CHAPTER 17

Sorry for the delay. Again… Life happened to my beta this time…

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters except my own. The characters belong to MARVEL.

CHAPTER 17 TRAVELS

Hel stretched her legs out in front of her. The waves below crashed against the cliffs and the grass bowed to the force of the wind. Let's see how long it'll take her to notice. She tilted her face towards the sun, even though its rays weren't strong enough to be truly warm. Hm, very sentimental of uncle to settle in the north where the Allfather used to fight for, with, against mortals. And died. She opened her eyes and looked out across the waves towards the horizon.

"What do you want?"

"Val. So nice of you to meet me up here." Hel turned to toss a sharp smile at the Valkyrie. Her hair was braided back this time, mortal clothes wrapped around her. Even a jacket against the cold. Hel raised an eyebrow. "And such lovely clothes as well. I love the new style."

Val rolled her eyes. "Cut it out. I don't have all day."

Hel turned around further since the other woman didn't seem inclined to come any closer. "That makes two of us," she folded her hands in her lap, "I have news for uncle and his friends. My father and the sorcerer went to New York this morning to contact one of the sorcerer's confidants. He might appear on their doorstep soon. If the sorcerer is right, he might be able to help them with magic to gather and pinpoint Thanos. Or even recruit more sorcerers to their cause – or troops I suppose, since we are going to war. Maybe I will even send the royal Wakandan siblings through to their family to secure their alliance and troops for the fight as well beyond what my Golden Hearts might have negotiated already."

Now, that caught Val's attention. The warrior straightened; eyes intend on the goddess before her. "You mean to say, you'll allow your subjects to cross the borders for a time? That's certainly new."

"Do you want to know what else I was up to or not?"

Val waved for her to continue.

"Very well. We are developing weapons fuelled by magic that might prove very useful against Thanos and his miscreants," Hel wrinkled her nose at the mere mention, "They need a little more calibrating but their first test run proved a raging success. The stone on the other hand is still very much resisting our attempts at detection. Maybe one of uncle's friends has any ideas."

"The Man of Iron returned, so there should be something for them to work with. You don't happen to have the thing with you for them to experiment with?"

"No."

For a moment both of them just stared at each other. Neither willing to give the other any more information before getting something in return. Hel raised her eyebrows. I gave you information, Valkyrie. Now it's your turn. Come on, I know you still have the moral code.

A huff. Val looked around, obviously wishing to be anywhere but here. Eventually however, she began to talk. "Tony Stark returned from Space. Carol Danvers, known as Captain Marvel, brought him and Thanos' daughter Nebula back. He is currently recovering. She seems to be very proficient in the tactics of her father. Probably the best bet to get an insight into his head besides your father. Thor returned unsuccessful from space to help his people for a while."

That wasn't so hard now, was it?, Hel thought.

Something must have shown on her face. Immediately, Val's expression darkened. "Don't give me that smug look. We have a deal. Information for information. Nothing more. Now, I'll head back down before Thor goes looking for me."

"Yes," Hel purred, "would be a shame for his Highness to discover his weapon chatting with his estranged niece. Better hurry back."

Val made a rude gesture and turned around. Without a look back and ignoring Hel's laughter, she disappeared from view.

Likewise turning back to her view, Hel mulled the information over. So, the Man of Iron has returned from his travel through space. He was with the Peters, Drax, Groot and Mantis as well as Doctor Strange. The only survivor of the fight on Titan. That can't have been easy.

She closed her eyes, leaned back on her hands. A daughter of Thanos. Very interesting. She might change up the mix significantly. Hel felt a faint idea tickle at the back of her mind. A connection worth exploring once she had a little more time on her hands. Possibly after her father had returned with Strange.

The waves crashed rhythmically against the stone below. Beams of sunlight made everything glitter and the wind played with the loose strands of Hel's hair. It was almost too quiet even with New Asgard growing close by. I should look into the old runes. Maybe Hela used something from that to enchant the stone or mask her aura. Hel leaned forward to rest her arms on her knees, eyes closed. Dad might be able to help with that. He used to pour over those books in Asgard. I just need to catch them and hope the sorcerers have a functioning head on their shoulders to add to our numbers.

Slowly, she opened her eyes to the still glittering waves and sunshine across the idyllic landscape. Hel pushed to her feet. With one last look across to the growing community of New Asgard, she opened a portal back to her realm.

Loki stared at the Sorcerer Supreme in front of him. He narrowed his eyes. Hel might have assigned me to accompany him. That does not mean I have to like it.

"So," Doctor Strange crossed his arms. "How does this work?" Apparently, it was a mutual dislike for now.

"Are you not the most powerful sorcerer to walk Midgard?" Loki sneered. "One would suppose, you knew how the travel between dimensions works."

"Usually, I work with a little more information than 'Go back to the living world and talk to them'. And usually, I'd use one of the artifacts."

"Hm, well, usually, I would just walk through a portal and be done with it," Loki replied snidely. "But unfortunately, we are dead, if it escaped your notice. Thus, we need to work around that and go about this a little differently." He turned to concentrate on the ground before them.

Slowly, an intricate pattern formed. Runes interwoven with lines producing something that looked loosely like a compass or possibly a flower. White lines gained a light green glow the longer Loki waved his hand above it. Strange stood at his shoulder and watched in silence. He could at least try looking impressed.

As soon as the last line glowed green, Loki tilted his head to look back over his shoulder. "After you."

Strange looked, as if he'd been asked to pet a rattle snake. "How do I know this won't just drop me off in the middle of a dessert? Or the ocean?"

"Or a whale's belly," Loki suggested with another side glance at his travel companion. He hummed. "You do not. You have no way of controlling my spell-work since they work so differently. Although I have to admit the lack of faith in my daughter is disheartening. After the training and homing and hospitality she showed you."

To his credit, Strange didn't back down. Instead, he straightened, stared more intently at the glowing compass. "She's not here right now. You are. And you have a score to settle."

Ah. Now we're getting closer to what has been bothering him. Loki grinned. "I'm flattered you think so highly of me." You did let me fall for thirty minutes. Not far off to assume I might want to get even for that… "Unfortunately, my daughter gave me exact instructions to accompany you to your friend in New York to share our knowledge and send him on his way towards the Avengers. No tricks or backdoors. Just directly there and back here to report."

"Because you have such a reputation for being honest."

Quicker than the eye could follow, Loki had Strange by the throat, feet scrabbling on the floor. "I really thought you were cleverer," he hissed, "Do not ever speak to me like that again." Without waiting for an answer and just as quickly, Loki released the other and turned back to his portal. "If you would prefer to stay behind, I understand. But this portal will not hold for much longer."

This time, Strange stepped forward without saying another word. In silence the two of them stepped into the middle of the compass. Loki mumbled a word under his breath. At first, nothing happened. Strange turned to give him a look. And then the floor parted beneath their feet. The rainbow of the Bifrøst swirled around them.

I missed this. The feeling of flying without the fear of where I might land or where I left. The freedom offered to those knowledgeable enough to work around both the Allfather's tight control and Heimdal's all-seeing eyes. Loki took a deep breath. No one will throw me off this time either. I know my daughter. I have my hellspawn back.

The end of their journey came just as sudden as their departure. Strange took a steadying step to the side, already peering around himself to gain his bearings. "We," he paused, staring at the ruined staircase, "We're back."

Loki followed his gaze to a distinctly hulk-shaped hole in the wooden steps leading up to the next floor. Someone had added a few new planks to bridge the gap, but only the same hole in the roof was entirely patched. "It looks less impressive than the glimpse I caught last time."

"That tends to happen, when you have to cover for the Sorcerer Supreme and coordinate missing sorcerers across all continents," someone said. A man stepped out from one of the rooms branching off of the entrance hall. He looked Strange and Loki over with obvious mistrust in his eyes. "Who are you?"

Strange stared at the other mortal. "Wong. It, it's me. Stephen Strange. I know this might seem suspicious, but we're really here. It's a long story."

"Then you better get talking."

"Oh great," Loki flicked his fingers and a table set with small snacks and drinks appeared, "Time for a luncheon." Neither of the others followed his lead to sit and eat. Loki rolled his eyes as he leaned back in his chair to watch the exchange between the sorcerers.

At the end of Strange's explanation, Wong blinked in silence for so long, Loki feared, he might have frozen. Finally, Wong found his voice again. "So, when Thanos snapped with the collection of all infinity stones, you crumbled to dust. But you didn't get drawn into the soul realm like all others and instead landed in the mythological realm of the dead with its goddess, who is his," he nodded towards Loki, "daughter. And she lets you train and plans to defeat Thanos in a second attempt."

"Well that certainly makes it sound a lot less impressive than it actually is," Loki said. He took the time to sip from his drink. "But, in essence, yes. We are here to inform you about what we found out and request you join the Avengers as their personal counsellor on magic."

"Informing the others might help," Strange added, "If you have the time, put out your feelers how many of them would be willing to fight beside us. We need any help we can get against Thanos."

Loki kept his face blank. He is not dumb I have to admit. Maybe Hel was right to grab him before the Soul Stone could. However-many mortal sorcerers are on our side, it will be better than our current numbers. And if they train with Thor's friends, they might actually be able to help with more than ambience lighting. The image of running through golden sparking portals flashed in his mind followed by the other tricks Strange had shown himself capable of in the past. Yes, that might be helpful.

Wong looked at them in silence for a long moment. Then, he nodded once. "Yes, I suppose, I could arrange a meeting at least. Our numbers are greatly diminished after the past few incidents. Some of them might not want to fight and choose to keep their sanctums safe."

"Which is also a valiant choice. No one will be forced to fight," Loki quickly offered. "However-many decide to stand with us are greatly appreciated. Thanos is very powerful, far beyond either of your wildest imaginations." He allowed a calming breath. "They should be aware of whom they go up against, even though they will not do that alone."

"I fought against Thanos. I suppose I have an inkling of what he is capable of."

"Sure. An inkling." Loki crossed his arms.

The sorcerers blinked at him in unison.

Strange was the first to move towards Wong, with a look back at Loki. "Would you mind leaving us alone for a moment to plan our further steps? I assure you I will not work against our host but I suppose the other sorcerers will want some kind of evidence that I am indeed behind this and not someone else."

Clever once more, Loki thought. Then again, not an unbelievable explanation for that. His eyes glided over the two mortals and the house half fixed around them. Not many repair people around to do the work on secret and magical locations at this time I suppose.

Loki hummed. "I suppose you can work on that. I will just," his eyes roamed the entrance hall again before they landed back on Strange. "spend some time here."

They nodded at each other and both sorcerers disappeared up the half-ruined stairs.

Loki's gaze returned to the stairs, the roof, a missing vase. I could make myself useful around here while they discuss their organisation. His power crackled along his fingers. The table, chairs and food dissipated. He turned to face the damage done by Hulk sent through the Bifrøst.

With a wave of his hand, the stairs repaired themselves to perfection. Whatever fights or falls of either Asgardian or Midgardian bodies had left their marks disappeared. Another swish and they took on a polished shine free of any blemishes.

"If I am already on it," Loki tilted his head to look at the ceiling. The parquet mended itself seamlessly back together, any scratches left behind disappeared. "Better."

The vase was next. The shards were not around anymore of course. Those would have been a hazard to any of the house's inhabitants. Although that was not a problem. Loki looked at the vase on the other side of the sweeping staircase. Hm, simple duplication spell should do it.

Within the next few minutes, a new vase sat hale on the other side of the railing. Now the entrance hall looked like he remembered it from the brief glance he got on his first meeting with Strange. After falling through an endless void for far too long, but well, I can always repay the favour sometime after Hel does not require his assistance or aid anymore.

Steps approached. Loki turned and found Wong staring around the entrance hall in slight awe. "I did not expect that."

Loki smirked to himself. "Oh, it is nothing. Just a little flourish." His eyes scanned his handywork once more. "So, what did your friends decide?"

"They will help our cause," Strange replied. His tone remained neutral, but his eyes were darting around the room with thinly veiled appreciation. "Some of them were reluctant but once I told them our plans and the planned support system among the troops, they were more willing to acquiesce to the request."

"Sorcerers tend to be more solitary in their protection of the world as we know it," Wong said as if that explained anything. "Thanos is a threat to all of us and as such all of them will answer the call to free their fallen comrades of their suffering. Some might even be of use in the development of weapons."

"Hel will be delighted to hear about this development." Loki stepped towards Strange. "Now, we really must return. Otherwise, there might be dire consequences."

"Couldn't you have managed earlier?"

"Why would I?" Loki smirked. "Hel is a powerful goddess, but we are still technically dead. There is nothing she could do about that and the border between life and death can only be stretched for so long without causing permanent damage."

"Wonderful," Wong said without any inflection.

Strange rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So, back underground it is."

"Not necessarily underground, but I also do not feel like explaining the intricacies of our worlds to you." Loki swirled his hand and another compass rose appeared in the middle of the entrance hall. "Now say your goodbyes and let us return and report to the others." He waved in Wong's direction before stepping into the compass without a look back.