The Bridgehead of the Rainbow Bridge
Garfield's light golden divine armor covered 90% of his body, its surface etched with intricate layers of folds, lined with supple leather on the inside.
At critical points, an unknown soft metal offered protection.
It was a custom creation forged for him by Dwarf King Eitri within the heart of a star forge, orbiting above the ring.
It was his first time donning such a divine vestment.
Blessed by its power, Garfield felt his mana surge, the forces of the cosmos answering his call with newfound ease.
As for the design, it bore a touch of modern celestial elegance.
If only the ring atop it could glow and generate electricity, Garfield mused, the effect would be truly perfect.
The journey began five days prior.
After Angela's return, and following his conversation with Garfield, Thor had sought out their father, Odin.
Within ten minutes, he had formally petitioned for the Kree to face judgment.
To forge a worthy successor, Odin readily agreed, setting the date seven days hence.
It was then that Garfield was approached by the artisan known as Hammer, who had been patiently waiting.
Hurriedly, Hammer escorted Garfield to the Dwarven forge, a celestial ring-shaped megastructure.
As depicted in legend, three hundred dwarves toiled within the star forge, their workshop encircling a processed white dwarf star.
Some forged Asgard's armor and weapons, while others crafted enigmatic devices of peculiar shapes.
Hammer, leading the way, explained to Garfield, "We've accepted commissions from several unique races across the universe."
"Forging truly powerful weapons requires the All-Father's sanction."
Along their path, Garfield spotted a pointed-eared elf. Relations between their peoples were not always cordial.
"You still maintain close ties with the Elves?" Garfield inquired.
Hammer replied, "Certain weapons require enchantments and magical materials found only in their realm."
"Many races can perform enchantments, but the Elven touch is both more potent and more aesthetically refined."
"I see," Garfield mused, offering a nod of greeting to the elf.
The elf, recognizing Garfield immediately, knew of the rumors… Odin had adopted an orange cat as his son and, in recent years, had even found his long-lost daughter.
Some whispered that Odin's luck had turned, and the elf, observing Garfield, half-hoped a handshake might transfer some fortune.
The elf remained aloof to such notions.
Luck, after all, was a fickle thing they could manipulate with special potions and magic. But at what price?
Tampering with one's destiny, they knew, exacted a future toll far exceeding imagination.
Passing by the dwarven workbenches, Garfield finally met King Eitri, towering over three meters tall.
His features were smudged with soot, a permanent mark of the furnace's heat.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Eitri rumbled.
"Hello, Eitri," Garfield replied.
"You are most welcome. It is a profound honor for our clan undertake the creation of your divine armor."
"Oh, Eitri, you are too kind. The Dwarves and Asgard support one another, do they not?"
"Your people forge the weapons that defend our realm, and Asgardians, in turn, wield them to protect you."
"Indeed, Your Highness speaks wisely. Yet, to serve the illustrious House of Odinson is, in itself, a singular honor."
Witnessing Eitri's deep reverence, Garfield could only imagine the formidable power the Odinson line must have commanded in ages past, commanding such respect from the master smiths.
Following Eitri, Garfield entered a vast workshop.
A projector displayed various armor designs on a screen… some elegant, some imposing.
One, in particular, caught his eye, a helmet featuring jaunty, pointed cat ears.
Eitri gestured to the screen. "These are the fifteen initial templates we have conceived for Your Highness."
"Which design speaks to your heart?"
After examining them carefully, Garfield shook his head. "None of these suit this prince's tastes."
"Look, this one offers ample protection, but it's far too bulky."
"It doesn't resemble a cat at all, it looks like a steel Garurumon. And this one is anthropoid… this prince is a four-legged beast."
"This design offers too little coverage, this prince has no need for a bikini."
One by one, Garfield critiqued each design.
Eitri scratched his head helplessly, offering an apologetic bow. "Forgive me, Your Highness."
"Our dwarven craftsmanship excels in function, but design... we lack finesse."
"Ah, everyone has their own vision. Don't you have a few Elven enchanters stationed here?"
"If they're not occupied, summon one. Let the three of us collaborate."
"Very well," Eitri agreed readily.
Had anyone else made such a request, Eitri would have tersely suggested they look elsewhere.
Dwarven craft was beyond priceless, the Odinson line alone could negotiate with the master smiths of Nidavellir.
Summoning required no journey, dwarven technology, capable of forging artifacts, naturally included efficient communication.
A simple signal, and soon an Elven girl arrived.
She had been informed beforehand, she was to redesign armor for Asgard's third prince, the orange cat Garfield.
As an Elf maiden who quietly despaired over dwarven aesthetics, this news delighted her.
Finally, a chance to exercise some taste! And besides, fluffy creatures were irresistible.
"Fwuf wuf wuf—"
"Greetings, Your Highness! I am Fuwano, an enchanter from the Elven kingdom. It is my deepest honor to assist you."
"Also, your fur is exquisitely soft. Might I hold you for just a moment?"
"The environment here is terribly harsh, even my little flowers refuse to bloom nearby."
The Elf girl's overwhelming enthusiasm reminded Garfield of Angie and Fran, though she was far more loquacious than the former.
Garfield suspected this girl had been posted here precisely because she talked too much.
After futile attempts to escape Fuwano's embrace, Garfield resigned himself to his fate, confirming once more that these pointy-eared Elves harbored an inexplicable fondness for furry beings.
Eitri watched helplessly.
His dwarves, rugged and stout, could never match Elven grace, if one of them had embraced the prince like that, they'd likely be scratched to bleeding.
A twinge of melancholy touched him, his dwarven aesthetics had been so thoroughly dismissed.
But with Garfield, Eitri, and Fuwano working together, the new armor's appearance was designed in less than an afternoon.
Then came the conception of its functions.
Artifacts were called such not merely for power, but for their ability to evolve alongside their wielder.
They must adapt to the user's growth… changing form, maintaining comfort, preserving mana amplification, never compromising defense.
At certain pivotal moments, under specific energy blessings, an artifact must even be capable of autonomous enhancement.
Whether Eitri sought to reclaim dwarven pride before the Elf or simply wished to display his wealth, he produced some of his most treasured materials:
A dying star's compressed core
A living rare-metal organism
Uru, the sacred metal of Asgard
A magnificent collection of rare magical materials traded from the Elves
Then, to Eitri's profound shock, Garfield produced a towering pile of Vibranium.