Chapter 189: Capsizing
In the original plan, the Thanos Legion used a massive gear chariot to lure Wanda, leading to Vision being captured by Corvus Glaive.
In this timeline, it was Proxima Midnight who carried out this task.
She moved stealthily.
While the powerful sorcerers of Kamar-Taj went to Brooklyn to confront Ebony Maw, the remaining defenders here were inept and couldn't even open a portal. Proxima Midnight easily dealt with them.
Though Proxima Midnight, as Thanos' loyal subordinate, was frustrated by the high price paid for others' plans, she understood that this was an unavoidable task.
Navigating cautiously, she finally reached the end of the corridor, where a massive orb inscribed with magical runes radiated faint magical energy.
Destroying this magical artifact would completely dismantle the protection around this world, allowing Dormammu to enter!
In return, Dormammu would offer Thanos the raw power he sought, and then Thanos could snap his fingers to reshape reality.
At this moment, Proxima Midnight sensed something amiss.
Everything had gone too smoothly, almost as if it was set up deliberately. Knowing that this was the most crucial location, it was improbable that Thor would leave without setting up defenses.
With only a few rookie magicians left, a fully armed special forces team should have been more than capable of handling them!
She paused cautiously.
"Why aren't you continuing? Break this orb, and this Sanctuary will be rendered powerless."
A cold voice, as if from the depths of the underworld, echoed from all directions.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Proxima Midnight demanded, her face paling in fright. Like a cat startled by a sudden threat, her hair bristled as she raised her weapon and scanned the surroundings.
From the darkened corner, a slender figure emerged slowly.
Outside, facing the shock of Stark, Black Panther, and others, Thanos laughed maniacally: "It's too late! You will soon understand true despair! The Asgardians will be too preoccupied to protect this planet!"
Contrary to Thanos' expectation, Thor remained calm and unshaken: "Is this your plan? To lure me out of the Sanctum so your minions can sneak in and cause destruction?"
Thanos frowned, puzzled by Thor's reaction.
Could it be that...
Thanos' heart sank.
Inside the Sanctuary, a slender figure stepped out of the shadows.
Proxima Midnight didn't recognize her, but she knew exactly who she was. This overwhelming aura of death left no doubt...
Princess of Asgard, Goddess of Death—Hela!
Seeing her remain silent, Hela spoke first, commanding: "Kneel!"
Proxima Midnight thought: "Never! I will only kneel to Lord Thanos in this life!"
"What? Do you still wish to resist?"
Hela said, gathering her long black hair into sharp, sword-like spikes as she advanced slowly.
Proxima Midnight gritted her teeth and responded, "As far as I know, it was Odin who sealed you away, and now his son has taken your throne! Are you willing to just give up? Why sacrifice your life for him?"
Proxima Midnight knew she couldn't defeat Hela. Even Thanos would find this goddess of death, who had conquered the universe, a formidable opponent.
She tried to provoke a reaction by highlighting the strained relationship between Hela and Thor. After all, the former eldest princess didn't seem to have a happy history with other Asgardian royalty.
As anticipated, Hela halted her approach.
Proxima Midnight seized the opportunity, continuing: "Why not ally with us? Lord Thanos' goal is to eradicate half the population, not to rule the world. Once he achieves his objective, the throne of Asgard will be yours!"
Hela's smile turned mocking: "Is it really a win-win deal?"
Proxima Midnight, elated by the apparent agreement, was about to respond when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest.
Looking down in horror, she saw a black dagger embedded in her chest. She struggled to lift her head and tried to speak, but no words came out.
"Do you want to know why?" Hela whispered. "Then think about it more."
Proxima Midnight: "...0."
Hela, no longer interested, turned and walked away.
Asgard's internal conflicts were intricate and difficult for outsiders to comprehend.
Hela had ambitions, but that didn't mean she was willing to collaborate with outsiders. Even wiping out half the population seemed trivial compared to her own goals.
Moreover, who could forget that the last Ragnarok was instigated by these very people, and she had yet to seek retribution!
Hela's connection to Asgard was as strong, if not stronger, than Thor's.