Reunited
The Next Day
Kingo's jet brought Asmund and his friends to Australia where they rented a car to drive out to where Gilgamesh and Thena might live, and as they drove, Asmund sensed the presence of a Deviant nearby and it was rushing toward the two Eternals they were searching for which made Asmund became tense and place a hand on the door.
“What’s wrong?” Ikaris asked seeing him become alert and Asmund looked at the Eternal with an apologetic tilt of the head causing Ikaris’ eyes to widen in shock as he realized what Asmund was about to do, “Asmund, no!”
Leaving the others to continue their drive, Asmund teleported out of the car and flew into the sky, leaving Ikaris to curse under his breath as Ajak nodded at him, allowing him to join Asmund, so Ikaris sped out of the car and flew after the fleeing Eternal while Ajak closed the door behind him. In the air, Asmund used his supervision to pursue the Deviant in the direction where he sensed it was traveling, however as he approached the Deviant, he heard an inhuman screech coming straight towards him and he looked up to see a large Deviant flying straight at him. The monster grabbed him with its talons and dragged him far from his target while Asmund trashed around in its claw, summoning lightning to his free hand and blasting it with the lightning, causing it to screech in pain and drop him from its grasp causing him to fall towards the ground at high speed. While the wind howled through Asmund's ears as he tumbled to the earth, he reached out his left hand, pressing his middle finger and thumb together, snapping his fingers loudly and he stopped falling as he hovered in the air so he could gain his bearings before turning towards the flying Deviant just in time to see it rushing towards him with intent to kill when suddenly Ikaris appeared beside it and punched it with his inhuman strength. The Deviant blasted through the air down to earth as Ikaris hovered in the air watching it fall onto the ground and he looked towards Asmund, who was grateful that the Eternal came to his rescue, and flew down to him, checking Asmund for any wounds and noticed that the Deviant had clawed Asmund’s shoulder deeply causing a nasty wound which was bleeding.
“You’re hurt.” Ikaris said in a pissed-off tone as his eyes flashed dangerously with rage.
“I’ll be fine.” Asmund assured him and he turned towards the land-dwelling Deviant’s direction, “I need to go defeat the one heading towards your friends if you got the flying one.”
“Asmund…” Ikaris started to say, but Asmund laid a hand gently on the man’s cheek and smiled at him.
“I’ll be alright, Ikaris.” he said softly as he looked into Ikaris’ eyes, “I promise…Ajak can heal me later.”
“Be careful.” Ikaris begged and Asmund nodded before turning towards his prey and blasting towards it at high speed while Ikaris rushed after his own prey.
As he was pursuing the Deviant at high speed, Asmund spotted a man outside a small house, in danger because of the Deviant; he rushed down faster just as the man turned towards it, his eyes widening in shock as it snarled and lunged at him, only for Asmund to appear in front of it in a flash and create a crystal barrier between him and the Deviant, protecting both men from danger.
“Asmund?” the man said shocked to see Asmund standing in front of him.
“Gilgamesh, I’m assuming.” Asmund replied and the man nodded slowly, understanding that Asmund’s memories were gone, “Mind giving me a helping hand with this?”
“All too happy to help a fellow Eternal.” Gilgamesh said as golden cosmic energy gauntlets appeared on his hands.
He pulled back his fist, just Asmund lowered the crystal shield thus allowing Gilgamesh to punch the Deviant in the face and blast it backward a few feet, and succeeded in stunning the monster as Asmund sped around with his super-speed and brought out a black cosmic sword as he sliced its legs off causing it to howl in pain while Gilgamesh continued attacking from the front with his inhuman strength. They started to gain the upper hand on the Deviant when suddenly the monster’s tentacle tail extended and stretched around in a flash, thrusting through Asmund’s body making him cry out in agony as hot flashing pain snapped through him as the monster howled in delight before tossing him across the land into a boulder causing the man to groan in pain as his head hit the boulder and he coughed up blood.
“Asmund!” Gilgamesh yelled in worry only to be distracted which caused him to be knocked back by the Deviant before it turned its attention towards Asmund, rushing at him and lunging through the air ready to kill the Eternal.
It started becoming dark as Asmund's vision blurred and the Deviant swung its tentacles in his direction for the kill when a golden cosmic energy sword appeared out of nowhere and struck the Deviant in the neck, causing it to howl in pain as it was stabbed in the neck and the monster cowered away as a woman with long blonde hair, wearing white armor and wielding the cosmic sword with another cosmic shield in her other hand, stood in front Asmund protecting him from the Deviant. Asmund looked up at the woman as she turned to him showing she had blue eyes and memories of the two of them battling side by side flashed through his mind as he recalled her name and grinned weakly at her.
“Thena…” he groaned wincing in pain and she looked at him with shaky eyes as she stared in horror at her old friend critically injured in front of her.
In the skies above; Ikaris battled the flying Deviant using his abilities to defeat the monster and he took a deep sigh as the beast fell to the earth below.
Asmund! Gilgamesh’s voice rang out and Ikaris’ eyes widened in horror before he turned towards the direction of Gilgamesh’s voice and sped towards the site as fast as he could as memories of the past echoed in his mind.
The year was 1521, over two thousand years after the Eternals were sent to Earth by Arishem to deal with the Deviants, and the Eternals had helped mankind advance while battling the monsters. They were now living in the Aztec city, Tenochtitlan, where there were a few centuries of peace with no Deviants showing up, and during that time, Asmund had come to connect with mankind and fall in love with the race, eager to help them evolve as he took his time to learn their different languages and cultures alongside Sersi who loved mankind just as much as him. One night; Asmund and Sersi were dancing with the Aztec as they celebrated one of their holidays and Ikaris stood above in one of the temples used to house the Eternals during their stay of them protecting the humans from Deviants and he looked down below at the people gathered around the fires before gazing upon Asmund, having grown close to him and fallen in love with the kind Eternal, as Ajak came up beside Ikaris and saw who he was looking at.
“You know that you can tell him.” she told him and Ikaris looked at her confused, “You didn’t think that I wouldn’t notice how close you two have become over the last 2 thousand years? You’re allowed to have a life, Ikaris…so go tell him how you feel.”
“But the mission…” Ikaris started to say but Ajak held up a hand to stop him.
“The mission can still be completed, but that shouldn’t be the reason that you don’t live your life to the fullest with the person that you love.” she said softly as she smiled up at him and held a hand to his cheek, “Be happy, Ikaris.”
It was with a sigh that Ikaris contemplated whether he should heed Ajak's advice, and then he looked back at Asmund, seeing the Eternal dance with the humans and enjoy himself, while Sersi was also enjoying herself. After straightening himself with resolve, Ikaris turned and walk down the steps of the palace which lead outside, and walked slowly towards the group who were dancing all the while, watching Asmund until he reached the Eternal. Asmund looked up as he was finishing dancing with the tribe and saw Ikaris off to the side, gazing at him softly with a small smile on his face, and Asmund blushed while looking down to the ground as Ikaris walked up to him and Asmund looked up at him.
“Fancy a night stroll?” Ikaris asked holding a hand out towards Asmund, who looked at him for a moment in surprise before nodding and taking Ikaris’ hand.
Ikaris led Asmund out of the village’s square as Ajak watched them from the palace with a smile on her face as one of the Eternals, Druig, came up beside her dressed in brown armor that matched his hair and eyes and he watched Ikaris and Asmund leave the village.
“Is it wise for them to wander off?” Druig asked with an air of disdain in his voice and Ajak sighed as she looked over towards him, “Do they not know that we are here to complete our mission for Arishem?”
“Arishem’s mission is important, but they should be allowed to live a life.” Ajak answered as she turned away from the festivities below and poured herself a glass of wine.
“Our mission is our life, Ajak.” Druig argued as he walked up to her impatiently, “We don’t have time to ‘live our lives’ as you say…these humans are nowhere even close to protecting themselves from the Deviants and they fight among themselves over trivial matters.”
Druig scoffed in disgust as he turned back towards the open balcony of the palace and leaned over the railing to the tribe below.
“Look at them…” he said with a wave of his hand in irritation, “Feeble-minded humans who argue and kill over the most trivial things, not to mention their jealousy over their fellow human beings as they covet each other properties. Why protect a race that kills its own for no reason other than being selfish?”
“It is true that mankind has its faults…” Ajak agreed as she came up beside him while holding her cup of wine, “But it also has its merits…I’ve seen the love and happiness in their lives and they have a lot to learn, but no species is perfect as everyone has their faults.”
Druig scoffed in disgust and looked down upon the tribe with contempt as Ajak looked at him sadly, hoping that the Eternal’s view on humanity will change eventually and he would come to view them as Asmund and Sersi viewed them.
While Ikaris and Asmund were walking in the moonlight through the mountains outside the village; Ikaris held Asmund’s hand with a firm yet tender grasp and he felt the warmth of Asmund's hand in his as he reflected that he had been drawn towards the young handsome Eternal since the moment they stood on the Doma looking Earth and he loved the touch of Asmund’s hand in his. As Ikaris looked back at him while they walked, he looked deeply into the man’s eyes and could swear that he could get lost in those deep majestic hazel eyes that radiated power and beauty and his angelic face radiating in its beauty within the moonlight.
“Are you alright?” Asmund asked with a tilt of his head and Ikaris’ knees almost buckled at the deep sweet accent that sent shivers down his spine and made his heart flutter.
“Yes, I’m alright.” Ikaris answered as he collected himself and cleared his throat before looking around.
“Where are you leading me?” Asmund asked as he looked around confused.
“I got something to show you.” Ikaris told him as he stopped and looked behind Asmund’s shoulder at the village behind them and then looked at Asmund with a grin on his face, “I know you can use my abilities, but if you don’t mind…I’d like to take you up in flight.”
“Oh?” Asmund said in surprise and he gasped slightly as Ikaris picked him up effortlessly into his arms with Asmund holding his hands around the Eternal’s neck.
“Here we go.” Ikaris said looking into Asmund’s eyes tenderly before flying up into the heavens and Asmund let out a small gasp as rushes of air flew past them.
Ikaris flew them high into the air until both Eternals could see many different cities spread across the earth and upon the horizon.
“Oh wow…” Asmund said gasping as he looked at everything in awe, “This is an amazing view ...I have never been up this high before.”
“I often come up here to quiet my thoughts.” Ikaris told him as he watched Asmund taking in the sight with a smile, “I thought I’d share this experience with you and hope that you like it?”
“Like it?” Asmund questioned with a big smile on his face and he looked up at the Eternal, “Ikaris, I love it…thank you for sharing this with me.”
“You’re someone that I’d want to share everything with.” Ikaris said as he blushed with a shy smile and Asmund looked at him shocked, “Nitlauel ketsaltik.”
Asmund chuckled as Ikaris tried to use the Aztec language to tell Asmund that he was very handsome but he didn’t quite get it as instead called himself handsome.
“I give points for effort.” Asmund said and Ikaris looked at him confused, “You called yourself handsome when you were trying to call me handsome…the correct way to say it is: Titlauel ketsaltik.”
“Titlauel ketsaltik…” Ikaris replied trying his best to say the wording correctly and Asmund smiled at him as the Eternal took in a deep breath, “I need to tell you something, Asmund.”
Asmund titled his head in confusion as Ikaris opened his mouth to tell him something when suddenly the younger Eternal turned his head sharply down in the direction of the village and seemed to be distracted.
“Asmund?” Ikaris questioned in concern.
“There are Deviants heading towards the village which is also being invaded by other humans with guns.” Asmund told him as the young man moved out of Ikaris’ arms and floated in the air, “We need to head down.”
Ikaris nodded as he began to follow Asmund back down towards the village and as they flew down, Asmund groaned as he held a hand to his head as if he was being overwhelmed by something.
“Asmund…” Ikaris started to say as his eyes slanted with concern.
“I’ll handle the Deviants.” he told his fellow Eternal, “You got to get to the temple and stop Druig from controlling the humans, but don’t kill him.”
“Alright, but don’t do anything reckless.” Ikaris begged and Asmund nodded in assurance making Ikaris feel better before speeding down towards the Deviants outside of the village as Ikaris headed towards the village.
Ikaris landed at the temple and saw Druig standing at the balcony overlooking the village below as he used his mind-controlling ability to make the humans stop fighting and obey him and Ikaris ran up to Druig, grabbing the Eternal by the shoulder and pushing him into the wall.
“Stop this.” he ordered his fellow Eternal who scoffed at him in defiance, “We have bigger problems than the humans.”
“What do you mean, Ikaris?” Ajak asked concerned and Ikaris looked at the other Eternals.
“The Deviants are heading here.” he answered and their eyes widened in alarm, “Asmund is heading towards them as we speak, so can I ask Makkari to go over there and help him?”
‘Of course’ a woman with long brown hair in a braid and brown eyes signed in sign language before speeding off with super speed as Thena looked at Ikaris and saw that he was worried.
“I’ll head out too.” she offered as she began to leave, “Druig...get the humans to safety but after that, you must let them go.”
Druig scoffed in annoyance as Thena ran off to find Asmund and Makkari while Ajak walked up to Ikaris and laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Go.” she told him softly, “The others and I have things handled here…Asmund needs back up.”
Ikaris looked at her gratefully before letting go of Druig and flying into the air, blasting towards the direction of the Deviants as he hoped that he would get there in time to lend Asmund aid against the monsters.
As Ikaris heard Gilgamesh's anguished call for Asmund and the thought of Asmund being injured flashed through his mind, Ikaris grew enraged and flew as fast as he could towards the Deviant and arrived seeing Asmund slumped against a boulder as Thena stood in front of the injured Eternal protecting him from the Deviant. Ikaris landed next to the slumped Eternal and rushed to the man’s side, kneeling down beside him as he checked to see that Asmund had a gaping wound in his side and blood spilling from the wound and his mouth, and Ikaris became filled with rage at the sight of the man he loved in this state.
“Ikaris…” Asmund said weakly and Ikaris placed a hand on his cheek, “I’m sorry…I messed up.”
“Hush now.” Ikaris replied softly as he looked at Asmund tenderly, “Just hold on…Ajak will be here soon and she will heal you…I have to take care of something right now.”
“Right…” Asmund said as he coughed up some more blood and Ikaris’ heart broke at the sight even as Asmund weakly smiled at him, “Go be a hero.”
Asmund fell silent but still breathing as he closed his eyes and Ikaris heard Thena fighting the Deviant behind him as he stood up with his fists clenched tight before turning to the Deviant as his eyes began to glow.
“Thena move!” he shouted angrily and Thena looked towards him for a moment before flipping backward out of the way.
As he unleashed his cosmic energy eye beams, Ikaris screamed in rage and blasted the monster across the land causing it to screech in agony before ending as it died and he fell upon his knees with exhaustion as he tried to recollect himself just as Thena and Gilgamesh came up to him.
“Go take Asmund in the hut.” Thena told Gilgamesh as she knelt beside Ikaris and Gilgamesh nodded before walking over Asmund and picking him up to take him inside while Thena stayed by Ikaris’ side, seeing tears silently falling down his face, “The others are here.”
Ikaris heard that she was right as the others drove up to the property and Sersi ran out with Sprite by her side and saw Ikaris looking defeated as the monster lay dead a few feet away as Thena looked up at her.
“Is everyone okay?” Sersi asked in concern as she and Sprite got closer to Ikaris and Thena while Ajak and Kingo followed close behind with Karun by their side, “Ikaris?”
When Ikaris turned slowly to look at the approaching Eternals, Sersi's eyes widened in sadness because she saw how broken he looked, and his gaze fell on Ajak, who knew immediately what had happened, and she became tense as she walked up to him and touched his cheek.
“Where is he?” she asked softly and he looked towards the hut as she followed his gaze and then rushed inside to tend to Asmund.
As the thought of Asmund possibly dying became unbearable to Ikaris, Thena consoled him quietly outside while the rest of the family rushed inside to help Ajak tend to their injured friend as Ikaris could only hope that Ajak could heal Asmund in time.