Chapter Thirty: The Return of the Thunder God

The Destroyer’s body was far too resilient for Arthur to break through its defenses, and with its seemingly endless energy reserves, it was nothing short of an unbreakable tortoise shell—a true nuisance.

The Destroyer relentlessly unleashed blasts of energy at Arthur, who in turn fired back with the power from his trident. The clash sparked a series of thunderous explosions, shaking the battlefield.

Meanwhile, the doctor drove up with Jane and the four companions, stopping two kilometers from the fray. Watching Arthur exchange energy blasts with the Destroyer, Fandral asked, “Is that a Midgardian? Isn’t Midgard supposed to be the weakest realm?”

Thor replied, “He’s my friend—an Atlantean!” Jane and the doctor gazed in disbelief at the scene before them. The doctor, especially, had thought Arthur’s claim of being Atlantean was a joke, but now he found it impossible to laugh.

“Let’s go help him!” Sif declared.

“That’s my father’s weapon—the Destroyer! You’re no match for it!” Thor blocked the four from rushing forward.

“So what do we do?” Volstagg pressed.

“Step back. I’ll go and talk to Loki,” Thor said.

“No! If you go now, it’s suicide!” Sif protested.

“This all started because of me. Let me end it—I have a plan,” Thor insisted, his gaze steady as he turned toward the Destroyer.

Arthur, locked in combat with the Destroyer, noticed Thor approaching but made no move to stop him; he knew this was Odin’s test for his son.

Thor continued forward, calling out, “Enough, Loki! Stop this!”

The Destroyer abruptly ceased its attack. Arthur also paused, eyes fixed on Thor.

“Brother, if I’ve done anything to wrong you—whatever I did to deserve this—I apologize. Let this end here. This is my fault, not theirs!” Thor approached the Destroyer. “Kill me. End this chaos.”

The Destroyer stared at Thor, a red light flashing from within its helmet. Suddenly, a searing beam of red energy shot out, striking Thor. With a violent explosion, Thor was hurled through the air, crashing heavily to the ground, his body charred and lifeless.

“No!”

“Thor!” The group rushed to his side. Jane wept bitterly as she cradled him, while Sif and the others shed silent tears.

“So this was your plan?” Sif asked, gazing at Thor’s apparently lifeless form.

At that moment, thunder rolled across the storm-laden sky, and countless bolts of lightning crackled above. In the distance, a small dark shape soared upward, streaking toward them like a missile, trailing a deafening sonic boom.

The doctor, sensing something unusual, quickly pulled Jane away from Thor’s body.

A hammer streaked through the sky at breakneck speed, flying straight to Thor’s outstretched right hand. He caught it precisely as a massive bolt of lightning struck him from above. Enveloped in electricity, Thor’s wounds healed instantly, and his body was encased in gleaming silver armor. Before them stood Thor, his golden hair shining, clad in silver armor and a red cape, holding Mjolnir with renewed vitality.

“Oh my god!” Jane and the doctor could hardly believe their eyes. Arthur, too, smiled at witnessing another iconic moment.

The Destroyer, noticing Thor’s transformation, prepared to fire another energy blast. But Mjolnir flew toward the Destroyer, knocking it to the ground.

Thor soared into the air, and Arthur followed. As Thor spun his hammer, a fierce gale arose, forming a tornado vortex. Arthur raised his trident to the sky, summoning a storm of lightning and thunder that intensified the tornado’s strength. At the vortex’s center, the Destroyer was swept up and hurled skyward.

The Destroyer fired red energy beams at Thor, but Arthur countered with blue energy blasts, disrupting the attack. Thor dove toward the Destroyer, steadily advancing through the blasts with Mjolnir shielding him from the infernal energy. Finally, with a thunderous crash, the Destroyer fell from the sky, destroyed by its own power.

Impressive, Thor! Arthur looked at him with admiration. Truly worthy of being Asgard’s heir, with over fifteen hundred years of experience—far greater than someone like Arthur, who had only trained for half a year. Clearly, there was still much room to grow.

“We must reach the Bifrost and return to Asgard to stop Loki!” Thor declared.

“Let me come too—I can help!” Arthur quickly volunteered.

Thor glanced at Arthur and nodded. Arthur hefted the now inert Destroyer and turned to Coulson. “I have to go to the Realm Eternal for a while. You all head back.”

“How long will you be gone?” Coulson asked.

“Not sure—maybe ten days to half a month. Help me take a leave of absence from school!” Arthur replied.

Coulson nodded, eyeing the Destroyer. Arthur understood the look. “This is useful to me—consider it my reward for helping you this time.”

…

Loki, aware that Thor was returning, had already used the Frost Giants’ artifact to freeze Heimdall and activate the Bifrost, allowing King Laufey and his followers to enter Asgard.

When Thor called for Heimdall, there was no response.

“Heimdall! Can you hear me? We need you!”

Heimdall broke free from the ice, slew two Frost Giant guards, opened the Bifrost, and then collapsed from exhaustion.

Gazing at the shimmering bridge above, Thor turned to Jane. “I must return to Asgard, but I promise I’ll come back for you.”

“It’s a promise!”

Thor and his companions entered the Bifrost, with Arthur following close behind. As Arthur stepped onto the bridge, they shot forward along the colored energy, reaching Asgard within seconds—a wondrous journey, like traversing a cosmic tunnel.

Thor ordered Sif and the others, “Take Heimdall to the healing chamber! I have to find my brother!”

“I’m coming with you!” Arthur insisted.

He tossed the Destroyer into the waters beneath the Bifrost and caught up with Thor in flight.

As they approached the palace, Arthur marveled at its golden splendor—Asgard truly was wealthy.

But as they neared, they found Asgardian guards lying unconscious all around, and the palace doors stood open.

“This is bad!” Thor rushed inside, with Arthur following. Suddenly, several tall, blue-skinned Frost Giants appeared, attacking them.

Thor didn’t pause to fight, hurrying straight for his father’s chambers, while Arthur stayed behind to deal with the Frost Giants.

Thor reached the king’s chambers to find his father Odin in deep slumber on the bed, his mother by his side, Loki holding Odin’s scepter, and the lifeless body of King Laufey on the floor.

“Thor! I knew you’d return!” his mother exclaimed, embracing him.

“Loki, do you care to explain why you sent the Destroyer to kill me and my friends?” Thor demanded.

“What?” Queen Frigga could not believe her younger son would do such a thing.

“I merely assumed authority in Father’s stead,” Loki replied.

“You’re a practiced liar!” Thor retorted with disdain.

“Welcome back, brother, but I have business to attend to. I must destroy Jotunheim!” Loki’s face twisted with malice as he seized Odin’s scepter and unleashed a powerful blast, sending Thor flying from the palace.

Loki ran toward the exit, but a figure blocked his path—it was Arthur.

“Seems you forgot I was still here!” Arthur declared.

He struck at Loki with his trident, but it passed through an illusion. Arthur froze in surprise.

“How could I forget you?” Loki appeared behind Arthur, wielding Odin’s scepter. Another surge of energy struck Arthur, hurling him through the palace wall and into the waters beyond. For the first time, Arthur found himself utterly at someone else’s mercy.