C461 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
Amid the euphoria of the Valkyrie's resurrection, Brunnhilde was overcome with emotions she had long suppressed. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she embraced her newly restored sisters. The bond between them was unbreakable, forged through countless battles and shared camaraderie.
However, amidst the joyful chaos, a familiar voice rang out, commanding the resurrected Valkyrie. “Make way! Make way!”
Brunnhilde looked up, her tear-filled eyes widening as she saw the imposing figure walking toward her. It was Lady Astrid, the leader of the Valkyrie, Brunnhilde's teacher, and the closest thing she had to a mother.
Lady Astrid, the formidable leader of the Valkyrie, was a commanding presence in every sense. Standing tall and proud, she possessed a regal bearing that demanded respect. Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back in a thick braid, a symbol of her strength and tradition.
Though she had a slim and graceful figure, there was no mistaking the underlying strength that lay beneath her Asgardian armor. Her muscles, though not bulky, were toned and well-defined, a testament to the rigorous training she had undergone throughout her life.
Astrid's beauty was undeniable, her features striking and captivating. Her piercing blue eyes held a wisdom that spoke of countless battles and experiences. They were eyes that could both command and comfort, a reflection that she embodied as a leader and a mother figure to her fellow Valkyrie.
Clad in her Asgardian armor, she wore the symbols of her warrior heritage proudly. A sword hung at her hip, a symbol of her prowess in combat and her unwavering dedication to her sisters.
But beyond her formidable exterior, Astrid possessed a deep and caring soul. Her seriousness and authority as a leader were tempered by a genuine love and concern for all the Valkyrie under her command.
Her most profound affection, however, was reserved for Brunnhilde, whom she had taken under her wing as a sort of daughter. With Brunnhilde, her stern demeanor softened into a warm and protective presence, showing the depth of her love and care.
Confusion marked Lady Astrid's face as she surveyed the scene before her, trying to make sense of the inexplicable turn of events. The last memory she had was sacrificing herself alongside her sisters to save Brunnhilde and Asgard from Hela's wrath. Yet here she stood, alive and well, surrounded by living, breathing Valkyrie.
As Lady Astrid approached, Brunnhilde's emotions reached their breaking point. She cried out with all her might, her voice a mix of dark emotions, which she has been suppressing for a very long time.
"L-Lady Astrid! I-I'm sorry… I’m so sorry… Please don’t hate me… I’m sorry for leaving you to die… I shouldn’t have left… I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…" She cried like a baby as she attached herself to Astrid’s leg, begging for forgiveness over and over.
Hela, still in her infant form, rolled her eyes at Brunnhilde's emotional outburst. She couldn't help but think, ‘Shouldn't I be the baby here?’
Lady Astrid's stern expression softened as she gazed down at Brunnhilde, who clung to her leg like a lifeline. She knelt down and enveloped Brunnhilde in a warm, comforting embrace, much like a mother consoling her child. Her voice was soothing, filled with understanding and forgiveness. "Brunnhilde, my dear, you have nothing to apologize for. We did what we had to do to protect you."
Although she had no idea how she was alive, those questions could wait until Brunnhilde was okay. And she obviously wasn’t.
Watching this, every single Valkyrie, including Astrid, thought, ‘I didn’t think she would take our deaths this badly…’
Brunnhilde's sobs gradually subsided under the reassurance of her beloved leader. The weight of years of guilt and sorrow seemed to slowly lift from her shoulders as she allowed herself to be comforted. She felt safe and loved, a feeling she had longed for since the day she thought she'd lost her sisters.
As Brunnhilde began to calm down, Lady Astrid explained what had truly happened on that fateful day. "You didn't leave us behind, Brunnhilde. We sent you away because you were the youngest among us, and we couldn't bear to see you fall in battle. It wasn't your fault, and we never blamed you."
Hearing those words from Lady Astrid, Brunnhilde finally let go of a portion of her guilt and fear. She felt a sense of closure she had never thought possible. With a sigh of relief, she leaned into Lady Astrid's embrace, her trembling finally giving way to peaceful slumber.
Frigga, who had been watching the emotional reunion from a distance, approached the sleeping Brunnhilde with a gentle smile. She knelt beside them and spoke to Lady Astrid, "She's been standing guard beside your remains for days without sleep, waiting for this moment. She needs this rest more than anyone."
Lady Astrid nodded in gratitude, her gaze never leaving Brunnhilde's peaceful face. "Thank you for watching over her and bringing us back. We owe you a great debt." She bowed her head, thinking it was Frigga who brought them back.
Frigga shook her head humbly. "It wasn't me who brought you back, and I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t watch over Brunnhilde either..." She gestured toward Peter, who stood nearby in his distinctive spider-themed suit. “It was him.”
The Valkyrie, including Lady Astrid, turned their attention to Peter, curiosity evident in their expressions. They couldn't help but wonder about the man who had orchestrated their resurrection.
Peter gave them his usual wave. "Yo, I'm Spider-Man. And I did this for Brunnhilde. Without her, I wouldn’t have bothered resurrecting people that I don’t know from thousands of years ago. So, if you want to repay anyone, direct it toward her."
The Valkyrie exchanged glances, their astonishment at being brought back to life after thousands of years evident. They realized the immense burden Brunnhilde had been carrying, and the guilt they had unknowingly placed upon her. But they also realized that their old lives were completely displaced, and more than likely, many of their families have probably moved on or died.
Lady Astrid stepped forward, her expression one of solemn gratitude. "Either way, thank you for this second chance at life. We owe you a life debt for what you’ve done."
Peter waved off their gratitude. "No need for that. Just take care of Brunnhilde, she needs you guys. I’m sure you’ve begun to realize that."
As the Valkyrie nodded in agreement, their collective gaze turned to Brunnhilde, who lay peacefully asleep in Lady Astrid's arms. They were determined to be there for her, to help her banish the survivor's guilt that had haunted her for far too long. They had been given a second chance at life, and they would make the most of it, starting with supporting their beloved sister in her time of need.
————
As the Valkyrie shared a tearful reunion, in a distant corner of the universe, aboard a Chitauri ship, Thanos the Mad Titan lay on a high-tech hospital bed, which periodically scanned his vitals. Thanks to his deal with Galactus, who had left after extracted the poison that Peter had cunningly delivered in their last encounter, the Mad Titan was slowly on the path to recovery. His once-ashen complexion was regaining its color, and his immense strength was gradually returning.
Yet, as he healed, Thanos couldn't escape the seething anger and burning hatred that consumed him. His thoughts were fixated on Spider-Man, the one who had repeatedly thwarted his grand ambitions and dared to trick him with poison. The mere thought of the web-slinger sent a shiver of rage through his revitalized body.
But that wasn’t all, he now owed Galactus the Infinty Stones. Once he was done using them, of course. Thankfully, he didn’t have much need for them afterward anyway, so it wasn’t a hard price to pay.
As he lay there, Thanos envisioned the day when he would be back to full health, when he would have the strength to crush his enemies, especially Spider-Man, without restraint. Earth, the web-slinger's cherished home planet, would crumble under the weight of his vengeance.
At first, he only wanted to cull the planets population, as he usually does, but not anymore. They would all die and he would force Spider-Man to watch the death of his home as well as his loved ones.
In the midst of his vengeful imagination, the door to Thanos's chamber swung open, and Ebony Maw hurriedly entered, his robe billowing as he bent into a deep bow before his Thanos. "Father," Maw began with reverence, "I bring urgent news."
Thanos, his eyes narrowing in curiosity, gestured for Maw to speak. Maw had always been an enigmatic and loyal son, his gifted intellect matched only by his allegiance to Thanos.
"Our sensors have detected a massive surge of universal energy emanating from Asgard," Maw reported, his voice filled with a mix of greed and trepidation. "It's as if there are at least two Infinity Stones present."
Thanos fell into contemplative silence for a moment, his thoughts racing. Asgard, the realm ruled by Odin and the home of the powerful Asgardians, was a formidable force. Even at his peak strength, he had tread carefully when dealing with the Allfather and his realm.
"We cannot confront Asgard in my current state," Thanos finally declared, his voice a low, rumbling growl. “We’ll have to wait until I am fully healed to face Odin."
Maw nodded in understanding, realizing that a confrontation with Asgard in their current condition would be unwise. After all, the realm had been a formidable adversary for Thanos in the past.
"I’ll bring your medicine soon, Father," Maw replied, his unwavering loyalty clear in his eyes. He knew that Thanos's recovery was paramount to their future endeavors.
As Maw exited the chamber, Thanos settled back onto his hospital bed, his gaze turning to his hand, where he held a bright, glowing, yellow stone between his large fingers. He would bide his time, gather his strength, and when the moment was right, he would descend upon Earth with an unrelenting fury.
And Asgard would be next…
A/N: 1703 words :)