485

Thor's Dilemma

Of course, from another perspective, Asgard has always employed the Rainbow Bridge as a weapon.

After all, the Aesir God-King could always summon the power of the Rainbow Bridge, granting him a formidable force far surpassing ordinary beings, akin to wielding a portable, humanoid Rainbow Bridge.

It was with this strength that Odin vanquished ancient entities like the fire giant Surtur.

Forseti believed that even if Odin refrained from using the Rainbow Bridge directly, he could still be persuaded to act, possibly against Ego's planetary form.

But how could he compel Odin to intervene? Forseti pondered this for a moment.

Ego must perish, whether out of moral imperative or practical necessity. This malevolent deity, the scourge of Asgard and schemer against the universe, was Forseti's primary target for eradication.

However, Ego's planetary body was vastly more powerful than his own. Among the denizens of Asgard, only Odin possessed the might to slay him.

Forseti dismissed the idea of replicating the plan from the movies, which involved attacking Ego's brain. It lacked maneuverability, and Ego would not allow him the time to find a path to his brain.

The plan devised by Star-Lord and his team to eliminate Ego in this manner was fraught with too many variables. After all, mere mortals were insignificant compared to gods.

Soon, Forseti contemplated a potential solution.

But first, he needed to locate Ego's planetary body.

"Regarding Ego, do not disclose this to anyone else," Forseti instructed.

"Understood," Hela affirmed.

Hus replied without hesitation, "Yes, my lord."

Forseti promptly sought out Thor, the God of Thunder, who was brooding alone and seemed visibly upset.

"What's wrong? Is there a conflict with Loki?" Forseti asked casually.

"Loki?" Thor appeared puzzled. "He was just a boy. Yes, he stabbed me a few times as a child, but we've had a good relationship since we grew up."

"What about him?" Forseti pressed.

Thor fell silent for a moment. "Do you remember Haldo?"

"Sif's former lover?" Forseti recalled vividly.

Due to his relatively young age, a mere few hundred years old compared to others in Asgard, Forseti had a clearer memory of events from over two thousand years ago.

Forseti distinctly remembered fighting alongside Haldo on Vanaheim more than two thousand years ago against the Dark Elves, though Haldo's ultimate fate had been tragically poignant.

Thor nodded quietly, lost in thought.

Although unspoken, Forseti surmised that Haldo had been Sif's beau and a rival for Thor's affections. After Haldo's death, Thor had not managed to win Sif's heart, and their relationship had since become strained. Sif often blamed herself for misjudging Haldo, exacerbating her rift with Thor.

For the stalwart Thor, navigating this complex and delicate situation was a form of torment, his greatest source of trouble.

After a pause, Thor inquired, "How did you and my sister become close?"

Forseti smiled and replied, "There's no secret. Shared experiences and open communication foster relationships. A century of battles, life-and-death situations, coupled with long conversations, create an unbreakable bond of trust and emotion."

Thor seemed moved, holding his wine glass without taking a sip.

Forseti added, "Effective communication is key. Working together and facing danger are commonplace, but misunderstandings among comrades can arise."

"True emotional connections are built on meaningful exchanges."

Thor nodded thoughtfully and remarked after a moment, "Perhaps I should talk to Sif."

Forseti suggested, "You should start by introspecting."

"What do you mean?" Thor asked.

"For meaningful communication, self-awareness is essential. Understanding your own thoughts helps facilitate productive discussions with others," Forseti explained.

Thor seemed reluctant. "I know my mind well enough. Who doesn't know themselves?"

Forseti changed the subject, sensing Thor's improved mood. "I plan to launch a surprise attack. Would you like to join me?"

"Absolutely," Thor agreed without further inquiry, reaching for Mjölnir beside him. "Should we invite Loki?"

"He's a sorcerer, not suited for this task," Forseti reasoned. His plan was straightforward: accompany Thor to confront Ego, and if outmatched, summon Odin, who would undoubtedly rush to their aid.

Armed with the Divine Shield, Forseti could ensure Thor's safety. However, adding Loki to the mission would introduce unnecessary risks. Loki was astute and not easily swayed.

"So it's just the two of us on this mission?" Thor's excitement was palpable.

"No, others will join us. Let's gather them," Forseti replied, leading Thor in search of Yondu.

Forseti wasn't certain if Yondu had interacted with Ego as in the original timeline. Altering history was inherently limited, and Yondu's experiences might have diverged.

Yet, Yondu remained their best chance to pinpoint Ego's location. If unsuccessful, the plan would have to be temporarily shelved.

Fortunately, their efforts bore fruit.

"Yondu went to Earth?"

Starka nodded. "Yes, I'm not sure what he's up to lately. He's always on the move. Apparently, he's hunting someone."

The Ravagers operated as mercenaries, accepting contracts to fulfill various tasks for their employers.

Unlike most mercenaries, the Ravagers adhered strictly to their principles, rejecting morally dubious assignments like child trafficking.

This integrity had initially alienated Yondu from other Ravagers until he proved himself through a sacrificial act.

Armed with this information, Forseti hurriedly accompanied Thor to Earth.

---

United States, Missouri.

In the darkness, a young Peter Quill sat alone on the hospital lawn, intermittently wiping tears from his eyes.

From the hospital behind him, the distant sounds of weeping echoed. Moments ago, Quill's mother had succumbed to cancer.

Lost in grief, Peter Quill had no idea how long he'd been crying when several beams of light illuminated the nearby ground. He wiped his tears and glanced up, spotting a spaceship descending slowly from the sky.