---Fenris' POV---

It was weird.

Nothing had changed after Cernunnos' revelation, however everything had changed at the same time. The way I looked to myself, how I looked at gods in general.

All the time, I had cursed the divine blood that flowed through my veins, cursed the fact that I was part of the divinity that caused nothing but destruction and ruin to my life.

Thanks to Cernunnos and his wisdom, I now understood that I could fix this entire mess without needing to fulfill the prophecy like the Norse thought I would.

Through bloodshed and massacre.

Looking down at my shaking hands, I let out a heartfelt sigh. A God of Destruction that instead created things.

It was absurd, yet true. By merely existing, I was already destroying the lies woven around my future.

I was a God of Destruction. But I was also one of Creation, of Life and Freedom. Of Truth.

And that was something that my captor had tried to hide, tried to corrupt, twist and destroy. Because a God's aspects were usually balanced but they could give into one of their sides more than the other.

Many a Deity of War had been swept into the raging heat of battle, giving into that part of themselves that thirsted for blood, war and fighting.

Yet there were also plenty of other Deities of War whom only saw War as a slight fraction of their personality. They did not let a fragment of themselves take the lead, nor did they snuff out an undesirable aspect of themselves.

Was that perhaps what the imposter had tried to do? Torment me to the point where all of my aspects had been warped and destroyed, blending together to form a seething ball of hatred, vengeance and destruction?

If that someone had been willing to invoke Ragnarök, knowing it was prophesied to kill off most gods, most humans even...

They would stop at nothing to achieve their goal. But for what purpose, that was beyond my understanding. Hell, I barely even understood most of my childhood.

The years of backstabbing and betrayal, how most of the Norse Pantheon had kept me at arm's length, observing me as a threat instead of one of their own.

All because of a single Deity's influence. Warping and twisting a prophecy by their own intentions and actions.

After all, I had a strong suspicion that, had I been left in the mortal realm or under the care of Loki, no such prophecy would ever have existed.

Yet somehow, a prophecy was made about myself. I had read every book about Norse mythology, had devoured every shred of information I could find about this myth.

So many lies had already been revealed, lies that I was slowly breaking apart, bit by bit.

Several giggles and barely suppressed laughter from the pack's pups made me look up from where I was seated on the bench.

Grinning as I spotted a few pups playing hide and seek with Cernunnos, who acted completely oblivious as he walked past the giggling shrubbery, gently shaking a young tree as if expecting a pup to fall from it.

And I could see in the Deity's eyes that he enjoyed this. Each giggle and shriek of joy as he found a pup, made his eyes glow vibrantly.

The pack had instantly taken to this Deity, because why wouldn't they? He embodied everything wolves were, they naturally adored and respected him.

Tiny hands latched on the back of my shirt, a giggled "Shhh, don't move, he'll see us!" my only clue that a few of the pups have decided to use my own shape as a place to hide behind.

"Ah, Fenris. Have you seen two little pups about this big?" Cernunnos asked, motioning towards his knees while the two pups behind my back giggled audibly enough for both of us to hear.

Without even knowing it, a smile curled on my lips as I leaned back, stretching a bit further so the pups remained hidden.

"Two pups you say? Are they hiding from you, Lord Cernunnos?" I played along as the man snorted with amusement.

"Aye, they are. You haven't seen them, I take it?"

Another giggle erupted behind me as I stated "Can't say that I have. Perhaps they're hiding in the flower beds?"

"Huh... haven't checked there. Oh children!" Cernunnos walked away theatrically, giving me a subtle wink before turning away.

Disappearing in a rush of falling leaves before appearing behind me, causing the pups to yelp and laugh as they ran away as fast as their short little legs could carry them.

However, Cernunnos only needed to take three large steps before he had the twins by their ankle, held up in the air much to their amusement.

The laughter and crowing of the children put smiles on everyone's faces, not at all concerned for their wellbeing. And why should they? Cernunnos was not a being that would harm innocent children, even if he was a Deity of Death.

To me it felt strange, being this relaxed and carefree. To watch another Deity play hide and seek with a few pups, taking great pleasure in doing so.

Not feeling threatened by the presence of multiple deities, or the knowledge that Cain and Cernunnos had invited others to come meet me in person.

One had already accepted that invitation and had arrived in the shape of a Raven.

The second the bird had flown overhead, Cernunnos had lowered his head respectfully, making me follow suit. Black feathers swirled through the air before the sound of heels on the floor clicked closer.

"Rise, child." Morrigan whispered as a feather brushed against my chin, urging to raise my head. I did, warily eying the gorgeous woman that stood before me.

Long raven-black hair, falling over her shoulders like an ink spill. Sharp green eyes that seemed to look straight to your very soul, speaking of timeless knowledge.

And I knew this encounter was extremely important for my continued existence. After all, The Morrigan wasn't just one deity.

She was a Trinity Goddess, one being split into three identical aspects whom each fulfilled their own task. While they were often confused to be siblings, they were in fact one and the same creature.

Just how Cernunnos had many aspects of himself, being a Trinity deity himself, he too was simply one Deity with many aspects roaming the world.

However the Morrigan in front of me wasn't the Deity of War, Death and Destruction. While she was a battle maiden, she also had the ability of Foresight.

Just one look from those jade eyes and she knew everything about me. A gentle smile slipped on her face as her features softened, hair bouncing as she shook her head.

"The Norse Pantheon is falling in desolation if Freya is this lacking with her prophecies." She clacked her tongue in disgust before giving me a gentle pat on my head. "To think they could be so wrong about someone this innocent."

Her fingers reached out, hovering over the visible scars of my wrist. "Hatred has lefts its marks upon you, both physically and mentally." Her voice sounded distant, gaining a soft echo as she continued in a soft tone.

"A hidden danger lurks within the Norse Pantheon. Cloaked in lies and deceit, their web of destruction slowly reveals itself. Sons fighting fathers, daughters fighting mothers and nobody knows who to keep close and who to distrust."

A shiver darted over my spine as I realized this was a prophecy, coming from none other than Morrigan herself. Her gaze still unfocused, remained on me, looked through me.

"You will have a choice to make, Loki son. Will you be guiding the Norse Pantheon through an age of renewal and truth? Or will your hands be coated with the blood of those who defied you."

Normally, it would take some thinking about the meaning behind a prophecy. But I instinctively understood what Morrigan was asking.

Would I hold revenge over peace? If we found out who was my tormentor, who had used and abused me throughout centuries...

To find the deity behind my torture, behind the death of my parents... would I be able to let the Norse Pantheon deal with them properly?

Or would I murder the perpetrator without second thought, starting a blood vendetta among the gods.

It was a difficult thought and a choice I knew I would be making the moment I encountered said Deity. After all, I could be promising peace and prosperity right now.

But how would I feel once I laid eyes on the Deity that was responsible for the physical and mental scars I bared?

Would I be able to remain calm, to capture them alive and hand them over to Odin with proof?

Morrigan blinked before sighing, shaking her head. "Whatever the choice may be... You have my support, darling." Her eyes flitted to Cernunnos, who inclined his head with great respect.

"And mine as well, of course. Many of the Pantheon will follow, after Morrigan's support of you." Cernunnos confirmed with a glance to Morrigan, who chuckled softly.

A raven landed on her shoulder, which she petted gently as she revealed "Especially given that I'm considered to be our Pantheon's Fates. I'm quite surprised that Odin never confirmed this so called prophecy with the Norns."

At that, I frowned as a worrying thought popped up. "Unless of course, our unknown enemy knew Odin would do so and transformed themselves into one of the Norns."

"Normally, I'd say that Odin wouldn't succumb to such subterfuge." Morrigan said before waving her hand towards me. "Then again, he has been eating up this bullshit lie about you for centuries as well."

Her eyes went back to Cain as she crossed her arms. "You do realized you'll need to convince members within the Norse pantheon as well? Even if you convince members from countless other pantheons, none of their words will hold any value."

Cernunnos nodded, affirming what Morrigan said by adding "Any Pantheon would see this as us meddling with the Norse's affairs. You could have a legion coming to Fenris' defense but as long as the Norse don't see someone from their own people on Fenris' side, it'll be considered a hostile takeover and not a negotiation."

Sighing, I leaned back in my seat before rubbing my hands over my face. Their words were true but that also set us back further.

We needed to find a single individual, a single god who wouldn't freak out when they saw me free.

Of course, Loki was out of the question. Nobody would believe Loki's words, not because he was a trickster god, but simply because he was my father.

However... if we could find out why he hadn't made a public appearance, why he hasn't been within the Norse domain for centuries...

That could add to our small but growing pile of proof. If Loki had somehow been kidnapped and detained by a Deity, we could follow that trail and see where it took us.

Which meant, we had a difficult task ahead of us. Trying to track down a Deity who was known to be able to disappear without a trace and never be found, unless he wanted to be found.

Curse the gods.