Thor has a heart-to-heart with Sif and goes head-to-head with his brother Baldur.

Thor saw his wife and sat next to her near one of the tables. She was practically beaming but he didn't know if it was from seeing him, or from drinking.

"So how did that sparring session with the boys go?" Thor met her smile with one of his own.

It went well, I think they will be fine."

Sif put her arm on Thor's shoulder she was still grinning.

"Come on have a drink with me."

"I'm fine I need to be presentable for Father later." He hated lying, but he couldn't drink.

Really and he's the one who encourages you to take up drinking come on loosen up a little." Sif's tone got stiffer.

"I'm fine Sif. I'm just not in the mood for drinking right now."

"What could possibly taste or smell better than Mead?" Thor could feel his wife was more annoyed than anything else.

"You."

Sif blushed a deep red, as a few of the Einherjar cheered.

"Oh. you tease. If you're not going to drink fine, but please at least stay with me."

"Fine."

"Do you think this mission will finally be able to help Baldur?"

"I don't know, I can hope so." Thor didn't know what broke Baldur's curse, but maybe he could save him after the fact.

"You know Nanna has been talking with me recently?"

"I haven't seen her recently, how is she and Forsetti doing?" It was a question Thor sadly knew the answer to.

"Nanna still tries to reach out to Baldur. Forsetti seems scared almost ashamed of of his father, if he is even there." Sif said that

Thor sighed. 'Why does Baldur have to be so cruel?'

"Yeah, it's hard seeing him do that, but I try to hope that something will change. Maybe this Giant he's after has some answers."

"Is hoping that something we change, all we can do?" Sif was angry, and Thor knew it wasn't at Baldur.

"No. We can do more than that, we can try and change ourselves."

"Change ourselves? Am I getting a lecture from you now? I get it enough from your father already?"

"No. I'm not here to lecture you." Thor sighed. "I just want to do right by you."

"Do you? well right now I just want to drink in peace."

"Fine, I'll see you later." Sif looked like she wanted to say something

Thor huffed and walked out of the Black Thunder.

'That figures. Sif always did have her moments when she was angry. Maybe she wished I had drank with her?'

"Damn it."

Thor wouldn't see Sif until she came back to their room in the great hall, Thor turned up to look at her she looked intoxicated almost upset.

"I'm sorry." Her words were quick.

"It's fine." It wasn't, but Thor could deal with this later.

It was night in Asgard and Heimdall was conferring with Odin once again.

"All-Father, you're serious about this?" The Lord of Aesir's expression was that of impassive annoyance.

"Yes. Why what problem is it now? I'm trying to make the most of this opportunity."

"But what about Baldur? You know he can be unpredictable."

"Tell him that this is just to make sure this Mission will be a success and that all of this help is necessary.

"Very well, but be surprised if they come to blows."

"It's not like Thor can kill him, I sometimes wish I could have learned that spell from Frigg, then I see him a violent lunatic."

Heimdall's face slightly softened. "It's not like he chose to be that."

"True but as unfortunate as it is, his madness has its uses, but will I need you to make sure Thor's information is actually solid? Anyway, I'm going to sleep. You should too.

Heimdall left the All-Father's study.

Thor was sleeping peacefully until he heard a bunch of loud knocks at the door to his and Sif's room.

"It's early in the morning Who could it possibly be?" Sif said, her voice was still groggy.

Without saying a word Thor walked towards the front of the door and opened it only to be confronted with harsh glaring blue eyes.

"Baldur?"

"You." He hissed "What did you do?"

"I don't understand."

"What you told Odin. If you understand what you've done!"

"Can we not talk about this here, it's the morning.

"Hmph, fine we will meet over the walls."

Thor snapped his fingers and Mjolnir came to his side.

"Is everything okay?" the hammer chirped.

"No, I don't know what happened but it seems Baldur is pissed."

Making his way outside of Gladesheim the God of Thunder threw his hammer into the air and quickly jumped after it taking flight over the morning skies of Asgard.

Thor waited for moments until he heard the sound of wingbeats and a roar it was Dagsetr. His brother's dragon eventually made its way right toward him and landed in front of him. The comparatively lanky frame of his brother hopped off his mount and proceeded to trudge toward him, angry footsteps crunching the grass.

"You." Baldur hissed "Do you have any idea what your drunken rambling has done?"

"Baldur I wasn't drunk."

"Bullshit, That and killing are the only two things you're good for."

Inside, Thor was stung but he chose not to show it.

"What happened?"

"Odin wants not just your idiot sons." Thor glared daggers at his brother, he was beginning to lose his patience with him. "But also you and Heimdall are to join us." Thor's eyes widened.

'What? I can prevent my sons' deaths and Baldur's but Heimdall will be there and so will I. Loki and his father are just there, I don't know what they were doing. He might even be weaker, Baldur said it was a giant with an ax where are those blades of his?'

"What, I thought you would be eager, another giant to go slay, another tale of 'heroism' to go tell while you get drunk in the Black Thunder."

More insults shook Thor from his thoughts.

"Get to the point, you're clearly mad about something."

"Yeah, I am. This Giant might be able to lift this damn curse somehow, and I don't want you, Heimdall, or your sons to fuck this up!" Baldur shouted before a manic grin came across his face. "You know, I've always envied one thing about you."

"What's that?"

"That you killed your own mother. you ever sing songs about her death?" Thor's eyes widened in a frenzy that matched their father's in his youth. "You did with the oth-" Baldur barely registered that Moljnir was thrown toward him before his brother warped into view with an electrified fist that sent the younger god flying off into the distance.

Moments later maniacal laughter could be heard off in the distance. Thor knew it was useless But the nerve of his brother was simply too much.

"Do you have anything else to say Baldur!"

Slowly off in the distance, Thor could see his brother rush across the grass back before leaping into the air and heading his way landing into the ground and making a crater into it.

"Yeah." Baldur replied. "You think that can stop me?" Thor's glare returned.

"You're not exactly much without your invulnerability."

His youngest brother said nothing but instead charged forward with his light-enhanced fists, using his powers to move fast. Thor readied himself, what Baldur lacked in skill he made up with relentlessness fury of still considerable strength backed with invulnerability.

The God of Light quickly dashed from left to right and back again before finally deciding to dash forward however Thor jumped back and then rushed forward with his arm outstretched knocking Baldur down to the ground.

Baldur got up unphased and ran back into battle screaming throwing a series of punches at his brother. They were rapid and painful, but also only aimed to cause pain than actually win a fight. Thor kept his arms up and close to his chest reducing the damage they could do as Baldur's assault continued.

Lightning coursed through the God of Thunder's body as he began to counter with lightning-infused punches of his own. His brother couldn't feel pain but his body had to function normally, he saw his brother's arms and legs start to involuntarily move.

"Grah!' The brothers soon found themselves in a struggle with both of their arms outstretched and their hands locked together and the ground began to shake. "You." Baldur leaned in still glaring at his oldest brother. "Your just a stupid fucking, drunken, murderous, asshole! With your idiot sons, and smug prick of a brother! Me, I'm his closer, his best tracker, and I won't be denied the chance to break this curse!"

'You're a fool brother. Father doesn't care about us.'

"What does the 'Slayer of Giants' have nothing to say?" The ground between both gods began to break as their lock continued the younger god's face contorted into a mix and sadness and anger. "You certainly seem eager to tell me I should care about Nanna or even that useless shit of a son of mine."

"Baldur!"

"Oh, come on. You mistreat your sons, you and Sif argue, and Father treats you like dirt. Causing pain is all we Aesir live for." Baldur then laughed mirthlessly Why not continue the tradition?"

"Grah!"

Thor roared like his namesake and the skies began to darken.

Thor let a torrent of lightning surge through his body, consuming both gods, he could see burn marks appear on Baldur's skin to the point it stated to char even burning to the burn, making the god of light reluctantly let go. Thor then charged with his shoulder sending the brunt god flying.

"Why Continue it? You hate your mother, but ignoring Forseti makes you no better than her."

Baldur glare was pure rage at his brother's words as the severe burns on his body began to heal, he moved close still ready to fight.

"I could give a hot shit about your fatherly advice, Thor. What are you a model father now?"

Thor wanted to ignore the familiar words.

"No, I'm a terrible father, but you shouldn't have to be one either."

Baldur said nothing as he charged, but Moljnir flew toward Baldur, and expecting another punch he ran forward to rush past it. The weapon passed the smaller God, only for it to return at the snap of a finger striking Baldur down.

Before either fighter could attack again a flock of ravens appeared in between the both of them. out of that vortex stepped Odin and Heimdall.

"What are you two doing? I tell you to go assist your brother on a mission and the both of you are out here fighting."

"All-Father." Baldur was trying not to growl. "Do you really trust Thor to not mess things up?"

"No." It was quick and to the point. "However I trust his 'insight' for once, as impossible as it seems. If this giant you're after is truly a threat then it can't be a problem to have some help. I'm sure he's smart enough that he won't jeopardize any chance of the giant being able to break that curse. Odin turned back towards his eldest son. Isn't that right Thor?"

"Yes All-Father." Thor said hoping to get this situation over with.

"Fine. Now you two have more important things to do tomorrow. Although why did you have to fight so early in the morning?" Odin threw his hands in disgust, before turning toward the wall, as ravens surrounded him and Heimdall and they soon disappeared

"Baldur, you don't have to worry. I won't kill this giant."

"Why do you care about anything I do?" Baldur looked on the verge of tears "I'm mad, broken, insane."

"You're my brother above all of that. I have to care for my brothers."

"Even that traitor Tyr?" Baldur practically spat that name.

Thor sighed, he already expended enough anger today.

"Yes. Even him."

"How could a God of War be so much of a coward." Baldur saw his brother glare at him. "Why would he fight for peace?' He was genuinely confused.

"Because war is a terrible thing to experience, once you get past the thrill of victory. Tyr saw that and wanted to stop and prevent them. But don't mistake him for a coward he may have disappeared when you were five summers old, but he could be as ferocious as Father in his prime. [1]

"You won't fuck this up for me? I want to be rid of this damn curse."

"I won't. This damn Giant is no match for the sons of Odin, and the sons of Thor."

Thor saw his brother start to walk away, he turned around with a look of sympathy, and it almost appeared like he wanted to say something, but he just walked away toward his dragon.

As the dragon flew off into the air, Thor sighed.

'How did his curse get broken? I guess I'm going to find out tomorrow.'

Throwing his hammer Thor flew back to Gladsheim he entered the long hall and went right toward his and Sif's room where he saw Sif sitting on the side of their bed.

"I heard thunder what happened?"

"Me and Baldur fought each other. Our sons are not the only ones being sent on this mission, me and Heimdall are coming along with them to assist him."

"What? Why?" Sif stopped in realization "You're not making up that you came from Ragnarok are you? I wanted to believe you were just out of it our telling me you weren't just lost two days ago" Thor just nodded his head. "I'm Sorry.

"It's fine."

"It's not fine." Sif stopped for a moment "Then why are you so worried? The Prophecy said they will survive Ragnarok, how could they have died?"

Thor said nothing, as he sat away on the bed, but away from her.

'Do I tell her? Would she believe me?' Thor looked away. 'Could she even forgive me?'

"Honey? What's wrong?"

Thor exhaled a deep breath,

"Magni and Modi, they die tomorrow." Sif's blue eyes widened at the news. "This prophecy isn't true. It was never about all the realms being destroyed there was only an invasion of Asgard from all the other realms."

"Then Magni and Modi are in danger against this Giant."

"He's a God from Vinland."

"Why is he here, are we being invaded?"

"No, but he seems to just want to be left by himself."

"They why would Baldur fight him, why bring our boys into this?"

"Baldur doesn't know that, and he might not care, all he wants is to be free of that curse and believes this God knows how to get into Jotenheim."

"Did our sons at least make it to Valhalla?" He looked away again but noticed Sif's shoulders sank as he turned away.

"Only Magni did. Modi, it's my fault he's in Helheim. Can you please listen to what I have to say?"

"What happened?" Sif's eyes began to tear up.

"Modi fled after Magni was killed. I beat him almost to death and cast him out of Asgard. We found his body later with his with a stab wound in his throat and broken bones I feel like I might as well have done it myself."

"Honey, you would never mean to kill Modi, and I know that." Sif put her hand on her husband's shoulder, Thor almost wanted to push her away.

"I was drunk when I beat him, you and Thrudie were there pleading with me to stop. It's why I don't want to drink mead anymore."

"But if you were here before that happened, then you can stop this, you can stop all of it." Sif replied almost defensively.

"It will never change the fact I still did it."

"Thor. Sif's grip tightened you told me all the times you had nightmares about those Jotunn 'hunts'. You couldn't stop those, but you can stop this."

'Maybe I could have stopped those.'

"I still feel like I'm trying to make up for everything after the fact. I've been a terrible parent to our boys."

"What about our daughter, What about Thrudie?"

"We tried to get better for her, she still wants to be a Valkyrie." Sif only smiled.

'She doesn't think anything is wrong with fighting for the All-Father yet.'

"Then why don't we get better for all of our children this time? We did it before in the future."

"It wasn't easy and it won't be either Sif. Saying something is different from doing it, we had fights after their deaths and things weren't perfect even up to Ragnarok."

"Thor, do you remember what we said to each other before we got married?"

It was from a time so long ago, but he still remembered.

"Yeah, that you didn't have to be Jarnsaxa."

"And you didn't have to be Hárbarðr either. As long as we could support each other." [2]

"We could get through anything." Thor replied.

"I still think he was wrong when he said you dressed like a beggar." Thor wanted to laugh but he couldn't.

"But this whole situation is fucked Sif." Thor gestured to the air like his father was prone to do. "I don't know what could happen, or already has happened because of my actions just a few days ago."

Thor felt his wife hug him in response.

"We will get through this, I know you won't let anything happen to our sons or your brothers."

"I know, I just wish it were in fully my hands to stop."

"Even you cannot do everything." Sif's grip tightened before loosening up. "Well your brother has a way of waking people up, I don't want to go back to sleep, how about you?" Thor stared a little bit. "Was that a stupid question?"

"You could never ask me a stupid question." A small smile crept on Thor's face as he saw his wife shake her head returning a smile.

"I just did."

"Well, it's not like fighting with Baldur is especially peaceful. He's powerful, reckless, relentless, but unskilled. I'm not gonna cry over some bruises."

Sif lightly slapped one of his arms

"Ow!" Sif chuckled but It didn't hurt that much.

"Sure, you aren't." Thor couldn't help but laugh as his wife joined in. "Would you like to eat some Skyr with me when we get to the Great Hall?" [3]

"Yeah, I hope you don't care if I settle for water."

"I'll settle for it with you." The God of Thunder had a surprised look on his face. "After all, if you gave it up? So shouldn't I try as well?"

"It won't be easy. That was-" Thor thought back to just a few days ago when he broke his promise to Thrudie. "Well is, one of my hardest battles. Jormandandr was an easier fight."

"So fighting the thing that's supposed to kill you really easier than giving up mead?"

"Yeah, that took a few minutes, most fights do. Giving up mead is a much longer fight."

"You always did say it was always better to fight with a partner."

"Take my advice, giving up mead will be tough, but thanks."

"Mead is wonderful, but I do have something better."

"What's that?" Thor wonder what his his wife would say next.

"You." Thor blushed.

"Come on, we can at least have a good meal before you have to leave tomorrow."

The couple walked hand in hand and proudly toward the feasting hall in Gladsheim.

[1] According to God of War Lore and Legends Baldur was born 145 years before the start of GOW 2018, but Tyr disappeared 140 years later.

[2] The name means Hory-beard or Greybeard who appears in Hárbarðsljóð or the Lay of Hárbarðr. In which he was just another disguise of Odin. Here he's an Aesiir who is the father of Ulir, who has no attested father.

[3] Skyr is an Icelandic dairy product, it's similar in texture to Greek Yogurt and was been made in centuries past even being mentioned in sagas that took place in the late 800's like Egil's and Grettis' saga. Mind you there might be a difference in terms of taste just because of differences in how it is made. Mind you I'm going off Siff canonically liking milk curd.

I want to this be the last chapter that takes place in Asgard, and I finally want to get back to both Midgard and start weaving this with the main God of War story. I really don't know how to feel about my writing of Sif and Thor's relationship, Am I making efforts to fix it too fast? Am I downplaying what was a mutually abusive relationship? Yeah, I might not be touching on this for the rest of the story it still.