Erik, Liam, and Mia exchanged glances, their hearts beginning to race with unease. The weight of Thor's words settled over them like a dark cloud. If there was a problem in Asgard it could only mean one thing.
They would have to fight soon.
The thought of facing a battle before their training was even complete sent a wave of worry through them. They had only just begun to grasp their power and now they just heard the prospect of being thrust into combat. Though, its still not clear they didn't see any other option beside their need to join the fight.
Thor noticed the shift in their expressions, the way their eyes reflected their growing concern. He let out a small sigh of understanding.
"Listen," Thor said, his voice softening as he looked at each of them in turn. "You don't need to worry about this right now. We'll take care of it—me, Odin, the other gods. We've been through worse and we'll handle this as well." At least that's what we will try to do.
His words were meant to reassure them, but the trio remained tense, their minds racing with the implications of what he was saying.
Thor himself was still not sure whether they would be able to solve this problem without the help of the three of them. But for now he couldn't bear to fill their minds with this burden. They have suffered enough these past few days.
"Your only focus should be on your training," Thor continued with firm yet kind voice. "You're doing well—better than any of us expected. But you're not ready yet, and that's okay. We're not going to throw you into a fight until you are."
Once again, Thor try to sound as convincing as possible with his words despite the turmoil inside his heart.
Erik, Liam, and Mia relaxed slightly at his words, though the worry didn't fully leave their hearts. The three of them then nodded in unison.
Thor reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out three small vials, each filled with a thick brown liquid that seemed to glow with a golden light. He held them out to the trio, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Here. This will erase your fatigue." he said with warm voice.
Erik, Liam, and Mia accepted the vials eagerly, excited of the promised relief. They uncorked the vials and without hesitation brought them to their lips.
The liquid was hot as it slid down their throats, the taste strange and unfamiliar—like a mix of spices and something bitter, with a fiery aftertaste.
All three of them grimaced as they swallowed, their expressions contorting into ugly expression of surprise and discomfort.
Liam was the first to speak, his voice tinged with disappointment.
"Blergh! I thought it would be sweet!" he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Thor threw his head back and laughed, the sound booming across the training ground. "Sweet? How can it be sweet? It's alcohol!"
The trio stared at him, their eyes widening in realization. Before they could react further, Thor gave them a wink and with a powerful leap launched himself into the sky. The wind whipped around them as they watched him ascend, his cape billowing out behind him. Within moments, he disappeared into the clouds, leaving the trio standing there, dumbfounded.
They exchanged glances, still processing what had just happened. The strange, fiery warmth from the drink spread through their bodies, slowly dissolving their fatigue. Though their faces still bore the traces of surprise they could already feel their energy returning, their muscles relaxing as the exhaustion melted away.
"D-Did we just… drink alcohol?" Erik asked.
"Its still illegal for us," Mia said.
"But… We're in Asgard. So we don't have to worry about the law on earth, right?" Liam said.
Silence filled them for a few seconds. But then Erik shook his head. He said. "None of that matters now."
Liam and Mia agree with what he said. Then they decided to resuming their training.
The warmth from the strange drink coursed through their bodies, Erik, Mia, and Liam felt their fatigue ebb away just like what Thor had said and replaced by new vitality.
The heaviness in their limbs dissipated and their minds cleared.
Without a saying anymore word they stood up. The warriors who had been observing from a distance noticed the shift. Seeing the trio ready to continue, they began to approach as well.
"Back to work," Erik said as he reached for his sword.
Mia and Liam nodded in agreement.
The trio tightened their grips on their weapons, the weight of Thor's words still fresh in their minds. They knew that soon they will have to join into the fight, wether they like it or not.
As the seasoned warriors gathered around them Erik, Mia, and Liam moved into position.
The weapon master training resumed with fierce intensity.
---
Thor moved through the grand halls of Asgard as he left the training grounds. He navigated the labyrinthine corridors with ease.
Reaching a tall, intricately carved doo Thor placed his hand on its surface. The runes embedded in the wood flared briefly with a soft golden light as they recognized his touch. The door swung open revealing a dimly lit chamber beyond.
In the center of the room, a swirling red glow waiting for him. The glow coalesced into a shimmering hologram, flickering slightly before solidifying into the form of Freya, her eyes blazing with anger. Her normally serene features were twisted in a scowl, her golden hair appearing almost like a fiery halo in the crimson light
The moment Freya's image stabilized, her voice cut through the heavy air, sharp and laced with frustration.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, "We have a crisis on our hands, and you're—"
Thor raised a hand to calm her.
"I've just come from the training grounds," he replied. "The trio is progressing well, I just checking on them."
Freya's face softened after she hear that. Then she said. "But they are not ready yet?"
"I don't think so." Thor shakes his head.
Freya sighed with helpless expression. "Well, alright. I guess we have to handle this on our own right now."
---