The Trickster's ascent: A Tales of schemes, shadows and divinity

The labyrinthine alleys of Carcera stretched endlessly as Loki followed Selena through the shadowed underbelly of the city. Her movements were purposeful, her confidence unshaken even in the narrowest paths where danger seemed to seep from every corner. Loki's senses were on high alert, not just for lurking threats but for the unspoken tension between them. Selena might have agreed to his proposal, but trust was a fragile thing, and he could almost hear the gears turning in her mind.

"You're unusually quiet," Loki remarked, his tone light. "It's unsettling."

Selena didn't look back, her dark eyes fixed ahead. "I'm thinking about what this alliance is going to cost me."

Loki chuckled softly. "It's not cost; it's investment."

They emerged into a wide courtyard illuminated by an eerie, bluish glow from alchemical lanterns. At the center stood a crumbling tower, its windows barred with iron and its entrance guarded by two hooded figures. Selena stopped and gestured toward the structure.

"The alchemist you seek is inside," she said. "But he's… eccentric. Don't expect a warm reception."

Loki tilted his head, his grin never faltering. "Eccentric is a language I speak fluently."

Selena's lips twitched as though suppressing a smile. "You'll need more than charm. Get what you need and leave quickly. Alchemists don't take kindly to lingering questions."

As Loki approached the tower, the hooded guards crossed their spears in front of the door. Their movements were unnervingly synchronized, their expressions hidden beneath their hoods.

"State your business," one of them said, his voice low and mechanical.

"Business?" Loki replied, feigning indignation. "I'm here to enlighten an old friend with my delightful company."

The guards didn't move. Loki sighed and lowered his hood, revealing his signature smirk. "Fine. I'm here to barter. Word is your master's been seeking a fragment of starlight for his experiments. I just happen to know where one might be found."

The guards exchanged a glance before one of them stepped aside. The door creaked open, and Loki slipped inside, casting a final glance at Selena, who remained in the shadows. Her expression was unreadable, but her hand rested lightly on the hilt of a concealed dagger.

The interior of the tower was a chaotic maze of glass vials, bubbling liquids, and intricate machinery. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and herbs, an alchemical concoction that seemed almost alive. At the far end of the room, a man hunched over a table cluttered with tools and ingredients. His hair was wild, streaked with silver, and his robes bore scorch marks from countless failed experiments.

"You have thirty seconds," the alchemist said without looking up. "Speak."

"I admire efficiency," Loki replied, stepping closer. "I'm here for a particular elixir. Blood of a creature born under a new moon."

The alchemist finally turned, his eyes sharp and untrusting. "And what makes you think I'd part with something so rare?"

Loki reached into his pocket and withdrew a small vial filled with a shimmering, silver-like liquid. "Because I'm willing to trade. This is Celestial Dew, harvested from the roots of the Moonlit Tree. It's worth more than gold to someone like you."

The alchemist's gaze lingered on the vial, his curiosity betraying his guarded demeanor. "You think a mere trinket will buy my trust?"

Loki leaned on the table, his grin widening. "Not trust. Interest. Besides, I hear you've been chasing starlight fragments for your more… explosive endeavors. Consider this a gesture of goodwill."

The alchemist's fingers twitched before he snatched the vial from Loki's hand. He examined it closely, holding it up to the light of a nearby lamp. After a moment, he placed it carefully on a shelf and retrieved a small glass container filled with a viscous, dark liquid.

"This is what you're after," he said, holding it up. "But be warned, Trickster. It's not just blood. It's bound to the creature it came from. Mishandle it, and you might invite its wrath."

Loki took the vial, his expression unreadable for a brief moment. "Wrath doesn't scare me," he said softly. "But failure does."

The alchemist's lips curled into a faint smile. "You're either brave or foolish. Perhaps both."

Loki turned to leave, pausing at the door. "I'll be sure to let you know if the Celestial Dew meets your expectations."

The alchemist waved him off, already turning back to his work. "Just don't come back with questions."

Outside, Selena was waiting, her arms crossed. "That was quick."

Loki held up the vial, the liquid within gleaming faintly under the alchemical light. "Quick and painless. Relatively speaking."

Selena's gaze lingered on the vial before she spoke. "You're playing a dangerous game, Loki."

"Danger is just another word for opportunity," he replied, slipping the vial into his coat. "Shall we move on?"

Selena hesitated, her eyes narrowing. "You have the blood. What's next?"

Loki's grin returned, his tone almost playful. "A shard of mirror blessed by a trickster's spirit. Know anyone who deals in enchanted glass?"

Selena sighed, leading him back toward the maze of streets. "You're going to owe me more than a relic by the time this is over."

As they disappeared into the shadows once more, Loki's thoughts raced. The first step had been completed, but the path ahead was fraught with peril. Every piece of the puzzle brought him closer to ascension—and closer to the enemies who would stop at nothing to see him fail.