บท 599: Chapter 403: New Umbrella (Part 1)_1
In the celestial palace of Asgard, in Loki's bedroom, Thor looks furiously at his brother Loki, who is nonchalantly admiring his newly crafted crown. Thor speaks in a deep voice,
"Loki, do you really know what you're doing?!"
His chest rises and falls, as if bottling up all his rage. He flings his arm and says with an incomprehensible tone, "You know what they're planning! You know they're leading Asgard towards destruction, yet you choose to stand with them!"
Loki sits on the carpet near the window, toying with the dazzling, elegant crown, he says casually, "Yes, it's only recently that I realized I had been wasting my time all along."
"Thor," Loki turns to Thor and says, "I realized that instead of waiting for you to learn everything a king should learn, I should do it myself."
"You..."
Loki sets the crown aside and stands up, stepping in front of Thor. He looks into his eyes, "What are you so angry about?"
"Thor, you keep saying you're willing to pay any price to save Asgard. So now, when it comes to the throne, you can't afford to let go?"
Thor stares sternly into Loki's gem-like eyes and says, "Do you think you can save Asgard? Alongside those maniacs who only know destruction and war?"
"Loki, haven't you already seen the views beyond the cosmos? Haven't you already decided to stand with me?!"
"I was indeed planning on doing that, but Thor, you know what? Lately, I have been praised too much..."
Loki begins pacing around the room, head tilted back in an exultant expression and says, "Those were all the things I used to long for but could never have... It comes easily to you, so you naturally could discard them like old shoes. But I can't."
Thor opens his mouth, a reproof lingering on his lips, but he can't voice it.
Now, he understands that Loki has been deprived of much love. This isn't just about Odin failing as a father, but also about his own failure as a brother.
Thor can't utter "Do you really think they're praising you?" because he knows that Loki, with his astute intellect, is not ignorant of the falsehood. But, even if it's false, he still chases it.
So, who caused all this?
Every time Thor thinks about it, he experiences a blend of distress and helplessness. He knows that Loki's actions will lead Asgard towards destruction, but he can't bear to shatter the delusions Loki has been entertaining.
If he refuses to hand over the throne to Loki and continues to fight him, perhaps Thor might truly manage to save Asgard. But the cost would be sacrificing his own brother, ruining everything he possesses, and not even allowing him a sweet dream.
Handing over the throne to Loki will result in Asgard's destruction, but at least, before his death, Loki will possess everything he ever desired—praise, honor, enthusiasm, and the lofty position of the Father of All Gods.
Between Loki and Asgard, who should he choose?
As he ponders on this question, Thor realizes that the first answer in his heart is quite unexpected.
The sight of a sullen Thor exiting Loki's bedroom was noticed by more than one Asgardian. Everyone could sense the tense atmosphere, foretelling impending chaos.
Every Asgardian knew that both princes have come of age, and Odin is aging. In the coming phase, the mysterious cloud of succession struggle will constantly overshadow Asgard.
But no one expected that the first bolt of lightning underneath this cloud would strike so quickly.
Amidst an otherwise tranquil night in Asgard, suddenly, the clamor of weapons rise, war cries echo, and the brilliance of divine power erupts at various locations in Asgard. The cries of battle rise from all directions, not only startling the birds resting for the night in Asgard but also awakening all of its people.
Asgardians, jolted awake from their beds, after seeing the flames outside their windows, comprehend instantly—Loki has staged a coup.
Everyone knew that this little prince wouldn't wait too long. After Thor's coronation, Odin had fallen into a deep slumber, unshakeable by any turmoil.
Those veteran officers who had accompanied Odin in his numerous campaigns wouldn't be satisfied with a new king who excels in defense and lacks in offense. Despite his power and majesty, they would rather have a puppet who can be manipulated readily.
Loki, this poor little thing, ignored by his father, neglected by his brother, friendless, baseless, without any support. Apart from fortuitously possessing royal blood, he had nothing.
No matter how resplendent the armor he wears, how dazzling the crown on his head, or how supreme the throne he occupies, he could never become a Father of All Gods like Odin. Many people believed that Asgard doesn't need another Father of All Gods anymore.
The sound of galloping horses sweeping across the sky was like a thunderclap bursting in the ears. The dust raised by the horse riders as they skimmed across rooftops under the moonlight churned like stormy waves. The warriors astride their horses held sharp spears, their tips glowed with a chilling shine.
As the light shone far and wide, Asgard's fleet started to move without orders, rising from all around. When the horns sounded, the city was transformed into golden armor.
At the front of the long Bifrost Bridge, Loki, adorned in exquisite armor, was leading a group of Asgardians. They arrived before the guardians of the fairy palace who stood poised in their positions, their spears crossed to block the entrance to the bridge. When they saw Loki, they showed no intention of moving aside.
For the first time, Loki held a spear rather than his magic wand, exactly like any other Asgardian warrior. He slammed the handle of his spear into the ground, stirring up a small cloud of dust that landed on his golden boots. He declared, "Move!"
The guards did not move. Loki, feeling humiliated, raised his voice. "I order you, under the identity of the Prince of Asgard, and the future king, to clear the way!"
The guards still did not move. Loki closed his eyes, sighing softly. He raised a hand and signalled to the people behind him.
During the ensuing massacre, two towering figures fell. In Loki's view, he could remember a time — long, long ago — when they had kneeled before him, calling him 'Your Highness'.
But this time, they said nothing as they silently died in the turbulent night of Asgard.
However, Loki was no Thor. He felt no guilt.
Loki's expression did not change as he stepped over their bodies with proud steps, walking along the long bridge. Amongst the night winds of Asgard, his hair danced wildly, like an undulating black wave. Yet his eyes, which glistened like gemstones, were brighter under the fairy palace's glare than even the gems embedded in his crown.
The light sound of his boots stepping on the stairs echoed louder than even the roaring cannon fire. Only then did Loki take a deep breath and pause for the first time before the first step.
"Your Highness, you can't retreat now." The grizzled general behind Loki approached him, speaking softly, "You've entered the fairy palace's territory. Intruding is a crime punishable by death."
"Don't order me." Loki half turned to the speaker, teeth gritted, then he continued to ascend the stairs that led to the palace's gates.
The instant his foot touched the palace hall's entrance, numerous imperial guards swarmed forth. Both sides immediately engaged in a fierce brawl, with the general on Loki's side bellowing, "Protect the Prince! Protect the Prince!"
Quickly, Loki joined the fight, but in a corner where no one could see, he made an expression of extreme disgust.
Just then, a streak of lightning fell from afar onto the center of the fairy palace. When the light shone, everyone stopped fighting and watched Thor descend upon them.
"Loki, stop! Withdraw! I will not condemn you." Thor urged.
With a wave of his hand, several lightning bolts cleared the area and those fearful of the new king's divine power retreated, leaving only the two brothers in the huge hall. Loki knew, however, that they hadn't left and were still watching from outside the palace.
Loki scoffed. He looked at Thor and said, "Retreat? To where? Leave the fairy palace? Leave Asgard? Or leave the nine major kingdoms?"
"This is not just your home!" Loki spit out, gritting his teeth between each word, "Thor, no one has the right to make me leave, including you and Odin."
Hearing him directly mention the Father of All Gods, Thor understood that things would not end well today.
With a wave of his hand, a long spear composed of golden lightning materialized. Thor gripped his weapon and said, "Summon your true weapon. Let us fight. If I lose, the throne is yours."
Loki didn't say any more. He took out a scepter that Thor had never seen before. Instantly, the magical brilliance and lightning clashed together.
Loki floated in the air, the gem at the top of his scepter emitting a blinding light. A magical shield appeared around him. Just as this magical shield was forming, a spear, filled with an invincible lightning power, darted towards him.
The light flashed once on the magical shield and behind it, Loki revealed a mocking smile. The shield exploded like a bubble, and the Loki behind it disappeared like a phantom, only for another figure to appear behind Thor.
But Thor remained unfazed. He turned abruptly, sweeping his long spear horizontally. Loki blocked the strike by conjuring a magical shield on his arm, getting knocked back by the blow. Using the momentum, he unleashed two powerful slashes of magic energy.
More lightning was unleashed in response, Loki's figure flitting from place to place. The golden lightning and purple magical glow battled fiercely in the sky above Asgard.
When Thor shattered Loki's magical shield once again, Loki wore a somber expression. "Enough!"
His voice echoed through the night sky of Asgard, audible to all Asgardians, and then, Loki's figure began to slowly change, shrinking and his hair growing longer.
A female figure appeared in the magical glow, with an accompanying magnificent halo. Loki's melodic voice rang through the silence, facing Thor, "Though I'm no longer the only one at the zenith of the cosmos, my power is more than enough to defeat you."
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