Chapter 7
7:
All Steve could taste was smoke, if the gritty taste in his mouth can attest to that. He was planted face first to the rough snow, feeling the difference of temperature of the other man's arms. The hammer hummed still within his grip. He could actually feel the electricity again coursing through his veins, pushing him to dosomething. Anything. He braced his arms and pushed himself up and realeasing himself from the other man's arms. Shaking his head to clear the brief dizziness, he made the mistake of looking back.
The place right behind him was supposed to be the cabin. Now it was ruins, wrapped fresh in flames. Blackened timber and all other kinds of debris went flying everywhere and the smoke was combining with the harsh winter winds. Thankfully the snow already stopped falling, for Steve became colder and more fearful than ever.
In the midst of the desolation, there was a figure far larger than the average human. far taller than his companion and would be murderer. Steve focused his eyes and the creature's body seemed to be covered with some sort of a heavy metal plating. Its head was also covered in metal armor with its face visible. However instead of a face, it was a flame. A really fiery bright flame, warming Steve up a little even paces away.
"Thor, what's that?" Steve asked again, eyeing the monstrosity with undisguised fear. His hammer-wielding right hand was trembling.
Thor muttered something under his breath but before Steve could even ask, he saw the monster coming towards them. Its footsteps were so audible Steve could feel the ground shaking with its intensity. The sense to run came to Steve just as the monster was at directly in front of him. Steve did not get the time to process what was going to happen to him when the monster lifted its arms. He felt himself being flung backwards just as the monster's fist smashed the ground where he was before.
"I already said it was a Destroyer and you still sat there waiting for your death," Thor growled right in his ear, making him a shiver a bit more than the snow around them.
Steven tried to retort, but then the Destroyer was coming to their direction. Fast. "Thor..."
"You could have let me kill you and everything would be far easier," the bigger man grunted before heaving Steve on his shoulders and started running.
"Put me down!" Steve protested. "I can walk damn it!"
"Nay!" Thor angrily replied while running on a full sprint. "I still do not have the information I need!"
"What does that thing do anyway?!" Steve asked, for there was no perfect timing on his part.
"It is a Destroyer," Thor repeated. "As the name suggests, it does not stop until it destroys its target. After all..."
"And..." Steve was half-afraid of the next sentence. After all, what could still go wrong right?
Thor's voice was ominous, an impending doom. "I am the target."
Steve just stared dumbfounded at Thor, who still continued running. The way he said it made Steve think it was normal for Thor to be hunted by a powerful armored creature. The man who wants to kill him is also running away from his killer, who is now chasing them both. Great. "Why on earth is he chasin' you?!"
"Is that your entry for the third round of questions?" the bigger man grunted as he ran faster.
Steve was stunned. "Really, that's your priority now?!"
"Of course," he could hear the other man grinning. "It is not too late to continue the tournament, aye?"
"We are being chased by a monster, Thor! Surely you can try concentrating on not letting us die!" The smaller blond man could feel his irritation and anger burning thorugh his system. It didn't help that the hammer was also humming in his hand, probably trying to push Steve to act and use its power. Well, Steve could be tempted and hit Thor's brawny head but then he will face the monter alone. He was so sure that he would be outran in no time and it will give Thor some sort of satisfaction over his unfortunate death. That's something Steve will not allow.
As he was still deciding on keeping everything relatively peaceful or start hitting the other man's head when the monster stopped running. Steve wanted to holler out in happiness until the Destroyer heaved its chest and released gigantic stream of fire. Thor probably sense the incoming danger as he changed his course and ran into the deeper parts of the snowy forest. Snow started to fall again which meant the tempearature was going to drop. Again. Combine the harsh temperature and the ongoing chase and Steve's hope was dwindling. It didn't help that the man who was carrying him was a total madman.
"Fine," Steve conceded, gritting his teeth. Too bad he has to be follow this man's insane ways or he was sure he's going to be unceremoniously dropped. "Just don't let us die!"
"Fear not mortal," Thor said, the grin still evident in his voice. "Your blood will be in my hands." He was enjoying this Steve could see, and it did not bode well for the smaller man at all. Steve ignored his comment, psuhing it to the back of his mind.
Thor continued to run faster and faster until Steven was sure they were already miles away from the monster. By that time, the snow was already falling heavily and obscuring the view and the strong winds and nightfall didn't help. The dark blond man decided to rest under one of the trees with numerous branches. He dropped Steve like a bag of potatoes and situated himself under the tree's poor shade.
Steve wanted to say that he was so sure they could be found here all over again. Additionally, Steve was sure the tree was not a proper habitat for a half-grown man of poor health. He could not argue though, for Thor already closed his eyes mumbled something about needing to lie down for a while. It seems he really needs his rest, for even someone who doesn't claim that he's human. Steve was half afraid if he would sleep under the tree by morning he was an icicle. His shirt and slacks were already in tatters and his shoes were in a far worse condition. He was not built for such a harsh climate, but what could Steve do? He was trapped in the middle of nowhere with no food or water to drink. All he had was a hammer and its crazy owner who probably did not feel any kind of hunger or cold.
The smaller man plopped beside Thor, immediately feeling the warmth emanating from the seemingly older man. Like the "heater" that Stark person was showing a few weeks ago on a carnival. He claimed he invented a device which can counteract the bleak New York winters. All the science mumbo-jumbo he was saying was Greek to Steve's ears, but he can't help comparing the device to this man right beside him. He was so... warm, something Steve never felt before. Laying the hammer between their bodies, Steve hoped the warmth was enough to keep him from turning into an ice cube.
*.*.*
When Steve woke up, he was not sure if it was still night, already day, or another day has already past. It was still too dark for Steve to see anything. It had been a long day and Steve could feel his bones cracking of too much use. He dropped his hand on the ground, feeling the thin ice under his fingertips. there was a part of him that wished everything that had happened yesterday was a dream, that he was back to Brooklyn living his normal life with Bucky. Well, as normal as it could get. But feeling of the snow dragged him back from his imaginings. It was real, he was now fighting for his life. It was cold but not as cold as Steve expected. He yawned and immediately felt something was different with him. Usually, during these cold times he was attacked by his asthma and all other diseases in his system. It was also a harder time for Bucky when Steve cannot work because he has to do extra hours for all of Steve's meds. After all the physical strain the day before, Steve was a bit surprised he didn't fall over yet.
It was too late to realize the heat he felt beside him was gone. That rose him real quick and breaking his sleepy state. He stared at the vacant part of tree with consternation. That damn man, he really left him in the wild! Filled with despair and fear, he tried looking for the next best thing which can help him survive. He felt the ground beneath his body, trying to find the hammer. He felt its familiar ridged handle and gentle hum, right there on the snow covered ground. Thor cannot carry it yet it seems.
It is impossible for Thor to just leave his hammer behind yet it was also plausible for him to leave Steve in the wild just to die. In his mind, Steve believed the latter. He wrapped his around himself, tucking the hammer in his chest. Steve sighed heavily, seeing his breath come out of his mouth. Now he must act and move before the monster catches up to him. Or worse, Thor comes back with a weapon he can actually carry. It was another possible explanation of his sudden disappearance. It doesn't matter anymore though. He must not focus on the darkness of the forest and all the other things that could be behind those trees.
"I see you have woken," came a rumbling voice. Steve's heartbeat stopped for a second before he realized it was just only Thor. As it was, he released a breath of relief. Of course, who could it be? "You missed my presence?"
He turned to the direction where the voice came from, and immediately recognized Thor's silhouette. Thor's jeering tone did not escape Steve as his eyes adjusted to the dark, Steve could see the bigger man was carrying firewood over his shoulder. He dropped it a few paces across Steve, right in the middle of the little clearing. "You're building a fire?"
Thor's look was condescending. "Yes, mortal. What could be the other use for wood in this forsaken land?"
To hit your head with, Steve wanted to respond but that little feeling of gratitude stopped him. After all, the other man gathered it for both of them, or so it seems.
"Now that I have gathered the firewood," Thor said as he sat comfortably on the ground. "It is your turn."
"My turn? What turn?" Steve's sleep-addled mind was refusing to work. Is he talking about that stupid game all over again.
"Aye, t'is your turn to gather food for us," Thor replied. "It is only fair."
Steve does not know what to say. He's going to gather food? "Like hunt?"
"Of course, do you know any other manner of gathering provision for both of us in this unvegetated area?" Thor stared at Steve like a king ordering his servant around. "After all I am quite hungry. A fat boar would be best. Now off you go!"
Steve was fuming on the inside, almost all of his instincts telling him to disobey this man just to spite him. However, his stomach was saying otherwise. His last meal yesterday was a couple of stale muffins and coffee and Steve was surprise he survived this long.
The smaller man's silence seemed to have been misunderstood by Thor. "What, brave little man? Afraid of the dark forest and the monsters lurking within?" Thor was smirking again.
Steve glared intensely at Thor, trying to reign his anger. It is not good to start the day with negative thoughts, his ma would've said. Picking up the hammer, he started to walk back into the woods. "Better be fast, little man. Show me what you can really do. And maybe after this, we can talk."
The urge to just throw the hammer back to Thor was gnawing inside Steven. Instead, he gripped the hammer tighter. He can do this, he must. He already came a long way and he would not fail this challenge. Steve will prove that man wrong. Steve is strong. He can do this, for him to survive.
*.*.*
Logan watched the little exchange before silently followed the younger man.
He already stopped asking himself why he was doing this. It seems that the answer would never come to him even if he continues thinking about it. The only clear thing to him was he would follow younger man, and that he did in silence.
It was entertaining to see him trying to execute a hunt without obvious prior knowledge. Even with the oversized hammer on his hand, he still looked like a kid. Acted like one, too. He making so much noise and was not careful with his steps. The tremble of his body might have been because of the cold, but it could also mean fear. The younger man was not equipped in this sort of environment with his tattered clothes and frail body. Logan was half-afraid he would not survive the night, but it was clear he was a fighter.
After a while, he saw the younger man sit under a barren birch with a somber face. It seems that his little fighter was giving up. Logan saw him grip the hammer tighter as tears fell from his eyes and openly sobbed. His sniffles were too audible in the scene. There was a sudden urge to approach him and just... no he won't . If he did, he would still not know what to do. And most probably the young man would run away screaming in fear. Logan would rather fight the fire breathing monster all over again.
Speaking of the creature, Logan never understood why it didn't care about him. His claws were ineffective against the metal armor for sure, but the monster paid him no mind. It just continued on walking to the cabin. It was clear the monster was a threat, yet not for him. The monster was a threat to the two men inside the cabin. All of his efforts were nothing, however because the monster released a giant ball of fire from its mouth and utterly destroyed the cabin, seemingly killing everyone inside.
Logan was stunned of what happened, but his instincts to hide kicked in when two figures were seen before the flames. He doesn't know why but he was thankful the man was still alive, which led him now here following him into the wilds. Slinking himself into the forest, he observed the younger man as he continued on crying to the heavens.He really looked like a kid who could use a sandwich or two. And a whole roasted boar. What is a sandwich, anyway?
He was pulled out of his thoughts as the little man abruptly stood up and faced the sky. Tears was still falling from his face, but he his eyes were open. The hammer hung silently in the plam of his right hand like it belonged there, just waiting to be used. Even in his slight and seemingly weak form, he looked so proud. Strength emanated from him, not of body but of spirit. Someone who could face a thousand battles and cannot be worn down.
Logan was mesmerized. He stared still at the boy, captured at the image he made. Even if he stayed in this forest for a very long time, even after this little boy would be gone, Logan knew he would remember this image forever.
*.*.*
Steve can't believe it. He actually cried, sobbed like a little boy who just lost his mother. The last time he did that was when he actually lost his mother, a terrible point of weakness. Bucky was there however, his unyielding tower of strength. Without him and his parents, Steve would have actually been lost. Maybe even dead. Now, he was alone. Something he had never experienced for the past twenty-one years of his life. He could not count Thor as a companion; Steve was so sure that the bigger man would gut if he had the chance.
Right now, Steve just wanted to face that gutting and get over it than hunt animals in this totally uninhabited area. Not even a single bird was in sight. All the trees were barren and all other plants were dead. It was so damn unlucky everything unfortunate happened to him when it was a few days shy of the first snow of winter. Or possibly this land is entirely frozen all year round.
Many times, Steve had the urge to shout if any human was around but he was afraid the fire monster would discover his location. Then he would be really and truly dead but thankfully along with that poor excuse of a non-human as he claimed to be.
Thor.
That man deserves a special place in hell, God forgive him. How dare he to order Steve around like his personal little puppy? If not for hunger, Steve would have accepted a match to the death with no hesitation. With the hammer of course.
Steve glared at the hammer. It was making him think like a blood-crazed maniac again, not that much different than its original owner. Why did the hammer chose him anyway? Why not go back to Thor and leave him alone? He knew he did not have the answers, but he knew the one man who has. Better find something to eat then before Thor's mood shifts and abruptly berserks. He's quite... calm, Steve noticed it now. Maybe because he was also tired of everything.
Steve was pulled out from his musings when he spotted an antelope within his line of sight. He immediately ran to where the antelope was all the while thinking about how lucky he was. He knew he must not let this go, all for his survival.
The blond man was anticipating a run, but he was surprised when the antelope stopped dead in the middle of its tracks. When he looked closer, he saw slash marks on both of its hind legs. Fresh blood ran in rivulets to the ground, imbibing the snow with red. Another wild animal might be in the vicinity, and it is most probably a bear or a wolf. Steve refused to think of some other creature for it messes with his brain, leaves his imagination running wild and his heartbeat steadily increasing. He looked around warily, straining his ears for any kind of sound. All he heard however were the rustles of the branche as they danced with the freezing wind.
Every fibre of Steve's being was screaming to run but he must not let the blessing past. He pulled the antelope using its forelegs and started to tread back to the little camp. Being afraid was out of the question. He faced a madman and a monster already; what more could God give?
*.*.*
When Steve arrived to the little camp, Thor warming himself beside a campfire. Looking up, he saw Steve and a bit of surprise flashed on his features as he saw was Steve was pulling. Cocking an eyebrow, he approached Steve and decided to observe what Steve got. Steve closed jhis eyes, very sue that Thor would be pissed. Again.
"You dare let me eat carrion?!" As per usual, Thor was evidently fuming when Steve arrived. Why was Steve even surprised?
"I told you Thor, it's still alive when I carried it back to you," Steve argued, trying to sound calm. To avoid angering himself to homicidal, he decided to drop the hammer to the ground just in case.
"Pulled," Thor corrected, snarling. "And do not discard of Mjolnir like he is nothing!"
"Well, I'm sorry!" Steve was getting exasperated. "Besides, that's the only animal I could find!"
Thor snorted. "You can simply say you are too weak and inexperienced to even hunt for game. Such a disgrace for someone who was proven worthy by the Mjolnir."
“Well that’s rich coming from the man who can’t even lift it,” Steve countered quietly before he could stop his mouth. There was an eerie silence before Steve found himself on a tree trunk with a very angry blond choking him, heaps of snow falling on both of them.
"My patience is wearing off mortal," Thor growled dangerously close. Puffs of cold air were coming out of his mouth from every angry have of breath. "Most Asgardians do not even want to see me in ire, but you still-"
However, Steve was too already tired of everything. "You don't have any patience at all, Thor," Steve snapped, interrupting the other man's tirade. "However, I have to admit I-" he panted "- still need you to survive on this place, and you need me to carry your hammer. So why don't you put me down and tell me what on earth is wrong with your hammer, huh?" It was getting harder for Steve to breathe as wheezed out the last of his statement.
Bewildered, Thor lessened his hold on Steve’s neck enough for the smaller man to touch the ground again. "So you admit to yourself that you are truly weak, right in front of me?"
"Even the strongest of men need some help sometimes," Steve coughed, admitting it. After all, it was true; Steve did not kill the animal. It was just by chance that some other animal injured it before running to Steve's direction. He might not know what the other animal is, it could have been an additional threat to them. Sighing, Steve asked, "So what's wrong with your hammer anyway?"
Thor slow dropped himself to the ground, beside the hammer. His fingers traced the ridged handle, but a jolt of electricity struck him and he pulled back immediately. Flinching a little, he started tell his tale...