After refusing the appointment from the R.I.P.D, Garfield managed to stay idle for exactly two days.
On the third, the Ancient One summoned him back to Kamar-Taj.
The reason was simple and troublesome.
Hela.
At their usual meeting place, Odin and the Ancient One sat facing one another, serene and composed.
Garfield squatted off to the side, tail neatly wrapped around his paws.
The atmosphere was… odd. Not tense or hostile.
Just deeply strange.
Thankfully, there was no killing intent. Garfield sensed that the two had long since grown accustomed to their unusual identities and roles.
Odin looked down at Garfield and spoke solemnly.
"Let the singer sing. Love itself is a game." He said gravely. "Garfield, some things in this world are very simple. See the essence."
"Don't overthink them."
"Meow?" Garfield froze.
What did that mean?
Was Odin warning him not to speculate about his relationship with the Ancient One anymore?
Or was he subtly admitting something?
If so… then the Ancient One was technically his master, and Odin would be his master's husband.
Which meant… should he recognize Odin as his father?
Garfield briefly considered bowing. Then immediately rejected the idea.
What if Odin lost face? What if the Ancient One got annoyed?
He chose survival.
After the two gods and one cat shared tea together in silence, Odin instructed Garfield to open a portal to Hela's prison.
Moments later, Odin, the Ancient One, and Garfield stepped through.
The purpose of this visit was clear.
Hela was to voluntarily relinquish Asgard's blessing in the presence of the two Odin and the Ancient One, so that it could be transferred to Garfield.
Afterward, Hela would be released after a short period of rest.
Simple.
At least on paper.
Garfield, however, couldn't shake the feeling that Hela didn't trust Odin nearly enough for this to go smoothly.
What if something went wrong?
Outside Hela's prison in Norway, the colossal snakes Garfield had released were living their best lives.
A single massive sea creature from the ocean was enough to feed them for months.
Snakes didn't need much, eat once, sleep forever.
Garfield found it enviable.
Odin noticed the scene as well. His gaze lingered briefly, but he said nothing.
The three walked to the edge of Hela's cell.
Inside, Hela stared at Odin for a long moment before speaking calmly.
"…Is it time?"
Odin nodded. "Hela. Are you certain about this?"
She rolled her eyes. "What? Should I wait until your divine power declines, then storm Asgard and reclaim my throne?"
Odin sighed, about to respond, but Hela cut him off.
"There are countless powerful beings in this universe." She said coolly. "Once I gain greater strength, Asgard will be insignificant."
"I, Hela, will build my own dominion and carve my name into history."
"The Goddess of Death~"
Before she could finish, Garfield raised a paw.
"Hela." He said seriously, "You'd better stop using that title so casually. It affects your luck. Brings unnecessary bloodshed."
Hela blinked. She didn't understand what luck had to do with anything, but she could tell it wasn't praise.
"My little orange cat." She said with a crooked smile, "Are you worried about me?"
She leaned back casually.
"Don't be. When I conquer a new territory, I'll come back and take you as my regent. How about that?"
"…Huh?" Garfield shook his head decisively.
"I'm an Earth cat." He said firmly. "If I go into space to make a living, I'll probably get sick from the environmental change."
"Diarrhea, maybe worse. I'll pass."
Hela narrowed her eyes. "Really? That sounds like avoidance."
"No way." Garfield said proudly. "I'm a beloved, charming, compassionate, and extremely handsome orange cat."
Hela laughed and gave him a thumbs-up. "I admire your shamelessness."
Odin stepped forward, cutting off their exchange.
"That's enough." He said. "Prepare yourselves. We begin now."
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream