Check out my new book on Pat.reon. Aden Strong Avatar In DC
Yes! We're back baaaby. Sorry for not updating in the last few days. I've been caught up in the new year celebration. Happy new year guys.
(Jin's P.O.V)
"Well, I definitely wasn't expecting this."
I told the queen as healers took away Thor's unconscious body.
"You mean the loud cheers and adoration from the spectators."
I nodded. She laughed lightly.
"It's part of the Asgardian culture to praise battle prowess. You beat their God of Thunder and Strength, it's expected that they will cheer for you."
I listened as we made our way out of the arena.
"You don't sound upset."
I probed. It was imperative to understand the Queen's stand on the fight. It wouldn't do to get fucked over because of a mother's grudge. Fortunately, Frigga was an experienced queen and she wouldn't let petty feelings get in the way of diplomacy.
We passed through the sprawling market. Numerous things were being sold. There was even several stands with swords, shields, spears and other weapons. Fit for a kingdom that worshipped strength, I guess. I also noticed stalls with trinkets and other magical artefacts though those were fewer in number. People made way as we passed, a contingent of the queen's 4 royal guards surrounded us on all sides. I doubted Frigga actually needed protecting.
"So tell me Mr. Anderson, what is your goal?"
She asked, once we'd made it past the busy market. I looked at her from the corner of my eye but her expression remained unreadable. The small smile on her face told me she was just curious, but knowing that this was Frigga - mind games probably.
She was trying to ease me into a sense of security, lowering my guard enough that I'll answer her questions without unknowingly.
"That's personal. Although, you can rest assured that I mean no harm to Asgard, your highness."
She briefly chuckled.
"Tell that to the broken sections of the palace walls."
She had a good point. I frowned in thought.
"I… apologize for that."
I said and her smile widened.
"Think nothing of it Mr Anderson. You fixed it up after all."
There was a brief silence as I we finally made it to the Palace. The queen didn't waste time and led me directly towards the huge banquet room. A banquet was already laid on the huge tables and people had started celebrating.
Thor was up and about already, which surprised me a little die to the short time his injuries took to heal. Granted the queen and I had used the long way back. One, to let me see more of Asgard but mostly to get a better understanding of me. Everyone rose from their seats and bowed before Frigga waved her hand and the celebration resumed.
She led me to the table where Thor and the others were.
"Ah Jin! Welcome my friend!"
Thor's booming voice rang out through the huge room once I neared the table. There were some mixed reactions from the occupants. However I was surprised when I saw that most of it was positive.
"What a splendid fight that was!"
"Sit down you oaf. You're causing a scene."
Loki shouted at Thor and pulled him down.
"Loki's right. Conduct yourself with behavior befitting that of a prince, my son."
"Bah. Mother, don't be like Loki. He has no sense of humor whatsoever."
Frigga rolled her eyes and left the table to go sit with a few noblewomen. A huge glass of mead was shoved into my hands by Fandral.
"Thank you."
I nodded and sat down next to Fandral and Sif.
"Don't mind Thor. He gets like this whenever he finds someone to match him."
"Match him? He kicked all of our collective arses."
Volstagg bellowed out with a laugh. His huge belly jiggled, while he took a jab at Thor.
"That is true."
Hogun sagely said. I looked at him weirdly. He'd said that so seriously. Which made the scene of him biting a chunk out of a large piece of meat so comical. Lady Sif frowned while nursing her drink. Out of all of them, her and Loki looked the most pensive and thoughtful.
Loki was more frustrated than anything however. I caught him throwing dirty looks my way more than a few times. Sif had a wary look on her face whenever she observed me.
" Is this how Asgardians celebrate defeat?"
I asked while smiling. The question was directed at Sif. She snorted.
" Your arrogance is annoying."
I chuckled.
"It's not arrogance when I have the strength to back up the claim. You guys can attest to that."
She glared at me, looking like she wanted to skewer me with her sword. I held up my hands.
" Hey don't get so riled up. I was just only joking."
Her frown was replaced by a look of exasperation.
"Men."
That word hit deep inside me. I instantly understood why Sif seemed so closed off as compared to the others. The others had accepted her but I doubt that the journey getting there was easy.
She had little patience for antics and hated when someone brought question to her strength because she had probably fought tooth and nail for the position she currently was at. That didn't mean that the camaraderie between her and the guys was weak or fake. I doubted that they wouldn't do everything in their power to assist Sif if she ever asked. But they would probably never understand her fully.
Even now, they laughed off their defeat at my hands easily. Something that could be taken for a strong mentality but Sif on the other hand was already wondering what she could do to improve. What she could do to not stay comfortable with her current level of power. Completely unlike the others, she understood that to achieve your dreams you had to fight and fight and fight. Which made us a little similar.
"I wasn't lying you know."
I begun, causing her to turn her attention back to me.
"About what?"
I sighed after taking a swig at the mead. Strong stuff. I wasn't a physical being but I could drain the essence of magic contained in the liquid. Frigga had told me that the mead itself came from Vanaheim.
"Your sword skills. You've put a lot of time and effort into refining them. It's... inspiring."
"Oh."
She looked surprised at the compliment. Then she smiled.
"Flattery?"
I laughed.
"A little. I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. I want to correct that?"
She shook her head and said nothing.
I turned my attention back to Thor and Volstagg who were now competing in an arm wrestle. Volstagg's face was red while Thor looked like he was barely putting in effort. With a loud bang, Volstagg's hand hit the table and the corner broke off, sending shards of wood away.
"Could you come with me?"
Sif whispered at me from the side which surprised me a bit.
Her face betrayed nothing of what she was thinking, so I nodded and she rose up from the table. I waited for her to leave the banquet room then followed her a few seconds later. The others were too busy chatting to notice me. All except for Loki who had a little smirk on his face.
"Going for a little dalliance with the fair maiden? Word of caution, mortal. This one has thorns."
I didn't acknowledge his words and left. I didn't even feel insulted by his words. Jokes on him, I kicked all their asses.
I weaved through the crowds and huge streams of people before using my powers to follow the way towards Sif's familiar energy. I found her on a balcony overlooking the fading sun. I took a moment to admire her beauty.
The long but toned legs, strong arms and that ass...Sif was breathtaking.
"Are you done staring?"
"Honestly? Not even close. You're very beautiful milady."
She said nothing as I walked up to her.
"You're a little too free with your compliments."
She finally said.
"Is that a bad thing?"
I replied.
"Depends. You don't strike me as a man to waste your time with empty words."
I nodded.
"You're right. I hope my openness doesn't offend you."
I was now standing right next to her. There was a short distance separating us but I was keenly aware of her presence. Her scent was also oddly remeniscent of jasmine. Something I didn't expect from a warrior like her. Silence filled the air between us and my curiosity as to why she'd called me out here, only grew by the second.
" How did you get so powerful?"
She finally questioned. I took a minute to think about my answer. Was I powerful? Maybe but the truth is, it didn't feel like that. Zoren had at one time told me that I was far from achieving my full potential. That the power I currently possessed wasn't enough to make me stand before the truly powerful.
Even though I could destroy Asgard if I really wanted to, I was still categorized as 'weak' by Zoren. His logic was something I didn't understand but the thought that there was still more powerful beings out there to fight, defeat and surpass only spurred me on.
" That's not an easy question."
I finally said.
She turned to look at me and I was stunned at the pleading look on her face. She'd probably thought that her current strength was her cap. That she'd hit the ceiling and wouldn't advance anymore. It was apparent in her sword moves and Sif being a warrior more than likely detested using magic to support her martial prowess. So seeing me, a mortal in possession of power on the level of the king of gods Odin, gave her hope.
"By giving it my all, pursuing power through all means and avenues. You've got to want it Sif. You've got to genuinely hunger for power for the sake of power. Even when you have no reason to get stronger, you do it anyway."
"That means..."
"Yes. Kill for it. Steal it. Cheat. Do everything that doesn't go below your moral line and does. Use magic or technology. If you really want to stand above all then it all starts up there. Want it."
I finished my tirade by pointing to her head.
We stared at each other's eyes for a brief moment and then she abruptly left. I didn't watch her leave. I'd probably ruined any chance of a relationship with her after showing her the sort of person I was.
It was better this way though. Because I knew I could never stop until I became the strongest. I'd made a promise to myself, the first day I'd crossed over to the Arrow-verse. Power unending.
"Jin?"
Sif's voice came to me drifting in the wind. Her next words were greatly shocking.
"Thank you."