Epilogue

The winding streets of Asgard's majestic city were uncharacteristically hushed as Magni and Modi walked side-by-side. The brothers moved in a heavy silence, still coming to terms with the tumultuous events that had nearly torn them apart.

It was Modi who finally broke the quiet, his voice thick with remorse.

"Brother, I...I know no words can undo the grievous wrongs I committed against you." He clenched his fists unconsciously. "Amara's influence manipulated me in ways I'm still grappling with."

Magni opened his mouth to protest, but Modi held up a hand. His expression was a haunted one.

"No, let me say this. As much as the Enchantress clouded my mind with her sorcery, she...she could only twist what was already there, deep inside me." He swallowed hard against the bitter admission.

"The feelings of inadequacy. The envy of your great power and having been deemed worthy by the Allfather. My fear that I would forever be trapped in your shadow..." Modi trailed off, looking away in shame.

For a long moment, Magni studied his brother's tortured profile. His heart went out to him—he could never truly understand the burden Modi carried. With a subtle shake of his head, he pulled his younger sibling into a fierce embrace.

"What matters most is that you fought free of her thrall," Magni rumbled softly. "Do not dwell on what can never be undone. Only look ahead, to the Asgardian warrior you will become."

Modi tensed briefly, then melted into the hug, allowing himself to draw strength from his brother's unwavering presence. When they finally parted, his expression had regained some of its resilience.

"Speaking of looking ahead..." He took a deep, steadying breath. "I've decided I must depart for a time to Midgard. To walk among its realms and people while I wrestle with everything that's happened."

Magni's brow furrowed in protest. "Midgard? But brother, your place is here, by my side as we hunt for Amara-"

"Which is exactly why I should go," Modi interjected firmly. "Amara made plain her desire to strike at that realm sooner than later. If I can position myself there, I can stand as the first line of defense should she attack."

Something flickered in his eyes—the beginnings of the conviction that would shape him into a noble warrior.

"And fear not, I shall not be alone in watching over the realm. Our sister Torunn resides there still, does she not? Together we can prepare the way for any further battles to come."

His words hung in the air between them. Slowly, Magni found himself nodding in reluctant acceptance. His brother was right—Midgard would need every able body to defend it.

"Very well." Magni clasped Modi's forearm in a traditional Asgardian warrior's grip. "Take this time to find your path forward, brother. But never forget—you will always have a home to return to here. No matter what trials still lie ahead."

A look of gratitude washed over Modi's features. With a final nod, he turned and began striding away, gathering his cloak against the otherworldly Asgardian winds.

Magni watched him go, his heart heavy but resolute.

The soft clink of armor announced a newcomer's approach. Magni turned to see his beloved Hallbera, striding towards him with purposeful steps. Her golden locks were bound tightly and her immortal features set in an expression of concerned affection.

"There you are," she said simply, coming to a halt before him. "I heard the news of your battle."

Wordlessly, Magni pulled her into a fierce embrace, drawing strength from her warmth and calming presence. Hallbera returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around his broad back.

"It was a day of much turmoil and sorrow," Magni rumbled after a moment, his words muffled against her hair. "Amara's sorcery nearly turned Modi's blade against me in earnest."

He pulled back, meeting Hallbera's shining gaze with an inscrutable look. "I should've sensed her manipulations sooner. Perhaps I could have prevented this entire tragedy..."

But Hallbera just shook her head, bringing a hand up to tenderly cup his bearded jaw.

"You cannot blame yourself for a master deceiver's machinations, my love. The fact that Modi broke free of her thrall is a testament to his warrior spirit...and your bond as brothers."

Leaning in, she planted a soft kiss against the corner of his mouth. Magni felt the tension bleed from his body, ever amazed at her ability to soothe his restless doubts. When she pulled away, there was a gleam in her eye.

"But enough wallowing for one day, hmm?" She quirked an eyebrow teasingly. "Mayhaps a good old-fashioned sparring session is in order to work off some of these burdens weighing you down."

A grin slowly spread across Magni's face, the first hint of lightness he'd felt since this entire ordeal began. Reaching down, he playfully scooped up Hallbera in his bulging arms, eliciting a peal of surprised laughter.

"You read my mind, my valiant shieldmaiden," he chuckled deeply. "Though I warn you - I'll not be going easy just because you've charmed your way into my heart!"

Cradling her close, the Thunder God turned and strode off towards the training grounds, Hallbera's melodious laughter echoing through the streets of Asgard.

For now at least, there would be a temporary respite from the darkness that had nearly torn his family asunder. A few blissful hours where he could simply be a warrior, locked in glorious battle with his beloved. Amara and her vile web of treacheries could wait until the morning light. For tonight, Magni would lose himself in combat.

S.H.I.E.L.D Triskelion

Afternoon

The doors to Nick Fury Jr.'s office hissed open, admitting Songbird with a swish of her long crimson coat. The Director looked up from his desk, one eyebrow raised quizzically.

"I take it your chat with the Prince of Asgard was illuminating?" His gruff tone implied he expected a detailed report.

Paige squared her shoulders. "Very much so, sir. According to Magni, Amara has made it abundantly clear she intends to set her sights on dominating our realm sooner rather than later."

Fury's jaw clenched, but he gave a grim nod. "Then we were right to start shoring up our defenses. If that power-hungry witch thinks she'll waltz in here unchecked, she's got another thing coming."

"That's just it though," Songbird pressed on. "From what Magni described of her abilities, the conventional tactics we've prepared may not be enough." She felt a flicker of frustrated doubt but quickly smothered it. "He flat-out said we may need to call upon his direct aid to augment our forces."

A heavy silence hung in the air as Fury absorbed her words. Finally, he laced his fingers together and fixed her with an inscrutable look.

"Well then, it's a good thing we have a few aces up our sleeves in that regard, wouldn't you say?"

The faintest of smirks played across Paige's features. "The Rebirth Initiative?" Paige leaned forward, her interest piqued. "How's the lineup coming along?"

Fury chuckled. "Angling to get in on the action?"

Paige flushed slightly but matched his gaze steadily. "Hey, with my powers, training, and experience keeping an eye on powered personnel, I think I'd be a great fit."

"We'll see," Fury said in a noncommittal tone. "Roster's still very much in flux. You'll know if and when you make the cut."

Hiding a scowl, Songbird gave a nod, turned on her heel and strode out as Fury pulled up a shimmering AR display. It was labeled "Avengers Rebirth Initiative" and listed three names:

Eliot Lang

James Rogers

Lucas Banner

Fury's finger hovered over the screen for a moment before adding two more entries:

Paige Gold

Magni ?

Leaning back, he studied the quintet of assembled heroes—both confirmed and potential. If they synced up well enough, maybe—just maybe—they'd have a chance at keeping the Enchantress's greed for conquest in check.

Only time would tell, he mused grimly. And in his experience, they were rapidly running out of that precious commodity.