Chapter 11 – Leaving Heaven
Angela lifted her gaze to Lin Che, the mysterious intruder, the man who had torn away every veil.
While everyone else stood taut as bowstrings, only he remained at ease, as though the scene before him were mere theater.
"Why… are you telling me this?" Angela asked, her voice still icy yet laced with bewilderment.
Lin Che shrugged. "To be honest, at first I just wanted to survive. You were fighting like a fiend; if I hadn't thrown out some juicy secrets to shift the heat, I'd probably be mincemeat by now."
The candor—shameless to the point of roguery—left Angela stunned for a second.
This peculiar man.
"But now," Lin Che went on, "I find you interesting. Strong, beautiful, yet living a lie. I despise falsehood. Truth, however brutal, is worth more than the sweetest lie."
Odin studied him deeply. The youth's words were blunt, even crude, yet they had struck the guilt within his own heart.
"He is right," Odin said, turning to Angela, a gentleness never before seen in his lone eye. "Audrifa, I do not ask your forgiveness. I only hope you learn the truth… and then make your own choice. Whatever it be, I will respect it."
Heven's face darkened; holy light pooled in her hand. "Odin, leave the Tenth Realm at once. This intruder—and Angela—will pay for their betrayal."
"Betrayal?" Angela's head snapped up, her voice quivering for the first time. "My Lord Heven, you never told me the truth! Are loyalty and faith of millennia built upon lies?"
"Truth?" Heven's tone was frigid. "The truth is you belong to Heaven. Your power, your purpose, your very being—all were granted by me. The blood of Odin is merely a curse you must overcome. Return to my side; this is your final chance… Angela!"
Odin stepped forward; the Eternal Spear struck the ground, divine might surging. "Heven, you dare threaten my daughter?"
"Threaten?" Heven's wings flared, the air trembling beneath her majesty. "I pronounce judgment. Angela, since you falter, you are no longer worthy of Heaven's glory. I, Angel Queen Heven, by the Holy Light, cast you out of Heaven. Henceforth you are severed from us."
"As for you, Odin!" Heven's gaze knifed toward the All-Father. "Take your long-dead daughter and go. Remember: war between Asgard and Heaven has not ended, merely paused. Today's disgrace I shall repay in full."
Her words rang like a final verdict in every Angel's ear.
Angela stood thunderstruck, staring in disbelief at Heven—the mother, mentor, and fountain of her faith—abandoning her so ruthlessly.
Odin's wrath became tangible; golden divine power lanced skyward. "Then let us fight. Asgard fears no challenge!"
"Enough!"
Angela's cry ripped through the tension. She straightened, confusion gone, replaced by a resolve forged from shards of broken faith.
She faced Heven, no longer kneeling, only offering a long, deep look at the queen who had raised and then exiled her.
"Thank you for your teachings, My Lord Heven… and for your final mercy," she said, voice cold as iron. "From this day, Angela fights only for herself."
Then she turned to Odin, eyes conflicted. "I acknowledge you as my father, Odin. But I will not go to Asgard… not yet."
Finally she looked at Lin Che, her pure-white eyes reflecting his leisurely figure. "You said you were merely a passing traveler."
"Absolutely true," Lin Che nodded.
"Then," Angela sheathed her sword, folding her wings, "take me to your World. I need to leave all this—Heaven, Asgard—and see with my own eyes who I am."
Heven's pupils shrank; holy light rippled violently, yet she did not strike again, only watched with icy detachment.
Odin was silent a long moment, then slowly nodded. "Very well. I respect your choice."
He looked at Lin Che, sharpness glinting in his lone eye. "Young man, I entrust Angela to you for now. Should harm befall her, Asgard will pursue you to the ends of the Universe."
"Relax," Lin Che smiled. "I'm just an ordinary guy, but I never break a promise."
"Before that," Odin said gently to Angela, "at least meet your mother. Frigga… has grieved your loss too long."
Angela hesitated, then gave a slight nod.
"Heimdall!" Odin called skyward.
The Bifrost Bridge descended once more, light enveloping the three.
Heven stood alone amid the ruins, holy light still radiant yet steeped in boundless cold and solitude.
Slowly she lifted her gaze toward Asgard and spoke softly, yet her voice carried across the entire Tenth Realm.
"War… is far from over."
The plaza fell silent; only shards of sanctity drifted like snow in the wind…
The glow of the Bifrost Bridge faded upon the teleportation dais of the Golden Palace.
Odin stepped from the light first, Eternal Spear in hand; the kingly aura sent the waiting guards to their knees.
Lin Che emerged second, curiously studying the fabled halls of the gods.
Golden buildings shimmered beneath eternal light, far grander than any movie had shown.
Last came Angela.
She set foot on Asgard's soil, complex emotions flickering in her eyes. Though this was her first time here, blood-deep resonance stirred a strange familiarity.
"Welcome home to Asgard, my daughter," Odin said, turning, rare warmth in his lone eye.
Angela gave no reply, only warily scanning her surroundings; the queen of the hunt stayed on highest alert in unfamiliar territory.
Lin Che, ever casual, strolled to the platform's edge and gazed down at the bustling realm below. "Sure beats New York. Though all this gold bling's a bit tacky—classic nouveau-riche taste."
An Asgardian guard glared, but Odin raised a hand to stay him.
"Mr. Lin Che," Odin sighed, "mind your words; Asgard's glory is not to be mocked."
"All right, when in Rome," Lin Che shrugged. "So what now, old-timer? I've got stew on the stove back on Earth."
Ignoring the nonsense, Odin looked to Angela. "Your mother, Frigga, waits in her chambers; she longs to see you."
At the word "mother," Angela's body quivered. Mother was only a vague concept; facing an unknown queen, even the battle-hardened huntress felt a flutter of nerves.
"I…" Angela began, but words failed her.
Chapter 12 – Conning the God of Thunder
Rapid footsteps echoed from the depths of the palace.
'Father!' a booming voice rang out, crackling with lightning. 'Heimdall says you opened the Bifrost to the Tenth Realm and brought back… my sister?'
Thor strode forward, golden hair cascading over his battle-mail, Mjolnir clenched in his fist. He had come in haste, still glistening with training-sweat, his face a knot of bewilderment and disbelief.
Then his gaze fell upon Angela.
Time itself seemed to stop.
Thor stared into those pure-white eyes—irrefutable proof of Odin's blood. Her stern features echoed Frigga's by seven parts in ten. Most telling of all, the divine power surging within her rivaled his own, carrying a strange yet familiar pulse of kinship.
'By the gods…' Thor murmured. 'Heimdall spoke true…'
Angela regarded Thor in turn—the legendary Thunder God, her brother.
She felt the storm of lightning raging inside him, raw and primal, utterly unlike her own strength yet equally formidable.
'Thor Odinson,' Angela said calmly, 'I am Angela.'
Thor blinked, then burst into delighted laughter. 'Haha! I knew it! I knew Father must have more bastards—ah, bastard-daughter—out there! Wait, does Mother know?'
Odin's face darkened. 'Thor, mind your tongue!'
'Sorry, sorry.' Thor scratched his head, stepped closer, and studied her. 'But seriously—an older sister? This is amazing! Shame Loki's not here; his face would be priceless!'
At Loki's name, Odin's eyes dimmed for an instant before steadying.
Angela found Thor's warmth disconcerting. In the Tenth Realm warriors were stern and restrained; few showed feelings so openly. Yet she sensed his sincerity, an unreserved acceptance that thawed a corner of her frozen heart.
'Prince Thor,' she said, keeping her distance, 'it is… good to meet you.'
'Drop the titles—just call me little brother!' Thor waved a broad hand. 'By the way, something odd happened at the training ground today: my cloak vanished. Heimdall thinks an intruder took it…'
His gaze snapped to Lin Che, eyes narrowing. 'Hold on—who are you? Why do you smell familiar?'
Lin Che's heart lurched, though his smile stayed fixed. 'Ah, you must be the famous Thor! Heard so much about you. I'm Lin Che, a wandering traveller—newly acquainted with your sister, you could say.'
Thor wasn't convinced. He circled Lin Che twice. The Thunder God's instinct told him this black-haired, black-eyed man was anything but ordinary.
'Your aura is peculiar,' Thor said. 'Could you be the intruder Heimdall mentioned?'
In a flash he reached for Lin Che's shoulder.
Lin Che moved faster; God-level Stealth sparked in his nerves and he slid half a step back, slipping Thor's grasp.
Surprise flickered across Thor's face—few in the Nine Realms could evade his casual grab.
'Thor,' Odin interjected, 'Mr. Lin Che is my guest. He helped me find your sister. Show courtesy.'
'Father, but my cloak…'
'A mere cloak,' Odin said mildly. 'I have promised it to Mr. Lin Che as reward for aiding Angela.'
'What?!' Thor's eyes bulged. 'Mother stitched that herself! It is the pride of Asgard!'
Lin Che hastened to smooth things over. 'Easy, Brother Thor, easy. I saw the cloak—fine workmanship, but honestly the cut's a bit dated. Look at your build: muscles like boulders. A dragging cloak hampers combat. Imagine a foe grabbing it for a suplex—how embarrassing!'
Thor gaped. 'Wh-what?'
'Makes sense, right?' Lin Che pressed on. 'True warriors chase efficiency. Does your father wear a cloak in battle? No—it gets in the way. You're the future All-Father; how can a cloak tie you down?'
Thor glanced at Odin, who indeed rarely fought in a cloak.
'Besides,' Lin Che piled on, 'cloaks are décor. Real power needs no props. Look at me—no cloak, yet dashing as ever. Strength speaks louder than fabric!'
Angela listened, amusement flickering in her eyes. The man stole a cloak, then spun a whole philosophy to justify it—shameless beyond measure.
Thor wavered, scratching his head. 'Well… maybe. But it was Mother's gift…'
'Gifts are about intent, not form,' Lin Che declared. 'QueenFrigga wanted it to protect you. If it becomes a burden, that betrays her wish. Let me keep and refashion it—honor her love while boosting utility.'
Thor brightened. 'You can refit gear?'
'A trifling skill,' Lin Che said modestly. 'I picked up some Earth-craft. If you like, I'll design a new battle-suit—sleeker, stronger, amplifying your divine power.'
The idea thrilled Thor. A warrior's lust for better gear was eternal.
'Really? It can boost my power?'
'Cross my heart—may I turn into a pup if I lie. Just provide the materials; Earth doesn't stock Asgardian stuff.'
'Done!' Thor slung an arm around him, cloak forgotten. 'Haha! Brother Lin Che, you're fun—I like you! Keep the cloak, but that new suit had better be real!'
'Leave it to me!' Lin Che grinned like a fox who'd stolen the henhouse.
Odin watched, exasperated. His blunt son had been talked round in minutes. Still, a clash had been averted.
'Enough, Thor. Escort Mr. Lin Che to rest. I will take Angela to your mother.'
Thor nodded. 'Yes, Father! Come, Brother Lin Che—let me show you Asgard's cellars. We've a mead that boosts divine power; may not work on you, but the taste is heaven!'
Lin Che's eyes lit up. 'Mead? Now you're talking!'
Arm in arm they left, leaving Odin and Angela behind.
Angela watched Lin Che's retreating figure. 'He is skilled… at bending hearts.'
'Not bending—understanding,' Odin corrected. 'He sees every desire and weakness, then chooses the perfect key. Dangerous, but if he calls you friend, he is the staunchest ally.'
Angela was silent a moment. 'He says he will take me to Earth.'
'I know,' Odin sighed. 'Go if you wish. Time among mortals may help you find who you truly are. But remember, Angela—wherever you roam, whatever you choose to become, Asgard will always be your home. Your mother and I… will wait for your return.'
Looking into his unshielded love and guilt, the ice wall around her heart cracked.
'I… will come back,' she said, voice still calm yet softer. 'Once I understand.'
Odin smiled—a genuine smile unseen for millennia.
'Then come. Your mother has waited long enough.'
Chapter 13: ※18⛬'s Public Proclamation
Odin and Angela walked toward Frigga's chambers. Along the way, the Golden Palace guards knelt in salute, though their eyes were filled with curiosity.
Was this cold female warrior with pure white eyes truly the long-lost daughter of His Majesty Odin?
The news spread through the Golden Palace like a raging wildfire, igniting a wave of heated discussion.
Before the doors of the chambers, Frigga had already been waiting for a long time.
The Queen of Asgard, the most powerful Witch in the Nine Realms, was currently acting like an ordinary mother, nervously smoothing out her dress.
When the figures of Angela and Odin appeared at the end of the long corridor, Frigga's tears welled up instantly.
She needed no proof.
A mother's instinct told her that this icy female warrior with pure white eyes was the daughter she had missed for thousands of years.
"My child..."
Frigga reached out with a trembling hand.
Angela stopped in her tracks, looking at the woman in magnificent robes walking toward her. She could feel the powerful magical fluctuations coming from her; that power was as deep as the ocean, yet so warm and familiar.
As Frigga pulled Angela into a tight embrace, the female warrior's defenses finally crumbled completely.
She remembered.
The woman who had embraced her countless times in her dreams, the woman who had softly kissed her forehead.
"Mother..." Angela unconsciously uttered the word.
Frigga could no longer hold back, her tears soaking Angela's shoulder.
"My child... My Audrifa... I'm sorry... Mother is so sorry..."
Angela stood stiffly in place, her hands hovering in mid-air, unsure how to respond to this embrace. After thousands of years of battle, her emotional expression had been strictly suppressed. Such fervent and sincere motherly love left her at a loss.
But she did not push Frigga away.
Because in this embrace, she felt a warmth she had never known before, a sense of belonging from deep within her bloodline, and a burning emotion that slowly melted her heart, which had been frozen for thousands of years.
Odin stood to the side, silent. This iron-blooded God King was currently just a guilt-ridden husband and father.
After a long time, Frigga finally released Angela, but her hands still cupped her daughter's face as she examined her closely. "You've grown up... so beautiful, so powerful... exactly as I imagined..."
"Frigga," Odin said softly, "Audrifa will stay in Asgard for a few days, and then... she wants to go to Midgard to see."
A flash of reluctance appeared in Frigga's eyes, but it quickly turned into understanding. "...Alright, go see the World outside, experience things, and grow. But Audrifa, promise Mother that you will come back often, okay?"
Frigga smiled, a smile like gentle sunlight that warmed the entire palace... Meanwhile, in the wine cellars of Asgard.
Lin Che was clinking glasses with Thor, drinking the legendary mead of the Divine Realm.
*Hic—* Lin Che let out a wine-induced burp, his face already slightly flushed. "I say, Brother Thor, this wine of yours... it really packs a punch..."
Thor laughed heartily, holding a wine barrel in one hand and slapping Lin Che's shoulder with the other. "This is nothing! Come, keep drinking! After we finish this barrel, I'll take you to see my private collection room. There are plenty of trophies I've brought back from various Worlds."
Lin Che's eyes lit up. "Trophies? Now that interests me..."
The two drunks walked with their arms around each other's shoulders, continuing their cultural exchange... Odin brought Angela to a high platform.
He stood on the high ground, his single eye sweeping over the citizens of Asgard gathered below. Everyone looked up at their God King and the unfamiliar red-haired woman beside him.
Odin took a deep breath and struck the Eternal Spearheavily against the ground.
"Citizens of Asgard!" Odin's voice, bolstered by divine power, spread through the Golden Palace area like a tolling bell, echoing across the skies of the Divine Realm. "Today, I, Odin Borson, your God King, have good news to announce!"
The crowd fell silent, countless pairs of eyes focusing on Angela. Some noticed her pure white eyes—a distinctive trait of the Odin bloodline that only direct members of the Asgardian royal family could possess.
"This is Audrifa Odinssdotter," Odin's voice carried a rare emotional tremor; it was not just the majesty of a God King, but the suppressed emotions of a father for a thousand years. "My biological daughter, the flesh and blood of Queen Frigga, sister to Thor, and Princess of Asgard!"
An uproar swept through the crowd like a tidal wave.
"What? His Majesty Odin has a daughter?"
"Look at her eyes! That pure white... it really is the royal bloodline!"
"But... why has she never appeared before?"
Odin raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent again. A complex light flickered in his single eye—guilt, relief, and various emotions intertwined on the face of the God King who had ruled the Nine Realms for thousands of years.
"Thousands of years ago, during the war with Heven, the Angel Queen took her away to coerce me." Odin's voice dropped. "For the sake of Asgard, I did not grant her demands, and as a result, the Angel Queen murdered her."
He paused and looked at Angela, his eyes filled with unconcealed remorse. "This was my decision as a God King, and my eternal sin as a father. For thousands of years, Frigga's tears never dried, and my heart never found peace. Not long ago, I learned that she did not die back then, but was raised in Heven."
"Today, the truth is revealed, and my daughter has finally returned... not as an enemy, but as the Princess of Asgard, back to her true home!"
Odin turned to face Angela, his voice becoming softer yet remaining loud. "Audrifa Odinssdotter, my daughter. Asgard is your home, the Nine Realms are your territory, and all Asgardians are your subjects. You need not prove anything, for your bloodline and the divine power flowing within you are the best proof."
He faced the crowd once more, the Eternal Spear held high. "I command—from this day forward, all Asgardians shall treat Princess Audrifa with the respect due to an heir to the throne! Her glory is the glory of Asgard! Her dignity is the dignity of the Royal Family! If anyone questions her identity or shows her disrespect, they question my authority and betray Asgard!"
The God King's proclamation shook the hearts of every Asgardian like a thunderclap.
After a brief silence, someone was the first to shout, "Welcome home, Princess Audrifa!"
The sound then erupted like a tsunami.
"Welcome home, Princess Audrifa!"
"Glory to Asgard! Glory to Odin!"
"Long live the Princess!"
Thousands upon thousands of Asgardians paid tribute to their new princess.
Angela stood beside Odin, her pure white eyes sweeping across the cheering crowd. She felt the surging fluctuations and fervent emotions in the air, which were diametrically opposed to the cold order of Heven.
Her fingers trembled slightly. For thousands of years, she had been a warrior, a tool, a weapon of Heven. Now, for the first time, she was being seen by so many people as family, as a princess, as a complete and respectable being.
Odin glanced at his daughter and said softly, "They love you because they love me, they love Frigga, they love Thor, and they love Asgard. And you are a part of us!"
Angela did not respond, but she straightened her back slightly. Her instincts as the queen of the hunt made her unaccustomed to such scenes, but something deep within her bloodline was awakening... a longing for belonging, a response to being accepted.
Lin Che watched this scene from a short distance away with a smile playing on his lips. He hadn't expected this God King to be so decisive, using a public proclamation to firmly nail Angela's identity to Asgard.
"Clever move, old man," Lin Che muttered to himself. "A public proclamation cuts off any potential reaction from Heven and gives Angela a sense of belonging she can't refuse. He's got both politics and family ties in a tight grip."
Thor also arrived at the square at this time, hearing his father's proclamation and the cheers of the people. He was stunned for a moment before bursting into a hearty laugh. "Hahaha!!! Fantastic! Asgard has a princess!"
He strode to Angela's side and unceremoniously threw an arm around her shoulder.
The movement caused Angela's body to stiffen, but Thorwas completely oblivious, waving Mjolnir toward the crowd below. "I, Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard, hereby swear—I will protect my sister with my life! Whoever dares to harm her must first answer to my hammer!"
The cheers of the crowd grew even more enthusiastic.
Chapter 14 – Back to World
Asgard, the Golden Palace.
Three days flashed by.
During those three days Odin proclaimed Angela's return to all of Asgard. Angela settled into Asgardian life, slowly accepting Frigga's gentle mother-love and Thor's warmth, yet she kept the queen of the hunt's cool detachment—training alone most hours or silently watching the stars of the Nine Realms.
Lin Che lived like a king. He sampled every ale Asgardcould brew and 'borrowed' quite a haul from Thor.
Several chunks of Uru metal, an ancient set of runic carving tools, and a shortsword said to slice space itself—Thor's childhood toy.
"Brother Lin Che, sure you don't want a squad of guards to escort you to Midgard?" Thor clapped his shoulder. "You're strong, but Midgard's a mess these days—saw plenty of weird brawlers last time."
"Relax, I've got this." Lin Che twirled the new blade. "I could walk Earth blindfolded. And you, little brother Thor—remember what I said. Polish your divine power; next time we meet, we spar."
Thor laughed. "Deal! When you return to Asgard we'll duel. But seriously, my new battle-mail—"
"I already gave you the materials list," Lin Che said calmly. "Once you gather them, have Heimdall call me."
"Right, time to go. Angela, ready?" Lin Che waved a hand.
Angela stepped forward. She'd traded heaven's gold armor for casual clothes Frigga had prepared—silver-grey body-suit under a deep-blue cloak, the blade of the huntat her hip. She looked every inch an icy, aristocratic Asgardian.
"I'm ready," she said, nodding to the Odin-family send-off. "Father, Mother, Thor… thank you for these days."
Frigga's eyes reddened as she embraced her daughter. "Be careful, come back often…"
Odin handed Angela a golden talisman. "A sliver of my power is sealed within—invoke it in peril. I trust your strength, but… a father's heart."
She took the charm, feeling its surging might, her icy gaze softening. "Thank you, Father."
Thor slung an arm around her. "Sister, if anyone on Midgard bullies you, drop my name. If that fails, use this."
He shoved a whistle into her hand—clearly homemade. "Blow it and, wherever I am in the Nine Realms, I'll hear it. I'll come swinging my hammer!"
Angela studied the crude whistle, the corner of her mouth lifting. "All right."
Lin Che watched, oddly envious; the Odin-family farewell tugged at something soft inside him.
"Ahem," he broke the moment. "We should go. Heimdall! Gate, please—target: backyard of 178A Greenwich Village, New York City. Not the street; we don't scare the kids."
Heimdall nodded, planting his sword in the control dais.
Rainbow light speared down, wrapping Lin Che and Angela.
"Farewell!" Thor called.
"Take care!" Frigga dabbed her eyes.
Odin met his daughter's gaze, then inclined his head to Lin Che—
a king's trust, a father's plea.
Lin Che answered with a steady look.
Don't worry, old man—your daughter's with me; she won't come to harm.
Light shot skyward.
It was deep night, the World hushed.
Suddenly a prismatic column ripped the darkness, slamming precisely into the backyard of 178A. The flash set every dog in the block barking; lights flicked on up and down the street.
"Damn it, Heimdall! I said low-profile!" Lin Che stepped from the glow, brushing imaginary dust from his coat. "Great—now all of New York knows we're back."
Angela followed, eyes sweeping warily. Her first time on Midgard, first contact with the human World. The air tasted chaotic, noisy—utterly unlike heaven's pure sanctity or Asgard's eternal splendor.
Chaotic, clamoring… yet vibrant.
"This is your home?" she asked, eyeing the house.
Old but well-kept, wrapped in a faint energy field—some defensive ward.
"My safe-house," Lin Che said, unlocking the door. "Won't stop Mjolnir, but keeps out thieves and S.H.I.E.L.D.peepers."
Inside, he flicked on the lights: simple, tidy living room, a few paintings, shelves of books and odd trinkets.
Angela walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked outside. A few neighbors startled by the Bifrost Bridge were craning their necks, but they soon went back inside.
In New York, strange things happen all the time—people stop noticing after a while.
"Are you popular here?" Angela asked.
"Popular is a stretch," Lin Che said, taking two bottles of water from the fridge and tossing one to her. "New Yorkers have one virtue: as long as you don't blow up their houses, they can't be bothered to care what you're doing. S.H.I.E.L.D. is the exception, of course."
At the mention of S.H.I.E.L.D., Lin Che went to the desk and powered on the computer.
He'd been away for days; he needed to check whether those Agents had prepared any "surprises" for him.
The screen lit up, showing a dozen surveillance feeds at once. Within three blocks of his house were at least twelve hidden cameras, six thermal sensors, and two disguised vans parked on the corner.
"Wow, pulling out the big guns," Lin Che whistled. "Looks like Nick Fury really sees me as a top-tier headache."
Angela stepped behind him, studying the monitors. "These are Midgard's guardians?"
"More or less. Think of them as a mash-up of global intelligence agency and Police force." Lin Che opened S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database—don't ask how; his elite hacking skills weren't for show.
"Here's their boss, Nick Fury—one eye, terminal paranoia. Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff—you'll probably meet her; she's quite interested in me. Hawkeye, the overworked salaryman. Captain America, famous glutes and moral compass…"
He flipped rapidly through profiles of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s key members while Angela watched intently. A warrior's first duty is to know potential enemies.
"How strong are they?" she asked.
"Individually, most are average in a fight, but they're organized, high-tech, and—" Lin Che paused, "—they have the World Security Council behind them, meaning the resources of human civilization. You know how ants can kill an elephant."
Angela nodded. In the Tenth Realm she'd seen proud warriors fall because they dismissed sheer numbers.
"Still, don't worry too much," Lin Che shut the computer. "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s troublesome, but not unbeatable. And you're my guest. If they want to touch you, they'll have to go through me first."
He said it casually, yet Angela heard the steel underneath.
"So," Lin Che turned, "what now? Want to sightsee Earth, sample human life, or chase some thrills?"
Angela was quiet a moment. "In Heaven, I only trained and fought. In Asgard… it was warm, but never truly mine. Here—"
She moved to the window, gazing at New York's glittering nightscape, "—it's unfamiliar, yet… free."
"Then stay," Lin Che said. "There are spare rooms upstairs—pick one. Tomorrow I'll take you shopping for Earthclothes; those Asgardian duds stand out. Afterward we'll tour New York: the Statue of Liberty, pizza, movies."
"Oh, right—you've never seen a movie. You're in for a treat."
Angela listened to his chatter, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
The Statue of Liberty? Pizza? Movies?
All foreign words to her.
"All right," she finally nodded. "I'll… trouble you, then."
"No trouble at all," Lin Che waved. "I've got free time anyway, but rent's due up front."
Angela blinked. "Rent?"
"Yep—no free lunch." He grinned like a fox. "But I don't want money. I want your… combat skills."
"Meaning?"
"I want to learn to fight—from you. Your swordsmanship, your senses, your hunting instincts. In exchange, I'll teach you Earth life, human rules, room and board included. Fair?"
She met his eyes; the usual mischief was gone, replaced by raw hunger for strength.
Warrior to warrior, she understood the bargain.
"Agreed," Angela said. "But I'm strict."
"Wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled. "Pleasure doing business, Teacher Angela."
"Pleasure doing business, Student Lin Che."
They shook hands, sealing a simple pact—just as, across town, an alarm blared through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Triskelion.
"Director! High-energy signature detected! Coordinates—178A Greenwich Village!"
A sharp glint flashed through Nick Fury's single eye.
Chapter 15 – Angela Steps Out for the First Time
"Activate emergency-response protocol," Fury ordered. "Natasha, take a squad to the target zone, but don't move in blind. Tony, is your tracker ready?"
Tony's voice crackled over the comm. "Mostly done—just a few tweaks. Wait, did you say Bifrost Bridge? Thor's back on Earth?"
"Not Thor," Fury said, eyes on the two blips. "It's Lin Che… and someone—or something—else."
"A god?" Tony's tone sharpened. "What did he steal this time?"
The conference room fell silent.
He'd brought someone back from Asgard?
What exactly is Lin Che planning?
…Lin Che was demonstrating how the shower works.
"Turn left for hot, right for cold, middle for warm. This bottle's shampoo, this one's body wash. Oh—do you know how to use a toilet? I can walk you through it…"
Angela stared at him, snow-white eyes unreadable.
Are you kidding me?
Yet deep down she felt an odd lightness—no rigid heavens' codes, no Asgardian royal duties, no battles or mandates.
A strange World, a bizarre landlord, a brand-new unknown life.
Is this what freedom feels like?
The corner of Angela's mouth lifted.
Maybe… this isn't so bad?
…Early next morning sunlight slipped through the curtains into the living-room.
Angela stood at the upstairs window, watching New York's streets wake. The human city pulsed with life utterly different from heaven or Asgard.
Car horns, hurried footsteps, overlapping chatter—sounds weaving into a curious symphony.
"Rise and shine!" Lin Che shouted from downstairs. "Sun's roasting backsides! Angela, first day of Earth-life class starts now!"
Angela changed into the casual Asgardian wear Friggahad prepared and came downstairs. Lin Che waited in the living-room, two neatly folded outfits in hand.
"Here, bought these last night." He handed them over. "Casual set and a sports set, sized for you. Try them—if they don't fit we'll swap them."
She took the clothes: soft fabric, simple cuts, nothing like battle-gear or robes.
"Where do I change?"
"Your room upstairs. Oh, undergarments are in the bag too—no idea what you like, so I got standard. If they're wrong… uh, you'll have to sort that yourself."
A faint blush touched her cheeks; in heaven a warrior's body was only a tool, and no man ever spoke of intimates—let alone to a man.
She merely nodded and went up.
Ten minutes later she came down in a plain white tee and dark-blue jeans. The shirt hugged her athletic frame; the jeans sheathed long powerful legs. Crimson waves spilled down her back.
"Whoa!" Lin Che whistled. "Nice—very Earth-chic. Bit frosty, though. Relax. Come on, give us a smile?"
She regarded him stonily.
"Fine—forget I asked." He shrugged. "Breakfast first, then daily necessities. Two outfits won't last forever."
Outside, he insisted on sunglasses for her; those pure-white eyes would draw crowds.
"Why hide?" she asked—eyes were symbols of power, nothing to be ashamed of.
"Not hiding—just avoiding hassle. Earthlings aren't ready for aliens… or gods. Keep low for now; we'll see later."
She accepted.
They walked; she studied everything—breakfast-stall aromas, shop-window displays, faces flushed with hurry, weariness, joy, worry. "These people… emotions run deep. In heaven feelings display is restricted; feelings are deemed combat liabilities."
"How dull," Lin Che said, stopping at a hot-dog cart. He bought two. "Here—taste Earth."
She inspected the hot dog, then bit.
Complex flavors—salty, sweet, spicy, fragrant—burst across her tongue, nothing like heaven's fare.
"Well?"
…Odd," she judged, "but not bad."
"Good," he grinned. "Culinary culture is one of humanity's glories. Later: pizza, burgers, sushi, Chinese—prepare to be amazed."
They strolled and ate; he played tour-guide while she, though outwardly cool, eyes sparkled curiosity.
Leisure didn't last.
At the second corner Lin Che halted, eyes narrowing behind shades.
"What?" She sensed it too—at least three watchers locked on them.
"Tail acquired," he murmured. "Café second-floor left, hat guy. Newspaper-stand right, woman faking read. Across street, black sedan—two inside."
She didn't turn; senses already mapped their stances.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Ninety-nine percent," Lin Che said, biting his hot dog. "Bifrost last night spooked them. Wanna play or lose them?"
She pondered. "I'd gauge the might of Midgard's guardians."
"Done." He grinned and led her into an alley, pace casual yet swift. Pursuers followed, reporting, "Targets into alley, heading east. Unknown woman with him—red hair, shades, ~187 cm, athletic, possible Asgardian."
"Keep distance, don't spook them," Natasha's voice ordered.
At the alley's end a quiet street of warehouses. Lin Chestopped; from the corner ahead a figure stepped out.
Chapter 16: Angela and Natasha's First Meeting
Short burgundy hair, black body-hugging suit, a strikingly cold beauty—exactly the Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff.
'Mr. Lin Che,' Natasha's voice was calm, but her gaze cut like a blade, 'leaving without a word last time—long time no see. And you've brought a new friend? That's rather impolite.'
Lin Che slipped off his sunglasses, revealing that devil-may-care grin. 'Well, if it isn't Miss Natasha? Prettier every time we meet. Miss me?'
Natasha ignored his teasing, her eyes locking on Angela. She could feel the danger radiating off the woman—an icy killing intent forged through countless life-and-death battles.
'And this is?'
'My friend, Angela.' Lin Che introduced them. 'Angela, meet Natasha Romanoff—S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, codename Black Widow. She fights like a demon; fancy a spar?'
Angela removed her sunglasses, pure-white eyes fixing on Natasha.
In that instant, Natasha's heart skipped a beat—not from fear, but from primal alarm.
'Asgardian?' Natasha asked, sensing something in the woman akin to Thor.
'queen of the hunt, Angela. You may also call me Audrifa Odinssdotter,' Angela answered evenly.
Odinssdotter?
The surname made Natasha's pupils contract. As S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top operative, she knew the Asgardian royal lineage by heart.
Odin has a daughter?!
'Seems you recognize the name,' Angela noted Natasha's reaction. 'Then you understand—I'm not your enemy… at least not today.'
'Are you Odin's daughter? What's your relationship with Lin Che? Why come to Earth?' Natasha fired questions in rapid succession while subtly signaling nearby Agents not to act rashly.
Angela didn't reply, instead looking toward Lin Che. 'May I answer?'
'Feel free.' Lin Che leaned against the wall, the picture of a spectator. 'They'd find out sooner or later anyway.'
With permission granted, Angela turned back to Natasha. 'I am Odin and Frigga's true daughter, left millennia ago in the Tenth Realm—Heaven—during the wars, and only recently returned to Asgard. Lin Che… is my guide; he promised to show me Midgard.'
The amount of information was overwhelming; even the seasoned Natasha needed time to digest it.
Odin's daughter, from Heaven, brought to Earth by Lin Che—this was already outside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s standard protocols.
'I need you to come with me to headquarters,' Natashasaid, her tone softened yet resolute. 'This isn't an arrest; it's an invitation. We need to understand your purpose and assess any potential impact on Earth.'
Angela shook her head. 'I have no obligation to obey your orders—and, with respect, you lack the strength to stop me.'
She spoke the words calmly, without provocation, simply stating a fact. That absolute confidence was what pressured Natasha.
'Then let's test that.' Natasha dropped into a combat stance.
Almost simultaneously, six snipers appeared on surrounding rooftops, red dots locked firmly on Angelaand Lin Che. Both ends of the street were sealed off by vehicles, and fully armed S.H.I.E.L.D. assault teams stood ready.
'Whoa, quite the reception,' Lin Che applauded. 'Nick Furyreally knows how to roll out the red carpet. But Natasha, I'd advise your people to lower their weapons. Miss Angela has a bit of a temper; if she misreads the situation, things could get ugly.'
'Stand down,' Natasha ordered. 'Maintain watch.'
The snipers and assault teams obeyed, but no one relaxed.
Angela looked at Natasha. 'How would you like to test?'
'A spar,' Natasha said. 'First contact decides. If I win, you both come to headquarters. If I lose, I let you go—but you agree to let S.H.I.E.L.D. establish a channel of communication with you.'
A reasonable proposal: it gave both sides a way out and let her gauge Angela's abilities.
Angela glanced at Lin Che; he shrugged. 'Your call. But a reminder: Miss Natasha is Earth's top hand-to-hand fighter. Without his divine power, even Thor might not beat her.'
"I never underestimate an opponent." Angela handed her sunglasses to Lin Che, stepped forward, and stopped five meters from Natasha. "Let's begin."
There was no countdown, no signal.
Natasha moved.
She shot forward like a cheetah, closing the gap in an instant, her leg sweeping low at Angela's base. It was a probe and a feint—if Angela blocked or dodged, the chain attack would follow.
Angela didn't move.
She didn't even look at Natasha's leg; her eyes were locked on Natasha's shoulder—the source of force, the starting point of every motion.
The instant Natasha's leg was about to connect, Angelamoved.
Not to dodge, not to block, but to attack.
She took half a step forward, faster than Natasha, slotting herself into the split-second when Natasha's power peaked. Her right hand flashed out like lightning, fingers pressed together like a blade, straight for Natasha's throat.
Fast. Precise. Ruthless.
Natasha's pupils shrank; she had never seen such direct, efficient offense. No fancy tricks, no complex patterns—just one strike that sealed every follow-up.
She had to abandon her own attack, leaning back while her left hand slapped at Angela's wrist to defuse the blow.
But Angela's knife-hand shifted mid-course, turning from a thrust to a horizontal slash, target sliding from throat to the side of the neck.
Natasha changed again, her right hand hooking into a claw, snatching at Angela's wrist joint.
In the space of a spark they exchanged several moves; each time Natasha reacted passively, each time barely avoiding a vital point.
Angela suddenly switched, no longer striking, instead reaching for Natasha's left shoulder. Natasha blocked on instinct—and found she hadn't blocked anything.
Angela's hand slipped through her guard like a phantom and rested lightly on her chest.
It wasn't an attack, only a touch.
But that touch had decided the outcome.
Had Angela wished it, in that instant she could have gravely injured, even killed, Natasha.
Natasha stood frozen, cold sweat sliding down her forehead. She had lost—utterly. The other woman hadn't even used divine power; her combat skill alone had surpassed Natasha's understanding.
"You… are strong," Natasha conceded, stepping back in honest admiration.
"You're not bad." Angela lowered her hand. "Your technique is near the top tier, but your power still falls short."
The words were blunt, but Natasha knew they were true.
"I lost," Natasha admitted openly. "Per our agreement, you may leave. But I need your promise to let S.H.I.E.L.D.establish a line of communication."
Angela looked toward Lin Che.
Lin Che walked over, smiling. "That's negotiable. But Ms. Romanoff, I suggest you leave Angela out of your formal report. If Odin Senior learns you investigated his daughter as an alien invader, he'll be… displeased."
Natasha nodded. "I'll recommend that to Director Fury, but you need to give me a contact method, something reliable for emergencies."
Lin Che thought for a moment, pulled a coin-sized metal chip from his pocket, and handed it to her. "Crush this, and I'll know. Don't use it unless it's urgent—it's a limited edition."
Natasha took the chip; it was ice-cold, its surface etched with intricate patterns. "What is it?"
"A signal beacon," Lin Che explained. "Homemade. All right, if there's nothing else, we're off—our breakfast is getting cold."
He took Angela's hand and turned away; surrounding S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents stepped aside at Natasha's signal.
Watching them go, Natasha pressed her earpiece. "Director, you heard all that?"
"I heard," came Fury's voice. "Let them go. And flag every file on Audrifa Odinssdotter as Level Ten. No one accesses them without my direct authorization."
"Understood."
"Also," Fury paused, "notify the World Security Council. We need an emergency session. The princess of Asgard is on Earth… our relationship with the Realm Eternal is entering a new phase."
Natasha pocketed the communicator and looked again at the metal chip in her palm.
Lin Che, Angela… their appearance is likely to set off a storm on Earth.
And she had a premonition: this was only the beginning.
Chapter 17 – Angela's First Lesson
Lin Che and Angela had just stepped beyond S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance range.
"Why hold back back there?" Lin Che asked. "With your strength, you could've taken her in three moves."
"No need," Angela slid her sunglasses back on. "She isn't an enemy, only a soldier doing her duty. Besides… she reminds me of some young Angels in Heaven—talented, short on real life-and-death experience, but full of possibility."
"Fair assessment," Lin Che chuckled. "But Natasha's not that young; she just looks it. Actually, she's at least—well, never mind. A woman's age is off-limits."
Angela gave him a look and said nothing.
They kept walking. Lin Che steered her through a few shops for clothes and daily necessities, then led her into a pizzeria.
The moment Angela tasted pizza, open astonishment flashed in her eyes.
"This food… is interesting," she said, studying the triangular slice laden with cheese and toppings. "So many ingredients, yet the flavors balance."
"Glad you like it." Lin Che bit off a huge mouthful. "Next up, ice cream—that stuff you'll love even more."
Angela nodded and continued eating in small, refined bites, quick and neat; the new dish clearly met her approval.
After lunch Lin Che kept his promise and took her to a movie. He picked an action flick, curious how she'd react to the fight scenes.
Her verdict after the credits: "The choreography is illogical, the characters' choices idiotic, the villain brainless. But the effects are decent—those explosions looked real."
Lin Che didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "It's entertainment, not a combat manual."
"I know," Angela said, "but so many obvious tactical errors make it hard to stay invested."
Well, what did he expect, watching an action film with a battle-goddess who'd lived millennia?
They left the cinema at dusk; the setting sun painted New York in orange-red. Walking back to the safe-house, Angela suddenly spoke.
"Thank you for today."
Lin Che blinked. "For what?"
"For showing me all this." Angela watched the pedestrians, the shop-window lights, this strange, vivid World. "In Heaven my life was training, battle, prayer. In Asgard I'm the princess who appeared from nowhere, treated with kid gloves. Only here… I can just be Angela, an ordinary person."
Her tone stayed level, but Lin Che heard the sincerity.
"You're welcome," he smiled. "This is only day one; plenty more fun ahead. But before that…"
He stopped and turned to her. "You promised to teach me combat—when do we start?"
Angela considered. "Dawn tomorrow. In the backyard of your place—I'll give you lesson one."
"Great!" Lin Che's eyes lit up. "Then tonight I'd better sleep early and recharge."
By the time they reached the house night had deepened.
Before heading upstairs Angela turned. "Lin Che, why are you helping me? Taking me out of Heaven, bringing me to Earth, teaching me to fit in… what do you want?"
The question had weighed on her for a while.
Leaning on the stair-rail, Lin Che let his usual smirk fade. "Honestly, at first I just wanted to stay alive. You were thrashing me; if I didn't throw out some big secrets to shift your focus, I'd be dead."
"Later," he went on, "I decided you're interesting—powerful, pure, trapped in lies for millennia. I hate seeing something good wasted. A warrior like you should see a wider World, get to choose her own path instead of being a political chip or war-tool."
He paused, grin returning. "And hey, more friends mean more options. Sooner or later I'll stir up trouble; maybe I'll need you to save my hide."
The answer was half true, half false, yet Angela felt the honesty in it.
"Friend…" she echoed, a glimmer in her eyes. "All right. Then—good night, friend."
"Good night, Angela."
She went upstairs; Lin Che walked into the study and opened his laptop.
On-screen glowed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s encrypted logs. He'd never fully trusted Natasha; the metal shard he'd handed her carried a micro-listener.
"…In summary: Audrifa Odinssdotter, daughter of Odin, queen of the hunt, combat-rating unknown, current stance toward Earth neutral, strongly influenced by Lin Che…"
Director Fury's voice poured from the speakers as he briefed the World Security Council.
Lin Che killed the feed, leaned back, and smiled.
Director Fury, you're still playing it safe.
If Angela ever went all-out, you'd jump out of your skin.
But that's fine—let S.H.I.E.L.D. stay wary and keep their distance.
He stretched, gazing at the night sky outside.
Tomorrow training with Angela began.
Just thinking about it got his blood pumping.
But first… he opened the system interface and checked the latest prompt.
[Notice: next mission will relate to a "Major Earth Event." Host is advised to recuperate and stand by.]
Major Earth Event?
Lin Che's eyes narrowed.
On Marvel Earth, "major events" were a dime a dozen.
Which one would it be?
He found himself looking forward to it.
Lin Che arched an eyebrow.
He liked challenges.
"Interesting," he murmured, closing the interface, eyes alight. "Angela, looks like our lessons are about to level up."
Outside, New York's night sky glittered with stars.
Among them, a pair of golden eyes that could see across the Nine Realms watched Earth, watched 178A Greenwich Village, watched the black-haired man and the princess he'd taken.
Heimdall knew a storm was brewing.
What he didn't know was that the storm's center—the seemingly carefree Saint of Thieves—had already begun preparing for its arrival.
Early next morning, before the sky had fully lightened.
Lin Che's alarm dragged him from bed; yawning, he walked out to find Angela waiting in the living room. She wore the workout gear they'd bought yesterday, crimson hair tied in a sleek ponytail, pure-white eyes glinting in the dawn light.
"You're up early," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "Give me five minutes to wash up."
They headed to the backyard—small, but big enough for basic training. Angela had already cleared a space and stood at its center, eyes closed in meditation.
"Lesson one," she said, opening her eyes, "fundamental conditioning and perception drills. Let's see your physical baseline."
Lin Che rolled his shoulders. "How do we test it?"
"Attack me," Angela said, "with everything you've got—strength and speed."
Lin Che raised an eyebrow. "You sure? I'm seriously strong now; one punch could flip a car."
"I've fought you before," Angela replied calmly. "You're nowhere near strong enough. Come!"
So she thinks little of me... Lin Che smiled without arguing. He drew a deep breath, power surging, muscles swelling, and then—he moved.
No fancy technique, just a straight punch, but so fast and heavy the air shrieked.
Angela stood in place until the fist nearly grazed her face, then tilted her head slightly.
The punch skimmed her cheek, the wind of it stirring her red hair.
Missing, Lin Che shifted at once—left fist sweeping, right foot low-kicking, high and low together.
Angela still barely moved, micro-adjustments letting every strike slip past.
She looked relaxed, as if strolling around pebbles on a path.
In thirty seconds he threw more than a dozen full-power attacks; each missed by a hair.
"Stop," Angela said suddenly.
Lin Che reined it in, breathing hard. Plenty of stamina, but full bursts drain you.
"Your strength's decent," she judged, "about elite Heaven-warrior level. Speed's good, reflexes passable. However..."
She stepped in front of him. "Your force delivery's off. Look here..."
Angela tapped his right shoulder. "When you punch your deltoid's too tight, cutting power transfer by at least fifteen percent. And here..."
She tapped his waist. "Core isn't fully engaged; lower body drives, but upper body's uncoordinated. Fix it and you'll gain thirty percent more fist power."
Lin Che blinked. He'd never formally studied combat; last life's tricks were street-level, and this life's system only gave raw might, never refined mechanics.
"So how do I adjust?" he asked, eager to learn.
Angela began explaining force chains: feet gripping ground, calves firing, thighs transferring, waist twisting, shoulder whipping, fist delivering.
She lectured while manually correcting his posture.
"Imagine you're a bow," she said. "Legs are limbs, waist the grip, arm the string, fist the arrow. Every link must flow so nothing leaks."
Following her cues, he tried several punches and felt an obvious jump in power with less effort.
"Good," Angela nodded. "Now drill this pattern until it's muscle memory. Five hundred straight punches—start."
Five hundred... Lin Che's mouth twitched, but he set to work without complaint.
Angela stood by, eyes sharp, correcting any flaw, relentless yet patient, repeating principles.
After a while he finished, drenched but hugely improved; control felt noticeably finer.
"Five-minute break," she said, "then perception training."
"Perception training?"
"Fighting isn't just strength; it's information," she explained. "Whoever reads intent, movement, weakness first, owns the fight. Your stealth's strong, but senses are still human—that's a flaw."
She had him close his eyes and walked to the yard's far side.
"I'll move. Use sound, air shifts, ground tremors to locate me. Ready?"
Lin Che shut his eyes and focused. Hulk Power had sharpened his senses, Asgardian blood boosted acuity, yet he'd never trained them.
"Begin."
Angela moved.
Her steps were ghost-soft, breath slow and long, a true wraith.
He strained and caught only vague bearings, never a fix.
"Too slow," her voice murmured from his left; he snapped his eyes open to find her beside him. "You rely on sight; close your eyes and you lose most data. Train the rest."
She taught him to feel air stir, read micro-tremors, gauge state from breath and heartbeat—another hour gone.
When morning practice ended he felt more wrecked than after a brawl, yet exhilarated by real progress.
"Two hours every dawn," Angela said. "In a month your melee will leap. Now shower and breakfast."
Lin Che nodded, then recalled something. "Angela, your eyes—pure white—are they an Odin blood trait?"
She touched them. "Yes. Father calls it the seed of the All-Father's Eye. When fully awake it sees essence and can bend rules, but for now it only boosts sight and sense."
"Can you teach me that?" he asked. "The sensing part, I mean."
She considered. "We can try, but without Odin blood results may pale. Starting tomorrow I'll show basic techniques."
"Great!" he beamed. "I'm grabbing a shower, then treating you to a huge breakfast!"
He jogged inside; Angela stayed in the yard, gaze skyward.
She sensed several high drones circling—obvious S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance—but as long as they stayed out of her life she couldn't care less.
Still... Angela's eyes narrowed.
That Agent Natasha had lost yesterday yet burned with fighting spirit. Given the chance, Angela could spar with her a few more times and help her rise.
After all, Midgard needed strong Guardians.
And in a Universe growing more dangerous, every extra warrior meant one more layer of safety.
Chapter 18: S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Analysis of Angela
Angela turned and walked inside, a flicker of complicated emotion crossing her pure-white eyes.
She was already growing accustomed to life on Earth.
Was that… good or bad?
At the same moment.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters.
Nick Fury stood before the holographic projection in the conference room; on the screen were all surveillance logs from last night onward. The daily rhythms and movement patterns of Lin Che and Angela—even their morning workout—had been recorded by drones and hidden cameras.
'Their bond is tighter than we thought,' Natasha analyzed. 'Angela is teaching Lin Che combat skills, and Lin Che is helping her adjust to Earth. This doesn't look like a temporary alliance; it looks like a long-term partnership.'
'Any update on Angela's threat assessment?' Fury asked.
A technician pulled up the data. 'Based on this morning's training footage, her top movement speed reached eighty-five meters per second, reaction time under 0.01 second. Her control of force is extremely precise, and the theoretical knowledge she showed while instructing Lin Che surpasses any Earth-based martial system.'
'Overall assessment… we recommend upgrading her threat level to Alpha.'
Alpha… the atmosphere in the conference room grew heavier.
'The good news is she currently displays a neutral-to-friendly attitude toward Earth,' Natasha added. 'During yesterday's contact she kept her word, initiated no provocation, and seems curious about Earth culture.'
'But we can't relax,' Fury said. 'She's Odin's daughter, an Asgardian princess. Every move she makes on Earthcould affect our relationship with Asgard. And…'
He brought up another file. 'The World Security Councilsent orders this morning: establish formal diplomatic channels with Angela as soon as possible. They want to elevate this to an interstellar diplomatic issue.'
'Idiots,' Tony Stark's voice came through the speaker—he was attending remotely from his lab. 'That girl obviously came to Earth to unwind. Formal diplomacy will just scare her off. Let her hang around with that punk Lin Che; as long as she doesn't level New York, let her have her fun.'
'Stark, this isn't a game,' Fury said grimly. 'She's an Alpha-level asset. One bad mood and she could wipe out a city. We need contingency plans.'
'I've got contingencies,' Tony replied. 'The Anti-Lin Chearmor is ninety percent done, with an anti-Angel module bolted on. Might not beat her, but it can buy time for civilian evacuation.'
'We need something more reliable,' Fury said, turning to Natasha. 'You made contact with Angela yesterday. What's your read on her personality?'
Natasha considered. 'She's… pure. A true warrior: respects strength, hates hypocrisy, speaks her mind. She loves combat but shows zero interest in politics or intrigue. And she seems… a bit lonely.'
'Lonely?'
'The way she looks at humans—it's like a tourist watching zoo animals: curious but distant. Only when she interacts with Lin Che does she relax. I suspect she's never had real friends in Heaven or Asgard.'
Fury pondered.
A powerful yet lonely warrior, brought to Earth by a cynical thief who's good with people… a combination both dangerous and unpredictable.
'We need to understand her better,' Fury decided, 'but not under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s banner. Natasha, I'm giving you a new assignment: approach Angela as a private individual, build a personal rapport. Learn her likes, her thoughts, her real attitude toward Earth.'
Natasha raised an eyebrow. 'You want me to… befriend her?'
'If possible,' Fury nodded. 'What Lin Che can do, we can do. And as a top-tier fighter yourself, you should share common ground.'
Tony laughed over the line. 'Wow, sending the Black Widow to seduce the Asgardian princess? Fury, that's ruthless. But fair warning—she's a seasoned warrior; subterfuge probably won't work.'
'No subterfuge,' Natasha said calmly. 'Sincere contact. I'm genuinely interested in her combat techniques; I'd like to learn from her. That's no lie.'
'Then it's settled,' Fury said. 'Coulson, coordinate resources so Natasha's operations run smoothly. And inform all field Agents: if they encounter Lin Che or Angela, take no hostile action unless attacked. We shift from confrontation to observation.'
'Yes, sir.'
After the meeting Natasha stayed behind alone, watching the footage of Angela's morning training on the screen.
Every movement the blonde woman made was as precise as a machine's, yet carried the unique grace of a warrior. Her strength was beyond question, but Natasha was more interested in the… detachment in her eyes.
It reminded her of when she'd first joined S.H.I.E.L.D.—wary of the World, unable to trust anyone.
"We really are a bit alike," Natasha murmured to herself.
She shut off the screen and began thinking about how to approach Angela naturally.
Knock on her door directly? Too obvious.
A chance encounter? She'd have to manufacture the opportunity.
Maybe she could start with Lin Che… that guy was difficult, but at least he could communicate.
Natasha picked up the metal shard Lin Che had given her and turned it over in her fingers.
Crush it, and she could contact him.
But the time wasn't right.
She needed more intel first, a more thorough plan.
After all, making friends… wasn't exactly her strong suit.
178A Greenwich Village
Lin Che stepped out of the shower feeling fresh; Angelahad already laid out a simple breakfast.
Bread, fried eggs, fruit—plain, but artfully arranged.
"You can cook?" Lin Che asked in surprise.
"In Heaven, warriors master every skill required to survive," Angela said. "Cooking is basic."
Lin Che tasted the egg—perfect heat, simple seasoning, delicious.
"Impressive." He gave a thumbs-up. "Way better than mine."
Angela ate her portion in small bites, then asked suddenly, "Will S.H.I.E.L.D. come again?"
"Definitely," Lin Che said, sipping milk. "But they'll be politer next time. Fury's a sly old fox; he knows brute force won't work, so he'll switch tactics."
"What sort of tactics?"
"Overtures, contact, trying to win you over," Lin Cheanalyzed. "After all, you're Odin's daughter. If Earth can build a good relationship with you, it gains a powerful ally. I bet they'll send Natasha to get close—she's a great actress, a top-tier fighter like you, easy to relate to."
Angela considered. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just be yourself," Lin Che smiled. "Engage if you feel like it, refuse if you don't. But honestly, Natasha's a good person; if you want more friends on Earth, she's a solid choice."
"Friends…" Angela repeated. "In Heaven I had none—only comrades and superiors."
"Then start on Earth," Lin Che said. "But be careful not to let S.H.I.E.L.D. sweet-talk you. They're not villains, but they're still an intelligence agency—everything they do has an agenda."
Angela nodded. "I understand."
After breakfast Lin Che opened his laptop to skim the news. As expected, eyewitness reports of the Bifrost Bridge had hit the tabloid headlines: a blurry photo of the multicolored pillar, the sensational title "Alien Invasion? Mysterious Beam Lights Up New York Night Sky!"
"Human media is interesting," Angela said from behind him. "They love to exaggerate and speculate."
"That's how you grab eyeballs," Lin Che said, closing the page. "But don't worry—S.H.I.E.L.D. will handle the story. They won't expose you to the public, at least not until they're sure where you stand."
Angela said nothing, just gazed out the window.
After a while she asked, "What are your plans today?"
"Me?" Lin Che thought. "I was going to swing by StarkTower and see if Tony's gone nuts. But with you here, plans change… Want a tour of Earth's weapons?"
"Weapons?"
"Guns, missiles, tanks… humans are weak individually, but their tech is fascinating," Lin Che's eyes lit up. "I know a few black-market arms dealers' warehouses—let's go 'visit'?"
Interest flickered in Angela's pure-white eyes. "All right. But first I need to understand how these weapons work and their destructive power."
"No problem, I'll teach you!" Lin Che said excitedly. "Once you see humanity's arsenal, you'll understand why S.H.I.E.L.D. is so tense around you—you're basically a walking nuke!"
He said it carefree, but Angela caught the deeper meaning.
Humans were weak, yet dangerous.
Knowing their frailty, they'd poured everything into weapons that could kill the strong.
That paradoxical, stubborn trait made her even more curious about human civilization.
"Then let's go look," she said. "I want to see how the warriors of Midgard fight."
"Great! But first we need low-key outfits…"
Lin Che began rummaging through drawers while Angelastood at the window, her pure-white eyes on the horizon.
Life on Earth was already more interesting than she'd imagined.
And her journey here had only just begun.
Chapter 19: Earth's Arms Exhibition
New York, Brooklyn.
Beneath an old warehouse that looked like a ruin.
Lin Che pushed open the disguised iron door leading underground, and the hinges complained with a 'creak'.
The stairs descended, a few emergency lights on the walls flickered weakly, and the air was mixed with the scent of engine oil, rust, and a faint hint of gunpowder... a typical 'man cave' aroma.
"Welcome to humanity's 'toy warehouse'," Lin Che made an exaggerated 'please enter' gesture, a 'I'm an expert' smile playing on his lips, "While it can't compare to Asgard's glittering armories, it has the advantage of... diverse categories, and you don't need divine power to use them, absolutely no barriers."
Angela walked down the stairs, her pure white eyes gleaming faintly in the dimness. She surveyed the underground space, which was as large as two basketball courts, with rows of shelves piled high with various firearms from pistols to Rocket launchers. Daggers and military bayonets were neatly arranged in glass cases along the walls, and deeper inside, several modified armored vehicles and a mini missile launcher could even be seen.
"These..." Angela walked to the nearest shelf, picked up a rifle, skillfully ejected the magazine, and pulled the bolt, "are all very efficient killing tools."
"To be precise, they're 'everyone is equal devices'," Lin Che corrected, picking up a Desert Eagle from beside him and twirling it in his hand, "Humans don't have the power of gods, nor do they have Angels' wings, so they developed these to bridge the gap."
Angela put the gun back, her fingertips tracing the cold metal casing. "Propelling metal projectiles with chemical energy... a clever design. The energy conversion rate is much higher than cold weapons."
"Wow, you saw through the principle at a glance?" Lin Che raised an eyebrow, "I was going to start with Newtonian mechanics."
"Heaven also has light energy projection weapons; the principle is similar," Angela walked towards the sniper rifle area, "concentrate energy, accelerate, and accurately guide it to the target."
She stopped in front of a Barrett, narrowing her eyes. "This thing can penetrate light armor and poses a threat to mid-tier Angels."
"You know your stuff!" Lin Che whistled, "12.7mm caliber, 1,800-meter effective range, first-class armor-piercing capability. Among human weapons, it's considered a 'big toy'."
Angela was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "So why did you bring me here? Just to show off human weapons?"
Lin Che put down the gun, his expression a little more serious. "Two reasons. First, to let you understand how Earthlings fight. If you're going to live here, you need to know how the locals get into brawls and what their equipment can do."
"And the second?"
"Second..." Lin Che walked to an encrypted metal cabinet, pulled a decoder from his pocket, and inserted it into the lock, "I want to see if I can uncover some... deeper secrets."
The electronic lock opened with a 'beep'.
There were no weapons in the cabinet, only stacks of encrypted documents, a few military laptops, and dozens of numbered hard drives.
"This is the real 'treasure'," Lin Che took out one of the hard drives. "Hammer Industries' internal R&D data, including their dark history of plagiarizing Stark's technology, and... some unsavory transaction records."
Angela leaned in to look. "These aren't weapons."
"Sometimes they're more useful than weapons," Lin Cheplugged the hard drive into a computer. The screen lit up, and the encrypted files were quickly decrypted under his fingers. "Intelligence, secrets, dirt... in the human World, these things are often more effective than missiles."
He quickly scanned the files, then suddenly paused. "Oh... Hammer Industries secretly sold defective weapons to a certain armed organization in the Middle East, and when they broke, they charged a second time under the guise of 'technical support'. That's pretty ruthless."
Angela looked at the transaction records on the screen, a cold light flashing in her eyes. "Profiting from others' desperate need and trust... despicable."
"Just basic operations," Lin Che shrugged. "But with this, Justin Hammer of Hammer Industries will have to be polite to me. At least next time I 'borrow' his warehouse resources, he won't dare to call the police casually."
He pulled out the hard drive, then took out a few paper documents and flipped through them, suddenly stopping. "Wait, this is even more valuable... a memorandum of cooperation between Hammer Industries and General Ross regarding the 'Bio-Enhanced Soldier Program'."
Angela noticed the change in his tone. "General Ross?"
"That stubborn old man who chased the Hulk for decades and eventually turned himself into the Red Hulk," Lin Checlosed the document, his smile becoming meaningful. "He's cooperating with Hammer on super soldiers... if this intelligence were sold to S.H.I.E.L.D. or Tony, it could fetch a lot of good things."
"You plan to leak it?"
"Keep it for now," Lin Che put the documents back in the cabinet, only taking the key hard drive and memorandum. "An ace card should be played at the crucial moment. However..."
He didn't finish his sentence, suddenly cocking his ear to listen.
Angela almost simultaneously turned her head towards the warehouse entrance.
"Someone's coming," she whispered, "Six of them, well-trained, deliberately light footsteps."
"Not regular guards," Lin Che quickly shut down the computer and stuffed the hard drive and documents into a special inner pocket. "I know the guards' footsteps; these are outsiders... or rather, professional cleaners."
The two quickly hid in the shadows behind the shelves. Lin Che activated God-level Stealth, and Angelasuppressed her aura, becoming like a statue.
A few seconds later, the warehouse entrance door was silently pushed open.
Six dark figures flashed in, all in black uniforms, night vision goggles, and armed with silenced submachine guns. Two guarded the door, while the remaining four fanned out to search, moving cleanly and efficiently.
"Not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s style," Lin Che whispered in Angela's ear. "The equipment and combat style are more like mercenaries or a corporate secret force."
Angela nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the searchers.
The four men had a clear target, heading straight for the metal cabinet Lin Che had just opened. Upon finding the cabinet door open, the leader immediately gave a warning signal.
"The documents have been tampered with," a low voice came through the communicator. "Search the area; the intruder might still be nearby."
Lin Che and Angela exchanged glances.
These people were also after the documents.
"Angela," Lin Che said in an almost inaudible voice, "want to stretch your legs? I'll count to three; you go left, I go right, leave them alive."
A flicker of battle intent crossed Angela's eyes, and she nodded softly.
Three
Two
One
Both moved simultaneously.
Angela transformed into a golden afterimage, darting out of the shadows and instantly appearing before the two men on the left. A precise hand chop struck their necks, and the two fell silently.
At the same time, Lin Che appeared from the right, moving like a phantom with Hulk Power. One punch hit the third man's abdomen, making him collapse, and he then snatched the submachine gun with a backhand, slamming the butt hard against the fourth man's helmet.
Clang!
The fourth man immediately fell to the ground.
The whole process took less than three seconds.
The two men at the door had just raised their guns when Lin Che appeared before them, the muzzle pressed against one man's forehead.
"Good evening, everyone," Lin Che said with a smile. "Answer two questions: Who are you? And what did you come for?"
The man being pointed at gritted his teeth, his other hand subtly reaching for the pistol at his waist.
But Angela had already flashed to his side, tapping a spot on his arm. His entire arm instantly went numb, and the pistol dropped to the ground with a 'clatter'.
"Answer the questions," Angela's voice was icy, "Don't waste everyone's time."
The last man looked at his fallen comrades, then at the gun in Lin Che's hand and Angela's pure white eyes glowing in the dark, and his psychological defenses crumbled.
"We... are the 'Echo Team', hired by Hammer IndustriesSecurity Department," his voice trembled. "We came to retrieve the stolen documents..."
"Stolen?" Lin Che raised an eyebrow. "The documents were originally in Hammer's warehouse; how could they be stolen?"
"The boss found abnormal access records in the security system and sent us to investigate... Who exactly are you?"
Lin Che grinned. "Just enthusiastic citizens passing by, helping you test security vulnerabilities. Go back and tell Justin Hammer that his dirt is temporarily in our keeping. If he wants to negotiate, he can contact me through Director Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D."
The man was stunned. "S.H.I.E.L.D.? Are you from S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Consider us partners," Lin Che holstered his gun. "Now, take your people and go. Remember, tonight was just a system false alarm; you found nothing, understood?"
The other party nodded frantically.
Angela lightly pressed the necks of the unconscious men, and they gradually woke up but were weak all over.
"Go," Lin Che waved his hand, "before I change my mind."
The six men helped each other up and scurried away in disarray.
Chapter 20 – The Tesseract
Footsteps faded away. Angela spoke. "Why let them go? It will bring trouble later."
"They were hired hands, nothing more." Lin Che reopened the laptop and started copying more files. "Besides, I need them to deliver a message to Hammer..."
"He has secrets I can expose. The price of recklessness is high. He'll think twice before stirring up other trouble."
Angela mused, "You're manipulating your opponent's decisions."
"It's called seizing the initiative," Lin Che unplugged another hard drive. "Make the enemy dance to your rhythm before he even makes a move. Tactics 101, Professor Angela."
Angela's lips curved in a smile almost too faint to notice. "Strategy's sound, even if the methods... aren't exactly orthodox."
"If it works, it works." Lin Che powered down and pocketed the drives and documents. "Tonight's tour is over. Time to leave—Hammer's people might bring reinforcements."
The two quickly wiped away any traces and left the warehouse.
Back on the surface, the night was deep. Brooklyn streets were silent except for the occasional distant car.
"Where to next?" Angela asked.
"Home and bed," Lin Che checked the time. "But... hungry? I know a 24-hour place in Chinatown. Dumplings to die for."
Angela considered. "Could be worth trying."
"Let's move."
They melted into the night, heading for Chinatown.
Across from the warehouse, on the roof of an abandoned building, someone watched through binoculars.
Short red hair, black tactical suit.
Natasha Romanoff lowered the binoculars and pressed the comm. "Director, confirmed. Lin Che and Angelainfiltrated Hammer Industries' secret warehouse, removed some files. They put down a Hammer covert squad but let everyone live."
Fury's voice crackled back. "Contents?"
"Unknown, but Lin Che mentioned General Ross and the 'bio-enhanced soldier program.'" Natasha reported. "Need me to intervene?"
"Wait for now," Fury said. "Let Hammer handle it. If Lin Che really has sensitive intel, Hammer will come to us. Then... we'll have proper grounds to move in."
"Understood."
"One more thing, Natasha," Fury added. "Initiate your approach to Angela..."
"Copy that. Preparing now."
Natasha ended the comm and raised the binoculars again.
Under the moonlight, the red-haired woman strode steadily, ordinary clothes unable to hide her warrior bearing.
"Angela..." she murmured. "Who exactly are you?"
She folded the binoculars and vanished into the rooftop shadows.
At that same moment, inside a small Chinatown diner, Lin Che enthusiastically rattled off dumpling fillings.
"Pork and cabbage, leek and egg, three-deluxe... and this one—fish and pickled mustard root. House special. Guaranteed you've never tasted anything like it."
Angela picked up the chopsticks.
Lin Che had taught her a few nights ago.
Awkward but steady, she lifted a dumpling.
Bit into it. Flavor burst across her tongue.
"So?" Lin Che asked, expectant.
Angela chewed slowly, then finally spoke. "...Not bad."
Two simple words, sincere.
Lin Che grinned and took a dumpling himself. "Eat up. Earth might be a mess, but its food ranks top in the Universe."
In the warm little shop, a divine princess tasted Earth's cuisine while the Saint of Thieves piled more dumplings onto her plate.
S.H.I.E.L.D. secret Base codename "Eye."
Under the New Mexico desert, 300 meters down.
23:47.
Main control room.
Lights blazed, tension thick.
Nick Fury's single eye locked on the glowing blue cube spinning on the screen—the Tesseract.
"Energy levels normal," a researcher reported. "But spatial fluctuation index up 0.3% from last week. Dr. says it might mean..."
"Mean what?" Fury growled.
"It's... breathing," Dr. Selvig adjusted his glasses. "Beating like a heart. Each pulse ripples space."
Fury's brow furrowed deeper. "Continue monitoring. Agent Barton, perimeter?"
Clint Barton—Hawkeye—composite bow slung, eyes sharp.
He swiped through live feeds on the console.
"All clear, Director. Ground patrol every fifteen minutes, drones twenty-kilometer radius, seismic sensors online. Unless someone can tunnel through 300 meters of rock without tripping alarms..."
He never finished.
The Tesseract flared violently blue at the center of the lab.
Boom.
A low hum vibrated from deep space, lights flickered, instruments spinning.
"Energy spike!" a researcher shouted. "Containment field overloaded! Critical!"
"Emergency protocol!" Fury barked. "Evacuate the lab!"
Too late.
The air around the Tesseract twisted into a blue vortex, space cracking like glass, revealing star-speckled void beyond.
A gauntleted hand reached through.
Graceful, as though pushing open a door.
Green cloak, gold pauldrons, black hair. Loki Laufeyson, god of mischief, Odin's adopted son, stepped into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most secret Base.
He surveyed the room, faint mocking smile.
He tapped the golden scepter on the floor—ting.
"Evening," Loki greeted, voice cultured British. "Forgive the intrusion. Since you were studying my property, I assumed you wouldn't mind the owner dropping in."
Agents raised rifles, but to Loki their movements were laughably slow.
"Lower weapons!" Fury ordered, thumb pressing an emergency alert.
Direct line to the Avengers initiative.
Loki noticed, smile widening.
"Calling for help?" he shook his head. "Too late."
The scepter's gem glowed.
A bolt struck an Agent's gun, sparks scattering, bodies dropping.
"Quiet, please," Loki approached the Tesseract, shield parting like hot metal under his scepter. "I'm here for this. No unnecessary casualties."
Hawkeye had drawn, arrow aimed at Loki's heart.
But as he loosed, Loki turned, scepter raised.
Gem blazing.
"Ah, an archer," Loki observed. "Precise, focused, strong will... perfect vessel."
He tapped Hawkeye's chest with the scepter.
Clint convulsed, eyes vacant. Bow lowered, expression slack, shifting to absolute obedience.
"Clint!" Fury shouted.
"He answers to me now," Loki nodded. "Fragile mortal will crumbles before true power."
He turned to Dr. Selvig.
"And you, scholar... your hunger for truth, for the unknown... useful."
scepter glowed again.
Dr. Selvig's eyes shifted from fear to awe.
"Now," Loki lifted the Tesseract. "Let us end this farce."