Svartalfheim.
The Dark Elves, once defeated by the god-king Bor, had awakened again.
While Asgard glorified Bor's greatness by declaring that "war" an annihilation, the truth was different.
The ruler of the Dark Elves' realm had awakened from his slumber.
White hair, gray-white skin, pointed ears.
As king of the Dark Elves, Malekith had a lifespan more ancient than that of the Asgardians.
He set foot on his homeland and looked at the light that still lingered in its gray skies.
His expression was filled with bitterness over his past defeat.
"This is my legacy, Algrim."
The once-mighty realm of the Dark Elves was now nothing but ruins.
Even the darkness they loved had been infiltrated by light.
The black soil of Svartalfheim was mingled with the flesh and blood of the Dark Elves who had fallen back then.
Beside him, the Dark Elf Algrim faced his king.
"I had almost forgotten the days without light," Malekith said.
The Dark Elves bore the name of darkness because they worshipped it and loved it.
During their reign, darkness had spread throughout the Nine Realms.
"Our revival is your greatest legacy," Algrim said.
Malekith clenched the soil in his hand. He would never forget how the Asgardians had entered Svartalfheim and dragged him from his throne.
Nor would he forget that it was the Asgardians who had destroyed the Dark Elves' darkness.
"Asgard will repay our suffering twice over!" Malekith cried, his face twisted with fury. "I will reclaim the Aether! I will restore my world! I will bring this corrupt universe to a final end!"
After speaking, Malekith calmed himself.
They had slept for too long. Had the Conjunction of the Spheres not caused the Aether to emerge, they would have remained asleep forever.
Their most urgent task was to recover