POV: Baldur
Meeting Room, Royal Castle, Genosha
Four Days After the Battle Between Baldur and Malekith
Finally, things have settled down to a relatively calm state. Instead of resting after the battle, we faced an overwhelming amount of work. My men are utterly exhausted after working continuously for these past days. While I can go on for years without rest, my men are mortal—except for my two generals, of course.
Our first task was to care for the wounded, moving them to medical facilities. The majority of the injured were infantry who had engaged in direct combat with the enemy. A few pilots were injured after crashing, and they were the most challenging to rescue as they were scattered throughout the city. After tending to the wounded, it was time to honor the dead. In Genosha, we hold our fallen soldiers in high esteem, and they were treated with the utmost respect.
On the fourth day, it was time to assess our losses and the destruction we had endured. Several buildings had collapsed or were so severely damaged that they were deemed at risk of collapse, leaving thousands homeless. The removal of debris and future reconstruction plans were already underway.
"The report is ready," Alice announced.
Once everything was organized, I called a meeting with my generals to review our losses and plan future actions.
"Go ahead, Alice," I instructed her.
"We lost over eight thousand men, sir. And we have two thousand wounded."
"So many lives wasted because of a madman," Nordur said angrily.
"And the damage to our defenses and equipment?" I asked.
"We lost forty-two ships and over forty drones. Several anti-aircraft guns and ten tanks were destroyed," Alice reported.
"We suffered significant damage, but our enemy suffered more than we did," Freyja said, trying to lift the mood by reminding us of the enemy's losses.
"Unfortunately, you're wrong, Freyja," I told her.
"What do you mean, my king?" she asked.
"You're thinking about the dark elves' losses from our perspective. Malekith doesn't care about the number of his dead. He could deploy every dark elf from Svartalfheim in battle and lose them all, but if he achieves his goal, he'll consider it a victory."
"Do you think he will attack us again?" Nordur asked nervously.
Typically, when a force suffers a defeat and significant losses, they retreat to regroup and gather resources to restart the battle later. Malekith will certainly not follow this pattern.
"Malekith doesn't care about the death of his men, but he won't attack again, at least not until he has a plan that he is confident will lead to our defeat."
"Do you think he still has some hidden advantage?" Freyja asked.
"Yes. They have been preparing for this battle for thousands of years. The only reason Malekith hasn't achieved his goal yet is because he greatly underestimated Genosha's strength, but that won't happen again."
"I agree with your majesty's assessment. What is our next step then?" Nordur inquired.
"First, we need to find a way to locate Svartalfheim and destroy the Black Bifrost. Meanwhile, we must find a method to prevent it from functioning within our borders."
The biggest problem for Genosha is the enemy's Bifrost. They can simply appear within the energy shield that protects the entire country. If it weren't for my prior warning, we would have faced a surprise attack and suffered thousands of civilian casualties.
"Unfortunately, our mages and scientists have not yet found a way to defend against the enemy's Bifrost, my lord. As for locating Svartalfheim, we are working with Ratatosk, using ancient texts as guides. But I wouldn't place too much hope in their success."
POV: Baldur
Meeting Room, Royal Castle, Genosha
Four Days After the Battle Between Baldur and Malekith
Ratatosk is the second-largest ship in Genosha, sister to Níðhöggr, rivaling it in firepower but surpassing it in speed.
"Speaking of the mages, I'd like to know why you didn't use them in the battle, General. Their power could have been quite helpful," I said, looking at Nordur.
"I cannot trust them, my lord. I cannot fight alongside those I do not trust," he replied.
The general's distrust was clearly due to Amora's betrayal. When I told him what she had done several months ago, he had a fit of rage, destroying all the furniture in the room we were in. Asgardian culture is very different from Earth's. If a betrayal of this level were committed by an Asgardian soldier, death would be too lenient a punishment. But Amora was not only my wife but also the queen. His anger was justified. Even now, it hasn't lessened. Since that day, he has never mentioned or referred to Amora by name, as if she had never existed for him.
"I understand the reason for your anger, but it is not an excuse for this action. Even with their small numbers, their abilities could have saved many lives. Keep this in mind next time."
"Yes, sir."
"And when will this next time be, sir?" Freyja asked.
"The convergence will occur in six days. Malekith has probably given up trying to get his hands on the Aether before then, but he will surely make one last attempt."
"Then it would be best to keep all civilians in the shelters and have our men on high alert," Freyja suggested.
"The shelters have enough supplies to sustain them for years. I agree that they should not be allowed to return to the city."
The shelters are practically self-sufficient underground cities. They can generate their own light, water, oxygen, and food. They were built not only to protect from attacks but also to be used in case of long wars or if the surface becomes uninhabitable.
"I would very much like to take control of the flow and attack before then. Unfortunately, the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet," I said to myself.
Another matter I mentioned to them was Loki's release. Thor, his friends, and I freed him, and then we used his knowledge to navigate the realms. After that, he simply disappeared. Thor doesn't know this, but I allowed it. We had a conversation beforehand, so I took a gamble. There is a high chance he will betray me, but if he doesn't, he will be a great ally in dealing with our enemy.
POV: Third Person
Muspelheim
Five Days Before the Convergence
The land of eternal fire lives up to its name. There is no place in this realm where fire, smoke, and sulfur are not present.
And now, at the very center of this realm, standing before a throne of black stone, is Malekith.
"I have no interest in your war, boy."
The one sitting on the throne, over two hundred meters tall, could be called a demon. His skin was as red as fire, and his eyes were like blazing flames. His hair was a mass of red flames encircling his head, leaving only his horns exposed.
"So the first of the Fire Giants, and the Lord of Ragnarok, isn't interested in war?"
"Your attempt at manipulation is pathetic, child. As it is written, I will not leave Muspelheim until the day of Ragnarok. It is on that day that I will set all the realms ablaze."
"True. But this prophecy says nothing about your demons not being able to leave," the elf says.
Then a shadow slightly smaller than the giant appears from behind his throne and says, "Grant me permission to go with him, my father. Your terms are enticing, and the opportunity to turn Asgardians to ashes is even more so."
Surtur remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke. "Very well, my daughter. If you wish to create chaos and destruction, go ahead, and take with you my Fire Demons."
And thus, Malekith secured his first ally.
POV: Third Person
Utgardhall Castle, Jotunheim
Four Days Before the Convergence
Inside the castle of the Ice Giants and in front of the current King, are two individuals.
"It's truly audacious to bring this traitor before us," said the King of the Ice Giants, Aglodr.
"Loki came here as an Ice Giant, not as an Asgardian," Malekith replied.
"That doesn't matter. He's the one who killed the former king by betraying him," said the current King.
"If he died, it's because he lacks the strength and intelligence to lead," Loki said fearlessly, even surrounded by those who should be his enemies.
"That's true. But what kind of king would I be if I allowed him to leave alive, after standing before us?" Aglodr said.
"If it's to settle your blood debts, why not start with the one who nearly destroyed your kingdom?" Loki suggested.
"I'm listening."
So Loki told them of the plan, of what they would receive when they emerged victorious, aside from their revenge. Of course, all those present were swayed by the words of the trickster god.
"Your promises are highly doubtful, son of Odin," the king said. He was the only one who didn't immediately fall for Loki's words.
"So how about this to show my sincerity?"
Loki moves his hands and summons a blue box, causing all the present giants to become excited.
"The Casket of Ancient Winters," says the King, rising from his throne and walking closer to Loki.
"The artifact that holds the Fimbulwinter of Ymir himself. The most powerful ice giant," Loki says, smiling.
And thus, Malekith secured his second ally.
POV: Third Person
The Dump, Sakaar
Three Days Before the Convergence
The artificial planet of Sakaar was surrounded by several wormholes that spat out anything sucked from the other side, all of this debris then fell into the landfill the size of a large city. In this landfill lay the last of the living Valkyries, unconscious on the ground.
"What a great disappointment. I'm even unwilling to take your life," Malekith says to the woman lying unconscious on the ground.
He had hoped she would be a great challenge. In reality, she was so drunk that she didn't even realize she had been hit by the Dark Elf King's spell.
"To think you were one of the most terrifying warriors in the nine realms."
Malekith felt no pleasure in this victory; this woman was nothing now, not even a worthy prey. Then the Elven King moves and removes the Valkyrie's sword from her belt, lifting it in the air and contemplating it.
"You don't deserve something so fabulous," he says, smiling. Malekith then turns and disappears from the dump, leaving his defeated enemy behind.
POV: Third Person
Unknown Space
Two Days Before the Convergence
"The convergence has opened up many possibilities," Malekith says, speaking to himself.
He was floating in space where darkness reigned, holding the sword stolen from the Valkyrie.
"The space has never been so fragile and malleable as it is now."
Malekith then grips the sword with both hands, and his entire body is engulfed in black energy that stains the blade of the sword in black.
"With space so fragile, along with the mighty Dragonfang, I can do something so grandiose."
The elven king then moves the sword from top to bottom as if cutting down an enemy in front of him. When the blow occurs, it leaves a large tear in the fabric of space, which begins to open up, revealing what was hidden.
"After all, it's not every day that one enters a forgotten realm!"
In front of the king now lies a huge city with tall stone towers. Malekith has just broken the spell cast by the All-Father and once again brought the Tenth Realm to the World Tree.
And thus, Malekith secured his third ally.
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