"..."

The Palace. It was a small realm, probably about the size of a tiny island; how it was able to separate from Asgard and still manage to connect itself with a River was a mystery to Van. Mysteries, perhaps that's all he had ever known in his life.

He was now standing alone in the hall, its skies, almost covered by the view of Asgard in its entirety. Odin had left minutes ago after he proposed the deal, a deal which Van agreed on.

The war between the Aesir, and the humans led by Harvey was probably starting soon; Van initially planned to get in between that, even gathering an army of those who wished to live a life without the fear of being oppressed by the Aesir.

But a war… another war. It was as if that was the only way he knew how to solve things. But when Athena opened up the idea of living in a world they created, a 10th Realm; the idea of him not having to thrive just to survive surfaced in his mind.

It was possible, he thought. It was odd, but when he was teaching students almost the same age, and some even older than him back in Heven Academy, his life felt… normal; which it shouldn't be considering the semantics.

And if he could build a home for himself somewhere out there, without taking it from someone else, without having to kill for it… then maybe that is what he is supposed to do. Start from scratch with the people that he could actually call friends;

Something that he would actually want and need to protect because it is his; something he could call his own-- a family.

Van's sighs echoed throughout the empty hall as he removed his eyes from Asgard. The same family was out there expecting him, it… would be rude to keep them waiting.

***

"So… that's how it is."

"...Did I make the wrong decision?"

"I believe only time could tell that now, King Evans."

"Can't you… calculate the outcome?"

"I'm… not a seer."

Van and the others were now back at the entrance of the Palace, waiting for the gates to be opened so they could leave. The quiet man called Heimdall, who seemed to be the Palace's gatekeeper, did not allow them to pass through the gates yet; telling them that Thor wishes to give them something.

"...Is it the hammer?"

"No," Athena was the one to answer Van as she grabbed something from her waist, "We already picked a hammer for you."

"This is…"

Van did not know whether to grab what Athena was giving him. He did say that he wanted Athena to choose something actually not bigger than him since the last hammer was big enough to be his room. But seeing what Athena was holding, his eyes started to squint as he looked at her face, trying to see if she was serious.

The hammer… was a typical hammer. Almost similar to the ones used by the builders; in fact, if it weren't for the intricate engravings on it, then it might just be hitting a nail right about now.

"Is… it too late to choose the bigger one?"

"You don't need another big one, King Evans," Athena slightly let out a small giggle as she forcefully pushed the hammer into Van's hand, "Try shaking it."

"..."

If it was just the two of them here, then Van would probably not think of her words too much. But since Latanya, Skylar, Sarah, and Angela were also curiously watching him, he could not help but feel slightly awkward.

Athena… wanted him to shake his hammer right now? He was probably thinking too much into it, but ever since the two of them… made love; it feels as if every word that comes out of her mouth has another meaning.

And he didn't realize it before, but Thor's words were true. He… truly was surrounded by women, isn't he?

"We're waiting to see you shake your new hammer, Mr. Evans," Angela then suddenly leaned closer towards his hammer, sniffing it out of nowhere as she looked Van straight in the eyes, "Seems to hold great magic in it, doesn't it? But at the same time, it feels somewhat empty. I also smell something sweet."

"...Don't," Van then quickly moved the hammer away from Angela's face, and as soon as he did so, small dusts of lightning started to trickle around it.

"The hammer stores energy through momentum," Athena then quickly explained, "Shake it and wack it around for a while and the energy stored in it could be released."

"..." Van then once again examined his new weapon. Seeing as it released some sort of lightning earlier, that was probably what it was going to shoot out once enough energy is collected,

"...I'll test it later."

"Ah, that's unfortunate, Van," Latanya then let out a short but deep sigh as she patted Van's shoulder, "I was hoping to see you shake it."

"It would seem I was mistaken, kid," Sarah then said as she shook her head, "Andrea would be proud seeing you all grown up."

"You guys are doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Van slightly groaned in frustration. It was a good thing that he and Skylar have not spent that much time together; if not, he was sure that she would also have something to say to him.

Skylar, who noticed that Van was looking at him, only responded with a smile. Finally, Van thought… At least there was someone acting like an adult in a group filled with people with a combined age of probably hundreds of thousands.

And like the voice of a savior liberating him from this awkward situation, Thor's roars reverberated in the air.

"I am here! Forgive me for letting all of you wait!"

The group then all turned their heads towards Thor, only to find… that he was carrying a house. A literal humble-sized house.

"This… is what you wanted to give me?" Van then quickly said as his neck almost broke from being turned almost to a 90 degree.

"You are funny, little friend," Thor then burst out in laughter, "No, this is my abode. I shall be bringing it to the 10th Realm so I would not have to adjust much."

"You… are really coming with us?" Van then muttered, already giving up trying to understand Thor's mind.

"Of course. I can feel the call of battle if I am near you."

"Your race is literally on the brink of war with the humans, Thor. If you want a battle, then just stay here."

"I am bored of wars; the fire of fighting and risking your body fighting a singular opponent is much more thrilling," Thor said with a small sigh, "And if I am with you, I could challenge you anytime I wish."

So that was the real reason, Van thought. But still, if Thor was truly joining them, then there was no reason to refuse. He was strong and had the experience of a thousand years; he would be a crucial piece if Van wanted to create a nation strong enough to face the World Eaters.

But first, before even thinking of building a nation, there was a critical hurdle that they needed to face.

"We... don't actually have a place to put your house on yet," Van muttered.

"...What?"

"We haven't chosen a Fragmented World to build our kingdom yet, Thor," Athena then stepped forward, "We are, as in every sense of the word, literally starting from scratch. I have already narrowed down some potential worlds, but King Evans has yet to see any of them."

"I… see," Thor's voice became weaker as he carefully put down his house behind him, "This… is quite a problem, is it not? Why have you not chosen yet, little friend?"

"I've… been busy," Van explained, "And it wasn't my priority until moments ago."

"May I suggest something?"

"Hm?"

Sarah raised her hand as she joined in on the conversation, "For hundreds of years, I have been living in isolation in a floating world quite a distance away from the 9 Realms, but still near enough I could visit when I want to…

...Perhaps we could build it there? My influence in its ecosystem has served to populate the fauna. But most importantly, I know the land."

"..." Athena slightly raised an eyebrow as she heard Sarah's words, "I already said I have already narrowed down King Evans' choices."

"But he hasn't even seen any of them yet," Sarah quickly replied, "And as I said, mine is probably the most suited to foster a kingdom."

"If we're recommending Fragmented Worlds, then I know a couple," Angela also joined in on the conversation as she pointed her finger randomly at the sky, "There, there, and there."

"I suppose it's better for you to have more choices, eh master?" Latanya suddenly embraced Van from behind, pinning his head between her colossal bosom, "I also happen to know a floating island near Vanaheim."

"This…"

Seeing all the eyes staring at him, Van could not help but slightly take a step back. It felt as if whatever answer he comes up with, no good outcome would come from it.

"The thing is… I can't travel through space yet," Van then found a valid excuse, "Athena was supposed to teach me before all of this happened."

"Oh, that's quite alright, Mr. Evans," Angela then snickered as she suddenly started whispering to herself. But after a few seconds, she looked Van straight in the eyes, "I have already somewhat mastered my unfilial godson's skills."

"...What?"

"I… 

....can teleport you now."

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