ASGARD,
MAY 22, 1950 7:23 AM (COLOMBIAN TIME)
Sif turned over a pillow on the central sofa, as she continued to search. Crisp, bright sunlight was no longer coming through the balcony, and instead was replaced by the golden aura of magic at the lower trims of the walls, and the warm hearth in the middle of the room.
"Where in the nine realms would Heimdall put it? I doubt even Odin's ravens could find it." Fandral mused, as he continued to poke at the edges of the magical fog of condensed energy to see if it perhaps contained a note.
"Hogun, check the weapon racks again." Sif ordered, as she continued to ponder where Heimdall might have meant the instructions to be.
She had been worried ever since Thor did not appear for their celebration of the victory against the pirate stronghold on Svartalfheim. He was never one to miss a celebration in his honor. He was barely one to miss parties in general, so something was obviously wrong from the start.
But when Heimdall told them he was on Midgard, it amplified her concern ten fold. Not to mention that Heimdall had been banished just that night, being the only reason they were awake at that moment.
Apparently, Heimdall had hidden instructions for the quartet in the event of his banishment. And they had spent the last hour searching, to no avail.
"Don't you think Heimdall would just have a guard deliver the note to us?" Volstagg said.
"Don't be foolish, friend Volstagg." Fandral said, continuing to poke around with his rapier in vain. "If the matter of Thor's deployment is something we or even the Allfather mustn't know, why would he trust a lowly guard?"
Lady Sif knew it was quite a curious and likely precarious matter. If even the Allfather was not to know of it, it must have been of high importance.
A thud alerted the four, as the two intricately knotted doors which separated the room from the rest of the palace opened, and a quartet of guards came in. Each holding trays, one noticeably quite bigger than the others.
They set them onto the sides of each warrior's respective seat, and left without saying a word. Door thudding shut again behind them.
Without hesitation, the gluttonous one grabbed the large plate and lounged on his sofa, quickly removing the cover and throwing it to the side.
"What are you doing, Volstagg!?" Fandral immediately interjected, frowning as clearly as the golden light that illuminated his face. "Shame on you, eating at this hour- don't you care!?" He shouted, as he rushed towards him and knocked the plate out of his hand.
Volstagg rose to confront his fellow warrior, towering over him by a few inches, and pushing his gut into the smaller Asgardian.
"Do not mistake my appetite for apathy!" He shouted, pushing Fandral back a few inches, only for him to bounce back.
Sif and Hogun immediately abandoned their search, and rushed over to stop the impending holmgång from becoming lethal.
"Stop it! Both of you!" The smaller woman commanded, as she rushed to pull Fandral back. Hogun did the same with Volstagg, although it was a little less effective.
Fandral turned away from his opponent, as did Volstagg. Both refusing to give each other even the slightest of glances.
She let out a sigh, as she realized they were going to have to clean the mess that littered the golden floors of their hall.
As she looked down, however, she noticed that one of the pieces of beef looked to be engraved with something. And it looked strangely over cooked, something which Volstagg hated.
She knelt down to pick it up, grabbing it and wiping off the gravy with her other hand. It was clearly with the side of beef which had been provided, but she could make out that its material was actually spruce, and the engravings were in Asgardian, and on only one of its faces.
The runes spelt out a message, which when read could have been written by none other than the all seeing guardian himself. Likely hidden at the bottom of the beef, since Volstagg was guaranteed to eat it.
"Look…" She said, as she drew the attention of the other two Asgardians and their Vanir ally.
For when art I banished, here be the key.
A longship you shalt ride to me.
The crevice past the field of scree,
would lead you to the realm of sea.
The hint of magic shall guide thee…
"...As the prince gods you would strive to free." She echoed the poem to the rest of the warriors. Trying to decipher the meaning from it, as she fiddled with the slab of asymmetrical spruce no bigger than a folded napkin.
"Does he mean… we should steal a longskiff?" Fandral asked, as he approached to get a better look at the wooden runestick.
Perhaps he wanted them to get a vessel, which could in fact be one of the longskiffs, as Fandral had pointed out. But as for the next line…
Asgard was full of mountains. Mountains which were filled to the brim with a certain material capable of harnessing the power of dark magic with ease.
"I think you have a point." She said, as she gestured to the stick with her free hand. "The mountains are filled with crystalline."
"Legend says it was used to construct the Bifrost, but only king Buri was alive at the time." Hogun added, seemingly on the same page as her.
"...Let's get this clear. We're going to steal a longskiff, fly it to the mountains, and somehow use crystalline to get to Midgard?"
"More or less." Sif confirmed. "Although from what I've read, we're to use one of the caves near the bottom of a mountain."
"Preposterous amounts of friction could activate its dark magic properties…" Fandral mused to himself.
Three sets of eyes landed on him, as they realized what that implied. But Sif was willing to do it, if it meant saving her… well, crush.
"...Thor would do the same for us." Sif finished. Seemingly managing to guilt trip the other warriors into following her lead, and in turn into helping to retrieve the princes.
"So, how will we execute this marvelous plan?" Volstagg said, as he sat back down on his sofa. The others followed suit, sitting in their respective chairs, as did Sif.
"Well… Our best shot at a longskiff is the nearest non-royalty pad. A few kilometers from the palace. Oyvind's Spire." Pitched the blond warrior. He was typically the expert when it came to the Asgardian air and naval capabilities, so he was quite credible.
"We take it, and we head to the mountains." The warrior from Vanaheim stated, as he sharpened the dagger in his hand, having taken it out of his wrist gauntlet. "If you're talking about Oyvind's Spire, there is a contingent of eighteen Einherjar present at any given time." He added. He was practically the commander of the homeland guard branch.
"We'd have to get past them. And once we do, they'll send another ship on our tail." The expert, blond fencer stated.
"You think they'll fire at us?" The larger, stout man asked as he leaned forward. Nervously running a hand along his thigh.
"It's… likely." He said, looking back down to his lap.
"We need to worry about getting past the guards first and foremost. Killing them is not an option." The shield maiden pointed out, as she used her hands to emphasize the importance of morality.
"Nobody said anything about knocking them out…" The rapier wielder pointed out. It was a good point; they were Asgardians. Getting knocked out didn't pose much threat to them physically.
"Alright. They are organized into nine groups of two. We take out two at a time until there are only three groups left. Hide the unconscious well." Sif explained clearly, using her hands to appropriately assist her.
"Once six are left, Hogun and I can charge them." Said the larger, stout man whomst they had seen tackle Thor himself.
"Now what about the skiff?"
"If we stay low enough, and take the proper routes, we can avoid the defense grid's detection." Fandral began to explain. "The guards will be unconscious and hence unable to alert Tyr for a few minutes."
"Asgard's defense is severely reliant on Heimdall." Sif concluded, surprised at such an obvious weakness. "We knock out the guards at Oyvind's Spire, take the longskiff, and avoid grid detection." She gestured with a shrug. "Then what?"
"We search for the crevice in the mountain scree, and end up in the realm of sea." Hogun cited the rune stick.
"Very well. We are about to commit treason, but it is for the greater good of Asgard. Are you all prepared to do so?" She asked, receiving three solid 'Aye's.
It didn't take long to arm themselves. Volstagg took his double bladed axe from his rack. Hogun prepared the mechanism within his flail. Fandral brandished the rapier which he was already wielding. And Sif, of course, grabbed her retracted sword and her shield.
The four of them left the palace inconspicuously, invigorated with a newfound desire to save their dearest and loved friends. Although in Sif's case with a certain prince, it was a bit more than just a friendship. It was a hearth which she was determined to set alight.
They did not sneak around the palace, nor the common streets. It was common knowledge that Asgardians were very big on nightlife, and so it would have been more suspicious if they were sneaking around. Even carrying weapons was normal, if they were holstered, so they simply walked.
It did not take long before the base of Oyvind's Spire was visible. Across the street, and guarded by two pairs of Einherjar. This was where they began to utilize stealth. They couldn't just walk up to them and ask for the longskiff.
The Einherjar and its aerial and naval forces had very tight schedules, and putting all four of them on one skiff would have been very suspicious. Especially considering Heimdall's recent banishment.
Everyone was on edge.
"Is that normal?" Volstagg asked, as he peaked around the corner of the alley they were hiding in. Looking at the guards standing outside of the intricately carved doors.
"Nay. But it shouldn't be much more than an inconvenience." Fandral answered.
Sif motioned for Fandral and Volstagg to scurry to the other side of the street, and for Hogun to give her a boost. He got into position, and propelled Sif onto the next level of the building.
He tossed her his flail, and she quickly unwound it to allow him up. When he grabbed onto the long chain, she wound it up again. Bringing him close enough to grab onto the vines and propel himself up to her level.
Vertical peripheral vision was the weakest. A realization she had made during one of Loki's pranks, although the circumstances were a bit… different.
The duo parkoured along the sides of the buildings, quickly managing to traverse the gaps, grasp vines, and close the distance. And before long, they were clinging onto the side of the building directly adjacent to the spire.
They halted their progress, however, when a certain stout man fell from one of the buildings. And under him was a certain Fandral, being squished by the much larger Volstagg.
"Shit." She muttered under her breath, as two guards approached the fallen duo across the street. All four of the guards brandished the same equipment; a shield and spear, as well as a sword sheathed on their belt.
The two men stood up, brushing themselves off as they faced the detail. Sif couldn't quite make out what was being said, but it seemed like a good opportunity to strike.
Hogun joined her as they jumped down behind the other two, and before the guards interrogating Volstagg and Fandral could turn, the two who stayed were knocked unconscious.
The other duo immediately turned to confront them, but they were both tackled and taken down to the ground by Volstagg once they turned their backs on him and Fandral.
The warriors reunited and hid the unconscious guards in the alleyways. Then they snuck over to the staircase and proceeded up.
As they were walking, golden light from the torches illuminating their faces, they were confronted by another duo of guards coming down the stairs.
"My lady. Warriors. May I ask what your business might be here?" The first guard asked, as he stood his ground a few steps above them. Frown on his face, as his grip tightened on his spear.
"No, you may not." Volstagg responded, as he charged both of them at the same time, lifting them both into the air with ease and slamming them to the cobblestone stairs. Knocking them unconscious as well.
At first Sif thought it was reckless, but she realized that since the guards at the entrance were knocked out, they would have to be quick.
If they woke up and alerted the rest, their gig was up.
Hogun and Volstagg quickly scrambled to hide the guards in a small alcove, as the blond Asgardian followed Sif up the stairs.
They were rejoined quickly by the other two, as they stared at the now visible top of the staircase. Guarded by two more duos of guards.
Sif motioned for Fandral to join her, as they approached the guards.
The guards quickly formed into a phalanx of four, spears drawn and at the ready.
"What's going on, good fellows?" Fandral asked, as a spear was pointed directly at him.
"We have orders from the Allfather. You are to be escorted to the palace at once." Said one of the guards hiding behind his shield.
"This must be a mistake." Sif spoke harshly. The Allfather was not supposed to know about their actions, so why would they have these orders? Of course, when she heard a pair of ravens caw just moments later, she knew exactly what had happened.
"Do not resist."
"I order you to stand down." Hogun said, as he approached the lady and the fencer, as he was a higher rank in the homeland defense Einherjar branch.
"You have been relieved of duty." A man said, as the two large doors behind the guards opened. Sif quickly recognized that voice. When the doors opened widely enough, they were met by the sight of an armored Tyr, escorted by probably more than thirty or even fifty Einherjar.
A longskiff appeared above them, a white spotlight shining down on them.
Volstagg appeared from below the stairs, axe in his hands as he charged the group with a battle cry.
When he made contact with the phalanx, it was shattered, and the Einherjar staggered as their reinforcements attempted to surround him.
He flung his axe wildly, making the Einherjar who wanted to survive dodge, and the ones who didn't drop to the floor unconscious as they were bashed by either the flat side or the front.
Tyr and a few other Einherjar moved to confront Sif, as Hogun and Fandral engaged their own group of guards.
Sif drew her sword, activating the mechanism and equipping a double bladed weapon forged specifically for 'crowd control.' Leaving the shield on her back, as she would not have to deal with ranged enemies.
She engaged the group, utilizing both sides of her sword as she fought two to three 'enemies' at a time, and engaged Tyr with a fiery might rivaling her fury during the battle of Harokin. Sword crackling with white energy as it moved, making contact with Sif's uru.
The war cries of both sides were the sounds that filled the night, drowning the whirring of the longskiff as it carefully illuminated the three separate battles.
Volstagg slammed the front of his axe into yet another of his foes, but was forced to drop it when a sword slashed at his hand, which although it missed, the electrical charge still shocked him.
Fandral and Hogun were becoming overrun, the fencer's only weapon being built for lethality meaning he was using mostly his fists. Hogun's flail was working wonders though, since it was inherently a blunt weapon, and all he had to do was not activate the spikes.
Sif, realizing what needed to be done, jumped over the Einherjar and over Tyr as the magical light of their swords and spears tried to reach her.
She quickly slashed Tyr in the leg once she landed, figuring that a soul forge would be able to repair it. Her other foes were quickly distracted while helping him.
Sif rushed through the open door. Being greeted by three landed longskiffs in their positions, and one empty pad. Likely for the skiff actively helping Tyr.
The lady jumped into one of them and quickly started it, having learned from Fandral. The whirring engine started as the wings quickly snapped into place, and the aircraft began to hover.
She grabbed the golden tiller and brought the longship around the spire, towards where the battle was being held.
The other longship began to rotate towards her, but she dodged behind a pillar as the other began to fire its Gatling cannons at her.
The warriors seemingly noticed this, as Volstagg broke free of the grip of the guards and grabbed his axe, before making a charge towards her. Plowing through the Einherjar engaging Fandral and Hogun, before making a jump off of the spire.
He landed on the skiff, and soon after, so did Fandral and Hogun. And the moment they landed, she jerked the tiller to the left and away from the spire. Before the Einherjar also boarded.
"Allow me." Fandral said, as he grabbed the tiller himself. He was an experienced pilot; much more so than Sif, so she didn't fight him on it. He quickly pushed the longskiff into the fjord which was below the spire.
Soon the other longskiff was on their tail, Fandral swerving as much as the fjord would allow, as the gatlings of the other longship pelted the walls. Loosening rocks and boulders from the stone cliff faces which supported the golden buildings.
He put the skiff through as many turns as possible, flew it over and under bridges, but the skiff behind them seemed almost like it was tied to them.
Sif held on to the side as did the other two warriors, as they trusted Fandral with their lives for this mission.
More turns came, more g's were pulled, and more bridges were ducked under. Eventually, Fandral decided to do something more drastic.
"I'm going to skim the water."
"You would what!?" Volstagg exclaimed, barely being heard over the combination of whirring engines, rushing wind, and heated plasma flying past them.
Fandral pushed the tiller downwards slowly, until the lower fins were dragging in the water. Flinging mist and rain behind them.
The skiff trailing them began to change its position to avoid the water, their vision likely being obscured enough already, considering the time of night. Which Sif saw as an opportunity, since they were approaching a large bridge.
"Fandral-"
"I see it." The expert pilot interrupted. "I advise everyone to secure themselves."
They drew nearer and nearer to the bridge. Fandral pushed the skiff harder and harder, wings folding backwards to allow it to go faster. Pushing more water up, and forcing their pursuer to go higher if they wanted to see. To the point they would be going above the bridge.
Sif dismounted the missile launcher from the rear and armed its missiles, even as the engine's whirring became faster and higher pitched. Holding it, as each of them was ready to detonate if even a single plasma blast rocked the boat too hard.
When they arrived at the bridge, Fandral pulled a hard, ninety degrees starboard turn, Sif flinging the missile pod into the water behind them.
As soon as they recovered from the blood rushing from their heads, the explosion was heard, and Fandral pushed the skiff upwards to hug the bottom of the bridge.
The trick seemed to work as a decoy, as the pursuing skiff flew over and then back towards Oyvind's spire.
The runestick which they had brought with them began to glow, and a small magical field seemed to point them into a specific direction. When Sif turned the slab over, she realized that a vesvigir was now carved on the back.
They hugged the underbellies of bridges and the water beds of fjords, staying hidden until they reached the mountain ranges in the wildlands of Asgard.
They saw the base of a large mountain ahead of them. In its base was a perfectly shaped hole for a longship, being illuminated by the now rising sun, while the runestick was pointing directly at it.
"Fandral…" Volstagg said.
"Brace yourselves."
They encroached closer and closer to the mountain, and when he didn't slow down, everyone secured themselves as they did for the bridge maneuver.
"Are you mad?"
"That would be quite the predicament, wouldn't it be?" The blond man chuckled.
The longskiff entered the ravine, narrowly dragging its sides along the crystalline trails that lined its walls. The light and colors of the rainbow grew until it dominated their vision and then vanished, and they were suddenly in a grassy land with a large beach separating it from the sea.
Yeah, this chapter took a little bit longer than I anticipated. I mean, four complete rewrites is a new record for a single chapter for me. Hope you all enjoyed though!