With Tony's earlier victory, Odin had no choice but to take the Kamar-Taj sorcerers more seriously.
The second match began with Kamar-Taj sending their champion first. After analyzing the situation with Tony, who had returned triumphant, the choice was made: Wanda Maximoff would step into the arena.
This time, Odin used his divine sight to study her carefully. After only a few seconds, he fell into silence. His eyes lifted toward the starry night above Asgard, and for the first time in ages, he looked uncertain. Was he doubting himself? Regretting that he had not fallen in battle long ago, leaving Thor to stand here instead of suffering this disgrace?
Kamar-Taj had chosen well. Odin now understood. No wonder Malrick had issued this challenge half a year ago. He had come fully prepared.
Odin gave up trying to interfere with Asgard's selection of fighters. Instead, he called Malrick back to the main platform, acknowledging him as Sorcerer Supreme.
Minutes later, Lady Sif entered the arena. Given that her opponent was a woman, Asgard chose their fiercest female warrior.
In their private lounge, a sobered-up Thor pulled Loki close. Both brothers peeked through the cracked door to watch.
"Why don't we just go out there?" Loki whispered.
"I just lost, Loki!" Thor hissed back, shoulders slumping. "Beaten by that iron man, rolling around like some fool spitting foam! How can I show my face now? Do you want the whole arena staring at me?"
Loki smirked. "But you are Thor, Prince of Asgard. They will look at you regardless."
Thor grumbled, but Loki pressed on. "Besides, Sif would want your cheer. She fights better with your support. Perhaps she will reclaim the honor you lost." His tone dripped with false benevolence.
Thor hesitated. "Sif is one of Asgard's strongest warriors. She's proven herself time and again. She won't lose."
He said it as if trying to convince himself.
Loki's voice cut sharper. "Even you lost, brother. Badly. Like a drunken dwarf. How can you be so sure Sif won't share your fate?"
Thor's face paled. The memory of his own humiliating defeat burned fresh. He covered his face with one hand, leaning against the door in despair.
Loki's eyes glinted. He discreetly reached for magic, intending to collapse the door and expose Thor to everyone. He wanted nothing more than to parade his brother's shame.
But before he could, the deafening cheers outside turned into gasps of horror. Then silence.
The sudden quiet made the brothers freeze.
"What happened? Did Sif already win?" Loki muttered.
They pressed closer to the door crack.
On the battlefield, crimson energy swirled like mist. Wanda's chaos magic wrapped around Sif, lifting her helplessly into the air. Sif's body strained with every muscle, her teeth gritted in defiance, but she could not move an inch.
Wanda floated effortlessly, her expression calm, almost bored, as though restraining Sif required no effort at all.
Sif, renowned across the Nine Realms as one of Asgard's greatest warriors, was utterly immobilized within moments.
The sight was madness.
"She lost…? Sif lost too!?" Thor's voice cracked with disbelief.
Even Loki's smirk faded. He had dismissed the Midgardians as weak. In his mind, Thor's loss was his own foolishness. Asgard's honor was still secure. But now Sif, their proudest female warrior, had been brought down without a struggle.
The truth was undeniable: these sorcerers from Midgard were formidable.
"Second match, Kamar-Taj wins. The third battle will begin in half an hour. Asgard will send their contestant first," Odin's voice rang across the arena.
Thor and Loki exchanged uneasy glances. If they lost again, Asgard would suffer complete defeat.
The Warriors Three, who had once boasted about handling Midgardians with ease, now avoided each other's eyes. None dared to step forward. To lose now would be to carry shame forever.
Their eyes finally turned toward Loki.
"...What?" Loki frowned. "Why are you looking at me?"
On the main platform, Odin stood beside Malrick, his expression grim as he watched Wanda return to the lounge victorious, while Sif staggered back with ashen cheeks.
"I did not expect Kamar-Taj to produce so many strong sorcerers in such a short time," Odin admitted. "It seems your leadership has surpassed even that of the Ancient One."
Malrick shook his head. "Earth has always had talent. The Ancient One preferred to let fate guide her choices. I, on the other hand, sought them out."
Odin narrowed his eyes. "I heard you even repelled Dormammu."
"Who told you that?" Malrick asked.
"The story spreads across the outer dimensions and Hell itself. Even Mephisto was said to have sent reparations to Kamar-Taj."
"He sent nothing but a worthless trinket," Malrick replied dismissively. "If I had my way, I'd rather have the Casket of Ancient Winters or the Eternal Flame."
Odin fell silent, studying him.
At that moment, the next challenger entered the arena. Loki, dressed in full regalia, his horned crown gleaming, strode forward.
Malrick smiled faintly. "You're sending Loki? Interesting."
Odin shot him a suspicious look, then turned away, sending a telepathic command to the Asgardian lounge.
From Kamar-Taj's side, a middle-aged man with glasses and a worn leather briefcase walked calmly into the arena.
Malrick's grin widened. "In that case, Your Majesty, you might want to prepare your artifacts."
_____
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