While the ten palaces shocked the entire universe, war was still raging in Vanaheim, one of the Nine Realms.
Sif, the warrior maiden of Asgard, fought fiercely with her sword against endless Vanaheim soldiers. Their numbers were overwhelming, and the battle dragged on.
At that moment, the Bifrost split the sky and descended upon the battlefield. A mighty hammer crackling with lightning shot down at incredible speed, crushing a swath of Vanaheim warriors with ease.
It was none other than Thor's Mjolnir.
The tall, broad-shouldered thunder god emerged from the rainbow light.
Seeing Thor, Sif let out a small sigh of relief and smiled. "Actually, you didn't need to come. We already had this under control."
"I know you can handle it, but we need to hurry. Father has summoned us."
With that, Thor leapt into the air, then plummeted down, slamming Mjolnir hard into the ground. Lightning exploded in every direction, surging across the battlefield, instantly stunning hundreds of enemy soldiers.
The overwhelming display silenced the Vanaheim army. They froze, terrified to take another step.
Then the ground trembled. A massive stone giant, three meters tall, charged toward Thor.
The Vanaheim soldiers cheered as if their champion had arrived, believing victory was within reach.
"Your turn," Sif shrugged, utterly calm. She knew this so-called warrior was no match for Thor.
Thor glanced around at the soldiers, who stared at him like they were watching a dead man walk. Amused, he faced the stone giant.
The giant slammed his spiked club into the ground, leaving a massive crater to intimidate Thor.
Thor, completely unfazed, said calmly, "Surrender, and I'll spare your life."
The enemy soldiers burst into mocking laughter.
Thor chuckled as well, then swung Mjolnir in a blur. With a thunderous boom, the stone giant shattered into countless rocks, crumbling lifelessly to the ground.
The soldiers fell silent. Then one knelt. The rest followed.
The war in Vanaheim was over.
…
In Asgard's training grounds, Thor stood beside Odin on the viewing platform.
"Vanaheim is secure?" Odin asked.
"Yes. Nornheim and Liar are secure too. If you had led the army, we would've ended it even faster," Thor replied.
"When did you learn to flatter me?" Odin chuckled.
Thor gave an awkward smile. "It's not flattery, just the truth."
"Since Loki's schemes were stopped, peace has returned. The Nine Realms respect you now," Odin said, gesturing to the warriors training below.
"Thank you," Thor said softly.
"But don't grow arrogant. Greater challenges are coming. The outside world is in turmoil. Asgard may face danger at any time. I won't be here much longer, and you must be ready." Odin sighed.
"Don't say that, Father. You'll be fine. You have a bond with the Lord of Life. If anyone can help, it's him. He controls life itself," Thor said with concern.
"Life, yes. But even above him lies the laws of heaven. I've lived long enough. My time will end. And remember, nothing comes free. Even if we ask for the Lord of Life's help, the price may be beyond what we can pay," Odin said meaningfully.
He turned. "Enough of this. Tonight, I'll hold a feast. Celebrate with your warriors. Drink, laugh, and honor your victories. As for you, be prepared. It's time you take the throne."
Thor bowed. "Thank you, Father."
But as Odin walked away, Thor's expression remained heavy. His joy was muted, weighed down by recent trials, and by the news of Loki's eternal imprisonment.
…
That same night, in London, Jane Foster followed her energy detector to a strange place where gravity was broken. Trucks floated mid-air, stairways twisted into other dimensions, and objects thrown inside fell endlessly, looping back again.
"This energy surge only happens when Thor arrives. But he's not here. Why now?" Jane muttered to herself.
Suddenly, a powerful force pulled her down a dark corridor. She slammed into a wall, but instead of stopping, the surface rippled like water, and she was pulled through.
On the other side was a dark, eerie realm filled with massive stone pillars that stretched endlessly upward. From within one of them came a strange crackling noise.
Curious, Jane approached. Between the cracks of the pillar, a black, liquid-like energy writhed. Entranced, she reached out.
The moment her hand touched it, the dark energy lashed out like a beast, wrapping around her arm and surging into her body.
Her vision blurred, and she collapsed unconscious.
…
Far across the stars, a massive, cross-shaped black spaceship lit up. Frozen chambers within hissed open. Pale-skinned, elf-like figures awoke one by one.
"The Aether has awakened us. The Convergence begins!"
…
In Asgard, Heimdall stood at the Bifrost, his golden eyes gazing into all Nine Realms.
Thor arrived behind him.
"You're late," Heimdall said flatly.
"Ha. Sometimes feasts are harder to endure than battles. Took me forever to sneak away," Thor chuckled.
"You must have done something wrong," Heimdall said calmly.
"Maybe." Thor shrugged. "Tell me, Heimdall, how are the stars?"
"They still shine. I see all of the Nine Realms and countless lives. Do you remember what I told you about the Convergence?" Heimdall asked.
"Yes, when the Nine Realms align. It's close, isn't it?" Thor asked.
"It is. No one has seen it since I began guarding the Bifrost. It's dangerous, but… beautiful," Heimdall said quietly.
Thor looked outside but saw nothing. "I can't see it."
"Perhaps it's not the beauty you're meant to seek," Heimdall said knowingly.
Thor gave an awkward smile. He understood.
"How is she?" Thor asked suddenly.
"She's clever, studying the Convergence herself… wait. I can't see her anymore." Heimdall's eyes widened in shock.
Thor's expression darkened instantly. Heimdall could see anywhere, unless hidden by power far greater than his own, or unless great danger was present. Jane could not possess such power.
"Open the Bifrost. I'm going to Earth," Thor ordered.
"The king forbade you from returning. You know why," Heimdall reminded.
"I know. But I won't bring trouble to them. And I won't seek out the Lord of Life," Thor swore.
"See that you don't," Heimdall replied, turning his great sword. The Bifrost roared to life, opening a path to Earth.
…
On Earth, Jane slowly regained consciousness. Her friends and police officers crowded outside the strange building.
Seeing her, her best friend Darcy ran forward. "Jane! Where did you go? We were so worried. We had to call the police!"
Jane frowned. "The police? Now the government will be involved. Then the FBI, then S.H.I.E.L.D. You know I hate them meddling."
"You were gone for five hours! We searched everywhere. I thought I'd lost you," Darcy cried.
"What? Five hours?!" Jane was stunned.
At that moment, rain poured down, drenching everything—except Jane and Darcy. An invisible barrier kept the water off them.
Then a tall figure appeared.
Jane's eyes widened. "Thor…"
She rushed to him, while Darcy stood soaked in the rain, staring in disbelief.
"Jane!" Thor smiled, overjoyed.
But before he could say more, Jane slapped him. Hard.
"Sorry, I had to make sure you're real. Everything's been too strange," Jane said, then slapped him again. "Where were you? I waited, I searched. You promised you'd return!"
"I'm sorry. The Nine Realms were at war. Chaos everywhere. I had to fight. That's why I was late," Thor said regretfully.
"That's a good excuse. But I saw you in New York, fighting aliens. Why didn't you come see me then?" Jane pressed.
"I fought for you. But I realize now, I was wrong. Forgive me," Thor said quietly.
They gazed at each other, emotions running high, ready to embrace.
Then Darcy awkwardly stepped forward. "Um, Thor? Is that really you?"
Jane rolled her eyes. "Really? Now? We're busy."
"Sorry, but we're about to be arrested," Darcy said, pointing at the line of police nearby.
"Oh, damn. I forgot about that," Jane muttered, sighing as she walked toward the officers.
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