The stress from the past few days swirled down into the drain along with the water. A scent of earthy oils wafted through the air, thick in the steam, and eased the tension in Vatra's shoulders. She didn't want to leave the showers. Ever.

A heavy thud at the door broke Vatra's moment of peace. The large six-shower room was designed for communal purposes, but Vatra had given strict orders for no one to disturb her. Except in the rare instance the Agkistrodon was on fire. Even then, though, an alarm would warn her long before anyone else needed to.

Peering through the grey privacy curtain, Vatra frowned.

"I'll kill you if you even think about taking your clothes off in here," Vatra warned. She grabbed the edge of the curtain and leaned out only far enough so her threatening look would be visible to the intruder.

The god, Loki, turned with a disbelieving grin.

Vatra hadn't paid much attention to the group following Spyro and the others when they all ran on board for safety. But, once they'd settled, she'd recognized Loki and Laverna amongst them.

As if Mercury being turned into a weird beast was't strange enough, now Loki's acting like a pervert, Vatra thought.

"I've no desire to do that," Loki replied after a moment. He moved away from the wall he'd been backed against, as if observing the room.

"Oh, great, and here I was thinking you were in the showers to shower. Tell me why I shouldn't cut your eyes out now, you creep," Vatra seethed. She followed Loki's movements with a careful gaze.

The trickster god slinked about the room like the weasel he was. He slicked a hand back through his black hair, straight and cut short above his ears. Loki's emerald eyes flashed mischievously as he appeared to consider his words.

"Speak, moron. I'm not afraid to try and kill you with my bare hands," Vatra said.

"You have something we need," Loki replied. He dropped his arms to his side, the smile fading from his face.

The loss in the god's joking facade left a pit in Vatra's stomach. She was instantly on edge. Her fingers tightened even more around the curtain.

"We?" Vatra asked.

Loki didn't answer. Instead, he withdrew the godkiller sword sheathed at his hip. The blade was as long as his arm, and the hilt was intriguing in appearance. Like tree branches woven together, the pommel of the sword was a deep brown in color, matching the leather grip Loki's fingers were clutched around.

Oh, fantastic, Vatra thought. She flashed a look at her pile of clean clothes and godkillers neatly placed on the benches on the other side of Loki.

Ripping the curtain off its rings, Vatra fought to maintain her dignity and life. She dove and spun, wrapping herself in the material and avoiding Loki's attack with a graceful dodge. The white tiles beneath her were slick, but Vatra managed to regain her footing and climbed back to a solid stance.

"What's your game-plan, anyway? How do you expect to get off the ship once you have what you're looking for?" Vatra inquired, side-stepping closer to her weapons.

"That doesn't concern you," Loki said.

"Of course it does," Vatra shot. "Everything about this concerns me. You want something I have off my ship? You're willing to kill me for it? Good luck. I'll just come back and kill you. But you won't have the luxury of a second life."

"In the time it takes for you to come back, we'll have killed everyone else, anyway. The ship, and what we came from, will be ours." Loki lunged forward.

The sword certainly had more reach than Vatra expected. She jumped back, narrowly missing the blade piercing her in the heart. Parrying the weapon away with her forearm, Vatra ignored the wound that split open on her skin and made a break for her godkillers.

She managed to grab one before Loki caught up to her. But, one was all she needed. A single godkiller in her hands made her that much more formidable.

"You talk a lot when you think you've won," Vatra said. "At least I know now you didn't have a ship following us."

The dagger was shorter than the sword, but Vatra had already used the time to read Loki's abilities. He wasn't too skilled at combat, and his moves were hesitant and clumsy. The slick floors and doubt Vatra had clearly planted in Loki's mind were giving her an advantage.

Loki struck out with the sword. Dodging to the right, Vatra led him forward just a bit further and watched as her plan worked. The god reached for the attack, slipping in a puddle that had formed on the tiles. He stumbled, eyes widening in clear realization as Vatra drove her weapon straight up and into his heart.

The blade pierced Loki's chest clean through. His weapon clattered to the ground. After what felt like moments, Loki's clothes fell in a heap at Vatra's feet.

Exhaling sharply, Vatra stood up and examined the showers with a scowl.

This was supposed to be relaxing, and I didn't even get to eat yet.

Her eyes fell to the dagger gripped limply in her fingers. The blood that coated her skin and blade faded as if wiped away by some unseen force. Loki was truly gone.

So, her godkillers did work, after all. From that realization, an itching question was brought to Vatra's mind.

Why don't they work on Enyalius? And why didn't Mercury disappear when I killed him?

The door to the showers opened. Vatra turned her head, regarding Spyro and Hisato with a half-frown.

"Ah, my knights in shining armor. Here to rescue me," Vatra said. She walked over and snapped up her clothing. "Please tell me you've all caught on to the coup that's happening on my ship."

"We have Laverna in custody in the holding cell, along with Nat. We all came to the agreement that we don't trust her, either," Spyro said. He eyed Vatra's wound with concern. "Shall I get the medical kit ready?"

"Don't worry about me. I'd like to know who had all the fun in catching Laverna." Vatra stopped short of the door, holding back a giggle when she noticed the blush on Hisato's cheeks.

"It was a... group effort," Hisato replied, averting his gaze to anything in the room but Vatra when he spoke. "Oh, is that Loki's godkiller?" he added, all embarrassment leaving his features instantaneously.

"Yeah," Vatra said with a shrug. "You can have it. Not like that bastard will use it again."

"We will all be in the dining area when you are ready," Spyro said.

Vatra waved a hand over her head in acknowledgment and strode off for her room. At least they would all be meeting near the food. Her growling stomach could finally be silenced.

Killing a god gone bad sure does take it out of you.