Chapter Fifty Six
"How the heck did you end up on Asgard of all places?"
Jane's questions had left Ada's mind spinning as they headed for the palace. They crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to reach the palace in question, giving Jane more than enough time to think of whatever questions she could interrogate Ada with. Truthfully, even she wasn't sure how she ended up on Asgard. Lady Sif tried coming up with a valid explanation back in the pub. But, there was only so much she could tell her without giving away whatever secrets they were hiding.
Since arriving in Asgard with Jane in toe, Thor explained that something serious had happened to her. He made a valid point in reminding them that they needed to visit the Healers to find out what exactly was going on with Jane.
"You're asking the wrong person," Ada shook her head in frustration. She wished there was a better way of explaining how she ended up on Asgard. Both Lady Sif and Heimdal had been discrete in their explanations. "One minute I was wandering through the building, and the next, I wound up here on Asgard."
Thor gave her an inquisitive look when he heard that. He had been listening to them talk along the way to the palace. With the horses sprinting at full speed, it didn't take them long to reach it. Now, it was a matter of getting the room together. He'd already alerted the Healers of their sudden arrival to ensure that a room was ready.
Up close, the palace itself was huge and imposing. Ada tried to take everything in at once before they stepped inside. The grounds were well-kept, with several gardens, ponds and training grounds surrounding the main entrance. What really caught her breath were the golden columns that held it up, along with the golden roof. Not for the first time, Ada suddenly found herself feeling more out of place than ever.
"It is possible that the Convergence brought you here," he remarked thoughtfully.
"The Convergence?" Jane's question snapped Ada out of her thoughts. She glanced at the pair warily when she noticed that Heimdal had mentioned something about the planets aligning together. "Is that why the device kept going off?"
Well, at least it explained why she ended up on Asgard. Ada couldn't help but wonder how many other people ended up in a similar situation because of the Convergence. It was possible that she and Jane weren't the only victims.
"If something like this is really happening, then shouldn't there be some kind of warning?" she asked when they finally reached the room where the Healers were waiting. They'd already set up an exam table where Jane would be placed, with Thor and Ada lingering in the background. "What if someone accidentally stumbled upon these… 'portals' and found themselves in an entirely different place?"
"I am unsure of what would happen if such an occurrence took place," Thor replied after furrowing his brows together. "My father would likely know, but I am not in a hurry to face him. He will be angry enough knowing that there are two humans from Midgard here."
"One human," Ada corrected him under her breath.
She crossed her arms and scowled when she caught him looking at her apprehensively. So many people seemed to forget that she wasn't human. The constant need to remind them never seemed to end. Though, she couldn't necessarily blame them since she looked so human.
"What's that?" Jane asked curiously when a holographic image hovered above her.
The Healers placed her on the table and began examining whatever substance was attacking her body. Ada frowned as she noticed that the readings were entirely different from what she was used to seeing. Asgardian technology was far more advanced than the technology they had on Earth.
"Be still," the woman told her in a firm yet gentle tone.
Thor leaned forward when the woman frowned at the readings. His concern left Ada feeling worried over what had happened to Jane. She didn't explain where she went when she disappeared from Heimdal's view. Ada knew that it had to be something serious for Thor to bring her back to Asgard for further studies.
"This is not of Earth," he started after a few seconds of awkward silence followed. Jane was fascinated with the technology that surrounded her. Ada could tell that she was torn between asking what the heck they found and what the technology itself did. "What is it?"
"I do not know," the woman replied. Her expression was grave as she looked between the readings, Thor and Jane. "But she will not survive the amount of energy surging within her."
Well, that's a comforting thought.
Concern for Jane's safety suddenly swept through Ada. Whatever had happened to her was dangerous. Even Thor stiffened in surprise and concern over the Healer's explanation. Jane had gotten herself infected with something that was slowly draining her energy. The fact that the Healer wasn't able to pick up on what was in Jane's body left Ada feeling even more concerned.
The Healer had already walked away. Ada could only assume that she went off to share whatever news she had with Odin, or someone else in charge of them. Thor was left with trying to figure out what to do with Jane. Dealing with the substance was their first priority. If they didn't get it treated soon, Ada had no doubt Jane would suffer the consequences.
"That's a quantum field generator, isn't it?" Jane suddenly asked after lifting her head curiously.
One of the other Healers had begun maneuvering the hologram around her in an attempt to get a better view of the scans. Despite her earlier worry, Ada couldn't help but smirk at Jane's curiosity. This place was built for someone like her. Though it was likely that her curiosity had gotten her into this mess in the first place, she'd probably get lost with all the new technology surrounding her.
"It is a soul forge," the Healer corrected her with a hint of impatience.
"Does a soul forge transfer molecular energy from one place to another?"
By now, Jane was struggling to hide the excitement written across her face. The Healer just threw her a look that was a cross between surprised and annoyed. Ada suspected that these people weren't expecting a human to know what they were talking about.
"Yes," she eventually replied after recovering from her initial surprise.
"It's a quantum field generator," Jane whispered to Thor.
Both Thor and Ada offered smiles at that.
Ada couldn't blame Jane for getting so overwhelmed with how closely related their technology was with Earth's. Though it was obviously more advanced, Ada knew that they weren't too far apart. She wondered what would happen if such worlds combined their science and technology together. Earth's doctors would more than likely benefit from it, since technology could only do so much for patients.
"Are my words mere noises to you that you would ignore them completely?"
Ada flinched at the sound of a deep, intimidating voice.
She looked over her shoulder to see that the new arrival was someone she never expected to meet in person. An ancient looking man with a scraggly beard, eye-patch and imposing appearance stood before them. He waved his hand over the hologram that hovered over Jane, causing it to disappear. The Healer who had been working with her immediately bowed and walked away without another word.
"She is ill," Thor explained.
She rose an eyebrow as she noticed how he dropped his normally relaxed posture. The man in question just scowled and looked between Ada and Jane. He clearly wasn't happy with their sudden arrival. Not that she couldn't necessarily blame him. She'd arrived unexpectedly in Asgard, while Thor brought Jane of his own accord.
"She is mortal. Illness is their defining trait."
The man brushed Thor's defensive explanation off with a wave.
"Excuse me? Since when is illness a defining trait?" Ada scoffed after crossing her arms once more.
She recognized the man as Odin from the stories that were passed down from generation to generation. But, that didn't make what he said any better. She could care less if he was the King of Asgard or not; he wasn't getting away with insulting the people of Midgard.
"I brought her here because we can help her," Thor interjected before Odin could spit something at Ada.
He threw her a warning look, as though begging her not to say anything else.
Oh, I'm tempted to, she thought angrily. It was hard to believe that this was the same man that Thor held in such high regard. She couldn't believe that Odin would be so careless that he'd turn down someone on the verge of dying. If what the healers had said about Jane was true, then she needed all the help they could offer her.
"She and the other Midgardian do not belong here anymore than a goat belongs at the banquet table," Odin retorted.
That was enough for Ada's blood to boil with outrage. She certainly wasn't going to let Odin get away with comparing them to a common farm animal, "Oh, and you think you're so much better? I can think of a dozen people from Earth who could—"
"Lady Stark, please."
She stopped herself short when she noticed the pleading look Thor was giving her. Odin's face had turned a whole new shade of red at her string of insults. She merely returned his glare with a mutinous glare of her own. She wasn't backing down. If he planned on insulting her people, then she would gladly return the favor.
If he planned on winning an award for good first impressions, Odin had failed miserably. Ada had been aware from the stories Thor would tell that his father wasn't the kindest person to Midgardians. But, he could have at least been a little more sympathetic towards Jane and what was happening to her.
"Who do you think you are?" Jane added after sitting up straighter.
She actually looked impressed with the way Ada handled Odin. Despite his imposing presence, Ada wasn't the least bit intimidated. She'd already dealt with men like Director Fury enough times to know how to handle people like Odin.
"I am Odin," the old man replied without missing a beat. He hadn't stopped glaring in Ada's direction, but at least he was distracted enough for the moment. That didn't stop him from slamming his scepter into the ground as if to prove his point. Ada nearly rolled his eyes at that. Now she knew where Loki got his need to slam his staff down. "King of Asgard. Protector of the Nine Realms."
"Oh, well, I'm—"
"I know very well who you are, Jane Foster," Odin cut her off. Then he returned his attention to Ada, "I am also aware of who you are, Ada Stark."
Ada only glared back, though she didn't bother spitting something in response. As tempting as it was to keep pissing him off, she also knew her limits. Odin was the king of this place, and he was more than capable of throwing her into prison if he wanted to.
"Did you tell your dad about us?" Jane asked with an incredulous look.
"Something is within her, father," Thor tried explaining in the vain attempt of convincing Odin that she needed help, "Something I have not seen before."
"Her world has its healers. They are called doctors. Let them deal with it." That only left Ada feeling angrier. How could he be so careless to let them go? Thor had explained to them that some Asgardians were closed off to the idea of Midgard and Asgard mixing together, but she didn't realize how right he had been. "Guards, take her and the other mortal back to Midgard."
"Hell no." None of the guards were able to reach Ada as she managed to fight them off, "I'd rather retain what little dignity I have."
Before Odin could say something that would only make things worse, the guards that tried reaching for Jane were suddenly flung back by an explosive energy. Ada struggled to remain standing when she felt the pulse herself. She knew that the Healers mentioned an energy substance surging within Jane's body. The last thing she expected was for the energy to pulsate like that.
"Jane, are you alright?" Thor asked once everyone recovered.
Ada held back a sigh of relief when Jane nodded in response. Her expression showed that the energy blast had taken its toll on her body. But at least it hadn't killed her. Yet. A familiar knot of worry formed in the pit of her stomach as she wondered how much time Jane had left before the energy killed her.
"That's impossible," Odin remarked once he managed to examine what had taken over her body.
"It's defending her," Ada whispered when she noticed that the energy began churning violently whenever someone appeared threatening to its host.
"No. It's defending itself," Thor corrected her in a grim voice.
"Come with me," Odin ordered.
Ada glanced at him warily. This time, his voice was equally grim as Thor's. His expression showed a hint of fear that hadn't been there before, which only added to Ada's earlier worry. Jane was in trouble if Odin was concerned.
…
"There are relics that predate the universe itself," Odin explained as he led the way through a massive library. Towering shelves filled with books surrounded them. Ancient wooden tables were placed throughout the library itself. Odin had taken them to one spot in particular, though. "What lies within her appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn as they will a dusk." He stopped at the foot of a golden pedestal. Ada watched in disbelief as he opened the book to reveal pages with moving pictures on them. She was reminded of the Harry Potter movies that had moving pictures in newspaper articles and other areas. She had to admit, the sight impressed even her. "But, before that dawn, the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged."
"'Born of eternal night, the Dark Elves comes to steal away your light'. They were these stories that my mother would often tell us as children," Thor explained after quoting what Ada assumed was something from the book.
She noticed that while the language was difficult to distinguish, the words in front of her seemed to translate before her in English. Ada had already suspected that Asgardian technology was more advanced than the technology on Earth, but she didn't realize it was this advanced.
"Their leader, Malekith made a weapon out of that darkness, it was called the Aether. While the other relics often appeared as stones, the Aether is fluid and ever changing. It changes matter into dark matter and seeks out to host bodies, drawing strength from their life force," Odin continued, and a picture of an elf draped in red suddenly appeared. Something black and red appeared in his hands. Ada couldn't help but flinch at the sight. Something about that light was enough to send shivers of unease through her. "Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But after eternities of bloodshed, my father Bor, finally triumphed, ushering in the peace that lasted thousands of years."
Ada glanced at Jane when she noticed how pale she had turned. Despite the brave face she put on in the healing chamber, it was obvious that the story haunted her. She knew that somehow the Aether was connected with whatever was happening to her.
"What happened?" Jane asked hesitantly.
"He killed them all," Odin replied.
"Are you certain?" Thor asked with a knowing look, "The Aether was also said to have been destroyed with them, yet here it is."
He has a valid point, Ada thought.
She chewed the bottom of her lip. It only just dawned on her how serious this was. If Thor was right about his theory, they were all in trouble. The Dark Elves sounded like a dangerous enemy. Not to mention Jane still had the Aether to worry about.
"The Dark Elves are dead."
Ada narrowed her eyes when she noticed it sounded as though Odin was trying to reassure himself, as well as Thor. While he managed to mask his emotions, she could tell that Odin was equally as worried about the Aether as Thor had been. Its sudden arrival couldn't bode well for anyone.
"You know, there's a good way to tell when someone is lying or not," she muttered under her breath. "You were worried the moment the Aether showed up in Jane's body, which tells me that you're hiding something."
She suddenly thanked herself that she put some distance between herself and Odin. The glare he threw her was enough to remind her that this wasn't where she belonged. Odin probably wouldn't hesitate to throw her in prison if he saw a reason behind it.
"I have nothing to hide of the Aether or the Dark Elves," he reminded her in a stern voice before Thor could slap a hand over her mouth. He'd been desperate to keep her from speaking out, but it was too late. "I would hold your tongue and consider your position, Midgardian."
Ada was tempted to remind Odin that she wasn't technically Midgardian to begin with. She stopped herself short when she finally caught the look Thor was giving her. She'd already crossed the line enough times, and something told her that Odin wouldn't hesitate to throw her in prison if she pissed him off enough.
"So, there's no way of getting the Aether out of me," Jane deadpanned after crossing her arms indignantly.
She didn't look happy with the sudden tension between them. Not that Ada couldn't blame her. She had enough to worry about without their arguments making it worse.
"No, there isn't."
Odin left before anyone could ask him further questions. Ada glared in the direction he disappeared to.
"Thanks for nothing," she snapped after deciding that Odin was the least likeable person on Asgard.
She would have taken Loki of all people over Odin any day.
"Ada…" This time, Jane's voice cut in before Ada could say something that would really get her in trouble, "You should probably lay off that 'Stark' attitude of yours."
Ada was ready to spit something in her defense when she finally thought better of it. She realized with a start that Jane was right. As much as she hated to admit it, it wasn't in her place to keep arguing with the King of Asgard. Especially with Thor present. For now, she was stuck with the idea that she would have to listen and restrain herself from getting thrown into prison. Whether she liked it or not.
AN: Thanks to Guest and Alex-chan2244 for reviewing! Remember, reviews help motivate me to keep writing.