As Laufey waited impatiently, Loki's figure appeared in the 3D projection before him. The young god stood in a magnificent temple, draped in a dark green and gold robe, radiating calm authority.
"Loki, how are you? Are you alright?" Laufey asked, relief washing over him. Yet beneath it, anger simmered. That blasted purple titan—how dare he manipulate him like this? Laufey had intended only to be a cautious bystander, but now his mind burned with a single thought: make Thanos pay.
Loki's eyes flickered with panic at the sight of his father, but he maintained a calm tone. "Father, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Laufey narrowed his eyes. "Good. Your mother misses you very much. When will you come back?"
The words froze Loki for a moment. He was flustered—he had never truly known his mother. "Mother? I… I don't know her. I only wish I could see her someday. By the way, the God-King said I can return home once you complete your mission. I hope you fulfill the tasks assigned by the God-King."
Laufey's eyes darkened, and his voice cut sharp. "My son's mother died in childbirth. That is the truth. But Loki… he will never call that old man Odin 'Your Majesty the God-King.' He will call him 'Father God!'"
Loki went pale, words failing him. The projection shimmered, and suddenly the image of Loki dissolved, replaced by a woman cloaked in flowing robes.
Laufey's face went ashen. "Witch! Tell me! Where is my son?!"
Fury erupted within him as he realized the Loki he had been speaking to was nothing but a trick, a witch's disguise. The image flickered again, and Odin's familiar face reappeared.
"Laufey, you've helped me defeat the enemy this time," Odin said, his tone calm but firm. "I promise to return your Ice Box and lift all restrictions on your freedom."
But Laufey was no longer listening. His mind seethed with resentment. If Odin fell, the Casket of Ice would return to him, and the Frost Giants would finally be free. With that, he terminated the connection, refusing to continue the conversation.
Odin's face went pale. "Damn Laufey… I should have killed him back then!"
He hadn't, knowing it was nearly impossible for Laufey to rise to Celestial-level power. Odin had thought he could control Laufey, never imagining the Frost King would turn against him.
Meanwhile, the battlefield was deteriorating. The right flank of Odin's forces teetered on the brink of collapse. Panic clawed at Odin's heart, and he made a decision.
"Everyone, retreat to Asgard!" he commanded.
Shock rippled through his forces. But the Asgardian gods immediately began piloting their ships back toward the continent. Even those without proper vessels controlled their personal crafts with determination.
This day was a nightmare come alive. Their small ships were little more than cannon fodder. The enemy's firepower could obliterate a single craft with ease, yet retreat was not an option. Odin's word was law—anyone who faltered or fled without orders would be executed.
As they drew closer to Asgard, they now faced the Dark Order and Starry Sky Beasts. The Asgardians, though brave, had not engaged in true war for over a millennium. They had forgotten the brutal cruelty of combat.
Thor and Heimdall, still engaged on the outermost edges, did not pause their attack. Even in retreat, discipline was key—they held the rear, protecting the fleeing forces. Bolts of lightning streaked from Mjolnir, and blades of light cut through enemy ships, leaving trails of destruction.
But Odin's anxiety deepened. No matter how capable Thor and Heimdall were, they were still far from his own level. Without sufficient support, the two faced the risk of being overwhelmed. Should either fall, Thanos would celebrate, knowing victory was that much closer.
Odin issued a precise command: all ships on the left and right flanks were to stay behind, while Heimdall would retrieve Thor. Heimdall obeyed immediately. Thor, however, was lost in the rush of combat, venting his trauma and fury from the previous encounter with Thanos, completely ignoring orders. Odin had no choice but to send Heimdall to bring him back.
Once the battle lines on both flanks began to crumble, Odin gritted his teeth and instructed the smaller ships to act as a rearguard while the rest of the fleet retreated toward Asgard. Slowly, the continent's protective shield began to rise, enveloping the city and its accumulated resources—a network connecting all of Asgard and the treasures Odin had gathered over countless eons.
As long as they remained inside, even Thanos, with all his power, could not breach it for a hundred years.
Outside, Thanos observed the shield forming. He said nothing, merely smiled, knowing time was now firmly on his side. Trap Odin within Asgard, slowly wear down his forces, and the chance of galactic conquest would only grow.
Over ten hours later, after millions of Asgardian warriors had fallen, the remaining ships finally slipped behind the shield. Thanos floated outside, a mocking smile etched across his face.
Odin's grip tightened around the Spear of Eternity. "Thanos… just wait!" he growled, every fiber of his being focused.
Retreat had not been surrender. This was preparation for the final battle. Odin had planned it carefully. He would unseal Hela and, with her strength alongside his own and Asgard's blessings, confront Thanos directly.
Hela, imbued with Celestial power, would tip the scales. Her strength, coupled with Odin's and Asgard's protection, made her a nearly equal opponent to Thanos.
This would be their final confrontation. The decisive battle for Asgard, and perhaps the galaxy itself, was about to begin.
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