Sophia Holmes and the Dark World (Sherlock's Daughter/Marvel) *Completed*

Chapter Three

It's an odd sensation as I travel through space - I can see the different stars and planets around me as we fly at a super-sonic speed.

Thor looks back at me. "Brace yourself for landing."

I nod, and just a few seconds later I can see a domed, golden building quickly approaching. Having just mastered the art of landing apparation, I ready myself and land easily on the floor of the gateway.

"We have to do that again," Foster says, looking around in amazement, before noticing the tall man stood in front of us, a large sword planted in some kind of device to open the Bifrost. Based on my knowledge of Nordic Mythology, that's Heimdall - the gatekeeper. "Hi."

"Welcome to Asgard."

Thor flies us over to the healing room and Foster is placed in some kind of examination chamber with holographic monitors overhead.

"What's that?" she asks as they examine the force within her.

"Be still," Eir says.

Thor watches with one of the nurses as they examine Foster. "This is not of Earth, what is it?"

"I do not know," the nurse replies. "But she will not survive the amount of energy surging within her." The nurse turns and walks away as Thor looks at Foster with worry.

"That's a quantum field generator, isn't it?" Foster asks, referring to the device being used.

"It's a Soul Forge," Eir corrects.

"Does a Soul Forge transfer molecular energy from one place to another?"

Eir looks impressed. "Yes."

Foster looks at smugly at Thor. "It's a quantum field generator," she whispers and Thor smiles at her.

"My words are mere noises to you that you ignore them completely?" a voice asks behind us and I turn to see an elderly, bearded man with one eye. Odin.

"She's ill," Thor responds.

"She is mortal. Illness is their defining trait."

"I brought here because we can help her."

"They do not belong here in Asgard anymore than a goat belongs at a banquet table."

Jane sits up and looks at Thor. "Did he just...?" she looks back at Odin. "Who do you think you are?"

"I'm Odin," the Allfather replies. "King of Asgard. Protector of the Nine Realms."

"Oh," Jane says. "Well, I'm..."

"I know very well who you are, Jane Foster. What I don't know, is who you are," he says, rounding on me.

I bow slightly. "Sophia Holmes, my lord. I fought alongside your son in the battle of New York."

"Hm, is that so?" he asks, his eyes narrowing. "The question is, which son?"

Before I can respond, Thor intervenes and brings the topic back to Jane. "Something is within her, father, something I have not seen before."

"Her world has its healers - they're called doctors, let them deal with it. Guards, take her back to Midgard."

As the two guards approach Jane and go to grab her, the energy force within her sets off again throwing the two guards aside.

"Don't touch her," Thor says, leaning down and tenderly touching Jane. "Jane, are you alright?"

Jane nods her head and Odin inspects the energy force running through her body.

"That's impossible," Odin breathes.

"The infection," Eir says, "it's defending her."

"No," I correct, "it's defending itself."

"Come with me," Odin instructs. "There are relics that predate the universe itself. What lies within her appears to be one of them." Thor helps Jane up as Odin leads us out and down a long set of stairs into a guarded vault. Eventually, he stops as we reach an ancient book lying on a pedastal. "The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn as they will have a dusk." He opens the book and shows us the magic-infused pages of the ancient book. "But before that dawn the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged."

"'Born of eternal night, the Dark Elves comes to steal away your light,'" Thor reads. "These stories mother told us as children."

Odin nods. "Their leader, Malekith made a weapon out of that darkness, it was called the Aether. While the other relics often appeared as stones, the Aether is fluid and ever changing. It changes matter into dark matter and seeks out to host bodies, drawing strength from their life force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But after eternities of blood shed, my father Bor, finally triumphed, ushering in the peace that lasted thousands of years."

"What happened?" Jane asks.

"He killed them all," Odin answers.

"Are you sure?" I ask. "The Aether was said to have been destroyed with them and yet here it is."

"The Dark Elves are dead," he assures me, sternly.

"Does your book happen to mention how to get it out of me?" Jane asks.

"No, it does not."