XV
An eerie silence saturated the chamber as Percy rose from his kneeling position.
He was shaking internally.
It seemed all to similar to the war with Gaea.
Where the Son of Poseidon and Daughter of Bellona were granted near-absolute authority to do as they pleased.
But where he shared the burden of command with Reyna, there was no such shoulder to fall back on.
He felt alone.
More than he had ever before.
He could have denied him, he knew. But he also knew that he could not. It felt anathema to resist the allure of the calling.
He was born to fight.
To destroy.
That chill gripped ever so tighter.
When he had first arrived Heimdall said his reputation was well known here. Sif and Thor had made known to him that these people were afraid of him.
That's why. Percy realized. Odin knows exactly what I am capable of.
He was under no illusion that the King of Asgard had all but stepped down and handed command over to him. What that entirely entailed was still to be seen.
He felt a lump form in the roof of his throat as his eyes darted throughout the gathered war council.
Nervousness and a healthy amount of fear settled in the air like a weighed and heavy blanket. The tension could be grasped from the air as if it were a tangible thing and not the concept it was.
The feeling of ice gripping began to fully clench around his bones but he pushed the thoughts away as he calmed himself. He would not break.
He would not give in.
"The Captain of the Palace Guard, Tyr will brief you on your responsibilities and your newfound authority." Odin intoned to him but also scanned the group before them, daring any to challenge his proclamation. "My son and I will now take our leave but do not hesitate to call upon us should you need to."
"Father, I do not think-" Thor began to protest but was immediately silenced by the King.
"No, you do not!" Odin barked, cutting through the tension and leveled a glare that spoke more than his words ever could. If he did not look his advanced age before, the King of Asgard did now. "It is done. Perseus will prevail or we will all die."
Percy did not visibly react at the ultimatum but the ice in his bones made it feel like his blood had begun to freeze. He had already heard a variation of those words. Not from Odin but from Hera, when she and the rest of the Council elevated both him and Reyna.
The Son of Poseidon simply stood stoically, with his hands clasped behind his back as he stared impassively at the gathered Asgardians.
Thor looked like he wanted to argue more but at the glare of his father, he growled and sent a scathing electric look of hatred to him before shoving past the other Asgardians and out the chamber.
It reminded him of a certain Son of Jupiter.
Percy's mind twitched at the display. He would need to be watched in case he tries to do something stupid.
Percy made the mistake of allowing the former Roman Praetor to go unshackled to the command that he believed was his.
And it had gotten him and that daughter of Aphrodite killed and almost lost them the war before it even started.
The Son of Poseidon would not allow such a thing to happen again. But for now it was time to get this situation under control, hoping that the Son of Odin would not be so stupid as to do something right at that moment.
Tyr stepped forward as Odin left the room, everyone offering a bow of respect to the King of Asgard as he did so. Even Percy as he brought an arm to his chest and mimicked the actions he had seen so many times whenever the a member of the Royal Family entered or left their presence.
"I will make it known to you, Greek, that despite your newfound authority, should you go against the good of the realm I will kill you." There was no venom in his tone, only stone and words meant to reassure those around him and probably himself as well.
The Son of Poseidon doubted it would be possible though. Not with his inherent abilities back. He may still be recovering from saving Frigga but as the day continued he would just be getting his strength back.
It would be only a matter of time before he was ready for a fight and if Malekith showed up in force, there would be no absolution for him.
He may hate using the domain of the Undine for war but he was protecting Asgard and would be saving countless innocents as he did so.
The newly anointed demigod could think of nothing better than remembering their sacrifice than using his powers as a shield once more.
Percy offered no retort and simply stared at the man and the Council before him, hands clasped behind his back. They looked wholly uncomfortable under his lack of reaction at the words.
After a moment, the grizzled Asgardian spoke. "The Executioner of Asgard is a title that was done away with many millennia ago due to a time of unprecedented peace across the realms and cosmos. I do not remember the last one."
At Percy's nod, the Asgardian continued. "The Executioner's authority is second only to the King himself. Not even the other members of the Royal Family can supersede the orders of the Executioner for it is the Executioner's duty to ensure that they need not personally enter the battlefield. Your new title and authority comes with total command of all the armies of Asgard and matters pertaining to the realm."
It was Gaea all over again.
But these were a foreign people. A foreign army and a foreign land.
The picture became ever so clearer.
The Son of Poseidon was not so stupid to think that Odin did not know what he was doing. He had seen the flashes of emotion across the King's face. He saw Percy for who he really was.
He held no ties to these people nor the realm of Asgard.
Percy could be clinicalin his campaign to ensure victory. Despite the words of Tyr, there was nothing stopping him from doing anything that might be considered draconian in nature so long as it was for the good of Asgard.
A silence descended as thoughts raced through his head of anything and everything that he knew so far of the Dark Elves and of Malekith. Those were not the only ones though everything he knew of Asgard and her people ran parallel to his thoughts of the Dark Elves. His mind quite literally working near the speed of light to process everything that he knew so far that could be useful and everything that needed to be done.
It was time to get to work. That ice in his bones had near completely taken over his blood.
"Who was the one that said that we are short on numbers from before?" Percy asked suddenly. He looked about the room as a black and silver armored Asgardian pushed himself forward, through the throng of people.
"I was." His helmet was off and tucked underneath his arm. He looked vaguely familiar.
"To begin extensive patrolling of the entire city, how many do we need."
There was another silence as the armored man mulled over the count. "How extensive?"
"Enough to make their presence felt and known." Was Percy's immediate response.
"I would say about three thousand, maybe four. We have maybe a thousand of that in the present Einherjar."
Percy turned to Tyr as he remembered that it was him that answered the King on his questions regarding the dungeons. "And how many are needed to minimally guard the prisons?"
"Currently a quarter of the available Einherjar are guarding the dungeons. If we were to leave them minimally guarded, then most would be freed from that posting and could protect the Palace proper but I do not think that is a wise course of action."
Percy had a plan. Except he wasn't sure if any of them would like it.
So it was time to get rid of the ones that would most likely be the most vocal in their protests.
Fandral intervened. "It is as I said before. We would need to recall the Einherjar Legions."
"No."
One could hear a pin drop.
Percy spoke again before anyone else could. "I understand that there is a standing army of Asgard. Begin calling them to arms and mobilizing them and putting them to work."
"That would take too long." One of the golden armored Einherjar spoke up. "The Einherjar are more than capable of handling this threat."
"I don't doubt that." Percy retorted, his voice like cutting steel. "From what I have gathered, the Einherjar are the main fighting force of Asgard and have been fighting across the realms for who knows how long."
"Nearly a year." Heimdall spoke up, his baritone voice echoing in the chamber and his amber gaze locked to Percy, who had nodded in response.
"Not only would they be arriving in piecemeal and exposed. They would be tired. Do you think that the Dark Elves would allow the best of Asgard's army to gather unmolested?" Percy questioned widely and after a silence he continued. "Begin mobilizing the regular army. Issue extensive patrol orders. Make it clear that they are to reassure the civilian population and ease their minds. While I doubt Malekith will attack so soon after his latest attempt, do not allow them to let their guard down."
"It will take some time." The black and silver armored man conceded.
"Then we better get started."
At that the Asgardian, bowed stiffly and went into the adjacent room where all the adjuncts were and began shouting orders. A multitude of voices began emanating from there.
Percy got the idea that this was a command and control center of sorts.
"The palace defenses, namely manpower. Something we are short of at the moment." Percy began once again. "Let us rectify that situation. For now, bring all information we have regarding the Dark Elf threat that you have here. Every bit of it, no matter how mundane you may think it might be. Have anyone that had fought and survived the attack to make an official report and send it here."
Another Asgardian bowed and three others followed him as they exited the room.
"We will need a place to house the regular army. To keep them in their homes would spread them thin. We also need to arm them." The familiar black and silver Asgardian returned from the adjacent room.
Percy thought for only a moment. "The areas surrounding the palace will suffice. They're expansive and should be more than enough." He turned to another black and silver armored individual. Percy assumed these were the commanders of the regular army. "See to it that the amenities are taken care of. Food, water and bedding. Nothing fancy and something that could be done in bulk. We are against the clock as it is. Use the Palace staff to help you."
The Asgardian nodded and left without another word.
"And to arm them?"
"The armories in the Palace, use the arms and armor in there."
"Those are reserved for Einherjar." Someone from within the remaining crowd spoke up.
"Not anymore." He replied instinctually before feeling a need to explain himself. He detested that feeling. "That's Asgardian steel regardless of who uses it." The other black and silver armored man hesitated before nodding reluctantly and leaving as well.
They were clearly uncomfortable with pilfering the stores of what Percy was beginning to guess was a rather lofty and highly renowned warrior caste.
They better get used to it. War was nothing if not uncomfortable. At least some here understood that even if they didn't like it.
There was still a few people in there. Namely, Sif, the two from the Warrior's Three, Heimdall and Tyr along with a handful of Palace Guard. "Fandral and Volstagg. I am putting you in charge of spreading the word of a curfew that will be in effect starting tonight."
It was then that Tyr intervened. "That will not be necessary." He stepped forward.
Percy was in his element whether he wanted to be or not. So his retort was instinctual. "And why is that?"
"A curfew will only unease the population and place unneeded stress on them. Mobilizing the armies of Asgard will already do so immensely."
The words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them. "A curfew will ensure that those that need to be out and about are the only ones out and about. As far as I am aware, the Dark Elves' are able to hide in plain sight and will only do so better at night." After a thought, he spoke. "You do it. Coming from the mouth of the Captain of the Palace Guard will only reinforce that it is from the Throne itself."
The grizzled Asgardian did not visibly react to his response.
So Percy continued his instruction. "Make it known that the Throne is taking the threat of the Dark Elves seriously. That it will be taking every single precaution to ensure their safety. I don't care how you say it. The matter is one of semantics."
The man's eyes flicked to his own at that and he saw Sif stiffen at the declaration. Percy did not mean to throw his words back into his face but if he was to win this war, he would not do so while subjecting civilians to a crossfire should a fight erupt.
Even if that cold feeling was telling him to not care about the collateral damage that was almost assured to occur.
He didn't care if he had to step on the feet of others to do what needed to be done.
"That, Captain Tyr, is the Will of Asgard."
He internally recoiled as the words left his mouth.
By the Gods, Its just like the war with Gaea.
The man bowed stiffly before barking for a couple of his subordinates to follow him.
"The rest of you with me." He pointed to a duo of guards. "Anyone asks, I'm in the dungeons." They didn't say anything and instead nodded. Heimdall took point and quickly took him, Sif, Fandral, Volstagg and a duo of Palace Guards that he recognized as those Twins to the dungeons.
Still, it was good to see, even if it was so recent, that there was a noticeable uptick in activity in the Palace. Before, it felt solemn and dead. There was still a distinct fear wafting in the air but the energy was palpable. Palace staff were scurrying to and fro with not only basic amenities but also war equipment.
They needed to do something and not be idle. Percy knew idleness led to thinking and thinking led to doubt and it only cascaded further from there.
He may have been a cynic and a pessimist when he concluded that internal disruption was the last thing he needed to deal with.
Percy was probably about to cause enough of a fuss with his next actions as it was.
But a quarter of the available Einherjar being wasted on guarding prisoners was something that could no longer be tolerated.
The trek to the lower depths of the Palace was done in silence. None wanting to speak. Probably for fear of drawing his attention, was Percy's educated guess. He had just put the Captain of the Palace Guard in his place despite his previous words of standing against him after all.
And he doubted that the man wasn't at the very least respected by all those here.
The Son of Poseidon couldn't fault them for it however. A foreign demigod being handed control of what amounted to the entirety of the Asgardian realm would be akin to Thor being handed full authority of the Olympian realm.
It was something that just didn't happen.
And yet it did.
They would chaff under his command, Percy knew, as he would if he had to be put under Thor's simply because of who he was.
Percy hated politics.
They entered the prisons with no fanfare. Hopefully, word would have spread of his appointment. He did not feel like arguing with others at the moment. He would have to do enough of it after he began this little venture.
Percy quickly took in the sight before him. Large and imposing charcoal stone walls with gold filigree edging them with Asgardian iconography while heavy silver vault like doors sat in front of the entryway, depicting an triquetra inlaid with more dull golden filigree.
Ensconced fires of everlight dotted the outer wall, making it seem more like a tomb rather than prisons that they were.
They stopped just before the doors and the four Einherjar flanking them.
"What's the count of prisoners?" Percy asked aloud. No one answered as glances shot about between the Einherjar as well as his own group. "Well?"
Sif seemingly decided to speak. "We don't know the exact number. Not after, the riots at least."
Volstagg spoke after her, shifting slightly as Percy turned to face him. "A few were killed but most were peacefully subdued after Einherjar reinforcements arrived."
"Ballpark it." Was Percy's immediate reply.
"Ballpark it?" The rotund Asgardian questioned with a confused scrunching of his eyes. "I am unfamiliar with the term."
"Estimate. How many would you guess?" The Son of Poseidon quickly corrected himself.
The man nodded and his words made Percy hiss in displeasure. "Close to nine hundred."
There was a slight pause. He would do what had to be done. "Sif, you said before that there were Asgardians down here as well. Does anyone know if they were involved in the riots?"
At that one of the Einherjar flanking the doors spoke. "They were not. The prisoners left them in their cells."
"And how many of those are in here?"
"Not many, twenty nine by the last count."
Considering Sif's words from the day before and the amount of prisoners, these were most likely marauders and other undesirables that would rather sow chaos and then left to rot in here when they were captured.
"Open the doors."
The heavy silver began to creak slightly open as two Einherjar began to slowly pull them open.
At the very least it was an ingenious layout to the designs. Despite the heavy doors, the entrance took an immediate left and devolved into a thin hallway that only allowed two to walk abreast, at most. Even if they tried to open the doors from the inside, they would only be able to fit maybe three in the thin hallway whereas on the outside, they could easily fit ten or more Asgardians to brace against the heavy doors if they needed to.
And Percy doubted that was the only security measure that the Asgardians possessed. Or at least he hoped so. The breakout didn't exactly inspire hope from within the Son of Poseidon.
Inside was a mess and he could already smell the slight death that still permeated in the confined air.
He didn't react to it though. He was, unfortunately, well acquainted with that particular smell. To the credit of the Asgardians, they didn't either, except slight twitches of their noses.
The Einherjar were busy removing rubble and other menial duties as they walked in. Some glances were directed to them but for the most part they just carried on.
He did see Loki in the closest cell however and regarded him for a moment before stopping before the Einherjar. "Gather the senior officers among you."
There was a slight pause at the words and after a questioning glance to Sif who nodded they went and did as they were told. In the meantime, Percy walked on over to Loki, stopping Sif and the others with a raise of his hand. This would be a private conversation or at the very least a semblance of one.
The Asgardian was wearing simple green and silver robes and his cell was lavishly decorated and furnished. Much more so at least to the other cells, who looked to only have the barest of necessities like benches and cots.
I guess being a royal afforded him better comforts. Was the Son of Poseidon's parting thought on the matter.
"Perseus Jackson." Loki intoned, his hands were at his sides and he clenched and unclenched them as if he were unsure of what to do.
"Loki." He inclined his head slightly.
"I had heard that you were here on Asgard. I did not think you would come down here to visit."
The was a small pause as Percy considered his words. "Recent events have forced the hand of the King. I was elevated Executioner as Odin and Thor relinquished their commands."
"So you've come to gloat." Was Loki's deduction. The Asgardian looked incensed at the idea of him being in command of all of Asgard.
Percy shook his head as he saw a small group of Einherjar approaching and made to turn to address them.
"Or maybe you've come to dispose of the trash." Percy stopped in his tracks and sent a look over his shoulder.
You're preceptive. I'll give you that. "I don't know if they told you but your mother is alive because of me."
"Are you threatening the Queen of Asgard?" Loki's hands smashed against the amber shields that separated the two. "Not even your newest title could protect you from the consequences."
Percy turned to fully regard the former Prince as his voice took on a tone that was determined, he said his next words loudly for all to hear. "Had I not intervened when I did, she would be dead. I healed her and I intend to keep her alive."
And with that, Percy turned and walked away towards the group.
"Is this everyone?" At the nod of the lead Einherjar, Percy continued. "How many men would it take to guard the Asgardians in here?"
There was a pause. "I believe we could do it with fifteen if not ten." Another pause. "Why do you ask?"
"Gather twenty and escort the Asgardian prisoners out of their cells and bring them here. Do it now." His tone brooked no argument and he began to push his way towards to the nearest cell that held seven of those marauders. They wore ramshackle armor and were of varying species but still held a semblance of a humanoid form.
The novelty of seeing alien life wore off after the Battle of New York and the monsters he had encountered for most of his life made the sight nothing more than a footnote in comparison to his previous experiences.
"Why are they in here?" Was Percy's question though his gaze never strayed away from the snarling and glaring aliens in the cell.
"if I remember correctly, these ones were raiding Vanaheim." Volstagg spoke up from behind him, confusedly.
Percy hummed in reply and lightly closed his eyes as he extended his senses, feeling for the blood and the water inside the seven beings within.
It was not hard to do so and Percy raised his right hand as if he were about to recite an oath.
And then flicked it in a dismissive manner.
In response, all seven heads of the prisoners within the cell snapped to the right in unison as if it were a practiced maneuver.
The bodies crumpled to the ground, lifeless, feeling a welling exhaustion in his body at the effort.
The ice that was gripping his skeleton completely chilled his blood at the action and began to seep into his tissue and muscles.
Percy turned and faced the group behind him, opening his eyes as he did so and uncaring as he felt the blood trickle from his nose at the exertion. The Asgardians were speechless and disbelieving at the display. Answering the question before it came up, Percy spoke. "The prisoners in here are drawing too much manpower and resources better spent defending Asgard. I am ordering their immediate execution. The Asgardian prisoners will remain under guard and take the cells closest to the entrance."
The Executioner of Asgard was not stupid and would not order the deaths of the Asgardians.
Sif looked pale as did all those that had originally followed him, minus Heimdall who looked at him with concern?
The other Einherjar that had seen the display remained rooted to their spots but they had stony expressions and did not betray their emotions like the others.
"This is not right." Fandral breathed and his expression devolved into one of anger.
Percy cut him off before he could say anymore. "War never is. However, the only one that can judge me is the King. So I will make it very clear and simple for you. The Dark Elves infiltrated the prisons, cut through the Palace and nearly killed your Queen and almost obtained the Aether. As the one in charge of defending Asgard against the Dark Elf threat, I intend to win and I cannot do so with Einherjar guarding prisoners that would kill them and all those that reside in Asgard if given the chance."
He took a step forward to emphasize his next point. "So either all the marauders are executed within the next ten minutes or I will take the rest of the day systematically wiping out each and every cell. Time that would be better spent commanding the war against Malekith."
There was a no sudden movement as the words began to sink in. Then there was a subtle shift among the Einherjar guards throughout the room. They brandished their metal spears and shields and began walking through the prison.
Percy had the sight of seeing two Einherjar point their golden spears, leveling and taking aim using their shields as support, and then unleashing a torrent of amber bolts of energy that cut through whoever was in the cell. There was no emotion on their faces except grimness and a sense ruthlessness as the amber shields opened and the bodies were promptly dragged into the hallway.
He knew the feeling all too well.
They wanted vengeance for whoever died or maybe even for Asgard and the Throne itself.
His mind flashed with an image of a Son of Ares mercilessly cutting down a surrendered traitor demigod, whose compatriot had killed two of his brothers.
Percy mentally shook the scene away from his mind.
Shouts and guttural screams of alarm and terror began to echo throughout the entire prison but Percy had already tuned them out as he regarded the group. "Fandral and Volstagg you will oversee the remainder of this. Afterwards, take a squadron of Einherjar and patrol the city as well and relay the curfew orders alongside Tyr. Make it expressly clear that this is only for their safety and will not last long. Heimdall, you will do the same."
They were uneasy and pale at the words and didn't acknowledge them in anyway as they moved away. Heimdall regarded him for a final time before nodding stiffly and walking away as well. Coming to them, was the crowd of shackled and in some cases muzzled Asgardians who had more than a healthy dose of fear in their eyes.
They were being escorted by the Einherjar.
"Now tell me why I shouldn't have you all executed as well." Percy stepped in front of them. He wasn't going to do it regardless of what they said, but he needed to establish that it was only by his word that they still lived so that they would not cause trouble while he dealt with more important things. He began stalking around the group. "Tell me why I should leave twenty of Asgard's best to act as little more than caretakers when they would be better served fighting the enemies of the Throne."
None dared to speak.
He stopped in front of a muzzled woman as he felt a twitch and pull of magic on his mind. It was enthralling but weak. He looked to her. She had reddish orange hair and fair skin. "You're a magic user." He deduced and he saw the edge of her eyes widen.
Sif stepped forward, still looking pale from the callous execution. "This is Lorelei. An enchantress and seducer." Her tone held more bite than he expected from the Asgardian warrior. There was definitely some history here.
He inclined his head. "I'm assuming the penalty for attempting to manipulate the Executioner of Asgard is death?"
Sif narrowed her eyes and made to draw her sword but Percy raised his hand to stop the action. "Make her kneel."
Einherjar pushed the other Asgardians backwards as another stepped forward and forced Lorelei to her knees who grunted at the exertion.
Percy flicked his wrist, as the Stygian Iron xiphos made itself known. He made a show of drawing it from its sheath. "Take off the muzzle." Percy spoke. They hesitated.
"I don't think that is a good idea, Perseus." Sif said with more than a little amount of worry in her voice.
"I've fought Circe and refused Aphrodite more times than I can count. By Hades, I live with an enchantress." Percy said as he leveled the blade at woman's neck. "She so much as tries to work her magic and losing her head will be the least of her worries as from what I have been told being killed by stygian iron is a horrible way to go."
He looked to Lorelei who had her eyes widened in fear now. "Do you understand?" At her hasty nod she looked away as the muzzle was removed. "Now since you seem to want to answer the question from before, tell me why I shouldn't execute you here and now?"
There was no answer and after another moment. Percy spoke again.
"Good, put the muzzle back on." The Son of Poseidon turned to face the rest of the Asgardians. "Know that I have nothing that is stopping me from doing so. Step out of line and I'll personally come down and kill you. Enjoy the rest of your sentences."
Hearing the dismissal for what it was, the Einherjar began forcefully ushering the Asgardian prisoners into the their new cells.
Sif and the Twin Einherjar warriors were all that remained. The one he knew to be the hot-headed one stood impassively. A stark contrast to his normal expression of derision whenever he interacted with them. "You will arguably have the most important duty among us. Take a dozen of the Einherjar from here and augment the security of the King and Queen."
He nodded, a little stiffly and began moving but Percy stopped him. "That is not your only duty. You will send a message at every hour regarding the condition of the Queen. If she so much as twitches in her sleep I want to know about it. I will not lie when I say that her life is the only thing that is keeping Asgard from falling apart. If she begins dying I need to know."
It would be a longshot and Percy doubted it would work but a drop of nectar or a crumb of ambrosia might be able to bring her about. It was a last resort option however, and was just as likely. if not moreso, that the godly food and drink to kill her than it would save her.
For now, it was all he could do for them. Now it was time to fight a war and he turned to the remaining two Asgardians. There was just two more things he needed to take care of before directing his full attention to Malekith. "Take me to the mortal."
Jane felt wholly useless as she paced the length of the chamber they had placed her in.
In all her years, she had never felt so out of place. Even when she studied at Culver, despite the varied and diverse population of the school not many women took on the courses for Astrophysics who were instead drawn towards to more biological fields for medical careers.
But the feeling didn't compare to the guilt that flooded her.
Being a damsel in distress was not something that she ever thought she would experience. Not to this degree, at the very least.
She meant that in the best way possible because what little girl didn't ever picture themselves being the damsel in a fairytale. Of course, she thought that before reality hit her like a freight train.
Not even the incident in New Mexico had put her as close to danger as much as being caught in the middle of a war between two alien species.
This was not a fairytale that was told to her when she was a little girl nor was it the movies where the day was easily won.
No, this was real. Asgardians were dead because of Dark Elf ambition.
The Queen, Thor's mother, almost died protecting her. The blood that caked the floor was something she didn't think she could ever forget.
The universe almost ended if Thor hadn't intervened when he had. The absolute rage and power he exuded seeing his mother fall to the ground. Malekith's malicious smirk, that was sent her way when the illusion dropped, was haunt her nightmares.
The Golden Warrior was almost assassinated the night before. The sight of the charred and soot covered body of Percy lying near lifeless against the golden pillar was a detriment to the morale of everyone that had seen it. Even the stoic Asgardians had looked concerned when they looked to him.
There was too many almosts.
And she knew from experience that luck eventually ran out and it usually did so at the most inopportune of times.
So she didn't protest as she might have upon being placed under what was essentially house arrest. She wanted to help in anyway she can but there was not much she could do. Even if the King and Percy didn't care if she lived or died.
Jane wasn't a fighter like Percy or Sif were.
Jane didn't have powers like Thor did.
Jane was useless and it felt no more apparent that it did at that moment.
She paced the length of the room again as she felt the Aether course within her, like a light tug at her naval that wanted to prod her in certain directions as if it were examining her.
The astrophysicist sat down to calm her increasingly scattering nerves. She felt the Aether tug at her again, prompting her to stand once again and pace the length of the room.
There was a knock at the door. It was light and respectful.
She hoped it was Thor. His way with words soothed her worries the day before. She doubted it though. She had heard the last time Thor attempted to speak with her. The shouting match between the Einherjar guards and the Prince of Asgard had been one that echoed the hall and easily pierced the heavy stone walls that should've insulated the sound.
Thor was forbidden from seeing her on order of King Odin, his father.
"Come in." She spoke as she began crossing the length of the room again.
The door opened and she was greeted with the sight of Percy, whose armor was still covered in scorch marks and soot pocketed his hair and face as dried blood was inched from his noise. Sif was right behind him as was another Einherjar Guard. She looked past him hoping to see Thor but all she could see were the eight Einherjar Guards that were standing stoically in front of her door.
She looked back to the Golden Warrior. He either hadn't noticed his disheveled appearance or was more likely the case, he didn't care at all about it.
At the very least, he didn't stink and instead the smell of a sea breeze that had a tinge of salt seemed to permeate the air around him much like how Thor often had the smell of ozone or of petrichor about him, but it didn't seem harmful. Instead
"May we come in?" Was his question. She assumed that he was just going to enter regardless of what she answered so she simply stepped to the side and allowed the three to move past her. The Einherjar Guard took a posting in front of the door as it closed as did Sif who looked to want to be anywhere but there.
Not that the astrophysicist could blame her. Jane sent an upturned look at the Asgardian woman who returned it in kind. Jane knew the rivalry they had regarding Thor was petty in comparison to what was going on but she needed a semblance of normalcy.
Percy made himself comfortable on a sofa and gestured for her to do the same.
She did not.
Instead, she stood across from him.
He shrugged and spoke. "I wanted to see if you were alright. With everything that is going on…" He trailed off.
"I didn't think you cared. You were ready to let me die." It was a low blow and she knew it but she figured it was her coping mechanism kicking. Darcy always said she was ready to lay blame on others whenever something went wrong.
She should work on that when she got back home. If she got home that is.
He didn't deny it and instead responded. "That was until I realized that we have no way of controlling the Aether. Right now, you are our best bet at keeping it contained and out of the hands of Malekith."
She offered no retort to that.
"So I am going to ask again, are you alright?"
No.
"I'm fine." He looked skeptically at her as she unconsciously began pacing the room at the prodding from her naval. "I just don't like being cooped up."
"Well, if you have any questions feel free to ask them right now." He said. "Things around here are about to become real busy and no one will have time to answer them."
She stopped her pacing and looked at him. "Anything?"
There was a pause as he considered it before nodding. "Sure."
Jane didn't even hesitate. "Where did you go after New York?"
"I went home." Was his simple answer.
What? She was honestly expecting something a little more…grandiose. So she prodded. "And where exactly is that?"
He shrugged. "Long Island. You seem to be under the impression that I am an alien. I'm human just like you."
"What human can fight aliens as if it was just another day in the week? Or someone that can summon storms on a whim?" At that he didn't answer. At least, not right away like he had before. Instead, he looked to Sif with a questioning glance and then to her.
"Let's just say I'm more than a simple human."
"Like a mutant?" Jane questioned. She had heard of mutants with special abilities. The X-Gene as the few biologists and geneticists she had worked with had called it. It wasn't common knowledge, in fact, it was rare to find someone that did know about it.
Rather it was common knowledge that mutants existed, it wasn't common knowledge of what caused the abnormal mutation.
But given her position as the world's foremost astrophysicist, astronomer and one of two experts, alongside Selvig, on Asgardian culture the people she met tended to usually be the tops of their respective fields. More than a few of those geneticists had wanted to know if Asgardians were simply an off-shoot of Humanity that had mutated and were hiding somewhere on Earth.
He bobbed his head slightly as he thought about it. "I guess you could call me that. Sure, yeah let's go with that."
So he's definitely lying. Jane concluded.
"Are you an Avenger?"
At that he barked a laugh, it was almost a sarcastic one and one that made her second guess if he was laughing at her instead of the question. "No, I'm not. My intervention at New York was something that was not supposed to happen."
"What do you mean?" It certainly looked intentional.
"I wasn't supposed to fight. Afterwards, I got quite the earful from…less than pleased individuals. I was told to lay low, not that it needed to be said with the entire world looking for me."
What would have happened if he didn't get involved? Jane wondered. The answer was something she didn't want to dwell on. Would the Avengers still have won?
There was a silence as she thought but he seemed to think it was time to end their conversation. "Well, I think this was good for the both of us. Good to clear your head and get your mind off things before war."
That was a morbid thought.
"I trust you'll be cooperative as we deal with this?"
She nodded. She would not be the damsel in this story, she determined.
Jane felt a tug at her naval but this time she ignored it.
And as if a switch had been flipped he turned serious and almost monotonal.
"Good. I suggest you don't get comfortable in one place for too long. We will begin taking measures to ensure your safety and that of the Aether. That means you'll be moving every now and again so I suggest you wear something comfortable other than those dresses you have there." He waved a dismissive hand in that direction where a trio of dresses were.
Sif spoke at that. "I'll see to it that some fatigues are delivered here."
Percy nodded at that and Jane thanked her. The robes and dresses were rather stifling. Though a pointed look was sent towards the Asgardian woman who cocked her head at it.
At that the three that had entered began leaving shutting the door behind them. Jane was sure they were about to discuss something rather important.
"What was that about?" She heard Sif ask.
"To ease her mind. She wouldn't be cooperative if we treated her as a prisoner." Percy said. Figured even now they were trying to manipulate her but his intentions at least were good natured.
"I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about the look just then."
There was a pause. "As of right now, you are the principal guard to Jane Foster."
Another pause and she could just imagine the look of disbelief that adorned the woman's face as it probably emulated her own. "I beg your pardon?"
He was quick to explain. Methodical even. It covered all the questions that were running through her mind and it made her wonder if she was in charge right now. It seemed that way at least. "As the Sword of the realm, unless I am wrong you are the best warrior at Asgard's disposal behind Thor. Malekith will come for her as will the Prince. You will not allow that to happen. Either of them come, you will stand in their way."
"I-I ref-"
He cut her off. "You refuse? Good because I'm not asking. You will do this. As Executioner, I order you to act as bodyguard to the mortal. Every three hours you will move to a different place within the palace. After you do so twice, you will do it again at the end of the next hour before repeating the process. At night you will find a room with only a single entrance and hole up there until morning. Where these locations are, is entirely up to you." His tone brooked no argument.
It was jarring, to say the least. He was laidback and polite and then on a dime switched to someone that would not be trifled with.
He spoke again. "Whatever in the gods names is going on between the two of you. Stop it. The only reason that should be reason enough is that Asgard will be destroyed if she is not properly protected. Why she would not be by my side at all times is because there is a very real possibility that I will not be sleeping and will need to be focused without having to worry about things that I can delegate. This is one of those things."
There was another silence. "This is the Will of Asgard, Lady Sif." His tone was ominous but also full of resolve. "You begin your new duties effective immediately. Do everything in your power to keep the Aether safe."
At that, she heard only two pairs of retreating footsteps.
Thor had considerably calmed since the aftermath of what his father had done.
He needed to be. He couldn't afford to be distracted. He had to keep a level-head on. For Asgard and for Jane especially.
The Prince found himself in a mead hall, taking in the sight around him.
Black and silver armored Asgardian warriors of the regular army were about, taking a break from patrolling or bringing more of their number into the palace gardens and grounds to be equipped and assigned their duties.
He had watched for a time. Unsure of what the Son of Poseidon would do with his newfound authority and responsibility and had in all honesty hoped for him to be out of his depth.
If anything, the Sword of Olympus' title was duly earned and cemented further.
Einherjar had emerged from the Palace in their dozens. Each taking command of a squadron of regular warriors and began patrolling the streets of the capital city of Asgard, speaking of a decree about a curfew effective that night.
Where they had come from Thor did not know. Perhaps these were the newly elevated warriors to the acclaimed Ten Thousand.
Even more so, skiffs had begun flying overhead. Though with most off-world, there was not that many of them. Still, their presence seemed to offer a comfort to his people as they began stepping from their homes to get the day's business done and then the heightened numbers of Asgardian warriors seemed to pull more from their homes.
The day soon turned normal. As if there wasn't just an attack on the Palace of Asgard.
There was still an underlying atmosphere of fear that settled upon the golden city but his people felt safe.
Between the patrols and the soaring of the armed skiffs, the sense of security began to return to Asgard once again. Though the soldiers of Asgard were still warning all those they came across that a curfew was in place and that they still needed to be safe and vigilant.
Thor had to admit he would never have thought about that.
He still wished to take the fighting away from Asgard. The Dark Elf Lord would not be so stupid as to wait. Not with the Convergence so near. It would only stoke Malekith's resolve for the Aether and should he become so desperate there was not much Asgard could do against the invisible ships that the Dark Elves had at their disposal.
He took a tankard and sat down feeling trepidation. He had hoped that Perseus would include him in the planning and defense but that was dimming every passing moment as no one was sent to collect him.
He spotted a helmeted Heimdall walk his way through a throng of Asgardian warriors as they made way for the renowned Sentry. It was odd as Thor observed the man. He looked deep in thought as he maneuvered his way to sit with him. The amber eyes of the Sentry were scrunched in concern.
"What ails you, my friend?" Thor greeted Heimdall with reassuring smile as he sat across from him. A second later, a worker of the hall scurried over and placed a tankard of mead in front of the grim Asgardian.
He had never seen that usual steadfast and mirthful Asgardian so shaken and it uneased the Prince of Asgard to his friend so.
The Asgardian looked to him in a disturbed manner and hesitated, before taking a swift drink and then speaking.. "This conflict does. As does all the powers that it involves." Thor's brow cocked in confusion. Even the direct answer, something wholly unexpected from the riddled Watcher had seemed ominous. "There are more than two pairs of hands that are fighting here but most fight amongst themselves."
Thor's demeaner shifted abruptly. If there were other forces at play in Asgard, then not only did Perseus need to be informed then it was all the more apparent that he get Jane off-world as soon as possible. Still, the Prince of Asgard stayed seated and leaned forward to further listen to the Sentry.
He knew Heimdall would not be telling him this without some sort of reason nor plan.
"Perseus commands the might of Asgard in one hand and its future in the other. Yet his nature holds a separate stake here while another holds it at bay with a faltering and near non-existent restraint."
"You are speaking in riddles again, Heimdall." Thor growled. As much as he loved his friend, now was not the time for such things. Not with Asgard at stake. Not with Jane.
There was a pause as Heimdall looked around, before scooted further into the table and leaning in.
"The cunning Malekith is bringing out the best of Perseus but his best qualities are also his worst." Heimdall sighed. "The dungeons have been purged. All that remains are twenty nine Asgardian prisoners."
Thor felt himself take an intake of air. He had been at the forefront of much of the battles that had landed many of the marauders in the cells in the depths of the Palace. "How did Tyr allow such a thing?"
"He does not know. Not yet at least. The Einherjar posted down there and the ones that carried out the order are being quiet about the affair. Tyr was the one charged with informing the people of the new curfew."
"I thought that was his idea?" He had heard as much.
"Because Perseus told him so. Not in such a direct way, but it was made clear that it was to be the Throne's intention and not his."
Thor thought of it for a moment and the more he did he begrudgingly began to realize that not only was Perseus not out of his depth but he was swimming in it.
An apt metaphor for who it was for.
Thor then further began to realize that with his few conversations with the warriors that were patrolling and helping in the clean-up of Asgard. That none actually knew who was giving the orders. In fact, few believed him to have done so.
They spoke of orders, coming from the Throne itself or even from Thor, Tyr, Sif or one of the present among the Warrior's Three.
But never Perseus.
It was smart. Thor did not want to consider the ramifications of it getting out that a Greek Demigod was leading them in their war rather than one of their own.
"He must be keeping tight control of information on such things." Thor deduced. "And I am assuming that is where the sudden amount of Einherjar are from?"
Heimdall nodded slightly. "He elevated a score of them to officers to patrol with the other warriors with the direction of reinforcing the Throne's standing. The rest are guarding the Palace in its entirety now."
There was a small silence. Thor finally speaking as he finished the mead in his tankard. "Do you think that Perseus will be successful?"
There was another silence as Heimdall also downed his mead, easily. "Given time, he will emerge victorious. He needs only to force the hand of our enemy. However, Malekith will not be so easily guiled in attempts to bring him to the open." There was a pause as the Sentry leaned into he golden table further. "However, should this conflict drag on, I fear what may happen to Asgard under the command of Perseus."
Thor thoughts steeled at the implications of Heimdall's words. His own mind racing with thoughts of what may happen to his home. Of what would happen to Jane. So long as his father retained Perseus' title, there was nothing stopping him from doing what he thought needed to be done.
The purging of the Asgardian's prisons was only the beginning. What if he turned his attention to the people? He didn't think the Greek would go so far but it looked as if Heimdall feared for something that he would do.
It seemed that Thor would not be saving Asgard from only Malekith but from Perseus as well.
If the Aether left, Malekith would go after it and Perseus would only follow.
"Should what you say is true, then I'll need your help."
"The Bifrost is closed per your father's orders, you know this and not even Perseus would be inclined to offer an avenue of escape or entrance for anyone." Heimdall immediately spoke. Though he did not dismiss his plea and instead continued. "I have been relegated to patrolling the streets as has Fandral and Volstagg. We would not be able to get you off of Asgard."
The ever-perceptive watchman gleaming his intentions easily. He looked around. "There may be one who can but we will need a skiff."
There was a pause. "Loki is not to be trusted."
"I don't trust him but if we can draw both Malekith and Perseus from Asgard then it will be worth the trouble of any attempted betrayal." Thor paused. "Is there any that we can trust that is close to Perseus? That can give us an insight to his plans?"
"Sif but I have not seen her since the dungeons. Varin's boys would be our best choice now. Olaf should be around here somewhere though." Heimdall conceded as he looked around as he nodded his head towards the banister where Thor could see the Twin, adorned in gold armor drinking from a cup talking animatedly with another Einherjar. At Thor's questioning look, Heimdall explained himself. "He joined me on my way out of the Palace. Said he was to make an official report on the going's on of the people directly to Perseus and had been made something of the Greek's liaison."
Thor nodded as he looked around. He would've preferred the word of Sif but it was clear that she was not available at the moment. So they would take the next best thing. Thor stood striding over to Olaf as Heimdall watched on.
"My prince." Both Einherjar stood in respect and were about to offer slight bows but Thor waved them down and pulled a seat beside them.
"I hear Olaf here was made the Custodian of the Executioner!" Thor congratulated quietly but with a healthy amount of appreciation. It was due of course. The Greek had been rather unperturbed at having to work with Asgardians to the extent he was doing so.
But to make Olaf, someone that had just been inducted to the Einherjar not three months prior what was something akin to a steward to an Executioner. A loft and esteemed position for someone such as he. Others such as Tyr or Sif or even Heimdall would have been better choices.
He looked to the other Einherjar but did not recognize him outright as he had expected it be Torrad. "And where is the brother?"
"Guarding the King and Queen now." Olaf answered as the other Einherjar made to leave at a nod from the quiet Asgardian. "He had been elevated to the Honor Guard by the Greek."
Thor bit back a breath. "I would ask you to relay my thanks."
Thor had completely forgotten about the safety of his father and mother.
Olaf nodded. "I will do so."
There was a small silence. "I have come to ask a favor."
"For you, my prince, ask of me anything." Olaf quickly uttered as he leaned forward.
"I need to know of Perseus plans and anything he may have done thus far."
At that the Asgardian glanced past him and around the mead hall. Thor following his gaze as he did so. "Everything?" Thor nodded. "I would be careful, my Prince, he has given the Einherjar that guarded the prisons vengeance. They follow his word as if they come from Odin himself. I am aware that he has sent…spies for lack of a better term to watch for any disturbance. Though not in such direct words."
Thor looked away at that having guessed as much. There were quite a few Asgardians that had been killed in the riots. But he frowned as Olaf spoke of Asgardian infiltrators. "Are you one?" He couldn't help but ask.
"I am." Thor's breath hitched and made to stand but Olaf quickly stopped him. "I was sent to watch the people, if there was anything that I noticed that was needed or could be done to further assuage their fears then I was to tell him and he would do what he could to ensure it further."
"I trust you will not speak to him of this?"
"I will not. I swear it." Olaf immediately uttered. "What little I know is free for you to use."
And so Olaf told him. Told him how his brother was to report on his mother's condition upon every hour. On how Sif was made as caretaker and bodyguard to Jane, on how many Einherjar and Asgardian Warriors were being brought to bear and their major junctions that were being watched and patrolled and the best bit of information that he provided was of a Royal Skiff having been prepared in case the Palace was breeched once again to evacuate the King and Queen should the news arise.
After that, Olaf quickly bid farewell to the Prince of Asgard as he took his leave.
Thor returned to Heimdall. "Enlightening conversation I take it?"
"Very." The beginnings of a plan began forming in his head at the newly wrought information. "We meet again tonight here. Two hours after the curfew is set into place. Heimdall, I need you to bring Sif."
"And what do I tell her?"
"The truth. There is to be no lies. Not now. Not with all the risks involved."
Heimdall nodded resolutely and Thor could finally breathe a sigh of relief but the tension never left his body.
This would probably be his greatest obstacle that he was to overcome yet.
But he had to prevail.
For Asgard and for Jane.
There were three quotes that I found fitting for this chapter and since I couldn't bring myself to choose one, here are all three.
'When placed in command, take charge.'
-Norman Schwarzkopf
'War does not determine who is right – only who is left.'
-Bertrand Russel
'All warfare is based on deception.'
-Sun Tzu