"The great All-Father," Amenadiel said calmly, "You have likely already guessed why I am here. I come in the name of peace between our two families."
Odin nodded slowly. He had known this day would come.
Thousands of years ago, the conflict between Asgard and Silver City had shaken the heavens themselves.
Though the great wars had long since ended, the struggle never truly stopped, only changed form. Earth, in particular, stood at the heart of that tension.
By right, it was once under Asgard's dominion, yet it remained deeply enveloped in the faith of Silver City.
Had it not been for the Ancient One guarding Earth, Odin might have reclaimed it long ago and restored Asgard's influence entirely.
But the Ancient One was not the only reason Odin stayed his hand.
There were also old friendships and older regrets.
Agamotto.
The Phoenix Girl.
And the companions of his youth… the first Black Panther, the ancestor of Doctor Strange, the primordial Ghost Rider riding a mammoth into battle, the original Iron Fist, the bearer of the first Star Mark.
Those memories flickered through Odin's mind like fading embers.
Enough nostalgia.
"I know." Odin said at last. "Speak."
Amenadiel glanced around the chamber. Odin waved a hand, dismissing the guards. Only then did Amenadiel continue.
"My father made a bargain with the Queen of Angels. He paid a considerable price to retrieve Angela."
"According to the Queen's account, Angela… is your youngest daughter."
For a brief moment, Odin's heart thundered in his chest. So it was true.
The answer he had sought for centuries was finally before him and Odin knew, better than anyone, that truth of this magnitude never came without cost.
"What is the price?" Odin asked quietly.
"The Twilight of the Gods approaches." Amenadiel answered without hesitation.
"My father wishes Asgard and Silver City to stand together against the coming catastrophe. However…" He paused, choosing his words carefully, "The Queen of the Ten Realms hopes to return to the World Tree."
"Impossible."
Amenadiel stiffened, momentarily caught off guard. Had Odin misunderstood? Or was he refusing cooperation altogether?
"God King," Amenadiel began cautiously, "You and my father were both young once. Some matters from the past—"
"Enough." Odin cut him off sharply. He would not allow his darker history to be dragged into the light.
After a pause, his voice softened. "I know what lies between your father and me."
"Those grievances should have been buried thousands of years ago." His single eye burned with quiet resolve. "As for the return of the Ten Realms, I have no intention of opposing it."
Amenadiel nearly exhaled in relief.
For a moment, he had truly feared Odin intended to exploit Ragnarök itself, to drag Silver City into a final, ruinous war.
"That is good." Amenadiel said sincerely. "My father believed as much."
"He said that even if you refused, he would seek another time to speak with you directly."
"Indeed." Odin murmured. "There are things that must be spoken of… before it is too late."
He could feel it, his divine power fading faster with each passing year. At this rate, he would not endure another century.
Old grudges could no longer be afforded.
"Let us speak again." Odin said. "Kamar-Taj would be a suitable place."
"I will inform my father." Amenadiel hesitated, then asked, "And Angela? Do you wish me to convey anything to her?"
Odin studied him with a complicated gaze.
Age had made him cautious, perhaps even stubborn. Whatever plans he had laid could not be disturbed.
"No." Odin said at last. "I have already made arrangements."
Amenadiel inclined his head. "Then I will not interfere. How long do you believe your plan will take to complete?"
Odin pondered for a moment.
"Within ten days." He finally said.
For Amenadiel, who had lived for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, ten days was almost nothing.
"Then we will continue to trouble you." Amenadiel said politely.
"Mm." Odin replied. That concluded their discussion.
He sent someone to escort Amenadiel back to the guest chambers, then leaned back in thought, reviewing every word the angel had spoken.
Could there have been deception?
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Meanwhile, at the end of the conversation, Fandral turned to Heimdall with disbelief.
"Impossible," He said. "Heim… tell me this isn't true."
Heimdall remained calm.
"Believe it or not," He said evenly. "The Ten Realms exist. Many knew of them back then, and some still live."
"But the God King forbade any mention of them. If I had not been asked, I would never have spoken of them."
Fandral ran a hand down his face. "So… what do we do next?"
Heimdall's gaze drifted toward the nebulae beyond Asgard. His voice was low, almost a whisper.
"Prepare for war. If the Ten Realms return or refuse to conflict is inevitable."
The weight of his words pressed down like a storm.
Asgard had always maintained small-scale conflicts to protect the Nine Kingdoms, but never on this scale. Never with the potential to draw the full power of the realm.
Fandral knew he couldn't handle it alone. He needed allies,trusted warriors who could bear some of the burden.
Immediately, four names came to mind… Volstagg, Hogan, Sif, and himself the generals of Asgard.
Second only to Thor and Loki in combat prowess.
Still, the Ten Realms were no small threat. Even the four of them together would not be enough. Support would be necessary.
Thor was ruled out immediately… impulsive, reckless, and incapable of keeping secrets.
Loki was also impossible… cunning, treacherous, and long since spying on the throne. Thor didn't know it, but Fandral and the generals did.
That left only one option, the orange cat.
Garfield.
The same cat whose antics had already disrupted Asgardian order and complicated Frigga's plans with Angela.
The only creature capable of quietly influencing events behind the scenes and the only one Fandral trusted enough to bear the secret.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Frigga, disturbed by Loki's presence, had postponed her recognition of Angela as family until official confirmation arrived.
During that time, she continued her private conversations with Angela, conversations that Thor, Loki, and Garfield were wisely excluded from.
"Mom, we'll take our leave," Thor said politely.
Frigga nodded and patted Garfield on the head. "Don't be shy."
Garfield puffed up proudly. "Don't worry, I am the most obedient and cutest orange cat."
"Honest, stable, and well everyone knows honesty is as solid as…!"
Frigga smiled knowingly.
Ancient One had apparently briefed her on Garfield's true nature, a cat whose life revolved around three things… eating, sleeping, and occasionally causing chaos.
Not long after the trio departed, Fandral stepped forward, blocking the way.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream