Odin's voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of a command that no one dared to ignore.
"Now… let's see what will be shown on the screen."
The great hall of Asgard fell into an eerie silence. All eyes turned toward the massive screen that shimmered into existence, its golden glow casting long shadows across the floor. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Everyone—gods and warriors alike—braced themselves for what was about to unfold.
And then… the images began to play.
On the Screen
[The shifting images settled, revealing a dark and cold prison cell.
A familiar figure sat there, chained yet unbothered, his sharp green eyes glowing in the dim light. Loki.
Although there was barely any sound, Loki's head tilted slightly, his smirk already forming.
Loki: There are not many people who can sneak up on me.
Another figure stepped forward from the shadows.
Natasha Romanoff.
Black Widow: Did you guess I was coming?
Loki leaned back, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Loki: Need I say more? No matter what cruel tricks Nick Fury tries, you always appear, just like an old friend. I'm truly touched.]
The hall in Asgard remained silent.
Thor clenched his jaw, shifting uneasily. He had seen himself talking with Natasha before. Seeing her face now, standing before his brother like a hunter cornering its prey, made something twist inside him.
Seph, arms crossed, simply watched. His sharp eyes were unreadable, but there was a flicker of interest in them. He had not heard of this woman before—the infamous Black Widow. But he was quite intrigued with her, his interest growing.
Hela narrowed her eyes, fingers twitching slightly.
"She is bold," She muttered, barely loud enough for Frigga to hear.
Frigga, however, was watching something else entirely—Loki's face.
There was something different in the way he spoke, in the way his lips curled with mockery, yet his eyes gleamed with something deeper.
A challenge. A game.
The scene continued.
[Natasha did not bother with pleasantries.
Black Widow: I want to know what you did to Barton.
Loki chuckled, as if the answer was of no consequence.
Loki: I just broadened his mind.]
Seph exhaled slowly. He had seen men like Loki before—men who played with power like it was a mere toy.
Dangerous, yet undeniably fascinating.
[The conversation between Loki and Natasha intensified, growing sharper, and cutting deeper.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
Loki leaned in, his voice like velvet laced with venom.
Loki: You love him, Agent Romanoff?]
The tension snapped in Asgard.
Thor inhaled sharply, his fingers curling into a fist. He knew where this was going.
Hela let out a dry chuckle.
"Ah, classic," She muttered. "Tear them apart with words before the blade even touches their throat."
Frigga, on the other hand, felt something stir inside her. Loki had always been like this.
Brilliant, cruel, merciless with his words—but what was behind it?
[The screen showed Natasha's response—calm, controlled, but firm.
Black Widow: Love is a child's thing. I owe him a debt.]
Loki's smirk widened, but his eyes flickered.]
Odin frowned.
"He hesitated," He whispered.
It was brief, but it was there. A flicker of uncertainty. A crack in the mask.
[But then—Loki pushed forward. He tore into her.
His voice grew sharper, more vicious, as he listed her crimes, her sins, the blood on her hands.
The words struck like knives.
Loki: Your hands are stained with blood. You work for liars and killers. You think your principles can erase your sins? You think you can change? But that is your nature—it will never disappear.
Then—
BANG!
Loki's fist crashed against the glass of the prison cell.]
Even though it was merely an image on a screen, the sound echoed through the golden halls of Asgard.
Thor flinched.
Frigga's lips parted slightly, her motherly heart aching at what she was witnessing.
Seph narrowed his eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Hela smirked.
"He's enjoying this," She mused, though there was no humor in her tone.
Then came the breaking point.
Onto the screen
[Loki: I won't hurt Barton. Not yet. I'll let him realize what he's done. I'll let him scream to the sky before I crush his skull! That is the price I will have you pay, you little bitch!!!]
In Asgard, Thor stood up.
"Loki—!"
But it was just an illusion, a recording of the future that might not ever come.
Back on the screen
[Natasha staggered back. Her breath hitched. Her body trembled. The weight of Loki's words pressed down on her.
For a moment, it seemed like she would crumble.
Black Widow: You lunatic!
Loki looked at Black Widow like a rabbit in a cage, and couldn't help but feel a perverted pleasure in his heart.
Loki: Oh, no, the lunatic hasn't come out yet.
Hearing this, the trembling Black Widow quickly calmed down. She turned around, but there was no tear on her face.
Black Widow: So, Banner is your target?
Loki was stunned when he saw this scene.
Loki: What?
Black Widow no longer cares about Loki's reaction and walks out.
Black Widow presses the Bluetooth on her ear and reports to Director Nick Fury.
Black Widow: Loki plans to use Banner. If he is in the lab, don't let him leave. Let Thor go over immediately.
Loki narrowed his eyes slightly, in disbelief. He never thought that he, who always thought he was extremely cunning, would be fooled by an earth woman!
Hearing the movement of Loki in prison.
Black Widow did not forget to kill people and heartbreak, she turned to look at Loki.
Black Widow: Thank you, thank you for your cooperation.
Loki's face twisted—a mixture of disbelief and fury.]
The screen flickered.
The vision ended.
But the silence in Asgard was thick.
Thor blinked. What... just happened? She... even fooled him.
Seph let out a low chuckle. Clever woman.
The moment Loki realized he had been tricked—fooled so easily—his entire body stiffened. His smirk froze, his eyes widened, and for a split second, his mind went completely blank.
No… No, no, no… This can't be happening.
His lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out. A wave of disbelief crashed over him like a tidal wave.
I was played… By a mortal?
Then, the horror sank in.
No. My future self. Is your brain out of whack?!
His heart pounded in his chest, his fingers twitching as he clenched his fists. His jaw tightened. He could already feel the stares burning into him.
And then it hit him like a hammer.
BIG BROTHER. DON'T YOU FEEL EVEN A LITTLE BIT ASHAMED?!
Thor, who had been watching with wide, gleaming eyes, suddenly burst into laughter, his deep voice booming across the golden halls. "By the Nine! Loki, you were outwitted by a human woman!"
Loki whipped his head toward him, his face twisting with frustration.
Shut up, Thor! This isn't funny!
But it was too late. Thor was practically wheezing, clutching his stomach.
Even Frigga, elegant and composed as ever, had a hand over her lips, her eyes twinkling with suppressed amusement.
Loki, Loki, Loki… always so smart, yet always so blind.
Odin merely sighed, shaking his head as if he had seen this coming.
And Hela?
Hela smirked. A slow, wicked smirk. "Oh, dear little brother… What happened to your silver tongue? It seems to have been tied into a rather embarrassing knot."
Loki gritted his teeth, his face turning red with frustration.
Oh no. Future me certainly doesn't feel embarrassed.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS—THIS WAS BROADCAST TO THE WHOLE OF ASGARD!
The room erupted into laughter. Warriors, nobles, servants—everyone had seen it. Everyone had heard him monologuing like some dramatic fool, only to be bested by a mortal spy.
Loki buried his face in his hands.
And now, I am the embarrassed one!!!
Odin turned his gaze toward Loki, who stood motionless.
"Well then," Odin finally spoke, voice steady. "Do you have anything to say for yourself, my son?"
Loki slowly turned his head, his lips parting and then he laughed.
"She really outplayed me good, Father. I admit she is smart."
¶¶¶
The titles of the next three chapters! (🔥Spoiler🔥)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chapter 86: Weak God
Chapter 87: Twilight of Gods
Chapter 88: Burden of Eternity
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨