74
Chapter 74: The Ancient One: Don't Stop Me, I'm Going to Beat Him!
Asgard. Odin finally awakened from his period of hibernation.
"Your Majesty, you seem... much better?"
Frigga observed Odin with a worried expression, though her concern was masked by her calm demeanor.
While others might not notice it, as a sorceress, Frigga could clearly see that Odin's condition had improved significantly, which was rare in recent times.
Could it be a sign of recovery?
Odin nodded with a complex expression: "It's because I no longer need to expend energy sealing her..."
"Her? You mean... Hela?"
"Yes, she has resurfaced."
Frigga immediately tensed.
Hela's name was nearly taboo in Asgard, and Odin had covered up all traces of her existence. The fact that he was mentioning her now...
Frigga felt anxious.
Previously, she could monitor Earth through Heimdall. But since the deaths of the Kree and the Ancient One's madness, Heimdall's vision had been blocked by Kamar-Taj...
While it might not be too difficult for Odin to restrain Hela again, the immense divine power required could lead to an early demise, resulting in only a decade or so of peace.
This could further intensify the existing conflicts.
Odin sensed her thoughts and shook his head slightly: "Don't worry. I felt her presence as soon as she emerged. Since I didn't act immediately, I won't interfere now. Besides, Thor's memory has been restored. If there's danger, he can call upon Bifrost at any time."
There was a glimmer of wisdom in Odin's eyes.
In a prophecy he had once seen, Hela played a crucial role in "Ragnarök". But now that history had changed, the future...
No matter what, it would never be worse than the prophecy!
…
In the square of Kamar-Taj, dozens of sorcerers were surrounding a figure.
Golden magical bands flew from the sorcerers' hands, tightly binding the figure in the center.
"Crack——"
A tremendous bolt of lightning descended from the sky.
"Boom—"
The lightning, thick as a tree trunk, abruptly changed its course as it neared Kamar-Taj, splitting into two. The larger section struck the roof of the tallest building, forming a massive...
lightning rod!
Kamar-Taj had not originally used such a device, but Thor's frequent visits and his tendency to escalate his lightning attacks necessitated its installation. Ancient One had no choice but to install the rod...
Equipped with all sorts of magical runes, it was designed to withstand such forces.
After being weakened by the magic lightning rod, the lightning, originally several meters thick, reduced to just over a meter in thickness, yet still struck down with great force.
The other team of sorcerers had to step in. Their magic shields glowed brightly as they held them above their heads to deflect the lightning.
Just as the sorcerers sighed in relief, a larger surge of energy erupted from Thor. A fiery flame ignited, breaking the magical bands apart.
The flames coalesced, gradually forming a golden phoenix silhouette.
Under the horrified gaze of the sorcerers, the Phoenix Force appeared over Kamar-Taj with devastating intensity, raising the temperature of Kathmandu...
"Damn it!"
The usually composed Ancient One couldn't help but curse, creating a spatial rift with a wave of her hand and reaching out toward Thor's head...
A blue aura enveloped Thor, and he stepped out, grumbling: "Why are you so impatient? It's not like you can't handle it..."
The Ancient One's face turned an ashen gray: "How many times must I remind you that your energy is too unstable? If it gets out of control, the consequences will be unimaginable, and you chose to use it here in Kamar-Taj!"
Thor waved dismissively: "I only used it because we're in Kamar-Taj. If it had gone wrong elsewhere, it would've caused serious issues. At least here, it can be managed!"
Ancient One: "..."
She felt the need to teach Thor a lesson.
In an instant, Thor's eyes spun...