The transition through the Bifrost was nothing like a standard sorcerer's portal. While a Sling Ring cut a hole in space, the Bifrost felt like being fired through a cosmic railgun made of purescreaming energy.
For any other human, it would have been a nauseating blur of colors. But Satoru stood perfectly still within the rushing tunnel of light, his hands in his pockets, watching the layers of the universe peel back.
'So this is how Asgardians travel,' Satoru thought, his lips curling into a grin with a bit of envy. 'I wonder if Stark and I can find a way to replicate this…"
The transit lasted only seconds, yet he knew he had traveled across vast distances within that short amount of time. Then, the kaleidoscopic walls of the tunnel suddenly shattered outward.
Satoru landed with a light clack of his shoes on a surface that looked like polished crystal.
The roar of the energy died instantly, replaced by the comfortable sounds of his surroundings.
He didn't move. He stood in the center of a massive, domed observatory. The walls were etched with interlocking gold patterns, and through the open doorway, he could see a bridge made of shimmering, translucent rainbow light stretching toward a city of golden spires.
Directly in front of him stood a man. He was clad in heavy gold armor, his hands were resting on the hilt of a broadsword planted firmly in the center of the floor. But it was his eyes that drew Satoru's attention — they were glowing amber, like twin suns.
The man didn't look surprised as he gazed silently at Satoru.
"Welcome to Asgard, Satoru Gojo," the man said. "The first son of Odin has been notified of your arrival and will attend to you shortly."
"You know me?" Satoru blinked and pointed a finger at himself.
Heimdall nodded in response. "Odinson told me a white-haired sorcerer might yell for his name and instructed me to use the Bifrost to welcome you."
"This is called the Bifrost, huh?" Satoru noted, taking a slow 360-degree turn to admire the view outside the dome. "A bit flashy, but I like the aesthetic, it's very 'future-chic'."
"Anyway, since you know my name. Who are you?" Satoru stopped turning to face Heimdall and asked.
"I am Heimdall, gatekeeper of Asgard." Heimdall said.
"Heimdall, huh? Nice name," Satoru said, shoving his hands back into his pockets. "So, you're the guy who runs this lighthouse, huh? Must be a quiet gig seeing nobody's around but you."
"I see all that transpires in the Nine Realms, Satoru Gojo," Heimdall replied, his voice deep and steady. "It is rarely quiet and I'm enough to guard the Bifrost trusted by my king."
"Step back," Heimdall commanded suddenly.
"Ehh? Why? Did I park in the wrong spot?" Satoru asked, though he casually hopped a few steps back without much effort.
"The Prince was in the far reaches of space searching for the Infinity Stones," Heimdall explained as he began to turn his massive sword in its pedestal. "He was notified of your call and is returning now to welcome you personally."
The air in the center of the observatory began to hum. Sparks of lightning danced across the golden patterns on the floor, and the wind started to pick up, whipping Satoru's white hair around. A violent burst of energy slammed into the crystal floor, and through the fading light, Thor appeared.
"GOJO! MY BRAVE COMRADE!" Thor boomed, his voice echoing off the walls. He strode forward and slapped a hand onto Satoru's shoulder. However, it abruptly stopped and just hovered there above his shoulder. Thor looked on with a raised brow, confused.
"Hey, Thor. Nice to see you too," Satoru didn't bother explaining and just clasped Thor's hovering hand for a handshake. "Gotta say, I like your Bifrost. What do you think of having Stark and I have a look at it?"
"Stark? Here?" Thor thought about it for a moment before he shook his head with a wry smile. ""He would probably try to take it apart with a screwdriver. My father would have his head. But, come, let us walk. Asgard's beaty is best seen on foot."
They stepped out of the observatory and onto the Rainbow Bridge. The surface beneath Satoru's boots felt like humming glass, and the view of the star-filled void below was a feast for his Six Eyes. As they walked toward the golden spires of the city, Satoru decided to get down to business.
"Look, Thor, I'm definitely here for the food you've promised," Satoru started as they strutted on the rainbow bridge. "But that's not the main reason I came. I'm looking for a blacksmith. And I don't mean just some guy. I need someone who can handle the big leagues."
Thor tilted his head, his red cape snapping in the wind. "A smith? Asgard has the finest in the Nine Realms. What is it you seek to forge?"
Satoru glanced back at Heimdall for a second, then lowered his voice slightly. "I need an artifact. Something to house that yellow pebble I picked up in Norway. I've got a chunk of Vibranium from Stark to use as a base, but if the smith you know is good… I'll leave it to the artists to decide what's best."
Thor's expression turned serious. He knew exactly what 'pebble' Satoru was talking about. "Vibranium is strong, but to hold the power of an Infinity Stone... that is a heavy task. If it is a relic of power you need, there is only one place to go. Nidavellir, the homeworld of the dwarves. But the smiths there do not work for just anyone."
"Well, that's why I have you big guy!" Satoru smirked and began rubbing his hands like a fawning merchant. "You're not just anyone, right? There's no way they would deny you, right?"
"Indeed," Thor grinned back, falling for it like a sucker. "I shall take you to Eitri's kin. But first! We eat. No man, not even a powerful sorcerer such as you, should talk to a dwarf on an empty stomach. Apple Mead Honey Cake and Asgardian Ale awaits!":
"Honey-cakes, huh?" Satoru's interest piqued. Then he thought. 'I don't know about Ale though, I don't mess with alcohol, but…'
"Lead the way, big guy. If they're as good as you say, I might just move here."
Thor and Satoru walked side-by-side, Thor's massive arm draped over Satoru's shoulders while Satoru threw an arm around the other's waist, looking like two old friends coming home from a long night out. Their laughter echoed across the shimmering bridge.
…
[ Meanwhile — Nidavellir ]
Nidavellir, usually a place of deafening hammer strikes and the blinding orange glow of a harnessed neutron star, was choked by a terrifying and heavy silence. The massive rings that orbited the star were no longer spinning.
Instead, they groaned under the weight of multiple massive obsidian-colored warships that had latched onto the structure.
On the central forge floor, the giant dwarves — the greatest smiths in the universe — lay scattered. Some were unconscious, others dead, their legendary strength no match for the overwhelming force that had descended upon them.
In the center of the carnage stood a towering figure. He wore heavy, gold-and-purple armor that seemed to absorb the light of the star. His skin was purple, and his eyes were cold.
Thanos, the Mad Titan, looked down at the King of the Dwarves. Eitri was slumped against his own anvil, his massive hands trembling as he stared up at the monster before him.
"The mold is ready," a voice rasped from the shadows. Proxima Midnight stepped forward, her spear gleaming with a cruel light. Beside her, Corvus Glaive wiped black ichor from his blade. "The work can begin."
Thanos didn't look at his underlings. He kept his gaze on Eitri. "I require a gauntlet, Dwarf. One that can withstand the weight of the universe. Forge it, and your people may see the sun rise again."
Eitri spit a mouthful of blood onto the cold metal floor. "Why… I already told you… You cannot contain that power you seek."
Thanos stepped closer, the sheer pressure of his presence making the air feel thick. "I do not seek to rule with power, Dwarf. All I seek is balance. Now, stoke the fires. Or watch the last of your kind vanish into the dark."
High above, hidden in the shadows of a cooling ring, Ebony Maw watched the star-fire flicker. He turned his head slightly, his senses tingling. "Sire," he whispered. "The dwarves will have guests."
Thanos finally looked up toward the unknown reaches of space. "So it seems. Let them come and bear witness to the birth of the inevitable."
...
[Author's Notes]: If I want to show my appreciation, might as well not be cheap with it, right? So, here are three for the day. That's it, no more. Or else, my patrons will start a riot, just gotta work hard and placate them with chapters somehow.
[ Insert squander GIF ]
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