My retching bounces off the tiles of the bathroom, my throat burning as I heave into the toilet, vomiting out bile from an empty stomach. I groan weakly, my eyes puffy as dried tears stain my cheeks, and cough repeatedly, clearing my scratched throat. Spitting out the remnants, purging my mouth, I lean back and wipe my sleeve across my lips. Panting, my breath hot, I clutch at my jumper, uncomfortable and irritated, and peel it from my clammy skin, wrenching it off me and throwing it into the corner.
My centre feeling hollow, a scooped out absence of vitality, I remain kneeling, my breathing rough and haggard. My fingers claw at my thighs as they clench into fists, my strength creaking bones as I try to remain calm. The thought of giving myself over to meditation, to mute my emotions and concede, plagues my every moment, but I know better. This, actions taken for the betterment of myself and others, is not going to be a one-time occurrence, an outlier that I've forced myself to commit.
My life, beyond Thanos and his fucking delusions, beyond this world and its inherent divide of humanity, the clashing of groups, is guaranteed to be one of conflict. Call it the curse of the cultivator, combat following my existence, but I know what awaits my future, the results of my choices my own. From my first awakening in the Grand Temple, to the first step outside its walls and my swim across water, sorcery within my reach, I understood how my life was going to proceed.
But that doesn't make it any easier.
Slowly unclenching my tight fists, feeling them shake with strain, I slide a foot out from under me and stand lifelessly, drained of energy. I stagger, my legs weak, and catch myself on the wall, falling onto it. Resting my forehead on the cool tile for a moment, my eyes closed, I sigh, then gather my strength and push off. Moving over to the sink, keeping my eyes down to avoiding looking in the mirror, I turn on the tap, leaning in and splashing my face, scrubbing at my skin.
I rinse my mouth, gurgling some water and removing the taste, then spit out and brace on the porcelain, arms supporting my weight. The cold water drips down my face, gathering on my eyelashes and running down my neck, when I draw in a deep breath, filling my lungs. Grabbing a towel from the rack, I pat myself drying, then hang it up and leave the bathroom, exiting out into my room. I walk across the wood, around my bed, and open up the wardrobe, pulling my soaked top over my head and changing into a new one; grey, long-sleeve.
As I run my hands through my hair, puffing it up and sorting it out, a rattle of metal on metal, tiny claws tapping at small bars, calls me. Turning my eyes to the cause, the grey body of Splinter standing up at me, a smile breaks out on my lips, a lightening of dark sky. His beady, black eyes stare across at me, his nose and whiskers twitching, as I open up his home and reach in, his fur pressing against my palm. He allows himself to be picked and drawn out, putting up no resistance, patting at my nose as I hold him close.
The relief I felt once I discovered he was safe and sound, no harm having come to him as a result of my actions, almost brought me to my knees. Kissing him on his little head as he fidgets, I whisper to him as he looks up at me, his quick breaths brushing my fingers, "What do you think, Splinter? Should we say fuck it and bury it deep?" He gives no response, why would he, as I stroke his fur, feeling the bumps of his spine, "...In for a penny, in for a pound?"
Splinter offers a quiet squeak in reply, causing me to laugh and carefully tap his nose. Lifting him up, I place him on my head, perching him atop it, his feet tangling in my hair, and say,
"Exactly what I was thinking."
The portal chamber, home to the open gateways used to facilitate the Avengers travel, is empty of traffic, its red-painted walls lit by reflected sorcery. Walking up to the one in the centre, the blue and grey of the Statesman visible, I step through, my slippers sliding across metal. The space dedicated to storage, various containers full of to-be-distributed necessities, I walk through it unobstructed and exit out in to a long hallway. The alien design, reminiscent of a Silver Age comic panel, the hand and mind of Jack Kirby at work, draws my eye.
I try not to get lost the lines as they tickle my brain, and focus on following the path to my destination. The Asgardians I pass, warriors and survivors both, give strange looks to Splinter on my skull, but still offer greetings, which I return with a wave or a nod. Passing by rooms and halls, trekking down passageways, I come out into the Bridge, guarded by two said warriors. Einherjar, if I remember correctly from my lessons on Asgard at Kamar-Taj, protected by ornate armour, cape donning their backs.
My approach is met by a pair of crossed, double-tipped spears, blocking the gap between them as one barks, "Halt!" I do as they say, stopping before them and looking into the area beyond, the attention of who I've come for turning to us, "State your business." I point through to the nearing man, replying,
"I'm here to meet your king."
As the footfalls close in, one guard looks behind them, standing at attention at the arrival of the man and smacking a fist over his heart, "My king!" Thor, his eye still covered by the metal patch, his hair still short and cropped, slaps the guard on his shoulder with a laugh,
"I see you've stopped Lady Sarah!" He looks between us, offering me a smile, then says to the guard, "I've told the Einherjar that's there is no need for all this, not now."
I watch as a reluctant, but sincere, expression appears on the face of the guard, as he lowers his head and replies, "Of course, my king. But, Lady Valkyrie..."
Thor shakes the guard lightly, pushing his shoulder, "I know, I know. But," he whispers, "what she doesn't know won't hurt her, will it?" He slaps again, the guard bearing his strength, and orders, "Now, go take a break, that's an order from your king. Leave Lady Sarah with me, she's no enemy of Asgard." The Einherjar exchange looks, a nervous energy to them, then face Thor and salute, bowing slightly,
""My king!"" They turn and brush pass me, walking away in a controlled march until they turn a corner, out of sight, the shuffle of their feet quickening as they rush away. Laughing slightly, I look to Thor, who watches me, and offer,
"Hey?"
He smiles a polite smile, our relationship little more than cordial, not exactly friends, and explains, "My apologies, Sarah. Valkyrie has been quite demanding with security, as of late. Not my choice, but it helps her, I feel."
I wave off his words, not really caring, "Don't worry about it." He continues to stare, so I state, "Right, yes. So, things are kinda stable back on earth, and that got me wondering. Have you thought any about re-arming yourself, what with your hammer...?" Thor's hand unconsciously drifts down to his side, belt-level, before he catches himself and quickly says,
"Ah, I have indeed. But, there has been little opportunity to journey, many an issue requiring my attention." I nod at his reply, his worries lining up with my thoughts, leading me to reveal,
"That's where I come in, I hope." He offers me a curious look, so I continue, "With the strength of our coming enemy, it'd be best if you were at full power, no? For all our sakes."
Thor, a serious look on his face as he replies, swings his arm as if equipped, swiping at air, "Aye! With one swing of my hammer, I'd part the Mad Titan from his skull, putting an end to his terror!" His expression slowly falls, his actions stopping, his eyes downcast, "Alas, it's a four-day round trip to Nidavellir, time that I cannot spare apart from my people."
I interrupt his depressive spiralling, I've enough of that to deal with on my own, and tell, "Thor." I call, getting him to focus on me, "Have you forgotten who you're talking to?" Confusion show on his face, before the light of realisation appears in his eyes,
"Of course! You're a Wizardess!" His light then dims, as he asks, hesitantly, "But, the distance involved… Is it not too great?"
I shake my head in reply, "Nah, not to worry. We'll have to take the first trip in a ship, but now that I have an idea of this place I'll be able to send us back, cutting the time in half." I tilt my head, thinking, "Might have to leave the ship behind, though, I'm not sure I can make a portal that large."
Thor steps forward quickly, reaching out and clamping my shoulders, speaking gratefully, "Lady Sarah, I can not thank you enough." He releases me and gestures out to the Bridge, "Feel free to look around. Once I've made some preparations and informed my advisors, we can set off." Thor swiftly turns and retreats, moving away at godly speed and leaving me to stand alone. Huffing in laughter at his quick departure and seeing as I've been left to explore, I approach the front of the ship, stopping before the transparent panes, some form of glass, maybe, and gaze out.
I take in the unobstructed display of the universe, my third time in space, the light of eternal renewal reflecting in my eyes. I stare out, creation staring back, as my heartbeat starts to quicken, hands slowly rising. My body gradually leans forward, the glass forgotten, where I lay my palms, fingers extended, on the pane, its warmth surprising. My weight rests on it, pressing against it, my extremities tingling as an inch of material separates me from the void, from certain death.
I focus on nothing in particular, just taking it all in, a smile unknowingly forming at the vast beauty awaiting. One day, I think, resting against the thin barrier, content to observe the constant changing cosmos. Eventually, the minutes passing, I come back to my senses and push off, regaining my standing stance, feet flat on the metal of the ship. Sliding my hands into my Chi-green pyjama shorts, I patiently wait for the return of the vagrant king of Asgard, comfortable in the seat of the current Norse gods.
More time passing, the seconds well spent in appreciation, when the pace of booted feet reach me, quickly crossing the threshold and entering. I don't turn to the arrival as they slow and near me, their life force greater than most mortals, coming to a stop and standing beside, shoulder to shoulder. He asks quietly, his voice a rumble as he joins me in observation, "...Have you been among the stars before, Lady Sarah?"
I hum in confirmation, equally quiet, "This will be my third time." Thor turns to glance at me from his good eye, his demeanour curious but calm, allowing me time to reveal more, his aura of nascent-kingship proving his worthiness. I maintain my viewing of space, then, "Once, when I accidentally fell through material reality, and…" I softly snort, "when I was kinda kidnapped by my future self." Thor remains silent, his presence a rising pillar of reassurance, and questions, a smile in his voice,
"Are the lives of other sorcerers as exciting as yours, I wonder?"
I finally turn to him, breaking my gaze from the great, and look into his eye, replying, "More, I suppose."
Thor holds my stare for a moment, his sight deep, then turns away, his back to the window, telling, "All preparations have been made, Sarah. We can leave at any moment." Excitement buries any nervousness I feel, my first true trip beyond earth moments away. Turning away from the window, I move past him and step down the ledge, looking back to him and nodding to the door, saying,
"Come on then, lead the way." He does, leading me out of the room and down turned paths, a map of the area forming in mind, the spaceship decently-sized and well-planned. As we come to what looks like a small hanger, I feel the eyes of Thor glancing at me, so I return his look, catching him staring. With a raised eyebrow, curious, I ask, "What?"
We pass through the open entrance, two little ships docked, looking barely large enough for three people, where he questions, "I've been meaning to ask, but..." His eyes move higher, looking above me, "What is that on your head?" Tiny claws shift on my scalp, pulling my hair, as Splinter notices the attention placed on him.
Reaching up, I stroke his fur with the tips of my fingers and calm him down, whilst answering Thor, "You lived in New York for a time, and yet you don't recognise a rat?" He shakes his head in negative as he stops before one ship, the same blue and silver of the Statesman, but oblong-shaped, with some kind of rear thrusters and a pair of fins on the sides, "Thor, mate, you need to spend more time among the people." He laughs in reply as he readies the ship, unclipping a fuelling hose and pulling a switch near the front.
"I suppose you're right." He answers.
A panel in the side starts to pop out with a hiss, steam releasing as it extends and slides away, revealing the interior. Thor, facing me, raises an arm and gestures to door, "After you, fair maiden." I step forward with slight trepidation, my eyes rolling at him, and climb the two steps, entering the ship. I examine its interior with interest, the open cockpit to the right contains three black seats, one in front, two behind, each with their own control system, lit dials providing little illumination.
To my left is a, I guess, personnel area? Four cushioned benches lining the walls, metal cabinets and storage above and to the sides. The floor, the same dark metal as the rest of the interior, is marked by thick lines, coloured differently and leading to separate locations, alien text along their edges. One line, yellow, travels straight across from the cockpit, ending at the back wall and passing under a hefty door, a silver and yellow sign on its surface.
I move in, opening up the doorway for Thor to enter, and take a seat on a bench, facing the entrance. I let out a sound of pleasant surprise as I sink into the cushioning, the padding oddly comfortable, wiggling my rear into it and getting settled. Thor, having boarded and entered the cockpit, replies to my vocalisation, informing me with a note of distraction as he presses buttons, "You can thank the Grandmaster for that. The man was a hedonist to his core."
My eyes close as I release a sigh, resting my head back against the metal of the ship, feeling it begin to vibrate as it starts up. The steps of Thor see me opening them again, finding him standing over me, his hand gripping an overhead handle, "Seeing as this is your first time undergoing space travel, it would be best if you strap in up front, Sarah."
His words correct, his experience obviously greater than mine, I reply, standing, "Sure." He smiles at me as I pass him, moving to one of the back seats and sitting. I lift Splinter off me and place him on the edge of the console, his feet bracing against its lip as he stands, observing. I run a finger down his back, sharing, "You might just be the first rat in space, Splinter." I lean forward and slide my arms back, pulling the straps of the harness seatbelt over and clicking them together, then pause, wondering, "...Unless the High Evolutionary got to your lot first."
Ignoring that fleeting idea, I rest back, butterflies fluttering in my stomach as Thor takes his own seat up front, strapping in and pressing buttons. A final flick of a metal toggle above, a blue light under it showing power, sees the ship door close and the outside hanger door start to open outwards from the centre. I clutch the arms of my seat, my fingers tightening around the leathery material, a nervous smile forming, as the ship lifts off and creeps forward.
The nose gradually flies to the exit, touching and rippling a transparent barrier, the connections flashing blue and climbing over the body. The Statesman passes out of sight, the doors of its frame leaving my peripheral as we suspend unsupported in the firmament. I find myself in admiration, my hands loosening their grip, as the unobstructed universe greets my sight, the large windows providing an amazing vision.
Thor, used to the wonder, I suppose, speaks up before me, detailing, "So, the plan going forward is simple. We'll travel through about thirty Jump Points until we reach the boundary of Yggdrasil." He manipulates the steering before him, tilting it slightly, the ship responding, "From there, it's a two day straight shot to Nidavellir, home of the greatest smiths in all the realms." He pauses, before realising, "Oh, Jump Points are similar to your portals, Wizardess, expect open to all who need them."
Already aware of the nature of which he talks, having seen them in action in the movies, I reply to his plan, curious, "Why can't we simply take these Jump Points directly to this Nidavellir?"
Thor responds, answering, informing me patiently, "Since the founding of Asgard's rule of the Nine Realms, my family has forbidden the operation of Jump Points within the nexus of Yggdrasil. I grew up vaguely aware of their existence, and believed I understood the wisdom of my ancestors, but now... I'm not so sure." He quiets, then, "We protected the realms and kept them safe from invaders and outsiders, acting as peacekeepers. Then why..." He trails off, his thoughts unknown as he falls silent, absently operating the ship to its first destination.
Though interested in his thinking, curious as to his millennia of life and his growing perception of his and his peoples standing, I instead state, moving on, "...I don't think that's quite true, Thor." He awakens from his contemplation, looking back at me with confusion, "About fourty years ago, before I was even born, a fleet led by some Kree Accusers used one these Jump Points to try and attack earth."
His confusion fades, a slow nod given to me as he admits,"Well, the system wasn't perfect. Some with the know-how, such as the Kree, could sometimes evade our perception. Even of one such as All-Seeing Heimdall." He turns back around to focus, watching a screen, then looks over his shoulder, reminding, "We're coming up on the first Jump. Depending on your tolerance, you might feel a nauseous; it varies from person to person."
I raise him a thumbs up, signalling my understanding, then grip at the belts for support, drawing in slow breath of recycled air. Centring my perception, coupling myself to the present and levelling worry of the potential, I stare out. I see the hand of Thor click in an orange button, the screen to his side flickering and changing it's display, when a yellow light from beyond suddenly shines on my face. I keep my eyes open as a large, hexagonal portal, its edges branching out and shaking, blinks into existence.
It pulses slightly, at a growing rate, as we close in, the nose of the ship nearing the dark space. It touches, crossing an inch into the black, its shell vibrating slightly, before my senses feel the warp, the space around us shifting. My breath attempts to escape my lungs as we vanish from our previous position, launched forward at mind-boggling speeds, crossing an incredibly vast gulf of space. An undulating mass of black and gold nebulas surround us as we travel, its webs breaking over us as we pass.
We emerge out the other side with a shake, a purple region of rainbow clouds and silver stars encircling us. The light of a nearby alien sun washes over us, warming my skin, before beginning to steadily hide, a blanket of shadow climbing over and draping us. I bend over and turn, looking up and out of the over-window to this beautiful new system for the source. My eyes widen in alarm as they lay upon a colossus; a grey-stone, humanoid face, its eyes closed as it faces us, its lips moving in silent speech.
I gaze upon it, its features unrecognisable, and grow curious to its unknown identity, but choose not to risk casting Revelation, having learned from past experiences. My breath quickens, a rising fear spiking my nerves, as its eyes slowly crack open, an incomprehensible void in reality contained within, when Thor urgently shouts, "Hold on!" He banks the ship, the force leaning me over, my blood shifting as he turns it away and speeds up, "Avoid its eyes, Sarah! Do not look under any circumstances!"
"Got it!" I shout back, following his orders. The power of the face a mystery to me, but seemingly know to Thor, I do as he says, trusting him. The shell of the ship rattles as something passes it at blinding speed, Thor spinning us to avoid whatever, my grip on my seat unbreakable. My mind abruptly blanks, a shock running through and impacting me as I detect the background Chi of nearby reality simply vanish, a devoid region instantly created. I whisper to myself, turning my head to track its position beyond the ship, "...What the fuck?"
I don't get the time to investigate, not even willing to entertain actually wanting to do it under the circumstances, as Thor rockets us ahead, pushing me back into my seat and forcing me to look straight. A second Jump Point, purple this time, similar in colour to the space around it, appears, beckoning us to it, Thor flying us quickly inside. We leave behind whatever the fuck that was, my heart racing, completely unsettled, as the nebula reappears, taking us to a new location.
This time, nothing waits for us as we appear in a simple and familiar area, the black of space and twinkling of stars visible, enormous groupings of multicoloured gas floating freely. I gather my breath, calming the beating of my heart, and ask of Thor, repeating, "Thor, buddy, what the fuck?"
He continues to operate the ship, but answers, "It's best not to ask, Sarah. If I tell you anything about it, then it will know that you know, opening you up to all sorts of trouble. Even I only have certain protection from it due in part to the nature of my being."
A sudden worry forms, so I seek, "It must be quite close to earth, right? If it's only one Jump Point away from the Statesman." Thor shifts something on the panel beside him, the ship humming momentarily, then turns in his seat, arm resting on the back, and looks to me, saying,
"No need to worry." He smiles, trying to be reassuring, "It's not malevolent, nor does it seek destruction, but that's all I can tell you." His hand pats at the seat, "Why don't you get some rest? The trip should be fairly smooth from here on out, what just happened is truly quite rare." The reasoning in what he's saying, combined with my lack of sleep, the events of this morning waiting to assault my dreams, sees me giving him a soft blink of my eyes.
Unstrapping the belts from their hold, freeing my movements, I pick up the anxious Splinter and stand, turning away from him and moving to the back, leaving, "Wake me up when if anything happens, alright?"
"Of course." He responds. I hold Splinter to my chest as I walk to a bench, then spin, falling back into it with a small groan, sinking in. I pull a pillow from my ring and tuck it under my head, shuffling until I'm comfortable, then breath out. The sectioned metal of the ceiling stares down at me as I stare up, my fatigue catching up to me. The warm circulation in the ship wraps around me as I lay, soothing me to sleep, my eyelids falling as Splinter rests in my hold, curling up and tucking in.
I drift off to the smooth rumble of the engines, the small movements of Thor as he guides us, feeling the universe around as we sail through,
Off to see the dwarves.