Sparking Soul: Ch.29

The light of the Bifrost died down as the four of us royal family stepped into the Himinbjorg, nodding to Heimdall who stood silently while nodding to Father.

“I assume your battle was successful, then?”, He asked and I nodded as I sat down on the steps, Loki doing the same while Hela nodded.

“Indeed, it was. It was a bit of a tougher battle than we expected, but no mortal, whether they be normal or a Titan, is a match for us divines.”

“We are not gods, Hela. I've said that numerous times,” Father spoke with a glance at her and Hela just rolled her eyes while the older man looked at me.

“Do you wish to proceed with your plans?”

“Yeah, I want to make sure that Darcy and Mother rest in peace knowing that their killers were either captured or put down, hopefully it being the former instead of the latter. After all, death would be a mercy,” I murmured, to which Father looked at me before nodding.

“Very well. You may take with you as many as you need, but I must warn you to not make this a slaughter. I do not wish for Asgard to return to our bloody days.”

“I will not, Father. Hela, you think you can hold back on this?”

“Unfortunately not. I am the goddess of death, after all,” Hela spoke with a smirk and I chuckled before turning to Loki who snorted.

“I suppose if I must, I will reluctantly help you.”

“It's easier to just say 'I will help you',” I said, shaking my head as he smiled amusedly before I looked up as I heard the rumbling of thunder, frowning a bit when I felt the storm resisting my command.

“Thor?”

“Not me. The storm is resisting me,” I spoke as I held a hand out, gripping it into a fist and watching as the thunder grew even louder before I blinked as a monstrous lightning bolt slammed down onto the rainbow bridge.

“Odin!”, A deep voice shouted from within the lightning as it dispersed and I blinked at the two figures that walked out of the lightning while Father let out a soft sigh and Loki groaned.

“Oh, why do they decide to come now?”, I ignored Loki whining in the background as I stared at the first of the two men walking towards us. Dressed in a white toga, his upper body was covered in a shimmering bronze chestplate along with a pair of sandals, a wreath on his head and a sparking bolt-shaped weapon in his right hand.

The other man was a lot taller than the first one was, the two of us nearly at eye-level as he was just a bit taller than me. He was dressed like a gladiator from a coliseum and peeking over his left shoulder appeared to be the hilt of a short sword.

'Wait, a muscular son with a sword…and a guy in a toga with a lightning bolt…Ah, right, Zeus and Heracles. I almost forgot I had Thor's memories.'

“Zeus, Heracles. May I ask what you two are doing here?”, Father asked as he hid the cube that contained Thanos in a runic pattern, making Zeus glance as it vanished before looking back at Father with a frown.

“Why did I feel the energy of all six Infinity Stones flaring up just moments ago? What is it that you and your kind have done?”

“That was simply us taking care of a nuisance and sealing him along with the Infinity Stones in a location no one needs to worry about, Lord Zeus,” I answered, Father glancing at me while Zeus raised an eyebrow at me.

“Thor? Is that Thor? His cosmic energy feels a lot different than it did before.”

“I am Thor, Lord Zeus, though I admit that I have changed quite a bit since the last time we met.”

“A bit is an understatement. I can feel the energy of the stones coming from you. Have you Odinsons used them for your own purposes?”

“That is your paranoia poking its head like usual, Zeus,” Hera spoke from beside Father with a snort and Zeus turned his glare to her before his eyes widened as he seemed to recognize her.

“…She's supposed to be in Hel.”

“My stay there was cancelled early by my little brother here. Therefore, you'll have to take it up with him.”

“Do forgive him, Hela. Lord Zeus tends to still be stuck in the past.”

“I can hear you, trickster. Don't think I've forgotten what you did to my precious daughter Minerva.”

'Wait, what did Loki do?', I thought as I raised an eyebrow, watching as Loki gave an exasperated sigh at Zeus' glare.

“Firstly, that was so long ago. Secondly, I was not the one to initiate the intimacy. She was.”

“That was not what I heard.”

“Well, of course she would lie to you. The last time she did something behind your back, you threw her and Dionysus out of Olympus because you were too pissed to listen to reason.”

“They were conspiring to steal my throne!”, Zeus exclaimed and I hid my smirk as Loki rolled his eyes while glancing at Hela as the two shared an amused smile.

“Like I said, very paranoid man.”

“I can see that.”

“Hela, Loki, please head for the castle. Thor, you stay.”

'Oh, so the problem children get to go free, but the dutiful son is left with the problem,' I thought with a grumble as I huffed, Loki and Hela looking all too eager as the two of them left while Zeus glared at the duo leaving.

“Forgive them, Zeus. You know Loki is not one to listen to authority and I fear Hela is the same.”

“Hmph! I suppose that is correct. Thor is the only one that listens to his elders when they speak.”

“Now and then. There are times where I usually ignore you guys because my idea is better,” I spoke with a shrug, smirking at Father's sigh while Zeus narrowed his eyes at me.

“Back to the matter at hand. Zeus, we simply used the Infinity Stones to seal away the Mad Titan and his plans. Now, the universe is free of him.”

“You and I both know it's not that easy, especially when the Mad Titan himself has survived everything else we threw at him.”

“That is true, but we didn't just overpower Thanos. We sealed him with the Stones and bound them in a prison of divine runes that only Father and another could craft,” I spoke and Zeus narrowed his eyes as Father gave a thankful nod at my words.

“You say that, but do you understand how many gods felt that surge? Quetzalcoatl and many others wanted to come see what was wrong had I not stopped stopped them and even then, I had to come in their stead.”

“Well, you can return peacefully and reassure them that they have nothing to fear,” Father interjected calmly and I looked at Heracles as he finally spoke, his voice a low rumble.

“You've traded his death to imprison him instead, but what happens when the chain breaks?”

“Then we do what must be done again, but next time, there won't be no mercy,” I answered, meeting his gaze while Zeus hummed as he looked out into the void of space beside us.

“I remember the times when you Asgardians used to come seeking for our aid. Now, you tend to do as you please.”

“That's what happens when most people would rather hide away instead of helping us do what is right,” I spoke up, Father nodding slowly in agreement while Zeus looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“You have changed from the little boy that admired me and the reckless young god that fought against my son.”

“I've grown, not just as a warrior but as a leader,” I spoke and Zeus nodded while Heracles smirked at my words.

“If you do fail though and if that prison ever shatters, do not expect Olympus to come cleaning up the mess.”

“I wouldn't ask of you to, but if it ever comes to that, you can count on me to face it first.”

“Odin, if you believe this course was wise, I'll trust it for now. However, know that should the balance be threatened again, Olympus will act.”

“I understand, Zeus,” Father spoke with a measured nod and Zeus nodded as his lightning bolt sparked, the air around him and Heracles flashing with energy as the leader looked at me.

“Walk carefully, son of Thunder. The higher you rise, the more storms you have to weather,” With those said, we watched as they vanished with a spark of lightning and a loud boom, both Father and I watching them leave before I turned to him.

“Well, that went well.”

“Indeed. It could have been a lot worse.”

“How so?”

“He could have tried to smite us,” Father spoke with a slight smirk and I blinked at that as the man left.

“Wait, was…was that a joke?”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“Ohohoho~ Oh no, Father. We're not just going to ignore it.”

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KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

“Coming!”, A voice called out from behind the door and I waited, watching as the door opened before Emil blinked as I smiled and nodded.

“Hey.”

“…Huh, hey, strange being. What brings you to my abode?”

“I got wine.”

“Hulk like wine,” I raised an eyebrow at Hulk's voice as Emil pinched the bridge of his nose, opening the door fully while standing to the side as I entered.

“Friend!”, Hulk greeted and I chuckled as I shared a high-five with him before sighing when I saw Banner giving me a nervous and shaky smile.

“You don't have to look so guilty, Bruce. Darcy's death was not because of you.”

“Good luck, we've been trying to tell him to get that for days,” Fandral spoke up with a smirk from where he was sipping a glass of Asgardian Red, Hogun nodding in greeting while Volstagg waved with the turkey leg that he was eating.

“I know. It's…it's just I got this new opportunity to do some good and I fuck it up the first chance I get.”

“Yeah, but you're just a human. Expecting you to fight against both a Dark Elf royal and an Asgardian sorceress is not something you can do. You're a thinker so you just need to use that brain of yours,” I spoke with a smile and he gave a shaky one back before I pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down.

“So, how have you three been? Have these three goofballs been good company?”

“Oh, I resent that statement. We are quite the hosts if I must say so myself,” Fandral spoke with a scoff and I shook my head as I placed Jarnbjorn beside me on the floor while opening the bottle of Asgardian White I brought with.

“They were fine. You forget that I used to live here before they got here,” Emil spoke up as he sat down beside me, taking the glass I handed him while Banner gave a murmured thanks as he took his glass.

“Thank you. I…I suppose you are right. I'll try to work with my brain more instead of my brawn.”

“Precisely. Besides, we have Hulk and Emil here for the heavy lifting,” I said while pointing at the two in question, to which Emil snorted while Hulk put down the empty barrel of mead that he just finished.

“Hulk strongest there is.”

“Eh, I would disagree,” I spoke with a smirk and chuckled as Hulk narrowed his eyes at me while reaching for his next barrel.

“Yeah, I'll handle the precision work and let the big guy handle demolition,” Emil said as he shook his head and I smiled as I raised my glass.

“You see? We all have our parts to play. We have strength, skill, brains and charm…even if some of us are heavier on the charm than others.”

“Ah, flattery will get you everywhere,” Fandral spoke with an exaggerated bow and Hogun just rolled his eyes when Volstagg gave a booming laugh.

“If there is food and drink, I will follow.

“Well, then. To fallen friends, to second chances and to never drinking Asgardian wine alone.”

“Hear, hear!”, They cheered before we all downed our glasses in one gulp, laughter coming from me when I saw both Emil and Banner gag at the burn in their throat.

“Yeah, I expected that. Asgardian Wine is the weakest of our alcohol and it's 60%.”

“What? Why the hell do you have this?”, Emil asked in between coughs and I grinned before shrugging.

“Hey, it's like when you have a small juice before you actually get to the drinking. Like I said, this is the weakest of our drinks.”

“In that case, I'm done,” Banner said as he put his glass down, the rest of us booing when Emil did the same before everything grew quiet as the door opened and Hela and Loki walked in.

“See what I mean? We have this presence that makes others uneasy around us.”

“No, Loki. We're just used to you having a prank planned for the night. As for Hela…Oh, right. Men, this is Hela, my older sister. Hela, these are my closest allies and friends.”

“Hmm, I can see.”

“Ah, it is not every day that you meet such a radiant beauty. I am Fandral, fairest of the group and most charming in the land,” Fandral greeted with a courteous smile and bow, Hogun noting the look in Hela's eyes as he went to say something before I stopped him with a grin.

'Don't. This is gonna be good.'

“Fairest and most charming you say?”, Hela asked, the corners of her mouth curling into a smirk as her piercing gaze locked on Fandral while she walked into the room relaxed yet regal.

“Tell me, Fandral the Fairest and Charming, how many of your bones do you think are necessary for your charm to remain intact?”, The room went dead silent and even Hulk paused in his drinking as Fandral blinked while I hid my smirk when I saw him falter.

“P-Pardon?”

“It's a simple question, but I suppose you wouldn't understand it. Well, allow me to ask a second question, then. Can you still say that with your tongue intact?”

“W-Well, that…I…that is to say…uh…”

“I think what he's trying to say, sister, is that he's impressed by your presence, which, given how he likes to exaggerate at times, is actually something of note,” I decided to help him out, which Hela noted instantly as she turned her smirk to me.

“Charming company you keep, little brother.”

“Oh, so now I'm little brother, am I?”

“Indeed you are.”

“Honestly, I told her to do something less intimidating, but did she listen? No~ It's all about 'dramatic entrances'.”

“Because it works, Loki. I must say, though, I do appreciate the compliment,” Hela spoke softly as she walked past him, the tip of her finger softly tracing under his chin as she smiled and walked towards me.

“T-The pleasure…is mine, milady.”

“Hmm, charming indeed. Is there a glass for me, Thor? After all, I am the guest here.”

“But of course, sister. Red or white?”

“Red. It reminds me of the beautiful blood I spill when I slay my enemies,” Hela drawled as she lifted me up and sat down on my seat, looking amused as I just rolled my eyes while pouring a glass for her.

“Of course. So, I have a proposition for you all. Hela and Loki already know this, but we are marching on Svartalheim tomorrow to capture the two that killed Darcy and Mother.”

“O-Oh, well…then you're kind of going to the wrong planet,” Fandral said with a sheepish smile, making me raise an eyebrow as I turned to Hogun for an answer.

“Sif has tracked Lorelei and Alflyse to Midgard, where they have been hiding with illusions and camouflage to avoid the All-Father's wrath. She left at the same time that you left to fetch Lady Hela.”

“I see. Brother, how do you feel about making a return to the world of your defeat?”

“Oh, do not start with me,” Loki said with a roll of his eyes as he took the last turkey leg from Volstagg, who huffed before giving a pleased smile when Loki pulled out a pork leg from thin air and handed it to him.

“Have you just been hiding that under an invisibility spell?”

“A true magician never tells, brother,” He spoke with an amused smile at my huff before I turned to the others who looked back at me.

“Well, if Sif is on Midgard, then I shall act as her reinforcements.”

“I shall come with. It will a good time for me to see Midgard in its new glory compared to the dusty, water-logged planet it was before,” Hela murmured and I nodded as I looked at the others.

“We have too many bad memories of Earth so we're out,” Banner said with a shake of his head, Emil nodding in agreement before I looked at Hulk as he put the barrel of mead down.

“Hulk help friend.”

“Great! That's two. Anyone else?”

“No thank you/ I'm quite alright/ Is there going to be food?”, Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg said respectively and I raised an eyebrow at the last question before shaking my head.

“Unfortunately, not during the battles.”

“Then, I'm out.”

“And then there was I. The prince of chaos, the god of mischief, the-”

“Are you coming or not, Loki?”, I cut him off, rolling my eyes as he huffed and looked away.

“I suppose if I must…”

“Yes or no?”

“…Yes.”

“Good!”, I nodded with a pleased smile, patting his shoulder and snickering as Loki pushed my hand away with a grumble before downing my glass in one sip.

“Then tonight! We feast!”

“Yeah!”

“…I suppose I must engage in the activities of friendship. Yeah,” Hela cheered in a monotone voice with a smirk and I shook my head as I just poured her another glass before looking out at he void of space through the window.

'Don't worry, Darcy. Tomorrow, you will rest at peace knowing your killers were dealt with.'

A/N: Well, looks like we're going back to Midgard! Also, a quick sneak peek at Zeus and Heracles before the chaos ensues. What's next? I have no clue~!!

As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…

Ba-Bye~!!