Only Lucas knew the truth: Loki was alive and well. He hadn't just survived the fall—he had been picked up by Thanos and recruited as the vanguard for the future invasion of Earth.
The universe was vast. Why did Loki, falling randomly into a black hole, just happen to be found by Thanos?
The answer was obvious. Thanos had been watching Asgard all along.
Thanos wanted to invade Earth to seize the Tesseract (Space Stone) and the Time Stone. Why hadn't he moved sooner? Because Earth's waters ran deep.
First, Asgard was Earth's nominal protector. Second, there was the Ancient One.
The number of dimensional demons the Ancient One had slain over the years could probably circle the solar system. Her reputation was terrifying enough that even Thanos had heard of it.
He had to wait until both Odin and the Ancient One were out of the picture before making his move.
"Apologies for the spectacle," Odin said, turning to Lucas. "I didn't catch your name."
"Lucas. From Earth," Lucas replied simply.
"Father, this is my friend Lucas. He saved my life from Loki earlier," Thor interjected. "I promised him access to the Royal Library to study our magic."
"Lucas, is it? You wish to learn magic?" Odin looked surprised. A human coming all the way to Asgard just to read books?
Then again, Asgard was a god-level magical civilization, not a technological one. It made sense.
"Yes, All-Father. I hope to browse the collection," Lucas said respectfully. "It is a presumptuous request."
"If Thor promised it, then it is Asgard's promise. He is the future King; his word is law in this matter," Odin nodded.
Just as Lucas suspected, this whole event had been under Odin's control from start to finish. Otherwise, Thor wouldn't have regained his powers at the exact critical moment.
Odin wanted his muscle-brained son to learn mercy, protection, and the qualities of a king.
The test succeeded, but the cost was high: Loki was gone.
Loki wasn't wrong. Odin was biased. He loved his younger son, yes, but he always intended for Thor to take the throne. He used Loki as a whetstone to sharpen Thor, hoping to prepare him for the inevitable return of Hela.
But he never expected Loki to break under the pressure.
The pain in Odin's heart was unbearable.
"Father," Thor said quietly, "I don't think I'm ready to be King."
Odin looked at his son. "You will be a wise ruler one day."
"No," Thor shook his head, exhausted. "No one is wiser than you. I still have much to learn. I will make you proud one day, but not today."
"So be it," Odin sighed.
Thor had learned the heart of a king, but he still lacked the strength.
Since childhood, Thor had tried to imitate Odin's conquests. But he forgot that to conquer the Nine Realms, you needed the biggest fist in the galaxy. A King's heart without a King's power was just a target.
Thor's trial had only just begun. The road to kingship was long.
"Forgive me for asking," Lucas interrupted, "but with the Bifrost destroyed, can I still return to Earth?"
He knew the bridge would be repaired eventually, but he didn't want to be stuck here for years.
"Of course," Odin said, weary. "The Bifrost is not the only way in or out of Asgard. It is merely the most convenient. We have other methods, though they are more troublesome."
Asgard was a god-level civilization. They weren't trapped just because one bridge broke.
"Good," Lucas nodded. He didn't want to waste his life here.
"Thor, since your friend has come a long way, you should host him properly," Odin said, his shoulders slumping. He turned to leave. He had to figure out how to explain Loki's "death" to Frigga.
He knew his wife loved Loki fiercely. She treated him as an equal, without Odin's bias. This conversation was going to be brutal.
"Come on, Lucas," Thor said, clapping Lucas on the shoulder, trying to shake off the gloom. "I'll throw you a feast. You haven't lived until you've tasted Asgardian mead. Aged for thousands of years. We only bring it out for our best friends!"
Asgardians were basically space Vikings. They drank like fish. For them, a funeral and a celebration were just two different excuses to get drunk.
Lucas followed the custom.
He had to admit, the thousand-year-old mead tasted infinitely better than anything on Earth. A single jar would probably auction for millions back home.
Surrounded by exotic treasures and golden halls, Lucas realized just how wealthy Asgard was. Earth's billionaires boasted about "old money" from a few centuries ago. Asgard's history was measured in millions of years. Even a random cup here was an antique priceless beyond measure.
And yet, in a few years, all of this would be gone.
Asgard would be reduced to a fishing village on Earth. Thor would be the "King of New Asgard"—a refugee camp leader.
Sure, whatever scraps they saved would be enough for the survivors to live comfortably. But looking at the grandeur of the Golden Realm now...
Who could imagine that soon, Surtur would burn it all to ash? Or that Thanos would intercept the refugee ship and slaughter half the survivors?
Enjoy the wine while it lasts, Lucas thought.