"If you choose to act," The Ancient One said gently. "Then you must also take responsibility for what follows."
Garfield gave a small nod. "Understood, Master. Garfield will carry that weight."
The Ancient One's eyes softened. "Go…"
"Take good care of Baima. She's still just a child."
"Oh, I will~" Garfield's expression brightened.
(￣e￣)ノ
"Baima~ I'm coming for you!"
The orange blur vanished into the distance. The Ancient One watched him disappear. She turned back, slowly sat down, and poured two cups of tea.
"Since you're already here..." She said quietly.
"Why not join me for a drink?"
The space before her shimmered, twisting with quiet magic.
A moment later, Odin Allfather emerged… golden armor gleaming, Gungnir in hand.
He looked down at the tea but did not take the cup.
"You know history will shift if you interfere like this."
The Ancient One continued stirring her tea. "And yet… what must happen will still happen. Won't it?"
Odin's single eye narrowed. "What did you see with the Time Stone?"
"The future."
He paused, caught off guard by the answer. After a beat, he let out a chuckle.
"Hah. I should have never stopped collecting the Infinity Stones. But you… you've gone further than I ever did."
"Did you really merge the Great Devourer with a human soul?"
The Ancient One gave a faint smile. "I saved him when I saw him lost in the gap between time and space."
"But the fusion… that wasn't my doing."
Odin finally sat down across from her, picked up the tea, and downed it in one gulp.
He frowned. "I still think wine suits me better."
Without a word, the Ancient One flicked her wrist. A weathered porcelain bottle appeared in her palm. She handed it over with mock irritation.
"I'm running low, you know."
Odin uncorked it, inhaling deeply. "It's been ages since I smelled real wine."
dundundun
He drank most of it in a single pull. The Ancient One took a sip of her tea, then glanced over.
"What, has Queen Frigga forbidden you from drinking? Or did you drink too much last time and do something regrettable?"
"I'm Odin." He huffed.
"King of Asgard. Head of the household. Why would I—?"
"You always say that when you're lying."
Odin scratched his one eye, sheepishly. "Do I?"
She gave a light chuckle. "Three hundred years ago, Earth was invaded by beings from another dimension. I was young then, still learning… And you~"
"I should be going." Odin quickly drained his cup and stood, cutting her off.
He turned as if to leave… but the Ancient One calmly lifted her hand.
Dark energy rose from her palm, warping the air. Black blotches began to bloom on her arm, spreading quickly.
A grotesque, demonic claw started to form.
"Look…"
"At how close the corruption is."
Odin narrowed his gaze. With a motion, he summoned golden light and sent it washing over her. The dark marks receded.
"Mind your own safety."
The Ancient One's expression didn't change. "Thor and Loki will bring disaster to this realm in time."
"I won't show mercy simply because they're your sons. And the seal is weakening, you should go to her."
"I won't show mercy just because it's your disciple."
They both spoke, each echoing the other's warning with matching resentment.
Odin's face twisted into a weary grimace. He lifted the Eternal Spear, traced a path through the air, and vanished into the portal without another word.
Once he was gone, the Ancient One stood in silence.
A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
In the corner, Garfield carefully pulled his fuzzy head back around the pillar where he'd been eavesdropping, ears twitching.
Three hundred years ago...?
He scratched his chin thoughtfully, tail flicking.
"So Odin and Master might have some ancient history… Is that why he was so against Thor bringing Jane Foster to Asgard?"
Hehehe… Interesting. Very interesting.
"Old man Odin, next time Garfield visits Asgard, we're digging real deep."
(￣┰￣)
Why is Garfield here listening to grown-ups' conversation… its obviously Pandora's fault.
After all, Pandora, claimed to be a Dark Lady herself, had her own methods.
Just as he was about to leave.
"Sexy cat, don't just loiter here, someone's coming."
"Who?" Garfield asked, eyes narrowing.
"A one-eyed dragon who's hard to love."
Garfield blinked. Cyclops?
In the Marvel Universe, there were a few famous "one-eyed dragons":
Nick Fury, the eggplant.
Thor, the hammer god (sometimes).
And finally, Odin, the father of thunder himself.
Judging by the vibes, it clearly wasn't Nick Fury or Thor. That left the old man, Odin
As a curious and highly cultured orange feline, Garfield had no intention of enjoying the gossip alone. He silently opened the barrage broadcast streaming it live for his loyal fanbase.
Boom!
The moment the feed went live, the bullet comments exploded across the screen.
"You still know how to stream?!"
"You've been gone for how long?!"
"I swear I'll spoil you to death."
"He's back, baby!"
"Wait… is that the Ancient One?"
"Odin too?! What's this? Tea vs wine?"
"Dark power?! Ancient One just transformed into a demon!"
"Why does Ancient One suddenly feel like a jilted wife?"
"I smell ancient drama."
"Where's Stan Lee? Someone call him!"
"We need a warrior!"
"I come!"
"And I come again!"
"We'll take care of your wives and daughters!"
"This broadcast is illegal in 15 galaxies."
Garfield's whiskers twitched with delight. "These fans really get me."
He updated the stream title.
[Shut up, you cat-slaves. Eyes front—this is a rare opportunity.]
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Later...
"…That was suspicious."
He trotted off to find the little girl, Baima.
Following her faint scent trail, Garfield arrived at Kamar-Taj's martial arts arena.
The place was nearly empty after all, Earth's population of active sorcerers barely cracked a hundred, including aging masters and fresh apprentices.
"Too few people. Not good for group fights." Garfield muttered to himself, unimpressed.
A few students were practicing basic portal spells spinning their fingers, struggling to draw proper circles. Others sparred with glowing staves.
Among them, Baima, already past the portal stage, was focused on attack and defense training.
Before a reinforced wooden stake, she conjured a shimmering shield, then whip!
The spell struck the target, leaving a mark.
What a diligent and cute little girl.
Garfield sauntered over casually. Apprentices around him greeted him like a local celebrity.
"Hi, Garfield!"
"Hello."
"Master Garfield!"
"Hey, Ergou!"
"Can you not call me Ergou?!"
"Sure, Doug."
"Let's just keep calling him Ergou!"
The group burst into light laughter.
Naturally, Baima heard the commotion. She turned and beamed, dashing toward Garfield like a puppy seeing its owner.
"Master Garfield! You're here!"
Garfield eyed her with faux solemnity.
"You've been eating less lately, haven't you? You're lacking nutrition."
"Sex cat, have some shame!" From the soul realm, Pandora growled.
"Hey, hey, don't blame me. The little girl just wants to dote on me. It's the sacred bond of trust between people."
"You're just a furry pervert."
Cut.
(￣_, ￣)
With a smug flick of his tail, Garfield gently raised a paw.
Baima's form shimmered, she entered a light soul state. Her innocent eyes blinked with curiosity.
"Baima."
"Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Phantom your way through a treasure trove of chapters waiting on P@treon!
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