The disturbance did not begin in Asgard.
It began deeper.
Far deeper.
Yggdrasil Stirs
Within the realm unseen by most gods, the roots of Yggdrasil shifted.
Not violently.
Not in alarm.
But in recognition.
Ancient currents flowing through the World Tree adjusted their course—ever so slightly—bending around a new presence forming within Asgard.
Leaves whispered without wind.
Roots hummed without sound.
And in his high chamber, Odin All-Father stiffened.
He felt it this time.
Not through magic.
Not through prophecy.
Through instinct.
Yggdrasil itself had reacted.
Odin's grip tightened on Gungnir.
"…Impossible," he murmured.
The World Tree did not bend for infants.
A Mother's Instinct
Elsewhere, in the quiet of the royal chambers, Frigga stood beside Alexander's cradle.
She had not intended to cast a spell.
She simply… reached out.
A mother's touch brushed the air above him—and magic responded.
Runes formed unconsciously.
Old ones.
Protective ones.
Layers of warding wrapped gently around Alexander:
Concealment from cosmic sight Stabilization of divine energy A soft isolation field against fate itself
Frigga blinked, surprised.
"…How strange," she whispered.
She felt no danger.
Only the overwhelming urge to protect.
She smoothed Alexander's blanket and stepped back—never realizing she had placed stronger wards on him than on the throne itself.
Great Sage Speaks
Within Alexander's sleeping mind, awareness stirred.
Great Sage:
Master.
Alexander remained asleep outwardly, consciousness drifting inward.
What is it?
Great Sage:
Analysis of host's dormant bloodline has progressed.
Designation confirmed: High-Tier Phoenix Evolution Path.
Alexander's soul sharpened with interest.
Tell me.
The Path of the Phoenix
Great Sage:
Phoenix evolution consists of multiple thresholds.
Current state: Egg-form (Dormant Dark Phoenix Variant).
Images formed—flames folding inward, rebirth spirals layered upon one another.
Great Sage:
To reach Final Evolution, the following components are required:
— High-Grade Phoenix Core
— High-Grade Phoenix Heart
Alexander absorbed the information calmly.
And the cost?
There was a pause—brief, deliberate.
Great Sage:
Final Evolution requires the assimilation of human souls.
Alexander did not react immediately.
How many?
Great Sage:
Quantity varies by quality.
High-quality souls reduce total requirement.
Purpose: soul-origin energy is necessary to stabilize phoenix rebirth at peak state.
Silence followed.
Then—
Is there an alternative?
Great Sage:
Insufficient data.
However…
The tone shifted—almost thoughtful.
Great Sage:
If Master reaches sufficient authority over life, death, or rebirth… requirements may be altered.
Alexander considered this.
Not now.
Not soon.
But one day.
Understood.
Great Sage:
Until then, passive adaptation and energy accumulation are optimal.
Recommendation: avoid premature awakening.
Alexander accepted.
His consciousness receded.
Threads of Fate Tighten
Odin stood beneath the open sky, staring toward Yggdrasil's distant glow.
Frigga watched over a sleeping child wrapped in invisible wards.
And Alexander Ashborn Odinson slept peacefully—
a phoenix yet unburned,
a god yet unshaped,
a destiny even the World Tree had begun to notice.
Far beyond Asgard, something ancient shifted its gaze—
not yet watching,
but remembering.