Prologue

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there was the Kingdom of Asgard, where magic and science were one and the same. The kingdom was ruled by a beloved All-Father and his Queen along with their two prince sons. In this kingdom were 8 outlier realms: Vanaheim, Alfheim, Jotunheim, Muspelheim, Niflheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim, and the smallest of all the realms, Midgard. Here humans of all shapes, sizes, and personalities lived under the direction of Asgard, though they strived to be self-reliant. One among these individuals was a decent, honest man by the name of Foster, who lived with his wonderful wife, and small daughter, Jane. Though she was born with no title, she was a Princess in her parents' eyes. They gave her anything she desired yet she never grew spoiled. As she progressed from infancy to adolescent, her passion for the stars flourished, and she studied them every night.

One particular night, Jane's mother found her daughter staring out her window at the stars above. "My darling, shouldn't you be sleeping?"

Jane turned from the window, surprised. "But mama," she began. "They're so beautiful. Do you ever just stare at them?"

"I do, my dear, just like you." She came and sat beside her daughter who laid her head on her mother's lap and with that she taught Jane of all the constellations she knew until she fell asleep.

The child grew, and in time was enrolled in the local Institute of Education. Here she learned all about the worlds around her, including their All-Father and his family. While the other girls were absorbed with the eldest son, Prince Thor, Jane sat with her nose in a science book. Just like her parents, it was her favorite subject and every day after school, Jane would run home to tell her parents all that she learned.

Jane loved her life. She loved exploring the property grounds and all their secrets, and nights spent under the stars. Yet, as she neared her 10th year, all of that came to a shuddering halt. Her beloved mother fell ill.

"Mama, please get better," Jane pleaded.

"I can't, my darling, but I want you to remember something for me. Can you do that?" Jane nodded. "Believe. Believe in a better day than today, in a better world. Believe that anything can become true and is possible if we believe it can and we work hard to accomplish it. I want you to remember this so that you never give up hope. Hope keeps us moving and alive. Believe in hope, and I know you'll never go astray." She cupped her daughter's chin in her hand, "My darling. I love you; don't you ever forget that. I may be going away, but that doesn't mean I won't live on in your heart. I love you, my darling." Mrs. Foster shed her tears as she embraced her daughter one final time, neither wanting to let go to let go for fear of losing the other.

That night, as Jane lay fitfully in her bed unable to sleep, her mother died. She and her father cried with each other until they could cry no more. Jane felt as if in the space of her heart a star had gone out, leaving a hole that would never be filled in the night sky. There was a funeral, a small affair really, with a few close family friends and neighbors, along with the servants.

The weeks eventually turned into months and the wound began to heal. Around this time, Mr. Foster hired more help to assist him with the land and care for his daughter. One man went by the name Eric - Eric Selvig. "Jane darling, come quickly! There's someone here I would like for you to meet." Mr. Foster called out while searching for her. Finding her in the anteroom, curled up with a book, he chuckled to himself. So much like her mother, he thought. "Jane. This is Mr. Selvig. He's an astronomer. He studies the stars." He watched as his daughter's eyes lit up like a crystal chandelier. She never met a scientist before. "Since you're no longer learning science in school, I thought he might be able to teach you." He barely finished his final sentence before he was enveloped in his daughter's warm embrace.

"Thank you", she whispered.