The Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One, was as shrewd as ever.
Rather than giving a direct answer to Aaron's invitation to join the Underworld Legion, she instead diverted the conversation—bringing up the Six Infinity Gems.
Infinity Gems… just like the Phoenix Force from before…
They were fragments of fate he had glimpsed in the corners of the future.
But from what Aaron had seen, in that possible future the Infinity Gems did not seem to rival the Phoenix Force in sheer might.
In fact, in other dimensional planes, these gems might not even be able to suppress the true masters of those realms.
Take, for example, Mephisto—the being behind that ominous crimson aura!
"As long as you can gather the remaining gems, Mr. Aaron," the Ancient One said, "even if you wish to pull the entire universe into the underworld you've created… it is entirely possible."
Her words made Aaron pause and consider.
Back when opening the Underworld, "three-zero-zero" was a realm that could only be reached if his true form descended.
But now, this Underworld was born through the power of the Pluto Sword combined with the divine will of the gods!
He was forcibly using laws that did not originally belong to this world to carve out a whole new reality.
Indeed, there were complications.
"As it happens," Aaron said with a faint smile, "a certain force has been seeping into my realm for some time now."
"Magician, would you care to come and see it with me?"
But this time, the Ancient One declined without hesitation.
She knew exactly where that strange fluctuation originated. Infinity Gems called to one another—each was drawn toward the others.
The Time Gem in her possession had already sensed the presence of another gem for quite some time, trying to bypass her entirely and lure it closer.
Fortunately, she had tracked this strange aura before… yet whenever she reached the place where the energy leaked, there were no clues to be found.
Now, that breath had appeared again.
And if Aaron sensed it too, then there was no doubt—this Infinity Gem was calling to him.
Each Infinity Gem, following its own will, would choose its bearer.
And once it had a master, it would summon the rest—pulling all six together.
The one who possessed all six would wield the most supreme of powers!
So… this was where that mighty aura originated?
United States—New Mexico.
A desert town. The very place where Minos had once clashed with Thor.
Yet back then, Aaron had felt no unusual aura here.
It seemed the prophecy in the painting was about to be fulfilled.
A spatial rift shimmered into existence before him, and Aaron slowly lifted his hand.
In that instant, a familiar yet alien law pulsed between his palms.
Aaron's lips curled upward, and he reached toward the rift.
With a sharp whoosh, his figure vanished.
Before him now lay a realm long since dead, where no flow of time could be felt—a desolate ruin.
"…Hmm? Asgardian script?"
With a snap of his fingers, Aaron brightened the space around him.
Ancient runes, glowing faint red, emerged across the stone slabs underfoot—forming an intricate sealing pattern.
This was a seal!
It was not unlike the Divine Name Seal he had once used when binding Odin himself.
"The forbidden land of Asgard… 'All-Father Bor'?"
Bor?
Aaron had never heard the name, but he recognized the characters beneath his feet.
And the moment he stepped onto the rune-covered slabs, the world around him began to shift.
"Golden Hall—restricted grounds! Trespassers, begone at once!"
From the very air, countless soul-warriors began to manifest, encircling him in a suffocating ring of lifeless remnants.
"It seems… there really is something worth taking here."
Aaron gave a low snort.
In an instant, a crushing cosmic power erupted from his body.
The soul-warriors surrounding him vanished without a trace.
That had merely been the first line of defense guarding this seal.
Beyond the slabs, a massive altar emerged, surrounded by towering stone pillars. Behind them stood the imposing statue of a god, clutching a spear.
And at the very moment Aaron drew closer…
The statue's eyes blazed to life, divine power bursting forth from them!
Ordinary mortals—or any lesser intruder—would be obliterated at once beneath such a gaze.
"I am Bor, All-Father! Leave now, and I may yet spare your life!"
The heavenly authority pouring from the statue made it clear—defy it, and you would fall in the next instant.
Aaron exhaled sharply through his nose.
The Pluto Sword appeared in his grasp.
"A god long fallen dares call himself All-Father before me? Get lost!"
With that, he gave a casual slash.
Without even invoking its full power, the Pluto Sword's killing intent struck the statue like a tidal wave.
A deafening crack split the stone, and in the same breath the Divine Name Seal shattered.
With a final rumble, the statue of Bor collapsed into rubble.
And from the altar's peak, a volatile red energy erupted—its glow fierce, its aura unmistakable.
Ancient runes wove another warning into the very air:
"To those who come after: Leave now.Should this seal be broken, the ultimate darkness will once more descend upon the Nine Realms.The World Tree will be drowned in shadow, and the light of the sun shall never again touch its branches."
Aaron smirked.
"Darker than me? I'd like to see it."
Without hesitation, he stepped onto the altar.
That same familiar-yet-unfamiliar law encircled him once again.
In this sealed void, the only light came from the faint red glow—casting a halo of stars against the oppressive dark.
"Hades!!"
A voice rang out sharply behind him.
Aaron turned, startled.
Standing there… was an old, unwelcome acquaintance.
"Once I defeat you, the Holy War will end—completely!"
"For the Earth! For peace! For hope!"
"Pegasus Meteor Fist!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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