Northern Europe.
Asgard.
A towering complex of palaces stood amidst the clouds. At its outermost edge, magnificent rainbow light intertwined into a bridge that cascaded down from heaven to the human world like a waterfall.
At the end of this Rainbow Bridge, a giant clad head to toe in brilliant golden armor stood silently like a stone statue, holy sword in hand.
He was the watcher of the Rainbow Bridge,
and the guardian god stationed at the entrance between Asgard and the human world... Heimdall.
Suddenly, his tightly shut eyes opened slightly. He gazed toward the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, his brow deeply furrowed.
At the far end of the Rainbow Bridge, a man dressed in an ornate black formal suit was slowly approaching. His slightly curled black hair fluttered in the wind, and his narrow eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
"Loki." Heimdall, clad in brilliant golden armor, spoke in a low voice, making no effort to conceal the disgust in his eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"No need to be so tense, Heimdall." Loki smiled faintly. "I'm only here to deliver an order from Odin."
"An order?"
At those words, Heimdall's expression eased slightly.
"What order?"
"For the next four days, close the Rainbow Bridge. Cut off all paths leading to the human world. No one is to enter or leave Asgard."
"Close the Rainbow Bridge?" Heimdall frowned. "This bridge hasn't been closed in over a hundred years. Why close it now?"
"Haven't you heard, Heimdall? Someone is coming to make trouble in Asgard."
"With me here, no one can enter Asgard."
Heimdall gripped his holy sword and straightened his back. His brilliant golden armor gleamed beneath the sunlight as he spoke calmly.
"Heh." Loki sneered. "You alone probably won't be enough."
A cold