Seeing the calm in Lucci's eyes for reasons he couldn't explain, Odin's heavy, sunken heart finally found peace. He knew Lucci would never do anything unless he was absolutely confident. If Lucci claimed certainty, then something must be up.
"I understand... A fine introduction..." Odin nodded in relief.
Lucci didn't say much more. Even though Odin himself had received treatment, his divine essence was still severely damaged and he felt he needed a long rest.
"We're returning to Asgard."
His heart stirred, and a gentle spatial force once again enveloped Odin, Thor, and the nearby Hela. With a flash of light, the four of them instantly vanished from this dead and silent savage planet.
…
At the same time—
In the abyss of the icy universe, a massive, black, blade-like cross-shaped warship floated quietly in space. It was Thanos's flagship—the Sanctuary. As Thanos entered the ship's hall, he raised his left hand, focusing on the Infinity Gauntlet with interest. Embedded in the knuckle of the glove's index finger was a gem emitting a demonic purple light, pulsing like a heart of its own, swallowing and spewing terrifying energy. This was something that could destroy worlds.
Yes, it was the Power Stone.
"Heh... haha..." A deep, satisfied laugh rumbled from Thanos's throat. "It's true—the Power Stone is the most destructive of the six Infinity Stones... Even that old Odin couldn't withstand it..."
He recalled the recent fierce battle, his heart filled with unprecedented satisfaction and confidence. The once highly regarded lords of the Nine Realms, who had deceived him, were now nothing more than opponents he could easily crush with the Power Stone in hand!
Just then, several figures approached and bowed. They were his most powerful subordinates—the Black Order. Or rather, now, the Four of the Black Order.
"My lord!" Ebony Maw raised his head, his eyes filled with zeal and reverence as he gazed at Thanos. "How was the battle with Odin?"
Thanos took his throne, turned around, and sat! He looked down at his four generals, the corners of his mouth curving into a victorious smile.
"Odin has been defeated."
"What? Is it true?" The faces of Ebony Maw and the others instantly filled with excitement and fanaticism. Even the God King Odin had lost! Their master was about to become the true and only ruler of the universe!
"Our master is invincible! How could mere Odin be our master's match?" Ebony Maw immediately proclaimed, not missing the moment. "Congratulations, my lord! You're one step closer to your grand vision!" Proxima Midnight chimed in excitedly.
Thanos basked in his subordinates' praises, nodded, and continued, "However, to avoid alerting Asgard too soon, I spared his life. That old man can't even summon the Bifrost now."
"Now, wait for news from Supergiant. If all goes well, we'll soon have the other Infinity Stones as well."
At this moment, Thanos's confidence soared higher than ever! He seemed to see himself gathering all six stones and snapping his fingers to restore balance to the universe!
Right then, his personal communicator on his wrist started blinking red—a coded remote transmission from Supergiant. Thanos's eyes lit up, and he answered. Supergiant's voice came through:
[My lord, there are two pieces of news.]
[One good, one bad.]
Thanos frowned slightly and said, "Let's hear the bad news first."
[The bad news... Hela's mission failed.]
[She was... packed up by Asgard's Prince Lucci.]
"Useless!" Thanos snorted coldly, a flash of disappointment in his eyes. He knew Hela's strength. Even if she couldn't kill Lucci, he'd hoped she could at least cause damage to Earth or Lucci himself. Unexpectedly, it was resolved so quickly. That Lucci... seems to be more troublesome than I thought.
Still, Thanos didn't care much. Hela's defeat wouldn't hinder his ultimate plan. Besides, he now possessed the Power Stone!
"What's the good news?" he asked coldly.
[The good news... I've found the precise location of the Soul Stone. And... I can tell you how to obtain it!]
"What?" Thanos abruptly stood from the throne! His immense body cast a huge shadow, making Ebony Maw and the others below feel almost suffocated! The Soul Stone! The most mysterious and strange of the six stones! He'd searched for years and finally found it!
"Where is it?" Thanos's voice betrayed the slightest hint of anticipation.
[On the planet Vormir.]
[As for how to obtain it... There's something special.]
"Send it immediately!" Thanos demanded impatiently.
[Yes, my lord.]
The transmission ended. Almost simultaneously, Thanos's wrist communicator chimed faintly. He immediately raised his wrist and opened the encrypted message. Instantly, a single piece of information appeared before his eyes:
[To obtain the Soul Stone, you must exchange it for the soul of the one you love.]
Buzz—
Thanos's mind went blank, his whole body stunned. For the first time, deep cracks seemed to appear on his purple face. To his surprise, to obtain the Soul Stone required... sacrificing the soul of someone he loved?
In that moment, Thanos's heart, which had always been as hard as iron for the grand goal of "universal balance," showed rare signs of cracking. Hesitation, pain, and struggle appeared in his eyes.
Deep inside, unconsciously, a small green figure surfaced. On Zen-Whoberi, he had flattened the planet and wiped out half of its population. Amid the bloody ruins, he saw a stubborn little girl—Gamora—glare at him. He had taken her, raised her, taught her to fight, and turned her into the most dangerous woman in the universe. He always thought his nurturing of her was simply the forging of the perfect weapon.
But...
Why was it... that at the mention of "the one you love," she was the first to come to mind? Was it those eyes always filled with resistance and stubbornness? Was it because, despite repeatedly challenging his authority, she still had to bow her head before him? Was it all for the sake of universal balance... for that noble, grand ideal...?
So, was he truly willing to sacrifice her?
Pain gnawed at his heart like a viper. But the pain lasted only a moment. Thanos's gaze shifted from struggle to pain, to numbness, and finally, to a cold, eternal indifference.
He was Thanos. The man destined to bring order and peace to this bloated, unbalanced universe! Great ideals demand great sacrifices—be it others' lives, or... those of his loved ones. If the ultimate goal could be achieved, the cost was worth it!
"Those without firm will are doomed to accomplish nothing." He muttered in a low voice, almost as if reminding himself, "And I, Thanos, have the strongest will!"
Slowly, he sat back down on the throne. All hesitation and pain had been slashed, shattered, and buried deep within his heart. He was now colder and harder than ever before!
"Ebony Maw." His command was flat and emotionless.
"My lord!" Ebony Maw immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Recall Gamora and Nebula to the Sanctuary."
"Yes, my lord!"
Ebony Maw, though slightly surprised at this sudden order, didn't question Thanos's decision. Gamora, who always opposed her master, would have to comply.
Thanos's gaze then turned to Proxima Midnight.
"Proxima Midnight."
"My lord!" The female general raised her head, eyes burning with vengeance.
Thanos looked at her and spoke slowly, "Haven't you always wanted to avenge Corvus?"
At the mention of "Corvus Glaive," Proxima Midnight's body trembled, and monstrous hatred burst from her eyes! Corvus Glaive was her husband, the strongest among the Black Order, who died in Nidavellir at Lucci's hand!
"Haven't I always wanted to tear Lucci to pieces!" she gritted out.
"Good," Thanos nodded. "Now, your chance has come."
"Odin is wounded by me, and Lucci must return to Asgard. At that time, Earth will be his weakest spot—the one he must protect most."
"I'm giving you a mission," Thanos's voice was like a devil whispering from the abyss. "You and Black Dwarf will go to Earth. Capture all the important people around him! They are our most important bargaining chips. Supergiant will send you all the intel!"
Upon hearing this, Proxima Midnight's face immediately lit up with ecstasy!
"Thank you, my lord!" She knelt, excitement in her voice. "I will not let you down! I will make Lucci taste the pain of losing everything!"
"Roar!" Black Dwarf beside her let out a low, excited roar, pounding his chest.
"Go." Thanos waved his hand.
"Yes!" Proxima Midnight and Black Dwarf accepted the order and vanished into the darkness.
Only Thanos remained on the throne. He raised his left hand again, gazing at the purple Power Stone, his eyes deep and cold.
Lucci... Just wait. Very soon, we'll truly meet.
…
Asgard, Hall of the All-Father
When Lucci and the others appeared with the spatial force, Queen Frigga, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately greeted them.
But her next move left everyone dumbfounded. The normally elegant, noble, and gentle queen was now upside down, her almond eyes wide with anger!
She rushed to Odin and twisted his ear!
"Odin!" Frigga's voice rose an octave, filled with steel-hard fury! "Look at your age, huh? Still running around fighting like when you were young?"
"Do you still think you're the young God King who could battle across the Nine Realms? Do you know what condition you're in now? What if you'd died—what would become of Asgard? What about the Nine Realms?"
The God King Odin, who had shaken the Nine Realms and outwitted Thanos, was now like a naughty child caught doing wrong, gritting his teeth in pain and repeatedly begging for mercy.
"Ow... Frigga, dear... not so hard... a lot of people are watching, give me some dignity..."
"Dignity? You still care about dignity? Why didn't you think about that when you went off to duel?"
Frigga twisted his ear harder.
"Wrong, it was wrong, I admit it..."
Thor, watching his once-mighty father so embarrassed, nearly burst out laughing. Remembering Odin's recent injuries, he hurried forward. "Uh... Mother... Father is still hurt!"
"What?" Frigga's anger instantly turned to worry. She immediately let go, ignoring her anger, and anxiously inspected Odin. "Are you alright? Where are you hurt? Is it serious?"
Odin rubbed his red ear, grinning with affection, "Don't worry, don't worry! Lucci was here! He healed me long ago. I'm fine!"
He flexed his arm to show off his strength. "See? I'm good!"
But Frigga was clearly unconvinced. She looked straight at Lucci for confirmation.
Lucci smiled, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. I've helped Father recover from his trauma and loss of divine power. Physically, he's fine."
"But... he fought Thanos, and the Power Stone hurt his divine core. Recovery will take time—so he should rest and avoid any more fights or stress."
Hearing Lucci's professional explanation, Frigga finally relaxed. She glared at Odin, then turned to Thor. "Thor, did you hear that? From now on, you're responsible for keeping your father optimistic! For the foreseeable future: no running around, no fighting, no dueling!"
"Yes, Mother!" Thor straightened up and looked at Odin with pride, as if to say, "Ha! Now you're under my watch!"
Odin glared at Thor, his beard bristling with anger—but before Frigga, he could do nothing.
After settling Odin, Frigga took Lucci's hand with gratitude. "Lucci, since your father must recuperate, I'll entrust the full authority of the Nine Realms to you! As the successor, it's time you got used to these responsibilities."
Lucci felt a sudden headache. He could handle interstellar disputes and contradictions... but running the entire Nine Realms? That was even less comfortable than fighting Thanos! Even mutant affairs, he'd left to Charles and Magneto. Now he was being asked to oversee all of Asgard and the Nine Realms?
But he knew Odin needed rest. Someone had to do it.
Just then, he caught sight of Hela's cold face and Loki trying to make himself invisible at the side. Inspiration struck.
He smiled confidently and nodded to Frigga, "Don't worry, Mother. I know what to do."
Seeing Lucci agree, Frigga smiled and forcibly dragged Odin back to the palace for rest, taking Thor with her.
The once lively hall was suddenly left with only Lucci and three others.
Loki cautiously spoke, "Well... if there's nothing else, I'll just go now..." He smiled awkwardly and prepared to leave.
Hela glanced at Lucci, then silently turned to leave as well.
But just then, a calm voice rang out behind them, "Wait a moment. Don't you two both want to be King of the Gods?"
…