Location: Asgardian Military Camp
Same Planet, Different Hemisphere
The camp sprawled across a relatively flat section of the barren landscape, a testament to Asgardian military efficiency. Golden-tinged tents formed orderly rows, interspersed with weapon racks, supply depots, and mystical surveillance. Soldiers moved with precision, setting up defensive perimeters and establishing supply lines.
In the command tent at the center of the camp, Hela sat at a table covered with maps and strategic documents, eating what appeared to be dried meat and some kind of preserved fruit—standard military rations, even for royalty on campaign. She chewed methodically, her expression distant, clearly lost in thought.
The tent flap burst open, and a soldier rushed in, his armor still dusty from travel. His breathing was quick, urgent.
Hela looked up, her expression shifting to mild dissatisfaction at the interruption. She preferred to eat in peace, especially after long days coordinating military operations. But the soldier didn't seem to care about her mood at all—his duty overrode any concern for royal sensibilities.
"Prince Hela," he said, snapping to attention but speaking quickly. "The sensing department detected a significant magical fluctuation in the barren lands approximately half an hour ago. We dispatched scouts to investigate immediately."
Hela set down her food, her irritation fading as interest took over. "And?"
"A structure appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the wasteland," the soldier reported. "A castle, approximately thirty meters on each side. One moment the area was empty, the next—fully formed architecture. The scouts are maintaining observation distance but haven't approached yet, pending your orders."
"Oh?" Hela's eyes lit up with genuine interest. She leaned forward, all traces of weariness vanishing. "A thirty-meter castle appearing from thin air. That's no simple trick."
She stood, walking to the map table and studying the barren region the soldier indicated. Her mind raced through possibilities.
It can only be creation magic or high-level spatial manipulation. "Both require extraordinary skill and power. Either someone created the entire structure from raw materials instantaneously, or they pulled it from a pocket dimension—both impressive feats."
The soldier shifted his weight, waiting for orders.
People who can achieve this level of magic are rare, a predatory smile crossing her face. "Strong enough to be interesting. Strong enough to be useful—or threatening."
She made her decision quickly. "You're dismissed. I'll investigate this myself."
The soldier's expression tightened with concern. "But Lord Hela, it might be dangerous. This could be a trap set by the giants. Surtur's remaining forces—"
"Hmph." Hela's laugh was dismissive. "What can those small fish do? After Father defeated Surtur, every time the giants see our forces, they run. They're broken, scattered. This isn't their style—they don't have the subtlety for that."
She strapped on her sword, the blade materializing from green energy as she willed it into existence. "It's unlikely to be giants. More likely a survivor from another realm, or perhaps a sorcerer who's stumbled into this time period. Either way, I need to assess the threat personally."
The soldier opened his mouth to protest further, but Hela cut him off with a raised hand.
"You and the others take care of the base. I'll be back soon. If I'm not back by nightfall—which I will be—you have standing orders to fortify and wait for reinforcements. But that won't be necessary."
Without waiting for further argument, she strode out of the tent. The soldiers in the camp barely had time to salute before she launched herself into the air, her magic propelling her across the barren landscape toward the coordinates of the mysterious castle.
The wasteland blurred beneath her as she flew, the wind whipping her long black hair behind her. Despite her confident words to the soldier, her mind remained alert, cataloging possibilities and preparing for combat if necessary.
.........
Elric had just settled into the bed, his exhausted body finally beginning to relax. His eyes had just closed, his breathing beginning to even out—
BOOM.
The entire tower shook. The impact wasn't enough to breach the walls, but it rattled the structure, sending vibrations through the stone that jolted Elric from the edge of sleep.
His eyes snapped open. What the—
BOOM.
A second impact, stronger this time. The tower swayed slightly, and he heard the faint hum of defensive wards activating, consuming energy to absorb the blow.
Elric shot upright, all traces of exhaustion replaced by adrenaline and rage.
"Fuck! For God's sake, give me a fucking break!"
He reached out with his magical senses, analyzing the attacks. The defensive enchantments on the fortress were strong—equivalent to eighth-tier spell protection. Against anything at that level or below, they would hold indefinitely. But against stronger attacks, they would need to consume energy proportional to the assault to maintain integrity.
The two strikes had been relatively weak—likely probing attacks, tests to gauge the fortress's defenses. But that was exactly what worried him. If whoever was out there decided to unleash their full power next...
He can't afford to wait and see. He need to assess the threat immediately.
He didn't hesitate. Remaining inside would only make him a sitting duck.
"Teleport."
The spell activated instantly, and he materialized outside the fortress, about twenty meters from the main entrance. His eyes immediately scanned for the source of the attacks.
And there she was.
A woman stood in the air about thirty meters away, suspended by magic that rippled around her like heat waves. Her long black hair fell almost to her hips, stirred by winds that didn't exist. Her eyes were dark and cold, assessing him with the gaze of a predator evaluating prey. She wore armor of green and black that seemed to absorb light, and in her hand, energy was already gathering—coalescing into the shape of a blade.
Elric's blood ran cold, then immediately boiled with fury.
That face. He knew that face.
Hela.
The woman who had just sent him here.
"See you soon," he muttered, the words from their last encounter echoing in his mind. "See you fucking soon."
His voice rose to a shout. "The fuck? Why are you here too?!"
Hela observed the man who had appeared outside the fortress with mild curiosity that was rapidly fading. He was muttering something—words she couldn't quite make out from this distance—and the expression on his face was... unhinged. Angry. Wild.
More importantly, she could sense the killing intent radiating from him. It wasn't subtle—it crashed against her like waves against a cliff, raw and undirected but unmistakably hostile.
So, not a potential ally, she concluded. Probably one of the giants after all, or perhaps someone allied with them. The level of hatred is too immediate for this to be a first meeting.
She had seen that look before—on the faces of enemies who had lost comrades to her blade, on the faces of those who knew they were about to die. It was the look of someone who had already decided violence was the only option.
She sighed internally. This was disappointing. She had hoped for something more interesting—a conversation, perhaps, or at least some information before the inevitable fight. But if this man wanted violence, she would oblige him. It had been a long campaign, and she was tired. Better to end this quickly and return to camp.
It's been too long since I left Asgard, she thought, a pang of homesickness surprising her. I miss it. The golden halls, the feasts, the civilized company. This barren rock is getting tiresome.
Energy gathered around her right hand, emerald and black, swirling together until it solidified into a blade. The weapon sharp enough to cut through nearly anything and backed by her considerable magical strength.
She raised the sword, preparing to strike—
"You BITCH!" the man roared. "Now you dare to attack me? I'll throw you into the sun today!"
His hands came up, and Hela felt the air itself beginning to distort around him. Massive amounts of magical energy were coalescing at frightening speed.
He's strong, she realized, her expression sharpening. Much stronger than I initially assessed. This might actually be interesting.
But one thing confused her: his words. "Now you dare to attack me?" As if they had some prior conflict. As if she had wronged him before.
But she had never seen this man in her life.
Perhaps he's confusing me with someone else? Or perhaps I killed his master? His family?
It didn't matter. He was clearly hostile, clearly powerful, and clearly about to attack. The reasons were irrelevant.
Hela smiled—not the cruel smile of a sadist, but the eager grin of a warrior who had found a worthy opponent.
"Well then," she said, her voice carrying across the distance between them. "Let's see if you can back up those words."
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