The priests, zealots, and fanatics were stunned by the sudden event that took place. The spire atop the temple was struck by a large golden bolt of lightning that connected to it from the heavens like it was feeding the temple energy.
The worshipers were confused as to what was happening though they did have a guess. However, the zealots and ushers had no doubts about what this meant and they unanimously fell to their knees with fanatic and overwhelmed expressions.
"It's our Lord! The Great God Thor is descending! Praise be his name! Praise be!" A zealot screamed with tears of rapture in his eyes.
When those who were lined up to enter the temple overheard this, their whole bodies shook as they adopted similarly overwhelmed expressions. They then fell to their knees in worship, repeating the chant of 'Praise be to Thor' over and over as they kowtowed endlessly.
Even the priests who stayed in the temple were tearfully moved as they forgot all about leading their congregations and began bowing towards the incoming presence of their deity. The fellows in the congregation also did the same without being told, as they felt their souls and spirits being enriched just by feeling Thor's ambiance.
The Temple of Thor's pope also rushed to the main altar where the statue of Thor stood, falling to his knees in worship as he waited to received his Lord God.
Soon, the stone statue shivered as the electrical energy entered it steadily for more than ten minutes. Then, its lids opened, revealing golden eyes that sparkled with electricity.
The statue gazed around slowly before moving the rest of its body. When it had a grasp over its movements, its size greatly reduced from almost 15 feet tall to just about 6 foot 3.
Its grey, stony skin also became more pinkish and creamy. By the time Thor was done adapting, he looked no different from a normal human. He then gazed at his pope and spoke in a manly voice that had a Norwegian accent.
"My Pope, pray tell me, who is it that holds my partner in battle? Why do I sense Mjolnir here? Wait…"
Thor's head whipped to the side before the pope could even understand what was being said. The Thundergod cocked his head as if he was listening to something before he nodded his head with a pleased smile.
Then his next words were easier to comprehend for the pope.
"Bring me the one called Darius Stone. He should be located with the temple currently."
The pope received his order and made haste to fulfill them. Meanwhile, Thor continued flexing his arms and legs, making grunts whenever he pulled his muscles to the limit.
After exercising for about 3 minutes, the pope eventually returned with a young man who walked calmly behind him.
However, Thor had no time to look at the young man as his eyes fell on the hammer in his hand.
"Mjolnir…" Thor whispered with such intimacy that it was as if he was gazing upon a long-missing member of his family.
The hammer in Darius' hand also trembled at that voice and floated in the air of its own accord. Thor stretched his hand out towards the hammer and with a 'shing' it flew over into his grasp.
The moment Thor felt the hammer's shaft in his grip, he lifted the hammer up into the air, and a huge bolt of golden lightning struck it with a boom. The lightning stayed within the hammer, but it was as if the dead weapon had finally come to life as it glowed with sparks of electricity.
Both Darius and the pope watched this sight with awed expressions, for the visual display was truly out of this world. A God reuniting with his weapon was something that they would only get to see once in their lives and at least the pope was guaranteed to speak about having witnessed this wonder until the end of his days.
Darius looked at Thor properly and was left speechless. That handsome, chiseled face, that beard that covered almost the entirety of his lower face, those two blue eyes that sparkled with electricity, and that dirt-blond hair that was combed messily…
He looked precisely like that famous actor from the early 21st century who had played the role of the God of Thunder in a set of superhero movies that were treated as classics even in Darius' age.
Along with his metal armor that was obsidian in color, with his armguards and a red cape flowing behind him, he truly looked like someone had given that actor Divine Powers.
Thor lowered his upraised hammer and gazed at it softly before focusing on Darius. He then smiled brightly and gestured to Darius to come closer, which the fellow did unhesitatingly.
"Darius Stone, for the noble deed of finding my hammer and returning it to me despite the temptations from Loki and the invitation from my father, I will reward you justly!"
Darius knelt down with respect. "Great God of Thunder, Thor, I only made the choice that felt right to me. Everyone knows that Mjolnir is the Hammer of Thor, so it belongs only in your hands!"
Thor nodded in appreciation. "Your words are spoken in truth."
Thor then reached upwards towards the golden electricity and pulled something out of it. In his hands were two items that floated slowly, as if to milk this glorious moment.
When Darius laid eyes upon them, he immediately knew what they were. On the left was a beating heart that glowed with electricity that was of a light blue color. On the right was a large egg that was patterned with lightning bolts.
The Implantable Thunder Heart and Thunder Dragon's Egg!
The pope also seemed to recognize these two as he gasped audibly in disbelief and shivered. Darius also showed a shocked expression, making sure to play the port of someone who had never expected something as great as this.
Thor stretched out his hand and two items floated over to hover before Darius. He then smiled and spoke thunderously.
"Let it be known that the God of Thunder is one who repays his debts with gratitude! Today, I bestow these two precious items upon Darius Stone for his wisdom and righteousness in reuniting me with my partner!"
