Talk was cheap.
But after her bold words, Jane Foster's feet didn't move. She stood rooted in place as though glued to the ground.
Hawk chuckled. "Afraid?"
"No." Jane shook her head, her eyes fixed on the sealed Aether. Then she glanced at him. "You said Thor's grandfather Bor sealed it?"
"Yes."
"Then he must've done it because this thing is dangerous, right?"
"…Correct."
"Then there's no way I'm walking up to it."
She spread her hands, resolve firm. "You want me to help you unleash something Thor's grandfather himself locked away? Forget it."
Hawk raised a brow, studying her. Their gazes clashed—Jane's was ironclad, as if staring down a villain, prepared to resist to the end.
If she hadn't known the truth, maybe. But now? Knowing Bor had judged it too dangerous to exist, how could she willingly release it?
Yet…
Her tone softened. "But thanks for being honest. You could've lied. You didn't."
"No need to thank me." Hawk smiled faintly and turned back toward the crimson fluid churning in its black prison.
There were lines he refused to cross. He could have deceived her, yes—but once you start, there's no end. And Hawk had no interest in becoming that kind of man.
Silence fell again. The dimension seemed to press down heavier than before.
Jane fidgeted. She wanted to speak, then thought better of it. Minutes slipped by before she finally broke.
"That thing dragged you in here. If we don't let it out, we're not leaving, are we?"
"This is the only way—for now," Hawk said.
Her ears caught the subtle word. "…For now?"
He nodded. "If you refuse, we could wait. Maybe ten months, maybe longer. Once I've mastered the Sixth Sense, I could withstand Bor's seal, take the Aether myself, and walk us out."
Jane's mouth dropped. "Ten months?!"
"Maybe longer." He shrugged. "Why? In a rush?"
"You're not?"
"I came for this. Until I have it, I'm not leaving." His tone was calm, matter-of-fact.
Her chest tightened. He could toss out ten months like it was nothing. She couldn't.
And so, at last, she moved. Step by slow step, she edged forward, until she stood within reach of the device's lightning range. "You're certain it won't attack me?"
"I've never lied to you." Hawk's smile held. "It's my best guess."
Her glare burned hotter.
"But," he added, "if it does strike you, I'll pull you out alive."
Jane bit down a curse, turned back toward the construct, and forced herself forward.
Nothing happened.
Her eyes widened, then brightened. Another step. Then another. Still nothing.
She was at the seal itself now, the Aether within thrashing violently, hammering against its prison like a beast desperate to escape.
Fear prickled her skin. She glanced back. "How dangerous is it?"
"That depends," Hawk replied evenly.
"Depends? On what?"
"On who wields it. In Malekith's hands, it was a weapon to drown the Nine Realms in darkness. That's why Bor locked it away."
"And you?" Her brow furrowed. "If you claim it—what then?"
His answer was simple. Calm.
"To save my sister."
Jane blinked. "Your… sister?"
He nodded. "She died. September 10th, 2009. But her soul isn't gone. She's in Hell, waiting for me to bring her home."
Jane's heart lurched. A name surfaced, whispered once by Thor in their time together. "…Mephisto?"
Hawk's smile didn't waver. "Exactly. Mephisto's Hell."
Jane exhaled, staring back at the writhing Aether. "Fine. You haven't lied yet—I'll believe you. So what do I do?"
"Nothing. You'll free it. That alone will break Bor's seal. But the moment you do, it will latch onto you. I can't stop that."
Jane's stomach knotted. "…Then I die?"
"No. It'll drain your life force, but not kill you. Not if I tear it free in time."
"And you can?"
"Yes."
She hesitated, then grit her teeth. "So either way, to get out, we have to release this damn thing. But you'll make sure it doesn't kill me."
"Correct."
"…Then let's do it."
She turned to face the seal, squared her shoulders, and lifted her hand. "I'll count to three."
Hawk's senses sharpened to a razor's edge, eyes locked on her movements.
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
BOOM.
(End of Chapter)
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