C454 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
After taking the Soul Stone by force, Hela returned to Hel, a place that she never thought she would willingly step foot in again. The Soul Stone pulsed in her hand, its golden light illuminating her features with an eerie glow. As she surveyed the power she now possessed, a sinister smile curled her lips.
With a swift and triumphant motion, Hela raised the Soul Stone high above her head. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of green, fixated on the glowing jewel as she channeled its energy. The stones energy surged through her, a pulse of vitality that made her feel more alive than ever before. She could feel the essence of the Soul Stone intertwining with her own dark magic, amplifying her abilities to an unprecedented level.
As the energy coursed through her, Hela's power expanded outward, extending its influence over the very fabric of Hel itself. She opened her palm, and from it erupted a torrent of golden energy that spread like waves across the desolate landscape. The ground trembled, and ethereal wisps of smoke and mist swirled around her, reacting to the power she wielded.
The sky above Hel darkened as the golden energy surged upward, mingling with the shadows. Thunder crackled in the distance, and the air was charged with an otherworldly tension. The realm of the dead seemed to come alive, responding to Hela's command.
With a fierce determination, Hela directed her energy towards the ground. The earth quaked, and from the soil rose countless female figures, each one bearing the armor and weapons of an Asgardian Warrior. They materialized one by one, their forms solidifying as they took shape into an army of mighty Valkyrie.
[Insert picture of Valkyrie here]
Each Valkyrie was a reflection of a glorious past, their faces serene yet devoid of any individuality. They stood at attention, awaiting their queen's orders.
These Valkyrie wore armor that seemed both ancient and timeless, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols that told tales of battles long past. Their armor bore the scars of their last battle against Hela, yet now they mindlessly serve her as Queen.
Their eyes, once bright with life, now glowed with an otherworldly light, giving them a haunting appearance. Their hair flowed like dark rivers of shadow, cascading down their backs as if guided by unseen winds. But despite their undead state, their presence exuded a solemn dignity, a reminder of their past valor.
But Hela's control didn't stop there. Alongside the Valkyrie, deathly figures of winged horses materialized, their forms majestic and awe-inspiring. These were the Pegasus companions that the Valkyrie had once ridden into battle. Now, they stood ready to obey Hela's command just as faithfully as their riders.
The Valkyrie and Pegasus alike were under Hela's complete control, their souls bound to her will by the power of the Soul Stone. Their minds were empty, their movements robotic, as if their personalities and identities had been stripped away, leaving only loyal soldiers who would carry out their queen's desires without question.
Hela gazed upon her spectral army with a mixture of pride and madness. This was her ultimate triumph, a force that would secure her dominance and allow her to exact vengeance on Asgard and all who had ever dared to defy her. And they would march into battle at her command, ready to spill blood in her name.
Her laughter, which had been triumphant before, now took on a maniacal edge. It echoed through the air, carried by the wind to the farthest reaches of Hel. The very realm itself seemed to tremble under the weight of her newfound power, acknowledging her as its ruler.
As Hela's laughter subsided, she lowered the Soul Stone, its golden light dimming slightly. The ethereal figures of her army remained at attention, waiting for her next command.
With a satisfied smile, Hela opened a series of black portals, all leading to Asgard. "Asgard will bow before us, and the realms shall tremble in our wake!"
The Valkyrie mounted the Pegasus as they surged forward, their movements coordinated and precise. The ground shook with their advance, and Hela strode at their forefront, the Soul Stone clutched in her hand. Her hair billowed around her, her eyes ablaze with the promise of conquest.
As they charged through the portals, marched with a grace they didn’t have in the past. With each step, Hela's dominance over the nine realms grew closer and closer. Her undead army was unstoppable, and with the Soul Stone as her anchor, her control over them was absolute. She would bring death and destruction to all who stood in her path, and no realm would be safe from her wrath.
The echoes of Hela's laughter and the thunderous footfalls of her spectral army reverberated through the desolate landscape of Hel, a grim symphony of power and madness that heralded a new era of darkness.
—————
Moments earlier…
The atmosphere in Asgard was heavy with tension as the Avengers, led by Peter, stood on a balcony overlooking the city. Brunnhilde, Xavier, Magneto, Hulk, and Blonsky stood beside him, their expressions grim and resolute. Peter's explanation about Hela's escape from Hel and the urgency of aiding their Asgardian allies had long sunk in, and they were ready for whatever battle lay ahead of them.
Asgard had undergone a drastic transformation since news of Hela's escape had reached them. The city was in lockdown, its streets patrolled by heavily armed soldiers, ever watchful for any sign of Odin's firstborn. The bustling capital now appeared deserted, its once vibrant energy replaced with an eerie silence broken only by the occasional footsteps of guards.
Even the civilians, who would only get in the way, were evacuated to hidden shelters behind the city. Odin even prepared evacuation ships for them, should the conflict escalate into the destruction of Asgard itself. Though he, and everyone else, hoped that wouldn’t be the case.
In the palace, Thor and Loki joined the Avengers on the balcony overlooking the barren city. Loki, once the god of mischief and chaos, was powerless after Odin had refused to return his abilities, even in a time of war like this. Thor's expression was a mix of concern and determination, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of approaching danger.
As they waited, two figures came walking over. Jane Foster and Jessica Jones. Jane appeared as lovely as ever, her presence a calming one for Thor amidst the growing tension. However, it was Jessica who drew everyone's attention. She wore golden Asgardian armor which accentuated her body perfectly, a shining sword sheathed at her waist. The armor seemed to suit her, giving her a regal yet fierce appearance.
Loki's gaze lingered on Jessica, his eyes darkening with a mixture of admiration and desire. He had tried to court her, though their plans had been postponed due to the chaos that had erupted. Now, seeing her dressed almost like a Valkyrie, his thoughts couldn’t help but race.
Jessica turned away from Loki’s heated gaze, an embarrassed look on her face. “How do I look?” She asked in a whisper. “Your mom gave it to me after she realized that I’m an Avenger.”
Loki, finding himself almost breathless, managed to utter, "You look radiant…"
Jessica turned to him, a faint blush gracing her cheeks as a small smile graced her lips. She didn’t expect him to like it so much, but she certainly didn’t mind…
Brunnhilde, the last of the Valkyrie, spoke up, her voice tinged with a mix of melancholy and pride. "You remind me of my sisters."
Jessica turned to Brunnhilde, a sad frown pulling at her lips. But before she could reply with her condolences, the tranquility of the moment was instantly shattered. Countless black portals materialized on the horizon, an ominous sight that drew everyone's attention. The ground trembled as figures emerged from the portals, an army of undead Valkyrie marching forth with an eerie grace, their forms bathed in a faint golden light that flickered like ethereal flames.
The Valkyrie moved with a sense of purpose, their steps light yet commanding, as if they were still guided by the same honor that had once driven them in life. Each movement was deliberate, efficient, a reflection of their battle-hardened training.
Weapons were held in hands that no longer felt fatigue or pain, but their grip was firm, a testament to their readiness for combat. Shields and swords gleamed in the faint light, their edges sharp and deadly. These were the weapons that had once defended Asgard from all threats, yet now they would be used for its downfall.
As they marched, their movements were synchronized, their formation unwavering. The sound of their steps echoed through the city, a solemn drumbeat that heralded their arrival. Their presence was an eerie fusion of beauty and death.
A surge of fury swept through Brunnhilde. The undead army before her had once been her sisters, warriors who had given their lives to protect Asgard. Seeing them used as pawns in Hela's scheme, their eternal rest disturbed, ignited a tremendous anger within her.
“How dare you!” Brunnhilde shouted as she leaped from the balcony, unsheathing her sword mid-air, her eyes locked onto Hela in the distance.
Thor’s grip on the railing tightened as he observed the scene unfolding below. The undead Valkyrie were a haunting sight, their presence a grim reminder of Hela's power. He exchanged a tense glance with his brother, who was completely powerless in this situation.
Suddenly, Odin and Frigga appeared beside them, followed by a large group of heavily armed guards, their expressions grave. Frigga's usually serene face bore a frown as she took in the sight of Hela leading the army of undead Valkyrie into the city. Odin's voice carried a weight of resignation as he muttered, "It has begun."
A/N: 1641 words :)