Marvel: Video Game Templates!

Asgard - Throne Room!

The throne room of Asgard stood vast and empty. Usually, it would be filled with ministers and warriors constantly pouring in and out, but this time, it was basically empty.

All of the magnificent splendor, the golden pillars, grand stained-glass windows, everything had lost its meaning at the current moment. The air held a heavy silence, broken only by the rhythmic hum of the All-Father's own breathing.

Odin sat upon his throne, his fingers drumming against the armrest in slow, thoughtful strokes. His one remaining eye stared into the distance, beyond the gilded walls of his kingdom, past the stars themselves.

His mind was elsewhere, rooted in Midgard, where a shadow he had long since banished had returned.

"She walks freely," Odin muttered at last, his deep voice carrying across the empty chamber, "She does not even attempt to conceal herself."

Across from him, Heimdall stood in solemn vigilance, his golden armor reflecting the dim torchlight. He did not react to Odin's statement, for he had already foreseen the conversation. Instead, he simply inclined his head.

"It is as you say, Lord Odin. Hela has stepped onto Midgard, and this time, she has not veiled her presence." Heimdall said, his eyes flickering with the light of the cosmos as he could see Hela and the others moving through the Hydra base.

"She's currently with a group of powerful Mortals Lord Odin, and she hasn't raised her blade to start war, not yet." Heimdall said.

Odin exhaled through his nose, staring back at his trusted servant as he responded, "That only unsettles me further Heimdall."

Odin clanged Gungnir onto the ground, and the entire atmosphere of the throne room changed. Time seemed to stop and warp, space seemed to dissipate and reappear before Heimdall found himself standing alongside Odin, watching a vision he knew all too well.

Hundreds if not thousands of powerful Asgardian women rode on Pegasus as they charged towards Hela.

"The Valkyries." Heimdall muttered, knowing what was coming next.

~A Massacre~

 Hela unleashed thousands of her jet-black Necroswords into the air, effortlessly slaughtering any and all who dared to challenge her, cutting them down without breaking a sweat.

"She's a weapon, capable of overcoming any challenge and killing anyone I send her way. From tactics, to raw strength, she represents one of the strongest of us. But most of all, it's her ruthlessness. I can't let her be unleashed." Odin said, and the environment shattered like glass, returning them to the Throne Room.

"If Hela sought only destruction, she would have already drowned the land in rivers of blood." His fingers clenched into a fist, gripping the golden armrest of his throne, "But she waits. She plots. I cannot allow her to set the stage for calamity."

Heimdall observed the King of Asgard for a long moment before speaking again, "She is not alone."

Odin's expression darkened, "The one who freed her," he muttered, "I've heard he's clashed with Thor, and they worked together?"

"He is unlike the mortals we have known," Heimdall said, his voice thoughtful, "I noticed his power but he's unique, able to avoid even my gaze, his fate is blurry and his intentions unclear."

"They seem clear enough, freeing Hela, it's to cause the end of all existence. With her bloodthirstiness, she'll slaughter us all if she gets the chance." Odin scoffed.

~CLANG~

Just as Odin finished his sentence, the heavy doors of the throne room swung open, and a new presence stepped inside, one that carried a torrent of divine wisdom.

Frigga stepped inside with an etheral grace, studying her husband and his subordinate with a quiet patience before she poke, "Are you so certain that calamity is what she wants?"

Odin's expression hardened as he turned to his wife. "She would give up anything to see me dead and buried, Frigga," he said without hesitation, "After what I did, do you believe she would grant me anything less than ruin?"

Frigga did not deny it. She stepped forward until she stood beside him, her gaze meeting his, "I do not doubt her hatred, Odin," she admitted. "But you would be a fool to only see Hela as a vengeful specter. She is more than that."

Odin exhaled, shaking his head,"You speak as though you pity her."

Frigga gave a small, knowing smile, "Because I have spoken to her."

At that, Odin and Heimdall both stiffened. The king turned fully to face her, his good eye narrowing, "You spoke to her?"

"Just because I've dutifully been your wife does not mean you should doubt my skill Odin. When I want, even you cannot perceive my actions." Frigga said confidently, and it left Odin and Heimdall both silent at her words.

"She arrived in Asgard using a treasure created by that man." Frigga said, looking to a nearby wall which suddenly rippled, becoming a screen which allowed them to see Maxim walking through the Hydra base.

"We had a chat about her intentions if she were to leave. Even after all this time, she's still my daughter, and a mother knows best." Frigga said.

Odin's scowl deepened, "And what did you learn?"

Frigga's expression softened, "I learned that she knows your end is coming Odin, and she knows that Thor isn't ready." Frigga said and Odin's gaze grew more grim.

"She knows that if she really wants, she could wage war with Asgard, but she's decided against it. It is not war she seeks, but her rightful place." Frigga said.

"Rightful, hmfm, I decide who is rightful. A day or two of acting docile won't make me forget the eternity of hatred, the massacre of the Valkyries. She'll need to do better than that." Odin said.

"Your time will come soon, my beloved, I do not want to live to see the day where my children kill each-other because of our mistakes raising them. We strive to be better than who raised us." Frigga said, and Odin sighed, leaning back in his throne.

"I trust your wisdom, Frigga, but I can never trust Hela. Her bloodthirst may know no bounds." he said.

Frigga's lips pressed into a thin line. "Then you have no choice but to watch. To wait. And to listen. Unless you would rather go to war with her now?"

Odin fell silent at that. Even in his old age, he was still the All-Father, still the strongest force Asgard had ever known.

But he was not a fool. War with Hela,now, when the Dark Elves still lurked in the shadows, when Thor was not yet prepared, would leave Asgard vulnerable.

His fingers drummed against the armrest once more.

Finally, he exhaled. "No," he admitted. "Not yet."

He turned his gaze back to Heimdall, "I will send Thor to Midgard."

Frigga frowned. "For what purpose?"

"To observe," Odin answered, "To be my eyes where I cannot see. And if Hela's schemes bear fruit, he will be there to act."

He looked toward one of the many golden relics adorning the walls, an ancient, shimmering gauntlet of engraved runes, pulsating with celestial power.

"I will grant him one of my treasures," Odin murmured, "A shield. A safeguard. If anything goes wrong, it will protect him long enough to return home."

Frigga watched her husband carefully, then gave a small nod. "Very well," she said softly. "Then let us hope that he returns with answers, and not more chaos."

Odin remained silent, his gaze locked onto the endless horizon beyond the throne room's great doors and he let out a sigh and spoke.

"Oh Bor, I thought controlling all Nine Realms would protect us, safeguarding Asgard from Ragnarok, only now did I know I might've caused it."