367

Thor and Sif

In a spacious area within the Golden Palace, Thor sparred with Volstagg.

Even among Asgardians, Thor stood out as an athlete—tall, robust, and powerful.

Volstagg, on the other hand, possessed a monstrous physique, towering over two meters in height and girth. His presence made Thor seem diminutive.

Given Thor's youth at the time, there was little suspense as Volstagg effortlessly pinned him to the ground.

"Volstagg, you're too hefty," Thor gasped as he lay on the ground.

Volstagg chuckled, patting his mountainous belly. "Fat is also flesh, and its impact sometimes rivals muscle."

"I disagree," Thor retorted.

Sitting down, Volstagg produced a lamb chop seemingly out of thin air and began devouring it with relish, his mouth soon slick with oil.

Watching him eat so avidly, Thor hesitated. "Give me a bite."

"Didn't you want to keep in shape?"

"Just one bite."

"... "

Meanwhile, Loki strolled by, humming a tune. Thor waved to catch his attention. "Loki."

Loki seemed to register his brother's presence and turned towards Thor. "By the way, Thor, have you heard about Sif?"

"Sif... what happened?" Thor's brow furrowed.

Loki approached. "Haldo has found another lover, and Sif has parted ways with him."

"What! That scoundrel Haldo!" Thor fumed, jumping to his feet and summoning Mjölnir with a thunderous boom.

"What do you intend to do?" Loki interjected swiftly.

"I'm going to teach that scoundrel a lesson!"

"And then what? Will it bring Haldo back to Sif?"

Thor was speechless, his brow furrowing deeper.

After a moment, he sighed, "I'll go see Sif."

With that, Thor departed the Golden Palace, and Loki soon followed suit.

"Are you coming with me, Loki?" Thor queried in surprise.

"No, I have other business elsewhere."

"Where?"

Loki smiled cryptically, offering no further explanation as he left on his own.

Not long after Thor's departure, he arrived at Sif's doorstep and knocked gently. "Sif, it's me, Thor."

Inside, Sif sat alone on her bed, staring blankly at the wall. Upon hearing Thor's voice, she trembled, hesitating momentarily before rising to open the door.

Yet, she faltered, tears welling in her eyes as she ultimately buried her face in her hands, sobbing softly, unable to bring herself to open the door.

Sif possessed extraordinary beauty, a gentle demeanor, and had always attracted numerous suitors—Thor being among the most persistent.

Initially, Thor and Haldo had vied ardently for her affections.

Ultimately, Sif had chosen Haldo, only to be callously abandoned, leaving her too ashamed to face Thor.

"Sif!" Thor called out again from outside.

Inside, Sif stifled her sobs.

"Sif, it's me!"

Thor waited for a few minutes, but with no sign of Sif opening the door, he furrowed his brow in thought.

Is Sif truly home?

Once more, he called out, "Sif, are you there?"

Within the house, Sif wiped her tears, hesitated briefly, and finally resolved to open the door.

At that very moment of hesitation, however, Thor drew his own conclusions.

"It seems Sif truly isn't home... Sigh." He shook his head and turned away with a heavy heart.

Meanwhile, as Sif cautiously opened the door and scanned her surroundings, she found no one in sight.

She stood there silently for a while, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a tall, robust figure appeared not far off. "Sif!"

Yet, it wasn't Thor she expected; rather, it was a masked man wielding a battle axe.

"Harrowkin..." Sif managed a strained smile.

"What has that scoundrel Haldo done to you? Did he really run off with another woman?" Harrowkin's voice trembled with emotion.

"It's nothing," Sif replied wearily, shaking her head, unwilling to elaborate. "I'm sorry, I just need some rest."

With that, she shut the door and retreated into her home.

"Sif!" Harrowkin pounded on the door, but Sif made no response.

After a moment, his emotions still raw, Harrowkin vowed, "That scoundrel will pay!"

With resolve, he gripped his tomahawk and stormed off.

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