Hela's submission made Heisenberg smile and nod. Just as he was about to speak, Hela preempted him with a question.
"But Your Majesty, I must point out your error. The Ego you mentioned as the leader of the Celestials, and Galactus as the leader of the Five Gods…
How do they deserve the title of leader?
Aren't they the weakest in their respective groups?!!!"
"Hehe…"
Hearing Hela's question, Heisenberg looked at her meaningfully.
"When I say 'leader,' I don't mean in terms of strength, but in the order we'll eliminate them."
"Emmm…"
Hela was speechless, pursing her lips.
Seeing this, Heisenberg chuckled and said,
"Since you're awake, take charge of Asgard's army. As Odin's former vanguard and general of multiple legions, you certainly have the ability."
"With your trust, what can I not do?"
Hela stepped beside Heisenberg, standing to his right, just as she once stood beside Odin.
"But Your Majesty, I have a request for your approval.
I intend to revive my legion of the honored dead!"
"Of course!"
Hearing Hela's request, Heisenberg nodded decisively.
"Go now, revive your legion. Like you, the ancient souls of the Asgardians should return to their homeland!"
"Yes!"
With approval, Hela excitedly smirked…
Cough cough, honestly, Hela's smile is even more sinister than Loki's, though she's much more beautiful, haha.
Smiling, Hela gracefully left the palace, heading to the treasure vault.
Heisenberg followed behind, passing the Infinity Gauntlet once more.
Looking at the gauntlet, Hela scoffed.
"This damn fake, I can still see it here!"
She reached out to knock it over, but Heisenberg suddenly stopped her.
"This is the real one," Heisenberg said.
Hearing this, Hela shook her head disdainfully.
"Your Majesty, you don't know. Five thousand years ago, I witnessed everything about this gauntlet.
Back then, Odin and I aimed to conquer the universe, seeing the Infinity Stones as the only path to ultimate power.
Rumors said the ancient Dwarves crafted a relic to control the Stones, so Odin and I went to Nidavellir, ordering them to make a pair of gauntlets for Asgard.
Originally, the gauntlets belonged to me and Odin, one for each hand, symbolizing our plan to share the power of the Stones.
As we collected the Stones, the gauntlets indeed became excellent vessels, but the problem arose with the last Stone.
We won countless wars, obtained all but the Soul Stone, and after much inquiry, finally found its location.
Odin went to retrieve it, and I watched with his legions as he left Asgard.
He left with high spirits, but returned utterly defeated.
I'll never forget that day; his face was filled with pain and disappointment.
He told me even the Infinity Gauntlet couldn't contain the power of the Stones!
I saw him remove the five Stones from the gauntlet.
The Time Stone was thrown into the courtyard, the Reality Stone into Alfheim, the Mind Stone into Vanaheim, the Power Stone into Nidavellir, and the Space Stone remained in Asgard.
Afterward, Odin, unable to gather the Stones' power, was tormented, transforming from an ambitious conqueror into a senile old man basking in benevolence and glory!
That was the beginning of my betrayal, and the reason for my current fate!"
At this, Hela gritted her teeth, looking at Heisenberg.
"So, Your Majesty, this is a damn fake!"
"Hmph, just because you saw it, you believe your eyes?"
Heisenberg smiled, rubbing the giant Infinity Gauntlet.
The gauntlet seemed to sense his touch, emitting a force that drew him in, slowly shrinking.
Heisenberg withdrew his hand, having no intention of wearing it unless necessary.
He softly explained to Hela,
"During your imprisonment, the Time and Space Stones ended up on Earth.
The Mind Stone and another gauntlet were in Thanos's hands.
The Power Stone was taken by the Celestials, its whereabouts unknown.
The Reality Stone vanished with the Alfheim elves.
And the Soul Stone, which you claim the gauntlet couldn't hold, remains atop the highest peak of Vormir. Do you know why?"
"Your Majesty, you know so many secrets?"
"Answer my question, not ask me one, Hela!"
Heisenberg looked at her seriously, making Hela unconsciously shake her head.
"I'm sorry, I don't know, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, you don't know, because in your heart, Odin is always trustworthy.
You believe his claim that the gauntlet couldn't hold the Stones' power, causing him to abandon his ambition.
But if you truly went to Vormir and stood before the Stone, you'd understand.
To obtain the Soul Stone, one must sacrifice the life of their most beloved!
Odin could have taken the Stone by sacrificing his most cherished, gaining power to defeat almost any enemy.
So, did Odin obtain the Soul Stone? Do you know who died for him?
Without the Stone, why did he insist the gauntlet was the problem?
He never even placed that Stone in the gauntlet!"
At this, Heisenberg released Hela, leaving her stunned.
Her face fell.
She pointed at herself in disbelief.
"You mean Odin…"
"Call him 'Father,' at least you didn't die for his ambition!"
Heisenberg asserted bluntly, causing Hela's eyes to lose focus.
In an instant, her vision seemed to traverse time, seeing herself and her father five thousand years ago!
…
"Father, may you retrieve the final Stone and lead Asgard to the pinnacle of the universe!"
An excited Hela said to Odin, seated on his eight-legged steed.
Looking at his daughter, Odin sternly hummed.
"Silence, Hela. Have you forgotten my teachings?
Don't let uncertain success cloud your judgment!
You are Asgard's future heir; you must remain calm, for even the slightest emotion can create a flaw in your spirit!
Go, lead the legions toward Xandar. I'll return!"
"Yes, Father!"
…
Seventeen days later.
…
"Father, what happened…?"
Returning from battle, Hela found Odin alone on his throne, his expression somber, yet with a forced smile.
Hearing her question, Odin merely shook his head.
"Child, I'm fine. The plan just failed.
We overestimated the gauntlet's power. After obtaining the Soul Stone, it couldn't contain the Stones, and I was gravely injured."
At this, Odin, for the first time, descended from the throne, approaching Hela.
With a bitter expression, he embraced his daughter.
This gesture stunned Hela, who had never seen Odin smile, and her cold heart felt uneasy.
Odin had taught her emotions were not for kings, as they made them weak!
…
Five years later.
…
Hela angrily stood before Odin, scolding him.
"What were you thinking, returning those planets to those damn natives?!!
Even with regular tributes, we'd have far fewer resources. Our army needs them!!!"
"Oh, yes, perhaps…"
Facing the explosive Hela, Odin smiled benevolently, a skill he'd perfected in recent years.
Looking at his spirited daughter, Odin felt immense pride.
He was grateful for rejecting the Soul Stone's temptation, as it led him to his true love.
Only when facing life and death did Odin realize what he truly wanted was already by his side!
He never forgot his daughter's first smile at birth, nor her first call of "Father."
He also remembered his pride and ambition had made his daughter his glory, yet deprived her of the love a child, especially a girl, truly needed!
Odin descended from the throne, his weary body approaching Hela, reaching for her head.
This time, Hela didn't lower her head but stood defiantly, glaring at Odin.
Helpless, Odin withdrew his hand, feeling regret.
He had turned his daughter into a killing machine like his younger self, which was terrifying.
But she was still young, and he could set her on the right path.
He had to!
…
One hundred and forty-two years later.
…
Hela, wielding the Deathblade, stood before Odin's throne, the blade's tip pointing at his graying hair and beard.
"Odin, since being injured by the Stones, you've lost the power of the God-King.
Your ambition and regal bearing, once brilliant, have faded like your hair, now dull and withered!
I won't let great Asgard and the Asgardians end under your cowardice and weakness!
From today, I shall be crowned king!!!"
Watching his daughter charge with a sword, Odin regretted deeply.
Understanding the importance of family and love, he lamented turning his daughter into a blade.
Her heart, hardened like iron, was beyond redemption.
Only time could erase her distorted soul!
…
The battle lasted seven days and nights, Hela losing even the strength to heal her wounds.
She thought she would die, for Odin had taught her a king could not tolerate betrayal.
But as she awaited death, Odin merely lifted her, rubbing her head.
"My daughter, you'll understand. Some things, no matter your power, cannot be gained through strength.
You are the goddess of death, so go to Helheim, your rightful place, far better than by my side.
I made a mistake, grave and unredeemable.
But I'll bear it, and make amends to you.
It's not your fault; I'll never let you bear my destiny or feel guilty.
I'm sorry, child.
No one loves you more than I!"
…
Five thousand years later.
…
Standing before Heisenberg, Hela felt her eyes sting.
Recalling Odin's final words, his loving gaze since removing the gauntlet, and her power, honed in Helheim, now far surpassing her past self!
Looking at Asgard's depleted state, with vacant divine positions…
Her father knew she would escape Helheim with immense power after his death.
Yet, he made no preparations for her escape.
Without Heisenberg's appearance, who could stop her from becoming Asgard's ruler?
…
In an instant, Hela turned away, not wanting Heisenberg to see her tears.
Her father, who loved her most, had left everything for her…
He even gave up the entire universe for her!
And to prevent her guilt, he never revealed his sacrifice!
Hela finally realized no one loved her more than her father.
But he was gone…
***********************************************
Want to read more
patreon.com/Mochi_Whirl