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*****
The royal palace of Vanaheim was not quite as extravagant as that of Asgard, but it was far more complex and shrouded in mystery. As Fini walked through its halls, he found many of the sights to be truly wondrous.
He also noticed a distinct difference in their cultures: while Asgardians practiced a blend of science and magic, the Vanir focused much more heavily on pure sorcery—or what they referred to as incantations.
Upon arriving at the heart of the palace, Fini met King Njord. He was surprised to find that the King was much like Odin—an old man with a full head of white hair—though his face appeared even more weathered and ancient than the All-Father's.
"I thank you all for coming!"
Njord's demeanor was friendly, and the welcoming ceremony he had prepared was grand and formal.
"It has been a long time, Son of Odin!"
Thor had clearly visited this realm before. As Njord stepped down from his throne, he greeted the God of Thunder first.
"Your Majesty," Thor replied with a respectful bow.
After acknowledging Thor, Njord immediately turned his gaze toward Fini. His clear, piercing eyes studied Fini intently for a moment before he spoke slowly. "You must be the one they call the White Butcher."
Fini's expression darkened instantly. Internally, he flatly refused to accept such a gruesome nickname. He replied politely, "Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Fini Halsey, a mage from Kamar-Taj."
"Kamar-Taj..."
A look of recognition flickered across Njord's face. He paused in thought for a moment before a memory seemed to click. "Ah, the young lady who used to come by to chat... I believe she mentioned she was from there as well."
"I hear she is called the Sorcerer Supreme now. Do you know of her?"
Fini was stunned. Looking at Njord, it was clear that the Ancient One was an old acquaintance of his. "If her name is Ancient One, then I am her disciple," he answered.
"That is the name," Njord nodded. He took another long look at Fini and sighed. "I didn't expect that in less than a thousand years, Midgard would produce so many interesting characters."
"And to think, that fellow Odin was actually willing to give you that stone!"
As he spoke, Njord glanced at Fini's chest. Despite the layers of clothing covering it, Fini felt as if Njord's gaze was looking right through him.
Fini couldn't help but take a small step back. He knew the "stone" Njord referred to was the Space Stone. He realized in that moment that the pressure Njord exerted on him was actually greater than what he had felt from Odin.
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Fini's wary reaction, Njord let out a soft laugh. Finally, he turned his attention to Hogun, who had followed them in. His expression cooled significantly as he spoke. "Do not bring shame to Vanaheim while you are away."
"Yes, Sire," Hogun replied, his face remaining stoic and unreadable.
Though Vanaheim and Asgard were currently on friendly terms, they were still two distinct kingdoms. The fact that Hogun, a member of the Vanir, had chosen to serve as a soldier for Asgard meant he would likely never be held in high regard by Njord.
After the introductions, Njord suggested that Fini and Thor take some time to rest. A banquet would be held in their honor that evening to show the kingdom's gratitude.
Fini felt a wave of helplessness at the news. He had hoped that since Vanaheim's style was so mysterious, their way of showing gratitude might be unique. He hadn't expected it to be yet another banquet.
Thor, however, looked forward to it. Although he had been to Vanaheim several times, he had never actually attended one of their royal feasts.
On the way to their guest quarters, Fini pulled Thor aside to ask about Njord.
"I don't know much, honestly," Thor admitted, shaking his head. "I only know that long ago—at least before I was born—relations between Vanaheim and Asgard were quite poor. He was essentially my father's enemy."
"It wasn't until my father led Asgard to unify the Nine Realms and signed the peace treaties that things improved."
Fini fell into thought. Thor's information was fairly basic, and Fini knew something Thor didn't: Odin hadn't conquered the Nine Realms alone; Hela had played a massive role in those wars.
Regardless, even if Njord's power didn't quite reach the level of Odin or Hela, he likely wasn't far behind. Furthermore, he was a master of the magical arts. The fact that the Ancient One had visited him—likely to discuss or trade magical knowledge—made Fini extremely curious about the specific nature of Vanir incantations.
By evening, Fini had reluctantly changed into formal attire and followed Thor to the palace banquet hall. He had expected an atmosphere like Asgard's—where everyone sat together to drink heavily and eat meat—but the reality was quite different.
If the atmosphere of an Asgardian banquet was joyous and boisterous, Vanaheim's was elegant and refined. Thor, who had entered with the intention of drinking his fill, was momentarily dazed by the shift in tone.
Rather than a feast, it felt more like an Earthly ball. Almost everyone was dressed in exquisite finery, beautiful music drifted through the air, and guests gathered in small groups to converse in hushed, polite tones.
The setting caught both of them off guard.
Fortunately, while Thor disliked this type of gathering, he was still a Prince of Asgard. He had been trained in etiquette since childhood and knew how to carry himself without embarrassment.
Fini had it even easier. Given his appearance—which suited almost any human standard of beauty—he could hardly look out of place no matter what he did.
Though they both adapted, Thor was still dissatisfied. He leaned in to whisper a complaint to Fini: "What's the point of drinking like this? If I'd known, we should have just left early!"
Thor had brought Fini along specifically to experience a Vanaheim celebration, and this "civilized" version was a massive disappointment to him.
"I think it's fine," Fini said noncommittally. In truth, he wasn't a fan of either style; more importantly, he simply didn't enjoy drinking.
Only the two of them attended the banquet. After meeting Njord, Hogun had chosen to leave the palace immediately to rejoin his fellow soldiers. Fini and Thor hadn't stopped him, sensing both his discomfort and the King's coldness toward him.
As the night went on, the two shared quiet conversation. Thor continued to grumble about how the wine wasn't as strong as Asgard's and the meat wasn't as savory, while Fini offered distracted nods, his mind searching for a way to learn more about the local magic.
As the guests of honor, they were the center of attention. Thor was a known quantity to many, but Fini was different. His mysterious origins, immense power, and striking looks drew curious glances from everyone in the room.
Just as a group of Vanir noblewomen—who were likely hundreds or even thousands of years old—were debating whether to approach Thor or Fini first, Njord's arrival made the choice for them.
"How are you enjoying yourselves?" Njord asked, approaching the pair.
"The wine is excellent!" Thor replied quickly.
"Not quite up to Asgardian standards, I suspect," Njord remarked, glancing at Thor with a knowing look that made the prince cough awkwardly. Njord didn't press the point, turning instead to Fini. "Would you mind joining me for a private chat?"
"Uh...?"
Fini was slightly surprised. He looked at Thor, then nodded. "Of course."
He followed Njord out into a secluded, quiet garden. Fini wondered what the old King could possibly want with him.
"I once received a prophecy..."
Njord's opening words caused Fini to freeze in his tracks.
(End of Chapter)