𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 || 𝘈 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩

BEFORE THOR HAD AWOKEN FROM HIS SLEEP, LEILA HAD BEEN UP. His sleep was interrupted by the sound of what seemed to be the whistling of arrows. Turned in the lawn chair he had fallen asleep in to see Leila on the top of Jane's old workshop shooting a glowing bow, arrows matching the same description. The only difference to Leila, which made Thor have to blink harshly, hoping to find his eyes deceiving him, was one half of her body glowed of a man's features and armour. It stood out like a sore thumb to what seemed to be a pair of clothes gifted to her by Jane. But it was a weird way for him to be woken up.

Since then, Leila had been seated on the top of the building, soaking up what she could of the sun. Hoping to clear her mind from what had happened the night before. Releasing her anger and aiming for lousy rocks in the distance. And the silence she was receiving in response from Talon since last night wasn't helping either. Everything just didn't seem right with anyone around her. Freya turning on her, Odin having planned this banishment on her, Talon's silence, and what she felt with Thor last night. It all felt incomplete.

Yet, here she sat with her hands clenched in some wandering glimmer of hope. "Talon, are you there?" She called softly, awaiting the possible bickering response. When she got nothing, she tried again. "I know how you're feeling about our banishment here. But your silence is unnerving, commander."

"Don't call me that." A shroud of black fog surrounded her, dimming the sun to a non-existent light source. Only the light from Talon's figure gave her sight as she slowly stood to her feet. His jaw clenched as he stared at the woman blankly, which did very little to help Leila understand why the change of heart.

The Alexian bristled, sighing in exasperation. "I lead an army against a losing fight and never stopped to think about what the possible outcome could be," he explained, pacing in front of the woman. "I thought that if I had enough men by my side, taking them from their families and giving them something to fight for that it might just be enough for me to save my own family. But the Dark Lords trapped me in that damn ring before I could try and stop it."

"Your wife, Tikka," Leila murmured. "She died in the fall of Alexion?"

Talon nodded, letting out a breath as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. "My children, Hygi and Lunda, were taken from in the collapse. The voices you heard, that was my sweet, kind, and loving Tikka." He held his hands out in front of him, noticing the shake they held as he let out a strangled breath. "And I didn't get to protect them or hold them one last time-"

His hands were grabbed softly, looking up to find Leila in front of him. Her hands softly came up to hold his face softly. "In times of hopelessness, we must seek the light of others," she comforted. "Carrying the burden of what happened to your family's deaths is not yours to carry alone. As much as I am your vessel, I am you."

The glimmering of tears could be found in his eyes, hands slowly raising to hold her face where he rested his forehead against hers. His eyes fluttered shut with a shaky breath, "We are one."

They stared there for a moment, soaking up the warmth and comfort of one another. An unexpected thing that Leila never thought to find from the wraith. But she welcomed it with open arms as what she spoke of was true. He gave her power and she gave him sight as to a journey yet to be discovered. They faced whatever task or enemy as one, no matter the situation.

"Leila!" Her eyes snapped open, Talon gone and the sun's warmth beaming down on her. Looking down, she found Thor with the surprising faces of Sif, Hogun, Volstagg, and Frandral. "We must talk, immediately."

Sif and the Warriors of Three had never been the crowd Leila hung around. On very rare and unfortunate events, Leila would wake up from a drunken headache and feel the warmth of Lady Sif's naked body beside her. It was embarrassing considering Leila had never held feelings for the woman, but still indulged in such activities. Thankfully, Lady had felt the same, but on those rare occasions, they still sought one another out. The other three were a rather loud group, but Hogan was a great conversationalist and Leila didn't mind conversing with the man.

"My father is not dead, Leila," Thor stated, causing the woman to falter in her movements of slipping on her jacket.

"And what of Mimir?" She asked anxiously.

Looking up at the god that smiled. "He is alive, locked away, but Odin is in a deep sleep by the doing of Loki. He has gained the throne and is planning something in Asgard."

"That means he tricked us as well," Talon spoke, causing the entire room to snap their eyes in his direction. Their eyes were wide in shock at the wraith that just seemed as confused as he looked at Leila. "They see me?"

"Who is this?" Jane inquired, eyes flickering between the glowing figure and Leila.

"Talon Krim," she introduced. "Commander of the Alexion Army. He was bound to this ring by the Dark Lords and now we serve as one. It was what I got to protect myself when I came to Earth."

Before any more reasoning could be given, their gaze flickered out the front window from people in the street. Seeing a large cloud in the sky that was looking like a tunnel touched down in the distance. As they moved farther forward, little balls of orange appeared from explosions.

"Jane, you have to leave," Thor told the mortal that looked at him confused.

"What are you going to do?" She questioned.

"I'm staying here," he replied.

Volstagg smiled in excitement. "Thor's going to fight with us!" He announced.

"My friends, I'm just a man. I'll only be in the way, or worse, get one of you killed," he told them. "But I can help get these people to safety."

"Well, if you're staying, then so am I," Jane commented.

Leila was quick to grab the woman's hand. "Jane, please get to safety," she pleaded. "Thor and I don't want you to get hurt."

But seeing the determined and a rather stubborn look in Jane's eyes, Leila smiled. Thumb brushed over the woman's knuckles as she nodded in understanding. "We forge our own path." Jane nodded, standing up on her tippy toes and pressing a kiss to Leila's cheek. Smiling in amusement when the woman stood there in shock, cheeks warm with a flush.

Thor smiled, bracing his hand on Leila's shoulder. "We'll need some time," he commented.

"You'll have it!" Frandral reassured, the group dispersing to start evacuating the town.

Thor stayed beside Leila, hands bracing against her shoulders. "I don't like you fighting this battle for me." His words were incredibly soft, enough for Leila to lay in them, providing the comfort she felt from being in his concern.

Still, she smiled shakily, hands cupping his face. "I will be fine, God of Thunder," she reassured gently. "Let's just get this done and go home." Thor swallowed the lump in his throat, hesitantly nodding before parting from her and helping people get to safety.

It felt like only a matter of time before the Destroyer, a metal beast made to be controlled arrived in the town. His footsteps were likely to be heard across all the nine realms. Face opening up and allowing bursts of energy to be shot out, blowing up anything in its path. Leila had only heard stories of such a machine, but never thought to be on the end of fighting against it.

Sif and three other warriors marched down the main street ahead of the Destroyer. The three men went headlong whilst Sif took a vantage point to strike down on it. Leila on the other hand was sprinting across and leaping over gaps between the buildings. Hogan and Frandral launched Volstagg at the machine, only to be knocked to the side and landed on a vehicle.

Coming to the end of the building, Leila leaped off and aimed her bow, everything slowing down as she gained her aim and fired her arrow. Teleporting to the Destroyed and thrusting the hand with the ring attached, sending a burst of energy. It staggered the machine enough for Sif to launch from the roof of the building and stab her spear through its neck.

The Destroyer was only limp for a few seconds before it before began to contort. Its limbs turned to face Sif, who remained on its back in shock. Right before the blast could be shot, Sif leapt off with Leila helping the woman. "Fall back!" She yelled, helping Sif move as fast as they could. But it was fruitless when the Destroyer shot a blast, tearing up the road and sending the two women flying to the side. Leila is propelled through a window and destroys a few tables in the progress.

"This is a losing battle," Talon murmured, standing above her and watching the destruction caused by the Destroyer. "We must retreat before it's too late." He turned to Leila, helping her to her feet.

"We have to stop Loki before he hurts any more people." They stepped out onto the street, able to see Thor steadily approaching the Destroyer. Voice and words were indecipherable to her ears as she watched with a hand over her stomach. But she watched as the God of Thunder was backhanded, flying 20 feet and skidding across the road.

It was enough for Leila to jog into the center of the street with a grimace. "Loki, stop this!" She yelled, crying in pain. "This isn't you. I know you! We used to play near the world tree and talk to animals. You may have never felt loved or worthy, but you are too me!" Yet, she shook her head. "But this is not how you earn the respect of our people. We must be better than this."

The Destroyer stared down at her for a few moments, but in what felt like a split second Leila's neck was captured by the machine's hand. Panic riddled her body as she swung her sword at the arm, trying to break free.

Jane had to watch as Leila's ring and sword were ripped from her grasp and stabbed into her stomach. Blade drenched in her blood as it was ripped from her body and tossed to the side. A choked breath left her lips as her body was dropped to the ground with a thud. "Leila!" Jane cried.

BY THE TIME LEILA HAD AWOKEN, SHE FOUND HERSELF IN THE BACK OF THE JANE'S JEEP. Jane sitting beside her, muttering prayers that Leila couldn't decipher. Yet, the adrenaline in her body skyrocketed when she sat up and looked around. Her sudden movements made Jane grasp her shoulders. "Woah, Leila. Calm down. You're lucky you are alive right now."

"Thor, where is he?" Jane looked to the front where Darcy and Erik sat. Both glanced back at the Alexian with uneasy looks in their eyes. Leila could see it clear as day as she looked between the trio. "Just tell me and be on with it."

Jane pursed her lips, hands holding Leila's in an attempt to comfort her. "Leila, Loki hadn't lied to you about the exile," she confessed. "Thor didn't know how to tell you he hasn't returned since he got his hammer back."

"The Bifrost thingy hasn't powered up or whatever," Darcy explained. "So, even if you were allowed to, you would have no way to get back."

The three sat and watched Leila rest a hand over her stomach, slowly sitting up with the help of Jane. Her mind was clear. Probably clearer than it ever has been. Which allowed her to step out of the vehicle and into the open desert with the insignia of the Bifrost only a mere ten feet away.

She should be angry. She should be livid with Odin and swearing war against the whole of Asgard. After doing everything she could for that realm, this was how she was repaid. It wasn't okay in the slightest, but she also couldn't care. Her mind and heart were focused on the well-being of Jane and Thor. But all she could suppose was Thor was ok and hopefully saving Asgard from Loki's doing.

So, as she stood in the center of the insignia, she stabbed her sword into the soil. Her lips wobbled as she placed her hands on the hilt, standing tall, and happy. Closing her eyes, channelling the hate and anger and pushing it aside to clear her emotions. Closing her heart to them. Leaving only love and hope to sparkle brightly.

But as she stood there, her lip twitched as she heard cries, and screams, and tasted dust on her tongue. Bowing her head with her brows furrowing deeper to focus. Blades clashed together, fires burned brightly, and bodies lined the streets of Asgard. But she stood amongst the destruction a horrified look in her eye as she stared at something. At someone. Their face was too far to distinguish but could see faintly see blonde and red locks on their head. Two swords in hand that flashed with electricity. There was a sense of shame, yet, warmth found within Leila as she stared at the person.

It halted when she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turning to see Talon staring out into the distance. "Did you see it?" She mused, watching the man nodded with a hum.

"It seems the Norns have gifted us a new path, Leila," he stated with a faint grumble, making Leila smile in amusement.

"I am sure that with time, they chart our fates towards Asgard," she said with a hopeful tinge in her words. "In war or in peace."

"And what do you think we feel about this?" He inquired curiously.

Leila could only smile, shrugging as she sighed. "Whatever it may be, we will follow our prophecy," she stated. "If it was war, we will close our hearts to the ones cut down by our blade."

The man hummed one last time before vanquishing into the air. Leila began to turn but stopped halfway when she spotted a streak of dust dance ahead of her. Frowning as the roaring sound of engines fill the air as a figure could be seen getting closer and more apparent. "What is that?" Darcy questioned, glancing at Jane and Erik who shared the same curiosity and fear as her. They'd experienced enough for today and another battle wasn't what they needed.

But as the moments whittled down, the figure came to a slow stop and it allowed Leila to take in the person. Their armour was painted orange and red with a black bodysuit hugging their frame firmly. Engines rested on the back of their chest plate with little devices resting in their hand, which Leila believed controlled the engines.

Her suspicions were answered when the person let them go, automatically snapping to the back of the chest plate and engines slowly dying down to a gentle hum. Leila watched as the person approached, reaching up and taking off their helmet. "You know, I can't exactly let you walk after the shit storm Thor has caused, right?"

The familiar, yet annoyingly comforting, voice of Nova Usoro filled the air with her face being revealed. A smirk on her lips as she brushed a hand through her hair, sighing. "I might need you to answer a few questions, Leila."

Leila stared at her for a moment, eyes slightly squinting as she cocked her head to the side. "But if you wanted answers, why didn't you pick me up when I was unconscious?" She inquired, lips twitching into a grin.

Nova pressed her tongue to the inside of her cheek, tucking her helmet beneath her arm, nodding with a chuckle. "Yeah, perhaps," she agreed. She paused for a moment, eyes flickering past Leila and to Jane, who seemed anxious about her arrival. Hands balled into fists and eyes sharpened to a pitiful glare that made Nova snicker. "So, what's the plan? You just gonna go hide away with the scientist?"

Inhaling deeply, Leila looked over her shoulder at Jane. Finding the woman already staring and watching carefully. "That's the plan, yeah," Leila looked back at Nova. "You going to try and stop me?"

Glancing around, Nova adjusted her helmet to rest in her hands. Offering a smile to Leila as she began to back up. "I can't stop something I didn't know about, right?" She quipped, slipping the helmet on and grabbing the throttles from her back and slowly lifting off the ground. "And Leila; don't be a stranger."

Before Leila could respond, Nova shot into the sky and into the same direction she had come in. Dust fluttered around the group as they watched the agent disappear without very little explanation for her arrival here. Leaving Leila to step away from her sword and walk towards Jane, seeing the woman smile in relief. "I thought you were about to leave me as well."

A smile formed on Leila's lips as she met the woman in the middle. Hands came up to brush a few strands from her face to found their place over Jane's cheeks. Her smile widened when the scientist sighed, melting in the warmth of her palms.

"Our paths are meant to be together, Jane," Leila said softly. "I wouldn't ever have it any other way."

a/n: Officially, the first part of the Ballad Series is done! I would've had this done a long while back if I wasn't so caught up with trying to upload to Tumblr as well. I also am not happy that the first part is four chapters, but I didn't want to just put some filler in their if it was going to just drag on. But we finally made it to the finale. Hope you guys enjoyed it because Nova Usoro is up next!