Point of View: Loki
What am I doing?
This wasn't part of the plan.
Then…
Why can't I stop wanting to corrupt him?
I looked at Tharok in silence.
Even in this state, he was still special.
Broken.
Filled with hatred.
Filled with pain.
But he still possessed something others lost far too quickly.
His will.
—You're special, Tharok…
Maybe that was why.
Maybe that was why those thoughts wouldn't stop appearing.
Take him.
Take him.
Take him.
I frowned slightly.
That voice again.
—I can turn you into a monster. You would be a very useful tool.
His pupils contracted.
I could feel his fear.
But…
I didn't want that.
I didn't want to turn him into something so simple.
Deep within my mind, there was only one thought.
We need him.
We need him.
I lowered my gaze toward my hand.
It was trembling slightly.
Tharok didn't seem to notice.
I whispered to myself.
So quietly that no one else could hear it.
—What's happening to me…?
I need him.
I need him.
I slowly clenched my hand.
—If I do that… I'll break the agreement I made with Genesis and Elena.
I couldn't do it.
I mustn't do it.
Corrupt him.
Corrupt him.
My expression darkened for only an instant.
Point of View: ????
I smiled.
Loki is finally asleep.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
Then muttered to myself.
—I should take care of this… and then I'll go back to sleep.
Tharok's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
—You didn't go through all this just to turn me into a monster… right?
He was afraid.
And yet he was still thinking.
I liked that.
I smiled.
—No. That would be a waste.
I tilted my head slightly.
—I want to offer you a deal.
Tharok remained silent for a few seconds before asking:
—What kind of deal?
I shrugged.
—More than a deal… it's a ritual.
His gaze grew more serious.
—Why are you talking so much to me? Why not force me to accept it?
My smile widened.
Smart.
He understood something important.
—I can't deceive you.
That word left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
—The ritual demands honesty from both parties.
I felt disgusted saying it.
But I had no choice.
I would need him in the future.
And the ritual would never work if I hid my true intentions.
I noticed the surprise in his eyes.
I didn't care.
—I will give you something. And you will give me something in return.
I observed him carefully.
—That is the essence of the ritual, Tharok.
His breathing was beginning to stabilize.
Good.
That would make it easier to convince him.
Or manipulate him.
The ritual required voluntary acceptance.
But it never forbade influencing the decision.
I smiled faintly.
—What do you think?
He didn't answer immediately.
After a few seconds, he asked:
—What is it that you want from me?
My desire to have him grew even stronger.
Even now…
He remained rational.
He was afraid.
He distrusted me.
But he refused to let his emotions dominate his mind.
Perfect.
—I want a servant.
I took a step toward him.
—Someone who will be my sword.
—Someone who advances according to my will.
I stared directly into his eyes.
—What I want, Tharok… is for you to become my herald.
Silence filled the forest.
He was thinking.
I didn't mind waiting.
Finally, he spoke.
—If I become your herald…
I interrupted him before he could finish.
—You will kill.
—You will destroy.
—You will bring ruin and death to countless beings.
My smile slowly widened.
—You will do things far worse than you can imagine.
His response came immediately.
Firm.
Without hesitation.
—Then I refuse.
Perfect.
I expected nothing less.
A completely broken soul would have accepted desperately.
But Tharok still retained a fragment of light.
Even if it was already stained.
And that only made me want him more.
The best part of all this… was that the negotiation had only just begun.