Chapter Thirty-One: Asgard

Loki rode his horse to the palace at the end of the Rainbow Bridge. He plunged Odin's scepter into the teleportation array, instantly activating it. Immense power surged from Asgard, shooting along the Rainbow Bridge’s magical current toward the frost planet Jotunheim. In a matter of moments, the planet was wracked by cataclysmic energy, and in only a few more minutes, the Rainbow Bridge would annihilate it completely.

The teleportation array blazed with energy, forming a crystalline web that grew ever stronger. Just then, Thor arrived. “Why are you doing this?” he demanded of Loki.

“I only want to prove my worth to Father. When he wakes, he’ll know it was I who saved him—I who ended the war with Jotunheim. Then I’ll be worthy of the crown!” Loki declared.

“But you can’t annihilate an entire race!” Thor shouted.

“And why not? When did you start caring about the frost giants? Wasn’t it you who wanted to destroy them all before?” Loki retorted with biting sarcasm.

“I realize now how wrong I was,” Thor answered, firm and unwavering.

“Come on, then! Let’s settle this!” With a sweep of the scepter, Loki knocked Thor to the ground. “I only ever wanted to stand as your equal!”

“I won’t fight you, brother,” Thor insisted stubbornly.

“I’m not your brother! I never was!” Loki’s eyes glistened as he spat the words at Thor.

They grappled fiercely, Thor holding back, Loki striking with full force. Their struggle spilled from the palace onto the Rainbow Bridge. Suddenly, the river below began to boil. A massive pillar of water surged upward at Loki, who dodged just in time. Arthur stood atop the water, looking down at Loki with cold disdain.

Another towering column of water crashed down. Loki raised Odin’s scepter and shattered the torrent with a blast of energy—just as Mjolnir struck from the side, knocking Loki to the ground. Thor rose, his eyes fixed on the Rainbow Bridge, searching for a way to approach as it continued to channel its destructive force.

Loki, sprawled on the ground, sneered at Thor. “Great Thor, God of Thunder! What good is your strength now? You can do nothing but watch Jotunheim be destroyed!”

“Noisy fool!” Arthur sent a blast of energy, hurling Loki aside.

Thor gazed at the Rainbow Bridge before him, resolve hardening in his face. He raised Mjolnir high and brought it down with all his might on the Rainbow Bridge, opening a massive crack.

Again and again, Thor hammered at the bridge.

“What are you doing? If you destroy the Rainbow Bridge, you’ll never see her again!” Loki cried, lunging at Thor with the scepter.

At that instant, the Rainbow Bridge shattered. Energy exploded outward, throwing all three from the bridge. Arthur plunged into the lake below, while Thor and Loki were hurled toward Asgard’s edge, at the boundary of the galaxy.

At that critical moment, Odin appeared. He grabbed Thor’s foot; Thor clung to the scepter, and Loki gripped the other end.

“I will succeed, Father! I will! For you!” Loki cried, looking desperately at Odin.

“No, Loki! You are wrong!” Odin replied.

With tears in his eyes, Loki gazed at Odin, disappointment etched on his face. He let go of the scepter.

“No! Loki!” Thor shouted, watching as Loki fell into the starry void.

…

In the halls of Asgard, a grand feast was underway. The revelers ate and drank merrily. Fandral boasted of his victory over the metal monster. Arthur sat beside Thor, sampling the delicacies of the immortal realm.

Thor seemed dispirited. He patted Arthur’s shoulder, excused himself, and left. Arthur glanced after him, then turned his attention back to the food.

Outside the banquet hall, Thor found Odin and approached. “One day, I will be the king you’re proud of!”

“You already make me proud,” Odin replied gently.

“Thank you. You’re the best father I could wish for,” Thor said sincerely.

“That young man you brought from Midgard—who is he?” Odin asked mildly.

“He’s from Atlantis. He’s helped me greatly,” Thor answered.

“Oh? He carries the blood of gods as well? I sensed a mysterious energy within him,” Odin remarked.

“He aided Asgard this time. Please see that he is well treated,” Odin instructed.

“Yes, Father.”

…

At the broken edge of the Rainbow Bridge, Arthur stood with Thor and Heimdall. Arthur watched as Asgard’s waters streamed into the starry gulf below, amazed.

“What lies beneath?” Arthur asked, pointing downward.

“The galaxy itself,” Thor replied. “Asgard stands above the Nine Realms; below us is the Milky Way.”

“So the Rainbow Bridge can’t be used now? How will I return to Earth?”

Thor fell silent.

“There is a way,” Heimdall interjected. “With my power, I can force the Rainbow Bridge open one more time, but I’ll need a long rest afterwards. His Majesty will repair the teleportation array.”

“No rush,” Arthur responded. “I still want to stay in Asgard for a while. Thor, you’ll probably have to visit Earth soon, too. We can return together.”

“I have to go to Earth?” Thor asked, puzzled.

“Your brother isn’t dead yet. He covets the Cosmic Cube, and I suspect he’ll be heading to Earth soon,” Arthur explained.

“Loki’s alive? The Cosmic Cube is on Earth?” Thor asked, surprised.

“I can’t see Loki, but the Cube is indeed on Earth, in the hands of an organization called SHIELD,” Heimdall said.

“Enough. I need to train in the waters below. You don’t mind, do you?” Arthur sensed immense energy in Asgard’s lower waters, and knew if he could absorb it, he would become even stronger.

“Of course not. Take as long as you need,” Thor replied.

“There’s one more thing. I’d like to learn a little magic. This trident of mine is too cumbersome to carry everywhere. I know you can change your weapon’s form—could you teach me that spell?” Arthur asked.

“No problem. I have just the book in my room. I’ll get it for you,” Thor promised.

“That’s wonderful!” Arthur turned to Heimdall.

“Don’t look at me—I have nothing to give you,” Heimdall said flatly.

“We broke the Destroyer before, remember? I took it and hid it in the lake. I know you saw me. I need you to keep it secret,” Arthur said.

“That’s Asgard’s property. You have no right to take it,” Heimdall replied without expression.

“Can’t it count as spoils of war? I put in my fair share defeating it,” Arthur argued slyly.

“Fine, I’ll ask Father to grant you the Destroyer. It’s broken, anyway,” Thor said, unconcerned.

Heimdall stared at Thor, speechless. You really know how to throw your father under the bus. Do you even know how much uru metal that thing is made of?

“Really? It’s a deal then! Actually, I don’t want much—I just want the dwarves of Nidavellir to forge me a set of armor. Heh heh.” Arthur grinned.

“Don’t worry!” Thor pounded his chest in assurance.

Arthur and Thor visited Thor’s chambers and retrieved the magic book. Gazing at the runes, Arthur wondered if it was written in the language of the gods—not a word made sense to him. Thor promised to teach him personally.

Three days later, Arthur had finally learned a few simple spells (the only ones Thor knew).

Arthur said to Thor, “Alright, I’m off to train. If anything important comes up, handle it first—you don’t have to wait for me. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

Thor nodded. Arthur laughed heartily, then leapt from the palace’s high balcony into the waters below, sending up a great wave before vanishing into the depths.