Thor finds himself back in Asgard and is forced to confront a not-so-distant past.
The cloud of ravens dissipated, and the familiar skies of Asgard could be seen with Dagsetr level with the Bifrost bridge. Not too far in the distance, there he was, standing alone overlooking the bridge watching and waiting. Soon the Dragon land atop the walls of Asgard
"Ah, so the All-Father's 'Greatest Tracker' comes up empty-handed." Heimdall had his usual look of purple-eyed smugness. He then turned to look at Thor, and he just stopped. "Where have you been? And Why do you," Heimdall's eyes widened as he made eye contact with his elder brother.
"I don't understand this. None of this makes sense. The All-Father was looking for you most of the day, and you show up here like this, with Baldur."
"Now the 'Watchman of Aesir' couldn't see this coming?" Heimdall glared at his younger brother, while they laughed at him.
"If you could see what I see, you wouldn't be laughing."
"Try me." Baldur still had a smile on his face.
"You truly are insane. You die, I die, Fimubulwinter happens." Baldur kept laughing, the violet-eyed god could barely hide his anger. "Do you even care for anything in life?"
Baldur stopped laughing, semi-apathy was replaced by a glare of clear focused hatred.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you already know what I care about just look into my eyes."
"Your short-sighted vengeance against your traitor of a mother?!" Heimdall tried to calm down "You have a curse, but it doesn't mean it can't be used for the benefit of Asgard and the All-Father." Baldur only scowled.
"What would you 'Great Watchman of the Aesir' know of curses?"
"Having my mind assaulted by other people's thoughts, every time I just look into their eyes, and knowing they lie about almost everything. Seeing their sickest fantasies, distant dreams, and even there most horrible actions." Heimdall quickly composed himself. "Still it has its uses. Anything in service to the All-Father and Asgard does."
"You're really that desperate to be Odin's lapdog?"
"Service to the All-Father is nothing, to take lightly. We would have nothing without him." Heimdall's words seemed to bounce off the sense-deprived god.
"Whatever, Do you mind Thor? I guess I shouldn't keep the 'All-Father' waiting." Thor jumped off Dagsetr as it soon rode off into the direction of Odin's hall.
"You." Heimdall sneered. "You are not going anywhere, Brother. If you even are my brother."
"Heimdall, I'm your brother."
"Then how am I seeing what I am seeing? What are you going to tell me, you're from the future and everything I'm seeing is true?" Thor didn't even see any hint of Heimdall's usual arrogance.
"Maybe my mind is dru-"
"NO!" His younger brother shouted. "Don't you fucking dare joke about this or try to avoid the question!" Heimdall rarely swore, but he always believed in upholding the safety of Asgard. "Yes we never had the best relationship, but I thought we both cared about this realm. How is any of what you've seen even remotely possible?"
"If I told you, would you even believe me?"
"No I don't think I would, but I won't leave without an explanation."
"Have you heard the prophecy that I knocked the World Serpent back through time?"
"Yes, but that's merely a prophecy. The All-Father believes such things can be avoided at best, and are nonsense at worst."
"Father tried to kill me, but he struck the snake, and somehow I ended up back here almost three years ago." Heimdall kept staring into his eyes, almost baffled by Thor's thoughts.
"Why? Sure he hates you over Fjörgyn. But killing you?" Anger and resentment were something Heimdall had seen for several centuries, every time the All-father had looked at or even talked about his eldest son. This looked radically different.
"I wouldn't fight for him anymore. Even at Ragnarok. My daughter became friends with a Jotun."
"A Giant? Our enemies and you couldn't kill another one?"
"I couldn't stand killing my first one!" 'Mother, that was an accident, wasn't it?' [1]
"Why? Have we not all pursued the All-father's praise and protect the home we love?"
"We have, but what's the point? You, Baldur, Magni." Heimdall noticed Thor suddenly freeze up. He could see his nephew getting beaten by a swift flurry of electrified fists through Thor's own eyes. His niece and sister-in-law were terrified at what was happening begging him to stop. "Modi" The God of Thunder almost mumbled and he took a breath.
"They died, all the All-Father said was, he lost a good tracker or his watchman." The purpled-eyed watchman saw the body of his brother and disturbingly his own wounded and covered in blood.
"What of your sons?" They were annoying, always trying to one-up each other, but they were Aseir and he had to protect them. Even if they were idiots.
"He called them useless." It was another set of thoughts or memories. Thor was at some table, Heimdall saw Odin in front of him sitting at the side, but in front of him, there was a man. He was bald, with skin as white as ash contrasted with red tattoos he had an ax that sat in front of Moljnir. He looked familiar to the person Baldur had thought about.
"Now what you did to his boys." The All-father's voice was stern now. "Self-defense." Then it was nonchalant. "Dying is what we Aesir live for. And let's be honest they were kind of useless." [2]
Heimdall shook his head, he couldn't read chaotic minds all that well but he knew this was his brother. Apparently from the future, but his mind was fragmented by a torrent of unclear thoughts. All he could get was something about some young giant named Loki and a mask. Above all else, Thor was here to save his family and avert Ragnarok, even if it meant sidelining or stopping the All-Father.
"You know I have to tell the All-Father of this?"
"Will he believe you?" Heimdall scowled.
'He has a point.' The All-father, despite his immense wisdom often found him a bit overzealous.
"He must. I don't want to believe any of this."
A raven squawked nearby and with it, another flurry of ravens appeared.
"Believe what?" It was their father and Thor felt nauseous. He just tried to kill him not more than just a few hours ago.
Thor couldn't stop himself and simply threw up. Heimdall made a noise in disgust.
"That you're drunk? Baldur told me he found you on Midgard. He never told me you looked this disgusting. What did you do? Drink an ocean of mead and it caught up with you in a day? What happened to your hair? I thought I at least taught you the importance of grooming yourself. Why are you injured?" [3]
The God of Thunder wanted to look away as he usually did, but he did not. "Yeah, something like that. I got drunk and got hurt." Heimdall saw a memory of an axe blow striking Thor's side.
"How did you even disappear like that anyway? Your wife said when she woke up you were gone."
"I can be quiet when I want to." Odin only sighed and remembered Thor did have a habit of sneaking up on him.
"Anyway, I have need of your sons, they are to assist Baldur." The tone was nonchalant, but most of the All-father's demands were.
'No, I can't let them die.' "All-Father. I need to see if they are ready first." Odin raised his eyebrow.
"Thor, they're veterans of the Long War, and it's just one Giant." Thor's expression did not change.
"If one giant could hold back Baldur, that giant could best my sons."
"Look at you, acting like you know something." Odin chuckled but it was joyless. "What are you afraid this giant could somehow defy the prophecy your sons are to survive Ragnarok? Prophecies are nonsense."
"Yes they are, but I'm a giant killer. This doesn't seem like an ordinary giant." The All-Father shook his head in annoyance.
"Hmph fine, but make a decision soon, Baldur's heading back to Midgard in two days. Oh and please calm down your wife, that will be all."
"I understand." Odin simply walked away back into a mass of ravens.
"The All-father will know of this." Thor said nothing and walked towards the lift towards Gladsheim
For now, that wasn't his biggest worry, how would he deal with his wife? Both of them were so awful back then, well now.
'How do I tell Sif any of this? Do I tell my sons?'
"I honestly wonder sometimes if I only turned out well because I had a mother and eight aunts who were Aseir." [4]
Thor froze in anger and snapped his fingers on reflex. He could feel Moljnir coming towards him, he turned around to face his brother.
"Glare at me all you want. Queen Mistletoe was a traitorous Vanir, who cursed Baldur, and the rest of you come from Giants. Tyr betrayed us, Vidar just wants fruitless vengeance against Garm, Vali, and Hodr are constantly at each other's throats, and Bragi is just a skald."
"And me? Come on, I dare you." Moljnir had just landed in his hand, it began to ask him where he was. Heimdall wasn't scared at all.
"You're just a broken man, you always have been even before the Long War, and now you've finally lost your mind."
"That's it, nothing about my mother?" Thor expected more, he was hoping for more, all he wanted was just one fight. Heimdall only shook his head and gave Thor a solemn look.
"I never got to meet your mother, but the All-Father said she was someone amazing. I can see thoughts of happiness, sadness, and 'other things' when he talks of her." Heimdall winced at some of the memories, especially the 'fond' ones. "The only 'stepmothers' I truly disliked were Frigg and Rindur, even if the rest were Jotunar. We know about Frigg being a heartless witch, but why Rindur didn't keep her sons from fighting each other I'll never know." [5]
"If you do believe me, you know I can't let this happen, even if I have to face the All-father."
"That is what I don't understand, we both don't want to see Asgard destroyed, but do you really believe the All-father has to be stopped?"
"He doesn't care about us, we're expendable, he didn't even care when you or Baldur died. And he likes either of you two better than me."
"And I'm supposed to believe-"
"Thor!" Heimdall and Thor both turned around to see another person with crossed arms. 'Sif?'
It was his wife, she was wearing something more the Einherjar would wear, than something befitting a diplomat.
"There you are. What. What happened to you?" Sif just sighed. "Why do you look like that? Who hurt you?"
"It's a long story Sif."
"Really? 'It's a long story Sif.' Is that what you were regaling Heimdal with?"
"Yes, he was, but I must get going. Asgard won't defend itself." Heimdall had a smirk on his face and gave a small wave before he walked toward the wall. At least something felt normal today.
"Well?" Thor's attention quickly turned toward his wife "What happened"
"You're not going to believe me, but you have to trust me. I came from the future, Magni, Modi, Baldur, and even Heimdall were killed." His wife only laughed at that.
"I wish someone killed Heimdall. Where did you go to get drunk and not tell me?" Sif gave a small smile and nudged him in the ribs.
"I didn't get drunk."
"Then seriously what happened to you, Are you okay why isn't that wound healing?" Thor didn't care, he felt like had so little to live for, yes there was Thrud, but he only saw himself as a destroyer. But now, maybe he could start to heal even if it would take time. [6]
"I got sent back through time from Ragnarok."
"Is this a joke? I deal with enough from your father. I don't need you leaving me alone and making excuses for it again. What am I going to do about Modi and Thrud?"
"The Allfather wants Modi and Magni to assist Baldur." Sif only scoffed.
"Baldur? What could possibly stop him?"
"Someone skilled, and someone dangerous. I don't even want to send them."
They reached the lift that led down to Gladsheim and began their descent toward the ground.
"I know Modi isn't much, but." Thor glared for almost a moment but quickly stopped he realized he had to realize things were different, but it was enough for Sif to notice she took a step back.
Thor sighed. "Sorry, Honey. Modi has his problems but he's our son. I shouldn't have pushed him and Magni into conflict, and he did help pull me out from Hrungnir. But that doesn't matter if the two of them will not be able to stop who Baldur is after."
"Are you sure you're really you up there? Sif gestured at his head. "You act like you know who Baldur is going after."
"I do, he is a fearsome warrior, and I need to keep our boys safe." Sif could not believe what she was hearing.
"Thor, you're acting like their kids, they fought in the Long War."
"That's not enough. I need to test them myself." 'They are not ready for him. What if I'm not and I need to fight him?'
"Dear relax, maybe you need a drink." Thor wanted to shout his next word, but he stopped himself.
"No, I'm just tired. I'd like to sleep, and-" Sif cut him off growing angry.
"So would I, but some of us have more responsibilities than drinking or taking care of some stupid goats! Or apparently just getting lost." Sif never did understand why he liked goats, or why he took some of his time to look after Heidrun's kids. But she would understand his next words. [7]
"Especially when you think those responsibilities are almost worthless because of my father's actions?" Sif could only panic, and Thor knew why.
It wasn't until after the death of their sons, that they started to change, confiding in each other more about how terrible things really were.
"Sif, I'm sorry. But whatever happens, I want you to know I'm here to support you."
"I'm going off to the Black Thunder, I need to relax, come with me." Sif offered her hand and had a warm smile, but Thor couldn't bring himself to smile.
'I can't go, I can't do this. What if I drink again?' "No, I'm sorry but I made a promise to Thrudie not to drink today." Disappointment crossed his wife's face.
'Yeah I'm in the past before everything gets worse, but I can't slip up.'
"I thought she was too busy caring about being a Valkyrie. It's all she talks about."
"Maybe I just need to put on some wings." Thor had a small smile on his face, as Sif could not help herself but laugh.
"Go home and rest, you don't need any more ideas."
The lift had stopped on the ground, Sif and Thor briefly kissed before they went towards the Great Hall, arms wrapped around each other. Went they got where the Black Thunder was, they went their separate ways.
The God of Thunder began to move at a brisker pace as the doors of the hall were in sight. As soon as he opened the door, he heard voices he had not heard in three years.
"Hey cut it out give me that back
"Modi, stop messing with Thrud."
"Brother, do you really believe she can be a Valkyrie? Look at this, what is it even supposed to be?"
"It's based on that club you carry."
"Hah, that? I made that based on that gada and sayesu that Uncle Týr gave me, I'm not sure about that other name." [8]
"Those old gifts, from the land of Svarga and that land with too many kings? I still don't know how he managed to get there. Although I did like that big sword he brought back for me, apparently, it could cut down a horse." [9]
"Whatever, you need real weapons, maybe if you're not annoying I'll make you one but it will take a few days."
'Why don't I remember this? Maybe because Sif and I went drinking later.' Thor walked toward's where Loki's, no his son Modi's room. He saw them, and he couldn't believe his eyes even as they started to tear up, but it was them. His children, all of them still alive even if Thrudie was somewhat younger.
It seems they couldn't believe theirs, they looked at him with shock and concern.
"Father, what happened to you?" Modi spoke first
"Where did you get that wound?" Magni just kept looking at his father's wound.
"Dad?" Thor heard the slightly younger voice of his daughter, it was strange to hear because it was just earlier today he last saw her three years older.
Thor just moved closer, his kids didn't know what to make of him. Thor opened his arms and hugged his sons. Tears were streaming down his face, they were here, he could save his sons.
"Are you okay?" It was Modi again.
"If all of you are here, I'll always be okay. I'm so sorry."
"For what?" Magni sounded confused.
"Letting you both compete for Moljnir. The truth is you're both damn fine warriors, and I'm proud to call you my sons." Thor still smiled even if he was slightly crying.
Magni and Modi were at a loss for words.
"Well, can I get the hammer then?"
Modi began to laugh then Magni joined in.
"You, wield Moljnir? A tiny runt like you?"
"You never know she could one day. You both are my sons but she's my daughter too." Thor lifted up his daughter and hugged her tightly, but his smile quickly became serious. "The All-Father wants both of you to help Baldur, he leaves in two days, tomorrow I want to see what both of you are made of."
"We understand." The brothers said in unison.
"I'm going to sleep, don't pick on your sister." Thor walked towards his room, smiling but not before still hearing his kids talking.
"Hah, you hear that, I could wield Moljnir one day." Thrud's pride could be heard even if Thor couldn't see it.
"Well right now your wielding junk."
"Modi's right."
"Ugh, I hate you both."
Thor went inside and started to go to sleep thinking one last thing before sleeping.
'It's been a long day. Ragnarok, time travel, it's all insane to think about. But past, present whatever this is supposed to be I change it.'
Time passed until it was the dead of night, in Asgard. And everyone in Odin's longhouse was sleeping save two people deep in the bowels of Odin's study.
"All-Father you must believe me. What I tell you is true." Heimdall pled, hoping his father could see reason.
"Must I really believe you, when you sound like you are insane? Thor of all people has come from the future, and right at Ragnarok no less. That you, Baldur, Magni, and Modi are dead. Then you want to tell me, I try to kill him?"
"I don't know everything but he could be a threat." Odin just buried his head in his hands at this son's continued protests.
"Heimdall, your overreacting, almost like Forseti." Odin wondered if he ever had any normal grandchildren.
"But All-father, I saw Ragnarok happen through his eyes, something about a-."
Heimdal stopped talking when the All-Father raised up his hand.
"Let's assume Thor has a functioning brain that isn't thinking of anything but mead and killing and he is from some future. It's almost as hard for me to believe just what you are saying right now. Odin said almost chuckling before turning serious. "Thor cares about Baldur, his sons, and this realm yes?"
"Yes."
"Then if Ragnarok is going to happen, Thor would want to prevent it right? Heimdall slightly nodded. "So he could be useful for something, for once, He's not a threat he's an opportunity. We just need to be careful, even if it means humoring him for now."
I kind of hope I've at least done two things right, first made sure the pacing is just right. I didn't want to split this day up into multiple parts, because I'm already dealing with one story where I'm wondering if the pacing drags.
Second I hope my characterizations aren't off even if these are characters in different contexts and circumstances than in the game. Namely, my biggest worries are Heimdall and Sif. With Heimdall, I wanted to work with his one 'redeeming' feature his love of Asgard, and the fact his gift of foresight probably mean's he knows more than he wants to from people. Heimdall's still an asshole, but not a complete one. With Sif, before Modi's death, she wasn't the best parent and argued with Thor but I didn't want to make her perpetually drunk and angry.
[1] We aren't told much about how Fjorgyn, the mother of Thor, died but I generally run with the idea that Thor was somehow responsible by accident.
[2] My best estimation of Heimdall's power is that he might be able to see inside someone's head but not exactly all of their knowledge. He doesn't mention Kratos when he knows that Atreus has an overbearing father figure
[3] I'm going out on a limb to say roughly that the vision of Thor seen in 2018 was accurate to some extent to how Thor looked before GOW Ragnarok, at least with clothing.
[4] Heimdall allegedly was born of nine mothers, here I've changed to something a little bit more mundane. I'm still not sure which mother to use, the wiki uses Blóðughadda, but that conflates Heimdall's nine mothers with the nine daughters of Aegir and Ran. With Aegir actually being a Jotun, I'm not sure I want to go down the rejecting heritage as a crutch route, since every other brother outside of Heimdall has a mother who is a Jotun or a Vanir, and Hodr and Braggi cannot have Frigg/Freya as their mother, because well see next note.
[5] Rindur is the mother of Vali, while Hodr's mother is Frigg. The problem with this is twofold. First Freya never mentions another child, so as far as we know she only had Baldur with Odin. Second Hodr was a part of the group of Aesir that saw Freyr get burned, which happened long before Odin and Freya even married. So to at least work in Hodr, and keep the animosity between him and Vali, I'm making them siblings.
[6] I'm going with the idea that Thor chose not to heal his wound, which means he can but it's going to be very slow.
[7] Heidrun was a goat in Asgard, who after eating the tree Læraðr or Léraðr, she well lactates mead that is enough to let everyone in the Einherjar have their fill.
[8] Modi's mace and Magni's sword are rather anachronistic for the time period one being a medieval mace, and the other a giant two-handed sword. To have a little fun with the idea Modi made his own weapons, I'm going to further base it on gifts he received from Tyr. The gada is an Indian mace, while the sayesu is meant to be Chuizi or a Chinese-styled mace.
[9]For Magni I went with his sword, being inspired by the concept of Zhanmajian, a large Chinese sword that could behead a horse. Mind you these are again meant to be inspirations of a concept than anything close to replication, and Tyr did make it to both Japan and Meso-America, even if Egypt or the River Kingdom as Mimir calls it.
Name wise I went with Svarga or the Hindu realm of the Devas. While Chinese Cosmology was harder to pin down. You had various deities, something of a bureaucratic hierarchy, and some changes with some philosophical schools. So how that would work in the GOW, I'm not sure especially when the series as a whole plays fast and loose with the idea of a timeline at least that corresponds to the real world.