Thor held Mjolnir firmly in his hand, his eyes sweeping across the ancient hall with clear disappointment as he ignored the resentful glares of the Vanir soldiers around him.
"So these are the legendary Vanir Protoss who once challenged our might?" Thor remarked, gesturing at their surroundings with a dismissive wave. "Worn weapons and equipment, outdated palaces, harsh living conditions, diminished combat strength... I find myself questioning whether the tales of their former glory hold any truth!"
Thor's voice carried throughout the hall, his dissatisfaction evident as he turned to address his companions.
Loki stood beside him, a calculating smile playing on his lips as he examined the aging architecture with theatrical skepticism. "An interesting question, brother. Perhaps when we return to Asgard, we should suggest that Father review these historical accounts. The fearsome adversaries of old seem to have... fallen somewhat from their pedestal."
"Is this the courtesy of Asgardians? You stand in our sacred halls and mock us without even observing the most fundamental diplomatic protocols! Is this the respect that the mighty Odin All-Father teaches his heirs?"
Hearing the barely veiled contempt in the princes' exchange, Skirnir could not restrain himself any longer. He stepped forward, his face flushed with anger as he confronted them.
"Easy there, old man." Thor responded with a casual shrug, twirling Mjolnir effortlessly between his fingers. "We're merely observing what stands before us. The truth may be uncomfortable, but that hardly makes it discourteous."
"You dare..." Skirnir's hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury.
"That's enough, Skirnir," Aegir intervened smoothly, placing a firm hand on the general's shoulder. His voice carried the quiet authority of one accustomed to being obeyed. "This is neither the time nor place for old grievances to resurface. We have a ceremony to complete, after all."
A subtle note of sarcasm tinged his words as he added, "Our esteemed guests from Asgard have traveled far to witness this historic occasion. Let's not disappoint them with petty squabbles."
As a transmigrator, Aegir was quite familiar with Thor's arrogance and inflated sense of importance—especially during this period before his exile to Earth. At this point in his life, Thor acknowledged few as equals, respecting only Odin, Frigga, and perhaps his closest battle companions.
Aegir knew well that the only effective language Thor truly understood was force. Unfortunately, the current Vanir Protoss lacked the strength to converse in that particular language.
Though Skirnir was a veteran of the ancient war between Asgard and Vanaheim and remained the last loyal general of the Vanir Protoss, his personal power had limits. The strength of beings like the Aesir and Vanir in the marvel universe is largely determined by bloodlines and divine heritage.
Thor was Odin's firstborn son, heir to the purest blood of the god-king and depending upon the universe he may even be related to Gaea and Phoenix Force. Even without fully awakening his potential, Thor wielding Mjolnir remained a formidable opponent for almost any warrior in the Nine Realms. Skirnir, while noble and skilled, was not of royal blood—merely an elite among ordinary Protoss. Though his combat technique might allow him to hold his ground against Thor briefly, the outcome of any serious confrontation was predetermined.
While Skirnir could likely outmatch any of the warriors, including the Warrior Three in pure martial skill and even defeat them individually, his overall combat capability simply couldn't match Thor's raw power and divine inheritance.
"Actually," Aegir said thoughtfully, addressing Thor directly, "your observations aren't entirely without merit, Odinson. After centuries of isolation following the war, Vanaheim has indeed declined from its former glory. Perhaps that makes today's ceremony all the more significant—a new beginning rather than merely a continuation."
His diplomatic response seemed to catch Thor off-guard, who had clearly expected more outrage. Before the thunder god could respond, Sif stepped forward.
"Thor," she said with quiet intensity, moving closer to the golden-haired prince. She turned briefly to Aegir and Skirnir with a respectful nod before focusing her attention on Thor. "Remember why we're here. The All-Father sent us to represent Asgard at this coronation, not to rekindle ancient conflicts."
She lowered her voice to a forceful whisper that nonetheless carried to Aegir's ears. "Consider how Queen Frigga would react to hearing you speak this way about her birthplace?"
Having fought alongside Thor for years, Sif knew his temperament better than most. Few could reason with him once his mind was set, but invoking Frigga often gave him pause.
Thor's expression shifted at the mention of his mother. He suddenly seemed to recall that Frigga, Sif, and even Hogun had their origins among the Vanir. Setting aside Sif and Hogun's reactions, if Frigga learned of his conduct here, the consequences would be... unpleasant.
And then there was Heimdall to consider. What if the all-seeing gatekeeper, in solidarity with his distant kin, decided their return journey to Asgard should be delayed?
"You make a fair point," Thor conceded with obvious reluctance, his brow furrowed. "Perhaps I spoke hastily."
An actual apology was clearly not forthcoming. The Prince of Asgard did not apologize for speaking what he perceived as truth—he merely acknowledged tactical missteps.
Loki observed this exchange with thinly veiled amusement, his eyes darting between the participants like a spectator at a particularly entertaining game. "My brother's enthusiasm sometimes outpaces his diplomacy," he offered smoothly. "But then, we Asgardians have always valued forthrightness over... delicacy."
Aegir already has an inkling that Odin had deliberately sent Thor rather than Frigga to this coronation. Despite the fact that the enthronement of a Vanir God-King was technically an internal matter, Odin likely wanted to use Thor's presence as a subtle reminder of Asgard's continued dominance over the Vanir. Frigga, with her Vanir origins, would have been the more diplomatically appropriate choice, but diplomacy wasn't clearly Odin's priority.
Seeing that Thor's mood had shifted, if only slightly, Skirnir managed to subdue his lingering anger. With a sharp nod to Aegir, he signaled the other Vanir to proceed with the ceremony.
"You stand in the halls where our ancestors once negotiated the peace that ended our war," Skirnir said quietly to Thor as he passed. "That peace cost both sides dearly. Remember that before you dismiss our history so lightly, Son of Odin."
"Peace achieved after defeat is merely surrender by another name," Thor replied, though with less hostility than before.
"Yet here you stand, at our invitation, not as conqueror but as witness," Aegir interjected smoothly. "Perhaps that speaks to a strength your eyes have not yet perceived, Odin son."
The enthronement ceremony of a god-king was unnecessarily complex and solemn. Despite Aegir's efforts to streamline the ritual by eliminating the more arcane and prolonged elements, the proceedings still required nearly two hours to complete in full.
As the ancient words were spoken and the traditional gestures performed, Aegir maintained a carefully composed expression. His thoughts, however, were far from serene. As a transmigrator with knowledge of possible futures, he carried burdens invisible to those around him.
The Vanir nobles and councilors approached one by one, kneeling before him and pledging their loyalty. Each oath strengthened his position politically, but Aegir knew that in the grand cosmic scheme, such pledges meant little against the threats that lurked beyond their realm.
Well it doesn't matter much even for Vanaheim, since they have no power for their so called positions except for the Two senators.
Thor watched the proceedings with poorly disguised impatience. Loki, by contrast, observed with keen interest, clearly noting every detail and nuance of the unfamiliar ceremony. Sif maintained a respectful demeanor throughout, occasionally glancing at Thor as if to ensure his continued good behavior.
Skirnir served as master of ceremonies, his voice ringing clear and strong as he guided the ritual through its many stages. Despite his earlier anger, there was unmistakable pride in his bearing now—pride in his culture and in the fulfillment of the prophecy he had protected for so long.
"For centuries, our throne has stood empty," Skirnir proclaimed to the assembled Vanir and their Asgardian guests. "Our strength diminished, our voice among the Nine Realms reduced to a whisper. Today, we reclaim our heritage. Today, the prophecy is fulfilled."
Although no one among the current people knew what prophecy Skirnir was talking about, they paid it no mind since the final words were spoken and the ancient crown of Vanaheim was placed upon Aegir's head, a hushed anticipation fell over the hall.
Just as Aegir took the throne and prepared to accept the formal acknowledgments of his people, something extraordinary happened. A notification appeared in his mind, invisible to all others:
[Ding! It is detected that the host has taken the throne. The system can now operate fully.]
[Do you want to start checking in?]
His cheat was finally here!
Aegir felt a surge of elation, though his expression remained appropriately solemn for the occasion. Inside, he was nearly giddy with relief.
If I had known that my cheat would only activate after the formal coronation, I wouldn't have been so quick to pacify Skirnir! I've wasted years and lived with this constant anxiety for so long! Perhaps there was more truth to the prophecy than even I realized.
Though he appeared composed and had consistently played the role of mediator, in truth, he had been carrying far greater concerns than anyone around him could think.
Thor's disrespect was a trivial matter compared to the cataclysmic events Aegir knew might be looming on the horizon. Asgard itself was destined for destruction, and against that impending catastrophe, what significance did a few thoughtless remarks hold?
He still didn't even know which version of the Marvel universe he had landed in. Even if it was the MCU timeline, there remained the imminent threat of Thanos and his universe-altering scheme to eliminate half of all life.
Beyond that, there was Dormammu and his Dark Dimension, the Celestials, and countless other cosmic entities—any one of which could bring about the end of everything if events unfolded poorly.
And if this was one of the comic universe? The potential problems multiplied exponentially, beyond any reasonable calculation.
But there was one factor that had troubled Aegir's sleep more than any other: the Time Variance Authority.
Ever since his arrival in this world, Aegir had lived with the constant dread of attracting the TVA's attention. There had never been a prophesied king of Vanaheim in any timeline he was familiar with. His very existence as the new god-king would inevitably alter the established flow of events.
The timeline would definitely change, and no one could predict when agents from the TVA might arrive to "prune" this variant branch—and him along with it.
Unlike Loki, with his powerful magical abilities and seemingly inexhaustible luck, Aegir was just an ordinary person who had reincarnated under what seemed like the worst possible circumstances.
But now the system had finally activated. This was the turning point he had been waiting for!
'Check in now!' Aegir commanded mentally, keeping his face impassive as the coronation reached its climax.
[Since this is the first check-in, rewards will be increased!]
[Checking... The location is the old Palace of the Vanir Protoss. Characters available nearby: Thor, Loki, Skirnir and Sif. Generating rewards!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining : the power of the Vanir God-King Njord (power over ocean and storm)!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: an aspect of power from the Dragon of the Ages, Nozdormu (control over time, with some restrictions)!"]