Another year had begun. The brief peace still lingered, but under the surface, dark currents were stirring—growing stronger, waiting for the moment to erupt. It could not be erased or eased, and even those who longed for peace found themselves forced to add fuel to the fire.
At that moment, Melin was within his consciousness space, speaking with Odin.
"What do you want me to find this time?" Melin asked bluntly.
"Can't I just come by for a friendly chat?" Odin replied with a faint smile.
"Please, Odin. I'd sooner believe you came because you were bored and wanted to fight than believe you came to chat." Melin rolled his eyes.
"Heh… perhaps another time. I do have something to ask of you, Melin."
"Go on. I'll decide whether or not to agree."
"Thor will soon be going to Earth. That's your territory—keep an eye on him for me."
"Thor?" Melin frowned. After thinking for a moment, he realized what time this was—the period when Thor was stripped of his powers and cast to Earth to learn humility, while Loki schemed for the throne of Asgard.
"Yes," Odin confirmed. "Thor's divine soul has yet to awaken. He's still reckless and prideful, unfit to be king. I plan to push him a little—to make him truly learn."
"Then you'd better warn him in advance not to cause trouble down here. My people won't go easy on him," Melin said.
"Of course," Odin replied—though inwardly, he sneered. Without his awakened divine soul, Thor wouldn't even recognize Sanctuary or the Saints. Given his arrogance, trouble was inevitable. But that was fine—he wanted Thor to suffer. Maybe then he'd finally understand he wasn't invincible just because he wielded a hammer.
"Then that's settled," Melin said.
Before he could withdraw from the mindscape, Odin suddenly asked, "Athena will awaken soon, won't she?"
"Yes," Melin said. "Probably within two years."
"Two years… so the day when you and your wife fight side by side isn't far off. You alone have already slain Ares and Poseidon. Even the last fragment of Kluto's soul was destroyed by your hand. Once Athena returns, who would dare oppose you two?"
"Hades, for one," Melin replied calmly. "The Buddhist pantheon remains at war with us. Zeus is missing, but he's certainly no ally. And who knows what other survivors still lurk from the old war. Enemies are never in short supply."
Odin chuckled. "True—but allies aren't scarce, either. Let's not even count me. There's the Ancient One of Kamar-Taj—she may not be a god, but with the Time Stone she could stand against one. And Horus—imagine my surprise to learn he still lives."
"Horus is no longer the same," Melin said. "As he once told me: 'The god Horus is dead. What remains is a man named Horus.' Even if battle comes, he won't take part."
"Still, he represents a worldly power. And Sanctuary itself commands two human organizations of great potential—especially the mutants. Among them are a few whose strength even I find unsettling."
Melin knew exactly who he meant. First was the Phoenix, Jean Grey. With much guidance, she had learned to control a fragment of the Phoenix Force—just a shard, yet still terrifying. Then there was Erik. His control of magnetism, one of the four fundamental forces of the universe, made him immensely powerful. Though his progress in mastering the Cosmos was slow—still within the sixth sense—being a mutant capable of awakening the Cosmos at all was a miracle.
"I'm simply preparing in advance," Melin said. "I won't make the same mistake twice."
"Fair enough. Then I'll leave Thor to you."
"Alright," Melin agreed. "I'll watch over him personally."
When the link ended, Melin exited the consciousness space, already planning out the year ahead.
First, Thor's fall to Earth—the Thor arc would begin. Normally, Thor would break Odin's seal in a moment of self-sacrifice, learn humility, fall in love with Jane Foster, and end Loki's schemes.
But this world wasn't the movie universe, and Odin's goal wasn't merely to teach humility. He also wanted Thor to awaken his divine soul and become the true God of Thunder.
Melin pondered when and how to intervene. "Maybe instead of waiting for the Destroyer to appear, I'll step in right after he falls for Jane Foster—and give him a beating myself. Yes, that saves time. Might even make it back in time to watch another show."
Indeed—there was another major event this year: the Stark Expo. Whiplash, Ivan Vanko, would join forces with Hammer Industries to unleash a fleet of drones in his revenge plot.
Thinking of that, Melin called Garoun, telling him he was heading to New Mexico and to stay with Hope—and to keep an eye on Tony.
Garoun had wanted to accompany him, but Melin refused. They hadn't even been married a year—running off alone already? That would be shameless. Still, Melin summoned Shura from Sanctuary as his escort. Though Thor—even at full power—couldn't defeat Melin, Melin had no interest in bullying an unawakened god. The role he planned required another player anyway.
…
At the same time in Asgard, Thor returned from Jotunheim in disgrace, with the Warriors Three, Sif, and Loki in tow. Odin's furious voice filled the hall.
"Do you even know what you've done? You've brought Asgard to the brink of war!"
"I was defending my home!" Thor shouted.
"You can't even protect your friends—how can you protect a kingdom? Take him to the healing chamber!"
"You're the one who fears war! I'll make the Frost Giants fear me as they once feared you!"
"That's vanity and arrogance, not leadership! Have you forgotten what I taught you about patience?"
"You sit idly while the Nine Realms mock us! Your old ways no longer work! Asgard is dying while you give speeches!"
"You're nothing but a proud, greedy, cruel child!"
"Then you're nothing but a foolish old man!"
Odin fell silent, his face weary—as if he believed Thor's accusation might be true, though clearly for different reasons. Then he raised his head, calm once more.
"Yes… a foolish old man who thought you were ready."
"Father!" Loki stepped forward to plead, but Odin's roar froze him mid-step.
Then Odin turned to Thor, his voice echoing like thunder:
"Thor Odinson—you have defied the command of your king! Through your arrogance and folly, you have broken Asgard's peace and brought suffering to its people!"
As his words fell, Gungnir struck the floor, summoning the Bifrost. Odin approached Thor.
"You are unworthy of these realms! Unworthy of the throne! Unworthy of your family's love!" he roared, tearing away Thor's armor and cloak piece by piece. "Because you betrayed them!"
Finally, Odin lifted Mjolnir. "I now strip you of your power. By the will of the Allfather, Odin, I cast you out of Asgard!"
A bolt of lightning shot from Mjolnir, striking Thor and hurling him into the Bifrost. His shining armor shattered, his divine power torn from him.
Odin raised the hammer to his lips and whispered, "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."
Then he hurled Mjolnir into the rainbow bridge after his son.
Loki watched in horror. Thor had angered Odin before, but never like this. He had only wanted Odin to revoke Thor's right to the throne—not to banish him entirely.
But as he thought about it, his fear faded. With Thor gone, only one prince remained in Asgard—himself. Did that mean the throne was now his?
The thought delighted him. Outwardly, he kept his mask of sorrow and fear—but inside, he rejoiced. Still, there was one thing he needed to confirm before celebrating.
"Leave us," Odin ordered.
"Yes, Father." Loki exhaled in relief and left, confident the matter would not touch him.
Once he was gone, Heimdall and Queen Frigga entered.
"Your Majesty," Frigga said, covering her mouth with a smile, "your acting has improved again."
"Has it?" Odin chuckled. "Then all that rehearsal wasn't wasted."
Had Loki seen this, he would've been terrified. The wrathful Odin from moments ago was gone—replaced by a cunning old fox, grinning slyly.
"What are our next steps?" Heimdall asked.
"We wait," Odin said. "Melin has agreed—he'll keep his word."
"And Loki?" Frigga asked softly.
"That depends on his own choices."
"I hope you'll spare him, Odin. He's our son too."
"…We'll see."
The three fell silent. Loki was not the same as before, but Odin and Frigga still saw him as their child. Yet they'd always known his scheming nature and had tolerated it only out of love.
Still, if Loki ever did something that truly endangered Asgard—Odin would show no mercy.