Infinity

Chapter 27 And So It Stands

I'm not afraid.

I am not afraid.

I will prevail.

I always do.

And if I don't?

If I fail?

I will be the end of the universe, the fallen deity that brought the end to the most peaceful time across the nine realms. There would be nothing left to Avenge. There would be nothing left; period.

And if I take the soldiers with me, so I don't stand alone?

I would be leading them to slaughter. Thanos knows no mercy, he'd be even happier seeing them, more targets to kill without effort.

My head hangs heavily. I should wait. I should wait for the council to arrive, to say that they will stand and fight until the end of their lives. That they will give everything to fight for Asgard.

"I won't." I whisper, looking into the mirror one last time. My eyes are sunken in, I look ill. I look as if I'm ready to die. Maybe I am. Maybe this is just a ridiculous scheme to give the armies something to fight for. Fighting for a noble Queen that went down defending them.

Maybe this is what they meant when they said "Self righteous suicide"

Maybe.

I can't go into a fight ready to die. That will ensure death. It will guarantee my death. I cannot be afraid. I must be ready to stand alone.

I don't have to fight.

I have to fight.

There's no question... I have to do this. Thanos will fight me... one on one. The challenge would be too great for him to refuse.

Or maybe, he'll send the entirety of his armies to kill me, and even I cannot face an army alone. As many enemies I've defeated, as many times I've cheated Death, I feel as if the odds are not favoring me.

Perhaps I will feel better once I take my weapon.

Perhaps the energy from the stones will make me feel better. Make me feel stronger. Make me invincible.

It will kill you.

Why would it? I've handled three stones in my body. I've survived a blade through the stomach. I've survived the impossible fall from Asgard to Midgard. I fought the Battle of New York; I defeated the chitauri army. I've fought Malekith and the Dark elves, I fought the Aether. I defeated the false king of Asgard. I defeated the darkest corners of my own mind. I defeated a man made of metal. I prevailed. I will do it again.

I will win.

I take a deep breath.

And another.

I will win.

There are no other options.

I head down to the forges. The fires are beyond dead, smoke curls across the rooms. All but one. One fire stands out among the darkness.

The sound of metal being formed rings across the silence.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" The old blacksmith asks, pulling his sleeves up, "Do you not have a council meeting tomorrow?"

"I do." I say, "But I haven't been sleeping well, I figured I'd come to see the saving grace of Asgard."

He smiles, "Why, I was just putting a few details on it."

He pulls out a golden staff, about six feet in length, each end engraved with ravens and runes. He holds it out.

"Your works never cease to amaze me." I say, carefully taking it into my own hands, "This is gorgeous." The gold sparkles in the low lighting of the fire. I've never liked gold, but this, this is beautiful, "Wil it hold during a fight?"