DIVINE CHAMPIONS: A BOLT OF LIGHTNING

UP IN THE HEAVENS

"Father, Mother!" said Thrud, "It is so good to be back."

Thor looked at his daughter, now the Valkyrie Queen. She wore a yellow dress, her red hair flailing in the winds of his own palace, Thrudheim. Her battle armor and her helmet were all gone, while her spear was reduced to a small knife that was tied to her belt. She looked at him with her brown eyes, a look of relief on her face. It had a few years when her grandfather had made her the Valkyrie Queen. Since then, she could not return from Valhalla. "So many souls to send, Father." she would say, whenever Thor and Sif opened a communicating portal to talk to her.

"My child!" Sif opened her arms for a hug. Thrud ran towards her, and embraced her. A small drop of tears dropped from Sif's eyes. Her long (too long) golden hair swooped the floors, her sea-green dress made her look pretty, prettier even than the Bifrost bridge, which, let me tell you, is very pretty. She turned towards Thor. He, too, was overwhelmed. Two of the three most important women in his divine life stood right in front of him. But the relief that his daughter had, at last, returned was so much that even he couldn't help smiling. Thrud kneeled in front of him, "Father!"

"Hey, my daughter, you do not need to do that. You know I do not like people kneeling in front of me. Come here." He opened his arms, and gave her the warmest hug a thunder God could give.

"Have you met your brothers?" Sif asked. Over the centuries, Sif's behavior towards Magni and Modi surprised Thor. The two were products of his unfaithfulness. His wife ignored that as if that did not exist, loved the two boys like her own sons and made them call her 'Mother'. Sif went on, "They have been dying to see you."

"Oh no, not yet. I came to you first. I just..." Before Thrud could finish, a knock on the door stopped her.

"Who is it?" Thor asked, in a heavy tone, making Sif flinch a little.

"It's me, my lord." A voice of a young man could be heard.

"Enter, Thjalfi."

Thjalfi entered, his head bowed down. His red hair covered one of his eyes, he wore a blue robe, and had a golden necklace that Sif had once gifted him for his services. He entered and greeted Thrud, "Milady."

"Hello, Thjalfi." Thrud greeted him back.

"What sin have you committed, boy?" Thor asked.

"None, my lord."

"Then why is your head bowed down? Look at me."

"My apologies, my lord." Thjalfi looked up.

"Now, tell me what has brought you here."

"The Allfather seeks your audience, my lord."

"Oh come on, now? But Thrud just got here."

"He has actually called upon Lady Thrud too."

"Nice. I was thinking of going to him anyway. Let's go, Father."

"Alright. You may go now, Thjalfi." Thor got up, picked up his helmet, put it on, and summoned his hammer. Then he looked at Sif.

"I will be back soon, dear."

"Okay. Now go." Sif replied with a smile.

Odin's chamber was the largest in his palace. Thrud and Thor entered through a big gate, and saw Odin sitting on his chair on the other side of the chamber. His golden cloak covering his whole body, the brown metal-piece covering his destroyed (or rather, sacrificed, for knowledge) eye's socket, a golden ring on his right hand's ring finger, his long grey hair combed perfectly, and his blue eyes full of warmth. Thor realized his father wasn't looking at him, but his daughter. Then, Odin got up, and smiled. The most beautiful sight in all nine realms, according to Thor. That smile reflected power, energy and kindness together. The Allfather opened his arms, and beside Thor, Thrud started to run, glee filled her face. Granddaughter hugged her grandfather so hard, that even the all-powerful Odin took a step back, and simply, laughed.

"What's up, little one?" Odin said.

"Oh, I have been so busy. Finally, back home."

"Did you meet Hel?"

"Once, yes. Right after she came back. Don't expect more than that. You know she and I don't bond too well."

"Sounds about right." Thor mumbled, as he took a seat.

"Dear, I love this little reunion of ours and I will have a feast organized for your return. But something concerns me. Why did it take you so long?"

"So many people dying in fights and wars, Grandfather. My girls have been up for it ever since."

"But no great wars have been inflicted in Midgard lately." Thor asked.

"But little fights have, my son." said Odin, "And that has been filling Valhalla. Even Helheim has got it's shares."

"True." said Thrud.

"Yes. That brings me to the matter I summoned you for, Thor."

"Yes, Father." Thor said.

"Crime is increasing in Midgard. Humans are conflicted. Some are victims, some are sinners. Midgard has to be protected. It is for the safety of the nine realms. You know what the Norns told us, right?"

"Yes."

"So, I suggest you choose a champion, who is exactly like you. Kind and nice; yet angry and ruthless. Then, you know what to do."

"But what about the crystals?"

"Oh, that is exactly what we are preparing for. The Norns did mention the first step to be choosing champions from the most sinful city of Midgard, right?"

"Yes."

"And the first task for the champion is to get the level of sins down. Free the city off its sins. Then, we shall worry about the other champions."

"Sounds about right. Where do I start?"

Thrud cleared her throat, and spoke, "Father, I suggest you start from the lands of India. Here is where the most sinful city on Midgard lies."

"Okay. But my girl, India is vast land. Where..."

"Let me finish, Father." Thrud opened her palms, a small orange light appeared and took the form of India's map. Thrud pointed to the northern part of the land.

"Here is a small city, called Pankhpur. The essence of sin is so high here, you won't believe. And it is one specific form of sin."

"Which one?" Thor asked.

"Lust. People here are full of it."

"So," Odin spoke up, "It is upto you who you choose. Find your champion, and then do what is needed. You are the protector of mankind. It's fitting that you should start first."

"Yes, Father."

"Now go, both of you. Thrud, go to your brothers. They have been longing to see you."

"Absolutely, Grandfather."

Thor and Thrud got up. They left the chamber, and went separate ways. Thor walked towards his palace as he thought of this great assignment of trust he was provided with. Odin trusted him more than he trusted himself. Now, he had to trust someone else, someone he had no idea about. But he had to do what was needed. He had to, to save his loving race of humans.

As he reached his chamber, he told Sif everything. She was the only person who he could share everything with. Sif agreed to help, after listening to everything Odin said. She flicked her fingers, a wind inflicted with blue jets of light appeared. Sif spoke to it.

"The lands of Pankhpur, India, Midgard. Show me the deserved human, to be the champion of the Mighty Thor."