When Ethan Blake stepped forward, the conversations around him gradually faded into silence. Although Ethan had already said that he couldn't lift the hammer, no one present truly believed him. In their eyes, Ethan was far too mysterious, a man who seemed to possess knowledge and insight far beyond normal people. Considering everything he had already revealed, it was entirely possible that he had some unusual method to lift Mjolnir.
Even Ethan himself felt a trace of curiosity. The hammer was right in front of him, resting quietly as if waiting for someone worthy to claim it. If he hadn't been at least a little curious, Natasha Romanoff's earlier provocation wouldn't have worked on him in the first place.
He stepped closer and reached out, wrapping one hand firmly around Mjolnir's handle. The metal was cold and unexpectedly heavy beneath his palm, carrying a weight that felt ancient and immovable. Ethan paused for a moment, taking a slow breath as he gathered his strength.
Then he suddenly pulled upward.
The force he used was more than enough to yank a tree as thick as a wrist straight out of the ground. Under normal circumstances, that level of strength would have easily uprooted something small and sent dirt flying everywhere. Yet when that power was applied to Mjolnir, the result was like throwing a pebble into the ocean.
Nothing happened.
There was no crack of thunder. No sudden lightning tearing through the sky. The air didn't shift, and the weather remained completely normal. Most importantly, the hammer didn't move even the slightest bit.
Ethan stared at it for a moment before pursing his lips slightly. This hammer showed absolutely no respect for him at all. It couldn't even pretend to move a tiny bit just to give him some dignity in front of everyone.
Looks like I'm really not superhero material after all, he thought with quiet resignation.
Just as he was about to release the handle and step away, something unexpected happened. Ethan suddenly felt his vision dim as if the light around him had been swallowed by darkness. His senses briefly blurred, and for an instant it felt like the world itself had slipped out of place.
When his sight returned a moment later, everything around him had completely changed.
Mjolnir was gone. Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, Natasha Romanoff, and the surrounding S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had vanished as well. The dusty research site and temporary buildings that had filled the desert moments earlier were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, Ethan now stood inside a magnificent golden hall.
The entire chamber seemed to be built from shining gold, reflecting a soft but powerful glow from every surface. Massive pillars stretched high above him, each one decorated with elaborate carvings that told stories of ancient battles and forgotten legends. The architecture radiated a sense of divine authority that made the entire space feel overwhelming.
Ethan's first thought was simple.
Where am I?
His second thought followed immediately.
Teleport.
Without hesitation, he attempted to activate his teleportation ability. Normally, the ability responded instantly whenever he called upon it, allowing him to move across space in an instant. However, this time nothing happened.
Not even the slightest response.
A faint trace of panic flickered through Ethan's mind. His teleportation ability had always been one of his greatest safeguards, a reliable escape from danger. Now it simply refused to respond as if it had been completely cut off.
Still, Ethan forced himself to calm down quickly. Panic would only make things worse, and he knew very well that keeping a clear head was the best strategy in uncertain situations.
There were only two possible explanations.
Either something within this place was suppressing his teleportation ability, or he wasn't physically present here at all. Instead, he might be in some kind of spiritual projection or consciousness-based state.
After considering both possibilities, Ethan leaned toward the second explanation.
His teleportation ability originated from the world of Doraemon. Compared with the vast scale of the Marvel multiverse, that world wasn't necessarily weaker in terms of technological or dimensional capabilities. An ability from that universe shouldn't be easily suppressed.
Only beings standing at the absolute peak of the multiverse could realistically block something like that.
But if someone that powerful truly wanted to harm him, they could have done it long ago. There would have been no need to wait until now to act.
Then Ethan recalled the moment right before everything changed.
He had been holding Mjolnir.
And the architecture surrounding him now…
It looked unmistakably Asgardian.
The golden structures, the immense ceremonial hall, the mythic atmosphere woven into every detail. Ethan had seen enough images and descriptions to recognize the style immediately.
At that point, a strong guess formed in his mind.
There was at least an eighty percent chance that Odin had brought him here.
"Greetings, child of Midgard."
A deep voice suddenly echoed throughout the vast hall. The sound carried effortlessly across the chamber, filled with calm authority that seemed to resonate from the very walls themselves.
Ethan turned toward the source of the voice.
Just moments ago, the massive throne at the far end of the hall had been empty. Now an old man sat upon it as if he had always been there.
The man was tall and imposing even while seated. Brilliant golden armor covered his body, gleaming under the light of the hall. In his right hand he held a long spear that radiated ancient power, and one of his eyes was covered by a simple patch.
The All-Father.
Odin.
With just a single glance, Ethan recognized him immediately.
"Your Majesty," Ethan said without hesitation.
He placed his right hand across his chest and bowed respectfully. When facing someone as powerful as Odin, showing proper courtesy was the least he could do.
"You truly know who I am," Odin said calmly.
Ethan's heart skipped for a moment.
Damn.
He had overlooked something important.
His thoughts began racing rapidly as he considered his options. Should he attempt the same vague explanations he had used with Nick Fury and Tony Stark earlier? That was probably a terrible idea. If Odin saw through the lie, the consequences could be far worse.
Ethan knew better than most people just how terrifying Odin had been in his youth.
The All-Father had once waged war across the Nine Realms, conquering realm after realm with overwhelming power. During that era, the name of Asgard alone had inspired fear throughout the universe.
In other words, Odin was definitely not some harmless old man.
If Ethan accidentally angered him now, the outcome could become very unpleasant.
Damn it.
If I had known this would happen, I never would've touched that stupid hammer. Natasha, this whole situation is your fault.
Before Ethan could come up with a proper explanation, Odin spoke again.
"I heard what you said earlier."
Ethan blinked in confusion for a moment. He tried to recall exactly which words Odin might be referring to, but nothing specific came to mind right away.
What exactly had he said?
Odin continued speaking before Ethan could ask.
"I'm surprised that you know so much about Asgard, about Midgard, even Loki's identity… and the recent events that have occurred in Asgard."
Ethan froze briefly before realization dawned on him.
Everything he had casually mentioned earlier in front of Fury and the others had apparently been heard by Odin. The All-Father had been observing the situation from afar the entire time.
Of course.
This was Odin.
If anyone possessed the ability to watch events across realms so easily, it would be him.
"Your Majesty…" Ethan began carefully, unsure how to explain the situation.
Odin raised one hand slightly, interrupting him before he could continue.
"When one grows old," Odin said calmly, "curiosity becomes less important. The universe is vast and filled with countless secrets. There is no need to uncover every single one of them."
Ethan immediately nodded.
"You're absolutely right, Your Majesty."
If Odin was willing to overlook the matter, Ethan certainly had no intention of bringing it up again. Some mysteries were better left unexplained.
"Then you should also know the true reason why I exiled Thor to Earth," Odin continued.
Ethan hesitated briefly before answering honestly.
"Yes, I do."
"Thor is destined to become the future king of Asgard," Odin said slowly. "But he still does not yet understand what it truly means to be a king."
The All-Father's single eye fixed firmly on Ethan.
"I hope that you will give him a little help. Guide him so that he can recognize his mistakes and learn his responsibilities."
His tone was calm, but the meaning behind his words was unmistakable.
"Will you do that?"
Ethan responded immediately.
"Asgard has protected Midgard from countless alien invasions for thousands of years. If the future king of Asgard needs help, then assisting him is my duty as someone from Midgard."
His answer sounded extremely righteous and sincere.
Of course, inside Ethan's mind it was simply a matter of saying the right thing. Words were free, and making Odin pleased with him was clearly the safest strategy.
Odin appeared satisfied with Ethan's response.
For the sake of Thor's growth, the All-Father had invested a tremendous amount of effort into the plan he had carefully prepared. Ethan's sudden appearance had become an unexpected variable within that arrangement.
Soon enough, Thor would inevitably encounter Ethan.
Odin worried that Ethan might accidentally reveal something that could disrupt the entire lesson he had planned for his son. That concern was the real reason he had summoned Ethan here.
"I believe you and Thor will become good friends," Odin said calmly.
After a brief pause, he spoke once more.
"Then accept this as my gratitude for the help you will give my son."
....
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