The next days fell into routine: eat, stroll gardens, eat, nap, talk, eat, bathe, sleep.
This was supposedly the front line against dimensional enemies, but Gemini saw no combat signs. Finally she asked. The Queen Mother used a water mirror spell to show her.
Brutal fighting. Countless heavenly soldiers behind a barrier. The other side—endless darkness. Hordes of grotesque red-eyed creatures attacking relentlessly. At intervals, the barrier opened. Let monsters through. Soldiers cut them down. Wounded carried away. Replacements stepped in. Rotation after rotation.
Only then did Gemini understand. If those soldiers failed, monsters would flood Earth. From what she'd seen, even everyone united might not stop them. World's end.
After countless days, the Jade Emperor sent word. Taibai fetched her. Yaochi said goodbye reluctantly, gifted several heavenly robes that could resist gravity and let her float. Limited time though. Slow too.
Riding Taibai's cloud, Gemini returned to the first hall.
"Young friend, we understand. But the Court still can't contact the mortal realm. Our channel went through those sorcerers—something went wrong. They kept saying fate couldn't change, so we lost contact. We learned from that, started our own channel. But lack experience. Missing one step—bringing this to the mortal realm." The Jade Emperor pointed to a palm-sized compass. "We considered forcing through space, but the battle line's critical. Creating entry for demons just for this isn't worth it. We can only stay disconnected, hope the mortal realm survives."
Paused. Gemini nodded. The Daoist Sect was terrified by last disconnection's consequences. Refused passive waiting. Researched methods, found wizards—bloodline abilities bypass Ladder rules. Gemini had enough contact, divination showed her. So here she was.
"We won't let you come for nothing." Jade Emperor waved sleeve. List appeared—tall as Gemini. "Gifts for you. Look. Not enough? I'll add more!"
Gemini stared at pills, treasures, weapons. Swallowed hard, looked away. "No. Too valuable. Elder Sun promised payment. Can't take from both sides. Not ethical."
Jade Emperor smiled. "Don't worry. Theirs is for message delivery. Ours is for carrying compass. Reasonable."
Gemini wavered. Looked at long list, picked carefully. "Just these. More's excessive. You say 'don't accept rewards without merit.' That's right."
Jade Emperor studied her. "May I ask the mortal realm's payment?"
"Sword-flying!" Eyes lit up.
Jade Emperor laughed. "That's all? Take everything. Consider it compensation for unworthy descendants."
Gemini confused. Did Elder Sun lie?
Reading confusion, Jade Emperor continued. "They won't deceive about sword-flying. Not secret. But you overlooked time. Setting aside talent needs, even exceptional talent starting from zero takes years to reach sword-flying. Sure you can wait?"
Gemini sighed. "Miscalculated. Only thought about cool, forgot that! But that's my problem—"
Jade Emperor raised hand. "Think it's too much? Take all, distribute to descendants as compensation. I'll have Laojun craft personal treasure. How's that?"
Blinked. "Works!"
Nodded, handed bracelet. "Qiankun Bracelet for supplies. Similar to your bag, better. Use it!"
Looked at jade bracelet, then leather bag. This was "use it"?!
Token in hand, followed Taibai to Laojun's palace. Discussed needed treasure.
In Gemini's view—cool enough worked.
Laojun said amateur work would embarrass him. Half day discussion. Final product left both smiling.
Ring. Silver band with intricate formations—looked like miniature sword.
Activated, ring enlarged into real flying sword. Given Gemini's nature, Laojun added her blood—ran on magic, not cultivation.
Reminded her of Tony's arc reactor. Had Laojun leave groove for embedding later. Minimal magic!
Sword wasn't just transport. Followed commands. When not needed for travel, could direct for combat. Laojun added sharpness, penetration, various properties. Even Gemini didn't know what hitting someone would do.
For cool and beautiful, Laojun added transformation magic. Could skip sword-riding, use ring power to generate clouds beneath feet. Higher magic consumption than direct riding, but convenient. While sword-fighting, float on clouds—mobile artillery!
After collecting everything, followed Taibai to high platform. Below—terrifying cloud layers.
"This is?" Bad feeling.
Taibai smiled apologetically. "Only passage to mortal realm. Besides forcing barrier open, only this. But cultivators going down destroys cultivation. Unless necessary, no one takes this. You're different. Abilities from bloodline. Ignore rules here."
Stood carefully at edge, looking at clouds. Covered face. "Can I use broom?!"
Taibai blinked, stepped behind. Brushed hand over bag. "Sorry, like Ladder—no tools. Goodbye! As compensation, upgraded bag. Apologies!"
Pushed. Gemini stared horrified at apologetic smile. "#!¥%...¥#%..."
Falling through clouds. Ten minutes free fall. Went limp. Who knows where she'd land? Ring meant no death. No problem!
Looking at monotonous clouds, yawned. Court's dimension caused time discrepancies. Sometimes year there, month Earth. Sometimes hour there, years Earth.
Stayed days. Had Earth aged ten?
Where she couldn't see, clouds vanished. Pitch blackness.
Counting fall time, noticed wrong. Total darkness surrounded. Head felt clubbed. Lost consciousness.
Light-years away, Guardians of Galaxy traded for Nebula, flying through space.
As Quill and Gamora talked, black hole appeared in ceiling. Figure dropped, slammed before them. Nearly broke table.
Drax slowly stuffed food in mouth. Moving like time-slowed.
"Still eating?!" Gamora reconsidered ship choice.
Star-Lord jumped, felt ceiling. "Where'd this come from?! What'd we hit?!"
Gamora examined figure. Female. Human appearance. Black hair, white skin. No ID. Just bag, ring, bracelet. Unknown clothing. Not from planets she knew. Also—space! How'd human drop into traveling ship?!
"Looks harmless. Wake her?" Looked at others.
"Your lead." Drax tossed bag, stepped back.
Star-Lord studied ceiling. Waved absently. "Your call, Gamora!"
Gamora lifted person, stuffed in scanner. Confirmed impact unconsciousness only. Yanked out, slung over shoulder, dumped on bed. Pulled spray, squirted near nose.
Next instant, Gemini caught strong smell. Jerked awake.
Scene bewildered her. How many years gone?! Why's everyone green?!
"Hello? Understand?" Considering clothing wasn't protective, Gamora figured remote planet. Tried common language.
Gemini sat warily, pulled wand from bracelet, pointed at Gamora. "Who are you! Where's this? What year?!"
Gamora studied wooden stick. What planet used that? Unique.
Didn't approach. Stepped back, raised hands—no attack. "Our ship, outer Sovereign. About to leave when you dropped in. This is space. Curious how you got here too."
Gaped. Space?! That space?!
"Proof!" Found voice. "Proof I'm in space!"
Gamora saw it—backward planet, never been to space. Otherwise surroundings would tell!
Shrugged, slapped button. Wall panel opened—window outside. Dark universe, countless planets. Nearby—golden Sovereign. Nothing like Earth.
Rushed window, stared. Long moment. Slid to floor.
Nobody told her! Dropped in universe! How get home?! No wonder long list. Did they know?!
"Haven't said planet. If you pay, we'll take you back. Price worth our while." Leaned wall, crossed arms. Interrupted thoughts.
"Gemini Black. Earth. Heard of it? What payment? Gold? Gems?" Collected self, tried calming. Rubbed ring. Self-defense fine. Getting home—big problem.
"Where'd you say?" Straightened shocked.
"Earth. Heard of it? Earth hasn't entered space. That famous?" Narrowed eyes. What year? Had Earth entered space age?
Gamora didn't answer. Slammed button, shouted intercom. "Peter! Get here! Your countryman! From Earth!"
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