Chereads / Golden Raven in Marvel / Chapter 63 - Chapter 64: The Price of Power

Chapter 63 - Chapter 64: The Price of Power

The stars above Earth glittered coldly, their light a silent witness to the turbulent events unfolding below. Javier Sánchez, the eternal being whose influence stretched across the cosmos, had long been an enigma to both mortal and immortal alike. His creations, his power, and his mistakes had left their mark on the universe. But now, in the depths of space, a shadow cast by one of the universe's most infamous conquerors loomed— Thanos.

The Mad Titan, whose very name struck fear into the hearts of the strongest gods and heroes, had traveled across the stars to seek the one thing that had eluded him for so long. Infinitium, the metal of unimaginable power, had been sealed away by Javier after it had wreaked havoc on the civilizations it was meant to uplift. But now, Thanos had come to claim what he believed was rightfully his.

Javier stood before the Titan, his presence as vast as the universe itself. The stars above flickered with the weight of his decisions. Thanos, towering and imposing, was not one to plead, but he had come with a purpose— to convince the god-like figure to part with his greatest creation.

"You created it," Thanos's voice rumbled, deep and commanding. "Infinitium. A metal so powerful it can bend the very fabric of reality itself. You must understand the cost of what you have hidden away. The universe needs it, Javier."

Javier regarded him silently, his eyes glowing with the ancient wisdom of countless eons. He knew what Thanos sought: control, dominance, and the ability to reshape the universe in his image. But Javier was not so easily swayed. He had learned, through centuries of experience, the perils of such unchecked power.

"You do not understand, Thanos," Javier's voice echoed like a distant thunderclap. "Infinitium is both a blessing and a curse. It brings with it the ability to change the universe, but it is also a weapon capable of destroying it. The universe cannot bear such power."

Thanos took a step forward, his cold smile never leaving his face. "You think too small, Javier. The universe is chaos. It needs a guiding hand, a force to bring order. Infinitium is that force. The energy it contains could fuel a new era, an era where I can finally impose balance, a balance only I can bring."

The Black Order, Thanos's most loyal and deadly children, stood in the shadows, observing their father's exchange with the god-like being. Corvus Glaive, Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, and Cull Obsidian, each bearing the hallmarks of their master's will, listened intently, their faces betraying little emotion— yet their minds raced with the possibilities that Infinitium could offer them.

Ebony Maw, with his sharp intellect, spoke first. "Thanos, the potential... it is beyond what we could have imagined. With Infinitium, our father could finally realize his destiny, the destiny of the universe itself."

Corvus Glaive's voice followed, thick with conviction. "The power to challenge even the gods themselves... Infinitium is the weapon we've long needed. We would be unstoppable."

Proxima Midnight, ever the pragmatist, added, "And with it, we could ensure no one ever dares to challenge Thanos again. The universe would bow before us, as it should."

Javier could feel their hunger for power, their ambition, but he also saw the darkness in their eyes. They were not seeking balance— they were seeking domination. Javier turned his gaze back to Thanos, who stood resolute in his pursuit.

"You still do not see the full picture, do you, Thanos?" Javier said, his voice soft but laden with centuries of regret. "Infinitium was born from the very forces of creation and destruction. It is a double-edged sword. You think you can control it, but what will you do when it controls you?"

Thanos's gaze hardened, but there was something else behind his eyes—a flicker of understanding, a recognition of the risks. But it was fleeting, and the hunger for power soon drowned it out.

"I've seen what destruction looks like," Thanos growled. "I have destroyed entire worlds, erased life from existence, and yet I stand. Infinitium will not be a force of destruction in my hands. It will be the key to restoring balance."

Javier stared at him for a long moment, as if weighing the consequences of his decision. He had seen the future—the potential for great good and the potential for unimaginable catastrophe. And yet, Thanos was not the only force in the universe capable of wielding Infinitium's power. Perhaps, in some twisted way, this was Thanos's fate. Perhaps this was the only path forward for the Titan.

"I will give you Infinitium," Javier said, his voice heavy with the weight of his words. "But know this: I am not gifting you this power out of trust. I am giving it to you because you need it— and because the universe needs to see what you will do with it."

Thanos's eyes gleamed with victory. "You will not regret this, Javier. You will see that I am the one who can wield this power without being consumed by it."

The Black Order erupted into low murmurs of approval, their faces illuminated by the gleam of their father's triumph. But Javier, as always, felt the burden of his decision. This time, however, there was something different— a nagging feeling that Infinitium's legacy was not yet finished, that the Titan would play his part in its story, but it would not be the end.

"Take it," Javier said, extending his hand. Infinitium, the indestructible, cosmic metal, materialized from the very air around them, its shimmering surface a reflection of the very fabric of the universe. It hovered in front of Thanos, its power palpable, its aura almost suffocating.

Thanos reached out, his hand encasing the metal, feeling its energy surge through him. His eyes widened for a brief moment as the raw power of Infinitium coursed through him, but his smile never wavered. He had what he wanted.

"You have made the right choice, Javier," Thanos said, his voice low and filled with the promise of destruction. "Infinitium will not be wasted."

And with that, Thanos turned, the Black Order following in his wake. Javier watched them leave, his heart heavy with the knowledge that the course of the universe had shifted once more.

The future of Infinitium was now in the hands of Thanos. What he would do with its immense power was yet to be seen, but Javier knew one thing for certain: the balance between creation and destruction would be tested once again. And as long as Infinitium existed, it would never truly be forgotten.

Javier's journey continued, but the echoes of his creation reverberated through the stars, leaving a legacy that even he could not control.

The universe, as always, moved forward— uncertain, unpredictable, and forever changed.