403

Odin's Slumber

The following day, Forseti and Hela boarded their spacecraft and navigated towards a colossal wormhole in the sky, preparing to depart from Sakaar.

"By the way, Your Highness, is that Grandmaster who loves competition and deceit still alive?" On their journey, Forseti suddenly recalled Grandmaster, the former ruler of Sakaar.

"It's possible he's still alive," Hela replied after a moment's thought. "When the Aesir corps raided Grandmaster's palace, he happened to be fleeing in a spaceship. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong wormhole and likely perished."

Forseti nodded.

He had initially expected a confrontation between Grandmaster and Hela, but it turned out the old trickster had simply fled, and very wisely at that. It seemed unlikely they would encounter Grandmaster again.

Their spaceship traversed the wormhole, and after a brief journey, they arrived at Asgard.

"This..." However, as they peered through the ship's viewport from a distance, they beheld Asgard embroiled in warfare and devastation, causing both Forseti and Hela to widen their eyes in disbelief.

"What has happened?" Hela asked, her concern palpable.

"I'm as clueless as you. According to external reports, I've been away from Asgard for over 300 years," Forseti addressed the spaceship's pilot. "Accelerate, let's reach Asgard as swiftly as possible."

"Understood."

---

**The Golden Palace**

At the heart of Asgard stood the magnificent Golden Palace, shielded by a formidable energy barrier. Within, Odin, the Allfather, lay motionless on a bed, as if submerged in a profound slumber.

Frigga, along with her sons Thor and Loki, stood solemnly by the bedside.

"When will Father awaken?" Loki inquired, turning to his mother.

Frigga shook her head. "Age has been consuming Odin. I've placed him in Odin's Sleep to slow his aging. During this period, he cannot awaken at will, lest it severely harm his spirit."

Loki frowned. "Who leaked the news about Father's slumber..."

Thor gazed silently at Odin lying on the bed. After a moment, he grasped Mjölnir, turned, and strode towards the exit. "I will protect Father and Asgard."

"Thor, Harokin possesses the Warlock's Eye," Frigga intervened urgently, "You're not his match. Let Tyr and the others handle it."

Thor insisted, "Mother, I've been a warrior for ages. Retreating is not an option. Tyr is getting on in years; I can't leave Father's protection solely to him."

With resolve, he marched out of the palace, calling, "Volstagg, Fandral, Hogan, join me in battle!"

"I've been waiting for this!" Volstagg's massive frame hurried forward, slapping Thor on the shoulder. "Let's teach that scoundrel a lesson!"

Fandral and Hogan followed beside Thor.

Loki hesitated briefly, his gaze shifting, before rising to follow.

"Why are you coming?" Frigga interjected, reaching out to stop Loki. "My child, your combat skills aren't on par with your brother's."

"I can be of assistance," Loki replied with a smile. "And if Thor's temper gets the better of him, I can intervene before he makes any rash decisions."

Frigga fell silent momentarily, ultimately opting not to hinder him. "Be careful. If things get too perilous, don't push it. I can awaken Odin prematurely."

"I understand, Mother," Loki affirmed before darting out.

"Your Highness Loki," Fandral greeted with surprise and a touch of jest upon noticing Loki trailing them. "I thought you'd prefer to remain indoors."

Loki met his gaze, smiling politely though not genuinely, and said nothing.

The five of them strode out from the Golden Palace into the midst of battle.

Asgard teemed with alien entities: humanoid intelligences and bestial creatures alike, roaring and charging about chaotically.

Individually, these invaders posed no threat to the Asgardians, but their sheer numbers inundated Asgard like a deluge.

Moreover, among these invaders were formidable adversaries, on par with the Asgardians themselves. Together with their myriad lesser soldiers, they wrought havoc upon the realm of the gods.

Leading this invasion was Harokin, the renegade Asgardian, wielding the Warlock's Eye. With a mere gesture, he unleashed a searing beam that obliterated any who dared oppose him.

"Hahaha!" Harokin laughed triumphantly, brandishing the Warlock's Eye. "Asgard, Odin, your reckoning has arrived!"

**BOOM!**

Just then, amid thunderous reverberations, Mjölnir hurtled forth amidst crackling lightning, aimed directly at Harokin.

Harokin's expression darkened as he swiftly raised the Warlock's Eye, the artifact emitting a faint green beam that met Mjölnir head-on.

**BOOM!!**

With a deafening clash, Mjölnir was sent careening backward, spinning in midair before arcing back into Thor's grip.

"Prince Thor, it's been too long," Harokin addressed Thor.

His gaze then swept to Loki, narrowing meaningfully. "Ah, and Prince Loki."

Loki tensed involuntarily, clenching his fists behind his back as cold sweat prickled his brow.

Thor brandished Mjölnir, pointing it squarely at Harokin. "Harokin, you treacherous fiend who slaughtered your own kin, how dare you set foot in Asgard again!"

Harokin sneered. "Why wouldn't I dare! Asgard is vulnerable, Odin slumbers; it's the perfect time for a new king to rise!"

"A new king?" Thor raised Mjölnir high, gathering stormclouds in the sky.

**BOOM--**