Senju Haruto was the first to arrive in Asgard.
Even though he had seen its splendor countless times in the movies, witnessing it with his own eyes was something else entirely. No image or screen could compare to the overwhelming grandeur of the real thing.
His gaze swept across the magnificent golden realm until it was drawn to the bridge beneath his feet — the Rainbow Bridge, glowing with divine light.
However… Heimdall was nowhere to be seen.
"Haruto."
Sif and Thor quickly caught up with him. Though Haruto was by far the strongest among them, barging into the realm of the gods unannounced could easily cause unnecessary trouble. Seeing that Haruto was waiting instead of storming ahead, Thor let out a quiet sigh of relief.
But soon, the one they had come for appeared right before them.
The God of Mischief himself—Loki.
Loki had already recovered from his wounds. A long spear gleamed in his hand as he stared at them, eyes sharp and unwavering.
He knew very well that the moment Haruto had destroyed the Destroyer, his own defeat had already been sealed.
What he was doing now was little more than a futile struggle. But sometimes, when all seems lost, people can't help but fight back anyway.
"Thor," Loki said, taking a deep breath. He completely ignored Haruto at Thor's side. "This is between you and me. I challenge you—as the God of Mischief."
Thor's power was greatly diminished after fighting the Destroyer. He could barely summon any of his divine lightning now.
To Sif and the Warriors Three, it was obvious what Loki was doing—he was taking advantage of Thor's weakened state.
It was a trick. A setup.
Even if Loki lost everything, he could still claim victory over Thor's pride.
Or perhaps… he was planning something far more dangerous behind the scenes.
"Thor, don't be deceived by him," Sif warned, her voice low. Her eyes flicked toward Haruto, silently hoping the Sorcerer Supreme would step in.
But Haruto had no intention of interfering.
Loki's power was nowhere near Thor's level. Even now, with Thor drained, Loki was still the weaker one—especially after the beating Haruto had given him earlier.
The two of them were evenly matched at best.
And besides, the moment Haruto had stepped onto the Rainbow Bridge, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his ears:
Congratulations, Host, for arriving at the designated check-in location.
Check-in sequence initiated!
Do not exit midway!
1%... 12%...
That's right—Haruto was here for a system check-in, not to meddle in a family feud.
And since Loki was far too weak to be worth his attention, he might as well let things play out.
"Thor," Loki pressed again, seeing his brother hesitate.
Everything he did, all his schemes and chaos—it wasn't truly out of hatred.
He just wanted to prove he wasn't beneath Thor.
No—he wanted to prove he could be better.
If Haruto intervened now, it would make it look as though Thor needed someone else to fight his battles.
That alone would mean Loki had already won.
A smirk crept across Loki's lips.
"Fine," Thor finally said, stepping forward. He turned to Sif and the others. "Do not interfere—no matter what happens."
And above all—he silently hoped Haruto wouldn't step in.
Because if Haruto did… Loki might not survive it.
"Suit yourself," Haruto said calmly, giving a slight nod. He had no intention of getting involved.
With no one else stepping in, Thor advanced. Though he couldn't summon lightning, he could still wield his hammer.
Adjusting to the weight of his weary body, he began to run—then hurled Mjolnir forward in one clean, practiced motion.
"You're still the same as ever."
Loki's body flickered, easily dodging the strike.
After living together for over fifteen hundred years, he knew Thor's every move, every habit, every rhythm.
This duel, Loki thought, would end in his triumph.
"Come on, Thor! The Nine Realms don't need two kings!"
Loki charged forward, spear slashing in a wide arc.
Thor dropped low, sliding beneath the blow with a heavy grunt.
He had fought beside Loki for centuries—he knew him just as well.
"Since childhood, you were never meant to be a warrior," Thor said, springing up and grabbing Loki's spear, kicking hard at his chest.
That was exactly why their mother, Frigga, had taught Loki the arcane arts instead—
How to wield magic.
How to master illusion.
A flash of gold shimmered—
The figure Thor grabbed and kicked vanished into light.
An illusion.
The real Loki was behind him.
"See, Thor? I predicted your prediction!" Loki sneered, gripping the spear with both hands and swinging it around Thor's neck, locking him in a chokehold.
He yanked back hard, trying to make Thor lose consciousness.
"If any of you interfere," Loki shouted, glancing toward Sif and the others, "then Thor loses—completely!"
As expected, the sight made them tense, ready to rush forward—but Thor rasped out between clenched teeth, "Don't… come closer… This is between me and Loki!"
What he truly feared wasn't Loki—it was Haruto.
If Haruto were forced to act, Loki wouldn't even have time to regret it before being obliterated.
After all, this was the man who had just destroyed the Destroyer.
Still—though Thor struggled for breath under Loki's chokehold, he wasn't helpless.
Mjolnir, which he'd thrown earlier, was already whirling back toward him.
Wham!
The hammer slammed into his palm.
Without hesitation, Thor swung it down, smashing it against Loki's leg.
The brutal impact made Loki cry out in pain, nearly losing his balance.
He fought to steady himself, but that split-second distraction loosened his grip.
Thor seized the moment—ducking low, spinning, and swinging Mjolnir in a wide arc.
Boom!
The blow sent Loki flying, crashing hard against the Rainbow Bridge. His spear clattered away, rolling off the edge and vanishing into the abyss below.
Before Loki could rise, Thor was already upon him—kneeling with one hand on Loki's throat, the other raising his hammer, ready to strike.
There was no doubt—Loki's combat skill could never match Thor's.
"You've lost, Loki."
Their eyes met. Thor's voice was steady, firm—but not cruel.
"Give it up. You're not ready to be king."
Even pinned and defeated, Loki refused to yield.
"You really think you've won, Thor?" he hissed, smirking through the pain. "I've only been buying time. In thirty seconds… Midgard will be gone!"