Chapter 56 – The Thunder in Exile
The evening sun hung low over the desert horizon, spilling orange light across the small New Mexico town. Wind carried a thin veil of sand through the streets, brushing against weathered signs and cracked windows. The Quinjet's engines had long since faded, leaving behind only the hum of the settling heat.
Tony and Gaius walked side by side down the quiet main street. Tony's face plate are retracted, while Gaius moved with slow, steady steps that drew every pair of eyes in town. The locals whispered among themselves, some recognizing Iron Man, others staring in disbelief at the golden giant who towered over everyone like a moving statue.
"Don't take it personally," Tony said lightly, glancing up at Gaius, as he fears that gaius might take it to heart. "You're hard to miss."
"I am aware," Gaius replied, his voice is calm.
They stopped outside a small diner glowing with warm yellow lights. Through the windows, a handful of locals were eating late dinners, the clinking of plates and low chatter filling the air. A few tables sat outside under a metal awning, and at one of them sat a man holding a half-empty beer.
He spoke animatedly to two women and an older man sitting with him. His clothes were plain, jeans, a red plaid shirt, but there was something about his posture, proud and upright, that didn't fit the look of a drifter. The wind tugged at his hair, and his eyes gleamed like he was telling a story he'd lived rather than heard.
"The Nine Realms," the man said, gesturing with his beer bottle, "are the great branches of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. They are the worlds bound together by the roots of creation, connected by the Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge of Asgard."
The younger woman, Jane Foster, leaned in with interest. "Like… actual worlds?"
"Indeed," the man said with a small nod. "Each realm is a world of its own, filled with its own peoples, kings, and destinies. At the top stands Asgard, my home. A realm of golden halls and endless skies, where my father, Odin Allfather, rules. It is the heart of the Nine Realms, where warriors feast in Valhalla and the stars themselves bow to the will of the gods."
Darcy, sitting beside Jane, rolled her eyes and sipped her soda. "Okay, so… you're saying you're from outer space and you're a god?"
Before he could answer, Jane's gaze drifted past him. Her expression changed, first curious, then startled. Thor frowned, noticing her distraction, and turned to see what she was looking at.
Walking down the street toward them was Iron Man and the towering golden figure beside him.
Thor's eyes widened slightly. Even without his divine senses, he could feel something from the giant, an aura, heavy and vast, like standing near a thunderhead before a storm. He rose from his chair, setting his beer aside.
"Who are you?" Thor called out, his voice steady but edged with command.
Tony stopped a few steps away, offering a faint grin. "We could ask you the same thing, big guy. You from Asgard as well?"
Thor's brows rose, surprise flashing across his face. "Indeed I am! I am Thor, son of Odin, Prince of Asgard!"
The word "as well" lingered in his mind. His eyes narrowed. "As well? You have met another of my kind?"
Tony crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Yeah. Your brother. Name's Loki. Ring any bells?"
Thor's posture stiffened. "Loki? You've seen him?"
Tony shrugged. "Seen him, fought him. He was a bit of a too arrogant. Didn't end well for him." His tone was teasing, but his smirk made it sound like a jab.
Thor didn't take it as a joke. His expression darkened instantly. "You dare harm my brother?" He stepped forward, and before Tony could react, Thor's fist lashed out and struck him square in the face.
Tony stumbled back, dropping his helmet, blood starting to drip from his nose. "Ow, what the hell, man!?"
The crowd outside the diner froze. Jane stood up quickly, shocked. Darcy gasped, nearly spilling her drink. The old man, Erik Selvig, tried to rise but froze at the sight of the armored giant now moving forward.
Gaius stepped past Tony, his steps heavy but controlled. The ground seemed to vibrate faintly under his weight. His head tilted slightly toward Thor, visor glinting under the sunset.
Thor looked up, suddenly realizing how much taller the being was. Still, his pride didn't fade. "I will not be mocked by mortals who strike my kin!"
Jane hurried forward, stepping between them with trembling hands. "S-sir, please! My friend's just… he's confused! He's been through a lot!"
Gaius didn't answer. His silent presence alone made the air feel heavier. When he took a step forward, Jane tried to move back but brushed against his gauntlet hand. The push wasn't intentional, but the strength behind it made her stumble and fall to the ground.
Darcy rushed to help her up. "Jane!"
Gaius's voice came low and even. "I have shown mercy. For you who is ignorant, to protect a Xeno in front of me."
Thor's anger flared again. "You bastard dared to hit a woman!" He swung another punch, this time with everything he had left.
His fist struck Gaius's chest plate with a solid clang. The blow did nothing.
Gaius didn't move. "Enough."
His arm swung, a quick, restrained motion that still carried the weight of a mountain. His fist struck Thor's ribs. The sound was sharp and heavy, like a hammer striking stone. Thor gasped and dropped to one knee, clutching his side.
"Gaius!" Tony stepped forward quickly, raising a hand. "Stop! He's down!"
The golden warrior halted. The look he gave Thor wasn't one of hatred, only quiet judgment.
Tony crouched beside Thor, rubbing his own bruised nose. "Alright, tough guy. Let's try this again without the punching. What brings you to Earth?"
Thor looked up through the pain, eyes burning with pride. He didn't answer.
Gaius watched silently for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Jane and Darcy. He stepped closer, and before anyone could stop him, he reached down and lifted Jane easily by the arm. She gasped, her feet leaving the ground. Darcy froze, unsure what to do.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Tony said sharply.
Thor's face twisted in rage. "Put her down, you bastard!"
Tony didn't move to stop Gaius immediately. He saw what the Ultramarine was doing, forcing the truth out. "Talk," Tony said quietly to Thor. "Tell us why you're here."
Thor's fists clenched. "Release her!"
"Tell us," Tony repeated, voice calm but firm.
Thor's shoulders slumped slightly. "Alright! Enough! Put her down, I will tell you everything!"
Gaius lowered Jane gently, her breathing shaky and fast. Darcy caught her before she fell. The moment Jane's feet touched the ground, Gaius stepped back, silent once again.
Thor breathed hard, glaring at them both. "I was cast down," he said slowly. "Stripped of my power and sent here by my father, Odin. I was meant to learn humility… to live among mortals until I am worthy again."
Tony blinked. "So you're saying this was… like, a royal timeout?"
Thor ignored the sarcasm, holding his side in pain. "My hammer, Mjölnir, was sent here as well. Only the worthy may lift it."
Gaius's head turned slightly, his tone low. "The weapon we found in the desert."
Thor's eyes widened. "You've seen it?"
Tony sighed. "Yeah. Big crater, a hammer, nobody can pick it up. Sound familiar?"
Thor nodded weakly, realization dawning. "Then it still rests where it fell…"
Tony wiped his nose with a napkin from a nearby table. "Well, your 'lesson in humility' could use some work. You punch first and talk later."
Thor looked at him, then gave a tired grin despite the pain. "Perhaps. But you insulted my brother."
"Yeah, well," Tony said, smirking faintly, "he deserved it."
Gaius stood silent behind them, his visor faintly reflecting the sunset. His voice came softly, almost to himself. "Emperor, This World is quite Peaceful even when it has many forces."
Though the Emperor Inside him didn't respond to him.
Thunder rumbled somewhere far off, a low growl rolling across the desert.
Jane, still trembling slightly, glanced up at Gaius, then at Thor, then back to Tony. "Can someone please tell me what's going on?"
Tony exhaled and gestured vaguely between the two men. "Long story short? Your 'crazy drifter' here is an actual god, or at least according to myth they are norse gods. And the guy in gold armor… well, let's just say he's not from around here either."
Darcy muttered under her breath, "Yeah, no kidding."
The wind picked up again, carrying the scent of rain though the sky was still clear. Thor looked toward the horizon, where the clouds began to gather faintly, his voice quieter now.
"I must return to my hammer," he said. "If it truly still rests where it fell, then my path is clear."
Tony glanced at Gaius. The giant gave a small nod. "Then we go together."
As the three of them turned toward the desert road, Jane and Darcy watched them leave, speechless. Erik Selvig finally exhaled, shaking his head. "I think," he said softly, "we just met a true god and a giant and.. well Iron Man."
Jane didn't answer. Her heart was still racing. The image of Gaius lifting her like she weighed nothing wouldn't leave her mind.
End of Chapter 56 – "The Thunder in Exile."
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