Leaving the dream world behind, Kurogai Blackwood slowly opened his eyes. His gaze immediately fell on a broad-shouldered man clad in gleaming armor walking toward him.
"Friend, how do you find Asgard? Beautiful, isn't it?"
Thor smiled warmly, his massive hand clapping down on Kurogai's shoulder as though they had been comrades for years.
"Thor?" Kurogai's brow arched, his eyes narrowing as he studied him. Something felt… off. Thor wasn't the type to be overly familiar, and certainly not after what had just happened between them.
For one, Thor's arm should have been badly injured after their clash. Kurogai had struck it hard enough that the God of Thunder shouldn't have been able to move it so casually now. Unless Odin had already healed him—which Kurogai doubted—this was no ordinary encounter.
Instinct whispered the truth. The man before him was not Thor. A different figure flickered in Kurogai's mind. If he was right, then this could only be Loki—the God of Lies and Mischief.
"By the way, where is Sif? I asked her to keep you company, yet I don't see her anywhere," the supposed Thor said quickly, as though to distract from Kurogai's suspicion. His eyes shifted until he noticed Sif resting on the ground nearby, still unconscious.
"Sif? What have you done to her? I called you a friend, and this is how you repay me? Hurting one of Asgard's own?" His voice was heavy with manufactured sorrow.
"I didn't hurt her," Kurogai replied calmly. "She collapsed on her own. I have no idea what happened."
Amusement stirred within Kurogai. Loki clearly loved his theatrics, and so he decided to play along. He let his expression falter into mock panic, feigning worry that his secret might be exposed.
"Is that so? Then I believe you, friend," 'Thor' said with forced conviction. "But my father won't be so forgiving. Odin will be furious. It would be better if I explained this matter to him in your place."
How noble. At least, that's what Loki wanted him to believe.
"That would be wonderful," Kurogai answered with exaggerated gratitude. "You're a true friend, Thor. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Both men wore masks, their performances layered with deceit. To anyone else, they might have looked like brothers-in-arms, bound by loyalty.
"Very well, I'll take care of it," Loki-as-Thor continued smoothly. "By the way, since you're here as an emissary to discuss important matters, why not tell me what you intended to say to Odin? I can deliver the message for you. That way, Odin won't be angry when he sees you."
There it was—the real motive. Loki wanted to uncover Kurogai's purpose in Asgard, to see if it offered him an angle to exploit.
Kurogai smiled faintly. "Have you forgotten, my friend? I wasn't invited here. The cooperation between Midgard and Asgard is trivial compared to the real reason I came. You asked for my help—to deal with your brother. What was his name again… Markey… Lodi… ah yes, Loki."
The false Thor's expression froze, darkening instantly. After a long silence, he exhaled slowly, his features twisting before they dissolved into light. The illusion peeled away, revealing Loki's sharp eyes and mocking smirk.
"When did you realize I wasn't Thor?" Loki asked coldly.
Kurogai's lips curved. "From the moment you touched my shoulder. Thor and I are not that close. Besides, I broke that arm not long ago. He wouldn't be able to use it so easily."
The revelation sent a chill through Loki. Thor was the mightiest warrior in Asgard besides Odin himself, and yet Kurogai claimed to have bested him in battle. Loki had always believed Thor to be unstoppable. If this was true, then the man before him was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
"I didn't expect someone like you," Loki admitted, his smile laced with venom. "Interesting. Thor has brought back quite the guest. But I doubt you'll live long. Clever men rarely do."
A dagger shimmered into Loki's hand, his eyes flashing with intent.
"Clever men don't live long because they lack strength," Kurogai replied coolly. "They rely too heavily on tricks to mask their weakness. Isn't that right, Loki?"
The insult cut deep. Loki's face twisted with fury.
"You dare mock me? Then die!"
With a snarl, Loki lunged, his blade slashing toward Kurogai.
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