Song chapter: Windows by Angel Olsen

Silvia

The universe had an insatiable appetite for destruction and chaos, and apparently, I was an all-you-can-eat buffet. I was nothing but a tiny morsel in its mouth, and it was slowly turning my life into shit. It had taken everything from me. The worst part of all was knowing that none of this happened for a reason. There was no "grand" plan. It just simply was.

There wasn't a word capable of describing how I felt – or maybe there was, but I was just too tired to think of it. In less than twenty-four hours after the murder of my parents, both Ronan and Tony had turned against me. If it weren't for Loki, I would be locked up in one of SHIELD's underground prisons, probably being experimented on at this very moment. I didn't want to believe Tony was capable of doing that to me, but after seeing it first hand, I didn't have a choice.

There was a time when I admired Tony more than anyone else – even my own parents. For most of my life I'd considered him an extension of my family. But now, I was ashamed to have trusted him. In the weeks following my return, my parents had warned me not to tell anyone about my powers. Now the whole world knew how much of a freak I was, and I was paying for it. Loki was my only chance of getting off this damn planet. Whether he was going to help me or not was yet to be determined.

He'd brought us to Villa Marie, my family's vacation home in Monaco. It was nearly midnight here whereas in New York City the sun hadn't yet settled. The moon was at its peak, casting a blanket of soft pale light across the villa. I stood outside on the freshly cut lawn for a moment, recalling all of the cherished memories my family and I had created over the years. Only a few weeks had passed since I'd last stepped foot here, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

Not far away, the sea's waves were breaking along the rocky shoreline, softening the silence of the night. There was a cool breeze, heavy with salt and sea. It was a pleasant contrast to the pollution of New York. For a fraction of a moment, my mind was clear of any sadness or regret. But just like the waves behind me, it came crashing back with vengeance.

"Perhaps," said Loki apprehensively, "we should continue inside." He extended one arm towards the house and smiled softly, watching me closely. It was at that moment I noticed Loki's cape draped across my shoulders, the long fabric pooling at my feet. It was a nice gesture, but the lavish fabric did little to shield my bare skin from the breeze.

"Drink," I said, my voice strained with emotion. There was no way in Hell I was stepping foot inside that house without some liquid courage. Loki seemed to understand well enough, because a moment later there was a glass in my hand. With a thankful nod, I tilted my head back and downed the clear liquid in one gulp. While it lacked any flavor, it definitely had a strong kick to it. The sting in my chest that followed after nearly knocked me off my feet. Warmth flooded through my chest, spreading quickly into my limbs, fingers, and toes like a wildfire.

I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and sniffled, nodding encouragingly to myself. With a resigned sigh, I made my way towards the house. By the time I reached the back door, my entire body was buzzing with a feigned confidence only alcohol can produce. I pushed on the back door, holding my breath.

Inside, the house remained the same as I'd last left it, though now it was filled with a discernible sadness and emptiness. Every inch of the house was filled with memories I couldn't escape, and being there without my family felt wrong. It was nothing but a ghost of my former life, haunting me of my mistakes.

My cheeks began to sting, and only then did I realize I was crying. I wiped my cheekbone with the pad of my finger and stared numbly at the pale blue liquid that now covered it. My fight with Ronan must have been more damaging than I realized. The tears continued to mix with the cuts on my face, burning less and less each second.

There's no one left. I thought. I'm alone.

Behind me, Loki closed the back door and approached me slowly, his steps heavy with caution. When he was within arm's length he stopped. "You will never be alone," he said. His fingers trailed the back of my neck, pushing my hair to the side.

"Maybe I want to be alone," I said, staring at the blank wall in front of me.

He circled around and stood before me, never breaking eye contact. "You forget," said Loki, grabbing ahold of my chin. "You are speaking to the God of Lies."

I scoffed and rolled back on my heels, pulling away from him. "I need another drink," I said, shaking the empty glass in my hand. There was no way in hell I could put up with his telepathic shit without some strong booze in me.

"Perhaps –"

"Perhaps you should shut up," I interrupted impatiently.

Loki raised his eyebrows and scoffed under his breath. "As you wish, princess," he replied, conjuring a vial out of thin air. He held the delicate glass between his thumb and forefinger, eyeing me thoughtfully. "Truthfully, this is not intended for mortal consumption. The amount I gave you earlier should have – "

"Please, stop," I muttered. "I don't care."

Loki paused, pursing his lips. After a brief moment, he stepped forward and grabbed the glass from my hand. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," said Loki, pouring the liquid. He handed me the now full glass, grimacing slightly as he did so.

I took a long sip and sighed with relief, enjoying the immediate warmth in my chest. "What is this?" I asked, licking my lips. "It doesn't taste like anything I've had before."

"That's because it's Asgardian," said Loki, smiling as he poured himself a glass. "It's been aged for nearly a thousand years."

A few sips later, I was heavily and happily drunk. On Earth it would take copious amounts of alcohol for me to even get slightly tipsy, but apparently Asgardian liquor is much stronger than human spirits.

"I guess I should get dressed," I muttered, looking down at the cape still wrapped around my body. Loki smirked and took a long sip from his glass, watching me carefully as he did so. Without another word I headed to my bedroom which was located at the end of the hall.

About halfway there, I glanced over my shoulder and found Loki still watching me, a wry smile lingering on his lips. Quickening my pace, I reached my bedroom a second later and locked the door behind me.

Upon entering the room, I couldn't help but smile. Out of all the houses my family owns around the world, this was without a doubt my favorite place. Despite it being small and quaint, this bedroom held a special place in my heart. As far as appearances go, there wasn't anything special about it. It had white stucco walls and dark mahogany floors just like the rest of the house, and it held only three pieces of furniture. In the corner stood a tall, dark wardrobe, and next to that was my old iron bed and nightstand. Overall the room was light and simple, but unlike my other bedrooms it was associated with nothing but good memories.

I walked over to the wardrobe, dropping Loki's cape onto the floor as I did so, and opened the doors to find something to wear. I breathed a sigh of relief to find all of my clothes from my last visit still here. Of course, after my encounter with Loki in Germany I didn't have the chance to come back and pack my things – and frankly, I'd forgotten about them. Thanks again, SHIELD, I thought, raising my glass in the air. I rummaged through the drawers until I found a black silk tank top and matching shorts.

After dressing, I took another long, unnecessary sip from the glass and stumbled where I stood, catching myself on the wardrobe. Then, quite slowly, I unlocked the door and headed back to the living room. I expected to find Loki where I'd left him, but he was nowhere in sight. Oddly enough, his armor was sitting on top of the kitchen island, positioned neatly in a pile.

"Hello?" I called out, looking around.

"Yes?" Loki answered behind me, causing me to jump in surprise.

I turned to find Loki standing directly behind me, clearly amused with himself. Without his armor on, he looked almost normal. He was now wearing a loose green tunic and leather pants, which after closer inspection didn't leave much to the imagination. I pulled my attention away from his distracting pants to find him looking at me, his eyes heavy with thought.

When he didn't say anything, I leaned forward. "What?" I asked impatiently.

"Oh, nothing," he said, glancing at my outfit. He chuckled under his breath before finishing the remainder of his drink.

Rolling my eyes, I walked over to the large sectional in the living room and plopped down in the middle section. Loki joined me a moment later and sat a few feet away, his glass once again full.

"Tell me what happened the night you gave me this," I said, holding up my artificial hand. "Why don't I remember any of it?"

Loki leaned back casually and drank, shrugging slightly. "I saw someone in need of help – "

"Don't," I interrupted angrily. "Don't lie to me."

Loki's expression turned stern, but he didn't argue. "Fine," he conceded. He pushed his hair back from his eyes, his expression serious now. "I attempted to control you with the mind stone," he said, gauging my reaction. When I didn't say anything, he continued. "It didn't work – not exactly – because you have an unearthly connection to it, though, I haven't a clue how that came to be."

"Ronan," I answered solemnly. "He has the power stone. I was in an accident and he used its powers, somehow mixed with his blood. I don't really know what happened. He told me not to talk about it."

There was a long pause before Loki spoke again. "The power stone," he said, cocking an eyebrow in surprise. "It makes sense now."

"So," I pressed forward eagerly. "You said I have a connection to the infinity stones. What did you mean by that?"

"Exactly as I said," answered Loki, staring down at his drink in thought. "That night –" he said, his face going still. "It would best be forgotten. It's far beyond your comprehension. "

I frowned. "No," I said, shaking my head. "I want to know."

Loki sighed, rubbing his eyes. "The infinity stones are connected – bound for eternity – despite separating into six different entities, they are and forever will be one, each yearning to be together once again. Alone, they are each capable of unimaginable destruction, and together their power is infinite. That night, I attempted to possess you with the mind stone– to use you for my own – and the stone rejected you." He leaned forward, rubbing his hands in thought.

"If what you say is true," continued Loki, pausing to look at me. "This Ronan of yours, he apparently passed on traces of the power stone into your blood, and that's why the mind stone rebelled. You see, they are not meant to work against one another. It is most unnatural."

I shook my head. "They're stones," I said, "but you're making them sound like –"

"Living beings," he finished, his voice barely a whisper. "Yes, that's right. They can think, feel…" he paused, rubbing his forehead. "They're alive – I know it to be true."

I leaned closer to him. "But, does this mean I'm invincible to them?"

He glanced at me sideways. "Of course not," he said with a scoff. "It just takes a little more persistence." I watched as his lip curved into a devious smile. "In fact, I could bend you to my will whenever I so wished. I don't need a mind stone to accomplish that."

It was my turn to laugh. "You wish," I retorted, suppressing my smirk.

Loki's eyes gleamed with delight as he sipped again from his cup. When he finished, he inched closer on the couch, brushing his knuckles against mine. "You really are quite marvelous," he said. I turned to find no mocking smile looking back at me.

He's being… genuine.

I raised my eyebrows, looking at him. "OK," I sighed. "That's enough."

Loki set his drink down on the coffee table in front of us, turning his body turns mine in an all-too-intimate manner. "As you wish," he said, looking me straight in the eye.

Not wanting to stray from the topic, I pressed on and ignored the awkward way he was staring at me. "Why were you trying to control my mind?" I asked, cringing inwardly at the thought.

Loki cocked an eyebrow in surprise. "Well," he said, smiling. "Your partnership would greatly assist me in my conquer of Midgard – " He stopped and frowned, noticing the glare I was giving him. "But as I said earlier, controlling you proved to be quite exhausting."

I nodded, cradling the drink in my hand. Good to know, asshole.

"Why the hand and foot, though?" I asked, looking at my artificial hand. It still amazed me how realistic it appeared. There was virtually no difference between my real hand and the one he gave me. "You didn't have to do this for me."

Loki shrugged. "It was the least I owed you." He glanced at my hand, his lips thinning. "And you deserve it," he added, his voice much quieter than before. When his gaze returned to my face, I noticed his eyes had become filled with an emotion that wasn't there before. Remorse? No… it was pity.

My body grew still. "What makes you say that?" I asked, feeling my stomach turn with suspicion.

Loki grew unnaturally quiet and still, which only caused my suspicion to grow. "Loki," I growled, my voice shaking with fury. "Did you go into my memories?"

Loki cleared his throat and extended a hand towards me. "It wasn't my intention to –"

Instinctively, I pulled away from him. "You saw what happened," I whispered, looking down in shock. "You had no right to see that." For once, Loki didn't have an answer and I didn't know what to think.

The remainder of my drink was gone before I knew it, and I was staggering towards the kitchen looking for more. For reasons I couldn't quite understand, it was unbearable to share what had happened to me. It was my dirty little secret, and now that it was out, I felt like I was covered in its filth. Drowning myself in alcohol seemed like the appropriate solution.

"Stop," said Loki, following me to the kitchen.

"Why?" I demanded, turning to look at him. "Everything is bullshit – none of this fucking matters!" I shouted, slamming my empty glass onto the kitchen counter. The force of the impact proved to be too much for the glass. It shattered across the marble and flew in all directions, having no impact on my skin.

Loki grabbed my hand and held it up, inspecting it for damage even though we both knew it was fine.

I sagged sadly against the counter and groaned with irritation. "Why didn't you just ask me to help you? Why did you have to trespass into my mind?"

Loki paused, staring gently into my eyes. With my hand still in his own, he pulled it closer until it was resting on the center of his chest. The muscle beneath his tunic was surprisingly firm and unwieldly.

I staggered where I stood for a second, blinking repeatedly in the hopes it'd sober me up. It didn't. When I looked up, he was grinning down at me with hidden amusement. Then, he bent down on one knee and with unexpected sincerity he locked onto my eyes. "Silvia," he began, pulling me in. "Would you be so kind as to assist me in the conquer of your planet?" He asked, still holding my hand against his heart.

I openly laughed at the absurdity of his question, the sensation feeling oddly foreign. Once I regained my composure, I looked Loki in the eyes and patted his hand consolingly.

"Hell no," I answered, trying hard to stifle my laughs.

"As I thought," he replied, his lips drawn tight with amusement.

"You almost had me though," I teased, enjoying the bit of happiness I felt at the moment. "So," I said slowly, changing the subject. "You like pretending to be a girl?" I asked, barely suppressing my laugh.

For a brief moment Loki remained expressionless and still. Then, when I began to smile his control slowly melted away, and very soon we were both laughing until there wasn't a breath left between the both of us.

Eventually the laughs faded, and we both found ourselves stupidly smiling for no reason at all. Loki conjured another glass, magically filling it with the Asgardian liquor before handing it over to me. I accepted it with a grateful smile. As I took another sip, I couldn't help but appreciate his charm. He was everything my instincts warned me against, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore.

I rested my chin in my hand and sighed heavily, leaning against the kitchen island. "Might I add, you were a very pretty woman," I said. Loki cocked his head to the side with a sly smile. "Seriously, though. I don't get it. Why did you disguise yourself like that?"

Loki's smile melted into something thoughtful as he stared at me. "Because I knew you would let me in."

I frowned, not understanding. "You didn't need to disguise yourself to get into my apartment."

He shook his head softly, sighing at my misunderstanding. "That's not what I wanted to get into," he answered, his expression becoming more serious.

"What then?" I asked, sipping from my glass. When he didn't answer, I looked up to find he had stepped closer, staring down at me with a look I knew far too well.

I swallowed nervously. "Don't," I whispered, shaking my finger at him. There was hardly any space left between us now, and it was obvious he intended on fully closing the gap.

"Don't what?" He asked, placing his arms on either side of me. I took a deep breath, trying hard to ignore the alluring scents of leather and pine filling my nostrils.

"Don't look at me like that," I mumbled, looking anywhere but at him.

"You mean like this?" He asked, pulling my chin upwards. As we locked eyes, I couldn't help but shiver at the seductive grin he was giving me. Every inch of my skin flushed at his boldness.

It was too intense for my body to handle. With an exasperated sigh, I pushed hard against his chest and forced him away. "I'm so stupid," I said, rubbing my forehead. "This was a mistake. I shouldn't have brought you here." I turned to leave before this escalated any further.

"Why?" Loki demanded, following me down the hall. Before I could reach my bedroom, he grabbed ahold of my shoulder and spun me around, pushing me against the wall.

He cradled the back of my head gently, running his fingers through my hair as he spoke. "Why deny yourself the pleasure you so desire?" He purred, leaning closer. As I began to object, his lips were on my skin, grazing along the hollow skin of my collar bone. Despite my better judgement, I gasped and arched my back against the wall, pushing my body further into him. It felt so good to feel something other than pain.

He breathed in my scent, eyeing me up and down. "One minute in my grasp and I will have you screaming in ecstasy, unable to recall your own name."

Unable to control myself, I whimpered at the thought and felt goosebumps spread across my skin. It had been so long since I'd been touched in such a way, and the Asgardian liquor was doing nothing to tamper my lust at the moment. It didn't matter though, because no matter how delicious his voice sounded in my ear, I knew it wasn't right. But my mind and my body were on two different paths.

Stop shaking, you idiot.

"Oh yes," Loki said, grinning widely now. "You've never been at the mercy of a god. I forget how easily you mortal women melt in my hands," he said, biting his lip in thought. "I assure you, my dear, your body is my temple, and I intend to worship every inch of it."

Every word he spoke was like heroin to my ears. I wanted more – needed more. Sensing my excitement, he grabbed ahold of me once again. He was strong and unrelenting. Like Ronan.

"No," I gasped, pushing away his head. "This is wrong." As the words thoughtlessly came out, I couldn't help but cringe at how pathetic I sounded.

Loki remained where he stood, his eyes heavy and clouded over. I didn't need to fully understand Asgardians to know he was extremely drunk. "Very well," he purred. "I do enjoy a game of cat and mouse."

"That's not what this is," I protested.

"Oh? Then why tempt me so?" He asked, his eyes freely roaming my body. "Fine silk such as this has a tendency to cling to every curve and dip," he murmured, his finger trailing up my side.

"I – I wasn't trying –"

"Yes, you were," he interrupted, smiling playfully. "You've been neglected for far too long, and I know you desire me. I must admit, I wanted to ravage you to the brink of insanity the second I laid eyes on you." As his thumb grazed across the center of my breast, I quickly jumped back and took a deep breath to regain my composure.

The next few seconds were painfully awkward. With my arms tightly wrapped around my torso, I shuffled back and forth in thought, choosing my next words carefully. "Seeing as how you can read my mind, I'm not going to lie and say I'm not attracted to you," I said, squirming where I stood. "But, in case you've forgotten I've got a lot of shit to deal with, and the last thing I need is– "

He wavered where he stood, breathing heavily as he stared into my eyes. "You love the Kree," he chuckled hatefully. "Even after what he's done to you? After what he allowed to happen to you? It pains me to imagine the self-hatred you must feel on a daily basis."

Much to my embarrassment, my eyes began to cloud over with tears. For weeks I debated whether or not I truly loved him, and to this day I wasn't entirely sure. At times I felt like I was nothing more than his possession, and sometimes I was convinced he truly loved and cared for me. After last night, I was left even more confused and hurt. Even with the blood still fresh on my face, I couldn't suppress my feelings for him. It was sick on so many levels.

"It's complicated," I whispered, turning away from him.

"Allow me to uncomplicate it," Loki said under his breath, stepping closer. "Let me help you."

"You help me?" I asked incredulously. "You work for Thanos! Why should I believe anything you say?"

Loki shook his head in disagreement. "I don't work for anyone," he corrected, his lip curling back. "I am a god, and I do as I please. My arrangement with Thanos is simply a means to an end."

"Yeah," I scoffed angrily. "An end to my world."

Loki inhaled sharply, closing his eyes. "As I've said before, I only wish to rule Midgard as a benevolent king. To restore the order and justice that your people deserve." With one quick look, Loki knew I wasn't convinced and he leaned closer, his expression growing dark.

"Tell me," he began, his voice noticeably sharper. "For one who willingly beds a genocidal maniac, how did you acquire such a high sense of morality?"

As much as I wanted to argue with him, I knew there was nothing I could say in my defense. The smile returned to his lips as he watched me fumble with my words, taking yet another step closer.

There was a primal hunger in his voice as he leaned in and spoke. "You've allowed him to control you for far too long. Let me break the chains which bind you." Even in the dim light of the hall I could see the eagerness twinkling in his eyes, burning and growing with every second.

"How?" I asked, itching with curiosity.

"It's simple," he said with a shrug. "I will remove all traces of him from your mind. It will be as if he never existed. With one touch, I can omit all of the suffering and tragedy from your life."

My head was shaking in protest before he could finish. "That's – no, I-I can't," I mumbled, unable to think clearly. "I can't just erase everything that makes me, me."

There were so many emotions coursing through my mind and it was hard to hold onto just one. At any moment I was torn between bursting into tears, ripping my clothes off, and smashing his head through a wall – it was a confusing night to say the least.

I took a deep breath and focused, suppressing the powers which grew inside me, raging to be released. When I looked down, I realized my fists were glowing a deep shade of yellow, crackling and burning with energy. Loki watched silently, his lips thin and grim as I straightened up.

"I think you might've misjudged me," I said bitingly, allowing my power to fade. As I brushed past him, he grabbed ahold of my wrist and held me close. As much as I wanted to punch him in the face, when I saw the sad, tired expression he wore, I couldn't do it.

"Wait," Loki whispered, closing his eyes. There was a long pause as he released me and leaned against the wall, shaking his head. "I've grown accustom to running from my problems." He sighed, meeting my eyes once again. "It's hard to believe anyone would willingly hold on to such memories. But I suppose…" he said thoughtfully, pausing to hold my gaze. "There is a certain beauty to be found in every tragedy."

It was beautifully said, and his eyes portrayed a sorrow that made my heart ache. It was either a magnificent performance, or he truly did understand my pain. Either way, I supposed it didn't matter. The truth always seemed to evade me.

Standing a good arm's length away, I stopped to consider his offer. "It's tempting, really," I said honestly. "But… if I can't remember all the shit that's happened to me, then I can't learn from it. I need to face my demons."

"Well then," he said, conjuring our glasses once again, each full to the brim. "To facing our demons," he said, raising his glass in the air.

With a reluctant nod, I raised my glass along with his and took a large sip, hissing as the liquid burned its way down my throat. "You know," I muttered, "for a god I thought you'd have better booze."

Loki cocked an eyebrow and chuckled. "It's an acquired taste, I suppose."

Despite his alcohol burning like hell itself, the pain was worth its potency. Five seconds later, I was entering a new level of drunkenness. We both returned to the couch and sat next to each other, both quietly sipping our ridiculously strong drinks.

"I would give anything to be someone else for a day," I whispered, breaking the silence. "Just to feel normal." I continued to sip on my drink in quiet self-pity, reflecting on my life before Ronan.

It was less than a year ago when I was abducted by aliens, and yet it felt like a lifetime ago. The person I was six months ago would be unrecognizable to me now. I would trade all of the dinner parties, yacht shows, and balls to see my parents one more time.

So much wasted time, I thought, my eyes clouding with tears.

A thought entered my mind, dull and unwavering. After a few minutes it had burned deep into the center of my mind. I looked at Loki as I sipped from my drink, watching him as he watched me.

With a deep breath, I refocused and sat up straightly, calmly sitting my drink down on the table before us. Beside me, Loki's hand rested gently beside my own on the couch. Despite him being only inches away from me, I felt as if his mind was far beyond my reach. As I glanced down at his pale, cool hand, his eyes fixated on my own and I felt myself being pulled in.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to forget everything for just a day or two. Truthfully, a little mind swipe would be better than an alcohol induced coma. It was a sad truth, but Loki was the only person – alien – around who could actually help me.

"I have a proposition," I said, still full of doubt.

"Yes?" Loki asked, leaning in closer to hear me.

"Just one night," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "That's all I want. I just want to remember how it felt to be me – without the pain."

"One night," he said, frowning slightly. "That's all?"

"Yes,only one night."

He nodded stiffly, turning his body towards me. "What memories would you like me to erase?"

"Anything involving fucking aliens," I muttered, unable to mask my distaste. "No offense – it's been the worst part of my life."

If he was offended by my remark, he was a spectacular actor because he didn't look the slightest bit upset.

"And what of your parents?"

The mention of my parents sent me coiling into the couch, grasping tightly onto my chest. It was an unbearable pain that took every ounce of willpower to contain, despite all my best efforts to keep controlled.

He inched forward, grasping ahold of my white-knuckled fist. "Would you like me to take them as well?"

I nodded, regaining control of my breath. "Just for tonight – promise me," I croaked, choking back the tears. "Please."

"Not a tear," he murmured. "Never again a tear," he said, softly wiping the moisture from my cheek. He nodded stiffly. "Truly, I do understand your pain. One night, you have my word."

Loki moved slightly before me, rubbing his hands together before taking a deep breath. Before I could question him, the palms of his hands were placed on either side of my temples, pressing deeply into the flesh of my skull. Hundreds of memories flashed before my eyes before everything went black. Then, I felt all of the sadness wiped from my memory. For the first time in months, I was blissfully happy.

Ronan

Tonight was proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated. Not only was his Terran apparently lost to him, but now the Skrull, the Kree's mortal enemy, had decided to emerge from the foul abyss whence they're born. Nearly three decades had passed since the unsightly creatures were spotted, and yet they chose this night to bare their hideous faces to the galaxy with pride. He defeated them once, and now he will happily obliterate their sad species once and for all.

It was a mistake showing your face, Thallos, Ronan thought vehemently.

Behind him, Mar-Vell winced in pain as he slowly hobbled to his side. The two stood in the Dark Aster's command room along with Korath, staring silently at the image of the Skrull's general, Thallos. It was not like Mar-Vell to remain quiet in times such as these, but given the current circumstances, he found it rather difficult to speak to his former friend. Ronan sighed heavily with disappointment at his fallen commander, grimacing with disgust at the sense of betrayal he felt. Nevertheless, as the Kree Emperor, it was his duty to protect his people from all threats of the universe and such issues needed to be addressed.

"The Skrull must be eradicated," Ronan said, breaking the tense silence.

"Yes," Korath and Mar-Vell agreed.

"Korath," Ronan ordered, "send Starforce to extract information on the Skrull operatives. This is to remain a clandestine operation until otherwise noted. Do I make myself clear, commander?" Ronan asked.

"Yes, sir," Korath answered with a stern nod.

"For the good of all Kree," Ronan announced.

"For the good of all Kree!" Both Korath and Mar-Vell shouted, before turning to leave.

As Mar-Vell turned his back to him, Ronan could not help but feel annoyed at the blatant disrespect his comrade was showing. Years they served side-by-side, yet Mar-Vell showed no signs of regret for his actions earlier that evening. It infuriated him to imagine the Terran turning his most trusted ally against him with hardly any effort at all.

"Mar-Vell," he said, causing both men to stop. "You shall stay."

The two men exchanged a look with one another before Korath reluctantly left. At his side, the Ultimate Weapon grew lighter in his hand with his anger. For a normal Kree, his weapon was a formidable object, extremely difficult to operate – let alone lift; however, the stone seemed to sense his fury and as a result transmitted more power into his body. By the time Mar-Vell stood before him, Ronan could have easily dismembered his body with hardly any effort at all. Nevertheless, years of friendship could not be easily forgotten, so Ronan stood motionless before him with his weapon still in his hand.

"You have forgotten your sense of duty," Ronan said, watching his friend limp towards him.

"No, Ronan," Mar-Vell said, shaking his head. "It is you who has forgotten."

"You dare – "

Mar-Vell paused, holding his hands out in a feeble attempt to calm him. "I beg you, old friend, hear me out," he pleaded.

Ronan scoffed quietly and nodded, holding his hands out before him. "Please, enlighten me, friend," he said, spitting out the last word. As Mar-Vell swallowed nervously before him, it took much restraint on his part not to laugh with delight.

How the mighty have fallen, he thought to himself.

"I have been stationed on Terra for nearly two decades, and never once have I seen anyone as special and well-equipped as the girl," said Mar-Vell. "She is complicated – as all Terrans are – but she could be a formidable weapon for the Kree. Your mishandling of her could result in the loss of millions of lives. Imagine what she could do on our side! If you continue to torment her, I fear she will be lost to us forever."

"Torment her?" growled Ronan, stepping forward. "I came back for her and she welcomed me with hostility. Violence shall meet violence – no exceptions," he said, grimacing at the last part.

Mar-Vell shook his head softly, obviously displeased with his answer. "Her parents were murdered – "

"Due to your negligence!" interrupted Ronan, growing more furious by the second. "It was your responsibility to watch her, yet you left her unattended." The staff of his Ultimate Weapon began to shake from the overwhelming pressure of his grip, threatening to crack at any second. His comrade was wise enough to keep his mouth shut at the moment, or else he may've very well split his skull in half.

"All this time on Terra has compromised your allegiance," continued Ronan, now slowly circling Mar-Vell. "Your mother, too, held an unnatural sentiment for the Terrans. I needn't remind you what happens to Kree who forget their way." Ronan paused and glowered at Mar-Vell, knowing full well he had struck a chord.

It was a subject he purposefully avoided over the years due to its sensitive nature. Despite what some thought of him, he was not a monster. He knew the pain this memory inflicted upon Mar-Vell, as it well should. Reminding Mar-Vell of his mother's demise was first and foremost a much-needed warning, and not a personal attack. Though, he couldn't deny the satisfaction he felt as he looked upon Mar-Vell's anguished face.

"I do not wish to see you share your mother's fate," he said, coming to a halt. "However, if you come between the Terran and I once more, there will be irreversible consequences. Do I make myself clear, Ver-Non?"

Upon hearing the childhood nickname Ronan had given him, Mar-Vell looked up from the floor in surprise and immediately composed himself, straightening his back dutifully.

"Yes, Ronan," he answered nodding. "I will not let you down again."

Let's hope not, he thought.

Later that evening, deep in the hallways of the Dark Aster, Ronan stood quietly outside his prisoner's cell. He imagined the horrendous pain he would inflict on them, and the screams which would undoubtedly follow. It brought a smile to his face, though it quickly vanished once he realized the gravity of his sadistic thoughts. As Kree Emperor, it was his duty to push aside his emotions and enforce impartial judgement. Vengeance held no place in the laws of the Kree.

He opened the door and met the prisoner's eyes, which he noted were filled with an equal amount of hatred. Their shared animosity was the only thing they had in common at the moment, despite having served together in the Accuser Corps.

"Tol-Nokk," Ronan coolly said, removing the gag from his mouth. "As you may have well guessed, your execution is imminent. I do however bring fortunate news – it seems the manner of your demise is yet to be determined."

Tol-Nokk coldly regarded Ronan, his eyes burning with a fury Ronan had seen many times before. As a solider, he had grown accustom to looking into the eyes of his enemy before taking their life. Every now and then he found their displays of courage to be admirable. In Tol-Nokk's case, he was not impressed in the slightest. He knew his true character.

"Hal-Dann sent you after the Terran's parents," Ronan stated, his tone and expression neutral. "Why?"

Tol-Nokk must have found the question amusing because he immediately erupted with laughter, smiling hatefully at Ronan as he did so. "Truly you can't be so dim, Ronan," he said, still smiling. "Then again, you did betray your race for a Terran whore."

Ronan remained stoic as he'd been trained to do and ignored the man's bait. Instead of questioning him, he had other tactics which would accomplish his mission in half the amount of time.

"Due to your uncooperative nature, it would seem I am entitled to recommend The Garden for your execution," he said, unable to hide his smirk.

"No! You can't," Tol-Nokk barked, straining against his chains. In an instant he had regressed into an animal, thrashing wildly about in his chains. "It is forbidden!"

It was true. The Garden hadn't been used in nearly three hundred years, but it was reserved for the Kree's most treacherous criminals. There, prisoners were locked inside glass cages, paralyzed but fully capable of experiencing pain as flesh-eating bacteria ate them layer by layer of skin and muscle. The entire process took nearly a decade, and even by Ronan's standards it was grotesque and barbaric. However, in his regard, Tol-Nokk deserved it and he doubted the counsel would disagree with him. He was emperor, after all.

Ronan's smile deepened as he watched him, enjoying the heavy scent of terror in the air. "Not under my rule," said Ronan ruthlessly.

For a moment, Tol-Nokk appeared to be on the edge of a mental collapse, his face turning an unnatural shade of purple. His voice wavered as he spoke. "I will tell you anything."

There seemed to be hardly any fight left within him as he glared hatefully at Ronan, his nostrils flaring with feigned defiance. It was a disappointing sight to see Hal-Dann's most notorious assassin bend with hardly any push. Not surprising, however, since his leader was a cowardly traitor as well. There was nothing Ronan despised more than a traitor, and Hal-Dann had betrayed the entire Kree nation when he declared war against Ronan. Not only did he fail as Emperor, but apparently, he was incapable of rallying worthy men to his cause. If Tol-Nokk was any example of Hal-Dann's army, then this war would be over sooner than Ronan anticipated.

He stepped closer, feeling the man's panicked breaths on his skin. "Tell me where he is," Ronan said, savoring the words in his mouth.

Tol-Nokk inhaled sharply through his nose, glaring at Ronan with pure hatred. "He's on Uranus."

"Uranus," Ronan mused, suppressing the urge to strike him. "You must take me as a fool."

"No, of course not!" he replied quickly, his voice trembling as he spoke. "I speak the truth. He knew you wouldn't dare attack him so close to the Terran's home planet. He's at the outpost, ten leagues west from the Sentry's station."

Ronan strolled back and forth for a moment, weighing the prisoner's words thoughtfully in his mind. If it were true, Hal-Dann was merely an arm's reach away for the taking. This seemingly endless war could finally be at an end, and his people could once and for all return to their former glory. It was a pity seeing the Kree's name tarnished with the scandal of their civil war. Despite his best effort to contain the embarrassing incident, word had reached every milestone of the Andromeda galaxy, and now every planet within ten jump points knew of their failure.

If the Kree could not even maintain order amongst its own people, how could they possibly rule the galaxy and all its inhabitants? When Ronan inherited the throne, he had no idea of the hailstorm which awaited him beyond the marble throne.

The damp chamber seemingly grew colder as Ronan stood before his prisoner. "Very well," he said, kneeling down at the prisoner's level. "I will further investigate your claims. If they prove to be true, I will allow your fate to be determined by the Terran. However, if I find you are lying, The Garden will happily feast upon your flesh for the next century."

Tol-Nokk jerked in his restraints, his eyes glowing white in the dark. "The Terran?" he spat, "you mean your failed experiment?" There was nothing but contempt in his eyes as he glared at Ronan. "That thing has no right –"

"She has every right," barked Ronan, no longer amused. "You took the life of her parents, and she shall take yours in return." The man's complexion grew as pale as the whites of his eyes. Ronan could not help but sneer at the man's cowardice. "Yes, you will die for your actions, Tol-Nokk. The Terran will undoubtedly want revenge, and I cannot deny her the pleasure."

Ronan paused, recalling the moment he crushed Mac-Varr's skull between his hands. The memory was tarnished by a feeling of guilt deep within his chest, reminding him of yet another thing he robbed from Silvia. Handing Tol-Nokk over to her was the least he could do. Besides, he would undoubtedly enjoy watching her exterminate one of Hal-Dann's dogs.

He sauntered around the cell, enjoying the power he felt in that moment. "Your greatest flaw was trusting Hal-Dann to protect you. Committing murder on a planet protected by the Asgardians was a foolish decision – even for Hal-Dann. Your mission was nothing short of suicide."

Tol-Nokk's lips grew into a thin smile. "My mission was to break your Terran," he said, his breath shaking as he spoke. "I did exactly what I was sent here to do, and unlike you, I will die with honor."

There was a long stretch of silence before Ronan spoke. The man's words did not settle well with him, and he yearned to understand more. Hal-Dann sending his best assassin after Silvia was an emotionally charged decision, reeking of revenge and hate. It was reckless. Sloppy. He could not make sense of it.

He changed his tactic and kneeled once again in front of the man, staring him down. "In my experience, men like you tend to cry out for their mothers in the end," he sneered, allowing his emotions to show. "I doubt your death will be filled with the honor you so desperately seek."

Tol-Nokk's anger flared, as Ronan had hoped it would.

"I only regret I will not be around to watch you and that Terran bitch scream as Thanos rips you apart, limb from limb," he spat, pulling against his restraints. "He's coming for you – sooner than you think."

"Is that so?" Ronan asked coolly.

Tol-Nokk's eyes shone brightly in the dark chamber with maniacal glee. "Oh, yes," he said, gloating gleefully. "Thanos has no shortage of allies, and your precious Terran has fallen gracefully into one's lap – all because of my doing."

The man's words troubled him, yet Ronan's calm expression gave nothing away. The ally which he spoke of was obviously the Asgardian whom Mar-Vell could not stop speaking about. Loki. There was a brief silence as he calculated the possibility of overcoming this annoying obstacle with both his and the Terran's life still intact. Asgardians were formidable adversaries, but they were far too brazen and arrogant. Ronan was equipped with an infinity stone.

After weighing the possibilities, he determined it was time he reminded the Asgardians who truly ruled this galaxy. While the Kree continued to evolve and perfect themselves, the Asgardians sought after useless gold and frolicked about their gardens with no end in sight. If only they possessed the drive and resourcefulness of the Kree, then they would reach their biological perfection as the Kree had millions of years ago.

Such a waste, he thought grimly.

Despite their weaknesses, he was unable to accept the possibility of the Asgardians allying with Thanos. It was not in their nature to align themselves with a creature such as Thanos. He was far too unrelenting for their sensitive disposition. The only other explanation was Loki was acting of his own accord and the Asgardians had no knowledge of his presence on Terra. Thanos had promised Loki something in return for his deeds – just as he had promised Ronan.

"The Asgardian will be taken care of," he said, striding towards the door. "As will you."

Author's note:

My dear readers, I can't thank you enough for your support over the last couple of years. Your messages are amazing and I love you all so much. I want you to know, not a day goes by that I don't think about this story.

I'm not going to lie, this was a hard chapter for me to write and that's partly the reason why it has taken me SO long to update. Any time I would start I would immediately break down in tears. You see, shortly after posting the last chapter, I lost three people very dear to me within months together. As you can imagine, writing about the pain Silvia felt after her parent's deaths was unbelievably hard because it was my pain as well. The grief and madness that follow after losing someone close is unexplainable. I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting for such a long time. Life can be rather difficult at times.

But as they say, the show must go on! I am already working on the next chapter and hope to have it posted within the next few weeks. I'd love to hear your thoughts :) What is Loki up to? Hmmmmm….