The Christmas of 2013 was different from the previous ones.
In past Christmases, Hawk would usually go to the grave to spend the holiday with his sister Anya.
After all, Anya was his only relative in this world.
But this year was different.
Hawk had gained another family member.
Gwen.
His fiancée.
At the moment, in the house on Palm Street, the big plush yeti on the lawn outside had not melted much and stood steadfastly on the grass.
There were also glowing reindeer.
The colorful lights on the porch were already lit, and Nutcracker Soldiers in bright uniforms stood on both sides of the entrance, looking quite adorable.
All these decorations were personally arranged by Gwen in these past days.
The exterior was festive.
The interior was even more newly refreshed and filled with the holiday spirit.
There was a small Christmas tree ornament in the hallway.
Near the fireplace in the living room stood a Christmas tree brought back yesterday from Jersey City, now adorned with a variety of decorative balls.
Along with clay angels and bead strings, handmade by Gwen in the past days.
Little angels, nutcrackers, snowflakes, and stars were also hung on the tree branches.
The most important point.
Various mini photos of Hawk and Gwen were also hanging on the tree branches, including a family of three photo edited by Gwen from photos of Hawk and his sister Anya, hanging in the most prominent spot.
The tree top stood solemnly with a shining Bethlehem star.
The base of the tree was covered with fluffy skirts, under which various sizes and colorful gift boxes awaited to be opened by visitors.
But the room was empty.
No sign of Hawk and Gwen.
Because…
The two were invited by Thor, who was also alone on Earth, to celebrate Christmas together at Thor and Jane's new place in Manhattan.
Tony Stark and Ms. Pepper Potts were also there.
At the moment, in the small kitchen, gathered were a top global CEO, a renowned female doctor in the field of astronomy, and a college freshman.
Uh…
The three women didn't let their different statuses affect their unity; the atmosphere was very harmonious, with laughs and chats while making delicious food together.
Pepper Potts needs no detail; she's a smart woman who won over a top playboy through subtle means.
Jane Foster also needs no detail, being able to win over a male god says it all.
As for Gwen, who could blend in with all the community neighbors within a week, even making the neighbors think of her whenever there's an event, she needs no detail either.
Plus, it wasn't the first time the three women met.
When Thor and Jane returned to New York City, they organized a gathering right away, not to mention that night sparked the first challenge between an elated Thor and Hawk up in the atmosphere.
In short.
The three women were enjoying themselves in the kitchen.
The three men were drinking and bragging in the living room.
Alright.
Mainly Thor and Tony were drinking.
Hawk wasn't.
He had just turned nineteen this Christmas, and had three years left until he could legally drink at twenty-one.
The Hell Tavern didn't count.
Simply put.
When in Rome, in the Hell Tavern, there is no law prohibiting those under twenty-one from drinking.
At this moment, Hawk was gripping Mjolnir on the table, attempting to lift it.
Thor sat beside him, holding a beer, watching calmly, not a bit worried Hawk could lift his Mjolnir.
Indeed.
Even with Hawk now able to hold up a hill effortlessly, he still couldn't move Mjolnir.
Because…
The hammer's head was forged from a dying star.
To put it simply, there were only two ways to lift Mjolnir.
First, Mjolnir's self-recognition, like Thor and future Jane.
Second, having a just heart, being pure inside, meeting the conditions to wield Mjolnir, like Captain America.
But there's a third way.
Grabbing the hammer with absolute strength.
When you can hold up a star with one hand, you can lift Mjolnir with absolute power.
However, Hawk couldn't do it just yet.
But…
On the way home after the dinner.
Driving towards Palm Street, Gwen glanced curiously at Hawk in the passenger seat: "Hawk, having sparred with Thor so many times, your strength must not be much different from Thor's, right."
Hawk nodded: "Yes."
Over ten challenges, while only burning Little Cosmos without erupting, his wins and losses with Thor were about fifty-fifty.
Gwen blinked.
"Are you a god now as well?"
"No."
"Then you and Thor..."
"He hasn't fully mastered his Divine Authority."
Hawk already knew what Gwen wanted to ask and explained with a smile, "If Thor had completely mastered his Thunder Divine Authority, winning just once out of ten challenges would be quite good for me."
Though he now possesses both the Immortal and Nirvana powers of the Phoenix.
But ultimately, he is not a god.
After comprehending the Sixth Sense, his life level has transformed, but there's still a long way to go before he can be called a god.
It's known that even mastering the Eighth Sense merely touches the fringes of godhood.
The Ninth Sense is said to be the realm of gods; only by comprehending the Ninth Sense can one truly be called a god.
Currently, Hawk...
Is still far from the Seventh Sense, let alone the Ninth Sense.
Actually, Thor is almost the same.
Both possess Divine Authority, but neither's Divine Authority can affect others.
For instance, Hawk's Nirvana Divine Authority cannot yet be granted to others, just as Thor's Thunder Divine Authority cannot be bestowed upon anyone else.
So...
"Calling us gods might not be wrong; even pseudo-gods are gods, after all."
Hawk thought to himself, chuckled, and then looked at Gwen, curious, "Why ask about this all of a sudden?"
Gwen parted her lips and started talking about the chat between the three women in the kitchen just now.
Mainly, Jane was talking, recounting her experiences and observations from her day and night trip to Asgard, and then somehow the conversation shifted to the gap between mortals and divine spirits.
A mortal's life level already dictates a lifespan of barely over a hundred years.
But divine spirits, their lifespan is nearly immortal, with lives almost limitless unless they are killed.
"Jane seems somewhat worried."
"She indeed has reason to worry."
Hawk chuckled upon hearing this, "God King Odin and the entirety of Asgard have always expected Thor to choose his own kind, like Sif, as a wife. And Jane is right; a mortal's lifespan is only about a century. Thor might accompany Jane for a lifetime, but Jane cannot accompany Thor for his entire life."
Saying this, he realized something.
Hawk turned to look at Gwen, "So, are you worried about this problem?"
Gwen also looked at him, smiling gently, "No, I'm just happy I can walk ahead of you. At least I won't be sad for you, but you will be sad for me."
Hawk was momentarily stunned by Gwen's answer.
The next moment.
He caught sight of a familiar tavern through the window on the right side of the car.
"Stop the car!"
"Screech."
Gwen hit the brakes, glancing through the car window at Hawk who was looking at a piece of land on the opposite side of the road that had been cleared, "What's wrong."
Hawk returned to his senses, smiled slightly, and said to the curious Gwen, "Wait for me here."
With that,
He unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed open the car door, got out, and walked toward the Hell Tavern that was in his eyes, and the empty lot in Gwen's eyes.
The next moment.
At the moment Hawk pushed open the tavern door of Hell, the real-world Hawk suddenly disappeared from Gwen's sight.
Gwen raised a brow at this scene.
But was not surprised.
As mentioned, now Gwen feels her threshold for surprise has been heightened to a very high level.
Indeed.
This Hell Tavern was projected by Mephisto.
Hawk entered the Hell Tavern, feeling the familiar aura on the edge of life and death, then saw Mephisto at a table holding a cup and smiling at him. Hawk thought sincerely and then walked towards Mephisto.
Mephisto smiled, raising his cup to greet Hawk.
"Merry Christmas, Hawk."
"Merry Christmas."
After sitting down, Hawk picked up the cup in front of him, clinked it with Mephisto's, celebrated briefly, then curiously said, "Projecting the Hell Tavern into the New York City where Kamar-Taj is located, Mephisto, aren't you afraid the Supreme Mage might come to beat you up again?"
Mephisto scoffed, "Besides using the Time Gemstone repeatedly to have her way with me, what else can she do? I just don't want to waste time on her."
Hawk recalled Dormammu tortured by the Time Gemstone in the future.
It turns out Mephisto is also a victim of the Time Gemstone.
Hawk thought in his heart, then got straight to the point, "You've shown up this time, have you changed your mind and can help me resurrect my sister?"
Mephisto didn't speak immediately; he first filled Hawk's cup, placed the bottle aside, and then took his cup.
"Hawk, I've always thought you were a smart guy."
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Hawk raised an eyebrow, clinked cups with Mephisto again, "What do you mean?"
Mephisto downed his drink, then leaned into the sofa behind him, crossed his hands in front, and smiled at Hawk, "Releasing your sister's soul is easy for me; I don't need to offend a future god for one soul."
Hawk said nothing.
Because he knew there was a "but" coming after that sentence.
Sure enough.
"But—"
Mephisto's tone shifted, his face showing a trace of helplessness. He shook his head and looked at Hawk, "If you want me to release your sister's soul, at least prepare a body that can house a soul first."
Hawk: "..."