"Wow, looks like the negotiations didn't go so well?"
Loki flashed his trademark smirk, that same mischievous glint in his eyes. "Dear little sister, I told you from the start your ideals are admirable, but hopelessly naive."
"Malekith was never going to agree to your terms."
"Yeah... looks like you were right."
Kagura sighed, nodding slowly. "So, esteemed King of the Dark Elves, what now? Are you going to fight me and die with honor?"
"As you wish."
Malekith held his head high, pride gleaming in his eyes. "You may be powerful. Perhaps we cannot defeat you. Maybe this truly is the end of the Dark Elves."
"But if we fall today, it will be a death full of glory not a life of pitiful survival!"
"I can understand that," Kagura said calmly, making no move to draw her blade. "But... would you indulge me in a short story first? Since the battle outside is still raging, I'll keep it brief."
"Our conversation is over," Malekith said coldly. "But if you think it's worth wasting time, be my guest."
"Just know this—the longer we stand here, the lower your odds become. Once your defenses fall, I'll take the Aether from your vault and hold it in my hand once more."
"And when that happens, you'll regret not striking me down when you had the chance."
"I understand." Kagura nodded. "But I still think this story is worth telling. Maybe... it'll shift something in you."
She began.
"In a certain world, in a certain time, Earth was invaded by an alien civilization. Humanity fought back bravely… but ultimately lost."
"The aliens wiped out human civilization and enslaved the survivors, turning Earth into a resource farm."
"The planet was drained of everything energy, life, hope until it became a barren wasteland doomed to drift lifeless through the void.
Still, under their rule, humanity survived.
Though stripped of freedom, people lived without hunger, without war. But they had no future."
Kagura's voice softened. "Eventually, a small group of humans chose to reject the aliens' control."
"The aliens allowed them to stay behind, on the empty, broken Earth—what was left of it."
She looked up at Malekith. "Tell me, Your Highness—if you were among those final few, what would you have done?"
Malekith answered without hesitation. "I would rise up from nothing, rally my people, rebuild our civilization, and seek revenge!"
"I thought you'd say that," Kagura smiled. "After all, that's exactly what the Dark Elves did, isn't it?"
"But…" she paused.
"In the end, those last humans… they did nothing. They simply lay down on the earth."
"Lay down? Why?" Malekith asked, confused.
"The main character of the story said this: 'Earth is barren. We have nothing left. Our civilization cannot survive."
"But if we offer our bodies to the soil then, in a thousand years, in a billion years, maybe ants… maybe some other lifeform… will build something new from our remains."
"And this planet, once beautiful, will bloom again. One day, it will reach for the stars once more.'"
"Times have changed, Malekith. This universe no longer belongs to the Dark Elves. It's full of light now—countless races, countless civilizations, all growing, all thriving."
"They have no grudge against you. They're simply living their own lives."
"Your Highness… if it were up to you, would you leave behind something meaningful in this new universe, in the name of the Dark Elves?"
At last, Malekith slowly lowered his head, deep in thought.
Indeed, to the Dark Elves, this universe was once a glorious home now stolen, shattered, fragmented by invaders.
Yet… was that truly reason enough to annihilate it all? To erase every star, every voice, just to reclaim what was lost?
Time marches on. Some things are destined to fade.
The Dark Elves, Asgard, Earth's civilizations… all just ripples in the endless river of time.
And when the world no longer belongs to you, does one choose to die in a blaze of vengeance? Or leave behind something beautiful—like a fading empire watching the dawn of a new age?
Why bring ruin, terror, and eternal hatred to the cosmos… when you could leave behind a story worth remembering?
The value of a civilization isn't in how long it lasts—but in the ripples it leaves behind.
"…Young one."
Malekith finally spoke. "This is… the most profound conversation I've had in millennia."
"I'm honored," Kagura replied.
"And so am I… Earthling."
Malekith continued, his tone solemn. "I never imagined I'd be lectured by a human—one with a lifespan shorter than a blink of my eye."
"But know this—I am the king of the Dark Elves. I bear the burden of my people's survival. I cannot abandon my duty."
"I understand," Kagura said gently. "Using the Aether at any cost… isn't necessarily wrong. But it may not be the wisest path either."
"Good," Malekith said. "So I will continue to fight. And I will fall—with the Dark Elf Empire beside me."
"But," he added, almost wistfully, "I do acknowledge you… and your new civilizations. Perhaps the universe truly will flourish in your hands."
"Girl… you once said you met Dark Elves who lived peacefully among other races?"
"I did," Kagura nodded.
"If you meet them again… give them my regards."
He took a deep breath.
"And tell them—live well."
"I will."
Kagura slowly drew the vibranium longsword from her waist.
"Malekith, you're… surprisingly not the tyrannical mad king everyone described. You're nothing like how the Asgardians painted you completely evil and unhinged."
"Honestly, you even seem a little… wise?"
"Heh… Wise? That's the most ridiculous thing anyone's said about me in tens of thousands of years."
Malekith let out a cold, bitter laugh. "But enough talk. It's time to bring this to an end. Come, girl end this decaying Dark Elf empire. Then let our legacy, our story, be passed on to those who still dare to dream of the future."
"This is my final command as King of the Dark Elves all units, cease combat immediately. I repeat: cease fire, now! The war is over!"
"From this moment on, your lives are your own. Your destinies belong to you, not me. Anyone who wishes to go on living in this universe go. Scatter. Be free."
He turned to her, locking eyes.
"Do it."
"Today, I will die. The Dark Elf Empire will fall. Countless of my people will perish alongside me. But those who yearn for a better life they will survive."
"And everything else… will be left to hope."
Civilizations are never eternal. All we can do is leave our mark on the river of time.
'Vmmm—!'
'Crack—!'
In that single moment, blood bloomed like a flower in the air.
The silver-haired girl lowered her gaze, half-lidded eyes silently witnessing the passing of an ancient king.
The era of the Dark Elves had come to an end.
But the Dark Elves themselves… would live on.