The system notification flashed across Aegir's vision, it took all his willpower not to grin like a madmen. Well, wasn't this just a fancy way of saying he'd hit the jackpot?
The power of the Vanir God King is similar to the power of other gods, which was like having authority over one or many aspect of reality to varying degree.
As for the Vanir god king Njord, he was able to command over storms and oceans.
Njord had mastered this power to impressive degree and in the battle against the Asgardians, he was evenly matched with Odin. But by the end, Odin had mastered a new power - the rune script. At that point, the battle between Njord and Odin gradually shifted, and in the final battle, Njord was seriously injured. The protracted war of gods came to an end, leaving Vanaheim without its rightful king for generations.
As for Nozdormu, the Dragon of Ages- he was the guardian of time in Azeroth. Blessed by the Highfather of the Pantheon, he gained the power to manage time in Azeroth! He could travel through time with some restrictions, know the past and the future, and even journey to other parallel universes along the timeline! He could even subtly change the past and future of Azeroth if he wanted to.
At this point, Nozdormu was equivalent to an enhanced Sorcerer Supreme with the Time Gem, or perhaps even better.
'So basically, I could tell someone 'I told you so' before they even make the mistake. Convenient.' Aegir quipped to himself, processing the information.
Perhaps Nozdormu's attainments in time weren't as flexible as the technology of the TVA, created by He Who Remains (Well he doesn't even know which TVA is there in his universe or if there is even a TVA). The former could only manage the timeline of the Azeroth universe, while the latter arbitrarily has the capability to affect the timeline of many multiverses through technology.
But at least, in this universe, Aegir wouldn't have to worry about the guys from the TVA anymore. Even if Kang came, there would be no point.
In the future, if Aegir could obtain the time power of the Highfather of the Pantheon, Aman'Thul, then even other versions of Kang the Conqueror would have to think twice before facing him.
Not to mention, as a side bonus from this reward, his body should also be enhanced far beyond his current level. His body would be able to shrug missiles and his strength should be up to Thor's level. Along with the higher speed of regeneration.
On the whole, it was comparable to awakened Thor's quality, so for Aegir, it was indeed a qualitative leap. Combined with the power of Njord and the power of time, what was Thor? What's more, Thor at the moment was still in the hammer stage. Without a hammer, he was just a moving sandbag.
'Receive reward'
After accepting the reward. Aegir clenched his fists, unable to contain his excitement despite his usual composure.
BOOM!!!
In an instant, the sky heavily clouded. Howling winds whipped across whole Vanaheim and lightning streaked across the dark expanse, weaving tortuous figures recklessly through the air.
Then, a golden light came from above piercing the sky in a straight beam and directly into aegir, seemingly to connect the earth and sky.
"Well, that's certainly flashy," Aegir remarked, even as his presence surged with the golden light, increasing at a speed that surprised even him.
The rivers began surging, waves rising as if in response to a silent call. They were celebrating, celebrating the birth of their new master! The whole of Vanaheim was boiling with excitement.
"By Njord's tide! This is the power of the God King Njord!" Skirnir shouted, his entire body trembling with intense excitement. "It really is the birth of the prophesied king!."
Beneath his gray hair was a twisted face of pure joy. How many years! He hadn't seen this power in years!
"Skirnir, your face might get stuck like that if you keep grinning," Aegir called out, but his voice held an undercurrent of warmth beneath the sarcasm.
Skirnir barely heard him, lost in the moment. Vanaheim had lost this power and lost the king who protected them for hundreds of years. Various regions had fought endlessly, completely losing their position of standing proudly among the top of the Nine Realms. Even when the civil war was fierce, the soldiers of Asgard had to fight the rebellion for them!
What humiliation that had been! Even Skirnir would have lost all hope if not for the Prophecy, and now his wait had borne fruit.
As the golden light completely sipped into Aegir, Skirnir snapped out of his reverie and looked at Aegir with reverence tinged with exasperation. "My lord, this is a momentous occasion. The prophecy is fulfilled! Vanir Protoss will once again be on an equal footing with Asgard!"
"Yes, yes, no more unfair treatment, no more scowls, we make our own decisions now," Aegir waved his hand dismissively, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "I got the memo. But perhaps we should address our... guests first?" He nodded toward Thor and his companions who stood awkwardly in the field.
Skirnir's eyes narrowed as he remembered their presence. "For the king I have awaited—show the highest honor!" He knelled, his voice rising with reverence. "Kneel before the God King!"
"Kneel before the God King!" The cry spread through the court as the people of Vanaheim obeyed, dropping to one knee in solemn unity, heads bowed low before Aegir.
Whatever doubts may have lingered about Aegir's claim to divinity were dispelled in that moment. The crowd bowed in acceptance—save for Thor and his companions, who stood unmoving in the center of the field. Neither kneeling nor offering formal homage. The situation was extremely uncomfortable.
"No bow for the new king, prince Thor?" Aegir called out, his tone light but his eyes challenging. "And here I thought Asgardians prided themselves on their manners."
"The power of the God-King... what a powerful force!" Thor responded, ignoring the jab. His warlike heart was beating violently in his chest. He was even more eager to fight, to prove his power to the Nine Realms!
As the next king of the Nine Realms, the heir of the God King Odin, Thor believed he didn't need to kneel to anyone but Odin! He was destined to be the future king of the Nine Realms, the new God King! It stood to reason that Vanaheim was also his territory and must obey his management.
Even though at the moment, Thor was just a prince, and Aegir was the new god-king of the Vanir Protoss, he still didn't feel like he needed to kneel. The other party was not worthy!
"Well, that's quite the look in your eyes, Thor," Aegir said, crossing his arms. "Thinking of testing your hammer against my new powers? I'd advise against it, but then again, I've never been one to turn down an interesting challenge."
Thor's hand tightened around Mjolnir's handle. He wanted to wave it at Aegir to prove that he was still no comparable to him even with the power of Njord. He would be the strongest in the Nine Realms!
"Perhaps another time," Sif interjected, placing a cautious hand on Thor's arm. She could sense the raw power emanating from Aegir and knew that Thor's pride was clouding his judgment.
"Yes, another time," Loki agreed smoothly, though his eyes told a different story.
Unlike Thor, Loki was no longer as proud as he had been at the start. He understood the significance of Aegir inheriting the power of the previous God-King. Not only did it boost personal strength, but it would also have an effect on the whole Nine Realms.
In those calculating eyes, there was only envy. Truth to be told Loki was very envious of Aegir. He envied that the other party had the power to match the god kings. He envied Aegir for being the King of Vanaheim. He envied Aegir for being recognized and loved by the Vanir people without any backtalk.
And he, the second prince of Asgard, was not favored by Odin, nor by the other Asgardians. All eyes naturally fell on Thor.
"Something on your mind, Loki?" Aegir asked, noticing the intense stare.
Loki's face smoothed into a pleasant mask. "Not at all. I'm merely impressed by the display. It's not every day one witnesses the birth of a God King."
"Mmm," Aegir hummed noncommittally. "If you say so, though I doubt that's all you're thinking."
Skirnir stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Aegir as if to shield him from the Asgardians. "My lord, now that you have received your divine power, we should begin preparations to announce the news. The people have waited long enough."
"Always so serious, Skirnir," Aegir chuckled. "Can't we enjoy the moment for a bit? I've just become semi-divine or whatever this is. I think that calls for a celebration, not more ceremonies."
"The ceremonies ARE the celebration, my lord," Skirnir replied with a long-suffering sigh. "And they are necessary to solidify your position among the Nine Realms."
"Fine, fine," Aegir conceded with a dramatic sigh of his own. "you can make preparations, O Master of Ceremonies."
Loki watched them bickering, his mind swirling with uneasy thoughts. Thor held one of the greatest treasure of Asgard—Mjolnir. Despite his approach of solving everything with strength, people naturally followed him. Well maybe that's the reason they followed him but still.
And what did Loki have? A pair of Uru daggers, a gift from Frigga. Even the magic she had taught him came from the Vanir Protoss—her homeland—not Asgard.
That's right. The magic he knew wasn't even Asgardian. It came from the Vanir, who were known for their mastery of magic—magic so ancient and powerful that even Odin had failed to master many of it.
Odin had never taught him anything. Never given him anything of real value.
In fact, now that Loki thought about it, almost everything he have came from the Vanir, not Asgard.
He was just the second son, forgotten in the shadows—living forever under the blinding light of Thor's glory.
Sometimes, Loki couldn't help but wonder if he was truly Asgardian. Was he really Odin's son? Why were he and Thor treated so differently?
Why?
A quiet, burning resentment stirred inside him as he watched the people bow in reverence to Aegir.