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Chapter: Korbin Star

Two days later, on the shores of the Sea of Mamora, Hela, Forseti, and several teams of Asgardian warriors boarded the Thunder Boat one after another. Shortly after, the flying vessel set sail, lifting off from the sea and swiftly disappearing into the sky.

After a space jump, a star loomed ahead, casting its light in every direction.

The Thunder Boat navigated towards a planet nestled closer to the star's inner rim, its appearance shifting as they approached.

Forseti sat in his cabin, his body faintly emitting holy light as he meditated.

Knowing they were heading to investigate a destroyed planet, he conserved his mana, mindful of potential dangers ahead.

*Knock knock.* There was a knock on the door.

Forseti opened it to find Ander standing outside.

"What do you need?" he asked.

Ander hesitated before speaking, "Forseti, can you teach me some healing spells? After years of battle, I believe mastering healing magic would be the most beneficial and secure skill."

Forseti replied, "You know my spells are all holy light magic, which require a higher aptitude than ordinary magic. Without being transformed by holy light, you wouldn't be able to learn them."

"What are the consequences of undergoing holy light transformation?" Ander inquired. "As long as the side effects aren't severe, I'm willing to consider it."

"There are no side effects; in fact, there are benefits, like enhancing your appearance," Forseti said, half-jokingly.

Ander chuckled, "That would be a disaster, but I guess I could live with it."

Forseti continued seriously, "The process of holy light transformation is lengthy, potentially taking hundreds of years. At present, I can't commit to it."

"What if I offer something in return?" Ander persisted.

"Forseti smiled wryly, "Time cannot be bought with material things. What could you possibly offer me for a hundred years?"

"I offer my time," Ander asserted firmly. "If you transform me with holy light and teach me healing spells, I'll pledge myself to you... for five hundred years."

Forseti paused, taken aback by the offer. "Let me think about it. However, I advise you not to get your hopes up."

The Thunder Boat reached its destination.

Stepping out of their cabins, they beheld a small planet devastated by scorched earth — the ruined Korbin Star.

Blue and green hues were nearly extinct, replaced by a landscape of misty clouds mingling with red and black, reminiscent of a world ravaged by fire.

The Thunder Boat circled the planet until finding a rare body of water, where it docked along the shore.

This area, relatively untouched, provided the most hospitable environment left on Korbin Star.

Yet, despite the serene waters, the sky remained dark, heavy with an ominous and destructive aura.

"The Flame Giant," Hela remarked.

Forseti queried, "Do you believe Surtur is responsible?"

Hela nodded grimly. "It seems likely. I've seen the aftermath of planets destroyed by Surtur before, and this bears a striking resemblance to those."

As a giant-level demon, Surtur's penchant for planetary destruction was well-documented across the universe.

"This part of Korbin Star still retains its environmental integrity. If there are survivors, they're likely nearby. Let's begin our search."

"Agreed."

The warriors dispersed, using the Thunder Boat as their central point to scout the surroundings.

Forseti's magic cloak billowed behind him as he conjured flames beneath his feet, propelling himself into the air.

Korbin Star's weak gravity and Forseti's improved mastery over fire magic allowed him to break the sound barrier swiftly, leaving a fiery trail as he soared and investigated in a particular direction.

Before long, he discovered numerous corpses — avian, beastly, and humanoid.

Among these humanoids, identifiable by their attire, were the Korbin, the planet's intelligent race.

Korbin possessed tan skin and distinctive, if not unusual, equine-like facial features — not in the metaphorical sense but quite literally resembling horses.

Despite their humanoid appearance, their heads alone could easily be mistaken for those of horses, now dead and burnt severely, some almost reduced to ashes.

The farther Forseti ventured from the water, the more evident the signs of fire: more corpses, more scorched earth, resembling the aftermath of a sweeping inferno across plains.

Mid-flight, Forseti abruptly halted, changing course toward a nearby rocky outcrop.

There lay a relatively intact Korbin, still breathing faintly.

Seemingly unharmed by flames, the Korbin bore a gaping abdominal wound, fresh blood indicating recent injury.

But such injuries often proved fatal.

Spotting Forseti, the dying Corbin's eyes fluttered open, gasping for breath. "I...I have a secret to tell you..."

"What secret?" Forseti hurriedly cast a healing spell, buying a moment's time.

"I must... tell you a secret. Only Bill... don't tell anyone else... Bill can be trusted... no one else..." the Corbin wheezed.

"Who's Bill?" Forseti frowned.

But the Corbin offered no explanation, his breath growing shallower. "This secret... you mustn't... tell anyone else..."

"Alright, what's the secret?"

The Korbin fell silent.

Forseti stood there, staring at the lifeless body, sighing deeply.

Was this Korbin just another chatterbox in death, or did his secret die with him? What was so important that it cost him his life?

Pondering for a moment, Forseti raised his hand, summoning flames to cremate the Korbin's remains.

Unexpectedly, a furious voice rang out nearby, "Flame demon, perish!"