Chapter 13: Shadows of Betrayal
It was a night thick with darkness. Snow piled heavily on the old man's cloak until it weighed him down. Clinging to the faint glow of his torch, the elder barely spotted a lone shack amid his blurred vision.
Knock knock!
"...Come in."
With a cautious rap, the door creaked open. Inside the shack sat elders of similar age, all sweating coldly and groaning incessantly. They were the elders of the Raguna Tribe.
"What's the sudden reason for gathering?"
"...They say Aum Linia has come to this city."
"Aum Linia? The young chieftain of the Linia Tribe? Why would he...?"
"Roden, that old fool, saw him. He might have met the Constellation of Sin."
"...You mean Aum, that bastard, met the Constellation of Sin? What's the problem with that?"
"...Rumor has it Aum Linia aided Kudan's rebellion."
"Aum Linia helped Kudan?!"
"Just a rumor, mind you."
"Even if it's a rumor, if true, aren't we in danger?! We can't rule out that Kudan told Aum everything and gained soldiers from him!"
"They say the market street was briefly locked down. Then Aum Linia and his brother Per Linia fled the city in horrific states."
Aum had become a broken shell, and his brother had lost his right hand. It was a clear show of enmity toward the Linia Tribe.
"...Th-that means Aum might know everything and could have talked about us?!"
The elders who had plotted to kill Kankun. But the girl they saw as the tribe's calamity now basked in Loki's favor—and had even received his aid. They had tried to harm her.
If this reached the Constellation of Sin or the tribe?
"W-we were just following Shaman's prophecy!"
"Right! We're innocent! If anything, the Constellation of Sin might reward us!"
The elders spoke boldly, but anxiety gnawed at them. If the truth came out, even the Raguna tribesfolk wouldn't let them live.
"Where's Roden, that old coot? He spotted Aum first. I want the full story!"
"...He's gone."
"...!"
"Fled in terror, they say."
"Where to?"
"The Linia Tribe."
"Why there...?"
"Begging Kudan for mercy, probably. If Kankun learns the truth... she'll forgive Kudan, and maybe he'll forgive him too. Or perhaps..."
He's scheming some plan using Kudan.
"What simplistic thinking! No wonder continentals call Nords dumber than orcs! We need to think before acting!"
But who could blame them? Survival instinct clouded all judgment.
The elders eyed each other warily.
"What now?"
"What else? Like Roden, that old fool—we bolt!"
"Where to?"
"...No hiding from the Constellation of Sin on the Frozen Lands. South to the continent!"
"What about pursuers?"
"We need bait to shake them!"
As the elders talked, a knock echoed.
Knock knock.
They exchanged glances.
"...Anyone else coming?"
"No, just us survivors."
"Maybe Roden came back?"
They nodded and opened the door.
"Roden, you came back...?!"
But the elder who opened it froze mid-sentence. Before him stood jet-black armor. The door was tall, yet the figure's height hid its face. Still, the black armor, snow-dusted brown fur cape—it felt familiar.
The 'being' ducked into the shack. The door-opener stumbled back, and the others stared, petrified.
"C-Constellation of Sin!"
Loki. He had come.
Goat helm. White breath steamed from its open maw. Red eyes scanned the room, no different from gazing at lowly insects.
"Elders of the Raguna Tribe."
"...".
"It was you. The ones who tried to kill Kankun."
"...!"
Their faces drained of color. The quick-thinkers threw themselves prostrate, foreheads slamming the floor.
"M-mercy!"
"Constellation of Sin! We merely followed the prophecy!"
"Speak in detail."
The elders confessed everything. Loki nodded—it matched what the outsider Aum Linia had said recently.
He tilted his head.
"I care not what you do. Kill Kankun or not—at that time, I knew her not."
"...".
"Even knowing her now, she's but a faint connection. I meddle not in tribal affairs. Do as you will, so long as you don't defile my palace."
Prostrate, the elders flicked their eyes, signaling. His mild tone and air suggested forgiveness.
Whew, we're saved! As Shaman foretold—obeying prophecy is no sin!
"But placing a blood-soaked corpse before my slumbering throne... that irks me greatly."
"...!"
"Would you sleep soundly with a gore-drenched body at your feet?"
Terrified, they cried out.
"Mercy!"
"Forgive our sins!"
"We only followed Shaman's prophecy!"
Lies. Shaman had merely prophesied; he commanded nothing. It was their excuse to hide their guilt.
Loki looked down.
"I forgive you."
"...!"
"Since it never happened."
"Th-thank you!"
"However."
Loki stepped aside. At the doorway stood a girl clutching her holy sword, face shocked from the elders' tale.
"Ka-Kankun!"
Kankun Raguna. Behind her loomed Raguna tribesfolk, glaring at the elders.
"Whether she forgives you... that's another matter."
"...!"
Loki patted Kankun's shoulder as he passed.
"I said clearly: no interference, so long as my palace in this city stays undefiled."
"...Yes."
"Handle it yourself."
Loki left the shack. Kankun fixed the elders with an icy stare.
"Ka-Kankun!"
"W-we... it was for the tribe-!"
"As chieftain of the Raguna Tribe, I command you."
She glared.
"Exile these traitors from the city. Once outside, sever their arms."
"W-wait-!"
"Kankun, mercy-!"
At her word, tribesfolk surrounded the elders.
As Loki walked the night streets,
"Forgive me,"
a voice from the alley drew his glance. Shaman emerged, bowing low.
"My prophecy seems flawed."
"...I spared even those who acted. No need to punish you, who only spoke."
Above all, Shaman's line had served the sleeping Loki for 300 years. Cleaning Valhalla Palace spotless, polishing his armor, offering fresh food daily as tribute. They judged all who defiled it.
Not from selfishness, but worship and reverence for their god. For Loki, dormant 300 years, it was gratitude-worthy.
"Thank you for your mercy. This Shaman offers body and soul—all to the Constellation of Sin."
Shaman bowed deeper.
"After the elders' judgment, summon Kankun. I must speak with her."
"What of?"
Shaman would hear first, relay to Kankun, who would prepare answers.
"Kudan Raguna."
"...Understood."
Loki resolved to learn properly about the rebel Kudan.
Deep in the night, Valhalla Palace gleamed beautifully. Braziers and torches flickered softly throughout the temple, illuminating carved runes and motifs sparkling on the walls. An eerie yet wondrous atmosphere.
Kankun wandered like an explorer, holy sword hugged close.
How amazing.
Glowing motifs and murals on the walls.
When I asked Shaman, he said those depicted here—
She gazed at the black-armored figure, wolves and serpents emanating from it. Below, hordes of the dead and giants crawled from the earth, advancing—
The Constellation of Sin, Lord Loki.
She turned. Beside Loki and his deathly legions, giants charged. Opposing them, light-bearers shone.
They were—
Other constellations.
Constellations who created and ruled the world.
Shaman said it.
The king of gods, king of constellations—
The Constellation of Creation ruled the world, grew arrogant, fell to corruption. To judge the fallen constellations, he birthed the Constellation of Sin.
This Sin led armies to judge the other constellations.
The Constellation of Sin not only governed human sins but sought to judge the gods, the constellations ruling this world.
But Lord Loki said it was all different?
'That's bullshit. This mural depicts Ragnarok. The war that brings world's end.'
Whose words rang true? Obviously Loki's.
Kankun looked up at unique script above the mural.
[Twilight of the Gods]
"...?"
Thud! Lost in the mural, she bumped into something. A skeleton guarding Valhalla.
"...!"
Startled, she grabbed its hollow snout and bowed.
"S-sorry! And thank you for your service!"
The skeleton waved casually, as if to say it was fine.
As Kankun gaped in surprise,
"Here you are."
The skeleton stiffened rigidly, spear and shield at ready. Full alert.
Kankun eyed it curiously, then turned to the voice.
"Lord Loki. D-did you summon me?"
"Yes."
It was Loki.
"The elders?"
He tilted his head; she shrank timidly.
"...Exiled beyond the city. And their arms severed."
"You spared them."
"You said not to defile this Valhalla... "
Loki meant the palace, but to Kankun, it encompassed all Loki dwelled in and built.
'And not killing them outright.'
This frozen land was merciless. Armless exiles would draw blood-scenting monsters. Fleeing them, frostbite would rot their stumps. Agonizing death awaited.
"I... heard you called me about Kudan Raguna."
"Yes."
He nodded.
"You wish to meet and speak with him?"
"Indeed."
"Then I'll fetch him. And smooth over any misunderstandings with you. So—!"
"Lord Loki!"
Hans came dashing down Valhalla's corridor.
"War!"
As Loki turned, Hans paled and shouted.
"The Linia Tribe's mustering armies and advancing! Supreme commander: Aum Linia. Vanguard captain..."
He swallowed dryly.
"...A man named Kudan Raguna!"
Kudan Raguna stood atop a corpse.
A 5-meter behemoth of white skin. Forest king: an ogre. A frozen-hided Snow Ogre, the strongest breed.
He wiped clean the axe blade used moments ago, then eyed ahead.
"That true?"
Before him groveled an old man, head bowed.
"Y-yes, Kudan! One of the Raguna Tribe elders. Roden."
The first to spot Aum and flee Valhalla.
"Kankun—she's captured by the Constellation of Sin, suffering great humiliation!"