Earth-717: Thor Vol 1
Chapter 12: Brighter Days
Odin slammed the bottom of his sceptre on the floor, calling for everyone in the room to be silent. There were hundreds of Asgardians in the great hall, all waiting to hear what the All-Father would have to say. Odin himself was standing in front of his throne, alone on the elevated podium, looking down at everyone in the hall.
Frigga was standing to the far right of Odin, and Loki was at the far left, leaning his back against a pillar. Heimdall was also present, standing amongst the first row of the crowd of Asgardians. In front of Odin, facing him, were Thor, Sif, Jane and Faradei. Frigga gave a smile to Thor, which he returned. Nobody was paying enough attention to notice, but Loki's face indicated that he was not impressed.
After a minute of silence, Odin addressed the hall before him.
"My people . . . . people of Asgard, hear me! Today we mark a momentous occasion, one in which we place our debt once again in the hearts of heroes."
Sif gave Thor a playful nudge with her elbow.
"Thor," said Odin. "My son. My first born. You have done a great service, not just in the name of Asgard, but for all the Nine Realms. Your bravery, your courage, your resolution . . . . has helped to vanquish a great enemy, one who threatened peace across the universe. For that, we commend you."
The crowd of Asgardians started cheering and applauding, but Odin slammed his sceptre again, commanding them to be silent.
"But you did not accomplish this task alone," continued Odin. "You were aided by honourable allies, who stand beside you today. As always, the good Lady Sif, God of War, who has served so faithfully over the centuries that I consider her to be my kin already."
Sif blushed at Odin's words.
"And Faradei, Honour Guard of the Elves of Alfheim, who braved numerous adversities to stand here today."
Faradei placed a fist on his chest and bowed.
"And, to my surprise, a human of Midgard. Jane Foster."
Jane perked up at the sound of her name. Odin took a moment to consider his next words.
"I will admit, that even I, the All-Father, have at times underestimated some of the people who live amongst Yggdrasil's branches. I have not met many humans in my time, and so I did not initially believe that you would be an honourable part of this company."
Jane frowned.
"But I was mistaken," continued Odin. "Heimdall has served as witness to your actions on the Dark World. I know very well of the courage you showed in the face of mortal danger. Your aid in this matter, and the fact that . . . . that you saved my son, has earned you my gratitude."
Jane smiled. Odin then held his sceptre up in front of him, horizontally.
"And on this day, I, Odin the All-Father, decree that these heroes shall be celebrated! To the heroes of the Nine Realms!"
The crowd once again erupted into applause, and the four members of the party allowed themselves to soak it all in. The only person who was not feeding off of the positive energy was Loki, who silently backed out of the room. Trudging his way into an empty chamber outside of the hall, he angrily kicked over a nearby table as Amora teleported into the room.
"Not enjoying the party, Loki?"
"All my work, all that searching, and for what?! For that witless oaf to once again be celebrated as the favoured son!"
Amora made a mocking frown.
"How droll. Little Loki didn't get what he wanted."
Loki snorted, folding his arms and pouting.
"Is that it then?" asked Amora. "Are you going to give up?"
"No."
"Good."
Loki turned to face Amora, eyeing her with suspicion. Amora put on her best devious smile.
"Because I already have a new idea," she said.
Thor stood on the Rainbow Bridge, just outside of the nexus where Heimdall was stationed. As the nexus finished rotating, Faradei stepped out of it, walking up to Thor. Faradei sighed as he stopped in front of him.
"How did it go?" asked Thor, already knowing the answer.
Faradei scratched the side of his head, giving another sigh.
"I am sorry," said Thor.
"I . . . ."
Faradei paused, needing a few more moments before he could verbalize what was running through his mind.
"I . . . . I have been exiled."
Thor took a step back in surprise.
"Exiled?"
"The fair . . . . Alvaeriel, she . . . . blames me for her daughter's death. I . . . . I am no longer welcome amongst my people."
"But it was not your fault!" insisted Thor. "You did not tell her . . . ."
"And break her heart even further?"
Thor was silenced by Faradei's question.
"Her daughter is dead," continued Faradei. "Is that not enough? I have to harm her further by saying she allied herself with Malekith? No. No, I will not do that, not to her . . . . not to Aeltri. They both deserve better than that. The knowledge of Aeltri's choice will stay my secret. I . . . . she deserves that much."
Thor nodded in understanding. Faradei then stepped to the side, looking out over the cosmic waterfall, at the uncountable stars beyond.
"Now I am alone. I have no home. No family. This quest has claimed all of that. It claimed . . . . it claimed . . . ."
Faradei put a hand over his heart, cringing as he found he could not speak his next words. Thor walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"There was so much I never had the chance to say."
Thor and Faradei stood together for several minutes in silence, staring out at the cosmos. Finally, Thor spoke again.
"Where will you go?"
"I do not know."
"Then do not."
Faradei turned to look at Thor, raising an eyebrow.
"Stay here, in Asgard," said Thor.
Faradei's eyes widened with surprise.
"You may have lost much on this quest, Faradei, but you also gained. Friends. Allies. You are a man of honour, who forsook his own home for the reputation of the woman he loved. You place others before yourself, and you were an invaluable member of our company. You need not throw all that away. You can make a new home, here, with us."
"You would . . . . you would do that?"
"Without a second thought."
Faradei smiled, feeling inside that perhaps all was not lost after all.
Alvaeriel was sitting on her throne, her hands folded in front of her, her fingers interlocked. She was slumped in her seat, and was glaring at the empty hall before her. As she ruminated quietly, a single Honour Guard Elf walked into the room from the left hand entrance. She waited a few minutes, but Alvaeriel did not address her. She then stepped forward, kneeling before the throne.
"My Queen?"
Alvaeriel furrowed her brow, looking down at the Elf with disdain.
"Please, forgive my indiscretion. I know that these are trying times, for all of us. If I . . . . if I can do anything, please, just give the word."
Alvaeriel took a couple of minutes to consider the Elf's words. Finally blinking, Alvaeriel exhaled and leaned back even further.
"Put out a general order to all settlements in the realm," ordered Alvaeriel. "I want everyone in my domain to know that the Asgardians are no longer welcome on my planet."
The Honour Guard Elf looked up at Alvaeriel, clearly surprised by both her command and her tone.
"And if any Asgardian is ever found on my territory, they are to be treated as a hostile. Is that understood?"
The Elf gulped, putting a fist on her chest.
"It will be done."
"You are dismissed."
The Elf stood up and vacated the room. Alvaeriel resumed her contemplation, again interlocking the fingers on her hands. As she did, she tightened her grip so much that her fingernails started digging into her own skin.
Strolling into the nexus, Jane gave a playful salute to Heimdall, who returned her gesture with a generous smile. Thor and Sif were walking alongside her, and the three stopped right in front of the nexus' exit. Jane turned to face her Asgardian compatriots.
"So, guess I gotta go home."
Thor and Sif nodded in response.
"Yeah, explaining this to my boss is gonna be hell," said Jane, giggling. "And, after all this, might get a bit dull going back to chicken pox and broken ankles. But really guys, thanks . . . . for everything."
Sif took a step forward, holding out her hand. Jane looked at it with surprise for a moment before eagerly shaking it.
"Farewell, Jane Foster," said Sif.
Jane looked very pleased with Sif's gesture. Thor then motioned for Jane to stand next to him. He opened the palm of his left hand, which she grasped with her right.
"Heimdall."
Heimdall placed his sword in its slot, and the nexus began spinning. Jane felt a burning feeling, a mixture of anticipation and regret, build in her chest as she watched the energy grow. Within a few moments, the two were launched through space.
Landing on the outskirts of the city of Santa Fe, Jane stumbled about as the Bifrost deposited her. She then turned around to look at Thor, grinning as she regained her footing.
"Didn't puke this time!"
Thor chuckled at her goofy disposition. Jane then rubbed her left forearm with her right hand, seemingly unsettled.
"So . . . . this is goodbye, huh?"
"Yes," answered Thor. "I have duties and responsibilities in Asgard that I must attend to. There is much that must be done, and you needed to return home."
"Any more universe-saving quests lined up this week?"
"I certainly hope not," answered Thor, laughing.
Jane went silent for a few more seconds, looking at the ground. Brushing the hair over her left ear with her hand, she then gazed into Thor's eyes, knowing what she needed to ask.
"Will I ever see you again?"
Thor stepped forward, taking her hand in his.
"Jane . . . . I must go. However, I do not believe that we were brought together for the purpose of only one meeting. One day our paths will cross again, and if not by fate, then by my own accord. Until then . . . ."
Thor opened Jane's palm, before placing a small silver stone in her hand.
"Another Healing Stone?" asked Jane. "Thought they were all gone."
Thor shook his head, before using his free hand to hold Jane's cheek.
"Nay. This is a Calling Stone. Jane, no matter how far apart we might be, nor whatever dimension in which we may reside, I want you to know that you will never be alone in this universe. Some day I will return to you . . . . but before then, if you are ever in need of aid, or you are ever in danger . . . . simply squeeze this stone until it glows red, and I will come for you."
With that, Thor took several steps backward. Jane gazed at the stone in her palm before looking back up at Thor, positively beaming.
"Yup. Definitely better than a cup of coffee."
Thor held Mjolnir to the sky.
"Heimdall! Portal!"
A brilliant white beam of light materialized through the clouds, enveloping Thor. The God of Thunder was then pulled into the sky, and he began travelling back across the cosmos.
THE END
Thor Will Return
Epilogue
Amora teleported on to the Dark World, just next to the wreckage of Brigandir. Putting her hands on her hips, she moved her head side to side to scan the area. It seemed devoid of movement or life, but Amora knew better.
"I know you're here."
In response, Amora heard a mighty roar. Kurse then broke his way out of the destroyed remains of the tower, and scowled at her.
"Asgardian!"
Kurse bellowed at her, seemingly getting ready to charge. Amora put up her hand.
"I know who you are, Kurse. But you do not know me. I may be Asgardian, but I am not your enemy."
Kurse halted, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"My name is Amora the Enchantress, and I've come to make you an offer."