Chapter 1 - Divinity and Training

'MIERDA!'

Cul thought after being sent flying from a devastating haymaker. The owner of the punch was from his own father, Bor. "Stand up boy, or I will make your relationship with the floor intimate!" Shouted and demanded King Bor. The Asgardian was training Cul himself, after having declared that Cul was going to be great. He wanted his son to be PERFECT for Asgard. Cul was roughly ten years old, he had been being trained the moment Bor saw him stand. Odin meanwhile was being trained by others, and not by his father.

Bor sped towards Cul, his fist cocked back to deliver a powerful punch. Cul in the nick of time ducked and brought a flying knee into his father's chin. The action actually knocked the Asgardian's helmet off. Bor stumbled back a bit then slowly looked down at Cul with a bloody nose. Bor didn't look angry, no that wasn't what made Cul scared. What scared him was that Bor was beginning to grin. "Now that is better..." Bor slowly said. Before Cul knew it, Bor was in front of him in the blink of an eye. Then was subsequently sent flying into the wall by a gut punch from Bor. When Cul's back collided with the wall, it cracked and caused him to black out before he even felt the pain.

Hours would pass before Cul slowly awakened, his eyes gazing up and noticing that it was night now. He could hear the distinct sounds of grunts from a familiar voice. After a moment, he found himself being greeted with the image of a young Odin training against Norik. He groaned and began to sit up by using his elbows. Odin was fighting ferociously against Bard. The older Asgardian however was having little to no trouble. He sparred with Odin for several moments before delivering a kick to the child's abdomen. This sent Odin skidding backwards and off his feet. "You are too hasty." Norik taunted before shaking his head exasperated. The Asgardian then noticed that Cul was awake and smirked. "Good evening Prince Cul, so glad that you have chosen to awaken."

Odin glanced over at Cul and seemed to give his elder brother a slight smirk. Cul let out a groan of a sigh then laid back down. 'Can't I just have a break?' He thought then slowly forced himself to stand. "Good evening Norik, Odin." Cul greeted then walked over to his younger brother. Before he could reach his hand out to him, Odin stood up by himself and turned from his brother. "Yes, evening Cul." Odin responded, which earned him a frown from Cul. Norik noticed this then let out a couch before sighing. "Right then, Prince Odin, your lessons are over for tonight." Norik stated then began to walk off, practically leaving the two brothers alone.

Odin began to walk off, though he stopped when Cul called out to him. "Odin", Cul began, "Has father...done it again?" Instead of responding Odin decided to merely give his brother a glance back at him showing jealously. 'Man...Bor really is an asshole....' Cul thought then watched as Odin walked off and out of training arena. Cul's tutelage by his father was in some ways the hardest to overcome. Though what came the easiest was studying history, philosophy, and what constituted for math on Asgard. That was the odd part, Asgardians know math! Without waiting too long, Cul walked out of the arena almost limping. Thanks to his Asgardian physiology, he was already almost healed. That just left his sore muscles and body from the "training" that his father gave him. The young Asgardian continued to walk, passing by every guard who was at attention when he walked past them. It was as if they respected him with each passing day. He hardly knew why but had a few guesses with only one of them pertaining towards his father.

'Hope that mom is still awake..' Cul thought as he continued to walk through the palace halls. Eventually, he found himself walking into his bedroom, inside sitting on his bed was Bestla. The Frost Giantess looked as if she hadn't aged a day, she was caressing her abdomen. She was pregnant once more as she gazed down at herself. When she had heard the doors open to find Cul walking in she gave him a radiant and warm smile. "My son, good evening." She greeted as she watched Cul approach her. "I hope that your father did not batter you to harshly." To this Cul did a gesture to her as if to say "Only a little", though it hardly stopped Bestla from chuckling to herself.

"Mother?", Cul called to Bestla in a soft yet ever deepening voice, "What is it that you saw in father before you married him?" He questioned and saw his mother's facial expression flinch for a slight second. Cul of course noticed this but chose not to question it. With a reluctant sigh, Bestla chose to humor her son a little. Though whether or not if it would be the truth is up to her. "Your father...is not as cold as you believe him to be." Bestla began to say, catching the full attention to Cul. "When he and I had first met, it was under different circumstances. I was but a young woman whom was widowed, but the magic I knew was what intrigued him to come looking for me." Before she continued her tale Cul had interrupted her, curious as to what magic that she knew. "But mother, what magic do you know?" Cul questioned to which his mother just smiled at him. "Ah, I know Jötun magic, specifically I know that of Frost Magic." Bestla stated to which Cul narrowed his eyes at her. 'So she has to hide that she's a Frost Giant....' Cul thought before Bestla went back to her tale. "Your father took me in, and made me his wife. For several lifetimes I was exposed to what royalty felt like. Then came your father's courtship and I must say...it was laughable." Cul giggled a bit before his mother continued. "That said, each day he grew better and better until eventually.. we came together to give birth to you and your brother...and now your younger siblings." She gazed down at her womb then gave it a soft caress with her hand.

'Yeah....mom's gotta live.' Cul thought before laying down in bed. "Mother, could you teach me Ice Magic?" Cul inquired to which his mother quite nearly snapped her head in his direction. If Cul was in an anime he would be seeing stars in her eyes. "M-mother?" He called to as he watched her just stare at him in silence. "I will teach you all that I know my son!" She exclaimed with excitement, "You may very well be the only Asgardian in Asgard to know this magic, are you quite sure?"

That was when he began to realize why that was the case. Asgardians weren't in good relations with the other Realms. Partly because of Bor, but moreover the fault ultimately falls on Odin. The man invaded the other Realms and only knew defeat in two of those Realms. To say that his father's teachings were to blame falls mute when one has to remember, Odin made a conscious decision to keep invading those Realms.

Cul looked up at his mother and gave her a determined look. He was not going to be the second coming of Bor, and he was also not going to take up the throne. As tempting as it was, him becoming king wouldn't feel right and plus he has no idea how to rule people. So the best way to do it is by doing what the Borson, Odinson, and Thorson bloodlines are known for, going on adventures!

"I am sure mother, besides it would give me more time to spend with you." Cul responded before being earned a gentle kiss on his temple by his mother. "Tomorrow you and your brother will have your divinities unlocked, once that is done come to my garden and we shall begin your training there." She stated then with a bit of effort she rose to her feet. "Sleep well my son, and be prepared." With that, Bestla exited out of Cul's room. Cul stared up at the ceiling in silence. He was deep in thought, not as Cul Borson, but as Jaime Rodriguez.

'Okay..' He began to think, 'So what the hell am I gonna do!? I've got like over a thousands things that I can do before modern times and not a single one of them has me being in charge of Asgard. I could head to Earth and try to protect it but the other gods there might not like me. I could go across space which sounds more practical but...how will I head home? God this gives me too much to think about..' Jaime had been thinking about what he could do while in the Marvel Universe. This wasn't like the movies, unlike them the comic book verse was WAY more dangerous. Even though he was a god, it didn't really matter. There are people who aren't gods who can rival him if he isn't prepared. 'Well, first thing to do is to make myself stronger and prepare accordingly.'

As Jaime had been thinking that, a thought occurred that made his eyes widen in shock. 'Wait! If my Norse mythology is right then that means that there is a weapon that I can use which would be even more powerful than Mjölnir! I just hope that it exists here in the Marvel universe...if it doesn't then I'm back to square one.' As Jaime thought this, his body slowly dozed off to sleep, his dreams accompanying him. He slept through the night, showing that he was quite the heavy sleeper.

The next day, Cul was awake and walking side by side with Odin. The two were silent as they walked, neither one seemed to speak to one another. 'The silence is killing me!' Cul thought then glanced over at Odin, the boy had a stern look about him. 'Okay...just act normal he's your younger brother so just act like it.' Cul looked forward once more as he and Odin were approaching where Bor was. "So brother", Cul began to say earning no reaction from Odin, "How has your training been?"

To this Odin did little to nothing as a response. This made Cul frown before feeling that he would have a long way to go to be a true elder brother to Odin. "My training fares well, though that hardly compares to your training with father." Odin responded with an almost monotone. Cul glanced over at Odin a little surprised that he responded. Then with a genuine smile, despite having heard his brother compare his training with Bor, Cul decided that maybe he didn't have to worry about being at odds with his brother.

"I hope that Norik is not beating you as much as father has done to me", Cul continued while earning a an actual reaction from his brother, "Father has yet to teach me how to wield a weapon, so I assume after we have our divinities unlocked then he will strive to teach me." Cul says this, knowing that Odin was far ahead of him with weapons training. After all, the future king of Asgard was being trained by Norik. Norik was the Asgardian God of Battle, in every since of the word whether it be through combat or strategy. Cul would pay or more just to have lessons with Norik. Sadly, he would have to deal with his father instead. "Father has not trained you to wield a sword?", Odin asked curious and confused, "Surely you jest, he is Bor, the greatest warrior of Asgard. Why would he not teach the future king of Asgard how to wield a weapon? It is utterly preposterous."

Cul frowned a bit before they turned a corner. The two princes had arrived to a large courtyard with shining bronze like walls and a rainbow like tree at the center of it. Standing near the tree was the current king of Asgard, Bor. Cul leaned over to his brother and softly whispered over to him. "Do not believe everything that father tells you..." That got Odin to look at his brother fully for several seconds before facing forward. Bor turned to his sons approaching him, his eyes only on Cul though as he stood firm and stoic like. "Cul", He called to his firstborn with such pride then his eyes slowly landed on Odin, "Odin.." He turned to the tree then pointed towards it. "This tree is a root, a root that connects Asgard to the very thing that allows us to both exist and for our home to thrive...Yggdrasil", Bor continued to explain as he started to walk around his sons now, "The tree itself may not show it, but it is very much sentient and has seen fit to bestow us with our godhood. While you two are gods, you have yet to unlock the hidden potential within you. The training that both of you have endured has all been to prepare your bodies for the power that you are about to receive." Bor came to a stop in front of his sons once more then lowered his head a bit. "My sons....there will come a time when my old age will finally reach me. When that time comes, Asgard must be protected. My power wanes, and my death will leave a power vacuum for all the Realms to exploit. However, I believe that you will fill that vacuum and bring order to the Realms."

'This asshole!'

Cul thought, he knew who Bor was talking to. It may seem like that he was talking to the both of them, but he was really talking to Cul. The young Asgardian had to fight the urge to react to that. It was too soon, he couldn't hurt his father. Giving an Asgardian a bloody nose was nothing, all it does is give them an adrenaline rush. Bor stepped aside them looked to Odin. "Odin, you shall start first", Bor gestured for him to approach the tree, "Place your hand onto the root of Yggdrasil, and allow It's power to flow through you." Odin slowly but surely made his way forward, the lad not showing fear as to what was about to happen. When he stood before the tree, he placed his hand onto the root of Yggdrasil. The next thing that happened could only be described as a shockwave of power. Odin was enveloped by an aura of rainbow similar to the Bifrost itself. His eyes were wide open and his body growing significantly, his muscles buldged out and his hair grew longer. After a few moments of anticipation he removed his hand from the root and looked at himself.

'MALDITO!'

Cul thought while gazing upon his younger brother's change, 'He just turned into Teen Gohan from Dragon Ball! Wait no he just turned into one of those Jojo Characters! My boy is JACKED!' Bor decided to get Odin out of his stupor and move it along. "Odin!", He shouted to gain his son's attention, "What are you the God of?" Odin became resolute and spoke with much more confidence and pride. "I am Odin, God of Wisdom and the Sky!" He shouted, causing his voice to echo out of the courtyard. Bor nodded then looked to Cul. "Son, it is your turn now."

Cul slowly and almost reluctantly stepped forth. Odin walked past him, not even batting an eye at his brother. Though Cul barely noticed this as he gazed up at the root of Yggdrasil. He silently gulped down a lump that was about to fill on his throat. Then reached forwards, his hand slowly being placed onto the root. In the next moment it was like he was flung right out of his own body. He was being casted out of Asgard, while his physical body remained where it was. While this happened, to Bor and Odin, Cul's body was unleashing a shockwave of energy that did not hue with power. It gave off pressure, it gave off a sort of impression that one should fear who stands before them. There was also another pressure, one that tells them to rise up, to not give up. It invigorated them with confidence and strength.

'This is some trippy shit!'

Cul thought as his soul finally reached outside of all the Nine Realms. He was floating outside in the void between Realms. His eyes gazed upwards and widened, he saw Yggdrasil, the tree itself. It was extending a small branch over towards him. One that gave off a yellowish and bluish glow. Just as he was going to touch it, the tree branch quite literally forced it into his very soul. This caused Cul to gasp as he felt a surge of power enter him. Once the tree branch had left him, his soul returned back to his body in an instant.

"Cul?" Bor called sounding a bit concerned before feeling his eyes widen. Cul slowly turned then looked towards Odin and Bor. The both of them were gazing at him with widened eyes. Cul raised a brow unsure as to why they were looking at him like that. That was when he noticed that one of his locks were out of place. Then he looked at it closely, noticing that instead of it being blonde...it was black. Cul looked down at himself and noticed that his body had changed as well. He was just as built as Odin, maybe even more so because he was the older brother. "Cul!" The young man stood at attention due to his father's shout. "What are you the God of?"

Cul was about to ponder on that question before the words themselves began to fill his head. It was like a soft whisper, one that slowly but surely entered his mouth. "I am Cul, God of Hope and Fear!" He shouted, his voice echoing out of the courtyard as well. His title of godhood was not too surprising to Odin, but to his father it was. Bor stood there for a moment and processed this before returning to his stern and stoic self. "Congratulations, you have taken your first step into godhood. For today and only today, you are allowed free time. Use it wisely..." Bor said then with a swift turn he was off and out of the courtyard.

Once Bor's heavy footsteps were out of their earshot, Cul ran up to Odin and placed his hands on Odin's shoulder. "Brother look at you!" Cul stated with glee, "You have gotten bigger, though your gut remains the same." Odin looked down only to see his abs sticking through his clothes. With a risen brow he looked at Cul then took in his elder brother's new physical features. Cul had long black hair now, his eyes having become two pupil colors. His right eye yellow and the other blue. The change was quite drastic, the only thing that looked similar to Bor was his face and musculature. "Odin?" Cul called not sure why his brother was silent. "Your jokes aside, congratulations on your divinity being unleashed." Odin congratulated in a rather monotone expression. Cul gave his brother a slight smile now before removing his hands from his shoulder. "You as well Odin."

The two brothers stood in silence for a moment before Cul remembered what his mother had told him last night. "Forgive me brother, but I have some training to catch up on." Cul said and dashed off, almost stumbling over. His body had gotten taller, so he would have to get use to his new height as well as power. His footsteps patted against the hall floors, he was moving far faster than normal. He was making record time as he ran. The young Asgardian barely even noticed the guards gazing at him as he ran past them all. He came to a skidding halt near his mother's garden then dashed inside.

Bestla was seated on a stone bench, watching her plants in a sort of frozen type paradise. She was sitting in silence before looking up to see Cul having arrived. Her eyes widened before blinking twice as she took in how he looked. "Cul", she called, "You've gotten bigger." She joked then gestured for him to come over. "Mother, how did you know that it was me?" Cul asked before embracing his mother gently. "Because I am your mother...and I should know my child better than most."

That caused Cul to get a bit emotional. It wasn't that he was just saddened by those words. It wasn't Cul that was sad, it was Jaime. Jaime never knew the loving embrace of his mother from his past life. Bestla was the best thing that he has ever gotten to having a mother. The Frost Giantess must have read his mind, because the moment he sat down next to her, she embraced her son. Cul remained there unmoving, before gently returning the embrace towards her. He said nothing, neither did she, they just sat there in a loving silence.

After a few long moments, Cul pulled himself together before removing himself from her embrace. "Mother, you had told me to come here as soon as my divinity was unlocked", Cul reminded with a more level headed tone, "I am here now, what is my first lesson?" To this Bestla chuckled sweetly to her self before placing a hand on her son's cheek. "The first lesson is patience Cul", She stated warmly, "And to allow the cold to envelope you. Frost Magic is unique in its own way, you could form weapons, cause blizzards, even more if you are talented enough." She faced forward then slowly closed her eyes. Cul watched her then imitated her as well, wanting to learn all that she had to teach him. He could feel the snowflakes impacting softly against his cheek. His mind clearing itself of all thought as he remained still. "As the cold envelopes you, think of yourself within an ever thickening and disastrous blizzard. One that would freeze you down to your very bone....Now instead of moving against it, move with it."

Cul did as she asked, imagining himself doing it, his body tensing then relaxing each time he breathed deeply. Within moments, the snowflakes began to stop impacting his skin. Actually they just stopped and simply floated around both his and Bestla's bodies respectfully. A proud smirk formed on her lips as she sensed her son was a quick learner. "Now, release your power." She instructed. Cul's eyes opened showing a red ones, the eyes of a Frost Giant. When he had entered the garden he was cold, but now he was still feeling warm. His eyes glanced at the many snowflakes that surrounded the both of them. "Excellent work Cul, now we may truly begin your training."