Asgard was swept up in celebrations for having quelled the unrest across the Nine Realms. Thor, acting as the temporary king of Asgard, held a grand victory banquet. The hall buzzed with voices, music and dancing flourished, and laughter and applause spilled out like a tide.
Asgardian warriors held goddesses in their arms, raised their cups in celebration, and loudly recounted their own bravery. The goddesses looked on with adoration, while the gods sang and danced, driving the feast to its height.
Thor wore a smile more difficult to maintain than any battle. At the liveliest moment of the banquet, he declined a dance with Sif and went to Heimdall's residence, Himinbjorg, whose great hall stood at the far end of the Rainbow Bridge.
"You're late."
Heimdall stood as tall and steadfast as a mountain, clad in golden armor, both hands resting on his sword as he gazed into the stars. He heard familiar footsteps approaching from the other end of the bridge.
Those footsteps came to him every night after each unrest had been put down.
"Sometimes postwar celebrations are more exhausting than battle." Thor stepped into Himinbjorg.
"Then there must be something you didn't do right."
"Perhaps."
Thor smiled and walked toward Heimdall.
"Are the stars all well?" Thor came to Heimdall's side and stood beside him as he leaned upon his sword, gazing out at the starry sky.
"They shine as they always have." Heimdall said, "From here, I can see the Nine Realms and countless living beings. Do you remember the Convergence I told you about?"
"I remember. The realms of the Nine Realms align in a single line." Thor said, "It's almost here, isn't it?"
"The last time this cosmic spectacle appeared was before I guarded the Rainbow Bridge. Few can sense it, and even