Aaron was really busy!
So busy that even his heels couldn't keep up!
Back on Earth, when he was in charge of himself, he'd had loads of free time.
Yet, ever since he was invited to Asgard, he hadn't had a single moment's rest.
Not long after finishing a "battle on the field" with Sif, he was summoned by Odin again.
Originally, Aaron had wanted to lie down for a bit before returning to Earth to oversee things.
But Loki—acting as a messenger—came over, saying he needed to bring his "uncle" to visit Asgard's glorious treasure vault.
As soon as Aaron heard that, he realized he couldn't just refuse.
…
"Uncle…"
Walking down the hallway, Loki found the word extremely awkward when it left his lips.
He was already a god over a thousand years old, yet he had to call this sudden 22-year-old Midgardian "uncle."
Where was the justice in this world?
Loki didn't understand it at all, but he hid his feelings well in front of Aaron.
Mainly because he was genuinely afraid of this "uncle."
The truth was, even Aaron found it strange.
He just wanted to kick back and enjoy the spectacle, but ended up becoming the "star attraction" himself.
"Uncle… Father said the feast is starting tomorrow. If you don't have anything urgent, he'd prefer you not return to Midgard, at least until after tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
Aaron halted abruptly, looking puzzled. "You're throwing a feast so casually?"
He had always thought that the Osborn Group's expo, prepared in just half a month, was already pretty quick.
But Asgard's efficiency was even higher!
This overturned the impression he had of the realm from earlier on his tour.
"Of course not," Loki replied. "Normally we'd need at least a month of preparations—usually planned well in advance."
"But this time it's special. Father and Mother are so eager to have you join the Asgardian family that they've sped everything up."
Lowering his head to hide the same confusion in his own eyes, Loki went on:
"Even so, please rest assured. Although the planning is extremely rushed, it's certain to be the grandest feast in our history."
"The Queen has already sent envoys to the Nine Realms inviting their kings, and several kingdoms have agreed to come."
"This banquet will be unprecedented, surpassing even Father's coronation ceremony and the one Thor had before."
At that, Loki turned to glance at the "uncle" now in deep thought.
Something felt off—terribly off!
Odin and Frigga were acting way too abnormally.
They seemed in a hurry to acknowledge Aaron, as if afraid he might slip away halfway.
One day—the length of a Midgard day!
Good grief—Loki had never imagined that under Odin's reign there would be a banquet so hastily arranged, and seemingly so ill-prepared. Even more outrageous was inviting other realms to witness it—almost like a solemn proclamation to the entire world.
Loki had even overheard that Odin sent an invitation to Laufey.
They'd just broken their truce not long ago!
Had Father gone senile?
Loki was brimming with envy, jealousy, and frustration!
He used to envy the honor Thor received, but next to the attention Aaron was getting, Thor himself would end up at the "kids' table."
And Loki would be just a "guest standing off to the side."
He so wished Odin was throwing the banquet for him instead—imagining the Nine Realms all bearing witness, what incredible glory, what a thrill!
Yet to Aaron, it appeared he didn't care at all and even seemed rather put out by it.
Loki was speechless. The thing he yearned for was being delivered right to someone else's door—someone who barely even lifted a finger, winning without effort.
Sighing inwardly, Loki donned his metaphorical "clown mask." Such is life!
Aaron merely gave a silent nod, then suddenly asked, "Once we've gone to the palace vault—there's more planned, right?"
Loki paused. He almost said, "How do you know?" but caught himself.
"Father said he's prepared your formal attire for tomorrow's banquet—armor personally forged by Dwarf King Eitri and enchanted by Father himself. It's all golden, impressively majestic.
"And it can grow or shrink, capable of withstanding your divine power, and you can don it by just willing it on."
There was more Loki didn't mention: the armor had originally been intended for Thor's coronation.
But Thor never got to wear it, and he didn't even know it existed—now it had become Aaron's property.
My foolish brother, you've been NTR'd again! Loki thought with a secret laugh, though his face remained calm.
Sure enough!
Odin was making sure every moment from now until tomorrow's banquet was fully scheduled for Aaron.
Halfway along, they encountered Thor waiting for them.
Well, guess they're worried I'll sneak away…
"Hey, Aaron, Loki!"
From a distance Thor was waving madly.
With sharp eyes, Aaron spotted an axe slung behind Thor's back.
Stormbreaker?
No…not quite. The real Stormbreaker's handle was made from Groot's arm, a special wood. This one was an Uru-metal weapon.
"Check out my new partner!"
"Ta-da! A shiny axe—I call it 'the Thunder God's Axe'!"
Aaron glanced at it. Maybe he was imagining it, but it looked not so different from Volstagg's axe. Maybe only the magical energy was richer.
Odin had enchanted it personally, making it stronger than typical Asgardian gear.
But… nowhere near the level of Stormbreaker. Not even close to Mjölnir!
Seriously? Has the mighty Thor been reduced to this? So lame.
Were there no other artifacts? Well, they're all with me, so never mind.
Aaron just took a look and lost interest. He could already tell which spells had been imbued, and he could easily replicate an identical axe without needing the Elemental Furnace.
Loki was too jealous for words.
Heavens, the mortals, the gods, the ghosts—everyone's flaunting something, while I'm here getting beaten down…
"Thor, so you got a new weapon—I'm so happy for you," Loki said, words sounding insincere. Then he shot a quick look at Aaron, eyes seeming to ask, Dear Uncle, when are you grabbing that axe too? Can't you help me out here?
Aaron sensed Loki's odd expression but ignored it. If it'd been someone else, he might worry they were gay, but with Loki? Hardly necessary.
Thor, noticing neither uncle nor brother seemed intrigued, became deflated. "All right, well, I know this can't compare to Mjölnir, but it still lets me wield thunder's power. Father told me it's just a temporary measure, until I get used to it, then move on to something better."
What the…?
Loki's eyes popped wide. He shot more looks at Aaron: There's something better! Why aren't you asking about it? I'm anxious for you…
He tried quietly prying for details on that "other axe's" whereabouts, but Thor was clueless, just "It exists," with zero specifics. This left Loki exasperated—Thor never asked any questions, never found anything out. Ugh, I give up, Loki thought. I'm used to being overlooked, so let them be a happy family, while I'm the outsider.
Thor, though, was happily talking with Aaron. Passing a training arena, Thor suddenly challenged him:
"Uncle, though I lost my hammer, I've got a new axe, so I've still got plenty of strength! Let's have a real man's fight!"
Raising the axe, lightning snaked around it—he too was a God of Storms, able to manipulate the weather. Aaron's display of power in that New Mexico town had left Thor awed, but not enough to kill his fighting spirit. He wanted to see just how big their difference was.
Thor's challenge rang out across the training field. Warriors in the midst of daily drills looked over in surprise.
"That must be the new 'God-King' Father was talking about—the one returning home, Bor's son, the All-Father's brother. Don't know if he's strong, but definitely good-looking."
"Have you heard? This 'Aaron' awakened the great Skyfather power in the royal bloodline, letting him directly tap all of Asgard's might!"
"Doesn't that mean he's basically above the All-Father? Whoa—he's only twenty-two, I heard, and at that age I couldn't even…you know."
"I also heard he can grant others the thunder power, even summon the Bifrost without a channel. The All-Father himself acknowledges Aaron is no weaker than he is!"
"Wha—so Asgard has two Skyfathers now? Two kings co-ruling?"
"More like two and a half, including Crown Prince Thor. If only not for those damned Frost Giants…"
Aaron glanced around. Which chatterbox "expert" is passing around all this intel? Must be with Odin's tacit approval or done by the old man himself.
He was evidently boosting Aaron's reputation to intimidate the Nine Realms.
The aged Odin truly was at his prime power level, ironically. But that alone didn't intimidate the realms enough. A clueless Thor and a trickster Loki—both weaker—couldn't keep the realm stable. Only the younger but Odin-level Aaron fit the bill. Even if Aaron wasn't truly Asgardian, Odin would do whatever it took to make him so in the public eye. And if Aaron wouldn't acknowledge it himself, well, others, seeing his "brand-new Asgardian Skyfather" power, would think carefully before provoking an Odin-level foe. Especially since Aaron was only twenty-two—in Asgardian lifespan, he could uphold peace for maybe five thousand years. By then, presumably Thor's kids would be grown.
As for Thor himself… Odin sometimes wanted to raise another child if Thor proved hopeless. Even though Thor's talent surpassed Odin's own, in a thousand years all he'd grown was physically—his brain had hardly advanced at all.
Hearing the crowd, Thor's fighting spirit soared. So you're a Skyfather on Odin's level, but I'm also "half" a Skyfather! The only difference is my coronation never finished…If it had, I'd be a full god by now!
Unable to watch, Loki mumbled, "Idiot," and found a seat.
…
"Thor! What are you doing?!"
The moment Thor struck a pose, Odin's raging voice echoed from nearby. Thor looked up—yep, Odin stood right above him.
Grinning sheepishly, Thor said, "Father, I was just asking Uncle for some pointers. You know…we're in Asgard."
Because in Asgard, strength rules. Only mighty warriors earn admiration. Thor had won over the Asgardians by charging to the front lines. Everyone had heard Aaron might rival Odin, but that was too abstract—nobody could truly grasp someone equaling their beloved king, the All-Father. Odin fighting Aaron was out of the question; that would be awkward regardless of outcome. But if Thor challenged Aaron, people could see they had someone even stronger than Thor arriving as a new "Skyfather." That was the logic.
Odin regarded Thor with a mixture of pity. He wasn't sure if Thor realized all the implications or just wanted a fight for the sake of fighting. He sincerely hoped it was the first, but seeing Thor's dopey grin made him doubt. Possibly he only half understood. Well, at least Thor has good genes; maybe my grandkids can someday manage Asgard…
Then he turned to Aaron, seeking his thoughts. If Aaron refused, Odin had grounds to stop the duel.
Aaron nodded slightly. "Thor, you're sure you want to challenge me?"
"Absolutely!"
"All powers allowed, no limit?"
Thor lifted his chin proudly. "Only the one left standing at the end is the winner."
Aaron nodded, then let golden light ripple over his right hand. An immense divine power blanketed the entire training arena—that of a Skyfather, the deepest power of the Aesir. Tapping Asgard's domain, Aaron now reigned supreme here.
Thor felt a sinking feeling—this was too familiar. It reminded him of when Odin had exiled him the other day. Glancing at Odin, he saw him looking at Aaron in surprise.
No way—again?!
"Don't come near me!!" Thor cried out.
"Thor, by the authority of Asgard's master, I revoke your power."
Aaron waved from a distance. Golden radiance enveloped the dazed Thor, instantly sealing the thunder god power he'd only just regained.
"Uncle, spare me!" Thor was near tears. Twice in three days losing his power because of family members? Why are the two of you so extra? Let me join in on the fun…
Loki gaped, and the onlookers fell silent. Seeing Thor's powers sealed so casually, while Aaron seemed entirely at ease, the difference between them was glaring. They hadn't been on the same level from the start. It was like a father scolding a child—though the father was a twenty-two-year-old, and the child a fifteen-hundred-year-old.
"You've lost."
Aaron blinked next to Thor in less than a second, patting his shoulder. Thor snapped out of it in a daze, feeling as though he'd taken a heavy blow. He'd assumed it would be a mighty clash of equals, but Aaron was truly a dragon while he was just a little cat, "king" scrawled on its forehead—harmless against Aaron's casual move.
Odin inhaled deeply, dissatisfied with Thor and unsettled by Aaron's remarkable command of Skyfather authority. In that instant, it felt like Aaron really was another him.
So he is Bor's son after all!
"All right, everyone—resume your training!" Odin dismissed them and walked side-by-side with Aaron toward the Royal Vault. Thor followed miserably, while Loki smirked and tagged along.
Today's entertainment—delightful indeed, Loki thought.
Aaron and Odin made idle conversation, asking if Aaron needed a palace of his own—Odin could dispatch top architects and builders to design him a royal residence. Of course, there was also a place in the Golden Palace if he preferred. He'd be welcome anytime. Odin also asked if Aaron required a few maids to serve him—Light Elves, Vanir, Aesir, sure. If he liked something more exotic, even Frost Giants or Fire Giants would do. The Dwarves were also an option! And if even that wasn't enough, Odin could contact the Collector to buy some. With Asgard's standing, the Collector wouldn't dare refuse.
Aaron thought, You're testing me with that? My moral teachings say I shouldn't be that corrupt. But he simply said, "Why not give me a couple?"
Nothing more implied. He lived mostly on Earth, so these two would help keep his place tidy in Asgard. Aaron saw no need to refuse Odin's goodwill—like he always said:
If there's a tangible benefit on offer, he'd gladly accept!
~~~
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