After experiencing the Frost Giant attack firsthand, Coulson realized this was no longer a small matter. He wanted to know where these Frost Giants came from—were they from some undiscovered place on Earth, or from another planet entirely?
Coulson believed that Donald Blake was the target of the Frost Giants and suspected that he shared some unclear connection with Thor's hammer.
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
Thor didn't refuse Coulson's invitation, even though Jane had warned him not to agree.
It turned out that ever since Loki left the day before—possibly never to return to Asgard—Thor had decided to give up his identity as the prince of Asgard and the god of thunder. From then on, he planned to live as an ordinary human on Earth.
But the appearance of the Frost Giants had shattered that idea. Their attack reminded him that even if he abandoned the name of Thor, Laufey would still come after him.
So, even if he wasn't sure it would help, he had to fight back.
In Asgard, Loki had just received word of Laufey's failed attempt to ambush Thor.
"Is he the guardian of Midgard?" Loki had heard that Midgard had its own protector, besides Asgard, but Odin had never told him much about it. Who was Midgard's protector?
After hearing that Laufey failed to kill Thor, Loki wasn't sure how to feel—relief? Disappointment?
But for Loki, none of it really mattered. Whether Thor lived or died wasn't important—at least not until Loki's plan was complete. And once it was, Odin would surely look at him differently.
As Loki sat on Odin's throne, contemplating what part of his plan had gone wrong, he heard Sif's voice outside.
"All-Father, we must speak with you."
Moments later, the three warriors of Asgard and Sif entered.
"Where's Odin?"
Seeing Loki on the throne instead of Odin, Fandral frowned and asked.
"My father has entered the Odinsleep. My mother fears he may never awaken, and so she remains at his side."
Loki responded tearfully.
"Then we'll speak to the Queen." Sif said, walking forward with the others.
"Mother refuses to leave Father's side. If you have something to say, say it to me. I am your king now."
Loki stepped down from the throne, tapping the floor with the Eternal Spear in his left hand. He wanted Sif and the others to know that he, not Thor, now ruled Asgard.
The four stared at him for a moment, then dropped to one knee. There was nothing they could do. Loki wielded the Eternal Spear and held the title of king. If they defied him, he had every right to imprison them—and once they were locked up, no one would care what happened to Thor.
"My king, I ask you to end Thor's exile."
Sif knelt, placing her fist over her heart in a respectful gesture, and stated her reason for coming.
"That's not possible. My first royal decree cannot overturn the All-Father's final command.
War with Jotunheim is imminent. Our people must be united, so they do not fall into fear during these difficult times. We must stand as one.
At a time like this, I cannot go back on the All-Father's decree. Doing so would crush the morale of our armies.
For the sake of Asgard, I cannot forgive him."**
Sif stood up angrily, ready to argue, but Fandral stopped her. After all, Loki was the king now, and they couldn't win in a confrontation.
"Very well," Fandral said. The four reluctantly agreed with Loki.
"Good. Then await my command."
Looking down at the kneeling warriors, Loki smiled in satisfaction.
"May I say one thing, Your Majesty? Please reconsider."
Volstagg tried to plead once more, but Loki cut him off before he could finish.
"I've made my decision. Don't make me repeat myself."
With Loki's domineering words ringing in their ears, the four warriors had no choice but to leave in frustration.
"This isn't going to work. We have to go find Thor," Hogun finally broke his silence on the way out.
"That would be treason!" Fandral was worried. Secretly going after Thor was dangerous—if things went wrong, Loki could accuse them of treason.
"To Hel with treason—it's suicide," Volstagg agreed.
"But if it were us, Thor would do the same." Sif, who harbored feelings for Thor, wasn't ready to give up on him.
"Shh! Quiet—Heimdall might be watching us." Volstagg warned. He thought they were still in Asgard, and Heimdall, the one who watched over all of Asgard, was always watching.
Just as Volstagg finished speaking, an immortal guard appeared beside them. "Lord Heimdall requests your presence."
"Ah, we're done for," someone muttered.
When they reached the Bifrost Bridge, Heimdall turned to face them.
"What you are about to do violates the king's command, constitutes treason, and breaks the oaths you swore as warriors. Even so… can you bring Thor back?"
"Yes," Sif replied immediately, before the others could even think of what to say.
"Very well," Heimdall nodded and stepped away from the bridge. "I have something to attend to."
"What's with him?" Fandral asked, confused by Heimdall's behavior.
"Look—he left the Bifrost sword behind!" Sif exclaimed, looking back to see the sword still lodged in the bridge's control panel.
"I think I get it," Fandral said with a smile.
"Let's go."
Back in the golden palace, Loki suddenly felt the Eternal Spear tremble in his hand. He froze, then rushed to the balcony and looked out. Sure enough, the Bifrost had been activated.
Loki didn't need to guess who had done it or where it led. Only a few people in Asgard would dare defy him like this.
"Heimdall!" Loki growled. "No, I can't let him return now. I'm sorry, brother!"
Loki muttered in frustration, then set off for Jotunheim.
"Laufey, I need you to send your elites—to eliminate Thor."
"Loki, mind your tone," Laufey sat on his icy throne, one hand propping up his head, glaring at Loki with disdain.
"Apologies. I'm too anxious." Laufey's words reminded Loki—this was Jotunheim, and the man before him wasn't some Asgardian subject, but the King of the Frost Giants.
Loki took a deep breath and explained, "Someone in Asgard is trying to find Thor. If you don't want him coming back, now is your best chance—strike while he's still powerless."
Laufey furrowed his brows and thought for a moment.
"Fine. I'll send someone to kill Thor. But you need to hurry—what exactly are you doing? Are you going to bring me to Asgard to kill Odin?"
"Soon. Heimdall's been watching me closely, but I've found a way around that. I just need him to lower his guard."
"Then I'll wait for your signal," Laufey said coldly.
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