CHAPTER 164

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Hank and his dream were crushed, by me.

No more he would seek a way to search for his wife, because I had erased any thought of her being alive from his head.

It was a lamentable decision.

But one that had to be done.

"How are you feeling?" The Ancient One asked, her tone soft in understanding.

"Good I suppose," I sighed with a tired smile, "You could say I'm having an internal debate, but nothing to worry about, unlike the incident with Wakanda, I know for a fact this is for the best, war I can handle, but what was inside that realm? None of us are ready," not until I found a cure, at least, and that could take decades without a starting point.

"Great men are often faced with difficult decisions," The Ancient One nodded, her lips forming a thin line, "You have faced many, each one more difficult than the last, and I know you doubt, you think this is.. wrong, that this is bad, but know that the sacrifices you make everyday are ensuring billions get to live their lives without making these sort of decisions,"

I looked at her, and smiled in appreciation, "I suppose someone has to make the difficult choices,"

She nodded, "It's a thankless job,"

I snorted, "You can be funny and inspirational when you want," I winked at her.

"I was young once Mr. Walker," She replied, shooting me a playful look.

"So now what?" I asked.

"Now, we focus on the matter at hand, finding a cure for that… terrible disease," She sighed, "Fortunately for us, I think I know where to start,"

Oh yeah, she had said she had an idea where to start a few hours ago, "Well, don't keep me waiting,"

"Well, this," The Ancient One chuckled, summoning to her left hand, the time stone, "With this you should be able to find something,"

"What?" I muttered, not really understanding what was happening.

"Alex, I trust you, more than I have trusted anyone in over a thousand years, and that's a lot to say, considering you are relatively new in my life," She chuckled, levitating the time stone towards me with a wave of her hand, "And it's because of that trust, that I am giving you this,"

By this point the stone was in front of me, hovering in place.

"But… what about the next sorcerer supreme?" I asked, looking at the stone.

She smiled, "There will be a day where I will need that stone, but that day is nowhere near, so until that day, do this old lady a favor… and keep that stone safe for me, will you?"

I grabbed the stone, and smiled at her, my eyes tearing up a bit, not out of sadness, but happiness I supposed, I really couldn't tell, but I knew it wasn't out of sadness, "Thanks, I will keep it until then,"

"Good, now, put that smile upside down, and let's get to work," She chuckled softly, "We have a lot to do, and little time to do it,"

I looked at her and nodded, "I have a question," I muttered with a sigh, "Why now?"

The Ancient One looked at me for a moment, giving me a long scrutinizing look, as she mused what to respond, until eventually she said, "Nothing special really, beyond the fact you are the only other being in the universe I trust with the infinity stones, I just felt like it, I suppose, and yes, I'm aware that's not very like me, I'm not one to act in the spur of the moment, but I suppose you do bring the old me into the surface from time to time,"

"I see," I chuckled.

"And, also, I did it because you are my only friend," Wait what? "I have allies, students, and many subordinates, but friends, I haven't had in a long time, not until you came, and it seems I have a soft spot for my friends, even to the point of breaking the rules," she smiled, beaming at me, "So please do me a favor, every time you feel like you are alone, remember, I am here, and you can count on me, like I know, I can count on you,"

"You are really gonna make me cry," I smiled at her.

"Now that would be a sight," She replied with a laugh.

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[Thor Odinson POV]

My brother needed a weapon, for he in his un-mighty behavior still had none.

So, I! His mighty brother would get him one, one worthy of being called the brother of Mjolnir!

"So… let's see if I understood," Eitri hummed, "You want… a pair of one handed battle axes, imbued with your godly essence, for Alex, BECAUSE, they would match with Mjolnir, correct?"

I nodded, how hard was that to understand? "Indeed, two one handed battle axes with my godly essence,"

"And you want them made from Uru," Eitri sighed.

"Of course! Anything else would be an insult!" I nodded.

"Two godly weapons, for a mortal," Eitri raised his eyebrows.

"A mortal, foolish Eitri, he is a God," I nodded.

"Of what?" Eitri asked with a look I didn't understand.

"Of… I don't know, a human thing? Who cares, he's mighty enough to hold that title," Indeed he was, he was my brother after all.

Eitri sighed, "But why two? You only use one,"

"Well, in case he one is on the cleaning service, of course!" I laughed, "Besides I know my brother very well, and he's a dual wielder,"

"Thor, he has never used a weapon before, how can you know that," Eitri sighed.

"I just know," I shrugged, "Now can you do them, or not?"

"Fine, fine, I will," Eitri sighed.

Yes! Soon my brother and I would be able to march into battle using mighty attacks charged with the unmatchable might of the thunder!

I was getting giddy just thinking about it!

"Are you giggling?" Eitri muttered.

"Me? Giggling? Never!" I would die before admitting that, but if I did ever giggle, it would be a mighty giggle.