"Where'd you get the bird, Uyeno?" Noda asked. It was clear that she'd never seen the beautiful thing before. The bird squawked and stared at Marino, its beady black pupils seeming to bore into Marino's soul. "What's his name?" Marino asked apprehensively. Uyeno shrugged. "I haven't given him a name yet," he said, "but I'm thinking about it." Noda nodded. "Oh, and Marino, there's someone else you need to meet."
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Noda led Marino through the various halls of the building, the name of which, he found out, was the Sanctuary. After a few minutes of walking, Marino and Noda turned left into a dark corridor. Noda stopped, and Marino nearly stumbled into a pit. Inside, a light was glowing—and it seemed to be coming closer. Marino geared up for a fight, but Noda stopped him. A few seconds later, an elevator opened up, and Marino followed Noda inside. She pressed a button, and the elevator rumbled, slowly descending into the darkness below.
Once the elevator stopped, the old, rusty doors creaked open. Noda and Marino stepped out, and Noda pulled out a flashlight and clicked it on. The flashlight flickered once, then went out. Noda grunted in frustration and held out her hand, fire flickering in her palm. Marino was somewhat surprised, but Noda said, "Fire and water control." Then, they trudged onwards in silence.
After a few more minutes of walking (in which Marino's feet and legs were growing tired), they approached a large, thick, iron door. Noda unlit her hand and it suddenly glowed blue. Bioluminescent water floated gently above her hand. Marino could've stayed there staring at it, but Noda slammed it against the door. The water spread, seeping into cracks until it finally reached the outer reaches of the door. It yawned awake slowly, groaning in what seemed to be anticipation. Noda and Marino crept inside, and the lights came on with a loud click. "Who is there?" a voice asked. It boomed through the room, frightening Marino. "Nobody," Noda answered. The voice chuckled. "Hello, Noda. I see you brought some-" The voice faltered. "That is impossible. Bring him closer." Noda prodded Marino forward, and he walked into a ring outlined with cracked flooring. "I've heard stories about you, Marino, son of Rokero," the voice said. "Your father built quite a reputation before his passing, of which I offer my condolences."
"It's alright," Marino said. Somehow, he kept calm as another elevator lowered into the ring. Out stepped a large, muscular man. He had a red beard, long red hair, and a spike sleeveless jacket. He wore big, white cargo pants and had a golden bracelet on one arm. He also sported a long black glove on one arm, with a silver t-shirt on his torso. He had blue, stormy eyes, and the air around him seemed to sizzle. He had a kind smile as well, which didn't match at all with his outfit. Marino didn't know who the man was, but he seemed cool enough. "Is it truly alright, Marino?" the man asked. "W-well," Marino answered, "he died when I was six, so.."
"Yes, I met him once. A brave lad, he was, just like you."
"M-me? But I'm not-"
The man roared with laughter. "Brave and funny, are we?" he laughed. "You—" he poked Marino in the chest with each word "—battled a Raider so that you could protect your sister!" The man laughed again. "I tell you, boy—I have done many brave acts in my life, but I have never heard of a boy like you!" Marino looked down. "But..I failed," he said. "My mother was killed because I was not there. I failed them."
The man sighed. "If I listed the things I have done wrong in my life, Marino, we would be here all eternity. It is not your fault you weren't there—the stars foretold that your family would perish, but one would survive because of your heroism. You are no failure. You are a warrior worthy of the halls of Valhalla." Marino looked back up at the man. "Wait. Valhalla? If Valhalla exists, that must mean you're…" The man smiled approvingly. "So," he said, "you've finally figured it out. I am Thor."