XVIII
Percy woke with a start. The light of the sun of Asgard piercing through the shut doors of the balcony, and scanning his face as if it had a personnel vendetta against his sleeping.
He turned and pushed his face deeper into the pillows, even going as far as burrowing underneath one to further hide from the sun's rays.
Needless to say, the Son of Poseidon was exhausted. Both physically and mentally. He guessed that he had slept more consecutive hours in the past week then the entire last year combined.
The night before he had desperately needed much needed sleep. So after showering, discarding his damaged armor and torn fatigues, he changed into more comfortable sleepwear and the moment his head touched the pillows, it was lights out for him.
He groaned despondently as he heard a knocking on the door to the room that they had provided him with.
He didn't move to get up and answer it. He was not a morning person.
There was another knock and he resisted the urge to chuck a pillow in defiance at the noise.
Another knock and he kicked off the covers, moving to the door, annoyed. Quickly, schooling his features while taking a breath, he opened the door.
He had expected a guard or a servant.
Not Sif.
She wasn't in her armor. Instead, she was in that red minidress that ended at her thighs with tight black trousers underneath and similarly colored boots. Though over it all was a forest green cloak with a golden clasp around her neck. Similar to the one that she had worn when he had intercepted both her and Heimdall in the corridor except this one was more her size and not dragging across the floor.
Her hand had shot to her side when he opened the door, having prepared to knock once again.
"Good morning, Perseus. The King requests your presence." She nodded to him.
"Ill be ready in a moment." He nodded and made to close the door but was stopped when she had placed a hand on it.
"I wanted to give you my thanks." She said quietly and he scrunched his eyes in slight confusion. There was nothing to be thankful for. He was simply doing as his duty commanded of him to defend Asgard.
"Okay." He simply shrugged and moved to turn again. "I did what was necessary."
She looked to the side before shaking her head. "Not that, Perseus. I meant about saving my life."
He ran through his memories, his sleep fogged mind not liking the exertion at all. He did not recall doing so. Unless she meant about killing Malekith or preventing the Aether from being retrieved by him.
"You'll have to remind me, Lady Sif. I honestly can't remember." He was being completely truthful. His entire focus was on the Aether in that confrontation and trying to direct the battle as best he could while doing so.
She cocked her head in confusion. "You saved me from the singularity."
It clicked. That action had happened so fast and so suddenly that he had nearly forgotten about it.
"Right. That. Don't worry about it. I just wish I could have done more." He replied earnestly. A lot less of Asgardians would have died had he been just a little faster in catching up with Thor's party.
But he didn't want to diminish their sacrifice by saying so.
She nodded but still stood by the door, awkwardly. At his questioning look she hurriedly explained herself. "I was tasked with escorting you." A slightly flustered red began creeping up her neck. He nodded, a little stiffly.
He responded just as awkwardly. "I'll just be a moment…"
He slowly shut the door on an Asgardian woman that seemed to want to be anywhere else in that particular moment, catching just a glimpse as she maneuvered herself to lean on the doorframe.
Now that he was up and shaking the haziness of sleep away, he quickly freshened up, gathered his things and changing into fresh fatigues that were made to be worn underneath his armor before donning said damaged armor.
Considering his luck and where they were, Percy was not willing to part with it until they were back on Earth.
He clipped his helmet to his hip as well as his satchel, the small pouch of ambrosia and flask of nectar to their respective places.
Checking himself over once more, it would be a weird and awkward conversation if he left anything behind and one he would be best served if he avoided it entirely, he stepped from his room and Sif nodded.
It wasn't that long of a wait for her he hoped, by his estimate it was only about ten or fifteen minutes from when he had closed the door on her.
Sif was quick to push off the wall and walk beside him as they made their way to the Throne Hall. He hoped that was where the Allfather was. It would be uncomfortable to walk all that way to find that he was in the opposite direction. He was, at least, comforted in the fact that Sif would direct him to where he was.
The trip was done in comforting silence as the two walked. Palace staff and guards greeted them with gladness and had continually stopped to thank Percy and Sif personally.
More than one handmaiden had batted their eyelashes at him and giggled behind the palms of their hands from his practiced, measured and polite responses that he used on the nymphs back home. Sif had rolled her eyes at them and her face was twitching in annoyance from the constant delays that it brought to them.
And, in all honesty, Percy was also getting a bit annoyed.
They endured it, mostly because they had no choice but to do so.
The duo finally entered the Throne Hall. Where quite a few courtiers were already present while Odin was sat upon his seat. Frigga wasn't there like he had expected her to be and neither was Heimdall but he supposed, in regards to the Sentry, that he resumed his duties as Gatekeeper.
The King spared them a glance before returning his attention back to the petitioner before him.
Volstagg and Fandral were there as well, along with another armored warrior who had a ball of iron with what looked to be ports on its surface. He had the appearance of what Percy likened to someone from Asia but more…refined? He couldn't place the right word for it. It seemed alien but he guessed that would fit the bill as well considering where they were.
Jane and Thor were conversing quietly off to the side, Jane was in a green cloak similar to Sif's with her armor underneath, probably having no idea how to get it off because Percy doubted that she knew how she got it on in the first place. He wondered how she fared while sleeping in it.
He remembered his first time sleeping in his own armor and he woke up with the mother of all back aches and stiff as a board the next morning but over the course of the wars with Kronos and Gaea and his subsequent quests and missions afterwards, he had long gotten used to being in his golden shell for extended periods of time.
Thor was also in his armor but it looked just as damaged as his own with several small craters that had disintegrated parts of it off. Percy had a couple of those as well, and the Son of Poseidon wondered if his armor was enchanted the same as his own. That he couldn't de-summon it as it were, unless it was repaired.
His cape was pristine though which was slightly odd. Maybe he had more of them. It was Percy's opinion that capes were stupid and proved to be more of a hindrance and outweighed the added beauty that ceremonial garment provided.
But to each their own. Percy supposed. The only cloak that he knew to be of any value was Reyna's Aegis Cloak.
Loki wasn't around either.
Sif directed him over to the others and introduced him to the unknown one in dark armor and mace.
"Ah, I heard of your defense of Asgard from Volstagg, Executioner." The man said as he bowed politely to him. "I must offer my deepest thanks in not recalling the Einherjar legions from Vanaheim. They were needed then more than ever."
"Former Executioner…" Percy trailed off as he bowed slightly in return, figuring it was a custom of his people instead of something that was done in deference to him.
"Hogun of Vanaheim. I am of the Warrior's Three." The now revealed Hogun straightened out.
"Perseus Jackson," Then Percy added, more as an afterthought than anything. "of Earth."
"Yes, I have heard of you." Hogun waved off the pleasantries. "Any friend of Asgard and the Throne, is a friend of mine and Vanaheim. Should you ever visit, you will have a place among my people."
Percy nodded, though he didn't think he was in the mood for anymore world jumping. He still had yet to travel around his own, casually that is. One was enough and he just wanted to get home at this point. Still, it was a good natured offer and Percy returned it in kind as he felt this Vanir man to be more palatable than either Fandral and Volstagg if only for his calm and leveled demeanor.
He offered it to all three of them though, he wasn't going to be rude especially given that their friend would technically be living with him. "If anyone of you find yourself on Earth, you have a place to stay as well."
It was, quite literally, the least he could offer. Not that he wouldn't know beforehand if they did decide to show up, given the treaty in place, if that was still even a thing anymore.
Odin called him forward. "Perseus Jackson." He boomed after the petitioner bowed and left.
Percy stepped forward, no longer being a servant of the Throne of Asgard, he had no inclination to kneel. Instead, as he positioned himself before the Allfather, he offered a stiff bow at his waist and then stood upright once more, hands clasped behind his back.
The Son of Poseidon had an inkling that this was to be a public acknowledgement of his actions. He wouldn't make such a show of it otherwise and would've been likely just to send him and his charges back to Earth.
"You have done Asgard a great service and on behalf of the realm, we thank you." Odin intoned from his seat. His features ever-grim as Percy knew them to be.
Percy said nothing in response and merely nodded. He had called on the pact and he answered as he should have. Even if it was a guise for something else, the intent to defend Asgard was still there and he was inclined to believe that Odin chose him for practical reasons as well.
"I would ask that you kneel so that I may bestow upon you, officially, your new appointment."
Percy nodded and did so, but he did not bow his head as he lowered himself onto a knee, crossing his arms on his propped up leg as he did so.
Odin stood, brandishing the King's Spear against his shoulder against the crown of his head this time. "Perseus Jackson, Sword of Olympus, I anoint you the title of Shield of Asgard and a Protector of the Realm. That should Asgard be under threat of invasion, that you would come to its defense. Rise, Perseus Jackson. Sword of Olympus and Shield of Asgard."
Percy rose as Odin lifted the King's Spear from his shoulder.
"Thank you Perseus Jackson. I name you Friend and Ally of Asgard." Odin proclaimed. An applause broke out but there were no shouts nor cheers at the declaration. Those were all had the day before. After all, not many knew that he was made Executioner for the duration of the war and it seemed that the King of Asgard had the foresight to keep it that way.
As far as the rest of Asgard was aware, the only part he played in its defense was keeping the Aether out of the hands of Malekith and the Dark Elves and keeping the Queen alive.
Odin nodded his thanks once more before gesturing back to the Warrior's Three who were now joined by Jane and Thor. The next courtier wasted no time in approaching the Throne the moment Percy had vacated the space.
Now it was time to finally go home and put off fighting Odin's daughter for the time being. He wasn't under any illusion that it would not happen during his time, his luck was simply not that good, but hopefully he would have some time to prepare for the coming confrontation.
But that didn't mean he would devote every waking minute to doing so. if it didn't happen during his time, then it was not his concern anymore. He had his own duties to Olympus first and foremost, even if they said that the Immortal Realm was no longer his concern, he doubted they wouldn't ask anymore of him just because they said so.
Even if it was Hestia and Artemis that had delivered the news, he wasn't entirely convinced that they wouldn't call upon him to deal with some innocuous thing that needed to be dealt with. It wouldn't be the first time that Zeus or other Olympians had gone around the back of the Maiden Goddesses and Percy was sure it wouldn't even be close to the last time they did so, if they did.
They may have followed through with their promise of releasing the more peaceful Titans and Titanesses but that was only after two years and after he had forced the issue.
He wanted to trust Hecate though. She seemed the only one that truly had his interests in mind. Given her private and secluded nature, her being his liaison would at least deter the more mundane requests and the only ones that would probably reach him would be ones that actually needed his attention.
His thoughts turned to his task of defending the Mortal World. The task had granted him near-absolute authority in that regard. That was another mess in and of itself and despite Hestia's counsel in working in tandem with the mortal team of Avengers, they were just that.
Mortal.
The only ones that posed any real threat to him was the big green dude and maybe Thor, if the Prince of Asgard continued to grow and hone in his power.
Right now though? Percy liked to believe that with his own inherent abilities and his near mastery of them, he held the decisive advantage against Thor.
There were still a few that he didn't like using and didn't use at all and thus were unrefined and were prone to causing more damage than necessary but that was neither here nor there when his mastery over water and liquid was a honed edge from near constant use.
He was pulled from his mind and blinked as he approached the group. "I'm assuming that you all are ready to leave?" Thor spoke to them all. Well, Jane, Sif and him. Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun began meandering off, Percy assuming that they had already said their farewells to Sif.
Both Sif and Percy nodded their assent while Jane smiled slightly if a bit melancholic, probably having already been told what was going to happen. "So Olympus is real?"
Percy had never wanted to facepalm so much in his life than in that moment.
"You have a lot to learn." Percy muttered but decided that he would humor the girl as they made their way to the Bifrost. Just get to as much of the basics as he could before they were back on Earth proper.
His words didn't go unheard as a light smile played on Sif's lips while Jane flushed slightly. Thor ran a hand through his beard in embarrassment.
"Have you guys said anything?" Percy assumed so. Their last conversation before Percy went off to direct the conflict against Malekith alluded to it.
"I've told her some but no details." Thor conceded, his hammer was attached to his waist swaying very slightly as they walked.
Percy nodded and began. "The Olympians and Olympus are very much real and alive." Jane made to speak but Percy continued. "I am a demigod. Born to a mortal woman and a Greek God, specifically Poseidon. If I were to tell you my formal name, it would take from here to the Bifrost to tell you all my titles. So usually when standing on ceremony, as you heard in there, its shortened to Perseus Jackson, Sword of Olympus or Son of Poseidon. Other than that, I prefer just Percy."
Jane seemed to collect her thoughts as they boarded a skiff that would take them to the Bifrost. "Does that mean that other pantheons exist? Asgardians for the Norse and Olympus for the Greeks."
"I wouldn't be able to answer that." Percy responded scratching his chin in thought. "It wouldn't surprise me if that's the case but lets just say that the Olympians are territorial. Taking Thor's arrival on Earth for example. Olympus noticed that he was there in the southwest but we were too busy at the time with…other things to do anything about it. When Thor came to Earth again to get Loki, they could actually do something about it so they sent me to investigate. Like I said before, my intervention in the battle was never supposed to happen." He sent a pointed look to the Prince of Asgard who ignored it. "Loki escaping from SHIELD and Thor was what forced my hand not the aliens."
That was the excuse at least. The aliens, very much forced his hand.
But he wasn't about to admit that. He had to first ingrain into her head that the Immortal Realm was extremely hands off with with Mortal World. He didn't think Zeus or any of the Olympians for that matter would care that much that the invasion had occurred, unless they started actively targeting their children and, by extension, themselves. Which they did when they opened fire on the Hunt and himself.
Given that the Hunt needed express permission from Artemis, who needed permission from the Council to intervene, he was the only one that was able to do so.
"So the Olympians have been around since Ancient Greece or are they aliens too and that's when they were messing with humans?" They were at the Bifrost bridge now and skimming the waters, to his enjoyment, feeling the sea spray in the air rejuvenated him.
"They have been around for much longer than that." Sif said, offhandedly, and Percy nodded as he continued.
"Ancient Greeks, at at least to my knowledge, were the ones to who began the widespread worship of them but…" He hesitated slightly, frowning as he did so, something that didn't go unnoticed to any of them. This felt all to similar to when Annabeth was tutoring him back when he had woken up in the Big House and was first introduced to his heritage. He quickly schooled his features as they arrived at the Bifrost. "to my knowledge they began being worshipped with the Sumerians and all the other ancient civilizations way back when."
They began exiting the craft, Thor helping the newly minted Asgardian Jane onto the Bifrost bridge as both Sif and Percy stepped off easily.
"I'll see about getting a tutor. I'm not the most well-informed on history. Maybe turn it into a cultural exchange." Percy said off-handedly to Sif who shrugged in response but at the very least didn't seem to be outright against the idea. "I just know enough to get by."
The extent of his knowledge on his side of the world was easily summed up on how to kill monsters and how to efficiently piss off immortals.
Much to Chiron's and Annabeth's chagrin.
She seemed to accept that answer as the group move into the chamber, where Heimdall was standing stoically on the raised dais. "Greetings." He intoned and inclined his head to them all. Though sent a pointed look to Sif. "I trust you are all prepared?" At their nods, Heimdall stepped from his podium and clasped arms with Sif. "Be well, Lady Sif. Do not hesitate to call upon me should you need to return."
She bobbed her head once again but didn't say anything more as Heimdall returned the gesture and resumed his position on the podium and the group maneuvered to the front of the Bifrost.
Percy hoped she didn't see this as exile. If not for her own sake, than for his. Dealing with a demititaness and a mortal-turned-Asgardian was going to be a handful already. Dealing with an irritated Sword of Asgard as well would probably drive him up the walls.
By the Gods, what am I going to tell my mom? Percy felt a pit settle in his stomach at the realization, dreading the return home now. I leave for a week and come home with two women. What the hell is Calypso going to think?!
"Are you okay?" Sif asked as she looked to him with a cocked head as they stepped in front of the portal. Heimdall cranked Hofund in the stand. "Is it the Bifrost?"
Percy must have looked just as he felt at the thoughts that were running through his head. He simply nodded his head, grateful for any excuse even if it was one provided and a complete lie. He did not trust his voice at the moment.
"Here." She grabbed the sleeve of his black undershirt. "Thor, grab his other side. Just take a step when you feel yourself being pulled."
Thor raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything else as he moved to grasp the his shoulder, having hooked his arm through Jane's, who looked giddy at the thought of being in the bridge again.
Percy felt himself be pulled and took a step in anticipation.
The next moment he found himself standing atop a dark metal platform, steam and smoke rising from where they were.
Percy was fairly certain this was not Earth.
Around them, as far as he could see and even further still, was a massive, astronomical dark metal disk that orbited a star that looked to be encased in a layer of even more dark metal covered in swirls and what Percy assumed to be runes.
Structures and towers of what Percy assumed to be the cities, spanned the entire length of the middle of the disc with a flat field of smooth dark metal before and after the band of cities. A trailing maze of even darker veins were etched into the metal field as if it were some sort of interspersed and sophisticated highways embedded into the very disc itself.
The Son of Poseidon could see the radiating sun of blue, yellows and reds. It looked like as if an orb of steel had encased thick and heavy clouds of nebulae into a single hyper-condensed sphere of pure energy.
And from their position, twirling about them in an orb made up of half dozen bands of dark metal heavy machinery and technology, he could see giants milling about and working, hammering, drawing, soldering and all manner of smithing and designing, at sweltering stations in heavy leather and thick robes and aprons.
"An Alderson Disk!" Jane exclaimed at the sight as she extricated herself from Thor's grasp. Whatever that was. "A Dyson Sphere! Ringworlds!"
That last one he knew. Well sort of. It was more of a vague recollection than anything else as he played Halo once before he was pulled into the Immortal Realm.
"This is not Earth." Percy muttered simply as he continued to gaze about the place with a scathing look.
"Its Nidavellir." Sif corrected as smiled at him slightly. Probably taking joy in his dumbfounded expression. "The Realm of the Dwarves."
Thor and Sif stepped off the platform, the Asgardian woman pulling him along when he didn't move to follow immediately. He was still skeptical of the giant…dwarves.
He never had the best encounters with beings that towered over others physically. And these were pushing the limits of the single digits in terms of height. Some even double his and Thor's own tallness and he was by no means a short guy and neither was Thor.
They maneuvered through the throngs of dwarves at their workstations, clambering away at whatever was on their tables.
It was quite the sight and reminded him oddly of the forges back at Camp and New Rome. Even the more disciplined children of Vulcan were as messy and disorganized as their counterparts of Hephaestus but they all seemed to know exactly what they were doing.
To put simply, it was organized chaos but not of noise nor of crowds but of hard work and purpose. An odd sight from a race of cumbersome sized beings, even the professional smiths of the Cyclops in Atlantis had a sort of unbridled showmanship and camaraderie while they worked.
Here it was absent of casual conversation, only the heavy, thick and accented shouts of orders and requests were being made across the din of hammering and the sizzling of resting metal being heard.
"So why are we here?" Jane asked. To be fair to her it was a question he was also about to ask but it seemed kind of rhetorical in its answer. They were in the Realm of Forges. Sif was absent a sword and shield. Jane didn't have a dedicated weapon and if he remembered correctly, all of their armor was damaged quite significantly in the Battle for the Aether. "Not that I don't love sightseeing! It's just that I thought we were just going straight to Earth, er Midgard." She hurriedly added as if she thought that she just said an insult
At least she was trying to adapt, Percy would give the mortal-turned-Asgardian that. Even if she didn't have to change her vocabulary to do it. He doubted Odin or Thor would care all that much on how she spoke and he only did so when he was dealing with certain people.
"Our arms and armor were damaged in the confrontation with Malekith." Thor explained. "Eitri will repair them and issue new ones…hopefully."
Percy didn't miss the hesitation in the Prince of Asgard's voice but he did ask his own question instead. "And how long will that take? I still have to report back to Olympus." Begrudgingly, that is. He was gone long enough without checking in that it may turn some more investigative heads.
"The Dwarves are master smiths in their own right." Sif answered him. "Eitri moreso. It would not surprise me if he has been made aware as to the nature of our arrival."
Percy shrugged simply hoping it wouldn't take too long. If he felt uncomfortable on Asgard, this place was downright uneasy to be for him. There was water in the air but there was no oceans. No seas, nor breeze for him to feel.
Just cold, dry and dark metal.
An anathema to the Son of Poseidon.
They soon found themselves in a large arena-esque area. Large metal pillars not too dissimilar from Asgard's own Throne Hall lined the edges of the spacious cavern with not gold but a silver filigree etched into the bases and the fluting of the columns.
Inside was a rambunctious argument between a small group of the giant dwarves. Or at least Percy thought was an argument. Consequently, when dealing with beings of colossal size they tended to have deeper voices and when they spoke, it often came out as angry shouts when they were actually calm and collected.
He didn't exactly understand what they were speaking either but after a shared hearty bellow that reverberated around the room, the group turned towards them who had so far stopped at the entryway that was flanked by a single dwarf that was in heavy plate and mail wielding a large mattock that he was leaning on.
Contrary to his hardworking compatriots, this dwarf was sleeping on the job.
"Come Asgardians! And Greek!" A shout resounded from the group, it was hard to tell who it was speaking, because to Percy, in the low light even with the encased star above them, they all looked the same. With the only difference being that they each sported different styles to their beards and hair that was pocketed in silver ornamentation or were of varying heights. The tallest among them being a near fifteen feet tall by Percy's quick estimate.
They entered and Thor maneuvered himself in front of the group. "Welcome Prince Thor! Lady Sif!" The tallest among them boomed with arms splayed in a grand gesture. The dwarves either left or stayed standing at the flanks of who Percy assumed was Eitri.
Said Dwarf turned towards Jane. "I do not have the pleasure of knowing you, little Asgardian! Tell me what is your name!"
Jane, the shortest among the Asgardians, standing just short of six feet looked up at the giant of a being. "My name is Jane Foster." Her breath hitched as Eitri loomed over her, eyes sparkling of red embers as he analyzed her as one would a particular fascinating piece of machinery or piece of metal.
A look he recognized from those that worked the forges at Camp.
"Lady Jane! You bear the armor of the Valkyrie! I had oft wondered what the Aether was capable of!" He shouted as he turned to Thor. "Malekith must have been an exceeding threat that the Norns have bestowed the power of them upon her!"
How he knew what had happened was beyond Percy as he quickly recounted the how many days the conflict had supposedly lasted. Maybe they had some form of being able to watch and communicate with Asgard that he didn't know of? It wouldn't surprise him anymore. Not with the apparent technological marvels they were able to build.
Plus, he didn't know all that much of the realms and their capabilities to begin with. In his opinion, they didn't constitute enough of an importance to be learned about for the purposes of waging the conflict against the Dark Elves.
Eitri then turned to him. That same inspecting eye looking him over but the eye seemed to burn brighter as he scanned him. "And I am assuming that you are Perseus Jackson, the Son of Poseidon. We have been waiting for you."
Percy nodded stiffly, wholly uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gaze of the Dwarf King. His ominous words sending a cold sensation down his spine.
Sif had to suppress a slight laugh from escaping her as she watched the King of the Dwarves bent forward, inspecting the Son of Poseidon, who in turn had bent backward to continue looking up at the King.
She stepped forward, producing a scroll from within the pockets of her cloak and intervening before Perseus could fall onto his back as Eitri continued to bend forward and the Greek, backward.
"Eitri, I have the requests from the Allfather." She said, garnering a thankful look from the Son of Poseidon as the both simultaneously stood straight.
"Hmm." The Dwarf King snatched the scroll from her hand deftly as if his giant meaty sausage-like fingers didn't almost crush her own. He tapped it once, a silver mist like substance engulfing the parchment that was comparatively miniature in his hands.
The scroll subsequently enlarged as Eitri scanned its contents, humming as he did so.
Sif wasn't aware of the contents but judging at the analytical looks he was sending the four before him, it was easy to deduce that it involved them all somehow.
"Do you have your arms and armor with you?" A question directed to her seeing as everyone else had already donned their own and she nodded as she willed it to herself, causing it to simmer into existence about her. Luckily, it wasn't as damaged as her tricorn shield so she could still do so, the Valkyrie Spear forming into the palm of her hand from a pillar of amber mist.
"The shield is still on Asgard, being repaired by the smiths there. The sword lost to a singularity grenade." She explained. All she had was her axe and spear, and the many daggers about her person.
"That is no need. You will be receiving a full rearmament." Eitri waved off her words, tossing the scroll to the side brusquely as he did so, uncaring that it had the words of the Allfather written on it.
She internally smiled at that. Eitri always hated ceremony and could be as stubborn as a brick when he bucked it in front of everyone, but his words still caught her off-guard. "I beg your pardon?"
Eitri turned to them all to explain fully. "The Allfather has requested that all your armors be repaired and for Lady Sif, Lady Jane and Perseus to receive new weapons. In Lady Sif's case, we will be commissioning a new set of armor, while Lady Jane will have her helmet and armor refashioned."
Percy coughed roughly into his hand as both her and Jane began to voice their disagreements.
"My armor is fine the way it is!" Sif placed a hand on her chestpiece. It had served her well all these years and parting with it made her stomach crawl.
"What's wrong with my armor?" Jane had placed a protective caressing hand over the silver metal helm at her side. Even after having it only for a day, she was already attached to it.
They both sent confused looks to each other before looking back to the Dwarf King who was entirely unfazed by their protests. "I am merely following the instructions of the King of Asgard. If you have any issue take it up with him." He pointed to the tossed parchment on the metal steel ground. "So if you would be inclined to begin handing over the armor pieces we may get started."
Sif and Jane looked to the parchment on the floor.
And the Dwarves that flanked Eitri grunted in acknowledgement.
Thor was the first to relent, easily taking off his burnt and partially disintegrated armor along with his red cape leaving him in only a faded grey Asgardian gambeson, that doubled as a dress tunic and shirt. He handed it to the nearest dwarf who took it without hesitation.
Jane flushed slightly at the sight and then proceeded to also hand her silver helmet over to another dwarf.
Sif shared a glance with Perseus who spoke up whilst crossing his arms over his chest defiantly looking up at the Dwarf King. "You even have any Imperial Gold to repair it with?" There was a pause and Eitri hissed in impatience.
"It's just enchanted gold! Give it here, Greek!" The demigod sighed, before snarking once again as he began taking off the partially disintegrated molded cuirass with practiced ease, pulling it over his head.
"Just don't cut yourself on the delta, it may be red but that's Stygian Iron. And don't break the enchantment on it."
"Bah! You Theoi always uptight and possessive about your stuff!" Eitri sneered, probably at the comments insinuating that they would do such a thing, at the demigod who just glared right back as he handed over the cuirass, bracers and greaves to the more patient dwarf that was waiting for it.
He did not hand over the helmet that remained clipped to his hip. It still being caked in the dried black blood of Malekith.
"Theoi?" Was Jane's question.
"Another name for Olympians and their people." Thor spoke quickly as Percy sent a glare to the girl as well who shrunk underneath it. Sif intervened before the pissed off demigod could be enraged further.
She did not like parting with her armor but if she was going to be getting newer plate then it would be worth the struggle in adjusting to it. Both Asgardian women sent pointed and scathing looks to Thor and Perseus and the Dwarves as they began unstrapping her vambraces and tossing them to the floor.
Sif moved to help Jane after she was done. Luckily she was not wholly without clothes and the dress that she had given her from before was now easily fitting.
Had Jane raven hair, blue eyes and more angular features, they would have almost looked like twins.
All of them faced in a different direction and sent their gazes upwards towards the star encased in black metal. None daring to evoke her ire nor challenge her. She took care of placing her own enchanted satchel onto the floor.
They may only be taking off their armor but they would be spared their pride and dignity than to be watched as they did so.
They placed their greaves, spaulders and bracers atop the breastplates before clearing Sif cleared her throat and offering them to the only other dwarf that did not have a piece of armor in their hands, bar Eitri himself.
The dwarf that had taken Jane's helmet had taken a hold of her armor as well.
"Begone with you, you move as if you are a block of stone to be chiseled!" The dismissal was easily followed as the quartet of dwarves scampered away to wherever they were going to repair the armor.
She spied Perseus trailing after them and she couldn't help but mimic the gesture. The armor was near a second skin to her and she felt as if something was missing whenever she was without it.
Hopefully, they would not be too long as their King claimed.
"Now we move onto your weapons."
Thor stood off to the side merely observing as Eitri stalked around Jane. "Hmm, Lady Jane do you have any preference?"
She thought for a moment as she took a glance at Thor's hammer. "Not really. I don't have any idea what this all entails to be honest."
Eitri hummed again as he maneuvered around her to continue to analyze. "I can tell you have never wielded a weapon in your life have you?"
"I have a taser." Sif's gaze snapped to Thor who looked away, a flush burning at his ears. He clearly knew what Sif was referring to. While Percy snorted attempting to suppress a bark of laughter at the words as Jane leveled a glare at the demigod.
"A taser? I am unfamiliar with the weapon."
Sif couldn't help it as she jested with a smile to her friend. "Thor is intimately familiar with it."
Eitri turned to the Prince of Asgard who was sporting a burning face of embarrassment. "It is a grand weapon…" The Prince muttered, sending a pleading look for her to stop. Percy seemed to be holding back his laughter as he probably came to the realization at what Sif was insinuating at Thor's reaction.
Jane smiled as well. "It's a little handheld device that shoots out wires that hook onto a person before discharging a concentrated electrical shock into them."
Eitri howled in laughter at Thor's expense as he slapped his side. "The God of Thunder and Lightning lost to a wee bit of electricity?!"
"I was without my heritage!" Thor defended sending pleading looks around for support but found none with Sif and Jane openly giggling while Percy had looked away to stifle his laughs. Eitri howled in more laughter as he turned back to Jane.
"I think I have something for you…" He was still chuckling to himself as he maneuvered to Sif. "I am assuming you want the same sword?"
She wanted to nod but where she was going and if she was to fight by Perseus' side, who probably dealt with monsters and immortals occasionally, it would do to have a single but longer blade as he tended to either get up close and personal with his opponents or keep them a good distance away with his spear. It was not like she often used it anyways. The surprise effect it had was usually only good once and then more often than not, she would just end up using the primary blade anyways.
Plus, she was much better with a longer blade.
"I think I would like a longsword and a round shield." If she was going to be fighting and training with Perseus, it would also do to be able to match the style of shield as well.
Eitri hummed. "Similar to a Shield Maiden? Sif is growing up!" Thor exclaimed much to her detriment. She was a little girl when she first wanted the dual blade and tricorn shield. Perseus still recovering from laughing at Thor chuckled lightly at her expense now, while Jane looked utterly confused.
She flushed in embarrassment and felt heat rising up her neck.
Eitri nodded. "I have an idea for your sword. Any other preference to the shield? Or just the usual enchantments and coils"
"Just the customary enchantments and spare coils just in case they get cut." The Dwarf King bobbed his head at her requests.
Eitri maneuvered to Perseus who had schooled his features.
"What do you usually fight with?"
"A xiphos." Was the curt answer before sighing his voice taking on a diplomatic tone. "As much as I trust your capabilities in repairing armor, I don't think you have nor can make a weapon for me."
"Are you doubting my craft, boy?" Eitri grumbled but his voice was tinged in curiosity and more than a little challenge. As if the very idea that he could not make any weapon was one that had to be squashed away at all costs. "What makes you say that?"
"The first blade was the only blade that ever felt…right in my hands." He explained. "A Sword of the Seas. The one who made it was, consequently, the only other who knew how to do so."
"And what happened to them?"
His expression narrowed. "Her father killed her." Was the simple but stoic answer.
There was an awkward silence as the words hung in the air before Eitri spoke once again. "And what happened to the blade?"
His expression darkened further and his eyes narrowed at the Dwarf King. "Destroyed when I killed Gaea."
Another silence descended upon them as Sif shifted in her position. By Odin's Beard, this is getting awkward.
"And your second blade?" Eitri ventured as he continued to walk around the Greek analyzing every inch of him.
"Same style. Stygian Iron."
Eitri sucked in a breath. "That is not blade of the Sea."
"No its not." Percy agreed but didn't elaborate on its origins further. "It doesn't matter. It was destroyed along with Lady Sif's sword by the singularity grenade."
There was another pause as Eitri hummed. "Lift your sword arm parallel to the ground." The master craftsman said.
"I can fight with both."
"Then lift both if you must, Greek! I only need one!" Eitri boomed, whether in irritation or excitement Sif did not know as Perseus complied with the request.
Eitri further hummed as he ran a leathery and meaty hand across his sleeved arm and running over his fingers and hands as well. "You can put it down now."
"The Allfather says you have something from the Undine, a ribbon to be exact."
"What of it?" Perseus' eyes narrowed at the question.
"I would like to use it in the construction of this blade, more specifically the hilt and if you have anything else of the sea with you that would be most helpful."
A long look was sent towards the Dwarf King as he debated on whether to hand over the items requested. He nodded, if only slightly as he reached into the small satchel below the small of his back where a flask and a small leather hand pouch sat beside that small blade that he always seemed to keep on his person.
Maybe I should start doing that… Sif thought to herself as she watched the demigod fish out a lengthy sea green and bespeckled ribbon with ornate runic stitching on it. Afterwards, he dug further and retrieved an even smaller pouch that he unclipped and shook out three small sea shells.
"Sand Dollars. Capable of purifying polluted or cursed bodies of water. Straight from Atlantis. Very handy when bargaining with water deities." He explained as he handed over the requested the shells first but stopped with the ribbon, clearly hesitating before he relinquished the ribbon fully.
Eitri grunted in acknowledgement and made to leave as he spoke. "Stay here. I'll be back in an hour or two with all your things."
"What was that about?" Jane questioned.
There was a pause as Percy eyes trailed after the Dwarf King. "The ribbon along with a staff are al that remains of the Undine."
"The Undine?"
"Water nymphs and spirits that made their home on Asgard." Sif explained as Thor nodded. "But I thought those were just stories and myths?"
"I thought so too but Perseus encountered one when we first arrived." Thor said, looking to the demigod in question. "I spoke privately with my mother about them. She believed them to be myths and legend as well."
Perseus regarded them fully before turning to Sif. "I did promise that if we won the war I would tell you how I was able to use my powers on Asgard."
She nodded, recollecting the memory easily.
And then he told them simply. "To make it simple and plainly and from what I understand, I killed them." Sif's felt her body still but before any others could speak, he continued. "They were dying and were taking the oceans of Asgard with them. They asked me to release them from their undeath and I did so, reluctantly. As a consequence, the Seas were unbound and allowed me to use my abilities on Asgard as if I was back home. That's why I was at the ocean that first night."
A silence descended upon them again before Percy fished something else from his small satchel. A small rectangular box colored with red and white designs drawn expertly on it. "If we are going to be waiting for a while, anyone up for a couple games of Go Fish?"
The next hour and a half of her life would be weird one for Sif as she learned the human card game of Go Fish. Every now and again, beams of light would shoot from the encased star and it a section of the rings that twirled and maneuvered around it.
While she knew she didn't like losing and had a competitive streak that rivaled Thor's, the fact that a simple human game could inspire such rage in her was a feeling that she didn't want again.
But she would be damned if she lost to Jane again in this game.
"Damn the Fish!" Sif barked as she drew a card from the middle and growled again at not getting a pair. Narrowing her eyes at the new card in her hand, hoping it would combust into one she needed. She almost won!
"Hey! What'd the fish do!" Perseus was smiling slightly.
"Do you have an Eight?" Thor asked the demigod excitedly, who deflated as he handed over the card. Thor smirked as he set the pair down before him.
I have an Eight! She thought with a growl. She had asked him for a Jack.
Thor asked Sif. "Do you have a Six?"
"Go Fish!" She proclaimed with a smirk as it was Thor's turn to deflate as he drew a card.
A raised eyebrow from both Perseus and Jane was directed to Thor before they shared a knowing look, she didn't know why though. Perhaps, they realized something that she nor Thor had yet to notice.
Maybe there was a strategy to this game? She and Thor had won once but all the other times, it was either Perseus or Jane having won the simple yet frustrating game. How can a game of luck rely on strategy?!
She reasoned to herself that it was a human game and they would have the advantage in that.
"Do you have a one?" Jane was smiling as well, cradling her cards close to her chest as she looked to Percy.
He sighed again and handed over the card.
They were interrupted when Eitri and several other Dwarves clambered in, holding armor and weapons in their arms and hands. They stood as Percy quickly collected the cards.
I will win one day. Sif determined as she glared at the cards in her hand before handing them to their owner. They quickly stood abreast of each other.
Immediately, upon spotting his armor, it collapsed into a fine watery mist that traveled like a cloud to the Son of Poseidon whereupon it engulfed him and then molded and morphed into his armor. It was repaired she could see, but there were differences as well. Instead of the strings and straps that kept the armor together at the obliques, they were changed into golden Asgardian scale mail where she assumed that the greaves and bracers had received the same treatment.
He didn't comment on it as he began twisting and bending, testing the armor before becoming seemingly satisfied with it.
Thor was next as he was engulfed in a flurry of arcing bolts of lightning that danced around his person. His armor remained much the same but where before there was circular ornamentation denoting his position as a member of the Royal Family of Asgard, it instead was smooth bands of metal that reminded her oddly of standard Einherjar armor. but without the large pauldrons that they usually had Though instead of it being a light and sheen grey and silver and bright red cloak, it was instead a dark smoky black and gold, eerily similar to the Einherjar Legions with a dark maroon cape replacing his bright red one.
Thor did the same as Perseus and began stretching and twisting and bending to get a feel for the weight and flexibility for the new armor. Surprisingly, it was still incredibly maneuverable despite the heavy looking breastplate that it was, shifting as Thor did.
Sif was next as she willed her armor to herself, the amber mist engulfing and coiling around her fully as she felt the weight of the battle wear settle upon her. But where she expected a weighty metal breastplate, what rested upon her was a leathery but still metal material that wrapped around her body tightly. It was as equally dark as Thor's own armor, but still had silver metal for her spaulders and parts of her upper chestpiece. A near salmon coloration adorned the front that traveled from her chest to a hanging short kama around her waist while dark maroon scales that gave the appearance of coiled ropes wrapped around her shoulders and waist.
Her maroon helmet formed around her head but she could tell no difference with it on so she shrugged it off as soon as it formed.
It was much the same but instead of an open face design it had before, the helm had extra eye protection around her upper face covering everything above her nose in silver metal with narrowed slits for eyes. Though with the enchantments, the covering wasn't noticeable when she wore it.
She did the same as Perseus and Thor and began twisting and turning and bending to feel the armor.
It was highly maneuverable, much more than her previous armor was but it was still a little heavier than it, something she would just have to get used to.
"Uh…guys? How do I summon my armor?"
Sif wanted to giggle at the words of Jane as they cut through the motions that all three of the experienced and practiced warriors of their respective realms were doing as if it were second nature.
Then there was Lady Jane. The virgin Valkyrie that had never done such a thing before in her life as the Aether was probably the culprit as to summoning the armor in the first place when it changed her into an Asgardian.
Thor spoke. "You just will it to you." Sif continued to stretch.
"Will it?" She questioned. "That doesn't make sense. Armor isn't sentient."
Thor didn't answer as he scrunched his eyes in confusion as he looked to Percy and Sif for help. He was never the best at explaining magic.
"She definitely has a lot to learn." Perseus muttered as he began rolling his shoulders before sighing. Sif bent forward to touch her toes to hide the amusement that erupted on her face. "The metal isn't alive but the magic in it is." She brought herself up, having successfully suppressed the smile that was playing on her features.
"There's no such thing as magic." Was her retort and Perseus palmed his face. Eitri looked as amused as she was.
"You're telling me, someone who can summon water without batting an eye and knows the literal Goddess of Magic, that you, someone who was turned from a human into an Asgardian in the span of a second, don't believe in magic?" Jane opened and closed her mouth, at a loss of words at the surprisingly sound argument made by the Son of Poseidon, at least to her ears as Sif found herself inclining her head slightly in agreement.
Not only that but she did just watch armor be created from water, lightning and an amber mist but Sif didn't point that out, content that if Jane did push the argument further, Perseus would do so.
His tone took on one that reminded her of when Tyr would teach her. "Stretch your hand towards it, if you need to, and will it to you. Don't say anything but concentrate on the single thought of your armor being formed on your person. Think of it like the Force."
"You're seriously basing this on Star Wars?" Star Wars? What in the Nine Realms was that?
"It's honestly the best description I can think of." He shrugged though she spotted a light smile playing on his lips as she straightened out, feeling satisfying pops resound as she did so.
The dwarf that was holding her armor gestured for her to try. Sif having finished her stretching and getting a temporary feel for her new armor, elected to watch this happen, curious to see if she would have to resort to holding her stuff.
It would definitely be an embarrassing and humiliating experience for the girl.
Sif watched as Jane reluctantly lifted her arm and grasped at the armor, a concentrating look on her features as she scrunched her eyes and steadied herself, tensing as she did so.
"You're trying too hard." Percy interrupted immediately after only a moment of the girl doing so who sent a glare to the demigod. "Relax and clear your mind. Simply will and want your armor on your person."
"It's not that easy."
"It is that easy. Thor, she so much as tenses or glares, shock her." He ordered. "Set the armor on the ground."
The dwarf did not immediately follow the command of the Greek but upon Eitri's subtle nod did as he was told. The Dwarf King was probably as curious and more than a little amused as to what was occurring.
The Prince of Asgard hesitated and began moving, only for him to stop in his tracks as Jane sent him a withering glare. "You shock me, lightning boy, and I'll make you regret it."
She watched as Percy flicked a finger at Jane and a tiny arc of lightning lanced off Mjolnir and struck Jane's arm causing a small welt to form at the impact and for her to yelp in surprise at the sudden contact.
The three Asgardians looked to Percy in shock at the display while the dwarves rumbled in laughter.
"What was that for?!"
"You glared." Was his simple reply with a shrug. "Now summon your armor, we don't have all day."
Jane huffed but turned to look at the sitting pile of metal and clothes. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
And then ever so slowly, the armor began to dissolve into a pale mist before that same pale mist began to shimmer and cascade about Jane's form, her eyes still closed.
In all, it looked relatively the same. But the spaulders were turned into a silver metal and there were added lengths of silver metal armor on her outer thighs, though it looked just as form-fitting as her own was but didn't seem to sacrifice protection in doing so, instead she could see it attempting to play to their strengths.
Well, Sif's was playing to her strengths. Jane didn't have any, considering her rather amateurish and novice level.
The only thing that seemed to be missing was the set of silver bracers that had been there beforehand.
The Valkyrie slowly peeked open her eyes before a vibrant smile stretched across her face as she looked to the Son of Poseidon. "I guess it is like the Force."
Whatever that was. Sif internally frowned at the girl. She would have liked to see her having to carry her armor or put it on manually.
Eitri grumbled as he stepped forward gesturing with his hands as the other dwarves stepped forward with small cases, relative to the dwarves that carried them, draped over with pieces of silver cloth on them.
This time Jane was first. The dwarf stepped forward and pulled the silver cloth from atop the case and opened it gingerly, betraying his massive form. Sif could see a pair of large silver…bracers? They were intricate, carved and molded with Asgardian runes, and Sif could see small wings of the Aesir flaring from the cuff but pressed flat against the silver metal, so that they wouldn't get caught on anything.
"Isn't this supposed to be a weapon?" Jane voiced the question that was probably on everyone's mind.
"Put them on, Lady Jane!" Eitri boomed excitedly as he twiddled his fingers.
Jane easily slipped them onto her arm given their large size before they seemingly tightened around her more dainty forearms, molding perfectly to the form. A stitch of lightning arcing across them and Jane's arms but not harming her as Perseus' had previously done.
"Now picture a sword and shield!"
No sooner did the words leave the Dwarf King's mouth did the wings of the bracers erupt in a silver fire and form into a gleaming sword made of silver fire into the grip of her right hand while a shield of ember and smoldering silver fire flashed into existence into her left hand. A round shield that also had the bearings of the Einherjar about it with runes running along its edges.
"They are called the Undrjarn, the All-Weapon! One of my finest creations! Simply think of a weapon, within limits of course and it shall appear as silver fire within your hands!"
"How-how is this possible?!" Jane gaped at the flaming silver sword in her hand.
At that, a massive grin erupted onto the King's face. "Lady Jane, that is magic at work!"
Jane scowled as the sword and shield collapsed into a shower of burning silver sparks and embers.
Everyone even the stoic Perseus laughed at that as the dwarf placed the display case for the bracers and the silver cloth into the hands of the woman.
Eitri gestured for the next bearer to step forward, a longer case this time as the dwarf pulled the linen off and prodded open the case but not before handing a sheen round silver shield much like the ones used by the Einherjar, with rounding lines and etched Asgardian runes and symbology coating much of its surface. She set that to her side for now.
Inside was a, polished oaken and amber hilt, about half the length of her forearm, engraved with Asgardian runes that were set in the hilt itself with a dark gold. She took it easily and already guessing the function given its hollowness at the top, willed the blade to come forth.
It immediately appeared into existence , the blade bearing a similar resemblance to her last one only slightly longer, with the same points that lined the edge of the blade while additional engraved Asgardian runes trailed the blade's edge.
She gave it a few test swings, and it whistled as it pierced the air. Her head snapped to Eitri who looked too smug at the revelation.
This was a Sword of Uru.
She would have to name it but for now, she kneeled on one knee and bowed her head low in thanks to the King Dwarf who immediately prodded her upward. "Stand, Sword of Asgard! I will not have our chief protectors be without the means to be so!"
"King Eitri, my deepest thanks." She said with all the sincerity she could muster.
"The same enchantments that Mjolnir has," Eitri nodded to Thor who brought up his hammer at the mention of it. "are found on the sword and the bracers. Only those worthy, of enough strength or those you allow are able to wield them. However, the shield is not Uru but of Asgardian Steel and Silver."
It didn't matter to her. The sword was more than enough for her as she willed the blade back into the hilt and attached it to her hip for now.
Eitri turned, accepting the proffered sea green linen wrapped sword. The Dwarf King stepped in front of Perseus. Even from this height, Sif was able to tell that the sword was too long to be a short xiphos. "Perhaps, one of the most challenging but best creations since Mjolnir and Gungnir." He said softly, as he began to unwrap the linen from around the weapon.
It was held in a simple dark leather sheathe with no ornamentation, but Sif could see a glittering and slightly vibrant sea green wave coil and wrap around the hilt as it neared Perseus' hand.
The Greek hesitated and his head visibly twitched as his eyes locked onto it but steeled himself as he gripped the hilt.
A gust of wind ran through the hall, blowing her hair backward. But it was gentle as if it were a sea breeze and didn't cause her to instinctually brace herself against the suddenness of it.
Perseus almost drew it as if he was still hesitant to even touch it but given her closeness to the demigod, she could see the slight tremors in his shoulders and tears gathering at the edge of his eyes.
She didn't say anything in that regard and neither did anyone else if they had seen it which Sif was sure they would have given the proximity.
Instead the Son of Poseidon took a deep breath as he kept his hand clasped on the hilt of the sword and, after taking the sheathe into his other hand, drew it fully.
It was a simple blade and a little shorter than her own. It lacked any ornamentation save for the small dark golden waves flanking the blade and forming the crossguard. The blade was near the length from his shoulder to the tip of his fingers and where her sword held pointed and sharp edges, his ran as true as an arrow with the foible being triangular and coming to a sharp point.
In the center of the fuller and running its length though, glinting off the starlight of Nidavellir, etched in ancient Greek and that same dark gold was a single word that she was able to translate considering her Allspeak.
Tempest.
"The Uru Spatha. Tempest, a blade of the Sea and befitting of a child of the Stormbringer." His eyes flicked very slightly, that had she not been looking to him that she would have missed it, to Thor before returning to Perseus. "And a weapon that finds its power in both Asgard and Midgard, much like Mjolnir and Gungnir, so long as either of the realms continue to exist."
"Its perfect." The demigod breathed utterly entranced with it as he gave it a few experimental swings, it whistled, the trademark indication of Ur and also its smoky but mirror like quality, as it cut through the air. "It's not Riptide but its an… equal."
"Unlike the other Uru weapons, it can only be used by those of the Sea and those you allow." Eitri explained as Perseus began to sheathe it, taking the linen to wrap the sheathed blade around it.
"Thank you, King Eitri." He paused as he seemed to consider his words. "If there-"
Eitri cut him of quickly. "Your defense of Asgard and containment of the Aether was reason enough to make you this weapon." Sif shifted in her place. "So long as you uphold your duty as Shield of Asgard, you protect and defend us as well. Just think of this as insurance, Greek, if you must." He looked to all of them before grinning a toothy grin. "Now with that out of the way! Come I will escort you to the Bifrost point!"
And with that the four followed the Dwarf King through the sweltering forges of Nidavellir, passing the dwarven workers that had not let up in the slightest in their craft.
The King had bade them well and produced a thick parchment scroll from within his thick leather and stained apron and handed it to Thor. "Give this to the Allfather."
Thor nodded placing the scroll within his dark green cloak that was over him and his armor. "It was good to see you again, Eitri!"
"And you too, Son of Odin!"
The King left soon after, grumbling of slacking guards.
A comfortable silence descended upon them before Perseus turned towards them as they stood on the dark metal platform of the Bifrost Point.
"We should probably not show up on Earth in our armor." He spoke to them. "We'll stand out and I don't want to risk the Mist not working on your armor. At the very least, this will help mask your presence to mortals."
"The Mist?" Jane scrunched her eyes in confusion.
Perseus sucked in a breath and Sif and Thor smiled at his deadpan look, already knowing what was going through his mind when she had spoke the question. The Son of Poseidon didn't answer her and instead his armor dissolved into a fine watery mist and was replaced by the clothes similar to the outfit he had worn when he had first arrived on Asgard.
Sif and Thor were next, their respective armors flashing away in either an amber mist or arcs of lightning. Leaving her in the maroon dress and the tight black pants and boots that she usually wore underneath her armor regardless while Thor had a similar look to Perseus with a worn brown coat over a black jacket and a green shirt underneath it. Blue jeans and black boots completed the rather mundane ensemble. Mjolnir taking on the appearance of a black umbrella.
They all looked to Jane, Sif allowing a slight smile on her face as the mortal-turned-Asgardian shifted in her place.
Luckily, they didn't have to wait that long, as only after a single shock from Perseus, a yelp and a laugh, did she manage to dissipate her armor away from her person in a silver mist.
She wore much the same clothes that Sif was given that they were still her own.
"If we're going to Earth, can we go to London?"
Percy looked to her before looking to Thor who shrugged.
"What's in London?"
"Well for one all my stuff is there. Plus my interns and Selvig are there...I think." She looked to Sif. "No offense but this dress is suffocating me."
Sif shrugged. She'd rather not see Jane in her clothes anymore anyways.
"About that, you are aware that you both are going to be staying with me right?" Percy said, a hint of slight anxiety creeping into his voice at the thought as if he had also resigned himself to the fate. "Will that be a problem?"
"None at all, Perseus. I am aware that Olympus will be…less than pleased with my presence as it is." Sif spoke earnestly. It was something that she had come to terms with. Hopefully, it wouldn't be all that weird.
"Why can't I get my own place?" Jane, saying the words as if she had already been told but not liking the idea.
"Same reason as Sif. You'll be safe there. The Olympians won't…overtly do anything with me around. You strike out on your own for too long and one of them might just kill you simply for being an Asgardian."
"What about my work?" Jane argued. "I can't simply stop that."
There was a long moment before he sighed. "There's an apartment in Manhattan. It's yours for your work if you want it. That is if it hasn't already been sold in the week that I was gone. You can go there on the weekends if you must."
She nodded but still didn't look too happy.
With that out of the way, Thor shouted upwards, "Heimdall, take us to London!"
And in an instant they were engulfed in the rainbow beam of the Realm of the Dwarves and standing upon the scorched pavement of a shipping yard.
"As representative of Olympus, I formally welcome you to Earth, Thor and Lady Sif." The Son of Poseidon said with a diplomatic tone but tinged in mirth as they regained their bearings.
Thunder boomed in the distance.
'The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, it hates and it weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.'
-Christopher Paolini
'The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.'
-Vincent Van Gogh
A couple things to say before I end the chapter. (So much for that attempt at minimal author's notes huh?)
If you want to see what their new armor looks like, barring Percy's since I don't exactly have a reference for it, Sif's armor is on the gallery page for the concept art of Thor: The Dark World, minus the heels since that's just stupid. Thor's is concept art for Avengers: Infinity War and what I'm naming his 'Warrior Armor'. For Jane's, I'm using a mixture of her armors from the comics from when she was Lady Thor and Valkyrie.
Anyways I am glad at the response for last chapter! I will be introducing a lot more ideas in the coming arcs. Quite a few have been hinted at already and will continue to be built up to!
This sort of Medi-Arc is for setting the stage for the next major arc and for additional world building. Take what you will from that particular statement. Mostly its a lot of exposition but I feel its needed so be prepared for that and quite a lengthy chapter when we get to it.
This chapter was a little more lighthearted than the previous ones but there is a reason for that as I felt that Percy may want to wind down a bit before he faces the next trials that are ahead for him. Some more apparent than others.