New Mexico - S.H.I.E.L.D. Temporary Research Site
"Director, I can't hold it any longer!"
Seeing Nick Fury arrive in New Mexico early in the morning, Phil Coulson reported earnestly.
"We've tried everything since we found this hammer that fell from the sky. But Director, whether it's manpower, trucks, or cranes, nothing can move the hammer. So I could only have people set up a temporary camp here and let our S.H.I.E.L.D. researchers conduct analysis."
Speaking of this, Phil Coulson looked at Nick Fury and asked with a smile, "Director, you had us pay attention before the hammer fell. So, do you know where this hammer came from?"
Facing Phil Coulson's doubt, Nick Fury didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked around and asked, "Has anyone shown up nearby with a strong will, claiming the hammer is their weapon?"
"Not really," Phil Coulson replied to Nick Fury's inquiry. "After the hammer fell, before we rushed over, a group of people tried to lift it, but every single one failed without exception."
"I see. Have the researchers analyze this hammer carefully, but make sure you don't cause any damage to it, understand? Also, if someone comes here swearing that this hammer belongs to them, bring them directly to see me. Be... somewhat polite about it."
Hearing Nick Fury's order, Phil Coulson immediately nodded and said, "Understood, Director!"
"Why does your face still look like that?" After issuing the orders, Nick Fury noticed Phil Coulson's skin was still peeling, with one cheek white and the other black. "Didn't you ask our S.H.I.E.L.D. therapists to take a look at it for you? If you don't recover soon, I'm really worried your cellist girlfriend will dump you."
Faced with the Director's casual chat, Phil Coulson, who had known Nick Fury for a long time, smiled gently. "Director, I was lying in the desert for three whole months. The condition of my face isn't bad now~ The ultraviolet rays in the desert were really too strong. Even the extreme-environment agents feel like their skin is about to peel off."
Hearing Phil Coulson's words, Nick Fury nodded. "You should pay attention to yourself too. Whether you ask those therapists to prescribe some medicine for you or use other methods, recover as soon as possible. Finding a girlfriend isn't easy; don't break up because of this later."
"Yes, Sir!" Listening to Nick Fury's order, Phil Coulson nodded with a smile.
After Nick Fury walked into the makeshift base to rest, Phil Coulson instructed people to speed up the construction of the temporary base.
Asgard - Bifröst Observatory
"How is Thor?" Loki, holding Gungnir, asked Heimdall.
"He is fine. Although he was accidentally hit by a woman's car on Midgard and taken to a hospital where he was electrocuted twice, he is still not in any life-threatening danger. It's just that his spirit can't accept the loss of divine power for a while and becoming a common Midgardian."
"Instead, Mjolnir was discovered by the Earthlings. They seem to want to study how to lift it."
"Earth... Earthlings," Loki said, holding Gungnir and looking at the magnificent universe before him. "The people of Midgard call their planet 'Earth,' and they call themselves 'Earthlings.' Also, what we Asgardians call the 'soul direction,' on Earth they call it the 'spiritual side.'"
"How is the All-Father?" Faced with Loki's correction, Heimdall ignored it and instead asked about the King's condition.
"Not good." Looking at the vast, magnificent universe before him, like a star chart composed of countless bright colors, Loki's face showed no expression. "Father is still in the Odinsleep. I asked Mother, and Mother said Father might enter the Eternal Sleep this time. The specific situation is still unknown."
Hearing the news brought by Loki, a trace of worry flashed in Heimdall's eyes. "If His Majesty the All-Father truly enters the Eternal Sleep, then... the Nine Realms are not peaceful right now."
"Jotunheim is restless. Although Svartalfheim has withered, the remaining Dark Elves are always at odds with those of Alfheim. I worry a great war will break out between them. Over Muspelheim, some are trying to revive their 'god,' Surtur. Helheim..."
Mentioning the realm among the Nine Realms, Heimdall didn't continue. Instead, he looked at Loki and said, "Asgard, as the sovereign of the Nine Realms, if its pillar collapses at this time, I fear the restless forces will seize the opportunity to attack Asgard. Even if those ambitious ones dare not attack Asgard easily, once a battle breaks out among them, it is extremely disadvantageous for us, Asgard. After all, not every realm in the Nine Realms has a Reality-Dimension Guardian like the one on Midgard!"
Listening to Heimdall's worried words, Loki nodded. "Don't worry about Muspelheim. With the Eternal Flame, the advantage is on our side. Svartalfheim and Alfheim can't make too many waves for the time being. Even Malekith seems to exist only in records now."
"As for Jotunheim..." Mentioning the realm of the Frost Giants, Loki took a deep breath, and his eyes gradually sharpened. "I will find a way to eradicate this greatest threat to our Asgard!"
"Don't act recklessly, Loki!" Seeing that Loki seemed determined, Heimdall immediately advised. "His Majesty the All-Father is still—"
"If I'm not completely sure, I won't act rashly." He raised his left hand and glanced at his palm.
In Loki's mind, he could never forget that just yesterday, wanting to be more certain about eliminating the Frost Giant Laufey, he went to the treasury to look for his father's collection of artifacts. When he came into contact with the Casket of Ancient Winters... the change in his skin.
Although the idea was extremely absurd, when he went to ask his mother about an absurd guess, what his mother said nearly made him lose his mind.
It turned out... he was actually adopted.
It turned out... he was actually called a monster since childhood. The son of Laufey, King of the Frost Giants.
Ah... If Laufey is a monster, then what is he?
Loki Laufeyson, Son of the Giants?
Fortunately, his mother's loving gaze finally gradually stabilized him.
It doesn't matter if I'm adopted or born from you, Mother. Asgard is my home after all!
I, Loki, will always be the Second Prince of Asgard!
Everything I do will be to protect Asgard forever!