Chapter 332

Strange walked across the bridge before the Xiangong of Asgard, the sunset's glow making the Asgardian buildings beneath his feet shine even more brilliantly; he passed the towering guards at the bridge's end, climbed layer upon layer of steps, and saw the beautiful fountain and flowers in the square before the gate.

Then, following the guiding goddess, he entered the vast hall inside the Xiangong, where dozens of pillars rose like colossal trees, supporting a massive dome carved with intricate patterns.

Strange followed the ushering goddess into the elevator; the lift platform rose slowly with a rumble, and from here, looking down, he could see children laughing and playing in the other side's Asgardian square.

Soon, the elevator stopped, and the door before him slowly opened; inside, two tall alien plants flanked the entrance, and the white-robed Asgardian goddess turned to Strange and said, "Walk straight down this corridor, then turn right— that tower is where the Prince resides. No entry without permission."

Strange nodded and said, "Thank you for guiding me. May I ask—one thing—how is Loki now?"

The white-robed goddess shook her head and turned back toward the elevator; Strange sighed, already able to imagine Loki's condition.

He followed the goddess's directions straight ahead—this was a corridor directly behind the Xiangong's main gate; to his left, the wall housed the Xiangong's corridors; behind him was the elevator; to his right, railings and pillars; and continuing straight, then turning right, he saw the tower the goddess had mentioned, standing apart from the Xiangong.

Strange approached; the tower's door connected directly to this corridor, bearing two metal door rings. Strange picked up one and knocked; Loki's voice came from inside: "Come in."

Strange paused and asked, "How do I come in?"

"Push the door, what else?"

Strange stepped back two paces and examined the door; only then did he notice it bore no protective arrays whatsoever—and as he had knocked, the door had opened a narrow crack.

"The door isn't locked?" Strange widened his eyes in surprise, stepped forward, grabbed the ring, and pulled—the door swung open immediately.

The interior bore no resemblance to the dark prison Strange had imagined; it was a circular tower, its walls lined with a walkway, and at its center lay a garden with Viking-style aesthetics.

Many of the plants here resembled those on Earth, like ancient versions of terrestrial flora; scattered throughout were several slightly damaged statues, and Loki stood beneath one of them, reading. Strange hurried over and asked him, "Are you all right?"

Before Loki could speak, Strange said, "Is your brain still functional? You knew Odin would be furious enough to kill you, yet you dared return to Asgard— isn't this walking straight into a trap?"

"Aren't I perfectly fine right now?" Loki looked up, his voice cold. Strange glanced around and asked, "What is this place? Is this what your Asgardian prisons are like now—so luxurious?"