The Avengers (Marvel;Re)/Issue 3 (Captain America)

This is the third issue of Captain America's Avengers comic book series, part of the Marvel;Re initiative and the story arc, The Madness Beneath. The story is preceded by The Avengers (Captain America) #2 and succeeded by The Avengers (Captain America) #4

Synopsis
The Avengers have expanded. Through the Avengers Wave protocol, Earth's mightiest heroes have expanded their ranks, inducting many other superhumans to aid them in fending off the growing threat of the universe. As the leader of the Avengers, Captain America is privileged to lead his own team of Avengers. Many were unable to fathom the Super-Soldier's choices, but the Star-Spangled Avenger knows best that nothing is impossible and his team could be an example to the world of superheroes. Together, they stand against the worst reality and unreality can throw at them as the Avengers. Captain America and his Avengers were tasked to apprehend a rogue Kree Pursuer and her oceanic compatriots. Needless to say, their mission was a disastrous failure and now, the Avengers lie beaten and captured under the sea, chained within the presence of a man who claims himself to be the All-Father...

Previously in Avengers...

 * A distress call from Namor and a tip from Ronan the Accuser led the Avengers to battle against the latter's niece, who was apparently possessed by a spiritual entity who came to Earth seeking the Serpent Crown.
 * Unfortunately, "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" failed after realizing they were fighting against something well beyond their capabilities.
 * Preliminary reports stated that Tanalth the Pursuer sought to summon Set, the Elder God of Evil, using the Serpent Crown's power. They were wrong. The Pursuer has succeeded in summoning another ancient deity with the Serpent Crown, but not Set himself... but a forgotten Asgardian terror from the unknown.

Sestanivor, the Blue Embassy
Chained and defeated, the Sentinel of Liberty's Avengers are trapped deep beneath a prison-fortress holding a prisoner of the most damned kind. A forgotten god from the past, claiming himself to be the 'All-Father', unquestionably of the Asgardian kind, stands in front of the captured heroes alongside his two maidens of destruction, Skirn, the Breaker of Men and Nerkkod, the Breaker of Oceans, respectively formerly known as Tanalth the Pursuer and Namora, cousin of Namor, the Avenging Son. A dark day, indeed, for this is supposed to be the Avengers' first mission, yet it has turned out to be their first failure... and the world shall pay a heavy price for this.

After revealing his identity, the 'All-Father' personally examines the Avengers, relishing in the fears that flare within their souls. Though they are among the bravest of their worlds, it's not that easy to muster your courage in the presence of a god of fear. Ultimus, Balder, and Hiroim stare at Ghost Rider blankly right into her empty eye sockets. Cul takes a moment to process his sentences before letting him go. Utilizing telekinesis, Skirn / Tanalth picks up the still-intact Serpent Crown, which pulses with energy. She grabs it and hands it over to her father for examination. Cul solemnly nods several times. It may not be like it, but this is an expression of disappointment: something that Tanalth and Nerkkod quickly take notice of. Cul slowly approaches his daughter, and for the first time, the Avengers actually see her afraid. Skirn recoils when he walks towards her but is frozen in place by none other than the Serpent himself. Nerkkod cannot do anything but stand still as she knows what's coming. At least, she's able to give her a telepathic encouragement, known to both the Serpent and Skirn herself, but ignored by the former.
 * Captain America: "So you're the Serpent 'Tanalth' was rambling about."
 * Cul Borson / The Serpent: "I am Cul Borson, firstborn of Bor Burison and Bestla, rightful King of Asgard, the God of Fear, the Serpent of Terror. And you are?"
 * Steve Rogers / Captain America: "(Grits his teeth) I am Steven Rogers, Captain America."
 * Cul Borson: "You're a human? (Turns to Skirn and Nerkkod) How is this possible?"
 * Warlock: "Uh, why is Subject: Cul Borson confused at the fact that Captain America is human?"
 * Alejandra Jones / Ghost Rider: "Honestly, if it wasn't for your weird-ass skin tones and sentences, I wouldn't be able to tell which one of you are humans or not. No offense."
 * Balder: "I thought your kind can identify the souls of individuals, so you can tell which race they belong to?"
 * Ultimus: "Conveniently, you humans and Asgardians look pretty much the same!"
 * Hiroim: "Look who's talking, Kree."
 * Ghost Rider: "Hey, just saying! Even this old güey doesn't know how the f**k humans are supposed to look like!"
 * Victorious: "Um, didn't humans look different way back before we are... here?"
 * Warlock: "Self-friend Victorious is correct! But, considering Asgardians like Subject: Cul Borson and self-friend Balder themselves look like humans, self is still confused how this old timer over here cannot tell which one of us is human."
 * Cul Borson: "(Sharply turns and rushes at the speed of light at Warlock, grabbing his neck) Are you human?"
 * Captain America: "NO! Leave him alone, Cul!"
 * Warlock: "Self is a Technarch. Self is neither a human nor a native of Earth."
 * Cul Borson: "(Slight laugh) Oh, has Aesheim always been the center of the universe?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "It seems so, Father Cul. My host's memories tell me that Aesheim has been visited and invaded multiple times by her own race and many others."
 * Nerkkod, Breaker of Oceans / Namora: "It has also become home to many other dark things since your imprisonment, Great Serpent."
 * Cul Borson: "Is that so?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Do you remember the rumors of another, 'greater' serpent god dwelling within the bowels of Aesheim long ago, father?"
 * Cul Borson: "This is his crown of power, yes?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Indeed, father. With its power, we managed to break through the enchantments that sealed your prison."
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Father... did I do any wrong?"

Upon reaching her, the Asgardian God of Fear softly touches her face before smiling at her. The Serpent looks down for a moment before staring up to her once again, proceeding to deliver a grim line. Skirn and Nerkkod look at each other, surprised, while the Avengers are looking on with utter confusion as the three converse with their own dead language that none of the Avengers can register with their mind. Cul rubs his beard in contemplation when Nerkkod assists her sibling up. This show of abuse instills rage and disturbance within the Avengers, despite how both Skirn and the Serpent are their enemies. Balder spits at his uncle's face in defiance, the Serpent smirking in response to such an act. Cul shuts down his nephew by uppercutting him so hard he's released from his powerful restraints. Balder is nearly killed by this act, but the moment he's freed from the chains, his powers return to him, including his invulnerability. The Avengers look on in concern as the Serpent walks right past them to confront Balder himself, already in a battle-ready stance with his sword summoned in a flash of light into his hands. Cul's statement confuses the Avengers as he also sounds confused after hearing what Balder has stated. Their confusion turns to worries when Cul smirks again and rubs his beard before delivering another line that unveils his true nature. The Serpent stays silent for a moment as his daughters look on with curiosity. The Asgardian God of Fear rubs his beard and actually walks back and forth from one end of the room to another to think. Balder himself is utterly bewildered by this and finds himself unable to attack him after considering what Ultimus has just said. At the speed of light, Balder swings his sword at Cul's neck, only for him to parry Svraden with his gnarled staff before engulfing his face with a blue energy beam that sears it, reducing Balder's head into nothing but a skull. Shortly after, Balder falls to the ground, motionless as the Avengers look in surprise. The moment Cul mentions the presence of angels, Captain America squints his eyes in suspicion.
 * Victorious: "Jó Isten, kapitány, this is disturbing."
 * Captain America: "If this is what I think it is, then you may close your eyes, Vic."
 * Warlock: "Uh, why is his fingers on her mouth?"
 * Balder: "By Odin, no..."
 * Hiroim: "This cannot be!"
 * Ghost Rider: "You have no idea how many indecent thoughts I'm picking up right now. Even from you, Warlock."
 * Warlock: "Hey, self is curious!"
 * Ultimus: "Your curiosity is misplaced, Technarch!"
 * Ghost Rider: "Your curiosity is also 'misplaced', you enfermo!"
 * Captain America: "All of you, cut it!"
 * Cul Borson: "Do you have any idea what threat you have brought upon us?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Father, Set couldn't possibly a threat to us! He is unable to breach the dimensional barrier imprisoning him from Aesheim!"
 * Nerkkod, Breaker of Oceans / Namora: "I do not mean to offend, father, but I agree! My host remembers well that he cannot enter this universe willingly!"
 * Cul Borson: "Does your host know how possible it is for him to possess a weak-willed being and manipulate his way to regain his power? Or better yet, does she know that utilizing the powers of another god for whatever purposes there are without permission will incur the wrath of said deity?"
 * Nerkkod, Breaker of Oceans / Namora: "I don't understand! I can see from my host's memories of this being called 'Doctor Strange' invoking the name of gods of both light and dark without being suffering the consequences! Hoggoth, Oshtur, Cyttorak, Chthon!"
 * Cul Borson: "Then he is a dead man, indeed! Now, we have another elder thing coming for us and I do not have the power to fend him off (powerfully throws Skirn away to a wall)... yet."
 * Balder Odinson: "Is that how you express fear, 'All-Father'? By venting your frustration upon your children?!"
 * Cul Borson: "What care do you have, oaf? I sense a fear within you unlike anything I've ever known. You fear death... but you love her, too."
 * Balder Odinson: "I don't know what you speak of, wretch!"
 * Cul Borson: "I am the God of Fear, meek one. Your worries are as visible to me as the sun is to every one of us."
 * Cul Borson: "You are bold. I appreciate that. I assume you are a blood of Odin?"
 * Balder Odinson: "I am! And I will be the death of you when..."
 * Balder Odinson: "(Wipes out the blood from his mouth) I thought you would've hit harder."
 * Cul Borson: "Let us see, o' nephew of mine, how mighty you truly are. (Extends his arms) Strike me down, now."
 * Warlock: "Self-friend: Balder, don't do it! Don't let him goad you into combat! Subject: Cul Borson is more powerful than any of us! There's no telling if Subject: Cul Borson can kill you!"
 * Balder Odinson: "I will not die until Ragnarok comes to pass, Technarch! You will do well to remember that?"
 * Cul Borson: "(Retracts his arms) 'Ragnarok'? Ragnarok?"
 * Balder Odinson: "What are you smiling about?!"
 * Cul Borson: "Oh, on the contrary, I pity you for still being bound to such a covetous cycle of death and rebirth. Even after years, my brother—your father—has yet to succeed in escaping the hands of the shadows. How miserable. Knowing this makes me so... sorrowful I could just kill you to save you from further torment."
 * Balder Odinson: "You are not bound by Ragnarok?! How is this possible?!"
 * Hiroim: "The revelations are becoming more and more confusing by the second."
 * Ultimus: "(Grumbles) Asgardians. Hey, old one! I wish to ask you a question."
 * Cul Borson: "(Turns to Ultimus) What do you wish to inquire, creature? (Briefly observes him, eyes squinting before he expresses glee) Your life force is unique."
 * Ultimus: "I am a Kree Eternal. Do you not know of my kin?"
 * Cul Borson: "The Kree or the Eternals?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Rightful Father, my host... is of the Kree: a militant race of blue-skinned humanoids. The Eternals, on the other hand, are a race of pretender-gods scattered throughout the universe in scarce populations. We did not encounter them when we reigned over Aesheim."
 * Cul Borson: "So it seems. The universe is larger than I expected, and I thank you for reminding me, daughter. I apologize for my... outburst."
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "(Softly) Yes, father, I forgive you."
 * Cul Borson: "Thank you. (Turns to Ultimus again) Now, what do you wish to ask?"
 * Ultimus: "I receive the idea that you are some unknowable evil from the past who wishes to conquer the universe now that you are freed. But, your demeanor is rather cordial, I should say, and that makes me wonder what you truly wish to accomplish by this time."
 * Balder Odinson: "Your daughter, Skirn, has murdered her way to this place to free you as if you are some forgotten eldritch demon destined to..."
 * Cul Borson: "Do not repeat what the Eternal has just said! I am not forgetful!"
 * Balder Odinson: "You claim yourself as the All-Father..."
 * Cul Borson: "Could you please let me explain?"
 * Victorious: "BALDER!"
 * Captain America: "No, dammit!"
 * Warlock: "Alright then, self gives up."
 * Hiroim: "If he was a lot more patient and respectful..."
 * Ghost Rider: "To be fair, he did the right thing trying to kill this Cthulhu-wannabe. 'Balder the Brave', indeed."
 * Ultimus: "Being brave does not warrant foolishness and recklessness."
 * Cul Borson: "He'll live, mortals. I give you my word on that."
 * Captain America: "And how would you know that?!"
 * Cul Borson: "I can sense what enchantment my brother put upon him, human, and what he says is true. Even if I kill him, I cannot free him from the chains of Ragnarok...  (glances sharply at Captain America) yet."
 * Captain America: "So that is your goal, Serpent? You wish to free the Asgardians from Ragnarok? Is this some part of a hidden prophecy from long past?"
 * Cul Borson: "On the contrary, there are no prophecies foretelling my return whatsoever. I am not bound by any grand design there is, especially those of Ragnarok's. After my children were banished to the far corners of the universe and I... here, we were truly free to forge our own destiny!"
 * Victorious: "Ironically, you were imprisoned."
 * Cul Borson: "It does not mean that I am without a dream, young one. A dream I am sure my brother and you all seek to oppose at all cost."
 * Ghost Rider: "You want to 'free' the Asgardians from Ragnarok. Honestly, I see nothing wrong with that."
 * Captain America: "Ragnarok practically grants them eternal life. Even if it ends in their deaths, it repeats over and over again, ensuring that they live forever."
 * Ghost Rider: "In other words, this hombre wants to rob immortality from his own race and therefore, disrupt the natural order?"
 * Cul Borson: "There is nothing natural about Ragnarok, fools! Before the shadows crept, we, of the Nine Realms lived sagas of freedom. There was no ultimate doomsday we had to be cautious of, nor did we find the need to make war upon one another!"
 * Warlock: "Wait, but, Subject: Namora said that there were Ten Realms?"
 * Cul Borson: "The Tenth Realm was the first of the shadows' invasion, Technarch. Even from the beginning, I knew there was something wrong with those so-called angels, who claimed that they, too, were born of the Ginnungagap."
 * Captain America: "Is he telling the truth, Zora?"
 * Victorious: "My powers aren't working with these chains on."
 * Cul Borson: "(Telekinetically destroys her restraining chains, restoring her powers) Now, young one, tell me if I speak of the truth."
 * Victorious: "(Grabs her lance close) Yes, you are."
 * Cul Borson: "Good. Now, back then, Father Bor accepted the angels as they were and secured a pact of peace with them until they began—for a lack of better word—harassing us. When they appeared, we were the ones to meet them first. Their gleaming visage made them quite easy for the other races to mistake as us, so when the elves, trolls, and dwarves began accusing us of attacking them, I knew it was the angels who did so."
 * Captain America: "And how did you know that?"
 * Cul Borson: "When you think of the word angels, what comes into your mind first?"
 * Captain America: "(Pauses to think) God's holy servants whose radiance outshines every other mortal."
 * Ghost Rider: "What he said."
 * Cul Borson: "Correct. And how did I know that they were not true angels?"
 * Victorious: "You... met true angels?"
 * Cul Borson: "An angel is servant only to the One-Above-All and sows neither death nor misery just for the sake of it. I was rather fortunate to know so thanks to my excursions to Aesheim, where I met one of these beings who shed some light upon the subject."
 * Ghost Rider: "Whoa, you met an angel? You, a pagan god?"
 * Cul Borson: "The only reason I call myself 'a god' is only due to my 'affiliation' with the Asgardians. Know that I have never been worshiped nor do I expect to be praised as some pompous, petty deity who enacts his own will upon undeserving ones."
 * Ultimus: "You call yourself the God of Fear!"
 * Cul Borson: "The All-Force within every Asgardian grants us... phenomenal powers that 'elevate' us to the status of being gods. You may know this by the Odinforce my slave of a brother has."
 * Warlock: "Does that mean that self-friend Balder possesses... the Balderforce?"
 * Ghost Rider: "That is one ugly-ass name."
 * Cul Borson: "A crude understanding, but a true one, nonetheless. Now, on the subject of angels..."
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "(In the Serpent's unknown language) Father, our siblings... I can feel them coming."
 * Cul Borson: "(Turns to Skirn) Good.... (Switches to English and turns to the Avengers again) O, Avengers, I would like to continue this conversation with you, but alas, my children await me. You have many questions, yes, I know! Unfortunately, you will have to wait until I free my people of those who sit above in shadow. Your Odinson will recover: that, I will promise."
 * Captain America: "No, you're not getting away with this!"
 * Cul Borson: "I will do my best to minimize the casualties required to achieve what is to be done, Captain. As for the deaths that have and are to come... (glances at Skirn, who proceeds to look down, upset) they will be returned to life as soon as I am done with my quest. I am not a god of lies, Avengers."
 * Captain America: "And then what? After you're 'done' with your quest, what are you going to do? Conquer the universe? And what about Tanalth, Namora, and whoever might be the hosts of your children?"
 * Cul Borson: "When I am done, I will have attained power beyond those of the space gods themselves. With it, I shall break this cycle of pain and death and release my children's hosts afterwards. This will not be long if you do not interfere."
 * Ghost Rider: "Uy, que care-chimba, can you at least tell us what's the connection between the Tenth Realm and Ragnarok?"

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Trivia
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