Empire Building
The throne room is packed. It seems as though every citizen living in the capital is here right now. There are also several foreign dignitaries present as well. The Royal Guards line the main walk way from the huge double golden doors to the magnificent golden throne on its dais. It is lined with a wide plush red carpet fringed with gold. Lady Phoenix walks down it with grace and nods her head every so often to the cheering crowd sprawled amid the vast columned forest of gold and marble. Odin stands before his throne silent, allowing the throng to settle as she approaches. With a tap from his spear, all goes silent.
"Lady Phoenix… in the absence of my son, Thor… I, Odin, All-Father, King of Asgard ask of you to dwell amongst us here in the Realm Eternal and take up the role as Champion of Asgard and aid in the defense of the Nine Realms! Do you solemnly swear to uphold the responsibilities bestowed upon you?" Odin starts the ceremony after Lady Phoenix takes a knee before the throne.
"I swear." She replies. Odin nods.
"Do you swear to protect the Nine Realms and its inhabitants with all your power and if necessary… your life?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to obey the command of Asgard's King?"
"I swear."
"Then I, Odin, All-Father, King of Asgard henceforth proclaim you… Lady Sigyn Phoenix Soul… Champion of Asgard and Defender of the Nine Realms!" Odin says and taps his spear… and the crowds erupt. Sigyn's eyes narrow at the mention of her true name. Then Odin taps his spear once more and a hush falls over the crowd.
"Your new role will be a challenging one, Lady Sigyn." Odin starts… his voice level and serious. "Now that the chaos has settled and the Tesseract and Aether are safely secured in our vaults… it is time for Asgard to unify the Nine Realms under more direct leadership. I propose a High Council be formed to delegate and monitor matters that threaten the Nine as a whole before they become such. My son, Thor, is already on Midgard and I shall send a message that the governing bodies there send a representative here, to Asgard." Odin finishes and Lady Sigyn looks curiously at the aged king above her.
"Our allies in the Nine shall continue has they have but from now on they shall report directly to the Seat of the Council here on Asgard on the state of their Realms through their representative. The Ruler or the people, depending on the Realm, will appoint an individual to represent them here in Asgard… and the Realm Eternal shall send a representative to each Realm to maintain more direct contact. If there is any insubordination on the part of any governing body or its people failing to comply with these terms or those to be set by the Council to be appointed… all or in-part… they shall be dealt with quickly and severely for such acts will be viewed as tantamount to declaring war upon all the Realms as a whole." He then looks directly at Phoenix now declared Lady Sigyn.
"Come… One and all… and swear fealty to the Realms United!" Odin then says and taps his spear once more. A young man amid the dignitaries of Vanaheim steps forward and bows to Odin.
"Vanaheim will stand with you, All-Father." The dark haired man says as he kneels respectfully to Asgard's King.
"Noted, Prince Uller." Odin nods his head. The Bright Elf High King, Freyr, and his entourage then step forward. He is dressed elegantly in white and orange with gold embroidery. His armor is golden wires of varying thickness that twist and swirl. It looks branch-like and more for show than function. It displays his thin physique and anyone foolish to attack the Elf King would learn quickly his skill with a sword. Loki remembers a time when he was very young still, an adolescent, and how he sparred with Freyr when he was till an Elven Prince. Freyr's crown is vine-like and is adorned with a large amber that glows orange. It rests upon extremely long pale blonde hair which is carefully braided though a few strands fall free yet are held in the branches of the crown. His tanned skin seems all the more darker against his hair and clothing. Odin's eye narrows.
"That jewel contains a spark of the Phoenix Force. It does heighten the Elven King's magic considerably. Sumerlyte, Is its name." Loki says to himself from his secret study as he regards the Bright Elf King. He wonders if he could talk Freyr into giving him that jewel… after all there was a time when they were once… close.
"Alfheim shall join in this Unification of the Nine." Freyr declares and makes a graceful swooping bow.
"Asgard has aided Nidaviller more than a few times." Speaks a voice from the crowd which parts to allow a short robust man with an impressive multi-braided beard of red, silver, and white to stand before the throne of Asgard. Odin's eye narrows and Loki studies this Dwarf Lord. He is large for a Dwarf. Square features, richly decorated in mithril plate that is enameled black in certain places and has gold filigree inlaid upon it. His steely gaze is set and stern.
"I, Cleagar Hammerhand hold a seat among the Seven Lords. I shall carry this message home and gather their opinions as well as the King's… All-Father." The Dwarf Lord says as he stands straight and nods to Odin. Loki knows this Dwarf Lord will say good things and urge his six fellow Dwarf Lords to join this bold endeavor with Nidaviller's allies and in turn they will get the King to consistent to it. Only the fact of the Elves being included as well would cause some division before they reached a decision.
"Dwarven Stubbornness knows no bounds when Elves are concerned." Loki comments with a grumble as he rubs his forehead. "At least it is hopeful that they shall declare to join." He then adds as he begins to play with his long ebony ponytail as it falls down his front over his right shoulder.
Asgard's allies had declared fealty to the Realms United before King Odin… now it was time for everyone else.
"We have come far, bearing gifts, to witness the splendor of Asgard and to seek inclusion with the Nine." A male Norn ambassador says as he steps forward and kneels to Odin. He is accompanied by a Troll who kneels as well and speaks the same words that follow. "Nornheim swears fealty to the Realms United."
"Nornheim is welcome. May there be a lasting peace between our Realms." Odin answers the two. Loki wonders what gifts the rutty animals have brought him… as well as what the Norn Queen, Karnilla, has sent. Then he spies two Giants present, one Stone… the other Storm. They are reluctant and scoff as they turn and walk away. Odin narrows his single blue eye upon their backs as they go. He then spots a curious figure in the crowd. This figure is wearing a black cloak and is completely hidden in profile as it glides towards the walk way.
"The Other?" Loki whispers fearfully as he recoils in his secret study. His heart skipping a beat as he beholds this sight. For he recalls the last words the Other had spoken to him whilst trying to conquer Midgard…
'There is no Realm… no barren moon… no crevice… where HE cannot find YOU! You think you know pain? HE'LL make you long for something sweet as pain.' The splitting headache, coupled with the feeling of his skin being seared away and his insides feeling as though they were being cut out drove Loki into a furious rage to take his blossoming plans of his Midgardian conquest to completion so as to never feel that hint again.
Loki had swallowed the lump in his throat as the pain took its course recalling the memory. He continued to remind himself over and over that the pain he was experiencing now was all in his head, just like it was back then… but the truth was simple and Loki, God of Lies and Denial, COULD NOT deny their meaning. They were a promise intending to be kept… and one day… Thanos WILL come.
The cloaked figure steps out of the crowd and throws off his concealment revealing a tall devilish looking hominoid standing on a pair of bovine hindquarters with crimson skin, bright yellow eyes, a crown of black horns of varying sizes with golden wire adorning them line his bald head, and sharpened teeth behind black lips that are curled into a wicked sharp-toothed grin. The fingers of his large hands are tipped with curving black claws. His whip-like tail twitches in anticipation. Odin narrows his eye at this foe. Loki knows this Demon very well.
"Surtur." Odin whispers dangerously as the Royal Guard draw their swords and surround the tall menacing Demon King.
"All-Father." Surtur says and his voice is deep and grating in its harsh tone. "You're sons robbed me of my sword, Twilight… now I bring a gift for you." The Demon King growls as he reaches under his cloak and draws a long sword with a dark smoky sheen to its wavy blade. An orange jewel adorns the black cross guard which Loki knows can only be the Eternal Flame… yet another piece of the Phoenix Force turned to Stone in the Nine Realms… but it's supposed to be in the Vault.
"This… is Midnight." He purrs as he holds it two-handed before him and readies his stance.
"I can't fight this fell creature with a doppelganger!" Loki sneers from his secret sanctuary. His icy blue eyes burn with rage at this Demon's defiance towards Asgard.
"Go back to Muspelheim, Surtur. I give this one time offer to you to leave unharmed from my Realm." Odin warns the Demon King.
"I've come too far for anything less than Midnight through your heart, All-Father." Surtur grumbles menacingly. Odin nods his head and watches as the Royal Guard advance closing ranks upon the Demon King. The first to attack comes from behind but the Demon King catches the guard's shield arm. As he twirls around, the guard is thrown off balance and let go… only to be thrown into two others. Midnight's wavy blade erupts into flames as the Demon King brings it to bear on his next attacker and he becomes a whirl of fire, limbs, and claws.
"Enough!" Phoenix yells and with a wave of her hand, she flings the Demon King backwards before he can kill anyone.
"This isn't over, Odin!" Surtur snarls loudly then looks at Lady Phoenix eagerly.
"I take from you the Eternal Flame!" Phoenix commands and suddenly the large glowing orange stone rips from Surtur's sword and flies to her waiting hand. She awakens the flame and absorbs it into herself.
"NO!" Surtur screams and tries to struggle but he can barely move.
"Perhaps the chill of Jotunheim will cool your temper, Demon!" Lady Phoenix quips and then teleports the Demon King away in a burst of flame to the icy Realm of Jotunheim… before he can utter a single word.
Phoenix stands on the uppermost tier of the stepped garden that goes up the back of Asgard's Royal Palace. She watches the golden afternoon light paint the mountains in gold, orange, pink, and purple. The stars shimmer brighter in the heavens above as dusk passes and twilight deepens. Yet the idyllic scene holds no distraction for her from the ever-present thought that War looms now in the future of the Nine Realms. She looks down at the hand that reabsorbed the Eternal Flame.
"You did well dealing with the Demon King swiftly. I knew it was wise to have you stay as Asgard's Champion, Lady Phoenix." Odin says startling her from her thoughts. She turns to regard the aged Asgardian King.
"Sigyn… You declared me as Sigyn." Lady Sigyn Phoenix Soul then says claiming the name she had left aside so long ago. Loki had used it often the night before and since the All-Father had declared her as 'Sigyn Phoenix Soul', she decided it was time to be known by her original name.
"Very well… Lady Sigyn." Odin says with a respectful nod of his head.
"How did Surtur reclaim the Eternal Flame? I thought it was secure in the Weapons Vault?" Lady Sigyn then inquires. Odin studies her… her eyes are hard and questioning, no secrets hide within. She just wants to know.
"The only explanation would be then that the one that is down there currently is a fake, an illusion wrought by Loki from his time as King of Asgard. It seems my adopted son's tricks still linger to strike from the shadows when lest expected." Odin answers. "I'll have the Vault searched to check for anymore missing relics." Odin adds as he continues to roll the runestone around in his left hand behind his back.
"I'll search it myself." She then says to Asgard's King.
"Very well. When shall you check it?" Odin nods then asks.
"Now." Sigyn says and stands as she slides off the rail.
"After you, Lady Sigyn." Odin says and Sigyn walks past. He let's her go inside the palace… then in a green shimmer… King Odin walks inside leaving Loki standing on the top tier of the garden. He immediately pulls out his Displacer Wand and teleports away in a blue flash to his secret study. He generates a doppelganger.
"Gather the Tesseract." He says to his double as he removes the Aether from his Time-portal device. He then teleports them to the inside of the Weapons Vault. They quickly dispel the illusions of these Infinity Stones and return them to their alcoves.
"Got to keep up appearances…" Loki then says and turns to the alcove containing the Eternal Flame. He can feel its heat… for it is the real thing… and Sigyn will know that as well as soon as she arrives. He reaches within his heart and feels the warmth he then mixes it with his ice to amplify his cryokinetic powers and his skin turns light blue as his eyes go garnet red. He reaches out into the brazier holding the flame and takes the burning amber from the bed of coals. The heat is searing but his frigid skin keeps it at bay so no permanent damage is done.
He generates an illusion of the Eternal Flame then quickly teleports him and his double back to his secret study to watch, listen, and wait. Loki immediately starts rolling the runestone around in his right hand as he sits holding the Eternal Flame in his left. The second after they vanish in a blue flash… Lady Sigyn and King Odin enter the Weapons Vault. She heads immediately for the Eternal Flame's alcove and stands before it.
"This is an illusion." She says simply and waves her hand. The fire whips back as though hit with a strong wind then disappears in a shimmer of green as the illusion is dispelled. "Time to check everything else." She then adds and stands in the center of the Weapons Vault. She then lifts her hands and every relic floats up within its alcove. She lowers her hands and everything settles.
"Is anything else missing?" Odin inquires of Lady Sigyn.
"No." She answers and gives the Weapons Vault a last lingering look before flying up to land near Odin on the stairs out of the Vault. They leave quickly then.
"That was close." Loki says as he and his doppelganger reappear in the center of the Weapons Vault in a blue flash after the doors are closed once more. He immediately retrieves the Aether whilst his double grabs the Tesseract. Once more, illusions replace the taken items in their alcoves… and the two Lokis vanish in another blue flash.
"Time to meddle in the Past some more." Loki then says to his double as they both plug the two Infinity Stones into the Time-portal once more. Loki sets the time to a few days ago and the location to Muspelheim… the portal opens and the real Loki steps through…
Muspelheim… Realm of Fire. Once unified under the Scabrite Fisted reign of Surtur… now several kingdoms and city-states are scattered about this infernal Realm. Nine Demon Kings vie for control and struggle for yet more power since Surtur's Binding nearly nine centuries ago.
Loki is left standing in a blackened landscape after the portal closes behind him. The ground beneath his boots is rippled and hard. Boulders jut up into jagged spears of black volcanic glass. Curtains of red hot lava shoot skywards off in the far distance where a mountain range runs across the landscape. The heat is immediate and Loki feels it trying to invade his now mostly black clothing and armor, but he breathes steadily and soon his breath comes out in puffs of mist as he tries to keep himself comfortable in his armor. He continues to look around at the bleak scene.
Loki then floats up into the smoky yellow and amber colored sky above to fly over familiar rippling stony ground then over large stretches of black sand where scraggly yellow grass and tall twisting trees of dark red wood grow with menacing thorns covering their surface. Strange animals are visible below. Odd looking horse-like creatures with serpent skin run across the open sand and grass fields. They snap their fanged jaws and growl/hiss up at the flying Asgardian as he passes overhead. A band of ten Centaurs with ash gray skin black manes and bodies appear over a ridge. They draw back their bows and fiery red arrows of energy and flame appear. They fire them at Loki as he flies overhead. He laughs as he dodges the first few then telekinetically deflects the rest. He then flies over a vast forested area of tall twisting black trees with long thin thorns protruding from their bark.
Small flying reptiles take flight from the forest of twisting trees in front of Loki bringing him to a hovering halt as a large serpent creature rears up. Its entire back is armored with a thick segmented shell of black and scarlet. Its four eyes burn with a fierce yellow glow as it eyes the secret King of Asgard.
"How lovely… A Fire Wyrm." Loki says with a humorless chuckle. It growls and opens its long narrow jaws, the bottom mandible divides into three segments, revealing a double row of long curved needle teeth upon each one as well as the top and it starts to strike, but instead of the massive head coming at him… its extremely long forked tongue whips out. Loki dodges and as he flies off to the left… he draws one of Laevateinn's blades and slices through the tongue parting it from the Fire Wyrm just as the tongue's hidden barbs expose themselves. Loki smiles wickedly at the huge beast as it recoils… drawing its mutilated tongue back into its maw which snaps shut. The huge serpent then eyes Loki with clenched jaws as it draws in a sharp intake of breath. Its exposed throat swells and brightens as it prepares to spit fire.
Before it can do so, Loki draws upon his ice and hits the Fire Wyrm directly in the face… freezing the mouth shut. The throat continues to swell and Loki immediately rushes forward, now with both blades in hand. He slices the throat open in one quick precise move as he swiftly flies past and away from the Fire Wyrm. The great beast's throat opens and an explosion rocks the twisted forest as the creature is blown to pieces. Loki gives a triumphant laugh with a look back and flies on.
To call the black abode of Surtur a castle or palace… is an understatement… it is a huge mountain of black granite and obsidian that dominates the fiery and charred landscape of the Realm in which he once ruled completely. Its jagged spires and towers shoot skyward in defiance to all who think their Realms above his. The huge thick curtain walls are made up of black hexagonal granite blocks with jagged obsidian cresting the top and the angular surfaces are sharp and threatening.
Red hot glowing lava flows from various places, cascading down in fierce fiery torrents to flow into a glowing lake of fire that surrounds Surtur's mighty fortress. Loki can feel the intense heat of that lake even from several leagues away. He hurries to the mountainous abode of the Demon King eager to be done with this bit of mischief. He pulls out his Displacer Wand and quickly teleports himself inside.
The mighty and massive Surtur sits bound with smoky grey chains of Scabrite to his massive throne of dark granite, black obsidian, and smoky Scabrite metal… The Helfire Throne. The Demon King glowers menacingly from the confines of his seat. His fierce yellow eyes glow as his frown deepens at the sight of Loki as the Asgardian suddenly appears before the black throne.
"Kill this Fool." Surtur says venomously and suddenly some of his Demons rush Loki from the shadows. Their red skinned bodies are lightly armored, if at all, and no weapons save for their claws, teeth, and tails. Loki's hands whip out arcing away from him and four silver flashes are seen. Four Demons drop to the reflective black obsidian floor. Dead. The others halt.
"I did not come to fight, Surtur." Loki says coolly to the prisoner upon the massive black throne.
"No, you came to die, Asgardian scum!" Surtur shouts and sneers at the smaller being before him. More Demons come from the darkness… and the ones holding to caution come at him again. More silver flashes shoot outward as Loki throws more knives and the rest of the first wave of Demons fall to the floor. The next wave are more heavily armored as well as armed with swords.
The wavy blades are a rippling smoky grey in color… Scabrite blades. This is going to get tricky, but Loki only smiles as he draws Laevateinn's twin blades from the small of his back. The first on-coming armored Demon rushes him and Loki dodges the angled blade swipe as he brings his right blade up behind it and slashes at that Demon's throat. He drops as his head parts from his body. Loki spins continuing his momentum from the slash and brings his left blade up behind him to stab a Demon through his sword arm and throat just as he brings his right blade in front to catch another Demon's sword. Loki withdrawals his left blade and kicks that dead Demon into others that are rushing up behind him. He then attacks the Demon before him. Just when it looks like all the Demons in this bleak fiery Realm are about to overwhelm him…
"ENOUGH!" Loki shouts out and thrusts his arms out. He unleashes a massive telekinetic shockwave that knocks all the Demons back away from him. They skid across the floor, hit the walls, and are thrown every which way. Even Surtur feels the push of Asgard's Secret King. The Demon King's yellow eyes narrow upon Loki.
"Speak or leave, Asgardian!" Surtur says into the silence that follows.
"I bring a gift and new purpose to you, Surtur." Loki starts as he sheathes Laevateinn's blades and lets it become a staff which stands straight next to Loki at the ready. Loki then makes the two-handed gesture to summon the frozen amber that is the Eternal Flame. The ice is already melting though Loki does his best to stem the flow as his Jotun form colors his skin light blue once more, but it is no good and the flames burst out, burning brightly in Loki's outstretched blue hand.
"The Eternal Flame." Surtur says reverently from his confinement.
"I will return this to you… in exchange that you kill Odin." Loki demands.
"If I could get out of these chains, I would've already done so… 'Prince of Asgard'." Surtur says mockingly with a wry smirk to the blue skinned Loki.
"I have the means to free you, Demon, for these marvelous blades of mine are forged of Scabrite and Adamite… once I do so… you are free to kill the All-Father." Loki says to the huge Demon King.
"Go on." Surtur then says after a moment of silence.
"In a few days time… Asgard will open itself to welcome dignitaries from every Realm willing to come. He will be announcing a bold new plan that involves all Realms, not just the Nine. Attend… secretly, of course… and wait for the moment to strike after some of Asgard's allies declare their 'yays' or 'nays' to the endeavor. Use the Eternal Flame as well as a new sword of Scabrite and you shall have your vengeance upon King Odin for chaining you so." Loki dictates the plan to the Demon King thoroughly. Surtur eyes the Asgardian and weighs the plan.
"I should kill you as soon as you free me, 'Prince' Loki." Surtur starts menacingly though he continues to mock Loki. "But your… 'father'… I want to kill before you." Surtur says and grins wickedly as he chuckles and eyes the blue skinned Loki, who shows no hint of the building rage within from the Demon King's mockery.
"I eagerly accept." Surtur then adds with his own villainous look after a moment of amused silence.
"Very well." Loki says with a nod of his head. He freezes the Eternal Flame solid once more and hides it in a pocket dimension. His skin returns to normal, albeit slowly, and he takes Laevateinn in hand. It shrinks as he twists it in the middle to draw the blades upon approaching the chained Demon King. "As the Once and Future King of Asgard… I, Loki, release you, Demon King Surtur… from your torturous confinement." Loki says commandingly as he readies to strike. He then slashes at the dark metal of the chain links with his bright blades… they bite through the metal with a flash of sparks and flame. A scar is left behind upon the black throne from the act.
Surtur is free!
Loki jumps back as the Demon King rises from his throne for the first time in well-over eight centuries. He is massive and taller than any Frost Giant. Loki is dwarfed before the mighty Demon.
"Gather the chains! Melt them down! Forge a worthy sword so that I may pierce the All-Father's heart with that which bound me!" Surtur commands and suddenly Demons start scurrying about gathering up the discarded heavy chains. He then shrinks down as he turns to Loki and steps towards his Liberator.
"As promised…" Loki starts as his twin blades hover in the air beside him ready to strike if attacked. He then makes the two handed gesture and summons the frozen Eternal Flame once more. The ice cracks and melts away as Loki passes it off, telekinetically, into the red skinned hands of Surtur. The Demon King takes the glowing fiery jewel tenderly as though it were his child. He then turns his eyes to Loki… a dangerous light flickers within. Loki smiles and merely retreats taking his swords in one hand and using the other to draw out his Displacer Wand… teleporting away before Surtur can take any treacherous action against him.
"Well that's taken care of…" Loki says with a smirk as he steps back through his Time-portal device into his secret study. "Time now to learn more about this most intriguing Dwarven Vault on Jotunheim… and what lies within." He then adds as he dials in a date nearly a year before the Jotun invasion of Midgard. The energy from the Tesseract and Aether mix… the purple portal into the Past opens once more for Asgard's secret Once and Future King.
"For Asgard… For me." He says with a smile as he steps confidently into the more distant Past.
