"Water doesn't work, snow doesn't work..."
Thor flew in the sky, Mjolnir spinning rapidly as he pulled on the strap behind the handle, forming water pillars from the rainstorm in the sky, which poured directly onto the roof of the burning house.
But it didn't work, except for generating a lot of steam, there was no effect, and those flames inexplicably burned in the water.
The villagers gathered in an open area, fleeing with not even enough time to grab more clothes from their homes.
In the cold winter night on the Scandinavian Peninsula, wearing only underwear, the feeling was indescribable.
However, compared to friends and family burned to ash, it's hard to say whether their current state is fortunate or unfortunate.
The entire village was almost leveled, revealing the soil beneath the snow, and now the flames were fiercest only in the village's church.
It's not because of any divine protection, but simply because the building is the largest, using the most materials, thus burning like a candle longer.
Some elderly people recognized Thor and performed the highest ancient Viking salute to the figure in the sky, praying for the Thunder God to save their village.
But more people silently watched everything they once possessed turn into ashes, their lives and hopes all gone.
The gale and snowstorm sent their hearts to the bottom; the houses were gone, and the storm brought by Thor was taking away the warmth from their bodies, everyone gradually becoming stiff and blue-lipped.
Water formed ice on the ground, and the crowd, unable to get close to the fire scene, would soon freeze to death.
"He's not going to put out the fire, that's God's church, if the one flying is really Thor, he would wish all heretics dead."
"He's killing us, the wrath of the Thunder God..."
"God, save us!"
Some people quietly talked among themselves, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Thor, yet first the village mysteriously caught fire, then a disaster brought by the Gods.
They suspected it was Thor who set the fire, after all, lightning can bring fire, and his appearance here was to torment heretics for fun.
In ancient times, War God Tyr had encouraged the Vikings to cross the sea, go to the United Kingdom, and chop off the monks' heads, plundering the Catholic Church's wealth.
Chopping off Catholic believers was merit and glory, a ticket to enter Valhalla. The plundered wealth was the reliance for Viking life.
As time changed, now God's faith spreads globally, even in Northern Europe, many have abandoned the old faith.
But now, are the Nordic Gods finally going to confront this?
Thor heard these murmurs, his anger growing; he was really just bored in the Immortal Palace and responded to the believers' prayer, coming down to extinguish the fire!
Why blame all Asgardians for what Tyr did?
Odin forbade everyone from interfering with Midgard's matters, Tyr was merely the violator, and he was already dead.
Tyr's soul, even after dying, was not in Valhalla, but completely disappeared, what did it have to do with Thor?
But as a God, Thor didn't need to retaliate against them because of mortals' discussions; on the contrary, if these people thought he couldn't extinguish the fire, he would definitely show them he could!
Thor roared, releasing Mjolnir, which flew out and smashed a big pit on the ground.
He then transformed into electric light, directly charging into the fire scene.
If storms and snow didn't work, then beat the flames out.
He swung his fists, starting to fiercely punch these flames as though they were Frost Giants or other beasts.
The crock-sized fists he swung incessantly, the sound of them smashing the ground forming a continuous sequence.
"Dare to burn! Dare to resist! Extinguish!"
He continued to fiercely punch out every flame within his view, simultaneously roaring, even slapping some burning spots that had spread to his armor and helmet.
Moments later, all the flames were extinguished.
But the church was also crushed into powder, and with the Thunder God's incessant strikes, a basin had formed in the village center.
Thor stood up from the ruins, revealing a victorious smile, raised his charred hands and said loudly: "Followers, I—Thunder God Thor! Have extinguished the strange flames for you! Rejoice!"
The villagers: "...."
They didn't cheer, their eyes filled with numbness and sorrow.
If previously they could still hope to find some surviving items among the ashes, but now... even the ashes of loved ones probably...
"Hm? Why do you seem displeased?"
Thor showed a puzzled expression, the fire was extinguished, everyone should be happy.
"No, mighty Thunder God, we are happy, happy... Everyone say, isn't that right?"
An elderly man with a long beard came forward, knelt down before Thor, forcing a smile, but tears flowed non-stop, forming white streaks on his face.
Reminded villagers also forced smiles, despite their tears, the village was gone, but they didn't want to die.
"Right, mighty Thunder God, thank you, we will forever remember the grace of the Gods."
"Yes, see how happy we are... but now there's no wine and women to entertain you."
"This is a bitter cold land, please go back to the Immortal Palace soon."
People knelt in the snow, tears and mucus flowing, thanking Thor.
Thor was very satisfied.
This is how to spread the glory of Asgard, fulfilling followers' wishes, even though Odin doesn't allow him to wander Midgard, aren't these humans quite in awe of him?
Once, he often came to Midgard, helping villages resist beasts or enemies, then sleeping with all the young women in the village.
Drinking large bowls of wine, eating big chunks of meat, those women's spouses even hoped their women could bear a demigod with Thor, because in the Age of Gods, that was endless glory.
Women valued by the Gods, weren't they that's correct!
If a child was really born, wouldn't he be the demigod's father?
That was a chaotic era, where even the fire seed of civilization hadn't reached this frozen land.
But one day, out of nowhere, Odin ordered the Aesir Race never to come to Midgard again, saying a strong presence had appeared there, deserving due respect.
Thor didn't buy it; he would often sneak down, sometimes with Loki, sometimes with the Three Warriors.
He wouldn't bring Sif; with her around, there was always something they weren't allowed to do. Where's the fun in that?
He had never seen a human who could be called strong.
It's just that over time, there were fewer and fewer villages that could present women to entertain them.
Loki didn't care much about this; he was satisfied with a few fruits or some beef. He preferred playing pranks on those mortals, like watching them suddenly fall into a mud pit, which would make him burst into laughter.
Thor just felt a bit regretful that he couldn't prove his might to the mortals in bed.
Snapping out of his memory, Thor looked at the humans kneeling before him, nodded in satisfaction, picked up Mjolnir from the ground, and hung it on his belt.
"Live well, I shall leave now, Heimdall!"
The Rainbow Bridge opened in response, a bright light flashed, leaving behind only a complex pattern, a large heap of charred ash, and the villagers looking at each other in confusion.
.............
On the Rainbow Bridge, Thor saw Heimdall leaning on his Treasure Sword, the tall man clad in full Golden Armor, his orange eyes able to monitor any location in the Nine Realms.
The ever-watchful guard, the most loyal friend.
"No one noticed I left, right?"
Thor clutched his waist and staggered a few steps as he inquired of the warrior about his departure.
"Frigga came to ask later, and I told her."
"Mother? No worries, as long as my father hasn't woken up."
"Sigh..."
Heimdall shook his head.
Thor was a bit puzzled as to why Heimdall seemed as if he had something to say but stopped short?
But his entire body ached right now.
The flames felt as if they could roast his bones to a crisp, his hands almost cooked; he needed to treat his wounds first.
"I'll take my leave."
He patted Heimdall's shoulder armor, staining the Golden Armor with a mix of red and black—the colors of blood and ash.
The Thunder God indicated they could talk later and then raised his hammer, flying quickly along the Rainbow Bridge towards the Immortal Palace.
Why else would Heimdall sigh? Of course, it was because of Odin's foolish son.
With eyes that could see nearly every corner of the Nine Realms, his long life granted him boundless knowledge...
But who had ever seen someone trying to extinguish flames with their fists?
It was for the sake of Asgard's future that he worried.
In the Immortal Palace, Loki was resting in his palace, lounging on a soft couch, sipping wine while admiring the view outside the window.
The night scene in the Immortal Palace was beautiful as well, especially with the dazzling, multi-colored Rainbow Bridge.
He listened to magpies chirping merrily under the eaves, noted the splashing of waterfalls, and exchanged jokes with the birds, sometimes ending up laughing himself.
Loki shook his head, patting his belly.
"Ah, jokes about the three giants are too funny. How could I create such entertaining stories? I'm a genius, aren't you, little bird?"
"Chirp chirp chirp..."
"I'll tell you a new one, a joke about my brother with two women. Remember to share this story with all your friends."
Loki showed a self-satisfied smile, dipping his finger in his wine glass and, using the wine with his magic, began to form images of Thor and women.
If any of the Immortal Palace people had been there, they could have recognized from the women's armor alone that it was Female Warrior Sif and the Enchanting Witch Amora.
Loki was about to tell the magpies a downright disgusting story, with the mating part completely bestial, and the ending tragically sad.
Incidentally, he made up this story, and it wasn't a joke at all.
He just wanted to deceive the magpies for fun, to see if they would consider their possible tragic fate when they heard about Thor and the others' bodies being eaten by cats...
"Loki?"
Suddenly, Thor's figure appeared in the doorway, and Loki's hand trembled immediately, the wine returning to the glass, and the magpies flew away.
"Thor."
Loki stood still for two seconds, readying himself, then turned around with a face full of smiles, as if he were genuinely happy to see his brother.
However, seeing Thor all scorched, with his armor and cloak tattered, he was still a bit perplexed as he went to greet him.
"Come give me a hand."
Thor, without any courtesy, put his arm around Loki's shoulder, pressing Loki down a bit.
He managed to regain his strength and dragged the Thunder God onto his soft couch.
"Where have you been?"
Loki rummaged through his cabinets for supplies, starting to bandage Thor's hands, while curiously inquiring.
After realizing Thor wasn't seriously hurt, his curiosity piqued, as Thor was exuding a strong aroma of meat, like roasted meat.
Just missing some fruit and seasoning, Loki thought.
"Putting out fires, Midgard."
Thor answered as he took off his helmet and tossed it casually onto a nearby table, knocking over Loki's wine jug, spilling wine all over the floor.
Then he shifted positions to fully lay down, letting out a comfortable sigh. Loki's bed was the softest, and it was always the most enjoyable place to rest.