Odin was stunned.
During Odin's Sleep, he had observed everything happening on Earth and understood what Wi-Fi was. What he had not known was that the Ancient One's situation had become so peculiar.
"You hung her corpse in the academy and refined it into an undead?" Odin asked, staring at Malrick as though seeing him for the first time.
Malrick had not expected Odin's imagination to run so far astray. He immediately shook his head. "No. It's only her portrait. That is a type of magic."
"A portrait?" Odin paused, then exhaled slowly. "That really is… quite an unusual spell."
He did not linger on the topic of the Ancient One. Instead, his gaze returned to the dark sea ahead. Beneath the night sky, the waves surged restlessly, as if an unseen disaster were rushing toward them.
After a moment of silence, Odin spoke again. "Though it may be late, Lord Malrick, I would like to ask you something. When Asgard faces danger, please give Thor some assistance."
Once, Odin had been the God King who commanded fear across the Universe. His armies were unstoppable. Clad in the Destroyer Armor and wielding Gungnir, he had swept through countless worlds.
Yet now, standing at the edge of death, he was no different from any aging father who could not fully let go of his children.
Malrick did not give a direct promise. He looked at the torch in his hand and said calmly, "Odin, I would not attend just anyone's funeral."
Odin froze, then laughed softly. "A funeral is not an end for Asgardians. From now on, Valhalla can also be opened to Kamar-Taj."
In Valhalla, the souls of warriors could achieve a different form of eternity after death. For many, this was an unimaginable gift.
Malrick shook his head in refusal. "That promise is unnecessary."
"Why?" Odin asked.
"The souls of mages either belong to the Vishanti, to Eternity, or to me. There is nowhere else for them to go."
Malrick patted Odin lightly on the shoulder, then turned and walked back toward the group of sorcerers from Kamar-Taj.
Neither of them said it aloud, but an understanding had been reached. Malrick had agreed to watch over Asgard when necessary, and Odin had offered what little leverage he still possessed.
Unfortunately, the most valuable things Odin could offer no longer held much weight to Malrick.
Regret stirred in Odin's heart. When they had first met six or seven years ago, Malrick's strength had been inferior to his own. Had he invested everything back then, he would not be facing such uncertainty now.
But what was lost could not be reclaimed.
Odin could only release a quiet sigh.
"Come to me," he said.
After Malrick walked away, Odin beckoned to Thor, Loki, and Frigga.
He first embraced Frigga in a final farewell. Then his expression hardened.
"My time is short. There are things you must understand."
Thor frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, Father? You just awakened from Odin's Sleep. How can death come so suddenly?"
Odin looked at Thor, feeling both pride and disappointment.
"Ragnarok is coming. I have restrained her for a thousand years, but I will hold her back no longer. That task falls to you, Thor."
Thor opened his mouth to speak, but Odin raised a hand to stop him.
"Kneel, Thor."
Thor hesitated, then knelt on both knees before the boat.
Odin remained seated and placed a hand on Thor's head.
"I, Odin All-Father, declare that from this day onward, Thor Odinson, my eldest son, shall become the new King of Asgard."
"You will inherit my power, surpass my limits, and protect Asgard. All your efforts shall be for Asgard alone."
Invisible divine power flowed from Odin into Thor. The force that once belonged to the All-Father began transforming, reshaping itself into Thor's own power.
At the side, Loki watched in silence, complex emotions flickering across his face.
The transfer was brief. Odin spoke only a few words before withdrawing his hand.
"I have entrusted my power to you," Odin said. "Remember this, Asgard is not just a place."
He cupped Thor's cheek gently. "I am proud of you. Your potential far exceeds mine. I believe you will surpass me."
Then he turned his gaze to Loki.
"And you, my other son."
Loki stiffened, clearly unprepared. His lips parted, but no words came. He stepped forward instead.
"Loki, I know I failed you," Odin said quietly. "But your nature, the storm buried within you, all of it comes from me. You are my child."
Odin gripped both of their arms. "You will soon face Hela, the Goddess of Death. She is your sister."
Both Thor and Loki reacted in shock.
"She was my firstborn," Odin continued. "Her ambition exceeded my control. I imprisoned her, but once I am gone, she will break free."
"Her power is bound to Asgard. Here, she will be unstoppable."
Odin's voice lowered. "You must listen to the Sorcerer Supreme."
He glanced toward Malrick in the distance and gave a faint nod.
Without further explanation, Odin turned and slowly lay flat upon the boat.
"What a beautiful sky," he murmured, gazing upward. Then he closed his eyes.
His hands rested over his chest.
"I love you, my children."
"Now, push me into the sea."
His aura faded rapidly. His breathing slowed, then stilled, and the warmth left his body.
Thor clenched his teeth, fighting back tears. With a roar, veins bulging in his neck, he pushed the small boat forward.
The waves carried it away.
Odin and the vessel became distant shadows upon the torch-lit sea.
An Asgardian raised a bow and loosed a flaming arrow. It struck the boat, igniting it.
Fire bloomed across the surface of the water. The boat drifted farther and farther away until, at the edge of Asgard, it dissolved into scattered points of light.
Odin had passed and entered Valhalla.
On the shore, Thor's tears finally fell.
Loki trembled, staring down at his hands. He did not know whether the weight in his chest came from Odin's death or from the compassion he had only just discovered within himself.
His divine power returned at that moment.
Yet he felt no joy.
Silence spread among the Asgardians.
Then the wind rose sharply, as if the sorrow in their hearts had taken physical form. Thunder rolled overhead, lightning tearing through the sky.
All eyes turned to Thor.
His fists were clenched. Lightning danced across his skin, electricity flickering from his hair to his eyes.
Thor awakened fully.
Though Mjolnir still rested at his feet, his power surged violently.
The sight filled the Asgardians with renewed strength.
Then a voice shattered the moment.
"Such familiar lightning. So the old man is dead, and you are his successor?"
A dark green portal opened in the air.
A slender woman stepped through, her presence steeped in death. Long black hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp, domineering gaze swept over the shore.
"So everyone gathered to see him off?" she said with a cold smile. "How touching. How foolish."
She lifted her chin.
"Kneel."
She stood like a ruler upon an invisible throne, gazing down on all before her.
"Come and welcome your true King."