Chapter 202: The Forgotten Loki

Though Odin had seen Sindragosa before, a flicker of surprise still crossed his face.

"Stronger... much stronger." The Sindragosa he had glimpsed through Heimdall's sight before was far weaker than what stood before him now.

The frost wyrm wrenched herself free from Galactus's grip, her colossal form soaring backward. A chilling ice bomb, radiating terrifying cold, coalesced in front of her.

"Such fearsome power..."

Odin, who had been advancing on Galactus, halted abruptly. The ice bomb—larger than any man—struck Galactus, instantly encasing him in frost and briefly freezing his thoughts.

With Galactus's control disrupted, the storm clouds shrouding Asgard dispersed at once.

Garus realized they now floated in a silent expanse of starlit space, while the ruins of Asgard lay beneath them.

A perfect opportunity!

Galactus drifted, the crimson energy around him dissipated, leaving only Odin's radiant aura illuminating the dark void.

Seizing the moment, Odin darted past Sindragosa, his spear Gungnir flashing as it struck Galactus's armor.

A harsh screech echoed as Gungnir scraped down the surface, trailing sparks. Yet, whatever material Galactus's armor was forged from, it withstood the weapon that had slain the great wolf Fenrir—without leaving so much as a scratch. The impact merely sent Galactus hurtling thousands of meters away.

"Let me!" Garus roared from behind.

Frostmourne glowed with violet light, its embedded gemstones amplifying his strength to the point where he felt he could cleave a planet in half.

With a mighty swing, Garus's smaller frame struck Galactus, sending him streaking across the sky like a meteor, past the borders of Asgard.

"Remarkable..." Odin panted. The prolonged battle had drained him, his aged body far from its prime. With the Infinity Stones augmenting Garus, Odin knew he could barely match half his own former might.

"Galactus will not rest until his goal is achieved," Odin projected into Garus's mind.

With no air in the void, only telepathy could convey their thoughts.

Sure enough, within moments, Galactus shattered the ice encasing him. Red energy flared around his form as he surged back toward them.

Even as an avatar, few in the cosmos could rival him.

"I will kill you both—and make your power my own."

The man, the god, and the dragon circled Galactus from three angles. But Odin's labored breath betrayed him—he hadn't fought such a battle in centuries.

"Old man, Sindragosa and I can handle him. Go back." Garus's heart twinged at the sight of the fading Allfather. It reminded him of Logan from his past life.

"Then I leave him to you."

Garus had expected a refusal—or at least some hesitation—but Odin simply transmitted a final message before vanishing into the dark on shimmering wings of divine power.

Garus blinked, then couldn't help muttering, "Shameless old man."

Within Asgard, the chaos had subsided thanks to Heimdall, Thor, and the Warriors Three. Every civilian they could find had been relocated to a hidden palace.

"I feel like we've forgotten something..." Thor scratched his head uncertainly.

"The royal prison," Frigga murmured, pulling her cloak tighter. "Loki is still inside. We should get him out—along with the other prisoners."

Garus's intervention had spared Frigga from her fate at the hands of the Dark Elves.

"My queen, we cannot control those criminals—not to mention Loki deserves to rot," Sif interjected, bitterness still lingering. "He killed his own father, Laufey... even if the Frost Giant was our enemy."

Patricide was unforgivable in any realm.

"I raised him, Sif. His heart is not wicked—he only sought to prove himself." Frigga's eyes softened.

Only she and Thor truly understood Loki.

"I'll fetch him. The other prisoners can stay." Thor rose decisively.

Despite Loki's betrayals, Thor had never abandoned him.

As Thor turned to leave, Frigga called after him. "Be careful. If the prison or palace is destroyed... leave him. Save yourself."

"I'll go with you," Sif offered.

"No need." Thor hefted Mjolnir and flew off into the storm-wracked skies.

The river by the palace had run dry, but the city itself remained intact.

Thor plunged into Asgard's sprawling underground prison. The inmates stirred, excitement flickering in their eyes at the tremors shaking the city. Perhaps their salvation had come.

At the far end, Loki set aside his book and approached the barrier with a smile.

"Come to ask for my help, brother? If even the Allfather can't stop this foe, what use would I be?"

"No games, Loki. I'm here to get you out." Thor tossed shackles into the cell. "Put them on."

"Very well." Loki bent down—only for Thor to cut him off.

"I mean you—yourself. No illusions."

Loki chuckled. "You know me too well."

The polished facade flickered, revealing a disheveled figure slumped in the corner. Loki shackled himself.

"Now, let me out—though I doubt I'll be of any help."

"I don't need your help. We must leave quickly."

Thor yanked Loki to his feet and dragged him into the shadows.

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T/N: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON