Chapter 35:
"Where did he go?" Coulson asked Mark, confused by Loki's sudden disappearance. "Did he turn invisible again?"
"Nope," Mark shook his head. "He actually left this time."
"Where? To Asgard?" Coulson was surprised.
Before he could get an answer, several technicians rushed over, holding a stack of data, eager to report to him.
After listening for a while, Mark understood that their instruments had detected a strange energy surge. Their analysis indicated the creation of a temporary channel through pure energy, similar to Einstein's Rosen Bridge theory. It seemed to connect two different spaces using powerful energy.
Basically, the technicians thought there was a space-time tunnel nearby.
Hearing the report and considering Loki's earlier actions, Coulson was starting to believe in Asgard.
But this belief also worried him.
He had just encountered extraterrestrials, and if things weren't handled carefully, it could be a disaster for Earth. He needed to report this to the director immediately.
"Now that Loki's gone, I guess I'm done here, right?" Mark said, heading for the door. "You guys can handle this mess on your own. I'll be going..."
"Wait!" Thor, sitting in the interrogation chair, suddenly interrupted.
Mark stopped and turned back, curious. "What's up?"
Thor hesitated for a moment before speaking earnestly, "Who are you exactly? I apologize if I offended you earlier, but I'm really curious about your identity because... in Midgard, ordinary humans shouldn't know so much about Asgard."
"Mr. Mark is a Technical Advisor for S.H.I.E.L.D.," Coulson explained. "He's a powerful sorcerer from an ancient Eastern country, and we're working together to protect this world from harm."
Mark glanced at Coulson, surprised by his explanation. Coulson met his gaze, silently pleading for understanding.
"Alright," Mark shrugged. Titles didn't matter much to him, and Coulson seemed like a decent guy. Whether in the original story or in this situation, it wouldn't hurt to play along.
"So, you're a sorcerer?" Thor seemed to remember something. "My father once told me that while the mortals of Midgard are weak, a few have mastered mysterious magic. They've protected Earth from threats from other dimensions for generations, and the most powerful among them is called the Sorcerer Supreme, who can even see the future... So, are you the Sorcerer Supreme?"
Thor was genuinely curious.
Coulson and Mark exchanged glances.
Coulson hadn't expected Mark to be so impressive that even the gods of Norse mythology knew about him.
But before Coulson could fully process this, Mark's next words confused him again.
"Sorcerer Supreme?" Mark shrugged calmly. "Isn't the Sorcerer Supreme the Ancient One? That's not me, and it has nothing to do with me."
Both Coulson and Thor were surprised.
Thor was surprised because he had assumed Mark was the Sorcerer Supreme due to his knowledge of Asgard. Even without his godly powers, Thor sensed a hint of fear from Loki towards Mark, suggesting the mage was incredibly powerful. He might even be stronger than the Sorcerer Supreme, the most powerful protector among mortals.
Coulson, on the other hand, was genuinely bewildered. He hadn't expected such a powerful magician to be hiding on Earth.
According to Thor, the Sorcerer Supreme was not only powerful but also good, protecting the world. But this raised some concerns. If the Sorcerer Supreme could stay hidden, what was stopping evil beings from doing the same? S.H.I.E.L.D. knew nothing about the extra-dimensional creatures the Sorcerer Supreme fought. What if the Sorcerer Supreme made a mistake?
These thoughts made him question Earth's safety, challenging their previous assumptions.
Unlike Coulson, who was deep in thought, Thor focused on the matter at hand. He spoke directly to Mark, acknowledging his extraordinary abilities. "Even if you're not the Sorcerer Supreme, you must be a powerful mage."
Mark chuckled. "It seems your temperament has improved," he remarked. "Becoming mortal seems to have its benefits. At least you've learned some manners."
Regret filled Thor's voice. "Unfortunately, I realized it too late. I have failed to live up to my father's expectations. Perhaps I'm not worthy of being the rightful ruler of Asgard after all."
Mark thought for a moment, then offered his perspective. "Well, in reality, there are different kinds of kings," he mused. "Some are valiant warriors who conquer lands and wealth for their people, while others pursue peace, fostering harmony and joy in their kingdoms. The role of a king isn't set in stone. Everyone has their own character and ideals."
"In my view, as long as you are loved and respected by your people, deserving of their admiration, you can already be considered a righteous ruler."
Thor nodded, considering Mark's words. "I've thought about this. When war breaks out, Asgard's warriors will inevitably suffer heavy losses. They have loved ones and friends, just like me. But Asgard's warriors are willing to die defending their homeland, unafraid of sacrifice because they see it as honorable."
"However, as the one who starts a war... I'm ashamed... My people would die needlessly because of my personal desires. Their loved ones would be devastated because I acted selfishly."
Mark was surprised by Thor's newfound self-awareness. He had even doubted whether Thor could still wield Mjolnir, given Loki's influence. Loki's deception was meant to make Thor feel worse, but unexpectedly, Thor started reflecting on his own mistakes... It wouldn't be long before he regained his divine power.
"But it's too late for me," Thor sighed, his head hung low. "My father is already dead, and I have no chance to prove myself..."
Mark offered a glimmer of hope with a smile. "At the very least, you can uncover the truth."
"The truth?" Thor looked up in astonishment. "What do you mean?"
Mark asked a thought-provoking question. "Do you really believe that Odin, the King of the Gods, could die so easily? Or, to put it another way, don't you find Odin's death suspicious?"
Thor's response would show if he understood. "Well..." If he didn't get the hint now, he would look foolish. "Are you suggesting that Father's death wasn't what it seemed? But I've already been exiled. What should I do?"
Mark smiled. "That's a question you need to answer... And imagine if your friend had made the same mistake and was exiled here, what would you do?"
Thor blurted out almost instinctively, revealing his true character. "If you make a mistake, you should try to fix it... and I would visit my friend in secret." Suddenly, realization dawned on him, and his eyes widened as he looked at Mark.
But Mark had already turned and left, leaving Thor alone with his thoughts.