Shadow of a Villain

Silence rang in the room as I sat on the edge of the bed.

The softness of the mattress underneath me was a stark contrast to the cold, unyielding surfaces I had grown accustomed to during my time away. My fingers grazed the fabric of the bedspread, tracing the intricate patterns that adorned it. My heartbeat echoed in my ears, a steady reminder of my own existence amidst this surreal return, while the weight of my past actions pressed down on me like a heavy blanket. My emotions seemed to be smothering me with memories I'd rather forget.

So much had happened since I'd last been in this building, and it felt like all the memories were trying to infiltrate my head at once. They rushed forth like an unstoppable tide, threatening to drown me in their depths.

The God who had once walked these halls with an air of arrogance and disdain was gone, replaced by someone...changed. I could still feel the lingering traces of my past self within me, but they were overshadowed by something familiar yet renewed; fear, doubt, and uncertainty.

I sighed and pushed up from the mattress, drawn to the window like a moth to a flame, as I began watching the traffic below. From this height, the people appeared as mere specks scurrying about their everyday lives, blissfully unaware of what I had done or who I was. It seemed as if nothing had changed since I'd last been here; as if nothing that had transpired in those dark years had ever occurred. The city had returned to normal.

I envied it.

The sun cast a warm glow on the streets below, reflecting off the glass buildings and creating a kaleidoscope of colours. A slight breeze rustled the trees, their leaves dancing in the wind as if celebrating the beauty of the day. From my vantage point at the window, I watched the world outside, so vibrant and alive.

Inside I felt a sense of yearning, mingled with an unfamiliar warmth - a sensation that was almost foreign to me.

Breaking free from the mind stone's grip and almost dying by Thanos' hand had altered my outlook on life. I felt emotionally drained, as if a part of me had been ripped away in the struggle.

I gazed at my trembling hands, still remembering the sensation of that cold, dark power coursing through me.

Thor had been determined to take me away from Asgard, convinced that separating me from Odin's relentless criticism would help me heal. And it had, in a way. At first, I'd resisted his attempts, sure that I could handle everything on my own. But as the days had turned into weeks, I’d realised how much I needed to be away from the constant reminder of that terrible time.

I wondered what kind of change this advancement would bring; I supposed only time would tell. At the very least it was comforting to be able to move fully again after being stuck in bed for so long. My limbs stretched and flexed, muscles aching with the memory of disuse. I looked around; the surroundings were luxurious but understated – a far cry from the golden halls of Asgard that had confined me for what felt like an eternity.

With each passing moment, my strength seemed to return, and I could feel my magic thrumming through my veins in anticipation.

To test my newfound strength, I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, focusing on the sensation of power coursing through me. It had been too long since I'd last wielded my abilities, the battle with Thanos having drained me almost completely. But now, with renewed vigour, I conjured up the lights which had been dormant inside me for so long.

The lights danced around me as if they were alive, like small fireflies eager to explore their new home. My muscles tensed with the effort of channelling magic again, the sensation both familiar and foreign at the same time. I managed to keep the lights contained within my palms until they flickered and faded away into nothingness once more. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, pleased that my powers had not abandoned me even after everything I'd endured.

Sighing, I moved to the door as I tried to recall Stark’s directions for the main lounge. Thor would come searching for me if I stayed here too long.

The lounge was easy enough to find from my room, Thor's roaring laughter echoed through the halls as though he were attempting to guide me from Asgard itself. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the familiar sound of my brother's mirth; no matter where we were or what situation we found ourselves in, Thor always seemed to be the life of the party.

As I entered the room, I saw him and Tony engaged in an animated conversation, their faces alight with amusement as they bickered light-heartedly about something. From the looks of it, the topic was trivial – just one of those countless debates that filled the void between more pressing matters.

I took note of the empty takeaway boxes on the coffee table; remnants of last night's Midgardian feast that had clearly been devoured. I smirked at the thought of Thor being coerced into joining the Avengers for such a meal. My brother, the mighty Asgardian prince, would undoubtedly have preferred a hearty banquet of roasted meats and flagons of ale.

As I observed them, I noticed the ease with which they interacted, their camaraderie forged through years of shared battles and victories. It struck me then how much they must have come to rely on each other, not just as teammates, but as friends.

I recognised a few of the others in the room. Dr Banner and Ms Romanov were making breakfast in a small kitchen, while the Winter Soldier leaned on the counter next to them - I wasn’t sure of his name. Captain America - Steven? Was sat on a large sofa with Clint Barton, who looked like he hadn’t slept in 100 years, lazily watching the news on the large TV in front of them.

Thor’s booming voice cut through my observations, summoning me to his side. No one seemed to care that I was there or wanted to acknowledge me, so I walked towards him without hesitation. As I approached, I noticed a woman standing next to Tony who I hadn’t seen earlier. She fixed her gaze on me and smiled brightly. I gave her an uncomfortable half-smile in acknowledgement before turning my attention back to my brother.

“Ah, how wonderful that you’re here at last, brother! It has been too long.” He said loudly, his voice reverberating in the large space as I looked to the floor, unsure of how to respond.

"You’ve met the others." Tony said, his face void of emotion. I decided not to try to discern what he was implying. We hadn't bothered with formal introductions, though I, of course, was familiar with them all.

Oblivious to my musings, Stark continued, "This is my niece, Amelie. She just moved in too."

My gaze shifted toward the young woman standing beside him. Amelie was a picture of grace and joy, her golden blonde hair cascading down her back in soft waves and framing her grey-green eyes. I nodded politely.

Stark raised an eyebrow. "Fair warning, she takes after me in all the best ways."

At this, Amelie grinned widely and stepped forward. “Is it true you can shape-shift?”

A quiet chuckle escaped my lips as she eagerly introduced herself. It was uncommon for me to meet someone before they learned about my history. Her friendly demeanour took me by surprise and I wasn't used to it.

“He definitely can, he uses it to torment me.” Thor pursed his lips.

Amelie smiled at him. “He pranks you?”

“He’s used his tacky camouflage to stab me a million times!”

The corner of my mouth twitched downward as I tried not to react. To a mortal, Thor’s statement would sound a lot worse than it was, and judging from the expression on Amelie’s face she was moments away from either a reprimand or a withering comment. To my surprise, a good-natured laugh bubbled out of her lips instead. "If you were being insufferable then it's your own fault!" She teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she beamed at me. “I’m so pleased to meet you. I’m hoping you’ll have plenty of material for me to bully your brother with.”

I grinned. “More than 1000 years worth.”

“Perfect!” Her laughter resounded through the room, fizzling out as her voice took on a delighted tone. The light danced in Thor’s eyes as he looked to me, clearly impressed with himself.

Amelie turned to Tony. “I’d better go. I’m supposed to be meeting Lauren in the lobby.” Her face radiated a gentle mirth and she gave him a quick two-fingered salute before gracefully gliding past him.

As she approached me, I noticed her delicate features - the soft angles of her petite nose and mouth framed by pale skin, dotted with light freckles. She had a gentle warmth that seemed to fill the space. Her eyes met mine as she passed, flashing a warm smile. “Welcome home." She whispered.