5 years.
It took me 5 fucking years to finally be able to consistently defeat the Dora Milaje, 1 on 1.
Turns out, this whole missing arm thing is an insane hindrance. I had to literally make up a whole new fucking sword style so that I could properly fight with one arm. I used some inspiration from the late Borr T'onser, and his 'lazy sword', but beyond that it's a completely new style.
Countless hours swinging the sword. Countless hours trying to conceptualize how I would properly fight against spears. Countless hours putting the concepts into practice.
But, luckily something good did come out of this 5 years. I made really good friends with the Wakandan people. I am no longer treated as an outcast, but more of a good friend. I've got a favorite meat stall, I've got a best (human) friend, and I've even managed to learn written wakandan(I can speak it without effort, it literally sounds like English to me) through much less effort than I thought. Also, I've been studying the properties of Vibranium with Usim, said best (human) friend.
Vibranium is probably the coolest element in existence, and I'm not just saying that. It is basically the perfect tool for micro-mechanics, with energy manipulator properties you could basically make anything out of vibranium given time, research, and effort.
Essentially, Vibranium is endlessly versatile and nerd central- but is without a doubt a dangerous material. Given enough energy, vibranium can be explosive, especially in raw form. That was why, in Avengers endgame, Cap's shield broke instead of bounced the sword that Thano's wielded. Thanos applied so much force to the shield-not to mention the metal his sword is made from- that the vibranium began to break down instead of hold fast.
Which makes me wonder...
If vibranium ore was able to apply it's properties to magic-based materials, what would happen?
For example... Jormungandr's scale?
Would the resulting material be both energy absorbent and immensely strong? Or would the vibranium properties dissipate?
And that question- after five years of study- is what led me to the conversation I'm currently having with Usim.
"So Usim... You know how the metals and materials of God's posses Magic?" I ask, treading carefully. The question I'm about to ask could get me kicked from the city after all.
"Mhm. What about it? And, by the way, I still dont believe it's magic." He says, his brow burrowing as he tries to figure out where my question is heading.
"Well... I was wondering, if... perhaps... you would be kind enough to gift me... a small store of Vibranium...?" I ask, the question a dangerous one, and hense why I asked it so apprehensive.
"Hm. Wait, are you trying to see if vibranium can handle magical energy in the same way it handles Kinetic energy? Why not just test using your own magic?" He asks, and the question had crossed my mind, but then I remembered something from the comics: Vibranium becomes extremely unstable when it absorbs Magical energy. So much so, that it becomes a dangerous bomb, the atoms and the bonds between them quickly breaking down and the energy unleashing itself outwards.
Doom somehow managed to make it work. I cant remember how, or even why, but I know he somehow managed it and created a weird doom bot army with it.
"Well, I thought of that too, but Let's just say I know that it wont work, and I'm not willing to try given my very lackluster skill with municipal magic, which is the magic I would need to use to bind vibranium to the material I want to use. See, I'm trying to make armor, and maybe an arm." I say, and Usim's reaction was pretty much the possible I was expecting.
"Well, I really don't see why not. You are my best friend Verdi, I allow you into my lab whenever you want and you have never once given me reason to suspect you are an enemy of Wakanda. I will speak with father, and we will gift you a small store of vibranium." He says, walking up to me and patting my shoulder.
"Thabk you Usim. You dont know how much that means to me." I say, and he merely smiles.
"Now, I better get a glimpse of this new armor of your when you come back. If I'm helping you acquire vibranium, then you better make the best armor in fucking existence, you hear me?" He says, his face darkening with an evil smile.
"You know you look really creepy when you smile like that, right?" I say, and he almost looks offended.
"Sir, I'll have you know I'm the most eligible bachelor in Wakanda! I will not have you defame me in such a manner!" He says in mock offense, and I cant help but laugh.
-
"C'inza, how are you doing today?" I ask my friend. Me and her have grown to become something resembling brother and sister in the recent years, and seeing as I will be going away soon, I wish to have some fun with her, Usim, and the rest of the people I bonded with Over the last 5 years, "Say, I'm throwing a party later, and I'm inviting everybody, do you wanna come?"
"But I have my duties, Verdi. You know I cant abandon-"
"The King will be there you doofus."
"Ah. Then of course I'll be there. Why even ask?"
"I wasn't sure if you were on duty or not. Anyways, I'll see ya later, I've got others to invite. See ya shaggy!" I say with humor, knowing she despises the nickname. It's a play on how she is the complete opposite of shaggy, and it really riles her up when I say it.
"Do not call me that! How many times! Argh!" She fumes and storms off, listening to my chuckles as she walks away.
-
"King Sonsi, I am here today with Verdandi Odinson to request something of you." Usim starts, being much more formal than usual.
"Go on." Sonsi replies.
"Verdandi came to me with an interesting proposal. He wishes to test whether or not his people's Magic is compatible with vibranium, but he himself is not an expert in what he calls 'runic magic', which is what is required to Enchant items. Do I have permission to grant him a small store of Vibranium?"
"I don't see why not, I will allow 20kg of vibranium. Do not waste this gift, Verdandi. I expect results to be shared upon your return." The king says without so much as Blinking, only for the council to be outraged in an instant.
"What?! My King, you cannot possibly be serious?!"
"My king, he is but an outsider! How can we gift him with vibranium?! And a whole 20kgs?! Are you mad!"
"Watch your toungues! I will not allow mere elders to speak to the King in such a manner! Quell your anger before I cut you down where you sit." C'inza, who had very recently been made Captain of the Dora Milaje, yelled out with a slam of her spear on the ground. I nearly chuckle but somehow manage to hold in my laughter at the dumbfounded looks on the elders.
Safe to say they promptly shut up.
"That's the last I will speak on this matter. Anyone else? No one? Good. Meeting adjourned. I have a party to get to." Sonsi says, and immediately walks towards me and wraps his arm around my shoulder.
"Now, I heard tell of cake?"
-
"Thank you, everyone, for coming to my going away party." I say, and roughly half the room gasps in surprise, "I know that most of you were unaware I am leaving, and I'm sorry for not being forthcoming, but I just couldn't figure out how to tell some of you. Honestly, many of you became like family to me during my stay here, and I learned a lot."
"Verdi..." C'inza says, and I can't help but notice the look of slight panic on her face. I silently wonder what that's about but I put it aside for now.
"I learned how to fight with only one arm. C'inza and the rest of the Dora's helped me tremendously in that regard. Usim, who became something of a brother to me, taught me his knowledge of Vibranium and It's secrets. Sonsi, who became a good friend, taught me a lot about politics and how to raise a family, but those are minor in relation to his overwhelming knowledge of the best meat skewers on the planet!" I joke, and the room laughs heartily, none more than Sonsi himself.
"I truly loved it here, and though I have no Idea when I will return, I certainly will be returning whenever I can. Thank you all. Now, enough with the sad goodbyes; Let's get this damn party started!" I say, and an eruption of cheers from the long table of people follows.
-
The party was joyous; people who I've never seen drunk got wasted, and even some of the Dora's participated.
Honestly, the most surprising one was Usim, who never goes to parties and if he does he usually just sits in the corner and tweaks a gadget of some kind. Today though, he went all out; he was the most wasted out of anyone. He got so wasted he started crying- soe.thing I'd never seen from him- about how much he was gonna miss me. Honestly it kinda broke my heart a bit but I can't stay. Odin called for me, and so I must return.
But the most surprising of all was C'inza, who, after the party died out and the king was placed in his quarters(passed out as he was) walked up to me without her spear asking to speak with me.
"C'inza, is something wrong?" I ask, and she sighs heavily.
"Why didnt you tell me you were leaving?" She said after a moment, and I suddenly felt quite guilty.
"Well, I just couldn't find the courage I guess. You may hide it well, but I know you think of me as a brother, and I couldn't bear to see your face when I told you."
"Damnit Verdi, I thought this was your birthday party or something! I built up so much courage before the party, thinking I could finally confess to you, but no! Of course, you just had to be sneaky! What am I supposed to do now? You made me fall in love with you!" Huh?! Love? What?!
I dont know how long I was dumbfounded for, but It was a while.
"Verdi?"
"Umm... Love? I... I dont know how to say this, C'inza, but I don't like you like that..."
"Don't you think I know that?! Ugh, it sucks! I finally fall in love with someone and they dont even see me like that! Ha... I feel like some silly schoolgirl. I mean, of course it would never work between us, you're immortal; I'm not. You're an alien, I'm just a regular person-"
"C'inza, stop. You are anything but normal. You made Captain of the Dora's in record time. You can still beat me in a fight some days, which is not easy considering I still beat most of the Dora's on a regular basis, You're smart, funny, and have a lot going for you. Honestly, if I were anyone else, they may have fallen for you. I just... I can't be in a relationship right now. I'm not ready. I wont be ready for a long time. And I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through the loss of someone I love and still be able to do the things I need to do. I'm sorry, truly, that I cannot return your feelings." I say, putting my hand on her shoulder, and she starts reluctantly tearing up.
"Ugh... see, that's the kinda shit you say that made me fall for you... why you gotta be so damn romantic without even trying..."
"What? But I was just-"
"I know! Just stop talking..." she snapped and held me close. I guess I can give her this hug, seeing as I can't give her what she wants.
Love is hard dude.
-
The return to Asgard was simple and quick. I left in the early morning so almost no one came to see me off except Sonsi, Usim, and C'inza. I said my goodbyes, stepped into the bifrost circle, gave one more quick wave goodbye, and called for Heimdall. The bifrost quickly enveloped me and I was returned to my home.
"Hey Heimdall! Long time huh?" I said, my weapons on my hip and the 20kgs of vibranium in the case carried in my hand.
"Not really, Odinson. Just five years."
"Its good to see you friend."
"Indeed. How was your stay in Wakanda? Anything exciting happen?"
"It was good from what I could see. Quite the heartbreaker we've got here in Asgard, father!" Said a familiar voice from behind Heimdall.
"Axl! How's it going fucker?!" I say, walking over to him and enveloping him in a manly hug.
"Going great, dickhead!"
"So, you spying on me now?"
"Only every now and then. Usually when I'm bored. Your life can be rather entertaining sometimes."
And with the laughter that followed, I knew I had returned home.