A portal crackled open, its orange glow illuminating the dark chamber. Wanda stepped through.
"There you are, Erik," she said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"The battle's concluded. The remaining Asgardians have surrendered. Now—" She cut herself off, her sharp gaze locking onto Hela.
The Goddess of Death turned, an intrigued smirk tugging at her lips.
"Who's that?" Wanda asked, her fingers already flexing as red mist flickered around them.
Hela turned, her grin sharpening. "Ah. The first wife, I presume?"
Erik stepped between them, his voice calm but firm. "Wanda, this is Hela. Odin's firstborn, Goddess of Death. Lady Death's Avatar and her… gift to me. And for now my executioner."
Hela raised a brow at his choice of words but said nothing, merely tilting her head with amusement as she studied Wanda.
Wanda's expression remained unreadable. "Lady Death? Gift? Executioner?"
Erik affirmed. "Well, it's kinda complicated... sigh... remember when I told some unknown being helped me at a critical moment and brought my soul here? Apparently, it was Lady Death, a cosmic goddess. And she wants me as Hela's... husband. But for now, I haven't accepted her yet. For now, she's an ally. Let's talk more about her later, shall we?"
"Ally?" Hela purred, slinking closer. "Such cold words, Husband-to-be. And here I thought we'd bonded over corpse revitalization."
Wanda's hands flickered crimson, but Erik caught her wrist gently. "She's not my wife. Not yet. But Lady Death's involved, and I need to tread carefully."
Wanda searched his face, then sighed, the fight draining from her. "It's like Cindy all over again," she muttered, "What's up with all these multiversal goddesses forcing you to marry their daughters and avatars?"
"Tell me about it," Erik chuckled, "I asked the same question..."
Wanda forced out a soft laugh as she sighed and walked to him for a hug.
Seeing their similarities, their bond... Hela felt something off... near her chest area.
And she didn't like it.
"Is this weak little witch really your first wife?" She asked as she folded her arms under her breasts.
Scarlet energy flared violently in Wanda's palm, her patience wearing thin. "Say that again."
Hela smirked, enjoying the provocation. "Fiery. I like that." She turned to Erik. "You have interesting taste, Husband-to-be."
Wanda's magic flared, but Erik stopped them. "Stop it, Hela. And you too Wanda, don't fall for her words."
Hela opened her mouth to retort, but Erik cut her off. "Unless you'd prefer I toss you and your mutt into Beelzebuth's stomach."
Fenrir snarled, but Hela silenced him with a glance. "Testy, testy," she drawled, though her smirk didn't reach her eyes. "As you wish, my king."
Wanda watched Hela stride away, Fenrir prowling at her heels. "She's trouble," she said quietly.
"I know," Erik replied, staring at the horizon. "But trouble's useful."
Wanda leaned into him, her anger fading to weary acceptance. "Where's Cindy, by the way?"
"Oh, she was exhausted so I stored her in Beelzebuth." Saying so, he took out Cindy from it, coming out of the foggy vortex, Cindy hugged Erik and Wanda. She was also given an explanation about Hela.
"I see. I'll talk to Goddess Neith about her, maybe. But first..." Cindy said as she turned towards Hela. "Hi, Hela. We've met earlier before Erik stored me in Beelzebuth. And although he hasn't accepted you into his Harem yet, I welcome you as a friend. I hope we get along well."
Hela smirked, "Aren't you a charming one?"
Cindy smiled, "Thanks! Also, this guy is adorable. Can I pet him?"
Before Hela could protest, Cindy reached out and scratched Fenrir behind the ears. The wolf stiffened, then let out a low, rumbling purr.
Hela narrowed her eyes, '…He usually eats people who touch him. She's interesting.'
"Odin," Erik turned to the [Resurrected] ex-king of Asgard, "Can you give me the access to the Odinforce? Ah, you know what? Just make me its inheritor."
Odin's single eye met Erik's, his expression calm and respectful. "Of course, Lord Eirikyr. I can transfer the Odinforce to you. However, once I do, I will no longer be able to wield it myself."
Erik nodded without hesitation. "Do it."
Odin raised Gungnir, the spear's tip glowing faintly. "It is done," he said simply, lowering the weapon.
Erik blinked, his brow furrowing. "Just like that? No blinding lights? No surge of power?"
Odin smirked faintly, his tone almost amused. "The Odinforce is not a spectacle, Lord Eirikyr. It is a tool. Try focusing it—disintegrate that pillar."
Erik raised his hand, aiming at a nearby pillar. He concentrated, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a deafening roar, a massive blast of golden energy erupted from his palm. The pillar disintegrated instantly, the blast continuing to obliterate multiple pillars and a section of the treasury wall before dissipating.
Erik stared at the destruction, his expression awed at sheer destruction. "That's… excessive."
Odin chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "And that is why we use weapons to channel our power. Gungnir, for example, allows for precision. But as an Asgardian grows older and more experienced, controlling the Odinforce becomes easier."
Erik flexed his fingers, feeling the raw energy coursing through him. "Good to know. I'll practice."
Hela, who had been watching the exchange with mild interest, sauntered over. "Impressive, husband-to-be. You grow stronger with each passing second, huh."
Erik ignored her, turning back to Odin. "Is there anything else I should know about the Odinforce?"
Odin nodded solemnly. "It is tied to the essence of Asgard itself. The stronger your connection to this realm, the more potent the Odinforce becomes. Use it wisely, Lord Eirikyr."
Erik's gaze swept over the ruined treasury, his mind already racing with possibilities. "I will."
As the group prepared to leave, Wanda stepped closer to Erik, her voice low. "You're taking on a lot of power. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Erik met her gaze with a smirk, "Yeah, my body even has a sprinkle of Asgardian DNA now. No worries. Anyways, what are the statistics outside the palace?"
"70% of the Asgardian population has been wiped out by us, Erik" Wanda replied as she walked beside him, "And the number is still growing."
Erik paused mid-step, "Seventy percent?" he repeated, his voice low. "We didn't killed the civilians, right?"
Wanda tapped her wrist terminal, pulling up a holographic display of the battle statistics. Her expression was grim. "Asgardians are a warriors race, Erik. Eighty-five percent of their population are combatants—strong, loyal, and relentless. Your strategy to demoralize them by showing them your undying army, their old enemies, and resurrecting their dead…" She hesitated, her tone softening. "It backfired. They saw it as sacrilege. A reason to fight harder."
"Grief-stricken and enraged, they fought like cornered beasts. What's more, you still haven't declared Odin's death or your victory. They are still fighting our armies. If you don't act soon, Asgard might go extinct."
Erik exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that was… unexpected."
"I suppose the prophecy of Ragnarok was fulfilled after all, huh" Hela snorted darkly, shaking her head in exasperation. "Good soldiers had to die because of a foolish, ignorant king. Typical Odin. This mess is his fault through and through."
Cindy peeked at Hela, "This war couldn't be avoided, this is what we wanted after all."
Hela looked at her, "That just confirms my words then, Odin was a fool who got manipulated and killed."
Hearing her words, Erik's eyes widened, and a memory flashed in his mind, the moment when Odin was dying...
'Why did he smile like that...' Erik narrowed his eyes and glanced at the [Resurrected] Odin walking behind them. 'I'll have to get my answer...'
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