Chapter 19: Dark Elves
The moment Jane Foster absorbed the Aether, an ancient and malevolent force, the universe shifted. Unbeknownst to her, this singular act of fate set off a chain of events that would awaken horrors long forgotten and send ripples through the cosmos.
Location: Dark Elf Ship, Svartalfheim
At the same moment Jane absorbed the Aether, deep within a colossal, battle-scarred ship buried beneath the surface of Svartalfheim, another ancient force began to stir.
Malekith, the leader of the Dark Elves, had been in a deep, deathlike slumber for millennia, ever since his defeat at the hands of Bor. He and his followers had been waiting, biding their time, hidden away from the prying eyes of the universe, awaiting the return of the Aether.
The dark energy of the Aether surged through Svartalfheim, reaching the ship and touching the consciousness of Malekith. His eyes snapped open, glowing with a malevolent light, and his heart, blackened by centuries of hatred, began to beat once more.
"Awaken…" Malekith whispered, his voice echoing through the cold, metallic halls of the ship.
His loyal lieutenant, Algrim, along with the remaining Dark Elves, stirred from their own slumber. They had awaited this moment for so long—the return of their leader and the revival of their crusade to bring eternal darkness to the universe.
Malekith rose from his stone-like throne, his body tall and gaunt, wrapped in the dark, regal robes of his ancient lineage. His face, as pale as the moon, bore a twisted expression of triumph as he sensed the Aether's power emanating from a distant part of the realm.
"The Aether…" he murmured, a cruel smile playing across his thin lips. "It has returned to us."
Algrim approached his master, his own form towering and imposing. "Shall we reclaim it, my lord?" he asked, his voice a deep, menacing rumble.
"Yes," Malekith replied, his tone filled with dark anticipation. "We will reclaim the Aether and plunge the universe into the darkness it was always meant to be."
The Dark Elves, now fully awakened and with their purpose reignited, began to prepare for their assault. The ancient ship, a massive war machine known as the Ark, groaned as it started to power up after millennia of inactivity. The ground trembled as its engines roared to life, and the skies above Svartalfheim began to churn with dark clouds, reflecting the malevolence of the forces below.
As the dark elves ship was ready to reach the stars Malekith suddenly found that the Aether presence that he was feeling was moving away from him and reached Midgard which bewildered him but didn't think much of it and was ready to order his troops to set the destination to Earth, a.k.a. Midgard, it's location changed once again to Asgard, stunned he waited a few moments and when the location didn't change again he started giving order to his men.
Malekith stood at the helm of the ship, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the task ahead. "We will strike at Asgard," he declared, his voice carrying a terrible resolve. "We will reclaim the Aether and fulfill our destiny."
The Dark Elves moved with silent efficiency, preparing their weapons, readying their ships, and donning their battle armor. There was no hesitation in their movements—only the cold determination of a race bent on vengeance and destruction.
As the Ark ascended from the depths of Svartalfheim, the once-quiet world was now alive with the dark energy of the resurrected army. The ship, massive and imposing, tore through the sky, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake.
Inside the ship, Malekith stood in front of a massive, translucent display showing the Nine Realms. His eyes were fixed on Asgard, the golden realm that had once been the bane of his existence.
"Bor sealed the Aether away, but now his descendants will pay the price," Malekith muttered to himself, his voice laced with centuries of bitter hatred. "We will tear Asgard apart, and then the rest of the realms will follow."
Algrim, now donned in his dark, spiked armor, approached Malekith. "The Aether's power will be yours once more, my lord. We will not fail."
Malekith turned to face his lieutenant, his expression cold and calculating. "See to it that you do not. The Aether is our key to victory. With it, not even the gods can stand in our way."
Algrim bowed his head in solemn agreement. The Dark Elves had waited too long for this moment. Failure was not an option.
As the Ark hurtled through the void toward Asgard, the universe itself seemed to sense the impending doom. The Dark Elves were on the move, and with them came the promise of chaos and destruction. The peace that had reigned across the Nine Realms was now under threat, and the echoes of war began to resound once more.