The Endless Shuttle

He prefers human uncertainty, all kinds of emotions and creativity.

This has sufficiently filled his empty heart for hundreds of years, so that Loki is not in a hurry to return to the myth, so he has been avoiding the battle with the godslayer, so that he can enjoy more " hapiness".

It's the same this time—

Walking in the empty and quiet corridor, every time Loki advances, the torch, which was already an ornament, will shine with flames again, replacing the deliberately extinguished lights, and illuminating the way forward.

The current mutation of Avosta has been regarded by him as a game, and finding out the beginning and end of this game is what Loki has to do now.

Intuition told him that there was something he wanted in this opera house.

After a while, a crimson door attracted Loki's attention—to be precise, it was the lights that came out of the gap in the door.

In this huge opera house, it seems that there is only one room left with traces of "people".

Pushing open the door, the gigantic opera stage appeared in Loki's eyes. The stage was covered by a curtain, and low and soft music came from the speakers on both sides, as if preparing for the opening.

Looking down along the line of sight, the countless rows of seats are empty, only in the very center, the place with the best viewing effect, sits a beautiful woman with long golden hair.

It was Hastur who had shed the skin of the "King in Yellow".

She is wearing a white evening dress, which seems to match the scene here in a wicked way, and her posture is elegant like a reserved noble lady

"This is really... meeting a noble lady."

Loki muttered, took off the hat on his head and walked towards the girl.

A few steps away from Hastur, Loki's heart trembled, and the god's danger perception frantically sounded, making him stop.

Loki immediately changed from casual to gentlemanly, and asked with a slight bow and respect.

"Noble lady, may I have the honor to sit with you and enjoy the opera?"

"..."

Seeming to be contemplating something, Hastur glanced at Loki with the reptile's hexagonal pupils and spoke indifferently with the displeasure of being disturbed.

"...Fake, do you know opera too?"

"Hmm...how should I put it?" Loki was not angry at all when he was despised by the girl in front of him. After thinking about it carefully, he said helplessly.

"It can't be said to be proficient, but I know a little bit. After living for a long time, you have to try everything. Over time, you will develop a useless "person" who knows everything but is not proficient in everything. "

"Hmph, since you understand a little bit, I will allow you to take a seat."

Withdrawing his gaze, Hastur turned his head and continued to stare at the curtain, as if there was a famous painting handed down on it.

"Then excuse my rudeness."

Loki took a seat next to Hastur.

"Calling me a "fake", you seem to know my origin? He asked casually. "The monsters in the fog all have the same taste as your Excellency. The change in this town is the result of your authority?" What a grand show. "

Apparently, Loki sees Hastur as the god of disobedience who also descends.

"not me."

The blond girl said in a simple and clear manner without turning her head.

"If you're in a hurry to find death, go to the tower in the center of the town. If you're not in a hurry, it's not too late to die after watching "The King in Yellow", fake."

The girl tapped the armrest lightly with her index finger, making a crisp "ding" sound.

The curtain was slowly opened.

"The newly created script still needs polishing. Before that, let's watch some nostalgic things to fill in the atmosphere... Well, it's rare for an intelligent creature to appreciate my opera. I allow you to leave a comment after watching it."

"The King in Yellow..." Loki said calmly. "It's a play title I've never heard of, I'm a little interested in it."

The curtain disappeared, and two figures appeared on the stage.

One of them is a girl, dressed as a queen in classical noble robes and a silver crown. And the other one has yellow seals embroidered on the black robe, and there is no trace of any facial features on the face, which is as blank as white paper.

——The "Queen" and "The Stranger".

The music sounded, obviously in a brisk rhythm, but coupled with the weird and stiff scene on the stage, Loki frowned.

He smelled it.

Just at the beginning, he could smell the madness and despair contained in this script, which almost stopped the heart, and rushed towards his face like a surging tide.

"Stranger" began to sing along with the music——

"Queen Casiluda brooded in her room; mourned her passing blank past. Her visions disturbed the waters of Harry's lake

In the lake lie the ancient prophets. "

"The depths of Hyades. The sun falls slowly into the flat lake. Darkness grows in the hearts of men, as the shadow of the sun stretches on the lake."

"Queen Cassiluda brooded in her room, surrounded by the approaching mist. Lost Carcosa stood in the mist

Projecting the posture of a tower reaching the sky in the abyss. "

After the chanting, the "Stranger" backed away, and another stiff figure stepped onto the stage and began to speak to the "Queen".

"Really bold and stunning opening."

Loki resisted the discomfort, still said with a smile.

"It's the first time I've encountered a chanting accompanied by Tuva's elegy in so many years. If this is your creation, it's still really an amazing work handed down from generation to generation."

"That human being, Robert Chambers also evaluated it in the same way."

Hastur seemed to have some energy, and said with some joy in his words.

"Although most human beings cannot understand my script, the artistic content is impeccable. I firmly believe in this."

The opera continued, and every dialogue on the stage touched Loki's heart, making him almost sick, but it was so fascinating that he wanted to continue watching.

When he came back to his senses, Loki was horrified to find that his "wisdom" essence had been attacked, and there were some cracks.

Unusual, absolutely unusual!

This woman... Loki gripped the armrest tightly, regretting his decision to stay and watch.

"Who... are you?"

PS: Robert W. Chambers is the original author of "The King in Yellow Clothes". Master Love Craft created Hastur, the former ruler, on this opera.