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🕑 Added 2025-01-04 13:31:00 +0000 UTCLoki stood motionless in the hall, his eyes filled with fear. His chest heaved as he breathed heavily, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He knew exactly whose voice it was and why it had suddenly appeared in that place.
The instigator of everything—the one who had casually massacred Laufey and his entire army—was none other than Leon.
Although Loki hadn't faced him directly, the sensation he'd just experienced was akin to being submerged in the deepest ocean, surrounded by pitch-black darkness. The crushing pressure of seawater seemed to squeeze him into pulp. The suffocating, breathless despair left him utterly powerless.
Was it some kind of magic?
No. It couldn't have been magic. Loki, a master of the arcane, was certain of that. The other man seemed to possess a way to pierce through the boundaries between dimensions and reach into his very soul. In a manner Loki couldn't comprehend, his soul had been dragged into that strange, despair-filled world.
Loki was sure of one thing: if Leon wanted to kill him, he could have done so effortlessly—even from two worlds away.
The sheer terror of that realization paralyzed Loki. The overwhelming power Leon exuded reminded him of facing Odin as a child—a majesty that pressed down on him with an irresistible force. Just one glance from Leon was enough to snuff out all hope of survival.
Such a force, now revealed to exist in a realm Loki had once dismissed as insignificant, filled him with regret and dread.
Why had it come to this?
Loki's plans had crumbled. Thor was alive and had regained his divine power. The Frost Giants he had allied with had been slaughtered. He was utterly alone. When Thor returned, Loki knew what awaited him: the judgment of Asgard.
And he understood all too well that, despite being Odin's son, his actions were unforgivable. The best outcome he could hope for was exile, stripped of his powers and heritage. The worst was execution.
The thought of such a fate was unbearable. Loki's eyes flickered as his resolve hardened. He had to escape.
"My dear brother," he murmured to himself, a sinister gleam in his eyes. "I look forward to our next meeting."
Leon gently guided Wanda to the ground after their confrontation with Loki. Below, Thor stood with Sif and the Warriors Three. Seeing Leon and Wanda descend, Thor stepped forward, his gaze briefly resting on Wanda before addressing Leon.
But before Thor could speak, two figures—Sergei and Pietro—rushed toward them, their faces alight with relief.
"I appreciate your help, my friends," Thor said warmly.
"Haha, it was our honor to fight alongside you," Sergei replied, grinning.
"You've given us a new understanding of humanity," Pietro added.
Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three exchanged heartfelt embraces with Sergei and Pietro. Sif, with her warrior's grace, gave Wanda a warm hug.
Finally, Thor and his companions turned to Leon. Solemnly, Thor struck his chest with his right hand—the highest mark of respect in Asgard.
"Thank you, Leon, and your companions. Without your aid, I would not have understood my father's teachings, nor regained my former glory."
Thor's tone was steady, filled with gratitude. "On behalf of Asgard, I also apologize for the unnecessary war that we brought upon you."
Though Thor's personality was heroic and larger-than-life, he carried himself with humility and decorum when addressing those worthy of respect. His demeanor, regal yet earnest, made Leon nod in approval.
"You truly embody what your father once said—that you would be the greatest king of the Asgard lineage," Leon said softly.
Thor's companions smiled, but his expression turned pensive. "Have you met my father?"
Leon nodded. "He is a wise king and a good father."
Thor's face fell slightly. "It's a pity I disappointed him."
"Believe me," Leon said, placing a reassuring hand on Thor's shoulder, "everyone has moments of failure. You've grown up basking in glory, lost your way, and now you've found it again. But this is only the beginning—you must keep moving forward."
Despite Leon's age—he was not yet twenty—his words carried the weight of an elder's wisdom. Thor, Wanda, and the others listened intently, captivated by his mature aura and the authority he exuded. Leon's presence alone demanded respect, a combination of his power, temperament, and charisma.
"Thank you," Thor said earnestly. "The light of friendship will shine between Asgard and Midgard. We are loyal to our allies and will never betray them. Midgard will also be a home I cherish and protect."
Thor's solemn vow was met with nods from Leon and his companions.
"If war arises again, my friends and I will fight alongside you," Thor continued, determination blazing in his eyes.
Turning to his fellow Avengers, Thor embraced each of them warmly. His cheerful, straightforward nature ignited camaraderie, even with those from vastly different worlds—particularly someone like Logan, who thrived in battles fought side by side.
After promises to drink and share tales in the future, Thor finally bid farewell to Leon. "Asgard faces a crisis, and I must return to resolve it."
He paused, glancing toward the distance. "Please, convey my apologies to Jane, Dr. Selvig, and the others. I will always cherish the time I spent with them. And I'm sorry for the destruction this battle caused—I will bring my reparations the next time I visit."
With a final nod, Thor departed, his resolve burning brighter than ever.
