Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch". So… we are in the throes of the story. Enjoy this next chapter!
I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 16 ~ Skulls and Mirrors
~Ragnar's POV…~
I looked over the Mirror of Twilight in the Arbiter's Grounds. It holds the power to travel between my realm of Twilight and the accursed realms of light. Without it, not only will James and Wanda be unable to cross the bridge to get to me, but it will be impossible for them to restore everything to their precious lives. My master insists that I destroy it permanently to prevent them from getting to me and him. But without the Mirror or if he left me, I will not be able to pass between my realm and the realms of light.
I approached the Mirror, feeling its power manifest as the portal opens. The large black granite boulder was rare for its type that allowed for portal such as this one to manifest. The sages here cower and hide at my power and my master's. I sneer at them and so did Ganon from within me. I growled, and the sages disappeared from their hiding places. I paused to look around, and I felt for the presence of the sages, wondering where they went. My master snapped at me, "Leave from finding those pathetic sages. They are nothing of consequence to worry about."
I shuddered and nodded as I continued towards the Mirror's stand. Pausing to stand right behind the Mirror, I took it in my hands and attempted to destroy it. Several minutes of trying with my powers yielded nothing and my master getting angry, I stepped back to regard the Mirror in frustration. I had thought it through so thoroughly to this point. Why in the heck is it not shattering?!
I suddenly went cold, remembering. I cannot destroy it. Only the royals chosen by the former monarch and approved by the sages and the Creator are allowed to permanently destroy the Mirror by shattering it. No one who takes the throne by force can destroy it so thoroughly. They can merely break it into large pieces… Hmmm… seems I have to do the next best thing, which my master will hate me for.
I stepped forward again, despite my master growling at me to detest. I ignored him, and he grunted in anger, which I barely flinched at. I took the Mirror in my hands again and this time, I used my powers and my master's to sink into the Mirror. The combined power sank deeper and deeper into the Mirror's interior. Soon afterwards, the Mirror's resistance to breakage was overwhelmed, and the Mirror broke into three large pieces. One piece was permanently stuck in its frame and the other two pieces were in my hands.
I smiled in earnest and a deranged mindset as my master smirked, though he did seem disappointed in my lack of power to destroy the Mirror. I left Arbiter's Grounds and headed to the Bifrost. I left for the realm of Svartelfheim to plant one of the two Mirror pieces in the temple there. I had a deranged smile on my face as the dark elves met me in battle. And failed to stop my invasion.
~Third Person POV…~
Standing on the Trans-Gate platform, James and Wanda regarded the area around them. The surrounding area was a dense, dark forest that was laden with ground cover. Like before, the portal had a glowing trans-gate orb that would allow them back to Asgard. Wanda got down from James' back and opened the map. Less than a league away to the east, was a village.
Roughly eighteen leagues to the village's south, was the temple. Several notes had been added. The guardian's spring was noted among these. It was right next to a second village which was situated roughly 14 leagues southeast to the first village, and 5 leagues northeast of the temple. The spring was boarding the second village's western edge. The second village itself was called Tofte. Fifty some leagues to the southwest was an extensive lava field with a dangerous, active volcano call the Mountain of Deathsage.
As soon as they left the grotto, James noticed a bag haphazardly laying in the dirt near the trans-gate's entrance. He went over and sniffed it, immediately recognizing the scent it held. Natasha. Wanda! This bag has Natasha's scent all over it. There's no denying my sense of smell, she must have carried it! Perhaps the corrupted Twili brought Natasha and the children here?
Wanda picked up the bag and looked it over with resigned sadness, mumbling, "I remember her wearing this when she was dressed in her robe and panties before the wedding. It's one she wore on her left thigh. Perhaps they are around here somewhere. Can you tell where her scent trail leads, James?"
James sniffed the air, searching the area for several minutes before the scent solidified to the south southeast. The second village of Tofte… Yes, her scent is leading me south Wanda. Perhaps they are in the town nearest the guardian's spring? He looked to Wanda.
Wanda snapped her fingers and the bag disappeared, "I'll save the bag for when we find Natasha and the children. Follow the scent, James. They may need our help." James barked and Wanda got on his back. He quickly picked up the scent and it led them over the course of several hours to the second village of about 230 some people.
It looked as if several people had met their ends at the hands of the corrupted Twili that had brought Natasha and the children there as there were at least a dozen or more fresh graves in the already established graveyard near the sanctuary of the village. James figured out the guardian's spring was at the village's western end, and fortunately Natasha's scent led to the large building nearest the spring's edge. The sanctuary.
Wanda, they're in here. At least this is where Natasha's scent leads to. James looked up to Wanda.
"Hmmm… Seems those inside have boarded up the building to prevent the Twili from getting in." Wanda looked around. She noticed several ledges and looked down to James. "You ready to jump to the roof?" At James' nod, she helped him jump up to the roof.
James jumped down from the roof to the inside of the sanctuary, coming upon eight teal-colored floating flames, nine if they included the small aquamarine colored flame of Natasha's and Steve's unborn child. James used his senses to see Natasha sitting on a nearby bench with Cooper and Lila sitting at her feet, Nathaniel in her arms. Peter and MJ were standing protectively around her.
An older man and what looked to be his daughter stood nearby. He perked up, relaxing knowing that Natasha and the children were safe and sounds. He and Wanda picked up the conversation they were having, echoing slightly as if they were in a very large, empty cavern or cave system.
"I'm sure that Wanda and James are going as fast as they can to get all the realms uncovered from the Twilight, Peter. With Stefan and Amelia's extensive knowledge of it, I'm sure they would provide them the necessary intel." Natasha said to a disgruntled Peter. James perked up, "Besides, now that we're safe from the Twili beasts and that horde of evil bokoblins, we know and will trust they will come."
Peter hmphed, "I'm just saying there has to be something we can do. I…"
MJ interrupted him, "Peter, there is nothing we can do while we're trapped in Twilight. You heard Stefan before we were kidnapped and death marched here into exile, until the Twilight is lifted, we're as helpless as babies. Besides… we're now in exile here with Meg and Charles. No offense." She looked to the two with an apologetic expression, Charles waving a hand in complete unconcerned, unoffended dismissal.
Peter sighed, conceding to her, "I see your point."
Wanda murmured to James, "Seems they are safe for now."
Yes, fortunately they're with these two Samaritans who seemed to have helped them. How about we head to the spring and see to the guardian and then the temple? James looked up to Wanda.
Jumping out of the sanctuary, James and Wanda walked over to the spring, meeting Atretes, guardian of the realm of Vanaheim. Like Joseph, he tasked them with gathering his scattered drops of light in the Vine of Light. It took over a day to gather all 21 drops of light. And the ragne of the twilight beast bugs was vast, from the Trans-Gate all the way to the north edge of the lava fields.
Once the realm was cleared of the invading Twilight, Atretes warned, "Go to the Temple of Forests. But be careful, the number of monsters and evil creatures has risen since you defeated Orcozan in Jotunheim. And the guardian of the fused shadow has been made aware of your arrival and was corrupted, Fungidio. Ragnar has been made aware of your journey, so be wary and be as stealthy as you can. He may rear his ugly, unwanted hide anytime and anywhere he pleases."
"Thanks for the warning." James nodded, before he and Wanda made for the temple. Though as soon as he stepped out of the spring's warm water, a voice sounded from the sanctuary's door. James looked over to the door and smiled. Natasha was there in the door with Peter, MJ, and the Barton children. All wore shocked expressions, though Peter smiled and so did Lila.
"James… you came… How…" Natasha asked as Lila came rushing over and hugged him, tearing flowing as she blubbered unintelligent words. James, still not completely use to other people's contact, especially if they used him for comfort, wondered what to do before he wrapped his arms around his sister-in-law, patting her back awkwardly in comfort.
"Yes, I am here. I have returned this realm back to normal. Seems the golden treasure that Amelia gave me, has given me the power to transform into a wolf to move through the Twilight to do so." Lila let go and stayed near and clung to his left arm in comfort as Natasha joined him with Peter and MJ.
"Is everyone alright in Asgard? Is Amelia alright? What about Steve?" Natasha inquired, worry lining her voice.
James lowered his gaze, "No. Thor and Stefan informed Wanda and I via message that Clint and Steve received serious injuries trying to rescue you all, though they weren't life threatening. They gave the impression that they would recover fully. As for Amelia… she is… imprisoned… and was severely whipped… She isn't doing well, Tasha."
Natasha choked out a sob, "Please James, Wanda, be safe as you restore the realms. And when you get back to Steve and the others, tell them to stay safe. Where are you going to start though?"
James looked to the southeast, determining his plan of action, "Wanda and I need to get to this realm's temple to the south of here. It holds the second piece of fused shadow that we need to complete the task of killing this usurper." He looked back to Natasha who had furrowed brows. He looked to Peter, ordering him, "Peter, MJ, take Lila, Cooper, and Nathaniel to the spring's pool, it's deep enough to wade into and is quite soothing. Also, the spring's water provides some degree healing properties, so perhaps the spirit will heal your arm faster. I need to speak with Natasha… alone. She'll talk with you and MJ and the two others later about the subject." Peter looked away, reserved, though he nodded, knowing the children didn't need to hear this.
Once alone, Wanda appeared, Natasha gasped, "Wanda…?! What…? What happened?"
Wanda and James gave Natasha the rundown, up until right before they uncovered Vanaheim from the Twilight. That's when Charles and Meg came over. Wanda disappeared, as the father daughter duo approached. "Welcome stranger. Are you friend or foe to us here in Tofte?"
James held out his right hand, "Friend. My name is James Barnes. Natalia is a good friend of mine from Asgard and Lila my sister-in-law, her sister is my wife. Lila and her siblings are Wanda's adopted siblings"
Charles took James' hand and shook it heartly, introducing himself and his daughter, "My name's Charles, this is my daughter Meg. Welcome to Tofte of Vanaheim, Sir James. We are the one of the last few remaining faithful villages to Asgard here in Vanaheim. I am glad to have rescued your friends. Lady Natasha had been quite the conversationalist and ally. Peter, Thalia, and Lila have all been quite helpful."
James nodded, "You're welcome. And thank you for the help, Charles. As much as I would love to stay and talk all day Natalia, Charles, and Meg, I need to get to the temple and get the piece of fused shadow within. I need to then get back to Asgard to finish lifting the Twilight."
Natasha argued, "James, even you aren't immune to fatigue and injuries. How about you stay here for a day or two to recover from the trip to Jotunheim? From what you told me about the temple there and what Joseph and Atretes said, you need time to recuperate before going to the temple here to get the fused shadow."
James refuted, "Natalia, Amelia is severely wounded from a beating and our loved ones are trapped in a Twilight covered Asgard. God knows what troubles they're having there now… I cannot rest."
Natasha sneered, firm is her order as she commanded again, "James, no. You need rest. As I said from what you and Wanda told me; you haven't eaten in nearly five days. You need to take a day to recuperate before moving forward with this temple. Charles, does the sanctuary have a place where we can all stay in case of the Twili beasts coming again? If so, does it also protect the entire town?" She turned to said man, giving James no room for further argument.
Charles nodded, crossing his arms, "James, she's right. The journey to gain the fused shadows will be a long and difficult road. With this disaster that Ragnar has placed upon us all, you will face quite few enemies. You need rest from what I overheard about your journey to Jotunheim." James groaned in annoyance, but was cut short when Charles turned away to Natasha.
He roughly mentioned, giving James no room for arguing either, "Yes, Lady Natasha. The main area we can lay out bed rolls and can use the center fire pit and chamber for cooking and baking. As for protecting the town, we'll have a town wide meeting later today to discuss such topic." He turned and James and Natasha followed him and Meg into the sanctuary. James sighed quietly to himself, resigning himself to their orders. Wanda whispered to him.
"James my dear, they're right. As much as I want to keep going on like you, we need to rest. Just for the next day or so." She comforted him. He spent the night in the sanctuary and into the next day and even into a second night and day before Charles and Natasha walked him to the southern edge of Tofte.
Handing James a supplies bag, Charles warned, "The temple as of late has had many monsters and creatures of the night prowling around. Be wary of the ruins near the temple, there have been sights of the Skull Kid around causing trouble with the locals in the small village near there." He handed James a lantern and two more bottles, one with lantern oil and another with a blue potion that could heal moderate and minor wounds and that would help boost his energy in case of injury.
Natasha hugged James, who seemed to relax ever so slightly. "Be care and come back whole James. We… I… need to see the end of this madness." James nodded and he left for the temple to the south of Tofte without a word, glad to have found Natasha and the children. Natasha watched as James disappeared into the forest. "Be safe…" She let a tear fall as she whispered before going to supervise the children.
~At the temple's entrance...~
James and Wanda arrived at the temple's entrance after a day's journey; however, a golden wolf with a missing left eye and a red eye as its right eye sat resting just before the path up to the entrance. As soon as James approached it, the wolf got in attack stance and growled. James pulled out his sword, prepared to do battle, twisting his arm as well. The wolf leaped high and came down at him, but as it met him, it paused and the air around him flashed with light blinding him and knocking him unconscious.
Soon he woke up in a flat field that had Asgard's landscape in the background. Different landmarks dotted the distance places, but they were blurred by light and mist. James looked around in confusion, Where am I?
Behind him the wolf stared at him, yet as he looked around, the wolf howled and transformed into a skeletal warrior, whose left eye was missing. He held a sword and was dressed in decayed armor. James heard the clatter of armor and swiftly turned to face the warrior. Said person got in battle stance, and James, in turn, did as well. But as soon as James attacked him, the warrior quickly found James' weak spot and knocked him to the ground.
"A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage, youngling." The warrior said in a deeper voice that didn't match him.
James remained silent, eyebrow raised at the warrior as he laid on the ground. "You have courage to be sure. But you need more training youngling. Much more. I will be teaching you. Call me the Hero's Shade." The Hero's Shade taught him the ending blow, a skill that would branch out into his other skills as a myrmidon. He wasn't quite on the level of sword master yet. Soon the lesson was done.
"When you meet up with the howling stones in the twilight and the other realms, howl their songs and we will further your training. Until next time…" The Hero's Shade concluded before the ether world disappeared in a flash. James woke up to sunset and a concerned Wanda. She was standing over him, guarding him as he woke up. It was evening now and he was underneath a low hanging tree branch.
"James! Are you alright?! When that wolf leaped at you, it disappeared into thin air and then you fell to the ground unconscious. And have been for hours now." Wanda quickly sat on him, hands on his checks. Worry was clear on her face.
He sat up, groaning slightly, "Yes, I'm fine, a tad sore. But it seems that wolf was a warrior of old. He calls himself the Hero's Shade. He's going to teach me more sword play as we go." His stomach growled.
"Before we go, we need food for you James. You can't survive too much longer without it and fresh water."
"Where Wanda? Our only source of friendly people is those in Tofte several hours away and those under a blanket of Twilight. And the people here we don't even know if they're friendly or not."
Wanda huffed, "While you were unconscious, I made sure you were safely hidden and I went out to scout. There is another village of people less than a half mile from here. There's a cellar and a farmer at its edge. I am sure that under this cover of darkness, we can pilfer the cellar of some onions, potatoes, and beets. The chicken coop should have some eggs and a chicken we can take. We only need enough to supple you and I for the next few days before we get back to Tofte."
"Very well, but since full dark isn't for another hour, I suggest we plan how to get to the temple." James sighed. Wanda nodded and she sat on his knee as best she could be as a shadow.
Steve's POV.
I laid on the bed, thinking how things could have gone differently with Natasha's capture had he not been in a rage six days ago. I silently let tear flows. My love and our son gone, disappeared into the Asgardian countryside. Peter, MJ, and the Barton children also gone. Why?! Clint was a mess and Laura had withdrawn into herself, quiet and depressed as if she refused to be comforted, a shell of her former self.
Clint, ashamed and clearly angered, slumped and skulked around the graveyard of Trondheim, muttering under his breath and sobbing in the dark shadows. Laura barely ever got out of bed since that day. Her head hung low, her shoulders slumped, and her posture small as she grieved for the loss of her children. Rarely were they together, except for when Clint needed sleep at night when they slept in the same bed, backs facing each other.
Tony and Pepper were beyond worried for Peter. They had just gotten word from Earth literally hours before the wedding that Peter was their official adopted son. They were going to surprise him right after the wedding during the reception, but with Ragnar's invasion and him kidnapped and disappeared, they were now mourning as well.
Tony was withdrawn, his eyes downcast and his body tense and hunched as if cornered. When normally stressed and angered like this, he created new tech; however, he barely touched anything, save food and Pepper, since Peter was kidnapped. Pepper, eyes puffy and red, had grieved in their room for days, sick from both the baby and Peter's disappearance. She was green with nausea, wobbly on her feet, and she moaned in pain with the baby's growth. That only caused Tony more stress and anxiety, seeing his wife suffer from pregnancy and potentially losing the baby to loss of a child, adopted or not.
Stefan had calmed our fears by pointing out that our enemies didn't have our loved ones in their hands anymore since the only surviving scout had been found from the kidnappers had been killed, but that still didn't give Clint, Laura, or I complete peace. It helped to know Wanda and James were on their way to undo the Twilight. I just learned several minutes ago from Scott that Stefan had gone on another journey to the Bifrost to see if there were any changes.
Thor had just gotten word this morning from his generals that their people were officially now out of the city of Asgard, its buildings and streets now deserted, like a ghost town or a city of tombs. The small group of marauder soldiers Thor had created, with Link and Zelda as their leaders, had done an in-depth sweep of the city, even within the sewers and on the rooftops, and they had brought back over a dozen severely wounded Asgardian soldiers back to Trondheim. All other soldiers or civilians that had suffered that they had found, which was minimal, were dead.
Of the 17 they rescued from the city, fourteen succumbed to their injuries and passed away, either on the journey back to Trondheim or at the town's edge. All were given proper burials in Trondheim's graveyard. Once the war was over, they would be delivered to their families and then buried in family plots. The last three Rin, Kagome, and Zelda, along with Thor's healers, were able to save after much chaos. When they were healed completely, they would be under Stefan's command until the war's end. Link and Zelda scouted the city once more, though word had it from them, that there were now corrupted Twili roaming the streets, looking for victims.
I sighed, the last of my tears falling to the pillow. I got up, my hunger forcing me to the kitchen as last after six days of mourning, of avoiding all human contact. As I walked down the stairs and skulked into the kitchen of the inn of Trondheim, I thought of the residents. The town had about 97 residents, 21 of whom had been killed by Twili beasts. The remaining residents, about 76 of them decided that the 11 elders and 17 children needed to be brought up to the Gorons' home at the base of Mount Nevessa, an extremely stable volcano whose lava ran into the Valley of Flames to join Mount Laveran's deadly flow several miles to the south.
The remaining 49 villagers kept up the town and surrounding farmland to farm, giving over the inn to Thor and the Avengers as a base of operations. The villagers were accepting and open to all of us Avengers, grateful to have the added protection and our willing help in the fields in place of the elders and children. The inn had sixteen bedrooms aside from the owners' room, a meeting room, a lounge area with a library and fireplace, a dining area, a kitchen and courtyard with a large, complete garden providing fresh vegetables and fruits for the table.
Laura and Clint shared a room. Sam and Scott crammed into another. Thor took a third bedroom; his had a second bed for Loki when he arrived back in Trondheim. Pepper and Tony took the owners' room, Shuri and T'Challa took a fifth room. That left eleven rooms open. Link and Zelda took one, whereas Rin and Kagome took another, and finally Stefan shared a room with Pietro and myself. That left eight rooms available to people.
The residents had opened their homes to the soldiers and healers of Thor's small marauder group. Three healers, 10 soldiers, two mages, and a tactician were amongst the houses that were evacuated and were helping to protect the remaining people. Thor gave Stefan command of the group, clearly knowing his complete trust in his judgment of leading them. Trondheim was located near the Asgardian desert, named the Desert of Ruins. It would be their access to the ruins of Arbiter's Grounds, an ancient prison housing the Mirror of Twilight to which James and Wanda would need to travel to defeat Ragnar once the Twilight was lifted and the fused shadows were gathered.
I paused in the doorway to the kitchen seeing Clint and Laura at the central preparation table and they looked over to me when I appeared. Surprise filled me upon seeing Laura. It was the first time Laura had left her and Clint's room in over five days. Sighing, I walked over to Clint and Laura, sitting down heavily. Laura, who Clint had convinced to come down to eat at the very least, leaned over and took my hand, a small, haunted smile on her lips.
"We'll get them back Steve. Don't worry." She whispered, patting my hand gently. The comfort helped ease my sadness, even if ever so slightly as hollow as the comfort sounded from her lips. Clint sighed, wiping a stray tear away from his check, something I rarely ever saw from his normally inappropriate humorous self. We were all depressed on the current state of events.
Clint rose after a few moments and went over to the fireplace and ladled a bowl of stew from the cauldron for me, as Laura got a chunk of bread and a large piece of cheese. I poured some wine, and I mumbled a thanks to them both before I dug into the stew, not realizing how hungry I truly was until I took a bite. I shouldn't have refused food for so long, for I was feeling weak.
I finished my bowl, ashamed that I was starving myself because of my loss. Laura got me another bowl of stew and Clint poured more wine, this time not just for me, but also for Laura and himself, not that it helped to dull the pain. Alcohol from Midgard didn't touch me much anymore, if at all, since I was given the serum, though if I drank enough Asgardian wine, I could get drunk.
I thought further on what had happened in the last six days, not that time mattered in the eerily Twilight covered Asgard. Time didn't really matter in the Twilight covered world as it always felt and looked like late evening. Even though it had been at least six days since the triple wedding. At least according to Stefan's interpretation and uncanny ability to keep time, it had been six days.
Soon Tony with Pepper in his arms, Thor, Sam, Scott, T'Challa, Pietro, and Shuri came strolling into the kitchen at their own pace, each as somber and saddened as Clint, Laura, and I were. All of them taking places around us, either on stools or remained standing. Kagome and Rin remained in the makeshift triage clinic down the street, taking care of wounded soldiers. Link and Zelda were helping with the patrol outside and Stefan was currently doing a solo reconnaissance mission in Asgard city.
Shuri spoke first, "So… now that we're here, what's the plan of action?"
I looked to her, "We remain here until either James and Wanda remove the twilight or Ragnar comes and kills us all."
Shuri furrowed her eyes at me, "That's rather final for someone who always optimistic, Captain."
"It is the truth, Shuri. There isn't much else we can do until that time. Besides you know what Stefan said, sister." T'Challa patted his sister's back, agreeing with me. I nodded at him. Shuri hmphed, and she went silent.
"And until Stefan sends another update from the Bifrost, we need to lay low. His gossip stone should be able to get good contact with ours all the way to here." I fingered my wine goblet.
"Where exactly is Stefan hiding there?" Pepper asked quietly, purposely stirring the conversation to a different topic.
Thor interrupted, "There is a cave near the base of the cliff that leads to the Bifrost, right before it goes into space. The cave was created to be a hiding spot for a single guard who needs stealth and favor on his side. The entrance is roughly 50 feet above the water and the ladder or staircase leading up to it is only formed when someone worthy is present. To which Stefan is. Aside from that, if a corrupted being did manage to gain access to the entrance, there is an invisible barrier that Amelia created 1500 years ago that protects the guard inside from such beings.
"He'll be safe for now. And further still if a corrupted being did get past that barrier, Stefan is a legendary warrior. My father Odin, who challenged him once, never came within an iota of his caliber of skill, especially as old as Stefan is. My father was defeated within moments and there's a large, jagged scar adorning his back from that match. Odin never did challenge him again; too fearful, knowing he'd be killed by Stefan's hand if he did."
"Stefan told me before he left, that he wanted to try to meet James and Wanda before they get into another realm. He has supplies and the tools. Now he waits." I added.
Pepper nodded, satisfied with the answer. "I suggest we set up a constant guard around the village. Just in case the beasts decide to make another raid." Tony added. Thor nodded, as did I.
"Have the Gorons notice anything unusual going on up near the mountain?" Sam inquired.
"No. They are actually quite happy with entertaining the elders and children of Tofte. They thoroughly understand the threat from the Twilight, which they have dealt with before in Link and Zelda's world prior. They'll keep an eye out for any threats, but with the defenses they created years ago with the realization this type of disaster could happen here, albeit the possibility small. And now that it has happened, I doubt any Twilight will go that far up the mountain and live to tell the tale. They're sending fifteen of their people down here to help with guarding the town and helping with everyday tasks either tonight or tomorrow morning," Thor explained, smiling in triumph. The others and I were pleased to hear the news.
"What about the location of the fused shadow, Thor? Where would that be?" Scott asked.
Thor scratched his beard, "My father never mentioned anything to me about its existence or its location. At least not until Stefan came, who was the one to tell me of its existence in this realm about sixty years ago, but I never gave it much thought since then. Loki may know more about it than I do as he took after our mother. However, now that I contemplate it, I think I may know or at least can theorize its location. Though remember, it's merely in the realm of speculation…"
The others and I perked up, as Thor continued as he played with his beard in thought, "I remember from my childhood that my father always mentioned to Loki and me to never to go dive down into the sea's depth that leads to the edge of Asgard. He said an evil creature swan its depths looking for anything that risked going down that deep. Not long after the situation where he turned into a snake and stabbed me, Loki dared me to dive down a thousand feet using my father's personal sub and I heard a terrible roar before my father had four of our large war crafts lead me back to the surface. I was severely lectured, and I couldn't train for several months and was grounded for a solid year for the incident. Perhaps the depths of the sea is where the temple containing the fused shadow is located."
"Perhaps… Perhaps… maybe Stefan knows more?" I mentioned. Thor agreed as did everyone else. I pulled out the gossip stone Stefan had given me from beneath the hem of my shirt. I tapped it twice and asked, "Stefan? Do you read?"
After several moments of hearing some shuffling and items moving, Stefan's voice came through clearly, "Yes, Steve?"
"I have a question. Do you know the location of the fused shadow here in Asgard?" I inquired.
Silence…
"Please Stefan. We all know that James and Wanda need to know the location eventually and the locations of the realm's guardian and spring. Surely you know where the piece is." I pushed. Everyone knew now he had all the intel pertaining to the fused shadow here.
More silence…
That's when Shuri's child side came out, "Stefan? Please? We need to know. If you don't tell us there's a chance, a large chance that we won't see the end of this war. Besides, it's better you have us help you in preparing James and Wanda to journey there." Her voice had an edge to it, plaintive, childlike, and pleading. She knew how to play on his heart strings.
It must have worked as after a few more minutes of silence before Stefan huffed in annoyance, though he conceded to Shuri's plea, "Very well, Shuri. I must tell you before I say anything to you about this, I will only say this once… Yes, the sea's dark depths hide the temple housing the fused shadow. However, it is guarded by a monster that has been there for millennia. It's also has been decaying in all that time, so it's likely that the monster is truly horrifying. It was made the guardian to the temple to prevent people from gaining access to the piece of fused shadow. However, it needs to go before James and Wanda dive down there. It could kill them both in a single bite."
Thor growled, "And how do we kill this beast?" The others and I murmured our displeasure at Stefan's intel.
"Do you still have that TNT in the guards' tower in the city Thor?" Stefan asked, his voice sounding deadly and leaving no room for argument.
"Yes… Why?" Thor inquired hesitantly, instant worry clearly etching his voice at Stefan's suddenly changed tone of voice.
"If I bait it with meat and other food, with a waterproof timed fuse attached to it, I could send it down into the depths. The creature is only semi-sentient, and so in having a timed fused, we could literally kill it via explosives." Stefan explained, determination and death sounding in his voice.
"Sounds complicated." Pepper said.
"Not necessarily. Just time consuming. I will gather everything, prepare it, and I will make sure that the creature is killed before James and Wanda return. Alone. By myself," Stefan stated.
"No." I refused, pushing back at Stefan in a defiant tone. Everyone looked to me, astonished to go against the dragon king.
"No?" Stefan questioned, a hint of disapproval in his voice at my refusal. The others stepped away from me as if I were in deep trouble.
I hmphed in annoyance myself, feeling a bit forward and rebellious, "You need help to gather and prepare everything, Stefan. Thor, T'Challa, and I will join you in the guards' supple room in the city and help you prepare. You need protection as well, so several more sets of eyes and hands will help immensely. We'll leave within the next two hours and meet you at the western gate in four. Without us, it may take you much longer to get rid of the creature. Months perhaps. Precious time that James and Wanda need to get the war over with. With the aid from the three of us, it will take you only a few short days up to a week or two to do so. Though if we have to deal with Twili beasts and other monsters, it may take up to three weeks."
I turned to look at each of my family members and fellow Avengers, "Pietro, Sam, Scott, Clint, and Tony, you all need to stay here to protect the people and those of our family staying here. Since Thor, T'Challa, and I will be with Stefan, Tony, I put you in charge here and you will take command of the Avengers here, under Link's command. Also, Link will oversee the Asgardian militia while we're gone. Understand?" Everyone nodded in agreement, a newfound energy and purpose in the room.
Stefan stated flatly, with a humorless laugh, "There's no way I can change your mind?"
"No. I need to do something to keep my mind off Natasha, Stefan. Just like you need to keep your mind off Amelia. You can't fault me for that," I reasoned bluntly. All present nodded, understanding.
"Very well. I will stay put and in five hours, make my way to the blacksmiths to meet you there instead. Until then, goodbye," Stefan's gruff reply come and with that, he broke the connection. Thor and T'Challa then quickly left to prepare for the journey. Pietro, Sam, Scott, Clint, and the others would remain to lay low.
Hope you all are doing well these days!
Until next time!
WS. Z.
