Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Five Years
Life in Asgard had settled into a surprising normalcy after Thor's Awakening. Even though only a few days had passed since his return, it felt like years. During those few days, Thor had made unexpected progress—he'd gotten acquainted with the Kree, met the future director of the Snake Shield, added the strongest Avenger to his address book, and even developed a strong working relationship with Black Widow. Most notably, he had altered the course of the Avengers: Endgame finale, changing the entire direction of the universe.
Maya Hansen had taken up residence in a state-of-the-art laboratory within Asgard, surrounded by some of the realm's most brilliant minds. Despite the technological marvels of the realm, she remained somewhat isolated. Minerva, the powerful Kree warrior imprisoned in Asgard's dungeons, hadn't shown Thor or Maya much friendliness, and Thor wasn't in the mood to pursue a warm relationship. There was a certain unspoken tension between them—something Thor had no intention of confronting.
Sif, on the other hand, had adapted well to life in Asgard. She still trained with Thor regularly, often joined him for casual conversations and drinks, and it was clear to anyone observing that the relationship between the two had evolved. Though Thor and Sif had always been close childhood companions, something deeper now simmered beneath the surface. Their camaraderie was palpable, and the palace staff—particularly the Warriors Three—were more than aware of the shift in their relationship.
As the days passed, the grand halls of Asgard saw an increasing demand for food. It became apparent that the Awakening had affected Thor in more ways than one. His newfound energy required a considerable amount of sustenance, and he had an appetite that could match even the most ravenous of Asgardian warriors. Odin, ever the observant ruler, muttered under his breath, "Could it be that after the Awakening, his energy requirements are much greater?" His voice held a mix of concern and curiosity.
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Five Years Later: Thor's Transformation
Five years passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. Time moved differently in Asgard, especially for its immortal inhabitants, but for Thor, it seemed as though everything had changed.
Thor stood in the middle of a grand training hall, his once lean and muscular frame now transformed into something that could only be described as "legendary." His body had grown bulkier, far beyond the muscular physique he had once prided himself on. Thor now resembled the heavyset, yet incredibly powerful version of himself seen in the Avengers: Endgame timeline. He had completed several missions, and with every passing day, his strength seemed to increase exponentially.
He was no longer the confident but somewhat reckless god he had once been. The power of his Awakening had transformed him into something far more formidable. His raw energy, even in its restrained form, was enough to rival that of the Hulk. If a fight between the two were to take place now, Thor's strength would likely send the green giant into hiding.
Over the past few years, Thor had also completed several key tasks—one of which was to defeat his brother, Loki, time and time again. Loki, in his endless quest for mischief and power, had become the victim of Thor's fists. On average, Loki had received a beating every two weeks. The most unfortunate days were when Sif had joined in, turning the beating into a "mixed doubles" event. This relentless cycle of punishment had transformed Loki's life into something unbearable, to the point where even Frigg, who had always doted on him, began to show signs of sympathy. Odin, too, was beginning to feel that perhaps it was time to intervene.
Thor, however, maintained that his actions were justified—"self-defense" was his consistent reasoning. Minerva, who had been forced to endure Loki's misery as well, had taken to documenting each of his defeats. She even took videos of Loki's "deaths," though they were far from what anyone could call final. The "God of Mischief" had become the punching bag for the entire realm.
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The Extremis Project and Minerva's Submission
The development of Extremis had been one of the most significant breakthroughs in Thor's life over the past five years. Maya Hansen, working tirelessly with Asgard's top scientists, had perfected the formula in record time. It wasn't long before Thor had handed over an improved version of Extremis to Maya, allowing for better results and more potent effects. While the Asgardians were naturally strong, the effects of Extremis were subtle, but still beneficial—its greatest utility lay in its ability to promote rapid regeneration and healing.
However, the most unexpected result came when the Kree warrior, Minerva, underwent the Extremis treatment. Minerva had always been a proud, pure-blooded Kree, with a deep disdain for anything that wasn't of her kind. She had always held herself in high regard, having grown up in the belief that her pure Kree blood made her superior to others. The treatment, however, unlocked a genetic change that transformed her physically. Her once dark blue skin faded into a natural, human skin tone—an alteration that shocked her to her core.
This unexpected change shattered Minerva's identity, and with it, the arrogance she once held dear. Her sense of racial superiority crumbled, and she found herself confronting a new reality that she couldn't ignore. The transformation left her deeply unsettled, and the following day, she offered her submission to Thor, starting as a maid.
It was a drastic shift, but one that seemed to be rooted in the kind of loyalty that only a deeply humbling experience could inspire. Thor, despite his affection for Maya, couldn't help but be amused by the drastic change in Minerva. The mighty Kree warrior was now an obedient servant, quietly accepting her new role in the vast world of Asgard.
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Loki's Continued Schemes and Odin's Expectations
Meanwhile, Loki had not given up on his schemes. His most recent plot involved inciting a war with the Giants of Jotunheim. He manipulated Thor into confronting the Giants without authorization, knowing full well that Thor's impulsive nature would lead him into conflict.
Unfortunately for Loki, Thor had grown far stronger since their last encounter. His enhanced powers, bolstered by the Awakening, turned him into an unstoppable force. With a single strike, he decimated any threat the Giants could pose. If it hadn't been for Odin's intervention, the Giant King Lauf would have found himself at the mercy of Thor's relentless wrath.
Still, Odin remained somewhat hopeful. His plan had always been to groom Thor into a capable ruler, and Odin believed that a confrontation with the Giants would teach Thor a valuable lesson. As for Loki, Odin had his own thoughts. He continued to play his own political game, keeping his expectations low but never fully abandoning the idea that Loki might one day be useful.
As the years passed, Thor's place in Asgard seemed more secure, his relationships with Sif and the others becoming increasingly complex. Yet the growing tensions with Loki, combined with the developments in the realm, suggested that the coming years would be filled with challenges—ones that would test Thor's strength, wisdom, and heart.
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