His life had been routine, methodically planned and a constant strive for battle and war. That was the way his father had trained him, trained all of them. His children had not been children, but in his own words, weapons who would see Asgard flourish. Weapons that would see the Nine Realms brought to heel once more. Weapons that would see the pearly gates of Heven burn down. Weapons that would see the Celestials pay dearly for the insult they paid to Odin during his youth.
There had been Vidar, born of Odin's coupling with the Storm Giantess, Grid. The Asgardian God of Strength and one who lived up to his title, standing as the strongest of their kind. His strength was unparalleled.
Then there was Tyr, the firstborn son of Odin and the Vanir Queen, Freyja. The Asgardian God of War, whose knowledge of tactics and skill with all weapons made him a force to be reckoned with. The one who commanded Asgard's armies and led them to victory time and time again.
Yet the marriage between Freyja and Odin had produced two more children. There was Baldur, Asgardian God of Light and Purity. His skills as a warrior were great, but his skills in diplomacy were even better. While his brothers went to war, it was Baldur who kept the peace in Asgard, so beloved was he that all dissent was quelled simply by his appearance.
Then there was Hermod, Asgardian God of Messengers, the fastest of all of them. His speed was so great that he could cross the Nine Realms in seconds, disappearing from view within a blink of the eye.
But these were not the only sons of Odin and the two that came next were the greatest. Two who had forged a deep bond, despite the unlikeliness of it all. One was Loki, the Asgardian God of Mischief, a powerful practitioner of the Mystic Arts and fond of trickery and manipulation. One that despite all the good he did, was never accepted by the people of Asgard due to his true heritage as the son of Laufey.
The final one was himself, the strongest of all Odin's children, born of his coupling with the Elder God, Jōrd. It was he, Thor that had stood as the Asgardian God of Storms and the greatest warrior in Asgard. But he was not unbeatable, thinking things through had never been his strong suit and that was where Loki and he had worked so well together.
They covered each other's weaknesses.
Just as Tyr and Vidar worked so well together, as did Hermod and Baldur and Loki and Thor. The true strength of the children of Odin showed when they all worked with one another as a unit. For many years as they all grew up, they fought only to defend Asgard against enemy forces led by the Trolls of the Asgardian Mountains, of Karnilla the Norn Queen or rival Aesir tribes that had refused to bow to Odin's rule.
But then, they struck out.
It had been a quick and decisive campaign with Tyr the head of it all. His commanders, Thor and Vidar leading a push across the Asgardian continent with Loki being Thor's second and Hermod Vidar's. While Baldur came behind, easing the minds and bringing peace to the newly conquered realms.
Thor pushed south, through the realms of Alfheim inhabited by the Light Elves and ruled by Queen Aelsa. Despite the vast forests they inhabited, skills with bow and magic, the superior numbers, weapons and armour wielded by the Asgardians under the crafty leadership of Loki and the crushing power of Thor, they soon fell.
Nastrond, home of the Dragons fell next before they pushed into Nornheim ruled by a longtime foe, Karnilla the Norn Queen. As powerful as she was in magic, against the power of Thor and the magic of Loki, she did not stand a chance.
After that, Varinheim, Gundersheim, Hindi, Ringsfjord and Thryheim fell in quick succession.
Vidar with the aid of Hermod conducted his own campaign, through the realms of Vanaheim, Nidavellir, the barbarian Kingdom of Harokin, Jolena and Skornheim. Within a matter of two years, the once divided continent of Asgard, the highest realm upon the World Tree, Yggdrasil had fallen under Odin's rule. A task that not even Bor Burison, second King of Asgard had accomplished, a task that not even Odin had accomplished.
The children of Odin had done it.
Yet their success and power, it trigged the unification of Jotunheim under the rule of the newly resurrected Ymir. Surtr and the fiery hell of Muspelheim joined their cause as did the Goddess of Death, Hela and Dark Elves of Svartalfheim all united together. All enemies of Asgard had come together to face the rising power of Asgard and before all their eyes, the sun and moon were swallowed by the wolves, Sköll and Hati.
Ragnarök had come and they marched towards it.
It was one large battle, the forces of Asgard against the forces of their enemies. Odin was slain by Fenrir only for Thor to arrive. He slew the beast and while weakened, battled against both Ymir and Surtr with the aid of Loki, Vidar and Hermod. As Tyr and Baldur led the forces of Asgard dying in the process the Jōtnar, Ymir and Surtr were killed, but at the cost of all but Thor.
Yet even in his last moments, he raised his mighty hammer, Mjolnir and charged to battle once more against the World Serpent, Jörmungandr. They were all that remained, these two forever destined for battle and ultimately the prophecy was fulfilled. Jörmungandr was slain, but Thor in turn was killed.
And as the last vestiges of breath left his body, Thor collapsed to the ground, laying eyes upon the sight of a hauntingly beautiful woman that walked towards him. "The suffering of your people is not an end, but you can stop it. Save them."
Her hand reached out, shadows seemingly rushing to stop her as the world around them collapsed into darkness.
-X- Line Break -X-
"This is better be of interest to me, General K'tratz." Emperor Dorrek muttered as the two strode down the corridors. "I have other matters to attend to this day, I only came here because of our friendship."
The green-skinned figure bowed his head. "I can assure, my Emperor, that this is worth the visit," K'tratz replied as they approached a balcony. The sound below filled with shouts, grunts and cries. "I have long since noticed that amongst our kind, there are a few, born with abilities beyond even the average Skrull. Many suggest, that these figures are descendants of unions between Eternal and Deviant Skrulls, much like how our Gods, Sl'gur't and Kly'bn too married and ascended to Godhood."
Dorrek nodded his head. "I need no lesson upon our history, General. Get on with it." As he said that, the two came out onto the balcony, looking upon the figures, six in total. Five of which were tall and strong, circling around a much smaller figure, a child.
"It is my belief, that instead of being a union between Eternal and Deviant Skrull, they are instead blessed by Sl'gur't." That caught Dorrek's attention, who looked with interest towards K'tratz. "It is my aim, to bring these beings together and form a group of elite soldiers. Soldiers who would be known as the Warskrulls."
"I have no intention of following the path of Nogor the Talisman," Dorrek replied. "I wish to instead share our technology with other races, forging friendly relations and bringing them into our fold with peaceful methods."
K'tratz bowed his head. "I am aware and it is admirable. We as a race, have lost many and our numbers are few compared to the past. Your methods, while unorthodox, are something many desire. But we must remember, not all races in the universe, would share in your thinking. They may take the technology and then, bring about war."
"And the Warskrulls are your method of dealing with such races?"
"Yes. They are able to shapeshift in a way no other Skrull is able. If we bring them together in a single group, infiltrate the races we share technology with, we can study their reactions and intentions." K'tratz explained.
"And if war is their intention…?"
"Eliminate the most high profile targets before they can bring about war." K'tratz then indicated towards the arena, nodding his head down to one of the instructors. "See for yourself, my emperor, the skill this boy possesses."
"Begin!" The instructor shouted and the five young men rushed forward towards the child who waited for a moment. Even as they drew closer, he didn't move and just as they were right on top of him, then he did. His movements were fluid and light, eyes flickering all around him as he dodged and blocked the blows that sent his way seamlessly.
Dorrek leaned forwards in interest, eyes widening as he watched the child fight. "How long have you been training him?"
"He arrived here only a few days ago," K'tratz replied, smirking as he watched the child finally begin to fight back. "Each of his opponents stand to become some of the best recruits this academy has ever created and yet he toys with them."
"Is this the power of a Warskrull as well?"
K'tratz shrugged. "Unknown, which is why I ask that you give me permission to form the Warskrulls and use them to ensure your ambition is realised."
There was a pause, Dorrek watching and studying the battle below with bated breath, before he spoke. "After my brother died and I ascended to the throne, I had become content with the knowledge that I would forever be stained with dishonour for my plans of peace. I had contented myself with that knowledge so long as I could save the Skrulls from their path of self-destruction, yet now, you present to me with even greater opportunity. The chance to realise said ambition and also the stain upon my honour."
K'tratz bowed his head in gratitude for his words. "It is my duty."
"If only all my advisors thought in such a fashion," Dorrek replied. "Nogor's disappearance shook the Skrull people. And yet, now you present me with the opportunity to create a new Nogor in this child. One with a group of equally blessed Skrulls. That is the greatest gift of all and one I shall not soon forget."
"Gather of all the blessed and form the Warskrulls, you shall lead them," Dorrek told him, watching as the child defeated his last opponent. "Together, K'tratz, we shall lead the Skrulls into a new age with the Warskrulls as our shining beacon."