Norway.
By the time the two brothers arrived, Odin was already waiting for them in silence.
The sea of Norway was mesmerizing.
Odin stood by the shore, facing the sunset across the water.
When the brothers approached him, he seemed to sense their presence, but he did not turn around. Instead, he spoke calmly.
"Do you see this place? The scenery here is truly beautiful."
The two brothers looked toward the coastline. It was indeed breathtaking, though Asgard also had many places that were no less magnificent.
They could not understand why their father was standing here at a time like this.
It was clear to them that Nolan Locke's training had been arranged at Odin's request. So in their minds, everything Nolan had done was ultimately part of their father's will.
Naturally, their resentment toward Nolan Locke faded. Not only that, but they even felt a trace of gratitude.
Without him, their strength would never have increased so quickly.
Especially Thor. Before awakening and after awakening felt like two completely different lives.
"Father, Asgard still needs you," Thor said.
Odin did not respond to that. Instead, he said softly, "I can feel your mother calling to me. She is waiting for me somewhere peaceful, though I know she is growing impatient."
Hearing this, even Loki, who had always held some resentment toward Odin, felt his heart tighten.
Their mother was already dead.
The meaning behind Odin's words was clear. He was approaching his Eternal Sleep as well.
"I know why you came," Odin continued. "But I can give you very little now. Remember this, Nolan Locke is not your enemy. He may become your greatest ally in the future."
"I know you had conflicts with him, but I sent him to train you so that those conflicts would fade."
Odin turned slightly toward Thor.
"You are still not mature enough to bear the burden of Asgard."
Thor immediately replied, "Father, I am already strong enough. I have awakened my divine power. I can protect Asgard and its people from any threat."
He knew what Odin meant. He also understood that his father's time was running out.
All he wanted now was for Odin to leave in peace, not with worry.
But Odin only shook his head.
"You are still far from it."
For their lineage, awakening divine power was only the beginning.
True strength required far more than that.
And compared to Thor, Hela had already reached her peak. Even Odin himself might no longer be able to defeat her.
Thor fell silent.
Loki, unusually serious, spoke next. "Perhaps we are not strong enough yet, but we will continue to grow."
Then he added, "Thor is not suitable to be king of Asgard. Father, you should pass the throne to me instead."
Thor immediately shot him a glare.
But Loki ignored him.
In matters of succession, sentimentality had no place.
However, Odin had never considered Loki as a candidate.
Not only because he was not his biological son, but also because Loki's mind was too sharp.
A sharp mind was not necessarily a flaw, but it was not what Asgard needed in a ruler.
Asgard was a realm ruled by strength. Strength was everything.
Wisdom was only a supplement, not a foundation.
Thor was not perfect, but Loki lacked the raw power to stand at the top.
A king must always stand in front of his people.
"Loki," Odin said calmly, "you should support your brother. One day, you will realize he is a worthy king of Asgard."
Loki glanced at Thor with disdain.
"How can someone without a brain be king?"
Thor's expression darkened instantly.
"Loki, do you want to fight me right now?"
He was trying to stay composed in front of their father, but Loki's words made it impossible.
Loki finally fell silent.
He knew pushing too far would only end badly for him.
But this might be his only chance to prove himself in front of Odin.
Odin simply watched their exchange without anger. Then he spoke again.
"Nolan Locke has likely already told you about Hela."
"I wanted to tell you myself, but he would not have listened."
"Hela is dangerous. There is no doubt about that."
"I once foresaw Ragnarok."
Thor's eyes sharpened. "Surtur?"
"I saw Surtur wielding the Twilight Sword, destroying Asgard. But I have already captured him. That future should no longer happen."
A faint trace of pride appeared on Thor's face.
But Odin shook his head.
"Surtur is only a trigger. If nothing changes, the one who will bring about Asgard's destruction through Surtur… is you."
"What?" Thor froze.
Loki, on the other hand, looked oddly pleased.
If Thor would cause Asgard's destruction, then how could he ever be king?
Odin continued, "Hela's power is bound to Asgard itself. The stronger Asgard becomes, the stronger she grows."
"If nothing changes, the only way you can defeat her is by destroying Asgard. Only then can her power be weakened enough for you to stand a chance."
Thor felt a chill run down his spine.
He could not accept it, but he knew Odin would not lie.
Sacrificing Asgard to defeat Hela felt impossible. He could not even imagine himself making such a decision.
"Then… is there no hope for Asgard?" Thor asked.
"There is," Odin replied immediately.
"But whether that hope becomes reality depends on Nolan Locke."
"He is Asgard's only chance."
Thor's expression turned serious.
"I will save Asgard myself."
Even if Nolan was considered the key, Thor still wanted to save his home with his own hands.
Odin did not stop him. In fact, he seemed to approve.
A king should be like this.
Then Odin turned to Loki.
"Loki…"
Loki was startled. He had not expected Odin to speak to him directly.
"Father," he finally said after a pause.
"Asgard will be in your hands as well. Thor is still not a complete king. He will need you."
"I hope the two of you can protect Asgard together."
With those words, Odin's form began to fade.
Slowly, he dissolved into light, scattering into the sea.
"Father!" Thor shouted desperately.
But Odin was already gone.
Loki stood frozen, eyes trembling. That final message had been directed at him.
He was their only family left.
As Odin's presence vanished completely, far away in the realm of the dead, Hela felt it too.
The last trace of Odin's power disappeared.
A faint smile appeared on her face, mixed with something like sorrow.
If Odin had chosen differently, she would never have been wounded. She would never have been sealed away.
But choices could not be undone.
She stood up.
At the moment Odin's power fully vanished, Hela's smile deepened.
Behind her, countless undead armies began to gather like a rising tide.
The silent world of death finally stirred.
"Hela… I am coming."
Then she paused and smiled faintly.
"Perhaps I should visit my dear brother."
"There is no reason to rush. Let me see whether he is worthy of the throne."
Her voice carried no emotion when she said "dear brother."
She felt no affection for Thor. Only hatred.
And now, she was ready for revenge.
A glowing portal opened.
Hela stepped through.
Back on Earth, Nolan Locke sat in his office, a beautiful secretary beside him, while he lazily handled paperwork.
Suddenly, Red Queen's voice echoed in the room.
"Odin's life signal has disappeared."
Nolan stood up.
His expression turned serious.
"So… it's finally here."
He had never planned to send Thor and Loki away.
Because he knew very well that Hela's goal was not just Asgard.
It was the entire Nine Realms.
And Earth would not be spared.
Sharon Carter looked at him with concern.
"What's going on?"
Nolan smiled faintly.
"Nothing serious. Just an old woman who has been locked up for a very long time… is about to come out."
Sharon did not fully understand, but she could tell this was dangerous.
"Should I inform the governments?"
Nolan shook his head.
"It is not just my problem. But… they cannot handle this."
He stretched lazily.
"Just watch. That will be enough."
Meanwhile, as Hela sensed Thor and Loki's location…
Thor also felt something.
A strange pressure, like instinct itself warning him.
"It's coming…"
Loki frowned. "What is coming?"
Before Thor could answer, his expression darkened.
"Hela."
Loki's face changed instantly.
"That's impossible. Father only just passed. Even if she escaped, it should take time…"
But before he could finish, a portal opened beside them.
A woman stepped out.
Elegant. Cold. Terrifying.
"My dear brother… long time no see."
Hela spoke.
Thor stood firm, forcing down the fear rising inside him.
"Hela! You should still be sealed away!"
"This is your fault! Everything that happened was your doing!"
Hela smiled faintly.
"My fault?"
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