Vorrak opened his eyes, and his breathing stirred the air around him. Laussa noticed immediately as she stepped out of her room, catching sight of Vorrak sitting cross-legged on the floor in a meditative stance, his hand resting between his knees, with the flickering crimson light surrounding him.
Feeling the energy radiating from Vorrak, Laussa frowned and waved her hand, releasing a wave of energy to push the sinister energy away.
"What a dark presence... Vorrak, could you perhaps manage your energy a bit better? It's overwhelming, almost suffocating. And as for my proposal about the Bifrost, I'll talk to my father. I'll reach out to Heimdall, and we can head to Asgard right now," Laussa said, her expression still weighed down by the unsettling aura.
Laussa, being an Asgardian, had encountered various malevolent energies throughout her life, but the one emanating from Vorrak was on another level. Despite her naivety, it wouldn't be fitting for the daughter of Odin, the All-Father, to be shielded from experiencing different types of energy.
"That would be for the best. I'm not at all comfortable with space. All I see are lights and planets in the void," Vorrak replied, distaste clear on his face, prompting a nod of agreement from Laussa.
She felt the same; she had once thought that space would offer her liberation, but after months of traveling, it had grown monotonous, filled only with rocks, stars, and distant planets.
Without delay, Laussa called for Heimdall, and a radiant beam of rainbow light enveloped their ship. Vorrak felt his senses consumed by the light, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself looking at a striking figure— a tall man in golden armor holding a massive sword planted in the ground, his helmet adorned with horns and eyes that gleamed like gold, seemingly able to see through everything.
That was Vorrak's initial impression of Heimdall.
Meanwhile, their ship was already stationed, and Laussa approached Heimdall with a bright smile, wrapping him in a hug as he returned her smile and inquired about her well-being, his gaze lingering on Vorrak.
Heimdall didn't question Vorrak's presence; his all-seeing vision allowed him to perceive anyone within the Nine Realms. He could also hear any Asgardian calling for him, which was how Laussa was able to return to Asgard.
As Vorrak arrived, he immediately sensed danger; numerous eyes were scrutinizing him. Being in Asgard, he knew he would be the center of attention as a guest— a rare one at that, brought by Laussa Odinsdottir herself, the cherished daughter of Odin.
"Heimdall, this is Vorrak from Earth, my guest. We need to head to the palace for an audience with my father. I'll see you later!" Laussa said, pulling Vorrak along, his mind racing with thoughts on how to navigate this new environment.
Vorrak allowed himself to be led by Laussa, feeling somewhat helpless. In Asgard, he knew he had to tread carefully, mindful of the consequences of crossing Odin.
Heimdall merely smiled and stayed silent, watching the two as they made their way to the palace. As long as Vorrak didn't pose a threat to Asgard, he had no reason to intervene, although he kept a sharp eye on the newcomer.
Having observed Vorrak before, Heimdall sensed that he had likely taken many lives, whether innocent or not. However, he felt little concern; after all, Asgardians had been waging wars for millennia, affecting countless beings, innocent or otherwise.
For now, all he could do was watch as Vorrak was enthusiastically pulled along by Laussa.
---
In the grand palace of Asgard, Odin sat on his throne, gazing intently at the enormous door. Moments later, it swung open, and a torrent of fire surged toward him.
With a mere flick of his hand, the flames dissipated, and a smile spread across his face.
"Laussa, you're back! How was your journey?" he asked, rising to meet her. He strode directly to his daughter, who greeted him with a bright smile, playfully tossing her hair back.
Odin's imposing figure exuded authority, his silver-white hair and beard framing a noble face. A golden eyepatch covered his missing eye, symbolizing his wisdom. Dressed in ornate armor and a flowing cape, he embodied strength, leadership, and the burden of divine rule.
Laussa embraced her father as she recounted her adventures, while Vorrak stood by, patiently waiting for their conversation to finish.
As he glanced around, Vorrak was mesmerized by the palace's stunning interior. The room featured large, circular windows adorned with glowing patterns that bathed the space in a warm, golden light, creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere. The intricately carved throne, flanked by golden statues of wolves or lions, added to the grandeur.
After several minutes, as their conversation wrapped up, Odin finally turned his attention to Vorrak, who sensed the weight of his gaze. It was a familiar feeling, reminding him that Odin had acknowledged his presence.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Odin All-Father. I am Vorrak from Earth. I've heard much about you from the Ancient One," he introduced himself, his body subtly shifting in a sign of unease. Meanwhile, Laussa animatedly continued to chat about him, nodding enthusiastically throughout her story.
Seeing Laussa so lively for the first time made Odin feel a bit threatened in his role as a father. He shot a more intense look at Vorrak, though he quickly composed himself; still, frustration simmered beneath the surface.
"Welcome to Asgard, Vorrak. You are the first of your kind to visit here," Odin said in a commanding yet majestic tone.
"I've already heard about your invitation from Laussa, and I'm willing to return to Earth. But for now, my daughter wishes for you to stay in Asgard for a few days to explore its beauty," Odin continued, his voice authoritative.
Vorrak wasn't quite sure what to think of Odin; he had anticipated a more austere demeanor but found him surprisingly pleasant. However, through his past experiences with people, Vorrak was cautious. He had learned that some could expertly conceal their true selves, and he recognized that Odin's formalities were likely aimed at keeping Laussa happy.
Yet, having proven himself by pulling the sword, Vorrak chose to take Odin at his word and graciously accepted the offer.
Odin, feeling a flicker of annoyance as he realized he couldn't backtrack on his invitation, suppressed his frustration. A King couldn't back out of his promises without losing face.
As Laussa listened to her father's words, happiness washed over her as she embraced him once more, expressing her gratitude. Having Vorrak by her side would certainly make her life a lot less dull, as he was her only friend outside of Asgard—a new experience she had only ever dreamed about.
Without hesitation, Laussa pulled Vorrak along to meet her mother, Frigga, a look of annoyance etched on his face. There was no choice for him but to accept his fate.
A few minutes later, they stepped into one of the palace rooms, which housed a personal library that hinted at a love for books or perhaps served only aesthetic purposes. The curtains, made of stunning golden fabric, featured intricately designed patterns typical of Asgard.
Inside, they found a woman of extraordinary beauty who left Vorrak momentarily taken aback. As a symbiote, he was incapable of feeling lust, but he couldn't help but admire her looks.
Nonetheless, her beauty was undeniable; she truly was a Goddess, worthy of being the Queen of Asgard.
Frigga exuded regal grace, her golden-blonde hair cascading in soft waves or detailed braids. Her striking blue eyes conveyed wisdom and warmth, and her superb Asgardian robes—rich in blue and gold—enhanced her poised, dignified presence, embodying maternal strength and quiet authority.
"Mother! I'm back!" Laussa announced.
"Look who I've brought! This is my friend from my travels in the universe, Vorrak. Vorrak, meet my mother, Queen Frigga, the All-Mother," Laussa introduced them, standing proudly beside her mom.
"Hello, Queen Frigga, the All-Mother. I'm Corruptor, and it's a pleasure to meet you in person. I've heard about you from Earth," Vorrak greeted with a smile, although Laussa noticed and disapproved of his expression, prompting him to shake his head in resignation.
Frigga observed the playful banter between them, a kind smile gracing her lips, though her thoughts remained a mystery.
"Welcome to Asgard, Vorrak. Laussa, please invite this gentleman to join us for dinner tonight. I'll see you there, Vorrak. Again, welcome to Asgard; I hope your stay is comfortable," Frigga said as Vorrak nodded in acknowledgment.
From the movies he had seen, Vorrak was aware of Frigga's kind nature, so her warm and calming words didn't surprise him, even with her commanding tone.
Given her role as the ruler of such a grand place, it made sense that she would project authority through her voice. Laussa then shared tales of her journey, speaking to her mother as she had done with Odin. As their conversation shifted to more personal topics, he decided it was best not to interrupt.
Stepping outside, Vorrak found himself unsure of where to go, leading him to wander aimlessly around the palace. Servants and guards glanced his way, directing him toward various spots like the library, the garden, and the hallways.
They had already received instructions from Odin himself to guide him, fully aware that Laussa would be drawn into conversation with her mother, potentially forgetting about Vorrak in the process.
As Vorrak strolled along, he unwittingly headed toward the training fields, where lightning crackled and surged, sending several individuals flying. The deafening roar of the bolts made his head spin, and his instincts kicked in, warning him of impending danger.
In sheer agony, Vorrak let out a scream as he felt his body twisting in unexpected ways, with spikes erupting all over him.
Although he was typically resistant to fire and sound, his newfound talent, Laussa, had heightened his fire resistance significantly. In contrast, his sound resistance remained relatively weak, causing him to cry out in pain.