"The Cosmic Cube is in Alex Ray's hands!" Loki announced with a tone of feigned reverence. He still had to act subservient before Thanos, but the subtle flicker of resentment in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
Thanos didn't respond right away. He simply regarded Loki with calm, emotionless eyes that made the Asgardian feel as if he were being dissected. The room was silent save for the ambient hum of the citadel's machinery.
Despite Loki's announcement, Thanos remained impassive, his face a mask of indifference. The information hadn't stirred any visible reaction in the Titan. He simply stared, eyes deep and unreadable, like black holes absorbing every nuance of Loki's expression.
Under that gaze, Loki felt an electric numbness crawl up his spine, as if Thanos could read every conniving thought hiding beneath the surface.
Off to the side, Ebony Maw's voice slithered through the tension like poison. "Since you know the location of the Cosmic Cube, why haven't you eliminated this Alex Ray and retrieved it?" His tone was soft but laced with disdain. "You return empty-handed. Why?"
He narrowed his eyes at Loki. "Can't retrieve it—or don't want to? Hmm?"
To Ebony Maw, the idea that a mere human from Midgard could resist Loki was laughable. He suspected Loki was using Alex Ray as an excuse.
The other members of the Black Order turned toward Loki with growing hostility, their expressions grim. Suspicion crackled in the air like a live wire.
Loki felt the atmosphere turn, and he quickly looked to Thanos, hoping for some form of reprieve or support.
Damn it! he cursed inwardly. These bastards are harder to fool than I thought.
Thanos, still unmoving, observed the growing tension without a hint of concern, as if this were all part of a game he had already won.
Though Loki harbored his usual manipulative thoughts, he was being honest about one thing—he truly couldn't defeat Alex Ray. If he could have, he would've taken the Space Stone and disappeared long ago, never returning to face Thanos.
He began his defense quickly. "Alex Ray is the most powerful being on Midgard. I've faced him in Asgard. Even my brother Thor was no match. My father, King Odin, praised his power and said it rivaled his own."
He stepped forward, pressing the narrative hard. "That's why I returned to report. My loyalty to Lord Thanos is unwavering. Please, understand my allegiance."
Loki knew that exaggerating Alex Ray's power might bruise his pride, but it was his only viable defense. If he didn't sell the story well enough, the others would surely accuse him of incompetence—or worse, betrayal.
But Black Dwarf wasn't buying it.
"What a joke!" Cull Obsidian's booming voice echoed through the citadel hall. "How strong could some random Midgardian possibly be? Loki, are you lying to save your own skin, or are you just unwilling to get your hands dirty?" His voice dripped with contempt.
Loki clenched his fists, seething internally.
Cull Obsidian turned to Thanos and added, "Your Majesty, this trickster is clearly lying. He dares to mock your greatness with these excuses. Allow me to execute him now."
This brainless oaf! Loki thought bitterly. He had no clue why Cull Obsidian hated him so much. Out of the five Black Order members, this brute was the simplest—strong, yes, but a dull-witted beast. Loki always saw him as the easiest to replace.
Still, it puzzled him how a creature said to have surrendered his race to serve Thanos could now act so fanatically loyal. Was this just a performance to gain favor?
Then, Loki noticed Thanos's expression shift ever so slightly—interest. Thanos leaned back, his voice calm but curious. "Alex Ray? Odin himself praised him? That arrogant old man doesn't hand out compliments lightly… intriguing."
But that was all. Thanos didn't seem truly impressed—just mildly entertained. "Cull Obsidian, stand down," he added, waving the brute away.
Then, turning to a silent figure cloaked in white standing at the edge of the room, Thanos spoke again. "What do you think, Supergiant? Can this one be trusted?"
Loki followed his gaze to Supergiant. She stood like a statue, cloaked and expressionless, but her telepathic presence sent shivers through Loki's spine.
I almost forgot about her. A sudden chill crept over him. He had spoken truthfully, but now he feared even more that his mind had already been laid bare.
Supergiant bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, Loki speaks the truth. In his memories, he did lose to Alex Ray."
Her voice was neutral, but it carried finality.
She added, "Furthermore, I sensed the presence of the Space Stone in this Alex Ray's possession."
Loki's stomach dropped.
She really did read my mind… damn it.
For a split second, panic flashed across Loki's face, but he quickly masked it. He knew better than to show weakness here.
As if sensing his unease, Supergiant addressed him directly, her voice emotionless but almost… amused.
"Don't worry, Loki. I don't read minds without cause. That would make life far too dull. I only did so to confirm your statement."
Relief washed over Loki, but it didn't soothe him completely. He knew now that Supergiant could dig into his psyche at any moment. There would be no more scheming—at least not in this room.
Thanos tapped a finger against the armrest of his throne, his eyes closed, deep in thought.
The silence was broken by another member of the Black Order stepping forward—a tall, lean figure clutching a curved glaive.
Loki recognized him instantly: Corvus Glaive. The true leader of the Black Order, second only to Thanos. Cold, calculating, and deadly. A master tactician and warrior, with a cursed weapon that made him nearly immortal so long as it remained intact.
Corvus bowed before Thanos. "Your Majesty, allow me to go. I will personally eliminate Alex Ray and retrieve the Space Stone for you."
The confidence in his voice was unwavering. There was no ego, no bravado—just cold assurance.
Loki's heart clenched. He knew that if anyone could potentially challenge Alex Ray, it would be Corvus. This wasn't some brute like Cull Obsidian or a schemer like Ebony Maw. This was a predator.
But deep down, even Corvus Glaive had no idea what Alex Ray was truly capable of.
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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