Chapter 67 - On a silver platter

"...I'm an irredeemable piece of shit, and I deserve death," Thor talked as he began to stand up. "But you're right, death is too light a punishment. The mortals call me their protector. Who'd have thought I'd get the chance to live up to that name." Thor stared at Mjolnir with a new-found purpose in his eyes as the rising sun shined upon him.

Ryu held his hand out for a handshake, and Thor grabbed it. "So, what will you do now?" Ryu inquired as he let go of Thor's hand. "I'll try to act like a better father and husband, for starters. Also, I want to help you. Although I don't have long to live because of Ragnarok, I'll do what I can in the meantime," Thor spoke with determination for the first time in centuries.

"You know, I'm not sure the prophecy of Ragnarok still applies here," Ryu said as a thought crossed his mind. "What are you talking about?" Thor said, confused. "Well, I'm not included in Ragnarok if you go by the prophecy, even though I am. Basically, my presence changed the prophecy," Ryu said. "Maybe something happens to get you out of the picture?" Thor said.

"No. The reason I wasn't included in the prophecy was that I wasn't supposed to be here. Actually, I'm not really from this universe, So I'm not bound by stupid prophecies. My presence can change them," Ryu said, causing Thor to stumble.

"What? Do you know other "Mortals" who can alter reality and bring back the dead?" Ryu asked sarcastically. "𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲?!" Thor was shocked. "Shit, I actually wanted to keep that one a secret... Well, don't talk about it, OK? I can just erase your memories, but I prefer not to," Ryu said as Thor nodded slowly.

"Great. By the way, where did the Ragnarok prophecy originate?" Ryu inquired. If he had the chance to gain a technique that allowed him to see the future, he was all in. "A giant named Volva told Odin," Thor answered.

"Wait. One of the giants, who are sworn enemies of Odin, told him a prophecy, and you just trusted it blindly? What if she lied?" Ryu asked. "..." Thor had a blank look in his eyes, and Ryu facepalmed. "For a god of wisdom, Odin's kinda dumb" Ryu snickered.

"Yeah... By the way, if you can alter reality, why don't you become a god?" Thor asked curiously. "I plan to, but I have to understand divinity better before I merge it with my body. That abomination you saw was my first attempt at injecting divinity into a mortal body," Ryu explained.

"I see. Anyway, I think I'll go now. I want to see Thrud and Sif," Thor said as his eyes teared up a bit. "I'll teleport you, have fun," Ryu smiled widely as he snapped his fingers, making Thor disappear. Then, Ryu himself vanished from Midgard.

Ryu appeared in the house to see six people eating breakfast. One more than it was yesterday. Ryu had Odin's memories, so he knew full well that it was one of the one-eyed god's plans. And now, he could trap him all alone.

Odin was too arrogant to think that some mortal could see through his illusions, and Ryu took full advantage of that.

Ryu took a seat at the table as if nothing happened, but he secretly began to alter Odin's body. Emptying his magic reserves, nullifying all his artifacts, and severing any connection he had to outside the hut. Then, he acted.

"So... I hate to be the one to ask, but why did you bring Odin here?" He said while casually pointing at "Tyr".

Silence spread through the house as everyone stared at Odin who somehow kept a poker face. "...That's Tyr..." Atreus said. "Nope, that's Odin in disguise," Ryu chuckled. Kratos' hand tightened on the hilt of his axe as he examined "Tyr" again. "Alright, let me help you," Ryu said as he waved his hand, transforming Odin back to his original form.

Kratos didn't waste a second as he lunged at Odin, axe in hand. Odin tried to summon Gungnir, but the spear didn't heed his call as Ryu already nullified its effects and cut off Odin's connection to it. Odin bearly managed to avoid Kratos' hit as he tried to use magic, but Ryu emptied his reserves so he couldn't use it.

Baffled by the situation, Odin didn't notice an arrow flying toward his leg, and Atreus managed to pierce his knee cleanly. Odin fell to the floor, and Kratos used the opportunity to grab him by the neck and smash him against the wall.

"How did you take away my magic!?" Odin demanded answers while he was struggling in Kratos' grasp. "That one's on me. I mean, you presented yourself on a silver platter, so I couldn't really ignore it. As for how I did it..." Ryu said as he left Odin hanging. "You won't kill me here, I'm not fated to die here. You don't scare me." Odin calmed down as he looked down at Ryu.

"Are you sure? Maybe Volva lied to you?" Ryu smirked. "Nice try, I already saw the full prophecy yesterday. I'm still fated to die at the battle of Ragnarok," Odis smiled. "Is that so? But let me ask you something, do I appear in it?" Ryu asked.

"...No, you don't," Odin said after thinking it over. "Even though I'm a major player in events right now? Let me tell you something, Odin. Volva's prophecy isn't valid anymore since I arrived here. I wasn't a variable in her vision. Meaning, your death isn't set. Well, it is, just not at Ragnarok. I can kill you right now," Ryu smirked.

"Lies," Odin chuckled nervously. "Oh, really? Tell me, who is your favorite weapon that Volva saw fighting for you?" Ryu smiled widely. "Thor, and he'll take your head," Odin said in a smug manner. "Really? I'd be surprised by that since he's with us now," Ryu dropped a bomb and enjoyed the look of Odin's face twist in terror.

"Ha! You brat, you really did it?" Brok broke into laughter. "Yup. That's proof enough for you. I wasn't a variable in the original vision, but now I'm here. Do you know what that means? All your preparation over the centuries is completely and absolutely useless."