Thor and Loki sat on the steps of the royal palace, surrounded by vast ruins of collapsed buildings. They waited silently for the battle that would decide Asgard's fate to end.
Covered in dust and looking a complete mess, Thor bared his teeth as he gently wiped the blood from his face. Having lost to Hela twice, he could not help but feel frustrated.
As he silently gazed over tranquil Asgard, this blessed land of the gods, nostalgia flickered in his one eye, and fond memories kept surfacing before him.
"Father once said that only one of us could become king."
Leaning against a fallen pillar, Thor recalled Odin telling him and Loki about the war against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim when they were children.
"He also said that both of us were born to be kings."
A mocking smile curled across Loki's lips. Those very words had given him unrealistic hopes.
"Only later did I understand that it did not mean I was qualified to sit on Asgard's throne. It meant that, as the descendant of the Frost Giant king, I would rule all of Jotunheim."
"No matter what, we're brothers. Asgard is our home..."
After a long silence, Thor spoke softly.
He could not stand by and watch Hela rule Asgard, nor did he want to see Ragnarok arrive. Every burden weighed on his shoulders, leaving Thor utterly exhausted.
"Why can't we accept reality, brother?"
A deep, self-mocking expression appeared on Loki's face.
He had once considered himself a god as well, trying to use the mad Titan Thanos's power to rule the Nine Realms. Unfortunately, cruel reality had dealt him a resounding slap across the face.
"Asgard is no longer the protector of the Nine Realms. Midgard is surpassing us! Even if you defeat Hela and