"I understand, teacher."
Stephen made a firm promise.
"Don't worry. I'll do everything I can! Not just for you, but for myself!"
Notice! Special Popularity Points +5,000! (From Stephen Strange)
Well, would you look at that. I've got him working overtime for free, fishing people out of endless dimensions, and instead of complaining, he's grateful to me?
Damn, I'm a genius of a boss! Homelander gave himself a round of applause in his head.
"That's what I wanted to hear. Stay here and focus on your studies. I look forward to hearing good news."
With that settled, Homelander turned and left, keeping his good deed to himself.
Far away, in Muspelheim, one of the Nine Realms.
It was a land of fire, lava, and ash, a realm at the end of the world.
More than a dozen thick bolts of lightning crashed down from the sky.
Hundreds of blazing fire demons were torn apart by the strikes.
After days of fighting across Muspelheim, Thor had finally been surrounded.
He was exhausted, his back slightly hunched and his chest heaving.
He had thought that, with his Thunder Power awakened, he would be unstoppable here. He would sweep aside every obstacle and take Surtur's crown with ease.
Reality had hit him hard.
The Iron Bear Battle Axe in his hand was razor-sharp, but it was purely a close-combat weapon. Unlike Mjolnir, it could not sweep away large groups of lesser enemies at will.
Nor could it let Thor fly or close distances in a flash.
He had to run and jump across treacherous ground riddled with lava pools.
To clear the fire demons swarming him from every side, Thor had to keep wringing Thunder Power from his body and sending it outward as storms of lightning.
Crackle!
Dozens more