30 Duties of a king

What's up, everyone? I'm back. I decided to continue here. If there are things you would like to see, please comment. 

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(Odin POV)

Time has passed. I wouldn't have noticed it passing if my children weren't growing up. After the war, I kept my promise to Aldrif and started her martial training. She is truly skilled in all forms of martial arts. She is the Goddess of the Hunt and Nature after all. I suspect that there will be a rivalry between her and the one Olympian Goddess ... one of Zeus' offspring. 

Of course, when he saw his sister do it, it was hard to keep Thor from also wanting to start his training. But I told him that he had to wait. I didn't often say no to my family, but this was something I wouldn't budge on. He will first get his other basic studies out of the way before he starts training physically. I don't care about his whining. One sharp look on my part and that's the end of that discussion. So he had to spend another two years of learning before he was allowed to train together with his sister.

Asgard has grown even more prosperous and powerful over the years. A few centuries had passed since the war and many things happened. First, the realm of Heven was used to gain resources for Asgard. Since there was actually almost none of the Angels left, we took it under our wing entirely. Why not? It's free real estate. 

I used my immense skill in economy and logistics to improve the lives of all Asgardians and the realms connected to Asgard. We prospered and I could see the potential for future growth as clear as day. It was going splendidly. The future was getting clearer the more my power grew. I was the Speed Force and Still Force and combined with my knowledge of Runes, the future was becoming clearer each day. Nothing was set in stone, but I could reinforce certain events, should I wish. 

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The new addition after the war, Loki, had trouble integrating at the start. He was as old as Thor, ironically and therefore understood what was happening. He understood that he was basically being sold to Asgard, in order to save the Frost Giants. He was naive and didn't understand that Laufey, cared little about him. He was small for a Frost Giant and his father was the leader of the Frost Giants. So Laufey saw him as an embarrassment and a failure. 

Unlike a normal Odin, I didn't lie to the boy. I didn't seal his powers or his appearance to make him think he was my son. I left him the way he was, a Frost Giant. He was truly small compared to the others and therefore, it was unnecessary to make him conceal his appearance. I took a moment to speak with Loki about his situation and why he was here. He was a smart boy, smarter than Thor and understood things very well.

As the years passed, I was very clear. He would never be King and he wasn't even a prince. He would never hold any say in political matters on Asgard, but that didn't mean that we could see him as part of the family. I myself didn't treat Loki with hate or contempt, but I was also not his friend immediately. In the beginning, I was rather distant from him to show him his place. But I would still make sure he was taken care of. 

Over the years this changed slightly. I came to appreciate Loki as a smart and magically talented young man. But there was no real love involved, not like with my family and my real children. Slowly we warmed up to each other, unlike Thor, who seemed to see Loki as his brother the moment they met. Thor loved Loki and Aldrif saw him in the same way I did. She was at first distant from him and looked at him with suspicion. He was a Frost Giant after all. But as the years passed and since Thor seemingly loved Loki like a brother, she also came around somewhat. 

Aldrif was similar to me in that regard. There was something that made Loki, Loki. And that part just unnerved me and her as well. She didn't understand why that was though, while I understood that it was his divinity of mischief. So I had to make sure, Loki understood his place and didn't take the pranks too far. 

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Gaea and I had more children. Not immediately, but a few years after the end of the war, we had another son, Balder. When he was born, the sun shone very brightly and all of Asgard was enlightened. I knew why this was, Balder was the god of Light, Sun and Justice. Like Thor, he was a strong baby and would grow up to be a powerful man. 

After Balder came Laussa Odinsdottir, our second daughter. She was both the goddess of war and peace, as well as beauty. I knew that I would have problems with her when she grew up. I would probably have to go to war because of her. Many hearts will be broken because of Laussa. Not because she would break them, but because I will. I was a snowflake when it came to my family. 

Our next child was Vidar. He was a god of poetry, music and seasons. He probably got the divinity of the seasons, from Gaea and the others are probably new. I thought that they might have something to do with my growing divinity of linguistics and stories, but who knows? 

We might have more children but that was it for now. 

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I trained all of my children and some trainers trained with them when I didn't have time. Over the years, all of my children made friends with other children from Asgard. That was due to the schools, and universities that I had created. They came together with many other kids their age. 

Alrdif and some other female friends formed a group together. They did almost everything together. They all had similar interests and that was mostly connected to fighting, hunting or discovering new things. 

Aldrif was the most skilled fighter of her siblings. That doesn't mean she is the most powerful, but the most skilled. She can fight using any weapon but prefers a long sword called Xiphos and her double-edged scimitar, Ichors. 

[Picture]

Ichors is a liquid metal, double-edged scimitar that can take the form of any bladed weapon. It can also be split into two and take the form of a whip.

She is truly living up to her divinity of the hunt and nature. If she is hunting something, there is no escaping it, at least under normal circumstances. Over the years, I gave Aldrif the challenge to hunt her brothers and sisters while using that chance to teach her siblings something else. 

She has caught them every time. Her strength is nothing to scoff at either. She is not as strong as Thor or Balder, but she is close. Her skills in martial arts set her apart and make her win every 1v1 fight she has against her brothers and sister. 

I took my time teaching all of my children anything they wished as well as everything I felt they needed. Thor was not really happy about the politics, while Loki, who was allowed to learn some things, didn't like the physical lessons. 

Aldrif also had her preferences but knew to appreciate knowledge for what it was ... power. She was the most observant among my children and her intellect set her apart. She was not an engineering genius, but her powers to take in information and understand what it means and see connections, are second only to me. 

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Aldrif had expressed her desire to speak to Gaea and me about something. So both me and Gaea are inside the Throne room, with her sitting next to me, looking down as Aldrif steps into the room. 

[Picture]

She has become one of the most beautiful women in the Universe. In my opinion, only Gaea and her sister Laussa could compare. I saw the nervousness underneath her brave front as soon as Aldrif stepped into the Throne Room. 

She steps in front of me and bows her head. 

"Father, I have something to tell you.", Aldrif starts. 

"Yes, daughter. What is it?"

"I have come to express my wish to travel to Midgard, Mother's planet and travel through the 10 realms. I believe it is long overdue as well. You, Father, did the same with my Uncle Cul before Grandfather died.", Aldrif says. 

"I see. You are of course correct. I appreciate you telling me this but ... why are you so nervous? Do you think you are imprisoned? You may go to see your Mother's planet whenever you wish.", I tell her. I find her surprised expression amusing. 

"Wha ... I thought ..."

"What I tell Thor and the others has nothing to do with you. You are not responsible for their immaturity. It has been far too long and I agree it is time you spread your wings."

"Thank you, Father. I am excited about that. I was hoping to meet with the homo superiors. You rule over a very big part of Midgard after all.", Aldrif says. 

The Homo Superiors. The race I created myself. A race that is similar to the Mutants in theory but just ... superior. When I asked Zgreb to take 100 of the mammals and turn them into Mutants, I took those and changed them how I wanted. And the result is the homo superiors. 

They have great genetic potential, like the mutants, but their appearances will never change. They are smarter, stronger, age slower and have the potential to achieve great powers in the future. They are usually home to the lands under my protection. 

The entire Earth is under my protection, but Greece and a bit of future Europe are under the 'jurisdiction' of the Greek Pantheon. They believe they rule over the world. But that's not true. I have allowed them to exist because Gaea asked me to. They are her grandchildren ... in a way. But I don't like them. They are like I know them from comics, stories and myths. We will meet soon and things will become clear then. 

Other than that, there are a few areas where humans have started to worship gods, like Egypt, but 90% of the world is a part of my pantheon. This will have consequences in the future, for example, there will never be a Black Panther in this Universe, but there will be a Black Wolf. 

Wakanda is also a part of the Asgardian Pantheon and therefore things will inevitably change. I also listen to the prayers and some humans who are in need. That's what the homo superiors are for. They receive and do mine or my wife's will on the planet. Although they have a genetic predisposition to be 100% loyal to me, I allowed Gaea to communicate with them as well. 

She has my trust after all and the homo superiors love her. 

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"I wish you well on your travels, Aldrif. If there is anything you need, you know what to do. Other than that, I wish you success on your journey.", I say. 

"Thank you, Father and Mother.", Aldrif smiles and Gaea stands up. She goes to embrace Aldrif in a tight hug. Gaea has also grown more powerful over the years. Her love for her family and for her home causes those she embraces to be vitalised and filled with energy. 

Like the Earth, she can be peaceful, full of life and sunshine or destructive and dangerous. She is stronger than any Elder God at this point and I know that she will only continue to grow more powerful. 

"Make sure to take enough tools and armour with you. That way I can be assured of your safety, dear.", Gaea whispers in her ear. 

"I will mother. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I doubt there is anything I have to worry about.", Aldrif replies.

"You're right. Especially if you have a father who can see you at any time and will surely watch over you. Hihihi.", Gaea giggles lightly together with Aldrif. I simply act like I don't hear anything ... that's healthier. 

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I tried to make certain things clear to you. Loki is not an outsider, but he is controlled and if he goes too far, he is punished. 

There will be action in the next chapter again. 

[Odin Picture]

[Aldrif Picture]

[Thor Picture]