Chapter 34:
Loki was sure that Mark was deliberately targeting him, but he couldn't understand how Mark knew his secret.
Recently, during Thor's disastrous invasion of Jotunheim, Loki had learned that he was actually a Frost Giant. The magic of the Frost Giants had revealed his true lineage, showing that he wasn't Odin's son but a despised enemy of Asgard.
Instead of telling Thor and their friends, Loki had decided to confront Odin directly. To his surprise, the elderly Odin had collapsed after Loki's angry words and entered Odin's Sleep. Seeing Odin fall, Loki realized how much he actually cared for the old king. Despite resenting Odin's favoritism towards Thor, Loki had never wanted to hurt him.
But a kingdom needed a ruler, and with Odin out of commission, Asgard needed someone to take charge. With Thor banished, everyone looked to Loki. As Odin's supposed son, and with no one aware of his Frost Giant heritage, they believed he was the perfect choice. So, Loki smoothly and logically stepped into the role of acting king of Asgard.
However, just because no one else knew his secret didn't mean Loki wasn't worried. He was terrified of being exposed.
While Odin had accepted his Frost Giant lineage, Asgard wasn't just Odin. If his true nature was revealed, Loki risked becoming an outcast, hated by everyone.
As the god of mischief, Loki quickly came up with a cunning plan. Thor's reckless attack on Jotunheim had broken the peace treaty, putting Asgard on the verge of war with the Frost Giants. Loki decided to use this opportunity to wipe out Jotunheim and kill every Frost Giant except himself. If there were no other Frost Giants, his heritage wouldn't matter even if it was exposed.
After all, wouldn't that show his ultimate loyalty to Asgard? The king, Loki, sacrificing his own kind to protect the realm—wasn't that the definition of righteousness? He would become the greatest hero in Asgard, beyond reproach.
Of course, if things went wrong, Loki could always blame his brother, Thor, for his impulsive actions. He, Loki, would just be cleaning up the mess.
Lost in his thoughts, Loki couldn't help but admire his own cleverness.
But he hadn't expected to run into Mark so soon. Loki couldn't understand why someone like Mark would be in Midgard, a realm for mortals. Everything about Mark screamed "not ordinary."
"Who are you?" Loki glared at Mark. "I am the king of Asgard, protector of the Nine Realms. You clearly don't belong in Midgard. Tell me, what are you?"
To make himself look more imposing, Loki brandished Odin's weapon, Gungnir.
"Isn't that Odin's weapon?" Mark asked cheerfully. "When did it become yours?"
"Our father is already dead," Thor replied, his head bowed in shame. He explained for Loki, "It's all my fault, because of my foolish actions. According to our mother and everyone else, I will be banished here forever as a sinner, and Loki should rightfully be the new King of Asgard..."
Thor's honest and simple nature made him easy to deceive. His brother, however, was the god of mischief, and Thor hadn't realized he had been tricked. He still believed Odin was truly dead, and despite his own anguish, he spoke up for Loki.
"Odin is really dead?" Mark rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "He's the great king of the gods. Can he really be killed just because of a little disagreement with his son? Could there be something more to this?"
Thor was stunned by Mark's words.
"For example, a malicious plot by the Frost Giants," Mark smiled. "Because they feared Odin's power, they resorted to these underhanded tactics... And Odin, perhaps too worried about you, his first warrior, being away, fell for it out of carelessness."
"Nonsense!" Loki couldn't hold back and shouted, interrupting Thor.
"Loki...?" Thor looked at his brother, confused by his sudden outburst.
Loki was truly scared now. He had a strong feeling that Mark was onto him, especially with his constant mention of plots by the Frost Giants. Wasn't that indirectly accusing him?
"Is our father's greatness so easily trampled by the Frost Giants?" Loki exclaimed. "He only thought Thor was too impulsive, causing trouble in the Nine Realms. He was already old and frail, and the anxiety is what caused him to collapse!"
Loki slammed Gungnir into the ground.
The powerful divine energy created a shockwave, pushing the mortals present backward.
Mark, however, remained unfazed. After consuming a whole bunch of Essence Berries, a punch from Loki wouldn't even make him flinch. He wasn't intimidated.
"Brother, I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do about this," Loki said, dismissing everyone else. He turned to Thor. "One of the conditions for the ceasefire with Jotunheim is your permanent exile."
"I..." Thor's face was filled with sorrow and regret. "I'm sorry... Loki..."
Loki couldn't stand to stay any longer. He had to get back and figure out how to deal with Mark; otherwise, his own plan would definitely fail.
With that in mind, Loki said goodbye to Thor. "Brother, I have to go."
He slammed Gungnir into the floor, and the energy of the Bifrost Bridge pierced through the ceiling. In an instant, he vanished.