Loki’s Successor System

Jin, along with the others, stood at the front door of Pearl Pierce's house. Tristan glanced at him. "What are you waiting for, Jin? Open the door …"

Jin shifted on his feet. "I don't know, man. Something feels horribly off." conscious worry to his tone.

The cold air felt more ominous than ever before. Jin had no idea what he was feeling. But whatever it was, he knew it was disturbingly amiss.

Dobby narrowed his eyes at him, and pressed his lips together in a tight line. "You cannot be serious," he pushed against Jin's shoulder, and clasped a hand to the door knob. He finally rotated the doorknob, followed by a sounding click.

The door creaked as Dobby deliberately pushed it opened. Then, he leaned against the door and beckoned a hand toward the entrance. "Ladies first," he jested, ushering them.

Jin walked in, alongside Ashton and Tristan. His heart immediately throbbed. There—sitting on a one-seater—was Cliff, smoking a cigarette. Jin heaved in relief. He thought it was someone else.

Cliff didn't look at him. "Welcome home. What took you so long?" his voice was soothing and calm.

Tristan heaved as he folded his arms. "Water problems."

Cliff raised a brow. "Pregnant much? Gee, I thought the elf was the one bearing the child. How many months?" he smirked.

Dobby looked down at his belly and tinged. "Screw you…"

Tristan simply giggled.

Ashton approached the couch and sat in it. He shivered relentlessly. "It's so cold here as well …" his teeth were constantly knocking against each other.

Tristan sat next to Ashton, and then Dobby followed, sitting on the side. Whereas, Jin remained standing with impenetrable eyes. He glared at Cliff with his eyes darkening. "What … are you doing here?"

Cliff crossed his legs, and pushed the cigarette to a corner of his lips; a half smile on his face. "I'm living here now, Pin. Didn't your bud there tell you?"

Tristan tittered. "Wait … what did you call him? Pin?" he burst out in laughter.

Jin rolled his eyes. "It's Jin. And I don't want you staying in my house for any longer. You've been here for a while. Leave now, please …"

[Your sentience diminishes]

Jin closed the system screen.

Cliff paused, then he smirked again. "I just saved your arse out there today and you're kicking me out?"

Jin snapped, "I never gave you permission to live here, so I'm technically not kicking you out!!!"

"You clearly need some to protect your weak arse. Why can't I live here?" Cliff blew smoke from his mouth.

Jin blurted, "Because I don't know anything about you! The house is already full, and I've got a sick dog and a grandma to take care of."

Cliff grinned. "Gee, I didn't know you were diener. Taking care of dead bodies must be an interesting job."

It took a while for everyone to soak it in. Ashton, Dobby and Tristan looked at each other in suspicion.

Jin's heart pulsed. Recognition dawned on his face. He paused, paralyzed. He was unable to move. His heart hammered into his chest. His motion became akin to a statue.

"What's wrong, Jin?"

"Did he … say something wrong?"

"It's really cold here, Jin. I think I'm gonna freeze as well."

Jin darted toward the staircase. He hurried up the flight of stairs, and rushed toward his grandmother's room. He panted heavily.

His grandma was—laying in her bed—motionlessly. She was as quiescent as ever. Her skin was white pale, her eyes were kept open, and her dried, flaky lips were parted.

Jin quickly dashed toward her with his skill. He dropped down to his knees and held both her hands. A system screen appeared, but he had no time to look at it. His heartbeat quickened as his mind flooded with pessimism. "Grandma, get up."

No avail.

His lips dropped. "Grandma, come on, get up … I'm home."

No avail.

His bottom lip convulsively moved aquiver. "I'm home, grandma. I'll go make you something to eat. You need all the strength you can get in order to get better. Get up."

No avail.

He clenched his teeth. He started shaking her body aggressively. "Wake up, grandma. I'm gonna make you some soup. You need to eat."

No avail.

He became more aggressive in shaking her. "Wake up! You need to wake up! It's just a delusion!"

No avail.

He furrowed his brows. "Get the fuck up!!!"

No avail.

He started squeezing her hands, her bones crackled. "GET OUT OF THAT FUCKING DELUSION!!!!"

No avail.

He looked down at the hands he had been squeezing. Her bones were broken, and her skin was red. Jin's eyes moistened. "Wake up grandma …"

He finally looked at the message that was lingering on his system screen.

[Effect: Deceased]

His eyes became impenetrable. A tear trickled down his cheek.

Dobby and Tristan walked up to him. They were watching all along. Ashton remained at the door, crying. Dobby placed a hand upon Jin's shoulder. "It's gonna be fine, Jin. You have my condolen—"

Unblinkingly, Jin quickly grabbed Dobby's hand. He started squeezing it. Dobby winced as his bones began to crack. "Jin, stop it!!!"

Tristan grimaced. "Jin, what are you doing!?"

Ashton cried, "Stop it, Jin! You're hurting him!!!"

Jin stood, releasing Dobby's hand. He slowly turned around. Dobby and Tristan were shocked when they saw his eyes. His pupils were glowing luminous and green. A trail of moisture from a tear on a cheek.

Tristan placed a hand upon Jin's shoulder. Jin quickly punched him to his abdomen. Tristan doubled over. Jin struck his face this time. Tristan held his face. Jin launched a kick to his unblocked abdomen again.

"Don't touch me…" he uttered calmly.

Tristan's eyes glowed blue. He quickly steadied. He raised a hand and streams of water jetted out toward Jin. Jin dashed left. Having done this, the water ended up spraying at his grandmother's vessel.

Jin looked at the body, and then glared at Tristan again. He quickly dashed up to Tristan, and delivered a blow to his face again. Then another. Then another again. Tristan dropped to his knees.

Jin clasped his hands to Tristan's shirt, and constantly punched him to his face. Blow after blow, not letting up.

Dobby's face scrunched in anger. He couldn't stand to see his friend like this, not after all he's done for him. He couldn't just stand and watch this happen.

His blood boiled. He darted toward Jin and thrust a balled fist at him. Jin quickly dashed, evading the attack.

He quickly elbowed Dobby's to his temple. Dobby was knocked back, but quickly steadied on his feet, holding his head. Jin dashed a bit again, and scored a jab to Dobby's abdomen.

Dobby doubled over, groaning in pain.

Jin wasn't finished. He dashed past Dobby. Then, he kicked him to the calf. Dobby fell to his knee. Jin swiftly kicked him to the other calf. Dobby dropped to both knees.

Jin opened his hand and closed it again.

When he closed it, his dagger appeared in his hand out of nowhere. He, standing behind Dobby, flickered the weapon. The blade pointed downward at kneeling Dobby. Jin quickly raised the weapon, and swooped down at Dobby's head.