Change

Thor, Odin, Sif, and Heimdall remained silent for a long moment after what Heimdall had said. The tension in the room was so thick right now. They knew what needed to be done but none of them were eager to say it.

The chamber was so quiet that Thor could hear his own breath. They could storm Valeria's stronghold and rescue Erik and Mia but that would only make things worse. Valeria would become even more dangerous, harder to catch, and they'd lose their inside advantage. The cost was too high.

And they don't believee that Valeria will be that easy to catch even though they have the element of surprise. Someone else is helping her planning and doing all of this. Someone they don't know yet, so they can not act rashly.

Finally, Odin broke the silence. He said. "We proceed according to the plan."

Thor's jaw tightened, his frustration barely contained. He knew what that meant. They were leaving Erik and Mia in the middle of enemy line, exposed to the dangers of Valeria's forces. Thor hated it, but he couldn't argue with Odin's decision after what Heimdall had said.

Sif's expression remained impassive but her eyes filled with the same unease that Thor felt. Heimdall merely nodded slowly.

"I believe in our warriors. I believe they can endure it," Odin said. "And while they endure, we must focus on the greater threat that looms across the Nine Realms. The rise of darkness spreads further every seconds and we cannot afford to be distracted."

Thor wanted to argue but Odin's words were true. He knew his father was right. Their enemies weren't just in Valeria's ranks—they were everywhere, rising in power.

"They'll handle this," Odin said to Thor when he walk pass him. "Erik and Mia were chosen for a reason. We cannot interfere without jeopardizing everything."

Thor gave a reluctant nod. "So we just need to handle the problem on the other side of the Nine Realms without doing anything to help Erik and Mia over there?" he asked.

Odin's eye sharpened. "Yes. You and Heimdall must focus on those rising darkness. Let Erik and Mia do what they must. Here, I will maintain everything and Freya will stay to accompany Liam. I will also help them as best as I can."

Thor exchanged a glance with Sif who gave a short nod.

Without another word, Odin waved his hand, signaling the end of the discussion. "Go. You all know that the realms need you."

Thor and Sif then left the chamber. After that, Odin turned his attention to Heimdall and look at him with thoughtful expression. The Allfather had known for some time that Heimdall's System was more than a simple tool for the three Reincarnated Souls to gain their power quicckly. Now it had become an intricate means of communication and strategy and a powerful advantage for theme.

"Heimdall," Odin called.

Heimdall's hologram straightened and walked toward Odin. "Yes, my king?" Heimdall said.

"I need you to explain the System you've created that you've been using to communicate with Erik and Mia. I need access to it," Odin said. "You will be occupied with matters in the other realms and I cannot afford for your attention to be divided. I must be able to contact them myself, should the need arise."

Heimdall gave a curt nod, understanding immediately. He had known this moment would come, especially with how critical the situation had become.

"Of course, my king," Heimdall replied, his voice calm. "I have already prepared for such an eventuality."

Odin's brow lifted slightly. "You anticipated this?"

"I did," Heimdall said. "The System I developed is also designed to provide strategic guidance when needed. I can transfer the Rune access to you, so you can see what I see and communicate directly with Erik and Mia. It will require a brief process to synchronize, but once it is done, you also will have full control."

Odin nodded. "Begin the transfer of the Rune."

Heimdall stepped forward, raising his hands as faint glowing lines of intricate patterns began to pulse from his fingertips. The Runes embedded in his armor glowed softly. The Runes then forrming into shimmering sigil that appeared between them, hovering in the air and connecting Heimdall's mind to Odin's.

"This will take but a moment," Heimdall said. He closed his eyes, concentrating deeply as he initiated the transfer of the System's access.

Odin stood still, his mind attuned to the flow of power that now surged between them. He could feel the intricate layers of the System taking root in his consciousness, a vast network of information, surveillance, and communication. It was more advanced than he had anticipated. Heimdall had outdone himself.

As the energy flowed between them, Odin could sense the link solidifying. He could now access the same pathways Heimdall had used to send messages to Mia and Erik, as well as receive updates from their status windows.

Moments later, Heimdall's eyes flickered open, the transfer complete. The glowing sigil between them faded and the chamber returned to its usual light.

"It is done, my king," Heimdall said, his voice slightly strained. "You now have full access to the System."

Odin nodded curtly, feeling the power of the connection settling within him. "Well done, Heimdall. Now, you can focus entirely on the problems in the other realms. I will handle matters with Erik and Mia from here."

Heimdall bowed his head. "As you command. Should anything require my attention, I will return immediately."

With that, Heimdall turned and made his way out of the chamber. Meanwhile, Odin stood in silence for a moment, testing his new link to Erik and Mia. He could sense their presence through the System now.

"Let's see how this works," Odin muttered to himself.

---

Erik and Mia sat in their own bed. Suddenly, a familiar chiming sound rang in their heads. A notification from the System had arrived. Both of them froze. But something was different this time.

Erik's eyes narrowed as he felt the energy ripple through him. It wasn't the presence of Heimdall that they had grown accustomed to. This was someone much stronger.

"This… isn't Heimdall," Mia muttered.

"Yes. I feel it too. Someone else is there," Erik said in whisper.

Before either of them could speak further the System window materialized before their eyes.

[Incoming message from Odin, the Allfather.]

Mia's breath caught in her throat. Erik's fists clenched. Odin. The king of Asgard. He is now the one who communicate with them using the System.

Erik swallowed. He had never communicated directly with Odin before. Mia straightened her back.

"Why would Odin contact us now? Where is Heimdall? Did something happened?" Mia said with worry filling her heart.

The message appeared again.

[I has taken over Heimdall's System link. From now on I am the one who will talk to you two.]

The energy in the room shifted as if pulsing with the authority of the Allfather. Erik felt his body tingle with a strange mixture of awe and anxiety.

"Lord Odin, how is Liam doing?" Mia immediately said after tweaking with the Rune of the System.

[He is still in his previous condition.]

Odin's answer make Mia's face turned into a gloom expression.

---