Terror

Leon understood the man's demands. The Requiem's life! Besides, a single person can't make it through the temple's door alive.

Leon swallowed. 'What do I do? If I don't comply on time...'

The ghostly figure crouched before Leon without warning. His breath stalled in his chest.

Lord Phantom implored, "I know what's on your mind. But, trust me... I'm only helping you to make the right decision on time. Scarlet may be adept at many things, but deception is her strongest trait.

And she is even capable of more, risking your life for her safety. Do you still want to disappoint your quick-witted instincts by acting in a foolish manner? Save yourself the future stress already and leave the temple."

Leon's chest pounded. Should he comply already? But then again... wasn't he too questionable in his affirmation for anyone to believe?

He clenched his jaw with great force. 'That can only be true if he were close with the Requiem. Damn it! What should I do? Obey like a pushover or -'

In a more serious tone, Lord Phantom interposed, "Pay attention.""

Leon's body trembled with a slight shake.

"Scarlet has a basic rule, which is to use people and vanish. Picturing her as a selfless person is nothing but an ill-conceived idea. The true sign she's deceived you completely is when you find yourself praying she doesn't die. Got that, Mister Serving Boy?"

Leon gasped in silence. That was exactly what he had hoped for recently!

'Who is he?!'

***

(Back in the Hall of Trials...)

Scarlet walked through the next gate. The air was thick with the scent of trickery and chaos.

"The second trial... Loki's Gauntlet," she said in a clear, steady tone.

Gods.

Arising from the fireball disaster that split the world, gods wield incredible strength either as humanity's friend or enemy. They have a typical human body, but have surpassing mental and spiritual states.

None exist to date, but their spirits linger in their invoked corresponding statues. Meanwhile, there is a general belief that some humans are incarnations of gods.

... Scarlet's steps echoed through the lone Hall of Loki. This deity was proficient at deception and shapeshifting, having a complex personality. Some portray him as a friend, while others as an enemy.

For instance, he was once an enemy of the gods for causing Odin's death. And a friend for aiding in the creation of Thor's hammer.

...

The air suddenly distorted before Scarlet. She focused her sight as it twisted from moving walls into a dark oak one. The enclosing room was a Viking-style mead hall. It had beams carved with serpents and wolves.

It all happened in a flash. But wait, was it true that Scarlet did not expect this?

Loki wouldn't make a trial easy, so she was ready for a surprise. Straight before her were five metallic doors guarded by different copies of herself. Everything was perfect except for the green eyes. That alone was enough to proclaim them all as the shapeshifting god.

'I must play by his game, or else...'

All at once, the clones spoke.

"Oh, my, my... that's quite the spirit! Perfect. So, let's not waste time any longer. All you need to do is enter the right door and grab the Key at once. Once you do, you can forget about paying any cost to get it from Odin's Hall.

Well... figuring out the real door? Oh, my friend, I'm not your tutor. But I'm open to sharing some tips. If you're interested, tap your wrist twice..."

Anyone would have declined, but Scarlet knew why not to.

She tapped her wrist twice.

The replicas' charismatic voices echoed.

"A quick-witted one... I like you. The first doppelganger is the Liar, who tells a falsehood. The Truthful One is the opposite. The Trickster combines both traits. The Mirror repeats what you say. And the Silent One... ah, that one is like you at present."

Loki explained in the name of help.

But Scarlet smirked. If the traits correspond, then knowing the right door would be easy for her. So, an assumption that the Key was inside none of the doors wasn't too wrong.

She then tried to bring up her own scheme.

"Let's play a different game already. You might want to raise the stakes so I definitely won't have a way out," Scarlet said in a steady voice.

Loki smirked. "Is giving up so fast your habit or what?"

"Not close at all. I just feel like you aren't living up to your reputation as an ultimate trickster. An even tougher trial will do."

A loud, cold laugh echoed all over the room. Scarlet expected him to accept her offer. This was a god full of his cunning prowess. So cunning he's winning while you think he's losing. Thus, Scarlet was sure her statement sounds like an inevitable challenge...

"Hahaha... I see where you're headed. Only an intelligent mind can make such a bold decision, I would say," Loki affirmed. "Alright, let's do it. But... would you be fair enough to make me write the contract?"

Scarlet's chest pounded straight away. Leaning forward, she rushed to speak, "A contract? No, I don't..."

"I see... an intelligent mind gets scared as well. Wait, were you warned against allowing me to write a contract?"

Scarlet swallowed. She couldn't say he was completely wrong about that. One could risk all other precautions when Loki tries you. But the most reckless decision was letting him draft a contract.

Well, she knew she couldn't help it. There could always be a way - that's her usual thoughts when at a crossroads. Sighing, she said, "Fine, you win. You really are impossible to bargain with."

"Oh, you flatter me, my friend. But I must say… I do like watching you squirm."

***

In blinding speed, Lord Phantom lifted Leon by his collar, his legs above the ground. Leon gritted his teeth, muttering,

"Why...?"

But before he could finish, the man tossed him towards the entrance like he was weightless.

His body dropped on the cold floor with a loud thud. Leon gasped, "Gah!" A knot tightened in his chest, coughing up blood. Immediately, he toiled back to his feet.

At this moment, Lord Phantom was gaiting towards him, arms wrapped behind his back.

Leon clenched his fist. 'If he forces me out of the temple, the Requiem will die! I can't afford to have her death on me.' Then, he mumbled, "Activate Shadow-"

TWISH!

Leon's loud gasp echoed; the white-haired eyeballs were now inches from him. The man had appeared before him!

"Hmmm... you have got some balls..."

In a flash, the man drove a punch into Leon's abdomen. Leon screamed aloud. Then, an unknown force pushed his body through the entrance. Despite his attempt his get a hold of himself, to retain his body within the temple.... his back slammed into the temple's weathered veranda.

It remained three people in the temple! No way the Dual Passage Law won't eventually be disobeyed.

CRASH!

Shards danced in the air. Blood pooled beneath Leon. Lord Phantom loomed over him, his shoe pressing down on his chest.

"AH!!!" Leon cried. He tried to pull off the man's leg, but he couldn't. He grunted, "Please... please stop!"

Lord Phantom leaned downwards. He raised his brows. "Hmm... it's impressive you're still breathing. I planned to end you with that move, but I guess we'll go the hard way instead."