The air in Asgard was heavy.
Not with smoke.
Not with blood.
But with urgency.
Alexander felt it the moment he stepped into the throne room.
Odin sat rigid upon the throne.
Frigga stood beside him, her expression sharp with restrained fury.
Thor and Loki were already present.
"…What happened?" Alexander asked calmly.
Odin's voice echoed through the hall.
"Muspelheim and Vanaheim," he said,
"with the aid of Skrulls and Kree, have waged war against Svartalfheim and Alfheim."
Thor clenched his fist.
Loki's eyes narrowed.
Alexander already knew.
This was not coincidence.
Hostages of the Realms
"They have gone further," Odin continued.
"The princesses of Svartalfheim and Alfheim have been kidnapped."
The weight in the room doubled.
Thor stepped forward instantly.
"Then we crush them," he growled.
"Head-on. We save them."
Alexander and Loki shook their heads in unison.
Thor blinked.
"…What?"
A King's Question
Odin raised his spear slightly.
"This is a test," he said.
"Each of you—give me your solution."
Thor didn't hesitate.
"War," he said.
"Immediate and overwhelming."
Odin said nothing.
He turned to Loki.
Loki folded his arms.
"We aid our allies," Loki said coolly.
"Troops. Supplies. Reinforcements—but only when needed.
Let our enemies expose themselves."
Odin nodded slowly.
"…Good."
Then his gaze shifted.
"To my youngest."
Alexander lifted his eyes.
"My idea is similar," he said calmly.
"But refined."
Odin's interest sharpened.
Alexander's Strategy
"We divide our forces into two," Alexander said.
"First—Asgardian troops, Thor, Loki, Sif, Amora, and Lorelei."
Thor grinned.
"We reinforce Svartalfheim and Alfheim," Alexander continued.
"Protect them. Make it clear Asgard stands with its allies."
Odin nodded.
Then Alexander's voice hardened slightly.
"The second force removes the future problem."
Silence fell.
"We eliminate or capture the generals, kings, or princes behind this war," Alexander said.
"Any who hold Sub-Heavenly Father to Heavenly Father-level threat."
"And," he added calmly,
"We retrieve the kidnapped princesses."
Loki's eyes widened slightly.
"They will owe us," Alexander continued.
"Allies saved during war do not turn against their saviors."
"When we need aid," Alexander finished,
"they will answer."
Odin stared at him.
Then—
Laughed.
"…Excellent."
Loki exhaled slowly.
"…You always think ten steps ahead."
Thor blinked.
"…So we still fight?"
"Yes," Alexander replied.
"Just… not blindly."
Thor nodded enthusiastically.
"Good enough!"
Orders Given
Odin rose.
"Proceed."
Thor and Loki turned and left immediately.
The war machine began moving.
A Quiet Truth
Alexander remained behind.
His expression was unreadable.
Frigga approached him.
"You're thinking about something else," she said gently.
Alexander nodded.
"This isn't the work of those realms," he said quietly.
"Someone is trying to draw me out."
Odin's eye narrowed.
"…Do you know who?"
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
"Yes," he finally said.
"I'll deal with them after this."
Odin studied his son.
Then nodded.
"I trust you."
He didn't ask further.
Alexander turned and left the throne room.
In the Shadows
Far beyond the Nine Realms—
Something watched.
The bait had been taken.
And Alexander Ashborn Odinson was stepping onto the board.