[Hammerbase] Ghost of Asgard Castle

Before meeting Loki, everything in Thor's eyes was intense and distinct.If it's not black, it's white, if it's not light, it's dark.There is wine and blood, day and night, burning fires and frosty wastelands, noisy feasts and solemn sacrifices.In Asgard, the mind of a teenager is tempered by the unique fire of passion in this land, which is hot and pure. Joy and pain come as fast and fierce as a storm. The purest love and the purest hatred There is no transition or hesitation at all.

But he met Loki.That day, the black-haired and green-eyed boy smiled at him in the sunshine, but hid his hands and sincerity in the shadows that he couldn't see.From that day on, he discovered that there was an ambiguous shadow in his originally clear world, a god who ignored the laws of the world.The evil god with the face of his younger brother wandered freely between the cracks of light and shadow, laughing and reminding him that not everything in this world will be as he wished.It was too early to say that Thor had figured out the meaning of that smile by then.He'll just say it because Rocky is special.This is true for others, of course it is also true for him.Yes, at that time, this reason was enough.

What I want to tell you today is a past event that happened in Asgard Castle.This ancient building named after the port of Asgard, and its namesake "Land of Thousand Sails" Asgard, have always been the favorite theme of troubadours of all ages.It is not difficult to understand, no matter where you are in Asgard city now, as long as you raise your head slightly, you will be able to see its rolling city walls and towering towers at the end of the sky.The majestic majesty like a giant beast entrenched on the top of the peaks is certainly formidable, but if you have seen the towers and palaces, cellars and gardens, deer parks and courtyards it contains, you will know that what you just marveled at is its back. On a small insignificant scale. "Palace on the Clouds", "City of Fairyland", you must have heard too many legends about it.So what should I say today?Perhaps you would like to hear the untold story of the most famous lord of the land for centuries, and his little-known brother.

The deeds of the former are almost unknown in Asgard.Women will vividly describe to you his shining blond hair, which is enough to make the July sun pale, his charming blue eyes deeper than the heart of the ocean, and his tall and stalwart body like a god; men will point to the bronze statue standing on the city gate, Telling tales of legends I've heard since childhood, with the exaggeration of boasting about my own glory.This huge statue cast spontaneously by the people of later generations commemorates his heroic demeanor in the famous battle that miraculously defeated the attack of the Nummhaydons.The appearance of him holding a divine hammer, as if he was sending down the power of thunder to the earth, has long been recognized as a spiritual emblem in the hearts of Asgardians.In Asgard, his name is always on the lips of the people - the warriors in battle ask him for strength, the merchants on the voyage seek refuge from him, and the common people pray to him for justice and mercy in the world.

Today, you can still see his portrait in his youth in the promenade next to the main hall of the castle.Surrounded by a group of outstanding ancestors and descendants, he is still the most dazzling one.You won't see a portrait of his brother there, though, not anywhere, even if you search every corner of Asgard's castle.His name isn't even included in the official genealogy, except for an occasional inconspicuous line in appendices and footnotes.

"Rocky Laufe".It was the name of his brother, who had been intentionally or unintentionally forgotten.And our story begins here.

In a castle as old as Asgard, of course there will be ghosts.Unlike the scary stories circulated among the servants, the ghost that Thor encountered was not a lady wandering in the corridor of portraits crying silently, nor was it an unlucky knight dangling around holding his head, but a ghost who looked similar to Boys about his age.This was due to the quickness with which he had barged into the library when he heard the noise—his usual adventures were so reckless and brave.Among the rows of dusty old books, he saw the half head of the ghost who had no time to hide behind the bookshelf.A pair of wet green eyes stared round at the sudden intruder, like a frightened kitten.

In this season, the truly cold and deep winter has yet to come, and the damp and cold mist that has permeated around the castle since the early morning has been completely dispersed by the wind, and a ray of soft light from the warm afternoon sun is slanting in the clear air. The sky stretched out and shone in through the small round window in the library.Thor stepped forward, placing himself in the very center of the light.The breastplate that had not been replaced on the training ground was shining, and he neatly pulled the red cloak from his shoulders behind him, and straightened his chest.No matter who stood in front of him, he was the young master of Asgard, the son of Odin, even if ten ghosts stood in front of him, he would not show the slightest timidity.

"I know, you are that ghost." He stared at the pair of puzzled eyes not far away, and said imposingly. "Worstagg told me that there was a guy in the castle who was always making trouble around the kitchen and stealing pudding. Now I've got you."

The green eye blinked, regaining its usual composure.As if thinking of some interesting prank, there is some playful anticipation in this calmness.Thor watched as the green-eyed master straightened up behind the pile of books and walked straight towards him.His steps were also catlike and light, almost noiseless as they landed on the old hardwood floor.

"Yes, I like pudding," said the ghost. "But you haven't caught me yet. You can try that."

This unexpected move made Thor really nervous.He completely forgot that the other party was a "ghost", and just subconsciously threw something he picked up at random - God knows what it was - forward, although he immediately regretted it.

The thing didn't pass through the phantom created by the ghost as expected, but hit the boy's smooth forehead firmly.Thor was still in shock when he came to Thor, rubbing his head.He carefully looked at the "ghost" in front of him, from his soft black hair pinned behind his ears to his dusty boot toes, to his thick black cloak and a slender wrist exposed underneath.He even reached out to touch the slightly flushed fair cheeks, and the touch from his fingertips was undoubtedly real and warm.

"Looks like you're not a ghost," he concluded, bewildered. "then who are you?"

"You will know the answer to this question soon." The boy who pretended to be a ghost remained calm after the lie was exposed.He didn't hide, nor was he angry at his sudden offense.He laughed as Thor's fingers tentatively caught his thin chin, as if it were a fun two-player game. "But first I can tell you my name. My name is Rocky Laufe."

"Rocky Laufe." This was the first time Thor had heard the name.He was sure he knew everyone in Asgard's castle, but he had no memory of the name.

He withdrew his hand, cleared his throat with some embarrassment, and tried to make a gesture that the owner of the castle should have.He said to the boy in front of him: "Since you are not from this castle, it is better to leave as soon as possible. I will let you go." In his opinion, this was just a kind reminder, after all, Heimdall, the director of the castle Mr. is a guy with a clairvoyant eye and a good ear, and he can't hide any little things that are a little bit out of bounds.Although the boy of unknown origin was suspicious, the feeling of talking to him was not bad.For this reason, Thor didn't want him to get into trouble.

But to the boy who heard this, the meaning of the words was obviously more than that.The shining light in his eyes suddenly dimmed, and a cold damp permeated the cold green.Something obviously worse poked its head out of his heart, like a pair of ice-blue sharp claws that had been scratching in his heart trying to break out.But he hid it well, returning to his smiling expression before Thor noticed his strangeness.

"You have to wait until you catch me, Your Highness." Loki threw the half-turned book in his hand into the air, but he quickly retreated into the darkness formed by the projections of rows of bookshelves.When Thor took the book, his figure had disappeared like a phantom.

Thor stood there in a daze, and it took him some time to react.He chased after the boy where he disappeared, but found nothing unusual.He went around the small library several times without thinking, but finally found nothing.Except for the sound of the yellowed pages rustling in the wind, everything around was calm, as if nothing had happened.

Thor sat down on the pile of books dejectedly, wondering if what had just happened was a weird dream he had during his nap.Thinking of this, he began to rub the knuckles of his right hand unconsciously.Some warm touch still remains there.

"You're right about one thing. I don't belong here, and probably never will. The next time you see me in the castle, just think of me as a ghost wandering the castle of Asgard." He I remember what the boy named Rocky said to him before he pulled away and left.

I don't know how long it took, the low sound of the horn came to the ears from the distant battlements, and Thor was rescued from his clueless thoughts.He jumped up, ran under the round window, held his breath, and listened carefully to the melody of the horn.The horn sounded three times in total, two high and one low, which meant that the visitors were the most noble ranks in the city.

"It's Father, Father is back!" Thor yelled happily, completely forgetting the strange things that troubled him in the library, and rushed towards the hall with one stride.

When he walked through the long corridors and a row of heavy doors and finally reached the main hall, his elegant mother and well-dressed servants were already waiting there.

"I'm sorry, Queen Mother. I didn't expect the carriage to go so fast." He scratched his head sheepishly, pointing to the breastplate and cloak that he hadn't had time to change after coming down from the training ground.His mother smiled softly and motioned him to come to her quickly.

"It's okay, my warrior. Your father will also be happy for you when he sees you working so hard." The mother always tolerated the innocuous mistakes made by this slightly reckless son inadvertently. "Your father brought us a precious gift from Nyumhaydn this time. Let us welcome this true hero together."

A gift from Nummhaydon.It seemed to have been mentioned when Heimdall read the letter, but Thor didn't pay attention.Is there anything you can't buy in the bustling port of Asgard?Turnips and the rough skins of wild beasts were all that could be brought back from the cold and barren place of Nyumhaydon.It's just his mother's tone that made him swallow the inappropriate words.Anyway, on this father's negotiating trip, he only cares about one thing, and that is whether the war he longs for will come.

Soon, his father's deep and deep voice came from outside the door, not loud but full of energy and penetrating.He seemed to be talking about something with Director Heimdall who went to the city gate to meet him in advance.

"... yes, we were supposed to arrive this morning, but we were delayed entering town to find... I sent you a message... It's not your fault, boy. Asgard's The environment is much more complicated than you imagined. If you want to live here, you will have to get used to it sooner or later. I will ask Thor to take you around, so that you can get familiar with every road here as soon as possible... Thor! Hurry up Come here, and see the presents that the people of Nummhaydon have given us!"

The tall and majestic figure of Father King Odin appeared by the door, followed by Heimdall with a tense face as usual.And the little figure who walked in softly behind them was something he never expected.

"There will be a more formal ceremony or banquet later, and I will leave it to you, Heimdall. What I want to say is that from now on, this child will be the second prince of Asgard. "His father patted the boy's thin shoulders and announced to everyone in the hall. "He will be our second son, Frigg. He will also be your brother, Thor." He scanned the suddenly quiet hall, his tone undeniable. "This is the peace that belongs to Asgard and Numhaydon."

It was Thor's mother who broke the silence first. This kind-hearted noble woman did not hide her inner joy on this occasion. "I am very happy to receive this generous gift from Nummhaydn, Your Majesty. This means that we have added another family member we love." Frigg covered her chest in surprise, and showed her to the boy The most sincere smile. "What is your name, my child?"

"My name is Rocky Laufey, Your Highness. In the past, I was the son of King Laufey of Numhaydn. Now, I am your adopted son. I am very honored." The boy's polite answer It is just right with the respectful and decent hand kiss.

"Rocky Laufe." It was the second time Thor heard his name.This time, he almost said it with the boy, but he held back.Because he discovered that there was something hidden in the gentle and humble smile on the corner of Loki's mouth.Sure enough, the moment he turned to face him, Loki quietly put his index finger to his lips, completely turning the story about the ghost in the library into a secret that only the two of them knew.

"His Majesty was telling me about you all the way, Thor. He was proud of you. I couldn't wait to meet you then, my dear brother."

The same sunlight that shone in the library shone in the hall, a soft light that fell between them through the entire stained-glass window in the foyer, and fine golden dust fluttered in the beams of light.Loki's smiling face was bathed in that pure golden light, but the hand lowered from his lips was shrouded in shadow.

Thor saw that the secret that only belonged to them was hung on the corner of Loki's raised lips, and there was a secret light shining there.

He would get that secret one day.Along with countless tears, hardships, trials, betrayals, and more gifts of fate.Not all of them are bad.Because whether it is joy or pain, there is always someone who shares the other half of this impermanent fate with him.The melancholy icon on the glass window lowered his eyes, as if he was lovingly watching these two souls who were destined to be entangled for a lifetime without knowing it.Not even God can give them any forgiveness or blessing for their respective chosen paths in the future.

"The book in your hand looks really interesting, brother. Would you mind lending me a look after reading it?" Thor came back to his senses and heard Loki whispering to him.Only then did he realize that he was still holding the old book that Loki threw to him in the library, and he couldn't understand any of the strange words twisted and twisted on the cover.Loki's half-smile expression embarrassed him, and he was sure that Loki definitely did it on purpose.Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he didn't want to lose face because of a broken book.

"Of course you can keep it, just treat it as a welcome gift from me. My... uh, brother." He said with some reluctance.Loki took the book from him, thanking his brother for his generosity with clever words.

So everyone is happy.With his arms around the brothers' shoulders affectionately, his father prepared some corny advice for their future together.The mother loves her quick-witted new son from the bottom of her heart, and begins to worry about how to best treat him.

What did Thor think?He himself did not know this.

From an early age he was the most gifted fighter among his peers.And he also dreams of becoming a real Asgardian warrior in the future, and going to fight the legendary frost giants on the battlefield of Niumhaydn.He has no doubt that he will win all the victories and glory.

To this day, the gift that his father brought back from Nyumhaydn completely failed his two expectations.

What he brought back was a lasting truce, and a son of the purest royal blood of Nummhaydon as an adopted son.

As the father said, this is the common peace of Asgard and Numhaydon.

I do not like this.Thor looked at the wrinkles in the corners of his father's eyes when he laughed, and the black patch he'd put on to cover the right eye he'd lost in battle.He realized that he hadn't observed his father's face so closely for a long time.When he was a child, his father told him solemnly when he asked about it that the blindfold was because he was a great pirate who traveled all over the world before he inherited the lordship, and the port of Asgard was just one of his many strongholds.But he had known long ago that there was a far greater price left in the land of Nummhaydon than an eye.The hatred has not been washed away at all.

"Mark my words, Thor. Hate cannot be washed away by war. Hate will only accumulate in war." The admonition his father gave him when he first expressed this thought was still in his ears echo. "I raised you to be a brave warrior, hoping that you would fight for protection and not for hatred."

But I don't want to.This thought was still swirling in his mind when accepting a hug from the "brother" from Nummhaydon.He stared at the smiling face so close at hand, wishing he was a ghost wandering the castle of Asgard.

Ghosts just steal your pudding, he thought.And the younger brother will steal everything you expect.