The morning sun filtered through the window. Noah held Hermione as she slept.
Five years were but a moment for him. To a wizard, it was nothing significant.
Over those years, Noah had monitored the war, but he couldn't stay in Asgard forever. He had matters of his own-strength, knowledge, and a stable love life.
By human standards, he was in his forties; by a wizard's reckoning, still young.
But Noah didn't want to stall. He wasn't a philanderer; a stable relationship was far more practical than fleeting flings.
Opening a harem had crossed his mind when he first arrived, but studying magic had tempered those thoughts. At one point, he even considered abandoning romance to focus on research.
Then Hermione entered his life.
Maintaining a stable bond and enjoying its comforts felt right.
Noah had a plan: to deepen their bond, perhaps with a symbolic "lock"-a ring-shaped token of commitment.
Buzz... buzz...
The phone rang. Noah opened his eyes, displeased. He hadn't set an alarm. Clearly, someone inconsiderate was calling.
Yawning, he pulled Hermione closer, intending to snooze. The phone, however, woke her as well. She glanced at the device, then at Noah, who pretended to sleep, and laughed.
"Stop faking, dear," she said, pinching his waist. "Your phone is ringing. Get up and answer it."
"Seriously... who's so annoying?" Noah muttered. He kissed her head and climbed out of bed.
Three years ago, he had convinced Hermione to move into the London Sanctum, which had thrilled him. Some had disapproved, but he didn't care. Their relationship had reached a fever pitch over those years.
He had plans today-gifting Hermione something-but the call soured his mood, especially when he saw the caller ID.
"Fury, if you don't have a damn good explanation, I'm turning you into a sheep and dropping you in the Brazilian rainforest to graze until you've eaten the whole jungle!" Noah cursed.
Fury froze, startled. The terror of being transformed into a sheep over a decade ago was unforgettable.
"Noah, we're in big trouble," Fury said quickly. "Thor told me to contact you. If possible, he wants you in Asgard immediately."
"Thor told you?" Noah frowned. "Are they finally launching the main assault?"
"Pretty much... but it's even more terrifying," Fury admitted. "The opponents are numerous and horrifying."
Noah's brow furrowed. Things were serious. Thor was already a 10th-Rank being.
Five years were enough for a super-god-tier second generation-a pay-to-win player with lightning powers and the "cheat code" experience of another Fat Thor. Without reaching this level, he would have been helpless.
Loki's situation was worse in some ways. His Reality Stone and mastery of illusions and frost made him dangerous. He could survive but not defeat Thanos alone-a quasi-10th-Rank threat.
Asgard had two other super-powers at 10th Rank or above. Fat Thor, living comfortably in the wine cellar, occasionally fought. Noah had advised Thor to treat him well; Thor accepted and occasionally consulted him. Their relationship was excellent, even with playful mockery.
Hela, Grand General of Asgard, always fought on the front lines. She had awaited a battle with Thor but had been sidelined by the Kree and Thanos.
Asgard teemed with talent. With these four present, there shouldn't be much worry.
Yet Thor's message suggested even four 10th-Rank (or near 10th-Rank) beings might not be enough.
How many allies had Thanos recruited? Would this disrupt the galaxy's natural order? Were these helpers even from this galaxy?
"Darling, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, hugging him from behind.
"You look troubled. Something on the battlefield?"
"Yes," Noah admitted. "Fury passed on a message from Thor. There are new developments at the front. I may have to go take a look."
"Is it okay, Noah?" Hermione frowned.
"Don't worry. I'm the Sorcerer Supreme, and my teacher is still around," he said, pinching her cheek. "But this time, I might really need to be serious. Help me contact Mordo and Wong. Tell all Council members to come, including Strange and Wanda. Go on, dear."
Noah wasn't overly worried. The enemies were numerous, but he hadn't spent these five years idle.
He remained 10th-Rank, confident he could handle his former self effortlessly. Over these years, he had strengthened himself, accumulated silver-white energy, and sought worthy opponents.
He had faced Tenth-Rank foes and masters of Domains, focusing his simulated combat on Thanos. Every version of Thanos, with one to six Infinity Stones, had been analyzed and simulated. He locked all opponents at Rank 10-he didn't expect his teachers to allow higher-tier threats.
Noah had prepared for all possibilities.
Strange and Wanda had both advanced to 9th Rank. The Council members-Wong and Mordo-recently surged from 8th to 9th Rank, thanks to the Domain spell.
Even if they couldn't handle the most terrifying enemies, clearing out lesser threats would be easy.
Thanks to Hermione, everyone soon arrived at Noah's office. He had already changed into his robes.
Looking at the powerful wizards before him, Noah nodded.
"You have five minutes to decide who stays behind. The rest come with me to Asgard."
"What happened?" Wong's face darkened.
"Don't ask. It's bad. Just follow my lead. Once you've chosen, we depart immediately."