Although not dead, Malekith was severely wounded.
The sniper hurriedly reloaded—that single shot had consumed all the magic crystals in his magazine. Only this type of energy source could allow them to switch energy forms for different attacks.
Thor had felt a chill down his spine for a moment, thankfully that shot wasn't aimed at him. Coming to his senses, Thor gripped Mjolnir and raised the last cone-shaped device, preparing to nail Malekith down like staking a vampire.
"Ahhhh—!" He raised his weapon high, letting out a roar.
Just as he was about to strike, hoofbeats grew closer. Thor's expression changed, but he gritted his teeth and continued his swing.
In the sky above, beyond the blood-red Aether, a squadron of skeletal horses dove down from the dark clouds. The leading red knight, wearing a terrifying mask, drew his weapon and descended from above.
"Expecto Patronum!" Continuous explosions rang out across the rooftops. Aurors in buttoned coats appeared one by one. Thirteen in total.
They waved their wands, and silvery-white guardian animals of various forms leaped from six of them toward the sky. This scene was like an inverted holy war between heaven and hell.
The civilians witnessing this couldn't help but stop and stare wide-eyed at this miracle. The Patronuses collided with the ghostly Wild Hunt. The skeletal horses of the Hunt let out terrified screams as the riders swung their weapons at the guardians.
Compared to those terrifying beings, the Patronuses were rabbits, small dogs, stags, and deer. People judge by appearances first—even if this wasn't a crisis, seeing this scene, they would instinctively know who represented justice.
The lead Auror wore glasses, his Patronus a stag. The antlers pierced through the Wild Hunt specter's body—he knew he was right.
"These things are like Dementors—everyone use Patronuses to drive them away!" the legendary Auror decisively commanded.
"Expecto Patronum!" The Aurors who had been holding back now followed orders and attacked. Silvery-white guardians danced like spirits. All thirteen Aurors raised their wands simultaneously, the wind making their robes flutter.
Though thirteen Patronuses were impressive, the Wild Hunt had numbers too. Delphi gritted her teeth as her small snake was being attacked by a Hunt specter. "Boss!"
The lead Auror's expression changed. Just then, the M-02 Ghost finished reloading. The sniper no longer hid, crouching and raising his rifle. This time he aimed for Malekith's eyes.
"I don't believe you can still move without a head!" the sniper growled and pulled the trigger.
White light pierced through the Aether, striking simultaneously with Thor's attack. Malekith exploded. In every sense of the word.
From his burst eye socket, Aether particles erupted, blasting Thor away. Then the Aether exploded, rushing out of his eye socket in a frenzy. Within it, a flash of silver-white paused when it saw Jane, then was swallowed by the dark red.
Thor was badly injured, rolling dozens of times before looking up in horror at this uncontrollable disaster. The sniper's shot had torn open the Aether, his attack was absorbed and then brewed within it.
The Aether spread toward the wizards, destroying Delphi's Patronus in the process. She staggered backward, nearly falling off the roof. Seeing the flower of doom gradually blooming, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Wizard King's Bertie Bott's Beans!"
The lead Auror waved his wand, sending a Wild Hunt specter into the Aether. The specter was instantly devoured. The opened petals gathered dark red Aether beams.
His brow twitching, the legendary Auror decisively changed his magic. "Protego Horribilis!" "Protego Totalum!"
The beam shot out, exploding in blood-red light over Greenwich, casting the earth in darkness. The attack was blocked, but the Aurors looked grim. Their combined protective charms had barely held.
Within the Aether, Malekith floated upward. He spread his arms, continuously releasing Aether particles.
"By the Wizard King, what should we do?" Lawrence looked at his boss.
The legendary Auror glanced at his companions, then at the city. His wand hung at his side, his robes fluttering in the wind. "May the Wizard King protect us."
He didn't retreat, adjusting his cracked glasses. The Aurors stood beside him, equally unwavering.
"For the dark world, banish the light!" Malekith let out a mad shriek—perhaps the sniper's shot had affected his brain. The Aether spread toward the Nine Realms.
In Asgard, Odin stood with his army while Queen Frigga prayed with clasped hands. The Ancient One stood on the London Sanctum's roof, her expression calm as she watched the flower that would drag the world into the abyss. S.H.I.E.L.D. was still en route by aircraft.
The whole world watched this crisis. The damage would exceed the Battle of New York.
Thor struggled to his feet, but his legs gave out and he nearly collapsed again. Jane came to his side. He summoned his hammer, ready to continue without hesitation.
"No, Thor." Tears welled in Jane's eyes as she trembled, "You'll die."
"I know, but..." Thor looked at Jane, "This is what I must do."
Heroes are heroes because they fear no danger. The future king of Asgard, future protector of the Nine Realms. Thor had this resolve because he was Thor Odinson, God of Thunder, son of Odin. He would face death to stop this disaster.
He slowly pushed Jane away as Selvig held back Jane, who tried to rush forward. "Take care of Jane, Selvig." Thor smiled. He swung Mjolnir. Selvig nodded gravely.
The sniper reloaded, and Aurors stood on rooftops. No one would retreat.
Watching the approaching Aether, the legendary Auror faced the darkness, only saying, "May the Wizard King protect us."
Yes, may the Wizard King protect us. A miracle.
Thor resolutely walked toward the Aether. The sniper's hands were trembling, his shoulder aching from the M-02's recoil. The Aurors raised their wands. A miracle!
In the storm, warriors roar, the wise remain calm. Gentlemen maintain elegance, like their buttons never fastened to the third.
Mycroft answered a phone call, watching the Aether, slowly saying, "Yes, a miracle." His gaze fell on the silver mask.
The pain Thor expected didn't come. He looked around in confusion. The legendary Auror's raised wand didn't cast magic. The sniper aimed at Malekith, seeing the Aether change direction.
And at the Aether's center. The silver mask raised his right hand, the red gem's power interfering with the Aether's kindred force.
"No! What is this!" Malekith let out a bestial roar.
The silver mask raised his right hand high. "Magic is miracles." "Snap."
The finger snap fell. Yellow, Green, and Red—three colored halos spread out, becoming three massive magic circles. Ring after ring, piercing through the dark red Aether. Making this terrifying, world-ending machine stop turning.
The Aether surrounding Malekith suddenly dispersed for an instant. Just an instant.
The sniper gritted his teeth and growled. This time, the bullet squeezed through Malekith's eye socket and exploded inside. Malekith's consciousness stopped.
The Aether, losing human control, stopped and gathered downward. Like smoke blown by wind, it converged toward the center. Finally condensing in the silver mask's right hand.
Malekith's body fell in free fall. Before darkness descended, Death rang the funeral bell first. The sniper smiled weakly.
Everyone's gaze focused on the center where the Aether had vanished. The silver mask wore gorgeous green clothing, an emerald ring on his right hand alongside the silver ring. Dark red energy flashed beneath deep eyes, watching the restless Aether.
"And magic..."
"Submit to me."
Praise miracles.
Praise magic.
Praise...
The Wizard King.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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