[Death's realm]

Lady Death's domain was a place of endless void—a dark expanse that stretched beyond the limits of time and space. The very air was cold and still, filled with whispers of lost souls. Shadows shifted endlessly, and the fabric of reality seemed to fray at the edges. Here, she reigned supreme, watching the delicate dance between life and death with a detached curiosity.

Among the countless souls she had watched pass into nothingness, one stood out. A man who refused to be claimed by her grasp time and time again. This mortal was different. His name was Aron, and he had a knack for cheating death in ways that should have been impossible. Lady Death found herself amused by his antics, watching him destroy All For One with a mere flick of his power. The Phoenix Flames, a force capable of rebirth and destruction, burned brightly in his hand. It was a sight that few mortals could ever hope to wield, let alone control.

"Fascinating," Lady Death murmured, her voice echoing softly through the void. She watched his every move, her skeletal fingers caressing the image of Aron floating before her. He was unlike anyone she had seen in centuries. His power, his defiance, reminded her of another—a certain Mad Titan who had once tried to win her favor through endless acts of destruction. Thanos, however, was predictable. He acted out of a twisted love for her, driven by an obsessive desire. But Aron was a mystery, an unpredictable wild card that intrigued her more and more.

As she watched, a dark smile spread across her face. Aron had gained the full power of the Phoenix Force, a cosmic power capable of reshaping entire worlds. Yet despite this, he remained a mortal—fragile, fleeting, and bound by the same rules as all other beings. His healing factor and the Phoenix Force granted him a semblance of immortality, but could he truly evade her realm forever?

Lady Death leaned back into her cold, bone-carved throne, surrounded by swirling shadows that seemed to dance to her every whim. She decided it was time to stir things up. With a soft call, she summoned Thanos, feeling his familiar presence tug at the edges of her domain.

The Mad Titan's soul or astral form appeared before her, his massive form kneeling in a show of reverence. His eyes glowed with the familiar fervor she had seen countless times—a mixture of love, madness, and desperation. "My Lady," Thanos spoke, his voice filled with devotion. "I have done as you commanded. The massacre of the New Eternal City is complete. Thousands have perished, their souls delivered to your realm."

Lady Death's chuckle echoed through the void. "Yes, Thanos. You have done well," she said with a slow, amused smile. "But do you know why I asked for this?"

Thanos hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "For your amusement, my Lady," he answered, his voice faltering. "To prove my love, to show My Lady, the depths of my devotion—"

She cut him off with a wave of her hand, her expression growing colder. "No, Thanos. It was because I was bored. Your little massacres have grown dull, predictable. But I have found a new source of entertainment."

Thanos's eyes widened, disbelief and jealousy twisting his features. "Another? Who could possibly hold your interest more than I?"

Lady Death stepped closer, the void swirling around her like a living, breathing entity. She reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the outline of Thanos's chin, forcing him to look up. With a smile that held no warmth, she gestured to the image of Aron floating beside her. "This mortal," she said softly. "His name is Aron. He has defied me more times than I can count. He wields the Phoenix Force, a power that even gods fear."

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Thanos's face contorted in rage, his fists clenching tightly. "A human? He is nothing but a mere mortal—"

"Ah, but he is far from ordinary," Lady Death interrupted, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "He dances with forces beyond his understanding and defies death at every turn. He may very well become like me—immortal, eternal. He intrigues me, Thanos. And that is why I want you to prove your love once more."

Thanos's jealousy and fury boiled over. "I will destroy him," he vowed, his voice seething with hatred. How dare a mere mortal try to gain Lady Death's attention? She should look at him, and not at some random human. "I will tear him apart, limb by limb, until there is nothing left. He will not take you from me."

Lady Death leaned closer, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "Bring me his soul, Thanos. Deliver Aron to my realm, or do not show your face to me again. If you succeed, I will grant you what you desire most. You will be allowed to worship at my feet, to serve me in ways you have always dreamed of."

Thanos's eyes burned with renewed purpose, his devotion rekindled by her words. He nodded, his face twisted with a grim determination. "I will not fail you, my Lady."

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Lady Death sent Thanos hurtling back to the physical plane. She watched him disappear into the darkness, knowing that his jealousy and obsession would drive him to hunt Aron with every ounce of his being. It was all part of her game—a spectacle of power, ambition, and the inevitable pull of death.

Turning back to the swirling image of Aron, she smiled, watching as he stood in a snowy wasteland, his breath misting in the cold air. He was unaware of the storm brewing in the shadows, of the deadly force that now hunted him at her command.

"Although I can't see the strings of your fate or your death... Let's see how far you can go, Aron," Lady Death whispered, her voice filled with anticipation. "Let's see if you can truly escape me forever."

Her laughter echoed through the void, a chilling sound that sent ripples through the fabric of reality itself. The game had just begun, and she was eager to watch it play out.

...

Thanos' soul rushed back to his body, slamming into him like a bolt of dark lightning. His eyes snapped open, glowing with a furious light as he returned to the physical plane. He was back on his massive warship, the Sanctuary II. The cold metal floor felt solid beneath his feet, but the anger boiling inside him made everything seem like a blur.

Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed the nearest guard—a small, green-skinned alien. The guard barely had time to react before Thanos's massive fist smashed into his face.

Thanos didn't stop. He punched again and again, his rage exploding with every strike. The alien's cries were drowned out by the sickening sounds of breaking bones and tearing flesh. Blood splattered across the metal floor, staining Thanos's hands as he turned the guard into a messy purple pulp.

The other guards nearby froze, fear gripping them as they watched their master unleash his fury. None dared to move, none dared to speak. They had seen Thanos angry before, but this was different. His rage was like a wild storm, and they knew better than to get caught in its path.

Finally, Thanos stopped, breathing heavily, his fists dripping with blood. He looked down at the lifeless body of the guard, but it did nothing to quench the fire burning inside him. The thought of Aron—a mere human—occupying Lady Death's thoughts filled him with a rage he hadn't felt in centuries.

"NEBULA! GAMORA!" he roared, his voice echoing through the halls of the ship. Within moments, his two adopted daughters appeared.

"You called, Father?" Gamora asked, trying to hide her unease before kneeling before him. She knew something was wrong.

Nebula too could sense that something was off. Her father was not one to lose his calm easily, but his emotions were clearly visible. His face was twisted with anger and his eyes burned with hatred. She kept her face straight, not showing any sign of emotion. She had learned early on that it was best not to show any weakness in front of Thanos. She also kneeled beside Gamora.

"Father..." She whispered, lowering her head.

"Gamora, track down the Infinity Stones," Thanos ordered before glancing at Nebula. "Nebula, go to Earth. Find the heroes of that planet and send me their information. I've also heard that Thor is on that planet. If that information is real then I'll kill him and start a war with Odin. I'll eradicate them all in a grand battle and give my Mistress a grand spectacle. Mistress wants Aron and I will give his soul to her along with the entirety of Asgardians and Midgardians."

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