บท 28: Chapter twenty-eight.

~~~Azrael Jaesyrian, Royal Forest, Xandar~~~

~~~July, 1942~~~

Being present in front of one of the most powerful beings on earth, fascinated me, growing up with those movies and stories since I was a child, watching their victories, and failures, and now being in front of one of them, in the flesh and blood, was something strong and amazing, especially because only a few years ago I thought that all this was just television characters.

And now, I was in the company of Ancestral, a human with powers obtained from multiple dimensions that I could not even imagine, and who kept in her power one of the most powerful and dangerous weapons of the universe itself, it was something fascinating and at the same time not so much, although it seemed fantastic to be in her presence, I knew that such interest in me and Xandar by the powers of this universe would not be a good thing.

Xandar was still acclimating to this new world, I was, every day I had extensive meetings with the Private Council about the routes we would take in this new world landscape, people were confused and a little scared, and understandably so, they had been ripped out of their comfort zone, their world, their life, and while Xandar had everything to offer her a carefree life, that remained to be seen now that this was the Marvel Universe.

"Forgive me if I don't consider your proposal, especially since I don't even know what his name is, is he a king? An outsider? Or what should I call him?" Ancestral approached me with a serene smile on her face and a strange gleam in her eyes.

"Or yes, I hadn't even introduced myself," I said, following the course of the conversation, but always alert to everything, because, although I knew Endoxes was aware of what was going on here, it wasn't him I was worried about. Still, the two Withers, would become alarmed and start attacking Ancestral the moment they sensed I was being threatened, so a peaceful chat was best.

"Forgive my lack of manners, my name is Azrael Jaesyrian, King-Emperor of Xandar and it is a pleasure to meet the current sorcerer supreme" I replied, as I placed a smile on my face, though she did not take my kindness kindly, especially because of her tension. "You know much of the world's landscape, Mr. Jaesyrian, to what do you owe that?"

I narrowed my eyes, tense about how this encounter might end and whether I would have the measures to stop her forces, "I'm just someone gifted with fragments of knowledge, just like you."

"But I would like to know something, Ancestral, and that is, what motivated you to visit my domain?" I asked as I sat down on a rock, and frowned at that, beginning to think that having this meeting here was not a good idea at least for being away from a good chair and good wine.

"You have unleashed two interdimensional beings into this reality, not only that but thanks to you, these two... Variants, have entered the Earth and crossed the protection of the temples," Ancestral began to explain, as she waved her hand and I immediately grabbed my sword, only to watch as she materialized two chairs and a table.

"My job has always been to protect Earth from interdimensional threats influencing a danger to our world, Mr. Jaesyrian, so you must understand that my visit to your... Dominions are about the two creatures that are flying over us right now, as well as the third one."

"Then you can rest assured, Ancestral, look, I appreciate and respect all the work you have done for the Earth, believe me, I more than anyone else understand the effort and determination you impose on what you do", approaching the chair she materialized, I sat down slowly so as not to give misunderstandings.

"However, know that those two creatures serve me, they follow me, and they will do what I tell them, and the first thing they will not do because I will never order them to, will be to attack Earth, because my people are on this planet, and my people come first, so your concerns about whether they are a danger to Earth, then no, they are not, at least not to the planet, of course."

And before I let her speak, I decided to get on with the subject that mattered to me; "So, what do you think about my proposition, Kamar Taj could benefit greatly, Xandar can provide your organization with help beyond what you can think of, just as it may prove beneficial to the planet if two, of the most powerful forces in the world, work together."

"Mr. Jaesyrian, you will be aware that you are a stranger to me, and the implications of your kingdom on Earth have been enormous, my duty is to protect the Earth, and so far, you or your kingdom, have initiated a conflict with Asgard, the rulers of the Nine Worlds."

And here comes the woman I knew, always determined... And stubborn, I knew she might not accept my alliance, but with the future uncertain, and the altercation looming with Asgard, I knew she would choose the best option to safeguard the Earth. "Eight," I interrupted her, to which she looked at me with a raised eyebrow, "it will only be eight worlds if our alliance forms, Asgard will have control of only eight worlds, with Earth out of their control, and leaving its protection and control in our own hands, not those of alien beings."

With my mouth a little dry, I decided to try the tea that Ancestral had made appear, and the truth was delicious, it had a sweet taste due to the honey with which it was sweetened, but at the same time, the tones offered by the tea leaves gave it a peculiar and very pleasant flavor, perhaps this is why she liked it so much.

"Mr. Jaesyrian, we are having a conversation" Ancestral interrupted my internal crisis. Getting me to raise my head a little uncomfortably, since just taking a sip of the tea my worries subsided, perhaps it had a calming agent. Something that would not be uncommon in this crazy world.

"Oh yes, I was just savoring your tea, I must say it's very.... relaxing, though I recommend the coffee, perhaps when you have time and this is all over, you can come to visit me, or perhaps I can come to your abode, I will be near Hong Kong very soon," I said, leaving the hook in the air.

"You seem to know a lot about the order of sorcerers, Mr. Jaesyrian, as for the coffee, I will try it in the future, I may like it." Yes, she had understood that I knew where the location of the shrines was, though in my case I only remembered the cities they were in, more not the exact location, remembering something like that was beyond my capabilities.

"I know various aspects of many things Ancestral, and if I had the ego and fascist pride of the Asgardians, I could call myself a god, however; I love my people, and that calling myself a god does not come with me, though those same people call me as one.... As for the order, I have known many supreme sorcerers for years, Merlin, Zhered Na, Boudica, Solomon, and now you, come to think of it, the nickname Ancestral is a bit of a stretch."

Pure bullshit, it was obvious I hadn't met any of those guys, all those names I knew from the comics I had gotten to read and what I remembered from Marvel, but still, my words had the expected results, putting Ancestral in contemplation, and raising my self as someone important and who would be useful for her to have as an ally. The ones that would make things easier for her to accept my alliance.

"If I accept this alliance, what do you hope to get out of all this?" Ancestral asked, at the same time I was getting a message from Endoxes through our link, telling me that all the Asgardians were dead. Something that made me happy but at the same time worried.

"Well, Kamar Taj will have the full support of Xandar in events that affect the Earth, providing help, medical knowledge, and material aid, in addition to ensuring the protection of the Earth with everything related that affects it, in return, Kamar Taj must open its doors to Xandarian citizens sent by the government, which will learn the mystic arts, only they will not be part of the order..." I started telling him, and seeing her dissatisfaction with the last part, I intervened quickly to avoid disagreements.

"But," I interjected before she spoke, "Xandarians who train at Kamar Taj, may be of assistance to the order if Xandar sees it necessary, and only if the Xandarian crown, meaning me, sees that this is an emergency in which Kamar Taj needs support."

Just at that moment, I felt an immense energy, coming from space; "they are here" I said, calling Ancestral's attention, who stood up and banished the chairs and the table, to put on a serious countenance. At the same time, she looked at the sky.

On the horizon, I could see a streak of rainbow lightning hit the field where the battle between my forces and what was left of the remaining Asgardians had once been, which when it cleared revealed a group of over five dozen silhouettes.

"It is time to decide Ancestral, there is not much time left," I said to the Ancient One, as I immersed myself in the view offered by the Block of structures, and saw several Asgardians ready for war, and not only that but also distinguish a group among them that was the most dangerous, apparently Thor and the three warriors had arrived together with the group, such seems that the conflict is inevitable.

"Kamar Taj accept the alliance, Azrael of Xandar, and if you will excuse me, I have to prepare Kamar Taj for the next altercation" commented Ancestral, then open a portal and disappear. Leaving me alone.

"She's got balls, I like her" I could hear Endoxes' comment in my mind, which only made me sigh, as my shoulders let go of the tension, Xandar had managed to get his first ally in this world, and I hoped it wasn't the only one, because the road was long, and apparently, I was already getting into trouble.

After seeing Ancestral's departure, I flew to the sky to meet again with Endoxes and the two Wither and then ordered him to advance to where the presence of the new Asgardians could be seen.

Arriving at the place and still flying overhead and hidden thanks to the darkness of the night, I could see that there were already several Witches in the place, more Golems had arrived and the Enderman and Ghost were flying overhead, with Endoxes growling in expectation of a fight, all prepared for the possible battle that was coming.

Deciding to create a grand entrance, I told Endoxes to show himself, and he, excited to be the center of it all, wasted no time and dove towards the Xandarian forces, flying over everyone and swooping down right in front of my troops, at the same time Endoxes let out a furious roar, his maw imagining and waiting to let out his breath of destruction and death.

"ROOOOOOOOOOAARGH!"

"Asgard is not welcome here!" I shouted from behind Endoxes' back, as the sky darkened further and bright bolts of lightning streaked across the dark clouds.