I'm late, sorry.
My mindset wasn't good; I revised it too many times.
As dawn broke, the morning sunlight streamed through the French windows, dispelling the gloom inside and casting a soft, warm glow.
Lynn slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually returning from sleep.
The pleasant scent of Natasha lingered around his nose. Her soft, warm body nestled tightly in his arms, her slender arms gently encircling his waist, her hair loosely lying in his crook of his arms. Her breathing was even and long, and she was sleeping soundly.
They slept soundly in each other's arms all night, and all their fatigue seemed to be soothed. Looking down at the person sleeping peacefully in her arms, Lynn's heart was filled with a warm and comforting feeling.
But the surging tenderness and restlessness in his heart instantly brought him to his senses.
He had already made an appointment with Thor early this morning to set off for Asgard, leaving no room for delay.
Lynn suppressed the surging fire in her heart, gently slowed her movements, and slowly moved the arm around Natasha's shoulder away, carefully adjusting her position to gently lay her down on the soft bedding.
They dared not make the slightest movement, for fear that the slightest noise would disturb Natasha's rare peaceful sleep.
Once she was sure she was still fast asleep, Lynn quietly got up, stepped barefoot onto the cool carpet, and turned to walk into the bathroom.
The cool water poured down, washing over my skin, instantly suppressing the lingering heat and excitement in my heart, and completely calming my chaotic thoughts.
After quickly washing up and changing into a clean and neat casual outfit, Lynn did not immediately head to the SSC headquarters, but went straight into the open kitchen of her apartment.
The Fridge was fully stocked with ingredients. He skillfully started the stove, prepared the ingredients, and cooked. The fire flickered, and the aroma of the food slowly spread. Before long, a sumptuous and exquisite breakfast was laid out on the table, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, steaming hot.
He went back to the bedroom, got paper and pen, bent down by the bedside, wrote a line of neat and tidy handwriting, and left it by his pillow.
[I'm going to Asgard with Thor today, return date uncertain. Breakfast is ready, remember to eat it while it's hot, and wait patiently for my return.]
After putting down his pen and paper, Lynn took a deep look at Natasha, who was still fast asleep, with a gentle smile in his eyes. He gently kissed her on the cheek, then turned around, quietly closed the door, and went downstairs alone to the SSC headquarters.
Upon arriving at the headquarters lounge, the base was unusually quiet in the early morning. Most of the agents were still resting, and the corridors and rest areas were less noisy than usual.
Lynn found a seat by the window and sat down, waiting quietly for Thor.
Not long after, Thor came out in casual clothes, looking much more relaxed than usual.
Seeing this, Lynn got up but did not rush to urge the other party. Instead, she instructed the agent on duty to bring over a warm and hearty breakfast.
"Let's eat breakfast first; traveling on an empty stomach is never comfortable," Lynn said with a smile, gesturing with his hand. "No rush, let's eat and drink our fill before we set off."
Thor did not refuse and picked up the food to eat.
In just over ten minutes, Thor quickly finished his breakfast and was fully rested.
Let's go.
The two stood up side by side, walked through the headquarters corridor, and came to the open central lawn outdoors.
The lawn was empty and deserted in the early morning, perfect for building the Bifrost.
Thor looked up at the distant horizon, his arms outstretched, and his deep, powerful voice slowly rose, piercing the morning breeze and resounding in all directions.
" Heimdall, take us back."
The moment the words fell, a dazzling seven-colored ray of light suddenly lit up the sky, spanning the entire firmament. The brilliant beam pierced through the clouds and precisely enveloped the entire lawn. Space trembled violently, and visible flowing patterns of light swirled around us, as a vast interstellar power surged forth.
The next instant, a powerful pulling force enveloped the two figures, abruptly dragging them into the dazzling rainbow bridge light and shadow.
The process of being transported wasn't exactly painful, but it was certainly not comfortable.
It felt like being forcibly shoved into a narrow, sealed vacuum tube, your vision completely filled with colorful streams of light, your ears filled with a faint buzzing sound of space, gravity completely out of balance, and layers of dizziness that blurred the lines between reality and illusion, making it hard to adapt.
The interstellar journey, lasting only a few seconds, felt like an eternity.
As the light and shadow suddenly dissipated, the oppressive feeling vanished instantly, and my feet stepped onto the solid, flat ground, where the refreshing and crisp air of the God Realm rushed towards me.
The two were already standing firmly on the high platform at the entrance to Asgard.
At the edge of the horizon, the golden dome of the Golden Palace gleamed blindingly in the sunlight, and the entire city stretched out before us, more breathtaking than any scene I had ever seen in a movie.
Two Asgard guards, clad in armor and wielding spears, were already waiting there. They stood tall and straight, their auras calm and sharp, their eyes piercing, and they exuded the powerful aura unique to warriors.
After landing, Thor straightened his clothes slightly, turned to the two guards, and ordered in a deep voice, "Take my friend around and entertain him well. I'm going to see my father."
The two guards immediately bowed respectfully, their attitude solemn. "We obey Your Highness's orders."
Thor turned to Lynn, smiled, and said, "Take your time to look around and relax. I'll be back to you soon."
"Go."
Thor said no more, turned and strode towards the Golden Palace, his steps steady, until he gradually disappeared from sight.
Two guards stepped forward, their posture humble and polite, and offered to lead the way. "Honored guest, please follow us."
Lynn followed in their footsteps, strolling slowly through the God Realm and gardens of Asgard, quietly admiring this legendary kingdom of the gods.
Along the way, as far as the eye could see, strange plants never before seen on Earth grew by the roadside, their flowers and leaves shimmering with a faint light, evergreen throughout the year; the gurgling spring flowed along the jade-stone ditch, its water clear and bright, sparkling with tiny starlight, and the air was filled with a pure and refreshing atmosphere that soothed the mind and body.
Occasionally, citizens of the God Realm, dressed in simple divine robes, would pass by. Their demeanor was composed and elegant, their eyes serene, and each of them possessed an indescribable aura. When they saw Lynn, this unfamiliar outsider, they merely glanced at him slightly, their gazes calm.
Passing through layers of palaces and corridors, the group entered the Garden of the God Realm in the center of Asgard.
In the center of the garden stood an ancient jade fountain, its gushing water carrying a faint spiritual aura, falling silently to the ground. A misty haze enveloped the surroundings, isolating the solemnity of the palace and adding a touch of leisurely tranquility. In the distance, the celestial palaces and pavilions were arranged in a pleasing, orderly fashion, shimmering under the holy light, magnificent yet gentle, completely overturning Lynn's preconceived notions of the " God Realm ".
Contrary to expectations of coldness, majesty, and aloofness, this place is peaceful and serene, a picture of tranquility, as if all the noise and strife in the world cannot touch this sacred land in the slightest.
Lynn strolled alone along the cobblestone path in the garden, leaving behind all worldly strife. Her mind was completely at ease, and she quietly felt the pure aura unique to the God Realm. Her fatigue also quietly dissipated in this gentle environment.
After an unknown amount of time, a familiar set of footsteps slowly approached.
Thor walked briskly through the flower-lined path, reaching Lynn with a relaxed smile on his face.
"All done?" Lynn turned to look at him and asked casually.
"Hmm." Thor nodded slightly, his tone tinged with surprise. "I've already spoken with Father, and he already knows why you're here."
He paused, then continued, "My father instructed me to take you directly to the God Realm Treasury; there's no need for any reservations. As for meeting him, we can discuss that after we've finished this matter."
"That's good." Lynn's worries were completely relieved, and her brows and eyes relaxed.
With the Ancient One paving the way in advance, countless words of explanation and probing were saved, and a lot of trouble was avoided.
"Come on, I'll take you to the treasure vault."
Thor raised his hand in acknowledgment, then turned and led the way. The two left the Garden of the God Realm side by side, heading towards the most central forbidden area of Asgard, the Treasury.
The treasure vault is located deep within the Golden Palace, cast from millennia-old divine gold. Its doors are thick and imposing, engraved with ancient and mysterious God Realm, and reinforced by layers of seals, making it heavily guarded. Ordinary members of the divine race can never take a single step closer in their entire lives.
Thor raised his hand to activate the runic restriction, and the heavy treasure vault door slowly opened, instantly unleashing a vast and boundless Cosmic Energy.
The treasure vault is vast, displaying countless ancient weapons, rare artifacts, and ancient treasures. Each item contains extremely strong energy fluctuations, and any one of them, if it were to fall into the mortal world, would be a treasure capable of overturning the world order.
Passing through a heavy door, the core area of the vault came into view. On the left, a display stand silently held the Infinity Gauntlet containing the fake gem; on the right, the Casket of Ancient Winters Ice, radiating a chilling aura, stood opposite the crown of the Fire Giant. Lynn's gaze, however, bypassed all of these, fixing fixedly on the crystal-clear Cosmic Cube in the very center, shimmering with a faint blue light.
Tesseract.
Lynn's gaze was fixed on the familiar Cosmic Cube, his eyes showing no greed or fanaticism, only calm focus.
Without needing to touch or activate it, he instantly activated his magical perception using his already highly skilled replication technique. Vast and delicate magical intent spread out like a tide, gently enveloping the entire Space Stone.
A flood of complex information rushed into Lynn's mind, clear, complete, and without omission.
He was already very skilled at replicating the Infinity Stones, without the slightest hesitation.
In just a few minutes, a weakened version of the Space Stone, with a gentle aura, complete patterns, and a perfect replica of the original structure, but completely lacking its original authority, quietly condensed and took shape in Lynn's palm.
It is entirely azure blue, with shimmering light, and its appearance is exactly the same as the original.
Lynn looked down at the imitation gemstone in her palm, her fingertips gently stroking its cool, smooth surface, her eyes filled with joy.
He did not rush to conduct experiments or test the effects on the spot.
The side effects of his own abilities are too great. If he were to rashly attempt them in the God Realm, and a berserk state were to occur, it would only create unnecessary trouble.
To be on the safe side, he raised his hand and precisely embedded the new, weakened Space Stone into the newly formed groove in his chest.
The azure glow intertwined with the previous yellow-green emerald glow, and three gentle energies flowed quietly in the chest, merging with each other.
"Nailed it."
Lynn composed himself, turned to Thor who was waiting quietly beside him, and said calmly, "Take me to see your father, the King."
Thor nodded slightly, not asking any further questions, and turned to lead Lynn out of the vault, heading straight for the towering and majestic Golden Palace.
The Golden Palace is magnificent and imposing, with its roof soaring into the clouds. Golden bricks pave the floor, and runes entwine the beams. Thousands of holy lights pour down from the roof, illuminating the entire hall. The hall is solemn and dignified, exuding an aura of authority even without wind. The ancient atmosphere, accumulated over thousands of years, subconsciously suppresses all restlessness.
At the very top of the hall, on the throne of the god-king, Odin sat quietly.
Odin sat on his throne, his one eye scanning him from head to toe with a calm gaze that nonetheless exuded a profound sense of oppression.
At this moment, Lynn truly felt that Odin before him was far more majestic and profound than he had remembered.
This is the true God-King who rules the Nine Realms and has existed for thousands of years.
Odin's deep gaze slowly descended, quietly scrutinizing Lynn below, his eyes sweeping across him as if seeing through his entire past.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the hoarseness of years and the composure of a god-king, echoing throughout the entire hall.
" The Ancient One warned me a long time ago, saying that you've been eyeing the remaining gems."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze softening, and asked calmly, "Now that the Space Stone has been replicated, can the side effects you're experiencing be resolved?"
Lynn stood upright, neither humble nor arrogant. "I haven't tried it yet."
He spoke sincerely and truthfully, saying, "The side effects of my ability are a bit difficult to manage. I can't be sure what effect it will have for the time being, and I dare not try it rashly. I plan to return to Kamar-Taj and test it under the guidance of Master The Ancient One."
Upon hearing this, Odin nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He then waved his hand dismissively, his aura relaxing and losing some of his god-king majesty.
It's alright.
" The Ancient One and I have known each other for many years, and she has already explained your abilities to me in detail—bizarre, unique, and unconventional," Odin said calmly, his tone casual and indifferent. "I'm too lazy to delve into it further, to avoid creating unnecessary trouble for myself. Since you already know what you're capable of, go back and try it out slowly."
After saying that, he changed the subject, his tone becoming more tolerant and relieved. "Unless there's something urgent, there's no need to rush back to Midgard. Now that you're here, take your time to explore Asgard and experience the God Realm customs and beautiful scenery."
He paused, then added softly, "Later, Frigga might come to see you in person."
Lynn was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then immediately bowed respectfully, his eyes crinkling with a smile, and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, God-King."
Odin slightly raised his hand, signaling the two to step back, then turned his gaze back to the palace, regaining his all-knowing, serene, and profound demeanor.
Thor stepped forward at the opportune moment, gently raised his hand in acknowledgment, and led Lynn out of the Golden Palace slowly.
Outside the hall, the holy light was warm and the scenery was beautiful. Away from the solemnity and oppression of the main hall, I instantly relaxed.
Lynn looked up at the clear sky of the God Realm, a faint expectation in his eyes.
The goal of replicating the Space Stone has been successfully achieved.
And then, all that remained was to await Queen Frigga's summons.
Lynn looked at Thor: "Where are we going?"
Thor patted him on the shoulder and grinned, "Since you're on my turf, experience my life."
He led Lynn through several stone corridors, turned into an inconspicuous alley, and pushed open a heavy oak door. The tavern was dimly lit, filled with the aroma of ale and roasted meat. Several God Realm warriors were sitting in a corner, clinking glasses and laughing gruffly and relaxedly.
Thor expertly found a seat by the window and waved to the bar. "The usual."
Several glasses of amber-colored Asgard spirit were quickly served. Lynn looked at the glass in front of him, then glanced at the sky outside the window, and turned to Thor speechlessly. "Is your life just drinking first thing in the morning?"
Thor picked up his glass, took a swig, and retorted confidently, "You should drink in the morning. Drinking in the morning keeps you energized all day."
Lynn was silent for a moment, then picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing his hearty manner, Thor burst into laughter without any restraint, his laughter so loud that the soldiers at the next table turned to look.
Thor poured him another full glass. "Drink slowly, no rush."