The training progress of the three young heroes was remarkably impressive, with each individual's abilities improving dramatically.
Wanda's flying sword control had become exceptional. Though she wielded fewer weapons than Marcus's blood blade river, each one was utilized to perfection. Regardless of attack direction, several blades would follow like shadows, converging on enemies simultaneously.
This combat method far exceeded Wanda's previous offensive capabilities, yet this wasn't even her limit. Recently, she had begun consciously controlling the number of active blades, maintaining spare energy for additional techniques while attacking.
After all, physical weapons had material limitations and couldn't match Marcus's void-enhanced blood blades. However, this approach allowed Wanda to reserve energy for control abilities.
Anyone who could release control techniques while maintaining offensive pressure needed no further explanation of their tactical value.
Everyone witnessing this display was stunned by Wanda's integrated attack-and-defense combat style—the efficiency was extraordinary.
Unless Wanda was completely surrounded, no opponent could breach her defensive perimeter or survive her assault.
Pietro's fighting style proved equally eye-opening for observers. He now consistently targeted weak points directly, with his super speed delivering terrifying destructive power.
At Pietro's velocity—maintaining normal speeds of Mach 3—even throwing small stones would cause devastating damage.
Moreover, Pietro wasn't throwing stones but specialized throwing knives. Marcus had taught him precision techniques, and these skills produced horrifying results in Pietro's hands.
Pietro's projectiles were more powerful than armor-piercing rounds. Each blade shattered targets the moment it was released. If not for material limitations, Pietro could exert far greater force than currently possible.
He also carried twin daggers. Combined with his speed, these weapons could generate impressive damage even with casual strikes, let alone when employing the dual-blade stance Marcus had taught him.
Though Pietro hadn't fully mastered the technique, his superhuman velocity made even imperfect execution produce excellent destructive results.
As for Peter, his training paralleled another Spider-Man Peter from different realities. Spider abilities formed their combat foundation, and Marcus could only teach efficient utilization of existing powers.
Therefore, Peter appeared the most conventional among the trio. His fighting style was simple and direct, but every movement targeted critical points.
He lacked Wanda's omnipresent control or Pietro's dramatic momentum, yet his development satisfied everyone most completely.
Peter's superfluous movements had become minimal. Though he still talked extensively, he rarely wasted energy on meaningless actions.
At the beginning of Peter's training, Marcus had created a comprehensive plan. Beyond combat stance instruction, Marcus had seriously encouraged Peter to study stand-up comedy and verbal sparring. Sometimes language was also a weapon.
Their combat effectiveness far exceeded past capabilities, establishing them as leaders of the new Avengers generation—though that generation currently consisted only of themselves.
"They... I didn't expect such rapid growth. Your methods are becoming increasingly refined," Steve observed with admiration.
Everyone present knew Marcus's history. In an era when superpowers remained legendary, Marcus had single-handedly destroyed Hydra assault forces.
Even Bucky, the Winter Soldier under mind control then, had been easily captured by Marcus. If Bucky hadn't been dressed differently from other Hydra soldiers, he might have been killed instantly.
At that time, Marcus was still the Stark parents' personal bodyguard. While fighting back, he also needed to protect both individuals' safety.
Even under such constraints, Hydra warriors gained no advantage whatsoever.
"Actually, the rings I provided you possess similar capabilities. Though growth rates aren't as rapid as theirs, you can feel strength increasing at visible rates," Marcus explained with a smile.
While the runic rings in everyone's possession weren't dramatically powerful, they could accumulate training benefits and promote continuous development.
This represented long-term growth over years, but improved strength was genuine. Even removing the rings wouldn't eliminate gained abilities.
After hearing this explanation, everyone retrieved their rings and reexamined the special equipment Marcus had provided.
Originally, they'd assumed these rings possessed special attack capabilities. Now it appeared that while lacking offensive abilities, they could ensure continuous strength development.
Considering this revelation, everyone's expressions became more enthusiastic—these rings held tremendous importance for them.
The Void at the End of Time
Meanwhile, in another timeline, Loki had finally escaped Mobius—though not through his own initiative.
"Loki?" Sylvie stood nearby, looking down at the confused man sitting on the ground.
She knew far more about the Time Variance Authority than this Loki, but their objectives differed completely.
Loki wanted to escape the TVA; she intended to destroy it entirely.
"Loki?" he asked Sylvie the same question.
Facing this woman who shared his identity, he felt genuinely curious.
He understood the Time Variance Authority reasonably well. There would always be countless temporal branches, but ultimately these branches shared common origins.
However, this female Loki named Sylvie was different.
She was opposite gender with a completely different personality. If not for similar tactics and distinctive Asgardian attire, he wouldn't have considered her the same being as himself.
"Wait, what happened to me..." Loki suddenly realized the restraints on his body had disappeared.
Looking down, he saw the temporal collar discarded nearby.
"I removed that device for you, but you must help me in return," Sylvie declared, shaking the controller in her hand.
As someone who'd opposed the Time Variance Authority for years, she knew far more about the organization than Loki.
She'd acquired this controller from TVA facilities. It could not only remove Loki's restraints but transport them into TVA headquarters at will.
This technology enabled her to repeatedly escape TVA capture.
"How can I assist you?" Loki asked after seeing Sylvie's controller, breathing with relief.
He also needed her device to leave this place—after all, this wasn't his familiar reality.
"Come with me and destroy the Time Variance Authority," Sylvie stated with fierce determination.
These words shocked Loki. While he also resented the TVA, he was stunned by her proposal.
That was the Time Variance Authority—their magic had no effect on hunters, yet they couldn't ignore hunter capabilities.
"Are you serious?" Loki stared at Sylvie with bewilderment, questioning her mental state.
Was this woman genuinely stable? What motivated her desire to destroy the Time Variance Authority?
That organization controlled time itself—they were no different from mortals when confronting such power.
"Absolutely. They must pay for their actions!" Sylvie replied angrily, hatred overflowing in her words.
Seeing Sylvie's expression, Loki grew curious about what experiences this woman sharing his name had endured.
Just as he prepared to ask, Sylvie sat down and related her past.
Through Sylvie's account, Loki understood considerably more while grasping why she pursued this course.
However, he remained hopeless about Sylvie's plans. In his opinion, the Time Variance Authority represented an overwhelming force.
CLICK!
While conversing, a sound suddenly emerged. Both immediately stopped talking and became alert.
"Loki, I know you're here. Come out!" Mobius called.
He'd discovered their hiding location. Though he didn't know their specific position, he knew they were definitely concealed here.
"Loki, the situation is extremely dangerous. We must leave immediately," Mobius continued.
He had experienced certain revelations recently, causing him to question the Time Variance Authority's nature.
This organization supposedly maintaining proper temporal development wasn't what it appeared—more secrets lay hidden behind their facade.
But Loki didn't respond. He and Sylvie were considering escape options.
CLICK!
Another sound—numerous Time Hunters appeared, completely surrounding the area. Loki and Sylvie were trapped with no escape routes.
Facing such circumstances, Loki immediately raised his hands. He didn't want to die here.
Through void power within Loki's body, Marcus witnessed this scene.
"Hmm, even if Loki escaped, there wouldn't be such massive response, right? Could it be because of that woman named Sylvie?"
Marcus frowned. Whether Loki or Sylvie, neither was particularly powerful compared to hunters. Such overwhelming force seemed unnecessary to capture two individuals.
Just as he contemplated this, he observed Mobius—bearing Howard's exact appearance—being pruned and erased by a leader wielding some device.
The moment Mobius vanished, Marcus was stunned. The device that erased Mobius appeared small yet could effortlessly eliminate a person.
Unfortunately, Mobius lacked Marcus's void power. Marcus couldn't determine whether Mobius was dead or exiled, but the weapon definitely posed threats.
At minimum, until confirming its nature, he needed to guard against this technology.
He continued observing Loki and the others. Though Loki hadn't resisted, the opponent approached with the weapon after erasing Mobius.
Witnessing their actions, Loki was horrified. He'd seen clearly how Mobius was erased—like pencil marks on white paper wiped clean by an eraser.
The device had simply deleted Mobius. The man had no resistance capability, vanishing without trace.
Loki refused to die quietly like that. Now knowing what his future held, he must return to Asgard and become a true savior.
He didn't believe carrying Loki's name doomed him to failure. He would prove to Sylvie, his father Odin, and everyone in Asgard that he was qualified royalty.
Originally planning surrender, Loki fled while pulling Sylvie away from the leader.
However, surrounding hunters were equally formidable. After passing several obstacles, both were eventually overwhelmed and forcibly separated.
The leader maintained calm composure, approaching with the weapon.
"Your actions have created additional timelines. To prevent continued timeline proliferation, I must erase you," the leader declared.
The moment he reached Loki, the weapon activated. Loki disappeared
After completing this task, the leader regarded Sylvie, captured by other hunters. Facing this female Loki, he hesitated. After all, this woman who'd caused such prolonged chaos had connections to their superior—they could only arrest, not eliminate her.
However, Marcus could no longer observe these events. Through void power in Loki's body, he witnessed where Loki arrived after being "prune"—a realm of temporal disorder. This place resembled time's end, the conclusion of all timelines.
"Fascinating. It appears all destroyed timelines are sent here," Marcus noted.
Countless objects were accumulated here—technology, temples, debris. This location had become a disposal site for all timelines, where vanished existences awaited destruction.
Beyond these items, Marcus also observed four Lokis with completely different appearances yet similar attire.
"Ha, interesting. It seems all Loki versions have been thrown here."
"This is young Loki, appearing like a rebellious child. This elderly Loki isn't bad, though why is this one wearing... unusual attire?"
"And this person wielding a hammer... what kind of Loki is this? Thunder God Loki?"
As Marcus spoke, he noticed a crocodile lying on the ground. Upon seeing the reptile, he burst into laughter.
"Ha! This is genuinely fascinating—Crocodile Loki from the animal kingdom?"
These Lokis' presence made Marcus understand the Time Variance Authority's work was meaningless. Their so-called maintenance of proper temporal operation involved completely erasing derived new timelines, but the more they acted, the more serious their created problems became.
Their corrections had brought together Lokis from different timelines who should never have met. One trickster god's schemes might be manageable, but multiple trickster gods' combined plotting could only be handled through absolute power.