Odin is dead. Asgard has grown weak. No longer able to protect Earth, it allowed all kinds of cosmic forces to flood the planet's stage—and that's when another universe-level crisis unfolded on Earth, one that was eventually resolved by Tony Stark.
Although this is merely Nick Fury's speculation, he finds the theory both logical and likely.
If true, it suggests that Earth will become the focal point for more and more cosmic events in the future.
From a Hollywood screenwriter's perspective, writing the story this way undeniably makes it more engaging—great for narrative impact.
But that's an external, fourth-wall perspective. Screenwriters don't have to live through these events. They just write. The casualties of billions might be reduced to a few lines in their scripts—"1.3 billion dead"—but for those in the story, those numbers mean real devastation, real lives lost.
No wonder Rowan feared what was coming.
The fact that it could escalate into another universe-level crisis... how many would die this time?
The more Nick Fury thought about it, the more anxious he became. But at the same time, his desire to form an alliance with Asgard grew stronger.
The Earth alone won't be able to face future universe-level threats. They would need the support of powers like Asgard—clinging to that "thick thigh" might be their only chance at survival.
Of course, what Nick doesn't yet know is that in the future, Asgard's fate will be even more tragic than Earth's.
"Then what about the Dark Elves, Dwarves, and the rest? Do they really exist?" Phil Coulson couldn't help but ask, his curiosity piqued.
This was first-hand, insider information. The kind of thing no one could find in any file or database.
"They're real," Thor replied casually. "But as for Dwarves—maybe not what you're imagining. They're huge, at least three meters tall."
He gestured to illustrate.
Thor was already tall by human standards, but compared to the Dwarves, he looked like nothing special.
"Then why are they called Dwarves?" Coulson asked, more intrigued than ever. "Are all mythological beings just... huge? If Dwarves are three meters tall, wouldn't the Titans be, like, skyscraper height?"
"Not really," Thor replied seriously. "Most Titans are about the same size as me. There are a few who are much taller, but they're rare."
Everyone looked amazed. Dwarves taller than humans? Titans roughly human-sized?
"Alright, enough with the mythology talk," Nick Fury interrupted before the conversation spun out of control. "Let's focus. Why can't Thor lift Mjolnir anymore?"
The curiosity around Asgard and the Vanir was undeniable—but there were more pressing concerns at hand.
"Yes, yes, this is the real issue," Thor agreed hastily, realizing he'd almost forgotten his own purpose for being there.
"Thor, what do you think is the reason?" Nick asked.
Thor paused, thinking for a moment. "Maybe my father sealed Mjolnir—made it so I couldn't lift it."
He sighed. "He's still angry at me. And he knows that if I can lift Mjolnir, I'll regain my divine power. But since he's still angry... there's nothing I can do."
"Truly the God of Hammers..." Hawkeye muttered under his breath.
Thor's expression immediately darkened. "Mortal," he said sternly, "watch your words. You don't understand the source of divine power among gods. I won't hold it against you this time. But say something like that again, and I won't be so polite."
"Oh yeah?" Barton's temper flared. "You're just a mortal now too. Don't act like you're better than the rest of us."
"Enough," Nick Fury interjected, stepping between them before things escalated.
Watching them, he couldn't help but imagine the chaos that might erupt between all the strong-willed personalities in the future Avengers team.
Clint Barton was relatively level-headed, yet even he clashed with Thor. What would happen when Tony Stark joined—with his ego and razor-sharp tongue? That man was a walking argument waiting to happen.
Nick shuddered at the thought. How was he going to manage that group of superheroes?
"I don't think your father's still angry at you," Fury said, shifting the focus back. "Rowan's diary said that your father lived a few more years because of you. This is all part of his test."
"You really believe that mortal Rowan?" Thor asked, clearly not fully convinced.
He didn't want to believe it. If the diary were true, it meant his father wouldn't be around for much longer.
"Yes," Nick said firmly. "Most of what Rowan wrote has already been verified. And you—didn't you believe it too? Otherwise, you wouldn't be here asking for a meeting openly. You'd have just snuck in secretly."
Thor fell silent. He'd thought about this before. If he didn't believe even a little, he would've charged in covertly, without alerting the human authorities.
But the fact that he was here meant he did believe... at least somewhat.
And that, in itself, was terrifying.
"Let's assume Rowan is telling the truth," Nick continued. "Then let's examine why you can't lift Mjolnir."
"If Odin—your father—is trying to test and temper you, then from a ruler's point of view, he wants you to grow. And until you've matured, he won't allow you to lift Mjolnir again. He won't let you become Thor again."
"But once you reach the standard he's set, you'll naturally become Thor again. He probably doesn't have time to train a new successor from scratch... unless you have siblings?"
"I have a younger brother—Loki," Thor replied. "Honestly, I think he's more suitable to be king. We're brothers. Whether it's him or me on the throne doesn't really matter to me."
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