REMEMBER ME; peter parker

eleven

Sersi, Ikaris, and Sprite walked Talen to a car, Sprite informing her that they were headed for Ajak. 

The tension in the car was extremely uncomfortable, no one quite knowing what to do. Talen was gazing out of her window, trying her hardest to not let the others see her weakness. 

The drive was long, or maybe it seemed that way because they were all itching for fresh air and no more tension. 

There was a big storm brewing over the vast land on which Ajaks cabin resided. It seemed very lonely to Talen, but she's someone who enjoys being around people and Ajak liked being by herself.

The four exited the car and walked up to find the front door open.

"Hello? Ajak?" Sersi called out. As they walked further into the cabin, the group discovered that the back door was open as well, harsh winds from the storm whistling through. Sersi walked into the backyard alone. 

"Ajak!" She yelled, causing Ikaris, Sprite, and Talen to run out after her. Talen never expected for the leader of the Eternals to be lying dead on the ground. 

It was never easy finding out someone died. Especially someone from her past. She could feel the heart stone aching, sending pain through her limbs and she stopped running before the others. Talen fell to her knees in shock. She did not yell. She did not sob. Her mouth hung open in fear and confusion. She hadn't felt emotion this strong in centuries. 

"It was a Deviant," Ikaris concluded. 

The group sat in silence for a while until the rain began. Ikaris and Sprite took shelter inside the cabin, Talen on the back porch, and Sersi stayed by Ajak. 

Talen could hear an illusion of Sprite's singing inside. Ajak's singing. It sounded so peaceful and comforting and Talen longed for that feeling. She wished she got more of those moments with her people. The only ones who ever treated her with kindness and not a warped sense of pity were Thena and Gilgamesh, but Talen didn't even know where to begin looking for them. 

Talen felt her phone buzz. 

ONE NEW MESSAGE FROM: steve rogers

How's everything going, Kid?

As she read the message, the minimal lights shining in outlying structures flickered off. Talen watched as a small sphere lifted out of Ajak's chest and into Sersi's. She seemed to be in a trance for a few moments before Talen ran to her. 

"Sersi? Sersi!" She shook her shoulder but no luck. 

Sprite and Ikaris came running outside, Talen oblivious until Sprite shoved her aside. Talen watched from the sidelines as Sersi came out of her trance with Sprite and Ikaris by her side. 

"What happened, Sersi?" 

"The sphere that Ajak used to talk with Arishem, it came out of her body and went inside me."

"Did you talk with Arishem?" 

"Yes. He said it's almost time."

"Can you try talking to him again?" 

"I don't know how."

"But she chose you to replace her. And she gave you the sphere-"

"Hold on, Sprite..."

Talen didn't want to listen anymore. She headed back inside the cabin and waited for the others to finish their talks as she called Steve. 

Hey, kid! How's everything going? Are they treating you nice?

Talen chuckled. 

Hey, Steve. Uhm, it's not going as well as we'd hoped. One of them is dead. Ikaris thinks it's a Deviant but I'm not so sure. They're being very cold, but that's expected honestly. I'm trying, Steve, but it's really hard. I just want this to be over so I can come back home.