Electrify - Volume 1 Chapter 14

The next two days were quiet and uneventful, but it didn’t feel that way for even a moment. I was constantly vigilant and on edge, especially after an alien fell through a portal near the London sanctum. Fury, on the other hand completely crushed the Dooms day plan from even leaving his office. He reasoned that the less people knew about it the better, and I couldn’t help but agree with him.

On the third day, I felt another change but this time it was far too localized to be the Alignment. I rushed through the city and arrived at another breach, a hidden one. I found one Darcy Lewis and another man who were looking concerned and were searching for her friend/boss. I made this keen observation on the account of them yelling out Jane on the top of her lungs. They spotted me and ran in full sprint towards me.

“Our friend disappeared over there. Help us.” They both wheezed out.

I looked over there and saw Jane fall from 5 feet on to the road. Her grunt made the other look over there was yell in relief. Jane however looked terrified of what ever happened.

“Jane, I need to account for everything you saw, heard, felt or did behind that portal.” I said, and that caused her to glare at me.

The moment her glare landed on me, I felt as if I was threatened. I immediately activated my senses and sight to the maximum and figured out why. There was an absurd amount of energy flowing through her, it was literally the highest amount I have ever felt. It was foreign and was trying to find a way out.

“Look mister, I just went through a terrible” She stopped mid way and looked behind me.

There was a single ray of concentrated light which expanded to a blinding amount and through it walked a very tall blond God.

“Jane, are you okay? Heimdall warned me that you disappeared from his sight so I came as soon as I could.” He explained.

Jane wslked over to Thor and slapped him. However, instead of her feeling the burn in her hand, Thor was sent flying away with a burst of dark red energy. I caught the man and helped him stand up but he seemed pretty shaken up.

“How?” He said in whisper.

“Remember that cube or that scepter. It is like those objects but inside Jane.” I said.

Jane was running towards us with apologies flying out of her mouth with every step.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. There was a black jelly and I touched it and it went inside me and now, this. I am sorry.” She stopped as Thor pulled her into a hug.

“It is fine, Jane and I feel as though I deserved it after ignoring you when I last came here.” He said and kissed her.

“Now, about that weird black jelly. Tell me exactly where and in what condition did you find it in.” I asked.

“It was encased between two huge boulders but it moved like it was alive. I was mesmerized for a moment and touched it.” She and looked a bit embarrassed.

“continue Jane.” Thor said and Jane cleared her throat.

“Then, it moved suddenly and disappeared.” She said. “I tried to find my way back and stumbled through the portal.”

“So, you found a foreign portal and accidentally went through it, found a weird moving jelly and touched it, then stumbled your way back here?” I said.

“When you put it like that.” She said and her face grew a bit red.

“It sounds like a dumb moronic thing an idiot would do and get themselves killed?” I said raising my voice a bit.

“Electro, it was a mistake.” Thor said defending her.

“Fine, we need to get you tested for any contaminants or microbes.” I said and her eyes widened.

“Yes, we need to hurry.” She said and tried to move away but thor held her in place.

“If you are worried about your health, I know the perfect place for it. Also, I need to confirm my suspicion about that weird jelly.” He said and raised his hammer.

“Asgard?” I asked and he nodded.

“Is the transportation freely accessible or are there limitations?” I asked again.

“Any mortal will be killed on sight if they stumbled on to Asgard, but my friend if your are a guest, you will be treated greatly.” He said.

“I will come along for now.” I said and moved closer to them while Darcy and the guy moved away.

I gave TACT a few order if any Breaches were discovered.

“Heimdall.” Thor yelled and a bunch of colors fell on us.

I felt myself being pulled in a direction but the direction was uncertain. There were lights upon light that were blinding but it seemed to be balanced out by the pitch black between them. My internal clock registered at a minute before I found myself in a golden dome like structure. There was a black man with piercing yellow eyes holding a sword that was inside a pedestal of sorts. He looked at me and Jane for a few tense moments and pulled out the great sword.

“Prince, your father will not approve of your bringing mortals to our home.” He said is a deep voice.

“I will convince him.” Thor said and lead Jane through the door.

I had placed a tracker on Jane and Thor so I didn’t need to worry about them being lost. However, there was man in a golden armor in control of a way to travel to and from earth and he looked like he didn’t like mortals all too much.

“Boy, go with Thor.” He said addressing me.

“I would rather find out about you and this device.” I said and removed my mask.

“To what end?” He asked.

“To see if you and your people harbor a hatred for mankind, and to what extant will your people go to see it end.” I said.

“Hatred is a powerful word. We merely find your kind too small for any of those. We live for thousands of years while your lot lives for a few decades. We merely need to wait and you will all die a natural death.” He explained.

“Yet, your prince has found love in one of us.” I said.

“Because of that, we will need to console him when she dies in a few decades.” He said.

“What is this device?” I asked.

“It is called the Bridge, a way to summon the bifrost. Before you ask, the bifrost is a force that connects the realms through the roots of Yggdrasil.” He explained.

“It has a potential to destroy worlds.” I commented.

“Yes, it does, but it has only ever been used for travel.” He said.

“Hmm, I will go and explore. Surely, the realm of the gods will have a few surprises.” I said and began to walk out of the door.

“Boy, remember we do not have any intention to ever raise arms against your kind. It is for a reason why we are called world guardians.” He said.

I didn’t bother to reply and left the dome. There was a bridge that seemed to go on for a few kilometers. I began to walk and noticed the immediate detail the jumped out at me. The Asgardians loved their gold. It was every where, from the building to the clothes. I walked a brisk pace till I reached the end and the crowds were beginning to be seen. The women were exquisite and the men all seemed to tall and gruff. The Asgardian culture deemed it appropriate for the men to laugh at a boisterous volume at every sentence, while the women would only giggle at most. The vehicles were mix of extremely futuristic flying sh.i.p.s to a plain old bullock carts. There were many vendors and seemed to trade their fruits and vegetables in gold coins. I wandered around for a while till a child grabbed my hand a pulled me to a tavern.

“Here, is one of the best taverns and my father works here.” She said and opened her palm expecting some gold.

“I am not from around here. I do not have any gold.” I said and the girl nearly cried.

“Ho, why are your cry girlie? Did he do something?” a huge man said and glared at me.

“He didn’t offer me a single coin after I guided him here.” She said making a cute face.

“Boy, it is not nice to deny such a sweet thing. Go on.” He urged me.

“I am not from Asgard.” I said and the crowd fell silent.

“Then my friend, I must ask you your intentions.” He said and pulled out a huge battle axe.

“I am here with Thor.” I said and they all looked at each other.

A woman pulled out a scroll and drew a pattern and in mere moments a felt at least 50 flying vehicles converge on my location. A man who was somehow even fatter than the one with the axe jumped down and looked at me.

“Thor, mentioned that he had another visitor as well, some one with powers similar to his. Show me.” He said and pulled out an axe.

I sighed and formed a huge bolt of electricity over my head. The crowd whispered to each other and the man kept his axe away.

“Why are you not at the palace?” He asked as he waved away the soldiers and the armed cruisers.

“I wanted to see the Asgardian culture.” I said and he threw us head back in laughter.

“Well lad, let me show you.” He said and took me to a tavern. He just raised his hand a two huge mugs full of beverage appeared. “This is the Asgardian mead and you drink it whole.” He said and raised his mug.

I raised mine and felt the weight of the drink. The thing weighed like 2 kilograms, I sighed and raised my body temperature a bit. We both downed the whole thing in 2 minutes and put the mug down. He grinned at me and slapped my back.

“I didn’t expect a human to down a drink made for an Asgardian.” He laughed out.

“We have a drinks on earth as well.” I said and he laughed even louder.

“Those are like water to us and believe me even the one called vodka is like water.” He said.

Huh, so Asgardian have been visiting earth for a long time. Also, the drink was far to much for a human, I realized as I still felt the alcohol hit me. I raised my temperature even higher and burnt off he effects.

“So, I am guessing that the beauty of Asgard doesn’t just come from its taverns.” I said and stood up.

“He he, we have vast forest, mountains, valleys, plains and oceans. You will need a life time to truly enjoy it.” He said as he stood up.

“The garden of Eden, and the lake of lava, perhaps they will satisfy your need for wonder.” He said with a chuckle.

The next two hours were spent climbing a side of a mountain and trekking the rest of the way to the top. While I had seen many beautiful things, this looked like a place out of a fever dream. The Golden glow of lava against the black rocks. The lava itself was quiet beautiful, it flowed out into a valley and the slow glowing swirls. I sighed and reached out to touch it. The man yelled out and I looked towards him in surprise. Oh, right, human aren’t supposed to be able to touch lava. I chuckled and looked back at the lake, I saw a snake like creature that was about to engulf my hand. I pulled it out of the lava and slammed it to the ground.

“Hoh, you can touch a fire serpent.” He said in surprise and looked at the glowing snake. “Looks like it barely been a few hours since it hatched.”

“How can it live in the lava?” I asked and immediately felt stupid for asking the question.

“Don’t know. Never asked anyone.” He said and sighed. “Those things are rare even for me.”

“Why did it attack me?” I asked him.

“It is a test of strength and sometime if they are defeated they will follow anyone who beat them.” He said as he looked at the snake.

It was still reeling from the shock of being slammed at supersonic speed. It calmed down and looked at me. It slowly slithered towards me while leaving a trail of melted ground and climbed me till it reached my hand. It tried to get under the suit but that seemed impossible so it looked restless. I opened a section of the suit and the sn.a.k.e.d coiled around my wrist. It felt it shake and melted I to my skin forming a glowing tattoo of a horned snake.

“Hoh, I have never seen one being tamed before, if they were not so hot I would definitely get one for my self.” He said.

“I still don’t know your name.” I said and looked at him.

“Call me Volstagg.” He said and we went towards the cliff.

He called a flying ship and took me to what appears to be an sea of trees, by that I mean I could not see its end. It felt that there were many enchantments on it but they felt massive. Volstagg, took us to a gate near the beginning of the valley.

“Now, unlike last time where you could have simply been burned and killed. Here, do not do anything unless I tell you to. This is called the garden of Eden. It calls to anyone who happens to be destined for greatness. We are getting closer, tell me if you feel anything.” He said and I felt it.

It was like a craving, a seductive one. I do not have any thing to compare it to but I felt the need to just go into the forest. I was still mesmerized and almost didn’t feel the punch coming towards my face. I dodged and looked at Volstagg.

“You felt it right. That was the call of the forest. Everyone who comes here will feel it.” He said and jumped of the ship.

I followed him and felt the immensity of the size of the trees in front of me. Every leaf here was half my size and the trees felt like they were half a kilometer in length. There were golden fruits hanging from it the branches. They looked like an orange but golden in color. Volstagg gestured me to follow him and we went into the huge forest.

“These are called golden apples, any one who eats them will have a long life. I am talking about tens of thousand years. To this day, only all Father Odin has eaten them.” He said as he looked at the fruits in daze.

“Why don’t you just take one?” I asked.

“Hoh, if it were that simple, I would have eaten one as well. Only, a goddess called Idunn can pluck a fruit. No one else can.” He said.

“Why don’t you ask her then.” I asked again.

“You need to find her first. She is somewhere in this garden.” He looked at me with a grin. “Before you ask, yes people have searched for her but only those who are destined can find her. Even, then if she doesn’t want to give you one you will not get one. Thor’s younger brother has been in here for 3 thousand years and he still hasn’t returned.” He said and looked at the fruit with longing in his eyes.

“Oh, hmm.” I looked at the fruit and flew up to one. “For three thousand years? Feels like a lot why don’t you try and find him instead.”

“We tried and lost about another hundred soldiers to this garden. Only way out is know to Idunn and that is if we are not in the line of sight to the gate.” He said and gestured me to the top. “Try and take one.” He said with a grin.

I tried to pull it off and even cut it off, but the fruit did not even budge. I sighed and looked at Volstagg who was laughing at me with all his might.

“Give up lad, even the mighty Odin cannot force a fruit.” He yelled at me.

We walked back to the boat and took off for the palace. The despite the sunset being other worldly I was distracted by the call of the forest, it was still there at the back of my mind. Volstagg, lead me to the dining area where Jane, Thor and some older women where eating together.

“Electro, sorry for leaving you at the bridge. The matter was very urgent.” Thor said and pulled out a chair for me. “Volstagg, tell me you showed my friend a good time.”

“Hah, he showed me a good time as well. He tamed a flaming serpent.” He said in a loud voice.

“Electro, this is great. After all this time, finally someone has done it.” He said and looked at me expectantly.

I opened my sleeve and urged the serpent to come out. The little snake who looked slightly larger glowing pencil materialized on the tattoo and slithered his way onto my palm. Everyone stood up at the sight, while Jane hid behind the table to escape the searing heat the snake gave off. Thor immediately shield Jane behind him and looked at me.

“Best if you keep it back.” The lady said.

I simply willed the snake back into the tattoo.

“What the hell was that? How hot was it? How were you holding it? ” Jane cried out as soon as the heat was gone.

“I am pretty heat resistant.” I said and walked closer to the table.

“That was most impressive, boy. Take good care of it.” The lady said.

“Electro, this is my mother, all mother Frigga.” He introduced me to her.

“Hello, I am electro.” I said and curtly nodded at her.

“Surely, that is not your name.” She said and I chuckled.

“It is a name I chose, my other name is Maxwell Dillon.” I said and pulled off my helmet.

“Boy. You look younger than I expected.” Volstagg roared in laughter.

I felt another mind brush against mine and I immediately looked at Frigga. Her eyes widened as I closed off my mind to any intrusions.

“Apologies Maxwell. It is a force of habit. Many, years of war have changed my perception.” She said and smiled at me.

“It’s not a problem. All mind readers do it un intentionally.” I said and returned her smile. ‘but this level of communication is enough.’ I projected a though towards her.

“Mind reader? As in you can hear my thoughts.” Jane yelled out as she turned bright red.

Thor consoled her that it was fine but her face looked even more red as Thor moved close to her.

“hmmm.” She touched her chin. ‘Are you a sorcerer?’ she asked me.

‘In training.’ I replied.

“Maxwell, have a seat.” Thor said and we all took a seat.

‘If you meet my husband, show him more respect. He has killed many who failed to do so.’ She said in my mind.

‘Show respect? Where I am from, it is earned.’ I replied.

‘Tell Maxwell. Why are you here? I have seen your disregard for Jane foster and you barely consider my son a friend.’

“This is quiet good.” I Said with smile and Thor laughed.

‘To determine if Asgard was a threat to humanity.’

‘we are the world protectors, we are vowed to keep you safe from any other worldly force.’ I felt her sincerity.

‘yet, when the chitauri attacked, you only sent thor.’

‘the bifrost was unavailable at the time, my husband used greater magic to teleport or son to your world.’

I remained silent after that. The food was very delicious and I was lead to a room for the night. I sat on the chair called out the serpent, he yawned and slowly crawled onto my palm.

“Amatsu. The one who burn hotter than the flame of the sun, an elder dragon. The flames are called Amaterasu. I feels like a nice name for you.” I said and the snake nodded and shook the end of his tail in excitement.

Amatsu then slithered back into the tattoo. I knew that he eats heat and flames for survival. It was an instinctual knowledge that I gained when the tattoo had formed. Which begged the question, why the hell did he try to eat my hand? I sighed and fell onto the bed. I had a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a long day.