บท 35: New friend sand hammer
The smell of breakfast filled the dining hall as the morning sunlight streamed in through the large windows. Ritsuka stood at the head of the table, watching everyone settle in for the meal. Karna had just joined, taking a seat beside Karen, who was eagerly nibbling on her food, her eyes sparkling with youthful energy. Ritsuka couldn't help but smile at the sight of his daughter, but deep inside, he felt a heavy weight.
*I wonder how Karen will react if I tell her I'm going on a mission,* Ritsuka thought, his heart tightening.
Though Karen was intelligent and mature for her age, it didn't make things any easier for him. He knew she'd understand, but that was precisely what worried him. He wanted her to have a normal childhood, one where she didn't have to deal with her father constantly going off on dangerous missions.
Just as his thoughts began to spiral, he felt a familiar warmth wrap around his hand. Looking down, Ritsuka saw Archetype: Earth—Arc—sitting beside him, her calm, reassuring presence grounding him. She met his eyes, and without speaking a word, they began communicating telepathically.
*"It's okay. Life comes with hardships, and Karen will understand. She's strong, just like you. And more importantly, you've surrounded her with people who love her. We'll take care of her. You can go on your mission without worrying. After all, you're not just her father, you're our life partner too. We'll get angry if you don't leave for your mission with a smile."*
Her soft but firm voice echoed in his mind. Ritsuka couldn't help but smile, feeling his chest loosen. He glanced around the table and noticed that the others had already picked up on his unease and were silently encouraging him with subtle nods.
*Karen deserves a normal childhood, but she also deserves a father who is confident and resolute,* Ritsuka thought, finally understanding. This mission would take four to six days—maybe a week—but he had faith in the people he loved and trusted. They would look after Karen while he was away.
He also knew that Loki would soon send the Destroyer to Earth, an unstoppable force, to eliminate his brother, Thor. Thanks to the memories he had from another life, Ritsuka knew this Destroyer had once been wielded by Odin against the Celestials in the comics. If the opportunity arose, perhaps he could find a way to copy its power. But he was sure he could defeat him with his friends and his powers.
With these thoughts settled, Ritsuka took a deep breath and spoke up, "I've been assigned my first mission this morning. It'll take four to six days to complete. I'll be leaving soon."
Karen, who had been enjoying her food, looked up with wide eyes. For a moment, sadness flickered across her face, but it didn't last long. She puffed up her chest and put on a brave smile. "Good luck, Daddy! While you're gone, I'll be learning all about Japanese culture from Auntie Shiki!"
Karna, ever calm and supportive, and added, "And I've promised to take her to Yinsen , Bucky, Tony, and Da Vinci at Stark Tower. You won't even notice the time pass."
Karen's eyes lit up at the mention of Stark Tower, and her earlier sadness seemed to evaporate. "Really?! I love to meet them!"
Karna nodded with a small smile. "Tony also sent a message—he and Da Vinci have created new security systems for Fou's Delight bakery."
Ritsuka chuckled, feeling more at ease. Even Karna was helping to take care of the little things. "Good to know.," Ritsuka remarked with a grin, imagining their mischievous mascot.
"Don't worry, Manager!" a cheerful voice chimed in. Hibiki and Chikagi, the ever-reliable duo, flashed him confident smiles. "We'll handle the shop while you're gone."
Santa Martha joined in, her arms crossed as she gave him a determined look. "Leave the bakery to us. Focus on your mission, but be careful, okay? Just because you've been through this before doesn't mean you shouldn't stay vigilant."
Ritsuka nodded gratefully, taking in the support from everyone around him. They were more than capable of keeping things running smoothly.
After finishing breakfast, everyone washed their hands and started to prepare for their day. Tamamo Cat, always energetic, bounded over and wrapped Ritsuka in a tight hug. "~Master, you better come back soon! The shop won't be the same without your brightness!"
Ritsuka gently patted her head, her ears twitching happily at his touch. "I will, Tamamo. You take care of everything while I'm gone, alright?"
Ereshkigal, watching from the side, folded her arms and tried to keep her jealousy in check, though a small smile tugged at her lips. She remembered their date from the previous day, and that was enough to keep her from getting too worked up.
Ritsuka, sensing her thoughts, gave her a knowing glance. "Don't worry, Eresh. Shiki, Arc, and Artoria are coming with me this time. This time it's your turn guys. Who want to come with me."
Shiki, who had been quietly sipping tea, glanced over and shrugged. "I have lessons with Karen, so I'll sit this one out."
Arc, sitting next to him, smiled serenely. "I'm staying as well. Missions aren't really my thing." Her smile held a deeper meaning, one Ritsuka understood well.
"Alright," he said with a chuckle, turning to Artoria Lancer. She stood tall and she met his gaze with a soft, yet proud smile. "Ready to go, Artoria?"
Artoria's smile widened, her eyes shining with devotion. "Always, Master."
Ereshkigal, feeling a mix of jealousy and fondness, reminded him, "If anything goes wrong, you can teleport us all there to help. Don't hesitate."
Ritsuka nodded, grateful for her concern. With that, he bid farewell to everyone—Tamamo Cat, Morgan, Ereshkigal, Arc, Shiki, Karen, Karna, Martha, Hibiki, and Chikagi. They had all been there for him when he needed them most, and he knew they would continue to stand by his side.
As he stepped toward the portal with Artoria at his side, he felt a sense of peace settle over him. This mission would be tough, but with his family behind him, there was nothing he couldn't face.
Ritsuka and Artoria Lancer appeared on the outskirts of Puente Antiguo, a quiet, unassuming desert town where everything had begun for Thor. The wind was hot and dry, carrying dust across the horizon, but the atmosphere felt charged with something more. There was history here—deep, divine history.
Ritsuka adjusted his coat, blending into the scene as much as he could, though even in civilian clothes, both he and Artoria naturally stood out. Artoria, in particular, looked regal even in her casual attire, her beauty and grace hard to hide. Still, for now, they were just two civilians on a mission—no need to attract attention.
"Artoria, let's meet Coulson first. Come on," Ritsuka said, a gentle smile tugging at his lips as he reached for her hand. Artoria blushed faintly, but her smile matched his as she clasped his hand back.
"Yes, let's go. I'm curious about this place, especially if it has the energy of a divine artifact," she replied, her eyes shimmering with excitement. Spending time with Ritsuka, even under mission circumstances, filled her with a sense of happiness that she couldn't always express.
They soon reached the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, set up just outside of town, a flurry of activity around it. This was the town where Thor's journey as a mortal had begun, where Jane Foster and her friends had first encountered him. Ritsuka wasn't sure whether Thor had arrived yet or not, but he had a feeling they'd find out soon enough.
As they approached the gate, two S.H.I.E.L.D. guards moved to stop them, eyeing them both suspiciously.
"Identification," one of them said sternly.
Ritsuka calmly reached into his jacket and pulled out a S.H.I.E.L.D. identification card. It bore his name, but more importantly, it carried the weight of Nick Fury's direct authorization. The moment the guards scanned it, their expressions shifted from suspicion to respect, eyes widening at the clearance level.
"This is… an Alpha-level clearance. Apologies, sir. Please proceed," one of the guards stammered as they quickly stepped aside.
Ritsuka sighed, shaking his head slightly. "I told Fury I didn't need something this high. He never listens."
Artoria chuckled softly beside him. "It's because he trusts you, Ritsuka. Fury and I know you're more than capable of handling any situation."
Before they could dwell on it any longer, Coulson hurried out from one of the nearby tents, his familiar grin lighting up his face as he spotted them. "Ah, Ritsuka, Artoria. Glad to see you both made it here safely. Fury let me know you'd be coming. It's good to have you on board."
Ritsuka nodded in greeting. "Good to see you again, Coulson. Looks like there's something big going on here."
Coulson nodded, his expression becoming more serious. "Yeah, you might have heard some of the details. A… well, let's call it a mysterious object has landed just outside of town. I think you'll want to see this for yourself."
He motioned for them to follow, leading the way through the bustling base. They passed scientists and agents, all working frantically, and soon found themselves standing before the center of the commotion: a massive hammer embedded in the ground, surrounded by various scientific instruments and sensors.
Artoria's eyes widened slightly as she approached the hammer. "Ritsuka… I can feel it. There's divine power here. Strong, but… contained."
Ritsuka glanced at her before turning his gaze to the hammer. He knew exactly what it was, but he remained quiet for now. "That's Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight of knowledge. "It belongs to the god of thunder from Norse mythology."
Coulson, who had been listening, furrowed his brow. "Thor? As in… the Norse god? You're saying this hammer belongs to him?"
Ritsuka nodded. "It's not just mythology, Coulson. The gods are real, and this hammer is proof."
Coulson took a deep breath, clearly processing the gravity of what Ritsuka had just said. But he trusted Ritsuka. "Alright. If you say it's real, I believe you. I'll have the team start digging into Norse mythology more. We can find anything useful"
Artoria stepped closer to the hammer, her expression contemplative. "It's strange… this power is divine, but there's something off about it. Almost as if it's incomplete. Whoever this Thor is, he's not at full strength."
After examining the design of the hammer closely, Ritsuka stepped back and crossed his arms. There was no mistaking it—this was *the* Mjolnir from the movies version.
"Maybe Thor will come to this place soon," Ritsuka said aloud, his voice calm but thoughtful.
Coulson, standing nearby with a clipboard and a slightly skeptical look, nearly dropped everything at Ritsuka's words. "Wait… *Thor*? As in, the god of thunder to earth? Are you saying we're about to have to go against literal god as he walking into our backyard?"
Ritsuka turned to him with a reassuring smile, noticing the anxiety building in Coulson's posture. "No need to panic, Coulson. You don't need to prepare an army. Trust me, S.H.I.E.L.D. has enough trouble dealing with mutants—there's no way they'd stand a chance against a god."
Coulson paused, eyes wide. "Right. So… you'll take care of this, right?"
Ritsuka nodded confidently, but Coulson's doubt lingered. He glanced between Ritsuka and Artoria, who stood calmly beside him, looking every bit the serene and powerful women she was. Coulson hesitated before voicing his concern.
"So… you and your, uh, lover, are going to handle this mission alone?" Coulson asked, clearly trying to reconcile how just two people—no matter how impressive—could handle something of this magnitude.
Ritsuka rubbed the back of his neck, a bit sheepish. "Well, I'm powerful, sure, but I wouldn't call myself the most skilled fighter. I'm more of a supporter, really. When it comes down to battles, it's better to have more warriors on our side."
Artoria, sensing where this conversation was headed, looked at Ritsuka curiously. "Are you going to summon them?"
Ritsuka nodded. "Yeah. It's time. But first…" He turned to Coulson. "We need you to clear the area around the hammer. I don't want anyone see this."
Coulson, though still processing the idea of summoning more fighters, nodded after a moment. If there was one thing he knew, it was that when Ritsuka made a suggestion, it was probably best to follow it. "Alright, I'll get the workers and scientists to pull back. It will take sometime"
"It's okay, take your time," Ritsuka replied confidently.
Ritsuka started to check if hawkeye was there but he didn't see him here. Maybe he is working on different mission.
Coulson quickly gave orders, and within minutes, the site around Mjolnir was cleared, leaving only the three of them: Ritsuka, Artoria, and Coulson. The area felt eerily quiet without the bustle of the workers, but the air was charged with anticipation.
"Alright, let's do this," Ritsuka said as he stepped closer to Mjolnir, focusing on the power thrumming in the area. He raised his hand, the air around him beginning to shimmer with a familiar magical glow. His command spells started to glow.
Artoria stepped back slightly, watching her beloved with admiration.
A brilliant light erupted from Ritsuka's hand, expanding into a swirling vortex of magical energy that illuminated the entire area. Coulson shielded his eyes, muttering something about "this being way outside the usual protocols," but he remained where he stood, trusting Ritsuka to know what he was doing.
As the light grew brighter, figures began to emerge from the vortex—shapes and forms that took on distinct appearances as the magic solidified. The first to step forward was Brynhildr, the Valkyrie warrior, her armor gleaming in the sunlight as her icy-blue eyes scanned the area with a fierce determination.
Following her was Sigurd, the dragon-slayer, his sword glinting with a sharp edge as he moved beside Brynhildr with the grace of a true warrior. His presence exuded calm, collected strength.
Finally, Rama and his beloved Sita appeared together, their bond apparent in the way they stood so closely, yet so poised. Rama's eyes burned with a protective fire, while Sita's presence radiated warmth and serenity, balancing the intensity of her husband.
As the last remnants of the magic dissipated, the four Servants stood before Ritsuka, awaiting his command. Coulson, visibly stunned by what he had just witnessed, took a step back, trying to comprehend the sheer power gathered before him.
"W-What… what just happened? Who are they?" Coulson managed to ask, eyes wide.
"These are some of the greatest warriors from across history and myth," Ritsuka explained. "Brynhildr, a Valkyrie of Norse legend; Sigurd, the dragon-slayer; Rama, the heroic king from Hindu epics, and Sita, his devoted queen. Together, they'll help us handle whatever's coming."
As soon as the light of the summoning ritual dimmed and the newly summoned Servants materialized before them, Ritsuka smiled warmly at his gathered allies. He glanced at Mjolnir—the hammer of Thor had acted as a perfect catalyst to call these legendary heroes to this world.
Rama and Sita, after so long apart, immediately embraced each other, their eyes filled with tears of joy. The emotion in the air was palpable, and Ritsuka couldn't help but feel a deep sense of fulfillment seeing the two reunited. The love between them had always been profound, and now, they were together once again.
Rama looked at Ritsuka, gratitude clear in his gaze. "Thank you, Master. Thank you for bringing my beloved back to me."
Ritsuka scratched the back of his head modestly. "To be honest, it was kind of a chain reaction with the summoning, but I'm happy I could reunite you two." He smiled, watching them both with a sense of satisfaction.
Brynhildr and Sigurd, standing nearby, offered their own congratulations. "It's a rare thing for us to find peace like this in our world," Brynhildr said, her normally stoic face softening slightly. Sigurd nodded in agreement, resting a hand on Rama's shoulder. "Cherish this reunion, Rama. You two have earned it."
However, amidst the joy, Sita's face became serious. She pulled back slightly from Rama, turning to Ritsuka with a look that carried a weight far beyond the moment. "Master Ritsuka… I need to tell you something important. I wasn't just summoned by chance. Mother Tiamat, sent me here."
The name struck like a lightning bolt. The air around them seemed to still, and even Ritsuka's usual calm demeanor faltered for a moment.
"Mother send you." Ritsuka referred tiamat as mother too. Ritsuka asked, blinking in shock. The others were equally stunned, even Brynhildr and Sigurd.
Sita nodded, her face unwavering. "Yes, mother used my Saint Graph connection to my husband to make this summoning possible. She wanted me to deliver a message to you. When you reach the ocean's depths for the second time, you will need to summon her."
As she spoke, Sita reached into her garments and pulled out a necklace. Hanging from the delicate chain was a small, smooth stone, dark and shimmering with an eerie glow.
"This," Sita said, holding it out toward Ritsuka, "was made from mother's blood. It's a catalyst. You will need it to summon her when the time comes."
Ritsuka stared at the necklace, his mind racing.
Ritsuka know how much she loved him and she went so far to save him when he became Beast Draco master. Ritsuka smiled and happy to know that his mother is still watching over him to protect him.
The others stood in stunned silence. Even Rama, normally so composed, looked uneasy at the mention of Tiamat. Brynhildr and Sigurd exchanged worried glances, while Artoria shifted closer to Ritsuka, her hand resting on his arm protectively.
They know tiamat very much but she send a message to master means something will happen in future.
"I… only know this much," Sita admitted softly, her voice tinged with regret. "But mother's consciousness made it clear that she need to play the important role in the events to come."
Coulson, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up, albeit hesitantly. "Uh… I'm not entirely caught up on what's going on here, but… Tiamat? Like the Tiamat from mythology?"
Sigurd, still tense, nodded. "Yes. But she comes from our world—though it seems the myths in this world might mirror parts of her story."
Coulson rubbed his chin, clearly trying to process everything. "Well, this is way above my pay grade… Ritsuka story getting strange every day. I wonder how boss will react. "
Ritsuka took a deep breath and reached out to take the necklace from Sita. He could feel the faint echo of Tiamat's power radiating from the stone. He wear it with smile.
He looked around at his gathered allies. Artoria was still standing close to him, her blue eyes filled with concern. Brynhildr and Sigurd, ever the warriors, were ready for whatever came next. Rama and Sita were reunited, but they too sensed the gravity of what lay ahead.
"Whatever happens," Ritsuka said finally, his voice steady, "we'll face it together. I won't be alone in this."
Artoria nodded beside him, her grip on his arm tightening slightly, a silent promise that she would stand by his side no matter what.
Ritsuka then turned to Coulson. "For now, you're in charge of explaining this new world to them." He gestured to the summoned warriors, who stood out starkly against the S.H.I.E.L.D. backdrop. "They'll need to understand about this world. And whole shield thing"
Coulson gave a tight-lipped smile, clearly still adjusting to the strangeness of his new reality, but he nodded. "I'll handle it, Ritsuka. You go find Thor."
"Guys when the time comes i will call you for fight if necessary"
"Okay master, we will be ready anytime " they said.
Ritsuka turned to Artoria, his hand finding hers as they prepared to leave. She smiled softly at the touch, her concern melting into determination as she gazed up at him. "Let's go," she said.
With a final glance back at his newly gathered allies and the enigmatic Mjolnir, Ritsuka led Artoria away, their hands intertwined as they set off to search for Thor—or whatever other abnormality awaited them in this town where it all began.
Behind them, the weight of Tiamat's looming presence lingered in the air, a shadow of what was to come. But for now, they had a mission to complete.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง