"Stop playing dumb; I don't know what's happening at home," Reno said, addressing Loki directly. "But in the eyes of ordinary people, the fact remains that your father is Odin, the Allfather."
Loki and Thor were well-known as Odin's sons, a fact recognized throughout the universe. Regardless of Loki's grievances against Asgard or his disdain for his parents, the backing of Odin was undeniable.
"Didn't you hear?" Loki replied with a hint of exasperation as he stepped closer. "I was adopted; I'm not like Thor."
"You were adopted?" The revelation caused Reno and the others to exchange incredulous glances.
"It's complicated, so I won't go into details right now," Loki continued, wanting to steer the conversation away from his background. "Before coming here, I did my homework. I learned that the Void God, Kassadin, offers everyone a chance to join the glorious evolution. No rule prohibits Asgardians from following the Void, right?"
"Indeed, Kassadin hasn't said anything of the sort nor imposed any ban," Reno conceded. "However, your presence signifies more than just you; it also carries the weight of your identity as a prince of Asgard. You're a potential heir to the throne. Instead of contemplating how to inherit your legacy, you're here seeking to join the Void Church. How do you think your father will react to that?"
Reno's serious demeanor left little room for argument. The Void Church was still in its developmental stages. If all went well, they might soon flourish, but entangling themselves in large-scale conflicts could jeopardize that growth.
Should Loki join the Void, it would change the dynamics significantly. While he might bring power, it could also mean a faction from Asgard infiltrating the Void Church, something Harvey wished to avoid.
Loki, upon hearing Reno's words and recognizing the weight of his own Asgardian identity being thrown back at him, felt a flicker of concern. "Well, visiting the Void Island is acceptable, isn't it? I can explore a bit while I'm here."
"Of course, we welcome guests," Reno responded. "But you'd best behave while on the island. If you cause trouble, don't blame me for not warning you."
Loki dismissed Reno's concern. "The Void Church can't be filled with super-powered individuals like you. A typical brute force won't faze me."
Just then, a few figures zipped through the air above them.
"Are they flying?" Loki observed, initially silent as he turned to Kyle and Reno for confirmation.
"Flying is just a basic ability within the Void Church. Many members aren't super-powered, but they've been blessed by the Void God, Kassadin, and their strength has grown immensely," Reno explained. "So mind your actions on the island; if you invoke their wrath, I can only guarantee you won't die."
"But you're still Thor's brother. As long as you don't try to join the Void or bring us trouble, it's fine for you to explore," Kyle added.
"Thank you for the welcome, but I'd prefer to wander alone," Loki said, attempting to refuse the escort.
However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Leicy activating her communication device, and a familiar name appeared on the projection.
It was Tony Stark, a formidable presence from Earth who had left a deep impression on him.
"Wait, Leicy, what are you doing?" Loki interjected, alarmed.
"Tony's on the island right now; I think he'd be interested to meet you," Leicy said cheerfully.
"Tony Stark? If he's here, you should have said so sooner!" Loki exclaimed.
"It's no trouble at all; we see him often. He's always available," Leicy assured him, her smile brightening.
Without hesitation, Leicy connected with Tony, and the call was answered almost instantly due to their proximity.
"Leicy, what's up? It's not dinner time yet, is it?" Tony's voice came through.
"It's not about dinner," Leicy replied. "We have a guest from Asgard on the island, and I thought you might want to see him."
"A guest from Asgard?" Tony's interest piqued. "Is it Thor?"
"No, it's Thor's brother, Loki," Leicy clarified.
"Loki?! Where are you?" Tony asked, immediately alert.
"Right at the harbor," Leicy responded.
"I'm on my way!" Tony declared, cutting off the call.
As he suited up in his armor, he rocketed toward the harbor.
"Tony said he'll be here soon," Leicy informed Loki with a grin.
"I just remembered I have some matters to attend to in Asgard; I should leave," Loki said, mentally scrambling for an escape route.
"Don't rush off; you've traveled all this way, and it would be rude not to entertain you," Leicy replied, holding onto his arm firmly.
"..." Loki realized that while Leicy appeared slender, her grip was surprisingly strong, leaving him no room to escape.