Ulterior Motives

Svartalfheim, once the homeland of the Dark Elves, was also the site of the final decisive battle where Asgard's former emperor Bor personally led his army against them.

But now, it had become a barren wasteland, a silent place where all life had been extinguished. Only the desertified earth and the wreckage of warships scattered everywhere silently recounted that grand war of old, a battle tied to the fate and future of the entire universe.

Yet today, this forgotten place, neglected for tens of millions of years, suddenly welcomed two special guests. Ah, perhaps that was not quite accurate. They should have been called two travelers returning home. They were Malekith, King of the Dark Elves, and Agam, his trusted subordinate whom he regarded as a brother.

Malekith had wandered aimlessly across this scorched land for a long time. Agam quietly followed behind him without disturbing him. He knew his king needed time to immerse himself in grief.

After a long while, Malekith could no longer suppress the pain in his heart. He crouched down, grabbed a handful of charred soil, and said with sorrow and indignation, "Look at what I left behind, Agam. I can barely remember what things were like before the light came."

Countless lives had been lost in a thousand-year bloody war, yet nothing had been achieved. The great cause of their people remained far away, while their homeland had been reduced to scorched earth. Their former nation... Aether might still remain, but their former nation could not bear to be recalled beneath the moonlight. Any ambitious and capable king would likely be unable to let such a thing go.

Agam walked over to his king, placed a hand on his shoulder, and comforted him. "The continuation of our race is the greatest legacy you left