Arthur's words left Thor with a conflicted expression. "I don't know whether I should be pleased or offended."
"You should stay focused," Arthur replied, glancing at Jane, who was completely absorbed in the breathtaking sights of Asgard.
Speaking softly, he added, "For her own good, I'd advise against telling her too much. But given how unpredictable things are about to get, she deserves a warning. Like it or not, she's at the center of this conflict, and she's valuable to a lot of people."
Thor nodded. "There's no time to waste. We need to hold a strategy meeting. Also, what do you mean by 'valuable'?"
Then he turned back to Arthur, his expression serious. "More importantly, if my father doesn't take charge, you'll have to lead this meeting."
"…Should I get a fresh suit and prep an official StarkTech holographic briefing?" Arthur quipped dryly. "I doubt we even have time for a formal meeting. I don't know Asgard's full military capability, but at the very least, set up defensive patrols to guard against a potential Dark Elf ambush."
"I'll send out the order immediately." Thor nodded and was about to leave when Arthur suddenly grabbed his cloak and pulled him back.
Thor blinked, looking at Arthur as if he'd lost his mind. Hammer in hand, he stood there, momentarily stunned.
Arthur sighed and nodded toward Jane. "If she's in danger, you won't be able to focus. Your fighting ability will take a nosedive. You need to make sure she's safe and accounted for before we move forward."
"…Give me thirty seconds."
Thor immediately strode toward Jane, hammer in hand. If Arthur hadn't known about their relationship, he might have mistaken the Asgardian's imposing posture and determined expression as an intent to smash something— or someone.
Arthur quickly looked away as Thor reached Jane.
A moment later, Thor returned, having whispered something to Jane before vanishing with a crackling surge of energy from Mjolnir.
Jane turned to Arthur and said, "He wants me to listen to you and follow your lead."
"Good." Arthur nodded. "Let me think…"
Before he could finish his thought, a deep explosion rocked the area below them.
Arthur immediately stepped to the edge and peered down, realizing the disturbance had come from the prison block.
"That was faster than I expected," he muttered, his brows furrowing as he prepared to descend. Before he could, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall, and he turned to see Queen Frigga approaching with a contingent of Asgardian guards.
"Arthur," she called, her voice urgent.
Arthur hesitated for a moment. 'Didn't Thor just leave? How did his orders get here so quickly?'
Frigga extended both hands toward him. "Thor relayed your warning. He's gone to Bifrost. What is happening in Asgard?"
Arthur took her hands, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry. We'll handle it."
Frigga searched his face for a moment, then nodded. "Odin and I trust you completely."
Arthur exhaled. He could afford to be a little informal with Odin— the old king could be blunt, authoritarian, and liked to throw his weight around, but Arthur had never feared him. He respected him. Trusted him.
Frigga, however, was different. She had always treated him with kindness, and he didn't want to let her down.
"I'll do my best," he said, "though I still don't know exactly what that entails."
"Follow your instincts," she said with a knowing smile, tapping his forehead lightly. "I believe you'll make the right choice."
Arthur nodded and turned toward Jane. "You're safest with Frigga for now. But you shouldn't be alone— you'll need protection."
Frigga inclined her head. "I understand." She then looked at Jane and smiled gently. "Come with me."
Arthur discreetly activated an Eye of Horus to track them. Frigga sensed it and gave Arthur a small, approving nod.
He had to be extra cautious. In the version of events he knew, Frigga died at the hands of Malekith's top enforcer. He wasn't about to let history repeat itself.
If Thor was heading to Bifrost, then stopping the Dark Elves from landing was the best-case scenario. If that failed, Arthur would have to intervene personally.
—
With his plan set, Arthur leaped into the void, unfurling the spectral wings of the Crow God as he dove downward, twisting mid-air to land near the prison's entrance.
Chaos had already erupted.
Asgard's prison held beings from countless star systems, individuals of various species, and power levels. These weren't ordinary criminals— if they were locked up here, it meant Asgard's forces had deemed them dangerous enough to be contained.
Arthur's sudden arrival sent a ripple of energy through the Asgardian ranks.
Strangely enough, the guards seemed… inspired by his presence.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. 'Had Odin been hyping him up in his absence? Why did it feel like every soldier here recognized him?'
"He's out here giving me a PR boost instead of his own son? That is suspicious."
Muttering to himself, Arthur drew a gleaming longsword and slashed downward, striking a towering brute in the chest. The impact sent the prisoner hurtling backward over ten meters, crashing into the ground and staying there.
A chorus of war cries erupted.
Arthur blinked. 'Should he say something inspiring?'
Instead, he barked out orders. "Damn it, reinforce the perimeter! Set up a blockade —don't let anyone slip past it! This tunnel leads straight to the Golden Palace. Secure it! Get every available soldier out here now; we can't afford to lose control!"
Then he turned to the mass of prisoners. His voice was calm but sharp. "If I were you, I'd get back in your cells— now. Do that, and I'll talk to Odin about cutting you a deal. Otherwise… well, let's just say I don't have Asgard's soft-hearted tendencies."
To drive the point home, a shadow suddenly loomed overhead.
A massive, gray-skinned figure crashed down from above, grabbing an axe-wielding prisoner who had been playing at being a warlord. Without hesitation, the behemoth smashed the unfortunate man's skull against the ceiling before swinging him like a ragdoll, sending blood splattering across the stone walls.
Arthur smirked. "That's more like it."
(End of this chapter)
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