The portal shimmered like liquid glass, drawing the attention of the armored Einherjar guarding it. They raised their weapons instinctively, until a familiar figure stepped through.
Soren Macaluso emerged, composed and regal despite the casual wear.
Behind him followed Phil Coulson, wide-eyed and very much looking like a tourist who accidentally wandered into a Renaissance painting.
As the guards recognized Soren, they instantly relaxed, weapons lowering as they saluted.
"Honored Healer!" One guard declared, bowing with reverence.
Soren smiled lightly and returned the gesture with a polite nod.
"This man is my friend, Phil Coulson of Earth. He is also a friend of Thor's. We have urgent business with the Allfather and Prince Thor. Please, announce our arrival."
"Of course, sir." The lead guard stepped aside.
"Follow me. The Allfather has already been informed of your return."
The grandeur of the palace stretched endlessly, pillars of gold and obsidian, waterfalls flowing through walls of crystal, floating platforms humming softly under ancient magic.
Everything shimmered with divinity.
Phil Coulson trailed behind Soren, doing his best not to gawk… and failing miserably.
"That statue just moved, didn't it?" Coulson whispered.
"Was that a floating chariot?! Are those birds metal?"
Soren smirked, tugging him forward gently.
"Yes, yes, and no, they're sentient spirit ravens. Don't try to feed them."
"Got it. No birdseed diplomacy."
The massive golden doors opened with a resonant groan. Inside, the Throne of Odin stood tall above a vast chamber bathed in sunlight filtered through celestial mosaics.
At the far end stood Thor, donned in ornate battle armor, red cape billowing slightly from the ethereal wind. He beamed at the sight of the newcomers and strode forward.
"Soren! Coulson!"
"By the stars, this is a surprise! Today, we drink like warriors!"
Before either could respond, Thor embraced them both, nearly cracking Coulson's spine in the process.
"Ow, yeah—okay, wow, still strong. Really strong." Coulson winced, straightening his jacket.
From the throne, Odin Allfather watched calmly. Today, his form was full of strength. His missing eye had returned, restored by Soren during his healing work.
His golden armor gleamed with the quiet terror of wisdom, and his gaze held the weight of ages.
"Healer Soren." Odin spoke, voice like distant thunder.
"And the man who aided my son on Midgard."
Phil Coulson took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty. Agent Phil Coulson, of SHIELD… Earth's defense organization. It's an honor to stand before you."
Odin nodded once, curt but respectful.
"The honor is shared. Speak then, Soren. What urgent winds bring you back to Asgard?"
Soren's expression turned serious. He stepped forward, and his voice carried across the hall.
"Loki has arrived on Earth, and he's stolen the Tesseract. He's made his intentions clear, he plans to rule the Earth."
The air fell silent.
In that instant, four faces shifted, each with their own storm.
Thor's eyes widened with disbelief. "Loki? You said Loki? He... he's alive?!"
Odin's posture stiffened, a shadow crossing his ageless face. His fingers clenched the armrest of his throne. The grief he'd buried surged back, warring with a father's anger.
"After the Bifrost fell... he vanished into the cosmos. I mourned him. And now..."
"My son still chooses chaos."
Thor looked down, the weight of guilt creeping over his features.
"I thought his fall would change him. I thought… he might find peace out there."
Soren said nothing, his gaze firm and honest. There was no comfort in lies.
Phil Coulson cleared his throat gently, sensing the tension, and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, let me explain the full picture."
He produced a small holo-emitter from his jacket, tapping it. Images of Loki on Earth, the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in ruins, and the Tesseract glowing violently spun in the air.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. formed a coalition, called the Avengers, to protect Earth from threats like this. Powerful individuals with extraordinary abilities. We wanted Mr. Soren to join, but he recommended… Thor."
Thor straightened, absorbing that with a flicker of pride in his eyes, but this time tempered, no longer the brash god who once demanded reverence.
"Then I am honored." He said quietly.
"But I go not for glory. I go because my brother must be stopped before he tears apart another world."
Odin looked at his son, the silence deepening.
"You wish to go?"
"Yes, Father. I will face him. And bring him home dead or alive."
Odin nodded slowly, as if aging years in a breath. Then his gaze moved to Soren.
"Asgard cannot send armies. Our interference might bring chaos to more than one realm. But Thor, he carries my trust. And if needed…"
He looked to Coulson, "…we will support Earth. Quietly… but fully."
Soren inclined his head. "Your caution is wise, All-Father. And Earth will be grateful."
Then, with a small smile, he added.
"By the way… I'll be taking Zilant back with me. I may need him."
Odin's eye twitched. A very rare occurrence.
Thor coughed, hand over mouth, glancing sideways.
"About that…" He said carefully. "Your 'pet' has been… active."
Soren raised an eyebrow. "Active?"
Odin stood slowly, muttering as if to himself.
"Massive giant. Ice and lightning. Teeth that cleave armor like bread. The skies thunder when it stretches. Yes, very active."
Thor added, awkwardly.
"Zilant's eaten nearly everything in the royal garden. Three peacocks. Two sky-yaks. And I'm pretty sure it tried to flirt with the Queen's Pegasus."
Phil Coulson blinked. "Wait… what kind of pet are we talking about again?"
"Frost Thunder Python." Thor and Odin said in unison.
"A what now?"
Soren winced, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Right… I might've left out the part where he's still growing."
Thor gave him a look.
"Thank the Nine Realms it can't reproduce. If that thing had babies, Asgard would be on the menu."
"He's just enthusiastic." Soren tried.
Odin sighed deeply, muttering something in ancient Norse that translated roughly to "We should've charged boarding fees."
"You'd best go calm your creature." Odin said, dismissing Soren with a nod.
"And Thor, prepare. Heimdall will watch the stars. You leave at dawn."
"Understood."
Soren gave a half-bow to the King and turned to leave. As he passed Coulson, the agent whispered.
"Does your pet eat… humans?"
"Only the annoying ones." Soren smiled.
Coulson went pale.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Dare you peek into my other tales? The opening three chapters of select stories are free to all.
PhantomDream