Marvel: The Infinite Crown

{Chapter: 160 - Return to the Original Owner}

Aiden heard the voice and turned his head slowly, his sharp eyes falling on the thunder-stricken Thor, who was limping and covered in ash and torn cloth. His golden hair was matted with dirt and blood, and despite his divine endurance, it was clear he had taken a serious beating. Aiden offered a small, almost teasing smile at the sight. Then, without a word, he turned back to the silver knife embedded in Elliott's trembling hand.

Kneeling down with the grace of a seasoned warrior, Aiden placed two fingers on the hilt and effortlessly pried it free. There was no resistance. The blade slid out cleanly, as if it had been waiting for him.

Now, in his left hand was the silver knife, and in his right, the black. As the twin blades aligned, a surge of arcane power coursed through his veins like a raging tempest. Aiden felt it crawl beneath his skin, igniting every nerve with heat and fury. In his mind, he heard a deep and ancient voice whisper, chant, and then scream: "Destroy... destroy everything... everyone... cleanse this plane of weakness..."

His arms began to tremble involuntarily.

Thor, dragging Mjolnir behind him, huffed toward Aiden with concern etching his bruised face. "Aiden... are you alright?"

Aiden didn't answer. His head was low, strands of hair veiling his eyes as his entire frame shook. Was he resisting? Submitting? Or something in between?

"Stop him! Don't let him keep the knives!" came Steve Rogers' urgent voice as he sprinted across the rubble-strewn battlefield. Behind him, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, and even Bruce Banner in his human form were approaching, all of them grim-faced and wary.

"He's fighting it! Just like Elliott did!" Steve shouted, sweat running down his brow despite the cool wind.

Thor reacted instantly. He raised Mjolnir high and charged, lightning sparking wildly around him. But Aiden moved first. The black knife flicked in a blur—a mere whisper of a motion.

Boom!

Mjolnir collided with the blade mid-swing, and the resulting shockwave sent Thor flying through the air like a cannonball. He smashed through three half-toppled buildings, leaving trails of lightning behind him as he finally came to a stop, groaning.

Aiden raised his head slowly. His eyes were cold—like steel tempered in endless battles. His expression was blank. His battle suit began to form over his body, dark and glistening like woven shadow-metal, with emerald threads coursing with the knives' energy.

"Not good!" Clint muttered, cocking his bow. "He's turning! We're screwed!"

"No," Steve said, gripping his shield tightly. His eyes were wide. "This is worse than Asgardian. If he loses control, we won't stand a chance."

Natasha narrowed her eyes. "Plan?"

"Hope he recognizes us before he turns us into ash," Steve muttered.

Then Aiden spoke. His voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk.

"Should I say... no one in the world can save you now?"

Everyone froze. His lips curled into a smirk.

"Kidding," Aiden said with a shrug, spinning the knives expertly like a circus performer showing off. "C'mon. You guys really thought I'd lose control that easily? What do you take me for? Elliott?"

The group collectively exhaled.

"God, you scared the crap out of me," Clint muttered. "I was already preparing to run."

"You said... it's your thing?" Thor said as he limped back into the clearing, brushing off debris from his shoulders. "I can feel Asgardian magic all over those blades."

Aiden nodded. "Used to be the Berserker Staff. I... customized it. Let's just say I upgraded it beyond All Father's wildest dreams. It's practically singing to me."

Thor frowned, processing that. "You turned the weapon of one of our most dangerous warlords into a dual-blade set forged for carnage? And you didn't go mad?"

"Well, the last guy did," Aiden said, pointing at the collapsed Elliott. "But I'm built different.."

At that moment, Elliott stirred. His face was pale, and he stared at the blades like a child stares at a monster in the dark.

"No... keep them away from me!" he gasped, crawling backward. "All-Father, don't let me see it again! It's too terrifying!"

Aiden knelt beside him and patted his shoulder. "Hey. You did good, Elliott. The knives are phenomenal. I'm seriously impressed."

Elliott gave a nervous chuckle, though his body trembled. "Thanks... but I never want to see them again."

Thor approached and looked down at Elliott with a furrowed brow. "He must come back to Asgard with me. He's Asgardian. And though he was under influence, he still destroyed half a city. There must be a trial."

Elliott panicked. "No! Aiden, you promised! You said you'd protect me! I made you the knives, didn't I? You said you'd help!"

Aiden stood and looked between Thor and Elliott, weighing his options. The air felt heavy.

"He's not wrong," Steve said quietly. "Elliott needs to answer for what happened."

Elliott and Thor both turned their gazes toward Aiden, who stood with arms folded, his stance firm yet thoughtful. The air around them was thick with tension, each breath carrying divine weight and mortal uncertainty. It wasn't just about one man anymore—it was about principles, loyalty, and the weight of promises made.

Aiden's expression was unreadable. He looked to Thor, then to Elliott, then down at the cracked ground beneath their feet, as though weighing his answer with the weight of a thousand stars. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and said, with quiet but resolute authority, "I'm sorry... but I can't let you take him. I gave him my word."

A sudden shift rippled through the air. Mjolnir's runes sparked faintly in response, as if even the mighty hammer could sense its master's brewing conflict.

Thor's eyes darkened, a low rumble echoing in his chest like distant thunder. When he spoke, it was with the voice of Asgard itself. "This is not a matter of personal feeling. This is the law of Asgard. A decree handed down by the All-Father—by Odin Borson himself."

Aiden, who had been silent up until now, took a single step forward. The gravel beneath his feet crackled under the strain of his subtle aura. His voice was quiet, but it carried.

"That may be Asgard's law, Thor," Aiden said evenly, "but it is not my law. Not Earth's law. And if you insist on enforcing it here... then you'll have to go through me first."

His hands slowly lifted, open-palmed. No aggression. Not yet. But the message was clear: if Thor drew his weapon, so would Aiden.

Thor's grip on Mjolnir tightened. Sparks danced between his knuckles. "Why, Aiden? Why choose to stand in defiance of the realm that once called you Hero? The realm that gave you a place among its halls? We have fought side by side. Bled for the same cause."

Aiden's lips curled into a soft, sad smile. From his belt, the twin knives materialized—one black, one silver—each pulsing with an eerie, ancient light. The very sight of them made Thor's battle instincts sharpen.

"Exactly, Thor," Aiden replied, voice as steady as the Bifrost bridge. "You called me a Hero of Asgard. And what kind of hero turns his back on a comrade who couldn't stand on his words?"

Aiden took a slow, deliberate step forward.

"I remember the war against the Dark Elves," he continued, eyes locked on Thor's. "I remember the screams of the innocent. The sky raining down black fire. The moment your brother fell—and the silence after. I remember the blade in my hand... the one that struck down the Dark King. I earned Asgard's favor with blood and fire."

He paused, letting the weight of those memories settle.

"So if my standing means anything, let it mean this: I do not abandon those who stood by me. Elliott may have lost control—but he did not shed innocent blood. He did not turn on the people of this world. If anything, he's been trying to atone. That's more than many gods can say."

The storm clouds around Thor flickered. He clenched his jaw, visibly torn.

"The All-Father is not without mercy," Aiden said gently. "But he is bound by pride, by law. If there's to be clemency... let it start here. Let it be my request, as one of Asgard's own."

Thor turned away briefly, as if staring into some distant realm. Mjolnir's sparks ceased. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Very well. I will speak to my father. I will vouch for the man. He may remain on Midgard... for now. But this mercy is temporary. I can only delay the storm, not still it."

Aiden smiled in quiet relief. "That's all I ask."

Then, without warning, he stepped forward. His silver knife flicked into his palm. Gently, he pressed its cold edge to Thor's armored chest.

Thor's eyes widened, body instinctively bracing. But no pain came. Instead, a strange sensation washed over him—a clearing fog, like a mind unclenching. The weight of centuries lifted, if only for a moment.

Thor blinked. "What... what sorcery was that?"

Aiden retracted the blade and sheathed it. "No sorcery. Just... clarity. My gift in return. For understanding."

Thor stared at him, then chuckled dryly, the sound low and thunderous. "You've changed, Aiden. Still reckless as ever. But... honorable."

"And you," Aiden replied, grinning, "are still a stubborn oaf with too much nobility for your own good."

Thor laughed. It was full and sincere. He clapped Aiden on the shoulder, a gesture that nearly knocked the man off his feet. "Then let this moment be remembered by the realms as one of wisdom... not weakness."

As Thor turned and began to walk away, Aiden turned to the others.

Steve, Clint, and Natasha were cautiously approaching. All three wore tense expressions, shoulders tight with expectation. Without a word, Aiden extended his hands outward. Energy shimmered faintly across his fingers, invisible to most—but they felt it. A soft warmth. A release.

Steve was the first to exhale. His jaw unclenched. "Is that... the fear? It's gone."

"Great," Clint muttered, stretching his arms, visibly relieved. "I feel like I just took off a 50-pound vest. You need to bottle that, man. Sell it. I'd be your first customer."

Natasha walked over, her eyes meeting Aiden's with a softness that betrayed her usual edge. "Whatever you did… thank you. Last time, it took days to feel normal. Now it's like that darkness was never even there."

Aiden gave a half-smile, brushing dust off his coat. "Glad I could help. You look good without all that weight on you."

She stepped a little closer, her voice low. "Careful. Keep saying things like that, and I might start thinking you actually care."

Aiden met her gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Who says I don't?"

From behind, Clint groaned. "Ugh, can I at least get a discount for having to watch this?"

Aiden smirked without looking away from Natasha. "Not a chance."

They all laughed. For the first time in hours, the air felt light again.

In the background, Elliott sat with his knees pulled to his chest, still haunted but stable. Thor paused as he passed him, giving him a long, unreadable look.

"Don't squander this chance," the Thunderer said. "You have more than most would ever receive."

Elliott nodded slowly. "I won't. I swear."

Aiden turned back to the horizon. For now, the threat was over. But somewhere, the All-Father had felt the shift. And the future was far from certain.

But for today, they had peace.

And that was enough.