12

In a secluded taverna in town, Thor sat solemnly at the bar, feeling dejected after his recent failure to lift Mjolnir. Victor, empathetic to his brother's plight, sought to console him, prompting Eric, the bartender, to guide them to the tavern for solace.

"It's not always about having all the answers. Sometimes, asking the right questions is enough," Victor reassured Thor, gesturing for the waiter to approach.

"I've lost my way," Thor admitted with a complex expression, wondering if his destiny was simply to live as an ordinary man.

"Alright then, let's have some wine—three beers and whiskey," Victor interrupted, signaling the waiter to bring the drinks.

Within moments, three large beer glasses were delivered to their table, surprising Thor. Victor wasted no time, immediately combining beer and whiskey into his glass.

The trio raised their drinks simultaneously, embarking on a drinking bout that quickly escalated into a friendly competition.

Thor, renowned for his capacity, relished the challenge, downing his drink in one gulp. Victor, matching Thor's enthusiasm, slammed his glass on the table with vigor that nearly shattered the surface.

"Again!" Victor roared, exuding a fierce determination that belied his otherwise laid-back demeanor.

Thor, equally spirited, slammed his glass down in unison, the competition igniting a camaraderie that momentarily pushed aside their troubles.

With each round of drinks, their spirits lifted, and the atmosphere between them grew lighter. The act of drinking became a mutual catharsis, allowing them to forget their troubles, if only for a fleeting moment.

Meanwhile, Odin, observing through his divine sense, couldn't help but shake his head at the antics of his sons. "Two rebels!" he muttered to himself, questioning whether sending Thor to the mortal world was indeed the right decision or merely another indulgence on Victor's part.

Odin's attention then turned to Loki in Asgard's temple, where his adopted son sat on the throne, wrestling with newfound revelations about his lineage.

Loki had recently learned the truth of his birth—that he was not of Asgardian blood but descended from the Frost Giants. This revelation struck him deeply, complicating his feelings of betrayal and abandonment.

"I'm not one of them," Loki muttered bitterly to himself, his thoughts consumed by plans to rid himself of Thor and Victor.

Just then, the Three Warriors of the Immortal Palace and Sif entered, disrupting Loki's contemplation. They knelt before him, seeking permission to journey to the mortal world in search of Thor.

Loki, torn between duty and personal vendetta, reluctantly denied their request. "I cannot defy the will of the king," he declared, though his heart weighed heavily with conflicting emotions.

Back on the Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall faced a similar dilemma when confronted by Hogan and the warriors, who pleaded for passage to the mortal realm.

"Do you wish to see Thor stranded in the Nether forever, Heimdall?" Hogan implored urgently, emphasizing the importance of Thor's return to Asgard.

Heimdall, sensing impending turmoil, reluctantly conceded, "The Bifrost is yours to command. Proceed with caution."

As the Immortal Palace warriors departed for Earth, Heimdall couldn't shake the foreboding feeling that their actions would have far-reaching consequences for Asgard and its future.