Chapter Three: The Salvation of Paradise

[The Mighty Thor]

The townspeople began to take more of an interest in the members of the Watch as they moved about. It was true that some of them seemed frightened and nervous in the manner in which they went about their business. But the fearful among them were largely outnumbered by the rest of the villagers that seemed all too happy to be living in paradise. But like all humans, they were inquisitive. Odd looks and sideways glances filtered over the newcomers. It wasn’t mistrust that they felt toward the strangers, just curiosity. With a cheerful demeanor and a genuine smile across his face the man turned and replied to Logan, “Good day sir. The burgomaster’s office be but a few blocks up the road there,” the middle-aged man indicated before continuing. “I have seen not you nor your friends in Landsbystyv before. Have you traveled far to be here?”

Victoria did her best to shake off the mental assault that the Phoenix had caused her. From the unseen dark alley that she had concealed herself within, she called out to any familiar minds in the area, hoping to find someone out there that could help the team in their search. But there was no one. The psychic plane was silent save for the low buzz of the people around her, and the Phoenix which sat malevolently in the back of her mind. Feeling its control returning, the Phoenix cackled once more, ”The Child of Light is all alone, with nothing but the Darkness to comfort her. And soon she will not even have that.”

Doing his best to relay his thoughts and feelings, the Cloak projected a thought to Franki, hoping it would be enough. “Protect you” Realizing that she would have to trust the people that Strange surrounded her with, Franki, with some trepidation, replied, ”Yes.” Taking her response as an affirmation to his plan, the Cloak swirled quickly, making it look as though Franki had wrapped the shroud around herself. And just as soon as he enveloped her, she found herself in the Dark Dimension. A cold chill hit her instantly, freezing her to the bone. But what impacted her most were the large looming green eyes that seemed to appear in the black. But this time there was a voice that accompanied them, “Yon mortals shall not manage to hide from the Security master fore’er, not so long as the Eye of Agamotto is mine to command.”

Deciphering the Watch’s location had been a simple matter for the Security master, for he had all the tools necessary to keep watch over the lands once known as Earth. And once he had found them, it took no time to distribute the realm’s security forces. From out of nowhere, the clouds above them parted and two large shadows began to descend upon the village of Landsbystyv. From the safety of the bookstore, but before she could begin to pour over the books therein, Abbey saw a most amazing sight through the store’s large front window. Landing in front of Alex, Barry and Danny, two white horses with golden bridles and beautiful feathered wings touched down, with two large men astride their backs. With mace in hand and clad in blue and black with a helm trimmed in white fur and adorned with two large horns, the first security man spoke to the three men before him, “Hold yon mortals. What be thine business in this quiet hamlet?”