PROLOGUE

Where he was, it was dark, but it was quiet. He could wait for years upon years in that cold and silent place. And he had. How long had it been since he had been put there? Centuries? Or maybe just a day? He didn't know, but it had felt like a lifetime. He floated peacefully through the black space, aware of every feeling, though there was no pain. There was never pain in the Realm above all the Realms, as he called it. There was never pain there, but there was unquenchable rage.

The Realm above all the Realms was totally dark, and he floated through as though he were in water. It felt like he was in space, though in this realm there were no stars, planets, or suns. There was nothing to light his way, and there was nothing for him to do except watch. For from the Realm above all the Realms he could watch whoever he wanted in whatever realm he wanted, and he watched Odin. Then he watched Odin's sons. He watched as they grew up together. He watched as the younger found out about his true family, and he watched as the elder became a hero. Oh, Odin. He thought, smiling down at the sons, What a fool you've been.

He saw many glorious battles, and he saw the elder and the younger both make friends and have incredible victories, and they lived happily. Both the elder and the younger married, and they each had three beautiful children. He could call them all by name. He watched as the elder and the younger's friends married and had children as well. First: The man made of iron had two daughters, one who was incredibly smart, and the other with amazing powers. Then: The Archer and the Assassin Married. They had a son, and soon came a daughter. Then: the Captain and his wife had a son, followed by a daughter, and then twin boys. Such gifts to a man of his age. He thought. It's a pity I will have to destroy them all. Lastly: The monster and his bride had three children as well, Two sons and a beautiful daughter. And all of them, including the eldest and youngest sons of Odin, lived happily. Their children grew strong and did well in their short lives. He would not have to wait much longer.

He waited in the starless darkness of the Realm above all the Realms. He watched, and plotted. He knew his time was coming. For the defenders of earth who called themselves the Avengers grew old and frail, as all humans did. And he was immortal, stronger than anything, the most powerful of all the gods. And in this realm he grew more and more powerful everyday, for there was great rage within his heart. Oh, Odin. It is too bad you won't be alive to see your children and their friends suffer. For you have made such a terrible mistake.