7 Aftermath

(Odin POV)

The banquet had begun. It was a joyous occasion and everyone was blowing off steam. Fighting a war for 7 years is a long time and many people were lost during that time. So everyone was clearly trying to relax and enjoy themselves but it was a bit harder than it looked. I saw my father deep in thought and my mother looked worried for some reason, probably due to the declining health of Father. But he had just fought a war, so it made sense that he wasn't at 100% just yet. 

I wasn't really listening to what this woman next to me and the man to my left were talking about. I was thinking about the outcome of this war and what it meant for Asgard and the ten realms as a whole. Jotunheim surrendered and had to send Asgard the little resources they had as a tribute to Asgard. 

They would feel these effects for the years to come. The death of Ymir was what started this feud and it would never end until Ragnarök happened and everything started anew. However not this time. I was a different Odin and I wouldn't allow things to go the same way as they did in my past incarnations. If I had to compromise, I was simply not strong enough. I wasn't happy that the Frost Giants had to pay so much. It wasn't really much, but for them it was and this wouldn't bring us closer together. 

Svartalfheim was a bit harder to punish. The Dark Elves were delusional and any resources aren't seen as something very important. Nonetheless, it was decided that they had to send us enormous amounts of magical wood as well as fruits and vegetables. These things could be used for construction and food/ingredients. So we got something from it. Cull killed the leader, so there was no reasonable punishment that we could deliver.

Muspelheim was quiet of course. Surtur couldn't cross the new barrier and even if he could, he was now weaker without the Eternal Flame. That left only Nidavellir. We got notice from Eitri, the king of dwarfs that he has imprisoned Ulik and most of the rock trolls. Those he didn't imprison, they used to work for them. Eitri has already sent notice that they have 'my' present ready and that they would like to deliver it. I am excited to see what they have for me. 

If I follow what I know from the 'meta-knowledge' then this could be Mjolnir or at least some Uru which I could ask them to make Mjolnir out of. Things are taking their course. Now there is only the question of what Bor plans to do with the position of All-Father. He has been grooming me to become his successor for years now and it is obvious that he wants me to take the position. There is only one problem. 

Cull.

My elder brother has gotten quite unhinged during the war and his power has risen considerably. His use of his divinity is remarkable. Fear is such a powerful and old emotion that he will only grow stronger in the future. I will probably have to fight him, but I don't want to destroy Asgard for that. I still need more power. I have the power, but I need to delve deeper and understand this power more. I need to master it and grow alongside it. 

I am interested to journey across the ten realms and see those that aren't as hostile towards Asgard as Svartalfheim, Jotunheim and Muspelheim. Now that I think about it, there are a lot of people who want to kill us. Asgard puts itself in the line of fire willingly. At the moment, this does not stem from the desire to protect, but for benefit and pride. I wonder how Vanaheim will react in the coming years to the results of this war. Because as things are looking now, the Aesir or Asgard, will be the top powerhouse. That will surely cause tension between us. 

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The feast went on for multiple days. I was expected to be present for most of the days at least. I wasn't able to. It was just downright boring. I managed two days but left after the second hour on the third. I left to continue my practice and training. I started to understand something. I believe that I like my brother hold divinities. This shouldn't come as a surprise but for some reason, I never truly felt a connection with an element of any kind. 

That changed though. I have felt a connection to the sky and everything it holds. The wind and the air in general. I don't think that it stops there either. I want to delve deeper into this, but I can't and don't want to do it here. Too many eyes are present here and watching me and my progress. That's why I am very interested in leaving Asgard and travelling in order to train and increase my power. 

I am getting more and more restless, the longer I don't use the Odin Force. There seems to be some kind of ... force that pushes me to use it and get more familiar with it. If I had to describe this using this 'meta-knowledge', I would say that it feels like the Force from this story called 'The War of Stars' or 'Star Wars'. There exists a force as well that grants its users certain powers and the Odin Force belongs only to me. It's like a companion that wants my attention. 

Finally, after a whole week of celebrations, things settled down and 'normalcy' returned. That was also the day that Father called me to the throne room.

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I am walking through the corridors leading to the throne room. Father has called me to discuss something 'of importance' as he stated it. The future of Asgard is on the line here I believe. The was hasn't been good to him. He is still a beast of a fighter but he no longer holds a candle to me and I believe Cull is also close to his power or he will be soon. 

The door opened and I walked in. 

"You called for me All-Father.", I say and stand in front of him. Bor is sitting on his throne with Mother sitting next to him. Even though he tries to hide it, I can feel his weakened strength. This Observation Haki really has many uses. It allows me to sense the strength of those around me as well as their emotions to a degree. 

"Odin, good you're here. It has been almost three decades since your birth and even though this is very short of a life for an Asgardian, you have proved yourself more than worthy in the war. 

The time has come for you to set out and journey across the realms and discover yourself. Find out who you are, grow stronger, form bonds, fight, kill, do whatever you wish. When it is time, I will call both you and your brother back to Asgard and the one who I will deem more worthy, will inherit the right to inherit my position, to become the net All-Father.", Bor says.

"I understand Father."

"Do you have a destination in mind?", Bor asks me.

"Yes. I would like to visit Aesheim. I hear there are some other gods there whom I can test myself against. It would be the best to gather experience and grow stronger."

"I see. Your brother has also chosen to visit Aesheim for now. Very well. I wish you good luck and a safe return."

"Thank you."

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So it is finally time. Finally, I can leave Asgard and begin my own journey. I am sure that I won't be able to do something like this in the future anymore. All of those responsibilities will hinder my freedom. Except if I grow powerful enough to take the time. And that is what I will do. But first, I will have to meet with the dwarfs of Nidavellir who have arrived to deliver their present. 

I prepare all the things for the journey and then finally make my way to the throne room again. This time, my father isn't here. He has already talked with the delegation of dwarfs and since Eitri isn't here, he isn't really needed right now. 

"Ah, prince Odin. It is most joyous to see you. We have come bearing your gift.", the first dwarf says and motions the others to come closer. They carry something and then present it to me. It is a piece of ... metal. 

"This my prince, is a symbol of the unbreakable bond that has been built between the dwarves and the gods. We present to you a piece of raw Uru. the rarest and most mystical metal in all of the realms. 

Mined from deep beneath the mountains of Nidavellir. Virtually unbreakable. They say it is unsmeltable eve. so strong that none of our furnaces have been able to melt it just yet. Although King Eitri hasn't given it a try yet. He may be able to."

"That is a very valuable gift. I thank you for this marvellous gift and will remember this.", I say and then look at the piece of raw Uru. It was quite beautiful, I must say. I can tell that it holds great potential. I wonder if I will meet the storm in the future and then seal it inside this metal. That would make a worthy weapon for me. The future Mjolnir. 

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"Say mighty dwarves, is it possible to get more of this metal? I am interested in creating a weapon for myself. I would, of course, pay you greatly for it.", I ask them.

"There are indeed some more raw Uru back in Nidavellir, but none of them are as big as this piece. If you want multiple pieces it would be quite costly I'm afraid, my prince."

"That is not a problem. How fast can I get the metal? I will pay for it right away."

"Well how much would you need, Prince Odin?", the dwarf asks me.

"About as much as this, if not more if you have that. I am willing to pay you what you want.", I say. I have a plan for this. Since I'm going to Aesheim or Earth, I will surely find the metal Adamantine there. Adamantine is the metal which Hercules' Golden Mace and the Gates of Pluto are made out of. It is nigh-indestructible.

And since these Greek godlings used it, there has to be some on Aesheim already. Apart from that, I am sure that there is another special metal in space outside Aesheim, called Vibranium. One such meteor fell on Aesheim and granted the country called Wakanda such amazing weaponry.

I must say, this 'meta-knowledge' is coming in very handy. 

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After the dwarves left, I was also ready to leave. They upheld their promise and brought me the agreed amount of Uru metal. I had to pay quite an exorbitant amount of gold and materials, which looking back, might not have been such a good idea, considering we just went through a war and didn't have that much but ... That is something I will concern myself with when I return. 

The raw Uru that would one day become Mjolnir, was in my room. I didn't touch that just yet. I wanted to create a different kind of weapon. One that would define me in the future and one that was immensely powerful. 

So finally, after gathering all my things, I walked towards the Bifrost and then left Asgard for a long time. I probably wouldn't return here for a century minimum. And that wasn't even very long. 100 years was very little in our lifespans. It is true that Aesir and Vanir didn't live forever. Asgardian gods didn't have the same immortality that the Greek Pantheon would have in the future, but we could increase our lifespan by eating an apple of Idunn. 

But enough of that. With a short trip I landed in Aesheim, the future Midgard, the future Earth as it will be called and I have to say, I find it wonderful. That might be the other reincarnated part of me talking.