[ Meanwhile, Nidavellir ]
Satoru was crouched on the metal floor with his tongue out, concentrating hard. He had a pencil in one hand and was sketching on a piece of parchment Eitri had given him. He looked like a kid working on a school project, his butt stuck in the air as he moved the pencil.
After a few minutes, he let out a satisfied sigh. He wiped some fake sweat from his forehead and held up the paper like it was a masterpiece. He stood up and handed the parchment to Eitri, who was waiting nearby with Thor.
The giant dwarf bent down to look at the drawing. Thor leaned in, curious to see what Satoru had come up with.
The design Satoru drew for his artifact was a sleek black blindfold artifact with a soft fabric strap and a detailed silver front brooch. The brooch was designed to hold the Mind Stone securely.
"So? What do you think?" Satoru asked, looking proud of himself.
Eitri and Thor both looked at Satoru's current blindfold, then at the drawing, and finally at the Mind Stone in Satoru's hand. Eitri was still trying to calm down after seeing an Infinity Stone that Satoru had shown him after thanking Satoru profusely.
When he heard Satoru wanted a smith to forge him an artifact, Eitri volunteered himself. It was one way to pay back their debt.
He didn't know it was a… blindfold, though.
Thor shook his head with a small smile. "Stark said back when we first met why you bother covering your eyes, is it a sorcerer thing?"
"My eyes just have their own needs," Satoru said. He looked at Eitri. "Can you do it or not? I've got the Vibranium right here."
Eitri rubbed his chin, looking at the sketch again. "Vibranium won't work, and I take it you won't like fabric for it?"
'Vibranium won't do, huh,' Satoru thought. He had assumed that since this was such a magical world, a skilled blacksmith could somehow take a dense material and turn it into something flexible but durable.
He looked at Eitri and spoke up. "I don't really want fabric. I figured since you're a 'skilled smith' and Thor here," he pointed a thumb at the Asgardian. "has mentioned about a dozen times that you're the most skilled blacksmith in the nine realms, I assumed you can make metal as thin as a thread and knit it... well, maybe I just expected too much. It's not me, it's you... cough I mean, it's you, not me... cough no wait, it's not—"
"I get it, I get it," Eitri interrupted, letting out a heavy sigh. Satoru's rambling was clearly starting to test his patience.
The giant dwarf rubbed his temples before looking back at the sketch. "Vibranium or Uru metal won't do for the blindfold itself if you want it to feel like cloth, but we can use Night-Silk from the Vanaheim Nebula. It's a rare, woven mineral that's tougher than any steel but soft to the touch. Then, I'll use the Vibranium you brought and alloy it with Uru metal to forge the silver brooch. That will keep the Stone secure and stable."
Satoru's eyes brightened. "Night-Silk and Uru? I like the sound of that. You do you, I'll leave the art to the artist. How long would it take for you to finish?"
"I'll have it done within the hour," Eitri said, already moving to work.
Satoru blinked in surprise. "That fast? I thought it;s going to take weeks, or at least days."
"The design is simple," Eitri grunted, tossing the chunk of Vibranium into a stone crucible. "The only thing that takes time is heating the materials with the star-forge and knitting the blindfold."
"Boys, it's time to work!" Eitri roared.
Four dwarves scrambled into action. They were still covered in dust from the earlier fight, but their eyes lit up at the chance to return to their craft. They worked together in operating massive levers to operate the Star Forge.
Satoru and Thor stepped back to give the dwarves space to work.
"They really don't waste time, do they?" Satoru noted, folding his arms. He watched a group of dwarves hoist a crucible glowing with molten Uru. "I thought there'd be some chanting and dancing."
Thor let out a short laugh, setting Mjolnir down on a table. "The dwarves of Nidavellir find poetry in the metal itself, Gojo. To them, the sound of the forge is the only song worth singing."
Satoru didn't answer, only silently watching the dwarves do their work.
"The Titan," Thor suddenly asked curiously,. "I heard him call himself Thanos. When you released that white light... what became of him?"
Satoru leaned back, propping his elbows on a stone ledge. "Gone," he said simply. "But not 'dead' gone. More like 'kicked out of the house' gone."
Thor frowned, looking at Satoru's profile. "Explain. Because seeing that Gauntlet he wore on his hand and after talking with Eitri, he might be the great villain I was talking to you about in my vision, who plans to gather all the stones."
"It's a displacement thing," Satoru waved a hand lazily. "My technique, White, is a total rejection of space. Anything in its path is pushed away until 'space' itself literally runs out of room to hold them. With that red stone he had, he probably survived the trip, but then again, he'll find a way back to the physical world albeit with much difficulty since it's in the mirror dimension."
"I held no knowledge regarding that particular dimension," Thor let out a heavy sigh. "and I hope your distance is enough to buy us time. I have never felt a malice like his."
"Relax, Point Break," Satoru chirped, remembering Stark calling him by that nickname. "If he shows up again, once I know what I'm dealing with, especially that red stone, I'll kick his ass."
"I know that stone," Thor contemplated before looking at Satoru. "I'll fill you in on that. But first, a question…" He hesitated, before asking. "...would you lose if he ever got to a point where he got two, or even three of the Infinity Stones?"
Satoru blinked in surprise at the unexpected implicit show of faith, then his lips stretched into a confident grin. "Nah, I'd win."
…
[ Kamar-Taj ]
Back at Kamar-Taj, the compound was a disaster. Smoke and the smell of sulfur filled the air.
Wanda, Rintrah, and Illyana were sprawled on the ground among the rubble, bruised and exhausted. Master Wong and a few other sorcerers were unconscious nearby, their robes torn and burnt.
Mordo and Belasco stood on a large rock, looking down at them. Surrounding the rock were dozens of ugly demons Belasco had summoned from Limbo. They were hissing and waiting for a chance to attack.
"It's over," Belasco said, his voice raspy as he stared at Illyana. "It's time to take the girl back to my dimension. Limbo has been dull without her."
"Wait," Mordo interrupted. He looked toward the main temple building. "We haven't found the Ancient One yet. We need to kill her first."
Belasco laughed mockingly. He turned his head to look at Mordo with a mean grin. "You're still worried about that? Our first deal doesn't really matter anymore, does it?"
Mordo frowned and gripped his relic, the Staff of the Living Tribunal, tighter. "What are you talking about?"
"The first deal you proposed was you borrowing my power and me helping you, but we sacked that deal, didn't we?" Belasco drawled, stepping closer to the edge of the boulder. "The official pact we shook a hand with was where I would help you offer your soul to the Elder God Chthon for the price of half, instead of one. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take my lovely little Rasputin back home."
Belasco jumped down from the boulder and began walking to Illyana.
Mordo narrowed his eyes, but he still needed Belasco's help. "Don't test me, demon."
"I am not testing you," Belasco smiled, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth. "I am simply reminding you, if you need my help, offer me something."
While both Mordo and Belasco were talking and arguing. Rintrah had his back facing the two villains while channeling the last of his weaver magic as he stared at the sky and beyond with desperate hope. 'Master…'
Illyana gritted her teeth, trying to summon her Soulsword, but her hands were shaking too hard. Beside her, Wanda's fingers twitched with a dying red spark.
"Not... yet..." Wanda whispered, her gaze drifting toward the sky.
'Gojo/Master Gojo…"
Suddenly—
A sudden wave of golden light washed over the courtyard. The demons hissed and backed away, their eyes burning from the radiance.
The Ancient One stepped out of a portal. She didn't carry a weapon, yet every demon in the courtyard froze in place.
"Karl," she said softly. Her voice wasn't angry; it was full of a heavy, quiet disappointment. "Is this the path you've chosen? Pacts with demons and blood on the stones of your home?"
Mordo stiffened, his grip on the Staff of the Living Tribunal tightening until his knuckles turned white. "I chose the path you forced me onto! You lied to us for centuries. You used the very power you forbade us from touching. I am simply cleaning the house you rotted."
He determinedly glared at Belasco. "I promise you, if you help me I'll give you what you want as long as it you don't go overboard."
"Now, that's more like it," Belasco licked his lips while sensing the the immense energy coming from her. "You smell of… Dormammu… It's delicious~ I think I'll enjoy tearing the life out of you."
The Ancient One didn't even look at him, nor even acknowledge him at all. Her eyes remained on Mordo. "It's not too late to back down and repent, Mordo. Haven't you done enough? Look around you," she spread her hands as if to show him. "Is this really what you wanted? Standing beside a Lord of Limbo, becoming very thing you claim to hate, Karl."
"Enough!" Mordo roared. He raised the Staff, and the Darkhold at his waist flared with a sickening light. "I don't need your lectures! I need you to die so the world can move on from your hypocrisy!"
He lunged forward, a bolt of Chaos Magic screaming from his staff. At the same time, Belasco blurred into motion, his claws extended toward the Ancient One's throat.
The Ancient One raised her hands, and two massive, intricate golden mandalas manifested. The impact of the dark magic against her shields sent a tremor through the ground.
"Rintrah! Wanda!" the Ancient One called out, her voice cutting through the roar of the battle. "Get Illyana to the New York Sanctum, now! Go to the Avengers!"
Rintrah didn't need to be told twice. He gathered the last of his strength, scooped up both Wanda and Illyana, and began to charge toward the temple doors while the Sorcerer Supreme held the line against two of the most powerful sorcerers she had ever faced to date.
…
[ Avengers Compound ]
Inside the briefing room of the Upstate Compound, the atmosphere was suffocating.
General Thaddeus Ross stood at the head of the briefing table, looking at the Avengers with a face full of frustration. Behind him, the World Security Council appeared on giant screens, their expressions just as cold.
"The world is terrified, Captain," Ross said, pointing at a file on the table. "While you saved the civilians of Sokovia, Novi Grad is gone. We've placated the Sokovian panel, but that's only temporary."
"The people are safe, General," Steve Rogers answered. "That was our main objective."
"And that's the problem," a woman from the Council interrupted. "The Avengers act like a private group with no oversight. You go wherever you want and do whatever you want. There is no accountability, it is us that shoulders the reproach of your vigilante group's conduct."
Tony Stark sat in the back, rubbing his eyes. He looked tired and clearly didn't want to be there. He already retired from the Avengers, yet it still finds its way to knock at him. Admittedly, he also felt majorly responsible for the incident; he was looking for ways, working on sponsorships and giving solace to the victims through various programs he's backing. As it is the only way for him to show his remorse.
"Stark," Ross turned to him. "Fury gave us a name: Satoru Gojo, a japanese from the sound of it. He's the one who actually vanished the city to who knows where. He's also the one currently holding the Scepter, or whatever that yellow stone is. You're hiding him."
"I'm not hiding him," Tony said, finally looking up. "Gojo is just... impossible to keep track of. He does his own thing."
"He is a walking weapon of mass destruction!" Ross yelled, slamming his hand down. "He's an unregistered combatant holding something the council doesn't have any intel of. For all the council has done, we only ask you to present him to us for questioning. So, where is he?"
"We don't know," Natasha answered simply.
"You don't know?" Ross repeated sarcastically.
"We don't know," Natasha repeated. She stared at Ross with a look that made it clear she wasn't intimidated by his yelling. "He doesn't clock in, General. He's not an Avenger, nor an employee."
Ross turned his gaze to Tony. "Stark? You're the one who's been 'collaborating' with him. My sources say you two were building something together in your lab. Surely you have a way to reach your business partner."
"Who told you that?" Stark innocently stared back, acting stupid. He shrugged. "I don't know if your source is reliable, General. You might need to look for him in case he's feeding you false gossip." Though he said that, he mentally noted to scour the compound for blabbermouths.
Ross leaned over the table, his face inches from Steve's. "If you don't produce him within forty-eight hours, we will authorize a manhunt. And anyone found aiding or abetting Satoru Gojo will be charged with—."
VROOOM!
The air in the center of the briefing room suddenly shrieked.
A ring of sparks tore through. The General stumbled back, reaching for a weapon.
But the Avengers didn't panic, they've seen this before. However, it wasn't Satoru that stumbled through the portal.
[A/N: For those wondering how Rintrah can open a portal directly in the Avenger's Compound. It's mainly because he has been here several times.]
It was Rintrah, his massive green frame crashing into the mahogany table and splintering the wood. He was panting, his fur matted with black blood and ash. In his arms, he clutched a semi-conscious Wanda and a trembling Illyana.
"Stark! Captain!" Rintrah bellowed in a panic.
"Rintrah?" Tony blurted out. "What the hell happened to you? Where's your Master?"
"The kids," Natasha whispered, seeing the state of Wanda's robes.
Ross, recovering from the shock, pointed a trembling finger at the trio. "What is this? Who are these creatures? Guards! Detain them!"
"Shut up, Ross!" Tony snapped.
Steve didn't even look at the General. He looked at Rintrah and placed a hand on his shoulders to ease him. "Rintrah, what happened to the three of you?"
"Kamar-Taj… needs help, captain…" Rintrah gasped, trying to keep his footing but failing, too exhausted.
Steve frowned, and the others around them as well except for Ross who was oblivious to what's happening. "How about Gojo?"
"He's not... on Earth..." Rintrah choked out, his eyes rolling back as the exhaustion finally took him.
...
[ Author's Notes ]:
Stone me.
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