Inside a massive hall with walls made of grey marble and floors paved with mosaics of angels, over twenty angels knelt on one knee, heads bowed. In a semicircle before them stood large marble thrones upon which other angels sat. Unlike those kneeling, who bore fewer wings, the angels seated upon the twelve thrones each possessed three pairs of wings and halos shaped like crowns hovering above their heads.
They appeared middle-aged or older, radiating authority and reverence.
Only one seed extrely young. A boy angel who looked no older than fourteen. Unlike the others, who sat properly and upright, he had thrown one leg over the arm of his throne casually. So of the seated angels shot him warning glances, but he ignored them.
The angels kneeling below were the ones responsible for carrying out the trials. Elton was among them.
The leader of the twelve spoke first.
She was a mature woman, yet her beauty radiated like the sun. Rising to her feet, she addressed the hall.
"All the gods and true gods have officially decided to watch the upcoming trial. They are asking why we have not begun the third trial yet."
One of the kneeling angels lifted his head slightly.
"If I may, Your Lordship," he said respectfully, "the humans are currently conducting their War God tournant, the one we traditionally allow after the second trial."
He bowed his head again.
The leader frowned slightly.
"Unfortunately, we cannot wait for them to finish their tournant. The gods and the true gods cannot be kept waiting."
"Do you suggest we begin the third trial imdiately and interrupt their tournant?" one of the kneeling angels asked.
"Why would we do that?" the young angel on the throne suddenly spoke.
He dropped his leg and leaned forward.
"Oh, co on. The gods can wait a few days. They are immortal. A few days to them are like minutes. Let the humans unwind and complete their tournant. They just survived two trials back to back. That’s stressful enough," he said casually.
The leader shot him a sharp look.
"You should not speak as though you care for these humans. Do not forget, they are resources for the gods. When the gods declare that the next trial begins, it begins. Or would you like to be the one to explain otherwise to them?"
"If you allow , I will," he replied with a shrug. "Though I doubt you actually want speaking to them."
A few of the seated angels exchanged uneasy looks.
"Of course we do not," one muttered. "Your tongue is sharper than any blade. You would say sothing that causes trouble. We may be angels, but the gods do not necessarily favor us."
"That is their problem," the young angel replied, throwing his hands behind his head and leaning back into his throne.
"I still believe we should let them finish their tournant. The next trial is going to be one of the toughest they have ever faced."
The leader was about to respond.
But suddenly, the entire hall felt a presence.
Heavy. Sinister.
Smoke ford in the center of the hall.
The air thickened.
From the smoke, a figure erged.
He wore majestic green and gold royal robes. A crown of curved horns rested upon his head. Long black hair flowed down to his waist. His smile was stunning, disarming. His eyes shone green like eralds.
The mont the figure appeared, every angel in the hall, including the twelve upon the thrones, bowed their heads instantly.
He stood silently for a few seconds, surveying them.
Then he laughed.
"Ha ha. It is nice to see the angels after so long."
"Greetings, Lord Loki," every angel spoke in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall.
He was Loki.
A god, but not just any god.
A true god.
Not rely above angels like ordinary gods, but above even the normal gods themselves. A being that embodied pure divinity and power.
Loki smiled faintly at their greeting.
With a snap of his fingers, a simple wooden chair ford beneath him.
He sat down and crossed his legs.
"I have quite a lot to say," he said lightly, "if you are all willing to listen. I was snooping around when I heard about the human tournant and the reason the third trial has not begun," Loki said.
He smiled, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then an idea ca to ."
His gaze sharpened.
"This set of trial takers is interesting. Yes, they have quite a few intriguing beings. So have caught my attention. As usual, we are ant to choose those who we will beco their patrons."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"So why not use their little tournant to our advantage? Make it more exciting. A pre-show to the main event."
The hall remained silent.
"Let the gods and true gods co and watch this tournant. From it, they may choose those they wish to sponsor. As for the humans who did not participate in the tournant, well, they can prove themselves when the third trial begins."
He shrugged lightly.
"Life is never fair. Those who participate gain a chance to be chosen earlier. That alone should motivate them."
He stood from his chair. A pipe ford between his fingers, already lit and smoking.
He took a deep drag and exhaled slowly.
The smoke twisted and coiled in the air, shifting into the shape of a horned snake before dissolving.
"I think it would be fun," Loki continued, "if we attend the tournant ourselves. Raise the stakes. Turn it into a spectacle for the gods."
His erald eyes glead.
"Show the gods that you angels are not one dinsional. Not the sa trials every ten years. Show them creativity. Show them humans striving, struggling, evolving. And every now and then, throw in sothing different."
He walked slowly as he spoke.
"A tournant hosted by humans, for humans, but now with far greater pressure. Change the rules slightly. Make them take it more seriously."
He stopped.
"And the mont the tournant ends, begin the third trial."
A faint grin appeared on his face.
"This is ant to be the hardest God’s Trial yet, correct? Then make it hard. Make it unforgettable."
He tapped the pipe lightly against his palm.
"I have been looking for sothing more entertaining. I believe this ti I may finally get it."
His gaze swept across the twelve thrones.
"So I hope the angels will not disappoint."
He took another drag.
"I will speak to the gods. You simply make it happen. If you succeed, you will have their full attention. Their eyes will be wide with interest."
He paused.
"And if you cannot make it happen, then simply tell . Though I would hate to assu the angels are incompetent."
The pipe in his hand shifted, lengthening and transforming into a staff.
"That is all for now."
He stabbed the staff into the green marble floor.
Smoke erupted from the impact, swirling violently.
And in the next mont, Loki vanished.
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