711

Odin's Funeral

During the battle of Cul, the aged Odin was severely wounded. Though his wounds healed and Thor was resurrected, his condition deteriorated rapidly afterward, leaving him weak and mostly bedridden.

Today, however, he looked unusually spirited, his face flushed with color. Instead of lying in bed as usual, he was dressed in solemn armor, sitting upright in his seat, holding a long spear, resembling a soldier ready for battle.

Odin's family and his most trusted subordinates stood in the room in silence, the air heavy with solemnity.

"I know it's time," Odin began slowly, holding Frigga's hand beside him. Her eyes were red, and her hand trembled slightly. "I can feel the call of fate, it's about to take me out of this world..."

He looked at his three children, Hela, Thor, and Loki. "Any life with children will not have eternity. You are the continuation of my life."

"Father..."

"Thor," Odin still loved Thor dearly. "You are already a qualified man, but after I leave, you must shoulder more responsibilities at home and in Asgard. You must take care of your mother and brother and help your sister. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Thor lowered his head.

Odin nodded, then turned to Hela. "Daughter, perhaps you still hold resentment towards me... Indeed, I am ashamed of your mother. But I will see her soon and ask for her forgiveness."

"Now, you are the queen of Asgard. Your family and the people of Asgard need your protection. You are a better ruler than I ever was. You are also a better companion, and I believe your marriage with Forseti will be steadfast and eternal."

Odin continued to instruct his children and vassals, his initially vigorous demeanor gradually dimming, his voice growing weaker.

"You must remain vigilant against disasters..." His eyes turned distant and cloudy. "I foresee an impending destruction, perhaps the real Ragnarok..."

"What is it?" Thor asked involuntarily.

"I don't know," Odin shook his head. "But whatever it is, you must face it together, my children..."

As he spoke his last words, his body glowed with a warm golden light, then disintegrated into countless fragments, floating to the horizon and disappearing from everyone's sight...

Almost simultaneously with Odin's death, deep within the fiery lava seas of Muspelheim, a humanoid creature with flaming skin sensed it and suddenly opened his sleeping eyes.

"Finally dead," he murmured, standing up and leaving the lava abyss with a burning long sword in hand.

"How did my eternal fire reach Midgard... but this is good news..."

---

Odin's passing was soon followed by a grand funeral for the deceased god-king in Asgard. Karnilla, Duchess of Nornheim, also attended the funeral.

For many years, Karnilla had harbored a grudge against Odin, keeping Nornheim at a distance from Asgard. In the original timeline, when the Rainbow Bridge was destroyed by Thor, Karnilla immediately betrayed Asgard. But now that Asgard was strong, she no longer had this opportunity.

With no hope of secession, and with Odin gone, Karnilla decided it was time to let go of past grievances.

Whether she truly felt this way or not, Asgard chose to believe her. When Karnilla arrived, Hela took the opportunity to settle past conflicts with Nornheim.

"Welcome, Ancient One," Forseti greeted the Ancient One as she arrived on the Rainbow Bridge.

"I must say, this crown suits you well, Sun God," the Ancient One smiled, referring to the Crown of Destruction on Forseti's head.

Many guests at Odin's funeral showed interest in the flaming crown, and Forseti was accustomed to the attention.

As they walked and exchanged a few words, the Ancient One suddenly changed the subject. "My funeral is approaching. Will Asgard attend?"

"What?" Forseti thought he had heard wrong.

The Ancient One calmly repeated, "My funeral is almost here."

Forseti realized the Ancient One must have foreseen her own death. "You mean you foresee your own death? Why don't you avoid it?"

"I have avoided it for seven hundred years," she replied. "I cannot avoid it this time. I must leave in this way, or the Supreme Sanctuary will lose its greatest leader."

Forseti fell silent.

The Ancient One was likely referring to Doctor Strange. Indeed, if not for her death, Doctor Strange would not have had the will to inherit the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme and protect the Earth, and he would not have been pushed to return to the mystical arts.

"When?" he asked hesitantly.

"Three months from now," the Ancient One said. "Of course, this is just my funeral, not the exact time of my death. That cannot be shared, especially with you."

Forseti looked at her, and she added, "The timing of my death involves many variables. If known to others, it could disrupt the timeline. Compared to you, the disturbance caused by my death is minimal."

Forseti nodded, saying nothing.

The effect of the law of time on him was incomplete, as the first Supreme Sorcerer Agamotto had discovered. The existence of the Holy Tome and Holy Shield technique was the reason. The Holy Shield technique was beyond the law of time. Although it had a duration, its time was not defined by the law of time.

Every time Forseti used the Holy Shield, all cosmic laws acting on him were severed, affecting the timeline.

"In addition, a terrible disaster is approaching," the Ancient One continued. "I cannot see this disaster clearly, nor can anyone. It may be extremely terrifying, bringing absolute destruction. I believe you must be prepared."

"Of course, this has nothing to do with me. I'm sure I will already be in the urn when this disaster arrives."

Forseti frowned.

Odin had also issued a similar warning before his death. What kind of disaster could prompt both Odin and the Ancient One to warn in such vague terms?

Cul was already terrifying enough, and the chaos in the Nine Realms had not yet completely subsided. But the disasters mentioned by Odin and the Ancient One seemed even more dreadful.

What could this disaster be?

Forseti was deeply worried. After Odin's funeral, he focused on learning the spell "Guardian of Ancient Kings."

As the Ancient One had said, he needed to be prepared. The acquisition of a spell second only to the Holy Shield, "Guardian of Ancient Kings," should be a good preparation.