"...It’s a little more complicated. Unlike the others, you don’t just take it. It requires a sacrifice — someone you love, given willingly. A soul for a soul. That’s the price."
The group fell silent, the weight of that rule settling in.
Emma frowned. "That’s a cruel condition. Who even created such a rule?"
"No one really knows," Dave said. "The Soul Stone is... different. It’s not just a source of power — it judges. It’s said to exist in a realm of its own."
Trish clicked her tongue. "Well, that’s one stone I hope we never have to deal with."
Diana nodded. "There’s no victory in gaining it — only loss."
Dave looked at each of them in turn, his voice quieter now. "Exactly why I won’t go after it unless absolutely necessary."
Boa placed a hand on his arm. "And if it ever comes to that... you won’t be the only one making decisions."
He nodded, grateful for her strength — for all of theirs.
"Anyway, let’s try placing these stones on my new sword," he said, summoning the Infinity Sword.
He extended the sleek, silver blade. Along its hilt were six specially-forged grooves — three on each side — meant to house the Infinity Stones. For now, he took the four he had and carefully placed two on each side to keep the balance: Mind and Power on one side, Space and Reality on the other.
As the stones were placed into the sword, a quiet hum filled the air.
The gems pulsed with energy as if recognizing their union with the weapon. A soft glow ran along the blade, veins of cosmic power spreading from each gem like circuits coming alive.
At first, the sword trembled slightly in his hand — then began to glow faintly, shifting through hues of gold, violet, red, and blue.
Then suddenly — BOOM — a burst of energy flared outward.
The others instinctively raised their guards, but the shockwave faded as quickly as it had come. The sword steadied, its glow stabilizing.
The Infinity Sword shimmered briefly, and then... the light vanished. Its surface returned to a sleek metallic finish — cold, but deceptively calm.
Emma stepped forward, cautious. "What just happened?"
Dave examined the blade, feeling the power now residing within it. "The sword accepted them. It’s like... they’ve gone dormant, but not gone. They’re in sync with the weapon now."
Trish whistled low. "You just forged a god-killer."
Boa smirked. "Or a god-guard."
"Whatever it is, only time will tell," Dave said as he drew the sword, admiring the elegant craftsmanship and the dormant power now woven into it.
As he held it, he felt a surge of energy pulse through his body — raw, ancient, and overwhelming. It coursed through his veins like fire and lightning fused together.
"Hah... this is almost euphoric," he muttered, his voice low and slightly awed as the energy wrapped around him like a second skin.
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Try not to get addicted to it."
Dave chuckled. "No promises."
Boa walked closer, her eyes fixed on the blade. "It’s strange. The sword looks calm... but I can feel what’s inside it. It’s like holding back a storm."
Trish smirked. "Exactly why it’s in Dave’s hands. Anyone else would’ve exploded."
Diana crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "Be careful with it. That much power can change people. Even you."
Dave turned to them, the blade resting easily on his shoulder. His expression was confident, but his eyes were clear — grounded.
"I’m not ruled by power," he said. "I use it. And I’ll only use it when necessary."
The others nodded in agreement, trusting him.
As Dave stood with the sword, the calm before the storm began to shift. A faint but undeniable pressure weighed on the air, as if something far away was stirring — something that could soon become a threat. The group could feel it.
Suddenly, the space around them flickered.
A distant rumble echoed through the air, and a voice — calm, yet charged with urgency — sounded from behind them.
Turning, they saw the Ancient One stepping out of a portal, her serene face marked with concern and focus.
"I should’ve guessed when I sensed it," she said, her gaze shifting to the Infinity Sword. "You’re forging quite a weapon."
Dave raised an eyebrow, not backing down. "Only for protection, nothing else."
The Ancient One hummed softly in acknowledgment. "Protection, huh?" she mumbled, her gaze still fixed on the sword. "Yes, for protection... but to do that, you’ll need to do things you haven’t before."
Dave stood still, watching her. "Have I?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
The Ancient One nodded, stepping closer to him, her expression more serious than ever. "No, that’s why I came here. To see it, but more importantly, to make sure you don’t let it control you." She gave him a knowing look before standing straight again.
"Just don’t go beyond it," she warned softly, her eyes piercing into his.
"Beyond what?" Dave asked, though he had a sinking feeling he already knew the answer.
"Beyond the point of no return," the Ancient One replied cryptically. "The stones are powerful, but they carry with them more than just power. They bring temptation — the temptation to rewrite not just your own fate, but everything around you."
She turned to leave, her figure fading into the shimmering portal. "Be careful, Dave. You may be the one wielding the sword, but the sword can still wield you."
Dave stood still, the weight of her words settling in as the portal closed behind her.
The others were silent, each of them sensing the gravity of the situation.
"She’s right, you know," Trish said quietly. "Power like that... it has a way of changing you."
Dave nodded slowly, his grip tightening on the Infinity Sword. "I know. And I won’t let it. I control it, not the other way around."
"Just don’t do it alone," Emma added. "We’re all here, always."
Dave gave her a small smile. "I won’t. Not this time."
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