Threads of the Soul

Chapter 450 - 450: Time is a fickle thing

It took Corvus just over two hours to get rid of the energy that had built up down below and for the effects of the jelly to finally wear off. It gave him a new appreciation, as well as concern, for the Insect Queen that was guzzling the Royal Jelly down by the gallon and constantly pumping out babies.Perhaps, if it was watered down enough or turned into an extract to be added to other healing, such as potions or salves, then it wouldn't be as... effective in its production of energy in the body. It had done well to heal his wound when it was simply pressing against his cut, although he definitely did not want to try test it with a smaller wound.

He couldn't take another two hours of that just for the sake of science.

As for its effects as an aphrodisiac, that would also need to be controlled and studied, much like every other substance that created such effects. He was well aware of the type of nefarious things certain people would do with ingredients or abilities that could create an uncontrollable lust or desire for activity in a person.

In fact, remember the disturbing way the Spider woman was leering at him as she collected it by the bucket load... He had a feeling that he would have to look out for those nefarious purposes all too soon.

Placing the jelly jar back into his transportation bag, Corvus briefly checked on his little spy tiger once more to get a feeling of how much time he had left. Then, with head held high, he put one foot in front of the other as he strode out into the alien landscape in search of purpose and understanding.

Definitely not to waste time. Not like he didn't have it in spades to waste anyways. After all, time was such a fickle thing.

***

Astra glared at the woman that accompanied the Captain, not out of jealousy or any petty emotion like that. It was because this woman was the Captain's so called 'expert' in the runic languages, and was the main thorn in her side when it came to stalling.

She had done her best to push for as much time as possible, but after the first day her paralysis had worn off and most of the others had recovered from their injuries.

They also did not need to worry themselves about food, shelter or clothing. Any of the issues that she and Seth faced when they were trapped in the last terminal dimension was thwarted by this one. It didn't just look like a mall, it was a completely functional one.

The stores were fully stocked with fresh food, clothing of all shapes, sizes and styles. And when she said all shapes and sizes, that was not an exaggeration. Although human styles and fittings were included, they were not the only ones that existed in these stores.

If a ten foot tall giant with six arms, three legs, nine tails and a set of wings were to wander into this mall, he would have absolutely no trouble finding countless stores with clothing that would fit him. They might even look good.

The wondrous nature of this mall helped her gain a second day, as their travelling companions became lost in this interdimensional honey trap. Some even nearly becoming lost for real.

But throughout all of it, that damned woman had been circling Astra like a vulture. Leering at the bracelet like a starved beast.

It was on the dawn of the third day, that she finally made her move. The woman strolled over to Astra, confident as she could possibly be, and thrust her hand out towards her, making a grasping motion with her fingers.

"Give it here. I've figured it out."

Astra simply glared at the woman's hand, noting the runes drawn on the bare skin of her forearm in blood, presumably not her own. A condescending smirk danced across Astra's lips as her eyes trailed up to meet the woman's.

"I wouldn't recommend touching me dear, It might give you quite the shock. Besides, what makes you so sure that I need you to figure anything out?"

"If you knew where we were going, then we would be there already. Instead you've taken us in circles, lead us nowhere. You're either incompetent, or idiotic. You choose which."

Astra narrowed her eyes, pulling the bracer away when the woman made a grab for it. Sparks danced in the depths of her eyes and the bloody runes started to glow softly on the woman's skin. They stared each other down, neither willing to give way, until a third voice finally sliced through the building tension.

The American swaggered forwards, placing a hand on either of their shoulders and giving them a warm smile.

"Come on ladies, no need to fight over the jewellery. If you really need some, you can always come back with me and I'll give you plenty. After all, gold and pretty things are my specialty. I've already got the gold, now I just you pretty things~"

He flashed them another smile that was supposed to be charming, but only succeeding in churning their stomachs. A flash of lightning sparked across Astra's skin and zapped his hand, causing him to remove it from her with a yelp.

At the same time the Russian woman placed her hand on his, a pretty ruby ring decorating her finger.

"I have enough jewellery, I need none from you American."

She pulled his hand off of her and twisted it, causing him to yelp and move away. But even if the American was no longer touching them, his annoying antics had drawn the attention of the others. Those who wanted to go home. Even if Astra had told them about the difference in time, that meant little to them.

As soon as the crowd formed, so did the discontent and complaints. Opinions started to be shouted, demands thrown out and expected to be met. Blame was shot, and their target was Astra.

Under the growing pressure, and the inability to voice her suspicions without looking suspicious herself, Astra placed her hand into the outstretched grasp of the Russian's. The woman couldn't help but smugly smirk in victory, before Astra just pulled herself to her feet.

"I don't need your help for anything. If you all want to go home so badly, fine. Let's go. I simply wanted us to be prepared, that's all."

The Russian recoiled in pain as Astra gently zapped her, her pretty ring nicking Astra's finger as she recoiled. With the bracer still on her arm, where it rightfully belonged, Astra found Woe and started to lead him, as well as the others, out of this cursed infinite mall.

As she walked, she idly glanced at the small dot of blood that had formed on her palm from the tiny nick, which she quickly sent energy into to heal. Even if it was just a few seconds that she had bought him, hopefully it was enough for Seth, Corvus or whichever version of that idiot to get himself together.

***

For over three weeks, Corvus wandered the alien planet. In that time he had meditated on Thor's words and fought a few dozen different alien species of varying strengths. He had gained a few Requitals, some of which were useful and most of which were not.

He had also taken the time to operate his puppet back home, to make it seem as if everything was fine with their Lord and he wasn't just lifelessly sitting in a throne staring at an empty arena. He had also, in his travels, collected a lot more samples of curious items.

Although, learning from his lesson with the Jelly he decided not to randomly eat them. He didn't need to turn out like the purple man. They could find more suitable and willing test subjects.

But most of all, he had been keeping an eye on Astra through the paper tigers. Watching her was like watching a film in excruciatingly slow motion. Every second lasted for over a minute, words stretched on forever and conversations were absolutely painful to listen to.

He had to spend an entire hour looking at that stupid American's idiotic smirk before Astra finally zapped it off of him.

When it finally came time for the mall group to return home, Corvus took that as his time to say goodbye to this planet. It had served him well through his wander, more than he realised it would, and he felt it was bringing him closer to the understanding of what Thor had meant when he spoke of what it means to be Celestial.

But thoughts of that would be saved for later, for now it was approaching time to return from the dead, even if three weeks might not be the best time on record.

With one last look around, Corvus dispersed into his soul form and vanished from the alien world, sailing across his threads back him like a phone call down a wire.