บท 68: The Secret of the Past
Odin collapsed to the ground, his breath labored and weak.
The Destroyer armor clinging to his body appeared as worn as he did, on the verge of disintegration.
Caesar grimaced and aimed Gungnir at Odin's throat.
Then, with a conflicted expression, he said, "I've won!"
"Release Hela, spare Midgard!"
Though Caesar emerged victorious, his face held no joy.
He knew it was only Odin's old age and frailty that had allowed him to win.
Without the might of the Father, Caesar would never have stood a chance against Odin.
Without Thor's destruction of the Bifrost, victory might have been out of reach.
If Odin couldn't utilize Gungnir to command the power of Bifrost, Caesar would have been no match.
And even with Odin's reminder, during the meteor strike, it remained uncertain if he could have wielded the Space gem in time to deflect it.
Despair loomed like a mountain in Caesar's heart.
Once, he could only look up to Odin, even tremble in his presence.
But now, he had brought Odin to his knees.
Despite this, there was little joy in his victory.
The elation of overcoming seemed hollow in the absence of a worthy opponent.
But Caesar's focus wasn't on triumph; it was on Hela's release and securing Midgard.
Odin gasped for breath, a strange light emanating from his remaining eye.
"My child," he rasped, "You truly astound me."
"Midgard is yours."
"Should you wish it, Asgard can be yours too!"
"As for Hela, end me, and she will be freed."
"Take care of your mother, and keep Hela from harming her brother."
With these words, Odin closed his eye, prepared to embrace death.
Caesar hesitated for a moment, then shouted, "Enough!"
"Don't think I won't do it!"
"Tell me another way to release Hela."
Odin, without opening his eye, calmly replied, "There is no other way!"
Caesar raised Gungnir angrily, only to have his hand grabbed by Frigga, who had hurried to the scene.
Frigga didn't speak, tears streaming down her face.
Her usually gentle eyes held pain and helplessness.
Meeting Frigga's gaze, Caesar paused, then threw Gungnir aside.
He bowed his head to Odin, saying, "If this were a thousand years ago, I might not let you live."
"But how many years do you have left?"
"I don't want to upset my mother," he continued, "So, can you tell me something?"
"Why are you aging so rapidly?"
"What happened all those years ago?"
Odin opened his remaining eye, and with a wave of his hand, Gungnir returned to him.
Gungnir's return flooded Odin with divine power, prompting him to rise to his feet. He cast a gentle glance at Frigga, tears streaming down her face, before addressing Caesar.
"A millennium ago, you couldn't match my might," Odin declared. "Yet, I'm prepared to divulge everything. But there's a price."
He motioned for Thor and the Asgard guards, eager to intervene, to stand down. With Caesar and Frigga in tow, he led them to his chambers. Some secrets were meant for few ears.
As they walked, it seemed the ferocious battle had subsided. Thor, now relieved, observed the trio from afar, his mind brimming with questions. Turning to Valina, he queried,
"Is he truly my brother? And why does he wield such formidable strength? I've always admired the prowess of the Valkyries since childhood. Can you enlighten me on their training methods?"
Thor's questions poured forth incessantly. Valina rolled her eyes in response before replying,
"Your brother Loki plunged into the abyss. Your allies suffered grave injuries. And you, you've shattered the Bifrost. Do you comprehend the gravity of your actions? Yet, you still pose such inquiries to me?"
Thor fell silent, grappling with his emotions. Despite Loki's deception and the chaos he wrought, Thor's affection for his brother remained profound.
Within the palace, Odin began to unfurl the tapestry of the past to Caesar.
"The Nine Realms, save Midgard, are realms of myth, teeming with gods, giants, elves, and dwarfs. Midgard, however, is a mere mortal realm, yet the most pivotal in the Nine Realms. It's coveted by all, for it harbors the potential to transcend the universe—a truth shrouded in ancient lore.
"Asgard fought countless battles, vanquished realms, and thwarted deities to claim dominion over Midgard. But it came at great cost," Odin lamented, recalling the fallen warriors who sacrificed for their cause.
"After our conquest," Odin continued, his tone heavy with sorrow, "we delved into the mysteries of Midgard, discovering the extraordinary souls of its inhabitants, unlike any other beings. It attracted even the mighty Celestials.
"Nine gods, that's all it took," he concluded with a hint of resignation.
Each of them possesses strength close to the fourth-order limit, akin to the Heavenly Father's power. They accuse Asgard of pursuing research that could upset the universe's balance. Asgard must cease Midgard research immediately. At that time, Asgard wielded immense power...
My brother, Tyr, the god of war, Balder, the god of light, Hodl, the god of darkness, and the former patron saint, Heimdall's father, Rig, each awakened with fourth-order power. Add to that a formidable, elite army, Bifrost, and Hela. Asgard appeared unmatched.
As Odin spoke, reminiscing on past glory, his one eye brimmed with yearning. Yet, sorrow soon overshadowed his expression.
"We were strong, proud. We charged forth, only to meet defeat. Our vast elite army, all perished! My brothers and Rig fell to those gods—Baldr, Hoddle, Rigg, and Tyre! I witnessed Tyr torn asunder by a colossal god, his living half devoured! They thirsted for more energy. Those so-called gods were merely wretched creatures! Unable to bear it, I expended much of my life force, wielding Gungnir to sever the god's head and banish it to the void.
Then, I negotiated peace with the remaining eight gods! Asgard ceased Midgard research and refrained from intervening there. The Celestials abandoned their pursuit of Asgard. Cowards, afraid of death!
Returning to Asgard alone, our elite nearly decimated. Only Hela's legion remained, her involvement in the battle absent. She led her troops in attacks, seeking treasure for you. Learning of the battle upon her return, she desired further conquest. She aimed to dominate the 2.2 civilizations, seeking revenge on the gods!
I intervened, realizing Asgard lacked the power for universal conquest. She challenged my authority, deeming me unworthy of kingship. I defeated her, intending to imprison her and prevent Asgard's downfall. She rebelled, and in my weakened state, I could not pursue. I dispatched the Valkyrie corps, yet they too fell. Asgard's final elite.
With grave injuries, I halted her. Sacrificing myself, I forged the strongest cage and trapped her in hell. As long as I live, Hela remains imprisoned."
Odin's words trailed off, a heavy sigh escaping him.
But Caesar interjected, "So why not release Hela?"
....
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