Su Zhan greeted Thor with calm confidence, catching the God of Thunder off guard. "Thor, God of Thunder! Hello, my name is Su Zhan," he said, studying Thor with genuine curiosity.
Thor was momentarily surprised by Su Zhan's composure, then replied, "I know you, Su Zhan. You're a consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D."
Su Zhan smiled. "Yes, so I'm barely considered one of your own. I'll be direct. I'm here for the Aether. I can control it, though I doubt most of you will believe me. How about I just go to Asgard with you?"
Thor's expression grew serious. "The Aether is extremely powerful and dangerous. No one can control it." He clearly did not believe Su Zhan's claim. However, he added, "If you're willing, it's best to come with me to Asgard."
"Why not? I'm very curious about Asgard!" Su Zhan replied, shrugging with a friendly smile.
Thor lifted his head and called out, "Heimdall!" In response, the brilliant light of the Bifrost enveloped them both, instantly teleporting them to Asgard.
As the swirling colors faded, Su Zhan found himself standing before the grandeur of the Rainbow Bridge. The universe stretched out behind him, mysterious and vast. Ahead stood Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard. He was dressed in golden armor and held his massive sword.
"Welcome to Asgard," Heimdal greeted Su Zhan with a dignified nod.
Su Zhan nodded in return and followed Thor across the bridge. He had seen Asgard's beauty in films and stories but witnessing it firsthand was breathtaking. The city's majesty and its shimmering towers and golden halls were more magnificent than he could have imagined.
As they walked, a black-haired woman wearing armor and carrying a shield and a sword approached them. She glanced at Su Zhan with a warrior's scrutiny. "Hey, who is this?" she asked Thor.
Before he could reply, Su Zhan smiled and introduced himself. "Hello, Sif. I'm from Earth. My name is Su Zhan."
Sif frowned slightly, her gaze cool and unimpressed. She did not like smooth talkers and preferred the company of brave warriors.
Thor gave her a reassuring nod. "I'll take him to see the healers first. I'll find you later." Su Zhan offered Sif a friendly wave, but she ignored him and continued on her way.
The inspection process in Asgard was efficient, blending magic and science in a way that felt both advanced and ancient. Su Zhan cooperated fully, knowing that none of their methods could extract the Aether from his body. The healers and inspectors soon confirmed the obvious. "The situation isn't good. We can't remove the Aether, and he may be in danger," one of them told Thor.
Thor looked at Su Zhan with concern. "Don't worry. I'll find a way to help you."
Su Zhan shrugged. "You seem to have forgotten that I said I can control it."
Thor shook his head, unconvinced. There was nothing more he could do at the moment, though. After the inspection, he arranged a guest room for Su Zhan and made it clear that Su Zhan was not allowed to leave until a solution was found.
Su Zhan did not mind at all. In fact, he was happy to stay. "Thor, could you get me a set of clothes? My style is a bit different from yours," he called out as Thor was about to leave.
Thor nodded in acknowledgment. Soon after, an attendant arrived with a set of Asgardian armor for Su Zhan. Su Zhan was delighted. Anything crafted in Asgard was renowned for its extraordinary quality and power. The armor's materials and defensive properties far surpassed anything found on Earth. It fit him perfectly, but he immediately noticed its weight. This was mostly due to his energy being occupied with supporting the Aether. Under normal circumstances, the weight would have been negligible.
"Coming to Asgard was definitely the right decision! I already have a set of armor!" Su Zhan admired his reflection, feeling satisfied. The only downside was its weight, but that was a small price to pay.
He did not rush to absorb the Aether. Instead, he decided to explore Asgard and experience its unique culture. The Asgardians were indeed friendly and hospitable. Despite being an outsider, Su Zhan faced no discrimination. On the contrary, he was warmly welcomed.
During his walk, he ran into Sif again. She frowned but said nothing.
"You seem to dislike me. Why?" Su Zhan asked, noticing her cold attitude.
He was genuinely intrigued by Sif, the famed female warrior of Asgard and a true cold goddess.
Sif pointed her blade at Su Zhan and said coldly, "You'd better disappear from my sight immediately, or my sword won't be so polite."
Su Zhan shrugged, puzzled by her hostility. Everyone else had been so friendly. why was she so cold?
An Asgardian nearby laughed. "You're brave to provoke our female warrior! Don't mind her. Sif's always like this. Even we don't dare provoke her. Only real warriors and real men can catch her eye. She hates glib talkers. This is Asgard, not Midgard, so you may have misunderstood her. If you want her favor, show her your strength and bravery. Her attitude will change!"
It seemed that strength was respected everywhere, especially in Asgard. Sif, this proud and powerful warrior, inspired both challenge and admiration in Su Zhan.
"The decision to come to Asgard was indisputably the correct one. I have already procured a set of armor!" Su Zhan's reflection was met with admiration, eliciting a sense of satisfaction. The sole drawback was the weight, but this was a negligible trade-off.
He did not hasten the process of absorbing the Aether. Instead, he elected to explore Asgard and experience its distinctive culture. The Asgardians exhibited amiable and welcoming characteristics. Despite his status as an outsider, Su Zhan encountered no discrimination. Conversely, he received a cordial welcome.
During his perambulation, Su Zhan encountered Sif once more. She exhibited a frown and remained silent.
"It appears that there is a certain degree of animosity towards me. Why?" Su Zhan inquired, observing the subject's frigid demeanor.
He was genuinely intrigued by Sif, Asgard's famed female warrior and a true cold goddess.
Sif directed her blade at Su Zhan and asserted in a cold tone, "It is best for you to vanish from my presence at once, or my sword
Su Zhan expressed bewilderment at her hostility. Everyone else had been so friendly-why was she so cold?
"The decision to come to Asgard was indisputably the correct one. I have already procured a set of armor!" Su Zhan's reflection was met with admiration, eliciting a sense of satisfaction. The sole drawback was the weight, but this was a negligible trade-off.
He did not hasten the process of absorbing the Aether. Instead, he elected to explore Asgard and experience its distinctive culture. The Asgardians exhibited amiable and welcoming characteristics. Despite his status as an outsider, Su Zhan encountered no discrimination. Conversely, he received a cordial welcome.
During his perambulation, Su Zhan encountered Sif once more. She exhibited a frown and remained silent.
"It appears that there is a certain degree of animosity towards me. Why?" Su Zhan inquired, observing the subject's frigid demeanor.
He was genuinely intrigued by Sif, Asgard's famed female warrior and a true cold goddess.
Sif directed her blade at Su Zhan and asserted in a cold tone, "It is best for you to vanish from my presence at once, or my sword
Su Zhan expressed bewilderment at her hostility. Everyone else had been so friendly-why was she so cold?
A nearby Asgardian expressed their amusement with a laugh. "Your courage to provoke our female warrior is commendable! Don't mind her. Sif's always like this-even we don't dare provoke her. Only the genuine warriors and men of true substance are capable of capturing her attention. She only harbors an animosity toward glib talkers. Don't forget this is Asgard, the kingdom of warriors, not Midgard, which is why you might have misunderstood her. If you want her favor, show your strength and bravery. Her attitude will change!"
It appeared that strength was held in high esteem across the board, particularly within the confines of Asgard. Sif, not merely a woman but a true goddess radiating pride and strength, provoked in Su Zhan a powerful sense of challenge and admiration, thus arousing within him an almost irresistible urge to conquer such an extraordinary figure.