Merry felt like she was floating. Her eyelids were heavy and with forced effort opened them. She moved as if she were in slow motion and took in her surroundings. Everything was dark but random bursts of colors decorated the inky darkness.

"Where am I?" Merry said out loud.

Just then, a bright white light erupted and swallowed Merry whole. Closing her eyes once more, she braced for what was to come – be it death or something else. She felt as if she was spiraling out of control. Her arms flailed out, attempting to catch herself from falling into whatever abyss awaited her.

Suddenly, she slowed and was gently lowered to a white marble floor. Touching the cool marble, she studied the runes that eloquently decorated it. Merry wrinkled her brow in concentration. The runes look familiar, they were not of Kree origin but something else. Her finger traced the delicate curves of the markings as realization hit her. They were Asgardian runes.

Raising her head, Merry glanced around. She was inside a large foyer, the space was open and welcoming with its gold and bronze color. She turned her head and her gaze fell upon a large door, inscribed with the Asgardian runes and fiercely protected by two solid statues of Valkyries that stood tall on either side of the heavy door.

Merry's eyes widened when she finally understood where she was at.

"Valhalla." A soft voice echoed.

Scrambling up to her feet, Merry looked around frantically, trying to locate where the voice rang out from. The doors swung open suddenly and a womanly figure walked through the arch way. "Welcome to Valhalla."

"Frigga?!" Merry exclaimed.

Frigga gave Merry a warm smile and opened her arms to the young woman. Merry ran into them and embraced her tightly. Cupping the back of Merry's head, Frigga looked down at her. "Merry, what did you do to end up here?"

Stepping away slightly, Merry looked at her. "I held an Infinity Stone."

The goddess's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, Merry what would propel you to do that?"

"I had to prove myself." She said defensively.

"To who?" Frigga voiced raised slightly. "Your parents?"

"No!" Merry exclaimed. "My husband…"

Frigga's expression softened and she grasped Merry's hand. "Husband?"

Smiling, Merry nodded. "Ronan, Son of Thaus of the Kree Empire."

Frigga's expression faltered a bit but she quickly gave a reassuring smile. "Why did you feel the need to prove yourself?"

Bowing her head, Merry looked at the beautiful marble floor. "Because I wish to not be useless."

"Did he say you were useless?" Frigga's voice was steel. At Merry's silence, Frigga squeeze her hand. "Merry." She commanded.

"No. Well...There was one time…." Merry's voce was small, soft.

Arching a brow, Frigga gave a soft sigh. "Merry, explain."

Ripping her hand from her friend, Merry paced. She wrangled her hands in nerves and cast a shy glance at the older woman. "We were under attack and Ronan sent me back to our bedchambers because he said there was nothing I could do."

"Was there?" She prodded.

Merry's lips formed a tiny pout. Frigga looked at her slyly with a knowing grin. "No."

Nodding her head, Frigga cupped Merry's cheek. "You are a not a warrior, my dear. Nor are you capable of magic. It seems he was merely trying to protect you."

Guilt ate up at Merry. Frigga was right, Ronan did not send her on her way to make her feel inadequate; he did it to ensure both her and their child's protection.

"Oh, Frigga." Merry began, tears welling up in her eyes. "I did this to prove something and now I am dead." A sob tore out of her tight throat. "I have denied myself and Ronan happiness and have killed our child." She wrapped her arms tightly around her middle and her knees buckled.

Reaching out quickly, Frigga steadied her and held her close. "You are not dead." She paused. "You have not technically entered Valhalla." Lifting Merry's chin, she gave her a warm smile. "My dear, the AllFather has bestowed a favor. If you choose death, you will be granted a seat in Valhalla, amongst the Aesir. Or, you can choose life."

Merry stared at the goddess with awe. She looked over Frigga's shoulder to the large gold doors that marked the entrance into Odin's Hall of the Slain. While Merry knew the wonders and riches that lay beyond those doors were worth death, she yearned for a full life with Ronan and their children.

Bringing her eyes back to Frigga, Merry gave her a watery smile. "While an honor-"

"You wish to be with your family." Frigga finished for her. Returning Merry's sad smile, she leaned in and kissed her forehead. Her arms contracted around Merry's small frame and held on tightly. "This is will be the last time I see you."

A deep sadness slugged through Merry's body and tears fell from her eyes. "I am happy I got to you see you." She looked at Frigga. "You are my dearest friend."

"Enough of this emotional woman's chatter!" A booming voice rang out.

Gasping, Merry turned and saw Odin. "AllFather." Merry bowed.

Waving her off, Odin began speaking. "Enough, child. Your time is up, for you have chosen a mortal life over the splendor that is Valhalla."

"Odin." Frigga warned.

Narrowing his eyes at her playfully, looking at Merry, he raised his spear. "Last chance, little one. Here or Xandar."

Turning to face Frigga one last time, tears streaked her beautiful face and Merry knew hers was much the same. She threw her arms around the woman and hugged her close. "I love you, Frigga."

Nuzzling her face in Merry's silver hair, Frigga whispered back, "I love you, too." Moving away, her lips formed a proud smile. "I am proud of you, dear. Have a fully and happy life."

"I will." Merry answered through tears. She then turned to face Odin. "AllFather, take me back to Xandar. To Ronan."

He nodded and pointed his spear towards here. "I give you back life, Merry. May your life be fruitful and your days joyous."

A spark of energy flashed before Merry's eyes and engulfed her. She was falling again, moving fast, her heat beating like a drum in her chest. She heard voices swirling all around her. They were close… They were calling her name.

"Merry!"

A bright light flashed and suddenly her eyes were open. She tried to take in a deep breath but her throat was clogged by a tube and she looked around and saw flashes of color, men and women calling out orders.

"Doctor!" A man called. "Her heart beat!"

A woman's face suddenly was over hers and she opened her mouth in awe. "Make sure she is stable!"

Peter tried to listen to his mixtape but could find no pleasure in the smooth melodies. Being in hospitals reminded him too much of his childhood and Merry's impending death was the icing on his shitty cake. He noticed that none of his companions were moving or attempting to make conversation; they were still, as if their activity would upset the balance of the universe.

"Peter Quill!" A nurse rushed out and darted towards him.

Shocked, Peter looked at the man. "Yeah?"

"She's alive!" The nurse exclaimed happily. "Alive!"

Gamora jumped up and turned her attention to Peter. "You have to find Ronan."

"I'm on it!" He nodded and ran out of the healing center.

Ronan entered Merry's childhood home and looked around with disgust. While the home exudes wealth and riches, it lacked all warmth. It was still and cold, uninviting. He scanned the large space. "I know you are here." His loud voice boomed out. "We need to end this."

He heard shuffling and suddenly Jael appeared in the doorway that connected the foyer with the kitchen. "What are you doing here, Kree?" He spat. "It was a false deal – you gave us no Stone."

"How can you be so cruel?" Ronan asked, exasperated. "Your daughter's life may be ending and yet you don't care." He moved closer to the man, his large frame commanding.

"I never wanted her." Jael admitted. "I didn't want children but Kehya talked me into it because of what they could bring."

"And what is that?"

He looked right into Ronan's eyes. "A power piece." He shrugged. "If Merry turned out to be decently attractive then we could sell her."

Roaring his rage, Ronan moved quickly and caught Jael by the neck and slammed his back against the hard stone of the wall. His fingers griped Jael's fragile throat tightly and the man struggled to breathe. His own hands clawed at Ronan's, trying to obtain relief.

"You are despicable and yet you claim the Kree are savages." His eyes flashed in anger. "I am glad you gave Merry to my father, as selfish as it is, but at least she got away from you." He looked around, "From this unholy place."

"So what?" Jael retorted. "Are you going to kill me?"

"Because I won't let that happen." A feminine voice said from behind Ronan.

Ronan turned his body to face Kehya, while still keeping his grip on Jael's throat. "I do not fear you."

She gave a smug smile, "Oh, but you should." She began whistling and an arrow shot through the air and laded mere inches from Ronan's face. "You don't let go of my husband, I will pierce your skull."

Letting out a deep breathe, Ronan let go of Jael. He fell to the floor, landing on his hands and knees; he coughed and took in several breathes. "You should still kill him." His voice was croaky and broken. He lowered his head to take several more deep breathes.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang and Kehya screamed as her body stiffened and she crumpled to the floor. As her body fell, Nika stood there, with a gun in her hand. "Not if I kill you first."

Mouth agape, Jael looked at his wife's corpse. "You stupid-!" A beam bullet ripped through Jael's face, ending his life.

Ronan looked at the woman and gave her a quizzical look.

"I always wanted to do that." She admitted. "They deserved it."

He nodded, "That they did."

He stepped over Kehya's dead body and started his way out the door. Turning, he faced Nika, "Coming?"

"You trust me after I just killed two people?" Her brow was raised in questioning.

"You did it for, Merry." He stated simply. "You have earned my trust."

"Where is she?" She asked.

"At the healing center. We must get there."

"Is she alright?"

Ronan's eyes cast down, "I hope so."