Chapter 125: The Last Fragment

The Shuttle was silent except for the sound of the engines as the team flew toward Ireland. Coulson was at the control desk, on a holographic call with Elliot Randolph, the professor and expert on Norse history. Coulson's expression was serious, the weight of the mission and Ward's emotional state clearly on his mind.

"Elliot, we need to know where the third piece is," Coulson said urgently.

Elliot sighed on the other end of the line. His expression was grave, unlike the relaxed personality they had known previously.

"I think it's time you knew the truth," Elliot began, adjusting himself in his chair. "I'm not just an expert on Norse history. I'm the Asgardian warrior who hid the Berserker Staff on Earth." The revelation caused everyone in the room to exchange surprised glances. Coulson was silent for a moment, processing the information.

"That explains a lot," Coulson finally said. — But why didn't you tell me before?

Elliot looked thoughtful, as if searching for the right words.

"I've spent centuries trying to bury that part of me. I've given up violence, war. I wanted to be just… human. But it seems the past always finds a way to catch up with us."

"Where's the last piece?" May asked, standing next to Coulson.

Elliot looked directly at her.

"I hid it in the monastery of Saint Brendan, in the hills of Ireland. It's remote and peaceful, far from any major cities. I didn't think anyone would find it, but with the first and second pieces together, they're certainly after the third."

"We'll be there as soon as we can," Coulson said, ending the call.

As the Shuttle flew over the Atlantic, the atmosphere inside the ship was tense. Ward, sitting apart from the others, stared at the ground, still struggling with the memories the Berserker Staff had triggered. Elliot's words echoed in his mind: 'The rage will subside eventually.' But when? Ward wondered. When would he feel like he had complete control again?

May walked over and sat beside Ward, silent for a moment before speaking.

"He's right, you know," she said softly. "Anger does subside. But it takes time. The question is how you deal with it in the meantime."

Ward looked at May, grateful for her words, but found no answer. He was still processing everything.

"I'll try," he replied, his voice thick with pent-up frustration.

May nodded and stood beside him, offering her presence as support.

The monastery was old, with weathered stone and a sense of isolation hanging in the air. The surrounding hills were shrouded in mist, and the wind blew softly through the trees.

The team approached cautiously. Coulson, Ward, May, Fitz, and Simmons formed the front line, with Elliot leading them to where the third piece of the Berserker Staff was hidden.

"It's behind that wall," Elliot said, pointing to a section of the ruined monastery. — I hid it in a safe that can only be opened with the strength of the staff.

Ward stepped forward, but before he could reach the wall, a scream echoed through the room.

"They're here," Coulson said, already drawing his weapon.

The couple, Petra and Jakob, emerged from the shadows, followed by their group of fanatical followers. Petra, still holding the staff, smiled sinisterly at Ward.

"You again," she said with an arrogant smile. "It seems you still haven't learned."

Jakob advanced first, attacking with the superhuman strength that the staff had granted him. Ward, driven by the rage that still burned inside him, threw himself forward, dodging Jakob and taking down two followers with precise blows.

But then, in the midst of the battle, a scream of pain caught everyone's attention. Elliot had been stabbed in the chest, falling to the ground with his hand over his heart.

"Elliot!" — Simmons shouted, running towards him, followed by Fitz and Coulson.

While Simmons tried to stop the bleeding, Ward stood up, looking at Elliot's fallen body and feeling his anger bubble even more. He picked up the second piece of the staff that was on the ground and, when he touched it, he felt the wave of fury again, but this time, he fought to keep control.

"Ward, watch out!" May warned.

He turned to face Petra and Jakob, who were now coming towards him. With anger burning in his chest, Ward swung the staff, meeting Petra in a fierce combat. Each blow he delivered was loaded with repressed emotions, but, as Elliot had said, he was still rational. He used his anger as a weapon, not allowing it to dominate him.

Jakob tried to attack him from behind, but Ward was fast enough to dodge and knock him down with a powerful blow of the staff. The fight was intense, but Ward held his ground, using both the strength of the staff and his own discipline.

In a final move, he looked to May.

"Here, take it!" he said, tossing the staff to her.

May took the staff and, for a brief moment, saw flashes of her own pain and loss. But, like Ward, she managed to remain calm, using her emotions as fuel to defeat the last members of the hate group.

With the group defeated, Coulson, Fitz, and Simmons managed to stabilize Elliot. Although he was badly injured, there was still hope that he would survive.

"We'll get him to the Bus and take care of him there," Coulson said, helping Fitz carry Elliot out of the monastery.

Ward and May, both exhausted, placed the Berserker staff in the safety container they had brought. They looked at each other, knowing what they had both been through when they touched the staff.

"What did you see?" Ward asked, curious but respectful.

May hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Memories. Old ones. From when I lost someone important. But I've dealt with this before. Have you?"

Ward sighed.

— More memories from my childhood. Of my brother... Thomas. It was like reliving everything again, but this time... I managed to control myself.

May nodded, understanding the weight of those words.

— We are stronger than our memories, Ward. You are dealing with this. Keep it up.

Ward silently thanked May for her support, feeling a little more at peace. He knew the road would still be long, but at least now he had more control.

Once at the hotel where the team was resting, Ward sat on the edge of the bed, with his cell phone in his hand. He took a deep breath before finally dialing the number he hadn't called in a long time.

The call rang a few times before being answered.

— Hello? — said a familiar voice.

— Thomas, it's me, Grant.

There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment.

— Grant? What... how are you?

— I'm... better — replied Ward, his voice getting firmer. — I heard you enlisted in the Navy. I'm proud of you.

Thomas fell silent again, but there was a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Thanks, Grant. I… I wasn't expecting this call."

"Neither was I," Ward admitted with a slight smile. "But I think it's time. We need to talk more. And… I'm trying to change. I want to be a better brother."

Thomas sighed, but there was a lightness in his voice.

"I would appreciate that."

After he ended the call, Ward felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He knew the road to reconciliation would be long, but it was a start.

Then he called Maria, his confidant and love.

"Hi, Grant! How was the mission?"

Ward told her everything that had happened, from the fights to the memories the staff had brought back. Maria listened in silence, but her voice was full of understanding when she finally spoke.

"You're so much stronger than you think, Grant. To go through all of this and still be here, trying to be better… I love you for that."

"I love you too, Maria," Ward replied, feeling a calm finally take over his heart.

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