The Asgardians {𝟛} | Marvel √

2

Throne Room

Sif and the Warriors Three waited before the crowd when Loki & Frigga entered and behind them was Lidianna & Triston. Loki took his place at the front of the hall alongside the others, with Lidianna next to him as Triston took his place next to his mother, Lady Sif.

With another blast of the horn, the crowd went silent as the Einherjar Honor Guard moved into formation to reveal Odin Allfather, sitting atop his throne clad in full ceremonial armor. He held his spear Gungnir before him and any trace of weakness was long gone now. He exuded all the power and majesty of a Ruler of Asgard. Frigga joined him by his side as Odin looked around the hall to look for Thor but he was nowhere to be seen. Odin looked to Triston but he shrugged, not knowing where his father was. Odin wasn't happy that no one knew where Thor was as a murmur spread through the crowd. "Where is he?" Volstagg asked Triston.

"He said he'd be along," he said but then Sif realized the truth and shook her head in disapproval.

"What?" Volstagg asked her.

"He wants to make an entrance," she said.

"Well, if he doesn't show up soon, he shouldn't bother. Grandfather looks like he's ready to feed him to his ravens," Triston said.

"I wouldn't worry. Your grandfather will forgive him. He always does," Loki told Triston.

Just then, at the back of the hall, up the steps from the lower level, was Mjolnir, as it roared up into the hall then Thor strided cockily into the hall behind it and caught it.

Then the crowd erupted in cheers. Thor spun his hammer with a flourish and held it up before the crowd, basking in the moment relishing the adoration, whipping his audience up into a frenzy which made Lidianna roll her eyes at her over confident Uncle. "Oh, please," she said as Odin watched from the front, not liking this showy display.

Vault

As the sound of cheers echoed from above, an odd and cold breeze picked up in the Vault. The Guards rubbed their limbs to warm themselves but they grew increasingly uneasy, sensing something wasn't right. They exchanged a look, then they walked the length of the Vault's hallway to its end where a Casket sat undisturbed upon a pedestal.

Suddenly, large shadows loomed over them and they looked up and began to shout in terror as they raised their weapons.

Throne Room

Thor finished stirring up the crowd as he reached the front of the room and kneeled on one knee before his mother and father. Frigga casted him an admonishing glance and he winked at her which made her smile. Odin struck Gungnir upon the ground with a deafening boom, which caused the crowd to fall silent. "Gungnir. Its aim is true, its power strong. With it I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms since the time of the Great Beginning. And though the day has come for a new King to wield his own weapon -- that duty remains the same. Thor Odinson, my heir, my first-born. So long entrusted with this mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Forged in the heart of a dying star, from the sacred metal of Uru. Only one may lift it. Only one is worthy. Who wields this hammer commands the lightning and the storm. Its power has no equal -- as a weapon, to destroy, or as a tool, to build. It is a fit companion for a King," Odin began to explain as Odin's family smiled at him and Thor, all except Loki.

Vault

The bodies of the Guards were flung to the Vault's floor, as they were strewn with ice. Their attackers weren't clear, just of their shadows, but they were large and blue-skinned. One of the creatures lifted the Casket off of its stand and turned to go but when they do, the intricate lattice work behind the Casket began to separate and retract, revealing something standing in the shadows behind it.