Chapter 87

The effect of the electric shock from Thor's Hammer was immediate, causing the black smoke surrounding Abel to dissipate momentarily as he staggered back. As his true face was on the verge of being revealed, Abel quickly waved his wand, restoring the swirling black smoke that concealed his identity.

Glancing at Coulson through the haze, Abel couldn't tell if the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent had seen anything, but Coulson's focus seemed elsewhere—locked on Thor's Hammer, which had finally reacted.

"Mr. Black Wizard," Coulson began, excitement lacing his voice. "That thing just responded. How did you trigger it?"

"Magic," Abel said simply, meeting Coulson's gaze. "I told you before. Your codename for me is accurate. I'm a wizard, not a superhuman."

"Magic? Come on, that's not—"

Abel cut him off, shaking his head with a slight smile. "You believe in aliens, but magic is a step too far for you?"

Before Coulson could respond, Abel turned back to the hammer. He waved his wand, allowing tendrils of black smoke to curl around Mjolnir. Blue and white sparks crackled from the hammer in response, a sign that more power lay dormant within it. Yet, before pushing further, Abel withdrew, retreating to the edge of the crater.

The answer Abel sought had already been confirmed—Mjolnir's handle was indeed made from a branch of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, just as he had suspected. Such a material was beyond rare, and Abel briefly considered the possibility of using it for a wand. If he ever obtained a fragment of the World Tree, or even salvaged pieces from Mjolnir in the future, it could potentially lead to the creation of a wand powerful enough to rival the Infinity Stones.

For now, though, it was a matter for the distant future.

"I've gotten what I came for. I'll be going," Abel said, preparing to leave.

Coulson, however, wasn't ready to let him go. "Mr. Black Wizard, we at S.H.I.E.L.D. have no ill intentions. In fact, we have a great deal of respect for you. Would you consider staying to talk?"

"I know what you want to discuss," Abel replied. "But I have no interest in speaking with you."

With those words, Abel vanished into a vortex of dark magic, leaving only the faint echo of his voice behind. Coulson sighed. These superhumans were always the same—independent, elusive. With Stark pulling away from S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers Initiative seemed more and more like a pipe dream.

***

Invisible and trailing Thor's energy signature, Abel soon arrived at a nearby holding facility. He remained hidden, observing from the shadows, knowing that Thor's half-brother Loki was likely to appear soon. Abel didn't want a direct confrontation with Loki, but he remembered that Loki had once traveled between the Nine Realms without using the Bifrost. If Abel could learn this method, it would be invaluable to his own pursuits.

Time passed, and instead of Loki, Abel first saw Coulson interrogate Thor. The interrogation bore no fruit, and Coulson eventually left, but Abel's patience was rewarded. He felt a subtle pulse of magic, almost imperceptible, but enough to signal Loki's presence.

Moving swiftly to a secluded corner, Abel lifted his wand and tapped the side of his eye. His vision shifted, and he saw Loki standing in front of Thor, dressed in his usual elegant Asgardian attire, his black hair slicked back. Loki's pale complexion and cold gaze gave him an aura of both charm and menace.

Abel didn't bother listening to their conversation. His attention was solely on Loki, waiting for his next move. After a brief exchange, Loki cast an illusion and left the room. Abel followed, slipping through the shadows as Loki returned to Mjolnir's resting place.

Loki, too, attempted to lift Thor's Hammer, but his efforts were in vain. Abel stifled a smile, amused by Loki's frustration as the trickster god repeatedly tried and failed to claim the weapon.

Eventually, Loki gave up and, after a glance skyward—perhaps toward Odin—he turned and walked northwest, moving swiftly with the aid of magic. Abel followed close behind, concealed within the folds of dark magic.

They soon arrived in a remote wilderness, where Loki suddenly halted. He turned, scanning the area with a smirk on his face.

"Come out," Loki called, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I know you're following me. It took you long enough to see through my illusion. I must admit, the mages of Earth are not as weak as I once thought."

Though Abel remained hidden, Loki's keen senses were not fooled. With a wicked grin, Loki raised his hand and sent a blast of green fire toward where he believed Abel was hiding. The explosion was fierce, shaking the ground.

Yet from the smoke, Abel emerged, unscathed, cloaked once again in black smoke. He stood before Loki, his face hidden beneath his hood.

Loki's smile widened. "Ah, a true master of the dark arts. What a pleasant surprise."