My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 66: God's plan

Deep within the heart of a mystical forest, an aged man attended to his lush garden. With a watering can in hand, he gracefully watered the verdant plants, humming a gentle tune that harmonized with the serene surroundings.

The atmosphere was infused with an air of tranquil contentment as he went about his morning ritual, absorbed in the beauty of the natural world.

Having completed his work, the man moved to his modest abode, where he began to brew his morning coffee. As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, he settled into a comfortable chair and switched on his television, looking forward to a brief moment of relaxation.

However, his peace was short-lived. Without warning, a sudden presence intruded upon his solitude. To his astonishment, a portal of pure darkness materialized on his left, an anomaly amidst the tranquility of the forest. His surprise was compounded as the portal radiated intense heat, and a nightmarish figure emerged from within.

The being that stepped forth was an eldritch horror, shrouded in a constantly shifting cloak of iridescent colors that defied the comprehension of the human mind. Its form was ever-changing, resembling a blazing inferno that defied the laws of physics. To gaze upon this being was to invite madness, an experience that no human mind could endure.

"Hmm? What a surprise. I didn't expect you to visit me, Proctharn" the man, mused, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"So, what does a dangerous being such as you want?"

"Loki"

Addressed Proctharn his words carried an immense weight, each syllable pressing upon his very existence. Under the pressure of this eldritch entity, Loki had no choice but to release his current mortal guise. His transformation was swift and breathtaking, a myriad of divine lights encasing him as he shed his mortal form.

As the lights subsided, Loki emerged in his true divine form, a striking and handsome figure towering at two meters. His attire had transformed into his divine garments, a reflection of his true nature as the god of Lies and Deceit. After countless millennia, Loki stood revealed in all his divine splendor, ready to face whatever enigmatic purpose had drawn Proctharn to his realm.

"We need a favor," Proctharn reiterated, their enigmatic presence casting an even deeper veil of confusion over Loki.

Loki couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, baffled by the request. "Pardon?" he inquired

'Why exactly does a cosmic horror such as you want my favor? And what do you mean by we'? Is this how you greet a friend after not seeing him for who knows how long?'

He couldn't help but shake his head at the oddness of the situation

Recognizing that the request was likely to be a complex matter, Loki decided to create a more suitable atmosphere for the conversation. With a snap of his fingers, the room transformed dramatically, shifting from a plain and worn-out house into the opulent surroundings of a world-class mansion or perhaps even a castle. Loki took his seat and crossed his legs, fully prepared to hear Proctharn's explanation.

"Start from the beginning," Loki prompted

"You always say things from the get-go, Proctharn." He leaned back in his seat, awaiting the narrative.

"Oh, and be sure to come through the door next time. If I didn't recognize your divine signature, the defenses I put in place would have forcefully closed the portal you created. Well, it's not like you would actually die from a collapsed space, but still, at least tell me when you come to visit." Loki's tone was a blend of casual admonishment and amusement as he prepared to hear Proctharn.

…..

"So, you're saying that your human apostle got suddenly transported into another sector, and now the goddess of that world is threatening to end his life?" Loki inquired, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation.

However, his understanding was soon overshadowed by an intense pressure that descended upon the room. Goosebumps covered his body, and he couldn't help but gulp under the weight of Proctharn's presence.

"Oh, yeah, that's right; he's your son, not an apostle. Sorry, sorry" Loki nervously corrected himself, attempting to diffuse the tension. A nervous laugh followed, and he continued, "Seriously, you're too hot-headed, you know that?"

As he went about repairing the room, Loki couldn't help but reflect on the profound changes he had witnessed in Proctharn over the years.

When they had first met, Proctharn had been a being of fire, destruction, and madness. However, since he had taken on the responsibility of caring for a mortal child, he had undergone a remarkable transformation, embracing the role of an actual father.

'I wish I had that'

Loki's jealousy towards Proctharn deepened as he continued to reflect on their respective relationships with their children. If only his own offspring could feel even a fraction of the affection and devotion that Proctharn's human child did. Or, at the very least, if he could experience some semblance of family moments with them.

His thoughts turned to his children – Hel, Jormungandr, Fenrir, and Sleipnir. Their distant and preoccupied natures left Loki yearning for a more meaningful connection with them.

Hel, the ruler of the underworld, was often absorbed in her duties and rarely had time for her father. Their interactions had dwindled over the years, and Loki couldn't help but feel ignored by her.

Jormungandr, the massive serpent, seemed to spend most of his time in a state of perpetual slumber, leaving Loki with little opportunity to engage with his child.

Fenrir, though more engaged than the others, tended to focus on one pressing concern: his release to take part in Ragnarok, the apocalyptic event. While he did inquire about Loki's well-being from time to time, the conversations were often dominated by questions about his own future role in the cataclysmic events to come.

Sleipnir, born of Loki's union with a horse, was a unique case. As the child of shifting genders and forms, Sleipnir's connection to Loki was uncertain. The ever-changing nature of their relationship made it difficult to establish a traditional parent-child relationship, and Loki often felt that Sleipnir paid little heed to their familial ties.

In the face of these distant and complex relationships, Loki couldn't help but wish for the kind of genuine, heartwarming moments he observed in Proctharn's interactions with his human son.

"So how exactly did your son suddenly get transported to another sector?" Loki probed, seeking more information about the situation.

"I don't know"

"You don't know?" Loki responded, incredulous.

"Yes"

Exasperation laced Loki's voice as he continued, "Haah, seriously, you. Do you at least know the name of the sector?"

"No"

Loki could only sigh in response. While he wanted to help his friend in this unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situation, the lack of information about the unknown sector and its gods made the task ahead seem even more daunting.

Dealing with unknown gods could indeed lead to a plethora of complications, especially in the volatile world of divine conflict, and from what he gathered, Proctharn appeared to be preparing for a potential war on a cosmic scale.

Seeing Loki's initial reaction, Proctharn decided to clarify the situation. "We are not inviting you to join us in a war, Loki," he explained.

"Eh?" Loki was taken aback by this unexpected revelation. He had been convinced that Proctharn was asking for his participation in some grand conflict, and a glint of excitement had sparked within him. He missed the good old days when he could unleash havoc and chaos upon various worlds.

"We are just asking you for a favor to open a portal for us," Proctharn continued, revealing the true nature of his request.

"Portal? And by the way, why do you keep saying 'we'? Don't tell me your whole pantheon is coming, right? Haha."

Proctharn's response shed light on the matter. "Not all of us," he clarified, "just some who consider the child as family."

"Wait, I thought you were the only one who took care of that child? There's more?" His bewilderment deepened as he tried to grasp the extent of the familial connection Proctharn's pantheon had with the human child.

As Loki contemplated the situation, he couldn't help but think, 'Just how lucky is that child to be brought up by these powerful beings?' He was well aware that Proctharn alone had the capability to threaten entire pantheons. However, the notion that an entire family of such powerful entities was involved left him in awe and even a touch of fear.

Loki still remembered a past encounter with one of Proctharn's kind. It had given birth to a monstrous offspring that laid waste to an unfortunate sector, plunging mortals and gods alike into abject despair and madness. The memory of the event sent a shiver down Loki's spine.

The beings in that sector had met pathetic, horrifying deaths as a monstrous octopus-like creature descended upon the oceans, driving everyone to the brink of madness. Literally, all beings in that sector perished, including the gods, who, though of a lower rank, were still gods in their own right.

"Wait, if you're not alone, couldn't you just take over the gods of that world?"

"We could, but the primordial goddess of that world is quite powerful. Add to that She is also being provided with energy by the universal law of causality."

"Balance, huh?" Loki mused, beginning to understand the complexity of the situation.

The more Loki pondered the situation, the more he realized that it wasn't difficult to grasp. Proctharn and the others in his group were beings far above the natural aspects of divinity.

Their very presence was potent enough to collapse a planet. When they had attempted to confront the primordial goddess of that world, it only made sense that the universe would step in to provide her with the necessary energy to maintain balance.

"Our priority right now is to make contact with our child again, as our connection got directly cut off by that Goddess," Proctharn emphasized, underlining the urgency of their situation.

Loki, on the other hand, had a more immediate concern.

"So, the portal you wanted me to open was an Astral one?" he queried incredulously. The concept of an astral portal was not to be taken lightly. It allowed a god or any divine entity to descend upon the mortal world naturally, but it came at a significant price. Once a higher being descended, they would be severely depowered, reduced to a mere fragment of their true selves. What made matters even riskier was that if this fragment perished, it could lead to permanent damage to their souls.

Proctharn reassured Loki, "You don't need to worry about us. Our youngest already opened one herself"

Loki was left astonished and curious, wanting to understand more. "Huh? How did your youngest manage that?"

...

....

Proctharn remained tight-lipped, leaving Loki with no choice but to let go of his curiosity. The ability to open astral portals was exceedingly rare among gods, and the secrecy surrounding the matter only piqued Loki's interest further.

"Although I want to help, that offer only extends to you, Proctharn. I can't guarantee my free assistance for the other members of your family."

"In return for successfully opening the portals, we will guarantee you help in your upcoming war," Proctharn reiterated, emphasizing the exchange they were offering.

Loki's eyes widened in response to the proposal, the weight of the promise sinking in.

"Ragnarok" Proctharn's words echoed through Loki's ears like a thousand bells ringing, the gravity of the offer becoming more apparent with each passing moment.

"We will personally help you during your pantheon's next Ragnarok."

Loki couldn't help but break into a wide, genuine smile.

"So when do we start?"