The Weight of Immortality - CH - 84

Xandar was a picture of peaceful prosperity—clean streets, elegant architecture, and people moving about with purpose and calm. After the Kree War, the planet had managed to rebuild itself remarkably well.

Harry and Hela stepped out of the ship, greeted by the crisp, controlled atmosphere of the Nova Corps’ central hub.

A pair of Nova Corps guards approached them, helmets gleaming under the sunlight.

“State your business,” one of them said in a clipped, professional tone.

Harry kept his voice calm. “We’re here to speak with the Nova Prime. It’s urgent—concerning a possible threat from Thanos.”

The guards exchanged glances, unimpressed.

The second guard, a woman with stern eyes, sneered. “Nova Prime doesn’t just take random visitors from unregistered ships. What makes you think you’re important enough to get an audience?”

Hela’s eyes narrowed, but Harry placed a calming hand on her arm.

“I assure you,” Harry said evenly, “our information could save Xandar—and maybe the entire galaxy.”

The first guard scoffed. “Sure, and I’m the king of Spartax. You got official clearance? Some kind of proof?”

Hela stepped forward, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Do you know who you’re speaking to?”

The guards didn’t flinch.

Harry exhaled slowly. “She’s Hela, Princess of Asgard. I suggest you reconsider your tone.”

One of the guards gave a disdainful snort. “Asgardians? Sure. And I’m the Collector’s long-lost brother. You two look more like wandering mercs than royalty.”

Hela’s grip on her sword tightened.

The second guard crossed her arms. “We don’t have time for impostors. Xandar’s recovering from the last war. We’re not interested in fairy tales or your sob story. Get lost before we make you.”

Harry’s eyes darkened. “You do realize we’re trying to warn you of a threat that could wipe out this entire city.”

The first guard sneered. “And why should we believe two drifters with a flashy ship? You expect us to just let you stroll up to Nova Prime because you say so? You’re not even registered with the Corps. Now move along before we throw you in a cell for causing a disturbance.”

Hela’s face was like granite, but Harry simply gave a cold smile.

Harry turned to Hela. “You know, I thought they’d be more reasonable. I guess we were wrong.”

Hela smirked. “If they want to handle this on their own, who are we to interfere?”

Harry looked back at the guards. “You’ve made yourselves clear. If your arrogance leads to Xandar’s destruction, just remember—we tried to help.”

The guards didn’t even bother responding.

As they walked back towards the Gryffindor, one of the guards muttered to the other, “Every week it’s the same. Wannabe heroes and doomsayers. You’d think they’d at least come up with a better story.”

Harry ignored them, but Hela shot one last glare over her shoulder, her eyes glinting with the promise of retribution.

Inside the ship, Harry and Hela sat at the central table in the Great Hall, a holographic map of Xandar projected between them.

Hela leaned back, her eyes narrowed. “So, we’re just staying here? After they dismissed us like common beggars?”

Harry gave a wry smile. “I don’t care about their arrogance. If Thanos wants something from Xandar, we need to know what it is. I have a feeling it’s more than just destroying the planet.”

Harry decided they needed to blend in rather than draw attention. He changed into simple traveler’s clothes—dark pants, a loose shirt, and a long coat. Hela, though reluctant to shed her armored attire, donned a sleek black outfit that looked more civilian, though she still carried an air of danger.

As they stepped out into the bustling city, Hela couldn’t help but scoff at the cheerful atmosphere. “These people act as if they’re untouchable.”

Harry shrugged. “That’s peace for you. They’ve rebuilt their lives after the Kree War. They don’t want to think about another threat on the horizon.”

They walked through the crowded plazas and market streets, occasionally stopping to listen to conversations or visit information kiosks. The marketplace was vibrant, with vendors selling everything from exotic foods to advanced tech gadgets.

One of the vendors, a wrinkled Xandarian woman, called out to them. “Travelers! Try the Vornakian sweets—fresh from the outer colonies!”

Hela glanced at the colorful confections and gave Harry a curious look. He shrugged, buying a small pouch.

As they ate, Harry kept his ears open, listening to the chatter around them. A group of young Nova cadets passed by, discussing recent news.

“Did you hear about the excavation site in the Eastern District? They found some ancient artifacts during the construction of the new memorial.”

One cadet, a younger man, seemed particularly enthusiastic. “I heard one of the pieces glowed when they unearthed it. Some think it might be connected to the old Kree artifacts.”

The other cadet waved it off. “Bah, probably just a power surge. The city’s still rebuilding systems from the last invasion. Nothing to worry about.”

Hela raised an eyebrow at Harry. “Ancient artifacts? Glowing?”

Harry nodded, thoughtful. “Could be nothing—or it could be exactly what Thanos is after. If it’s connected to the Kree or something even older, it might be worth looking into.”

They made their way to the Eastern District, where construction was ongoing. The area was cordoned off, with workers in yellow vests and Nova Corps personnel overseeing the excavation.

Harry approached one of the workers, a grizzled Xandarian man taking a break. “Hey, what’s all the commotion here?”

The worker wiped sweat from his brow. “Building a new memorial for the fallen. Dug up some old relics buried deep—way older than the city itself. Didn’t even know they were down there.”

Hela crossed her arms. “What kind of relics?”

The man shrugged. “Can’t say for sure. I’m no historian. Some glowed when we moved them, though. Nova Corps took the interesting bits to their archive for study.”

Harry thanked him and moved on. Hela looked frustrated. “If the Nova Corps has them, getting information won’t be easy.”

Harry smirked. “Maybe not for most people. But we’re not most people.”

Back at the Gryffindor, Harry and Hela sat in the command chamber, the map of Xandar glowing between them.

“We need access to those archives,” Harry mused. “If the artifacts are what Thanos is after, we can’t let him get to them first.”

Hela looked ready to tear through the archives herself. “So, we sneak in?”

Harry shook his head. “Not yet. We need to know exactly what we’re looking for. I think it’s time to make some allies—or at least gain some leverage.”

Hela scoffed. “You think those arrogant guards will change their tune?”

Harry smiled. “If we find someone higher up who’s less… stubborn, maybe. Someone more willing to listen to reason.”

As they plotted their approach, the communication mirror flickered to life. This time, it was Loki.

“Ah, brother-in-law,” Loki drawled. “I assume your search is going splendidly?”

Harry sighed. “We’ve found something, but Xandar’s bureaucracy is slowing us down.”

Loki smirked. “Bureaucrats rarely see danger until it’s already at their throats. Need any assistance?”

Hela raised an eyebrow. “Unless you can convince the Nova Prime herself to cooperate, I doubt it.”

Loki leaned back, pondering. “I might know someone on Xandar—a merchant who owes me a favor. He deals in rare artifacts. Perhaps he can shed light on what the Nova Corps found.”

Harry nodded. “Send me the location.”

Loki gave a mocking bow. “Always happy to help. Be careful. Xandar’s peace is a fragile illusion, as you’ve no doubt noticed.”

The mirror dimmed, and Hela looked intrigued. “You trust Loki’s contact?”

Harry shrugged. “Trust? No. But it’s a lead. If this merchant knows something useful, we’ll find out soon enough.”

Hela smiled darkly. “If he lies, I’ll make sure he regrets it.”

Harry grinned. “Good. Let’s pay him a visit.”

As the Gryffindor prepared for the short flight to the merchant’s district, Harry couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency. If Thanos was after the artifacts, they needed to learn why—and quickly.

Because the next time Thanos moved, it wouldn’t just be Xandar at risk.

It would be the entire universe.


The bustling market district of Xandar was a maze of stalls, shops, and winding alleyways. Alien merchants shouted over each other, peddling exotic wares, while tourists marveled at holographic displays advertising everything from space cruises to advanced weaponry.

Harry and Hela moved through the crowd, ignoring the curious glances directed their way. They were headed toward a small, hidden shop wedged between two larger buildings, marked only by a faded sign in an alien script.

“This is the place,” Harry murmured.

Hela eyed the rickety door with disdain. “Charming.”

Harry pushed open the door, a small bell tinkling as they entered. Inside, the shop was cluttered with shelves of strange artifacts, dusty scrolls, and odd mechanical parts. At the back, a wiry Xandarian man with a crooked nose and nervous eyes was sorting through a box of trinkets.

He looked up, and his eyes widened. “Oh… you’re the ones Loki told me about.”

Harry nodded. “That’s right. You’re Rilak, right?”

The merchant swallowed. “Yeah. Loki said you needed information. About the excavation?”

“Yes,” Hela said, stepping forward. “Start talking.”

Rilak fidgeted, clearly intimidated by Hela’s presence. “Look, I don’t know much. Just heard some of the Nova guards talking after their shift. They said the artifact wasn’t a weapon—it’s an energy source. Ancient, but not the kind that can destroy anything. More like… a power generator.”

Harry considered this. “That doesn’t sound like something Thanos would be after.”

Hela grunted in agreement. “He’s looking for power—power that can end worlds. Not something that powers a few buildings.”

Rilak nodded quickly. “Exactly. If it’s just an energy source, I don’t see why anyone would make a fuss. But then… something else happened.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

Rilak leaned in, lowering his voice. “Word on the street is that one of the Ravagers stole something from Morag—a planet in the outer systems. An orb. People are saying it’s got unimaginable power. Everyone’s looking for the thief. Calls himself Star-Lord.”

Hela scoffed. “Star-Lord? What kind of name is that?”

Rilak shrugged. “Some human, I think. Works with Ravagers sometimes. Real pain in the ass, from what I hear. But the thing is, if that orb really is as powerful as people think, it could be what Thanos is after.”

Harry frowned. “Where was he last seen?”

Rilak scratched his head. “Some say he was trying to sell the orb on Xandar. But the Nova Corps caught wind of it. There’s been chatter that he’s gone into hiding. Probably knows half the galaxy’s looking for him.”

Harry exchanged a look with Hela. “If Thanos is after the orb, we need to find it before he does.”

Hela gave a grim nod. “And if this Star-Lord has it, we’ll just take it from him.”

Rilak looked nervously between them. “Look, if you find it… just don’t tell anyone I helped. Last thing I need is the Nova Corps or Thanos breathing down my neck.”

Harry smiled faintly. “Your secret’s safe. And if you hear anything else, let Loki know.”

Rilak let out a relieved breath. “Got it. Good luck. You’ll need it.”

As they returned to the ship, Hela mulled over the information. “If the orb is on Xandar, it won’t be long before someone else tracks it down. We need to find this Star-Lord before the wrong people do.”

Harry sat at the command console, bringing up the Gryffindor’s sensor array. “If he’s hiding, we’ll need to narrow down the places he might go. He’s probably laying low in the less monitored parts of the city.”

Vikka, the ship’s AI, chimed in. “I have compiled a list of known Ravager-friendly establishments within Xandar’s lower districts. Would you like to begin a search?”

“Yes,” Harry replied. “And cross-reference any recent disturbances. If he’s on the run, he might have made some noise.”

Hela leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Do you think Thanos knows about the orb yet?”

Harry sighed. “If he doesn’t already, he will soon. We can’t afford to waste time. If Thanos gets his hands on it, he’ll have another piece of his plan.”

The mirror on the table glowed, and Loki’s face appeared.

“Ah, did my little contact prove useful?” Loki asked with a smirk.

“Yes,” Harry admitted. “We found out that the excavation wasn’t a weapon—just an energy source. But we did learn about a stolen orb that everyone’s after. Including, possibly, Thanos.”

Loki raised an eyebrow. “Orb? I’m intrigued. You have any leads?”

“We’re looking for a human calling himself Star-Lord. Ravager connections. If you hear anything, let me know.”

Loki gave a mock salute. “Of course. Happy hunting.” The mirror dimmed.

They set off, navigating the lower districts of Xandar, where the buildings were older, the streets narrower, and the inhabitants far less concerned with propriety.

They approached a dingy tavern, where loud music and drunken laughter spilled out into the alley. Harry glanced at Hela. “Ravager types would feel right at home here.”

As they entered, the smell of cheap ale and sweat hit them. Various aliens, mercenaries, and a few uniformed Nova Corps members off duty were scattered around the room.

Harry approached the bar, where a burly, four-armed bartender was cleaning a glass. “You seen a guy calling himself Star-Lord?”

The bartender gave a grunt. “Who’s asking?”

Hela glared at him. “We are. And we’re not in the mood for games.”

The bartender hesitated, noticing Hela’s fierce look. “He was here a few days ago. Loud, cocky. Got into a fight with some Kree thugs. Heard he was trying to fence something valuable. Don’t know where he went after that.”

Harry nodded. “Thanks.”

As they turned to leave, one of the patrons—a scruffy Ravager with a cybernetic eye—leaned over, clearly eavesdropping.

“You lookin’ for Star-Lord too?” he slurred.

Harry gave him a wary glance. “What do you know?”

The Ravager smirked. “Last I heard, Nova Corps got him. Some big fuss over an artifact. Bet they got him locked up in the central detention.”

Hela’s eyes glinted. “If the Nova Corps have him, it might be tricky to get close.”

Harry smirked. “Not necessarily. If we can’t talk our way in, we’ll just use a little magic to slip past security.”

The Ravager snorted. “Good luck with that. Nova Prime herself’s got an eye on that case. If he’s got something important, they won’t let him go easy.”

Harry patted the man’s shoulder. “We’ll manage.”

Back on the Gryffindor, Harry sat down with Hela to plan their next move.

“If he’s in Nova custody, we’ll need to be careful,” Harry said. “We can’t just break him out—that’ll put us at odds with the entire Nova Corps.”

Hela grinned wickedly. “Or we can just take what we want. I doubt they could stop us.”

Harry gave her a look. “Let’s try diplomacy first. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll consider other options.”

Hela rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

Vikka chimed in. “Shall I prepare infiltration protocols for the Nova Corps detention facility?”

Harry nodded. “Yes, but keep it subtle. We need to get close without raising alarms. We’re not here to start a war.”

Hela scoffed. “But it would be entertaining.”

Harry couldn’t help but smile. “Let’s see how much trouble we can avoid first.”

The next step was clear: find Star-Lord, find the orb, and figure out what Thanos wanted with it.

Time was running out, and if they didn’t act fast, the Mad Titan might gain yet another piece of his terrifying plan.