Chapter 182: An Unexpected Summoning

“Laufey, welcome to Asgard!”

Loki, wielding the Eternal Spear, stepped past the frozen Heimdall and led Laufey and a group of Frost Giants straight into the palace where Odin lay in his Odinsleep.

After luring away the guards protecting Odin, Loki watched as Laufey struck Frigga. He gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to intervene. But when Laufey climbed atop Odin, ready to deliver the killing blow, Loki suddenly sprang into action.

The Eternal Spear unleashed a powerful burst of energy, sending Laufey flying. Before Laufey could react, Loki struck again, ending the life of his biological father.

“Laufey, how dare you attempt to assassinate All-Father! I, Loki, son of Odin, will not allow it!”

“Loki, you saved your father!”

Queen Frigga embraced Loki. He, however, pushed her away gently, fury etched across his face.

“They dared to commit such treachery. I swear, Mother, I will make them pay!”

Frigga hesitated before replying, “I think it’s best to find your brother Thor first. You two should discuss this together before waging war against Jotunheim. It’s no small matter.”

“Thor has been exiled by Father. I cannot go against his decree.

Rest assured, Mother, I will handle everything!”

Dragging Laufey’s body outside, Loki shouted to the assembled Asgardians:

“Summon all the citizens of Asgard to the palace courtyard immediately. I have an announcement to make.”

Half an hour later, in the courtyard, Loki stood before an assembly of 50,000 Asgardian citizens and warriors, displaying Laufey’s lifeless body.

“The Frost Giants dared to infiltrate our treasure vaults last time, attempting to steal the Casket of Ancient Winters. This time, they’ve gone further and attempted to assassinate our great All-Father!

If we do not act now, next time they may launch a full-scale invasion.”

Loki’s impassioned words roused anger among the Asgardians, their faces alight with fury.

“For the honor of Asgard, as acting king, I declare war on Jotunheim!”

“For the honor of Asgard!”

The cry echoed from the crowd, spreading like wildfire.

Seeing the opportune moment, Loki raised his hand to silence them before continuing:

“War always comes with casualties, but as your king, I refuse to let the lives of Asgardian warriors be exchanged for those of the Frost Giants.

Therefore, I have decided to channel the full power of the Bifrost to destroy Jotunheim in one stroke, eradicating the threat forever!”

“Eradicate the threat forever!”

While most cheered in agreement, a smaller group hesitated, troubled by the moral implications. Destroying an entire planet meant annihilating all life on it, not just their enemies.

“This is wrong. We can’t let Loki act unchecked. We must bring Thor back from Midgard!”

The Warriors Three and Lady Sif, alarmed by Loki’s plans, quietly slipped away and raced to the Bifrost.

When they arrived, they found Heimdall still frozen in place.

“Heimdall! What happened?”

With great effort, Heimdall broke free of the ice encasing him, shattering the frost with his divine strength.

“It’s Loki. He allowed the Frost Giants in. This is all his doing.”

Furious, the group demanded, “Send us to Midgard immediately. We must find Thor!”

“There’s no time. He’s already here!”

Weakened but resolute, Heimdall activated the Bifrost with the last of his strength. A brilliant rainbow of light pierced through space, transporting Thor and his companions—George, Tony, Steve, Logan, Banner, Betty, Jane, Erik, and Darcy—from Jane Foster’s rented house in New Mexico directly to Asgard.

“What the hell just happened?”

George blinked at the sight of the Warriors Three and Lady Sif rushing to Thor, the majestic Asgardian architecture, and the still-active Bifrost. He quickly pieced together the situation.

“So, the butterfly effect strikes again,” George muttered to himself, realizing how much events had diverged from the original timeline.

Reacting swiftly, he led the stunned group to learn about the crisis from the Asgardians.

After understanding the full situation, George couldn’t help but grimace.

Originally, they had only planned to face the Destroyer and Loki. Now, they might have to confront the entire Asgardian army as well.

Still, there was hope. Thor’s reputation as a battle-hardened leader of Asgard’s armies might help sway some of the soldiers. They also needed to hold out until Odin awoke.

“Let’s just hope Banner and Steve’s ability to wield Mjolnir gives us an edge,” George thought, relieved he hadn’t come alone.

Meanwhile, Thor’s realization about Loki’s betrayal filled him with rage. But guilt soon followed as he turned to George and the others.

“Forgive me. This is Asgard’s matter. You shouldn’t be involved. I’ll ask Heimdall to send you back to Midgard immediately.”

“This isn’t just about Asgard anymore,” George replied, resolute. “If someone like Loki becomes ruler of Asgard, Earth will face an even greater threat in the future.

Since Asgard once helped Earth repel the Frost Giants, today we’ll stand with you to set things right!”

Thor, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude.

As the group prepared for the coming battle, Heimdall, barely standing, inserted his sword into the Bifrost’s controls.

“If things get out of hand and there’s no hope of victory, I’ll activate the Bifrost and send you all back to Midgard.”

With tension mounting, the stage was set for a climactic confrontation.