Another week had gone by since their sparring match, a mundane span of time for both. Even the event Shuma-Gorath expected, a visit from Strange, didn't come to pass. They had returned to her bedroom now.
Morrigan's chest heaved while she rested. "I think I'm satisfied for now."
"Happy to hear it," Shuma-Gorath replied. "Anyway, I've been thinking about things to do today. Perhaps a trip to the mortal plane?"
Morrigan got off the bed. "I'm convinced." The shadows quickly created her white shirt and red pants.
"Have you ever been anywhere beyond Earth?" Shuma-Gorath asked, which she denied. "To put it this way, Earth isn't even in its galaxy's top twenty of fun planets."
Morrigan pondered. "I'll like to save those for later. Patience and all that."
"If you say so. I should try to blend in, then," Shuma-Gorath replied indifferently, then began to change.
Four of the tentacles turned into human arms and legs, while the rest retracted. The ball contracted into the shape of a human male torso. A head sprouted atop, with two green eyes and short blond hair.
Shuma-Gorath fumbled with his new fingers but quickly managed to snap. A black shirt and pair of jeans were on him.
Morrigan went to her bed stand, took her wallet out, then looked at him. "Ready."
Shuma-Gorath smiled. "Have you any particular locations in mind?"
"Perhaps New York?" Morrigan suggested. "They have a rather pleasant game shop there, close to a library."
Shuma-Gorath mulled it over. "I believe that Doctor Strange or some other superhero would interrupt this trip."
"I suppose you're right," Morrigan said, recalling the unpleasantness with Mister Wilson. "Still, I'm not very familiar with America beyond that. Perhaps that New Jersey place?"
"Certainly," he said, willing them there.
She saw her surroundings change instantly, into a bit of parkland, with waters on both sides and the Hudson skyscraper in the distance.
"Morrigan Aensland, welcome to the fair city of New Jersey," Shuma-Gorath said in his best announcer's voice. "May it be to our liking."
"Indeed," Morrigan agreed, smirking.
Unknown to both, over in New York City, Stephen Strange saw and heard several magical alarms go off. The good doctor paled at the realization that Shuma-Gorath had returned.
Back in Jersey City, the pair teleported further on. A fairly unremarkable street met their eyes this time.
"Now, there should be a public city map around here," Shuma-Gorath said while looking at the left end of the street, then to the right. He saw none. "Not here, at least. Perhaps we can ask one of the locals for directions."
"Yes, perhaps," Morrigan agreed, then took a look around. She spotted a certain teenage girl a bit down the sidewalk, who was staring back at them. "Excuse me, miss, can we have a moment of your time?" she called out.
"Uh, sure," Kamala replied while the pair walked up to her. She tried to not look at Morrigan's prominent cleavage, and instead at her odd hair. "What do you need?"
"We are tourists and would like to visit one of our videogame stores," Morrigan explained. "Could you be so kind and point us in the right direction?"
"Oh, I'm actually going to Gamestop too, so I can take you," Kamala answered, a bashful smile rising on her face. "It's just a few blocks away," she pointed to the left end of the street.
This motley trio began their jaunt over there. It was around the first block that Kamala asked a question.
"So, you two teleported here. Are you from space?" she asked without breaking stride.
"Not quite, although the answer may sour the mood," Shuma-Gorath answered simply. "Let us not continue this topic."
Kamala stopped dead. "Okay, now I think I really should ask. Who are you two?"
Morrigan smirked at the chance for fun, while Shuma-Gorath frowned.
"Very well. This is Morrigan from the plane of existence called Makai," Shuma-Gorath told Kamala, who looked uncertainly at Morrigan. "I am her traveling companion, Shuma-Gorath."
"Quite true," Morrigan affirmed and extended her hand. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss...?" she left the question hanging.
"I'm Kamala Khan," she introduced herself and shook Morrigan's hand. "Well, welcome to Earth. But, now I kinda have another question."
"Curiosity is no crime," Morrigan answered. "I presume it is something along the lines of 'why go to the mortal realm for videogames'? Simple, I enjoy these things."
"Oh, okay," Kamala said.
"I also have a question," Shuma-Gorath said. "Why is this store called GameStop if they profit from people continuing to buy their games?"
Kamala didn't know and proceeded to tell him so. "I... don't know, actually. I've never thought about it."
The group quickly resumed their walk and arrived at the Gamestop shortly. It took ten minutes or so to make their purchases. Morrigan had found a copy of Mario Kart 8 interesting while Kamala had been after the Pokemon World game.
"Seems time to part ways," Shuma-Gorath said to Kamala. "Be well, Kamala Khan of Earth."
Almost without warning, Kamala saw Morrigan and Shuma-Gorath vanish. "Huh."
Morrigan and Shuma-Gorath reappeared in her game room. She quickly added it to her collection and invited him to visit again in a few days, which he accepted.
Shuma-Gorath began to change into his favored form, sprouting his tentacles, opening a crimson eye in his human torso.
"Care to play this with me?" she asked, once he was finishing.
"Not at the moment, I'm afraid," he answered. "I bid you goodbye, Morrigan. Sleep beckons."
Curiosity came over her at that, but he vanished before she could utter a word. She shrugged it off.
A few hours later, Morrigan had gotten around to state matters.
"Next order of business is Adu," the serpent attendant said. "The latest word is that there is still dissatisfaction. Nothing violent, though."
"I see," Morrigan replied, pondering what else to do. "Let it simmer down for now, as I can't think of any other solutions."
"Alright," Baal said. It was well known that their queen was no diplomat. "Next is that bandits have been raiding the supply lines to the Tagar town."
Morrigan took a moment to think. "Any word on their numbers? Or any details that seem important?"
"No, milady," Baal answered. "They seem just typical bandits, according to the messenger."
"In that case, reinforcements will do," Morrigan replied. "Let us continue."
"A letter arrived from Belial University," Baal replied, picking it off the table to hand to her.
Morrigan accepted it and opened it. It read that the scholars had made great strides in studying these Splinter Realms, what other noteworthy demons occupied this new universe, and were preparing a book in case of need for one.
"I see," she said indifferently. "Anything else?"
"No, this was everything for today," Baal replied.
Morrigan stood up from her throne without a word. In short order, she had left the Aensland castle and gone north to the barracks, where a four-armed giant with blue skin had greeted her.
"How can we be of service, Lady Aensland?" Botis asked.
"There seems some trouble out in Tagar," Morrigan replied. "I want to deploy a hundred soldiers to help their defenses, and another hundred to hunt some bandits in the region. Would that be a problem?"
"Not at all," Botis replied sternly. "In fact, I have just the fellows. Some of my new recruits could use field experience."
"It all works out, then," Morrigan commented, pleased. Silence reigned for a moment. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I would have reported such," Botis replied succinctly. "Nonetheless, I appreciate your interest, your majesty."
Morrigan smiled. "Very good."
She turned away and flapped her wings, taking flight towards her home.