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Chapter 38 - The Broken Path

The atmosphere in the SHIELD base was heavy with concern as Thor sat slumped in a chair, the weight of his failures evident in his posture. Brynhildr, his sister, hovered nearby, her eyes filled with worry. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, wanting to comfort him but unsure how.

Ritsuka approached, placing a firm hand on Thor's shoulder. "Thor," he said softly, but the god of thunder remained unresponsive, lost in his thoughts. Ritsuka could feel the deep sadness radiating from him, a sense of defeat that was almost palpable.

"Master," Brynhildr urged, her voice a blend of anxiety and hope. "Can you check his mind? He needs help."

With a nod, Ritsuka focused his energy and established a telepathic link with Thor. Images flooded his mind—battles fought, loved ones lost, and the crushing weight of expectations. It was clear: Thor had given up, accepting the loss of his powers with a heavy heart. But even in that sorrow, Ritsuka sensed a flicker of pride; Thor found solace in knowing that others deemed worthy could wield his hammer.

Ritsuka withdrew from the connection, a serious expression on his face. "Coulson, take him to a secluded room. Let him have some time to think about his mistakes."

"Mistakes?" Jane interjected, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Did Thor commit any mistakes?"

"What mistakes did my brother make?" Brynhildr echoed, her voice tinged with concern.

"It's a private matter," Ritsuka replied firmly. "You can ask him yourself later. For now, he needs silence."

He glanced at Artoria, who nodded in understanding. Ritsuka then motioned for Brynhildr and her husband Sigurd to follow him into another room. Once they were alone, he turned to them, ready to discuss the situation at hand.

"Brynhildr, I want you to do a favour to me" Ritsuka began. Then he started to explain to them.

***

Thor sat alone in a dimly lit room, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him like an invisible force. His hammer, the symbol of his strength and identity, remained out of reach—not just physically, but spiritually. He understood now. He had failed in more ways than one. His pride, his arrogance, and his carelessness had led him here.

The door creaked open, and Ritsuka entered quietly, his eyes filled with understanding. Without a word, he sat beside Thor, letting the silence stretch between them for a moment before speaking.

"You're not the first to feel like this, you know," Ritsuka said softly.

Thor didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Ritsuka placed his hand on Thor's shoulder, and with a gentle pulse of his telepathic abilities, Thor's mind was transported elsewhere—away from the SHIELD base, away from his shame.

Suddenly, they found themselves in a land covered in snow. The air was cold and biting, but the desolation was what struck Thor the most. Everything felt... wrong.

"Where are we?" Thor asked, his voice low, uncertain.

"This is Russia," Ritsuka replied. "But not the Russia you know. This is the Lostbelt—a world that shouldn't exist. It's a place where history diverged, where a different future came to be."

In the distance, Thor saw two figures: a young man and a girl with pink hair wielding a shield. They were locked in battle with a massive, towering figure—a being that exuded power unlike anything Thor had seen. It was Ivan the Terrible, the Tsar of the Lostbelt, who had merged with a mammoth, becoming a tyrant who ruled with absolute power.

Thor's eyes widened. "Who are they?"

"That's me," Ritsuka said, pointing to the younger version of himself fighting desperately alongside Mash Kyrielight. "This was one of the hardest battles I've ever fought."

They watched as young Ritsuka and Mash dodged Ivan's brutal attacks. Thor could hear the earth-shattering roar of the Tsar as he swung his massive weapons. But what caught Thor's attention wasn't the fight itself—it was Ivan's words.

"Ivan believed his world was the correct one," Ritsuka explained, his voice heavy with the weight of memory. "He thought that his existence was necessary, that our world had no right to survive. But in order to save our world, we had to destroy his."

Ivan's voice boomed over the battlefield, shaking the very ground beneath them.

**"You... mere children... would destroy the world I've ruled for centuries? The world that I shaped with my own hands? You dare take away the future of my people, my nation? What gives you the right?"**

Young Ritsuka hesitated, his arms shaking. The sheer magnitude of the decision weighed on him. How could he justify the destruction of another world, another people, just to save his own? He fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the enormity of the choice.

Thor stared at the young version of Ritsuka, seeing himself mirrored in the boy's despair. It was the same hopelessness, the same guilt that Thor now carried.

"I... ThI this is too much," Thor muttered, his voice shaking. "To stand at the edge, knowing that your choices will shape the fate of others... It's unbearable."

Before Ritsuka could respond, they heard the crack of a gunshot. Thor turned his head, his heart pounding, as he saw a figure—Patxi, a wolfman, standing protectively in front of the younger Ritsuka. He had been shot, blood seeping from his wounds.

Patxi's voice was weak, but his words were filled with conviction.

**"I will never forgive you."** Patxi's eyes locked with young Ritsuka's. **"I will never forgive you for making the mistake of teaching me that a happy world exists. So stand up. Stand up and fight. Haughtily claim that a world where you can laugh and live is superior, that such a world deserves to survive."**

Thor stood still, the weight of Patxi's words sinking deep into his mind.

**"Hold your head up high. Hold your head up high and fight for that weak and feeble world... Don't lose. Don't lose to this world where only the strong can live."** Patxi's voice wavered, his breath growing shallow. **"Of course your hands will have lots of blood. But you have to do it. Because your world seems more beautiful."**

With that, Patxi slumped over, his final words echoing through the cold, desolate landscape. Young Ritsuka, tears streaming down his face, gripped Patxi's hand as the light faded from his eyes. With a renewed sense of purpose, he rose, Mash beside him, and the two resumed their fight against Ivan.

Thor remained silent, feeling as if Patxi's words were directed at him just as much as they were at Ritsuka.

Ritsuka turned to Thor, breaking the silence. "It wasn't easy. Every world we saved came at a price. The price of another world's destruction. But I learned something from people like Patxi, people who were willing to sacrifice themselves for a cause greater than their own existence."

Thor clenched his fists. "But... how? How do you live with the knowledge that your actions destroyed lives? Destroyed entire worlds?"

"I don't forget them," Ritsuka said quietly. "I carry them with me. Their memories, their sacrifices—they're part of me now. I've made peace with the fact that not every battle is clean. Some victories come at terrible costs. But in the end, I fight for those who can't. For those who have no other option."

Thor stared at him, speechless. The weight of what he had seen—of what Ritsuka had endured—was overwhelming.

"There's something you need to understand, Thor," Ritsuka continued. "War... battles... they aren't about being glorious. They are about survival, choices, and sacrifices. Sometimes, you are forced to choose the lesser of two evils. In my case, the Lostbelts were worlds that shouldn't have existed. But it didn't make it any easier to destroy them. Every time we fought, I asked myself if I was doing the right thing."

Thor lowered his head, taking in Ritsuka's words. "But how do you bear it? The blood on your hands?"

Ritsuka sighed. "You don't. The blood never really washes off. You carry it with you. But what you can do is make sure that the future you're fighting for is worth it. A future where people can live, laugh, and thrive. It doesn't make the burden lighter, but it gives it meaning."

Thor remained quiet, lost in thought, as the world around them began to fade. The snow, the battlefield, the Lostbelt—all of it dissolved as they returned to the room in the SHIELD base.

As the storm raged outside and the tension in the room grew, Thor reflected on Patxi's words, words that resonated deep within him. Ritsuka's own words followed.

In that moment, as if the storm itself responded to Thor's thoughts, Mjolnir flew through the air, breaking through the shield of Hydra's base. It hurtled toward Thor, smashing through the walls, and with it came Asgardian armor, wrapping itself around him as if welcoming him back to his rightful place. Thor's eyes widened, power surging through him like never before.

Artoria, standing in front of the door, blocked Jane, Erik, and Coulson from entering. "Not yet," she said sternly. "This is Thor's moment."

Ritsuka turned to Thor, a small smile on his face. "So, you became the god of hammers."

Thor blinked, confused by the statement.

Ritsuka continued, his tone shifting to one of serious counsel. "What is your goal, Thor?"

Thor stood tall, hammer in hand, as he declared, "I want to save all those who are weak and protect them."

Ritsuka nodded thoughtfully. "You can't save everyone, Thor. That's a fact. You couldn't see your path clearly before because you hadn't accepted your true self. You can't run away from who you are now, Thor. You choose to save the weak, unlike many others who cannot. Your path has always been hard, and few people can walk it. But understand this: if there's a path, there must also be an end."

Thor listened intently, the words striking a chord within him.

"What if the person you saved today became the reason to destroy other people lifes"

"The path you chose has no natural end. But if there's no end, Thor, then you create one yourself. When the road seems endless, you go as far as you can, and you decide that's where your journey stops."

Thor's brows furrowed as he contemplated Ritsuka's wisdom. Then Thor spoke with newfound clarity.

"The reason I always wanted to become strong, to save, was because I wanted to protect everyone I can… I want to be strong enough to protect all those I care for and all those I *can* care for. My goal is simple: I will save the lives that I can." He paused, his voice firm with conviction. "If the life I'm saving is harming others, then I may not save it. There's no such thing as endless kindness. I acknowledge my own selfishness, and that's the end of my path."

Thor's expression was serious, as he looked directly at Ritsuka. He had found his boundary, his limitation as a god, and in doing so, had also found his strength.

Ritsuka, impressed by Thor's resolve, smiled warmly. "You've come a long way, Thor. Saving everyone is impossible, but you can try your best. There is a limit. That's all anyone can ask of you."

At that moment, Thor's divine power, dormant for so long, awakened. The surge of energy radiated across the Nine Realms, shaking the very foundations of Asgard. Odin stirred in his slumber, a smile gracing his face. Thor's mother, Frigga, and Heimdall both felt the shift, their hearts swelling with pride.

As thunder roared and wind whipped around them, Thor's hair fluttered in the storm. The seriousness on his face brought a newfound depth to him, a sign of maturity.

(Now thor is same level as Infinity war Thor)

Ritsuka, watching him closely, nodded approvingly. "As I thought, I didn't need to ask you more. You've become a better god, Thor… a god who understands what it truly means to protect."

The hammer in Thor's hand crackled with energy, and for the first time, Thor knew exactly what it meant to be worthy.

***

The air around the SHIELD base was calm, but Brynhildr stood with a serene strength, waiting. Asgardian in origin, yet not from this world, she was here because of a request from Ritsuka. Someone was coming. Someone important.

Loki arrived, disguised as he usually was, with mischief lurking in his eyes. His expression, however, changed upon seeing her. His pace slowed, surprise dancing across his face. For a moment, he could hardly believe his eyes.

"Loki," Brynhildr called, her voice soft but full of warmth. She smiled, something that pierced Loki's defenses in an instant.

He hesitated. "S--Sister?"

Brynhildr nodded, acknowledging him with the love he had never felt from his own family. Loki blinked, unused to such a greeting, especially from someone who addressed him as family without irony or suspicion. It was the very acknowledgment he had always yearned for—something Thor had never truly offered. He could feel her sincerity, the way she looked at him not as a trickster or outcast, but as her brother.

Loki stepped forward cautiously, his mind racing. "I… I didn't expect—"

"Come, brother," she interrupted, motioning to a bench a little away from the base. "We need to talk."

Loki's heart tightened at the term. It wasn't laced with sarcasm or condescension. He followed her to the bench, and they sat side by side. He had no idea how to begin.

Brynhildr broke the silence. "You're probably wondering why I'm here. I am Brynhildr, but I am not from this version of Asgard. I come from another world entirely, where things are… similar, yet different."

Loki arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Another world?"

"Yes," she said, her voice steady. "In my world, I had a brother—a Thor, and a Loki. Like you and Thor here, they were powerful and full of potential. Yet, the Loki I knew was much like you—constantly living in the shadow of his brother, consumed by envy and pain."

Loki's smile faded, and his sharp wit faltered. "And how did that Loki fare?"

Brynhildr sighed, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "He struggled, much like you. No matter what world he was in, his path always seemed destined for loss."

Loki's expression tightened. For the first time, someone had given voice to the unspoken truth he feared: that he was destined to lose, no matter where or when. "So, I'm not even unique in my failure…"

"No," she whispered, her hand resting on his. "But it doesn't have to be that way."

Loki stared at her, his chest tightening. "It doesn't?"

She shook her head. "You've been trying so hard to measure up to Thor that you've forgotten to look at yourself. You've envied him for so long that it has dimmed your own light."

He scoffed, looking away. "It's not envy. I'm merely… aware of the limits imposed on me."

"No," she said firmly, her hand tightening on his. "It is envy. But you're stronger than you think. You've just lost sight of your own path."

Loki blinked, turning back to her. "My own path?"

Brynhildr nodded. "You've been walking on a path laid out for someone else—Thor's path. You've let that envy cloud your judgment and weaken your magic. But your path, Loki, is far greater than you realize."

Her words hit him like a wave, crashing over him with the weight of truth. Loki's eyes widened as he slowly began to understand. All these years, all this bitterness—he had been chasing after Thor, never once considering the potential that lay dormant within himself.

The flame of ambition that had nearly died flickered back to life within him. His breath quickened, his eyes glowing with a new energy.

"You are meant for more than simply playing second to Thor," Brynhildr continued, her voice filled with conviction. "You have the power to define your own future, to embrace your own strengths."

Loki's body trembled, his mind racing. Could it really be that simple? All this time, he had been so focused on his brother's shadow that he had forgotten to nurture his own power.

He felt something stirring deep within him. His divine power—the potential he had long since abandoned—began to awaken.

"Now that I think about it," Loki murmured, his voice shaking slightly. "Even my brother, who is so talented, doesn't compare to… my old stupid man. The world is so wide, there are so many monsters out there. If even he can't measure up, then where does that leave me?"

Brynhildr's grip on his shoulder tightened, and she met his gaze with fierce determination. "There are many monsters out there, yes. But you shouldn't envy them. The reason your magic has weakened is because you've spent too long measuring yourself against others. You forgot your own path."

Loki's eyes widened, the truth of her words sinking in. He had been blinded by envy. He had strayed from his true potential. And now, with Brynhildr's help, he could see that.

A sudden surge of energy flooded his body. His magic, his divine power, that had long been dormant, exploded within him. Dark clouds began to gather overhead, and the air around them crackled with electricity.

Mana swirled violently around Loki, forming a powerful vortex. His eyes glowed with newfound power, and a smile tugged at his lips. He could feel it—his magic, his true potential, finally awakening.

"I see it now," Loki whispered, his voice filled with awe. "My path."

Brynhildr smiled, stepping back as Loki's power continued to grow. Thunder rumbled in the darkened sky, and the ground beneath them trembled as a massive tornado of mana formed around him.

The hill on which they sat was obliterated by the sheer force of Loki's awakening power.

At that moment, somewhere far away, Thor too felt his divine power surge within him, and awake his divine power same time with Loki. The brothers were broken the boundaries and found their own paths.

For the first time, Loki was not envious of his brother's strength. He had found his own.

---

Note:

This chapter sets up a deep emotional bond between Brynhildr and Loki, while allowing Loki to awaken his true potential. And Ritsuka helped Thor to become worthy and find his path. How does this flow feel to you?

See this is how story change. Not exactly same copy. Loki changed. Yes loki can change and become hero too.

Which odin failed but a sister from another world able to change him. Zero parents points to you Odin. PATHETIC.

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(Pic)

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