516

Donald Balke

Odin dragged Thor towards the Rainbow Bridge, his voice booming with anger. "You are unworthy of all you possess!"

Seeing the commotion, Forseti frowned, halted the imminent battle, and swiftly flew over.

"I indulged you, raising you as a defiant child for a millennium!" Odin continued to admonish.

Loki interjected, "Father, he acted impulsively..."

"He acts on impulse perpetually!" Odin's voice trembled with rage. "I have never reined him in, and now he shall face the consequences!"

"I will exile you, shaping you through hardship until you earn back your worthiness of title!"

Odin had only just awakened from a deep slumber when he learned that Thor had stormed Jotunheim, almost causing catastrophe.

The aging god-king was both furious and fearful. He knew his time was limited, and Thor's impulsiveness exacerbated his anxiety.

While Odin lived, Thor's recklessness might not pose significant threats, but should Thor outlive him with the same temperament, disaster loomed.

Thus, Odin resolved to take action, however harsh, to reform Thor's impulsive nature.

Supported by Frigga's unspoken agreement and despite Thor's beseeching glances at his mother, Hela voiced no objection.

Loki attempted persuasion to little avail, merely a symbolic effort.

"Forseti!" Thor's eyes lit up upon seeing him, desperate for support. "Convince Father to reconsider!"

Forseti shook his head. "Odin is your father, our king. I have no right to sway his decision."

Secretly, Forseti hoped Thor's tribulation would foster character growth, and thus he refrained from intervening.

Thor remained silent throughout the journey, dragged by Odin towards the teleportation hall amid curious onlookers, many of them Thor's acquaintances, deepening his humiliation.

Upon reaching the hall, Thor pinned his last hope on Heimdall. "Heimdall..."

However, Heimdall remained impassive, saluting Odin. "Your Majesty."

Thor's despair deepened.

Although Odin's breathing grew labored, his anger unabated, he eventually composed himself enough to declare, "I shall grant you a new life—a life of unparalleled weakness and adversity."

"You will come to appreciate the privilege you once took for granted!"

"You will understand why people fear consequences and why true power humbles!"

Thor pleaded, "Father, I acknowledge my mistake."

"You understand nothing!" Odin retorted, pointing accusingly.

Thor struggled, but Mjölnir suddenly became immovable, pinning him to the ground beyond his ability to lift it.

Try as he might, Mjölnir remained rooted, unmoved by his efforts.

"You are unworthy of Mjölnir. I entrusted you with its power," Odin declared.

Thor could hardly believe it. He strained to lift Mjölnir, but it remained as steadfast as a mountain.

Odin continued, "Only when you prove yourself worthy again may you wield it. The privilege will not be granted anew!"

Thor gripped the hammer's handle with both hands, kneeling in agony.

To be forsaken by one's own weapon—perhaps the cruelest blow a warrior could endure.

Holding the Spear of Destiny aloft, Odin proclaimed, "In the name of Borr, in the name of Bestla, I, Odin, Allfather, strip you of your powers, your divine name, your might!"

"Boom!"

A brilliant beam of light surged from the Spear of eternity towards Thor.

Forseti found himself surprised by the ensuing spectacle.

Thor, enveloped in the light, began to transform before their eyes, from a formidable warrior to a frail child.

What sorcery was this?

Stunned, Forseti watched Thor, now a child, vanish from sight as Odin wielded the Spear of Eternity.

...

Nightfall in New York City.

Queens, a remote suburb.

A brilliant beam of light descended from the heavens, leaving behind a young boy, unconscious, in front of an orphanage.

The boy appeared barely two years old, thin and frail, his right leg noticeably crippled, curled up and unresponsive.

"What just happened? Let's check outside," two elderly women emerged from the orphanage, spotting the child immediately.

"Oh dear, the poor thing!" They hurried to his side, lifting him gently. "What cruel parents to abandon him!"

The boy stirred at their touch, murmuring softly, "Hmm..."

"Can you speak, child?" asked one of the gray-haired women.

The boy remained silent, rubbing his eyes.

"Look at his leg..." The other woman noted his disability, his right leg noticeably underdeveloped.

The first woman sighed, "This must be why they abandoned him... He shall find a home here now, under God's care."

"We must give him a name."

"Yes, since his parents did not provide one."

"Let's call him Donald, 'Donald Black.' What do you think?"

...

In the Hall of the Rainbow Bridge, Odin leaned wearily on the Spear of Eternity, Frigga at his side, her eyes glistening.

"Thor shall grow up," she affirmed.

Odin nodded. "Heimdall, report on Thor's progress in Midgard daily."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Heimdall acknowledged.

Odin turned to Forseti. "Forseti, you are well-acquainted with Earth. Keep a watchful eye on him."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Forseti responded.

Forseti never expected Odin's decree to be so severe, rendering Thor mortal and disabled. It appeared Thor would face challenging years ahead...

...

...