CHAPTER 261

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[Thor Odinson POV]

I wonder how stories will depict me.

I doubt as a hero, not anymore at least. In my quest to save the nine realms and their people, I had so far done many terrible things. I didn't regret any of them, not really, if anything, I lamented that the ignorance of others had pushed me to do things I would've never done in the first place.

Necessary evils, like my brother says.

It's impressive how things change. I used to enjoy fighting, and killing my opponents without thinking of the consequences, now, the actions that once brought me joy now bring me sorrow.

I guess I was blissful in my ignorance. Playing like a child, the game of a hero.

I still saw myself as a hero, the difference now was, I was aware of the consequences of my actions, because I knew more.

I had grown more in the time I have been with Alex, my sworn brother, than I ever did by myself.

I could now appreciate the weight he carried very clearly. I admired him, and not because of his powers, but because of his character, and unwavering determination.

I aspired to be like him where it mattered. 

I used to think, before meeting him, I was the man, the pinnacle of what everyone should aspire to be, the mightiest of them all.

But, in reality, before meeting him, I was a kid.

His actions made me see that being male was simply a matter of birth. While being a man was a matter of choice.

He made me understand that a man knows his limits, but a real man can overcome them.

For that, and much more, he was my brother.

His actions had shown me that a true hero does not always get love and ovations, but hate and misunderstandment.

"Why would you do this?!" a Vanir guard asked, anger coloring his eyes as he laid on the ground wounded, "Our King trusted you!" 

"Your King was a fool," I replied, my tone even, "His pride would've been the end of Vanaheim, and all of its people."

"Liar!" the Guard shouted.

"I am many things, but a liar am not," I replied, grabbing the blood covered crown from the King's head, "I know you don't believe me, and I don't need you to. We, no… I am trying to protect the nine realms from a threat I can't possibly match."

"The people of Vanir will never follow you!" the Guard growled, a small smile on his face.

"I don't need them to," I replied, smiling sadly at the thought.

"Then why did you kill my uncle?" I heard someone ask in the back, as the creaking doors of the throne room opened.

Turning around to meet this unknown, I saw a woman and a few guards, arms at hand, ready to die for their people.

"Would it really change your mind?" I asked, pointing at her sword.

"Answer the question," She pressed defiantly, her eyes burning.

I sighed, "Magical territory. By taking control over Vanaheim, my brother can control, so to speak, who enters and leaves the planet, making it really difficult for the enemies that are about to come, actions such as invading the planet."

"You lie!" One of the guards behind her spat.

"Who is… this enemy you speak of?" She asked, shutting the guard behind her with a look.

"Knull," I replied, my eyes resting on Vanaheim's crown, as drops of blood from the previous King fell into the floor. "I doubt any of you know of him. He's far older than our universe, and was defeated before the nine realms came to be, but rest assured, he's very real, and he's coming for everyone. He's a monster without allies, without compassion, his only goal is to destroy all in creation, to usher a new era of darkness, true darkness, without life, without death, a universe of nothing."

"If that… monster is as old as you say he is, then how did you come to know of him?" She asked.

"I know someone nearly as old," I replied with a smile, as technically my brother was as old as the universe, even if he didn't remember it. "You may know of him as the newest prince of Asgard, most recently King."

"You gave your birthright to him?" She asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Of course," I nodded, "As I told your uncle many times before the outcome you see in front of you, I lack the power to defeat Knull. My brother, the King once prince of Asgard, is vastly stronger than me, and even he is not sure if he can defeat him. So painfully aware of my own weakness, I decided to give him all the nine realms, temporarily, to avoid them falling into Knull's hands."

"I don't believe you child," I heard a new voice scoff, as someone entered the room. An old looking man, covered in scars, his entire posture and demeanor screaming he was a seasoned warrior, "Your story feels like a fairy tale."

I guffawed at his comment, "You are right, it does sound like a fairy tale, but believe me, it's the truth. Once this war ends, all the realms will return to their people completely, believe me, I don't want to rule, Hel! I don't even want to rule Asgard, why would I expand?!"

"Enough talk let us dispose of him!" The guards growled, their voices coming as one.

"No," The woman who had first entered said, commanding her troops to stand down. "He has the power to kill us all, fighting against the All-Father is a futile endeavor."

"But Lady Amelista!"

"You can't be suggesting we bow to him?!"

Amelista, I like that name.

"No, she's suggesting we give him the benefit of the doubt, at least before we throw our lives away fighting him," The old man replied, eyeing Amelista.

"Indeed, general Adrek, for now, I will trust his words to be the truth," Amelista nodded, before narrowing her eyes on me, "That, however, doesn't mean Vanaheim will forgive what you did today. We will seek unyielding retribution after the war with Knull, even if that means the end of our people, so when the time comes, you will have to decide between paying for your crimes, or killing us all."

"I do not intent to run from my actions, Lady Amelista," I replied, my tone firm, without a shred of doubt, "When the time comes, I will face the consequences of my actions like a true warrior should, but be warned, you might have to get in line to get a piece of me, my crimes as you describe have barely just begun, and others just like you will seek retribution."

"Very well," Amelista replied, her voice cold, "For now, we will play your game."

"When does this Knull comes?" Adrek asked.

"That, we don't know. We only know it's very soon," I replied with a sigh.

"Then, we require to speak with this… Alex you speak of," Amelista said, or rather ordered in a commanding tone, I liked her, sadly, the sentiment wasn't shared.

"Sure," I nodded, "I will tell him to come, after I finish my mission."