When Hela arrived aboard Asgard's cosmic "vessel," she saw Lucas floating quietly in the void of space.
His eyes were closed, deep in thought, allowing his body to drift freely.
Sensing her arrival, Lucas opened his eyes.
"Are you alright?" Hela floated down from the ship and stopped beside him.
"I'm fine," Lucas replied calmly. "Just as I expected. Last time, I simply failed to control it properly."
"What about Surtur?" Hela asked as she looked around.
Before Lucas could answer, a fist-sized figure, completely wreathed in flames, suddenly popped out from behind his back.
It was Surtur.
Or rather—
A tiny Surtur, no bigger than a clenched fist.
"…???"
Not only Hela, but even Odin and the others who had just arrived were completely stunned.
After all, anyone who had just witnessed a thousand-meter-tall fire giant moments earlier would inevitably experience severe mental whiplash upon seeing this palm-sized version.
Under everyone's gaze, Little Surtur hurriedly hid behind Lucas, only peeking out timidly.
"What… what is going on?" Hela asked, utterly confused.
"I honestly don't know either," Lucas shrugged helplessly.
"After I used Supernova, I noticed his presence. Before I could do anything, he suddenly started treating me like family."
Hela looked even more confused, but at that moment, Odin stepped forward.
"I believe I understand what happened."
"Elemental life forms like Surtur are composed entirely of energy," Odin explained.
"And for them, energy itself also serves as a carrier of memory."
"Your previous attack dismantled his energy structure completely, effectively reverting him to a state before his birth."
"The first thing he saw was you. And because your energy now carries the characteristics of the Eternal Flame, he naturally recognizes you as kin."
Lucas nodded in realization. "So that's how it is."
But then his brows furrowed.
"Wait—my energy carries the attributes of the Eternal Flame?"
Odin smiled faintly. "The Eternal Flame is a manifestation of the fire-based laws of reality, representing immortality and unending existence."
"Your technique was so overwhelming that, in order to survive, the Eternal Flame fused itself with your energy."
"If you don't believe me, try it."
Lucas raised his hand and condensed his ki.
Sure enough, the energy that had once carried a faint bluish hue had now turned light red, emitting clear fluctuations of space and fire laws.
Lucas frowned slightly.
Odin chuckled. "Don't underestimate the Eternal Flame. Countless beings have coveted it throughout history."
"Those who fuse with it gain near-infinite regeneration and an undying physical body."
"I suspect your healing speed and energy recovery have both increased dramatically."
Lucas formed a pale red energy blade and slashed it across his right arm.
The cut opened instantly—but before blood could even appear, the wound healed completely.
At the same time, the energy he had just consumed replenished itself almost instantly.
"So… I've gained absurd regeneration and energy recovery?" Lucas said in amazement.
Compared to truly powerful cosmic beings, his previous shortcomings had always been physical recovery and stamina.
Saiyans were notorious for this flaw—without Senzu Beans, transformations consumed enormous energy, and post-battle recovery was painfully slow.
Now, the Eternal Flame had patched both weaknesses at once.
"Waaah—waaah!"
At that moment, Little Surtur tugged at Lucas's hair and pointed at his own stomach, making pitiful noises.
"…Huh?" Lucas blinked.
"He's hungry," Hela said calmly. "Your energy contains the Eternal Flame. To him, that's the best possible food."
"…So I've become his walking food supply?" Lucas sighed.
Still, he condensed a small ball of energy in his palm.
Little Surtur immediately pounced on it, hugging the energy orb and gnawing at it happily.
"Um…" Thor stepped forward hesitantly.
"Does this mean Ragnarok can't happen anymore?"
"Unless you deliberately provoke Lucas and he brings Surtur back to Asgard," Hela replied flatly.
"Absolutely not!" Thor denied instantly.
That would be suicidal.
"Since everything's settled, I'll return to calm the citizens," Hela said, finally letting out a relieved breath.
Odin gave a subtle nod.
Hela's nature wasn't truly cruel. Even in the original timeline, she tried persuasion first and only resorted to slaughter when left with no choice.
Had it been someone else imprisoned for thousands of years, Asgard would have been drenched in blood upon their return.
Back in Asgard, Lucas began adapting to the changes within his energy, while Odin's family addressed the public.
This significantly improved public opinion toward Hela, easing tensions among both civilians and nobility.
Later, Hela returned to the palace and looked at Lucas, who was meditating.
"I've decided to move the coronation ceremony to tomorrow," she said. "You'll attend with me."
Lucas opened his eyes.
For a brief moment, brilliant multicolored energy flickered within his pupils.
"Why are you dragging me into your coronation?" he asked.
Hela sat down on the throne and replied calmly,
"First, you resolved this crisis. It's only proper that the people see you."
"Second—" she paused, smirking,
"you're the only man I acknowledge and desire. Why wouldn't you stand beside me?"
…So that was the real reason.
Before Lucas could protest, Hela spoke again.
"Oh, right. Come out, darling."
From the shadows emerged a massive wolf.
No—
A giant dire wolf.
The beast walked to Hela's side and affectionately rubbed its enormous head against her shoulder.
"Good boy," Hela said softly.
"Come—meet your other master. From now on, seeing him is the same as seeing me. Understand?"
Fenrir approached Lucas and sniffed him curiously, then tried to nuzzle him as well.
But at that moment—
A flash of light.
Little Surtur suddenly leaped onto Fenrir's nose, startling the massive wolf so badly that it nearly jumped back like a frightened husky.
___
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