…
Because Thor still could not lift Mjolnir and had yet to pass Odin's trial, no matter how he called out to Heimdall or begged him to open the Bifrost, nothing happened.
Heimdall, acting under Odin's prior command, ignored him completely.
With no other choice, Thor accepted Leon's proposal and agreed to follow his plan.
Night fell.
Midnight passed.
Mjolnir, returned to the impact crater and placed under routine S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance, remained undisturbed. Thor, meanwhile, was nominally taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.
Leon quickly grew impatient. He had Arcee and Bast keep watch in the shadows while he slipped away after casually brushing a hand against Thor—then promptly clocked out to entertain himself.
[Prompt: Do you wish to perform today's Daily Sign-In?]
"System—for the glory of the Norse gods!"
"Open!"
[Ding! Daily Sign-In complete. Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: 'Stormfront Template.']
[Stormfront Template: Enhanced superhuman physiology, balanced overall amplification, lifespan increased tenfold. Abilities include plasma lightning generation, plasma manipulation, plasma detonation… The upper limits depend entirely on the user's physical aptitude and mastery.]
[Description: Good child. Visit home more often.]
Leon had initially assumed it referred to Storm of the X-Men.
Turns out—it was Stormfront from The Boys.
Still, this version's template provided a more substantial boost to physical attributes, making it better suited to Leon's "transcend through the flesh" path.
Even a small drumstick was still meat.
In short—Leon had grown stronger again.
He felt like firing off a Getsuga Tenshō just to celebrate.
"Ah, damn it!"
"This cursed armor!"
The moment his mood rose, the Thor armor fused to his body forcibly calmed him back down.
That only made him more irritated.
His figure flickered.
In the next instant, he appeared inside Jane Foster's SUV, holding a completely bewildered Darcy Lewis—fresh out of the shower, wrapped in nothing but a white towel that barely concealed her very impressive future.
At this hour, Jane and Dr. Selvig were too excited to sleep. Having secured Leon's verbal sponsorship, they were in the motel enthusiastically discussing the electromagnetic anomalies caused by the Bifrost with several S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists.
No one would notice what was happening here.
"Mr. Leon, I—"
Darcy tried to speak, but Leon covered her mouth.
"Darling, I'm in trouble—help me!"
"What??"
Before she could process anything, Leon hooked her with a single finger and shot into the sky.
His speed was so extreme that no afterimage remained.
The newly acquired Stormfront Template enhanced his velocity tremendously—no less than the Starlight Template. The plasma lightning properties even added a faint tingling sensation during flight.
Under layered enhancements, Leon's speed became virtually immeasurable. Protected by his Bio-Field, Darcy suffered no harm whatsoever.
Instead, caught between speed and adrenaline, her senses overwhelmed, her vision blurred—
And as Leon accelerated further and further, she eventually fainted.
Afterward—
"Whew."
Leon gently lowered the motion-sick Darcy to the ground, ensuring she landed safely and wouldn't suffer further stimulation.
He exhaled deeply.
His normally melancholic gaze was now startlingly clear—almost enlightened.
"Excellent."
"I think I'm starting to understand everything."
However, on the first night of lying in wait, Loki did not appear. Leon guessed he was consolidating power in Asgard, preparing for his official ascension.
It wasn't until 2:30 a.m. the following night that Arcee suddenly whispered in Leon's ear:
"He's here."
"Perfect timing."
A faint smile curved Leon's lips. After carrying the unconscious Darcy back to her room, he transformed into a streak of intertwined violet, blue, and gold light—
And shot toward the impact crater where Thor and Mjolnir were being held.
…
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s temporary base, built around the meteor crater created by Mjolnir.
Thor's holding room.
Thor had only lowered his head briefly, fighting off drowsiness, when a familiar voice reached his ears—
He snapped awake instantly.
"Thor."
"Loki?"
"How are you here?!"
"Have the Frost Giants of Jotunheim attacked?"
"Let me explain to Father—"
Thor leapt to his feet, hope and dread mingling in his voice. After all, in his current state—unable to lift Mjolnir—he was little more than a prisoner.
But Loki's first words silenced him.
"Father is dead."
"What?"
"I said Father is dead. You angered him to death."
"You know he was already old. The incident with Jotunheim drained his final strength. Shortly after banishing you, he succumbed to the strain. His soul has entered Valhalla."
"No…"
"It shouldn't be like this…"
Thor's disbelief held both performance and genuine emotion.
Odin's life had indeed reached its twilight. Entering Valhalla at any moment would not have been impossible.
"I know you loved him. I tried to persuade him, but he was blinded by fury. Nothing I said mattered. Asgard cannot accept a king responsible for the death of the former monarch."
"And so… the burden has fallen to me."
Loki's expression was three parts grief, seven parts desolation—flawless.
"May I return home?" Thor asked, eyes wet, voice breaking.
"I'm sorry, Brother," Loki replied heavily. "The condition for peace with Jotunheim was your permanent exile. Mother… does not wish to forgive you. You are not permitted to return."
"No…"
Thor collapsed, clutching his head.
Whatever plan he had discussed with Leon was overwhelmed by genuine remorse.
Whether Loki spoke truth or lie—
Thor knew that if he had continued down his former reckless path, this outcome would not have been impossible.
Even if his mother forgave him—
He would never forgive himself.
"I came to say farewell, Brother," Loki said, voice trembling.
"I'm sorry I can do nothing more."
"No," Thor lifted his head and said sincerely, "I am the one who should apologize. I have always ignored your feelings."
"You are more worthy of Asgard's throne than I."
"Thank you for coming to see me one last time, Loki."
At those words, Loki turned away.
His face flickered with regret before settling into resolution.
Having grown up beside Thor, he could sense the sincerity in his brother's voice. The words he had always longed to hear had come—
Just at the worst possible time.
But the arrow was already nocked.
'Forgive me, Brother.'
'Grow old in this free prison called Midgard. Asgard has no place for you anymore.'
Silently offering one last apology, Loki steeled himself and departed without looking back.
Above the ceiling of Thor's holding room—
"He's leaving. Should we apprehend him now?" Arcee whispered urgently.
"No," said Bast, currently in her feline form, wedged comfortably beside Arcee. "That was merely a magical projection. I sensed no life force from it."
"Master predicted he would attempt to lift the hammer. We wait for him to act. Then we move."
"Understood."
In matters of magic and divinity, Bast's expertise far exceeded Arcee's.
Arcee had no issue following her lead.
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