POV: Baldur.
Unnamed Restaurant, Paris, France.
At the Same Moment.
Our presence began to attract attention from the people around us. We weren't exactly trying to hide ourselves since the start of our conversation, and in this digital age, it's no surprise that they recognized us.
I've never cared much about what others think of me outside of Genosha, so I'm unsure about my credibility and what these people think or believe they know about me. Nevertheless, they were respectful enough to keep several meters away from where Amora and I were seated.
"We can go somewhere quieter if you'd like," I suggest to Amora.
"No. I want to stay here. It's been a long time since we traveled together without being King and Queen," Amora responds.
"Then we'll stay, but could you do something about the noise from the conversations? It's quite irritating."
Amora snaps her fingers, and suddenly, all the noise from the crowd disappears. I look around, and although they were still moving their mouths, no sound was reaching us. It seems they hadn't noticed anything, which means the sound wasn't reaching either of us. The people around us were just mouthing words, snapping camera flashes, no longer disturbing us.
"When I spoke with Anciã some time ago, she mentioned you were working on a new project. Could you tell me what it's about?" I inquire, attempting to restart the conversation.
"My new project is about revenge," she says calmly, taking a sip of her wine.
Anciã hadn't given me many details about what Amora was up to, but after many years together, I have an idea of where her anger would be directed.
"Amora. You're literally going against a fundamental aspect of creation," I say calmly.
"I know."
"You can't destroy her, you can't outwit her, and surely, she's already keeping an eye on us. She'll likely uncover your plans the moment you're ready."
"I know."
"Amora, please, the moment you take action against her, she'll use it as an excuse to retaliate."
"I know," she responds for the third time, looking into her wine glass.
Cosmic entities have unspoken rules; they are the most powerful beings in the multiverse. It would be absolute chaos if any of them could do whatever they pleased to those beneath them. So it's the rule of non-interference that keeps things in order. But of course, there are loopholes in this rule. Death, for example, didn't use her power to make Amora betray me; she only used manipulation. However, if Amora were to attack Death in any way, she would logically have the right to retaliate.
"You'll be destroyed, Amora, please don't do this," I plead, knowing she won't heed my request.
It's not that I don't also desire retribution against Death, but for that, I'll need careful planning and patience, things my wife isn't accustomed to using.
"If you're so concerned about my safety, why not let me return to your side so you can help me with my plan? Together, we're more than capable of bringing that witch to her knees."
(So, we've come to this.)
"You know why I can't let you return to my side yet, Amora."
She takes another sip of her drink, finishing it. When she places the glass back on the table, it magically refills. Amora remains silent, looking at me, until she lowers her head and speaks softly.
"Baldur, did you truly forgive me?"
"What?" I ask, confused.
"During our conversation, the day I told you everything, you said you forgave me, but that your trust in me isn't something easily regained. But I believe you lied when you said you forgave me."
Now it's my turn to ponder. I look up, at the stars, while considering my response. Amora's betrayal wasn't driven by greed or lust for power; it was merely a desperate move by a wife who did the unthinkable to protect her husband from a probable terrible fate. That was my thought before, as it is now. Perhaps my forgiveness is what's troubling Amora the most. Trust is fragile but can be rebuilt, but forgiving a betrayal by someone you love is much more difficult and rare.
So I turn my gaze back to Amora, still with her head bowed, looking at her glass. I extend my hand and with my index finger, draw a rune in the air. Othala has the power of sharing; the golden energy rune disappears as I finish drawing it, and I share with Amora what I feel as I give my response.
"I forgave your betrayal that day, Amora. My heart holds nothing but love for you, as it always has. I won't lie, all I want now is to have you in my arms, but you know why I can't do that yet."
She lifts her head, and I see her red eyes; she's too proud to cry in public.
"Because of Genosha," she says.
"Yes, your betrayal wasn't just to me. I can forgive you for the pain you caused me, but our people haven't."
Sometimes, I regret divulging what Amora did, but what's done cannot be changed. Amora has become a taboo subject in Genosha, and it will be challenging for her to regain the respect of her people.
"One thing I can tell you, you don't need to worry about your revenge against Death. I already have a way to make her pay for what she did to you. You just need to wait a little longer, just a bit more."
"I know you have a plan, Baldur. I know you well. In fact, I never put much trust in my own plan; it just feels good to plan."
Now her expression seems to lighten considerably; she even gives me a smile.
So we continue our conversation, this time with easier topics to discuss. She even asked me to tell her how I found Angela. After I told her about my sister, Amora, without even knowing her, said they would be good friends in the future, and I agree with that.
"Excuse me, sir!"
A voice that wasn't mine or Amora's brings us back to reality and reminds us of where we were. I look to the side and see a black woman holding a microphone pointed at me. Not far from her, I can see a man holding a camera over his shoulder, hesitant to approach.
"Could you answer a few questions?" the reporter says, startled by the look Amora gives her for interrupting our conversation.
We weren't actively driving people away from us, but we were emitting a certain aura, causing them to keep their distance, giving us space to talk.
"Of course," I reply to the reporter.
I'm in a good mood, and this woman was the only one brave enough to approach us; that deserves a certain reward. Amora didn't like it much, but she accepted as well.
The woman seemed a bit more relaxed after agreeing to answer a few questions.
"What do you think of the outcome of the recent UN meeting?" she asks.
Even though I don't pay much attention to what other governments do, that doesn't mean I live in ignorance.
"If you're referring to the order to cease our hunt against Hydra bases worldwide, I'd say it was a predictable move from our enemies."
Our action against the Hydra bases was swift. Due to Hydra's revelation, along with the documents leaked to the world, governments faced a significant problem. So, it took them all this time to come together and agree not to allow us to attack other bases scattered around the world.
"Are you suggesting that there are Hydra sympathizers in the UN!?" the reporter asks, alarmed.
"Why would they be against us? We helped them rid themselves of their hidden enemies. It doesn't favor them in any way; the only ones who benefit from this are Hydra."
"According to what's been said, the reason they accepted the decree was that the Avengers, along with their Genosha soldiers, were invading other nations without permission."
"It's true we're not asking for permission to enter other countries, but remember, we have to move quickly. Our enemy almost took over the entire world just a few days ago. The best way to prevent that from happening again is by attacking them as quickly as we can."
"Are you confirming that the Avengers won't comply with the UN's decree?"
"I'm only stating what happened. As for whether we'll accept the decree or not, that hasn't been decided by the Avengers yet. We're still trying to resolve this as the law dictates."
Natasha, the most sociable among us, is heading to the UN headquarters right now to try to overturn their order. Of course, this is just a smokescreen; all the Avengers have agreed not to follow the UN's orders. There are only a few SHIELD bases left standing. We want to give them a false sense of security before launching a simultaneous attack on all of them. Not that we need to, but since our enemy has given us the chance, why not take it.
"Now that you've asked your questions, allow me to continue my meeting with my wife."
Before the reporter can ask more questions, Amora and I stand up. I place a small gold coin on the table to pay for the wine, and we step through the portal that Amora created, taking us to the meeting room of Níðhöggr.
The meeting room was quite simple, just a circular table in the center with several chairs, some of which were occupied.
"Fine words, brother," Thor says, looking at the hologram projected in the center of the table with my image; it seems I was live.
"Do you think they'll believe it?" Steve asks from beside Thor.
"It doesn't matter if they believe it or not; we already know there are some rotten apples in the UN," Thor replies.
"When you called me from my vacation with Jane, I thought there would be more heads to crush with my hammer, brother."
"I can't do anything if you're late, Thor. Now you'll just have to wait."
Steve then touches the table, changing the hologram in the center to Stark's image.
"How are things up there, Stark?" he asks Tony.
{Finally got everything sorted at the Base; now I can join the party.}
"And the files?" I ask him as I sit in the chair facing the other two, Amora also taking a seat beside me.
{Give me a few more days, and I'll be able to gain access.}
After so many attacks, we managed to get our hands on a secret Hydra file, something I hope is the list of their members. But the file is encoded in a new way; normally, Alice could easily handle something like this, but damn, the file somehow turns into a virus for artificial intelligences trying to solve it. So, I passed the file to someone who isn't lacking in intelligence compared to Alice.
"So, can we start organizing the attack plan...."
"Sorry to interrupt, Captain, but I have an urgent alert," Alice speaks through the room's sound system.
"What is it, Alice?" I ask.
"Sir, we've been attacked, quite unusually," she responds in a rather strange tone.
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