376

[Guardian of the Thunder Tree]

"Let me go! Release me!" Thor struggled vigorously, his face turning red, but he was as helpless as a fish caught in a net, dangling helplessly.

"Bzzzt?" Shilut brought him close, peering at him.

Thor continued to protest loudly, "Let go of me, you stone creature! I am Thor Odinson, invincible son of Odin!"

"Bzzzt..."

Forseti still couldn't understand Shilut's buzzing language, and Thor obviously couldn't either. He kept struggling and shouting.

On top of the wall, the other children panicked. Only Loki wore a smug expression, amused by his brother's plight, as if watching a circus act.

"What do we do? Thor's been caught by the stone creature!" The children fretted among themselves.

"Wait—what if the stones beneath us are creatures too?" someone suddenly exclaimed.

At that, the children screamed in fear and hastily jumped off the stones, scattering in all directions.

"Run—"

In moments, loki found himself alone outside the courtyard, staring nervously at Shilut inside. The sight unnerved him, and he swallowed hard.

Thor's face flushed even redder. "Creature! Even if I, Thor Odinson, perish, I won't beg for mercy from you!"

"Bzzzt?" Shilut scratched his head, then glanced towards the wall as if recalling something.

loki's face paled at Shilut's gaze.

After a moment's thought, Shilut walked towards the wall with Thor.

"Loki, help me!" Thor shouted desperately.

Initially hesitant, Loki watched Shilut approach, his heavy footsteps making the ground tremble. Fear gripped him, and he turned and fled.

Thor's eyes widened in disbelief.

Shilut paused, momentarily surprised by Loki's sudden retreat. Shrugging it off, he continued towards the wall, effortlessly tossing Thor onto it before returning to lie under the Thunder Tree, motionless like a stone.

Thor lay on the wall, embarrassed. Glancing around, he saw Loki's figure disappearing in the distance.

"Loki!"

He called out, then hurriedly chased after him.

After a while, the two brothers stopped by the riverbank, catching their breath. Thor spoke angrily, "We're brothers, yet you ran away!"

Loki looked puzzled. "How did you manage to escape?"

"By sheer determination, of course!" Thor declared proudly.

Loki appeared skeptical.

"Loki, why is there a stone creature in the Sun God's medicinal garden?" Thor asked.

Loki pondered for a moment. "Well...I recall his name is Shilut. He serves the Sun God and guards the Thunder Tree."

"Guardian of the Thunder Tree?"

"Yes, it's said he's been guarding under the Thunder Tree for millennia," Loki affirmed. "Thor, if you wish to climb the Thunder Tree and harvest its fruit that ripens every 6,000 years, you must first defeat him."

Thor fretted, scratching his head in contemplation.

Suddenly, Rocky interjected, "I've thought of a solution."

"What solution?" Thor asked eagerly.

Loki explained slowly, "I've heard the Thunder Tree's guardian has a fondness for eating stones. If he consumes a powerful magic gem, he'll fall into a deep slumber."

"So, if I find some magic gems for him to eat, he'll sleep, allowing me to pick the Thunder Tree's fruit?" Thor clarified.

"Exactly."

Thor nodded decisively. "But where can I find magic gems?"

"I can ask my mother. She's a sorceress, remember?" Rocky suggested.

Thor considered briefly, then made up his mind. "Alright, let's return to the Golden Palace!"

Before long, the brothers were back at the Golden Palace. Finding Frigg absent, Thor began rummaging through boxes and cabinets in search of magic gems.

"Loki, what are you standing around for? Help me search," he urged, noticing Loki lingering by the door.

Loki shook his head. "No, Thor. Picking the Thunder fruit is a challenge meant for you alone. If I assist, it would be cheating."

Thor conceded, and continued his search alone.

"Whoa—"

In his fervor, Thor accidentally pulled out an entire drawer, scattering its contents across the floor with a loud clatter.

He hastily gathered the items, sweeping them back into the drawer multiple times.

"Huh."

Thor's eyes gleamed as he spotted a bright ruby amidst the clutter, glowing like a flame.

He picked it up, examined it, and then shook it. "Loki, what do you think of this?"

"Yes, but one might not be sufficient," Loki agreed.

After a while, Thor found several more gems, all brilliant and of exceptional quality at first glance.

Excitedly clutching the gems, Thor exclaimed, "Let's go, Loki. Off to Landvety."

Loki hesitated. "Thor, you can handle this alone. I better not come along..."

Without waiting for Loki to finish, Thor tugged him along, and his brother reluctantly followed. Once again, they reached Forseti's residence near Landvety Forest.

Just like before, they climbed the stones to the top of the wall and peered into the courtyard.

Shilut lay motionless on the ground, resembling a stone amidst the other rocks, blending in seamlessly.

"There he is."

Loki pointed discreetly.

Thor noticed Shilut. Remembering his recent ordeal, he couldn't help but swallow nervously.

"Go on, Thor. There's nothing to fear. Even if you fail, you can escape, right?" Loki encouraged.

"You're right..." Thor glanced at the shining gems in his hand, steeling himself. With resolve, he leaped over the wall.

This time, Shilut was alert. He opened his eyes, spotting Thor. "Bzzzt?"

Thor quickly tossed the gems towards him.

"Om!" Shilut's eyes sparkled as he examined the gems, then devoured them eagerly.

"Bzzzt..." After consuming a few gems, he grew drowsy, yawning heavily before falling into a deep slumber with a bell-like snore.

"We did it!" Thor cheered triumphantly, punching the air.

Hurrying to the Thunder Tree, Thor reached out to touch the small arcs dancing along its trunk before gazing upwards.

High above, a fist-sized cyan fruit hung from the massive tree, surrounded by crackling electric arcs, an awe-inspiring sight.

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