"Who exactly is that Clark?"
"You seem to value him quite a bit."
Back in the royal hall, Mystique paused her work and looked at Alex with curiosity.
Since Krakoa's founding, Alex had brought very few outsiders here.
Especially after mutant recruitment was completed—if one really counted, the only exception had been America Chavez, who could travel the multiverse.
And Clark was even more special.
He came from an entirely different universe.
"He really is an interesting person," Alex said after a moment's thought, settling on that description.
Then he briefly told Mystique about Clark's life and experiences.
By the time he finished, Mystique was thoroughly stunned.
"That Clark is… that powerful?"
Even she couldn't help showing surprise.
From Alex's description, the man known as Superman was an outright monster even by Krakoan standards.
Aside from Alex himself—and perhaps Charles with his overwhelming psychic abilities—there were probably no true equals in Krakoa.
Even Thor, the so-called god of thunder, would fall short when facing Clark.
Someone of that caliber…
Yes, that kind of person was absolutely worth Alex's attention.
---
Asgard — Night
The royal city.
Within a grand and majestic corridor, Thor and Loki stood by the railing, gazing down at the beautiful nighttime view of Asgard below.
"It really is beautiful," Thor said with heartfelt admiration.
"Asgard."
"Yes," Loki nodded softly. "It's been many years since I last looked at it from this angle."
Since Odin's death ten years ago, and since the brothers had fought side by side against Hela, their relationship had quietly changed.
Now—
They were no longer enemies standing on opposite sides.
"Loki," Thor said, turning to him seriously, "have you really never considered becoming king?"
"You know I'm not cut out for it."
"So you give me what you don't want?" Loki shook his head.
"You know that's not what I mean."
"And you know that's not what I mean," Loki replied with a smile.
He was only teasing his brother.
"Back then, I thought Father favored you in everything," Loki said calmly.
"That he gave you far more love than me. I fought you for the throne because I wanted fairness."
"You've always known that."
"But now Father is gone, and you… aren't as terrible as I once imagined."
"So I have no interest in the throne anymore."
"No—truthfully, I never did."
"You're right. You're not suited to be king. But Thor, neither am I."
"Our parents chose you. So rule well—and stop trying to dump the burden on me."
Loki's tone was sincere.
"You've really changed," Thor said quietly.
"So have you," Loki replied, glancing back at him.
The two brothers smiled at each other—no further words needed.
But neither of them realized that while they spoke—
Darkness was silently spreading through every corner of the royal palace.
Like a tide.
Crack—crack—crack!
As the darkness engulfed most of the palace, massive black creatures began crawling out from within it.
And then—
They struck.
"Ahhh!"
Screams rang out instantly.
"What's happening?!"
"What's going on?!"
Thor and Loki were both shocked.
They moved immediately.
Thor reached out—Mjolnir flew into his hand.
Loki gripped the Eternal Spear he had inherited from Odin.
The two charged straight toward the monsters rampaging through the city.
Whoosh!
Thor hurled himself forward and swung his hammer.
A blinding bolt of lightning erupted, striking a gigantic spider-like monster.
The creature was electrocuted and collapsed instantly.
Loki was no less formidable.
With the Eternal Spear in hand, he unleashed wave after wave of energy attacks at the creatures.
Their power was anything but weak.
But—
There were simply too many monsters.
Even with Thor and Loki joining the fight, the situation remained critical.
"Damn it!" Thor shouted as he fought.
"Where did these monsters come from?!"
This was Asgard's royal city—the heart of the realm.
Such a massive invasion shouldn't have been able to slip in unnoticed.
Hmm?
Who was that?
Amid the monsters, a lone figure stepped forward.
A gaunt being, little more than skin and bones.
His skin was the color of cement, and he wore a white robe.
In his hand was a long sword, its tip dragging across the ground and carving a glowing trail.
Sparks flew.
"Who are you?" Thor demanded.
"The end of the gods," the figure said coldly.
Gorr the God Butcher.
There was no doubt about it.
After acquiring the Necrosword, Gorr had slaughtered gods across the cosmos.
And now—
He had come for Asgard.
Thor didn't know his identity, but one thing was clear.
This was an enemy.
Whoosh!
Thor hurled Mjolnir straight at Gorr.
But in the next instant, Gorr sank into the ground like a shadow.
The hammer struck nothing.
What?!
Thor froze for a split second—
And in that moment, Gorr emerged from the ground behind him.
He swung his blade down with brutal force.
Thor sensed the danger and hastily raised his hammer to block—
But he was too slow.
Clang!
A sharp metallic crash echoed.
Thor was sent flying.
"Thor!" Loki shouted, rushing in.
The brothers joined forces, engaging Gorr in a fierce battle.
At the same time, the Warriors Three, Lady Sif, and other Asgardian commanders arrived with large numbers of soldiers.
They joined the fray.
The war only grew more intense.
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