All Out Assassin Attack

Chapter 28:

Deathbed

Ken stood by the doors to the throneroom and looked straight across the hall. Koutarou stood beside the throne, twisting his sword in his hands.

Ken stepped aside as gods fought around him. He narrowly missed being hit by Angrboda's sword at one point. He watched the giantess fight Mayura and felt thankful for the mirror he'd given her earlier. It would definitely come in handy now.

After all, this was where all the plans would meet their fruition. He had worked with Koutarou on this plot for years and now it would finally end. He would meet his death and balance would be restored.

Ken passed Yamino, who glanced at him. Noticing Hod's lack of commitment to the fight, Ken stepped in. "Give this to Loki when the battle's over." He instructed, handing him a sealed envelope. "Just in case things go wrong."

Yamino frowned at him, wondering what he was planning. He finally nodded, pocketing the envelope and continuing his fight.

The black-haired god finally approached the throne and stood a yard away from Koutarou. "Looks like this is the moment." He said, looking up at the ceiling and the grand chandelier in the center of it. Crystals sparkled on the intense symbol of the gods' power and wealth.

Then he turned back to Koutarou. "Are you ready?"

The blonde god smirked in response. "Answer me first. Are you the god of darkness and night, Narfi?"

Ken nodded. "Yes, I am."

Koutarou looked up at the chandelier and watched the lights shimmer through the crystals.

"Very well, let's fight." He finally said, running at Ken.

Their swords met with a mighty crash. Both gods held their own, not allowing the other to reach their flesh.

"Minoru is our main goal, don't forget." Ken whispered as Koutarou's sword narrowly missed his face. "Hey, that was cutting it close."

Koutarou aimed his sword at Ken without mercy. "I wanted it closer." He said darkly.

"What do you mean?" Ken asked, backing away as Koutarou cut through a vase. Ken did fairly well with magic, but with swords he could barely hold his own. Koutarou's sudden change of strength made it difficult for him to fight back.

Koutarou knocked Ken's sword from his hands and continued attacking viciously as the other god dodged.

Frigg gasped in horror as her beloved suit of armor fell to the ground, destroyed.

As the queen of the gods ran to rescue her artwork, Ken ducked to avoid a particularly nasty swing.

"What happened to our plan?" Ken asked nervously. "I don't even have my sword anymore."

"This is the plan!" Koutarou insisted, recklessly swinging at Ken.

Ken gasped slightly as Odin collapsed beside the throne, purified by Loki. "Loki saved Odin! Everything's going to work out like we planned--" He began, excited.

Time seemed to freeze but Rynkar was nowhere nearby. Loki turned to watch their fight just as Koutarou's sword made contact.

Ken choked as Koutarou struck his sword through the black-haired god's chest, narrowly missing his heart.

Koutarou didn't even pull the sword out. Instead he stood up straight, glaring down at Ken as the god of darkness fell to the ground. "It's a pity. You were superior to the others, you know." He wandered into the crowd in search of his next victim.

Loki yelled something and ran to Ken, sitting by his youngest son's side.

"Loki..." Ken whispered, glancing up at him lazily. "I am such a moron."

Loki's eyes widened. "No, you're not! Ken, do not die--" He remembered the time Ken's shadow clone had been "killed" in the fight with Sleipnir. The pain of that moment resurfaced as he grasped his son's warm hand. Could a shadow have this warmth? He didn't think it was possible. It had to be the real Ken.

"I was working with him, you know. We had this great plan all worked out...no one would have to die for it and everything would be peaceful in the end. Guess Koutarou changed his mind." Ken laughed hoarsely, coughing.

Slightly shocked by this revelation, Loki began to cry despite himself. "Ken..."

"My plan wouldn't have worked anyway. No endings are totally happy, you know. Sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for the good of others." Ken said with a slight smile. "I'm sorry I never called you my father, Loki."

"No, it's fine, really, just please don't--" Loki started.

"You need to know one thing before I--" Ken coughed again. "Baldur has been in love with Sigyn for years. That's part of his motivation. If he can't have Mayura, he won't let anyone have her. And Vali--" This time, a little blood came with his cough. "Vali claims to hate you but you two are more alike than you could ever think. He's a good person, really, even if he is a big wimp..." He chuckled.

"Ken! Narfi!" Loki insisted, shaking his son.

Ken grinned slightly as his eyes began to close. "Maybe in my next life, I'll call you 'Dad'. For now, tell Mom I love her and that I'm thankful for all she's done for me...even if her cooking does suck, her apples are amazing." With this, his head fell to the side. The boy before Loki was no more.

"No! No!" Loki shook Ken rapidly, praying for some kind of reaction. Maybe a smile from afar, saying how wonderful it was to finally prank Loki with his new, improved shadow clone. Perhaps a "boo". Even a slight giggle would bring Loki unspeakable joy. But it was not meant to happen. He was gone.

After minutes of crying, Loki stood up with a new intention. "Baldur!" He screamed, looking around for Koutarou.

Instead, he found Mayura being held with a knife to her throat.

"Well, well, Loki, are you finally going to pay attention to me now?"

end twenty-eight