And at the very end of her journey, when, at last, there was nothing more driving her forward - the amulet had been returned and there was no more of Hydra to forge - Blackberry at last succumbed to the pain.

At the mouth of the tunnel, she collapsed, breath shallow and labored. She could barely feel her leg anymore and exhaustion and dehydration were taking hold. The world was swimming before her eyes and it was almost a relief when the Collector held out his palms and she was enveloped in burning light.

She was left there, sparkling for a moment, every cell of her body flaring and screaming, but she didn't mind. As her consciousness faded away, she let it slip from her grasp, grateful for the release. At last, she was free. Free of all that blood and torment, all of the awful memories and the terrible things she thought she'd never escape from. It wasn't death, but it was sweeter because she knew that, when she awoke, she could try again. She could start over from the beginning.

She could start over with Blueberry this time. She thought she saw his face in the back of her mind, just for a brief moment, smiling. He was waiting for her.

And with that final, soothing thought, her mind went dark as the deep blue gemstone covered her body and Blackberry the goose was no more.

*exit