Frigga's Palace, Asgard
Frigga, Queen of Asgard, stood by a window, her expression worried. Seeing Thor enter with James, she looked surprised.
"Mother!" Thor stepped forward. "I'm back. Loki's under control."
Frigga sighed in relief, then studied James. "And this is?"
"James Holden, from Earth," Thor introduced. "But no ordinary human. His power surpasses even mine."
Frigga examined him, then smiled softly. "Welcome, James. Thor rarely gives such praise."
James bowed his head. "Queen, I'm here to study your technology and magic."
Frigga considered. "Our knowledge is vast, but not all is accessible."
"I can try," James replied calmly.
Frigga smiled. "Very well. I'll arrange access to the library and workshops. But first…" She turned to Thor. "How is your father?"
Thor lowered his eyes. "The Odin-Sleep continues, but the Bifrost crisis is resolved. He should awaken soon."
Frigga nodded, then addressed James. "If you truly wish to learn, start with the World Tree theory."
"The World Tree?" James raised an eyebrow.
"The root of the Nine Realms, the source of our magic," Frigga explained. "Understand it, and you'll understand Asgard."
James's eyes lit up. "Sounds perfect."
Asgard Library
The vast golden hall housed shelves of scrolls and metal tablets. James, at its center, scanned everything with superhuman vision.
"These archives cover the Nine Realms' history, magic, tech, and wars," Thor boasted. "Even I've only read a tenth."
James picked up a metal tablet. His fingers grazed the pages, his mind instantly decoding the symbols. "Your runic system's fascinating," he murmured. "Not just letters—energy vectors."
Thor, surprised, asked, "You understand that?"
James, engrossed, kept reading. Each page was memorized in a second. Minutes later, he closed the tablet, thoughtful. "Your magic harnesses cosmic energy differently from Earth's tech."
Thor scratched his head. "Uh… yeah, basically?"
James set the book down. "Take me to the workshops. I want to see your forging techniques."
Nidavellir, Dwarf Realm
Via the Bifrost, James and Thor arrived in a world of lava and metal, orbiting a dying star. The dwarves used its energy to forge divine artifacts.
"Thor!" boomed Eitri, the dwarf king. "Why bring a stranger?"
"James, from Earth," Thor introduced. "He's interested in your forge."
Eitri sized James up. "A mortal? Can he handle the heat?"
James stepped toward a furnace, unfazed by the extreme heat. Eitri narrowed his eyes. "Interesting…"
James watched the dwarves, his vision decoding each hammer strike. "Your forging isn't just physics," he said. "You weave World Tree energy, making your creations magical."
Eitri jolted. "How do you know that?"
James ignored the question and picked up an Uru block. "Can I try?"
Eitri hesitated, then nodded. "Go ahead, but don't waste the material."
James took a hammer, his initially clumsy strikes turning fluid. Each blow was perfect, the Uru taking shape with inner energy.
Eitri gaped. "Impossible! Even Asgardians take decades to master this!"
Thor, stunned, asked, "James, what are you, exactly?"
James set down the nascent sword. "A learner."
A golden light flashed from the sky. Thor looked up. "Father's call! He's awake!"
James laid the hammer down. "Looks like Odin wants to meet me."
Asgard Throne Room
Odin, on his throne, fixed James with his single, piercing eye. "Earth visitor," he said slowly. "Your power is… unique."
James met his gaze. "My power is my own."
Odin paused. "Thor tells me you saved Asgard and stopped Loki's madness. I thank you."
James bowed his head. "I did what needed doing."
"But you stay in Asgard for more than learning, don't you?" Odin asked, his tone sharp.
James answered frankly, "Knowledge is power. And power lets me control my fate."
Odin studied him, then leaned back. "Very well. You may study here, but some secrets aren't for mortals."
James smiled. "No worries. I seek truth, not secrets."
Odin gave a faint smile. "A bold answer."
---
James dove into Asgard's knowledge, exploring libraries, workshops, and magic halls. He decoded runes, grasped World Tree energy flows, and mastered teleportation basics. Every insight was etched in his memory.
He sparred with Thor, their battles shaking Asgard, Mjölnir's lightning clashing with his heat vision. Frigga occasionally guided him in magic, and Eitri praised his forging talent.
Loki, imprisoned, kept scheming, but James was aware.
At dawn, on Asgard's highest tower, James gazed at the Nine Realms. "I've learned enough," he murmured. "Time to return."
Thor handed him a goblet of mead. "Leaving?"
James drained it. "Yeah, Earth's waiting."
Thor grinned. "Come back with good Earth wine."
James laughed. "Deal."
The Bifrost activated, and James reappeared in New York under a stormy sky. Sirens and explosions echoed in the distance.
He smiled, eyeing Stark Tower. "Right on time."
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