Bab 47: Astral Shadow!
TWO WEEKS LATER!
As the time had passed since Dreykov's fall, many things had changed, the biggest being the Floating Red Room itself.
Under Maxim's guidance, there had been many repairs made to any and all damaged facilities, alongside many upgrades to things such as training facilities using his powers and advanced knowledge.
Although the upgrades hadn't all been completed yet, the Fortress was truly turning into a mobile sanctuary, a facility designed for training and operations. The atmosphere which was one oppressive under Dreykov now hummed with freedom and elation.
The Black Widows, who had previously been slaves to Dreykov's control, had slowly but surely adapted to their new lives. Having made their decision to work with Maxim, they worked hard to become quickly useful to him.
With A.N.G.E.L supervising their training and providing the highest quality of advanced nutritional supplements, training regiments and other facilities for them, they had slowly but surely adapted to what Maxim needed of them.
Their days were spent with rigorous training & strategic planning, but unlike when they were under Dreykov, their days also had moments of camaraderie, such as pool parties, team breakfast & dinner, and even play-testing the video games Maxim had A.N.G.E.L creating.
However, Maxim himself spent most of his time in a private lab he had created from Dreykov's former research wing. The room was a mix of advanced technology and magic.
In the center of the room, an intricate orb floated mid-air, its surface shimmering with shifting constellations. The Astral Transmission Orb, a device Maxim had been perfecting for days, pulsed softly as he adjusted its components.
"Not yet," he muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice. He pulled up the design schematics for the Orb on a holographic screen, making some edits to fix the design problems he had faced before re-focusing on the orb.
He channeled more of Astra's Astral Energy into the Orb, watching as its glow intensified, while he edited the runes on the Orb to regulate the energy transmission, "Just a little more..." he muttered.
Simultaneously, the door to his lab slid open, and Wanda entered. She paused for a moment, taking in the sight of Maxim hunched over his creation, his aura flickering with the remnants of cosmic energy, "You've been in here for days," she said, her tone light but concerned.
Maxim glanced over his shoulder, offering a small smile before he re-focused on his work, continuing to make alterations and perfections,"Days? Feels like hours at most."
Wanda walked closer, her eyes briefly scanning the orb. The pulse of energy calmed her greatly, and she was intrigued into what its purpose was.
"Natasha called," Wanda said, leaning against a nearby counter. "She's safely back with S.H.I.E.L.D. She wanted me to tell you... thank you. For everything."
Maxim nodded, "Good. She'll be a valuable ally down the line. Did she mention anything else?"
Wanda shook her head. "Just that she's rooting for us." She hesitated before asking, "What are you working on?"
Maxim gestured to the orb, which swirled with starlight, "Something to get us another partner. Don't think about it too much."
Wanda studied the orb, intrigued but not fully understanding its purpose. "I hope it works," she said softly. Then, her expression shifted to one of determination, "The Black Widows are ready. They've been training nonstop and are eager to prove themselves. Yelena says they're ready to deploy for the first phase of Operation: Madripoor. If you're ready, we can move forward."
Maxim straightened, brushing his hands off as he turned to face her fully, "Then we'll begin. Tell them to set off immediately. The first phase needs to go smoothly."
Wanda nodded, already halfway to the door before pausing, "What about you? You're not coming with us?"
Maxim shook his head, "I have business in Norway to handle first. Something important. Once I'm done, I'll meet you all in Madripoor to complete the next Operations."
Maxim said, his eyes moving away from the Orb back to Wanda as he made a final statement, "Don't forget to take the Communications Blocker. Once our operation begins, we can't have anyone outside of Madripoor knowing what is happening until we take full control."
"Understood!" Wanda said with a nod, moving away as she looked back at Maxim for a moment, a faint smile tugging at her lips, "Thank you, Maxim. For everything you've done, for them, for us."
Maxim's expression softened, his voice calm but firm, "It's not about thanks, Wanda. It's about making sure none of us are ever trapped like that again. Now go. The mission needs you."
Wanda gave a small nod, her crimson energy flickering briefly as she turned and left the room. Maxim watched her go before turning back to the orb, his eyes narrowing as he channeled another surge of energy into it.
"Let's see if you're worth all this effort," he murmured to himself, the orb beginning to vibrate as its glow intensified.
"Finally completed." he said, tossing the orb into the swirling shadows at his feet. The shadows swallowed it whole, storing the orb safely and securely.
"A.N.G.E.L.," Maxim called, the smooth, artificial voice of his AI assistant responding immediately.
"I'm heading out now. My connection will be cut for a while, don't freak out." He responded, and A.N.G.E.L.'s response carried a hint of concern,"Understood. Do you require backup protocols or recon?"
"Not this time. Just monitor Madripoor's first phase. If anything critical happens, follow the contingency plan."
"Noted. Safe travels, Maxim," A.N.G.E.L. replied, her tone warm despite her artificial nature.
Maxim gave a faint nod before pulling his hood over his head. The shadows in the room deepened, swirling around him like living tendrils. In a heartbeat, his form vanished into the darkness, leaving the lab silent save for the low hum of the equipment.
**********
The transition was seamless and Maxim was soon swiftly moving throughout the vast network of shadows across Norway, his incorporeal form weaving through the darkness like a phantom.
When he finally emerged, he could feel the lingering ancient Norse power echoing in the area. Normal Mortals couldn't sense it at all, but after assimilating Dante's abilities, this was all too noticeable.
"This is it," Maxim muttered, extending his hand and channeling Astra's power. Over the past time, while he had certainly been focusing on Dante's power, he didn't ignore the other templates he received.
He spent valuable time continuing his training, attempting to push those powers beyond their current limits and create new, unique abilities, not provided by the template.
This was an opportunity to test one of those new abilities. A faint, cosmic light surrounded Maxim as he shaped an Astral Shadow, a perfect projection of himself, imbued with his magic and unrestrained by his physical body.
The Astral Shadow had all the benefits of an Astral Projection, but using a combination of Omen's and Astra's abilities, it allowed him to explore dimensions without directly putting his main body and soul in total danger.
Once the Astral Shadow was created, Maxim connected to the dimensional signature of where his target was sealed, creating a portal, and stepping into it with his Astral Shadow Form without hesitation, as it dissolved into the darkness once more.
Once he arrived in the dimension, he was greeted by an eerie atmosphere. The air was thick, oppressive, reeking of death and decay. Maxim could hear the crunching of bones with every step.
The sound of something slicing through the air caught his attention, and Maxim's hand shot up instinctively. A blade, black as night and humming with malice, stopped inches from his face, caught in his grip. Its edge shimmered with deadly precision, but Maxim remained unflinching.
"Hmm. Human?" A cold, commanding voice echoed through the air, dripping with disdain, "No... something far stranger."
Maxim's eyes darted to the source of the voice. A figure emerged from the shadows, her silhouette unmistakable. Hela, the Goddess of Death, stood before him, her piercing green eyes scanning him with predatory interest.
Her dark armor seemed to absorb the light, and her crown of antlers gave her an imposing, almost otherworldly presence.
Hela smirked, her lips curling into a smile that was equal parts amusement and menace, "State your purpose, intruder, before I decide to reclaim my blade with your blood."
Maxim tossed the blade aside with a casual flick of his wrist, "I'm not here to fight, Hela. I've come to make an offer."
Hela's smirk faded slightly, replaced with an expression of curiosity. She crossed her arms, her stance relaxed but no less dangerous, "An offer, you say? Do you realize where you stand? What I could do to you? For someone who spent all this effort to enter this dimension, you seem awfully unintelligent."
Maxim stepped closer, his eyes glowing faintly with the energy of Astra's cosmos, "I know exactly where I am. And I know exactly who you are. But you're also someone who understands opportunity when it presents itself."
Hela tilted her head, intrigued. She twirled another one of her Night Blades, sending it shooting towards Maxim. This time, Maxim didn't bother dodging, and the Night Blade simply passed through his Astral Shadow Form, not doing any damage.
"As expected, well since you've planned so far ahead. Speak quickly, but know this, if your words bore me, I'll find a way to end you once I escape from here." Hela said.
Maxim's lips curled into a confident smile as he listened to her cold words, "Then let's not waste time."
************
While Hela's appearance will be slightly inspired by MCU, I'll be placing images which will show the type of look I want Hela to have. If you dislike a certain aspect of the images, well just imagine how you want her to look.
Hela Images Here:
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
StrikerAuthor
StrikerAuthor Hope you all enjoy. Twitter @StrikerAuthor
Bab 48: Discussion with Hela!
As Maxim finished speaking, the air grew heavier, and Hela turned her back to him, her dark figure seamlessly blending in to the bleak atmosphere of the desolate dimension. She gestured to Maxim with a sharp, dismissive flick of her hand, and spoke in her classic authoritarian tone,
"Follow me. If you're here to amuse me, at least let us converse somewhere befitting an audience with a queen."
Maxim just chuckled and followed along. Hela was exactly as he had predicted so far, powerful and with an air of unmatched confidence with every step she took and word she spoke.
Maxim's eyes scanned the oppressive surroundings as he followed her, the ground he walked on was jagged, littered with bones so ancient their race couldn't be determined anymore.
Each step crunched against their remnants. The shadows across the dimension twisted wildly, and the air was thick with the stench of decay & death. He intently observed the realm's bizarre physics and grotesqueness.
There were no stars, no visible light source, and yet the place glowed faintly with an eerie, greenish luminescence. Tendrils of deathly energy swirled around Hela, feeding off her as though she were the heart of this twisted dimension.
Finally, they arrived at a flat expanse of black stone. Rising from the ground, seemingly summoned by Hela's will, was a grand, obsidian table with intricate carvings of skulls and serpents along its edges.
Two chairs materialized, both with high backs and jagged spines, appearing more like thrones than seats. Hela took her place, lounging with an effortless grace that spoke of dominance and unshakable confidence. She gestured to the chair opposite her.
"Sit," she commanded, her voice rich with authority.
Maxim sat without hesitation, his Astral form shimmering faintly as he adjusted. Hela leaned back, studying him with a sharp, calculating gaze, "Wine?" she asked with a wicked smirk.
Hela conjured a crystalline goblet that filled itself with a thick, crimson liquid, "Made from the blood of Ancient Frost-Giants. An acquired taste, but one worth savoring."
Maxim's lips twitched upward. "Why not?" he said, accepting the goblet as one materialized before him. He raised it slightly, the dark liquid shimmering ominously. "To opportunities," he said, taking a small sip. The taste was heavy, dark, and chilling, but not unpleasant.
Hela mirrored the motion, taking a sip from her own goblet before setting it down. "Now, amuse me. You have my attention, but not my patience. What is it you seek from me?"
Maxim placed his goblet back on the table, meeting her gaze without flinching, "Tell me your opinion on Odin, your father."
Hela's expression darkened, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as her smirk faded into a cold, sharp line. The air around them seemed to still, heavy with her simmering fury, "Odin," she spat the name like venom.
"A self-righteous hypocrite. He paraded as a god of wisdom and peace, yet built his empire on conquest and bloodshed. You come from Midgard no? Together, Odin and I have slaughtered and conquered more people than the amount to have ever walked across that land. I was his blade, his fury, until he deemed me 'too dangerous.'"
Her voice dropped into a dangerous whisper, "He feared me, feared the truths I carried, and sealed me away to rot. The Allfather," she scoffed bitterly. "What of him?"
Maxim took another sip of the wine, tapping his fingers against the table as he spoke, "So you do think he'd ever give the throne to you? If given the chance, would you reclaim the throne of Asgard as the Queen?"
Hela's eyes gleamed, and her lips curved into a predatory grin, "And why would that interest you, little shadow? Do you intend to bow before me when I take what's mine?"
Maxim chuckled softly, unshaken by her sharp words. "I have no interest in bowing. I deal in partnerships, alliances that further shared goals. Now answer the question."
The air around Hela thickened as she spoke, her voice sharp and unyielding, laced with venomous certainty "Odin would rather see me rot in this wasteland for eternity than yield the throne."
"To claim what is mine, I will have to rip it from his lifeless hands. I will wage war against Asgard itself if I must." Her tone was resolute, her eyes blazing with unrelenting ambition.
Maxim leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed, as though her declaration was expected. He swirled the crimson liquid in his goblet before taking another sip, meeting her fiery gaze with calm confidence, "Your war will fail."
Hela's fingers tightened around her goblet, and the stone table beneath her hand cracked under the force of her growing ire, "You dare, ?" Her voice, now colder than ever, carried the weight of a looming storm.
She leaned forward, her beautiful face inches from Maxim's, her eyes like emerald daggers, "Your time runs thin. Speak your point before I find a way to tear you apart."
Maxim didn't flinch. Instead, he placed the goblet down and leaned forward slightly, his voice unshaken, "Odin will let Asgard burn to the ground before he allows you to rule in your current state." he explained.
"Your bloodthirsty ambition will be your undoing, not his. He will not fight you. He will simply move Asgard to another realm, leaving you to rule over nothing but ruins and ashes. And you know this. Without Asgard, your main power source is gone." He finished, allowing his words to sink in.
Hela's sharp gaze faltered, her eyes narrowing as his words sank in. The idea clearly struck a nerve, though she wasn't willing to admit it, "Diplomacy," she said, her voice dripping with disdain,"A weakling's game."
Maxim smirked faintly. "Not diplomacy for peace. Diplomacy for power. If you wish to sit on that throne, and stay on it, you'll need more than fear and death. You'll need legitimacy in the eyes of Asgard's people. Otherwise, your reign will collapse before it begins."
"Even as the Goddess of Death, your authority only works if there is life." He said.
Hela's anger simmered, her fingers twitching against the armrest of her chair, "And you think you have the solution to this so-called problem of mine?" Her voice was icy but tinged with curiosity.
Maxim reached into his shadow, producing a photograph, and slid it across the obsidian table toward her, "I do."
Hela's eyes flicked down to the picture, her expression unreadable. The image showed a man standing amidst the chaos of a small Midgardian town, his golden hair disheveled, a fierce scowl on his face as he wielded a large hammer.
Her lips twisted into a sardonic smile,"Who is this mortal?"
Maxim chuckled softly. "Not a mortal. That's Thor. Your brother. Banished to Earth after slaughtering Frost Giants on a whim. Odin sent him there to learn humility, though how well that's working is debatable."
Hela's smile widened, a dangerous glint in her eyes, "So, even in peace, Odin can't raise a son who isn't a weapon. How… poetic."
Maxim leaned forward, his voice calm yet firm, "Odin has no suitable successor. Thor is reckless, and you… well, you terrify your own people. But if you were willing to listen to me, I can make you more than just 'suitable.' I can make you inevitable."
Hela's expression shifted, intrigue overtaking her usual disdain. She reclined slightly in her chair, resting her chin on her hand as she regarded Maxim with newfound interest, "Go on."
Maxim's smirk returned as he gestured toward the photograph, "The rate at which Odin goes into the Odinsleep is increasing. His life is coming to an end, and Thor will be his first choice, not because he is capable, far from it. But because he believes Thor can be redeemed. If he believes the same about you, then you'll naturally be his first choice."
"And how would I do that?" Hela asked, her voice soft but dangerous.
Maxim leaned back, his glowing eyes reflecting the dim green light of the realm. "Work with me. Prove to Odin that you're not just a Warmongering idiot, but a tactical genius who Asgard needs to usher in a new era. Think about it, have you ever had true freedom? Freedom to choose your life? He made you the Goddess of Death, and the banished you." Maxim said, playing to Hela's desires.
"Prove that you're not just what he made you, but what you want to be. Then, the Asgardians will not fear you, they will need you, they'll willingly run into battle behind you." Maxim explained.
For the first time since their meeting, Hela was silent. Her piercing gaze lingered on Maxim as she weighed his words carefully. After a long pause, she leaned forward, her smirk returning, this time more calculated than cruel.
"And what if I want to wage War? I'm the Goddess of Death after all." Hela spoke.
"There's more than enough evil in the world for you to slaughter, and I have a feeling that once my plan is done, you'll change." Maxim said with confidence.
In his past life, the 'What If' show had proved that Hela wasn't the Goddess of Death by choice, but because Odin made her that way, and he was confident he could fix her.
"You intrigue me. But intrigue alone will not save you if you fail to deliver."
Maxim's grin widened. "Then it's a good thing I never fail." Maxim said, bringing out the Astral Transmission Orb he had created and handing it to Hela.
"What is this?" Hela inquired, feeling the Astral Energy emitting from the Orb.
Maxim leaned back slightly, letting Hela study the glowing, translucent orb he had placed in her hand, "It's an Astral Transmission Orb," Maxim began, his tone calm and confident.
"A creation of mine. It allows you to create an Astral Shadow, a form similar to the one I'm in now." He gestured to himself, his incorporeal form flickering briefly for emphasis. "With it, you can travel beyond this realm, beyond Odin's watchful eye. And most importantly, it can take you to Asgard."
Hela's emerald eyes narrowed, her fingers brushing against the orb as if testing its power,"And what exactly do you propose I do with this? Spy on my dear father? Or perhaps terrify the court into submission?"
Maxim chuckled softly, shaking his head, "No, nothing so crude. I propose you meet someone, your mother, Frigga."
The mention of her mother caused Hela's hand to pause, her sharp gaze snapping to Maxim, "Why her?"
Maxim leaned forward, his glowing eyes locking onto hers, "Because she still loves you, Hela. Despite everything, she never stopped caring for her daughter. And deep down, I believe you still care for her too."
Hela's fingers twitched, her gaze hardening as if to rebuff his words, but she remained silent. If there was a single person she still had any care for in Asgard, it was definitely her mother.
Maxim pressed on, his voice steady and persuasive, "If there's anyone who can convince Odin to see you differently, it's Frigga. She is not just the Queen of Asgard; she's the soul of its people. If you can win her over, if you can show her that you're more than the Goddess of Death, then Odin will have no choice but to reconsider once you appear ready to claim the Throne."
Hela's lips curled into a faint sneer, though it lacked its usual venom. "And you think a mere meeting with my mother will undo centuries of betrayal and exile?"
"No," Maxim admitted with a shrug, "But it's a start. Frigga's faith in you when you show up can force Odin to reconsider. His life is slipping quickly, and his son isn't close to being ready to take over the throne. He might act like nothing bothers him, but his worry for Asgard's future is currently deep."
Maxim explained, taking a pause for Hela to understand his words before he continued, "And imagine during all of this, you re-appear. Your mentality changed and much more suitable to lead Asgard, with Frigga also on your side, he'll need to take your seriously."
Hela went silent, her gaze drifting back to the orb. The glow of the device reflected in her eyes, flickering like a spark of something buried deep within her, a memory, perhaps, or a longing she'd long denied.
Maxim stood, finishing the last of his wine in one smooth motion. "I'll leave you to think it over," he said, setting the empty goblet back on the table with a faint clink. "When you're ready, we'll get you out of here and take you to Midgard for a time. It'll give you the chance to prepare and… adjust."
He stepped back, his form beginning to dissolve into shadow. "But know this, Hela," he added, his voice echoing as his figure faded. "This is your chance to take what's yours without leaving a kingdom of ashes in your wake. Don't squander it. Think about what you truly want, are you the Goddess of Death Odin created you as? Or do you want to be something more?"
With that, Maxim vanished completely, the swirling shadows devouring him until the oppressive stillness of the dimension returned.
Hela sat motionless for a moment, her gaze fixed on the orb. Her fingers brushed its surface again, and the faint hum of its power resonated under her touch. A mixture of emotions flickered across her face, curiosity, skepticism, and perhaps the faintest glimmer of hope.
As the green luminescence of the realm cast its haunting glow, the Goddess of Death leaned back in her throne, the orb cradled in her hand, her thoughts spiraling into the unknown.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
StrikerAuthor
StrikerAuthor
This was a chapter that took a while to make. Needing to create a suitable plan for Hela to leave, and a outline for Hela to take over Asgard without a massive war. Hope everyone enjoys.
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