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The moment Arthur saw Thor, the image that instantly flashed through his mind was the brutal beating Loki had received before being tossed off the Bifrost by Thor!
Of course, logic quickly told Arthur such a repetition was highly improbable.
Just as a typical, straight-laced person can never fully grasp the dynamics of non-traditional relationships, outsiders likewise struggle to understand the bizarre, convoluted bond between Loki and Thor.
They are brothers, yet mortal enemies. Sometimes friends, more often bitter rivals… It's impossible to define the true toxicity of their relationship, because they are often willing to risk everything for each other. But just when you believe they share an unbreakable bond, you'll witness them stabbing each other in the back, without the slightest flicker of hesitation.
"Of course not…" Thor rolled his eyes dramatically. After wrapping Arthur in a crushing hug, he added, "Actually, he still doesn't suspect a thing."
"Viewed from a certain angle… doesn't that make him kind of asking for a beating?" Arthur asked, deadpan.
Thor let out a helpless sigh. "I'm accustomed to it. When I returned this time, he was exactly the same as always, trying to send me off on another contrived quest. But I refused. I plan to stay here in Asgard and observe him for a while. You know… that throne isn't something I feel I absolutely must take. I'd much rather ensure the right person ends up occupying it."
"Before someone is truly sitting on that throne, nothing is guaranteed," Arthur shrugged. "All too often, the previous generation acts based on their own biases or tests, believing they've found the right successor… and it ends in total disaster."
Thor looked directly at Arthur. "How is he now?"
"At our last meeting, right before we parted ways, he explicitly forbade me from seeing him again," Arthur explained. "He probably doesn't want too much external interference in his final days."
Thor exhaled a long, heavy breath. "If that is true… then it will likely be my greatest regret."
"Get your emotions under control, my friend." Arthur turned his head to glance at the others still waiting aboard the starship.
Thor followed his gaze and then laughed heartily. "Long time no see, everyone. Don't tell me you've forgotten the God of Thunder? Hmm… I see a few new faces here."
Mordo, Wanda, and Pietro were indeed unfamiliar to him.
"A few things have happened. I'll explain everything later," Arthur said, his tone turning serious. "Right now, what I must tell you is, your period of observation ends here. And some people's petty little games should end as well."
Thor froze, his cheerful expression gone. "Why?"
"Because I need help," Arthur stated simply. "Come with me. We're going to go meet him."
Thor's expression immediately became complex. "I feel like… if I go with you, things are going to become unnecessarily complicated."
Because if Thor accompanied Arthur, Loki would instantly realize that Thor had already discovered the truth, and had been feigning ignorance the whole time.
For normal people, this might be viewed as a brother attempting to protect his sibling from a public fall. But given Loki's volatile and extreme personality, he would likely perceive it as patronizing condescension, leading to a cascade of completely unnecessary problems.
But after a brief, tense silence, Arthur spoke:
"I don't think avoiding him will solve anything. And more importantly… Do you two seriously believe this entire situation is a game meant for just the two of you?"
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Thor blinked in confusion.
Arthur sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Come on. I will explain everything in full detail. But since you are both Odin's acknowledged heirs, I believe this particular matter needs to be discussed with all of you present."
"If you insist… I have no objection," Thor said, giving Arthur a look tinged with inexplicable frustration.
This should have been a matter concerning only his own family, yet Arthur seemed to know more about it than he did. His father's trust in Arthur appeared to run far deeper than his trust in his own son.
He knew it wasn't a kind or fair thought… but who doesn't harbor a little private jealousy, a flash of unspoken insecurity?
Even so, when it came to Arthur, Thor had always, from beginning to end, trusted him completely.
Of course, it was impossible to say that this wasn't heavily influenced by Odin's own deep respect for the human.
After settling the other members of the starship crew, Arthur went with Thor into the Golden Palace.
Loki maintained the imposing visage Odin was supposed to have, sitting grandly upon the throne in the main hall.
Perhaps because Thor had recently returned, he paid extra attention to his performance, he didn't want Thor to spot any flaws too quickly.
But the moment he saw Arthur and Thor arriving together, his heart immediately began to plummet like a stone.
Despite the dread, he didn't forget his role:
"My son, you have returned!"
"…" Ever since Thor realized who was actually sitting on the throne, every single time he heard that infuriating phrase, he felt an overwhelming, almost uncontrollable urge to swing his hammer.
Even Arthur couldn't help rolling his eyes. "That is truly excessive."
Loki's face instantly darkened. Just one sentence from Arthur, and he knew the whole charade had been completely exposed.
He stood up from the throne angrily. "This isn't what we agreed on, Arthur!!!!"
"In truth, I didn't expose you because of any past agreement between us," Arthur shrugged coolly. "The main point is, I need your help."
Loki glared venomously at Arthur, then slowly turned his gaze to Thor. "So? Now that you know the truth, are you surprised? Shocked?"
"Honestly, I was kind of expecting it…" Thor admitted plainly. "But I didn't come with Arthur because of our problems. And besides, I really don't want to see you wearing that face anymore!"
"Oh? Then what face would you prefer to see?"
Loki instantly reverted to his true form. "Like this?"
Then he dramatically transformed into the pale, near-death state he had been in after fighting the Dark Elves. "Or perhaps you prefer this look?"
Thor ignored the theatrics; he looked straight at Arthur instead.
"You said this isn't a game between just the two of us. So, does that mean there's a third person involved?"
"Of course there is!"
This time, it wasn't Arthur who spoke, but Loki.
Though he didn't know the full story yet, Loki was far too clever and paranoid.
A game between two people, whose game? His and Thor's, obviously.
And what game did they have? The petty struggle over the throne, the matter of who was the true successor.
And the always-meddling third player in that very game?
That damned, ever-present, always-interfering Arthur!
Arthur's expression turned slightly strange at Loki's outburst. "Actually… you two have an older sister, who has always coveted that throne. And now, what she desires has far surpassed just that position…"
(End of Chapter)