Destroyer Through The Multiverse Ch 29

Tatsuya stood behind the one-way mirror, his eyes fixed on Thor. The god sat slumped in a metal chair, his once-proud posture now a shadow of itself. Coulson paced around the small room, his questions hanging in the air unanswered.

"Who are you?" Coulson asked again, his voice level but tinged with frustration.

Thor remained silent, his gaze distant. Tatsuya could see the pain etched in the lines of his face, the way his shoulders sagged under an invisible weight. The loss of Mjolnir had clearly shaken him to his core.

Tatsuya's hand unconsciously moved to his pocket, feeling the outline of the distorted photograph he'd taken earlier. He wondered if Thor's very existence in this world was as unstable as the image suggested.

Coulson changed tactics, his voice softening. "We're not here to hurt you. We just want to understand what's happening."

Still, Thor said nothing. His eyes flickered briefly to Coulson before returning to stare at his own hands, as if expecting them to hold some answer to his predicament.

Tatsuya leaned closer to the glass, studying Thor's face. He recognized the look of a man lost between worlds, a feeling he knew all too well from his own travels. But there was something more here - a profound sense of loss that went beyond mere displacement.

Coulson sighed, running a hand through his hair. He glanced towards the mirror, knowing Tatsuya was watching. Their eyes met through the glass, a silent exchange of frustration and concern.

As Coulson turned back to Thor, Tatsuya's mind raced. He considered the hammer, still unmoved in the compound. He thought of Jane Foster's research, of the atmospheric disturbances that had brought them here. Pieces of a puzzle that didn't quite fit together yet.

Thor shifted in his chair, the movement drawing Tatsuya's attention back to him. For a moment, it seemed like he might speak. But then his shoulders slumped further, and he returned to his silent vigil.

Tatsuya watched as Coulson stepped out of the interrogation room, phone pressed to his ear. The door closed with a soft click, leaving Thor alone in the stark white space. Tatsuya's eyes narrowed, focusing on the fallen god.

Thor's head tilted slightly, as if listening. His lips moved, forming words Tatsuya couldn't hear through the thick glass. The god's brow furrowed, his expression a mix of confusion and anger.

Tatsuya leaned closer to the mirror, straining to catch any sound. Thor's movements became more agitated. His hands clenched and unclenched, his shoulders tensing as if bracing for a fight.

"Who are you talking to?" Tatsuya muttered under his breath.

Thor's head snapped up, eyes darting around the room. For a moment, Tatsuya thought the god had heard him. But Thor's gaze passed over the mirror without pause, settling on an empty corner of the room.

Thor's lips moved again, faster now. His face contorted with emotion - pain, anger, desperation. He shook his head violently, as if trying to dislodge an unwelcome thought.

Tatsuya's hand moved to his pocket, fingers brushing against his Decadriver. Something was happening here, something beyond SHIELD's understanding. He considered transforming, stepping in to confront whatever unseen force was tormenting Thor.

But before he could act, Thor slumped back in his chair. The tension drained from his body, leaving him looking more defeated than ever. His lips stopped moving, his gaze dropping back to his hands.

Tatsuya relaxed his grip on the Decadriver, but kept his eyes fixed on Thor. Whatever had just happened, it was clear that there was more to this fallen god than met the eye.

...

Tatsuya approached the hammer site, his eyes fixed on the mysterious object embedded in the concrete. The area bustled with SHIELD agents and scientists, but he paid them no mind. His focus was solely on Mjolnir.

As he drew closer, Tatsuya could see the intricate patterns etched into the hammer's surface. They weren't mere decorations. To his trained eye, they were clearly enchantments, powerful and ancient. The magic pulsed faintly, visible only to those who knew what to look for.

He circled the hammer slowly, taking in every detail. The short handle, wrapped in worn leather. The square head, its edges sharp despite the centuries it must have endured. The runes that ran along its side, each one a mystery waiting to be unraveled.

Tatsuya felt a pull, an urge to reach out and touch it. He hesitated, remembering the failed attempts of others. But curiosity won out. He extended his hand, fingers hovering just above the handle's tip.

Taking a deep breath, Tatsuya made contact. The leather was cool to the touch, smoother than he expected. He applied the slightest pressure, barely more than the weight of his hand.

To his surprise, the hammer moved. It was slight, almost imperceptible, but Tatsuya felt it shift under his touch. A jolt of energy ran up his arm, making his hair stand on end.

Startled, Tatsuya quickly withdrew his hand. He took a step back, eyeing the hammer warily. It sat there, innocuous as ever, giving no sign of what had just occurred.

Tatsuya glanced around, wondering if anyone else had noticed. But the SHIELD agents continued their work, oblivious to what had just transpired. He looked back at the hammer, a mixture of awe and unease settling in his stomach.

…

Tatsuya stood in the shadows, observing as Dr. Erik Selvig entered the SHIELD facility. The older man's nervous energy was palpable as he approached the reception desk. Tatsuya's keen ears picked up Selvig's explanation about coming to retrieve his colleague, Donald Blake.

A frown creased Tatsuya's brow. He knew Thor's real name, and "Donald Blake" certainly wasn't it. This was clearly a ruse, but for what purpose? He watched intently as Coulson emerged to speak with Selvig.

The conversation between Coulson and Selvig drifted over to where Tatsuya stood. He caught snippets about a research assistant and too much drinking. Selvig's act was convincing, but Tatsuya could see the slight tremor in his hands, the way his eyes darted around nervously.

When Thor appeared, Tatsuya's suspicions were confirmed. The fallen god played along with Selvig's story, though his acting skills left much to be desired. Thor's booming voice and regal bearing didn't quite match the image of a humble research assistant.

Tatsuya's mind raced. Should he intervene? Expose the lie? Or let it play out and see where it led? He weighed his options carefully, aware that his decision could have far-reaching consequences.

As Thor and Selvig prepared to leave, Tatsuya noticed Coulson's skeptical expression. The senior agent wasn't buying the story either, but for some reason, he was allowing it to proceed.

Tatsuya nodded as Coulson gave him the order to follow Thor and Selvig. He slipped out of the SHIELD facility, keeping a discreet distance as the pair made their way into town. The streets were quiet, the small New Mexico town seemingly oblivious to the otherworldly drama unfolding within its borders.

He watched as Thor and Selvig entered a local bar. Tatsuya waited a moment, then followed them inside. The place was dimly lit, with a handful of patrons scattered around. Country music played softly in the background.

Tatsuya chose a seat at the bar, close enough to overhear their conversation but far enough away to avoid suspicion. He ordered a beer, more for appearance's sake than any desire to drink.

Thor and Selvig were already deep in conversation, their voices low but animated. Tatsuya strained to catch their words over the ambient noise of the bar. He sipped his beer slowly, his eyes fixed on the mirror behind the bar, watching their reflections.

As the night wore on, Tatsuya observed Thor's demeanor change. The fallen god's initial bravado gave way to a more somber mood. Selvig, for his part, seemed to be alternating between offering comfort and asking probing questions.

Tatsuya's fingers itched to reach for his camera, to capture this moment of vulnerability from the supposed god of thunder. But he resisted, knowing it would blow his cover. Instead, he committed every detail to memory, ready to report back to Coulson later.

The bartender approached, offering Tatsuya another drink. He declined with a shake of his head, his focus never wavering from his targets. Thor's voice had risen slightly, allowing Tatsuya to catch fragments of their conversation more clearly.

Tatsuya leaned against the bar, his ears straining to catch the conversation between Thor and Selvig. The older scientist was clearly trying to get Thor to open up, his voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

"It's not a bad thing finding out that you don't have all the answers," Selvig said, his tone gentle. "You start asking the right questions."

Thor's response was muffled, but Tatsuya could see the fallen god's shoulders slump. He nursed his drink, lost in thought.

Selvig continued, his words becoming clearer as his voice rose slightly. "Your father is trying to teach you something. I don't know what it is, but I can tell you it's not about science. It's about yourself."

Tatsuya's eyebrows raised slightly. This wasn't just idle chatter. Selvig seemed to be probing at something deeper, something tied to Thor's identity and his relationship with his father.

Thor's reply was too low to hear, but his body language spoke volumes. He hunched over his drink, his earlier bravado replaced by a palpable sense of loss and confusion.

As the night wore on, Tatsuya watched Thor's demeanor shift. The alcohol seemed to loosen his tongue, and his voice carried more clearly across the bar.

"For the first time in my life, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do," Thor admitted, his words slightly slurred.

Selvig nodded sympathetically. "Anyone who's ever going to find his way in this world has to start by admitting he doesn't know where the hell he is."

Tatsuya pondered these words, finding an unexpected resonance in them. He too had found himself in unfamiliar territory, navigating a world not his own.

Tatsuya watched as Selvig and Thor ordered another round of drinks. The night wore on, and the bar grew quieter. Selvig's speech slurred, his movements becoming uncoordinated. Thor, on the other hand, seemed unaffected by the alcohol.

Deciding it was time to make his move, Tatsuya stood up from his spot at the bar. He approached Thor and Selvig, sliding onto the stool next to the fallen god.

"Mind if I join you?" Tatsuya asked, keeping his tone casual.

Thor turned to him, his blue eyes sharp despite the amount he'd drunk. "Be my guest," he said, his voice carrying a hint of an accent Tatsuya couldn't quite place.

Selvig squinted at Tatsuya, trying to focus. "Do I know you?" he slurred.

"Just another patron," Tatsuya lied smoothly. He signaled the bartender for a drink, more for appearance than any desire to consume it.

Thor studied Tatsuya, his gaze intense. "You're not from around here, are you?"

Tatsuya smiled slightly. "What gives you that idea?"

"Your manner," Thor replied. "You carry yourself differently than the others in this establishment."

Tatsuya nodded, impressed by Thor's perception. "You're right. I'm not from around here. But then again, neither are you."

Thor's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what makes you say that?"

"Just a hunch," Tatsuya said, taking a sip of his drink. "You seem... out of place."

Thor laughed, a booming sound that drew a few glances from the remaining patrons. "You have no idea, my friend."

Selvig, who had been quiet, suddenly piped up. "He's a god, you know," he said, his words running together. "The god of thunder."

Tatsuya raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Is that so?"

Thor shot Selvig a warning look, then turned back to Tatsuya. "Pay no attention to my friend. He's had too much to drink."

"Haven't we all," Tatsuya said, gesturing to the array of empty glasses in front of them.

Tatsuya leaned in, his voice low. "So, Thor, what brings you to our humble town? It's not exactly a tourist hotspot."

Thor's eyes met Tatsuya's, a mix of pride and sorrow swirling in their depths. He took a long swig of his drink before speaking.

"I was cast out," Thor said, his voice a low rumble. "Banished from Asgard by my father, Odin."

Tatsuya raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "Asgard? That's not a place I'm familiar with."

Thor chuckled, but there was no mirth in it. "It is my home. Or it was. The realm eternal, where the Aesir dwell."

Selvig, barely conscious, mumbled something about Norse mythology. Thor ignored him.

"I was to be crowned king," Thor continued, his gaze distant. "But my actions... they were rash. Foolish. I led us into battle against the Frost Giants, breaking a fragile truce."

Tatsuya listened intently, careful to keep his expression neutral. This was more than he had hoped to learn.

"My father stripped me of my power, of my birthright," Thor's voice cracked slightly. "He sent me here, to Midgard - Earth, as you call it. To learn humility, he said."

Thor's hand clenched around his glass. "And now, I find myself mortal. Weak. Unable even to lift Mjolnir, my hammer."

Tatsuya nodded slowly, processing this information. "That must be... difficult," he said, carefully choosing his words.

Thor looked at him, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "You have no idea, my friend. To be a god among mortals, and then... this."

He gestured to himself, his movements tinged with disgust. "I don't know who I am anymore. Or what I'm meant to do."

Tatsuya felt a twinge of empathy. He knew all too well the feeling of being lost between worlds.

Tatsuya studied Thor's face, seeing the weight of his fall from grace etched in every line. He felt a strange kinship with this displaced god, understanding all too well the feeling of being torn from one's world.

"Perhaps," Tatsuya said carefully, "this isn't an ending, but a beginning."

Thor looked up, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

Tatsuya took a sip of his drink, gathering his thoughts. "You say you've lost everything, but have you? You're here, alive. You have friends who believe in you." He nodded towards the now-snoring Selvig. "That's not nothing."

Thor considered this, his brow furrowing. "But without my power, my title... what am I?"

"You're whoever you choose to be," Tatsuya replied. "Your father sent you here to learn. Maybe the lesson isn't about humility, but about finding out who Thor is without all the trappings of godhood."

Thor stared at Tatsuya, surprise evident on his face. "You... you believe me? About who I am?"

Tatsuya shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Let's just say I've seen stranger things than Norse gods walking among us."

Thor leaned forward, his eyes intense. "Who are you? You're not like the others here."

Tatsuya hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "I'm someone who understands what it's like to be caught between worlds," he said finally. "To question your place, your purpose."

Thor's expression softened, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes. "You speak from experience."

Tatsuya nodded, feeling an unexpected connection with the fallen god. "We all have our battles, Thor. The key is to keep fighting, even when the odds seem impossible."

Tatsuya watched as realization dawned on Thor's face. The fallen god's brow furrowed, and he leaned back, studying Tatsuya with renewed interest.

"I've shared my story, yet I don't even know your name," Thor said, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

Tatsuya smiled, extending his hand. "Tatsuya Kadoya," he said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Thor."

Thor's grip was firm as he shook Tatsuya's hand. "The pleasure is mine, Tatsuya Kadoya. You speak with wisdom beyond your years."

Tatsuya shrugged, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the alcohol. "I've had my share of experiences," he said simply.

Thor nodded, his eyes twinkling. "Then we must celebrate this newfound friendship," he declared, his voice booming through the nearly empty bar. He raised his hand, catching the bartender's attention. "Another round, good sir!"

Tatsuya couldn't help but chuckle at Thor's enthusiasm. As the bartender set fresh drinks before them, Tatsuya raised his glass. "To new friends," he said.

"To new friends," Thor echoed, clinking his glass against Tatsuya's. "And to new beginnings."

They drank deeply, the alcohol burning a path down Tatsuya's throat. As he set his glass down, he caught Thor's eye. There was something there, a spark of hope that hadn't been present before.