Watching Fenrir yelp and leap about after Little Surtur suddenly appeared, Lucas couldn't help but recall a hilarious video he had seen before transmigrating—
a husky running frantically around a room after being scared by a tiny spider.
"Fenrir! He won't hurt you!" Hela scolded coldly.
Only then did Fenrir stop, crossing his eyes to stare at the tiny fire spirit clinging to the fur on his nose.
"Wah—wah—wah!" Fenrir let out a series of strange sounds.
Lucas, however, understood perfectly what it meant:
"Is this the same species as the fire giant who burned my fur back then?"
"That's him," Hela replied.
Fenrir's enormous eyes widened instantly.
He would never forget that campaign against Muspelheim with Hela—
when this very fire giant had burned off most of his fur.
He had sulked for days afterward and refused to go outside, too ashamed to be seen.
"But he's lost his memories now," Hela continued calmly.
"He's Lucas's companion."
Fenrir finally examined Little Surtur more closely.
Seeing the tiny fire spirit playing happily on his nose, he relaxed and accepted it.
"You understood what I said earlier, right?" Hela asked again.
"Yes," Fenrir replied. "Is he… your partner?"
Before Lucas could say anything, Hela answered coolly,
"What do you think?"
She neither confirmed nor denied it outright, leaving Lucas speechless.
Fenrir's eyes spun once, instantly grasping the implication.
"Lucas," Hela said, patting Fenrir's massive leg,
"take him with you when you return to Earth. I won't have time to go there myself anytime soon. He can help you—and run errands if needed."
"So we're going to Midgard? It's been ages!" Fenrir said eagerly, sticking out his tongue.
"…" Lucas was about to refuse, but Hela cut in firmly:
"I know you have family on Earth. Fenrir is still in his growth phase—his strength is increasing rapidly. While you're away, he can help keep watch."
That single sentence made Lucas's eyes light up.
"Thank you, Hela," he said sincerely.
Fenrir's strength was no joke.
Even in the films—where he had been reduced to a comic relief husky—
he could tank concentrated fire from Asgardian warships, fight the Hulk head-on, and pierce the Hulk's skin with his fangs.
And according to Hela, he was still growing.
A future top-tier guardian beast.
Lucas had no reason to refuse—especially if it meant extra protection for his family when he wasn't on Earth.
"Tch. Do you think I'm the kind of woman who only causes trouble?" Hela snorted.
Still, Lucas's gratitude clearly pleased her.
"Of course not. I've never thought that," Lucas said quickly.
At that moment, Heimdall suddenly appeared in the hall—
Lucas immediately recognized it as only a projection of his consciousness.
"My Queen," Heimdall knelt on one knee before Hela.
"Something major has occurred in Midgard."
Hela's battle against Surtur had already earned Heimdall's genuine respect.
From the bottom of his heart, he now acknowledged her as Asgard's rightful queen.
Lucas stood up at once. "What happened?"
"During Surtur's rampage, large-scale battles broke out in Midgard," Heimdall reported.
"Several major cities have suffered catastrophic damage."
"Human infighting?" Hela asked, glancing at Lucas.
"No," Heimdall answered. "An alien invasion."
Lucas's thoughts raced instantly.
Given the timeline, there were only a few possibilities—
Zod, or Thanos's forces, most likely the Chitauri.
Loki had disappeared not long ago.
There was a strong chance this was his doing.
Lucas's eyes sharpened.
"Hela, I need to return to Earth immediately."
"I'll dispatch Asgardian troops!" Hela declared coldly.
"Midgard is under Asgard's protection.."
"No need," Lucas said firmly.
"I'll handle it alone."
Hela frowned slightly.
Lucas continued calmly, his voice carrying absolute certainty:
"I'll make them understand—
Earth is my territory. Anyone who causes trouble there dies."
Hela looked at the man she had chosen.
The tension in her brows eased.
"Fine," she said.
"If you need Asgard, tell Heimdall."
Lucas nodded and turned to leave.
"Take me with you!" Fenrir rushed over, bouncing so hard that Little Surtur nearly fell off his back.
Lucas didn't hesitate.
With a single thought, he lifted Fenrir using his energy and headed toward the Bifrost.
Moments later, under Heimdall's guidance,
one man, one beast, and one tiny fire spirit were enveloped in seven-colored light and vanished from Asgard.
---
After Lucas left, the grand hall fell into silence once more.
"My daughter," Odin's voice suddenly echoed,
"if you truly care for him, then act sooner rather than later."
Hela narrowed her eyes.
"Odin, my personal matters are none of your concern."
"You even gave Fenrir to him," Odin said calmly, stepping from the shadows.
"I have never seen you treat a man this way."
"If you like him, seize him with everything you have. Isn't that the way you've always lived?"
Hela sneered.
"No—Odin. That's something you taught me."
Odin laughed heartily.
"Indeed. You are still Hela."
"But now you are the Queen of Asgard."
"I hope you will consider Asgard before acting."
Dark, deathly energy flickered in Hela's eyes.
"You know I am Asgard's reigning God-Queen," she said coldly.
"Respect my authority."
"My decisions do not require your approval, Odin."
Odin said nothing more.
He turned and left the hall.
Hela leaned back against the throne, gazing at the now-empty chamber, lost in thought.
---
The rainbow light dispersed.
Lucas immediately scanned his surroundings and realized—
"The Atlantic Ocean."
Confirming his location, he burst into motion, flying toward land at full speed.
His speed had reached an entirely new level.
Yet through precise control of his energy,
he created no sonic booms, no massive waves.
Within minutes, he reached America.
And ahead of him—
towering black smoke rose into the sky.
Visible even from this distance.
A city-level catastrophe.
___
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