Mjolnir

New Mexico, evening.

Chen Xiao sat in a camping chair, his tent behind him and a bottle of cola in hand, watching the distant sky.

The cola was no longer cold, and most of the fizz had gone flat, but he did not care. A cooler bag sat beside him with its zipper open, another bottle inside as backup. The bag of chips next to it was already more than half empty. Whenever the wind blew, crumbs drifted up and stuck to his tactical jacket.

He had already been waiting here for several days.

Exactly how many days? He could not be bothered to count. When the sun rose in the east on the first day, he had still been a little excited. On the second day, only boredom remained. On the third day, he started chatting with passing lizards. By the fourth day, even the lizards ignored him.

"Even Odin takes this long to throw a hammer..." he muttered to himself, twisting open the cola and taking a sip. "Asgardian delivery really sucks. One-star review."

He pulled out his phone and scrolled aimlessly until he saw a news link: <Monaco Racetrack Attacked, Tony Stark Narrowly Escapes Disaster>.

In the accompanying photo, Tony wore that silver portable armor, standing beside a race car that had been split in two, his face carrying that same arrogant expression. Beside him was a bald man being escorted by police, a white light glowing from his chest.

Ivan Vanko. Whiplash.

Chen Xiao thought for a moment. Did I remind Tony to watch out for his safety? Oh, no, I didn't. Forget it. He handled it himself anyway. It was not that he did not care about Tony. He just remembered that Tony would make it safely to the end. A few hardships along the way were perfectly normal. As for where those hardships came from, none of his business.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked up at the sky again.

The sun had already sunk below the horizon. The sky shifted from orange-red to deep blue, and stars lit up one by one. Night fell quickly in the desert, and the temperature plummeted. He zipped up his jacket and moved farther up the slope, finding a more comfortable position to lie down in.

He closed his eyes, spreading his Observation Haki as his thoughts returned to several days ago.

New York Sanctum, living room.

Chen Xiao crouched in front of the coffee table, tinkering with his glasses and trying to enchant them with the function of binoculars. Daniel sat in the chair opposite him with a book in hand, watching him expressionlessly.

"Can't you just buy a pair of binoculars and bring them with you? If not, I'll go buy some for you."

"Carrying binoculars is too much trouble. Glasses are better." Chen Xiao continued tinkering. "Besides, holding up binoculars would damage my handsome and dashing image."

"Yesterday, you said, 'Watching races is too loud. I don't want to go.'"

"He saved me a VIP ticket. It'd be a waste not to go." Chen Xiao stood up, put on his gold-rimmed glasses, and straightened himself out. He wore a dark gray casual suit jacket, a white crew-neck T-shirt, dark casual trousers, and a pair of brand-new black leather shoes. He looked a little like a refined scoundrel.

Daniel looked at the shoes, then at Chen Xiao. "Those seem to be the custom pair I just received?"

"What about them?"

"Nothing." Daniel lowered his head and continued reading. "Just reminding you not to spill cola on them."

Chen Xiao rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone, about to message Tony.

A portal suddenly flared to life in the corner of the living room.

Mordo stepped out of the portal.

He wore dark training robes, standing straight with a solemn expression. His gaze swept over Chen Xiao and Daniel before he bowed. "Chief, Master Drumm."

"Senior Brother, the Sorcerer Supreme has summoned you back to Kamar-Taj. Immediately."

Chen Xiao froze for a moment. "Now? I was just about to go watch the race..."

"The Sorcerer Supreme said she has an important mission for you." Mordo's tone allowed no argument. "You must return at once."

Chen Xiao looked at Daniel. Daniel turned a page without even raising his head. "Tell Tony yourself."

Chen Xiao sighed and followed Mordo into the portal.

The air in the Himalayas was cold and thin, while the distant snow-covered peaks gleamed white beneath the sunlight. The stone paths of Kamar-Taj had been worn smooth and bright by countless footsteps. In the distance, the temple complex stood quietly in the morning light. Several passing disciples saw him and gave slight nods of greeting. Chen Xiao returned their greetings without slowing down.

Mordo led the way ahead, walking quickly through corridors, around the training grounds, and all the way to the door of Ancient One's meditation room. Mordo stopped and stepped aside.

"The Sorcerer Supreme is waiting for you inside."

Chen Xiao adjusted his collar and pushed the door open.

The meditation room was small and simply furnished. A wooden table, two cushions, and an ancient scroll hanging on the wall, covered in Sanskrit he could not understand. Sunlight filtered in through the paper windows, casting a patch of soft warmth across the floor.

Ancient One sat at the tea table, holding a cup of tea. The tea was clear, with faint steam rising from it. Her expression was calm, her gaze resting on the tea in her cup as though she were looking at something very far away. Sunlight fell across the side of her face, giving her skin an almost translucent pallor, like jade polished by time.

Chen Xiao sat down on a cushion.

"Master, you sent for me?"

Ancient One set down her teacup and raised her eyes to look at him.

"Odin is going to throw his son down to Earth," Ancient One said. Her voice was quiet, but every word was clear. "And with him, his divine artifact, Mjolnir. Go wait in New Mexico. Do not let the hammer hurt anyone."

Chen Xiao was stunned. "...Throw his son?"

Ancient One's lips twitched faintly. "Exile. His son Thor, through arrogance and recklessness, is provoking a war and has angered Odin. Odin is preparing to exile him to Earth and strip him of his divine power. At the same time, Odin will send Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, to Earth."

Chen Xiao's mind raced. Thor. This was the plot of Thor 1.

"There is an enchantment from Odin on the hammer," Ancient One continued. "Only one who is worthy can lift it. Thor must learn humility on Earth before he can regain the hammer's recognition."

"So this is a trial?" Chen Xiao asked.

Ancient One looked at him. "Odin is the king of Asgard and the guardian of the Nine Realms. He has his own considerations in all he does. But he respects Kamar-Taj's responsibilities. The dimensional security of Earth is our responsibility. Before placing a divine artifact on Earth, he informed me in advance."

Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Odin told you beforehand?"

"The respect between Asgard and Kamar-Taj is mutual." Ancient One lifted her teacup again and took a sip. "Though Odin is the All-Father, he knows that Earth's dimensional defenses are not something he can cross at will."

Chen Xiao thought about it. That was fairly reasonable. Ancient One was the Sorcerer Supreme, protecting Earth from invasions by dimensional demons. Odin was the king of Asgard, guarding the Nine Realms. The two powerful figures might not deal with each other often, but they knew of one another and understood each other's duties. If Odin wanted to throw a hammer onto Earth, giving Ancient One advance notice counted as respect.

"So you called me here..." Chen Xiao pointed at himself. "To catch the hammer?"

"To watch it," Ancient One corrected. "Do not let the hammer hit anyone. Then wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait for Thor."

Chen Xiao fell silent for a second. "And if he comes, what do I need to do? Fight him?"

Ancient One glanced at him. "As you wish."

Chen Xiao thought about it. Thor was just a weapon rack. Mjolnir was the real God of Thunder. Bullying a weapon rack did not seem particularly interesting.

"...Not interested," he said honestly.

Ancient One's lips twitched faintly. "Then watch."

Chen Xiao said, "...Fine."

After a pause, he asked again, "What if the hammer hits someone?"

"If you go there ahead of time, it will not hit anyone."

"So I'm going to be a human shield?"

Ancient One did not answer. She lifted her teacup, clearly meaning, You may leave now.

Chen Xiao stood up, took two steps toward the door, then stopped again.

"Master."

"Yes?"

"Odin is throwing his son down to Earth... to teach him humility?"

Ancient One looked at him. "Every father has his own way. Odin's may be harsh, but he is the All-Father. He has his reasons."

Chen Xiao thought of the movie he had watched before being transported here. Thor was exiled and lost his divine power. He ate pizza and drank coffee on Earth, then fell in love with Jane Foster.

In the end, he willingly gave his life to save the people of a small town and regained the hammer's recognition. Yes, it really was a story about growth.

"Fine," Chen Xiao said. "The crown prince commits a mistake and is exiled, while the imperial brother ruthlessly plots to seize the throne."

Ancient One had been drinking tea and nearly choked on a mouthful. She gave him a helpless look, amusement in her eyes.

"When will you ever be serious?"

Chen Xiao grinned and turned to leave the meditation room.

Mordo was still waiting in the corridor. When he saw Chen Xiao emerge, he gave a slight nod and turned to lead the way. The two crossed the corridor, passed through the training grounds, and returned to the portal.

"Senior Brother, do you need anything prepared?" Mordo asked.

Chen Xiao thought for a moment. "Cola. Chips."

Mordo stared at him expressionlessly.

"Just kidding," Chen Xiao said. "I've already prepared everything."

He returned to the New York Sanctum and roughly explained the situation to Daniel.

Daniel looked at Chen Xiao after he had changed clothes and fell silent for a second. "Are you going to wait for a hammer, or are you going to war?"

"Is there a difference?" Chen Xiao was now dressed in combat gear: a black tactical jacket, tapered cargo pants, and high-top tactical boots. His hair had been tied back again with a headband, and a Sling Ring rested on his finger.

"I'm leaving."

"When will you be back?"

"Don't know. Depends on when the hammer falls."

Daniel sighed. "Did you tell Tony?"

Only then did Chen Xiao remember. He pulled out his phone and saw Tony's message: "Where are you? Monaco's about to start."

He typed, "Can't make it. My teacher called me."

Tony replied instantly: "??? Your teacher even controls whether you watch races?"

Chen Xiao: "She handles a lot of things."

Tony: "Then what about your cola? I stuffed my fridge full of it."

Chen Xiao: "Drink it first. Treat me again when I get back."

Tony: "When are you coming back?"

Chen Xiao: "Don't know. Depends on the situation."

Tony: "What situation?"

Chen Xiao: "Waiting for a hammer to fall from the sky."

Tony: "???, Just wait. I'll grab a hammer and smash you with it."

Chen Xiao: "This time, it's real."

Tony: "You say that every time."

Chen Xiao did not reply again. He put his phone back into his pocket and swiped his right hand. A blue portal opened in the center of the living room. On the other side lay the desert of New Mexico, where the sunlight was blinding and the wind fierce.

He stepped through it.

The portal closed.

Back to the present.

Chen Xiao came back to himself and looked at the distant sky. It was completely dark now. There were more stars than before, and the Milky Way stretched across the heavens like a glowing ribbon. The distant desert seemed especially empty in the night, and occasional gusts swept up fine sand that stung his face.

He waited another day. Maybe two. He could not remember.

The cola was gone, and so were the chips. The cooler bag contained only an empty bottle and a few chip crumbs. He lay on the slope with one leg crossed over the other, a blade of grass hanging from his mouth. As he chewed, his mouth gradually filled with bitterness.

He sighed, closed his eyes, and prepared to sleep again.

A meteor streaked across the night sky.

Chen Xiao's eyes snapped open.

That meteor did not disappear. It came crashing straight toward the ground, its trajectory too straight and too fast. Blazing white light tore through the night sky behind it, trailing a long tail of flame. It was so fast that before Chen Xiao could even blink, it was already close at hand.

Chen Xiao sprang up from the slope in an instant, his Observation Haki fully unleashed as he locked onto the meteor's descent path.

"It's here!"

He flashed to the vicinity of the impact point and watched as the white light drew closer and larger, accompanied by a piercing shriek.

The hammer had arrived.