Seph had enjoyed his time on Earth, but with everything that had happened—the Iron Man fiasco, Sophia, and even Pepper's subtle jealousy—it was time for a change of scenery.
And what better place than Asgard, where the wine flowed endlessly, and the company was more than entertaining?
His main reason for coming, however, was to check on Hela, since she still hadn't returned back to Earth. So, instead, Seph decided to make the most of his visit.
As soon as he arrived at the palace, Seph was met with friendly faces. Warriors and shieldmaidens alike greeted him with deep respect. Some even bowed, treating him as if he were royalty.
"Seph, welcome back!" One of the palace guards greeted.
"Have you come to challenge the warriors once more?" Another asked, eyes full of admiration.
Even some of the palace maidens giggled as they passed, whispering amongst themselves while stealing glances at him.
Seph sighed. It seems my reputation has only grown.
As he made his way toward the royal chambers, Frigga appeared in the hallway with a knowing smile.
"My dear Seph," She greeted warmly. "It is always a pleasure to see you grace our halls."
He returned her smile. "Likewise, Frigga. I hope you've been well."
"Oh, quite," She said, before glancing at the surrounding maidens who were still lingering nearby, whispering and staring at him with clear admiration. She smirked. "It seems you've gained quite a following."
Seph exhaled in amusement, shaking his head. "I don't encourage it."
Frigga's smirk grew. "A man of your charm doesn't need to."
Seph only smiled in return, but Frigga wasn't done. She stepped closer and lowered her voice, her tone teasing. "You've been keeping Hela company, but I hear you've also been spending time with other women. My, my… quite the player, aren't you?"
Seph coughed lightly. "That's—"
She chuckled before he could even defend himself. "Oh, don't worry. I won't tell Hela. Though, I doubt she'd be too pleased to hear it."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not like that. I care about Hela."
"I know," Frigga said, patting his arm with a gentle smile. "But you should still be careful. Even the strongest of men can be caught in the storm of a woman's jealousy."
Seph simply chuckled at that.
Later that day, Seph found himself outside in the palace training grounds, enjoying a goblet of Asgardian wine while watching warriors spar.
Then, a loud and familiar voice boomed across the area.
"Seph!"
He turned to see Thor stomping towards him, Mjolnir in hand, eyes burning with eagerness.
The younger prince grinned confidently. "It has been too long since we've last crossed blades. I demand a duel!"
Seph raised an eyebrow. "Demand?"
Thor scoffed. "Yes! I have grown stronger, and I will prove it to you today."
Seph smirked and took another sip of his wine. "You sure about that, muscle-brain?"
The Asgardian warriors all turned their attention toward the brewing fight, their excitement rising. A match between Seph and Thor was always a spectacle.
"Enough talk!" Thor boomed. "Fight me!"
Seph sighed, placed his goblet on a nearby table, and stretched his arms lazily. "Alright, alright. Let's see if you've learned anything."
He moved to the middle of the training ground with Thor as they faced each other.
With a roar, Thor lunged first.
He swung Mjolnir in a powerful downward arc, the very air cracking from the force of the blow.
But Seph simply sidestepped at the last second, causing the hammer to slam into the ground instead, sending out a shockwave of debris.
Before Thor could react, Seph flicked his fingers, sending a gust of invisible force that sent the Thunder God skidding backward.
Thor growled and charged again, this time spinning Mjolnir rapidly before hurling it straight at Seph.
The hammer tore through the air like a missile, but Seph merely caught it with one hand.
The entire training ground fell silent.
"…What?" Thor blinked in disbelief.
Seph held Mjolnir as if it weighed nothing, examining it with mild interest. "You really rely on this thing too much."
Thor clenched his fists. "It is my weapon!"
Seph's eyes glinted. "No, it's your crutch."
And then, he vanished.
Before Thor could react, Seph reappeared behind him, gripping his wrist and twisting him mid-air before slamming him into the ground with bone-shaking force.
BOOM!
Thor coughed as dust exploded around them, his golden armor dented from the impact.
Seph casually twirled Mjolnir in his hand. "You're the God of Thunder, right?"
Thor groaned and pushed himself up. "Of course, I am!"
Seph narrowed his eyes. "Then why do you fight like you're the God of Hammers?"
Thor's eyes widened slightly. "What?"
Seph sighed and shook his head. "You rely on this hammer for everything. Tell me, what happens if you lose it? Are you powerless?"
"I am still strong!" Thor shouted, summoning a bolt of lightning from the sky. The electricity crackled around his body, his eyes glowing with divine power. "I am Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard! The storms bow to me!"
Seph smirked. "Then prove it."
With a flash step, Seph closed the distance and delivered a devastating punch to Thor's gut. The force sent the Thunder God flying into a stone pillar, shattering it into rubble.
Thor gasped for air as he stumbled to his feet. Seph approached him slowly.
"Fight me without the hammer," Seph challenged.
Thor gritted his teeth. "Fine!"
He clenched his fists and rushed forward, throwing a thunder-charged punch.
Seph blocked it with one hand and retaliated with a palm strike to Thor's chest, sending another shockwave through his body.
Thor roared and swung again, this time using pure strength. The clash of their blows created tremors across the battlefield.
For the first time, Thor fought without Mjolnir.
Seph nodded approvingly. Now we're getting somewhere.
The fight continued for several more minutes before Seph finally ended it with a well-placed strike that sent Thor sprawling onto his back, gasping for air.
As Thor lay on the ground, catching his breath, Seph casually twirled Mjolnir in his hand before planting it into the dirt beside him.
"You want to be a real warrior?" Seph asked, his voice calm yet firm.
Thor, still gasping for air, glanced at the hammer, then back at Seph. His pride was bruised, but he was listening.
"Then stop relying on your hammer. Find the power within yourself first. Only then will you understand your true strength."
Seph extended his hand over Mjolnir, and suddenly, divine runes flickered to life along its surface. The hammer hummed with ancient magic, its weight shifting with an unseen force.
Thor's brow furrowed. "What are you doing?"
Seph smirked. "Adding something Odin should have done earlier."
The warriors around them watched in awe as Seph's fingers traced along the hammer's head, his voice ringing with quiet authority.
"Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor..."
The first enchantment was restored, ensuring that only those with true worth could wield Mjolnir. But then—Seph's smirk widened.
"…And for those who rely on tools rather than themselves, let the path to worthiness be even harder."
The second enchantment blazed into existence, its power weaving into the very metal of the hammer.
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