Piecing Together

Catching Amora was proving difficult. It had been a day and Hogun had caught sight of one of her henchmen briefly, but he’d vanished into thin air. One of the problems with chasing someone magical, they had more escape routes and ways to hide than most. Thor finally decided while the others kept looking, he needed to pay a visit to Asgard and see if he and Heimdall were correct about Loki.

Thor arrived to find what appeared to be Odin luxuriating outside, watching a play and eating. Certainly not appearing to be the grieving widower and father his guards had indicated he was just a couple of weeks ago. When he caught sight of Thor, he hopped to his feet.

“My son, what brings you to visit?”

“You’re looking much less grieved than you were said to be the last time I was here. Glad to see it.” Thor approached with narrowed eyes and noticed the way apparently Odin shifted. It was decidedly Loki-like.

“Grieving those so dear may never truly abate, but I must step out again sometime. What brings you here? Is Midgard not in need of your attentions?”

“Midgard has my attention, but as ruler of all the Nine Realms, I thought you might wish to remain informed, especially as it seems you are no longer hearing the counsel of Asgard’s Watchman. You threatened him with charges of treason if he pressed to see you.”

“Well, technically he did commit treason. Perhaps he grew too comfortable with his position.” He stepped back as Thor stepped closer and tossed his hammer past ‘Odin’s’ head.

“I see. And what of others who grow too comfortable with their positions.” Thor grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. “You know Mjonir will return to my hand regardless of what stands in the way. Even your face.”

“You’ve gone mad.”

“Have I now, Brother?” Mjolnir was rushing back toward them.

“I yield!” The guise of Odin disappeared revealing Loki. Some people gasped with apparent surprise, though Thor noticed some who he knew to be closer to the family looked a bit less shocked. Loki smiled, looking a bit caught off guard, which was unusual for him.

“What did you do with Father?”

“Well, I -” Loki appeared to be reaching for an answer. “The man needed to get away.”

“Loki!” Thor advanced and Loki stepped back. And a few more steps until Thor had backed him into his seat.

“Alright, I know where he is.” Loki was no doubt feeling more cooperative with Mjolnir pressed to his chest.

They found Odin, though not precisely where Loki had left him. It seemed Odin had shaken free of Loki’s spell a little while ago, but had done nothing about it, other than to wander about Midgard. They found him on the cliffs of Norway, which somehow made sense, so far North it was dark all day. The only light from the moon and stars until Loki ignited a small torch.

“You did not notice the chaos brewing here on Midgard?” Thor was reminded of his frustration with Odin’s apparent lack of interest in all of the realms which he was supposed to rule.

“There is always chaos on Midgard.”

“Chaos created by one of Asgard’s own.”

“From what I could tell, Loki hasn’t been meddling in Midgard. It seems he is actually a rather good leader of Asgard. Which is why I’ve stayed away. Asgard is peaceful, prospering.”

“Not Loki. Amora. And there may be something else as well.”

Odin’s brow furrowed. “My powers are not as strong as they were. I’ve been apart from Asgard for some time and I have not had time to enter an Odinsleep. What is Amora doing? And what is this something else?”

“We do not know. Amora possibly has interest in a human woman. But we do not know why.”

“What would Amora want with a mortal woman? She’s never shown much interest in dealing with women, especially not average mortal ones.” Loki’s eyebrow went up. Amora was one of the few with magic abilities that could rival his, and they had long had on and off rivalry because of it, as well as times where they had worked together because it suited them both.

“I don’t know. It might make more sense if I knew what she wanted. But what we do know suggests she is potentially interested in or wants something from this person.” Thor glanced back at Odin and found his father’s expression curious. He looked much less confused than Loki did, or he felt.

“You know something.” Loki clearly saw it as well.

“I do not know. I only wonder. There is a chance that there could be an apparent mortal on this world with some connection to Amora. The mortal likely is completely unaware of this.” Odin paused for a moment and looked out at the sky as Thor and Loki watched him. “While we have a moment, what is this other thing causing chaos on Midgard, other than Amora?”

“Something is possessing a girl. Something that is being called primal. A demon perhaps. I’ve been asked to join the Avengers who are gathered in a place on this planet called Sokovia to help try to free this girl.”

“And this isn’t the woman that Amora is interested in?” Loki seemed very interested in what was going on now that he knew Amora was involved. He probably didn’t like that Amora’s activities were apparently causing such chaos on Midgard and he’d managed to not be aware. Perhaps pretending to be Odin and keeping Odin under spell, and keeping everyone who might notice, like Heimdall from seeing the truth had kept him a bit occupied.

“No, Jane has been following the energy signatures and they are distinctly different. One is likely Amora, the other is something else.”

“Perhaps we shall have some ideas soon.” Odin was scanning the dark, open field and from seemingly nowhere a woman with blond hair and blue eyes walked out surrounded by little twinkling, glowing lights. Dressed all in green, she was not someone Thor had ever seen.

Thor and Loki exchanged curious looks. Odin seemed familiar with the woman though.

“It has been some time, Odin. What brings you to my world?” The woman moved with seemingly perfect grace. Regardless of where she stepped her foot was perfectly placed, even in the darkness. Her gaze swept over Thor and Loki. “This is him. Is this why you’ve come?”

Thor stepped back as the woman brushed a hand over his cheek. “Who is this, Father?”

“That is him, but no. He is not aware, though perhaps he should be. We have other questions.” Odin then looked at Thor. “Thor, this is Jord, though she goes by many names. She is also your mother. Frigga and I asked for her aid in conceiving and birthing you. We desired for you to have a connection to Midgard as well as Asgard.”

“She’s what?” Thor looked around and caught Loki stifling a laugh.

“Frigga is still your mother as well. Multiple parents are always possible among the gods, as are singular parents. We are not confined to physical constraints even with physical forms. Your companion Heimdall was born of nine mothers, sisters of the sea.” Jord stroked Thor’s cheek again before moving to walk around again. “What is the reason for calling me then, Odin?”

“Thor says there is disruption on Midgard. A being possessing a girl in one part of this world. As well as one of my people, Amora, meddling, showing interest in a mortal woman in another part.”

Jord closed her eyes a moment and nodded. “I see, these are both concerning events. Thank you for bringing them to my attention. Are you here to assist?”

“I am not at my full strength, but Thor is here to help. And I will do what I can if you need.” Odin nodded.

She glanced at Loki. “And you?”

“Oh, well, I suppose that depends.” Loki smiled, and Thor saw nerves.

“On what?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”

She actually seemed to smirk at that. “Very well. The possession, I know who that is, and that must be dealt with as quickly as possible. I may need assistance, and should this one choose to be helpful, he would prove useful in this.” She pointed at Loki.

“Oh? Really?” Loki appeared surprised and Thor chuckled a little.