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"Maybe it's because I'm younger, so my legs are still strong?" Arthur smiled and then sighed, "But up until now, I still haven't managed to do that thing."
"You will, my child…"
Odin approached Arthur, took his hand, and gently patted his shoulder. "I have always had the utmost confidence in you. Even I don't know exactly where that confidence comes from."
"You're very weak."
Arthur followed Odin a few steps and could already feel how fragile the other's body was, almost as if the lamp of life was running out of oil.
"If I were still strong, perhaps there would be no need to rush you to take over," Odin said. "There's a scent on him that feels familiar. Probably something I saw a long time ago."
"We just came back from Asgard." Arthur looked up at the sky. "Was Heimdall's death intentional, or just an accident?"
"That's not the main point, is it?" Odin smiled. "Do you care about the answer to that question?"
"Never."
Arthur grinned. "What I really want to know is how I'm supposed to control the one inside my friend's body. Actually, I planned to go to Kamar-Taj before this, but since we're here now, I think Frigga might have the answers I need."
As they spoke, they turned around and saw Frigga eyeing Brock. Brock felt awkward under her gaze, and just then, Frigga laughed, "Such a shy little fellow."
Brock froze, then felt endless embarrassment.
At his age, being called a shy little fellow…
"Judging by his expression, maybe there's some misunderstanding?" Arthur winked.
Odin sighed softly. "Not perfect, but for a human, it's enough."
Frigga told Arthur, "Achieving your goal won't be difficult, but I can only give you the direction. You have to control the process yourself."
Arthur sighed. "I'm afraid I don't have much time to do those things now."
"That's fine. You already have a nearly perfect team. Let them help you accomplish what you can't on your own."
Odin looked deeply at Arthur, then reached out and touched his forehead. A faint light flashed and vanished, and Odin's complexion seemed to grow paler.
Arthur frowned. "You shouldn't keep wasting your strength."
"As an old man running out of oil, this means nothing… at most, it just makes me more like an ordinary elder."
Odin looked at Arthur. "It won't give you strength or guidance. What it brings might be something you don't want. All I can say is… everything is in your hands now."
Arthur's heart sank. "What exactly did you give me?"
Odin smiled silently.
Arthur's face went pale. "You didn't give me an Asgardian marriage certificate, did you?"
Odin was momentarily stunned, then almost burst out laughing. Frigga came over and patted Odin on the back, then gave Arthur a scolding glare. "He's already like this, and you still joke around?"
"There's an old saying in the East: 'Rivers and mountains are easy to change, but one's nature is hard to shift.'" Odin smiled. "I see that in you… Also, there's another saying about original intention… hmm, what was it?"
"Stay true to your original aspiration, and you will achieve your goal?"
Arthur didn't know why, but this phrase suddenly popped into his mind. Although it was somewhat different from 'original intention,' it slipped out inexplicably.
"Go…" Odin patted Arthur's hand. "If possible, I don't want to see you here again… And if possible, I hope that the next time you come here, you won't see me anymore. I have already seen all I wanted to see; that's enough."
Arthur's footsteps stopped. He looked down at the old man, whose body seemed even more stooped now, making Arthur's nose turn a little sour. "Thor will hate me for life. To avoid that, you must live well."
"Immortals always have pain they must bear."
Odin's eyes were full of pity and guilt as he looked at Arthur. "If it weren't for me, perhaps you wouldn't have reached this level, nor experienced such pain. Please forgive me…"
"Nonsense."
Arthur frowned, then took a deep breath. "At least, let them see you one last time. For their sake, for yours, at least don't leave too many regrets. You have already given enough… it's enough."
Odin said nothing. Frigga came to Arthur's side and whispered softly. After a moment, she stepped back and linked arms with Odin. "Go, and don't come back."
Arthur took a deep breath, glanced at the two one last time, pressed a hand on Brock's shoulder, then unfolded the wings behind him. Moments later, they were back at the starting point, stepping onto the teleportation array. The setting sun slanted low on the horizon. The sea breeze howled in his ears, bringing not only the loneliness of sunset but also the sea's tranquility.
Arthur stood there motionless for three whole hours.
Brock had been completely at a loss just now, not knowing exactly what had happened.
But seeing Arthur like this, he instinctively dared not speak…
Though more than once he wanted to open his mouth, he didn't know what to say. After all, if you don't know what troubles or pains the other is going through, how can you easily offer comforting words?
Only when the sun was low enough to almost dip below the horizon did Arthur sigh, turn to Brock, and say, "What you saw today, don't tell anyone. Don't say a word."
"Though it might seem rude… I'd really like to know why?"
"This is the last thing we can do for that old man… Is that answer enough?"
"It's enough."
There was a lot to do, and Arthur was very busy.
There was still time before Odin's fall, so Arthur didn't allow himself to be down for long. In no time, he was back in space again.
He was going to search for that comet!
Alone in space, free to soar, but with no landmarks in sight, if not for the guidance from inside his mask, even with the ability to travel through space, he would be lost out there.