"It seems like you're doing quite well," Fury said, his single eye sweeping across the Helicarrier's deck. The pool shimmered under the sunlight, framed by neatly trimmed hedges and quiet luxury that spoke of power more than wealth.

Luke lounged back casually, one hand waving as if brushing away the compliment. "Nah," he replied, voice carrying an easy indifference, "it was all given by the president. I just couldn't reject his good intentions."

That almost made Fury choke on his words. 'The president?'

But with a man like Luke, it shouldn't be surprising. Even the gods of Asgard tread carefully around him, what was a human president compared to that? Still, hearing it so bluntly twisted something in Fury's chest.

He lowered himself onto a chair by the pool, trying to mask his unease. Sharon appeared a moment later, graceful as ever, holding a tall glass of water. She placed it in front of him with a polite smile.

Fury stood immediately, pretending to be flattered, and accepted it with both hands. It felt strange, awkward even. Once upon a time, Sharon Carter had been his subordinate. Now, in Luke's home, under Luke's shadow, he didn't dare treat her with anything less than respect.

"Thank you," he said, almost stiff.

Sharon only smiled lightly before turning away. Wanda joined her, the two women exchanging a quiet glance. They understood instinctively that Fury hadn't come here for pleasantries. With a shared nod, they left the men to their conversation, their footsteps fading into the interior of the Helicarrier.

The silence that followed stretched uncomfortably until Fury finally exhaled and spoke. "Luke… Thor came to Earth yesterday."

He kept his tone cautious, probing. He didn't dare ask directly about Asgard, didn't dare accuse. It was like standing in front of a live grenade and hoping not to set it off.

Luke's smile never faltered. "Oh? How's he doing?" His voice was warm, almost playful, but his eyes gleamed with amusement, as if he already knew the answer.

Fury cleared his throat. "He… lost an eye. And his body was badly injured."

Luke tilted his head slightly, then nodded. "Well, as long as he didn't die."

The words left Fury without a reply. He shifted uncomfortably, his fingers tightening around the glass.

Luke leaned forward, his smile sharpening. "To survive a fight with Hela at all? Isn't that an accomplishment already?"

Fury froze. The name cut through the air like a blade. He stared at Luke, the realization crawling over him with cold dread. His legs acted before his mind, he shot up from his chair and stumbled two steps back, his hand hovering instinctively near his gun though he knew it was useless.

"You… you" His voice cracked. "Are you really the one behind all this?"

Luke blinked, brows lifting in mild confusion. "Behind what?"

"The attack on Asgard!" Fury's voice rose, panic slipping through his composure. "The massacre of their people!"

For the first time, Luke actually looked stunned. "What? Me?" He sat back, as if the accusation itself was absurd. "Why would I want to attack Asgard? Do I look like some devil to you?"

But Fury didn't relent. "Thor said, he said Hela herself admitted you were her master. That she followed your orders!"

Luke's lips parted slightly. Now that was unexpected. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, eyes narrowing. Technically, Thor wasn't wrong, Hela did call him her master. But to pin the slaughter of Asgardians on him? That was a burden he had no interest in carrying.

He lifted a hand lazily. The air shimmered, rippling like water disturbed by a stone.

Fury's stomach dropped as a figure stepped through the distortion.

A tall woman clad in black and green, her elegant stride predatory, her presence suffocating. Two obsidian blades rested casually in her hands, yet her very posture screamed violence barely restrained.

Fury's breath caught. He didn't need an introduction. The description Thor had given him matched perfectly. He cursed violently in his mind, 'Motherfucker!'

Luke actually summoned the Goddess of Death!

Before he could move, the woman dropped to one knee before Luke. Her head bowed, her voice filled with reverence. "Master."

"Hela," Luke said evenly, "tell me, did I order you to slaughter the people of Asgard?"

Hela's reply came instantly, unwavering. "No, Master. That decision was mine alone."

Fury nearly dropped the glass in his hand. His throat went dry, his skin prickling with sweat. He wasn't even sure if he could breathe properly with this woman standing so close. Thor's words had painted her as a nightmare, a butcher of thousands. Seeing her in the flesh was worse.

"Consultant Yale," Fury stammered, his voice shaking despite his effort to steady it, "you don't… need to explain. I was just asking out of curiosity."

Luke chuckled softly at that, the sound only tightening the knot in Fury's chest. He turned back to Hela, his demeanor shifting smoothly. "How are things in Asgard?"

Hela rose gracefully, her tone calm, almost proud. "Asgard is stable. I used the Eternal Flame to resurrect my army and pets. My brother Loki has yielded. The Asgardian forces now stand ready to follow your will."

Luke nodded slowly, as if considering the weight of her words. "Not bad."

For a heartbeat, it seemed he would dismiss her. But before he could, a sharp voice crackled in his earpiece.

"Boss," Bumblebee's urgent tone carried a rare edge of panic. "I just picked up something huge. A spacecraft. It appeared right outside Earth's orbit."

Almost at the same time, Fury's phone buzzed violently. He pressed it to his ear, listening as Hill's voice spilled out in anxious bursts.

"Director Fury, our satellites detected a massive ship outside Earth. It's not like anything we've seen before!"

Fury snapped his head toward Luke. Their eyes locked, and in that brief silence, both men felt it, the gravity of something greater looming over them.

Luke's expression turned cold, his voice cutting the air like a blade.

"Thanos is coming."

The name dropped like a stone into still water, sending ripples through the place.

"Thanos?" Fury echoed, his brow furrowing, confusion and dread battling on his face, he didn't know the name, but it didn't sound like a good thing at all.

Beside him, even Hela tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her emerald eyes. "Who is this… Thanos?"

Neither of them truly knew. But Luke did.

And that alone made the silence heavy enough to crush the air.

…