Odin's demeanor, usually one of unwavering authority, crumbled slightly at the bizarre sight. A flicker of shock, then recognition, crossed his eyes. He knew what this was.
He led them to a private chamber within the palace, a place of ancient knowledge. "There are substances that predate the universe itself," Odin began, gesturing to a massive, illuminated scroll that seemed to unfurl from thin air. "The thing in her body appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not static; there is a dawn, and there is a twilight." The scroll displayed images and text about the Dark Elves. "Before the dawn, the forces of darkness, the Dark Elves, ruled, dominating all."
John listened intently. Substances from before the universe? That's what he had suspected. No wonder it felt so familiar. It was an Infinity Stone. His gaze subtly shifted to Jane. He recalled Thanos's quest for these powerful artifacts, but this one was in liquid form.
Looking at the ancient document, John spoke softly, "The Dark Elves, born from boundless darkness, sought to extinguish all light."
Thor picked up the narrative, "I remember that story. Mother told it to me when I was a child."
Odin glanced at John, surprised that he knew the ancient Asgardian language.
"Their leader, Malekith, forged darkness into a weapon called the Aether," Odin continued. "Unlike other remnants that manifest as solid stones, the Aether is liquid and constantly shifts. It converts all matter into dark energy. It seeks a host to inhabit, drawing energy from the host's life force."
John's eyes narrowed slightly. It can transform? No wonder it affected my magic. That sounds remarkably like advanced Transfiguration. Transfiguration could turn living beings into inanimate objects, and inanimate objects into living creatures. While there were differences, the underlying principles seemed strangely similar.
John tuned out much of what Odin said next. It was the familiar tale of the Dark Elves attempting to plunge the universe into eternal darkness using the Aether, and the brave Asgardians thwarting their plans. A very common story, indeed. Odin's father had defeated the Dark Elves but, regrettably, had not destroyed the Aether. The ancient texts offered no method for expelling it. This meant that, over time, Jane's life force would be drained until death.
Thor and Jane stood in somber silence.
John calmly raised his hand. "If you don't mind, I believe I can treat it."
Not only Thor but even Odin turned to look at him, astonishment etched on their faces.
"How do you propose to do that?" Odin challenged, skepticism heavy in his voice. He didn't believe anyone could accomplish such a feat.
John remained unperturbed. "I will simply draw it out."
Thor's eyes widened. "Can you truly do it?"
"Never doubt a wizard, Thor," John said, slowly taking out his wand and giving it a gentle polish. He chuckled. "Only arrogant individuals believe they are the sole beings capable of great deeds."
Odin stiffened, recognizing the jab. He let out a cold snort and turned to leave.
John then surveyed the chamber. "I shall require a quiet environment and an assistant. Consider it an equivalent exchange for my services." Asgard's libraries, filled with ancient history, advanced technology, and powerful magic, were a tempting prospect.
With Odin's departure, Thor, as Prince of Asgard, was empowered to make the decision. He readily agreed to John's request.
Jane breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought I was going to die."
"This world has many powerful curses," John said, tapping his shoulder with his wand. "While the Aether in you isn't technically a curse, it is bonded to your life force." He gave her a reassuring smile. "You can spend some quality time with Thor in the meantime." With a flourish, John's mundane clothes transformed into a magnificent, emerald green wizard's robe. "Prepare me a quiet environment and an assistant."
Thor smiled helplessly. John certainly made himself at home.
John had experience extracting Infinity Stones. He had, after all, already extracted two others. Previously, he hadn't been certain what the dark energy was, which was why he hadn't attempted to strip it away immediately. Now that it was confirmed to be an Infinity Stone, he had no fear of it being some malicious curse.
Thor, true to his princely reputation, quickly prepared a quiet chamber for John to work in. Jane lay on a comfortable bed, a mixture of anxiety and hope on her face.
John glanced at Thor, who was nervously rubbing his hands together. "Are you serious?"
Thor nodded vigorously.
"I asked for an assistant," John deadpanned. "Which part of that makes you think you fit the description?"
John didn't know what to say. Who ever heard of an assistant who stood ready for battle with a hammer?
Thor shifted awkwardly. "I thought I could help."
"I don't want what you think, I want what I think," John sighed wistfully. "Never mind." He was already tinkering with something in his hands. Thor peered at the object. It looked like a silver scroll. "What is that?"
"An extractor," John replied. He clapped his hands together, and the scroll-shaped container shimmered, plating itself with a layer of gold. "I'm modifying it to temporarily absorb the Aether. The side effect is that it might cause the Aether to run rampant throughout Asgard."
"What would be the result of that?" Thor asked, his heart seizing.
"Asgard might be destroyed," John said, sounding surprisingly indifferent.
Thor's eyes widened. "John!"
"Alright, sorry," John pouted. "Maybe it won't."
"Hey, John," Thor said, glancing at Jane before pulling John out of the room. "I know you might not think highly of my father," Thor began, a pang of discomfort in his voice. "His attitude earlier was a bit arrogant."
"That's not the reason, Thor," John interrupted, cutting off the impending earnest persuasion. He looked at Thor, then shook his head. "I'm just thinking about something else." John's voice was calm. "The Aether destroying Asgard is merely a possibility. Your grandfather once defeated the Dark Elves who wielded the Aether. Do you truly believe the current Asgard cannot contain it?"
Thor wouldn't think that, of course.
"Then I can relax," Thor breathed a sigh of relief.
"Loki is still locked up. What do you plan to do with him?" John asked suddenly.
Thor was taken aback, stammering, "He'll remain imprisoned." He clearly thought John was holding a grudge against his brother, despite Loki's undeniably severe transgressions.
"That's actually a pretty good ending," John said, a strange note in his voice. "At least he's in Asgard. He does seem more like Odin's true bloodline."
Odin's true bloodline? Thor felt a peculiar sensation. "Why do you say that?"
John offered no answer. He simply re-entered the chamber.
He held two extractors now.
"The only difficulty is how to protect her life force," John explained. He took out a small box of glowing capsules from his pocket. "Eat one, Jane."
Jane didn't hesitate. She picked up the orange-red capsule and swallowed it. As it went down, her pupils constricted rapidly, and her skin temperature began to rise.
"What is that?" Thor asked, his breath held.
"A healing capsule developed by Taran Industries Medical Department," John explained, drawing out his wand. "Now, I'm going to extract her soul. It will reduce the pain."
"What?" Thor thought he was hallucinating. Extract her soul? Is that a normal step in treatment?
"Soul, return!"
An ancient, resonant chant filled the air.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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