Life's Pursuit {Book 2}

Chapter 5: Chasing Monsters

Odin's study back on Asgard provided formidable privacy for the continued investigation. An array of books lay opened and stacked atop Odin's desk and the floor surrounding it. The research had continued for hours.

Thor was determined to map out his journey, his father guiding every step as their head astronomer created the galaxy path. It would not be a safe trip for him. The holographic map glowing before them showed the evidence of that. In the sector he would be exploring, Thor could see worlds and stars collapsing into a black hole.

"All these books and still no evidence of the other Fractals..." Thor slammed the book he had been holding, his eyes sore from hours of reading.

"We have no choice but to act upon what we already know." Odin's response came out devoid of emotion, clear that it was his own exhaustion. His gaze drifted. "You know where three of the Fractals are, now take our best soldiers and go. We have tired ourselves aimlessly long enough."

"But surely we cannot make the trip. Look at the map! The sector is barely stable, it is covered in black holes. It might as well exist no longer."

"These books have been thoroughly searched, we have found what we can and we will secure what we can."

"I still have not returned to Midgard and retrieved what information Loki could gather from the books I left behind."

A silence stirred, Odin's jaw locking. The room grew uncomfortable and Thor almost regretted speaking. His father answered.

"You do know my feelings towards Loki helping on this venture."

Thor swallowed to moisten his dry throat. "I do."

"And that does not change your position?"

"No, it does not. Loki is talented. I wish you could see that."

Odin had hardened his heart towards the remaining sympathy for the youngest of his children. He had always been afraid of Loki's magic since he was a small child. Had Frigga not trained him, he would have kept that magic locked up inside the boy for eternity. There was a strange comfort that came with knowing Loki was mortal, but to involve him with the Fractals took that comfort away.

"What will you have him do? Read the runes that we cannot? Teach us how to pass between worlds without the Bifrost?" Odin scoffed. "The Infinity Stones and the Fractals exist in harmony throughout the universe, but as long as there are people out there like your brother, we cannot risk anything but to secure what no one else can control."

Thor was growing impatient. "We know more about the Stones than we do the Fractals."

"Precisely. You will not just be going for the Fractals but the Stones as well."

Oh by the branches of Yggdrasil... "I fear that these Fractals pose a greater threat than the Stones do. Father, I have a friend who is in danger because of them. We need answers. For the good of the Nine Realms–"

"I am always taking the Nine Realms into consideration, Thor." Odin's grip on Gungnir seemed to tighten. "You simply need to trust my judgement."

It was that phrase that always seemed to silence Thor's tongue. Those words were always spoken when Odin expected kingly wisdom from his sons, when he wanted respect or loyalty. It would be foolish to disappoint him.