The vacation on Midgard had come to an end, and now was the time to return. I sighed as I foresaw the hectic days ahead. I don't know for how many years this expedition would last, but I was sure that this time around, I would leave a name for myself in the universe.
"HEIMDALL!! Take us back!" I shouted loudly, looking upwards.
And soon the Bifrost descended, and within seconds, we were in Asgard. Now, while Earth may have been fun, Asgard just feels better—it feels like home. I greeted Heimdall and moved towards the palace.
Since I am back, I need to meet my parents. Father might be expecting me... As for Hela, she could be annoyed about us leaving her for so long.
"So you've returned. Took you long enough... Are you ready for the upcoming wars?" asked the All-Father, sitting on his throne, though the court was empty except for the guards.
"You know I am, Father... I could defeat them all myself if need be. The army is going to be just the spectators there anyways," I replied with a smile.
"Indeed. But you need to showcase your strength. The people of Asgard need to know the strength of their crown prince. So go and rest for now. The expedition will start in 15 days... and go meet your mother too. She has been missing you," Father said, his face forming a small smile by the end.
"Yes, Father." I agreed, smiled, and left the throne room.
Walking through the aisles of the palace, I was suddenly attacked with a sword—which I blocked by simply raising my hand.
"Humph. You left me here while you ran off to have fun. You should have at least asked me to join," said the attacker with a pout on her face. This was my dearest sister, who is very gentle, kind, and well-behaved. She always acts in an elegant manner and always stays away from fights. Believe me—marry her, and take her away from me. Just kidding, anyone coming near her is getting smited.
"I thought you wouldn't be interested in that. Besides, if you missed your dear brother so much, then don't worry—because you are going to be my second-in-command in the next war," I said with a warm smile, caressing her head.
Hela looked at me with a deadpan face, and I sighed, reminiscing about the times she was younger—how fun it was to tease her... I mean, I can still tease her, but her reactions are getting less fun nowadays. She's turning into a serious woman...
"I will be your second-in-command? You are taking me with you? I thought you would give that position to Freyja," Hela asked with surprise, but added the last part with a smirk... Look, now she's even starting to tease me.
"You know, sis, we might be exact opposites—from powers to ideologies, maybe in everything—but there is one thing I can certainly say. If I am in a war and I need someone to guard my back, you would be the one I would trust the most for it. Yeah, you might not be the smartest or the strongest, but you are my dear sister—the one whom I have known for the longest time in the world." Yes, most of this was actually true. Hela and I might not exactly be as close as some real-life twins, but I still did trust her.
I had long given thought on how to ensure Hela doesn't rebel, and I realized that the best way would be to simply bond with her deeply. I was not about to mind-control my own sister, so this was the best option.
And maybe due to some preconceived prejudices on my part, we weren't as close as I would want before—because unknowingly, I would refer to Hela as the villain of Thor: Ragnarok... But I have realized my mistakes and have tried bonding with my sister more often. But you can't blame me for this entirely—I had been a single child in my past life. My experience on how to live and bond with siblings wasn't exactly the best.
Hela had a bright smile hearing all that—even the slight tease in between didn't affect her. She just laughed a bit and asked, "That still does not answer my question though. I thought you would give this position to Freyja."
"Freyja would join us, but she would most definitely not be the one leading. This time around, I would put on a show of my strength—and you too would join me. Last time, beating Tyr did give me a good reputation, but I still need to wreck some enemies. So this will basically be my one-man show. In the meanwhile, you would command the soldiers. Understood?" Hela did have the qualities of a general. In the original work, she led the armies of Asgard to several victories, so commanding an army in a standby is nothing difficult for her.
And I could also give the task to Freyja—but Odin would not like that. A Vanir princess, who isn't even married into the family yet, leading the armies of Asgard is unthinkable. Besides, maybe because we joke too much or Freyja is almost never serious, I just can't see her leading an army.
Anyways, she would be a queen one day. She doesn't need to know how to lead armies.
Hela nodded seriously hearing my words—and this was the difference between Freyja and Hela. She accepted the task and did not complain about it, and it would be a guaranteed success.
Parting with Hela, I went to visit my mother—who pulled me into a hug as soon as she saw me. We talked for a few hours before I could finally leave her room.
Now, let's deal with Athena... but before that, there is one more thing. I took out my communicator and contacted Brynhild.
"Brynhild, lead all the Valkyries and gather in my courtyard. We need to prepare for the upcoming war," I ordered. I was planning to give some blessings to the Valkyries, enhancing their strength. They also needed to put on a good show along with me—since they are under my command, that will boost my reputation as well.
"Yes, Master," came the reply within seconds. Quite diligent. Nice.
Then I went and asked Sersi to join me, who was very curious as to where I was taking her alone.
"Where are we going, Lord Magnar?" she finally couldn't contain it.
"To meet an old friend of yours, of course," I replied with a smile.
"An old friend of mine? With you? Here?" Sersi asked, puzzled—but soon realization dawned upon her.
"So, Thena is alive? She was the only one declared missing..." Sersi said, relief clear from her tone.
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POWERSTONES!!POWERSTONES!!POWERSTONES!!POWERSTONES!!