| 1 | ->''"So let's talk about'' magic. ''We can dicker on the exact'' rules, ''if you like. There are all sorts of'' grimoires ''and'' cryptonomicons. ''I've got an [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons AD&D manual]] somewhere. At the'' core, ''though... magic is taking a thought and making it'' real. ''Taking a'' lie ''and making it the'' truth. ''Telling a'' '''story''' ''to the universe so utterly, cosmically'' perfect ''that for a single, shining moment... the world believes a man can'' fly."'' |
| 2 | -->--'''Loki''', Issue #1 |
| 3 | |
| 4 | ->''"Once upon a time, Thor was exiled to'' Midgard, ''and spent his time playing the role of the'' hero. ''So his brother'' Loki''--smarting over a few minor squabbles--decided to play the role of the'' villain. ''But the gods are creatures of'' '''magic'''. ''Creatures of'' '''story.''' ''We must be'' careful ''which roles we step into."'' |
| 5 | -->--'''Loki''', Issue #1 |
| 6 | |
| 7 | ->''"This universe [[StatusQuoIsGod prefers old patterns, old cycles.]] It would prefer me in an old shape. These files--these'' '''stories'''--''have a gravity that'' pulls ''at me. That would [[YoYoPlotPoint crush me back into what I no longer am.]]'' '''Away''' ''with them, then. I did'' terrible things ''to be Loki--things that'' '''haunt''' ''me, crimes that'' '''cannot''' ''be forgiven--but'' I ''am Loki. And'' '''more''' ''than that--I am'' '''myself."'' |
| 8 | -->--'''Loki''', Issue #1 |
| 9 | |
| 10 | ->''"This is the story of'' Loki. ''A story between drafts. In the process of being rewritten. Loki wanders the world, performing the All-Mother's missions, earning his rewards--old crimes forgotten. Parts of the story erased. The story is in flux. Gaps form in the narrative, through which a new story may be written."'' |
| 11 | -->--Issue #3 |
| 12 | |
| 13 | -> '''[[ComicBook/DoctorDoom Doom]]:''' Consider '''this'''. If 'magical thinking' is the assumption of a ''higher narrative'' in the flow of events... then '''true''' magic... |
| 14 | -> '''Loki:''' What are you '''talking''' about, you mad old-- |
| 15 | -> '''Doom:''' It's. My. '''Move.''' As I was '''saying'''. '''True''' magic is the ''imposition'' of a '''narrative''' upon ''reality''. It is telling a ''story'' to the world... and making the world '''believe''' it. The dark work of ''police'' and ''politicians''. Of '''rulers'''. And '''tricksters'''. And if ''magic'' is '''narrative'''... then to be a ''creature'' of magic... to be a '''god'''... is to be a creature of ''story''. Yes? Your move. |
| 16 | -> '''Loki:''' Um... Sorry, I wasn't listening. ''Why'' do your robots all look like you again? |
| 17 | -> '''Doom:''' Not the move '''I''' would have made. Still-- it's a fair question. Why '''do''' they look like me? Doesn't it create the possibility that I '''am''' one? That Doom '''may''', at any moment, be a '''machine?''' That I am not '''myself'''? Of course it does. That is how I '''wish''' it. I once let '''Arcade''' strike a match on me, just to '''maintain''' that confusion. '''Think''', boy. If I am ever '''defeated''' or '''dishonored'''-- If I ever act in ways '''unworthy''' of myself... If I ever '''die'''... The word goes out: "It must have been a '''Doombot'''." And the '''reverse''' is true. My robots '''often''' confuse my foes--I may be a robot '''now''', speaking these words. How would '''you''' know? How would '''I'''? [[ContemplateOurNavels What is Doom?]] The '''flesh and blood''' I can swap out at my '''convenience'''? The '''mind''' that can be copied into '''a thousand machines'''? No. Doom cannot '''fit''' in such '''small''' containers. I am '''not''' my body. '''Not''' my '''mind'''. I am... I am the '''old trunk''', filled with ancient '''mysteries'''. I am the '''explosion''' in the '''college laboratory'''. I am the '''mask''' that '''burns''' with the fires of '''vengeance'''. I am the '''legend''' that unites this '''nation'''. I am the '''story''' of '''Doom'''. And if Doom is a '''creature of story'''... |
| 18 | ->'''Loki:''' Stop. Just... ''stop''. This is '''madness''', Doom. You're '''not''' a story. You're not a '''god'''. One day, you'll die-- |
| 19 | ->'''Doom:''' Oh? The story of Doom can ''end'', you say? |
| 20 | ->'''Loki:''' '''Yes!''' |
| 21 | ->'''Doom:''' Then I'm a better story than '''you'''. |
| 22 | -->--Issue #6 |
| 23 | |
| 24 | ->"''Time plus space equals'' narrative. ''A'' time ''machine is a'' space ''machine for moving'' through ''narrative''. And if we can'' move-- we can also be'' still. ''[[Music/TheBeatles "It is not dying."]] I have made you a prison'' without ''time, Loki. Without ''space. ''Without ''story. ''Your narrative is on'' pause--forever." |
| 25 | -->--'''Doctor Doom''', Issue #6 |
| 26 | |
| 27 | ->'''Magpie:''' O nobly born. Listen well. |
| 28 | ->'''Loki:''' '''Away''', bird. I've no stomach for... omens. |
| 29 | ->'''Magpie:''' Trickster. Shapeshifter. Tamer of '''monsters'''. '''Moon king''' and '''wanderer.''' [[ArcWords That which is called ego-death is coming to you.]] |
| 30 | ->'''Loki:''' ... What? |
| 31 | ->'''Magpie:''' '''Remember.''' This is now the hour. |
| 32 | -->--Issue #11 |
| 33 | |
| 34 | ->'''Freyja:''' I heard every word the Odinson said, Loki. I heard the charges laid at your door--that you are not Loki at all. Merely an echo who stole his corpse. I heard a grizzled, sniveling apology--the lowest and cheapest coin of all. But no denial. Is it true, then? Is it? |
| 35 | ->'''Loki:''' ... '''Aye.''' And don't pretend it isn't what you ''wanted.'' You wished to bring back the eternal ''villain'', to help shepherd your ''perfect Asgard'' into being? Now he stands ''before'' you! As ''hated'' as ever! Even though you should ''thank'' me! Thank ''me'' for keeping your lily-white hands ''clean!'' '''All of you!''' Your ''precious'' little ''hero''--your "''Kid Loki''"--will ''never'' rot in the cage you built for him. ''He'' had the luxury of dying as ''himself.''" |
| 36 | ->'''Freyja:''' Be--be ''silent''-- |
| 37 | ->'''Loki:''' '''Never!''' Why such ''fury'', mother? Because now you can't ''betray'' him? Because you'll never get to turn him into '''me?''' Or into that ''monster'', that "''King Loki''" you keep secret in your ''dungeons?'' Because I robbed you of that ''pleasure?'' |
| 38 | ->'''Freyja:''' "'''Enough!''' |
| 39 | -->--Issue #11 |
| 40 | |
| 41 | ->'''Odin:''' And yet... [points to his eyepatch] ''here'' there is wisdom. The strange wisdom of the ''World-Tree'' I gave this eye to. The tree that is '''everything.''' That has its roots and branches in ''all that is''. There are '''ten realms''' in this reality--ten ''spheres'', ten '''universes''', and the tree winds through them ''all.'' Through every ''star'' and ''planet''. Every ''hero'' and ''villain.'' Every ''life.'' Every '''story.''' I am ''Odin Borson'', who built the world from corpse-meat. I am ''Odin One-Eye'', and ''sometimes'' my one eye is open. But above all, I am '''Odin All-Father'''. I am ''the one who speaks for the tree.'' I am '''the king of all stories'''... and ''you are my child.'' |
| 42 | ->'''Loki:''' Then--then you must ''help me''-- |
| 43 | ->'''Odin:''' No. I must ''not.'' You are my ''child'', and you are ''loved''--these are truths that do not change. But you have the blood of your better self on your hands. And the blood must have payment. The blood must have the fire." |
| 44 | ->'''Loki:''' Father, what are you-- |
| 45 | ->'''Odin:''' This is your time of fire. Your hour of ''trial'', when [[ArcWords the storm is at the door]] and all is ''darkest.'' '''Hold to yourself''', God of Lies. Be ''worthy''--not of your ''brother's'' power, but of your ''own''. '''Remember.''' Remember what a lie ''is''. |
| 46 | -->--Issue #11 |
| 47 | |
| 48 | ->''"That's ''why. Because I tried to change--and I'' changed. ''And'' it didn't matter. ''Because even if the God of Lies is'' not ''the God of Evil--he is'' still ''the God of Lies.''" |
| 49 | -->--'''King Loki''', Issue #12 |
| 50 | |
| 51 | ->''[[ArcWords A storm is at the door.]] It has lashed the hills for three long days, tearing root from rock, stone from stone. White sky-fire struck the roof of one of the great long-huts, and the wound belches damp, black smoke. The wind howls like wolves. The fields are sodden swamp. There can be but one cause.'' |
| 52 | |
| 53 | ->''The gods. The gods are angry. In the remaining hut, the tribe listens to the thunder. Like dragons at war. Like a great and terrible '''hammer''', breaking the walls 'tween Earth and Sky. The tribe listens... and fears. For what could hold fast against the hammer of thunder? What power could stand amidst the storm and call it brother?'' |
| 54 | |
| 55 | ->''"The Skald knows. He is old now, and his voice is hoarse and cracked. But he knows a magic '''greater''' than gods. A master-magic to harness the gods to his bidding. To tame the storm. A magic of fire and darkness. A magic with a burning heart.'' |
| 56 | |
| 57 | ->''... The storm is dead now. But none heard its passing. For in their ears, they have the magic words of the Skald--spells passed down from teller to teller, to conjure the gods themselves, to make them dance and play in the mind and heart--to steal away all fear.'' |
| 58 | |
| 59 | ->''The storm was fierce, and terrible, and strong enough to shake the world. But the storm is over now. And the fire is burning still."'' |
| 60 | -->--Issue #13 |
| 61 | |
| 62 | ->'''Old Loki:''' I didn't want to die. I laid ''schemes'' upon ''schemes'', all to ''free'' myself from the yoke of destiny. Not some ''reincarnation'' of myself--''myself''. Me. Not ''you.'' But my trick turned back on me. When the Void took me, I died ''forever''. And from that moment on, ''any'' Loki in my shape can only ever be a worthless ''copy''. I am done. I am gone. [[ComicBook/{{Siege}} "I'm sorry, brother."]] |
| 63 | ->'''Kid Loki:''' I didn't want to die. I was a ''fresh start''--what everyone ''said'' they ''wanted.'' But the ''old'' was deemed preferable to the ''good'', as is always the way. So my tricks were turned back on me. The ''Void'' took me. I died ''forever.'' But I died as ''myself'', not a worthless ''copy''. I won an ''ending.'' I am done. I am gone. [[ComicBook/JourneyIntoMysteryGillen "I win."]] |
| 64 | ->'''Loki:''' And now... ''what?'' It's ''my'' turn? The copy--sorry, the ''worthless'' copy--gets what's ''coming'' to him, is that it? |
| 65 | ->'''Magpie:''' [[ArcWords That which is called ego-death is coming to you.]] |
| 66 | ->'''Loki:''' '''Quiet''', bird of ill-omen-- |
| 67 | ->'''Old Loki:''' Aye, enough bird-talk. You are the ''God of Lies'', and that is all you'll ''ever'' be. Accept your ''place.'' Take your ''crown''. Be what everyone ''wants''--another version of ''me.'' Embrace ''nostalgia.'' Enjoy the ''security'' of doing what's ''expected.'' It's better than ''nothing'', after all. |
| 68 | ->'''Kid Loki:''' ''Is'' it, though? Really? Why not take ''my'' path instead? ''End'' the story of Loki. Embrace the ''Void'' to save ''everything'' from ''yourself''. '''Cease to be.''' |
| 69 | ->'''Old Loki:''' Whichever path you choose, boy--choose quickly. |
| 70 | -->--Issue #13 |
| 71 | |
| 72 | ->'''Loki:''' Verity--''stop.'' It ''is'' too late. It's ''always'' been too late for me. |
| 73 | ->'''Verity:''' What? What are you...? |
| 74 | ->'''Loki:''' I can't change what I am. I'm the ''God of Lies''. '''Forever.''' And ''whatever'' happens, I'll never be anything else. You ''should'' stay away from-- |
| 75 | ->'''Verity:''' Loki, '''shut up'''. That makes ''no'' sense. You can't tell a lie right now. That's what started all this, remember? So you can't do what you're apparently the ''god'' of? You're ''already'' being something else, you idiot! You--you can't just give up on yourself! I don't care ''what'' he said! You ''don't give up!'' Seriously--what does "God of Lies" even ''mean?''" |
| 76 | ->'''Old Loki:''' Loki--you-- |
| 77 | ->'''Kid Loki:''' You ''must'' choose-- |
| 78 | ->'''Loki:''' Quiet. What does the God of Lies ''mean...''? |
| 79 | ->'''Magpie:''' The ''magic theater''. Of heroes and demons. ''Saints'' and ''sorcerers''. The lotus lord of dance. The ''trickster''. The ''shapeshifter''. Tamer of monsters, mother of gods. ''Moon king'' and ''wanderer.'' '''Master-magician of them all.''' |
| 80 | ->'''Loki:''' ... Right. What ''is'' a lie, when it's at home? '''Anyone?''' |
| 81 | ->'''Old Loki:''' L-Loki--''listen''-- |
| 82 | ->'''Kid Loki:''' Listen to ''us''-- |
| 83 | ->'''Loki:''' Is it the depressed little voice inside? Whispering in my ear? Telling me to give up? Well, I'm not giving up. Not for that part of me that ''hates'' myself. That wants me to wither and die. Not for ''you.'' ''Never'' for you. |
| 84 | -->--Issue #13 |
| 85 | |
| 86 | ->'''Loki:''' What's a ''lie'', Verity? A lie is a '''story''' told. That's all. |
| 87 | ->'''Verity:''' Loki? What are you-- |
| 88 | ->'''Loki:''' And we can rewrite our stories. All of us. Write our own happy endings. Our own redefinitions. We don't ''have'' to be what we're ''told'' to be. Even by ''ourselves.'' But... if you ''really'' want to change, you can't just trick yourself into thinking you already have. That's never a trick worth playing. ... Is this ''goodbye'', or ''see you later''? |
| 89 | ->'''Verity:''' It's... see you later. ''Please.'' |
| 90 | ->'''Loki:''' I'll do my best. You'll see me again, Verity. |
| 91 | -->--Issue #13 |
| 92 | |
| 93 | ->''"I have a friend who believes in me. I have a brother whom I love. I am my own, and will not sit long in any box built for me. These things are right. These things we'll'' keep. ''As for the rest... let's tell a'' different ''story.'' Let's be something '''new.'''" |
| 94 | -->-- '''Loki''', Issue #13 |
| 95 | |
| 96 | ->''"Me? I'm the '''God of Stories'''. I'm '''Loki'''."'' |
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