The weight of Frigga's revelation before was still settling over Asgard. Though Frigga had reopened the history of Hela, most Asgardians remained wary. Her very presence radiated an aura of death that made even seasoned warriors uneasy.
In the grand square of Asgard, Hela stood before the assembled troops, her piercing gaze scanning the crowd. She raised her voice, each word laced with power:
"I see that many of you still don't know me. Let me make myself clear."
She stepped forward, her shadow stretching long behind her.
"I am Hela, firstborn of Odin, commander of Asgard's legions, the first heir to the throne, the Goddess of Death."
Her words echoed through the square.
"Odin is dead, and by the ancient laws of Asgard, I will reclaim my rightful throne through the trial of combat."
She paused, letting the weight of her declaration sink in. "Once, we were a force that made the universe tremble. No one dared to challenge us. But Odin stopped at the Nine Realms, content to rest on Asgard's laurels. That is not our destiny! I have returned to restore Asgard's glory, to make the universe bow before us again!"
She waited, expecting cheers, perhaps even murmurs of agreement. Instead, there was silence. Only cautious, watchful eyes stared back at her.
A crow cawed, breaking the silence as it flew overhead. The sound was almost mocking.
Hela's eyes narrowed, but she held her composure. The soldiers didn't attack—thanks to Heimdall's warning. She chose not to strike either. These troops, however wary, would be her strength when she ascended the throne.
No warrior can conquer the universe alone. And while resurrecting an undead army was possible, she knew it would never compare to the might of Asgard's living forces.
Fandral, standing at the forefront, stepped forward. His voice was steady but firm. "No matter who you are, even if you are the daughter of the former king and the rightful heir, until you claim the throne, Thor is our king. And until then, we serve him."
His tone was resolute, but there was no overt hostility—just a challenge. The implication was clear: prove yourself in the duel, and the Asgardians would accept her as queen. Fail, and they would remain loyal to Thor.
Hela smirked, sensing their confidence in Thor. "You think your loyalty to him will save you from what's coming? No matter. When I take the throne, you will kneel."
The duel was set for three days hence.
Hela, while steadily regaining her strength, felt the pressure of time. Every moment that passed strengthened Thor's standing. His popularity among the people was far greater than she had anticipated. His victories against the dark elves, Thanos, and other enemies were fresh in their minds. Even Loki's conquest of the Jotunheim giants had added to the family's glory, and by extension, Thor's.
In contrast, Hela's legacy was buried in Odin's shame. Even as her history was unveiled, it felt more like a tale from Asgardian myth than a reality to the people.
"Thor's reputation is too strong," she muttered to herself. "If I delay, even if I win, they will continue to see him as the rightful king."
Time was not her ally.
Elsewhere in Asgard, Thor prepared for the duel with an air of calm certainty. To him, there was no suspense. The duel was a formality, a way to resolve Hela's challenge without further fracturing Asgard.
In the halls of the palace, Thor spoke with Natasha Romanoff and Skye, who had accompanied him back to Asgard for the event.
"So," Natasha began with a smirk, "you're really going to settle this with a duel? Why is it that civilizations with the most advanced technology and culture still resort to the most primitive methods for deciding leadership?"
Skye chuckled. "Kind of like Wakanda."
Thor grinned. "It may seem primitive, but it works. And this time, there's no doubt about the outcome."
The succession ceremony had been postponed until after the duel. Thor, confident in his victory, treated the upcoming battle more as a spectacle than a serious challenge. He had even brought his closest companions to witness the event.
"After all," he said, "this is just to convince Hela of her defeat. There's no way I'll lose."
As the evening settled over Asgard, Thor gathered with Peggy Carter, who had come to brief him on the state of Earth.
"How are things back home?" Thor asked.
Peggy smiled, her demeanor calm and reassuring. "Things haven't fully recovered, but it's much better than it was. The Captain has been rallying the people, calming tensions. His words carry weight. Even the rioters have been silenced."
Thor chuckled knowingly. "No doubt thanks to Fisk stirring things up behind the scenes. Still, it's good to hear."
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