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Was Loki Born Too?

Forseti couldn't help but wonder if Loki was also born during the Frost Giants' invasion of Earth.

In a way, the world was starting to feel familiar to Forseti...

The arrival of Hela and 1,500 Asgardian warriors instantly shifted the power balance between Earth and the Frost Giants.

With the assistance of the Supreme Sanctuary Mage's portal, just two days later, Asgard achieved victories across Earth's three main battlefronts, reclaiming the previously captured New York Sanctuary.

The defeated Frost Giants retreated to Tønsberg, consolidating their defenses.

Tønsberg, situated in southeastern Norway during the early feudal era, was one of the country's rare cities. Now, under Frost Giant rule, it and its surrounding seas were encased in ice and snow, its population decimated with survivors enslaved.

On a low hill's edge, sudden bursts of golden-red light appeared in the air, reminiscent of sparks from an anvil.

The space split open, the golden-red light forming a massive circle, bridging two starkly different scenes.

One side of the portal revealed ice and snow, while the other displayed a vast city reduced to rubble—Magdeburg in the Roman Empire, where the battle had been fiercest.

"Tønsberg in the Kingdom of Norway is through the portal," Master Flokari explained, maintaining the portal with fellow mages.

Upon hearing this, Forseti couldn't help but ponder. The name Tønsberg sounded vaguely familiar, like something from a movie, yet he couldn't recall its significance.

"Asgardian warriors, drive the Frost Giants back to Jotunheim!" Hela commanded from atop Fenris, wielding Mjölnir.

Her words spurred a procession of soldiers through the portals.

Asgardians, three times denser than Earth's inhabitants and as hefty as cattle, shook the ground as they advanced.

Shortly after passing through the portal, the Asgardian coalition engaged the Frost Giants of Tønsberg, teetering on the brink of battle.

"Attack!"

Echoes of battle cries filled the air in this city, founded almost concurrently with the Kingdom of Norway, now a site of unprecedented conflict.

Empowered by the Venom symbiote, Forseti transformed into a Lightcaster symbiote warrior, wielding a hammer-sword that flashed like gold, plunging into the ranks of Frost Giants.

Since Laufey's disappearance, Byrest's death in battle, and Grimir's execution, the Frost Giants had languished. Their once-proud domesticated ice beasts were scarce, the remaining few sequestered in Gastepney Castle, akin to pandas on display. Frost Giants occasionally observed them, reminiscing...

Compared to a millennium ago, the Frost Giants had considerably fewer formidable beings.

At Tønsberg, Hela single-handedly restrained almost all Frost Giants, allowing Forseti to wreak havoc unchallenged for quite some time.

Though Hela remained a Tier 1 deity, her might with Mjölnir and Asgard's backing equated to a Tier 3 deity's true strength.

In today's Nine Realms, none save Odin and Laufey could match her. Thus, amidst Frost Giant encirclement, Hela moved with apparent ease, undaunted.

"Crack!"

Forseti's Rivendell sword struck, another Frost Giant's head rolling, blood and ice spraying.

"Your challenger is me!" An enraged cry interrupted.

Forseti turned to see a burly Frost Giant in a white helmet, brandishing a longsword charging towards him.

Upon seeing this Frost Giant, Forseti's eyes widened with surprise.

His surprise stemmed from two sources. Firstly, the figure bore a striking resemblance to the Lich King, especially the style of his helmet. Secondly, Forseti recognized him.

Hyosgem.

During his time in Jotunheim, Forseti had concealed his identity to infiltrate the Frost Giant tribe, curing venom from a Frost Giant. That Frost Giant was Hyosgem.

Unexpectedly, the one he had once saved would now confront him in such a manner.

Despite the emotional surge, Forseti didn't waver in combat. The two clashed.

As the battle progressed, Forseti gauged Hyosgem's strength. A formidable contender among Tier 1 deities, Hyosgem ranked high.

Yet, Forseti reckoned that so long as his foe remained a Tier 1 deity, victory was assured, likely consuming only one Holy Shield spell fragment. With nine such fragments in hand, Forseti harbored utmost confidence.

"Sword of Justice!"

Forseti drove his sword into the ground, Holy Light's power surging towards Hyosgem through the earth, manifesting a holy sword that emerged to strike.

Yet, Hyosgem anticipated, evading the impending blow just in time. It was as if he possessed eyes beneath his feet.

In response, Hyosgem's longsword thrust with lethal precision.

Forseti evaded hastily, though his arm bore a deep gash. Grimacing, he retreated but swiftly stabilized himself.

Golden skin rippled momentarily, healing the wound swiftly.

Frowning at Hyosgem, Forseti pondered.

Was it mere happenstance that Hyosgem had eluded the Sword of Justice, or did he possess a means to detect its approach?

In combat, Forseti noticed something peculiar.

Hyosgem seemed capable of comprehensive awareness, perceiving attacks from any angle or through any obstacle. Not merely sight, this awareness persisted even amid temporary blindness induced by blinding light.

Most Frost Giant jad ice powers, Hyosgem included.

Excluding negligible dual deity powers, his abilities seemingly derived from an artifact he carried.

"Clang!" Both clashed in a flurry of sword strikes.

Amidst battle, Forseti speculated about the unique helmet adorning Hyosgem.

Could this helmet grant such uncanny abilities?