Chapter 39
Battle raged, minutes that seemed like unending hours passed. None showed any outward sign of giving in, neither side willing to lose this battle. Despite that will to continue on Loki and the Avengers team felt themselves fighting to losing battle. Their wounds weighted heavily on them in their already weakened state after passing through the barrier upon their arrival at the park. Their battle had long since stopped going unnoticed by the pedestrians that had lingered about the park. With its purpose complete the barrier dissipated revealing them to the outside world.
Screams of horror sounded through the park as the people ran for cover to escape the explosions and danger of the unfamiliar creatures. Their departure was barely noticed by those fighting, their complete attention focused solely on survival. It was not long before the park was emptied of every living soul beyond those in battle allowing them to fight without worry of harming anyone. The once serenely beautiful park was nothing as it had been. The once lush green abundance of green and bursts of flowering color were now bare, left burnt and blackened by the battle that raged on.
Loki felt his strength quickly diminishing. What little magic he could manage he used to conjure his bladed battle staff once his throwing daggers had run out. Even such a simple spell had left him feeling drained. Adding the loss of blood from his bleeding wounds left him feeling lucky to still be standing let alone fighting at all.
The human members of the team had moved into close combat battle their arsenal of weapons having long since run out forcing them to put their extensive hand to hand combat skills to use. Even with their deadly skills they were still very much human making the battle in their weakened states all the more difficult. Not only did they have to concentrate on striking killing blows but also avoiding as many blows as possible. In lacking the powerfully enhanced bodies and armor of the other members of their team they were all well aware that a single blow from one Titan's fist could easily cause severe damage to their unprotected very mortal bodies.
Even Tony with his own arsenal of high powered weapons was quickly losing suite power. All he had left to him now was the fire power of the plasma palm blasts, their constant use draining so much power that flying power became impossible to sustain. Tony found it difficult enough to keep his systems working as much as possible, having trouble keeping even those weapons active after his system nearly being destroyed in passing through the barrier. Even rebooting JARVIS' system to regain even a fraction of that lost power was made impossible the barrier having somehow managed to disconnect his suite from its main system.
While Tony was protected by his suite the suite itself was taking on irreparable damage its shields wearing making each blow he was unable to avoid painful. All the while each blow left his suite all the more damaged.
Even the pure strength of the Hulk was hindered by the constant barrage of Titans that attacked. All he seemed able to do was rip them from him as they attacked him all at once. Other times he helped Steve to protect the others from their attackers putting his powerful body before them as a shield. Even those attempts were hindered by his nearly indestructible body seemed to be weakened by the his own passing through the barrier leaving his body more vulnerable against weapons. It seemed that with each Titan he crushed to the ground beneath his mighty fists another five were there to take its place.
In turn Steve kept his shield close, its razor edge his only means of both protection and attack other than his strength. His enhanced soldier's speed and strength like all the others was left diminished. And at that moment like the rest of his team the one means of fighting power being left to him left him little to stand on in battle. His hood was long since lost in the fray of battle leaving his golden blond hair to stick in a sweat, blood and dirt matted mess against his forehead. The rest of his armored uniform had clearly seen better days as well with long slashes had been ripped through the material the edges left stained with his own blood. One particular wound that ripped through his shoulder left the material nearly black from the blood that blossomed across his shoulder leaving his left arm nearly useless. The golden boy was replaced with a soldier, his kind blue eyes looking out at war from a blood and dirt streaked face.
Like his brother, Thor's experience and immortal body were favorable assets in battle but even so his own wounds began slowing him down. From the moment they had foolishly rushed into battle to rescue Vitalini he had felt the barrier keeping him from calling on his full power, feeling an iron cage slam closed on his access to it.
They had all foolishly assumed that the barrier was merely a means of keeping them out leading them to attack head on to force their way through. Much to their surprise they had passed all too easily through the barrier only to feel their powers or their greatest assets just as easily nearly completely stripped from them.
At the moment only the power of Mjnoir and what was left of his immortal strength were the only assets left to him and even those were quickly becoming useless with each mighty swing. Slamming his hammer into an attack titan Thor cursed his inability to call upon his thunder to aide them being forced to take one enemy out at a time without it.
The battle went on. None willing to give in no matter the odds stacked against them.
The air shifted and there was a moment's pause as all sensed the change take place. Suddenly a pillar of blinding silver light burst forth into the air leaving them all blinded by its intensity. As the silver glow reached up into the sky all were left staring in awe, feeling the power that flowed from the light in waves. The amount of power that drifted off the light washed over all present on the battlefield the purity and strength of it leaving them speechless having never felt anything like it before.
The power only got stronger, more present as if something was drawing closer. It all emanated from the silver light that continued to glow intensely without diminishing sending strange chills racing through every one from its pure power. Whatever the source of the power radiating through the park was they could all feel it getting closer as if it were coming into the world through the silver light itself.
So shocked and overcome by the intense light and power that had suddenly interrupted their battle Loki did not immediately realize where the pillar of light originated from. Yet, in the moment when the realization set in he cried out moving toward the light. The radiating waves of power were so powerful it left him feeling as if he were fighting against an immovable force in his attempt to get to the body of Vitalini that they had left where she had fallen.
Suddenly the power as if continued to radiate from the light moved around him as if opening a path only for him to move closer. Loki stumbled forward at the sudden change no longer feeling the force keeping him at bay. He didn't pause long enough to consider the possibilities to give reason to the change his feet running for the light. He did not get further than another few steps before there was yet another change.
The earth beneath their feet shuddered the light extending high into the sky slowly began to descend seeming as if something were absorbing it. Whatever it was that was happening the light finally beginning to fade allowed for them all to begin seeing beyond the intense light as it slowly began to fade away.
Once more Loki found himself stopping his movements frozen. But this time it from having any sort of resistance in the air keeping him at bay but what he saw in the fading light. In one last wave of power the light absorbed back into its source the now absent fully revealing the familiar form that stood shockingly alive before their eyes. Loki felt his breath hitch, his heart stop and his eyes widen in shock as he took in the sight.
Vitalini stood there her bloodied gown waving in the wind around her with her long silver hair having fallen loose from its confines. Even bloodied and smeared with dirt as she had been upon her death she now stood strong her blue eyes indiscernible as they looked out at the battle field glowing with the same silver light that she seemed to have absorbed within her. It was her and yet she was definitely not as she had been when Loki had held her watching the life fade out of her. Now with her skin seeming to glow a faint glow of the light she had absorbed she seemed ethereal as if she did not belong in that world. The effect was made even more powerful in the giant Fae wings that shifted gently against her back their bright array of jewel tone colors a sharp contrast to the silver glow of her pale features. Her elegant wings were not the only new additions to Vitalini's new form but a golden starburst stood out against the pale skin of her forehead.
Despite the power having been absorbed into her body where it was contained it was still so powerful that remnants of it remained lingering in the air leaving a shimmering mist that floated across the field in its wake. The shimmering mist gave Vitalini's new form an even more otherworldly appearance.
They all watched in complete shock, too shocked to even utter a single word at the amazing turn of events. All the while Vitalini stood in silence as well her glowing eyes taking in the scene taking place all around her. For several long moments her eyes seemed to rest on Loki before moving on to Thanos her face passive and calm, showing no indication of what thoughts were running through her mind.
The silver mist shifted around Vitalini as she finally began to move turning away from them all she stepped toward the portal that remained open allowing Titan's to filter through onto Earth providing Thanos with a never ending army against Loki and the Avengers. Her movements shifting the glimmering mist gave her new wings a magical appearance.
All watched in speechless wonder as Vitalini approaching the portal her hand reaching out as with a single flick of her finger against the edge of the whirling portal. The moment her finger touched the portal its surface rippled before it shattered out of existence ending any possibility of more titans coming through onto Earth.
Thanos let out an enraged yell at his portal so easily being dealt with. He moved to attack but his movements were hindered by Loki and the Avengers immediately moving to work as a shield standing between the revived Vitalini and Thanos. They may not know what was happening with Vitalini seeming to be revived from death and a new form and power but it did not interfere with their natural drive to protect their teammate. Whatever questions they had would have to wait for another time.
"You will pay for that you little bitch," Thanos growled his red eyes glaring at the offending woman who stood past those who stood in between him and his target. "You don't stand a chance against my power!"
"It is true that in death my body no longer had the strength to contain the power of the infinity gem," Vitalini spoke her delicate voice sounding as equally ethereal as she looked with silver still glowing in her eyes. "Even so, a piece of that power, even with the gem removed from my body had already had years to become part of me. It molded me around it and became part of my body- my flesh held its essence. That essence of the gem became more me than the gem itself; it became something that you could not take," Vitalini explained calmly while keenly watching Thanos for even the slightest movement finding great enjoyment in the anger she saw boiling beneath the surface.
"In death the essence means nothing but in life it revived the power lingering within my flesh. And as you can see I am very much alive, and with my life its power is revived within my body which allows me undo what you have done with that gem," with those matter of fact words spoken with such coldness Vitalini sparred Thanos a wicked grin of her own. "Which if you haven't figured it out yet that means no more of your warriors will be allowed here!"
"Impossible!" Thanos growled unwilling to believe the unexpected obstacle now standing in his way. Whatever she spoke of was not possible- after all- it was he who possessed and wielded the six gems. The power of Infinity was in his hands and his alone, the glimmering gems at his fist were his proof of that truth. Whatever claims the girl made they were only ever that- claims- a means of trying to deter him from his destined path of conqueror.
"You may have stolen it, harnessed it even, but unlike you it is part of me. My connection to the gem of 'Space' gives me the connection to all," Vitalini informed them a smile curling her delicate lips knowing the advantage that she alone now held over Thanos while they all still worked to comprehend what was happening. "The power is no longer repressed within me. I can feel them all calling out to me, connecting me to them all the power of my true self only makes me stronger."
"So the princess has finally awakened," Thanos sneered back taking in her changed appearance that obviously alerted him to the Light Fae blood within her having moved to the surface. He growled angrily at the infuriating sight refusing to believe that he was suddenly on the losing end of this battle.
"So it would seem," Vitalini replied back calmly unruffled by Thanos' attempts at goading a reaction out of her.
Thanos took the opportunity of her distraction in answering to attack. The gauntlet, shining brightly with its colored gems at his fist began to glow before a powerful blast launched forward aimed straight for Vitalini. Seeing the attack all moved to protect Vitalini from the blast but their help was quickly proved unnecessary. While barely batting an eye Vitalini lifted her hand the blast deflecting off her palm harmlessly dissipating into the air leaving all staring blankly at the ease in which she deterred such a seemingly powerful blast infused with the pure infinite power harnessed within the gauntlet.
"I told you Thanos, I am part of the Infinity Gem Space and together they are part of a whole. The gems cannot attack each other."
"If that is true then your attacks are useless against me as well."
"Unfortunately that is not the case. You are not part of the gems and you do not fall under their protection," Vitalini replied evenly her wings giving a little flutter their colors shimmering as the silver mist clung to them.
"Then I guess I will simply have to prove you all wrong when I crush you beneath my power!" Thanos called enraged lashing out once more with yet another powerful blast from the gauntlet.
Despite all outward appearances of calm Vitalini was wincing on the inside. Already her body was once again beginning to wear down. Even with all the power flowing through her all she felt was pain and it was quickly growing and soon she knew it would become unbearable. She needed to strike the final blow soon before that happened and she was once again left useless.
Vitalini's eyes narrowed as she glared at the Titan. She felt her body begin to shake violently, the power that before her resurrection she would have never been able to comprehend begin overtaking her. The light in her eyes flared as the power in turn flared through her veins feeling it surge through her erupting out of her.
Concentrating that power, bright silver light began enveloping not only herself but Thanos as well. The effect was slow but as the seconds passed Thanos quickly began to realize what was happening, his eyes widening in shock. Suddenly the light of Vitalini's power erupted out of him whirling around him like a lit candle wick. It was as if fire burned within him roaring to get out. Vitalini steadied herself forcing herself to withstand the power that threatened to take her to her knees in its intensity; the light grew brighter as she continued to push more of her power through the connection to the gems. And then the screams began that even Thanos could not withhold.
Thanos burned screaming out in agony grasping with one hand at his fist as the gems within the gauntlet amplified the connection between them and Vitalini. The gauntlet did not budge from his massive fist his attempts deterred as Vitalini pushed another wave of painful power into him through the connection. He burned, engulfed in the silver flames the once massive beast releasing cries of excruciating pain.
Vitalini watched him burn, loving every moment of it. This was the monster that had hurt Loki. This was the monster that had destroyed her people- her home- and dared to do the same to her friends. He was going to burn in hell for everything that he had done, that Vitalini promised herself. Pushing more and more power through the connection all watched in fascinated horror as Thanos skin began to curl and crack pieces flaking off like dust in the wind.
Pain pierced through Vitalini reminding her yet again of the ever approaching time. The power momentarily flicked a warning against time but she held it together, continuing to push until she had managed to burn Thanos completely out of existence. Silver light continued to pour through Thanos pushing through the cracks of his body that were quickly becoming unable to contain the massive power tearing him apart.
"I have seen the pain and destruction you have wrought," Vitalini called out her voice ringing clear above the raging inferno of power that whirled chaotically through the air. "You claim a power that is not yours to claim. And now I pass judgment in the name of the Infinity gems, the Light Fae of Niflheim and Midgard. That judgment is death!"
Uncaring of the horrible sounds of excruciating pain Vitalini pushed once more the light around her flaring in response. With that one final push the power became too much for Thanos to withstand as the very power he had tried to control turned on him. Thanos' body ripped open in a burst of white hot light. His body burned to ash crumbling away into the breeze and out of existence. All that remained was the gauntlet still encrusted with the six Infinity Gems.
In that moment Vitalini felt the dark taint of Thanos fade from the universe. She knew without a doubt that he was gone from their lives. All the pain and suffering was finally over. Finally everyone would be able to begin again- everyone, except for her.
No longer having a fist to wear it the gauntlet fell to the ground its glow slowly fading away. Even without a wearer the power radiating off the gauntlet continued flow into Vitalini through her connection to it and the gems. With her no longer pushing that power along with her own into Thanos it flowed into her, its unadulterated power forcing its way through her body sending painful shocks coursing through her like lightning.
Breathing heavily as the pain stampeding through her became nearly impossible for her to ignore. Such pain was unnervingly familiar. Even now Vitalini could feel her previous wound tear open blood blossoming anew across her chest. Her whole body trembled with her muscles protesting even the effort to move. Still Vitalini willed herself on to do what still needed to be done.
Looking about her seeing the destruction of the once beautiful park Vitalini used the one last burst of power she knew she had. She reached within herself, calling on a much more familiar magic she sent it out with a deep fortifying sigh allowing the silver mist to carry it. As the magic fell across the destroyed ground of the park like the breath of Mother Nature herself new life suddenly sprung from the dissolute ground. Lush green grass and leaves, and bursts of colored blooms returned to life. The sight of the life returning to the beautiful park brought a gentle tremulous smile to Vitalini's lips.
It reminded her so much like the gardens she had tended in Asgard where she and Loki would escape to play as children or the garden hidden atop their sanctuary that Loki had created for her. It was as if Thanos' evil had never touched this place and tainted it with his evil. It was a balm to her body and heart helping to distract her from the pain.
That same shimmering mist of Vitalini's power that blanketed the ground wrapped around Loki and the Avengers as well. They all felt the magic seep into their bodies like a warm comforting light reaching into their bodies. The moment that the power reached into them finding what it sought a small wave of power burst forth from each of them.
Loki felt the chains break on the prison holding back his power the iron door swinging open returning full access to his powers. It was like a weight being lifted from his shoulders the energy rushing back into him helping ease the pain of his wounds. Even then there was no thought in Loki's mind that was not for Vitalini as he continued to watch her resisting the urge to approach her.
With her body quickly losing strength her wounded body could no longer withstand the power flowing through her. Without one of the two powers being contained Vitalini could feel the two powerful forces at war within her, fighting for dominance. A moment later, with Thanos dead and the all returned as it was before Thanos' evil tainted it Vitalini could no longer keep hold of the full power. Vitalini took hold of the power willing it back. With that final burst of power the silver light melted away from Vitalini's body absorbing back into her body. As the power retreated her wings burst into light seeming like a million glowing fireflies being carried into the silver mist. As quickly as they had come into being their light died, disappearing into the dissipating mist.
With the power dissipating completely Vitalini was left standing there her legs trembling beneath the once beautiful emerald now ragged gown in the effort to remain standing. Even in pulling the power back into herself the pain did not fade along with the silver glow that it had emanated. The powers were still there, at war within her body. She breathed deep panting breaths trying in vain to contain one of the powers but it was impossible to do so when they were both so much a part of her. Tatiana had warned her of the consequences in agreeing to reawaken her true power that the gem had contained within her before her birth. While the reawakening of her Fae blood had momentarily made it possible to heal her body and the combination gave her the power she had needed to destroy Thanos it, the polar opposite powers of the infinity gem and the light fae fighting for dominance within her only tore her apart from the inside out all over again.
Vitalini could feel herself quickly running out of time before it all once again came to an end as her body continued to give out. Knowing this to be the inevitable end she turned to Loki needing to be with him when that time came. And there he stood, his green gaze intently watching her waiting for her to give him the sign he needed to a come to her. Looking at him now she took note how ragged and battle worn he looked his raven hair wild and matted but even now she thought he had never looked more handsome. There was something in his face as he looked at her, a familiar intensity; it was the same intent look of a man who had finally found his place in the world that he had for so long been denied.
Loki watched as the glow disappeared from Vitalini's body the power returning to her body. There was a moment where he stood simply watching her still afraid she would disappear from him like a ghost yet when she stood there offering him a smile he went to her. He watched her step forward towards him her arms reaching out for him as she came to meet his embrace his breath hitched when he took note of the ever deepening blossom of red across her chest. Loki saw her step falter the pain finally breaking through her tight rein to reveal itself clearly on her face as she winced. In the next moment her legs finally gave out no longer possessing the strength to hold her weight.
All the strength that Vitalini had once mustered to appear strong for Loki crumbled to dust. All there was no was the pain- all consuming pain. Vitalini cried out as an intense shock of pain suddenly tore through her ripping bloody scream from her lips. As she fell she didn't even consider attempting to stop her fall, the pain all too consuming to warrant such a consideration. Even if she had what could it possibly matter? It seemed impossible to be in even more pain than she already was so what could a simple fall do to her now?
Even the pain of initially receiving the wound at her chest seemed nothing compared to now. It felt to her as if Thanos was continuously ripping a hole through her followed by the twisting of a red hot blade through the already painful wound. She could feel the power of the gem flowing like poison through her now that it battled with her true self- the light fae. A universal power contained within it dark forces as well as light, but its essence unpure worked as a pollutant to the essence of light that made up the fae blood. Vitalini may have been able to use the essence of the gem that had become ingrained within her from its time within her body, to combine it with her true power, in turn amplifying both powers against Thanos. But its power was not meant to be at peace with another nor could reinstate the cage that had contained her fae self.
Suddenly awareness cut through the pain in a momentary comforting warmth. Dazed and confused from the searing pain Vitalini's eyes fluttered open blinking up into the sharp familiar features of Loki. It was then that she realized she had not fallen at all but instead her body had been caught by Loki's warm comforting embrace. Even while the pain continued to rack her body mercilessly Vitalini felt herself safe in his arms. Looking up into his worried green eyes Vitalini found herself thinking that at the very least he was there with her in the end. Wanting nothing more than to take this one last moment with him, to touch- to hold- to speak to him- to kiss him, Vitalini willed herself to move wincing visibly at the effort. Her hand reached for him, her fingers skimming softly against his cheeks in the unnervingly familiar gesture that had ended in much the same manner as she knew this one would.
But this time Vitalini wanted more. Her fingers traveled further past his cheek their soft warm touch sending calming waves through Loki's anxious system just as her touch always did. He felt them weave themselves into his matted hair before giving him a weak yet demanding jerk towards her. Loki did not resist her silent demand following her movements as she pulled him nearer. Both sighed as their lips finally touched both revealing in the feel as if they were finally coming home after so long.
Vitalini knew he was intentionally being gentle with her fully aware of just how aware he himself was of her condition. But this was not what she wanted- she wanted more before it was too late- so much more- so much that as her body began to shut down she knew she would never get the chance to have. While that may be the truth she would not let him deny her this much. She wanted to feel Loki, to touch him and forever instill in him just how much she truly loved him. If this was all she could have after being denied so much, even their future whatever it was, she would take it for as long as she was able.
Loki wanted nothing more than to take her closer, to kiss her as he never had and never stop- perhaps than she would be unable to leave him again. Even so his touch and his kiss remained as gentle as possible as he remained adamantly aware of how fragile she was but even as he tried to pull himself away from her Vitalini held on with what little strength she had left. What little will Loki possessed melted against her sweet touch and suddenly he was kissing her back even more passionately unable to resist the wanting or her offer. He sought her warmth, took all she offered and gave just as much back in return. In that moment Vitalini was there, warm and alive in his arms and that was all Loki wanted to think of. Yet, no matter how much he wanted that all the while a painful niggling voice in the back of his mind warned him of what he feared would inevitably soon come.
How was he supposed to resist this moment?
How was he supposed to let go- again?