Trick 72: Dying!

Frigga looked around and frowned, saying "Stay here, little one." Ace nodded and finished writing the notes before closing his book as Frigga came back with Jane.

Ace packed up his things as Frigga said "Come along." before leaving the library. The trio went into another chamber of sorts.

Ace asked Frigga, "What's going on?" Frigga smiled and replied "Just a skirmish, nothing to be worried about." Ace frowned and the door to the chamber opened. Everyone looked over as Frigga waved Jane to back off.

Ace clapped his hands and his eyes glowed purple as purple mandalas appeared over his arms, he stood in front of Frigga, saying "Who are you?" The man was wearing strange armor and had completely white skin and hair with pointed ears, he replied slowly "I am Malekith. And I would have what is mine."

Ace frowned and replied "You seek the Aether?" Malekith crossed his arms behind his back, replying "You are wise, Asgardian. Perhaps your vision shall save your own life." Ace curled his lips and said "You won't have it. Also…"

He slammed his fist on the ground as stone pillars shot out at Malekith as Ace finished, "I'm not from Asgard." Malekith smashed the stone pillars and Ace shook his hands, bright light surging on them.

He pointed his palms at Malekith, beams of light blasting him. Malekith groaned as the beams hit him, forcing him back, divots in the floor as he slid backwards. Ace said "Your majesty, stand back. I can handle this."

Frigga looked worried and said "Little one…" Ace smiled and said "It's not an issue. No harm shall come to you, I promise." as he stepped forward, waving out hand into the air above Malekith as a circle of purple light appeared.

Light spears rained down, pinning Malekith to the ground. Ace crossed his arms and swung them towards Malekith as the stone rubble turned into golems, grabbing onto Malekith from all sides before turning to steel.

Jane shouted "Behind you!" Ace turned and fell backwards as a creature swung a sword at him. He fell to the ground and slapped behind him, creating a cloud of darkness. The creature slashed down into the cloud as Ace appeared above him, falling from the ceiling.

He landed on the creature, grabbing its horns. Purple energy escaped from Ace's eyes, wisping out from the cloak's hood as the horns started turning to stone!

The creature roared and grabbed at Ace, who jerked the creature's head around. The creature roared and ran towards a pillar, lunging at it and turning around as Ace tried to get off.

The creature grabbed his hands and smashed him against itself and the pillar, smashing the pillar to debris!

Ace sucked in air, coughing up blood as he rolled on the ground, hitting the wall. The creature smacked its horns, shattering them as he growled, raising the sword to kill Ace, however!

Malekith shouted "Enough! The mage is of no consequence. We are here for the Aether." The creature turned to him and ripped the steel golems apart, freeing Malekith, who waved, smashing the rest away.

He smashed a fist down on his legs, shattering the light spikes as he walked over to Frigga, saying "Give me what I require, witch!" however, she only smiled "No." before pulling out a sword and slashing at Malekith, cutting his face as he shouted in pain.

The creature attacked and Frigga blocked the sword with difficulty, frowning at the power the creature held. Malekith growled and attacked Frigga, only for her swordplay to outclass him in every way!

The Creature smashed its sword down like a hammer as Frigga backed off, blocking both Malekitch and it, until finally the Creature grabbed Frigga, slapping the sword away.

It wrapped its arm around Frigga's neck as Malekith let out a breath turning to Jane, saying "Come back to me, Aether." however!

Jane was only an illusion!

Malekith roared at Frigga "Witch! Where are you hiding my Aether?!" Frigga smiled, "I'll never tell you."

Ace looked up and his hand was glowing purple as he coughed up some more blood.

A purple hue covered his body as Malekith nodded at Frigga, "I believe you." Suddenly there was a flash and Ace replaced Frigga just as a sword popped out from his chest.

Ace's eyes widened and he sucked in air, blood escaping from his lips as he coughed. Malekith was startled and shouted "Damn mage!" before he could do anything, lightning scorched half his face as Thor flew into the room, shouting "No!"

The Creature dropped Ace and grabbed Malekith, fleeing from the chamber as Thor chased them.

Ace laid on the ground, touching the sword in his chest as he started having trouble breathing. Frigga ran over and held Ace, saying "Oh my! Why!" Ace coughed up some blood and Frigga took the sword out of him, laying him on the ground as she pressed her hand on Ace's wound.

Thor ran back and shouted "Is he alright?!" Odin walked into the chamber and saw Ace on the ground, bleeding profusely. He fell silent and Frigga said "Bring him to the Soul Forge, I shall heal him myself." Odin looked at Thor, who walked over and picked Ace up, walking away as Frigga followed him.

Odin stood there and looked at the ground, thinking in silence.

A portal opened in front of him and the Ancient One looked at Odin, with a frown. Odin said "He sacrificed himself to save my wife, he is a noble warrior. His fate belongs to the Gods now." The Ancient One stayed silent for a few moments as Odin continued "You send him to me, I know not of his character. This can hardly be counted on my head."

The Ancient One retorted, "As King of Asgard, you have no power here? Perhaps your Odin's Sleep should be permanent?" Odin retorted "You know the waning of my power…"

The Ancient One retorted "You promised me his safety, did you not, Odin!?" Odin fell silent for a moment, looking at the ground as he replied "I did not foresee-" The Ancient One nodded, "Indeed. You haven't foreseen many things as of late. Imprisoning your own son had wondrous consequences, didn't it?"

Odin frowned and said "I do not come to your territory and speak ill of your ways, Yao! Mind your tongue, you are on Asgardian soil at the moment!" Yao stared at him, retorting "Save your pride for someone who knows nothing of your past, Odin. The Nine realms were-"

Odin shouted "The Nine Realms were quelled under MY BLADE! Not yours! When the Celestials came it was ME who saved us all!" he knocked his spear on the ground and continued "Or have you forgotten!"

Yao looked at him with her hands behind her back as she replied "No. I haven't forgotten the friend I once had. The one who put the Nine Realms in peace with his own hand, the one who took out his enemies instead of letting them rage in his palace."

Odin fell silent and Yao continued "I came for the boy's wellbeing. Not to squabble with a man who is a shadow of his former self." Odin looked at Yao for a few moments as silence descended on the room, until he finally said "The boy is brave, he would do well as successor… unfortunately…"

Yao turned to the window, finishing "Unfortunately, he is too kind." Odin closed his mouth as Yao frowned, Odin spoke again, "He tells me he left you." Yao replied gently, "He has."

Odin looked at her back, saying "You've become soft, Yao. There was a time where you would've taught the boy by any means necessary. It seems…" he curled his lips, adding "Perhaps, I'm not the only one who has become a shadow."

Yao turned to him, saying "The boy has a love for magic and a kind heart. Should he choose to not become Sorcerer Supreme, he will not be! I will not force the boy to kill! Perhaps you have forgotten where your teaching also failed! It should be centuries now? I wonder, how much has wrath consumed her?"

Odin frowned and warned, "Yao." Yao raised her brows, "Oh? We do not speak of her? I see! Another excellent method to bury the past! I wonder, how long will you be able to hold on until it becomes a problem, falling on the head of your son?" Odin gripped his spear, staying silent.

Yao snorted and turned her head, saying "The boy left Kamar-Taj, however his love for magic still stands. I allowed him to leave for him to grow. He had become too dependent on his artifacts, barely using his own magic. When he is ready, he shall return."

Odin asked "Will you still be around to witness it?" Yao smiled gently and asked, "Will you?" Odin smiled and they both fell silent for a moment before Odin said with a sigh, "I fear for the future, Yao. What will become of the Nine Realms should our leadership be gone?"

Yao clenched her hands together behind her back, smiling "Hopefully more prosperous." Odin laughed and shook his head, turning around to leave. Yao followed him, turning invisible as they came to Ace.

Frigga was frowning, using the Soul Forge as Ace laid there, breathing very shallow breaths without his cloak or shirt on.

Yao looked at Ace and sighed sadly, not only was there a massive scar on his waist from New York, but a sword wound on his chest, as well as many other marks all over his body.

Frigga looked over and smiled, turning back to the Soul Forge. Thor didn't notice Yao, asking anxiously "Will he be alright?" Frigga smiled in relief, replying "Yes." Yao walked over and touched Ace's chest.

Ace sucked in a short breath and his vision blurred before going black.

Thor froze and smashed the table, tearing up as he shouted "NO!" before turning around and covering his eyes with one hand as he stormed off.

Frigga looked at Yao, who was looking at Ace gently.

Odin looked at Ace in silence as Yao muttered "Let him experience death, he will grow." Odin looked at her saying "This does not bode well, Yao. You know the consequences-" Yao waved her hand, saying "I will deal with the Mistress. You shall not reveal my involvement."

Frigga commented, "I don't think-" Yao smiled warmly, "You do not know the boy well. If he knew, he would return to Kamar-Taj and never leave. This is how he is. A very loyal boy." as green rings covered her forearm slowly.

She twisted her hand and the sword wound slowly started disappearing, a healthy color returning to Ace's face.

Meanwhile