Chapter 395: Loki's Shadow
"So it's you, Wizard—oh, wait, Master of the Mystic Arts." Thor recalled Strange's earlier correction about his title.
This caused Strange to frown slightly. So you call me 'Wizard' but call Silas 'Master of the Mystic Arts'?
"Tea?" Strange didn't dwell on it, instead conjuring a cup for Thor as well.
Thor felt his hand grow heavy and found a cup of tea had appeared. "I don't drink tea," Thor said, glancing toward Silas.
"Fine. What would you like then?" Strange had assumed Thor shared Silas's preference.
"Anything that isn't tea." Thor didn't mind the specifics; he was mainly focused on finding Loki.
As soon as he spoke, the small teacup transformed into a massive glass mug filled to the brim with beer.
"Mhm." Thor was satisfied, though he wondered how the cup had appeared.
"I keep a close watch on individuals and entities from other worlds, as they may pose a threat to this one. Your adopted brother Loki is one of them," Strange explained, justifying why he had displaced Loki.
"He's earned that," Thor said. He knew his brother's penchant for mischief all too well, especially after the incident in New York. With that, Thor drained the entire mug in one go, only to watch as the empty glass refilled itself.
Thor's eyes widened. He held the mug up to his face, genuinely impressed by the trick. "Is yours like this too?" Thor asked, gesturing to Silas's cup.
"Mhm. The feeling of an infinite refill is quite nice," Silas said, sipping his tea while listening.
Strange looked at Silas, then leaned toward Thor. "So, why did you bring him here?"
"We are looking for my father." Thor's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"So, if I tell you where Odin is, you will take your party and return to Asgard immediately?" Strange needed to remove this unstable factor. Loki's invasion of New York was etched into his memory, as was Thor's battle with the Dark Elves.
"Immediately," Thor replied. He had no reason to linger on Earth. If Jane hadn't broken up with him, he might have stayed, but now that they were over, being on Earth felt meaningless.
"Excellent. Then I can help you find him." Strange couldn't hide his grin. Getting these powerful beings off-planet as quickly as possible was the best-case scenario.
"If you knew where he was, why didn't you give me a call?" Thor asked, putting down his drink. He seemed skeptical.
"I should clarify that your father was very firm about not wanting to be disturbed. He chose a period of self-exile." Strange had considered contacting Asgard sooner, but Odin had been adamant about staying. And when Odin wants to stay, you don't exactly kick him out; Strange wasn't sure he could win that fight anyway.
"Besides, you don't have a phone," Strange added.
"But you could have sent an electronic mail. One of those 'e-mails'," Thor suggested.
"Right. Do you have a computer?"
"No. What would I need one of those for?" Thor asked, confused.
Strange sighed inwardly, mentally labeling Thor a "big dummy."
"Forget it. My father's exile ends now," Thor said, unwilling to argue. "Just tell me where he is, and I'll take him back." He took another long swig of beer.
"Fine. He's in Norway." Strange was happy to let them handle their own family drama.
As Strange stood up, the environment shifted again. Thor felt a wave of dizziness and leaned against a bookshelf. The liquid in his mug spilled onto the floor.
"Couldn't you just open a portal directly to him?" Silas asked, handing his empty cup to a Shadow Ninja.
"No. Odin placed a series of wards and enchantments around himself. I need a specific anchor to open a portal through his spatial barriers." Strange flipped through a grimoire. Even knowing the location wasn't enough; Odin's self-exile included spells that blocked standard teleportation.
"Let me see if I need to add an Asgardian modifier... hmm, looks like no."
Snap!
Strange closed the book. The scene shifted twice in rapid succession, nearly knocking Thor off his feet. Books tumbled from the shelves, and Thor's beer mug was finally emptied onto the floor.
"Is he always this... spinny?" Thor blinked, trying to regain his balance.
"Not sure. To be honest, this is only my second time meeting him," Silas replied, completely unfazed.
"I... will need a lock of your hair," Strange said, turning back to Thor.
Thor, protective of his golden locks, immediately bristled. "I'm warning you, no one touches my hair."
"OW!" Before Thor could finish his threat, Strange had blinked behind him and plucked a strand. Thor rubbed his head in annoyance. Are all Midgardian wizards this pushy?
Crackle~
The hair in Strange's hand turned bright gold and began to hum with electrical energy.
Thump!
The scene changed yet again. Thor lost his footing and tumbled down a set of stairs, rolling all the way to the bottom.
"Watch your step," Silas said, floating calmly in mid-air. In Strange's lair, the Master of the Mystic Arts was in total control of the environment.
"I knew that was coming!" Thor lied, picking himself up. This wizard was becoming a real nuisance. "Couldn't we just walk normally?" He brushed the dust off his clothes.
Strange didn't answer. He whispered an incantation and pushed his hands forward, creating a golden portal. On the other side was a lush, green coastline. Odin had sensed his son's bloodline through the hair anchor and allowed the connection.
"He's waiting for you," Strange said.
"Good." Thor looked at the prairie, his emotions complicated. He was finally going to see his father.
"Don't forget your umbrella," Strange reminded him.
Silas winced, knowing what was coming. Sure enough, Thor raised his hand to summon Mjolnir. A cacophony of crashing and shattering echoed from the floors above. The rooftop was clearly being trashed.
Strange looked at the ceiling and then back at Thor with a look of pure exhaustion.
"Sorry~" Thor said awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.
Wham!
The umbrella slammed into Thor's hand, but Strange's heart was in pieces over his damaged Sanctum.
"But first, you have to give me back my brother," Thor added, shaking glass shards off the umbrella.
"Of course." Strange couldn't wait for them to leave. He waved his hands at the ceiling.
"AHHHHH!" A scream echoed from above, getting louder until—Thud!—Loki slammed into the floor.
"I have been falling for thirty minutes!" Loki snarled, tossing his hair back. He had never been so humiliated.
"He should be much quieter now," Strange smiled.
"Indeed. I appreciate that," Thor said sincerely.
"No," Silas interjected. "The only one who can truly make him behave is the Hulk."
Loki's expression changed instantly at the mention of the Hulk. He glared at Silas. "Who are you?"
"Er... let me introduce you. This is Destiny," Thor said with a grin. "The one who turned you into a cat."
Loki's face turned a deep, thunderous shade of black.
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