A Disturbance Felt by the Throne
The moment Alexander re-entered Asgard—
Odin felt it.
Not through sight.
Not through sound.
Through Hel.
Yggdrasil's roots trembled—just slightly.
Odin's grip tightened on Gungnir.
"…Hel," he murmured.
The Summons
A golden summons reached Alexander before he could even return to the library.
The throne room doors opened.
Odin sat upon the throne, power restrained—but present.
Alexander walked in calmly.
"You called for me, Father?"
The Question
Odin did not raise his voice.
"Why did you enter Hel?"
Alexander did not lie.
He raised his hand.
Runes unfolded in the air—interlocking circles, realm anchors, energy-flow stabilizers.
"A teleportation array," Alexander explained.
"I was attempting to replicate a localized Bifrost-like spell."
Odin leaned forward.
The runes were precise.
Elegant.
Dangerously advanced.
"…These calculations," Odin said quietly.
"You understand realm harmonics."
Alexander nodded.
"There was a minor mismatch," he admitted.
"I slipped into Hel."
The Name That Changed the Room
Odin's gaze sharpened.
"And what did you encounter there?"
"A woman," Alexander replied.
"She said her name was Hela."
The throne room went still.
Even the ravens froze.
"…Continue," Odin said.
"She is sealed," Alexander said simply.
"We spoke. I left."
Odin studied his son carefully.
"Did she attack you?"
Alexander shook his head.
"No."
Odin closed his eye briefly.
A long breath.
"…That is fortunate."
What Odin Understood
Odin did not ask:
What was said What promises were made Why Hela allowed him to leave
Because Odin already knew.
This was not conquest.
This was connection.
Something even Odin could not force.
Dismissal
Odin straightened.
"You may go."
No punishment.
No lecture.
No warning.
Alexander bowed.
"Yes, Father."
And left.
Aftermath
Alone on the throne—
Odin whispered to the ravens.
"Watch Hel."
Huginn tilted his head.
"And Alexander?" Muninn croaked.
Odin smiled faintly.
"…No."
"Alexander does not need watching."
Closing Line
Far below Asgard—
Hel's chains trembled.
And Odin knew:
The future had already begun shifting.