I remember adding a storyline about rescuing Frigga to the outline.
So I've been writing according to the outline, but these past couple of days I've felt like something's missing.
I only noticed this when I was going through the outline today...
If I remember correctly, it was added. But it was at the very end...
The timeline has already passed...
Fortunately, I didn't write some logically contradictory parts, so I can still make sense of it by slightly changing the plot.
Please don't get hung up on the timeline issue. I'm really devastated...
There will be another chapter at noon.
Lynn and Natasha were strolling around near Chelsea Market. Natasha was carrying two bags of handmade chocolates they had bought on their way back.
Lynn walked beside her, his hands in his pockets, occasionally glancing at her, mostly enjoying this leisurely stroll without any time pressure.
Suddenly, a beam of seven-colored light descended from the sky, illuminating the sycamore trees along the roadside. Pedestrians on the street stopped and looked up, while several children cheered and ran towards the beam of light. Before Lynn could even sigh, Thor had already emerged from the beam of light, his red cloak billowing in the wind, Mjolnir in his hand, looking travel-worn.
" Lynn!" Thor strode over, his expression much more serious than usual. "I need your help. Jane's in trouble."
Lynn pulled his hand out of his pocket without asking for details. He knew all too well that Thor's Earth girlfriend had been accidentally possessed by Aether during an investigation.
That thing belonged to the Dark Elves in ancient times; it was Malekith's ultimate weapon in his attempt to plunge the universe back into darkness. The Aether's choice of Jane as its host signifies its revival, and also the awakening of the sleeping Dark Elves.
He merely glanced at Natasha.
Natasha didn't speak. She simply switched the two bags in her hands, then raised her free hand and gently squeezed Lynn's fingers. He knew what she meant. Lynn nodded to her, then turned to Thor: "Let's go."
Thor lifted Mjolnir, and the Bifrost descended once more. The two vanished into a pillar of light, leaving the bustling streets and the air of New York behind. When Lynn opened his eyes again, he was already on the ground of Asgard's magnificent palace, the Crystal light of the Bifrost shimmering in the twilight in the distance, Heimdall stood at the bridgehead, nodding slightly to Thor.
"You're a king of Asgard now, don't be shy." Thor patted Lynn on the shoulder as he strode forward, a hint of amusement in his voice. "So this matter is also your concern. Jane is with the Queen Mother."
Lynn followed him through the corridors of the Golden Palace. The air in Asgard had a familiar, crisp scent, exactly the same as when he last visited. Guards and priests along the way almost always stopped to bow when they saw Lynn.
Lynn almost forgot he had a royal title. Thor walked ahead quickly, and Lynn didn't have time to exchange pleasantries with anyone, only nodding in return. When he reached the Queen's chambers, he saw Frigga and Jane sitting by the window. Jane looked unwell, but she still managed a weak smile when she saw Lynn enter.
"I brought him. He should be able to help you."
Before Jane could speak, Lynn had already walked up to her, squatted down, and looked her straight in the eye. His gaze moved from her face to her wrist, then to the faint red veins on the side of her neck. Those were traces of the Aether reviving in the host's body, like tiny rivers of blood slowly flowing beneath the skin. Lynn looked at them, a slight smile playing on his lips, his expression somewhere between understanding and calculation.
" The Aether," he said, his tone unhurried, "The ultimate weapon of the ancient Dark Elves. It resides within a living being, slowly awakening by nourishing the host's life force. Its presence within you indicates that its dormant period has ended."
Thor frowned. "I know all that too. I came to you because you know everything."
"Then I'll tell you something you don't know." Lynn stood up, turning his gaze away from Jane. "The resurgence of the Aether will awaken Malekith, the leader of the Dark Elves. He will bring his people to it."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp alarm blared outside. From the direction of the Golden Palace, bells rang urgently, one after another, shaking the entire palace floor. Thor's expression changed, and he grabbed Mjolnir, ready to rush out, but Lynn raised his hand to stop him.
"Go take care of your business. I'll handle things here." Lynn nodded towards Jane and Frigga. "I'll look after the Queen and Jane."
Thor stared at him for half a second, then nodded, turned, and rushed out the door. The moment the red cloak disappeared through the doorway, the sound of guards running and the clanging of metal echoed down the corridor. The dungeon riot had begun. Lynn took a few steps toward the window, listening to the shouts and cries of battle coming from the depths of the palace. With his back to Frigga and Jane, his expression wasn't exactly grave, but it was certainly not his usual languid one.
"Lord Lynn," Frigga's voice came from behind, gentle and steady, as if she had expected this moment, "You know what those are."
"I know." Lynn didn't turn around. " The Dark Elves hate Asgard more than anyone else."
He turned around and looked at Jane. Jane's hands were trembling, not just from fear, but because the Aether within her had been awakened; those particles had heard the Dark Elves ' call even before she had. Lynn walked up to her, extended his hand, palm up.
"Jane, I'm going to remove that thing from your body. Soon. I won't let anything happen to you."
Jane looked up at him. Her eyes held fear, but even more so, the stubbornness of a scientist facing the unknown.
Lynn had seen that look many times before, exactly the same look Strange gave him in the alleys of Kathmandu.
He said nothing more, only gesturing for Frigga to take Jane to a safer place in the inner sanctuary. He himself stood at the entrance to the bedroom, his hands hanging at his sides, his gaze piercing through the corridor to the end.