"Yes, we understand."
Sif lowered her head obediently.
Loki waved impatiently, dismissing the three of them.
"Get out of my sight."
Once outside the palace, Volstagg immediately exploded in anger, nearly ready to challenge Loki to a duel.
"There's something wrong here. I say we go to Midgard."
Sif looked at the bearded warrior and the other one whose combat power was basically zero, wanting to hear their opinions—
Which was pointless.
Neither of them ever used their brains.
They always followed Thor, and Thor usually listened to Sif.
So in reality, who else were they going to listen to?
As Heimdall's sister, Sif could go speak to her brother without raising suspicion.
She quickly led the two toward the Bifröst, hoping to get to Midgard and find Thor.
But Loki had beaten them there.
When the three arrived, they saw Loki already speaking with Heimdall.
There was nowhere to hide on the Bifröst, so they could only retreat and wait.
---
On the Bifröst
Loki stood before Heimdall, Gungnir in hand.
Heimdall bowed with his great sword at his side.
"Heimdall, open the Bifröst to Jotunheim."
"Jotunheim is too dangerous right now. The All-Father ordered all routes sealed, so—"
Heimdall never respected Loki.
He already knew Odin's plan, and with eyes that could perceive all things, he was merely playing along.
"Enough! I am king of the Nine Realms now.
I am the All-Father.
Do as I say!"
Loki snapped.
Heimdall glanced at him but said nothing.
Then he opened the path to Jotunheim.
---
Jotunheim
A realm of eternal ice and snow—the home of the Frost Giants, ancient enemies of the Aesir.
Long ago, when Odin sought to conquer the Nine Realms, the giants lost their homeland and were forced into this desolate world.
Their leader had been killed by Odin's design.
The one who carried out that order was none other than Thor, earning him the title Giant-Slayer.
The hatred ran deep.
As the Bifröst descended, King Laufey sensed it immediately.
His eyes filled with ancient hatred.
Loki walked up the icy steps with Gungnir in hand.
Laufey frowned—why was it Loki instead of Odin?
"Surprising. Why not Odin?"
Loki smiled lightly.
"Why, disappointed?"
"Odin's little bastard. What do you want?"
Laufey sneered, refusing to even look at him.
"I've come to discuss cooperation.
I can take you to Asgard… to kill Odin."
Laufey raised his gaze, scoffing.
"Ridiculous. What trick is Odin playing now?"
"I'm here with sincerity.
Odin is in the Odinsleep. His power is less than a tenth of what it was.
This is your only chance."
Loki wasn't lying—Odin was in the Odinsleep and was drastically weakened.
"And why should I believe you?
You're the God of Mischief. Even your name means deception."
Laufey adjusted his posture.
Loki's reputation was known across the Nine Realms.
"Because of this."
Loki's skin turned icy blue.
His eyes burned a deep red.
Frosty breath puffed from his mouth.
The unmistakable traits of a Frost Giant.
Laufey's pupils contracted.
"You… you're a Frost Giant?! Odin's younger son is a Frost Giant?!"
The surrounding giants froze in disbelief.
A Frost Giant among the Aesir?
If this spread, Odin's reputation would crumble.
Laufey burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!
Good. I'll cooperate. What do you want?"
"Kill Odin," Loki said calmly.
"What I want will come naturally afterward."
He didn't need to say it.
Laufey knew—Loki wanted the throne of Asgard.
"Fine. But I reclaim the Casket of Ancient Winters."
"Agreed."
The Casket meant little to Loki's ambitions.
He also had his own plans.
Deal struck, Loki instructed Laufey to wait for his signal.
When the Bifröst opened again, that would be their time.
He then returned to Asgard through the Bifröst.
---
Back in Asgard
"From now on, no one enters or leaves."
Loki ordered Heimdall coldly.
Then he headed straight to the vault and retrieved the Casket of Ancient Winters.
Meanwhile, Sif and the two warriors quietly reached the Bifröst's end, where Heimdall stood.
"Brother, we need to go to Midgard and find Thor."
Sif said.
Heimdall replied, "The King has ordered that no one is to enter or leave Asgard."
He turned and walked away, leaving the three stunned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Volstagg scratched his head.
Sif immediately understood.
She glanced at Heimdall's sword—the key to activating the Bifröst.
She lifted the massive sword, inserted it into the control mechanism—
"Midgard."
The Bifröst roared to life, its rainbow light bursting forth.
"Who dares activate the Bifröst without permission?!"
Heimdall shouted, charging toward them.
"Go! Now!"
Sif yelled.
The two fools finally snapped out of their daze and rushed over.
The three leapt into the beam and vanished.
Just then, Loki descended from the palace and saw everything.
"Heimdall. What did I say?"
Loki glared.
Heimdall drew his sword.
He no longer cared about pretending.
"Loki, you are no king of Asgard.
None will recognize your throne.
The throne belongs to Thor."
He swung his sword at Loki.
"Annoying."
Loki opened the Casket—
A blast of icy wind surged out, freezing Heimdall solid in an instant.
Then Loki used Gungnir to activate the Bifröst again, bringing Laufey across.
Laufey stepped onto Asgardian soil, gazing at the shining golden palace.
"Asgard… it's been a long time.
I said the day I returned would be the day Odin falls."
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