In Asgard, within Odin's royal chambers, the All-Father lay in peaceful slumber on his grand bed, golden light swirling around him.
Not long ago, after Heimdall had escorted Odin back to his chambers, the court sorcerers had diagnosed him. Odin's many years of accumulated injuries had flared up, and he would need a long period of rest to recover.
With Thor on Midgard (Earth), Loki had assumed the role of acting king in Asgard. Yet Heimdall knew this was all part of Odin's plan. It wasn't just Heimdall who understood this—Queen Frigga, who had long been at Odin's side, was well aware too.
When Heimdall rushed into the chambers, Frigga frowned slightly and looked at him, asking, "Has something happened to Thor in Midgard?" Being Thor's birth mother, her first instinct was to worry about her son's safety.
Heimdall shook his head. "Prince Thor is fine, but right now..." He glanced at the sleeping Odin. Frigga understood and gently reached out to the bedside, lightly shaking Odin. "Heimdall has come. He has urgent news to report."
Odin, who had been feigning sleep, immediately opened his eyes, full of vigor—there was no sign of the injuries that supposedly required rest. Seeing Heimdall at the bedside, Odin frowned slightly and said, "I told you not to disturb me. We can't let Loki figure out what's going on."
Heimdall looked troubled as he knelt on one knee and said, "My king, the situation is dire. I had no choice."
Seeing the grave expression on Heimdall's face, Odin understood the seriousness of the situation. Sitting up in bed, he asked, "Has something happened in Midgard?"
Given Heimdall's constant vigilance over Midgard, Odin knew that something catastrophic must have happened there for Heimdall to be so distressed.
"Yes," Heimdall confirmed. "The Lord of Hell, Mephisto, has appeared in Midgard."
Odin's expression shifted at the mention of the name. "Why would he appear in Midgard now?"
The Lord of Hell, Mephisto—his name might be unfamiliar to most, but to beings like Odin, who possessed the power of the All-Father, Mephisto was a well-known and formidable entity.
After all, one of the five primordial cosmic beings, Galactus, had once battled Mephisto and was severely wounded by the encounter.
This was evidence of Mephisto's terrifying power. However, Odin knew that the longer Mephisto stayed away from Hell, the weaker he would become. But even in a weakened state, he was still far beyond the capabilities of Midgard's current inhabitants.
Odin's frown deepened. "What is he doing in Midgard? Could it be..."
As a sudden realization dawned on him, Odin's face paled. He turned to Heimdall and urgently asked, "How is her seal holding?"
Heimdall responded immediately, "Rest assured, my king. It seems that Mephisto's current visit to Midgard is merely to seek someone with whom to sign a soul contract."
"A soul contract?" Odin raised an eyebrow.
This was one of Mephisto's lesser tricks. When a soul harbored strong enough desires, it could attract Mephisto's attention. He would then use seductive words to lure the person into signing a soul contract with him. Once signed, Mephisto would use his magic to fulfill that person's desires. But the price was their soul, forever bound to Mephisto.
As for what Mephisto did with the souls he collected, no one really knew. The only thing Odin was certain of was that throughout history, countless people had signed soul contracts with Mephisto.
And without exception, they all ended up regretting it.
"Keep a close watch on him. If he shows any interest in Midgard's seal or tries to make contact with Thor, alert me immediately and prepare the Bifrost for me," Odin commanded.
Odin knew all too well how cunning and deceitful Mephisto could be, and he couldn't afford to take any risks when dealing with him.
...
When Heimdall rushed into the chamber, Frigga immediately sensed Loki's presence outside. "Loki has returned," she said, having keenly picked up on her son's aura as a former sorceress.
Odin quickly instructed Heimdall, "Remember, we must not let Mephisto wreak havoc in Midgard."
Heimdall pounded his chest with his fist in acknowledgment, showing his commitment to the task.
As the chamber doors opened, Loki entered slowly, holding the royal scepter.
"Heimdall?" Loki said, surprised to see him inside Odin's chamber. Heimdall was supposed to be guarding the Bifrost.
"Prince Loki," Heimdall greeted him with a bow.
Loki glanced between Heimdall and Odin, and after confirming nothing was amiss, he turned to Heimdall and said, "Good, this saves me the trouble of looking for you."
Heimdall asked, "Is there something you need, Prince Loki?"
Loki raised the scepter in his hand, a symbol of Asgard's throne. "Right now, all of Asgard obeys my orders, correct?"
Heimdall immediately knelt on one knee, saying, "Of course, my king."
"Good. From now on, no one is allowed to use the Bifrost to travel to Midgard."
"You…" Heimdall began.
"Is that clear?" Loki said, pointing the scepter at Heimdall with authority.
Heimdall immediately understood that Loki was concerned Thor's loyal followers might head to Midgard to assist him. If Thor were to return to Asgard, Loki would no longer be the acting king. But Odin had foreseen this too.
Heimdall smiled inwardly. Loki thought everything was under his control, but little did he know.
"I understand, my king!" Heimdall responded.
Satisfied, Loki waved dismissively. "You may leave. Do not disturb my father's rest."
"Yes," Heimdall said as he left the chamber.
Once Heimdall had gone, Loki knelt beside Odin. Despite his resentment towards Odin for hiding so much from him over the years, he couldn't deny the affection Odin had shown him throughout the centuries. Now, seeing Odin lying in bed, seemingly on the brink of life and death, Loki's concern was genuine.
"Mother, how is Father?" Loki asked with worry.
Frigga gently stroked his face and smiled. "Don't worry, the sorcerers say he's recovering well."
Only then did Loki relax and nod. Worrying about Odin was one thing, but dealing with Thor was another. Loki would prefer Thor to remain in Midgard for the rest of his life, unable to return.
"Mother, I have many matters to attend to in Asgard. I'll take my leave now," Loki said.
Frigga nodded and watched as he left.
Once Loki had gone, Frigga gently patted Odin's shoulder. Odin opened his eyes and said quietly, "Mephisto…"
"Should I secretly go to Midgard?" Frigga asked. She was deeply concerned about Thor's safety. As a sorceress, she knew all too well the tales surrounding the demon Mephisto. And now, her son Thor was so close to that dangerous entity.
Odin comforted her, saying, "Don't worry. Midgard isn't as fragile as you think. There are powerful beings there too."
"They may not intervene easily, but that doesn't mean they won't act."
Frigga was still anxious. "But isn't Mephisto incredibly strong? He's even defeated one of the Five Great Deities."
The Five Great Deities were the pinnacle of cosmic power in the universe. And Mephisto had once triumphed over one of them—Galactus.
Odin smiled and said, "Galactus is the weakest of the Five…"
...
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