Chapter 9 - Affection's Clash
Tiona's eyes widened in surprise. "You want to challenge me?" she asked incredulously, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and admiration.
Peter nodded firmly. "Yes. If that's what it takes to earn your affection, then I'm willing to face the challenge."
Tione leaned back, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, this just got interesting," she remarked, her tone betraying a hint of amusement.
The other patrons of the bar had fallen into a hushed silence, all eyes now fixed on the unexpected turn of events unfolding before them.
A dwarf seated at the Loki table, his brown eyes sharp and his long brown hair cascading over his broad shoulders, addressed Peter with a mixture of concern and skepticism. "Hey, kid," he began, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Challenging an Amazon to a duel isn't something to take lightly. They don't hold back, and trust me, you don't want to be on the receiving end."
He glanced around the table, his gaze landing on Peter once more. "And what are you, a level 1?" he continued, his tone incredulous. "She's a level 5, son. You're outmatched in every way. It's like bringing a fork to a dragon fight."
A wolf-man nearby snorted derisively, his canine features contorted in amusement. "If this weakling wants to throw his life away for a hopeless cause, who are we to stop him?" he remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let him make a foolhardy attempt at love. It'll be entertaining, at least."
Peter observed as Tiona's momentarily hopeful expression dimmed once more, her demeanor mirroring the emotional complexity he had often witnessed in Liz. Steeling his resolve, he addressed her firmly, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "I've made my decision," he declared, his gaze unwavering. "I challenge you, Tiona. Do you accept?"
Tiona's gaze swept over her familia members, weighing her response carefully. The entire bar held its breath, anticipation thick in the air. After a thoughtful pause, she met Peter's gaze squarely and replied, "I accept."
The entire bar erupted into hushed whispers, a collective murmur of disbelief swirling around Peter. "Is he an idiot?" one voice murmured. "The kid is going to get himself killed," another lamented. Then, a woman's voice chimed in, "Such a shame, he's a looker," her tone tinged with regret.
"Loki suddenly announced, 'It's settled then. The duel will take place in the Twilight Manor tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.,'" Peter noted, observing Loki's enthusiasm. 'She is definitely excited for this,' Peter mused to himself, a hint of dark humor coloring his thoughts, 'probably looking forward to my gruesome death.'
Peter nodded to the folks at the Loki table, then returned to his seat at the counter. All eyes seemed glued to him, whispers slithering around the room like gossiping ghosts. Syr wasted no time, launching into her interrogation the moment he sat down. "What were you thinking? Do you have any clue who she is? The Hiryute Sisters are absolute monsters, more than monsters in fact because they literally tear apart monsters with their bare hands," she exclaimed, her words a warning laced with genuine concern.
Peter glanced at Bell, who simply nodded in silent agreement. Mia swooped in with a drink, her expression a mix of sympathy and amusement. "On the house. It's been nice knowing you, kid," she quipped. In the background, he swore he heard someone placing bets on his imminent demise, prompting him to shake his head making Peter wonder if he should be writing his last will and testament instead of sipping a free beverage.
After Syr had scurried off and Mia had shuffled to the other end of the counter, Bell leaned in close, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Why'd you go and challenge her, Peter?" His eyes flickered with a mix of fear and admiration, like he was torn between cheering him on and dialing the nearest therapist.
Peter's expression mirrored the chaotic swirl of emotions in the room. "It's the only way I can date her. She reminded me of my old girlfriends," he confessed, a mix of desperation and determination evident in his tone. "Hence, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision."
Bell's eyebrows shot up in exaggerated surprise, his eyes widening as if Peter had just revealed a hidden superpower. "Girlfriends? How many did you have?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and admiration.
Peter chuckled, a nervous edge creeping into his laughter. "I had two," he admitted, his grin faltering slightly. "But not both at the same time."
Bell's eyes widened, curiosity practically radiating off him. "What happened to them?" he pressed, leaning in closer as if expecting juicy gossip.
Peter's gaze turned distant, lost in memories of supervillains and interdimensional drama. He contemplated silently, recalling how Liz's dad turned out to be a supervillain who tried to kill him. Then, there was the time when things were finally going smoothly with MJ until another supervillan revealed his secret identity to the whole world. And, of course, now MJ was in an entirely different universe with no memory of him whatsoever. "Things just didn't work out," he finally sighed, resigning himself to the cosmic forces that seemed intent on meddling with his love life.
Loki watched the strange adventurer sitting at the bar, amused by the unfolding spectacle. The gods had descended to the lower world seeking entertainment, and today she was certainly getting her fill. A level 1 challenging a level 5 - now that was the most intriguing thing she had witnessed in this lower realm.
One offhand comment the man had made about tales of Thor being widespread in his homeland lingered in her mind. She had been dwelling in this lower realm for 28 years now, yet this was the first time she had heard Thor's name mentioned. It was a curious anomaly, as she wouldn't have been surprised if a god had spoken of him, but this was a mere mortal. The mention of Thor prompted memories of her brother to resurface, casting a shadow over her thoughts.
After Janus unwittingly opened the portal, unleashing a hoard of monsters upon heaven, Thor emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. With thunderous resolve, he rallied his fellow gods to stand against the encroaching darkness. Swiftly, he marshaled an army of divine beings, each ready to lay down their immortal lives in defense of their home.
With Mjolnir held high, Thor had led the charge, his valorous spirit igniting the hearts of his comrades. Through the swirling vortex of the portal, they ventured, ready to confront the monstrous horde on the other side.
Loki had stood firm at the portal's threshold, her gaze fixed upon the swirling maelstrom of interdimensional chaos. Alongside the reserve force of the divine army, she remained vigilant, ready to defend the heavens should Thor's valiant charge fail.
As the tumultuous battle raged on the other side, Loki's keen eyes detected the subtle shift in the portal's arcane energies. A surge of hope flickered within her heart as the monstrous tentacles that had wedged the gateway open began to retreat, vanishing back into the abyss from whence they came.
With a sense of grim satisfaction, Loki watched as the portal gradually sealed shut, its ethereal tendrils dissolving into the void. The closing of the portal marked not only their victory over the invading horrors but also the bittersweet realization that Thor and his valiant comrades were now forever trapped in the nightmarish realm beyond.
As Loki mulled over these reflections, a familiar pang of jealousy toward her brother, Thor, resurfaced within her. While other gods revered and celebrated Thor's strength and valor, she remained relegated to the role of the trickster, the mischievous figure weaving chaos and laughter. Even in Thor's absence, as songs of his valor had echoed through the halls of legend and monuments rose in his honor, Loki couldn't shake the persistent twinge of envy that gnawed at her. Yet, beneath the layers of resentment, there lingered a profound sense of loss for the brother she once knew.
Now, as she gazed upon the mortal seated at the bar, Loki found herself pondering. He hadn't lied to her. Perhaps a God who held Thor in high esteem had settled into this mortal's homeland, weaving tales of Thor's exploits across the ages.
As Loki drifted into reflections of the past, she scarcely registered the conversations at her table. Bete rambled on about a tomato boy Ais had rescued in the dungeon, but his words barely registered. Then, abruptly, Bete posed a ludicrous question to Ais, drawing Loki's attention. "Ais, who would you choose, him or me?" Ais responded with incredulity, "Are you drunk, Bete?" Undeterred, Bete persisted, asking Ais, "As a female, who would make you wag your tail, him or me?" Loki couldn't tolerate it any longer. "Someone shut him up. He's crossed the line," she ordered. After all, Ais is mine and only mine, Loki thought to herself
Acting swiftly, Tiona and Tione restrained and gagged Bete, tying him up before he could utter another word. As Loki observed the chaotic scene unfolding, she couldn't resist voicing her curiosity. "How can someone with an abnormal resistance development ability be such a light drinker?" Her question elicited chuckles from everyone at the table, while the gagged Bete could only glare at them in frustration.
Peter observed the scene with a sense of amusement, the laughter of the entire bar echoing around him as they watched the antics of the now tied and gagged wolf man. He turned to Bell, who was still blushing furiously and struggling against his restraints. Unbeknownst to the rest of the bar, Peter had used his webbing magic to immobilize Bell's legs when it seemed like he might try to flee.
From the conversation, Peter had quickly deduced that the wolf man, Bete, had been referring to Bell as the "tomato boy." After all, how many boys could Ais have rescued from a minotaur yesterday while drenched them in blood? Leaning in, Peter whispered to Bell, "Relax, man. See, he got what he deserved."
Bell's eyes welled up with tears as he hissed, "Let me go." Peter maintained his calm demeanor, replying, "Only if you calm down. Where will you run off to anyway?"
Bell's voice trembled with emotion as he confessed, "I need to become stronger, so that I can stand beside her." Peter nodded, understanding Bell's determination, but couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at his friend's puppy love.
"And how exactly are you going to get stronger at this time of night?" Peter pressed, trying to reason with Bell. But Bell remained silent, his defiance evident in his gaze.
Peter sighed, recognizing the familiar stubborn look in Bell's eyes. It was a look he himself had worn countless times before doing something stupid. "Listen, Bell," he began, his tone firm yet sympathetic, "that jerk is a bully. You should never let bullies like him win." He nodded toward the now ridiculed Bete. "Besides, just look at him now. He's the laughing stock of the whole bar."
Bell's tense posture relaxed slightly as he glanced around, noticing the bar patrons' amusement at Bete's expense.
Peter teased Bell, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "So, that blonde girl is Ais, the Sword Princess, right?" He nudged Bell playfully, "Should I go and ask her about her favorite color and food?" Bell's previous tension and inclination to run away completely changed into panic. "Oh, please don't," he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.
After they finished eating, Mia approached them with the bill, and Peter couldn't help but stifle a chuckle as he watched Bell's eyes widen at the sight of the total. "Looks like Bete's antics weren't the only thing leaving us in shock tonight," Peter remarked, attempting to inject some levity into the situation. Bell nodded in agreement, his gaze still fixed on the bill in disbelief. "I think I'll need a few extra dungeon runs to cover this," he muttered, a hint of resignation coloring his voice.
Peter glanced at the bill amount and grinned mischievously. "Nah, Bell, you totally have the money to cover this much. And if you don't, I'll lend you enough valis to cover it," he said, teasingly. Bell groaned in mock despair, knowing Peter was likely serious about lending him the money if needed. Nearby, Mia couldn't help but smirk at their predicament, clearly amused by their reaction to the bill.
As they were leaving, Peter waved to Tiona at the Loki table. She smiled and waved back before being admonished by Tione. Oddly, Ais also waved him goodbye, her expression still as animated as a rock. Peter couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, wondering what Bell saw in that girl. He had seen more expressive sandwiches than her.
"You did what?!" Hestia's voice thundered through the room, and Peter winced, hoping his eardrums wouldn't burst from the volume. Hestia had returned late in the night, and, as expected, Bell, the tattletale, spilled the beans about everything that had transpired in her absence. "I told you not to attract the attention of other gods," she admonished him. "And what do you do? You go and challenge a top-tier champion from one of the most prominent Familias!"
As Hestia began muttering, "Maybe you should just go and apologize tomorrow," Peter couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her escalating distress. "But that plank-chested harlot would never let me live it down if one of my children backed out of a challenge he made," she grumbled.
"Relax, I got this. I won't lose," Peter reassured her with a grin. But Hestia's reaction was far from reassuring. She slammed her head into her hands and groaned, "I don't know what worries me more, you losing or you winning. If you win, you do realize that you would be attracting the attention of all the gods in Orario. They'll all try to snatch you away from me."
Peter shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, if I become famous among the gods, maybe I can put in a good word for you with some of them," he joked. But Hestia's look of horror only deepened. "Oh gods, please don't," she groaned, envisioning the chaos that could ensue.
As Peter prepared to face his challenge the next day, he couldn't help but wonder if he was getting in over his head. But then again, what's an adventure without a little risk?
Peter and Bell approached the Twilight Manor, the residence of the Loki Familia. Hestia had expressed a desire to accompany them, but she ultimately decided against it, citing the unwritten rules of godly etiquette. Gods weren't supposed to intrude on the domains of other gods uninvited, especially if they weren't on friendly terms. Besides, Hestia had mentioned that Loki was an old rival of hers, and she didn't want to stir up any unnecessary trouble.
Peter teased Bell about finally meeting Ais in her home, nudging him playfully. "You should talk to her, thank her for saving your life," Peter suggested with a grin. Bell blushed, stammering, "I'm too weak to even stand beside her."
Peter shook his head, his tone firm yet lighthearted. "Everyone seems to think I'm too weak for Tiona. But the heart wants what the heart wants. And I'll definitely chase after what my heart desires. Life's too short for delays."
Bell looked at him with a mixture of admiration and doubt. "But what if you fail?" he asked hesitantly.
Peter shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So what? I'll try again," he declared confidently. Bell seemed to consider this for a moment before Peter continued, "Tell you what, if I win, you have to talk to Ais Wallenstein." Bell raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "And if you lose?" he inquired cautiously.
Peter chuckled, flashing a grin. "Then you'll probably have to carry me to the nearest hospital," he quipped, earning a laugh from Bell.
Peter chuckled at Bell's unexpected response. "Wait, you know what a hospital is?" he asked, genuinely surprised. He had expected Bell to be confused by the term.
Bell nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes, the Dian Cecht Familia runs a hospital in Orario. Am I not supposed to know what a hospital is?" he replied, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"No, it's just... never mind," he said. Peter shook his head, marveling at the quirks of this medieval world.
As they neared the imposing front gate of the manor, Peter's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of two adventurers in gleaming armor standing guard. Top of Form
One of them scrutinized Peter's integrated suit with a critical eye before gruffly asking, "State your business." The other, with a smirk playing on his lips, chimed in, "Ah, looks like we've got the one who's dared to challenge 'the Crusher'." He chuckled, his tone laced with amusement, "That fancy armor won't do you much good, kid. She'll crush it like a tin can."
As they entered, one of the guards led them through the vast expanse of the Twilight Manor, a sprawling structure erected on a modest plot of land. Towering structures intertwined and supported one another, their heights culminating in the grandeur of the central tower, which loomed above the rest.
Guided into a spacious courtyard, Peter and Bell were met with the sight of various adventurers engaged in vigorous sparring sessions. Some wielded weapons against each other with practiced precision, while others unleashed bursts of elemental magic, leaving singed marks on nearby target dummies. In the light of the morning sun, the courtyard was bathed in natural light, casting long shadows across the training ground.
In the heart of the courtyard, Tiona and Tione engaged in a lightning-fast duel, their movements blurring with speed and skill. Peter, watching from the sidelines, felt a knot of unease tighten in his stomach. He had severely underestimated his opponent; their rapid, fluid motions and raw speed were nearly impossible to track. His apprehension only grew when Tione, with a predatory grin, paused mid-strike, her gaze locking onto Peter and Bell. With a dramatic flair, she announced their arrival to the assembled crowd, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "Look who's decided to grace us with his presence," she declared, her tone dripping with mockery. "The lovesick idiot has arrived!"
Immediately, curious onlookers began to converge, forming a ring around the courtyard. Even the balconies overlooking the scene began to fill up with spectators, drawn by the anticipation of the impending showdown. Loki, Finn, the dwarf, the tall beautiful elf, Ais Wallenstein, Bete, and the other members present in the hostess last night all arrived, their eyes fixed on the unfolding spectacle in the courtyard.
Loki, her eyes glinting mischievously, strolled forward, her presence commanding attention. "Well, well, well," she drawled, her voice dripping with amusement. "It seems we have ourselves quite the spectacle today."
Peter exchanged a wary glance with Bell, who appeared to shrink under the weight of the attention. Taking a deep breath, Peter stepped forward, his resolve firm. "Let's just get this over with," he muttered under his breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead.
Finn stepped forward, his demeanor serious as he addressed the crowd. "Alright, listen up, everyone," he began, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the onlookers. "Here are the rules for today's duel."
"Firstly," Finn continued, raising his voice to ensure everyone could hear, "this will be a fair and honorable contest. No interference from anyone, got it?" He cast a pointed glance around the courtyard, ensuring his words resonated with the spectators.
"Secondly," Finn declared, his voice carrying authority as he addressed the gathered crowd, "the duel will be fought until one of the combatants admits defeat or is rendered unable to continue. No killing blows, understood?"
As Finn spoke, his gaze flicked pointedly toward Tiona, emphasizing the importance of restraint in the heat of battle. Tiona met his eyes with a determined nod, silently acknowledging the gravity of his words.
"Lastly," Finn concluded, his tone stern, "the duel will be immediately halted if I deem it necessary. I will intervene if I observe either participant crossing the line or endangering the other's safety." He cast a pointed glance at Tiona, who shuffled sheepishly under his scrutiny.
Peter mused that at least Finn seemed interested in preventing him from meeting an early demise. Or perhaps he simply didn't want his familia's reputation tarnished by the killing of a rookie.
He then addressed both combatants, "You may choose your weapons," Finn declared. Tiona chimed in immediately, "Unarmed combat." Peter nodded in agreement.
Finn gestured for everyone to step back, creating space in the courtyard as they all positioned themselves at the edges. In the center, Finn stood between the combatants, ready to officiate the duel. "Begin!" he declared, his voice echoing through the courtyard.
As Finn's command echoed, Tiona sprang into action with lightning speed, her movements a blur as she closed the distance between them in an instant. Peter's senses heightened, his Spider-Sense alerting him to the impending danger just in time. With a graceful sidestep, he narrowly evaded Tiona's first strike, feeling the rush of wind as her fist whizzed past him.
Reacting swiftly, Peter countered with a series of agile dodges and calculated maneuvers, using his enhanced reflexes and agility to stay one step ahead. Tiona pressed on relentlessly, her attacks coming fast and fierce, each blow carrying the weight of her formidable strength.
Despite her overwhelming speed and power, Peter remained focused, relying on his Spider-Sense to guide him through the flurry of strikes. With each evasion, he studied Tiona's movements, searching for an opening to exploit.
Suddenly, he saw his chance. As Tiona launched another lightning-fast attack, Peter anticipated her trajectory and swiftly ducked beneath her arm, narrowly avoiding her strike. Using her momentum against her, he spun around and delivered a well-placed kick to her side, sending her staggering backward.
The courtyard erupted into murmurs and gasps as spectators watched the unexpected turn of events. Tiona's recovery was swift, her expression now a mixture of surprise and determination. Suddenly, she blurred forward with increased speed, catching Peter off guard. It became evident that she had been holding back.
Peter's spider-sense screamed a warning as he barely dodged her lightning-fast punch, but the sheer force of her missed blow created a shockwave that sent a few spectators stumbling. Before he could fully process what had happened, Tiona unleashed a devastating kick that struck him squarely in the gut.
The impact lifted Peter off his feet, propelling him into the air with alarming force. As he soared at least thirty feet upward, his acrobatic instincts took over, and he spun midair to face the rapidly approaching wall. With a quick twist, he managed to stick to the wall at the second-floor balcony level, clinging with all four of his limbs.
Taking a moment to assess his situation, Peter realized the gravity of the situation. That blow would have been fatal for a normal human, and he suspected he had sustained internal injuries. Determination surged within him as he glanced around, searching for a way to turn the tide of the battle.
Spotting several light poles projecting from the courtyard walls, Peter wasted no time. With a powerful leap, he vaulted off the balcony and landed gracefully on one of the poles, his sticky feet allowing him to maintain his balance effortlessly.
With a smirk, Peter raised his hand in a mocking gesture, signaling Tiona to come at him. Falling for the taunt, Tiona launched herself forward, her feet leaving deep cracks in the ground as she surged toward him like a missile. But Peter was ready, his mind already formulating a plan.
As Tiona closed in, Peter used his unnatural agility to dodge her, hanging upside down from the pole with ease. With lightning reflexes, he deployed his web shooter, catching her legs in a sticky trap and attaching the other end of the web to the pole. The web became taut, halting Tiona's momentum, while Peter gracefully descended to the ground.
Left dangling upside down, Tiona wore a surprised expression as Peter wasted no time. With precision, he rapidly spun a cocoon of web around her, binding her limbs tightly. Despite her struggles, Tiona found herself ensnared in Peter's webbing, the layers of silk quickly encasing her.
Noticing that his webs were beginning to strain under Tiona's strength, Peter acted swiftly, adding more layers around her while deftly circling her. In no time, Tiona was transformed into a cocoon, her head the only part left exposed as she hung upside down, thoroughly ensnared by Peter's web.
As Tiona struggled against her sticky prison, Finn approached her, his expression mirroring the astonishment of the spectators. "Can you break free?" he inquired, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"No, I can't," Tiona admitted, frustration evident in her voice. "What kind of magic is this?"
Peter refrained from correcting her misconception, the webs he used in the fight were not magical but rather his chemical ones. He doubted his magical webs could hold her; they were not as strong as the ones produced from his web shooters. But he knew he would run out of web cartridges pretty soon if he kept using them like this.
Just as Finn was about to declare the winner, he realized he didn't even know the rookie's name. Leaning in, he whispered, "Kid, what's your name?"
After receiving the answer, Finn loudly announced, "The winner is Peter Parker!"
The courtyard fell into a stunned silence, everyone too surprised to react. Suddenly, Tiona broke the silence with a mischievous smile. "Well, don't just stand there," she quipped, "give me a kiss."
Peter, caught off guard by her unexpected request, hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to oblige her. Indeed, with her face conveniently hanging upside down, it was the perfect height for him to plant a kiss on her lips.
Author's note: I have two different scenarios to go forward with this story, and I'd love your input!
Option 1 involves Peter and the Loki Familia forming an alliance. The story will incorporate elements from Sword Oratoria.
Option 2 presents a conflict where the Loki Familia pursues Peter relentlessly, driven by a desire to uncover the secrets behind his powers and seeking revenge for the humiliation of one of their top executive's defeat by a mere level 1. Loki will challenge Hestia to a war game.
Please mention in your review which direction you want this story to take.