Chapter 44 — The Return of Thunder
Waking up the next day, Thor stretched lazily before walking toward the window. When he pulled the curtains aside, the morning light flooded in, revealing the city already covered in a soft layer of snow. The streets below were alive — children building snowmen, people laughing, and carolers singing in the distance. The Christmas atmosphere filled every corner of the city, glowing with warmth and life.
Thor smiled faintly as he rested one hand against the glass and muttered, "Christmas… huh? It's been a long time since I've seen something like this." For a brief moment, it reminded him of the world he had left behind — the one before his reincarnation. He took a deep breath, then said with determination, "Today I'll bring the girls here. While I wait for the story of this world to unfold, I can show them around and enjoy this peaceful moment."
He turned away from the window and headed to the bathroom, taking off his shirt as he went. The warm water of the shower splashed against his skin, steam filling the air. Thor closed his eyes, tilting his head under the stream, and sighed in satisfaction.
"Running water… you have no idea how much I missed you," he said with a small chuckle, remembering all the times he had to draw water from wells back in Berk. "Technology really is a blessing sometimes."
After a refreshing bath, Thor stepped out, drying his hair with a towel. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, adjusting his collar with a smirk. "Let's make a good impression. Astrid would probably kill me if I showed up looking like a wild Viking."
He dressed in a long black winter coat, sturdy snow boots, and a scarf around his neck. Once ready, he grabbed a quick breakfast in the hotel restaurant — coffee, eggs, and toast — savoring the warmth of the food. "Not bad," he muttered, "but I'd still take Astrid's cooking any day."
Finishing his meal, Thor stood up, paid for his food, and walked out of the hotel. The cold air hit his face immediately, but it only made him feel more alive. "Alright," he said quietly, tightening his scarf, "time to go get them."
Finding an empty alley, Thor glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Then, in one swift motion, he summoned his divine energy. Thunder roared above as lightning sparked across his body. In a brilliant flash of blue light, he shot up into the sky, disappearing in a streak of electricity that echoed across the clouds.
Meanwhile, back on the ship, Astrid was pacing from one side of the deck to the other. Her arms were crossed, and her expression was tense. She couldn't stop glancing toward the horizon, where a thick fog rolled lazily over the ocean.
"It's already been another day," she said, her voice sharp with worry. "He still hasn't come back. Shouldn't we go after him?"
Moana, sitting near the helm with Shiro in her arms, looked up calmly. Her eyes were softer, but there was a trace of concern there too. "Relax, Astrid," she said gently. "He'll come back. If we leave this spot, we might get lost — and Thor could lose track of the ship's location."
Astrid stopped, biting her lip as she thought about it. She hated waiting — it went against every fiber of her warrior spirit — but Moana's logic was sound. She sighed and rubbed her temple. "Alright… we'll wait one more hour. But if he's not back by then, we're going after him. No matter what."
Moana nodded with a small smile. "Fair enough."
Shiro tilted her head, clutching Moana's sleeve. "Ni-san will come back," she said softly, her voice full of faith.
Before Moana could reply, the calm sea suddenly trembled as a deafening boom echoed from the heavens. A streak of blue lightning ripped across the sky, followed by the familiar roar of thunder. The wind howled and the sails shook violently.
Astrid's eyes widened. "That sound—!"
In an instant, a massive bolt of lightning crashed onto the deck, blinding everyone for a split second. When the light faded, Thor stood there, electricity still crackling around his armor. His eyes scanned the deck — just in time to see all three girls running toward him.
Before he could even speak, they threw themselves into his arms, wrapping him in a tight embrace that nearly knocked him off balance. For a few seconds, Thor stood still, surprised by the sudden wave of emotion. Then he smiled softly and placed one arm around Astrid and the other around Moana, while Shiro clung to his waist.
He didn't say anything at first — he just let them hold him. He could feel their worry, their relief, and their warmth all at once. The storm within their hearts was finally calming.
After a while, Astrid pulled away slightly and looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You idiot," she whispered, punching his chest lightly. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
Thor chuckled and rubbed her back. "Yeah… I figured that much when all three of you tackled me like that."
Moana let out a nervous laugh, brushing her hair behind her ear. "We thought something had happened. You've been gone for so long!"
"I know," Thor said, still smiling. "But it's alright now. I'm fine — and I found a place for us to stay. Somewhere safe, comfortable, and close to everything we might need."
Astrid exhaled, visibly calmer now. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's head there. Once we arrive, we can plan what to do next."
Moana and Shiro both nodded in agreement. "Yes," Moana said, "we'll be able to think more clearly once we're off the sea."
Thor nodded, glancing at the vast ocean around them. "Alright then," he said, his tone turning serious, "let's go." He moved to the front of the ship, his presence commanding as he began to prepare the vessel for departure.
But far away, in a place where no light reached — in a realm of endless darkness — something sinister was stirring.
A figure stood surrounded by black mist, its voice cold and venomous. "With this power," it hissed, holding a fragment glowing faintly with divine light, "no one will stop me this time. When I destroy the Guardians, I will drag this world into eternal darkness. And then… I will have enough strength to leave this world and hunt for more divine power."
The shadow's eyes gleamed like dying stars as it tightened its grip on the fragment. "Soon, even the gods will tremble before me," Breu said, his laughter echoing across the void.