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We passed through the enormous gates of the palace, and I was met with Asgard in all its splendor. Towers of gold and crystal rose high enough to touch the sky, luminous bridges crossed the districts, and warriors clad in shining armor filled the streets.
And yet, when my steps echoed against the stone, I felt it. The gazes.
No one saw my horns thanks to Odin's spell, but something in my presence alone was enough to unsettle them. An invisible tension made them step aside, as if an unseen beast were watching them closely.
"Even hidden, I inspire fear… Is it the power they sense? Or am I myself the one casting this shadow?"
Thor turned, noticing the silence that trailed behind us.
"Pay them no mind. Asgard fears the unknown, but it also respects it. If you truly wish to remain, you must prove you are not an enemy."
"Or you can enjoy it," Loki added with mischief. "Fear is a power in itself."
We continued until we reached a wide training yard, where young warriors practiced with spears and swords. There he was: a stout young man, with a budding beard and a spear in hand.
"Who is that?" he asked aloud as we approached. "He does not smell like an Asgardian."
Thor answered at once:
"He is my father's guest, Volstagg."
Volstagg. The name etched itself in my mind, but not as much as the look he gave me. He stepped forward, and in that instant, I felt it. My aura leaked out without my permission—dense, heavy, golden. The others understood nothing, but he did: terror froze him.
The spear shook in his hand. His face, once hardened by youthful courage, was reduced to genuine fear.
"Thor…" he murmured first, then shouted with force:
"Thor, do not let him stay here! That being does not belong in Asgard!"
The yard fell silent. The other warriors stepped back, not fully grasping what Volstagg had felt, but infected by his panic nonetheless.
Thor moved forward, placing himself between us.
"Enough, Volstagg! It is not for you to decide who belongs here."
"But I feel it!" he cried, his voice trembling. "His presence crushes my chest, it chills my blood. If you let him walk freely among us… one day we will regret it."
Loki smirked, enjoying the tension.
"How fascinating. Sometimes instinct matters more than orders, don't you think?"
Volstagg lowered his spear, but not his words. Before leaving, he fixed his eyes on Thor and warned:
"Listen to me, my friend. If you truly value Asgard… keep that Macht away from us."
The group slowly dispersed, casting me wary, fearful glances. I remained still, watching how terror in one heart was enough to spark doubt in them all.
"Even hidden beneath a disguise, my essence cannot be denied. I am Macht… and my shadow has already begun to divide this realm."
Loki stayed behind after the other young warriors left. His footsteps echoed along the stone corridor until he reached the imposing figure of his father, who awaited in silence.
"Father…" he said with a restrained smile. "Something curious happened in the yard."
Odin glanced at him sideways, not moving a single muscle.
"Speak."
"Volstagg nearly lost control." Loki shrugged with feigned indifference. "He said Macht's aura filled him with terror, that he shouldn't be here. He even went as far as to warn Thor to drive him out of Asgard."
Odin lowered his gaze, thoughtful, and asked in a grave tone:
"And you, and Thor… you felt nothing of the same?"
Loki leaned forward slightly, amused by the question.
"Thor was too busy playing hero to notice anything… and I…" he smirked. "Let's just say fear is not what Macht inspires in me. What I feel is curiosity."
Odin watched him in silence, his single eye gleaming in the shadows.
"Then only Volstagg perceived that aura with such intensity… interesting."
"I want Volstagg here immediately."
Hours later, Odin summoned Volstagg to the throne room. The young warrior entered with hesitant steps, bowing with respect before the All-Father, who observed him from high upon the throne with unshakable calm.
"Tell me, Volstagg," his voice rumbled like restrained thunder, "what exactly did you see in Macht that your companions did not?"
The boy swallowed hard, barely lifting his gaze.
"It was not something my eyes could see, my king… it was something I felt. A darkness… a vast weight pressing against my chest. In that moment I knew I was standing before something that does not belong here. And I confess, All-Father… that fear drove me to raise my spear without thought."
Volstagg lowered his head forcefully, striking a fist against his own chest.
"I beg your forgiveness for attacking your guest, my lord. But if I feel that power again, I know my instincts will guide me the same way."
Odin remained silent as he listened…
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