Strange walked across the bridge before the gates of Asgard Palace. The setting sun made the Asgardian buildings beneath his feet look even more splendid. He passed the towering guards at the end of the bridge, climbed flight after flight of stairs, and saw the beautiful fountains and flowers in the plaza before the gates.
Then, following the goddess who guided him, he entered the vast hall within Asgard Palace. Dozens of pillars stood there like towering trees, supporting an enormous dome engraved with intricate patterns.
Strange followed the welcoming goddess into an elevator. The lifting platform slowly rose amid a rumble, and looking down from there, he could see children laughing and playing in a plaza on the other side of Asgard.
Soon, the elevator stopped, and the doors before them slowly opened. After stepping out, Strange saw two tall alien plants flanking the doorway. The Asgardian goddess in white turned to him and said, "Cross this skybridge, then turn right. That tower is where Her Highness is staying. You may not enter without permission."
Strange nodded. "Thank you for leading me. Also, may I ask... is Loki all right now?"
The goddess in white robes shook her head, turned, and returned to the elevator. Strange sighed. He could already imagine Loki's miserable state.
Following the goddess's directions, he continued forward. This was a skybridge directly behind the main gates of Asgard Palace. Behind the wall on his left lay the palace corridors, the elevator was behind him, and to his right were railings and pillars. Walking straight ahead and then turning right brought him to the tower the goddess had mentioned, standing apart from Asgard Palace.
Strange walked over. The tower's door connected directly to the skybridge, with two metal rings mounted on it. Strange picked up one