307
The Incarnation of Hatred
"Of course, you don't have to listen to me. With half the power of Asgard, you have every chance to defeat me, though it remains only a chance," Mangog said, pausing. "Odin's daughter, you have a better option. Let me take Odin; my only interest is in him, to exact revenge. That's all."
"Let me take Odin, and you can become the new ruler of Asgard without risking anything. Instead of being a forsaken princess destined to lack love and inheritance, sacrificing yourself for your father and brother..."
Mangog's suggestion was indeed pragmatic, offering Hela a clear path to the throne by exploiting his natural advantage over Odin. But it wasn't merely a matter of pragmatism.
Despite her resentment towards Odin for betraying her mother and reneging on promises, and despite her deep-seated frustration with his patriarchal rule, Hela couldn't bring herself to harm her father.
Though he knew his daughter well, Odin couldn't possibly fathom Hela's mind after a thousand years apart. Mangog's words did spark a fear in Odin—that Hela might turn against him.
So Odin reassured Hela, saying, "Hela, my daughter... You are the heir I have chosen. I stand by my word."
Hela looked at her father.
Over four thousand years old, Odin appeared as an old man, with grey hair and wrinkles etched deeply on his face.
For an Asgardian, Odin's aging was sudden and swift; an Asgardian over 4,000 years old might age decades or centuries overnight.
Odin, gravely wounded, bloodied clothes accentuating his weariness...
Mangog pressed on, "Well, daughter of Odin? Accept my offer, and Asgard's throne is yours."
Hela took a deep breath. "Then..."
"I believe you've made the right choice," Mangog interrupted.
"Yes," Hela nodded resolutely.
Mangog was about to continue when a thunderous roar echoed: "Boom!"
Mjolnir flew from the side with earth-shattering force, slamming into Mangog and crashing him into the energy shield of the Golden Palace.
The shield rippled as Mangog struggled to his feet, seething, "Odin's daughter, you've made a foolish decision!"
Hela remained silent, summoning Mjolnir again. The warhammer arced with dazzling rainbow brilliance and struck Mangog squarely in the face.
Mangog staggered, his massive frame collapsing several adjacent buildings.
Clutching his fists, he sneered, "With only half of Asgard's power, do you think you can defeat me?"
Before he could finish, Mangog lunged at Mjolnir with a powerful punch.
"Mjolnir!" The hammer quaked.
Several giant swords then flew from Hela, slicing through Mangog and leaving deep gashes.
Mangog retaliated with a dark red blast aimed at Hela.
Unfazed, Hela shimmered as her armor repaired itself, shielding her completely.
The dark red energy dissipated as Hela closed in on Mangog, Mjolnir back in her grip.
With a forceful swing, she struck Mangog's horn.
"Crack!"
Mangog recoiled in pain, his horn shattered.
Previously, Mangog could swiftly recover from injuries, but this time his horn didn't regenerate.
Furious and apprehensive, he raged, "Odin's daughter, you... you will regret this day!"
Hela didn't relent. Mjolnir relentlessly struck, its thunderous might overwhelming.
Finally, Mangog's colossal form diminished, shrinking until he was just a few meters tall, severely weakened and fleeing from Hela's relentless assault.
"Boom!"
Mjolnir pierced Mangog again.
Mangog screamed in agony, further shrinking until he resembled an ordinary-sized person.
Then, in a flash of light, he transformed into a formless black mist, his eyes glowing red.
Hela hurled Mjolnir, but it passed through the mist without effect. Mangog then reformed and regained his original state.
Repeated attempts by Hela proved futile; her attacks no longer harmed Mangog.
As a ghostly mist, Mangog sneered, "I am the embodiment of hatred. You may defeat me, but you cannot destroy me! Hatred is indestructible!"
"Is that so?" Forseti's voice interrupted.
Mangog shuddered at the sight of him. "You..."
Forseti wielded the Sword of Rivendell, its divine brilliance gleaming on the blade...
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