May stepped in to explain the purpose of Sif's visit, "She says she needs S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help to find someone."
Turning to Coulson, she asked, "Can you handle this?"
Coulson glanced at May and replied, "I'm fine."
May raised an eyebrow, "You don't seem fine. You're often missing these days."
She softened her tone, "If something's bothering you, you can talk to me."
Coulson smiled but kept it brief, "I know."
He then walked away, heading to the command room where Sif was waiting.
…
As the automated doors slid open, Sif immediately gripped the hilt of her sword, addressing Coulson with suspicion: "What dark sorcery is this? Thor said you died at Loki's hands."
Coulson calmly explained: "He wasn't wrong. I did die—briefly."
"But Loki isn't the only one with tricks. S.H.I.E.L.D. has its own."
Hearing this, Sif relaxed and released her grip, "Thor will be pleased to know you're alive."
"He considers you a friend."
Coulson nodded, smiling warmly, "The feeling is mutual."
"And if possible, I'd like to tell him myself."
Sif agreed with a nod before Coulson shifted the conversation to her mission, "I hear you're looking for someone."
Sif elaborated: "I'm hunting Lorelei."
"Six hundred years ago, she used her powers to wreak havoc across the Nine Realms. She commands armies, topples kingdoms, and overthrows monarchs."
Curious, Ward interjected, "What kind of power are we talking about? Super strength? Lightning speed?"
Sif shook her head, "Witchcraft."
"She manipulates men's desires to achieve her goals."
May raised an eyebrow, "Only men? Her magic doesn't affect women?"
Sif confirmed, "Correct. Men are born with an inherent weakness that women do not share."
Fitz looked at Ward incredulously, "No idea what she's talking about."
Sif turned to Fitz and elaborated further, "Her voice alone can seduce most men. For the rare few who resist, she uses both her voice and touch to shatter their resolve."
Coulson, understanding the gravity of the situation, grew more serious. New York was home to countless enhanced individuals, from super-soldiers to ninjas aligned with various hidden villages.
If Lorelei could sway any of them, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"How do we stop her?" he asked.
Sif produced a golden device resembling a collar and held it up, "With this. It prevents her from speaking."
"She wore this for centuries in prison. During the Dark Elf invasion of Asgard, she escaped, using the secret pathways Loki had opened between the realms to flee here."
Hearing this, Coulson's expression darkened, "Then we better move fast."
Ward spoke up, breaking the tension, "Do we know where she is now?"
Sif turned her gaze to him and replied, "I only know that the Bifröst brought me to her last known location."
Coulson's expression shifted, "That places us near New York state—not far from the city itself."
He paused, thinking quickly, "There are plenty of small towns in the area. Start by investigating anomalies within a few hundred miles—burglary, theft, assaults, anything unusual."
"If this woman once ruled an empire, she won't settle for small gains."
…
Meanwhile-
Lorelei had already amassed a group of captivated followers. They were driving toward New York City in a convoy of stolen vehicles.
Among them, her primary follower, Rowe, shared vital information, "Lady Lorelei, the true powerhouses on this planet are concentrated in New York. They're the ninja warriors from various hidden villages."
Lorelei sat in a convertible, enjoying the rush of wind against her face. She smiled, savoring her newfound freedom, "Rowe, these New York ninjas—how strong are they?"
Rowe kept his eyes on the road, pondering, "Do you know about the alien invasion? The Chitauri? Those were stopped by the Konoha ninja, led by Charles."
He added, "Other ninja villages helped, too. Recently, Sunagakure and Kumogakure have gained attention. They've been selling some sort of physical enhancement formula. It's rumored to make someone as strong as Captain America."
Lorelei's eyes lit up with interest, "Do you know where to find them?"
Rowe nodded, "I know of three locations—the Charles Agency, the Sunagakure Puppet Shop, and Kumogakure's outpost. Their addresses were posted online."
Lorelei spread her arms wide, excitement bubbling over, "I can't wait to meet them."
…
Back on the Airbus-
In the command room, Coulson handed Sif a tablet, "This is every police report within a hundred-mile radius of your landing site from the past 48 hours. If you need to review..."
Sif barely glanced at it, dismissively remarking, "I know how to use it."
She added, almost mockingly, "This system is outdated—long abandoned by other realms."
Coulson smiled awkwardly, brushing off her remark, "You've traveled through different realms and met countless species, aliens. Have any of them had blue skin?"
Coulson's tone betrayed his personal interest—he was clearly still fixated on the alien that had saved his and Fitz's lives.
Sif nodded matter-of-factly, "Of course."
His curiosity piqued, Coulson pressed further, "Which ones?"
As Sif swiped through the data, she listed without hesitation: "Interdisian, Leviathans, pheragots, Kree, Sarks, Centaurians, and Frost Giants—the latter tried to conquer Earth a thousand years ago, but Asgard drove them away."
Coulson mulled over the list, unsure of the alien's origin. He managed a polite, "Thanks."
He asked another question: "Have any of them visited Earth recently?"
Sif paused, smirked slightly, and reassured him, "Don't worry, Coulson. None of the others have come to Earth."
Though relieved, Coulson couldn't hide his disappointment at the lack of new leads.
Suddenly, Sif's attention snapped back to the reports, "Here it is—a jewelry store robbery and a motorcycle gang raiding a weapons shop."
Her expression turned grim, "This is faster than I feared. She's already assembling followers and gathering gold and weapons."
She added ominously, "Lorelei is building her army."
Coulson's face was solemn. The other party had actually started to act. He hoped that this would not be the worst outcome he had imagined.