On the floating platform, Malrick stood at the forefront. His gaze swept across the group as he asked one final question before departure.
"Are you ready to go to Asgard? You might not be used to celebrating Christmas on another world, but trying something new once in a while isn't such a bad thing."
Malrick himself felt little attachment to Christmas.
Even though he had grown up among the Stark family in this life, to him Christmas was nothing more than an extended holiday, a day to rest. But for others, this holiday carried deeper meaning.
Unexpectedly, Pietro spread his hands. "Wanda and I haven't celebrated this holiday in years."
Wanda nodded quietly. "Life in Sokovia wasn't easy. We barely had the energy to survive, let alone think about Christmas. And when we were with HYDRA, it was worse. We didn't even have personal space."
Natasha added her own thoughts. "Yelena and I had the same experience. The Red Room didn't exactly encourage holiday spirit."
"Me too…" Sherry held Yelena's hand. "My parents always spent Christmas in the lab instead of at home. And last year, everyone was busy dealing with the zombie outbreak."
Banner sighed. "Now that you bring it up, I haven't celebrated in over two years either. Ever since I was exposed to gamma radiation, the military's been on my back."
Malrick quickly realized that no one there truly had a tradition of celebrating Christmas. Their lives had been too difficult for such things.
Wong and Master Hamir added lightly, "We don't celebrate Christmas either."
Before the discussion drifted too far, Malrick cut it short. "Alright then. Since none of you really celebrate the holiday, it's simple. After we finish in Asgard, we'll have a feast there before heading home."
"Yay! Finally! I've lived so many years, and today I'll actually get to eat food from the gods!" Yelena was already drooling.
Sherry quickly reminded her, "Yelena, we only get that feast if we win. If we lose and still sit down to eat, wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
"Oh, right… Um, Mr. Stark, you can win this, right?" Yelena looked to Tony.
With Malrick nearby, Tony never faltered. "We'll win."
"You see! We'll win!" Yelena laughed, spinning with excitement. "Sherry, we're going to have a big meal!"
"Yay!" Sherry joined her in cheering, hugging her tightly.
Their simple joy sparked a shared determination in the rest of the team. Watching the two sisters, the five core Avengers silently swore to themselves that, no matter how powerful Asgard was, they would win. The pressure on their shoulders grew heavier.
"It looks like you're all ready," Malrick said at last.
"Then let's go."
Turning toward the empty air, he called, "Heimdall, no need to bring us over. We'll come ourselves."
With a wave, Malrick drew a vast golden circle in the air. A portal opened wide, revealing a solemn scene on the other side: the All-Father Odin himself, ranks of armored Asgardian soldiers lined in formation, and two princes staring in wide-eyed anticipation.
---
The day before the agreed battle—December 24th—Odin had confirmed the final schedule with Malrick.
Normally, such matters would have been handled by diplomatic envoys, men like Mordo from Kamar-Taj or Heimdall of Asgard. But this contest was different.
Odin had already shaken Malrick's hand to seal a contract witnessed by the Vishanti. The penalties for breaking it were written in painstaking detail. No loopholes, no escape.
Because of that, Odin had taken the task personally. For a month now, he had been reminding Malrick to arrive on time, unwilling to risk any accident. His aging body could no longer endure unnecessary complications.
Though his divine power still burned fiercely within him, it had become both strength and burden. His last brief clash with Malrick in the spiritual realm had nearly forced him into the Odin Sleep.
If he broke the contract again and drew the wrath of the Vishanti, Odin feared he might meet Valhalla's gates years too soon.
So, on Earth's Christmas Day, Odin himself gathered his sons and the Asgardian army at the Bifrost Bridge entrance.
Thor and Loki grumbled at the ceremony, but Odin remained unmoved. His command was absolute.
"Heimdall," Odin ordered, "when the Sorcerer Supreme of Midgard calls your name, bring him and his companions here."
"Yes, All-Father," Heimdall replied, his hands gripping the Guardian Sword firmly at the console.
Thor surveyed the vast honor guard assembled along the Bifrost. Every warrior stood in gleaming armor, swords at the ready, a formation more splendid than any he had seen.
Never before had Odin greeted anyone this way. Not even visiting dignitaries from Vanaheim received such ceremony. Yet here they were, awaiting a handful of sorcerers from Midgard.
Thor bristled. Since childhood, he had dreamed of conquest, of protecting the Nine Realms through strength. Why waste honor on Midgard?
"Father," Thor said, Mjolnir heavy in his hand, "why must we welcome them like this? The best way to receive these Midgardians is in the arena, where I'll knock them down one by one."
Loki smirked, adding fuel. "Midgard is backward. The last time I went, they offered me fruit as if it were treasure. Father, fighting them is hardly worth our time. We'd be better off holding a picnic in Vanaheim."
Usually, Loki would contradict Thor for the sake of argument, but today he agreed completely. Why waste their time and dignity on mortals?
Odin's one eye burned as it fell on his sons. Both were still far from what he expected of them. Kamar-Taj, on the other hand, had produced two consecutive Sorcerer Supremes of terrifying strength.
"We are not welcoming the sorcerers," Odin said sternly.
Thor and Loki exchanged puzzled looks.
"We are welcoming only one of them," Odin continued.
Thor grinned, misunderstanding completely. "Ah! Then this one must be my opponent. Don't worry, Father, I'll bring honor to Asgard with my victory!"
Loki tilted his head, thoughtful but no less dismissive. A single mortal sorcerer from Midgard hardly seemed worth the attention.
Odin sighed inwardly. "He will not fight today. You two must do your best to win in his absence."
In truth, Odin himself held little regard for the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. Only one of them mattered—Malrick.
At that moment, Heimdall spoke. "Your Majesty, the Sorcerer Supreme refused the pull of the Bifrost."
Odin's expression hardened.
Thor's temper flared. "They refused the Bifrost? Then they are cowards! Are Midgardians truly so spineless?"
He rarely grew angry without cause, but he despised cowardice above all.
Loki gave a cold laugh. "Father, it seems our guests are too frightened to set foot in Asgard. Perhaps this farce of a challenge should be canceled altogether."
---