Aether

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Aether
Alias(es)	Reality Stone; Aether particles
Classification	One of the six Infinity Stones
Status	Collected and subsequently wielded by Wang Khan 187 190
First Appearance	Detected as an impending Infinity Stone occurrence 169

Background / History

The Aether was a secret treasure of the Dark Elves. Loki identified it as a force capable of returning the universe to darkness and sensed a trace of consciousness within it, implying that its owner, Malekith, had survived. Its awakening also roused the Dark Elves from their long sleep 171.

Jane Foster became its host, making her the target of Malekith's forces during the battle for London. After recovering the Aether, Malekith attempted to use the Nine Realms' convergence to amplify its power and spread darkness across the realms 176 182.

Wang Khan sealed the spatial passage connecting the Nine Realms, killed Malekith with Space Power, and extracted the Aether particles into a sealed Vibranium-and-Uru container 187. Information recovered from the Dark Elves' Mothership included their method for controlling Aether particles and the knowledge that Cursed Warrior crystals are crystallized Aether particles 188.

On the Moon, Wang Khan absorbed the Aether into his body and began experimenting with its constructive capabilities. He later used its power to restore Nidavellir's stellar forge and pressure the Dwarf King Eitri into surrendering advanced forging knowledge 190 235.

Appearance

The Aether commonly manifests as dark-red energy or red crystalline matter. While absorbed by Wang Khan, it caused his eyes to turn crimson and red energy to flicker across his body 190.

• Can condense into black crystals streaked with red, resembling molten lava trapped beneath stone 190.
• The Dark Elves used crystallized Aether particles to create Cursed Warriors 188.
• Its energy can form a large, destructive dark-red field when used on a massive scale 186.

Abilities & Properties

Reality Manipulation

The Aether can create or reshape matter when its wielder understands the target's structure and operating principles.

• Can create objects from nothing, including a Vibranium sword 190.
• Can process existing raw materials into finished objects at a lower cost than creating them outright 190.
• Restored Nidavellir's disabled stellar forge under Wang Khan's control 235.
• Was used to create Mars' Atmosphere Modifier, though such created matter has a limited duration before vanishing 350.
• Wang Khan used it to construct a Dyson Sphere around the Sun and produce energy blocks for Archangel-class ships 378.

Cursed Crystal Creation

Aether particles can be condensed into crystals used to produce Dark Elf Cursed Warriors.

• Wang Khan can create ten Cursed Crystals for approximately one year of his life force 190.
• The crystals are the source of the Cursed Warriors' exceptional strength 188.

Dark Energy Amplification

Malekith used the Aether for immense offensive and defensive power and sought to amplify it through the Nine Realms' alignment.

• Its defensive energy protected Malekith from the Justice Gundam's Battleship Blade 185.
• Malekith intended to channel its energy through the aligned Nine Realms to engulf the universe in darkness 171 186.
• Wang Khan stopped this amplification by sealing the spatial passage with Space Power 187.

Life Force Consumption

Absorbing and operating the Aether imposes a severe vitality cost on its user.

• Wang Khan's physical strength and vitality declined while the Aether was inside his body 190.
• At the observed rate, one month of absorption would consume roughly one year of Wang Khan's life force 190.
• Fully modifying Mars' core with the Aether alone was calculated to cost approximately one thousand years of his lifespan 191.
• Wang Khan considers processing existing materials more efficient than creating matter from nothing 190.

Containment

• Wang Khan stored the Aether particles in a container made from Vibranium and Uru metal after extracting them from Malekith 187.
• He removed the Aether from his body and returned it to this container after determining the cost of modifying Mars' core 191.

Known Hosts and Wielders

• Jane Foster — Became the Aether's host, drawing Malekith and the Dark Elves to London 171 176.
• Malekith — Dark Elf leader and former wielder; recovered the Aether and attempted to use it during the Nine Realms' convergence 182 186.
• Wang Khan — Collected the Aether after Malekith's death, learned the Dark Elves' control method, and used it for creation and restoration 187 188 235.

Notable Quotes

“It’s a secret treasure of the Dark Elves, the Aether, possessing the terrifying power to return the entire universe to darkness!” 171