Chapter 101

As Abel's hellfire surged, it took the shape of a massive flaming demon, which smashed the Rainbow Bridge with fiery fists and wings. Thor, with Mjolnir in hand, summoned a powerful thunderstorm, hurling lightning into the already-weakened bridge. Together, the combined forces of hellfire and thunder reached their peak, and the Rainbow Bridge shattered under the immense power, disabling its destructive function.

Loki rushed to the bridge, collapsing to his knees in disbelief. His plan had failed at the very last moment. As the destruction settled, Odin appeared behind him, resting a hand on Loki's shoulder. Loki looked up with a fragile smile and spoke quickly, as if trying to justify himself.

"Father, I killed Laufey. I could have destroyed Jotunheim and ended our enemies once and for all!"

Odin, with a mix of sadness and regret, replied, "No, Loki. What you've done is wrong."

Loki's expression changed as he realized that Odin, too, disapproved of his actions. "So, like Thor, you think I'm wrong?" Loki's voice trembled.

"Yes, Loki," Odin said softly. "I know you acted for Asgard, and for me. But you made the wrong choices. Your actions could have destroyed the peace of the Nine Realms and sparked a massacre."

Loki lowered his gaze, his spirit visibly crushed. "I see..."

Without further argument, Loki accepted his fate. However, as two Asgardian guards approached to take him away, the Loki they grasped dissolved into nothing—a mere illusion. The real Loki had appeared at the edge of the bridge. He gave a final, sorrowful glance to Odin and Thor before letting himself fall into the cosmic abyss.

Thor called out, but Loki vanished into the void. Though both Odin and Thor knew Loki was likely alive, Odin announced to Asgard that Loki had perished, a fitting narrative for the realm to explain his absence and bring closure.

A month had passed since Abel's arrival in Asgard. With the Rainbow Bridge severely damaged, Abel was temporarily stuck in the realm, unable to return to Earth until repairs were complete. Thor, grateful for Abel's help, granted him access to most areas of Asgard, including its prestigious magic library. He even introduced Abel to his mother, Frigga, who took Abel under her wing to teach him the ancient magic of Asgard.

Abel had spent his days learning about the intricate runes and magical theories that shaped Asgard's powerful enchantments. Frigga, though more of a theorist than a combatant, was an expert in magic technology. Her teachings about rune magic fascinated Abel. He had begun experimenting, comparing the runes of Asgard with the ancient runes he knew from his previous life, hoping to merge both magical systems into something new.

One evening, Abel stepped through a spatial vortex and found Thor sitting on the edge of the now-inactive Rainbow Bridge, gazing at the stars. Abel handed him a bottle of Asgardian beer and sat beside him with a glass of the local fruit juice.

"How's your magic training going with my mother?" Thor asked, taking a swig from his bottle.

"Great, actually," Abel replied. "Frigga is an extraordinary teacher. She's incredibly knowledgeable, not just in magic combat, but in the theory behind it. She really is the heart of Asgard's magical wisdom."

Thor nodded proudly. "My father always said she's the real magic library of Asgard. Every spell, rune, or enchantment we have is something she understands."

He paused, a more somber tone entering his voice. "My mother never liked teaching magic, though. She believed magic would only lead to fighting and destruction. I'm surprised she agreed to teach you. Maybe… she misses Loki. Teaching you might be her way of filling that void."

Abel smiled softly. "Well, as Asgard's crown prince, remember to keep the official story—Loki is dead, not missing."

Thor chuckled. "True, but out here, with no one else listening, it doesn't matter."

Both men laughed, raising their drinks to the quiet evening. Abel snapped his fingers, magically refilling their cups, causing Thor to grin.

"That's a neat trick," Thor said. "If I were better at magic, I'd learn that one for sure."

"You still could," Abel suggested. "Even if you're not a natural, it wouldn't hurt to try."

Thor waved him off with a laugh. "Nah, as long as you're around, I don't need to."

The two continued their quiet vigil, sharing drinks under the stars of the Nine Realms, their bond deepened through battle and friendship.