A soft snowfall covered the countless pine trees in snow, and made the beautiful valley into a white landscape. In between those trees there was a longhouse, made of wood. It looked old, but well maintained. A figure was slowly walking towards it, each step sinking deep into the snow with a distinct noise. He wore dark grey fur, covering almost all of him, leaving only the head.

He had long dark hair that reached his shoulders in small waves, and lazy brown eyes. His long and hooked nose was red at the tip, proof of the biting cold.

He finally arrived at the longhouse, opened the door and stepped in, then closed the door behind him. Five familiar faces met him.

“Loke, you’re late.” A big man said.

“I had some things I had to finish first.” He said while taking his fur coat off. There was a big fireplace in the middle of the building. Around it sat the big man, and four others, who did not speak or even glance in Lucifer’s direction. “Not even a small greeting? That’s cold… “He said with a sad expression and sat down in front of the fireplace. The others ignored him.

“Well, Absalon. Why did you tell us to hold this meeting? It has only been a few decades since the last.” A female voice spoke. She was Faladis, a stunning northern beauty with no imperfection visible on her skin. Her long platinum blonde hair had been sat up in braids, and she had light blue eyes. She wore a thick silk dress, and was thus very close to the fireplace.

“I have discovered something very… disturbing.” He said. “Someone has found a way to cheat death. In other words, a human died, but somehow survived his own death. It is unheard off. ”

That immediately caught their attention, with one exception. But instead of looking at Absalon, Loke inspected the others reactions.

Hestia had a slight look of vehemence and disgust on her small face. Her red eyes were focused on Absalon, eager to gain more information. He knew what damage she could cause to the ones who suffered her wrath, as she was the owner of the Emerald Ring, of growth and nature. He also knew that she was well-equipped in her feminine features, but that was well-hidden under layers of simple and gray woolen. She had kept her outdoor clothes on, and she was as far as possible from the fire, while still being close enough to participate in the conversation.

Jormund, the owner of this longhouse, was indifferent. He was slowly petting a small wolf cup. He was lying down on some fur skins, and he was tall and thin, with a long wild hair and beard. He had an unkempt appearance, at the point of looking like a wild man, but he also had a ring. It was a silver ring with a small wolf head roaring. The Ring of Beasts. 

Artemis had a mildly curious expression. Her grey eyes were patiently waiting for Absalon to continue. She had long brown hair, which didn’t seem to get much attention, though it was far better off than Jord’s. She was sitting upright with her head held high, and a strong hunter bow rested in her hand not far from a full quiver of arrows in her belt.  She had the Ring of The Hunt.

Faladis had a slight frown on her perfect face. She was lying down on the side, which showed her generous hourglass figure. She never failed to show off. She was perfect, thanks to her Ring of Healing and Beauty. She had used it to make all small imperfections on her body disappear. He had asked her countless times to do the same on him, but she had refused.

Absalon, was one of the biggest men he had ever seen. He was strong like a bull, and yet he had that piercing glaze showing that under all the muscles there was an intelligent man. He had a huge steel war axe this time. At every meeting he carried something different, probably because the last one broke under his inhuman strength. He carried The Ring of Honor and valor, which gave him this strength, and combined with his skill it made him an unmatched warrior.

It took Loke only a few glances to notice all this though Absalon waited a little, to ensure that the information sank in.

“A traveller told me.” Absalon said, to their questioning glances. “I promised to let him go in exchange of some information. That’s what he told me.”

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“Are you sure he didn’t lie?” Hestia asked.

“I would have known. I know only one person who can lie to me.” Absalon said, with a blaming  glance at Loke. The latter just smiled innocently.

“Then you don’t know anything about whom the... Undead is?”  Hestia said the last word with disgust and repugnance.  She knew that he wouldn’t break his promise.

Absalon confirmed that he didn’t know. Hestia then turned towards Artemis.

 “Can you hunt him?” She asked her with hope.

“How?” Artemis said slowly. “We know nothing of him. I can’t find someone whom I don’t even have a single clue off.” If she had a target, she could go on for days. She had outstanding skills, and the Ring gave her nearly limitless endurance to pursue her prey.

“We have to find this undead nevertheless. I do not know what he has become, but allowing a creature to overcome death is unacceptable. As the gods of this world we have to destroy this abomination.” Hestia said.

“We are not Gods, but simply Immortals dear.” Loke said with a mocking smile. Hestia opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Absalon.

“That is true, but we need to find him anyway.” He said, receiving approving glances from the others.

“Yes,” Artemis said, “but it is simply not possible. We don’t even know what we are searching for…”

“Well you could just leave it to me.” Loke said. This gathered their attention.

“What makes you think you will succeed?” Absalon asked?

“Give me five years. I’ll find him by then.” Loke said with a self-confident smile. He could clearly see that Hestia and Artemis were against it. But Absalon didn’t look like he minded, and neither did Faladis.

“Let him do as he wishes.” Jormund said, probably to end the meeting so they would his house. He had never really cared about much other than his companions. One or two times he had gotten more or less in a fight with Artemis, when he interfered in her hunts to protect the hunted beast.

“Fine. In exactly five years, we will be meeting here again.” Absalon said. “I hope that you have it by then.”

Loke nodded. “Well, that was a pleasant meeting; I look forward to the next.” He wrapped himself in his fur coat and left them, walking out in the cold again. He could feel their eyes on his back when he closed the door without turning. Barely an hour had passed since he had arrived at the house. As he began walking again, he took a look at his ring. It was made of silver, with an amethyst in it.

The Ring of Illusions and Shadows. It granted him immunity to mind attacks and made him ageless. But all of The Six Rings did that, the more important thing was the ability it gave. And he had always liked his ability the most. It was also impossible to take off; he had tried a few times, just to be sure. He remembered the time he put it on, where The Ring’s small claws had stabbed into his finger, all the way into his bone to making it impossible to take off, and making his bones extremely hard.

It had taken a long time to get a grasp on his abilities, and it was possible that there were more he hadn’t found out yet, though he severely doubted it.

He found his old mule and took a hold of its reins. He didn’t want to burden it yet, so they just walked together, the mule following him obediently. And as they walked, a grey beard began growing on Loke, and he began aging, while his face slightly changed.

It didn't seem to disturb, as he walked through the pine forest while humming.