Loki’s Successor System

It was raining, and the sky was grey and grim as usual. This certainly wasn't out of the norms. It rained a lot in their city. It had to be just the climate. Or could it be related to the vastly popular magic spectrum?

At ease, Cliff was on the front porch. He was as always at ease. No body ever found him displaying emotions much, except for that arrogant look he would mold up occasionally. Cliff leaned on the balcony; the expected cigarette at the corner of his lips, and his fingers in a V shape in front of his face.

He heard an audible thump, and turned his head to see Jin, walking out from the house. Jin paused and looked at him in a way that showed he didn't want to be amiable to him, who was in fact a stranger.

Cliff scoffed, and turned his head. "Revenge … the longing for revenge. I smell it all over you, Pin." his tone was smooth as butter, yet it had this strange countryside way to it.

"It's Jin," Jin looked daggers at him, "and trouble … I smell trouble all over you, Cliff." he folded his arms. This guy was trouble in his book. He was getting tempted to punch him, to in turn see how much experience points the system would reward him for taking him down. But, of course, he relented.

Cliff shook his head. "I wonder how in the world a naive little kid like you got the system in your possession. It's just … insane. Why would Eve choose you?"

Jin's brows tightened, "Naive? Little kid? Excuse me?" In truth, he wanted to ask about this 'Eve', assuming she was the troll woman who granted him the system. "You're the one who's naive to think I don't know about your conspiracy."

Cliff eyed him. His eyes were glowing green. "Conspiracy? Kid, if you think I wanna be here with you, then you got some nerve. Disrespecting me is the last thing you wanna do, believe it."

He stared at Jin until he averted his eyes. Only then then did he look away and focus on smoking his cigarette. It went silent for a while. They had not said anything to each other.

Jin shifted on his feet and folded his arms. He was confused. Why was this stranger even here? Why would Tristan let him be so easily?

"In the Bible, Jesus had twelve disciples," said Cliff not looking at him. "These disciples were given strange powers that were mostly spiritual. The system works a similar way. There are twelve disciples that a system allows a successor to have. So twelve slots. Four are free. Eight of them are already occupied.

"These eight disciples of yours can only be summoned at specific levels of strength you reach. Although you didn't choose these disciples, predecessors of the Loki's system did. These eight are extremely powerful.

"It's dangerous for you to even level up, because when they come … they're going to cause hells up here. But you need them. The demons are returning and they want the systems so that they can rule the world as Gods.

"Your disciples would be stronger than you for a while. All eight of these disciples are … evil though. And they're all powerful," his eyelids drooped, "except … me." his tone ran dull.

Jin finally understood some of it. But he had more questions. He looked at Cliff, enthusiastic. "So … do the disciples all have systems?" he blushed subtly; he really didn't want to talk to Cliff but still caught himself doing so.

"Negative," uttered Cliff, "Your disciples are people you have defeated, and made your disciple at the verge of death. However, there are a few disciples who possessed systems before they became disciples.

"Take me for instance," he lifted his shirt, revealing a tattoo on his chest of the number '532'. "I wielded the Loki's system for two years in the past. But that was a … a long time ago."

Jin grimaced. "How long have these systems been here on Earth?"

"I don't know, kid. But since before my time which was the nineties. The world didn't know about them. That's because they never shot beacons into the air when their successors got killed. And they never did Successor revelations like they do now."

"Then why would they do it now?"

Cliff shook his head. "Beats me. Though, I think the system gets easier to detect and much more difficult after a certain period of time. Like maybe a decade or two, I don't know."

Jin inched closer. "Wait … how old are you?"

"I'm old years old."

"No seriously. I want an idea."

"I'm seventy nine summers," he heaved, "but it looks like I'm forty. That's because when I became a successor I stopped aging. That's honestly the only benefit," he tittered.

"So you're like … immortal."

"No damn way I am. When the Loki system dies, I'll die. But for as long as it lives, I live. But I can't exist if the system has no successor, and I can't exist if the successor isn't strong enough."

"How long have been existing when I came?"

He grimaced, "Your questioning skills died just now, kid. Don't think I understand it one bit. But I've only been summoned to the world today, in case that's what you're asking. But just so you know, I've been summoned many times before you became successor. Can't say the same about the other disciples," he smirked.

"Why is that?"

"Because the successor noobs don't get strong enough for the stronger disciples to get summoned. It's ridiculous," he laughed, but it sounded more so like a wheeze, "they always die so fast. Hey I'm Successor … two weeks later … death … I get sent back to nothingness … same day new Successor … repeat."

"So what your saying is," said Jin, "They die too early for the other disciples to get summoned, right?"

"Yeah, that."

Jin put his hand on his chin. "What exactly is the disciple's job?"

Cliff gagged. "You don't need to know that …"

Jin glared at him. "I. Need. To. Know."

"Geez, Pin. Relax," he sighed, "The job of the disciple is to … is to …"

"Is to … ?"

"Serve, worship, and protect the successor," Cliff blushed. "Just don't think I'm going to do any of that."

A smug appeared on Jin's face. "Bow to me."

"Don't push it, Kid."

"So … what kind of abilities do you disciples have if you don't have systems?"

Cliff stood straight. "I'm disciple one, the weakest, and I'm the mischievous Joker. I am here to serve you, my God." he said like a robot, saluting.

"What was that?"

"Certain questions make the disciples do that. Don't rub it in, kid."

"Joker, huh?"

"Yeah. The disciples are different characters depending on their strength. Since your the God of Mischief, your disciples will have mischievous characteristics.

"We don't really have super powers or magic. But we sacred items. Though, some of us do possess magical powers like telekinesis and whatnot."

Cliff turned to Jin. He pushed out a hand, and suddenly a Giant Scythe began to manifest. It was extremely long, and it's blade was curved. Cliff spun it around his body a couple of times and then turned the handle to Jin. "Wanna give it a try?"