Chapter 92

The Rainbow Bridge slowly came to a halt as Loki stepped out, casting a brief glance at Heimdall, who stood vigilant at the control platform. Without exchanging words, Loki made his way back to the Fairy Palace of Asgard.

But Heimdall, not one to be easily dismissed, approached Loki. "Loki, I can neither see nor hear what transpired in Jotunheim. I am unaware of your dealings with the Frost Giants."

Loki smirked, "Heimdall, you possess a formidable power that few in Asgard can claim, yet you choose to remain at this portal?"

Heimdall's gaze was unwavering. "I once swore loyalty to Odin and the throne of Asgard."

"Since you're loyal to Asgard, know this: my father Odin is sleeping, and I now wield Gungnir as the temporary King of Asgard through Queen Frigga's guidance. You should submit to me."

With that, Loki turned and left Heimdall standing there, contemplating his next move. Heimdall realized that if he were to oppose Loki, he would need to summon Thor.

Before long, the Warriors Three and Sif gathered at the Rainbow Bridge, secretly working with Heimdall to open it and travel to Earth in search of Thor. The activation of the Rainbow Bridge produced a noticeable commotion, even audible within the palace.

Meanwhile, Loki grasped Gungnir, watching the shimmering portal with a cold expression. He descended into the treasure vault beneath the palace, where he commanded the Destroyer, a formidable automaton forged by Odin himself.

Emerging from the palace, the Destroyer followed Loki toward the Rainbow Bridge. Heimdall stepped forward, blocking their path. "Loki, where do you intend to take the Destroyer?"

"Loki, you've violated my orders by sending people to Midgard without permission. I strip you of your duties as gatekeeper and your Asgardian identity. Leave my path."

Heimdall, unyielding, retorted, "If you've revoked my identity, I am no longer bound by your commands. I have unfinished business!"

With that declaration, Heimdall swung his sword towards Loki. But Loki was quicker, vanishing from sight like a shattered illusion, reappearing behind the Destroyer. The automaton, unfazed, intercepted Heimdall's attack with ease.

"You'd be foolish to fight the Destroyer!" Loki declared.

The Destroyer's face opened, unleashing a blinding beam of energy that struck Heimdall squarely in the chest, sending him crashing against the wall of the Rainbow Bridge, armor scorched and unconscious.

Loki's ambition surged within him. He envisioned a future where he would be the true ruler of Asgard, able to crush enemies Thor could not defeat. With the Frost Giants at his command, he would eliminate all threats to his ascendance.

As he activated the Rainbow Bridge, sending the Destroyer into Midgard, he muttered to himself, "Thor, stay in Midgard! The Frost Giants and the Destroyer are coming for you. Your father's negligence has left you vulnerable, and even if you regain your powers, you won't stand a chance!"

***

On Earth, the Warriors Three and Sif met with Thor, revealing the truth about Loki's machinations. Just then, a pillar of icy blue light descended from the sky, heralding the arrival of Laufey and over twenty Frost Giants, their imposing forms dwarfing the landscape.

Laufey frowned at the warmth of Midgard, quickly summoning dark clouds to obscure the sun, unleashing a violent blizzard that blanketed the town in snow.

The sudden shift in weather signaled disaster to the townsfolk, who scrambled to evacuate with the help of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. From his rental house, Abel watched through the window, his excitement mounting at the prospect of encountering the Frost Giants.

As he observed the chaotic scene, Abel's body transformed into a shadowy figure clad in a hooded robe. He had long sought the opportunity to meet Thor, and now, fate had delivered it to him. His curiosity about the Frost Giants was insatiable; he craved their corpses for study.

Before pursuing that desire, however, Abel resolved to dispel the oppressive weather. He raised his left hand, activating the Frost Ring, its icy blue light flaring brightly. His left eye mirrored the ring's glow as the swirling shadow within began to work its magic.

With concentrated effort, Abel manipulated the elements, diminishing the blizzard until it was nothing but a fading memory. The sudden halt of the storm left Laufey scowling. He understood that someone had countered his powers, realizing that the one who commanded the Ice Treasure Box was already in Midgard. Abel's display of power indicated that he could harness the treasure's capabilities, heightening Laufey's urgency to reclaim what was rightfully his.

The tension in the air thickened as the Frost Giants advanced toward the town, and Abel prepared to confront them, determined to seize the moment and uncover the mysteries of their icy heritage.