The towering golden doors of the throne room groaned open behind Vali as he stepped out, his boots echoing faintly on the polished marble floor of the hallway. The fading words of Odin still rang in his ears — cryptic as ever, layered in foresight and warning. A father's concern veiled beneath a king's authority.
Vali exhaled quietly.
The Aesir guards lining the corridor watched him with unreadable expressions. Whether they respected him as Odin's adopted son or simply tolerated him out of duty, Vali didn't care. Their opinions were fleeting. The System's voice had been silent since his return, but the invisible pressure of his responsibilities loomed louder than any quest prompt.
He paused by a window cut into the crystalline wall. Asgard stretched out before him — divine, serene, and deceptive. The golden towers, the floating islands, the gleaming Bifrost like a sliver of captured aurora. But he knew better than to trust the peace here.
Especially now.
Vali's steps turned toward the north wing of the palace — Hela's domain.
---
She greeted him in her usual way: silently, eyes raised only briefly from the tomes of soulbound magic spread across her blackened stone desk. Despite the chill in the room, she had a warmth in her presence today — rare, and unspoken.
"You're back," she said at last, not looking up again. "I expected more injuries."
Vali allowed himself a faint smile and leaned against a nearby column. "I heal fast. Perks of the job."
Her lips twitched. Almost a smile. "You smell of Midgardian blood... and something darker. You've been to Svartalfheim."
"I have."
She finally looked at him fully, her mismatched eyes sharp. "And survived."
"I've made a habit of it," he replied. "But something's off. The war there isn't natural. The Dokkalfar fight like they've been promised something. As if they expect someone greater to lift them higher."
"Someone?" Hela tilted her head.
"Or something," Vali said. "Someone who hates Odin more than they hate me."
She didn't respond. But her gaze lingered longer than usual, concern blooming behind her cold demeanor.
Before leaving, Vali placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Watch yourself," he murmured. "If someone moves against me... they might come for you, too."
She said nothing — but the shadows behind her curled tighter, as if preparing to respond on her behalf.
---
Next, Vali made his way to the outer gardens. The golden trees there shimmered with eternal fruit, untouched by age. Beneath one such tree sat Idun, her hair glistening with the same light as her apples. She looked up as he approached, setting aside a small basket.
"Vali," she said with genuine joy. "You look exhausted."
"Traveling between realms will do that to you," he said, taking a seat beside her. "So will politics."
She handed him a silver cup filled with nectar. "So Odin gave you another riddle to solve?"
Vali smirked, sipping the drink. "I'm starting to think his every word is a test."
"That's how he raised all of us," she said softly. "And you're his son now, by oath if not blood."
He turned to her. "Do you think that's enough to protect me?"
A moment of silence stretched between them. Then, she smiled faintly.
"No," Idun said. "But it's enough to make you dangerous. That's why someone will want you gone."
Vali stared into the cup, watching golden ripples dance across the surface. He didn't need her to say the name. He was sure now — Angerboda had made her move, and he needed to prepare for war on more fronts than one.
---
As dusk painted the Asgardian sky with streaks of violet and amber, Vali stood alone on one of the palace balconies. From here, he could see the faint glimmer of the Bifrost, ever ready to bridge worlds.
He clenched his fists.
The war in Svartalfheim wasn't over. He still didn't know who had armed the Dokkalfar or manipulated their rage, but the roots of betrayal felt close. Too close.
"I need to go back," he murmured.
He had stayed in Asgard long enough. Long enough to speak with Odin. Long enough to see the people he trusted. Now, he had to return to the shadows of war.
Not just for battle—but for answers.
And if Angerboda truly wanted him dead… then soon, she'd have to face a Vali stronger than she had ever imagined.