"So you have finally come. Please... answer me, what are these memories? Did you plant them into my head?" asked the disheveled-looking woman inside the golden barriers of the prison cell. This was Thena. I had her imprisoned here after unlocking her memories.
Unlike the original timeline, where Thena started to remember her past in glimpses, I had her entire memory unlocked at once. So, while she was disheveled and distraught, she did not look mentally ill.
"Implant them? Why would I? They are your memories, after all... The one you should be asking is not me, but Arishem, your creator... but most probably, he would just reset your memory once again," I explained casually, sounding uninterested in the topic.
"So... is this the purpose of us Eternals? To ensure a planet thrives just so its inhabitants can become food for the birth of a Celestial?" Thena asked, her voice shaking, a bit distraught. Days of isolation here in the prison had her thinking quite a bit.
"Pretty much... that is indeed what you have been doing up until now. As for why I brought you here instead, consider it a recruitment offer... join me." I stated my purpose. Unlike Sersi, Thena was a proper warrior, someone worth recruiting. She could fight, and she could train others too.
"Do I have a choice here?" Thena asked with a wry smile.
"You do, actually, but I would suggest you choose this," I said plainly. My instructions were clear—if she was not going to join me, she would continue to rot here in the prison.
"Well... then I join. It can't be worse than what I was already doing." Thena sighed and agreed.
"Good. Now, come here. And Sersi, you too," I stated as I removed the barriers of the prison, letting Thena be free. As for why I called Sersi too—remember, they are still essentially just robots, controlled by the Celestials. So, I was going to change that. I would also change their races: Aesir for Thena, and Vanir–Aesir hybrid like mine for Sersi.
I also planned to let them retain their powers, just change the source of their powers from Celestial energy to divine energy—essentially making them both goddesses, albeit weak ones. I had already asked Raph to create and design their bodies along with their prowess, so it was already all prepared.
As they both stood in front of me together, I created two beds and ordered, "Lie down here. I am giving you both a proper biological body, discarding this robotic one. So stay still, okay?" They both nodded at my words and proceeded to lie down.
I put my hand on their foreheads, and they went unconscious. The next task was left to Raph while I oversaw it. And within moments, both Sersi and Thena had turned from measly Eternals to the superior Aesir.
"How do you feel?" I asked with a smile. The two proceeded to check their bodies, moving their limbs.
"Hmm... nothing seems to have changed," Sersi said thoughtfully, and Thena nodded at her words.
"It has, but you would need to go to the training grounds to check that out. Your strength has improved greatly from what it was before. And now, as completely biological lifeforms, you can grow if you train—unlike before. Your strength is no longer preset. I have also changed your special powers into divinities, so they can also grow stronger as you train them," I explained. Yes, the greatest benefit for them was that they could grow stronger now.
"What? You mean we can grow stronger now with training, like you Aesir gods do?" Thena asked. Her tone carried both surprise and exhilaration. She was a warrior, and the amount of strength she possessed had been the same since the moment Arishem created her. Sure, she could hone her skills, but in this world, fighting skills can only do so much. Even the most insanely skilled human is nothing in front of someone like Thanos. So the prospect of being able to grow in strength was indeed great news for them.
"To be precise, you both are Aesir now. Thena is a pure Aesir, while Sersi is a hybrid of Aesir–Vanir like me. Now, enough talk. Follow me. I have more work to do—the schedule is quite tight." I gestured for them to follow me. I was now heading to the training grounds within the palace, where I had ordered Brynhild to assemble with all the Valkyries.
Since we were going to war, this was my final preparation. Along with it, I had also created several more spells of mass destruction to ensure a proper display of strength in the upcoming battles. Of course, this time the spells weren't just based on efficiency—aesthetics were also kept in mind. Whenever the spell is used, it should become a memory to remember for the warriors of Asgard. So that when we return, the talks in the banquets are all about my strength.
After all, no matter where you are, looks matter—and flashy attacks do look better.
"Your Highness, every Valkyrie has assembled and is ready to take orders," said the kneeling Brynhild before me. Behind her were the rest of the Valkyries. Of course, all of them were kneeling.
"Rise," I commanded, prompting them to stand. Then I continued, "As you all may already know, we are going to another war soon. And this time, all of you are going to fight under my banner." I stated loudly, surveying the Valkyries. "The current you, although an elite unit of Asgard, are still too weak... not enough to represent my name on the battlefield." I continued in the same loud tone, and the face of every Valkyrie fell. They started looking downwards, in sadness and shame.
"So I have decided—I am going to bless all of you, making you stronger. So train well and get ready. Do not disappoint me in the upcoming war. You all will be the first to charge, led directly by me." I said, putting a small smile on my face. The Valkyries too seemed happy at this, since every Aesir is power- and battle-hungry, with almost no exceptions.
"First off, all of you are going to receive new armours and better weapons too." I waved my hand, and a full-body armour—golden-bronze in color—appeared in front of everyone. It had large metallic wings, a beautiful design, and most importantly, very strong defense. It also passively healed the wearer, increased their stamina, granted them the ability to fly, and boosted their strength. An all-purpose armour—something worthy of becoming the symbol of the Valkyries.
"Now, I, Magnar Odinson, God of Life, Wisdom, and Creation, bless you all—with increased regeneration, great strength, increased reflexes, and vitality. Go, prepare yourselves, and bring me glory!"
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Hello everyone,
Sorry for the delay in updates, the recent few days have been quite hectic.
Please drop some power stones🙏