Chapter 35: CH-35. Secret Path
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'The aloof goddess Sif acting coquettishly? Now that's something only I'm lucky enough to witness.'
Michael and Sif didn't leave the house all day.
Though it was just the two of them, mostly chatting, they never felt bored. Instead, the time seemed to fly. Michael told her stories about Earth, while Sif shared interesting tales of Asgard. Setting aside the initial misunderstandings, Sif found Michael to be irresistibly charming.
He might not have the typical Asgardian build, but he was undeniably handsome, and the confidence in his words fascinated her.
How could a confident, capable man not be attractive?
Unconsciously, they grew closer. Though their intimacy had only reached the point of holding hands, their feelings were clearly evolving.
For several days, Michael stayed with Sif, and their relationship deepened significantly. However, Michael was not an Asgardian and couldn't remain here forever. As much as he enjoyed their time together, he knew he had responsibilities waiting for him elsewhere.
"You're leaving?"
When Michael told Sif of his plans, her reaction was immediate and emotional.
He nodded reluctantly, "Yes, I can't stay here indefinitely. There are things I need to take care of. But don't worry, I'll visit whenever I can."
"But… you could stay a few more days." Sif pleaded, visibly upset.
Only then did Sif realize how much space Michael had carved into her heart. She didn't want him to leave, but she knew he couldn't stay in Asgard, just as she couldn't go to Earth permanently.
"Malekith may be hiding, recuperating, but he'll return eventually. With the nine realms aligned and spatial turbulence increasing, this is my best chance to put an end to him." Michael explained.
Sif was taken aback, "You're going after Malekith? You know where he is?"
"Yes." Michael nodded.
"Then I'm going with you!" Sif declared immediately.
Michael shook his head, "It's too dangerous, and it wouldn't be easy for you to leave."
"I'm not afraid of danger. I'm Sif, after all." She replied firmly.
"Alright then." He said, relenting with a smile.
When she saw him agree, Sif looked pleased, though worry flickered in her eyes, "But Asgard is under lockdown. It won't be easy to get out."
"I know a secret passage that leads directly from Asgard to the Dark World." Michael replied with a grin.
"Are you talking about the path Loki knows? How do you know it?" Sif asked in surprise.
Michael only smiled in response.
The two prepared their equipment and weapons before setting off.
The secret passage was far away and difficult to reach on foot. Sif initially suggested they requisition a ship, but Michael simply smiled, wrapped an arm around her waist, and ignited a flame at his feet. They soared into the sky, flying at incredible speed toward their destination.
In no time, they reached the entrance to the hidden passage. As they entered, Michael teased, "Do you think this counts as elopement?"
"It's not like you won't come back." Sif replied, her face flushed.
The flickering flames lit up the dim passage as they made their way through. After a few moments, the scenery abruptly changed, and a bright light illuminated the dark landscape of the Dark World.
"We're here."
Michael set Sif down gently.
"Malekith's ship is nearby, cloaked from view. There aren't many dark elves left. I'll take them out directly." Michael explained, pointing ahead.
Sif couldn't see the dark elves' ship but nodded in agreement.
"Then let's go."
Michael took the lead, and Sif followed closely.
Thanks to his future-sensing abilities, Michael knew exactly where to find the ship. Though invisible, it was no mystery to him.
"Break for me!"
Though nothing seemed to be in front of him, Michael thrust his fist forward, tearing through the ship's outer shell. Gripping the damaged section, he ripped it apart, pulling the door clean off and revealing the interior.
The Dark Elves' ship was uniquely designed, landing vertically with the cockpit at the top, connected by an elevator-like structure.
Alarms began blaring the moment they entered. Michael scooped up Sif and flew directly upward.
Nothing could match their speed.
In an instant, they reached the top level, where several dark elves immediately fired their energy guns at them.
Michael raised a telekinetic shield, blocking the shots. As they landed, he lifted his hand, conjuring a fireball that reduced the dark elves to ash.
They continued their advance, mowing down every enemy in their path with a combination of telekinesis and flames. Sif, though impressed, remarked with a hint of complaint, "You could leave a few for me."
"With me here, how could I bear to let you fight?"
Michael chuckled, and soon, they arrived at the heart of the ship. A dozen dark elves stood guard around Malekith, who was lying in a mechanical chamber, receiving treatment.
Half of Malekith's face was severely burned, giving him a grim, almost yin-yang appearance.
"Stop them!" Malekith shouted in panic as he saw Michael and Sif approaching. Clearly, Michael had left a mark on him.
At his command, the remaining dark elves charged at them. Sif leaped into action, using her shield to knock one down and thrusting her sword through another.
She was a sight to behold, fierce and heroic. Watching her, Michael found it hard to reconcile this warrior with the gentle woman she'd been earlier. He couldn't help but wonder how Sif would be if she fully let her guard down. Would she be wild and untamed or soft and tender?
Sif was more than capable, handling several dark elves with ease. However, Michael didn't give her too many opportunities to fight. Flames danced in his hands as he swept through their ranks, reducing his enemies to ash.
Not one dark elf managed to escape. He even used telekinesis to shield himself and Sif, ensuring not a trace of dust marred them.
The last remaining dark elf stood before Malekith, trembling as Michael closed in.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Michael caught the elf in a telekinetic grip and tossed him aside.
Turning to Malekith, Michael smirked, "Well, look who it is. The once-mighty leader of the Dark Elves...reduced to a cornered rat. Where's that pride you used to have? Where's the arrogance?"
"Don't be so arrogant. This is the Dark Kingdom, the territory of us dark elves. If you dare to offend me and kill my remaining people, I will not let you go!" Malekith said sternly.
"Why do I feel like he's just pretending? He doesn't act like a leader at all." Michael turned his head and asked Sif.
Sif smiled and replied, "Because he's bluffing. He's afraid of you!"
"Dark elves, haha... starting today, they can become nothing but history!"
Michael smiled and conjured a flame, walking toward Malekith step by step. With each stride, the temperature of the flame grew higher and higher, and Malesky could feel the burning heat intensifying on his face.
Feeling the heat wave approach, Malekith turned and tried to flee.
With a sneer, Michael waved his hand, and a telekinetic field appeared in front of Malekith, blocking him and bouncing him back. Then, the field morphed into a square, trapping Malekith inside.
Malekith attempted to break free, but the telekinetic field was impenetrable.
Michael extended his hand toward the field, and flames surged within, filling the telekinetic enclosure.
"Supernova power!"
Michael focused his flames, releasing the power of the supernova once more. Unlike before, when his entire body had turned to flame, this time only his arms were ignited, leaving the rest of him unharmed.
Thanks to his control over fire, he concentrated the flames on his arms, intensifying them.
"No… no…"
Malekith's face vanished in the blaze, his screams piercing through as he writhed in agony.
"Explode for me!"
When the flames in the telekinetic field reached their peak temperature, Michael shouted.
Boom!
The flames erupted, creating a mushroom cloud of fire that rolled outward like waves on water.
"Malekith, the dark elf, humph..."
Michael snorted disdainfully and turned to Sif, "Do you think Odin will thank me for eliminating Malekith?"
"Everyone in the Nine Realms will thank you!" Sif replied earnestly.
The leader of the dark elves, Malekith, a formidable enemy feared across the Nine Realms, had died at Michael's hands. Sif could hardly believe it, even though she had seen Michael's abilities herself.
Then she realized something — now that Malekith was gone, Michael would probably leave soon, too. If she didn't do something, what had happened between them might just fade into memory, growing ever more distant.
"This spaceship is great. I just realized I don't have one of my own yet. I'll bring it back to Earth while the Nine Stars are aligned. SHIELD may have aircraft carriers, but I'll have a dark elf ship — far more advanced!"
Michael had come after Malekith partly to eliminate future threats but also to claim this spaceship. Such a powerful vessel wasn't something he could pass up.
And it wasn't just about the technology. The dark elf ship would serve as a trophy, a symbol of power. When people saw this ship, they'd remember that the dark elves were wiped out by him.
The dark elf he'd left alive awoke, panic-stricken. As Michael approached, the elf begged for mercy, "Don't… don't kill me. I submit!"
Michael raised an eyebrow, "Teach me how to operate this spaceship. If you cooperate, I might consider sparing you. As the last dark elf, being my servant isn't the worst fate."
Seizing his chance to survive, the dark elf eagerly explained the ship's structure and controls. While the craft had an automatic system, Michael wanted to learn its workings himself, which would take some time.
"You better not try to run." Michael warned, turning his back.
The dark elf, intimidated, didn't dare move. If even someone as powerful as Malekith had fallen to Michael, what chance did he have?
"Michael, show me the rooms on this spaceship. Even though I've fought the dark elves for so long, I've never actually seen their quarters!" Sif approached, curious while hiding her real reason because of being shy.