35

Thor was still hesitating, but John had already nudged him forward.

"Believe in yourself, Thor," John said, his voice carrying the calm assurance of a fortune teller. "Do not forget, you are the king. And a king never disappoints his people."

Thor was stunned for a moment, then nodded with newfound determination. He still did not fully understand what deal John was referring to, but he knew one thing for certain: he had to protect his friends.

Sif and the Warriors Three were still fighting, but the gap in power was simply too great. The Destroyer's relentless attacks made it nearly impossible for them to resist. Sif crashed a car, and, though she was unhurt, the vehicle was totaled. She struggled to her feet, sword in hand, her resolve burning.

Thor rushed to her side and stopped her from charging back into the fray. "That is enough, Sif. You have done your best."

"No, it is not enough," Sif replied, gripping her sword tightly. "I want to die like a warrior. Let this battle be remembered for generations to come."

For Asgardians, death was not the end. They believed that to die gloriously in battle was to enter the Hall of Valor, their legends sung by future generations. Sif was ready to fight to the end, for this was the honor of a true warrior.

But Thor stopped her, unwilling to see his friend sacrifice herself needlessly. "Stay alive, Sif. Tell the story of today with your own words."

He had experienced too much in recent days and could not bear to lose another companion. Sif looked into Thor's deep eyes, her own emotions swirling beneath the surface. She could sacrifice herself for her king, but Thor wanted his friends to live more than anything.

At last, Sif listened and retreated.

The Destroyer did not relent. Its energy beam tore through everything in its path. Thor barely avoided being hit, his fighting instincts still sharp. He rolled, picked up a shield left by one of the Warriors Three, and used it to block flying debris as he ran.

Sif watched him and chose to believe in Thor, just as he had once believed he would become a true Asgardian warrior.

"Thor!" The three warriors prepared to attack again, but Volstagg was already wounded. Even Asgardian warriors could not withstand the Destroyer for long. If they continued, they would only die here.

Fandral and Hogun supported Volstagg as they watched Thor narrowly dodge another attack.

Thor hurried to them and gave his final instructions. "You must return to Asgard and stop Loki. I do not know exactly what my brother plans, but it cannot be good."

Fandral asked, "And what about you?"

They had come all this way to find Thor, and the three warriors were ready to die for him if necessary.

"Do not worry, my friends. I have a plan," Thor said with a reassuring smile. "That wizard—he will help me."

"But he cannot be trusted!" Hogun protested, gripping Thor's arm. "Come with us, Thor."

"No, I have my own way. Trust me," Thor replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. Hogun hesitated, then released his hold.

"Volstagg needs to be healed—quickly!"

Thor's resolve to protect his people was clear, and the three warriors agreed. Sif rejoined them, and together they led Jane and her friends to safety.

Watching all his friends—whether from Asgard or Earth—flee in danger because of him, Thor's smile faded. He turned to face the Destroyer, his eyes filled with a complex mix of sorrow and determination.

John stood beside him. "What should I do?" Thor asked, uncertain.

"Follow your heart, Thor," John replied, calm and steady. "Your friends are safe now, are they not?"

Thor looked at John, his voice tinged with confusion. "I truly do not know what your purpose is. What is this deal you keep mentioning?"

"You will understand after you defeat that thing," John said, his eyes glinting. "For now, let go of everything else."

He placed a firm hand on Thor's back. "Go. This is your father's test—and the family bond you must face."

Thor managed a small smile. "You are a good man, John."

"Maybe. I am not like you," John laughed quietly. "Show the world how a king should act, Thor."

Thor nodded, then stepped forward, his resolve hardening. Whether it was John's words or his own determination to protect his friends, he walked toward the Destroyer with steady, powerful steps.

The Asgardians watched him, their expressions shifting as they sensed Thor's resolve. The Destroyer, as if recognizing Thor's determination, paused in its rampage.

They approached each other, not as enemies, but as if two brothers were meeting.

Thor gazed up at the towering, spiked armor and saw a reflection of his former self. During his coronation, he had recklessly attacked Jotunheim, ignoring his father's warnings. Now, after living as a mortal, he finally understood why Odin had opposed his war.

"Brother, no matter what I have done wrong," Thor said softly as he approached the Destroyer, "no matter what mistakes I made to bring us here, I am truly sorry. But these people are innocent." He bowed his head, the proud prince of Asgard humbling himself for the sake of mortals and his brother. "Killing them will bring you nothing."

He stopped in front of the Destroyer, and with the dignity of a true king, he said, "So kill me, and end this."

He offered his life in exchange for the safety of the people. Even without strength, he would use his body to protect them. This was the realization of a king.

John watched from a distance as the Destroyer opened its visor. Flames roared, threatening to engulf Thor.

"If Thor is hit now, he really will die," John thought, anxiety churning in his chest. But he remembered: Thor appears in the Avengers. He cannot die here. Even if he could not recall every detail, John believed in the story's logic.

He watched as the Destroyer, after a long moment, closed its visor and turned away.

A smile played on John's lips. "See? It is fine."

Thor thought the same. "My brother still cares about me," he believed.

But in the next instant, the Destroyer spun and struck Thor with a powerful backhand. Thor was sent flying, tumbling across the ground like a ragdoll.

John's eyes widened in shock. "What just happened?"

"Thor!" Jane screamed, rushing to his side.

John took a deep breath, clutching his ring. "Yes, you can fight back," he muttered, trying to reassure himself.

He watched as the little golden Star Spirit climbed down from his shoulder, squatted beside Thor, and poked his face.

Jane reached Thor, who took a shaky breath. "It is all over."

"No, no," Jane whispered, tears in her eyes. "You are safe."

"We are all safe," Thor said, closing his eyes.

Jane wept openly. The others mourned.

"You said you would help him," Fandral accused, glaring at John. The three warriors fixed him with angry stares.

John looked at Thor, frustration rising. "Why have you not woken up yet? Is the miracle not coming?"

Just then, the Destroyer, which had started to leave, turned and looked directly at John.

John froze, taking a cautious step to the side. The Destroyer tracked his movement.

A sense of dread crept over him. "You are not planning to attack me, are you?" he muttered. He could not recall ever crossing Asgard.

The Destroyer opened its visor, flames swirling inside.

Without hesitation, John raised his wand. "Protego!"

The shield charm shimmered into existence as the fire engulfed him. The sudden attack sent a wave of panic through the crowd. The Asgardians readied themselves for battle.

The Destroyer strode toward John, the fire dying away. Where John had stood, there was nothing.

Suddenly, a battered car nearby shuddered and transformed into a limping old dog that lunged at the Destroyer. Wires and shards of glass rose into the air, swirling toward the armored giant.

On a nearby rooftop, John appeared, looking grim. "This is getting out of hand," he muttered.

He glanced at Thor, still motionless. "He cannot really be dead, can he? The Avengers has not even started yet. How are we supposed to fight Thanos without him?"

The Destroyer spotted John and turned, aiming another attack his way.

"Ferula!" John shouted, casting a binding spell. Wires wrapped around the Destroyer, anchoring it to a house.

The Destroyer charged its energy beam. John barely managed to leap away as the rooftop exploded beneath him.

With the Destroyer temporarily restrained, John reappeared beside Thor. Ignoring Jane's shocked expression, he grabbed Thor and shook him.

"Wake up, Thor! Have you forgotten that you are a king? A king cannot fall before his people! Get up!"

If Thor truly died, John had no idea how he would explain it to the Ancient One.

"Stop! He is dying!" Jane screamed.

John slapped Thor gently. "No, he is not dead!"

The Destroyer turned, its visor glowing with deadly energy. Flames shot toward them.

"Be careful!" the Asgardians shouted.

John turned and saw the fire was less than a meter away.

Death was closing in.

"Custodis Astriferum Excita! (God's bodyguard)," John intoned in an ancient tongue.

Jane watched in awe as the lethal attack halted abruptly, blocked by a towering figure.

John did not look back. He focused on Thor, conjuring a basin of water with a flick of his wand and splashing it on Thor's face.

A ferocious roar shattered the tension. The little golden Star Spirit had vanished, replaced by a mighty creature with antlers and a human form, its body armored like living steel.

This was the Star Spirit Divine Guard, awakened in its guardian state. The creature stood as tall as the Destroyer, its presence radiating power.

With a single step, the Divine Guard crossed the distance and landed a crushing punch on the Destroyer, sending the armor flying.

The impact was so great it could have tossed a tank. The sheer force made even the bravest Asgardians tremble.

John watched as Thor's eyelids finally fluttered.