Chapter Text
The morning they were set to return to the god's realm, Mori couldn't stop vibrating in place. He had been training for weeks worrying about Ilpyo, and now they were finally going back. Even if it had only been two days for Ilpyo, he was still worried, a lot could happen in that time.
"Is Seungcheol here yet?" Mori asked, bouncing from foot to foot.
Daewi gave him a tired unimpressed look. Beside him, Mira, Seungah, and Seungyeon were in various states of yawning and half awake.
"I know you're worried about Ilpyo," Mira said, "but it literally wouldn't have mattered if we went an hour or two later." She gave Mori a tired glare.
He shrugged and went back to pacing restlessly.
Daewi sighed tiredly.
"Easy Pumpkin," Grandpa said, "I'm sure he'll be here any minute."
Mori hummed in response but didn't stop his pacing. He knew the others weren't thrilled, it was only half an hour after sunrise, but the sooner they left, the sooner he could settle this once and for all.
At the sound of footsteps, they turned and saw Seungcheol finally arriving. He had a large backpack.
"I'm here," he said.
"What's with the bag?" Mira asked.
"Books," Seungcheol replied, "I felt it would be good to have a few as extra precautions. Even though the information might not be accurate, it might give us a hint. We have no idea what sort of challenges Odin is going to give Mori after all."
"I can do it," Mori said.
"Yeah, man, we know," Daewi agreed, "this is like the hundredth time you've said that."
"Well, I can."
"Here," Seungcheol said, he held out a walkie talkie, "we don't know if Odin will make you work alone, so this should let us stay in contact."
"Will it work in the god's realm?" Mira asked.
"Hopefully," Seungcheol replied, "I designed them after Ilpyo's fox beads."
"Ohhh cool," Mori said, talking the walkie-talkie and examining it. Unfortunately, it just looked like a regular walkie-talkie. Disappointed, he tucked it into his pocket.
"Okay," Grandpa said, "shall we get going?"
"Please," Seungah replied, "I can't wait to make fun of that idiot for getting kidnapped again."
"Again?" Mira asked.
"Yep," Seungyeon chimed in, "on Oraeguk. He was dragged off somewhere, and it took forever for us to find him again."
"Huh," Mori murmured. He leaned back as he tried to remember what had happened to Ilpyo then. Mori knew Ilpyo had been with them at the sacred place before Sujin Lee attacked, but then he hadn't seen him until after the battle with the three princes of Natak had begun.
"You guys don't seem that worried," Mira observed.
Seungah snorted, "that's because they don't have Ilpyo, he has them."
"What?" Mori asked.
"Ilpyo's really passive-aggressive when he gets angry enough," Seungyeon elaborated, "he's also really good at malicious compliance. I'm sure by the time we get there, he'll have found a way to make those assholes miserable."
"That'd be awesome," Mori snickered. He turned to Daewi, "let's go!"
Daewi nodded and opened the portal. Mori leapt through it into the first floor.
"Whoa," he gasped, looking around the courtyard. Huge black scorch marks covered the stone walls, and the acrid scent of smoke hung in the air. "What happened?" he asked.
"Definitely Ilpyo," Seungah remarked as she and Seungyeon stepped out of the portal next to Mori.
"Like I said," Seungyeon replied when Mori gave them a curious look, "really passive-aggressive."
A stressed looking valkyrie appeared in the courtyard, took one look at them and turned around to run back into the castle.
"What was up with that?" Mira asked.
"Dunno," Mori shrugged, "but let's go, I want to see Ilpyo."
"We all want to see Ilpyo," Seungah said.
Mori stuck his tongue out at her. She made a face back at him. Mori liked Seungah well enough, but he didn't like how she had cackled when she heard how he tried to rescue Ilpyo. It wasn't Mori's fault Odin was being an asshole about everything!
"Okay kids," Grandpa interjected, "off we go."
They walked through the halls of the castle until they came to Odin's office. Mori reached out and knocked hard on the door.
It was opened by the valkyrie they had seen before.
"You're early," Odin said. He was smiling, but his eyes were glowing faintly, and there was a vein bulging at his temple.
"You said two days," Mori replied, "it's been two days."
"Indeed."
"So," Mori said, "where's Ilpyo?"
Odin's face twitched, "I'm afraid to inform you that the fox's host is indisposed at the moment."
"What?" Mori snarled, "I thought I told you-"
"And I told you," Odin cut him off, "he's a danger to himself. I've placed him under an order to sleep to keep him from any more trouble ." The last word was said in a near snarl.
"If he's acting out, it's probably your fault," Seungyeon said.
"And who are you?" Odin asked in an affronted tone.
"Seungyeon Park," she replied, "you've kidnapped my cousin."
"Ahhh," Odin sighed, "clearly, you've been misinformed, I have not kidnapped anyone, your cousin is under my protection."
Seungah snorted.
"May I ask what is so amusing about that?" Odin said as the vein at his temple throbbed even harder.
"What are you supposed to be protecting him from?" Seungah asked, "he's one of the best fighters of our generation. He can take care of himself."
"I would disagree," Odin said, "after all, he has individuals like this, " he waved a hand at Mori, "chasing after him."
"Hey," Mori snapped, "I'm a great boyfriend!"
He tried to look serious even though he could hear his friends bursting into coughing fits behind him. He had to resist the urge to turn around and glare at them. They were ruining his credibility!
Odin stared at him with a deadpan look on his face. Then he sighed very loudly, "I suppose I will entertain your pathetic charade."
"It's not a charade!"
"Make your proposal," Odin snapped.
Mori nodded, remembering the words he had been practicing for weeks. "I, Mori Jin, also known as Jecheondaeseong, come before you to ask for the hand of Ilpyo Park. The host of Hojosa, the nine-tailed fox, member of the house of Odin, to take as my consort in marriage."
"I, Odin, Lord of the Aesir and ruler of the first floor reject your proposal."
"What?!" Mori yelled angrily, "you said I could propose!"
"I did," Odin agreed, "but I never said that I would accept."
"You said I could prove myself!" Mori snarled.
"I changed my mind," Odin replied, "I do not believe you will make a fitting husband."
Mori growled and summoned yeoui in his hand.
"You would attack me in my own house?" Odin asked, unperturbed.
Mori glared at him. He hated how Odin used the laws of hospitality to protect himself. Mori wanted nothing more than to rip his head off his shoulders. The gods always pulled this sort of shit!
"Let me prove myself!" he demanded.
"No."
There was a thunderous crash. Odin winced, "status report?" he asked.
"It would seem the fox's host and Satan have crashed an airship into the side of the castle," the valkyrie reported.
"Did they now?" Odin asked through clenched teeth. "I thought he was supposed to be sleeping ."
"Is Ilpyo okay?!" Mori asked the valkyrie worriedly.
She stared down at him before turning to look at Odin, who simply waved a hand at her to continue.
"He is unharmed," she said.
Seungah and Seungyeon both burst into laughter. "You sure you don't want to let Mori prove himself?" Seungyeon cackled.
Odin stared at Mori with a murderous look in his eyes. "Bring them here," he seethed.
" That was a terrible idea ," Hojosa complained.
Ilpyo ignored him as he dusted off his pants, "what should we do next?" he asked Satan.
Satan grinned, but before he could answer, a valkyrie rounded the corner with a frustrated look on her face.
Ilpyo felt a little bad about causing them trouble, but he counted it as collateral damage in the cold war he was having with Odin.
The morning after Mori and the other's left, Ilpyo had decided to be the biggest nuisance possible. It was half in the hopes that he could annoy Odin into letting him go, but mostly it was just petty revenge.
"My lord demands your presence in his study," the valkyrie said coldly.
"Okay," Ilpyo replied. He stretched nonchalantly.
"Now."
Ah, they were getting better at being specific. Through trial and error, Ilpyo learned that he only had to listen to the valkyries if Odin had given a command to. Unfortunately, Odin had also realized that on the evening of the first day.
"Go faster," the valkyrie demanded as Ilpyo slowly sauntered towards the office.
Ilpyo exchanged an eye-roll with Satan. The kid was fast becoming his favourite person in the castle. He didn't have to listen to Odin and seemed to delight in the chaos Ilpyo wrought.
" I believe Jecheondaeseong is here ," Hojosa said.
"What?" Ilpyo demanded mentally, "really?"
" Yes. "
Ilpyo took off in the direction of Odin's office, ignoring the shout of the valkyrie behind him.
"Mori!" he cried excitedly as he slammed the door open.
"Ilpyo!" Mori yelled back.
Ilpyo flung his arms around his friend with a delighted laugh, "you're early!"
"Hey asshole, you're not even gonna say hello?" Seungah demanded.
"Seungah!" Ilpyo cried, "Seungyeon! You're here!" He detached from Mori to hug them both.
"Of course we're here," Seungyeon replied.
"I can't believe you got kidnapped again," Seungah said.
"What?" Ilpyo asked, "I've never been kidnapped before."
"Oh yeah?" she said, "what do you call what happened on Oraeguk, huh?"
"He hasn't been kidnapped," Odin interjected, in a tone Ilpyo was proud to recognize as stressed beyond belief.
"I have absolutely been kidnapped," Ilpyo informed his cousins.
"No shit," Seungah replied.
"Enough," Odin seethed, "I distinctly remember ordering you to sleep."
"I did," Ilpyo deadpanned.
Odin's eye started twitching.
Ilpyo put on his best innocent smile, "you just didn't specify how long." His wonderful cousins accentuated the moment by bursting into a round of cackling laughter.
" Stop provoking him ," Hojosa hissed mentally. Ilpyo ignored him.
Odin let out a very long sigh. "And how do you explain the crashed airship, when I specifically told you no more property damage?"
"No more intentional property damage," Ilpyo corrected helpfully, "that was an accident."
" Child… "
The rest of the group was snickering at his back, and Ilpyo felt incredibly validated.
"An accident."
"Yep."
Odin let out a low hissing sound. Ilpyo's vision started blurring, and he found himself swaying to the side.
"Stop!" Mori's voice broke through… whatever the hell just happened. Ilpyo found he was on the floor again, although this time, Mori was holding him.
" I told you so ," Hojosa chided, " you take too much of a risk provoking your head of house ."
"I don't acknowledge him," Ilpyo replied, mentally trying his best to project his annoyance at Hojosa.
"You disrespect me," Mori snapped.
Ilpyo realized he had been zoning out during the argument Mori and Odin were having.
"Give me your trials," Mori continued, "you yourself acknowledged me as a supreme god, and I am done with these games." His eyes were glowing red again.
Ilpyo had always wondered what was up with that.
"Very well," Odin replied.
"Wait," Daewi cut in, "I suggest you make a contract."
"Oh?" Odin asked.
"If Mori can complete the three challenges, then he gets to marry Ilpyo," Daewi elaborated, "but if not, he gives up his pursuit entirely."
"And why should I agree to that?" Odin asked.
"What, are you scared he'll actually do it?" Satan asked.
"Yeah," Ilpyo taunted, "you scared?"
" Stop! " Hojosa snarled.
"I am not afraid," Odin said cooly, "you, however, are supposed to be sleeping ."
A wave of drowsiness crashed over Ilpyo, and while he did his best to fight it off, it was a futile effort.
"Shit," Daewi swore. Mira made a soft noise of agreement beside him.
Mori looked like he was about to snap. The only thing stopping him was Ilpyo's limp form still clutched in his arms.
"Now," Odin continued, as if he hadn't just whammied their friend right in front of them, "let's discuss the terms." He said terms like it was a particularly repulsive word.
"What the hell?" Seungah interrupted angrily, "the fuck did you just do to him?"
Seungyeon crouched down beside Mori to lightly smack Ilpyo's face. "Hey, hey!" she demanded, "wake up!"
Odin looked at them like they were particularly annoying bugs. "I will give three challenges," he continued, ignoring Seungah, "you will complete them to my satisfaction-"
"No," Mori's grandfather interjected, "you'll never be satisfied, we need an impartial judge."
"Need I remind you," Odin said sharply, "that the fox's host is a member of my household and I-"
"I'll do it," Satan interrupted.
"Deal," Mori agreed. He was still focused on Ilpyo, a blank look on his face. That meant he was barely restraining himself from killing Odin with his bare hands.
Daewi walked closer and placed a hand on Mori's shoulder.
"Very well," Odin agreed, "I will give three challenges. If Jecheondaeseong fails to complete even one, then he will leave the god's realm and end all contact with the fox's host."
"No," Mori said.
"Yes," Odin replied.
Mori finally looked up at him, "I don't trust you not to hurt him," he snapped.
"Oh I assure you, he'll be well taken care of," Odin replied, a vicious smirk on his face, "those are my terms, or are you afraid you won't be able to complete the challenges?"
"I'll do it," Mori snarled.
"If Mori wins, you let him marry Ilpyo," Daewi said.
"Yes," Odin agreed.
"And you apologize for kidnapping him," Seungyeon added.
"No," Odin said.
"Yeah," Mori agreed, "and you never ever make someone a part of your household by force again."
"Absolutely not."
"Why?" Mori taunted, "you scared?"
Odin glared at him. "Oh, very well," he said finally, "relinquish your hold on the fox's host, and we will sign the contract."
Mori frowned and opened his mouth like he was going to argue, but his grandfather cut him off.
"C'mon pumpkin," he said gently, "you can't destroy whatever challenges this asshole has planned if you have to hold your boyfriend."
"I'll hold him," Seungyeon said.
"Actually," Odin interjected, "I will be having my valkyrie take him back to his room." He waved a hand, and the valkyrie who had entered earlier stepped forward.
Both Seungyeon and Mori glared at her.
"It's okay pumpkin," Mori's grandfather said, "Odin wouldn't be enough of a coward to hurt an unconscious person." He stared at Odin with a challenging look.
Odin sighed loudly as if they were all massively inconveniencing him, "you have my word that no harm will come to him," he promised.
Mori reluctantly handed Ilpyo over to the valkyrie and stared after her as she left the office.
"Now, the contract," Odin said. It appeared in the air before them.
Daewi watched idly as Mori and Odin went through the terms one last time.
"Is this acceptable?" Odin asked.
"It is."
"Then I, Odin, Lord of the Aesir, do swear to honor this contract," Odin said.
Mori repeated his words, and the contract vanished with a burst of light.
"Now then," Odin said, "your first challenge is a test of strength."
Daewi wondered what the catch was, after all, Mori was the strongest.
"You will defeat the great wolf Fenrir," Odin said, "you have three days."
Mori cracked a smile, "alright, where is he?"
"That's for you to find out," Odin replied, "bring me his pelt as proof of your victory."
Mori nodded.
"Good luck," Mira said.
Mori grinned. He summoned Geundoowun and flew out the window.
"My valkyries will show you to a room where you can wait," Odin said cooly, "please make yourselves at home."
Odin watched Jecheondaeseong's little band of misfits file out of his office with a deep feeling of relief.
Finally, he could have some peace and quiet. Odin let his head drop to his head in exasperation.
Hojosa's host was an insufferable brat. If it weren't for the incredible power boost he brought with him, Odin would have drowned the little horror in his own blood for all the humiliations he had been subjected to over the past two days.
His first mistake was letting the little terror go around poking his nose into places it didn't belong. Odin had thought it charming at the time, a little bit of teenage rebellion, nothing serious.
What a fool he had been.
Somehow the little horror had managed to find and damage the entirety of Odin's treasures.
Odin had then decided to let Satan spar with him, thinking a good beating would quell his rebellious energy. It had been his second mistake. The collateral damage from their fight was tremendous. Odin had actually gotten the little terror to admit the destruction was intentional.
His third mistake had been thinking that the little horror would follow any orders that weren't created with ironclad precision. Even then, he had found ways to twist Odin's orders into something completely different than intended.
Oh, how Odin couldn't wait for Jecheondaeseong to fail. Then he could adequately punish the little terror. He had been holding himself back for fear of Jecheondaeseong's retaliation, and the little horror knew it.
"My Lord," one of his valkyries said quietly an hour later.
"Yes?"
"Jecheondaeseong has returned."
"Excuse me?" Odin stood from his desk in shock, "How?"
Fenrir was a monster fated to be part of the end of the world. Jecheondaeseong shouldn't have been able to trounce it so easily.
Still, with the wolf dead, Odin would no longer have to fear his own fated death. How satisfying it would be to use the pelt as a rug.
Odin walked down to the courtyard.
Only to find Jecheondaeseong holding the wolf. The still-living wolf.
"I believe I asked you to defeat Fenrir and bring me its pelt," Odin said, stopping a healthy distance from the beast.
"I did," Jecheondaeseong said with an insufferable smile, "you never said anything about the pelt being detached from his body."
That horrible little monkey. Odin turned to Satan.
"He's right," the little brat agreed.
Jecheondaeseong had the gall to laugh, "good fight buddy," he said to the beast. He moved, and Odin realized with sudden horror that he meant to release the monster in the castle.
"Put it back where you found it," he blurted out.
Jecheondaeseong stared at him, then turned to Satan, who shrugged .
"Is that my second challenge?" Jecheondaeseong asked.
" No ," Odin hissed, a touch of hysteria entering his tone.
"Then I don't see why I should," Jecheondaeseong replied, taking one of his hands off the beast to scratch his nose.
The beast growled and began struggling in his grip.
"Fine, fine," Odin hissed, backing up a step, "take it to the realm of the dead."
"'Kay," Jecheondaeseong replied. He summoned his Geundoowun and took off.
Satan yawned. "I wanted to fight it too," he complained.
Mori was glad he could get rid of the wolf. He did not like dogs. But that it was worth it to see the frightened look on Odin's face.
Good, the asshole deserved it.
Mori pulled out the walkie-talkie Seungcheol had given him.
"You were right," he said into it, "Odin totally flipped."
There was a crackling of static, and then Seungcheol responded. "Yeah, according to the book of Norse mythology I brought, Odin is fated to die at that wolf's hands."
"No wonder he didn't want me to let it go in the castle," Mori said.
"You were going to let it go in the castle?" Mori heard someone shout, he was pretty sure it was Mira, "you moron, we're in the castle too!"
"It's fine!" Mori shouted back, "it was just a threat to convince Odin to give me an easy second challenge!"
"What?!" That was Daewi.
"Yeah! I just have to take it to the underworld!"
That caused multiple voices to start shouting all at once.
"It's okay!" Mori assured them, "I've been to the underworld before!"
"You have?!" Mira yelled, "when?!"
There was more shouting. Mori snickered, and then a thought occurred to him. "Hey can someone go check on Ilpyo?" he asked, "I don't trust Odin at all."
"Way ahead of you," Seungcheol replied, "Seungah, Seungyeon, and your grandfather went to go see if they could find him."
"Great!" Mori cheered.
Fenrir started struggling again, so Mori yelled a quick "bye!" to his friends and tucked the walkie-talkie away to better hold onto the wolf.
"Stop struggling," he demanded in frustration, "it's not comfortable for either of us!"
Ilpyo woke up with a headache and Hojosa's annoyance pressing into his consciousness.
" You are a terrible, reckless child, and if we survive this, I am grounding you. "
"You can't do that," Ilpyo argued back mentally.
" I will find a way! "
Ilpyo sighed. He opened his eyes and found he was back in what could supposedly be called his bedroom.
"I wonder where the others went," Ilpyo murmured, climbing out of the bed.
" It doesn't matter where they went ," Hojosa growled, " you should be focusing on your own survival. "
"Why do you care?" Ilpyo asked, "you're not the one who’s bound to Odin, you could just pick a new host."
" No ."
"I'm not going to stop antagonizing him," Ilpyo said, "you know that, right?"
"Yes, I know you're stupidly stubborn," Hojosa replied, "it's why you've lived this long. So why are you suddenly so self-destructive?"
"I'm not, I'm literally just making life difficult for Odin," Ilpyo said as he tried to open the door. It was locked. "Damn it," he hissed in annoyance.
" Odin will not be merciful to you once Jecheondaeseong fails ."
"Why do you keep saying that Mori's going to fail?" Ilpyo demanded.
" Because it's true, he's weak and unworthy ."
Ilpyo rolled his eyes. Hojosa's opinions about Mori were old news at this point. Ilpyo leaned his back against the door, "I believe that Mori will win," he said.
" Hmph ."
"Seriously," Ilpyo sighed, "what is up with you? You're acting like one of those parents who doesn't think anyone is good enough for their kid..." a thought occurred to him. "Hojosa," Ilpyo said, "are you upset because you don't want me to fake marrying Mori?"
" He's unworthy of being your mate ."
"Oh my god," Ilpyo said, "oh my god! You are!" he burst into a fit of laughter.
" Well, he's not! " Hojosa huffed angrily, " I beat that welp centuries ago, and he's only gotten weaker since then !"
"Hojosa," Ilpyo snickered, "it's not real, you know we're lying to Odin so I can get away from that asshole, right?"
" You aren't ."
"Excuse me?"
" I know your feelings, " Hojosa said, " despite the act, you wish it were true ."
"No," Ilpyo denied.
" Yes, you do. And the little wretch will break your heart ."
"Shut up," Ilpyo snapped, "I'm not in love with him, and he's not going to break my heart."
" Good ."
"But why do you keep saying he's going to fail?" Ilpyo asked, "and don't start with the bullshit about him being weak again."
" Because Odin will find a way to deny him even if he completes all the tasks. "
"So it's a matter of loopholes."
" Yes. "
Ilpyo sighed and sank to the floor. "Even so, I believe in Mori."
" Your faith in him is misplaced. "
"I don't think so."
" Very well ."
Leaning his head back against the door, Ilpyo tried to think of a new plan. So far, being a gigantic annoyance wasn't working. And even though he hated to admit it, Hojosa was right about Odin using any loopholes he could to win against Mori. So what was left then?
"Hojosa," Ilpyo finally said, "can the gods challenge one another?"
" What sort of challenge do you speak of ?"
Ilpyo hummed, "like, could Satan challenge Odin for uh… let's say leadership or whatever."
" Yes, he could do that; he has in the past, I believe. "
Okay, that was something to think about for another time. "So, in theory, could he challenge Odin for me?"
" In theory, yes, but I would not pin your hopes on him ."
"Okay, do you count as a god?"
" Yes ."
"Well, why didn't you challenge Odin then?!" Ilpyo asked in exasperation, "aren't you always going on and on about how strong you are?"
" Because I did not wish to incur your wrath ," Hojosa replied, " you are quite fearsome when angered ."
Ilpyo laughed despite himself.
" Would you consent to be part of my household ?" Hojosa asked.
"Sure," Ilpyo replied, "if Mori isn't able to beat the challenges, that'll be our backup plan."
" Thank you ." Hojosa's sincerity surprised Ilpyo.
"For what?" Ilpyo asked.
" For allowing me to protect you, I know you value your independence, and that this is a great sacrifice on your part ."
Ilpyo snorted, "no need to be dramatic. I just know that being a part of your household is preferable to being part of Odin's."
The underworld looked kinda different than the last time he was here, Mori thought to himself as he set Fenrir down.
The wolf growled at him, then took off into the swirling mists around them.
"Goodbye!" Mori yelled after him.
He yawned and took a moment to stretch.
"Alright," he murmured to himself, "time to head back." And he would have, had he been able to find the entrance from before.
That wasn't good.
Frowning Mori used his armour suit in speed mode to fly around and see if he had just misremembered where it was.
When he couldn't find anything, he decided to look for someone who could tell him where it was.
Which was also easier said than done.
"Hello!!!" Mori yelled after a good thirty minutes of searching, "is anybody here?!!!"
There was no answer.
Mori sighed angrily. He didn't have time for this, he needed to get back to Ilpyo and the others.
His walkie-talkie crackled, and Seungcheol's voice echoed out, "Mori?"
"I'm here!" Mori replied, "I'm surprised it's still working here!"
"Are you coming back soon?"
"Yeah, once I find the exit."
There was another burst of static.
"Did Grandpa and Ilpyo's cousins ever find him?" Mori asked.
"No, a valkyrie found them first and escorted them back to the room, we're being watched now."
"Damn, but wait, how are you talking to me then?"
"Mira and Ilpyo's cousins are distracting her," Suengcheol replied, "I just wanted to let you know that Odin's made a deadline."
"He didn't give me one before," Mori said.
"Satan okayed it, so you've got a day to return. Otherwise, he's calling it a failure."
"Ugh," Mori grumbled, "okay, I'll be back soon."
"Good luck."
Mori sighed again in frustration. This was supposed to be the easy challenge darn it! He sat down on Geundoowun and mashed his face into his knees. Mori knew that if he didn't get soon, Ilpyo would be stuck with Odin. That thought made him want to scream. Odin was an asshole, and Mori knew he'd be terrible to Ilpyo.
Besides that, Mori hated the idea of being in the human realm without Ilpyo. The past month and a half had sucked so much. Mori kept thinking of things he wanted to tell Ilpyo and places he wanted to take him. He had made a list, but if he couldn't get out of here, he wouldn't be able to do any of that!
The feeling of time passing by reminded him of when he had been stuck on the god's planet without any way home. He had been so lonely and then so happy when he'd sensed Ilpyo's familiar presence.
He missed him. He missed his friends, and he missed his grandpa, and Odin was a raging asshole.
Why couldn't he have just let Ilpyo go?
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the key chain he had wanted to give to Ilpyo. He frowned when he realized that the paint on it had started to chip. Mori let out a loud scream of frustration.
It didn't make him feel any better.
There was another crackle of static, "Pumpkin?" Grandpa's voice called, "how are things going?"
"Grandpa," Mori said miserably as he held the walkie-talkie up to his ear, "I think I'm stuck."
"Okay," Grandpa said, "okay, we talked about this, your friend Seungcheol and I, it's harder to get out of the underworld than it is to get in."
Mori hummed sadly.
"But we've been looking through all the books he brought, and we think we might have a solution."
"What is it?" Mori asked.
"I think you're going to have to find the person in charge," Grandpa said, "see if you can get them to let you out."
"I can't find anybody, though," Mori said.
"Hmm… try being more noticeable," Grandpa suggested, "make them find you."
"That's a good idea!" Mori said, brightening up, "Thanks!"
"Alright, good luck, pumpkin!"
Mori drew in a breath and summoned Yeoui. He then proceeded to wreak havoc by swinging Yeoui around as hard as he could, letting Geundoowun spit lightning uninhibited and screaming at the top of his lungs.
It felt good to finally let loose. Mori channelled all his frustration over the last few months, and his worry about Ilpyo into the most colossal temper tantrum he could muster.
"Excuse me!" a voice shouted.
Mori paused in his rampage.
A nervous-looking spirit floated before him.
"Hi there!" Mori replied, "could you let me out?"
"W-what?" the spirit stuttered.
"I have somewhere I need to be, but I can't find the exit," Mori explained.
"I don't have j-jurisdiction," the spirit replied, "I was s-supposed to bring you to the rulers of this land."
"Oh, do you think they could let me out?" Mori asked brightly.
"Y-yes?"
"Great!" Mori cheered, "let's go!"
He followed the spirit through the mists to a large castle in the center of a crater. It was pretty cool looking, like someone had smashed several buildings together. Definitely different than the last time had been here.
"Did you guys change the decor?" Mori asked curiously.
"M-maybe?" The spirit replied as it led Mori into a large council room.
" Jecheondaeseong ," an exasperated voice said, " what are you doing ?"
Mori peered into the gloom. He could make out various shapes in the shadows, and he supposed they must be the various death gods.
"I couldn't find anyone," he explained, "so I was making a lot of noise so someone would come find me!"
" And why were you looking for us? " A different voice asked.
" He's obviously here for someone ," a third voice interjected, sounding annoyed, " they always are ."
" You cannot remove people from the land of the dead ," the first voice droned as if they had repeated those words countless times.
"I'm not trying to bring anyone back," Mori said.
"You're not ?" the second voice asked in surprise.
"Nope! I was just dropping Fenrir off!" Mori explained.
" Why ?" The third voice asked.
"Because I'm trying to court my friend Ilpyo and Odin said I should as my second challenge," Mori replied.
" Oh indeed ?" The third voice asked amusement bleeding into their tone.
"Yeah," Mori said, "Odin made him a part of his household, but Ilpyo, he's..." Mori paused for a moment, "he's mine. So I'm trying to complete Odin's challenges." Mori wondered when the lie had become the truth. "I'm on a deadline," Mori explained, "I need to get back soon."
There was soft whispering amongst the shadowy figures.
" Go then ," the second voice said.
A shining portal opened to Mori's left.
" May the universe bless your union ," the third voice said.
"Thanks!" Mori replied.
" Don't come back. " The first voice said.
Mori leapt through the portal and found himself on the surface of the god's realm once again.
The portal shut behind him.
"Hey!" Mori yelled into his walkie-talkie, "I made it!"
There was only static silence on the other end.
Mori frowned and shrugged, pocketing it and summoning his armour in speed mode. He would need to move fast if he wanted to meet Odin's deadline.
"He's cutting it awfully close," Seungah murmured. Mira hummed in agreement. They were all sitting in Odin's office, and the red asshole was growing smugger and smugger as the seconds ticked down.
There was barely a minute left to spare. Mira tried not to tighten her grip on Daewi's hand, she didn't want to hurt him after all, but Mori was really pushing it this time.
"Is he going to be okay?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," Daewi replied softly, "besides, worst comes to worst we just beat Odin up."
Mira hummed. She was glad they were on the same page. It was smart of Daewi to have Mori be the only one to sign the contract, that way, the rest of them could step in if necessary.
"Well," Odin said, with an obnoxious smirk, "I do believe that-"
Whatever he was going to say was cut off by a massive gust of wind as Mori burst into the office, shouting, "I'M HERE! I'M HERE!" at the top of his lungs.
Odin turned to Satan.
"He's on time," Satan said.
"Yes!" Mori cheered. He then proceeded to face plant on the floor, "fuck I'm so tired," he complained.
Mira snorted. "Nice timing," she said, nudging him with her foot, "you okay?"
Mori let out a groan, "yeah, yeah, let me just- gahhh." He sucked in a long breath, then sighed loudly. "Okay," he said, rolling up into a sitting position, "what's the last challenge."
Odin's smile was frozen on his face, but one of his eyes was twitching.
"I will need a day or so to prepare," he replied.
Mori frowned. He turned to Satan, "is that allowed."
Satan nodded.
"Fiiine," Mori sighed.
It was early the next morning when Ilpyo was summoned into Odin's office.
" Something's wrong ," Hojosa's mental voice warned, " be on your guard ."
Ilpyo felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He didn't like the atmosphere of the room.
"Tell me something," Odin said, "are you and Jecheondaeseong actually romantically involved?"
"Of course," Ilpyo lied.
Odin's smile turned sharp. "Tell me the truth you little horror," he ordered.
"No."
Ilpyo heard Hojosa swear mentally.
"I didn't think so," Odin said, rested his chin in his hand. "So what will you do when he fails?"
"He won't," Ilpyo replied, trying to tamp down on his rising panic.
" Easy child ," Hojosa murmured.
"He will," Odin said nonchalantly, "he will because he doesn't love you."
" He's trying to provoke you ," Hojosa said.
Ilpyo rolled his eyes, "is there a point to this conversation?" he asked aloud.
"You act so tough," Odin continued, unperturbed by Ilpyo's question, "but ask yourself this, what will he do if he wins?"
"I thought he wasn't," Ilpyo interjected, "make up your mind."
Odin stared at him cooly, "he's just doing this because he's an unruly child unable to share his toys."
"Still not seeing a point," Ilpyo commented.
Odin raised an eyebrow at him, "You could be a respected officer of my household. Have masses of servants trembling at your feet waiting to perform your every whim, and yet you still choose Jecheondaeseong? He'll abandon you once this farce is over."
"You don't think I know that?" Ilpyo asked, "I just want to be away from you, I literally do not give a single fuck about power you creep."
"I am going to enjoy breaking your spirit," Odin remarked.
" I won't let him lay a hand on you, " Hojosa promised.
"And I'm going to enjoy watching Mori wreck your last challenge," Ilpyo replied.
Mori gave another jaw cracking yawn. As much as he had wanted to take Odin's final challenge, he was glad he had gotten time to sleep. He was really much more refreshed and ready now.
"Ready to lose?" he asked Odin. They were standing in a new room Mori had never been in. There was a large curtain on one side. The challenge was probably behind it.
"I would not be so hasty," Odin said.
Mori shrugged. "So what is it?" he asked, "am I going to fight something else? Do I have to find something?"
Grandpa and all of Mori's friends were also in the room. They flashed him smiles and thumbs-ups when he grinned at them.
Satan looked boarded, "it's a dumb challenge," he said.
"On the contrary," Odin replied, "I believe this will be quite fitting." He was smiling again. It was an annoying kind of smug smile.
"It's rather simple," Odin said, "I wish for you to prove your love."
"Okay??" Mori replied.
Odin waved a hand, and the curtain lifted to reveal a line of Ilpyo's.
"I want you to find your beloved from this pool of duplicates," Odin explained.
"That's it?" Mori asked.
"Yes."
Mori looked at Satan, "and if I do that, I win?"
Satan nodded with a bored look on his face.
"However you only get one guess," Odin continued, "and you may not touch them or ask them any questions."
Mori heard someone mutter an angry, "that's bullshit." But Mori was too busy trying to figure out the catch to identify who said it.
"So I just have to find him?" he asked again to clarify.
"That's right."
Mori shrugged and closed his eyes. It was easy to find Ilpyo's sunshine presence amongst the duplicates' wooden ones.
"Found him," Mori declared, pointing at the Ilpyo second to the right.
"What?" Odin demanded, "surely you want to take longer than that to be sure."
"No," Mori shook his head, "that's him."
"I told you it was a stupid challenge," Satan said.
"That's impossible!" Odin snarled angrily.
"I won, right?" Mori asked Satan, ignoring Odin's fuming.
"Yep."
"Awesome!" Mori cheered.
"No!" Odin roared, "No! You've cheated somehow!"
"I have not!" Mori yelled back.
"I will not be made a fool of!" Odin shouted. He stormed towards Ilpyo as the duplicates melted back into the valkyries. Ilpyo stepped back, but Odin was faster.
"Hey!" Mori yelled angrily as he followed.
"Get out!" Odin shouted as he dragged Ilpyo back. Odin's valkyries moved around him to try and stop Mori.
"Let him go!" Mori bellowed back, summoning yeoui.
More valkyries were pouring into the room. And out of the corner of his Mori could see his friends getting ready for a fight.
"Enough!" Satan shouted, "you've lost!"
"You!" Odin snarled, "You were working with him to deceive me!"
"We had a deal!" Daewi shouted.
"I do not acknowledge a deal made with liars!" Odin shouted, "I will keep him and you cannot-"
Crack! Mori hit him in the face with Yeoui.
Or at least, he tried to.
Odin caught Yeoui with one hand. He looked as surprised as Mori felt.
"Oh, I see," he said with a vicious grin.
Shit. He was using Hojosa's power, Mori realized.
"Do you still wish to fight?" Odin asked. He dragged Ilpyo to his side and hefted him off the ground like a sack of flour. "You are the one in violation of our deal, and I am tired of humoring you."
Ire filled Mori's veins, "humoring me?" he asked, "you're the one who is holding my partner captive."
"But he's not your partner, is he?" Odin asked. He shook Ilpyo slightly, "go on little horror, tell them the truth," he ordered.
"What truth?" Ilpyo asked, squirming in Odin's hold. Despite the situation, he didn't look frightened.
Odin laughed. "Answer the question, truthfully," he said, "are you Jaecheondaesong's lover?"
"No," Ilpyo grit out.
"There, you see?" Odin turned back to them, "this farce is over. Begone."
Mori lunged. "I challenge you!" he yelled.
"Oh?" Odin laughed, dodging easily, "and what are the stakes?"
"The same as before!" Mori yelled, twisting to follow, "when I win, you release Ilpyo Park! You apologize to him! And you never make another person a member of your household against their will!"
"And if you lose?" Odin replied, catching Yeoui in his hand once more, "I won't be satisfied by the original terms!"
"What do you want?" Mori asked.
"Don't make a deal with him!" Ilpyo cried, "that's what he wants!"
"Hush," Odin ordered, "don't speak another word until I say so."
Mori snarled. He shoved forward. It didn't matter what terms the fucker set Mori was going to win.
"If I win, you will swear fealty to me," Odin said. "The power of the jade emperor will be mine, and the treaty we created will be nullified."
Mori's eyes darted to Ilpyo, his friend shook his head violently in disagreement.
"Well?" Odin asked, a smug grin on his face. He clearly thought Mori too cowardly to agree.
"Deal," Mori said.
"Excellent!" Odin replied. He pushed Yeoui back, sending Mori skidding.
"Halt!" Odin called to his valkyries. "A challenge has been issued," he proclaimed, "by the ancient laws, none shall interfere until it is completed."
The valkyries around them bowed and stepped back.
Mori caught Daewi's eyes. "Move back," he said.
Daewi nodded and motioned for the others to move.
Odin set Ilpyo back on his feet. "Run along now," he told him, patting Ilpyo's head like he was a misbehaving pet. Ilpyo scowled and flipped him off before moving back to stand next to Satan.
Odin chuckled, "I'm going to have such fun breaking him in," he told Mori.
Mori couldn't reply. He was choking on his rage.
"Let's begin, shall we?" Odin asked, "I'd like to wrap this up quickly."
Mori lunged. Odin batted away his attacks easily.
"Expand Yeoui!" Mori cried. His staff grew, and he swung it down on top of Odin.
"Is this all you've got?" Odin asked lazily. He shoved Yeoui back and summoned Hojosa's power.
Fire glowed from his eyes, and nine tails sprung out behind him.
"Ahhh," he sighed, "this is going to be fun."
Odin launched forward with dizzying speed, smashing into Mori. His armour suits absorbed most of the blow, but he felt the ground cracking underneath him.
"I had always wondered what it would be like," Odin laughed, raining blows down on Mori, "wield such power that you could simply do whatever you wished."
Mori snarled and countered, throwing Odin back.
He sent a kick at Odin's head. "Shut up," he growled.
"Aw," Odin cooed, blocking the blow and shooting a fiery blast at Mori, "are you upset because I took one of your toys?"
"Ilpyo's not a toy!" Mori yelled, rolling into a dodging and swinging Yeoui at Odin once more.
Odin laughed. He summons Gungnir to counter Mori's strike
The air crackled with electricity. Mori summoned Geunwoodun.
"Strike!" he commanded.
"Careful!" Odin singsonged, "you wouldn't want to hit your friends, would you?"
Mori turned at his words; everyone seemed okay.
In his moment of distraction, Odin struck.
His spear stabbed Mori, and he coughed, tasting blood in the back of his throat.
"What happened to the undefeatable Monkey King?" Odin taunted. He was grinning so wide it seemed his face would split apart. "Are you really so weakened by your affections for these humans?"
"Shut up," Mori growled, dragging himself to his feet. Odin might have gotten a power-up, but he didn't know how to fully use Hojosa's power, Mori realized. He was nowhere near Ilpyo's level.
"You're a fool," Odin said, "becoming attached to such breakable creatures, what will you do when they're in danger from something you can't stop?"
"I'm strong enough to protect them," Mori snapped. "The seventh owner!" he cried, summoning the sphere.
"What to bet on that?" Odin asked, blocking the sphere's attacks with Gungnir.
Mori kicked him in the chest. "I'm strong enough," he snarled, preparing to smash Odin's head in.
There was another fiery blast as Odin combined his spear with Hojosa's power. Mori heard several gasps of horror.
Mori studied him. Odin was getting overconfident. He thought that having more raw power would let him win.
It would be his undoing.
Mori launched forward, and the next few minutes were a blur of blows. Mori was aching, but he wasn't afraid.
This was a fight he would win.
"How?!" Odin yelled as Mori's kicks sent him on the defensive, "you lost to Hojosa! How are you still so strong?!"
Mori could help but laugh. "That may be," he said, using his kick of the blue dragon to send Odin to the floor, "but power means nothing if you don't know how to use it."
Odin stared up at him. Eyes blazing.
"Surrender," Mori said. It was over, he'd won.
Odin let out a loud laugh that seemed to border on hysteria.
"Surrender," Mori repeated.
Odin let out a rattling cough and rolled over, spitting blood onto the floor.
He glared up at Mori.
"It's over," Mori growled, "surrender, and I won't kill you where you stand."
Odin glowered at him, murder in his eyes, but he didn't get up.
"I surrender," he said, "you have beaten me Jaecheondaesong. As per our agreement, I release Ilpyo Park from my household."
"Mori!" Ilpyo shouted, running forward, "you reckless idiot!"
Mori couldn't help but grin; he dragged Ilpyo into a tight hug when his friend got close enough.
"I'm so glad you're alright," he murmured.
Ilpyo huffed, "forget me, what about you?" he ran his hands lightly over Mori's shoulders, inspecting him for injury.
"I'm fine," Mori said, "Odin didn't hit nearly as hard as you can."
Ilpyo gave him a fond look. Mori was struck by how pretty he was, the way hair flopped into his eyes and the soft curl of his lips.
There was a cough from behind them. Mori turned and saw the rest of their friends and Grandpa staring at them.
"Right," Mori said, "we're going. Daewi?"
"On it," Daewi replied.
"Wait," Satan said.
" What ," Mori asked.
"I do believe Odin owes someone an apology," Satan said.
"No," Odin hissed.
Mori smiled viciously, "why, I believe you're right."
"You're bound by your word," Satan told Odin, "you are bound to honor the original deal as well."
Odin's eyes began to glow in rage. Then he closed them and sighed, "I give Ilpyo Park, to you, Jecheondaeseong, as your consort. And I apologize."
"That was a terrible apology," Ilpyo said.
Mori snickered as Odin's eye began to twitch.
"He's right," Seungyeon agreed, "you didn't even say what you're sorry for."
"Yeah," Seungah chimed in, "do better."
Odin turned to look at Satan, who nodded enthusiastically. He let out another angry sigh. "I apologize, Ilpyo Park, for taking you and making you a member of my household against your will."
"That's better, I suppose," Ilpyo said, "but I don't forgive you." He looked at Mori, "can we go now? I'm so sick of this place."
"Good luck on your marriage," Satan said.
"Thanks!" Mori replied. He released his summon on yeoui so he could lift Ilpyo.
"I can walk, you know," Ilpyo said.
"But isn't it tradition to carry the bride?" Mori asked.
"What makes you think I'm the bride?" Ilpyo replied.
"Well, I proposed," Mori said.
"But I'm older," Ilpyo argued.
"No you're not."
"What are you talking about? Yes, I am."
"Guys," Daewi cut in, "c'mon, you can finish this riveting conversation back home. Let's go."
"Okay!" Mori laughed. "Bye Satan!" he called over his shoulder.
"Thank you for your help!" Ilpyo shouted, "you're the only tolerable one in the entire realm!"
"Bye!" Satan yelled back, "invite me to your wedding!"
Mori followed the others through the portal.
"I vote we never do that again," Seungah said when they were all on the other side.
"Oh absolutely," Mira agreed, "that was terrible."
"Still," Seungyeon said, "I can't believe you recognized Ilpyo so easily."
"Really?" Mori replied, "I thought it was obvious."
He got several confused stares.
"What do you mean?" Ilpyo asked, "also, you can put me down now."
"Well, you've got a very distinctive presence," Mori said, carefully setting him on his feet. He didn't let go completely, however. It was too nice to be able to hug Ilpyo again.
"Huh," Ilpyo said thoughtfully.
"So, what now?" Mira asked, "do we just go home?"
"Didn't you say the world was destroyed?" Ilpyo asked.
"It's getting better," Grandpa replied, "Mujin park and his little minions are actually doing a pretty good job rebuilding things.
Ilpyo turned to Mori, "didn't you say he attacked you?"
Mori shrugged, "you were right about not trusting him."
Ilpyo gave a thoughtful little hum. "Well, thank you all for coming to get me," he said to the group.
"Of course," Mira replied.
"No problem man," Daewi agreed.
"We're glad you're alright," Seungcheol added.
"We will always come rescue you," Seungyeon said as Seungah nodded beside her.
"Nobody gets left behind," Grandpa promised.
Ilpyo smiled warmly at them.
"Hey Mori," Mira said, "didn't you have something to give Ilpyo?"
"Something to give… Ah!" Mori yelled, remembering the key chain. He frantically patted his pockets in a panicked search.
"Here!" Mori cheered triumphantly when he found it, "it's an apology present."
"An apology?" Ilpyo asked curiously.
"Ughhh," Mori laughed nervously, "I kind of forgot that you were still here what with all the crazy stuff going on in the human realm." He felt a wave of guilt wash over him as he remembered that Ilpyo thought they weren't coming.
"Oh," Ilpyo studied the key chain with a little smile on his face, "it's cute. Thanks."
Mori beamed. "You're cute," he blurted out.
The group burst into laughter around them as Ilpyo gave Mori a startled look.
"Thanks?" Ilpyo said.
"You should marry me for real," Mori said, "I have no idea how to be a husband, but I'm sure I could figure it out-"
Grandpa's booming laughter cut him off. Mira was full-on doubled over, cackling next to Ilpyo's cousins. Daewi had his face buried in his hands, and even Seungcheol was snickering.
"Why are you guys still laughing?" Mori demanded in embarrassment, "I'm serious."
"How about you take me on a date first?" Ilpyo said.
"Okay!" Mori beamed at him, "where would you like to go?"
"Somewhere with food," Ilpyo said.
Several years later:
Satan watched Mori and Ilpyo beam happily at each other. They were finally getting married, and he was pleased that all his hard work to get them together had paid off.
That week Ilpyo had spent in the god's realm had been one of the most amusing of his long life. It was only fair he helped the human in return for such entertainment.
Plus, it came with the added bonus of watching Odin get taken down a peg.
Satan hadn't intended to get involved at first. But when he had read the minds of his two favorite people. After feeling their faith and devotion to each other, he had decided he wanted to help them get together.
Looking at them now, he knew he had made the right decision.
Ilpyo caught his eye and grinned. Mori turned to see what he was looking at and waved excitedly. Satan lazily waved back.
" You knew ," Hojosa said.
Satan turned and found the fox standing next to him. Hojosa had retaken his corporeal form some time ago. Likely because Ilpyo didn't want him in his head constantly.
"Don't tell me you're still upset," Satan said, "you can't be grumpy because your kid's all grown up.
" I'm not, " Hojosa said, " Jecheondaeseong has more than proved himself worthy of Ilpyo ."
Satan snickered, "I thought he did that years ago?" He knew the fox had been impressed by the lengths Mori had been willing to go for Ilpyo.
" That mind-reading ability of yours is troublesome ," Hojosa grumbled.
"For other people maybe," for Satan, it was amusing to hear all the guests' happy thoughts swirl together in one grand symphony.
Hojosa huffed.
"They make a good pair," Satan said.
Across the hall, the two in question were laughing happily. Their thoughts stood out the brightest, focused solely on each other without a care in the world.
" They do. " Hojosa agreed.
Satan still wanted a rematch, but he could wait until after the lovebirds had finished their honeymoon.