More Than a Mortal

Secondary Terrigenesis

"So, I guess we all know what Blackagar and Medusa are going to be getting up to after all of that," Tony chuckled and wiggled his eyebrows as the Avengers and Marla walked along one of the corridors of the castle.

"I'm just glad Dean is off the hook," Steve spoke with relief before looking at Natasha. "That was smooth work, Romanoff."

Natasha smiled nonchalantly as she thought about Dean. Although he'd made his position perfectly clear to Medusa and Blackagar, there was still a lot of relief in knowing he wasn't remotely involved in any sort of damnation for their kingdom.

As they approached the courtyard, they spied Dean, Thor and Lockjaw in the middle. Dean was sitting on the grass, watching as Thor tossed a small tree across the yard for Lockjaw to chase down and bring back to him. As Lockjaw trotted back to Thor and laid the tree at his feet, Thor gave him a vigorous scratching that sent the large dog into bliss. He rolled onto his back and Thor gave him a belly rub.

"He's going to miss you, Thor," Crystal said as she entered the courtyard to join them. "I can't thank all of you enough for all of your help," Crystal said as she turned to the others.

"We were happy to help," Steve said before looking around. "Where are the king and queen?"

Tony cleared his throat and grinned, earning him sharp eye from Steve.

"They have gone to witness the execution of Acrimon," Crystal spoke gravely. "I elected to pass on that spectacle so I could see you off and give you their thanks once more."

Dean shrugged his shoulders and looked up at the strange sky overhead. Atillan was a strange, beautiful world, but he was looking forward to going home. He was happy to have finally discovered the secrets buried in the past. He would be returning home to earth finally understanding who he was and where he came from. He reflected on all of the recent time he'd spent trying to piece the mystery together. In seeking the answers of the past, he needed only to look to the stars. But his future was standing beside him. He looked at Thor and took comfort in the easy smile he gave him.

Acrimon stood in his cell, his eyes looking straight ahead of him. The finality of his situation had settled in already and now there was only bitter acceptance of his circumstances. He knew that his campaign was at an end. Nothing was of any consequence now- his work in securing the Stones for Thanos, his bid for power over Atillan, and his attempts to assassinate Dean- none of it mattered now that he would be facing the cold obliteration of Uranus's true landscape. He thought of Amora and Loki and felt only immense disappointment in himself for relying on them so heavily. They'd failed him, and because of that, he had failed.

A sharp cracking sound filled the cell block. A distressed grunt snatched at Acrimon's thoughts and he listened intently. "Once so powerful and now so destitute, Prince Acrimon," a dark, rasping voice spoke from the distant corridor. "Things can change so quickly, can't they?"

Acrimon scowled as he approached the barrier and attempted to see who was addressing him. The corridor lights flickered slightly as footsteps became gradually louder as a figure moved before the cell. Acrimon withdrew from the barrier, his eyes widening at who he saw. Standing on the opposite side was one of Thanos's terrible children. Tall and of lean build, the figure was clad in a black, armored bodysuit. The armor- a breastplate, gauntlets, grieves, and shoulder guards- was a deep, dark red the shade of blood, with sweeping designs adorning it.  Coiled at his hip was a whip forged from a glowing red material. His face was partially obscured with a hood, but Acrimon could see the lower part of a stark white face. The teeth were perfect lines of sharp fangs that showed when his black lips curled into a smile.

"Fatality Eclipse," Acrimon whispered.

"Don't worry about your guards. I've seen to them," Fatality confirmed as he gave his whip a light pat.