The celestial chamber shimmered with a haunting, ethereal light, a void of silent stars where cosmic beings made their bargains. Thanos stood amidst the fading echoes of his battle, his blade still glistening with the divine ichor of fallen gods. The goddess's voice, a calm and distant whisper, resonated in the space around him.
"I will leave it to you to give the boy some scrap realm with resources," she intoned. "My part is done. If you wish to do something more, it is within your power. After this, you are free to move on, as you have done enough for your junior."
A low rumble emanated from the Titan's chest, a sound like distant thunder. "Then I wish to play one last hand before I leave this game," Thanos replied. "Perhaps I have just the thing, but I do not wish to give it to him easily."
"Do it at your discretion," the goddess's voice grew fainter, dissolving into the ether. "Make him work for it."
With her final words fading into nothingness, Thanos waved a hand, a gesture that crossed realms and sent Maximus Mormont, who had been in his camp planning for the evening, into a deep and sudden sleep.
His soul drifted, pulled from the world of the living into a strange, otherworldly place where the Mad Titan awaited him. Maximus stared at the towering figure, whose form flickered with the same void energy as the goddess, and felt a wave of confusion. "Are you Sthira?" he asked. "Why are you in this form again?"
Thanos shook his head, his expression grim. "No, she sent me, boy. I am here because of her actions." With a flick of his wrist, he threw his bloodied sword. The massive blade landed with a heavy thud beside Maximus, splattering his body with the divine, simmering blood of the gods he had slain. An agonizing energy coursed through Maximus, a painful surge that made him grit his teeth as it integrated with his own being.
"It is not so easy to take things from me," Thanos said nonchalantly, watching the boy's struggle. "Consider this a gift, albeit one I am reluctant to give." His voice lowered to a growl. "The gods are dealt with. There will be no more divine interference."
He waved his hand again, and the scene shifted. He conjured an image of a brothel house in Braavos, where Oberyn Martell had suddenly fainted, his paramour desperately trying to wake him. In the next instant, Oberyn's soul was pulled into the dreamscape, and he awoke to find himself standing beside Maximus and the towering figure of Thanos. Recognition, and a profound lack of fear, flashed in his eyes.
"I don't believe in gods," the Dornish prince stated, his voice steady. "But if you can give me what I want, I would give you my soul."
Thanos chuckled, a dry, grating sound. "You are the only one I find remotely tolerable in this rotten world, so I am giving you a gift." With another wave of his hand, a heavy, ornate door appeared, which he then sent tumbling through space until it landed on a mountain in a desert on a distant world. A key of intricate design materialized in Oberyn's hand.
"This is a scrap planet," Thanos explained, his gaze shifting between the prince and the boy. "It is a world with little white robots and scrappers. The boy beside you wants the resources on it badly. The location of the door is known only to Oberyn, and he holds the key. If you want those resources, Maximus, you must trade with him."
Oberyn looked from the key to Thanos, his mind racing. "I don't want this," he said, his voice tight with sudden, desperate hope. "Can you just bring my sister and her children back to life? Erase their memories of their deaths."
The Titan's expression hardened. "That is not something I am going to do. I did this only because I liked you a little, and I do not want Maximus to get his prize easily. I cannot interfere more in this world." He turned to Maximus. "You might be able to help him someday, or you might not. It will depend on your luck and how you grow. You will be a turning point. Perhaps you can work with him; he can provide you with the one thing you still seem to covet—magic."
Thanos's form, along with the celestial realm, began to fade. "That is all. I am leaving."
As the vision dissolved, Oberyn shouted into the void, his voice echoing, "I will wait at the Braavos harbor! Every night for a month! Come find me!"
Maximus awoke with a start, gasping for air. Dacey was standing over him, concern etched on her face. "What happened? Why did you suddenly collapse?"
He shook his head, the remnants of the strange vision lingering like a phantom limb. "An intervention from the goddess," he said, his voice raspy. "As soon as the ships are done, we have to leave for Braavos. We have a person to pick up." The council members exchanged puzzled glances, but Maximus was resolute. "You will understand when he is here."
Meanwhile, in a Braavosi bedchamber, Oberyn's paramour looked at him with worry. "What happened? Are you getting old? Do you need some medicine?"
Oberyn shook his head, his eyes distant and filled with a wild, newfound purpose. "No. The world, or perhaps the gods I never believed in, answered our prayers. We have a solution. Be ready within the week. We are moving closer to the harbor. We are going to meet our miracle."
Over the next week, while Ordis reported that the ships were nearly ready, Maximus acted. He moved through the territory of the Carnivorous Tribe like a shadow, a whirlwind of death and destruction. The tribe's ravens circled high above, helpless witnesses as he single-handedly decimated their warriors without ever donning his Warframe, his prowess absolute and terrifying.
When Ordis finally announced the ships were complete, Maximus informed Dacey of his departure. "I'm going to Braavos to bring someone back."
Before he could leave, Daenerys ran toward him, her eyes shining with excitement. "I want to come! I want to travel across the seas this time. Last time was only on that… horse. This time, I want to be on the open water."
Lyanna came running as well, clutching his hand. "I also want to go! Please let me come!"
Dacey watched the scene with a fond smile. "It's settled then," she declared, knowing the bond between the three. "We sail together."
With a crew trained by Ordis in the art of sailing, the ship departed swiftly, its empty hold allowing for rapid travel across the sea. After several days, they arrived in the bustling port city of Braavos. Maximus sent a drone ahead, which quickly located Oberyn Martell at the harbor, waiting patiently as promised. The ship anchored far from shore, and Maximus took a small, high-speed boat to meet him.
Oberyn recognized him immediately, a broad, predatory grin spreading across his face. "I like your style, boy."
"Your boat is here," Maximus replied simply.
Oberyn laughed. "You are not staying in Braavos then? Where is your camp?" He turned to his paramour. "Call the children. We are leaving."
The older Sand Snakes, Oberyn's daughters, gathered quickly, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious summons. As they approached the sleek, unfamiliar boat, Oberyn posed a question to Maximus, his eyes glinting. "What if I kill you? This seems a great risk for you."
"I'm willing to take that risk if it means helping you," Maximus responded calmly.
They boarded the ship, and its advanced technology left the newcomers momentarily speechless. As the vessel sailed away under the cover of darkness, Oberyn marveled at its capabilities. He glanced across the deck and saw Daenerys, her silver hair catching the moonlight.
"So," he said with a smirk, "this is where the little stormborn is hiding."
Daenerys bristled at the nickname but held her tongue, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The ship sailed smoothly back toward their hidden camp, its hold now full of new, powerful, and dangerous allies. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they were ready to face them together