Chapter Two
Liam

"About eight thousand years ago, a war broke out between the Light Elves and the Dark Elves," Queen Verena explains, her bright blue hologram pacing the middle of the Avenger's base conference room. It's odd to see; the queen never paces, she never looks uncouthed or unsettled like she does now. "It was inevitable; the beings of darkness and the beings of light cannot coexist. It went on for years, many valiant Light Elves perished...including the Light Knights."

"This war was before Malekith?" I ask from my seat at the conference table, my hand firmly gripped in Stevie's.

Verena nods solemnly. "Yes. It was the Dark Elves first attempt to bring the universe back into the darkness it was born into, and it caused the decimation of the ancient races of Light and Dark Elves. Malekith would not be born for another thousand years. I myself had not yet been born; my grandmother Hemera was queen. She too perished in the war."

"Where does Erebos play into this?" Bucky asks from where he stands behind my chair, his arms crossed, his back against the wall.

"Erebos was the general of the Dark Elves' army. He was a brilliant tactician, expertly trained, ruthless, cunning. He was the perfect soldier. He made it his life's mission to destroy the Light Knights; he felt they were the biggest threat to the Dark Elves' mission."

"Were they?" Khari asks.

"Oh yes," Verena says. "The Light Knights were unique amongst the ancient Light Elves; they could not only wield nature but light itself as a weapon against our enemies. Erebos saw their power as a challenge, so he sent his soldiers after the knights and...it was a massacre. Erebos killed the head of the knights, Eos, and his soldiers slaughtered the rest...well, all but one. Eira managed to escape."

My eyes widen. "Eira? Eira as in the Light Elf who's blood was in the serum I was given? That Eira."

Verena nods. "The very same."

"You never told me she was a Light Knight."

"The history of the knights is filled with so much tragedy. I did not want to burden you with the fall of your predecessors," Verena stops her pacing, her distress so palpable I irrationally feel guilty for bringing her into the loop about Erebos's threat. "When I first bore witness to your power...it was clear Eira's blood ran through your veins, and after what you did in the battle against the Kree and Vanir...I felt that it was time for the Light Knights to return. And I felt-and still feel-there is no one better to lead the new order of Light Knights than you, Liam."

I'm touched by her faith in me, but her vision of a new order of Light Knights will never happen if I fail to defeat Erebos in three days.

"How do I stop him, Verena?" I ask her.

The queen glances around the table, at my family and friends, before settling her gaze back on me. "I agree with Director Roberts; you should take someone with you to get your mother and father to safety, but only you are powerful enough to stop Erebos. Not even Ms. Maximoff or Ms. Danvers are powerful enough to get close to him. Only light can defeat darkness. You have to be the one to kill him."

Kill.

I have to kill Erebos.

I didn't even consider that. I just assumed I would knock him out and arrest him like I do on every assignment...but Erebos is different. Even in prison he poses a threat to everyone around him, and he'll never stop trying to kill me; he thinks it's his life's purpose, his destiny. Every person I love, every person in my life is at risk as long as he lives.

But I've never killed someone before.

I don't know if I can.

"Go to Eira, Liam," Verena continues, unaware of my moral dilemma. "She can prepare you for facing Erebos. She can help you reach the full potential of your powers."

"I haven't reached it already?" I ask.

Verena chuckles, returning to her normal, jovial self for a second. "My dear boy, you have the blood of the original race of Light Elves in you. Even though you are human, your power far exceeds any living Light Elf, including me. Eira is your only superior, but in time you could more than match her capabilities."

"Can I achieve this full potential of mine in three days?" I already know the answer but I can't help myself.

"No, but Eria can prepare you enough to defeat Erebos, and right now that's what's important."

Soroya stands up from her seat at the head of the conference table, straightening her blazer. "Thank you, your majesty, for all your help. I will keep you updated on the situation as it progresses and I will send Liam to New Asgard shortly."

"Of course, Director," Verena replies, then her gaze settles back on me, and the tenderness that floods her gaze nearly moves me to tears. "Please be careful, my dear. As your queen I command it."

"I promise," I hope I sound more confident than I feel right now. "I'll see you soon."

Verena only nods, and then the connection cuts out; making the room look dark in the absence of the hologram's blue glow.

"I have made my decision about who is accompanying you to New Asgard and then to Svartalfheim," Soroya informs me, her tone firm and crisp. I'm used to seeing her like this; all business, only acting as my director and not my mother. But now her usual air of confidence and sophistication looks and sounds brittle; just a mask to hide how shaken she is by this whole ordeal. "Stevie is obviously going. Lord knows I would not be able to stop him even if I threatened to fire him."

"Very true." Stevie says.

"I am also sending Bucky for the exact same reason."

I look over my shoulder and find Bucky shrugging his shoulders. "Where my kids go, I go."

"That's it? Why not send Thor or Carol or Wanda with us too?" Stevie asks, worrying at his bottom lip.

"You heard the queen; they aren't powerful enough to stop Erebos, only Lee is. You and Bucky will focus on rescuing Rhoda and Adnan while Lee takes care of Erebos."

"Send me too." Alex insists, ignoring the fearful look Khari is giving him from across the table.

Soroya suddenly looks impatient. "No. I need you to track down our bounty hunter friend when his two days are up. I have to at least appear like I'm trying to find him and the best way to show face is by using a shapeshifter."

"Then send me," Kieran says, standing up from her chair and resting her hand on the hilt of her sword. "I have faced Dark Elves before and my skills could-"

"I am already risking the lives of my sons and husband, I will not risk anyone else," Soroya's tone leaves no room for argument. "The more people we send to Svartalfheim the more I put each of you and Liam's parents in danger. Three is enough to be inconspicuous and to ensure the safety of Liam's parents."

"Then take this with you," Kieran unsheathes her sword and offers it across the table to Bucky. "Guns and brute strength will not be enough when faced with an ancient Dark Elf. Liam has his light and his plants, Steve has his shifting and his shield; you too need a weapon not of earth."

Bucky wraps his hand around the hilt of the blade and gives her a nod, admiring the weapon with a mixture of apprehension and awe. "Thank you. I know how much this blade means to you."

Her eyes flicker to me. "Anything to help a fellow Avenger."

"When will you leave?" Khari asks, casting a glance between the three of us.

"I'll call Valkyrie and then you'll leave in half an hour." Soroya declares, only her gaze betraying her mask of strength. "I suggest you go say goodbye to the others. They'll want to see you off."

We do as we're told and summon the other members of our family to the base. Despite being in all corners of the country, they all make it in record time. Zy and Livy, having been at the palace, arrive first with their three children in tow. Then Jo, Ana, Shuri, and Nakia show up, all of whom look as if they've come to our execution, which makes my anxiety ten times worse. Of course I don't tell anyone that; I love that they're concerned for me, and for Stevie and Bucky.

We're a family, they love us, they don't want to see us harmed. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm a part of a family, especially one as wonderful as this one.

Bucky says his goodbyes first; Shuri and Nakia hug him, the former threatening to kill him if he doesn't come back in one piece. Ana-despite their volatile relationship-shakes his hand and wishes him luck. Jo flings herself at Bucky and hugs onto him like a koala bear, which makes him chuckle and hold onto her fiercely. When he manages to pry her off, Alex and Khari hug onto him next, with Alex lingering on a little longer than his husband. Zy and Livy try their best to hug Bucky, but John and T'Challa have other ideas. Just like Jo, they fling themselves at Bucky, shouting, "Grandpa! Grandpa!"

Bucky laughs and picks them both up, balancing one boy on each hip. "While I'm gone, take care of your grandma for me, alright? Give her lots and lots of hugs and kisses."

John nods several times, taking this task very seriously. "I will, Grandpa. I promise!"

"Me too! Will you be back from your trip soon?" T'Challa asks hopefully.

Bucky kisses him on the nose. "I'll come back as fast as I can. Now can I get hugs?"

John and T'Challa giggle with joy as they wrap their tiny arms around Bucky's shoulders. Bucky in turn kisses them both on the head before setting them down, turning his attention back to Livy and Zy. He hugs the latter first, then he takes baby Okoye from Livy's arms and kisses her forehead, before passing her to Zy, who cradles her close to his chest. With her arms now free, Livy rushes to her father and bursts into tears, burying her face in his chest.

"Please be careful." She begs, wiping her eyes on his shirt.

Bucky frames her face in his hands and gives her a firm nod. "I will. We'll be home before you know it."

"I love you, Dad."

He kisses her forehead and pulls her in for one more hug. "I love you, too, baby."

Stevie and I get the same string of hugs and goodbyes and threats on our lives to return in one piece as Bucky did, but when our goodbyes get down to Jo, Livy, and Zy, I stop short.

"I refuse to say goodbye to the three of you," I tell them, my vision blurring with tears. "We'll come back in three days and everything will be fine."

I don't necessarily believe that, but maybe saying so will inspire Shiva into making it so.

All three have tear lined gazes as they nod, and Zy is the one to say, "Of course you'll be fine. Erebos has no idea what's coming for him."

Livy sniffles, sticking her right arm out. "All for one, right?"

Zy gives her a watery smile, balancing Okoye in one arm and extending the other. "And one for all."

"United we stand." Jo continues, placing her hand over Zy's.

Stevie wipes at his eyes before doing the same. "Divided..."

"We fall." I finish, covering my husband's hand with my own.

"I wanna join! I wanna join!" John shouts, and of course T'Challa joins his twin's shouting a moment later.

Stevie and I bend down and kiss our nephews' heads, with my husband telling them, "When your uncle, grandpa, and I get back from our trip, how about we finally start you two on spear lessons?"

The boys squeal in joy and begin jumping up and down in excitement, causing Zy and Livy to shoot us glares. Thankfully Soroya joins us before the two of them can give Stevie a lecture, but I'm sure he'll hear an earful when we get back.

If we get back.

Soroya beelines straight towards Stevie and I, her earlier mask of strength and sophistication completely gone, and blatant worry now crossing her features.

"Valkyrie is awaiting your arrival and will instruct you where to find Eira when you get there," With shining eyes she pulls the two of us in for a hug, her hands cupping the backs of either of our heads. "Be safe, watch each other's backs, and return home as soon as you can."

"We will, Mom." Stevie assures her.

She kisses the side of his head and mine, then pulls away from us to say goodbye to Bucky. The two of them are pulled towards each other almost as if they were magnets, and when they embrace...I still have yet to see a love that matches theirs. Every touch, every embrace, every kiss is filled with more love than most will experience in their whole lives.

I'm too far away from Soroya to hear the words she whispers to Bucky, but I know what they are all the same. "I love you."

Bucky smiles, caressing her cheek with his metal hand. "I love you." He whispers back.

My heart aches as I watch the two of them, even more so as I watch our family stare melancholically in our direction. It's not just me they worry for, it's Stevie and Bucky too. It's not just me that could die on this mission, they could perish along with me.

Even worse, they could die and I could survive; forced to return back here and tell everyone we love that they died trying to help me.

"Can you promise me that you will focus solely on rescuing my parents?" I whisper to my husband, my eyes still glued to Soroya and Bucky embracing. "Can you promise me that you will leave Erebos to me and you won't put yourself at risk?"

"You know I can't."

"Could you lie to me?"

"Yes I promise," Stevie places his hands on my arm and rests his chin on my shoulder, his voice quiet as he assures me, "Everything will be alright, baby."

I pray to Shiva he's right.