Battle at Asgard (3)

Authors Note-

You can read up to 25 chapters ahead on my Patreon - Mad_verse [ Your support will help me in continuing this fic]

...

Ivan pondered over Loki's deceptive actions, giving Thor a significant glance. "It appears you hold your brother in high regard. Allow me to test your sincerity and return him to you."

After speaking, Ivan tossed Loki, hurling it toward Thor.

Thor genuinely cared for his brother and dreaded the prospect of Loki getting hurt. As they faced imminent danger, it seemed the siblings might meet their end here.

Observing Thor in peril, four warriors desperately sought to intervene but were thwarted by Ivan's clones, creating chaos. Their attempts not only risked their safety but also failed to rescue Thor.

While Ivan's offensive seemed fierce, it was calculated not to inflict real harm. The aim was to provoke Odin, who had been observing. Unfortunately, Ivan's calculations faltered, and chaos ensued. Sensing a crisis, Ivan looked up to see dozens of spears approaching—the arrival of Asgard's Golden Warriors.

Upon seeing their princes pursued, the first team of golden warriors acted swiftly, using their spears as javelins to rescue them. Ivan skillfully deflected the spears but couldn't shake a strange thought—his actions seemed to befit the story's villain, always inexplicably interrupted.

Realizing this, Ivan acknowledged the possibility of being a true antagonist against Thor, but he resolved not to emulate typical villains.

Shaking off these peculiar thoughts, Ivan refocused on the warriors surrounding him.

The Golden Warriors stand as Asgard's elite. Having completed the siege, they swiftly fired at the clones assaulting the four warriors. Despite timely evasions, over a dozen clones succumbed to the relentless onslaught, dissipating into tiny particles of light.

Observing the futile clones, Ivan recognized their ineffectiveness. With a gesture, he absorbed the remaining clones back into his body as blue energy groups.

Unfazed amidst the crowd, Ivan levitated, calmly observing the multitude below, awaiting their next move.

Thor and Loki, rising from the ground, advanced toward the encirclement's center. The golden armored warriors instinctively parted to make way. Upon reaching Ivan, the four warriors positioned themselves behind Thor.

Surrounded but composed, Ivan faced the crowd, maintaining a serene expression. Thor, with a roar, urged surrender, offering leniency from the Godking.

Ivan, retaining his calm, responded, "Being surrounded means nothing. Do you truly believe victory is assured?"

Thor, boasting of numerical advantage, blushed slightly, realizing his inexperience in such situations.

Ivan scoffed inwardly, contemplating how Asgard, with its numerous inhabitants, fell to Hela, the goddess of death.

Acknowledging the overwhelming odds, Ivan mused, "The personnel ratio indeed favors you. It seems I must seek assistance."

Reaching into his backpack, Ivan retrieved an item, catching Thor's keen eye. It revealed a paper man cut from yellow paper, adorned with mysterious runes.

Ivan hurled it forcefully, and numerous paper figures descended, illuminating the air with bursts of light. They transformed into hundreds of warriors adorned in armor and yellow scarves, each bearing Ivan's visage. Their strength surpassed the previous clones, wielding formidable weapons—knives and shields.

During Ivan's time in China, he had gathered ancient spell books, including a method for crafting Yellow Talisman Warriors. The method became obsolete due to the unavailability of a specific energy at the time. Undeterred, Ivan devised an alternative by utilizing the paper man to seal energy, creating a potent substitute for the Yellow Talismans.

Though the number fell slightly short, Ivan remained unfazed. Confident in their increased strength, he believed they could handle the golden-armored warriors even in a one-on-three scenario. If needed, he could summon more warriors from his ample stock, optimizing their power. Ready for the next phase, he inquired, "Can we start the next game?"

Thor, unflinchingly inclined towards war, was about to give the order when Loki, attuned to energy as a mage, sensed the power emanating from the paper warriors. Recognizing Ivan's claim of one-on-three as accurate, Loki, despite his envy of Thor, prioritized Asgard's interests.

"We, of Asgard, fear no war. But some matters need clarification before battle commences. Who are you, and why have you trespassed into Asgard?" Loki questioned Ivan with a stern expression.

Ivan replied, "No, no, no! Let's not mix things up. Frankly, I'm still puzzled about the whole situation. I haven't figured out the reason for this siege and the charge of trespassing in Asgard. I believe you should explain it to me."

His words left everyone bewildered. Something seemed amiss, but since he arrived through the Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall, the guardian, must know the details. It was imperative to summon Heimdall to shed light on the situation.

During Ivan and Thor's prior clash at the Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall and Eliot were inadvertently thrown into the sea by the war's aftermath. They were promptly brought to Thor once they emerged from the water.

With a stern expression, Thor interrogated Heimdall, "Who is this man? Where is he from, and why did you bring him to Asgard?"

Heimdall, somewhat embarrassed, turned to Eliot, saying, "I'm not entirely sure of the details. While on duty today, someone contacted me through the Rainbow Bridge, reporting a battle involving our Asgardian warriors. Given their dire situation, I brought him over. For specifics, you should inquire with him."

All eyes shifted to Eliot, who stepped forward nervously, knelt before Thor, and admitted, "Your Royal Highness, I am a deserter. I became entangled with an enemy in Midgard and fell in love during a fierce battle. Instead of returning to Asgard, I remained there. Over a thousand years passed, and the girl I loved passed away. Initially planning a quiet life, I was discovered, chased, and captured for experiments. Desperate to avoid being used as a guinea pig, I contacted Heimdall at the last moment. I didn't anticipate causing trouble for Asgard. I don't seek freedom; I only ask to die on the battlefield to atone."

"Pause!" Ivan interjected, "Please don't misrepresent me. I merely sought cooperation, proposing a deal after your initial refusal. I asked for a vial of blood, and in return, I offered help against your pursuers. I didn't force you."

Eliot paused, recalling his interactions with Ivan. Indeed, Ivan's attitude had been amicable, different from his previous assailants.

"You're not with those people? Weren't you sent to capture me?" Eliot questioned, uncertain.

"I don't know who those people are, but I serve no one. I'm a researcher, a scientist driven by the pursuit of truth," Ivan clarified.

Quack, quack! Eliot felt as if crows were cawing overhead, calling him a fool. The truth unfolded, revealing a colossal misunderstanding.

Thor, Loki, the four warriors, and Heimdall shared twitching expressions. The realization that they had misunderstood fueled an urge to reprimand Eliot for his misjudgment.

Except for Thor, everyone else felt relief. Facing a formidable adversary like Ivan was not their preference. Thor, despite the beating, harbored a combative spirit, unwilling to back down. Clutching his hammer, he hesitated, torn between seeking revenge and letting the matter go. However, with the truth revealed and the misunderstanding clarified, holding a grudge seemed petty.

Loki, understanding Thor's mindset, feared irrational actions. Whispering to Thor, he suggested, "Eliot fought alongside father in Midgard against foreign enemies. Perhaps his father should decide. We should report to him."

Thor, in agreement, decided to bring Ivan to the palace. Ivan, desiring an audience with Odin, the Allfather, expressed no objection. Retrieving the suspended golden warriors, they all headed to the palace in Asgard.