Chapter 989: Nightingales and ravens (1)

The moment he turns to his left he saw someone that should not be here. That made him stood transfixed for a second because of the shock

In front of him right now, is a young man with a long blond hair, reaching the shoulder but neatly tied

He stands at six feet four with lean body and handsome face. 

Wearing a dark red suit and stylish leather shoes, with a scent of fragrance that is pleasant and not overpowering, this young man is someone that Lukas had never seen before. 

But, even though it is a face he had never seen before, Lukas knows who this person is.

There is only one person that would appear here at this moment, looking at him with such a rotten smile and that would be Loki the trickster.

He was shocked, yes, but he was not scared. This is the Palace. This is his turf. And his strength is enough to deal with Loki.

And he of course knew Loki had many trump cards and artifacts. It is not that Lukas looks too highly of himself that he was confident that he could defeat Loki

It was just simply he was confident that if a fight is going to start here in the Palace, he was confident he would be safe.

While he could not defeat Loki, one shout is all he needs. And with his level, one shout is not much to ask

One shout to the heavens and he is pretty sure Loki would be easily caught by Death Monarch. But he did not fight and he did not shout.

He just looks at Loki 

Loki look at Lukas and said

'Ah, you chubby little friend' Loki said

'I told you I don't like that nickname. And I am not that chubby.' Lukas said as he takes a step backward. Loki seems to realize it but he was not that bothered about it.

Instead, he smiles and then he laughs.

'Don't be so guarded. You hurt my feelings' Loki said. Lukas only smiles. This is the way the trickster jokes

Then Loki become silent. He looks around and then he looks toward one of the tower among the many towers in the Palace.

Lukas knows where that gaze stopped. It is a place where most of his gaze also lingers when he walks around the Palace ground.

Then Loki said

'He's not here.'

'He's no here. Like you expected' Lukas repeated.

'That will make it all of this be easier' Loki said smiling. Lukas was of course puzzled what Loki means when he said that it would be easier

What would be easier? 

There is many question in his mind right now. One of them why is Loki here?

He is now being hunted by all kinds of forces. 

Even though Sasha had told him that there is a conspiracy, and Lukas had deduced that Loki was not the one responsible for the Multiversal Convergence, the world believes that it was him that did it

So, if he were the one who is a fugitive, he would not return to Pandemonium. 

Yes, Death Monarch would protect Loki. 

But that is not something Lukas think Loki would do. If Loki really wanted the protection of Death Monarch, he would simply have returned with Death Monarch

There is no need to meet him. This and many other question is filling in his mind right now

But the advantage of Loki coming unannounced is that, Loki would not give him that much time to think about all of this question.

Loki arrival and appearance here was not something that Lukas had expected. 

There were times of course he rendezvouses with Loki in the past, talking about secret plots and devious scheme.

But most of that time, he was ready. It was not like today where he is caught unprepared.

'Come on, little cubby Lukas. I need you to do something for me. And it is very easy for you to do it'

Lukas frowned.

'Straight to the point. Quite rare for you. Usually you would start with some kind of story first before finally talking about your true aim' Lukas said

He remembers that Loki once start with one of Aesop fable story to drive down a point. At times it was a quote from some famous person. 

Other times, it is an anecdote of his own life story.

Death Monarch had some theatrical tendencies. 

He likes to appear in forceful and imposing manner, creating the image of invincibility in the minds of his opponents, pressuring them even before he arrives in front of them

Thunders and lightning. Storms and earth shaking. All of this is the usual method of Death Monarch

But Loki himself is not too shabby. While Death Monarch uses props, which is the worldly laws and nature itself to pressure his enemies, Loki uses words.

Be careful when he talks to you with gentle words and amiable smiles. 

And when he started breaking into a story, you know that you are not there for something good.

Lukas was once in such meeting where Loki was talking about a story of some fisherman who tries to fish in a storm.

Lukas has forgotten what the story was about. 

Loki had a lot of those

But, the story, the anecdote, the quotes or whatever strikes Loki fancy that day probably had a point. 

Regardless, the moment he finishes his story, Loki then pierce that person chest and dug out his heart and incinerated it on his hand

So, this is quite the anomaly. Lukas thought he would at least do the story bit before going to the point.

But it seems, even the always relaxed, always clam trickster is also anxious. It might not show on his face or his demeanor, but with this it shows.

Lukas smiles at Loki like he could see through Loki anxiousness, 

Loki chuckles looking at Lukas smiles and his words and he simply said

'I am a man that knows how to flow with the circumstances. Today, I don't have much time. I don't know how long my big brother would be outside of Pandemonium. He is too powerful for me now. I am quite sure that he did not like the things I did. The thing I Do for my brother' he said with a smile on his face.

He shakes his head and said

'Pretty weird way of him showing his love to me, don't you think? Big brother, he is always looking out for me. This time, it is my turn. What do I care about how the world look at me?' Loki said as he sighed for a moment

Lukas heard what Loki said about Death Monarch but he did not dare comment. 

When it is about the relationship between these two brothers, Lukas did not dare comment. 

Death Monarch Azief had another brother.  The Golden Speedster is Death Monarch sworn brother.

That relationship is what Lukas would describe as a healthy relationship between brothers. They supported one another and would die for each other.

The ideal brotherhood. They were even closer than most blood brothers. 

The relationship between Death Monarch and the Golden Speedster is something that Lukas and the world could understand

Loki however had never make a sworn oath with Death Monarch. But everyone recognizes him as Death Monarch little brother. 

And he is probably the one that Death Monarch loves the most among his brothers

And Death Monarch also acknowledges it. And Loki himself acknowledges Death Monarch and sees Death Monarch like a big brother figure

Yet, how could their relationship between them seems to be so twisted?

At times, it seems like they were feuding with each other. And there were times that Loki had done thing that clash against the intention of Death Monarch

At times they were even like sworn enemies. 

But, after seeing what Death Monarch do…...or in this case doesn't do to Loki, everyone was convinced. This is family, alright.

The fact that Loki had done many things that goes against Death Monarch but Death Monarch still could not bear to hit or punish Loki, shows how Death Monarch views Loki

And when other people tries to scold Loki, one could very well incur the wrath of Death Monarch, displaying that familial love. 

Death Monarch basically displaying to the world

"I could scold him, and shout at him and punish him. But not all of you" That is what he is showing to the world

So, Lukas refrain from commenting when it is about Loki and Death Monarch relationship. Loki look at the silent Lukas and smirks

'Ah, I forgot. You are…. very averse to danger. Like an obedient monkey. Which I rarely see. There was this one monkey that was quite the troublemaker. He was born from a ston- 'And then he stopped himself

'Ah, there I go again. Nearly breaking out into stories again, as you would call it' 

'Hehehe' he laughed and then he sighed as he added

'And there is of course Sasha. She seems pretty determined to not let me succeed. So, as you can see I am quite in a bind right now. Got to skip the stories and all of that theatrics today' 

Lukas did not say anything ash he was also deep in thought. The silence between them is heavy. In Lukas mind right now there is many thoughts.

He thought of all the possibilities and trying to discern Loki intention and plan. Of course this is easier than done. He rarely meddles with Loki matters.

The reason is because Loki matters rarely had something to do with Court matters which is Lukas best forte.

Even Sasha who clashed with Loki many times had never claimed to truly understand the Trickster, so how could he who have an even less interaction with Loki could understand the trickster.

And not understanding such a person, how could he then divine Loki intention. He could only sigh inwardly