Two - The First Meeting
The Council Chamber of the Elders of the Universe - Space
Millennia Ago
Deep within the depths of space, a council assembled, gathering to face a guest. He, their guest, had requested an audience with Lady Infinity, however, the other members elected to be present as well.
Their guest, they found, when he entered the room, was a purple-skinned giant, dressed from head-to-toe in gold battle armour - a Titan warrior.
Adonia sat in the centre throne, directly before their guest. "I must say I'm impressed," she said, eyeing the Titan, her voice echoing throughout the vast and ancient stone chamber. "And it takes a lot to impress me."
"My Lady." He bowed low, kneeling before her and bowing his head. "It is I who am impressed. I have been searching for you for a long time and now that I see you before me... Words cannot express how honoured I am to be here before you. But perhaps my actions better can. Please, allow me to present you with a gift-" He withdrew a blade from his belt. It was double-sided, with a gold hilt inlaid with blue jewels.
She took the offered gift, inspecting it. Deciding she liked it, she tucked it away into her cloak. "Beautiful, but deadly."
"Like yourself."
This comment made her smirk. "Oh Titan, you have no idea."
"May I?" He extended his hand. She placed her own hand within his large palm. He kissed her hand. Someone gave a cough - she knew it was Tivan.
Jealous? she thought.
Stop humouring him, came his telepathic reply.
Stay out of it. He is my guest, he came to see me.
"It is truly an honour to be in your presence," Thanos continued, letting go of her hand. Their touch had lingered for a moment.
"I like this guy," she stated.
"Tales were told to generations of Titans about the formidable Warrior Elder of the Universe, the Keeper of the great Infinity Stones themselves."
She gave a low chuckle of approval. "What else did you hear?"
"Anything to further boost your ego," muttered Challenger.
"Shh," she shushed. "Our guest is speaking. Now leave us. I wish to speak to the Titan alone. Go on," she urged the other Elders. "We don't have all day." Then she chuckled. "Just kidding, we have all the time in the world." She highlighted the green Time Stone with a chuckle.
Slowly, the other Elders left. En and Tivan gave her a lingering look before they too filed out of the hall.
"Oh good," she exclaimed once everyone was gone and the door finally closed behind them. "I thought they would never leave." She laughed. "They bought it, we fooled them yet again. Although-" Suddenly, she stood before him. "-You almost blew our cover with your insistent flirting."
"I am guilty there, I admit, but I am not the only culprit in that."
"So you come all this way and make a big scene to openly flirt with me in front of my fellow Elders?"
"I know how much you love to make a scene - in the best way possible. And you did promise we would meet again soon."
Again, his words made her chuckle. "This is true. Now, let's talk - ally to ally."
Before she was Thanos's most-valued ally, she was but a myth, a legend.
It was true that he knew of her before meeting her. The great Lady Infinity, Keeper of the Infinity Stones themselves, the most powerful objects in the universe, therefore making her one of the most powerful beings.
Further in the depths of space was where Thanos finally found her, where they met for the first time.
"My Lady. I have searched far and wide for you, and finally, I come before you, honoured to be in your presence."
" Flattery will get you nowhere, Thanos of Titan, son of Alars, the Mad Titan, formidable galactic warlord."
"You know me?"
"It is my curse to know all. You might say I hold a certain wisdom. Their thoughts and feelings, from their mind to their soul. It is my curse - or a gift, depending on how you look at it."
"How do you see it?"
"A burden - one I will gladly bear. A great paradox."
Thanos knelt before her, removing his helmet. "You know all about me, but I do not know all about you."
"Usually I like to keep it that way. Why are you here?"
"I thought you already knew that."
"I can know all, but that doesn't necessarily mean I do know all. Why don't you fill me in on why you are here?"
"I am on a mission."
"Many are."
"It has been my life-long mission."
"What makes your case so unique?"
"I wish to balance the universe."
She paused in lazily fiddling with the Stones. Now he had her attention. "The whole universe?"
"Every living being."
"My - that is ambitious. And how do you plan on achieving such a feat? Wait, do not tell me: that is where I come in?"
"Yes."
"You wish for my help?"
"Yes."
"To use my power to complete your goal. See, you may be charming, but I'm afraid I see right through you. You see, this always happens. I am always used to get closer to the Stones."
"That is not my intention, My Lady," he insisted. "You are a formidable warrior, the fiercest woman in the universe. Anyone would be lucky to have you on their side. I wish for us to form an alliance, of equal parts."
She was taken aback. "Uh, I'm sorry, can I just clarify: you don't want the Stones?"
"No."
"You want me as your ally?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. That's a first. You have caught me off-guard, a very rare occurrence." She gave a wave of her hand. "Now, this mission of yours - you should know that the price of a mission such as this is high - very high."
"I know the cost, and I am prepared."
"Everyone thinks they are..." The glowing white light of her eyes seemed to glow brighter as she smiled at him. "I am glad we have met, Titan. We shall meet again soon."
We're delving deeper into Lady Infinity's background in this story! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)
