3 Self Exile

"Do you want to rebel too?" Odin asked frowning.

Odin's voice turned into a growl of frustration. "You are right, only war can win peace, but don't forget one thing, only with power can you have a voice!" His words dripped with resentment and determination as he brandished Gangnir, ready to silence Caesar's dissent with a swift strike.

Heimdall lay motionless, lost in a deep coma, while Frigg hesitated, torn between her desire to intervene and her fear of further enraging Odin.

All eyes fixated on Caesar as he braced himself for Odin's impending blow. The tension in the air was palpable as Caesar braved Odin's wrath, only to crumple to the ground, gravely injured from the force of the attack.

Sinister thoughts brewed among the onlookers, contemplating Caesar's possible fate at Odin's hands.

Then, in a stunning turn of events, Caesar defied all expectations.

A scorching light emanated from Caesar's left arm, infused with an otherworldly power that defied explanation. With a surge of strength, his arm intercepted Gangnir's path, halting Odin's assault in its tracks.

Even Odin stood dumbfounded, his gaze locked on Caesar in astonishment, as the unfolding events took a dramatic and unexpected turn.

Odin's expression was a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and perhaps a hint of concern as he addressed Caesar. With a forceful motion, he propelled Caesar into the air, causing a ripple of hushed murmurs to sweep through the hall.

"Could it be? Is he truly tapping into divine energy?" whispered one observer.

"It appears to be a formidable solar energy," another chimed in.

"Since the demise of the Sun God, the presence of solar energy in Asgard has been scarce. To wield such power is no small feat," remarked a third.

Asgardians boasted physical prowess exceeding that of Earthlings by more than threefold. However, this advantage didn't merely translate to besting a few humans in combat; rather, it signified a significant and exponential augmentation of their overall combat capabilities.

Moreover, every Asgardian had the potential to Awaken divine power, though this wasn't guaranteed. While ordinary citizens and soldiers remained as typical protoss without divine abilities, those who Awakened earned divine titles corresponding to their specific powers.

These divine titles ranged across four levels. First-tier divine power conferred minor leadership roles, while second-tier elevated one to a general status, akin to renowned warriors like Sif.

Third-tier divine power elevated individuals to great renown within the Nine Realms, rivalling even the likes of Thor before his Awakening. Meanwhile, fourth-tier divine power, known as the All Father, granted dominion over the entire universe.

Yet, the boundaries of these tiers were exceedingly high. Even Thor, freshly Awakened, had fallen to Hela and Thanos, demonstrating the immense challenge of reaching the highest echelons of power.

As Caesar struggled to rise, he clenched his left hand, feeling a surge of potent energy coursing through him. The radiant sun outside Asgard infused him with strength, bolstering his physique with each passing moment.

"Is this the might of the sun?" Caesar marveled, his excitement palpable. "With just second-tier Awakening. More over the exposure to the sun's rays makes my power grows. And once I reach the fourth tier, I can command the Stars, unleashing devastating flares to obliterate any world. It's truly extraordinary!"

"Caesar, you must realize your weakness. In this realm, the feeble hold no sway," Odin asserted as he reclaimed his throne, observing Caesar's defiant stance.

"I shall render punishment upon you, sentencing you to a millennium of imprisonment. Perhaps in that time, you shall learn the reverence you lack!"

Leaning on the eternal spear, Odin commenced Caesar's trial.

Though Heimdall stirred at the commotion, there was naught to halt the judgment of the king Odin!

Frigga wept openly, yet even her tears could not sway Odin to rescind his decree.

Odin, the god-king and ruler of the Nine Realms, commanded respect that none could challenge, and transgressors faced inevitable consequences.

[The host faces the trial of the king Odin and must make a choice.]

[The first option: Accept Odin's trial, endure a thousand years of darkness in imprisonment, and receive the reward of Odin's favor, along with a Level 1 upgrade to solar power.]

[The second option: Kneel and implore Odin to revoke the trial, remaining in Asgard and earning Frigga's favor, including a parcel of land.]

[The third option: Reject Odin's trial, opt for self-imposed exile, leaving Asgard behind, and receive rewards including a cosmic star map and access to a reincarnation pool.]

Enduring a millennium of darkness just for Odin's favor and a slight boost in solar power seemed unreasonable.

A thousand years stretched far too long. With the potential of his abilities, Caesar could eclipse Odin within that time frame, making such a sentence unjustifiable.

Kneeling and begging for mercy was out of the question; it went against Caesar's very nature.

Self-exile appeared to be the only viable option.

With the cosmic star map and access to the reincarnation pool, Caesar could explore the universe, perhaps finding a remote planet where he could build a base for himself. Once there, he could hone his power