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Camp
"Wait, calm down — we're not thieves or anything like that," said Thor, raising his hands.
"If you're not thieves, then what are you doing here?"
asked the chubby boy suspiciously.
"I know what it looks like, but that idiot brother of mine is actually right. Now that I think about what I just said… maybe we really are stealing," said Loki.
Thor felt attacked and snapped back,
"Hey, watch your mouth or I'll—"
Before Thor could finish, someone entered the cabin.
A tall man with a fierce appearance — he looked like a Viking — stepped inside.
"What's going on here?" the man asked.
Volstagg quickly replied,
"These two boys broke into our dorm and refuse to leave!"
Thor hurried to explain.
"Look, it's not what it seems! My name's Thor, this is my brother. We're not here to steal anything — it's just a misunderstanding!"
The man listened, then said,
"Your names are Thor and Loki?"
"Yes, that's right. And who are you?" Loki asked.
"You two can call me Denny — I'll be your instructor," he said.
"You are...?" asked Thor.
"That's right. This one here beside me is Volstagg — one of my students," Denny explained.
Volstagg was a little taller than the others, around fifteen or sixteen years old.
Volstagg stepped forward to apologize.
"What was I thinking? Please forgive me, your highnesses. I'm such an idiot! How could I not recognize the sons of Odin? I humbly beg you to spare my life!"
Thor and Loki exchanged glances. Thor wanted to laugh but held it in.
Loki, however, was crueler.
"We feel deeply offended. Unfortunately, I'll have to sentence you to death," Loki said with a serious face.
"No, no! Please, your highness, forgive me!" Volstagg begged on his knees.
Denny watched the scene, feeling a little sorry for Volstagg — intelligence clearly wasn't his strong point. He saw Thor struggling not to laugh and Loki's mocking expression.
Denny couldn't hold back a small laugh himself.
"That's enough, Loki, stop with your lies. Get up, friend, he's not serious," Thor said, helping Volstagg to his feet.
"Really? Oh, that's great! Haha! You're funny, your highness!" Volstagg said, giving Loki a few "gentle" pats on the back.
Loki winced a little — his slender body didn't appreciate the hits.
"I suppose I deserved that…" Loki muttered.
"You two…" Denny mumbled, already realizing Loki would be hard to deal with. Thor seemed more modest in comparison, though clearly impulsive.
"Get yourselves ready. Volstagg, show them around the camp afterward. I'll be waiting back where we were — I'm training Fandral. Join us when you're done," Denny instructed.
"Leave it to me!" Volstagg replied.
Denny left the cabin, leaving Thor, Loki, and Volstagg inside.
"All right, newbies, you two idiots, get ready. Pick a weapon — there are plenty around. Choose what you like best. I'll be waiting outside to take you girls for a tour," Volstagg said as he left the tent.
Loki and Thor exchanged looks. Loki's expression was odd.
"Did you hear the way he talked to us? That's the first time someone's ever spoken to me like that…" Loki said.
"Don't be upset, Loki. I'm sure you'll get used to it," said Thor.
"He can't talk to me like that!" Loki said, annoyed.
"I think he can, Loki. He's older and more experienced than us," Thor replied.
"But—"
"Cheer up, brother. Come on, let's not keep him waiting," said Thor, giving Loki a few pats on the shoulder.
Thor grabbed an axe and walked out of the tent. Loki followed soon after, picking up a short sword.
Outside, Volstagg was waiting for them.
"Follow me, ladies, I'll show you around the camp," he said as he walked.
"First of all, there are a few rules," Volstagg explained.
"Rule number one: we can't leave camp without orders or alone. If you go too far and get caught, you'll be punished."
"Wonderful. I love rules," Loki said sarcastically.
"Loki, you're the last person I'd say likes following rules," Thor replied.
"You don't know anything," Loki shot back.
"I think I know enough," Thor smirked.
"Rule number two's simple — no boys or men are allowed in the girls' area. If you're caught there, you'll be expelled... or worse," Volstagg warned.
"Got it — no sneaking into the girls' side," Thor said.
The camp was divided into zones — one for boys, one for girls, and mixed areas for training.
"And the third rule: no hurting others in camp. Those are the main rules," said Volstagg.
Thor asked curiously,
"How long have you been here, Volstagg?"
"Two years now," he answered.
As Volstagg showed them around, it was clear they drew attention wherever they went. Everyone knew Odin and was curious to meet his sons.
Thor's golden hair and confident presence made him instantly recognizable.
Loki, on the other hand, drew less notice.
"You just got here and you're already famous, Thor," Volstagg laughed.
Loki looked slightly irritated. Why did Thor always get the attention? Why couldn't he be admired too? Sometimes he felt like he mattered less in the family.
"Come on, the others are waiting. Let's go, ladies," Volstagg called.
They followed him to an open training area filled with children. Some practiced repetitive moves; others were sparring.
In the middle of an open space, the man from before — Denny — was training a slim, blond boy.
Volstagg approached.
"I'm back, teacher, with the new recruits. Did exactly what you asked," he said proudly.
"Good, well done," Denny replied.
He stopped fighting and turned to Thor and Loki.
"Let me introduce you — this is Fandral," he said.
"Fandral, these are Thor and Loki. From now on, you'll be companions. Take care of each other."
Fandral extended his hand.
"It's a pleasure, your highnesses — an honor to meet you."
Thor shook his hand.
"Thank you, but we haven't done anything to deserve that honor yet," Thor said.
"Well said, Thor. But I'm sure someday you will," Denny smiled.
Then he asked,
"How much has Odin taught you about fighting?"
Thor and Loki exchanged looks.
"Well, honestly… not much. We know a little, but we can handle ourselves," Thor said.
Loki glanced at him and corrected,
"Actually, my brother and I know almost nothing."
"I see… then we'll have to start from the basics," Denny said thoughtfully.
It was clear the two brothers were different. Denny realized he couldn't train them like normal students. He'd have to be stricter — and at the same time, discover their strengths.
He needed to observe which weapons suited them best.
Fandral was naturally talented with weapons — that wasn't Denny's doing.
Volstagg, on the other hand, was powerful but clumsy — his style was rough.
"Thor, Loki — tell me, what do you think you're good with?" Denny asked.
Thor answered honestly,
"Axes. I like axes."
"And you, Loki?" Denny asked.
"I'm good with swords," Loki replied.
Thor laughed.
"Swords, Loki? Come on, admit what you're really good with."
"Loki, you can tell me. Any weapon's worth practicing," Denny reassured.
"That's right, your highness. Don't be shy — none of us will judge you," said Fandral.
"The skinny guy's right! And I, Volstagg, promise I won't laugh. You have my word," said the boy dramatically.
"Daggers… short blades," Loki muttered quietly.
"Daggers…" Denny repeated thoughtfully.
Fandral and Volstagg exchanged looks. Thor looked away.
Many Asgardians believed short blades — daggers, knives — were weapons for cowards, dishonorable tools.
"There's no need to be ashamed, daggers are—"
Before Denny could finish, he heard someone trying not to laugh.
It was Volstagg — covering his mouth, doing his best to hold it in. Fandral was the same.
Even Thor had that same grin on his face, turning away to hide it.
Finally, Volstagg couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!" Volstagg laughed loudly, and soon everyone joined in — Fandral, Thor, all of them.
Even Denny chuckled a little at the sight.
Loki stared at those idiots. They were laughing at him. How dare they?
"It's not funny, you fools! I swear, when I'm king, all of you will be punished in the most—"
Loki was completely ignored as they kept laughing, until Denny finally stopped them.
"That's enough, everyone. Loki, listen — it's all right. Don't mind them," Denny said.
Loki just nodded silently.
"I want you four to meet me near the camp gate. I need to handle something first. Grab your weapons and wait there, understood?"
"Yes, teacher," they replied in unison.
Denny left them there.
"Where do you think he went?" Volstagg asked.
"No idea. Probably something important," said Fandral.
"He better not take long. If he makes me wait, I'll have his head cut off," said Loki.
"Brother, I don't think you have that power yet," Thor replied.
"Thor, what's it like at the palace?" asked Fandral as they walked toward the gate together.
"It's terribly boring," Thor said simply.
"Unfortunately, I must agree," Loki added.
"It can't be that boring — there must be food and drinks all day long!" Volstagg said.
"Yes, but…" Thor began — and they kept talking as they walked.
Then Loki suddenly remembered something.
"Now that I think of it… where did you leave Father's gift?" he asked.
He was referring to Mjölnir.
"I left it at home. We won't need it," Thor replied.
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Is anyone reading this story? Tell me what you think in the comments!