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Cul and Thor

Odin's grip tightened around the Spear of Eternity, his breath quickening. "I am the rightful King of Asgard!"

He lunged to strike at Cul once more, but Cul transformed back into Thor, recoiling in horror. "Father!"

"You deceitful fiend! Your vile illusions won't deceive me!" Odin roared, thrusting the Spear of Eternity forward.

"Boom!"

Thunder exploded as the Spear pierced Thor's chest, causing him to collapse in agony. "Father, it's me, Thor... Don't you recognize me?"

Looking at Thor's anguished face, Odin hesitated.

"Odin, you usurper! Traitor!"

In that moment, Cul's visage returned, shouting accusations at Odin. This time, however, Cul did not fully replace Thor but shared his form.

"Who are you?!" Thor was bewildered, grappling with Cul, who resisted.

As their struggle ensued, it seemed like a battle for control, each fighting within the shared body.

"You dare to usurp my body! Who are you?" Thor demanded angrily during their scuffle.

"Your father stole my throne. Is it not my right to reclaim it?" Cul laughed. "It is destiny, Odin's son!"

"Never!" Thor retorted, exerting his strength against the other half of his body.

But it was evident Thor was no match for Cul, gradually losing ground in their struggle. With time passing, Cul increasingly dominated the body, pushing Thor into a desperate disadvantage.

"You cannot defeat me!" Cul laughed, his body radiating dark green light. "All is revealed—I shall transform into the World Serpent and devour all!"

Even as he spoke, the dark green light surged forth like a flood, overwhelming Thor's defenses and forcing him to collapse. Cul seized the opportunity, seizing control of the body.

With Cul now occupying most of the body, Thor's features vanished in an instant, replaced by the sinister face of a middle-aged man sneering at Odin.

"After your son is gone, you'll be next, Odin," Cul taunted.

Simultaneously, he glanced at his right hand—the only part not under his control. Thor's lingering will stubbornly resisted within this arm, fingers trembling.

Seeing this, Odin's eyes widened. He shouted furiously, thrusting the Spear of Eternity towards Cul's face. "Rot in hell!"

"Boom!" Cul swatted Odin aside effortlessly with his left hand.

Odin cried out in pain, struggling to rise from the ground, staring at Cul in disbelief. "You... this cannot be!"

"Odin, you seem to forget who truly wields the power of Asgard." Cul approached slowly, supreme Asgardian power emanating from his left hand in a dazzling array of rainbow-colored light. "You are merely a thief—it does not belong to you."

With another wave, Cul struck Odin down.

"Ah!" Odin screamed in agony from the impact of Asgard's power, thrown a great distance before finally coming to a stop.

Blood trickled from Odin's lips, staining his thin white hair, emphasizing his frailty.

"Asgard shall welcome back its rightful ruler, and you shall face the final judgment of destiny!" Cul declared, drawing nearer.

The surroundings shifted—the opulent Golden Palace of Odin's making gave way to the austere stone palace of Cul's era. The Asgardians, once loyal to Odin, now prostrated themselves along the road, proclaiming allegiance to King Cul.

Eight formidable Warhammers encircled the God of Fear, their gaze coldly fixed on Odin.

Struggling to his feet, Odin felt powerless.

As Cul approached, unexpectedly, Thor's right hand, imbued with Thor's remaining will, seized Cul by the throat, veins bulging in his arm.

Cul's expression twisted in fear. He struggled, channeling Asgardian power in an attempt to free himself from Thor's grip.

But Thor's grip held firm against the formidable Asgardian force.

His fingers tightened around Cul's neck, crackling with electric energy. Cul cried out in pain, a look of profound fear etched on his face.

Staggering back, Cul realized he could not break free. He watched helplessly as Thor's grip tightened.

"No—" Cul gasped desperately.

With a resounding boom, brilliant lightning erupted, engulfing Cul in a blinding flash. All that remained was his severed hand, slowly falling to the ground.

Odin shouted, "Thor?"

The severed hand opened and reached out towards his father.

Before Odin could grasp it, however, the hand disintegrated into ash—flesh, bone, and blood, all turned to dust.

"Thor!" Odin cried out. Suddenly, he awoke to find himself still in the Golden Palace—everything that had transpired was but a dream.

"You're awake." Frigga stood beside his bed, watching him.

Odin was stunned. "Where is Thor? Is he safe?"

Frigga smiled reassuringly. "He's fine."

"Summon Thor," Odin instructed, calling for Heimdall. "Bring Thor to me, Heimdall."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Heimdall replied promptly.

Soon after, Thor entered, smiling broadly as if he had just encountered something joyful. "Father!"

Seeing his son unharmed, Odin's expression finally relaxed, and after a moment, he asked, "What has happened recently, Thor?"

Thor recounted the recent Battle of Harrokin, "...Luckily, my sister and the Sun God arrived in time. Otherwise, the outcome would have been uncertain."

"Sister?" Odin was taken aback.

Frigga added, "Hela has returned."

At the mention of her name, Odin's expression grew complicated, falling silent for a moment.

"Frigga," Odin interrupted her, "Summon Hela. Also, bring Forseti here."