Asgard went on high alert. Not only was there a riot in the prison, but they were also being invaded. Usually, it was Asgard catching others off guard; this time, they were the ones being ambushed.
One after another, blade-shaped fighter ships sped toward Asgard. Odin, who had been on his way to the dungeons, had to turn back, causing him to miss his chance to encounter the Kursed warrior.
The Kursed warrior's immense strength allowed him to sweep through the Asgardian soldiers in the palace. As he killed them one by one, venting the long-held resentment of the Dark Elves, he also discovered why Loki had pointed him down this path: it led to Asgard's defense core.
Heimdall's only flaw was, perhaps, that he couldn't fly. The first fighter that entered Asgard was destroyed, but others followed.
John glanced at the anxious Heimdall and said, "You stood at the gate watching for so long and didn't notice?"
Heimdall's expression was grim. If the Dark Elves' technology were that simple, Bor wouldn't have had to launch a full-scale assault on Svartalfheim in the past. He rushed back to his post to activate the palace's defense system. A golden shield began to slowly rise, enveloping the entire palace.
John decided it was time to leave. He leisurely drew his wand. "Sometimes, learning a little more magic doesn't hurt." A sharp cracking sound exploded next to Heimdall's ear. John vanished and reappeared in the air above one of the fighter jets. He raised his wand, his feet as steady as a mountain on the speeding aircraft.
"This piloting skill is truly hardcore," John marveled. He watched as Asgard's aerial defense forces tried to attack, only to be skillfully evaded by the fighter beneath him. Just as it was about to reach the palace, he aimed his wand at the ship. John's lips parted, and he uttered a spell.
"Diffindo!"
A silver light flashed, and a crack extended from the top of the fighter, splitting it in two. The Dark Elf pilot inside had no time to react as the out-of-control ship crashed into the golden energy shield and exploded. John leaped lightly over the barrier, having successfully hitched a ride into the palace. He glanced at the Asgardian soldiers rushing frantically to defend, a stark contrast to his own leisurely stroll.
"This must be the danger Frigga spoke of," he thought. As the Wizard King, he might not need to concern himself with others, but he had to look after the witch, Frigga.
"Point Me."
The wand spun in his palm and pointed in a specific direction. John walked toward it. Behind him, Asgardian soldiers fought off wave after wave of attacks. The protective shield, which had been about to fully deploy, failed completely after the Kursed warrior destroyed its core with a single punch.
A fighter jet swooped into the palace. A team of Dark Elves disembarked, Malekith among them. There was a reason the Dark Elves had once dominated the realms. Malekith glanced at the high throne and plucked a collapse bomb from a soldier's belt. The throne was destroyed in the ensuing explosion, horrifying the Asgardian soldiers.
"The King's throne has been destroyed! Protect the King!"
Asgardian warriors rushed to provide support. By the time Odin arrived, Malekith had already left the skirmish and found Jane in the queen's chambers. He had walked right in.
Frigga's expression was grave. She held her weapon and issued a warning. "Stop, and I may spare your life."
"You can't do anything to me, woman," Malekith said, not taking Odin's wife seriously. This time, however, he had misjudged.
"Who are you?" Frigga asked.
Malekith replied coolly, "I am Malekith, and I have come to take back what is mine."
Hearing this, Frigga subconsciously glanced at Jane. Malekith's attention was drawn as well, and in that instant, Frigga struck, her weapon slashing across his face. Ambushed, Malekith immediately counterattacked. But Frigga, who stood by Odin's side, was there not just for her youthful beauty but for her formidable strength. Underestimating his opponent, Malekith was pressed back by Frigga's agile swordplay.
Finally, she held her sword to his neck. "You should not have trespassed," she said coldly.
Malekith said nothing, his eyes darting to the side. Frigga sensed something was wrong and turned, swinging her blade, only to have it caught by a large hand and wrenched away. The Kursed warrior had arrived. He grabbed Frigga, who had just been overwhelming Malekith, with one hand.
Malekith regained the upper hand. He had to be quick; Odin could appear at any moment. He strode toward Jane to reclaim his prize. Jane backed away in fear until she had nowhere left to go. Just as Malekith's hand touched her, her body vanished.
An illusion. As Loki's mother, a child raised by witches, how could she not know illusion magic?
Enraged, Malekith glared at Frigga. "You witch!"
Frigga smiled.
"Where is the Aether?"
"I will never tell you."
Unable to get an answer, Malekith saw no reason to keep Frigga alive. The Kursed warrior raised his blade to pierce her body. Frigga closed her eyes.
The moment the blade touched her, an undeniable force emanated from the Kursed warrior's hand. The sword spun through the air. All eyes followed it.
John reached out and caught the weapon. "If you knew she was a witch," he said calmly, "you should have been prepared to face the wrath of the Wizard King."
Frigga smiled.
Malekith looked at the uninvited guest, sensing a familiar aura. "The Aether." As its former master, Malekith could sense the Aether's presence on John.
John raised an eyebrow, looking at the eager Malekith. "Not running away?"
"The Aether is on you," Malekith stared at John. "Hand it over."
"Oh?" John said mockingly. "I thought you would be familiar with the Aether's power. It seems I was mistaken." Malekith frowned. A dark energy flashed in John's eyes. "Otherwise, you would be running right now."
His right hand was covered in silver. John waved it, and a red ripple exploded outward, sending the Kursed warrior holding Frigga flying.
Malekith's face twisted in fury. "Impossible! How can you use the Aether?" His confidence had stemmed from the certainty that Asgardians could not wield its power. John had just proven him wrong.
John waved his wand. "You should not have laid a hand on my people."
Red lightning shot out. The Kursed warrior rushed to block it, his body scarred by the lashes. Frigga was freed. Thunder rumbled. Though unwilling, Malekith knew his chance was lost. He and the Kursed warrior retreated. Thor's hammer, crackling with electricity, flew out and struck them both, helping them on their way.
John looked speechlessly at Thor.
Odin had also arrived and saw his wife.
"Mother!" Thor rushed to help her up.
"I'm fine, Thor," Frigga said, looking at John. "The Wizard King protects his people."
Odin looked at John with a complex expression. "You saved my queen."
John said flatly, "I was merely fulfilling my duty as king."
Odin bowed. "Regardless, I must thank you, Wizard King." The arrogant god would also bow to the Wizard King.
Thor, finally catching on, looked at John. "John, you're the Wizard King?" His expression was one of someone whose entire worldview had just been shattered.
Jane, who had been protected, came out and threw herself into Thor's arms. John noticed that Odin was looking at his right hand, which was covered in silver.
Yellow, green, and red—three gems shimmered with light. As the god-king who had once conquered the Nine Realms, Odin knew what they were. And he knew what they meant.
"You are collecting the Infinity Stones, Wizard King."
At these words, the atmosphere fell silent.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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