The God's Birthday

Thor walked on the rainbow bridge after a short vacation. It was one day until his birthday. No one had spoken of it or even asked what gifts he wanted. No doubt a surprise birthday was in the works. A winged unicorn flew overhead. Thor waved and it descended until it landed on the bridge.

“Greetings Lord Thor,” said the unicorn white a bow.

“Hello Terinth. I’ve spent three weeks in the Oasis and I have grown sedentary,” he said with a chuckle. “Could you carry me to the castle?”

“That will have to wait. Lord Odin is having a special meeting.”

It was obvious to Thor, his birthday was being planned. “Very well. I’ll wait.”

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Loki clasped his hands, pleading before his father. “Please let me plan Thor’s special day?”

“No. You’re just too devious. There’s no telling what trouble you would unleash.”

“I’ve learned my lesson. Let me do this for my only brother.”

Odin looked at his son and sighed. “Very well. But you must keep things civil. No heinous dubiousness to any degree.”

“I promise father.”

“Okay than, I must go to earth on an important diplomatic meeting with the kings of earth. I truly wish I could stay for the celebration but it is urgent. I hope Thor enjoys his birthday.”

Odin raised the golden rod in his hand and a portal of spiraling light appeared. He nodded to Loki and stepped through.

“We’ll have fun, oh yes, we’ll have fun. It will be a birthday Thor will never forget.” Loki cackled.

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The next day all of Asgard gathered in the enormous amphitheater when Loki had given out the realm wide invitation. Thor sat in the lowest balcony, nearest to the action – whatever that would be. He expected a sparing between two warriors.

His eyes widened and he stood as shock ran through his body. There were two gates. Out of one came out a red dragon with spikes on its spine. It had goat’s horns and a long tail. And its eyes were blood red. Out of the other gate came a manticore. The manticore was horrid beast with the head of a man, the body of a lion, the horns of a ram and a scorpion’s tail. Both beasts had been locked away never to be released.

The dragon opened his mouth and spewed out a plume of fire. The nimble manticore dodged the attack then lunged for the dragon’s long neck. It reeled back as its foe dug its claws in the neck of the red behemoth. It collapsed on its chest, crushing the manticore. It lay there partially immobilized as the dragon bared its teeth and went for the neck of its opponent. The loud crack of bone was like a cedar being ripped apart. It was a short battle, but the dragon won. It turned its attention to the crowd and began climbing onto the seating areas. People screamed as the beast breathed fire and crushed them underfoot.

“Enjoying your birthday brother?” Loki muttered from behind him.

Thor grabbed him by the throat. “You conniving monster! You’ll pay for this!”

“What are you going to do? Kill me? Beat me to a pulp?”

“For this travesty, I’ll see you locked away for a centuries!”

Loki grinned. “Ha, well worth it.”

The frightful dragon continued to climb the rim of the amphitheater. Thor held up his hammer. It began to vibrate and spark with electricity. “Take this foul beast!” Thor’s hammer erupted with a blast of lighting. It hit the dragon in the forehead, causing it to topple over. It writhed in spasms until it was still.

Over five-hundred Asgardians were killed. Bodies littered the viewing areas.

“I don’t know why Odin trusted you. The only thing you know is mischief.”

“I know how to play a sincere person. Odin is so gullible. The trick is all in the face and eyes.”

Thor took his brother by the neck and brought him to the deepest dungeon and locked him with enchanted shackles.

When Odin returned from earth Thor told him of Loki’s deed. Odin went to the dungeon immediately to confront to his son. “I trusted you Loki! Not only am I furious, but you betrayed my trust.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ll always hold your natural son in higher degree than me.”

“Is that why you did this? Out of jealousy?”

“It makes no difference. Things will never change,” mused Loki.

“I see you as a true brother despite anything,” Thor put forth.

Loki was silent and sat against the prison wall.

“Now that it is just out of a sad, inferior and hurtful emotion, I will be merciful,” said Odin. “You will spend half a century in the dungeon.”

Loki took a deep breath and looked down. “So be it.”

And so Loki stayed in the dungeon for fifty years. But could any amount of punishment qualm the duplicity of the god of mischief?









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