Loki closed his eyes first.
The moment he stopped resisting, a cool, liquid awareness poured through him like dark wine.
Ancient instincts unfurled inside his mind: heightened senses, rapid healing, strength that hummed beneath his skin like restrained lightning, an innate connection to shadows and night.
And deeper still, promises. Power. Longevity. Freedom from many of the old limitations.
When he opened his eyes again, a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Hah. If this is what we've been handed, then we didn't just dodge a bomb, we hit the jackpot."
The others were experiencing it too.
Thor's shoulders relaxed imperceptibly. Rhaigon's wings gave a single, subtle flex of pleasure.
Even Ignis's perpetual scowl softened, just a fraction.
"But accepting this bloodline…" Ignis spoke again, quieter now.
"It means betraying our fathers. Betraying our entire race."
Loki shrugged, utterly unconcerned.
