Dragonfire
"Haha, alright."
Heisenberg genuinely laughed at Surtur's heartfelt words.
Since becoming a Kryptonian and growing stronger, Heisenberg had gradually realized:
When you're weak, the world radiates malice, and warmth exists only in the few people close to you.
But when you're strong enough…
Every gaze you meet is filled with kindness and warmth.
Looking at Surtur's warm expression, Heisenberg waved him over.
"After Odin's death, I became the ruler of the Nine Realms. It's only right I visit you, the prophesied executor of Ragnarok.
But rest assured, I'm not here to cause trouble. I've encountered a problem and need your help!"
Heisenberg strolled to the seat Surtur had prepared, sitting lightly.
Surtur hurried over, slightly puzzled and uneasy.
"So, you've replaced Odin as the ruler. I must address you as Your Majesty.
What trouble have you encountered, Your Majesty?"
As he spoke, Surtur sat cross-legged on the ground, gesturing around.
"I'd love to help, but honestly, look at my world. Aside from those foolish fire sprites and the unruly dragon, I have nothing left."
"Hehe, don't worry. I don't need those."
Heisenberg smiled, shaking his head. With a wave of his right hand, before Surtur could react, the great sword Surtur had wielded for a lifetime was in Heisenberg's grasp.
"Odin imprisoned you eternally and took your Eternal Flame.
I'll take your Twilight Blade and grant you freedom!"
Heisenberg weighed the sword in his hand.
"You won't like this offer, but you should understand: what I'm doing for you is far better than what Odin did.
Leave this dark underground world. You can find other materials and forge a new weapon in time.
But even with your weapon, without my permission, you can't break Odin's seal!"
Heisenberg slammed the sword into the ground.
"Think carefully, fire giant. Weapon or freedom?"
Heisenberg turned to Surtur, silently awaiting his response.
Surtur grinded his teeth, his large hands fidgeting restlessly.
He was furious, but he had to suppress his anger.
If there was anything worse than imprisonment, it was the loneliness of one's soul drifting in another dimension after death.
Even if he could resurrect with the Eternal Flame, it was always in Asgard.
Who could guarantee he'd find it after death?
Amid his anger, Surtur's burning eyes revealed endless longing.
Freedom!
Such a heavy word, yet so out of reach!
But now, with a small sacrifice, he could… be free!
Surtur swallowed a mouthful of magma, his hand reaching for the Twilight Blade's hilt.
Clang!
He pulled the sword from the ground, standing resolutely before Heisenberg.
The blade's molten lava dripped, and the sword trembled slightly.
But Surtur showed no fear, only the exhilaration of facing death against a formidable foe.
"Your Majesty Heisenberg!"
He spoke slowly, softly.
"To offer me freedom before the ancient prophecy of Ragnarok…
You are far more magnanimous than Odin!
But I won't accept your offer!
It's not that I can't part with my sword. Given ten millennia, I could forge the Twilight Blade from ordinary dirt.
But I have one question…"
Surtur raised the sword high, slashing fiercely at Heisenberg.
Strangely, despite his full strength, the world around them remained unaffected.
Heisenberg couldn't even hear the sword's whoosh or Surtur's heavy footsteps.
The next instant, the blade fell, and only Surtur's final words echoed, accompanying the strike against an invincible foe.
"Why must I always be the one to sacrifice?!"
Boom!
The sword struck Heisenberg's neck, but the sharp blade left not a scratch.
Even his ordinary coat remained undamaged.
Before Surtur could withdraw the sword, Heisenberg blew sharply at it.
A fierce cold blast extinguished the molten lava, turning the red blade into a blackened metal chunk.
Heisenberg shrugged the sword off his shoulder, charging forward.
He delivered a light punch to Surtur's chest.
Surtur flew backward, but before he could travel half a meter, Heisenberg caught him, retrieving the Twilight Blade.
Heisenberg's eyes blazed, burning through the chains binding Surtur.
The chains, etched with Aesir runes, snapped instantly.
Free of his bonds, Surtur spun and flew dozens of kilometers away!
The violent shock awakened the unconscious dragon Regin nearby.
He blinked, dazed, just in time to see Surtur's flight shatter an entire underground canyon.
Regin fully awakened.
His massive throat bobbed as he swallowed a mouthful of magma.
"He didn't see me, he didn't see me!"
He prayed silently, lowering his head.
The next instant, he feigned unconsciousness again.
As the dust settled, Heisenberg crossed the canyon, addressing the severely injured Surtur through a biofield.
"That punch was for your two strikes. The broken seal is my repayment for your sword.
I take your sword—not a request, but a demand.
I grant you freedom—not a trade, but a gift.
Enjoy your freedom and my gift, Surtur!"
Heisenberg turned, tucking the Twilight Blade into his pocket.
Nearby, Regin tensed, sensing Heisenberg's presence.
"Don't notice me, don't notice me…"
As Regin prayed, a large hand gently patted his trembling eyelids.
Heisenberg smirked. Was the dragon dreaming? Why was he trembling while "unconscious"?
Occasionally, his four legs twitched—adorable!
Startled by the pat, Regin jumped up.
He was terrified. His life had been miserable.
Born in the Nine Realms, he'd been imprisoned before causing trouble.
Just as he'd adjusted to prison life, a fellow inmate constantly complained about Odin.
Now, a god far stronger than Odin confronted him…
Facing the tiny Heisenberg, Regin's massive body trembled.
Why was a ruler like you dealing with me personally?!
Seeing Regin's trembling, Heisenberg understood his fear.
After a moment's thought, he roared at Regin.
"Roar (Don't be afraid)!!!"
"Woof (What)?"
Regin froze. This god spoke Dragon?
He lay on the ground, whining at Heisenberg…
"Roar woof woof woof woof woof~"
(Spare me, great one! I've done nothing! I was imprisoned by the Aesir right after hatching, three millennia ago. As a dragon, I couldn't even raise my offspring. I'm pitiful!!!)
Growing emotional, Regin rolled his twenty-meter-high, 130-meter-long body on the ground.
"Woof woof woof~!!"
(Believe me, great one!)
"Roar (Get up)!"
Heisenberg nodded, gesturing Regin to rise.
Regin stood, shaking off dust and magma, then hopped lightly to Heisenberg.
He avoided making noise.
Once before Heisenberg, he bowed his massive head.
Heisenberg nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad!"
Heisenberg floated up, landing on Regin's back.
Regin shrank his neck, hating being ridden.
Before he could protest, Heisenberg patted his thick neck, injecting radiant solar divine power into him.
Boom!
With just a bit of divine power, Regin's flames erupted, his body growing larger.
Excited, Regin exhaled fiercely. His breath, like a nuke, flattened everything within five kilometers.
Feeling the unparalleled heat in his throat and the warm, continuous energy from his neck, Regin was ecstatic…!
He turned, glancing at Heisenberg on his back, nodding heavily.
With a thrust of his four claws, Regin soared, bursting through Muspelheim's thick crust into the ever-burning sky.
Above this vast sky, Regin's miserable wail echoed.
"Woof woof woof!!!" (Too fast!!!)
Dazed by the sudden speed, Regin wobbled, shaking his massive head.
After two seconds, he recovered slightly.
Before suggesting a slowdown, Heisenberg patted his neck.
Heisenberg pointed forward, commanding softly,
"Dragonfire!!!"
At the words, Regin's throat instinctively swelled, unleashing a breath far surpassing his previous one.
Muspelheim's endless lava continent churned like a tempest.
Heisenberg chuckled, patting Regin's head again.
"Well done. No more Regin. From now on, you're Falkor."
"Woof??!"