Mobile - Sanctuary II (November 2017-February 2018)

[Hollywood Heidi]

Sanctuary II

A massive warship belonging to Thanos.

[Anduin]

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6 MONTHS AGO

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Kyrin had heard that Thanos had picked up a foreign woman. It was rumored that this woman was injured. But no one knew true details about this. All ordinary minions were ordered to leave her alone. So only rumors made their way.
But the Kree warrior was no ordinary underling.
To be honest he was a little bit curious to take a look at the stranger.
It was conceivable that she had to be hungry. And so Thanos right-hand man introduced some of the minions to create a meal. Of course, they didn’t dare to ask him questions about his intentions or the mysterious Lady.


One hour later Kyrin – dressed in black as usual, wearing his hooded cloak - headed to the stranger’s room, carrying a strengthening meal with him. When he arrived he knocked at the door: One time, loud and clear. A moment later he entered the room.

„You must be hungry.“

[Lady Lee-o]

Most days she slept, regaining her strength- as much as she could muster. Her powers nearly depleted she was almost left for dead, the closest she had ever been. Ragnarok came and her home was destroyed, her planet now rocks and dust and it was all her brother's fault. Thor and Loki would pay and as soon as her strength returned, she would go after them. For a small time, she was sure death would come for her, that her immortality was gone but she survived.

The pieces of Asgard that embedded themselves into her skin kept her alive as she floated in space. Sustained her until Thanos came to her rescue, she was now safe aboard his Warship.

The single knock on her door brought her out of her sleep, eyes snapping open in slight annoyance. „You must be hungry.“ Hela was hungry so she let this intrusion pass and slowly sat up from her bed. She made her way to the table and lowered herself in the chair, staring at this Kree.

"Thank you," Normally she didn't use such pleasantries with lessers but as of now, she was less. It had been at least a day since she last ate and the food was very welcome- sleeping kept her energy high and allowed her body to heal. "Who are you?" She had never seen him before, not many dare enter her chamber- only Thanos.

[Anduin]

Kyrin watched the woman standing up and walking to the table. Obviously, she really was weak. He also headed over there and placed the plate in front of her.

"Thank you"
„No worries!“

The warrior tried to study that woman. She’s liable used to brief inferiors. The way she talked and moved – even if she was injured – revealed that.

"Who are you?"
„My name is Kyrin. I’m one of Thanos‘ closest allies.“
He made a short break and had a close look at her.
„The question is who are you?“
Sententiously. No needless words.

[Lady Lee-o]

Kyrin, a name she hadn't heard from Thanos. To be fair she didn't ask many questions because she didn't care too much about anything right now. Thanos didn't talk much about his plans but she did hear that he was pursuing her brothers. It was the only thing that gave her any joy currently, knowing Thanos was after them and anyone else who stood in his way.

"Hela." She wondered if he heard of her but she doubted it, so few remembered her these days.

Hela focused on her healing, she had a lot of it to do. Wounds were barely healed and she could feel every piece of rock under her skin. The last power of Asgard embedded deep into her skin.

[Anduin]

„Hela.“

No, he didn’t hear of her by now. But he didn’t ask Thanos who that woman was. His „father“ would have mentioned it if he wanted to do or when he wanted to do. Thanos was busy at this moment. So he had decided to look after the stranger on his own.

She was brief. Even more briefly than himself. 

But Kyrin still was curious. He waited a minute to give her the chance to eat some bit.

Then he raised his voice again. „What about your connection to Thanos?“

Why are you weak and injured? Where are you from?
There were many more questions to ask. But one thing after another. The stranger – Hela – would probably tell him everything she wants him to know.

Suddenly he noticed that he forgot something: She had to be thirsty, too.
Fortunately, he took his water hose with him. So he took it from his belt and handed it to Hela without a word.

[Lady Lee-o]

„What about your connection to Thanos?" That was a good question, what was her relationship with Thanos? She couldn't speak for him but it was obvious his feelings. Thanos had been after Hela for ages but she had no interest in him than. She planned on using him for his strength but her father locked her away and there she stayed.

"Old friend," Kree Kyrin had more questions he was itching to ask, she could sense it. He was curious about her and she didn't blame him, she was a mystery. She took several bites of her food and rejected the water, "I see you have questions you want to ask and I will answer but first wine." She would much rather drink her pain away, water was plain and tasteless.

[Anduin]

„Old friend.“
Kyrin, who normally was good at hiding his feelings and thoughts, raised an eyebrow. Thanos was having friends?! The Titan seemed only to have allies. So if Hela was called a friend to Thanos, she had to be powerful and useful to him. The fact that no one of the infantry was allowed to enter this room also suggested that she was someone special.

"I see you have questions you want to ask and I will answer but first wine."
It was obvious that he had to have some questions. Everyone would have to! It also was obvious that she was accustomed to issuing orders. But it seemed to be a good deal. Wine for answers.

Kyrin pressed the button on his communication equipment on his head.
„A bottle wine to the forbidden floor. Quickly.“
He knew that his subordinates will obey his orders unquestioningly.
To Hela, he said: „It will take a few minutes. I’ll wait outside.“
No sooner said than done!

Ten minutes later one of the minions brought him the ordered wine. Kyrin knocked at the door, one time like before. Hela should know who was outside and why. Then he entered, headed to the table and placed the bottle on it.
„So, your turn.“ He accentuated his words with an inviting gesticulation.
He provided her with the desired wine, now she should give him more detailed information about herself.

[Lady Lee-o]

Hela ate in silence for the next ten minutes while Kyrin left to get some wine. It was a welcomed silence as she didn't feel like socializing much these days. Betrayal was around every corner and no one seemed to understand their place- both her brothers denied her of what was hers and Skurge was a disappointment in the end.

Kyrin returned with her wine and she accepted it, pouring some into a glass. She brought the wine to her lips and smiled, not bad.

"What do you wish to know, Kree Kyrin?" She wasn't going to ramble on like some child, if he had questions she would answer them- if she felt inclined. She didn't want to give away much of who she was, especially not in her weakened state.

[Anduin]

"What do you wish to know, Kree Kyrin?"
Of course, she didn’t want to tell too much about herself. Kyrin wouldn’t do as well if he was in her stead.

He had to admit that he likes her. She was not the same as most of the stupid sycophants on board. Someone who could cope with Thanos.
But the Kree‘s face remained unsteady. Nothing which showed his feelings and thoughts.

„You’re enfeebled.“ No question, just an assessment. „Who did that? And why?“
He also could ask her where she came from, but that was not the most important question. And perhaps she would tell him by answering his one.

While Hela drunk some wine Kyrin went back to the entrance and leaned against the doorframe. It seemed to be a slouch. But he wanted to be sure that no one could enter the room unwarranted. And that he could slam the door in his/her face if someone dares to do so.

[Lady Lee-o]

„You’re enfeebled.“ No one had ever used that word to describe her and it felt very wrong. She once had unlimited power, she slaughtered hundreds of men, thousands without injury and now she was weak. „Who did that? And why?“

"My baby brothers and the why is simple, men fear a strong woman. They wanted the throne for themselves and now there is nothing left to rule. Just a ship full of sheep for the slaughter and they will be, once my strength returns I will find them." If not for Surtur, Thor would have lost and she would be the ruler of Asgard. Now she had a titan on her side and she was certain things would go better for her.

Hela finished her food and drink, slowly she stood and sat on a chair that faced the blackness of space. She became one with the stars for some time, it truly was a cold lonely place.

[Anduin]

"My baby brothers and the why is simple, men fear a strong woman. They wanted the throne for themselves and now there is "My baby brothers and the why is simple, men fear a strong woman. They wanted the throne for themselves and now there is nothing left to rule. Just a ship full of sheep for the slaughter and they will be, once my strength returns I will find them."
Her explanation was evident. And his assumption that she had to be a mighty woman issuing orders was right. She should be a queen, but now she was dethroned by her own family. What a tragic fate!

You had to be deaf and blind not to realize her deep anger. Kyrin sympathized with her, even if he couldn’t really imagine how it had to be sitting on a throne because of birthright. He hard-earned everything he got now by using his skills. But he would be wrathful, too, if anybody would betray him and take all his property.

Nothing left to rule. Just a ship full of sheep for the slaughter.
What did she mean by saying nothing?
First, the Kree warrior was about to confront Hela with those words. He really wanted to know what happened to her home. But since she had to eat and drink he restrained his curiosity. He also gave her some more minutes for watching the vastness of space.


Kyrin lost himself in his own thoughts and memories for a while. He remembered the feeling when he heard about Ronan died at the hand of murderers, who called themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy. When he realized that one of Thanos‘ daughters – Gamorra – was joining this pack of scoundrels, his anger increased. He didn’t really know Gamorra or Nebula, just saw them one or two times. When those two were commanded to support Ronan during his search for the Orb, Kyrin had to join Thanos‘ men in exchange. 

After a while, perhaps five to ten minutes, he coughed slightly to get back Hela‘s attention.
„If I were you, I would look forward to revenge, too. I got my own vendetta. Maybe I can also support yours. Surely, I will if Thanos told me to.“ 

Kyrin unconsciously led his steps nearer to the weakened queen until he stood right behind her chair.
„I do not fear a strong woman, your highness. But allow me one last question. Did your little brothers destroy your whole home planet? Are you serious?!“

[Lady Lee-o]

Hela was in no state to be doing anything at this point. She was far too weak, barely able to stand let alone beat either one her sibling into the ground. "If I were you, I would look forward to revenge, too. I got my own vendetta. Maybe I can also support yours. Surely, I will if Thanos told me to." She watched as he stepped closer to her, standing behind her- she wasn't happy with his new position. If he attacked her, she would not be able to stop him. „I do not fear a strong woman, your highness. But allow me one last question. Did your little brothers destroy your whole home planet? Are you serious?!“

Hela stood and stood to face this Kree Kyrin and watched him. She had trusted people in the past and it had only got her disappointment. Odin being the biggest disappointment, the only regret is she didn't kill him herself. Her father saw deep into her heart and knew she would not change simply because he wished it so.

"We shall see," She wouldn't make any promises, for now, she would accept Thanos' help, maybe she would gain something out of this? He had always been infatuated with her, wanting her by his side and now his dream seemed to be a reality. She was here on his ship, he had come to her aid- how did he know that Asgard was no more? Or perhaps he was just there to confront Odin?

"They triggered Ragnarok, brought about the end of our home- all to stop me from gaining power."

[Anduin]

"We shall see" No promises, no duties.
Well, he could live with this. Finally, he’ll fulfill Thanos‘ orders.


"They triggered Ragnarok, brought about the end of our home- all to stop me from gaining power."
Now Kyrin was sure that it would be wise to volunteer to help her. Destroying a whole planet just to defeat one woman...
He wondered if Hela was a Celestial? But no words left his lips. 

Suddenly he had to think about one of his recurrent dreams, which seemed to be more like visions. The last one was not long ago. He saw a planet which changed his form – nearly into every single species living in space. But this time the planet exploded. And when Kyrin woke up with shock, he felt like losing some of his powers. Even if he couldn’t define which powers. It felt like leaving a great void in his inside.
The strangest thing about this dream was that he woke up calling out a name: Peter Quill.
What a coincidence! It was the same name as Ronan’s murderer.


Kyrin fetched another communicator from one of his pockets and placed it on the table. „Just call if you need anything.“

Ragnarok – the Kree will deal with this statement. Couldn’t be wrong to get to know more about this woman...

„I‘ll leave you alone. Anything you wish now?“

[Lady Lee-o]

„Just call if you need anything.“ Hela might take him up on that offer, perhaps she could use him in the future? She would ask Thanos about this Kree and see if he was worth her time. „I‘ll leave you alone. Anything you wish now?“

"Nothing for now, Kree Kyrin." Hela returned to her bed and sat, waiting for Kyrin to leave. She would rest now and continue to heal for whatever came next. Her brothers were not far from her mind, Thor would pay most of all and then Loki would soon follow.

[Anduin]

"Nothing for now, Kree Kyrin." Fine.
He was curious to get to know Hela’s little brothers. Perhaps it could be a thrilling fight. We shall see...
Without any other word, he did her a favor and left her alone with her thoughts.
This queen obviously needed some more rest.


***Kyrin leaves Hela's room***

[Lady Lee-o]

The Kree was gone and now she was free to rest without being disturbed. She crawled back into bed and rested among the sheets, not that she needed sleep but sometimes It was nice to pretend. The rest didn't last as memories of Asgard's destructions played behind her eyes. Her hands clenched the sheets, eyes slowly opening in annoyance.

Soon...

[Anduin]

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On the next day 

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The titan had been busy with instructing his followership to keep them busy. They shouldn’t have enough time to ask questions or talk about the mysterious passenger he took along with him.

But one of his closest allies, Kyrin, overrode his instructions and paid the stranger a visit.
Of course, the Goddess of Death was no stranger to himself.
But the young Kree didn’t know her – he probably even didn’t hear about her.
Kyrin confessed his arbitrary act as soon as they had met yesterday evening.
Thanos showed mercy because his son cared for Hela.
And because he didn’t talk to anybody else about his encounter with the Goddess.


Now he in person was on his way to her room.
It would have been afternoon but outside it was still the same. There were no real days and nights in space.
Thanos carried a bottle of wine in one hand, and two glasses in the other one. He didn’t want to come to her empty-handed.
He stopped in front of her room and cleared his throat.
"My Goddess, may I come in?", he asked nicely.
You couldn’t just rush in a woman’s chamber – especially if this woman was a Goddess!

[Lady Lee-o]

Hela's strength was already returning but still not enough to end her brother's. She currently sat in a chair, staring out into the blackness of space. She had become one with it for a time, laying there and waiting for death.

"My Goddess, may I come in?" A smile on her lips formed, forever a gentleman.

"Yes, you may." One of the things she liked about him, he was always kind to her. Even when she was being stubborn and difficult. For now, she would stay with him and follow his cause- whatever it may be.

[Anduin]

"Yes, you may."
Her luscious deep voice resounded from behind the door.
Good, she was awake.

The titan opened the door carefully with the hand he held the bottle and entered the room.
"It fills me with delight to see that you are feeling better today."
Even if his voice sounded serene like always there was a revealing glint in his eyes that emphasized his honesty.
"I brought something for you if you like...," he said and placed the bottle and the glasses on the table.
He also opened the bottle so that the wine could breathe.
After doing that he went back to the door and closed it again.

"I found you nigh unto death on the remnants of your old home Asgard," he started a conversation.
"After I hadn’t seen you for a long long time... You vanished without a trace."
He paused for a while but it was obvious that he hadn‘t finished yet.
"What happened?"
A short question that would cause certainly a long answer.
But there was no blame in his words.
He just wanted to know the truth after all those years of searching for her.
It was only when he was near the mark to give up that he finally found her.

[Lady Lee-o]

"It fills me with delight to see that you are feeling better today." They were alike in many ways, they always said what they meant- most of the time. Seems that Thanos was glad she felt better, that glint in his eyes always gave him away. "I brought something for you if you like...," She gave him a smile before slowly moving towards the table.

"I would indeed, you have been kind to me."

"I found you nigh unto death on the remnants of your old home Asgard, After I hadn’t seen you for a long long time... You vanished without a trace. What happened?" and then he started to ask questions, which caused her face to fall. She knew it would happen, once he had the time and now here he was.

"The story is long and full of betrayal, but if you wish to hear it I will tell it." She started at the tale of Odin and his change of heart. How he was satisfied with the ruling of the nine realms, how he no longer wished to conquer more. When she refused to stop and continued on her path, he locked her away in Hel and there she stayed."...I spent millennia trying to break free from the cold dead wasteland- I finally succeeded only after Odin's death."

Hela went on to explain about Thor and Loki and how they destroyed everything and nearly her. "...until you found me, the power I once contained has all been diminished. Asgard was the source of my power and now look at me, weak- lesser." She hated feeling this way, feeling small, feeling dependent and now she was dependent on him- on Thanos. She would not tell him about the pieces of Asgard inside of her, it was her weakness. She would never tell him, "I want them all dead, I want to break every bone in their bodies and strip the skin from their bones. I want to hear them scream for thousands of years..." She was getting worried up, fists clenched, veins pulsing beneath her skin.

[Anduin]

"The story is long and full of betrayal, but if you wish to hear it I will tell it."
Most stories were like that, aren’t they?
Thanos just gave her a nod.

He listened and didn’t interrupt her during her story.
But he tried to imagine how she had felt during her exile.
"...I spent millennia trying to break free from the cold dead wasteland- I finally succeeded only after Odin's death."
Well, that explained a lot...
Thanos clenched his fists. If he had known that it was her own father who banished her, he would have killed Odin and released Hela.

Then she mentioned her brothers: Thor and Loki.
Loki the marionette and also Loki the traitor!
Next time they both will meet the Titan would kill this unpredictable wastrel.

"...until you found me, the power I once contained has all been diminished. Asgard was the source of my power and now look at me, weak- lesser."
For a short term only he considered to abandon himself to the impulse to put his arms around his Goddess.
But he resisted.
"I want them all dead, I want to break every bone in their bodies and strip the skin from their bones. I want to hear them scream for thousands of years..."
After Hela came to the end of the story she became angry.
Those emotions!
Thanos loved watching her when she showed her inner feelings.
The titan himself wasn’t able to do so most of his time.

He got closer to her. Now he really put his arms around her and brushed Hela’s forehead with his lips.
"You will get your chance to do so, Dear. And they will suffer..."
He paused for a moment and took hold of her under the chin. Now they were face to face.
"If you wish I will send my children to support you, my Goddess."
His children, the Black Order, were his best fighters and most faithful acolytes.
(Of course, that didn’t include Gamora and Nebula any longer.)

[Lady Lee-o]

"You will get your chance to do so, Dear. And they will suffer..." His hand took her chin and lifted, now both face to face. "If you wish I will send my children to support you, my Goddess." That gave Hela a great comfort, knowing Thanos would give her aid.

"The aid would be most welcome," Her anger died down and her eyes softened, hand reaching up to rest against his face. "After all this time you still care for me, even when I did nothing but ignore you." She grinned as her other hand rested against his chest. His strength gave her comfort.

[Anduin]

"The aid would be most welcome,"
Good, now she lost her anger.
Even though the Titan was not sure what sort of emotions were crossing the Goddess‘ mind.
But he relished the touch of her fingers. For a short moment he even closed his eyes and sighed.
"After all this time you still care for me, even when I did nothing but ignore you."
Thanos opened his eyes again and looked Hela straight in her’s.
"After all this time you still conjure a smile on my face – don’t call that nothing."
Another unusual emotional sudden impulse took possession of him.
This time he devoted himself to his feelings and gave Hela a tender kiss.
It took just a few seconds. But these seconds were worth searching and waiting for her for eons...

When the Titan raised his voice again he was smiling.
"As regards your brothers we will find them. Trust me."
He made a short pause, not long enough for her to interrupt him.
"They took something along with them I’m searching for..."

[Lady Lee-o]

"After all this time you still conjure a smile on my face – don’t call that nothing." Love had never been one of the emotions she cared for but this kiss- his kiss, it seemed to break down any and all walls.

If she teamed up with Thanos earlier, her father would have fallen and she would have never become a prisoner of Hel. She regretted that but everything happened in do course.

"As regards your brothers we will find them. Trust me. They took something along with them I’m searching for..." She let a smile loose.

"And we shall get it back." She smirked- revenge would be sweet.

[Anduin]

"And we shall get it back."
That was his Goddess how he liked her.
Loved her.
Although he never used that word in front of her.
Probably he would never really admit to himself because he always acted with his sanity.
(Most people didn’t understand his reasons and called him insane...)
"I’m glad you like the idea of revenge, my dear", he said before he took some steps back.

Then he spoke to his Communicator.
"Kyrin – I want you to search for those Asgardian brothers: Loki and Thor."
               "Do you know where to start?" [via Communicator]
"The Earth."
               "Consider this matter closed, father." [via Communicator]
"Oh, one last thing: I want them alive!"
               "Got it!" [via Communicator]

Then he turned back to Hela.
"My children will find them. They had never failed."
That was not the whole truth.
Nebula and Gamora somehow failed.
But they didn’t call themselves his children anymore.
But somewhere in his deeper mind the titan still called them so...

"Get some more rest if you need it. Or think about how to handle with your brothers once we caught them. I see you later in the evening if you like to have a shared dinner."
He didn’t wait for an answer.
If she liked to she would join.
If she prefers to be alone she would not.
Thanos gave the Goddess of Death a kiss on her hand.
"Everything will be good. Soon..."
He didn’t spare a thought about her survival when he will fulfill his plan, his destiny.
Even when he hoped that she would survive.
But that would be a low price for saving the whole galaxy...


*** Thanos leaves Hela’s room***

[Anduin]

*** somewhere else at the Ship ***


Kyrin was training with his sister Proxima Midnight.
Soon the Black Order will be sent out again to find the Infinity Stones.
They wanted to be as much prepared as possible – and to be honest they all love to fight.

Suddenly his Communicator flashed its headlights.
It was Thanos.
             "Kyrin – I want you to search for those Asgardian brothers: Loki and Thor."
[via Communicator]
The Asgardians. Loki – the underachiever and betrayer?!
"Do you know where to start?"
             "The Earth." [via Communicator]
"Consider this matter closed, father."
              "Oh, one last thing: I want them alive!" [via Communicator]
What a pitty!
"Got it!", was all he said.

"Let’s continue, Proxima. We need to be strong and invincible..."


***

[Anduin]

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Some month later, at the End of February 2018 

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Hela had recovered a bit at a time but she still hadn't got back all of her powers.
She had told him that her powers had been bound to Asgard. Asgard didn't exist any longer. But Hela was still alive - deprived of power but alive. Somehow it seemed as if she had started to bound her powers to the Sanctuary, that she had chosen his ship to be her new home.
But the more she recuperated the merrier her eagerness had increased.
She wanted her brothers to be dead - and she wanted to kill them with her very own hands!

Thanos had sent his children to find the Infinity Stones - or at least their whereabouts - and in addition to that order also to find Thor and Loki.
A few hours ago one of them, Kyrin, had contacted him to give him some news. He didn't find the Asgardians but he found someone who knew them at the very least.
Thanos had adviced him to keep him up to date if he would get more information but to be careful.
It wasn't the time to show Earth that they were still among them.
As long as he didn't posess the power of all Infinity Stones he had decided to keep to the sidelines and keep the Earthlings in ignorance of him and his armies.
He was sure that most humans thought they already knew his armies - but Loki's pathetic attempt was nothing more than a first try and, unfortunately, a failure. But because of that the people on Earth thought themselfes safe.


The Titan arrived the door to Hela's rooms. He wanted to tell her that they might have a first sign. And he hoped that would change her spirits for the better.
He knocked gently at her door.
"I'm coming in, my Dear. You might want to have a guest for dinner and an inspiring conversation...," he said before he entered the room.


There had been another interesting information.
Kyrin had told him that he had also met Nebula.
But that was another story - nothing that touched his Goddess.

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