Asgard. The Great Hall.
As the horrific scene played out, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.
Instead of the despair that had gripped them moments before, the eyes of the Asgardian people changed. The panic vanished, replaced by something steelier.
More and more citizens stared silently at the screen, their gazes filled with reverence. They were looking at the image of the fallen princes not as victims, but as martyrs.
Asgardian culture worshiped courage. They venerated heroes who fought until the bitter end. The "Tragic Hero" was the highest ideal of their society.
The Loki and Thor on the screen embodied this ideal perfectly.
Seeing both princes fall in battle paradoxically erased the fear of the impending apocalypse.
Even the sons of Odin fought to the death without fear. What right do we have to be afraid?
It is only death. We are Asgardians.
Suddenly, the System's cold voice cut through the solemn silence.
[SCENE ENDED.]
[QUESTION INITIATED.]
[Question: Of the two princes, Loki and Thor, who survived the destruction of the ship?]
[Option A: Loki survived, Thor died.]
[Option B: Thor survived, Loki died.]
[Option C: Both survived.]
[PLEASE ANSWER NOW. Each participant has one attempt.]
[Incorrect answers will trigger an Unknown Penalty.]
The question sent shockwaves through the audience. The quiet hall erupted into noise once more.
"What?"
"Does that mean... they aren't both dead?"
The citizens looked at each other, hope rekindling in their eyes.
Queen Frigga and Odin exchanged a glance, relief washing over them. Just moments ago, they believed they had lost both sons. But the options implied that at least one of them had lived.
But the most excited person was Thor himself.
"HAHA! Loki! I knew you wouldn't die that easily!"
Thor threw his head back and laughed, the sound booming with pure joy.
Meanwhile, the Chat Stream was buzzing with debate.
[Tony Stark: Whoa, hold on. That ship literally exploded in the vacuum of space. How could Thor possibly survive that? That's physically impossible.]
[Thor Odinson: Hah! Do not compare the noble physiology of the Aesir to you frail mortals. We are built differently!]
[Stephen Strange: Is this the resilience of extraterrestrials? It's scientifically baffling.]
[Peter Parker: Wait, if they're that strong... maybe both of them survived? Maybe it's Option C?]
Hearing this, Loki felt a surge of hope.
Could it be?
As one of the Nine Realms' greatest sorcerers, Loki was a master of illusions. Faking his death was his specialty. He had done it before.
If I used a high-level illusion at the last second... maybe I tricked Thanos? Maybe I'm still alive?
Loki's heart began to pound. He convinced himself that his future self had pulled off the ultimate trick.
But then, Tony Stark dumped a bucket of ice water on his dreams.
[Tony Stark: Kid, asking that question proves you weren't paying attention to the broadcast.]
[Thor Odinson: What? What do you mean by that?]
[Tony Stark: Hm? Don't get emotional, Point Break. I'm just analyzing the facts.]
[Tony Stark: Just before Thanos killed 'Future Loki', he said something very specific. Do you remember?]
[Loki Odinson: That...]
Loki froze. The memory of the line hit him like a physical blow. A chill seeped into his bones.
[Peter Parker: Oh! I remember! Thanos said: "No resurrections this time!"]
[Tony Stark: Exactly. I believe that line was a narrative confirmation. Thanos knew Loki's history of faking death. He made sure—absolutely sure—that he snapped his neck for real.]
[Tony Stark: No matter what tricks Loki has, he's not coming back from that.]
[Thor Odinson: Damn you! How dare you curse my brother!]
[Stephen Strange: I understand your anger, Thor, but logically... Tony's interpretation is sound.]
Strange was arrogant, yes, but he respected facts. And so far, Tony's deductive reasoning had been flawless.
Loki opened his mouth to argue, to scream that he was the God of Mischief and couldn't be killed so easily... but no words came out.
A deep, suffocating helplessness washed over him.
I really die.
In the Livestream Room, Tony glanced at Loki's pale, bloodless face. He shook his head slightly, then looked up at the screen.
"I choose Option B: Thor survived, Loki died."
Logic dictated that since Loki was confirmed dead by the antagonist, options A and C were impossible. That left only B.
[DING! Answer locked: Tony Stark.]
[JUDGMENT: CORRECT.]
[REWARD: Tony Stark receives 100 Livestream Points.]
[REWARD: Random Item Draw...]
[CONGRATULATIONS! You have obtained: THE INFINITY GAUNTLET (Right Hand).]
[Binding System...]
[Binding Complete.]
"The Infinity Gauntlet?"
Tony stared at the massive golden glove floating before him. His pupils contracted.
Isn't this the thing the Purple Guy was wearing?
But as he examined it closer, he noticed a discrepancy.
Thanos wore his on the left hand.
This one... is for the right hand.
"What?!"
In Asgard, Odin stared at the picture-in-picture display, his heart skipping a beat.
You have to be joking.
That right-handed Infinity Gauntlet...
It looks exactly like the one in my Vault!