~Baxter Building~
Having narrowly escaped with her life, Natasha leaned back on the sofa...
She wiped her damp hair, her face displaying a rare expression of confusion.
The truth Zola had revealed in the underground server room in New Jersey had shocked everyone. Even someone like her, a trusted aide who had followed Nick Fury for years, couldn't help but begin to harbor doubts.
The century-long covert struggle between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had, in reality, been nothing more than a ridiculous farce. The enemy had been lurking within all along, even rising to the highest positions of power.
Tracing the threads of this matter, every piece of evidence was overwhelmingly solid, nearly flawless...
From Nick Fury being taken by the Winter Soldier, to that USB drive, to the presence of Dr. Zola in the server room, connecting it all to the earlier hijacking of the Lemurian Star. All these suspicious points led to the same conclusion.
At first, Steve had believed Alexander Pierce was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. But after their narrow escape, news reports quickly revealed that the new leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. who had been their prime suspect had been shot dead hours earlier.
The assassin? None other than the Winter Soldier...
It was like some kind of dark joke. Having been initially prepared to stand alone against the world and uncover the truth behind the conspiracy, the two of them had inexplicably discovered that they were actually trapped in an enormous lie. Their efforts were futile and laughable, nothing more than a ridiculous performance.
Natasha chose to part ways with Captain America for the time being. Steve wanted to expose the truth and stop the implementation of Project Insight, but she no longer had the will to continue.
This woman known as the Black Widow had once been S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top spy. She had joined the Soviet intelligence system during World War II and received training at a secret facility called the Red Room.
Later, when the Red Empire collapsed, Natasha was left without an organization. She was then absorbed into S.H.I.E.L.D., where she gained a legitimate official identity.
Like Nick Fury, Natasha had received injections of an anti-aging serum, allowing her to maintain the vitality and health of her bodily functions. Her flesh could evade the ravages of time, but her mind could not.
In truth, she, Fury, and Captain America all shared the same deep-seated issue... loneliness and bewilderment.
By age, they were all weathered individuals who had experienced the trials of time, the joys and sorrows of life, yet their appearances remained youthful, and their bodies brimmed with energy.
Nick Fury had chosen to place his faith in his country. Steve followed the principles of freedom and justice he held dear. But what about her?
Natasha couldn't help but sigh. Now that Fury's identity was shrouded in suspicion and S.H.I.E.L.D. was in chaos, she found herself at a loss for direction.
Just as she had told Captain America, when she first joined S.H.I.E.L.D., she thought she had stepped onto the right path. Who would have guessed that, in the end, she had been working for Hydra all along? This was something Natasha could not accept.
*Click*
The sound of the door opening broke the silence.
"Why are the lights off?" A tall figure walked through the foyer and came to stand before Natasha.
The female agent was lifted into a warm embrace, nestled against a firm chest. After enduring blow after blow, Natasha found herself unexpectedly clinging to this wonderful sensation.
Her entire life had been spent acting on others' orders. From the moment she opened her eyes each day, she lived immersed in the perilous world of espionage, filled with lies and deception. It was only during her time playing the role of 'Miss Scarlett' that she had experienced a period of tranquility.
Sean tightened his embrace, his powerful arms pressing against this crimson beauty. Their bodies fit together perfectly, so close that they could almost feel each other's faint breaths and subtle fragrance.
The bathrobe clung to her full curves and outlined her exquisite silhouette. Like a powerful female panther, she effortlessly ignited the most primal desire for conquest in a man's heart.
The night was thick with passion. Lost in confusion and inner conflict, Natasha actively sought solace in Sean's tender indulgence.
The two collapsed onto the soft sofa, their scorching breaths mingling like blazing flames, stirring a surge of raging hormones...
....
~In Asgard~
The white-haired Odin leaned back on the king's throne, a raven perched on his shoulder...
His mighty eldest son strode into the palace hall. After enduring numerous setbacks, Thor seemed to have matured considerably, his face filled with steadfast composure.
"The Bifrost will soon be restored, Asgard's legions have been reassembled, and before long, we will quell the wars across the Nine Realms," Thor declared solemnly.
Asgard had suffered grievous losses in its brutal battle against the Chitauri army and had yet to recover.
Moreover, having lost its deterrent power over the Nine Realms, the once-established order had crumbled, giving way to frequent wars and conflicts among the kingdoms...
"Do not underestimate the power of the weak. Asgard has halted its forward march for far too long. The Dark Elves, the Frost Giants... Though we have defeated many formidable foes, we ourselves have suffered no small losses. Now, we lack the drive and potential to strive further, having grown complacent in our own glory for tens of thousands of years." Odin spoke with solemn earnestness.
Gravely wounded, the flame of his life flickered like a candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment. Thus, he sought to mold his eldest son into a worthy king.
"The Midgardians, whom we once needed to protect, are now advancing and leaping forward without cease. If this continues, Asgard, which is perched atop the World Tree, will inevitably be pushed aside."
The King of Asgard had witnessed the battle between the Sentinel and Thanos. Had he still been at his peak, he naturally would have feared neither. But alas, with the passage of time, the long lifespan of the Aesir was nearing its end.
Though Midgard still lagged behind Asgard in terms of high-tier combat prowess, its rate of development and population base had already far surpassed them. If left unchecked, it might one day become the new sovereign of the Nine Realms.
"I sense a seething darkness. The Nine Realms may soon face another great catastrophe. We must remain vigilant and prepare for battle." Odin sighed deeply.
He faintly sensed that an ancient enemy from ten thousand years ago was about to return. If those fanatics were to awaken, they would undoubtedly stir up a storm of unimaginable proportions.
"Father, what should I do?" Thor bowed his head. The wisdom of Asgard's king far surpassed his own.
"Go to Midgard. Learn to be a hero. Extend an olive branch of peace." Odin's eyes gleamed with unspoken thoughts.
He had high hopes for his eldest son...
On one hand, to temper his character through this experience, and on the other, to establish a connection between Asgard and Earth.
They could no longer fight alone. If Thanos were to return with the Black Order, how would the Nine Realms withstand them?
Asgard's path forward was uncertain. The Dark Elves, and Hela who was imprisoned in Helheim... These were all tremendous crises that Thor would have to face in the future...