"I'm disappointed, Thor. I once thought you could be different—unique, even a benevolent king. But now I see I'm wrong. You're exactly like Hela!" Odin's voice thundered, thick with anger.
Thor stood silently; his face impassive as his father's condemnation filled the hall. Odin's seal held immense power, a mystical barrier that only a select few could break. Kamar-Taj would never meddle in Asgard's affairs, so that left only one person with the power to release it… and according to Heimdall, Thor had disappeared near that remote place in Northern Europe five years ago.
If Odin still couldn't put the pieces together, he'd be failing as the Lord of the Nine Realms. He knew Thor must have broken the seal with Hela's help, and his worst fears were confirmed.
At the name "Hela," Frigga's expression grew tense. That name was a taboo in Asgard, one Odin never dared to speak.
"Hela?" Thor's tone was mocking. Now that the truth was out, he had no intention of hiding it. "You already know where I stand. My views haven't changed since the day I left Asgard."
"Thor!" Frigga gasped, hoping Thor would reconsider his defiance. If he admitted his mistake, he might avoid severe punishment. But now, even she couldn't predict how Odin would respond.
Ignoring Frigga's plea, Odin's voice hardened further. "That doesn't justify joining forces with Hela!"
"Joining forces?" Thor shot back. "No, I don't agree with Hela's methods either. But I'll fight to defend my people. I won't start an unjust war, but anyone who threatens Asgard…" His eyes blazed. "No matter where they are, they'll be destroyed!"
"A true king learns compassion and tolerance. Violence can't solve everything…" Odin replied, his voice steady.
"My compassion is for my people—not for those who want to harm them," Thor replied coldly. "And as for tolerance? That's a fairy tale. In reality, 'tolerance' is often just a reluctant acceptance. Violence may not solve every problem, but it certainly eliminates the one causing it."
Odin looked at him, finally realizing that Thor's mind was set. There was no changing his son's path.
"If you insist on this path, you'll drive more allies to the enemy's side," Odin said, his voice weary. "You'll lead Asgard into darkness."
Thor's gaze didn't falter. "Maybe. But anything would be better than letting Asgard be destroyed by the Eternal Flame of Ragnarök."
"What?" Odin and Frigga's eyes widened, shock evident on their faces. "You know about Ragnarök?"
Ragnarök—a prophecy of catastrophic destruction—foretold the fall of Asgard and the death of many gods. In this world, that prophecy meant Surtur would bring Asgard to ruin. No one knew of this prophecy except Odin and Frigga.
"I've known for a long time," Thor replied calmly. "And that's why Asgard needs to be united when the day comes, not divided by royal feuds and power struggles."
Odin was silent, absorbing Thor's words. Finally, he asked, "Is that why you sought out Hela? Do you honestly believe she'd help prevent Ragnarök rather than bring Asgard to ruin herself?"
Frigga hesitated, torn. Her heart wanted to trust her son, yet she didn't want to go against Odin.
"Yes!" Thor said fiercely. "Because she has as much claim to Asgard's glory as anyone. She was Asgard's crown princess; she is my sister. Hela may desire the throne, but her loyalty to Asgard is deep. Even in the end, when everyone else fled, she will be the one who stood and fought for Asgard."
Thor turned to leave the hall but paused at the door. "When I met her, I only repeated what I said here today. She did nothing to me—she simply broke the seal. You don't understand her. And you certainly don't understand me."
As the hall doors closed behind Thor, Odin slumped back in his throne, murmuring to himself, "Could it be… I was truly wrong?"
Frigga stepped forward, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "No, you're not wrong, and neither is Thor. Your views may differ, but in the end, both of you act out of love for Asgard."
As Asgard's wisest, Frigga found herself agreeing with Thor's outlook. Those who love war may die, but those who forget war are doomed to fall.
"I believe in Thor," she said softly. "He will be a great king."
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