Chapter 319: Of Bargains Struck

Chapter 319: Of Bargains Struck

If you want to support me check out my patron at /athassprkr

I tend to upload drafts of early chapters on there to get people's opinions of them so you can read up to 20 chapters ahead as a bonus.

I would like to thank my beta, Akisu, for his help in this chapter.

---------------

13th May 2013, Limbo

(Jasmine Sayre POV)

Dream nodded, "Yes, you are correct. I have watched you and I am willing to help in exchange for a favor in return."

I was very dubious, but still willing to listen to him, "What is it?"

"I am willing to add a person to your side, someone that would be able to balance the scales somewhat, my Avatar, my champion. In exchange, I ask that you simply train him in the art of what his role will entail."

This was interesting but I still wasn't sure about it, "I thought that the Living Tribunal forbade anyone from interfering."

The cosmic entity had a predatory smile on his face, "That would apply if the soul in question hadn't been my Avatar for a very long time, not that they knew of it."

"And who is he supposed to be?" I questioned.

"Why Loki Odinson, of course, the God of Stories and Avatar of Dream."

Well, shit.

This was a big mess that I really didn't need to deal with right now. It was an opportunity, yes, but it came with many strings attached. I just stared blankly at dream before speaking up, "Are you sure that it's him? I have never sensed any cosmic energy from him, only the energies provided by the Odinforce."

It was a sensible question. I had personally trained Loki and to do that, I had to examine his powers very closely. I knew that there was a spark hidden underneath, but I assumed that it was his own potential that he was stifling. I felt he was strong, but he was certainly not even close to being the Avatar of a Cosmic Entity. Jean, even when she was untrained, was far more powerful than any potential I sensed he had.

Dream looked at me like I was an idiot, "Are you insinuating that I somehow do not know who my own Avatar is?"

"No, of course not, I simply hadn't sensed anything from him, so it's somewhat surprising. I trained him myself."

Dream shrugged, "His connection to the Odinforce often stifles the growth of his cosmic potential in every lifetime. Even then, my powers have safeguards in them due to their strength. He cannot use my powers without being at peace with himself, without being clearheaded enough. Even then, I have only awarded Loki with barely more than a fraction of what an Avatar should have."

It makes sense, Dream was a very powerful entity, and Loki could end up doing a lot of harm if he fell into madness with the powers of Dream in his hands. But the nerfing was something I didn't understand; cosmic entities tended to make sure that their Avatars were as powerful as possible to better represent their interests, "And the power down?"

"Eons ago, there was a Loki who Odin failed immensely. He chose to leave Asgard and removed himself from the All-Father's reach by destroying his link to the Odinforce. For the first time, he had access to his powers as an Avatar, and he honed them, as much as he could. He didn't understand it then and thought that his father had been binding him all this time. And so, he called himself the God of Stories and rose above the power of even his father," Dream answered with a solemn tone.

The idea that with each passing moment, Entropy was losing what made him a cosmic entity, and thus not being bound by their laws, was unsettling. I was very much scared that I genuinely couldn't deal with him by myself. Sure, I had fought Entropy at even ground, while I still hadn't mastered my cosmic powers, but he was sandbagged as well.

Fuck, I needed a heavy hitter, and Dream was providing me with one. The question was, was I desperate enough to accept whatever strings that came with this offer that I don't know about?

The answer was clear. It's not like the other cosmic entities would do my job, "Yes, Lord Dream. I will train Loki Odinson in the arts of becoming an Avatar of a Cosmic Entity."

Finally, the being with Endless power smiled slightly, "I am glad to hear it."

Tension had drained from his shoulders, and he must have seriously been worried about it. I didn't know if it was to cover his ass or if he just liked Loki, but it was better than his impassive face that barely moved during our entire conversation.

He continued, "A bargain is struck. It's time for your dream to end, Morrigan. It's time to wake up."

Before I could process it, the world disappeared into smoke, and I woke up with a gasp.

---------------

(Dream POV)

Dream watched as his sister's former Avatar left Limbo and woke up in the living world. He barely reacted as Death appeared behind him, "I did as you asked, sister. You owe me."

Death nodded, "I do."

His sister had asked him to speak to her former Avatar, whom she was still attached to for some reason, and he had no reason to refuse. Death had always supported him when he needed any assistance, "There's something I wished to ask. Why?"

Death simply raised an eyebrow, "Why what?"

"Do not try to be coy with me. I know you. Time would not have allowed Entropy's travel to the same timeline the way he did. You asked him to do so. You knew of Entropy's betrayal, and yet you are not concerned by the implications. So, why are you torturing your former Avatar so?"

"The last outcome of the altercation was not favorable, so I asked Time for a redo."

Dream was confused. It was an odd feeling, "Not favorable? She defeated Entropy."

His sister had a smug smile on her face, "She did. But that was not the optimal outcome."

With these parting words, Death disappeared into smoke, leaving a confused Dream behind.

---------------

If you want to support me check out my patron at /athassprkr

I tend to upload drafts of early chapters on there to get people's opinions of them so you can read up to 20 chapters ahead as a bonus.

Thank you guys for your support in these hard times.