From The Ashes - 033 (Patreon)

Chapter 033 – First Step

[2012]

“This is the place His Majesty has designated for your personal use during your stay in Asgard. I hope it is to your taste, Lord Hatahle.”, Sif said quietly as she gestured at the small flying mountain that they were approaching on the small flying vessel, which looked like a boat with wings.

Half a dozen Einherjar acted as escorts and stirred the vessel while Noah stood at the bow of the ship next to her, his serene expression brightening minutely as he gazed into the distance, his storm-like eyes exuding a sense of joy as the corners of his lips were raised ever so slightly.

The aura around him was still filled with latent pressure, a conquering intent seemingly emanating from within his bones, but the faint smile made him look a tad bit more approachable, a hint of softness sneaking into his otherwise sharp demeanor.

Noah then took a sudden step forward, his foot raised as he powerfully stepped on the metallic edge of the vessel, blue fire erupting from his form as he transformed into a mythical creature of fire.

Enormous blazing wings whipped up a storm, innumerable small blue flames gliding through the air like falling flower petals.

Some of the Einherjar behind her gasped at this rather incredible sight, and she couldn't blame them as the flaming avian was one of the most beautiful creatures that she had ever seen.

She watched with a bright gaze as Noah flew towards the flying mountain, which was one of the many that existed in Asgard. Still, it was one out of only three dozen that were close to the city and the private property of the royal family.

Under the orders of the Allfather, no one was allowed to come to this place, much less build their own residence on it, which was the case for most of the other flying mountains that were occupied by a few large noble clans.

The vessel closed in swiftly and was soon right next to the flying mountain, allowing Sif to disembark via a thin golden ramp that extended from the side of the ship.

And just as she stepped on the verdant grass that covered the somewhat flat top of the mountain top, which could also be called a floating island, Noah landed before her with a sharp dive, blue fire dancing around him as he slowly walked out of the flames, his form turning human again.

"I am very satisfied with this place. Please thank the Allfather for me, Lady Sif.", he told her with his sinful voice, though Sif could tell that Noah's politeness was merely perfunctory, which didn't surprise her considering the distaste that he held for her King.

Pulling out a large bronze key from her pocket, she presented it to him as she replied: “There is a small cottage in the middle of the mountain, next to the cliff. This is the key to it.”

Taking it from her hands, his fingers brushing over her skin, Sif was acutely aware of the warmth of his hand and the slight roughness of his skin, prickling sensations rushing up her arm as Noah voiced out: "Thank you."

“It was my pleasure, Lord Hatahle.”, she responded, her words almost a whisper, sounding out with a breathless charm as her heart beat rapidly in her chest.

Realizing that she would only embarrass herself further if she stayed any longer, she lightly bowed her head before quickly moving back onto the ship, chiding herself for acting like a young maiden while sensing Noah's gaze on her back like a physical caress.

…

Shifting my eyes away from Sif and the leaving vessel, I turned around as I walked towards the middle of this flying mountaintop, the greenery all around simply paradisical.

I had been surprised by Asgard's beauty when I had first arrived and my appreciation for the natural beauty of this land of gods hadn't faded one bit.

Earth was beautiful too as there were places of untouched nature that had such raw beauty that they couldn't be compared to popular tourist places or the like. But Asgard was a step above even that, its beauty simply magical.

The soft earth beneath my feet, the smell of flowers and fresh grass, I felt the tension that had held my mind and body captive for the last few days slowly fade away.

Since coming to this Universe, I had basically been in a constant state of alert with little rest in between. Now, I really wanted to just take a nap and not think about all the tribulations that the future had no doubt in store for me.

I eventually saw the small cottage that had been built with stone and wood, leaning against a steep mountainside. The lock opened without any problem and after entering, I saw that there were only a few rooms: a bathroom, two bedrooms, and a small kitchen that also function as a living room.

It was cozy, the decorations kept simple yet welcoming.

I didn't bother with inspecting the place up and down, and simply left the small house again before transforming back into a flaming blue phoenix. I didn't fly off though and just settled down in the clearing not far from the cottage, enjoying the warm sun as I curled up a bit before falling into a comfortable sleep.

I didn't have to worry about exhausting my stamina in this form after being baptized by two Infinity Stones, especially so since I could subconsciously draw on the power of the Space Stone while resting.

I knew that once I woke up, I would surely have to be productive and start my training but for the moment I simply wanted to rest.

I was exhausted. Maybe not physically, but certainly mentally and emotionally.

…

Deep breaths. In and out. In and out.

I could feel my spiritual energy contracting around my seated form with the same rhythm, the invisible conquering intent around my body pushing forward in waves with my every exhale.

It moved with stable experience, its force and intensity controlled as my will shifted with condensed focus.

I was sitting amongst a field of wild grass and flowers, only a few meters distance from the edge of the floating mountain, my clothing consisting of a simple black tunic and a pair of grey linen pants.

And with the sudden opening of my eyes, the Colour of the King vanished without a trace as a faint smile settled on my lips, the small orange flame in between my brows nowhere to be seen.

It had taken me almost six whole days but with the support of an object as special as the Soul Stone and Marco's experience and talent with the other forms of Haki, I had managed to gain a measure of true control over my Conquerer's Haki.

I could now call upon it whenever I pleased without causing it to just erupted with indiscriminate strength that couldn't differentiate between friend and foe. It was a form of direct control, instead of the indirect one that I had relied on before, through making use of the Soul Stone.

This was some rather astonishing progress but considering the advantages that I had, I wasn't proud of this achievement. I was simply content, knowing that I had not wasted the prime training conditions that I had with the cosmic ingot at my disposal.

This was the first of many many steps on the list of things that I planned to accomplish, and I was glad that I had managed to do so in a reasonable amount of time.

Exhaling as my smile deepened, I let myself fall back into the soft grass, trying to think of nothing as my combed brushed through the greenery.