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"Old man?" Arthur felt an inexplicable sense of unease as he tentatively called out.
Odin seemed to stir from deep thought, his one remaining eye settling on Arthur before giving a slow nod. "You're here?"
"...I'm here." Arthur nodded, studying the All-Father's expression. "Are you... alright?"
"Of course, I'm fine," Odin replied, his voice calm but distant. "Even though Frigga has departed from this world, I remain the God-King of Asgard."
"..."
Arthur blinked. Then, in the next second, his eyes widened in shock. "Queen Frigga... is gone?"
Wait. Hold on.
Did the All-Father just say Frigga left him?
No way. Were they— getting a divorce? At their age?
That didn't make any sense! Frigga had just visited Earth yesterday. How could she suddenly be splitting up with Odin? And more importantly, who's the third party?
Before he could piece together his own absurd thoughts, Odin spoke again. "You arrived in Asgard suddenly. Have you not yet heard the tragic news? Yesterday, the Dark Elves invaded, and Queen Frigga... fell in battle, struck down in their cowardly ambush."
Arthur froze.
Was this some kind of sick joke?
No.
Odin wasn't the type to joke about something like this.
"By the way, why are you here?" Odin regarded Arthur with a hint of curiosity before his expression shifted in realization. "Ah... that's right. I summoned you, didn't I?"
"..."
Arthur had no idea how to respond.
You summoned me?
"The decree has already been issued," Odin continued, his tone unwavering. "You are now the God of War of Asgard— the first human to achieve divinity. In time, when you wed Hela, Asgard's future will rest in your hands."
Under normal circumstances, Arthur would have rejected that notion immediately.
But right now, that felt like a secondary issue compared to whatever was happening with Odin.
Did the old man just forget his own words?
"Come closer." Odin gestured toward him.
Arthur hesitated only for a moment before stepping up to the throne, observing Odin's face up close. The All-Father's weariness was more pronounced than ever.
Then, Odin gave a faint smile. A glowing sphere of energy manifested in his hand as he extended it toward Arthur.
"This is my gift to you."
Arthur studied the orb warily. "Is this… godhood?"
"You could call it that." Odin placed the sphere in his palm.
It was hot.
And before Arthur could react, tendrils of energy surged from the sphere, snaking into his skin, seeping into his very core.
On instinct, he willed it into his Disassemble space. But something felt... off.
This wasn't godhood.
It was raw divine energy.
Arthur frowned, his tone sharp. "What exactly is this?"
"I... don't know."
Odin's gaze grew distant, his expression flickering with uncertainty. It was as if— for just a moment— he had forgotten what he had just said.
Then, as if snapping back to reality, he exhaled sharply. "You may leave now."
Arthur stared.
That's it?
The conversation's not even finished, and you're already dismissing me?
Even as he stepped out of the Golden Palace, his mind was still spinning.
'God of War'? Did that mean he had to shave his head and carry a battle axe now?
Alright, that wasn't the important part.
The important part was— what the hell is wrong with Odin?
And that orb… First, Odin called it godhood. Then he claimed he didn't know what it was. That contradiction alone was a giant red flag.
Arthur had barely woken up this morning, ready to carry out his own plans.
Now, before he could even begin, he was already staring at three massive question marks.
Where was the logic in this?
With his mind buzzing with questions, Arthur returned to his chambers, lost in thought.
On the way, he crossed paths with Thor. The two exchanged a glance— each recognizing the confusion and unease in the other's eyes— but neither spoke. Without a word, they continued in opposite directions.
…
…
Back in his room, Arthur flipped his hand, and the orb materialized in his palm.
The moment he grasped it, that familiar surge of energy returned, pouring into his body.
It was pure, raw power— devoid of any specific attributes, yet potent beyond measure. As it flowed into him, it fused seamlessly with the massive energy core already within him, causing his strength to rise at a visible rate.
The sensation was strange, yet at the same time, absolutely exhilarating.
There was no thrill greater than feeling one's power grow so rapidly.
And yet, Arthur couldn't bring himself to celebrate.
Because at that moment, an immense force stirred deep within his soul— yanking his consciousness inward without warning.
And then…
He saw Odin.
"You're here?" Odin greeted him with an all-too-familiar phrase.
Then he continued, "Do not be alarmed— this is merely a projection embedded within my divine energy. The moment you began absorbing the power I left you, this meeting was set in motion. I can also answer some of the questions you undoubtedly have."
Arthur's eyes widened. "…Old man, what game are you playing now?"
"My divine energy. That orb."
Odin sighed. "My time is running out. What little divine energy I have left will soon dissipate— but instead of letting it go to waste, I gave it to you. More importantly, only you can fully integrate it without any rejection. Your nature allows you to absorb and harmonize with all forms of power."
Arthur rubbed his temples. "Give me a second to process this… What about you out there? What's happening to him?"
"That is my true self." Odin's smile was calm, almost serene. "Last night, I made a few… adjustments. I stripped myself of most of my divine energy, leaving only a fragment. Then, I sealed and altered my own memories."
Arthur's expression darkened. "And what was the logic behind that decision?"
Odin studied him for a moment before answering, "I am at the end of my journey. Without my divine energy to stabilize me, my mind will grow less rational, my judgment clouded. I feared I might make choices that could doom everything. The 'me' you see now— the one ruling Asgard— doesn't know your full significance. He will think and act according to who I once was. I may be stubborn, but at least this way, I won't destroy the future I hope to protect."
Arthur frowned. "And you're fine with that? That's a massive sacrifice."
Odin was silent for a long moment before offering a small, knowing smile. "To me, Asgard is everything. My fate is sealed, Arthur. But before I go, I want to leave behind as much hope as I can."
Arthur's jaw tightened. "Your future… I might be able to change it."
"But you cannot extend my life." Odin chuckled softly. "That is beyond your current abilities. Perhaps, in a few hundred years…"
He trailed off, shaking his head. "But even if you'd arrived centuries ago, I might not have been ready to accept you. As it stands, your timing is perfect— at least for Asgard."
(End of Chapter)