Chapter 42:
The system prompt startled Fang Mo. He wasn't sure which new module the system had detected. Was it the one that was already 80% unlocked, or something completely different? He knew it had to be related to the two items lying on the ground. Subconsciously, Fang Mo glanced down.
In that brief moment, Loki quickly created an illusion and slipped away without a word.
"..."
Frigga saw everything but chose to play dumb, keeping a panicked expression on her face. Loki was the child she had raised, and like any mother, she wanted to protect him.
But Fang Mo didn't care about Loki leaving, figuring that was something for Thor's family to deal with. He was focused on studying the module the system had detected.
He stuck the Hellish Cleaver into the ground beside him, then bent down and picked up the two artifacts, examining them closely.
"Hmm?"
Frigga, feeling a bit confused, watched as Loki's illusion stood there with its hands raised while Fang Mo ignored it, completely focused on studying the Ancient Winter Casket and Gungnir. Was he overly confident in his abilities? Or could he see through Loki's illusions, just like her?
After a moment of thought, Frigga couldn't help but ask, "Who are you?"
"I'm Thor's friend," Fang Mo replied, studying the artifacts in his hands. He gave Asgard's Queen a kind smile and reassured her, "Don't worry. I mean no harm to Asgard. I'm just curious about these artifacts, and once I'm done studying them, I'll return them to you."
As they spoke, the system notification sounded again.
[System Prompt: You have mastered the 'Extreme Cold' attribute of the 'Ancient Winter Casket.' You have obtained 25% new module download permissions.]
"Hmm?"
Mark's face lit up with a mix of happiness and annoyance.
He was happy about unlocking new modules that could lead to all sorts of possibilities. But he was also frustrated because he still had no idea what module the Destroyer had triggered, or how to find the remaining 20% of this new module.
"If only I knew the name of the module," Mark sighed, unsure how to interact with it to unlock its full potential. This current module gave him 25% progress just by studying its "Extreme Cold" attribute, leaving him to guess what it actually was.
How was he supposed to figure that out?
"Forget it... I'll just be more impulsive in the future and touch whatever catches my eye," Mark declared, taking a deep breath. He then returned the Ancient Winter Casket and Gungnir to Frigga. "I'm done studying them. Here you go."
"Uh, alright," Frigga hadn't expected Mark to give them back so soon. She seemed a bit surprised but took the two artifacts. Returning to Odin's side, she resumed her protective stance.
Mark glanced at Frigga.
As if sensing something, she met his gaze.
To be honest, Mark felt a deep sympathy for Thor.
Besides Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame, who was forced by the plot to snap his fingers, Thor was probably the most tragic character in the whole Marvel movie series, in Mark's opinion.
The guy had been through so much.
First, his mother was killed by the Dark Elves, and not long after, his father died too.
Then, when his sister finally showed up, she destroyed his beloved Mjolnir, and even gouged out one of his eyes. Eventually, she died too.
Even his brother Loki, with whom he had a complicated relationship, was strangled to death by Thanos in Infinity War.
Then, after living in Asgard for almost a thousand years, his home was destroyed, and half of the survivors were killed by Thanos.
He endured the scorching heat of millions of degrees to forge Stormbreaker, a weapon fit for a god king, but he missed his target, and Thanos mocked him and snapped his fingers, wiping out half the life in the universe.
Thor fell into despair and became a shadow of his former self, an overweight and less powerful version nicknamed "Lebowski."
In Endgame, Thor, who could have easily defeated Thanos with all six Infinity Stones, was on the verge of losing to a Thanos without any stones.
In the end, it was Captain America who lifted Thor's hammer and, in a way that felt like a betrayal, helped him in the fight. Without that unexpected help, Thor might not have survived.
Then, Mark learned that Thor's ex-girlfriend in Love and Thunder was dying of cancer.
Seriously... how much more could Thor take?
Even Mark felt bad for him. Couldn't the writers pick on someone else for a change?
Lost in thought, Mark said to Frigga, "Um, well, Goddess... I have something to ask you."
"What is it?" Frigga looked at Mark, confused.
"Do you want to die?" Mark asked directly.
"..."
Frigga didn't answer but gave Mark a look that suggested he was being foolish.
"Ahem, okay, let me rephrase that." Mark realized his question was a bit blunt. He touched his forehead. "Actually, what I meant to ask was... do you know when or how you will die?"
"Thor's friend, I understand what you're getting at."
Frigga gave a faint smile. "I was raised by witches, and there are certain things I know. I assume you have the ability, like the Sorcerer Supreme who protects Midgard, to see the future, correct?"
"I know you're not afraid of death."
Seeing that Frigga understood, Mark didn't beat around the bush. "But honestly, as a mother, isn't it too cruel to die in front of your own child?"
"It's all part of fate."
Frigga shook her head.
"The self-proclaimed ruler ordained by fate was beheaded by your son." Mark also shook his head. "Fate can't hurt Thor, but you can."
"..."
Frigga was silent for a moment before speaking, "...You've seen the immense suffering that Thor will endure in the future, haven't you?"
"In matters like this, I suggest you see for yourself."
Mark slowly stood up and walked towards the door. He had said almost everything he needed to say, and now it was up to Frigga to decide.
But as he passed by Frigga, he took out an enchanted golden apple and placed it beside her.
"What is this..."
Frigga looked at the golden apple, a bit confused. She could sense its extraordinary nature. It was a rare item worthy of being kept in the Asgard treasury.
"Consider it a gesture of goodwill."
Mark waved his hand and continued towards the door. Just as he reached it, he suddenly turned his head, as if remembering something. "Oh, by the way... could you tell me wh
ere Asgard's treasury is?"
"I'd like to pay it a visit."