[center][i]Midgard was once a world with Pantheons upon Pantheons, more Gods than many other worlds combined. The small, seemingly insignificant rock adrift in space a nexus point for various realms to come together. Over time some faded into obscurity, others left the realm altogether. While others continued to play with their influence on the world, subtly interacting with the world according to their grand design. This is not the tale of one such God. This is the tale of…[/i]

[img]https://cdn-media.threadless.com/challenges/thor_mainbanner_1.jpg[/img][/center]
[right][sup][b]Previously:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5179012]Home time![/url][/sup][/right]

As Thor emerged from the Bifrost atop the rainbow bridge the first thing that met him was the crisp cool air. The winter season was approaching, the farmers that had yet to harvest their crop would be doing so soon, as the cold wouldn’t be good for the crops. In the centre of the bridge before Thor stood the towering figure off Heimdall, even to his standards the all-seeing god was a giant, standing with two hands atop Hofund with his golden eyes staring, piercing into the void ahead of him. 

[b][color=#ffdf00]“Hail Odinson. How fares your search for the fiend Loki?”[/color][/b]

Thor stopped beside the other god, turning to him and smiling. 

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“You mean to say, All-Seer, that you don’t already know?”[/color][/b] Heimdalls lips curled, the faintest smile appearing on his otherwise stoic, expressionless face. 

[b][color=#ffdf00]“You know me too well, Thor. Your mother taught the trickster well, he is still hidden from my sight. All I know is he is once again gathering followers. By the day more and more mortals disappear from my sight.”[/color][/b] 

Thor nodded along to the gods’ words after all Heimdall had stood watch over the Bifrost for an age before the young god of thunder was born. Whenever he spoke, others listened. As when one was gifted with the ability to see and hear everything in existence, that demanded certain respect. Not merely from Asgard, but even the Gods of Olympus, Heliopolis, and Avalon to name a few. This made Heimdall one of the few Asgardians who was respected among the various other pantheons from Midgard and the greater cosmos as a whole. 

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“Aye. Odin has called me back, no doubt to discuss my recent failures and prepare me for the long haul. Loki must be stopped, the longer he remains on Midgard the more damage he can cause.”[/color][/b]

Even now, having just departed Midgard, Thor’s thoughts dwelled on it. In the years since his banishment, it had become a second home. A place where he could do good daily, and while there was no doubt of the evil that some people on Midgard possessed, many more still were pure and good at heart. Truly there was much they could learn from one another.

[b][color=#ffdf00]“Your mind dwells on your friends and allies.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“There are many threats on Midgard that need my attention. The enemies seem to be getting stronger by the day. Just, let me know if anything happens that needs my attention.”[/color][/b] 

Without so much as another word, he removed Mjolnir from his belt. Spinning it, he let go of the hammer, allowing it to pull him towards the city. Thor always had to chuckle when he saw it. In many artworks he had seen on Midgard, Asgard was depicted as a city of golden towers and glowing spires. As though the artists had mixed it with the Christians’ concept of Heaven. The reality was dramatically different. While the palace itself was a sight to behold, with some bright spires, the city as a whole, much more closely resembled European castles. Comprised of circular architecture, rugged walls, and roads. It was nothing compared to the glistening cities the Mortals inhabited, but it held its beauty. 

He soared through the skies, looking out among the people going about their lives. In the distance, he could see the edge of the city, and beyond it towards the farmland and the mountains, beyond that, it just fell off into nothing. Many on Midgard believed their world to be flat, yet Asgard truly was. Beyond the water there was naught but the vastness of space. Landing at the steps before the door to the throne room he took a deep breath before pushing the doors open. A long hall awaited him, ornate paintings and pillars adjourned the room. The roof above them is a mural of Odin and Thor standing side by side with Mjolnir and Gungnir in hand defending against an unseen enemy.

Unseen as Odin felt it sent the wrong message to have a painting of them fighting someone in the throne room. There was a clang from the golden throne that sat above all else in the room as Odin slammed the base of Gungnir against the floor. “Thor returns! Prince to Asgard, Odinson, and my heir!” Odin’s voice was barely more than a whisper, and yet somehow it filled the entire hall. Thor could hear him as if they were mere meters away from each other. Thor approached the respectable distance, placing Mjolnir on the ground before him as he took a knee.

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“I have come as promised All-Father.”[/color][/b] He stood up again, looking around the throne he could see Freyja stood there. She threw a smile at him, and he returned the sentiment. Odin stood up and walked down the steps, he could almost swear that he felt every step Odin took in his direction. It all reverberated through him, there was a power to the All-Father that despite his long life, he could not understand and he doubted he would ever manage to fully comprehend it. Not until his day came. 

[b][color=#d9d9d9]“And so you have, come away from Midgard. Playing hero amongst the mortals, I hope it has made you feel better about yourself for a while. You must now attend to your duties here, for the Odinsleep approaches.”[/color][/b] Thor looked up at Odin with a look of disbelief upon his face.

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“But father, it hasn’t been long since you last entered the Odinsleep surely-”[/color][/b] Odin raised a hand to silence Thor, which was the first time that Thor realized just how heavily Odin was leaning on Gungnir. Usually, the spear rested beside the throne, at first he had believed that his father just carried it for some ceremonial purpose. Now, however, he felt like it was being used as a crutch.

[b][color=#d9d9d9]“There have been matters that required attending too that are beyond your knowing. Just know that they are dealt with, and I grow weary. Your place is here, you must look after Asgard while I sleep.”[/color][/b]

Thor stood as he went to speak.

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“Perhaps, if like last time Balder-”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#cccccc]“No, it must be you.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“I will remain close at hand, should I be needed Heimdall-”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#d9d9d9]“No. Thor, I am telling you as your King it must be you.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“With Loki loose once more, I am needed on Midgard. Balder can look after things then as soon as I am needed Heimdall can bring me here, this will work like it has the past-”[/color][/b] Mjolnir shot off the ground towards Odin’s hand, there was a crackle of thunder and Odin slammed the butt off Gungnir on the ground causing a reverberation that could be heard throughout Asgard as lightning crackled. Jumping around the room. 

[b][color=#cccccc]“Foolish boy. I gifted you with ears, use them. This is not the past. Your place is here, among your people. It is where I need you to be. I thought you had learned your lesson on duty and humility. Be here for me, for our people. In the time they need you most.”[/color][/b] As the lightning slammed around the room Thor recoiled slightly. His father’s voice booming throughout the hall. Underneath it all, an element of fear. Panic. That’s what scared the God of Thunder most of all, in his thousand years of life he had never known the All-Father to know fear, to know panic.

[b][color=#a4c2f4]“Aye Father. I shall stay.”[/color][/b]