章 277: Chapter 277: The Spear of Eternity and the Eight-Legged Divine Steed
"Let me pluck your heart out, try to slowly dissolve it, and see if I'm still flawless in your heart..."
In Tønsberg, Norway, on a forest path on the outskirts of the town, Clark hummed an appropriate tune as he strolled towards a bench in the distance.
On the bench, an elderly couple cuddled together, enjoying the fireworks set off by the townspeople to celebrate the New Year.
This seemingly ordinary couple was anything but ordinary, especially the one-eyed old man who appeared to be on his last legs. In his youth, he was a formidable person who had defiantly stood up to the gods.
They were Odin, the King of Asgard, and Frigga, the Queen.
Seeing Odin and Frigga hiding in the corner, displaying their affection, Clark couldn't help but internally criticize their behavior.
What's with the elderly nowadays? Celebrating the New Year by enjoying the cold breeze?
And it wasn't just them!
The forest at night was very tranquil. In the silent night, Clark's footsteps were particularly clear. It wasn't until he approached that Frigga moved her head away from Odin's shoulder, and Odin turned to look at Clark: "Young brother, you've come."
Hearing Odin suddenly change the way he addressed him, Clark started to wonder if Odin had recently taken a liking to "Journey to the West".
Knowing Odin had contacted him through a mental link for something important, Clark no longer felt like joking around: "Brother, what's the important matter you wanted to discuss today?"
Odin glanced at Clark and calmly began, "Thor is in trouble."
Seeing Odin's calm demeanor, Clark was shocked.
Brother, you're so composed. Are you sure you're talking about your son being in trouble, not just the neighbor Loki missing dinner?
The only believable reason was probably that Thor hadn't attended the Avengers' New Year's party today.
Ignoring Clark's astonished expression, Odin continued, "I had promised you to hold on for a few more years, but last month, Ultron came looking for trouble. I had no choice but to take action once, but that made my injury worse. Now, I'm afraid I won't last much longer."
Clark frowned. Ultron had also troubled Odin?
It's incredible, really. Even a born robot doesn't fear a heavenly father. But...
"Does this have something to do with Thor?"
Odin nodded, "Although I have great trust in your abilities, with Hela's matter, I must make extra preparations. Thus, without informing you, I sent Thor to Muspelheim to retrieve Surtur's crown."
Clark nodded slightly upon hearing this. With Surtur's crown and the Eternal Flame already in Odin's vault, possessing these two items meant being ready to initiate Ragnarok, sacrificing Asgard's land to destroy Hela as a last resort.
In the original timeline, Thor used this method to defeat Hela. Although the losses were heavy, it was a final desperate move. Preparing everything in advance was never a mistake.
In the original timeline, Thor's mission went smoothly. Did something go wrong this time?
With curiosity, Clark directly asked, "Did Thor fail?"
"He succeeded," Odin shook his head slightly, his expression turning somewhat helpless, "Unfortunately, he encountered an accident on his way back to Asgard. He was ambushed by an interstellar pirate, losing not only Surtur's crown but was also captured and sold as a slave to the Grandmaster on Sakaar."
Thor ambushed by a space pirate and sold as a slave?
How does that even sound? Like a joke?
Are interstellar pirates that powerful now?
Initially, hearing Nebula claim to be among the best space pirates, now it seemed like boasting.
From the fact that someone could capture Thor and sell him as a slave, top space pirates must have strength close to Thanos.
Capture Thor with one strike, confront the gods with three, slay the devourers of stars with five, and face the Court of Life with nine?
Seeing the doubt in Clark's eyes, Odin could only remind again, "Thor was ambushed."
Despite the explanation, Clark still found it unbelievable.
After all, Thor's strength was evident. Even with an ambush, capturing him alive would require near skyfather-level strength.
Clark was quite sure Nebula couldn't do this.
Another doubt arose, "Shouldn't Thor have used the Bifrost to return to Asgard after getting Surtur's crown? Does this space pirate have the power to intercept the Bifrost?"
If Odin dared to nod, Clark would have to wonder if this 'space pirate' was actually a god or a celestial in disguise.
Even skyfather-level beings like Clark and Thanos couldn't do this!
"Shaking his head," Odin said helplessly, "My original plan was for him to use the Bifrost to return to Asgard after completing his mission, but he didn't do that. Instead, he left via a spaceship. His first destination wasn't Asgard, but Xandar. As a result..."
As a result, he was captured and sold as a slave, all because of his own recklessness.
Clark rolled his eyes, not knowing what to say about his great-nephew.
But hearing so much from Odin, Clark guessed his purpose: "So, brother, you want me to go to Sakaar, rescue Thor, and retrieve Surtur's crown?"
Odin nodded, then sighed, "Ideally, I should handle this myself, but to maintain Hela's seal, I can't leave Earth, not even Norway, without risking the seal. So, I must trouble you, brother, to make this journey."
With Odin being so humble, what more could Clark say?
He nodded in agreement, "I'll arrange things and leave first thing tomorrow."
"Wait a moment, brother," Odin called out, seeing Clark ready to use the Space Stone to leave. With a gesture, the Spear of Eternity appeared in his hand: "You've shown interest in the Spear of Eternity during your visit to Asgard. Now, I formally present it to you."
"Oh, Odin, you're too kind. This makes me a bit embarrassed," Clark said modestly, already holding the spear.
Infusing his energy into it, the Spear of Eternity let out an excited cry, its tip radiating a terrifying energy.
"I'm giving you the Spear of Eternity to save you time on your journey," Odin provided a reasonable justification for Clark to proudly wield the spear, "Though it looks like a single artifact, possessing it is like controlling the power of two artifacts."
Clark immediately complimented, "You're absolutely right, brother. The Spear of Eternity is indeed mightier than Thor's hammer. It's a top-notch super artifact among the divine weapons."
"You sure know how to talk," Odin smiled and then instructed, "Take the Spear of Eternity and try calling 'Sleipnir' in your mind."
Sleipnir?
Is that the activation word for the Spear of Eternity's special mode?
Thinking so, Clark boldly raised the spear and mentally called out, "Sleipnir!"
With a sharp neigh, a magnificent, snow-white, eight-legged steed appeared under Clark, lifting him high.
Immediately, the divine steed stood on its hind legs, its formidable power nearly flinging Clark, a skyfather-level being, off.
"Sleipnir!" Odin called, and the horse calmed down, returning its front legs to the ground.
Odin stood from the bench, tenderly stroking Sleipnir's mane, whispering, "Sleipnir, from today, my brother Clark Lee is your new master. Ride with him across the universe, creating a more glorious future."
Sleipnir nodded understandingly, then leaped high, seemingly pleased to have a new master.
Odin smiled, "Sleipnir was my mount, now it's yours. It can reach the speed of light at full gallop. Even the fastest spaceship in the universe can't compare."
"Ride to find Thor. Remember, wherever you go, maintain the dignity of a mighty being of the Nine Realms!"
Was Odin suggesting that outside the Nine Realms, any dissent should be met with force (physical reasoning)? Regardless of whether the opponent was a Mad Titan or a Cosmic Elder, there's no need for politeness, just fight hard, and if they still resist, just finish them off!
Such a dominant approach naturally suited Clark's tastes.
Nodding, Clark didn't hesitate, turning the steed around, spurring Sleipnir on. Feeling its master's will, the divine steed leaped into the sky, transforming into a streak of light.
In an instant, they vanished from Odin and Frigga's sight.
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