Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

The Message

A VERY QUICK NOTE. THIS TAKES PLACE A YEAR BEFORE THOR! THE STORY WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE ENTIRE MCU, THOUGH. THE FIRST 11 CHAPTERS ARE BEFORE THOR!

I tuck my light brown hair behind my ear, rapidly taking notes. I sit on my bed, one knee in the air and the other folded in front of me. I put my pencil between my teeth as I flip through the book pages. My phone begins to ring on my desk. I swiftly stand up, stumbling across the room. I trip on my shoe in the floor and fall. I reach up and grab the phone from the desk and answer it. "Hello?" 

"Hey, Dri. You're still coming by today, right?"

I look at the clock on my wall. "Shit! I'll be there in 30!" Before the caller can say anymore, I hang up and climb off the floor. I stumble around as I swiftly get dressed out of my pajamas. I pull my hair up into a high pony as I lock my apartment. I climb into my car and drive to the nearby cafe. It's nestled into the street corner and always has an inviting smell. When I walk up to the counter, I smile at the server. "Can I just get the biggest cold brew you can make? And, if you don't mind, adding an extra shot of espresso to that?"

The barista gives me a tired smile. "Alright, and who is this for?" 

"Dri. D-R-I." I pull out a ten dollar bill and hand it to her. After she gives me my change, I drop it into the tip jar. Its always important to give. After a short wait, my coffee is done. 

"Uh... Dry?" The male barista says. 

I smile and walk up. "No... It's Dri. Like bee. Thank you!" I smile again and take my coffee. I climb back into my car and turn the radio up. Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 comes on. I laugh and turn it up. I sing and dance with the song. I pull up to the familiar, large house. Walking inside, sounds of laughter and playing fills my ears. I see a familiar woman with greying hair. "Mom!" I hug her tightly. 

"Dri! I'm so happy you made it. Adam is going to be so happy. Adam!" She calls out. 

"Yeah, mom?" The seven year old runs in, holding a foam sword. He looks up at me. "DRI!" He wraps me tightly in a hug. 

"Happy birthday, Adam," I smile and hug him back. I take the foam sword from him. "Playing Vikings again?" 

"Yeah! We need another Frenchman! Wanna play?" 

I smile brightly. "Of course! Let me grab my sword!" He runs back out. I laugh and walk to the linen closet.

"He's missed you, you know?" 

"I'm sorry, mom. I've just been so busy with my essay. It's not due until the end of the semester, but I have a lot of research I need to get done. And not to mention, my dissertation is due after that." I rummage through the various boxes. Not finding it below, I look above. As I pull a box out, a book falls, hitting me in the head. "Oh, Jesus!" I set the box down and reach for the book. I run my fingers over the smooth, dusty leather cover. I focus on the ornate silver lock. "Mom... What's this?" I close the closet door. 

She looks over at the and her eyes widen. "I have forgotten all about that! I was supposed to give it to you years ago."

"It's mine?" 

"Yeah. Sorry I forgot. There was 6 of you at the time and it slipped." 

"It's okay, mom. Is there a key to it?" 

"Strangely enough, no." 

I read the title. "'The Story Of Asgard'? What the hell is Asgard?" 

"More like where. I looked into it when we first received the book. It's something about Nordic mythology? A bridge between realms. It's some weird stuff."