In the original timeline, Bruce Banner snapped his fingers to bring back the dead. When the resurrected people suddenly appeared in the places where they died, it was more like the timeline being changed. The dead were brought forward from the old timeline to the new one.
This explained why the resurrected people appeared in the exact same places where they died five years earlier. Their memories and everything about them remained exactly as they were five years ago. Since the resurrection involved time manipulation, the six Infinity Stones could naturally do it.
In the original timeline, Tony Stark snapped his fingers to destroy Thanos and his army. Whether it involved modifying reality or the timeline or using the Power Stone's energy to destroy targets, it could be done. That snap only affected a small portion of targets not the entire universe. So naturally there was no problem.
As for Thanos, his method of destroying half of all creatures in the universe was different. He used the six Infinity Stones as energy sources and assistance. He used them to amplify his own Authority of Destruction. He used that Authority to destroy half of all creatures in the universe. The destructive effect was produced by Thanos's Authority of Destruction. The six Infinity Stones were just providing amplification and power. In this way everything made sense now.
There were countless different Authorities in the universe. Even if the Infinity Stones represented the most powerful cosmic forces, gathering all six of them was not enough to achieve absolutely everything.
Perhaps the original Sebastian from before would have thought this was possible.
But as Sebastian's power grew over the years, he came into contact with more and more truths about the universe.
The Infinity Stones were indeed immensely powerful. But they were not completely invincible or all-powerful.
Collecting all six Infinity Stones together could theoretically accomplish most things. However once the task exceeded the specific powers represented by the Infinity Stones, achieving those tasks would be beyond their capabilities. Unless like Thanos, the stones could be used to amplify other existing powers.
At this thought, Sebastian had a vague idea forming in his mind.
If the amplification and energy output of the six Infinity Stones could be controlled precisely to the point where they only needed to accomplish a specific task, then the backlash from using the six Infinity Stones could be avoided to the greatest extent possible. If this were truly possible, a wide range of things would become achievable.
Using the power of the Infinity Stones to enhance his own magical powers or his Hell Authority would surely shock certain cosmic beings.
With the Reality Stone and Space Stone currently in his possession, and the Time Stone within his reach through Ancient One, the remaining gems were the Mind Stone and Soul Stone and Power Stone.
The Mind Stone was currently in Vision's forehead. So it was not impossible to remove it from him.
The Power Stone was on the planet Xandar being guarded by the Nova Corps. Sebastian's current strength was probably enough to deal them a serious blow. Let alone stealing the stone in secret.
As the saying goes, you cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days. So stealing the Power Stone was not completely impossible. It just required acting one step ahead of Thanos.
The final Soul Stone presented a more complex situation. However Sebastian did not believe it truly required sacrificing a loved one as the legends said.
Gamora was Thanos's adopted daughter. She was a true beloved and important figure to him. But Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff did not quite fit that bill. They were at most important friends and comrades to each other which was fine. But if someone were to call them the most beloved or most important people, Sebastian suspected Clint's wife and daughter and sons would strongly object to that.
Therefore regarding the Soul Stone, Sebastian believed the key was not about who was the most important. It was not about any other emotional factor. Rather it was about the soul itself being sacrificed.
As the saying goes, quantitative change leads to qualitative change. Moreover Sebastian could transform and manipulate souls. He could replace ordinary souls with souls closer in nature to Alisha his mother or Wanda his love. He could not imagine the Soul Stone being so particular that it could not be lured out by so many quality souls offered.
Sebastian pondered all of this carefully. But it was just a fleeting thought. The time that passed outside was only a few seconds.
Thanos's body was now radiating a near-black aura of destructive power. He swung his double-bladed sword forward. Black ripples of destructive energy emanated outward from the blade. Rocks and plants alike were swiftly withered beneath these waves of power. They were reduced to fine sand or black ash.
Dodging Thanos's destructive attack, Sebastian raised his wand. A dark green light shot forth from the tip.
"Cruciatus!"
Dark green lightning struck against Thanos's raised double-bladed sword. Black ripples of destructive Authority clung to the sword's surface. They were resisting Sebastian's Cruciatus Curse.
Seeing this defense, Sebastian knew that while Thanos's magic resistance was formidable, it was not completely immune to everything. Even Thanos would not dare to let the curse hit him directly when faced with high-level dark magic like the Cruciatus Curse.
With a powerful flick of his wand, a dark green shockwave slammed directly into Thanos's double-bladed sword. It knocked him back several meters.
Simultaneously Sebastian opened his mouth. He spat out a massive ball of blue Hellfire. He held the ball of Hellfire in his left hand. He raised his wand in his right hand and pointed it at the fireball.
The Hellfire exploded outward. It transformed into countless flaming crows made of fire. They flew out and rushed towards Thanos in a swarm.
Then Sebastian opened his mouth again. He spewed out more Hellfire. With a flick of his wand, the Hellfire blazed even more fiercely. It transformed into a gigantic fiery demon that was ten meters tall. It brandished its massive claws and pounced on Thanos.
At this moment Sebastian retreated quickly backwards. He waved his wand in front of him as if writing magical symbols in the air. He was silently chanting an incantation under his breath. The immense power of the new magical system flowed through him. The power of being the source of his magic was fully unleashed. As Thanos destroyed the fire crows and flame demons one by one, Sebastian's ultimate spell was finally ready.
He had combined the Cruciatus Curse and the Imperius Curse together. He incorporated the power of his Hell Authority into the mixture. He mimicked the structure of the Killing Curse. He created a new spell primarily designed to kill living targets—the Finger of Death!
Sebastian slowly raised his wand upward. The vital energy around Sebastian was visibly and rapidly absorbed into his spell. The effect was similar to Thanos's Authority of Destruction. The ground beneath his feet turned to sand. Plants withered and died instantly. Any nearby animals were immediately drained of their life force. Even those creatures who survived were put into critical condition.
As Sebastian raised his wand and pointed it directly at Thanos, a beam of yellow-green flame mixed with dark green lightning shot out from the wand's tip. It swerved at random unpredictable angles in mid-air. Then it struck directly against Thanos's raised double-bladed sword!
Whoosh... buzz buzz buzz...
Bang!
With a massive explosion of magical energy,
Thanos stumbled backward several steps. He spat out a mouthful of purple blood. His head felt extremely dizzy. His mind was unsure of where to focus. His body felt exhausted. He was unable to continue fighting at full strength.
He forced himself to look down at his double-bladed sword. He saw that this weapon which had been forged by the master dwarf craftsman Eitri had been blown apart. Half of the blade was completely destroyed. It was now only a single-bladed weapon.
Looking up at Sebastian with disbelief in his eyes, Thanos's face was filled with a solemn and serious expression.
Author's Note: Sebastian created the Finger of Death spell and damaged Thanos! But will it be enough to defeat the Mad Titan?
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