"Since you are the Norns, the Three Goddesses of Fate, you should know the rules."
"Oh?"The voice of the elder woman sounded curious as she asked Loki, "An interesting perspective. What rules do you mean, Loki?"
"You must answer a question of mine," Loki said, his eyes fixed on the threads of fate hanging above them. "Anyone who enters the dwelling of the Three Norns has the right to ask a question—one regarding fate."
A light, clear laugh rang out. Loki caught sight of the young girl from earlier flashing by his side again.
She giggled and said to him, "We cannot guide your fate."
Loki looked slightly surprised. "I always thought you were the guides of fate. I know quite a few people who can do similar things. Like this Native American man I met—he found snake bones in a swamp and would twirl them around with his pinky finger. From the way the mud splattered, he could foresee what would happen to him that day."
"He'd also crush cranberries in his palm to predict the weather from the residue. Or place his hand on tree bark to sense what kind of bird had recently perched there."
The Norns remained silent for a long moment after hearing Loki's peculiar analogy.
Eventually, the elder woman spoke. "Fate is trivial, insignificant. There is no grand design, no script. It is merely the product of your choices. Loki, trying to glimpse the future through the threads of fate is a futile effort."
Loki nodded slightly and asked, "You're Urd, aren't you? Honestly, I'm not too interested in fate or the future. I just want to ask one question. Do I need to offer something in exchange?"
He made a vague gesture with his hand. "Or we can trade information—I can share some of my secrets. Even some of my brothers'. For example, John keeps several magazines with… questionable content under his bed."
"No, Loki. Your secrets hold no value," Urd interrupted his nonsense curtly.
"You're looking for The Book of Magdalene, aren't you?"
The youngest of the goddesses suddenly appeared beside Loki again, blinking at him.
"Yes. That shouldn't be a hard question, should it?"Loki smiled at the lively goddess before him. "Maybe you could answer me out of respect for my father?"
Urd's voice came once more, without revealing her form."We were born of Yggdrasil and weave the web of fate. But fate is ever-changing with each choice made. Loki, even if you acquire The Book of Magdalene, it will not help you achieve your goal."
"Hmm, I believe you. But didn't you just say fate is insignificant? Now you're talking like it's all predetermined."
Loki grinned and steered the conversation back. "Anyway, let's get to the point. I want to know where The Book of Magdalene is."
The three goddesses were silent for a moment.
"Georgetown, Maryland. If you're seeking the book, that is where the path will lead you."
Before Urd finished speaking, the youngest goddess popped up behind Loki again and whispered,"I'm really looking forward to seeing how you rewrite your destiny."
Startled, Loki turned to her in surprise.Was she some kind of prankster goddess?
"Alright, thank you. Maybe next time I'll bring you a gift."
Loki cheerfully thanked them."But one more thing—why can I reach this place in my dreams? And why doesn't my father know about your existence?"
"Our web is still incomplete," Urd explained. "It cannot yet connect to many possible futures. But your senses within the dream realm are unusually keen, allowing you to perceive us."
"I see. So, in short—you're not strong enough yet, right?"
Loki voiced his understanding.The three goddesses fell into silence again.
"Alright, I should go. Thanks again for your help."
Loki gave a parting wave and left.
Once he exited the thread-filled chamber, the surroundings suddenly shifted, and he found himself back in the courtyard.
He walked a few steps, opened his eyes—and realized he had woken up.
Climbing out of bed, he looked toward the faintly glowing World Tree in the courtyard.
If he wanted to find The Book of Magdalene, he'd have to go to Georgetown, Maryland.
But leaving home and traveling that far wouldn't be easy.
His brows furrowed slightly.
The next morning.
Star-Lord was showing off a new magic trick to Clark.
He shook his small bag, which clattered with the sound of dice or bones. "I collect bones. I can use them to tell fortunes."
Clark coughed lightly. "Fantastic. Now you're into witchcraft too."
Originally, Clark had planned to head out with Chloe for a Daily Torch interview assignment.
But they'd run into Star-Lord along the way, who insisted on performing his magic for them.
Ignoring the sarcasm, Star-Lord nodded seriously. "Exactly."
Clark was skeptical. He figured the kid was just making things up.
"You know, Clark," Star-Lord said in an oddly solemn tone, "the universe runs on hidden laws—ones that are usually beyond what people can see, unless someone has the insight or will to study them."
"For instance," he continued, pulling a bone from his bag and setting it on the table, "I know who came here with you today."
He paused for effect."It was Lana, wasn't it?"
Clark stared at him, stunned.
He had indeed run into Lana that morning.
And somehow… Star-Lord was right.
"How did you do that, Star-Lord?"
Clark asked in astonishment.
"That's the mystery of magic,"Star-Lord replied smugly. "And also the mystery of fate, Clark. I can see your destiny—glimpses of the past, the present, and even parts of the future."
As Star-Lord grew increasingly smug, Clark cleared his throat to interrupt him.
He knew if he didn't say something, the kid would go on bragging forever.
What Clark didn't realize was that every time he saw Lana, the smile on his face betrayed his good mood.
That was how Star-Lord so easily deduced that he had run into Lana that morning.
"Looks like you and Zatanna could start a stage act together."
Clark casually picked up one of the bones from Star-Lord's bag. "These are animal bones, right? Where'd you get them?"
"From a flea market."
Star-Lord quickly gathered the bones back into his bag. "It's a great place. I've found quite a few rare tapes there—some even from The Rolling Stones."
"Cool."
Clark nodded as he listened to Star-Lord ramble on.
Just then, Loki came downstairs, having just woken up, and spotted the two chatting.
"Hey, Clark. Where's Dad?"
"He went to Metropolis for some business. Said he probably won't be back today," Clark replied.
Star-Lord chimed in, "I'm guessing it has something to do with the bar."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Loki narrowed his eyes the moment he heard that.
If his father would be gone all day, then maybe—just maybe—this was the opportunity he had been waiting for.
With that thought, Loki sprang into action.
Meanwhile, at a bar in Metropolis...
Peter was being questioned by the police.
"Are you the owner of this bar?"
"Yes, I am," Peter replied calmly, glancing at the charred corpse lying on the ground. "But I rarely come by. Day-to-day operations are handled by the manager, Todd."
"But we can't find him anywhere. Mr. Patrick, are you saying you truly have no idea what happened here?"
"I'm not aware of the details."
Peter had rushed over as soon as he got the call that morning.
On the way, one of the bar staff had given him a brief rundown of the situation:A customer had been sitting at the bar, drinking, when he suddenly burst into flames for no apparent reason.
Despite the security guards and staff frantically using fire extinguishers, the flames on the man's body wouldn't go out. In the end, he was burned alive, reduced to a blackened husk while screaming in agony.
Peter had originally tried to call the bar's manager, Todd, but he had also mysteriously vanished—his phone was unreachable.
"Alright. Here's my personal contact information,"The police officer handed him a card with a phone number. "If you find out anything, Mr. Patrick, please get in touch."
Peter nodded and pocketed the card.
He looked down at the scorched remains, a flicker of anger crossing his face.
Who had the nerve to pull something like this in his bar?
And this clearly wasn't any ordinary fire.What caused it?Magic?Or… something else?
"Still no word from Todd?"
Peter asked a nearby staff member.
Todd Burley had been the original owner of the bar. After Peter took over, he left the daily operations in Todd's hands.
"We've been trying to contact him all day," the staff member said. "But there's been no response—calls, emails, nothing."
"What's his home address?"
Peter asked, intending to go check in person.
By the time he finished dealing with the police and handling the situation at the bar, it was already evening.
Just as he was about to leave for Todd's residence—
BANG!
The door burst open, and a figure stepped inside.
Peter looked up and paused for a moment, caught off guard.
The person had a strikingly memorable face—sharp features and a physique sculpted like a statue, exuding a commanding presence.
Dressed in a black jacket and tight leather pants, the newcomer's outfit accentuated their figure flawlessly.
After scanning the surroundings, their gaze locked onto Peter.