The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle light over the small hotel room. Natasha Romanoff was still resting, her breathing steady, but the exhaustion from the previous night had faded. Su Zhan sat beside her, quietly watching over her as she slept. He could not help but feel a sense of warmth and satisfaction. Natasha, even after all she had endured, was resilient. Her physical strength and willpower were nothing short of remarkable.
When Natasha finally stirred, she found Su Zhan's gaze on her and smiled faintly. "You're still here," she murmured, stretching a little. "I thought you'd be off chasing after the next artifact by now."
Su Zhan grinned. "I think Nick Fury might regret letting you handle this mission. If he has any complaints, he can come find me himself. For now, you should focus on resting."
Natasha rolled her eyes, but there was affection in her tone. "Alright, alright. I'll take it easy. It's not every day I get to be the one being looked after."
She shifted closer, leaning against him. "That staff… it's only a part of the whole, isn't it? Are you really unaffected by it? The fear and anger it brought out in me were overwhelming."
Su Zhan gently patted her shoulder, his voice soft and reassuring. "The Berserker Staff is divided into three segments. I know where the other two are hidden. Once you're feeling better, I'll go retrieve them. As for the effects… yes, there's some influence. When you hold the staff, the anger at the bottom of your heart grows stronger. But it's manageable for me."
Natasha let out a sigh of relief. "Good. I wouldn't want you to go through what I did."
They spent the rest of the morning together, enjoying a rare moment of peace. Natasha's recovery was swift—her training and enhanced physiology meant that even after a night of emotional turmoil and physical exhaustion, she was back on her feet by the afternoon. As they left the hotel, the owner gave Su Zhan a knowing look, clearly having heard the wild events of the previous night. Su Zhan could only shrug and offer a polite nod before heading out with Natasha.
After a quick meal together, Su Zhan turned to her. "Are you heading back to S.H.I.E.L.D., or are you coming with me?"
Natasha smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "You're going after the rest of the Berserker Staff, aren't you?"
He nodded. "Now that I have one part, I'd rather not leave the others for someone else to find. Once I have all three, I'll focus on building the base."
She considered for a moment, then shook her head. "I'll return to S.H.I.E.L.D. for now. You know how Fury gets if I disappear for too long. Besides, I could use a little downtime."
Su Zhan nodded in understanding. "That's fine. You won't have any missions for a while—take the chance to rest."
They shared a lingering kiss before parting ways, Natasha heading off toward her next destination while Su Zhan set out to complete his quest.
For most people, tracking down ancient Asgardian relics hidden on Earth would be an impossible task. The staff had been buried for centuries, its pieces scattered and concealed by magic and time. But for Su Zhan, it was almost trivial. He already knew the locations of the remaining segments—one hidden deep in the earth, the other secreted away in a forgotten crypt. With his powers, he soared across continents, and within half a day, he had retrieved both.
He returned to a quiet clearing, laying out the three segments of the staff on the ground. As if drawn by an invisible force, the pieces slid toward each other, clicking together with a flash of energy. The completed Berserker Staff was not as ornate as Loki's scepter, but it radiated a primal, violent power. Its design was simple, almost brutal, but Su Zhan could feel the strength thrumming through it.
He gripped the staff in both hands. Instantly, a surge of anger and raw energy coursed through him. His power multiplied, and for a moment, he was nearly overwhelmed by the urge to unleash destruction. But his will was strong, and the mental defenses provided by the Aether Lantern ring allowed him to master the staff's influence. He forced himself to calm, then gave the staff an experimental swing. The force of the blow split a nearby boulder in two.
Still, Su Zhan frowned. The staff was powerful, but its form—a long, heavy rod—did not suit his fighting style. He preferred the agility and precision of dual blades. When the staff was separated into two shorter segments, he found them much more comfortable to wield. Yet, even then, he could not help but think of how much more effective the weapon would be if it could be reforged into twin swords.
He summoned a pair of black Tang knives, one formed from etheric particles, the other conjured by the ring's green energy. The difference was clear: while both were formidable, neither matched the raw power boost granted by the Berserker Staff. Su Zhan realized what he needed—a master blacksmith, someone who could reshape the staff into weapons that truly fit his style.
He remembered the stories: an Asgardian blacksmith, once a member of the Berserker order, now living in secret on Earth. The man had taken the name Elliott Randolph and worked as a professor at a university in Seville, Spain. He was said to have a fondness for Earth's comforts and had built a life for himself, blending in among mortals.
(TL: I am pretty sure the Asgardian was a stonemason, not a blacksmith… I guess it's Alternate Timeline.)
As dusk settled, Su Zhan arrived in Seville. He knew Randolph's name and occupation, but not his exact address. That was a minor problem. He called Skye, who quickly tracked down the information he needed.
Randolph, it turned out, lived in a luxurious villa—a testament to his ability to enjoy the best of both worlds. Su Zhan made his way there, pausing outside the master bedroom when he heard the unmistakable sounds of a woman's laughter. He shook his head, amused. "He really does know how to enjoy life."
He knocked on the door, and the room fell silent. After a moment, a slightly disheveled, middle-aged man opened the door, eyeing Su Zhan with suspicion.
"Who are you?" Randolph demanded. "This is my home, and I don't recall inviting you."
Su Zhan smiled politely. "It is your home, but it's also Earth—a place for all sorts of uninvited guests, wouldn't you say?"
Randolph's expression shifted instantly, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know what you're talking about. Please leave, or I'll call the police."
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Su Zhan asked, his voice low and calm.
He let the Berserker Staff materialize in his hand, its power crackling in the air. Randolph's eyes widened in recognition, all pretense falling away.