The door suddenly opened.
The sound instantly put Loki on alert.
With a casual wave, he dismissed the water mirror and turned toward the entrance.
His expression froze.
Odin had entered the room.
The All-Father's face was dark with fury.
His single eye burned with anger as it locked onto Loki.
"Father..."
Loki began to speak.
Odin cut him off.
"Why?"
The word exploded from him.
"Why would you do this?"
Loki blinked.
A look of confusion appeared on his face.
"Do what?"
Odin advanced step by step.
Gungnir struck the floor with a sharp metallic crack each time he moved.
The old king's breathing was noticeably labored.
"Why did you send the Frost Giants to Midgard?"
His voice shook with anger.
"Loki, what are you trying to accomplish?"
"I didn't, Father..."
Loki wore a mixture of shock and fear.
It lasted only seconds.
"Answer me!"
Odin slammed Gungnir against the floor.
The sound echoed through the chamber.
"Why did you do it?"
The frightened expression vanished.
In its place came a cold smile.
Loki stared directly into Odin's eye.
"You want to know why?"
His voice grew sharper.
"Then tell me why you've always favored Thor."
Without waiting for an answer, he jabbed a finger into his own chest.
"I'll tell you why."
"Because Thor is your real son."
The anger on Odin's face froze.
His grip tightened around Gungnir.
For several seconds, he simply stood there, using the spear almost like a walking stick.
Finally, he spoke.
"Loki..."
His voice was heavy.
"You are my son too."
A bitter laugh escaped Loki.
"Me?"
He slowly pulled back his coat.
Two short swords rested at his waist inside enchanted scabbards.
Loki drew one.
The moment the blade cleared its sheath, icy mist poured from the cold-forged metal.
Before Odin could react, Loki slashed his own forearm.
The blade sliced effortlessly through his skin.
Blood spilled out.
Then instantly froze.
Within moments, the wound began healing.
At the same time, the skin around it transformed into a familiar icy blue.
Loki threw back his head and laughed.
A harsh, broken sound.
"Tell me, Father."
He raised his transformed arm.
"Am I cursed?"
"Why do I become like this whenever I touch the cold iron of Jotunheim?"
His eyes were red.
His voice trembled with fury.
"Tell me."
"Why am I like this?"
Odin's breathing grew heavier.
Both hands settled atop Gungnir as if he needed the spear to remain standing.
For a long moment, he couldn't answer.
When he finally did, his voice was little more than a whisper.
"Loki."
His expression softened.
"I wanted to protect you."
Loki laughed again.
A cold, mocking laugh.
"Protect me?"
"The All-Father secretly raising one of Asgard's greatest enemies."
He lowered his arm.
Chunks of frozen blood fell to the floor.
They shattered like glass.
Much like the bond between them.
Pain flashed across Loki's face.
His eyes glistened.
"For years, I thought Thor was favored because I wasn't good enough."
His voice cracked.
"So I worked harder."
"I pushed myself harder."
"I wanted to become a son you could be proud of."
"Loki..."
There was genuine sorrow in Odin's voice.
But Loki no longer wanted to hear it.
"Thor received Mjolnir."
"He received the armor of a god."
"He has the Warriors Three."
"He has Lady Sif."
"He became the hero of Asgard."
The bitterness he'd carried for years finally erupted.
"And me?"
"I was never given a chance."
His eyes blazed.
"Because you would never allow a Frost Giant to sit on the throne of Asgard."
Odin shook his head.
"No."
His voice was strained.
"That's not true."
"I always considered you my son."
He struggled for breath.
"My hope was for you to become King of Jotunheim."
Loki stared.
Odin continued.
"I wanted peace."
"A future where Asgard and Jotunheim no longer hated one another."
The words sounded sincere.
Unfortunately, sincerity no longer mattered.
Loki's eyes filled with tears.
"Is that all I was?"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"A piece on your board?"
"A tool to help you rule the Nine Realms?"
Tears rolled down his face.
"You say you loved me."
"But what you really wanted was for me to obey."
His voice rose.
"You wanted me to sit in a frozen wasteland and watch over Jotunheim like a loyal dog."
"Isn't that right?"
"Isn't it?"
"No, Loki."
Odin shook his head repeatedly.
"No..."
His voice weakened.
The strength left his body.
His hands slipped from Gungnir.
The old king staggered.
Then collapsed.
Before he hit the floor, Loki caught him.
Carefully.
Almost gently.
He lowered Odin onto the ground.
Then stood up.
The tears vanished.
The sadness vanished.
The disappointment vanished.
Only calculation remained.
Loki looked down at the unconscious All-Father.
At last.
The Odin-Sleep had arrived.
"Rest well, Father."
His tone was calm.
"I'll deal with Asgard's enemies for you."
He casually tossed the frost-forged sword aside.
Then used illusion magic to recreate the wound on his arm.
A second later, he sprinted toward the door.
Throwing it open, he shouted:
"Guards!"
"Guards!"
"Frost Giants have infiltrated the palace!"
Within moments, several soldiers rushed into the room.
They found Odin unconscious.
Loki wounded.
Frozen blood scattered across the floor.
And a frost-covered dagger lying nearby.
To them, the conclusion was obvious.
Frost Giants had attacked.
Loki bent down and picked up Gungnir.
Then he immediately began issuing orders.
"Take the All-Father to the royal healers."
"Seal the palace."
"No Frost Giant leaves Asgard."
"Notify Heimdall."
"Close the Bifrost."
With Odin unconscious and Thor absent, Loki now stood as the highest-ranking authority in Asgard.
The soldiers obeyed without hesitation.
As soon as they carried Odin away, the wound on Loki's arm dissolved like mist.
The illusion disappeared.
Loki retrieved the frost-forged blade and slid it back into its scabbard.
Then he admired Gungnir.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Beautiful."
He ran a hand along the spear.
"No wonder Odin never wanted to let you go."
His eyes gleamed.
"Now you're mine."
Holding Gungnir, Loki walked directly toward Odin's Vault.
The guards stepped aside immediately.
None dared question him.
He descended deeper and deeper into the vault until he reached the chamber containing Asgard's greatest treasures.
There, Loki struck the floor lightly with Gungnir.
The wall before him vanished.
Heavy footsteps echoed from the darkness.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
A towering figure emerged.
Four meters tall.
Made of enchanted metal.
The Destroyer.
Following Loki's command, the legendary construct marched forward.
It lifted the Casket of Ancient Winters from its display pedestal.
Then knelt before him.
Presenting the artifact with both hands.
Loki's smile widened.
"The greatest weapon in Asgard."
His voice dripped with satisfaction.
"The Destroyer."
He accepted the Casket and stored it away using spatial magic.
Then he looked up at the giant construct.
"And now..."
He laughed softly.
"I'm your master."
Moments later, Loki left the palace.
The Destroyer followed behind him.
Together they crossed Asgard and arrived at the entrance to the Bifrost.
Waiting there stood Heimdall.
The guardian held his great sword firmly in hand.
His golden eyes never left Loki.
Or the Destroyer.
Every muscle in his body was tense.
Like a warrior preparing for battle.
The atmosphere between them felt ready to ignite.