The scene fell silent for a moment.
The Lokis exchanged glances—and then burst into laughter two seconds later.
President Loki shook his head with a smug grin.
How ridiculous.
They were all Lokis, after all. Who could fool another Loki with such a transparent act?
"You really think you can scare us with this tired performance?" President Loki sneered.
"Which one of us hasn't played this kind of cheap, spooky trick? Pathetic."
The other Lokis howled with laughter, doubling over in mockery.
In the ruined city, one of their greatest joys was watching another Loki embarrass themselves. It gave them a fleeting sense of superiority, as if they were still lords of Asgard.
President Loki straightened up, puffing out his chest.
"Unfortunately for you, you've made the wrong choice." He turned to the burly Viking Loki. "Go. Take care of this fool."
Though he didn't particularly care for the pompous president, Viking Loki grinned at the chance to show off. He stepped forward, dragging a battered fire axe from his back.
The axe's chipped edge gleamed in the dim light as he eyed the lounging Loki with a cruel smirk.
"Still pretending to be calm, are you?" Viking Loki taunted. "Bet you're shaking inside."
He stepped closer, flexing his muscular arms as he raised the axe high.
"Beg me. If you grovel, I might make it quick. Otherwise, I'll split your head so cleanly you'll have time to watch yourself die."
The Lokis snickered, eager to see this show of dominance.
But then, the Loki on the recliner finally sat up, his eyes glinting with an unnatural glow.
The laughter faded as curiosity took over.
What's with the glowing eyes?
Viking Loki stormed forward, his expression turning savage.
"I've had enough of your lame tricks!" he roared. "Real men fight with strength!"
His muscles swelled, veins bulging as he swung the axe down with crushing force, aiming straight for the lounging Loki's forehead.
BANG!
The impact echoed through the cave, making every Loki's eyelids twitch.
Yet, instead of the sound of shattering bone, they saw something entirely unexpected:
A pale hand—slender, uncalloused—gripping the rusty axe blade.
The Lokis stared, stunned.
"How...?" Viking Loki's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! How can someone as weak as you stop me?"
He tried to yank the axe free, but it wouldn't budge. It was as if the blade had fused to the other's hand. No matter how hard he pulled, it refused to move.
Sweat trickled down Viking Loki's face as panic set in.
The other Lokis began shifting uncomfortably. Something was very wrong.
President Loki's smug grin disappeared, replaced by a growing sense of dread.
Then, the cold voice returned.
"Unfortunately for you... you made the wrong choice."
Before anyone could react, the axe began to glow red. A moment later, it melted into molten iron, dripping harmlessly to the ground.
Viking Loki collapsed, staring blankly at the charred stick left in his hand.
President Loki's breath caught in his throat. His instincts screamed danger as he barked, "Attack! Everyone, attack him now! If we don't stop him together, we're all dead!"
The other Lokis exchanged looks—then turned and fled in the opposite direction.
"Cowards!" President Loki shrieked.
He had hoped to use the others as a distraction while he escaped, but they bolted faster than he could think. Now he was alone.
Well, not quite alone.
Viking Loki, still on the ground, was frozen in shock.
President Loki's desperate mind latched onto hope. Maybe he'll buy me time to escape.
That hope was shattered when flames erupted around Viking Loki, engulfing him completely. His scream echoed briefly before his body crumbled into ashes.
This guy's fire skills are terrifying!
President Loki's heart pounded as he remembered the scorch marks on the cave floor when they first entered. Those weren't accidents…
He fell to his knees, his survival instincts kicking in.
'Submission' ability activated.
Trembling, President Loki bowed low.
"Great King Loki," he stammered, "I, Loki Laufeyson, humbly submit to your power. Allow me to serve you—I can be of great use in this void!"
The other Loki barely glanced at him.
"Do you know phantom magic?" he asked coldly.
President Loki hesitated, sweat dripping down his temple. "I... I can learn…"
The other Loki lost interest and raised his hand.
[Extremis Virus – Flame Control Activated.]
A crimson flame ignited in his palm, splitting into eight brilliant lines of fire.
President Loki flinched as the fiery strands shot past him, illuminating the dark tunnel.
Screams echoed briefly, then faded into eerie silence.
When he dared to look back, he saw only faint piles of ash scattered in the distance. The other Lokis were gone—reduced to nothing in moments.
President Loki's stomach churned as realization dawned. Those ashes on the cave floor… they'd belonged to others who had made the same mistake.
He swallowed hard, the sound unnaturally loud in the now-silent cave.
Trembling, he knelt even lower, head pressed against the ground.
Odin's beard, what kind of nightmare Loki is this?!
-------------
To read chapters in Advance go to patreon.com/kibishi718
Read up to 70+ CHapters
Added 'All the Powers Russell has Till Ch 45' Auxiliary chapter do check it out.