The pillar of rainbow light flashed throughout the cosmos and crashed towards the golden bridge of the bifrost, illuminating the gleaming Asgardian architecture for a brief moment before fading.
The portal connected to the golden bridge was fully charged and when the rainbow light disappeared, four figures exited the portal in its place, Thor, Jane, Hela and Maxim.
Jane immediately let out an audible gasp, her eyes widening in awe as she took in the grandeur of the experience and seeing Asgard. She looked around and spotted a window, where she could see the magnificent realm around her.
Towering spires of shimmering gold that stretched into the sky, ornate halls, powerful statues of long passed warriors and the magnificent palace all widened her eyes in shock and awe.
Even the air itself felt different that Earth's in her mind, with a sense of majesty and power beyond her mortal experiences.
She turned and looked to Thor excitedly, "We have to do that again, this place looks like a dream." she said, still feeling the lingering surge of energy that erupted from her earlier.
She turned around, spotting a man wearing intricately designed Asgardian golden armor, with a flowing dark cape, amber eyes and a helmet that resembled a crown, made of gold with upward-curving, wing-like extensions on the sides and an open faced design to frame his face.
The man held a large sword, which he had just placed in a mechanism.
"Hi." Jane said nervously as she spotted the man.
"Welcome to Asgard," he said to Jane, before turning his attention towards Maxim and Hela, "You return to your home, but not as a prisoner this time."
Hela chuckled darkly, "No, Heimdall, not this time, and never again for that matter." she said confidently, inhaling deeply as she closed her eyes, a slow, satisfied smile curling across her lips as power began to surge through her veins.
A familiar and intoxicating energy, her birthright, "Asgard," she whispered, rolling her shoulders as if adjusting to the overwhelming sensation. "I had almost forgotten how good this felt."
As this was happening, Thor grabbed Jane and decided to leave, immediately heading towards the medical bay to get her treated for what happened, flying off with her in his arms.
Meanwhile, the duo of Maxim and Hela decided to leave, slowly floating into the air and soaring off, moving effortlessly across the skyline.
Maxim was easily able to block the various Asgardians from focusing their attention on them, so the citizens bustled about their daily lives, unaware of the two figures flying above them & their significance.
They moved swiftly toward a secluded, opulent wing of the palace, Frigga's personal quarters.
Hela landed first, her boots clicking against the polished stone floor of the balcony as she stepped forward with confidence. Maxim followed beside her, the tails of his coat flowing behind him as he cast a brief glance around the area.
"This place still hasn't changed much." She muttered as she stared at the environment, remembering it exactly as it was when she was still roaming Asgard as Odin's strongest soldier.
She moved towards the gates, but before either of them could knock or announce themselves, the gates to Frigga's quarters shook and slowly opened on their own.
"Come in, my children," came a warm voice from within.
Hela stilled for a brief moment before stepping inside, Maxim close behind.
The room was serene, elegant in its simplicity. The walls were lined with shelves of ancient tomes and Asgardian artifacts, and in the center of the room, seated at an intricately carved table, was Frigga.
She wore flowing robes of deep blue and gold, her hair woven into intricate braids, her presence radiating a quiet strength and wisdom. In her hands, she held a delicate cup of tea, steam gently rising from it. Across from her, two cups were already set—one for Maxim, one for Hela.
It was clear she had expected them.
Frigga's sharp eyes studied them both for a moment before she offered a warm smile. "It's been a long time, my dear daughter."
Hela took a deep breath as she experienced this moment. For all her bravado, ever since meeting Hela previously with the Astral Transmission Orb, she had imagined this moment.
Meeting her mother again, but in person, and now she had finally accomplished that goal.
Frigga, ever perceptive, reached out gently and took Hela's arm in both of her hands.
"You've returned home," she said, her voice tender.
Hela looked at her mother's hands, so much smaller than her own, yet filled with warmth, and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, "It seems so," she said softly.
Frigga's smile grew. "Then sit, both of you."
Maxim pulled out a chair and sat down effortlessly, while Hela, a bit more stiffly, followed suit, sitting next to him.
Frigga's gaze turned to Maxim, gratitude shining in her eyes. "And you… I must thank you, Maxim Novikov, for all you've done."
Maxim inclined his head slightly. "You don't need to thank me."
"But I will," Frigga said firmly. "You brought my daughter back. You gave her a path forward when she had none. That is no small thing."
Hela scoffed lightly, "I could've done that myself."
Frigga gave her a knowing look. "Perhaps. But it seems fate had other plans."
Maxim smirked slightly but said nothing, reaching for the cup of tea and taking a sip. It was… surprisingly good.
Hela, meanwhile, shifted in her chair, as if still unsure how to handle this softer moment. Finally, she cleared her throat. "So… you knew we were coming?"
Frigga's expression remained amused. "Of course. I always know when my children return to me."
There was a pause before Hela muttered, "I doubt Odin will be so happy to see me."
Frigga took a measured sip of her tea before setting it down gracefully. "Odin is many things, but above all, he is a man who has always feared what he cannot control."
Maxim hummed, "Sounds familiar."
Frigga chuckled at that. "Yes, I suppose you of all people would understand."
Silence settled between them for a moment, not awkward, but filled with unspoken thoughts.
Finally, Frigga folded her hands together and looked at Hela with a softness only a mother could have, "No matter what has passed, my daughter, you are still of Asgard."
Hela blinked at that, genuine surprise flickering across her face.
Frigga then turned her gaze to Maxim, eyes twinkling with an unreadable expression. "And you… you are far more than you appear to be."
Maxim met her gaze evenly, intrigued by the weight of her words.
She tilted her head slightly. "Tell me, Maxim… what do you seek?"
A question loaded with meaning.
Maxim leaned back slightly in his chair, considering his answer.
And so, the conversation continued.