Phil Coulson's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.
Thor stood tall, not the disheveled idiot Coulson had met before, now a radiant figure of myth made real. His golden armor gleamed faintly with divine energy.
"This isn't the same man I met in Mexico."
Thor turned and nodded at him, eyes full of newfound clarity. "You're correct, Agent Coulson. I have regained what was lost. My power. My identity. My… hammer."
"Yeah, we noticed." Coulson said dryly.
"It's kind of hard to miss a flying warhammer crashing through federal containment."
Before Thor could respond, a sudden flicker of light caught Coulson's eye.
Soren stood quietly off to the side, his eyes glazed over for a moment, like he was listening to something only he could hear. A faint blue glow traced around his irises. It passed quickly, but not fast enough to escape Coulson's trained senses.
"Mr. Soren?" Coulson asked, tilting his head. "Everything alright?"
Soren blinked once, then twice. He had barely heard them.
Inside his mind, the system had just exploded with alerts:
[Congratulations to the host, healed Thor]
[Thor Odinson]
[World Class A]
[Ability: Divinity LV8 (Sealed), Thunder Control Lv 8, Fighting Proficiency Lv8]
[Acquired Ability: Fighting Proficiency Lv 8]
[Mission Complete: 300/300 Points]
[Reward Unlocked: Opening System Gift Package]
YES! Soren practically vibrated with excitement. He'd been stuck for weeks. Now he could finally see what treasures awaited.
[Reward: Herb Garden Capsule, Space Portal]
[Herb Garden Base: Radius 30km – Generates rare herbs tailored to your Pharmaceutical Lab's needs. One-time placement.]
[Space Portal: Can place up to 5 portals linking to the Everlife Medical Center. Two-way travel. Limited durability.]
Soren's lips twitched.
The herb issue was his biggest bottleneck, rare plants, off-world flora, items Earth didn't even have. All solved.
And the portal? He was already imagining it, a clean silver gateway right in Asgard's palace courtyard. Thor sends a Valkyrie limping through, and boom… mission points raining like confetti.
He nearly let out a laugh.
"Mr. Soren?" Coulson's voice brought him back.
Thor stepped forward too, concern etched into his face. "Soren… has helping me taken a toll on you? I fear I've drained your strength~"
Soren snapped back to reality and waved a hand, smiling warmly.
"No, no. Nothing like that. Just… took a moment to reset after the procedure."
He gave Thor a look. "You try breaking a god's seal sometime and see if your brain doesn't do cartwheels."
Coulson raised a brow, unconvinced but intrigued.
"You sure you're human?" He muttered.
Soren's grin widened. "Define human."
Coulson opened his mouth, paused, and slowly closed it. "Yeah… not touching that."
Thor stepped closer and put a firm hand on Soren's shoulder. "Whatever you are, I owe you a great debt. Not just for returning my power… but for your trust."
Soren smirked. "You can repay me by not tearing holes in the sky with your hammer next time."
Thor let out a booming laugh. "I shall do my best."
Soren's faint flush had not gone unnoticed by Thor. The God of Thunder, now fully restored, stared at the healer with admiration.
Not for his power, no, Thor had seen many strong warriors. But for his heart.
A healer who asks for nothing in return… even when it exhausts him? Thor clenched his fist. That is true nobility.
Phil Coulson, ever the watchful one, shifted gears to practical matters.
"Thor." He said, voice direct. "You've regained your powers. What do you plan to do next?"
Thor's smile faded as the weight of reality returned. He looked toward the skies, where Bifrost once shone, his expression tightening.
"Soren." He said slowly, turning to the healer, "When you healed me… You mentioned that my father, Odin, is not dead… but in some kind of sleep?"
Soren met his gaze, calm and unwavering. "That's right."
Thor's brow furrowed. "But Loki told me he was dead. He mourned him before me."
Soren smiled faintly. "You already suspect the truth, Thor. Do you really need me to confirm what your heart is telling you?"
Thor hesitated, his breath catching. "…No. I suppose not."
A long silence settled. Then, hesitantly.
"Can you help him?" Thor asked. "Can you wake my father?"
Soren's reply was simple and firm. "Yes. But there's a rule I never break. I treat all patients in my hospital. No exceptions."
Thor's eyes widened. "You mean, bring him here? But the royal family… Asgardians would never agree to move the Allfather while he's in Odinsleep."
He clenched his fists again, frustration bubbling.
Soren chuckled lightly, easing the tension. "You're misunderstanding me."
Thor looked up.
"I've been fairly free lately. If someone were to invite me for a sightseeing trip to Asgard… with fine food, good wine, and maybe a few interesting cultural sights… I might say yes."
Thor blinked. Then realization dawned.
"…You'd go yourself?"
Soren gave a relaxed smile. "I don't mind a little travel. I hear the architecture is divine."
Thor was speechless for a moment, then laughed a deep, grateful sound from the chest. "You honor me, Soren. Truly."
But then his smile dimmed again, replaced by concern. "Asgard's current situation is unstable. Loki may be in power. There may be… unrest. Are you sure you want to come?"
Coulson, who had been quietly listening, let out a quiet breath and muttered, "Oh, he has no idea…"
Soren shrugged with a smirk. "First, I said you'd need to treat me well. I expect the royal treatment, quite literally. Second… I'm just a doctor. I don't get involved in politics. Or wars."
"Even if war finds you?" Thor asked solemnly.
Soren's grin didn't fade. "Then war better bring a prescription."
Thor placed a hand on his shoulder, eyes filled with respect. "Then I swear, by my honor as the son of Odin, I will protect you. Whatever happens, you'll be returned home safe."
"And with a stomach full of Asgardian mead." Soren added.
"Deal." Thor said, laughing.
Then came Coulson's voice. "Soren."
Soren turned. The agent's face was tight with concern, but not suspicion…
"Will you come back?"
The question struck harder than expected. Despite all the missions, all the stress, Coulson had come to trust Soren. Not just as a doctor.
But as a Hero who saved lives without question, who faced disaster and monsters and didn't fater.
"I've seen what you can do." Coulson added. "New York needs you. We need you."
Soren softened, stepping closer.
"Phil Coulson, don't worry." He said, genuinely. "My hospital's still here. I have roots now. I'll be back soon, maybe with some Asgardian medicine for our shelves."
Coulson allowed a slow smile. "I'll hold you to that, Doctor."
Thor stepped forward. "Agent Coulson. Your help led me to Soren. Because of you, I have my strength again. For that… you will always be my friend. Should you ever call on me, the Bifrost will open."
Coulson blinked. "…Wow. Thank you. I'll try not to abuse the favor."
"You may." Thor said, "But Heimdall won't let you."
That earned a real chuckle from all three.
A few moments later, Thor lifted Mjolnir and looked to the sky. "I'll contact Heimdall. The Bifrost will open soon."
Soren stretched his arms, cracking his knuckles lazily. "Well then… time to pack. Let's see what interplanetary hospitality is really like."
Coulson offered one final word. "Promise me something."
Soren turned.
"Don't fix all their problems too fast." Coulson said.
"They might get addicted to you."
"That's not a bug. That's a feature."
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Dare you peek into my other tales? The opening three chapters of select stories are free to all.
PhantomDream