Frigga spoke passionately, "Hela's power comes from all of Asgard! Theoretically, unless Asgard is destroyed, her power is... an endless stream! ...She's immortal!"
"What?" Thor's relaxed expression instantly froze. As long as Asgard doesn't fall, her power is infinite? This... what kind of twisted power is this? Does this mean Lucci faces an almost undefeatable enemy?
"No! I must go to Midgard! I have to help Lucci!" Thor immediately grasped the gravity of the situation and rushed toward the Bifrost. But he didn't notice the glimmer of excitement in Loki's deep eyes behind him. The emergence of Hela was like a stone thrown into stagnant water, reviving his ambition... ripples spreading.
A mighty sister, and now the enemy of the current Crown Prince? Perhaps... this is an opportunity to exploit? Yet, thinking of Lucci's unfathomable strength, Loki felt that glimmer of hope quickly fade—it wasn't much. So Loki swiftly decided—to sit and watch how things unfolded. Whether Lucci or Hela won, it wouldn't be bad for him. If both lost, a chance might arise. Thus, he made no move to stop Thor, already preparing to take up the mantle of king in Thor's absence.
...
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, on the lawn.
The afternoon sun shone with just the right warmth, dappled through lush branches and leaves onto the green grass. The air was filled with the scent of grass and soil, occasionally echoed by the cheers and energy bursts from the young mutants training in the distance—breaking the tranquility just enough.
Lucci lay on the lawn, eyes narrowed, enjoying this rare leisure. Jean lay beside him like a lazy cat, resting her head gently on his shoulder, the sunlight outlining her fiery red hair with a golden edge.
But the peace was soon broken by the sound of hurried footsteps. Jane appeared nearby, her gaze fixed on the two lying on the grass, a trace of jealousy and hesitation on her beautiful face.
As a top astrophysicist, Jane had always prided herself on her intelligence and reason. But after witnessing Lucci's divine power and following him to this school filled with countless mutants, her pride as an ordinary human was gradually being eroded by an ever-stronger sense of "powerlessness." She had seen young mutants who could control ice and fire, bend metal with a gesture, and even Diana's demigod strength. But what about herself? All she had was theoretical knowledge. In a real crisis, she was always the one to be protected or rescued. This tormented her deeply.
After days of struggle, Jane finally made up her mind. She took a deep breath, summoned her courage, and approached the two.
"Jean... Prince Lucci..." Jane's voice was a little dry.
Jean looked up, frowning slightly at Jane's complex expression. "Jane? Is something wrong?"
"Jean, I... I want to speak with Prince Lucci alone, if that's okay?"
At this request, a trace of wariness flashed in Jean's eyes, but after glancing indifferently at Lucci and seeing Jane's earnest gaze, she hesitated briefly and nodded. "Alright, I'll leave you two to talk." With that, she stood up and walked away to compete with Diana again.
After Jean left, Lucci sat up straight, calmly watching the somewhat tense woman before him.
"Jane, why did you come to see me?"
Under Lucci's steady gaze, Jane felt as if all her thoughts were laid bare. She stopped hiding, and finally blurted out the desire she had kept suppressed deep in her heart!
"Prince Lucci! I... I want power!"
She raised her face, her eyes brimming with unprecedented determination. "I want superpowers! I don't want to be the only one left behind anymore... the only powerless human while everyone else stands strong!"
"I heard from the mutant students that many of their abilities were awakened and underwent qualitative leaps, all thanks to your guidance."
"So... I want to ask... Is there a way for you to... give me a special power too?"
After speaking, she waited nervously for Lucci's verdict, as if exhausted.
Lucci didn't answer immediately. He quietly studied Jane in front of him. Wisdom, perseverance, kindness... he saw these shining qualities in her soul. More than that, he recalled the image of this female scientist one day raising Thor's hammer, transforming into a "Lady Thor" and guarding the Nine Realms to the very end. Her heart and soul were worthy of carrying divine power.
With that in mind, a faint smile appeared at Lucci's lips.
"It's not that you can't have power... not at all."
Hearing this, Jane's eyes instantly lit up, her breath quickening with excitement! "Really? How?"
Lucci reached out, his mind already at work.
Buzz—
A trembling sound echoed, as if from the depths of the nine underworlds! The next instant, an invincible battle blade appeared out of thin air in his palm—ugly in shape, pitch black, radiating ominous deathly energy!
The moment the blade appeared, the air temperature dropped by several degrees, and even the sunlight seemed partially devoured by its pure malice and destruction.
This was Corvus Glaive's invincible blade, which had slaughtered countless planets and drunk the blood of billions. Lucci had destroyed Corvus Glaive and his Chitauri fleet with a single sword outside Nidavellir and, upon leaving, discovered this relic miraculously preserved—so he kept it.
Jane stared at the terrifying weapon in Lucci's hand, its endless ominous aura making her face turn pale with fear as she unconsciously took two steps back.
"This... what is this?" she asked, her voice trembling, feeling as though her soul was being sucked in.
"It's called the 'Cosmic glaive'," Lucci said evenly, as if holding not a killer but a work of art. He briefly explained the weapon's origin and its terrifying ability to disintegrate matter at the molecular level.
Jane's eyes widened in shock as she listened. "This... this is... a legendary artifact?"
"Artifact? That barely covers it," Lucci nodded. He waved the Cosmic glaive, continuing, "But it's also a complete magic weapon. Within it dwells not only the terrible power to disintegrate matter on the atomic level, but also the lingering authority of its former owner... the resentment of billions slaughtered by it."
He looked away from the blade, gazing at Jane's slightly pale, shocked face.
"If I handed it directly to you and let you wield it with your soul and spiritual strength, your mind would likely be utterly corroded and twisted by its evil force in an instant, eventually becoming a puppet that knows only killing and destruction."
Jane shuddered at his words. There was no doubting Lucci: just standing nearby, she could feel the blade's cold, evil will trying to seduce and corrupt her.
"Then... what should I do?" It was as if a hopeful flame in Jane's heart had just been doused with icy water.
"That's simple!" Lucci smiled nonchalantly. "Just leave it to me... I'll remake it. Isn't that enough?"
As he finished, a dazzling light suddenly blossomed from his left palm gripping the Cosmic glaive.
"Starforging!"
Boom—
That speck of light instantly expanded and exploded—a tiny star, perfectly compressed and controlled, emitting infinite light and heat, appeared in Lucci's palm!
A terrible high temperature warped the surrounding space, even the air sizzling. Yet this terrifying energy was perfectly contained within three inches of Lucci's palm by an invisible force, not a drop leaking out.
Jane was dumbfounded by this mythic spectacle, her mind reeling from the unimaginable sight!
This... is this divine power?
Ignoring her shock, Lucci looked focused, slowly pressing the struggling Cosmic glaive into the tiny star core in his palm!
Screeeee—
The moment it touched the star core, the Cosmic glaive let out a horrifying scream—a final wail of countless vengeful spirits, incinerated by the ultimate light and divine energy!
The pitch-black blade began to melt under the star's heat, breaking down to its most primitive cosmic matter. Wisps of black smoke, visible to the naked eye, symbolizing evil and death, were forcibly expelled and completely burnt away by the star's light and heat, leaving not a trace!
Soon, the entire Cosmic glaive became a pool of pure metallic liquid, floating in the star core.
Lucci's eyes flashed with countless mysterious law runes. He used his will as a hammer, the law as an anvil, and began reforging and upgrading this "divine metal," purified of evil!
Under his control, the liquid divine gold began to change shape. The once ugly, sinister lines became smooth and elegant; the runes once filled with death were erased, replaced by sacred inscriptions brimming with life, light, and creative power! Lucci even fused traces of Jean's breath and the "power of the sun" into it.
When the final sacred inscription was carved, the tiny star in his palm slowly dissipated, and a new battle blade quietly floated before him.
Its form still resembled the Cosmic glaive—Lucci hadn't bothered to alter it much—but now it shone with a radiant platinum luster, as if condensed from sunlight. Its smooth edge was adorned with mysterious golden lines, and from its core radiated a soft, life-giving aura that turned the withered grass nearby a vibrant emerald green.
The former aura of death was completely gone, replaced by a bright, sacred, colossal power, as if it could purify all evil in the world!
Jane could not look away the moment she saw the newborn holy blade. Every cell in her body cheered and throbbed for this weapon! That bright, warm power was irresistibly appealing to her. Her beautiful face overflowed with longing and attachment.
Lucci nodded in satisfaction, handing the new "Cosmic glaive" to her. "Try it."
Jane reached out and... stopped!
Boom—
The instant she gripped the sacred blade, a flood of boundless energy, as if from a stellar core, surged from the holy blade into her body! Jane felt as if thrown into the furnace of the sun! The energy was immense and blazing—yet miraculously gentle! It scoured every cell, muscle, bone, and meridian, transforming her!
Bathed in this energy, her body emitted a dazzling golden glow, her whole being shining with holy brilliance; her long brown hair fluttered as if caught by an invisible wind, and her eyes seemed to burn with two tiny suns!
This sudden burst of pure star energy was like a beacon at night, instantly drawing the attention of all the strong nearby!
On the training field, Jean and Diana stopped competing, surprise flashing in their beautiful eyes. Hulk, Storm, Logan... all the X-Men members paused, shocked by the explosion's source.
"What's going on?"
"This power... what pure light energy!"
"That direction... Jane? How could that ordinary human woman suddenly wield such great power?"
While countless shocked eyes watched, the golden light on the lawn gradually converged. Jane slowly opened her eyes. She looked down at her hands, then at the platinum holy blade she held, now connected to her blood and feeling like part of her body, a previously unimaginable power surging through her—she could not contain her excitement!
She truly... possessed extraordinary power of her own! And all of it came from the man before her!
"Thank you! Prince Lucci! Truly... thank you so much!"
As a scientist, her restraint and reason were swept away by excitement. Unable to hold back her rapture and gratitude, Jane stepped forward and gave Lucci a big hug!
Lucci was momentarily stunned by the soft sensation and faint fragrance from the girl's body. But at that moment, a clearly disgruntled snort came from the sky!
"What are you doing?"
A burning red figure streaked down like a meteor, landing beside them. Jean frowned slightly, displeased as she looked at Jane.
"Ah! Jean! Sorry, sorry!" Jane snapped out of her daze, realizing her blunder, and quickly let go of Lucci, her face flushing red as she explained to Jean, a little embarrassed, "I was just... really excited!"
"Excited?" Jean's gaze flicked between Jane and Lucci, finally settling on the platinum holy sword in Jane's hand, which radiated a huge divine power. At that moment, Diana also arrived, her eyes immediately drawn to the unique holy sword.
As a seasoned Amazon warrior, she could sense the terrifyingly pure power within the weapon.
"Jane, this power in you... is it... from that weapon?" Diana's beautiful eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Yes!" Upon hearing this, Jane completely forgot her earlier embarrassment, nodding excitedly. She had sought power, Lucci had transformed and upgraded a magic weapon, and given it to her.
...