Adira grew up with more understanding of the universe than most children. The Norse stories she read weren't myths to her, they were truth. She would stay awake reading about Odin's wisdom, heroes who saved Asgard and about the mischievous Loki who always flip flopped between good and evil until Fury came into her room instructing her go to sleep.
Her fascination started when she turned 7 and Fury decided to explain to her where she was born, and how her mother couldn't keep her. However, she did not know who her parents were, the woman did not tell Fury her name or who the father was. He had also given Adira her mother's necklace and lullaby.
"What is it?" Little Adira asked as Fury handed her the special presents.
"It was your mother's necklace, she called it an Aletheia. She said something about protecting you from lies of this world. And this," he said unfolding a piece of old parchment, "is a lullaby." He handed her the crumpled up piece of paper which she examined closely with a soft smile. "She truly loved you."
Since that day, Adira had grown attached to the world of gods and goddess. Every night she'd look up at the stars and dream of Asgard and a mother she never knew and a place she'd never seen.
*One year later*
Adira stood in the empty field of tall grass, hope glistened in her bright green eyes as she gazed into the shimmering sky clutching her mother's necklace close to her chest in both hands. Her brown curls tangled as a rush of air swept past her, the night felt calm and perfect.
"Adira!" Fury called as he walked off the porch. "What do you think you're doing out here? We're leaving tomorrow and-"
"Shh wait." She said calmly, staring off into the distance. "Did you hear that?"
Fury looked at her confused. "Hear what?"
"I heard a wolf howl." She said softly. They both stood in silence as the sound of wolves enclosed around them. "Someone on the radio said there were shooting stars out tonight." She said hopefully after the howling stopped.
"I want you inside in 5 minutes, understood?"
"Yes sir!" She said. Fury left and she continued to stare at the night sky. It looked so calming to her, the way everything appeared to be so still and at peace. A streak of light bounded across the sky, Adira quickly shut her eyes and tightened her grip on her necklace. "I wish one day Heimdall would open the Bifrost to me and I will be able to go to Asgard and find my mom" She kissed her necklace, and opened.
"Adira get yo ass inside now!" Fury yelled from the front door.
She let out a deep sigh and gave the sky one last glance before running inside the house, howling wolves heard in the far distance.
"Whath goin' on?" A drowsy girl walked down the stairs holding a stuffed bear.
"Nothin' Leala, please go back up to bed." Fury asked with a stern yet gentle tone.
"I'll tuck her back in bed dadda" Adira ran to her sleepy sister grabbing her hand walking her back up to temporary bedroom. "I saw a shooting star tonight." She whispered as they reached the top of the stairs.
"Before my paren's disappeared my mum used to say a star would fall every time you lost someone you loved."
"I read that if you wished upon a star it would come true."
"Did you make a wish?"
"Mhm!"
Leala excitedly gasped. "What was it!? What was it!?"
"Shh" She put her pointer finger to her mouth motioning her to lower her voice. "I can't tell you, it won't come true if I do."
"Oh…. Do ya think it will come true?"
"Anything's possible."
Both Adira's and Leala's training started when they were 10, Fury saw potential strength in both of them. He trained them how to fight hand-to-hand combat, what to do in different medical situations, how to survive in different climates and terrains, and how to lead other people.
After Adira turned 18 her skill were put to the test. First her ability to keep moving; Fury would send her on fake missions making sure her mode of transportation would break down so that she would have to figure out another way to her next test her endurance, Adira would be left stranded by herself in unfamiliar surrounds with harsh climates.
Leala's training was less harsh and extensive than Adira's and when all of Fury's evaluations were done, both of them were welcomed into SHIELD as new spies. The small helpless children Fury once knew had grown into independent and unbreakable women.