For a long moment, the voice from the shadows lingered in silence before finally speaking. "My master was once forced to make a vow to a despicable being—one that forbids him from devouring Earth. The great master never breaks his promises, so he remains bound by this oath. He can only act when that being is no longer part of this world."
Thanos raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
His thoughts were biting. A "great master" bound by a promise? What kind of deity values its word so much that it would play games in the shadows like some skulking rodent? Treaties and oaths exist to be broken—it's common knowledge in the galaxy.
Yet, despite his disdain, Thanos found himself contemplating the offer. For the sake of his grand ambitions, he had no choice but to entertain this alliance, however distasteful it seemed.
He wasn't the only one weighing his options. Word of Thanos' grievous injuries and the destruction of Sanctuary II spread across the galaxy at lightning speed. It wasn't hard to trace the source—Star-Lord and his crew were hardly discreet. The Guardians of the Galaxy, notorious for their loose lips, made no effort to keep the details quiet. Through their chatter, the universe learned how Thanos' downfall had begun with his failed attempt to capitalize on Odin's death and trigger Ragnarök.
The galaxy buzzed with excitement, the news sparking both amusement and ambition. Opportunistic factions began scheming, eyeing Thanos' vulnerable state and the scattered remnants of his forces. Even Thor, who had unintentionally dealt the decisive blow, was less focused on the aftermath than on the chaos Captain Marvel had left behind.
Star-Lord, for his part, didn't even recognize Captain Marvel. Her name—Carol Danvers—was unfamiliar to him, and her reputation had yet to reach his corner of the galaxy. Few outside her immediate sphere knew of her exploits; after all, she'd spent decades policing distant sectors as a cosmic peacekeeper, far removed from Thanos' stomping grounds.
Even the Kree, who knew her best, preferred to keep her legacy hidden. For them, Carol's history was a mark of shame, a reminder of their darkest failures. They buried her story, claiming she was merely a fallen member of the Starforce, a casualty of war.
Back on Earth, however, the Avengers were well aware of Carol's achievements. Natasha Romanoff had shared her tales after returning from space, and the team had even thrown a celebratory party in her honor.
Meanwhile, in Asgard, Thor found himself engulfed in visions, courtesy of Jean Grey. Her hands rested on his temples, her powers delving deep into the minds of fallen Asgardian soldiers and Chitahuri warriors. She extracted their fragmented memories, piecing together the events of the attack.
Thor's vision blurred and shifted, showing him a series of disjointed images. He saw Thanos infiltrating Asgard, accompanied by a team of Black Order elites. They halted before the Golden Hall's impenetrable shield, their path blocked by its radiant barrier.
Corvus Glaive stepped forward, attempting to pierce the shield with his double-edged glaive. The weapon's enchanted edge failed to penetrate, prompting Corvus to turn to Thanos. "The shield is too powerful to break without drawing attention," he reported. "If the Asgardians respond, they can rally the full might of their forces to crush us."
Thanos nodded, his expression unreadable. He had anticipated this challenge. With a low growl, he turned to another figure, cloaked in black and green robes.
"You can open the door," Thanos said, his voice tinged with impatience.
The sorcerer stepped forward, his tone both confident and calculating. "Yes. But remember our agreement—you will help me acquire the gauntlet and ensure the destruction of Asgard. In return, you must eliminate the three Sanctums on Earth."
The sorcerer began chanting, weaving a spell that shimmered in the air. A golden portal materialized, growing larger with each word. But just as it seemed stable, the portal flickered and vanished, leaving the sorcerer gasping for breath. His body trembled violently, his face pale.
"What's happening?" Thanos demanded, his temper flaring. "Why has the portal failed?"
The sorcerer clutched his staff, his voice trembling. "The magic here is heavily fortified... I'll need to draw on the power my master has granted me."
He gritted his teeth, summoning another portal. This time, the effort left him coughing up blood. "The gate is open, but not for long. You must move quickly."
Thanos wasted no time. Leading the Black Order, he stepped through the unstable portal and emerged in Odin's Vault. The sight that greeted him was both awe-inspiring and puzzling: a gauntlet, adorned with six shattered gems, lay before him.
Thanos examined the gauntlet carefully, his expression unreadable. "A decoy," he muttered. "A mere collectible unworthy of Odin's Vault."
Still, he slid the glove onto his right hand, testing its fit. "Flawed... but functional. It will suffice for my plans."
Though the gems were decorative, the gauntlet itself retained some power. It was no match for the authentic Uru-crafted Infinity Gauntlet, but it was far superior to the crude replicas forged elsewhere. Satisfied, Thanos issued his next command.
"Leave a mark on this realm," he said, his tone cold. "Let Asgard remember our visit."
The Black Order obeyed without question. One soldier approached a nearby altar, retrieving a helmet and placing it into the Eternal Flame.
"With this flame, you shall be reborn," the soldier intoned.
As the flames consumed the helmet, the air grew thick with heat. The ground trembled as Surtur, the fire giant, rose from the ashes, his form towering and menacing. His resurrection brought chaos, shattering the Golden Hall and overwhelming Asgard's defenses.