Preparations

The trio felt an unusual sensation as they were teleported. It was different from the travel through the Bifrost. This time, the journey was disorienting and cold as if they were being twisted and pulled through an icy tunnel. When they finally landed they found themselves on a solid stone floor and they feel the cold immediately in their skin.

The air around them was more frigid than they had expected. Even though their bodies had adapted to cold environments after their transformation this place felt unnaturally cold, far beyond what they were used to.

Liam shivered slightly, scanning their surroundings. "Where the hell are we?"

"How the hell should I know?" Erik replied.

Mia who still holding the medallion looked around with narrowed eyes. "We need to move. Let's check out the area and figure out where we are."

However, before they could take another ste, they heard the sound of footsteps echoing down a nearby corridor, accompanied by murmur of conversation. The voices were getting closer.

The three exchanged glances, each of them understanding the situation instantly without needing to speak. They had no idea who or what was approaching but it was clear they couldn't afford to be discovered just yet.

Liam and Erik quickly took positions on either side of the door while Mia remained in the center of the room.

The door creaked open and three figures in black robes entered. Their faces hidden by deep hoods. They froze upon seeing Mia standing there, clearly not expecting to find anyone in the room.

"Hey! who-"

Before they could react, Mia acted quick. She raised her hand and activating one of her Runes. An invisible force wrapped around the throats of the three robed figures, cutting off their air supply and silencing any attempt to scream. Their eyes bulged in shock as they clawed at their throats.

After that, in perfect synchronization Erik and Liam lunged from the shadows, striking the figures with the hilts of their weapons. The blows hit them and knock them out. The figures crumpled to the ground unconscious.

Mia released the Rune, allowing the force choking them to dissipate. She exhaled softly, glancing at her friends. "Nice work, boys"

"Let's tie them up and search the area. We need answers fast," Erik said

Aftertward, they worked quickly and efficiently. They stripped the unconscious figures of their robes and slipping into the dark fabric themselves. The material was rough against their skin, but it provided a perfect disguise.

Liam adjusted the hood over his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"You know, it's pretty convenient that these evil villain groups always wear these robes. Makes it easier for us to sneak around among them," Liam whispered. He thinks about the evil group in mainstream media that always have this kind of robe and its always pretty helpful for whoever wants to sneak among them.

Erik chuckled softly while tightening the belt around his waist. "Yeah, this is pretty convenient."

"Let's make sure we use this to our advantage then." Mia smirked as she pulled her hood up.

With the robes in place they moved quickly to hide the unconscious bodies in a corner of the room, making sure they wouldn't be easily discovered. Once the task was done, they slipping out of the room, stepping into the stone corridor outside.

They moved cautiously while scanning for any signs of danger or clues that might lead them to Freya or Thor. The stone walls were cold and the air thick with the tension of something ominous lurking just beyond their sight.

As they turned a corner, they spotted a beautiful woman wearing black coat armor with bright blonde hair striding down the hallway with urgency. Her presence was looks commanding and even from a distance they could sense the immense power radiating from her. The around her air seemed to hum with energy as she passed.

Erik's eyes widened slightly and he quickly signaled for Liam and Mia to step aside. They pressed themselves against the wall, bowing their heads slightly, hoping to blend in as mere subordinates.

Valeria was now lost in her thoughts so she paid them no attention. In her mind, they were just three more members of her organization. She was too focused on her mission to spare them a second glance.

Her mind was racing, trying to piece together the events that had led to the deaths of her soldiers in Vanaheim. There was something she needed to do and she needed to do it fast.

As she passed them, Erik, Liam, and Mia watched her figure grow smaller in the distance, her blonde hair catching the faint light of the torches lining the corridor.

When she was out of earshot, Erik whispered, "She must be strong—maybe even their leader."

Mia nodded, her eyes still on the corridor where Valeria had disappeared. "We can't take her on alone even if we found out that she is the leader of this organization. We need to find Freya or Thor first."

Erik and Liam agreed silently, their expressions serious. They knew they were in enemy territory and every move had to be taken carefully.

They continued down the corridor.

They passed several doors along the way that they knew will hiding something crucial, or deadly.

Erik led the way, pausing at the first door. He carefully pushed it open just enough to peek inside. The room was filled with racks of weapons like swords, spears, axes, and more. It was an armory, stocked to the brim with tools of war.

Erik glanced back at Liam and Mia, nodding toward the room as if to say, "This shit is serious."

They continued down the corridor, stopping at the next room. Inside, several figures were bent over workbenches meticulously crafting more weapons with magical attribute. The trio exchanged uneasy glances. Whoever these people were, they were clearly preparing for something big.

Moving on, they approached another door. Mia cautiously opened it then revealing a larger room. Inside, a group of robed figures was gathered around many tables.

In the center of the room, a hologram of Asgard floated casting blue light over the room. The figures were engaged in animated discussion, pointing to different sections of the hologram as they spoke in a language unfamiliar to Erik, Liam, and Mia.

Even though they couldn't understand the words the intent was pretty clear. The way the robed figures gestured toward Asgard, the urgency in their voices, the intense focus on the floating map—it all pointed to one thing: they were planning an attack. Asgard was their target.

"Oh, shit. This is bad," Liam whispered.

"They're getting ready for war. We have to warn the others," Mia said.

"We need to find Freya and Thor as quickly as possible. If we can disrupt their plans or at least gather enough intel, we might be able to turn this around," Erik said.

They backed away from the door, careful not to make a sound. The enemy was far more organized and prepared than they had anticipated, and time was running out.

Without a word, they continued down the corridor, their pace quickening.

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