Disclaimer: Is this really necessary? Fine. Legal transactions as to our acquisition of the manwha "Ragnarok", and various other related merchandise are still pending.
Penny: This chapter might be boring, but needed. Sorry …hope you enjoy anyway.
Chapter 4
"So it is impossible for me to regain the use of cosmic energy?"
"Nay, not exac'ly…it might be possible t' get it back."
"How, then."
"Patience. Ye need t' understand that we gleaned little from the ancient scrolls, for the information is fragmented and the mentions of it sparse. However, the sages have deduced that cosmic energy, when transformed from ordinary essence int' pure cosmic force, has the tendency t' attract and coalesce with other such powers an-"
"Intriguing, but I am more interested in how to repossess my powers."
"Ah, of course. So, t' make a long story short, Ruri might be able t' give it back. That is, if she can employ near-total control of her cosmic energy..."
For an infinitesimal fragment of a second, Loki looked like the apocalyptic doomsday was upon him.
"I have no confidence in her abilities." He muttered it too low for a normal person to hear. Gram didn't seem tonotice, but Ruri glared and stuck out her tongue.
What did you say? I try to help and this is what I get? Why you-! I have rag dolls and do-it-yourself voodoo books…you better watch your back! Bwahahaha! She could feel the steam coming out of her ears.
I've had this power since the day I was born! I worked hard day and night, even sacrificed my precious, precious lazy days for the sake of training! Yesterday, you just caught me at a bad time! You have no idea what kind of control I have to exercise…
Still, I've never really seen him show emotion before.
"…remains a theory. It seems like nobody was ever in a situation like yers. Ruri, a fly will land on that thing any minute, please keep it inside." She quickly withdrew her tongue, but still shot visual daggers at him.
"Alright. Are there any other effects?"
"Aside from the obvious fact that you are now at a severe physical disadvantage whencompared to your past state? It also appears that she has transferred some magic into ye as well, only a small amount. But I'm not sure how this will affect ye, except perhaps emotionally. Emotions might come easier an' stronger now, because magic influences feelings, and…"
She saw the split-second doom expression again.
A few hours later, Ruri was walking along the dirt path to the village, carrying a huge bundle of ancient, yellowing scrolls. Only this time, she had a companion to share the burden with. Trees grew either side of the winding, hilly road, throwing their dappled, moving patterns of shadow and light over the two.
I'll never want to see another ancient scroll again after this…I wonder how the sages stand it all. My brain will be permanently damaged from info overload. And we're off to get more too. Aaarrggh…hey, maybe I can get some goodies on the way! Yum.
She looked at Loki, who was making no noise, his face again an inscrutable mask. The quiet was getting a bit uncomfortable. Maybe I should strike up a conversation…
Does she never keep silent?
"…so Gram decided to travel and discover the world, and some other boring noble reasons. She left her native land Amatsu and boarded a ship…"
Loki was not listening . Instead, he recalled Yuki's words. '…physical disadvantage…emotions might come easier an' stronger now...' That cannot be good. Not good at all.
"…and met a traveling caravan stuffed with a hodgepodge of different kinds of people…"
He was about to be worried and a trifle bit scared if he had not remembered never to let emotions rule. My will is stronger than any useless feeling.
"…by that time, more humans, and some non-humans too, had joined…"
But perhaps...perhaps having magic was going to answer some questions that were niggling in the back of his mind. Questions that he thought were going to be answered sixteen years ago. Questions brought to the surface by a girl and her grandmother.
"…settled here, and named it after Lorelei, the one who had saved them all. Hey, Loki, were you even listening? Hellooo… Midgard calling Loki…are you sure you didn't leave your ear somewhere behind?"
And perhaps I can put her chatter to some use. "Tell me."
"I just told you a lot of things! It's your fault you didn't listen."
"About you humans. Why you act the way you do."
A fleeting look of discomfort, and something else, crossed her face. "What do you mean?"
"You base your decisions on random, frivolous emotions. You do things for no apparent reason. You apply concepts in your everyday life that I cannot grasp."
She gave him a questioning, vaguely familiar look. "You talk like you aren't one. Anyway, that's 'cause we're not cold logic machines. You see, us humans are…" She launched into another long-winded monologue, this time about human nature. This time, with something more than just the relaying of facts.
And this time, Loki listened.
"Nearly there! We made it in record time! Woot!"
"Where?"
"Just around the bend. Stick to me all the time, you might get lost. Hey, after we deliver these scrolls and get the rest, maybe we can stop for a snack or something. I'm getting hungry- ah, here we are!"
"…"
She swelled with pride. Spectators were always awed at their first look at the village. Even Ruri, who lived nearby, was sometimes affected. Sure, Loki was probably just being Loki, but silence was silence. She grinned.
"Welcome to Lorelei's Crossing."
End of Chapter 4
Me: That's it, please R&R! Suggestions, comments, flames, praises, recommendations, threats…everything is welcome!
Penny: Sorry this has taken a while to post!
Me: Lynna, why can't you inspire me to actually write something?
Lynna: But I do! Only, I inspire you to create something more visually oriented! Artistic masterpieces!
Me: ((starry eyes)) Really?
Paul: You mean those useless scribbles she makes when she's bored?
Lynna: Actually…yes.
Loki: ((holds up notebook)) You mean this? ((points to a Chaos x Fenris doodle))
Fenris: ((blush)) Oh my.
Iris: WHAT THE HECK IS THAAAT! ((explodes))
Me: ((tries to escape her wrath)) …help…
Chaos: Hey…am I blushing here?
Iris: JJ!
Me: ((hiding in a closet)) Meanie poo heads… T.T
