, felt pressured and agitated. The gods were getting carried away, forgetting that he was there.

"He can't, but I can." Surprising both Loki and Martyn, another voice was heard.

Sitting above the cave was a silhouette with long hair and a large beard dyed red. In his left hand, he held a hammer, and with his voice, several thunders began to sound.

"Well, well, if it isn't my old friend. How are you, Thor?" the god of mischief responded with a more relaxed smile.

"I have nothing to say to you, Loki. Go to Helheim, where you were given permission to be," the god responded, unfazed.

"Guys, why all the drama? I was just checking on the representative. It's not fair that you can and I can't, but whatever, I'll leave," saying these words, the god began to walk in the opposite direction of everyone. "You know, representative, when you really want to become strong, come to the cave. I promise you will."

With those last words, the god disappeared, leaving Martyn with the other two.

"Thank you for your help, Thor. It would have been a problem to fight Loki," Heimdall said, sheathing his weapon.

"We always have to keep an eye on that guy. We never know what he might do. If that's all, I'll leave. See you later, representative," Thor said as he also left the place, disappearing in a flash of lightning.

Martyn, for his part, was still in shock. It had been too much for just a few minutes, but above all, he was intrigued by the cave behind him.

"Well, representative, it's time to take you to Valhalla. Odin has something for you," Heimdall said while beginning to draw a sign on the ground, which started to glow.

"You can go," without giving him time to think, Martyn was pushed onto the sign by the god, being teleported to Valhalla in seconds.

"Damn, all of that was crazy," finally finding some peace, Martyn began to walk through the city.

"Whack!"

"Ouch, what the hell?" But that peace was interrupted by a blow to the head, apparently from a staff.

"Hello, representative! Sorry for the delay! It's my fault you ran into the wrong person," the responsible for the blow was Odin, who was behind Martyn.

"Oh, hi Odin. Yeah, something like that, but let's not waste time. What's today's trial?" Without wasting time, Martyn decided to ask what really mattered.

"Slow down, young one. Desperation is harmful to the soul, but come, follow me," giving Martyn a small sermon, the god took the lead, guiding Martyn through the city.

After several minutes of walking, they stopped in what seemed to be a large temple. This one was different from the others in Valhalla as it was decorated with various weapons on the outside.

"What will we do here? Do I have to clean the place again?" Martyn asked, interested.

"No, no, representative. Today you won't have to fight. There are different ways to become strong. Today you will strengthen your equipment for your first mission."

"Strengthen my equipment? How will I do that?" Martyn asked, intrigued.

"Tell me, have you heard about the Norse runes?" Odin asked with a confident smile.