Fire giants are half-elemental beings, and their lifespans are as long as the Dark Elves'.
Surtur, the Fire Giant king, is far older than Odin. He once fought with Bor, the first Asgardian king, and with Malekith. So he knows Malekith well.
Back then, Malekith used the Reality Stone to beat Surtur, who was weakened by the eternal night.
Both Malekith and Surtur were later tricked badly by Bor and Odin, and both now hate Asgard.
But they are not friends.
In the Nine Realms, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" doesn't apply. Before the Aesir rose, the Dark Elves also toppled many realms, and Surtur and Malekith were enemies.
Now, though, both are losers.
"I'm still alive. Until Asgard is destroyed, why would I die?" Malekith flicked the axe aside, burying it in the wall.
"Stop acting tough. I know what you are. Without your so-called ancestral relic, how could you destroy Asgard?" Surtur sneered.
He never took Malekith seriously. Without the Aether, Malekith is only average among realm leaders. Even Laufey, the Frost Giant king with so-so strength, might not be weaker than him.
To a brute fighter like Surtur, Malekith is just a petty schemer who wins only with gear. Odin, although he beat Surtur with tricks, was at least Surtur's level at his peak.
So when Malekith posed like a mastermind, Surtur showed open contempt and mocked him.
"Watch your mouth!" Algrim The Strong, growled, unable to stand it.
Malekith raised a hand to stop him, still smiling at Surtur. "In the end, both of us were beaten by Asgard's tricks. Why tear open old wounds now?"
Surtur snorted but said nothing.
"I also know you've been trying for years to break into Asgard and take back the Eternal Flame, but you still haven't found a chance, right?" Malekith said.
"I can help you," Malekith said slowly.
"You? Help me?" Surtur sneered. "Do you think I'd believe that nonsense? I may not be as crafty as you, but I know this—without the Aether, you would never let me take back the Eternal Flame."
"You know that once I return to my peak, I won't just destroy Asgard—I won't spare you either. Oaths mean nothing to us."
He didn't bother hiding his hostility. Even if he denied it, Malekith would guess the same.
Allies exist in the Nine Realms, but only when forced by the situation. The Aesir and the Vanir once stood together against the Dark Elves—then turned on each other soon after, and Asgard won, forcing the Vanir to kneel.
If even those "righteous" gods backstab each other afterward, why would villains like them be any different?
Both Malekith and Surtur knew neither could truly trust the other.
Surtur also knew he couldn't out-scheme Malekith, so he laid it out plainly.
Malekith had expected this. He smiled calmly.
"What you said is true. But what if I regain the Aether?"
Surtur leaned forward. "I heard Bor sealed the Aether so well even he didn't know where it was. Have you found it?"
"No," Malekith shook his head—then smiled. "But I paid a heavy price to get a prophecy from the Contemplator."
"The prophecy says that at the next Convergence of the Nine Realms, the Aether will reappear."
"The Contemplator? Which one?" Surtur asked on instinct.
"The Elder of the Universe known as the Contemplator," Malekith replied.
"No wonder… So that's why you're suddenly so generous," Surtur sneered.
"As you said, we both know what the other wants. Let's skip the empty talk. Give me your answer," Malekith said.
Surtur didn't agree right away. "I have one question. If you can give me a good answer, I'll consider it."
"If you can get the Aether back, you could overturn Asgard yourself. Why work with me, and even help me reclaim the Eternal Flame?" Surtur stared into Malekith's eyes.
"That?" Malekith chuckled. "Simple. I need you to buy me time. Taking control of the Aether will cause a big disturbance, and the process can be interrupted."
"During that time, I need a foe strong enough to keep Asgard too busy to bother me."
"I thought it over. Only you can do that. So I came to you. Is that answer good enough?" he asked with a smile.
"Fine." Surtur didn't hesitate this time. "If you help me get back the Eternal Flame, I'll work with you."
"Excellent. Then… happy cooperation?"
Join .com/AHumanMadeMOFO to read ahead!