Chapter 144

Upon Hela's entrance, a palpable shift in the room's atmosphere occurred. Her looming presence carried an aura of inherent authority and somber understanding. The light flickered off her black Asgardian armor, giving her an almost ethereal quality amidst the glow of the lab's many screens and instruments. Her eyes, brimming with knowledge and a hint of melancholy, flicked to Lydia and then to the rest of the group.

"Grand Admiral," she acknowledged, her voice steady but strained, "I bring news from Earth. The Skrull faction has been pacified, their agitators brought to justice. Measures have been implemented to ensure such an uprising does not occur again."

Hela's gaze then shifted back to Lydia, their shared understanding silently communicated through a meaningful glance. After a brief pause, Hela dipped her head in a respectful bow, "Your wisdom and guidance made it possible, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Hela," Lydia responded, her voice softer than usual. The gratitude in her eyes was genuine, appreciative of Hela's unwavering dedication and assistance. Despite her dire circumstances, she held herself with grace, maintaining her role as a leader, a beacon of hope.

A hint of hesitation flickered across Hela's features, her gaze lingering on Lydia for a moment before she straightened herself, her tone growing somber. "There's... another matter, Your Majesty. It concerns the Eternals on Earth. It seems... they have been disturbed. They claim to sense a significant shift in cosmic energy - one that doesn't align with the natural balance." The room seemed to grow even more silent at her words, all attention turning towards her, the weight of her statement heavy in the air.

An eerie silence lingered after Hela's statement. Lydia, despite the concerning news, retained her calm demeanor, her mind working quickly to connect the dots. "A Celestial..." she murmured to herself, the puzzle pieces starting to fall into place. Lydia was acutely aware of Earth's unique potential. It was, after all, a planet that bore a Celestial seed within its core.

"It's most likely the awakening of the Celestial within Earth," she voiced her thoughts aloud, her tone dangerously nonchalant given the severity of the situation. She rose from the chair, her body shimmering with cosmic energy, the aura around her flickering like the stars in the night sky. "I should be able to handle it," she added, her gaze lingering on Carol, a soft smile gracing her features.

"No!" Carol interjected immediately, her voice echoing in the sterile environment of the lab. Her heart pounded in her chest, the fear of losing Lydia amplified by the looming celestial threat. "You need to stay here, Lydia! You need to rest, to heal," she protested, her voice trembling slightly.

But Lydia's smile never wavered. It was a bittersweet expression, one of both resolve and regret. She tenderly reached out, caressing Carol's cheek, a gentle farewell, "Carol..."

In the blink of an eye, Lydia disappeared. Her form dissolved into an array of shimmering particles that scattered and vanished, leaving nothing but the faint residual energy of her presence. The sudden emptiness in the lab was palpable, Lydia's abrupt departure leaving a lingering tension and a whirlwind of worry.

Floating effortlessly in the air, Lydia moved towards the colossal hand. The hand towered above her, massive, its galactic skin shimmering under the sunlight. A hum of cosmic energy vibrated from it, echoing into the surrounding space, radiating an aura of raw, untempered power. Lydia drew closer, her heart aching with the weight of her impending task.

She reached out, her hand barely grazing the celestial surface. The moment their forms connected, Lydia closed her eyes, an apology slipping from her lips, a soft whisper swallowed by the wind, "I'm sorry."

Her cosmic powers surged forward, creating an iridescent bridge between her and the celestial being. The energy began to flow, rippling like a river from the celestial into Lydia. Each pulse was a surge of power, a wave of cosmic life force flooding her system.

The colossal figure started to tremble, its radiance dimming, losing its vibrancy as Lydia continued to draw on its energy. Its once vibrant form was losing its luster, fading gradually as it transferred its energy to Lydia.

The process was strenuous and grueling, Lydia's body straining to contain the sheer influx of cosmic energy. Still, she held on, her determination unwavering, her resolve unbroken. Despite her condition, she channeled the celestial power with astounding control, her body shaking under the tremendous force.

The Celestial's fading figure crumbled slowly, turning into dust that was swept away by the wind, its once mighty presence now nothing but a memory. The cosmic hand that towered above Lydia disintegrated, leaving only the sea below, and the sky above.

When the last atom of the celestial had disappeared, Lydia opened her eyes, a torrent of power pulsating within her. The Celestial was no more, its energy now part of Lydia, its existence turned to dust. As the particles dispersed into the wind, Lydia descended back to the ground, standing amidst the shocked Eternals, her task complete.

Lydia turned her gaze towards Sersi and the rest of the Eternals, their faces frozen in shock and bewilderment. The wind kicked up around her, whipping her hair and cloak as she lifted off the ground. No words were exchanged, but the gravity of the situation was palpable in the silence they shared.

Without a backward glance, Lydia rocketed towards the heavens, leaving behind a trail of cosmic energy that painted the sky. She broke through the atmosphere, the cold emptiness of space welcoming her with its silent, infinite expanse. Her heart was heavy, but her resolve was steel, the weight of her responsibility as a protector of Earth pressing upon her.

The silence of the void was broken by a faint ripple in the fabric of space. From this distortion, a fleet of ships materialized, cutting through the vacuum with silent grace. The Genoshian fleet, an armada of impressive vessels under the command of the Grand Admiral, Carol Danvers, had arrived.

Lydia's cosmic senses alerted her of Carol's presence onboard the flagship. Even though they were separated by the cold expanse of space, Lydia could feel the urgency and concern radiating off Carol, a beacon of emotional intensity that tugged at Lydia's heart.

Gazing upon the fleet, her gaze steady and unflinching, Lydia awaited the imminent confrontation. The once silent void was now filled with the hum of interstellar engines, the tension of the situation hanging thick in the cosmos. The silent sentinel, Lydia held her ground, ready to face whatever the universe had to throw at her.

Bathed in an ethereal glow, Arishem the Judge materialized in the cosmic void, his celestial presence radiating a primal power. His form was vast, casting a shadow that eclipsed the nearby planets. However, there was a palpable tension emanating from him, a wariness as he perceived the cosmic energy swirling around Lydia.

"You hold the life force of one of my kind within you," Arishem's voice echoed through the void, deep and resonating. It wasn't a question. He could sense the energy signature of the nascent Celestial, now part of Lydia's being.

"I do," Lydia responded, her voice carrying a determined tone. Her eyes met Arishem's, the swirling cosmos reflected in her irises. "Your seed was to destroy Earth. A planet under my protection. I could not allow it."

A moment of silence stretched between them, the space around them alive with swirling stardust. Arishem's celestial eyes, glinting with ethereal light, bore into Lydia.

"Earth was chosen. The cycle must continue," Arishem asserted, but his voice held a note of uncertainty. The balance of cosmic powers was shifting, and Arishem was acutely aware of this.

"But at what cost, Arishem?" Lydia questioned, her voice firm. "At the cost of countless lives? The cycle you speak of breeds destruction. It was my duty to protect those lives."

Arishem remained silent, the vastness of space reflecting his internal contemplation. Lydia had defied a fundamental cosmic order, but her power and conviction demanded his respect. For now, he had to reassess the situation, reassess this unexpected player in the cosmic game of life and death.

Arishem's form shifted as he contemplated Lydia's words. The cosmic entity seemed to vibrate, his celestial energies reacting to this unexpected confrontation. "And what if this cycle is essential to the balance of the universe?" He asked, his voice reverberating through the vast void. "You wield cosmic power, but can you truly claim to comprehend its full complexity?"

Lydia remained unfazed by his imposing demeanor. She knew her actions had consequences, but she also understood that preserving life was the paramount duty. "Perhaps not," she admitted, "But I do understand the value of life. The Earth is full of it, diverse and teeming, evolving on its own, without need for destruction. It has earned its place in the cosmos."

"You speak with conviction," Arishem observed, his celestial gaze unwavering. "Yet conviction alone cannot hold the scales of cosmic balance."

"Balance isn't just a cosmic scale, Arishem," Lydia argued, her voice resolute. "It's a symphony of life, birth and death, creation and destruction, harmony and chaos. Yes, I disrupted your cycle, but I did it to preserve another, one that cherishes life in all its forms."

Arishem, the cosmic judge, fell silent once more. He couldn't deny Lydia's words. Her cosmic aura was unlike anything he had encountered before, resonating with a blend of energies that spoke of her unique journey. For now, he would withhold judgement. The cosmic scales had been tipped, but perhaps, in this disruption, a new balance could be found.

Arishem looked at Lydia with what might be termed respect in a being of his stature. "You carry in you the essence of two of my brethren, and more. The energy within you speaks of places unseen, paths untrodden, even by Celestials. Yet, you make a plea for a single planet. Intriguing."

Lydia looked back unflinchingly, the cosmic energy coursing within her a testament to the weight behind her words. "Not just a planet, Arishem, but a symbol. A symbol of life, resilience, and the triumph of existence. Earth isn't the first planet to house life, and it won't be the last, but it stands as a testament to what life can achieve when left to its own devices."

Arishem seemed to ponder her words, his form slowly pulsating with an ethereal glow. "These mortals you so fervently protect, do they share your view of existence? Of life's triumph?" His voice echoed, as if the universe itself was curious.

"They're learning," Lydia replied earnestly. "The Earth's people are still young, still taking their first steps into the wider cosmos. They stumble, they fall, but they always rise again. Stronger. Wiser. More determined. They embody what it means to strive, to hope, and to overcome. They are worth fighting for."

The celestial being considered her words, the space around him humming with celestial energies. "Indeed, the Earth has shown itself to be unique," he finally conceded. "A testament to the strength of life. Its fate shall rest in your hands, Lydia, bearer of cosmic energies. Prove your conviction true."

Lydia nodded, a solemn promise resonating in her gaze. "I will, Arishem. Earth will stand. And it will shine, a beacon among the stars." With her pledge given, she turned away, heading towards the awaiting Genoshian fleet, her cosmic energy leaving a shimmering trail behind her.

As Lydia landed gracefully on the deck of the Genoshian fleet, she found herself facing a fuming Carol. The Grand Admiral's stern expression was a perfect reflection of the stormy emotions roiling within her.

Without wasting any time, Carol blurted out, "What do you think you're doing, Lydia? You can't just fly off and confront a Celestial while you're..." Her voice trailed off, the severity of Lydia's condition too potent to speak aloud.

Lydia looked at her wife with a sad, yet understanding smile. "Carol," she began, her voice steady yet soft, "I had to go. The Celestials, they're not like other beings. They would only respond to a force that rivals their own."

Carol's eyes hardened. "And what about you? You're not exactly in peak condition yourself, Lydia!"

Lydia moved closer, her hand gently reaching out to caress Carol's cheek. "I'm still capable of standing up to them, love. More so, in fact. The cosmic energy within me is..." She paused, collecting her thoughts, "it's different. Arishem knew that. I had to ensure he understood that Earth is under our protection."

Carol looked at her, silent for a moment, before speaking again, her voice thick with emotion. "And what about your protection, Lydia? What about ensuring that you are safe?"

Lydia's smile widened a fraction. "That's why I have you, isn't it?" she whispered, pulling Carol into a tender embrace. "To remind me that I'm more than just the cosmic energy within me. I'm your wife, and together, we'll face whatever comes our way. I promise you, Carol, I will fight, for us and for our world."