Two days had passed since the evening Thor and his friends visited Eternity. Two quiet, deceptively calm days, during which Anubis felt a growing tension in the air, as if before a storm.

  He was standing behind the bar on the day shift—a rare occurrence for him—polishing glasses when he sensed it. A shimmer in the air. The scent of ozone and magic. Something powerful had just materialized, somewhere a few miles away.

  Sand began to crumble between his fingers.

  "Andy?" Sarah called, coming in from the back room with a box of bottles. "Can you smell it?"

  He looked at her in surprise. Ordinary mortals weren't supposed to sense magical disturbances.

  — What exactly do you feel?

  “I don’t know,” she shuddered, putting the box down. “It was like there was electricity in the air. And I suddenly felt... anxious. Like something bad was about to happen.”

  Anubis nodded. So the outrage was strong enough that even mortals sensed it on a subconscious level.

  — Sarah, maybe you should take the day off today?

  "What?" She frowned. "Why? We're supposed to have a crowd today after..."

  Her words were cut off as a distant explosion shook the bar's windows. A plume of smoke rose somewhere on the outskirts of the city.

  “What was that?!” Sarah rushed to the window.

  Anubis was already pulling out his phone. Breaking news flashed on the screen: "Unidentified object is attacking the city. Evacuate the population. Stay indoors."

  But Anubis didn't need news. He sensed this creature—metal, magic, fury. Asgardian magic.

  "Sarah," his voice was calm but commanding. "Close the bar. Send everyone home. Now."

  - But...

  - Immediately.

  Something in his tone made her nod and hurry over to the few daytime customers. Anubis emerged from behind the counter, heading for the exit.

  “Where are you going?!” Sarah shouted.

  He turned, and for a second she saw something in his golden eyes—something ancient, powerful, utterly inhuman.

  “To make sure no one gets hurt,” he answered simply.

  And went out into chaos.

  The streets were filled with panicked people fleeing the city center, where something terrible was happening. Anubis moved against the flow, his white shirt fluttering in the wind, his hair disheveled.

  Sand began to swirl around his feet, invisible to the people running past.

  He turned into an alley and paused for a moment, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, the gold had become brighter, almost luminous.

  “Show me,” he whispered in a language that had not been spoken on earth for three thousand years.

  Sand rose up, forming a mirror-like surface before him. It reflected a scene of destruction—a huge metal creature, resembling a knight but dozens of times larger, strode through the streets, reducing everything in its path to dust and ash. Fire erupted from its helmet.

  And in front of him, tiny compared to the monster, stood a figure in jeans and a T-shirt.

  Thor.

  Anubis chuckled humorlessly. Of course. Heroes always rush into danger, even when they're powerless.

  The sand mirror shattered, and Anubis moved faster. A sand vortex began to form around him, hiding him from prying eyes. When the vortex dissipated, the simple bartender Andy disappeared.

  In his place stood Anubis in his true form—not fully divine, but sufficient. Golden bracelets on his wrists, an ankh on his chest, eyes glowing with an inner light. Sand swirled around him like an obedient servant.

  He hadn't taken this form for almost a century. But now there was no choice.

  Thor stood before the Destroyer, his arms outstretched.

  "Brother!" he screamed into the monster's helmet, knowing that somewhere in Asgard, Loki was watching through his magic. "Whatever I am, whatever I did that brought you here... they are innocent! Take my life and leave them alone!"

  Jane was shouting something behind him, but he wasn't listening. This was his fight. His redemption.

  The Destroyer raised his hand, his faceplate opening, and fire began to gather within—the heat of a thousand suns, enough to incinerate Thor where he stood.

  Thor closed his eyes, preparing for the end.

  And then there was a sound like the whisper of a thousand grains of sand.

  A fiery beam erupted from the Destroyer and shattered against a wall of dense golden sand that had appeared before Thor. The sand spun at incredible speed, dispersing the attack's energy.

  Thor opened his eyes and turned around.

  A man stood on the roof of the building behind him. Tall, with flowing dark hair and eyes glowing with a golden light. Sand swirled around him, forming whimsical patterns in the air.

  "Andy?" Thor breathed out incredulously.

  "Not quite," Anubis replied, his voice sounding different—deeper, with echoes of eternity. "Although that name is mine too."

  He jumped off the roof and the sand caught him, landing him softly next to Thor.

  The Destroyer turned to face the new threat, and even through Loki's magic, he likely sensed the presence of another ancient being.

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  “You...” Thor couldn’t finish his sentence.

  "I am the god of the dead, the guardian of souls, the judge of the afterlife," Anubis said calmly, watching the Destroyer. "But you can continue to call me Andy, if you wish."

  - Why didn't you say...

  "Because I'm tired of being a god," Anubis turned to him, a slight smile on his face. "It's much nicer to be a bartender. Less drama. Although, it seems the drama has found me anyway."

  The Destroyer growled—the sound of metal scraping against metal—and fired another beam of fire.

  Anubis waved his hand and the wall of sand rose again, blocking the attack.

  "Thor," he said without turning around. "Is that your brother operating this thing?"

  “Loki,” Thor confirmed, his voice full of pain. “Yes.”

  "Then it's a family matter," Anubis took a step forward. "But these people are under my protection. I won't let them come to harm."

  The sand began to form into denser structures—sharp as blades, hard as steel. Anubis hadn't used his power in battle for almost two centuries, but his body remembered. The muscle memory of millennia.

  "You cannot defeat him alone!" Thor shouted. "The Destroyer was made to kill gods!"

  “It’s a good thing I’ve been dead inside for a long time,” Anubis joked and attacked.

  Sand spears shot up from the ground, attempting to pierce the Destroyer's armor. The monster dodged with surprising speed for its size and slammed its fist into the ground, creating a shockwave.

  Anubis dissolved into a cloud of sand, avoiding the blow, and materialized at the side, already sending out a new wave of attacks.

  "Impressive!" Loki's voice came through the Destroyer. "Another god on Midgard. Father has quite a collection."

  "I do not belong to Odin," Anubis replied calmly, directing a whirlwind of sand at the Destroyer's joints. "And I do not participate in your family dramas. But I protect this city."

  "How noble," Loki's mocking laugh sounded. "But it's useless."

  The Destroyer began to spin, emitting a ring of fire in all directions. Anubis created a dome of sand around himself and Thor, but the heat was incredible.

  "He's too strong," Thor whispered. "Even for you."

  "Perhaps," Anubis agreed, feeling his sand begin to melt under the magical fire. "But I can give you time."

  — Time for what? I am powerless!

  Anubis turned to him, his gaze serious.

  — No. You just haven't remembered who you are. Dignity, Thor. Sacrifice. Remember?

  At that moment, the Destroyer broke through the sand barrier and struck with its massive hand. Anubis managed to push Thor aside, but took the blow himself. The force of the throw sent him flying into the building's wall, and he fell through, leaving cracks in the brickwork in his wake.

  "No!" Thor shouted.

  Anubis emerged from the dust cloud, wiping blood from his lip. Even in his demi-divine form, the Destroyer's blow was devastating.

  "Nothing," he spat out blood. "I've seen worse. Try spending a thousand years in one bar—that's where the real pain lies."

  - This is no time for jokes!

  "It's always time for jokes," Anubis straightened up, and the sand began to swirl around him again, faster and thicker. "Humor is what separates us from monsters."

  The Destroyer moved towards them, each step shaking the ground.

  Anubis knew he couldn't defeat him. The Destroyer was created specifically to kill gods, imbued with Odin's magic. But he could hold him back. Give Thor a chance to become who he was meant to be.

  "Listen to me carefully, Thunderer," he said, keeping his eyes on the approaching monster. "I can hold him, but not for long. Your hammer is somewhere around here, right?"

  — Yes, but...

  - Then go. Prove that you are worthy.

  - I can't leave you!

  Anubis turned to him, his face unyielding.

  "You're the Prince of Asgard. Protector of the Nine Worlds. Start acting like one."

  Thor hesitated for another second, then nodded and ran to the place where Mjolnir lay.

  Anubis was left alone against the Destroyer.

  "Well then," he muttered, forming sand into blades on his hands. "It's been a while since I've had a real fight. I hope I'm not too rusty."

  The Destroyer attacked and the dance of death began.

  Anubis moved like the wind in the desert—unpredictable, elusive. He attacked joints, eyes, any weak points. The sand became spears, shields, whips—whatever weapon was needed at the moment.

  But the Destroyer was relentless. Every blow could kill. Every stream of fire incinerated everything in its path.

  Anubis felt his strength draining. It had been so long since he'd fully utilized his divine powers. For so long, he'd been just a bartender.

  The Destroyer grabbed his sand shield and tore it apart, then struck Anubis in the chest. The god of the dead fell to his knees, coughing.

  "Brave," Loki's voice carried. "But foolish. You could have left. You didn't have to interfere in Asgard's affairs."

  Anubis raised his head, his golden eyes still glowing.

  "I did not intervene for Asgard," he said hoarsely. "I intervened for the people of this city. They live as long as I live. They will die only after I die. It is my duty as the guardian of the dead to protect the living."

  "Noble," Loki said, his tone almost respectful. "But useless."

  The Destroyer raised his hand for the final blow.

  And at that moment the sky burst into thunder.

  Lightning struck the Destroyer with such force that the monster staggered. A figure appeared in the air—Thor, clad in armor, Mjolnir in hand, surrounded by electricity.

  He landed between Anubis and the Destroyer, and his voice boomed:

  - It ends now, brother!

  Anubis cleared his throat and rose to his feet, leaning against the wall.

  "About time," he muttered. "Another minute and I would have had to show my true form. And I really don't like scaring people."

  Thor turned, casting a quick glance at the exhausted god.

  “Thank you,” he said simply.

  "Beat him," Anubis replied. "You'll thank me later. Preferably with a generous tip."

  Even in this situation, Thor chuckled.

  He then turned to face the Destroyer, spun Mjolnir, and took off.

  The battle was short but fierce. Lightning tore through the sky, striking the Destroyer again and again. Thor was the fury of the storm, a force of nature, unstoppable.

  Anubis watched, slowly regaining his strength. Sand gathered around his wounds, healing them.

  Mj?lnir's final blow decapitated the Destroyer. The giant body crashed to the ground, creating a crater.

  Silence fell on the ruined street.

  Thor landed next to the monster's remains, breathing heavily. Then he turned to Anubis.

  - You're wounded.

  "I've seen worse," Anubis straightened up, already looking better. "The advantage of immortality is quick healing."

  They stood among the ruins, two gods from different pantheons, while people gathered around them—Jane, Darcy, Eric, Sif, and the Warriors Three.

  "Andy?" Jane whispered incredulously, looking at him.

  "Actually, Anubis," he gave her a crooked smile. "The god of the dead, the guardian of souls, the judge of the afterlife. But Andy works, too."

  "Anubis," repeated Fandral, one of the warriors. "The Egyptian god. We've heard of you."

  "What are you doing on Midgard?" Sif asked.

  "I run a bar," Anubis replied simply. "And, apparently, I save reckless thunderers from themselves."

  Thor laughed, loudly and sincerely.

  "I'm in your debt, Anubis. You gave me time to remember myself."

  "You remembered yourself," Anubis countered. "I simply... stood between you and death. Which, come to think of it, is rather ironic for the god of the dead."

  "Wait," Darcy raised her hand. "So our sexy bartender was a god this whole time? An Egyptian god?"

  — Yes.

  - And you just... worked in a bar?

  "Millennia," Anubis nodded. "It's a great job. Flexible hours, you know."

  Darcy looked at Jane.

  "I want to change my major. Astrophysics has suddenly become less interesting."

  Despite being tired, everyone laughed.

  But the laughter was cut short when the sky opened again and Bifrost's rainbow column appeared.

  From it came Odin, the All-Father, with Gungnir in his hand.

  Anubis felt the atmosphere change. It was the king, the ruler of Asgard, one of the most powerful beings in the Nine Worlds.

  Their gazes met - gold and the only blue.

  "Anubis," Odin said. "It's been a while since we last saw each other."

  "One Allfather," Anubis bowed his head in a respectful gesture. "A long time ago, indeed. The last time... when was that? When Rome fell?"

  “Around then,” Odin’s voice tinged with amusement. “Are you still hiding among mortals?”

  "I'm not hiding," Anubis countered. "I'm alive. There's a difference."

  One looked at him for a long moment, then nodded.

  - Thank you for protecting my son.

  "No need for thanks," Anubis shrugged. "I was defending the city, and he just happened to be in the way."

  Thor snorted with laughter, but quickly pulled himself together under his father's gaze.

  One turned to his son.

  - Thor. It's time to go home.

  - Father, I...

  "You have regained your dignity," Odin placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "You have learned what it means to sacrifice yourself for others. Asgard awaits its prince."

  Thor looked at Jane, his face full of conflict. Then he turned to Anubis.

  - I still owe you twenty dollars.

  Anubis burst out laughing.

  — You just saved the city from a giant fire robot, and you're worried about twenty dollars?

  “I always pay my debts,” Thor answered seriously.

  "Then come again," Anubis extended his hand. "The Eternity Bar is always happy to see friends."

  They shook hands, firmly, in a warrior-like manner.

  - See you later, Anubis, guardian of the dead.

  - See you later, Thor, defender of people.

  The Bifrost Rainbow Column carried Thor, Odin, and the Asgardians home.

  Anubis remained standing among the ruins with Jane, Darcy and Eric.

  "So," Darcy broke the silence. "Does anyone want to explain what just happened? Preferably slowly and using small words?"

  Anubis chuckled, and the golden light began to fade from his eyes. Sand settled to the ground. The divine aura dissipated. A few seconds later, Andy stood before them again—an ordinary bartender with disheveled hair and a blood-stained shirt.

  — I am a god. Thor is a god. We fought a robot. Thor won. Everyone is alive. Questions?

  "I have a million questions," Jane breathed. "First, how long have you been here? Second, why didn't you tell me? Third..."

  "Doctor Foster," Anubis interrupted her gently. "How about we discuss this over drinks? Preferably something strong. I have a headache."

  "Do you have a headache?" Eric asked incredulously. "You're a god!"

  "So what? Gods can't get headaches?" Anubis began to limp toward his bar. "Discrimination, that's what it is."

  They followed him, still stunned, but beginning to get used to the madness that had become their lives.

  The Eternity Bar was miraculously untouched. Sarah met them at the door, her eyes wide.

  — Boss! Are you... are you okay? I saw on the news... there was... and you...

  "I'm fine, Sarah," Anubis reassured her. "I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

  "Wasn't that you in the video?" She pulled out her phone. "Because someone filmed a guy with golden eyes fighting a giant robot, and he looks remarkably like..."

  Anubis carefully took the phone from her and deleted the video.

  “No,” he said firmly. “It wasn’t me. Just a guy who looked like him. The city is full of them.”

  Sarah looked at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

  - Okay, boss. Whatever you say.

  But there was understanding in her eyes. She knew. Of course she knew.

  "Take a week off," Anubis said. "With full pay. You've earned it."

  “I... thank you,” she looked at the group behind him. “Do you need help with... with them?”

  - No, I can handle it. Go home. Get some rest.

  When Sarah left, Anubis turned to his guests.

  "So," he said, walking behind the counter. "Who wants to hear the story of how an Egyptian god became a bartender in Manhattan?"

  The three scientists looked at each other, then nodded simultaneously.

  "And don't skimp on the details," Darcy added, climbing onto a chair.

  Anubis took out a bottle of his best whiskey and four glasses.

  "It's a long story," he warned. "A very long one."

  “We have time,” Jane answered.

  "Okay," Anubis poured drinks for everyone, then raised his glass. "Then listen. It all began about five thousand years ago, in the Nile Valley..."

  And while the city outside was recovering from the attack, in a quiet bar called "Eternity" the ancient god told his story to mortals who had already stopped being surprised by miracles.

  Because in a world where gods, aliens and magic exist, even the unthinkable becomes possible.

  And in this bar, behind this counter, the line between myth and reality was erased with every drink poured.