Chapter IV
Author's Note: Well, I've finished Chapter four and the next succeeding chapters, I added a bit more detail in descriptions, and as always, Please R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Into the Abyss
Asgard loomed closer…a stately mansion with two floors covering a land area almost equal to the old palace of Prontera. There was a total of 112 rooms, a dining room for fifty, an indoor swimming pool on the top floor, and a grand hall for parties which would have shamed even the splendour of the Royal Palace with its grandeur.
A fountain of clear sparkling water spurting against the sky stood at the center of the estate while grassy gardens of green surrounded its marble walls that were scaled by blooms of Morning Glories and surrounded by dark red rosebushes of thick thorns and crowns full of scarlet petals. The dry clay pavement led the path towards the building was lined with azaleas and buttercups, forget-me-nots and other flora, while statues of Grecian splendor welcomed the visitors as they headed toward the grand majesty of the household.
And yet, despite its splendor…Asgard was a feared place, A meeting ground for gangsters with power, a place where everyone knew crime for what it was and continued to use it. Likewise, it was a place either to build yourself…or to find yourself, not on a guest list for its grand parties…but find your name on an assassin's list of future massacres. In its parties…criminal deals were made, reputations chastised or exalted, and where even the most insignificant comment could cost you your life.
The big bosses of every gang in Asgard who understood the extent of wealth, power and influence of the Dragon Knights, knew better than to risk going head-on against them. It was the most reasonable decision for every gang to form an alliance with Odin than to start a battle wherein they were sure to lose. But no threats had been made on Odin, for despite the fear he instilled among his members, there grew a strong respect for him. No one would ever elect a better leader than he, for in truth, no one could be as good.
And now, the bosses could tell that the same sense of leadership had been inherited by his son, Chaos. They put great trust in the young man, knowing that Odin would not have chosen him simply because he was his son, but because through the years…all businesses Chaos had handled had flourished, new ideas sprouted from every success which led to an even greater reaping than the first.
Not only was Chaos capable, but he had a partner who had as much strength and power to match…Loki of the assassin's guild. Loki had the skills…he worked efficiently, his assassinations were always to the benefit of the gang, he commanded respect wherever he went, a strong following and reputation, and most of all he had enough seriousness to balance his partners deficiencies. Behind Chaos's success, there was Loki, and even without the title, he held as much power as his partner.
No one had ever managed to goad an assassin to join a triad and work exclusively for them…they were loners, contracting their assignments, their loyalties reserved only for their comrades. Assassins could be hired to take out one person, and after finishing the assignment, they could be hired to kill the person who masterminded the previous one. But Loki had decided to form an alliance with the Dragon Knights, and even became Odin's adopted God-son…he was an asset to them, a person too big a loss if he were to leave.
But then, as Asgard loomed closer, Loki's mind was preoccupied with the day's events—the attack on the Dragon Knight Base, Fenris' sudden return, and though insignificant, he couldn't help but wonder of Iris's state as well. His worry was not borne of his concern, but rather it was more of consternation at the young lass's weakness, He had been used to being surrounded with tough independent women, like Lydia and the female assassins at the guild. Furthermore, though he himself was not aware of it, he usually found himself attracted to women with such tough attitude,
"Chaos is bothered more because of Fenris…" Loki decided upon noticing the expression on his partner's face. Chaos had insisted on driving the car to Asgard, but he had been pulled over by patrollers three times along the way for speeding and reckless driving, so that Loki had to take the wheel unless they were to keep themselves as far away from any contact with the authorities, even if it were just to be lectured on a measly speeding ticket.
Chaos's head swirled with confusion, "I still can't believe it…" he chorused repeatedly to himself, Seeing his former fiancé had been a shock, but what made him even more puzzled was her undeniable declaration of a challenge…a promise to take his life. Chaos smirked, "She's become a lot tougher," he decided, "But she'll have to do more than threaten me by bullet-marking the walls to get a bullet by my sword"
As Loki slowed the car to a stop at the front of the villa, he took off the dark shades that protected his eyes during the drive, and walked casually toward the door while tossing the keys to a waiting valet, Chaos followed him and they walked side by side through the hallways, completely aware of each other's bothers, knowing that they both felt disturbed by Fenris Fenrir's attack on their base,
After circling the hallways of the Villa, they stood before an intricately carved wooden door, on it was engraved a symbol of their gang. "Do you suppose Dad knows about the attack?" Balder queried,
A stiff "come in" from the other side of the door seemed as answer to his question.
"I guess he does," Loki smirked, seeing the look of dismay flashing across Chaos's face,
The door opened from the inside, and before them sat the head of the Dragon Knights, the great Odin. The great lord's gaze were steady on the two young men before him, he didn't need to ask, for the latter knew that they were to explain themselves about the attack.
"The attack was improperly planned, damages are minimal—a wall on the second floor, a few electric wires cut, and power shortage" Loki narrated, almost on the edge of breaking his resolution to quit smoking. "As for casualties, it's limited to only one…"
"Iris" Odin completed, turning his gaze from Loki to Chaos,
"The attack was sudden, furthermore, Iris shouldn't have even been there…" Chaos began to explain,
"There is no need for Iris to schedule an appointment before meeting you, after all you're engaged to her, but I'm dismayed that you neglected your duty as her fiancé and left her with the bodyguards," Odin lectured,
Chaos's face stiffened into that of a triad boss than a son, "I take full responsibility of the damages, and I'll take charge of having repairs made on the base, it wouldn't take too long…"
"Chaos, I'm completely aware of your capability as leader of the triad, but I have some apprehensions about your ability of actually becoming a good husband to your fiancé" He began, "Lord Irine, is a powerful ally, if he learns of your coldness towards his daughter, he has the authority to break the engagement and perhaps even go against us for causing insult to Iris's pride, of course I know that this means nothing to you…"
"Whether Iris is insulted or not, is none of my concern, everything I'm doing is for the sake of the organization and I'm willing to marry her if its going to help us," Chaos said, his face lined with apprehension at the mention of marriage,
Loki became a silent witness to the conversation between his partner and his god-father Odin. It was clear that Chaos had wanted the engagement broken, but if it makes the Irine Four Constellations Faction an enemy, than he had no choice but to go through with it.
"Loki," Odin summoned, while the addressee walked from his leaning position on the wall to the Great Lord. "I've learned that the attacker is Miss Fenris Fenrir…"
Chaos stiffened, while Loki's face remained undaunted. "So?" he replied, crossing his arms and sitting on the edge of the table. Almost reflexively, he pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, but stopped himself before lighting it, "Damn" he thought, "I gotta quit this…"
The great lord seemed to see his god-son's resolution to quit smoking, but hastily ignored it and decided to make it a topic of another conversation later in the evening and concentrated on the matter at hand. "Is it true then? Miss Fenris…"
"It is" Chaos answered. "She masterminded the attack"
"And placed the mark of death upon the walls of the base," Odin completed, taking out an expensive cigar and smoking it, much to the envy of Loki. After blowing a few smoke rings into the air, he turned his attention to the young dark-haired boy who sat on the edge of his table with an unlighted cigarette on his lips, guessing his god-son was wishing he hadn't made a resolution to quit smoking. Odin chuckled to himself and began addressing his Godson, "Loki, I'm giving you an assignment…and you have no option to refuse it, it's a direct order from your superior before Chaos takes my position,"
Loki turned his gaze to the great lord, his face unchanging, but his eyes were marked with intense anticipation and curiosity. "I'm listening…"
Before relaying his orders, Odin turned to his son, his eyes conveyed an order which required no words for the latter to understand. "Ok, I'll leave you two alone," Chaos said, and slowly walked outside the door, his black robe swishing against the floor as he exited the room.
"Now that we have complete privacy and the assurance that this room isn't bugged, nor in any threat of being overheard…I have an important assignment for you…" Odin began as Loki listened quietly, "When you get out, should Chaos ask you what we talked about, the first thing you mention is that the inauguration will be moved a month later…" Loki gave neither sign of either surprise nor annoyance of the delay, but listened without a reply. "As for your assignment…"
"I'm waiting for my orders," Loki said, a hint of impatience in his voice.
"I won't dawdle, Loki," Odin assured him, "Your assignment is simple…Find Fenris Fenrir…and kill her…"