In an instant, the blinding white radiance—so intense it felt as if it consumed the entire world—faded away.
All the visions in Odin's eyes vanished, and the soul-crushing fear seemed to dissolve like a dream.
Only then did he clearly see the figure standing behind him.
The man had short, silvery-white hair that shimmered faintly like mithril, and in his deep eyes, it was as if distant stars appeared and disappeared.
Odin quickly averted his gaze, forcing himself not to look too deeply. His instincts screamed that staring any longer would destroy him.
When he opened his eyes again, all he saw was a black-haired young man in a simple robe, his appearance striking but otherwise ordinary.
But Odin knew—this was just a false mask.
The truth beneath that illusion was far too powerful for him to comprehend. He wasn't even qualified to glimpse the true form.
When did such a god appear in the Nine Realms? What happened after my death!?
Thor stepped forward quickly and explained:
"Father, this is the true god who brought me into Valhalla. Both of us are still alive."
A moment ago, Odin had thought Thor was in denial about death. Now he realized the truth was that he himself had failed to recognize reality.
The power this being had just displayed proved he could completely disregard the rules of Valhalla itself.
But one thing confused Odin deeply.
What did he mean by "meeting again"?
"Do we… know each other?" Odin asked cautiously.
Russell raised his hand, plucked at the empty air as if tugging on a thread, and answered:
"I know you. But not from this moment in time… from another."
Odin's eyes narrowed in puzzlement—then widened as he saw shimmering green strands, like threads of fate, pulled into existence by Russell's hand.
With a snap of his fingers, the strands unraveled, and a scene began to replay before their eyes.
It was a conversation between them, long ago, at the Bifrost.
"Are you from another timeline?"
"So you received the gift of Yggdrasil, the World Tree…"
"Rituals… Ragnarök runs through all timelines."
"A shadow I glimpsed while hanging upon the Tree…"
"How about a deal?"
"If one day you ascend to the multiversal level, return to me at this point in time—and I will grant you a great gift."
As the vision ended, the captured memory dissolved back into countless luminous strands of time before fading away.
Odin staggered slightly, shaken. This memory was not originally his, and yet it was now burned into his soul as if he had lived it himself.
His expression shifted rapidly—shock, awe, and even excitement mingling together.
"So… you've already reached the multiversal level." Odin exhaled in disbelief. "Incredible. I thought that day was still far away, but you achieved it so soon…"
Thor's mouth fell open, stunned beyond words.
He had always known Russell's power was unfathomable, but he had never imagined this. Multiversal existence? In his memory, only eternal entities like Dormammu—or beings on the level of Mephisto—belonged in that category.
How could someone from the mortal realms reach such heights?
For the first time, Thor felt that when he returned to New Asgard, he might actually worship this being alongside Earth's people.
Yes—gods were merely powerful beings. But Russell… Russell could truly be called a God.
That was something higher, something greater.
And he carried the blood of the Aesir as well!
Thor's eyes shone with a mix of awe and excitement. The plan has worked. At last, Asgard will have a true pillar of strength to rely on.
But just as he thought this, the next moment hit him like a bucket of ice water.
Odin's expression grew solemn.
"Those old gods hiding in the shadows must have noticed you. The true Ragnarök… is about to begin."
Thor frowned, confused.
"Ragnarök? But didn't it already happen? After you died, Hela and Surtur perished together, and Asgard was destroyed."
Odin shook his head slightly.
"That was only an illusion. The gods are not gone. Twilight… the ancient ones lurking in the shadows of Yggdrasil covet the power of every Aesir god."
He gave a faint, almost bitter smile.
"Valhalla—have you wondered why it exists at all? It is our last desperate hope… and also a trap."
Thor was stunned.
He had believed he had done enough—sacrificing everything to stop Ragnarök. But the truth was far darker.
His gaze instinctively shifted to Russell. The Aesir gods of all timelines could only pin their hopes on someone like him.
Russell, however, could have left at any time. The reason he stayed was not for Odin, nor for the Aesir bloodline.
It was because of Yggdrasil.
In the true Ragnarök, Yggdrasil itself would burn and collapse. His own power came from the World Tree—he could never forget his roots.
And those shadow gods… perhaps they weren't stronger than him.
But Russell had come here for more than just Ragnarök. Odin had once promised him a "great gift" if he reached the multiversal level.
And for Odin to call something a gift to the multiverse… that alone stirred Russell's curiosity.
Russell spoke directly:
"Don't worry. I'll deal with Ragnarök. But you should also honor your promise."
Odin's expression eased, and he inclined his head.
"Then I thank you, on behalf of the Aesir across all timelines. As for the gift I spoke of… beneath Yggdrasil, the Well of Wisdom conceals a power left behind by our ancestor, Gaea."
Thor, who knew more of his father's history than most, spoke up in surprise.
"You mean… the Runes of Power? They're strong, yes, but…"
He trailed off, but the meaning was clear—the Runes of Power weren't enough to touch the multiverse.
Odin shook his head.
"I don't mean the Runes themselves. That is only a fragment. There is something greater."
Thor looked confused, but Russell's heart skipped a beat. He had a suspicion about what Odin was referring to.
In the comics he remembered from his past life, Thor had once become a terrifying existence because of this very power. If it was truly that, then "gift" was too small a word.
Odin didn't keep him guessing. He revealed it plainly:
"That power isn't recorded anywhere. If I hadn't stumbled upon it by chance long ago, I'd never have known it existed. The true power of the Well of Wisdom… Rune Magic."
Even though Russell had already ascended to the multiversal level, his chest tightened.
The Rune Power…
In the comics, Thor had become Rune King Thor after mastering it—wielding near-limitless power, able to reshape reality itself. Stronger than any god, stronger even than the multiverse.
But Odin's next words fell like a shadow over the revelation.
"However…" Odin said quietly. "Have you considered the price you would have to pay?"
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