Chapter Ten
Disclaimer: Marvel owns everything!
Warning: One scene of gore at the end of this chapter. Character death.
"I was returning home after spending a few days with my mother," Sigyn was explaining to Thor and Loki how she came to be captured by The Other. "It was quite late in the day, but I was in no real hurry to return to an empty house, since Theoric died..." She bowed her head, taking a steadying breath before continuing.
"I was walking through the marketplace when I saw you," she glanced at Loki, "or rather, what I thought was you... I had heard that you were under house arrest in the palace, so I was confused, and so followed when you, or he, I suppose, beckoned. As soon as we were out of the public eye, The Other cast aside his disguise. I would have run, but he had hold of me too quickly. He was far stronger than I would have expected. I was unconscious after the first blow. The next thing I remember is waking up in the caves on Midgard. All the creature ever told me was I was being held for surety, to make certain Loki did not interfere with some kind of plan."
Sigyn shuddered before continuing. "I do not know how long I was there, I had no way of marking time. The Other beat me several times. Eventually, he drew a knife, the like of which I have never seen. Thankfully, Loki intervened just in time." She smiled warmly at her childhood friend before returning her gaze to Thor. "The rest you know." The thunder god nodded solemnly.
The Asgardians were gathered in Thor's room, with Thor himself seated on the large bed, Sigyn perched on the soft desk chair, and Loki sprawled on the carpet, making it clear that he did not want to sit near Thor. The dark-haired trickster had sat there in silence for almost an hour, contributing nothing to the conversation. Thor eyed him suspiciously. Loki himself had admitted that he had enlisted Wanda Maximoff's help to find Sigyn, and yet claimed to have no idea where she was now.
Given his brother's recent behaviour, Thor was far from sure about Loki's honesty. He opened his mouth to press for details about what Loki had been up to before retrieving Sigyn, when an incredibly violent surge of...something struck him. He reeled as if from a blow, trying not to black out. Sigyn gasped sharply and swayed, grasping the edge of the desk for support. Loki's reaction was the most alarming- he actually collapsed sideways, blood streaming from his nose as he clutched his head in pain.
"W-what was that?" Sigyn's voice was shaky, weak, and her face was pale.
Thor was too busy trying to recover his equilibrium to respond. Loki's face was full of foreboding as he wiped the trickle of blood from his face..
"Magic. Dark magic, cascading over the whole of Midgard."
Thor finally managed to regain his balance, and locked his eyes on Loki's.
"Not simply dark energy...chthonic magic." Keeping his intense gaze on his brother, noting every gesture Loki made, he asked the question that had been worrying him for hours.
"Did Wanda Maximoff accompany you to Wundagore? I need honesty now, Loki, this is extremely important."
"Don't you think I know how important this is?" Loki snapped. He tried to push himself to his feet but collapsed sideways again as his nose renewed spurting blood over the carpet. "I told you, I have no idea where Miss Maximoff is!"
"You're lying," Sigyn said, holding her head in her hands. "What did you do?"
She and Thor waited silently for Loki's response. The dark-haired god folded his arms and turned his face away, nowhere near willing to disclose his role in Maximoff's fate. He had done what was best, and Thor had to be mistaken, it was not Chthonic energy that had caused the power surge, it had to be Thanos' doing somehow...
Thor gritted his teeth, trying to restrain his temper. "Loki, if you did indeed do something that could have caused this, I suggest you tell me," he hefted Mjolnir, "before I have to resort to other means of persuasion."
Sigyn gasped. "Thor...you would not really...you'll kill him!"
Thor did not get a chance to respond, as Loki, with blood still pouring unchecked down his face, staggered to his feet, making his way to the door.
"I'm not...stay...be threatened." His voice was slurred, and his statement barely understandable.
"Loki..."
He collapsed, still bleeding out nasally, before he made it another stride. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he did not get back up.
"LOKI!" Thor and Sigyn rushed to his side, examining him anxiously.
"He must have received more damage than we realised, when the magic flared up." Sigyn's voice broke. "Do you know of any healers on Midgard?"
"None that are really equipped to deal with an Asgardian, except..." Thor shook his head. "We will have to hand him into Shield's custody, little though I like the idea." He scooped up Loki's long, lean form into his arms and strode out of the room, Sigyn hurrying after him, hiding her concern. 'Who is Shield?'
She did not have a chance to ask Thor, he was walking quickly, and it took all her energy to match his pace- he was considerably taller than her, and thus his strides were longer. She was throughly out of breath by the time they reached Stark's living area.
Tony and Pepper had been lounging on the sofa, deep in conversation, but both jumped to their feet when they saw the Asgardians.
Tony raised an eyebrow as he took in Loki's condition.
"Got tired of him mouthing off, did you? Ow!" He rubbed his arm where Pepper had smacked him.
The strawberry blonde glared at Tony for a minute, before turning worried eyes to Thor.
"What happened?"
"A few moments ago, we all sensed an enormous surge of magical energy. It was...unpleasant. Loki seems to have been affected more strongly than Sigyn and I were. I know you do not have healers here in this tower, Stark," Thor turned entreating eyes to Tony, "I had hoped you knew a way to contact Nicholas Fury. Surely his agency has those who could treat an Asgardian?"
Tony rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. "Well, yeah, Shield's doctors probably could treat him, I'm just not sure Fury'll go for it. This guy did try to conquer earth not long ago. I'll go get Clint and Natasha, see if they can persuade him."
Thor nodded gravely as Tony left the room. He frowned suddenly, and turned to Pepper, who had placed a reassuring hand on Sigyn's shoulder.
"Why did he not just ask the Jarvis computer to send for Barton and Romanoff?"
Pepper's brow furrowed. "Jarvis is down, has been for a few minutes." Her eyes widened. "Could your 'magical energy' surge have caused that?"
"Possibly...I do not know what effect magic could have on Midgardian technology."
"Unnngghh..." Loki's incoherent groan brought everyone's attention sharply back to him, but he did not move again. Blood still flowed liberally, so Sigyn tore a piece of fabric from her sleeve and attempted to staunch it. Her efforts did little good.
Tony returned quickly, Natasha, Clint, Steve and Bruce trailing after him. Natasha was the first to speak.
"What's going on, Thor? Stark says you actually want to hand Loki over to Shield now...whoa." Her eyes widened as she saw Loki's gaunt, bloodstained face and unconscious form. "I guess he needs intense medical help?"
Thor nodded, explaining the cause of Loki's injuries while the other Avengers dealt with their shocked reactions to Loki's condition. He did not actually explain that the magic he had felt emenated from Chthon, as he felt his mortal comrades had enough problems at present. He would inform them of that as soon as it became necessary.
Bruce did an immediate check on Loki- breathing, heart rate, pupil response... He spoke calmly and slowly. "He appears to have suffered a bleed to the brain, and from what I can tell, it's ongoing. He's in a deep coma. Vitals are consistent, but weak. I don't know how long he has. He needs help, fast!"
Thor looked ready to hit something. Sigyn's hands flew to her mouth. Steve, Tony and Pepper exchanged concerned looks- Loki might not be their favourite person in the world, but they couldn't let him die... Natasha phoned Fury despite Clint's protest- "We should just let this monster die!". She explained, then listened for a minute before sighing.
"Fury wants to hear from Banner how bad Loki's injuries are, if they honestly need Shield's intensive care. He would... prefer it if Loki stayed where he is." She handed Bruce her cell. He began to bring it to his ear, then, seeing the murderous looks on Thor and Sigyn's faces, he put the phone on speaker.
"Director Fury?" Bruce endeavoured to keep his tone even- he didn't particularly trust Fury, but in this instance, he had to stay on his good side. Loki needed more care than he could provide.
"How seriously is 'Real Power' injured?" Fury's voice was impatient. "We're getting reports of casualties from across the globe and our resources are going to be stretched thin. Medical attention will be given only where it is desperately needed."
"It's needed, director," Bruce said firmly. Loki had begun to convulse. Bruce quickly moved, dropping the cell phone and placing a hand under Loki's head, keeping him upright so he could breathe, and so he didn't swallow his own tongue.
Steve grabbed the phone, and spoke fast. "Director, Loki has apparently suffered some kind of brain damage, is comatose and is currently having a seizure. I think that qualifies as an emergency!"
"Barton? Romanoff? Is that true?"
"Yes, sir. We're watching it happen right now."
"I'm not convinced that saving Loki is in the best interest of protecting earth..."
Thor had heard enough. "And I am not sure that working with a group of mortals that will not aid my family is in my best interest!"
Fury sighed audibly. "Alright. Bring him to the New York facility. I'll make sure at least one neurosurgeon is there. That good enough?" He disconnected the call without waiting for a response.
Thor took a deep breath, plainly not happy, but satisfied that Loki would receive aid, at least.
Sigyn was less sure. "Am I the only one who sees a problem with this arrangement?"
Everyone stared, unsure what the Asgardian woman meant- Loki was getting help, wasn't he?
"Is it wise to leave Loki in the hands of mortals when we do not know how long we have before this... 'Thanos' returns?"
Thor scowled. "I truly had not thought of that... but I see no other way. Perhaps we should arrange for one of us to remain at Loki's side?"
Steve nodded. "That's a good idea. He shouldn't be alone. We can arrange a rota, take it in turns..."
Clint folded his arms, looking defiant. "I'm not playing bodyguard for him. Besides, aren't any of you worried about what Fury said: 'Casualties around the globe'? That should be our main priority, dealing with an actual crisis!"
Bruce and Steve leapt in front of Thor before Mjolnir answered Clint. Steve raised his hands in a calming gesture.
"I'll admit you have a point, Clint, but Loki can't be left unguarded." He looked at the two Shield agents. "Do either of you know what might be causing these global problems?"
Clint shook his head. "Haven't heard anything."
"Neither have I..." Natasha's tone was thoughtful. "I'm wondering if this is Thanos' doing somehow, a ploy to occupy us, get us to leave Loki alone..."
"Or it's something to do with the magical energy surge that put Loki in this state in the first place."
Everyone except Thor and Sigyn gave Bruce sceptical looks.
"What? I'm a scientist, I have to try and think of every possibility."
"I had the same thought, friend Banner. I hope I am mistaken though, for the magic that influenced Midgard not long ago was dark in nature...evil." Thor's usually jovial voice was dark as thunderclouds. Again he thought it best to avoid mentioning Chthon, or Wanda- he wanted to know more about what had happened before he jumped to any conclusions.
Tony shook his head. "Cause of disasters put aside, some of us should go and find out if we can help. I personally don't like the idea of going into a unknown, potentially dangerous situation short one team member. Plus we don't know how easy it'll be to get people back here to play changing of the guard. If we leave someone behind, that someone will be with Loki the entire time. Volunteers?" His tone was sarcastic.
"I will stay with Loki."
Seven pairs of wide eyes locked on Sigyn. She continued determinedly.
"Loki needs to be watched over, yet all of you may be required to rescue mortals from danger. I am not a warrior, nor am I a member of your 'team'. It is best if I remain with Loki."
"The one problem with that," Natasha began, "is that, like you said, you're not a warrior. Could you defend Loki if Thanos were to re-appear?"
Sigyn's irritation was clear in her voice. "I am one of the strongest magic wielders in Asgard. I was taught by Loki himself. I am fairly certain I can hold my own against a non-magical foe!"
Thor broke the tension.
"Very well then, that is settled. Stark, do you have a way for us to transport Loki and Sigyn to Shield's base of operations? I presume you two," he gestured at Clint and Natasha, "are aware of the base's location?"
"Even if we didn't, I'm fairly certain Tony does, with all the hacking he's done."
Tony placed a hand over his heart. "You wound me! Bring Loki and follow me," he winked at Sigyn, "your transportation awaits!"
Everyone followed Tony into the hangar (Thor carrying Loki as gently as he could.) The Avengers decided to accompany Loki and Sigyn to the Shield HQ, to make sure Loki would be safe there, from Thanos and from Shield itself, and also all hoping to find out more about these world-wide catastrophes.
Pepper remained safely at the tower as the quinjet departed, already feeling a nagging concern for all of them, as she often did. It was hard being the only one who couldn't fight...she sighed and made her way back indoors, to see if Jarvis was 'awake' again yet. She made her way to her office, never noticing the grey stone- Thanos' 'gift'- that had been left behind, forgotten. It was the colour of granite now, and getting darker...
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Upon arrival at the NY Shield base, a still-unresponsive Loki was taken straight to the hospital wing. Bruce told the doctors all he had determined about Loki's condition, and Sigyn and Thor insisted on staying with him, to make sure he was alright, or as alright as he could be. Clint and Natasha were briefing the security team of the base about Thanos, and what abilities he had already shown. They made sure that the base- and specifically the people who worked in the hospital- were aware of a possible imminent attack. This of course left Steve and Tony with nothing to do...
"Aha!" Tony's exclamation made Steve jump.
"What?"
"Jarvis is fully functional again. Now it's just a question of...got it!"
"Got what?" Steve was getting annoyed now, something that happened far too often when he was in Stark's company. He was worried about Loki, about Thor, about the hundreds of people that apparently were suffering from unexplained freak accidents all over the world, he couldn't forget that his newest teammate was still MIA, and all Stark wanted to do was fidget with his computer?!
"I've got a list of all unexplained activity in the last 24 hours. Huh. That means it must've started just before Loki got back to the tower with Sigyn...hey, that's weird..."
"What's. Weird?" Steve's words came through clenched teeth. If Stark didn't stop talking in riddles soon, he was really going to lose his temper.
"All this stuff is weird- animals turning into monsters, flash floods, weird reptillian creatures tearing up Canada, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes...eww, a rain of blood? What I meant was, the whole world's engulfed in these freak accidents, except for one place- Mount Wundagore in Transia hasn't been affected at all. Nor has the surrounding area..." Tony met Steve's eyes.
Steve made the connection. "Wundagore...isn't that where Loki and Wanda went, to find Sigyn?"
"Yeah. And I bet we'll find Wanda there. Or at least some clue about what Loki might've done with her. I'd bet he traded her for Sigyn's freedom or something. Gave Thanos's servant another hostage."
"Tony..." Steve spoke cautiously. "Have you even considered that Loki might have been right? Wanda told me she hated Wundagore, she was afraid of it even. She goes back there with Loki, disappears, then almost straight away, disasters start occuring? Do you think...is it possible that this thing, this...demon, could have actually possessed her?"
"Possession? Please! No way. My point is, we go out there, to Wundagore, because whatever's causing all this is probably hiding in the safe zone, and deal with it right now. Problem solved, since I think this Thanos guy is the culprit, and with a bit of luck, we'll rescue Wanda too."
"I hope you're right, Tony." Steve sighed, going to gather the other Avengers. 'I hope you're right...because none of us are prepared to deal with the consequences if Loki's right about this 'Chthon'...'
Less than ten minutes later, the Quinjet took to the air again, heading towards Eastern Europe. Most of the team bought Tony's theory. They settled in for a long flight, confident that this would all be over soon. Shield would have to remain in control of the global situations for as long as they could while the Avengers dealt with the main problem.
Only Thor seemed disquieted. Stark's discovery that Wundagore lay at the heart of this only strengthened his fear that Chthon, not Thanos, was the puppeteer behind this performance. And with Maximoff still unaccounted for... well, the truth would come out soon enough, once they arrived. He just hoped that he and his mortal allies were enough to face down whatever they encountered in Wundagore...
~3 days later, New York Shield HQ~
Loki groaned. 'My head has not hurt this much since I had my first hangover. What the Hel happened?' He opened his eyes, only to clamp then shut again tightly- the glare of the electric lights made his head pound even more. Where was he?
"Loki? You're awake!"
Was that Sigyn's voice? He squinted, trying to work out if she was truly there, or if the pain was making him delirious.
"Hold on, I will dim the lights. There."
Loki managed to open his eyes, blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the dimmer light. He turned his head minutely, and realised that Sigyn was seated beside him. She looked exhausted, as if she had not slept in days, and her eyes were red.
"What happened?" His voice was a hoarse rasp.
Sigyn smiled shakily, but there was no joy in it. "You passed out while in the mortal Stark's home. It appears you suffered considerable damage when you sensed the magic surge. You were brought here to be cared for. I have not left your side for days, I was that worried about you."
Loki struggled to process all this.
"Where is here? And you have been at my side for days? How long have I been unconscious?"
"Three days, almost four. And we are in a Shield secure facility." Sigyn felt strange, using the modern language and terms, but that was how Thor had referred to this place.
"Shield facility?!" Loki swung his legs over the edge of the bed and tried to stand. "I am not staying here!" His attempt to move forcibly pulled out several drips, and alarms began to blare. A wave of dizziness overcame him, and he collapsed back onto the bed.
Sigyn encouraged him to lie back down as several nurses came in to investigate the cause of the alarms. Once Loki was settled back in bed, with the drips and heart monitor replaced, the nurses left. Sigyn took his hand. His expression was stubborn and petulant.
"Loki, you are not strong enough to move yet." She took a deep breath. "For a while, everyone believed you would perish from your injuries. Please, just stay here and recover?" Her voice broke, and tears gleamed in her eyes.
Loki sat back with a huff of discontentment.
"Very well, I will remain here for a while. For your sake, no-one else's." He looked around quizzically. "Where is Thor? I would have expected him to be here as well, imploring his 'brother' not to die."
If Sigyn noticed the sarcasm in his words, she didn't show it. She looked at the floor, twisting her hands together nervously.
"Thor and his mortal friends were here for a while. Once they were convinced that you were in safe hands, they left to try and help stop the disasters that are apparently occuring all over Midgard."
Loki raised an eyebrow. "Disasters?"
Sigyn explained what she had heard from Stark, about the strange events, and his conclusion that Wundagore was the only place not affected.
"So they made their way there to see if they could find some answers, and- Loki, whatever is wrong? Are you in pain?"
He had gone as white as a sheet, and he didn't meet her eyes as he spoke.
"Sigyn, I-I may not have been entirely honest about what happened when I rescued you. What's happening now may be my fault. I know I said I knew nothing of the mortal girl's whereabouts..."
Sigyn put her head in her hands, sighing.
"What have you done now?"
"I only did what I thought best! The girl was infected with Chthon's power. I sought only to deny him a host. You know as well as I that, theoretically, only a living form can be possessed, so-"
"You killed the girl?!" Sigyn leapt to her feet, eyes wide, and backed away from him. "Took the life of an innocent because of something that might one day happen?!"
"I did it to stop Chthon!"
Sigyn shook her head in disbelief. "And now we hear reports of demonic activity all over the world? After we sense an incredibly powerful energy surge that Thor claimed was chthonic? Don't you understand, you have quite possibly only made things worse! Why didn't you tell one of us before now?"
"Sigyn...I..." Loki realised that he had no defense.
She made her way to the door of the room. "I will be waiting outside. I have no desire to speak to you right now." The door swung shut behind her with a definitive thud. Loki stared at the closed door for some time. Why did no-one ever understand that he only did what was best?
Outside, Sigyn leaned back against the wall, and sighed. She couldn't understand what had happened to Loki. The boy she had befriended in childhood had been nothing like the monster in that room. How could he have changed so much? She was lost in despondent thoughts for some time, but gradually she became aware that people were moving around rapidly, carrying mortal weapons and taking up defensive positions around the base. She grasped the shoulder of the nearest human.
"What is happening?"
"We detected a portal openning less than a mile away fifteen minutes ago. At least two hundred Chitauri, and Thanos, are making their way here now. We've sent word to the Avengers, but it'll take time for them to get back here. I recommend you stay with Loki- from what I've heard, he's in no shape to defend himself."
Sigyn nodded, turning and bursting back into Loki's room, using a spell to seal the door behind her.
"Back so soon?" Loki's voice was scathing, but his attitude faltered when he saw her expression. "What is it?"
She turned frightened but determined eyes to him. "Thanos and an army of his creatures are making their way here now."
Loki's stomach heaved. He wanted to pass out from fright. The idea of facing the Titan again... He shuddered involuntarily. Sigyn noticed. "Thanos will have to kill me to get to you." Her voice was resolute.
That did not make Loki feel any better, because Thanos would kill her, if that was what it took to regain his prize. Bile rose again in Loki's throat at the thought of something happening to Sigyn.
They waited in silence, the sounds of gunfire and cries of pain echoing through the closed door, coming ever closer. Loki fought the urge to tremble- he would not show fear!
The sounds of battle were now right outside the door. Sigyn began chanting softly, setting a protective barrier in front of Loki. The door exploded, several mortal corpses flying through it. A number of Chitauri formed lines on either side of the door, almost like an honour guard...
Loki backed up as far as he could, huddling against the wall. Sigyn fought her rising fear- if Thanos could frighten Loki like this... how dangerous was he?
The huge, burgundy skinned figure loomed in the doorway, sneering at the room's occupants.
"Jotun runt...are you truly so pathetic, that you rely on a woman to protect you?" He took a swaggering step into the room, sure that Sigyn could not stop him.
She cast a bolt of magical energy at the Titan, and he staggered. He turned his full attention to her, but his expression was more amused than angry.
"That was actually somewhat painful...but I have dealt with far worse." He took a step towards her. "You have spirit though. Perhaps I should take you instead of the runt? Breaking you would be much more enjoyable, I'm sure..."
"No!" Loki dragged himself to his feet, yanking out the mortal healing devices again. His eyes were wild. "I will go with you willingly! Just leave her out of it!"
Thanos laughed, the sound almost deafening. "So this one means something to you, Runt? Your offer has convinced me. I will take both of you! You can be together, and comfort each other after my...lessons to you both."
Loki and Sigyn both paled. Loki lunged at Thanos, surprising the Titan. He used all his strength to restrain Thanos, keep the madman's attention on him.
"Sigyn, run!" He could only give her a few seconds, why didn't she move?
Thanos managed to throw Loki to the floor, then seized him by the throat. The Chitauri that had lingered near the door had now surrounded Sigyn.
"That was foolish of you, Runt." Thanos' tone was threatening now. "Now I will have to make an example of you both."
He strode over to Sigyn, the Chitauri scattering as he approached, and grabbed her forcefully by the upper arm, laughing when she cried out in pain. she attempted to cast another spell, blasting energy at Thanos once again, but he merely swung Loki's helpless form in front of him, so that the Asgardian took the impact.
"No!" Sigyn screamed as Loki's body convulsed.
Thanos dragged Sigyn closer, even as she recoiled. He whispered in her ear.
"That was an entertaining way to deal with a problem. I may require you to discipline your lover for me in the future."
She spat on him. His expression darkened, and he backhanded her across the face. She almost fell to the floor, Thanos' regaining his painful grip on her being the only thing that prevented it. Pulling both his captives closer, he concentrated, and they vanished in a flash of blue light.
They re-appeared atop a building in New York. Sigyn had no idea which building it was. Loki was on the verge of passing out- Thanos' vice-like grip on his throat was diminishing his air supply. The Titan dropped them both unceremoniously on the hard surface of the roof, and Sigyn half-crawled over to Loki, praying he was not... no, she wouldn't even consider it. Thanos would not let him die so soon, that much she was sure of.
Thanos paid little attention to them, as he scanned the skies, looking for something. He smiled widely when his eyes fell on an approaching aircraft. Sigyn followed his gaze. It was the Avengers quinjet, moving at a speed faster than anything she had imagined possible. Thor, grasping Mjolnir, flew just in front of the jet.
Thanos began speaking, projecting his voice loud enough for the Avengers to hear.
"I have retrieved my property. And I have claimed another prize as compensation for my trouble. But you Avengers need have no fear- I have no further interest in Earth! I will gather the Chitauri, take what is mine and depart. None of us will ever darken your paths again."
The response to this was a lightning bolt to Thanos' chest, followed by the Quinjet aiming a machine gun at the Titan.
Thanos' grin only widened. "I expected such a response." Blue energy materialised around his massive hand, and he concentrated that energy towards the Quinjet.
The explosion caused severe damage to the aircraft, and it began plummeting towards the ground. Thor let out a roar of rage, and leapt at Thanos. They began trading blows, using fists, lightning and irridescent blue energy, and Sigyn struggled to drag Loki to the roof's edge, out of harm's way. She sighed with relief when she saw that the damaged Quinjet had landed safely, and the Avengers climbed out, shaken but unharmed. The trouble was they were now 30 storeys away from them, and a band of Chitauri- where had they come from?- were keeping them occupied. Thor's cry of pain drew Sigyn's attention back to the fight.
Both combatants looked battered, but Thor was clearly in worse shape. Even as she watched, Thanos was raining blast after blast of blue energy on him, and Thor's face was contorted with pain.
She prepared to help, to attack Thanos herself, when Loki groaned, and stirred beside her. She hesitated, torn as to what she should do.
Thanos stood over a barely-conscious Thor triumphantly. His horrible, mocking laugh sounded again.
"The mightiest protectors of Earth, and look how easy they were to overcome! This world will be mine, and these 'heroes' will become my first scarifices to my Lady Death!" His maniacal laughter echoed for miles. Despair fell over Sigyn- what could she do against a being such as this, who seemed not to be affected by magic? She hung her head, feeling helpless.
Thanos regained control of his mirth, and feigned looking around.
"What? No others to dispute my claim to this world? Surely some other believes they have a claim to this mudball?" He burst into laughter again.
"Strange that you should ask..." A distorted, guttural voice that might once have been female sounded from a newly-appeared glow of crimson light. The light faded, revealing a young woman- or what appeared to be a young woman. Her skin was white as marble, as were her eyes, though a red light shone through them. Her garments were a dark red that seemed almost black. Her auburn hair writhed around her face like a living thing.
Thanos eyed the newcomer disdainfully. "And who exactly are you?"
The woman laughed. "I am the one you have unwittingly been serving for decades, fool!"
"I SERVE NO-ONE!" Thanos' face darkened with rage at this being's presumption.
"Oh, but you do." The being's voice sounded more female, more human, now. "It was my avatar that encouraged you to look to earth to begin with. You believed he served you, but The Other was my creation, and thus could only be loyal to me. I engineered all of this. When the Jotun prince failed, as I knew he would, you would come to earth yourself, and you very kindly took care of the 'Avengers' for me. Now there will be no-one to prevent me from reclaiming this world!"
Thanos' fury showed in his voice. "I will not be manipulated. Earth is now mine, and I will not allow some upstart to take it from me!" He lunged at the woman.
She caught him by the throat, and succeeded at lifting him from the floor with one arm.
"Upstart?" The voice did not sound remotely human anymore. Sigyn froze in horror- she had heard that voice before, centuries ago...
"Chthon?" Her voice was a whisper. Thor, who had managed to rise to a kneeling position, heard. He dragged his exhausted form over to his brother and Sigyn, determined to protect them, even though he could barely move. His worst fears had been realised- Wanda Maximoff was gone. Only Chthon remained.
The demon continued, heedless of the Asgardians' reaction, its whole attention on the Titan.
"I walked this world before your ancestors were thought of, Titan. I am the true ruler of this pathetic realm, and I have prepared for this day since the day of my exile, aeons ago. You are merely a pawn I used to facilitate my return. But you have played your part well. I shall give you the reward you desire most..."
The demon's free hand shot forward, grasping Thanos' shoulder. The hand that had grasped the Titan's throat slid down to his other shoulder, and the demon's grip tightened.
Thanos screamed out in agony as every muscle in his neck and shoulders was stretched to its limits, and beyond...
"Give my regards to Death." The demon sneered. Her arms were stretched out fully, and with a little more tension...
Thanos was ripped asunder. Blood splattered everywhere. Thor retched at the sight. Sigyn screamed. Loki began to regain consciousness as Chthon casually dropped the grisly remains of Thanos, and turned his gaze to the Gods, smiling ominously.
"A pleasant enough pastime, dealing with him... now what fun shall I have with the three of you?"
To be continued...