The destruction of the Dark Elves immediately jolted the God King awake from his Odinsleep.
Thor had only just returned to Asgard, his spirits low, when he suddenly sensed his father awakening again. He immediately grew nervous. Ever since he had begun waging war across the Nine Realms in his father's stead, he had hardly ever lost.
But whenever he did lose, All-Father Odin would summon him, criticize his arrogance, and help him analyze the reasons for his defeat.
Yet Thor had never really taken those words to heart. He merely felt guilty, believing he had disappointed Odin, without ever truly reflecting on his father's teachings.
Thor did not reflect on his failures. He merely feared his father's authority, failing to grasp the true purpose behind Odin's criticism.
Now that Odin had awakened from his sleep twice, Thor instinctively assumed his defeat had angered All-Father Odin. Once again, anxiety gripped him.
Sure enough, Thor immediately sensed his newly awakened father summoning him.
Filled with apprehension, Thor returned to Odin's palace. Seeing the doors already open, he steeled himself and walked inside.
The moment he met the eyes of Odin, seated upon his divine throne, and felt that calm, imposing presence, Thor dropped to one knee and bowed his head deeply.
"Father, I was wrong. I shouldn't have given that evil sorcerer a chance to prepare. He weakened me. That was why I..."
The God King waved a hand, cutting Thor off.
Thor cautiously raised his head, only to see, for the first time, an unshakable sorrow beneath Odin's stern expression, his brow furrowed.
"I do not blame you this time."
Before Thor could rejoice, Odin's next words stunned him.
"I never imagined that man could already rival a god, much less use the Aether's power to awaken a technology godhead