Infinity

Chapter 25 The Last of Them

I flinch at the light, but my eyes are quick to adjust.

We mount our horses and quickly take off, running back to the place the Bifrost left us. The horses huff in relief as we stop, some instinctively lowering their heads to graze. The Bifrost opens and we charge towards the palace.

Vandir and Amria stay beside me as I store the stone in the vault, hidden away from the nine realms.

"One more and we are stronger than ever. One more and we don't have to worry about fighting the evil in this world. We can wipe it out." I say, "We can protect the innocent with a single motion."

"Sounds too easy." Amria says, looking at me.

"We also have to find the Infinity Gauntlet, it is the only known object that can hold all six stones at once." I say, "And then, the wielder must be strong enough to withstand all six stones at once. There's never been anyone strong enough to withstand more than one stone at a time."

"You've wielded more than one stone though, perhaps you will be strong enough to wield it." Amria says.

"I hope you're right." I say, "Otherwise, I'd die."

"And how will you know if you're strong enough?" Vandir asks.

"When I put the gauntlet on, it will either bond to me or tear me apart from the inside." I look down, "Either way will be extremely painful, but it will be for the greater good."

They nod silently.

>>><<<

"There is a request for your audience, my Queen." Amria states from the end of the stairs that lead to the throne.

"From whom?"

"He calls himself 'The Collector.'"

"Let him in, and go find Raoul, tell him that our guest is here." I say, rising from the throne, "Bring him to the dining hall."

"I don't believe that is a wise-"

"He is not a threat; you do not have to worry."

She takes a breath to argue, but quickly backs down. She walks out of the hall.

I step down and head toward the dining hall, using one of the direct paths behind the throne.

I sit at the head of the table, in my common clothes, waiting for the Collector and Raoul.

Raoul sits down beside me, "He's here?"

"Yes, he contacted me urgently; he said that something horrible has happened. It involves the stones."

The golden doors swing open and Raoul and I sit up in our chairs.

The Collector shuffles in, wrapped in what's left of his once expensive garbs. Deep burns cross his face, and his mysterious character seems to have vanished.

Raoul stands up and rushes across the hall, "Father! What happened to you?" He places one of his arms under his father to support him. He carefully sets him down in the chair to my left before returning to his seat.

"Amria, would you be so kind as to fetch a healing stone?"

She nods and leaves.

"You said you needed to speak with me urgently?"

"Yes." He says. His hands shake nervously, "There is another that holds interest in the Infinity Stones. He destroyed my collection. He burnt it all... all except the Aether, he asked for it specifically."

I look at Raoul, "And how did he know where to find it?"

"He said the Gauntlet led him there. And that it would lead him to the rest." The Collectors voice wavers, "I managed to escape, but Ivanna, you must be careful of what you say or do. Word has gotten out about your little expeditions."